(Muncie, IN) A transgender woman and her partner and child are alleged to have been inhumanely treated, dehumanized and disrespected while making a visit to the emergency center of Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.

On July 18, 2010 the transgender citizen was coughing up a large volume of blood and was taken to the hospital by her life partner.  Despite the fact that the intake personnel were shown the individual’s Indiana state identification which had her female marker in clear print, she was entered into the hospital’s system as a male.

The staff allegedly ridiculed the transgender person, loudly referring to her as “IT”. Her life partner was apparently asked by individual staff members, with raised voices, if she was a “He-She”.  The patient also claims that she was quizzed about her length of time as a “Transvestite” when she clearly identified herself verbally and through official documents as a Transgender Female.

“It appears that a grave injustice may have been perpetrated against a transgender citizen of Indiana, as well as to her life partner,” stated Vivian Benge, President of the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance.

Ms. Benge continued “This situation is particularly discomfiting as Ball Memorial is the hospital where Ball State University students go for emergency treatment.  There are a number of transgender BSU students, as well as other minority students, and they should not have to fear humiliation and refusal of medical care in the emergency room.”

The transgender woman is suspected to have a lung condition that may be the cause of mass bleeding and oral expulsion of blood.  Yet, according to the individual, Ball Memorial Hospital refused to provide treatment, with the accompanying statement to the effect of “we do not know how to treat someone like her”.  This happened after a long wait to be seen by a physician.

As leaders and advocates for the protection of transgender civil rights, Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance and Indiana Equality urge Ball Memorial Hospital to conduct a thorough investigation of these allegations.

“If the events are proven to be true, we call upon Ball Memorial Hospital to take appropriate actions with the hospital employees involved and to institute policies, procedures and staff training that will ensure that such discriminatory actions are not again perpetrated, “ stated Jon Keep, President of Indiana Equality.

A copy of the letter by Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance and Indiana Equality to Ball Memorial Hospital is attached.

The Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA) is a statewide advocacy organization working to create a society that values and protects freedom of gender expression and the right to gender self-determination for all. For more information about INTRAA, please visit the organization’s website at www.intraa.org.

Organized in 2003, Indiana Equality’s mission is to end sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in Indiana.  For more information about Indiana Equality, please visit the organization’s website at www.indianaequality.org or call (888) 567-0750.

Media Contact:

Vivian Benge
(317) 402-1408

Mark St. John
(317) 847-545

Presented by the UUI Social Justice Committee and partially underwritten by the UUI Beacon Fund, the proceeds from VDAY 2010 (www.vday.org) will benefit INTRAA.

Show dates: Thursday, February 25, Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27, at 7 P.M. at UUI.  (ASL interpretation on Feb. 26 and 27.)

Location:  Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd Street (www.uui.org)

Tickets: $15 general admission; $10 students/seniors. Buy tickets from cast members; at UUI on Sunday, Feb. 21, 10 A.M. to 12 noon, or e-mail vdayuui2010@yahoo.com for reservations. Cash or check only. Also available at the door!!!

Directed by Jenni White, The Vagina Monologues features the following fabulous women: Diana Asberry-Ferber, Emma Bennett, Susan Boatright, Jordan Brooks, Ali Curtis, Kelsey Didion, Tatjana Gordon, Kelly Graham-MacDonald, Ruth Hinkle, Lesley Meier, Casey O’Leary, Pat Pontis, Stephanie Robertson, Emma Said, Shannon Samson, Danna Sheridan, Grace Starke, Kim Stroup, Lia Treffman, Michele Turner, Malia Vanaman, Becca White, Jenni White, Marguerite Winslow and Tasha Zaroui.

http://events.vday.org/2010/community/Indianapolis_(TVM)

Feb. 2, 2010. The U.S. Tax Court today issued a long-awaited decision in O’Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, ruling that treatment for gender identity disorder (GID) qualifies as medical care under the Internal Revenue Code, and is therefore deductible.

“This decision treats Rhiannon O’Donnabhain the way she deserves to be treated—like any hard-working American taxpayer with medical expenses,” said Karen Loewy, senior staff attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), which represented Ms. O’Donnabhain.

