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Tennessee Twisters
Interview With The Barrister
Lobby Dazed And Confused?
Lord Cornbury: Was He Or Wasn't He?
New Transmissions
At the Movies
Transbabble

June 1998 - On-Line Edition


Upcoming Meetings and Local Events

June 13: Monthly Social and Support Meeting, Topic TBA

August 8: Cookout

September 12: TBA

October 10: 4th Annual Halloween Party

November 14: Dr. Bill Turner, Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice. Bill will speak on the Equality Begins at Home Lobbying initiative in March 1999.

December 12: 6th Annual Anniversary/Holiday Party

Tennessee Vals Special Events:

(Note: Thursday, June 11, Transgender Mixer Has Been Canceled)

Saturday, June 13, Night in White Party, Absolut Arctic, Maxwell House Hotel (I-265 and MetroCenter Blvd.), 8pm

Friday, June 19, Dinner, Pinnacle, Crowne Plaza Hotel, (623 Union Street), 7 pm

Friday, July 17, Dinner, Commerce Street Bar and Grille, Renaissance Hotel (611 Commerce Street), 7 pm

Future Board Meetings: June 25, July 23, August 27

THANKS ARE IN ORDER!

We would like to thank everyone who attended the May meeting and participated in the 50/50 raffle afterwards. The money raised that would normally have gone into our general operating fund was instead earmarked for the local tornado relief fund, to help the victims of last month's storm that tore through Nashville. We had other contributions from individual Tennessee Vals members, bringing our total to $86. Thanks to everyone who participated. You have all helped those who need it!


Her Majesty, The Queen, Marisa

The Queen's Throne

By Marisa Richmond

April 16 is a day that will long be remembered here in Nashville. The storms that bombarded Middle Tennessee all day were absolutely incredible, but the tornado that skipped down Charlotte Avenue, tore right through downtown, and then ripped up East Nashville and part of Opryland, produced devastation (including the belated death of a Vanderbilt student) unlike anything I have ever seen. Although the tornado reportedly formed directly over my home, I was fortunate, but the images I saw, both on television and with my own eyes, were a sobering reminder that none of us can be safe even in our own homes. I have been around tornadoes many times in the past, but never around my home or office, and like many here, I assumed the center of town would not be hit as it was. There was, obviously, the tornado that hit Rivergate Mall in May 1995, but that is 12 miles from downtown. This time was completely different. But of all the places damaged or destroyed, the one that distressed me the most was St. Ann's Episcopal Church at South 5th and Woodland. Several members of the Vals, myself included, have attended GLBT community meetings there. Many religious denominations are hostile to diversity, but St. Ann's, which was built in 1882, deserves credit for being supportive and reaffirming. The Vals are providing some money and food to local tornado relief agencies, but if you wish to find a specific charity that needs your help, I can think of none better than St. Ann's. They have been there for many in our community in the past. It is the least we can do.

Just a couple of days before the tornado, we were contacted by a teacher and counselor from a local high school. It seems she wanted to know more about the transgender community since she was talking about us in her classes and she wanted to make sure she was using terminology correctly and knew what she was discussing. Needless to say, I was astounded to discover that any high school was talking about us in such a responsible manner, and I was quite thrilled to see an educator willing to keep learning. During our conversation, she also took me aback when she called herself the school's "Director of Diversity." It never occurred to me that any school would have such a position, but to hear that one did, and for that school to be my alma mater, just warmed my heart. It would be great if more educational institutions and professional organizations also had "Directors of Diversity." If we saw such positions more often, people might actually learn to be more accepting of diversity and less bigoted than their parents, but then, that is probably what many closed-minded adults fear and what prevents more young people from learning tolerance and acceptance of others.

When I read the stories about the sentencing of Theodore ("Unabomber") Kaczynski in Sacramento, I found myself feeling the same trepidation I experienced last summer during the manhunt for Andrew Cunanan. Kaczynski's diaries were released showing that he had visited a psychiatrist in Ann Arbor in 1966 to discuss the possibility of sex reassignment surgery. He wrote in his diary that he hated, and wanted to kill, the psychiatrist. While some medical professionals are incompetent or ignorant, that sort of reaction to a bad psychiatrist is certainly extreme, and we do not even know if his psychiatrist was knowledgeable and friendly or not. There are, however, many in society who stereotype others. Some already believe transies are potential homicidal maniacs, and such examples will only confirm their worst fears about us. We need to continue our various social and political activities around the country to show that we are, in fact, quite sane and responsible. Although we will not eliminate small minded bigots overnight, we can never stop our efforts or else we run the risk of allowing people like Kaczynski to set us back.

At this point, I will admit something that I have never previously stated in my column: my favorite Beatle was Paul. Like many of Paul's fans, I hated to hear about his marriage back in `69. I was still saddened, however, to hear the news of the death of Lady Linda McCartney. I did miss running into them around town in 1974 when they lived in Wilson County while recording here ("Junior's Farm"), but I have had the thrill of seeing Sir Paul in concert on three occasions, and on the last two, Linda was part of the band (1990, RFK Stadium; 1993, Liberty Bowl). When I heard about Linda's passing, I read the inevitable stories about all those other Beatle fans who cried when Paul married her, blamed her and Yoko for the breakup of the band, and of those who ridiculed her for thinking she could actually play keyboards for her husband. Yet through it all, she maintained her confidence and dignity while her husband maintained his love and devotion. She made no excuses for anything she did or believed. I certainly did not share her vegetarianism (as anyone who has ever seen me devour a plate of nachos can attest....), but I have long admired her. Many transgendered people remain closeted because of their fears about what others might think. We can learn much from Lady Linda.

Moving to national gender community news: for the second consecutive year, the national convention of Tri-Ess, scheduled in 1998 for Minneapolis, has been canceled. As of this writing, I do not know the details behind this year's cancellation, but for a major organization to cancel a national meeting two years in a row does suggest they may be having problems. I have already read at least one criticism of the national body in a local Tri-Ess group newsletter, so this is clearly undermining their reputation within their own organization.

It is also now official--AEGIS and ITA! are going to merge. The new organization will be called Gender Education and Advocacy. It will combine the best features of both organizations as it maintains the educational and professional outreach programs of AEGIS and the political activities of ITA! Structural details remain to be hammered out by the combined boards, but we hope to have new by-laws written over the next few months.

