In the reading and film for this week it discussed that The Department of Health and Human Services HHS has proposed a rule to legalize discrimination against trans people in health care, which would devastate the lives of trans people across the country by worsening access to healthcare. The 90-day comment period has ended, and HHS has collected over 70,000 messages from anyone who has wanted to weigh in. The National Center for Transgender Equality and the Transgender Law Center have also collected over 18,000 condemnations of the proposed rule, which illustrate how the passage of a rule to legalize discrimination against trans people in health care would devastate the lives of trans people across the country by worsening access to healthcare. The author is a 29-year-old non-binary person who is struggling to access healthcare services due to a chronic painful condition that affects her genitals. She has to choose between being treated poorly and not listened to or receiving some relief, and this new rule could potentially make her situation worse. All people deserve the right to promote their health and take care of themselves freely, and trans and gender non-conforming people will continue to exist even if the current administration wants to eliminate them.

Yvette Torres Valera

Prof.Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

It surprises me to read and see what problems revolve around the medical and health concerns of different groups. The fact that social stigma and oppression are really such a big thing people have to go through, especially in places we are supposed to feel safe in now we cant. I think something that surprised me was reading the article “A Birth Story” It stated, “No wheelchair was provided and she had to walk to another room, pushing her newborn in the mobile crib and her IV, with her husband trailing behind her, carrying all of their belongings.”Reading that not only made me tear up but made me feel sick to my stomach for the simple fact that the hospital workers were not treating these women the way she was supposed to be treated its sad because of how unfair and disrespected she was during her pregnancy because of racism people have and how they have no respect for women of color. I have two nieces and a nephew now and I would never be for my sister or sister-in-law to ever go through luckily they didn’t because seeing this was just upsetting and Leconte was a strong black woman who deserves the world. I felt connected in the way that in the future when I have a baby I want to feel comfortable in the hospital not uncomfortable l or having no professional help. Now what also surprised me was the stories based on transgender people and how they get treated unfairly as well or don’t feel safe. “Transgender people deserve the same rights as everyone else, and further protections when it comes to vulnerable situations for them. This abhorrent proposed rule threatens the lives of my friends, my students, and their families.”The fact that so many suicidal rates increased because of how injustice oppressions are and social stigmas impact their lives and not being heard or treated unfairly leads to so many death rates or attempts. None should ever experience that. Reading and seeing the video opened my eyes more and more to how women of different races and transgenders, and LGBTQ are being treated, and now in places they should feel the safest but the system and people fail them, and it’s like such a scary traumatic thing to go through. The fact that the stories kept on going like so many people go through this unfair treatment and it’s just upsetting to me it makes me just want to spread the message to everyone I know to be kinder to people and do actions from the heart or moreover the kindness of your heart.

iThe End of Sentence of the film. is a powerful and inspirational documentary that sheds light on the challenges that women face in obtaining an education and being understood. The lack of understanding surrounding menstruation, coupled with myths and shaming, creates an unfair and difficult existence for millions of women. This is especially true in countries where obtaining basic necessities is already a struggle. The documentary highlights the pervasive lack of education surrounding menstruation and the patriarchal structures that control women’s lives, leaving little room for escape from oppression. The film is a poignant reminder that the lack of access to sanitary pads can prevent women from attending school, limiting their opportunities and perpetuating inequality. It is frustrating to see how a small change can make such a significant impact, especially when the men in these communities could provide more support. The contrast between progress and societal ignorance is stark and disturbing. 

The connection I observe between the film and reading lies in the struggle, mistrust, and rejection faced by individuals due to their authenticity, life experience, and circumstance while striving to discover a sense of belonging. The Indian community depicts a perception of unfairness concerning the treatment one receives and the disparities and injustice in the health system, based on personal differences and race. It is unacceptable that transgender individuals receive insufficient care; no one should face neglect regardless of their identity. I now acknowledge the effectiveness of identity politics as a tool for marginalized individuals to combat inequality and injustice. It is not necessary to experience prejudice or hatred personally to speak out against it.

People attempt to strip others of their identity, which is both immoral and violent. It is difficult to accept being shamed for lack of medical treatment, especially when one pays taxes and works hard. This is brutal discrimination. Medical professionals take the Hippocratic Oath, swearing to aid others. The scientific and biological perspective suggests that it is unnatural not to discuss menstruation, how women feel, how to assist them, and how to reform the system to improve their lives. However, men often emphasize the importance of sex and pornography due to its perceived naturalness and its endorsement by the state.

Ivan De Los Santos

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 12

What surprised you in the readings and film?

Well, people think of menstruation in society. Transgender people are based around something that is not factual when it comes to the access that they have to be able to go to the hospital and get the appropriate Health Care is one thing that shocked me about the readings and the film because everybody should be able to have access or even have the proper Health Care for when they need to be seen by a doctor certain people shouldn’t be discriminated or pressed because we do live in the land of the free. Still, it also explains the societal norms that are going on.

What connections could you find across the readings and film?

The connections I could find across the readings in the film is that certain people feel alone and don’t have that support system, whether that is Healthcare or Society. For example, one that stood out to me was the Indian Community because they look at Hope based on physical attributes. For instance, in race, another prominent example is Community; it feels like transgender people are put on the back burner, and people in that Community don’t care about them as much. So if that being said, I feel like this has to change not only in the Indian Community but in society in general because all this oppression and discrimination against a group of people shouldn’t happen in 2023. 

How does the format in which the stories are shared impact your understanding of medical oppression and other aspects of gender we have discussed this semester?

It made me think of medical oppression in a whole different light because if I had to use myself. As an example, I’ve never had to go through that because the healthcare that I use covers everything for me, so I’m thankful to say that I have not gone through that bye to see how terrifying it is to people that don’t have any Healthcare or feeling oppressed by the medical system because for example if you are going to something life-threatening and society. Hospitals are not giving you the treatment you dese. That’s a problem, and I feel people need to stop looking for a reason not to like people because we are all one, ace, and we should all be one.

What surprised you in the readings and film?

The documentary and inspiring movie “Period. End of Sentence.” shows how difficult it is to be a woman, get an education, and be understood. The lack of knowledge about menstruation, the myths, and the shaming makes life for millions unbelievably unfair and much harder. Usually, in countries where getting basic necessities is a struggle, to begin with. The movie gets close to ordinary people to show how naturally uneducated they are. We see patriarchal structures where men control a woman’s life entirely, and there is very little space for them to escape oppression. I know that lacking sanitary pads stops women from going to school daily. And getting an education in many countries builds unfairness and limits opportunity but always ( always!) seeing this makes you realize again how hard life is for some of us. It makes you mad because they could have had more help if the men around them were more helpful. The fact that a small basic change makes so much progress it’s even more disturbing. It is a contrast to the ignorance of society. 

• What connections could you find across the readings and film?

I feel a connection with being shamed from having a period, and my culture (Poland) is hiding the fact that women have menstruation. Parents don’t talk about this with children; at school, there is very little information explaining how you could feel and why. As a kid, I got all my knowledge from friends and silly magazines for young women.

Because of the menstrual silence, women suffer from fibroids and endometriosis and don’t talk about it because the pain associated with monthly periods should be kept to themselves. Now we talk more about women’s bodies in many aspects, not only as a treat for men! In my opinion, we should also talk about STDs because I see how dating apps get so normal, and many of my friends have sex all the time, but I am not sure if they always protect themself. STDs like menstruation aren’t pretty, so people won’t talk about it and don’t think they can save lives by discussing protection and safe, responsible sex. 

I see how transgender people are such an easy target for hate in every corner. They are so brave to fight for who they are! I remember reading that in jails they don’t get to continue the hormonal therapy! Also medicine can change if they would be transported to another state. That can be very harmful for menthol and physical changes. 

 Non White people often complain about the different health care they receive. My friend is overweight, and she always says that doctors blame any of her problems on her body type. Type that is very natural in her family, and everyone is tall and strong. They don’t bother to do any extra tests- she learned to ask many questions and be very persistent. 

Racism is still a widespread antagonism. I know that because I met many people who assumed I was “a little bit racist” (!!!) and would share opinions and feelings about black Americans. Once, I yelled on the train, hearing a Polish-speaking person saying racist comments about my husband! I screamed in Polish and English, telling her how primitive she was. I would do it again!

• How does the format in which the stories are shared impact your understanding of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender we have discussed this semester?

IDENTITY is being who or what a person or thing is.

