# For trans and nonbinary people: doctors, documents, housing and community

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/lgbtq/trans-and-nonbinary/

Where in New York to find a doctor who works with trans people, how to change your name and gender marker on documents, how City shelters work, and where to find community.

General questions about documents are in the "IDs and documents" guide.

According to Legal Services NYC (free legal help), New York State supports access to gender-affirming care for both adults and young people. QARAVAN does not provide legal services: for documents we refer you to those who can help.

## Where to start

1. Find a doctor who works with trans people The best-known options: Callen-Lorde (an LGBTQ+ health center with fees by income), Pride Health Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Adolescent Health Center at The Door for young people aged 19–24.
2. Ask about price and insurance before the first appointment Callen-Lorde sees you whether or not you can pay and charges on a sliding fee scale. NYC Health + Hospitals serves all residents whatever their money and can help you get insurance. If you have no insurance, say so when you book.
3. Prepare documents for the first visit At Callen-Lorde, bring photo ID (a driver's license, IDNYC or a passport) and your insurance card if you have one. Book online; the first visit is in person.
4. If you need a letter for surgery, ask about it early Some surgeries and procedures need a letter of support from a licensed professional. At Brooklyn Community Pride Center a licensed clinical social worker gives such letters and counseling for free, by appointment. The Door writes these letters for its patients.
5. Work on documents when you are ready You can change your name and gender marker in New York, but each document has its own rules. If you are filing immigration papers, talk to a lawyer first about what to put under "sex".
6. Find people and safe housing The LGBTQ+ Center, Brooklyn Community Pride Center and Destination Tomorrow have groups for trans and nonbinary people. If you have nowhere to live, City shelters must place you by your gender.

## Hormone therapy and transition care

Doctors and clinics for trans people

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## More about doctors and clinics

- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Price depends on income An LGBTQ+ health center with sites in three boroughs. For trans people: hormone therapy, a regular doctor or therapist, and a coordinator who helps with insurance, housing and referrals. A Russian (or sign language) interpreter on request. Mental health care is for the center's patients with no insurance or with Medicaid or Medicare. [callen-lorde.org](https://callen-lorde.org/trans-health/) 356 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011 (Chelsea); 40 Flatbush Avenue Extension, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 555 Bergen Avenue, 4th Floor, Bronx, NY 10455
- NYC Health + Hospitals, Pride Health Services Price depends on income Pride Health Services is at eight City system hospitals and centers: Bellevue, Elmhurst, Gotham Health Gouverneur, Gotham Health Judson, Jacobi, Lincoln, Metropolitan and Woodhull. Primary care, hormone therapy, surgery referrals, HIV and STI testing, PrEP and PEP, help with insurance. There is a brochure in Russian. Addresses are at [nychealthandhospitals.org](https://nychealthandhospitals.org); questions about the program: lgbtq@nychhc.org. [nychealthandhospitals.org](https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/lgbtq-health-care-services/)
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Gender-Affirming Surgery Support Letters & Counseling Free A licensed clinical social worker gives free counseling and support letters for transition surgeries and procedures. By appointment on set days; dates and booking are on the trans programs page. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225
- NYC Health Map The City's directory of doctors and clinics experienced in LGBTQ+ health. Doctors must use your name and pronouns. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/lgbtq.page)
- Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Survival & Self-Determination Project The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) helps low-income trans, gender-nonconforming and intersex people: documents that show your gender, benefits, insurance codes for surgery, appeals of denials, accompaniment. Send a short email without details of your case to legal@srlp.org. It is an independent organization, not part of QARAVAN. [srlp.org](https://srlp.org/legal-services/)

## Documents: name and gender marker

What you can change now

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- USCIS and the X marker According to Immigration Equality (which helps LGBTQ+ people with immigration cases), USCIS has not used the X marker since April 2, 2025.
- Name change on a license or ID by mail: who can do it You can change your name by mail if you have a Standard license, permit or non-driver ID (not REAL ID or Enhanced); your Social Security number is on file with the DMV; you've already changed your name with the Social Security Administration; and nothing else is changing (such as sex or address).
- Name change by mail: what to send Form MV-44NC, a copy of your new Social Security card, a copy of your current license or ID, a copy of the court order changing your name (or another name change document, such as a marriage certificate), and a check or money order for $12.50 for a license or $5 for a non-driver ID, payable to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Address: Utica Processing Center, 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501.
- Name change at a DMV office Otherwise, go to a DMV office with Form MV-44; REAL ID or Enhanced also needs a new photo.
- Court order copies and legal help A certified copy of the court order costs $6 (according to SRLP). For legal help: Legal Services NYC or SRLP; The LGBTQ+ Center has a coordinator but no legal representation.

