Bluegrass Belles, PO Box 20173, | Louisville, KY. 40250 June 1997 |
by Dawn Josephine Wilson
Yes, I lost money on the Triple Crown,but I am glad I have not lost you!
Over the summer such as it is so far, we will be doing a lot of things that will be geared toward food, fun and issues! The next meeting will be at The new Pride Center in Lexington. This site is right down the street from our old site. The address is 396-398 Waller Ave, and Is right next door to A Rite Aid in Imperial Plaza. The center is on the second floor. If you get lost,page us at 502 672 8613, and we will come and get you, so don't panic! This is a very quiet gay friendly area so calm down and think.
If you are coming from out of town : North:I-75 south to exit 113 whih will put you on Broadway, continuesouth on Broadway until you see St Joseph's Hospital. Turn left at the light.
You will go past The Ky Inn, through one light, just past the RITE Aid, you will see a group of buildings. Guess what? You're here. Just turn left and park.
YEEEEAAAA!!!!
From the South: Same as North except, use I-75 north
From the West: same as North except, use I-64 west.
JULY MEETING: Will be held in Bell Court, Our home site.
Now if you notice we have two very secure, very private meeting places. These are permanent sites. The Bell Court site is where we will always meet barring schedule conflicts. The Pride Center is the Backup site. Both have excellent parking and changing areas.
AGENDA: Be All reprise, Push for Southern Comfort, American . Counseling Conference, Belles Ball and invitations for a new secretary.
A Board Meeting will be called for June 27th @ 7:00pm. Topics of discussion will relate around a weekly issues meeting, new ideas for newsletter, treasury report, and
guest speakers. Also plans for the American. COUNSELING CONFERENCE!
ANY QUESTIONS? Call Dawn Wilson @ 606-389-9304 or email - dwils00@ukcc.uky.edu
Love,
Dawn Josephine Wilson
by Dawn Josephine Wilson
Well, it finally has happened - I have become a parental authority figure. As Aunt Jo, I have become what my parents were to me, a solid foundation. I am not seen as a freak, but as a loving , caring , individual that can be trusted when they need help.
As I sat watching my nieces graduate kindergarten I realized that they will come to count on Aunt Jo more and more, just as my parents count on me now for support. As the children sang along with "I Believe I Can Fly", tears flowed down my face, because that is what my parents wanted for me. They wanted me to believe that anything is possible as long as I was willing to try. It was they who instilled in me the belief system I have now. The belief in putting my hopes not in man but GOD. The belief that you must not let injustice overshadow justice. The belief that you survive with you own life decisions, not some one else's
. For many in this community, their parents wasn't as open, forgiving or trusting as they told their children to be, nor were they as supportive as they portrayed themselves to be. I feel sorry for these people. There is no amount of therapy available to erase that pain and guilt. The bitterness they have will never go away, until they realize that it is up to them to take charge of their own life and mature.
Too many transgendered people blame their parents for their problems. I have news for them - your parents did their job, and now, you must do yours. Show them that you are the person they wanted you to be. Show them that you will survive. But, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER DISRESPECT THEM! My parents have not always agreed with my decisions, but I would never disrespect them because of it. To all my trangendered friends, I implore you : Keep in touch with your family whether they like you or not, because in God's eyes, you're right, and they have failed.
For me the journey is not over, for I now look at a future in which I will lose this second set of parents I have. My mother and father died when I was five, and it was my childless aunt and uncle who raised me, and taught me about life. I can only hope that I can be the parent and role model they are for me.
As I sat with my family at dinner, my cousin and I began to setup our upcoming family reunion. It will include a memorial service for those who have crossed the River Jordan, as we all must do someday, and for the first time I hope to get through the names of the dead without breaking down totally.
My father often said " Different Blood makes different people" I realize that there are many people who are going to have a problem with what I've written, and that's fine with me. I hail from a proud African heritage and tradition, and I am not ashamed of it, or the values it has help me hold. We all are different, and not everyone needs to agree on everything, and that's what makes a community great. This community could be great also, if we would just remember that different blood does
"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one"-
Malcolm S. Forbes.
Recently I spoke with one of the Transsexual members of the Belles who was quite outraged about our two recent trips to Washington and one of my speaking engagements. In their view I am painting too rosy of a picture of the so-called "transgendered lifestyle". Well, when I asked the person for suggestions they had none. When I ask them to bring it up at discussion they were afraid of being attacked. Sound familar? My father always said " The measure of a person is not in the wealth they have outside, but the wealth that resides within, and the courage to share it". I realize that for some people it is hard to write about issues that are divisive, but it is knowledge that needs to be shared, not hidden. If it were not for popular dissent, slavery, women's voting rights, and African-American voting rights would be non- existence. Go back even further and we could even add Christianty to this list, if it were not for popular dissent. Sadly, many of us are still without grace. To dissent takes a lot of courage. To critize, condemn, and complain does not.
