LGBTQ+ Health Care - Access Health Louisiana

Find Help: Resources available in your community.  Visit https://accesshealthla.org/help/

To schedule an appointment at any Access Health Louisiana location, call 1-866-530-6111

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LGBTQ+ Health Care

Here at Access Health Louisiana, we are dedicated to providing the best possible care to our trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) youth patients. Due to Louisiana Act 466, our pediatric providers are barred from providing gender affirming hormone replacement therapy to any patients under the age of 18. If you are currently receiving hormone replacement therapy and are under the age of 18, your provider will discuss the next steps with you at your upcoming appointment. We will continue to offer culturally competent behavioral health, primary care, screening and treatment, preventative health, and dental services to our trans and GNC youth patients. If you have questions or concerns about your care, please call (504) 226-2976. We understand how challenging this time is and we will continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals to receive comprehensive, inclusive, and compassionate healthcare.

Access Health Louisiana is dedicated to providing the best health care and a safe environment to all of our patients regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We recognize that the LGBTQ+ community has historically been underserved, and we strive to provide competent, compassionate, and individualized care to all of our patients in the LGBTQ+ community.

Meet Our LGBTQ+ Administrative Team

Our Health Services

HIV and STI Services Behavioral Health LGBTQ+ Youth Transgender Healthcare

HIV and STI Services

Free HIV Home Test KitsAt Access Health Louisiana, we strive to provide a welcoming environment that promotes services that are culturally competent, culturally humble, and provide an overall safe space to the communities that we serve. Through our Sexual Health Services programs, patients are able to receive high quality HIV and STI testing, treatment, and linkage to clinical services and referrals.

Statistically, individuals of the LGBTQ+ experience have an increased chance of contracting HIV, HPV, and other STIs. This can lead to an increased chance of acquiring multiple STIs and an elevated risk of acquiring certain types of cancers.

To make an appointment for HIV or STI care please call the Pythian Clinic at (504) 226-2976 or visit our Access Health Louisiana locations page to contact the AHL Community Health Center near you.

Already an Access Health LA patient? You can fill PEP/PrEP prescriptions through our Pharmacy program with free local delivery. For information on filling a PEP/PrEP prescription, contact the Access Health Louisiana Pharmacy.

To request a free Home HIV test visit our webpage found here. 

HIV and STI Services Include:

 

Behavioral Health

Due to various environmental pressures, LGBTQ+ individuals can encounter an increase in struggle with their mental and behavioral health, such as anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and contemplation of suicide. Access Health Louisiana has multiple behavioral health providers who specialize in caring for LGBTQ+ individuals and providing culturally competent, high quality mental health support.

To make an appointment with one of our behavioral health providers please call 1-866-530-6111

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255

LGBTQ+ Youth

At Access Health Louisiana, we know that the health needs of LGBTQ+ youth can differ from that of their peers.  Research shows that youth of the LGBTQ+ experience who have a safe and supportive school and home environment are more likely to have happy and fulfilling adolescent years. However, youth without the same support, especially those who are experience sexual and gender identities that may not be as clear to themselves or others, face barriers to receiving that safety and support. Sex and sexuality in general can be difficult topic areas discuss; moreover, when sexual orientation and gender identity are included in these conversations, it can be challenging for youth and their families to discuss openly. When children and adolescents are exploring their sexual orientation (e.g. gay, lesbian, bisexual) and gender identities (e.g. transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary), they have a much greater risk of experiencing physical and mental health challenges. For those and many others, holistic, whole-person, care are essential. Access Health Louisiana provides primary and behavioral health care for all LGBTQ+ persons and their families.

Services for LGBTQ+ Youth:

 

If you or your child are struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please call the Trevor Project crisis line at 1-(866)-488-7386

Support for LGBTQ+ Youth is available 24/7 via phone or on their website. Click here to view the Trevor Project support page.

Transgender Healthcare

Access to quality health care and multilevel approaches to care have often been a challenge for transgender individuals. We at Access Health Louisiana believe that the transgender community, just as everyone else, deserve culturally competent, high-quality, compassionate care. Fear of discrimination and previous trauma can prevent people of trans experience from seeking out and accessing health care. We strive to provide a safe health environment, while continuously working to improve our network and fight stigma.

Services for People of Trans Experience:

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please call the Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860. This hotline is staffed by people of trans experience and dedicated to the trans community.

Hotline Hours: 10am – 4am

If you or someone you know is in need of immediate assistance outside of those hours please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255


Our Health Providers

Jonathan Chandler, PsyD, MP


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Randalla Reynolds, NP


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Patricia Rutledge, LPC


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Xiaoyun Shang, MD


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Yoktomyra Williams-Singleton, LPC


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Lisa Spence, NP


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Jerry Stallings, FNP


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Alison Thornhill, FNP


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LGBTQ RESOURCES

LGBTQ+ RESOURCES

We at Access Health Louisiana know that your health and wellbeing go beyond your visit to our clinic. If you are in need of additional resources such as housing and legal assistance, visit the links below.

Legal representation:

LAMDA Legal

LA Trans Advocates

Housing:

House of Tulip

Belle Reve New Orleans

Assistance accessing health insurance:

Medicaid Enrollment

LGBTQ+ youth services:

The Trevor Project

OutLoud

Family/Community resources:

PFLAG New Orleans

Local Organizations for people living with HIV:

Project Lazarus

 

Access Health LA is here for you!