## How to change your name in New York

1. Find out where to file You file a name change petition in the court of the county where you live. In New York City: the NYC Civil Court in your county, where the fee is lower, or the County Clerk of your county's Supreme Court; outside the city, the County Clerk of the Supreme Court. The New York State Supreme Court is a trial court, not the US Supreme Court. Under 18, a parent or guardian files, and at 14–17 your consent is also needed. After marriage, divorce, adoption or naturalization, you don't need a court to change your name.
2. Gather documents The petition with a proposed order, and proof of birth, such as an original birth certificate. The Manhattan form is on the New York County court website. Without a birth certificate, a passport, immigration document or other document with your date and place of birth works.
3. Fill in the petition and have it notarized In the reasons section, write what you want the judge to know; everything must be true. If your safety requires the case not to be public, check the request to seal the records: otherwise a name change petition is a public record anyone can read. Sign in front of a notary public; many banks notarize for free.
4. File with the court and pay the fee or ask for a waiver The fee: $65 at the NYC Civil Court and $210 at the Supreme Court and County Court. If you can't pay, ask for a fee waiver. At the Supreme Court you also file a free Request for Judicial Intervention. The form SRLP recommends also lets you change your sex designation; the rules depend on where you were born and are in the Sex Designation Change section of the state courts' website.
5. Know your rights Since December 21, 2021, under the state Gender Recognition Act, most New Yorkers don't have to publish a name change notice. Trans people don't need to show medical documents, and citizenship is not required. If a judge refuses because you have no medical documents, get legal help.
6. Ask for help if you need it Legal Services NYC holds a Name Change and ID Update Clinic for LGBTQ+ people, SRLP has a legal help line, and The LGBTQ+ Center can tell you where to change your name for free.

## Help with documents

- Legal Services NYC, Name Change and ID Update Clinic Free Free help for LGBTQ+ people changing their name and gender marker on documents. Sign up for the clinic on the organization's page. Help depends on capacity and on where you live. [(917) 661-4500](tel:9176614500) (press 3 in the menu for Russian) [legalservicesnyc.org](https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/resources/lgbtq-rights) Mon–Fri 9:30 am–4 pm
- Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP), legal help line SRLP's legal help for low-income trans, gender-nonconforming and intersex people. Write a short email to legal@srlp.org without details of your case (others may read it), and a lawyer gets back to you, even when new intake is closed. The website has a step-by-step name change guide. [srlp.org](https://srlp.org/resources/namechange/)
- The LGBTQ+ Center, help with transition and documents Free A community center in Manhattan with a coordinator for trans and gender-nonconforming people, whatever their status: suggests doctors and where to go for a name change, and helps with housing, food and cash aid. Start with the online pre-intake form [on the website](https://gaycenter.org/support/community-casework/). The center doesn't provide legal representation. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/community-casework/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Mon–Sat 8 am–10 pm, Sun 8 am–8 pm (building hours)

## Housing and City shelters

1. State your own gender Under the DHS rule for trans, nonbinary and intersex people, at shelter intake you choose a marker: man or boy, woman or girl, transgender man, transgender woman, nonbinary, X or gender-nonconforming, other, intersex, or "prefer not to say". No proof is required, and it doesn't have to match your documents. You can't be refused a space or program that fits your gender because of your sex at birth.
2. Say how you want to be addressed Staff must ask what name and pronouns to use and address you that way. Your trans status and medical history can't be shared without your permission.
3. Ask about placement for trans people You can ask for a shelter where you'll be safer. For example, Marsha's House is a shelter for LGBTQ+ adults (ages 18–35 according to DHS); there are also 150+ beds for trans, nonbinary and intersex people in every borough except Staten Island. Placement depends on available beds and eligibility and isn't guaranteed; if nothing is free, you go on a waitlist.
4. You can ask for privacy and safety Privacy and safety requests, including complaints about being deadnamed or misgendered, must be taken seriously. If a request can't be met, staff must note it in your file and explain why. In New York City it is illegal to force you to use a bathroom or shower that doesn't match your gender identity.
5. If your rights are violated, go to the Commission on Human Rights Report refusals or mistreatment in a shelter to the City Commission on Human Rights online: [nyc.gov/ReportDiscrimination](https://nyc.gov/ReportDiscrimination).

