Whether you are seeking hormone replacement therapy, mental health assistance, or social support on changing your name or pronouns, NYC offers a wide range of options that are available to you regardless of your immigration status.
In New York, you’re protected by state and city laws against discrimination based on gender identity and immigration status. Health care providers, for instance, cannot deny you care because you’re transgender, nonbinary, or an immigrant. If you face discrimination, you can file a complaint with the NYC Commission on Human Rights or call 311 to report it.
Gender-affirming care includes medical care, mental health, and social services that support transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people in living as their authentic selves. And yes, you have a right to receive this kind of care in the city.
New York’s Medicaid policy explicitly covers transgender-related health care. While Medicaid is not available to undocumented immigrants, there are many local clinics that can still help.
Always be honest about your financial situation; clinics can be flexible with costs and want to help. Also, remember you don’t have to navigate this alone: consider joining immigrant and LGBTQ+ support groups for guidance and community.
Also Read: LGBT in NYC: Where to Get Healthcare, Name Change Services and More
Enrolling in a health insurance plan should be one of your first steps you take when settling in NYC. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, an organization that meets the needs of New York’s LGBTQ+ community, has its own Insurance Navigator who can help you one-on-one to find affordable insurance plans that meet your personal health needs.
Once you have picked an insurance option, seek trusted clinics and health centers.
In this map, NYC Health shows every LGBTQ+ affirming provider for members seeking counseling, gender-affirming care, primary care, and additional services. Here are some more to help you get started on your health journey.
This is one of the leading providers of LGBTQ+ health services, which offers hormone therapy, primary care, mental health support, and more. They have sliding-scale fees based on income and have locations in Chelsea, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. Check their website here.
This nonprofit clinic provides care to everyone, regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, immigration status, or ability to pay. Their services vary by location, so they have this map where you type your ZIP code and find your nearest health center. Learn more here.
Clinics in NYC offer primary care and transgender health services, regardless of patient’s immigration status. Click here to access their services.
Social support groups are an important part of all the services that this Center provides. They focus also on health programs that address substance use treatment, counseling, recovery groups, HIV/AIDS testing, and education. The organization also hosts various events that celebrate the history of the communities in the city, so it’s a great place to start building your support network. The Center also offers peer-led support and legal clinics.
You can find a 24/7 phone service to seek help and appointments. These are some of them:
This organization offers a variety of ongoing programs, events, and initiatives focused on enhancing the social, physical, and emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ Brooklynites. They provide confidential, culturally competent individual therapy prioritizing those who qualify for Medicaid and Essentials Plans. To learn more about eligibility, please use the online inquiry form.
You can also find attached here a list of free mental health apps.
Focusing on the transgender community, this organization supports individuals with name and gender marker changes, as well as workplace discrimination issues. It brings cases and files amicus briefs (friend-of-the-court briefs) in state and federal courts nationwide to defend the rights of transgender and nonbinary people.
Additionally, the organization educates affected individuals about their legal rights, advocates for equal access to healthcare, expands enforcement of existing legal protections and works to drive changes in insurance company policies.
This legal aid group is dedicated to serving transgender people of color. They offer direct representation for those seeking immigration relief, name changes, and other gender-affirming actions. Additionally, they advocate for incarcerated individuals who need trans-competent legal support.
New York City offers a range of shelters that cater to LGBTQ+ clients with services for immigrants and other vulnerable individuals. These organizations listed here provide everything from emergency shelter and supportive housing to counseling, case management, mental health support, and help navigating immigration and name changes. They’re all crucial resources for LGBTQ+ individuals in need, especially those facing housing instability and other barriers as immigrants.
Finally, for additional needs like legal help, community building, financial assistance, English language learning, or advocacy, The Center has compiled this comprehensive list of immigration services available in NYC.
Also Read: List of Shelters for the LGBTQ+ Community in NYC
