Thursday, December 27, 2007
Life as a Trans Woman Ain’t Easy
| posted by Guest Blogger | Sunday, December 23, 2007
Hi, all, I'm RachelPhilPa (a totally goofy, non-clever handle, I know). I've been reading and commenting on Shakesville for a couple of years now, and recently started my own blog. I'm honored that Melissa asked me to write a guest post about a series of articles about harassment on my blog.
By way of (brief) introduction, I'm a trans woman in her late 40's; I started transitioning 4 years ago. I'm white, middle-class, Jewish, queer, dealing with multiple disabilities, and a survivor of long-term adulthood sexual abuse. I identify strongly and proudly as a feminist. I don't classify my feminism (second-wave, third-wave, etc, etc), but I think that I take a decent amount of my thought and ideas from radical feminism (even as I argue with some radical feminists over trans issues).
Now on to the subject. As I have progressed in my transition, I have become increasingly aware of, and subject to, both sexual and transphobic harassment. Like many women, I live with an undercurrent of fear. It's not at the level that makes me want to hide and withdraw, but is at the level that it influences the decisions that I make every day and that affects my mood throughout the day. I've read many posts and comments from women (and not a few gender-variant and/or gay men) expressing the same fear, here on Shakesville and throughout the feminist blogosphere. I've also read the comments of many men (and a few women) who are dismissive of this and accuse us of exaggerating or making this stuff up. For myself, and for many other trans folk, my fear is heightened by the transphobia and cissexualism that is inherent in our patriarchal society.
So, I decided to keep a log of incidents of harassment, both to help myself quantify what I'm facing, and to have something to refer people to when they say "It isn't really that bad." Not all of these incidents targeted me directly. But when a judge says that a sex worker can't be raped, or Michael Savage viciously slanders trans people, they are telling all women, and all trans folk, that we are less worthy, that we had better shut up, that we had better hide ourselves. . .
Zulu boy returns as drag-queen diva
December 22, 2007
Talented Sfiso is back in SA, all sass and style.
Sfiso was a starry- eyed Zulu boy from a humble township home when he left for London seven years ago.
This week he returned to South Africa as a glamorous drag queen — adorned in lipstick and long lashes.
The youngster has been recording tracks with British producers including Kwame Kwaten, who has worked with international stars like Jay Z and Mick Jagger.
Sfiso, whose name means “wish” in Zulu, has come a long way since being raised in a traditional family in the sugar-producing town of Mtubatuba, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The once bashful lad has met Madonna, now addresses people as “honey” and prefers to be referred to as a “she”.
Sfiso performed in front of thousands of revellers at British gay and lesbian events in London and Manchester earlier this year.
She also took to the stage at the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) bash in Cape Town last night and is determined to captivate local audiences with her single Diva and a cover version of Dontcha by the Pussycat Dolls.
The Sunday Times met the doe-eyed diva at a guesthouse in Cape Town .
She spoke of mingling with the rich and famous in London, but said she regularly visited her home in South Africa. . . .
Editorial: Third Sex: Illusion or Reality?
Sadhana Ghimire
Masculine characteristics are referred to as aggressive, more logical, made for policy level decisions and heading the families among others whereas feminine characteristics implicate more emotional, loving, depending and caring nature, which leads to assisting people and devoting their lives to others.
Exception
However, despite hundreds of historical examples about exceptions to these generalized sex identities, there are some humans who don't fall under the category of either male or female. Although it is said that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, these people are often deprived of some rights.
Some organizations working for the rights of the people claim that they are neither male nor female. They say that these individuals are different than the general sex identities i.e. man and woman. They are somewhere in the middle, means, they possess characteristics of both men and women. Either they look like a man but behave like a woman or vice versa. The advocates claim that these people should be called the third gender (most commonly known as transgender) people who want to become a woman, despite being a man by nature, or a man despite being a woman by nature. . .
Wayne's tranny bridesmaid
WAYNE Rooney's gay transvestite cousin is BEGGING for a major role in the football star's June wedding—as a BRIDESMAID.
But friends fear drag queen Stephen will turn the England striker's big match of the day into a Rooney-tunes farce.
The plump relative—who loves wearing lipstick and a blonde wig—vowed: "If Coleen wants me as a bridesmaid then she won't be let down. I've been hitting the shops."
