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Health report’s trans omission draws criticism

D.C. officials faulted for missing key ‘opportunity’

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The omission of transgender data from a D.C. Mayor’s Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Affairs health report drew harsh criticism and little explanation during a meeting last week.

Trans activists were among those to criticize the report when the D.C. City Council’s Committee on Aging & Community Affairs held a public oversight roundtable July 14 to address the issue. Also testifying against the report were people who work on local trans health issues.

“It’s sad to say that the ‘T’ is always silent,” said Brian Watson, director of programs at Transgender Health Empowerment. “There is not enough done as far as the transgender community as far as programming, as far as services, as far as data.”

The report, released June 30, reviewed behavioral, sexual and mental health findings for the District’s gay, lesbian and bisexual populations but offered no such information about the transgender population.

Watson said the general lack of data on trans health issues — a problem the report inadvertently highlighted — has created challenges in securing grant funding for programming to address the risks of needle sharing for hormone injections or combat trans-phobia in the medical community.

Ruby Corado, a transgender activist with Latinos en Accion, said a stigma surrounding trans issues remains part of the medical establishment.

“The No. 1 challenge we have, even to this point, is the access to care,” Corado said.

During the roundtable, Corado described herself as hurt and disappointed in Christopher Dyer, director of the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs.

“He has robbed us — the transgender community — of an opportunity for us to go to funders, to foundations, to different places that will allocate money and say, ‘Hey, listen, the government is saying we have needs. The government is acknowledging that we have challenges,’” she said.

Dyer, in turn, said there were limitations associated with the data used to create the report. He noted that the data came from the 2005 and 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, which failed to ask questions regarding gender identity.

Created by staff from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other agencies, the surveys are intended for national distribution and contain a standard set of questions. States are allowed to work with the CDC to add other questions.

Council member Yvette Alexander, who chaired the July 14 committee meeting, at one point asked Dyer why he didn’t work with local trans activists to create the report.

“I don’t know,” he said.

For its lack of trans data, Alexander described the report as incomplete and inaccurate. When she pressed Dyer on what action the office would take to improve its data collection, he said it would work with the D.C. Trans Coalition and other organizations to improve transgender inclusion in the future.

Rhodes Perry of the D.C. Trans Coalition recommended at the meeting that a comprehensive needs assessment be created to serve as a national model for transgender data collection.

He also advocated for the improvement of existing data collection methods by including questions that will capture gender identity.

“Moving forward, we kindly request a commitment on behalf of the Office of GLBT Affairs to authentically improve and include trans-specific research in all future studies,” Perry said.

Sophie Druet, an intern for the D.C. Center, said such research is especially important because among the “very little information available” on trans health issues, it’s clear that “transgender populations generally endure higher levels of discrimination, affecting both their mental and physical health.”

Citing data from the Washington Transgender Needs Assessment Survey, Druet said higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation exist in the trans community. That assessment, conducted between 1998 and 2000, was funded by the District’s Health Department. No comprehensive governmental study of local trans community needs has been completed since the assessment.

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Health

UNAIDS to commemorate Zero Discrimination Day’s 10th anniversary

UN agency urges global action to protect human rights

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A UNAIDS anti-discrimination exhibit at Tocumen International Airport in Panama in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

As the world marks the 10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day; UNAIDS is sounding the alarm on the increasing threats to human rights, calling for renewed efforts to protect the rights of all individuals as a fundamental step towards ensuring health for everyone.

Established by UNAIDS a decade ago, Zero Discrimination Day aims to promote equality and fairness regardless of gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity or HIV status. The progress achieved over the past years is now in jeopardy, however, due to rising attacks on the rights of women, LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the critical link between protecting human rights and safeguarding public health. 

“The attacks on rights are a threat to freedom and democracy and are harmful to health,” she said in a press release. “Stigma and discrimination obstruct HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care and hold back progress towards ending AIDS by 2030. It is only by protecting everyone’s rights that we can protect everyone’s health.”

Despite challenges, there has been notable progress. 

