Trans News/ Issues

[MsTinkerbelly]

Hi all.

My spouse is trans, but not transitioning.

Kasey is on the phone as a travel agent all day long, and at 64 something is happening with his voice. Kasey is being called ma'am by everyone he speaks with...this has just started the last few weeks and is driving him batty.

Any suggestions?

[Liam]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Hi all.

My spouse is trans, but not transitioning.

Kasey is on the phone as a travel agent all day long, and at 64 something is happening with his voice. Kasey is being called ma'am by everyone he speaks with...this has just started the last few weeks and is driving him batty.

Any suggestions?

Does Kasey feel safe? Is Kasey feeling stressed out? Is Kasey holding his breath? Anything that would tighten the vocal chords would make the voice higher. I'm sorry it is driving him batty, that is just probably making it worse. Maybe its time for a check-up.

Best of luck.

[Liam]

If anyone is unaware of the Transgender Law Center, please take the time to click, and check it out. Based here in San Francisco, they are such wonderful folks, and like every other marginalized group of people, they are trying to raise funds right now. They know that they have a busy year ahead. Even if you can't donate something to them, check out their web site, its full of all kinds of information.

[Jesse]

BREAKING: On February 10, just two days after Jeff Sessions was sworn in as Attorney General, the Department of Justice took a first step toward dropping their defense of the transgender student guidance in court. While the guidance is still in place, this is a major signal that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is likely planning to stop defending the guidance entirely and may try to reverse the guidance. It is more important than ever to take action now to stop this from happening...

http://www.transequality.org/school-action-center

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Jesse

BREAKING: On February 10, just two days after Jeff Sessions was sworn in as Attorney General, the Department of Justice took a first step toward dropping their defense of the transgender student guidance in court. While the guidance is still in place, this is a major signal that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is likely planning to stop defending the guidance entirely and may try to reverse the guidance. It is more important than ever to take action now to stop this from happening...

http://www.transequality.org/school-action-center

Lovely. I just spent a year explaining what this was to school administrators (over and over and over again), and pushing them to support our trans kids in using the right restroom. I don't expect that the schools who have trans kids will tell them to go back to using the "nurses office", but no longer having the "federal guidance" in place certainly isn't helpful when trying to work with new schools to let trans kids use the right restroom.

Thanks for posting this Jesse.

[DapperButch]

Jeff Sessions has removed his support from the "federal guidance", that we let our children use the bathroom and locker rooms that are appropriate for their gender identity.

http://www.commondreams.org/news/201...ampaign=buffer

Trump said that he will not take back protections on LGBT people, but really what he means (and what most people mean when they use that acronym), is that they will not take away protections from lesbians and gays. You can discard trans people in a way that you cannot discard LGB people. There are less trans people and they have no power. They have no money. They are the lowest of the socio economic classes. They make less money than any other minority group. If Caitlyn Jenner wasn't such a douche, she could fight for our kids.

I actually CAN imagine school administrators calling parents with glee saying, " Psych! Your "daughter" has to go back to the boys bathroom. hahahaha" I feel fortunate to live in a state that I am pretty confident that I won't have one of my adolescent clients walk into my office any time soon and say that they have to go back to using the "wrong" bathroom, but they are the lucky ones. I am the lucky one because I don't have to see this happen to them. But, many other states? It breaks my heart...

41% of trans people attempt suicide? Yeah, lets watch that number increase.

I wish Rachel Maddow talked about this.

[Orema]

Trump shows his true hand on LGBTQ rights, by Tim Holbrook

(Tim Holbrook is a professor of law at Emory University School of Law. He is a member of the boards of directors of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia. The views expressed are his and his alone.)

There has been some uncertainty as to how President Donald Trump would treat the rights of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. For example, during the Republican National Convention, President Trump became the first Republican presidential nominee to mention the LGBTQ community. Of course, he did so in a very narrow context -- protecting LGBTQ persons from terrorism by radical Islamists.

The President noted that Caitlyn Jenner was welcome to use the bathroom of her choice in Trump Towers. He also stated the issue of same-sex marriage is "settled."

