(Trans)formations of the body: reflections on health and beauty

Authors

  • Pablo Cardozo Rocon Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva
  • Jésio Zamboni Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Institucional
  • Francis Sodré Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva
  • Alexsandro Rodrigues Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Institucional
  • Maria Carolina Fonseca Barbosa Roseiro Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Institucional

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902017171907

Keywords:

Transgender Persons, Body, Health, Disease, Beauty

Abstract

This article discusses the interpretations of health, illness and beauty engendered in body transformation processes experienced by trans people. From a qualitative approach, 15 semi-structured interviews, recorded in digital audio, were performed with trans people living in the Metropolitan area of Vitória, Espírito Santo (ES), Brazil. Transcription and content analysis were performed. We observed that beauty appears directly related to the perceptions about health and illness among the participants. We also noticed major divergences between the concepts of health and illness produced by the biomedical powers and knowledge about trans people and those that trans people have about themselves, especially in specific health care programs such as the transexualizing processes. We conclude that the respect concerning the autonomy of trans people in the transformation of their bodies, taking into account their interpretations about health or illness, is fundamental for health promotion of this population.

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Published

2017-06-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

(Trans)formations of the body: reflections on health and beauty. (2017). Saúde E Sociedade, 26(2), 521-532. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902017171907