Over the past decade there have been setbacks in regard to gender identity and sexual orientation by way of state legislation. While the primary community targeted is the LGBTQIA+ community, the impact of this legislation can be felt within the broader medical community as a whole. One of the primary roles of occupational therapy is to provide comprehensive, individualized, person-centered care – a feat that is now limited by state legislation suppressing and banning access to gender affirming care.
Throughout their time as a Pitt OTD student learning the foundations of occupational therapy and how theories relate to practice, Tana Pierro noticed a clear absence of discussions surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation in the professional framework. This framework (the OTPF IV) informs the perspective that OT practitioners use into practice. As someone who has spent over a decade navigating the medical system as an “out” nonbinary person, Pierro felt this absence was a disservice to their community, as well as their fellow students, who otherwise would have limited exposure to the fundamentals of rainbow health care, including providing inclusive clinical environments that address the complex barriers for individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, during their academic career.
The ADL taught through the OTPF are centered around cisgender and heteronormative ideas of self-care and presentation, which inherently excludes the individualized care for the rainbow community. Because ADL, such as dressing, grooming and personal care, are a large focus area for OT, Pierro approached the Pitt OT Department about creating an ADL box specific to gender affirming care. This box included breast forms, packers, alternative undergarments such as pocket bras and binders, as well as binding tape. The notion behind obtaining these items was to provide a starting point for a broader conversation about OT and gender affirming care.
For this effort, of bringing gender affirming care into the classroom and curriculum, Tana was recognized as a 2023 Allies for Health + Wellbeing’s Bright Young People. The honor recognizes young people in Pittsburgh who are making a difference in their communities through their work, art or activism and particularly in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. Read more about Tana’s award.
In addition to the ADL box, Pierro hosted a gender affirming care clinic open to all in the OT department, which covered the use of each item in the ADL boxes, as well as acute and post-operative OT clinical care for those in the rainbow community seeking surgical intervention. Pierro’s hope is to continue working with the OT Department to integrate gender affirming care into the Pitt OT curriculum and solidify its presence. This would ensure individualized care is being taught and provided for all communities, not solely the majority cisgender and heterosexual population.
Tana Pierro, OTD student