In a tumultuous landscape where Republican-led legislatures have increasingly limited or banned access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals across the United States, some states are witnessing a significant influx of “gender refugees” desperately seeking healthcare. Over the past couple of years, nearly two dozen states have imposed restrictions on gender-affirming health services for both trans youth and adults. As a result, transgender people from conservative states are actively seeking alternative sources of care and places to live, with larger urban areas like San Francisco and New York often proving prohibitively expensive.
Transgender Healthcare Crisis in Smaller States
Smaller states such as New Mexico, Minnesota, Colorado, Vermont, and Washington, which do not have prohibitions on restricting gender-affirming health care and offer a lower cost of living, have become magnets for trans patients in search of care. However, the surge in demand has created long waiting lists, challenging both new patients and longtime residents alike. Molly McClain, a family medicine physician and medical director of the Deseo clinic serving transgender youth at the University of New Mexico Hospital, expressed her pride in New Mexico’s stance as a refuge state but acknowledged the scarcity of available care.
Struggles with Waiting Times
The strain on healthcare resources has led to increased wait times, causing patients like Felix Wallace, a 30-year-old trans man and longtime resident, to schedule bi-yearly exams with their doctors. Even longtime residents like Anne Withrow, a 73-year-old trans woman with over five decades of Albuquerque residency, have encountered difficulties accessing timely care. Withrow experienced a year-long waitlist before finally securing care at a local community-based health center. As of October, UNM’s Truman Health Services clinic was still unable to accept new patients.
Transgender Refugees Seeking Care in New Mexico
The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico has noted a substantial increase in inquiries from individuals considering a move to the state, with people coming from as far as Florida, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Families from Texas have also expressed interest in commuting to New Mexico for care, as it is legal there but prohibited in their home state. New Mexico’s healthcare challenges are further exacerbated by a physician shortage, with the state having lost 30% of its physicians in the previous four years. Despite these obstacles, T. Michael Trimm of the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico underscores the resilience of trans individuals, emphasizing that a waitlist, though not ideal, is preferable to the uncertainty of never receiving necessary care.