A special message for young trans folks

Dear Beloved Child,

I say beloved because you are special and lovable exactly as you are.  I was thinking about this today when the song, "You are beautiful" by Christine Agullara came on the radio.  The words are so breathtaking and inspiring.  If you haven't heard it, make a point of finding it and listening to every word.

She says it so much better than I ever could and if you could just believe how true her words are, maybe it well help you to feel strong on those days when you feel lost, or like you don't fit in, or may never be accepted.

Maybe your homelife isn't happy.  Perhaps your parents will not accept your truth.  Or maybe they support you, but finding that same support in school is not possible right now.  I wish, so many of us wish, that we could make everything ok for you right now.  But to borrow the words from the movement on YouTube, please know:

IT GETS BETTER


There will come a day when you will be surrounded by people who love you and care that you're happy.  If those people are not the family you are born into, they will be the family you choose.  Until that time, you must, for your very survival physically and emotionally, dig deep and look for small pockets of happiness where-ever you can find them.  A smile from a perfect stranger, encouragement from a teacher, a hug from a friend, the sun streaming through the clouds, the bustle of a city, or the quiet birdsong in the morning-these small things will sustain you until your life is in a place where you can be who you are, love who you wish, present in the manner that makes you happy.  


I don't know the realities of your lives, those of you who must remain closeted for your own safety. But I can imagine how hard it must be to just be yourself. Fitting into this world where so much of who we are is judged by how we look is hard for many of us.  Your road is not an easy one, and may be considerably longer than mine, but rest assured, many of us will be, at the very least, your occasional travel companions as we struggle to be accepted and loved.  And when our paths diverge, I, like so many others, will be thinking of you, wishing you well, hoping for a happier tomorrow for you and loving you for your courage, whether we know you or not.  "You are beautiful in every single way....no matter what they say....words can't bring you down."  For more hope-please check out: www.itgetsbetter.org

Trans kids/teens-check out CNN tonight

Flying Pig has been sending me everything that crosses her desk regarding LGBT issues.  A big shout out and thanks to her for that!!!  We love you Flying Pig!

CNN is airing a special tonight at 8 pm eastern standard time on transgender kids and teens.  My guess is if you don't catch it tonight, you may be able to catch it on CNN's webpage.  In the meantime, if you click on this link, there are other televised features focusing on this subject, as well, that you might want to view.  It's encouraging to see how tactfully the reporters are, how understanding many families and communities are.


http://www.andersoncooper.com/episodes/children-and-teens-trapped-in-the-wrong-bodies/

Family Acceptance Project-LGBT teens, check this out

Family Acceptance Project  fap@sfsu.edu
STUDY: GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES IN SCHOOL BENEFIT HEALTH, EDUCATION OF LGBT YOUNG ADULTS

SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 15, 2011 - New research has found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth who attend middle or high schools with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) have better mental health as young adults, are less likely to drop out of high school, and more likely to attend college. Published in the current issue of Applied Developmental Science, this is the first study to show that GSA participation is related to long-term benefits. The study, High School Gay–Straight Alliances (GSAs) and Young Adult Well-Being, is based on data from the Family Acceptance Project’s survey of LGBT young adults, which examined the school-related experiences of 245 LGBT young adults, ages 21 to 25.  

Prior research has shown that LGBT youth are at risk for school victimization based on their sexual orientation and gender expression; that LGB youth and young adults report higher levels of depression and other mental health problems than heterosexual peers in a range of studies; and that LGBT school bullying is related to compromised academic achievement. However, until now, there have been few indicators to show whether positive school-based supports can help prevent these negative outcomes in young adulthood. In this new study, the positive impact of GSAs was particularly strong when students viewed their Gay-Straight Alliances as effective in promoting a safer school environment.

The study also shows that the benefits of Gay-Straight Alliances diminish as levels of LGBT school victimization increase; that is, the protective nature of GSAs is not enough to overcome the negative impact of LGBT victimization on young adult mental health. Thus, the authors document that Gay-Straight Alliances cannot be proposed as the sole solution for creating safer school climates for LGBT youth. Instead, schools need to implement other efforts to reduce anti-LGBT bias in schools in combination with the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances, such as enumerated anti-harassment and nondiscrimination policies, teacher training on how to intervene in school harassment related to sexual orientation and gender expression, and an LGBT-inclusive curriculum.

