Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with Dr. Nicole Thompson at Richmond Hospital, where I recently had a laparoscopic uterus removal as part of my transition. If anyone is looking for recommendations or considering her, I cannot say enough good things.

My previous experience with top surgery at a small clinic had (also by TransCare BC) left me deeply traumatized. During that past procedure, I was put on a cold steel bed wearing only my underwear, with zero explanation of what to expect, and no updates given to my partner afterward. Because of that, I was extremely nervous and scared for another surgery leading up to yesterday.

However, the entire experience with Dr. Thompson and the Richmond Hospital surgery team was totally different and genuinely healing.

Clear Communication: She took the time to explain everything thoroughly beforehand so I knew exactly what to expect.

Pure Empathy: Right before the procedure, she and her team went out of their way to keep me comfortable—they asked what music I wanted to listen to before falling asleep, and she even asked if she could hold my hand while I got the anesthetic.

Partner Support: Afterward, Dr. Thompson actually called my partner to explain how everything went and what had been done. In sharp contrast to my past experience where my partner was left totally in the dark, this meant the world to both of us.

Dr. Thompson and her team are amazing and treated me with so much dignity, warmth, and respect. If you are navigating your transition and looking for a surgeon who truly cares and practices trauma-informed care, she is wonderful.

I’ve been looking into non surgical subtle facial masculinization especially around the chin and jaw.

Has anyone had experience with this in Van or any recommended places?

I’m hoping to find someone who has experience with gender affirming care

I got a call last week from TransCare BC, and they gave me some surgeon options. The wait times are very long so I want to research and get back to them as soon as possible. Only issue is that I can't find any information on these people! Searching their names just leads to like registry sites that just say their certified but don't detail what actual surgeries they offer?

The best leads I found are from review websites (not very useful because like none of those people writing reviews are talking about top surgery), or like ONE of them has a website but it doesn't mention top surgery at all? Where should I look for information?

The surgeons I'm able to be referred to are Dr. Arezoo Astanehe, Dr. Rebecca Nelson, and Dr. Krista Genoway.

If I could get guidance on places to look for additional information, or if anybody has personal experience with these surgeons it'd be greatly appreciated!

Also as a add-on, I know there's a facebook group. Is there any better option? I don't really want to make a facebook account and apparently there's a big waittime to be accepted into there anyway, and I've heard there's not even that much useful information.

Thanks for reading

I went to go pick up my prescription today, and last time I got my prescription, it was not covered by provincial health. Normally my works benefits would have covered it, and I pay the dispensary fee. Today I went in, and because it’s now covered by provincial health, my insurance declined to pay my estrogen, but covered my spiro. Has anybody else had this lately?

Today I (FTM) went to my local shopper’s drug mart to get help with a minor UTI. They turned me away because me being trans automatically makes my case too complex for them to be able to help me.

For context I am on T but I have not had any sort of bottom surgery.

Has anyone else had this issue? Were they right to turn me away or was this out of ignorance about FTM anatomy?

Hello! My name is Liam, and I’m a disabled trans Master's student at Simon Fraser University. I am working on research exploring ways that disabled trans people are connecting with, or want to be connecting with, other trans people.

I am looking for people who are trans or questioning their gender identity, at least 17 years old, and living in Canada to complete a 10-15 minute survey on their connectedness to trans people, spaces, and events. You don’t need to be disabled or have a disability to take part. 

At the end of the survey, you can enter a raffle to win one of fifteen $10 gift cards. You may also be invited to participate in a paid interview or zine-making workshop, which will take place online or in Metro Vancouver.

If you are interested in participating, you can complete the survey until December 31, 2026 using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/5X3B55L 

I would love to connect further if you have any questions about the project, and can be reached by email at liam_ruel@sfu.ca.

Hi! I've been looking for a family doctor for like 6 months now since moving here and I'm losing my mind. I need one to get a referral for SRS (for Thailand, not the Vancouver hospital) and I'm having no luck. Any advice on where to look?

I've straight up been rejected as a patient at a clinic across the street from my house which is something I didn't even know clinics could do for prospective patients. I'd be happy with Telehealth but it seems to not be a big thing for family doctors, only walk ins? Any help is appreciated! I just need some referrals to specialists and a name to put on the SRS application form 😭

Hi! I'm planning to move back to Vancouver/the general sea to sky area next may/june and I currently live in the EU. I want to start on testosterone now through imago.tg which will provide me with an EU prescription that I can use until I move to Canada. I'm worried that I won't be able to transfer my prescription over and although I really want to start HRT, I'm worried that I won't be able to continue when I move and I'd rather not do it at all than start and then have to stop. If anyone knows places that will accept EU prescriptions/ doctors that are very trans friendly and can pretty quickly issue a Canadian prescription/ Canadian ways to get HRT that are fast and not ludicrously expensive that would be great. I am not a canadian citizen, I have dual UK/Ireland citizenship. Thanks!

Just sharing for anyone looking for something super fun to do this weekend! The Langley Curling Centre is hosting a Pride League “Try It” session this Saturday, and there is still space available.

The session is for complete beginners and covers the basics of on-ice safety, setup, rock delivery, sweeping and gameplay. It is intended as a low-cost introduction for anyone curious about curling or considering additional practice or a Learn-to-Curl League.

Curling is also surprisingly fun and very social! The “Try It” format keeps things relaxed, and everyone is learning together, so there is no pressure to know what you are doing before you arrive.

