WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian
A group that includes AIDS P.E.I., P.E.I. Native Council and the Abegweit Rainbow Collective is calling on the P.E.I. government to do more to protect transgender, transsexual and Intersex Islanders.
The group launched a petition Thursday calling on Attorney General Gerard Greenan to include “gender identity” to the provincial Human Rights Act.
But David Larter, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, says transgender Islanders are already protected under Section 13 of the Human Rights Act, which now includes a provision that says no person shall discriminate against an individual because of sex or sexual orientation. He said Ontario’s code does note that sex does include gender identity, which is not specifically spelled out in P.E.I.’s law.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Transsexual killer asks court to force government to pay for operation
A female inmate serving time in a Fraser Valley men's prison is demanding Corrections Canada approve her sex-change operation — and pay for it.
In an application filed in the Federal Court of Canada, Katherine Anne Johnson, 61, says the operation to remove her penis — a "penectomy" — has been unreasonably delayed by Correctional Service of Canada. Johnson also demands to be transferred to a women's prison to keep her safe from attacks from other inmates.
In the court documents, Johnson is referred to as a woman. Reports from authorities defending the decision to keep Johnson in a men's prison refer to her as "Ms. Johnson."
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In an application filed in the Federal Court of Canada, Katherine Anne Johnson, 61, says the operation to remove her penis — a "penectomy" — has been unreasonably delayed by Correctional Service of Canada. Johnson also demands to be transferred to a women's prison to keep her safe from attacks from other inmates.
In the court documents, Johnson is referred to as a woman. Reports from authorities defending the decision to keep Johnson in a men's prison refer to her as "Ms. Johnson."
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Mass. transgender inmate denied electrolysis
(AP) BOSTON — A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday denied additional hair-removal treatments for a murderer who is seeking a taxpayer-funded sex-change operation, saying the inmate has failed to prove she will suffer "serious harm" without further electrolysis.
Michelle Kosilek also failed to prove that her rights have been violated by being denied hair-removal treatment, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf said. Wolf, however, said he may revisit the issue if more information comes to light in state Department of Correction documents.
Kosilek, formerly known as Robert, is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Cheryl, in 1990. He legally changed his name to Michelle in 1993 and has been living as a woman in an all-male prison.
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Michelle Kosilek also failed to prove that her rights have been violated by being denied hair-removal treatment, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf said. Wolf, however, said he may revisit the issue if more information comes to light in state Department of Correction documents.
Kosilek, formerly known as Robert, is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Cheryl, in 1990. He legally changed his name to Michelle in 1993 and has been living as a woman in an all-male prison.
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Idaho settles transgender suit
Two inmates castrated selves after being denied therapy
Rebecca Boone
Associated Press
August 7, 2009
BOISE – The Idaho Department of Correction has settled lawsuits with two transgender inmates who castrated themselves after they were denied feminizing hormone therapy.
The terms of the settlements were not disclosed, but the department has changed its policy for identifying and treating transgender inmates. The policy now limits the time inmates must wait for treatment, specifies how they may be diagnosed, and clarifies when they qualify for hormone therapy.
Josephime Von Isaak sued the state in 2006, and Jenniffer Ann Spencer sued the following year. Both inmates, who were born with male anatomy but consider themselves female, contended they were subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because they were denied treatment for gender identity disorder.
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Rebecca Boone
Associated Press
August 7, 2009
BOISE – The Idaho Department of Correction has settled lawsuits with two transgender inmates who castrated themselves after they were denied feminizing hormone therapy.
The terms of the settlements were not disclosed, but the department has changed its policy for identifying and treating transgender inmates. The policy now limits the time inmates must wait for treatment, specifies how they may be diagnosed, and clarifies when they qualify for hormone therapy.
Josephime Von Isaak sued the state in 2006, and Jenniffer Ann Spencer sued the following year. Both inmates, who were born with male anatomy but consider themselves female, contended they were subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because they were denied treatment for gender identity disorder.
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Manitoba: Cover sex-reassignment surgery: activists
What's paid for under Manitoba rules
By: Arielle Godbout
Manitoba's transgendered community has been petitioning the provincial government to cover the full cost of surgery for those who want to live as a member of the opposite sex, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross confirmed Tuesday.
