Vitale Letter #255, February 14, 2003

Anne Vitale PhD, Editor

Archives of back issues

Notes on Gender Transition

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Olympia Washington : Stonewall Youth announces formation of LBGT support group

Call for Submissions!

Casting Call for film

Press For Change request response to Government proposals

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bangkok : Cosmetic surgery --Doctors slam council bid to regain control

New Delhi --Eunuchs take up role of consumer champions

UK: THE GODMOTHER --Sex swap gangster freed after telling court he's going straight as a woman

CANADA --Federal prisons ordered to pay for sex changes

USA: INTERSEX SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA Opens New Office in Seattle

Australia - Re murdered T* Adele Bailey: Ombudsman finds noevidence of police corruption

UK: Brighton & Hove Church Slams Transgender Shop

Hong Kong: Prisoners of gender

Japan--Transsexuals, sex-change advocates fight on against social, registry snub

USA-- Portland OR.--Police step up efforts for on-job respect

 

 MEDIA WATCH

Son's clothing raises crossdressing issues--Mothering Matters

Crossing sport's sex divide

Cross-dresser's unveiling startles wife

Tranny" Santa Cruz mailman retires after 23 years..

UK: Fans of Footballers' Wives are in for a big shock.

 

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

USA: Houston lawmaker files pro-gay bill...

Group wants gender identity in Nunavut human rights law

UK: Press For Change 's response to Government announcement 

  

IN THE COURTS

USA: California--$1.68 million bail posted in Araujo killing

USA: California--"Gwen" Araujo case draws renowned attorney

USA: California-Supporters offer picture of suspect in teen's death

 

BOOKS Etc...

A Girl Called Georgina

 

COMMENTARY

NATC Urges Minnesota citizens to oppose threat to human rights

Metropolitan Community Churches Responds To Vatican Condemnation of Transgender Persons

Transsexual people issues need to be tackled

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Re: Incident at Seaworld Theme Park 19/1/2002

From: Samantha Scafe

 

Why use male name? Name trivialized homicide victim

From Julie Davids

 

Re: Who the Hell is Mother Cybil?

From--Alessa Adamo

 

Re: Vatican's declaration regarding transgendered people

Richard Adams

 

Confused on sex

Georgina Somerset Hove, E. Sussex

 

 

=========///========///======///======///==========///==========

ANNOUNCMENTS

Olympia Washington : Stonewall Youth announces formation of LBGT support group

Top

Youth Watch / Communities -The Olympian

http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20030210/communities/25692.shtml

 

The Olympian, Olympia Washington

Monday, February 10, 2003

 

Communities

Youth Watch

 

(SNIP)

 

- Stonewall Youth is an organization dedicated to providing support and

information for bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender youths ages 21 and

younger. It is led by trained adult and youth peer facilitators. Dances,

video nights, bowling and other social activities are scheduled

periodically. Call 360-705-2738.

Top

---

Call for Submissions

Top

 

[thanks to Joshua Mira Goldberg via TAS-news Tue, 4 Feb 2003]

 

From: SFSunday@aol.com

Date: Mon Feb 3, 2003 3:09:52 PM US/Pacific

To: SFSunday@aol.com

 

 

Call for Submissions

 

Contributions wanted for Without a Net, an anthology of writing by

females & transpeople of all racial/ethnic backgrounds who grew up

poor or working class, to be published by Seal Press in January of

2004. First-person narratives that read like short stories preferred

over academic-style theories or essays. Ideas for topics include:

Food, housing, neighborhoods, relationships with other poor/w-c

people, relationships with people from upper classes, intersections of

race & class, class & gender, class & sexuality, etc., fashion,

education or lack thereof, jobs, playing lotto, sex work, family,

welfare. How you got by, how you didn't get by, how you get by now.

Any subject large or small that works as a starting point to tell a

part of your story. Pieces are not required to be about childhood.

Contributors must have grown up financially disadvantaged, regardless

of how much or little cash you have as an adult. Essays should be

1,500-3,000 words in length and submitted via email as a Word

attachment.

(If this is not possible, other arrangements can be made.)

 

Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2003

Length: 1500-3000 words

Editor: Michelle Tea

Essays should be submitted via email as Word attachments (If this is

not possible, other arrangements can be made) to Sfsunday@aol.com

Payment: Fee and two copies of the book on publication

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Casting Call for film

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Backstage.com

http://www.backstage.com/backstage/casting/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_i

d=1813240

 

Casting West

Film and TV February 07, 2003

 

"OH, BABY"

 

Steven Rothblatt and Olivier Roland (prod.) are accepting submissions for

Oh, Baby, a feature-length Super 16/digital romantic comedy about a young

man who falls in love with a transgender girl. Dir. Steven Rothblatt. Shoot

starts late June. Copy, credit, and meals provided. There is possible

deferred pay.

 

Breakdown--Alexis: male, Latino, 18-27, feminine, transgender (pre-op),

gorgeous, easily passes as a woman, speaks Spanish, streetwalker, strong

actor, dances; David: 25-32, 5'8" or shorter, small build, Jewish, strong

actor, kisses, dances.

Note: Seeking non-union actors only at this time.

 

Send pix & resume to Steven Rothblatt, 1033 1/2 Sanborn Ave., L.A., CA

90029. INTENDED CONTRACT: SAG LIMITED-EXHIBITION.

 

 

© 2003 VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

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---

Press For Change request response to Government proposals

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Date: Mon, 03 Feb 2003

From: "stwhittle <stwhittle@yahoo.co.uk>" <stwhittle@yahoo.co.uk>

 

 Press For Change has responded to the Government's proposals for

legislation for transsexual people

the response can be seen at http://www.pfc.org.uk/campaign/pfcresp.htm

 

We hope you will see that we have tried to respond positively, yet

provide clear ideas as to get the government could get things moving.

What we need now is for other people i.e. YOU, to focus on the bits

that are relevant to them as individuals and to write to the LCD's

department and your MP's to promote the ideas.

 

The addresses you should write to are:

 

Secretariat to the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual

People

Constitutional Policy Division

Lord Chancellor's Department

1st floor, Southside

105 Victoria Street

London SW1E 6QT.

 

For your MP: Name, MP, House of Commons, London WC1A 1AA

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---

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bangkok : Cosmetic surgery --Doctors slam council bid to regain control

Top

 

Bangkok Post Monday 10 February 2003 - Doctor...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/10Feb2003_news15.html

 

From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.

 

Monday, February 10, 2003

 

Bangkok : COSMETIC SURGERY

Doctors slam council bid to regain control

 

Operations may be limited to specialists

 

Aphaluck Bhatiasevi

 

A group of doctors representing several medical colleges has spoken out

against a move by the Medical Council to limit the number of clinics

offering cosmetic surgery to those manned by professionals trained as

specialists in their fields.

 

A draft announcement of the council's plan, to be considered by its new

board on March 13, ran counter to the 1982 Medical Occupation Act permitting

all doctors to carry out cosmetic surgery, said Dr Cholathit Sinvachatanan,

secretary general of the Medical Association.

 

According to the draft, doctors trained in ophthalmology would be allowed to

perform only cosmetic eye surgery, while ear, nose and throat specialists

could conduct cosmetic nose surgery.

 

Under current regulations, all forms of cosmetic surgery may be carried out

by any general practitioner.

 

The announcement was drafted by representatives of the Plastic Surgeons

Association, the Dermatologists Association, the Royal College of Plastic

Surgery, the Royal College of Ophthalmology and the Royal College of

Otolaryngology.

 

Although some 50 doctors gathered yesterday to form a consensus against the

draft, most agreed it was necessary to regulate those carrying out cosmetic

surgery.

 

``We've witnessed increasing problems with cosmetic surgery leading to

unexpected medical complications, and in some cases, even death,'' Dr

Cholathit said. ``It is important to wrest some control and protect the

public.''

 

Dr Paiboon Jitpraphai, of the Urological Association, agreed with the plan

to regulate cosmetic surgery, saying many under-qualified doctors were

conducting operations purely for financial gain.

 

``Private hospitals are cashing in on cosmetic surgery as it becomes more

popular,'' he said. ``Cosmetic surgery, especially sex-change operations,

should not be promoted for commercial purposes.''

 

Dr Niwat Polnikorn, of Ramathibodi Hospital, said cosmetic surgery would

improve if it was carried out only by qualified doctors.

 

However, he disagreed with the Medical Council's proposal allowing all

plastic surgeons to carry out any form of cosmetic surgery.

 

--

 

© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2003

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---

New Delhi --Eunuchs take up role of consumer champions

Top

 

From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.

 

Ananova - Eunuchs take up role of consumer ch...

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_748738.html

 

Saturday 8th February 2003

 

Ananova:

 

Eunuchs take up role of consumer champions

 

A group of eunuchs in New Delhi are helping to right faulty telephone lines

by taking up complaints on behalf of consumers

 

They collect complaints from subscribers and present them before telephone

company officials the next day.

 

The eunuchs reportedly adopt direct and unorthodox line of actions like

threatening to expose themselves to get cases heard.

 

They lay siege to telephone company offices and refuse to move until faults

are repaired.

 

A leader of a group of eunuchs, who is known only by her first name

Jameelajaan, told the Hindustan Times: "We have less polite ways of dealing

with those who wish to fob us off.

 

"Our motives are not mercenary. While people do offer money as a thank-you

gesture, financial transactions are not encouraged."

 

Telephone users have reported a "remarkable" improvement in services since

the eunuchs took up cudgels on their behalf

 

Resident Rashmi Sharma said: "The local linesman used to fleece us on one

pretext or the other. Now he knows that a wrong move can get the eunuchs

after him."

 

A telephone exchange official said: "Efficiency among the field staff has

improved and faults are often rectified without much ado. It is the customer

who ultimately gains."

 

Deputy Commisioner of Police U K Katna said: "In our country everyone is

free to protest verbally or stage a sit-in. Eunuchs are no different. As

long as there's no damage to property, physical assault or disruption of

work, they can take whatever action they feel necessary."

 

--

 

Story filed: 15:23 Saturday 8th February 2003

 

© 2003 Ananova Ltd

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UK: THE GODMOTHER --Sex swap gangster freed after telling court he's going straight as a woman

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sundaymail - THE GODMOTHER

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=12621715&method=full&site

id=86024

 

From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.

 

Sunday, February 09, 2003

 

THE GODMOTHER

Sex swap gangster freed after telling court he's going straight as a woman

 

Norman Silvester

Exclusive

 

A GANGSTER nicknamed The Godmother escaped a jail sentence last week after

telling a sheriff he is having a sex change.

 

William Wotherspoon, who once walked free on a murder charge, said he now

wants to be known as Lisa- Anne Docherty.

 

The 5ft 8in scrap dealer told Sheriff Hugh Neilson he was trying to go

straight as a woman and has given up his wild, hardman days.

 

Wotherspoon, 30, turned up in court wearing a long red wig, black gloves,

bracelet, short black skirt, cream blouse, dark stockings, stiletto-heeled

shoes and a mid-length cream coat.

 

He wore make-up and earrings and was accompanied by his partner, Lisa

Barraclough, who is heavily pregnant.

 

Wotherspoon, of Holytown, Lanarkshire, stunned Hamilton sheriff court

officials and members of the public when he appeared in the dock.

 

Some thought a woman had walked in by mistake.

 

One official said: "We were astonished to realise it was a man.

 

"He was immaculately dressed and groomed and many of the men thought it was

a woman when he walked in.

 

"In fact, he turned a few heads in the court room. Even when he spoke, the

voice was soft and feminine."

 

Sheriff Neilson deferred sentence for six months after hearing the proposed

sex change would make a jail term inappropriate.

 

He said he hoped that Wotherspoon would use the time to overcome the various

medical problems he was experiencing.

 

The sheriff warned Wotherspoon he would be sent to prison if he reoffended

in the meantime.

 

He also agreed to Wotherspoon's request that his latest conviction be

recorded under his new name of Lisa- Anne Docherty.

 

Wotherspoon pled guilty on January 14 to charges of perverting the course of

justice, disorderly conduct, breach of the peace and resisting arrest during

an incident at his home in Sunnyside Avenue, Holytown.

 

The court heard then that he was undergoing treatment for a sex change and

wanted to be known as Lisa-Anne. He blamed his violent behaviour on problems

he was experiencing in undergoing the change from man to woman.

 

Wotherspoon has been undergoing counselling for his sex change for the last

four years.

 

He has had his tattoos removed and hormone treatment.

 

The court also heard the convicted thug had been told he was a suitable

candidate for a sex change and had already met with a surgeon.

 

Wotherspoon was acquitted on a legal technicality of murdering a man in a

flat in nearby Bellshill in 1995. The victim, 26- year-old Francis McMillan,

a father of two, died from burns after petrol was poured over him and he was

set alight.

 

Wotherspoon's co-accused, Kevin Hendry, of Mossend, was found guilty and

sentenced to life.

 

Two years later Wotherspoon was jailed for 18 months after attacking James

Hunter with an axe in Main Street, Holytown.

 

The attack fractured Mr Hunter's skull and has left him with long-term

speech and concentration problems.

 

Wotherspoon refused to comment as he left the court clutching his handbag.

 

Top

 

---

CANADA --Federal prisons ordered to pay for sex changes

Court ruling: Procedure available if doctors deem it is 'an essential service'

Top

 

From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.

 

NATIONAL POST

http://www.nationalpost.com/national/story.html?id=%7B76C65BBA-EDF5-4BD2-931

8-EA53933B43A4%7D

Janice Tibbetts

Southam News

 

Friday, February 07, 2003

 

OTTAWA - Canada's federal prisons will be forced to allow sex-change surgery

for transsexual inmates as a result of a court ruling that concluded a

blanket ban is discriminatory.