Man Utd striker Wayne has ruled out a leading MALE roles for family members of the family at the wedding. He said: "We aren't going to have any pages as we don't really have any young lads in our families. They're all a bit older and I think it looks a bit stupid to have grown lads dressed up."
But cheeky 23-year-old Stephen— who works in Kentucky Fried Chicken—still has big hopes of following the happy couple up the aisle on their big day...in a frock.
And he says: "I'm good mates with Coleen and she knows what I'm like. I came out about two years ago and both she and Wayne are cool about it."
A friend said: "Wayne didn't rule Stephen out so we reckon he's still in with a chance as a bridesmaid—and he'd do as good a job as posh friends like Victoria Beckham any day. . .
Colin Firth and Rupert Everett Q&A
IGN: How's it going?
Rupert Everett: We're very tired.... you have to say something completely scintillating!
IGN: That's a lot of pressure to be honest! So I expect viewers will enjoy your onscreen chemistry, but how did you guys find it?
Rupert Everett: Well it made me a bit uncomfortable because I thought Colin was just a little too hot-to-trot, he was meant to be restrained...
Colin Firth: He was fighting me off!
Rupert Everett: I just had to put the breaks on.
Colin Firth: I started to wonder what was wrong with me, it was too strong. I was thinking "Is it him, is it me?"
Rupert Everett: At least I was trying to be professional about it and maintain some dignity and decorum. . .
OPINION: A "Gay Man" Trapped in a Woman's Body and Other Nonsense
Case in point: A recent report on a popular homosexual “news” site declares, “A transgendered student says he is the victim of discrimination at a small Massachusetts community college because he is biologically female.”
Say what? “He” is “female”? Welcome to PC-ville. Come for the oxymoron, stay for the cognitive dissonance.
In other news, “French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte says he is the victim of discrimination because he is biologically Bob from Detroit.”
Apparently, this clearly confused 20-year-old woman who “presents as a male and wears male clothing” is upset that Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts, will not allow her to undress, shower or otherwise cavort with the fellows in the men’s locker room. She’s reportedly filed an “affirmative action complaint” against the school.
Even Haverhill’s local newspaper, the Eagle-Tribune, plays along, saying that she was “denied the use of the men’s locker room … because of his female anatomy.”
“His female anatomy”!?
Okay, wait a minute. … Is this one of those, “it depends on what the meaning of the word ‘his’ is” moments?
But it gets worse. The paper goes on to explain that this young woman — er, man … whatever — actually identifies as a “gay male.” It explains that her, “public unveiling as a transgender gay male happened as an adult two years ago. His designation means he has a female body, but identifies as a male and is sexually attracted to men.”
Geeze-oh-Pete! My head hurts. Can this be for real? How can any newspaper that wants to be taken seriously report this with a straight face? A “gay” man trapped in a woman’s body? And all this time I thought they were just straight gals in Dockers and flannel. When I was a kid we called them “tomboys.” They were great fun to play softball with, but they still had to shower with the rest of the girls. What unenlightened bigots we were back then.
Look, I don’t mean to single out this young woman. She very possibly suffers from Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Even the left-leaning American Psychiatric Association (APA) acknowledges this unfortunate illness. She’s clearly very confused and needs therapy and prayer. I wish her nothing but the best.
But unfortunately, her story embodies everything that’s wrong with liberalism and political correctness (well, maybe not everything). This girl is no more a man than Charlton Heston is Moses. And despite the fact that the left has never found a victim they don’t like (except for Christians), she’s not a victim of discrimination either.
She’s a victim of reality. . . .
A Transgender Odyssey Takes Teacher From Michigan Campus to National Stage
12/21/2007
When Julie Nemecek first told the president of Spring Arbor University that she was transgender and would be assuming her female persona, the president, Nemecek said, was supportive. But in the weeks that followed she was subjected to a series of ever more restrictive rules.
Nemecek, an ordained Baptist minister who changed her name from John, could not wear women's clothing or makeup on the campus of the conservative Christian school, which prohibits same-sex relationships. She could not teach on campus, only online. She could not discuss her transition with anybody from Spring Arbor University. She could not identify herself as an employee of Spring Arbor. Her salary was cut.
But all the repressive actions by the university, located 30 miles south of Jackson, were not enough to stop Nemecek from becoming who she was. . . .
"My parents said they had always known there was something a little different about me."
