Transgender Law Center Helps Transgender Man Obtain Insurance Coverage

Insurance-Related Client Victory  Because knowledgeable, compassionate care can make the difference between life and death for a transgender or gender non-conforming person, improving our access to the health care system through changes in law, policy and attitudes is a top priority for the Transgender Law Center. This month, the Transgender Law Center recently helped a transgender man obtain insurance coverage for a bone density scan.   The man's physician had requested the scan out of concern for osteoporosis, a disease which causes bones to become more fragile and most likely to break. A bone density scan allows a physician to determine whether a patient has osteoporosis or is at risk of developing osteoporosis. The man's insurance provider, Brown & Toland, denied insurance coverage for the procedure because it felt that as a 55 year old man the patient did not meet the criteria for being at risk for osteoporosis. The Transgender Law Center assisted the man in preparing a successful appeal to the California Department of Managed Care. The Department of Managed Care found that not only was the test medically necessary for the man, but that "The medical group incorrectly viewed your transitioning male status as a medical basis for its denial." If you experience discrimination in your efforts to seek healthcare services, please let the Transgender Law Center know at 415-865-0176. We are here to help! Mark your calendars now for   these exciting upcoming events! The Transgender Law Center is committed to building a grassroots movement of transgender people, our familes and our allies who recognize that our struggles for equality and authentic self-expression are all connected and related. If we are not going to support each other, who is? You know the Transgender Law Center fights for our community, but to make real change we have to be more than an organization--we have to be a movement. Please join us for our 2nd Annual Transgender Advocacy Day in Sacramento, and the 6th Annual Transgender Leadership Summit in Los Angeles. We need YOU in Sacramento on May 1st and 2nd to educate policymakers about the impact of the Gender Non-Discrimination Act and other bills.  And you won't want to miss the Leadership Summit on July 22nd-24th, featuring workshops, trainings and meetings focused on building a stronger and more powerful movement for transgender equality. Save the dates!  For more information and sponsor opportunities, call 415-865-0176. Do youus? Spread the word about our victories and action alerts through these and other social networking sites, and encourage your friends to follow us, too!    Upcoming Events The Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative (TEEI), a collaboration between the Transgender Law Center, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, and Jewish Vocational Service, will be hosting a the following events in San Francisco: Transgender Healthcare Career Forum on Friday, April 8th   7th Annual Transgender Job Fair on Wednesday, April 27th Learn more athttp://www.teeisf.org/calendar-2.  The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health at UCSF will be hosting a National Transgender Health Summit April 8th-9th, 2011. CMEs and CEUs will be provided. Learn more at http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/trans?page=ev-summit  We rely on your support   to change laws, policies, and attitudes   so that transgender people no longer experience discrimination. About the Transgender Law Center The Transgender Law Center is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. The Transgender Law Center 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. www.transgenderlawcenter.org

Natalie Michelle Vaught: Transgender Warrior!

Three cheers for Natalie Michelle Vaught. You might remember her from several previous posts when she was denied health care by a local hospital. I love it when a beloved Trans sibling moves forward despite all obstacles and begins living their authentic life! A big "change" and more progress by E.m. Equality on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 11:17am So, I went to court this morning....wait...let me back up... A few people on here have been on my friendslist since the beginning of my transition. When I first started, I was in dire financial circumstances, and there were a ton of roadblocks on the road to transition.I learned that because of an old felony I would have to hire an attorney for my name change and back when I started down this road I didn't think I would be able to afford it. The name that I was given at birth was Aaron Vaught...and due to not knowing when or if I would have the money to change my name, I just feminized Aaron into Erin. I also did this to make it easier on a certain individual who is no longer in my life...(and i should not have been thinking that way anyway. This is MY life..). When I obtained some money I was finally able to hire an attorney with the help of the LGBTQI clinic. Thus began my name change procedure, and I decided to not use Erin, as I wanted something I liked, and something that symbolized (at least to me) that Aaron is a bad dream. My attorney told me it would be a simple procedure, and that it would take a month to be legally changed. He did not count on a homo/transphobic judge. This judge used every means possible to delay it (about a year and a half!) and she finally ran out of stalling tactics. My attorney and others suggested she was either trying to frustrate me into giving up on it, and/ or trying to find a reason to stop it. She couldn't, and as for giving up...well, she does'nt know me very well, does she? So, I will spare you all the hassle I got when i first entered the court house (and believe me when I tell you, I could raise a MAJOR stink about what the officers at the door pulled) and say that it went ok. The judge however did quote the bible, and say that she "hoped that in addition to thinking long and hard about my decision, she hoped I prayed just as long and hard" about it. So.....my new legal name is...*drum roll* Natalie Michelle Vaught....all legal :D I understand that for a lot of you on here, you have known me as Erin or E.m. so long that it may be a tad difficult to adjust to, but i am asking to please respect this and understand why I went this route. My old self is dead and gone, and I have shed everything to do with that unhappy life....and that includes the name. I love all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my friends and supporters... Natalie

Baltimore Transgender Woman Murdered

Tyra Trent, May you rest in peace. Nobody can hurt you now! Transgender woman found dead struggled for acceptance Police say she was asphyxiated, found in vacant home February 22, 2011|By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun Family photo/Baltimore Sun Life as a transgender woman wasn't easy for Anthony Trent. Known as "Tyra," the 25-year-old told family she was sometimes attacked on the street just because of the way she looked. "He was a very bold person – he wasn't scared to show or flaunt his lifestyle," said cousin and close friend Correll Trent, 18. "People told him all the time, if this is the way you want to live, we can't stop you. But be careful, watch yourself." Recently, she had been jumped on the street and beaten up, losing a tooth in the attack. "He came home and cried that day," Correll said. On Saturday, someone wandered into a vacant city-owned home in the 3300 block of Virginia Ave. in Northwest Baltimore and found Trent's body in the basement. She had no identification and no cell phone, but an autopsy revealed that she had been asphyxiated. City homicide detectives are investigating the case. Original article

Serving LGBTQI2-S Youth Experiencing Homelessness Webcast

FYI for those interested!   Free Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) Webcast Learning From the Field: Serving LGBTQI2-S Youth Experiencing Homelessness Wednesday, March 2, 2011  |  1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time All programs serving youth who are homeless should assume that some of their participants may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S). It is estimated that between 20 percent and 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQI2-S. SAMHSA's HRC visited multiple programs serving youth who are LGBTQI2-S and homeless to learn about practical strategies to implement best practices when working with this population. Presenters Wayne Centrone, Laura Hughes, and Bonnie Wade will share findings from this tour and offer tips for providing culturally competent care for this highly vulnerable group. Learn More and Register   Related Resources Learning From the Field: Listening Tour of Programs Serving Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Experiencing Homelessness (Draft) Learning From the Field: Expert Panel on Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Homeless: Summary of Proceedings Webcast: The First Step Is an Open Mind: Best Practices for Working With LGBTQ Youth Find Treatment Locate substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities across the United States. About HRC The Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) is an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at Federal, state, and local levels that shares state-of-the-art knowledge and promising practices to prevent and end homelessness. Register on the HRC Website Create an account today and share your interests with other members, connect with other providers across the country, and save your favorite resources. CONNECT Publications   |   SAMHSA News   |   Update My Profile   |   Unsubscribe   |   Contact Us Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration 1 Choke Cherry Road  |  Rockville, MD 20857  |  1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727)  |  http://www.samhsa.gov  |  Privacy SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.