August 8, 2025
Community Update – Please Be Aware
There are currently digital billboards along the Linc in Hamilton, that are displaying an advertisement that calls for an end to gender-affirming care for trans youth.
It is incredibly unfortunate that the disinformation fueling anti-trans laws in the United States and in other Canadian provinces has come to our city. We are so disappointed that Bell Media has allowed for this harmful message to be publicly and prominently displayed.
We feel for the pain that this will cause to local community members, particularly to trans youth. It is not fair that you have to witness the global backlash to your existence appear on billboards so close to home. We are a large group of both trans people and healthcare providers and we are dedicated to ensuring that gender-affirming care is accessible in Hamilton. Billboards on the highway do not change our work and they do not change your right to access healthcare.
For years now, both gender-affirming care and trans youth themselves have been intentionally and extensively politicized, to create social acceptance for laws that limit the rights of all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. This is simply a further attempt at this politicization.
If you see these advertisements, please do not post images of them online or share their message in any form. This includes local media articles with images of the billboards. Advertisements like this rely on public outrage and backlash to increase their reach to a broader audience. When you see anti-trans disinformation or calls to ban medically necessary healthcare in media articles, videos, social media posts, or even on billboards – do not do them a favour and spread their message for them.
Instead, you can post your vocal support for trans youth, and link to resources to educate others about what gender-affirming care is and why it is both evidence-based and medically necessary healthcare.
For examples of helpful sources of information to consider sharing or reading, see:
Finally, a reminder that care bans are condemned and gender-affirming care is endorsed by: