Tuesday, July 29, 2008
'Transsexuality gene' boosts male hormones
Linda Geddes
29 July 2008
29 July 2008
A gene variant has been identified that appears to be associated with female-to-male transsexuality – the feeling some women have that they belong to the opposite sex.
While such complex behaviour is likely the result of multiple genes, environmental and cultural factors, the researchers say the discovery suggests that transsexuality does have a genetic component.
The variation is in the gene for an enzyme called cytochrome P17, which is involved in the metabolism of sex hormones. Its presence leads to higher than average tissue concentrations of male and female sex hormones, which may in turn influence early brain development.
Clemens Tempfer and his colleagues at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria discovered the variant after analysing DNA samples from 49 female-to-male (FtM) and 102 male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals, as well as 1669 non-transsexual controls.
The variant was more common in men than women, although it doesn’t seem to be implicated in MtF transsexuality as the proportion of MtF transsexuals with it was similar to that in non-transsexual men. In women, however, there were some differences: 44% of FtM transsexuals carried it, compared with 31% of non-transsexual women. . . .Read More
Thai school offers transsexual toilet
By Jonathan Head
29 July 2008
With its spacious, tree-lined grounds and slightly threadbare classrooms, there is nothing obviously unusual about the Kampang Secondary School.
29 July 2008
 A new toilet sign has been created at this Thai school |
It is situated in Thailand's impoverished north-east, and most of the pupils are the children of farmers.
Every morning at 0800 they all gather outside to sing the national anthem and watch the flag being raised.
Then they have a chance to use the toilets, before heading off the first classes of the day.
Kampang is proud of its toilets. Spotless, and surrounded by flowering tropical plants, they have won national awards for cleanliness.
But there is something else about them too. Between the girls' toilet and the boys', there is one signposted with a half-man, half-woman figure in blue and red. . . .Read More
Meet the gay man and transgender woman who "Want to Work for Diddy"
Rob Smith and Laverne Cox want to work for Diddy
If I were to tell you that when one of the biggest hip-hop stars in the world conducted an exhaustive search to find 13 candidates to be his next assistant, the final candidates included a gay man and a transgender woman, what would you say?
On one hand, you may be surprised that the somewhat homophobic hip-hop world was so inclusive of LGBT contenders for the position, but if you were the gay in question, you’d probably start jumping up and down and screaming!
That is exactly what I did when I found out I was one of 13 finalists picked to compete in the new reality show I Want to Work for Diddy, premiering on Monday, August 4 at 9PM on VH1. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), the show leads into the mess that is New York Goes to Hollywood, so my Mondays will be pretty full from now on.
My name is Rob Smith, and I’m a freelance writer, blogger, and media industry professional based in New York City. The experience on the show was one of the most challenging and amazing experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m thrilled to be giving AfterElton.com readers an exclusive weekly recap and lowdown on my experience with the show and everything that went on behind the scenes during taping. . . .Read More
Neighbors Help Troubled Transgender Woman
Joyce Peterson
July 29, 2008
Memphis, TN - To say that 43 year-old Duanna Johnson leads a difficult life would be an understatement. At her small, rundown, North Memphis house you'll find condom wrappers on the ground outside her door.
Her power meter is missing. Not that it matters because her electricity was turned off months ago after she stopped paying her utility bill.
She has one extension cord running from her bedroom window to the neighbor's house. They charge her $20 a month to plug into their electricity. It powers the single fan Duanna uses to cool her house.
And because Johnson has no running water in her home, neighbors often let her use their bathrooms to wash up and take care of her personal hygiene.
"Well, she would come over and talk," says 82 year-old Hattie Mae Benson. "And I mean, it was a good while before I knew what was happening."
Benson has been Johnson's guardian angel for the past three or four months, providing Memphis' most famous transgender woman with food, a clean bed to sleep in and a bathroom. . . .Read More
July 29, 2008
Memphis, TN - To say that 43 year-old Duanna Johnson leads a difficult life would be an understatement. At her small, rundown, North Memphis house you'll find condom wrappers on the ground outside her door.
Her power meter is missing. Not that it matters because her electricity was turned off months ago after she stopped paying her utility bill.
She has one extension cord running from her bedroom window to the neighbor's house. They charge her $20 a month to plug into their electricity. It powers the single fan Duanna uses to cool her house.
And because Johnson has no running water in her home, neighbors often let her use their bathrooms to wash up and take care of her personal hygiene.
"Well, she would come over and talk," says 82 year-old Hattie Mae Benson. "And I mean, it was a good while before I knew what was happening."
