Creating affirming services

Respectful care

• Making mistakes and correcting them — this tip sheet helps you learn how to correct mistakes and move on, including what to do if you use the wrong word, term, name or pronoun.

Gender inclusive language

• Gender inclusive language (clinical) — this resource offers some non-gendered terms and phrases you can use with clients in clinical settings when you're unaware of the language they use in referring to their anatomy. 
• Gender inclusive language (with new clients) — this guide offers strategies and language to help providers build relationships with new clients. 

Inclusive service tools

• 20 strategies to create a gender-affirming environment — use these actionable strategies to provide more welcoming services and spaces. Half of the strategies focus on what staff teams can do; the remaining 10 strategies focus on what you can do as an individual.
• Creating culturally relevant and gender-affirming services — use these actionable strategies to provide more welcoming services and spaces. Half of the strategies focus on what staff teams can do; the remaining 10 strategies focus on what you can do as an individual.
• Gender-affirming health benefits for Indigenous clients seeking care — this support tool provides helpful information for people on eligible gender-affirming health care benefits through FNHA, NIHB or their band.
• Making culturally relevant and gender-affirming referrals — this support tool provides a list of helpful questions to consider before referring gender diverse Refers to gender roles and/or gender expression that do not match social and cultural expectations. Indigenous and Two-Spirit A term used within some Indigenous communities to reflect complex Indigenous understandings of gender and sexuality and the long history of sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures. Two-Spirit encompasses sexual, gender, cultural and spiritual identity. It may refer to cross-gender, multi-gender or non-binary gender roles, non-heterosexual identities, and a range of cultural identities, roles and practices embodied by Two-Spirit peoples. Some people also use "2-Spirit" or "2S." (Source: Battered Women’s Support Services) clients on to other services. Our aim is to make sure that these services are both culturally inclusive and gender-affirming.
• Organizational assessment tool — these practical strategies are helpful for organizations interested in developing approaches to offering accessible care for gender diverse people.
• Service provider reflection tool — this tool is for service providers and support staff interested in learning opportunities that explore their knowledge and attitudes towards gender diversity. The tool also encourages providers to consider their personal approach to supporting trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary Umbrella term referring to people whose gender does not fall within the binary gender system of woman/girl or man/boy. Some individuals identify as non-binary while others may use terms such as gender non-conforming, genderqueer, or agender. Non-binary people may or may not conform to societal expectations for their gender expression and gender role, and they may or may not seek gender-affirming medical or surgical care. individuals.

External resources

• Affirmative Care for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People: Best Practices for Front-line Health Care Staff — this comprehensive resource includes tips and strategies for front line staff to improve communication and create a more affirming environment (National LGBT Health Education Center, 2016).
• Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit — this toolkit contains information for harm reduction sites, organizations or programs interested in offering hormone injection supplies and inclusive harm reduction services for trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary community members. 
• Trans primary care guide — this guide includes an explanation of trans health issues, an overview of relevant concepts and approaches to trans patient care, guidance for patients who want to start hormone therapy and other resources [Rainbow Health Ontario (Canada)].
• Learning resources: transgender health — explore learning resources, including webinars and courses, about providing affirming care [National LGBT Health Education Center, Fenway Institute (USA)].
• Improving health care for transgender people — this learning module provides learners with an overview of transgender health care [National LGBT Health Education Center, Fenway Institute (USA)].
• Transgender health learning center — access online learning, guides, reports, presentations and more about transgender health [UCSF Center for Excellence for Transgender Health (USA)].
• Acknowledging gender and sex — this training module aims to help health care providers improve the overall health and well-being of trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary people [UCSF Center for Excellence for Transgender Health (USA)]