PHOENIX - Arizonar -- In June 2021, the Williams Institute School of Law conducted and released a study about nonbinary LGBTQ adults in the US. These results came in time for non-binary awareness day July 14 and July 11-17 non-binary awareness week. The findings are fascinating but disturbing. 1.2 million LGBTQ people identify themselves as non-binary; 11% of LGBTQ are adults; 76% are between the ages of 18-29; 89% live in urban areas; 68% do not have enough to make ends meet, and 41% reported their health is in poor or fair condition. "Health care for transgender people is both widely stigmatized and misunderstood, often leading to discrimination in health care settings, resultant traumatic experiences, and inequities in health outcomes." Dr. DeShawn Taylor

Dr. DeShawn Taylor, a Board-certified Gynecologist & Family Planning Specialist in Arizona, her private medical practice, Desert Star Family Planning, began a dedicated gender-affirming care clinic for transgender and non-binary individuals on June 19, 2021 (Juneteenth). Every third Saturday of the month, Dr. Taylor and her team are providing a safe space for new gender-affirming care patients and are committed to delivering quality health care services for the transgender community. On her first day, she saw a full schedule from 8:30 am to 1 pm. Each patient had an initial clinical consultation with Dr. Taylor and a discussion of resources offered, such as hormone therapy, linkages to behavioral health services, and more. Patients were excited; some cried because they were seen and heard, something that had not previously happened for them at the doctor's office. Unfortunately, misgendering and discrimination occurs far too often, leading to 41% of transgender people reporting their health to be poor or fair.

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Dr. Taylor is looking to make a difference in the healthcare industry. Everyone deserves just, dignified, and exceptional care. Discrimination is rampant and the health care industry is not immune. Bodily autonomy is a human right. The visibility of non-binary individuals has grown tremendously within the last ten years. Celebrities and influencers are publicly identifying as non-binary individuals. Passports and other state identifications are beginning to offer "gender-neutral markers." As awareness increases, the healthcare industry must evolve to address the needs of all people.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Desert Star Family Planning

ABOUT Dr. DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG Dr. DeShawn Taylor, is a board-certified Gynecologist and Family Planning Specialist, Clinical Professor, and Reproductive Justice Advocate who established Desert Star Family Planning clinic in Phoenix in 2013 and founded Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, a non-profit organization for which she is the President, in 2017. Recognized in 2020 by the Maricopa County NAACP as a Trailblazer, Dr. Taylor is committed to providing a steadfast resource for comprehensive family planning and sexual health care, a safe and welcoming space for queer, transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people, and a hub for abortion training. She is a trusted thought leader on reproductive justice who shares her expertise with various national, state, and local boards, committees, and programs. She has co-authored academic publications and appeared in local and national television, print, and digital news media, including Rewire News, Huffington Post, ABC 15, the Arizona Republic, SELF Magazine, and Bloomberg News. Dr. Taylor was conferred the Doctor of Medicine degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. After completing post-graduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, she completed the Fellowship in Family Planning at the University of Southern California where she was also conferred a Master of Science Degree in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations.

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