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Embarking on Medical Transitioning

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Becoming a Malaysian Trans Man

Part of the book series: Gender, Sexualities and Culture in Asia ((GSCA))

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on the multifaceted issues surrounding various forms of medical transitioning, notably Gender Affirmation Surgery and Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. Despite a keen awareness of the lack of consistent and reliable medical availability, and potential health complications, most trans men undergo Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy to fortify their gender identities. Many enthuse over the possibilities that Gender Affirmation Surgery holds, but the issue of finance remains a primary deterrent. This chapter highlights how the journeys of becoming Malaysian trans men are impeded by limited possibilities of medical intervention, monetary instability and a prevalent attitude of disentitling trans men from healthcare opportunities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    I explain my use of ‘Gender Dysphoria’ in ‘Grappling with Gender Dysphoria’.

  2. 2.

    Aren Aizura ‘question[s] whether the language of affirmation/confirmation invests in the idea that everyone has a “true” gender identity that has always been, and that surgery merely reflects that inner, lifelong identity’ (2018, 13). Nonetheless, and while cognisant of the debates surrounding notions of ‘true gender identity’, ‘affirmation’ and ‘affirming’ remain as my preferred terms to recognise and respect the interiority and exteriority of gender identities and expressions.

  3. 3.

    During fieldwork, I used the term ‘hormone replacement therapy’, a term which seemed to command popular—but not absolute—currency among Malaysian trans men. Other popular terms include ‘testosterone’, ‘T’, ‘hormone injection’ or simply ‘hormone’. Like ‘GAS’, my preference for ‘GAHT’ stems from my desire to honour gender-affirmation efforts among my research participants.

  4. 4.

    For instance, see Warp’s experience in ‘Grappling with Gender Dysphoria’.

  5. 5.

    RLE is a duration of time whereby ‘while on hormones people present as their desired gender for a significant period before being eligible for surgery’ (Hines 2007, 69). However, none of my research participants speak of RLE.

  6. 6.

    See ‘Prologue’ as well.

  7. 7.

    This is a de-identified, general description to protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of actual people, organisations and programmes that often operate with discretion.

  8. 8.

    ‘Performing Faith’ contains a fuller discussion of the role of faith in the subjective production of Malaysian trans men.

  9. 9.

    None of my research participants mention any subcutaneous means of GAHT. For more information on this procedure, see Pfeffer (2017).

  10. 10.

    I discuss the complexities of coming out in more detail in ‘Engaging with Society’.

  11. 11.

    The actual hospital has been de-identified for privacy, confidentiality and security.

  12. 12.

    The actual hospital has been de-identified for privacy, confidentiality and security.

  13. 13.

    Trans men refer to their female life partners as girlfriends, partners and in Alco’s case, wife.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia

    Joseph N. Goh

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  1. Joseph N. Goh
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Correspondence to Joseph N. Goh .

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Goh, J.N. (2020). Embarking on Medical Transitioning. In: Becoming a Malaysian Trans Man. Gender, Sexualities and Culture in Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4534-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4534-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-4533-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-4534-4

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