November 2016 Announcements

November’s Dinner will be at Fire-house on Saturday, November 12th at 5:30 pm. We’ll sit down promptly at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP if you plan to attend at our website.

November’s Meeting is Saturday, November 12th at 8:30 pm. Doors will open at approximately 8:00 pm. After hour activities usually ensue after the meeting at the Sheraton’s Dog & Po-ny Lounge. Check with Suzane Oliva or Katie Ward for information.

The LGBT Center has started offer-ing meet-ups in Lancaster and York for LGBT women, LGBT men, LGBT parents, and LGBT seniors. Each meet-up takes place one Mon-day each month in Lancaster, and one Wednesday each month in York. Information can be found at www.centralpalgbtcenter.org/programs, visitors can also link to a closed Facebook group for the rele-vant meet-ups they may be interested in connecting with. Contact Louie Marven at (717) 920-9534 or e-mail at lmarven@centralpalgbtcenter.org if you have any questions about these new programs.

TransCentralPA Family is a special meeting for families and friends with gender-questioning and transyouth. They meets the first Sunday of each month from 3 to 5 pm. Please email us at family@transcentralpa.org for more information and location.

Alder Health Long-time trans-advocate and CRNP Lorrainne Bock has joined the team at Alder Health. Alder Health is a LGBT-Friendly

Health Provider in Harrisburg and Lan-caster and take a variety of different insurances as well as offer a needs based sliding scale. Highmark Blue Shield and Capital Blue Cross Insur-ance Plans (and of course self-pay) provide the fewest obstacles to begin treatment. Openings are available. Visit their website for details.

Keystone is Approaching Fast!

Dates for the 2017 Keystone Confer-ence are March 22-26th.

Make Your Keystone Room Reser-vations Now! The Sheraton Her-shey—Harrisburg Hotel is now ac-cepting reservations for the 2017 Key-stone Conference. Click here for more information.

Serving the Transgender Community of Central Pennsylvania since 1989

November 2016

Volume 26, Issue 10

www.TransCentralPA.org

info@TransCentralPA.org

c/o MCC of the Spirit

2973 Jefferson Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110

TranscentralPA’s Treasurer Katie Ward and TCPA’s President Joanne Carroll meet and

greet while distribute TCPA information at Lancaster’s Millersville University’s annual

LGBTQIA Pride Festival.

‘Announcements’ Continued on Page 7….

Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil

More details on page 7

3rd Street (front) Steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building

Sunday, November 20th

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Page 2

Joanne’s Jottings

Some of you may be aware that a recent Buzzfeed article was highly critical of our efforts here in PA rela-tive to non-discrimination legislation. However, in case you missed it here is the link.

Let me take a few lines to help you move past the same distress I felt when I first read this, because the real story was never told, and at no time was Equali-tyPA or TransCentralPA contacted to provide under-standing relative to the background of the referenced legislative process in the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-vania.

First, and foremost, many of you may recall, we dis-cussed this issue at length at one of our meetings, and your response was quite clear. We would support the comprehensive language of the PA Fairness Act that would include gender identity and expression by amendment into the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of 1955. I cans assure you that at NO time did I ever waiver from that position. In the various phone conference calls referenced in the above article, I always have and always will state our position.

As you likely know by now, Senator Scott Wagner, (Republican) PA District 28 (the majority of York County) submitted three bills; one each for employment, housing and public accommodation. In our phone conferences, these three were discussed at length, and again NO ONE ever endorsed Senator Wagner’s bills which is implied in the article. The working group agreed to continue to maintain our support for com-prehensive non-discrimination. We also determined that we would sit on the sidelines as Senator Wagner submitted his bills to the Senate.

Had we come out against the three bills, because they were piecemeal, we would have essentially taken a stand against our own interests. Therefore, we never supported Wagner’s actions, nor did we fight them either. No one from EqualityPA, or I on behalf of TransCentralPA, par-ticipated in the discussions as the bills were heard in committee.

