Transgender rights activist wants province to cover surgery

There is another call for the provincial government to pay for gender reassignment surgeries.

The latest from from Michelle Leard, who is with the NB Transgender Health Network and UBU, a trans support and action group.

"They're not covered. And of course there's going to have to be a lot of education publicly and at the systemic level with the government to explain why these surgeries are crucial, why they're important and why they're life saving measures," she said.

"That's something we don't have and we need."

New Brunswick is the only province that doesn't pay for gender reassignment surgeries and Leard is the latest voice to call for change.

Leard has made the transition herself, and works both with people and the LGBT community to better understand trans people. She said education is necessary for people working through transitioning.

"If you can see the desperation on that person's face, it was something that really needs to be addressed."

Leard describes transgender as "Who you know yourself to be is incongruous with who you are externally. That's where the big problem comes in."

Jacob Beal, interim president of Greater Moncton River of Pride, says this year's Pride Week features information sessions on the transgendered community.

"[It's] time to put the issue out and get people informed and talking."

Leard agrees education goes a long way towards helping people navigate what might be new territory.

"Stumbling blocks come from a lack of education and people not knowing how to deal with the issue."

Leard said that being accommodating towards trans people isn't only important for personal reason, it's also the law.

"From a legal standpoint there's a whole slew of realities behind why you need to treat trans employees and trans students and trans people with with the rights that they're asking for."

As much as Leard sees more that can be done in this province, she said, things are better than they've ever been before.

"Everything is changing for the positive. I can honestly say I don't feel there is any negative change. We're not moving backwards in any possible way."

The health department was contacted, but did not immediately respond.

Moncton's Gay Pride parade is being held on Saturday.