I feel people try to take away the identity of others. That is immoral and violent. Lack of medical treatment, when you pay taxes and work very hard, is shaming you straight in your face. It’s brutal discrimination! Aren’t medical professionals taking the Hippocratic Oath? To swear they will help others! I could talk for hours about how unnatural from the scientific and biological point of view is, not to talk about menstruation, how women feel, how to help them, teach them, and change the system so they can live better. But men always underline how they must have sex and watch porn because it’s natural, and since states that it is good to do it! 

Not understanding female orgasm, lack of medical care based on race or socioeconomic status, lack of medical advice, and care for mental health. That is all manipulation and pushing a person without choices to be something they are not!  

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 12

What surprised you in the readings and film?

The myth surrounding menstruation in modern society and transgender people’s restricted or limited access to healthcare is what surprised me the most. It explains how certain cultural norms, beliefs, and differences structure and mold beliefs without the subject matter being understood. Every woman has menstruation, which is a natural process of vaginal bleeding that happens as part of a woman’s monthly cycle. Women’s stories are always told in part, and projections of women’s lives are not always accurate. I’m from a region of the world where women are still prohibited from entering religious buildings while they are menstruating because they are believed to be unclean.

 What connections could you find across the readings and film?

The struggle, mistrust, and rejection faced by people based on their authenticity, life experience, and circumstance having to endure and find a place of belonging is the connection I see in both the film and reading. The Indian community demonstrated a perception of unfairness in the treatment one receives and the injustice and disparities in the health system based on personal differences and race. It is unacceptable that care for transgender people is so insufficient; regardless of who they are, nobody should be neglected. I now recognize the effectiveness of “identity politics,” as marginalized people can use it to combat injustice and inequality. One need not personally experience prejudice or hatred to speak out against it.

How does the format in which the stories are shared impact your understanding of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender we have discussed this semester?

LeConté described how racism in the medical system contributed to her receiving inadequate medical care and being treated unfairly both during and after her pregnancy. I realized that If people of color, nonbinary individuals do not receive the same standard of medical care as white people, how can you expect them to live long lives?  Simply put, black people do not receive the same quality of healthcare as white people, and this is dangerous. When I was pregnant, I requested a virginal delivery, but I was not allowed to… and the doctors said “You cannot have a virginal birth because you previously underwent a C-Section.” Lies! Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be aware of implicit bias that exists among them. For example, when I say I’m from Nigeria, people automatically assume I come from a low socioeconomic background and am strong enough to endure hardship or unfairness.

What surprised you in the readings and film?

For many years, Black Americans have complained about prejudice and discrimination in the medical profession. Comparing the black community to other racial/ethnic groups in this country, there is a clear disparity in how well it does in terms of key health indices. Black Americans’ health and healthcare outcomes are far worse than those of white Americans or other minorities in the country. My goal is to investigate the origins of this inequality and determine whether there is a deeper reason for the stark disparity between the healthcare received by black Americans and those from other racial and cultural backgrounds. When I read A Birth Story, I was shocked to read the doctor complaining about having to go down to the labor and delivery unit. Why don’t you just perform a C-section, the doctor asked one of the doctors in front of LeConté and everyone else in the room. I’m not sure how she must have felt at that that time. I was shocked to learn that a doctor told Jessica, a non-binary person, that their fears were unfounded and that it was confusing their gender identity when I read 12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People.

What connections could you find across the readings and film?

In both the readings and the movie, I was able to draw a parallel between how the characters dealt with hardship without losing focus or succumbing to other negative thoughts. In Time. The women in the Indian rural community struggle with the widespread stigma connected with menstruation. In both the book and the movie, people were had to endure painful things because of circumstances beyond their control.

How does the format in which the stories are shared impact your understanding of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender we have discussed this semester?

Due to the stories’ authenticity and realism, the style in which they are delivered influences how I perceive medical tyranny. Each reading’s characters’ suffering was palpable to me. I was moved to tears when Leconte said she felt invisible and could only speculate as to how she may have felt. It was terrifying for Terra Miller to observe a nurse who was supposed to be taking care of you change her behavior when she realized she was on hormone-related medication. I learned that gender is only skin deep and doesn’t define who you are after hearing these people’s honest, genuine, and real stories. I now believe even more in the acceptance of everyone, regardless of circumstances.