http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/index/ en Transsexual Road Map Notes Copyright 2008 2008-05-08T16:38:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/violence_against_trans_people_in_colombia/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/violence_against_trans_people_in_colombia/#When:16:38:00Z T-informa investigates violence against trans people in Colombia. T-informa N° 005: Demandemos investigación por asesinatos a personas trans en Colombia Haga click si no puede acceder al boletín http://www.runa.org.pe/ilgaboletin/boletintinforma005.html Real World 2008-05-08T16:38:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/does_the_psychology_community_assist_in_transsexual_sexual_exploitation/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/does_the_psychology_community_assist_in_transsexual_sexual_exploitation/#When:16:00:00Z 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. Well-Being 2008-05-08T16:00:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/michigan_insurance_policies_and_trans_health_coverage/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/michigan_insurance_policies_and_trans_health_coverage/#When:15:54:01Z 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. Well-Being 2008-05-08T15:54:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transponder_53_andrea_james/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transponder_53_andrea_james/#When:21:35:00Z Mila and Jayna at TransPonder have just put up their interview with me: http://trans-ponder.com/transponderblog/?p=59 Direct Download link is: http://www.trans-ponder.com/episodes/episode053.mp3 From their site: Transponder is an internet radio show for those considering, seeking to begin, or in the process of gender transition, and for those who wish to learn more about us, or lend support to the transgender community. Our podcast will attempt to share our own experiences and insights as well as those of others we happen to meet. We hope to put a positive face upon our community as we connect with, and hopefully entertain, our audience. --- Join the Andrea James Facebook group Information 2008-05-07T21:35:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/europe_wide_substantial_research_in_trans_experiences_of_discrimination/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/europe_wide_substantial_research_in_trans_experiences_of_discrimination/#When:16:30:00Z Christine Burns notes: I apologise if some of you are already aware, but I felt that it was important to ensure that you are all aware of this new report, funded by the European Commission through ILGA and carried out by Stephen Whittle’s PFC research team. The research is largely modelled on the UK-only study carried out in 2006 (and published by the UK’s Equalities Review in Feb 2007). At the time that work, featuring over 850 subjects and qualitative analysis of thousands of case files was considered to be the largest of its kind ever undertaken. The results really strengthened the work that people like myself do at policy and strategy level within UK Government departments such as health and social care. The new research, carried out in the last quarter of 2007, took things to the next level and surveyed trans people in the whole of the enlarged European Community. (The EU has an overall population of 493 million – substantially larger than the US). The new results are based on an overall response in excess of 2500 trans people. http://www.ilga-europe.org/content/download/11039/65373/version/3/file/transgender_web.pdf (1.4Mb download) Although the report covers the different social and legal settings in which trans people in the member states live (including, a comparison of the legal recognition arrangements and public health systems) the main focus on this occasion is the largely abusive way in which trans people are treated by health professionals at all levels – not just for gender treatment but forever thereafter. It’s a sobering report. Not pleasant reading. The methodology documents how real researchers conduct research on a community (and on a scale) like this. The results speak for themselves. I would also contend that they show your little bunch of self-aggrandising charlatans for what they are. You don’t have to have complicated debates about why trans people exist, or what motivates them, because that is not the question. The fact is that trans people DO exist and that evidence on this scale suggests that if they are being abused on this scale in the socially liberal EU, the same is most probably the case elsewhere (and the duty of those who dispute that is to prove the reverse). In those circumstances I think you should be insisting that US academics quit playing intellectual parlour games and focus on the pathology of why professionals in health leave their ethics at the door when dealing with trans people. There is clearly a mass psychotic behaviour at work. The call is, “physician, heal thyself”. And afterwards, if there’s still any need, we could come back with clearer minds to debate why trans people exist. Kindest regards Christine Burns Equality and Diversity Specialist Email : c_burns@btinternet.com Manchester, England Report reveals disturbing divide in treatment of transsexuals in the EU Pink News - http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7511.html Report - http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/publications/non_periodical By Adam Lake • April 29, 2008 - 9:39 The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)-Europe and TransGender Europe have published a comprehensive report on the experiences of health care by transgender people in European Union. The revealing poll shows the disturbing divide in the treatment on transgender people in Europe. The legal survey is the result of the largest and most comprehensive data collection on transgender people’s lived