INFORMATION ON METOIDIOPLASTY AND CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR LEGAL CHALLENGE

Dale Altrows, a 34-year old FTM, is challenging the province of Quebec’s refusal to change his birth certificate from “F” to “M”. Dale has been taking testosterone for many years and has already had a mastectomy and a hysterectomy. Until recently, these were the only requirements to a legal change of sex status. However Dale was refused the change in sex status on the grounds that he has not had any genital reconstruction.

We have been informed that a metidioplasty is the surgery that the Registrar of civil status of Quebec is requiring, although this has not been specified and a vaginectomy was the original reason given for refusal. The decision makers in this situation who are enforcing this decision know nothing about transsexual lives, let alone transsexual surgeries, and therefore we are desperately in need of documentation explaining the limitations of such a surgery. We are aware that the health risks are minimal; unless a urethra is extended and attached and/or this surgery is accompanied by a vaginectomy, at which point the risks become highly elevated.

We are also aware of the many emotional, psychological, and sexually related reasons why a person would choose to have this surgery. However, for the purposes of this case, we are in need of documentation and letters explaining how a metoidioplasty has no functional benefits, specifically mentioning size, the inability to urinate or penetrate. Letters from any knowledgeable people, and especially professionals and testimonies from people who have undergone metoidioplasties would be greatly appreciated.

Dale is urgently in need of information on legal requirements in other Canadian provinces for the change from “F” to “M” on legal documents. Signed letters specifying what operations and/or medical interventions FTMs have had in order to get their legal sex status changed from organizations and individuals would help to document the case. Letters detailing the medical, financial, or other reasons why FTMs would not want genital surgery would also be appreciated (although this would preferably be written as a separate letter, and is not as critical to the case).

The most important documentation, at this point in the legal proceedings, is the information on legal requirements in other provinces. In order to be accepted by the court, Dale needs copies of the pertinent legislation or letters from organizations stating that the organization is aware of the law, and that the law is “……..”.

This information is needed IMMEDIATELY, as the hearing will be taking place this April.

The decision on Dale’s case will set legal precedent for all FTMs in Quebec. It is therefore extremely important that he makes as strong a case as possible. It is also important that he get support from other FTMs, as he is enduring not only the legal battle, but an enormous emotion stress as well. The media attention is yet to come.

For more info or to send letters, please e-mail Dale at: tada@sympatico.ca

or fax letters to: (514) 866-3151 (Cover letters should read :ATTENTION: Guy Plante, RE: Dale Altrows)

or send to:

Dale Altrows

6072 Mountain Sights

Montreal, Quebec

H2W 2Z1