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Well-Being
Information about your state of mind, as well as emotional and spiritual well-being.
Standards of care
Therapy
Self-acceptance
Gender tests
Spirituality
Coming out
Family issues
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Reader Melissa notes:
Growing up, I always wondered if 1 in 30,000 people were male to female transsexuals, why is their so much organized resistance to this?
- Economic cost would be minimal.
- Transsexuals with numbers that low could not possibly be made into credible scapegoats for any of the world’s problems.
- Half the population is male and half is female; so what difference does it make if a person goes from one to another?
- People are not capable of psychologically coping with transitioning for purposes other than gender disorder, so no need to worry about fallen patriarchy.
It hit me a few years ago. There is no sane reason for organized hatred, but there is a sensible reason for organized sexual exploitation.
The very first criteria used by John Hopkins University to filter out candidates were as follows:
1) No married patients
2) No patients with children
3) No transsexual lesbians
4) No big boned transsexuals who can’t pass
5) No transsexual men.
The first two were very understandable due to the controversial nature of this program. The third could be seen as somewhat understandable due to lack of homosexual acceptance. The fourth has nothing to do with what a person’s brain is like and the fifth makes absolutely no sense at all.
When I tried to understand the 5th criteria in conjunction with the other four, it hit me. The only possible purpose this combined criteria has is sexual exploitation.
No Dykes, No Chunkies, No Men, No one with a bond to the mainstream world allowed.
This sounds more like a recruiting ad for an exploitive sex business rather than medical criteria.
The same can be said for today’s Blanchard, Bailey, Lawrence theory of grouping male to female transsexuals into two categories: Androphiles and Autogynophiliacs. The first are transsexuals who are infatuated with men and who eagerly and reliably put out. Autogynophiliacs are every other male to female transsexual.
This is also true for the Christian Right. They focus almost exclusively on male to female transsexuals and ignore female to male transsexuals.
I also notice how so called conservative gays always seem to be the ones molesting children and exploiting adolescents. I get this strange feeling that much of the gay oppression campaign is based on these people’s sexual needs rather than heterosexual fears. The same I think can also be said about male chauvinist Christians who fiercely opposed feminism.
No marriage rights and no work rights condemn transsexual women to prostitution.
Pressure on other women to refuse to recognize transsexuals as such isolates transsexual women from the rest of the world. This allows for silent and invisible abuse.
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.
Posted by Andrea James on 05/08 at 08:00 AM
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A reader notes that some policies in Michigan all coverage of trans health services. Please note that this does not mean ALL policies in Michigan or all Blue Cross policies cover trans health services. If you live in Michigan and/or have Blue Cross, you must review your own policy and its exclusions to determine if you will get coverage.
I thought you might be interested in knowing that Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield does cover SRS, as seen in this posting on transgendermichigan:
I’ve been following the emails on insurance since that is the area of advocacy that I focus on. Someone asked about “which policies” and what one does to qualify, so I thought I’d provide some info. I’ll be speaking more about insurance advocacy in a health workshop at Trans Empowerment Day at Affirmations on April 12. If anyone has corrections or more info regarding insurance, please do not hesitate to contact me!
The plans referred to in recent emails are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) individual plans. BCBSM is the “insurer of last resort” in Michigan, which is a concept that doesn’t exist in most states. What this means is that BCBSM is required to sell these individual plans to residents (at least 6 months residency) without “underwriting” which means there is no medical exam and if you can pay the premium, you can be in the plan.
When I spoke to BCBSM reps on the phone in the summer of 2006, they assured by that ALL of the individual plans included trans coverage (for what that means, read below). However, a recent posting suggests that now some of the plans do not. (I suspect that the ones that do not would be the less expensive ones.)
BCBSM plans that cover transition-related surgeries will only cover what they they call genital surgery, which also includes hysterectomy. They used to cover top surgery, but they do not anymore—with the anecdotally reported exception that one provider appears to be able to get it covered, possibly by coding it as genital surgery.
