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NEWS & LETTERS, Janurary-February 2010
Queer Notes
by Elise
Fawziya Janahi of Bahrain is the "guardian angel" to the Arab world's Transgender people. She is the sole attorney in that region who seeks legal sanction for them, from getting sex change surgeries to obtaining the necessary identification and government papers. Inspired by her Transgender college roommate's struggle and eventual victory to be considered a woman, in which Janahi was her attorney, she hopes for the time when it is legal for Transgender people to transition smoothly in the Gulf. While Bahrain has clear laws about Transgender transition and recognition, Janahi knows much more progress is needed in the entire region.
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Serious health disparities in the Bisexual community were illuminated at the annual Bi Health Summit, held in Chicago in affiliation with the National LGBT Health Summit. Making up about half the LGB population, Bisexuals have higher rates of depression and anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, suicidal thoughts and physical and sexual abuse. While stigma and biphobia--from both the straight and Gay communities--are thought to be key factors for these health disparities, advocacy is among the steps strongly recommended for reducing them.
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Transgender woman Amanda Simpson has been appointed a senior technical advisor in the Department of Commerce by President Obama. Ms. Simpson is a flight instructor and test pilot holding degrees in engineering, physics and business administration.
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