Benson has been Johnson's guardian angel for the past three or four months, providing Memphis' most famous transgender woman with food, a clean bed to sleep in and a bathroom. . . .Read More
Monday, July 28, 2008
P. Diddy Casts Transsexual "Assistant"
7-26-2008
BGay News
BGay News
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' new reality show is documenting his search for a new assistant and the rapper and entrepreneur has cast a transsexual as one of the contestants for the position.
On the new show, which premieres on VH1 next week, gorgeous transsexual Laverne Cox competes with other contestants to become P. Diddy's new assistant. . . .Read More and View Promo Video
Chinese to check athletes' genders in sex-change crackdown at Beijing Olympics
BEN ENGLISH | July 27, 2008
THE CHINESE have left nothing to chance - not even cross-dressing Olympic gender cheats.
Beijing has set up a sex determination lab to test female Olympic athletes they suspect are men.
"Suspect athletes will be evaluated from their external appearances by experts and undergo blood tests to examine their sex hormones, genes and chromosomes for sex determination," said Union Medical College Hospital's Professor Tian Qinjie.
"Initial test results would be available in three days, while an official result takes seven days.''
Prof Tian said the test aims to maintain fairness of the Games, and to rule out inaccurate test results.
Experts say test results for about one in 500 to 600 athletes are abnormal. . . .Read More
THE CHINESE have left nothing to chance - not even cross-dressing Olympic gender cheats.
Beijing has set up a sex determination lab to test female Olympic athletes they suspect are men.
"Suspect athletes will be evaluated from their external appearances by experts and undergo blood tests to examine their sex hormones, genes and chromosomes for sex determination," said Union Medical College Hospital's Professor Tian Qinjie.
"Initial test results would be available in three days, while an official result takes seven days.''
Prof Tian said the test aims to maintain fairness of the Games, and to rule out inaccurate test results.
Experts say test results for about one in 500 to 600 athletes are abnormal. . . .Read More
Trans Formed: To Be Homeless & Transgender
By Lydie Raschka
July 28, 2008
The night my church opened its 10-bed homeless shelter for 18-to-24-year-olds, I volunteered to supervise them. A novice to any kind of shelter experience, I was nervous as I dragged my red cart with pillow and blanket to the church, and grateful that Mina, an elegant, 70-something social worker, also would be there.
July 28, 2008
The night my church opened its 10-bed homeless shelter for 18-to-24-year-olds, I volunteered to supervise them. A novice to any kind of shelter experience, I was nervous as I dragged my red cart with pillow and blanket to the church, and grateful that Mina, an elegant, 70-something social worker, also would be there.
Six young people arrived in a clump at 10 p.m., clutching pillows and belongings and, in one case, a teddy bear. They came from Sylvia's Place, an overcrowded downtown shelter. One woman, wearing a do-rag under a baseball cap, surprised me with a quick hug. In the coming months, she would outline the danger she felt in our relatively safe-seeming Manhattan neighborhood, how every time she walked outside she'd hear some comment, how she was hit in the face just waiting for the bus. . . .Read More
The transgender story
Malcolm Venable
28
28
Jul 08
Oh boy, your calls and emails on the story about transgender people pumping with silicone...wow.
Before I go on, a few disclaimers:
- the ability to comment on that story was turned off (not by me) because some of you, in short, can't be trusted to express yourself without resorting to hate speech. (A whole nother topic, trust me.)
- the point of this post is not an attempt to open up this space for comments; you may, of course, but be aware that they'll be promptly deleted or turned off if your comments are ugly. It's sad that some of you don't even know you're being the very face of evil, but anyway.
This post is simply to explain the story, to address your comments...so here we go.
I think the main point of the article for me, which I guess could fairly be called an expose, was to expose a part of life here few of us knew existed. There was no agenda to make you feel sympathy, nor to convert you or your children to homosexuality and gender confusion as some of your ineloquent phone calls suggest.
We all live in the same physical space yet occupy so many vastly different worlds, and I find that fascinating, and that was that. . . .Read More
Sunday, July 27, 2008
In The Life: Beauty on the Black Market
"For transgender women who are low income, the ability to 'pass' as a female can make the difference in being able to simply get a job, put food on the table or avoid the very real threat of violence. The stakes are higher for trans-women and some women will go to some pretty extreme measures to enhance their feminine appearance. In this episode's final segment, In the Life explores this important health issue for the trans community." msvamplatex
Who Are We and Why are We Moving to Boston?
