From: Stephanie Stevens
Guelph Mercury, Canada
Alberta will have trouble with its sex-change policy
April 28, 2009
Janet Keeping
The government of Alberta recently announced that public funding for
sex reassignment surgery will be eliminated to save about $ 700,000 of
a roughly $13-billion annual health care budget.
Concern about the size of provincial expenditures on health is
legitimate, but removing funding for sex reassignment surgery is not.
Why? Because it is always wrong to single out a much persecuted
minority -- in this case, transsexuals -- for a deprivation unique to
them.
The delisting is almost assuredly contrary to Alberta's human rights
legislation, the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act,
and thus illegal. Trying to justify the delisting, Alberta's Minister
of Health and Wellness Ron Liepert noted that only about 20 people
will be adversely impacted.
This is irrelevant. It is precisely to counter the tendency of
majorities to make decisions that oppress minorities, such as
transsexuals, that we have human rights laws in the first place.
Complaints have already been filed with the Alberta Human Rights
Commission. A similar complaint was filed in Ontario when funding for
sex reassignment surgery was eliminated there. The Ontario government
lost that complaint and had to reinstate funding for the surgery.
Alberta Finance Minister Iris Evans has been quoted as saying "she was
not aware of the Ontario human rights case." Lindsay Blackett,
minister responsible for the Alberta Human Rights Commission, has
admitted that the Ontario experience was not mentioned when the
decision to eliminate sex reassignment surgery funding was taken. It
would seem impossible, but sadly is not: the Alberta government
delisted the surgery without knowing the move is almost assuredly
contrary to its own human rights law.
And does the Alberta government not see the parallels with the Delwyn
Vriend case? Vriend lost his job and filed a complaint with the
Alberta Human Rights Commission alleging he was dismissed because he
is gay. The commission refused the complaint, noting that the wording
of Alberta's human rights law does not include "sexual orientation" as
an illegal ground of discrimination. Alberta courts agreed, but the
Supreme Court of Canada did not. In 1998 it ruled that, given the
constitutional guarantee of equality in the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, gays could not be excluded from the protections offered to
other groups by anti-discrimination legislation. Even though Alberta
law does not state that "sexual orientation" is an illegal basis of
discrimination, it is.
The same will be true of "gender identity." Even though these words
are not mentioned in Alberta's human rights statute, gender identity
discrimination will be declared illegal by the courts, and the
reasoning will be exactly parallel to that in the Vriend case.
So the delisting of sex reassignment surgery will be reversed. If
sooner, money will be saved. If later, after the courts have forced
reversal, much money will have been wasted -- as was the case when the
Alberta government fought the Vriend case all the way to the Supreme
Court.
As other commentators have noted, the sex reassignment surgery funding
case is one "the government cannot possibly win."
In any event, the amount of money saved by delisting the surgery is
trivial given the enormity of the health care budget -- $700,000 of
$13 billion. This works out to 19 cents annually per Albertan.
Some commentators suggest that even the $700,000 saving would never be
realized. Transsexuals denied sex reassignment surgery -- a procedure
deemed necessary by the medical profession -- will almost assuredly
require other medical services, such as additional psychiatric care.
So, this funding cut is not about saving money. If it's really true
that health care expenditures need to be trimmed, ways could be found
to reduce costs equitably, for example, by funding only partially some
services which are now funded fully.
Or contrary to all logic and ethics, the Alberta government could do
as it plans and deprive a small number of Albertans of surgery they
desperately need and, in the result, probably save nothing.
Janet Keeping Is President of the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics
in Leadership. Troy Media Corporation
© Copyright 2008 Metroland Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://news.guelphmercury.com/Opinions/article/473584
Showing posts with label Gender reassignment surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gender reassignment surgery. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Alberta Finance Minister: "I Didn't Know We Covered That"
Bilerico, USA
Alberta Finance Minister: "I Didn't Know We Covered That"
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
April 13, 2009 3:00 PM
When Finance Minister Iris Evans discussed the Province's decision to
delist Gender Reassignment Surgery
(GRS) on the day after the budget was handed down, she said, "I didn't
even know we covered that." Reportedly, there was a look of hate in
her eyes as she said it (I didn't see the report, but have heard this
from many in the trans community who did), offset by that bright
bubblegum pink power suit of hers.
