At A Step Ahead Chattanooga, we believe that birth control access is for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Everyone deserves the ability to make informed choices about their reproductive health in a way that aligns with their needs, identities, and goals.
LGBTQIA+ communities include a diverse range of identities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. Because of this diversity, reproductive healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all. And for many LGBTQIA+ people, especially those who haven’t always felt seen in medical spaces, navigating birth control options can come with added challenges.
Birth control can be used for much more than pregnancy prevention. It can help regulate periods, reduce cramps, manage conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, and even assist with hormone balance. For those who are sexually active with partners who can cause pregnancy, it can be an important part of family planning, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
For transgender men and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, hormonal birth control may also support gender-affirming care. Some people use it to stop monthly periods or reduce bleeding in ways that feel more aligned with their bodies.
If you’re looking for protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), barrier methods like external (male) condoms, internal (female) condoms, and dental dams are great tools. These methods can be used on their own or alongside hormonal or long-acting birth control for additional protection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), STI rates are higher in some LGBTQIA+ communities. This isn’t about identity, it’s about access, stigma, and gaps in healthcare. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals face barriers to regular preventive care, experience discrimination in healthcare settings, or are excluded from inclusive sex education. All of these factors can make it harder to get the information, resources, and screenings that support sexual health.
If you live or go to school in our 18-county service area, you can request free condoms to be mailed to you using the link below.
At A Step Ahead, we believe that inclusive care begins by listening. That means creating a welcoming environment and understanding that each person’s health journey is unique.
You should never have to choose between accessing care and feeling respected.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed or misunderstood during a healthcare appointment, you’re not alone. That’s why we created a Healthcare Advocacy Handout to help you feel more prepared and confident.
A Step Ahead Chattanooga is here to remove barriers to birth control for anyone in our 18-county service area. There are no insurance or income requirements. Whether you’re exploring your options, or just need someone to talk to about your options, we’re here. Everyone deserves the freedom to take charge of their reproductive future.
https://powertodecide.org/news/how-birth-control-can-help-gender-dysphoria#:~:text=How%20can%20birth%20control%20help,skip%20or%20eliminate%20periods%20altogether
https://www.glma.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/annual/summary.html
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