In light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many nonprofits and community organizations have been forced to cancel regularly scheduled programming and events to adhere to social distancing guidelines. In the case of organizers at Transgender Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to providing advocacy and support to transgender Michiganders across the state, they've opted to move the annual health fair online, which can be accessed here.
"We have the Transgender Health Fair because very often transgender people are afraid to see health care providers because of bad experiences in the past, and this can really cause health problems to get even worse," said Rachel Crandall-Crocker, Transgender Michigan's executive director.
So far at the online event, attendees have had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Paul Benson, who is the medical director of the Be Well Medical Center, and Zil Goldstein of the Callen-lord Center in Manhattan on various health issues related to the transgender community. Additionally, Dr. Patricia A. Schmidt has discussed hormonal health for the transgender community. Now, coming up on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m., interested individuals can tune in to a presentation on intimate partner violence and the transgender community, which was moderated by Kye Campbell-Fox, a prevention education specialist at HAVEN, an anti-domestic violence organization.
"Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading healthcare concern in the United States and transgender individuals are disproportionately impacted with over half of transgender individuals reporting experiencing IPV (2015 US Transgender Survey)," reads the TGMI website. "HAVEN will define intimate partner violence, break down the myths and misconceptions around IPV, identify trans-specific barriers and resources, and discuss models for community accountability and support within the transgender community."
Hear Crandall-Crocker talk more about the Health Fair here:
To learn more about TGMI or its Health Fair, visit transgendermichigan.org.
