Jennifer Richards: Parting Thoughts
Rita's Oh So Rambunctious Ramblings
Our Masthead Board of Directors
The StLGF is a non-profit, non-sexuall, social end educational organization open to all adults who believe in freedom of gender expression, Although our members are primarily male-to female crossdressers and male-to-female transsexuals; all members of the transgendered community, as well as supportive family members and interested professionals.
"The Gazette" is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For information please use our voice mail number (314) 367-4128.
All submissions become the property of StLGF, and should be accompanied by a release-to-print statement. Letters, articles, and/or pictures that include nudity, profanity, or obscenities will not be published.
We also reserve the right not to publish any other materials that we consider inappropriate. All issues are copyrighted. However, any nonprofit organization or publication may reprint articles or other information from this publication, provided they allow the free use of their materials by other non-profit organizations.
If you have any questions please write:
StLGF,
PO Box 9433, St. Louis, MO 63117,
or call us at
(314) 367-4128 or
Email the StLGF: StLGF@aol.com
December Meeting... except for a shortage of beef tenderloin (they may look like women but they sure eat ' like men!!!), the December meeting at our normal location was as a resounding success! Jamie Edwards deserves special accolades for her prize winning Wigstock performance (a work of creative genius! !) Special thanks go to Coco Amore for serving as mistress of cermonies for the modeling event, and to Jamie Edwards, Andrew, and Stephanie James and spouse for help with the decorations. Thanks also go to the many members (particularly Mr. CJ) who helped make our holiday collection for Doorways the most successful in our history!
January 20th Meeting... members are reminded that the next StLGF meeting will feature the theme Halloween in January. This event - another brainchild of our own Rambunctious Rambler, acknowledges the sacrifices of members (including Miss Rita herself) who attended Fall Harvest '95 instead of their traditional Halloween costume parties. Everyone, is invited to come in the costume of their choice... from period to kinky... whatever turns you on! This is a particularly good opportunity for new members who may not have had a chance to fully flesh out their femme wardrobe! Awards will be given for the most imaginative, most bizarre, best constructed, and most authentic costumes. In case you were wondering, we'll be encouraging our Host's lovely Staff to join in the fun and assist with the judging!
Speaking of Meetings... at its December 7 meeting, members of the StLGF Board unanimously voted to implement a "donation" of $5.00 per meeting to allow us to continue meeting at our Host's place pending permanent approval by a vote of the general membership at the June business meeting. Except for the September meeting, we have consistently fallen short of the 35 paid attendees needed for our organization to break even. Our best deal with our hosts stipulates $125 per night ($25 per hour) rental plus $7.50 per person food charge (30 guaranteed = $225) for a total of $350 per meeting. Unfortunately, our records suggest that a few members are also failing to pay the previously established $10.00 meeting fee. Beginning in January, the Hostess will solicit $15. OO for each attending member, spouse, and guest
Library Issues... Pam Carter, our librarian, has informed me that we continue to have a problem with unreturned items. We ask your help in returning books, magazines, and videos to the library in a timely fashion (i.e. no later than the meeting following check-out). We continue to appreciate donations of strictly educational materials to the library. However, donated materials of primarily prurient interest are not needed and will be discarded.
Jennifer Richards: Parting Thoughts
by JoAnn Roberts
Jennifer Richards - transgender community activist, member and past-president of StLGF, and founder of MAGGIE - died at age 44 on December 22, 1995 of AIDS related complications.
I met Jennifer Richards in 1992 at the IFGE convention in Houston. I was asked if I would present her with a Trinity Award. I had not known Jennifer before that. When I read her biography and saw how much she had done for the community, long before the Phyllis Fryes and Ricki Wilchins, I was truly impressed. I could not wait to meet her. So, let me tell you a little about Ms. Richards.
She was originally from the Philadelphia area, but left to find her fortune on the West Coast. Settling in Portland, Oregon, she soon became heavily involved in both the gay and transgender communities there. In 1983, Jennifer co-produced one of the major West Coast transgender events - Dream '83. She also did a cable-television talk show in Portland as Fairy Tyler Moore, her drag-personna.
