Insurance Commission Bulletin IC-37: GENDER IDENTITY NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS

The actual bulletin from the Insurance Commission is here.

It reads in part,

Categories of Health Insurance: As described above, discrimination in handling of claims for medically necessary treatment of gender dysphoria is prohibited. This prohibition extends to the categories of health insurance covered under sections 38a-488a [Individual and Group Mental Health Parity Statute - individual health insurance] and 38a-514 [Individual and Group Mental Health Parity Statute - group health insurance ] of the Connecticut General Statutes, specifically categories (1), 2), (4), (11) and (12) under section 38a-469 of the Connecticut General Statutes. These categories are basic hospital expense coverage, basic medical-surgical expense coverage, major medical expense coverage, hospital or medical service plan contract coverage and hospital and medical coverage provided to health care center members. For other categories of health insurance included under section 38a-469 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including but not limited to, hospital indemnity, disability income, accident only and specified disease and specified accident coverage, there is no contractual commitment to pay for medically necessary care. However, based on Public Act 11-55, licensed entities are prohibited from using an exclusion based solely on gender identity or expression, including an exclusion for gender reassignment and related services, or otherwise discriminating against insured individuals with gender dysphoria

There is an important note at the end of the bulletin...

Important Note: Although a blanket policy exclusion for gender transition and related services is prohibited, a health insurer, HMO or other entity, with respect to the coverages subject to sections 38a-488a [Individual and Group Mental Health Parity Statute - individual health insurance] and 38a-514 [Individual and Group Mental Health Parity Statute - group health insurance ] of the Connecticut General Statutes, may still perform medical necessity determinations on a case by case basis with respect to an insured's request for transgender services. However, if the request is denied on the basis the services are not medically necessary, the insured has the right to an independent review through the Department's External Review Program.

CT Insurance Commissioner Requires Coverage For Us.

Connecticut joins California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and the District of Columbia to require health insurance coverage gender dysphoria. That means that gender confirming surgery, hormones and other expenses related to transition and health care will be covered.

State Requiring Heath Insurers To Cover Gender Transition
Hartford Courant
By DANIELA ALTIMARI
December 26, 2013

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Insurance Department is directing all health insurance companies operating in the state to provide coverage of mental health counseling, hormone therapy, surgery and other treatments related to a patient's gender transition.

Joining a handful of other states, the department issued a bulletin to insurance companies last week which seeks to ensure that "individuals with gender dysphoria … are not denied access to medically necessary care because of the individual's gender identity or gender expression."

Deputy insurance Commissioner Anne Melissa Dowling said the state wanted to "go out and affirmatively make [the policy] very clear."

"As we were turning the corner into the new year, we just wanted to make sure every constituency was clearly heard,'' she said.

If you are insured by a Connecticut company you now get all your medical expenses covered, including hormones and Gender Conforming Surgery. However, if you employer is an ERISA (Employee Retirement Insurance and Security Act) then you may not be covered because they are under federal law, not state law. From what we understand if you have Medicaid we believe that you also would be covered, but not if you are covered by Medicare because Medicaid is a state plan while Medicare is a federal plan.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

Hartford Transgender Day of Remembrance
Parish House, Church of the Good Shepherd (3rd floor ballroom)
7:00pm Wednesday November 20, 2013  at the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, 155 Wyllys Street, Hartford CT
Guest speakers include Senator Beth Bye; Linda Estabrook, Executive Director of the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective; Josh Pawelek, Parish Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society: East; Ace Ricker, Student and President of the Unity Club at Housatonic Community College; and Tony Ferraiolo, Youth Advocate and Co-founder of the Jim Collins Foundation with a special guest
https://www.facebook.com/events/410263982435111/

Westport Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, At 7:00PM
Unitarian Church in Westport
10 Lyons plains Road
Westport Ct, 06880

New Haven Transgender Day of Remembrance
Nov. 20. Rally - 4PM, march - 4:45
Amistad Memorial -- Church St. between Elm & Chapel -- New Haven, CT
Contact: ct@defendwomensrights.org / 203.787.8232
https://www.facebook.com/events/224744304353535/

Hampshire County
Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor and grieve the loss of transgender victims of violence
Tuesday, November 19th, 2013
5:30PM Vigil, First Churches, 129 Main St, Northampton, MA
6:00PM Program and Music, Unitarian Society, 220 Main St. Northampton
7:00PM Social with refreshments, potluck item welcome
This event is free, and childcare will be provided during the program
Sponsored by Amherst College Queer Resource Center, First Churches of Northampton, Pioneer Valley Progressive Muslims, UMASS Stonewall Center, Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, Unitarian Society Web Weavers....many thanks to all!

