Transgender Month focuses on equality

Local events will include lectures, candlelight vigil

By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 11:17 p.m. MST
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Imagine having the wrong gender on your driver license or passport. That's an issue that transgender individuals face daily, said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Keisling is among national advocates traveling to Salt Lake this week for a series of Transgender Awareness Month events. The events culminate Monday with a candlelight vigil commemorating the National Day of Awareness for transgender victims of hate crimes.

Even Social Security accounts typically include gender, and that can lead to problems for transgender individuals who apply to work for employers participating in a federal pilot program that verifies the identity of new hires, Keisling said.

"Thousands of employers send lists of employees names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and sometimes gender," she said. "If it doesn't match, then a 'no match' letter is sent to the employer. People can be outed at work."

Jenifer Nuttall, adult program director for the Utah Pride Center, said Utah's transgender community is at times "relatively invisible." It's hard to say how many transgender individuals live in the state, because the community includes everyone from cross dressers to transsexuals.

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While many of their issues overlap those of the gay and lesbian community, transgender individuals also face unique issues, such as identification. Health care is also an issue, Nuttall said.

"Getting a doctor or health care provider who is actually knowledgable about transgender issues is hard to come by," she said.

Nuttall said she hoped the events scheduled will help transgender individuals and also help the community at large better understand the issues the transgender community faces.

Events scheduled include:

• Today: Donna Rose, diversity co-chair for the Human Rights Campaign national board of directors, will present "Transgender in the Workplace: A Survivor's Perspective," at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., City & County Building, 451 S. State, room 315.

• Thursday: Keisling will present "Transgender Victories and Challenges," 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol Complex, room W135 of the West Building.

• Saturday: Jamison Green, author, educator and international transgender activist, will present "Connecting Across Divides," from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., "Effective Leadership," from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and "Becoming Visible!," from 7 to 9 p.m. at the City and County Building.

• Monday: National Day of Remembrance, 7 p.m., Utah Pride Center, 361 N. 300 West.

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com

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