If you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ), you may struggle with the decision of whether to come out to your parents. Telling your parents can definitely have its rewards — sharing such important, personal information about yourself can strengthen your relationship with your parents, and may even deepen their trust in you.
But while some parents will welcome the news, others may react poorly. Tina, 17, says she doesn't think she'll ever tell her mom or dad she's a lesbian. "My parents raised a girl, and they just wouldn't understand that I like other girls," she says. On the flipside, even if your parents are LGBTQ themselves, they may understand and support your decision, but worry about the homophobia and heterosexism you may have to face.
Thinking It Over
If you're thinking of coming out to your parents, it's important to know if one or both of them will understand and support you. If coming out means that you risk losing your family's support, you may need to wait until you can find a way to support yourself, both emotionally and financially. Think carefully about your answers to these questions before making your final decision: . . .
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Teen Transsexual
Sunday, December 30, 2007
10:00pm EST /7:00pm PST
Repeated at 1:00am EST / 10:00pm PST
All Richard Parker wants for his 18th birthday is to be Lucy Parker.
Richard has spent his life dealing with gender identity issues and has
long dreamed of the day when he can have surgery to become a real
woman. Unable to get the surgery until he turns 18 and has proven to
doctors that he is psychologically committed to life as a woman,
Richard has spent the last two years living as Lucy. This is her story.
Premieres December 30th at 10pm et/pt. Part of BBC America Reveals.
Schum Says Family Helped Him Through Ordeal
Former Principal Cited For Loitering For Prostitution
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- "It's nice to know that the truth finally does reveal itself and that we've gotten to the bottom of this."Dr. Paul Schum says his citation for loitering for prostitution has been an embarrassing, difficult and trying situation.“There's been an enormous amount of time, effort, energy and taxpayer’s money, and not to mention my own expense and the expense of my family to rectify this, when in fact, most everyone that knew the facts of this case was certain that the charges would eventually be dropped."
It all started Oct. 30 -- Halloween Eve. Schum said that as he headed home from a costume party, he decided to stop by a rental property he owns in west Louisville to change out of his costume.On the way there, he said, he stopped in an alley to take off part of his costume. Dash cam video provided by Louisville Metro Police shows what happened next: Schum was stopped and cited for loitering for prostitution while he was wearing black leather, fishnet stockings and false breasts.“I was very embarrassed,” he said. “Very, very nervous. Big, bright light in your face. A thousand questions." . . .
The Gender Neutral Throne
In the back room of Dante’s, a revolution was being plotted. A small group of activists and artists decided to cut to the chase. If we are serious about creating communities and places that are inclusive and welcoming of diversity, complexity and ambiguity, what can be more defining than where you go to pee? The badge on the gorgeous Jonathan summed it up: “Fuck Gender.”
We all related stories of mistaken identity and discrimination in toilets:
“I remember going to the public toilets at a caravan park when I was about ten and these two girls a few years older than me were there and just started laughing and saying things like ‘was that a boy or a girl?’. I sat in the cubicle crying until I thought it was safe to leave.”
“I’m always getting told I’m in the wrong bathroom in the women’s but people look at me weird in the men’s as well so I try and find the closest gender neutral bathroom just cause it means I won’t get hassled.”
“I’ve had the ‘oh my god there’s a boy in the women’s toilet” since I was a kid. Before I realised that I was trans and later felt safe and comfortable in my identity, it used to really hurt when other kids would freak out or laugh at me.” . . .
Want Ads: Looking For Mr. or Ms. Goodbar
Need individual with a smiling face and a Can-Do Attitude! Personal Ambition a serious plus! Must take directions well. Must be able to learn public relations marketing from a gay and lesbian perspective (Marketing experience a huge plus) Must like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Gay and Lesbian Equality. Must possess ability and willingness to both raise funds or to be able to attract leads for fundraising for HRC. Can easily substitute a great personal story (author of an autobiography or esp. high-profile job loss, lawsuit or hate crime victim) for fundraising skills.
To be filled: Immediately.
Very competitive salary commensurate with other transgender activist salaries, plus perks! We are an EEOC employer. Only transgendered applicants, preferably white, docile and above-average income need apply. . . .
. . . Seven out of Ten Gay Adults Own a Pet
By Chrys Hudson
Seven out of ten (71 percent) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults today say they own pets, compared with 63 percent of heterosexual adults, according to the results of a new national survey.