At the onset of the AIDS pandemic more than 40 years ago, two-thirds of countries criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations. They are now decriminalized in two-thirds of countries. An additional 38 countries around the world have pledged to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination, contributing to positive changes that include 50 million more girls attending school compared to 2015.

To sustain and enhance these advancements; UNAIDS urges global support for women’s rights movements, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, economic justice, climate justice and peace initiatives. By standing with communities advocating for their rights, the U.N. aims to reinforce the collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1.

Events and activities that will take place around the world throughout the month will serve as reminders of the essential lesson and call to action: Protecting everyone’s health is synonymous with protecting everyone’s rights.

“Through upholding rights for all, we will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a safer, fairer, kinder and happier world — for everyone,” said Byanyima.

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Health

New CDC report finds transgender women at higher risk for HIV

More than 1,600 people in seven cities surveyed

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (Photo courtesy of the CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new study report this week that revealed that restricted by employment and housing discrimination and lack of access to needed gender-affirming healthcare for transgender women increasing the risk of contracting HIV. 

Researchers reviewed data from a 2019-2020 survey, the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, which found that the demographics of HIV/AIDS have been disproportionally high, especially among Black and Latina trans women, who had experienced employment and housing discrimination coupled with lack of access to gender-affirming healthcare.

The Jan. 25 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report was based on data studies of more than 1,600 trans women in seven major urban locales. Participants from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle were chosen by referrals from people and community-based organizations who knew or were part of the local population of trans women.

The study’s researchers noted: “Employment discrimination occurs at the overlapping nexus of poverty, homelessness, incarceration, health insurance, disability, food insecurity and survival sex work. These issues are interconnected.”

The study stated that trans women’s inability to access quality healthcare, including gender-affirming treatment or access to PrEP, and can expose them to potential incarceration as many turn to “survival sex work” and violence, which increases the risk of contracting HIV. 

The study’s author’s pointed out: “When economically marginalized transgender women are refused employment, this refusal cyclically contributes to economic hardships. This analysis …demonstrates the importance of transgender women working and living with dignity and without fear of unfair treatment.”

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Health

A Whole New Perspective on Well-Being

The Mather’s team recognizes that everyone’s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

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The Mather is incorporating biophilic design—a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns.

It’s easy to spot the distinctive, elegant silhouette of The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62+ opening this spring in Tysons, Virginia. What is not apparent to the naked eye is The Mather’s unique wellness philosophy, which is literally built into the community. 

The Mather’s team recognizes that everyone’s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

Nature is one of the important factors that contribute to well-being. So The Mather is incorporating biophilic design—a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns. This can include interior spaces with sightlines to a garden, choosing natural wood and stone as interior materials, or incorporating fragrant flowers and plants indoors to spark memories and provide tactile opportunities such as gardening. 

Residents of The Mather will be able to select from plentiful amenities, programs, and other offerings to target their personal wellness goals and preferences.

“Providing biophilic design within interior settings connects residents to the natural world,” says Mary Leary, CEO and President of Mather, the organization behind The Mather. “Research shows that a connection to nature provides positive benefits to mental states and overall well-being. At The Mather, biophilic design is the intersection of buildings and programs with nature in an urban setting.”

“The Mather is attracting a diverse group of older adults,” says Mary. “As a result, we aim to incorporate wellness practices from around the world, including Wyda movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps people achieve harmony with nature and contentment through mindfulness.” This holistic regenerative approach is similar to Qi Gong and yoga, while born in a different part of the world. Mather Institute has a special focus on mindfulness to support older adults’ practice of present moment awareness, which can lead to increased overall well-being, compassion, and joy.

A very different example of a wellness offering at The Mather is the Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed, which uses computer-controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. “The bed increases mindfulness, concentration, and creativity—all of which support our mission of creating Ways to Age Well,SM” says Mary.

These and other personalized ways to wellness will ensure that residents of The Mather can choose from seemingly countless ways to focus on their well-being. In other words, the sky’s the limit!

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