Beyond the Binary: The Need for Gender-Affirming Care in Forensic Nursing (Part 2 with Ava Davis)

In this powerful conclusion to the two-part series, Kalen and Karen continue their essential conversation with Ava Davis about providing trauma-informed, gender-affirming care for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming patients in forensic nursing settings. Part 2 dives deep into practical applications, featuring a real-world case study that demonstrates both the challenges and solutions in forensic nursing practice. We cover gender-affirming medical treatments, appropriate history gathering techniques, handling mistakes, and the critical importance of patient advocacy in healthcare settings. With detailed explanations of hormonal therapy, puberty inhibitors, and gender-affirming surgeries, this episode provides forensic nurses with the essential knowledge and tools needed to provide competent, compassionate care to gender-diverse patients. Don’t miss listening to Part 1!

Key Episode Learnings:

• Discover the nuances of medical justification: Learn how explaining the medical necessity behind sensitive questions reduces patient anxiety and builds trust
• Learn the anatomical inventory techniques: Learn how to move from least to most invasive questioning when gathering medical history from gender-diverse patients
• Gender-affirming medical care 101: Discover the reality of hormonal therapy effects, puberty inhibitors, and various surgical options that patients may have experienced
• Unleash the advocacy imperative: Learn why healthcare providers, not law enforcement, control what happens in healthcare facilities and must advocate for patient autonomy
• Uncover the life-saving nature of affirmative care: Learn why hormone therapy can literally feel like saving a patient’s life and why denial of gender-affirming care can have devastating consequences

Couldn't join us live in Omaha at the #IAFN2025 International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science & Practice? You can still register for our upcoming virtual conference: https://iafn2025.eventscribe.net/

Episode Resources:

• 2022 U.S. Trans Survey: https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/USTS_2022Health%26WellbeingReport_WEB.pdf
• Fenway Institute's National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH): https://wpath.org/
• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/
• Gender Dysphoria Bible: https://genderdysphoria.fyi/en/physical-dysphoria
• The Genderbread Person: https://www.samkillermann.com/work/genderbread-person/
• The Safe Zone Project: https://thesafezoneproject.com/

IAFN Resources

• IAFN Online Learning Center (OLC): forensicnurses.org/page/OLCAccess/
• TeleSAFE Toolkit: Access this Step-by-Step Guide to a Trauma-Informed Program at forensicnurses.org/page/TeleSAFE/
• International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN): Learn more at forensicnurses.org
• IAFN Foundation: Support our work to spread forensic nursing at fundforensicnursing.org
• IAFN’s SAFEta Resources: Explore safeta.org
• National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA): Supporting tribal communities at supportingourcircle.org

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