 

"If the medical opinion is that sex reassignment surgery is an essential

service for a particular inmate, it follows that it should be paid for by

Correctional Services Canada, as would any other essential medical service,"

wrote Madam Justice Carolyn Layden-Stevenson of the Federal Court of Canada.

 

Corrections Canada will revise its policy because of the decision,

spokeswoman Michele Pilon-Santilli said.

 

But she warned that sex-change operations will not be available for all

transsexual inmates.

 

The decision upholds a 2001 decision from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

in the case of convicted murderer Synthia Kavanagh.

 

The tribunal said that it was discriminatory for prisons to have a blanket

ban on sex-change operations but not on "non-essential" services such as the

removal of tattoos.

 

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act requires prisons to provide

essential health care to inmates.

 

Kavanagh, a 41-year-old transsexual, alleged discrimination based on sex and

disability after prison officials refused to allow her to undergo a

sex-change operation that had been pre-approved before she was imprisoned

for the 1989 Toronto murder of her transvestite friend, Lisa (Leo) Black.

 

Kavanagh, who began life as Ricky Chaperon, began hormone therapy and lived

as a woman as a teenager.

 

When she was convicted, she had been been conditionally approved for sex

reassignment surgery.

 

She ended up paying the $14,000 for her operation because of the prisons'

ban. After spending more than a decade in various men's prisons, she was

transferred more than two years ago to Joliette Institution, a

medium-security women's prison north of Montreal.

 

The ruling is expected to affect less than a dozen transsexuals in Canadian

prisons. In 2000, the most recent year for which statistics are available,

10 of the 2,500 inmates in federal penitentiaries were "pre-operative"

transsexuals, but not all of them wanted surgery.

 

Sex-change surgery is considered an essential service that is covered by

medicare in most provinces when a patient has been diagnosed with gender

dysphoria, the medical term for people who believe they are the wrong sex.

 

It should be no different in Canadian prisons, said Justice

Layden-Stevenson.

 

"The right of government to allocate resources as it sees fit is not

unlimited," said Justice Layden-Stevenson in a judgment released yesterday.

 

"A human rights tribunal enjoys a broad discretionary power to award

remedies to redress a discriminatory practice."

 

Ms. Pilon-Santilli said that Corrections Canada allowed the operations

decades ago -- often with sad results.

 

"There have been a lot of tragedies of people who went through it but just

could not adjust," Ms. Pilon-Santilli said.

 

Prisoners are permitted to dress as women and take hormone replacement

drugs.

 

Kavanagh's lawyer could not be reached yesterday to say whether Kavanagh

would seek reimbursement in light of the court decision.

 

The decision agreed with the human rights tribunal that candidates for sex

changes would need medical assessment from one of five medical specialists.

 

--

 

© Copyright  2003 National Post

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USA: INTERSEX SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA Opens New Office in Seattle

Top

Intersex Society of North America (ISNA)

Press Release

 

 

Also Brings on New Board Member Vernon Rosario and Plans Launch of Medical Education Video in 2003

 

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2003

 

For additional information, contact ISNA Office at 206-633-6077.

 

Seattle - The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA), an advocacy and policy group for people with atypical genital and reproductive anatomies, has moved its office to Seattle, Washington from Petaluma, California. In addition, Dr. Vernon Rosario, a physician and medical historian, has joined the Board of Directors.

 

"We hope to reach out to our many allies in the medical and bioethics communities in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, as well as pursuing our social change agenda nationally and across North America," stated ISNA's Executive Director, Dr. Monica Casper, Ph.D.‰ Among other initiatives, we will be launching an educational video that will offer the medical community a real alternative to unnecessary surgeries on babies with intersex conditions."

 

Dr. Casper was referring to FIRST, DO NO HARM: TOTAL PATIENT CARE FOR INTERSEX, a documentary film which presents a patient-centered approach to the health needs of people with intersex conditions. New evidence and advances in medical ethics have led to the need for revision in the standard of care for intersex. Critiquing current medical practices and exploring a more ethical and humane approach to treatment, the film is compelling, hard-hitting, and deeply moving.

 

The video is currently available for purchase on ISNA's website and will be introduced this year to medical schools and medical institutions across the country. ISNA is releasing it in conjunction with a medical reform „package‰ that includes information about textbook revision, clinical guidelines for teaching intersex issues in medical schools, and a parent‚s handbook. ISNA will also establish a national Medical Advisory Committee in 2003.

 

Dr. Vernon Rosario‚s addition to the Board of Directors will strengthen ISNA‚s ties to the medical community. A child psychiatrist in Los Angeles working in private practice and with LGBTI foster children, Dr. Rosario received his Ph.D. in the History of Science from Harvard University, and his M.D. from the Harvard Medical School--M.I.T. Program in Health Sciences and Technology. He is a widely published scholar whose current research focuses on transgender and intersex children and adolescents.

 

For additional information, please visit ISNA's website at http://www.isna.org/about/board.html or contact us at:

 

4500 9th Avenue NE, Suite 300

Seattle, WA 98105

Phone: (206) 633-6077 or (206) 683-8832

Fax: (206) 633-6049

Email: info@isna.org

Top

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Australia - Re murdered T* Adele Bailey: Ombudsman finds noevidence of police corruption... [The Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Top

 

Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 13:50:39 -0000

From: "Claire Ashton" <claire@c-ashton.fsnet.co.uk>

 

ABC News - Ombudsman finds no evidence of pol...

http://abc.net.au/news/australia/vic/metvic-5feb2003-9.htm  

 

Posted: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 17:32 AEDT

 

Ombudsman finds no evidence of police corruption

 

Victoria's police ombudsman says he has investigated corruption allegations

by a senior detective and found no evidence to support them.

 

Senior Detective Gerry McHugh is threatening to sue Police Commissioner

Christine Nixon and other officers, claiming the allegations have been

covered up.

 

The allegations relate to an affidavit which linked him to former policeman

Denis Tanner and the death of transsexual prostitute Adele Bailey in 1978.

 

Ombudsman Barry Perry says his investigation has now been taken over by

Federal Police.

 

"My view was that there were serious discrepancies but I believe that they

were not sufficiently of the nature that would warrant charging detectives

for falsely preparing an affidavit,'' Mr Perry said.

 

Victoria Police says an independent review by the Australian Federal Police

has investigated Senior Detective McHugh's allegations and found no evidence

of criminal behaviour involving Victoria police members.

 

But the force is seeking legal advice in relation to the findings.

 

--

© 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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UK: Brighton & Hove Church Slams Transgender Shop

Top

 

Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 22:42:29 -0500

From: tgnews_moderator <tgnews_moderator@yahoo.com>

 

Source: Gay.com UK

URL: http://uk.gay.com/headlines/3659

Date: 4 February, 2003

 

 

A shop in Brighton and Hove which caters for transgendered and

cross-dressers has been slammed by the local church.

 

A petition against Lacies, in Portland Road, Hove, has been signed by 57

worshippers at Holy Cross Church in Tamworth Road. The petition has been

handed to the city council by councillor Heather James.

 

It reads: "We believe Portland Road is an unsuitable place for such a

shop. There are schools nearby and it is a family and residential area."

 

Owner Sue Sheppard, a transsexual who has a similar shop in Kent had

defended her right to run a shop in the area, stressing that it is not a

sex shop.

 

She told the Argus: "I'm lost for words. I sell glamour wear. I have a

corset and a wig in the window. There is nothing offensive and nothing

which could upset children.

 

"People in the city are very accepting. These people should be

protesting about something serious like war with Iraq or drugs and kids.

There are far more serious things to be worried about."

 

A council official has visited the shop and written to neighbours saying

he did not think the business qualified as a sex shop and, therefore,

did not require a licence.

 

---

 

Hong Kong: Prisoners of gender

Top

Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 23:20:47 -0500

From: tgnews_moderator <tgnews_moderator@yahoo.com>

 

Source: South China Morning Post

Author: Shirley Lau

Via: TransgenderASIA via Willow Arune

URL:

http://web.hku.hk/~sjwinter/TransgenderASIA/miscellaneous_prisoners_of_gender.htm

Date: 25th January, 2003

 

 

When it comes to legal recognition of their sexual status, Hong Kong's

transsexual community are trapped in a heartbreaking Catch-22 situation.-

 

MOST PEOPLE DON'T think twice about their right to marry. But for

37-year-old transsexual Miranda, it is not so straightforward. Miranda

was born male and had sex reassignment at 33. Now a graceful woman of

medium build and a fair complexion, she wears her hair fashionably

shoulder-length and straight, and accentuates her features with make-up.

 

Two years ago, she was deeply in love with a man who planned to marry

her. However, her adopted sex is not recognised under Hong Kong law

because it is not possible to change the sex on birth certificates. Had

she tied the knot with her boyfriend, it would have been treated as a

marriage between two men, which is unlawful. Worrying he might leave her

if she spilled the beans, Miranda made a painful decision. "I dumped

him," says Miranda, who is now single. "He didn't know I was a

transgendered person. I did not know how to tell him."

 

Miranda is among the estimated 100 or so transsexuals in Hong Kong

frustrated by the lack of legal recognition of their new genders. Their

plight has been highlighted by academics following the British

government's announcement last month of a long-awaited reform to legally

recognise the adopted gender of the country's 5,000 transsexuals.

 

The change had been forced on the British government by a ruling in July

2001 by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg that deemed its

failure to recognise the new identities of two male-to-female

transsexuals a breach of human rights. Under the measure expected to

take effect next year, the transsexuals will be given the right to

change their birth certificates to their new sexes, which effectively

gives them the right to marry.

 

Britain is one of only four European countries - the others being

Albania, Andorra and the Republic of Ireland - that refuse transsexuals

permission to alter their birth certificates. In the United States, all

but three states allow the change. In Asia, however, only a handful of

countries provide legal recognition, including Singapore, some parts of

Australia and New Zealand.

 

"Hong Kong is way behind other developed and enlightened societies in

this regard," says Sam Winter, a psychologist at the University of Hong

Kong (HKU), who specialises in gender identity development and

transgender issues. "It's very unfortunate."

 

Winter estimates Hong Kong is home to fewer than 100 transsexuals but

believes one in 500 people grow up with transgender feelings, and the

majority of these suppress such feelings.

 

In 1981, the first sex reassignment surgery in Hong Kong was performed

by an ad hoc group of doctors at the Princess Margaret Hospital. In

1986, the sex clinic of Queen Mary Hospital founded the gender identity

team to offer comprehensive assessment and treatment of transsexual

patients seeking a sex change. From 1986 to 2000, the team assessed 82

cases and 38 people received sex reassignment.

 

Despite a lack of legal recognition of their adopted sex, few

transsexuals in Hong Kong have challenged the status quo for fear of

exposing themselves to social discrimination. Winter says a few years

ago, one contacted the government pressing for a change in the law. Some

medical experts have also called for a legal review. But the voices have

never been strong enough to trigger public debate or government action.

 

Miranda says this lack of legal recognition of her adopted gender makes

it difficult for her to develop a relationship. "This is always a

problem for us: should we tell our boyfriends who we are?" she says,

adding that although she doesn't want to lie, she believes few men could

handle the truth. "If the law is changed, then I wouldn't have to think

about all that."

 

Ironically, marriage is not entirely off-limits for Hong Kong's

transsexuals. Because the law recognises a person's biological sex only,

a male-to-female transsexual could marry a woman and a female-to-male

could marry a man - although Winter says such relationships are rare.

 

Nonetheless, there is a host of other legal issues that confront

transsexuals. According to Robyn Emerton, assistant professor at the

HKU's faculty of law, a transsexual such as Miranda is open to

prosecution for using a female toilet, although Miranda has not run into

any trouble so far. Were she sentenced to jail for committing a crime,

she would be sent to a male prison. In theory, Miranda cannot be a

victim of rape because rape of male-to-female transsexuals is not

covered by the law. "But a female-to-male transgendered person would

still be regarded as woman by law and so could be raped. Yet there has

been no court case to test the issue," Emerton says.

 

After Miranda's sex reassignment, she had her identity card changed,

with the new one showing her new sex and name. But there is a "B" after

the identity number to indicate either the sex, birthday or place of

birth is different to that on the holder's birth certificate. According

to Emerton, the "B" flags the holder's transsexuality to those in the

know, such as the police and immigration officials, because there are

few instances in which the other two criteria are changed.

 

Miranda, whose lawyer made sure she understood her rights before she

went under the knife, says with contempt: "I found it ridiculous that I

could be arrested for going to a female washroom . . . It's like we're

being treated as the third sex."

 

Miranda is frustrated because she believes too many things do not make

sense, including the fact that her operation in 1998 was fully paid for

by the gender identity clinic at the Queen Mary Hospital run by the

government, which ultimately does not recognise her new identity.

 

Winter points to the government's half-hearted stance. "It seems so

ironic that the government should help transgendered people to change

their sex even to the point of providing surgery at its own expense, and

at the end of all this, doesn't give them the legal status they deserve."

 

According to the Immigration Department, correction of any personal

information on one's birth certificate is possible only if the holder is

under the age of 11 or if it can be proven an error had been made. Asked

whether there is any prospect of the adopted sex of transsexuals being

recognised legally, a spokesperson responded in a written reply: "The

existing arrangement has been operating well."

 

Winter calls for the government to respect the rights of the minority

and initiate changes. "By changing the law, you would make the lives of

a small but significant number of people a lot easier," he says. "What

we are looking at are people who suffer fear, social isolation,

depression, and many have attempted suicide."

 

Such experiences are not new for Miranda. Before she had the operation,

she made four attempts to kill herself (two of them before the age of

20) by slashing her wrist or overdosing. Having suffered from depression

for years, she still entertains suicidal thoughts.

 

"I had feelings of gender confusion when I was six or seven," she says,

explaining that she didn't understand what she was experiencing at the

time. She says it was only around the age of 20 that she heard about

"sex reassignment". "Before the operation, every second of my life was

torture," Miranda recalls. "I hated my body every morning I woke up. I

wanted to damage it because I hated it."

 

Answering the needs of her feminine side, Miranda began dressing like a

woman at 15, but she remembers the unfriendly attention she attracted

from strangers. Once a woman approached her on the MTR and said: "Why

are you dressed like a woman?" Miranda responded by asking her the same

question.

 

"I was discriminated against for 20 years. It was to do with the way

people looked and stared at you," Miranda says, closing her eyes as if

to shut out the pain. "You haven't done anything wrong, but people

spread rumours about you and that scars you."

 

Although she chose to wear women's clothes in her free time, at work

(she is wary of revealing her profession), Miranda dressed and acted

like a man. But that did not stop people from gossiping about her, she

says, which aggravated her depression. After her fourth suicide attempt,

she was introduced to the gender identity clinic that offered her two

years of counselling before she decided to undergo the operation, to her

mo-ther's dismay. But Miranda refused to reconsider. She says: "I

thought, if I died, my mother would lose a child. If I didn't die, she

had lost me [as a son] already. But if I had the operation, at least I

would be happy myself."

 

Miranda had three operations totalling 29 hours over three months,

during which she suffered tremendous physical pain brought on by breast

augmentation and surgery that involved using part of the colon to form

the vagina. "We have to suffer so much to get what other people take for

granted," she says. "Right after the operation, I asked myself, `What's

next?'"

 

Wanting to start a new life with a new identity, Miranda transferred to

a different department at work after her operation, trusting only a few

colleagues with her secret. She still sees her mother, who struggles to

accept Miranda's new identity.

 

While she keeps in touch with a few former workmates, she stopped seeing

her transsexual friends, a reaction Winter says is typical of

transsexuals. "I missed them sometimes, but we all wanted to have a

fresh start," Miranda says, referring to her and her friends.

 

Although she felt "totally relaxed" after the operation, she still is

susceptible to black moods. "I don't like this world," she says

matter-of-factly, explaining she has learned to protect herself by

putting up the barricades. "I try to act tough, speak tough. But I don't

want to be tough."

 

Winter says many transssexuals' emotional problems are largely a result

of how society treats them. "Some [medical experts] claim that

transsexuality is a disorder," he says. "But you might say that it's

society that has a mental disorder, not the people concerned.

Transgendered people are ordinary people but their adopted sex is not

legally acknowledged. That is an injustice."

 

Emerton says she and Winter are trying to bring the issue to the

government's attention. "We're very much at the beginning. We hope to

form a concern group with the transgender community to discuss the

issues that most concerns them and to try to effect change," she says.

"We may raise the issue with the Equal Opportunity Commission or the

Immigration Department."

 

Miranda says she has never contemplated coming out to fight for her

right because the community is too small and, most importantly, she

can't risk having her identity exposed. "But I do agree that changing

the law would give us something good," she says. "Even if all else

fails, we would still have the law that gives us rights. You can get

married and you have a choice. But we don't. That's what we want: the

choice and the right."

 

 

Top

---

Japan--Transsexuals, sex-change advocates fight on against social, registry snub

Top

 

The Japan Times Online

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20030206b7.htm

 

Thursday, February 6, 2003 

Transsexuals, sex-change advocates fight on against social, registry snub

 

By KEIJI HIRANO

Kyodo News

 

Transsexuals and their supporters have teamed up to seek public

acknowledgment of those who suffer from gender identity disorder and to

pressure the government into allowing sex changes to be recorded in official

documents.

 

The NAO group, which stands for No Assignment of Opposite Gender, takes its

name from a character in a popular TV drama focusing on a junior high school

student with gender identity disorder.

 

The group has set up a Web site that provides information on transsexuals

and the discrimination they suffer.

 

It has also tied up with lawmakers from both the governing and opposition

parties to address the challenges faced by transsexuals, said Masae Torai, a

member of the group.

 

Torai had a sex-change operation from female to male in the United States in

the late 1980s. He said that having changes of gender officially recorded in

family registers is one of the group's goals.

 

Six people who have undergone sex-change operations, including Torai, filed

civil suits in 2001 seeking to have their new gender recorded in their

family registers. Three have had their requests rejected, while rulings on

the others are still pending.

 

"I believe many other transsexuals in Japan are now struggling to gain legal

approval to have their gender change listed in their family register,

although I have not yet had any contact with them," said Torai, a freelance

writer in Tokyo.

 

Although courts have turned down several requests, Torai said, "I have been

employed as a male part-time lecturer at the state-run Mie University, and

another state-run university also plans to accept me as a male lecturer."

 

Because their new gender goes unrecorded in official documents, many

transsexuals can only get part-time jobs because such employers do not

require them to submit residence certificates, Torai said, and they also

cannot enjoy the social benefits afforded to ordinary married couples.

 

Aya Kawakami, a NAO member who lives as a woman, said, "As an association, I

hope we will be able to push lawmakers and administrative bodies to allow us

to register gender changes on official documents, such as family registers

and medical records."

 

Satoru Ienishi, a member of the Democratic Party of Japan with a seat in the

House of Representatives, said, "The government should allow people to alter

their registered genders if they are medically identified as (having gender

identity disorder) and undergo a sex-change operation.

 

"As a lawmaker, I intend to ask the Justice Ministry and others where they

stand on this issue and how they plan to tackle it."

 

Ienishi led a group of plaintiffs in a lawsuit concerning HIV infection from

tainted blood products.

 

Transsexuals are predisposed to identify with the opposite sex, often feel

at odds with their bodies, and sometimes harbor a desire to undergo surgery

and hormonal treatment to change their gender.

 

The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology introduced guidelines for

sex-change operations in May 1997, recommending that patients receive

psychiatric counseling and hormone therapy before undergoing the procedure.

 

Experts estimate that there are anywhere from 7,000 to 70,000 people with

gender identity disorder in Japan.

 

The association is planning to hand out light blue ribbons bearing the NAO

logo and ask people to wear them as a show of understanding for

transsexuals.

 

Ryoko Wakatake, a member of the group, said, "I want people to wear the

ribbon to show they stand by those with (gender identity disorder)."

 

Wakatake, a municipal assembly member in Koganei, western Tokyo, worked for

the adoption of a written opinion by the assembly in September seeking

official recognition of gender changes. She said, "The color of the ribbon

symbolizes our hope that people with (the disorder) will be able to live

under a blue sky."

 

The written opinion, which the Koganei assembly unanimously adopted, was

submitted to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, as well as the public

management and home affairs minister.

 

"As long as transsexuals face unfairness, they feel gloomy even under clear

and sunny skies," Wakatake said.

 

The Japan Times: Feb. 6, 2003

(C) All rights reserved

 

Top

 

---

USA-- Portland OR.--Police step up efforts for on-job respect

Top

 

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/portland_news/104445033312511.xml

 

Police step up efforts for on-job respect

 

02/05/03

 

MAXINE BERNSTEIN

 

The Portland Police Bureau, which cites respect as one of its core values on

the bureau's letterhead, is taking steps to promote respect in the workplace

after staff rated it low in an employee survey.

 

Led by Assistant Chief Lynnae Berg, six officers and an administrative clerk

have been named to a workplace environment assessment team.

 

Each team member is interviewing co-workers to find out what problems exist

and seek ideas on how to avoid them. The team has the task of developing a

plan to improve the culture of the Police Bureau.

 

"We're looking at 'How do we treat each other in the workplace?' It could be

things we say or certain kind of talk that's been allowed," Berg said. "We

want to intervene at the earliest possible moment instead of allowing

problems to fester and become more serious."

 

In recent years, problems have festered, leading to stress-related

disability claims or lawsuits filed by officers who have contended they were

mistreated, harassed or sexually harassed by other officers or supervisors.

 

The bureau's poor response at Central Precinct to an officer's sex change,

for example, and to the sexually explicit initiation skits performed by

members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team were subjects of recent

disability stress claims, lawsuits and investigations.

 

In a 2002 employee survey, "fairness" on the job and "workplace culture"

received the lowest ratings.

 

"This is unacceptable, and we must work together at bringing these numbers

up," Berg wrote in a Jan. 23 memo to staff. The team will evaluate

interactions among officers, among nonsworn staff members and between both

groups and their managers.

 

Bureau puts up posters In addition to the team's proposed plan, the bureau

also recently distributed "Respectful Work Environment Policy" posters that

boldly state, "We all deserve a respectful place to work."

 

With figures of people holding hands as they stand on bridges linking

buildings, the poster also says the bureau won't tolerate harassment,

offensive or discourteous behavior, demeaning statements, threats or

intimidation, unprofessional and discourteous actions, and any behavior that

fosters an abusive work environment.

 

The team will reconvene Feb. 14 to share the information members have

gathered and to develop ways to improve the bureau's work environment.

Training on interpersonal communication, intervention and mediation for

officers as well as supervisors is one idea being considered, Berg said.

 

Some officers have embraced the effort more than others.

 

"I know I got a poster," Traffic Cmdr. Mike Garvey said, when asked what he

thought about the new workplace team. "I'm respectful . . . but truthfully,

I haven't paid much attention to it. We've got too much going on on the

streets."

 

Joanne Johnson, who has worked for the bureau for 81/2 years and is the

tactical operations division's administrative clerk, said she agreed to

serve on the team. If a colleague contacts her, she will arrange to meet

with them. Personally, she said she has had positive experiences at work but

wants to help others feel as comfortable.

 

"I think it's a really good idea and important that all employees have a

chance to give their input in a more informal way," Johnson said.

 

Berg said she has conducted several interviews.

 

"People are really open, wanting to share personal experiences," Berg said.

 

Mixed response from officers Some officers said privately they find the idea

foolish and chuckle at the new posters that have gone up in the bureau and

its precincts.

 

Officer Kurt Nelson, a 18-year bureau veteran; Detective Peter Simpson, a

9-year bureau member and police union representative; and Sgt. Neil

Crannell, an 18-year bureau veteran, were more diplomatic.

 

"Will it do any good? It takes more than a committee. It takes 'walking your

talk,' " Nelson said, suggesting that supervisors lead by example.

 

Crannell said respect is an attitude that must permeate the bureau. "You

can't legislate respect," he said.

 

Simpson said, "I guess anything to make people feel like they're being

listened to is going to be helpful."

 

But he added, "It's a committee, ya know? It's Portland at its best. Can't

we all just get along? That's really the bottom line here."

 

Maxine Bernstein: 503-221-8212; maxinebernstein@news.oregonian.com

 

--

© 2003 OregonLive.com. All Rights Reserved.

Top

 

---

MEDIA WATCH
   
Son's clothing raises crossdressing issues--Mothering Matters
   Top
   
   From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.
   
http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20030211/localregional/958318.h
tml
     
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
 
Son's clothing raises crossdressing issues
Mothering Matters
   
By ELIZABETH BAUCHNER
   
Last spring, I wrote a column about my son and his penchant for wearing
girls' clothing. At the time, he was 3 1/2 and very fond of his new red
bikini. 
   
This year, he's discovered makeup and plastic high heels, and he's more into
Princess dress-ups than he was last year. I think it's all perfectly
innocent, but unfortunately, many others seem to think he's some sort of
deviant creature. 
   
Hogwash. His taste in clothing is as innocent as his sisters' tastes in
clothing. I don't see why he should feel ashamed of his choices when his
sisters are free to wear dresses and skirts whenever they want. The only
crisis here is that he can't just be himself without someone trying to label
him a deviant or trying to shame and embarrass him.
   
My father-in-law argues that it's best if he learns to accept society's
gender dress codes early on because, like other aspects of life, there are
just certain rules we all must follow. We all must wear shoes in the grocery
store, for example, and not taste-test all the produce. He also argues that
adults can decide whether or not to conform to society because they possess
the ability to predict and weigh the consequences, but we shouldn't let
children break societal norms because they will be judged too harshly.
   
I agree with him for the most part, and I'm sure he's just as concerned
about his grandson's well-being as I am. But my son seems able to handle the
criticism. He knows he is in a minority, and he still chooses to dress like
his sisters. I could pass it off as stubbornness, but the truth is, he just
likes dresses. It's part tactile, part visual. He simply likes the way
feminine clothing looks and feels.
   
Both my son and I have caved in to pressure on this issue, and I feel sorry
for him. He's the middle child between two sisters who get to wear dresses
whenever they want, and he doesn't understand why he can't. I imagine it's
hard for him to watch his sisters wear dresses without worry or shame when
he has to ask permission every time. I imagine he feels similar to the first
women who attended law school, or joined a carpenter's union, or made any
unconventional choice that wasn't acceptable to society.
   
Out of curiosity, I performed an online search at google for "effeminate
boys" just to see why this issue affects people so deeply. Far from gaining
any insight into the matter, I found some rather disturbing information
about how badly these boys are treated by society. They are often labeled
"sissies," "wimps," "weak" or worse, and they are apparently despised by
segments of both the gay and straight communities, to say nothing of
religious zealots of all stripes.
   
It's worth mentioning that not all adult cross-dressers are gay. It's also
worth mentioning that my son isn't even all that effeminate, which
supposedly is a character trait in boys that leads to all kinds of problems.
   
I hesitate to call him a cross-dresser because he's 4, and really, can
4-year-olds reasonably be labeled as such? (Does a little girl pretending to
be a pirate yield so much anxiety?) Yet reading some of the psycho-drivel I
found online could lead me to believe that he's suffering from a
gender-identity crisis requiring years of intensive therapy to save him from
a life of drugs, promiscuity and probable suicide.
   
The fact is that there's nothing wrong with him. Any confusion he may feel
is caused by the fact that he's torn between wanting to belong to society
and wanting to be himself; it's not caused by anxiety over wanting to be
someone else. He's a happy, free-spirited boy who loves to think for
himself. I can only hope that if he changes, it's because the change came
from within himself and not because he felt forced to conform to society's
shallow, gender-specific dress codes. In the meantime, I remind him that I
love him for who he is, not because of what he wears or how he looks.
   
