BDSM Gone Awry in Missouri: Questions of Evolving Consent

BDSM — or Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism – more commonly referred to as “kinky,” is a sexual style in which kinksters (people who practice kinky sex) consciously negotiate the exchange of personal power in an erotic or sexual context. Consent is central to kink community practitioners, and forms oneContinue reading “BDSM Gone Awry in Missouri: Questions of Evolving Consent”

Sweden’s Contribution to Gender-Neutral Language

A new article in The Nation highlights the Swedish language contribution to gender-neutral pronouns. In addition to hon (she) and han (he), some Swedes are using hen to indicate a third, neutral gender. While the term has been around since the 1960s, it gained more attention recently when Jesper Lundqvist, author of the children’s bookContinue reading “Sweden’s Contribution to Gender-Neutral Language”

Evolution of the term Polyamory

The word polyamory has a rich background. People involved in multiple-partner relationships in the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s sought words to express their ideas, found Standard English lacking, and began to create their own words.While the term polyamory was certainly coined by a member of the polyamorous community, exactly which person created the termContinue reading “Evolution of the term Polyamory”

Important Legal Win for Transgendered People

Important Legal Case for Transgendered People

The Transgender Legal Defense and Educational Fund (TLDEF) recently won an important case pertaining to gender reassignment surgery being covered by insurance companies. It is not just the initial reassignment surgery that is at issue, but the fact that when an insurance company defines gender reassignment surgery as outside of the parameters of coverage, then much of that person’s health care can be defined as related to or as a consequence of gender reassignment surgery and thus not eligible for coverage. This means that routine health care — mammograms to menopause, heart disease and cancer care — can be related to hormones and disqualified from coverage eligibility. By covering the transition from the beginning, all subsequent healthcare is covered as well. Yeah TLDEF!

Victory! Transgender Woman Wins Insurance Coverage for Sex Reassignment Surgery

We are thrilled to announce that we have resolved a claim on behalf of a transgender woman who had been denied health insurance coverage for sex reassignment surgery. Ida Hammer, a 34-year-old New York City resident, applied for pre-authorization for male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in July 2011. MVP Health Care denied her claim on the grounds that the surgery was “cosmetic” and therefore was not covered under the policy. MVP refused to alter its position and denied two internal appeals, even after TLDEF submitted extensive evidence in support of Ms. Hammer’s claim.

Only after TLDEF threatened to file a lawsuit did MVP reverse its position and agree to cover the doctor-recommended procedure. MVP stated in its letter authorizing the surgery that “the requested surgery is medically necessary.”

“I have been undergoing treatment for gender dysphoria for the past five years. My doctors determined that surgery is the only adequate treatment for my condition,” said Ms. Hammer. “My insurance company should not be second-guessing my doctors. I’m relieved that it is finally treating me fairly and covering the health care I need.”

“The well-established medical and legal consensus is that transgender-related health care is medically necessary care,” said TLDEF executive director Michael Silverman. “This surgery is not designed to improve one’s appearance, but rather to treat a recognized medical condition. Transgender individuals pay the same premiums and simply want the same benefits as anyone else,” he added.

The medical necessity of sex reassignment surgery has been widely recognized in medicine and law. Organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health recognize surgery as medically necessary and support insurance coverage for it. Since the 1970s, numerous state and federal courts have recognized this surgery as non-cosmetic, medically necessary surgery. Even the Internal Revenue Service recognizes transgender-related surgery as medically necessary and tax deductible.

In addition to TLDEF, the legal team representing Ms. Hammer included Robert Goodman, Brandon Burkart, Katherine Kriegman, Ariel Meyerstein and Susan Reagan of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

New interview with Elisabeth Sheff on The Trashtalk Show

This interview with Barb Tobias on The Trashtalk Show was a refreshing antidote to my last media experience. Barb asked great questions and was really interested in hearing the answers. She liked the interview for the podcast so much we recently did another one that will come out later this month on AM radio. WhenContinue reading “New interview with Elisabeth Sheff on The Trashtalk Show”

Support Research on Transgender Families

Parent Questionnaire

Recently I attended a fascinating session on family dynamics in transgendered families at the recent Southern Comfort Conference in Atlanta dedicated to transgender people and their loved ones. Dr. Amanda Veldorale-Griffin with The Family Alliance presented her research on transgendered parents with adult children to a rapt crowd. She is still looking for research participants, so if you or anyone you know are involved in a family with transgendered parents and adult children, please consider participating or passing this information along to those who would be appropriate. All participants who provide an email address will receive a $25 gift certificate as a thank you for their time.

For more information you can contact Dr. Veldorale-Griffin at The Family Alliance, 850-273-2540 or thefamilyalliance@gmail.com.

Parent Questionnaire: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1033156/Gender-Transition-Qualitative-Study-Parent

Child Questionnaire: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1033148/Gender-Transition-Qualitative-Study-Child

Guest blog from swinging expert Dr. Edward Fernandes

In response to my post about the history of polyamory in the United States, Dr. Fernandes pointed out that I had not included swinging. While swinging is related to polyamory and shares many social antecedents, it was beyond the scope of my original post so I invited Dr. Fernandes to fill in this blank. HisContinue reading “Guest blog from swinging expert Dr. Edward Fernandes”

Polyamory: Exploring the ins and outs of multiple partners

This article in the Canadian news outlet Globe and Mail provides a great over view of poly relationships, and author Jeff Fraser’s emphasis on my research findings was refreshing.

Mixed Results on The Ricki Lake Show

My appearance on The Ricki Lake Show was educational, more so for me (unfortunately) than for the viewers. In discussions with producers before the show, the focus had always been on my research. With all the discussion of my findings and publications prior to taping, I had assumed Ricki Lake’s questions during the show wouldContinue reading “Mixed Results on The Ricki Lake Show”

See Dr. Elisabeth Sheff on the Ricki Lake Show TODAY 9/18

See Dr. Elisabeth Sheff on the Ricki Lake show today 9/18. Ricki Lake returned to daytime television this fall, and in the episode entitled “Let’s Talk About Sex,” Ricki talks with the poly folks from the show “Married and Dating,” and Dr. Sheff appears via Skype after their segment. To find the station near youContinue reading “See Dr. Elisabeth Sheff on the Ricki Lake Show TODAY 9/18”