Kind Clinic, a program of Texas Health Action, now offers Intersex-specific sexual health care at no cost to patients at its Austin, Dallas and San Antonio locations. This program is designed to provide adult patients who have an Intersex diagnosis with culturally aware, Intersex-specific sexual health services in a safe and affirming space. Kind Clinic provides access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post exposure prophylaxis), and HIV/STI testing and treatment in a safe and supportive environment, regardless of race, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation or ability to pay.

Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe people who are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. There are many possible differences in hormones, external and internal anatomy, and chromosomes. According to the Intersex Society of North America, one in 1,500 to one in 2,000 people are born Intersex.

“Texas Health Action is committed to providing affirming and competent sexual healthcare for Intersex individuals,” Christopher Hamilton, chief executive officer of Texas Health Action, said. “As we continue our pursuit of health justice, we’re proud to begin offering this care to Intersex individuals who need a safe space to receive sexual health services from knowledgeable and caring providers.”

In preparation for the new services, Kind Clinic worked closely with Alicia Roth-Weigel, an Intersex Texan and activist, and medical experts in the field to establish best practices and provide staff with comprehensive training in Intersex healthcare.
“Texas Health Action’s work to build an unprecedented Intersex healthcare offering for adults bridges an important gap in addressing the formerly unmet needs of a population that has existed in the shadows far too long,” Alicia Roth Weigel, Founder of Intrepida Strategy and Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Austin, said. “Building an Intersex health program in Texas is groundbreaking and a model that I hope to see replicated nationwide by any clinic, hospital or healthcare organization that endeavors to serve the LGBTQIA+ community.”

“Here at Kind Clinic, we recognize that each Intersex patient has unique needs and that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan with Intersex care,” Dr. Sandra Guerra, chief medical officer for Texas Health Action, said. “Individuals with Intersex variations will now be able to obtain more personalized and knowledgeable sexual health services as needed. By providing this care, we will create an even more inclusive healthcare environment for all Texans, a long-held goal of the organization.”

Kind Clinic providers will not have the ability to make an Intersex diagnosis but will have set processes in place for connecting patients who suspect they may have an Intersex variation with competent and vetted primary care physicians for evaluation and confirmation of an Intersex diagnosis.

In addition to connecting patients with diagnostic resources, Intersex care services offered through Kind Clinic will include:

 

• • Hormone replacement management, including lab support for management of hormone care

• • Visits specific to Intersex care including pre-registration paperwork which will make note of their Intersex status and Intersex-specific health history

• • Affirming and knowledgeable STI, gender care and HIV services

• • Equipment to conduct higher quality and more affirming physical examinations based on potentially unique Intersex physical attributes

Patients interested in learning about Intersex care can visit https://kindclinic.org/Intersex-care/ for more information.

About Texas Health Action

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community informed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV. Since 2015, Texas Health Action has provided health services without stigma or judgment and has empowered the community through outreach and education. Texas Health Action operates Kind Clinic, which provides sexual health services through locations across Central Texas; TeleKind, which provides sexual health services via virtual visits and at-home testing; and Waterloo Counseling Center, which provides behavioral health services in Austin. Texas Health Action is led by CEO Christopher Hamilton. For more information about Texas Health Action and its programs, please visit www.TexasHealthAction.org.