Growing Up Hayden

 

We’ve named our blog, Growing Up Hayden because we feel it’s a testament to what it is to live in the now, in a world where the LGBT community is fighting for acceptance and equality.  Our content is focused on all aspects of what it is to live, love and thrive in what’s still a very judgmental world.  Growing Up Hayden is a live narrative that we hope will continue to illustrate positive changes and a more and more loving, open and welcoming world.

LGBTQ Civil Rights Update

We’re all about LGBTQ friendliness here at Hayden’s List. Some have asked us – is Hayden’s List even needed? Our response – same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states however did you know that in 30 states it is still legal to discriminate against sexual orientation and gender identity? What does this mean? The LGBTQ community can legally be discriminated against in the workplace, in housing, in restaurants, and other places that serve the general public. Now, many cities within these 30 states have nondiscrimination laws that apply within that city but it’s still shocking to know the LGBTQ community isn’t protected everywhere. Curious what the laws are where you live? Check out this very informative video.

Also, did you know, 36 states do not ban discrimination against all LGBTQ students in education. “So in a majority of states, LGBTQ students have no explicit legal protections in schools.”

Studies have shown that nondiscrimination laws reduce signs of prejudice. “These effects occur because anti-discrimination legislation can create social norms that govern what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviors to display toward stigmatized individuals.” The public is not accepting because of the threat of the law but these civil rights “set the morals of a community”.

So we now have same sex marriage, but we still have a long way to go.

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/22/8465027/lgbt-nondiscrimination-laws

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Recurring Theme: Cancelled in North Carolina

It’s become a recurring theme. Concerts – cancelled, sporting events – cancelled, and now the latest to refuse to come to the North Carolina – The University of Vermont Women’s Basketball Team. The team just announced they are cancelling their December 28 away game versus the University of North Carolina due to the HB2 law in North Carolina. Players, coaches and school officials come to this decision together and feel good about their decision.

Vermont’s Athletic Director Jeff Schulman told ESPN.com:

“The decision to cancel our December 28 women’s basketball game at North Carolina was made as a result of concerns over the HB2 law, which prevents transgender people from using government-run bathrooms based on their gender identity.

We strive very hard to create an inclusive climate for our students and staff in which they all can feel safe, respected and valued. It would be hard to fulfill these obligations while competing in a state with this law, which is contrary to our values as an athletic department and university.”

The Vermont / UNC game is not the first event or sporting event to be cancelled because of the law. Bruce Springsteen cancelled a concert in North Carolina. The NBA moved the 2017 All Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans and the University of Albany cancelled a men’s basketball game against Duke scheduled in November. So, whose next?

Vermont Cancels Women's Basketball Game vs. UNC over State's Transgender Law

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Live in Sacramento? Interested in a LGBTQ Friendly cake?

Live in Sacramento? Interested in a LGBTQ Friendly cake?

The Freeport Bakery in Sacramento, California, like all bakeries on social media, posted a picture of a finished cake. However the response to this cake was unlike any other.

“I will never call you for a cake ever, again, and I am throwing your cards to the garbage,” one customer wrote. Added another: “You can dress up a plastic doll but sorry to burst your bubble. A person’s DNA determines their sex.”

The owner of The Freeport Bakery was shocked at the negative response. Marlene Goetzeler told The Huffington Post “I was really surprised. Honestly, I must be really naive,”

The cake in question is a depiction of a Ken doll wearing a pink dress and jewelry made out of frosting. Many people saw this as a statement that Ken was a member of the transgender community. “I don’t ask people why they’re buying a cake. I don’t say, ‘Are you gay? Are you transgender?’ It’s not something that comes up,” Goetzeler said.

Despite losing social media followers and the negative comments, Goetzeler said she does not plan to change the way she does business. “We’re in the business of spreading joy ― that’s what we do,” she said. “We make cakes that people love, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Hayden’s List approves this message and next time any of our staff are in Sacramento, we’ll be sure to stop by for a cake.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/transgender-ken-doll-cake_us_57bf4663e4b085c1ff2870f7

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Australian Government at Odds over Same Sex Marriage

You may be shocked to hear but Australia still doesn’t have same sex marriage. With large metropolitan and open-minded cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – folks often forget they are still fighting the fight Down Under. So what’s the latest? Recently, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared he wants a public vote on same sex marriage because he is not a “dictator.” He also has said that a public vote is the quickest and easiest way to legalize same sex marriage because after the public vote, a parliamentary vote must be held.

The Labour Party wants a parliamentary vote only. The Labour Party calls the public vote “expensive and pointless.”
The cost of the public vote would be between $160 million – $500 billion dollars and its taxpayers money, when the majority of parliamentarians in Australia are pro-same-sex marriage.