Regular readers of my column will recall remarks of mine in March about a claim made by Gary Bowen of American Boyz, that most support groups are not inclusive of youth. My only comment was "I have never seen any studies confirming this." Of the 263 groups in the United States, some may actually have an `adults-only' policy, but I have never seen any numbers showing the majority of groups have such a policy. Unfortunately, Gary is at it again. Recently, he made a claim of a "disparity" in earning power between MTFs and FTMs. I immediately responded that I have seen no evidence of this. Since then, I have been on the receiving end of a lot of heated political rhetoric as others try to convince me that I am somehow ignorant. With the exception of Dr. Jason Cromwell of Seattle, all of those respondents have ignored my challenge and have simply offered only thoughts and opinions. Jason, at least, responded with a small study of the economic status of a little over 100 transmen, but even he did not provide any comparative study that can be interpreted as evidence of a disparity. If y. Their argument is that it would virtually kill any chance of passage. I am not aware of a single supporter who would turn against the bill if it was inclusive, while those in the pocket of the religious right (including both of Tennessee's Senators) have no intention of voting to end job discrimination for gays or trannies. I Can't Explain the transphobic attitude adopted by HRC and am very disappointed with it. Recently, the Gulf Gender Alliance (New Orleans) has announced they will begin boycotting HRC functions. In the past, some groups have leafleted HRC functions but have not resorted to actual demonstrations. On the other hand, It's Time Georgia! (Atlanta) has decided to change HRC from within. Clearly, all of this symbolizes a significant split. Personally, I am torn over how to move HRC, so I am not endorsing either the GGA or ITG! actions at this time. The Vals have not taken any official stand regarding our relationship to HRC. We are willing to work with them, but the main reason none of us attended their local dinner in March is due to cost ($150) not politics. I wish, however, to paraphrase the words of that great American philosopher, Groucho Marx: I would never join a group that did not want me. I just hope that some day, they will recognize their bigotry for what it is and realize that discrimination against any is discrimination against all.

As I was looking at a list of this summer's movie offerings, two openings caught my eye. The first is for Mulan (June 19). This animated Disney film is about a Chinese girl who dresses and lives as a man. And just when the Southern Baptists were gloating over the cancellation of Ellen....The second film is Divine Trash, a documentary being released in August about John Waters, the Baltimore filmmaker who introduced the world to Divine. If these don't interest you, there is always Uma Thurman in black leather pants as Emma Peel in The Avengers (August 14).

On June 10, the World's Biggest Sporting Event will begin in France, Coupe du Monde 98--proudly sponsored by Soft, the first Official Condom in the history of sports. I plan to spend much of those 33 days glued to the screen, although I don't expect to be putting any condoms to use anytime soon given the current state of my sex life. It has been so long, I've forgotten who wears the handcuffs. Anyway, what has football got to do with being transgendered? Well, aside from the fact that Sir Elton John, who has been known to perform in drag, owns Watford FC, and Jayne County published reminiscences about two unnamed British football clubs, absolutely nothing. But since this is my column, I am free to talk about anything I like! Obviously, I hope Sampson's boys do well, especially in the Mother of All Matches when they play Iran, but I expect Germany to take the Cup beating Brazil at Stade de France in St.-Denis. The side worth watching, however, is England. For starters, midfielder David Beckham of Manchester United made worldwide headlines when it was announced he was engaged to Victoria (Posh Spice) Adams. Of greater fascination for me is another midfielder, Paul Gascoigne. At this point, it seems unlikely the injured Gazza will even be selected to play in France, but if so, I will be watching with great interest. Prior to his transfer from Rangers to Middlesbrough in March, he expressed an interest in crossing the Atlantic to play in MLS. He said, "In America, once you're famous, you're famous for life. And they make great piña coladas!" Ahhh, a man of my own heart. If Gazza does follow through and decides to move over here, and we begin to socialize together, I guarantee I will give him headlines beyond anything he could get from marrying a Spice Girl.

If you wannabe my lover....

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Miss Jenni

Wigged Out

By Jennileigh Love

The Storm

"In the courtyard at the downtown YMCA, a rain-soaked brunette wig. 'Oh my God,' somebody gasped between reps, 'Do you think we should take a drag queen head count?'" - John Bridges, The Nashville Scene, 4/23/98

As many of you know, Nashville recently became the center of national news. Yes, it was tough, but we all managed to survived the death of Tammy Wynette. No, seriously, the weather was wild and wooly in April in Nashville. Luckily I did manage to avoid any tornadoes at my place. I wasn't too anxious to do my best Judy Garland impersonation, especially when that imitation would involve being tossed around in a cyclone a la The Wizard of Oz. Besides, my cats are a lot cuter than Toto.

I work in downtown Nashville which got hit by a reported 3 "mesocyclones". For some reason (and I swear I'm not making this up), the night before the storms hit, I took cold chills and a fever. I got up the next morning intending to go to work and still felt bad. I decided to call in sick. Still in my nightgown, I grabbed something to drink to settle my stomach and flipped on the television. The bad weather had already begun. From 4am until around 8pm that night, the weather was the only thing to watch, on television and in the sky. Throughout the day, the worst I got at my house was thunder, lightning and heavy rain. Around 3:45pm, the tornado hit downtown Nashville. At that point, I was convinced that my guardian angel must be a drag queen because I would have been getting off work right at the moment when the downtown tornado hit. There was also significant wind damage in what used to be the Opryland area, which is just north of my house. A tornado also touched down in the Hermitage area, which is just east of my house. It was like a crap shoot - just roll the dice and hope your neighborhood doesn't come up on Channel 2's Stormtracker 2000.

I was lucky that my life and property wasn't threatened, but others were not so fortunate. One of the three big ones hit East Nashville doing significant damage to homes. Many of you may know that East Nashville is sort of the "gay ghetto." It's the home of Lockeland Springs, which is where the famous Nashville drag group, The Lockettes, originated. I do know of a few folks who had their homes damaged, and two of my friends rent a place that was condemned. St. Ann's Episcopal Church was also leveled, which absolutely broke my heart. St. Ann's is the meeting place for Nashville's Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice and I've been there many times.

The new Tennessee Oilers football stadium also got shook up quite a bit. Strangely enough, one of the proposed nicknames for the new team when they first moved here was the "Tennessee Tornadoes". You would think Oilers' owner Bud Adams would see this as an omen. Change the nickname, Bud!

We were all very fortunate here, because there was no loss of life in the storm. Sure, we had some broken glass, twisted metal, dented automobiles, a few loose bricks and uprooted trees, but everyone was alive after it hit. There were deaths in other Tennessee counties due to the storms. Nature does have incredible powers of destruction, but we also have to consider that for every tree that was uprooted, another tree will have a chance to take its place. Nature takes care of itself that way. I want to sincerely thank everyone who emailed or called me to make sure I was okay. It's touching to know so many people care.

