Unfortunately, transgender individuals have not always received the quality healthcare they deserve in the United States. There are a lot of reasons for this, and not all of them are nefarious. Some of this has to do with the fact that the healthcare system was not well set up to accommodate transgender individuals in the beginning, and even though folks want to do better now, changes have been met with various roadblocks along the way.
The good news is that transgender individuals now have access to more quality, affirmative care than in the past. However, you will still need to advocate for yourself. Here are some ways to do that — and to get quality healthcare as a trans person.
Look for indications that a provider is LGBTQ+ affirming.
When you are looking for a new doctor, whether a primary care physician or a specialist, always look your top prospects up on review websites. Many of these websites will put a little, rainbow flag next to providers who are LGBTQ+ affirming. You can also read reviews and see if there are any from other trans folks. Not all LGBTQ+ affirming doctors are equally skilled at caring for the particular health concerns of trans people, but at least you'll have the reassurance that they'll be affirming of your sex and gender.
Be clear about your status from the get-go.
Being trans can be hard at times, and everyone comes to terms with their gender and sexual identity in their own time. You may still feel a little uncomfortable being "out" to some people in your life. However, it is important to be "out" and honest with any doctor you see from the get-go. This is not because your gender or sex are invalid in any way, and it is not a commentary on whether or not you "pass." It is simply giving your doctor the knowledge they need to best treat you.
When given referrals, ask about them.
Often, you will see one doctor about an issue, and they will refer you to a specialist in another field. When this happens, ask your referring doctor if the doctor they are referring you to is gender-affirming. Most affirming doctors will be careful to only refer you to other affirming doctors when they know you are trans. However, it does not hurt to ask and be sure. You may have to travel a bit further to see a specialist who is affirming, but that's often worth it. Make sure the referring doctor knows you're willing to travel if needed.
Quality, affirming healthcare is important for all trans people. With the tips above, you can better advocate for yourself and get the care you deserve. Contact a local transgender healthcare provider in your area such as CAN Community Health to learn more.