Health Minister Ron Liepert has said that we were not targeted for
"moral" (as defined by conservative Christians) reasons. And yet in a
budget where spending was increased, and where the ministries
reportedly went through everything line-by-line with the notable
casualties in health funding being essentially chiropractic and GRS
coverage, even our detractors see through that statement. Also notable
was the fact that the cut was made without consulting with the
Province's lead GID specialist, in order to be aware of any negative
ramifications, learn of any concerns there might be about how it
affects our community -- he'd been left completely unaware of what was
to come.
The Conservatives later said that the combined total cut from
chiropractic and GRS coverage was being used to provide a facility
and/or services for seniors, a disadvantaged portion of our society
(that they also chose to cut drug benefits for). Now, I'm not the kind
of person who likes to argue who is most marginalized, and certainly
support programs for seniors (and strongly oppose their drug cuts),
but to make it sound like we're a privileged and affluent subset of
society that doesn't need medical care support is absurd.
Alberta has gone down this road before, when it chose to try to thwart
Delwin Vriend's case against the King's College, in the early 1990s.
This led to a 6-year action against the Province that went to the
Supreme Court of Canada, resulted in overwhelming embarrassment and
expense, and led to the ruling that established Human Rights
protections across the nation on the basis of sexual orientation.
Other provinces have also gone down this road specifically regarding
GRS: British Columbia had delisted it and later restored it due to
pressure, and last year Ontario too restored it on the heels of a
Human Rights ruling and in the face of more to come. In classic
fashion, the Conservatives are now saying they were unaware of the
Ontario history. Of course, we can never assume anything, but it
doesn't take a lot of effort to see that Albertans are being taken
down another bad path.
I have faith in Alberta. The people, that is -- not so much the
government. Albertans are business-minded and fiscally conservative,
which is why they've overwhelmingly voted in Conservative
representatives for decades. But many, especially in the larger
population centres, are socially progressive as well. I like to call
them the "closet moderates." Afraid of being tagged "liberal,"
"socialist" and all of that, they have tended to be pretty silent,
allowing the "redneck Little Texas" image to persist. But in the face
of a really bad choice like this, I hope, that they may spread the
word a little, and tell their MLAs that they really don't want this
fight. I'm an Albertan and a taxpayer as well, and I really don't want
this fight either -- but with something that is a medical necessity
and a matter of life and death for some, I can't not fight, either.
That is something that Albertans (and most of North American society)
don't understand, yet. GRS is not a cosmetic procedure. We don't wake
up one day and decide that it would be cool to alienate our family,
lose our spouses and children, get fired from our jobs, all so that we
can be thought of as strange by society. We do it because there is a
serious and present need, one which often requires GRS for closure.
The information is there for them if they'd like to develop a better
understanding of the real story. I hope enough are willing to listen.
In the meantime, people are not being silent. On Tuesday, as the
Provincial government sits down to debate the budget, a number of
people will be attending in silent but visible protest. There will
also be information to hand out about who we are and why GRS is a
medical necessity. On Wednesday, several of us in both Edmonton and
Calgary will be filing Human Rights complaints en masse.
There has long been this feeling that in doing advocacy work for
transsexuals was a risky business -- that if word went out about the
fact that the Province paid for GRS, the public outrage would have it
taken away in a second. Any attempt to organize needed to be sabotaged
or shouted down at all costs. The advocates were the enemy.
Consequently, when the delisting occurred last week (only a week after
controversy bubbled up regarding the Province's refusal to consider
trans inclusion in changes being made to the Human Rights Commission),
it caught us in a state of being satellite activists, working
independently, sometimes against each other, sometimes afraid that our
fights to achieve might in the end cost more than it was worth. People
walked on eggshells.
That is changing. Stay tuned.
Crossposted to The Bilerico Project and available to Pam's House Blend
Filed under: Health issues | International | Transgender & Intersex
Tags: alberto | canada | grs | health care | medical coverage |
surgery | transgender | transsexual
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/04/alberta_finance_minister_i_didnt_know_we.php
Alberta Finance Minister: "I Didn't Know We Covered That"
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
April 13, 2009 3:00 PM
When Finance Minister Iris Evans discussed the Province's decision to
delist Gender Reassignment Surgery
(GRS) on the day after the budget was handed down, she said, "I didn't
even know we covered that." Reportedly, there was a look of hate in
her eyes as she said it (I didn't see the report, but have heard this
from many in the trans community who did), offset by that bright
bubblegum pink power suit of hers.
Health Minister Ron Liepert has said that we were not targeted for
"moral" (as defined by conservative Christians) reasons. And yet in a
budget where spending was increased, and where the ministries
reportedly went through everything line-by-line with the notable
casualties in health funding being essentially chiropractic and GRS
coverage, even our detractors see through that statement. Also notable
was the fact that the cut was made without consulting with the
Province's lead GID specialist, in order to be aware of any negative
ramifications, learn of any concerns there might be about how it
affects our community -- he'd been left completely unaware of what was
to come.