After moving to St. Louis, Jennifer got involved with what was then the St. Louis Gateway Femmes, a rather conservative organization. She helped open the organization to new ideas and the group changed its name to the St. Louis Gender Foundation. Jennifer served StLGF as its President and Vice President.
Jennifer was the main force behind the first regional coalition of transgender support groups, the Mid-America Gender Group Information Exchange (MAGGIE). She also served the national community as vice-chair of the Congress of Transgender Organizations from 1993 to 1994, and served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the IFGE Trinity Awards for 1993 and i 994.
Jennifer was such a delight to be around. She was bubbly and vivacious. Everywhere she went, she made people feel good about themselves. As a result, she was often honored herself with awards of all kinds - Miss Dream, 1980; the "Maggie" 1992, the Jennifer Richards Humanitarian Outreach Award, 1992; IFGE Trinity Award, 1992; Princess of the Poconos, 1994.
We became close friends back in 1992. We just hit it off instantly. I can say that knowing Jennifer was a great joy for me. We shared a few really great times together. The last time I saw Jennifer was October 1995 at the Fall Harvest in St. Louis. She was thin, haggard and cranky, but her spirit was indomitable. I am diminished greatly by her death. She will be buried in Philadelphia. [Editor's Note: JoAnn Roberrs is a national transgender activist, and cofounder of Renaissance]
by Jordynne Lobo
Many of us remember Jennifer Richards. Many of us had never met her. She was, for quite a while, the biggest of the big sisters the St. Louis Gender Foundation has known.
This is a simple eulogy. When I was in the darkest, most awful closet I wrote to Jennifer. Inside a greeting card, whose frontis piece was a black & white fashion photograph of Joan Crawford in a coquettish pose, Jennifer replied with all her characteristic energy and good humor:
Congratulations[ You have made a step to a healthier outlook You are troubled by your feelings....so come meet us!
I would be happy to assist you and walk you to the meeting. So, come out dear....and feel good, healthier, more confident, and spirited.
Bring a can or two of food for our holiday charity box for AIDS victims.
Ask your 1,000 questions....I'll help you learn.
She kept the promises she had written in that card. She kept them. And having gotten to know so many StLGF sisters I learned she had kept those same promises to so many of us. And in meeting so many more persons in the Queer Community, I learned of the happy glow she gave to so, so many others, too. Tiffany Scott, performing at The "Front Page" on the night Jennifer died, spoke over the mike, with the stage symbolically empty, of happy, zany things Jennifer had shared, and of our feelings for her. There were no dry eyes in the house.
Whether, or not, you knew Jennifer, take the message she wrote in that first card to a scared sister, and let it be your credo. Take the love you've found here with your StLGF sisters and brothers and give it, yourself, to others.
This is how we honor Jennifer Richards: In helping others, her spirit lives. And if there is a meaning to Jennifer's life, it is plain in your faces each time you come to an StLGFmeeting. Your smile is a gift from Jennifer. Share it, and she lives.
Rita's Oh So Rambunctious Ramblings
by Rita Amore
Dear ones...If you missed the December meeting, you missed a lot. Exquisite holiday attire, as showcased in our holiday fashion show; some very serious hair paraded in our first annual Wigstock Big Hair Contest; and the wonderful upstairs ambiance of our Host's made this the best holiday meeting ever. Janmie Edwards won the Wigstock contest (you expected anyone else?) with a pile of hair you couldn't believe. I heard she became a holiday yard decoration on the South Side for the rest of the season. We were also honored by the presence of former members Jana, Kitty, Lorraine, and Ramona. Thanks for re-joining us.
WHAT'S UP?...Don't forget our February meeting has been moved to the 17th, one week after Iowa's "Gala Ball" in Cedar Rapids. "Ladies in Red" for all you Valentine lovelies lurking out there will be our meeting theme. Prizes will be awarded in secret categories so be creative, Girls, and think red! Rumors abound that Shannon Jackson has a deep red body stocking for this event.
