Here's my little 2 minute 30 second speech from the Transgender Day of Remembrance event held by Rainbow Community Center and Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church at Todos Santos Plaza, Concord, California on November 20, 2018. Not a real stem-winder, just what I could fit into 2:30 to try and make my point and request some help. I've been running a one-woman support organization the past year, providing aid with insurance, medical care, safety escorts, housing, transportation, and so on. Some help from allies would be appreciated!
Good evening! I was given a topic to speak on; “Why people shouldn’t be erased.” I see erasure as nothing more than a violation of basic human rights. Does anyone here really want to debate this? Is there a “Why people should be erased” viewpoint?
The current administration has a proposal to redefine sex and gender in terms that might be found in a 70 year old elementary school text, claiming this is “science.” The effect would be to render transgender folks nonexistent at the Federal level, erasure.
This flies in the face of all that we have learned about sex and gender, an absurd attempt to roll back the calendar and force us wholesale back into the closet or worse.
This will not stand. With our allies we can put pressure on to block this, through legal and legislative means.
Allies! There are far more of you than there are of us. Your support is vital for our survival for the next few years.
Anti-LGBTQ homicides nearly doubled in 2017. Violence has spiked with people feeling that they can freely express hatred.
Trans people are particularly vulnerable. Trans women in particular can often be identified as such on sight and are easily targeted (along with a few cis women!). Trans folks outed by having to show ID, or even having to speak have been attacked.
Alies! Consider helping trans folks.
Escorts to the hospital ER or Urgent Care to ensure proper treatment is given and defend against misgendering and neglect are needed.
Can you type or print neatly, and follow fairly involved instructions? Help prepare court documents for name and gender marker changes, and fee waivers.
Consider contributing to a micro-grants program to help cover food, utilities, transportation, or rent.
Consider providing aid in getting insurance coverage, not money but simply helping someone navigate CoveredCalifornia.com or Media-Cal applications.
Consider helping someone with their wardrobe, getting ready for a job interview.
Consider contributing to a shelter that will take in trans folks without onerous conditions.
Be an ally. Step up and help out, please.
Shelter:
A WOMAN'S PLACE
Address: 1171 Mission Street, San Francisco California 94103
Phone: +1 (415) 241-1184
Website: http://www.catsinc.org/a-woman-s-place.html
Hours of Operation: 24 hours
Health Services:
LYON-MARTIN HEALTH SERVICES
Address: 1735 Mission Street, San Francisco California 94103
Phone: +1 (415) 565-7667
Website: http://lyon-martin.org
Hours of Operation: Monday/Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm (Closed for lunch 12:15-1:15), Wednesday/Thursday: 11:00am–7:30pm (Closed for lunch 2:45-3:45), Friday: 1:30pm-5:00pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed
TRANSGENDER HEALTH SERVICES (SFDPH)
Address: San Francisco California
Phone: +1 (415) 206-7979
Website: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oprograms/THS/default2.asp
Hours of Operation: Contact the SF Department of Public Health
Gender Clinic for Transgender Patients
Martinez Health Center, 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA
Starting December 4th at West County Health Center
Starting December 21st at Pittsburg Health Center
APPOINTMENTS: By referral or call 800-495-8885. This is not a drop-in clinic.
For more information about the clinic, contact Natasha Petit, LCSW, of the LGBT Pride Initiative at 925-374-2185 or Brian Kuennemeier MA, 510-231-9572, ext 5
Other Services
Rainbow Community Center
Clinical services, HIV support, food pantry, thrift store
Phone: (925)-692-0090
Address: 2118 Willow Pass Rd #500, Concord, CA 94520
West County: 6491 Portola Dr., El Cerrito, CA 94530
Contra Costa County’s Mental Health Access Line
Phone: 888.678.727
LGBTQ culturally competent support workers are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Screening, brief phone counseling, crisis intervention and referral. Contra Costa Crisis Center trained and supportive Counselors are available to provide emergency support:
Suicide Prevention 24/7 800.273.TALK (8255) 800.SUICIDE (784.2433)
Crisis Intervention 24/7 800.833.2900
California Name and Gender Marker Change
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources/id/id-please
