Please visit GLAAM's new website for up-to-date information:
http://students.brown.edu/GLAAM/
Thanks to Wei and Makini for building this great site!
-K
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
China to test Olympic Athletes' Gender
Hey Folks. This is an older article that I'd originally sent out to the GLAAM listserv. Krista asked me to post it to the blog, but for some reason I've had excessive amounts of difficulty getting logged into the blog. Eventually it worked out for me, but if anyone else is having trouble, please email either Krista or me. Here's the link:
I'd be interested to see what the IOC, or national Olympic committees might do in the case of an athlete who identified as a trans person or who was in transition/post-transition. Thoughts?
<3 PW.
Olympic organizers have set up a sex-determination laboratory to evaluate the external appearance, hormones and genes of “suspect” female athletes.
I'd be interested to see what the IOC, or national Olympic committees might do in the case of an athlete who identified as a trans person or who was in transition/post-transition. Thoughts?
<3 PW.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Project Update: LGBTQ Medical Student Life Survey
Thanks to Pojen, Makini, Sarah and Pat for your contributions to this project!
GLAAM members are working with the AMSA Gender and Sexuality Committee to design an LGBTQ and ally student life survey to be distributed to medical students across the country. Data collected from completed surveys will be compiled in an online student guide accessible on the AMSA website. This guidebook will allow medical school and residency applicants to have a clearer picture of the social, educational and advocacy-related opportunities for queer students at the schools they are considering. The survey includes multiple choice questions that will yield statistical interpretations of LGBTQ and ally student life at individual schools, in regions of the country, and among LGBTQ medical students as a whole. Open-ended questions in the survey invite anecdotes, opinions and explanations clarifying answers selected in previous multiple choice questions. These responses will give life and personality to descriptions of individual medical schools.
The survey explores a number of topics. Some examples:
Comfort with being “out” to other medical students and to faculty
Size of LGBTQ medical, graduate and undergraduate communities
Social opportunities – dating and friendship
Presence of an LGBTQ medical student organization
Opportunities for LGBTQ advocacy and volunteerism
Availability of faculty mentorship
LGBTQ-relevant curriculum lectures/guest speakers
Support from student allies
Presence of LGBTQ community in the local town/city – social and cultural venues
Comfort and sense of safety during clinical rotations – culture of hospital environment
Medical field/specialty of interest: is the perceived level of acceptance/tolerance within fields of interest
a factor LGBTQ students strongly consider when applying for residency?
Attitudes toward including LGBTQ activities on residency applications/resumes
The survey is currently being reviewed by the AMSA Gender and Sexuality Committee. We hope to start distributing surveys and collecting information this fall.
-KH
Thanks to Pojen, Makini, Sarah and Pat for your contributions to this project!
GLAAM members are working with the AMSA Gender and Sexuality Committee to design an LGBTQ and ally student life survey to be distributed to medical students across the country. Data collected from completed surveys will be compiled in an online student guide accessible on the AMSA website. This guidebook will allow medical school and residency applicants to have a clearer picture of the social, educational and advocacy-related opportunities for queer students at the schools they are considering. The survey includes multiple choice questions that will yield statistical interpretations of LGBTQ and ally student life at individual schools, in regions of the country, and among LGBTQ medical students as a whole. Open-ended questions in the survey invite anecdotes, opinions and explanations clarifying answers selected in previous multiple choice questions. These responses will give life and personality to descriptions of individual medical schools.
The survey explores a number of topics. Some examples:
Comfort with being “out” to other medical students and to faculty
Size of LGBTQ medical, graduate and undergraduate communities
Social opportunities – dating and friendship
Presence of an LGBTQ medical student organization
Opportunities for LGBTQ advocacy and volunteerism
Availability of faculty mentorship
LGBTQ-relevant curriculum lectures/guest speakers
Support from student allies
Presence of LGBTQ community in the local town/city – social and cultural venues
Comfort and sense of safety during clinical rotations – culture of hospital environment
Medical field/specialty of interest: is the perceived level of acceptance/tolerance within fields of interest
a factor LGBTQ students strongly consider when applying for residency?
