Trans Community Health (TCH) is a weekly clinic for trans and gender non-conforming Hamiltonians. The clinic facilitates gender transitioning and hormone therapy for people 18 years and older.
Trans Community Health works with people wherever they are on their gender transition journey. While the mandate of the Shelter Health Network is to work with people who do not have family physicians, the reality is that many trans individuals find that their physician is unwilling or feels ill-equipped to provide gender transition and hormone therapy.
Due to our limited resources, we are unable to see patients with complex medical or psychiatric needs. We also are only able to see people currently living in Hamilton. We will strive to connect people who do not meet our criteria to physicians who can better serve their needs.
How to access care
Accepting new clients for the waitlist — please contact the Shelter Health Network office by phone (905-526-7137) or by e-mail (admin@shelterhealthnetwork.ca) to be added to the waitlist.
For local resources, please visit the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition website or contact info@hthc.ca.
Support Groups
(times and dates all subject to change)
The Trans Peer Support Group (18+) meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7pm at Simone Hall (the old Beasley Community Centre) at 145 Wilson St.
Email: transpeers@gmail.com
The Trans Youth Peer Support Group meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at NGen Youth Centre at 24 Main Street W.
Email: info@ngenyouth.ca
Tel: 905-524-2222
PFLAG (formerly known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at First Unitarian Church at 170 Dundurn Street South.
S.A.G.E. (Support Around Gender Experience) meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6pm-8pm at the Youth Wellness Centre (38 James St S), and it meets the 4th Wednesday from 6pm-8pm at NGen Youth Centre (24 Main St W).
Email: tlaframb@stjosham.on.ca
Tel: 905-522-1155 x31725
Resources for Health Care Providers
Quick Reference Guides for Primary Care Providers: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/TransHealthGuide/index.html
Rainbow Health Ontario’s website: http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/
Sherbourne Protocols: Guidelines and Protocols for Hormone Therapy and Primary Health Care for Trans Clients (70 page document): http://sherbourne.on.ca/lgbt-health/guidelines-protocols-for-trans-care/
Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH): http://www.cpath.ca/
E-Consult (Dr Ellen Clarke): https://otnhub.ca/physicians/
Weekly Q&A call-in with staff from the Sherbourne Health Centre: Contact Jordan Zaitzow at jzaitzow@rainbowhealthontario.ca
Trans Community Health is a joint initiative of Hamilton Trans Health Coalition (HTHC) and the Shelter Health Network. HTHC provides education workshops on a variety of trans-related issues for health care providers. Please contact info@hthc.ca if you are interested in learning more about gender-affirming care and supporting your trans, non-binary, and gender diverse clients.