Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color Resources

QUEER AND TRANS BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR Resources in Oregon and Washington

written by a queer women of colorÂ

Table of Contents WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

01

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

02

MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITY

03

UNIVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

04 - 05

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN OREGON

06

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN WASHINGTON

07

MENTAL HEALTH & SELF CARE

08

HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITY

09

UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE RESOURCES

10 - 11

RESOURCES FROM PORTLAND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY CENTER

12 - 13

HEALTH CARE RESOURCES IN WASHINGTON

14

INDIGENOUS TWO-SPIRIT RESOURCES

15

THANK YOUS

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Why This Is Important.

Compiling this list of resources for both mental health and physical health was difficult to say the least. Finding providers and organizations that specifically offered services to Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) in the Oregon and Washington area was difficult. This research just showed that there is a huge need for not only Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) care but for Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color care because while some experiences may be similar they are not the same experience. The resources that are highlighted in this zine have specifically stated in thier websites, mission statements, and when asked that they provide care for the QTBIPOC community. While this may not be a comprehensive list of resources for the QTBIPOC community it may be used as a stepping stone in the right direction of addressing the mental health disparities of the QTBIPOC community in the Pacific Northwest.

01

Land Acknowledgement Let it be acknowledged that Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc.

Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (https://ctsi.nsn.us).

02

Mental Health in the Community Mental Health within the Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Community (QTBIPOC) is a huge issue due to many unique intersections that those within the QTBIPOC community face.

Specfically, in the Pacific Northwest the QTBIPOC community struggles with the ability to build or find community in a predominantly white setting. This is especially true for QTBIPOC students who attend University. On University campuses QTBIPOC students are seen not only as students but as activists for their own needs and as well as educators for those who may be ignorant to the unique struggles that the QTBIPOC community faces. The lack of community, constant emotional stress of educating others, and lack of resources compounds impact mental health within the community in negative ways.

03

University Mental Health Resources CAPS

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) is an on campus resource for QTBIPOC students at Oregon State University. CAPS counselors are qualified to any letters that may be recommended or required for transition treatments. CAPS also has support groups in place with different focuses like Transgender, Gender Non-conforming, Non-binary, Gender Questioning and QTIPOC support. CAPS also has couples counseling because questioning one's gender identity or transitioning can also affect partners in many ways.

SHAC

Student Health and Counseling Services at Portland State University in partner with the Cultural Resource Centers offers drop-in support groups. In these support groups, folx will be able to talk through mental health, bring awareness to their mental health struggles, explore individual experiences, learn self-care strategies, find solidarity, and build connections and community in a safe and welcoming space. The groups also offer break out sessions and interactive conversations based on the students needs or interests. To register for the support group follow the link here: https://www.pdx.edu/queer-resource-center/queer-andtrans-student-color-resources

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON COUNSELING SERVICES

The University of Oregon Counseling Services has a list of support groups that specialize in queer identities, racial identities, and intersecting identities. The counseling services are available for U of O students in the broader Eugene, OR area as well as in other areas.

Students can call (541) 346-3227 during open hours to schedule in-person, teletherapy, and consultation appointments or to speak with a mental health professional immediately. The U of O counseling services also provide drop in service and has list of these hours on the website. The U of O counseling services also provided self-care strategies that center racial trauma that you are able to download right to your computer. https://counseling.uoregon.edu/blackhealingresources

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University Mental Health Resources COUGAR HEALTH SERVICES, COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS)

At Washington State University, the Cougar Health Services under Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a range of services from individual counseling, couples, counseling and specific support groups. Under the Groups and Workshops section in CAPS there is a support group that increases the commitment to self exploration and growth with regards to gender and gender identity as well as create an affirming space for validation and empowerment. Washington State University's mental health support group for the QTIPOC sommunity is Trans*Cend, which the site states is a support group for trans, gender nonconforming, and intersex folx. The group remains open throughout the semester to accept and welcome new members, the Fall 2020 schedule for the group is Friday's from 4:10 -5:00 pm. https://cougarhealth.wsu.edu/counseling-groups-workshops/

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON COUNSELING SERVICES

The University of Washington offers an array of mental health services for both undergraduate and graduate students. The mental health services are covered in the tuition of students who attend the University both on and off campus. The services they offer include but are not limited to individual counseling, gender affirming care in both mental and physical health, support groups, group therapy, and psychiatric medication. Their counseling services are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. To schedule an appointment call (206) 543-1240 and for urgent services call 1-866-743-7732 https://wellbeing.uw.edu/topic/mental-health/

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON GROUP COUNSELING

The University of Washington offers a variety of group counseling sessions for their students.