Ultimately, employment and housing were combined and the combined bills had a hearing in the Labor and Industry Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Baker, (Republican) PA District 20 (a gerrymandered dis-trict surrounding Scranton). It passed out of committee and when the legislature ended, the bills died in the Senate Rules Committee.

Further actions relative to the Fairness Act (or whatever the non-discrimination effort will be called in future legislative sessions) will be determined after the legislature is seated in the new term in 2017.

Incidentally, Ted Martin, Executive Director of EqualityPA, and I were interviewed by the Washington Post by phone on the afternoon of Octo-ber 28, 2016, and we both told them the facts. We NEVER endorsed the piecemeal approach and we NEVER stopped advocating for the comprehensive non-discrimination so needed in our beloved Common-wealth. More later, as this story moves forward!

Joanne Carroll

President

Calendar of Events Bold text are TransCentralPA sponsored

Nov

2-6

Beauty and the Beach

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Nov

3-6

THEA Peach State Conference

Atlanta, GA

Nov 6 TransCentralPA Families Meeting

Meeting @ Unity of Harriburg

Enola, PA (west shore)

Nov 12 TransCentralPA Dinner

Meeting @ the MCC Of The Spirit

Social Time-Location @ Sheraton

Nov 16 2016 Lake Erie Gala

Erie, PA

Dec 4 TransCentralPA Families Meeting

Meeting @ Unity of Harriburg

Enola, PA (west shore)

Dec 10 TransCentralPA Christmas Pot Luck

Meeting @ the MCC Of The Spirit

Social Time-Location @ Sheraton

Dec

11-13

LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Conference

Las Vegas, NV

Dec 15 Keystone 2017 Workshop Selection

Begins

Jan 14 TransCentralPA Dinner

Meeting @ the MCC Of The Spirit

Social Time-Location @ Sheraton

Jan 15 Early Keystone 2017 Attendee

Registration Opens

Deadline for Workshop Proposals

Jan

25-29

First Event Conference

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel

Marlboro, MA

Mar

22-26

Keystone Conference

Harrisburg, PA

Visit www.TransCentralPA.org for de-

tails & more event info!

Love

Joanne

Page 3

The 2017 Keystone Conference will be held March 22nd - 26th at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel in Har-risburg, PA. take place at is is where the good stuff goes. Share your news with the world, tell your story, make a ruckus! You can use the buttons at the bottom to add more kinds of content to your campaign.

Make Your Hotel Reservations Now!!

The Keystone Conference will be held once again at the beautiful and award-winning Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel located within minutes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The Sheraton is very excited to host our event once again and is offering Traditional Double and Deluxe King rooms at the same rate of $1112/night regardless of oc-cupancy. Club level rooms are also available at reduced rates as well.

There is a limited number of rooms at the hotel so please make your reservations as soon as possible since the block of rooms fill up early.

Attendee Registration

Attendee registration opens January 15th, 2017. Pricing will be available a few days before that. An outline of the conference schedule will be posted in late October. Make sure you're on the email list to get a notification of when registration opens. Are You "In the Know?"

Last Year's Attendees: please sign up on our mailing list if you want any future notifications about Keystone. We're sending this email and this email only to BOTH everyone on our mailing list AND who attended last year's Keystone Conference. Going forward, you need to be on mailing list to get the alerts and announcements. Join Our E-mail List.

Workshop Proposals, Vendor & Advertising Registra-tion

We'll begin accepting workshop proposals as well as ven-dor and advertising registration starting in mid-October. Make sure you're on our email list to receive a notification when we open.

Announcing the 2017 Keystone Conference!

TransCentralPA Speaking Events Just how engaged is TransCentralPA? Below is a short list of speaking engagements and activities that Joanne, on behalf of

TransCentralPA, has participated in just since our last support group meeting on October 8th.