The Annual Club Follies is booked at the Front Page for March 2nd, 8:00-10:00 P.M. This is our primary club fundraiser, and we need to raise some serious amounts. Performers, helpers, audience folk and friends are needed to make this a success. More info will follow at our next meeting.
TV SPORTS...No, this is not a listing of upcoming NFL playoff games on the tube, my Lovelies. A December 13th STL Post-Dispatch snippet had this beaut:
Colin Thomason ran his 1861h marathon last week in Culver City, Calif. He said he has run the last 86 wearing a dress. The choice of attire tends to produce this probing question: Why? Seems that Thomason is from Wales, and he says it's a tradition to run in a dress after one's 100th marathon. On this occasion, Thomason wore an orange and black ensemble and carried daffodils."
The Lovely One needs 98 more marathons to enjoy this rich tradition, but I don't think I'll make it. I believe, however, Miss Joyce LaFontaine is close enough that she's already chosen her outfit to wear for her 100th. That's our Joycie. You go, Girl!
A new all-gifts motorcycle group has formed in the Gateway. The group's acronym is J.U.G.G.S. (Just Us Girls Gettin' Scooters). I know, I know, Chrissie, you want to join just because you like the group's name. But you don't have what it takes, Sweetheart -- a motorcycle. Besides, you're a charter member of BITCH (Benevolent Independent Truckers Cross-dressing Happily), and you don't have time for both.
GENDER POLITICS...Did you read in the national media around last fall's elections about the drag queen, Kitty Cole, running for mayor of Palm Springs? It seems Kitty decided to get her fifteen minutes of fame by running as a flamboyant queen in the town that once had Sonny Bono as mayor. Well, guess what...this 6' 5" peroxide blonde, micro-mini skirted bombshell got only 270 votes. Fame is fleeting, Kitty. St. Louis will have mayoral primaries this fall, and the gender community needs representation for sure. Let's see, a more business-oriented wardrobe might get the conservative vote; ahh -- our own Elegant One and her Liz Claiborne collection for mayor of the Gateway. Don't you think her experience as our current President should help?
I know crossdressing is going mainstream when the OpEd page of the paper and those ever-too-serious commentators start referring to crossdressing in their columns. It happened in Maureen Dowd's column for the New York Times when she said, "The rampant party switching is like crossdressing. It usually goes one way -- 137 Democratic office holders nationwide have switched to the Republican Party since Clinton was elected." I guess the Elegant One will have to become a Republican in order to run for mayor of St. Louis.
SPIR1T GENDERING...The Lovely One and Miss Coco had the pleasure of attending the "All Gospel Female Impersonation Show" at Christ the King Church on December 2nd. This show at the alternative church starred Amanda Blake and Veronica Lakke and their guests performing "Religious Acts for God" in the sanctuary. Through music, acting, and costurning, the show had a reverent tone and raised funds for the church. Even in an alternative church, crossdressing is more than avant garde, and many congregants are not ready for men in dresses taking center stage. Bravo to these brave souls breaking new gender ground.
UNTlL NEXT TIME, MY LOVELIES... Thanks for the memories, Jennifer!
by Shannon Gayle
While most of you were attending Fall Harvest in St. Louis, Gayle and I made our annual trek to the "City that doesn't Sleep."
On Friday night I dressed in my Black Vampiress outfit and Gayle in her Bellhop outfit. We had scouted out a party at the The Cave but on the way there I though it world be fun to see how much attention we could attract at the local Hooters. Needless to say we didn't know that our Hooters appearance would cause all those problems with the EEOC in our federal courts. There was a bachelor party in progress on the patio. We waltzed by and received much attention. These guys thought that we were girls! Our waitress Jennifer proceeded to entice us to enter the first annual "Hooter Girl" costume contest for guys on Saturday night. She fixed us up with shirts, orange shorts and even a name tag. Although 15 guys had signed up she assured us that none of the others could possibly stack up to us. We thought that one of us would win the $100 first prize. After this attention, the party at The Cave was a let down, although the decorations were awesome.