What am I saying? What can this person do? Well quite simply I encourage that person and all others like them to write about whatever issues they feel strongly about, whether the group agrees or not! I personally will not be offended nor should others, unless it is a personal attack. if it is, the ball is in your court.
We as a group and as a community must have an open mind and deal with the realities of society. As I draw to a close I would like to repeat an old axiom: " To err is human, to forgive divine, and to be distrustful is destuctive."
Dawn Josephine Wilson
by Anne Casebeer
Too darned much stuff has been going on around here. I've had to do triage in order to get this out, so suffice it to say that the full story of the Be-All must be told for next month. In a nutshell, Be-All exceeded my expectations, and I'd like to publicly thank the Chi-Chapter Tri-Ess for really doing a fine job of organizing this event. It couldn't have been a nicer or friendlier event, and I sure wasn't ready to leave when it was over. Sorry, folks, but for the whole story, you'll just have to wair for all the gory, funny details to come along next month. All I can say is this: start saving for next year's event in Pittsburgh; I talked to some of the Trans-Pitt people, and they really have some great stuff already cooking on the stove: their hotel is within walking distance of no less than 3 malls. Better get those charge cards paid up.
Southern Comfort
I received the information brochures for Southern Comfort, which will be held in Atlanta the first weekend in October. This is perfect for those of you who missed out on Be-All, or those, like me, who didn't get enough of the gender event experience. Copies of the brochure will be available at all future meetings, plus text will be published in the BelleView. I will be meeting the organizer of this event in Nashville June 12th, and I feel confident, from what I have heard about past editions, that this will be memorable. I have also been warned that one of the evening destinations, "The Chamber" is a very entertaining place. Put it this way, anybody know where I could find a size 22 - 20" black leather skirt? Amy, dahling, can I borrow your black nail polish? And, have you seen that cat 'o nine tails around this messy basement anywhere? (Just kidding, folks...)
Credit Where Credit's Due
You just know that Anne couldn't make it through another column without getting political again. This time, I'd like to publicly express my wholehearted congratulations and support for a sister in another group, a group with whom our relationship has been, ahem, a bit testy perhaps? In my home town of Louisville, the Fairness Amendment has once again been filed before the Louisville Board of Aldermen. This time, we transfolk have been included in the effort, and at least some of the credit for this success needs to go to Patti Hall of Louisville Gender Society. I regret that I don't know Patti very well (I've had some phone conversation with her, and I found her to be intelligent, concerned, and involved). I do know that Patti is involved up to her eyeballs in local politics in the same way that I am with GenderPAC and ICTLEP. I'm not involved locally because that is the one stipulation that the owner of the business I run places upon my gender and political actions; frankly (pun not intended), I have to fear the vindictive nature of Dr. Frank Simon, since I usually tell people that I rent porno movies to rednecks for a living. This is standard operating procedure for those of us who fall into the transgendered spectrum: we might like or need to involve ourselves much more often than we are practically able to. Those of you who know me certalnly know how very open and fearless I am in general about appearing publicly crossdressed, and probably realize that this isn't a mere excuse for laziness.
Anyway, in the June "Louisville Transit", an uncredited writer asks that the readers write to their Alderman in support of the newly-revised Fairness Amendment. Louisville city government consists of a Board of Aldermen that is ostensibly repersenting wards of the city, yet is elected by citywide referendum (a form of election that my Political Science education tells me is dishonest and reprehensible). I would add that the best way to proceed would be for each Alderman to receive mail from all of us wholeheartedly supporting Fairness. Mayor Abramson makes the point that Louisville is a world class city (a point that a visit to Nashville, Indianapolis, or Chicago would make you question), and other cities such as Pittsburgh and Minneapolis have passed similar initiatives. If we really want to be a world class city, whatever that means, I think this must pass. Let's not let happen to Fairness what happened to GO in the early 1980's (since GO passed in Lexington in 1980, the rate of growth there has far surpassed the Louisville matro area's. Speaking as one who operates a small business, and one charged with hiring/firing, the Fairness Amendment will not cause an honest, open-minded business owner any restriction or problem whatever. Most of us have trouble finding good people to work, and to be prejudiced against anybody who lives any sort of alternative lifestyle is the height of stupidity in today's business environment. Now is the time for this initiative to pass, particularly if we want to start rebuilding our city's image as a backward place where everybody works making cigarettes and whiskey, and loses their entire paychecks at the racetrack.
So, to you Patti, I say, "YOU GO, GIRL - WE'RE BEHIND YOU 100%.
Here's the text of the letter I'm sending each member of the Louisville Board of Aldermen.
