Dorris '15: The misinformed oppositon to transgender health care
By Cara Dorris, Opinions Columnist
Wednesday, March 13, 2013http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/03/13/dorris-15-the-misinformed-oppositon-to-transgender-health-care/Cheryl K. Chumley of the Washington Times recently asked her readers, "Looking for a free sex change operation?" Her answer was simple: "Enroll at Brown University."
She is talking about the Brown Student Health Insurance Plan's decision to cover sexual reassignment procedures, beginning in August.
She is not the only one fuming.
"Fox and Friends" co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade have mocked Brown and its transgender students on television. Newspapers around the country have released hateful op-eds, accompanied by a slew of transphobic comments. Even The Herald's own readers have expressed their indignation toward the decision.
There are two popular arguments against this type of coverage:
1. Now that treatment is essentially free, more students will be motivated to undergo the surgery.
2. The policy is unfair to other students who are "unhappy" with their bodies but cannot have their surgeries covered.
Both of these are more illogical than they are offensive.
....
We live in a divided world. We may not like the gender binary, but we cannot deny its existence. Everywhere you turn — the bathroom, the clothing store, the changing room — you are constantly reminded of your gender.
Now imagine waiting, working and saving money for 20 years of your life — not to fix your problems, but just to face the problems someone of your correct gender would face.
.....
No, we cannot ignore the cost. Yes, the surgery has to be subsidized somehow. But the number of candidates is miniscule. According to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, in 2010 there were between 1,600 and 2,000 people who underwent the surgery in the entire nation.
....
As of now, the Brown Student Health Insurance Plan covers a myriad of procedures.
