Sixty years of Dutch transgender history: useful experience for Eastern Europe?

The Netherlands have a long history in transgender health care. The first transgender surgery took place in the 1950-ies. It led to a negative response from the Dutch government, that blocked further transgender health care.... [ view full abstract ]

The Netherlands have a long history in transgender health care. The first transgender surgery took place in the 1950-ies. It led to a negative response from the Dutch government, that blocked further transgender health care. But at the end of the sixties it was picked up and built up to a high level with well accessible health care, academic research and societal emancipation. 

For a small country, the number of clients who have used health care is very large (over 6000, and counting). This has allowed for a high quantity and quality of scientific research. The Netherlands have educated other transgender health care professionals from around the world. At the moment, acceptance and visibility of transgender adults and children in Holland has reached a new level with lots of media coverage. 

How can we use the lessons from this history to support those countries that are in the initial phase of developing transgender rights and health care?

In this workshop, first I will reconstruct how the history of Dutch transgender care took shape, who were the defining actors and which the defining factors to make it happen. What difficulties had to be overcome in time and... [ view full abstract ]

In this workshop, first I will reconstruct how the history of Dutch transgender care took shape, who were the defining actors and which the defining factors to make it happen. What difficulties had to be overcome in time and how was that done?

Then we will make an evaluation of what aspects are adaptable for countries that are in the initial phase of building up transgender health care. The ultimate aim is to improve transgender health care in Eastern European countries. Therefore participants from that region are especially invited to join the workshop!

The historical research I conduct is based on archival material from related organisations, and on oral history with transgender persons and health care professionals, politicians, lawyers, journalists. I also analyze the... [ view full abstract ]

The historical research I conduct is based on archival material from related organisations, and on oral history with transgender persons and health care professionals, politicians, lawyers, journalists. I also analyze the history of transgender representation in media coverage during the last sixty years.

A special focus will be on the ways that societal and medical resistance was overcome: what were the main obstacles in developing transgender health care, how were they tackled, how did connections with allies come to be, how were the needs and wishes of transgender persons met?

There are five distinctive conclusions as to why and how transgender health care developed in the Netherlands.  1. The pioneering professionals of the late sixties kept it outside the reach of those psychiatrists who were... [ view full abstract ]

There are five distinctive conclusions as to why and how transgender health care developed in the Netherlands. 

1. The pioneering professionals of the late sixties kept it outside the reach of those psychiatrists who were not keen on medical treatment. So the focus shifted from static psychiatric analysis to active caring and taking action.

2. It was decisive that health care found its place in an academic, well respected hospital, so it became acceptable for politicians and for public health insurances to pay for the costs of treatment.

3. In Holland, there are few fundamentalist opposing religious forces. Christians even played a key role - based on a strong conviction of compassion to help suffering people.  

4. The liberal climate of the seventies and eighties in Holland meant a strong will to emancipate minorities, to resolve problems and to take care of those who were in need. The media had an open eye for human rights matters.  

5. The Dutch practical nature to acknowledge things, instead of condemning them - even if you don't agree- has been important: allowing space for other views rather than fighting heated ideological battles about what is right and wrong.

The workshop will be an interactive and inspiring session on analyzing which aspects of Dutch transgender history can be seen as 'good practices' that are transferable to other countries in the present situation, in contrast... [ view full abstract ]

The workshop will be an interactive and inspiring session on analyzing which aspects of Dutch transgender history can be seen as 'good practices' that are transferable to other countries in the present situation, in contrast to aspects that are non-transferable because they are too specific for the Netherlands at a certain time in history.

The conclusion will come forth from the discussion as mentioned above. How can we use the lessons from recent history to support those countries that are in the initial phase of developing transgender rights and health care,... [ view full abstract ]

The conclusion will come forth from the discussion as mentioned above. How can we use the lessons from recent history to support those countries that are in the initial phase of developing transgender rights and health care, and which strategies are best used in getting acceptance in the medical, social and political field?