Ms. Anne Casebeer
P.O. Box 20173
Louisville, Ky. 40250
Ms. Barbara Gregg
2nd. Ward Alderman
601 W. Jefferson St.
Louisville, KY. 40202
Dear Alderman Gregg,
If Louisville is to become the "world class city" that Mayor Abramson has spoken of frequently in the past few years, then we must eliminate any reason why intelligent, talented, hard working people might want to leave our fine
city. I run a small business locally, and I can tell you that it is becoming difficult to find good, talented, hard-working people to employ; one reason is because many of our most talented young people want to leave our city.
One reason many of them have for wanting to leave is the fact that Louisville has not yet afforded protections to those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. These classifications cover many of our most talented and
productive taxpayers, people who just want to be left alone to live their life without fear of reprisal from the bigots
of the world. I know this to be true, because I am the Vice-President and Newsletter Editor of the Bluegrass Belles,
which is a support group for transgendered people, and an open social crossdresser. I am fortunate that I can conduct my business affairs without fear due to the fact that the owner of the business I run is very open-minded, but many others face the unfair spectre of discovery and possible dismissal from their places of employment strictly because they live a lifestyle that some don't understand.
With the recent introduction of a revised version of the Fairness Amendment, we can change this. This act would not harm small business in any way unless the owner/manager is a bigot. Rather, it would attract talented people from other places and possibly businesses to locate here, and make Louisville a mecca for some of the best and brightest. Indeed, within the last year, the cities of Pittsburgh, PA. and Minneapolis, MN. have passed similar laws, which has greatly enhanced the prestige and public image of these cities.
We have the makings of a fine city, no matter what Money Magazine may believe. We can boast of our arts, Churchill Downs, our park system, our convention facilities, our reasonable cost of living, our temperate climate, and many other factors that only residents of Louisville know. Unfortunately, we also have the image (both within and without) of being a backward, redneckish, insular place that is dominated by bigots. (Can you say Frank Simon?). Passing the Fairness Amendment will hurt nobody, and will greatly enhance and provide positive national publicity for Louisville. It is that rarest of opportunities, a win-win situation for all people in our community, not just the gay, lesbian, bi, and trans people.
Won't you please consider and vote for Fairness?
Sincerely,
Anne Casebeer
Vice President/Newsletter Editor, Bluegrass Belles
All of us who live in Louisville need to get behind this right away, even if you have to use your male name and not mention your membership in the trans community. This time, it can pass! Next month, I'll publish the text of the amendment.
Laura Nyro (1947-1997)
If you're looking for a direct connection to transgenderism in this article, you won't find it anywhere except in between your own ears. You may have to do a bit of following-up, and I hope you do. Whether you discover something you haven't heard before, or rediscover an old comforter, you might just be enriched. I'm referring, of course, to the unfortunate passing, too young, of singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, from ovarian cancer, who is now writing meaningfully and singing angelically to the Almighty Trangenderist. Never heard of her? You aren't alone, but you have heard her songs before. How about "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues" by the Fifth Dimension, or "Eli's Coming" by Three Dog Night, or "Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand? Those are all her songs, and were well done, but her own performances were the definitive ones to anyone who's heard both versions.
I've been a fan of Nyro's since I was in 1st or 2nd grade, and still have a copy of her first album, 'More Than A New Sensation". The easiest way to get to know Nyro's work is the compilation on Columbia, "Stoned Soul Picnic". If you like Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Alanis Morissette, or Joan Osbourne, pick this one up and give it a spin. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Freedom and Mascara!
Anne Casebeer
from the Louisville Courier-Journal,
Saturday, May 10., and "The Letter"
A Louisville man was in intensive care at University of Louisville Hospital after being shot and beaten at Shawnee Park yesterday morning [May 9].
Louisville police spokesman Eric Johnson said officers patrolling the park at about 6:30 am were flagged down by someone screaming for help. Police found Jackie Willmer, 19, with a gunshot wound in each arm and in the lower back. Willmer, who was found dressed as a woman, had also been beaten. Johnson said police are unsure of the circumstances behind the attack. Police have only a sketchy description of the assailant. There is no phone listing for a Jackie Willmer in the Louisville telephone book, and his present condition is unknown.
By Jeff Jones,
From UK LambdaNet Press Release
Last night (May 18) was the Pride Prom, a charity event with a theme modeled after a high school prom. Sponsored by Ebony Male, the Bluegrass Belles, and the Royal Sovereign Imperial Court of All Kentucky, the Prom raised money to go towards various local charities. Held at Club Makavelli's on Main Street, the Prom drew a large crowd of women and men in dress ranging from drag, to cowboy drag, to tux and prom gowns. Several local drag entertainers (both traditional female drag, and a lesbian doing "boy drag") performed.
