Albany Planned Parenthood to Offer Health Care for Transgender Community

Starting Tuesday, Two Planned Parenthood branches in Albany and Troy, New York, are offering life-changing health care services to transgender individuals.

In honor of National Coming Out Day, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) CEO Chelly Hegan said she wanted to start offering these services to a community that is often left behind.

"This is a community that is treated very poorly in most aspects of their lives and we want to make sure that that isn't the experience they have receiving health care," Hegan said.

For those over 18, hormone treatment will be offered; for those under 18, puberty suppression treatment will be made available, but not without a parent's permission and necessary psychological counseling.

The suicide rate for transgender individuals in New York is 36 percent, which is 22 percent higher than the 1.6 percent rate nationwide.

If you're in the area, you can learn more about the services offered on the UHPP website. Services are also available in certain Planned Parenthood branches across the U.S.