"It's been identified that (funding for sex-reassignment surgery) is something we should consider," she said.
Those eligible for sex-reassignment surgery have been diagnosed with gender identity disorder, a condition recognized by the World Health Organization. Those with gender identity disorder have a desire to live as a member of the opposite sex, often accompanied with an intense discomfort with their own anatomy.
Currently, Manitoba covers surgeries that are performed in the province, and will partially pay for out-of-province vaginoplasty, a procedure that constructs a vagina for male-to-female patients.
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By: Arielle Godbout
Manitoba's transgendered community has been petitioning the provincial government to cover the full cost of surgery for those who want to live as a member of the opposite sex, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross confirmed Tuesday.
"It's been identified that (funding for sex-reassignment surgery) is something we should consider," she said.
Those eligible for sex-reassignment surgery have been diagnosed with gender identity disorder, a condition recognized by the World Health Organization. Those with gender identity disorder have a desire to live as a member of the opposite sex, often accompanied with an intense discomfort with their own anatomy.
Currently, Manitoba covers surgeries that are performed in the province, and will partially pay for out-of-province vaginoplasty, a procedure that constructs a vagina for male-to-female patients.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
'Shameful and unethical' decision, says Egale rep
By PAUL TURENNE
Last Updated: 3rd August 2009, 3:33am
Manitoba's failure to publicly fund sex changes is "shameful and unethical," says a representative of one of Canada's largest lobby groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified people.
"I don't believe the government has undertaken due diligence to understand the issue and I think they're afraid that it's unpopular politics," said Mickey Wilson, the Alberta-based chair of Egale Canada's trans committee.
"Governments like to think that nobody cares about the transgender portion of the population, but the truth is we are people's sisters, brothers, co-workers, and there is a lot of support when people are discriminated against by health care."
Full Story
Last Updated: 3rd August 2009, 3:33am
Manitoba's failure to publicly fund sex changes is "shameful and unethical," says a representative of one of Canada's largest lobby groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified people.
"I don't believe the government has undertaken due diligence to understand the issue and I think they're afraid that it's unpopular politics," said Mickey Wilson, the Alberta-based chair of Egale Canada's trans committee.
"Governments like to think that nobody cares about the transgender portion of the population, but the truth is we are people's sisters, brothers, co-workers, and there is a lot of support when people are discriminated against by health care."
Full Story
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
TTPC reviews legislative efforts to date, plots strategy for election cycle in 2010
by Joe Morris
Aug 1, 2009
While nondiscrimination legislation is faring well at the federal and local levels, members of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) continue to keep the pressure on at the state level, as well.
The group held its quarterly meeting on July 18 in Nashville, and while there was much to celebrate in terms of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives and, surprisingly, the U.S. Senate, it was local issues that dominated the agenda.
The organization plans to throw its support behind the efforts of the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance in Nashville that includes sexual preference and gender identity. As of late July, an ordinance had been submitted to Metro Council and was working its way through the process.
Full Story
Aug 1, 2009
While nondiscrimination legislation is faring well at the federal and local levels, members of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) continue to keep the pressure on at the state level, as well.
The group held its quarterly meeting on July 18 in Nashville, and while there was much to celebrate in terms of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives and, surprisingly, the U.S. Senate, it was local issues that dominated the agenda.
The organization plans to throw its support behind the efforts of the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance in Nashville that includes sexual preference and gender identity. As of late July, an ordinance had been submitted to Metro Council and was working its way through the process.
Full Story
Sex change ops under review in Sweden
Published: 30 Jul 09 10:19 CET
The Swedish Board for Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has launched a review of the healthcare alternatives available to transsexuals seeking to change gender.
Organizations representing gay, bisexual and transsexual people have long argued that often inconsistent healthcare services do not cater fully to their needs.
Criticism has centred on issues such as the long delays in the sex reassignment process with variations of up to several years depending on locality.
Full Story
The Swedish Board for Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has launched a review of the healthcare alternatives available to transsexuals seeking to change gender.
Organizations representing gay, bisexual and transsexual people have long argued that often inconsistent healthcare services do not cater fully to their needs.
Criticism has centred on issues such as the long delays in the sex reassignment process with variations of up to several years depending on locality.
Full Story
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