they2ze: The Latest Tech Innovation For Trans-Identifying Youth

by Chris Bannister

As we prepare for the exciting launch of our latest initiative, we wanted to provide a sneak peek into our newest project, as well as provide some insight as to why we are so excited to launch it.  Read on for a detailed description of just what they2ze is and what it hopes to achieve.  

they2ze is an inclusive, trans-focused medical database intended to connect trans-identifying youth with access to health-related services and support. they2ze, which will be launched as a mobile application, can be used to locate, rate, and suggest transgender friendly resources, services, and doctors.  Users can log in and define their search by community, health, legal aid, online sites, and shelter categories (to name a few). It’s a 2-way, interactive app that allows clients and providers the option to “favorite” the resources they like and find new services based on distance, tags, and gender-related needs.

they2ze allows users to be in-the-know by offering an encyclopedic list of terms, articles, videos and referrals; all of which can help users navigate their own personal experiences. The app functions as a crowd-sourcing review and networking site (much like Yelp), although the usages are much more meaningful than simply leaving a review.  

 

 

YTH Program Director, Cara Silva, and they2ze participant, Jaxson Mann, testing out the latest prototype of the app.

YTH Program Director, Cara Silva, and they2ze participant, Jaxson Mann, testing out the latest prototype of the app.

they2ze  is an innovative tool that focuses on bridging disparities amongst trans-identifying youth and medical inaccessibility, created by YTH, with help from the National Library of Medicine.   “Being a trans guy in the Bay area I always need to find a doctor or a support group or something new every day” says Jaxson Mann, a they2ze app participant.  “Having this when I first started out would have helped me immensely.  It would have made everything a lot easier and faster instead of spending years trying find every different resource,” he goes on to note.

Trans youth face an insurmountable amount of stigma and discrimination from medical providers, which can be a hindrance to obtaining the medical help that they need. they2ze functions as an identifiable tailored health care resource and offers much-needed community support for transgender youth.  Aaron Steinfeld, another they2ze participant, explains this significance:

“I think the most helpful resource is the social support. There’s a lot of focus on mental health and physical health with trans people in general and I think the acknowledgment that trans people do need some type of social support and they do need community to help them navigate daily life… it’s something other providers are not talking about as much.”

YTH Program Director, Cara Silva, and they2ze participant, Aaron Steinfield, discussing the different resources featured in they2ze.

YTH Program Director, Cara Silva, and they2ze participant, Aaron Steinfield, discussing the different resources featured in they2ze.

Though still in the prototype stage*, they2ze hopes to inspire trans-identifying youth and those who provide for them to remove stigma and make all needs accessible.

The downloadable version of they2ze is expected to be available in the iTunes and Google Play stores in early May. For more information about they2ze and YTH, visit our project page or contact the Program Coordinator at [email protected].

Do you want to learn more about they2ze? See usability testing in action? Join us at YTH Live 2017, where you’ll be able to interact with the app and it’s creators, in person.

Want to learn how else you can support youth health? Download our other latest project,
TECHsex, a national report on how youth interact with social media and technology, specifically related to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and see why young people are using Google instead of doctors for their health.

*they2ze now available for download for iOS and Android devices.



ZonaSegura ZonaSegura is a trauma-informed youth-centered innovative mobile solution to address teen dating violence in Honduras. Learn more about ZonaSegura on our program page.