Bodily autonomy means that your body belongs to you. Period. Imagine you have a hula hoop around your waist. Anything that enters that space is your business, because it directly impacts your health, safety, and agency. That hula hoop encompasses literally every choice you make about your own needs—from what clothes you wear to changing your name and gender marker to getting an abortion.
Bodily autonomy is especially important when it comes to healthcare decisions. It’s your body, so it’s your choice. Plume believes that gender-affirming care should center you, the person. We focus on giving you what you need and ask for, trusting that you are the person who knows yourself best. (That’s informed consent, babe!) Plume honors your uniqueness by empowering you to write the story of your body and your journey to your most authentic self.
Write the Story of Your Body
From our own personal experiences, we know that the trans community is incredibly diverse. There is no “one size fits all” medical path for us. In a healthcare system that is designed for white cisgender men, transgender folks face many obstacles. The system itself is based on a binary gender divide—a person is either “male” or “female,” with the expectation that they are cisgender. Patients are offered services that are aligned with heteronormative concepts of sex. Some examples are pelvic exams, prostate exams, breast exams, menopause support, and other types of screenings. Insurance companies will often refuse to cover services that don’t “match” someone’s assigned gender. If a trans man needs a mammogram, he may be forced to pay for that out of pocket, even if he has insurance. “Nonbinary” healthcare is non-existent in the mainstream medical field, and anyone who is gender-expansive has additional obstacles to scale in order to get their needs met.
Those barriers can be as simple as the sex or gender options on a clinic’s intake form. Or they might be the healthcare provider’s personal beliefs and biases about transgender people. Many trans people find themselves in the position of having to educate their providers about their needs, instead of the other way around. Some folks feel that they are not taken seriously when they seek medical care, which feels dehumanizing, discouraging, and demeaning. Cisgender people, including the healthcare workers who are supposed to support us, may feel threatened by the idea that we can be transgender and happy about it. They may also feel shame at not knowing how to treat us appropriately. (That’s not our problem, but they may take it out on us!) Our joy and independence subvert both heteronormative culture and the white supremacist structures that support it.
Plume Puts The Pen in Your Hands
Getting what you need to thrive should not be complicated, dehumanizing, or scary. We want to make your gender journey as accessible and affirming as can be. Plume offers services that cover all the bases, so you can pick and choose which ones work best for you—and which you don’t need. We are designed to complement other types of healthcare, so if you prefer to work with a trans-led care team or are curious about therapist-led support groups, Plume can fit into your existing care plan. Mostly, we want you to know that we are holding space for you. Our members get the benefits of having care providers who know what you’re going through—on a personal level. We understand that your path is unique, as one-of-a-kind as you are. You should be the author of your own story. From gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery support letters, to emotional support services guided by queer and trans healthcare providers, Plume makes your gender journey safe and convenient.
When people have the resources they need, they exceed their own expectations. Many people who have transitioned or taken other steps along their gender journeys say that just acknowledging their identity improves their quality of life. Admitting your trans-ness opens the door to a deeper part of yourself. A part that may have been hidden before, or obscured. A part that feels new to you, or long overdue for its unveiling. You may already have a clear idea of how you want to grow, or you may feel like playing with your gender and experiencing different expressions. As you become more confident, you claim your space—and the right to dictate what your body looks and feels like. That act of claiming can take many forms. For many of us, it means taking steps to begin gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), updating our legal names and gender markers, and connecting with caregivers who see you, care for you, and support you.
Bodily autonomy is the most basic, powerful form of dignity. It says, “you are a person, and you deserve to be respected.” As you move through the world, you are worthy of feeling whole, powerful, and thriving. You deserve your own unconditional, fearless, and persistent love. Whatever that journey looks like for you, Plume supports you—all the way.
