[frice2000]

No I can empathize with your situation I just don't think I or someone else who has nothing to do with you should have to pay for your situation I'm sorry. Most of the examples you listed that could be qualified are not elective surgery and for those that are you're talking about a child and a deformity or not allowing the child to have a normal life at all.

SRS and HRT for all intents and purposes is entirely plastic elective surgery. Sorry that's what it is. You can say you're more likely to commit suicide and I can understand why as you hate your body but that doesn't mean you are entitled to a free pass by society to chase your dream. I'm not saying you can't get a surgery that you feel you need to live your life...but I don't think society should have to pay it for you. Sorry.

Yes, yes big bad American here. I'm sorry that I don't think you're entitled to purely elective plastic surgery to fit your body ideal. While I recognize you see your body as not representing you I'm supposed to give the finite amount of money the government/HMOs give to you and not someone with a truly life threatening condition? I guess you're under the assumption that money for these programs doesn't have to come out of something else huh? Well it does. Moving funds from one thing to another results in deaths. You're thinking of yourself not others. The funny thing is you probably advocate a governmental policy where the 'people' are taken care of...Well guess what you don't win in that system either for something like this. They won't give what they see a perfectly healthy person money to what they consider to be purely plastic surgery either.

Let me say this again I can empathize with your plight and think you should have by all means the opportunity to follow your dream. I mean I at least have a passing interest in the topic considering where this is posted. I believe you should have the full weight of the law to support you and not fear losing your job or be discriminated in getting a job...But you want me and others to pay for massively expensive surgeries which entire outcome is making you feel better about your body? Should I pay for a genetic woman's breast augmentation surgery too so she can feel better about her body? Should I pay for someones liposuction? I can understand why that is attractive to you and why you desire it, but that should not come at the expense of others or the expense of people unwillingly paying for such a surgery.

If you think I need empathy what you think I need to resolve my conscience by paying for your operation? Why? Does that benefit me? Does that benefit society? Does your health insurance companies raised premiums/government taxes for paying for all of these surgeries and thus making other care inaccessible make you feel better? My own personal empathy to the situation: 1. I don't discriminate. 2. I don't stare. 3. I don't make fun of. 4. I support politicians that do not support discrimination. I DON'T feel I should be forced to pay for you and that doesn't make me feel like a horrible person. You feel like paying my dental bills or my psychologist visits for depression? My insurance doesn't and I understand why and you should understand why I don't want to pay for you either. You're different I respect that. But just because you're different doesn't mean you deserve more/less respect/benefits then any one else should be accorded. No one should have their plastic surgery for something that doesn't relate to scarring/deformities supplemented.

Edit: And in regards to children born inter-sexed it's a physical ailment and should be paid for as per your societies health plans/insurance plans. So yes, I think that should be dealt with. Now you're going to say that then I have to support someone born transgendered but healthy...and I disagree because they are healthy individuals. If they can afford to go through a transition good for them if they can't I'm sorry but society can't pay for everything or everyone has nothing. And this garbage about not fixing a kids cleft lip, glasses, etc. really? You're going to bring out that card? I likely work with people much poorer then you on a daily basis most homeless in this big bad evil country of the United States of America and I can't think of things that their children didn't get when they needed them (unless the parents either withheld funds they were given or used them for purposes totally unrelated to what they were supposed to be for...which happens a lot but that is a entirely separate issue). Your argument is based on garbage. Health insurance companies reject paying claims in this country yes and Medicare/Medicaid doesn't pay for everything but the exaggerations you're putting forward are laughable. And your dig at the Salvation Army is inexcusable. They are the most professional non-profit aid organization on the planet kicks the Red's Cross ass in all of those pesky 'administration' costs don't they?