Transcending identity: Policy solutions to legal gender affirmation barriers in British Columbia

This study exposes barriers faced by transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals navigating the legal gender affirmation process administered by the Vital Statistics Agency in British Columbia (BC). It highlights the complexities arising from administrative procedures, multiple documentation requirements, and high costs which hinder the acquisition of crucial gender-concordant identity documents. These barriers lead to adverse outcomes in social, health, and economic aspects of life, aligning with the gender minority stress theory. This research uncovers and addresses these barriers by employing qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and proposing viable policy solutions to fill existing gaps and improve the well-being of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse communities in BC. Drawing on data collection and analysis, three practical policy recommendations are presented to alleviate barriers in the legal gender affirmation process within BC. These recommendations contribute to advancing understanding and facilitating actionable steps toward a more inclusive and equitable legal gender affirmation process in BC.