Church to hold transgender forum

Male-to-female minister will preach at service

From Staff Reports

CHAPEL HILL -- John Thompson has never met a transgender person, that he knows of.

"I've met someone I think might be, but that person has not said they are," Thompson said Tuesday.

"But I'm going to," he added.

That's because Thompson, an elder at The Church of Reconciliation, is helping to bring a transgender minister to town next month for a free weekend workshop on transgender issues.

The Rev. Erin Swenson, a Presbyterian minister, is the first known mainstream Protestant minister to transition from male to female while remaining in ordained office, according to conference organizers. . . .

Israel's Dana International singing Diva in winning Eurovision song contest.

Nick offers some observations from about 12 years on testosterone.

Christine Daniels blog

Christine Daniels is a veteran sportswriter who has worked at the Los Angeles Times for 23 years -- as Mike Penner. Christine shocked many readers on April 27, 2007, when she announced her decision to change gender. She will be blogging about her transition over the days to come.

Click on the post title above to access her LA Times blog.

Transgender status unlikely to derail Stanton

The Sarasota manager job will go to the most qualified candidate, leaders say. Their top pick and a runnerup will be announced Wednesday.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published May 29, 2007

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SARASOTA - Here are three factors that probably will help determine whether Susan Stanton becomes Sarasota's next city manager:

Communication skills, budget know-how and experience as a city manager in Florida.

And here's one that people who know Sarasota well expect to play a lesser role - if any - in the decision:

Stanton's transgender status.

"If Susan is not selected, it is because there's another candidate that is more qualified, " said former Sarasota City Commissioner Mary Anne Servian, who met Stanton two years ago and encouraged her to apply for the job.

It would not be, she said, "because they lack the courage to select Susan if she's the best." . . .

India: Transgenders in Tamil Nadu get more than government help

While the state has banned discrimination against transsexuals, two agencies are offering free courses

Abhinav Ramnarayan

Chennai: Seven years ago, 27-year-old Gopal Gopinath walked out of the jewellery store where he worked, unable to bear the lampooning and the mistrust directed at him by his employer.

“I had pierced my ears, and I had grown my hair long, like a woman—and the way I walked and spoke was feminine,” Gopal explained.

No employer he ever worked for quite let Gopal be—whether it was in the jewellery store where he first took up a job, or in a shoe factory, where he endured misery for seven years.

Finally, tired of the posturing, Gopal renamed himself—or rather, herself—Gomathi, and joined the Thamilnadu Aravanigal Association (Thaa), a body run by transgenders that aims to uplift their community in the state.

The association spells its name thus because the acronym Thaa means ‘give’ in Tamil.

“My dream is to have a nine-to-five job in any field, in any capacity,” she says.

What she also means is a job with dignity.

Two agencies, the Stenographers’ Guild and the government-run Women’s Development Corporation, have stepped in to offer free vocational courses in basic computing and hand embroidery for the transgender community—hoping to do just that.

Gomathi took up the course in basic computing, which includes training in spoken English and other interpersonal skills, with the aim to make it possible for transgenders to take up secretarial positions, says Stenographers’ Guild president S.V. Ramasamy.

Ramasamy himself is a product of the guild, after which he joined Indian Bank where he eventually became a senior manager. After retiring two years ago, he has devoted himself to the association that first gave him a leg-up.

The vocational course for transgenders is his brainchild, and the first batch of 10 students, including Gomathi, has just completed the course. The second batch is about to begin. . . .

United Methodist pastor speaks of transgender experience

May. 25, 2007

A UMNS Report By Linda Bloom*

A transgender United Methodist pastor has shared his story with other members of the denomination's Baltimore-Washington Conference in the hopes of promoting a broader discussion about gender identity.

The Rev. Drew Phoenix - formerly the Rev. Ann Gordon - spoke at both a closed clergy session and a general plenary session on May 24 during the annual conference meeting at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington. He is pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore.

