Transgenders Life

"Video on rights issues for TG made at APNSW Trans-Stravaganza workshop in Thailand, 2006." apnsw

Transgender NYC professor warmly received by faculty, students

September 9, 2008

by Nick Langewis 

Students and staff at New York City's Yeshiva University have mixed, but largely positive, reactions to the return of tenured professor Joy Ladin, formerly Jay.

Fulbright scholar, poet and literature professor Ladin was put on indefinite leave after announcing her gender transition in 2006, according to anonymous staff members. After months of debate between rabbis, administrators, Ladin and her lawyers, Ladin was cleared to return. According to staff, the decision was to avoid a legal battle.

"I think it's fabulous and wonderful," said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "I don't know of any other religiously conservative university that employs someone trans." . . .Read More

For transgendered Elis, a push for a home

September 9, 2008

Raymond Carlson

For many prospective Elis, the toughest question on a college application is the personal essay or the short-answer statement.

But for Ian R. from New York City, the hardest question is not a question at all — just two empty boxes marked male and female.

“Going into the college process, what I really hate is filling in the gender boxes on applications,” he said.

That’s because Ian R. is a queer, transgendered high-school senior applying to Yale, and while he identifies primarily as male, he is physically female. Academics are a high priority for Ian when choosing a college, but as is the case with many transgender applicants, other social factors weigh heavily on his mind. . . .Read More

Trans Singapore

September 8, 2008

By Wong Kim Hoh

A DEGREE from Curtin University, Western Australia, and a regional management position in a large logistics organisation.

While laudable, Juliet's achievements are not likely to make most people sit up and take notice.

Until, of course, the 40-year-old tells them she is a transsexual.

'When you say transsexual, a lot of people immediately think of Changi Village and Desker Road,' she says, referring to two of Singapore's most notorious vice haunts.

'People harbour so many stereotypes. Not all of us are prostitutes. In fact, a lot of us lead and want to lead very normal lives,' says the articulate professional whose company and colleagues know of her status.

Transsexuals - people who do not identify with the gender they are born in and sometimes change their bodies through surgery or hormone therapy - in Singapore have Bugis Street to blame for this albatross hanging around their necks. . . .Read More