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In This Issue:
- Trans Day of Visibility
- Community Corner
- Practical Tools
- Webinars/Virtual Events
- Articles/Research
- Policy News
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The International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is an annual day of recognition, celebrated around the world on March 31, which is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender-expansive people, while simultaneously raising awareness of the work that is still needed to combat discrimination and violence. TDOV was founded in 2009 by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall, a licensed psychotherapist and the Executive Director of Transgender Michigan, both in reaction to the lack of LGBTQ+ days of recognition for the successes achieved by trans people, as well as the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day of recognition was the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). TDOV is a much-needed day of empowerment, celebrating the lives and achievements of our transgender and gender-expansive loved ones.
As trans allies, we need always hold space for our trans loved ones, and recognize their many accomplishments. #TDOV is only one day out of 365 that gives allies the chance to uplift and celebrate our trans loved ones. Check out these resources compiled by PFLAG for supporting the trans youth and families you work with. Read more
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Community Corner is a place where you can share news about the work you are doing with young people with diverse SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression). To submit information about your program to be highlighted in this newsletter, please email [email protected]. [email protected]. | 988 Expansion Enhances Support for NC’s LGBTQ+ Community | |
For people in crisis, three numbers have started to make a difference over the last five months: 988. The national suicide lifeline's new number, 988, debuted in 2022. The line offers help via call, text or online chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In September 2022, a pilot program introduced LGBTQ+ focused counselor during limited hours. Now, the program will expand to make those counselors available 24/7. "It's an opportunity for folks to call and talk with someone. They may not have anyone else in their community that they know that they can trust," said Kori Hennessey, director of education and programs at the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Numbers show about half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. The LGBT Center of Raleigh has support groups in place but Hennessey says having an anonymous line like 988 provides another option for those in crisis. Learn more
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Trans Youth Handbook Shares Crucial Information About Legal Rights | |
The Trans Youth Handbook is a legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, nonaffirming care environments, and work. This handbook was created in a partnership of the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Salesforce, Baker McKenzie, and Equal Justice Works. Download now
| Gender Diverse Youth Sport Inclusivity Toolkit | |
As the presence of gender diverse students on gender segregated athletic teams, PE classes and other activities increase nationwide, continued efforts to better understand and implement inclusive practices are vital in creating an equitable playing field. This toolkit seeks to further these efforts toward the inclusion of transgender and nonbinary students in K-12 schools, by providing guidance and resources to assist administrators, educators and coaches in providing an inclusive environment where all students are equitably welcomed. Included in this toolkit you will find: up-to-date language, definitions, policy, FAQ, current ‘best practices’, guidance in nuanced scenarios, and more. Download now
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Minority Stress & Coping for LGBTQ+ Adolescent Health | |
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Gender-Affirming Medical Care: Protecting the Physical & Mental Health of Trans & Gender-Diverse Youth
Wednesday, April 5, 11:00am - 12:00p.m. ET
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The AAMC Center for Health Justice will host policy and clinical care experts from The Whitman-Walker Institute and Transhealth to discuss the current landscape of anti-transgender legislation, learn the facts about gender- affirming medical care, and hear from health care professionals about providing this life-affirming care to patients. Register now
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Safe & Effective LGBTQ+ Data Collection Learning Community:
Conversations About SOGI, Privacy & Navigating Partial Disclosure
Tuesday, April 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
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This Learning Community from the National SOGIE Center provides learners the opportunity to hear from experts in the field on serving LGBTQ+ populations and on collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in safe and effective ways. Join us for our next webinar, Conversations about SOGI, Privacy, and Navigating Partial Disclosure. In this session, providers will gain skills and language to talk about SOGI in respectful ways. In some cases, clients may not want to disclose their SOGI to everyone in their lives, or even to everyone in the provider organization. This session will go over strategies that will help providers support clients during partial disclosures. Check out our promotional clip to learn more, and you can register for the series here!
