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Announcements: 8. VICTORY: State Department Changes Passport Policy http://transequality.org/news.html (June 10, Washington, DC) Last night the US Department of State announced new guidelines http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142922.htm for issuing passports to transgender people. Beginning today, applicants for a gender marker change on their passports will need to submit certification from a physician that they have received "appropriate clinical treatment" for gender transition. Most importantly, gender reassignment surgery is not required under the new policy. The new rules will also apply to changing a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for US citizens who were born outside of the United States. CRBA’s are the equivalent of a birth certificate. For years, NCTE has been advocating with the State Department to change their rules about gender markers on passports and CRBA’s. Previously they had required proof of irreversible sex reassignment surgery before the gender marker could be changed, although there were exceptions for temporary, provisional passports to allow someone to travel for surgery. NCTE and other advocates have stressed with the State Department that this policy unnecessarily called attention to transgender travelers whose appearance and gender marker were at odds. In some destinations, this had the potential to create an extremely dangerous situation when a traveler is outed as transgender in an unwelcoming environment or in the presence of prejudiced security personnel. Fortunately, the new rules represent a significant advance in providing safe, humane and dignified treatment of transgender people. There are details in the guidelines about what information a physician must provide and we will communicate those to you as soon as possible. However, the State Department notes that applicants will not need to supply any additional medical documentation and that there is no SRS requirement. “We want to extend our thanks to the Obama Administration, and particularly to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, for understanding the need for this change and then responding to make travel safer for transgender people,” commented Mara Keisling, Executive Director of NCTE. “This shows how changes in government policy directly impact people’s lives, in this case, for the better.” In the next few days, NCTE will be issuing a definitive resource that fully explains the new guidelines and outlines the ways in which transgender people can make changes to their passports and CRBAs. Many people—from elected officials to LGBT advocates—have worked for years to change these policies and deserve credit and thanks. Particularly important work was done by Rep. Barney Frank as well as Rep. Steve Israel in the House of Representatives; Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA), which represents LGBT employees and their families working in foreign affairs offices for the US government; all of our allied LGBT organizations who have been committed to this work, including the Council for Global Equality, The Task Force, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, the Transgender Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign; and those working on medical policies, including the American Medical Association and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). The full policy can be read on the State Department website. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/143160.pdf +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 9. New FTM group in San Diego DIEGOBOYZ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIEGOBOYZ/ DIEGOBOYZ is a resource for the San Diego County FTM community (i.e. transsexual men, transmen, transmales). The DIEGOBOYZ mailing list provides an announcement board for local events and for news relevant to the San Diego County transmale and broader trans communities, as well as a discussion forum for local community issues. Anybody can participate on DIEGOBOYZ, regardless of their location, but the list discussion will focus on San Diego County issues, events, and activities. Plus, DIEGOBOYZ will occasionally venture outside the San Diego County area to inform members of SoCal, NorCal and nation-wide legal and current event news. (DIEGOBOYZ is not affiliated with American Boyz, FTM International or any other organization) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 10. Alternative High School at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center/LifeWorks The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's LifeWorks program and Opportunities for Learning Public Charter School have partnered to create a high school diploma program for LGBTQ youth in the Los Angeles area. Opportunities for Learning and LifeWorks are partnering to bring a safe learning environment to LGBT and LGBT Friendly youth at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. We are enrolling students NOW! This program was created to assist youth in obtaining their high school diploma regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. Class will be held two days a week here at the LifeWorks office. LGBTQ students - or any LGBTQ-friendly student, including children of LGBTQ parents - will follow individualized learning plans, with the emotional and academic support they need to realize the goal of graduating from high school. The students will also have easy access to other Center services, such as the LifeWorks YouthSpace, after school program, and one-on-one, peer and group mentoring programs. Located at: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 11. Angels of Change calendar still available - help raise funds for Children's Hospital Hello my Friend: I hope you are doing well and enjoying your holidays. I am writing to you to thank you for supporting our "2010 Angels of Change Calendar". I also want to let you know that we have not been able to meet our goal for this year in the fund raising for our transgender