MEMO TO IMPROVE DHS BENEFITS:
To: Donna Lasinski, Michigan Representative
From: Nayeema Ahmed
Date: 12/28/2021
RE: Proposal of expanding DHS benefits for women/ non binary homeless or oppressed community members who are victim of domestic violence and treated in a discriminatory way. DHS to work with UCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to grant temporary work permit to victimized immigrant women and improve current DHS benefits for all women with/ without children. This memo proposing housing and employment incentives which would permit stability and prepare this community to work while residing from their own home and build upon confidence to prevent them from the dependency of long-term government and to achieve self-sufficiency.
Introduction:
This memo requests an anti-discrimination policy to provide improved DHS benefits regardless of age, marital status, gender identity, dependent status, immigration status etc. for women and non binary who face domestic violence or other struggles. Women and non binary community experience domestic violence regularly and unforeseen circumstances happen and they struggle to a great extent due to lack of or limitation of benefits. As a result, some of these women can become victims of many harms from the society that creates lifelong struggle for them and unfortunately can lead to many deaths and many other unspeakable circumstances. A detailed policy should be in place to allow a minimum of two years of emergency benefits for women no matter how different they are from each other. Cash assistance award to be $1000 for women without children, $1500 for women with children and to offer immigrant women the exact same benefits during their crisis. During this two-year period, the other DHS benefits should be offered to any women same as women with children receive. The recommended added cash assistance would allow any women in crisis to afford housing and other cost while recovering from trauma and preparing for self-sufficiency. The current housing voucher program is limited which often leading the oppressed women without a home as they can’t manage this major cost of living. For example, a housing voucher could be up to $1300, However, there is no set time limit when the eligibility stops. There are continuous benefits for some and no benefits for others and unfortunately, they keep waiting in unsafe conditions. Since this memo is requesting a short-term increase in cash assistance, federal budget would be balanced as extended benefits will not be necessary and that would also eliminate the compromise this community choose as they didn’t have safety net to build their foundation to re-enter work. An in-depth case management assignment for these two years would make the process of independency possible. It is only fair to provide this safety net for women as they often are found to be vulnerable due to the oppression they face.
The policy proposes more cash assistance for women with children as they sometime can’t get custody when they find themselves in this unforeseen circumstance. These benefits increase with proper care from case management can alleviate the struggles of these women and help them to set a goal for self-sufficiency. Safety net benefit at a time of need can set a building block to achieve necessary positive accomplishments which can help them being independent. Women without children are often homeless due to limited benefits and victim of many abuses from society even if they run away from their primary abusers and data shows that. This lead to trauma, hopelessness, suicide ideation where a recovery could be long-term process; instead, if we are proactive to provide these benefits, they would be able to prepare them for self-sufficiency and contribute to the society. Immigrant women without work permit/permanent residency (visitor, students, undocumented etc.) should also get same benefits as U.S. citizen in case of domestic abuse as they experience same struggles as their U.S. neighbors. USCIS should grant temporary work permit with conjunction to DHS to these immigrant women which would allow them sustain at their difficult times and after the safety net would end. The highest cost of expense for our community members is housing cost. This memo is requesting any property owner to provide incentives to members of our community who are facing difficulty with maintaining household expenses and/or homeless with 50% off rent/mortgage cost etc. for two years. This memo requests to give energy cost and other cost like insurance and etc. 50% off for community unforeseen circumstances. This memo requesting employers to provide volunteer/paid work for this community as a priority within their hiring process (meaning 25% percentage of their workforce from homeless/marginalized population). The memo will discuss the historical origin of the policy, the government's approaches to address this policy and barriers, and conclusion/recommended solutions for the policy. The memo is addressed to the Michigan representative to be a voice of women/oppressed community experiencing domestic abuse/difficulty and provide adequate DHS and other benefits mentioned in this memo to help them return to independent lifestyle.
Policy Debate:
The nonbinary/women population in our community face more domestic abuse since childhood and they need more recognition, protection and care and commitment from community who need to see them with same respect as anyone even if they lost everything they had or what background they came from.
