Being Trans in Quarantine
And its bigger implications…
The boredom day in and day out is enough to drive anyone insane, but as I am sat in bed binge-watching my eighth Netflix series, every second of feeling the weight on my chest just seems that little bit more depressing. With nothing to do, the days seem longer, and the dysphoria seems to worsen by the hour.
During this uncertain time, many people are struggling to keep their mental health in check. As well as general anxiety about the world’s state, coping mechanisms of depression such as leaving the house daily, contact with fellow humans and little rituals that help people get through the day, whether that be visiting a favourite coffee shop, doing group sports, attending spiritual spaces or even just satisfying face-to-face work, has all been suspended and possibly changed for longer than we expect. The relevance of these pandemic measures is even more pertinent to transgender people stuck inside.
Transgender and non-binary individuals usually have forms of gender dysphoria — a dissatisfaction with one’s body due to gender identity, and not physically appearing as the desired gender. The effects can severely alter the mental health of trans individuals — noticeable in the statistics Stonewall have issued on trans health. In Stonewall’s 2019 “Trans Key Stats” page, they have recorded that one in four young trans people have attempted suicide, while nine in ten have thought about it. This point is furthered with the statistic that over 72% of young trans people have self-harmed at least once. These numbers are not only shocking, but disappointing, and while these numbers are painfully large, this was before most nations went into a full lock down quarantine.
How has the worsened since the pandemic?
Well, like many LGBTQIA+ individuals, many trans people have had to move back in with families that they may not have come out to or are not supportive of the person’s transition. With trans people specifically, this can mean being deadnamed (called their name of birth), misgendered, or generally mistreated constantly. For me personally, I’m struggling with the lack of contact with my queer family, being in queer spaces and performing in drag that can provide a sense of gender euphoria (achieving some relief to dysphoria).
Additionally, to trans people that have recently come out, it’s hard to access medical help from doctors and psychiatrists to get help transitioning, access to hormones, as well as institutions such as the Gender Identity Clinic in the UK becoming less accessible and waiting lists for surgeries and appointments have been delayed even longer than the usual year waiting period.
This state of being trapped is already prevalent in trans people and their own bodies, more regulations seems like a further prison to an already isolating state. With further regulations on trans bodies by the UK government
What can we do about this?
As well as spreading awareness about trans individuals and their mental health, we need to make trans health care more accessible to people during the pandemic, and although prioritising healthcare to COVID-19 patients, make some aspects of the Gender Identity Clinic available online with due course. It is also important to make sure measures are put in place for when the pandemic is over, or lock down is even partially lifted. With the current issues facing trans people and their mental health, many will need emergency support during and after the quarantine.
Want to do more?
Further help can be provided and donated to, with some trans care being still available. This includes SWARM (Sex Work Advocacy and Resistance Movement) that has set up a hardship fund for their most vulnerable workers, including trans workers. There is also The Outside Project, which is the first homeless shelter specifically for LGBTQIA+ people that have been thrown out their homes or suffered other hardships. Mindline is also offering trans helplines for people to reach out and talk with trained counsellors, you can donate to them here, in order to keep support up and running.
If you are a trans person in need of help, please call Mindline Trans here: 0300 330 5468
