March's Meeting: Saturday, March 21
We'll be meeting at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, 5PM March 21, for a special viewing of the critically-acclaimed and Oscar-nominated film "Ma Vie En Rose", which has a TG theme. Afterwards, we'll go out to dinner and discuss the film, the trip to the IFGE Convention in Toronto, and the upcoming Lobby Days in April.
Activities in Kentuckiana & Beyond
"Crossing Borders" 1998 IFGE Convention, Toronto, Ont. March 24-29
1998 GenderPAC Lobby Days, Washington, DC, April 19-21. See press release.
Pride Ball, April 25, The Parthenon, Nashville, TN.
Be-All, June 10-14. PO Box 15237, Pittsburgh, PA., 15230 412-224-6015
VERTIGO's March Events of Interest - 123 W. Main Street, Lexington, KY.
Saturday March 14th - Lingerie Show by Marshae's Lingerie --- Male and Female
Models --- Everything from conservative to risque lingerie !!! $5.00 Cover.
No "Sneak Peaks" Please.
Saturday March 21 - Fashion Show by Isle of You --- The last one was a sold
out SMASH!!! Get to see all the hottest new spring fashions. Live Coverage by
"Real Opinions" $5.00 Cover
Blatant Transgender Discrimination At The US Census Bureau, Jeffersonville, IN.
by Angela Fox Bridgman, Outreach Coordinator
Who would have ever thought that an agency of the United States Federal Government would engage in blatant discrimination? Certainly, I did not think so. However, sadly, that is the case. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census was my employer, from November 17, 1997 until February 17, 1998. I worked at their facility in Jeffersonville, IN. In January, 1998, several employees filed false and misleading allegations in reference to my conduct in the workplace. I was charged with, among other things, conduct which was not in line with common decency or morality, including the use of obscene or offensive language, sexual harassment, and, taking reprisal action against an employee in anticipation of, or in retaliation for filing a grievance or complaint, or other exercise of rights, to quote the actual complaint I received. More simply put, I was accused of making inappropriate remarks about my sexuality, or gender, of sexual harassment, and of stalking a fellow employee. Four employees were quoted in the formal complaint, and the four employees are a clique that have worked together at Census for many years.
These particular employees, and others, since the day I stared working there, referred to me, openly, and amongst themselves as "shim" (thier hybrid of "she" and "him"), as well as "it" and "that thing". On several occasions, these employees also made cruel jokes, to and about me, and also, on more than one occasion, deliberately continued to refer to me in male gender pronouns, despite my numerous requests that they stop. There was much hostility directed at me from these, and other employees. Other employees were very supportive of me, and often comforted me, and made attempts to correct the others, when they could see that the treatment I was receiving was upsetting me. My supervisors, on the other hand, did nothing, and were most likely a part of the above mentioned clique. I also took steps on my own, to try to deal with the situation in an appropriate manner, but, unfortunately, nothing was done about the numerous requests and suggestions I made to allieviate the problems. Initially, I requested, through the Employee Assistance Program, and my immediate supervisors, that some sort of sensitivity training be conducted in my unit, to sensitize my co-workers to the difficulties I was facing as a direct result of their treatment of me. This request was never acted upon, despite the fact that I requested it often, in fact, almost every week. I also requested to be transferred out of the unit I was working in, as it was a hostile work environment. Again, my requests fell on deaf ears. I also made numerous requests of my immediate supervisors to keep certain people away from me, and to keep me away from certain people, by not assigning me to work in the same area in which they were working. This was a request which could have been easily accomodated, yet, once again, my repeated requests for intervention were ignored. Needless to say, no one in management ever went out of their way to tell me that we had a union at the Census Bureau, and that they could possibly be of some help.
I responded, truthfully, to the allegations, yet my defense was completely and totally ignored by my immediate supervisors. The signed statements of twelve of my fellow employees were also ignored, in the course of which I am reluctant to call an investigation. Two days after my response was filed to these allegations, the recommendation came back that I be removed from my position at the Census Bureau. There is no way that a thorough, complete, impartial, and unbiased investigation could possibly have been conducted in two days (I mean, we ARE talking Government here....they can't even blow their noses in two days, let alone, conduct a thorough investigation.) Certainly, the "investigation" was not conducted in an impartial, unbiased fashion, as required by law, nor was a thorough investigation conducted. I know for a fact that my response to the allegations was not even read by my immediate supervisors, becuase I had turned three pages of my response upside down, and when my response was given back to me, the same three pages were still upside down! Furthermore, this recommendation probably taints any possibility of any unbiased investigation taking place by the Personnel unit at the local level, although one is now under way.
The Jeffersonville Census Bureau facility was a hostile work environment for me, and I feel that it is impossible, at this time, for an unbiased investigation to be conducted on that level, because my fellow employees are unable to speak the truth freely, without the fear of reprisals from supervisors, and fellow employees. This has been affirmed by my union representative, and by a number of fellow employees. Also, the lack of impartial and unbiased investigation into these false allegations which have been made against me has adversely affected my physical and mental health. For these reasons, I have been compelled to resign my position with the Census Bureau. This is a matter which will have to be investigated from somewhere other than the local level, and that is not possible, as long as you are a Federal employee. The rules require you to go through your local level EEO office, as opposed to taking it to the unbiased outside. There seem to be more options outside this particular workplace, and I am contemplating and considering a number of legal options at this time aimed at obtaining redress for what was done to me, as well as protecting the other transgendered people who work for Census.
