"The National Center for Transgender Equality" recently released a policy brief updating recent Veterans Administration changes regarding transgendered veterans.
As you all know this is all near and dear to me. The VA is my primary health care provider and I have considered approaching them with my transgendered status during the past several years.
I researched and learned there was no real uniform transgendered policy in the VA.
Now there is but what does the policy really mean.
Here is a portion of what the "NCTE" thinks:
"This victory is only a start, however. Much work remains before
transgender veterans are fully able to live equally to non-transgender
veterans. Below are some of the policy areas still on NCTE’s veterans
health agenda.
* NCTE and allies will soon release a comprehensive model policy
for VA facilities for the appropriate treatment of transgender
veterans. This policy will be offered to VA facilities nationwide for
their adoption.
* Now that the VHA explicitly requires proper treatment of
transgender veterans, it is clearly necessary for frontline providers
to receive training on what that means. The VHA immediately should
undertake a cultural and medical competency program.
* Unfortunately, VHA regulations still prohibit the agency from
providing or paying for sex reassignment surgeries. TRICARE and
CHAMPVA regulations also prohibit these health plans from covering
some transition-related care. These agencies should begin immediately
the process of reevaluating the regulatory prohibitions regarding
transition-related care based on contemporary medical evidence and
accepted clinical guidelines."
Most certainly I'm excited about this turn of events and waiting for more information.
Discharge papers (DD-214), are a huge part of all of this too.
Work is being done to change the "gender marker" on the all important 214.
In essence I could be not automatically outed if I went through transition and presented female at the VA if my 214 was changed.
These are all huge steps within the VA but certainly not the last!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Ouch! Part Deux!
Janie (who I respect so much) commented on my "Ouch" post.
Her comment started my thought processes. Where have I taken myself since?
The easiest answer is looks. I did go back to my dark look as suggested by more than one of you. (Thanks)
A much deeper change took place too. I rededicated myself to my chosen gender.
No matter how I feel between the ears, my physical presence will always be a work in process. "Walking the talk" so to speak. We all know how many factors are involved regardless of looks.
Posture, voice mannerisms all play a part.
I believe I had become too complacent. Too much of my male came through.
I entered a work cycle which by necessity is male. I didn't flip the gender switch completely. I was lazy and over confident.
I learned again to take nothing for granted!
Her comment started my thought processes. Where have I taken myself since?
The easiest answer is looks. I did go back to my dark look as suggested by more than one of you. (Thanks)
A much deeper change took place too. I rededicated myself to my chosen gender.
No matter how I feel between the ears, my physical presence will always be a work in process. "Walking the talk" so to speak. We all know how many factors are involved regardless of looks.
Posture, voice mannerisms all play a part.
I believe I had become too complacent. Too much of my male came through.
I entered a work cycle which by necessity is male. I didn't flip the gender switch completely. I was lazy and over confident.
I learned again to take nothing for granted!
Bond...Justin Bond
This "Bond" is no "007". This "Bond" is Vivian"
Note the key terms from the home page.
prefix: mx
pronoun: V
gender: trans or T
full name: Mx Justin Vivian Bond
Then read the very interesting bio!
"Many years ago while I was sitting at Cafe Flore in San Francisco, one of my favorite places on earth. I was approached by a transexual woman who engaged me in conversation and during our chat she said to me, “Justin, sooner or later you’re going to have to come down off the fence.” I was quite taken aback by this statement as I hadn’t really thought of myself as being on a fence. But after some thought I realized what she was saying. By saying I would have to come down “off the fence” she was saying that sooner or later I would have to make a choice and conform my identity to embrace the gender binary and validate her choice to climb over the fence to the “other side”. Personally, for me, I have never believed there was another side for me to cross over to. Sometimes I wish I did. If I felt there was a clearly defined place for me to go, where I would be welcomed and at peace, I would surely have gone there many years ago. At times I’ve almost been able to convince myself there was, but for me to claim to be “a woman” would feel just as false as the charade I’ve been asked to play for so much of my life of being “a man”. Having said that, I will affirm that I do believe there is another side for others; for transexual men and women who fully embrace and are comfortable subscribing to the gender binary -to a polarized notion of gender. But please don’t assume that aspiring to pass is “realness”, because as far as I can see “realness” too is a construct built on shifting sand. If you insist on serving “realness” don’t be surprised if it is declared to hard too swallow and sent back to the kitchen. This applies to “real men”, “real women” and all of their enablers. I’m not interested in the expression of “realness”. I would like to be afforded the luxury of being free to be as honest as possible and to have my truth be respected."
Mx. Bond goes on to talk about hormones and transgender labels and such. The really wonderful part of Bond is the invention of a personal pronoun! From the homepage: "Since my name is Justin Vivian Bond and since Vivian begins with a V and visually a V is two even sides which meet in the middle I would like v to be my pronoun."
Follow the "Vivian" link above for more on this fascinating person who is also a "cabaret" performer.
