Forensic-Medical Evaluation of Individuals Presenting for Gender Reassignment in Southern Türkiye: A Retrospective Study (2015–2021)

Abstract

This study compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals presenting for gender reassignment with the literature data and to discuss the legal implications and problems experienced in the process of gender reassignment. The sociodemographic and clinical data were examined of 111 individuals who were referred to the Forensic Medicine Department of Akdeniz University Medical Faculty from the judicial authorities with a request for gender reassignment in the period (2015-2021). A total of 111 cases were evaluated, with the number of referrals increasing annually. Trans-males (biological sex female) constituted 64.0% (n=71) of the sample, while trans-females accounted for 36.0% (n=40). The majority of the cases (73.0%, n=81) were in the 18-29 age group. The forensic process was found to start at an earlier age for trans-males compared to trans-females (p=0.001). Notably, trans-females had a significantly higher rate of undergoing gender reassignment surgery prior to receiving an official healthcare institution report (72.5%, n=29) compared to trans-males (31.0%, n=22) (p<0.001). When the sensitivity of the subject and the rights of the individual to a private life are considered, it is important to increase the medical, ethical, and legal knowledge levels of healthcare professionals dealing with the needs and requests of individuals requesting gender reassignment. Although there is a detailed article on gender reassignment in the Turkish Civil Code, the importance of the collaboration of medical and legal professionals regarding the difficulties experienced in practice is one of the issues that should be remembered.

Keywords

• Gender reassignment
• trans-sexuality
• forensic psychiatry
• gender dysphoria

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This study complied with all national regulations, institutional policies, and the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Approval for the study was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Akdeniz University Medical Faculty (Decision no: KAEK-251, This study complied with all national regulations, institutional policies, and the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Approval for the study was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Akdeniz University Medical Faculty (Decision no: KAEK-251, Dated: 20.04.2022).

Thanks

No acknowledgments made.

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