For as long as she can remember, Asia S. (she/her) knew that her true gender wasn’t the one assigned to her at birth.
“I've always identified with all things female,” says Asia, 49.
“I did all the ‘boy’ things, but it wasn’t me,” Asia recalls. “I did those things because society said I had to.”
When puberty arrived, Asia struggled with the physical changes.
“I did not understand why my body was turning into this man's body,” Asia says. “I didn't want any of that.”
At around age 11, Asia began running away, usually with a bag filled with her mother’s clothes. Back then, not many doctors took care of trans women, Asia says.
“All I knew was some way, somehow, I’m going to be a girl,” Asia says.
Life-changing care found at Temple
“When I went to Temple, I found my healthcare home,” Asia says. “They actually cared about me as a whole person, as far as my HIV diagnosis and my gender identity. It was just a welcoming place.”
Asia first met Jennifer L. Aldrich, MD, (she/her) a Temple LGBTQ+ inclusive care provider through a telemedicine visit. Dr. Aldrich provided Asia the care she needed for primary care, HIV management, and adult gender-affirming care, and took the time to listen to Asia and understand her health history.
“I have so much reverence and respect for her for making me feel like a person,” Asia says.
‘I can complete my transition’
Asia has continued to see Dr. Aldrich for all her healthcare. Temple’s LGBTQ-inclusive care is designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, through primary and preventive care and general and sexual health screenings.
“She’s heaven-sent,” Asia says of Dr. Aldrich. “She's a human being first, and she treats me as such. There is no misgendering. I feel comfortable going into the office. It’s very freeing, very open.”
Asia also receives adult gender-affirming hormone therapy and testosterone blockers.
