Ask a trans person!

[always2late]

I have a question...and I guess this is the forum to ask...I recently started grad school (yay!). Although classes started earlier this week, our class orientation for my cohort was today. During orientation we were taught how to use a new computer system contracted by the school in order to keep track of our clinical hours. As a Speech-language Pathology grad student, I will be seeing clients in a variety of settings. The new computer program allows us to enter information about the client, such as age, gender, etc... When it came to the prompt for gender, there was a drop down box containing the three acceptable responses. They were "male," "female," and "transgender." So...my question is, do you think this is appropriate? My thoughts on the matter are that if your client states they are male, or female, shouldn't that be how you identify their gender? Is it necessary to identify them as transgender when they identify as a particular gender? What are your thoughts?

[Liam]

Originally Posted by always2late

I have a question...and I guess this is the forum to ask...I recently started grad school (yay!). Although classes started earlier this week, our class orientation for my cohort was today. During orientation we were taught how to use a new computer system contracted by the school in order to keep track of our clinical hours. As a Speech-language Pathology grad student, I will be seeing clients in a variety of settings. The new computer program allows us to enter information about the client, such as age, gender, etc... When it came to the prompt for gender, there was a drop down box containing the three acceptable responses. They were "male," "female," and "transgender." So...my question is, do you think this is appropriate? My thoughts on the matter are that if your client states they are male, or female, shouldn't that be how you identify their gender? Is it necessary to identify them as transgender when they identify as a particular gender? What are your thoughts?

Perhaps the school is tracking this population for potential income and/or services that might be available in the future. With the recent overturn with Medicaid regarding medical transitional services, I can see where there might be federal funding available for transgender folks, in the near future. My other thought is that perhaps they are trying to address students who have not transitioned physically and/or they are intersexed or don't necessarily feel comfortable with the usual two choices for gender. In my experience there are more and more transgender folks preferring the gender neutral pronoun, they.

[DapperButch]

Hi, always2late, good to see you!

I think I am a bit thrown off. If this is for tracking clinical hours, isn't this something you fill in yourself after seeing the client? Is there a reason why you can't identify them in the way that they identify?

There are certainly people who after they "transition' (however they define that word), no longer identify as transgender as they see that as a brigde to male or female. Once they cross that bridge, so to speak, the term transgender no longer applies (I think this is what you were referring to).

As an aside, I'm surprised they didn't use the term "other". Liam referenced intersex folks and my experience is that many of them do not identify as transgender and would prefer the option "other" (along with all the other sexual minority groups who use bigender, non-binary, etc).

Interesting stuff.

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Liam

Perhaps the school is tracking this population for potential income and/or services that might be available in the future. With the recent overturn with Medicaid regarding medical transitional services, I can see where there might be federal funding available for transgender folks, in the near future. My other thought is that perhaps they are trying to address students who have not transitioned physically and/or they are intersexed or don't necessarily feel comfortable with the usual two choices for gender. In my experience there are more and more transgender folks preferring the gender neutral pronoun, they.

Ban lifting applies to Medicare, not Medicaid-at least for now

The appeals board's decisions are binding on HHS unless they are appealed in federal court. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency within HHS that manages Medicare, opted not to defend the transgender surgery exclusion before the five-member board and had initiated the process for lifting it on its own before Mallon filed her complaint.

The ruling does not apply to Medicaid, which provides health coverage for individuals and families with low-incomes and is regulated by the states. Some states have exclusions on sex reassignment surgeries and the sex hormones transgender people often take during their transitions, while others evaluate claims on a case-by-case basis.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/medicare...urgery-lifted/

[Martina]

My assumption is that you shouldn't second guess your clients. If they say, male, then it's male. If they say female, then it's female. If they say something else, then transgender would be the umbrella term. I don't think you're supposed to choose transgender just because you can see or you guess that someone is trans. Just go down the questionnaire and ask, "Do you ID as male, female, or transgender?" Most people will answer with a "duh" in their tone. But so what?

I cannot imagine why this is relevant to speech pathology, but whatever. Good luck with your program. We need more SLPs out there.

[Martina]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Ban lifting applies to Medicare, not Medicaid-at least for now

The appeals board's decisions are binding on HHS unless they are appealed in federal court. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency within HHS that manages Medicare, opted not to defend the transgender surgery exclusion before the five-member board and had initiated the process for lifting it on its own before Mallon filed her complaint.

The ruling does not apply to Medicaid, which provides health coverage for individuals and families with low-incomes and is regulated by the states. Some states have exclusions on sex reassignment surgeries and the sex hormones transgender people often take during their transitions, while others evaluate claims on a case-by-case basis.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/medicare...urgery-lifted/

I heard on the radio that it applies to people who get their insurance because they receive disability? I thought that was medicaid too. But that's what I heard.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Martina

I heard on the radio that it applies to people who get their insurance because they receive disability? I thought that was medicaid too. But that's what I heard.

Medicare is for the disabled and those over age 65. Medicaid is for the indigent, it has nothing to do with one's health.

Regardless, I think that Liam meant Medicare when he said Medicaid.