On the other hand, current DHS benefits indicate more commitment with women with children and not without and also benefit varies based on many factors including immigration status. If we look into the lens of social justice, we see that help is equally needed for these women independent of how they differ from each other.
Vulnerability of any women experiencing domestic abuse is same since women who don’t have children who gets less benefits are often homeless and can be more vulnerable to abuse. Immigrant women tend to accept abuse since they have nowhere to g and due to cultural pressure sometimes end up in very unsafe living condition. Women with children with minimum cash assistance can’t get by instead of building future plans for independence.
Therefore, the memo recommends to view vulnerability from different standpoint and improve policy to give these women same opportunity to remove them from the unwanted circumstances they sometimes find themselves into. The proper need in proper time saves time and money as recovery from struggles are more likely to happen and not otherwise.
The property owners’ and employers’ incentives should be available to any community members since they could be also vulnerable as women and their cases to be evaluated and approved by social work and DHS.
​
The historical origin of the policy:
Women in our society is not viewed with proper respect from childhood due to misconception of what they mean to society and we see this community's struggles for recognition throughout history.
​
There is a myth if someone is women, they are supposed to survive with struggles without complain instead of claiming right for equal respect. Vulnerability should not be viewed lightly and building a struggling person’s inner strength can transition them from being homeless to their own home, Therefore, we must provide this safety net care that they need with the revisions to DHS benefits.
​
Government Approaches to Address the Issue and Barriers:
Benefits are given but not in non-discriminatory way. Lack/limitation of funding in current DHS benefits and current taxation may not allow the affordability of the proposed expansion and need to be re-imagined to make this a reality as the memo propose saving long term federal money with providing safety net in crisis. Raising the corporate tax to 28% and Medicare means testing for higher income beneficiaries are two taxation ideas that could work.
​
Conclusion and Recommendation:
It is important to recognize the severity of the abuse the non binary/women population in our society experience. This would start the process of policy makers to put a priority to expand the DHS benefits with conjunction with USCIS policy revision and proper case management to prepare these women to achieve full recovery where the stigma of dependency can be minimized when help in crisis would proactively give them opportunity to build upon their inner strength with safety net that would promote self-sufficiency and independence. The housing and employment incentives would permit stability and prepare this oppressed community to work from their own home and build upon confidence to prevent them from the dependency of extended government benefits since self-sufficiency would be achieved. Government tax break could be considered for these property owners and employers’ participation to improve our economy and budget.
​
MEMO FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
To: Donna Lasinski, Michigan Representative
From: Nayeema Ahmed
Date: 12/28/2021
RE: Proposal to reform the current mental health diagnosis and administering medication process. A diagnosis should not take place until two years of extensive therapy is completed without medication and the root cause of a crisis is determined. No petition for involuntary or voluntary admission should end up with a diagnosis or medication administration. Short-term SSI or SSDI to be approved for community members who are incapable of daily functioning during the two-year data gathering period and SSA gets the recommendation of their therapists. This would allow appropriate intervention with correct diagnosis (physical/emotional). This would ultimately help patients to achieve trial work/ ticket to work program toward self-sufficiency within the two years period with extensive case management and therapy intervention which would save social security funds from premature diagnosis/associated benefits and would permit ongoing benefits for only who needs it. Substance abuse needs research as to what food alternatives and natural medicines assist transition from addiction to remedy with heavy case manage and peer therapists who recovered from from substance abuse. Substance abuse recovery is crucial as it create physical health and mental health crisis.
Introduction:
This memo requests an anti-discrimination policy for our community members who are either admitted involuntary or voluntary related to mental health/substance abuse. There are many cases where it showed that premature diagnosis and medication administration never find the crisis a person is truly experiencing. A premature diagnosis can set a stigma and recovery could take forever, whereas the memo proposes therapists speak to them and find out what solution/intervention they need to have interim and permanent recovery. It is important to provide therapy for two years and find the reason a person is/was in crisis with care. Not knowing a person and by deciding on an evaluation criterion does not speak about the complex scenario a person is experiencing. It is only a generalization and doesn’t respect the insight of a patient. A patient needs time, respect, compassion, and commitment from a therapist to allow them to freely discuss their life story that led them to crisis. Most of the community members never been in mental crisis and some of them conduct evaluation based on what been taught to them from their education perspective (which has a limitation considering the uniqueness of our community members). Instead of reflecting on therapist’s own personal experience/bias, it is important to know the entire story of a person they are speaking to. Prejudice is unavoidable by practitioners or anyone if they unfortunately lack the insight how severe abuse can be or uniqueness of a case and instead of judging the patients/members of our community, they need to take the opportunity to know them and talk to them as a partner towards their recovery.