clinic here at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles sponsored by The Huckleberry Fund. I am writing to ask you to please support our efforts by buying your 2010 Angels of Change Calendar. Calendars make great incentives for your programs and help promote transgender youth awareness. When you purchase a calendar you are not only contributing to a great cause but you are also creating a better society to trans youth by promoting trans youth visibility and awareness. Our Calendar models this year are trans youth between the ages of 16 to 22 years old, we are asking for a donation of only $10.00 for each of the calendars. We want to make it easier for you to order your calendars, please order on line just visit: www.huckleberryfund.org make a donation and in the comment section specify that is for The Angels of Change Calendar. If your organization would like to get 10 calendars or more we can work out a deal so please let me know so that I can send you the order form. If it is easier for you to send a check or money order for the amount of $10.00 each calendar please make it payable to: The Huckleberry Fund (Angels of Change) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 12. New Support Group for Trans folk going to school Transgender Educational Support: Office Hours starting 10/23 Office Hours is for you if you: Office Hours is offered: OFFICE HOURS is held If you have any questions, please contact: Please call to confirm before showing up. All contact information is at the bottom of this post. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 13. New booklet on lower surgeries for trans men Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES), UK Dear Colleagues, The Gender Identity Research and Education Society has just publishedthe latest in the series of booklets that it is developing on trans wellbeing and healthcare: "Lower Surgery for Trans Men": http://www.gires.org.uk/medtreatment.php#lower Kind regards, Bernard Reed http://www.gires.org.uk/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 14. Tran-soberity "Bilingual 12-step Recovery Support Group" Tran-soberity Come to share your struggles regarding substance abuse, sex addiction, gambling, domestic violence, financial difficulties, job opportunites, discrimination, HIV medications, etc Minority AIDS Project +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 15. Transgender Sober Living facility Transgender Sober Living 16. HIV Prevention doc for Transmen HIV prevention for transMSM: "PRIMED: The Back Pocket Guide to Transmen and the Men Who Dig Them". This information comes out of Canada. They are interested in feedback. The guide is 32 pages and can be downloaded for free. http://www.queertransmen.org/images/primed.pdf +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 17. Report on the State of Transgender California The State of Transgender California Report is here! We are pleased to announce the completion of The State of Transgender California Report: Results from the 2008 California Transgender Economic Health Survey. This unprecedented report highlights many issues facing transgender Californians, including poverty, workplace discrimination, barriers to health care access, educational disparities, and housing challenges. Drawing on the data collected, The State of Transgender California presents a number of concrete policy recommendations. It is our hope that this report will bring attention to the challenges facing transgender people while raising awareness of the many assets they bring to California's communities and workplaces. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made The State of Transgender California a reality. Huge thanks to everyone who completed the survey, helped with the data analysis, provided input and edits, and contributed much needed support during this labor of love. Please share The State of Transgender California far and wide! Give it to your local, state and federal representatives. Share it with your school administrators, your employers, your health care providers, and your fellow community members. And, if you have any questions about the report, please drop us a line. About TLC +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 18. New legal guide to assist transgender immigrants FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Kristina Wertz, Esq. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has released the first immigration law practice manual for attorneys representing transgender clients. Immigration Law and the Transgender Client , co-authored by Immigration Equality and the Transgender Law Center (TLC), provides practical advice and information to assist attorneys representing transgender immigrants. "We are proud to publish this groundbreaking manual dealing with the intersection of two dynamic areas of law - transgender civil rights and immigration law," said AILA Publications Director Tatia L. Gordon-Troy. AILA is the national association of over 11,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. "Every day we hear from transgender immigrants who face incredibly complicated legal issues. From obtaining corrected identity documents, to fighting for marriage recognition, to seeking asylum to escape persecution, transgender immigrants need well-trained legal counsel," said Victoria Neilson, Legal Director of Immigration Equality. Transgender immigrants often face overwhelming legal issues, and all too often the attorneys who want to help them, just lack the resources they need. Immigration Law and the Transgender Client addresses unique issues faced by transgender immigrants and those in bi-national relationships, including identity documents, asylum, detention, and marriage-based petitions. "This area of the law is so specialized that LGBT civil rights attorneys often lack the immigration expertise to properly advise transgender immigrants, and immigration practitioners lack the cultural competence and understanding of transgender legal issues to adequately represent these clients," said TLC Legal