Vals logo Index of Contents
The Queen's Throne
The Day Jenni met Jenny
Pam's Purse Cleanings
Exceeding the TG Speed Limit
Guest Columninst - Katrina Rose
City of Houston: Executive Order Protects TG Employees
Male Impersonation in Nashville
Thai Transvestite Kickboxer Debuts
World's Scariest Police Chase Down Transpeople
Vals Board of Directors Election Candidates

April 1998 - On-Line Edition


Current Events

April 11 Meeting:

7pm. We will have our yearly board elections. If anyone is interested in running for a board position, please don't hesitate to speak up. The Vals Board of Directors meets monthly and discusses to conduct group business and plan future meetings.

Future Meetings:

May 9: Makeup by Lady Kia

June 13: Holly Boswell, Phoenix TG Support (Asheville, NC)

July 11: Discussion Circle

August 8: Cookout (rescheduled)

October 10: 4th Annual Halloween Party

December 12: 6th Annual Holiday/Anniversary Party

Tennessee Vals Special Events:

Friday, April 3, Music City Sheraton/Apples in the Field, 7pm

Saturday, May 9, Pride Ball at the Parthenon

TBA, Transgender Mixer, Holly Boswell, Phoenix TG Support (Asheville, NC)

Saturday, September 19, Pride March, Downtown Nashville (Note the date change).

Vals Discussion Group: The Vals have restarted the discussion group. The group meets at 6pm at the church immediately before the regular meeting. Dr. Terry Edwards will be there to provide guidance and counseling.

Highlights from the March Meeting: We had an unbelievable 40+ attend the March meeting. It's very encouraging to see such a strong turnout. Our speaker did not show, but we still had a good discussion on travel.

Vals Board Meetings:

April 23, May 28, June 25, 7pm at the Center for Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Transgendered Life in Nashville (unless otherwise announced), 703 Berry Rd., (615) 297-0008. Board meetings are open to all members.


Her Majesty, The Queen, Marisa

The Queen's Throne

By Marisa Richmond

Every April, we hold our annual board elections. We have seven board positions for which any member may run. The Vals is an all-volunteer organization, but it can only get stronger if others are willing to make an effort supporting the group. All of us who are currently on the board have other concerns in our various lives, but the act of giving back to others makes the time spent (which is not overwhelming) quite emotionally rewarding. Of course, there is no set way of doing things nor is there any agenda other than to provide support for others. Several years ago, I was told that one person was disillusioned with the group because "they don't meet my needs." All I can say is that that person did not lift a finger to see that the group did address those "needs." We are only as flexible as the people willing to work. But if a person is too lazy to work, then it is no wonder their "needs" are not being met. If you have "needs" that you would like to see addressed, then get involved! Otherwise, you have no reason to complain. And the time to get involved is NOW.

One area that has impressed me lately is the willingness of several SO's to offer support to one another. Since Charlotte moved to Memphis last year, the formal SO- only meetings stopped happening, but that does not mean the support ceased to exist. We have several who attend every meeting (and all who are paid members are eligible to run for any board position, including Chair!). Their support of others is what the Vals, and the entire system of support, is about.

The current board members have decided we would like to begin sponsoring regular, monthly dinners around town. There is no formal agenda or schedule, but you are expected to pay for your own meals. We just thought this would be a good way for people to get together and socialize outside of meeting every second Saturday. The first of these dinners will be Friday, April 3, at 7 pm at the Music City Sheraton in Apples in the Field. Just show up and be preprared to have a good time. Then mark your calendars for April 25. That is the night of the annual Pride Ball at The Parthenon. This event, a fundraiser for Pride Week events, serves as Nashville's GLBT prom. It is a unique experience to go dancing under Athena.

And speaking of Pride Week, the Nashville Pride Committee recently voted to move this year's celebration to the week of September 14-19. Let me put this as bluntly as I can: that is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen. Their argument is that it rains in June and it would conflict with Nashville CARES' Night in White fundraiser. Well, it rains in September too, and the Night in White was moved to June in order to compliment Pride Week. Traditionally, communities all around the country celebrate Pride Week in June because it was in June 1969 that the Stonewall Riots took place which mark the beginning of the GLBT liberation movement. So in keeping with the tradition of honoring Stonewall at the proper time, the board of the Tennessee Vals voted to keep our Transgender Mixer on June 11 as scheduled. After all, Stonewall is a transgender event.

