LGBT Healthcare Bill of Rights

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Peggy L Chinn

Healthcare is not an easy subject for many who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities.  Many have had negative experiences with healthcare encounters, have heard horror stories from their friends, or, fearing the worst, simply avoid risking any encounter with the system.  This is not the way it should be, and there are many individuals and BORwallet-2_pdfgroups who are working to change the system for the better, and to assist LGBT people and families know how to navigate in these waters that are all too often troubled.

Healthlink, a network of LGBT community centers and other partners, has recently posted a Healthcare Bill of Rights to affirm exactly what we can expect from the system, and establishes a foundation for challenging the system when it fails.  These fundamental rights are:

  • The right to be treated with equality and respect
  • The right to affirmation of your true gender identity
  • The right to designate who will make decisions for you if you cannot do so for yourself
  • The right to visitation by anyone you choose
  • The right to your privacy
  • The right to protections if you are discharged due to discrimination

You can read the details of the Bill of Rights here.  You can download the bill in several formats, including a wallet-sized summary.  Spread the word – make sure your LGBT friends and acquaintances know this Bill – inevitably someone you know will need it, probably someday soon!

Note: the links above sometimes do not connect – so I am making the detailed Bill of rights available to download here.  But the link is a good link .. be patient and try again to visit the site!

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Laverne Cox of “Orange is the New Black” tells her story!

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Peggy L Chinn

As the holiday season shifts into full gear, it is time to be mindful of the struggles that many sexual and gender diverse youth and adults experience – including depression, loneliness, suicidal thoughts and even action.  The pain and struggle of everyday life is amplified in contexts where others are connecting with family and friends and joyfully indulging in celebrations that dull our sensitivity to the pain of others.

On the Netflix miniseries “Orange is the New Black” Laverne plays the part of Sophia Burset, who is a transgender woman who went to prison for credit-card fraud. Originally a firefighter named Marcus, Sophia was unhappy with living as a man and transitioned with the support of her wife Crystal. Sophia committed fraud to finance her operation and hormone therapy. She has a young son named Michael, who had difficulty with her transition.

Watch this wonderful video that Laverne Cox posted for the “It Gets Better” Project, telling her own story of how it got better for her.

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2015 LGBT Health Workforce Conference Building a Caring Community in the Electronic Age

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Peggy L Chinn

Registration and abstract submission is now open for the 2015 LGBT Health Workforce Conference!  The conference will be held in New York City, May 1-3, 2015, at Hunter College City University of New York, Main Campus, West Building, Southwest conferenceCorner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10065

This conference provides an overview of up-to-date practices (climate and educational) in preparing the health care workforce to address the health concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.  This conference is designed for health professionals (M.D., D.O., P.A.-C., nurses, dentists, podiatrists, social workers, psychologists, etc.), educators, and students (pre-health professions, professional schools, and graduate), but all interested are invited to attend. CME credit will be available.

A summary of the first conference, held in 2013, is published in LGBT Health titled First Annual LGBT Health Workforce Conference: Empowering Our Health Workforce to Better Serve LGBT Communities.  This is an exciting opportunity for LavenderHealth.org followers!  Let us know if you are able to attend!

Posted in Call for papers/abstracts, Conferences | Tagged | 2 Comments

Report on LGBT health Priorities for 2015

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Peggy L Chinn

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a report titled “Advancing LGBT Health & Well-being.”  This is the 4th annual report that is the outcome of the President’s directive to identify steps that the DHHS can take to improve the health of LGBT Americans.  Before the Affordable Care Act, one in three lower income LGBT Americans did not have medical insurance.  Recognizing that insurance alone will not improve the health of our communities, the reports provide specific recommendations for steps that still need to be taken to address this need.

The new recommendations for 2015 are:

1. Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender IdentityLGBT_Health_and_Well-being___HHS_gov

2. Funding Research on LGBT Health Inequities

3. Improving Health Data on LGBT Populations

4. Research on the Blood Donation Deferral Policy for Men Who Have Sex with Other Men

5. Improving Cultural Competency with Respect to the Two Spirit Community

6. Further Addressing the Human Services Needs of LGBT Populations

7. Re-Launching the HHS LGBT Issues Webpage

For more about what the Affordable Care Act means for LGBT Americans and their families, visit the HHS web pages dedicated focusing on LGBT health!  And  remember to spread the word — enrollment is open until Feburary 2015!  Be sure everyone you know has the information they need to get coverage!

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Promoting a research study

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Mickey

Can you help my colleague spread the word about her important research?  See below.

Participate in a Study on Fertility Treatment Experiences

(With a Chance to Win $100)

http://alturl.com/v333d

Are you currently trying to get pregnant using donor sperm? If so, you are invited to participate in a study being conducted by researchers at San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. The study aims to investigate various aspects of fertility treatment experiences for heterosexual and lesbian women.

To participate, you MUST be:  

•      Currently pursuing pregnancy using donor sperm

•      18 years of age or older

•      Fluent in English

Participating involves completing an online survey. If you are currently in a romantic relationship, your partner will be invited to participate as well. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. After you complete the survey, you will be entered into a raffle for $100. Drawings will be held at the end of each month. The odds of winning the prize will depend on the number of entries received each month.

Participation is voluntary and all information will be kept anonymous and confidential. You are free to decline to participate at any time even after the survey has begun.

If you are willing to participate, please click the link below to register. You will then be sent a Study ID number and a link to the survey. Please feel free to contact the lead researcher, Sarah Holley, Ph.D., with any questions via e-mail (sholley@sfsu.edu) or via phone (415-747-9990). This study is IRB approved by San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco.        

http://alturl.com/v333d

Thank you for your time and interest!

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