In a statement released yesterday, it was announced this past Southern Comfort was the last time the conference will be held. SCTC was involved in a lawsuit over the last five years and while the Board of Directors are prohibited from talking about it, there is a possibility it was the one between two doctors who profit from FFS for the transgender community. The timing is the same and SCTC was named as a third party in that suit.
In the statement, the BOD noted the reason behind discontinuing the conference was financial. Part of the statement reads:
"However, as a result of being in a five year lawsuit, we were dropped by our insurance company (though they were obligated to continue until the lawsuit was resolved, which they did). Subsequently, SCTC had to find a new insurance policy. Only two companies would even offer a policy to us. Our premium went from $1300.00/year with no deductible to $11,000.00/year with a $25,000.00 deductible. We just can't afford this and, this lawsuit proved that we (the current BOD) simply cannot afford to run the conference without insurance. Had we not had the insurance policy, we would have been personally liable."
If the lawsuit between the two doctors was the reason for the demise of SCTC, then it's a shame two fairly well off surgeons who became well off due to trans people, got the conference involved in the suit and ruined something that has benefited the transgender community for 26 years. I won't say who the surgeons are other than to say one is retired in California. The other, well if I can ever afford any facial work I won't be having it done in Illinois.
That's unfortunate. There are still plenty of other trans conferences though, right?
A very sad commentary on for profit medicine here. Yes the Southern Comfort folks were effective and even featured in a documentary film.
A part of our history folks and another lesson learned.
Quote from: EmilyMK03 on December 11, 2016, 03:15:10 PM
That's unfortunate. There are still plenty of other trans conferences though, right?
There are some but I wouldn't say plenty. When SCTC moved to South Florida it was replaced here in Atlanta by THEA Peach State Conference so the South still has a transgender conference. I think Esprit is still going on in Washington state and Fantasia Fair in Massachusetts but those are the only major conferences I can think of since Be All has been indefinitely suspended.
What a shame Be All and now Southern Comfort. Ghost.
So Dr. O and Dr. Z. Cant point blame without knowing the case details.
Bummer
Vicky, just do a search for O v. Z using their full last names. You'll find it.