A note: After this went to press, the Census Bureau convened a full investigation, and Angela was able to tell her side of the story to an investigator from the Dept of Commerce. I suspect that the publicity derived from the publishing of this story in "The Letter", as well as Angela's contacts with Senator McConnell's office had much to do with this. I can only hope that the outcome is favorable. - Ed.
With No Apologies
By Dawn Josephine Wilson, CEO
Legacy
There is a road less traveled by many in this world. It is a road of courage, strength, and love. Febuary 14th, 1998, will now and forever be a day that I will never forget. On this day I lost a friend, a cohort and a partner in crime, someone who was my teacher, drill sergeant, and role model. That person was my aunt, Luella Brown, who was my mom for 25 years. She was a unique character. Her and her husband of 54 years not only raised me, but more than 3 generations in our family as well. They had no children of their own- We were it! After my Mom and Dad died, John and Luella Brown stepped in and took over. I became their life and their passion.
In watching them I gained courage and strenght. With her guidence, I developed self control, respect and tolerance. She taught me the value of life and living with the choices you make. It was through her and her husband that I came to experience acceptance. Seven years ago, I came out to them as a transgendered person. At first they were angry, but in 48 hrs they were more understanding. Now, I will say that it was rough, and there were many comments about it. But to my surprise, this 70 year old and 80 year old were reading not just the literature I gave them, but did some research on thier own as well. You see, they knew several GLBT persons of color, from John Homer, to Sweet Evening Breeze, to my own cousin Calvin. They had been to the gay nightclubs in Lexington and Chicago and knew many of the performers personally. They also knew the pain of isolation that they felt. Luella and John refused to let that happen to me. They were protective of me, and helped me sort out my inner demons. My aunt told some family members, gained their support, then went about preparing me by giving me quick blast of what people would say to me. My aunt would critize my makeup, my wardrobe, and my choice of companions. My uncle would vocally express his disapproval of my habits. As time went on I wondered if I would ever fit in.
God sent the answer twice. In December of 1995, 3 days before Chrismas, they accompanied their newly christened daughter, Dawn, out to dinner at Columbia Steak House. There, we were met by 2 TS friends of mine. A good time was had by all and they picked up the tab. Over the next two years, we informed more members of the family of my choice. THE BIG BREAK CAME IN 1996, when the episode "Crossing Over" aired on the ABC news magazine 20/20. I appeared in the first 40 seconds of the segment, and my whole family saw it. They all tried to hide it from my parents, fearing the worst, but they were relieved to know that they had already watched and loved it!
It would be June of 1997 before I realized all they had done for me, when their health began to deteriorate. First John, then Luella. I slept in ICU, CCU, in their rooms in the hospital and the nursing home. I played doctor and nurse to Luella for 3 weeks before I allowed her to join John at the nursing home. It was there that I realized that they understood me, that I understood them. You see, they had a transsexual nurse to which they in unison annouced to the world, "She's Just Like You!" I was shocked, but elated that they got it. Over the Next few months, John and Luella would make friends that were GLBT. John would die in November with dignity. Now Luella has followed on Valentine's Day, and I was at the bedside of both.
As the cold rain fell, I sat with my family and an old friend, and made the final arrangements for Luella Brown. It was quite strange and very sad for him, too, because he is the undertaker, and a minister as well. His family has buried the elite of Lexington for years. I grew up with John, he was the class clown, who worked part time in the family business. Tonight it was the class clown who came to conduct this heart wrenching business, and it was much appreciated. He was present when I left Pleasant Green, and he knew why. His comment that day to Reverend Peoples was this: " You have made a grave error in judgement." One of my cousins, who is a missionary and evangelist, spent her time consoling us all. She is quite special to me, since she works with GLBT people of color, and respects my office of deaconess. We have engaged in lengthy business and religious conversations since she has been here. It has helped with the healing process. More and more, as time marches on, my heart is heavier. With Luella's passing, I will slowly begin to lead this family, but it will not be easy....
In the hours since Luella's death, I have received over 100 phone calls and E-Mails from friends & family, alike. In fact, my E-Mail server is totally full! Thanks to all of you for all the prayers and kindness expressed to me at this time of bereavement, for myself and my family. It was very much appreciated. Unlike many in this community, I had a very close relationship with my family and my parents. Because of this fact I am well adjusted and very much blessed. I count myself blessed in having such a close family. Luella and John did their job well. We as a family learned respect, tolerance, courage, etc.... But, more importantly, we were loved. The pain of the loss will be strong but the good memories we have will last for generations. To all my friends whose families have turned their back on them, I'd like to recommend that you read Luke 6:37-41. In this scripture, Jesus attacks the pious, conservative folks. The scripture begins " Judge not lest thou be judged........ " The rest is elementary.
On Angela Bridgeman's unfair treatment by the Census Bureau, make no mistake about it I do not leave my own behind! Not only have I been advising Angela, but I have called in a few markers on her behalf. The sad part about this whole affair is that she may have been sold out by members of the GLBT community. But let me just say this "They who trouble their own house shall inherit the wind...." Success is it's own revenge, and Angela will be successful..... hang in there girl!
Love, Dawn Josephone Wilson
3rd National Lobbying Days April 19-21, 1998
GenderPAC
gender, affectional, & racial equality
Who
Lobby Day is open to *everyone* interested in "gender, affectional, and racial equality," and is sponsored by: GenderPAC, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Bi-Net USA, It's Time America!, the Int'l Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), F-to-M International, the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA), Transgender Officers Protect & Serve (TOPS), and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).
What
Lobbying Days: Up to two days of lobbying our Congressional Representatives on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual minorities, including employment discrimination, hate crimes, HIV funding, and same-sex marriage.