One Wednesday morning back in late February, as I was up early getting ready for work and looking for something on TV, I found Crunch Fitness (espn2, 8 am CT). That morning's instructor was Anthony Truly in big blonde hair, tiara, white opera gloves, white fan....and goatee. The "Diva Size" featured tributes to Bette Davis ("Attitude!") and Susan Lucci ("There's no such thing as too much drama.") Feel the burn.

Some of you may recall back in December 1996 when I mentioned Marcia Fann, a post-op TS from Florida, had won the $30,000 first prize in the Classic Star "world championship" women's fishing tournament down in Texas with her innovative "speed worming" technique. Just before folding its own shop this winter, the Nashville Banner reported that the Bass'n Gal tour, which operated the Classic Star and five other tournaments, was shutting down. There is another women's fishing tour planned for '98, with its championship tournament to be held at Nashville's Percy Priest Lake, but I still think the desmise of Bass'n Gal is a real shame since there is no guarantee Fann will participate. Besides, I never did learn what "speed worming" was.

A year ago, I noted that April is the birthday month for Nashville's very own pin-up legend, Bettie Page (gee, I'm doing quite a bit of historical review of my own columns this month). She turns 75 this month and is to be commended for being herself and not conforming to the puritanical standards set by others. In an interview she had in the January issue of Heavy Metal, it was reported a biographical film of Ms. Page's life is in the works. I can hardly wait to see the results although I suspect we'll have a hard time recognizing Nashville from the 30s and 40s.

As I write my column each month, there are obvious editorial decisions I have to make about the items I discuss. Naturally, I am concerned about length since this newsletter represents the Vals and not just me, so there are times I have to delete, or at least postpone, discussion of various matters until a subsequent month. One item I intended to discuss last month, but postponed until this month, is the controversy over the Winslow Street Fund. This endowment fund was established in 1989 to provide money for new and needy projects of value to the transgender community. It was named for a street in Provincetown, Massachusetts where the idea originated during Fantasia Fair. The fund was to be administered by the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), but with its own separate board of trustees with an agreement that none of the WSF money was to be used for IFGE operating expenses.

Over the past few years, IFGE has experienced chronic financial problems. In late 1997, WSF granted a $15,000 loan to IFGE to produce Transgender Tapestry, its quarterly publication. This action set off a firestorm of protest in some circles. It has been noted that IFGE may not be able to repay the loan since it is in such dire financial straits. It has also been noted that Laura Caldwell and Abby Saypien are on both boards, constituting a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the loan to IFGE violates the spirit of the fund although every critic has acknowledged that it is not actually illegal.

The matter took an ugly turn in February when Kerri Reeder, the "whistle blower," was dismissed as a trustee of WSF by the board of IFGE. Reeder stated that on November 5, she sent an e-mail letter questioning the loan to Linda Buten (IFGE Board Chair) and Abby Saypien (WSF Board Chair), but had received no response from either before she went "public" eight days later. We exchange newsletters with 20 other support groups, and to date, I have found only one discuss this mess, suggesting that it has evoked the same moral outrage as certain rumors involving an upstanding, White House member and the attention that member may have received by certain interns. Regardless, the decision to fire Reeder for going public with her concerns after her inquiries were not returned is shameful. In fact, she was not even allowed to address the board of IFGE before they voted to dismiss her. While few have shown any interest in these matters, it does not mean that IFGE and the keepers of the fund should think they can operate in an environment in which they will not be watched except by a few already noted for watching them intensely. I cannot understand how the board of IFGE assumed the ethics of this would not be questioned at some point. Many in this community wish to see IFGE regain its credibility after a series of missteps, but this is definitely moving them closer to irrelevance if not outright oblivion.

From time to time, I mention various people who have contributed to the gender community who have died. Well, one who passed away on March 4, was important in my own life: Betty Ann Lind. In the early 1970s, she was a founder of what is now the TransGender Education Association (TGEA) of Washington, DC. When I joined TGEA in 1990, Betty Ann had already retired from active involvement with the group, but I did meet and talk with her and there is little question that her contributions have had a spinoff effect on my own. Those of us who knew her will attest she was strong willed and opinionated, but most importantly, she believed that each of us should do something on behalf of others. Among her other contributions, she was a founder of Fantasia Fair, the oldest annual gender convention, under the name Elizabeth Anne Nelson, she started Reluctant Press in 1990, and in 1991, she received the Virginia Prince Lifetime Achievement Award from IFGE, the highest honor for work on behalf of the gender community. She passed away of a stroke at the age of 67.

