Transgender Health Care: 10 Simple Rules for Providers to Consider

[Shana A]

Transgender Health Care: 10 Simple Rules for Providers to Consider
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
Pauline Park, Ph.D.
New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA)

http://www.paulinepark.com/index.php/2011/11/transgender-health-care-10-simple-rules-for-providers-to-consider/

Based on my own experience as an activist, advocate and consumer of health care, here are a few simple rules that health care providers who are committed to full transgender inclusion in the provision of health care may wish to consider:

[...]

Rule #2: Effective health care provision requires that providers take into account the diversity of the transgender community, which is extraordinarily diverse — in terms of gender identity and expression as well as race, ethnicity, religion, dis/ability, and sexual orientation. There are as many ways of being transgendered as there are transgendered people.

Rule #3: Health care providers need to understand that sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is not the end point for most gender transitions.  Most transgendered people do not want SRS and most who do never get it. There are as many ways of transitioning as there are transgendered people.

[Harlan28]

Hi, I would encourage all vet to make a copy of this directive and take it with them for every visit to the VA. If your Dr. or anyone tells you something different, show them this directive. That will stop any unnecessary delays in transgender and intersex healthcare. Hopefully. Make sure you tell them "they have been directed to provide you transgender healthcare and its not an option". Be firm but respectful. If you still have problems I would contact the Medical Chief of Staff for your VA facility and let him or her know whats going on. Do not take no for an answer. I know its hard for some of us, but you will be doing yourself and the next vet that comes behind you a favor. People have worked hard to get us these benefits and if we don't use them, it was a lot of work for nothing. Thanks a lot for sharing this!!