We’re watching Australia.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/08/28/australian-prime-minister-calls-labor-villains-for-threat-to-block-public-same-sex-marriage-vote/?utm_source=PNT&utm_medium=SocialTwitter&utm_content=TwitterJM&utm_campaign=PNTwitter

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“Chosen Families” for LGBTQ Seniors

Not every LGBTQ community members receives support from their biological families. Many LGBTQ members have “chosen families”, the network of friends that a community member finds their support system. Unfortunately statistics show the “chosen families” support system mostly occurs with younger generations.

LGBTQ Seniors are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single and almost 75% less likely to have children. These Seniors also live in poverty and face discrimination. It is difficult for LGBTQ Seniors to receive the social services they need. The GRIOT Circle Community Center in Brooklyn is trying to change this.

GRIOT, stands for “Gay Reunion in Our Time,” was founded in 1996 as an organization to help LGBTQ Seniors of color find community. It has recently partnered with SAGE USA, the nation’s largest social service organization serving LGBTQ elders, to help expand programming.

GRIOT offers programs like book club and tai-chai free of charge to its members. The center also provides lunch free daily to provide a sense of connection. To these LGBTQ Seniors, community is everything.

For more information click SAGE USA or GRIOT Circle.

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You Deserve a Beautiful Smile

You Deserve a Beautiful Smile

If you have visited the Hartford page on Hayden’s List then you know that “You deserve a beautiful smile.”  East Cedar Dental Inc. and Dr. Aaron Farrokh have been a supportive part of Hayden’s List as one of the first companies to advertise with us.  They also have a perfect 10 review for being welcoming to the LGBTQ community.

We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Farrokh about his background, his passion for providing a beautiful smile, how East Cedar Dental Inc is a leader in helping to solve sleep apnea and the importance of Hayden’s List.

Dr. Farrokh knew from a young age that he wanted to work in healthcare and own his own business. His father was a primary care physician. Dr. Farrokh saw the long hours that his father worked and craved a different kind of lifestyle.  A friend in college brought dentistry to his attention. Dr. Farrokh shadowed a dentist and he liked the mix of healthcare, working with people and working with his hands.  When Dr. Farrokh was looking to set up his own practice in the Greater Hartford area, he took over an established practice in Newington and East Cedar Dental Inc. was born.

Dr. Farrokh stands by his slogan that “You deserve a beautiful smile.”  His favorite part of dentistry is the aesthetic and restorative procedures that improve people’s smiles.  Some of the most popular procedures at East Cedar Dental Inc are teeth whitening, crowns, bridges and veneers.

Dr. Farrokh has expanded into improving patient’s sleep.  East Cedar Dental has joined the twenty percent of dentists now fitting patients for the Hearst Appliance or oral appliance for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  Individuals with sleep apnea have a collapsing airway which leads to choking and gasping for breathe during sleep and therefore an interrupted sleep cycle. The medical treatment is a Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) machine. However fifty of people prescribed the PAP machine are intolerant.  Dr. Farrokh has begun providing the alternative OSA device. The OSA is custom fitted to the patient through measurements and impressions.  The OSA works by moving the lower jaw forward to open up the airway for continual airflow and uninterrupted sleep.

Patients are loving the OSA option for sleep apnea.  First, the patient can do a take home sleep study test instead of going to a lab.  A lab test costs around $1000 compared to the take home test cost of $150-200.  The take home test is much more comfortable than the lab test also.  The patient doesn’t need to be hooked up to a bunch of wires with the take home test.  Second, the OSA is more comfortable during sleep for the patient.  There is no noise, tubing, and easy to remove.  The patient’s partner is also not disturbed during sleep with the lack of noise.  The OSA is less cumbersome and can be easily packed for travelling. “Ergonomically it’s better” said Dr. Farrokh.

Dr. Farrokh learned about Hayden’s List when a patient put a positive review on the site.  “As a member of the LGBT community, I recommend Dr. Farrokh and his staff.  Dr. Farrokh is friendly and funny and an excellent dentist!” says the review.

Dr. Farrokh visited the site and wanted to be one of the first to advertise with us.  “People shouldn’t be discriminated against for their religion, race, gender or sexual orientation,” he says.  Dr. Farrokh wants EVERYONE to feel welcome when they visit East Cedar Dental Inc.

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LGBTQ Activist Killed in Turkey

Hande Kader was a twenty-two year old Turkish trans woman. In mid-August she was set on fire after being raped.

Kader was a fearless and well-known LGBTQ activist in Turkey. She had been photographed and filed participating in Gay Pride Istanbul in June 2015 where she was escorted by police after security used water cannons and rubber pellets to disperse the parade.

Organizations and protests have made noise about this brutal killing and have called for justice to end hate crimes against the LGBTQ community in Turkey. The hashtag #HandeKadereSesVer meaning “Give voice to Hande Kader” was trending on Twitter. The LGBTQ organizations, Pink Life Association and Istanbul LGBTI+ Network, both demanded justice for Kader and protection of the rights of transgender people.  Also hundreds of protesters attended a march to “raise their voice” against LGBTQ hate crimes in Turkey.

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