Policy Debate:
Every individual is unique in our society and brings unique insight that our community can benefit from. Children does not have a diagnosis at birth or very early in their lives. Any differences from norm that a parent or a community may observe, may be a complex reason and may be the child/person is not capable of expressing at all or overreacting to hide what they are afraid of mentioning. Unfortunately, even parents/guide have prejudice and children has to comply to certain expectations which may not be in their best interest. Some children need more compassion than other children. As they cannot express at an early age what is causing them to feel insecure, they want an adult to be fair and non-judgmental. The struggle for many starts at an early age. Some experience prejudice throughout their life. The insecurity from childhood can damage someone the worst. When someone experiences isolation from the society at a later age after being successful and then losing everything, they also have difficult time to adjust as their happy past experiences are not present in current time anymore. Different individuals have different roles and responsibilities and the society we live in have unfortunately established a “norm” and asked everyone to comply or to face rejection/depriving of opportunity otherwise. When someone is known to be a sound person, it doesn’t always mean that their stability is earned by only being caring and compassionate to their surroundings. Therefore, we have to look at community facing crisis with the lens of critical thinking and ask them what rights were taken away from them whether in harsh or manipulative way and give them the voice they need which would start their recovery process.
Due to many experiences of prejudice, society has marginalized part of our community and disabled them from the spirited mind they were born with. Sometimes someone has authority and no accountability for their own actions, they can mute or make someone seem controversial by rejecting them. Others may have some authority on someone and partially confused as they themselves may have been abused and finding barriers to accept/offer compassionate care. In either case, a person who is not in charge would be very confused without proper guidance and self-confidence.
Therefore, we can see someone showing different symptoms are result of being unheard and need to be heard. That is why this memo would provide this marginalized community with hope and to break apart from their fear with the help of a therapist and they need to be heard without medication or diagnosis to gather appropriate data.
Medication doesn’t cure, it only mask, meaning further detreating a person. Proper data cannot be achieved under the effect of medications for two reasons. A person may feel that they have no hope as a pre-mature diagnosis is made or effect of medication by itself. Some of these medicines not only can cause physical challenges (diabetes, high blood pressure), those can also create further psychosis, hallucination and even suicide ideation.
The historical origin of the policy:
If we see the history of crucifixion for Jesus and events leading up to that, we see Jesus didn’t even respond to many questions and didn’t feel the need to affirm or deny a thought even with brutal abuse.
When there is betrayal and disrespect, best of the best of our community didn’t want to respond even when they had great amount of insight. Therefore, we need to see differences in people in our community as their struggle/insight instead their problem.
There are scriptures from many faiths that mentions community labeling prophets as mental people as they live in their unique and fair way instead of what society defined as “norm”. We also have seen general population had to make unpopular choices to be the voice of the marginalized where they had to pay a price and became marginalized for speaking the truth.
Government Approaches to Address the Issue and Barriers:
Anyone can court order anyone based on allegation even it is not been substantiated as petitioners put a general statement of the accused a harm to “self” and/or others. The court system approves a court order for hospitalization many times without recommendation by any practitioners. A social worker clinical therapist to be assigned to review the alleged person for two years which would give them the fair chance to explain their story instead of hospitalization and labeling a diagnosis.
Court only accepts Independent Medical Evaluation recommendation of PhD psychologist and an MD Psychiatrist to speak about diagnosis/administration of medication even if they only spend only few hours a month or even once. The policy is recommending to change that and to give social worker therapists/counselors also permission to decide on diagnosis in court systems as they are more in correspondence with a patient and they are trained to diagnose.
