Canadian radio station offers $40,000 prize for transgender person's transition

[damnedifIknow]

This is one life-changing contest.

A top 40 radio station in Canada is offering $40,000 (about US$30,300) to help a listener transition to a different gender.

The New Hot 89.9 in Ottawa, Ontario, launched "The New Normal" contest Tuesday and sought personal stories from all Canadian residents. The winning entrant will be able to use the prize for hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery and other associated costs including a new wardrobe, Program Director Josie Fenech told the Daily News.

The idea originated after Caitlyn Jenner's highly publicized transition, including her speech at the ESPY Awards in July as she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

"That really sparked conversations internally," Fenech said. "We felt this is something people are starting to talk about and if we dig deeper into the issue there are things that people need to open their eyes and learn more about."

* Response to the promotion has been immediate as Fenech said within an hour of announcing it they received a letter from a woman who had dropped off her 13-year-old daughter was starting school as a girl for the first time.

"We are realizing how many people are going through this right now," she said. "We hope people say 'if the radio station I'm listening to is talking about it and say it's OK then maybe I can walk to school with more confidence."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/radio-station-offers-transgender-person-transition-article-1.2355640#

[yeoman6987]

1. Nice! But I thought surgeries were free up there.

I thought all medical was free. Sounds like maybe the article may be wrong. Maybe just raising money to give to help with other expenses. Either way great job.

[damnedifIknow]

2. It actually is covered but this from the article:

The medical treatments are covered under Canada's universal healthcare, but Fenech said they learned the wait time to undergo treatment through public clinics is typically two years. "If your happiness is dependent on this surgery that is a really long time to wait," she said."

[yeoman6987]

4. 2-years! Holy cow. That is a long wait for surgery.

Nice of them to do this. May happiness always happen forever!

[Snobblevitch]

5. I have a Canadian cousin who had to wait two years for ankle surgery.

That is why Canadians with means (money) frequently come to the U.S. fir surgery and pay with cash. Sometimes universal health care can be slow if the needed surgery is not life threatening.

[Juicy_Bellows]

3. How long before a reality TV show?

There was some drivel called the Swan or something where they'd just get all sorts of surgery and stuff to make them pretty. I can see a show that performs transitions being pretty popular.

However, I'll be watching cartoons.

[Snobblevitch]

6. I wonder if Jenner could enter this contest?