HEALTH

Everyone has their own gender identity. It is a person’s innate sense, or self-understanding, of their gender. This may or may not be the same as one’s assigned sex at birth.

Assigned sex at birth refers to the gender marker indicated on one’s birth certificate, based on appearance or category of external genitalia (or other sexual characteristics). It can also be considered as society’s expectation of gender identity based on one’s assigned sex at birth.

Cisgender means one’s gender identity is the same as that of society’s expectations based on their assigned sex at birth.

Transgender means one’s gender identity is not the same as that of society’s expectations based on their assigned sex at birth. E.g. transgender women have a female gender identity, and were assigned male at birth, and vice versa for transgender men. The transgender and gender diverse community also includes non-binary people, whose gender identity (e.g. genderfluid, agender) does not fall into the gender binary of male or female.

No! Gender identity is independent of sexual orientation. E.g. transgender women can be attracted to women, transgender men can be attracted to men, non-binary individuals attracted to more than one gender, and so forth.

No! Being transgender and gender diverse are natural parts of human diversity, and are neither pathological nor negative. Depathologization efforts have been emphasized by the DSM-5* published in 2013, and by the WHO, on their ICD-11^ endorsed in 2019. The pathologizing term “gender identity disorder” has been abolished. As of ICD-11, having a gender identity different from one’s assigned sex at birth, is termed as gender incongruence, and included in the chapter “Conditions related to sexual health”. *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ^International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision

No! One’s gender identity, or being transgender, is not based upon receiving gender-affirming healthcare. Appropriate and medically necessary healthcare should be arranged according to one’s needs.

Yes! Currently, the major international clinical guideline is the Standards of Care Version 8 (SOC 8), published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) in 2022.

GIC is a multidisciplinary clinic offering gender-affirming healthcare to transgender and gender diverse individuals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gender-affirming healthcare can include any single or combination of a number of social, psychological, behavioural or medical interventions designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity. Gender-affirming healthcare has been offered at public hospitals since 1980. In 2016, the one and only GIC was established at Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin. At GIC, a psychiatrist first understands the gender identity and mental health needs of a service user, offering support and follow up. According to one’s needs, they will then be referred to corresponding services.

Any doctor (including general practitioners and specialists) registered in Hong Kong, or any clinical psychologists of the Hospital Authority.

Anyone 18 years old or above, and intends for gender-affirming healthcare. Psychiatric or physical illnesses, if present, should not be a hindrance nor barrier to the referral. One’s healthcare needs and arrangement will be followed up by GIC.

Please visit GIC in person, on 3/F, Li Ka Shing Specialist Outpatient Clinics (North Wing), Prince of Wales Hospital, with the following: Hong Kong identity card A referral letter issued within 3 months. Please note that GIC's office hours are from Monday to Friday: 9AM to 1PM, then 2PM to 5PM. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Please ensure to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to closure time for registration.

Yes! For visiting a private psychiatrist, one can directly book an appointment without any referral letters. For visiting a private endocrinologist, a referral letter from a public or private psychiatrist (or proof of upcoming appointment at GIC endocrinology) is required. For details, please refer to our page Private Service.

Yes, with parental consent. Private There is no age restriction for private service. Public GIC accepts registration only from those who are 18 years old or above. With referral from public or private psychiatrists, to endocrinology of the Hong Kong Children's Hospital, a transgender individual would be prescribed puberty blocker if appropriate. The department of childhood and adolescent psychiatry of various hospital clusters do not offer any gender-affirming hormones.

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