This week, Rotarian Jason McArthur introduced Laura Slingerland, a Nurse Practitioner with a decade of pediatric experience who now provides affirming, comprehensive care for trans and gender-diverse individuals, along with Emily West, a Registered Social Worker specializing in social transition support. Both work in Trans Health Services at the Couchiching Family Health Team in Orillia.
Laura and Emily offered an eye-opening and accessible presentation on the foundations of gender diversity. They explained the distinctions between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and the various pathways a person might take when transitioning. They reminded us that getting terminology wrong is human — what matters is kindness, respect, and a willingness to listen. Stigma remains a major barrier, and they emphasized that accurate information and gender-affirming care genuinely save lives, while supportive communities make all the difference.
Their talk explored the three main forms of transition:
• Social transition, such as names, pronouns, and presentation
• Legal transition, including identification documents
• Medical transition, when desired and appropriate
They also addressed several common myths and provided clarity rooted in evidence and lived experience. The presentation included a short clip from Will & Harper, Will Ferrell’s documentary about a 17-day road trip with a close friend who was transitioning — a warm, human reminder of what true support can look like.
To close, they offered practical guidance for being an ally: ask for pronouns, respect each person’s identity, create safety, stay informed, and support people in the choices they make for their own wellbeing. Julia Goldstein offered heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Club for helping us better understand how to support gender-diverse individuals. President Todd also thanked the speakers, who were pleased to hear that a donation to Youth Haven was made in recognition of their presentation.