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Current SSI and SSDI benefits can be given for many years as long as someone remains disabled and labeled with mental instability. The memo proposes only two-year emotional therapy to give a fair chance to an individual to explain their crisis with temporary disability in appropriate cases until the therapist and patient figure out a pathway for solution and a pathway to achieve it. This would allow our community members who once faced crisis to start working and support for themselves without disability. This memo, when implemented, could not only change our community for better, it would also save money for Social Security Administration as continued benefits would not be necessary.
​
MEMO FOR GRANTING WISH TO BE A EUNUCH:
To: Donna Lasinski, Michigan Representative
From: Nayeema Ahmed
Date: 12/28/2020
RE: Proposal of expanding the Equality Act nationwide so no doctors can discriminate or deny the right to nonbinary Eunuch surgery promoting sex free life and allow the safety net health care coverage for uninsured and mandate all public/private health insurance coverage for individuals needing all medical interventions related to this surgery.
Introduction:
This memo requests an anti-discrimination policy relating to gender identity, emphasizing those seeking a sex-free lifestyle through non-binary eunuch surgery. In our society, some individuals who experience severe emotional and physical distress due to their gender assigned at birth (gender dysphoria) are eager to be gender-free through this surgery. A state and federal policy should be in place to allow this surgery as a right for these individuals. This policy should also be for advancing current medical research and interventions (mental therapy, genital nullification surgery, top surgery, hormone therapy) and ensuring complete health care coverage for these individuals and help restore their quality of life. Current policy doesn't promote this fundamental civil right of this population everywhere in the U.S.; there is also a lack of insight, priority, or support within some of the medical community for people who fall within this category. The memo will discuss the historical origin of the policy, transgender/non-binary individuals and their struggles within today’s society, the government's approaches to address this policy and barriers, and conclusion/recommended solutions for the policy. The memo is addressed to Michigan representative to voice this community's right to non-binary sex free life choices as they may face isolation/discrimination from conventional society otherwise. This surgery also proven to be the most desired goal of individuals seeking trans surgery.
Policy Debate:
Pathological tissues are removed to restore disturbed function for individuals who require it. However, doctors often deny surgery for gender dysphoric individuals as these conditions don't apply to the general population or are not prioritized as a lifesaving decision even when it truly is. Traditional views creating the norm and who is deserving undermines the struggle and wish for this population as some doctors choose to ignore existing laws or outright refuse treatment.
On the other hand, health professionals who believe in the right to this surgery believe gender dysphoria is not a delusion nor a result of a psychiatric illness or a disorder. They understand that it creates distress and discomfort in a person at a level that an individual cannot carry on with their current body and will only feel comfortable by altering their body to their desired identity of Eunuch. These professionals take a sensitive and nurturing approach to medical intervention. Some existing state laws allow these professionals to perform this surgery as it promotes full potential/total well-being to these populations, which is their civil right.
The historical origin of the policy:
I researched the historical origin of my issue, and I found the following bible verses that seem to be very early recognition of the Eunuch population from two thousand plus years ago:
Matthew 19:12 ESV
For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.
Isaiah 56:4-5 ESV
"To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
In the Bible, we see recognition of all gender and various gender identities. For example, in Genesis's book, Jacob was represented as being mild and stayed in a tent, and was chosen to lead God's people over his hairy hunter brother. This feminine attribute in the ancient world indicates gender-nonconformity. There are many religious affirmations of the gender spectrum in the Bible that can help clear misconceptions of conservatives.
European colonizers intentionally eradicated the Native non-binary/two-spirit population stating them as inferior and uncivilized and asserting their insecure-biased- unethical belief as the pinnacle of human existence as they may have been victim of prejudice themselves and forgot their struggles and hated kind hearted without premise instead of finding them as friends. Thus, we only see more recognition of two genders in our society: female and male. In Islam's religious history, we also find the persecution of people with non-binary gender identity even if there is recognition of them in the Quran. These other gender identities are not prioritized by the dominant group in many countries, which resulted in much discrimination this community still faces today. We see this community's struggles for recognition throughout history.