Sunday Night, April 19th
An intensive workshop, starting at 3:00 PM, on national policy (what our national queer groups are doing and why) plus skills training sessions like "Getting Your Story in the News", "How to Lobby 101", "Press Releases That Work", plus full, free information kits to hand out on Capitol Hill on Lobbying Day on a variety of issues. In the past, professional lobbyists and field organizers from HRC and NGLTF have addressed these sessions.
Mon & Tues, April 20th & 21st
Two days of lobbying, educating, and advocacy on Capitol Hill. No experience necessary.
Where
Washington DC, at the a hotel right off the beautiful
University of Maryland campus in College Park, MD. The Metro is
only 3 blocks away. Many restaurants and a shopping center are
just 2 blocks away.
Cost
Everything except rooms is free - Just be there! The Metro is only @$4 per day (car unnecessary). Shared overnight rooms are @$35 per night per person (@$75 single occupancy). Some limited scholarships available for those of us who are students or un/under-employed.
How
To register, supply the information below and send to: Riki@Pipeline or LobbyDay@Gpac.Org Or, send the same information by mail to: GenderPAC, Att: R. A. Wilchins, 274 W 11th St, Rm 30, NYC 10014. For questions, please call (212)645-1753.
1) HOME STATE (:2) NAME (yours, not ours):
3) ADDRESS (confidential):
Street:City/State/Zip:Phone:Email:
4) YOUR SENATORS (2):
5) YOUR REPRESENTATIVE (1):
6) I would like to donate $25 to help someone
who needs a scholarship attend Lobby Day.
RuthAnn's Reflections
by RuthAnn Esther Asmus, Webmistress
Friday, February 13, I had my first Boys and Girls Club volunteer experience. I was worried about how well I would be "read". I wouldn't say I was very nervous--just very hopeful but uncertain that I would be accepted there. The majority of the children in the computer center there were African - American girls. I've heard that they are best able to "read" a T*. I guess that's part of the reason I decided to wear a turtleneck.
Of course, being the new person there, I was the center of inspection--you know those glances and conversations and giggles that go around you. I was a little concerned, but eventually a table of girls asked me if I did my own nails. I told them I did, and they asked me if I did other people's nails. They also told me that they thought my nails were fake. I took that as a big complement. In fact, the topic appeared to be the "ice-breaker" that brings relief. One of the girls wanted me to do her nails, and someone produced some polish, so I filed the ends of her nails (they were short and in pretty bad shape--it appears she bites her nails) and put some polish on her nails. It was actually kind of fun. Later on, some other girls were asking me questions about where I was from and all that, and asked me how I felt about being the only girl growing up with 3 brothers. I told them it wasn't so bad--my brothers were pretty nice to me. It was certainly best not to tell them too much!
RuthAnn Asmus
Jill's Ambrosia
By Jill Ambrose
My Thoughts On A Hush-Hush Matter
Using Women's Restrooms Enfemme
Fast Food Restaurants
Many fast food restaurants offer the opportunity to use their facilities, but look for those where the volume of traffic is light, and try to avoid those where large groups of children and teens congregate, such as McDonald's. Except at peak food serving times, you should be able to go at almost any fast food location without sharing the bathroom with someone else. A few good places include Hardee's, The Big Boy Chain, Carl's Jr., Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Arby's, Taco Bell and White Castle. I'm sure there are others, but my observations indicate that these places are usually safe and except at very busy times, any of the above would be a good choice.
Some, but not many fast food establishments provide a restroom which can be locked. It would not hurt to scout out a few locations in areas where you normally eat and shop.
Shopping Malls
Shopping malls can present a problem, but usually one can sit in the food court near the restrooms and watch for a time when the facility is not being used. Many malls have multiple restrooms and at least one of them will be in a low usage area.
Get Gas, Relieve Yourself
Most gasoline service stations have a single person facility which can be accessed quite easily, even though many require a key. Simply ask for the key and use whichever door the key fits. Many businesses are going to a Unisex approach because of cost factors involved in providing separate facilities, which is good for all of us.
Discount Department Stores
Quite a few discount department stores, that are not located in a shopping mall, have restrooms which are open to the public and see minimal use.
High Traffic Locations
Some places with high traffic volumes, such as airports and bus stations, which at first glance one might tend to avoid, can be utilized, because most people there are in a hurry and are inclined to get in and out rather quickly
Motel Chains
Another spot to consider would be any of the motel chains, which usually have public restrooms just off the lobby.
On The Road Again
Almost any restaurant with patron seating would be a good candidate for a relief stop, as would most public libraries. Many churches which are open during the day have public facilities. Most of the above suggestions also apply while traveling. My gut feeling would be to avoid truck stops, and be very careful when using the facilities in rest areas along the interstates.
General Hints
When the need arises to 'inspect the plumbing', it is generally best to head right for the restroom before making contact with anyone in the establishment, except in those cases where you need a key. The fewer people who have a chance to look you over, the better.
Act as if you belong there and walk right in without hesitation. If the restroom is crowded, you can always turn around and leave. If people come in while you are in a stall, simply wait until they leave. Sit down if possible, and always remember to lower the seat and never stand facing the toilet. Do not linger in the powder room. If a situation arises where someone should challenge you, I would suggest an attitude of humility. Explain that you are only there to relieve yourself and hope that they will understand that it is more prudent to use the women's restroom dressed as you are. If they are still upset, apologize and leave quickly.