One of the more interesting insights I had while writing this was trying not use male or female pronouns. Try it!
Note the key terms from the home page.
prefix: mx
pronoun: V
gender: trans or T
full name: Mx Justin Vivian Bond
Then read the very interesting bio!
"Many years ago while I was sitting at Cafe Flore in San Francisco, one of my favorite places on earth. I was approached by a transexual woman who engaged me in conversation and during our chat she said to me, “Justin, sooner or later you’re going to have to come down off the fence.” I was quite taken aback by this statement as I hadn’t really thought of myself as being on a fence. But after some thought I realized what she was saying. By saying I would have to come down “off the fence” she was saying that sooner or later I would have to make a choice and conform my identity to embrace the gender binary and validate her choice to climb over the fence to the “other side”. Personally, for me, I have never believed there was another side for me to cross over to. Sometimes I wish I did. If I felt there was a clearly defined place for me to go, where I would be welcomed and at peace, I would surely have gone there many years ago. At times I’ve almost been able to convince myself there was, but for me to claim to be “a woman” would feel just as false as the charade I’ve been asked to play for so much of my life of being “a man”. Having said that, I will affirm that I do believe there is another side for others; for transexual men and women who fully embrace and are comfortable subscribing to the gender binary -to a polarized notion of gender. But please don’t assume that aspiring to pass is “realness”, because as far as I can see “realness” too is a construct built on shifting sand. If you insist on serving “realness” don’t be surprised if it is declared to hard too swallow and sent back to the kitchen. This applies to “real men”, “real women” and all of their enablers. I’m not interested in the expression of “realness”. I would like to be afforded the luxury of being free to be as honest as possible and to have my truth be respected."
Mx. Bond goes on to talk about hormones and transgender labels and such. The really wonderful part of Bond is the invention of a personal pronoun! From the homepage: "Since my name is Justin Vivian Bond and since Vivian begins with a V and visually a V is two even sides which meet in the middle I would like v to be my pronoun."
One of the more interesting insights I had while writing this was trying not use male or female pronouns. Try it!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thanks!
I would like to thank all of you who sent in suggestions on my weekend crash.
Went out last night and had a great time! Again.
I did go back to my dark hair with waves and curls. I went to my usual spots with no incident except one.
I think I learned a lesson on leaving a situation before it developes.
A woman came in and sat next to me at my second stop. I believe she saw "strength" in numbers as we would appear to be two women sharing some girl time. She was very nervous for whatever reason.
Very quickly the guy on the other side of her asked her to join his group at a nearby club. She politely declined and continued to drink her beer and never said a word to me.
Not more than ten minutes later, two other guys rolled in and sat down a couple seats from me. The one guy kept looking our way and I was thinking "here he comes". Well he did. He passed me up and went directly to her and said something I didn't hear.
She immediately left her drink and left...quickly. I thought "whatever he said" I'm in for it next. Before he could I paid and left almost as quickly as her.
The only thing I heard as I made my exit was "They weren't together?"
I'm not saying retreating is feminine in nature but I am saying the woman last night is a great example of when retreating is the smart girl thing to do!
Went out last night and had a great time! Again.
I did go back to my dark hair with waves and curls. I went to my usual spots with no incident except one.
I think I learned a lesson on leaving a situation before it developes.
A woman came in and sat next to me at my second stop. I believe she saw "strength" in numbers as we would appear to be two women sharing some girl time. She was very nervous for whatever reason.
Very quickly the guy on the other side of her asked her to join his group at a nearby club. She politely declined and continued to drink her beer and never said a word to me.
Not more than ten minutes later, two other guys rolled in and sat down a couple seats from me. The one guy kept looking our way and I was thinking "here he comes". Well he did. He passed me up and went directly to her and said something I didn't hear.
She immediately left her drink and left...quickly. I thought "whatever he said" I'm in for it next. Before he could I paid and left almost as quickly as her.
The only thing I heard as I made my exit was "They weren't together?"
I'm not saying retreating is feminine in nature but I am saying the woman last night is a great example of when retreating is the smart girl thing to do!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Andrej Pejic Stars Again
From "Fashionista" comes the news that model of the moment Andrej Pejic has landed yet another gig: he’s stepped off the runway and gone back behind the camera to model the look book for indie New York label MadeMe.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
OUCH!
Well it finally happened, a terrible nite out. Deep down inside I knew it was going to happen and maybe even I subconsciously willed it.
Well, I wish I hadn't and I don't know why it did.
First of all I pushed my luck and went to a place where I had never been totally welcomed by the staff. I stayed away for nearly six months and decided to try it again. Wrong idea. I made a quick bathroom trip and 15 minutes later was paid a visit by a female cop. She was nice enough as she told me there was a complaint lodged against me. Use the men's room...right.
I said I was leaving anyway and no problem. Should have known better. The whole area is a "redneck" suburb and not normally where I go. Guess where I won't be going in the future!