Elizabeth Bauchner lives in Ithaca. Write to her at P.O. Box 806 Ithaca, NY,
14851 or visit http://www.elizabethbauchner.info.
   
--
   
© 2003 Ithaca Journal. All Rights Reserved.
   Top
   
   

   Crossing sport's sex divide
   Top
   
   Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-570490,00.html
 
February 08, 2003 
   
Crossing sport's sex divide
   
By Andrew Clennell
   
THE caricature of beefy women athletes who seem more like men than women
will soon be beyond a joke &emdash; some women competitors could really be men.
   
Under a ruling that is set to change sporting barriers for ever,
transsexuals will be able to choose the gender under which they compete and
which changing room to use.
   
And the lack of a sex change operation may not be a hindrance to men who
prefer to be women, according to advice being sent to 330 sports governing
bodies by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. "One can be declared
a different sex after two years, even if you haven't had the operation," a
spokesman said. 
   
The Government's consultation is in preparation for legislation to be
introduced after a European Court of Human Rights decision that Britain was
failing to give transsexuals "full legal recognition in their acquired
gender". 
   
"In line with the proposed changes, we have obviously checked with the
sports clubs to check with what their rules are and how they might cope with
the proposed changes," the ministry spokesman said.
   
He would not be drawn on whether the Government expected controversy over
whether men who became women would have an advantage over women who had
always been women. But many organisations are concerned that such rules will
have an impact on the detection of hormones and doping tests, and there may
also be problems in the changing room.
   
Until now, the most celebrated transsexual to cross the gender line is the
tennis player Richard Rashkind who, after a court battle against the Women's
Tennis Association, became Renee Richards and played against the likes of
Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova.
   
--
   
Copyright 2003 Times Newspapers Ltd.
   
   Top
   

   Cross-dresser's unveiling startles wife
   Top
   
   TheStar.com - Cross-dresser's unveiling start...
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Artic
le_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035777497938&call_pageid=973280119494&col=9690488677
76      
     
Feb. 6, 2003. 01:00 AM
   
Cross-dresser's unveiling startles wife
   
ELLIE
   
Q... My husband of 10 years (second marriage for both) revealed he's been a
cross-dresser for as long as he can remember though he's dressed on very few
occasions. He wants my support and understanding, and I don't know what to
do. At my request he showed me some pictures, and "she" is quite believable;
he doesn't want me to meet "her" until I feel ready.
   
He's always been a good husband, and we love and trust each other very much.
He's heterosexual and says he has no interest in becoming a woman. Now he
wishes that "she" and I can be occasional "girlfriends." I know nothing
about this subject.
   
Janice
   
--
   
A... Forget sharing chick chat until you know more. And why his sudden
desire to confess. The deception may be more of an issue than the behaviour;
you two need to talk about this, possibly with the help of a professional
counsellor. As for your reaction to "her," get informed, then decide. Yale
University psychotherapist Amy Bloom, author of Normal: Transsexual CEOs,
Crossdressing Cops and Hermaphrodites With Attitude, raises the issue that
wives of straight cross-dressers end up dealing with "a marriage they did
not foresee and would not have chosen." But insiders say some of the wives
not only tolerate but participate in the "presentation." If you still love
him/her after the shock subsides, whatever works is your business.
   
Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health gender identity clinic
offers counselling for cross-dressers, and can refer interested spouses to
specialists in the field. Tel. 416-535-8501; http://www.camh.net, click on
"About mental health," scroll to "Gender identity clinic."
   
For background research papers, see the Renaissance Transgender Association
Inc.: http://www.ren.org
   
Ellie appears Wednesday to Sunday.
E-mail: ellie@thestar.ca. Fax: 416-814-2797. http://www.ellie.ca.
   Top
   
   
"Tranny" Santa Cruz mailman retires after 23 years..
   Top
   
   Mercury News | 02/05/2003 | `TRANNY' SANTA CR...
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5109562.htm
   
Posted on Wed, Feb. 05, 2003
   
`TRANNY' SANTA CRUZ MAILMAN RETIRES AFTER 23 YEARS
COLORFUL CARRIER DEFINED HARBOR AREA FOR MANY
   
By David L. Beck
Mercury News
   
How do you say goodbye to a neighborhood you've nurtured and nannied for 23
years?
   
Postman Dennis Allen said it to the people on his Santa Cruz harbor-area
route -- people he's known through all the cycles of their days -- with a
potluck party and a good-timey band. They said it to him with laughs, hugs,
fond memories, a few outrageous gifts and maybe a tear or two.
   
"He is that harbor area," said Donna Ruiz, watching with approval as Allen
worked the room in midnight purple velvet and a piled-high black wig.
"That's what it's all about: Diversified. Open. Full of fun."
   
She described him in terms that blended ``Cheers'' with small-town America.
"He's the barber who knows your name, the doctor who knows your history. In
a dress."
   
As fellow letter carrier Marcy Cayton said, "Things are definitely quieter
around the post office without him. He kept things lively."
   
Allen turned 55 in mid-December and hung up his blue shorts and brown
leather bag in early January. "I couldn't believe it when I found out how
old he was," said Cayton. "I guess he's young at heart. I had just assumed
he was much younger because of the way he acts."
   
"And dresses," added her daughter, Sarah Evans, 11.
   
Halloween and his final day aside, Allen walked his route in regulation
shorts, moving efficiently, delivering the mail and spreading the gossip.
"It's amazing to me that he could get the mail out on time to everybody,"
said Ruiz, "because he always stopped and talked.|
   
He did more than talk, neighbors say. "He looked out for us in the
neighborhood here," said Bev Dyc.
   
He called that area "the office" -- as in, "a nice day at the office."
   
Commitment to service
   
He left your packages with neighbors, paid your postage-due for you and came
to your parties alone or with a girlfriend, almost always in drag. He was
close enough to his customers to convince one woman that she ought to cancel
her subscription to Vogue when the magazine grew too ad-heavy. He threw an
annual birthday party for himself and the women on his route at the Crow's
Nest, a harbor-side watering hole.
   
"Well, you know," said Allen, "it's kind of an old-timey thing. When we were
growing up, we had, like, the milkman, the paperboy and the mailman, and
they were always the same. You don't get that continuity in life anymore.
   
"At the risk of sounding corny, I thought it was real important to represent
a stable thing in everyone's life: `It must be noon, here comes Dennis.'
Someone brings you something every day, and while you may throw 90 percent
of it away as soon as you get it in disgust, I think it's still one of the
last bastions of public service left that people can count on.
   
"And then," he adds, "I was friends with a lot of those people, too,
personal friends. I've seen people be born on that route, grow up, move
away, come back . . . I think I've been a constant in those people's lives
for 23 years."
   
Allen knows about "goodbye." Son of an Army officer, he had a peripatetic
childhood, born in Maine, schooled in Japan, Germany, France and "one really
weird foreign country, Alabama." He said his principal memory of those days
is waving goodbye to places through the rear window of a car.
   
He dropped out of Auburn University in his sophomore year and hitchhiked to
San Francisco, where the Summer of Love had started without him.
   
Drafted, he ended up in a helicopter over Vietnam. Among his souvenirs of
those days are a cheap Chinese assault rifle, a black 1st Air Cavalry hat
and a chestful of medals, including a Silver Star -- the Army's
third-highest decoration for gallantry in action -- which he wore one
Halloween on a women's Army uniform.
   
Glad to be a `tranny'
   
He's been married twice. "I always tell everybody, there's plenty of women
who love trannies. And I had a relationship with both of them."
   
He prefers "tranny" to the term cross-dresser, which he calls stodgy, and
says the wearing of women's clothes is his second-favorite hobby, after
backpacking in the Sierra. In T-shirts and jeans he may be a "dowdy little
man," said Allen. But when he dresses up, he can have a little fun, with his
collection of wigs, thrift-shop chic and size-11 pumps.
   
Why? His short answer is, why not? "Put it this way," he said. "I don't know
any trannies who have quit and are happy -- who aren't miserable. It's a
little easier for younger ones to come out. Back in my generation, we'd have
purges -- get disgusted, throw everything away, say, `That's it!' "
   
All you were doing, though, was "making yourself miserable. And you've
thrown away your whole wardrobe.
   
"I did that twice. But around 1979, '80, I decided, `You know what? This is
what I . . . am.' "
   
Allen joined the post office in Los Angeles in 1970, and moved to Santa Cruz
two years later. He got his own route, the one he kept until he retired, in
1979.
   
"I always told people I answer to five things," he once said. "Dennis, Dish,
Snake, Sarge and `Hey, mailman!' But I don't answer to `Hey, mailman!'
anymore."
   
For his retirement party, he chose what he called his "Goth princess look --
aging Goth princess" and hired the Road Hogs for the dancing pleasure of his
guests, who numbered between 150 and 200.
   
Ruiz smiled at Allen's party mix. On the dance floor were men with women,
women with women, women in what used to be thought of as men's clothes, men
in women's clothes, even a 3-year-old in full Barbie princess regalia.
   
"You've got beach bums," said Ruiz. "You've got hippies who are still
smoking pot and probably growing it. You've got multimillionaires,"
dot-commers who got out while the getting was good.
   
"It's Middle America," she said. "Only weird and eclectic."
   
Contact David L. Beck at dbeck@sjmercury.com or at (831) 423-0960.
   Top
   
   
   

   UK: Fans of Footballers' Wives are in for a big shock. 
   Top
   
   From Brenda Lana Smith R.af D.
   
Britain - Georgina [ne George Tuttle] Somerset 80, was born a
hermaphrodite... ["best" magazine... 4 February 2003 issue]
   
BLS' OCR'd text pages 6 & 7...
   
EXCLUSIVE: It's in the news &emdash; so what does it mean to you?
   
Fans of Footballers' Wives are in for a big shock. Jackie's baby &emdash; being
raised, of course, by Kyle and Chardonnay &emdash; is a hermaphrodite...
   
How dare Footballers' Wives show a baby with both sex organs like me?
   
Georgina Somerset 80, was born a hermaphrodite, living as a man for 34 years
before becoming a woman. She is furious with the Footballers' Wives
storyline which she fears may cheapen people like her
   
When I was born my parents discovered I was a hermaphrodite with an
underdeveloped penis and some female sexual organs. My parents debated what
to put on my birth certificate for weeks before finally deciding they wanted
me to be their son.
   
Physically, I grew up as neither boy nor girl, with neither male nor female
secondary sexual characteristics. 1 didn't go through puberty, and never
developed pubic hair or breasts.
   
But strangely, ever since childhood, I had felt that I was a woman. I longed
to wear a pretty dress and hated being expected to like getting into scraps
and play in the dirt.
   
I tried hard to fit in as a male, and on the surface I was very successful.
I went to Reigate Grammar School For Boys in Surrey, played rugby and
learned to smoke a pipe.
   
At the age of 17, I saw a boy in the nude for the first time at the showers
at school. He was very well developed and I knew that I looked nothing like
that at all. I was very frightened and confused. I wondered why I wasn't the
same.
   
After school, I trained in dentistry and joined the Navy as a dentist in
1944. With my short-back-and-sides haircut, I convinced the navel surgeon
there was no need for physical examination and joined up as a surgeon
lieutenant. Had I been forced to undergo an examination I'm sure I would
never have got in.
   
Because I had no facial hair, I just pretended to use a razor and I washed
in private so that no one would ever discover my secret.
   
I had never talked to anyone about the way I felt. It was a different world
then. Sex was completely taboo. And I was asexual. I never had any sexual
feelings for either men or women.
   
By the time I was in my mid-30s, the strain of fitting in as a man was
becoming too much. I finally sought professional help and started living as
a woman in 1957.
   
All my life, people have misunderstood my condition. I am not a transsexual
and I didn't have a sex change. I had corrective surgery to make me the sex
that l really was.
   
One psychiatrist even advised me to have electric shock treatment because he
thought that my need to live as a woman was all in my mind.
   
But when I finally went to see a sexologist at the age of 32, I discovered
the truth. The specialist told me I was biologically female and needed
oestrogen 'like a baby needs milk'.
   
He prescribed a course of hormones to make my undeveloped breasts grow, and
suggested a corrective operation on my genitals.
   
It was not an easy transition and for a while I went back to living as a man
because of the social and family pressure. Some people disapproved of what I
was trying to do. But every bone in my body cried out to be the woman I
really was.
   
I didn't feel I could truly be a woman until it said 'female' on my birth
certificate, but getting it changed was a real struggle. When I finally won
my battle in 1960, I was delighted. I became the first person in the UK to
have their birth certificate altered from male to female.
   
In the same year I moved to Hove, East Sussex, to make a new start - and
that was where I fell in love for the first time. The feeling amazed me.
   
When I met Christopher, it was love at first sight. There is no other way to
describe it. If anyone asks, "Are you really in love with so-and-so?" you
know if your heart hasn't leapt out and hit the ceiling that you're not.
When I saw him, l felt like my heart actually exploded.
   
The feeling was magical. It was just chemistry. He was my Prince Charming
then and he still is now. He accepted me for what I was and didn't worry
about what I had been. It's never been an issue that I was born a
hermaphrodite.
   
We married in St Margaret's Church, Westminster, in 1962. I wore a white
dress and a beautiful tiara that made me feel like a princess
   
Last year we celebrated our ruby wedding anniversary. Although we couldn't
have children because my uterus wasn't developed properly, we have had a
wonderfully happy life together. I didn't feel as though I really started
living until the day I met Christopher.
   
I have faced a great deal of prejudice in my life, so the Footballers' Wives
storyline seems to me like an insult. I think that making a fictional
account of something as serious as this completely cheapens the whole issue.
It makes someone like me seem like a laughing stock.
   
I wouldn't mind if they did it decently, but not if they make up a lot of
nonsense. They can't know what it feels like to be born like that or how
profoundly it affects your life.
   
