In recent years, the fight for reproductive rights has been at the forefront of the political and social landscape. With the ongoing attacks on abortion access, providers have been forced to adapt and find ways to continue serving their patients. But it’s not just reproductive rights that are under attack, the transgender community is also facing a similar battle. Despite the legal challenges and discrimination they face, many providers are taking a stand and continuing to provide crucial gender-affirming care to their trans patients.
The current political climate has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for the transgender community. From the recent ban on transgender individuals serving in the military to the rollback of protections for trans students, it’s clear that the rights and well-being of transgender individuals are under attack. And now, with the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, the future of transgender rights is even more uncertain.
But in the face of these challenges, some providers are refusing to back down. They are drawing on the lessons learned from defending abortion rights and are digging in to serve their trans patients despite the legal attacks.
One such provider is Dr. Vivian Roknian, a family medicine doctor who has been providing gender-affirming care to her patients in Chicago for over a decade. In an interview with The Intercept, Dr. Roknian shared her experience of navigating the legal landscape while providing care to her trans patients.
“It’s a constant battle,” she said. “There are always new barriers popping up, and you have to constantly adapt and find ways to work around them.”
One of the main challenges for providers like Dr. Roknian is the lack of legal protections for transgender individuals. Unlike other marginalized communities, there are currently no federal laws that explicitly protect the rights of transgender individuals. This means that providers must navigate a patchwork of state and local laws, as well as institutional policies, to provide care to their patients.
But despite these obstacles, Dr. Roknian remains committed to providing gender-affirming care. She believes that it is her duty as a healthcare provider to ensure that her patients have access to the care they need.
“It’s not just about providing medical treatment, it’s about affirming someone’s identity and validating their existence,” she explained. “Many of my patients have faced discrimination and rejection from their families and society, and it’s my job to provide them with a safe and supportive space.”
Dr. Roknian’s dedication to her patients is shared by many other providers across the country. In fact, the National Center for Transgender Equality estimates that there are over 1,500 providers who offer gender-affirming care in the United States. These providers are committed to upholding the rights and dignity of their trans patients, despite the legal challenges they face.
But it’s not just individual providers who are taking a stand. Many healthcare institutions are also stepping up to support their trans patients. For example, Philadelphia’s Mazzoni Center, a healthcare provider for the LGBTQ+ community, has implemented a policy that guarantees gender-affirming care to all of its patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
“The attacks on trans rights are attacks on our patients,” said Dr. Nancy Brisbon, Mazzoni Center’s chief medical officer. “We will not waiver in our commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to our trans patients.”
The importance of gender-affirming care cannot be overstated. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, transgender youth who have access to this type of care have significantly lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. It’s clear that the care provided by Dr. Roknian and other providers is not only life-saving, but life-affirming.
But despite the positive impact of gender-affirming care, the attacks on transgender rights continue. In addition to the legal challenges, the current administration has also proposed a rule that would allow healthcare providers to deny treatment to transgender individuals based on religious or moral grounds.
In the face of these attacks, it’s crucial for providers to continue standing up for the rights of their trans patients. This includes advocating for legal protections and educating the public about the importance of gender-affirming care. It also means providing a safe and welcoming space for trans individuals to receive the care they need.
As we continue to fight for reproductive rights and gender equality, it’s important to remember that these battles are interconnected. The fight for reproductive rights has taught us
