Trans News/ Issues

weatherboi · 02-18-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Can someone file for a tax deduction -- retroactively -- for their past SRS?

yes...i read it in another article that said this ruling makes it possible to file retroactively but i havent found it again...i am looking...the lady in the first article had her surgery in 2001...i am not sure if that would put her in that category or not.

weatherboi · 02-18-2011, 12:55 PM

Tax Victory For Transgender People Finalized

Early last year, a federal tax court issued a ruling which is a major victory for transgender people. The court ruled that people who undergo sex reassignment surgery may, with certain limitations, claim the cost of the surgery as a tax deductible medical expense on their federal tax return. February 7, 2011 was the deadline for the government to appeal the decision, and it did not do so. So the decision is now final and binding on the federal government. It appears now that others can claim sex reassignment surgery, and hormone therapy, as a deductible medical expense on their federal tax return assuming they have the documents to support their need for them.

The court said that, if a patient is experiencing gender identity disorder (GID), and there is a clear medical record that the surgery is needed to treat that condition, then the costs of the surgery may be deducted as a medical expense on federal income tax return. Anyone who is considering having the surgery, and claiming a tax deduction for it on their federal income tax return, should first consult with their medical provider and with their tax advisor. This decision should not be made lightly.

The court said Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is an actual disease, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. It also said hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery, are valid forms of treatment for that disease, and the costs of such care are deductible under the Internal Revenue Code.

This case began when a transgender person in Massachusetts, Rhiannon O'Donnabhain, underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2001. She then claimed the cost of the procedure as a deductible medical expense on her federal tax return. But the Internal Revenue Service refused to allow the deduction. Ms. O'Donnabhain then went to court to appeal their decision.

The tax court said O'Donnabhain could claim the cost of hormone therapy and of sex reassignment surgery. It did refuse to allow a deduction for the cost of breast enhancement surgery. The court said her breast augmentation surgery was directed at improving her appearance and she had not shown that the surgery either meaningfully promoted the proper function of the body, or a treated a disease, within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code.

Last year, a contact at the California Franchise Tax Board said California law generally conforms to federal tax law and so, if the tax court decision is finalized, transgender people in California might well be permitted to claim sex reassignment surgery, and hormone therapy, costs as deductible expenses on both their federal and state income tax returns. We do not yet have a final decision from the Franchise Tax Board on the issue. However, we are currently in discussion with them. We will let you know the final outcome on this issue.

People may also be able to submit amended tax returns for prior years. It is possible to submit federal amended tax returns for the past 3 years, and amended California returns for the past 4 years. Thus, if people had their surgery prior to 2010, it might still be possible to claim the cost of the surgery as a medically deductible expense. However, you should consult a tax attorney or other qualified tax expert before trying this.

Similarly, one should not assume that any claim for sex reassignment surgery will be approved by the IRS. To succeed with such a claim, the person must have clear documentation that he or she suffers from Gender Identity Disorder and that the surgery was necessary to the treatment of the disorder. Medical verification of these facts would be necessary.

People may see a copy of the tax court decision by directing their browser to: http://www.calcomui.org/nwsflsh021511.html and then clicking on the link at the bottom of the web based version of this NewsFlash.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/national...#ixzz1EL0PgF9W
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

MsTinkerbelly · 02-18-2011, 01:52 PM

MA Gov. Deval Patrick Issues Executive Order Protecting Trans State Workers

Yesterday Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick "quietly" signed an executive order protecting state workers from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Christian groups have denounced the protection as "the bathroom bill" and are screaming the usual nonsense about men in dresses stalking little girls in public restrooms.
“This Executive Order ensures that all employees in the executive branch will continue to be able to perform their duties free of discrimination,” Patrick spokesman Alex Goldstein said in a statement. Gay rights groups hailed the move yesterday as a strong “first step” in equality for transgendered people, but critics have cautioned that the bill could make state restrooms and lockers unisex. “If this indeed is a bathroom bill, if it is there’s no doubt that it will impact the public schools,” said Kris Mineau, a longtime opponent of the bill. Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said she’ll still work to get the legislation passed in order to ensure equal rights in the private sector. “We are deeply grateful yet again to Gov. Patrick for his solid and consistent support,” Isaacson said.

