Closing Ceremony with Dr. Annie Pullen Sansfaçon
We are excited to invite you to a thought-provoking keynote presentation by Dr. Annie Pullen Sansfaçon titled "Intervenir sans laisser personne derrière: le travail social auprès des jeunes de la diversité des genres dans un contexte de désinformation" (Intervening without leaving anyone behind: social work with gender diverse youth in a context of misinformation).
In recent years, several countries have begun to restrict or ban access to gender-affirming care for transgender adolescents. In Canada, there is widespread discourse supporting these restrictions, sometimes leading to political stances both federally and provincially. In Manitoba and New Brunswick, governments have even passed laws limiting the ability for social transition in schools without parental consent. However, organizations like the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH), and the Canadian Paediatric Society continue to support gender affirmation for youth, citing cumulative evidence from research demonstrating the benefits of social or medical transitions on well-being.
Social work can play a crucial role in supporting these youth by promoting their self-determination, advocating for their rights, and supporting their struggles for greater social justice. But how do we navigate a context where research evidence is being questioned, and laws in some places prevent the self-determination of these youth? This presentation will provide an overview of the current situation in Canada, the latest research evidence on transitions and detransitions, often central to discourses against access to gender-affirming care for minors. It will also discuss the role of social work with gender diverse youth and families, as well as the inherent challenges in a context where gender affirmation is increasingly questioned, or even illegal in some environments.
We invite you to join us for what promises to be a stimulating and insightful discussion on this critical topic. Your presence and participation are invaluable as we strive to better understand and address the needs of gender diverse youth in our communities.
Looking forward to seeing you there!