Melinda de L'Eveille - Trans Wellness ID Clinic

Trans Wellness Ontario sign on the organization’s building in Windsor on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Photo by Melinda de L'Eveille.

Windsor law students help Ontario transgender community

By Melinda de L’Eveille

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For many transgender individuals, changing one’s legal name or gender marker can be a significant headache, something this student-run ID clinic hopes to minimize.

On Feb. 4, 2023, the Trans ID clinic held its most recent round of appointments.

The clinic is offered to Transgender individuals in Ontario by local non-profit organization Trans Wellness Ontario. It is run online by a group of law student volunteers from the University of Windsor.

Georgiana Gardner, co-project lead of the Trans ID Clinic, elaborated on the clinic's work.

“The Trans ID Clinic assists gender-diverse individuals or family members representing gender diverse individuals, in changing their legal name and gender marker on their birth registration,” said Gardner. “We also assist in changing other government identification after birth registration is changed.”

Once the process to change one’s legal documentation has started, the paperwork that comes afterward can often be very time-consuming.

“A lot of people express that the forms themselves are the most daunting part,” said Gardner. “We combat this by helping the individual, and explaining the forms or doing the forms for them.”

Many transgender individuals seek to change their legal name and gender marker.

According to Gardner, those who start the process do it so that “every individual – either known or unknown to them, refers to them by the proper name and gender identity.”

Abbey James, a University of Windsor law student who volunteers at the Trans ID Clinic, explained why she got involved with the student-run program.

“As somebody who's a part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, when I saw they had a Trans ID clinic, I was like, ‘oh my gosh this is cool’,” said James. “I’ve been working at the ID clinic for a year and a half now, I love it.”

James talked about the program’s achievements in helping those in the transgender community.

“We have had lots of success in terms of getting those name-changed documents successfully submitted,” said James. “I've had clients say that they really enjoy the experience. It goes a long way to make them feel like they are not alone.”

When asked about her experience working at the clinic, James declared her fondness for her role.

“It’s been amazing, I’ve absolutely loved it.” said James. “I think it's my favourite thing that I've done in law school so far, including all employment that I've had and I think it will be, even when I graduate. It's something I hope to continue participating in.”

James emphasised the significance of the services the clinic provides.

“It's just such an important resource.” said James. “We have clients from all across Ontario, so that goes to show how much of a need there is. I think it's great that we're able to move virtually during COVID-19, it has made it a lot more accessible for people.”

ID Clinic appointments are only available on a select few days. Dates for the winter season have been published onto Trans Wellness Ontario’s social media pages.

The organization’s next round of appointments take place on Feb. 18, 2023, interested parties must reach out via email to id.clinic@transwellness.ca to set one up.