Affirming Your Identity

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This resource was developed to increase accessibility to gender-affirming care. Affirming your identity can take many forms. Often, this includes the daunting process of legally changing your name and gender designation on various government documents. This page can help with that! Much of the information gathered for this resource was done so by Queer people for other Queer people and allies.

A cartoon character holding up a large ID card over their head while smiling.

This resource aims to help folks:

  • Feel more comfortable and confident in their identity.
  • Support Trans people in their community by compiling this information in one place.
  • Know what resources and supports are currently available.
  • Because they may be struggling, looking for hope, or anything to help.
  • Because they matter!

Federal

Click to learn more about changing federal documents

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Change your gender designation on your Social Insurance Number

  • Choose female, male, X, or simply choose not to declare it.
  • You do not have to wait for a new primary identity document, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship ort work permit to do this
  • More information at: Receiving your SIN and updating your SIN Record (see: Updating information linked to your existing SIN – if you are changing your gender designation)

Passport

Change or update the gender identifier on your Canadian Passport

Secure Status Card

Change the personal information on your Secure Status Card

  • You can choose M (male), F (female), and X (another gender).
  • The gender designation selected on the form doesn’t need to match the gender designation on the documents you need to submit with the application.
  • More information available at: Change the information on your secure status card (See: How to change your personal information on your secure status card).
  • For information about changing the name on your secure status card: Change the information on your secure status card (See: how to change your personal information on your secure status card).

Immigration Document

Change the sex or gender identifier on your documents

  • There are three gender identifier options: “F” for Female, “M” for Male, and “X” for another gender.
  • Documents supporting a change of gender are not required.
  • You don’t have to wait until you become a Canadian Citizen.
  • More information at: Changing the sex or gender identifier on your documents

Government of Canada Contact Information:

Service Canada: 1-800-622-6232

Social Insurance Number: 1-866-274-6627

Passport Services: 1-800-567-6868

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada: 1-888-242-2100

Indigenous Services Canada: 1-819-953-9395

Provincial

Click to learn more about changing provincial documents

Birth Certificate

Change the sex designation on your birth registration and obtain a new birth certificate

  • You can choose Male (M), Female (F), and X (X).
  • There is no requirement for a person to have transsexual surgery to change the sex designation on their birth registration.
  • Submit a separate Application for a Manitoba Birth Document with your Application for a Change of Sex Designation.
  • Individuals born outside Manitoba can apply for a Change of Sex Designation Certificate.
  • More information at: Change of sex designation

Marriage Certificate

Change the sex designation on your marriage registration and obtain a revised marriage certificate

  • You can choose Male (M), Female (F), and (X).
  • There is no requirement for a person  to have transsexual surgery to change the sex designation on their birth registration.
  • Submit a separate application for a Manitoba Marriage Document with your application for a Change of Sex Designation.
  • More information at: Change of sex designation

Manitoba Driver’s license & Identification Card

Change you gender marker by visiting and Autopac agent of Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Service Centre

  • You have four gender marker options: Male (M), Female (F), X, and an undisclosed (blank) gender marker
  • You can self declare and do not need supporting documentation
  • More information at: Making changes to your identification card

Manitoba Health Card

Change the sex designation on your Manitoba Health Card

  • You can choose Male, Female, and non-binary.
  • Documents supporting a change of gender are required: updated Manitoba Birth Certificate or Change of Sex Designation from Manitoba Vital Statistics Branch.
  • More information at: Update your Manitoba Health Card

Manitoba Metis Federation Citizenship Card/Harvester Card

Change the sex designation on your Manitoba Metis Federation Citizenship Card/Harvester Card

  • You can choose Male, Female, and Non-Binary (Noted with an X).
  • Documents supporting a change of gender are required: Proof of Name Change and/or Change of Sex Designation from Manitoba Vital Statistics Branch.
  • More information at: Citizenship Application-FAQ’s

