The cost of being transgender

Where socio-economic status, global health care systems, and gender identity intersect

Bibliographic Data

ID12978424
AuthorsJulie Mae Koch (0000-0001-9808-4481, Oklahoma State University, corresponding author), Chris/tine McLachlan, Chris tine McLachlan (University of South Africa), C J Victor (0000-0002-0919-1937, University of South Africa), Jess Westcott (Oklahoma State University), Christina Yager (0000-0002-9249-0574, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
Year2019
Volume11
Issue1-2
Pages103-119
Publication date2019-08-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychology and Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1941-9902 • E-ISSN: 1941-9899
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19419899.2019.1660705
OpenAlexW2971339622
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited26

Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psychological as well as physical, that is unique to their home country’s context. Some of the contributing factors are nations’ health care systems, laws and policies surrounding discrimination, adequate resources, and under-trained health care professionals. Unfortunately, inability or difficulty in accessing transition related health care and support leads to negative impacts on mental health. In this article, the authors describe the unique contexts related to transgender health care in Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. We focus specifically on the financial cost of transition for trans and gender diverse people, including gender affirming surgeries as well as mental and health care more broadly. We discuss the role of mental health professionals as advocates for gender affirming care and the fundamental human right to health care. We include discussions of therapy, assessment, medical care such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries, and additional invisible costs. We highlight the importance for all mental health professionals to be aware of the impacts to trans and gender diverse people’s mental health when their fundamental health care needs are not met. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for how mental health professionals can advocate for their clients’ access to transition related care

Context (archaeology · Geography · Globe · Health care · Mental health · Political science · Psychiatry · Transgender · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology