Trans Day of Visibility: Why Affirming Healthcare Spaces Matter
This Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), Waverley Care is spotlighting our Trans and Non-binary Clinic, a community sexual health clinic that supports people to access sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP), cervical screening and contraception.
We know that Trans and Non-binary people in the UK continue to face significant barriers to sexual health care and often report poorer experiences than cisgender people.
In partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing, LGBT Youth Scotland and NHS Lothian, this service is designed to reduce those barriers whilst working alongside communities to deliver care that is accessible, inclusive and shaped by the people it serves.
To mark TDOV, we spoke with Chris, Waverley Care’s National Services Manager and one of the driving forces behind our Trans & Non-Binary Community Clinic, about why this service exists, the challenges trans and non-binary people face when accessing sexual health care, and the difference an affirming space and true visibility can make.
Access & Equity
A year on from our Trans & Non-Binary Clinic opening, we want to emphasise that visibility is about more than just being seen. It’s about being supported, respected and able to access the care you need without fear. The Trans & Non-Binary Community Clinic was created with this at its core: a confidential, welcoming space where trans and non-binary people, whether out or not, can access free, non-judgemental sexual health care.
Chris, Waverley Care’s National Operational Manager, explains, “Community services are so vital because you can navigate and reduce barriers that traditional services might not be able to. People who come to our clinic note that they know here their identity would be understood and valued, and there would be no presumption about their sexual health needs”
Sexual health clinics can feel daunting for many people, and for trans and non-binary individuals, there are often additional layers of complexity to navigate. Trans people continue to face disproportionately high rates of discrimination, harassment, and even violence, which can make accessing healthcare feel unsafe or stressful.
Our clinic was created to help address these barriers, providing a space where people can seek care without fear of judgment, misgendering, or hostility from staff. Affirmation is built into the foundation of the service: from using the right language and offering flexible drop-in options, to giving people the time and space they need, every visit is designed to be respectful and supportive.
Data from our clinic highlights the impact of this approach, with one in three attendees having never had an STI screening before, showing that mainstream services are often not accessible or welcoming enough for the trans community. More than a medical service, our clinic is a place of safety, validation, and access, ensuring that trans and non-binary people can get the care they need with dignity and respect. Chris says:
Spaces such as this clinic make sexual health and HIV testing easier and less daunting. The clinic has community members involved in supporting running the space, making it friendly and non-clinical, and this can go a long way to reducing the anxiety people might have getting tested.
Our dedicated community clinic isn’t about creating separation; it’s about creating equity. Offering services from STI testing to PrEP, contraception and cervical screening, the clinic is intentionally designed outside of a traditional clinical setting to feel calm, inclusive and accessible.
At its core, it exists to address inequity, recognising that for many trans people, mainstream services don’t always feel safe or supportive, and that something different is not just beneficial, but necessary.
Reflections and Partnership Working
Over the past year, our Trans & Non-binary community clinic has continued to be the only service of its kind across the UK. We’re proud to champion the right to inclusive, dignified, and equitable sexual health care for every trans and non-binary person who accesses our clinic.
Attendees have at times travelled from six different health boards across Scotland to attend, showing just how vital this service is to the wider trans & non-binary community –not just those local to Edinburgh where the service is run.
This year has also reinforced the power of partnership working. No single organisation, clinic or community group can meet every need alone. Chris says, “The only way that has been possible is through the strong partnership we have with NHS Lothian, LGBT Health and Wellbeing and LGBT Youth Scotland.” Even in a time of reduced capacity and resources, this clinic demonstrates the impact of shared purpose and partnership in supporting trans and non-binary people.
This clinic is the first of its kind in Scotland, and when I say that, it still surprises me. I would love to see more clinics like this across Scotland and the UK. So I would say work with your community and start something similar.
Community-informed care is central to this clinic’s approach. Feedback from attendees shapes how services evolve, and we are always listening. From encouraging uptake of cervical screening to adapting appointments to be more comfortable and relevant. Chris highlighted how services have been adapted “to ensure we grow and respond to the community’s needs; we involve community members in the delivery, design and future of the service.” Designing services with the community, rather than for them, leads to more person-centred, inclusive care and helps to build trust.