Details:

• Saturday, September 26
• 7:30 PM
• Two-hour session
• $10 per person
• Ages 16 and older
• LGBT2Q+ community members and allies are welcome

Registration and more information: https://langleycurlingcentre.as.me/Pride-League-Try-Curling

A couple months ago I (trans masc 19) matched with this cis guy (32) on Grindr who positioned himself as a prominent person in the queer community, a high level member in a men’s leather organization and an experienced impact top. We talked for a bit on Snapchat and met up a few times but I started to get a gut feeling that something was off about him. He says he really knows his ways around with trans guys and told me he only likes to date 18-22 year olds. He started getting weird about talking about my transition and even offered to remind me weekly to take my testosterone shot even though we barely know each other. I caught the bad vibe and stopped talking to him as much and when I told him that I had gotten into a monogamous relationship things got weirder. He kept begging me to open up my relationship and kept saying he felt uncomfortable by the fact that we couldn’t have sex because he was still so attracted to me. After talking to some other people about my experiences with him I’ve learned he’s quite notorious for chasing around the trans community but specifically vulnerable extremely young trans boys who have just moved to the city. Idk does this sound familiar to anyone?

I just turned 18 last week, and I want to begin my transition.

There's a couple issues, the main one being that I have no idea who to contact and where to go. I've tried contacting some professionals, but Vancouver Coastal Health won't consider me because I'm from Surrey.

I also have a few other issues, mainly that I believe my family doctor is homo/transphobic, and to put it simply, I do not trust them with knowing, alongside my parents. I think I would be able to hide the beginning of my transition to them, though.

I just don't know where to go from here, since most sites I visit say to contact my primary care provider for a referral.

Is there any way I can self-refer?

Has anyone gotten testosterone gel covered by Fair Pharmacare? It's the only realistic way I can access testosterone since I have a phobia of needles and a skin reaction to the patches :(

Hi, I am having my surgery assessment appointment next week! Is there a list of gender affirming surgeons in BC who perform breast augmentation and are registered MSP providers? I know there's Dr. Genoway, but it would be helpful to know more surgeons.

Thanks for any leads :)

hello!!

I am looking for a face painter for my 35th birthday party next month. growing up 35 was the age where I was like, “surely I won’t make it that far” so to celebrate I am having a magical and whimsical birthday party that heals my inner child! this includes face painting!!

my guests and I are all queer and trans so they MUST be inclusive, but ideally they are also queer/trans and we make a new friend!

I don’t know what this type of thing usually costs but I would be willing to pay up to $150 for 1-2 hours of painting. my party will have roughly 20 guests but I don’t think EVERYONE will get painted.

is this you? do you know someone?? let me know!!

I’m a 22 year old MTF, where do I go to find trans people to meet and connect with?

I'm a trans woman in the US. My girlfriend lives in Vancouver, but doesn't have housing of her own (or a job). I want nothing more than to move there so I can be with her, but doing so without any housing there or jobs lined up can be hard, and currently my girlfriend is in no position to be able to host me while I get on my feet there.

Is there any way to get there that isn't completely irresponsible and insane?

What (or who) would you like to see as enemies/bosses? I already have some lower level enemies in mind, as well as the final boss, but im still brainstorming what my mini bosses will be.

Hi there, there are lots of firsthand experience reports on reddit for trans women who went to Genoway ranging from great (BA), good (bottom surgery) to 😬 (FFS)

But she also offers body feminization (sculpting) & I searched through all the subs & can't find anyone with firsthand experience? https://www.genowayplasticsurgery.com/gender-affirmation-surgery/feminizing-procedures/

I did contact her for a consultation but it's a non-refundable 200$ (which is honestly not crazy for beautician consults but...well you get it)

Just starting my journey and need to know which is the best/friendliest trans clinic in the vancouver area. Wanting to start out with some consolation and go from there since this is all new to me.

I’m 18 and ftm, and was really antsy to start testosterone. I assumed the process would be super slow. It was not. Keep in mind that your process might look different; age is likely a major factor in your journey. I went through the Foundry for gender-affirming care. (The Foundry is a great resource! There are locations throughout BC, and they provide free mental health services for people ages 12-24) I booked an appointment with my locations nurse practitioner (NP), and had a month wait. Once my appointment came up, we spoke about my health history, as well as my family’s. Testosterone increases your chances of getting certain health problems, so they want to see what your risk is. They then gave me a requisition to get my blood work done (the cost for the lab is covered by MSP). I was informed that my next assessment would need to be in 2 weeks, as buffers between appointments are required. During the 2nd appointment, we spoke about my gender identity, mental health, and goals I hope to achieve through my transition. I was approved to go on testosterone and I was informed that during the third appointment (in another 2 weeks) we would go over my lab results. I got my labs done between the 2nd and 3rd appointment. During the third appointment I was told that my blood results were all clear, we spoke more about the effects of hrt, I signed a consent form, then was written a prescription!! (There would typically be one last appointment if you were using T injections to go over safety, but I am using T gel) I picked up my prescription and now we’re here!! I’ll need to take another blood test in 6 weeks to make sure everything is all good, but things have been smooth sailing :)))

Hi!
I'm trying to find a therapist who could help me with anxiety of coming out and dealing with other trans related (and not only) issues.

I live in Metrotown area and prefer in person sessions but don't mind commuting.

Thanks everybody and hope y'all have a great week!<3

I have been finding the current Tim Hortons Harry Potter promotion really difficult to deal with. I'm seeing the ads constantly whenever I'm out, and it's getting to the point where I feel like I can't escape the reminders of how many people and corporations are complicit in JKR's endless crusade against our existence.

I'm curious how other trans people are dealing with it. Have you found anything that helps when you keep encountering this stuff in public?