The Conservatives later said that the combined total cut from
chiropractic and GRS coverage was being used to provide a facility
and/or services for seniors, a disadvantaged portion of our society
(that they also chose to cut drug benefits for). Now, I'm not the kind
of person who likes to argue who is most marginalized, and certainly
support programs for seniors (and strongly oppose their drug cuts),
but to make it sound like we're a privileged and affluent subset of
society that doesn't need medical care support is absurd.
Alberta has gone down this road before, when it chose to try to thwart
Delwin Vriend's case against the King's College, in the early 1990s.
This led to a 6-year action against the Province that went to the
Supreme Court of Canada, resulted in overwhelming embarrassment and
expense, and led to the ruling that established Human Rights
protections across the nation on the basis of sexual orientation.
Other provinces have also gone down this road specifically regarding
GRS: British Columbia had delisted it and later restored it due to
pressure, and last year Ontario too restored it on the heels of a
Human Rights ruling and in the face of more to come. In classic
fashion, the Conservatives are now saying they were unaware of the
Ontario history. Of course, we can never assume anything, but it
doesn't take a lot of effort to see that Albertans are being taken
down another bad path.
I have faith in Alberta. The people, that is -- not so much the
government. Albertans are business-minded and fiscally conservative,
which is why they've overwhelmingly voted in Conservative
representatives for decades. But many, especially in the larger
population centres, are socially progressive as well. I like to call
them the "closet moderates." Afraid of being tagged "liberal,"
"socialist" and all of that, they have tended to be pretty silent,
allowing the "redneck Little Texas" image to persist. But in the face
of a really bad choice like this, I hope, that they may spread the
word a little, and tell their MLAs that they really don't want this
fight. I'm an Albertan and a taxpayer as well, and I really don't want
this fight either -- but with something that is a medical necessity
and a matter of life and death for some, I can't not fight, either.
That is something that Albertans (and most of North American society)
don't understand, yet. GRS is not a cosmetic procedure. We don't wake
up one day and decide that it would be cool to alienate our family,
lose our spouses and children, get fired from our jobs, all so that we
can be thought of as strange by society. We do it because there is a
serious and present need, one which often requires GRS for closure.
The information is there for them if they'd like to develop a better
understanding of the real story. I hope enough are willing to listen.
In the meantime, people are not being silent. On Tuesday, as the
Provincial government sits down to debate the budget, a number of
people will be attending in silent but visible protest. There will
also be information to hand out about who we are and why GRS is a
medical necessity. On Wednesday, several of us in both Edmonton and
Calgary will be filing Human Rights complaints en masse.
There has long been this feeling that in doing advocacy work for
transsexuals was a risky business -- that if word went out about the
fact that the Province paid for GRS, the public outrage would have it
taken away in a second. Any attempt to organize needed to be sabotaged
or shouted down at all costs. The advocates were the enemy.
Consequently, when the delisting occurred last week (only a week after
controversy bubbled up regarding the Province's refusal to consider
trans inclusion in changes being made to the Human Rights Commission),
it caught us in a state of being satellite activists, working
independently, sometimes against each other, sometimes afraid that our
fights to achieve might in the end cost more than it was worth. People
walked on eggshells.
That is changing. Stay tuned.
Crossposted to The Bilerico Project and available to Pam's House Blend
Filed under: Health issues | International | Transgender & Intersex
Tags: alberto | canada | grs | health care | medical coverage |
surgery | transgender | transsexual
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/04/alberta_finance_minister_i_didnt_know_we.php
Monday, April 13, 2009
Lawsuit in works over sex surgery
Calgary Sun, Canada
April 13, 2009
Lawsuit in works over sex surgery
Transgendered demand province reinstate funding
By TARINA WHITE AND CLARA HO, SUN MEDIA
Calgarian Niqolai Gryphon is considering legal action against the
province after it announced it would no longer fund sexual
reassignment surgeries.
The 21-year-old, who has spent the last three years transitioning from
a woman to a man, is also planning to lodge a human rights complaint.
"For me, and for many other trans people who haven't had access to
surgery yet, this could mean giant cases of discrimination," said
Gryphon.
"We're going to fight this."