As part of the fundraiser, individuals could vote with dollar (or more!) donations for their choice of Prom King and Queen. When the money in the voting was counted, the winners were David Harris for Prom King '97 and Mark Johnson as Prom Queen '97. Mark's votes alone amounted to over $200!!
The performers also donated their tips to charity. These performers included: Ginger Grant, Davina Latrell, Tina Camaro, Chanda Lier, Mika Milano, Stephen Rhodes, Reva Devereaux, Rena Starr, and Tracy Taylor.
Jeff Jones
By In Your Face News Service
WASHINGTON, DC
May 13, 1997
Following up on actions during National Gender Lobbying Day (May 5), a group of Congress members have signed a statement deploring violence against transgenders, the first ever declaration of its' kind.
Signatories so far include Representatives Ed Towns (NY), Maurice Hinchey (NY), Ronald Dellums (CA), Caroline Maloney (NY), Mel Watt (NC), Bruce Vento (MN), William Clay (MO), Jerome Nadler (NY), and Barney Frank (MA). Said Alex Beckles, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Ed Towns, the first Congressmember to sign a statement on trans-violence, "Ed Towns feels strongly that no American -- be they gay or straight, black or white, or transgendered -- should be the target of violence or have to live with the fear of violence, and we were glad for the opportunity to sign on to such a letter."
Meanwhile, in a groundbreaking meeting today, representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community met with an Assistant Attorney General and members of the Office of Policy Development of the US Department of Justice to discuss violence and bias-related crimes against differently-gendered people.
The meeting had been requested by members of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) in a letter sent to Janet Reno following the bombing of the Otherside bar in Atlanta. Although the bombing was considered a "gay and lesbian" hate crime, the Otherside was also well-known by local citizens for its bisexual and transgender clientele.
GenderPAC's Dana Priesing, Tonye Barreto-Neto and Riki Anne Wilchins were joined by the Human Rights Campaign's Kris Pratt, Bi-Net's Lorraine Hutchins, and NGLTF's Helen Gonzales. Declared Ms. Gonzales, "As far as we know, this is the first meeting of its kind, and a crucial step for all of us in helping those on the Hill -- and in the administration -- recognize the importance of crimes against the differently-gendered."
DOJ Meeting Ranges Broadly
In her opening remarks, Dana Priesing noted, "DOJ finds itself in the position of having to create policy for identities which didn't even exist 20 years ago. As people increasingly identify publicly as bisexual or transgendered, there are going to be more hate crimes based on these identities. One of the reasons we are here is to serve as a resource for DOJ, as it comes to grips with formulating policies dealing with hate crimes against these groups."
Tonye Barreto-Neto, a Florida Deputy-Sheriff and Executive Director of TOPS (Transgender Officers Protect and Serve) spoke at length on the problems of implementing hate-crimes legislation at the street level, saying "Even where the right statutes exist, officers on the street often lack sufficient training to recognize a trans or bi related hate crime when they see one. In fact, even when they recognize it and the proper authority exists -- as with gay bashing -- officers in the field are loath to write up such crimes because of all the greatly enhanced attention and work a hate crime brings with it."
The meeting ranged broadly from the verdict in the recent Chanelle Pickett murder trial and enforcement of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to GenderPAC's recently published 1st National Survey on TransViolence. It concluded by focusing on the three-fold challenge ahead: First is the uphill struggle to cover trans-violence under existing Hate Crimes legislation; at present, DOJ lacks the statutory authority to deal directly with violence based on gender-difference. Second is developing the proper policies to deal with such violence. And third is pushing policy and information back down to the street level, so that officers on the beat recognize and prosecute transviolence just as they currently do with elder abuse or spousal assault.
Concluded HRC's Kris Pratt, who had been instrumental in GenderPAC's strategies on hate crimes, "We feel violence is an area where we can work constructively with all members of the larger queer community. The next step is to seriously work the Hill on this issue, and see how deep and wide the legislative resolve against gender-based violence really is. Amending hate crimes legislation to include gender expression or identity will probably be an uphill battle, but one in which we're glad to participate."
Said Riki Wilchins, Executive Director Of GenderPAC, "What's surprising is who didn't sign theletters... liberal Democrats who've been demonstrably gay-friendly
We need to approach every Congressmember -- and especially ENDA sponsors -- to learn what we need to do to gain their recognition and support."
Reprinted from TG Forum
By Nancy Nangeroni
CAMBRIDGE, MA. May 16
Judge Robert Barton today imposed the maximum sentence under the law on William Palmer, who was found non-guilty of murder and convicted only of assault and battery in the death of Chanelle Pickett on November 20, 1995. Mr. Palmer had admitted to taking Ms Pickett home and assaulting her there.
