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Ohio
is First to Form Transgender Veterans Group
For
Immediate Release: December 30, 2005
From: The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)
Chapter Contact: Rev. Robin Rogers
Contact Email: rev_robin_rogers@sbcglobal.net
Chapters Contact Phone:
1-877-427-3230
Media Contact: Robyn Walters
media@tavausa.org
Website:
http://www.tavausa.org
Ohio
is First to Form Transgender Veterans Group
On 23 December 2005, an important first step was taken in
Ohio. The Rev. Robin Rogers called a meeting of ten transgender
veterans to order in Steubenville and so was born the first Transgender
American Veterans Association (TAVA) state chapter. As the news gets
out, more
Ohio
veterans are asking how to join.
Rev. Rogers, herself a veteran and a male to female transsexual, is
ready to file the necessary incorporation papers as an Ohio non-profit
organization. TAVA Ohio will fall under the auspices and federal
501(c)(3) non-profit status of the national TAVA organization.
TAVA Ohio is the first transgender and intersex state veterans
organization to be formed as part of the Transgender American Veterans
Association. Each state organization will follow the bylaws of the
national organization and will offer veterans and supporters a real
presence as well as a virtual one. Chief among the functions of state
and local TAVA chapters will be preparedness for supporting transgender
and intersex veterans and active duty members in times of natural or
other disasters. TAVA National began this tradition following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"Our
initial goal was to create unity, healing and awareness with a March to
the Wall for our transgender veterans,” said Angela Brightfeather, TAVA
Vice President. “Now TAVA expands our goals and support by the
effort to reach transgender veterans at the state level. The Ohio
Chapter of TAVA [makes
Ohio]
the first proud state to reach this important next step in support of
our transgender veterans."
TAVA
was founded three years ago to support transsexual, intersex, and other
transgender veterans in their quest for dignity and appropriate medical
care in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration Customer
Service Standards. Now a 501(c)(3) organization, TAVA educates the
Department of Veteran Affairs, Congress, and the
US
military on the needs and concerns of transgender and transsexual
individuals.
Several other TAVA state organizations are currently in planning stages,
including
Tennessee
and Wisconsin.
TAVA Ohio officers will hold an organizational meeting on
7
January 2006.
This will be followed by an open meeting of the membership on 14
January. Prospective members are invited. For additional information,
including meeting time and location, contact Rev. Rogers at <rev_robin_rogers@sbcglobal.net>.
"With
Ohio
now in operation as the first state chapter of TAVA , it will be easier
to seek improvement of veteran care for all transgender veterans,
according to Ann Marie Knittel, TAVA Secretary and organizer of the
chapter initiative. “We will have better access to valid demographic
data concerning denial of service to veterans due to acknowledged or
suspected gender identity disorder (GID,” said Knittel.. “This will
support efforts to change Public Law and/or VA policy and procedures to
provide better healthcare for transgender and intersex veterans. TAVA
is pleased to have its first Chapter formed in one of the most anti-GLBTI
states in the
Union."
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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.
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