Confronting gender diversity on P.E.I.

A lack of access to health care is a particularly relevant factor here in this province

Today (March 31) is International Transgender Day of Visibility – a day dedicated celebrating the awesomeness of gender diversity and trans people while also calling attention to the ways in which trans communities continue to face discrimination. Did you know, for example, that trans Canadians report some of the lowest health and wellness outcomes of any community found under the LGBTQ2+ rainbow?

The reason is not a mystery; when trans people are treated as “other” (as is often the case) they are marginalized, and marginalization – according to every major health authority in the world – has a negative impact on our overall health. Trans Canadians also experience gender-based violence at disproportionate rate, often face barriers to employment, and are more likely to struggle with income insecurity. Many social and structural factors contribute to the health disparity impacting trans Canadians – however (a lack of) access to health care is a particularly relevant factor here in P.E.I.

At P.E.E.R.S. Alliance, a local non-profit focused on sexual health promotion and harm reduction education, we frequently hear from members of the trans community who are looking for needed health services - knowledgeable counsellors, mental health professionals able to provide assessments and referrals, physicians able to provide hormone replacement therapies, and access to gender affirming surgeries. Unfortunately, trans specific health services and supports are significantly lacking in P.E.I.

To be clear, like all communities, P.E.I.’s trans community is diverse; individuals who identify on the trans spectrum express a wide range of identities (transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender queer, to name a few), and have a range of transitionrelated health needs. Not everyone wants to access hormone replacement therapies (HRT) or gender affirming surgeries - and that’s OK, but there are Islanders who are struggling to access these interventions - and that’s not OK.

Access to gender affirming health care can be lifesaving for individuals seeking gender related medical interventions - this is a fact. Trans health disparities are not a given; inclusive healthcare systems are a must. It is time for our provincial health system to confront gender diversity and make all Islanders a visible priority.