If anyone knows of other TDORs in the state please let us know and we will post them.

ENDA To Be Voted On In The Senate On monday

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today that the Senate will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) on Monday.

Senate Will Vote on ENDA Monday
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture on Thursday, meaning the Senate will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on Monday.
Advocate
By Sunnivie Brydum
October 31 2013

With a low-key procedural move, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ended a week of speculation about when the U.S. Senate will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
[...]
Reid filed for cloture on the legislation Thursday evening, a procedural move that  requires 60 votes and essentially overcomes any effort at a filibuster. Once the cloture vote is taken — and if it achieves the 60-vote threshold — the chamber will debate the bill, then eventually make a final vote on it. 

You can read the whole story here.

The last time ENDA came up for a vote was in the House in 2007, the original gender identity was included but at the last minute it was pulled from the bill. The non-inclusive ENDA bill passed the House but died in the Senate. The current bill originated in the Senate and it  includes gender identity but its passage in the Republican controlled House is doubtful.

Namoli Brennet In Concert!

Note: CTAC is not sponsor of this event, we are only helping to spread the word about her concert.

Namoli Brennet: In the Flesh

Saturday, October 19, 7 pm

United Church of Christ in Cornwall, Congregational

Singer-songwriter Namoli Brennet performs intimate folk concert at
Congregational Church in Cornwall, CT

Cornwall, CT (September 2013)—Dubbed “among the best folk-rock artists in the
country," by the Tucson Weekly, singer-songwriter and Connecticut native Namoli
Brennet is known for the honesty and intensity of her live shows, as well as her quirky
and comedic performance patter. A trans woman who was named one of the inaugural
Trans 100 on the first ever list highlighting accomplished members of the transgender
community across the United States, Brennet will perform a live concert of her soulful,
witty songs on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 7 pm at the United Church of Christ in
Cornwall, Connecticut.

Described by The Rainbow Times as “a deft acoustic player” with “smoky vocals,”
Brennet has been touring and performing since 2002 when she hit the road with her first
CD. Now, 1000-plus shows and 200,000 miles later, her gritty, honest folk has attracted
a large and extremely loyal fan base. Her performance at United Church of Christ will
include a reception with wine and bites after the concert, during which CDs and artwork
by the artist will be for sale. The concert is free with a suggested donation of $10.
Brennet has self-released 10 CDs, including her latest, "Live," which was recorded over
the course of 6 months and 14,000 miles. Her poignant, introspective, and sometimes
hard-hitting music has won praise and accolades from critics and fans alike, and was
described as "gorgeous and introspective" by Zocalo magazine. She has been
nominated for numerous OUTmusic awards, and her music is featured in the Emmy
Award nominated film "Out In The Silence," which details the struggle of a gay teen
growing up in rural Pennsylvania. Brennet spends eight to nine months a year touring
and performing.

Namoli Brennet: In the Flesh is hosted by The Rainbow Times CT and United Church of
Christ in Cornwall Congregational on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm, with a $10
suggested donation at the door. United Church of Christ is located at 8 Bolton Hill Road
in Cornwall, CT 06753; 860.672.6840 and www.uccincornwall.org. For event details, call
860-364-0525. For more information about Namoli Brennet, including discography and
tour dates, visit www.namolibrennet.com.

A Night Out At The Moives

There is a great fundraiser coming up for the Jim Collins Foundation...

TransPACT
(Parents of CT Transyouth)
is proud to present…
A special movie event
to benefit
The Jim Collins Foundation

TRANS

One night only!
Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Starplex Cinemas, Berlin, CT
Tickets go on sale today.
Space is limited!
For tickets and details on the event, go to:
http://www.tugg.com/events/5442

TransPACT, a local support group for parents of transgender kids, is proud to bring TRANS to Connecticut for this special, one-night-only event! Whether you are well-versed in transgender issues, or a newbie to this topic, the film TRANS, which features personal stories of transgender people across the country, will inform, touch, and inspire you. Our special guest, Mark Schoen, is the producer of TRANS and will be on hand to answer your questions on the making of this landmark production.

