LGBTQIA+ Health
Supportive, Affirming Care
We know that visiting a health care provider can be stressful for anyone, but for some of us, that feeling can be magnified due to fear of discrimination or being misunderstood. The Health & Counseling Center strives to provide affirming health and wellness services, so you can be treated well and stay well. HCC clinicians are committed to ensuring that LGBTQIA+ students receive the highest quality medical care in a safe and respectful environment. We continue to educate our staff and improve our systems and communications to better welcome, understand, and serve all students.
Counseling Services
College in general can be a significant time to explore your values and identity. It is not uncommon for students to question, explore, and embrace their sexual, romantic, and gender identities as a part of that experience.
Identifying your gender identity or sexual orientation as anything other than cisgender or heterosexual does not mean you are mentally ill or need counseling. Often, LGBTQIA+ individuals seek counseling due to negative external reactions from others, which contribute to marginalization and discrimination. Sometimes these attacks become internalized and result in feelings of isolation, guilt, fear, loneliness, and anger.
Counseling can specifically address issues related to your gender/sexual identity (coming out, transitioning, dating/sex, marginalization/discrimination, the impact of an intersex identity, exploring polyamory, discovering you are asexual, or the intersection of these identities with others you hold). It can also provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to address unrelated mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, etc.) in a non-judgmental, affirming environment.
Our counselors provide therapy and documentation that meets World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care (SOC) for gender confirmation surgery and gender affirming hormone therapy if requested by a treating physician.
We also offer a confidential LGBTQIA+ support group for those seeking peer support around these identities. This group meets weekly for 1.5 hours in the Pride Lounge during the academic year. The day and time changes based on the quarter. Please email Dr. Anand Desai, our group counseling coordinator, for more information.
More About Counseling Services
For Survivors of Sexual Misconduct
Separately from our medical services, we offer supportive, confidential care to survivors who have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind.
Medical Forensic Exams
After experiencing a sexual assault, you may choose to have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) perform a Medical Forensic Exam (MFE) within five days. This will not require you to formally report the assault or participate in any law enforcement investigation.
Learn MoreSurvivor Advocacy & Healing - CAPE
The Center for Advocacy, Prevention, & Empowerment (CAPE) supports healing by providing advocacy and support to survivors of sexual assault, gender or relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.
Learn More