Jules Pasdelou

Cancer Screening Experiences of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals

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cancer screening

You are invited to participate in a research study to help clinicians and researchers better understand transgender and gender nonconforming individuals’ experiences with cancer screening recommendations. You are eligible to participate if you are 1) over the age of 40, 2) consider yourself transgender, gender nonconforming, or gender non-binary; and 3) live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. They hope that findings from this study will improve future health care for transgender and gender nonconforming people. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Study Title: Cancer Screening Experiences of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region

Principal Investigator: Mandi Pratt-Chapman, mandi@gwu.edu, 202-994-5502

What is this study about?
• They want to better understand what cancer screenings health care providers are recommending to transgender and gender nonconforming people and to also understand patient experiences with cancer screening recommendations and procedures.

What do I have to do to participate?
• Taking part in this study is completely voluntary.
• You will be asked to participate in an interview that will last about 60 minutes.
• You will be asked to verbally consent to participate. This means that you will not have to write down your name at any time or provide any personally identifying information, but you do have to tell them that you agree to be interviewed or surveyed. Your willingness to participate is implied if you agree to be interviewed.

Will this study benefit me?
• Your participation may benefit others in the future by improving clinician recommendations regarding cancer screening for transgender and gender nonconforming people.
• You will not benefit individually from this research.

How many people will participate?
• Approximately 20 individuals will be interviewed.

What are the risks of participating in this study?
• Risks of research participation are hard to predict.
• The biggest risk to you is that you may feel uncomfortable answering certain questions about your health care experiences.
• Another risk is the possibility that someone will connect your responses to you or know you are participating in the study. This is called loss of confidentiality. However, since you will not have to provide any personal information like your name or your contact information the risks of being identified are very small. We will collect demographic information like race, age, and gender identity.

What can I do to reduce my risks?
• You do not need to sign this information sheet.
• You do not need to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable.
• You may discontinue participation at any time.
• Please do not use anyone’s real name during the interview, including your own.

What is the research team doing to reduce my risks?
• If you agree to be interviewed, your conversation will be recorded in an audio file kept in a file on secure GW servers. Once the data analysis is complete, the audio files will be destroyed.
• They ask you not to use your name during the interview. Within the transcript of your interview, you will be referenced with a description such as “Genderqueer person, age 43, Washington, DC” and you will not be identified specifically.

Do I have to answer every question?
• You do not have to answer any question that you do not want to answer.

Who will have access to the information I share?
• Only the study team will have access to data and files. All data and files will be password protected and stored on a secure server.
• Themes will be identified from the interviews and survey results will be used to prioritize education and research to improve care of transgender and gender nonconforming people. Quotations may be shared in presentations, reports, or papers to ensure that others also learn from their study.

What if I change my mind and don’t want to participate?
• You do not have to participate.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
The Office of Human Research at the George Washington University can provide more information about your rights as a study participant at (202) 994-2715. If you have any questions or concerns at any time before, during or after the study—including if you feel you have been hurt by the study—contact Mandi Pratt-Chapman at (202) 994-5502. You may also reach out to her after the study to find out about study results.

Norton Introduces Bill to Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ Jurors in Local D.C. Court

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2019, which would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in the D.C. Superior Court based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  Specifically, the bill would clarify that “sex,” which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that currently applies to local D.C. jurors, includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

The District has one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  However, the District cannot make its anti-discrimination law applicable to local D.C. jurors.  Under the Home Rule Act, only Congress has the authority to regulate local jury service.

“District of Columbia jurors should not be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and D.C. juries should not be deprived of the service of LGBTQ residents,” Norton said.  “Soon, we will introduce our home-rule bill to give D.C. control over the jurisdiction and organization of its local courts, which requires only completion and perfection of the Home Rule Act, not statehood.  Until the District is given control over its local courts, it is up to Congress to pass this important LGBTQ equality bill.”

Norton’s bill is based on H.R. 874, the Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2019, which would make the same changes to federal jury law.  Norton is an original cosponsor of H.R. 874.

