In collaboration with SHORE Centre, Spectrum has put together a list of resources that are helpful for people navigating various stages of gender transition. We are actively working on expanding the options we have here. This is a work in progress and is intended to be informational. It does not constitute medical advice - always follow your own medical professionals' recommendations.
Table of Contents:
Letter Templates
Gender affirming hormone treatments (GAHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Gender affirming surgeries
Gender affirming gear
Social transition
Fertility
Supportive service providers
The first document we have is letter templates that can be used by you or your doctor while navigating various types of care.
Doctor's Note for Workplace Misgendering Issues - This note provides a clear template to be used by a doctor to outline using your correct name and pronouns in a workplace as a medical directive.
Doctor's Note for Changing Sex Designation - This note provides a clear template to be used by a doctor to provide an effective note for someone submitting a form to legally change their sex/gender designation.
Doctor's Note for Surgery Referral - This note provides a clear template to be used by a doctor to provide an effective surgery referral for any gender-related surgery
Personal Note for Care Providers - This note is a template to provide to new clinics or care providers around how to address you and your body parts. You can request this note be appended to your file.
Trans Health Card - Designed by the Aids Committee of Toronto, this card can quickly summarize information regarding your transition to give to new or existing care providers to better understand your gender and transition without you needing to explain it all.
We also have published a walkthrough for legally changing your name or sex designation, you can find that here.
Gender affirming hormone treatments (GAHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common part of transitioning. Here we have collected some information regarding GAHT. Please note we are working on a document to discuss initiating HRT in Waterloo region and we will update that page with that document once ready.
SHORE Centre - Runs a gender affirming care clinic based in Waterloo, bills through OHIP
Foria - Private clinic that provides virtual gender affirming care, does not bill through OHIP
FAQs on Transition-Related Hormone Therapy - Rainbow Health Ontario
Quick Reference Guide: Feminizing hormone therapy - Rainbow Health Ontario
HRT for People Assigned Male at Birth - Stepping Stone
Quick Reference Guide: Masculinizing hormone therapy - Rainbow Health Ontario
HRT for People Assigned Female at Birth - Stepping Stone
A guide to Self-administrating Intramuscular or Subcutaneous Injections - Rainbow Health Ontario
Safer Intramuscular Injections - TransCareBC
Safer Subcutaneous Injections - TransCareBC
Transgender Health Injections Guide - Fenway Health
Transgender Hormone Injection Workbook - Klinic Community Health
THRIVE Harm Reduction Supplies - THRIVE (formally ACCKWA) offers free injection supplies through their harm reduction program
We also have a series of resources collected to provide information about some transition related or gender affirming surgeries.
Transition Related Surgeries: Frequently Asked Questions - Rainbow Health Ontario
Summary Sheet of Gender Affirming Surgeries - Rainbow Health Ontario
Accessing Chest Surgery in Ontario - Women's College Hospital
Quick Reference for Top Surgery - Catalyst Surgical
Chest Reconstruction Surgery Workbook - TransCareBC
Chest Reconstruction: A summary for health care providers - Rainbow Health Ontario
Chest Masculinization Guidebook: What to Expect - Women's College Hospital
My Surgery Timeline: Chest Surgery - Women's College Hospital
Referral Process to the McLean Clinic
Surgical Drain Care Tracker - TransCareBC
Top Surgery Guide: Mastectomy - Spectrum
Top Surgery Guide: Breast Augmentation - Spectrum
Accessing Vaginoplasty Surgery in Ontario - Women's College Hospital
My Surgery Timeline: Vaginoplasty - Women's College Hospital
Vaginoplasty Guidebook: What to Expect - Women's College Hospital
Vaginoplasty: Common Complications - Women's College Hospital
Vaginoplasty: Genital Hair Removal - Women's College Hospital
Vaginoplasty: Understanding what recovery may look like - Women's College Hospital
Vaginoplasty: Pre-surgical Exercises
The Role of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Pre- and Post-Operatively - Women's College Hospital
Post-Operative Vaginoplasty Guide to the First Year - Women's College Hospital
Recovery Sample Medication Schedule
Guide to Kegel Stretches
Guide to Abdominal Massage
Hypergranulation - Women's College Hospital
Getting the Pelvic Floor Ready for Dilation
Guide to Douching
Dilating Instructions
Dilation Assistance
Info series webinars held twice a year for metoidioplasty with the surgical team at Women's College Hospital
Previous recorded seminars from Women's College Hospital
Metoidioplasty handout (PDF) - Rainbow Health Ontario
Phalloplasty handout (PDF) - Rainbow Health Ontario
Surgical Guides - Foria
GrS Montreal also has a number of resources listed on their website:
Phalloplasty- https://www.grsmontreal.com/en/surgeries/female-to-male/6-phalloplasty.html
Metoidioplasty- https://www.grsmontreal.com/en/surgeries/female-to-male/12-metoidioplasty.html
Trans Care BC's resources: https://www.transcarebc.ca/surgery/penis-constructionhttps://www.transcarebc.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Penis_Construction_Surgeries_Workbook.pdf
There are a wide array of gender affirming gear options. We have outlined some below.
