Renee Baker Professional Counseling

07/31/2023

I asked ChatGPT, How can we reduce stigma against transgender people?" Here is their response:

Reducing stigma against transgender people requires a combination of efforts at the individual, societal, and institutional levels. Here are some strategies that can be effective in promoting understanding, acceptance, and respect for transgender individuals:

Education and Awareness: Promote education about transgender issues, gender diversity, and the challenges faced by transgender people. This includes incorporating accurate and positive information about transgender experiences in school curricula, workplace diversity training, and public awareness campaigns.

Media Representation: Advocate for positive and authentic representation of transgender individuals in the media. Encourage the portrayal of diverse transgender characters and stories in TV shows, movies, and other forms of media to help combat harmful stereotypes.

Challenging Prejudice: Encourage open dialogue and discussions about transgender issues in communities, workplaces, and educational settings. Address misinformation and prejudice by promoting empathy and understanding.

Supportive Families: Work to create a supportive environment within families of transgender individuals. Education and support for parents and caregivers can be crucial in ensuring acceptance and understanding.

Advocacy and Allyship: Encourage allies to speak up for transgender rights and challenge discriminatory attitudes. Allies can play a significant role in amplifying transgender voices and experiences.

Access to Healthcare: Advocate for transgender-inclusive healthcare policies and access to gender-affirming healthcare services. Ensuring that healthcare professionals are trained to understand the specific needs of transgender patients is essential.

Legal Protections: Advocate for legal protections against discrimination based on gender identity and expression. This includes pushing for transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination laws and policies.

Supportive Spaces: Create safe and inclusive spaces for transgender individuals within communities, workplaces, and educational institutions. Having spaces where they can express themselves without fear of judgment can be empowering.

Celebrating Diversity: Promote and celebrate the diversity of gender identities and expressions. Embrace the idea that gender is a spectrum, and there are many valid ways to express one's gender identity.

Collaborate with Transgender Advocacy Groups: Support and collaborate with transgender-led organizations that work towards reducing stigma and advancing transgender rights. These groups can provide valuable insights and guidance.

Remember that reducing stigma is an ongoing process, and it requires collective efforts from individuals, communities, and institutions to create a more inclusive and accepting society for transgender people.

07/21/2023

A great article on trans medical tourism to Mexico!

Thanking the doctor A parent’s experience in gender-affirming medical tourism SEAN HAMILTON | Special Contributor EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first part in a two-part series written by the father of a (FTM) son. Watch for Part 2, a more personal account of the experience itself, in the July 28 is...

06/30/2023

Wanting to analyze your own voice? Here are some apps that might be helpful. :)

Resonant voice therapy uses messa di voce (volume glides) to help establish vocal economy during speech and singing. Vocal function exercises, a series of vocally balancing techniques that were originally researched by Joe Stemple (Stemple et al 1994), include warming up, stretching and sustaining v...

05/24/2023

A nice way to built solidarity if you love to walk/trot a 5K.

Hang in there everyone!

The Trot for Trans Lives is on Saturday May 27, 2023 to Tuesday May 30, 2023. It includes the following events: 5K Run (Virtual) and 5K Run (In-Person).

05/13/2023

For those considering leaving the state, here are some options of friendlier states. Stay strong everyone. Love to you all!

The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the overall policy tallies for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories.

04/24/2023

All hands on deck, please!

Please do your part!

This is an all hands on deck situation. Take urgent action today.

04/09/2023

Mark your calendars, April 16th.

A screening of the documentary PRAY AWAY & panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ advocates, and mental health experts.

03/12/2023

In light of all the turmoil, a bright shining star. Watch this for sure!!

Representative Pamela Stevenson gave a fiery speech against the anti-trans bill in Kentucky, HB470, that would force medical detransition and ban name and bi...

02/02/2023

Hello everyone, I hope all are doing well. I can't believe it is February already. And in the midst of an ice storm.