This event is also a fundraiser for the Jim Collins Foundation, which raises money to fund gender-confirming surgeries for those who need surgery to live a healthy life, but have no ability to pay for it themselves. Co-founder of the JCF, Tony Ferraiolo, will also be at the screening to answer any questions about this worthy cause, or about the support groups for transgender youth that he runs here in Connecticut. When you purchase your ticket, you will be given a option to donate to the Jim Collins Foundation. Please consider giving to this life-affirming organization. More information can be found at: www.jimcollinsfoundation.org/about-us/

U.S. Department of Justice Discrimination Agreement

The U.S. Department of Justice reached a landmark agreement this week about discrimination against transgender students. We here at CTAC receive a number of complaints against schools in Connecticut that refuse to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their gender identity and require them to use a staff bathroom or a gender neutral bathroom. The CT law is vague about sex-segregated facilities, the CHRO takes the position that ex-segregated facilities are covered under the law but some school districts point out that there has never been any court ruling to back-up their opinion.

Now the U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with a California school systems.

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
United States Reaches Agreement with Arcadia, California, School District to Resolve Sex Discrimination Allegations

The United States entered into a settlement agreement with the Arcadia Unified School District in Arcadia, Calif., to resolve an investigation into allegations of discrimination against a transgender student based on the student’s sex.  Under the agreement, approved by the district’s school board unanimously last night, the school district will take a number of steps to ensure that the student, whose gender identity is male and who has consistently and uniformly presented as a boy at school and in all other aspects of his life for several years, will be treated like other male students while attending school in the district.

The agreement, joined by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which participated in the investigation, resolves a complaint filed in October 2011.  The complaint alleged that the district had prohibited the student from accessing facilities consistent with his male gender identity, including restrooms and locker rooms at school, as well as sex-specific overnight accommodations at a school-sponsored trip, because he is transgender.  The United States investigated this complaint under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Both Title IX and Title IV prohibit discrimination against students based on sex.

Under the settlement agreement, the district will:

•           work with a consultant to support and assist the district in creating a safe, nondiscriminatory learning environment for students who are transgender or do not conform to gender stereotypes;
•           amend its policies and procedures to reflect that gender-based discrimination, including discrimination based on a student’s gender identity, transgender status, and nonconformity with gender stereotypes, is a form of discrimination based on sex; and
•           train administrators and faculty on preventing gender-based discrimination and creating a nondiscriminatory school environment for transgender students.

Additionally, the district will take a number of steps to treat the student like all other male students in the education programs and activities offered by the district.  The district-wide provisions of the agreement will be in place until the end of the 2015-2016 school year.  The student-specific provisions of the agreement will be in place as long as the student is enrolled in the district.

“All students, including transgender students, have the right to attend school free from discrimination based on their sex,” said Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “We commend the district for taking affirmative steps to ensure that this student and his peers can continue to learn and thrive in a safe and nondiscriminatory environment.”

“Our commitment to civil rights enforcement runs deep and nowhere is that commitment more meaningful than in our schools,” said André Birotte, Jr., United States Attorney for the Central District of California. “This agreement helps ensure continued advancement towards equal rights under the law for all students.”

In recent years, the Justice Department and the Department of Education resolved a number of cases involving gender-based harassment in public schools.  In 2012, the departments entered into a consent decree addressing harassment against students who do not conform to gender stereotypes in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, Minn.  In 2011, the departments entered into an agreement with the Tehachapi Unified School District, Calif., to resolve a similar complaint of harassment against a gay student who did not conform to gender stereotypes.

 Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 each prohibit harassment based on sex.  The enforcement of Title IV and Title IX are top priorities of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt .

Politico had this to say about why the agreement is so unique,

The Education and Justice departments have forced districts to change policies and practices to better protect students who are transgender, including in Minnesota and elsewhere in California. But those protections, primarily intended to prevent bullying and harassment, have been part of agreements to protect all students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
[...]
While the agreement is only between the district and federal agencies, it sets a precedent, said Asaf Orr, a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which filed the complaint on behalf of the Arcadia student.

“This sends a clear message to school districts around the country saying ‘This is what the federal government is going to be expecting of you,’” Orr [Staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights] said.

 

Imperial Sovereign Court of CT Fundraiser For CTAC July 27

Saturday July 27th - White Party.  Dowager Emperor Nick and Dowager Empress Electra along with the Entire Imperial Sovereign Court of ALL CT invite you all to the WHITE PARTY, $10.00 cover at the door, $1.00 Jello Shots, Show Times 11PM and 12 Midnight.  All proceeds to Benefit Aids Project New Haven, Connecticut Health Initiative, Connecticut Transadvocacy, and St. Philips House.  Facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/503736099699745/)

Eighth Annual Trans Health & Law Conference

Save the date for our Eighth Annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference that will be held on April 26, 2014 at the UConn Health Center in Farmington, Ct.