10/12/2016 Carlisle Out on Britton, Pride event 10/13/2016 Hanover Diversity summit, 2 presentations 10/14/2016 Harrisburg CPGLCC Mixer with Katie Ward 10/18/2016 Mechanicsburg DOC Inmate Support with Gretchen Lyons 10/20/2016 Enola Diversity Forum 10/25/2016 Harrisburg Widener, Trans 101 Law Students, 10/25/2016 Harrisburg PA Youth Congress Office Grand Opening 10/26/2016 Harrisburg Capitol. PA Youth Congress, Press Conference 10/29/2016 Philadelphia Philly Family Pride, Table & Two Presentations 11/1/2016 Hempfield High GSA Trans 101 11/2/2016 Dallastown HS GSA Trans 101 11/5/2016 Harrisburg Unity Rally 11/9/2016 Harrisburg CPGLCC Mixer with Katie Ward 11/10/2016 Danville Geisinger Grand Rounds, (Respecting Trans-patients) 11/10/2016 Harrisburg Governor’s LGBT Task Force, Transgender Work Group 11/12/2016 Newark Gender Conference East with Nicole M.

Upcoming Events: 11/21/2016 Harrisburg Governor’s LGBT Task Force 12/3/2016 Harrisburg EqualityPA Board Meeting

Trans-Headliners Below are several news stories, blogs, opinions and resources for your reading pleasure. Opinions & views in these links cannot be

assumed to be of TransCentralPA, nor the Officers or Members of TransCentralPA. Our goal is to simply provide you with infor-

TG Military Cop Describes Feeling ‘Liberated’ When First Exploring Cross-Dressing

New Hampshire Governor Bans Transgender Discrimination In State Government

Putting-the-pieces-together-new-home-to-help-lgbt-homeless-opens-in-n-philly

Federal Judge Orders High School To Let Trans Student Use Boys’ Restroom

Sneak Peek At The New Season Of The Trans Reality Show ‘Transcendent’

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Medical Assistance Bulletin

IN-SERVICE TRANSITION FOR TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS

Caitlyn Jenner covers 'Sports Illustrated,' reflects on decathlon and Bruce

Gender-Neutral Bathrooms: (Hopefully) Coming Soon to a City Near You

This Trans Man Just Came Out To The World In The Best Way Possible

Check Australian Millionaire Comes Out as Transgender on Television Nine things you need to know about the Navy’s Transgendered Policy

Kris Jenner Explains How She Dealt With Caitlyn Jenner’s Transition

American Airlines Shows Its Support for the LGBT Community

President-Obama-designates-stonewall-national-monument

Why we still need statewide protections from discrimination

Creative Solution To The Transgender ‘Bathroom Bill’ War

This Trans Woman Dared to Be Herself in 1960s America

My Transgender Life: Peace In The House (Shalom Bayit)

Transgender Decision Raises Questions of Combat Jobs

The Humiliating Practice of Sex-Testing Female Athletes

GLAAD Celebrity Activists Talk LGBT Equality and More

Trans woman goes ahead with surgery after court battle

Southwest Airlines outreach to the LGBT Community

Transgender Rights-Mara Keisling talks on CSPAN

Plans forming for Gayborhood Orlando fundraiser

Transgender Soldiers Make Us A Stronger Military

Coming Out’ At 72: Who I Am And Why It Matters

IOC Loosens Guidelines on Transgender Athletes

My Transgender Life: PRIDE Lasts All Year Long

Drag Race Season 8 Contestants Live In Philly

In first, White House hires openly trans staffer

The Impact Of HIV On The Trans Community

State agency: D.A. must certify Morris records

ActionAIDS changes name, expands mission

Trans Pioneer Fights for Trans Community

PA Senate committee approves antibias bill

New-group-for-women-trans-femme-cyclists

Equality PA Hires Trans-Rights Organizer

Empowering Transgender Lights to Shine

US Military to Lift Transgender Ban Transgendered model finds love

Femme Fever News

Page 4

www.AlderHealth.org

Improving the Health of All

Join Equality PA Trans

on Facebook

The Keystone Conference

Make Your

Room Reservation

Now!

March 22nd-26th, 2017 www.Keystone-Conference.org

TransmenPA Halloween Party

The Transmen PA group

is hosting a Halloween

Party before their Novem-

ber 5th meeting at 7:00

pm. There will be free

Halloween cookies, can-

dy, non-alcoholic beverages and prizes

for our two winners! Dressing up in cos-

tume is not mandatory. Come as you are

and join in the fun! For more information,

visit the TransmenPA website.

