Trans HealthCare Survey
Trans Suicide Prevention
Trans-Friendly 
President’s Hate Crimes Law Signing Remarks
For all who are interested, we’re posting the words of President Obama from the historic Hate Crimes Act signing ceremony. Read them below the fold.
Obama Signs Trans-Inclusive Hate Crimes Law
President Obama today signed the FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill, which includes the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This historic legislation is the first federal law to recognize the existence of, and provide civil rights protections for, transgender people. It provides for the tracking of hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability, providing assistance to local authorities and gathering information about these crimes.
Transgender Suicide Prevention Initiative Launches November 3
In a first-of-its-kind coordinated effort to educate health care
providers and the community at large about the high risk of suicide
among the transgender community, and to expand current services to
this at-risk population, MDPH Commissioner John Auerbach will unveil
the state’s pioneering Transgender Suicide Prevention brochures on
November 3rd in a public forum at the Department of Public Health,
located at 250 Washington Street in Boston.
The Transgender Suicide Prevention Working Group, which was formed
last year, is launching this effort, making Massachusetts the first in
the nation to create brochures specifically focusing on suicide among
the transgender community. The working group is a collaboration of the
DPH, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), Fenway
Health, Samaritans, and the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide
Prevention and was formed to address this public health and community
issue by working to make communities safer for transgender people.
Transgender Awareness Week Announced for November 15 – 20th
For Immediate Release
October 15, 2009
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is proud to announce that November 15 though November 20, 2009 will be Transgender Awareness Week in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This week will be dedicated to educating the public about their transgender neighbors, co-workers, friends, and community members and the pressing issues that are currently facing the transgender people in Massachusetts. Events and educational opportunities are being planned around the state by MTPC and a variety of organizations and community groups.
Massachusetts is one of the few remaining New England states that does not have explicit protections for transgender people codified in its laws. This lack of state level protections negatively impacts transgender people and other individuals whose gender identity and/or expression may not conform to social expectations about gender. Specifically, this places those individuals in increased risk of bias in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. Some national studies have shown that up to 56% of transgender people have been fired because of their gender identity or expression.
NEW Bulletin: Trans Experiences in MA
A new bulletin titled “Transgender Experiences in the Commonwealth” has been jointly published by MTPC and GLAD, in collaboration with other local transgender service providing organizations. The one-page bulletin lists the number of calls received by these organizations reporting anti-transgender discrimination, harassment, and violence this past September in Massachusetts. A sampling of these calls are briefly described.
The bulletin is intended to acquaint lawmakers and the general public with the frequency of transgender victimization, and the need for remedy against gender-based discrimination and hate crimes, as currently proposed by HB1728, “An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.”
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Volunteers needed NOW for the Transgender Rights Bill
Phone Banking for Transgender Rights
After successful phone banks at MassEquality in support of the Transgender Civil Rights Bill, MassEquality, in conjuction with MTPC, will be having monthly phonebanks for Transgender Equality and for H1728/S1687:
- Monday nights, 5 – 9 pm
- at MassEquality, 262 Washington St, 7th Floor, Boston
If you belong to a support group, social group, or congregation, sponsor a night of phone banking by having your members come in together for evening. Training will be provided. For more information or to sign up:
- Andi Wheeler at MassEquality: 617.878.2307
- andiwheeler@massequality.org
Phone Bank from home (or another state) for Transgender Rights!
If you can’t come in to MassEquality’s Boston area office for a phone bank, you can make calls from home. Go to http://www.MassEquality.org/phone to sign up for the phone from home program. All you need is a computer with high-speed internet and a phone. Once your account is approved you will have access to all of our training materials and someone from our staff will be in touch to help you log in. Questions? Contact Andi Wheeler (info above).
Canvassing for Transgender Equality
MassEquality will be leading canvassing efforts in districts just outside Boston every Sunday from now thru November 1. We’re going door-to-door to registered voters collecting postcards and asking them to call their legislators. Training and support will be provided for those who haven’t canvassed before. For more information or to sign up, contact Andi Wheeler at MassEquality at 617.878.2307 or andiwheeler@massequality.org.
Postcard Collecting
Having an event, going to an event, or visiting friends in another part of the state? Bring some MTPC legislator postcards with you and collect signatures for transgender civil rights. Email info@masstpc.org with your name and mailing address so we can mail you out some postcards. We’re particularly looking to collect signatures outside of Boston.
We need to get folks motivated to call legislators and help move this bill. Give an evening or afternoon to transgender rights.
Thanks,
Gunner Scott
Director
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition