Sex Re-assignment Surgery
In Canada,
preoperative transsexuals undergo medical discrimination through the struggle
of obtaining the health care needed to undergo sex re-assignment surgery.
After all
of the emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical abuse endured by
individuals identifying as a transsexual person, they now have to undergo
humiliation, long wait times, and stressful situations that can sometimes make
it impossibly hard to fulfill their desire, and their right to have sex re-assignment surgery performed.
"Only
three gender identity clinics are available in Canada;
Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver
"(Queens, n.d.). After an individual has
decided to obtain a sex reassignment surgery, the individual is referred to one
of Canada's three clinics,
which can take years to obtain an appointment due to the lack of professionals
offering the service (Queens, n.d.). At one of
the three clinics, the individual will then be assessed for a diagnosis of a Gender Identity Disorder (Queens, n.d.).
This process of diagnosing transsexuals with a
disorder from the DSM IV, in my opinion is a humiliating and medically
unnecessary process. By stating that transsexuals have a diagnosis, we are
stating that there is something medically wrong with them. After a life time of
trying to become comfortable with themselves, they now have to under go medical
scrutiny, with professionals reinstating the message that they are
"bad" and there is something
inherently wrong with them. "Devor contends that individuals desire to be witnessed for exactly who
they are and to see themselves mirrored in others' eyes as they see
themselves" (Budge, Tebbe, & Howard, 2010).
If an
individual is able to go through the first step in the sex reassignment surgery
procedure, they are then subjected to a second stage that involves transitioning to live in the "gender of
their identity, generally for a period of one to two years" (Queens, n.d.). This real life test requires an individual
to "dress and behave as a member of their felt gender, 24 hours a day,
without the benefit of the physical alterations produced by medical
intervention" (Queens, n.d.). The per-operative individuals ability to
"withstand the discrimination and "pass" largely determines
their acceptance for sex reassignment surgery" (Queens,
n.d.).
This second
step in the sex reassignment surgery process becomes a very dangerous and difficult period in the transsexual
individuals life. Understandably many individuals do not pass this second step
as the humiliation and discrimination
felt by these individuals must be horrendous. In other LGBT blogs, the
bathroom bill was discussed. for a preoperative transsexual in this second step
of the sex reassignment process, the discord of using the preferred sexes
washroom while still having physical attributes of the opposite sex can result
in physical violence, altercations with authority, and humiliation. I could only imagine being
in this situation. In order to receive the sex reassignment surgery you must
use the opposite washroom, and be accepted into it, but realistically speaking,
if you have physical traits that strongly distinguish you as the other sex,
very negative results are very likely to happen. I feel like this second step
is setting many individuals up for failure, and revisions to the policies
regarding this step should be taken into high priority for the safety of the per-operative individuals.
Next, if a transsexual has proven themselves through the first two steps, they are then granted hormone therapy in order to begin hormonal changes to their physical selves. But, hormonal therapy is just the beginning of a very lengthy and financially stressful time. in 1998 the government of Ontario announced it would longer cover the costs of sex reassignment therapy under OHIP. It is now seen as an unneeded elective surgery. (Queens, n.d.). Under this new regulation, even more people are limited from receiving the surgery as " the costs are far beyond the reach of most people" (Queens, n.d.).
I believe that our current system is set up to refuse access to this potentially life saving procedure. The first step is to change the idea that a transsexual individual has a medical diagnosis, and that something is wrong with them. To see beauty in all individuals is power, and a step towards a truly "civilized nation."
Budge, S. L., & Tebbe, E.N., & Howard, K. A. S. (2010). The work experiences of transgender
individuals: Negotiating the transition and career decision-making processes. Journal of
Counseling Psychology. 57.4, 377-393. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0020472
Queens Human Rights Office. (n.d.). Trans accessibility project: Overview of transgender issues.
Retrieved November 29, 2012, from http://www.queensu.ca/humanrights/tap/2tg101.htm
- Larissa C
I do not think it is right for them to have to go through testing before they can officially have surgery. It is a long process that they have to be in a body that they do not feel comfortable in, and probably have not their whole lives. By wanting to change their gender, does not mean they have something wrong with them, it simply means they were born in the wrong body. I find it very wrong that they make them wait for such a long time, and that if they are waiting this long, maybe they need to change their procedures or make it available in more hospitals in Canada.
ReplyDelete- Kahli
Good post! I definitely think the DSM is flawed as it is very categorical. If someone doesn't fit the predetermined categories, then professionals assume that the person is not in need of this surgery. I think this kind of medical discrimination then leaks into society, as society will see transsexuals as deviant or ill, when that's not the case. I understand that there should be steps in place, as this is a very serious, life changing surgery, but if someone has gone their whole life feeling like they have been born the wrong gender, who are we, or those in the medical field to tell them they're wrong? I think it would be interesting to see if there is research regarding those who have been deterred from this surgery because of the strict guidelines.