During all this excitement, I was planning another of my ventures out of Nashville. I had a quarterly Southern Comfort Meeting in Atlanta that weekend. Because of the weather, I was beginning to wonder whether I could even get out of Nashville. The day after the storm, the Governor canceled work because of storm damage to State office buildings, so I got a head start on the trip. Lucky I did, because Al Gore was on his way to tour the storm damage and his entourage has been known to block up interstate traffic. That pesky Vice-President is always getting in my way! He invaded Atlanta back when I was down there in '96, blocking traffic and bringing the Secret Service invasion. One of these days our paths will collide again. The Atlanta trip was fantastic as usual. Atlanta Gender Explorations (AGE) hosted the first Dogwood Weekend at the same hotel we usually have the Southern Comfort Conference. Freaknik was also in Atlanta this same weekend and I resisted the urge to stop my truck in the middle of the road and begin dancing on the hood. We hit several restaurants including Nakado and Marra’s and the Atlanta girls got sick of myself and Dallas Denny talking about Tennessee. And as usual, the Saturday night Southern Comfort crew party was a blast.

Atlanta was only the first leg of my journey. I had to return to Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday night to be ready for work-related training at the University of Memphis on Monday morning. It was quite a drive from Atlanta to Memphis and I did it all femme and quite hungover. While in Memphis, I returned to my usual haunt, the Wolfchase Galleria and shopped the night away. I also ventured down to Beale Street for the first time and ate at the Rum Boogie Cafe and soaked up all the touristy things there.

I had another unique experience on this trip. As I stated earlier, I drove to Memphis femme. I drove back in "guy mode" because I had been in class all day. The unique thing is that I stopped at the same rest stop both coming and going, once using the ladies' restroom and the other time using the men's room.

Until next time folks, let's keep things on the ground.

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Left of Center

By Pamela DeGroff

Recently, I was able to conduct an interview with Phyllis Randolph Frye, largely through the wonders of e-mail, and even with a little help from snail mail. Phyllis is an out trial attorney from Houston, Texas, where she practices in the areas of criminal defense, divorce, will/probate, and does work on the cutting edge of Transgender Law issues. She travels extensively as a consultant and speaker, and is also a licensed professional civil engineer. She is perhaps best known as the founder of the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy. She has recently stepped down as Executive Director of that organization, but will of course remain actively involved with gender issues.

Q. For the benefit of those who might not know who you are and what you do, please give us a brief background on your organization, ICTLEP. How long have you been in existence?

A. ICTLEP, Inc., is the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, a 501-c-3, Texas, nonprofit corporation, which began in late 1991 as a committee of the Gulf Coast Transgender Community (GCTC) in Houston. We have no members, are governed by seven, self-elected Directors, and are assisted by many non-director Moderators and volunteers. As queen bee, I am answerable to my Directors and to our contributors. We have held an annual conference on TG case-law, strategies for legal change, and success stories in the legal areas of employment, family, health and insurance, military, criminal and imprisonment, documentation, gender rights, housing, probate and civil commitment and other areas in general since 1992, with our last one in July 1997 being our sixth. We also have done work in how law is applied specifically to the FTM, people of color, and non-TS portions of our inclusive TG community. We are still light on international research, but we do have several overview reports plus extensive reports from Canada, Australia, and England. Each year we publish a 300+ page volume of transcribed presentations, workshop reports, and relevant appendices that we call PROCEEDINGS, which now numbers five volumes with the sixth to be completed (we work with volunteers) in 1998. We continue to urge those of you with connections in the Human Resource Departments of progressive corporations, with connections to university libraries and law school libraries, with connections to queer community centers in the various metropolitan areas, and to each transgendered individual who want to participate actively with their attorneys in their own ongoing or foreseeable future legal battles-to order and shelve these volumes for resource, for detailed study and inspirational reading (we have many success stories therein). Unlike most TG information in the market, which is written by non-TG folks who see a biased sample of us in their clinics, the PROCEEDINGS are a compilation of information generated primarily BY transgendered lawyers and activists. I beg you to help us get these into the HRs, libraries, and centers.

Q: What is your basic mission statement, or set of goals, and how do you plan to achieve this?

A. ICTLEP began in late 1991 as a committee of GCTC, and seed money for the first conference came from hem and the Winslow Street Foundation. For the first three years, through most of 1994, about all we did was hold the annual transgender law and employment policy conferences and publish a bound and transcripted set of PROCEEDINGS from each conference. So what does the transgender community get from ICTLEP? Plenty. The requests for assistance have become a flood. There is so much to do that it overwhelmed my private law practice. For me to continue doing it all would have meant quitting my professional career and giving up my livelihood totally. So we had to open the office and shift the load to a paid staff person, poorly paid, but paid nonetheless. It is incredible, the requests that come in every day. The transgender community knows about us now, and people in trouble ask for help. They've lost their jobs, their children are being taken away, their insurance companies are refusing payment for each and every illness by claiming them all to be gender related, the courts are being unreasonable, military concerns, prison issues, and so forth. It is a flood of need and despair coming in on a daily basis. Not only is it time consuming, but it is very depressing. Many of these callers expect us to drop whatever we're doing and jump to their defense and solve all of their problems. What we offer is a shoulder to cry on, a little common sense advice, some general legal knowledge, references to where much of their problem is addressed in the PROCEEDINGS, and reference to a T-friendly attorney in their area, if we have one in our data bank. Sometimes a caller will then bad mouth us and make their problems seem to be our fault because our resources are still so few. As I stated before, it is time consuming and very depressing. There is a huge need out there, and it isn't being fully met.

Q: Was there any one, clarifying moment that lead to the found of the organization?

A: The idea of ICTLEP came about in 1991. I'd been an out and practicing TG attorney for almost ten years by then. I'd also been active in the gay, lesbian, bisexual movement since 1975 and became very aware in 1989 that the gays and lesbians were not interested in transgender inclusion in their goal or mission statements. Locally, I'd been trashed by the local LG political caucus for asking that transgenders be included in the name and mission statement. During a one or two year period thereafter, I grew increasingly angry that LLAMDA defense did not include TG and neither did Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. The recently formed National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) was silent on TG issues in its publications. Also mixed in this was the legal needs that I was experiencing both as a TG person myself and as a legal advocate for my TG clients. It all came to gel in the late spring or early summer of 1991 that we transgendered had to take charge of obtaining our legal rights by ourselves. It was also obvious that employment rights was the key since a TG can put up with almost any kind of discrimination IF the TG can keep or get a job to pay the rent and keep them off of the street. I first approached the then Executive Director of IFGE about the Transgender Law Conference being a wing of, committee of, or sponsored by IFGE She refused. I believed her to believe that we would not succeed. So I went to the local Gulf Coast Transgender Community of which I was Vice-President, and we organized the first ICTLEP conference as a committee of GCTC. The first conference was in the summer of 1992. BTW, NLGLA is now TG inclusive in its by-laws and mission statement and in its annual Lavender Law Conference and it Board of Directors. So much so that in 1998, ICTLEP has decided that for one year it will pour its energies to the Lavender Law Conference rather than compete with a separate TG law event.

