For Immediate Release
18 July 2023
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is calling on Government to acknowledge the need for more support and take action so the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are able to access safe healthcare without stigma.
The NL NDP has been speaking up on the barriers that surround Gender-Affirming Care (GAC) since 2019. Petitions presented by Dinn to the House of Assembly by the NL NDP called on Government to remove restrictive and punitive regulations surrounding GAC surgeries. A 2021 study published by Harvard University found that gender affirming surgery is associated with improved mental health outcomes. It found that transgender people who received one or more gender-affirming procedures has a 44% reduction in the odds of past-year suicidal ideation.
“Gender-affirming care is essential for transgender adults who are on their transition journey,” said Dinn. “2SLGBTQIA+ people in this province need to be able to access care that meets their needs in a safe space free of stigma and barriers and medical professionals need to have the appropriate training.”
Many aspects of GAC are not covered by MCP. Patients have to pay out of pocket for post-op medications, and top surgery does not include the chest contouring and liposuction that is required. Patients seeking GAC must travel out-of-province for these procedures increasing the cost and burden to patients.
“The cost of travel right now is adding additional stress and inaccessibility for those who are already struggling to receive the care that they need,” said Dinn. “We see patients taking out loans to pay back these fees, factoring in interest and inflation; it is increasingly harder for folks to get the care they require.”
“There has been a lot of growth in acceptance for GAC and 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare, but there is a lot to be done,” said Dinn. “Educating doctors on compassion care, use of pronouns and preferred names, and overall understanding of GAC and hormone treatment will create safer spaces and relieve some of the burden faced by doctors who are knowledgeable on GAC.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca