Support the right of transexuals to obtain gov't funding for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS)
Attention Allies and Supporters of the LGBTTTIQQ Communities
The reason I am writing this letter is to enlist your help and support in obtaining the right for transexuals to obtain Government funding for Sex Reassignment Surgery (S.R.S.) Every year hundreds of transexuals in Canada alone, attempt, and in some cases succeed in killing themselves.
This happens because the thought of living half of a life is too much to bear. Since the cost of S.R.S. for most of us is almost unreachable, especially since once we transition we find ourselves jobless and homeless, so death seems the only way out.
We are human beings, just as everyone else on this planet are, and as such should have our physical treatments paid for too. Some of the Provincial Governments view S.R.S. as a cosmetic procedure and will not pay. S.R.S. is no more a cosmetic procedure than is Hip Replacement Surgery. Both are needed in order for the person to be able to live a fulfilling and productive life.
I have written letters to the Federal Government and various Federal Political Parties. I have written letters to the Ontario Provincial Government and various Provincial Parties. I have written to the Ontario Ombudsman, the Canadian Human Rights and Ontario Human Rights , and now I am writing to you. I'm asking you to lend your support by asking you to write letters too. I need your help. We need your help, if one day transsexuals are to get the same equal treatment that many others take for granted.
The Canada Health Act states:
In order that a province may qualify for a full cash contribution referred to in section 5 for a fiscal year, the health care insurance plan of the province must, throughout the fiscal year, satisfy the criteria described in sections 8 to 12 respecting the following matters:
(a) public administration;
(b) comprehensiveness;
(c) universality;
(d) portability; and
(e) accessibility.
In other words, it's up to the Federal Government to make sure the Provinces provide equal health care to all the people in the provinces. They cannot discriminate against transexuals, but they do by not paying for S.R.S.
We need your voice to help get the word out.
Please join in and write to your Government.
Did you know that the Feds also will agree that S.R.S. is a necessary treatment for transexuals and will even pay, and have paid, for any Federal employee? Why the double standard? Tell the Feds to put a stop to this discrimination.
Federal Minister
of Health - Anne McLellan:
Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca
Federal NDP Health
Critic - Judy Wasylycia-Leis:
judywl@total.net
To Find Your Provincial and Federal Parties please visit: http://www.library.ubc.ca/poli/cpwebpr.html
Please, please help
us.
RLF
Ontario, Canada
Letter from DAWN Ontario to Hon. Anne McLellan, Minister of Health
July 4, 2003
Hon. Anne McLellan,
Minister of Health
via email: Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca
Dear Hon. McLellan,
I am writing in my
capacity as acting chairperson for DAWN Ontario: DisAbled Women's Network
to express support for the right of transexuals to obtain government funding
for sex reassignment surgery. We believe this is a fundamental question
of human rights, and certainly not an area in which the provinces should
be making arbitrary judgments as to whether people's identities are cosmetic
or otherwise.
DAWN Ontario: Disabled Women's Network Ontario is a progressive, feminist
organization dedicated to the advancement of equality rights of women
with disabilities. Through public education, coalition-building, research,
self-advocacy, resource development, information and communication technology,
DAWN Ontario battles oppression & discrimination guided by the principles
of feminism, inclusion and diversity. DAWN Ontario is the only provincial,
feminist, cross-disability organization in Ontario providing leadership
in advocating for inclusion and equality of women with disabilities.
We would appreciate a response from you detailing what our federal government is doing to provide leadership nationwide in assisting that sex reassignment surgery be properly categorized as medically necessary and fully funded.
Sincerely,
Barbara Anello
Acting Chair
DAWN Ontario: DisAbled Women's Network Ontario
975 McKeown
Ave
Unit 5A, Suite 162
North Bay, ON P1B 9P2
Tel: 705-494-9078
Email: dawn@thot.net
URL: http://dawn.thot.net
cc: Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Federal NDP Health Critic judywl@total.net
Bob Wood, MPP Nipissing bobwoodmpp@efni.com
RL Forrester
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Page last updated July 4, 2003