All trans people needing care should get it – RFSL comments on Uppdrag granskning
Uppdrag Granskning has now made a follow-up of “Tranståget” about gender-affirming care for young trans people. RFSL and RFSU are critical of the lack of stories from young trans people and want to underscore the importance of providing more resources to the assessment teams. Everybody who needs care should get it, and we need to get a new legislation in place.
Today, May 12, Uppdrag Granskning has broadcast its third episode about healthcare for young trans people – “Tranståget”. This, and previous episodes, has criticised trans healthcare for young people with gender dysphoria, especially focusing on some individuals who have regretted parts of, or all, their gender-affirming treatment.
It is very unfortunate that there are people who are disappointed with parts of, or all, their treatment and feel that they can’t be open about that. Nobody should be ashamed of how they feel. It should always be viewed as positive that different stories are told. However, the TV-program completely ignored the voices of all those trans people who have received care that has improved their quality of life.
– It’s very unfortunate that Uppdrag granskning hasn’t interviewed one single young trans person or let those who are affected today speak their mind. The most common problem faced by our members is that the long waiting times in trans care affect their well-being and that they find it difficult to access the care they need, says Jerân Rostam president of RFSL Ungdom.
The vast majority of trans people who have received care feel better afterwards. Because of that, the debate following the earlier episodes has been problematic. Today’s episode will, among other things, focus on that the number of referrals to trans healthcare has decreased since the earlier episodes were broadcast. We are concerned that young trans people will be affected through decreased access to healthcare should those who require the service of an assessment team not be referred.
– We will continue to fight for that everybody who needs care should get care, and that assessment teams across the country are given the recourses to cater to every individual’s need. It’s imperative, says Deidre Palacios president of RFSL.
RFSL and many other actors have long advocated a change in the gender recognition act. The issue has been discussed for many years, and the aim is to split the act in two; one treating gender-affirming care and the other legal gender.
– Sweden’s gender recognition act is not in line with a modern view of gender identity. It’s time to instate a new law, it’s a question about trans people’s human rights, says Deidre Palacios.