Our conference is about relationships - relationships with ourselves and relationships with those who interact with us. It is about re-defining these relationship through knowledge and understanding and by helping to erase those misconceptions that have disempowered so many for so long. Our conference is also about community - and not just trans and gender non-conforming people but also our allies who support us, the professionals who work with us, our families who care for us, and most-especially you.

Our primary theme “Intersection of Health and Law” seeks to raise awareness of the interconnectivity and interdependence of two critical areas to the lives of the trans and gender non-conforming individual.

Each year the attendance and outreach for this conference has grown substantially, now making it the major Transgender Health and Law Conference in the Northeast. Our success is a directly attributed to attendees finding the conference to be informative, relevant, and positive. One of our goals for this conference is that you find your experience to be informative and positive. We hope to provide new information to you and to provide old information in a new way that provides you with new or renewed perspective. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions for future conferences.

US Senate Committee on HELP: Passes ENDA

On a 15-7 vote in the committee the bill is passed with three amendments on ENDA to be considered 1) shared facilities 2) define the word "transition" 3) no action to be taken against employer who fires an employee for legitimate reason.

ENDA advances with bipartisan backing
By Steve Benen
MSNBC
Wed Jul 10, 2013

Following up on an item from late yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (better known as the HELP Committee) easily approved the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (better known as ENDA) this morning. The final vote count, by way of my colleague Tricia McKinney, was 15 to 7.

The two-to-one margin matters. If the legislation is going to have any chance of overcoming a Republican filibuster on the Senate floor, ENDA is going to need several GOP votes to side with the Democratic majority. With this in mind, this morning's vote was heartening -- all 12 Democrats on the committee backed the law, and they were joined by Republican Sens. Mark Kirk (Ill.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and most importantly, Orrin Hatch (Utah).

You can read the whole story here.

Video of the committee hearing... Executive Session - S. 815, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013

Delaware Becomes The Seventeenth State To Have Protection For Gender Isdentity!

Delaware Governor Markell Signs Transgender Nondiscrimination Act
The New Civil Rights Movement
by Jean Ann Esselink
June 19, 2013

Democratic Governor Jack Markell wasted no time in signing the Transgender Nondiscrimination Act passed by the Delaware Senate earlier today in a 11-9 vote. Delaware is now the seventeenth state to provide transgender nondiscrimination protections.

The bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in matters of employment, housing, public accommodations, public works, contracting, and insurance. The new law also adds crimes against transgender victims to the existing Hate Crimes statute.

You can read the whole story here.

Oregon Legislature Repeals Surgery Requirement for Gender Change on Birth Certificate

The times there are a changing...

And they are coming fast and furious. The Oregon ACLU just issued a Press Release,

Oregon Legislature Repeals Surgery Requirement for Gender Change on Birth Certificate
By Becky Straus, Legislative Director, ACLU of Oregon & Kevin Díaz, Legal Director, ACLU of Oregon & Amanda Goad, LGBT Project
6/14/13

With Gov. Kitzhaber's approval of HB 2093 yesterday, transgender people in Oregon will no longer have to show proof of surgery in order to change their birth certificates to accurately reflect their gender. Previously, Oregon law required surgery in order to update a birth certificate gender marker, even for those transgender people who did not need or want it, or were unable to access surgery for financial, medical, or other reasons. The ACLU supported the great work of agency and advocate partners to reach this victory. We are glad to see Oregon's legislature and governor sign off on this important change and advance the rights of transgender Oregonians.

In 2011, the ACLU LGBT Project and the ACLU of Oregon submitted a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of a transgender woman who was seeking to update her birth certificate but unable to afford surgery. The Linn County Circuit Court later cited our brief in finding the surgery requirement unconstitutional. That case allowed one individual to amend her birth certificate without surgery, but today's legislation was necessary to fix the problem statewide. The change will take effect January 1, 2014.

You can read the whole press release here.

News Flash... Social Security Administration no longer requires surgery to change your gender marker!!!!!

TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
NTCE Press Release
June 13, 2013

In June 2013, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a new policy to for updating Social Security records to reflect a person’s gender identity. Under the new policy, a transgender person can change their gender on their Social Security records by submitting either government-issued documentation reflecting a change, or a certification from a physician confirming that they have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. This policy replaces SSA’s old policy, which required documentation of sex reassignment surgery.

