Behind the Connect Fund

The Connect Fund started when Ontario changed their funding for virtual care which resulted in the closing of Connect-Clinic, a virtual service for trans and non-binary people.

When Connect-Clinic closed, more than a thousand patients were left without care, and the two thousand people on the waitlist had nowhere to go. The patients and the communities surrounding them were disappointed and angry. So were we.

Despite months of advocacy on this issue, the Ontario government did not budge, and in fact, have told us they are doing plenty to support trans and non-binary people including making virtual care available.

Unfortunately, this is political rhetoric and not reality. Trans and non-binary people have many costs associated with their basic healthcare needs that are not covered by regional governments. We think this is unfair, and we want to help right this bureaucratic wrong.

So what are we doing?

Dr. Kate Greenaway founded Connect Fund in order to provide money to 2SLGBTQ+ people who need financial help to get the care they deserve.

During her 20-year career caring for 2SLGBTQ+ people, she has seen many needs that are not met by our regional governments.

But this project takes a community to build.

We have supporters and allies from PurposeMed, Skipping Stone, The Tegan and Sara Foundation, The 519 Community Centre, EGALE Canada, WCH Transition-Related Surgery Program, MSH LGBTQ Fertility Program, QueerTech, and Bluebird Laser.