Trans Bodies: An Assessment of Bills on Gender-Affirming Surgery (GAS) in Brazil (2006-2023)

This study analyzes the bills concerning Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) for trans and intersex people in Brazil (2006-2023), identifying advancements and setbacks in the guarantee of rights and access to healthcare. Sex reassignment surgery, also known as gender affirmation surgery or gender confirmation surgery, is a medical procedure that involves modifying a person's body to align their physical characteristics with the gender they identify with. These procedures may include genital surgeries (such as vaginoplasty or phalloplasty), but can also involve non-genital surgeries such as mastectomy or facial feminization, depending on the individual’s desires and their transition plan, following established norms and predetermined medical protocols. The body is not only a biological object but also a cultural and political one. Trans bodies, when undergoing surgery, challenge traditional gender norms and expose how these norms are socially constructed. In deciding on surgical interventions, trans individuals confront the boundaries between biology and culture concerning the idea of a socially legitimized body. The methodology includes content analysis of official documents and a literature review. The results reveal a complex legislative landscape, with proposals seeking both to expand and restrict access to GAS, reflecting the social and political tensions surrounding gender identity. The study highlights the importance of public policies that ensure comprehensive healthcare and the exercise of citizenship for trans and intersex people, emphasizing how different social and political contexts shape legislative proposals in Brazil.