We are fortunate to have the expertise
of the Trans Youth Toronto drop-in participants to assist us in understanding
and working more effectively with trans youth. Trans Youth Toronto is
a weekly drop-in at The 519 run by and for TS/TG youth.
Unfortunately in this society, many
youth are not respected as individuals capable of making good decisions
for themselves and attitudes toward trans youth are no exception. Although
some families embrace their children's identities and transitions, many
other families are not accepting often leaving trans youth homeless
and struggling to navigate an equally unaccepting hostel/shelter system.
Some of the barriers trans youth may encounter are:
Getting approval for hormones and surgeries is
extremely difficult when one is not respected as an independent decision
maker. Most trans youth can only accomplish these things with a supportive
worker or family member willing to advocate on their behalf.
Puberty, which is difficult for most, can be
extra traumatic for someone whose body is changing in the opposite
direction from how they see themselves.
Medical staff untrained in how to respond to
trans youth, often make the medical system a hostile environment.
For this reason, many trans people do not access even the simplest
of health care procedures and suffer through unnecessary symptoms
and illnesses.
Tasks such as getting a legal name change, getting
on hormones, attending regular doctor and counselling appointments
can all be quite overwhelming and often need to be completed prior
to pursuing other goals such as housing, employment, and education.
Post Secondary education and other long term
goals are often on hold for someone whos' energy and money must be
saved for the challenges of transition
Finding a job or housing in a competitive market
will be difficult for any person who looks different and especially
for someone who has changed their name, or sex, and discarded a problematic
birth certificate, SIN card, or other identification.
And similarly to other youth, realistic worries
about sexuality, identity, depression, suicide, fitting in, self-esteem,
abusive relationships, etc are all part of daily life.
The choice of trans youth to face these
risks must be seen as a testament to their determination to be themselves.
We all have something to learn from that. Youth are in need of service
providers equally determined to assist them. Many youth hostels/shelters
are now being supportive by recognizing these barriers and adjusting
policies, procedures, and expectations, to be more reflective of these
realities.
The 519 thanks True Colors Tour 2008 and EGALE for a great night of community
celebration, amazing performances, and their support to the Centre. The
Tour exemplifies so many of our shared principles, including valuing diversity
and the commitment to making the world a more tolerant and accepting place.
Thank-you to Cyndi Lauper and all the other stars whose commitment to
creating positive change is an inspiration for all of us.