Q: What type of attitude does the legal profession, in general, have towards the transgender community?

A: It is mixed, but much better, and it depends upon what part your are speaking about-the judges, the Bar Associations and law schools, the attorneys on our side, the attorneys against us, and TGs willing to file suit. By and large, I find most judges willing to listen. But then where I practice in Texas and Houston, most judges know or know of me, and I have been practicing OUT for over a decade. I have a good reputation of standing tall for my clients and for being a good and proud TG role model. Of those many judges that will listen, many can be persuaded. Of course this is in matters for which there is an "in re" matter with no opponent. Even when it is adversarial, my clients, be they TG or not, get a fair shake in the courtroom. More and more queer Bar Associations are being TG inclusive. And State Bar Associations are as well. I know that whenever TG lawyers come out to their peers, the result is usually good. In a few months, my state's Bar Associations may have a "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Issues" section. And I expect to present the first TG law workshop to the American Bar Association this summer. More and more out TG folks are going into the law schools as I did in 1978-81. The law schools are not a problem for the most part. That is not to say that fellow law students cannot be cruds, but the reports that I get are that out TG law students are doing okay. The attorneys on our side remain with the same problem. They want to help, but often feel that they can approach a TG divorce, child custody, employment or other case in the same way as before. They usually do not bother to research the nuances of having a TG client. I hope that someday, the ICTLEP PROCEEDINGS are in more law offices and university libraries so that the practitioners will have the background knowledge that they need. But in all, the reports I get are that more TG clients are able to find attorneys who are willing to help. The attorneys against us are the same folks that work to impede freedom for lesbians, gays and bisexuals also. They are not kindly folks and deal in a lot of misinformation and stereotyping which goes back to the previous paragraph and the need for our helping attorneys to be knowledgeable of TG nuances. There are more TG folks willing to fight. This is the single most significant development and I am willing to take much credit for this. ICTLEP has changed the agenda of what TG folks talk about. I am proud.

(Part Two of the interview will appear in July's Newsletter - Ed.)

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Anne

Behind Blue Eyes

By Anne Casebeer

Another Lobby Days event has come and gone, and my feelings are mixed indeed. That's not because I lack any belief in the need to tell our elected officials what we think, not because I didn't enjoy doing it, and certainly not because I know that passage of anything we lobbied for is unlikely this year. You see, I don't like attacking people that I respect, because I'm just a soul whose intentions are good, and, oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood. Prior to leaving, I was somewhat dismayed to read JoAnn Roberts' negative comments about the '98 Lobby Days in Renaissance News and Views' March and April issues, but her comments that GenderPAC is unfocused and that attendance would be less than before were dead-on correct, and so I must give credit where credit's due. So, just as JoAnn always does, I'm going to call things the way I see them. I will add this disclaimer: the views I'm expressing here are mine alone, and I am not speaking for the group.

There is a fundamental need to change the way we plan and execute Lobby Days, and I wonder if Riki Anne Wilchins is kidding herself about what we accomplished there. In fact, I question whether anyone associated with GenderPAC can quantify any legislative progress from this year's lobbying with any sort of solid data. That is the problem. In business, you quantify everything with numbers and statistics, and I don't think Dana Priesing and Riki Anne Wilchins can quantify much statistically about this lobbying effort. In fact, I'm convinced that nobody knows for certain how many people even lobbied, from what states, and who visited what Members of Congress. Following this article, I've published a press release from Dana Priesing which states that over 100 lobbyists were on the Hill this time out. Sorry, but last year there were 60, and the group gathered for the Monday morning group shot looked more like 30-40 to me. At the Sunday night meeting, there were a number of people from Brown University that were ostensibly supposed to lobby with us. In fact, a Brown student who lived in Louisville was introduced to Amy McCorkle, Angela Bridgman, Marjorie Demaille, and I; we asked him to join us at Rep. Baesler's office at 10AM. Not only did we never see him, we didn't see any of the Brown people on the Hill at all. That's right, we never ran into them in the halls, cafeterias, or anywhere else on Capitol Hill. Anyone who has lobbied before in a group can tell you that you are always running into your fellow lobbyists in the House and Senate office buildings. To be fair, I've contacted some of my fellow lobbyists in the weeks since, and nobody else seems to have remembered them being there, either. So, where'd they go?

Professionalism?

I checked in with Dana twice to let her know who I'd talked to, and she commented that "it's impossible to organize transpeople", and that "practically nobody's been checking in". On Tuesday morning, I checked in with her to see if there were any particular members of Congress that needed to be visited, since I'd exhausted the Kentucky and Tennessee delegations, and found out that Dana not only didn't even have a list of who had been seen, but didn't even know who was there lobbying from what states! Her mood seemed to be one of dejection and frustration, rather than one of optimism, and I could well understand why. I kept my thoughts to myself at that point, but found the whole situation to be ludicrous. It indicated to me that there was no strategy, no organization, no direction, just a "now go do something" attitude.

This is a problem that originates with the Sunday meeting, when we were treated to inspirational speeches from Riki Anne and Nancy Buermeyer of HRC, but not much organization. Regardless of Ms. Buermeyer's apparent hospitality, the presence of HRC in our meetings, which actively opposes transgender inclusion in hate crimes and employment rights legislation, still seems roughly equivalent to allowing KGB officers into a CIA meeting. In my humble opinion, the priority of the Sunday meeting should be the following: Find out who is here, from what state, what appointments do we already have, and who is left over that must be visited; then, explain the pending bills, their status, who the key people are, establish talking points, and practice and polish our presentations. What does kowtowing to a lobbyist from HRC, an organization that is as much our enemy as the Christian Coalition, do to help us organize a TG lobbying effort?