Stonewall Riots and its effect on the LGBTQ community speak mountains on discrimination by frequent police raids toward this minority group. It is incredible how the first parade took place on 6/28/1970 and how it set the tone for future parades to come. It is now an ongoing event that happens every year to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Followed by Stonewall Riots, the U.S. House of Representatives developed the Initial Equality Act. Although this bill didn't make it out of the review committee, the Equality Act was reimagined and likewise failed to become a law.
Government Approaches to Address the Issue and Barriers:
In 2019, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed the Equality Act. The Equality Act prohibits discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing, public accommodation, public education, federal funding credit, and the jury system, and now under consideration for the senate. This current Equality act doesn’t promote the right to Eunuch non-binary surgery. Some state-level ruling has enabled individuals to transition.
The following associations and committees are working with the government to protect gender identity-related rights:
American Medical Association (AMA) adopts a new policy with the federal government that works with the medical community to address gender identity-related health concerns. Fourteen state law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and allows healthcare services provision.
The NASW (National Association of Social Workers) and NCLGBTI (National Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues) view gender dysphoria as a medical model, not a mental health model and are trying to remove this from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Their shared commitment will promote future laws to extend the right of this surgery for population who needs it.
The ACLU has also represented the community with varying gender identity and fought for their rights since 1936. The ACLU makes sure that individuals with this identity doesn’t get discriminated for their choice of this surgery in a state where non-discrimination law is in place.
Barriers:
The social welfare policies are derived from beliefs, myths, and values of the dominant group: white, male heterosexual colonizers. Framework for providing assistance lists criteria that may not prioritize the right to Eunuch non-binary surgery/lifestyle. The dominant social group and also the traditional family members and the community, in general, don't recognize these unique populations with respect and dignity. They are susceptible to discrimination, such as disregard, disbelief, condescending interaction, and other socio-economic disadvantages. The dominant group is also trying to ban the Equality Act.
Currently, the right to Eunuch non-binary surgery is not an absolute right for anybody. Some medical practitioners/practices can discriminate against such a gender identity as there is no federal law that mandates them to respect this choice of surgery for population whose survival is under threat without it. The mental health professionals' recommendations and some state ruling allow this surgery to happen in a few states and only in few centers within those states. There is no nationwide recognition of this surgery, meaning most of the general population is unaware of this specific surgery's benefit and its historical root.
There is a lack of insight within the medical community. They minimize, ignore, and even band-aid the distress people experience due to gender identity. There are not enough experienced practitioners who empathize fully with the physical and psychological needs related to gender identity.
There is never a full guarantee of paying for this surgery through health insurance nationwide, even if it is a vital decision for people whose distress sometimes leads them to commit suicide. Individuals can be rejected by medical intervention based on where they reside and dependent on their healthcare policy. Also, people without insurance are not protected by government funding to receive this surgery.
WPATH (The World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standard for care doesn't recognize the transition to Eunuch nonbinary or call out genital nullification and related non-binary surgery as a separate option.
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Addressing this policy will establish more worldwide recognition of the people with gender identity issues. By doing that, conservatives will not hold onto their beliefs and identify and work to address the world's reality and achieve the common good. Ending this stigma will involve diversity training and adaptation for the entire community, including the family and parents of these children, youths, and adults with this gender identity. This way, this population can be free from experiencing an elevated level of violence, rejection, and loneliness, leading them to suicide ideation.
The Williams Institute survey in 2016 estimates that 0.6% of the U.S. population is Transgender. According to the suicide prevention center, 10% of transgender people recently attempted suicide. Up to 43% of transgender people have attempted suicide in their lifetime. Since gender identity is not recorded on death certificates, the exact number of trans people who die by suicide most likely be greater than the statistics above. Sex-reassignment surgery, which is not my policy proposal, is one option transgender individuals choose more often in the hope of attaining congruence; however, these surgeries (Female to Male, Male to Female) seem to just mask problems and don't completely solve the initial distress and often leads to a considerably higher risk of mortality, suicide behavior, and psychiatric morbidity than the general population according to a 2011 study of 324 Swedish transgender individuals by the Karolinska Institute and other long term studies. Unacceptance of LGBTQ youth often leads them to homelessness and puts them at a higher risk of exploitation and suicide. Therefore, Eunuch non-binary surgery may be the one viable option for people with gender dysphoria as it doesn't require them to fit into any traditional gender stereotype and allow them a healthy state of mind.
