Dr. Sherman Leis — 10 Key TG Trends for 2013
(Bala Cynwyd, PA) Dr. Sherman Leis, founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, one of the leading resources for transgender surgery and medical support in the United States, has identified 10 important trends that will affect America and its transgender community in 2013. Dr. Leis said, “2012 was another gateway year for the transgender community, further opening the door toward true equality with the rest of the population.
“Supportive laws, positive public statements by top political leaders, and broadening insurance coverage are just a few indicators of growing momentum in the right direction. That said, we still have a long way to go,” he said.
The trends include:
1) Trickle down equality — new federal anti-discrimination regulations lead from the top down, accepting transgender people as equal under the law, and will influence state and local laws throughout the U.S.
2) Growing commercial and cultural acceptance — in 2012, as in each of the last few years, we have seen an ever-growing number of transgender people in politics, entertainment, and even business . . . and the public accepting them as part of American life.
3) Hate crimes are down — and this trend will continue — further evidence of growing acceptance.
4) More health insurance coverage of transgender surgery — we believe that the tipping point was 2012. Soon, virtually all health insurance will cover transgender surgery.
5) The transgender suicide rate will be further reduced. With more transitioning happening and greater acceptance of trans people in general, fewer transgender suicides will occur.
6) Less discrimination and lack of sensitivity by healthcare professionals, as more will be properly trained in transgender issues and care.
7) We are continuing to see the growth trend in the number of female-to-male (FtM) transitions, moving toward having an equal number of trans men and trans women in the population, as a recent study predicted.
8) A growing transgender population — with greater acceptance. More trans people have the confidence and support to come out and publicly live in their true gender.
9) More seniors are having transgender surgery. As society becomes more accepting, more seniors are making the commitment to realize their lifelong dream.
See a video clip on the World’s Oldest Transgender
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10) The U.S. continues to improve its position, on track to become the world leader for transgender surgery and for quality medical care. More and more trans patients from around the world are coming to the U.S. for surgery where they formerly would have gone to Asia and Europe.
Category: Transgender Body & Soul
About the Author (Author Profile)
I am a writer, editor and educator. I was one of the 5 founders of the Renaissance Transgender Education Assoc., and have served on the boards of IFGE and AEGIS. I've published several books on CD/TS/TG subjects. My how-to books are available at the CDS Bookstand (www.cdspub.com). I am most proud of "Coping With Crossdressing: Tools and Strategies for Couples in Committed Relationships". I was an early TG political activist and one of the co-founders of GenderPAC. I wrote and published a Bill of Gender Rights in December 1990. I've appeared on several television shows and in the movie "All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go". I published "LadyLike" magazine for 18 years, as well as "EnFemme" magazine and "International TranScript". (JoAnn passed away in June of 2013.)Subscribe
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All good signs but a long way to go until we are even slightly accepted in the states. But it is a good sign and while I will not (I am sure) live to see acceptance it gives me hope that the younger and future generations will be accepted and allowed to participate fully in the communities at large.
Sara