Banned from leaving the US?

[Maggie Kay]

We are seriously considering emigrating to Canada from the US. However, a question had come up about being able to leave the US for another country with a diagnosis in the DSM, i.e. Transexual. Canada won't allow anyone with a diagnosed mental illness in the country, even for a visit. If they decide that the DSM V is a mental illness (and why wouldn't they?) Things are getting so weird in international relations that I wonder if I go though with the letter from my therapist and get it officially in my medical record that I will never be able to leave. Any one know more about this?

[Sarah.]

That sounds outrageous to me. I would ask the Canadian embassy here about getting around it and if they give you the same info, I would think about going to web 2.0 and traditional press. Something like that may cause a big stink and really raise awareness. :2c:

[Kate Simmons]

All I know is that most countries in the world are becoming more zenophobic because of terrorism, which is riciculous because as much as they try, there is no such thing as guaranteed security.:straightface:

[Teresa Amina]

Hope they wouldn't keep you out because of a Birth Defect like being the wrong gender. I like to think Canada is more sensible than that. Their only reasonable concern might be that you want to get subsidised SRS there.
I'd like to go up there too but not having an in-demand job skill or being the victim of systemised persecution I'm pretty well stuck here :(

[Maggie Kay]

Remember that soon our medical histories as well as a lot of personal data will be available not only in a shared database between Canada and the US but also in a chip inside new passports. The new National ID card will have the same chip. It will be capable of being read by checkstands so even a common clerk can see it if the merchant decides to allow it.

[tall_brianna]

This is why I refuse to bill my therapy sessions to insurance. Although the endo visits and prescriptions would show up.

[Denise01]

I would check with the Immigration Dept. as to the admissability in Canada.

This could probably be done through the closest Canadian Counsolate office in your closest city.

As for SRS in Canada, it has been de-listed from the eligable coverages, so it is not covered under the Canadian Health care system.
In fact to be covered under the Health care system in Canada, you must be a permanent resident, and have established the residency requirements for the Province in which you are going to live

Denise

[Maggie Kay]

I have asked on other forums and researched it further and it seems that so far there is no problem having a diagnosis of GID and being able to settle in Canada.

[Stephenie S]

I just called the local Canadian Consulate about this. There does not seem to be any problem as long as you are following a medical protocol such as the HBSOC, or are under the care of a physician. They only asked me to provide a letter from my doctor in addition to the normally required documents.

Stephie

[Kimberley]

Well you are welcome here anytime. Canada is definitely different in a lot of ways. I wont say for the better or worse but we are different. There really is a Canadian culture although on the surface it is hard to see, but Kay, I think you would fit in very easily.

Hopefully you will have no problems emigrating.

:hugs:
Kimberley

[Maggie Kay]

Kimberly,
I sure hope that I have the opportunity to try! When I was on a visit to Vancouver in '05, the hostess at our B&B said that we didn't act like Americans but like Canadians. We felt so much at home and at ease there. We took public transit everywhere and bought our food at local markets. We were amazed that people were friendly and talked to us. We appreciate politeness and civility.

[BrendaB GG]

Is it Vancouver that you are moving to? if so, please contact Terri and myself. We would love to get together with you when you come!
Brenda

[Maggie Kay]

Brenda,
That would be super! We are not sure if it is Vancouver or Victoria or somewhere else. It depends a lot on where our daughter decides to go to graduate school. She has to decide between UVic and UBC or to join the JET program for Japan.We plan to save expenses as we have while she was in university as she lives with us. She will be graduating next spring so that will determine what or where we go.

My personal favorite is Vancouver. I have the web cam called KatKam on my favorites and check it about ten times a day. Looks like you are having an nice sunny day there today.

[Scotty]

I would move to Canada in a heartbeat if I could...

I stay off the grid, I have to because of my job and life itself....hence my first alias Tclosetgirl...

But I am considering going there one day if a chance will arise.

And if you are in BC please PM me and let me know where!! :)

[Diane CDN]

To start out, I am a Canadian gal living in Vancouver.
I have never heard such a ruling and have never seen any problem with my pre or post op friends in Canada or the U.S..
Someone mentioned that Canada's health care system no longer covers SRS etc.....not true...the BC government will cover the necessary procedures with the approval of 2 psychiatrists and of course their people.
I for one am unable to take any form of hormone therapy and have been informed that I may be eligible for breast augmentation, paid for by our lovely health care here.
As health care is a provincial thing, each province sets its own guidelines.

If anyone wants to chat about this or anything about our fair city.....just send me a message....always willing to help whenever I can :)

Diane
>^..^<

[brylram]

BC and Alberta are the only two provinces that provide funding for SRS, and I'm not sure about hormones. But it is MOSTLY true that Canada doesn't provide funding. Which has always struck me as odd... because Alberta is so strongly against gay marriage. :\