It can’t be denied that MTPC has been hugely helpful to the entire transgender community.  To that end, TCNE would like to let all our reader’s know about a BIG kick off party they are holding on February 18th at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain.  Here are the details:

The “I AM: Trans People Speak COMMUNITY” project kickoff party takes place on Saturday February 18th at at the Midway Café at 3496 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, MA, doors open at 8:00pm. New videos will be shown throughout the night and the program will begin around 9:30pm with a performance to follow. This event is 21+ and there is a $5-$10 sliding scale charge at the door, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. This event is open to the public and the media.

For all the details visit their link here:  I AM Trans People Speak Party

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition is collaborating with a team of Master of Social Work students from Salem State University to conduct a research study to determine if transgender adults have access to culturally competent mental health clinicians and services in Massachusetts.  Led by Laurie Auffant, a long time transgender activist and now social work student, the research team includes Sarah Grandmaison, Kristine Lassiter, and Rachel Sherwin.  The survey was launched January 20^th in Peabody, Massachusetts at the First Event conference, organized by Tiffany Club of New England.  Tiffany Club of New England agreed to collaborate in the project by promoting data collection.  The survey is open to any adult eighteen years-old and above, residing in Massachusetts, who identifies as transgender or gender variant.  The survey can be accessed online:
WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/MASSTRANSMENTALHEALTHSURVEY

The goals of the survey include:

• Documenting whether transgender adults have access to culturally competent mental health clinicians and services in Massachusetts.
• Documenting geographic differences of mental health clinicians and services by county.
• Documenting the time and distance traveled for mental health appointments.
• Documenting differences in service delivery by type of mental health clinician.
• Documenting differences based on gender identity, racial identity, economic resources, transportation, and age of participant.
• Documenting if transgender adults are treated respectfully during mental health appointments.
• Documenting whether transgender adults have ever experienced hostility or been denied access to mental health services because of their gender identity.
• Remaining accountable to the transgender community by providing a report and sharing it publicly.

Please take the survey and invite your friends to take the survey as well!

Thank-you for your participation!