"I was very grateful for the opportunity to be able to share my story and who I am," Phoenix told United Methodist News Service in a phone interview following those sessions. "I was very pleased at the number of people who were very honest in their reflections and questions."

He said he has been undergoing medical procedures for the transition from female to male during the past year, with "a great team of medical people who helped me think it out."

In his statement to the plenary session, the 48-year-old pastor explained that "last fall, after a lifelong spiritual journey, and years of prayer and discernment, I decided to change my name from Ann Gordon to Drew Phoenix in order to reflect my true gender identity and to honor my spiritual transformation and relationship with God."

By sharing the story of his spiritual journey and relationship with God, Phoenix said he hoped the conference participants "will commit ourselves to becoming educated about the complexity of gender and gender identity and open ourselves to those in our congregations who identify as transgender."

Phoenix, who was ordained in 1989 and previously served in the Bethesda area, said he joined the ministry because of "a calling to be in service to folk who are oppressed, who are poor, who are excluded, who are marginalized."

Although he was named Ann and declared a girl, Phoenix said he always felt he was male and had trouble understanding "the disconnect I was experiencing between my physical, external self and my internal, spiritual self."

"Fortunately, today, God's gift of medical science is enabling me to bring my physical body into alignment with my true gender," he told the plenary session. . . .

Biomotion: What are some differences in walk for men vs women?

Move the sliders left and right, back and forth:

A) male vs female

B) heavy vs light

C) nervous vs relaxed

D) happy vs sad

From Tim to Kim: Germany's youngest transsexual

Tim started a transition to Kim when about 12 years old. Here's an article in German with pictures.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

vor >>

Von Tim zu Kim

© stern TV

Das ist Kim. Sie ist heute 14 Jahre alt.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

20th Century Transgender History And Experience

Kay Brown

Today’s highly visible transgender movement is the continuation of a century of experience and activism. From the beginning it has been an international effort to gain self-determination and medical and legal recognition, with heroes, villains, triumphs and defeats in every decade. The experiences of transsexuals, transgenderists, cross-dressers and intersexuals have interwoven as definitions of sex, gender, perversion and disorder evolved from Victorian to Post-Modern. This class will explore the people and the issues they faced as the transgender community formed and helped create today’s celebration of diversity. The medical, scientific, cultural and legal changes brought about by determined transgender people will be covered. We will also collectively analyze strategies and tactics that might be used in the future. This class is for transgender people and others who wish to understand where we have been and where we might be going.

TransHistory FAQ

Who was the first transsexual to have surgery?

It is hard to say who was the “first”. It depends very much on definition. In the ancient world castration and penectomy were common among transsexuals in Europe, the Middle East, South & South-East Asia, and China. The practice was suppressed in the Christian world (not counting castration of male singers as boys to maintain voice quality) but throughout Asia it continued right to the present, notably in South Asia; India and surrounding countries. The modern form of Male to Female surgery in which a vagina is also formed is believed to date from 1930 in Germany. Mastectomy and Radical Hysterectomy for Female to Male is known to have occurred as early as 1917 in the United States... and an unconfirmed reference suggests 1912 in Europe. Phalloplasty is more recent but still dates to the middle of the 20th Century. . . .

Violence For Transgender Women Up In NorCal

(BCN) SAN FRANCISCO While discrimination and hate crimes against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals plummeted in 2006, severe violence has spiked around Northern California, according to a report released Tuesday morning.

Transgender women of color are particularly at risk, according to Community United Against Violence, the San Francisco-based organization that released the Report of Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Violence.

The overall murder rate for gays, lesbians and transgender people in Northern California doubled from 2005 to 2006, from two to four cases. Half of those victims were transgender women of color, according to the report. . . .

Vermont: Transgender bill gets governor's signature

By Lauren Ober
Free Press Staff Writer

May 25, 2007
After years of lobbying, the state's transgender population has won the battle for protection against discrimination

Tuesday, Gov. Jim Douglas signed a bill into law that prohibits discrimination based on a person's gender identity or gender-related characteristics.

