Difficulties experienced by trans people in accessing the Unified Health System. / Dificuldades vividas por pessoas trans no acesso ao Sistema Único de Saúde.

The objective of this study was to discuss the difficulties of trans people living in the metropolitan region of Greater Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, in accessing the health services of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS). We used a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with 15 trans people. The results point to disrespect toward the adopted name, discrimination, and the diagnosis required for the gender reassignment process as major limitations to accessing the healthcare system. The diagnosis helps hide the responsibility of heteronormativity and gender binarism in the social marginalization of trans people. It is concluded that it is necessary to review the issue of diagnosis, given that the existence of a prior pathology is not required to access the SUS. It is important to develop educational programmes and permanent campaigns concerning the right to access the healthcare system free from discrimination and to use the adopted name.

Dificuldades vividas por pessoas trans no acesso ao Sistema Único de Saúde / Difficulties experienced by trans people in accessing the Unified Health System

Resumo Objetivou-se discutir as dificuldades de pessoas trans moradoras da região metropolitana da Grande Vitória/ES em acessarem os serviços de saúde no SUS. Utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 pessoas trans. Os resultados apontaram o desrespeito ao nome social, a discriminação e o diagnóstico no processo transexualizador como principais limitações no acesso ao sistema de saúde. Afirma-se que o diagnóstico contribui para ocultar a responsabilidade da heteronormatividade e do binarismo de gênero pela marginalização social das pessoas trans. Conclui-se que é necessário modificar o diagnóstico em sua função, já que a existência de uma patologia prévia não é requisito para acessar o SUS. Aponta-se, também, a importância de elaborar programas de educação e campanhas permanentes sobre o direito de acesso ao sistema de saúde livre de discriminação e com uso do nome social.

Abstract The objective of this study was to discuss the difficulties of trans people living in the metropolitan region of Greater Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, in accessing the health services of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS). We used a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with 15 trans people. The results point to disrespect toward the adopted name, discrimination, and the diagnosis required for the gender reassignment process as major limitations to accessing the healthcare system. The diagnosis helps hide the responsibility of heteronormativity and gender binarism in the social marginalization of trans people. It is concluded that it is necessary to review the issue of diagnosis, given that the existence of a prior pathology is not required to access the SUS. It is important to develop educational programmes and permanent campaigns concerning the right to access the healthcare system free from discrimination and to use the adopted name.