Share Your Story

Share Your Story of Health Care Discrimination

Basic Rights Oregon is collecting stories from transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming folks who have experienced health care discrimination. We are hard at work along with our Trans Justice Working Group, aiming to increase access to health care for trans Oregonians—and your story is a crucial part of that work.

If you have experienced or witnessed the effects of health care discrimination, please take a moment to fill out this form. Examples of this may include: denial of transition-related care like hormones, puberty blockers or surgery; denial of gender-specific care like pap smears and prostate exams; being dropped from an insurance plan or refused enrollment based on trans identity; being treated by a provider who is not trained to work with trans people.

Partners, family members, friends, and parents of transgender or gender non-conforming children or youth are also welcome to share stories at the discretion of their trans-identified friend or loved one. Medical and service providers are similarly encouraged to do so.

Your story may be used to educate lawmakers, reporters, BRO supporters, and the general public on the need for trans-inclusive health care. We won’t use your story in any of these contexts without getting your consent first. (Don’t worry, filling out this form doesn’t mean you’ll see your story anywhere else unless and until we have your express permission.) And, of course, success stories are welcome!

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Street

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code*

Race/Ethnicity

Age

Disability

Sexual Orientation

Gender

Please provide complete contact information so that we can get in touch with you to discuss sharing your story.

Provide as much demographic information as you’re comfortable sharing.

Please write in "YES" if you would to remain anonymous

Please explain your experience:

1) When and where did the incident occur? What happened? (If you’re sharing a success story: what went especially well? If you’re sharing a story of discrimination: what went especially wrong?)

How did this incident affect your life/the trans person’s life?

Were you (or the affected trans person) insured at the time?

If you (or the affected trans person) were/are not insured, do you feel that this is due to your trans identity and/or a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder*?

*Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is a common diagnosis placed on trans and gender non-conforming people. This can often be the key to accessing transition-related care, but GID has also been used as grounds to drop trans people from plans and to deny care that is typically provided to non-trans people.

Has the situation since changed or improved? Do you currently have access to the health care you need?

Do you currently have access to a medical care provider(s) who respects your identity?

Anything you would like to add?

THANK YOU!

Contact tash with any questions: 503-222-6151 x110, tash@basicrights.org