Oregon's governor declares December as Transgender Youth Awareness Month
DECEMBER 9, 2012 • 11:15 PM
By Lexie Cannes (Courtney O'Donnell)
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/oregons-governor-declares-december-as-transgender-youth-awareness-month/ (http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/oregons-governor-declares-december-as-transgender-youth-awareness-month/)
THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber proclaimed December 2012 as Transgender Youth Awareness Month. The governor also gave nod to Portland Oregon's transgender youth organization, TransActive. I previously wrote about the great work that organization is doing for trans kids: http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/in-transit-a-sobering-number/ (http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/in-transit-a-sobering-number/).
Here's an excerpt from the governor's proclamation:
"Whereas: Transgender and gender nonconforming children and youth are among the least understood, most marginalized and underserved populations of Oregonians despite constituting at least one percent of all children and youth; and
Whereas: Transgender children who receive the love and support of their families, friends, neighbors, communities, schools and culture have every opportunity to thrive and be successful; and
Whereas: Transgender adolescents deserve access to pediatric medical care and healthcare coverage that affords them the opportunity to experience physical puberty in a way that is congruent with their gender identity.
Now, Therefore: I, John A. Kitzhaber, M.D., Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim December 2012 to be Transgender Youth Awareness Month in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance."
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Lexie Cannes comments:
Governor Kitzhaber is now serving his third term as Oregon's governor after 8 years out of office. My congrats to the voters of Oregon for returning someone whose top priorities include transgender kids.
A pdf of the actual proclamation: http://www.transactiveonline.org/Silent%20Auction/Transgender%20Awareness%20Month%202012.pdf (http://www.transactiveonline.org/Silent%20Auction/Transgender%20Awareness%20Month%202012.pdf)