The judge sentenced Palmer to 2 years incarceration (2 1/2 years with 6 months suspended) and 5 years probation. In delivering the sentence, Judge Barton commented to the defendant "Mr. Palmer should kiss the ground the defense counsel walks on." Judge Barton also cited the gruesome pictures of the victim which, by his own ruling, the jury did not see, leading some observers to speculate that the judge had made an error in not allowing the jury to see the photographs.
Gabrielle Pickett, the victim's twin sister and also a transsexual, gave moving testimony to the judge, saying "it's hell being transsexual", and "Chanelle wasn't just a sister, she was my best friend. We grew up together, took hormones together, transitioned together..."
Outside the courthouse, Gabrielle declared to reporters, "This isn't the end of it. I will continue to work to end violence against transgender people." She later told reporters outside the courtroom "There was some satisfaction in the sentence, but it doesn't make up for the fact that the verdict was only assault and battery." Gender activist Nancy Nangeroni told the reporters gathered outside the courtroom, "The judge, by this sentence, has made an unmistakable statement about the injustice of the verdict."
William Palmer successfullyavoided contact with the press.
Prior to the sentencing, about 45 demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse and handed out leaflets that read "Jury Upholds Death Penalty for Transexualism" and carrying signs with pictures of Chanelle and saying "Justice: A Rich White Man's Game" and "End Violence Against Transgenders". The judge requested a copy of the flyer by courier, and was accommodated by activists.
At a brief news conference, a letter from US Congressman Barney Frank to Attorney General Janet Reno decrying violence against the differently- gendered was read to reporters. The letter had been signed as part of GenderPAC's efforts to rally support on Capitol Hill last week against gender-based violence. The letter calls for an investigation into such violence, stating that transgender people are "victims of very severe prejudice in much of our society."
Alison Laing, Executuve Director of the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), told reporters, "The verdict in this case was a blot of shame on the mantle of justice. Unless the maximum sentence is given, we will devalue the lives of people of difference everywhere."
Nancy Nangeroni
Reprinted from TG Forum
by Cindy Martin
Cindy writes a column for "TG Forum" each month entitled "One to One". This is an excerpt from her column of 6-1-97, pertaining to the Lobby Days. I think it's exactly right - Anne.
Speaking of low expectations, I certainly had them for this year's Gender Lobby Day.
But now I think it went pretty well considering the very low turnout of only 60 people, 40% fewer than the 1996 event.
I am very pleased that our lobbyists were able to convince a number of congress members to sign onto a letter deploring violence against us. This is a very important achievement because it may help us get some coverage in federal "hate crimes" laws. It was also one more sign that people are beginning to take us seriously at the national level. But it does bother me that relatively few people participated in this effort.
There were, in effect, two lobbying days this year. The first was in February by Phyllis Frye and the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy. Frye insisted that this wasn't officially a lobbying effort, but it was clearly an event designed to bring our issues to the attention of Congress. Whatever you call it, the February event guaranteed that there would be a smaller group doing the same thing in May. There are only so many people who are both activists and rich enough to go to Washington, D.C. twice in the same year.
On the other hand, Phyllis is pushing hard for issues that I believe concern this community above all others: jobs and family. In my view, she's on the right track.
Meanwhile, GenderPAC, led by Riki Wilchins, decided to make "trans-violence" the focus of this year's Lobby Days out of an abiding concern that physical attacks are becoming more common as we become more visible. Good issue, one that politicians were able to latch onto, but frankly not one that is very meaningful to most of us.
I am very much aware of the series of murders of TGs in the last few years. I find all of them disturbing. But the plain truth is that most of us simply don't worry that much about getting killed or beat-up. I'll leave discussion of this to another time, but it is evident to me that as a group we fear losing our jobs and families much more than we fear we will become the victims of violence. So the violence issue, while important, was not one that was going to draw a big crowd. Nevertheless, from a strategic standpoint going with the violence angle was a decent call. It is something that people outside the community can understand. Plus, it is quite a bit easier to legislate a hate crime than it is to legislate employment protections for a group of people that most of the country still thinks of as a fringe group.
It worked to get us through the door and get some important people on record as our friends. But now that we have gone through the door, it would be a good time to begin work on the much tougher issue of job discrimination.
Let's see how it goes next year.
Cindy Martin
(Reprinted from TG Forum)
by Angela Gardner
In March of 1995, Haddon Heights, New Jersey was rocked by a double murder and a 14 hour long armed standoff when Leslie Ann Nelson killed two law enforcement officers who came to her home to serve a search warrant for illegal weapons. The news accounts from then until now have referred to Ms. Nelson as a "transsexual." While it is true that she had sex reassignment surgery in May of 1992, according to two mental health professionals who evaluated her, at the request of her defense team, Nelson should have never had SRS. She is a transvestite, not a transsexual. A TV with other issues.
