Reproductive health and rights for the population of transvestites and transsexuals: abjection and symbolic sterility

Authors

  • Mônica Angonese Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas; Departamento de Psicologia
  • Mara Coelho de Souza Lago Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas; Departamento de Psicologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902017157712

Keywords:

Gender Studies, Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Health, Abortion, Transsexuality, Travestility

Abstract

This article aims to reflect about rights and reproductive health concerning trans population (transvestites, transsexuals, transgender). We carried out an ethnographic inspired research and an analysis of Brazilian health and human rights documents. Thus, we verified the absence of the reference to the trans population in discourses and practices concerning the rights and reproductive health in general, as well as its predominant invisibility in documents related to the gender reassignment process and the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals community (LGBT). We analyze the accounts of trans people, obtained by participant observation and four individuals interviews, to problematize reproductive health treatment, highlighting the health professionals’ role. We question abortion, practice that trans men may be subject to. Lastly, we approach the reproductive heterocisnormativity, which leads to a situation we propose to name “symbolic sterility” of trans population. Reproduction and parenthoods, therefore, seems inconceivable notions when it comes to reflect about subjects who are conceived by the idea of abjection.

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Published

2017-03-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Reproductive health and rights for the population of transvestites and transsexuals: abjection and symbolic sterility. (2017). Saúde E Sociedade, 26(1), 256-270. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902017157712