On Tuesday morning, from Chapinero Hospital, the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, inaugurated the city's and the country's first Gender Clinic, a facility that will provide comprehensive healthcare services for the LGBTI population. This includes promotion, prevention, care, rehabilitation, hormone therapy, and physical adaptation and/or transformation, all tailored to the gender journey of each individual.
"I didn't want to end my term as Mayor without hosting an event for my LGBTI community, of which I am very proud to be a part. I hold three honors in life: being the first female mayor, the first lesbian mayor, and the first daughter of a teacher to reach this position," Mayor Claudia López expressed.
During the event, the Mayor was joined by Diana Rodríguez, Women Affairs Secretary; Margarita Barraquer, Social Integration Secretary; Alejandro Gómez, Health Secretary; David Alonzo, Director of Sexual Diversity, Populations, and Genders; and Elizabeth Castillo, Deputy Director for LGBTI Affairs, as well as the clinic's medical staff and the community set to benefit from these services.
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Here is a post from Mayor Claudia López with details about the opening of the Gender Clinic, the first of its kind in the country:
#LeCumplimosABogotá y a la comunidad LGBTIQ+, de la que estoy orgullosa de formar parte:
— Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) December 19, 2023
- Generamos oportunidades de trabajo, incentivando al sector privado a través de programas como #EmpleoIncluyente y nuestra Agencia Pública de Empleo, gracias a lo cual más de 6 mil personas… pic.twitter.com/gmItnPz9ik
In her address, Mayor López stated, "My purpose was to set the bar high, and we did it: we raised the bar for care, respect, and non-discrimination in Bogotá, and that bar will not be lowered; it will continue to rise."
One of the commitments made to the citizens was to provide a safe healthcare facility for transgender individuals that aligns with their needs. The Gender Clinic, now in service through the Public Health Network of the City, is a response to this commitment.
"We are very proud because we can say that we fulfilled our commitment to the LGBTI community by opening the first public Gender Clinic in Colombia. Bogotá is a city that is progressing in respecting diversity, which is why the first thing we did was create guidelines for healthcare and special services based on an individual's gender identity transition. Today, we have a service for transgender individuals that offers respect, comprehensive care, and a gender-sensitive approach," affirmed Alejandro Gómez, Health Secretary.
The Gender Clinic, located at Chapinero Hospital, is staffed with a multidisciplinary team of specialists experienced in providing care for transgender individuals. It is equipped with appropriate technology to provide high-quality treatments and offers medical support that considers the individual characteristics of each patient: physical health, psychological well-being, and social context.
"I am very grateful to the LGBTI clinic because they treat us with respect and professionalism. Today, I am fully transitioned and planning my new life. I thank the doctors for their support," stated beneficiary Andrey Matías Rivera.
This initiative is part of the City's LGBTI Public Policy and aligns with Mayor Claudia López's commitment to advancing the rights and protection of all individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in the city. Interested individuals can contact the mobile number 313 3333641.
Bogotá fulfilled its commitment to the LGBTI community
During this event, the Mayor recounted the various actions taken by this Administration for the diverse population. In the past four years, the city has seen a conceptual update of the Public Policy Action Plan for the Full Guarantee of the Rights of LGBTI People and Gender Identities and Sexual Orientations in the Capital District, accompanied by the highest-ever investment in the city's history: 280 billion pesos between 2021 and 2032.
"With the new Action Plan for the LGBTI Public Policy, we went from a total allocation of 38 billion pesos by the three previous administrations combined to over 54 billion pesos invested by Claudia López's government. We also have a projected budget of 280 billion pesos for the next 12 years," confirmed David Alonzo, Director of Sexual Diversity, Populations, and Genders.
The implementation of Bogotá's LGBTI public policy during Mayor Claudia López's tenure has achieved significant milestones, including:
- The inauguration of the first Gender Clinic, officially opened today.
- The graduation of 336 LGBTI individuals who benefited from flexible education programs.
- The awarding of 51 university scholarships through 'Jóvenes a la U' to transgender individuals and 1,854 scholarships to lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.
- The participation of 83 transgender individuals and 3,642 lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in short-cycle training programs through the 'Todos a la U' program.
- The establishment of three new LGBTI Houses: Amapola Jones in Rafael Uribe Uribe, Edward Hernández in Kennedy, and Laura Weinstein in Suba. These join the existing houses in the city center and the Teusaquillo district, named Diana Navarro and Sebastián Romero, respectively.
- The organization of four Equality Festivals, which have benefited over 14,000 LGBTI individuals, fulfilling the commitment to maintain Bogotá as a pioneering city and national reference in recognizing the rights of individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities on the public agenda.
- In addition to the extensive range of social services, Bogotá has made progress in providing care to LGBTI individuals through the Casa Refugio and the Anti-Discrimination Unit.
For more information on the public Gender Clinic with a focus on transgender care, you can watch the following video:
