Discrimination, identity and accessibility were among the many topics covered during an informative and rousing trans town-hall meeting that took place Sept. 27 at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted.
Courtney Reid, the Center's senior director of programs who was one of the town hall's organizers and the host of the forum, said that the purpose was of the meeting was 'to gather ideas from the trans community' because the facility is in the midst of 'strategic planning.'
The forum involved a diverse panel of nine trans individuals talking about various trans-related issues; there was also a session during which the audience asked questions of said panelists.
Lawrence Goring, a consultant and former board member of The National Center for Transgender Equality, said that education needs to occur 'within the LGBT community, within mainstream society and within the transgender community. There's a lot of things that LGBT centers want to know about transgenders, but they don't have the capacity to do that. ... How are you going to provide services to a community if it's not represented in the organization which you work for?'
Pamela Jameson of the Chicago Department of Health said that 'so many issues, whether [ they ] involve safe sex, drugs or body shaping, boiled down to two catch phrases: accessibility ( to services ) and affordability.' She said that many people who are outed as trans find it difficult to go to work or even retain a job—especially if their transitions are not complete; therefore, she said, education regarding employment is extremely relevant.
Laura Goring—who said she was proud of the work done at Howard Brown, where she volunteered—said that 'within LGBT agencies, the 'T' is always silent and that there's a small 'b', too. We have agencies that add 'T' to their mission and then don't know what to do about it. There needs to be more representation for the 'T'—receptionists, nurses, board members, therapists [ and others ] .' She added that agencies and professionals need to understand the health-care needs of the trans community: 'A huge part of my [ mental health ] practice involves helping trans individuals deal with the crappy services they get at other places. I wish I could bring those people into therapy and keep the trans people out of therapy.'
Nick Winter—a heterosexual transman affiliated with GenderWork ( www.genderworkchicago.org ) , a support group for FTM ( female-to-male ) individuals—said that the Center currently doesn't offer a lot for the trans demographic. 'When I walk into the Center, I wonder if I feel included. I ask if there are resources, and—as far as I can tell—there isn't a whole lot,' he said. 'There are resources [ for youth ] , but what if you're over 24? And what if a trans person walks into a [ support meeting ] , what if there isn't another trans person there that day? Gender identity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with sexual orientation; how does the Center reach out to those who have gender identity issues?'
Broadway Youth Center's ( BYC's ) Casey Schwartz talked about the services offered by Howard Brown Health Center and BYC, including support organizations—such as Trans Youth Resource and Advocacy ( TYRA ) ; Transgender Women Informing Sisters on Topics of AIDS ( TWISTA ) ; and T Time, headed by Lois Bates—and developments such as a Spanish-speaking trans group at BYC and gender-free restrooms at Howard Brown.
The question-and-answer session was rousing and encompassed some issues that were not previously discussed, including spirituality, intra-trans hostility ( pre-op vs. post-op ) , mentors and trans-safe spaces. Gloria Allen—who described herself as a 62-year-old retired LPN 'who has seen a lot of things and done a lot of things'—said, 'We shouldn't sit back and be quiet. Education is the key.' Allen considered herself fortunate ( including being in an accepting church ) , but stressed that younger people 'need to stay in school, get an education, be out there and let people know, 'You're going to deal with me!''
And then there was Vernita Gray of the Cook County States Attorney's Office. Gray, known for being outspoken, moved the auditorium to excitement and applause when she said, 'Without the trans community, where the hell would we be? Our community is led by the trans community. When we stepped out in Stonewall, we came behind those queens in high heels. ... We will never separate ourselves from the letters LGBT. ... Without the 'T', where would our [ gay pride ] parade be?'