How did Leslie Ann Nelson become a killer? Dr. Carol Cobb Nettleton (one of the therapists who evaluated Nelson) said Nelson was "depressed and suicidal" because of a lifetime of turmoil caused by her gender identity issues. Court testimony also revealed that Leslie Nelson hated and was ashamed of her penis. This hatred was not related to Nelson's gender identity issues but developed over years because of voiding problems.
The young Nelson was a bedwetter well into his teens and his whole family made fun of him on an almost daily basis. The family did not seek medical help for the bedwetting problem. This lead to Nelson having a severe psychological problem with urinating in public restrooms. It became impossible for the young Nelson to use a urinal. When it became apparent that the only way the boy would urinate was if he was sitting in a locked stall (and even then it was very difficult), Nelson's father would call him a little girl and taunt him with the name "Madeline." Because he could not use public restrooms his social and work life were extremely restricted. Is it any wonder that Nelson came to despise the penis that failed him on a regular basis?
Remember, Nelson is also a transvestite. What can you do when your male nature betrays you? Leslie Ann Nelson became more and more convinced that the female gender was the place to be. Being feminine, acting like a girl, these things brought her escape from the torture of having a penis that was an embarrassment.
When she went to visit Dr. Biber for the initial SRS consultation, she said she wanted "to put her thing on the chopping block." Putting your thing on the block is only one aspect of changing your gender. To Nelson it was the most important item. A major clue that Nelson was not a transsexual came when she began to live fulltime as a female. She became more emotionally disturbed. The Real Life Test is a critical time of problem solving and for the true transsexual, as challenging as it is, it leads to less emotional problems--not more.
Many members of the transgender community deal with their gender issues by viewing them as a "gender journey." By putting one foot in front of the other and moving through each day one at a time many, many people have found resolution to their gender conflicts and lived healthy, productive lives. Leslie Ann Nelson's gender journey ended with a sentence of death in the murder of one of the officers and a sentence of thirty years to life for the other killing. An appeal is automatic in New Jersey but the best she can hope for is life in prison.
Nelson's is not the only ruined life in this sad story. Two wives will never see their husbands again. The officer's children will never see their fathers again. An officer she only wounded, whose life was saved when Nelson's mother shielded him with her own body, will never see his brother (one of the slain officers) again and his career as a police officer is over due to the extent of his wounds. Leslie Nelson will either be executed or in prisonfor life and her mother may never see her again. How did this happen? Where were the HBIGDA's Standards of Care?
Leslie Nelson started her journey to SRS by seeing a therapist. So far so good. But, that therapist found she had mental illness and expressed doubts about Nelson's transsexuality. Nelson visited the now defunct South Jersey Chapter of Renaissance. She made the acquaintance of other individuals who considered themselves to be transsexual, individuals who were proceeding with their own self-treatment with the assistance of unethical physicians. Physicians who did not care about Nelson's penis hatred and voiding issues. Through her "TS" friends, she found a medical doctor who removed her testicles and began to administer female hormones. She also found a psychiatrist who wrote her the all important letter. The letter which was sent to Dr. Biber's clinic and got her an appointment in Trinidad, Colorado.
During her first visit to Trinidad Nelson developed a fascination with guns. While in Colorado to visit Dr. Biber, she went to a gun shop and bought a Browning pistol using the money for her initial consult. That pistol became a replacement for the penis that never worked, according to the therapists' testimony. Later, after Nelson returned from surgery, she would calm herself by cleaning and stroking the pistol up to ten times a day. She painted the pistol six different times, in different colors to increase it's erotic value.
Nelson's first therapist attempted to inform Dr. Biber that Nelson was not a suitable candidate for SRS, but the warning was ignored. Clearly Dr. Biber, Nelson's psychiatrist, and the M.D. who did the orchiectomy, all chose, for whatever reason, to ignore the Standards of Care. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Nelson's attorneys said, "her disappointment became abject when she realized the surgery had left her unable to achieve sexual satisfaction and to live as a fulltime woman."
The Standards of Care where developed to avoid tragedies like that of Leslie Ann Nelson. Perhaps if they had been followed Leslie Ann Nelson would still be on her gender journey, two police officers would still be alive, families would not have been devastated and there would be no need to write this editorial. The Nelson story is the worst case scenario. It's the worst example of what can happen when a transvestite lets his dreams become compulsions while other life-problems are ignored. It's the worst example of a transgender support group failing to provide education and options. The results of a mistake like Leslie Ann Nelson's may not be as dramatic for most, but too many lives are changed in a negative way when people ignore the Standards of Care.