I wanted to keep everyone abreast of the Texas anti-LGBT bills that are being introduced. I didn't count them all, but maybe 30 or so. And much is anti-trans.

Be sure to take ONE small action if you can, protest, donate to the ACLU or Lambda Legal, share an article, write your congress representative, etc.

I suspect this will all blow-over, knock on wood, but please keep your finger on the pulse.

Our Texas GOP is a major disruption to our lives, so keep that in mind when you vote.

Okay, blessings to all of you!
Renee

The LGBTQ+ community in Texas has endured a lot at the hands of state and local leaders. While we’ve seen an extraordinary amount of anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed already, we are confident that few will move forward. During the last legislative session and special sessions 76 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were file...

11/23/2022

In light of the sadness we all feel about the Club Q shooting tragedy, I felt this was a beautiful poem.

Much love and peace to all of you during Thanksgiving.

I can't begin to count how blessed I am to do the work I do and all the gifts my clients bestow upon me.

I am indeed quite thankful.

Jay Hulme

10/22/2022

Happy Halloween Season, everyone!

Happy Halloween to everyone! I hope you enjoy your day and get outside to enjoy the sunshine. Put on a spooky good costume to scare those ghosts away!! :)

10/21/2022

This is exciting news for transgender women on HRT for years, now still having viable option for children.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/science/s***m-retrieval-essm-transgender-fertility.html

Retrieving viable s***m from men with low fertility and from people who have used estrogen therapy for years has been a challenge, doctors say. A new, less invasive technique has promise.

10/19/2022

If any of you are in the Houston area, check out this new book and appearance of Phyllis Frye and her biographers. She's a pioneer in the trans justice system and has supported our community for decades. I hope you can go and if you do, let the rest of us know how it was! Get pictures!

Brazos Bookstore will be hosting Phyllis Frye in person on Saturday, October 29 at 6pm. Face masks are required to attend the event.

10/11/2022

Dr. Marci Bowers....our new WPATH President and the first transwoman to take this role. I'm happy to have her in charge of the organization. Cisgender allies are still vital to the organization of course, but it's nice to have a trans gal at the tippy top for a change. I got to meet Dr. Bowers back in the day at Southern Comfort. WTG Dr. Bowers! :)

10/09/2022

Be sure to register to vote if you haven't already! The deadline is Monday.

https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/index.html

Registering to vote in Texas is easy! So long as you are eligible, you will be able to register to vote in your county of residence to make your voice heard in local, state and federal elections.

09/29/2022

Looking for something to do on Friday night? Try the inaugural Texas Trans Pride event. It's good to get together and celebrate gender freedom! Give it a whirl! :)
https://txtranspride.org/

The TX Trans Pride event embraces the trans community and changes how we celebrate the trans people in our lives.

09/13/2022

With all the political turmoil surrounding trans issues, and the politicians that don't support us, this might be just what we need.

It may take some time, but I'm staying optimistic that we will have the law on our side, even if it is a bit painful right now.

Hang in there, stick together! Network and be proud! :)

Advocates for transgender people say a federal ruling that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act could halt conservative political efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care.

08/15/2022

Trans Parents, fyi below...email me for the flyer if you like.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Evidence for Action Program has funded an international study to understand the experiences and needs of transgender and gender diverse young people in the United States as compared to the Netherlands. This study is a partnership between Children’s National Hospital (Washington, D.C.), VU University (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and US and Dutch experts in trans health and equity. The study is open to transgender and gender diverse youth who are 11-16 years old. The study is conducted fully online and takes a total of about 3 hours to complete, split across 3 shorter sessions. Families are compensated $200 for their time. The questions included in the study focus on strengths, areas of challenge, and hopes for the future. The ultimate goal of this work is to inform improved care for youth in the United States, including greater access to the supports youth may need. Youth and families are currently invited to join the study from the United States and from the Netherlands. To learn more, please contact the US research coordinator, Abby Fischbach [email protected]

05/17/2022

I just learned about Elevated Access through a friend of mine. They provide free flights for those in need of healthcare. This includes care for abortion and trans affirming youth care. Yay!

