Access to public healthcare services for transgender people: experiences in Brazil’s capital

Abstract

Objective: To analyze transgender people’s experiences in accessing public healthcare services in Brazil’s capital. Method: This qualitative study involved 19 transgender individuals linked to three healthcare services in Brasília. The data, collected through in-depth interviews, were lexically analyzed using descending hierarchical classification with the aid of the software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et Questionnaires. Results: Five thematic classes emerged, organized into three axes: “Experiences and disputes for recognition in public and institutional spaces”; “Structural barriers and itineraries for access to healthcare”; and “Mental healthcare and successful experiences in welcoming”. Conclusion: Access to healthcare for transgender people is marked by structural, attitudinal, and symbolic barriers that reinforce inequality and exclusion in care. The positive experiences identified point to ways to strengthen inclusive practices, reaffirming health as a right guaranteed by Brazilian law.