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Portland groups help remove barriers to physical transitions
Our philosophy* simple.
Visiting the dentist can actually be a pleasure' We believe your
appointment is something you should look forward to
Dr
Norton is the "smile spec ialist" and delivers expert advice and
service to his |>atienis in an uncommonly soothing atmosphere
tliar s as rrlaxmg as ti is professional c>ur uncompromising com
mu merit to excellenc e ensures (hat every visit measures up to tlr
world class, state-of-the art standards you deserve
It will feel great, you'll look (abulous.
and the work will Iasi a long long time
KEITH R NORTON DDS, PC
ííffyw 50 3.6 54.1 2 94
X I X
Pots. . .
French, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese.
We carry containers and water
basins from ail over the world.
Come in and choose your favorites
and browse through our unique
collection of garden ornaments,
benches, stone lanterns,
and more.
LIVE, LOVE, & LOOK OUT.
For yourself and your partners!
Find out today, get tested!
Free anonymous or
confidential HIV testing
‘By appointment or walk-in
‘No needles with results in a week.
Mondays 3:3O-7:3Opm
Beavercreek Clinic
1425 S. Beavercreek Rd.
Oregon City, OR 97045
Clackamas County
Public Health
Call (503) 655-8471
for an appointment,
or (503) 742-5382
for more information.
Feel Better.
Don Valerio, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine
Fanno Creek Clinic
2400 SW Vermont Portland (503) 452-0915
by Jaymee R. Cuti
wo Portland nonprofit organiza
“When a lot of (trans] people come out at
tions are helping break down work, they get fired and ptxif, you’re jobless
obstacles faced by transgender peo even though you’ve been an exemplary employ
ple by picking up rhe tab.
ee,” said Taylor.
Besides costly sex reassignment
She estimated the cost of male-to-female sex
surgery, other expenses associated with transi reassignment surgery at between $4,000 and
tioning include electrolysis, hormone therapy, $20,000, depending on where in the world the
gender
identity
therapy—none of
which are covered
by insurance—and
extras such as
facial feminization
or masculinization
surgery, breast aug
mentation, voice
lessons and a new
wardrobe.
Tara
Taylor
moved to Portland
from Hawaii to
escape her lifelong
gender
identity
issues. She soon
realized
those
issues followed her
to the Northwest.
“Within three
weeks, 1 was call
ing my doctor to Emily Walsh is the public relations coordinator for Transforming Us, a
send me hormones fund-raising organization for transgender people.
and having my
clothes shipped here,” said Taylor.
surgery is performed. Female-to-male surgery can
After exhaustive research to find funds to be twice that. The cost to remove a beard by
cover her male-to-female reassignment surgery, electrolysis takes an estimated 200 to 400 hours
Taylor found a benefactor who paid for every at a cost of between $40 and $100 an hour.
thing. She says that prompted her to found the
Medical insurance companies do not cover
Tara Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedi any transitioning expenses, though some trans
cated to paying for the sex reassignment surg gender people describe the surgery as “life
eries of transgender people.
saving.” Taylor herself battled with depression
“My surgery is paid for, so I thought this for much of her life.
would be the perfect way to pay hack what was
“One big problem is there is not a good body
given to me,” she said.
of evidence that supports that sex reassignment
Another local nonprofit organization, Trans surgery is helpful,” said Taylor. “It’s sort of the
forming Us, was started in 2004 by Octavian community’s fault because with so many trans
and Aidan Starr, who are members of the phys people, once they get their surgery, they want to
ically transitioning community.
blend in and go on with their lives. You get
“They could see the need for something like treated better if you blend in."
Transforming Us because of the absolute lack
According to Walsh, raising awareness will
of resources for physically transitioning people,” help insurance companies understand the need
said Emily Walsh, a spokeswoman for the for transgender people to physically transition.
organization.
“Health insurance companies need to know
Similar to the Tara Foundation, Transform that there are physically transitioning people all
ing Us raises funds for surgery but also helps over the world, and also allies, who vehemently
raise awareness about issues affecting trans disagree with the notion that these surgeries are
gender people through educational outreach simply cosmetic enhancements,” she said.
events, zines and other literature. The program
Both groups are still in fund-raising stages,
also includes financial counseling to help trans and neither has yet to fund a surgery. The Tara
gender people save for the expenses surrounding Foundation plans to fund one surgery by the end
transitioning.
of 2005. It is planning a benefit concert with
“Transforming Us will he providing financial Michael Allen Harrison and special guests
counseling to its beneficiaries in order to Matthew J. Clark, Jackie Burnett and the Lau
empower people to do as much as they can per rie Cassell Band at 9 p.m. July 19 at Dante’s,
sonally, as well providing some or all of the
I S.W. Third Ave.
hinds necessary for the surgeries,” Walsh said.
Transforming Us is also planning a benefit
She explains her groups holistic approach to July 16 at the Sexual Minority Youth Resource
transitioning.
Center, 2100 S.E. Belmont St. Performers
“There are myriad challenges related to include Emily Herring, Marisa Anderson and
physically transitioning which can include such Sneak in’ Out, plus hoedown activities such as
simple things as visibility, awareness and respect sack racing, pie eating and mud wrestling. The
within the community,” Walsh said. “Trans cover is $5-$ 10 sliding scale. JM
forming Us hopes to address these challenges by
increasing public awareness.”
For more information about the TARA
Both groups cite an acute financial need FOUNDATION visit wwu'.tarafoundauon.org.
among rhe trans community because of employ To learn more about T ransforming Us e-nuu/
ment discrimination and the high cost of transforming_us@yahoo.com or
transitioning.
tuvolunteers@yahoo.com.