By AJ Trager
Photo courtesy of Transgender Michigans blog. Co-founders Rachel Crandall and Susan Crocker (center) with other group volunteers showing support at a 2011 Pride event.
FERNDALE – Metro Detroit will celebrate the Fifth Annual Transgender Health Fair this upcoming weekend. Vendors and exhibitors from around the area will combine their knowledge and resources to better improve the healthcare experience for the trans community.
Hosted by Transgender Michigan and held at Affirmations in downtown Ferndale, the Sept. 27 fair will provide workshops and network opportunities for the trans community. It's the only one of its kind in Michigan and surrounding states and is growing in size every year, executive director of Transgender Michigan, Rachel Crandall, said.
"So many people are not aware of everything that is really out there," Crandall noted. "We hope to clarify the confusion as much as we can."
The day's events are entirely free and will feature HIV testing, discussion panels and three workshops. Topics include gender therapy discussion, hormones and how they work and the building of relationships.
There will be an art gallery and a community room filled with vendors and local organizations including Alliance for Inclusion, AIDS Partnership Michigan, Destroy Your Scene Creative Group, ACCESS Community Health and Research Center, Integrative Empowerment Group, PLCC, Stitches Doll Project and Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan. Also joining the group of organizations are the local health care providers of Rosemary A. Jozwiak and Associates; Cyntha MacLeod, PsyD, LLP; Quinn Art Therapy; FernCare Free Clinic; Safe Space Therapeutic Services, LLC; Claddah Claddagh Chiropractic Wellness Center; Linn Counseling Services; Growth for Life Counseling Psychotherapy and CET Pharmacy.
"I started talking to a lot of people in my community who are afraid of going to their doctor whatsoever. And they hadn't been to the doctor in 20 years. Some of them were specifically told to get out of the doctor's office," Crandall explained. "One was told 'I'll give you five seconds to get out of my office, or I am going to call the police.' So, that's a major problem within the trans community: its access to health care and its access to who is trained in trans issues. That's not really taught in medical school."
Crandall and the team of providers want to make the healthcare system more trans inclusive and accepting of the T in LGBT. Attendees will have a chance to sit down and talk to experts without it costing a dime; many in the trans community have financial difficult with provided services. Crandall believes that this health fair helps many people obtain a better opinion of the healthcare system afterwards, and people are more comfortable seeking out healthcare as a result.
"I think it's a huge thing. And we can do that in just a few hours! Wow!" Crandall exclaimed.
"I am just looking forward to people walking away feeling that maybe healthcare is not that hating of us [the trans community]," Crandall said. "And with more of a feeling of comfort with it!"
The event will run from 1-4 p.m. at Affirmations, located at 290 W. Nine Mile, right in the heart of downtown Ferndale. Go to the Facebook event page and RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/327492467418753.