Meanwhile, an Edmonton businesswoman is spearheading a class action
lawsuit against the Alberta government's decision to cut the funding
to save about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Sarah King said she will bring the case to court on Wednesday in hopes
of first obtaining an injunction that will force the province to
approve funding for everyone on a gender reassignment surgery waiting
list. The next move will be to fight to have the funding relisted, she
said.
Currently, there are more than 16 people represented in the lawsuit --
and that number continues to grow by the day, said King, who was
recently notified that funding for her own gender reassignment
surgery, scheduled for January, had been cancelled.
"By delisting gender reassignment surgery, the government is
performing capital punishment or execution on that person," said King,
citing examples of transgendered individuals hurting themselves
because of their gender identity disorder.
Gryphon said he hasn't joined the lawsuit because he doesn't yet know
whether he will be denied sexual reassignment surgery.
"All of us are uncertain where the province will be cutting off the
funding -- are they going to be cutting it off for people who have
been approved already?" he said.
Gryphon, who has been on a waiting list for the surgery since
February, said its a poor financial decision on the part of the
province.
"It's going to be way more costly to fight the human rights complaints
that are going to be lodged and the potential class action lawsuit
than it would be to fund the surgeries," he said.
A Calgary woman, who has spent the past four years transitioning from
a man, said she's planning to join the class action lawsuit if she is
denied surgery.
"This is medically necessary -- it's not like cosmetic surgery like a
boob job," said the 24-year-old, who didn't want her name printed.
TARINA.WHITE@SUNMEDIA.CA
Copyright © 2008, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2009/04/13/9096776-sun.html
April 13, 2009
Lawsuit in works over sex surgery
Transgendered demand province reinstate funding
By TARINA WHITE AND CLARA HO, SUN MEDIA
Calgarian Niqolai Gryphon is considering legal action against the
province after it announced it would no longer fund sexual
reassignment surgeries.
The 21-year-old, who has spent the last three years transitioning from
a woman to a man, is also planning to lodge a human rights complaint.
"For me, and for many other trans people who haven't had access to
surgery yet, this could mean giant cases of discrimination," said
Gryphon.
"We're going to fight this."
Meanwhile, an Edmonton businesswoman is spearheading a class action
lawsuit against the Alberta government's decision to cut the funding
to save about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Sarah King said she will bring the case to court on Wednesday in hopes
of first obtaining an injunction that will force the province to
approve funding for everyone on a gender reassignment surgery waiting
list. The next move will be to fight to have the funding relisted, she
said.
Currently, there are more than 16 people represented in the lawsuit --
and that number continues to grow by the day, said King, who was
recently notified that funding for her own gender reassignment
surgery, scheduled for January, had been cancelled.
"By delisting gender reassignment surgery, the government is
performing capital punishment or execution on that person," said King,
citing examples of transgendered individuals hurting themselves
because of their gender identity disorder.
Gryphon said he hasn't joined the lawsuit because he doesn't yet know
whether he will be denied sexual reassignment surgery.
"All of us are uncertain where the province will be cutting off the
funding -- are they going to be cutting it off for people who have
been approved already?" he said.
Gryphon, who has been on a waiting list for the surgery since
February, said its a poor financial decision on the part of the
province.
"It's going to be way more costly to fight the human rights complaints
that are going to be lodged and the potential class action lawsuit
than it would be to fund the surgeries," he said.
A Calgary woman, who has spent the past four years transitioning from
a man, said she's planning to join the class action lawsuit if she is
denied surgery.
"This is medically necessary -- it's not like cosmetic surgery like a
boob job," said the 24-year-old, who didn't want her name printed.
TARINA.WHITE@SUNMEDIA.CA
Copyright © 2008, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2009/04/13/9096776-sun.html
Edmonton woman leads Gender Reassignment funding lawsuit
Edmonton woman leads Gender Reassignment funding lawsuit
5:00PM 4/12/2009
As Alberta dives into a recession many things had to be cut from the
provincial budget. That includes cutting funding for gender
reassignment surgeries for Albertans with Gender Identity Disorder.
The move saves about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Edmontonian Sarah King, 33, is meeting with lawyers this week to file
a lawsuit against the Alberta Government. Her own surgery was
scheduled for next January, but without funding she won't be able to
afford the procedure she says is way more than just cosmetic. "Without
the surgery, we're caught in transition, we're caught as abnormal
people in society. We're discriminated against. People have lost jobs,
they have been disowned by family, they have lost friends. The surgery
is so important, that without it, people could die. It's called
suicide."
King hopes to get an injunction that would force the government to
fund gender reassignment. She says about 20 people have joined the
class-action lawsuit, and more sign up every day.
