The Gender Affirming Care team met last Sunday, the 7th . A meeting recap by Julia Cronin can be found below: We met with the Reproductive Justice Team to discuss collaboration, not only for those of us at
UUCUC, but in the larger community.

Julia’s report:
For those who were able to attend yesterday’s meeting, thank you for your time and
the productive discussion.
For those who could not join us, the highlights are below. I’ve included names based
on who has participated in the meeting and various email chains so far, but if you
don’t want to be on these emails, let me know.

First, you may notice in the subject line that we have minted a name for this
initiative, the TransPortation Team, which we are considering a joint initiative
between the LGBTQ+ Welcome Team and the Reproductive Justice Team.

Our current phase of work is to identify resources, networks, and needs. Jerry
graciously volunteered to use his contacts at Carle to find out what types of gender-
affirming care (GAC) are available there. If anyone has contacts with Christie or
other healthcare providers in the area and is willing to do the same, it would
be greatly appreciated! Mike shared the names of numerous organizations in the
abortion care network that are already or may come to support trans folks as well.
Kai (who came to UUCUC for the first time yesterday!!) offered to flex his
cartography skills to map out our resources once this information comes together.

I have connected with a group recommended by Sally, the Trans Resistance
Network, and through them Heather Vickery of the UUSC. It looks like other UUs
are also working on these networks, so I have a meeting scheduled with her next
week to discuss plugging our congregation into that network.

I also launched an anonymous survey that I’m plugging into various queer online
communities – specifically asking trans folks in surrounding states with anti-trans
legislation about their concerns and needs if they were to travel to Illinois for GAC.
I’ll keep you updated on what information I’m able to gather.

One item that came up was the ways that GAC travel needs are going to differ from
abortion care. Currently, the abortion care network seems to primarily funnel people
toward Chicago, where most of the resources are. Because GAC is recurring and not
a one-time event, this wouldn’t be practical for many people traveling back and forth

for care. That means building networks downstate. Another way is that some people
will be looking to move to Illinois permanently in order to maintain access to care.
Here are some ideas that were floated regarding what UUCUC’s involvement in this
network might look like:
– Playing “switchboard” to direct people to the right local organizations
– Helping people find local housing (Bunny, your list of apartments and pricing
will be really useful here!), perhaps by looking at houses for them
– Providing rides and/or clinic escorts
– Connecting with UU congregations in states people are coming from to help
coordinate pet care while people are traveling

Please feel free to share your thoughts and if you have any other ideas for this
information-gathering phase of our work.

Thank you!
Julia Cronin