Transforming Health: International Rights-Based Advocacy for Trans Health

Trans people across the world face substantial barriers to adequate health and health care. They are targets of discrimination and violence, are at greater risk of contracting HIV, and experience a higher incidence of mental health problems like depression. They face discrimination from health care providers, a lack of doctors trained to address their needs, and the refusal of many national health systems and insurance providers to cover their care. Yet trans communities are building alliances to promote trans health and to fight for policies that respect gender diversity and human rights.

This report profiles projects from 16 organizations in twelve countries that address these barriers. These projects offered general health services as well as those related to gender transition, trained health care providers to respond to the needs and concerns of trans patients, conducted public education campaigns about discrimination against trans people, advocated for legal and medical policy changes, and organized trans communities to empower themselves.

Collecting insights from these projects, Transforming Health makes recommendations to governments, rights advocates, health professionals and public health organizations, and health and rights donors.

Organizations profiled include: Shustha Jibon (Bangladesh), Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men’s Working Group (Canada), Kyrgyz Labrys (Kyrgyzstan), GenderDoc-M (Moldova), REDTRANS Nicaragua (Nicaragua), Trans-Gayten (Serbia), Gender DynamiX (South Africa), Mitr Trust (United States / India), Planned Parenthood of Mar Monte, (United States), Transgender Law Center (United States), STP 2012 International Stop Trans Pathologization Campaign (International), and the World Health Organization.