The Government of Alberta plans to spend $36.4 billion in the 2009
budget. King says the $700,000 needed to fund gender reassignment is
petty change in comparison.
Meanwhile, King is urging all Albertans to support and sign a petition
to re-list Sex Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta
. (jg,ly,blb)
Copyright © 2008 CHQT-AM. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1081409
5:00PM 4/12/2009
As Alberta dives into a recession many things had to be cut from the
provincial budget. That includes cutting funding for gender
reassignment surgeries for Albertans with Gender Identity Disorder.
The move saves about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Edmontonian Sarah King, 33, is meeting with lawyers this week to file
a lawsuit against the Alberta Government. Her own surgery was
scheduled for next January, but without funding she won't be able to
afford the procedure she says is way more than just cosmetic. "Without
the surgery, we're caught in transition, we're caught as abnormal
people in society. We're discriminated against. People have lost jobs,
they have been disowned by family, they have lost friends. The surgery
is so important, that without it, people could die. It's called
suicide."
King hopes to get an injunction that would force the government to
fund gender reassignment. She says about 20 people have joined the
class-action lawsuit, and more sign up every day.
The Government of Alberta plans to spend $36.4 billion in the 2009
budget. King says the $700,000 needed to fund gender reassignment is
petty change in comparison.
Meanwhile, King is urging all Albertans to support and sign a petition
to re-list Sex Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta
. (jg,ly,blb)
Copyright © 2008 CHQT-AM. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1081409
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Class action suit over gender reassignment funding
iNews880.com, AB, Canada
Class action suit over gender reassignment funding
10 pm
Edmonton / iNews880.com
4/11/2009
A 33-year-old woman is spearheading a class-action lawsuit against the
Alberta government over its decision to stop funding gender
reassignment surgery.
The move was made to save about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Sarah King was recently notified that funding for her own gender
reassignment surgery, scheduled for January, had been cancelled. She
says she hopes the court will grant an injunction that will force the
province to approve funding for everyone on surgical waiting list.
Then she hopes to have the funding relisted.
Currently, there are more than 16 people represented in the lawsuit
and King says that number continues to grow by the day. (CP, ES, td)
Copyright © 2008 CHQT-AM. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1081335
Class action suit over gender reassignment funding
10 pm
Edmonton / iNews880.com
4/11/2009
A 33-year-old woman is spearheading a class-action lawsuit against the
Alberta government over its decision to stop funding gender
reassignment surgery.
The move was made to save about $700,000 in the provincial budget.
Sarah King was recently notified that funding for her own gender
reassignment surgery, scheduled for January, had been cancelled. She
says she hopes the court will grant an injunction that will force the
province to approve funding for everyone on surgical waiting list.
Then she hopes to have the funding relisted.
Currently, there are more than 16 people represented in the lawsuit
and King says that number continues to grow by the day. (CP, ES, td)
Copyright © 2008 CHQT-AM. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1081335
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Alberta Delists Gender Reassignment Surgery Funding
Bilerico, USA
Alberta Delists Gender Reassignment Surgery Funding
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
April 8, 2009 10:30 AM
This is a quick note for Canadian readers and those interested on the
way of things for transfolk up here.
On April 7th, 2009, the Province of Alberta has delisted funding for
GRS surgery. I'm awaiting confirmation as to whether this affects
people in the queue, and how much of our medical process is affected.
A number of us will be narrowing down our best options and seeking
advice.
For people affected by this change, keep in mind that the American
Medical Association restated the necessity of GRS this past fall, and
the Ontario Human Rights Commission ordered funding reinstated in that
Province last spring. There is reason to keep hope.
I'm looking for information about Albertans who are in the queue for
2009-2010 (this year), and/or who expect that they likely would
receive funding for surgery in this or the following year.
Don't lose hope. There is reason to hold on.
Filed under: Current Events | Health issues | International |
Transgender & Intersex
Tags: alberta | canada | delisted | medical coverage | public health |
srs | surgery | transgender | transsexual
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/04/alberta_delists_gender_reassignment_surg.php
Alberta Delists Gender Reassignment Surgery Funding
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
April 8, 2009 10:30 AM
This is a quick note for Canadian readers and those interested on the
way of things for transfolk up here.
On April 7th, 2009, the Province of Alberta has delisted funding for
GRS surgery. I'm awaiting confirmation as to whether this affects
people in the queue, and how much of our medical process is affected.
A number of us will be narrowing down our best options and seeking
advice.