We connect passengers to volunteer pilots for travel at no cost to access the healthcare they need.

05/16/2022

In case any of you are having trouble finding formula, here are some ideas...maybe some of the Mexican markets might have options as well.

Texas WIC is working closely with WIC grocers to help WIC families obtain formula. Texas WIC has added alternative options so families can find a formula at the store to meet their baby’s needs without updating their WIC card. For a full list, visit TexasWIC.org at https://texaswic.org/about-wic/special-wic-food-updates.

If WIC clients cannot find the brands or sizes of formula that is currently written on their card or the alternative brands allowed, they can contact their local WIC office. Clients will need to return to the clinic in order for their card to be updated to a different can size or type of formula. Grocers that accept WIC can be found at TexasWIC.org on the Find a Store page or by using the Store Locator in the myTexasWIC app.

Please note, if someone has purchased powdered baby or toddler formula with the brand names Similac, Similac PM 60/40, Alimentum, EleCare and EleCare Jr. the first thing they should do is check to see if their formula was affected by the recall at https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html. Look at the bottom of the can or container and find the lot number and enter it into the website.

If recalled, do NOT use it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get a replacement. Abbott Labs can be contacted at 1-800-986-8540.

If formula was not included in the recall, families can still use it. Many stores are getting new supply of Similac products that were not affected by the recall.

Because babies need a specific balance of nutrients, you should NOT water down infant formula, make homemade formula or give your baby cow’s milk, goat’s milk or other milk alternatives. Read more from a trusted pediatrician at https://bit.ly/391xIN4.

04/27/2022

Let me give a shout-out to Owenwood Farm, a new space for healing and including a new Trans Empowerment group. They are just getting programs going, so keep checking back for new stuff!

I'm really excited about this! :)

Our mission is to create equitable opportunities for our neighbors in Far East Dallas to be known, empowered, and inspired.

04/27/2022

Well done...

We sat down with Schuyler Bailar, the first openly transgender NCAA Division I athlete, to break down several myths about transgender athletes, specifically ...

04/27/2022

A friend shared this...

04/25/2022

Trans parent. If any of you would like to share your experience at GENECIS with the Dallas Morning News, Marin Wolf is writing a story. Her email is [email protected]. She's a good egg. If you want your voice heard, here's a chance!

04/24/2022

Love this one from Zig Ziglar...

04/22/2022

Check out Lamda Weekly for your local Dallas LGBT voices...either on KNON radio or here with podcast.

Listen to Lambda Weekly by KNON Radio on

04/04/2022

Grants for trans families! Fabulous!

Jump to Application As families of transgender youth in Texas face alarming new threats of state interference, including seeing their love and affirmation for their children classified as “child abuse,” the Campaign for Southern Equality […]

04/01/2022

We made the news last night at the Trans Rally!
https://www.fox4news.com/news/dallas-demonstrators-protest-ending-of-transgender-health-program-at-north-texas-hospitals

The Dallas skyline was lit up Thursday in blue, white and pink to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility. Trans demonstrators and their allies on Thursday marked the day to protest the ending of a program designed to help minors go through transition.

03/27/2022

A beautiful verse by Khalil Gibran.

Khalil Gibran on Fear ❤️

It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.

She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.

And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.

But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.

Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.

The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.

~ Khalil Gibran♡
Rumi

03/23/2022

Here is a new website supporting Trans families in Texas. Hopefully the GOP will stop the madness someday, but for now we have to stay strong and stick together. There is a lot of education to do to help people overcome their bias and misunderstanding of trans issues.

I am providing SAFE Trans Youth letters for those that need them.