Ebon · 02-22-2011, 09:38 AM

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please.

Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues.

I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Thank you."

princessbelle · 02-22-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebon

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please.

Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues.

I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Thank you."

I've been seeing this advertised as well!!!! I'm gonna tape it. I hope it is what "we" will be proud of. Keepin fingers crossed.

Ebon · 02-22-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessbelle

I've been seeing this advertised as well!!!! I'm gonna tape it. I hope it is what "we" will be proud of. Keepin fingers crossed.

Yeah it will interesting to see how they do it.

EnderD_503 · 02-22-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebon

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please.

Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues.

I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Thank you."

I've been hearing people talk about this over the last few days and really wish I had the means to watch it today! Hopefully I'll be able to find it on youtube or elsewhere online!

rlin · 02-22-2011, 04:16 PM

http://www.365gay.com/news/more-us-c...ender-surgery/

~Bo · 02-22-2011, 06:45 PM

There's a Transgender documentary on OWN hosted by Lisa Ling tonight at 10PM.

DapperButch · 02-22-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebon

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please.

Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues.

I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Thank you."

Show is starting now folks!

durrrrrrrr · 02-22-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebon

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please.

Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues.

I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Thank you."

I also seen it advertised, and I am watching it now

Corkey · 02-22-2011, 09:07 PM

Taping it so my wife can watch with.

EnderD_503 · 03-15-2011, 02:37 PM

Figured I'm not the only one who couldn't watch Transgender Lives on TV, so dropping a link I just found today. You can either stream or download the episode here: http://www.watchseries-online.com/20...der-lives.html

Pretty good, but my connection cut off and couldn't see the last 10 minutes. It was better than I expected for a mainstream-ish show.

02-18-2011, 12:55 PM	#2
weatherboi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Owned boy Preferred Pronoun?: Hey boy!!! Relationship Status: counting freckles slowly under Her direction!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: i have 2 sets of geographic coordinates!!! Posts: 6,097 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 26,797 Thanked 12,549 Times in 2,993 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Claims Tax Victory For Transgender People Finalized Early last year, a federal tax court issued a ruling which is a major victory for transgender people. The court ruled that people who undergo sex reassignment surgery may, with certain limitations, claim the cost of the surgery as a tax deductible medical expense on their federal tax return. February 7, 2011 was the deadline for the government to appeal the decision, and it did not do so. So the decision is now final and binding on the federal government. It appears now that others can claim sex reassignment surgery, and hormone therapy, as a deductible medical expense on their federal tax return assuming they have the documents to support their need for them. The court said that, if a patient is experiencing gender identity disorder (GID), and there is a clear medical record that the surgery is needed to treat that condition, then the costs of the surgery may be deducted as a medical expense on federal income tax return. Anyone who is considering having the surgery, and claiming a tax deduction for it on their federal income tax return, should first consult with their medical provider and with their tax advisor. This decision should not be made lightly. The court said Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is an actual disease, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. It also said hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery, are valid forms of treatment for that disease, and the costs of such care are deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. This case began when a transgender person in Massachusetts, Rhiannon O'Donnabhain, underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2001. She then claimed the cost of the procedure as a deductible medical expense on her federal tax return. But the Internal Revenue Service refused to allow the deduction. Ms. O'Donnabhain then went to court to appeal their decision. The tax court said O'Donnabhain could claim the cost of hormone therapy and of sex reassignment surgery. It did refuse to allow a deduction for the cost of breast enhancement surgery. The court said her breast augmentation surgery was directed at improving her appearance and she had not shown that the surgery either meaningfully promoted the proper function of the body, or a treated a disease, within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. Last year, a contact at the California Franchise Tax Board said California law generally conforms to federal tax law and so, if the tax court decision is finalized, transgender people in California might well be permitted to claim sex reassignment surgery, and hormone therapy, costs as deductible expenses on both their federal and state income tax returns. We do not yet have a final decision from the Franchise Tax Board on the issue. However, we are currently in discussion with them. We will let you know the final outcome on this issue. People may also be able to submit amended tax returns for prior years. It is possible to submit federal amended tax returns for the past 3 years, and amended California returns for the past 4 years. Thus, if people had their surgery prior to 2010, it might still be possible to claim the cost of the surgery as a medically deductible expense. However, you should consult a tax attorney or other qualified tax expert before trying this. Similarly, one should not assume that any claim for sex reassignment surgery will be approved by the IRS. To succeed with such a claim, the person must have clear documentation that he or she suffers from Gender Identity Disorder and that the surgery was necessary to the treatment of the disorder. Medical verification of these facts would be necessary. People may see a copy of the tax court decision by directing their browser to: http://www.calcomui.org/nwsflsh021511.html and then clicking on the link at the bottom of the web based version of this NewsFlash. Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/national...#ixzz1EL0PgF9W Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

