Our database is now searchable by region as well as type of provider, and has a search function where you can type in a name or other search terms.
In 2020 we are working on offering online training and info to all clinics in NZ. They will then be added to the database, and you will be able to search for providers who have had the training and are using the national guidelines.
Counting Ourselves, a national report on transgender health, has just been released.
The survey had 1,178 participants, from all regions of Aotearoa, ranging from 14 to 83 years old.
The research, funded by the Health Research Council and with support from University of Waikato and Rule Foundation, found that trans people experience discrimination at more than double the rate of the general population, almost half of trans people had someone attempt to have sex with them against their will since age 13, and almost a third reported someone did have sex with them against their will since age 13. Participants reported high or very high levels of psychological distress at a rate nine times that of the general population. In the last 12 months, more than half had seriously considered suicide, and 12% had attempted suicide.
key findings
Medical
In the last 12 months, 13% of participants were asked unnecessary or invasive questions during a health visit
17% reported they had experienced reparative therapy (a professional had tried to stop them from being trans)[note: sometimes called “conversion therapy”]
36% avoided seeing a doctor to avoid being disrespected
Stigma, Discrimination, and Violence
67% had experienced discrimination at some point
44% had experienced discrimination in the last 12 months – this was more than double the rate for the general population (17%)
21% were bullied at school at least once a week, much higher than the general population (5%)
83% did not have the correct gender marker on their New Zealand birth certificate
32% reported someone had had sex with them against their will since they were 13
47% reported someone had attempted to have sex with them against their will since they were 13
Compared to the general population, participants were almost three times more likely to have put up with feeling cold (64%) and gone without fresh fruit or vegetables (51%) in order to reduce costs.
Distress and Suicide
71% reported high or very high psychological distress, compared with only 8% of the general population in Aotearoa New Zealand
56% had seriously thought about attempting suicide in the last 12 months
37% had attempted suicide at some point
12% had made a suicide attempt in the last 12 months
Participants who reported that someone had had sex with them against their will were twice as likely to have attempted suicide in the past year (18%) than participants who did not report this (9%)
Participants who had experienced discrimination for being trans or non-binary were twice as likely to have attempted suicide in the past year (16%) than participants who did not report this discrimination (8%)
Participants’ rate of cannabis use in the last year (38%) was more than three times higher than the general population (12%)
Protective Factors
57% reported that most or all of their family supported them. Respondents supported by at least half of their family were almost half as likely to attempt suicide (9%).
62% were proud to be trans, 58% provided support to other trans people, and 56% felt connected with trans community.
Our fantastic 2019 resource, Supporting Aotearoa’s Rainbow People, is a practical guide for mental health professionals who are working with transgender or other Rainbow patients, or who simply want to upskill and understand with sensitivity some of the barriers for rainbow people in accessing mental health services.
Written by Gloria Fraser, with co-design from Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT, and RainbowYOUTH, the resource follows on from our research into the experiences of LGBTQI+ people in Aotearoa New Zealand, who have accessed or attempted to access mental health support services. It is available in te reo Maori, mandarin Chinese, and English, and can be downloaded here.
Show your support for trans and intersex people with our beautiful ”We Belong” transgender flag bunting!
The design includes the transgender flag colours, with yellow stars for intersex. The starts are in the pattern of the Southern Cross constellation, otherwise known as Te Pae Mahutonga. Te pae mahutonga is also a Kaupapa Maori public health framework, based on the constellation, which guides our organisation. You can read about it here. It also carries the transgender symbol, with the words ‘We Belong’.
We’re very pleased to announce that the national guidelines for trans healthcare in Aotearoa have been released, and can be found here. We will be updating links across our website to help facilitate their use.
Great work from all involved in their development, we are looking forward to supporting healthcare providers in putting these guidelines into action in their practices. We encourage all transgender, intersex, and takataapui patients to download a copy and pass it along to their healthcare providers.
More information on gender affirming health care can be found in the national database by clicking on the main menu.
