GLMA LGBT Health Digest

July 11, 2014
Table of Contents

Early Bird Registration Ends Tuesday, July 15th

Supreme Court Decision Worries LGBT Community
NCLR Launches #BornPerfect: The Campaign to End Conversion Therapy

Washington State Ends Discriminatory Transgender Health Insurance Policies

New Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health Formed
California’s Ban on Conversion Therapy Stands After Supreme Court Declined Case

Article: Improving Nursing Care for Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women

Resource: Start Talking. Stop HIV

Event: LGBT Health Forum on Global LGBT Health & Rights

Webinar: The Foundations of Culturally Appropriate Integrated Services for LGBT Individuals
Webinars: Post-DOMA Federal Changes

Early Bird Registration Ends Tuesday, July 15th GLMA’s 32nd Annual Conference
September 10-13, 2014
Baltimore, MD

Join over 400 of your colleagues in LGBT health this September in Baltimore, MD, for GLMA’s 32nd Annual Conference! GLMA’s Annual Conference is the premier LGBT health conference and the world’s largest scientific gathering devoted to LGBT health issues and concerns. GLMA’s Annual Conference educates practitioners and students—from across the health professions—about the unique health needs of LGBT individuals and families.

Early bird registration ends Tuesday, July 15th! Click here to learn more and register for the conference.

Reminder: GLMA members receive a discount on registration! Become a member today!

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Supreme Court Decision Worries LGBT Community
This June 30, 2014, Advocate piece explores the potential impact of the US Supreme Court decision in Sebelius v Hobby Lobby on the LGBT community. The court ruled 5-4 that closely held corporations can deny insurance coverage of contraceptives to their employees on the basis of religious beliefs. As the article notes, although the justices stated this ruling was specific to the contraceptive coverage component in the Affordable Care Act, LGBT advocates are concerned about the potential implications this decision could have on LGBT-related healthcare, such as HIV and transgender-related care.

GLMA joined Lambda Legal and Pride at Work in submitting a friend-of-the-court brief in the case earlier this year and released a statement in response to the ruling last week.
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NCLR Launches #BornPerfect: The Campaign to End Conversion Therapy
As reported in this June 23, 2014, Time article, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) launched a new campaign called #BornPerfect aimed at passing laws across the US to protect LGBT youth, fighting in courtrooms to ensure their safety and raising awareness about the serious harms caused by conversation therapy.

GLMA is a supporter of the NCLR campaign. Click here to read more about #BornPerfect and how to get involved.

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Washington State Ends Discriminatory Transgender Health Insurance Policies
As reported in the Advocate on June 26, 2014, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner issued a clarification that all health insurance policies (public and private) must cover transition-related care, and cannot discriminate against transgender residents of Washington. Danielle Askini, a member of the Coalition for Inclusive Healthcare and advocacy director of the Gender Justice League, said, "Removing these outdated exclusions brings Washington up to date with the latest information from medical experts and will provide transgender Washingtonians with access to lifesaving and medically necessary healthcare.”

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New Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health Formed According to the Rainbow Times on July 2, 2014, this June, leaders in bisexual health research and community activists gathered to discuss the state of the research on bisexual health. The meeting was hosted by the Fenway Institute and was co-chaired by Judith Bradford, PhD, who was also a committee member for the 2011 Institute of Medicine report on LGBT health. The Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH) was formed at the meeting and will foster high-level discussions of bisexual health research, host a national conference and seek to advance public awareness of bisexual health issues.

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California’s Ban on Conversion Therapy Stands After Supreme Court Declined Case According to this June 30, 2014, New York Times article, the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a California law that bans conversion therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of LGB minors. By not taking up the case, the federal appeals court ruling that the state’s ban does not violate free speech rights stands. In a letter to the editor in response to this article, the Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda notes there was a bipartisan-supported bill in the New York Assembly and the Senate that would have enacted similar legislation to that of California’s, as well as New Jersey’s. However, the Senate leadership refused to allow a vote on the bill.

