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My Turn

Public Funds for SRS?
Not Without Strings

By Connie Hundler
Ed. Note: Transgender Forum is a forum for ideas, including ones that are not necessarily popular, politically correct or that the publisher necessarily likes. We believe that lively debate and free speech are the only ways to peacefully resolve controversial questions and issues. We believe you do too.

After reading Dallas Denny's article on the Clarke Institute I felt compelled to respond.

While I am not too familiar with the Canadian Public Health System, I assume it is similar to European ones. As such, I wonder what the average person on the Canadian street may think about his/her health insurance tax money going to pay for SRS for TS? Most would probably shake their heads.

The bulk of society is not accepting of TS/TG. The bulk of society may tolerate us, mainly due to legislation, but surely do not accept us; as most TS/TG who are really honest with themselves can attest to. The Clarke holding on to older ideas of gender roles and behavior is understandable, to me anyway.

Do Canadian taxpayers have a right to set standards (acceptable to the majority of society) for TS/TG medical care when they (the public) are footing the bill? By demanding the applicants meet certain gender role standards in dress & behavior - standards set by society - The Clarke, as the public's agent, ensures it is not squandering public funds but also in the long run ensuring a possible better tolerance level of those that do undergo transition and SRS.

I can assume the preceding will cause controversy, but when public funds are involved - those using the service provided can only be grateful; especially when the majority of society does not condone the form of treatment administered in the first place.

As to The Clarke considering there is something seriously wrong with us genderfolk, all I can say is "Good Morning, Welcome to the Real World, nice to see you have woke up." When the doctors judge us as psychologically not normal what is so wrong with that? We are not normal. Normally boys say they are boys and girls say they are girls.

As far as the medical society is concerned we should only judge them on their seriousness and willingness to help us live a more stable life, in what ever style we can, and also to ensure we are aware of the realities involved. We can create our own realities - as a subculture; which in fact the TS/TG/TV communities do to a great extent. But on a day to day basis we are not living in the TG Community but in the overall society at large and that society (from where the doctors come from (be they at The Clarke or where ever)) is not accepting of us, maybe tolerate but not accepting.

As far Ms. Denny's comment on the suggested job changes involved with transition I can only say, fine. After SRS the transitioned person has the option of pursuing whatever profession she/he desires. No one said the airplane mechanic has to stay a nurse. I can understand the doctors' suggestion simply because any female or male working in a job not traditionally associated with their perceived gender (irregardless if they are GG GM or TS) can surely attest to the challenges they experience every day.

One can legislate freedom to select an employment activity or profession, but legislature does not grant one acceptance in that job choice; and following transition/SRS initial tolerance for one's person is vital. Why risk this tolerance by insisting to work in a non-traditional job for one's perceived gender?

Also, I find Ms. Denny should not use such colorfully laden language when discussing the subject she discoursed on. I noticed this especially when the adjectives were connected to the noun doctor. I would have weighed her, in many cases most likely just, arguments more heavily had this article been less colourful. On the other hand the article "The Clarke Institute of Psychiatry: Canada's Shame" did elicit a long response from me.

Any comments to my response can be sent to me at Connie_1954@hotmail.com.

Connie Hundler is an an American TS living in Europe, post-op since Thanksgiving 1984



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