Politics vs. Services
Posted in news on Sep 2nd, 2008
When I left my comfortable, well-paid, Federal government job (IRS) in the mid-70’s, I had no idea what laid ahead for me—as I would make my career transition into the nonprofit arena. Wow…!
I often recall a conversation I had with one of my earliest supervisors—the E.D. of a well-known Oakland, CA based CBO. We were dialoging one day about the ‘political’ aspects of the field. “Well, I am very happy where I am and in my role as just one of the workers,” was my statement to my boss. I went on to say that, “You can handle all the politics…and just let me remain in the background to do the work—I want no part of the political stuff.” I recall vividly her stoic reply, “My dear, they go hand in hand…and if you’re gonna’ do the work, you’d better learn something about the politics.”
In the many years that have followed, I’ve come to understand, appreciate, and fully embrace those kind words of wisdom…and, the guidance that followed.
Most of us are usually clueless about the political aspects that are so closely aligned with the nonprofit/social services sector. But, they are there!
Numbers—often times referred to as “incidence” - are what generally guide the funding processes for services. This means, the higher the numbers of “incidence” (i.e., HIV cases), the more justifiable ‘the need’ is for funding. Bear in mind too, that we only began tracking and recording HIV cases in April of 2006. AIDS cases have been reported since March 1983.
In any event, the California State Office of AIDS Administration in its May 2008 cumulative report on HIV/AIDS cases (by each county), reports that there were 982 total verified cases of persons living with HIV. According to various epidemiological reports for Alameda County, somewhere between 9 and 17 of our ‘total’ reported HIV cases were persons who were categorized as being Transgender. So, statistically speaking…that’s only 1-2 percent.
Okay, are you getting it now? The reasons why there is such limited funding appropriated for Transgender specific services?
Added to this ominous situation is the continuing practice, on the part of CBO’s and other service providers, to categorize Transgender (MTF/Male-to-Female) clients as “MSM” (Men-who-have Sex-with-Men). Our pre-eminent health department in Atlanta (CDC) is fully aware of this practice, and has yet to call for changes or, to require separate (Transgender) reporting criteria. This continues to negate our ability to demand more funds directed to specific HIV/AIDS health education and related healthcare issues for our community. And, even though Transgender men and women of color have been listed as one of the “special priority populations” for the past three fiscal years; in Alameda County…the ‘politics’ dictate that, our “low numbers” are also indicative of the minimal dollars allocated, annually, for Transgender services.
So, if you—like myself—know more than 17 TG persons that live in this County…political governance is NOT working in our favor…simply, because of “the numbers!”