Gender Gear Guide - TransCareBC
Packing 101 (Folx Health): https://www.folxhealth.com/library/transgender-packer-guide
Guide to Packers - Ur Basics (they also sell packers and other gear)
Packing Blog Post - Trans Guy Supply (they also sell packers and other gear)
For more resources, check out TransCare+'s Resource Hub: https://transcareplus.org/resources
Bind Safe - The Get Real Movement
Gender Gear Info - Trans Wellness Initiative
TransTape Binding Resource - TransTape (they also sell gender affirming gear)
TransTape Financial Assistance Form: https://airtable.com/appoVNqXtZQ5a3uJS/shrwY8YgVGmcYQ6pc
For more resources, check out TransCare+'s Resource Hub: https://transcareplus.org/resources
In Waterloo Region, the Gender Variant Working Group (GVWG) hosts binder try- on events, where you can get help sizing and more information about binding in general. For more information, check their website: https://wwgendervariant.wixsite.com/gvwg/about-1
SHORE is also a drop off location for the GVWG's binder donation program! If you have binders that you are no longer using, that are in good shape, you're welcome to drop them off to SHORE Centre at our 50 Westmount Rd N location, and we will bring them to the GVWG for distribution to others!
Gender Gear Info - Trans Wellness Initiative
Gender Gear Guide - TransCareBC
For more resources, check out TransCare+'s Resource Hub: https://transcareplus.org/resources
Gender Gear Info - Trans Wellness Initiative
Gender Gear Guide - TransCareBC
Tucking Resources - Point of Pride
Tucking Guide - TransHub Australia
Safer Tucking Resource: https://drive.google.com/file/d/186reMLT0GQDvAxQATynbnTRSN9D1FNQH/view
Tucking While Swimming - Origami Customs (they also sell gender affirming clothing)
Safe Tucking Guide - TransCareBC
Trans Tape tucking resource - TransTape (they also sell gender affirming gear)
For more resources, check out TransCare+'s Resource Hub: https://transcareplus.org/resources
In addition to attending Spectrum's support groups, here are some resources on social transition.
Rainbow Health Ontario's Guides:
Trans Feminine Folks: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resource-library/social-transition-tools-for-transfeminine-folks/
Trans Masculine Folks: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resource-library/social-transition-tools-for-transmasculine-folks/
Starting a Conversation with your Primary Care about Trans health Care - Rainbow Health Ontario
Coming Out Resources (as Trans and/or Non-binary) - Planned Parenthood
Coming Out Later in Life - UPMC Health Beat
Things to consider, ask yourself and help you plan and prepare to come-out:
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/coming-out-as-transgender-everything-you-need-to-know/
https://www.scarleteen.com/read/identity/becoming-out-totally-non-exhaustive-step-step-guide-coming-out
Sample Letters to Support Coming Out:
The Gender Quest Workbook (pdf) - Instant Help Books
Here are some resources on fertility.
2SLGBTQIA Resources - Generation Fertility Waterloo
Elective Egg Freezing - Generation Fertility Waterloo
Fertility Preservation - Generation Fertility Waterloo
Fertility Preservation for Trans People who Produce Eggs - Rainbow Health Ontario
Fertility Preservation for Trans People who Produce Sperm - Rainbow Health Ontario
Fertility Preservation Uninsured and Out of Pocket Cost Estimates
Reproductive Options for Trans People - Rainbow Health Ontario
In addition to attending Spectrum's TransNAV GPS, here are some resources on supportive service providers.
Blueprint Nutrition in Waterloo: https://www.blueprintnutrition.ca/
If you have a primary care provider that is a part of a community health centre or family health team, there may be a dietitian associated with this practice! We encourage you to check to see if this is available for you.
