from The Renaissance Transgender Association,
Inc.
The problems individuals have in accepting their crossdressing
or transgender behavior is very often a product of society's negative
attitude toward this behavior. Because the behavior is generally
condemned, the transvestite or transsexual feels guilt, and their
family members fear denunciation if the behavior becomes known
outside the home. While professional counselling is often successful
in changing an individual's negative attitudes, other strategies are
required for educating the general public about the gender issues
evidenced by transsexualism and transvestism. The actions outlined
below require a major commitment. But the return to the TS and TV
communities can be likewise very great because activism attacks the
first link in the chains of guilt, shame and rejection that so often
bind the transgendered.
While it is clear that individuals who don the clothes of the
other gender are the victims of misconceptions, it is not clear what
has caused these stereotypes to be so widely accepted. Certainly, the
media must bear some of the blame. But it can be argued that the root
of the problem lies with our society's fascination with sexual
matters or issues that seem to be related to sex. The relationship
between the purveyors of titillating information and the ready market
for such material is important to understand because it also provides
a means for promulgating accurate information. If the media is going
to write about transsexualism and transvestism anyway, we might as
well make sure they write and broadcast what we want insofar as we
can structure their messages.
Another source of stereotyping originates within the transvestite and
transsexual community itself. Because of difficult personal
situations, some crossdressers find it necessary to engage in
prostitution. Because these "street queens" are so highly visible,
this image of crossdressing is given great prominence. Another source
of unflattering information about crossdressing comes from the old
and honorable theatrical tradition of female impersonation. Despite
the fact that Shakespere employed men and boys to portray woman on
stage, and in this country many notable actors were famous for their
female roles, "drag shows" retain an unsavory image. Often times this
is because of their popularity among patrons of gay bars. While we do
not agree with the impressions society has gained from street and
drag queens, we recognize that they are potent, emotional images.
This strength, too, can be turned to our advantage. The object is to
promote positive images regarding transgendered people. While there
are many sources for unflattering and even slanderous stereotypes,
there are far too few for the kinds of positive messages that are
needed. This is a need which can be filled.
The transgendered community has a wealth of individuals with
special talents. But these talents will go unused unless you reach
out to the people who possess them and bring those people into your
group. Many transvestite or transsexual support groups rely on word
of mouth as their primary outreach tool. While this assures total
security, it also restricts the pool of talent you can dip into. For
example, if no one in your organization knows a crossdressing lawyer,
your group may not have access to free legal advice.
Security from outside harassment is certainly a concern for any
transvestite or transsexual group. But there are ways to be
accessible and still control who is admitted to the group. The first
step is to rent a Post Office box or make arrangements for mail to be
delivered to an existing community service organization. Gay
community centers are often willing to provide this service. A
telephone with an answering machine is a major investment, but
because it allows people to respond immediately to your publicity
efforts, it may be well worth the expense. Just be sure that you have
a system in place to monitor the calls and return them.
The next step is to publicize how people can contact you. Many daily
newspapers run a listing of community resources on a space available
basis. Check these out for your community and use this service. You
may have to provide your phone number so the paper can verify the
infor- mation you sent, but you can insist this number not be
published. Gay newspapers also provide this service, and this is a
productive avenue. While transvestites and transsexuals are not by
consequence homosexual, many people looking for information on these
phenomena look to the gay press. The transgendered press should also
be included in your media plan.
You should become familiar with the variety of counseling services in
your community. Many of these maintain referral lists and will be
happy to add your group because you will probably be filling a unique
need. Be sure to contact gender clinics in the surrounding area. Many
also maintain referral lists. There are many more service agencies
that you can link up with. To identify them, just ask yourself, "If I
wanted information about transsexualism or transvestism, whom would I
call?"
The next step is to capitalize on your "notoriety" by getting
media coverage. This can be accomplished in several ways: news
coverage (both print and broadcast, either "hard" news or features)
and television and radio "talk" shows. Each method has its unique
demands. Using the media will expose you to public scrutiny, but
there are limits to how much you must bare your personal life. There
are several accepted practices to use when dealing with the media.
[See Renaissance Community Outreach Bulletin 3.0 for a thorough
discussion of effective media relations.]
You can also achieve fame (but not necessarily fortune) bypassing the
media and dealing directly with the public. By the public' in this
usage, we mean members of special interest groups.
One fruitful area is college or university lectures. Undergraduate
human sexuality or psychology classes are often eager to have outside
speakers. These classes afford you the opportunity to inform young
people about gender issues while they are (presumably) intellectually
curious. Graduate courses in these subjects and in counseling provide
access to future professionals who may be called upon to help
transvestites and transsexuals. Contact the appropriate academic
departments at local colleges and universities to see if professors
use outside speakers. Some schools pay an honorarium to speakers to
defray their expenses; don't be afraid to ask.
These are just two examples of special interest groups. Other
opportunities are almost limitless. To identify others, think about
what professions may come into contact with transvestites or
transsexuals. Renaissance members regularly speak to nursing and
other health care students at a Philadelphia medical college. One of
the messages they leave with the students is that an emergency room
patient may not want to disrobe in front of them because he may be
wearing women's lingerie under his male clothes. Renaissance is also
about to begin speaking to local police departments to educate them
that the crossdressed individual they may stop for a traffic
violation is not necessarily a serious criminal or a mental case.
