As a social movement, our demands are clear: full – and public – healthcare for trans and non-binary people, eradication of the laws that deprive us of a dignified life and enactment of new laws to eradicate the hate and discrimination we suffer. 

The legal field is of current interest in Spain. It has been nearly a year since the draft bill of what has come to be known as the ‘Trans Act’ was approved, in the wake of a heated public debate in which our very existence was questioned day after day. Whilst we continue to wait for its enactment and effective implementation, which will entail a substantial improvement in the lives of thousands of our peers, we continue to call for the inclusion of migrants, minors and non-binary people as well. Meanwhile, Catalonia recently closed the public consultation period for a draft bill on gender self-determination. So, although major strides have been made, many more remain to be taken. 

The field of health is likewise ineluctable. Hormonal processes or surgeries, mental health problems – an enormous repercussion of the pandemic for this population – or the requirement to obtain a pathologizing psychiatric diagnosis are just some examples of how healthcare and its institutions permeate the life stories of trans and non-binary people. 

It seems as if only we need to be legislated or provided for in medical protocols, when in reality almost the opposite is true. It is cisgender heterosexuality that is complexly and extensively legislated and provided for in protocols. Only this is done invisibly, so that the rest of us are excluded from its privileges. 

That is why we need texts that interpret our legislation and promote the necessary changes to broaden it, as well as guidelines for healthcare and legal professionals that help them correct the transphobia present in their work. This is true in other fields as well, such as sport (Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sport. Lindsay Parks Pieper. Routledge, 2017) or, of course, universities. Here, Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students and Staff in Further and Higher Education (Matson Lawrence and Stephanie McKendry. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019) is essential reading.