## Housing for trans people

- Destination Tomorrow, House of Hope An LGBTQ+ center in the Bronx. House of Hope offers emergency and transitional housing for trans, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary adults 25 and older. Apply through the QR code [on the website](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services); questions to housing@destinationtomorrow.org. Peer counseling and referrals to legal and medical services are available too. [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services) 452 E 149th St, 3rd floor, Bronx, NY 10455 Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, last client at 5 pm
- NYC Department of Homeless Services, policy for trans people The DHS rule (DHS-PB-2019-015, revised September 3, 2024) for all shelters and homeless programs operated or funded by DHS: no proof of gender is required, you can choose a marker including X, and no one is refused gender-appropriate space because of their sex at birth. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/dhs_policy_on_serving_transgender_non_binary_and_intersex_clients.pdf)
- The LGBTQ+ Center, help with housing, food and benefits Free The coordinator for trans and gender-nonconforming people helps whatever your status: housing, food, cash aid. For City benefits and affordable housing the center points to Access HRA (the City benefits agency's website for applications), Housing Connect (the City's affordable housing application site) and SNAP (food aid). Start with the Pre-Intake Form on the center's website. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/community-casework/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011

## Groups and community

- The LGBTQ+ Center, Harmonies Free A group for trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people, Tuesdays 6–7:30 pm; online in the first week of the month. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/tgnc/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Tue 6–7:30 pm
- The LGBTQ+ Center, Stories Free A group for trans women, transfeminine and nonbinary people, Mondays 6:30–8 pm; online in the second week of the month. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/tgnc/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Mon 6:30–8 pm
- The LGBTQ+ Center, Voices Free A group for trans men, transmasculine and nonbinary adults, Mondays 6:30–8 pm; online in the second, third and fourth weeks of the month. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/tgnc/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Mon 6:30–8 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, programs for trans people Programs for trans and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) people: TGNC Swim Night, TRANScendental, Body Talk and the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil. Schedule and sign-up at [lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc](https://lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc). [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 center open Mon–Thu 12–5 pm
- Destination Tomorrow, support groups Support groups for trans men, transmasculine people and trans women in the Bronx. For the schedule, email nicole@destinationtomorrow.org. [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services) 452 E 149th St, 3rd floor, Bronx, NY 10455 Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, last client at 5 pm
- Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, Emet An online space for trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and questioning people at the Jewish congregation Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST). Meets the first Thursday of the month. Questions: transjews@cbst.org. [cbst.org](https://cbst.org/community/emet/)

## Clothing and supplies

- Point of Pride, free chest binders Free A nonprofit project that sends free chest binders to trans people who can't afford or safely get one. Open all year, but the waitlist is very long: about 75 new requests a day. Free shipping in discreet packaging. [pointofpride.org](https://www.pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders)
- The Door, clothing and personal items that fit your identity Under 25 For The Door's patients aged 19–24, trans health care includes clothes and items that fit your identity. You must be a member of The Door. Text: [833-569-0033](tel:8335690033) [door.org](https://www.door.org/transgender-health/)

## If you need to talk right now

- Trans Lifeline Free A line answered by trans people. Calls are anonymous. They don't call police or an ambulance without your clear request; by law they report real threats of violence to others and suspected child abuse. The line is in English and Spanish; for Russian, call [988](tel:988) and say "Russian": an interpreter joins. [(877) 565-8860](tel:8775658860) (in English and Spanish) [translifeline.org](https://translifeline.org/hotline/) Mon–Fri 1–9 pm Eastern
- The Trevor Project Under 25 Free A free, confidential 24/7 crisis line for LGBTQ+ young people under 25: call, text (START to 678-678) or chat [on the website](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/). Calls, texts and chat are in English; for Russian, call [988](tel:988) and say "Russian": an interpreter joins. [1-866-488-7386](tel:18664887386) (in English) [thetrevorproject.org](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/) 24/7

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

[All pages: LGBTQ+ services](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/lgbtq/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/)
- [gaycenter.org/support/community-casework](https://gaycenter.org/support/community-casework/)
- [gaycenter.org/tgnc](https://gaycenter.org/tgnc/)
- [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/)
- [lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/tgnc)
- [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/)
- [destinationtomorrow.org/services](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services)
- [callen-lorde.org](https://callen-lorde.org/)
- [callen-lorde.org/register](https://callen-lorde.org/register/)
- [nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/lgbtq.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/lgbtq.page)
- [cbst.org](https://www.cbst.org/)
- [cbst.org/community/emet](https://www.cbst.org/community/emet/)
- [srlp.org/legal-services](https://srlp.org/legal-services/)
- [legalservicesnyc.org/resources/lgbtq-rights](https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/resources/lgbtq-rights)
- [callen-lorde.org/trans-health](https://callen-lorde.org/trans-health/)
- [nychealthandhospitals.org/services/lgbtq-health-care-services](https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/lgbtq-health-care-services/)
- [door.org/transgender-health](https://www.door.org/transgender-health/)
- [thetrevorproject.org/get-help](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/)
- [translifeline.org/hotline](https://translifeline.org/hotline/)
- [pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders](https://www.pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders)
- [srlp.org/resources/namechange](https://srlp.org/resources/namechange/)
- [nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/dhs_policy_on_serving_transge…](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/dhs_policy_on_serving_transgender_non_binary_and_intersex_clients.pdf)
- [nyc.gov/ReportDiscrimination](https://www.nyc.gov/ReportDiscrimination)