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

The 5 participants who reported feeling their sexual orientation or gender identity was a barrier to
accessing services, gave the following reasons:
• Fearing the clinicians/health professionals response, or fearing rejection by the clinician
• Experiencing a negative response after disclosing sexuality or gender identity previously
when accessing a mental health or addiction service
• Fear of distracting and negatively impacting on other service users in inpatient treatment
by the service user being “out” (trans participant felt their identity made it difficult
for others)
• Lack of a clear pathway for trans people
• Fear of pathologisation of gender diversity (gender identity disorder) and/or fear of being
‘forced’ into a specific pathway to access medical or surgical treatment for transition
• Lack of availability of skilled and experienced clinicians; especially clinicians who are
experienced working specifically with trans people.
“My identity has made it hard for me to get the support I need because there is no clear pathway and a
lack of experienced counsellors to help me with my issues” (trans male)
“It is very difficult to identify someone who is skilled and experienced in working with trans. There is no list
or network of trans, or trans-friendly or LGB counsellors. Usually I end up having to educate them [the
counsellor]. I would love it if I could find someone who I don’t have to do that with” (trans male)
Visibility
Half of the participants felt they needed to conceal their S.O. or G.I. when accessing services at
some point. 9 service users who accessed the Central Auckland mental health or addiction services
in the last 10 years felt they needed to conceal their S.O. or G.I. when accessing one or more
mental health or addiction service. 9 service users felt they did not need to conceal their S.O. or
G.I., though one of this group stated they would “have liked to” conceal their gender identity.
One participant stated their sexual orientation was already known by the service provider so the
question was not relevant.
The stigma attached to being transgender was commented on by 2 of the 4 transgender
participants who indicated they would have liked to have been able to conceal their gender
identity if possible, when accessing certain mental health or addiction services. (Note: For some
trans people who have transitioned and identify as male or female ‘being stealth’ (i.e. not
disclosing that they are trans) is their preferred way. In this case they may not want their trans
status to be recorded).
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