Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet for many transgender individuals, accessing the affirming medical care they deserve is a daunting struggle. This reality echoes across every corner of Canada—from bustling cities to quiet rural areas. Despite remarkable progress in the visibility and rights of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, the healthcare system still falls short in meeting the unique needs of transgender people, leaving many feeling vulnerable and overlooked. This challenge is especially pronounced in smaller, underserved regions like Niagara, where the local trans community faces a lack of decent clinics and healthcare practitioners. Being the first transgender candidate for office in the Niagara Region, one of the most common messages I heard from potential constituents in St. Catharines (and across the region) was that there is an urgent need for change. From my early experiences here in Ontario, where I was ultimately let down, I made it a mission to ensure that everyone receives the compassionate and inclusive care they rightfully deserve.

This article is not aimed at those within the trans community here in Niagara; they know the facts all too well. We have grown accustomed to mediocre care. Rather, this article is a call to our allies. Understanding and addressing this disparity is an essential first step toward fostering a future of equality and compassion for all.

A book that I recommend for allies wanting to know more: “Transgender History” written by: Susan Stryker. (I have provided a link to the book on Amazon. This is an affiliate link.)

The Reality of Healthcare Disparities

Transgender individuals face numerous barriers to receiving quality medical care. A study by the National Center for Transgender Equality (now known as “Advocates for Trans Equality”) revealed that nearly one-third of transgender people report being refused care due to their gender identity. Despite the humble author’s nationality being Canadian and this essay being directed at residents residing in the Niagara Region (Ontario, Canada)-precise, current Canadian statistics are hard to come by, another byproduct of institutionalized apathy towards this marginalized community-necessitating the need to rely on generalized American data. Besides being refused or provided any meaningful care, many more experience discrimination, harassment, or substandard treatment when seeking healthcare services. These experiences create a ripple effect, deterring individuals from seeking necessary medical care.

Additionally, a lack of education about transgender health issues among medical professionals exacerbates the problem. 

In the tumultuous landscape of the 1990s and early 2000s, my pursuit of gender-affirming care in Niagara was fraught with challenges, overshadowed by the oppressive policies of malevolent politicians such as Mike Harris. During this period, the singular clinic in Ontario authorized to “treat gender dysphoria” was situated in the heart of Toronto, creating a barrier for those of us residing beyond the confines of the 416 area code. For individuals like me, seeking care was a daunting task; we faced the harsh reality of being systematically excluded from a facility that operated under outdated and harmful beliefs. The clinic’s rhetoric was troubling, referring to “gays, queers, and transvestites” as “mentally ill,” a notion that persisted into the early 2010s and perpetuated a pernicious and deleterious stigma. It wasn’t until I made the life-changing decision to move to Korea that I finally encountered qualified medical practitioners who understood my needs and could support me in my medical transition, marking a significant turning point in my journey.

My most heartfelt apologies for the earlier language. This was the stated doctrine of the one clinic in Ontario authorized to treat trans individuals in the 1990s and early 2000s. For the purposes of this essay, I will use myself as a literary likeness; if a trans woman was interested in seeking treatment, and she was able to forge documents indicating her residence was within the Greater Toronto Area and had the means to travel from Niagara to the frequent, necessary medical appointments, this theoretical patient would need to admit that she was “mentally ill” and that the only form of treatment was drug and talk therapy-which was explicitly designed to convince the vulnerable woman, she was “wrong” (about her gender identity).

Upon returning to Canada, I discovered that Niagara eventually found itself with a community health centre in St. Catharines that furnished a modest amount of care for the local transgender community. Unfortunately, the medical practitioners, clinicians, and support staff there are substandard. In 2025, the trans community in Niagara relies on this one clinic out of need rather than because of the quality of care furnished. 

As I have discussed in previous essays on this topic, conditions such as gender dysphoria, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical options require specialized knowledge. Yet, many healthcare providers have little to no training in these areas. As a result, transgender patients often find themselves in the position of having to educate their own doctors, which can be both exhausting and dehumanizing.

As transitioning is an ongoing process, since returning to Canada, I am still foraging for a medical practitioner who can continue to assist me in my journey. I have a great family doctor, one that I care a great deal for; however, overwhelmed by a mountain of paperwork, a backlog of research, and a complete catalogue of meritorious patients, my affable Saxon doctor with his gentle British lilt can’t effectively administer the specific care I require.

The Consequences of Neglect

The consequences of inadequate medical care for transgender individuals are severe. Transgender people are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, often stemming from societal stigma and discrimination. When medical systems fail to provide affirming care, these challenges are only compounded. Physical health outcomes are also impacted. A lack of access to gender-affirming care can lead to untreated conditions, worsened chronic illnesses, and an increased risk of substance abuse. These issues underscore the urgent need for systemic change to ensure that transgender individuals receive the comprehensive and respectful care they deserve.

Just the Facts

Self-Harm: Transgender youth are more likely to have engaged in self-harm at least once in the past year, with 60.7% reporting this compared to 40.3% of cisgender girls/women and 48.0% of cisgender boys/men.

Major Depressive Episode: Transgender youth are more likely to have had a major depressive episode, with 75.2% reporting this compared to 68.3% of cisgender girls/women and 68.6% of cisgender boys/men.

Serious Consideration of Suicide: Transgender youth are more likely to have seriously considered suicide, with 76.7% reporting this compared to 66.2% of cisgender girls/women and 76.8% of cisgender boys/men.

Attempted Suicide: Transgender youth are more likely to have attempted suicide, with 42.0% reporting this compared to 21.2% of cisgender boys/men and 43.1% of cisgender girls/women.

A Call to Action for Allies

As allies, you have the power to advocate for meaningful change. Here are actionable steps you can take to support transgender individuals in accessing adequate medical care:

  1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the unique healthcare needs of transgender individuals and share this knowledge within your community. Awareness is a powerful catalyst for change.
  2. Support Affirming Providers: Research and recommend healthcare providers with experience and training in transgender health. Encourage medical professionals to seek additional education on 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues.
  3. Advocate for Policy Changes: Join or support organizations working to implement policies that protect transgender individuals from discrimination in healthcare settings.
  4. Listen and Amplify Voices: Centre the experiences of transgender individuals and amplify their voices in conversations about healthcare reform. Their insights are invaluable in shaping inclusive systems.

Together Toward Change

For all the self-aggrandizing Canadians engage in when comparatively measuring themselves against nations near and far, many trans individuals must leave their country to go find lives and care overseas. Whether it was the oppressive and hostile policies of Harris’ “common sense revolution“ that saw the dismantling of the already flimsy patchwork of programs or the indifference of successive regimes of all political frontages, trans individuals have never been the beneficiaries of the same level of care as our cis family, friends, or neighbours.

The struggle for equitable healthcare for transgender individuals continues, yet it is a worthy battle. By acknowledging and actively dismantling systemic barriers, allies can be instrumental in ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender identity, receives the care they truly deserve. Together, let us strive for a healthcare system that affirms and elevates the dignity of all.