Gender-Affirming Care and Transgender People
Transgender individuals are individuals who do not identify with their assigned birth gender and live or express themselves as another gender. They may experience discrimination and mistreatment due to their identity, including difficulties finding housing, healthcare, jobs, and schools that accept them for who they are. One important aspect of this is gender-affirming care, which refers to medical services that help individuals transition from one gender to another. This can include hormone therapy, surgery, and other procedures such as hair removal and voice training.
Access to these services can be limited due to various factors.
Access to gender-affirming care affects social integration, employment, and education for transgender people in several ways. Socially, without appropriate treatment, transgender individuals may struggle to fit into society's expectations of what it means to be male or female. They may feel pressure to hide their true selves and pretend to be cisgender, leading to feelings of isolation and depression. In terms of employment, some workplaces may reject transgender applicants or fire existing employees if they learn about their gender identity. Many employers also require a legal name change, making it difficult for transgender individuals to keep their job if they undergo transition-related surgeries. Similarly, educational institutions may deny admission or expel students based on their gender identity.
Lack of access to gender-affirming care can lead to physical complications, such as fertility issues and increased risk of cancer.
Limited access to gender-affirming care can have significant effects on the lives of transgender individuals, impacting their social relationships, professional opportunities, and overall wellbeing. Governments, healthcare providers, and businesses should work together to ensure that all members of society have access to the resources needed to live happy, fulfilling lives.
In what ways does limited access to gender-affirming care affect social integration, employment, and education for transgender people?
Researchers have found that transgender individuals who cannot obtain appropriate medical treatment may experience challenges with social integration, employment, and education due to their lack of physical comfort and fit within their gender identity (Szymanski et al. , 2018). Firstly, social interaction can be difficult if one's appearance does not align with their perceived gender identity.