For people affected by this change, keep in mind that the American
Medical Association restated the necessity of GRS this past fall, and
the Ontario Human Rights Commission ordered funding reinstated in that
Province last spring. There is reason to keep hope.
I'm looking for information about Albertans who are in the queue for
2009-2010 (this year), and/or who expect that they likely would
receive funding for surgery in this or the following year.
Don't lose hope. There is reason to hold on.
Filed under: Current Events | Health issues | International |
Transgender & Intersex
Tags: alberta | canada | delisted | medical coverage | public health |
srs | surgery | transgender | transsexual
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/04/alberta_delists_gender_reassignment_surg.php
Re-list Sex Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta
Care2 - The Petition Site, CA, USA
Re-list Sex Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta
Target: Gov.Of Alberta, Health Minister Ron Leipert and Premier Ed Stelmach
Sponsored by: Sarah King & The Edmonton GLBT Community and the
Citizens of Alberta
I would like all citizens of Alberta, Canada and those all over the
world to support and sign the petition. First gender identity was
excluded from proposed amendments to the Alberta Human Rights,
Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Act, and now gender reassignment
surgery is de-listed from Alberta Health Care coverage. This has
caused many on the list who are waiting and need this procedure to be
suffering in many ways.
We are calling on everyone to sign our petition. Help send a message
to the government of Alberta to re-list funding for gender
reassignment surgery. This is an essential medical service that a lot
of transgendered individuals require to live normal and productive
lives.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/re-list-sex-reassignment-surgery-funding-in-alberta
Re-list Sex Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta
Target: Gov.Of Alberta, Health Minister Ron Leipert and Premier Ed Stelmach
Sponsored by: Sarah King & The Edmonton GLBT Community and the
Citizens of Alberta
I would like all citizens of Alberta, Canada and those all over the
world to support and sign the petition. First gender identity was
excluded from proposed amendments to the Alberta Human Rights,
Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Act, and now gender reassignment
surgery is de-listed from Alberta Health Care coverage. This has
caused many on the list who are waiting and need this procedure to be
suffering in many ways.
We are calling on everyone to sign our petition. Help send a message
to the government of Alberta to re-list funding for gender
reassignment surgery. This is an essential medical service that a lot
of transgendered individuals require to live normal and productive
lives.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/re-list-sex-reassignment-surgery-funding-in-alberta
Friday, April 10, 2009
When he wants to be a she, who are we to disagree?
Calgary Herald, Canada
When he wants to be a she, who are we to disagree?
By Paula Arab, Calgary Herald
April 9, 2009 3:03 AM
I know a female guitarist in Toronto who was in love with a woman, yet
she insisted she was no lesbian. It turned out her girlfriend was
still technically a man, but in transition. He was undergoing the
extremely long process of becoming a woman and believed he wanted
surgery. He was caught in limbo after the Ontario government stopped
funding gender reassignment.
As time passed, it became clear the guitarist didn't want her partner
to undergo the final, er, snip. The guitarist liked that aspect of
their relationship. It was all bizarre and extremely confusing, but it
illustrated to me just how complicated sexuality can be. (He was a man
who liked women but wanted to be a lesbian, she was a heterosexual
woman who liked men but was with a man on the verge of becoming a
woman. Or something like that.)
Imagine, then, how con-fusing it must seem to the actual person who
believes he or she was born inside the wrong body.
Ontario, prompted by a human rights complaint, eventually concluded a
gender identity disorder is a serious medical condition. Alberta has
always considered it a mental health issue, but the province
contradicted that position by delisting the surgery in Tuesday's
budget. The move saves the equivalent of about half-an-hour's worth of
annual health-care spending.
It's harsh, narrow-minded and backwards, never mind hurtful to those
affected. They're already rejected as social pariahs by a judging,
mainstream society.
Health Minister Ron Liepert could learn from Ontario, where it took 10
years for the government to reverse course. During that time, lives
were needlessly on hold and individuals suffered tremendously.
Last year, then-Ontario health minister George Smitherman concluded it
was "appropriate" to reinstate funding for surgery, even though it
affected only a small group.
He admitted the earlier decision had been made out of ignorance and a
"narrow understanding" of the needs of transgender people.
"A population which has needs that are quite difficult to understand
were subjected to a lot of politics. I think we should be careful not
to use what is $200,000 on a $40.2-billion budget as an excuse to try
to create a them-and-us conversation."
What Smitherman did then was courageous. What the Alberta government
has done now is not.
As Smitherman said, this is a political move. It's a cheap shot at an
extremely vulnerable and tiny minority.
