In the first part of our two-part season finale of 2SLGBTQ+ Health in Focus, we examine how anti-trans activists target health care providers. A clinic shares its experience with this harassment, while experts analyze today’s landscape of transphobia and disinformation.
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Pocket Casts
Resources
Here are links to resources mentioned in this episode:
- RHO Resource: Managing Anti-Trans Harassment for Health Care Providers
- Thrive Kids Clinic
- Wisdom2Action
- College of Physicians and Surgeons – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- College of Physicians and Surgeons – In Dialogue podcast
- The Society for Queer Momentum
- Together We Will Win: Guide to Campaign Messaging In Support of Trans Youth
- Aso Communications
- Race Class Narrative Messaging Checklist
- LeBlanc & co. Communications
- Cyber security for healthcare organizations: Protecting yourself against common cyber attacks (Government of Canada)
Review or download the transcript here.
Guests
Kevin Cao
By day, Kevin Cao (he/him), a seasoned small business banker provides loans and financial expertise to empower entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of the business world. Beyond banking hours, he is the Operations Coordinator at Thrive Kids Clinic. His overarching goal is to contribute to the well-being and development of the next generation of kids and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Raphael Buencamino
Dr. Raphael Buencamino (he/him), a doctor with a passion for 2SLGBTQ+ health, brings a unique perspective shaped by growing up gay in the conservative United States Bible Belt. Inspired by the challenges he and his close friends in the 2SLGBT+ community faced, he dedicated his career to advocating for inclusive healthcare. Trained at UCSF, a pioneer in gender-affirming care, Dr. Buencamino gained expertise in addressing the unique needs of 2SLGBT+ individuals. Now in Toronto at Thrive Kids Clinic, he spearheads a new gender-affirming care clinic for youth.
Fae Johnstone
Fae Johnstone (she/her), MSW, is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action, a progressive consulting firm and social enterprise, and President of the Society of Queer Momentum – a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit. She is a prominent advocate for queer and trans rights and a recurring voice in Canadian news on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Over the past ten years, she has supported hundreds of organizations across Canada to build their capacity for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. She was the Grand Marshal of the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade in 2023, and recipient of the Young 2SLGBTQIA+ Entrepreneur of the Year award from Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce, also in 2023. She’s also on a chocolate bar.
Dr. Saroo Sharda
Dr. Saroo Sharda (she/her) is the inaugural Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. From 2019 – February 2024 she was a medical advisor and EDI Lead at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario where she led cross-organizational work to embed an EDI and anti-racist lens into complaints processes, provincial policy and education. Saroo partnered with RHO to provide mandatory training for all Board and committee members with regard to safe and culturally competent care for 2SLGBTQ+ patients. As a cisgender straight woman she strives to continually build her own cultural competence as a clinician in her anesthesiology practice. Dr. Sharda also considers it important to use her privilege to advocate for high quality, lived-experience driven education for healthcare learners and faculty members in the area of 2SLGBTQ+ health.