• A spokeswoman for Footballs' Wives denied that the series was cheapening
the issue.
   
She said, "The intersex storyline is an issue that writers wanted to address
and they hope they have done it in a sensitive and informative manner within
the format of a drama.
   
"It has been researched properly and is supported by various organisations.
This is a medical condition. If we had addressed any other medical condition
no one would be asking any questions.
   
"The writers don't feel the issue should be seen as taboo and they hope to
raise awareness and enable people to talk openly about it"
   
--
   
What is a hermaphrodite?
   
The simple definition is 'a person born with both male and female
genitalia'.
   
True hermaphrodites have both ovary and testicular tissue, sometimes in the
same organ. Some can still give birth or father children. Those born with
ambiguous genitals have tests to discover which sex they should be assigned
to.
   
This condition is extremely rare - there are only around 450 known cases.
More common are female or male pseudo-hermaphrodites .
   
Female pseudo-hermaphrodites are born with ovaries and a uterus, but with
masculine genitalia. The most common cause is an overproduction of
testosterone. About one in 14,000 babies is born with this condition.
   
Male pseudo-hermaphrodites are born with ambiguous or female external
genitalia but with testes, usually in the abdominal cavity.
   
--
   
Is it common?
   
Dr Jay Hayes-Light, director of the UK Intersex Association says
hermaphrodites or intersex people, often conceal their condition.
   
About one in 2000 babies in the UK is born with indeterminate sex organs
each year as a result of one of around 24 different conditions.
   
Sex is determined by several factors, including chromosomes hormones and
internal and external sex organs. In fact, The British Journal Of Sports
Medicine claims one in 500 athletes would fail as 'male' or 'female' if
their chromosomes were tested.
   
Dr Hayes-Light says, "It is possible for most intersex people to remain
anonymous. 
   
"Many intersex people have suffered considerable trauma, often at the hands
of doctors and their own families.
   
"There is no typical lifestyle adopted by intersex people. Most who are
aware they are intersex prefer to lead 'ordinary lives'."
   
Hermaphrodites around the world
   
•Native American Navajos recognise three sexes - male, female and nadle.
Nadles were often consulted for their wisdom and skills and would hold
important positions in the tribe.
   
•In India there is a third gender caste, the hijra. Hijra translates as
'sacred erotic female-man', and the caste has a 2500-year history.
   
•For intersex people born in Papua New Guinea, life can be very harsh or
very grand. Some of the 'kwolu-aatmwol' are killed at birth, while others
are given special status and become shamans or war leaders.
   Top
   
   

   LEGISLATIVE ACTION
   Top
   
   USA: Houston lawmaker files pro-gay bill...
   Measure that would outlaw discrimination against gays, transgenders is the
first pro-gay bill this year
   
Houston Voice: Local
http://www.houstonvoice.com/houston/030207legislature.php3?pub=hou
   
Friday, February 07, 2003
   
By PENNY WEAVER 
   
AUSTIN &emdash; State Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) has filed the first pro-gay
bill to be proposed before the current session of the Texas Legislature.
   
Farrar's House Bill 574, submitted to the Texas House of Representatives on
Jan. 27, would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
   
Farrar's District 148 includes the heavily gay Houston Heights and Near
Northside neighborhoods north and northwest of downtown Houston.
   
"This is an extremely important issue," Farrar said. "Employment
discrimination strikes at a fundamental American value: the right of each
individual to do his or her job and contribute to society.
   
"Gay, lesbian and transgender people face pervasive discrimination across
the state of Texas," she added.
   
No federal law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or
gender identity. According to the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, it is
legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation in 37 states,
including Texas. In 48 states, it is legal to do so based on gender
identity. 
   
Farrar's bill would extend employment discrimination protection currently
provided based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and
disability to sexual orientation and gender identity.
   
"The far right wants you to believe that this bill would give special rights
to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, and that is simply not
the case," Farrar said. "This bill is about fair employment practices for
all Texans. 
   
"These policies are good for business and for Texas," she added. "The closer
a company is to the top of the Fortune 500 list, the more likely it is to
have such a policy. Seventy-nine percent of the Fortune 100 companies have
policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and over
88 percent of the Fortune 50 companies have such policies."
   
This week, leaders at the Houston GLBT Community Center praised Farrar's
proposal and announced that they will help sponsor transportation from
Houston to Austin in order for gay rights activists to lobby state lawmakers
in support of House Bill 574 and other gay-friendly policies.
   
"Jessica Farrar has been a friend to the GLBT community since her days as a
council aide at City Hall," said center President Clarence Burton Bagby.
"Jessica's non-discrimination bill raises the important issue of equal
employment opportunity and draws attention to the fact that GLBT Texans face
discrimination every day at work."
   
Farrar pointed out that a number of cities &emdash; including Houston &emdash; already
have non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and/or gender
identity as protected statuses.
   
"In recent years many local governments and state agencies have implemented
non-discrimination policies that have included sexual orientation," Farrar
said. "I will be the primary author of this bill and I will seek co-sponsors
to help." 
   
A similar bill was proposed and backed during the last legislative session
by gay-friendly lawmakers such as Debra Danburg, Glen Maxey and Harryette
Ehrhardt. Since those sponsors are no longer representatives at the state
Capitol, Farrar said she will lead the way on this issue.
   
"I will be working closely with the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas as
well as Houston advocacy groups like the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political
Caucus, GLBT Community Center and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays) to push forward this piece of legislation," she said.
   
According to Farrar, a new House leadership in the Republican-dominated
Texas Legislature means many issues will be handled in a much different way.
   
"I will find innovative ways this time around to push legislation forward,"
Farrar said. 
   
According to a press release from the Houston GLBT Community Center, the
facility's Public Policy Program is working with the HGLPC and PFLAG Houston
to organize a bus trip to Austin on Sunday, March 16, for LGRL's March on
Austin. One bus will stay through Monday afternoon in order for the group to
lobby state legislators for equal rights for gays.
   
Bagby said the groups will be lobbying for H.B. 574 and against H.B. 194,
the anti-gay foster care bill.
   
"While thousands of Texas children in state custody need stable caring
families until permanent homes can be found, extremist lawmakers are making
anti-GLBT legislation a top priority," Bagby said. "They need to focus their
energies on solving the state budget crisis and not on finding new ways to
discriminate against GLBT Texans.
   
Filed in November in advance of the current legislative session, H.B. 194
would disqualify gay men, lesbians and bisexuals in Texas from serving as
foster parents. State Rep. Robert Talton (R-Houston) is author of the bill.
   
On Thursday, H.B. 194 was referred to the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Committee. No other lawmakers have signed on as co-authors or co-sponsors.
   
The anti-gay H.B. 38 was referred to the State Affairs Committee on Jan. 30.
   
A number of state lawmakers have signed on as joint authors and co-authors
of bill, originated by Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa). The bill is also known
as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
   
Last week, Chisum circulated a memo inviting fellow House members to sign on
as co-authors, and at least 22 did so. Another four signed as joint authors
of the bill, which would prevent the state from recognizing same-sex
marriages or civil unions.
   
LGRL and other gay rights activists have called Chisum's H.B. 38 a "slap in
the face" to gay Texans, and have labeled it "redundant."
   
Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Texas already does not have to
recognize same-sex couples united in other states. The federal law also
creates a definition of marriage as a "legal union between one man and one
woman as husband and wife."
   
Among the House members who signed as co-authors to the Chisum DOMA bill are
several Harris County lawmakers: District 132 Rep. Bill Callegari
(R-Houston), District 127 Rep. Joe Crabb (R-Kingwood), District 129 Rep.
John Davis (R-Houston), District 133 Rep. Joe Nixon (R-Houston), and
District 128 Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown).
   
Last session, a Texas Defense of Marriage Act was passed out of the Senate,
but failed to make it out of committee in the House of Representatives, LGRL
officials note. Lobbyists contend that the shift in the balance of power in
the House after the November elections increases the possibility of this
session's bill passing both chambers of the Legislature.
   
Thirty-six states across the country have enacted laws in recent years that
limit legal recognition of civil marriages to heterosexual couples.
   
March on Austin 
Transportation from Houston
Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus
713-521-1000 
E-mail: info@houstonglbtcenter.org
   
Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas
P.O. Box 2340 
Austin, TX 78768 
512-474-5475 
http://www.lgrl.org
   
This article appeared in the issue of:
February 7, 2003 
   
© 2003 Window Media, LLC
   
   Top
   

   Group wants gender identity in Nunavut human rights law
   Top
   
   Nunatsiaq News
http://www.nunatsiaq.com/news/nunavut/30207_02.html
      
February 7, 2003 
   
Group wants gender identity in Nunavut human rights law
   
Bill expected to go before standing committee next month
   
KIRSTEN MURPHY
   
A group of Iqaluit residents want gender identity written into Nunavut's
human rights bill as a prohibited grounds for discrimination.
   
Premier Paul Okalik, the minister of justice, introduced the bill in the
legislative assembly this past October. It has received first reading and
will likely be referred to a standing committee when the House resumes in
early March.
   
It would cover the commonly accepted grounds for protection enshrined in the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including race, religion, age, disability,
sex and sexual orientation.
   
But it doesn't go as far as legislation introduced in the Northwest
Territories in November 2000. The NWT is the first jurisdiction in Canada to
include gender identity.
   
Last Monday, members of Iqaluit Pride and Friends of Pride (IPFP) met to
review a copy of Nunavut's bill.
   
Allison Brewer, the group's spokesperson, said what's missing from Nunavut's
proposed legislation is the recognition of gender identity within the
context of sexual orientation.
   
"Human rights legislation is to protect minorities and people who cannot
speak for themselves," said Brewer, a lesbian activist and mother of three
teens. "Our concern is that the act reflects and recognizes the diversity of
all [residents], including people who are transgender."
   
Transgender is defined as people whose psychological self or gender identity
differs from the physical sex they were born with. (Think of Brandon Teena
from the movie Boys Don't Cry, which was based on a true story.)
   
Brewer says she does not know of any transgender people living in Nunavut.
Okalik doesn't either. "I have not seen anyone that lives that lifestyle
yet," he told Nunatsiaq News in October.
   
"That's not to say they don't exist, or that they've haven't left town so
they could live more comfortably and safely," Brewer added.
   
But she anticipates not everyone, including many Nunavut's MLAs, will share
her views on sexual orientation.
   
"I know how much education is needed around sexual orientation and gender
identity. So, I would anticipate it will be controversial because I don't
think people are aware what the issues are. Ultimately it will be the MLAs
who will vote on this and I would really hope they vote on principals of
protection for people in minority groups. I hope they don't vote based on
their lack of awareness about certain issues or based on their own religious
beliefs," she said.
   
Okalik recently suggested gays and lesbians were not part of Inuit culture
when explaining why the Baffin Correctional Centre does not provide condoms
for inmates.
   
"Homosexuality is present in every culture. It's absurd to think it's not,"
Brewer said.
   
Nunavut is the last Canadian jurisdiction to introduce human rights
legislation. The territory inherited the Fair Practices Act from the NWT in
1999, but it was badly outdated. It failed to recognize sexual orientation
as a grounds for discrimination, even though it has been recognized in the
Canadian Human Rights Act since 1996.
   
Labour unions and the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council are among the
groups reviewing the bill this week. Submissions to the standing committee
must be filed with the GN by Feb. 10.
   
--
   
© 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Nortext Publishing Corporation
(Iqaluit).
   Top
   
   

   UK: Press For Change 's response to Government announcement
   Top
   
      Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003
   From: "Claire Ashton" <claire@c-ashton.fsnet.co.uk>
   
PFC's response to Government announcement
We welcome the recent proposals by government
   
31st January 2003
   
This is the response of Press For Change to the Lord Chancellor‚s proposals
on legislative change to accommodate transsexual people‚s legal needs.
   
Press For Change, as the primary lobby group for transsexual people,
welcomes the proposals by government to legally recognise the gender of
transsexual people. Yet, we are very aware that considerable time has
already passed since last year‚s decisions in the European Court of Human
Rights, without substantive change taking place. This is proving of great
disappointment to transsexual people who have worked so hard for so long to
achieve these legal advances. We are also very aware that there are issues
as yet undecided contained within the proposals, yet we feel it is
imperative that these issues do not unduly delay the progress towards
substantive legal change. There is undoubtedly a tension between achieving
the best legislative practice possible and the apparently intractable
position of government over the last 30 years. We feel it important that any
legislation should embody a spirit of vision, rather than aiming at
achieving the least possible in the light of the ECHR decisions in the cases
of Goodwin and I.
   
However, it should be remembered that many countries have provided
mechanisms for legal gender change with minimal and very speedy legislation
or through judicial or administrative practice. Although these are not
necessarily perfect, in legal terms, they do work effectively and provide
the opportunity for transsexual people to fully enjoy their lives without
constantly fearing the law. We feel that one of the most important problems
to address, and quickly, is the fact that transsexual people are now once
again waiting. We have waited for many years now and the proposed
legislation has only come about as a result of the actions of transsexual
people. Any further wait is going to increasingly cause distress and
disenchantment with the law and government. Accordingly, we feel that there
are some improvements that could be made soon rather than later, even when
considering the Œrealities‚ of putting legislation through the parliamentary
process. We have detailed these within our comments, and are sure that you
will give serious consideration to these.
   
Below, we have made our comments on the proposals. These comments are
intended to be positive and useful comments and an aid to finalising any
legislation in this area as soon as is practicably possible. We have
approached the issues with the view that the proposals are generally
positive and give promise to a great improvement on the current situation.
   
Moving towards Legislation: Since the decisions of the European Court of
Human Rights in July 2002, an area of considerable legal uncertainty has
become even more uncertain. The lack of substantive action on the part of
government, clearly at odds with European case law, has left the courts‚ in
the untenable situation of being required by the Human Rights Act to
consider whether to declare national law as incompatible with the
Convention. There has been created a series of Œlive‚ potential
contradictions between legislation, government practice and case law.
Further, these contradictions are likely to be exacerbated if the Scottish
Executive acts to resolve those issues within its devolved powers.
   