These statements could be viewed as a gesture by Trump to be more inclusive to the LGBTQ community. In contrast, his choices of Vice President Michael Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions were viewed as troubling, because both Pence and Sessions have opposed LGBTQ rights.

So, what direction would the Trump administration take?

The Trump administration showed its hand on Friday, when the Department of Justice withdrew its request that a Texas district court lift its stay in a case dealing with access to bathrooms for transgender students. The Obama administration had issued guidance that schools should permit transgender students to use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. The Texas court blocked implementation of this approach.

Under the Obama administration, DOJ had asked the appellate court to reject the stay. The Trump DOJ has withdrawn support, removing its backing for these transgender students. It turns out the Trump DOJ, under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is not a friend to the LGBTQ community.

This move may be a harbinger. Across the country, there are a number of lawsuits arguing that federal law should prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. During the Obama administration, most of these lawsuits had the backing of the DOJ, Department of Education, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Part of the arguments in these cases is that the courts should give deference to these agencies' interpretations of the relevant federal civil rights statutes.

For example, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. on March 28. The lower court determined that a trans boy should be able to use the boys' restroom in his public high school. One of the issues the Supreme Court is addressing is whether courts should afford such deference to these types of agency pronouncements.

If the Trump administration changes its position in the case, it may remove that issue from the case and, seemingly, could tip the case against the transgender student. DOJ's action in the Texas case strongly suggests it will no longer support the trans student.

Similarly, a case out of Indiana is pending before a federal court of appeals, addressing whether federal anti-discrimination laws protect gays, lesbians and bisexuals against discrimination based on their sexual orientation. The EEOC has supported this position. Again, if the Trump administration alters its position on this issue, it could result in a loss to the LGBTQ plaintiff and a defeat for LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.

The Texas withdrawal of the challenge to the stay is an ominous omen. It suggests the Trump administration will pivot away from protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ persons. The withdrawal of support may tip these cases against the LGBTQ litigants.

While losses in these cases would be detrimental, there is even more at risk, such as marriage equality. Trump, in his pre-inauguration "60 Minutes" interview, stated that marriage equality was "settled" under the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. But he has also promised to appoint justices who will overrule the over 40-year precedent of Roe v. Wade. Of course, justices opposed to Roe are likely to be opposed to the far more recent establishment of marriage equality.

The same objections that judges and justices opposed to Roe have made apply equally to marriage equality: They argue that the court has manufactured new "rights" that do not exist in the Constitution. Additionally, there can be considerable overlap among those opposed to abortion and same-sex relationships, particularly on moral and religious grounds. If a case gets to the Supreme Court with Trump-appointed justices, the court could reject marriage equality.

Such challenges to marriage equality will not be difficult to manufacture by the states. Tennessee has already introduced legislation again to ban same-sex marriage. Any judicial challenge could end up at the Supreme .

At present, the broader threat to marriage equality is not as pressing. Even if Judge Neil Gorsuch is confirmed to the court, his presence will not change the court's political composition. The five justices who voted for marriage equality are still present, so, in the near term, marriage equality is safe. And it would be unlikely for the court to undo any existing same-sex marriages. But, if one of those five justices retires or dies, it is not difficult to fathom Trump appointing a justice who would be happy to overrule Obergefell.

The action by the DOJ in Texas on its face seems minor. In fact, it is quite revealing. LGBTQ rights will not be defended at the federal level. Those in favor of LGBTQ equality will need to defend themselves against efforts in states to ban the use of restrooms and to embrace so-called religious-liberty bills. The fight is now our own. We won't be able to look to this administration for help.

[DapperButch]

Article in response to Jeff Sessions supporting removal of protections.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...=.5a180e9cd0ba

[cathexis]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Hi all.

My spouse is trans, but not transitioning.

Kasey is on the phone as a travel agent all day long, and at 64 something is happening with his voice. Kasey is being called ma'am by everyone he speaks with...this has just started the last few weeks and is driving him batty.

Any suggestions?

