saturn

MOD post

For those of you (like me) who have just heard, LJ is planning on data mining random LJ accounts.

Since I feel this is a major invasion of privacy I have opted the trans_coverage community OUT of this.



if you want to do the same to your personal journals, go here and type: set opt_exclude_stats 1

if you are the moderator of a community and want to opt out, type: set "for" < community name here > opt_exclude_stats 1
yes they are real

progress?

I "think" my employer may ACTUALLY be making progress in their trans policies... we finally got our GLBT Business council up and running and they have asked me to draft a wish list of concerns i would like addressed when they speak with the execs.

Having "gender identity" specifically mentioned in the non-discrimination / anti-harassment policies tops the list... all the medical coverage in the world means squat if you dont work there anymore :)

next was a set policy for gender transition, i was lucky that the HR lady i talked to knew of a specialist that handled these kinds of things all over the world, but someone else may not be so lucky. I also want a policy for "who to tell when" put up so that it doesn't come down to the manager to decide who else besides the team gets informed.

a concrete washroom policy was #3


#4 was better general access to medical / psych care. the current limit of $500 a year for psych is all but useless and not all hormones are covered under the drug plan (but those that are have GREAT coverage).


#5 is surgical coverage... this one is a pipe dream, but if it isnt on the list it wont get mentioned.


so here's hoping something comes of this. It will be too late for a lot of the issues I faced, but hopefully it will help the next person.
saturn

IBM Canada

According to the HRC, IBM has surgery coverage in the states... anyone know if that coverage extends to Canadian provences where it is not covered? If anyone knows, great, or if you know who to ask I can send them an email

I "may" have an interview coming up and I would like to know going in (if they dont then I wont bother leaving my current job, if they do then my current employer can go to somewhere very hot)


(x-posted to anywhere I think may have an answer)

EDIT: never mind, got my answer elsewhere... they do not have any additional coverage to what the provence offers
transphobia in healthcare is unhealthy!

trans-inclusive insurance coverage strategies - NCTE conf call.

Copied from email posted to National Coalition for LGBT Health newsletter. If you belong to a GLBT organization or agency, see if they are members and wish to participate. Check out www.lgbthealth.net for more info and to see member list.

+++

National Center for Transgender Equality Hosts Call on Insurance Coverage

The National Center for Transgender Equality has offered to hold a conference call with Coalition members to discuss the difficulties LGBT organizations have in properly protecting their trans-identified staff members from discrimination in health insurance. This call is in response to the San Francisco Chronicle article "Few Gay Rights Groups Insure for Sex Changes: While large companies expand health benefits for transgender employees, the majority of LGBT rights groups say they cannot afford insurance that covers transition-related expenses."

The call will discuss

What is the issue and why we all need to fix it as fast as possible?
It isn't just about surgery or even about transition-related healthcare. Many trans employees are having problems even getting insurance plans to pay for more basic services.
What is the broader social justice and LGBT agenda context in which this is nested?
How have some organizations worked it out?
What are some strategies for getting this done? How we can begin creating a perfect solution that isn't even possible yet?
If you are interested in participating in this call, please contact me at Rebecca@lgbthealth.net .

The article can be read at http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.…