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Vital People: Gender-affirming apparel program a good fit

The Island Sexual Health Society has launched a program that provides transgender adults and youth with a consultant and gender-affirming apparel for free or at a reduced cost, thanks to funding from the Victoria Foundation.
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Sam Peters, left, gender-affirming-apparel consultant, with Island Sexual Health executive director Bobbi Turner Williams in front of a selection of clothing for transgender adults and youth. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST

The Island Sexual Health Society has launched a program that provides transgender adults and youth with a consultant and gender-affirming apparel for free or at a reduced cost, thanks to funding from the Victoria Foundation.

Around one per cent of the population identifies as transgender, an umbrella term for people whose gender that they identify with — be it male, female or something else — does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. In B.C., an estimated 46,000 people identify as trans or gender-diverse, according to the province.

Many express their identity though their choice of clothing. Some wear the clothes they want in private, but others who have come out are comfortable enough to do so in public.

To help them create their desired body shape, they often turn to shapewear — specially designed compression underwear — ranging from underwear that helps smooth out the genital area to waist cinchers and padded bras for people assigned male at birth who want a more feminine figure.

For those wishing to appear more masculine, chest binders and compression briefs can reduce the prominence of breasts and buttocks, with pockets for prosthetic appendages.

While many such items are available online, fitting can be an important consideration — if worn incorrectly, poorly fitting shapewear can be harmful to health.

“Because apparel items are considered a social rather than clinical aspect of gender-affirmation care, none of these items are funded by the Ministry of Health,” said Bobbi Turner Williams, executive director of Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre.

The Victoria Foundation provided start-up funding that allowed Island Sexual Health to offer gender-affirming apparel products in its community health centre store and to hire an apparel consultant. Clients can book an on-site appointment with the consultant to try out garments two nights a week.

This year alone, there have been 100 fittings for clients of all ages, backgrounds and experiences.

Most of the clients who arrive for fitting appointments are gender-diverse youth under the age of 16, accompanied by “nervous, enthusiastic, devoted parents,” said Sam Peters, program lead.

Parents “consistently express their gratitude” for the opportunity to speak to someone about what their child is going through, Peters said. “The experience of attending a fitting appointment together serves as a bonding moment and helps the parent support and understand their child’s transition.”

Approximately 75 per cent of the apparel given to clients through the gender-affirming apparel program is free or offered at a reduced cost.

“We are excited to incorporate this program and think it is a really good fit with all of our other existing programs,” said Turner.

For more information, go to islandsexualhealth.org.

parrais@timescolonist.com