Outreach Bulletin 2

Suggestions For Community Activism


from The Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc.

The problems individuals have in accepting their crossdressing or transgender behavior is very often a product of society's negative attitude toward this behavior. Because the behavior is generally condemned, the transvestite or transsexual feels guilt, and their family members fear denunciation if the behavior becomes known outside the home. While professional counselling is often successful in changing an individual's negative attitudes, other strategies are required for educating the general public about the gender issues evidenced by transsexualism and transvestism. The actions outlined below require a major commitment. But the return to the TS and TV communities can be likewise very great because activism attacks the first link in the chains of guilt, shame and rejection that so often bind the transgendered.

Victims Taking the Initiative

While it is clear that individuals who don the clothes of the other gender are the victims of misconceptions, it is not clear what has caused these stereotypes to be so widely accepted. Certainly, the media must bear some of the blame. But it can be argued that the root of the problem lies with our society's fascination with sexual matters or issues that seem to be related to sex. The relationship between the purveyors of titillating information and the ready market for such material is important to understand because it also provides a means for promulgating accurate information. If the media is going to write about transsexualism and transvestism anyway, we might as well make sure they write and broadcast what we want insofar as we can structure their messages.

Another source of stereotyping originates within the transvestite and transsexual community itself. Because of difficult personal situations, some crossdressers find it necessary to engage in prostitution. Because these "street queens" are so highly visible, this image of crossdressing is given great prominence. Another source of unflattering information about crossdressing comes from the old and honorable theatrical tradition of female impersonation. Despite the fact that Shakespere employed men and boys to portray woman on stage, and in this country many notable actors were famous for their female roles, "drag shows" retain an unsavory image. Often times this is because of their popularity among patrons of gay bars. While we do not agree with the impressions society has gained from street and drag queens, we recognize that they are potent, emotional images. This strength, too, can be turned to our advantage. The object is to promote positive images regarding transgendered people. While there are many sources for unflattering and even slanderous stereotypes, there are far too few for the kinds of positive messages that are needed. This is a need which can be filled.

Building an Organization

The transgendered community has a wealth of individuals with special talents. But these talents will go unused unless you reach out to the people who possess them and bring those people into your group. Many transvestite or transsexual support groups rely on word of mouth as their primary outreach tool. While this assures total security, it also restricts the pool of talent you can dip into. For example, if no one in your organization knows a crossdressing lawyer, your group may not have access to free legal advice.
Security from outside harassment is certainly a concern for any transvestite or transsexual group. But there are ways to be accessible and still control who is admitted to the group. The first step is to rent a Post Office box or make arrangements for mail to be delivered to an existing community service organization. Gay community centers are often willing to provide this service. A telephone with an answering machine is a major investment, but because it allows people to respond immediately to your publicity efforts, it may be well worth the expense. Just be sure that you have a system in place to monitor the calls and return them.

The next step is to publicize how people can contact you. Many daily newspapers run a listing of community resources on a space available basis. Check these out for your community and use this service. You may have to provide your phone number so the paper can verify the infor- mation you sent, but you can insist this number not be published. Gay newspapers also provide this service, and this is a productive avenue. While transvestites and transsexuals are not by consequence homosexual, many people looking for information on these phenomena look to the gay press. The transgendered press should also be included in your media plan.

You should become familiar with the variety of counseling services in your community. Many of these maintain referral lists and will be happy to add your group because you will probably be filling a unique need. Be sure to contact gender clinics in the surrounding area. Many also maintain referral lists. There are many more service agencies that you can link up with. To identify them, just ask yourself, "If I wanted information about transsexualism or transvestism, whom would I call?"

Building a Positive Public Image

The next step is to capitalize on your "notoriety" by getting media coverage. This can be accomplished in several ways: news coverage (both print and broadcast, either "hard" news or features) and television and radio "talk" shows. Each method has its unique demands. Using the media will expose you to public scrutiny, but there are limits to how much you must bare your personal life. There are several accepted practices to use when dealing with the media. [See Renaissance Community Outreach Bulletin 3.0 for a thorough discussion of effective media relations.]

You can also achieve fame (but not necessarily fortune) bypassing the media and dealing directly with the public. By the public' in this usage, we mean members of special interest groups.

One fruitful area is college or university lectures. Undergraduate human sexuality or psychology classes are often eager to have outside speakers. These classes afford you the opportunity to inform young people about gender issues while they are (presumably) intellectually curious. Graduate courses in these subjects and in counseling provide access to future professionals who may be called upon to help transvestites and transsexuals. Contact the appropriate academic departments at local colleges and universities to see if professors use outside speakers. Some schools pay an honorarium to speakers to defray their expenses; don't be afraid to ask.

These are just two examples of special interest groups. Other opportunities are almost limitless. To identify others, think about what professions may come into contact with transvestites or transsexuals. Renaissance members regularly speak to nursing and other health care students at a Philadelphia medical college. One of the messages they leave with the students is that an emergency room patient may not want to disrobe in front of them because he may be wearing women's lingerie under his male clothes. Renaissance is also about to begin speaking to local police departments to educate them that the crossdressed individual they may stop for a traffic violation is not necessarily a serious criminal or a mental case. We've also found that some religious groups are open to our presentations. Check into the existence of local professional groups such as associations of family counselors, regional professional groups, etc.