Just to add a bit of advice that's not been mentioned. Has he seen an otolargynotologist (doctor who specializes in throats) for an exam just to make certain there's not a problem there? He's within the age range that I'd start looking at that.

Also, you might want to get an evaluation from a voice therapist which (depending) on your insurance may require a referral from his primary physician.

[Jesse]

"WASHINGTON — A fight over an order that would rescind protections for transgender students in public schools has erupted inside the Trump administration, pitting Attorney General Jeff Sessions against the secretary of education, Betsy DeVos.

Ms. DeVos initially resisted signing off on the order and told President Trump that she was uncomfortable with it, according to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the internal discussions. The draft order would reverse the directives put in place last year by the Obama administration to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice.

Mr. Sessions, who strongly opposes expanding gay, lesbian and transgender rights, fought Ms. DeVos on the issue and pressed her to relent because he could not go forward without her consent. The order must come from the Justice and Education Departments.

Mr. Trump sided with his attorney general, these Republicans said, telling Ms. DeVos in a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday that he wanted her to drop her objections. And Ms. DeVos, faced with the choice of resigning or defying the president, has agreed to go along. The Justice Department declined to comment on Wednesday.

Though an official order from the administration was expected to be released as early as Wednesday, Mr. Sessions and Ms. DeVos were still disputing the final language..."
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/u...pgtype=article

[DapperButch]

I just received a notice. It was rescinded. First Jeff Sessiona said he would just not push back if any state had a problem with the Obamas "order", but now it has been rescinded.

Our trans kids will be going back to getting bladder infections because they have no where to use the bathroom all day.

Yes, we have done studies on this kind of thing.... higher incidence of bladder infections in trans people, especially trans kids. Nice, huh?

Well, some school administrations, teachers, and parents will be pleased as punch to hear the news.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I wish Rachel Maddow talked about this.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I just received a notice. It was rescinded. First Jeff Sessiona said he would just not push back if any state had a problem with the Obamas "order", but now it has been rescinded.

Our trans kids will be going back to getting bladder infections because they have no where to use the bathroom all day.

Yes, we have done studies on this kind of thing.... higher incidence of bladder infections in trans people, especially trans kids. Nice, huh?

Well, some school administrations, teachers, and parents will be pleased as punch to hear the news.

Well, today she did. Just now she talked about them rolling back protections for trans youth in schools. I am very happy that she highlighted this. She pointed out that President Trump said he would not do anything against LGBT folks and said that this was a sign of him starting. She made some reference to it being lovely (but that isn't the word she used), that he "started with kids'.

[JDeere]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more...cid=spartanntp

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by JDeere

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more...cid=spartanntp

There is no way around the fact that the trans boy has an advantage because he is taking testosterone. If he was not taking testosterone, than he would not have an advantage.

The issue is hormones, not how one identifies when it comes to fair competition.

The positive about this happening, is that when the parents become upset that their daughters' competitor has an unfair advantage, the rule will change in Texas and transitioning boys will wrestle on the male team (and hopefully, trans girls who are taking testosterone blockers will play on the girls teams). When this happens it will be fair for all the kids.

I think it is nice that a "resident of Austin" and one of the cis girls said they welcoming of him playing with the girls, but it just simply isn't fair. It isn't good for anyone.

Thanks for posting this.

[DapperButch]

Caitlin Jenner gets gender reassignment surgery.

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/...nment-surgery/

It annoys me that she says that "part of her decision to undergo surgery was due to probing questions from the public about her genitals." Give me a fucking break. Internalized transphobia at it's best. Nobody get GRS because they don't want to be asked a question anymore.

Maybe I shouldn't say "like we didn't know this would happen", because certainly there are some trans women who actually like their penises, but it was pretty obvious to me that Caitlin wasn't one of them (even though she said she wasn't going to get surgery).

Of course, I am curious as to who her surgeon was, just like I am about her facial feminization surgery. She really does a good job sneaking around to offices and hospitals. You have to be in the hospital for 4-5 days after vaginoplasty and then stay very close by to your surgeon's office for the next 7 days. Maybe she got some surgical set up at home afterwards.