Attitudes toward including LGBTQ activities on residency applications/resumes
The survey is currently being reviewed by the AMSA Gender and Sexuality Committee. We hope to start distributing surveys and collecting information this fall.
-KH
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Burden of HIV
Among Transgender and Transexual Men and Women
"Transgender individuals often face stigma and discrimination, which increases their HIV risk while at the same time makes it more difficult for them to access HIV prevention and treatment services. Few transgender sensitive prevention and treatment programs exist."
"Data from needs assesesment and risk behavioral studies have found HIV prevalence in transgender and transsexual women as ranging from:
- 14% in San Juan
- 19% in Philadelphia
- 20% in Chicago
- 22% in Los Angeles
- 21-30% in New York
- 26% in Boston
- 27% in Houston
"In a Washington DC Survey of the transgender community, 25% of all participants self-reported as HIV positive, including 32% of the male-to-females and 3% of the famles-to-males, with another 22% not knowing their HIV status."
"Transgender women sex workers are at particularly high risk, since they are often financially induced to engage in barrier-free sex."
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/sharp/articles_publications/publications/transgender_20071109/transgender_20071109.pdf
“In 1994, Minnesota's transgender community participated in the state-wide HIV community planning process. Focus groups identified several risk factors: Invisibility, poverty, shame, low self esteem, loneliness, and sharing needles for hormone or silicone injection. Many saw acceptance, even for one night, as worth the risk of infection. The chronic lack of HIV prevention efforts targeting the transgender community was seen as supporting a denial of risk already widespread in the community. Myths about HIV that predominate in society as a whole are reflected in the transgender community in unique ways. For example, some transexuals believe a change from a gay or lesbian to a heterosexual role, or a change from male to female, provides them with protection from HIV, without any concomitant behavior change (Minnesota Department of Health, 1994).”
http://www.symposion.com/ijt/hiv_risk/preface.htm
“Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information about how HIV and anti-HIV meds affect trans people specifically. Some anti-HIV meds are known to interact with the female sex hormones that some MTF trans people take to promote body changes. And, points out Travers, little research has been done on the long-term effects of hormones on HIV-negative trans people, never mind those who are positive.”
“And though there is little in the way of trans-specific statistics gathering, the trans community also appears to be more vulnerable to HIV than the general population. Some U.S. studies indicate that rates of HIV may be as high as 20 percent among trans women in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and as high as 30 percent among trans women in San Francisco and Washington. Another study, of trans women sex workers in Atlanta, found HIV rates soaring to 68 percent.”
http://www.thebody.com/content/art46730.html
_______________________________________
In light of the realities described in resources like those cited above, I wondered if setting up an HIV testing day with the help of Lifelines Rhode Island could be an effective way of beginning to assess and provide for the HIV testing and counseling needs of trans people in RI. Early in the summer, Sarah Bowman, Brown alumna currently working at Community Access, expressed to me her long-standing interest in organizing a rapid HIV test day specifically for local trans folks and has been my mentor for this project. I felt that advertising the event specifically to this population would communicate to them that health providers at the event understand the unique sexual health concerns and approaches to discussing sexuality that are relevant to people of trans experience.
Logistics are coming together, and several GLAAM members are interested in helping out during the event. If the testing day goes well on Aug. 21st and folks feel comfortable showing up and getting tested, I think it would be worthwhile to plan another event during the school year. GLAAM could help organize rapid test training sessions (with the help of trained professionals) for students at the medical school and then students could plan a test day and also do some counseling if they feel comfortable and prepared.
-KH
Among Transgender and Transexual Men and Women
"Transgender individuals often face stigma and discrimination, which increases their HIV risk while at the same time makes it more difficult for them to access HIV prevention and treatment services. Few transgender sensitive prevention and treatment programs exist."