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Article: Improving Nursing Care for Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women Healthcare needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) women are inadequately addressed in nursing education and practice, which may contribute to heterosexism and homophobia on the part of healthcare providers. Nurses have an obligation to use available tools and resources to assess and positively transform healthcare environments to ensure high-quality care for LBT women. The context within which care for LBT women is learned, practiced and experienced requires radical improvement. This article was published in the recent issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing and is available here.

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Resource: Start Talking. Stop HIV Start Talking. Stop HIV., a new phase of CDC’s Act Against AIDS initiative, seeks to reduce new HIV infections among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men by encouraging open discussion about a range of HIV prevention strategies and related sexual health issues between sex partners. Effective partner communication about HIV can reduce HIV transmission by supporting HIV testing, HIV status disclosure, condom use and the use of medicines to prevent and treat HIV. Created by and for gay and bisexual men, this new national HIV prevention campaign has a number of resources available online here.

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Event: LGBT Health Forum on Global LGBT Health & Rights July 15, 2014
7:00pm
Washington, DC

The 2nd annual LGBT Health Forum on Global LGBT Health & Rights will be held at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, Tuesday July 15th at 7:00 pm. The event is open to the public and will be webcast live worldwide. The Forum showcases current health issues for the LGBT community, this year examining the struggles of LGBT populations worldwide including ongoing persecution and violence against LGBT people and their care providers, HIV/AIDS and access to health services. Speakers include: Dr. Nils Daulaire, former assistant secretary for Global Affairs at HHS, Julie Dorf with the Council for Global Equality, Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Jack Andraka, a high school student who at age 15 developed a simple screening test for detecting several types of cancer. For more information, click here.

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Webinar: The Foundations of Culturally Appropriate Integrated Services for LGBT Individuals July 16, 2014
2:00-3:30pm EST

Integrated primary care and behavioral health providers can create culturally appropriate, highly accessible integrated care to members of the LGBT community with behavioral health conditions. Join CIHS and the CDC National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control to discuss ways to evaluate current organizational barriers to accessing care, strategies for reducing these barriers and actionable steps for implementing culturally appropriate services. Review how to internally evaluate your agency’s services, and leave with an understanding of best practices and resources to increase engagement efforts with the LGBT community. Presenters: Andrea Washington, LCSW-S, SUD and Integrated Care Coordinator, Montrose Center; Dr. Scout, Director, Network for LGBT Health Equity at CenterLink; and National LGBT Health Education Center, The Fenway Institute. Click here to register.

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Resource: Webinars: Post-DOMA Federal Changes A year after the Supreme Court decision in United States v Windsor, federal agencies have been issuing rules that affect same sex couples regarding programs like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicaid. In this two-part webinar series, you will learn what’s happened since the decision and what’s still needed to ensure the rights of LGBT same sex couples are fully recognized by the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Social Security and SSI Post-DOMA: Changes for Same Gender Couples?
July 22, 2014
2:00pm EST
Presenter: Gerald McIntyre, NSCLC Directing Attorney

Medicare & Medicaid Post-DOMA: Changes for Same Gender Couples?July 23, 2014
2:00pm EST
Presenters: Georgia Burke, NSCLC Directing Attorney

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GLMA’s LGBT Health Digest is an electronic newsletter with information and resources for health professionals concerned about the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations.

The Digest highlights issues, events, publications and other newsworthy items pertinent to LGBT health. Please feel free to circulate the Digest to your colleagues.

To sign up, send your request to digest@glma.org. Also, to submit an item to be considered for publication in the Digest, please send your request to Emily Kane-Lee at ekanelee@glma.org

GLMA Membership Drive

GLMA’s LGBT Health Digest is an electronic newsletter with information and resources for health professionals concerned about the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations. The Digest highlights issues, events, publications and other newsworthy items pertinent to LGBT health. Please feel free to circulate the Digest to your colleagues. To sign up, send your request to digest@glma.org. Also, to submit an item to be considered for publication in the Digest, please send your request to Emily Kane-Lee at ekanelee@glma.org

Check out this excellent source of news and information and support the GLMA.

Latest News Stories from LGBT Health Digest

Have you told your LGBTQ health care story yet?
Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc. is committed to creating opportunities for LGBTQ health care consumers to tell their story. For too long LGBTQ consumers have been left out of the conversation. Contact us at mystory@rainbowaccess.org to tell yours. Find us on Facebook at Rainbow Access Initiative. - Why, because you matter! Help us build the largest video collection of personal health care stories specific to LGBTQ consumers!