Other Virtual Options:
Emily Opthof: https://www.heroptimalhealth.com/team-rd
Blossom Counselling Centre: https://blossomcounsellingcentre.com/lorishort-zamudio
Danforth Psychology: https://www.danforthpsychology.ca/dietitian-services
Queerly Nutrition: https://queerlynutrition.com/
We do have some resources regarding pap tests for trans and gender diverse folks, however many are specific for clinicians, and training them how to perform an inclusive pap test!
One specific to patients seeking pap testing is: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Check-it-out-Brochure.pdf\
For your info, one for clinicians is: https://hamiltontranshealth.ca/trans-pap-101/
TransHub Hair resource: https://www.transhub.org.au/hair
Point of Pride's Permanent Hair Removal Guide: https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/electrolysis-vs-laser-hair-removal-an-intro-for-trans-folks
For more resources, check out TransCare+'s Resource Hub: https://transcareplus.org/resources
In Waterloo Region, there are a few locations that we know of that offer trans inclusive hair removal services:
Indulgence Studio: https://indulgencestudio.ca/
DermaEnvy Skincare: https://www.dermaenvy.com/ (have a policy for trans clients to get up to 50% off for transition related hair removal: https://www.dermaenvy.com/transgendersupportprogram)
Sweet Beauty Esthetics https://www.sweetbeautyesthetics.ca/
If you would like to speak with a clinician at SHORE about topical pain medication for gender affirming hair removal, please request an appointment at https://shore.inputhealth.com/ for a Topical Anesthetic (Numbing Cream) Consult and it can be discussed in your appointment.
We have listed a number of resources here regarding vocal training! Many have resources for any gender regarding vocal training, as well as lists of other resources - have a peek and find one that works for you! Community and Individual Voice Training - these offerings are not typically covered by insurance, but check with your own provider to confirm!
Trans Voice with Jodie - group or individual classes (offers sliding scale) feminizing and masculinizing supports:
Eddy Grignon - Vocal Coach; egmusic25@gmail.com - offers sliding scale appointments and free consultation
Voice by Kylie - virtual offerings
The Trans and Non-Binary Voice-Coaching Series - youtube series
Speech Language Pathologists: These services may be covered by private insurance if you have a clinician's referral. Check with your insurance provider and please let us know if you need a referral!
Megan Buttle - Kitchener Waterloo & Surrounding Areas -
Voice Clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital / McMaster University Medical Center - a clinician at SHORE may be able to send a referral for OHIP covered care here
The Voice Box - St. Catherine's
Voice Training at Unity Health (St. Michael's Hospital) - Toronto:
Individual training, email audspeech@unityhealth.to or 416-864-5282
Group program, email: VoiceGroups@unityhealth.to
Toronto Adult Speech Clinic - Toronto, but offers virtual appointments:
Other Vocal Training Resources:
TransHub Resources: https://www.transhub.org.au/voice?rq=voice
Please see below some resources for peer and mental health support, specific for trans and gender diverse folks - These can be accessed at anytime in your transition journey, and there are many options that encompass a number of identities and experiences - we encourage you to check some out and use any that feel right for you!
Peer Supports & Groups
OK2BMe
Spectrum Groups:
- Trans Specific Groups & Services
-Calendar of Events (Spectrum and Community Events)
Individual & Group Counselling Supports
OK2BMe at Camino - You can ask for an OK2BMe counsellor specifically. Camino also offers Walk-In Counselling
Out of the Box Counselling - Specific experience working with with 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and Neurodivergent folks
Porchlight Counselling & Addiction Services - walk in, individual and group counselling available:
Journey with Grace Counselling - Specific experience working with 2SLGBTQIA+ and faith and spirituality (if that's a part of your experience!)
Blueprint Counselling - virtual across Ontario, specific LGBTQ+ counselling:
Exhale Therapy - A number of counsellors name their experience working with gender diverse clients - you can request specific counsellors or ask for a recommendation
For crisis mental health support:
9-8-8 is a national 24/7 Suicide Crisis Helpline: https://988.ca/
Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington: https://here247.ca/
TransLifeline Peer Support Hotline: https://translifeline.org/hotline/
LGBT Youthline: https://www.youthline.ca/
Kids Help Phone offers online and telephone counselling and volunteer-led, text-based support in English and French to youth across Canada: https://kidshelpphone.ca/need-help-now-text-us
We encourage you to explore and use these resources as needed.