Gender Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Advocating For Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Non-Binary Youth’s Lives in Canada’s Anti-Trans Legislation Battle
In Canada, trans people are facing profound challenges to their human rights as anti-trans legislation is increasingly proposed and passed. Despite advancements in 2SLGBTQIA+ equality, several provinces have introduced or passed laws that directly impact Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary folks. Recently, Danielle Smith, the Alberta Premier, has announced a legislation anticipated to roll out in the fall of 2024 that will target crucial aspects of transgender rights, such as access to healthcare, top and bottom surgeries, puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and other elements of gender-affirming care. This legislation is widely condemned as a violation of human rights and poses significant barriers to gender-affirming healthcare. It not only reinforces stigma and discrimination, but stems from unscientific biases and misunderstandings about Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary identities and gender-affirming care.
These legislations often initially target trans youth under the guise of ‘parental rights’, and function on the assumption that gender affirming care is particularly harmful to the youth who access it. This not only supposes that parents have rights which supersede their responsibilities to care for their children, but it also suggests that youth who are advocating to access gender affirming care will be safer if they are denied access to it. In reality, denying youth access to gender affirming care can have devastating effects on a youth’s health and happiness. Additionally, as we are seeing in the US, these legislations are often quickly inflated to target the entire trans community once they are passed.
Understanding the Gender-Affirming Care Process in Canada
In Canada, trans youth have the right to access gender-affirming care under the principles of informed consent. This means that individuals can make decisions about their own healthcare, including the choice to pursue puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgery, after receiving comprehensive information about the risks and benefits. The process typically involves:
Exploration: In a supportive environment, exploring gender can be a first step. This can mean using different pronouns, a different name, or picking different clothing or a new haircut. It is important to note that this exploration is a personal journey and may look different for each person.
Assessment: Trans youth undergo an assessment by a qualified healthcare provider, which may include discussions about their gender identity, mental health, and medical history. This helps determine the most appropriate course of gender affirming care for the individual.
Treatment Options: Based on the assessment, trans youth and their healthcare provider discuss treatment options, which may include hormone therapy, surgery, and mental health support. Medical surgery is considered much later in care, and almost never happens for folks under 18 years of age. Similarly, hormone therapy can begin before the age of 18 with parental consent. Otherwise, a youth would have to be over 18 years of age, and alternatively could access puberty blockers as a first step for treatment options. Puberty blockers are reverseable and allow youth to explore their identity safely.
Care Plan: A personalized care plan is developed, considering the individual needs and preferences of the trans youth.
Monitoring and Support: Throughout the process, trans youth are monitored for any physical or mental health concerns and are provided with ongoing support.
Despite the legal right to gender-affirming care, many trans youth in Canada already face barriers to access. These barriers may include long wait times for specialist care, lack of knowledgeable healthcare providers, financial constraints, and stigma or discrimination. Additionally, access to gender-affirming care varies across provinces and territories, with some regions having more comprehensive services than others. It is important to highlight that this process can be different from person to person, and it is crucial to have a good support system while navigating your options.
The Role of Trans-Affirming Mental Health Care
Mental health care is an essential component of gender-affirming care for Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary youth. Trans-affirming mental health care focuses on providing support, validation, and empowerment to help trans youth navigate their gender identity and any associated challenges. This type of care can significantly improve mental health outcomes and overall well-being. Research has shown that supportive and affirming healthcare can significantly reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide among trans youth. Conversely, lack of access to gender-affirming care can lead to increased mental health issues and a higher risk of self-harm and suicide.
Debunking Myths About Gender-Affirming Care
There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding gender-affirming care. Some of the most common myths include:
Myth: Gender-affirming care is experimental.
Fact: Gender-affirming care is evidence-based and follows established medical guidelines.
Myth: Transgender youth are too young to make decisions about their gender identity.
Fact: Transgender youth can have a clear and consistent gender identity from a young age and denying them access to care can be harmful.
Myth: Gender-affirming care is irreversible.
Fact: While some aspects of gender-affirming care, such as surgery, may have permanent effects, many treatments, such as hormone therapy, can be adjusted or stopped if desired.
Myth: Gender affirming care is only for 2Spirit, Transgender, and Nonbinary folks.
Fact: Gender affirming care can apply to everyone. Yes, everyone. That means even cisgender folks access gender affirming care, such as, breast implants, hair removal, hormone therapy, hair implants for balding, and many more.
Myth: Gender affirming care is only for adults
Fact: Gender affirming care can be beneficial for youth, helping them navigate their gender identity and expression, and alleviating long term mental health effects such as depression and anxiety.
It is lifesaving to understand the harms of anti-trans legislation, provide accurate information about the gender-affirming care process, debunk myths, and emphasize the importance of trans-affirming mental health care. By promoting a supportive and inclusive environment, we can help ensure that Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary youth receive the care and support they need to thrive.