Kyle
May-July 2008
My name is Kyle and I am a 28 year old FTM. For the past five years I have been teaching high school English in Los Angeles. While my passion has always been for writing, I began my teaching career in Newton, Massachusetts after I received my undergraduate degree (in English and American Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing Poetry) from Brandeis University in 2002. Dissatisfied with the toll teaching has taken on my writing life, I am moving back to the Boston area to begin an MFA in Creative Writing Poetry at Emerson College. . . .Read More
May-July 2008
My name is Kyle and I am a 28 year old FTM. For the past five years I have been teaching high school English in Los Angeles. While my passion has always been for writing, I began my teaching career in Newton, Massachusetts after I received my undergraduate degree (in English and American Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing Poetry) from Brandeis University in 2002. Dissatisfied with the toll teaching has taken on my writing life, I am moving back to the Boston area to begin an MFA in Creative Writing Poetry at Emerson College. . . .Read More
On “The Transgender Child” and new transgender narratives
Mik Danger
July 26, 2008
About two weeks ago I finished reading Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper’s new book “The Transgender Child: a handbook for families and professionals”. The book is incredibly well done, and while some of its suggestions are vague, the vagueness is a direct result of the great gender diversity transyouth (and adults) can have. Brill and Pepper do a good job of not pining and specific template of transgender identity on these youth. However, I was disappointed by the incredibly short sections on intersecting identity. For youth with (other) disabilities the section basically translated as "good luck!" and for the section on religious and ethnic intersections, it could be translated as "some communities are difficult, but your child is worth it". The book was written with a heterosexual married white adult in mind who has a well-paying job and is able-bodied. There were attempts to steer away from that metaidentity, but they weren't too successful. I feel compelled to forgive, as the book is still invaluable, and be upset because by now we should know better. . . .Read More
July 26, 2008
About two weeks ago I finished reading Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper’s new book “The Transgender Child: a handbook for families and professionals”. The book is incredibly well done, and while some of its suggestions are vague, the vagueness is a direct result of the great gender diversity transyouth (and adults) can have. Brill and Pepper do a good job of not pining and specific template of transgender identity on these youth. However, I was disappointed by the incredibly short sections on intersecting identity. For youth with (other) disabilities the section basically translated as "good luck!" and for the section on religious and ethnic intersections, it could be translated as "some communities are difficult, but your child is worth it". The book was written with a heterosexual married white adult in mind who has a well-paying job and is able-bodied. There were attempts to steer away from that metaidentity, but they weren't too successful. I feel compelled to forgive, as the book is still invaluable, and be upset because by now we should know better. . . .Read More
India: On the frontline
VAISHNA ROY
27 July 2008
As Rose, the host of ‘Ippadikku Rose’, fights to realign rigid notions about gender and sexuality, it’s worth asking if we know what tolerance really means.
As Rose says: “What about my hobbies, my friends, my skills? There’s so much more to me.”
Transgender: An umbrella term that represents a whole range of people from drag queens to transvestites to eunuchs. I am headed towards my first social encounter with one. But I am not yet sure just what Rose is. All I have is a woman’s name, a man’s voice and a celebrity status as talk-show anchor.
27 July 2008
As Rose, the host of ‘Ippadikku Rose’, fights to realign rigid notions about gender and sexuality, it’s worth asking if we know what tolerance really means.
As Rose says: “What about my hobbies, my friends, my skills? There’s so much more to me.”
Transgender: An umbrella term that represents a whole range of people from drag queens to transvestites to eunuchs. I am headed towards my first social encounter with one. But I am not yet sure just what Rose is. All I have is a woman’s name, a man’s voice and a celebrity status as talk-show anchor.
I am curious but also wary, a fastidious shrinking from meeting another tedious exhibitionist. Aravanis are characteristically loud, aggressive and lewd. Rose has chosen to challenge this stereotype and her on-screen personality is intriguing, which is why I am in this narrow street in the bowels of West Mambalam, reluctant to ask for directions. . . .Read More
In transgender circles, silicone is a risky shot at womanhood
By Malcolm Venable
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 27, 2008
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 27, 2008
One Saturday evening in spring, female impersonators strutted, sashayed and lip-synched to R&B and gospel songs at a Norfolk banquet hall while guests showered them with dollar bills. People feasted on a down-home spread of green beans, fried chicken and macaroni, on tables sprinkled with confetti.
Presiding over it all in a crimson evening gown was Vega Perry, who played the part of the regal, occasionally bawdy hostess. . . .Read More
LAMBETH: Transgender Episcopal Priest Speaks out at Canterbury
By Hans Zeiger
July 25, 2008
CANTERBURY-The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, a transgender Episcopal priest from the Diocese of Massachusetts, spoke Friday at a Lambeth Conference "fringe" event along with four other transgender people. A former female with a PhD from Harvard in early Christian thought and sex and gender, Partridge transitioned to maleness about six years ago. He has served part-time as priest at St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Allston, Massachusetts since June 2006.
