The healthcare sector for the LGBTQ+ and transgender communities has faced significant challenges in recent years. Since January 20, 2025, this country has witnessed a wave of legislation aimed at restricting access to healthcare for transgender individuals and queer youth, on top of earlier Republican sponsored anti-trans bills from 2023 and 2024.
According to a recent post from Translegislation.com, “This year, thirty-nine bills have already passed. Of those, twenty-one have been signed into law. Eighteen others have passed, but haven’t yet been vetoed or signed.”
Florida and Texas for example, have enacted laws that limit access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors. The implications of these laws extend beyond just healthcare. They signal a broader societal push against the human rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities.
Federal funding cuts to programs aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ individuals have further complicated the situation. The elimination or reduction of funding for initiatives that provide mental health services and substance abuse treatment to the queer community has left many without essential support systems. In 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported a decrease in funding for programs specifically targeting LGBTQ+ populations, directly affecting organizations that provide gender-affirming healthcare and ancillary care services.
The current national political climate, characterized by alarming legislative and public funding cuts to healthcare programs and targeted political attacks against transgender individuals and others in the queer community has worsened existing disparities.
Organizations like Charlotte Trans Health and Quality Comprehensive Health Care in Charlotte (QCHC), along with Dudley’s Place and Rosedale Health & Wellness in Huntersville are at the local forefront of providing essential services to our vulnerable communities.
This article explores the implications of some of these issues and underscores the urgent call to action for support of our local gender-affirming healthcare organizations.
Healthcare disparities in the queer community are well-documented. According to a 2024 report by the National Center for Transgender Equality, nearly 30 percent of transgender individuals reported being denied healthcare because of their gender identity. This statistic underscores the urgent need for gender-affirming and supportive medical providers.
“Medical providers who are affiliated with Charlotte Trans Health are very committed to continuing to provide quality healthcare,” said Holly Savoy, Executive Director and Psychologist at Charlotte Trans Health.
Charlotte Trans Health, a key player in the region’s healthcare landscape, has made it their mission to bridge these gaps. Their program “Providing Access to Healthcare” (PATH) is specifically designed to cater to the needs of the transgender community.
“You know there are different things that are starting to happen in healthcare, as we’re seeing across the country,” Savoy explained. “But we’re continuing to provide care as best and as effectively as we can [and] we’re continuing our PATH Program.” The PATH program ensures that its clients feel respected and safe when receiving care.
Rosedale Health and Wellness works collaboratively with its nonprofit subsidiary partner, Dudley’s Place, to provide medical care and ancillary services in the Charlotte region to individuals living with HIV. The services include medical, mental, nutritional, educational and spiritual support including free and confidential testing.
Dale Pierce, Executive Director of Dudley’s Place said, “We have four of the best medical providers who are either members of the queer community and can relate to their patients or are gender-affirming allies who all share the same common goal of providing equitable quality healthcare.”
Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place will promote their services as Huntersville’s premier sponsor at the town’s first Pride Festival coming up June 22.
“Seventy-five percent of the program services are supported by federal and state funding,” Pierce continued. “Any interruptions or funding cuts that support our programs, puts the organizations at risk of drastically scaling down services or potential closure.”
Clearly, government funding cuts matter and the increase in cuts will continue to negatively impact our LGBTQ+ communities.
Dr. Ra’Shawn Flournoy, CEO at Quality Comprehensive Health Center (QCHC) shared a press release dated March 18, 2025, ”We just heard very unfortunate news from our partners AIDS United that there is an effort underfoot to completely eliminate CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention as quickly as with the next 24 hours.”
QCHC offers primary care, specialized treatment, and preventive services to under served and at-risk communities. The organization is the recipient of President Biden’s Lifetime Presidential Achievement award and the health center receives Health and Human Services funding.
“The current administration cut all program grant funding, which impacted services to clients and cuts to payroll and then the administration reversed their decision for now,” said Flournoy.
Despite the volatile and wavering political climate, on April 3, 2025, the organization will host the grand opening of their new pharmacy, which will be a major benefit to its clients.
QCHC’s program services that potentially could be impacted by future changes or cuts in federal policy and funding includes HIV testing, Substance Abuse Treatment, education on using PrEP in preventing HIV and their Power House Online platform where individuals can “Ask The Doc” confidential questions.
The aforementioned gender-affirming local organizations, as well as other similar organizations, provide essential services to our community. These organizations have seen an influx of patients seeking care amid the growing uncertainty surrounding healthcare and supportive care access. Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are fearful and apprehensive, but many need on-going professional and peer support.
“We have a significant increase in attendance to our therapist lead support groups that we hold twice monthly,” Savoy explained.
“We need more mentors and volunteers because of the increase in traffic,”said Flournoy. QCHC will soon launch “Prevention in the Pulpit,” a collaborative partnership with faith-based leaders and organizations to provide educational tools and materials related to mental health and HIV prevention services.
Our queer communities need safe and affirming mental health and healthcare spaces where everyone can receive the care they deserve. Without adequate resources, support and guidance, many individuals will be left helpless and hopeless. Said Savoy at Charlotte Trans Health: ”We rely a lot on government funding so we really need to increase our support to protect us, continue the work we’re doing and provide that access to care. The availability of those funds is obviously on the decline. We have to have other funding resources.”
Advocacy groups such as The LGBTQ Center of Charlotte, PFlag, Equality North Carolina, South Carolina Equity, Time Out Youth and others are mobilizing to push back against harmful legislation. Efforts are underway to educate the public about the importance of gender-affirming care and the devastating effects of denying individuals access to necessary treatments. Organizations are working together to create an alliance against the political attacks that threaten the health and well-being of our LGBTQ+ community and particularly our Trans family and friends.
As our unsettled national political climate continues to evolve, the fight for equitable healthcare access for the LGBTQ+ community is far from over. Local gender-affirming healthcare organizations like Charlotte Trans Health, Dudley’s Place, Rosedale Health, and QCHC remain steadfast in their commitment to provide affirming and inclusive medical, mental and supporting services.
The call for inclusive healthcare is more urgent than ever. As political attacks persist at the state and federal levels, it is imperative for our communities to come together to support one another and advocate for the rights of all individuals to access the care they need.
For more information and ways to support:
Charlotte Trans Health https://charlottetranshealth.org
Dudley’s Place https://www.dudleysplace.org
Quality Comprehensive Health Center https://www.qchealth.orgRosedale Health and Wellnesshttps://myrosedalehealth.com