We've also found that some religious groups are open to our
presentations. Check into the existence of local professional groups
such as associations of family counselors, regional professional
groups, etc.
Public service is also an outstanding way of achieving recognition.
These include benefits and charity support. There are many groups who
welcome support from all sources; AIDS organizations, battered
spouses's groups, the homeless. Although your assistance may be
completely altruistic, be sure to follow up with appropriate
publicity. In many cities chapters of the national Imperial Court
system have made a big impact because of their long history of fund
raising events. In a few cases, this positive public image has been
later translated into civil rights protections.
Commonly, transvestites and transsexuals overlook an important way of
making a good public image. This is their behavior, comportment and
appearance when crossdressed in public. There are, certainly,
occasions when you are out just for a good time. But remember that
many people will judge all members of our community by the way
members of your organization behave in public. Obviously, you should
not be a public nuisance, but insofar as you can, you should carry
yourself with pride and dignity. If you project confidence and
self-acceptance when crossdressed, observers will come to believe
that crossdressing is nothing to be ashamed of. But if you try to
hide, flee the scene if your are "read," or otherwise act
uncomfortable, you will confirm what many people believe:
crossdressing is a source of shame. It goes without saying, that if
members of your group are officially representing you in public, they
will dress appropriately for the occasion. While crossdressing is a
celebration of individuality, good taste is always appropriate.
As you conduct your outreach program, you may be amazed to learn
how many people support your rights to lead your life as you wish.
While crossdressing/transvestism/transsexualism are not seen as
protected civil rights in all localities, the issue of individual
privacy is broad enough to have many supporters. Local chapters of
the American Civil Liberties Union may welcome your assistance just
as long as you don't ask them to fight for rights that don't yet
exist under the law.
But transvestites and transsexuals do have some protection against
discrimination. Many localities do have laws prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or gender.
Under certain circumstances, transvestites and/or transsexuals can
avail themselves of this protection. One Renaissance member has
successfully brought two cases of sex discrimination before the
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. He claimed, and the
commission agreed, that he was discriminated against because two
businesses refused to allow him to shop for women's clothing because
he is a man. Although these were minor cases, they sensitized the
commission to some of the problems faced by transsexuals and
transvestites. This may pay off if the commission is asked to resolve
a major discrimination complaint. Renaissance is also becoming
involved with the Philadelphia Mayor's Commission on Sexual
Minorities.
The largest sexual minority, the lesbian and gay community, can also
be a useful ally. In addition to providing a tolerant environment for
transvestite or transsexual social events, this community generally
recognizes the value of coalitions with other groups of "different"
people. Although you may find some rejection from the most ardent
feminist elements, if you approach the lesbian and gay community with
respect, you will receive respect and hospitality in return. There is
one negative facet to an alliance with the homosexual community; the
perpetuation of the myth that crossdressers are all homosexual. This
can be combatted by an aggressive education program.
Educating the public and the media about the real nature of
transvestism and transsexualism is both a proactive and reactive
process. So far, various proactive techniques have been discussed,
techniques which put you in control of the process. Reactive
techniques involve responses from your organization to inaccurate
references to crossdressing perpetrated by others.
The primary source of these inaccuracies are the media. You should
develop a monitoring program to watch for these in your local media.
Naturally, you would notice a front page story on the arrest of a
dozen crossdressers on morals charges, and you would respond to the
paper if the story was inaccurate. But most of the time incorrect
references to crossdressing appear in surprising contexts. For
example, a Philadelphia newspaper recently carried a note in the
television section that said the movie Tootsie was about
Dustin Hoffman's decision "to become a transvestite." In a letter to
the paper's feature editor, Renaissance pointed out that this was an
incorrect use of the term, and that Hoffman was merely impersonating
a woman to secure an acting job. The letter was not intended for
publication. Rather, it was part of Renaissance's continuing effort
to educate members of the media about the various aspects of
crossdressing. Hopefully, the next time a similar situation arises,
the reporter and editor will remember the important distinction. An
added benefit is that a letter such as this to a reporter or an
editor may trigger a story idea. You need not restrict your
monitoring and response efforts to local media. A network television
program, a movie, a magazine are all suitable media targets.
In drafting letters to media outlets, keep in mind that the errors
you are correcting are the result of ignorance rather than malice.
Therefore, your response must be polite, reasoned, yet firm. These
letters can also praise media for accurate portrayals of transgender
behavior. Indeed, if you come across something that warrants praise,
tell other groups so they can express their appreciation too.
Improving our community's public image involves steps which range
from the very personal to the highly public. While there is an
increasing element of risk as one moves from private to the public
activities, there is also the promise of greater payoffs. Perhaps
never before has the public climate been as supportive of alternate
lifestyles. Granted, this degree of tolerance varies from locale to
locale and nowhere is it as great as we would like. But now is the
time to begin working to increase acceptance.
Issued by Renaissance
A non-profit association to educate the professional and general
communities about transgendered people.
For more information write:
Renaissance
987 Old Eagle School Rd., Suite 719
Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 610-975-9119
Email: renaissance@ren.org