Gender-Affirming Care

Gender-Affirming Care

What is gender-affirming care?

Transgender or gender diverse (TGD) people are those whose sex assigned at birth doesn’t align with their identity. Discomfort or distress with this misalignment is clinically known as “gender dysphoria” and can be treated through gender-affirming care.

  • The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)defines gender-affirming care as, “Safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with [members’] gendered selves…”
  • The WPATH defines transgender as, "people whose gender identities and/or gender expressions are not what is typically expected for the sex to which they were assigned at birth.”
  • The WPATH describes gender-diverse people with, “gender identities and/or expressions that are different from social and cultural expectations attributed to their sex assigned at birth.”
  • Gender-affirming care is meant to boost overall health, psychological well-being and self-fulfillment.
  • Care may involve primary care, hormonal and surgical treatments, voice and communication therapy, and gynecological and urological care.

Some transgender and gender-diverse people may never seek medical transition but still deserve an experience affirming their identity.

CalOptima Health Transgender Health Care Options

General transgender health resources

If you have any questions about transgender health or gender-affirming care, call CalOptima Health Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We have staff who speak your language.

Transgender mental health resources

Behavioral health services are available to CalOptima Health members. If you are looking for behavioral health services, please call the CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Line toll-free at
1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Gender Transition Doctors and Transgender Care in Southern California


Finding the right provider is a big part of getting excellent clinical care. Whether you’re looking for a primary care doctor, a doctor for gender-affirming surgery or an endocrinologist to manage gender-affirming hormone therapy, we want to empower you with the best information to find a provider who meets your needs. The CalOptima Health Provider Directory will show you which doctors are currently in network for your health plan.

Transgender and gender-affirming care in Orange County, California


CHOC (Gender, Puberty, and Sex Development Program) ― https://health.choc.org/protecting-the-mental-health-of-lgbtqia-youth/  

UCI (Gender Diversity Program) ― https://www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/gender-diversity  

Radiant Health (Primary Care, Mental Health, and other Care Programs) ― https://www.radianthealthcenters.org/  

Transgender / gender-affirming care in San Diego, California


UCSD (Gender Affirming Care Program) ― https://health.ucsd.edu/care/gender-affirming-care/  

Transgender Resources

  • LGBTQ Center OC ― Orange County resources and services such as transgender, mental health and free HIV & STI Testing and Prevention resources.
  • Shanti OC ― In-network mental health services, letters of support and support groups for transgender and gender nonconforming people.
  • APAIT/SSG ― Behavioral health integrated treatment for trauma, substance use and mental health challenges, including counseling, support groups, case management and HIV/HCV/HBV care.
  • Be Well OC ― Complete list of resources in Orange County for mental health or substance use.
  • CalOptima Health CalAIM ― Resource for CalOptima Health members that includes Community Supports for help with safe housing, support in the home, accessible healthy food, and more.

Resources for parents of transgender youth and adults

  • PFLAG ― (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays) is a resource for LGBTQ+ people and the people who love them. They also have a site dedicated to the loved ones of transgender people.

Transgender sexual health education

Transgender sexual health education provides information and support to transgender people to help them make informed choices about their sexual health and relationships.

Transgender books

Transgender books give guidance and resources for people navigating their own gender identity, as well as for their friends, family and allies. These books tell stories about transgender experiences, identities and challenges, helping people to understand and empathize with the transgender community. Here’s a reading list to check out:

  • “Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children” by Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D.
  • “Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us” by Kate Bornstein
  • “Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son” by Lori Duron
  • “Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More” by Janet Mock
  • “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders” by Jennifer Finney Boylan
  • “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community” by Laura Erickson-Scroth
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