Directory standards
Shared expectations for providers participating in the directory—so community members, families, schools, and care teams can navigate referrals with clearer information.
Read the commitmentsWhy it exists
All providers listed in the directory are expected to uphold affirming-care values. Providers identified as Affirming Providers and Trained Affirming Care Providers have explicitly reviewed and agreed to this commitment as part of their participation.
The commitment supports transparency and referral readiness. It is not a certification, clinical evaluation, endorsement, or guarantee of quality, safety, availability, or fit.
The commitment
These commitments apply across healthcare, behavioral health, wellness, referral, school, and community-support settings.
Use inclusive terms, follow each person’s self-identified language, avoid stigmatizing terminology, discuss bodies and medical experiences respectfully, and practice cultural humility as language evolves.
Ask respectfully, use names and pronouns consistently, update records when systems allow, correct mistakes promptly, and model respectful language across shared-care environments.
Avoid assumptions about partners, relationship roles, parenting, gender, or sexual orientation. Use neutral language and open-ended questions until a person shares what fits.
Use identity-affirming language, limit unnecessary identity disclosure, document affirmed names when possible, use neutral relational terms, and protect private identity information.
Identify limits in training or expertise, consult when appropriate, provide affirming specialist referrals, support continuity during transitions, and prioritize culturally responsive care.
Use inclusive terminology and recognize donor-assisted reproduction, surrogacy, gestational carriers, adoption, foster care, non-gestational parents, and multi-parent family roles.
Participate in affirming-care education, engage with current guidance, learn from community-informed resources, seek supervision or consultation, and stay informed as best practices evolve.
Center self-determination, support affirming environments, avoid practices that contribute to stigma or harm, follow professional ethics, and maintain trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.