I'm quite aware that Riki Anne Wilchins and Phyllis Frye, former head of ICTLEP, are not apt to be spotted sipping martinis together at the College Park Applebee's. Because of that, I hate to make comparisons between the ICTLEP and GenderPAC lobbying efforts in 1997. I highly respect each of these individuals, but the differences in level of organization are so vivid that they can't be avoided. Phyllis' priority was to organize the lobbyists, find out where they had appointments, and then made sure that we covered as many important Senators as possible. Decisions were made at the Sunday session as to who was going to see what Senator. Monday and Tuesday night, we were asked to complete a short questionnaire on each appointment for future reference. I feel that there is no question that Phyllis can tell you what was accomplished in each visited office. The effort went like clockwork, and 20 lobbyists did a massive amount of fact-finding. At the GenderPAC days in May 1997, in contrast, there was little effort to assign offices, determine who was there and seeing whom. Worse, many of us made appointments with our local legislators on the basis of a lobbying effort for passage of a trans-inclusive ENDA, then found that the thrust of the lobbying effort was for hate crimes. Hate crimes legislation is important to our community, and is probably the most likely issue we can get legislation passed to address, but to many of us employment rights is THE most important issue. Most importantly, I fear that it made us look like bait-and-switch artists, not to mention that in many offices a different legislative assistant handles the two issues. This could have made us look like fools.

Professionalism?

What is needed to make next year's effort a viable one? In of their Senators and Representatives are very important. In a related effort, copies of the bill being lobbied need to be disseminated a couple weeks before the Lobby Days to allow study time, along with a statement of what the status of the bill is. I was told by Congressman Scotty Baesler's (D-KY) LA about the status of HCPA in the House (stuck in Rep. Hyde's House Judiciary Committee). Had I been organizing this, I'd have made certain that every Representative on the House Judiciary Committee was lobbied. This goes into the organizing of this event: prioritizing who we use our limited number of lobbyist-hours to visit. First priority should be the lobbyists' local representatives and Senators; second, their previous years' contacts; third, the members of the House and Senate committees that hold the keys to a floor vote; and fourth, possible and probable supporters and swing votes. This recognizes that there are a limited number of lobbyists with limited time, and uses them the most effective way possible.

Professionalism.

As I said earlier, I am uncomfortable in the role of attack dog. I don't like to be a whistle-blower, to be the one to tell the empress that she forgot to wear her clothes. One reason is this: if I suggest that change is necessary, then I believe that I have the duty to volunteer to make the changes reality. On the other hand, I don't have all the time in the world, and have obligations to my family and career, and cannot say what will be going on in Spring of 1999 in my life at this writing. Despite this, I've made the decision to offer my managerial and organizational skills to whomever may plan a lobbying effort in 1999, because I believe that since I wrote this, I must put up or shut up. To make these statements and not be prepared to back them up with action would be cowardly and unfair to all involved. To that end, anyone who wishes can find me at agc@MCI2000.com., if you want to call my bluff.

We are transpeople, and our appearance in offices is a curiosity already, to be honest. The image we need to be putting forth is one of absolute professionalism, informed expertise, and crisp businesslike presentation. I'm not sure we appeared that way this time out, nor last year. Lobby Days are vitally important events that need to happen every year without fail, and with as many lobbyists as can attend. Lobbying is an effective tool, but like any tool, needs to be executed in an organized, competent, and professional manner. Despite the fact that this year's effort was disorganized to a fare-thee-well this year, I wouldn't have skipped it. Our elected officials, locally as well as nationally, need to see us, meet us, talk to us, learn about us. That, my friends, is why I go to Washington every year. For all the good works that we may do locally (and, as a board member of It's Time, Kentucky, I recognize the need to pursue local political action), the Federal Government represents our best hope for protecting the rights of most transgendered people. Our elected officials need to see that we aren't fresh from the green room of the Jerry Springer Show. We have real lives, careers, legitimate concerns, and people who care about us that are endangered by their very association with us. The fact is, rights for transgendered people are not just for transgendered people, they're for our friends, our families, for the entire GLBT community, for our very survival, and for the sake of our nation as we approach the millennium. Our job must be to make the annual Lobby Days more effective and always learn from our mistakes. To do that, to be truly effective, to finally get the rights and protections that we deserve as American Citizens enacted into law, guess what we have to exhibit?

Professionalism.


1998 Transgender Lobby Days Report

By Dana Priesing

Washington, DC, April 21, 1998

Hi folks. Lobby Days 1998 have come and gone here in Washington D.C. We had approximately 100 citizen advocates on Capitol Hill Monday and Tuesday April 20 and 21, visiting their state delegations to discuss hate crimes, job discrimination, freedom to marry, and whatever else moved them. In appearance, participants covered a range of races/ethnicities, and ranged from very young to very old, from passable to improbable. All were critically important in showing the diversity of gender expression that actually exists in the U.S. I continue to marvel at how, in the third to fifth year of this event (depending upon how one counts), the group no longer attracts much astonishment in the huge Rayburn Cafeteria. Non-gender different folk on the Hill are learning, I think, perhaps in spite of themselves, that we don't explode or throw off our clothes and dance on the tables, but are -- who would have imagined it? -- just like everybody else.

This is a minor milestone, and the next thing that will happen, if we keep it up, is that they will begin to ask themselves, "What is it that motivates them to keep coming back here every year?" Then, it is my hope, the progress will begin.

My favorite loopy moment (don't hate me for this -- I couldn't resist). Jessica Xavier and I were being interviewed on a local radio station Monday night, and the earnest gay host asked: "What causes transsexuality?" He was expecting some sort of medical justification. I leaned slowly toward the mike, taking my time. " Broccoli," I said.


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Speaking of Books

Speaking of Books

By Marisa Richmond, PhD

The Lord Cornbury Scandal: The Politics of Reputation in British America by Patricia U. Bonomi (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1998, ISBN 0-8078-2413-5, $29.95)

One of the most famous crossdressers in American history is undoubtedly, Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, Colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey (1661-1723). For years, he has been painted as a prime example of the worst of colonial governors as historians have shown how colonial resentment to British rule rose during the Eighteenth Century culminating in the War for Independence. The claims that he embezzled colonial treasuries and offended the moral sentiments of the colonists have long been used to justify anger at colonial rule. Bonomi challenges many of stories surrounding Cornbury and suggests he may not have been as bad as many have believed. While she does not actually say all stories are untrue, she does suggest that there is little evidence to support the legends and believes Cornbury may have been simply the victim of a successful attempt to destroy his reputation in one of the most effective propaganda campaigns in history.

The centerpiece of the Cornbury legend for crossdressing is the classic portrait belonging to the New York Historical Society. She noticed that no date has ever been given for the portrait, nor is any painter credited with having made it. She does note that the portrait may have been made in his life, but there is no evidence to support this. Bonomi notes that the first documented association of the portrait to Cornbury is made in 1796, seventy-three years after he died. It is possible that oral accounts may have been passed over the years tying the painting to Cornbury, but she cannot find any solid evidence that the portrait actually depicts Cornbury. Bonomi observed that the time of its identification with Cornbury happens to correspond to a period in English history during which the country was fascinated with the subject of crossdressing. There was much speculation at the time regarding the gender of the Chevalier d'Eon, who was representing France at the royal court. She also notes that similar charges of crossdressing were made in England towards George Washington in 1783 in an obvious attempt to ridicule and discredit him.