One who is very much alive, but cutting back, is Dallas Denny, the outgoing Executive Director of AEGIS. Over the years, Dallas has devoted herself to providing the best information and referral service to transgendered people as well as to improve our liasions with care providers. At times, I felt as if she worked All Day and All of the Night on behalf of others. Dallas' tenure ends on April 1, and there is little question that, despite occasional controversies, she has done wonders for us all. The board of AEGIS did think we had a successor to Dallas, but that person turned us down at the last minute because of health and financial reasons. Dallas will try to maintain some of AEGIS' services while the merger talks with It's Time America! continue. The biggest obstacle there, by the way, is the different tax status for each. AEGIS is a 501(c)3 organizations, while ITA! is 501(c)4 due to its political activities.

Finally, this is the last newsletter produced by Jenni. So let me just say one word to her: thankyouverymuch.

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Miss Jenni

Wigged Out

By Jennileigh Love

The Day Jenni met Jenny

What's in a name? My name, specifically?

Okay, I'll admit that my name confuses people. I've been called Jennifer more times than I care to remember. And the last name Love may be a little silly, especially for your average trannie. Some of you have probably wondered where the name came from.

The story is it's a Kryptonian name. When I was an infant, I was placed in a rocketship when my father, Kal-El realized that my home planet would soon be destroyed. I landed in Smallville, Kansas and. oh, waitaminnit. wrong origin story!

The truth on the last name is that it is not a drag name, no matter how silly it sounds. Love is very close to my true last name. Those four letters are in my last name in that order. I truncated the rest of the name for safety's sake back when I was first coming out. It was simply because there is only one person in the Nashville phone book with my legal last name and that someone is me. For those with Suspicious Minds, my true male identity could be easily uncovered. Some day if I go through the process of transition, I will begin using my legal last name.

The first name, Jennileigh, is another story. Back in '94 when I was coming out, I didn't have a femme name, and I was reaching a point when I needed one. I was making contacts on the Internet and would soon begin my odyssey into the gender community. I had gone through all the usual stuff, like "what would my parents have named me if I had been a girl?" My folks would have called me Ann Elizabeth, but I declined that name. At this point in my life, my folks had controlled me a little too much, and I wanted my own name. I also like the name Laura, which was my first girlfriend's name. But again, I didn't want someone else to define me.

As some of you know, my legal first name begins with the letter J. When I was 18, I got my first bank account, and at that point, I had to write my first "legal signature." I can remember thinking at that point, "don't sign with your full first name. you may want to change it later.. just sign it `J'". To this day I sign my name that way.

So I needed a name that starts with J. Okay, no problem. "Jennifer" was a good choice, but the truth is I knew too many skanks who had that name. I was stumped. Jessica, Jackie, Jacquelyn, Jane, Janey, Jana, Janet, Janette, Janelle, Jan, Janis, Jessie, Jean, Jewel, Jamie, Jill, Judy, Julie, Jerri, Julianne, Juliet, JoAnn, Joan, Joelle, Joyce, Jocelyn, Juanita. no.no.no.

I was inspired by, of all things, a Playboy magazine. Jenny McCarthy was the Playmate of the Year in 1994. She was a doll and I thought her name was short, sweet and simple. That was it. I did tweak it by adding the "I" to make it more unique. Making it even more personal, I added "leigh" to the end of it, after KymberLEIGH Richards, the first person I had contact with over the Internet. Kym was the editor of the now defunct Cross Talk magazine, which I had managed to get a copy of, and had the foresight to include an email address in her magazine. At the time of publication, email was not nearly as widespread as it is today. If she ever reads this, I want to thank her for being my first link to the gender community.

Jenny McCarthy recently came to Nashville as part of a promotion for Candies shoes. We all know how much Ms. McCarthy has contributed to television. Critically acclaimed shows like MTV's Singled Out, The Jenny McCarthy Show and NBC's Jenny have shown me that beyond the occasional sticking-her-tongue-out-at- the-camera, her acting ability is non-existent. I figured her career was on the downslide and thought I might be able to get an autograph and maybe even a photo taken with her. I scooped up my Playboys (which I still have thankyouverymuch), put on my best femme casual mall- walking outfit, grabbed my camera and went off to see the divine Ms. McCarthy. Hey, I figured if she was okay with hanging around Dennis Rodman on MTV, she'd probably get a kick out of one Tennessee trannie wanting an autograph.

