Lets talk about sex.... - Auckland District Health Board

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Figure 11
Of all the participants, trans people were the only group who reported specific difficulties related
directly to sexual orientation or gender identity with the following comments made:
• A lack of clinicians or counsellors who are experienced in working with trans people on
issues relating to gender identity or transition
• A lack of services available to assist trans people with specific transgender issues
• An unclear pathway for medical and surgical treatment for transition; with counselling and/
or assessment being compulsory before treatment is provided
• No funding or financial support to trans people who do not meet the high entry criteria for
public mental health services, and who are required to undertake counselling or
assessment before treatment for transitioning is considered
• That being the only trans person visible within services is difficult
“Finding skilled and experience a counsellor is hard...there are financial difficulties in following the prescribed
pathway. When you can find them, trans friendly counsellors are usually in private practice and this is
generally unaffordable to trans people. It seems if you go to public services, you get a freak out person”
(trans male)
When participants were asked about barriers to accessing services, rather than difficulties
accessing services, most participants (14 out of 19) indicated they did not feel their sexual
orientation was a barrier to accessing services.
These comments represent the main themes from the feedback about this:
“It is easy to hide if you need to”
“It [sexual orientation] was on my GP referral, so they knew already”
“Sexuality was not relevant”
Difficulties accessing service