Queerability: My Perspective: Autism, Sexual Orientation (or Gender Identity) and the Intersection of the Two

queerability:

Oftentimes, when we discuss issues like autism and sexual orientation (or gender identity) we discuss them separately, but the fact is there is a lot of intersectionality between the two. Now, I am not saying that if you are LGBTQ+/GSM you are more likely to be Autistic or vice versa because…

(via fcyeah)

Source: queerability

I am not Haraam: Resource: Health and Wellbeing of LGBTQ youth from IGLYO (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Youth...

We are happy to announce a new resource from IGLYO, “Health and Wellbeing of LGBTQI Youth”. The publication identifies the key health issues and concerns for LGBTQI youth, outlines the main approaches to addressing inequalities, and suggests recommendations for improving health and well-being…

Courtney O'Donnell: Transgender Disorder Stigma No More

guerrillaangel:

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In May, 2013, the paradigm for the way the medical profession view transgender people changes — soon we will no longer be classified as having a “mental disorder.” The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) diagnostic manual is being updated and the “disorder” stigma soon to be removed.

(via riley-ferretboy-konor)

Source: guerrillaangel

Provide free health services to LGBT Tanzanians

Summary

WEZESHA in Partnership with Ilala Municipality is Establishing a Gay Clinic at Tabata Health Center to help provide free quality health services, including HIV testing, TB screening, treatment care, and support to more than 500 LGBT people in Dar es Salaam region,this will be the first and only Clinic in Tanzania where LGBT people can access free Quality health services.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

More than 2 Million LGBT people in Tanzania do not have access to quality health services including HIV prevention, treatment care,and support due to rejection,neglect, and Criminalization that is based on gender identity and sexual orientation. LGBT people continually face stigma and discrimination, harassment and arbitrary arrests, and even alienation from family therefore. Things are so difficult for some LGBT people living with HIV that they medicate themselves with battery acid.

How will this project solve this problem?

We will provide free quality treatment, HIV testing, and counseling, along with free condoms and skills training to more than 500 LGBT people in the Dar es Salaam region.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will increase access to quality health services to approximately 500 LGBT people in the Dar es Salaam region, thus hopefully reducing the HIV / STI infection rate

Project Message

As a gay man who has been denied access to quality health services in public health facilities several times due to my sex orientation, I was looking for a way to help end this problem in Tanzania. 
- James Wandera Ouma, Executive Director

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $6,375
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $29,625
Total Funding Goal: $36,000

fuck yeah sex education: Meta-analysis shows the massive global burden of HIV among transgender women

transqueery:

Almost a fifth of transgender women worldwide are infected with HIV, results of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases shows. A total of 39 studies involving over 11,000 transgender women in 15 different countries were included in the study, which…

Source: transqueery

Invisible Women: Why Transgender Women Are Hit So Hard By HIV

Transgender women are the fastest-growing population of HIV-positive people in the country, according to Miss Major, a 70-year-old transgender woman of color and the executive director of TGI Justice Project, a San Francisco–based advocacy organization that fights for the rights of transgender, intersex, and gender-variant people who are in prison or have served jail time. Most experts agree with Major’s assertion, but hard data backing up that reality is hard to come by since HIV data collection methods often either mistakenly categorize transgender women as men who have sex with men, or don’t distinguish between transgender and non-transgender women.

Click the header link to read the full article.

Colorado and Health Insurance, victory explained

neutrois:

In an important victory for the health of all Coloradans, the Colorado Division of Insurance released a bulletin on March 19, 2013, stating that discrimination in health coverage based on sexual orientation — defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or transgender status — is prohibited in Colorado.

…

Defining “Sexual Orientation”
Colorado’s law defines sexual orientation as a “person’s orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or transgender status or another person’s perception thereof.” This means Colorado’s law prohibits discrimination by health insurers based on sexual orientation and includes protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Coloradans.

Yes, it is a little dumb to include “transgender” in their definition of “sexual orientation.” However, the fact that it IS included now means it’s illegal to discriminate based on transgender status (and not just orientation per se). Read on…

What Type of Exclusions for Transgender Coloradans Currently in Health Insurance Policies Does the Bulletin Impact?

  • Health insurers cannot deny coverage of treatments for transgender policyholders if the same treatments are covered for other policyholders. If an insurer covers breast reduction surgery to lessen back pain, for example, that insurer could not deny breast reduction surgery for gender transition if the provider deemed the treatment medically necessary. If hormone therapy is covered for other policyholders, it cannot be denied for gender transition if determined to be medically necessary. On the other hand, an insurer could exclude all coverage of breast implants or penile implants. In short, Colorado law requires equality in treatment.
  • Health insurers may not have riders that categorically exclude all transgender patients.
  • Insurers cannot rate or charge more for individuals based on their sexual orientation or transgender status.
  • Insurers cannot classify as a pre-existing condition an individual’s sexual orientation or transgender status to limit or deny coverage.

Note it only applies to private insurance. It does not apply to Medicaid or Medicare, since these are federally funded.