Step 1: Contact us. Let us know you want to share your story. email: mystory@rainbowaccess.org
Step 2: Schedule an appointment (date/time) with an RAI representative that's convenient for you.

Step 3. Prepare. Think about your health care story. What is it that you would like to share?

Step 4: Document your story. Put it on video and help change the face of LGBTQ health care.
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WPATH Releases Revised "Standards of Care"
On September 25, 2011, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) released a newly-revised edition of the Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People at the WPATH conference in Atlanta.

First published in 1979, the Standards of Care (SOC) is considered the standard document of reference on caring for the transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming population. The newly-revised, 7th edition SOC will help health professionals better understand how they can offer the most effective care to these individuals. The SOC focuses on primary care, gynecologic and urologic care, reproductive options, voice and communication therapy, mental health services and hormonal and surgical treatment.
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Medicaid Coverage for Transgender Surgery Considered in NY
According to a September 29, 2011, Forbes article, a panel in New York is considering a proposed program that will provide Medicaid coverage for surgery and hormone replacement therapy for low-income, transgender New York residents. If approved, New York will join California and Minnesota in providing this coverage.
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New Study Examining Impact of Social Inequality for LGB People
According to a recently published study, experiencing consistent stigma and social inequality can be stressful and reduce well-being for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. The study's co-author, Ilan Meyer, PhD, stated, "Imagine living life anticipating exclusion from your friends, family and professional circles simply because of who you are and who you love - that resulting stress takes a toll on one's life and health."

"We'd Be Free": Narratives of Life Without Homophobia, Racism or Sexism was published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Everyday Stigma May Take Toll on Lesbians, Gays
Stress results from daily exposure to inequality, not just traumatic crimes or abuse, study shows

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas Monday, October 10, 2011

The stigma and inequalities that lesbian, gay and bisexual people face on a daily basis can increase their stress level and affect their well-being, according to a new study.

"Imagine living life anticipating exclusion from your friends, family and professional circles simply because of who you are and who you love -- that resulting stress takes a toll on one's life and health," said the study's co-author, Ilan Meyer, of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

The researchers set out to determine how stress resulting from daily, non-traumatic events, such as isolation at work and estrangement from families, affected 57 lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) people. The researchers were interested in everyday occurrences, rather than overt abuse or hate crimes.

Black and Hispanic study participants reported the stress from homophobia, racism and sexism led to certain missed life opportunities, including educational advancement, and less self-confidence.

"For members of minority groups, day-to-day life experiences that may seem minor to others can and do have significant and lasting impact on one's well-being," said Meyer. "The idea that simply walking out your door will expose you to societal rejection and stigma creates a climate of stress that can lead to detrimental, long-term consequences."
The rest of the story can be read here.
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HIV and AIDS among Gay and Bisexual Men
Gay and bisexual men - referred to in CDC surveillance systems as men who have sex with men (MSM)- of all races continue to be the risk group most severely affected by HIV. CDC's most recent data show that between 2006 and 2009, the number of new infections that occur each year increased among young MSM - driven by an alarming 48 percent increase among young, black MSM 13 to 29 years old. These data clearly show the urgent need to expand access to proven HIV prevention programs for gay and bisexual men, and to develop new approaches to fight HIV in this population.

The full fact sheet is available here.
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President Obama Honors Janice Langbehn with 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal

GLMA congratulates Janice Langbehn for being honored with a 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal.

Langbehn is one of thirteen recipients of this year's Citizen Medal, which is the nation's second-highest civilian honor, and will be honored at the White House on October 20, 2011.

"The Citizens Medal was established in 1969 to recognize American citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. Like last year, President Obama is recognizing Americans this year whose work has had a significant impact on their communities but may not have garnered national attention," according to the White House press release. The press release also noted why Langbehn was selected to receive the honor:

"While on vacation with her family in February 2007, Janice Langbehn's partner, Lisa Pond, suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital. Langbehn was refused access to her partner, who had experienced a brain aneurysm and later died alone. With the help of Lambda Legal and GLAAD, she filed a federal lawsuit and worked to get her story out to the nation. Janice's story received attention from President Obama, who personally apologized to her for the way she and her family was treated. He went on to revise hospital visitation rights for gay and lesbian couples, which went into effect this past January for any hospitals receiving federal Medicare or Medicaid funds. Langbehn receives the Citizens Medal for her efforts to ensure all Americans are treated equally."

