Trans people have a right to the same healthcare we all need

Across the country, trans people are being denied vital healthcare that has nothing to do with their gender identity – simply because they are trans.

After years of suffering from chronic testicular pain, Lisa* was offered surgery to have her testes removed. When her operation was cancelled at the last minute, the NHS claimed it was called off because it was gender-affirming care.

It’s bad enough that the NHS seem to think that gender-affirming care is some kind of optional extra. But refusing to treat someone in pain just because they’re trans is adding insult to injury. It’s blatant discrimination – and Lisa’s not the only one.

This is a shockingly common phenomenon – often known as “trans broken arm syndrome” – where trans patients are treated differently when accessing all types of healthcare just because of their identity.

But the NHS was built for all of us. Trans people deserve the same standard of care as everyone else. It’s time to root transphobia out of the NHS.

Join us.

*Lisa’s name has been changed to protect her anonymity.