The Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia has decided to support a project providing pre- and post-operative care to transgender people who turn to the health service for certification of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and for Surgical Sex Rectification (SCR).
Trieste has a long history of solid experience in the study and treatment of Gender Identity Disorders. During their hospital stay, patients often experience the "transition" alone, supported by the vital support of medical and nursing staff and by volunteers who, over the years, have addressed the existential questions, concerns, and expectations of these patients. Law 164 of 1982, which governs sex reassignment, does not establish the need for these patients to receive pre- and post-operative support from professionals qualified to manage specific issues. Managing anxiety, answering more typically sexological questions, confronting patients with unrealistic expectations, and reinforcing their abilities to implement a life plan are among the skills that must be mastered in counseling these patients.
Thanks to this project, promoted by the Circolo Arcobaleno Arcigay Arcilesbica of Trieste with funding from the Central Directorate for Health, Social and Health Integration and Social Policies of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, in collaboration with the Urology Clinic and Prof. Trombetta, Director of the Urology Clinic at Cattinara Hospital and coordinator of CeDIG, in collaboration with Dr. Fabrici Pascolo, Head of the CSM 4 Hospital on Via Gambini, starting this year it will be possible to provide a specialized counseling and support service to transgender patients during their hospital stay. This service will be provided by two sexologists, Dr. Laura Scati and Dr. Federico Sandri, who are experts in the field.
This pioneering project at the national level will aim to support all patients undergoing surgical gender reassignment surgery at the Urology Department of Trieste in 2012, providing counseling and support during a particularly challenging time, both psychologically and in terms of planning. A report certifying the data on the phenomenon of transsexualism and providing evidence of the service offered is expected to be published at the end of the year.
The lives of transgender people are often marked by painful and traumatic experiences. Offering the simplicity of expert listening and the availability of professional, individualized counseling is one of the project's priorities.
On Tuesday, February 14, at 6:00 p.m., a conference presenting the project will be held at Caffé S. Marco, located at Via C. Battisti 18 in Trieste. Participants will include Professor Carlo Trombetta, sexologists Dr. Laura Scati and Dr. Federico Sandri, and Davide Zotti, president of the Circolo Arcobaleno Arcigay Arcilesbica of Trieste.