For a specific gender and sexuality group counseling, the University of Washington offers Beyond Labels. Beyond Labels provides a gender affirming space for Queer students to create community and build a sense of belonging and empowerment. The group offers students the ability to receive and provide support, explore their intersectional identities, and identify ways to engage in self and community care. The group meets online on Thursdays from 3 pm to 4:30 pm to register call (206) 543-1240

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Mental Health Resources in Oregon THE NATIONAL QUEER AND TRANS THERAPIST OF COLOR NETWORK

The National Queer and Trans Therapist Network (NQTTCN) is a space for queer, gender nonconforming, and trans therapists of color to build resources and support one another as clinicians and healers. NQTTCN offers support for QTBIPOC looking for transformative mental health resources that are rooted in social justice and liberation. This is a space that will support QTBIPOC individuals by creating relationships and utilizing these relationship by cultivating a collective power to build the capacity for healing within our communities. https://www.nqttcn.com/

LGBTQ+ RESOURCES IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND

The City of Portland website complies a list of resources available to the broader LGBTQ+ community in the greater Portland area. The list of resources is a mixture of mental health resources, health care resources, housing resources, and food resources. The health care resources offers the option of showing a PDF version of clinicians and providers that are LGBTQ+ competent. The housing and food resources provides those who need these resources with a list of organizations they can contact and or use if the need occurs. I have provided the PDF version of health care providers and mental health resources in this zine. https://www.portlandoregon.gov/71350

ROGUE ACTION CENTER (RAC)

Rogue Action Center is a resource located in Southern Oregon. RAC is a collaborative effort between community members who have come together to address and work on community organization and policy work at the local and state level. This resource is important to add because they have worked together to create a COVID-19 related resource specifically for the LGBTQ+ community but also addresses the unique issues that queer and trans black, indigenous, and people of color are facing in these uncertain times. https://www.rogueactioncenter.org/post/lgbtq-community-resources-during-covid-19

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Mental Health Resources in Washington REFUGEE WOMEN'S ALLIANCE IN SEATTLE (REWA)

The Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWa) is a nonprofit organization that provides holistic services to help refugee and immigrant women and their families thrive. Over the 35 years that ReWa has been in service they have worked to create specifically designed services to quickly and effectively stabilize clients, promote acculturation, increase language proficiency and improve employability. ReWa's services are offered in over 50 different languages and dialects which allows each client to be paired with a professionals who speak their first language and are attuned to their native cultures. Some of the services that ReWa provides include but aren't limited to; behavioral health, domestic violence, and housing and homelessness prevention. https://www.rewa.org/services/

FULL FLIGHT WELLNESS

Embody the Unbroken is a resource under Full Flight Wellness that is provided by T. Aisha Edwards, LMHC (she/xe) who is a somatic trauma therapist that is enthusiastic about integrating mind and body in holistic mental health care. Edwards acknowledges how painful life experiences not only undermine our quality of life but as well as our capacity for connection and our physical health. Edwards uses approaches informed by interpersonal neuroscience, traditional Chinese medicine, somatic psychology and western herbalism to support clients and help them overcome the barriers between talk and trauma. Embody the Unbroken's mission is to address and unburden the impact of socialized oppression of people of color and queer and trans folks. https://www.fullflightwellness.com/about-full-flight-wellness

NAMI SEATTLE RESOURCES

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in Seattle is one of largest grassroots mental health organization in the nation. They work specifically to fill the gaps in our local mental health systems through peer-led education, support, and referrals. They offer a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) support group that is weekly and peer-led which you can sign up from on their website. On their website they also provide a list of mental health resources within the greater Seattle area for BIPOC individuals. *Note: this is not a specific QTBIPOC mental health resource but can still address the mental health disparities within our community on the racial level https://namiseattle.org/bipoc-mental-health-resources/

