LGBT+ Health Division

18/09/2026

During Bisexual+ Awareness Week, we celebrate the dignity, diversity and courage of bisexual+ people.

Bi+ identities are real. They are not confusion, a phase or something that needs to be explained away.

Faith communities should be places where every person is seen, affirmed and welcomed fully. No one should have to hide who they are to belong.

To every bisexual+ person: you are seen, you are valued and you belong. 💗💜💙

18/09/2026

On the 11th of August 2026, during the dissemination event of the study on "Gender-Affirming Care in South Africa: Navigating Gender Identity & Healthcare", Lead author Lynn Bust who is the Research Program Manager for the LGBT+ Health Division shared key insights from the research and bringing the findings into conversation with the community, highlighting why lived experiences must remain at the heart of advancing gender-affirming healthcare in South Africa.

10/09/2026

When research speaks back to the people it seeks to serve, meaningful change begins.

Listen in as Gigi October and Siobhan Stevenson share their experiences and reflections, in conversation with the audience, during a powerful panel discussion facilitated by Savuka Matyila.

🎥 Watch the conversation.

08/09/2026

Research must do more than tell stories — it must listen to them.🏳️‍⚧️
Our panel brought research, lived experience and community voices into one powerful conversation.

Hear from Zimbini Zintwana, Gigi October, Siobhan Stevenson and Abongile Liyana Quthu , in a robust discussion facilitated by Savuka Matyila.

🎥 Watch the conversation.

27/08/2026

On 11 August 2026, the DTHF LGBT+ Health Division hosted an event to share and discuss findings from the research on Gender-Affirming Care in South Africa: Navigating Gender Identity and Healthcare 🏳️‍⚧️🩺🇿🇦

The event brought together members of the transgender and gender-diverse community, healthcare providers, researchers, NGO partners and advocates to engage with the findings and, importantly, to create space for the voices and lived experiences behind the data.

The event kicked off with a moving opening address from the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Professor Linda-Gail Bekker.

The study highlights the significant gaps that continue to exist between gender-affirming care needs and access to services, including challenges related to availability of information, affordability, waiting times, and the experiences of discrimination and insensitivity within healthcare settings.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our community, partners, healthcare providers and the research team for contributing to this important conversation and for continuing to advance healthcare that is inclusive, affirming, accessible and grounded in dignity.

Together, we continue working towards a healthcare system where every person can access care that recognises, respects and affirms who they are.

20/08/2026

Despite the critical need for gender-affirming care and HIV services for gender-diverse people, access to care remains prohibitive and understudied.

A study by UCT and the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation within the LGBTQI+ community has highlighted significant barriers to gender-affirming care despite critical need.

14/05/2026

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation Trans Health Service provides Gender Affirming Care for clients who previously received care at the Wits RHI Clinic in Bellville. To access this service please WhatsApp Dan at 083 562 1839 to make an appointment.

14/05/2026

Have you heard? Exciting prevention study at Desmond Tutu Health Foundation. Contact us at 0608218757

Please note there is TWO WEEKS left for screening! Don’t miss out!

05/05/2026

🏳️‍⚧️ 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧-𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 🇿🇦
Since the closure of donor-funded clinics in 2025, there have been significant changes in access to gender-affirming care. In response, the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) LGBT+ Health Division, together with partner organisations, has developed two practical info sheets that map available gender-affirming care services across Cape Town, South Africa
🔗 bit.ly/4dUsS9x 👈 Follow this link to find both info sheets:
1) One-pager: Public and NGO providers:https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Gender-affirming-healthcare-providers-in-Cape-Town_1-Pager_Web-1.pdf
2) Full-length: Public, NGO and Private providers:
https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Gender-affirming-healthcare-providers-in-Cape-Town_Ext_WebSIngles-1.pdf
Please note: As service availability continues to change, these resources will be regularly updated. Looking ahead, we plan to expand this work beyond Cape Town to cover the broader Western Cape, and to collaborate with partners in other provinces to develop similar resources nationally.

With the significant shifts in the provision of gender-affirming care following recent funding cuts, access to services has become increasingly fragmented and, for many, difficult to navigate. In response, the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) LGBT+ Health Division, together with partner organis...

04/05/2026

🏳️‍⚧️ 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧-𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 🇿🇦
Since the closure of donor-funded clinics in 2025, there have been significant changes in access to gender-affirming care. In response, the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) LGBT+ Health Division, together with partner organisations, has developed two practical info sheets that map available gender-affirming care services across Cape Town, South Africa
🔗 bit.ly/4dUsS9x 👈 Follow this link to find both info sheets:
1) One-pager: Public and NGO providers:https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Gender-affirming-healthcare-providers-in-Cape-Town_1-Pager_Web-1.pdf
2) Full-length: Public, NGO and Private providers:
https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Gender-affirming-healthcare-providers-in-Cape-Town_Ext_WebSIngles-1.pdf
Please note: As service availability continues to change, these resources will be regularly updated. Looking ahead, we plan to expand this work beyond Cape Town to cover the broader Western Cape, and to collaborate with partners in other provinces to develop similar resources nationally.