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Clinic For Transgendered Cites Large Need In Central Illinois

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LGBTQ advocates indicate there is a big need for a clinic to serve transgender people in central Illinois.

Central Illinois Pride Health Center Director Len Meyer said they are trying to qualify for non-profit status, because most go to Chicago to get hormone replacement therapy.

"There are over 400 or 500 that are doing that now," said Meyer.

Meyer said transgender youth have to go to Chicago as well, repeatedly.

"And so they're looking at at least a three to six month waiting period before they even are seen by a doctor or talk to a therapist up there, so the waiting list for that is just huge," said Meyer.

And the needs are not just for hormone replacement which twin cities physicians do not offer.

"You know there are high rates of high blood pressure and diabetes and hypertension in the LGBTQ community because they are so fearful of going to the doctor," said Meyer.

The Central Illinois Pride Health Center so far has started two support groups, one for transgender people, the other for parents of the transgendered.

The YWCA hosts a fundraiser for the clinic at the Bistro in Bloomington Wednesday evening.

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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