VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – For the first time in BC, transgendered men can get an important surgery done at no cost to them.

Phalloplasty is a surgical procedure including penis construction or modification of the penis.  

New Democrat MLA for Vancouver-West End Spencer Chandra Herbert has been advocating for years for transgendered men to be able to get it done without having to pay out of pocket; now, it is offered through the medical services plan.

He calls it a victory.

“I’ve been writing the minister for years now saying why is [there] this discrepancy. Why can’t these folks get the surgery that they need? The government has responded; it’s experimental… but they have finally agreed to cover it… which is a good thing for transgendered British Columbians and indeed for everybody that cares about equality,” explains Chandra-Herbert.

He argues it is important to health and gender identity.

“The science [and the] research shows that a number of British Columbians will be born into a body which is not matching the gender of their brain chemistry or their spirit,” says Chandra-Herbert.

“In order to ensure they do get the health care they need in order that they fit who they are, that’s why this kind of surgery is necessary for some.”

He says BC is finally catching up with other provinces and states that already offer the life altering surgery.