02-18-2011, 01:52 PM	#3
MsTinkerbelly Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ... Preferred Pronoun?: ... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ... Posts: 6,573 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,737 Thanked 22,914 Times in 5,020 Posts Rep Power: 0	From joemygod MA Gov. Deval Patrick Issues Executive Order Protecting Trans State Workers Yesterday Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick "quietly" signed an executive order protecting state workers from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Christian groups have denounced the protection as "the bathroom bill" and are screaming the usual nonsense about men in dresses stalking little girls in public restrooms. “This Executive Order ensures that all employees in the executive branch will continue to be able to perform their duties free of discrimination,” Patrick spokesman Alex Goldstein said in a statement. Gay rights groups hailed the move yesterday as a strong “first step” in equality for transgendered people, but critics have cautioned that the bill could make state restrooms and lockers unisex. “If this indeed is a bathroom bill, if it is there’s no doubt that it will impact the public schools,” said Kris Mineau, a longtime opponent of the bill. Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said she’ll still work to get the legislation passed in order to ensure equal rights in the private sector. “We are deeply grateful yet again to Gov. Patrick for his solid and consistent support,” Isaacson said.

02-22-2011, 09:38 AM	#4
Ebon Senior Member How Do You Identify?: With my souls eyes. Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: lol Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Here Posts: 3,476 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,524 Thanked 11,141 Times in 2,756 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/lisa-l...sgender-lives/ "If you are fortunate enough to receive the new Oprah Winfrey Network, there is a show coming up Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. Eastern that I urge you to watch. Please. Lisa Ling’s Our America is doing an hour on “Transgender Lives.” I’ve spent the past ten years, as the mother of a transgender, painfully aware of the fact that LGBT ought to be written LGB and maybe T. Transgenders (and please don’t bother with comments about what everyone wants to be called) are the odd-ones-out in the LGB community. They don’t fit into any of the neat little classifications that everyone seems to have for themselves and everyone else. But they don’t fit into mainstream society either. They don’t even fit with each other most of the time, with too many variations of the medical and psychological issues. I’m asking you to take an hour and learn a bit more about transgenderism, please. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, or TiVo it or whatever, it will be rebroadcast on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern. Thank you." __________________ In Lak'ech Ala K'in I'm a Soul Rebel http://wannabereverend.wordpress.com/ Spirituality is not a belief system or ideology, it is the surrender of one's ego to the infinite wisdom and knowledge that is the universe.

02-22-2011, 04:16 PM	#8
rlin Member How Do You Identify?: human Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nomad Posts: 712 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,450 Thanked 1,189 Times in 451 Posts Rep Power: 1004849	stealth coverage... http://www.365gay.com/news/more-us-c...ender-surgery/

02-22-2011, 09:07 PM	#12
Corkey Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Human Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Very Married Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Where I want to be Posts: 8,155 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47,491 Thanked 29,271 Times in 6,637 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Taping it so my wife can watch with. __________________ "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee)

02-22-2011, 06:45 PM	#9
~Bo Senior Member How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: PA Posts: 1,590 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,247 Thanked 1,680 Times in 742 Posts Rep Power: 13485855	There's a Transgender documentary on OWN hosted by Lisa Ling tonight at 10PM.

03-15-2011, 02:37 PM	#13
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Figured I'm not the only one who couldn't watch Transgender Lives on TV, so dropping a link I just found today. You can either stream or download the episode here: http://www.watchseries-online.com/20...der-lives.html Pretty good, but my connection cut off and couldn't see the last 10 minutes. It was better than I expected for a mainstream-ish show.

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