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Substance Use Disorders, Sexual Health & the LGBTQ+ Community: Facilitating Sexual Health Conversations
Thursday, April 13, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
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Providing affirmative care has been shown to improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ clients in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. An underappreciated component of affirmative care is facilitating conversations about sexual health that positively engages LGBTQ+ clients in the treatment process. Segments of the LGBTQ+ community experience higher rates of mental health and substance use disorders or engage in ChemSex behaviors, all of which can contribute to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections. Behavioral health providers have an ethical responsibility to facilitate sexual health conversations and address the connection between mental health, sexual health and substance use disorders. This interactive workshop is designed to improve treatment outcomes and client engagement by integrating sexual health into mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This panel is hosted by the Innovations Institute's Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity. Register now
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Intimate Partner Violence Among Sexual & Gender Minority Populations
Tuesday, May 9, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in gender and sexual minority populations, including among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. IPV is also associated with numerous mental and physical health problems in these populations. Despite this, few resources and treatments exist that are culturally appropriate for and specifically tailored to the needs of these groups. In this session, three expert panelists (Dr. Danielle Berke, Dr. Jillian Scheer, and Dr. Christopher Stults) will present on their respective programs of research related to IPV in LGBTQ+ populations, followed by a lively discussion and question/answer session with audience participants. This panel is hosted by the Innovations Institute's Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity. Register now
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Sexual & Gender Diversity Learning Community Certificate Program | |
The Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community (SGDLC) is an LGBTQ+ cultural competence training program for behavioral health organizations that employ mental healthcare providers soon to be widely offered to behavioral healthcare providers. The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center is committed to addressing gaps in understanding LGBTQ+ mental health care and improving outcomes for LGBTQ+ persons. Choosing the SGDLC Certificate program means choosing a learning experience that is both research and practice based, enhancing one's knowledge and skills around mental health practice and LGBTQ+ competency with current evidence-based information! The SGDLC was developed to introduce healthcare providers to basic concepts related to LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness, preparing them to serve LGBTQ+ clients competently. The SGDLC is intended to be delivered to behavioral healthcare providers including (but not limited to) mental health professionals and drug and alcohol counselors and medical professionals such as physicians, medical assistants, and nurses. Learn more and apply
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Paid Virtual Interview Opportunity for Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth | |
Are you a parent or guardian of LGBTQ+ youth who has lived experiences with human service programs? Mathematica, in partnership with the Center for the Study of Social Policy, is conducting a study to identify promising and emerging practices that serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and other non-heterosexual orientations and non-cisgender identities (LGBTQ+) young people ages 10 - 24 who may be involved with a human service program like child welfare, juvenile justice, housing and homeless, and sexual and reproductive health services. They are hoping to understand services and programs that support healthy youth development, and support youth in their communities. They are conducting 60 minute individual virtual interviews with parents of young people with lived experiences. You will receive a $50 e-gift card for your time. Email [email protected] for more information.
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To Protect Evidence-Based Medicine & Promote Health Justice, Protect Gender-Affirming Medical Care | |
Structural inequities to access — such as geographical availability, financial barriers, and policies that dictate the provision of health care services — create group differences in health that are avoidable, unnecessary, and unjust. To achieve health equity and ensure all communities thrive, we must identify and rectify discriminatory policies, laws, regulations, and practices that limit opportunity for health and well-being. The unprecedented surge in 2023 of legislation across states aiming to further restrict access to gender-affirming medical care, if enacted, will limit access to medically indicated health care and exacerbate mental health inequities for transgender youth. This new issue brief, developed in collaboration with researchers at the University of Maryland and The Ohio State University, analyzes the 2023 landscape of state legislation banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, and the potential impacts of these bans on the mental health, well-being, and futures of these youth, their families, and their communities. Read more
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988 Suicide Lifeline Expanding LGBTQ+ Services With 24/7 Chat & Text | |
The government-backed 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ pilot program is now offering text and chat services 24/7 in what officials are calling a "major step forward" for the multimillion-dollar prevention program. "We are thrilled that the 988 Lifeline LGBTQ+ pilot line will be expanding services across all modalities," said Dr. Tia Dole, the chief lifeline officer at Vibrant Emotional Health, which administers the service. "We know that LGBTQIA youth are one of the most at-risk communities for suicide. Vibrant, SAMHSA and 988 want to be there to change that through affirming care." "Expanding this service is a major step forward in strengthening 988, the mental health safety net for all people in America," Dole added.
