During August, three workshops were held in Glasgow to better understand
the health needs and experiences of transgender people in Scotland. These
were part of a range of initiatives by the INCLUSION Project; a partnership
project working for LGBT health.
The survey will be ready for distribution within the next couple of
months and the key findings from this research will be available in 2004.
Here’s a summary of findings from the days (one for transsexual
women, one for transsexual men and a transvestite workshop).
The term transgender as an all-encompassing umbrella term was viewed
as being sometimes problematic because there is a huge range of diversity
within the transgender label. It was felt that the categories of transsexual
and transvestite being put together under transgender didn’t help
with the understanding of the issues because both categories are very
different. Education on transgender issues was felt to be the solution.
Some of the most significant health-related issues for transsexual women
(Male to Female) included; alcohol abuse, suicidal feelings, feeling
stress about gender and disgust with body parts.
Some of the most significant health-related issues for transsexual men
(FTM) included, anxiety, fear of what people would think/say, suicidal
feelings and distress about body parts.
Self-harm and depression were also significant for trans women and trans
men.
Solutions to the problems faced by some trans women and trans men included;
good access to clinical treatment including hormones and surgery, peer
support and counselling.
All of the participants in the transvestite workshop were accessing
health services as heterosexual men and did not feel their transgender
status was relevant in relation to this.
Peer support was viewed as very important to the transvestite group.
Transsexuals and transvestites can experience difficulties because of
people making assumptions about sexuality and sexual expression.
Transsexuals and transvestites can experience difficulties because in
general people have very fixed ideas about what a man/woman should be
like, i.e. 'not a real man'.
Education on transgender issues was seen as a way of challenging assumptions.
For further information on the transgender research, or for information
on support for transgender people contact, Nick Laird:
Tel - 0141 574 0242.
Email: [email protected]
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is a partnership project representing the LGBT community
in Scotland. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the partners. However,
if they're witty, intelligent and insightful - they probably are. If you flicked
through this mag, saw a photie and made an assumption about someone's sexuality
- then you're about ten years behind what we're trying to do here. Click the
mag off and walk away. Accurate at going online time, but hey, we didn't get
this sarky without making mistakes.