How do I support the transgender community in Richmond?
Today I interviewed Ted Heck, specialist in transgender health and advocate for victims of violence in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community. I share with you notes from our conversation.
Ted Heck
What can I do to assist the transgender community in Richmond? As the structure of my book, Martin(e): A Memoir, begins to come together, this question comes to the forefront for me. Over the past 15 months of investigation and writing, it has become clear to me that my oldest sibling was transgender. I have been focused on my family story. It is time now for me to begin to reach out to the community in which I live and further educate myself so that I can be an advocate and ally for people who are transgender as well as their families and loved ones.
Where do I start in finding connections and resources? It turned out to be LinkedIn that connected me with Ted Heck. When I reached out to Ted, he graciously agreed to meet with me today to help me begin to answer my many questions.
Who can I speak with so that I may understand the physiology, biology and psychology of the transgender experience? Ted gave me the names of several physicians and psychologists in Richmond that I can contact and possibly interview so that I may increase my understanding and knowledge.
Who tends to the specific health needs of people who are transgender? Ted directed me to resources on the national level, including the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health in San Francisco, Fenway Health, a medical center in Boston which partners with Harvard University in its mission to enhance the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community and Whitman-Walker Health Center in Washington, D.C. Ted pointed out that only a handful of medical schools cover transgender issues in their curriculum. I can see that these institutions in San Francisco, Boston and D.C. provide an important service as well as a model for addressing issues which affect a substantial number of citizens.
What resources exist in our area for the transgender community? Ted told me about the work of Side by Side. I had heard of Side by Side and had already signed up for their newsletter. Side by Side was created to provide a space where LGBTQ+ youth can simply be themselves. Ted also made me aware of work of the Richmond chapter of PFLAG, whose mission is to provide support to families and individuals, to educate families and communities regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and LGBT issues, and to advocate to end discrimination and advance equality for LGBT people. Ted informed me of the work of Diversity Richmond, which is so much more than my favorite place for donating items. It is a voice and place and a resource dedicated to creating a vibrant, inclusive Richmond where inequality does not exist.
Where do I go from here? I have more to share about my meeting with Ted and about my journey to educate myself about the transgender experience and my commitment to becoming an educated advocate and ally, but this is all for today. Will you join me in learning? It is not just important work, although it is that. Our compassion is a matter of life and death.
Blessings,
Brenda