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The NYC Trans Resource Phonebook is the only online resource of it’s kind. Here you will find all the essentials to navigate your transition in NYC. Whether that’s crisis lines, gender affirming care, non profit centers, insurance, or sex worker resources. Bookmark in your browser for easy access that way you don’t have to crawl Google every time you need to make a call.
The following section is for if you’re having a mental health crisis. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911. If you find yourself in a dark place please call a trusted friend or family member or one of the numbers below. You won’t be a bother. I do not claim to be a mental health professional, I’ve just been there and I know.
Available 24/7
Though I recommend contacting a friend or family member if you’re able.
Available 24/7
Operators are all transgender.
Understaffed and operating on limited resources so if you are put on hold please call a friend/family member or dial 911.
The following section contains the only three phone numbers you will need while applying for free medicaid.
I have a blog post walking you through the process of how to get free gender affirming surgeries in the state of New York 2023.
This is the phone number you will call when scheduling your interview for SNAP Benefits. You will also use this phone number to follow up on your case, I read somewhere that 40% of applicants are left waiting in the dark. This is due to limited staff and resources. It is up to you to follow up multiple times. Ask to file a complaint if you’ve been waiting for more than four weeks.
I have also included a link to the HRA website for which you will apply as well as the Access HRA mobile app which allows you to upload documents for your case as well as check your application status. Though application status is not updated frequently.
Lines open at 8am, call before 11am.
Prepare to be on hold for at least one hour.
After your application is approved and your medicaid coverage starts you will call this phone number and let the agent know that you would like to chose Amida Care for your health plan.
This insurance package covers gender affirming care such as hormone replacement therapy, FFS, SRS, BA, post operative care, laser hair removal, and even body contouring.
After you choose Amida Care as your insurance you will call this number and complete your orientation. You’ll let your agent know that you are transgender and have plans for surgery. The people working there are super friendly and helpful, they’ll walk you through your benefits and tell you what they need from you in order to get surgeries covered.
They will also give you a $20 gift card for completing your orientation.
The following section contains the best clinics that provide gender affirming care in NYC. Here you can obtain your letters for surgeries, HRT, free STD testing, mental health resources and more.
Planned Parenthood of Greater NY is an amazing resource. Though they are not as specialized at Callen Lorde you can access free services if you let them know you don’t have insurance or income. They will provide you with free HRT and you can get free STD testing done as well.
There is one Planned Parenthood office in each of the five boroughs.
One phone number for scheduling appointments.
One of NYC’s premier LGBT resource centers. Callen Lorde is well known for it’s extensive care to the trans community. Not only that but as a non profit they have multiple outreach services that set the bar high when it comes to philanthropy.
They have three clinics in NYC (Chelsea, Downtown Brooklyn, & the Bronx)
Here you will receive specialized care as well as a primary care physician.
You must fill out a new patient intake form.
A pioneer in transgender healthcare, Mount Sinai is one of the first institutions in New York that has been practicing gender affirming healthcare.
Mount Sinai not only provides you with a primary care physician but they also have facilities for plastic surgery.
There are two locations in Manhattan, one phone number to set up an appointment.
The following section contains a list of non profits, non profit centers, or collective based organizations who benefit trans individuals. Here you will meet people who understand your situation and will connect you with the proper resources. Whether that’s navigating healthcare, legal documents, or just hanging out with other trans people.
I believe it is crucial in your transition to be around people who know what you’re going through. If you’re constantly surrounded by cis people you may end up comparing yourself which is unfair. You’re comparing apples to oranges. This may result in stronger feelings of social anxiety, self isolation, and depression.
Not where you want to be. Again I do not claim to be a mental health professional, I just know things.
The LGBT Center is a shiny building located in West Village, it was founded during the height of the AIDS epidemic in 1983. Here you will be connected with any resource you could ask for. Additionally they host groups every day such as AA, Sex Workers in Recovery, and my personal favorite Stories. Stories is a group for trans women & trans femmes. It takes place every Monday at 6:30-8.