Saturday we got dressed up for our yearly jaunt through Caesar's Palace to see how much commotion we could cause. Unfortunately our prime seats were taken at the main bar because of a packed house watching the World Series game. I caused quite a stir in the mens room, as about 25 guys thought a woman had invaded their space.
We then went back to the hotel and changed into our Hooters outfits. We were very disappointed to find out that only 4 of the 15 entrants had the guts to go through with the escapade. I was also disappointed to find out that the restaurant patrons did the judging. A local contestant, in clown drag won the $100 prize, as he had all his friends applauding for him. As runner-up I received a bouquet of flowers, which I gave to one of the waitresses.
It was at this point that Gayle began her bout with the stomach flu. Being the troopers we were, we headed off to the 25th annual "Beaux Arts Ball" on the top floor of the Riviera Hotel. It was packed with many show girls and celebrities. Two of the world famous "Rockettes" entered and won prizes as twin Lady Godivas.
On Sunday we went to the Starlight Express at the Hilton, for awhile and then decided to turn in at a decent hour to prepare for the next two nights of partying. Monday night we attended the "Monday Night Football" party at the Sahara, where we were staying. I was the She-Devil and Gayle wore her Black Vinyl. I had fun with a retired couple sitting next to me. The husband wasn't expecting to be sitting with Too Wong Foo, Julie Newmar. We then headed to the costume party at the Badlands Bar.
On Halloween night we attended a costume contest and party at the Continental Casino, before attending the huge bash at the Rio Hotel. It didn't begin until midnight and my wakeup call was at 5: 15 am. So needless to say I had only one hour of sleep. The Club Rio is a magnificent round room with huge TV screens on the walls and wild video effects of the 600 or so people in costumes at the party. We ran in to our old friend George Burns again and made new friends with Catwoman and another Wonder Woman (one not as authentic as Gayle).
While there we purchased our matching outfits for next year and are making plans for a 1996 Halloween in Vegas. No other city can match Las Vegas for its excitement and parties!!!
TS WINS EMPLOYMENT
DISCRIMINATION DECISION IN
EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
Press For Change (The UK's Lobbying group for Transsexual Rights) has achieved a first. In the case of P v S and Cornwall County Council, the Attorney General recommended to the European Court of justice that the principle of equal treatment for men and women be held to cover transsexuals. The decision, if confirmed by the Court (and it is rare for such recommendations to not be ratified) means that it will be unlawful to discriminate against a male or female TS on the grounds that they are going to have or have had sex reassignment.
Although the legal decision only affects European transsexuals, it is the first case law decision in the WORLD to achieve employment protection for transsexuals. This decision is of particular significance in the UK where postoperative transexuals (including the famed Carolyn Cossey, a.k.a. Tula of Playboy center-fold fame) have been unable to change their birth certificates and have been prohibited from marrying someone with the same sex designation at birth (e.g., a male to female TS cannot many a male).
The case involved a male to female TS, P, who worked as a senior manager in a Cornwall Education Establishment. On informing her employers that she was undergoing sex reassignment, and wished to come to work as a woman, she was informed that she would not be allowed to work during the period of her transition, and that her contract would be terminated if she did not return to work (as a man). P brought an action before an Industrial Tribunal claiming that she had suffered discrimination on the grounds of sex. Both S and County Council claimed that she had been dismissed for other reasons. However, The Tribunal found that the true reason for dismissal was the objection to P's intention to undergo sex reassignment.
At this stage the Tribunal found that English law provides no protection to transsexuals, it long being the case that under the Sex Discrimination Act that all an employer needed to show was that they would have treated a transsexual of either sex in the same manner. However the Attorney General approached the question differently. Be asked not whether P would have been dismissed ff she had in fact been a female to male transsexual, but rather if she would have been dismissed if she had remained a man. Holding that she would not have been, he argued that there was no reason for not upholding a claim that there had been discrimination by reason of sex, or as he put it: "on grounds of sex, if that is preferred".
