Public Policy Advocacy, Department of Family Medicine in the Medical School at the University of Minnesota

Faculty Activities Influencing Public Policy

Eli Coleman, PhD

• Media Consultant.  Frequently consulting with major news organizations such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, ABC News, and Minneapolis StarTribune to provide science-based information on a myriad of sexual health issues.  Frequently quoted in newspapers, magazines, television programs and radio.
• Project Coordinator and Senior Editor to the World Association for Sexual Health.  Coordinating the development of a technical document to promote sexual health in alignment with the UN Millennium Development Goals.  Funded by the Ford Foundation.  2006- present.
• WHO Liaison Officer for the World Association for Sexual Health.  Working with WHO to publish new definitions of sexual health, a conceptual framework for promoting sexual health, and integrating sexual health services into reproductive health services, a template for new public health policies promoting sexual health throughout the world.
• Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization Liaison Officer for the World Association for Sexual Health.  Working to implement sexual health strategies to improve the sexual health of individuals throughout the Americas, focusing on HIV prevention, public policies, reduction of stigma and discrimination, and promotion of sexual rights.  Chair of the Adolescent Sexual Health in Latin America Advisory Committee.
• Chair, Standards of Care, World Professional Association for Transgender Health.  Working on a revised edition of the Standards of Care based upon scientific evidence, promoting the highest quality of care for transgendered persons around the world.
• Co-Chair, Trojan Sexual Health Advisory Committee.   Working to develop a strategy to promote sexual health and responsible sexual behavior, increase awareness of scientific-based knowledge of factors to improve sexual health including comprehensive sexuality education and increase condom usage.  Development of public awareness campaigns, public information and new products which promote a healthy sexuality.
• Consultant, National Advisory Committee for Morehouse School of Medicine Center of Excellence in Sexual Health, David Satcher, Director.  Continue to advise Dr. Satcher on activities which will promote sexual health in this country and in particular improve medical school education in human sexuality.

Dianne Berg, PhD

• Advocate on behalf of transgendered individuals through consultation/training with elementary and high schools, universities, professional organizations and the workplace. 
• Legal consulting on behalf of individuals with intersex conditions and advocacy related to sexual abuse and sexual offending. 

Walter Bockting, PhD

• Elected Advisory Committee Member, World Association for Sexual Health, 2005 – present.  Carrying out the mission of this Association to promote sexual health and sexual rights throughout the world.
• Participant and workgroup facilitator, Sexual Health Consultation Meeting of the World Association for Sexual Health, Oaxaca, Mexico, May, 2006.  Examined the scientific evidence that points to the burden that sexual ill-health represents for global development.
• Member, Task Force on Gender Identity, Gender Variance, and Intersex issues.  American Psychological Association, 2005 – 2007.  Determined how the American Psychological Association can better serve the needs of transgender psychologists, students, and communities in the areas of research, education, service, and public policy.
• Expert opinion regarding the psychosocial impact of a female custodial placement for a female-to-male transsexual defendant into a female federal custodial facility. October 21, 2005.
• Consultant and trainer, Transgender HIV prevention and care, AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, 2005.  Trained HIV prevention workers in the unique HIV risks and prevention needs of transgender individuals, with implications for public health policy (e.g., availability of transgender-specific HIV prevention materials, health and social services).
• Consultant and trainer, Transgender mental health symposium and Trans Care Project, Department of Psychiatry, VGH/Vancouver Community Mental Health Services and Transgender Health Program, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada, 2004-2005. Developed and implemented a curriculum to make transgender-specific care available through a network of community-based health providers following the closure of a university-based gender clinic.
• Invited moderator. HIV/AIDS, sexuality, and public policy plenary sponsored by the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. World Congress of Sexology, Montreal, Canada, July 15, 2005.  Moderated a plenary panel to discuss the public policy priorities to curtail the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• Consultant on transgender health and rights, OutFront Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2004. Provided evidence-based testimony and advocacy to promote access and coverage of transgender-specific health care and developed policy for changes in sex indicator on identification documents (e.g., on driver’s license).
• Advisor to Behavior Health Policy Committee on treatment of Gender Identity Disorders, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2003.  Assisted in the development of a policy to improve access and cover the costs of transgender-specific health care including hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery.
• Invited participant. Transgender Forum. The Surgeon General’s Leadership Campaign on AIDS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001. Participated in a consultation meeting to assess the health disparities facing the transgender community and discuss how changes in public policy can reduce these disparities.
• Vice-President, North American Federation of Sexuality Organizations, 2002 – present. Co-founded this organization to increase collaboration between the numerous sexuality organizations in North America and foster a unified voice influencing public policy.
• Expert consultation, HIV behavioral survey of racial and ethnic minority transgender persons, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006.  Assisted in the development of behavioral surveillance to assess the HIV risks and prevention needs of transgender people of color who are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
• President, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, 2004-2005. Increased the participation of this association of sexual scientists in national and international initiatives to affect public policy relevant to sexual health.
• Member, Board of Directors, World Professional Association for Transgender Health.  1999 – present.  Professional organization devoted to the promotion of transgender health around the world.

Jamie Feldman, MD, PhD

• Chair of the Transgender Medicine and Research Committee, World Professional Association for Transgender Health.  Developing transgender health guidelines and has served as a consultant on a number of legal cases that have been setting precedent for health care rights to effective care for transgendered persons.

Michael Miner, PhD

• Vice President of the International Association for Treatment of Sex Offenders (2000-2008).  Advocating for humane and effective treatment of sexual offenders on world-wide basis.  Establishing standards of care for the treatment of sexual offending adolescents and adults.
• Member, Stop It Now Advisory Committee.  This is a public campaign to encourage people who are at a risk for offending to come forward for psychological assistance before they have committed sexual crimes.
• Member, Treatment and Assessment Workgroup, Minnesota Department of Corrections Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.  Working with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to develop guidelines for humane and effective assessment and treatment guidelines for statewide sexual offender programs.
• Expert Witness.  Presenting testimony on risk assessment for juvenile sex offenders to the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Department of Corrections regarding public policies and laws pertaining to prevention and management of sexual offenders.  Often, testifying in legal cases establishing precedent for humane and effective treatment. 

Nancy Raymond, MD

• Expert Consultant:  Senate Bill S.F. No. 3126 to establish a trafficking victims toll-free hotline.  The bill provides funding to establish the multilingual, 24-hour hotline. 2005-06 legislative session. 

Bean Robinson, PhD

• Expert Consultant.  2006 CDC/HIV Behavioral Survey of Racial and Ethnic Minority Transgender Persons
• Expert Consultant.  2004 Improving HIV Prevention for Transgenders: A Consultation with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Invited Participant.  Surgeon General's Call to Action on promoting responsible sexual behavior. Office of Population Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.
• Invited Participant.  Public health dialogue: Promoting responsible sexual behavior. Office of Population Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services. 1999. 
• Community Health and Policy Advocate.  HIV Prevention in the African American community.
• Executive Director, World Professional Association for Transgender Health.   Professional organization devoted to the promotion of transgender health around the world.