These findings are of particular importance in light of recent tragic incidents of school violence – such as the murder of Larry King in 2008 and the multiple suicides of young men perceived to be gay in 2010 and 2011 who experienced high levels of LGBT school victimization. Further, several schools and districts continue to attempt to ban the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances (e.g., school board of Nassau County in 2009; Okeechobee High School in 2008 [both in Florida]; Flour Buff High School in Corpus Christi, TX, in 2011), even though GSAs are protected by the 1984 Federal Equal Access Act. In addition, the Anoka-Hennepin School District has a policy that requires staff to “remain neutral in matters related to sexual orientation including but not limited to student led discussion” that belies the purpose of GSAs which is to provide a supportive school-related environment where students can learn about and openly discuss and educate the school community on LGBT issues.

Said co-author Russell Toomey: “Given the recent attention to tragic deaths by suicide related to anti-LGBT school bullying over the past year, our research documents that having Gay-Straight Alliances in schools is an important way to boost mental health and academic achievement for LGBT young people. However, Gay-Straight Alliances should not be perceived as the only vehicle for creating safer school climates for students – clearly, our findings document that other LGBT-positive supports need to be implemented in schools for LGBT students to thrive.”

Noted co-author Stephen T. Russell: “This study adds to the mounting evidence that youth-led clubs are important for healthy development – especially for youth at risk. For LGBT youth, high school gay-straight alliances make a significant positive difference.”

Dr. Caitlin Ryan, study co-author and Director of the Family Acceptance Project at SF State University added, “This new study on the benefits of GSAs to health and education adds to our growing understanding of the importance of social environments and the need to provide institutional support for LGBT youth to promote well-being in adulthood.”

Citation: Toomey, R. B., Ryan, C., Diaz, R. M., & Russell, S. T. (2011). High school gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and young adult well-being: An examination of GSA presence, participation, and perceived effectiveness. Applied Developmental Science, 15(4),1-11.

About the Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education and policy initiative that is designed to: 1) improve the health, mental health, and well-being of LGBT children and adolescents; 2) strengthen and help ethnically and religiously diverse families to support their LGBT children; 3) help LGBT youth to stay in their homes to prevent homelessness and the need for custodial care in the foster care and juvenile justice systems; 4) inform public policy and family policy; and 5) develop a new evidence-based, family model of wellness, prevention, and care to promote well-being and decrease risk for LGBT youth. For more information, please visit familyproject.sfsu.edu

LGBT Friends-the Feds want to hear what you have to say :)

Dear Bloggers,

Flying Pig has graciously shared this info so that any of you who may have access to the opportunity below can hopefully attend. 

To anyone who has ever had an experience in the health care system…Tell HHS about it!

November 14, 2011

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is coming to your area to ask for experiences the LGBT community has had with medical providers. The Task Force has been working closely with HHS to make health care fair and inclusive for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Our advocacy teams have been working hard to tell HHS what is broken about the Health Care system for LGBT people, but we don’t have enough stories of real people. Now it’s your turn to tell them what the LGBT community needs. Take a look at the cities and dates below and RSVP today!
If you are a patient, make sure to share any positive or negative experiences you’ve had as an LGBT person going to the doctor (insurance claims, front office staff interactions, experiences with medical personnel, etc.). If you work in the medical field, talk about best practices for LGBT health, especially if you’ve implemented them successfully.
If you find yourself close to one of these listening sessions you should attend and make your voice heard!
Seattle Monday, 11/14 @ 1pm: RSVP to viveta.vandersanden@hhs.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2201 6th Avenue, Suite 204
Seattle, Washington 98121
Denver Tuesday, 11/15 @ 10am: RSVP to Ezra.Watland@hhs.gov
Founders Room, Mile High United Way
2505 18th Street
Denver, CO 80211
Portland Tuesday, 11/15@ 1pm: RSVP to viveta.vandersanden@hhs.gov
Gus Solomon Courthouse, Courtroom 71 (7th floor)
620 SW Main Street
Portland, Oregon 97205

http://thetaskforceblog.org/2011/11/14/to-anyone-who-has-ever-had-an-experience-in-the-health-care-system%E2%80%A6tell-hhs-about-it/

Quoting The Wizard of Oz

Are you considering telling your family about your true gender identity, but are scared?  Is it possible that you may be wrong about their reaction?  Far be it for me to assume I know anyone's family better than they do, but it might be worth taking some time to consider if you might be more fearful than you need to be.

If your reaction is an immediate one of, "If I tell my loved ones, I will be certain to face:  physical or emotional harm, or being evicted from my home, then perhaps you are wise to refrain.  BUT, and this is a big BUT, if you are feeling even a bit uncertain about how your loved ones will take the news, perhaps there is more potential for acceptance than you've considered.  Perhaps the possible, but maybe not probable fear of rejection is guiding your decision making process more than it should.  I say "perhaps" because, at least intellectually, I understand the very real fear of being cast out from your family.  But if we let fear make all of our decisions for us, our lives will not be as full as they could be.

If you want to come out to your loved ones, but don't know how, perhaps breaking the process down into baby steps would be helpful.  Think long and hard about your family members.  Is there even one family member who is open minded and supportive that you are close to?  Is that family member well accepted by other family members?  It doesn't have to be your parents.  A sibling, an aunt, a cousin, a close family friend-any of them will suffice.  You break the news to the safest person first-IF you can trust that they won't blab before you are ready.  Then, once you have even one person in your corner, you bring that person with you to tell the other family members.  You DO NOT have to inform everyone but keep in mind that whomever you do tell your news to must be trustworthy enough to keep your news private until such time you decide to share with more people.

You could put "feelers" out first.  For instance, you could broach the subject with something like:  "I was watching this show the other day about transgendered people.  It was really interesting and I really felt for people who feel like they are stuck in the wrong body."  Then, watch the person's reaction.  If they react only slightly like, "You mean transvestites?  I thought they were kinda sick," don't give up yet.  This person just might need more education.  You could respond with something like, "Actually, it's not the same thing.  Transvestites just like to "pretend" if you will.  Transgender is a gender identity issue that even science is saying is valid."  If the person seems interested, or even not freaked out completely, believe it or not, there may be hope.

Let's be realistic-this is going to be strange news to hear.  But it's only strange because it's something we're not expecting or used to dealing with.  So, that being said, a person is going to react at first.  That alone is not reason enough for you to stay closeted.  It's the size of the reaction, or the nature of the reaction that can guide your decision.  A significantly angry, explosive or offended reaction might be your warning that this person is not a safe person with whom you can share your truth.  However, a denying kind of response, a "you've got to be kidding" reaction, or even a "is this a sick joke" reaction might just be the listener's knee jerk reaction to some unusual news but may not indicate that the person will reject you outright.

Only you can decide what will make you happy.  How you live your truth is a very personal and individual decision.  That are so many shades of grey here.  If you feel happy and content with whatever measures you've taken to feel comfortable with who you are, then that may be enough for you.  But, if you feel closeted and it's making you incredibly unhappy and the only reason you haven't shared your struggles is simple fear, not a fear that you have investigated and found to be real and not imagined, then perhaps you might consider inching towards telling that one safe person, to start.

Either way, admittedly, you're going to have to be a real tough cookie.  That's where a good therapist is worth his/her weight in gold.  And maybe that would be a better place to start.  Find a therapist first before you start breaking the news.  Your therapist will be your support as you take on this challenge.  You must have someone you know you can count on before you make this leap.  You must have someone who will affirm your worth as a person, regardless of what you wear or how you act.  If your family wants to know why you want to see a therapist, you are not being untruthful if you tell them you are feeling anxious and stressed and need to work through it.

Maybe that's the best place to start-find one person who will support you.  Maybe that person will be a penpal, or someone you meet in a chat room on the net, a therapist, or a family friend-as long as it's someone who can say to you, "I may not understand right away, but I WANT to understand.  More importantly, I want you to be happy because I care."  Find that person-examine your life, your relationships for him or her.  If he/she doesn't exist in your personal life, go to Laura's Playground website and join a support group.  Look up support groups in your area.  As proof that many families will support their transgender, gender queer, and homosexual children, go to www.anotetomykid.com.  It's possible your loved one may come around like these folks did.

Yes, if you are considering sharing your truth, you must don your big girl panties or big boy briefs.  It's not easy.  But self-care is key.  We all must learn to care for ourselves properly-in that way you're just like the rest of us schmoes who share the planet.  Believing in yourself, caring for your self-it takes courage, or as the cowardly lion put it, "The NOYVE."

Attention Young People-resources for YOU

To my young readers, if there are any.  You are not alone. I did a quick search for some resources so that you would know you are NOT the only transgender kid or teenager, or young adult out there. We live in a rural community, and support is even popping up out here.  You gotta look for it.  Your generation is way more computer savvy than mine, so if I can find it, you can.

In the meantime-here are a couple of phone numbers:

Trevor Lifeline:

866-4UTrevor or 866-488-7386

Another hotline: this is a nationwide toll free number for the Trevor Lifeline:

888-644-4390

If you think that most people in the world won't love you or accept you, it's not true.  Even if you do not find acceptance at home, there are people out there who can confirm to you your worth, your loveableness, your right to exist and be happy.  Go to:

www.Anotetomykid.com

Trans Youth Family Allies is another great organization at:

 www.imatyfa.org


And if I may, I would like to comment, personally, on young folks who face this challenge.

I know that not everyone will accept you for who you really are and I can only imagine how painful that must be.  But if you harbor fears that no one will ever love you and accept you, please know that that isn't true.  You may have to kiss way more frogs than you care to, but there are lots of people who will love you, accept you, be your friend and supporter.  You are braver than you know in being true to yourself.  There are so many of us who want to help.  Please keep helping yourself and reaching out to the people who want to support you.  Go to the websites I've listed here and under "Links".  Reach out to help yourself and you will be helping someone else at the same time.  Keep the faith.  Live your truth and know that there are plenty of us who are on your side.

You asked for it...more resources

In an effort to be more concrete in my support, rather than accommodating my need to be mouthy myself, to quote one of my previous, angry blog entries, I would like to use today's entry to share some specific information regarding services, health care professionals, and the like.

For folks who are considering or have started the transition process, there are multiple physical characteristics that one must modify, obviously, in some cases, perhaps not so much with others.  Let us just get down to brass tacks and address them head on.

For transgender females anywhere in the puberty process:  has your voice become disarmingly deep?  Have you considered speech therapy?  I believe there are some programs online but if you can go to an actual speech and hearing clinic, these fine folks are trained specifically to help folks with speech issues, which may include voice training.  We were directed to the George Washington University speech and hearing clinic where in a mere 6-8 months, DJ's voice was trained to fall into the "normal" range of a typical female voice.  Their program is fabulous and affordable:  they make use of the grad students to offer the voice training, under the supervision and guidance of licensed professionals, and thereby can keep the costs affordable.  Dr. Adrienne Hancock assisted DJ and she was wonderful to work with.  They charge $50 for a one hour session.  GWU is in Washington D.C. so if you live anywhere in the area, it's definitely worth considering.  But, if you don't, consider going to a University, or speech therapy clinic near you that has a medical program and ask.  Voice training is part of speech therapy so while the folks near you may not have worked with transgender clients before, that doesn't mean they won't be willing or able to help you in your endeavor to sound more feminine.  The training is not just aimed at the voice itself, but also encompasses common mannerisms of speaking, so I imagine this process could be helpful to the transgender male client as well.

Finding a therapist that specializes in this field:  those of you living near urban areas will likely have more success, but even if you live out in the country, like we do, there are still possibilities.  Perhaps making a weekly 50 mile trip isn't feasible, but if you can manage it every 2-3 weeks, many therapists can and will still work with you, especially if you're not having any major issues.  Try Laura's Playground at :

http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

to find a list of therapists, by state.  We found DJ's therapist this way.  The first therapist we went to was Ellen Warren in Alexandria, Virginia.  She is wonderful.  You can do a Google search to find her.  The only reason we didn't stay with her was the drive was too long to make weekly, which we thought was required at the time.  However, I continued to check back with the Laura's Playground website and found DJ's new therapist, Chris McClure, in Gainesville, VA.  She is fabulous as well.  Both are very experienced in helping transgender teens and young adults.  You can Google Chris McClure, as well to find her office location.