ReplyDeleteShannon
Excellent topic!! I had no idea how long it actually took for a sex re-assignment to happen and how limited the resources are that available to them. I strongly agree with you when you say that it is humiliating to the individual that they need to have a diagnosis from the DSM to even be considered for a sex re-assignment. I personally feel that if someone feels that they want to be a different sexual orientation that they should be it. you stated that "If an individual is able to go through the first step in the sex reassignment surgery procedure, they are then subjected to a second stage that involves transitioning to live in the "gender of their identity, generally for a period of one to two years". That is a long time to be living in the sex that you want to transition into if you have not come out to your family, friends, co-workers, or others that you see on a daily basis. I understand that if they want it bad enough they will do it, but there shouldn't have to be such a long process for these individuals to feel comfortable with who they are. There needs to be an increase in services for transsexuals so that this whole transition process can be as comofortable as possible. People need to be educated in this area, so that transsexuals can feel they have supports they can go to.
ReplyDeleteAlysha (LGBT group)
It really shocked me that there was only three gender identity clinics are available in Canada; Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. That is a raelly low number for just those 3 places. Its is sad that there isn't atleast one in all places over ontario. For transsexuals if they need the support they should be able to get it, they should be just as equal as any person. Support is needed all over the world for many different reasons.
ReplyDelete- Alyssa
By viewing trasngenderism as a medical disorder, it provides those who are trasgender with a greater amount of discrimination, even in the places where people are supposed to help them through this difficult time in their life. Doctors performing these surgeries should not be allowed to discriminate against their patients in this way. Women who get breast implants or botox are not discriminated in this way, it is seen as an image of beauty and plastic surgeons are proud to have this as a profession as it is stereotypically shown. I believe that if Canadians are entitled to human rights, transgendered Canadians should not have to go through this difficult process as it is their bodies and can change them however they so wish, as a Canadian is entitled to their own body.
ReplyDelete- Kara (Poverty Group)
Wow, this post was a big eye opener. I never knew how hard it was for one to actually go through this operation. It is horrible that after all someone might go through there is still a chance that they can not be happy. Everyone should have the chance to be happy, and it should not be someone else's decision if they can be happy or not. Everyone should feel comfortable in their skin and if it means undergoing this type of surgery then it should be easier for them to go through with it.
ReplyDelete- Alexandra
You hear people talking about sex change operations and never really stop to think about what that process actually looks like. What a horrible process. Why would our system be set up as to discourage people from pursuing medically procedure that I consider to be necessary for a proper quality of life? Why are we making individuals with gender issues pass a test to prove it? That is so sad. If someone is even considering this procedure and paying the outrageous cost, wouldn't it be safe to assume this procedure has been deemed necessary by person? Wouldn't a few simple doctor patient interviews and maybe other simple medical questions be enough to determine if this procedure is possible? Is all the humiliation really necessary? This is something that needs to be reexamined by our society.
ReplyDeleteAngele
I always learn something new that I did not know before when reading the blogs posted by this group. Thank-you for making me more informed on this issue and the struggles that these people face when trying to have sex re-assignment surgery. I found it upsetting to read that there are only three gender identity clinics in Canada and have a wait time that is absolutely ridiculous. I was even more shocked when I read that they are diagnosed under the DSM and strongly agree with the points you made that “it is a humiliating, medically unnecessary process and by stating that transsexuals have a diagnosis, we are stating that there is something medically wrong with them”. Without question there is nothing medically wrong with the people who want this surgery and personally I think that this needs to change so that they do not continue to face struggles when trying to live their lives fully and happily.
ReplyDeleteKristen – Mental Illness Group
Wow this was really an eye opener to see these statistics. I feel like there should be more options for them. I understand that it may be a hard procedure to do, but if they are willing to give breast implants and such surgeries on what I think is probably a daily basis across North America, they should be more open to such difficult surgeries like this one.
ReplyDelete- Elysha
Great topic!
ReplyDeleteI understand the importance of health care professionals wanting to make sure their patients are positive they want to have sex re-assignment surgery because the surgical procedure is costly, etc. However, I do not agree for one second that the procedure should be as long and embarrassing as it is.
If someone seeks medical attention for this surgery - that says enough about being sure that this surgery is in their best interest.
Hopefully one day there will be more supports in our country for people who identify as LBGTTTIQ. More and more people are "coming out of the closet" and I believe it is necessary to have professionals who can speak to this community - doctors, surgeons, lawyers, teachers, etc. Having someone to talk to who understands...and may even be going through the same thing as you is always a great help.
Meagan (LGBT)