At Vancouver Costal Health, we care for everyone by recognizing all dimensions of diversity including gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, Indigenous identity and disability.
Services
Improving gender-affirming care across B.C.
Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.
Access care, support and resources from TransCare BCWhat does 2SLGBTQIA+ mean?
Here are the different definitions that make up 2SLGBTQIA+. Language, including this acronym, is constantly evolving to include many unique identities.
2S - Two-Spirit A culturally specific term used within some Indigenous communities, encompassing sexual, gender, cultural and/or spiritual identity.
L - Lesbian: A female who is mainly sexually and romantically attracted to women. This includes transgender and cisgender women.
G - Gay: People who are sexually and romantically attracted to people of the same gender.
B - Bisexual: A person who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to two or more genders (not necessarily men and women).
T - Transgender An umbrella term describing individuals whose gender identity differs from the one assigned to them at birth. This can include people who have a binary gender identity (transgender women and transgender men), as well as people who do not have a binary gender identity (non-binary people).
Q - Queer or Questioning: A term that is vague on purpose to include anyone within the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym. Questioning refers to someone in the process of figuring out their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
I - Intersex A general term used for a variety of conditions where a person is born with biological traits that don't seem to fit the conventional definitions of female or male, including natural variations in chromosomal, hormonal, endocrinological and/or anatomical configurations.
A - Asexual An individual who does not experience sexual feelings or desires. People who are asexual may feel romantic attraction toward others but may not have any interest in, or desire for, sexual intimacy.
+ plus stands for many other identities under the umbrella (i.e. non-binary, genderqueer, pansexual, etc.) As society changes, attitudes to sexual identity and the terms used can also change.
Non-Binary: Non-binary is a term that refers to diverse people whose gender identity is neither female nor male. Some individuals self-identify as non-binary, whereas, other 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.
Resources
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Help Navigating Care
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Gender resources
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British Columbia transgender resources
Transgender Map
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Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre resources
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Qmunity
BC's Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Resource Centre
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Two-Spirit specific resources
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Gender-affirming health benefits for Indigenous clients seeking care
The 3-page support tool below may provide helpful information for people on eligible gender-affirming healthcare benefits through FNHA, NIHB, or their band.
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Indigenous gender diversity course: Resources for further learning
Trans Care BC encourages everyone to continue learning about Indigenous gender diversity and the broader scope of Two-Spirit cultures, identities, and roles in various Indigenous Nations.
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Four Feathers
The Four Feathers Society is a tribe of Aboriginal living in British Columbia who self-identify as being two-spirit, gay, lesbian, Transgender, Bi-sexual, Intersex, and/or Queer. The society strives to provide opportunities to its members to strengthen and heal their spirits, hearts, minds and physical well-being.
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2 Spirits in Motion Society
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Native Youth Sexual Health Network
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