"Data from needs assesesment and risk behavioral studies have found HIV prevalence in transgender and transsexual women as ranging from:
- 14% in San Juan
- 19% in Philadelphia
- 20% in Chicago
- 22% in Los Angeles
- 21-30% in New York
- 26% in Boston
- 27% in Houston
"In a Washington DC Survey of the transgender community, 25% of all participants self-reported as HIV positive, including 32% of the male-to-females and 3% of the famles-to-males, with another 22% not knowing their HIV status."
"Transgender women sex workers are at particularly high risk, since they are often financially induced to engage in barrier-free sex."
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/sharp/articles_publications/publications/transgender_20071109/transgender_20071109.pdf
“In 1994, Minnesota's transgender community participated in the state-wide HIV community planning process. Focus groups identified several risk factors: Invisibility, poverty, shame, low self esteem, loneliness, and sharing needles for hormone or silicone injection. Many saw acceptance, even for one night, as worth the risk of infection. The chronic lack of HIV prevention efforts targeting the transgender community was seen as supporting a denial of risk already widespread in the community. Myths about HIV that predominate in society as a whole are reflected in the transgender community in unique ways. For example, some transexuals believe a change from a gay or lesbian to a heterosexual role, or a change from male to female, provides them with protection from HIV, without any concomitant behavior change (Minnesota Department of Health, 1994).”
http://www.symposion.com/ijt/hiv_risk/preface.htm
“Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information about how HIV and anti-HIV meds affect trans people specifically. Some anti-HIV meds are known to interact with the female sex hormones that some MTF trans people take to promote body changes. And, points out Travers, little research has been done on the long-term effects of hormones on HIV-negative trans people, never mind those who are positive.”
“And though there is little in the way of trans-specific statistics gathering, the trans community also appears to be more vulnerable to HIV than the general population. Some U.S. studies indicate that rates of HIV may be as high as 20 percent among trans women in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and as high as 30 percent among trans women in San Francisco and Washington. Another study, of trans women sex workers in Atlanta, found HIV rates soaring to 68 percent.”
http://www.thebody.com/content/art46730.html
_______________________________________
In light of the realities described in resources like those cited above, I wondered if setting up an HIV testing day with the help of Lifelines Rhode Island could be an effective way of beginning to assess and provide for the HIV testing and counseling needs of trans people in RI. Early in the summer, Sarah Bowman, Brown alumna currently working at Community Access, expressed to me her long-standing interest in organizing a rapid HIV test day specifically for local trans folks and has been my mentor for this project. I felt that advertising the event specifically to this population would communicate to them that health providers at the event understand the unique sexual health concerns and approaches to discussing sexuality that are relevant to people of trans experience.
Logistics are coming together, and several GLAAM members are interested in helping out during the event. If the testing day goes well on Aug. 21st and folks feel comfortable showing up and getting tested, I think it would be worthwhile to plan another event during the school year. GLAAM could help organize rapid test training sessions (with the help of trained professionals) for students at the medical school and then students could plan a test day and also do some counseling if they feel comfortable and prepared.
-KH
FREE, ANONYMOUS RAPID HIV TESTING
Thursday, August 21st, 4-7pm
Sarah Doyle Women's Center
26 Benevolent Street
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Service provided for: transgender, transsexual, Two Spirit, gender variant, and intersex (TGI) people in Rhode Island and surrounding regions.
Sponsored by: Lifelines Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospital
Interested? Please RSVP to Krista_Hachey@brown.edu with a preferred appointment time between 4 and 7pm.
To preserve anonymity, you may use any name of your choosing when scheduling an appointment. We will try to accommodate walk-ins.
HIV is an infectious disease that is transmitted through contact with blood or sexual fluids. Individuals who engage in unprotected sex or have shared needles for any purpose should strongly consider scheduling an appointment.
During your appointment: an experienced provider will administer a painless oral test, you will receive your result and have an opportunity to discuss your questions and concerns. Your appointment will be about thirty minutes.
See http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm#tested for general information about getting tested.