With experience in the real world, you will eventually acquire a knack of knowing where to go and those places to avoid. I hope that a few of my thoughts will be of assistance to you in the future.
For Emergency Use Only!
Last, but not least, carry a portable potty in your car for those times when nothing else seems feasible.
Venturing Beyond the US Border Enfemme
This story should be considered a work in progress, with the final story posted after I return from Toronto.
The Planning
For the better part of last year, I had planned on attending the Texas "T" Party this spring, but several things changed my plans. One of the biggest factors was time. There is only so much vacation time to spread around and so many places to go. The second factor was money. I'm not saying that it's a big concern, but I've been known to pinch a penny now and then. I imagine that it was fate that intervened. I have been on the email list of the Bluegrass Belles for some time now and just recently joined the group. One of the posts mentioned a "Van" going to Toronto.
The Van
After some investigation and an exchange of
email, I discovered that members of the group were going to 'van
pool' to the IFGE Conference in Toronto, and that I would be
welcome to tag along if that was what I wished. Well, I did wish
to go along, and my previous plans to attend the "T"
party started going down the drain. After all, with 5 or 6 girls
sharing expenses, the cost would be considerably less than flying
to Texas, plus there is sure to be good fellowship along the way.
The Trip
Tentative plans call for the contingent to meet at Anne's in Louisville and stay over night to insure an early start on the 24th of March. The routing will be north on I-71 to I-75, with a brief stop in Cincinnati to pick me up and then the group will continue on toward Detroit, where we will cross the border into Canada ENFEMME. After what we hope will be an uneventful crossing, we will take the 401 to Toronto.
Enfemme in Canada
From all reports, Toronto is a very TG friendly place and I/we intend to test it to the limit. The scheduled activities include Theater outings to see "Phantom of the Opera" and the Toronto version of "Rent", plus a visit to the 'Famous People Players' Dinner Theater. We are already fortified with a list of TG friendy establishments which will probably satisfy our shopping and socializing needs. I'm personally looking forward to the Toronto night life.
Jill in a Bikini?
Absolutely NOT, but the hotel has informed us that its' pool and workout areas are there for our use, and WELL, I recently purchased a bathing suit which I intend to put to use. If you have scanned the photo gallery on my web site, you kind of know what to expect. Perhaps our editor will publish one of the photos on our return. (I CAN be bribed.....ED. )
Look Me Up
If you are in the area, either attending the conference or not, I would love to meet you. I'll be registered at the Toronto Colony Hotel. Just call the front desk and leave a message for me if I'm not in.
The Rest of the Story
With six girls on the open highway, all travelling together for ten or eleven hours, I'm sure there will be plenty to write home
about and you can bet that I'll record every worthwhile incident and report it in this space. Stay tuned.
Crossing Borders Conference
The Crossing Borders Conference is sponsored by IFGE and Xpressions. Online information can be accessed by the following
link, ôhttp://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/5710ö
Lots and Lots of HUGS!
Jill Ambrose
Transgendered Scholars Defy Convention, Seeking to Be Heard And Seen in Academe
By ROBIN WILSON
Before he delivers a lecture on gender identity to his philosophy class this semester, Michael A. Gilbert must decide what to wear. Most likely, he will put on a knee-length skirt, a long-sleeved blouse,and low pumps. Standing before a mirror at home, he'll fix his wig and apply some makeup before heading out the door. Professor Gilbert is a cross-dresser who teaches philosophy at York University, in Ontario. When he appears in drag this semester, it will be the second time that he has introduced students in his "Gender and Sexuality" course to a side of himself that he had kept hidden for nearly 50 years. "Having tenure is a two-edged sword," he says. "It means I can't be fired. But when it's appropriate, it's also incumbent upon me to take a risk and stick my neck out. My main goal is to provide an openness for transgendered people."
Dr. Gilbert is among a growing cadre of "trans" people on campuses who are going public. Organizations for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students have already begun tacking a "T" on the end of their names to embrace "transgendered" or "transsexual" students. In the past year, students and professors have also pushed universities to extend protection to transgendered people under policies that prevent discrimination against minorities. What's more, work by transgendered scholars is making transgender studies a hot new topic. One of the most important contributions to the field, a transgender issue of "GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies," edited by Susan Stryker, is due out next month from Duke University Press. A flurry of other publications on the topic is expected this spring and summer, and transsexual academics have started an electronic mailing list on the subject. (Those interested in joining the list, called "transacademic," can send an e-mail message to: mailbase@mailbase.ac.uk" "We are pioneering a new field of scholarship," says Dr. Stryker, an independent scholar, who changed from male to female in 1991, a year before earning her Ph.D. in history from the University of California at Berkeley. "This whole area is going to become an increasingly big social concern over the next decade."
Despite its growing visibility, most people still need help in navigating the world of transgenderism.The label "transsexual" typically is reserved for people who have had at least some sex-change surgery and who take hormones to further the change. "Transgendered" is a catchall term that is used to refer to people who live as the opposite sex, whether or not they have had sex-change surgery. The description encompasses cross-dressers, also known as transvestites, and is used by some lesbians and gay men to describe themselves. Transgendered people are gaining attention, but their numbers are still small. Only about .025 per cent of Americans identify themselves as transsexual, and about 2 per cent of Americans consider themselves transgendered, says a non-profit group, the International Foundation for Gender Education, in Waltham,Mass.
