June 8, 2016
Fredericton, New Brunswick – The Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum welcomes and applauds the government’s policy change to now include gender-confirming surgeries under Medicare, as well as plans to allow transgender individuals to change their birth certificates to match their gender. We also extend our sincerest congratulations to the many trans persons and allies who have worked so long and so tirelessly to drive these changes.
LGBTQ+ rights and women’s equality have overlapping, often shared histories and intersecting concerns. When the trans community and its needs are recognized and supported by government, the movement for gender-equality is strengthened and invigorated.
Over the past two years in our province, there have been gains made in the accessibility of health care services that are integral to gender-based equality. There is still work to be done on these issues, however, and the Forum is committed to contributing to this collective effort.
Jody Dallaire and Jennifer Richard
Co-chairs, Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum
The plus symbol in LGBTQ+ indicates that there are identities in addition to those not included in the traditional LGBTQ acronym (which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer). These include, but are not limited, to those who are Two Spirit, intersex, questioning, asexual, and pansexual.
Media contact: Beth Lyons, Executive Director, Voices of NB Women Consensus-Building Forum [email protected] Tel. 506-462-5142