Legal Change of Name

Legally change your name

  • Supporting documents required. Documents may include: original birth, marriage, death certificates, immigration documents, divorce certificate, child custody documents, or court orders that apply to the family members who want to change their names.
  • More information at: Legal Change of Name

Province of Manitoba Contact Information

Manitoba Health: 1-204-786-7101 or toll free 1-800-392-1207, insuredben@gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI): 204-985-7000 or toll free 1-800-665-2410

Manitoba Vital Statistics: 1-204-945-3701 or toll free 1-866-949-9296, vsacsu@gov.mb.ca

Self-Care

Click to learn more about taking care of yourself during the process

Changing legal documents can be stressful and time-consuming, so it is important to be extra kind to yourself and prioritize your needs during this time. Some self-care tips:

A cartoon character winking and doing finger guns while skipping

  • Process your feelings: Talk to friends, a counselor, or someone else that you can trust. Consider attending group therapy,  support groups, or alternative therapy
  • Ground yourself:
    • Connect with your senses: five things you see, four things you touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you taste.
    • Colors (find an object of each color of the rainbow)
    • Breathing techniques
    • Sensory toys
    • Weighted blanket
  • Take time for yourself: Go for a walk, spend time with pets/animals, have a bubble bath, listen to music, start a journal
  • Reflect and Affirm: It can be a long and treacherous journey, but look how far you’ve come! You’re an amazing human, and you’re on the path to living as your true self!

This is an important time. Your legal documents will soon reflect who you are! Celebrate this milestone with those who love and support you!

Self-Care for Gender Diverse People

  • research foods associated with testosterone/estrogen
  • Stay updated on queer events and follow local programs and organizations to stay up-to-date and connected to the community
  • Create a vision board to plan your goals for your transition (it will change as you adapt to your new life)
  • Shower with a night light or dimmed lights to help with dysphoria
  • Teach yourself about other minorities- work towards lifting each other up
  • Learn to advocate for yourself (appointments/families/government/school/resources)
  • Drink lots of water when on hormone replacement therapy
  • Discuss with your doctor which vitamins you might be missing
  • Look for Hair salons that have queer stylists/barbers
  • Look for Queer supporting groups on Facebook
  • Organize a Queer clothing swap in your area

Things to do if you’re overwhelmed by dysphoria:

  • Listen to music
  • Change into clothes that help you to feel better about the way your body looks
  • Do a repetitive task like putting books in order or folding clothes to stay calm and take your mind off it
  • Go cuddle your pet (if you have one); pets don’t care about your gender or sex
  • Read a book or watch a movie/show to distract yourself
  • Eat chocolate
  • Draw or write if this helps you to sort out your feelings
  • Ask someone understanding to call you by your chosen name
  • Take slow deep breaths
  • Curl up in bed and hide under blankets if you can’t face doing anything else

Resources and Helplines

Click to see a list of helplines and community resources

Helplines:

Klinic Crisis Line:

  • Call (204)786-8686
  • Toll Free: Call (888)322-3019

Manitoba Suicide Prevention & Support Line: Call (877)-435-7170

TransLifeLine: Call (877)330-6366

LGBT Hotline:

  • National Line: Call (888)843-4564
  • Coming Out Support: Call (888)688-5428
  • Youth Line: Call (800)246-7743
  • Senior Line: Call (888)234-7243

National Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or Text 9-8-8

Resources:

Rainbow Resource Centre, Winnipeg, MB

Klinic Trans Health Clinic, Winnipeg, MB

Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.

Vocal Coach, Winnipeg, MB

Pembina Valley Pride

PFLAG Canada

HopeAir.ca – Helps with medical travel funding

“Everywhere is Queer” – A website that shows queer-owned businesses in your area (app in development)

Trans Guide MB – A website with additional information for gender-diverse people in Manitoba

 

Contribution fianciere: 

Health Canada logoCBRC- Community-Based Research Centre logo

 

 

 

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