Having a sex change is a deeply personal matter, but several transsexual academics spoke freely about the experience for this article. Most of them told of being well received on their campuses after they changed gender. C. Jacob Hale chose to become a man and sought tenure on California State University's Northridge campus in the same year. The timing was risky. But Dr. Hale, a professor of philosophy, didn't want to wait. "I could not imagine going through my tenure review and then telling my colleagues, 'Guess what? There's something I forgot to tell you,'" says Dr. Hale, who made the decision to change sex in 1995.But the professor did feel vulnerable. "I was very afraid of losing my academic career," he says. "What else do philosophers do?" The first thing Dr. Hale did after announcing that she would become a man was to buzz-cut her bleached-blond hair. Dr. Hale also began taking male hormones and had her breasts removed, but has stopped short of genital surgery. Dr. Hale's sexual transition has caused a transformation in his scholarly interests. The professor began at Northridge studying the philosophy of science and mathematics. Now he works at the intersection of feminist theory, queer theory, and transgender theory. Near the top of a list of publications on his curriculum vitae is a paper called "Leatherdyke Boys and Their Daddies: How to Have Sex Without Women or Men." Much of the research in the emerging field of transgender studies is the work of scholars, like Dr. Hale, who consider themselves transgendered. Although male-to-female transitions are the more common, a lot of recent scholarly work explores the opposite change.Holly Devor, a professor of sociology at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, and a lesbian, has just published a 700-page book called "FTM: Female-to-Male Transsexuals in Society" (Indiana University Press), which tells the personal stories of 45 transsexuals, with excerpts from their own accounts. "Second Skin: Body Narratives of Transsexuals," by Jay Prosser, a transsexual professor at the University of Leicester, in England, will be published by Columbia University Press in June; it features photographs of transsexuals' physiques. Henry S. Rubin, a transsexual lecturer in social studies at Harvard University, is expecting to finish a book this summer tentatively called "The Subject Matters: FTM Subjectivity and Embodiment," to be published by the University of Chicago Press.
It comes as no surprise that some people have problems with such lines of research. Bradford Wilson, executive director of the traditionalist National Association of Scholars, says he objects to any group of people's studying themselves and calling it scholarship. "When one chooses one's research subjects as a means of affirming one's difference, I think that one runs the risk of distorting the scholarly enterprise," he says. "This is not necessarily scholarly. It's political." But Dr. Rubin says it is not unusual for scholars in any field to write about their own experiences. "To claim that we're skewing our scholarship because we're writing from a position fails to recognize that everybody is similarly situated," says Dr. Rubin, who landed a coveted lecturer's job at Harvard in 1991 while he was still a woman, completing a Ph.D at Brandeis University. Dr. Rubin made his sexual transition, without any problems, four years after he arrived at Harvard, he says.
Deirdre N. McCloskey is one faculty member who hasn't made her transsexualism the subject of her study -- at least not yet. She continues to work on the same questions about the economy that interested her when she was Donald McCloskey. But her writing is now self-consciously female. Donald had been well known for his pointed challenges to the basic assumptions that economists make. Dr. McCloskey, who began making the change to Deirdre two years ago, still poses such challenges. But now she frequently refers to herself as "Aunt Deirdre" in tweaking the predominantly male profession. In her first book as a female author, Deirdre McCloskey takes her colleagues to task for what she sees as their overreliance on theory and statistics to explain human behavior. Donald did that, too. But unlike Donald's work, Deirdre's book, published last year by Amsterdam University Press, is full of references to gender. "There's a woman's point here," she writes in one chapter of "The Vices of Economists: The Virtues of the Bourgeoisie." She acknowledges that not everyone approves of her interpretation of what it means to be a woman. "Red flags go up when you speak of thinking like a woman, but that's what I do," she says. "The crucial point is that it's not because I've consulted page 35 of the manual on how to be a girl. It seems to come from inside."
Like Dr. McCloskey, Michelle Stanton also talks about noticing "a softening in body and perceptions" since she changed from male to female in 1992. As a man, Dr. Stanton was drawn to the technological side of television and film production. He wrote several articles for the journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. But after becoming a woman, says Dr. Stanton, "I never wrote for them again." She explains: "In the production side, you're involved in physical activity, moving sets, pushing cameras. I didn't want to do that anymore." Now her research and teaching concern the marketing and advertising aspects of the entertainment industry, fields she calls "more people-oriented." Most of the transgendered professors interviewed for this article describe their transitions on campus as uneventful. Dr. Stanton even calls hers "tranquil." Universities, particularly large research institutions, are known for being tolerant places and may therefore be among the most comfortable venues for someone undergoing a sex change.
Even Valerie J. Harvey, a professor of computer and information systems at Robert Morris College, a small liberal-arts institution in Pennsylvania, underwent a change from male to female in 1996 without a hitch. Jo Ann M. Sipple, vice-president for academic and student affairs at the college, acknowledges that some of Dr. Harvey's colleagues found the experience "unnerving." But officials were more concerned about how students would react. "We have a fairly conservative student population, and I thought maybe some of them would object on moral or religious grounds," recalls Ms. Sipple. The college had counselors on hand to help students cope when Dr. Harvey announced the change. "But," the administrator recalls, "there were no complaints." For Wynd D. Harris, a professor of marketing and international business at Quinnipiac College, the transition has not been that easy. The professor changed names from William to Wynd last May, and in August asked to be recognized as female. But the college balked. Dr. Harris had been taking hormones but had not yet had genital surgery when he requested the change. The university asked for proof that the professor was a woman. "They told me I had to have a physical exam," recalls Dr. Harris. The professor refused. In October, the college suspended Dr. Harris and started termination proceedings against her. Pat Smith, a spokesman for Quinnipiac, says Dr. Harris made a series of requests that have troubled the college. First, he says, the professor asked to be recognized as Jewish (he had been a Protestant), then he wanted to be considered American Indian, and then he wanted to be called a woman. Nonetheless, a committee of faculty members voted nine to one last month, with one abstention, to retain Professor Harris. Now the provost must decide what to do. In the meantime, Dr. Harris has had sex-change surgery and is legally female. To head off situations like the one facing Dr. Harris, some transsexuals are pushing for administrative protection from discrimination. The effort isn't widespread, but it is happening at some prominent institutions.
