Advocates are concerned about Texas Health Action (THA) launching a clinic that will offer “gender-affirming care” to Oak Lawn residents inside a Walgreens.
The Kind Clinic Dallas – Oaklawn will open within the Walgreens located at 3802 Cedar Springs Road in early 2022.
“By bringing together Kind Clinic’s experienced team with Walgreens HIV-trained pharmacists at the same location, we are poised to offer services to help patients overcome the persistent barriers they face to effective sexual health and HIV care,” Christopher Hamilton, chief executive officer of Texas Health Action, said in a statement online.
But Texas Values, a think tank, is concerned about the new clinic because it will increase access to “gender-affirming care” for teens.
According to their website, Kind clinics offer “gender-affirming care” to individuals as young as sixteen years of age.
“Gender-affirming care” has been the subject of great controversy.
“It’s unfortunate that Walgreens has decided to enter politics in this fashion,” said Jonathan Covey, director of policy with Texas Values. “They can expect to lose clientele as a result.”
Regarding what “gender-affirming care” would entail at the Walgreen’s Kind clinic in Oaklawn, a representative of THA, declined to comment.
“Gender affirming care” is typically sought by transgender individuals and can include surgery, mental health, medical treatment, and in some cases, transgender hormone usage.
It has been widely reported that transgender youths may start transgender hormone usage to prevent the development of breasts, facial hair, and menstruation. However, transgender hormone usage has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“I would imagine that part of the goal in teaming with Walgreens is to normalize gender-affirming care but studies show that it’s not the appropriate treatment for gender dysphoria,” Covey told Dallas Express.
Gender dysphoria, according to the American Psychiatric Association, is a condition of distress created by a person’s gender identity, which is not the same as their birth gender.
According to Texas Values data, about 85% to 90% of children who experience gender dysphoria eventually outgrow it.
“We disagree with these gender modification types of procedures, whether it’s through cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, or surgery,” Covey said in an interview. “They have proven to increase the suicide rate and they don’t do anything to improve the mental health of youths.”
Kind Clinic Dallas will be THA’s fourth clinic in the state and the first Kind Clinic to operate within a Walgreens retail location. Other clinics are located in Austin and San Antonio.
“The fact that these clinics are expanding indicates a demand for these services, which is disheartening,” Covey added.
In addition to “gender-affirming care,” the new clinic will offer sexual health services such as HIV testing and care, access to the HIV prevention medication PrEP and PEP, as well as STI testing and treatment.
Walgreens did not immediately respond to requests for comment.