HALCO is leading the TRANSforming JUSTICE (Trans* Legal Needs Assessment Ontario) project to help ensure that the legal needs of trans* people in Ontario are being met and to determine the barriers that trans* people face in accessing justice.
The project is using “trans*” as an umbrella term to refer to a diverse array of experiences and identities, including two-spirit, non-binary, agender, gender queer, cross dressers, transgender, transsexual, as well as those who identify as men or women but have a history that involves a gender transition. While the project is focussed on the needs of the broader trans* community, a specific component of the project is dedicated to trans* people living with HIV.
Data is being gathered from members of trans* communities and legal service providers through focus groups, legal education workshops, interviews and a survey for trans* people. The legal education workshops for trans* communities include a public legal education component. The legal education workshops for legal service providers, which are being given by lawyer N. Nicole Nussbaum, include a “trans* 101” component and would qualify for substantive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours (professionalism accreditation is being sought from the Law Society of Upper Canada). .
The survey and focus group/workshop information are available now at www.transformingjustice.ca.
You can find general information on the project page of our website: www.halco.org/our-services/trans-legal-needs-assessment-ontario.