When Jessica Yaniv, a transgender woman, was turned away from a gynecologist’s office with the explanation “we don’t serve transgender patients,” it ignited fresh discussions about medical access and discrimination. The incident, shared by Yaniv on social media, has drawn attention to the challenges transgender people face in receiving appropriate healthcare.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia responded cautiously, directing complainants to review practice standards rather than commenting on specific cases. This careful stance reflects the complexity of the issue – balancing patient rights against practitioners’ scope of expertise.
Yaniv’s history of discrimination complaints, including the high-profile waxing salon cases that forced two businesses to close, adds layers to the current situation. While previous complaints were dismissed as financially motivated, the medical refusal raises legitimate concerns about systemic barriers in healthcare.
Medical schools are increasingly incorporating transgender health into curricula, recognizing that anatomical differences require specialized knowledge. However, as one gynecologist noted, the lack of female reproductive organs in transgender women means they typically only need gynecological attention for specific post-surgical concerns.
