Two wins for the transgender community

In a decision announced earlier this month the Internal Revenue Service said it will allow transgender people to deduct the cost of gender-related surgeries and treatments, the same as with other medical expenses. These deductions can offset the cost of these surgeries, most of which are not covered by private insurance. This would include things like surgery but also hormone therapy and other gender-related treatments.

In other good trans news, Massachusetts passed a bill on Wednesday protecting transgender people from discrimination based on their gender identity.

The bill will provide essential protections for the transgender community in employment, education, housing, and in situations where people face hate-based violence, and will go into effect on July 1, 2012.

It is now waiting for the Governor’s signature, which seems likely.