experiences to date. In the UK, there is estimated to be around 15,000 transsexual people who self-identify as the opposite gender from the physical body they were born with. Around a third of them have surgery to change their bodies to be the opposite sex The report has show how life can still be very hard for transgender people in some parts of Europe. Many transgender citizens still fear for their safety, the report concluded. It also looked at how many trans people were unable to work due to discrimination, and facing great difficulties in obtaining access health care as well as gender reassignment services. Transsexual people experience varying degrees of acceptance around the world. Before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the issue of transsexualism in Iran had never been officially addressed by the government. Beginning in the mid-1980s, however, transgendered individuals have been officially recognized by the government and allowed to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Thailand is thought to have the highest prevalence of transsexualism in the world. Due to the relative prevalence and acceptance of transsexualism in Thailand, there are many accomplished Thai surgeons who are specialized in sex reassignment surgery. Transgender-related issues remain largely taboo in much of Africa and in developing countries around the world. Deborah Lambillotte, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, said: “ILGA-Europe is proud to deliver this important report. For the first time discrimination and prejudice transgender people across European Union experience are being confirmed and evidenced by such comprehensive pan-European study. “We hope that this study will become useful tool for campaigners and advocates of transgender people’s rights. “We also hope that the recommendations contained in the study will be listened by and taken on board by relevant European institutions to ensure that the needs and rights of transgender people are fully embraced and addressed when dealing with the issues of equality and anti-discrimination.” ILGA is an international organization bringing together more than 400 lesbian and gay groups from around the world. It continues to be active in campaigning for gay rights on the international human rights and civil rights scene and regularly petitions the United Nations and governments. ILGA is represented in around 90 countries across the world. The study will be presented at the second TransGender Europe’s Council on 2nd - 4th May in Berlin. A PDF version of the study is available here: Transgender EuroStudy: Legal Survey and Focus on the Transgender Experience of Health Case (April 2008) http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/publications/non_periodical This research project, commissioned by ILGA-Europe, follows a similar large scale study conducted in the UK in 2006. During July 2007 and December 2007 the researchers undertook a mixed quantitative/qualitative approach to collecting and analysing information on transgender and transsexual people’s experiences of inequality and discrimination in accessing healthcare in Europe. This was a large undertaking given the timescale; even more so as we had to recruit translators from 13 different countries as well as conduct focus groups and get translations done. This report is an analysis and summary of the results obtained and it details the barriers that trans people face when accessing healthcare. The work undertaken is certainly the largest and most comprehensive data collection on trans people’s lived experience to date. One can never claim that research data is entirely representative of a community; even less so when the community being studied consists of many small sub-communities as is the case with trans people. However, as will be detailed in the data analysis section of this report, the statistics we have on the profile of respondents do generally match data of the population of Europe (for example the percentage of those with a disability). Other statistics that do not match the European population (for example educational attainment) are consistent with the large scale study of trans people in the UK – hence it could be argued that these features may be anomalous to trans people. We are confident then, that the size and quality of our sample of the population is sufficient to draw upon for our claims and that the experiences of trans people accessing healthcare detailed in this report are credible. Information 2008-05-05T16:30:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/interview_with_uk_department_of_health_programme_director_for_equality_poli/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/interview_with_uk_department_of_health_programme_director_for_equality_poli/#When:16:26:00Z Christine Burns notes: I thought I’d highlight a couple of other resources that may be of interest. In offering these I’m well aware that the US political landscape is very different to ours. Indeed Stephen Whittle’s latest research serves to underline that the UK is very different from its near European neighbours in some respects. Ironically in the UK we often compare aspects of the NHS that are not doing well enough with better services in neighbouring countries like France and Spain. If you need a hip replacement, for instance, then the quickest way to get it at present is by hopping across the channel to France! Likewise I point across the water to places like Vancouver in Canada when explaining to service commissioners that there are better ways to organise gender care than the way they’ve always done it. So the spirit in which these resources are offered is not to pat ourselves on the back in any way, but to continue providing you with the kind of ammunition which allows you to lift your own arguments about reform outside of the parameters defined by the history of such things in the US. I