A key example of the importance of accessible and affirming care is the uptake of HIV PrEP. Chris highlighted, “PrEP uptake among trans and non-binary people in Scotland has been low; however, 25% of all attendees at the clinic have been able to make PrEP part of their HIV prevention plan.” This insight from Chris demonstrated that there was a clear unmet need and that providing care in a community-led, supportive environment can make a real difference in helping people access vital preventative health services.
The importance of having a dedicated, affirming space is visible in the small but powerful moments: the relief on a patient’s face as they return to the waiting room after their appointment, the simple words ‘that was easy’ or ‘the team are really lovely.’ These moments show that sexual health care doesn’t have to be intimidating—when people are given time, respect, and dignity, it can be accessible, affirming, and straightforward.
A peer-led, community-based model creates a feedback loop that allows the clinic to respond quickly to needs, strengthening the service and supporting its long-term success.
Community Informed Care
Trans Day of Visibility reminds us that being acknowledged isn’t enough, but having your experiences, needs and priorities reflected in the services that support you is what true visibility looks like. We regularly gather attendee feedback and listen closely to what trans & non-binary people need from a sexual health service.
Chris explains how this input translates to real change. “We have an ongoing survey which asked for recommendations for improvements, and we have responded to this, including adding an evening monthly clinic to make the space more accessible to those working 9-5. Community is at the heart of this clinic, and has been since its beginning”, Chris explains.
Involving the community in shaping care is important in making the care authentic and genuine. People with lived experience know their own needs better than anyone else, and with their help in guiding a service design, attendees feel safer, more supported, and more likely to return if they require the service again. “By involving communities in decision-making and influencing, we ensure that we can meet people where it is right for them. That way, we can make lasting change.” Chris says.
Another explanation is that cervical screening appointments historically had low uptake, reflecting wider trends where trans people are less likely to access this service, but by focusing on outreach and promotion of the clinic, we’ve seen an increase in appointments—showing that adapting a service based on community input makes a tangible difference.
A peer‑led, community‑based clinic also creates a direct feedback loop, allowing the service to respond quickly and effectively, making meaningful changes that strengthen the clinic and support its long‑term success.
Ripple Effect
Investing in inclusive services benefits far more than just trans and non-binary people. Strengthening trans engagement in sexual health services leads to earlier detection and quicker treatment of STIs and reproductive health concerns, creating a positive impact on population health. As Chris explains:
Everyone has the right to a high standard of healthcare, and that should be across the board. By demonstrating the positive impact of this clinic, other communities can see that it’s possible too. Healthcare should be accessible to all.
Inclusive, non-judgemental care also has a ripple effect: staff trained to provide affirming services carry these skills into other areas of their work, helping to improve trust and confidence in the wider healthcare system. Ultimately, investing in inclusive services builds a stronger, healthier, and more trusted healthcare system for everyone.
Looking ahead
Looking forward, the clinic hopes to continue growing and reaching more people in need of inclusive sexual healthcare. Chris highlights the progress already made with PrEP access and first-time testers, while recognising that this is just one location in Scotland. “We’ve already made great progress in terms of PrEP access and first-time testers. But we are always aware that this is just one location, and if we could see similar things taking place in other cities in Scotland, that would be amazing”, Chris explains.
The aim is to extend this model of community-led, affirming care across Scotland, ensuring that trans and non-binary people everywhere have access to safe, supportive, and inclusive sexual health services.
How you can Support Trans Day of Visibility
Supporting trans visibility can be simple. This could mean adding your pronouns at work, educating yourself and sharing reliable stories, respecting a trans person’s right to tell their own story, or showing up and taking action when opportunities arise. Chris states:
Supporting Trans visibility supports us all, and by acknowledging and uplifting the trans community, we celebrate the diversity of human self-expression, boundaries, and personal experiences.
Being a trans ally not only supports the community but also challenges restrictive gender norms, fosters mental wellbeing, and promotes greater equality for everyone.