[Corkey]

This just in:
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/...nment-surgery/

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Martina

I heard on the radio that it applies to people who get their insurance because they receive disability? I thought that was medicaid too. But that's what I heard.

If you are on Medicare because of a (Social Security Disability or SSD) disability, this would apply to *you*.

Medicaid or in California, Medi-Cal; are need/income based.

They are two separate programs though a person could have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.

My parents are on Medicare but do not qualify for Medicaid as their income is higher than the criteria.

As far as the ban lifting, so far, it is just Medicare , not Medicaid but it may not be far behind.

It is a beginning and for that; I am glad.

Medicare vs. Medicaid, is very confusing and hopefully I got it right-anyone with a better understanding, please jump in.

[DapperButch]

Anya, you got it right.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by always2late

I have a question...and I guess this is the forum to ask...I recently started grad school (yay!). Although classes started earlier this week, our class orientation for my cohort was today. During orientation we were taught how to use a new computer system contracted by the school in order to keep track of our clinical hours. As a Speech-language Pathology grad student, I will be seeing clients in a variety of settings. The new computer program allows us to enter information about the client, such as age, gender, etc... When it came to the prompt for gender, there was a drop down box containing the three acceptable responses. They were "male," "female," and "transgender." So...my question is, do you think this is appropriate? My thoughts on the matter are that if your client states they are male, or female, shouldn't that be how you identify their gender? Is it necessary to identify them as transgender when they identify as a particular gender? What are your thoughts?

Hi always. Congratulations on begging Graduate school. I have just completed my first year in a very progressive seminary where we have many Trans students. Many of the students use various gender identifications such as gender queer, transmasculine, transman, male, transwoman, woman. I have transmen friends that what to be identified as Trans even though they are now legally identified as "male." I also know men that were born in a female body have transitioned and refer to their gender as male. I also know another transguy that has transitioned and still identifies as butch.

If I were in your position, I would identify their gender as they identify their gender. If they say they are male then they are male. If they say they are a transman, then trangender would be appropriate. If genderqueer, then perhaps male and female? If you are unsure as to what box to fill in, tell them what the options are on the form you are filling out and ask them would they choose any one or a number of the boxes. I hope this helps.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Greyson

Hi always. Congratulations on begging Graduate school. I have just completed my first year in a very progressive seminary where we have many Trans students. Many of the students use various gender identifications such as gender queer, transmasculine, transman, male, transwoman, woman. I have transmen friends that what to be identified as Trans even though they are now legally identified as "male." I also know men that were born in a female body have transitioned and refer to their gender as male. I also know another transguy that has transitioned and still identifies as butch.

If I were in your position, I would identify their gender as they identify their gender. If they say they are male then they are male. If they say they are a transman, then trangender would be appropriate. If genderqueer, then perhaps male and female? If you are unsure as to what box to fill in, tell them what the options are on the form you are filling out and ask them would they choose any one or a number of the boxes. I hope this helps.

After one year of graduate school and writing papers all year using Chicago style, I am embarrassed to see just how many spelling and grammatical errors were in my post. It was late.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by always2late

I have a question...and I guess this is the forum to ask...I recently started grad school (yay!). Although classes started earlier this week, our class orientation for my cohort was today. During orientation we were taught how to use a new computer system contracted by the school in order to keep track of our clinical hours. As a Speech-language Pathology grad student, I will be seeing clients in a variety of settings. The new computer program allows us to enter information about the client, such as age, gender, etc... When it came to the prompt for gender, there was a drop down box containing the three acceptable responses. They were "male," "female," and "transgender." So...my question is, do you think this is appropriate? My thoughts on the matter are that if your client states they are male, or female, shouldn't that be how you identify their gender? Is it necessary to identify them as transgender when they identify as a particular gender? What are your thoughts?

I think its only right to identify a client as transgender if they explicitly identify themselves that way or say they're comfortable being identified that way on the drop down. Could be some trans people would prefer to just put in the sex they identify as rather than just "transgender." Some might like it, others might not.

But overall I think those drop down options are limited. Putting someone simply down as "transgender" isn't going to tell much about them as far as their identity to begin with, since many people under the trans umbrella will identify as transmale/transfemale/gender neutral/genderqueer. A lot of places seem to be changing their options to put in a transgender one, but I really think it needs to be expanded beyond that, otherwise its pretty pointless and almost stigmatising in my opinion. What I like at a few clinics I've been to lately is that they let you pen in your own identity under some kind of "other" option. So you basically get to put in whatever detail you feel comfortable with, if you feel like it at all. Others will actually have trans man, trans woman, intersex and gender queer/gender neutral categories in addition to male/female. I think that's better as it doesn't just lump all trans people into a faceless "transgender" category.

[Corkey]

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/new-yo...rimination-act

[Greyson]

What I have in the title is what I read on my discharge papers from a recent hospital stay. This hospital is located in Berkeley, CA. Berkeley the alleged land of Progressives.

I was baffled when I read this. All of my I.D. says "Male." I always identify when asked or I volunteer the information as Transgender. I never refer to myself as a transsexual. Just my preference. Does not have to be yours. I also never refer to myself as "Female." If I did see myself as 100% woman, I would say, I am a woman, not "female." I let them know I am transgender because I want the authorities and others to know I am not a cisman. I always clarify, "I am legally a male."

