GenderVision: Trans Partner - Gender & Relationship

An extended, in-depth interview with well-known transgender advocates Helen Boyd and Betty Crow. Helen is the author of the book "My Husband Betty", which explores the relationships of crossdressing men and their female partners, as well as a follow-up, "She's Not the Man I Married", a more serious and expansive examination of gender roles in relationships. Betty Crow is a professional actor who has appeared on daytime TV in "All My Children" as a transgender woman, who also works as a web designer and 3D animator.

NNangeroni

Sex-change for free

by Vinay Sitapati

March 14, 2009


Ippadiku Rose (Yours, Rose) is by any yardstick, an unusual TV programme. The Tamil talk show deals with sexuality and sexual taboos. And its host, the lovely Rose — formerly Ramesh Venkatesan, graduate of Lousiana Technical University — underwent a sex-change operation and is now a transgender icon. It’s no coincidence that the show’s a hit in Tamil Nadu. The state has perhaps the world’s most creative schemes for transgender welfare.

It’s not easy defining who a ‘transgender’ is, but the term broadly includes those whose self-identified gender and physical gender don’t match. The pedant may quibble over precise definitions, but society doesn’t — India’s one million transgenders (colloquially called eunuchs, or more uncharitably hijras) are targets of focussed discrimination. Officialdom is slowly waking up to this injustice. In 2005, the Centre introduced the category ‘E’ in passport forms for eunuchs, and in some states they’ve entered politics. But they still face social ostracisation and economic boycotts, and attempts for even a national census have faltered. The Supreme Court last month refused the plea, by a eunuch, to set up an All-India Commission for Transgenders, similar to those for scheduled castes and tribes . . . .Read More

Opinion, Critique, POV: Catholic publications outraged by transgender week

Alex LaCasse

3/11/2009


Produced by Seattle University's Trans and Allies Club, Transgender Awareness Week included everything from a Transgender Bible study to a day reserved for criss-cross dressing-encouraging students to dress in their best "gender bending outfits."

While the week itself was calm and uncontroversial on Seattle U's campus, national Catholic organizations have taken to the Web, expressing concerns over the awareness week and its place on a religious campus.

The Catholic News Agency, in a story published March 1, highlighted several Jesuit universities who have recently sponsored events described as "obscene events promoting sexual ideologies" by the news agency. Among those schools were Georgetown University, Loyola University of Chicago and Seattle University.

Cardinal Newman Society president Patrick J. Reilly, speaking with the news agency, said Catholic-identifying universities should be concerned for sponsoring such events. . . .Read More

Transsexual a Finalist for City Manager Job in Lake Worth

By Deirdra Funcheon in Palm Beach, 13 March 2009


Susan Stanton was the city manager of Largo, Florida for 14 years until she announced she was becoming Steve Slanton. She was subsequently terminated. Stanton's case made huge headlines two years ago. Now Stanton is a finalist for the city manager job in Lake Worth.

According to a story in the Palm Beach Post, "Stanton's gender was not mentioned by city commissioners Thursday during a discussion of city manager finalists."

That alone makes Lake Worth more open-minded than Largo. "We're a wonderful community, says Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill, who I reached by phone today. "We're an accepting community." . . .Read More

Looking Back: Susan Stanton's lonely transformation

A year after Steve Stanton became Susan, the physical and emotional changes are surprising sources of wonder and pain.

By LANE DeGREGORY, Times Staff Writer
December 31, 2007

SARASOTA -- Every morning, Susan Stanton wakes early and takes three pills. They help her suppress who she was and become the person she believes she should be.

At 9 a.m., still in her pajamas, she climbs the stairs in her Sarasota bungalow, clicks on her computer and goes to work. Looking for a job.

"I miss the 16-hour days, working with so many bright people, leading the city. I still love Largo," she says.

"I think I'm suffering from 'Pretty girl syndrome': People assume I'm making tons of money, traveling around speaking. But the truth is: I need help. I'm starting to approach people I know in the area, which I never thought I'd be doing.

"Maybe that's the last part of the transition: Losing my male ego." . . .Read More