Angela Gardner
(reprinted from TG Forum)
Dear Anne -- below is the final version of our e-mail brochure, including a hyperlink to our web page (at last!) -- please let us know what you think --we'd be thrilled to have a link from your page. (I shall be doing that-Anne) Look forward to seeing you and the rest of the Bluegrass Belles gang. best, Terry Murphy
Southern Comfort Conference
Wednesday, October 1
- Sunday, October 5, 1997
Holiday Inn Atlanta Central
418 Armour Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30324
Join your transgender family in the cosmopolitan capital of the South for four days of exploration, celebration and discovery.
To contact Southern Comfort Conference: Write: P.O. Box 77591, Atlanta, GA 30357-1591, or Call: (404) 633-6470. E-mail: sccAtl@aol.com* * * Our World Wide Web site is now open: Visit us at: * *"http://members.aol.com/sccatl"
For hotel reservations, call before Sept. 1: On-site reservations (regular business hours) at (404)873-4661 Holiday Inn's nationwide 24-hr. toll-free reservations service at 1-800-282-8222. (Be sure to use Group Reservation Code "SOU" to get the special conference rate.
You're Invited! Southern Comfort Conference cherishes its reputation for being a well-organized, inclusive and economical conference serving the transgender community. Please join us for our Seventh Annual weekend of seminars and activities. Most of our programs apply to everyone in our community, though we don't neglect to address the specific needs of identifiable groups. We work hard to offer a valuable experience for everyone who attends--whether married or single; younger or older; FtM or MtF. It doesn't matter who you are--transsexual, transgenderist, crossdresser, spouse, straight, bi, gay, post-op, pre-op or non-op--if transgender is an issue in your life, or the life of a loved one, you are welcome at Southern Comfort Conference.
For 1997, the organizers have put together a seminar schedule that includes many topics of interest to everyone. Also, we offer programs of particular concern to those who identify as crossdressers, transgenderists or transsexuals and their significant others--whether MtF or FtM. From basic presentations for newly out crossdressers concerned with beauty and appearance, to nitty gritty legal, medical and political issues, to informative seminars on family relationships, sexuality and spirituality-our schedule of programs reflects a deep commitment to serve the diverse needs of the transgender community and to probe the cutting edge of thought and action on gender issues.
Every attendee at Southern Comfort is welcome and encouraged to attend any and all programs they may find of interest. A detailed schedule of seminars and activities will be available by Aug. 1.
Partial List of Seminar Presenters (subject to change) : Richard Adler,Ph.D., Maxwell Anderson, Max Beck, Anne Bolin, Ph.D., Holly Boswell, Jim Bridges, Linda Buten, Sandra Cole, Ph.D., Brianne Corbett, Jason Cromwell, Ph.D., Dallas Denny, M.A., William Dragoin, Ph.D., Virginia Erhardt, Ph.D., Daniel Greenwald, M.D., Jan Heckler, M.A., Daniel Helminiak, Ph.D., Sheila Kirk, M.D., Maryann Kirkland, Alison Laing, Delia Van Maris, M.D., Jessie McGowen, Neila Miller, .S.W., Terry Murphy, Douglas Ousterhout, M.D., Zantui Rose, Eugene Schrang, M.D., Mirha-Soleil Ross, Martine Rothblatt, Marilyn Volker, Ph.D., Riki Anne Wilchins, Vikki Wilcox, Callan Williams.
This year, Southern Comfort Conference again pushes the boundaries, presenting a Transgender Town Hall meeting, which we feel certain will be provocative, exciting and enlightening for all conference attendees. This moderated event will be held Saturday afternoon in the Grand Ballroom, and no other seminars or activities will be scheduled at that time in order to encourage everyone to attend and participate.
The theme of this gathering will be: "Transgender Mystery: Who Are We? Where Are We Going? How Do We Get There? And Who Can We Expect Will Help Us Along The Way?" A diverse panel of experts will share their respective views on these broad questions and then entertain questions and comments from the audience. Issues to be addressed include: Who exactly do we mean when we say "transgendered," and how much do we all have in common? How do we best work toward preventing discrimination in employment, housing, parental custody, and access to medical care? Who are our allies in this effort, and how to we best work with them? How closely do we identify with the gay, lesbian and bisexual community and how do s the leadership of that established civil rights movement respond to us? Who are the intersexed and how do they fit in
this picture?
The discussion will be kept on this agenda by a moderator who will recognize audience participants and probe the panel for multiple perspectives. We anticipate a lively and informative discussion that will help everyone concerned with these issues to better understand all responsible points of view on these provocative questions.
There's lots to do outside the seminar room as well. Many attendees spend a lot of time casually visiting with old friends and meeting new acquaintances in the safe confines of the hotel/conference center. There's also plenty of time to shop the large Vendor's Marketplace for everything from makeovers, jewelry, clothing and shoes to wig comb-outs, manicures and prosthetics.
