It's important to create spaces where people feel they can bring their full selves. By adopting language that's more gender inclusive, we can ensure we're treating all of our co-workers, patients, clients, and any other contacts with respect.
The gender binary defines gender as only two fixed options, female or male. The gender spectrum acknowledges that there are more than two genders.
Historically, we have used binary language on our website to talk about gender-affirming health care options. Recently, we have made updates to be more inclusive of diverse gender identities, including trans Indigenous and Two-Spirit, non-binary, gender fluid and agender people.
When gender diverse people are safe and supported, like all people, they are more likely to experience positive health outcomes.
Our website now uses language that focuses on anatomy, treatments and presenting conditions, rather than gender:
- Estrogen-based hormones, previously called feminizing hormones, sets out the advantages and disadvantages, expected effects, and potential risks of common estrogen, testosterone blocker and progesterone therapies.
- Testosterone-based hormones, previously called masculinizing hormones, sets out the advantages and disadvantages, expected effects, and potential risks of common testosterone therapies.
- Upper body surgeries and lower body surgeries, previously organized as feminizing and masculinizing surgeries, provide information about different types of gender-affirming surgery, including the procedures, potential complications, post-surgical care, and the steps to access surgeries that are funded by BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).
We have created some handy resources for using gender inclusive language:
