At the first-ever Transgender Health and Wellness Summit held in Chicago on Friday, leaders from the nation's transgender community called for easing restrictions on social welfare funding for transgender people in need. asked to do so.
The event, hosted by the city Health Department and LGBTQ+ social service organization Life is Work, began by highlighting recent policies impacting the state's transgender population. Panel discussions were held on various topics.
Antonio King, the health department's LGBTQ health and outreach liaison, said what he heard from the panels, speakers and other audience members at the summit will inform future policies and actions. This includes how he launches health department focus groups.
“We don't know the experience [trans people] Dr. King said this after participating in a session on harm reduction care. “This is an opportunity for us to learn more.”
Speakers acknowledged that Illinois is considered a safe state for transgender people, but lawsuits against non-binary “X” gender markers and health care providers who provide gender-affirming care They acknowledged that there have been legislative victories, such as the Protection Act, which protects health care providers from. He said more work remains to be done and progress is fragile.
There are also efforts to decriminalize sex work, citing how sex work laws have been used to target transgender people. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) also announced that she is working on tax credits for transgender people fleeing persecution in other states, encouraging more LQBTQ people to run for office. urged.
This is part of a series of bills currently being considered in the Illinois House of Representatives aimed at supporting transgender people. HB5164It sets a cap on name change fees at $25, changes the requirement that those changing their names publish a notice in a newspaper, and allows name changes to be kept private from public records. It is something.
Another bill introduced in February would HB5507This allows Illinois judges to file documents supporting name changes in other jurisdictions when people have difficulty obtaining the necessary documents to change their names in other jurisdictions. become.
Precious Brady Davis, director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, spoke at a press conference Friday at the UIC Forum to highlight the Illinois Legislature's victories and celebrate Trans Visibility Day.
But transgender advocates say much of the government funding aimed at supporting transgender people, whether it's medication or care, has historically been tied to HIV. Restrictions on how these funds can be spent mean that many people are unable to access the support they need, such as securing housing or finding and preparing for work.
“If someone gets a new job, they might need boots or scrubs,” said Flo, executive director of the Indianapolis-based advocacy group Trans Solutions Research and Resource Center. Michelle Battles says. “But if all that money is tied to housing or being HIV positive, what happens to young women who aren’t but still want to work?”
Battles said he also plans to hold a similar event in Indianapolis and hopes to expand to the Midwest.
“Now I can go to the city of Indianapolis and say, 'Chicago is doing this for transgender organizations, so what are you guys doing for yourself?' ,” Battles said. “It's exactly what we need, not what other people think we need.”
