Trans Health Guide for Youth (Ontario)
Trans 101
Signs you might be trans
You are questioning your gender. (Most cis people don't feel the need to question their gender because they are comfortable with their AGAB.)
You feel uncomfortable when referred to as the gender you were assigned at birth. (aka gender dysphoria)
Getting gendered correctly or differently than you are used to feels amazing! (aka gender euphoria)
Going through puberty was a very uncomfortable experience for you in a different way than for most people.
You have a feeling that you are different than other people.
It takes time to figure out who you are, so take as much time as you need to feel confident in your identity and try to figure out what makes you happy.
Helpful resources
Social Transitioning
What is social transitioning?
Coming Out
Coming Out: What to say?
Coming out to loved ones
Coming out at school
Coming out in a professional environment
Example from Micah Earnes
“Hello All, I need your help. I am in the market for a moisturizer to help with my dry skin. I’m also in the process of coming out as trans. I’m changing my name to Micah, and my pronouns are he/him/his. If you have any questions about my change in pronouns or my skincare needs, feel free to send an email to my updated contact information. And I would also like to note that while my skin is dry, it is not too sensitive. We’re all going to mess up my name and my pronouns, myself included. So when this happens, don’t panic or cringe! Please be kind to yourself as we stumble through these growing pains together. I’m fortunate and grateful to work in a place where I feel embraced in any form, be it as a transgender man or a person with dry skin—or in this case—both.
Trying out pronouns/name
Changing your name
Where to update name and sex marker
How to change common forms of documentation
Gender expression
You don't need to have a gender presentation that matches your gender identity, but it may be helpful to relieve dysphoria and feel more like yourself.
Binding
Safety
Where can you get a binder?
Packing
Tucking
Padding
Medical transitioning: About HRT
What is HRT?
Medical transitioning: Steps to get HRT
Reach out to your primary care physician (PCP)
1
“I understand that you are uncomfortable prescribing HRT. Would you be more comfortable after reading these resources or taking a course from Rainbow Health Ontario?”
What if you don't have a PCP or they are not trans-friendly?
2
3
Starting the process
Insurance
4
“I am covered by the province of Ontario for __________ seeing that I am a youth under 25. If you are unsure of whether or not the prescription is covered, we can search it on the Ontario website.”
Medical transitioning: Surgery
Surgery is less likely to be done for teens, however, this information can still be useful.
Starting the process
Medical transitioning: OHIP covered procedures
Procedures covered by OHIP
Procedures not covered by OHIP
Additional resources
Social and Emotional Support
Helplines
Resources
Non-fiction books
Fiction books