Bonomi does mention two other portraits that have been identified with Lord Cornbury, one of which was made in Geneva in 1681 when he was a 19 year old student there (Fig.2). She claims that several physical features, such as the forehead, nose, and chin, are not similar to the one in New York.

Central to Bonomi's thesis is that there do appear to be several issues that may have been at the basis for his rising unpopularity. She believes that there may have been anger, most notably in New Jersey, over some grievance, either perceived or real.

Among the many charges made against Cornbury is that he reportedly mismanaged finances. Bonomi shows that the charges appeared only in 1707 after he had been in office for five full years, and he was not alone in facing such claims. Cornbury's three immediate predecessors from 1689 were all accused of financial malfeasance as was his successor in the office. It was only when New York's debt was finally paid that the charges stopped being leveled at the colonial governors. One charge accused him of wasting money on an important trip to Albany to meet with the leaders of the Iroquois Confederacy. Cornbury did take gifts to the Iroquois leaders and was accompanied by an entourage, but the meeting was designed to keep the peace between the English and the Iroquois. Furthermore, he was charged with spending too much money on the military, but New York had the largest number of troops in British North America because of the strategic importance of its port, and Cornbury had little choice but to support those troops with food, clothing, and supplies. Bonomi also refutes the charge that he used the colonial treasury for his own personal use. She notes that Cornbury arrived in North America with a detailed list of possessions, and he continued to keep meticulous records of all he acquired, either through purchase or gift. This includes two pairs of black silk stockings which she presumes were for his wife and daughter. Cornbury was a solid Tory, while the colonies had many political factions, including a large number of Whigs. There was a lot of factionalism left from both the Glorious Revolution and Leisler's Rebellion, and she believes this helps explain his dilemma.

Bonomi also contends that religious dissent played a role. Cornbury was a loyal Anglican, while New Jersey had many Calvinists and Quakers. While New York also had its share of religious diversity, she surmises the religious factionalism was greater in New Jersey and may have contributed to his deteriorating relationship with some New Jersey leaders.

Of course, the charges of his crossdressing were, undoubtedly, considered the most serious of the time. Bonomi claims that the strong presence of Calvinism, which abhorred public displays of crossdressing, make it highly unlikely he would have attempted it either touring the colony or holding court. It was a sure way of destroying political effectiveness. Furthermore, the charges appear to have come from a total of four letters written by three individuals, and yet, not one ever stated they actually saw Cornbury crossdressed with their own eyes. They do claim he was witnessed by "hundreds of spectators," but no additional evidence is ever offered. She conjectures that he may have appeared in women's clothing at a masquerade ball, but that is as much as she is willing to speculate.

Bonomi analyzed newspapers of the era both in England and America. The Grub Street press of London often sensationalized news in the style of "yellow journalism," including exposés of London's Molly Clubs beginning in 1695, but not one of the British or American papers of the era that survive ever printed such a charge against Cornbury--and plenty of other charges were raised.

Bonomi does acknowledge that he could have been a closeted crossdresser, and word of this may have leaked to his enemies, but she cannot state emphatically that he was transgendered in some way. Bonomi admits he undoubtedly clothed himself in the authority of Queen Anne, but otherwise, she can neither support nor refute the long held claims of Cornbury's crossdressing.

The Lord Cornbury Scandal is a book that may not be well liked within the gender community. That does not make it a bad book. Clearly, Bonomi's study undermines the very case that Cornbury was transgendered although she admits, he may have been. Many groups, as they seek inclusion, often point to the accomplishments of those from their community from the past, but it is now no longer clear that the gender community can claim Cornbury. This book is still useful, however, in that the gender community can learn from the manner in which a person's character was maligned as others sought to destroy him by claiming he was a crossdresser. While the gender community may not be able to claim Cornbury with any certainty, Bonomi has provided an important lesson in smear politics and intolerance. The lessons of Cornbury's experiences certainly make his case applicable to the many social and political battles fought today.

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News Transmissions

A Salute to LEAGUE of LGBT United Employees at AT&T

By Phyllis Frye

On Saturday, May 2nd, I was an invited workshop presenter at the four days long, 7th Annual Professional Development Conference, entitled: "LEAGUE, AT&T and You: Partners in Business" in Tempe, AZ. LEAGUE had invited and paid me to come and present the workshop entitled ""Ambiguous Identity: What It Means to be Transgendered". The workshop went fine, and I was pleased that I was both invited and paid to give it. The last one that I did for LEAGUE was in Chicago two years ago. What surprised me most was what I read in the conference workbook. This eleven year old organization, which began in 1987 as the Lesbian and Gay United Employees of AT&T, had become bisexual inclusive in 1992 and became transgender inclusive, after my presentation in 1996. Their acronym of "LEAGUE" remained the same, but their official name is --LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, GAY AND TRANSGENDERED UNITED EMPLOYEES AT AT&T. I was blown away. As I read their 70+ page conference brochure, transgender and bisexual inclusion was throughout. Never was lesbian and gay mentioned that transgender and bisexual were not also included. Never was LG mentioned that it was not LGBT. Never. This was not like the recent fund-raising letter of HRC that sometimes remembers to mention bisexual and still cannot include the term transgender. This is the same HRC that will not have a fully transgender inclusive ENDA Bill introduced as being the "main" HRC bill.

According to the LEAGUE literature, there is also a LEAGUE within Lucent and NCR. LEAGUE works with the Human Resources staff to promote and value diversity (inclusive LGBT diversity) in the workplace. LEAGUE also developed the Safe Space Program which provides a means for managers and employees to create a supportive environment and easily convey this to the LGBT community through the display of a Safe Space magnet or decal. Reading their one page, tri-fold, glossy brochure is a delight because again transgender and bisexual are included from the very beginning and are continued throughout.

At the workshop and later at lunch, I was told that they do not have any OUT transgender folks in their offices or local LEAGUE chapters. I told them I would send this message out and hopefully their transgender folks will begin to come out. As I told them the transgender community is not growing: it is always there: it is merely beginning to emerge. The invitation was clearly there and it was clearly warm and wanting to help transgender folks to come out and be safe at work. If you work for AT&T and are LGB or T, the LEAGUE National Hotline is 703-713-7820. The Safe Space Peer Support Line is 312-230-5324. The web address is www.league-att.org. I strongly suggest that you join LEAGUE. I've been told that two years ago, Apple Lambda, the Apple Computer gay employees association, added "gender identity" to its charter because of Michelle Steiner. Hooray for Apple and Michelle! I've also heard from other OUT folks in other companies who are working to get TG into their queer employee group by-laws and names. I'll not yet list those because I've not been given permission. So I ask you all, if your company is willing to be OUT about your being a TG employee who is OUT, or your company already has a queer employee group and has included TG into the group by-laws or name, let me know. And whether you work for AT&T or not, I suggest that you tell LG organizations that cannot yet get their B&T inclusive act together yet, that the time is NOW!