07

Mental Health & Self Care MINDFUL BREATHING

We live in such an internet based society that we are constantly bombarded with triggering images, text, and videos that at times it is hard to just get away for a good cry or to find a place to reset. By learning and incorporating mindful breathing strategies it can alleviate the stress from our racing minds. Here is a link to some specific techniques: https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-threeexercises/

TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK

We absorb so much trauma from by seeing the same headlines over and over again within every social media platform. We aren't meant to deal with this constant reliving of certain traumas that it is imperative that we take a break. To better help yourself in taking a break you can delete the apps from your phone entirely rather than just logging out.

GET OUT INTO NATURE OR BRING NATURE TO YOU

While this may seem like when people just tell you to do yoga if you're sad, forest therapy is a real thing and can be helpful for some folx. However, it may be hard for you to access nature compared to others so you can try visiting a botanical garden or park. I do keep in mind that we live in a capitalistic society that favors white and wealthy folx, that it isn't entirely accessible for folx to visit a botanical garden you can get yourself a houseplant. Not only do they help filter the air but they are great at boosting your immune system and they can improve your mood. A couple suggestions that I have for a good houseplant for people who don't have a green thumb like me are; aloe plant, rubber plant, and snake plants.

FIND AN ACTIVITY THAT FEELS MEDITATIVE TO YOU

Sitting down and meditating traditionally isn't for everyone, specifically me but there are other activities that can help alleviate the agitation you may be feeling and help you chill out for a bit. For some folx, this might be cooking, doing yoga, or other forms of exercise.

Some studies have shown that coloring can also be a way for some adults to reach a meditative state. For me, I am able to chill out through taking my dog for a walk when the weather is nice.

08

Health Care Needs in the Community The health care needs within the Queer and Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPOC) community are vast and yet the health care system is full of disparities and inequities when it comes to transgender and gender nonconforming health care needs. While the Pacific Northwest is seen as radical to the rest of the United States, there are still large gaps within the health care system.

These gaps allow for those within the QTBIPOC community to often times be left behind or forced to advocate for themselves in a system that we built off othe same racial and gender system that oppresses the QTBIPOC community.

Those within the QTBIPOC community face many intersections of oppression that compound together to make access to health care and gender affirming health care an emotional and tiring task.

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University Health Care Services STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Student Health Services (SHS) at Oregon State University offers many health services for trans and gender-nonconforming Oregon State University students. They offer hormonal therapy and referrals to specialists and visits to SHS clinicians are fully covered by the OSU Health Fee. They also offer comprehensive preventative services for people of all genders.

They also have PDF information forms on feminizing medications and testosterone therapy that reviews the benefits and side-effects of these treatments. They can provide hormonal injections as well as labs to monitor hormone levels, however the injections and labs are not covered by OSU Health Fee. But both OSU-sponsored plans, Aetna Health Insurance (for domestic and international students) and Pacific Source Health Insurance (for OSUemployed graduate students) offer transgender care benefits. http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/transgender-care

UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY OF OREGON University Health Services at the University of Oregon offers LGBTQ+ health services that provide a inclusive, confidential, and culturally competent environment for QTBIPOC students. University of Oregon makes and effort to provide inclusive sexual and reproductive health care services along with access to mental health services as seen on page 4 of this zine. They offer access to a full-time physician who is double-boarded in internal medicine and endocrinology who can provide hormone therapy. They also provide the option to be seen by a medical provider who also identifies within the LGBTQ+ community, to make an appointment call (541) 346-2770 https://health.uoregon.edu/lgbtqia-services

SHAC AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY Portland State University's Student Health and Counseling Services has created a Trans Health Resource guide to help trans, gender non-confirming, and non-binary folx navigate the health care services that PSU can provide them. The guide is a working document and focuses on the services that are provided through SHAC following COVID-19. They have a Queer and Trans Care Team available that focuses on centering student voices and bringing the most marginalized students to the forefront to provide gender affirming, high quality, and accessible care to queer and trans students. Some of the services that SHAC provides are: hormone replacement therapy (HRT), gender affirming surgery letters that follow WPATH guidelines, and weekly clinical consultations. https://www.pdx.edu/health-counseling/sites/g/files/znldhr771/files/202010/SHAC_Transgender_Health_v10.29.2020.pdf