All public and private insurances should pay for this surgery and other related medical costs nationwide and pay for life long care pre-post-surgery. Medical interventions related to this surgery should be under the government's spending budget and possibly received from increasing the top income tax and other payroll taxes. Government should also provide safety net health coverage for uninsured within this category as it can save many lives and restore their normal quality of life. The medical interventions can be a lifelong need for all age-groups and needs to be covered fully by health coverage through this policy.
Considering this, funding to train more doctors and other professionals (such as social workers, therapists) with a concentration in Eunuch non-binary related gender identity will be necessary to meet the complete needs, and AMA is taking some initial initiative on it.
Current medical interventions for this surgery are likely to have minimal risks; however, it is outweighed by the benefits of this surgery as it promotes the desired lifestyle of many with wish for neutral gender identity lifestyle. Surgical results representing gender-neutral experience will allow more flexible adaptation within our society and help eliminate symptoms of gender dysphoria. Government Spending on medical research and development of the best intervention will also be necessary to implement future improvements to address current interventions' limitations.
Gender neutrality is usually restricted by social constructs that are binary (female and male). What looks and feels like a Eunuch non-binary by a Eunuch non-binary surgical result may still be viewed as 'female' and 'male' to others. In other words, a binary society may not fully understand the gender identity of this population. However, a person who transitioned to Eunuch non-binary will experience gender-neutrality and be free of lifestyle limitations. However, society's unawareness of Eunuch population should be gone for Eunuch population to live with dignity and respect. The society then too would be happy to transition to Eunuch life when they w0uld know that EUNUCH LIFE IS TO REMAIN INNOCENT AND APPROPRIATE AND BELIEVE THEIR HUMAN DIGNITY IS THEIR RIGHTS.
Michigan representative to propose the right to Eunuch non-binary surgery with the expansion of Equality Act for people who wish to live sex-free life and if they choose they can consider genetic cloning and raise children with prayer and praise of divinity as Yeshua envisioned. This Act will allow anyone to walk into any facility everywhere in Michigan and start a dialogue for federal policy in the U.S. and its territories to access this surgery and other necessary related interventions from any experienced practitioner with full medical coverage. Addressing the oppression and discrimination is the core of the social work code of ethics and should guide this policy recommendation as it is valid for social welfare.
References:
1. 404. (n.d.). GLSEN. https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/LGBTQ
2. American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.-a). ACLU News & Commentary. https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/a-hospital-refused-to-provide-medically-necessary-surgery-because-i-am-transgender/
3.American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.-b). LGBT Rights. https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbt-rights
4.American Medical Association. (2019, November 19). AMA adopts new policies during first day of voting at Interim Meeting. https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-adopts-new-policies-during-first-day-voting-interim-meeting
5.Bernstein, L. (2015, February 9). Here’s how sex reassignment surgery works. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/02/09/heres-how-sex-reassignment-surgery-works/
6.Beyond The Gender Binary. (n.d.). GLSEN. https://www.glsen.org/activity/beyond-gender-binary
7.Centre for Suicide Prevention. (2020, November 26). Transgender people and suicide. https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/transgender-people-suicide/
8.Crane Center for Transgender Surgery. (2020, July 7). Non-Binary Surgery. https://cranects.com/non-binary-surgery/
9.DeSanto, J. (2018, May 31). Transgenderism, Transsexuality, And Gender Identity. Religious Institute. http://religiousinstitute.org/denom_statements/transgenderism-transsexuality-gender-identity/
10.Encarnación, O. G. (2020, June 19). The Supreme Court Decision Protecting LGBT Rights Is Long Overdue. Here’s Why the United States Lags So Far Behind Its Peers. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/06/19/the-real-reason-the-united-states-lags-on-lgbtq-rights/