Thursday, August 21st, 4-7pm
Sarah Doyle Women's Center
26 Benevolent Street
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Service provided for: transgender, transsexual, Two Spirit, gender variant, and intersex (TGI) people in Rhode Island and surrounding regions.
Sponsored by: Lifelines Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospital
Interested? Please RSVP to Krista_Hachey@brown.edu with a preferred appointment time between 4 and 7pm.
To preserve anonymity, you may use any name of your choosing when scheduling an appointment. We will try to accommodate walk-ins.
HIV is an infectious disease that is transmitted through contact with blood or sexual fluids. Individuals who engage in unprotected sex or have shared needles for any purpose should strongly consider scheduling an appointment.
During your appointment: an experienced provider will administer a painless oral test, you will receive your result and have an opportunity to discuss your questions and concerns. Your appointment will be about thirty minutes.
See http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm#tested for general information about getting tested.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
GLAAM goes to PrideFest
This summer, GLAAM members participated in Rhode Island PrideFest, where we provided basic medical services and also cut loose to enjoy an amazing and diverse festival.
Our health table was organized by Jason and Andrea, and a handful of other GLAAM members donated their time. Many visitors to the table were interested in smoking cessation counseling. During first year of medical school, we learn how to assess an individual’s readiness to change, and how to provide guidance, such as suggesting that patients work with other family members to cut down or quit smoking together. We also learn about the array of nicotine replacement therapies and the effectiveness of drugs like Chantix and Zyban. Because most of the first year Doctoring Course teaches students to ask lots of questions and spend most of the time listening to patients (which I agree are important skills to develop first), many of us found it empowering to finally practice giving some basic medical advice. Visitors to our table appreciated our feedback about quitting smoking, but would often say, “yeah, I’ve already tried a lot of these things,” followed by, “and I don’t have health insurance, so I can’t afford Zyban.” Despite having improved in my knowledge and ability to contribute to a dialogue about smoking cessation, I felt useless in the face of, “I don’t have health insurance.” I still haven’t quite figured out what to say to those people who might have hoped to hear a new idea from us.
While working at the table, I had a confusing interaction with one visitor who wanted his blood pressure taken. The other GLAAM volunteer and I referred to the person as “he” or “him” while we were getting him set up. At the end of our interaction with this individual, his male friend came up to the table and called the individual “she” and referred to him using a female name. It hadn’t even occurred to me to question the individual’s gender, although one would certainly expect to encounter folks from all over the gender spectrum at a Pride festival. Generally, when running our health table, we’ll ask people what their names are, but it was hectic at the moment, as we had just started our shift. If this individual was in fact a trans person, I wondered why he/she didn’t correct us when we used the wrong pronoun. A person of trans experience and mentor of mine told me once that some trans people are so used to constantly being misidentified and referred to incorrectly, that they become complacent about educating people. It’s possible this particular visitor to our table figured our interaction was momentary and it wasn’t worth raising the issue. If some trans folks feel this way at PrideFest, a welcoming and sensitive event, I can only begin to imagine the barriers to mutual understanding between trans people and the general population.
Free health services are frequently the only opportunities trans people and other marginalized populations have to interact with the health care system. It is so important that experiences with free care are positive and framed with respect so as to motivate individuals to stay connected and to keep coming back. At next year’s fairs, I will pay a little more attention to who might be visiting our table when we’re out in Rhode Island’s diverse communities. I’ll take a little more time to ask people about who they are, because it may encourage them to continue seeking out care, and because it is a privilege to begin to get to know them.
Thank you to all GLAAMers who participated in this event!
-K
This summer, GLAAM members participated in Rhode Island PrideFest, where we provided basic medical services and also cut loose to enjoy an amazing and diverse festival.