The lifeline's LGBTQ-specific pilot program launched in September after an initial $7.2 million investment from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The users have already been able to dial 3 after calling to reach a crisis counselor trained to support LGBTQ youth and young adults, with call services available 24/7, but chat and text had only been available during select hours. From the beginning of the program in September through Feb. 26 (the most current available data), about 11% of chats and texts coming through the lifeline have been for the LGBTQ line, along with 6% of calls -- accounting for about 138,000 total contacts -- a spokesperson for SAMHSA told ABC News. Learn more
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Rainbow Research: Challenges & Recommendations for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (SOGIE) Survey Design | |
A growing number of people around the world identify, in some way, as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+); yet, these voices are noticeably absent from nonprofit research. To address issues of equity and the historic marginalization of LGBTQ+ people both societally and in the nonprofit sector, this manuscript seeks to answer the following questions: Why is it important to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) survey questions in nonprofit surveys? What are best practices for including SOGIE survey questions in nonprofit research? We present LGBTQ+ inclusive research strategies and suggested questions for inclusive SOGIE survey design. Though this article focuses primarily on surveying LGBTQ+ populations, it can also be instructive for general population surveys. Learn more
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CA Bill Would Enhance Protections for LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Families | |
SB 407, announced this month by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would create a standard for documenting needs for LGBTQ+ youth and measuring whether those needs are met in at-home assessments for foster families.
Whether a home is safe and affirming for queer and trans youth is among the top considerations for evaluators at Family Builders, a Bay Area organization that connects foster families, and works to rehabilitate and reunite families that have been separated as a result of LGBTQ+ discrimination in the home. “When our social workers go out to do a family evaluation, we have an extensive conversation about this. What would you do if your teenager came out as gay? What if your toddler told you they were a different gender? Some families break down,” said Jill Jacobs, founder and executive director of Family Builders. “We want to strengthen these regulations to make it painfully clear that this is a requirement.” It’s not uncommon for LGBTQ+ youth to enter the foster care system after coming out to their families and facing violence or discrimination at home. So Jacobs says that all caregivers should be prepared to offer a safe and welcoming home to queer and transgender youth. To that end, Family Builders and similar organizations around the state work directly with families who want to be more supportive of their foster child by providing instruction and development for foster parents. California’s foster youth bill of rights includes having the right to caregivers and welfare personnel who have received instruction on cultural competency for working with LGBTQ+ youth. Read here
| TN Enacts Law Banning Drag Shows & Gender-Affirming Care for Youth | |
Tennessee has become the first state to enact a law explicitly targeting drag shows, while also joining a growing list of GOP-led states to ban gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. The drag show provision criminalizes performances that take place in public or where they could be seen by children. Drag performers in Tennessee beginning next month could find themselves behind bars for performing in certain public spaces or where their shows may be viewed by “a person who is not an adult,” according to the new law. Under Tennessee’s Senate Bill 1, which will take effect July 1, health care providers are prohibited from prescribing puberty blockers or hormones, and from performing gender-affirming surgeries, for transgender minors. Tennessee is the eighth state in the nation to enact such a law, and the fourth to do so this year. On Wednesday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed legislation that similarly bars minors in the state from accessing gender-affirming health care. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its Tennessee affiliate, as well as the LGBTQ civil rights organization Lambda Legal, said they plan to challenge the new law in court. The groups have filed similar suits against laws in Arkansas and Alabama. Gender-affirming health care — for both transgender youth and adults — is considered safe, effective and medically necessary by most major medical organizations. Learn more
| Mississippi Bans Gender-Affirming Health Care for Transgender Youth | |
Last month, Governor Tate Reeves signed into law HB1125, a bill that prohibits transgender-related healthcare in Mississippi for people under the age of 18. The law took effect immediately. In recent weeks, a grassroots coalition of organizations across Mississippi has worked hard to fight against the bill, including through legislative contact campaigns and a protest at the Mississippi statehouse. Organizers have also worked with medical providers and families to prepare them for passage of the bill and will continue to work with families and individuals on healing and resilience strategies and legal questions about their rights. Mississippi is one of two states (the other being Utah) with anti-transgender healthcare laws currently in effect. Similar bans have passed in Alabama and Arkansas but are not in effect due to court orders. A similar law in South Dakota takes effect on July 1. Data from The Williams Institute show that at least 99,000 LGBTQ+ people above the age of 16 live in Mississippi. Around 13,500 adults in Mississippi identify as transgender. Read more
| For more information on gender-affirming care, best practices, and federal guidance, please visit the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity's Resource Page on Supporting Trans Youth. | | | | |
