The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62283

Reid Vanderburgh, MA, Community Consultant for The Identity Project, Holistic Psychotherapy, 1020 SW Taylor, Suite 630, Portland, OR 97205, (503) 341-7001, ReidPDX@aol.com and Andrew S. Forshée, MA, School of Health and Human Services, Walden University, 8150 SW Barnes Road, F305, Portland, OR 97225.

For the purposes of this paper, "transgendered" is defined as: Personal gender identification and/or gender expression that is at odds with the gender a person has been assigned at birth. "Gender variant" and "transgendered" are used synonymously. In the United States, transgendered adults face tremendous discrimination in all areas of their lives such as housing, employment, access to healthcare and insurance, as well as marriage and parental rights. Compounded with this social injustice, transgendered youth between the ages of 16-25, also face the typical challenges of adolescence, including developing a world view/belief system beyond that of their family structure; experimenting with diverse types of relationships and learning about their sexual orientation; choosing multiple occupational and or academic endeavors; and where or how to negotiate their lives as emerging adults in society. Given the tremendous bias against and pathologization of transgendered persons, coupled with the typical disequilibria of adolescence, it is extremely difficult for gender-variant youth to develop or sustain feelings of self-esteem. Because little professional literature exists on “identity intervention” as a strategy for increased self-esteem and harm reduction, this paper will explore the creation of a multidisciplinary project known as “The Identity Project,” a social intervention service for transgendered youth in Portland, Oregon. The aims of the Identity Project include de-pathologizing gender variant identities as well as advocating for the understanding of trans-identity as a developmental process along a broad continuum; self- empowerment and advocacy; community education/outreach; mentorship and trans-youth harm reduction.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the typical and unique developmental challenges faced by gender variant adolescents;
• Differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity;
• Construct an understanding of gender identity as a developmental process along a broad continuum;
• Develop an understanding of identity intervention;
• Recognize the connection between self-empowerment and harm reduction among transgendered youth.

Keywords: Adolescents, Advocacy

Related Web page: www.outsidein.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Outside In, Portland, Oregon
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.doc format, 122.0 kb)