Although America’s cultural, social and political climate is becoming increasingly accepting of LGBTs, many people still face discrimination, stigma and violence. This is particularly true when it comes to transgender individuals, who experience discrimination in many areas of their lives, exposing them to tremendous social and economic insecurity and increased health disparities.
According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey recently released by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, trans individuals suffer twice the rate of unemployment as the general population; almost universal harassment in the workplace (97 percent); significant losses of jobs and careers (47 percent); high rates of poverty (15 percent of the sample lived on $10,000 per year or less — a rate twice that of the general population); and housing instability, all coupled with lack of medical insurance.
In Philadelphia, according to a recent study from Public Health Management Corporation, close to 30 percent of the transgender participants were uninsured, 56 percent faced depression and a high number reported substance-abuse problems. Transgender women face rampant discrimination and barriers in every area: health care, education, employment, family, public accommodations, housing, law enforcement and identity documentation. There is a lack of educational opportunities in settings that provide inclusive, affirming and safe services for trans women and girls. Finally, transgender women are strongly underrepresented in LGBT leadership positions.
At Mazzoni Center, we feel one key way of bridging these gaps is to provide comprehensive programming to educate and empower trans communities, their friends, family and allies.
To bolster our efforts at addressing some of these disparities, last year we applied for and received a major grant from AIDS United. With the help of these funds, we were able to establish the Trans* Wellness Program. Our goal with the program is to take a holistic and multifaceted approach to meet the self-identified needs of the community.
We’ve developed several specific initiatives already, including the T.R.U.E. Care Clinic, which stands for Trans Resources, Unity and Education. This drop-in program is held the first and third Fridays of each month at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. The T.R.U.E. Care Clinic provides free, comprehensive health and support services including primary medical care, trans-specific medical care, HIV medical care, rapid HIV testing and STD screening, risk-reduction counseling, substance abuse/mental-health assessment and referral, health education, eligibility screening and application for public benefits. These services are offered free of charge on a walk-in basis, with no insurance required. Our goal is to ensure that the T.R.U.E. Care Clinic provides comprehensive services for all trans people and other LGBT members who lack access to care.
The T.R.U.E. Care Clinic was developed from the recommendations of our new Community Advisory Board, comprised of a diverse group of transgender women, and from partner organizations like the Trans-health Information Project, with facilitation from drop-in center staff. We call ourselves the Sisterly L.O.V.E. Project (Leading Others Via Education), and we support the T.R.U.E. Care Clinic and other Mazzoni programs in providing an affirming and inclusive environment, while increasing awareness and education to the larger Philadelphia community.
Among the other goals of the project are to offer leadership development, training, resources and educational opportunities to women involved in Sisterly L.O.V.E., to build on the existing strengths of Philadelphia’s community of trans women and girls.
Mazzoni is also offering programs to foster a sense of community and create opportunities for harm-reduction and empowerment among trans women and girls. These innovative, engaging workshops are developed by trans women, for trans women. They will provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer support and skill sharing, as well as educational programming facilitated by Mazzoni staff and partners.
Our first workshop, “Getting the Love We Deserve: Trans Women and Relationships,” was a huge success, and we look forward to presenting a new one approximately once a month. In August, we will address job preparedness and interviewing, as well as the legalities of being a trans* employee in the Philadelphia area.
For more information, visit www.mazzonicenter.org or check out our Facebook page.
Learn more about the Trans* Wellness Project by contacting Trans*Care coordinator Laura Sorensen at 215-563-0652 ext. 232 or [email protected].