In May, a New Zealand newspaper reported an 18-year-old female was admitted to the emergency room after attempting to remove her own breasts due to anxiety over an upcoming pool party. Despite New Zealand having universal health care, which covers “gender-affirming” medical options, this case has been widely reported as evidence of a larger system that discriminates against transgender-identifying people.
LGBTQ Nation, for example, argues, “The lack of gender-affirming care drove [her] to this desperate act.” Another New Zealand site declared, “Call for better access to gender-affirming surgery after Kiwi teen attempts to remove own breasts at home.” The teenager was already taking testosterone and was on a waiting list for an elective double mastectomy, covered by the country’s health care system.
The teenager just couldn’t wait the year timeframe, and the “significant psychological stress of having breasts at an upcoming pool party, pushed [her] to try the surgery [herself],” according to the New Zealand Medical Journal. So she watched YouTube videos on self-mastectomies and began removing her own breasts. She was rushed to the hospital, where her self-inflicted wounds were addressed. However, to prevent further self-harm, the doctors elected to perform the double mastectomy right then.
The hospital proudly reported the patient was doing well: “He reported improvement in self-esteem and self-confidence and his ability to complete school work, and was looking forward to enrolling at university.” The case is being used by activists, including medical professionals, to push for more “access” for transgender-identifying patients. “With increasing demand and
