Where do you think is the best place in the world for a transgender person to live? By this I mean by how much legal rights you have, how much social discrimination you would have etc?

Edit: I'll add this link to anyone interested in reading a summary about  LGBT laws in other countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory#cite_note-177

I live in Los Angeles.   California is definitely one of the better places to live as far as LGBT rights go, and L.A. has lots of options for trans* care.

So, I'm going with Los Angeles, Califonia.  That is my completely unbiased opinion. 

I have a sneaking suspicion that Vancouver is high on the list. Super-$$$, though.

Well being Canadian, I say Vancouver. It is a beautiful city and sooo Trans* friendly.

Quote from: ana on January 29, 2014, 08:37:19 PM
Well being Canadian, I say Vancouver. It is a beautiful city and sooo Trans* friendly.

How would Vancouver compare to Ontario?

What is it about Vancouver exactly? I actually don't know anything about Vancouver even though I'm Canadian.

Believe it or not, Colorado is pretty damn amazing We are protected from workplace discrimination, there are informed consent providers, gender therapists and support groups for those who need / want them, and the place is quite beautiful to boot.

Quote from: TaoRaven on January 29, 2014, 09:08:38 PM
Believe it or not, Colorado is pretty damn amazing We are protected from workplace discrimination, there are informed consent providers, gender therapists and support groups for those who need / want them, and the place is quite beautiful to boot.

and you can enjoy a "Rocky Mountain High" with impunity and no fear...LOL

Quote from: TaoRaven on January 29, 2014, 09:08:38 PM
Believe it or not, Colorado is pretty damn amazing We are protected from workplace discrimination, there are informed consent providers, gender therapists and support groups for those who need / want them, and the place is quite beautiful to boot.

How good compared to this?

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/gender-identity-and-gender-expression-brochure

Quote from: Rena on January 29, 2014, 08:43:42 PM
How would Vancouver compare to Ontario?

What is it about Vancouver exactly? I actually don't know anything about Vancouver even though I'm Canadian.

Van has a very proactive, well-publicized trans-health initiative and, from what I can tell, a pretty laid back and accepting vibe. To say nothing of the mild climate, mountains, hiking, and ocean.

FWIW, though, Ontario is the only province that will adjust a birth cert without SRS.

Some would nominate Argentina as the best place to be, at least for the most favorable laws concerning trans* people.

Hi Rena,
In answer to your question, right where you live now. No better place. You know it like the back of your hand.

No! In all seriousness (if I can ever be  ) nowhere better than Australia. We even have a national railway. The Trans Australian Railway. It goes from Sydney to Perth.

No truly, we've lost the plot so much over here, if you say to someone you're Trans, they say, "Yeah mate, I've crossed the Nullabor too. So what!"

Huggs
Catherine

In my short experience the biggest difference I have found is the availability of services from one area/city to another, whether it is social, medical, support etc.

That being said I there are places I couldn't see myself transitioning in more so than places I would prefer to live. I also happen to be living in Sydney which also happens to have the biggest population in Australia and also arguably the most diversity (although maybe not exactly where I am living now! ), so maybe I'm just lucky.

In fact after reading many posts from around the globe I would say that we Aussies are doing alright. We have laws, good healthcare and other than the ignorant redneck types (which I'm sure are everywhere anyway) most people I've come across are pretty alright.

Definitely Sydney

Our health care is not archaic and help is readily available to all even without insurance. HRT is not impossible to get like it seems in other places. I got it in less than 5 weeks.
We have a reasonably tolerant city with a large comunity. 

While we don't have Cindy here, thank god for that, yes I will burn later, there are quite a few here at Susan's from Sydney.
No Gwynne not Sydney Nova Scotia.

J

Another vote for Sydney, not that I'm biased or anything!!

Japan isn't bad.

There is first rate healthcare at affordable prices, a history of acceptance of cross gender roles and high profile transsexuals in popular cultura and entertainment. All of these things lead to general tolerance of transgender people.

On top of that you've got almost no chance of meeting with violence for being transgender. I'm glad that I'm transitioning here rather than in the UK.

Australia sounds pretty good too though

The best place eh? not Greece !

anyway Id love it If I was in japan too ,,,lol

Quote from: BLZA on January 30, 2014, 05:31:16 AM

Me and a friend discussed once before how much more passable we could sound with an American accent - and how Americans have less of an ability to interpret
gender from an Australian accent. So, perhaps the best place to live is somewhere where there's a culture gap to make you harder to interpret.

That actually might be very true...

QuoteHow would Vancouver compare to Ontario?
What is it about Vancouver exactly? I actually don't know anything about Vancouver even though I'm Canadian.

I live in Ontario too and its wonderful here, but having travelled to Vancouver many times, for me it has the slight edge with more moderate weather, close to the beautiful Rockies, also gorgeous ocean coastline. The people seem more laid back. The only drawback is that it is so expensive to live.

Quote from: Joan on January 30, 2014, 06:20:49 AM
Japan isn't bad.

There is first rate healthcare at affordable prices, a history of acceptance of cross gender roles and high profile transsexuals in popular cultura and entertainment. All of these things lead to general tolerance of transgender people.

On top of that you've got almost no chance of meeting with violence for being transgender. I'm glad that I'm transitioning here rather than in the UK.

Australia sounds pretty good too though

In Japan are you legally protected from discrimination or violence if it does happen? If so is it only after you are legally recognized as your gender(which requires SRS)?

Quote from: Rena on January 29, 2014, 08:43:42 PM
How would Vancouver compare to Ontario?

What is it about Vancouver exactly? I actually don't know anything about Vancouver even though I'm Canadian.

Vancouver is awesome for trans people, Vancouver Coastal Health is a leader in trans health and a voice in developing the standards of care. Ontario has progressive legislation but you have to deal with CAMH which by all accounts is a gate keeping hellhole.

Quote from: Jenny07 on January 30, 2014, 04:59:41 AM
No Gwynne not Sydney Nova Scotia.

What's wrong with the Sydney tar ponds?