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University Health Care Services GENDER AFFIRMING CARE AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON At the University of Washington they provide gender affirming care through their student health services for both University of Washington students and established non-students as well. The gender-affirming medical care that they provide includes: prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), referrals for surgery within the UW medicine system and elsewhere, psychiatric care and medication management, prostate, pelvic, and chest/breast exams, as well as help in navigating health insurance and the health care system. They also provide a list of gender-affirming providers, meaning that they are health care providers who are part of an initiative that work to improve the quality of care for trans and non-binary patients. These providers are primary care providers as well as women's health providers, the Women's Health Clinic provides care for all ovary-bodies individuals regardless of gender identity. https://wellbeing.uw.edu/gender-affirming-care/

HEALTH CARE RESOURCES FROM WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY Washington State University student health services has providers who specialize in the care of trans and non-binary patients. Providers are able to provide hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as well as provide referrals to ensure that your needs are met.The Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Center also provides a list of Palouse trans friendly health care providers. These providers are located in Pullman with some located in Palouse and Idaho.

For access to the student health services at WSU: https://cougarhealth.wsu.edu/medicalclinic/services/#C6 To see list of trans friendly health care providers: https://thecenter.wsu.edu/resources/transstar-student-resources/

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Resources from Portland LGBTQ+ Community Center MERCY & WISDOM COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC

The Mercy & Wisdom Community Health Clinic centers around helping those who are low income and under insured to achieve health through integrative medical care and education.

The intake forms include multiple gender markers: F, M, FTM, MTF. Trans-friendly doctors.

Uses informed consent meaning that they do not require a therapist's letter before prescribing HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) They provide: lab testing, family health care, bodywork, naturopathic medicine, women's health care, cranio-sacral therapy website: www.mercyandwisdom.org/ email: contact@mercyandwisdom.org phone: (503)227-1222

PRISM HEALTH

Prism Health offers a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space where all members of the LGBTQ+ community can obtain the compassionate and culturally effective health care they need and deserve. website: www. cascadeaids.org/programs/health-center/ email: info@prismhealth.org phone: (503) 223-5907

DR. ANGELA M CARTER, N.D.

Dr. Angela Carter is a Naturopathic Primary Care physician, Midwife, and founder of Sacred Vessel Natural Medicine. Her practice is welcoming to all individuals and families, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Carter works with patients with a broad variety of health conditions and specializes in Pediatric care, Women's health, physical and musculoskeletal health, as well as transitional medicine, and transgender health and wellness. website: www.equi-institute.org/ email: dr.angela@sacredvesselmedicine.com phone: (503) 459-2584

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Resources from Portland LGBTQ+ Community Center DR. KARA CONNELLY, M.D.

Dr. Connelly is a pediatric endocrinologi st at OHSU (Oregon Health and Scien ce University). She works with transgender youth and has gi ven many lectures an d presentation about the medical issues that transgender youth face. She can provide pubertal suppression and hormone therapy.

For appointments call: (503) 346-0640 For information call: (503) 494-8811

NCNM CLINIC

NCNM Clinic and community clinic have a uni que commi tment to provi d in g safe and affordable health care to people who i denti fy as transgender, genderqueer, or gender fluid. They offers a low cost ti me of servi ce di scount to pati ent who do n ot have health insurance or whose healthy i nsurance does not meet thei r n eeds.

NCNM Clinic Phone: (503) 552-1551 NCNM Community Clinics Phone: (503) 552-1515 for espanol call: (503) 552-1502 website: nunmhealthcenters.com/

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Health Care Resources in Washington WASHINGTON STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

The Washington State Health Care Authori ty offers a Transgender Health P rog ram which provides a variety of services for trans, gender non-conformi ng, and queer folx. Some services they offer include but are not li mi ted to: breast reconstruction , genital surgery, genital electrolysis, hysterectomy, mammoplasty wi th or without chest reconstruction, metoidioplasty, orchi ectomy, phalloplasty, and placemen t of testicular prosthesis. If you are covered by a managed care organi zati on ( MCO) such as Amerigroup, Community Health Plan of Washi ngton (CHPW), Coordin ated Care of WA, and United Healthcare (UHC). Contact your plan di rectly for prog ram benefits.

