Trans Voices Deserve a Seat at the Table in Reproductive Health
As the fight for reproductive rights intensifies, one group has continuously sat on the sidelines in these conversations: the Transgender and Gender-Diverse community. Even among progressive activists, the focus remains predominantly on cisgender women, ignoring the fact that transgender men, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals face reproductive health challenges as well. While this exclusion may not always be intentional and can be attributed to how we speak about the topic, it still leaves many feeling disenfranchised or invisible. Speaking as a transgender man myself, I’m often outspoken on the subject, but at times, it feels like I’m sitting where I don’t belong. This exclusion can also limit access to critical healthcare.
For too long, reproductive health discussions have been framed solely as women’s issues. But here in 2024, we need to be honest: reproductive healthcare is for anyone who can become pregnant, which includes trans men and non-binary individuals. Trans people seeking access to reproductive healthcare face numerous barriers, from finding knowledgeable providers to navigating healthcare options designed specifically for women. When I decided to undergo a hysterectomy, the process felt alien, and my dysphoria skyrocketed. My provider was knowledgeable and sensitive to my community’s issues, but I still had to visit a clinic explicitly designed for cisgender women, constantly reminded of who and what I was.
While I was fortunate to find a doctor who used inclusive language, I know that many others in my community aren’t so lucky. Many of my ‘siblings’ hesitate to seek the care they need because of the very real and valid fear that they will be misgendered, judged, or even turned away.
We often hear about reproductive justice in left-leaning spaces, but even here, conversations frequently fail to acknowledge the needs of the transgender community. It’s like constantly reminding people of your pronouns when you first come out — apologizing for simply existing. We shouldn’t have to apologize for asking, “Can you say ‘people with a uterus’ instead of ‘women’?” Yet we do, and it’s because we feel like we’re intruding.
This lack of intersectionality isn’t just harmful — it’s disenfranchising. It feels like a betrayal when progressive spaces that claim to fight for all marginalized voices fail to acknowledge the full spectrum of people impacted by reproductive health laws. We’re used to feeling this way in right-leaning spaces, but why are we experiencing it here too?
Take Bryan Ellicot, a trans man from New York City who spoke out about his need for abortion care after a sexual assault. He’s one of many who’ve had to fight for fundamental reproductive rights while being excluded from the very conversations that should be protecting them. His experience sheds light on a broader issue: without including trans voices, reproductive rights movements are missing a crucial part of the story.
The consequences of this exclusion are profound. Many of us face immense barriers when accessing any healthcare, particularly reproductive healthcare. These barriers stem from a lack of financial resources, discrimination, or simply not finding a provider who respects our identity. Some trans men and other gender-diverse people have even resorted to unsafe methods to terminate pregnancies because they couldn’t access the care they needed. These are stories that need to be told but are rarely heard.
The absence of inclusive reproductive healthcare doesn’t just affect access to abortion services. It also impacts our ability to preserve fertility and pursue parenthood. Many transgender individuals are forced to choose between undergoing gender-affirming treatments or maintaining their ability to have biological children. The emotional toll of such decisions can be overwhelming, further complicating an already difficult healthcare landscape.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. More transgender and non-binary individuals are speaking out about their reproductive healthcare needs, and slowly, our voices are being heard. Activists are pushing for inclusive healthcare policies and advocating for medical professionals to receive training in transgender reproductive health.
The fight is far from over, but every step forward brings us closer to a world where reproductive rights truly include everyone. As trans voices continue to rise, so too does the possibility of creating a healthcare system that respects and acknowledges our existence. And that’s what gives me hope — not just for myself, but for every transgender and non-binary person who deserves the same dignity and respect in reproductive healthcare.
If we’re serious about achieving true reproductive justice, it’s time to expand the conversation. Transgender men, non-binary, and gender-diverse people need to be part of this dialogue — not as an afterthought, but as central voices in the fight for reproductive rights. The time for exclusion is over. It’s time for the trans community to take our rightful place at the table.