For me it is frustrating at times. I do not think gender is restricted to only two genders and many of us are Trans with varying degrees of femininity and masculinity.

I never thought I would feel this way, but I am getting tired of trying to fit into a defined box. I am a person and I am Queer. Thanks for letting me rant.

[firegal]

Originally Posted by Greyson

What I have in the title is what I read on my discharge papers from a recent hospital stay. This hospital is located in Berkeley, CA. Berkeley the alleged land of Progressives.

I was baffled when I read this. All of my I.D. says "Male." I always identify when asked or I volunteer the information as Transgender. I never refer to myself as a transsexual. Just my preference. Does not have to be yours. I also never refer to myself as "Female." If I did see myself as 100% woman, I would say, I am a woman, not "female." I let them know I am transgender because I want the authorities and others to know I am not a cisman. I always clarify, "I am legally a male."

For me it is frustrating at times. I do not think gender is restricted to only two genders and many of us are Trans with varying degrees of femininity and masculinity.

I never thought I would feel this way, but I am getting tired of trying to fit into a defined box. I am a person and I am Queer. Thanks for letting me rant.

Grey you are my bro.....as in bromance! Love and respect you brother...and say hi to your sweet wonderfull wife!

terry

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by Greyson

What I have in the title is what I read on my discharge papers from a recent hospital stay. This hospital is located in Berkeley, CA. Berkeley the alleged land of Progressives.

I was baffled when I read this. All of my I.D. says "Male." I always identify when asked or I volunteer the information as Transgender. I never refer to myself as a transsexual. Just my preference. Does not have to be yours. I also never refer to myself as "Female." If I did see myself as 100% woman, I would say, I am a woman, not "female." I let them know I am transgender because I want the authorities and others to know I am not a cisman. I always clarify, "I am legally a male."

For me it is frustrating at times. I do not think gender is restricted to only two genders and many of us are Trans with varying degrees of femininity and masculinity.

I never thought I would feel this way, but I am getting tired of trying to fit into a defined box. I am a person and I am Queer. Thanks for letting me rant.

Sorry you had that experience, Greyson, that really sucks! Hospitals here are like that as well. Really wish the medical community would get their shit together, and especially since your legal id has been amended!

Edit: one thing I don't understand at some clinics here. Some of them now do actually give you options on your records to tick what you identify as, but then on the front of your record they put the sex you were assigned at birth. For example, one clinic I went to let me check male and trans, but then on the front of my records put female. I just wonder what the point is of them giving you the option (for people who don't have their id changed) when they aren't going to use that information.

[LoyalWolfsBlade]

Hi always and everyone else. As fir your male, female, transgender question personally I find transgender to be an umbrella politically correct word that feels as if it is forced on us. There is a time and place to be PC however even then you. (a general you) should always take the persons whishes into account.

Again this is just personally to me and my beliefs I am offended by the term transgender and no one has a right to tell anyone I am not a male. After all I have fought all my life to be seen by others the way I see myself, as a male. That is why I use FtM and not trans at this stage of my medical transition simply because it is honest. Once I have completed the process I will identify myself as male. Period. At that point it will be me that decides who knows and when they know that I am not a cis-male. As far as the government is concerned I am already legally a male at least on my government ids and just waiting on the birth certificate decision to take the final step.

So as for your question I think the best answer is to check whichever one the client tells you. Couldn't you ask how do you id instead of what is your gender? I do think if they include transgender as an option they should also include other with a space to expand on that. In my experience more and more younger "transgender" folks identify mote along the spectrum of two spirit and the older ones like myself stick to the terms we grew up with whether that is FtM or MtF.

~Alix~

[LoyalWolfsBlade]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Sorry you had that experience, Greyson, that really sucks! Hospitals here are like that as well. Really wish the medical community would get their shit together, and especially since your legal id has been amended!

Edit: one thing I don't understand at some clinics here. Some of them now do actually give you options on your records to tick what you identify as, but then on the front of your record they put the sex you were assigned at birth. For example, one clinic I went to let me check male and trans, but then on the front of my records put female. I just wonder what the point is of them giving you the option (for people who don't have their id changed) when they aren't going to use that information.

My guess would be that the birth gender is used for insurance purpose, so they match and the actually gender you use is for them on how to address you. I sure wish more places made that simple effort. Even in Oregon they had to pit the gender on your birth certificate on all official paper work. Simply bcs of insurance at least that is how my doctor explained it. However my doctor did refer to me with make pronouns through out my chart and on all correspondence that I requested from her, I was lucky that way.

[Nadeest]

I do think that you should give the client the option to say how they define themselves, on that form. Why don't you just ask them, then , when going to the menu to set it down, leave it blank, and make a note elsewhere on the form, as to what your clients defines themselves as?

You might have to go to the appropriate authorities to get this change into the system, but I submit that it is worth it. For example, if someone is identifying as 'genderqueer', I really don't think that it is a good way to build trust between you two, by misidentifying them.

Thank you very much, though, for asking this question.