Cutting $700,000 is such an insignificant amount of money, it would
barely cover the cost of paper clips for the system's administration.
The total annual health-care budget is $12.9 billion. Put in
perspective, it takes less than 28 minutes to rack up the amount spent
on gender reassignment surgery. That's not much.
The big expenses of health care are salaries and overtime. Alberta
must start tackling those costs if any improvements in health care are
to be noticeable. Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann elaborated on the
problem during a recent meeting with the Herald editorial board. He
said nurses who come straight out of school are deliberately accepting
part-time jobs, giving up benefits for the more lucrative overtime.
Extra shifts are the norm, according to Swann.
You can't blame the young nurses for taking advantage of a need in the
system to bolster their salaries. But from the government's
perspective, this is a huge waste of money. If Liepert is truly
committed to finding efficiencies, he should demand better scheduling.
Hire someone who knows how to staff an emergency department and leave
trans-genders alone! That would slash costs, whereas the $700,000
saved on phalloplasty is the kind of cut you give yourself shaving.
These people are so misunderstood, they don't even understand
themselves or their own identity. That's why some go through the
surgery, only to discover nothing has changed. For others, though,
they are able to get clarity, and the surgery is a success.
It's possible Alberta's requirements for transgender surgery--the
final stage of a complicated process --aren't stringent enough.
Surgery isn't for everyone. The process should insist the person has
come and gone into the deep recesses of their mind and soul, and is
certain they are making the right choice.
Ontario has nearly four times the population of Alberta, yet approves
just eight to 10 people for surgery each year. Candidates must first
pass a "rigorous" psychological evaluation at the Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health--the country's leading medical health organization.
Alberta candidates should be subjected to the same intense scrutiny
before undergoing the knife.
Liepert's actions belied his words Tuesday, when he told reporters:
"We want to ensure that we look after the most vulnerable in society .
. .."
Who is more vulnerable than someone who identifies as transgender--a
term so difficult, its definition is still in flux? They are the
voiceless members of our society who are on the fringe.
The province has shamefully just kicked them even closer to the edge.
parab@theherald.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/When+wants+disagree/1481223/story.html
When he wants to be a she, who are we to disagree?
By Paula Arab, Calgary Herald
April 9, 2009 3:03 AM
I know a female guitarist in Toronto who was in love with a woman, yet
she insisted she was no lesbian. It turned out her girlfriend was
still technically a man, but in transition. He was undergoing the
extremely long process of becoming a woman and believed he wanted
surgery. He was caught in limbo after the Ontario government stopped
funding gender reassignment.
As time passed, it became clear the guitarist didn't want her partner
to undergo the final, er, snip. The guitarist liked that aspect of
their relationship. It was all bizarre and extremely confusing, but it
illustrated to me just how complicated sexuality can be. (He was a man
who liked women but wanted to be a lesbian, she was a heterosexual
woman who liked men but was with a man on the verge of becoming a
woman. Or something like that.)
Imagine, then, how con-fusing it must seem to the actual person who
believes he or she was born inside the wrong body.
Ontario, prompted by a human rights complaint, eventually concluded a
gender identity disorder is a serious medical condition. Alberta has
always considered it a mental health issue, but the province
contradicted that position by delisting the surgery in Tuesday's
budget. The move saves the equivalent of about half-an-hour's worth of
annual health-care spending.
It's harsh, narrow-minded and backwards, never mind hurtful to those
affected. They're already rejected as social pariahs by a judging,
mainstream society.
Health Minister Ron Liepert could learn from Ontario, where it took 10
years for the government to reverse course. During that time, lives
were needlessly on hold and individuals suffered tremendously.
Last year, then-Ontario health minister George Smitherman concluded it
was "appropriate" to reinstate funding for surgery, even though it
affected only a small group.
He admitted the earlier decision had been made out of ignorance and a
"narrow understanding" of the needs of transgender people.
"A population which has needs that are quite difficult to understand
were subjected to a lot of politics. I think we should be careful not
to use what is $200,000 on a $40.2-billion budget as an excuse to try
to create a them-and-us conversation."
What Smitherman did then was courageous. What the Alberta government
has done now is not.
As Smitherman said, this is a political move. It's a cheap shot at an
extremely vulnerable and tiny minority.
Cutting $700,000 is such an insignificant amount of money, it would
barely cover the cost of paper clips for the system's administration.
The total annual health-care budget is $12.9 billion. Put in
perspective, it takes less than 28 minutes to rack up the amount spent
on gender reassignment surgery. That's not much.
