While You Were Out // It's About Time.
By Ahron Sherman
Published: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
http://www.thejackonline.org/opinion/columns/while-you-were-out-it-s-about-time-1.2424184 (http://www.thejackonline.org/opinion/columns/while-you-were-out-it-s-about-time-1.2424184)
You wake up one morning and there's dried blood on your chin and pillowcase.
As you wonder what happened, you cover your mouth to stifle a cough but your efforts are useless. You pull your hand away and it's covered in blood. You rush to the local clinic. People in the waiting room exchange hushed whispers and give you dirty looks as you make your way to the receptionist. The receptionist looks up from a magazine and shakes her head: "Our doctors can't help your kind. Please leave."
You're sick and no one will help you. This is an absurd scene for someone who's accepted in mainstream society, but for someone who's transgender, being denied medical treatment is a scene that is all too familiar. But it may never be seen in Arcata again.