Controversy in France over a gynecologist who has refused to examine a trans woman: ““Sir, I take care of real women”
"Sir, I am a gynecologist and I deal with real women". This was the response of a French doctor to a trans woman, who asked him about a gynecological examination. The doctor denies that the interested party is really a woman and her reaction has sparked controversy in France"“I have no skills to take care of men, even if they have shaved their beards and come to tell my secretary that they have become women.”.
The woman, accompanied by her boyfriend, attended her gynecological appointment when, after a few minutes of waiting, the secretary informed her that she would not be seen due to the doctor's refusal. The gynecologist stated that he did not treat the woman because she did not have “that competition”, so it was “unable to examine a trans person".
He argued that his examination table was “gynecological” and that he was notadapted to examine men”. He then told the woman to go to another consultation. “You have specialized and very competent services that take care of men like you”, he continued. Finally, he instructed the woman to report “to trans people” so that they never go to your consultation.
Access to health
He did so publicly, in a response to a comment from Google spread by SOS homophobia, who has pointed out ““transphobic and discriminatory comments” from the gynecologist Pau (FR), the French city where the clinic is located. “Transphobia is a reality and has serious consequences, particularly in access to health", denounced the association, mentioning the Minister of Equality between Women and Men and Fight against Discrimination, Bérangère Couillard.
For its part, the association Stop Homophobia has declared that it is preparing to file a complaint against the health professional, while the woman involved remains anonymous, according to the French media. Le Figaro.
«Je m'occupe des vraies femmes».
Our dénonçons les propos #transphobes et discriminatoires du gynecologist Victor Acharian à Pau. The #transphobia This is a reality with serious consequences, not in the access to health. Elle touche l'ensemble du territoire. @BCouillard33 pic.twitter.com/PVmTog6V2e— SOS homophobie (@SOShomophobie) September 8, 2023
What they have not said is what problem was afflicting this woman enough to go to a gynecologist. She certainly wasn't pregnant.
Oh, we didn't know that the gynecology service exists only for pregnant people. Or do you think a silly comment like this is funny?