You can read the rest of the press release here with FAQs

 RM 10212.200 Changing Numident Data for Reasons other than Name Change

Accept any of the following:

    full-validity, 10-year U.S. passport with the new sex

NOTE: Do not accept passports with less than ten years of validity.;

    State-issued amended BC with the new sex;

    court order directing legal recognition of change of sex;

    medical certification of appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition in the form of an original signed statement from a licensed physician (i.e., a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.)). The statement must include the following:

        physician’s full name;

        medical license or certificate number;

        issuing state, country, or other jurisdiction of medical license or certificate;

        address and telephone number of the physician;

        language stating that the individual has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender (male or female);

        language stating the physician has either treated the individual in relation to the individual’s change in gender or has reviewed and evaluated the medical history of the individual in relation to the individual’s change in gender and that the physician has a doctorpatient relationship with the individual;

        language stating “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.”

NOTE: See RM 10212.200C in this section for a sample letter from a licensed physician that includes all required information to certify to the individual’s gender change.

IMPORTANT: Surgery is no longer required to change the sex field on the Numident. However, if an individual presents an original or certified letter from a physician stating the individual has undergone sexual reassignment surgery, accept it as evidence to change the sex field when it meets the requirements in GN 00301.030 and contains sufficient biographical data (e.g., name, date of birth) to clearly identify the individual.

NOTE: In some cases an individual’s sex may impact eligibility for benefits dependent upon spousal relationships. To make title II entitlement or title XVI eligibility determinations dependent upon marriage, follow the instructions in GN 00305.005B. Do not use sex field data on SSA records to make marital status determinations.

C. Exhibit – Sample Letter from Licensed Physician Certifying to the Individual’s Gender Change

(Physician’s Address and Telephone Number)

I, (physician’s full name), (physician’s medical license or certificate number), (issuing U.S. State/Foreign Country of medical license/certificate), am the physician of (name of patient), with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whom I have treated (or with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whose medical history I have reviewed and evaluated).

(Name of patient) has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender (specify new gender, male or female).

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.

Signature of Physician

Typed Name of Physician

Date

The Phil Wheeler VISION FOR JUSTICE Award

This week CTAC was given the Phil Wheeler Vision for Justice Award by the Citizens for Economic Opportunities and we are deeply honored to receive the award. The award was for the work that we did as part of the coalition to pass the Connecticut gender inclusive anti-discrimination law in 2011.

We wish to thank Citizens for Economic Opportunities for this award to CTAC and for their recognition of the struggle of the trans-community for equality. We were just one of the many organizations and individuals in the coalition that worked to pass this law.

Thank you.

The Phil Wheeler Vision for Justice Award is given out to an individual, organization, union or campaign that has exemplified the fight for social justice in the state of Connecticut.

Congrartulations To Rhode Island

Rhode Island becomes the tenth state to have marriage equality... Congratulations!

Rhode Island Legalizes Gay Marriage
Huffington Post
Posted: 05/02/2013

Rhode Island became the tenth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday with a 56-15 vote.

Just before he signed the legislation into law, Gov. Lincoln Chafee took to the steps of the Rhode Island State House, where he told a jubilant crowd, "Today we are making history ... we are living up to the ideals of our founder."

He went on to note, "When your belief and heart is in something, it's easy work. I am proud to say that now, at long last, you are free to marry the person you love."

You can read the whole article here.

Vermont Becomes the Fourth State to Ban Insurance Discrimination

Vermont just became the for state where the insurance commissioner issued an order banning discrimination in insurance...

Vermont Orders Insurance Companies to End Transgender Exclusions
Transgender Law Center
April 24, 2013
Transgender Law Center congratulates the state of Vermont today, as it becomes the fourth state to order insurance companies to end their practice of excluding medically necessary care for transgender people. Vermont’s Division of Insurance, under the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), issued a bulletin effective April 22, that directs insurance companies to end the practice immediately, and explicitly states that all insurance plans submitted for Vermont’s Health Benefit Exchange are also disallowed from using these discriminatory exclusions.

You can read the complete press release and download the letter here.

The states that have ban discrimination in insurance are Colorado, Oregon and California and also the District of Columbia. 

2013 – Transgender Lives: Intersection of Health and Law Conference

The seventh annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference is on Saturday, April 27 at the UConn Health Center from 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM. This all day conference is geared towards Service Providers, Medical and Legal Professionals, Trans and Gender non-conforming community, allies and all those interested in the Health and Law issues facing the transgender and gender non-conforming communities.