One difficulty with the BCBSM plans is that they cover services by doctors who are “in network” with BCBSM or who are in a BCBS network that has agreements with BCBSM. Otherwise, you pay out of pocket and attempt to get BCBSM to reimburse you, and their coverage is for a percentage of the “reasonable and customary”. Since so few experienced surgeons are in-network providers for BCBS, this severely limits the surgical options. (For example, there appears to be no in-network provider who is experienced in metoidioplasty surgeries.)
Know that there are some BCBSM group plans (employer plans) which also have inclusive coverage, with the same limitations. However, this is not true of all the employer plans, many of which still have exclusions. I currently know of only two Blue Care Network HMO plans which have inclusive coverage: the University of Michigan employee Premier Blue plan and their graduate student employee plan. These follow essentially the same lines as the BCBSM plans, with the notable exception that the latter covers top surgery as well. (I was involved in negotiating that plan through my union, which is why it covers top surgery.)
Hope this is answers some questions. If anyone out there is at a major employer with BCBSM coverage and wants to do some advocacy around these plans through their LGBT employee resource group, I’d love to talk to you…
Best to all,
Andre Wilson
fifthwheel2004@…
see story at:
http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/heartofthemovement/
I should add that insurance does have a 6 month pre-existing condition clause where you have to wait it out. Under the diagnostic code
30285-55980 which Dr. Neal Wilson in Detroit uses for genital surgery it is covered. Its how I plan on getting surgery, although it does take several months after sending out the request to hear from blue cross, and trust me the wait is horrible lol.
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.
Posted by Andrea James on 05/08 at 07:54 AM
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A reader notes:
Dear Andrea,
This letter is written to introduce you and your organization to a new resource for our community. The name of the resource is Catharsisonline.net
Catharsisonline.net is a new on-line interactive web site that enables people who are Transgender and their loved ones to access support and counseling in an anonymous format.
The licensed professional counselors and forums at Catharsisonline.net have the special expertise to address the needs of the following individuals:
- Those in the Transgender/Transsexual Community, whether in conflict about their identity or decision, in active transition, requiring counseling for the transition process, or adjusting to their Trans-man or Trans-woman life.
- Those in the Transvestite and Cross Dressing Community, whether gay or straight – helping you accept your choices and desires and what they mean.
- AND - Any family member, spouse, parent, significant other, friend, co-worker or loved one of someone who is Transgender or cross dressing. We know there is little support for you and we are committed to providing anonymous caring counseling and support.
Recently featured in the Detroit Free Press Newspaper, click here to view:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1107744/therapy_on_the_web_secret_sex_lives_addressed_online_web/index.html
In an effort to address the myriad emotions and (often times) alienation experienced by those who are transgender and their loves ones, Catharsisonline.net was re-launched on February 1st, 2008.
We envision this service compassionately meeting the needs of individuals worldwide. We have licensed mental health professionals from all over the United States waiting to offer counseling and support.
We envision this service compassionately meeting the needs of individuals worldwide. We have licensed mental health professionals from all over the United States waiting to offer counseling and support. We would like to be listed as resource in your literature and linked to your website.
For further information
CONTACT:
Ojetta Brown, LMSW, LCSW
PHONE: 800 939 0678 Ext. 0
E-Mail: Counseling@catharsisonline.net
Please distribute the flyer in the attachment to your organization, clients or patients who may benefit from this service. Thank you!
For informational purposes. No endorsement implied.
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.
Posted by Andrea James on 04/16 at 10:00 PM
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A reader notes:
I just thought you might be interested in this blog advocating for better trans healthcare in BC, made by trans youth, but for the general trans population. Feel free to post it on your website if you want, but it might just be a point of interest for you.
http://blog.vantag.org/
Thanks for listening!