“From the start, this has been a no-brainer.  Every mainstream medical authority from the American Psychiatric Association to the National Institutes of Health recognize the legitimacy of providing medical care for transgender people.  Dismissing these medical expenses as illegitimate and not deductible was discrimination, pure and simple.”

In an opinion reviewed by the full bench, the United States Tax Court affirmed that medical treatments for GID, including surgery and hormone therapy, are deductible medical expenses.  Moreover, the Court stated that the IRS’s position that such treatment is cosmetic in nature “is at best a superficial characterization of the circumstances that is thoroughly rebutted by the medical evidence.”

“I’m overjoyed, not only for me, but for other transgender people,” said Ms. O’Donnabhain.  “We deserve respect, equal treatment for our medical care, and fair treatment by our government.”

Born biologically male, Rhiannon O’Donnabhain began having conflicted feelings about her gender identity as early as age 8.  After decades of deep suffering, O’Donnabhain was diagnosed in 1996 with GID and undertook a course of professionally prescribed medical treatments that included her 2001 sex reassignment surgery.  She claimed the cost of her treatment as a deductible medical expense on her federal income tax return – but the Internal Revenue Service said no, calling the surgery “cosmetic.”

The trial in O’Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue began on July 24, 2007 in Boston, and concluded with post-trial briefing in March 2008.  At the trial, Ms. O’Donnabhain testified about her life-long struggle with her gender identity, and her health care providers testified that the treatment was critical to her mental health and ability to function at all levels.  Experts testified about Gender Identity Disorder and its treatment.

Ms. O’Donnabhain paid approximately $25,000 out-of-pocket for her care, including therapy, hormone treatment, and surgery.  The amount of the deduction she is seeking from the IRS is about $5,000.

“In this landmark ruling, the Tax Court affirmed the consensus position of the medical establishment that transition-related medical care is essential for many transgender people,” explained Jennifer Levi, Director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project.

Loewy, along with Levi and GLAD Senior Staff Attorney Bennett Klein, represented Ms. O’Donnabhain along with lawyers from the Boston law firm of Sullivan & Worcester, who are serving as cooperating tax counsel in the case.

from www.glad.org

read the full text of the court’s decision here (PDF)

from the National Center for Transgender Equality

Amanda Simpson, who has served on NCTE’s Board of Directors for the past 3 years, has been appointed by the Obama Administration as a Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce. She’ll be working in the Bureau of Industry and Security.
“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me. And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”

Simpson brings considerable professional credentials to her new job. For thirty years, she has worked in the aerospace and defense industry, most recently serving as Deputy Director in Advanced Technology Development at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona. She holds degrees in physics, engineering and business administration along with an extensive flight background. She is a certified flight instructor and test pilot with 20 years of experience.

She has also been very active in political and community groups. She has served on the Board of Directors of two national organizations: Out & Equal and NCTE. In Arizona, she has been on the board of Wingspan, the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, the Southern Arizona ACLU and the Arizona Human Rights Fund (now Equality Arizona).

In 2004, the YWCA recognized her as one of their “Women on the Move,” and in the same year, she won the Democratic nomination to the Arizona House of Representatives. In 2005, she was given the Arizona Human Rights Foundation Individual Award.

Auditions/Sign-up:
Saturday, Dec. 12, 6-8pm and Sunday, Dec. 13, 1-3pm, in the UUI Social Hall/Sanctuary
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis–615 W. 43rd Street, 46208

Show dates: Feb. 25, 26 & 27, 7pm
Tickets: $15 general admission; $10 students/seniors
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis

Acting parts available for 5-20 women of all ages, 3-5 transwomen and one girl age 6-12. Production crew positions available for men and women–please join us during either scheduled time to sign up for a crew position or audition for a part. If you cannot attend the scheduled auditions but are interested in participating, please contact Jenni White at 317-507-4438 or jennilewhite@yahoo.com by Sunday, Dec. 13th.

MEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE ON THE CREW!!!!!

