Rainbow Health Ontario

11/21/2025

Recently, we were at Compass Community Health in Hamilton, sharing our 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations course with close to 100 people. This foundational work is so important for building the knowledge and skills to better serve 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and we're grateful to have started this conversation. We look forward to building on this learning!

📸 Here's a snapshot from the day.

11/20/2025

We issued a statement today condemning the Government of Alberta’s Bill 9 for violating the Charter rights of trans and gender-diverse people.

Rainbow Health Ontario stands in firm opposition to Alberta’s Bill 9 and the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. This legislation constitutes an unconscionable violation of human rights that specifically targets trans and gender-diverse youth. It sets a dangerous precedent by prioritizing political ideology over established clinical guidelines, expert consensus, and the sanctity of the patient-provider relationship. This legislation will exacerbate the significant health and social disparities already faced by trans and gender-diverse communities, and ultimately endangers the rights of every Canadian.

Read the statement: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/2025/11/rainbow-health-ontario-condemns-albertas-bill-9-for-violating-charter-rights-of-trans-and-gender-diverse-people/

11/20/2025

CW: violence, transphobia

On November 20, we observe Trans Day of Remembrance. On this day, we pause to honour the memory of the trans and gender-diverse individuals whose lives were tragically cut short by transphobia.

This isn't just a day of mourning; it's a call to action. The data is clear and alarming: nearly half of trans Canadians have faced physical assault.

This violence is further fuelled by a dangerous political climate. We are witnessing a rise in anti-trans legislation and policy proposals across Canada. These political actions deliberately roll back protections and legitimize discrimination, creating an environment where hate can thrive.

Today, we remember those we have lost. We stand with the trans community in the ongoing fight to live authentically and safely.

Here are some actions you can take:

➡️ Address transphobia in your workplace or social circles
➡️ Build skills through our clinical and cultural competency trainings
➡️ Read, watch and listen to trans voices
➡️ Participate in a TDOR vigil
➡️ Share TDOR resources and messages

Share a local TDOR vigil or event in the comments.

11/18/2025

Each November, Trans Awareness Month celebrates trans communities and raises visibility. But this year, we're asking: what comes after awareness?

Swipe to explore the critical divide between visibility and safety and discover tangible actions you can take with Rainbow Health Ontario.

Read the full article: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/2025/11/trans-awareness-month-moving-beyond-visibility-to-action/

11/14/2025

This week, we had the pleasure of leading our in-person perinatal care course with the team at Tripod Fertility in Toronto!

This training equips healthcare providers with the skills and tools to address the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of trans and gender-diverse patients.

Interested in booking a training for your team? We offer in-person, online, and customized sessions for healthcare and social service organizations. We're now booking for the new year!

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/education/book-a-training/

11/12/2025

Happy National Nurse Practitioner Week! 🩺

Nurse Practitioners are some of Rainbow Health Ontario's greatest advocates and and even teach some of our courses! They're on the front lines of providing equitable, gender-affirming care to 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

We're so grateful for their partnership and leadership. Thank you, NPs!

11/11/2025

Let's talk about an important part of 2SLGBTQ+ health: cancer screening. 🎗️

A crucial reminder for our trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit community members: undergoing top surgery significantly reduces but does not always eliminate your risk for breast/chest cancer. Because some tissue can remain, screenings are still an important discussion to have with your healthcare team.

If you are over 40 and have breast/chest tissue, you may be at risk. Talk to your healthcare provider about what cancer screenings are right for you.

Learn more about inclusive screening at get-screened.ca

11/07/2025

This new video was created to improve access to inclusive cancer screening info for trans and gender-diverse Ontarians.

Produced by Mid-West Toronto Ontario Health Team in partnership with The Open-Door Program, it covers:

👉 What breast/chest screening means for trans and gender-diverse individuals
👉 How mammograms work and what to expect
👉 Where to get screened in Ontario
👉 Finding resources for affirming care

Rainbow Health Ontario served on the advisory board, providing insight on 2SLGBTQ+ representation and best practices for breast/chest cancer screening.

Learn more and share the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16-nBYEUwB4

Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services

11/06/2025

Calling all primary health-care providers! 🏥 Our advanced training, "Masculinizing Surgeries: Post-Operative Complications in Primary Health Care," is taking place on Nov. 20 from 1-5 p.m.

Equip yourself with the specialized knowledge to confidently support your trans and gender-diverse patients. This 4-hour session will empower you to:

🔹 Optimize pre-op preparation to reduce risks
🔹 Identify and evaluate common post-surgical complications
🔹 Manage typical post-operative issues in a primary care setting

Format: Virtual
Cost: $50
Audience: Physicians, NPs, RNs, PAs, and students in these disciplines.
Prerequisites: 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations and experience working with trans/non-binary patients.

Secure your spot today! https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/events/masculinizing-surgeries-post-operative-complications-in-primary-health-care/

11/06/2025

Check out this video from Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16-nBYEUwB4

Check out "Binary & Beyond", a short video with helpful info on breast and chest cancer screening for 2SLGBTQI+ people aged 40 to 74 in Ontario.

Open Door Program—with the support of the Mid-West Toronto Ontario Health Team—produced this community-led video that explores:

• What breast and chest cancer screening means for 2SLGBTQI+ communities

• How mammograms work, and what to expect

• Where to get screened in Ontario

• Resources and supports for inclusive, affirming care

Watch the video now!: https://youtu.be/16-nBYEUwB4?si=rZq_6aMsa-1WFKW2

11/04/2025

This Trans Awareness Month, we're centering an important truth: awareness is not the same as liberation.

As Kai Cheng Thom writes, "as anti-trans legislation sweeps across North America and the U.K. and as transphobic sentiment sweeps across much of the world...it’s fair to say that the politics of representation...and “inclusion” of trans people in a handful of high-status positions and professions have not borne the fruits they once promised."

In fact, without concrete protections, increased visibility can create greater risk.

This November, we must move beyond awareness. True solidarity means fighting for:

✅ Legal protections against discrimination
✅ Access to gender-affirming, clinically competent healthcare

Let's commit to the real work of building a world where trans and gender-diverse people are safe, protected, and thriving.

10/30/2025

Mark your calendars! 📅 We're proud to announce this vital conversation, held in honour of Trans Day of Remembrance, on navigating racism and transphobia within health care.

Featuring Dr. Jordan Goodridge and Ronnie Ali, RP, this session will explore how systemic racism and transphobia intersect in clinical settings. We will examine how these systems can create gaps in care, foster medical mistrust and lead to poorer health outcomes for trans and gender-diverse people of colour. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own practices and learn actionable strategies to help build a more equitable health-care system.

Date: November 25, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST
Location: Online via our learning platform
Cost: FREE

Please note that a prerequisite for attendance is the completion of our 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations course or its French equivalent, Fondements 2SLGBTQ+. We encourage you to register now.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/2025/09/rho-in-conversation-navigating-racism-and-transphobia-in-healthcare/