The big expenses of health care are salaries and overtime. Alberta
must start tackling those costs if any improvements in health care are
to be noticeable. Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann elaborated on the
problem during a recent meeting with the Herald editorial board. He
said nurses who come straight out of school are deliberately accepting
part-time jobs, giving up benefits for the more lucrative overtime.
Extra shifts are the norm, according to Swann.
You can't blame the young nurses for taking advantage of a need in the
system to bolster their salaries. But from the government's
perspective, this is a huge waste of money. If Liepert is truly
committed to finding efficiencies, he should demand better scheduling.
Hire someone who knows how to staff an emergency department and leave
trans-genders alone! That would slash costs, whereas the $700,000
saved on phalloplasty is the kind of cut you give yourself shaving.
These people are so misunderstood, they don't even understand
themselves or their own identity. That's why some go through the
surgery, only to discover nothing has changed. For others, though,
they are able to get clarity, and the surgery is a success.
It's possible Alberta's requirements for transgender surgery--the
final stage of a complicated process --aren't stringent enough.
Surgery isn't for everyone. The process should insist the person has
come and gone into the deep recesses of their mind and soul, and is
certain they are making the right choice.
Ontario has nearly four times the population of Alberta, yet approves
just eight to 10 people for surgery each year. Candidates must first
pass a "rigorous" psychological evaluation at the Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health--the country's leading medical health organization.
Alberta candidates should be subjected to the same intense scrutiny
before undergoing the knife.
Liepert's actions belied his words Tuesday, when he told reporters:
"We want to ensure that we look after the most vulnerable in society .
. .."
Who is more vulnerable than someone who identifies as transgender--a
term so difficult, its definition is still in flux? They are the
voiceless members of our society who are on the fringe.
The province has shamefully just kicked them even closer to the edge.
parab@theherald.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/When+wants+disagree/1481223/story.html
Cuts to surgery elicit protest from LGBT community
Metro Canada - Calgary, Canada
Cuts to surgery elicit protest from LGBT community
KRISTA SYLVESTER
METRO CALGARY
April 09, 2009 5:39 a.m.
Members of Alberta€ ’²s transgendered, gay, lesbian and bisexual
community are preparing for a battle with the Alberta government after
cuts were made to gender reassignment surgery.
The Alberta government delisted gender reassignment from its funding
coverage as part of the budget announcement Tuesday.
€ ’³This is a decision we feel is based on ignorance and discrimination.
On paper it seemed like an easy cut but this is people€ ’²s lives we€ ’²re
talking about,€ ’´ Kristopher Wells, researcher at the Institute for
Sexual Minority Studies based in the University of Edmonton, said.
€ ’³These medical transitions are not a choice for some people, it€ ’²s a
necessary medical procedure,€ ’´ he added.
The cuts to the funding would only save Alberta Health and Wellness
about $700,000 a year, a cost Wells feels isn€ ’²t worth the
consequences.
€ ’³Some members of this community report being born in the wrong body
and gender reassignment surgery helps to re-establish their biological
self with their emotional self,€ ’´ Wells said.
Wells launched a Facebook group regarding the issue and already has
over 360 members.
Copyright 2001-2009, Free Daily News Group Inc.
http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/210858
Cuts to surgery elicit protest from LGBT community
KRISTA SYLVESTER
METRO CALGARY
April 09, 2009 5:39 a.m.
Members of Alberta€ ’²s transgendered, gay, lesbian and bisexual
community are preparing for a battle with the Alberta government after
cuts were made to gender reassignment surgery.
The Alberta government delisted gender reassignment from its funding
coverage as part of the budget announcement Tuesday.
€ ’³This is a decision we feel is based on ignorance and discrimination.
On paper it seemed like an easy cut but this is people€ ’²s lives we€ ’²re
talking about,€ ’´ Kristopher Wells, researcher at the Institute for
Sexual Minority Studies based in the University of Edmonton, said.
€ ’³These medical transitions are not a choice for some people, it€ ’²s a
necessary medical procedure,€ ’´ he added.
The cuts to the funding would only save Alberta Health and Wellness
about $700,000 a year, a cost Wells feels isn€ ’²t worth the
consequences.
€ ’³Some members of this community report being born in the wrong body
and gender reassignment surgery helps to re-establish their biological
self with their emotional self,€ ’´ Wells said.
Wells launched a Facebook group regarding the issue and already has
over 360 members.
Copyright 2001-2009, Free Daily News Group Inc.
http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/210858
To all MLAs of the Alberta Legislature,
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.
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.
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