Keynote Speaker: Mara Keisling, the Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. As one of the nation’s leading voices for transgender equality, Mara has appeared on news outlets such as CNN and CSPAN, and is regularly quoted in the New York Times, the Washington Post and hundreds of other national and local print and electronic media.

Some of this Year’s Workshops covered topics such as:

• The Health Care Professional and the Transgender Patient
• The Effects of Discrimination on Trans Health.
• Protecting and Advocating for the Transgender Child: A Legal Guide for Parents and Educators
• How to Successfully Transition in Your Employment
• What Transgender is NOT...
• Authentic Acceptance: Accepting our whole self from the inside out
• Middle Way: Living between the Binary or Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun
• Partners, Family and Friends: Grief and loss, dealing with stigma, coming-out and other common experiences.

You can find a full list of workshop here

High Level Conference Timeline

08:00 - 08:30 AM : Registration and Continental Breakfast
08:30 - 09:15 AM : Welcoming Remarks and Introductions
09:15 - 12:00 AM : Morning Workshops
12:00 - 01:00 PM : Lunch
01:00 - 03:30 PM : Afternoon Workshops
03:30 - 04:45 PM : Keynote
04:45 - 05:00 PM : Closing remarks and wrap up

Registration is $25 for Individuals (though no one will be turned away due to registration cost), $50 for CECs for NASW & CHES

Registration online here  (Walk-ins are welcome!)

Or Mail to:

CTAC Conference Registration
P.O. Box 111
Farmington, CT 06034

Email: conference2013@transadvocacy.org

California’s Ban on Transgender Exclusions in Health Insurance

The California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued guidelines about exclusions of coverage based on gender identity and expression. The Transgender Law Center posted this about about the guidelines...

SAN FRANCISCO [April 9, 2013]: California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has ordered California’s health plans to remove exclusions of coverage based on gender identity and expression.

DMHC has issued guidance (.pdf) clarifying the obligations of California’s health plans under the Insurance Gender Nondiscrimination Act. In a groundbreaking directive to health plans, the DMHC confirmed that California’s Insurance Non-Discrimination Act of 2006, authored by former Assemblymember Paul Koretz, guarantees all people the right to access coverage for medically necessary care regardless of their gender identity or gender expression. The directive also provides that patients who are denied coverage can appeal the decision for review by the Department. (See also: FAQ)

You can read the whole article here.

CHRO: Dear Colleague Letter

In March, the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities sent out a letter advising educators and parent organization that discrimination is illegal for gender identity and expression.

March 4,2013
School Principal,
Superintendent,
PTA/PTO President

Dear Colleague:

In February, 2011, this office sent you a letter discussing the "Dear Colleague" letter that was issued by the Federal Office of Civil Rights in October 2010 that
addressed the issue of bullying and harassment in schools and provided examples of how a school's failure to address instances of bullying and harassment can violate civil rights. Both this agency and the Connecticut Department of Education continue to receive complaints about harassment and discrimination against students including but not limited to students who are transgendered.

The purpose of this letter is to remind you that, in addition to being a Federal Civil Rights violation, harassment and bullying on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, mental retardation, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, constitute a violation of Connecticut laws. Discrimination on the basis of transgender status is illegal, as codified by Public Act 11-55, which added "gender identity or expression" to the protected classes covered under Connecticut law. A more detailed explanation about gender identity discrimination is contained in the "Doe" declaratory ruling issued by this agency in 2000, which can be found on the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities' website. As "places of public accommodation", public schools have an affirmative obligation to prevent and respond to harassment and bullying that is based on the protected class of the victim. As parents, teachers and school administrators, you have both the ability and obligation to prevent bullying and to eliminate its harmful effects.

You can read the whole letter here.

Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition is a member of the CT Safe Schools Coalition

Possible Coverage By Medcare And Medicaid For SRS!

On Friday on Facebook there was a post that was starting to go viral about an Advocate article on how Medicare and Medicaid wants input on providing coverage for Gender Confirming Surgery. The article had a link but by the time I clicked on it the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services had taken it down…

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs the federal government's national insurance program, is reconsidering whether or not it should cover gender reassignment surgery (often called sex reassignment surgery) for transgender people who have Medicare. It has offered the public 30 days to offer opinions on the matter. Since around 48 million people are covered by Medicare, if the agency decides to allow coverage, the change would have a significant impact on transgender people in the U.S.

