Healthcare gaps and empty promises: the Dutch healthcare system and the trans community

Abstract In many Western societies, few issues are currently as polarizing as LGBTQ+ issues. This is especially true for issues related to trans people. At the same time, it is clear that although the Netherlands, for example, is a country that regularly scores well in LGBTQ+ equality rankings, there are still many challenges for trans people. Against this background, this paper examines trans healthcare in the context of the Dutch healthcare system. It does so by analysing ten interviews with trans people who have interacted with the Dutch healthcare system regarding their transition process and gender-affirming treatments. Our main findings identify three clusters that define trans people’s interactions with the Dutch healthcare system: Institutional deficit, binary system structure, and community solidarity.