QueerDefenseFront

Recently the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule which would allow insurance companies to exclude gender affirming care.

If you haven't already, please consider making a public comment by clicking the green "SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT" button in the upper right of the screen. Comments can be made anonymously

It is best to write a unique comment as federal employees are required to read and track each unique comment submitted.

However, here is a template that could be used as a starting point. Customize yourself or copy/paste into ChatGPT and ask it to rewrite it using differnet words.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed rule titled "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability," which would remove the requirement for insurers to cover gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit and restrict access to ACA coverage for DACA recipients.

Gender-affirming care is medically necessary and recognized as such by leading organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Excluding it from essential health benefits would create significant barriers for transgender individuals, leading to worse health outcomes and deepening disparities. Additionally, this rule would disproportionately harm DACA recipients by denying them access to ACA health insurance. Many DACA recipients already face challenges accessing affordable healthcare, and this proposed change would further marginalize them.

This rule undermines the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and justice that the Affordable Care Act is meant to uphold. The decision to remove these protections not only risks the well-being of vulnerable groups but also contradicts the fundamental values of fairness in healthcare access.

I urge you to reconsider this rule and maintain gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit while preserving ACA coverage for DACA recipients. Ensuring healthcare access for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or immigration status, is critical to fostering an equitable and inclusive society.

Thank you for considering my comment.

This applies to any marginalized group (to varying degrees) depending on the specific cultural and social conditions at play during a specific time of course.

The U.S. department of health took down this document about the benefits of gender affirming care for young people.

But the courts made them put it back.

But I have no idea if this court decision will be upheld or not.

So please, down load it to your hard drive so that the U.S. government can't bury it later.

https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/gender-affirming-care-young-people.pdf

A little good news.

This was Amazing.

He stood firm on his belief and called them out.

I'm glad that there are people out there who are fighting for the Trans Community.

Link to Subreddit Post

As a moderator and fellow member of our diverse and vibrant community, I'd like to open up a thoughtful discussion on a topic that's been on my mind lately.

As an MTF Pansexual individual myself, I approach this subject with the utmost respect and curiosity.

The acronym LGBTQ+ (or in its longer forms, LGBTQIA2S+, etc.) is undoubtedly iconic and widely recognized.

However, I’ve been wondering—does anyone else feel that the growing length of these acronyms can make them cumbersome, as well as, unfortunately, a target for mockery by transphobes, far-right groups, etc.?

For example, we’ve all seen disparaging remarks about “LGBT123”/ random letters on the keyboard, or attempts to delegitimize certain letters within the acronym.

This backlash raises the question: would it be helpful and more unifying to start using a broader, umbrella acronym?

One example some have proposed is MOGAI (Marginalized Orientations, Gender Alignments, and Intersex).

It offers inclusivity without the need to constantly expand the acronym every time a new identity seeks recognition.

Other possibilities could include:

• QUILTBAG (Queer, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, Asexual, Gay)
• SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression)
• GSRD (Gender, Sexual, and Romantic Diversity)
• GRSM (Gender, Romantic, and Sexual Minorities)
• QRING (Queer, Radical, Intersex, Non-binary, Gay)
• QUARG (Queer, Undecided, Asexual, Radical, Gay)
• ALPHABIT (A fun, though less formal option: Asexual, Lesbian, Polyamorous, Bisexual, All alliances, Inclusive, Transexual/Transgender, Intersex, Bi-curious, Intersex, Transexual/Transgender)

Would adopting an umbrella acronym potentially lessen the ability of transphobes to weaponize or mock the terminology?

Could it also simplify communication while keeping inclusivity intact?

Or does LGBTQ+ hold too much cultural weight and history to consider replacing it?

I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts!

How do we balance the evolving diversity of our community with the practicality of representation?

Should we stick with the current acronym, redefine it, or explore new alternatives?

Remember that Governor Newsom of CA isn’t our friend. Isn’t our ally. Isn’t in agreement with us. Remember that Blue states are not necessarily looking out for us.

So before you think about fleeing to CA for the promised land it is certainly not; remember that there is no safe space right now.

Think carefully before relocating or fleeing to a Blue state that won’t even let you have your 2A rights as you deserve them, and then walk back their false promises to “protect,” your rights and dignity.

Look, before you leap.

Remember that there is no safe space for us, right now. Arm up, train up, build your network and make your own.

Ad Tutela Comunitas.

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/ca-gov-gavin-newsom-completely-aligns

https://www.reddit.com/r/Queerdefensefront/s/FSr8Lp43Vj