To Whom It May Concern:

Hello!

My research advisor and I are starting a project interviewing transgender and transexual individuals in order to learn more about their life experiences. Unlike many other research projects involving transpeople, we have no previous conceptions about transgendered individuals. This project is collaborative. We want you to tell us about your life so that we can understand the transgender community better. This is a chance to have your voices heard.

The interviews are part of my doctoral dissertation. I will conduct them face-to-face one time for approximately 90 minutes. With your consent, I will audiotape and then analyze the interviews. The records will be coded so that all identifying information is removed to protect your privacy. They will be kept in a locked file cabinet in my research advisor's office. All computerized records will be stored on a password protected computer. At the end of the project, you will be given a written record of the findings.

I very much hope that you will participate in this project. Your story will help psychologists and other health professionals better understand transgender people.

If you are interested in participating and/or have any questions or concerns, please contact Sean Moundas at the phone number or email address below. This research project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Committee on Clinical Investigations.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sean Moundas, M.S.

718-430-2585, ext. 9163
seanmoundas@yahoo.com
Graduate Student/Researcher

Louise Silverstein, Ph.D.

718-430-3961
Licensed Clinical Psychologist/Principal Investigator

ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
of YESHIVA UNIVERSITY
BELFER EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES, ROOM 1002
Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus
1300 MORRIS PARK AVENUE, BRONX, N.Y.10461

COMMITTEE ON CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
(INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD)

PHONE: (718) 430-2237
FAX: (718) 430-8817