Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (Photo: couve.com)
THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber proclaimed December 2012 as Transgender Youth Awareness Month. The governor also gave nod to Portland Oregon’s transgender youth organization, TransActive. I previously wrote about the great work that organization is doing for trans kids: http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/in-transit-a-sobering-number/.
Here’s an excerpt from the governor’s proclamation:
“Whereas: Transgender and gender nonconforming children and youth are among the least understood, most marginalized and underserved populations of Oregonians despite constituting at least one percent of all children and youth; and
Whereas: Transgender children who receive the love and support of their families, friends, neighbors, communities, schools and culture have every opportunity to thrive and be successful; and
Whereas: Transgender adolescents deserve access to pediatric medical care and healthcare coverage that affords them the opportunity to experience physical puberty in a way that is congruent with their gender identity.
Now, Therefore: I, John A. Kitzhaber, M.D., Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim December 2012 to be Transgender Youth Awareness Month in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.”
————
Governor Kitzhaber is now serving his third term as Oregon’s governor after 8 years out of office. My congrats to the voters of Oregon for returning someone whose top priorities include transgender kids.
A pdf of the actual proclamation: http://www.transactiveonline.org/Silent%20Auction/Transgender%20Awareness%20Month%202012.pdf
More about TransActive: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/preventing-transgender-teen-suicide-means-working-with-trans-kids-long-before-they-hit-puberty/
President Obama campaigns for Gov. Kitzhaber in 2010 (Photo: KATU-TV)
———-
You’re welcome to share this entire article!
Follow this topic on Lexie Cannes’ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lexiecannes
Support this site, get the transgender-themed feature film “Lexie Cannes“ DVD here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963781332
The Guerrilla Angel Report is associated with Wipe Out Transphobia: http://www.wipeouttransphobia.com/
Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, governor, John Kitzhaber, Obama, oregon, proclamation, transactive, Transgender Youth Awareness Month
I would just like to thank Governor Kitzhaber for this
wonderful gesture. If only more of our elected officials
could be this aware and compassionate.
Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for featuring this in your blog!
You’re welcome! And thanks for watching out for our trans kids!
[...] From Lexie Cannes: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/oregons-governor-declares-december-as-transgender-youth… [...]
Its been years since I was able to respect a public leader such as Oregon’s governor Kitzhaber, I am proud that a doctor has lead the way to this recognition of our trans community.