Be proud everyone! We rock! :)

Everybody deserves to feel safe and supported in their community. But trans Texans, especially kids in schools, don’t always feel safe or supported. Are you a transgender, non-binary, or genderqueer Texan, or someone who loves them? Check out our Know Your Rights resources and sign up to become an...

03/12/2022

BAM!! Great news!

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

03/03/2022

Here's a good one! :)

Don't forget what you've learned or you'll end up having to learn it again.

02/28/2022

Are you a night owl? Some potential jobs here for you if you are in need!

The city of Dallas is hosting a job fair on Monday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m. that will highlight businesses with open overnight positions. The job fair takes place at Gilley’s, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., which is partnering with the Small Business Center and Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas. The e...

02/28/2022

The most important transgender survey needs your help if you are a trans/enby, a family member or friend. Please spread the word or pledge to take the survey! )

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and partners are excited to launch the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey Pledge (USTS) at ustranssurvey.org. Through the USTS Pledge, members of the trans community can now sign up to receive information about the survey, learn how to participate and pl...

02/26/2022

Regarding the trans youth crisis, here is some information from Lambda Legal...sorry I don't have a link for the original, this is from their pdf file they emailed me.

"Gender-Affirming Care in Texas: What Parents and Guardians Need to Know Background
• On August 23, Rep. Matt Krause requested an opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office about whether certain types of gender-affirming care could constitute “child abuse” under Texas law.
• On February 21, a week before the Texas primary election, Paxton released a non-binding opinion to express his belief that certain treatments could constitute “abuse” under Texas law.
• Governor Abbott then sent a letter to the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), in which he asked the agency to conduct a review of any reported incidents of “abuse” and ordered all state agencies to follow the law in accordance with Paxton’s opinion.
Overview
• This opinion and letter are not legally binding.
○ An attorney general opinion and letter from the governor have no legal effect and can’t change Texas law or curtail anyone’s constitutional rights.
○ The attorney general and governor can share their opinions, but it is up to the courts to interpret Texas laws and the Constitution.
• Gender-affirming care is life-saving, medically necessary care. ○ Every major medical association has made clear that treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy are medically necessary for certain youth.
○ The AG opinion does not impede parents or guardians from continuing to provide young people with necessary medical care, and the opinion itself states that it “does not address or apply to medically necessary procedures.”
• No court here in Texas or anywhere in the country has ever found that medically necessary gender affirming care can be considered child abuse.
○ The law is clear that parents, guardians, and doctors can provide transgender youth with treatment in accordance with prevailing standards of care.
• Texas law protects families from false reports of child abuse.
○ DFPS cannot remove any young person from their parents or guardians without a court order.
1 This fact sheet is intended to serve as general information; it is not legal advice nor intended as legal advice.
○ Texas law requires courts and DFPS to consider the opinion of medical providers before removing any young person for abuse or neglect, and the legal standards for removal are very high.
• Federal law protects transgender students’ privacy in schools.
○ The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects young people’s private medical information, including whether students are transgender.
○ FERPA prohibits teachers, counselors, and school administrators from asking about students’ private medical information or sharing with others whether a student is transgender.
○ If your child’s privacy rights are violated, you have a right to file a FERPA complaint, and you can also report any discrimination, bullying, or harassment in schools to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
• It is unconstitutional for the government to deprive transgender young people of necessary medical care.
○ A federal court in Arkansas blocked a law that was the first in the country to try to ban gender-affirming medical care.
○ That case is on appeal and essential medical care is still being provided in Arkansas and in every state.
Can Mandatory Reporters Accuse You of Abuse?
• No one has a legal duty to report someone who is being treated with gender affirming care and/or who is transitioning from the s*x they were assigned at birth.
• The Texas mandatory reporter statute was recently amended to require that the person or professional must have "reasonable cause" rather than having "cause" to believe a young person is abused or neglected.
• Recent changes to Texas law require that a person’s acts or omissions must now evidence “blatant disregard” for the consequences of their actions or inactions that results in harm or immediate danger to the young person’s physical health or safety to rise to “neglect” under law. The conduct must also put the youth in “immediate danger” to constitute neglect.
• Texas law forbids an emergency removal order based solely on the medical opinion of a doctor under contract with DFPS who has not examined the youth. In making a determination as to whether a young person is in immediate danger, the court must consider the opinion of a medical professional obtained by the parent/guardian.
• In other words, there are robust protections in place to protect you against unwarranted intrusions into your and your child’s rights.
If You or Someone You Know Is Impacted or Falsely Accused
● Try to stay calm and remember that you have rights, even though this opinion and letter are deeply concerning.
● Document what is happening and try to get as much information as possible.
● Remember that you and your family have a right to privacy and you do not have to disclose whether your child or teenager is transgender. Nor do you have to disclose any private medical information to anyone.
● You have a right to an attorney and do not have to speak to anyone from DFPS or law enforcement without an attorney.

