Wisdom2Action endorses the Ontario Gender Affirming Healthcare Act

Improving access to and coverage of gender-affirming healthcare is integral to improving the health and well-being of trans and gender diverse people in Ontario. We are thankful to MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam for introducing the Gender Affirming Healthcare Act, and call upon all Members of Provincial Parliament to support this bill and work with trans and gender diverse communities to improve gender-affirming healthcare in our province.

The status quo on gender-affirming care is untenable. Community members are waiting sometimes over 3 years to access medically-necessary health services due to chronic neglect and underfunding. Outside of urban centres, trans people are often forced to drive hours to find supportive physicians when they should be able to access care in their own communities. Transgender children and youth, and their parents, are too often stuck without support while navigating a healthcare system fraught with barriers.

The Gender Affirming Healthcare Act, if passed, would trigger a review of gender-affirming healthcare in Ontario and develop recommendations to improve access and coverage. This bill is a long time coming – and we are hopeful that our elected officials will heed the guidance of physicians, nurses, social workers and trans community members supporting this bill.

We encourage our partners, from community organizations to health providers, to loudly and proudly share their support for the Gender Affirming Healthcare Act.

You can learn more about the bill and share your support at www.transhealthontario.org.