Further resources:
International resources for transsexual women
http://www.tsroadmap.com/international/index.html
Selected resources for young women
http://www.tsroadmap.com/early/netlinks.html
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Manzanita Village notes:
CIRCLES: A Retreat/Conference for all Transgender, Gender-Queer, Gender-Questioning Folks, and Partners and Allies
April 11-13 2008 at Manzanita Retreat Center, Warner Springs
Dear Friends,
We are exited to announce the next Circles Retreat/Conference at Manzanita Village. We also still have funds available, through a generous grant from The San Diego Foundation for Change, to help people from the San Diego and Tijuana area to come to Circles retreats. Please spread the word. If you know people in San Diego or Baja California who would like to come, please let them know. We have scholarship money available so that they can attend. Also finacial assistrance is available for full-time students and low-income folks.
CIRCLES is a small gathering of usually no more than 15 to 25 participants. It is part conference, part retreat. A time to relax in an informal atmosphere on the breathtakingly beautiful land at Manzanita Village, and to explore whatever issues might be on our minds. The schedule is co-created in part by the participants. Anyone who would like to can facilitate a workshop or lead a discussion. You dont have to be an expert. in fact its best if you’re not. It’s better if you are willing to simply explore, experiment, and listen . . . and if you don’t want to facilitate anything, that’s fine too.
Conference highlights include:
* Workshops and discussion groups co-created by participants,
* Accommodation and fine vegetarian, mostly organic meals
* An atmosphere of safety, confidentiality, and ease
* Time for relaxation, sauna, naps, walks in the surrounding hills
* Exploration of issues such as:
* Internalized oppression, internalized transphobia
* Identity beyond binary paradigms (female/male straight/gay etc etc)
* The Wisdom of Insecurity, trusting our Power
* Class, Race, and Gender
* Strategies for facilitating change: personal, communal, and societal
* Trans issues and the law
* Coming Out to Our Family and Children
* The place for genderqueer, trans, and ‘two-spirit’ people in traditional societies
* Buddhism, Christianity, Spiritual Practice and Trans Issues
* Transition issues
* Relationships
* Transgender Liberation Movement
* ‘Descansos’ reflections on and the landmarks of our life’s journey
* Dance and body-image
Please note: this is NOT just for trans people ‘in transition.’ We are all always, in transition of one sort or another - whether we are gay, straight, trans or otherwise. And if you think you have your sh*t together please come along anyway, to support those who might not! We look forward to sharing some time and exploring with you.
Facilitators
Caitriona Reed
Michele Benzamin-Miki
Elise Turen
Registration and Cost
Cost: $250 includes accomodation for two nights, meals, conference participation.
Partial and full scholarships available for San Diego and Baja California residents.
Register by mail or online at: http://www.manzanitavillage.org/resources/content_registration.html
Payment is tax-deductible,
Ordinary Dharma and Manzanita Village is a 501(c) 3 non-profit.
PO Box 67, Warner Springs, CA 92086, USA
I have come back to life!
The ease and the freedom
I feel at Manzanita
lets me let go and feel free
.
free of all fears and the sense of abandonment
I sometimes feel in my everyday life.
What is more beautiful than a human being
who has just realized that they are actually alive
.?
participant at the last Circles retreat
are u looking for safe trans space
Links
Printable PDF flier
http://www.manzanitavillage.org/pdf_files/circles.pdf
Manzanita Village Homepage
http://www.manzanitavillage.org/
Registration by Credit Card or Mail
http://www.manzanitavillage.org/resources/content_registration.html
Directions and What to Bring
http://www.manzanitavillage.org/retreats/fr_directions.html
For more details about other retreats and events at Manzanita Village go to our website:
The only 100% Trans and Queer Positive Buddhist Retreat Center In The WORLD!!!! (that we know of)
web: http://www.manzanitavillage.org
email: manzanita@ordinarydharma.org
phone.: 760-782-9223
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.
Posted by Andrea James on 03/19 at 09:09 AM
Well-Being •
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