There are a number of ways to get involved.

Update Monday April 13th
There are a number of ways to get involved.
___________________________________

1. Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Alberta Legislature (901 9718 107th St)

We will have a contingent attending Question Period in anticipation of GRS coming up during the budget debate. Question Period to discuss the Provincial budget begins at 1:30 at the Legislature Building. We would like a strong showing of people attending in the gallery, so if you are at all able to attend, please do.

We would also like to have people onhand for distributing brochures and information, to create awareness to the public of who we really are and why GRS is necessary.

We ask that people be respectful and put our best face forward as much as possible.

QUESTION PERIOD – TUESDAY, April 14
Question Period is from 1:30 to 3:00 with the actual question part of it from 1:50 to 2:40pm. If you wish to attend Question Period you MUST get a security pass through your MLA or by calling Visitor Services. You should be prepared to be on-site by no later than 1:15pm as it takes some time to get through security and find a good seat. You can leave at any time.

Laurie Blakeman has asked for a question spot, however, those decisions are not made until late morning in the Liberal caucus meeting. So a question cannot be guaranteed, but there is a STRONG possibility that a question will be asked on Tuesday.

Says Michelle:
"There is limited seating inside, but it more important we make a show so they can see the people they are affecting and the people who support us. We can all gather on the south side of the legislature main fountain/pool between 12:30-1:30. I would assume this could be an all afternoon event. Remeber parking is limited, but there is LRT right to the leg grounds. Please dress accordingly as this is the legislature not a park party."

And from Laurie Blakeman's Office:
"I'm Tamara Gorzalka, I run Laurie's Facebook for her. I will pass on your questions and answer the ones that I can answer.

Last time I went to the gallery, I had to sign in and get a pass at the front door. Then I went upstairs to the gallery entrance where security is. No electronics or bags are allowed in the gallery and they take everything and put it away for you there. Then you have to go through a metal detectors and hand scanners like at the airport. You are better off taking as little in with you as possible but it doesn't really matter.

I'm pretty sure that while Laurie can introduce specific people (and possibly the reason you are there, if time allows), she can not introduce something like `the trans community'. it would be different if it was a specific organization but I don't think she's allowed to introduce a whole group of people. I'll ask.

I believe you can bring banners onto the steps but that's it. You may not be allowed into the building with them and you definitely won't be allowed into the gallery with them. You might be better off leaving them in the car until after question period.

I will double check everything with Peter at Laurie's office and get back to you.

I strongly encourage you and anyone else who will definitely be attending to contact Laurie, Rachel or your MLAs office to be introduced and to be put on the list beforehand."

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=69155932251&nctrct=1239669788866
____________________________________

2. Also Tuesday April 14th, 2009

ACCESS Television will be taking a look at the issue, and guests will include Dr. Lorne Warneke. Of course, you'll be attending Question Period, so set your VCRs! Starts at 1:00 in the afternoon.
____________________________________

3. Wednesday April 15th

There is a mass Human Rights complaint filing on Wednesday April 15th at 9:30 AM. You are not required to disclose anything about yourself to the media if you're stealth, just tell them that you prefer not to be on record. There will be people present for the media to talk to. But by being present, your numbers give our action strength.

This is not a protest action, we don't want signs or chanting or anything -- our protest IS our filing, so we focus on that, and again, want to be civil and orderly. We also want to put our best face forward, and show people that we are far different from the stereotypical "rabble" assumptions that are often made about us. The HRC people are not our enemy, and in fact they are the people we need to appeal to for support.

In Edmonton, we meet at Beaver Hills Park (Amiskwaskahegan Park) on the north side of Jasper Avenue, at 105 Street at 9:30. We will be proceeding together to the offices at 800 Standard Life Centre, 10405 Jasper Avenue for 10:00.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70344074260&ref=mf&nctrct=1239669701165#/event.php?eid=90819766376

In Calgary, we meet at the Cenotaph (the monument where they lay the wreaths on Remembrance Day) on the 4th street side of Memorial Park (between 11th and 12th Avenue), also at 9:30. We will be proceeding together to the offices at Suite 310, 525 – 11 Avenue SW for 10:00.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70344074260&ref=mf&nctrct=1239669701165

--

For information on filling out and filing a Human Rights Complaint:

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1049135840749#/topic.php?uid=85048933488&topic=8336
__________________________________

4. Ongoing

Sarah has an online petition started at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/re-list-sex-reassignment-surgery-funding-in-alberta

Be sure to stop by and add your name.
__________________________________

5. We have a letter appeal out to all Albertans. Please visit http://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/to-our-allies-two-ways-to-help/ and copy the "19 Cents" article following the intro and forward it to anyone in the Province that you think might listen.
_________________________________
6. Tell Me A Story

This will be a longer-term project, originating in Alberta. It will also be something that can perhaps translate on a national or international scale. Trans folk from around the world can participate if they like, and we will also be able to share the file with other communities if they want to raise funding to print and distribute it elsewhere.

