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Gender and Sexuality Alliance / Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs By Isaias Guzman In high school, my stomach would turn every time I heard anti-LGBTQ slurs and bullying. Words like, “fag,” and “that’s so gay,” would dig into me each time they were casually thrown out by students. Stories of my friends being bullied would break…
Continue ReadingSince May, we have been sharing information with you about the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to Section 1557. For those of you following along at home, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act explicitly prohibits discrimination on gender identity and sex stereotypes. The rule was implemented after years of public input, and lined up with California’s state-based protections, which also prohibit health care discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Continue ReadingBy Rory O’Brien & Poshi Walker Photo Credit: Gender Spectrum Collection. Picture this. A trans man is sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office and the receptionist calls for him – not by his name – but by saying “the gynecologist is ready for you.” Imagine a provider giving their lesbian…
Continue ReadingBy Dannie Cesena From being the Community Icon of the Year by Orange County Pride to recently receiving the first ever Courage Award by the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association, Dannie Cesena has been a long-time advocate for transgender Californians. This Transgender Day of Visibility, Dannie is highlighting the importance of being counted: “It…
Continue ReadingThis week, November 12-19, is recognized as Transgender Awareness Week, a one-week celebration when transgender advocates and community members come together to host events that raise awareness of transgender communities and advocate for the well being of transgender people.
Continue ReadingA strong advocate for transgender communities and #Out4MentalHealth Workgroup member, Zander Keig, LCSW, is the 2018 NASW-CA Chapter Social Worker of the Year.
Continue ReadingBy Dannie Ceseña – Winter 2015 was a very difficult time in my life. In fact, I almost died. Now, a proposed merger between Dignity Health and…
Continue ReadingThe California LGBT Health and Human Services Network is starting a blog and we’d love to have you – our community members – be guest writers. Do you have something to say about LGBTQ folks and the areas of health care, mental health, public health, sexual health, substance use, income assistance and disparities, or social…
Continue ReadingBy: Amanda Wallner, MPP and Poshi Walker, MSW Project Co-Directors This fall, the California LGBT Health and Human Services Network and NorCal Mental Health America are partnering to launch a statewide education, outreach, and advocacy initiative targeting LGBTQ mental health disparities.Out for Mental Health will engage LGBTQ people throughout California to develop a mental health equity…
Continue ReadingSome days I struggle with my depression more than others. Some days I feel like a horrible human being who is failing at life. Some days I feel motivated and have energy to both adult and play. Some days I run out of spoons early in the day, some days start with no spoons, and…
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