I couldn't get within 200 feet of her. The police were there. Hundreds of screaming heterosexual prepubescent boys were swamping the humble shoe store where she was signing autographs. You had to buy shoes to get the autograph, and the crowd was so bad you couldn't get into the store. I had to wonder if all these men and boys had to buy women's shoes to get her autograph. If you think about it, Ms. McCarthy's visit to Nashville was the biggest trannie recruitment plan since we set up our web page! And I could have had a nice new pair of casual shoes and an autograph to boot if I had made it to the mall earlier.

What's in a name? I think mine tells quite a story.

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Left of Center

By Pamela DeGroff

I recently was asked where I get the ideas for this column. There's no stock answer for that question. I've always felt that any creative person-a painter, musician, writer, actor, whomever-can be inspired by almost any thing. Often, it's some of the most mundane moments from daily life that get the creative juices flowing.

When I get an idea, but don't have time right then to sit down and develop it, I make notes on whatever scrap of paper I can find. Admittedly low tech, but the end (this column) justifies the means (placemats in restaurants and borrowed pens). I've even pulled the car over and written on match book covers. It's an old song writer's trick-never trust your memory. So here, from the bottom of my briefcase and purse, gleaned from an ever-growing pile of sticky notes and old receipts, are a collection of ideas I've been saving for a while.

IDEA #1 There was an item on the news one evening about the development of a new ATM machine. Instead of using a card, and your PIN number, you would be "recognized by a camera in the ATM. The measurements of all your facial features, when matched with what is in the system, is what allows you to make transactions.

What I want to know is how far has this technology been developed? Does it factor in hair, or the lack thereof? Think in terms of the casual crossdresser. What happens when Sam, who normally has a concentration camp survivor haircut, becomes Sally, with long golden tresses? Will the computer freak out and think some stranger is trying to break into Sam's account? What about someone who has had a little facial nip and tuck, but didn't notify the bank first? Consider this from the standpoint of the female- to-male transsexual. They're very fond of growing facial hair. What would happen if one of our new brothers forgot to notify the bank, and showed up with beard growth where there previously was none?

I've also heard about research into voice activated computers. (Great shades of Star Trek and 2001.) I don't know if it's possible to alter your voice significantly enough in order to mess up a program on something like this, but consider the trannie who does get really good at changing his/her voice. The real field test of any new technology might be whether or not it can keep up with the transgendered community.

IDEA #2 I've attended enough drag shows to notice one particularly amusing phenomenon. There's always at least one queen who has the obligatory attendant boyfriend schlepping a huge pile of wig boxes and garment bags. Sort of like a roadie for a rock band.

We have a corresponding bit of weirdness in the Gender community. I've seen more than one trannie with their own personal psychologist in tow. What the heck is this...? a roadie for their mental baggage? (Just an observation-draw your own conclusions.)

IDEA #3 On more than one occasion, I've been asked when I'm going to transition.. Excuse me...what transition? I never quite know how to react. Initially, it usually offends me when someone asks this. It makes me feel that some people, even in our own community, still don't get it. Sexual re-assignment surgery is NOT the logical conclusion for everyone who considers themselves transgendered. I've always felt that the decision to transition is a very private thing. Until a person wishes to publicly state his/her intentions, I regard it as very rude to vocally assume anything.

On the other hand, though, maybe I'll resist the urge to pound the guano out of the next idiot who asks me this. Perhaps I look better than I think-this question might actually be a compliment. Oh well, it's nothing that good genetics and an even better moisturizer can't achieve.

IDEA #4 A while back, I wrote a column that should have been sub-titled "Mail Fraud". What happened is this: my name and address was placed under someone else's photo in a national transgender magazine. To date, I've received over 40 letters because of this little snafu. They've come from all over the place, even as far away as Sweden. There's a lot of people out there who think that "Pamela" is a 6 foot tall blonde in crotchless pantyhose and a black leather jacket. (I have both of those items, but have never worn them together like that. (Hmmm...there's a thought.)

