Rebecca Anne Allison (December 21, 1946 - August 11, 2024) was an American cardiologist and transgender activist. She served as president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical AssociationRochman, Sue (November 20, 2007). What's up, doc? Would removing transgender from the list of mental disorders do more harm than good? The Advocate and as Chair of the American Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues.Proulx, Marie-Jo (July 19, 2006). AMA Growing Receptive to LGBT Needs.
Life Allison was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, to Errol Ward Atkinson and Mabel Blackwell Atkinson. She transitioned in 1993 while living in Jackson, Mississippi. She died on August 11, 2024.
Career Allison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1971. After practicing internal medicine, she returned to school in 1985 to study cardiology, working in that field beginning in 1987. Later, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, for a position with CIGNA and served as their chief of cardiology from 1998 to 2012, when she entered private practice. Phoenix Magazine named Allison one of the "Top Doctors" in Phoenix for 2006, 2007, and 2008.Staff report (April 2008). Top Doctors: Cardiovascular Disease. Phoenix Magazine Allison retired from medical practice in 2018.
Activism In 1998, Allison created an online resource site focusing on the medical, legal, and spiritual needs of transgender people. The website included a compilation of statutes for amending sex on a birth certificate,Dotinga, Randy (November 29, 2006). Sex Change, No Surgery Required. Wired News a brochure on facial feminization surgery,Van Marle, Karin (2006). Sex, Gender, Becoming: Post-Apartheid Reflections. PULP, criticism of the controversial 2003 book The Man Who Would Be Queen by J. Michael Bailey,Staff report (June 25, 2003). Trans Group Attacks New Book on 'Queens.' Windy City Times and a section on spirituality. Allison's website was cited by several publications on LGBTQ health care and LGBTQ rights.Lev, Arlene Istar (2004). Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and Their Families. Haworth Press, Makadon HJ, Mayer KH, Potter J, Goldhammer H (2007). The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Hunter ND, Joslin CG, McGowan SM (2004). The Rights of Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, and Transgender People. Southern Illinois University Press, Sember, Brette McWhorter (2006). Gay & Lesbian Rights: A Guide for GLBT Singles, Couples and Families. Sphinx Publishing, She was president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, as well as Chair of the American Medical Association Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues,Nielsen, Nancy H., ed. (June 19, 2008). Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues. AMA eVoice and assisted in the passage of AMA Resolution 22, "Removing Financial Barriers to Care for Transgender Patients."American Medical Association (2008). AMA Resolution 122: Removing Financial Barriers to Care for Transgender Patients. Allison was also active in Soulforce and organized the Phoenix Transgender Day of Remembrance annually with her partner Margaux Schaffer.
Selected publications Allison RA (2007). Transsexualism. In Fink G (ed.) Encyclopedia of Stress (2nd Edition). Elsevier, Allison RA (2007). Transsexualism. In Pfaff D, Arnold A, Etgen A, Fahrbach S, Rubin R (eds.) Hormones, Brain, and Behavior (2nd Edition). Elsevier,
References
External links Dr. Becky Allison: Local Action Hero via Human Rights Campaign GLBT Advisory Committee members via American Medical Association