Dana International Wins Eurovision Contest

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) -- Israelis took to the streets in celebration late Saturday, cheering and honking horns after homegrown Dana International, a transsexual, won the Eurovision song contest. Born Yaron Cohen to immigrant parents from Yemen, Dana International gained fame in Israel as a female impersonator in Tel Aviv night clubs. In 1993, Dana International underwent a sex change operation in London.

Her nomination in November to represent Israel in the contest caused a stir among some religious Jews, and several powerful Orthodox lawmakers had even considered trying to topple the government over the issue. Dana International, whose winning song "Diva," has been a hit in Israel for months, told Israel TV that her victory was a sign of changing times. "This just goes to show the world is open-minded and liberated. We are all equal," she said, after the show in Birmingham, England. But the ultra-Orthodox reaction was harsh. "God is against this phenomenon. It's a sickness you must cure and not give legitimacy," said Deputy Health Minister Rabbi Shlomo Benizri of the religious Shas party. "In order to win the Eurovision after 20 years, we had to send a gimmick. It's a sign of the bankruptcy of Israeli song," he added.

The win comes at a time of deepening rifts in Israeli society over the influence of religion in daily life and will likely be seen in Israel as a victory for secular Israelis. Dana International, whose dark gray figure-hugging dress with feathered sleeves was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, sings in Hebrew, Arabic, French and English. It was Israel's third victory in the song contest, making Jerusalem the venue for next year's show.

Dana International Official Biography

Dana International (singer) recorded her first album in 1993 and it quickly went gold. A year later, her second, Umpatampa was a platinum success and she was voted Israel's Best Singer of the Year. In 1996 Dana, a former drag artist, produced a third album, Magnuna (Insane in Arabic) which brought her a wider audience, not just in Israel but abroad as well. In Egypt and Jordan more than five million pirate cassettes were sold. Since then she has performed in Los Angeles and Miami.

Chicago Hopeful for a Friendlier Future

The April 29 episode of Chicago Hope featured a storyline which compassionately illustrated the difficulties which transgender youth often face as a result of their sexual identification. The episode featured a young child named Jonah Boyd (Shawn Pyfrom), who, although born a boy, seems to identify as a girl named Jessica. Jessica is brought to the hospital after sustaining injuries in a fight at school, and is treated by gay physician Dr. Dennis Hancock (Vondie Curtis-Hall). Jessica explains to the doctor that her classmates often pick on her, presumably because she does not conform to societal gender roles. When Dr. Hancock tells Jessica's mother, Valerie (Mackenzie Phillips) that Jessica will be fine, Valerie responds by telling Dr. Hancock that Jessica is not her daughter, but rather, her son, Jonah. Valerie and her boyfriend, Luther (Conor O'Farrell) later return to the hospital, and Dr. Hancock tells them that Jessica may have Gender Identity Disorder (GID), explaining to them that Jonah may feel like a girl trapped in a boy's body. While Valerie proceeds to ask Dr. Hancock for his advice, Luther simply dismisses the suggestions. Valerie brings Jessica back to Dr. Hancock later, because Jessica has apparently attempted suicide. Jessica tells him that Luther "screamed at my mom; he called me a fairy...he said that if he ever caught me wearing girls' clothes again, he'd cut off my...he said that if I wanted to be a girl, he'd make me a girl." Dr. Hancock speaks with Valerie and Luther, and tells them that "What's going on with Jonah can't be 'cured' by threats and intimidation. This is not a choice he's made," and later tells Valerie that "Jonah's not the only one that needs to change." In the end of the episode, Valerie comes to visit Jessica in her room, and brings Jessica's favorite doll. "So, doctor, what happens next?" she asks. "How does this work-this Gender Identity thing?" Dr. Hancock tells her that "there's no way to know, really-not yet...The important thing to remember is that Jonah will be happy if he's allowed to be who he really is." Jessica apologizes to her mother, but Valerie responds by telling her: "You have nothing to be sorry for, okay? I love you because you are my child. I'm the one that should be sorry. Luther's gone. He's not going to bother you anymore." Chicago Hope's candid portrayal of Jessica and her mother, as well as its intelligent discussion of GID, are refreshingly honest and positive. What's more, the episode eloquently addresses the emotional and physical victimization which so many transgender people face from a very early age. Jessica's attempt at suicide demonstrates the devastating effects of the brand of ignorance and hatred which Luther's abusive behavior exemplifies. Once again, Chicago Hope has proven its commitment to staying on the forefront of thoughtful, inclusive programming, and its unswayed support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

From GLAADAlert May 1, 1998

Transgender Care Center Opens In Pittsburgh

Friday, May 1, 1998 (PITTSBURGH, PA, USA) A new era in transgender care has begun in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A city that is known for so many medical "Firsts." For the first time in Trans History, a trans physician and surgeon, Dr. Sheila Kirk, has developed and is directing a facility specializing in complete transgender surgical and medical care. In addition, Dr. Kirk is performing MTF GRS, FTM top surgeries, hysterectomies and related surgical procedures for MTFs and FTMs. The facility is named the Transgender Surgical & Medical Center or TSMC and the offices are located at 2100 Jane Street, Medical Professional Building, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Trans Care by Transprofessionals

"This step is a first step for our community, " states Dr. Kirk, "a small step...when compared to the other steps that should and will follow in this relatively new discipline I like to refer to as Trans Care. However, it is an important step and signifies a positive shift that paves the way to fully utilize the immense medical and surgical talent that exists within our own community to help us treat our Sisters and Brothers. Transprofessionals caring for Trans people through all facets of their gender journey should be the norm not the exception. As TSMC grows, it is our goal to recruit Transprofessionals whose professional caliber and dedication matches TSMC's philosophy of providing the highest standards of excellence."

TSMC Team

Sheila Kirk, MD, F.A.O.G.-Board certified OB/GYN, Transgender Medicine Specialist/Surgeon, author of our community's best-selling medical books and the first Transgender physician elected to the HBIGDA board. In addition to performing MTF GRS, Dr. Kirk specializes in FTM top surgeries, hysterectomies and related surgical procedures for MTFs and FTMs.