Director Kristina Wertz. "The immigration practice manual seeks to close that gap." Edited by Neilson, the manual provides an unprecedented resource for attorneys seeking information about the unique needs and issues faced by transgender clients. "Victoria Neilson's expertise in this field is now more accessible to immigration attorneys and will foster a new cadre of attorneys with similar expertise," said Gordon-Troy. Immigration Law and the Transgender Client can be purchased from the American Immigration Lawyers Association at <http://aila.stores.yahoo.net/transgender.html>http://aila.stores.yahoo.net/transgender.html for $69 ($49 for AILA members). An online version can be accessed at <http://www.immigrationequality.org/template3.php?pageid=1135>http://www.immigrationequality.org/template3.php?pageid=1135 . Immigration Equality is a national organization that works to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, to reduce the negative impact of that law on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people, and to help obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status. The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing, and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. Transgender Law Center and Immigration Equality would like to thank The Arcus Gay and Lesbian Fund for their support of this project. <http://www.arcusfoundation.org>http://www.arcusfoundation.org ### Transgender Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you would like to be removed from event mailing, please send an email to info@transgenderlawcenter.org with the subject "Remove from Event Mailing". If you would like to be removed from all future emails please use the subject line "Remove from all mailing". +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 19. GLIDE offers speakers bureau training FIGHT HOMOPHOBIA! As we all know, there is a lot of homophobia swirling around these days. You can help. GLIDE is Southern California's leading speakers bureau providing anti-homophobia education. GLIDE is currently seeking new volunteers to join them in making presentations at local schools and organizations. For more information on this training program please contact Michael Eselun mleselun@aol.com. Please note, you need to be available during work hours on weekdays. The mission of GLIDE is to eliminate homophobia by providing the general public with factual information and diverse personal experiences about homosexuality. The members of GLIDE accomplish this through live, interactive presentations tailored to specific audiences. They target educational, business, civic, social, political and religious groups in every ethnic and cultural population. The speakers of GLIDE offer an interactive performance dissecting the myths that are associated with homophobia. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 20. AA meeting for Trans/Gender Questioning folk Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for Transgender, Transsexual and Gender Questioning Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Please note that the transgender AA meeting has been changed to: 21. NCTE releases resource document "Transgender People and the Selective Service" July 28, 2008 Today we are releasing a new NCTE resource, "Transgender People and the Selective Service." The Selective Service requires all "men" to register and exempts all "women," but it fails to account for the transgender experience. Transgender people often seek to understand how to stay in compliance with the Selective Service because registration can affect government-backed financial aid and access to other federal benefits. This document was written by one of our associates, Jack Harrison, with input from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and the Selective Service Administration itself. To access this new document, visit our resources page: Regards, Mara Keisling P.S. Please support our work as you are able. Every donation helps us keep up the fight for transgender equality. Please donate today: http://www.nctequality.org/donate.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 22. Clean syringes available without prescription CLEAN, SAFE, LEGAL: SYRINGES WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION AT A PHARMACY NEAR YOU +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 23. LA Gay & Lesbian Center's Anti-Violence Project offers resources Have you been hurt, harassed or discriminated against because you're transgender or genderqueer? The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Anti-Violence Project provides assistance to survivors of transphobic, homophobic, and anti-HIV/AIDS violence, threats of violence, vandalism, harassment and discrimination. Our services include crisis intervention and follow up counseling; advocacy with law enforcement and prosecutors; attorney consultations and referrals; restraining order preparation and court accompaniment, and referrals to appropriate resources. Call 1-800-373-2227 for assistance. Thanks, +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 24. NCTE Resource for "No-Match" Letters We need your support to continue this work. Click here to visit our web site, +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 25. Transgender Job Training & Placement program The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is offering a Job Placement Program created specifically for the Female-to-Male and Male-to-Female Transgender Communities, funded by the City of West Hollywood. The program offers Case Management to assist with: We also assist with overcoming barriers to employment, such as: The program provides MTF and FTM members of the transgender community with case management, job skills and preparation training to help them matriculate in the mainstream job market. The case management services provide clients with one-on-one sessions with the program’s staff to determine the client’s individual challenges and goals with an emphasis on housing, HIV/STD related issues, substance abuse, health concerns specific to the Transgender community, barriers to legitimate employment and job skills development, training and placement. Please contact Drian Juarez at 323-993-7677. