Seattle

The City of Seattle has kicked off its annual Open Enrollment period for City employees, with a key change to employees’ health plans. Starting on January 1, 2012, transgender health care procedures will be included in all plans.

The addition occurred thanks to the work of five of Seattle’s volunteer commissions: the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Commission, Commission for People with disAbilities, Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board, Human Rights Commission, and Women’s Commission. All five groups contacted City Council and the City’s Personnel Department on March 23 to point out extensive exclusion clauses for medical care for transgender people. The exclusions included treatments, medications and services for gender affirming surgeries and procedures.

"Transgender treatments are not cosmetic; they are medically necessary," said Tiffany Nelson and Eleazar Juárez-Díaz, Co-Chairs of the Seattle LGBT Commission. "We applaud the City of Seattle for helping to lead the way for the country on this important equity issue.” 

Broad transgender exclusions create a ripple effect for individuals’ health care. Once a person becomes identified as transgender, insurance companies often deny other basic medical and psychological care.

“We were excited and proud to work with the LGBT, Women’s, Human Rights and Immigrant and Refugee Commissions on this issue,” said Erica Sekins and Patt Copeland, Co-Chairs of the Commission for People with disAbilities.

Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents this groundbreaking film festival to provide the Pacific Northwest with a venue for films by, for, and about transgender people, encouraging visibility and positive representations of transgender issues. Launched in 2006, Translations is one of only a few transgender film festivals in the world.

Highlights from the 2011 Translations lineup include:

• BECOMING CHAZ - Opening Night Movie & Reception (Friday, May 17 7pm - AMC Pacific Place)


• SOLD: EXAMINING THE T IN TV ADVERTISING - Free program!


• THIS IS WHO I AM - Short Films


• GENDER BENDER SINGALONG - Mix with the music!


• HE IS MY GIRL - Closing Night Film

For a complete schedule with program descriptions, ticket prices and more information, visit http://threedollarbillcinema.org/calendar/2011-translations

Each fall, Seattle's Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. This year, Ingersoll is proud to co-present two films for your your enjoyment. Please join us for a celebration of film on both days! Times and locations are listed below.

Film Title: Paulista

http://post.thestranger.com/seattle/paulista/Shop?film=4869744&section=4848783

1. Aspiring actress Marina is determined to make a life for herself in São Paulo. She meets Justine, a brazen bisexual rocker, and they begin a fiery, troublesome liaison. Marina’s roommate, the buttoned-up divorce lawyer Suzana (an award-winning performance by transgender actress Maria Clara Spinelli), tentatively opens her heart to her enamored co-worker, revealing that she was once a man. Their neighbor Jay is a writer looking for love with Michelle, a prostitute who won’t give him the time of day. Brazil’s vibrant cityscapes create a backdrop for these unconventional love stories with universal appeal. asl interpreting before subtitled film Copresented by Ingersoll Gender Center

Run time: 83 min. | Brazil | in Portugese with subtitles ASL Interpreting before subtitled film

2:30 pm 10/16 at Northwest Film Forum

Film Title: Open

http://post.thestranger.com/seattle/open/Shop?film=4869738&section=4848783

In a world where a money and power talk, our community is not only silenced, it walks with its head down. Hate is an act of blind rage and deafened listening. Our community needs to lift its head and power up our voices. Our very lives are at stake. That is the power behind the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This is merely a reminder that there is power in numbers to overcome the cheapening of our lives, and in reflecting upon our own safety. Just a day after the “Great American Smokeout” and days before we gather with the reminders of our upbringing on Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on members of our community who paid the ultimate price for their determination. Each year, Q Center at the University of Washington directs our local reflections with a candlelight vigil, remembrances, and thoughtful discussion. This year, the activities begin with a panel on “Working Toward Justice from a Place of Grief” beginning Wednesday, November 18, at 5 pm at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre. Later at 7 pm that same evening, Ravenna United Methodist Church holds its own reflection service. On Friday, November 20, the actual Day of Remembrance, UW begins its commemoration by offering reflective space from 9 to 5:30 pm in the Q Center conference in Schmitz Hall 450. A dramatization or “Die-In” will begin at 12:20 pm Friday afternoon at the Obelisk structure in Red Square (orientation for Die-In participants starts at noon).