In the past two days there have been two significant victories for the transgender community in the United States. First, the Obama Administration announced yesterday they would be sending a letter to all public schools in the United States notifying them that they must allow transgender students to use the bathroom according to their gender identity. You can read the full letter here. If you know of a student facing discrimination report it here: http://bit.ly/1TeJsiU.
The second win was just announced this morning. HHS issued Section 1557, a rule that will protect LGBT people from discrimination in health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. This ruling specifically prohibits denying health care or health coverage on the basis of gender identity as well as protects lesbian, gay, and bisexual people on the basis of sex stereotypes.
Specifically the HHS 1557 ruling prohibits:
- Healthcare providers turning away people based on gender identity (can’t deny people coverage for medically necessary care related to gender transition if that same care is offered to others)
- Healthcare providers from treating individuals poorly because they are in a same-sex relationship or do not identify as heterosexual.
→For more specific examples click here.
Stay tuned as the ruling will continue to be interpreted and evolve in the coming months.
If you face discrimination at your school or in health care because you are LGBT, please report it to us here. We will contact you and walk you through the steps for your options, filing an official complaint, or seeking recourse.
Last modified onWednesday, 18 May 2016 11:19
Elizabeth Fuchs
Elizabeth Fuchs, Manager of Public Policy, started in the spring of 2016 with over 15 years of experience working in St. Louis’ LGBTQQIAA community. Born and raised in the beautiful city of St. Louis, Elizabeth obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) with a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. While a student, Elizabeth interned with then, SAGE Metro St. Louis now, SAGE of PROMO Fund, and upon graduation began employment at St. Louis Effort for AIDS (EFA). At EFA, Elizabeth worked closely with local organizations and state officials to examine how questions about gender are being asked at the state in relationship to the lack of HIV prevalence data for people who are living with HIV and identify as transgender. Her research is informing best practices for asking a two-part gender question, which she presented at the first Transgender Spectrum Conference in St. Louis and the 27th Annual HIV/AIDS and Social Work conference in New Orleans. Elizabeth’s is a passionate social justice practitioner, and proud to be in this role exploring the intersectionalities in life that effect our community members…all of us. She calls Soulard her home, Kristen Goodman her loving fiancé, and Frida and Saffron her for-legged children. She can be reached at elizabeth@promoonline.org.