Anyway, recently I received another letter that was extremely interesting. Some guy out west wrote and said he'd like to have me dress up and do...well, use your imagination here. It involves a technique made popular during the Spanish Inquisition. I think I'll invite this guy to Rose & Thorn's next Fetish Ball and turn him loose. (Hello, and welcome to Nashville...)

IDEA #5 Because of my size and long hair, I sometimes get mistaken for a woman even when I'm not trying to pass as one. One time in the men's room at work, while standing at the urinal, I heard a guy come in, stop real suddenly, and say "Oh my God!" I finished and turned around to find a real stunned looking older man. "You know", he said, "with all that hair of yours I almost thought I was in the wrong place. You really look like a lady from behind...but no offense." None taken, believe me.

I get "Ma'amed" at least once a week, at the grocery store, gas station, almost everywhere. People are always quick to fall all over themselves apologizing for this mistake. I simply smile and say "No problem", while inside I'm saying "ALL RIGHT!!"

I've had some really funny moments while driving down the Interstate. You can always tell when you're being "checked out" by another guy. A car or truck gets right beside you in another lane and doesn't speed up or slow down. Some times they honk, sometimes they wave, but mostly they just take a good long stare. The kind of stare you can almost feel.

I'm a pipe smoker, and I love the reactions when they finally see the nice briar or corn cob pipe. They always speed up at that point. I used to smoke cigars, and with the prevalence of this habit among women now, maybe if I switched back no one would think a thing about it. However, cigars really stink up the car. Think I'll stay with the pipe.

I'm going to have to be really careful, though. One of these days, you might turn on the news and hear this: "A semi truck carrying a load of toxic chemicals jack-knifed on I-65 while headed South into Nashville. The driver, Buford T. Mudphlapp of Wanker, Kentucky, was unhurt. When interviewed by the Highway Patrol as to the cause of the accident, he said, `Damn, Bubba, I know'd I seen my ex-wife Pearly Mae headed towards Nashville. She was thinner, must have dropped a good 200 pounds, but I know'd it was her. Same hair, same corn cob pipe. I swung over into the next lane to take a better look and that's when it happened.' There were no injuries, but I-65 was closed in both directions for 7 hours, and thousands had to be evacuated from homes and businesses as a precaution. Police are looking for the mystery woman with the corn cob pipe"

IDEA #6 Where did the phrase "occasional chair" come from? Is this really a table that likes to dress up like a chair and go bar hopping late at night? This one never made sense to me. Crossdressing furniture, what a concept.

Well, that's it for this pile of scrap paper. Until the ole purse fills up again, girlfriends, see ya.

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Anne

Behind Blue Eyes

By Anne Casebeer

One of my favorite writers is Brock Yates, who writes a monthly column for Car and Driver Magazine, as well as books and screenplays. He's probably best known as the founder and organizer of the "Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash", a New York to Redondo Beach, California biannual race that was comically recreated in "The Cannonball Run", a movie that starred Burt Reynolds. His columns are normally studded with barbs aimed squarely at the enemies of the American driver, and are not the typical gearheaded drivel found in the average car magazine. My favorite Yates column is one from 1978, entitiled "Demons New And Old, And How We're Going To Fight `Em". In that column, Yates recommended that otherwise law-abiding taxpayers "vote with their feet", gave advice on how to beat radar evidence in court, and encouraged motorists to write their elected officials and/or "vote the rascals out!" You see, in 1978, the speed limit was still set insanely low at 55 m.p.h., the Carter Administration was foursquare in favor of keeping it that way, and most motorists on the open road openly thumbed their noses at the nationally-mandated speed limit law. I was no different, equipping my cars with CB radios and radar detectors. People like me, who normally took pride in their status as responsible law- abiding citizens, were equally proud of their ability to thwart and evade the "smokeys." This became a game of sorts, and gave birth to such late 1970s cultural icons as "Smokey and the Bandit," and "The Dukes of Hazzard." It was a simple issue, but one with many facets to consider; we felt that we should be able to drive as fast as we saw fit, but government had statistics to show that if left to their own judgment, motorists would drive too fast for conditions and have more accidents. The law was eventually repealed, returning what was rightfully a state responsibility back to the individual states. I still plea guilty to loving the wind in my hair, shifting and drifting, mechanical music, adrenaline surge, wood and leather, hot metal and oil, the scent of country air, sunlight on chrome, every nerve aware.....