Norton had been talking with the D.C. courts and advocacy groups about this bill before reading that D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh had also been looking into this issue.  Norton appreciates Councilmember Cheh’s interest in the issue.  Under the Home Rule Act, however, this change in law requires congressional action.

GLAA: Increase Funding for OHR

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The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance is a non-partisan, non-profit political organization that defends the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the District of Columbia. The alliance is calling on the Committee of Government Operations and its members to increase funding for the Office of Human Rights (OHR) in order to ensure the rights of LGBTQ people. The GLAA is asking that the Mayor’s OHR funding be increased to include additional investigators, a full-time coordinator for the hate crimes response team, as well as an expansion for its public education and outreach programs.

The OHR’s latest report on transgender individuals found that 48% of employers prefer at least one less-qualified person who is perceived as cisgender over a more qualified person perceived as transgender. Due to this, over 40% of trans people have been denied at least one job because they are perceived as transgender. While OHR is dedicated to its mission of eradicating discrimination, increasing opportunities, and protecting human rights, the GLAA believes this can only be done with the level of funding necessary. Since 2016, hate crimes have doubled, and nearly half of hate crimes in 2018 were based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Mayor has taken the Office of Human Rights with the responsibility of coordinating a team to combat hate crimes, but the GLAA does not believe enough money is being allocated to this vital resource.

To read the full letter, click here.

Breaking Ground 2019

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The award winning theater program “Breaking Ground” is recruiting for the 2019 season and is looking for actors, singers, dancers, poets, artists and performers!

Breaking Ground is an Obama White House Summer program for LGBTQIA+ youth of color age 16-30 where they create a full-length musical theater production based on their life stories, and addressing the unique culture and experiences of their people.

Issues addressed in the show cover dating, sex, mental health, body image, HIV/AIDS, transphobia and the trans experience, racism, substance abuse and many other important topics.

Breaking Ground REQUIRES an audition (not based in arts talent, but evidence of passion for community and the program).

Transgender men and women, gender non-conforming, intersex,  and cisgender women are encouraged to apply and welcome to join to ensure diverse stories and experiences are represented.

If you are interested, click here to register.

Meet the Team: Lisa

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Meet the Team: Lisa

Meet Lisa, who is one of our new front desk volunteers. She is looking forward to helping the community, answering questions and directing them to as many resources as possible.

Birthdate, Astro Sign.

31 March, Aries.

Where are you originally from?

Originally from Seattle, but I have lived all over, which included 10 years in NYC. I arrived to D.C. via Belgium.

Why did you start working at the DC Center?

It’s a wonderful way to get to know the local community.

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?

Meeting people. Especially the international community.

What is your music anthem?

I am a musician myself and it’s hard to pick just one song. I’d say there are a few songs off Siouxsie Sioux’s last solo album that could fit!

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?

How it is global. You can be anywhere in the world, join an LGBTQ+ event and meet people who understand you and you can relate too.

 What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?

Well, I just arrived here and looking forward to warmer weather. I love playing sports, so hoping to find a softball field or an outdoor volleyball court to unwind.

 What is your favorite queer movie?

It’s not really a queer movie, but I enjoy comedies and California scenery, so I am going to say Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, ha!

 What clothing item is a staple in your wardrobe?

Comfortable walking shoes.

 What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?

I’ve worked on a few mosaic mural projects. I’d say get a fun group of people together and mosaic the entire White House inside and out with many colors!

 Who do you look up to in the queer community?

Many people I have met in my travels, no one specific. I’d say their key traits were modesty, compassion and their willingness to help others.

 

Job Opportunity: Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager position

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The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences seeks a highly motivated Program Manager with specific responsibilities for managing the school’s pipeline programs.

“The Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides strategic assistance to leadership to create, develop and sustain innovative programs that work to advance the SMHS goal of creating a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment. The Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager is directly responsible for the development, management and execution of student and resident pipeline programs for those underrepresented in medicine.”

Here is the link to the job overview, the job details and the documents needed to apply.

