Following a damning report, locals share their stories, and healthcare leaders respond
By Dave Beatty
In the wake of a Pride month that saw 49 people gunned down in a homophobic hate crime in Orlando, a new report shows that Hamilton isn’t as LGBTQ friendly as some might believe.
The report from Hamilton’s Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC) gathers local queer and trans experiences with public services like healthcare and education, and with businesses and charities. The results describe a community with good intentions that it fails to deliver.
There are friendly healthcare providers who lack resources, the report says. Skilled educators are bound by inadequate policy. Well-meaning organizations have outdated regulations and work cultures.
Hamilton’s renowned, robust healthcare industry, the report says, lacks mental health services that cater to queer and transgender youth.
Article and image source: CBC Hamilton