At this time last year, the governor vetoed a similar bill that had widespread support in both legislative chambers, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the crowd gathered outside of R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center on Thursday to celebrate.

The bill, which passed through the Legislature on May 3, protects transgender Vermonters from discrimination in banking, employment, education, health care, housing and public accommodations, and provides them some legal recourse if they are discriminated against.

R.U.1.2? Executive Director Kara DeLeonardis said the law goes a long way toward providing equal rights for transgendered people.

"This is going to make such a big difference in people's lives," DeLeonardis said. "It's just a great feeling to finally have these important legal protections for transgender people that everyone else takes for granted."

Kelly Brigham considered herself transgender based on her gender expression. While Brigham says she has no plans to transition to a man, she doesn't dress traditionally like a woman and because of that she's been discriminated against. She said the law will help protect her gender expression.

"It also makes gender more fluid," Brigham said.

Up to this point, DeLeonardis said, the transgender community has been left behind regarding legal protections in Vermont. Although the gay community was afforded civil unions and the rights and protections associated with them, the transgender community had little in the way of protection from discrimination.

Not only does the law protect transgendered or gender-variant people from discrimination, it also helps educate the general population, said Jes Kraus, a transgender activist with Vermont TransAction. . . .

New initiatives seek jobs for trans people

Sparked by crackdown on trans prostitutes, activists seek ways to find legal employment

By DYANA BAGBY
May. 25, 2007

Transgender prostitutes working the streets of Midtown have drawn the ire of numerous residents tired of seeing them in their neighborhoods.

Two proposed initiatives — one by queer and trans activists and another by the Atlanta Police Department — hope to quell that resentment by helping the sex workers find legitimate jobs.

The Queer Progressive Agenda and transgender activists and allies are starting a Transgender People of Color Workers Project. The project seeks to join forces with gay business organizations to find employers willing to hire transgender employees as well as offer job training, tips on writing a resume and help with interview strategies. The project is also compiling a database of available jobs.

And the Atlanta Police Department is slated to hold a job fair later this year specifically for transgender people and bring in employers who won’t discriminate against a person based on gender identity.

Both initiatives were sparked by a crackdown by the APD approximately a year ago. Working with the Midtown Neighborhood Association, officers worked to reduce sex workers in the area, including many trans women.

APD Officer Darlene Harris, the gay liaison for the department, said she became frustrated seeing members of the community — including gay people — stigmatize transgender sex workers, but she also understood residents wanting to keep their neighborhoods safe.

The sex workers “weren’t going anywhere because of discrimination they faced trying to find jobs, so we thought it would be great to get employers together and help them so they don’t feel the need to be on the street,” Harris said.

As far as any recent police stings on transgender sex workers, Harris said this week she has not heard of any reports for some time.

“It’s been pretty quiet on that front,” she said. . . .

Transgender minister reappointed in Maryland

By BRETT ZONGKER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — A transgender United Methodist minister will be reappointed to lead his congregation in Baltimore, church officials announced Thursday at a regional convocation.

The Rev. Drew Phoenix told the church's Baltimore-Washington conference that he had gone through "spiritual transformation" in the past year, since changing his name from Ann Gordon and receiving medical treatment to become a man.

The denomination bans sexually active gay clergy but does not have any rules about transgender pastors.

"It is my intention and hope that by sharing my story that we commit ourselves as Christians and as United Methodists to become educated about the complexity of gender," Phoenix said. "Each of us is a beloved child of God — no exceptions."

Phoenix, 48, has led St. John's United Methodist Church for nearly five years. His term expires in July, and one of the purposes of the regional meeting is to reassign ministers for periodic terms with churches.

Bishop John Schol said that the church's 50-member congregation was fully supportive, and that no objections were raised during a closed-door meeting of the clergy. St. John's, a church that describes itself as diverse and inclusive, has more than tripled its membership since Phoenix arrived. . . .