You will need to complete a registration form once you arrive before attending, just ask the front desk and you should be able to do so quickly.
The Brooklyn Community Pride Center has two locations, Crown Heights and Bedford. Similar to the LGBT Center in Manhattan they connect you with resources you need as well as provide safe and affirming spaces for trans folks.
One of my favorite groups they offer is actually through the Brooklyn Ghost Project (see below). They host kickbacks once a week, I can’t recall when they meet but go ahead and give them a call and they should be able to tell you.
G.H.O.S.T. stands for Guiding and Helping Others Survive Transition. As mentioned above they host their kickbacks once a week at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. They always are accepting donations of gender affirming clothing, shoes, bags, wigs, as well as hygienic products as well. They also offer free food, assistance with name changes and are known for their annual free gender affirming clothing swaps.
They also provide outreach services and are constantly hosting fun events like talent shows, family dinners, and holiday parties.
Iris House is not a trans centered organization but was founded by early HIV/AIDS activist, Iris De La Cruz in 1992. The organization’s mission is to provide education and protection to the most vulnerable communities. Particularly the Bronx and Harlem which was ravaged by AIDS epidemic and is still reeling from it.
Iris House provides free STD testing on site in the Bronx, Harlem, and New Jersey. They also provide family-centered programs around other health disparities in the community like obesity, diabetes, and depression
Founded in 2022 the Trans Revolutionary Action Network for NY (TRANNY for short) is a revolutionary action network organized by and for the trans community of New York. Truly a remarkable organization that I don’t even know what to talk about first.
They released a series of workshops called Doll Skill with high profile instructors, essentially aiming to provide trans women with creative skills to pursue their passions. They also host picnics where trans girls can network, they host crafting sessions, fundraise for individual’s recovery funds, and so so much more. I highly recommend following their instagram and staying in the loop when it comes to their events.
They do not have a phone number I can provide but I will link socials.
The following section is a collection of resources for transgender sex workers. This includes legal representation, advocacy, STD testing, free barrier protection, and more. Sex Work is an integral part of our communities story, we don’t shame other trans women for doing what they have to do to create stability in their lives. That being said it’s often times not a choice and we need to be mindful of our privileges when we speak about it.
This is section is more so geared towards survival sex work.
The COIN Clinic is a program hosted through Callen Lorde. COIN stands for Cecilia’s Occupational Inclusion Network, and emphasizes the holistic well-being and dignity of sex workers. It is named in honor of sex worker, community leader, and trans activist, Cecilia Gentili.
COIN Clinic takes appointments at all three Callen Lorde locations, see Callen Lorde above. They provide primary cary, sexual health, HIV treatment, GYN care, medications, labs, transgender health, and more. The best part is that all of these resources are FREE. You will not get a bill if you go through the COIN Clinic.
They also have walk-ins available every Friday from 10am-3pm at their Chelsea location.
Partnered with the Urban Justice Center, the Sex Workers Project seeks to defend the human rights of sex workers and decriminalizing people in the sex trades through free legal services, education, research, and advocacy. They also advocate legally for non citizens so don’t let that deter you from seeking council.
They are located in Lower Manhattan and are appointment only, no walk-ins.
The SRLP aims to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people and people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. They are located in Midtown.
They provide a wide array of services including legal representation, programs for changing your name on legal documents, and providing resources for incarcerated peoples.
The following section consists of phone numbers and downloadable PDF files you will need in order to change your name and sex designation on your documents.
For an in depth tutorial check out the Official CTG’s Guide to Transitioning. There you will find everything you need to navigate your transition and a step-by-step guide to changing your name and sex designation.
This is the official phone number for the SSA. You would call this number because you submitted your documentation via mail and you need to follow up via phone. Lines Open at 8 am your local time. The earlier you call the better, the wait times are brutal so be warned. I would recommend doing it in person if able.
Continue to check back for updates!
Xoxo
CTG Aria <3