International Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate trans folks and raise awareness about the discrimination and violence that targets them.
Through our 2014 and 2019 Canadian Trans & Non-binary Youth Health Surveys, we learned that trans and non-binary youth are more supported in their identities nowadays, but that stigma and violence are still a concern.
On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we shared some of the challenges trans and non-binary youth are faced with. For example, we shared data about violence, locations or situations avoided for fear of being harassed, and experiences of discrimination. We encourage you to read about them here and in the Being Safe, Being Me report. Today, we’d like to share some of the ways that trans and non-binary youth feel supported.
For instance, trans and non-binary youth reported better access to health care, with more reporting they have a family doctor or nurse practitioner who knows they are trans or non-binary. As well, almost half of participants who wanted hormones to affirm their gender (44%) have received them, compared to 34% in 2014.
Furthermore, 50% of youth who took the survey—compared to 45% five years ago—are living in their felt gender full-time. And more transgender youth are asking their friends and families to call them by their correct names and pronouns since the previous survey. Specifically, 92% have asked their fellow transgender friends to do so, and 71% have asked their parents.
Family and school connectedness is making a difference. Trans youth who reported strong family or school connectedness were much less likely to report emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, compared to their peers who did not have these advantages.
Protecting trans and non-binary youth from discrimination is part of Canada’s human rights law, in every province and territory.
Canada needs safer public spaces, improved access to health care, and more training for health care professionals on how to effectively support trans and non-binary youth. We created the following videos to showcase some of the areas for improvement.
