South Shore Sexual Health in Bridgewater, NS adorned in Pride memorabilia. Photo: SSSH
Pride will have to be celebrated a little differently this year with the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and South Shore Sexual Health (SSSH) are offering some special help for the trans community.
Throughout the month they will be helping trans people obtain garments of clothing that help them appear more like the gender they identify with.
Julie Veinott Executive Director of SSSH says they are offering binders that are used to compress the chest and give a more flat chest. “We’ve noticed that mainly trans youth are the ones utilizing the program out of fear from asking their parents,” said Veinott.
She says obtaining garments like binders or packers can be difficult for trans youth as they are often quite expensive and most are made in foreign countries meaning you have to order online, which requires a credit card, something youths are less likely to have.
“I’ve been amazed at the reaction we get from people and how they feel ten times better about who they are and feeling comfortable in their own skin,” says Veinott.
With Pride activities being limited this year because of the pandemic SSSH is encouraging people to post on social media to show their support.
Veinott stresses that it’s important people publicly express their allyship and support for Pride initiatives so members of the LGBTQ+ community can feel welcome in the places they live.