Considering hormone therapy?  Prior to the recent changes in the WPATH Standards of Care,  it seemed the only path worth considering was going to a Pediatric Endocrinologist for teens who want to transition in this way.  However, we were fortunate enough to have a colleague who recommended another colleague in New Jersey who worked with DJ's primary care physician, here at home, to manage her pharmacological needs.  Dr. Carla Enriquez in New Jersey is a doctor who specializes in pediatric neurodevelopmental issues, among other things.  She assisted DJ in writing prescriptions for her hormones.  Our insurance did not cover her care, so it was pricey because Dr. Enriquez will conduct an exceedingly thorough exam including interviews with the patient and parents of the minor patient.  But she is a brilliant doctor who, by the way, transitioned quite a long time ago and was a true trailblazer in her state.  Her actions led to legislation to protect transgender people from discrimination and harassment in New Jersey.  We enlisted the help of DJ's primary care physician to authorize periodic lab work, which our insurance did cover.  He then forwarded the results of the lab work to Dr. E so that she could be sure DJ's hormone levels were in the appropriate range.  You might be able to enlist the assistance of your PCP in this way, thereby keeping visits to the specialist who writes the prescriptions to a minimum.  I simply downloaded and printed a fair amount of scientific data describing DJ's condition and brought it in to her PCP and we discussed his informing his staff that the client formerly known as JD, was now DJ. He was glad to help and thankful for the information I provided so that he could read it in his spare time.

Another great doctor to consider who just brought a physician's assistance to her practice to help manage her increasing numbers of clients with hormone management needs is Dr. Christine McGinn in New Hope, PA.  You can Google her, as well.  My understanding is Dr. McGinn had quite a long waiting list for patients who wanted her to help them manage their pharmacological needs,which is why she brought the physician's asst. on board.  Whether or not she is taking new clients for this purpose, I'm not certain, but it's worth trying.  Dr. Christine McGinn is also a superbly gifted surgeon, as I understand it, and performs gender confirmation surgery for both male and female transgender patients.  She has a wonderfully unique set-up to care for her surgical patients, particularly post-op.  Her demeanor is friendly, caring, and professional.  Her staff is excellent.  Her office also performs electrolysis AND will numb the area with a blocking agent via injection, which is a service that is hard to find.  Most electrologists work independently from doctors and cannot therefore offer the numbing injection, only numbing cream, which may not be as effective in controlling discomfort.  Additionally, Dr. McGinn's office offers laser hair removal too.

Go to Lauras-Playground.com for all kinds of resources for transgender folks.  It is incredibly comprehensive.  I've said this before, but the first time I went on the website, I was a bit taken aback because the graphics were what would normally appeal to children and I was worried what kind of website it was.  DO NOT let the graphics sway you one way or the other.  This website is very helpful, complete with chaperoned chat rooms, blogs, and all kinds of references for services.  This was, literally, the first resource we made use of when DJ first came out.  DJ and I accessed the chat rooms together so I could be sure it was on the up and up and it is.  There are folks who monitor the chat rooms to protect the users from folks who are there for the wrong reasons.

If you're considering coming out at school or at work, www.imatyfa. org and www. PFLAG.org have resources to help educate peers at work, or at school.  I've even been given to understand that a rep from their organization may come to your place of work, or school, and educate the folks there to assist with your transition.  It's worth looking into.  They have a pamphlet online that you can print up and bring to your school or place of work to illustrate what services they offer to help make your transition as a student or employee easier for everybody.

If you're considering surgery, be careful of where you look.  For example, we looked into Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Last time I checked, they perform gender confirmation surgery but the patient has to go through the Sexual Behaviors Consultation unit.  In other words, my child would be mixed in with clientele that may have had erectile dysfunction issues, inability to perform issues, sexual deviancy issues, as well as gender identity issues.  Any "sexual" issue was treated there.  I was not about to mix my child in with such a varied clientele.  For all I know, they could be treating pedophiles there since that is a sexual behavior, whereas gender identity is NOT a sexual behavior.  I thought their process was alarmingly conservative and cast the transgender person in a negative light.  Just my opinion, but worth considering when you are evaluating resources for your family member or yourself.

There is a surgeon in Canada, Dr. Brassard, who comes very highly recommended.  You can Google him as well as there is a plethora of information on him.  Very highly regarded and is supposed to have a gentle bedside manner in addition to excellent skills as a surgeon.

I will endeavor to find out more if I can and share it with my readers.  If you have resources that you can share, please send me a comment and maybe we can then share e-mail addresses and correspond.