Page 5

Lancaster and York Women's Meet-Ups

The Center also offers meet-up groups for LGBT Women in Lancaster and York. These programs are open spaces for LGBT women of all backgrounds and identities. These monthly meet-ups take place from 6-8 pm and are facilitated by volunteers. Volunteer leaders are committed to creat-ing community, networking, sharing re-sources, learning, building substance-free social space, making sure our communi-ties are visible, identifying outreach op-portunities, and making and finding safe spaces. Drop in sometime to participate in YOUR community! Harrisburg (LGBT Center, 1306 N 3rd St): 3rd Tuesdays Lancaster (Candy Factory, 342 N Queen St, WHS D): 2nd Mondays York (Heidelberg UCC, 47 W Philadelph-ia St): 4th Wednesdays

National Center for Transgender Equality and partners at Fairness USA launched a major public education campaign to raise awareness of the discrimination and need for protections for trans people across the U.S. The campaign features a television ad de-picting the mistreatment and harass-ment that many trans peo-ple face when using a public restroom.

NCTE’s newly released survey da-ta shows that 59% of trans people avoided bathrooms in the last year be-cause they were afraid of problems like being confronted and 31% avoided eating and drinking so they didn’t have to. And, even more appalling, one in 10 of the trans people who did use a pub-lic restroom reported that they were harassed, attacked, or sexually as-saulted.

We hope this ad will open some eyes and hopefully change some hearts and minds too. It was show on Fox News during the Republican National Con-vention and also on MSNBC during the Democratic National Convention.

Start a conversation about it with your friends and family. Tell people how it feels as a trans person—or a family member or friend of a trans person—to be discriminated against, harassed, or excluded from restrooms or any other area of life. This ad only shows one person’s story.

Watch the ad now.

New Policy on Surgery

The Pennsylvania Department of

Human Services has issued a new

Medical Assistance Bulletin on Affir-

mation Surgery.

Click here to view the Bulletin.

TransCentralPA Family Meeting

Sunday, November 6th from 3 pm to 5 pm.

TransCentralPA Family is a support group

for families of gender questioning and

transgender youth. We meet the first Sun-

day of each month in Enola, PA (West

Shore of Harrisburg). We provide a safe,

affirming environment for families, children

and adolescents to meet others and build

friendships. Parents, relatives and close

friends can share knowledge and experi-

ences as well as receive encouragement.

We help each others with questions about

laws, insurance, medical treatment, policies

and more. Your privacy and confidentiality are very important as each of us are

at different stages of our journey.

To find out the exact location of our meeting space or if you have questions,

please contact us at family@TransCentralPA.org

2017 TCPA Officer

Nominations

The window for 2017

TransCentralPA of-

ficer nominations is

now open until our

meeting on Novem-

ber 12th. Members

who are interested in running, or who

would like to nominate another mem-

ber, can do so by emailing us at in-

fo@transcentralpa.org or by nominating

them prior to the membership vote

which will be held at our November

12th support group meeting.

We are in the process of drafting new

bylaw that will restructure the current

officer positions and board make-up as

well as increase the opportunity for

more participation. The intent is to pre-

sent the new bylaws to the membership

for ratification at the beginning of the

new year as well as elect all of the

board members. This vote in November

is required by our current bylaws and

serves to ensure continuity of govern-

ance of the organization until the new

bylaws and board of directors are suc-

cessfully in place.

Page 6

Rubies & Roses A World AIDS Day Awareness Event

Appalachian Brewing Company 50 N. Cameron St

Harrisburg, PA 17101

December 2nd, 2016 7 to 10 pm

Tickets: $10

The CDC states that more than 1.2 million people in the US are living with HIV, and 1 in 8 of them don't know it. Although the annual number of new diagnoses declined by 19% in the last decade, our work focused on educa-tion, awareness and prevention must continue.

