Wednesday was the big day and I thought I would pass out from fear before I got to the microphone but I made it! After I shared my story the entire room applauded (a lot of people were there!). They told me nobody ever applauds at the council. So, it seems I got my point across. Below is the text I read to them.
Thank you so much for allowing me to speak today.
My name is Dana Taylor and I work in the Office of Information Security. I have worked at Penn for the last 10 years.
I am a transsexual woman and I came out officially this month where I have had tremendous support from my division as well as the Penn community in general. We are currently using my transition as a template to setup procedures and protocols to make future transitions a lot smoother. I am happy to do my part and am here today to ask Penn to cover transgender health medical care for its staff and faculty.
I am on a journey in my life that will hopefully take me to where most of you are currently; in a place where you are comfortable with your gender and you fit in with the rest of society. It is something most people never even think about.
I am under no delusion that I pass as a female and I am painfully aware of this as I take public transportation, walk through the city or even walk across campus. I experience many things that most people will not experience. People stare at me everywhere I go. Some are just curious but some laugh at me which really hurts and also makes me very nervous that my safety is in jeopardy. Often people will call me sir and it reminds me that I don't currently belong. Simply going to the restroom can cause great anxiety for me. A bathroom incident off campus could turn into a serious situation for me and one of my biggest fears is being put in jail. I would be held as a male because I have not completed my journey.
The main reason for this is my body does not completely match the gender that I identify with which is female. At the moment, I do not pass as a female and it will take a lot of time and money for me to make my body match my gender; a point where I can simply blend in like most of you here do.
Being transsexual is not a choice. Most of the treatments are not a choice. There are many things I must do before I can finally fit in with the rest of society. I must alter my appearance, mannerisms, genitalia and voice as well as other things.
I can only speak for myself about the following costs as I am not sure what Female to Male transsexuals have to go through.
Treatments for transsexual women include:
-Gender Confirmation Surgery (Sex Reassignment) - $24,000
-Hormone Replacement Therapy – $100+ a month
-Breast Augmentation in the event hormones do not make adequate changes - $7,000
-Laser/Electrolysis Hair Removal for facial hair – Penn quoted over $8,000 just for laser and electrolysis to finish the job could bring the cost up to $12,000 or so.
-Facial Feminization Surgery – up to $25,000 (hairline relocation, cheek augmentation, brow bossing, chin augmentation, adams apple, etc). What is needed with FFS is determined by what masculine features you already have and can be determined by the doctor.
-Voice Therapy – unknown cost but can take several months to complete.
So I am basically $60,000 to $70,000 (and many years) away from being myself. This is why it is important for Penn to be a leader in the community and include transgender health benefits in our insurance plan. Such inclusion will only cost around $1 per year per person. This seems like a low price to make such a huge difference in someone's life by covering medically necessary treatment. And it helps Penn keep in step with its non-discrimination policy that includes Gender Identity.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration..
