The other shoe has finally dropped.

[Emma Beth]

A while back, I posted about how well my transition has been going and how supportive everyone has been in my life. The people in my personal life remain great.

Well, the other day I finally got down to finding out the information I most likely will need from my Insurance at work regarding my Transition.

I was at work almost three weeks ago and I ran into my Union Rep. I asked him a few questions about Trans care and our insurance. Specifically about any coverage for any surgeries. I mostly asked about Breast Augmentation.

His direct response to my question about Breast Augmentation was, "Don't they take a pill for that?" I did educate him a little and I hope it helped.

I found out that any procedure is specifically Excluded from coverage.

I also found out something that really got my blood going.

Next year, the store I work at is going to be remodeled.

During our conversation, he told me that we will be getting a "Family" bathroom put into our store. He also told me that the real reason behind this is so they can prevent Transwomen from using the ladies room and so on.

It took me a bit to recover from this new info. Especially since I have been told how "Inclusive" the Company is supposed to be.

I have been in touch with the nearest Human Rights Campaign office to me so I could talk to someone about this to see if I can do anything about it, if they can help me with this, or if they can help with me finding the right resources that I may need. Even if I don't take any action against the company I work for. I do have to consider my battles very carefully.

So, I hope I can get some good news from my meeting on the 14th next week.

[jentay1367]

Sad reality is Emma, most transitions are still self funded. Persevere, save money and keep your eyes on the prize. Moving to California and seeking employment there in a large company might be an option. Living in the State you live in is doing you no favors at all......

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/31/mississippi-s-anti-lgbt-law-is-worse-than-north-carolina-s.html

[Georgette_USA]

I have heard that most policy's exclude BA. He is partly right on "Don't they take a pill for that?", many Trans and all cis women Estrogen will grow your own. My partner and I did not get BA, she was a small B at best, I got C-D after some 5-10 years.

If they allowed it for Trans, they would have to include all cis women. Could see where that could get expensive for Insurance companies.

It would be so nice if Insurance paid for everything. BUT everyone who pays into Insurance pays for all expenditures.

My partner and I paid upfront for all procedures (doctors, HRT, SRS). NO Insurance for any back in 1977. I was able to get 50% back under the Psychiatric part of my policy. After SRS policy did cover HRT as any Post-Menopausal woman.
People will pay anywhere from 20000-30000 or more for a car, 100000 or more for housing, AND huge amounts for College degrees. It is called taking a loan, or saving for some time. I saved money from time in military to first job, some 5 years.

[Laura912]

I wonder if there really is a battle to be had with your company based on a not nice comment from some one who appears to be not well informed. The person did not know about BA and cited the company's policy of getting a family bathroom which sounds like a positive step. His reason for why may be his own lack of information. The family bathroom would be an asset in a sate with certain laws.

[Starling]

...Moving to California and seeking employment there in a large company might be an option...

Yes, but...as a Californian, I can guarantee it will cost you three times as much to live here as in Mississippi; so you would have to get a really high-paying job, or else live in a part of the state where you might think you were better off in Mississippi. I also believe it's valuable to raise the consciousness of the people around you, no matter where you live. That's how change happens, albeit slowly. Good luck whatever you decide to do, Emma Beth!

:) Lallie

[Heidi Stevens]

Hang in Emma, and keep digging for answers. As far as your company being "progressive", they still got to deal with folks from Mississippi. Since I'm right next door in Arkansas, I know a very large number of the public are put off by the thought of a real trans woman being IN Mississippi, let alone dealing with one. A bunch of the folks your company deals with probably think boys still get cooties from girls and you can catch homosexuality.
Keep pushing for help from the folks you're supposed to get help from. Insurance can have a lot of restrictions on "elective" procedures. Good luck next month

[jentay1367]

No easy answer......that's for sure. Getting this done seems to be about so much more than just merely wanting it. Good luck Emma. I know you want it, so I'll bet you'll find the way!

[Tommie.]

My insurance is the same and I live in West Texas in the most conservative town in the state so I feel the same as the rest... laws and company policies exist but people in the area enforce or interpret them. A trans friend of mine here cannot get a job anywhere going en femme.... all the employers mouth the policies but where do the apps go... no where. The country is changing albeit slowly... we shall also overcome... but picking the right battles and patience are in order according to your needs and what is reasonably possible to your area. I totally sympathize in any case... huggs.... tommie

[Exris]

Some people have it so tough.

I shed a tear for you OP. I hope that you get what you want and need soon.

I want it too. But need it less. Im not "Meh" at all on the subject... I know exactly what Id like. Reality > Dreams tho.

I respect ppl like you immensely. I hope you get it... and soon!

[Emma Beth]

Well, I'm definitely researching what I can and can not do.

I'm aware of getting a loan, saving money, etc. It would have been nice if the Company I work for that espouses their Inclusive culture were really as inclusive as they claim.

I agree, we do take medication that will grow our breasts. But it is really hard to convey the tone of voice he used that spoke more meaning than his actual words did to me.

Just keeping my head above water at the moment is sapping my resources and I was really hoping that something would be there I could use. I know that I would have to pay something, but some help would have been appreciated.

From some other information I was given, I am one of two Transgendered individuals in the entire division which covers Mississippi, Tennessee, and I think Louisiana; and I'm not even out at work yet. I'm planning on going full time by the end of next march after my legal name change. The numbers are what I have been looking at and they just don't add up to anything good from my perspective.

I have the weekend off and on Monday I see someone at my local Human Rights Campaign office to see what else may be out there where I can get the assistance I may need and whether or not I can even do anything besides educating the Company. Which I'm not so sure would do any good anyway.

Who knows, maybe my visit to HRC on Monday will lead to something bigger and better than where I am now. I'm not getting my hopes up, but I will always be hopeful that there is something I can access.