The University of Iowa has already adopted a policy that protects people from discrimination based on their "gender identity." Ben Singer, a graduate student in English who had sex-change surgery in academic year 1995-96, has pushed for a similar policy at Rutgers University. He says his adviser became angry when he told her he was having a sex change. "As a feminist, her perception was that I was giving up my womanhood," recalls Mr. Singer. He decided to lobby the university to make things easier for people like him. Last month, the executive vice-president at Rutgers directed administrators to provide protection for "people who have changed sex or who are in the process of changing their sex." But Mr. Singer says he objects to the plan because it ignores transgendered people who may have no intention of having sex-change surgery.
The Transgender Task Force, a small group of
students at Harvard University, has persuaded the student
Undergraduate Council there to add "gender identity or
expression" to the list of protected categories in the
council's policy against discrimination. The task force is now
going on to ask that the entire university change its
non-discrimination policy, but administrators are trying to put
the brakes on the effort. "I advised the students that this
was a matter about which there was not a great deal of
information or understanding," says Harry R. Lewis, dean of
Harvard College. "I thought their job was initially to
educate the community." Harvard may already be doing a good
job of educating people about the issue, whether it realizes it
or not. Last year, it began allowing Alex S. Myers, a
transgendered student who dresses like a man but is biologically
a woman, to live on an all-male floor of a campus dormitory. Mr.
Myers, who is part of the Transgender Task Force, is among a
group of transgendered people who don't take hormones or undergo
genital surgery, and don't plan to. "There is a contingent
of younger people who see that you can live as transgendered
without having surgery," says Mr. Myers, who wears his hair
slicked back and speaks in a tenor voice. "The reason I pass
s a man has nothing to do with my genetics and everything to do
with society. Gender is completely different now than it was 20
years ago."
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Chronicle of
Higher Education, Inc. http://chronicle.com Reprinted with
permission.
By Jennifer Comer
For a numerous years, this has been a staple motto of the United States. This column is devoted to applying the same principles to our Community.
MAKEUP PART 3: AFTER THE FOUNDATION; LINER, MASCARA & SHADOW
Now you are finally to the point that the average GG starts! You have a "blank canvas" face from which to create your new feminine image. From this point on, everything that any GG utilizes to enhance her beauty is fair game for us also! At this stage, it may also be beneficial to enlist assistance from the local library or bookstore to learn more about makeup technique. This is NOT an endorsement, however I have found the book Color Me Beautiful to be helpful not only in makeup, but in choosing and matching clothing styles and colors, and other practical issues.
What part of your makeup comes next? What is the most prudent order in which to proceed with the remaining steps? You can find as many opinions as there are authors. The sequence that I personally use does not match that of any makeup professional that I have read, but it "works for me!"
Most often, I do my eye liner before I do my beard-covering foundation. This is because I usually have enough caffeine tremor to need to rest both hands on my cheek while applying liner. That way, I don't smudge the foundation off. If you have a steady hand, however, it can be done now or any time before applying mascara. I have recently purchased a small magnifying mirror to aid in applying eye liner more quickly and accurately (as this is the source of most of my "boo-boos").
The heaviness of your liner depends upon the image that you wish to project. Many of the most recent girl's magazines recommend the "thinnest" possible line. I've tried a micro-line, but am not impressed with the results for me. I don't promote a racing stripe on one's lid either (a bit gaudy for all but fantasy use), but an easily visible line is effective in making one's eyes appear larger, and is the intended purpose of this cosmetic.
I first try to determine where I want the liner to end relative to the outer corner of my upper lid. I try to raise this point a bit above and beyond the normal lid's end to create a widened and slightly slanted effect. Then, beginning at the inside corner of my upper lid, I draw a modest line across to the outside corner. You may draw the line in either direction, whichever works best for you. Starting just inside the half way point, I begin to widen the line slightly, ending at the previously determined point. I then fill in any space between these lines.
I personally use liner only on the outside quarter inch of my lower lid, extending this very short line to meet the outer end of the upper line and filling in any gaps. Some of you will achieve a better effect with more (or less) lining of your lower lid. Try to be as objective as possible in evaluating the result (or ask a friend, or take a photograph). I have personally found the Cover Girl pencils to be the softest and hence easiest to apply. The style that I prefer the most also has a "smudger" at one end to soften and straighten the edges of the line.
Mascara is next for me! To gain just a bit of lift, I always use an eyelash curler. Choose the brand that you find most convenient should you want to use one. Always wipe it off after each use, as it may accumulate eyeliner and will smudge your lid if you are not careful. I follow this with just one coat of mascara - my preference is Great Lash by Maybelline. I avoid the waterproof types because they require a special remover when genetic reality time comes. I coat as many lashes as possible, upper and lower, rotating the brush during application to achieve a uniform coating. Brush, brush, brush it out to as much length as you can get from a single coat!
