SRJC members are a strong voice for queer health. Members such as Triangle Project and Gender Dynamix, work on a number of projects across the queer health spectrum, including gender affirming health care, trans affirming health care, accessibility and equitable policies for the LGBTQIA+ community. Queer health is an important focus area for the SRJC as having access to health care in South Africa as a queer person is ladled with obstacles.
Gender-affirming healthcare
Every person who needs health care should be respected, understood, and not judged. However, trans and gender diverse persons often experience significant marginalisation and discrimination in health care settings. Health professionals are generally not prepared by current curricula to provide appropriate healthcare to trans and gender diverse people.
Gender-affirming healthcare has been described by Radix, Reisner and Deutch as “health care that holistically attends to transgender people’s physical, mental, and social health needs and well-being, while respectfully affirming their gender identity.” These services may include medical care, behavioural healthcare, surgical referrals, assistance with name and gender change, insurance navigation and other supportive services to help reach your health and wellness goals.
Read more about why gender-affirming health care should be included in health sciences curricula.
