Accessing healthcare presents multiple challenges for Montrealers. For transgender patients, in Montreal, these challenges can be amplified. 

On March 5th, CUTV sat down with Jacob Williams, the administrator and founder of the Trans Patient Union, to discuss the multiple barriers faced by trans patients when trying to access healthcare in Montreal, and more broadly, Quebec. 

Williams discussed the need for improving standards of care in Montreal for trans patients. Many trans patients are unable to advocate for themselves and their health due to the discrimination and transphobia they face when trying to get treated for health issues, or access transition care. Instead, trans activists, patients and organizations have to advocate to providers for better care, in the hopes that new services are given and implemented at various clinics.

“Transition access in Montreal is very difficult. […] When it comes to transphobia in healthcare in Montreal and elsewhere… Nobody really cares about trans patients. Nobody takes into account our transition, medical curriculum or research. It’s just not considered an important point of healthcare. Anything doctors know about trans patients, they had to learn in their free time by doing extra work to go the extra mile,” Williams told CUTV.

Williams went on to explain that there are so many misconceptions about transition care, which leads to many general practitioners perceiving it as optional and at one’s discretion. Many general practitioners can provide care, such as prescribing hormones, for trans patients, but do not and will not. 

With the Trans Patient Union, patients can mobilize to provide mutual aid and advocate for improved care. The organization acts as a resource index where help guides are provided and data on patient experiences is collected. It aims to address institutional issues and discrimination for patients trying to navigate the healthcare system. 

With the help of the Trans Patient Union, patients are able to connect and talk with other patients about their care history, experiences, and the barriers they might have had to deal with as a trans patients.

Patients are able to get more information on how and where to get hormone therapy in Montreal, for instance. They can receive assistance with how to deal with the GrS clinic, a clinic dedicated to gender-affirming surgeries and operative care.