You are invited to join us for an even-ing commemorating the history of and the people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Put on your best RED attire and come out for this event featuring local spoken word artists, a DJ, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and a silent auction. The winner of our World AIDS Day essay contest will also be present to share with us the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on their life.

Tickets are $10 if you pre-register, $15 at the door. This is a 21+ event. For more information, click here.

NCTE has just released three very important documents that are full of recommendations for what elected officials—from the President to Governors to school board members—can do to work towards trans equality:

An updated version of the Blueprint for Equality: A Transgender Federal Agenda for the New President and Congress

Our Transgender State Agenda: An Overview of Policies for Governors and State Agencies

Our Transgender Local Agenda: An Overview of Policies for Cities and Counties

Please look at these critical documents, especially the Blueprint, which addresses steps that the next President and the new Congress need to take to help trans people, from healthcare to criminal justice reform, from data collection to passing the Equality Act.

CPGLCC Business

Networking Mixer

Wednesday

November 09, 2016

6:00 PM EST

Members: Free

Prospective Member: $10

Reiki by Rickie

2793 Old Post Rd #10

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Bring your business cards and 30 second elevator

speech. Business dress requested.

Page 7

10 US Soldiers Declare They're Transgender &

Proud to Serve

Within weeks of the shift in policy to-wards transgender positive employ-ment of US troops, ten soldiers have notified the Army that they're transgender and proud to serve.

The number only includes men and women who have come out openly. There are still an unknown number of men and women in uniform in the pro-cess of deciding how they will proceed with their coming out. The Army is only reporting soldiers who have officially filled out paperwork to state their intention to transition.

The Army has just begun the work of educating our military on its new trans positive policies, so much of the work to free transgender men and women from the stigma has yet to be done. That being said, the openness of the Pen-tagon is very telling and a positive sign for the community. Policies that come from the top down often take years to fully implement across the all branches of services and into each unit.

There will be pressure from diehards in pockets of the military, that will likely still cause problems with the new policy, but things appear to be headed in the right direction. The United States military is in countless states and countries around the world, which means a policy change of this type has the potential to hugely impact the community.

Along with this new policy that went into effect on October 1st, a recent order to allow Pvt. Chelsea Manning to transition while in prison, has the potential cause a seismic shift for transgender prisoners across the United States. The order gives transgender prisoners a new argument in their fight to transition.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil 3rd Street (front) Steps

of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building

Sunday, November 20th from 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Join us with a number of partnering organizations on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building for this annual candlelight ceremony memorializing those who we have lost due to sui-cide or were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder—like most anti-transgender murder cas-es—has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or other-wise gender-variant — many were a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people or were themselves overwhelmed with despair.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of the high suicide rate of and hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Re-membrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and re-spect for our people gone and celebrate the presence and future of those transgender people that are still among us. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve we lost.

October Birthdays. Please say Hap-py Birthday to Ellen Da., Lori Ri., Kim-berly Ri., Sandy Em., Shannon Br., Sara Ev., Lorri Gr., Jennifer Mc., Pe-nelope Ro., Becky Wi., Colleen La., Cami Lo., and Patti Kn., Michael Jo., and Dyane Ma. Happy Birthday!

Want birthday greetings? We’ll pass along a Happy Birthday to you if you send us your Birthday month .Let us know and we’ll help put another candle on your birthday cake. Send infor-mation to info@transcentralPA.org

TCPA Membership Dues are a one-time annual fee of $20. Spouses or SOs are $10 for the year. Dues are used to pay for meeting space, pro-gram literature, our website and our affiliation with and support of communi-ty groups and activities such as Com-mon Roads, the Community Center, Central Pennsylvania Pride, etc. Please continue to support our organi-zation and efforts by joining or renew-ing your membership—we are making a difference!

Erie Sisters Gala Registration for the 2016 Lake Erie Gala is now open! This year’s Gala will be held from Novem-ber 16 - 20 at the Clarion Hotel, 2800 West 8th St. in Erie PA. This location offers an indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna, and is within walking distance of the Colony Plaza. Note also that all meals for the gala will be served--no buffet meals. For registration forms and more information, visit the Erie Sisters and Brothers website at: The Erie Sisters.