It is also the case that this situation is not abstract, causing ongoing
distress to the transsexual population in Britain. Accepting that, whatever
form the legislation takes or that parliament may turn down such proposed
legislation, the European Court of Human Rights held quite clearly in the
ŒGoodwin‚ and ŒI‚ cases, that transsexual people are having their rights
contravened by the continued refusal of government to allow their new sex to
be recorded on their birth certificates, and the failure to afford them
legal marriages in their new gender role.
   
We feel it is imperative that any proposed changes are implemented as soon
as possible. We think that, in the meantime, some actions could be taken by
the government to reassure the transsexual community, and which in
themselves would ease the potential administrative burdens that will arise
when legislation is forthcoming.
   
Recommendations:
   
That the process of Œdata collection‚ is started promptly whereby
transsexual people who have been living in role, for at least 1 year, can
register their intention to apply for legal recognition. The ONS could
assist by collecting such information.
   
That the collection of such data, in advance, should include proof of name
change, medical assessment and treatment, and of living permanently in role.
   
This exercise would enable the government to assess the number of
applications likely to be received on legislating, the type and quality of
information provided, whether the information would be adequate to ensure
that a change of legal status can be safely awarded. It would also
facilitate the change of status to be awarded in a prompt and timely manner,
at the time of legislation, for those transsexual people who have been
living in their new gender role for some time.
   
It would reassure many in the transsexual community that the government is
committed to implementing the decisions of the ECHR.
   
Devolved and Reserved Policy Aspects: The devolved powers of the Scottish
and Northern Irish Executives and the Welsh Assembly are such that it may be
possible that transsexual residents of these countries may be afforded some
legal recognition sooner than their English counterparts. This would prove
very problematic.
   
We would hope that any legislation would adequately provide equal rights for
as many transsexual people as possible who reside in the United Kingdom, or
who are British citizens.
   
We consider it essential that these rights give, in effect, full legal
status recognition in all aspects of the new gender role.
   
We would further add, that as it is intended for the original birth record
to remain intact, we can see no obstacle to ensuring that those British
citizens who happened to have been born within another state, national or
federal, which does not allow for a change of birth records for those who
have undergone gender reassignment, to have the equivalent new record being
made available for them. Such a practice already happens in Holland, whereby
the certificate of reassignment is made available to all those with
residency rights in that country, no consequent legal or social problems
have ensued.
   
Recommendations:
   
That liaison is undertaken with the devolved assemblies and executive to
ensure a uniform date for the implementation of a mechanism for the change
of gender
   
That legislation ensures that the change of gender is recognised for all
legal purposes from the point of recognition
   
That the change of gender mechanism be afforded to all UK citizens,
regardless of their place of birth, including those with only a right of
permanent residence
   
Rights: We support the proposal so long as formal recognition in the
acquired gender includes ALL rights and responsibilities. However, as
already commented, we feel that the lack of a clear timetable fails to
address the immediate needs of those who have already undergone gender
reassignment and who have been living in a legal limbo for far too long.
This could particularly affect those transsexual women who will not at the
moment receive their state pension until the age of 65.
   
Whilst we recognise the difficulty in affording retrospective recognition we
would consider that where a transsexual woman has been working in her new
gender role for several years, she should be afforded either a pension at 60
from henceforth, or consideration should be given to developing a mechanism
whereby the employer would receive a letter saying they are due to retire at
60 and the transsexual woman should be exempted from seeking work whilst
claiming social security benefits. Such a mechanism would only be temporary
and affect very few people as from the date of legislation this problem
should be resolved so long as recognition includes ordinary state pension
benefits in the new gender role. It is also pertinent to recognise that many
transsexual women will have achieved sufficient contribution years on their
record to support a full pension at age 60, so that to compute their pension
entitlement on a female basis involves no loss to the state.
   
We also feel that the retention of previously incurred obligations should
extend through to those who have retained a former marriage to a member of
their opposite natal sex, and that must include the obligation to remain
married which should be regardless of any change of gender.
   
Recommendations:
   
That recognition of the change of gender brings with it full rights and
responsibilities, and is recognition for all legal purposes
   
That transsexual women currently approaching the age of 60 should be
afforded a state pension at 60, or alternatively that a mechanism be created
to give them Œapparent‚ status as a woman until such time as legislation
receives Royal assent
   
That those transsexual men who currently are receiving a state pension as
they are over the age of 60 continue to receive it.
   
That those transsexual men who have not reached 60 at the point of legal
recognition, and who are due to receive their pension between the ages of 60
and 65 are awarded their state pension at the original age of entitlement if
they choose to do so, but also that a choice is provided to not take it.
   
That those people who are still legally married in their former gender role
be allowed to retain those marriages, including all rights and obligations,
regardless of any application for recognition of the change of gender.
   
Insurance and Pensions: Whilst we understand that insurance companies may,
in some circumstances, have an interest in the health of those they insure.
However although any increased risk of morbidity for transsexual people
should be able to be reflected in their actuarial tables, we would argue
that there is little evidence of such increase for transsexual women, and
none at all for transsexual men. As such, it begs the question of privacy
being afforded in reality, not just in spirit, if insurance companies are
able to invalidate cover if a person‚s transsexual status is not disclosed.
   
We fail to see the need for pension companies to require any such
information about transsexual people. Whatever difference it might make to
the costs of pension companies will be minimal as any losses from treating
one birth gender differently will be countered by the other group.
   
Recommendations:
That insurance and pension companies be required to show good reason as to
why they require details of whether a person has had legal recognition of a
change of gender before they can seek this information
   
That pension companies be required to treat a person in their legally
recognised gender for pension purposes if they are of that gender at the
date of receipt of the pension.
   
That the legislation should be capable of being clearly interpreted in such
a way that Doctors, who become aware of the fact of a person‚s gender
reassignment in the course of routine examination for employment or
insurance purposes, can regard this as information which need not be
disclosed per sé (unless there are associated factors which could affect the
health of the individual).
   
Criminal Records Bureau: Whilst we welcome the recent decision to afford
transsexual people privacy on application for Criminal Records Bureau
clearance we are very concerned that if an individual has committed an
offence in the past that disclosure will not just disclose the offence but
also their change of gender, which will remove the very rights supposedly
afforded to them.
   
Recommendations:
   
That unless good reason can be shown for disclosing a person‚s former name
on the Criminal Records Bureau statement of record, that the former names of
transsexual people will not be revealed.
   
Good reason may be that an offence was committed against a vulnerable person
which offence could only be committed by a person of one sex or the other.
   
Recognition: We particularly welcome the proposals as regards formal
recognition. We would ask that the mechanism of scrutiny be simple and
administrative, as it is in other European Countries and North America,
without the need for the transsexual person to incur substantial costs or be
placed in a position of potential disclosure in proving their new permanent
change of status. We also feel it is imperative that the authorising body is
not made up of Œmedical experts‚ but rather primarily consists of
non-medical people whose role is to scrutinise the evidence rather than the
person.
   
Further, again, we are concerned that there are many transsexual people who
have been living permanently in role for many years, in some cases for over
30 years. We would ask that any legislation and mechanism bear these people
in mind in enabling a speedy response to their requests. In particular,
regard must be given to the difficulty that may be incurred in establishing
evidence of treatments undertaken many years ago or in a different country.
   
Further, for many transsexual men and their partners, and the children those
partners have given birth to, everyday is a day of chance as they continue
to pray that a serious accident or death should not befall a family member.
If that was to happen, they live in fear of what should happen to them or
their children due to the continued lack of recognition of their families.
   
Recommendations:
   
That the scrutinising body is primarily a body to examine paper evidence
   
That if the scrutinising body is not satisfied with the evidence laid before
it, it should seek further evidence before rejecting any application
   
That in the event of an application being rejected that there are 2 routes
for the applicant
   
A re-application not before 6 months has passed
   
An appeal to an independent body
   
That applicants are not restricted in the number of times they may apply for
legal recognition
   
That the scrutinising body is administrative rather than medical
   
That, if membership of the scrutinising body is other than purely
administrative, it includes transsexual people of good standing amongst
their members.
   
That the requirements for a change of legal status are:
   
Proof of name change by statutory declaration or deed poll, at least 2 years
prior to application. The earliest date of application could be the 16th
birthday
   
Evidence of at least 2 years living within the new gender role: this might
include:
   
A statement by a doctor, employer or other person of good standing
   
A statement by a doctor, preferably the GP, that the individual has been
assessed and has or is receiving active treatment e.g. hormone therapy
   
Educational records, Bank records or social security records
   
In cases where there is indisputable proof that an individual has been
permanently living in their new gender role, prior to the legislation, and
who are consequently afforded a change of legal status, that their state
pension and national insurance records are amended from the date of their
statutory declaration or deed poll of name change to reflect their new
gender role.
   
That Transsexual men who have acted as the father of donor inseminated
children since their birth are able to have their names placed on the birth
certificates of such children, as if the father, so long as permission is
given by the children‚s mother.
   
Original Birth Records: We have had many enquiries from transsexual people
who have changed both their surname as well as their Christian names. They
are concerned as to whether any new record would include their new surname.
   
Recommendations:
   
That the new record be in whatever new forenames recorded on a statutory
declaration, deed poll of name change or original birth certificate that the
applicant requests.
   
National Insurance Numbers: The decision in Goodwin specifically concerned
the government‚s failure to afford Ms Goodwin a changed National Insurance
number. Whilst we acknowledge that there is no gender distinguisher in the
National Insurance number, it is however a lifetime record. The current
provisions to provide privacy to transsexual people as regards national
insurance details are entirely inadequate. Records currently show the birth
gender and are marked as requiring special access. This marking means that
transsexual people who are in receipt of benefits or who are trying to sort
out some aspect of their national insurance face delays and obstruction, or
alternatively they must allow all benefits agency staff to potentially know
of their medical history.
   
Recommendations:
   
That new National Insurance numbers, and new gender identifiers are provided
on legal recognition if requested
   
That if new numbers are not provided, that all details of former gender and
names should be expunged from the National Insurance record. This would
ensure that state pensions were awarded at appropriate ages.
   
Final Comments: Finally we would repeat that it is vital that legislation is
clear, unambiguous and timely, and affords full and complete legal
recognition. We welcome the proposals but are concerned that if not acted
upon promptly there will be future anxiety and stress for transsexual people
(and their families), who have already suffered much in order to achieve
their true selves. There have been very few voices of opposition to the
proposed legal recognition of the correct gender of transsexual people, and
society is now educated and aware of the distress the current legal
situation has created, and there have been strong indications of support
throughout the media and press.
   
We hope our comments prove helpful and would be very happy to take part in
any further consultation required.
   Top
   
   

   IN THE COURTS
   
USA: California--$1.68 million bail posted in Araujo killing
   Top
   
   Oakland Tribune Online
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1170179,00.html
   
Monday, February 10, 2003 - 3:49:09 AM MST
   
$1.68 million bail posted in Araujo killing
Defendant Michael Magidson to be released to Berkeley substance abuse clinic
   
By Robert Airoldi 
STAFF WRITER
   
FREMONT -- One of four defendants charged with murder in the death of a
Newark transgender teen posted $1.68 million bail Friday afternoon and will
be released to a substance abuse recovery program in Berkeley.
   
Superior Court Judge Dennis McLaughlin signed the order shortly before 5
p.m., allowing Michael Magidson, 22, to be released from Santa Rita county
jail in the next few days, his lawyer said.
   
Magidson, of Fremont, and Jaron Nabors, 19, Jason Cazares, 22, and Jose
Merel, 23, all of Newark, are charged with beating and strangling Eddie
"Gwen" Araujo -- also known as "Lida" -- during an Oct. 3 party at Merel's
home after they discovered Araujo was biologically male. The murder charges
include a hate-crime enhancement.
   
Getting Magidson released took his team of lawyers a month to work out the
details. 
   
"The judge was very careful to follow both the spirit and the letter of the
law," said defense attorney Jules Bonjour. "And because of his desire to
make sure the letter of the law was followed, it took some time to put
together." 
   
Five of Magidson's family members put up four properties in Fremont,
$476,000 cash and a $300,000 bail bond, while a family friend put up one
property in Pleasanton to post bail.
   
A condition of Magidson's release includes an order for him to live at New
Bridge Foundation, a substance abuse recovery program until "further order
of this court." The court will be provided with weekly reports of the
defendant's participation and the facility is ordered to report any
violation. 
   
The facility regularly handles defendants awaiting criminal proceedings,
according to an admissions office employee.
   
Araujo's family members were satisfied the Magidsons put up enough assets to
ensure Magidson's appearances.
   
"You can't come to any other conclusion other than that this suspect is free
because he has money," said David Guerrero, Araujo's uncle. "Otherwise, the
other suspects would be walking free as well."
   
Nabors, Merel and Cazares remain behind bars awaiting the conclusion of a
preliminary hearing scheduled to resume Feb. 18.
   
It was Nabors who led police to Araujo's body -- still bound with ropes --
in a shallow grave east of Placerville in the El Dorado County wilderness in
mid-October. 
   
During a January bail hearing, McLaughlin said there is a substantial amount
of evidence that shows Magidson was an active participant in Araujo's death,
but said there was no evidence he is a threat to the community, especially
since he'll be at New Bridge.
   
"If I were (one of) those other suspects, I'd be upset that the person who
participated in this crime with them is free because he has money," Guerrero
said. "They are accused of the same crime."
   
