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About

Transforming Choices is a hub for information and resources on healthcare for transgender and gender-expansive adults and older adults. Tap each question below to find out more.

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  • If you're looking for information and resources to help you make informed and empowered choices about your healthcare, Transforming Choices (or Trans [Folks] Forming Choices) is a good place to start. 

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    Transforming Choices gathers resources from trusted sources in one place. This site covers a variety of topics including general health care, transition care, healthcare planning, healthcare rights, and more.

     

    Transforming Choices offers a general overview meant to help you make informed healthcare choices. For information tailored to your needs, check out the links to outside sources provided throughout the site (look for blue text with a right arrow) and/or bring your questions to a healthcare provider you trust.

    Transforming Choices logo
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    Transforming Choices does not provide crisis care. Tap the red button to the left for phone numbers and links to support from trusted crisis resources.

  • Transforming Choices is a resource designed for:

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    • Older transgender and gender-expansive people at any stage of transition or state of health. 
       

    • Younger transgender and gender-expansive people who have a serious illness or who want to know what to expect for their care in later life. 
       

    • Care providers (doctors, nurses, counselors, social workers, care partners, allies, and others) who care for transgender and gender-expansive people. 

    Illustration of four people standing together

  • Transforming Choices was developed as part of a research project called Shaping Affirming Futures with Elders of all gender experiences (SAFEage).

     

    During the project, transgender and gender-expansive older adults and professionals in healthcare, aging services, and design from across the United States shared ideas for a new resource to help transgender and gender-expansive adults prepare for their healthcare now and in later life.

     

    Researchers from the University of Virginia put these ideas together to create the Transforming Choices website.

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    Transforming Choices and the SAFEage research project received institutional and/or financial support from the University of Virginia School of Nursing, the American Psychological Foundation, and the Southern Gerontological Society.

    Logo for Shaping Affirming Futures with Elders of all gender experiences research study

  • Transforming Choices can help you...

    • ​Get healthcare information

    • Find healthcare resources 

    • Make healthcare decisions

    • Find affirming providers

    Transforming Choices cannot...

    • Give medical or legal advice

    • Provide medical care

    • Provide crisis support

    • Prepare an advance directive 

  • You can get involved with Transforming Choices in three ways:

     

    1. The easiest way to get involved with Transforming Choices is to email us your questions, feedback, and suggestions using the form or email address on our Contact page.
       

    2. You can also help out by sharing this resource with people you know who might benefit. You can copy and share the URL:
      https://www.transforming-choices.org
      Or download a shareable flyer using the buttons to the right.
       

    3. If you are interested in joining the team, we'd be glad to connect with you. Please Contact us.

    Shareable Flyer

    To share in print or by email:

    To share by text, email, or social media, copy and send the image (.jpeg) below:

    Transforming Choices flyer with QR code

  • Our plan is to expand on Transforming Choices to meet the need for healthcare information, resources, and support for transgender and gender-expansive adults and older adults. Contingent on available funds, future growth may include:

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    • More healthcare stories told by trans folks

    • Forum and group meetings for peer support

    • Interactive games and decision support tools

    • Healthcare decisions support line and chat

    • Translation into multiple languages

Team Transforming Choices

Contributors

Thirty-eight (38) transgender and gender-expansive adults and older adults and six (6) professionals in healthcare, aging services, and design from across the United States shared ideas that shaped this resource.

Contributors who wished to be recognized by name or initials are April DJ Snow; BC; CC; Crystal D. Chu, RN, PhD; Jay L. Austin; Jen Turpen, DO; Kylie Madhav; Noelle Marie Javier, MD; Vann Michael Millhouse, BS, MA; Zander Keig, MSW, LCSW.

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Community Advisors

Three (3) transgender community members provided guidance and support for the SAFEage project: Ames Simmons; Charley Burton; Gracie M. Barker.

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Researchers

Five (5) researchers from the University of Virginia led the SAFEage project: Lauren Catlett, PhD, RN, CNL→ (lead organizer); Kimberly D. Acquaviva, PhD, MSW, CSE, FNAP; Virginia LeBaron, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Ishan C. Williams, PhD, FGSA; Tiffany King, PhD.

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Supporters

Many healthcare professionals, community members, scholars, and others provided support for developing this resource. 

Images of the team are not included due to concerns for safety and privacy.

Banner with bubble shapes and interlocking hands representing teamwork

Media Sources

  • Photography and vector graphics credit and licensing: Adobe Stock; Jess T. Dugan: To Survive on This Shore→

  • Illustrations, infographics, and video © Copyright 2026 by Lauren Catlett for Transforming Choices

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