Gender Identity Center Journal |
Online Edition |
January/February 1999 |
Welcome to the online edition of the GIC Journal, the newsletter of the Gender Identity Center of Colorado. Here, you'll find a sample of articles and features from our print edition. For all the news, vendors, photos and more, subscribe, or better yet become a member, of the GIC.
By Carolee L.
"We accomplished our goals in any way you want to measure," declared Roxann S., Chairman of the Board, describing 1998’s highlights at the January 30 General Membership Meeting. Among those accomplishments were also many firsts for us.
Thanks to the efforts of Jesse S, we received grants for $2500 from the Chicago Resource Center, and $2775 from the Chinook Fund, which are the first such awards ever made directly to the GIC. The G.I.C. also received a $2500 Charter Corporate Sponsorship for the Colorado Gold Rush from the Gill Foundation.
Another big budget item was our first annual Colorado Gold Rush Convention. It cost us approximately $11,000 to put on, and we still managed to make about $1,000, after all the expenses were deducted from the revenues. As Roxann pointed out, We did well, thanks to our friends.
An initiative to reorganize the GIC began last year. It began with a survey sent out to all members asking, What do you think the G.I.C. should be like in five years? The number of responses exceeded our expectations, and the comments from our members were encouraging and quite useful. Based on those comments, our basic mission will remain pretty much unchanged, but there will be more emphasis on community activism and advocacy services.
A highlight of 1998 was our first annual Melissa Chapman Awards Dinner, named after its first recipient, Melissa Chapman. She set the standard by which other subsequent winners will be judged. On her own initiative, she got the policy changed so that transitioning transsexuals can choose the appropriate gender identity on their Colorado Driver’s License - whether they have had sex reassignment surgery or not.
Roxann’s closing comments ended on a more personal note. After five years on the Board and three years as its Chairperson, coupled with two terms as Treasurer, Roxann announced that she has decided not to run for the board this year. As she explained, her decision was for personal reasons having nothing to do with the G.I.C. Looking back, she compared her experience to the closest thing to parenting that she is likely to have. Smiling a little sadly, she said, "I feel like I’m sending a kid off to college.
While Roxann will no longer be a Board Member, she still serves as the G.I.C.’s Treasurer."
Three brand new board members and two new alternates were elected at the General Membership Meeting.
A total of 40 ballots were sent in, and elected to their first term were Kathy H., Jamie M., and Katherine P. They join Susan C., Wendi M., Jessie S., and JoAnn Z, who were re-elected from last year’s Board of Directors. Spring Marie W. was elected to be the First Alternate and Renae A. to be the Second, also newly elected to the Board. They will all be formally installed at the next Board of Directors Meeting on February 21.
Not returning to the board are Roxann S., Robynne P, Teri C., and Jo Ellen W. Robynne could not run again because this is her fifth term, which is the limit for consecutive terms according to our By-laws. Jo Ellen announced, "I decided not to run again for the board because I’m writing a book about us." For others, circumstances unrelated to their G.I.C. activities prevented them from making such a commitment. And, as Susan observed, It is a very hard job.
Finally, Communi-T Service Awards were given to: Jessie S., major contributor and Director of Grants; Roxann S., retiring Chairperson and current GIC Treasurer, Kathy H., Secretary and Boulder community activist; and Kathy Wilson, web mistress, Director of Information, and community lecturer.
Certificates were also awarded to Carolee L., G.I.C. Journal editor, who also organized our first Melissa Chapman Awards Banquet; Matt K., newsletter columnist and our most successful FtM group leader;and Wendi M., our Media Director and another key Boulder activist.
Also receiving special recognition was Robynne P.,who is another retiring Board Member, a past president, general benefactor, community activist, "and someone who held me together when I needed it," laughed Susan in presenting Robynne with her certificate.
Others receiving certificates were JoEllen W., JoAnn Z., Julia G., Jessica C., Katherine P., Dianna C., the Reverend Jeremy Mcleod, and Dr. Rachael St. Claire.
The last certificate was presented to Susan by Roxann who said, "I could talk about (your accomplishments) for days and days, and I’m proud to call you friend." So are we all.?
my point eXactlY by Matt K
FtM Frustrations -- Do They Ever End?
Stop me if you've heard this one: The guy says to the FtM, "If you like men,why not just stay a woman?" There is no punch line, unless you count the punch you want to throw. Maybe this next one is more familiar to you: The guy says to the FtM,"If you like women, why not just be a lesbian? Again, no punch line. But to a lot of FtMs, these questions do seem like a joke. Usually, they are asked by well-meaning people who simply do not understand that gender identity and sexual orientation are two separate issues.
People generally do not transition simply to have love affairs with members of their "gender of attraction." They transition because their image of themselves, of who they are, and their birth gender don't mix and match well (and we all know how important coordinating is).
I am far more comfortable as a male than I ever was as a female. I'm finally me. But the fact that men are the objects of my affection kept me in the dark for years about my transgenderism. All my life, I felt, no, I knew that I was supposed to have been born male. But I also knew that I liked boys (later, men) and I couldn't reconcile the two.
As transmen, we can identify as "straight," "gay," "bi" or, my favorite, "queer," which could mean anything. Or we don't have to identify a sexual orientation at all. Maybe we just fall in love with a person who loves us back. Maybe it doesn't matter what gender that person is. Labels are for clothes, and please don't read mine, because you'll find out I shop at discount stores. But when and if I fall in love with someone, it will probably be with a man. And what will that make me? A guy in love, I guess.
Editor: Carolee L.
To place an advertisement or obtain advertising information, call the editor at (303) 202-6466.
Articles from contributors must be printed double-spaced or submitted on a 3 1/2" disc in ASCII text format. Submissions are due on the 15th of the month preceding publication:
G.I.C. Journal
1455 Ammons Street, Suite 100
Lakewood, CO 80215-4993
Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the policies of the G.I.C., its Officers, or the Journal.
Copyright (c) 1998, Gender Identity Center of Colorado, Inc.