If you or anyone you know is impacted by this opinion or any false accusations, please reach out to us. We are actively monitoring this and working to ensure that transgender youth continue to thrive here in Texas.
● Lambda Legal: https://www.lambdalegal.org/helpdesk
● ACLU of Texas: https://intake.aclutx.org/

02/23/2022

If you have not heard yet, the state of Texas has made gender transitions illegal for those under 18 years of age. This is unconscionable. For those of you that are parents or wish to get involved, here is a link to tonight's webinar with Equality Texas. Please share this if you can and please stay strong during this very dark time.
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_44JOMJ16RlS0648tUOYUqQ%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3z05Tj3n5g9xvqjUwyJCDqI2AiUnfxb3zNamS1q0hvUnIxS082Nm9ekp4&h=AT3jjOL9knrJaSxrvWraYXkla6p7GAZko7TdrVymuF6pfGBiax9tADF5xVtONByEL-WsXRJHjZIkIhYsLMmYwFDyXeM5lV4IMzLcHJpkI9pL0v2OHK5noxFIPQ2Eezz7jjohpImao8u5

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Webinar for Parents in Texas. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

02/05/2022

Tip of the Day: We all feel angry at times. So what do we do with it? Anger is something we should feel, but be careful not to pass on. Sometimes we are frustrated because something is happening that we wish didn't - such as getting a flat tire. Or sometimes we are frustrated because something didn't happen - like getting passed over for that promotion again. Anger can arise easily in frustration, or hurt too. Sometimes it is really a mask for covering up more difficult feelings, like shame. It helps to sit with the anger and figure out what the emotion was just previous to the anger. In that way, we might have real possibility to deal with the root cause. In this way, we say that anger is our teacher, but we have to want to feel it, to be the student.

Peace to everyone and I hope you are staying safe and warm!
Renee

02/02/2022

Some great advice!

01/12/2022

Good news, everyone! We have a new transgender surgery center in town. Check out Dr. Dany Hanna. He is offering both top/bottom surgery for FTM, MTF and Nonbinary! Yay, I met with him and his wife today and very excited to have them here in Dallas to serve the community! Yay!
https://hannagendercenter.com/

A premier gender affirming surgical practice whose sole mission is to provide the best care available to transgender and non-binary patients. The Hanna Gender Center combines the latest surgical techniques with a patient centric approach and expertise .

01/10/2022

Hello everyone,
Years ago, I smoked a pack a day of ci******es. For a good five or six years. It was hard to quit, but very worth it. I was wondering how long it takes for lungs to heal and found this article. I thought I would share. It's the new year. A good time to turn over a new leaf! Quitting smoking was hard, but one of the best things I could let go of. We all have our demons! It's good to rise above them!

Quitting smoking can be very daunting, but some of the benefits come much faster than anticipated. In fact, health benefits begin to take effect just one hour after a person has smoked their last cigarette. This article gives a timeline showing the benefits after 1 hour of quitting smoking through t...