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 26. LifeWorks Green Room – Social Group for LGBTQ Youth LifeWorks Green Room – Social Group for LGBTQ Youth WHERE: The Village at Ed Gould Plaza Any questions - email me at ddumont@lifeworksmentoring.org or call the office at 310-724-6300 LifeWorks +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 27. Lifeworks needs mentors for queer youth Are you a caring, successful LGBTQ adult who is interested in helping youth? LifeWorks Mentoring is a non-profit organization that connects youth and adults in the LGBTQ community through our innovative One-on-One Mentoring Program. The focus of our program is supporting older youth and young adults, ages 16-24, in setting and achieving life goals in our five achievement areas: wellness, education, career, home, and personal development. We train each Mentor in the skills necessary to really be there for their youth. Not as parents or authority figures, but rather as people whose focus is to help and support them in achieving their goals and dreams. To get started and fill out your Mentor Application, or for more information, visit our website at http://www.lifeworksmentoring.org/ or give us a call at (310) 724-6300. We are currently most in need of lesbian/bi/queer women, FTM, and MTF Mentors. Please help us spread the word! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 28. Book on transgender rights Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 10:28:36 -0400 Friends, Contributors: Kylar W. Broadus, Lincoln U of Missouri; Judith Butler, UC Berkeley; Mauro Cabral, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; Dallas Denny, International Foundation for Gender Education; Taylor Flynn, Northeastern U School of Law; Phyllis Randolph Frye; Julie A. Greenberg, Thomas Jefferson School of Law; Morgan Holmes, Wilfrid Laurier U; Bennett H. Klein, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders; Jennifer L. Levi, Western New England College School of Law; Ruthann Robson, CUNY School of Law; Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, Whitman College; Dean Spade, Silvia Rivera Law Project; Kendall Thomas, Columbia U; Paula Viturro, Buenos Aires U Law School; Willy Wilkinson, Transgender Law Center. Paisley Currah is associate professor of political science at Brooklyn College, executive director of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center, and a founding board member of the Transgender Law and Policy Institute. Richard M. Juang is assistant professor of English at Susquehanna University and cochair of the National Center for Transgender Equality Advisory Board. Shannon Price Minter is legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a founding board member of the Transgender Law and Policy Institute. Paisley Currah +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 29. Transgender Health Resources Available (All are free and online as PDFs.) http://www.vch.ca/transhealth/resources/tcp.html The Trans Care Project, a collaborative effort between the Transgender Health Program and Transcend Transgender Support & Education Society, is pleased to announce the launch of new transgender health resources. Local and international experts in transgender care have worked with local members of the transgender community to create 7 sets of guidelines for health and social service providers, and 17 health information booklets for transgender people and loved ones. The materials (listed below) address issues in adolescent health, clinical advocacy, hormone therapy, mental health, primary medical care, speech/voice change, and surgery. The documents are available online at http://www.vch.ca/transhealth/resources/tcp.html. Print copies can be ordered from the Transgender Health Program, 1-866-999-1514 (toll-free in BC) or trans.health@vch.ca. The clinical guidelines will also be published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Transgenderism (with simultaneous publication in book format by Haworth Press). For further information, contact trans.care@shaw.ca. TRANS CARE PROJECT DOCUMENTS Clinical Guidelies Consumer Booklets The Trans Care project is a partnership between the Transgender Health Program and Transcend Transgender Support & Education Society, with funding by the Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition. To reach the project staff, email trans.care@shaw.ca or contact one of the partner organizations: Transcend Transgender Support & Education Society Transgender Health Program +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 30. Free e-book available on FTM health issues Medical Therapy and Health Maintenance for Transgender Men: A Guide For Health Care Providers This book was originally written in Open Office (version 1.1.1). It has been exported to both Adobe Acrobat and MicroSoft Word format. This book is copylefted. This means it is provided free under the GNU Free Documentation License - it is free as in free speech, not free as in beer. You may may copy it, print it, give it to friends, host it on your website, and sell copies of the book or disk. You can even modify it and distribute it in modified form (as long as you indicate that it is a modified work and as long as the derivative work is available under the same free license.) While this book is free to use, it wasn't free to make. Significant effort went into its production. If you find it valuable, please consider making a donation to either Lyon-Martin Women's Health Services <http://www.lyon-martin.org/>(where I work) or the Sylvia Rivera Law Project http://www.srlp.org/ (where Dean Spade works.) Future editions of this are planned. Check back here to find out when the second edition will be released. Comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome. You can email me at nickgorton @ gmail.com. Nick Gorton - 9/15/2005
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