I'm hoping to compile a hand-out booklet, professionally-printed, colour cover and B/W interior, telling our stories in individual testimonials. I'll be funding it by donations, which will determine how many pages and how many copies can be produced. I can do the layout and design and nuts and bolts of it at no cost -- that's what I do in my day job, after all.

The purpose is to tell our stories to the general public, how transition and GRS have transformed our lives for the better, how the pre-transition grief and anxiety hampered our lives and why we've had to make our choices. I find that giving a realistic face to who we are helps us tremendously. I believe in full inclusion in the trans community, but because of the current need to focus on GRS and full transition, the focus will be on the issue of gender identity solely -- on people who need transition, people in transition, and people who have completed their transition and moved on (and will be sectioned in that way, so that readers can see the progression).

Spouses and / or parents who have seen a partner / child through transition or part of transition and would like to talk about the change they've seen, how it's affected family, etc. are also welcome to contribute, because I believe these stories are also an important part of providing a rounded picture.

Participation is voluntary, I can't pay for the content. I also can't promise to use everything sent in, I will have to make editorial decisions based on length, number of pages I can raise funds for, relevance, and more. I may need to edit what is sent in for length, spelling / grammar, appropriateness of language for the audience, and such. As a writer myself, it's my intent to make as few edits as possible, because I understand the importance of keeping the spirit of what is written, so I will make every effort to make these edits with caution and careful consideration.

Contributors can use a pseudonym: keep in mind that using a real name will give the project more veracity and impact, but using a real name can also mean that what you write can come back to you in the future. I respect that, so you have the choice. Photos are also welcome (and great!) but the same caution applies.

For information or to submit a story, contact Mercedes Allen at dentedbluemercedes@gmail.com

--
Take care,
Alberta Transgender Resources: http://www.albertatrans.org/

For the letter writing campaign

Here is the contact information for the main players. Blackett and Evans may not be directly involved, but they are still involved

Contact Information for Premier Ed Stelmach (PC)

MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Ed Stelmach

Legislature Office
307 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2251
Fax: (780) 427-1349

Vegreville
Box 451
4945 - 51 Avenue
Vegreville, AB
Canada T9C 1R6
Phone: (780) 632-6840
Fax: (780) 632-6888
fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca

Fort Saskatchewan
9925B 104 Street
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Canada T8L 2E7
Phone: (780) 992-6560
Fax: (780) 992-6562
Contact the Premier

Contact Information for Honourable Lindsay Blackett (PC) He is the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit.

MLA for Calgary-North West Lindsay Blackett

Legislature Office
#418 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 422-3559
Fax: (780) 427-7729

Constituency Office
#29, 735 Ranchlands Blvd. NW
Calgary, AB
Canada T3G 3A9
Phone: (403) 216-5444
Fax: (403) 216-5442
calgary.northwest@assembly.ab.ca


Contact Information for Honourable Ronald Liepert (PC) Minister of Health and Welness

MLA for Calgary-West Ronald Liepert

Legislature Office
#323 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-3665
Fax: (780) 415-0961

Constituency Office
#2, 5555 Strathcona Hill SW
Calgary, AB
Canada T3H 1S2
Phone: (403) 216-5439
Fax: (403) 216-5441
calgary.west@assembly.ab.ca

Contact Information for Honourable Iris Evans (PC) Minister of Finance and Enterprise

MLA for Sherwood Park Iris Evans

Legislature Office
#208 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-8809
Fax: (780) 427-5543
Constituency Offices

Constituency Office
#116B, 937 Fir Street
Sherwood Park, AB
Canada T8A 4N6
Phone: (780) 417-4747
Fax: (780) 417-4748
sherwood.park@assembly.ab.ca

The 19 Pennies Campaign for SRS in Alberta

A friend of mine has started a campaign. Please read:
Hello everyone, this has been cross-posted to the Facebook discussion on the GRS issue. I am reposting it here just to ensure everyone sees it.

Bottom line is I need to act. I need to do something while the protest machinery is getting geared up and this is something that is within my ability.