"Janice's leadership and courage has played an integral role in the advancements we have made to improve the health and well being of LGBT people," said Hector Vargas, GLMA's Executive Director. "GLMA joins the entire community in congratulating her for this tremendous honor the President has decided to bestow on her."

GLMA led a coalition of LGBT organizations to successfully change policies at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Langbehn was refused access to her partner. In 2010, Jackson Memorial implemented a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; a patient's bill of rights that demonstrates the hospital's commitment to providing quality care for LGBT patients; and a visitation policy that updates the definition of family to include same-sex partners and other people who may not be legally related to a patient.

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Gautam Raghavan Named to White House LGBT Liaison Position
As reported in MetroWeekly, on October 5, 2011, Gautam Raghavan joined the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs as the LGBT liaison. In his position as Associate Director of Public Engagement, Raghavan will be the LGBT community's "point of contact" at the White House.
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LGBT Movement "Founding Parent" Dies
On October 11, 2011, at 86 years old and after decades of fighting for the rights of LGBT people, Frank Kameny died. As has been noted by many in the press, including on The Rachel Maddow Show, Kameny started the fight for equality almost a decade before the Stonewall riots and two decades before Harvey Milk's election. His work has been archived and is on display at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

The LGBT movement has also witness the passing of another leader this October. On October 7, 2011, Paula Ettelbrick died at 56 years old. As reported in the New York Times, Ettelbrick's work "focused on defining 'family' in the broadest possible way."
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LGVMA Announces 2011 Leadership and Achievement Awards
The Lesbian & Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) is proud to announce both Lisa Greenhill and Shane Snowdon as the recipients of the LGVMA 2011 Achievement Award.

LGVMA Achievement Awards are presented to individuals and/or organizations at the LGVMA Annual Meeting. Recipients should evidence commitment to one or more of the following: improving the quality of veterinary services to animals belonging to the LGBT community; for bettering the professional environment for animal health professionals; for enhancing the academic learning environment for LGBT veterinary and/or veterinary technician students; and/or for contributing to the advancement of equality of the LGBT community or of the mission of LGVMA.

LGVMA is also proud to announce the Student Chapter of LGVMA/ Tuskegee the LGVMA 2011 Leadership Award. The LGVMA Leadership Award is given to individuals and/or organizations that show outstanding leadership and/or community activism within the veterinary profession.
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The Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association
Join our network! Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association was developed in March of 2011 in response to a growing vocalized need for the exchange of ideas, community, and resources between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and allied (LGBTQI&A*) veterinary students. For more information on the organization or for information on how you can get involved, please visit our website.
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Victory Congressional Internship is accepting applications for Spring 2012

The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute will bring outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive leadership program, including a Congressional internship with an LGBT-friendly member of Congress.

The program includes a generous stipend, placement in a congressional internship and travel to/from Washington, D.C., as well as travel and registration to the International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in Long Beach, California, in December 2012.

Applications for Spring 2012 are due Monday, November 7. For more information, please click here.

The Victory Congressional Internship is open to current undergraduate students of all genders, orientations, abilities, races and political affiliations, including people with majors other than political science.
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Information in this report is compiled from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association's LGBT Health Digest, the National Coalition for LGBT Health's Updates and other LGBT health resources.]

WPATH Releases Revised "Standards of Care"

On September 25, 2011, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) released a newly-revised edition of the Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People at the WPATH conference in Atlanta.

First published in 1979, the Standards of Care (SOC) is considered the standard document of reference on caring for the transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming population. The newly-revised, 7th edition SOC will help health professionals better understand how they can offer the most effective care to these individuals. The SOC focuses on primary care, gynecologic and urologic care, reproductive options, voice and communication therapy, mental health services and hormonal and surgical treatment.

Posted by LGBT Health Digest.
Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com