J. William Futrell, MD, F.A.C.S.-Chief and Professor of the University Pittsburgh Medical Center, Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Department. One of the nation's most respected plastic surgeons, Dr. Futrell has vast experience in MTF/FTM GRS, feminization and masculinization of the face and related MTF/FTM surgeries.

Ernest K. Manders, MD, F.A.C.S.- Board certified in micro and plastic reconstructive surgery, Dr. Manders is Professor of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Specializes in Rib Removal & Male Pattern Baldness Surgery. In addition to MTF/FTM GRS, Dr. Manders specialties include his pioneered method for minimally invasive rib removal for MTFs and his pioneered techniques for correcting male pattern baldness.

TSMC Provides the Highest Standards of Care & Excellence

"It gives me great pleasure to be an associate of these highly-skilled and compassionate surgeons," Dr. Kirk said, "Our combined experience in transgender surgical and medical care and our mutual dedication will provide to our community the highest standards of care, concern and management throughout all stages of their medical and surgical needs."

Partnership with Local Physicians & Therapists

TSMC provides complete medical care for non-op, pre-op and post-op MTFs and FTMs including close partnership with one's local physician and mental healthcare provider in all medical matters in addition to hormonal therapy.

Surgical Procedures Offered at TSMC

Surgical procedures for the MTF individuals include Gender Reassignment Surgery, breast augmentation, face feminization, minimally invasive rib removal and a wide range of associated feminizing procedures. For FTM individuals:

phalloplasty, top surgery, hysterectomy, clitoral freeing, facial masculinization are among the services available including an innovative surgical procedure for male pattern baldness.

For more complete information on the services offered and general information, please contact Sheila Kirk, M.D. by phone (412) 781-1092, fax (412) 781-1096, e-mail TSMC@aol.com or snail mail: c/o TSMC, P.O. Box 38366, Blawnox, PA 15238. TSMC is a registered name.

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Movies

At the Movies

By Anne Casebeer

If you're interested in a movie that portrays a young transsexual's life and family relationships in a realistic light, then I recommend that you travel to your local video store on June 22, and rent Ma Vie En Rose (My Life In Pink). I was enthralled by the story, cinematography, and acting, especially since it was director Alain Berliner's first feature film. The young man who played Ludovic did a very good acting job in a role that could easily have become a joking matter if handled incorrectly. This is a movie that I would recommend to the TS whose family is struggling to accept their gender conflict; viewing this movie with them may be an eye-opener for them, and may foster some discussion and understanding. This movie probably won't be available in every video store because it is in French with English subtitles, but check out video stores in the areas around Vanderbilt, and stores that specialize in foreign and "art-house" movies; not every store will have it, but it will be well worth your search.

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Transbabble

Did you catch this week's South Park episode on Comedy Central? If you did, you were among about 6.2 million viewers who did, giving Comedy Central the highest rating ever for a basic cable entertainment series. The potty-mouth series drew high number for this episode because we finally found out who character Cartman's father is. The answer: Cartman's mother, who turns out to be a hermaphrodite

Tennessean, 04-25-98

Playing Dress-Up

For several Arizona Diamondbacks, the charter flight home was even uglier than their 12-6 loss to the Florida Marlins. After losing leads of 3-0 and 4-2, 10 of the younger players lost their civvies and wore women's clothing, a time-honored baseball initiation ritual. "It's tradition. It's part of the game. It's something we've all done, some of us more than once," veteran co-conspirator Matt Williams said. The anointed players found dresses hanging in their locker stalls when they walked into the clubhouse after the game. Most players changed willingly, even though it was evident some expense had been spared in selecting the outfits. "It's not hazing. Win or lose, it's been part of a tradition of a lot of players who have been here before us. It's all about doing it and being part of it. It's an experience we all will never forget," said Williams, made to do it twice by San Francisco veterans when he came up in the late 1980s.

USA Today, 04-28-98

"I don't know why I perform better as a woman: maybe the boots I wear as Norman are too heavy." Briton Norman Horton , who used to attend line-dancing classes as a man on Tuesdays and as "Norma," his transvestite alter-ego, on Wednesdays.

Newsweek, 04-27-98

A transsexual was elected to the county council of New Zealand's Grey District on South Island last week. Jacquie Grant, known as the "Trannie Grannie" for fostering over 50 children, became the first transsexual member of the New Zealand Order of Merit earlier this year.

Etc, 04-17-98

Thailand's annual transsexual beauty pageant returned March 29, after a 6-year hiatus. The new queen, Thanaporn Wong-prasert of Bangkok, said she will spend the $1300 prize money to make herself more beautiful.

Etc, 04-17-98

Transsexual's Marriage Causes Uproar in Turkey

Popular Turkish transsexual singer Bulent Ersoy is under fire in her predominately Muslim country because of her marriage April 4 to 21-year-old Cem Sacha Adler. Public outrage over the wedding may boost support for legislation pending before Parliament that would make sex change operations harder to obtain in Turkey. Under the proposal, a person would need to prove to a court that the surgery is indispensable to his or her well-being.

Etc, 04-24-98

Lifeboat Procedures In The Age Of Political Correctness

By Dina Amberle

My friend Marisa Richmond of the Tennessee Vals in Nashville, TN., had an interesting item in her Queen's Throne" column in their March 1998 newsletter. She mentioned a column she read in their local newspaper, The Tennessean, in which the "women and children first" rule of lifeboat chivalry was called into question in this new age of gender equality. The question was, of course, prompted by the film Titanic.

Marisa expanded the question to include the changing definition of gender. She writes, "Increasingly, we see gender is not binary. Several modern day writers have suggested we need not limit ourselves to just 2 genders. Some cultures have 7 or more. Given this, who gets saved in the next disaster?"

With this thought in mind, I imagined a modern day lifeboat boarding emergency which might run something like this: "Children under the age of consent in West Virginia.....all other children who are not on bail in criminal cases where they are charged as adults.....genetic females who did not support the ERA.....all other women who have never failed an Olympic hormonal test.....post-operative M2F transsexuals.....intersexed people living as females.....pre-operative M2F transsexuals in the real life test with certified therapist's letter....any F2M transsexuals who are now having second thoughts.....transgendered people now living full time as female.....anyone identifying as gender queer or who has ever questioned the cultural gender paradigm....outwardly effiminate men......F2M transgendered persons with or without hormonally induced facial hair.....crossdressers wearing any article of feminine undergarment beneath their pajamas and life jacket.....(glub glub glub).....and finally, any man other than ship's crew who is now identifying himself as shark bait."

The scary thing is that I probably left out a few points along the increasingly tortured gender spectrum. But, we gotta start somewhere......

From Renaissance News and Views, May 1998


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