I have always had great difficulty applying mascara without leaving blobs on my brow line and/or upper cheek. To combat this, and the mess created by it's attempted removal, I designed my own anti-smudge shield. I started with a piece of thin, clear plastic like the liners that, in the past, could be found under the collar of some new men's shirts. I then carefully cut two crescents out of a strip of this plastic - one to match the contour of my upper lid and one matching the lower. When I apply mascara, I just hold this strip against my lid with one hand, apply mascara with the other, and my brow or cheek is protected against my ineptitude. "Works for me" and fits the budget! An index card works just as well, but will become so loaded with mascara as to eventually become unusable. Mascara will wipe off the plastic shield. Don't forget to comb your lashes after they are dry. Clumps don't look natural!
If you want to use false lashes, these should be attached prior to using mascara. They use a special type of glue. I have never been able to get them to look like anything but fake, so I gave up their routine use years ago, and only use for fantasy effects.
Last of all for the eyes, I apply shadow. I used pretty, bright blues until I began taking photographs of myself several years ago and realized how absolutely awful it looked on me! Since then, I have used beiges almost exclusively. After applying a lighter beige to the lid, I use a slightly darker shade in the crease. Shadow is a good portion of the fun of makeup, so find the color combination(s) that look good on you. Experiment and play with it except when you plan to be out with the general public.
Eyebrows and blush are the next topic.Enjoy!!
PLEASE feel free to send your experiences and suggestions (on nearly any topic) for inclusion in subsequent articles. Your contribution will be identified by adding your E-mail address. It is NOT necessary 2.B.A. member 2.B a contributor. This column will appear as often as I can find an opportunity to hide and create it. You can Email me at daisy_mae3@hotmail.com.
Jennifer Comer
T.O.
"If the local rock scene has gotten you down,
you've got nowhere to go,
You better get up on a Greyhound bus,
head down the road to T.O. "
"Bye Bye Babe", The Guess Who
It's high time for another transgendered road trip, and do we ever have a good one on tap! As of this writing, several of us are committed to a road trip to Toronto for the IFGE convention. So, the next question is this: why are we driving? Simple. It's fun. OK, I just want to take my new Windstar on a major road trip, but it'll be fun to have a mob of trannies on a road trip like this. It's also a whole lot cheaper than flying, but mainly, it'll be an adventure.
The convention itself sounds interesting. Terry Murphy, a past chairperson of the Southern Comfort Conference, is involved, and that means that it should be a well planned and executed event. The convention hotel is the Toronto Colony, which is smack in the center of downtown Toronto. One can see the Broadway plays "Rent" and "Phantom of the Opera", and an evening with the Famous People Players is also on tap. There's more to this trip for me than just the gender convention aspect, however. I've visited Toronto once before, in 1995 for a vacation, and it's one of my favorite places. The best way I can describe it is this: a clean version of New York City or Washington, DC, with extremely nice and well-mannered people. It fairly glitters with new buildings and neatly arranged park settings. The Lake Ontario waterfront is spectacular (I hope it's warm enough for a photo session - it's that pretty). It's a great sports town, with hockey and basketball being played while we are there. It's a great music city, with any type of music you prefer to be found in the clubs at night. The shopping is incredible, comparable to Chicago or Philadelphia. Any nationality of people you can imagine on the earth is represented, along with their indigenous cuisines, and you can ride around and see the transitions from the various neighborhoods. And, of course, the local beers are Labatt's, Molson, O'Keefe's, & Moosehead, not Budweiser or Miller's. Toronto is like a trip to a foreign land, without the pain and inconvenience of being overseas. And, yes, they speak English there (you were thinking of Montreal, weren't you?). The people are friendly and liberal in outlook - transgendered people will be very safe there. Interested? We already have rooms booked, and there is room for one more in the van - I have set a limit of 6. Email me at agc@MCI2000.com if you'd like to join us.
Since I've convinced you to go now, there are some tricks of the trade that you should know about for the trip. First of all, with 5, possibly 6 of us in the Windstar, packing efficiency will be important. I do have a roof rack, and there is a good amount of space, but let's pack carefully, ladies. Bring all you want, but don't bring anything you aren't going to need. Remember, you might just return with more than you brought to begin with. Second, remember that the Yankee Dollar isn't the currency of choice in Canada. The Canadian Dollar is worth much less than the US Dollar, and if you offer US Dollars in payment of, say, a McDonald's tab, you are probably going to get shafted badly. For instance, our rooms are $105 Canadian, but only $73 US. The easiest way to deal with this is to access your funds in Canada using ATM machines. The transactions will cost a couple bucks, but the exchange rate will be set correctly by your bank - in other words, if you deduct $40 Canadian, it'll debit your account the $23 it's worth in US funds. Using your credit cards for purchases also is a good way to get around this.
Worried about Customs? Don't be. I've crossed the border twice before. The Canadians are quite hospitable at the border. The main thing they're interested in is to see your ID. You do not need a passport - a valid state drivers' license is all you need. They will ask our destination and purpose for visiting. We will answer honestly, which is always the best policy when dealing with law enforcement officers of any sort. They may ask if we are importing any contraband, which we won't be. The US Customs officials on the return trip are usually a bit more demanding - they usually want to take a quick look in the vehicle, see I.D., and will ask each person to recite where they live. They may ask about items to declare (check with me for the limits of what you can import without duty, if you are planning to shop much in Canada); mostly the items the Customs people on both sides are interested in are drugs, firearms, alcohol, and tobacco. I don't think any of us will be or should be carrying any of the above across the border, other than cigarettes for personal consumption. If you smoke, by the way, Canadian cigarettes are expensive enough to make you want to quit cold turkey. I have been informed that Customs officials on both sides of the border are aware that transgendered people will be attending this convention, and will be crossing the borders, so they will not be too shocked to see people dressed as ladies with drivers' licenses that say "M" on them. On that note, I'll answer another obvious question: yes, I'm going femme, traveling to or from a gender convention any other way would be uncivilized.