The Attomey General further argued that discrimination is frequently to do with the social roles of women rather than their physical characteristics, similarly discrimination suffered by transsexuals is linked to moral judgements which have nothing to do with their abilities in the sphere of employment. As the Court has a duty to ensure that the general principles of Community Law are upheld, and as these include a respect for certain fundamental rights, one of which is the elimination of discrimination based on sex as expressed in the directive, then the directive must be held to cover changes from one sex to another as much as it covers whether a person is discriminated against because they are a man or woman.
Specifically, the statute provides: that "It shall be unlawful employment practice for an employer to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual ... because of such individual's .. sex. According to the Attorney General, the statute recognizes a universal fundamental value: the irrelevance of a person's sex with regard to the rules regulating relations in society.
In recent years the courts made discrimination claims by transsexuals impossible to pursue. According to the 1993 Employment Law Project of The International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy the courts have: gone out of their way to find that existing federal non-discrimination laws do not apply to transgendered individuals. They have repeatedly held that the word "sex" in existing law be given its plain meaning and is not to encompass transsexuals. Even in the USA, no court has found that Title VII of the 1965 Civil Rights Act applicable to discrimination cases brought by transsexuals.
This recommendation comes at the same time as a new bill is being introduced in the UK which will allow legal gender status change for transsexuals. Furthermore, the European Commission of Human Rights has again recommended a case concerning a TS to be forwarded to the Court. Perhaps we are beginning to see a change in the stream of legal opinion which has quite systematically discriminated against the human rights of transgendered individuals
Adapted by EC from articles downloaded from the AOL Transgender Community Forum
by Erika Cantrell
Most transgendered people have significant, legitimate concerns regarding the security of personal information. Unfortunately, the electronic age has brought with it many new threats to our privacy. Some of these threats are particularly insidious... such as the profiling of personal purchasing preferences based on credit card charges. Other threats are more easily dealt with if you are aware of them.
One of the greatest but avoidable risks to privacy particularly n the vicinity of your own home - relates to "radio broadcasting" off conversations made on portable or cellular phones. Without the use of expensive digital technology, all conversations made on portable or cellular phones are vulnerable to interception by scanners, which are now owned by many private citizens.(Actually, I have a $200 police scanner that will do this.--CK) Although it is technically illegal to listen in on other peoples phone conversations there's no way to hearing sensitive information. You can also unknowingly reveal your identity to individuals with caller I.D.
For these reasons, most of us should consider the following simple precautions. First, use hard-wired, nonportable phones. Second, if you must use a portable or cellular phone don't say anything you wouldn't want others to hear. Third, block caller ID when appropriate. ID transmission in regions served by Southwestern Bell Telephone can be blocked by simply entering *67 on your touch tone phone prior to dialing the desired telephone number. (Be wary of SWB's call return function. A caller ID block call can still be called back by call return. You can visualize the problem, "Is this 555-5555?""No this is 555-5556" Never give out your phone number unless you know who is getting it. You're sunk. CK)
Kwik Kwik Klips February Meeting Rescheduled
The February 10 "St. Valentine's Day Party" has been reseheduled for February 17 to allow members to attend the Gala Ball sponsored by Iowa Artistry.
We're Just One of Many Kolours!
The editors of Les Talk have initiated a new and inclusive publication for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community, Kolours. Erika Canttall has a regular column entitled "Not for Transgenders Only". The first two articles in the column were personalized discussions that addressed the limitations of existing transgender labels and of applying conventional definitions of sexual orientation to transgendered people. The next article will deal with the impact of gender and sexual stereotypes on transgender expression. Shannon Jackson designed the cover graphics for the second issue. Other members are invited to contribute to the column. Potential submissions can be forwarded to Erika c/o StLGF or by e-mail at StLGF@aol.com.
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