Now the over-60s get help to change gender
PENSIONERS are being given advice on how to undergo gender reassignment as demand rises.
According to the latest NHS figures, 82 people over the age of 60 underwent surgery to change their gender between 2008 and 2016 – with seven of those 71 or over.
The number of pensioners who want to change their birth gender is slowly increasing year by year, from eight in 2008/09 to 11 in 2015/16.
The debate around gender dysphoria – a psychological condition in which there is a mismatch between how someone feels about themself and their biological sex – has mainly focused on children who want to change gender. Now Age UK, Britain’s biggest charity for elderly people, has issued guidance for those looking to transition on how to adjust to their new way of life.
Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK, told The Sunday Times: ‘Many will have felt the need to conceal or suppress this crucial part of their identity all their lives, for fear of discrimination, ridicule or abuse, so this cultural change is both wonderful and long overdue – it potentially offers these people the opportunity to be truly themselves at last.’
Age UK also highlights the dilemmas facing older people in changing gender, such as explaining to a long-term spouse why they want to change gender, and gives advice to the partners of those who are transitioning.
It states: ‘You may feel a sense of loss, confusion, anger or hurt. It can affect your sense of who you are. For example if you were a loving wife to a man, do you become the lesbian partner of a woman?’
It warns: ‘Watching what is happening to your loved one as they come to terms with their gender issues can be challenging.’ However, it also states that changing gender in later life may be a good time to do it, adding: ‘There may be fewer social and economic impacts when work or social responsibilities change [in retirement].’
Age UK’s advice was launched to coincide with a consultation on changes to the Gender Recognition Act to make it easier to change gender.
Miss Abrahams added: ‘The last thing they need is to be subject to ageism: they are entitled to exactly the same access to advice, information, support and NHS treatment as everyone else to help them make the best decisions about their identities and about whether they wish to seek gender reassignment and indeed go ahead with it. Age must not be a barrier.’