Partridge, who has a partner, said that the current debate in the Anglican Communion about homosexual inclusion is difficult for transgender Anglicans. "We feel it's implicitly about us," he said, adding his reservations about the oversimplified sex and gender categories in which the debate is carried on. "It may be overwhelming to add us into this ... I think there's a lot more complexity and richness that we haven't yet recognized. If adding trans into the debate helps us to recognize complexity, I actually think that will be a good thing." . . .Read More
July 25, 2008
CANTERBURY-The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, a transgender Episcopal priest from the Diocese of Massachusetts, spoke Friday at a Lambeth Conference "fringe" event along with four other transgender people. A former female with a PhD from Harvard in early Christian thought and sex and gender, Partridge transitioned to maleness about six years ago. He has served part-time as priest at St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Allston, Massachusetts since June 2006.
Partridge, who has a partner, said that the current debate in the Anglican Communion about homosexual inclusion is difficult for transgender Anglicans. "We feel it's implicitly about us," he said, adding his reservations about the oversimplified sex and gender categories in which the debate is carried on. "It may be overwhelming to add us into this ... I think there's a lot more complexity and richness that we haven't yet recognized. If adding trans into the debate helps us to recognize complexity, I actually think that will be a good thing." . . .Read More
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Dear Mr. President:
July 24, 2008
Family Equality Council sent letters to both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama about queer families. They promise to release any responses they receive. Follow the jump to read both letters. LETTER TO MCCAIN CAMPAIGN
Family Equality Council sent letters to both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama about queer families. They promise to release any responses they receive. Follow the jump to read both letters. LETTER TO MCCAIN CAMPAIGN
(same letter sent to Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign)
July 21, 2008
The Honorable John McCain
United States Senator
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator McCain:
In light of recent events, I want to be certain that our presidential candidates truly understand the great diversity of American families and how best to meet their needs.
As a lesbian mother and the executive director of Family Equality Council, the national organization working to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families by building community, changing hearts and minds and advancing social justice for all families, I know how hard parents work to raise happy, healthy children. Regardless of their sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of how many parents or caregivers are present in a family, all parents begin each day with their children at the forefront of their thoughts. On behalf of diverse families, I present you with the following information on the variety of family types that exist in this country and ask for your plan to recognize, respect, protect and celebrate all of the loving families you seek to represent. . . .Read More
Celebrity Daughter Kathlyn Beatty Rumored to be Transgender
By Ann Turner | 7/24/2008
A not-so-blind item posted on gossip guru Perez Hilton’s website on Thursday has some speculating celebrity spawn Kathlyn Beatty may be living life as a transgender. Although Hilton does not name names in the gossip tidbit, investigation by other Hollywood bloggers has led some to believe the subject of the rumor is the daughter of movie stars Annette Bening and Warren Beatty.
A not-so-blind item posted on gossip guru Perez Hilton’s website on Thursday has some speculating celebrity spawn Kathlyn Beatty may be living life as a transgender. Although Hilton does not name names in the gossip tidbit, investigation by other Hollywood bloggers has led some to believe the subject of the rumor is the daughter of movie stars Annette Bening and Warren Beatty.
According to a “Not So Blind Item” posted on PerezHilton.com, a teenage daughter of a superstar celebrity couple is now living life as a transgender boy. “Now going by the name Stephen, the teen’s parents pulled him out of the prestigious Buckley School in Los Angeles and are having him home-schooled to keep him out of the public eye,” Hilton states on his blog. . . .Read More
The Former 'Pregnant Man' Debuts His Baby
By Champ Clark
July 23, 2008
It's been three weeks since his blue-eyed baby debuted in this world, but Thomas Beatie – better known around the world as the Pregnant Man – can already say this about his daughter's personality: "She's easygoing and mellow and intelligent."
On June 29 at 8:55 p.m., Beatie, 34, a former female beauty pageant contestant, made cultural history as perhaps the first legally transgender male to give birth, bringing into the world a 9 lbs., 5 oz. baby girl named Susan Juliette.
"She's so precious, I just can't stop staring at her," Thomas tells PEOPLE in his first interview since he and wife Nancy returned with their bundle from Bend, Oregon's St. Charles Medical Center. "Just holding her is the best feeling in the world." . . .Read More
(. . .a very cute baby, IMO! R.A.)
July 23, 2008
It's been three weeks since his blue-eyed baby debuted in this world, but Thomas Beatie – better known around the world as the Pregnant Man – can already say this about his daughter's personality: "She's easygoing and mellow and intelligent."
On June 29 at 8:55 p.m., Beatie, 34, a former female beauty pageant contestant, made cultural history as perhaps the first legally transgender male to give birth, bringing into the world a 9 lbs., 5 oz. baby girl named Susan Juliette.
"She's so precious, I just can't stop staring at her," Thomas tells PEOPLE in his first interview since he and wife Nancy returned with their bundle from Bend, Oregon's St. Charles Medical Center. "Just holding her is the best feeling in the world." . . .Read More
(. . .a very cute baby, IMO! R.A.)
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