Aspire of WNY’s Quality Partnership on Diversity and Inclusion (QPDI) would like to recognize Transgender Awareness Week from November 13 to November 19 and Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th. To commemorate this week, we would like to highlight a new administrative memorandum (ADM) released by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) that brings this important topic to the forefront.
Last year, OPWDD released ADM#2023-01, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting individuals’ rights related to their gender identity and sexual orientation. OPWDD regulations protect individuals’ rights to be free from discrimination related to a variety of factors, including gender identity and expression, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation.
Concerning gender identity, the ADM states:
“Everyone has the right to define their own gender identity. Individuals must be recognized by their gender identity. Individuals may change their gender identity over time. There are a range of genders, and all must be respected. This includes but is not limited to agender, man, woman, gender-fluid, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit.
Transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people should be recognized and treated by their gender identity, regardless of their medical history, appearance, sex, or gender marker on their identity documents. Regardless of gender identity, individuals may choose to express themselves in ways that include, but are not limited to, having hairstyles, clothing, accessories, or make-up use that differ from how society has traditionally expected individuals in a specific gender to behave.”
In addition to this powerful message from OPWDD, they also included some other important takeaways surrounding someone’s gender identity:
- Should someone self-identify to you as LGBTQ+, it is to be treated as confidential and should not be shared with others without the individual’s consent unless it is deemed necessary by the treatment team.
- Sharing someone’s LGBTQ+ identity without their consent can be traumatizing and upsetting and can result in violence or other dangerous situations.
- An individual’s legal name and pronouns may differ from those they use daily. The individual’s requested name and pronouns MUST be used to the greatest extent possible except where it’s legally unable to do so. Legal names are still required on Medicaid billing.
- Individuals have the right to make choices about their appearance and self-expression, including how they choose to dress and groom. Unless regulated for the person’s medical and behavioral needs, these choices MUST be allowed.
- Individuals MUST be allowed to use restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities that correspond with their gender identity.
- This ADM also mandates that staff and supervisors be trained in OPWDD regulations and the content of this ADM. Aspire of WNY has already created and implemented this training, which has gone out with annual renewals in Litmos.
Aspire of WNY strives to be an inclusive organization where all staff and individuals feel they belong and are comfortable being themselves.
To honor Transgender Remembrance Day, we ask you to take a moment to reflect on what you can do to ensure you are contributing to an inclusive, welcoming culture not only at Aspire of WNY but throughout the world.