Over the past decade or so, trans and non-binary young people (TNB) have become increasingly visible in Quebec, in the media, in the policies of the organisations that serve them and in civil society. In 2016, the Civil Code and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms were amended, in particular to allow trans minors to obtain a change of sex on their birth certificate and to explicitly protect gender identity against discrimination. In 2017, it was the federal government's turn to legislate, adding provisions to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to better protect gender identity and expression. Since June 2022, it has been possible to request an X on official documents. As a result, young trans people are not only more visible, but also better protected by law. That said, situations of exclusion, violence and non-recognition persist, and young trans people continue to experience adversity that compromises their well-being and inclusion.
This is all the more true for young people in New Brunswick, who find themselves at the intersection of different historically marginalised groups, whether they be young migrants, racialised people, Indigenous, neurodivergent people, people with disabilities, and so on. Oppressive situations don't just add up, they accumulate exponentially.
How does the new knowledge we have adapt to young people living at the intersection of multiple social dimensions? How can we ensure that research really meets the needs of trans and non-binary young people and their communities, particularly those at the intersection of different social identities? What are the best interventions to support young NBTs and facilitate the development of their resilience?