11.Federal Leg. (n.d.). HRC. https://www.hrc.org/resources/federal-legislation
12.How The Law Protects LGBTQ Youth. (n.d.). Lambda Legal. https://www.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/article/youth-how-the-law-protects
13.Michon, K. A. (2011, October 10). Health Care Antidiscrimination Laws Protecting Gays and Lesbians. Www.Nolo.Com. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/health-care-antidiscrimination-laws-protecting-32296.html
14.National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (n.d.). NASW - National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Governance/National-Appointments/National-Committees/Committee-on-LGBT-Issues
15.NHS website. (2020, November 16). Gender dysphoria. Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
16.Non-Binary. (2020, August 4). Gender Confirmation. https://www.genderconfirmation.com/non-binary/
17.Paramo, M. (2020, February 26). Transphobia is a White Supremacist Legacy of Colonialism. Medium. https://medium.com/@Michael_Paramo/transphobia-is-a-white-supremacist-legacy-of-colonialism-e50f57240650
18.Seo, H. (n.d.). Exploring the common misconceptions regarding trans and non-binary identities. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/story/science/trans-myths-jk-rowling/
19.Shocking Rates of Attempted Suicide Among Trans Teens. (2018, September 12). HRC. https://www.hrc.org/news/new-study-reveals-shocking-rates-of-attempted-suicide-among-trans-adolescen
20.T. (2015, May 19). A Letter to White People Using the Term “Two Spirit” – WHITE NOISE COLLECTIVE. Conspire for Change. https://www.conspireforchange.org/a-letter-to-white-people-using-the-term-two-spirit/
21.The Medicaid Program and LGBT Communities: Overview and Policy Recommendations. (2016, August 9). Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/reports/2016/08/09/142424/the-medicaid-program-and-lgbt-communities-overview-and-policy-recommendations/
22.Think Churches and Religious Schools Will Be Safe from the “Equality Act”? Think Again. (n.d.). Alliance Defending Freedom. https://www.adflegal.org/blog/think-churches-and-religious-schools-will-be-safe-equality-act-think-again?mwm_id=383785343940&sourcecode=10006833&creative=383785343940&keyword=the%20equality%20act&matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=the%20equality%20act&e&g&383785343940&&c&2088674846&79718162111&sourcecode=10006833&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhs79BRD0ARIsAC6XpaWQNrSZK2R2o07LQE0SGuKCy20dhUl-Hpp19xUUn3WsmHgQb2TFj2oaAq_WEALw_wcB
23.Transgender health care coverage. (n.d.-a). HealthCare.Gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/transgender-health-care/
24.UN Women hosts first high-level event on gender diversity and non-binary identities at UN headquarters. (n.d.). UN Women. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2019/7/news-event-gender-diversity-and-non-binary-identities
25.W. (n.d.). WPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health. WPATH. https://www.wpath.org
26.What’s the difference between being transgender or transsexual and having an intersex condition? | Intersex Society of North America. (n.d.). Intersex Society of North America. https://isna.org/faq/transgender/
27.Whitaker, R. J. (2019, December 15). God made the rainbow: why the Bible welcomes a gender spectrum. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/god-made-the-rainbow-why-the-bible-welcomes-a-gender-spectrum-126201
28.Wikipedia contributors. (2020a, October 30). Equality Act (United States). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality_Act_(United_States)
29.Wikipedia contributors. (2020b, November 1). Nullo (body modification). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullo_(body_modification)
30.Wikipedia contributors. (2020c, November 4). Public policy of the United States. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_policy_of_the_United_States
31.Wikipedia contributors. (2020d, December 3). Non-binary gender. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-binary_gender
32.Wikipedia contributors. (2020e, December 5). Intersex medical interventions. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex_medical_interventions
33.Wikipedia contributors. (2020f, December 5). Legal recognition of non-binary gender. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_recognition_of_non-binary_gender
34.Wikipedia contributors. (2020g, December 6). LGBT rights in the United States. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_the_United_States
35.World Report 2016: Rights Trends in Rights in Transition. (2016, January 27). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/africa-americas-asia-europe/central-asia-middle-east/north-0