Our health table was organized by Jason and Andrea, and a handful of other GLAAM members donated their time. Many visitors to the table were interested in smoking cessation counseling. During first year of medical school, we learn how to assess an individual’s readiness to change, and how to provide guidance, such as suggesting that patients work with other family members to cut down or quit smoking together. We also learn about the array of nicotine replacement therapies and the effectiveness of drugs like Chantix and Zyban. Because most of the first year Doctoring Course teaches students to ask lots of questions and spend most of the time listening to patients (which I agree are important skills to develop first), many of us found it empowering to finally practice giving some basic medical advice. Visitors to our table appreciated our feedback about quitting smoking, but would often say, “yeah, I’ve already tried a lot of these things,” followed by, “and I don’t have health insurance, so I can’t afford Zyban.” Despite having improved in my knowledge and ability to contribute to a dialogue about smoking cessation, I felt useless in the face of, “I don’t have health insurance.” I still haven’t quite figured out what to say to those people who might have hoped to hear a new idea from us.
While working at the table, I had a confusing interaction with one visitor who wanted his blood pressure taken. The other GLAAM volunteer and I referred to the person as “he” or “him” while we were getting him set up. At the end of our interaction with this individual, his male friend came up to the table and called the individual “she” and referred to him using a female name. It hadn’t even occurred to me to question the individual’s gender, although one would certainly expect to encounter folks from all over the gender spectrum at a Pride festival. Generally, when running our health table, we’ll ask people what their names are, but it was hectic at the moment, as we had just started our shift. If this individual was in fact a trans person, I wondered why he/she didn’t correct us when we used the wrong pronoun. A person of trans experience and mentor of mine told me once that some trans people are so used to constantly being misidentified and referred to incorrectly, that they become complacent about educating people. It’s possible this particular visitor to our table figured our interaction was momentary and it wasn’t worth raising the issue. If some trans folks feel this way at PrideFest, a welcoming and sensitive event, I can only begin to imagine the barriers to mutual understanding between trans people and the general population.
Free health services are frequently the only opportunities trans people and other marginalized populations have to interact with the health care system. It is so important that experiences with free care are positive and framed with respect so as to motivate individuals to stay connected and to keep coming back. At next year’s fairs, I will pay a little more attention to who might be visiting our table when we’re out in Rhode Island’s diverse communities. I’ll take a little more time to ask people about who they are, because it may encourage them to continue seeking out care, and because it is a privilege to begin to get to know them.
Thank you to all GLAAMers who participated in this event!
-K
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Reflections on the April Health Fair at the Salvation Army
This past school year, GLAAM provided basic clinical services – blood pressure screening, smoking cessation counseling, and sexual health information – at several community fairs and events. One event we participated in was a medical student organized health fair held in a Salvation Army building in Rhode Island. At this fair, GLAAM provided sexual health resources: there was something for everyone at the table.
Prior to the event, we learned from a student intermediary that the Salvation Army was uncomfortable with the presence of an LGBTQ group participating in the fair. This was perplexing, as we thought this was a medical student organized event that was using the Salvation Army space, but was not sponsored by the Salvation Army. While we would be using the SA building, I wondered how much of a say the SA really should have in this situation. Given the SA’s conservative stances on issues like abortion and its reputation for discriminating against homosexuals in their hiring practices, I also wondered why our medical students had organized the fair on this group’s property.
At the time, I knew the SA was a Christian organization, but I was unfamiliar with the group’s official stance on homosexuality. According to the Salvation Army website:
“Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse. In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. ”
The website also states that, “God's intention for sexual intimacy [between and a man and a woman] is that it be expressed exclusively within the marriage relationship.”
It’s clear that the SA holds conservative views about all sexual practices, but our local Salvation Army seemed specifically concerned with the issue of LGBTQ presence at the fair.
Even if the Salvation Army was organizing this health fair, it would be appalling to deny the presence of sexual health materials relevant to gay and lesbian members of the local community this Rhode Island Salvation Army serves. Cutting LGB attendees off from available health resources is mistreatment, which goes against the SA’s policy toward these individuals. Furthermore, by asking that GLAAM abstain from participation, the SA was choosing to deny all community members from sexual health resources, as we had planned to provide information relevant to individuals of diverse orientations. If the SA wants to assert its beliefs about gays and lesbians, keep the commentary in the church and out of a student run health fair.
