April marks the start of a new fiscal year. It is a natural time to pause and take stock of the work behind us. Despite our small team, the impact on advancing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive care in Ontario was significant. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights.
More than 4,300 learners completed our self-directed courses. We facilitated 78 instructor-led trainings, reaching over 2,600 participants. These sessions brought us into communities large and small, including in-person with healthcare providers serving Batchewana First Nation, Rankin Reserve, in Sault Ste. Marie.
We adapted two courses, 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations and 2SLGBTQ+ Older Adults and Inclusive Care, into in-person formats. We also added two new resources to our Health in Focus series examining the challenges of intimate partner violence and cancer disparities within 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
This year, we hosted several events, including Navigating Racism and Transphobia and The Anti-Trans Landscape in Canadian Health Care, reaching more than 250 attendees.
A major highlight was the launch of a provincewide cancer screening awareness campaign. Our materials were distributed to 400 organizations and amplified through social media. The campaign also made its way across Ontario through billboards, transit ads and a presence at 11 Pride festivals.
Behind the scenes, our team played an active role in shaping policies that ensure care is safe and affirming. We continued our advisory work with Ontario Health, supporting diverse initiatives such as the Gender-Affirming Care Quality Standards, Health811, and the review of guidelines for gender-affirming surgeries. We supported the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario in updating policies, along with co-creating a resource on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive dental care. We also continued our ongoing partnership with CLRI in long-term care, making an impact on the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ older adults.
Finally, we hosted 24 Trans Health Mentorship Calls and provided direct support on trans and gender diverse health to over 600 providers.
As we step into a new year, we’re grateful for everyone who took a course, shared a resource or reached out for consultation, and we can’t wait to see what we build together next.