[Kätzchen]

LINK: http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-o...-woman-n762726


MAY 21 2017, 6:14 PM ET

Colorado Man Arrested After Botching Unlicensed Surgery on Transgender Woman

by PHIL MCCAUSLAND


A Colorado man faces felony assault charges for using an Army surgical kit to remove a transgender woman's testicles without a medical license, according to police records.

Members of the Denver Police Department arrested James Lowell Pennington on Thursday, a day after the botched surgery, after he confessed to the incident.

Pennington admitted to investigators that he performed the procedure using an Army medical kit that contained a scalpel, lidocaine, medical dressings as well as other minor medical equipment, according to the police report.

He used the scalpel "and surgically disconnected and removed the victim's [two] testicles and then sutured the opening back up," the report said.

James Lowell Pennington was arrested May 18, 2017, on suspicion of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury for using an Army medical kit to castrate a transgender woman without a medical license in a 90-minute procedure performed at the woman's apartment. Denver Police via AP

The report says that the entire surgery took 90 minutes and Pennington told the transgender woman to call 911 if any complications developed.

A few hours later the victim's wife attempted to change the dressing on the suture and "a large amount of blood poured out of the incision." They then called 911.

According to the report, "the testicles could not be re-attached due to time delay of procedure to 911 call."

In a letter obtained by NBC News affiliate KUSA, the unidentified transgender woman wrote that she did not consider herself a victim of Pennington.

"I am not a victim of 57 year old James Lowell Pennington who is the suspect in this case," the woman wrote, identifying herself as Jane Doe. "I am a victim of a society and healthcare system that focuses on trying to demonize transgender people and prevent us from getting the medical transition we need instead of trying to do what is best for us. Arranging a back-alley surgery was out of pure desperation due to a system that failed me."

According to the Transgender Law Center, private health insurance companies do not cover these types of procedures, which can cost between $7,000 and $50,000. The center also notes that many transgender people do not have any form of health insurance anyway. It points to San Francisco as its example, a transgender-friendly city in which 51 percent of its transgender residents don't have health coverage.

At the end of her letter, the transgender woman warned that she may not be the last example of this kind of botched procedure.

"As long as this system continues in its present form there will continue to be events like this," Doe said at the end of her letter. "Until this system is fixed and transgender people are encouraged and able to get the care we need, there will always be cases like me."

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Caitlin Jenner gets gender reassignment surgery.

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/...nment-surgery/

*snipped*

It annoys me that she says that "part of her decision to undergo surgery was due to probing questions from the public about her genitals." Give me a fucking break. Internalized transphobia at it's best. Nobody get GRS because they don't want to be asked a question anymore.

Of course, I am curious as to who her surgeon was, just like I am about her facial feminization surgery. She really does a good job sneaking around to offices and hospitals. You have to be in the hospital for 4-5 days after vaginoplasty and then stay very close by to your surgeon's office for the next 7 days. Maybe she got some surgical set up at home afterwards.

I liked the questions you posed around GRS because the article I found about what happened to the Transgender Woman in Colorado (Jane Doe) clearly presented the argument on the way a person either has to have access to the best insurance in the world and access to proportionate income in order to hurdle the process of getting competent licensed medical care for gender reassignment surgery. Jane Doe stated that lack of money and qualified health insurance coverage is probably the number one reason why GRS is so hard to obtain, for members who need it but can't get it.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

I liked the questions you posed around GRS because the article I found about what happened to the Transgender Woman in Colorado (Jane Doe) clearly presented the argument on the way a person either has to have access to the best insurance in the world and access to proportionate income in order to hurdle the process of getting competent licensed medical care for gender reassignment surgery. Jane Doe stated that lack of money and qualified health insurance coverage is probably the number one reason why GRS is so hard to obtain, for members who need it but can't get it.

Yes, trans men and trans women will do a number of unsafe things in an attempt to get relief. There is a lot of purchasing of illegal hormones, for example. This is because they can't get care due to lack of insurance. Plus, of course, bigotry. 41% of trans people attempt suicide.