Affirm
Peer support for people looking for gender-affirming healthcare
The Affirm program provides peer-led support, information, and referrals to help you navigate your gender-affirming care journey — on your terms, at your pace.
We know the system can feel confusing, gatekeepy, and exhausting. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Get in touch
If you're looking to connect with our peer navigation team, email us directly at affirm@maxottawa.ca.
Program information
What does the service offer?
MAX offers community-based navigation and peer support. While we do not provide medical care, our team can help you:
- Understand your options with gender affirming care
- Find affirming providers and services
- Access peer counselling from people with lived experience
- Connect with trans and gender-diverse community supports
All services are free and confidential.
Specific Areas of Support
People reach out for support around many parts of their lives, including:
Gender-Affirming Care
Support navigating:
- Hormones, surgeries, and other medical care
- Referrals and waitlists
- Finding trans-inclusive and affirming providers
- Connecting to peer programs and community supports
Affirming Sexual Health
Trans-centered support around:
- Testing, treatment, and prevention for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
- Pregnancy prevention
- Making informed, affirming contraceptive choices
Substance use
Judgement-free support for:
- Information on drug functions, effects, and impacts
- Access to sterile equipment
- Pathways to addictions treatment
- Navigating mental health and substance use services
You deserve affirming care
MAX Ottawa’s work is grounded in peer support, harm reduction, queer liberation, and community care. We meet you where you are—no pressure, no assumptions, no gatekeeping. Reach out to our peer navigation team for support at any time at affirm@maxottawa.ca.