--
   
©1999-2003 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
   Top
   
   
USA: California--"Gwen" Araujo case draws renowned attorney
   Top
   
   Alameda Times-Star Online
http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1486~1168775,00.html
   
Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 3:54:01 AM MST
   
"Gwen" Araujo case draws renowned attorney
J. Tony Serra, defending one of four charged with murder, widely known for
high-profile clients
   
By Robert Airoldi
STAFF WRITER
   
He's represented the rich and the poor. The famous and the infamous. Hells
Angels, Black Panthers and members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
   
He's legendary defense attorney J. Tony Serra, easily recognized because of
the long, white ponytail seen so often on television -- and in a movie based
on his career. 
   
Among Serra's current clients is Jason Cazares, one of four young men
charged with murder in the death of Newark transgender teen Eddie "Gwen"
Araujo. 
   
Serra represented the late Black Panther leader Huey Newton and former SLA
member Sara Jane Olson. He represented Ellie Nessler, who shot and killed
the man accused of molesting her son during the man's trial in a courtroom
in the Sierra foothills. He won an acquittal for Eugene "Bear" Lincoln, a
Native American who had been sentenced to die for killing a sheriff's deputy
in Mendocino County.
   
When Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, wanted to hire a new attorney, he asked
for Serra, but the trial judge ruled it was too late for Kaczynski to make
the change. 
   
Serra is not your stereotypical lawyer, with his long white hair gathered in
a loose ponytail, his thrift-store suits and his demonstrative manner.
   
That's what everybody focuses on at first, said Tom Orloff, Alameda County
District Attorney. 
   
"But all that stuff disappears very quickly during trial," said Orloff, who
as a prosecutor tried a case against Serra 20 years ago. "He is extremely,
extremely glib." 
   
Serra, who does much of his work pro bono, won't say why he decided to
represent Cazares, or if he is being paid. He declined repeated requests to
be interviewed for this story.
   
"Publicity in this case is adverse to us," he said on his way out of a
hearing at the Fremont Hall of Justice.
   
Cazares, 22, and co-defendants Michael Magidson, 22, Jose Merel, 23, and
Jaron Nabors, 19, are charged with murder in the slaying of Araujo, 17. All
four have pleaded innocent.
   
Araujo, also known as "Lida," was killed during a party at Merel's Newark
home on the night of Oct. 3, after the four men discovered Araujo -- who
dressed and lived as a woman -- was biologically male, police said. Araujo's
body, bound with ropes, was found Oct. 16 in a shallow grave east of
Placerville in the El Dorado County wilderness.
   
Judge Kenneth Burr is presiding over a preliminary hearing to determine
whether there is enough evidence for Cazares and the others to stand trial.
Serra was in Fremont twice in January for proceedings that are scheduled to
resume Feb. 18. 
   
Watching him in action can be mesmerizing. He refers to himself as "a
semantic warrior," Tuolumne County District Attorney Donald Segerstrom said.
Segerstrom, once a defense lawyer, was co-counsel in the Nessler case 10
years ago. 
   
"He is a person who uses words to fight for other people," Segerstrom said.
   
This is emerging in his defense of Cazares. At one point in the preliminary
hearing, a witness testified to something different from what she told
police. 
   
Standing with his arms behind his back and his head tilted as if in
disbelief at what he was hearing, Serra asked the witness in a symphonic
voice: "Are you being candid or are you trying to serve the interest of the
prosecution?" 
   
Serra's use of language and his passion for his profession set him apart,
said Tuolumne County Superior Court Judge Doug Boyack.
   
"He has incredible courtroom presence and uses the language like no one I've
ever known," Boyack said.
   
"He has an ability to use his voice as a musical instrument, altering tone
and cadence. He's very enthralling," Orloff said.
   
Orloff said Serra is most effective in high-profile cases where he can turn
the case into a cause. What cause Serra may champion in the Araujo case is
unclear at this point, but the slaying drew national media attention and
became a rallying point for gay and transgender rights groups.
   
Serra, who graduated from Boalt School of Law at the University of
California, Berkeley, began his career in 1962, as a deputy district
attorney in Alameda County. His stint lasted one year before he realized
sending people to prison was not mentally healthy, he told the Modesto Bee
in 1993. A 1989 movie based on Serra's career, called "True Believer," tells
the story of a young lawyer and an older 1960s activist attorney who team up
to free a man jailed for a murder he did not commit. Starring James Woods
and Robert Downey Jr., it was shot on location at Folsom Prison and in San
Francisco, Oakland and San Leandro.
   
Movie material or not, Serra is a very effective trial attorney, Segerstrom
said. 
   
"His ability to take whatever is given to him and use it to his advantage
sets him apart," the Tuolumne County district attorney said. "Just the way
he speaks makes him a good lawyer."
   
--
   
©1999-2003 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
   Top
   
   

   USA: California-Supporters offer picture of suspect in teen's death
   Top
   
   Mercury News | 02/11/2003 | Supporters offer ...
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/5153895.htm
   
Posted on Tue, Feb. 11, 2003
   
Supporters offer picture of suspect in teen's death
   
MAN RELEASED ON BAIL SAID TO BE FRIEND TO GAYS
   
By Matthai Chakko Kuruvila
Mercury News
   
Before a judge released Michael Magidson on $1.6 million in bail, supporters
and the prosecutor of the Fremont resident offered widely differing
portraits of the man accused of killing transgender Newark teen Eddie
``Gwen'' Araujo.
   
Magidson's supporters described the former Fremont Christian and Newark
Memorial High School student as a lover of stray animals and a friend to
gays, lesbians and transgender people.
   
But prosecutor Connie Campbell declared that Magidson was the ``primary
aggressor'' in the beating, strangulation and slaying of Araujo, who had a
sexual relationship with Magidson.
   
Despite the prosecutor's warnings that Magidson would be a danger to the
community, a Superior Court judge on Friday ordered him to be released to
the custody of a Berkeley-based alcohol and drug treatment center.
   
The terms of Magidson's release to the New Bridge Foundation demand strict
supervision, said his attorney, Michael Thorman. Magidson won't be allowed
to talk to anyone but his attorney for the first three weeks of a six-month
alcohol rehabilitation program, Thorman said.
   
Thorman said he didn't know whether Magidson would eventually be allowed
visits home as a reward for successfully completing parts of the treatment.
   
Thorman said that parties at the home of Jose Merel, where the killing took
place, had involved ``prodigious'' amounts of alcohol.
   
Using a combination of cash, bail bonds and property, Magidson's family
posted his bail, which Judge Dennis J. McLaughlin raised in January to $1.6
million.
   
Statements offered by both the prosecution and the defense offer a glimpse
of the ever-unfolding case of the four men who stand accused in the Oct. 4
slaying and the life of the person they knew as Lida -- who turned out to be
a biological male.
   
The defense portrays the discovery of Araujo's gender as a surprise that
prompted a violent reaction. The prosecution claims the defendants already
had their suspicions.
   
Campbell said Magidson and the other defendants -- Jose Merel, Jaron Nabors
and Jason Cazares -- had discussed Araujo's gender for several days before
the slaying. It was not an ``unanticipated confrontation,'' Campbell wrote
to the court.
   
Thorman said the prior discussions about Araujo's gender meant little.
   
``There's a big difference between having a question in one's mind and
knowing and planning on the other hand,'' he said. ``The evidence you're
going to hear is that there was extreme shock, amazement and bewilderment
when they actually learned of the true sexual identity.''
   
--
   
Contact Matthai Chakko Kuruvila at mkuruvila@ sjmercury.com or (510)
790-7316. 
   
   Top
   
BOOKS Etc...
   
A Girl Called Georgina
   Top
   
   http://www.transatlanticpub.com/cat/biograph/georgina.html
   
RETRIEVED:  Tuesday, February 04, 2003
   
A Girl Called Georgina
Including the Author's Original Study:
Over the Sex Border, Change of Sex: A Comprehensive Study
   
By Georgina Somerset
1992 
ISBN: 0-86332-785-0
475 p. illus.
$52.50 Cloth 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgina Somerset was born in Croydon, England in 1923, but being a
hermaphrodite was erroneously registered as a boy named George Edwin Turtle
- in fact spending her first 34 years in the male role. George shone
academically and went on to study at King's College Hospital, London,
qualifying in 1944 as a dental surgeon. Called up for War service George
volunteered for the Royal Navy and as Surgeon Lieutenant (D) served at home
and in Trincomalee, Ceylon. Although revealed at last to be a physical
intersex with dominant female development (and later to be a true genetic
hermaphrodite), so great was the influence of upbringing that when as a
woman in 1957 an amended birth certificate was offered, she hesitated to
accept it. Eventually, however, in 1960, George's birth certificate was
officially corrected to show him as a girl called Georgina Carol Turtle. In
1962 she married Christopher Somerset and for 25 years until her recent
retirement ran a busy dental practice.
   Top
   
   

   COMMENTARY
   
   NATC Urges Minnesota citizens to oppose threat to human rights
   Top

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2003

From: The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC)

Contacts: Media Director, Robyn Walters, Seattle, Washington

NTAC Chair, Vanessa Edwards Foster; Houston, Texas

Contact Email: ntacmedia@aol.com

media@ntac.org

Contact Phone: 832-483-9901

360-437-4091

Website: http://www.ntac.org

 

NTAC URGES MINNESOTA CITIZENS TO OPPOSE THREAT TO HUMAN RIGHTS

 

NTAC condemns a legislative attempt to subject gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed Minnesota citizens and visitors to renewed discrimination. Five republican legislators have sponsored a bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives to eliminate sexual orientation from the state's Human Rights Act. The current law, which protects gender expression in terms of sexual orientation, has protected transgendered and intersexed people as well as gays and lesbians since its passage in 1993.

 

With a new, untested Republican governor, conservatives have become emboldened not only to attack the legal advances made in the first state to protect transgendered people but also to rewrite history. House Bill 341 goes so far as to remove sexual orientation from the list of attributes defining Holocaust survivors and victims, thereby appearing to excuse Nazi atrocities against the GLBT population during World War II.

 

Sponsors and supporters of discrimination against the GLBT community, such as the Minnesota Family Council, argue that protecting the civil rights of GLBT citizens takes away the civil rights of conservative Christians. Republican Representative Arlon Lindner, chief author of the bill, remarked, "I know a lady who was fired from her job because she disagreed with homosexual activities in her school." Neither the woman, the school, nor the alleged activities were identified.

 

Deborah Talen, executive director of Rainbow Families, a Minneapolis-based advocacy group for GLBT parents and children, decried the 'poor me' tactics of the bill's conservative backers. "It's a very mean-spirited effort by a right-wing fringe to make themselves out as victims," she said.

 

Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, remarked, "We're hearing complaints about cross-dressing in the schools." The Council has strongly opposed what it calls "special protections" for gays and lesbians, saying that the 10 year old is used to promote homosexuality in the schools. Prichard predicted passage in the House. "We've got a more conservative Legislature."

 

GLBT organizations are rallying to defeat the bill, which has drawn a stinging rebuke from openly gay state senator Scott Dibble. "Extremists in the Republican Party are overplaying their hand," he said. He likened the situation to the racism debacle that led to Senator Trent Lott's resignation as US Senate Majority Leader. Dibble predicts that the attempt to legalize discrimination will backfire once Minnesotans realize that the bill aims to divide the citizenry.

 

NTAC joins with Outfront Minnesota, the Human Rights Campaign, Rainbow Families, and other GLBT organizations in urging all fair-minded Minnesota citizens to send their legislators and Governor Tim Pawlenty a clear message that bigotry and discrimination will not be tolerated in Minnesota. Legislator contact information can be found at http://www.outfront.org/links/government.html.

 

 

NTAC, the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, is a §501(c)(4) political advocacy coalition working to establish and maintain the right of all transgendered, intersexed, and gender-variant people to live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.

Top

   Metropolitan Community Churches  Responds To Vatican Condemnation of Transgender Persons
   Top
   
      Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 05:46:07 -0500
   From: "Dana S. Leslie" <dsleslie@alumni.princeton.edu>
   
Source: Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
Via: GayNet mail list
URL: http://www.mccChurch.org
Date: Feb 3, 2003
   
>From The Headquarters of
Metropolitan Community Churches
info@MCCchurch.org  .  www.MCCchurch.org
   
N E W S   R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release: 3 February 2003
______________________________________________
   
"It is not surprising that the God who created our world with
incredible diversity and complexity also created humanity
with a diversity of sexual orientations and gender variance."
                                         -- The Rev. Troy Perry, MCC
Moderator
______________________________________________
   
Los Angeles -- The head of the world's largest Christian denomination with
a primary affirming ministry to gays and lesbians has reaffirmed the
church's commitment to transgender persons.
   
"All of God's creation is good and holy, and that includes our transgender
brothers and sisters," said Rev. Troy D. Perry, Moderator of Metropolitan
Community Churches (MCC), a denomination with almost 300 congregations in
22 countries.
   
The MCC statement comes in response to a Vatican declaration, reported in
the
Roman Catholic news agency Adista, that "transsexual persons suffer from
mental pathologies," have "pathological personality situations," and are
to be barred from serving as Roman Catholic priests, nuns, monks, friars and
brothers in religious orders.
   
The report, prepared by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, further instructs that transgender persons currently serving as
Roman Catholic priests or in religious orders are to be expelled from their
vocations.
   
"It is not surprising that the God who created our world with incredible
diversity and complexity also created humanity with a diversity of sexual
orientations and gender variance," said Perry, a veteran human rights
activist and a past delegate to the White House Conference on Hate Crimes.
"Metropolitan Community Churches reaffirms its long-held belief that all
life is sacred and holy, and that God calls people from every human
experience
to vocational Christian ministry."
   
"Rather than condemn our transgender brothers and sisters, we should
celebrate people who have often made great sacrifices to grapple with issues
of gender variation and who are committed to living their lives with
openness and authenticity," added Perry.
   
Others within Metropolitan Community Churches echoed Perry's comments.
   
"This may raise medical questions for some, it does not raise moral
questions," said Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis, MCC's Director of Clergy
Development and a transgender clergyperson.
   
