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TOP STORIES
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
NATIONAL
By Sunnivie Brydum, The Advocate“A new rule proposed by the Department of Defense would require the military’s healthcare provider, TriCare, to cover some transition-related care for service members and their dependents. The proposed rule would also expand access to mental health services for those covered under TriCare, reports the Military Times.””In a notice published in the Federal Register Monday, the Department of Defense suggested that TriCare “remove the categorical exclusion on treatment of gender dysphoria,” clearing the way for transgender dependents of service members to access certain gender-affirming care under their existing health care plans.”
“The proposed rule has no impact on the military’s longstanding ban on openly transgender Americans serving in uniform — though a Pentagon working group tasked with dismantling that administrative policy is expected to release its recommendations for doing so sometime this spring.”
“If the proposed rule is adopted, TriCare would cover “all non-surgical medically necessary and appropriate care in the treatment of gender dysphoria,” to include hormone therapy, psychotherapy, and pharmaceutical treatment.”
The State of HIV in Transgender America: Just How Bad is it?
By HIV+ Mag
“Transgender and gender non-conforming people have higher risks of contracting HIV than nearly any other group. Trans women of color are particularly vulnerable, with 1 in 2 black trans women and 1 in 5 trans Latinas living with HIV, according to the Transgender Law Center. In a study of 400 participants, TLC’s Positively Trans program set out to improve our understanding of people living with HIV in the transgender and non-conforming community.”
STATE
Groups clash over ‘religious liberty’ at Georgia Capitol
By Kristina Torres, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Georgia’s fight over religious freedom and gay rights spilled Tuesday into the hallways of the Capitol, with both supporters and opponents making their case about so-called “religious liberty” legislation that has vexed Georgia’s corporate leaders, gay community and members of the state’s Republican Party.”
“[…] Leaders of the 1.3 million-member Georgia Baptist Mission Board called on lawmakers to pass bills they said would protect religious viewpoints and prevent discrimination against religious groups. The board’s Mike Griffin made an explicit link to same-sex marriage, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that state prohibitions on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional.”
“Some Christians, Griffin said, have “deeply held convictions” that made them a target of what he and others in the group said was discrimination.”
Despite historic 2015, Alabama’s LGBT community still far from community
By Kelsey Stein, AL.com
“Advocates for LGBT equality celebrated successes in 2015 – though riddled with opposition and hurdles, same-sex marriage became a reality. But, they say, there is much ground to cover before full equality is reached, especially in states like Alabama.”
“The Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights organization for the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community, this week released its State Equality Index in partnership with the Equality Federation.”
“Alabama joins 27 other states in the lowest-performing category: High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality.”
“That means many laws undermine LGBT equality, and advocates spend most of their time working to kill bills that would negatively affect the LGBT community. None of those 28 states have non-discrimination laws that explicitly include sexual orientation or gender identity, and few have hate crime laws with those protections.”
By Julie Zeilinger, Mic“There is no evidence that trans individuals have harassed or otherwise harmed others in public bathrooms. Yet legislators in states across the country still try to bar trans individuals from using the bathroom that correspond with their gender. One teen is fighting this treatment. On Wednesday, his case became the first of its kind heard by a federal appeals court.””Gavin Grimm, 16, was forced to use either women’s or unisex bathrooms at his Gloucester, Virginia, school after administrators received complaints from his peers’ parents. The ACLU, which represents Grimm and brought the case against the Gloucester County School Board in June 2015, is arguing that this gender-based restriction equates to segregation and violates Title IX.”
LOCAL
Well done: Kudos to Lewisburg Council for doing the right thing
By The Register-Herald (West Virginia)
“We applaud Lewisburg City Council for voting unanimously to advance human rights, putting a considerable dent in discrimination of any and all people, no matter their race, religion or sexual identity.”
“The city ordinance being debated amends the city’s existing policy, prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, which are described as human rights and civil rights of all persons ‘without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness, handicap, or sexual orientation and gender identity’.”
“It took courage to stand against considerable opposition. But council members did just that.”
Dispelling the myths of Charlotte’s non-discrimination ordinances
By Matt Comer, Creative Loafing Charlotte
“Charlotte City Council will resum the debate over a proposed LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance this month, nearly one year since they voted down the same proposal.”
“The proposal would add sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status and marital status as protected against discrimination in hotels, restaurants, bars, taxis, the city’s commercial contracting and, yes, public restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms.”
“Opponents have taken the public’s perhaps genuine ignorance of transgender people and focused it squarely on restrooms and locker rooms.”
“‘No men in women’s restrooms,’ reads the slogan adopted by the NC Values Coalition and used by those who defeated a similar ordinance in Houston last year. “No boys in the girl’s locker room,” the group’s recent mass email exclaims.”
“We’re witnessing a fear-based media feeding frenzy, not a discussion based on facts. It’s time to get back to reality.”
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
‘There’s nothing here for me’: Transgender and trapped living a half-life in the Deep South
By Mae Ryan and Ed Pilkington, The Guardian
“Alena Bradford is no Caitlyn Jenner. Instead of a reality TV show and high-end plastic surgery, Alena still lives in her male body, imprisoned by lack of medical resources and money to make the transition to the woman she aspires to be. Stuck in rural Georgia, Alena is one of tens of thousands of trans people across the US still forced to live in the gender they were assigned at birth, stuck in a half-life in mid-transition.”
