COVID-19 tips & tricks

This tips and tricks section provides information for people who are trans and/or non-binary, in addition to relevant tips in other sections. Thanks to Clinic T for advice in constructing this section.

Accessing hormones and other gender affirming treatment

If you’re using hormone therapy, it’s a good plan to ensure your prescription is up to date. GPs should be able to issue repeat prescriptions without necessarily needing face-to-face consultations in many cases. Ensure you have enough syringes, needles and sharps bin if you're on injectable meds and self-injecting. For trans women who are dilating, ensure you have sufficient lube and other supplies needed. Whilst many pharmacies are still open, it's good to think ahead in case of having to isolate.

The Gender Identity Clinic in London has information about access to their services here.

In addition, their website has up-to-date information about accessing to and using hormone therapy during this time.

If you are cancelling or postponing at the London GIC because of not being able or wanting to travel this won't mean you’ll be put to the back of the queue: you won't be penalised unfairly for this.

Chest binding

If you bind your chest, you might be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19. This might be especially the case if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions. Our friends at 56T at Dean Street have put together this great video about COVID and binding.

https://www.facebook.com/56TSoho/videos/1884931581631526/

And there’s more info about chest binding here.

Being safe

Many of us have to live in housing situations that aren’t ideal, including with partners, family members, or housemates who we’d rather not be with, or who are hostile towards us. Find out more tips and support here.

Visit our main COVID-19 hub for information about safer sex, hook ups, getting medicines and other essential info for these times.

Staying connected

It’s really important to stay connected with support networks during these times. Groups are springing up on social media to help with this and many of the support organisations are running phone lines or doing virtual meet ups .

Check out these tips on mental health and COVID here.

56T have produced this video about reducing stress and coping during these COVID times:

https://www.facebook.com/56TSoho/videos/239655060539335/

And all of these organisations have details of UK social and support groups, trans support services and essential info:

  @56TSoho (Twitter)
  @TransBareAll (Facebook)
  Spectra London's Trans Services
  Clinic T
  Gendered Intelligence
  CliniQ