Public service is also an outstanding way of achieving recognition. These include benefits and charity support. There are many groups who welcome support from all sources; AIDS organizations, battered spouses's groups, the homeless. Although your assistance may be completely altruistic, be sure to follow up with appropriate publicity. In many cities chapters of the national Imperial Court system have made a big impact because of their long history of fund raising events. In a few cases, this positive public image has been later translated into civil rights protections.

Commonly, transvestites and transsexuals overlook an important way of making a good public image. This is their behavior, comportment and appearance when crossdressed in public. There are, certainly, occasions when you are out just for a good time. But remember that many people will judge all members of our community by the way members of your organization behave in public. Obviously, you should not be a public nuisance, but insofar as you can, you should carry yourself with pride and dignity. If you project confidence and self-acceptance when crossdressed, observers will come to believe that crossdressing is nothing to be ashamed of. But if you try to hide, flee the scene if your are "read," or otherwise act uncomfortable, you will confirm what many people believe: crossdressing is a source of shame. It goes without saying, that if members of your group are officially representing you in public, they will dress appropriately for the occasion. While crossdressing is a celebration of individuality, good taste is always appropriate.

Building Coalitions

As you conduct your outreach program, you may be amazed to learn how many people support your rights to lead your life as you wish. While crossdressing/transvestism/transsexualism are not seen as protected civil rights in all localities, the issue of individual privacy is broad enough to have many supporters. Local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union may welcome your assistance just as long as you don't ask them to fight for rights that don't yet exist under the law.

But transvestites and transsexuals do have some protection against discrimination. Many localities do have laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or gender. Under certain circumstances, transvestites and/or transsexuals can avail themselves of this protection. One Renaissance member has successfully brought two cases of sex discrimination before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. He claimed, and the commission agreed, that he was discriminated against because two businesses refused to allow him to shop for women's clothing because he is a man. Although these were minor cases, they sensitized the commission to some of the problems faced by transsexuals and transvestites. This may pay off if the commission is asked to resolve a major discrimination complaint. Renaissance is also becoming involved with the Philadelphia Mayor's Commission on Sexual Minorities.
The largest sexual minority, the lesbian and gay community, can also be a useful ally. In addition to providing a tolerant environment for transvestite or transsexual social events, this community generally recognizes the value of coalitions with other groups of "different" people. Although you may find some rejection from the most ardent feminist elements, if you approach the lesbian and gay community with respect, you will receive respect and hospitality in return. There is one negative facet to an alliance with the homosexual community; the perpetuation of the myth that crossdressers are all homosexual. This can be combatted by an aggressive education program.

Responding to Untruths

Educating the public and the media about the real nature of transvestism and transsexualism is both a proactive and reactive process. So far, various proactive techniques have been discussed, techniques which put you in control of the process. Reactive techniques involve responses from your organization to inaccurate references to crossdressing perpetrated by others.

The primary source of these inaccuracies are the media. You should develop a monitoring program to watch for these in your local media. Naturally, you would notice a front page story on the arrest of a dozen crossdressers on morals charges, and you would respond to the paper if the story was inaccurate. But most of the time incorrect references to crossdressing appear in surprising contexts. For example, a Philadelphia newspaper recently carried a note in the television section that said the movie Tootsie was about Dustin Hoffman's decision "to become a transvestite." In a letter to the paper's feature editor, Renaissance pointed out that this was an incorrect use of the term, and that Hoffman was merely impersonating a woman to secure an acting job. The letter was not intended for publication. Rather, it was part of Renaissance's continuing effort to educate members of the media about the various aspects of crossdressing. Hopefully, the next time a similar situation arises, the reporter and editor will remember the important distinction. An added benefit is that a letter such as this to a reporter or an editor may trigger a story idea. You need not restrict your monitoring and response efforts to local media. A network television program, a movie, a magazine are all suitable media targets.

In drafting letters to media outlets, keep in mind that the errors you are correcting are the result of ignorance rather than malice. Therefore, your response must be polite, reasoned, yet firm. These letters can also praise media for accurate portrayals of transgender behavior. Indeed, if you come across something that warrants praise, tell other groups so they can express their appreciation too.

Summary

Improving our community's public image involves steps which range from the very personal to the highly public. While there is an increasing element of risk as one moves from private to the public activities, there is also the promise of greater payoffs. Perhaps never before has the public climate been as supportive of alternate lifestyles. Granted, this degree of tolerance varies from locale to locale and nowhere is it as great as we would like. But now is the time to begin working to increase acceptance.

Issued by Renaissance
A non-profit association to educate the professional and general communities about transgendered people.
For more information write:
Renaissance

987 Old Eagle School Rd., Suite 719
Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 610-975-9119
Email: renaissance@ren.org

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