On September 26, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) announced Rainbow Health Ontario as this year’s recipient of the WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Education Award at the 28th Scientific Symposium.
This award is given annually to individuals or organizations that have advanced trans health and rights through significant leadership in education and advocacy.
WPATH is an international authority on trans health, providing the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People (SOC-8). The publication’s comprehensive guidance greatly informs RHO’s work, as well as our peers. We are proud to represent provincial leadership in trans health equity on a global stage.
During a time of growing anti-trans sentiments and misinformation, receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to our organization. We are galvanized to continue empowering health care providers with culturally and clinically competent educational opportunities; it’s clear that when we collectively push for systemic change across Ontario, our efforts ripple nationally and around the world.
We thank WPATH, as well as our community members, nominators, learners, staff, and Sherbourne Health for supporting our mission. Together, we will continue to forge paths toward equitable healthcare for all.