This official reconsideration of coverage began yesterday and goes for 29 more days in which the public can comment.

Then the internet was abuzz with speculation on what happened. But then an article in “The Hill” started appearing in post say they closed the comments and are going to consider it internally.

The Health and Human Services Department said early Friday that it would accept public comments on whether to reexamine its decision not to cover sex changes.

But a spokesperson said Friday evening that the proposal has been withdrawn. HHS pulled information from its website Friday after various news media outlets reported on the issue.

The controversial decision to consider using taxpayer money to cover sex changes was sure to attract criticism from Congress.

According to Mara Keisling of National Center for Transgender Equality (NTCE) -

Very good news. Earlier this evening, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decided to use a streamlined administrative process to consider to change whether Medicare covers SRS, instead of the much more cumbersome public comment process they announced on Thursday. This is very very good news and exactly what we were working for. So folks shouldn't be scrambling to submit comments. Progress.

Another State Adds Insurance Coverage For Trans-People

Colorado joins Oregon and California in requiring insurance coverage for transgender people...

What Coloradans Need to Know About the Division of Insurance Recent Bulletin on Health Insurance

In an important victory for the health of all Coloradans, the Colorado Division of Insurance released a bulletin on March 19, 2013, stating that discrimination in health coverage based on sexual orientation — defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or transgender status — is prohibited in Colorado.

The announcement of this bulletin (B-4.49) means that in order to comply with current Colorado statutes prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and transgender status, health insurance plans sold in Colorado can no longer: 1) impose higher rates or charge more because of an applicant’s sexual orientation (see definition below); 2) use an individual’s sexual orientation as a pre-existing condition for the purpose of limiting or denying coverage; or 3) deny, exclude or limit coverage for medically necessary services as determined by an individual’s medical provider, if the same item or service would be provided — based on current standards of care — to another individual without regard to their sexual orientation. 

You can read the rest of the article here.

The Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut - CTAC Fundraiser

Please join Emperor and Empress MMXIII Trevor Reynolds and Morgana de Luxe for Investitures 2013: A Family Affair!
2pm to 6pm at Tommy's Restaurant 825 Saybrook Road Middletown CT.

We will be handing out in state titles along with some other surprises. A family style dinner will be served (salad, pasta, sauce, meatballs and garlic bread) along with a raffle and show.

The reigning family of Connecticut will be in Protocol attire and is optional for attendees.

Cost is $20 per person and includes dinner and show. Proceeds will go to Reign 2013 Beneficiaries:
Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition
St. Philip House
AIDS Project New Haven
Connecticut Breast Health Initiative

Please RSVP by 4/7/2013 to Emperor Trevor (TRReynz@AOL.Com) or Empress Morgana (MorganaDx@AOL.Com) or for more information.

Facebook event page is here.

Please come down and help us start Reign 2013 with a bang!
Hope to see you there!

Maryland Senate Committee Votes Down Gender Inclusive Bill.

Last Week, Maryland's the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee vote down a bill that would have banned anti-transgender discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. The Washington Blade reported...

A Maryland state Senate committee on Thursday struck down a bill that would have banned anti-transgender discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.

The 6-5 vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee came slightly more than two weeks after it held a hearing on Senate Bill 449 — the Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013 — that state Sens. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) and Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County) introduced.
[...]
“It is now 14 years since transgender protections were stripped from LGBT anti-discrimination legislation by the General Assembly,” Donna Cartwright of the Maryland Coalition for Trans Equality said. “It’s long past time for the legislature to take meaningful action to address the severe discrimination and disadvantage that trans people face.”

You can read the whole story here.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

This afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which also includes protection for transgender and gender non-conforming (as well as lesbian, gay, and bisexual) victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. The bill now going tot he President for signing.

Congress approves LGBT-inclusive VAWA, Obama vows to sign
MetroWeekly
Posted by Justin Snow
February 28, 2013 4:13 PM

An LGBT-inclusive Violence Against Women Act swept through the House of Representatives today, winning a bipartisan majority in the Republican-controlled chamber.

Voting 286 to 138 on Thursday, the House approved the Senate version of VAWA, which includes protections for LGBT victims of abuse. First signed into law in 1994, the vote comes after Congress failed to reauthorize VAWA in October 2011 over objections from Republicans to the LGBT provision, as well as provisions for Native Americans and immigrants.

