Healthcare concerns

[Ian68]

I was hoping to get some insights/ advice/ shared experiences from others regarding discrimination in healthcare settings.  So, two years ago, I actually ended up in the hospital twice because a doctor refused to treat me.  Since then, I've moved and have had multiple bad experiences with healthcare workers at my University's health center (transgender people are protected by the University, and the health center is supposed to be LGBTQ-friendly). 

Back in September/ October, I saw who was supposed to become my primary care doctor.  I was assigned to him *specifically* because I'm trans.  The first meeting was weird but I chalked it up to having not gotten a physical with a physician who was a guy before.  The second meeting was so disgusting that my friends had to take me home so that I could shower - and that time, he didn't even lay a finger on me.  He tried to deny me access to top surgery unless I took hormones (can't actually do that), and tried to deny me hormones unless I went on birth control after having a pelvic exam (which I'd already suffered through that year with a different doctor due to other problems).  I dismissed all of this with the WPATH Standards of Care, and didn't budge.  He then proceeded to ask me extremely inappropriate questions about sex and masturbation and such, when that had nothing to do with the conversation.  Basically, he was a pervert so, I left.  I eventually reported him anonymously.

Fast forward a few months.  I got to the health center, and the nurses misgender me *after* looking at my chart, *and* try to deny me access to the gender neutral and men's restrooms.  I refused to budge because I have rights, and I know them.  Eventually, I was allowed to use the gender neutral restroom (that had no soap - ewwww).  At this point, I feel completely unsafe and uncomfortable in this environment but I'm not sure if it's worth it to fight so that other people don't have to deal with this in the future... or not.  I have an appointment with a new doctor this Monday so, I'm hoping that she's better but I honestly don't know what to do.

Thoughts?  Advice?  Anything?

Thanks,
Ian

[mac1]

I hope your new doctor is more understanding. Let us know how it goes.

[ChloëAri]

Oh my goodness! I hope you find the care you need.

Where is this? This would never fly in Canada.

[LordKAT]

I agree, where is this place?

[Jill F]

Lambda Legal, TLDEF and the ACLU are your friends.  When lawyers talk about punitive damages, you will have their full attention.

[Ian68]

Because this facility is affiliated with my work, I haven't sought any legal reaources.  If I continue to be treated unfairly, I'll likely go to a Dean.  I don't trust the director of the facility because from what I can tell, she's an older, Christian woman - the demographic that tends to hate me the most, haha.  We'll find out Monday, I suppose...

[iKate]

Won't fly in NJ or even NYC either. Good luck!

[Ian68]

I actually live in a state that protects me from discrimination, in a city with additional protections, and a school/ place of work with even more protections.  Discrimination can happen anywhere really.  It doesn't matter if you're protected if people think that they can get away with discriminating against you... 

[suzifrommd]

A lot of medical centers have patient advocates who help patients through the process of registering a complain. I'd strongly suggest complaining to all levels of management. It helps establish a trail of accountability if it gets ugly for them.

[awilliams1701]

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Considering I live in Alabama I've been very lucky. My doctors office legally has to have my birth name since I haven't legally changed it yet. However they were more than happy to put Ashley in as my nickname. They have been super warm and friendly to me. My doctor herself was for whatever reason uncomfortable in checking my free-T levels. It turns out my Endo was able to get what she needed from me without me fasting beforehand (its a 5 hour drive, which would make fasting a nightmare) and she was very happy that my doctor got all of the non-hormone related bloodwork.