hope they allow you to point and say that the Brits left arguments about etiology of trans people behind with the debates about having employment protection (1999) and with the Gender Recognition Act (2004). The first resource is this page on the Department of Health’s web site: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Equalityandhumanrights/Sexualorientationandgenderidentity/DH_4117240 Scroll down to section D and there you will find the most up to date list of official publications intended to support trans people, their families and clinicians with information about their care. We’ll soon be adding a booklet for general practitioners (family doctors). A comprehensive guide for health service managers on complying with the law’s requirement to treat trans people equally is now also going through the later stages of production prior to publication. Secondly, whilst I was at the Department of Health’s offices on Friday I dropped by the desk of the programme director for equality policy. After chatting about our progress I recorded an interview with him about the overall approach to making Britain’s health service more equal – both in services and employing people to work there. This is not specifically an interview about trans – the discussion is about equality in its broadest sense – but you’ll notice that trans is automatically now a part of Barry’s vocabulary: http://podcast.plain-sense.co.uk/2008/05/03/equality-and-human-rights-in-health/ Kindest regards Christine Burns Equality and Diversity Specialist Email : c_burns@btinternet.com Manchester, England Information 2008-05-05T16:26:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_legal_defense_education_fund_third_anniversary_benefit_june_10/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_legal_defense_education_fund_third_anniversary_benefit_june_10/#When:16:19:00Z Michael Silverman notes: Dear friends and supporters, Thank you for the overwhelming support you’ve shown us since tickets to our Third Anniversary Benefit went on sale.  We’re pleased to welcome our Benefit sponsors - The Fund in the Sun Foundation, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, the Morrison & Foerster Foundation and HX Media.  We’re grateful for their support, and for yours. We want each and every one of you to join us on June 10th, to celebrate the work we’ve done already and to commit ourselves to the ongoing work of securing transgender equal rights, and ending discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression that affects so many of us.  If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, now is a great time to do it! If you’ve already purchased your ticket, thank you.  But our work isn’t done.  You can help us make our benefit an even greater success by inviting friends, family and colleagues who are committed to justice and equal rights to come to the benefit with you.  You can forward this invitation by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. Once again, thank you for your support.  The money we raise at the Third Anniversary Benefit through ticket sales directly supports all of our work for justice and equal rights. We look forward to seeing you at the party! Michael Silverman Executive Director Further info: http://www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=2289 Information 2008-05-05T16:19:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/deep_stealths_coming_out_video_for_transsexual_people_free_online/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/deep_stealths_coming_out_video_for_transsexual_people_free_online/#When:07:41:00Z From Deep Stealth News: Deep Stealth is excited to announce that the first video in our “Coming Out” series for transsexual people is now available for FREE viewing online as part of our Beta testing of this new business model. By exchanging traditional purchase for advertising revenue, we hope to make this information available to as many people in need as possible, while still funding our work here at Deep Stealth. Please feel free to share this link and view the video as much as you like! http://www.genderlife.com/video Information 2008-05-05T07:41:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/changing_legal_gender_assignment_in_canada/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/changing_legal_gender_assignment_in_canada/#When:07:16:00Z A reader notes: Hi Andrea; A few more cracks in the myriad of seeming walls http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changing_legal_gender_assignment_in_Canada See also: Name change instructions by Canadian province If you were born in Quebec and live in another Canadian province, you may find it easier to change your name in Quebec. See the Quebec page for more. * Alberta * British Columbia * Manitoba * Ontario * Quebec http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/name-change.html Real World 2008-05-05T07:16:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/victoria_kolakowski_for_alameda_county_superior_court_judge/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/victoria_kolakowski_for_alameda_county_superior_court_judge/#When:06:33:00Z Mila from Trans-Ponder notes a historic political campaign underway here in California: trans lawyer Victoria Kolakowski is running for Alameda County Superior Court Judge. Hi Andrea, We sat down with Vicky after I had my interview with TLC, and she filled us in on the details. She is self funding her campaign, and could use as much help as possible. She said that she could use endorsements for her campaign, and of course spreading the word is of utmost importance. Ms. Kolakowski adds: My campaign website is at http://kolakowskiforjudge.com. I try to post all news, endorsements, etc. ASAP. Vicky Kolakowski Further information: • Trans-Ponder Episode 52 with Victoria Kolakowski • http://kolakowskiforjudge.com Information 2008-05-05T06:33:00-08:00