The same survey also shows that nine in ten (90 percent) LGBT pet owners say their pet is a member of their family and 64 percent also add that they have bought their pet a holiday present.
The new nationwide survey of 2,455 U.S. adults, of whom more than 6 percent, or 158, self identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, was conducted online between Nov. 7 and 13 by Harris Interactive in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. . . .
My response to Carlin
I just read your opinion piece in the Providence Journal and I am shocked and dismayed that a historian, educator, and Democrat would write such an ignorant and offensive column attacking transgender people.
I'm going to assume that you're simply ignorant, however, and proceed from there. I'm guessing that you're ignorant of the problems faced by many transgender people when it comes to using a bathroom. There is no standardized point during the transition process where one can reasonably say "Okay, it's fine to use this bathroom now." And in any case, a transgender person will continue to face the threat of public humiliation or physical assault if someone disagrees with their choice of which bathrooms to use.
I don't know if you've been following the news, but recently in Utah, a transgender man was denied housing in a male dorm, because the school felt he had not progressed far enough through gender reassignment surgery to "prove" to them that he is a man. On the other hand, he was also told he would not be welcome in the female dorms. This creates an unfair and unworkable situation, don't you think? . . .
-Kynn Bartlett
Tucson, Arizona
OPINION: David Carlin: Bathrooms for the transgendered
December 22, 2007
WHEN I WAS YOUNG (about a half-century ago), there was a social rule that every young man understood. It went like this: “If you get a girl pregnant, you have to marry her.” One of the results of this rule was that relatively few unmarried girls got pregnant. Another was that those who did usually married the father before the baby was born.
But then American society decided that the rule was too strict. After all, a boy and a girl shouldn’t get chained to one another for a lifetime simply because one day (or more likely one evening) they made a mistake. So we relaxed the rule; we relaxed it to the point where it hardly exists anymore. And what has been the result? Millions of babies have been born and grown up without a father. It should be remembered that kids who grow up without fathers are, on average, at high risk for living troubled and unhappy lives.
Law professors have a maxim: “Hard cases make bad law.” In other words, when you re-write a rule to accommodate special cases, the new rule is likely to be worse than the old rule. Better to stick with the old rule, imperfect though it may be. A small number of people suffered under the old and “bad” rule; vast numbers suffer under the new and “improved” rule.
Recently a number of New England colleges have had feelings of compassion for transgendered students and the difficulty such students face when choosing a bathroom.
“What is a transgendered person?” you ask. . . .
Suffolk resident guilty for injecting silicone in transgender person
SUFFOLK
A person charged with injecting silicone into another transgender individual pleaded guilty Friday to practicing medicine without a license. . . .
Young Adult Novels With Transgender Themes
looking for stories about the lives of young trans people
By Michelle Garcia
An Advocate.com exclusive posted December 26, 2007
The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates there are
between 750,000 and 3 million transgender people in the U.S. And as
Barbara Walters showed recently in a 20/20 story last spring,
questioning one's gender identity can begin at a very young age. With
that in mind, we pulled together some literary inspiration worth
passing on to the inquisitive teenager in your life.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters (Little, Brown; 2004)
For years Liam secretly transforms himself into Luna each night with
the help of his sister's clothes and makeup. As he yearns to reveal
his nighttime identity, his sister Regan finds it more difficult to
keep Luna a secret with each passing day. Are Liam's family and
friends ready to accept Luna into their lives? Julie Anne Peters's
well-received novel was a 2004 finalist for the National Book Award in
Young People's Literature.
Freak Show by James St. James (Dutton; 2007)
James St. James's story of a teenage drag queen at an uptight private
academy is the classic tale of an outcast wanting acceptance. Our
hero, Billy Bloom, however, wants to be homecoming queen. St. James's
irreverent humor and lively writing make this an endearing and
entertaining read that shirks the idea of being confined to a label of
sexuality.
Choir Boy by Charlie Anders (Soft Skull Press; 2005)
Berry, a 12-year-old church choir darling, is starting to notice the
effect of puberty where it matters most to him: his voice. After a
botched attempt to castrate himself, he decided to use hormones
intended for men transitioning to women to keep his high vocal range.
The story may seem cartoonish, but this Lambda Literary Award winner's
emotional, sexual nature may be best for older teens; . . .
