MINNESOTA TRANSGENDER HEALTH COALITION

Who We Are

We are trans and allied community organizers and health care providers working to improve the health care experiences of transgender, transsexual, intersex, genderqueer, and other gender non-conforming people living in Minnesota.

Mission

The Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition is committed to improving health care access and the quality of health care received by trans and gender nonconforming people through education, resources, direct services, and advocacy.

Core Values

• Equal access • Social justice • Quality health care for transgender communities and individuals

We are working for racial, social, and economic justice, and recognize that we are part of a multi-issue movement that includes gender liberation, as well as differences around race, class, age, sexual orientation, ability, immigrant status, and much more.

Your Dollars At Work

We rely on contributions from our friends, family, providers, allies, and fellow community members to make our work possible. Your donations help us:

• Produce our annual Trans Health and Wellness Conference
• Educate trans folks on safer hormone injection and assist with injections
• Provide safe syringe exchange
• Conduct health assessments and case management
• Provide free Hep C and HIV testing and consultation
• Provide education and resources through our website
• Provide referral through our Trans Friendly Provider Directory
• Hold free community health forums
• Train health professionals and students on how to provide equitable, trans-competent care

MTHC was formed by a small group of trans and allied community activists seeking to improve health care for ourselves and our communities. We provided online resources and referral, and implemented trainings for health professionals and students. As we expanded we provided free community health forums and health and wellness events. We opened our office and hired paid staff in 2010 in order to provide direct services to our communities, including Hep C testing and education, syringe exchange, HIV testing, and case management referral, and to offer support groups.

In January of 2011 we expanded our office and programs space! We now have room for groups, meetings, volunteer projects, our free community health forums, and more. We share our space ("The Exchange") with Trans Youth Support Network ( http://www.tysn.org ) and RARE Productions (http://www.rareproductionsmpls.com ). TYSN uses it for office and meeting space and RARE Productions houses an art gallery for LGBTQ Artists of Color and allies.

The 5th Annual 2011 MN Trans Health and Wellness Conference was held on September 10 and 11 at South High School in Minneapolis. This year's event drew more than 330 people, including trans and allied community members, family, friends, physicians, medical and mental health providers, students, social workers, HIV/HEP C educators, community and social justice activists, and many others, all working together to educate, collaborate, and build connections. It was a very successful event; thanks to all involved.