Agenda Packet 9-12-18 Work Session

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51 TRANS Focus Group Themes Characteristics of Transism • Have had nasty experiences on street, in neighborhood. • Feel tolerated on the streets. • Am always on guard, never know when someone is going to strike – verbal remarks, looks, lot of people feel uncomfortable. • Hypervigilant because in past have had hate incidents, but treated well in Eugene. Feels safer. • If you “blend in” you’re ok; not all can do that ($40,000 and good plastic surgeon). Tall M2F stands out, does not blend in as attractive young woman. • Response online to KVAL interview was violent, mentioned bullets. This eats away at you, makes you anxious, afraid to leave the house, to speak, to be outgoing. • Ignorance, benign or otherwise, lot of people just don’t know concept of gender, sexuality; needs a lot more coverage, far from over. • Yelled at in restrooms. Intersectionality • Homeless trans people, can’t get job because homeless. • I have a friend who is autistic and biracial (black). It’s really easy for him to get into trouble. Institutional Expressions of Transism City of Eugene • No problems in park, no stares. • There have been incidents at work with City. • Had to battle with the City to get my medical needs as a trans person included in City health insurance. Hurts to never be told why it was being denied. Finally got some coverage. It was discrimination but City still will not acknowledge that. Union finally won it for all trans. • Have been rejected by a customer as someone to provide him customer service. Yelled at in restroom. Am grateful it has been uncommon. • Know someone who quit City job due to chronic misgendering; creates hostile work environment. Across the Community Police • Good experiences with EPD, UOPD. Possible gender awareness training at EPD. • In the 90’s, pulled over a couple of times, treated me really well (Lane County Sheriff). • UO Police Department, “We are here to help, here to make your life easier”. • EPD, “If anyone gives you any difficulties, let me know”. • Worked with police, good relations. Transponder been directing the trans awareness with EPD. • Experience and sense with EPD, positive. • Experience with police, two instances, I applied, confusion, lack of education. Businesses • I feel welcome but in some businesses not so much. • Local businesses and malls? It depends on business. • Am hypervigilant in malls. “Not all people are accepting and to know there are people who would be quite happy to shoot me in the head; I am aware of that all the time.” • Had nasty confrontation at fast food place in Springfield. Housing • Eugene is friendly, more welcoming than LA. • There are trans people who are homeless. • Need to feel safe in the home, if there is a problem, somewhere to go where I can get help. Otherwise can become September 12, 2018, Work Session - Item 1