BC Trans Advocacy Day: Why this, why now?

Gender-affirming surgeries are necessary and life-saving for many trans and gender-diverse British Columbians, and yet the process for accessing surgery in the province has been for years plagued with long waits, the need to travel out of province for care that could be offered here, and inadequate infrastructure for a true, sustainable surgical program.

As of October 1st, 2014, funding to process and approve applications to receive the necessary coverage for surgery has ended This leaves a six-month delay in a program that already has people waiting years for necessary surgeries. We have not heard news on when more funding will become available, or who will provide it.

Trans and gender-diverse people have historically been excluded from medical spaces and from decisions pertaining to our own bodies and health. We feel that the current situation within the ministry demonstrates a serious neglect for a community that is already deeply marginalized by societal transphobia.

As a group of trans* and gender-diverse community members and our health providers and allies, we recognize the need to apply pressure to our government and make our voices heard! On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014, we are planning a call to action to the Ministry of Health to recognize the needs of our communities and provide timely, safe, and accessible surgeries. Please join us in this endeavour!

Thanks our sponsor - benaughty

Get involved: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bc-trans-advocacy-day#home

Provide input on topics for the Advocacy Day: http://eSurv.org?s=LJKKJF_7ee8d56b

Sign Up to Attend: http://transadvocacyday.wordpress.com/

Find Support: http://www.cwhwc.com/ http://transhealth.vch.ca/

Join us on Sunday November 2, 2014 at 10am at 1 Athletes Way!