Collecting with trans and non-binary people

A trans man visited one of our collections centre for a pregnancy test.

One of the collectors shamed this person in front of a busy waiting room saying, “you’re obviously a man, why would you need this test?”

Consumer

Trans and non-binary people experience high levels of discrimination in the health system. Therefore, it’s important to not make assumptions about their lives, bodies, wants, needs, or experiences (transhub.org.au). 53% of young trans and nonbinary people in Australia report at least one negative experience with a health professional and almost half of all trans and gender diverse people have reported experiencing inappropriate curiosity.

Here are several things we must do:

• Not assume the person’s gender or how they want to be referred to (both their pronouns and their chosen name) • Not question or challenge the test the person is having, even if it doesn’t make sense to us (e.g., a prostate test for a woman) • Avoid inappropriate questions such as why the person is on hormone treatment, if they’ve had ‘the surgery’ or what they were ‘born as’

Here are what trans health professionals and trans people have told us helps and hinders:

What helps

Checking the request form and any additional notes

from the referring doctor. The request form may include a name that the person doesn’t use and shouldn’t be said out loud.

Not making assumptions. Don’t assume a person’s gender or how they want to be referred to.

Ensure dignity of trans and non-binary people while accessing pathology services, upholding their right to access care, free from discrimination.

If you make a mistake, apologise immediately and

sincerely. If you use the wrong name, wrong pronouns or wrong gender, apologise straight away.

What hinders

Inappropriate curiosity. Don’t ask questions to satisfy your curiosity that does not affect the procedure.

For more information on inappropriate curiosity, refer to Shared needs and customer service commitments above.

Challenging the person’s identity or test request

accuracy. For example, don’t question what test is requested for an individual by asking questions like “do you really need that test?”

Knowingly using someone’s deadname. A deadname is a term used by some trans people to describe the name they were given and known by prior to affirming their gender and/or coming out.