Before I went full time, Maggie, I went to a couple of different female doctors for treatments like the flu etc. I was also seeing a GP for my hormones, but I paid for those visitis out of pocket just to keep my GID condition invisible from my insurance company.
In both cases of seeing these suburban women doctors, I was treated atrociously. In the first instance, she was an MD at my ex-wife's hospital where she was a nurse. The MD and I were getting along famously until she asked if I was on any prescription meds. I honestly reported being on female hormones, since I didn't want the antibiotics to conflict with what I was taking. She visibly moved 1-2 feet away from me, and her attitiude changed totally. She wouldn't continue any type of physical exam like she needed to. She went on to ask me when was my last AIDS test, and if I was having sex with men now. I was appalled! (I don't know if she knew my ex and was trying to protect her or what) I emphatically stated that I was not in any type of extra curricular sex. I left that room swearing never to return.
In the second female doctor case, I had to go in for a routine physical, which was paid for by my insurance company. I selected a nearby clinic that was in my PPO. The doctor was in her early 30's, just out of med school. I thought she would be open to my GID condition, given her age and sophistication. Wrong! Again, when precription meds were brought up, I mentioned my hormones. Same reaction! This doctor then again asked about my last AIDS test! I guess she thought if she touched me, she might get AIDS! Again, I knew I was HIV negative, and not sexually active with anyone. I was separated my my ex at this point. I couldn't believe how insistent she was about the test. I was angry and on the verge of tears. Summoning up courage, I asked her if a person like me could, in fact, practice safe sex. I slyly asked what she would recommend. She outed herself, as the bigot and phobe that she really was, by saying that people like me should favor celibacy, and should not have sex with men. I was shocked once again! I left the room and broke down in tears in my car. I could not believe the insensitivity and ignorance still around today. I decided to refuse to pay for that visit.
I will only now see one of two GP doctors that I have who largely deal with the trans population. My dentist knows about my past, because of the medical records and the shape of my teeth. He's been nothing but a gentleman. He has only known Julie from the start.
Our best hope in this country is for Health Reform to pass with the elimination of pre-existing conditions. That way, we cannot be excluded because of our GID condition, and can fairly shop the market for rates. Right now, I'm stuck with the insurer I started with 5 years ago because of the pre-existing condition. I'm an insurance agent by profession, but an fully supportive of this needed legislation!
In addition to healthcare reform, doctors in med school need to be taught and trained with treating a transgender patient. My friend, who is a doctor, told me that his medical school (Stanford) spent less than 1-2 hours on the subject, with no actual clinical time with trans patients. We should not expect any change with doctors until this is changed!