Tanis, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and author of "Transgendered:
Theology, Ministry and Communities of Faith" (Pilgrim Press, 2003), added,
"We're learning that our world is far more diverse than we previously
imagined, and that includes our chromosomal, physical and emotional
diversities. This diversity is part of God's plan and is to be celebrated."
   
"Just as we have come to learn that there is a range of human sexual
orientations, we are also learning that there is a range of human gender
variance," added Tanis. "Several MCC clergypersons are transgender and
have served in both local congregations and in denominational roles with
excellence and distinction."
   
Along with its positive ministry to gays and lesbians, Metropolitan
Community
Churches has a long history of ministry with the transgender community. "A
transgender person participated in the very first MCC service, and MCC
members who are transgender have served as elders within our denomination,
pastors of our local churches, and on the MCC headquarters staff," said
Perry.
   
"It is the great sin of the Church to exclude those whom God created and
loves. We call upon all faith communities to welcome all people of faith,
just as God invites and welcomes all, including transpeople who are called
as members, friends, clergy and lay leaders," added Perry.
   
Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches offering positive,
affirming
ministry to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons, and their
families and friends. Additional information on MCC is available on the
Internet at <A HREF="www.MCCchurch.org">www.MCCchurch.org</A>. A free MCC
e-mail newsletter is avilable upon request by writing to info@MCCchurch.org.
   
(END)
   
For Additional Information, Contact:
Jim Birkitt
MCC Communications Director
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Second Floor
West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, Ext. 226
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org
Website: www.MCCchurch.org
   Top
   
   

   Transsexual people issues need to be tackled
   Top
   HR Gateway.com - HR News & Information with U...
http://www.hrgateway.co.uk/viewnewsdetail.asp?uniquenumber=1369&loginstatus=
   
Ref : 
N/1369
   
Date Posted : 
05/02/2003
         
Author : 
HR Gateway Editorial
    
Transsexual people issues need to be tackled
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brief Details 
While lawyers feel that new EU legislation will not bring many new rights to
transsexuals, employers and recruiters need to be prepared and debate the
issues in advance, it has been advised.
         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
Employers, recruiters and even employment lawyers feel a certain level of
ignorance over the issues that affect transsexual employees or job seekers,
it was claimed today, and with new legislation coming, it is imperative the
subject is raised. 
   
Nicola Evans of law firm Rowe Cohen states that a lack of precedent and the
lack of a coherent, joined-up legal policy from Government over the
protection of transsexual people, means that legal protection is a matter of
'fitting' cases into existing laws:
   
'The current problem is getting cases to fit into the direct, indirect or
victimisation legislation. Then there is also proving that it is to do with
sex, or that you wouldn't treat someone of the same sex in the same way. But
this doesn't always fit the transsexual situation.
   
'There is no precedent for this situation at present and in sex
discrimination cases you are looking for precedent. The cases that have gone
through have done so not because they are transsexuals but because they have
managed to fit it into existing legislation,' she told HR Gateway.
   
Although EU legislation expected this year on combating discrimination in
the workplace will help many lesbians and gay men, all it will mean for
transsexuals is that they will become a 'protected group', says Rowe, it is
the employer who needs to become more aware:
   
'I don't believe that transsexual people will gain much extra cover from the
new legislation, it is employers who will be most affected. Employers need
to be aware that transsexual employees are not suffering harassment or they
will become liable.
   
'They also need to take steps to discipline employees who are doing the
winding up if they refuse to change their attitude towards transsexual
employees,' she says.
   
Employers also need to be careful in the recruitment process, warns Evans,
while Kate Headley, head of Dextra Search and Selection, admits that
recruitment agencies are ignorant over the issues affecting transsexual
people: 
   
'I would have to say that recruiters are ignorant over issues affecting
transsexual people, and the onus is very much on us to change this. There
has been very little opportunity to discuss and debate these issues and it
is something we should be tackling,' she told HR Gateway.
   
According to Rosemary Turner of the Gender Trust, approximately one person
in 10,000 is transsexual, although the figures may be much higher than this.
She said she would welcome more debate on the issue:
   
'When we run workshops for people they are always full as people are
genuinely interested in the issues affecting transsexual people. We want to
educate and inform as many people as we can.
   
'Every large company will have to face the issue of transsexual employees at
some point in its existence, and it is better to be prepared in the light of
new legislation rather than to muddle through blindly in light of the EU
legislation,' she said.
   
For more information on transsexualism in the workplace visit the Gender
Trust website <http://www.gendertrust.org.uk/>, a campaign group which
includes Marks and Spencer as one of its corporate members.
   
Gender Trust has also recently published a booklet Recommendations for
Management Guidelines, which offers expert guidance for employers wishing to
establish their own policy for transsexual employees.
   
Wednesday
05 February 2003 
   
Copyright HR Gateway Ltd 2002
   Top
   
   

  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 

Re: Incident at Seaworld Theme Park 19/1/2002

Top

From: Samantha Scafe

 

Samantha

www.transgender.org.au

 

National Transgender Lobby Group

 

Founder declares SEAWORLD NON TRANSGENDER FRIENDLY

 

FROM: SAMANTHA SCAFE (Founder of the Transgender Lobby Group)

 

Re: Incident at Seaworld Theme Park 19/1/2002

 

 

On the 19/1/2002 ˆ Samantha (The founder of the Transgender Lobby Group) attended Seaworld with her 3 children and her partner. As normal they rang the Guest relations officer to inform them, that she was transgender, and would be attending the park, to avoid any problems with staff.

 

During the visit to the park for Samantha‚s child birthday, Samantha suffered a very humiliating and despicable act of vilification by a Seaworld employee.

While buying the children hotdogs for lunch, an employee, stated humiliating words towards Samantha over Seaworlds internal radio network.

 

Samantha complained and given assurances by the guest relations officer that the person had been sacked on the spot. Due to my child‚s seventh birthday we where asked what could Seaworld do, as we where distressed and left the park. We accepted the tickets to another Warner brother subsidiary for my child, so we could continue her Birthday Party elsewhere we told the Guest Relations Officer on the day, that we would be seeking legal action in relation to this matter. We have since extended to Seaworld an opportunity to speak to us about this matter.

 

Since then we have written to the park and received no response. Today is 12 months later, and we have not received one call, one letter no a reply to our faxes that we have sent, in relation to this dark day, so we have now going to declare that Seaworld is NOT a transgender friendly place to visit, due to treatment that the founder received while a visitor to the park.

 

My child now 8 could only ask ˆ is my birthday going to be better then last year.

 

We have received one call, (today‚s date) but they hung up and have not rung back, while I was discussing this matter with my partner.

 

Should you wish to have more information, please ring The Transgender Lobby Group on the above numbers or email: samantha@aussiewide.com

 

SAMANTHA SCAFE

 

Founder

Phone: 0410128028

Top

---

Why use male name? Name trivialized homicide victim

From Julie Davids

Top

 

Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003

From: "tgnews_moderator <tgnews_moderator@yahoo.com>"

<tgnews_moderator@yahoo.com>

 

Source: Philadelphia Gay News (GLBT weekly, Pennsylvania)

URL: http://www.epgn.com/StoryPages/Editorial/letter.html

Date: January 10 - 16, 2003

 

Why use male name? Name trivialized homicide victim

 

Why use male name?

 

By a serendipitous chain of events, I ended up at the Soka Gakkai

Buddhist Community Center Jan. 3 for the memorial service of Roberta

Nizah Morris. She was a trans woman who was apparently bludgeoned and

left to die in the streets of Philadelphia.

 

I never knew her. However, on the night of the memorial, I came to

know Nizah through powerful testimony to her life given by those who

spoke of her. I was absolutely stunned at the level of impact she had

had on the lives of more than 150 people filling the room.

 

Throughout the entire service, I heard heartfelt and sometimes

tearful, yet often joyous and celebratory stories of how she had

changed people's lives, not the least of which was to educate through

her authentic presence what it meant to live in the world as a woman

born male-bodied.

 

Nizah's presence in that room was palpable by the very fact that,

among others, an older African-American lady got up, and spoke

movingly and with total honestly of the difficulty she initially had

accepting Nizah's difference, but eventually coming to understand the

unique and special woman she was.

 

This lady recounted how Nizah kept watch over her little dog while

she was away for the holidays. The entire time she referred fondly

to "Miss Nizah." Her family was sitting in the front row, and a niece

got up and spoke of her Aunt Nizah using similar terms.

 

In fact not once during the entire service did I hear Nizah referred

to as Robert or with male pronouns. It was a truly amazing night.

 

Imagine my confusion then when I picked up PGN the next day and read

the report on Nizah's death that began by referring to "Robert

Morris," only later adding: "also known as Naja." ("December Murder

Investigated," Jan 3-9 PGN).

 

Who was this report about?

 

If PGN had spoken to anyone intimately involved in Nizah's life-

instead of just the police - it would have found out the real truth

of who Nizah was. If that was not possible, then at least

professionally comply with The Associated Press and National Lesbian

and Gay Journalists Association guidelines; trans people are first

and foremost who we say we are, and not reducible to an "also known

as" persona.

 

Better yet, use compassion, and follow the respectful example of her

Buddhist sangha. The discrimination, violence and murder trans people

experience links to the dehumanizing and erasing language used before

and after our deaths.

 

It's time for PGN to break this connection instead of continuing to

deny the dignity and reality of our lives through repeated name and

pronoun misuse.

 

Ben Singer

Philadelphia

 

<<mod. note: letter #2>>

Name trivialized homicide victim

 

In a society in which the press continually ignores or slanders the

lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, I rely upon

the media created by our communities to present a more accurate and

complete version of our experiences and struggles.

 

At year's end, one of the members of our community died as the result

of injuries sustained on the streets of Center City. Police, perhaps

not working with all due haste, are investigating it as a murder.

Roberta Nizah Morris, a trans woman whose life was honored by more

than 100 people last week at the Soka Gakkai Buddhist Community

Center, will likely be once again memorialized late this year at the

international day of remembrance for victims of anti-trans violence.

 

It is heartening that Nizah, a woman I did not have the fortune of

meeting, was remembered in such a loving way by her community,

friends and family on Jan. 3.

 

Many of us have had the experience of attending memorial services for

our lovers, friends and family, including those who have died of

AIDS, in which their birth family erases their history, obscures

their gay lives, and ignores the families of choice that brought them

joy and support.

 

Thus, it is a painful irony when a community newspaper chooses to

perpetuate the mischaracterization of gender and the lived realities

of Roberta Nizah Morris, identifying her as someone named Robert,

then adding a misspelling of her first name as an "also known as."

 

As we enter 2003, can we have a commitment from PGN that this widely

read newspaper will absolutely honor the realities of the lives of

transgendered and gender queer people?

 

Will PGN serve as a model in its commitment to the standards of both

AP and National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, in

identifying people as who we say we are, not as how we are perceived

or trivialized by an ignorant society and police force?

 

May our new year bring us success in our fight for the safety to live

the truths of our lives, both within our communities and in larger

society, and a commitment from our community organizations and

initiates to respect the lives of all people, regardless of our

gender or genders.

 

Julie Davids

Philadelphia

 

© 2003 Philadelphia Gay News

 

 Top

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Re: Who the Hell is Mother Cybil?

From--Alessa Adamo

Top

 

Dear Editor:

I believe it is inappropriate to publish letters to the Editor if the sender does not provide their name and place of residence. That is typical editorial policy that might help reduce the type of inane babble such as is in this letter.

 

Who the Hell is Mother Cybil? And I can assure you that person does not speak for this Roman Catholic transsexual who is a proud member of her local San Francisco Church as an 'out' TS, same sex partnered person.

 

Please publish this letter for me. I want others to know that all transsexuals are not juvenile, empty headed, rhetoric spewing Cretans such as those who wrote and sent that hate-piece of trash to you.

Alessa Adamo

Pacifica, CA

Top

 

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Re: Vatican's declaration regarding transgendered people

Richard Adams

Top

 

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Diary

http://www.guardian.co.uk/diary/story/0,3604,888306,00.html

 

Diary

 

Richard Adams

Tuesday February 4, 2003

The Guardian

 

(SNIP)

 

· It's hard to imagine there was any uncertainty, but just in case: the

Vatican has declared that transsexuals cannot become priests, monks or nuns.

Any transsexuals who have already been lucky enough to get through the

admissions process as a priest or nun (or possibly even both) should be

expelled. According to the document, those who undergo sex change operations

have a "pathological personality situation" - as opposed to the normal,

healthy people who want become priests and nuns and... ah, let's leave it

there before too many people get offended.

 

· richard.adams@guardian.co.uk

 

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003

Top

---

Confused on sex

Georgina Somerset Hove, E. Sussex

Top

 

e-mail

http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=001840572447371&rtmo=fsrw3ows&atmo=99999

999&pg=/et/95/2/9/email0902.html

 

RETRIEVED:- Friday, November 10, 2000

 

The Electronic Telegraph 9 February 1995 e-mail

 

Confused on sex

GEORGINA SOMERSET, Hove, E. Sussex

 

SIR - Your writers appear to be in some confusion on transsexuality. On Feb.

1 we are told that certain NHS treatments, such as sex-change operations,

are to be curbed.

 

Sex, however, cannot be changed, so there is no such thing as a sex-change

operation, only plastic surgery to enable one to live socially in the

opposite gender role.

 

On Feb. 4 you devoted the front and centre pages of Arts and Books to Jan

Morris, telling how, from being a father, she became a woman.

 

It is no reflection on Jan Morris or other transsexuals, who deserve our

compassion, but such people do not become women, only simulacra of women,

remaining biological and genetic males and retaining their male internal

reproductive tract.

Top      

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Disclaimer: The accuracy of any information presented herein cannot be guaranteed. The opinions expressed may not reflect those of the Editor, Anne Vitale PhD.

 

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copyright November 25, 2002