About Us
Advocating for access to health care for Trans People across Ontario
On May 14, 2008 the Minister of Health and Long Term Care announced funding for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) following a lengthy campaign by the Trans Health Lobby Group and the Rainbow Health Network to relist this medically necessary procedure. Funding was cut on October 1, 1998 without consultation with medical professionals nor the trans community.
In 2006, the Trans Health Lobby Group also persuaded the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to continue hormone therapy for trans people on the Ontario Drug Benefit Program following a Fall 2005 Drug Programs Branch Bulletin announcing restrictions to hormone therapy coverage.
Since its founding the focus of the Trans Health Lobby Group has been to advocate for public funding of SRS by lobbying politicians and supporting community members in bringing forward a case to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Included in our strategic direction are two more priorities; to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘gender identity’ as a prohibited ground of discrimination, and to amend the Vital Statistics Act so that trans people can more easily change their legal documents to match their true gender identity.
Our membership consists of trans people working with allies and supporters to achieve our goals. These goals include: 1) advocating for the provincial government to publicly fund Sex Reassignment Surgery and related medical procedures, including access to hormones, electrolysis, and counselling, and whenever possible, that these services be delivered in community based settings; 2) to educate politicians and the media about trans people and their health care needs; and, 3) to gain agency and empower trans persons and their communities.
To achieve these goals partnerships have been developed with the Ontario Public Health Association, the Sherbourne Health Centre, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and the Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario.
If you support our goals, and want to affect political change, please contact us:
Trans Health Lobby Group Meetings: Meeting times/places can vary
(Check with Chair)
Location: Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne Street
(across from Allen Gardens between Carlton & Gerrard)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Contact: Susan Gapka, Chair
416-760-2776, gapka_gp@yahoo.com
A report on monthly activity is usually made by the chair of this committee at:
Rainbow Health Network Meetings:
Wednesday, December 2, 6-8 PM, Room 313
519 Church Street Community Centre