E-mail: transhealth@hca.wa.gov

CENTER FOR MULTICULTURAL HEALTH

The Center for Multicultural Health's mi ssi on i s to promote the health an d well being of diverse communities such as i ndi vi duals from communi ti es of colors, those with limited English proficiency, i mmi grants and refugees. They d o this through innovative health advocacy, health promoti on, di sease prevention , an d immigrant and refugee services.

Website: cmch@cschc.org Center for Multicultural Health Phone: (206) 461-6910

ENTRE HERMANOS

Entre Hermanos is a non profit organi zati on that promotes the health and well being of the Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communi ty i n a culturally appropriate environment through di sease preventi on, educati on , support services, advocacy, and communi ty bui ldi ng.

La mision por la cual la organizacion fue creada es para proveer apoyo, d esarrollar liderasgo y fortalecer la comunidad gay, lesbi ana, bi sexual y transgenero Latin a.

Proveer un ambiente cultural, social y emoci onal saludable, creando un modelo apropiado a las necesidades de la comuni dad.

Website: entrehermanos.org Phone: (206) 322-7700 E-mail: info@entrehermanos.org

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Indigenous Two-Spirit Resources NPAIHB INDIAN LEADERSHIP FOR INDIAN HEALTH

The NPAIHB Indian Leadership for Indi an Health provi des a secti on wi thin their website that provides resources for I ndi genous Two-Spi ri t and Queer fol x n ation wide. These resources are both mental health and physi cal health resources through helping folx find providers who understand Two-Spi ri t experi ences. T he providers that they have linked on thei r si te are for medi cal needs such as fin din g a provider for hormone replacement therapy or letters for surgeri es. They also provide links for building community or fi ndi ng communi ty i n places li ke the Bay Area, Montana, and the Northeast as well as provi di ng a space for I ndi gen ous T woSpirit youth to find community. They also provi de pri ntable resources for youth, parents, and providers. http://www.npaihb.org/2slgbtq/#seeus

SEATTLE INDIAN HEALTH BOARD

The Seattle Indian Health Board whi le i t does not expli ci tly state that they offer services dedicated towards Indigenous Two-Spi ri t folx, they offer resources that most Indigenous Two-Spirit find themselves needi ng. They provi de medical services such as wellness exams, fami ly planni ng counseli ng, sexually tran smitted disease diagnosis and treatment as well as confi denti al HI V testi ng.. They also provide services to help with housel essness and food i nsecuri ty such as providin g help with filling out WIC forms or gui de i n fi ndi ng afforable housi ng. They also offer elders programs with arts and crafts, health educati on and screenin g , resource information and assistance, and tradi ti onal I ndi an medi ci ne referrals. https://www.sihb.org/services-and-programs/ INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM (WESTERN OREGON)

TThe Indian Health Services offers many health services as well as mental health services in the Western Oregon area. The services that the Western Oregon service unit offers are universal screening. prevention, counseling interventions, and recovery programs to reduce risk factors and promote resiliency and wellness. The Western Oregon service unit also provides whole health integrated behavioral to advance population health through a Patient Centered Medical Home Model of care.

Contact: Micah Woodard, LICSW, C-CATODSW,BCD Phone: (503) 304-76560

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Special Thanks To: PRIDE CENTER SOL: LGBTQ+ MULTICULTURAL SUPPORT NETWORK QUEER STUDIES PROGRAM AT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES PROGRAM AT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY QUEER RESOURCE CENTER AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CAPS AT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY COUNSELING SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY OF OREGON PORTLAND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY CENTER GAY CITY SEATTLES LGBTQ+ CENTER

without these resources and spaces compiling this zine of resources for QTBIPOC folx would have been difficult

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