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What is Transgender? The word transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender expression and/or gender identities vary from the gender identities they were assigned at birth. So, under the transgender umbrella you will find pre-operative, post-operative, and non-operative transsexuals, as well as drag queens and kings, cross-dressers, transmen, transwomen, genderqueers, intersexed people, and any other gender-variant individual. NO Federal law specifically prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Additionally, Georgia has no state laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression. “The city codes of Atlanta and Decatur, however, prohibit discrimination in employment based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and Dekalb County ordinances prohibit discrimination in public employment based on “non-merit factors,” which could be interpreted to include gender identity” (from GPAC’s GenderLaw Guide). Why are transgender rights and issues important to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community? Simply put, because we are all fighting the same fight. Lesbians, gays, and bisexuals are discriminated against socially and politically because of society’s rejection of a fundamental part of their identities: their sexuality. Transgender people are also discriminated against socially and politically because of society’s rejection of a fundamental part of their identities: their gender and/or gender expression. Additionally, while some people who identify as transgender also identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, other transgender people who identify as straight are often perceived as “gay” and discriminated against as such. And let’s not forget that drag queens and transwomen were among those who paved the way for the modern gay rights movement when they and other patrons fought back at Stonewall in 1969. What are some of the issues facing the transgender community? Violence against transgender people is an enormous problem. Last November, nearly thirty individuals were remembered during the 7th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. While all who were remembered may not have specifically identified as transgender, they were all victims of violence related to their gender identity and/or gender expression. The littlest victim was a three year old boy whose father beat him to death because he thought the boy was a “sissy.” (http://www.gender.org/remember/day/) Harassment is also a daily reality for many transgender people. Just using a public restroom, something that most people take for granted, can be a harrowing experience for someone whose gender may be perceived by others to differ from what our culture associates with the little figure on the door they choose. There are no laws against transgender people using restrooms appropriate to their gender identities, but transfolks are routinely kicked out of public restrooms and harassed by store personnel and security guards. Being differently gendered also makes navigating healthcare difficult. Many doctors and healthcare workers have little or no experience working with transpeople, and therefore have no knowledge or training regarding the healthcare needs specific to transpeople, or the sensitivity required to handle these needs. Some healthcare workers will refuse to treat transpeople altogether. To avoid this humiliation, many transpeople put off regular check-ups or much needed doctor visits when they’re ill. Although the state of Georgia will allow all transpeople to change their names, the state will only reissue birth certificates to transpeople that reflect their current gender identities if they provide proof, in the form of a notarized affidavit from a surgeon, that they are undergoing or have undergone gender-reassignment surgery. However, many transpeople who want their legal documents to reflect their true gender identity either don’t have the money to cover the high cost of surgery or don’t feel surgery is necessary to lead fulfilling lives as transmen or transwomen. Additionally, in the last few years the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety has issued a regulation that requires transpeople to show a notarized affidavit of genital surgery to have the sex marker changed on their driver’s license. This policy is enforced unevenly, however, and many times a person who presents with a certified copy of their order for name change and legal change of gender can get their sex marker change, depending on who is working the counter that particular day. For additional information and support, see the resources listed below:
Juxtaposed Center for Transformation is an Atlanta based organization providing advocacy, social services, HIV/AIDS services, and other services to the Transgender and Non-gender conforming community. Visit their website at: http://www.juxtaposedcenter.org or call 678-591-3481 or e-mail juxtaposedcenter@bellsouth.net
For inquiries about hormones or surgery: Dr. Vin Tangpricha joined the Division of Endocrinology in 2004. He has treated well over 200 transgender individuals with hormone therapy. He can be reached at the Emory Clinic at (404)778-3280
For Legal Assistance: Cole Thaler, Esq. Staff Attorney – Transgender Rights Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund 1447 Peachtree St., NE, Suite 1004 Atlanta, GA 30308 (404)897-1880 ext. 232 (fax) (404)897-1884 www.lambdalegal.org Help desk: http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/iowa/help/index.html Psychotherapists specializing in Gender Transition issues: Jack Boyan specializes in the experiences of FtM transgender individuals. Atlanta, GA 30329 (404)315-7474
Dr. Virginia Erhardt 404.235.1178 Decatur, GA 30030 www.virginiaerhardt.com Kristine Medea Heartwork Counseling 404-658-1222 Dr. Erin Swenson 404-312-5677 or email at erin@erinswen.com Support Groups Atlanta Gender Explorations is the oldest transgender support group in Atlanta, dating back to 1992. Meets the first Saturday of every month at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Grant Park, 501 Grant Street, Atlanta . For more information, contact Jamie Roberts at (404)583-6423. See also their news list, atlantagenderexplorations@yahoogroups.com
Atlanta FtM began as an online discussion group and meets in person occasionally for fun and activities. Please see their list at Atlanta_FTM@yahoogroups.com Additional Links/ References: FTMInternational: http://www.ftmi.org/ Gender Education and Advocacy: http://www.gender.org Gender Public Advocacy Coalition: http://www.gpac.org GenderTalk: http://www.gendertalk.com/ Intersex Society of North America: http://www.isna.org/ People in Search of Safe Restrooms: http://www.pissr.org/ The National Center for Transgender Equality: http://www.nctequality.org The Transgender Law and Policy Institute: http://www.transgenderlaw.org
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