California, leading as usual, recently enacted a medical sensitivity and awareness statute. I had total hip replacement surgery in May, and there was a brief form at intake inquiring about birth sex, preferred current status, and an open question as to anything else the patient would like to add about gender identity or expression. At first I thought it was just an enlightened hospital (rural community of about 70,000), but the nurse told me it was a new state law and pointed out a nearby poster explaining the requirements. My surgeon and the nursing staff discreetly asked what name and pronouns I preferred and scrupulously honored them throughout the two-day stay in the hospital. My Medicare and supplemental insurance are in my male name, and comprehensive identity change has become something of a minefield, so there's the official label for insurance and my choices for how they interact with me. I was a first for some of the staff, and they were uniformly curious in a sincere professional way, so I was able to educate them. I hope it makes it easier for those who follow. Surgery was four weeks ago today, and my recovery is apparently above average. Not dancing yet, but taking laps around the block with the cane and getting back to everyday tasks.
And Nicole Erin, I hope your list of daily sugar intake was tongue-in-cheek...
