Thirteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Developments in gender diversity are not nuanced, nor have they historically been demonized. Stigmatization on transgender people in the early twentieth century was far less aggressive than current attitudes towards transgender health. When gender is pulled into a political sphere, rather than residing in a personal one, negative opinions are forced upon queer people by those who hold the power of “normality.” Across the bible belt, cultural norms are represented by heteronormativity, christian nationalism, and capitalistic attainment. The overlap of conservatism and christianity has undeniably influenced the formation of strict health policies related to gender affirmation. In the bible belt, communities of queer folx have been restricted to seeking online health, health care in nearby liberal states, or receive no health care at all. Ultimately, gender has been brought into a political field by christian nationalists who support restrictive health policies and fixed autonomy. Preventative policies further promote paternalism in health care settings, which instill heteronormative notions of gender. When medical professionals cannot be responsible for implementation of gender-inclusive practices, members of society are led to believe that the only acceptable notion of gender is the model portrayed in their belief system. Those who reside in the bible belt are subject to the conflation of religious authority and political representatives, even when those individuals do not hold a religious affiliation. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the need to separate christian values from policy making as it relates to transgender health.