Although the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community has grown, especially among younger generations, the LGBTQ+ community is still disadvantaged in many ways. One disadvantage that is definitely not spoken about enough is the medical procedures and health issues that parts of the LGBTQ+ community have to face along with the costs associated with these.
Although, some of these health issues are not exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, many of the mental health issues are a result of stigma’s, societal pressures, and inability of following true identities.
Take someone that identifies as transgender for example, a person who wishes to transform their gender. This obviously can cause many problems and issues within their lives and their identities. Firstly, they live most of their life (especially childhood), as a person struggling between the dichotomy of their external and internal identity, this in itself causes many mental health issues. By the age that they are able to undergo gender affirming surgery, they have to battle the long processes and extraordinary costs.
Firstly, before the process may even begin, an often-mandatory year of therapy is required, as well as a referral letter is often required (some doctors/ surgeons may even require this letter from more than one licensed
therapist). If you have ever visited a psychologist or other mental health practitioner, you know the expenses of this alone are high.
From there, you are able to visit a surgeon that can begin the process of hormone therapy, for this you must pay for the doctor’s fees (a specialist= more expensive) and then the treatment itself. These both are lifelong costs that occur monthly. Eventually after years of preparation, the person may finally undergo their gender affirming surgery. Be aware that there are both top and bottom surgeries to be done and to be paid for. This process can cost between R450 000 and R600 000, if done privately. Astronomically expensive! So why not do the surgery under health insurance or medical aid.
Of course, that would be the logical choice, however not at all available. You see, gender affirming surgery is seen as a cosmetic surgery, in other words, a surgery that is optional and not a life-saving surgery. The government institutions also play a role in this, as the waiting period to undergo gender affirming surgery can be as long as 25 years, a lifetime away. This is also mainly due to the fact that gender affirming surgery. A very narrow-sighted and privileged view on the situation.
In fact, the study of medicine through psychology provides the view that gender affirming surgery is one method used to rectify a psychological disorder, known as gender dysmorphia. Basically, what this means is that a person’s psychological identity does not agree with their physical sex. Gender dysmorphia may lead to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and very often suicidal thoughts and attempts. Some studies report more than 80% of people who experience body dysmorphia, also experience suicidal thoughts. An alarming, life-threatening percentage. Thus, gender affirming surgery should be seen as a necessary and life-saving surgery.
Add to the fact that some plans on medical aids, by law, have to cover mental illnesses that are seen as chronic. Medical aids should offer a plan that aids in affording gender affirming surgery, as it very clearly more than a cosmetic surgery. Government institutions should be liable for more of these surgeries, there is an importance for them and they do save many lives.
The bottom line is that gender affirming surgery is seen as a cosmetic surgery, a fact that is only partially true. Gender affirming surgery needs to be shown as more essential than cosmetic, a solution to major mental health issues. You have the power to help change that narrative!
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