Although House Republicans attempted to pass their own version of VAWA today without those contested provisions, the House rejected that bill 166 to 257 and passed the Senate version of the bill, which that chamber approved earlier this month 78 to 22.

You can read the article here.

Massachusetts Dept. of Ed. Guidelines for Trans Students

The other day the Massachusetts Department of Education issued guideline for transgender students, "Guidance for Massachusetts Public Schools Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity". The Boston Globe said this about the guidelines...

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Department of Education on Friday issued directives for handling transgender students, including allowing them to use the bathrooms or play on the sports teams that correspond to the gender with which they identify.

The guidance was issued at the request of state board of education to help schools follow the state’s 2011 anti-discrimination law protecting transgender people.

‘‘These students, because of widespread misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about their lives, are at a higher risk for peer ostracism, victimization, and bullying,’’ the document read.

You can read the rest of the story here.


Connecticut's guidelines that CTAC helped write as part of the Safe School Coalition is located here.

Brown University To Cover Trans-Surgery

It was announced last week that Brown University will cover trans-surgery. In the university newspaper last week  they said...

The Brown Student Health Insurance Plan will cover 14 different sexual reassignment surgery procedures starting in August, Director of Insurance and Purchasing Services Jeanne Hebert confirmed in an email to The Herald.

The move makes Brown one of a handful of schools and healthcare providers nationwide to cover the surgeries.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Oregon Healthcare Coverage

Now if only Connecticut would follow suit and remove the transgender exclusions for its employees and require insurance companies from having discriminatory exclusions for trans-people on the policies that they issue.

Victory for Oregon's Transgender State Workers
by Lambda Legal
January 17, 2013

Oregon has changed its state employees' health care policies to include transition-related health care for transgender people, Lambda Legal announced today.

The change came in response to Lambda Legal's lawsuit on behalf of state employee Alec Esquivel, who was denied insurance coverage for a medically necessary surgery because he is transgender.

Read the entire press release here.

California Insurance Coverage

California insurance companies must end exclusions of medically-necessary care for transgender people...

Ore., Calif., require transgender health coverage
Huffington Post (AP)
JONATHAN J. COOPER
January 11, 2013

SALEM, Ore. — Regulators in Oregon and California have quietly directed some health insurance companies to stop denying coverage for transgender patients because of their gender identity.

The states aren't requiring coverage of specific medical treatments. But they told some private insurance companies they must pay for a transgender person's hormone therapy, breast reduction, cancer screening or any other procedure deemed medically necessary if they cover it for patients who aren't transgender.

The changes apply to companies insuring about a third of Oregonians and about 7 percent of Californians, but not to people on Medicare and Medicaid or to the majority of Californians who are insured through a health management organization, or HMO.

As the article says, this does not require to cover GCS (Gender Conforming Surgery) but only requires the insurance company to cover what they offer other medically necessary treatments. For an example, if insurance pays for medically necessary Orchiectomy, Penectomy, Vaginoplasty, Clitoroplasty or Labiaplasty for non-transgender patients then they must cover trans-patients.

See also our blog post on the Oregon bulletin.

Charter Oak Cultural Center: The Vagina Monologues

The Vagina Monologues, By Eve Ensler
February 1, 2013 7:30 pm February 2, 2013 7:30 pm

$15 general admission | $10 seniors, Charter Oak and Let*s Go Arts! members | $5 students

The VDay tradition continues. Kristin Flyntz returns to direct this year’s production of what has become one of our signature events of the year, now in its tenth year. Proceeds to benefit My Sister’s Place, Interval House and Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition.

Wear red and show love for women everywhere!

Special UNCORKED reception before Friday night’s performance only!

Oregon Insurance Coverage

Oregon insurance companies must end exclusions of medically-necessary care for transgender people...

Oregon Insurance Division Bulletin INS 2012-01

TO: All Insurers Transacting Insurance in Oregon

RE: Application of Senate Bill 2 (2007 Legislative Session) to Gender Identity Issues in the Transaction and Regulation of Insurance in Oregon

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance to insurers about how the Insurance Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services (division) expects insurers and other licensees to conform to provisions of the Oregon Equality Act (Senate Bill 2, 2007 Legislative Session) (SB 2) in the transaction of insurance in Oregon when a transaction or activity relates to gender identity. Although most of this bulletin pertains to health insurance issues, the principles set forth are equally applicable to other kinds of insurance to the extent equality of treatment and nondiscrimination is required. The division has received questions related to coverage and treatment of conditions related to gender identity or gender dysphoria...

To read the entire bulletin click here.