An Urgent Call to Recognize, Respect and Nurture Two Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary and other Gender Diverse Children and Youth
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The Right to Thrive calls attention to the urgent need to support Two Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary, and other Gender Diverse (2STNBGD) children and youth. The report reveals how these young people face systemic discrimination, limited access to gender-affirming care, and elevated mental health risks, especially those in government care.
In general, it absolutely sucks for trans people in the north. Nine out of 10 times we are discriminated against for absolutely no reason other than we are trans … Especially in emergency care … they’ll make a comment about how it’s not a good decision for me to be transitioning.
Trans Man, Northern B.C.
Disproportionate Harm Experienced by 2STNBGD Young People
A review of critical injury and death reports for 2STNBGD young people received by the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) raises serious concerns about the experiences of – and outcomes for – these young people, who are doing consistently less well on many measures than their cisgender peers.
As a result of the critical injury and death review, and in preparation for this report, RCY commissioned research by the University of British Columbia’s Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre (SARAVYC). The respected research centre investigates how stigma, discrimination, violence and trauma affect young peoples’ health. SARAVYC conducted two literature reviews and a series of analyses using data from the 2019 Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey and the 2018 BC Adolescent Health Survey. The Centre also interviewed 2STNBGD young people so that their voices and experiences would play a central role in the report.
Nearly
injuries reported to RCY and experienced by 2STNBGD children and youth were for those placed in staffed resources (often referred to as group homes) – government-funded settings that may cause further harm and trauma when they fail to provide gender-affirming care.
of injury reports for 2STNBGD children and youth receiving government services involved suicidality or self-harm. Which is more than double the rate for cisgender females (22%) and over three times the rate for cisgender males (14%).
of critical injuries among 2STNBGD youth are attributed to lack of services or wait-lists — significantly higher than the 2 per cent to 3 per cent reported for their cisgender peers.
Key SyStemic Themes
This report spotlights systemic failings to support Two Spirit, transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and youth in B.C. by government services and care supports.
The report emphasizes that the challenges faced by 2STNBGD children and youth don’t arise from identity itself, but from systems that fail to uphold their rights to access services without prejudice.
Recommendations at a glance
Strengthening Legal Protections
- B.C.’s Attorney General to identify opportunities to enhance legislative protections for 2STNBGD children and youth and lead the drafting and passage of these protections.
Building Gender-Affirming Capacity Across Services
- MCFD to ensure its staff across all service lines are knowledgeable and capable of providing gender-affirming care to 2STNBGD children and their families.
Ensuring Safe and Affirming Group Care
- MCFD to ensure group homes have policies and training specific to the provision of gender-affirming care.
