The experience of youth on the waitlist for gender-affirming care in Manitoba

Abstract

Objectives Waitlist times for adolescents to be seen for initial assessment for gender-affirming hormone therapy in Manitoba, Canada are often 2 years. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of waitlisted youth and to assess the impact of social work contact for accessing relevant resources. Methods A qualitative, semi-structured interview study was conducted. Youth aged 14 to 17 years on the provincial transgender clinic waitlist for 12 to 24 months for gender-affirming hormone therapy assessment and their caregivers were recruited. Eight youth and nine caregivers were interviewed. Separate interviews were conducted for youth and their caregivers. All interviews were virtual, recorded, and transcribed prior to thematic analysis. Results Three themes and eight subthemes were identified. Youth (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 9) described barriers to supported transition in the following three themes: (1) ‘In a Black Hole’: Describing the lack of communication, relevant resources, and mental health supports, (2) ‘Structural Transphobia’: A summary term outlining the attitudinal, technological, physical, and architectural barriers faced by the participants, and (3) ‘Manitoba: An Information Desert’: describing the systemic barriers faced including lack of knowledgeable providers and reliable information within the province. Conclusions Although delays in gender-affirming therapy were noted, youth socially transitioned and accessed existing resources. However, mental health concerns persisted, and participants felt frustrated and unsupported during their extensive wait times. Improved experiences may be achieved by additional communication from the clinic, hands-on assistance with accessing relevant resources, and an improved online presence.