Gender identity recognition connects to level of cultural and social acceptance of transgendered people.

Drew Whatman and Alex Karn are Education and Support Workers with Gender Journeys Peterborough, a program under the auspices of CMHA HKPR (Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge) . As Ontario PC’s back away from a motion to further debate recognition of gender identity, Whatman and Karn speak to what’s been achieved in understanding and acceptance of gender identity. They are transgender men, identify as male and are aware of the challenge for families and youth coming to terms with gender identity. 59% of transgender Ontarians knew by the age of 10 that their assigned gender didn’t match their identity.