Date: Thu, 06 May 1999 13:27:59 -0700 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF-Transexual Menace Plans APA Protest MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org TRANSEXUAL MENACE TO PROTEST APA OVER GID ========================================= [Washington, DC: 6 May 99] THE PROTEST GROUP TRANSEXUAL Menace will hold a peaceful demonstration at the annual conference of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Washington, DC at 11:30 AM on Saturday, 15 May 99. At issue is the continued diagnosis of gender-different children and adults with Gender Identity Disorder (GID). This protest comes at a time when national gay groups are poised to push for GID reform. The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) called for such reform in 1996. Said Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of GenderPAC, "It's appalling that children as young as 3 or 4 are being diagnosed and 'treated' to prevent them from being gender-different. The APA is not practicing medicine on these children, it's acting as society's gender police." The diagnosis of GID in adults in more complex. Transexuals seeking hormones and sex-reassignment surgery are forced to accept a diagnosis of 'gender disorder' as as pre-condition for treatment or cost reimbursement. "Unfortunately this diagnosis will follow them for the rest of their lives," said Wilchins. "Twenty years after my diagnosis I still cannot get individual health insurance, disability insurance, or life insurance because every application asks, 'Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?'" NGLTF's position, endorsed also by GenderPAC, calls for eliminating the GID diagnosis in children and gay adolescents entirely and its reform to a non- stigmatizing physical diagnosis in adults. But progress toward implementing this position has been absent. "Millions of Americans were once stigmatized and 'treated' for the disorder of homosexuality until that diagnosis was reformed," said Wilchins. "Those who should know better and are in a position to help us--the Gay, Bisexual, and Lesbian (but not transgender) Caucus of the APA--have been silent on this issue. Gay and genderqueer people are being grievously hurt by this diagnosis. Why won't queer doctors take on the case of queer kids and adults?" The demonstration is planned for the main entrance of the Washington Convention Center. Interested parties should contact danapriesing@earthlink.net ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@Gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1999 InYourFace GenderPAC's online news-only service for gender activism.