As for the itinerary, I intend for us to hit the road early in the morning of Tuesday, March 24. We'll be taking I-75 north through Northern Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan, then crossing the border at Detroit and Windsor. Since the van has a 500-mile interstate range, I don't think we'll have to buy much Canadian gas, if any, at over $2 US per gallon. I have obtained a complete trip plan and mapping from AAA, and it has many interesting recommendations for places to visit. We shall return late in the evening of the 29th. I estimate that the drive will take about 10-12 hours each way, depending upon traffic. The only other expected expense is parking - the Toronto Colony informed me that parking costs $17 Canadian for 24 hours. That should be about $10 US per day, which is not unusual for an inner city hotel in a major city. We do have in-and-out privileges.
There is much more that space won't permit me to say about Toronto; if you go to your computer and do an Internet search, you'll find a treasure trove of information about things to do and places to go. Personally, I'm going to spend an afternoon checking out Toronto's version of "Music Row", and find out where the local people go for bargains on clothing. I fully intend to circulate in public quite a bit in this city, and become even more familiar with it. The convention will be a lot of fun and very informative, but you will able to explore a great world-class city as well. All in all, it's time for fun!
A Risk To Security
It seems that with the job market so tight, nobody in their right mind would discriminate against someone merely for being a transsexual. Angela's front-page story illustrates that there are at least a few people working for the Census Bureau who aren't in their right minds. On the Thursday before Angela resigned under extreme pressure, the nurse from the Census Bureau sick bay awakened me at 8:30 AM (those of us who run video stores for a living normally don't get home from work until the late night hours) with the news that she was having a nervous breakdown. I put on a sweatshirt and jeans, threw some Ozzy Osbourne into the CD player, and headed for the Census Bureau facility in Jeffersonville to pick up the remains of our Outreach Coordinator. I couldn't find the building in the complex, then once I found it, couldn't gain access to it, either by auto or on foot, thanks to the rented bipedal doughnut disposal unit they had guarding the access points. Nobody had bothered to call down to allow me access, and, eventually, Angela and the nurse spotted me. Then, we tried to take Angela to her car. The doughnut destroyer refused to let me take Angela to her car because I did not possess a nametag. The fact that Angela was wearing one was not good enough for the Danish digestor that was guarding the gate. I pushed the power window switch, and after the window raised, I said to Angela, "Guess you'll have to walk to your car, the f@#$ing a&*@ole won't let me take you to it. " After she got out and started limping to her car, I threw the van into reverse, and backed away from the gate, waiting across the street in a parking lot for her to exit, so I could follow her to an acceptable parking place. Apparently, the donut disposers now believe that I am a threat to life and limb, and as a result of this, the strudel slayers called a meeting, in which it was said that "a non-Census employee issued threats and threatened workers in the facility". Supposedly, I am now considered a "threat to security" and no longer permitted to be on the Census Bureau grounds. Personally, I think this is funnier than "Animal House". They really think I'm going to take my nice new van, load it up full of leftover pig manure (from the doughnut destroyers at the gate, of course), and Diesel fuel, and pull a Timothy McVeigh? Yeah, right.
So, did I make any threats? I was ranting and raving about how many of the stupid pieces of subhuman scum and slime that Angela worked with had deprived her of her dignity, and me of sleep. When people do me or my friends or family wrong, I am not a forgiving or forgetful person, and I shall not ever forgive the moronic slime who have decided that they are judge and jury over whether Angela Bridgman may work in peace for the Census Bureau. They are being attacked from inside administratively, with the fist of organized labor, with the force of a US Senator's office, with public opinion, with the Internet, and with the media. They will pay. Most importantly, I don't think Angela will stop until the people who've attacked her have to eat crow after she is allowed to return to her job. That would be the ultimate punishment. Rephrase that, Angela won't stop until TG people don't have to endure this kind of treatment, either in government or in the private sector. Dawn certainly won't. And, I won't either.
Society sometimes has a funny idea of what is just. Today, I fired an employee for stealing money. I have fired 10 others in the last year for that, only to find them working elsewhere within a week. I know of TG people who have fought unemployment for a year or more, and I cannot believe that crooks can get jobs and rip off other employers, yet a person can't find employment simply for being TG. I also refuse to tolerate it. So, needless to say, I will be going toLobby Days, April 19-21 in DC. I'd like to encourage others to go, too - as many as can make it. Let's be risks tosecurity - the security that Angela's harassers feel right now, the right that they feel that they have to keep minorities from holding jobs and places of importance in society. The right that the uncultured scumbags of society assume and use to abuse people who are different or who have something they want and are too lazy to earn for themselves, and the impunity they now have to get away with it. It's us against them, and their exclusionary attitudes must bite the dust! We will not destroy them with weapons of violence or destruction. Rather, the power of the pen, the written word, the new age of communication, and the court of public opinion will be what vanquishes our enemies.
And, if you are reading this, and you work for the US Census, and you were part of the witch hunt that abused my friend, well, there's a movie you need to watch tonight called "White Man's Burden", in which John Travolta has to function in a world where Caucasian people are a minority. Someday, you will encounter prejudice. When your karma catches up to you, remember what you deliberately conspired to do to Angela Bridgman, and what goes around.....
Freedom and Mascara!
Anne Casebeer