The Cost of Gender

2014, Carla Robinson, English, Monika Kowalska, Morganna Love, Thailand, USA,

Director: Dacia Saenz & Sara McCaslin
Release Year: 2014

Synopsis:

The Cost of Gender (2014) by Dacia Saenz and Sara McCaslin is a poignant documentary that sheds light on the intersection of gender, health care, and migration, focusing on the transgender community in the United States and their search for affordable, compassionate care in Thailand. The film explores the barriers transgender Americans face within their own healthcare systems, particularly the systemic discrimination and limited access to gender-affirming treatments.

 

By sharing the personal stories of individuals like Rev. Carla Robinson, an Episcopal pastor in Seattle, and Morgana Love, an opera singer from Mexico City, the documentary reveals how the high cost of transgender healthcare in the U.S. pushes many to seek surgery and medical care in Thailand—where these services are more affordable and often more accessible.

 

Rev. Carla Robinson's story is central to the narrative, offering an insightful look into how institutionalized discrimination can affect even those with full insurance coverage. Despite having access to healthcare as a clergy member in Seattle, Robinson encounters a major obstacle: her insurance company does not cover transgender-related healthcare services, considering sex reassignment surgery to be "cosmetic" rather than a necessary medical procedure. For many transgender individuals, this type of exclusion is not an anomaly, but a pervasive reality. Routine healthcare, including breast exams, hormone therapy, mental health services, and even surgery, can be denied or severely limited due to the way transgender identities are often treated as secondary or invisible by the healthcare system.

 

In Robinson's case, her insurance company explicitly marked transgender health needs as outside the scope of coverage, underscoring a widespread issue that transgender Americans face when navigating the medical landscape. This exclusionary practice, often rooted in ignorance or prejudice, forces transgender individuals to either forgo necessary treatments or pay out-of-pocket for expensive procedures. Many end up in financial hardship or are forced to abandon their pursuit of gender-affirming care altogether.

 

Thailand, however, represents an alternative for many transgender people, offering more affordable options for gender-affirming surgeries, hormone treatments, and related medical care. The cost difference is staggering—transgender patients traveling to Thailand for procedures can often save as much as 70% compared to what they would pay for similar surgeries in the U.S. The most famous of these medical providers is Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon, a world-renowned surgeon who has been at the forefront of transgender healthcare in Thailand. Dr. Tiewtranon's work has helped establish Thailand as a global hub for trans care, known for both its lower costs and the high quality of care provided. He is also a strong advocate for integrating transgender health into mainstream medical practice, emphasizing that gender-affirming surgeries are not elective procedures, but essential aspects of transgender people's overall health and well-being.

 

The impact of Thailand's approach to trans healthcare is not merely financial but also cultural. The country's vibrant transgender community has created an environment where gender diversity is not only accepted but celebrated. Activist groups like Shade of Divas, led by figures like Wattina Tna Thongmitr and Waratchaya Pukrod (often referred to as the "Lady Gaga of Thailand"), are part of a broader movement that emphasizes visibility, rights, and health care access for transgender people. These activists do much more than put on performances; they work to create a space in which transgender individuals can feel empowered, supported, and recognized in all aspects of their lives.

 

For individuals like Morgana Love, a Mexican opera singer who was featured in The Cost of Gender, Thailand has become a crucial destination for gender-affirming care. Unable to access affordable surgery in her home country, Love made the journey to Thailand for sex reassignment surgery, an option that would have been financially out of reach in the U.S. or Mexico. Love’s experience highlights another layer of the international health disparity that many transgender individuals face, particularly those in countries where transgender rights and healthcare options are limited.

 

While The Cost of Gender is centered on the financial and practical realities of seeking trans healthcare abroad, it also emphasizes the deeper emotional and social implications of these journeys. The stories shared in the documentary are not just about medical procedures but about the quest for dignity, identity, and belonging. The process of transitioning is as much about mental and emotional well-being as it is about physical transformation. For many, gender-affirming care is a means to reconcile their inner identity with their outward presentation, leading to improved mental health, social integration, and personal fulfillment.

 

The documentary is a powerful commentary on the inequities in healthcare that disproportionately affect transgender people in the U.S. and other parts of the world. It calls attention to the failure of the American healthcare system to provide equitable care for transgender individuals and the lengths to which many must go to receive the treatment they need. It also underscores the role that culture and activism play in creating spaces where transgender people are not only treated medically but also embraced socially and politically.

 

In addition to the stories of individuals, The Cost of Gender also touches on the broader social and political context in which these issues exist. The film explores how the transgender community in the U.S. is fighting for more inclusive healthcare policies, including the right to be covered for gender-affirming surgeries under health insurance plans. This fight for equality is ongoing, with activists, healthcare providers, and community leaders working to change the landscape for transgender people. People like Dr. Ellen Hardin, a transgender health specialist in Seattle, are part of a growing movement to challenge medical norms and advocate for the inclusion of transgender healthcare in mainstream medical practices.

 

Rev. Robinson’s hope to one day access affordable care in Thailand reflects the challenges that many transgender Americans face—seeking a better, more accessible system that treats their healthcare needs with dignity and respect. The documentary ultimately suggests that the cost of gender is not only a financial burden but a profound social and political challenge. As transgender individuals continue to fight for recognition, equality, and access to healthcare, the story of Thailand's rise as a trans healthcare destination serves as a reminder of the lengths people will go to in pursuit of health, well-being, and self-actualization.

 

The Cost of Gender stands as a poignant exploration of the healthcare challenges faced by transgender individuals, the international disparity in access to care, and the resilience of a community determined to live authentically despite systemic obstacles. By sharing these personal stories, Saenz and McCaslin illuminate the critical need for global reform in transgender healthcare and offer a powerful narrative of hope, resistance, and transformation.

 

via: costofgender.com

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Image credits: YouTube

Interview with Morganna Love: Heroines of My Life