Massachusetts Chapter to Hold Meetings at Worcester VA Clinic

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2007
From:  The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)
Chapter Contact: Michael West
Contact Email:  michael7668@yahoo.com or massachusettschapter@tavausa.org
Chapters Contact Phone:  1-508-615-0064 or call Toll Free 1-877-427-3230
 
TAVA National Website:  http://www.tavausa.org

Massachusetts Chapter Page: http://www.tavausa.org/Chapters/MassChapter.html

Massachusetts Chapter to Hold Meetings at Worcester VA Clinic

On June 11, 2007, an important step will be taken in Massachusetts. The first monthly meeting of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) will take place. The meeting itself is a huge step. The meetings, with the support of the VA Boston Healthcare System, will be held at the Worcester VA Outpatient Clinic on Lincoln Street. The Massachusetts Chapter of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) will meet the 2nd Monday of every Month from 12:30 -1:30 pm at the Worcester VA Outpatient Clinic, located at 605 Lincoln Street.

Michael West has been meeting with VA administration, working out all details in regards to having the Massachusetts Chapter meetings at the VA Clinic. “Having a Transgender Veterans meeting right at the VA Clinic makes all the behind the scenes work well worth it,” said Michael West.

Michael West, himself a veteran and a female to male transsexual is the state director for the Massachusetts Chapter of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA). “It might seem like we have come out of nowhere to some folks. The Massachusetts Chapter has actually been very active and visible since September of 2006,” says Michael West.

The Massachusetts Chapter had booths at Worcester Pride 2006 and The Transcending Boundaries & Northeast Regional PFLAG conference in October of 2006. “Being at the Transcending Boundaries conference we made some great friends and connections with the PFLAG’ers. We had the pleasure of having our booth right next to PFLAG at the Transgendered Conference, First Event this past January, “said Michael West.

If a veteran is interested in attending the meetings at the Worcester VA Clinic they will need to follow a process. “Due to the fact that the meetings are being held on VA property, we need to follow additional security procedures. All veterans, including retired veterans will need to present their VA ID card. To obtain an ID, veterans will need to complete the VA form 10-10EZ and bring in their DD214s with them. This does not obligate them in any way to receive services through the VA or even to be on a mailing list,” says Michael West.

For copies of the VA form 10-10EZ contact Michael West, visit your local VA Outpatient Clinic or the form can be downloaded directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs website: https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/

All non-veterans, including other members of the GLB community, family members, spouses, partners, friends, medical providers and allies are encouraged and welcomed to attend meetings. Please contact Michael West ahead of time for additional details and information required by non-veterans.

To Join The Massachusetts Chapter of TAVA, visit: http://www.tavausa.org/Chapters/MassChapter.html

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Founded in 2003, the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that acts proactively with other concerned GLBT organizations to ensure that transsexual, intersex, and transgender veterans will receive appropriate care for medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration Customer Service Standards promise to "treat you with courtesy and dignity … as the first class citizen that you are." Further, TAVA will help in educating the VA and the US military on issues regarding a fair and equal treatment of transgender and transsexual individuals.