Sightseeing/Shopping: SCC organizes daily outings to sightseeing venues and some of our renowned shopping malls. In the past we've taken folks to tour CNN Center, the World of Coca-Cola, the High Museum of Art and other local attractions. Tickets for these optional activities are priced to cover our expenses and they will be available at the registration desk at the conference..
Optional dinners: Wednesday night we present an old SCC favorite, a night of dinner theater in the company of our own Sabrina Marcus at Agatha's A Taste of Mystery. This popular downtown destination presents a campy comic mystery in four acts, along with an all-inclusive five-course dinner (wine and softdrinks included). Tickets (which include transportation) must be ordered in advance (Sept. 1 cut-off) and can be purchased on the attached registration form. Thursday night, SCC will visit Atlanta's Hard Rock Cafe for a group dinner. Your ticket price includes transportation and a three course meal with choice of entree. Last year we took 72 folks to Planet Hollywood on Thursday evening and had a ball. Tickets for this dinner may be ordered in advance on the attached registration form, though a limited number of tickets will be available at the conference.
Friday Night Talent Show: Preserving a favorite entertainment event, SCC will once again present some of the most talented and creative amongst us in an eclectic presentation of song, dance and comedy. Those wishing to participate should sign-up in the registration area as soon as they arrive at the conference and be prepared to meet with the show coordinator in advance of Friday night for planning/auditions.
Late night celebration: After hours, Southern Comfort keeps right on going, moving into Atlanta's vibrant night life with special parties at local nightclubs. You'll enjoy free admission to the clubs and travel there via free, regularly scheduled mini shuttle buses that leave and return to the front door of the hotel approximately every 20 minutes. And they run into the wee hours of the night, so there's no worries about driving.
The full-day conference fee for one attendee includes a lot: five meals (three luncheons and two banquets), three days of educational seminars, free
admission and free transportation to nightclubs, access to the Vendors
Marketplace and all open areas of the Conference Center, as well as invitations to all special receptions.
The cost is $205 and various discounts are available. Individuals who pre-register by Sept. 1 qualify for a $10 discount. Couples who pre-register by that date receive a $30 discount ($15 each). (Mailed registrations must be postmarked by 9/1, e-mail forms must be received by 11:59 p.m. East Coast Time 9/1.) Costs for two-day and one-day registration are priced accordingly. For those on a strict budget, a special low seminar-only registration fee (which does not include meals) is avalable.
Scholarships: Recognizing that transgressing gender can lead to financial distress for some, the organizers of Southern Comfort have always maintained a policy of never turning away any person in need of information and support. Anyone facing such issues is encouraged to contact SCC to make suitable arrangements. We regret that we cannot provide assistance with transportation, housing or meals.
Attendees are responsible for securing and paying for their hotel rooms. At $62 (plus tax)per night (single or double occupancy), rooms at Holiday Inn Atlanta Central are the best bargain in Midtown. This will be our third year at this very welcoming hotel, which was completely renovated in 1994. It is comfortably and securely located in a small office/industrial park nestled in its own snug corner of Midtown-Atlanta's most colorful and trans-friendly neighborhood.
*** Important Hotel Reservation Info & Deadline ***
Each year we increase the number of rooms set aside at our special rate and each year that "room block" sold out, forcing some to make alternate plans.Don't be left out! Make your room reservation as soon as possible, even if you are not going to register for the convention until you show up. In any event, make sure you reserve your room before Sept. 1, when SCC's room block reservation expires.Call the hotel's in-house reservations department at (404) 873-4661
(during East Coast business hours), or you can call Holiday Inn's nationwide toll-free reservations service at
1-800-282-8222.
In order to get the special rate of $62 (plus tax) per night,
tell the operator you are attending Southern Comfort Conference
and the Group Reservation Code is "SOU."
See you there.
The Belleview Editorial Staff
CEO - Dawn Wilson
Editor- Anne Casebeer
Fashion Editor
Marjorie Demaille
We welcome all Belles, or significant others/friends/family members of Belles, or others in the gender community, to contribute to the Belleview, either news clips, or original columns and articles. We also accept contributions and suggestions from outside news sources and press releases, which will always be credited to the original source
Other groups may reprint any articles printed here with permission by notifying Anne: PO Box 20173, Louisville, KY. 40250. 502-672-8613 (pager)
acasbeer@jcc-uky.campus.mci.net
We welcome exchanges of newsletters with other GLBT groups anywhere, in the interest of developing community spirit.
Visit our site on the Web: http://www.transgender.org/tg/bgb//
Or contact us by telephone:
Lexington: 606-389-9304
Louisville:502-672-8613. (pager)