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Depending on what part you receive, we will have 1-3 rehearsals just one on one, then the production week, full cast rehearsals are as follows:
Sunday, Feb. 21st, 1-4pm
Monday, Feb. 22nd, 6-9pm
Tues, Feb. 23rd, 6-9pm
Wed, Feb. 24th, 6-9pm
Thurs, Feb. 25th, 7pm SHOW TIME
Fri, Feb. 26th, 7pm SHOW TIME
Sat, Feb. 27th, 7pm SHOW TIME

Wednesday, December 9 from 5:55 to 8:55 pm at the Campus Center, room 450 B & C.

“Now that it is holiday time we are wanting to raise money for the food pantry at the Damien Center before we leave for Winter Break. We have a great show planned and tickets are on sale now! Lets get the shelves full before it is the big rush at the center. Last show was a great success lets make this one top it! Bring your money to tip the entertainers. This time we have students in the show and entertainers not doing drag! We have Theron doing his hip-hop styling, and Kevo doing his Mr. Gay Indiana piece. If you want tickets email me and then I can have them at the door otherwise tickets will be on sale at the door for a dollar more! ALL SALES ARE DONATED!”

(for more info, contact: http://studentlink.iupui.edu/Community?action=getOrgHome&orgID=359)

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Saturday, November 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location:  Jesus MCC – 2950 East 55th Place
Co-Sponsors:  INTRAA, IYG & Indy Black Pride
Entertainment:  John Cannaday – Holiday Music Sing-A-Long

Those who are able are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Turkey & ham provided! Everyone is welcome! It’s free! Indy Pride Scholarships will be awarded.

Saturday, November 14th, 6 to 8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
615 W. 43rd St.
Indianapolis, 46208

This year’s event will begin with a live performance of the compelling short play “Transactions,” directed by Jeffrey Barnes, and will include a moderated panel discussion, memorial vigil, and conclude with refreshments and fellowship until 9pm. We hope you’ll join us!

Claire Dana
INTRAA Project Manager
tdor@intraa.org

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.

One witness, Vandy Beth Glenn, had worked for the Georgia state legislature for a number of years until the day she informed her supervisor that she was transitioning from male to female; she was immediately fired from her job. Her experiences, unfortunately, are not unique. The recent National Transgender Discrimination Survey led by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) found that 26% of the 6,450 transgender people surveyed had faced an adverse job action, such as losing their jobs, being denied a promotion or not being hired because of their gender identity or expression. Almost every person who responded to the survey-a staggering 97%- had experienced harassment or discrimination on the job because they are transgender.

“Now is the time that we must pass legislation designed to protect Americans from this kind of blatant and unfair discrimination,” commented NCTE’s Executive Director, Mara Keisling. “Every single day, transgender people are being fired for being who they are, even when they have excellent work records and skills. As a result, their families struggle and often fail to make ends meet, people lose their homes, and careers end, all because someone’s supervisor decided that it was okay to discriminate. That is not the American way. This legislation is absolutely needed to make it clear that discrimination is never acceptable.”

Several committee members were visibly moved by Ms. Glenn’s testimony and expressed concern at the way she was treated. They also asked detailed questions of the witnesses and many cited their support for ENDA’s passage. NCTE is very grateful for her courage in speaking out and her willingness to stand up for transgender rights.

Visit the committee’s website to read all of the written testimonies, view the entire preceedings, or follow a link to their YouTube page to see excerpts of the testimony.

Contact the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and tell your member of Congress that you support ENDA.

Those who oppose anti-discrimination legislation will try to flood the Capitol to tell their representatives to oppose workplace equality. They need to hear loudly and clearly from us about why this measure is so important to us. Don’t let your voice be drowned out by the right wing. Speak up today!

Contact your Representative and Senators to ask them to take swift action to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Do it today. They need to hear, loud and clear, that this bill is our top priority.

Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative. Then, after leaving your message, hang up and call again to be connected to each of your two Senators.

Suggested voicemail message: My name is _____ and a proud resident of (your city/state). I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017/S. 1584). ENDA protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination and it is critically important. Please take swift action to pass ENDA. I can be reached at _______ (provide your phone number). Thank you.

Take a stand today to end employment discrimination against LGBT people! It only takes a few minutes to make the calls, but the impact of your actions will touch lives across the country for many years to come.

It’s time to pass ENDA and take a stand to end discrimination against transgender people.

Source: National Center for Transgender Equality