A botched illegal surgery leads to tragic consequences as a transgender woman in Melbourne takes her own life eighteen months later. The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming surgeries in Australia.
In October 2019, a 24-year-old transgender woman in Melbourne underwent an illegal surgery to remove her testicles by an unlicensed practitioner. The operation took place on a tarp in a residential home, resulting in severe complications such as excessive bleeding. The procedure was halted, and the woman was rushed to Casey Hospital, where she spent days recovering.
Cecilia Jones, a friend of the victim, described the chaotic scene, noting the lack of qualifications of the individual performing the surgery. The patient’s mother, Rachel Byrne, expressed her anger that the hospital did not report the incident to the police.
Eighteen months after the botched surgery, the transgender woman took her own life with a drug from an Australian chemical company, which is now under investigation. The Victorian Coroner is currently investigating this suicide along with four others involving transgender individuals.
A submission to the inquest by Transgender Victoria highlighted the difficulty and high cost of obtaining gender-affirming surgeries in Australia, stating it often leads to mental health crises among transgender individuals.
Monash Health, which operates Casey Hospital, declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, citing patient privacy obligations. Multiple support services are available for individuals in crisis, including Lifeline and Beyond Blue.