New Sheraton Discount. We have negotiated the special rate of $119/night for TransCentralPA members and guests at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel ($159/night during June, July and August). To take advantage, enter the SET code 529363 where it asks for a SET/Corporate Account code.

Red Rook Inn Discount. We have negotiated a rate of $42.99/night for TranscentralPA members and guests. To take advantage of this special offer, call the hotel directly at (717) 939-1331 and use the rate code ‘TCPA’, Ask for details. They are also offering a special price for their Business King Suites.

Questions or Announcements?

E-mail us at info@transcentralPA.org

….’Announcements’ from page 1

Page 8

Pennsylvania Courts Now Prohibit Gender Identity Discrimination

Non-Discrimination Policy Updated by the State Supreme Court

HARRISBURG, Pa. — In an update initiated by the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has revised the Unified Judicial System’s non-discrimination policy to include protections on the basis of gender identity and ex-pression. This policy is now in effect at every court under the Supreme Court’s juris-diction, including the Superior, Commonwealth, Common Pleas, and Magisterial courts. The policy must be adhered to by court employees, as well as district attor-neys and lawyers engaging in court-related matters.

In June 2016, Pennsylvania Youth Congress Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman approached Allegheny County Com-mon Pleas Judge Christine Ward to propose this update. Judge Ward brought the proposed amendment to the Supreme Court which adopted the policy in in July 2016. A judicial system-wide memo was distributed in August to all Justices, Judges, Mag-isterial District Judges, and state-level judiciary employees announcing the new policy.

The amended non-discrimination policy is being hailed a seismic shift toward ensuring dignity and respect for transgender Pennsylvanians.

Actions that are now prohibited range from harassment by court employees toward transgender people, to prohibiting judges from discriminating against transgender people in open court. Additionally, court employees who are transgender are now ex-plicitly protected against discrimination and harassment in their workplace. To address violations of the policy, members of the public and court employees may file a complaint which will be handled as are other cases of discrimination within the state judicial system.

Throughout the commonwealth, transgender people have shared how judges, court employees, prosecutors, and attorneys have been known to discriminate and demean them, both in personal interactions and in court proceedings. However, as the update reflects, the judiciary includes many judges who are supportive of fully respecting transgender people.

Landau Goodman praised the Commonwealth’s highest court for their swift action. He said, “this is a significant moment in ensuring justice for all in our judicial system. Many transgender Pennsylvanians have too often had terrifying and traumatizing experiences in our judicial system. We are incredible proud of the Supreme Court’s declaration that transgender people must be regarded with dignity.” Further, he added that the policy “is instrumental in paving the way forward for openly transgender judges to serve across the commonwealth.”

Ciora Thomas, founder of the transgender women of color support network Sisters United in Pittsburgh, reflected on the im-portance of this update. She said, “I am thrilled to know a safer and dignified future for trans people is becoming a reality. Now we can stand in front of any judge and be respected as women, men, and people, without being misgendered or incorrectly named. We now have the dignity we deserve as American citizens.”

Several years ago, Ciora was before a local magistrate for a minor traffic citation, where she was relentlessly harassed by court employees and the judge. In open court, the judge only referred to her by her birth name and forced her to remove her hair. She complied in the dehumanizing process in order to avoid judicially-imposed consequences. She would now be able to file a complaint and see through a charge where the court employees and judge could be disciplined.

Deja Alvarez, Director of the LGBTQ Home for Hope in Philadelphia, the first LGBTQ homeless shelter in Pennsylvania, said that the new policy “will help empower us to fight against any injustice and bias perpetrated against Trans* communities in the courts. This is a landmark moment in ending discrimination in a system that directly affects our ability to live, where our com-munity is often unjustly put through the criminal justice system at alarmingly high rates.”

The full policy can be found online at the Unified Judicial System’s website, along with the complaint forms.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC) advances freedom and justice for young LGBTQ Pennsylvanians through advocat-ing for responsible public policy. As a youth-led organization, PYC represents citizens working toward safer schools and thriv-ing communities across the commonwealth.