Being Safe, Being Me 2019: Results of the Canadian Youth Trans and Non-binary Health Survey is a national study by SARAVYC that builds on a similar survey conducted by SARAVYC in 2014. Similar to the survey in 2014, this survey was available for young people to take in English or French and surveyed a range of topics including gender identity, access to gender-affirming care and physical health.
In 2019, 281 trans and/or non-binary youth in Alberta took the survey. Of the youth in Alberta who took part in the survey, 16% identified as indigenous and 94% were born in Canada. The majority of trans and/or non-binary youth in Alberta reported that they are living in their felt gender full-time (47%) or part-time (38%). Some youth, however, are never living in their felt gender (15%).
Key findings for youth in Alberta
- 77% have avoided public washrooms for fear of being read as trans, or being outed
- 58% are not comfortable talking with their health practitioner about their trans and/or gender affirming health care needs
- 66% do not feel safe in school washrooms
- 31% do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner
Recommendations for Alberta
- Improve access, reduce barriers, and reduce fear and anxiety to physical spaces such as washrooms.
- Inclusive and mandatory sexual health education taught by instructors with gender and sexual minority competency.
- More knowledge health care providers and more accessible gender affirming care and surgeries.
