Another Ally

We need all the allies that we can get especially in today’s political climate and it is nice wen that ally is a doctor and it is practically important when is in a high government position.

As A Physician, Here’s Why I Stand In Solidarity With The Transgender Community
Their fight must become ours as well.
Huffington
By Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH, Contributor: Deputy Commissioner NYC Dept. of Health & Founding Director of the Center for Health Equity
December 15, 2017

A few years ago, I remember reading that the estimated average life expectancy for a black transgender woman is 35 years old. Having already passed 35 myself, I was bewildered by this statistic, especially since most of my professional time is spent protecting the health of people. In public health, we primarily rely on data to spur us into action. However over the years, I have discovered that numbers are not always enough to move consciousness towards affirming the humanity of others. Stories do.

The story and life of Marsha P. Johnson did exactly that for me.

The article goes on to talking about the changes from Marsha’s death until now, how some great strides have been made in some areas but setback in other areas such as health care.

This is an unacceptable reality. We in the medical and public health communities can help right these wrongs by acknowledging our own history of pathologizing and discriminating against trans people, learning from their experiences, being inclusive of the voices, ideas, and expertise of transgender people in every step of building policy and practice, and stepping aside so that transgender leaders can lead.

Only then can we really start to reshape the narrative and begin to dismantle systems of transphobia, homophobia, racism, and sexism that play an integral role in the oppression faced by transgender people, especially transgender women of color.
[…]
Here is what we, the medical and public health community, can all do:

• Advocate for standardized sexual orientation and gender identity data collection. (The Williams Institute provides some useful guidance.)
• Allow all people to self-identify their gender identity on all identity documents, surveys, forms, and other materials.
• Train and educate staff on racial and gender equity as well as the importance of addressing transgender people according to their pronouns, name, and gender identity.
• Enhance programs and services to ensure that all people, especially transgender people of color, can walk into any health center, hospital, or other medical facility and receive quality care that affirms their identities.
• Partner with education, housing, employment, and law enforcement sectors to reduce discrimination and stigma and create inclusive policies that enhance the health and well-being of transgender and gender non-conforming people.

As a public health professional and a woman of color who does not identify as transgender, I feel the responsibility to fight for the rights and the wellbeing of transgender people. Their fight must become ours as well, because the liberation of a group of oppressed people is tied to the liberation of all oppressed people.

Unfortunately, the current administration is doing the exact opposite of the recommendations by the Deputy Commissioner.