All My Children: Transgender Support Group

. . . as depicted in the television program "All My Children," and, moreover, includes actual Ts, FTM and MTF.

Susan Stanton in Washington D.C.

Transgender teen free to be herself

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 20, 2007

By DEBRA DENNIS / The Dallas Morning News
debdennis@dallasnews.com

FORT WORTH – When Rochelle Evans chooses what she's going to wear to Eastern Hills High School each day, her choices aren't solely fashion statements. To Rochelle, her flats, makeup and women's jeans represent a hard-fought right to express herself.

BEN SKLAR/DMN

Allowed to dress like a girl at school, Rochelle Evans, a 15-year-old transgender sophomore, and her mom, Lenora Felipe, had something to smile about as they cooked dinner.

And a subtle declaration about transgender teens everywhere.

The 15-year-old transgender sophomore, who started high school as Rodney Evans, recently fought a public battle against school administrators over wearing women's clothes and her reaction when confronted by school officials. As part of the deal, Rochelle is addressed as a female and gets to use the nurse's bathroom to avoid any awkward scenes in the boys' or girls' restroom.

BEN SKLAR/DMN

Rochelle touches up her makeup before a family dinner at her Fort Worth home. 'With the help of makeup, you can create your own kind of life,' she says.

"I just felt more comfortable being a girl," she said. "I'm not asking for any special treatment."

For a while, she attended classes wearing both male and female attire but said that felt like a compromise.

She got herself suspended when asked not to wear her wig, fake breasts and short skirt to school.

Her attorneys met with school officials this month and hammered out an agreement that got her back in school. And Rochelle must attend summer classes to make up for missed classes.

"There was never a day when I was Rochelle for the whole day," Rochelle said. "I love makeup. I started wearing makeup because it helped to complete me more. It made me feel more like a girl. With the help of makeup, you can create your own kind of life." . . .

Stanton stars at a fundraiser

Equality Florida benefits from the former Largo official's presence.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published May 23, 2007

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ST. PETERSBURG -- They backed her when she was a man, but they loved her as a woman.

Making her first public appearance in the bay area as a woman, Susan Ashley Stanton was greeted with applause and whoops of praise Tuesday night by Pinellas County's leading gay and transgender group, which came to her defense earlier this year when she was fighting to keep her job as Largo city manager.

At the Second Annual Pinellas Equality Florida fundraiser, Stanton mingled with about 300 guests for nearly an hour before addressing the crowd from the porch of the historic Rutland Estate on Little Bayou.

"When I first began my journey in Florida, I thought it was a lone journey," but it's not been, Stanton said as she thanked the group for its support with unprepared remarks. . . .

[Times photo: Edmund D. Fountain] Susan Stanton (center) talks with St. Petersburg city councilman Herb Polson on Tuesday evening at the Rutland Estate in St. Petersburg.

Mistaken identity

On Monday, psychiatrist Russell Reid was censured for improperly authorising five sex changes. Claudia, whom Reid approved for gender reassignment 20 years ago, tells Julie Bindel how she was rushed into the operation - and quickly came to regret it.

Wednesday May 23, 2007
The Guardian

There was a moment when Claudia, as a young gay man living with the person she describes as the love of her life, was "blissfully happy." . . .

First sex-swap mayor to be sworn in - and the mayoress used to be a man too!

A man who had a sex swap is set to become the UK's first transgender mayor - and his mayoress has had a sex change too.

Liberal Democrat Jenny Bailey, 45, who underwent a sex change operation when she was in her 30s, is likely to be sworn in as the civic leader of Cambridge City Council at a ceremony tomorrow.

Her partner, Jennifer Liddle, 49, who also underwent a sex swap and is a former councillor, will be mayoress.

They are believed to be the world's first transgender Mayor and Mayoress.

Ms Bailey, who was once married and fathered two children, now aged 20 and 18, has served on Cambridge City Council with her partner.

The world's first sex change mayor and mayoress: Jenny Bailey (right) with partner Jennifer Liddle . . .