If the SA seeks to truly provide services to “all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation,” then a health table that offers sexual health education for heterosexual individuals must also provide information for everyone else. Because safe sex practices protect both individuals and communities from the spread of disease, everyone qualifies for access to educational resources. There isn’t such thing as strictly gay and straight communities that don’t interact with each other: there is considerable fluidity. Thus everyone needs to learn about protecting themselves and their partners.
GLAAM ultimately resolved to participate in the fair and call ourselves the Sexual Health Table. We were supported by our student peers and visited by members of the local community, some of which benefitted from the LGBTQ resources we provided. While volunteering in a Salvation Army building can be trying for those who support gay rights, it was well worth the discomfort to see folks of varying affectional preferences feel comfortable enough to talk with us and take information from our table.
Perhaps in future years, advertisements for the health fair could make it clear that the Salvation Army is not sponsoring this event: this would hopefully decrease the SA’s concerns about appearing to endorse LGBTQ issues. While the SA building may be convenient in size and location for this health fair, other local venues may be worth considering.
-K
This past school year, GLAAM provided basic clinical services – blood pressure screening, smoking cessation counseling, and sexual health information – at several community fairs and events. One event we participated in was a medical student organized health fair held in a Salvation Army building in Rhode Island. At this fair, GLAAM provided sexual health resources: there was something for everyone at the table.
Prior to the event, we learned from a student intermediary that the Salvation Army was uncomfortable with the presence of an LGBTQ group participating in the fair. This was perplexing, as we thought this was a medical student organized event that was using the Salvation Army space, but was not sponsored by the Salvation Army. While we would be using the SA building, I wondered how much of a say the SA really should have in this situation. Given the SA’s conservative stances on issues like abortion and its reputation for discriminating against homosexuals in their hiring practices, I also wondered why our medical students had organized the fair on this group’s property.
At the time, I knew the SA was a Christian organization, but I was unfamiliar with the group’s official stance on homosexuality. According to the Salvation Army website:
“Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse. In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. ”
The website also states that, “God's intention for sexual intimacy [between and a man and a woman] is that it be expressed exclusively within the marriage relationship.”
It’s clear that the SA holds conservative views about all sexual practices, but our local Salvation Army seemed specifically concerned with the issue of LGBTQ presence at the fair.
Even if the Salvation Army was organizing this health fair, it would be appalling to deny the presence of sexual health materials relevant to gay and lesbian members of the local community this Rhode Island Salvation Army serves. Cutting LGB attendees off from available health resources is mistreatment, which goes against the SA’s policy toward these individuals. Furthermore, by asking that GLAAM abstain from participation, the SA was choosing to deny all community members from sexual health resources, as we had planned to provide information relevant to individuals of diverse orientations. If the SA wants to assert its beliefs about gays and lesbians, keep the commentary in the church and out of a student run health fair.
If the SA seeks to truly provide services to “all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation,” then a health table that offers sexual health education for heterosexual individuals must also provide information for everyone else. Because safe sex practices protect both individuals and communities from the spread of disease, everyone qualifies for access to educational resources. There isn’t such thing as strictly gay and straight communities that don’t interact with each other: there is considerable fluidity. Thus everyone needs to learn about protecting themselves and their partners.
GLAAM ultimately resolved to participate in the fair and call ourselves the Sexual Health Table. We were supported by our student peers and visited by members of the local community, some of which benefitted from the LGBTQ resources we provided. While volunteering in a Salvation Army building can be trying for those who support gay rights, it was well worth the discomfort to see folks of varying affectional preferences feel comfortable enough to talk with us and take information from our table.
Perhaps in future years, advertisements for the health fair could make it clear that the Salvation Army is not sponsoring this event: this would hopefully decrease the SA’s concerns about appearing to endorse LGBTQ issues. While the SA building may be convenient in size and location for this health fair, other local venues may be worth considering.
-K
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