By this time I was a little off kilter and made a decision to head to one of my "semi safe places" Went in,sat down and was nearly laughed away by these two guys sitting close to me.
What the hell? I had gone literally months of trouble free existence. Either I was not comfortable with my girlself yesterday or I had a bad run with several individuals who happened to notice I was trans and cared.
Obviously this run of bad luck is not my first. Ironically similar situations arose when I was a blond before.
Life was good until somehow, someway I crashed it.
Decisions, decisions. Do I stay blond or go dark again?
I work in guy drag this week ( a lot) so I will have sometime to consider which direction I may go.
One of my major concerns is that I'm missing something all of the sudden.Of course I know the gender transition without hormones or surgery is a combination of three parts. You have to be as skillful as you can be with your style, makeup etc. You have to network yourself as trans most of the time and try to put yourself in the right places. Most importantly, you have to have the confidence to be who you are.
As I look back on the debacle, the only difference in number one was my hair color. I was wearing flats, jeans and a black jacket. Nothing outlandish. Number two I trashed by trying to expand my network where I shouldn't. Number two certainly could have affected three.
I'll be playing the numbers later this week!
Well, I wish I hadn't and I don't know why it did.
First of all I pushed my luck and went to a place where I had never been totally welcomed by the staff. I stayed away for nearly six months and decided to try it again. Wrong idea. I made a quick bathroom trip and 15 minutes later was paid a visit by a female cop. She was nice enough as she told me there was a complaint lodged against me. Use the men's room...right.
I said I was leaving anyway and no problem. Should have known better. The whole area is a "redneck" suburb and not normally where I go. Guess where I won't be going in the future!
By this time I was a little off kilter and made a decision to head to one of my "semi safe places" Went in,sat down and was nearly laughed away by these two guys sitting close to me.
What the hell? I had gone literally months of trouble free existence. Either I was not comfortable with my girlself yesterday or I had a bad run with several individuals who happened to notice I was trans and cared.
Obviously this run of bad luck is not my first. Ironically similar situations arose when I was a blond before.
Life was good until somehow, someway I crashed it.
Decisions, decisions. Do I stay blond or go dark again?
I work in guy drag this week ( a lot) so I will have sometime to consider which direction I may go.
One of my major concerns is that I'm missing something all of the sudden.Of course I know the gender transition without hormones or surgery is a combination of three parts. You have to be as skillful as you can be with your style, makeup etc. You have to network yourself as trans most of the time and try to put yourself in the right places. Most importantly, you have to have the confidence to be who you are.
As I look back on the debacle, the only difference in number one was my hair color. I was wearing flats, jeans and a black jacket. Nothing outlandish. Number two I trashed by trying to expand my network where I shouldn't. Number two certainly could have affected three.
I'll be playing the numbers later this week!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Seeds Of Hate
The seeds of hate are nourished by confusion and ignorance. Not an earth shattering statement to be sure but I saw it up and close and personal the other night.
I've seen this guy notice me a couple times in one of the places I go. There is no real secret there of my past so I believe he knows I'm trans.
The last time I saw him, our eyes locked for a few seconds (which I try never to do). I think I saw the hint of confusion in him. Did he find me attractive. If he did what were the feelings he was dealing with? Unfairly I looked at him as a overly macho, redneck guy.I know as little about him as he knows about me.
I began to think. Is this where it all starts. The confusion over looks and an ignorance of what it means?
We all know a simple act of aggression is a male reaction to some problems.
The simple act of aggression can easily turn into a hate crime.
Thank God she hasn't challenged with me that yet and thank God for the really nice female friends who go out of their way to make me feel welcome!
Simple meetings such as that can only make me imagine what torture the truly attractive transgendered women go through. Telling a man up front is the right thing to do for sure.
Craving attention and hating loneliness shouldn't be a sin either. Being beaten or worse yet killed for hiding the truth are terrible.
I believe I may seen just a small part of that road the other night.
I've seen this guy notice me a couple times in one of the places I go. There is no real secret there of my past so I believe he knows I'm trans.
The last time I saw him, our eyes locked for a few seconds (which I try never to do). I think I saw the hint of confusion in him. Did he find me attractive. If he did what were the feelings he was dealing with? Unfairly I looked at him as a overly macho, redneck guy.I know as little about him as he knows about me.
I began to think. Is this where it all starts. The confusion over looks and an ignorance of what it means?
We all know a simple act of aggression is a male reaction to some problems.
The simple act of aggression can easily turn into a hate crime.
Thank God she hasn't challenged with me that yet and thank God for the really nice female friends who go out of their way to make me feel welcome!
Simple meetings such as that can only make me imagine what torture the truly attractive transgendered women go through. Telling a man up front is the right thing to do for sure.
Craving attention and hating loneliness shouldn't be a sin either. Being beaten or worse yet killed for hiding the truth are terrible.
I believe I may seen just a small part of that road the other night.
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