Rainbow Youth Alliance Seeks Program Coordinator

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The Rainbow Youth Alliance MD is currently seeking a new Program Coordinator.

About Rainbow Youth Alliance

Rainbow Youth Alliance (RYA), a program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville (UUCR), provides community support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning teens and their allies – known to us as rainbow teens. RYA envisions a future in which rainbow teens have access to safe, nurturing environments where they are respected, listened to, and given information and skills. Our mission is to provide safe places for rainbow teens to ask questions, find mutual support, and learn information pertinent to their lives.

Job Summary

The Program Coordinator provides clinical direction and support to RYA programming. They facilitate twice-monthly support groups, recruits and manages volunteer facilitators, and plans/oversees social events geared at increasing LGBTQ youth connection and community. The Program Coordinator reports directly to the supervisor designated by (and based at) UUCR. UUCR provides meeting space, other in-kind resources, and leadership for RYA. UUCR does not provide office space, computer support, or secretarial support for RYA. The Program Coordinator is expected to spend approximately 5 hours/week as an independent contractor. The hourly wage will be determined based on the individual’s training, experience, and expertise. Payment will
be provided monthly upon submission of an approved invoice. No benefits or insurance of any kind are included for this position. For licensed mental health applicants, they are expected to carry and show proof of their own malpractice insurance.

Primary Essential Duties

  • Oversee clinical aspects of RYA programming, including support groups, social events, and other areas as
    need arises
  • Facilitate twice-monthly support groups (1st and 3rd Sundays, 3:45 – 6 PM) for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
    transgender, queer, and questioning youth and their allies ages 13-18
  • Plan and oversee youth social events and activities outside of RYA support meetings
  • Recruit and manage volunteer adult facilitators for RYA programming, including support groups and social
    functions
  • Develop and conduct volunteer trainings on topics such as trauma-informed practices, group facilitation
    skills, crisis response, mandated reporting, confidentiality, LGBTQ youth
  • Manage RYA Program Coordinator email and phone account, including responding to all inquiries within
    2 business days
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all support groups and socials, including youth sign-in sheets
  • Attend bi-monthly RYA Advisory Council and provides Program Coordinator report to include clinical
    updates and upcoming events
  • Work with RYA Advisory Council to identify areas for performance improvement and professional
    development
  • Attend external trainings, workshops, and conferences for professional development and keeps abreast of
    changes and innovations in the field
  • Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience Required

  • Requires Masters-level education in Social Work, Counseling, or other related mental health field
  • Knowledge of and experience with adolescents, including adolescent development, trauma-informed care,
    and group support
  • Knowledge of and experience with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth
  • Clinical licensure in Maryland, or license-eligible preferredThe above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position.
    It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature
    of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be
    required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

To apply, please send the following items to telliott@rainbowyouthalliancemd.org:

  •  CV/resume
  •  Cover letter highlighting relevant experiences and education
  • 3 professional references

(UUCR-Rainbow Youth Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. UUCR-RYA does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.)

Meet the Team: Jules

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Meet Jules! This Spring, Jules will be working with the Professional Partners, the Health Working Groups and on the Gay Day at The Zoo Event. He is very excited about meeting new people, and visiting the United States and particularly Washington D.C.

Birthdate, Astro Sign
31 March 1997, Aries

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Dijon but I live in Brest, Britanny, France.

Why did you start working at the DC Center?
It all started because I had to do an internship for my university. But now, I think I’m going to have a great time working at the DC Center.

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?
I really like greeting people at the front door. They are all so different and kind.

What is your music anthem?
I am found of the group Years and Years, starring gay singer Olly Alexander.

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?
I like the fact that it is an international community. Even if I come from Brest I can communicate, have fun and identify with people in DC.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
I like the bar Wonderland. I hang out with friends there.

What is your favorite queer movie?
The name of the movie in French is Le Secret de Brokeback Mountain.  (Brokeback Mountain).

What clothing item is a staple in your wardrobe?
I always wear my piercings.

What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?
Blue. My favorite color of all times.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?
Neil Patrick Harris.