I have composed a letter with specific questions I want each and every MLA to answer. I am calling it the 19 pennies campaign because that is what $700,000 amounts to for each and every Albertan. I am sending a physical letter with 19 pennies in it to add effect to the letter. I encourage each of you to send a similar letter to as many MLA's as you can. Even though our numbers may be low, every single MLA getting 100+ letters each with 19 pennies in it makes a HUGE statement. We have a right to be heard and this is a great way to start.

Here is the first draft of my letter

MLA NAME HERE,

Hello, I have recently been informed that the budget for 2009 has removed funding for Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS). I am writing this letter to have several questions answered. If you could please take the time to respond to each question it would greatly help.

First, the Alberta Government is required to fund medically necessary. The general consensus in the medical community in North America is that this procedure is a medical necessity to promote the the long term mental, and physical health of a patient who has Gender Identity Disorder (GID) The Ontario Provincial Government was recently forced to re-list GRS as a covered procedure due to a class-action lawsuit. BC recently re-listed it a medical necessity as well.

* In light of the Alberta Government's duties as defined under the Canada Health Act, what is the justification you are using to deny funding for this surgery?

Second, the Calgary Herald reported that denying funding for transsexual patients for GRS will save $700,000 per year. Let me explain some of the medical ramifications of this before I get to my question. Transsexuals undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy as part of the treatment. This produces secondary characteristics to better align the patient appearance with their gender identity. With Male to Female patients, this allows a re-distribution of fat to the hips and buttocks, reduces the upper body muscles, starts breast development, reduces and softens overall body hair, prevents the progression of male pattern baldness, and many other items that in concert create a female image. Most of these changes will revert without Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with the most notable exception being breast development. Before surgery a higher dosage of hormones are required because the natural production of testosterone needs to be suppressed and estrogen needs to be introduced. After
* What are the projections for the secondary expenses that Alberta Health Care will be encountering due to the denial of surgery funding?
* What is the ultimate savings/or cost with denying this surgery.
* If those projections have not been done, Why have they not been done?

Third, as I have already mentioned the suicide rate among pre-operative transsexuals is 3 times the national average, whereas the suicide rate among post-operative transsexuals is lower then the national average. The denial of funding will result in the deaths of Albertans.

* What studies has the Alberta Government done to examine the cost of human life this policy will create?
* If no such study has been done, how can you deny the funding for GRS when you don't even understand the ramifications for denying that funding. Why has no study been done?
* What dollar value is the Alberta Government willing to spend to save a single life? How many lives need to be saved per $100,000 in order to justify treatment?

Fourth, on or about November 19th, 2008, Mr. Blackett responded to a question by Ms. Notley with the following:

Mr. Blackett: Well, you know what, Mr. Speaker? In our party we have one native, we have four Sikhs, we have two Chinese, we have two Caribbean, and we have somebody from the Philippines. We understand diversity. We understand it for all. We have a multicultural education fund that goes out and helps educate. We fund organizations, including gay, lesbian, transsexual, transgendered individuals, on education of their rights and promoting equality for all Albertans.

If it is your governments stance that you wish to fund organizations that include gay, lesbian, transsexual, and transgendered individuals and wish to promote their rights and equality among all Albertans then

* How do you believe that denying this funding will impact your governments declared dedication to the promotion of equality for transsexual people?
* What message is being sent to Albertans about the basic rights of transsexuals?
* Many will see this as a justification to discriminate against transsexuals. What secondary impact has been considered as a result of this action by the government?

Fifth, transsexuals cannot change the gender marker on government issued ID without having the surgery performed. This includes Drivers License, Social Insurance Card, Birth Certificate to name a few. These items of identification are required to function within our society. Since your government requires that the surgery be performed to have your ID reflect your gender, does that not make the surgery a requirement imposed by this government?

* How can the government require that a medical procedure be performed and yet not fund that medical procedure?
* How can the government state that a medical procedure is elective, yet require it's completion?

Sixth, the total budget for Health Care in Alberta is Almost 13 billion. The $700,000 per year that is paid for GRS, amounts to 1/18000 of the budget, or approximately 0.00005% or a 200th of 1 percent. This represents 19 cents for every man woman and child in Alberta. I am including 19 pennies in this letter to show my commitment as an Albertan to shoulder the cost of this surgery for the betterment of our province.

* I want to know whether you intend on specifically fighting the de-list of GRS as a funded procedure.
* If you do intend on challenging it, I want to know what you specifically intend on doing.
* If you do not intend on challenging it, I want to know your specific reasons why you refuse to.

I as a resident of the province of Alberta I expect a personal response to each of these questions. I thank you in advance for you time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jordenne Prescott

To get contact information for any MLA use the following link

http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home