Now, of course, I'm interested in a different kind of political movement. The movement to obtain rights for transgendered people has some parallels and some differences, and certainly different allies. In the late 70s, we highway scofflaws regularly skewered the regulatory-minded liberals of the time, and supported conservative Republican candidates. Have my political views changed? No, I don't think so, conservatism used to mean something very different than what it means today. I've always felt that there were some places where Federal action was totally warranted, and other times when it wasn't. Civil rights law is one of those times. The 1964 Civil Rights Act would never have become law in many states without a Federal mandate, and was one of the finest moments in the history of the Congress, a moment in time when our elected officials overwhelmingly voted to do the right thing in spite of the feelings of many of their constituents. That is why we must keep working at the Federal level to pass legislation that will lead to rights and protection for the GLBT community. Simply put, we can't pass it at the state level in our part of the country yet, so our best hope right now is to use the power of a Federal mandate to drag our local laws into the 90s. Hate crimes' reporting legislation is pending in Congress, and this is the thrust of this year's lobbying effort. With work, this legislation can pass, and I don't think hate crimes reporting should be that hard to sell to our elected officials. After all, all we are asking for is that hate crimes against GLBT people be reported as such to the Justice Department, so meaningful statistics can be compiled on these acts of bigotry and cowardice. We can play on a conservative's "tough on crime" stance, while liberals will already be on our side. It's an ideal opportunity for a first-time lobbyist. Lobby Days will be held this year Sunday, April 19 through Tuesday, April 21. Amy and I would like to invite any and all of you to lobby with us, and help us tell our elected officials what their transgendered constituents expect of them. Sunday afternoon and evening will be spent getting to know your fellow lobbyists, many of whom will be very recognizable names in the TG community; learning about how to make your points effectively; pairing up into teams (only the most experienced lobbyists will go it alone); and mastering the position papers we will be distributing to the offices we are visiting. Monday and Tuesday are spent lobbying from 9 AM until 4 PM. Lobbying is hard work, and a lot of walking, but is one of the most rewarding TG experiences you can have. If you communicate well in a one-on-one setting, or have experience in conducting seminars or meetings, then you will do just fine. Worried about passing, or about being hassled? Don't be, nobody knows you in DC, which is a pretty liberal city. The Capitol security police have always treated us with great respect and have been very helpful with directions. I've also observed that the legislative assistants who we deal with are normally very happy to see us, whether or not they agree with our positions - it's a major event for them when GenderPAC comes to town. Obviously, you should dress in a manner I would call "lady lawyer", leave the stilettos at home, and wear your most comfortable shoes. Our goal is to voice our opinions on issues of importance to the TG community, and dispel the misconceptions that people may have about us. I can assure you of this; with transgendered people making the trip annually to DC (60 people lobbied at last years' event), our Senators and Representatives ARE getting to know us, and they are paying attention when we visit. So, won't you join us?

Freedom and Mascara! Anne Casebeer

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Pic of Katrina Rose

Never Again

By Katrina Rose

Most people have heard of Christine Jorgensen. Though neither the first transsexual nor, now, even the most famous, she initially made headlines in 1952 and 1953 - popping up intermittently after that prior to her death in 1989. For most people, the transsexual historical timeline has a large gap between Christine Jorgensen in the 1950's and Renee Richards in the 1970's - a black hole with nothing in it: no names, no lives, no stories.

Of course, there were plenty of stories in between Christine and Renee. One is Charlotte McLeod's.

The story of how Charlotte emerged from Charles can be found in the March 8, 1954 issue of Time. The brief piece starts off by referring to sex reassignment surgery simply as "emasculation." Remember, this was 1954 - well before the enlightenment. Segregation was not only legal, but still considered by many to be a really cool idea.

The article stated that "Last April, after carefully reading the news of Christine's treatment by Danish surgeons, Charles took ship for Copenhagen. He found that the Danish Ministry of Justice had ordered doctors not to perform an emasculating operation on any more foreigners." This order was due to the immense press coverage of Jorgensen's surgery. "Charles told his troubles to a helpful taxicab driver, who took him to a quack. For a sizable fee, the quack performed a crude operation, using a kitchen table for an operating table." Hopefully, this was the same character who did the work on Jack Napier's face in the first Michael Keaton Batman movie. We all know what happened to that quack.

"Two weeks later, Charles dragged himself to Copenhagen's Bispebjerg Hospital, determined to complete the Christine treatment. Since his condition made him an emergency case, doctors gave him further surgery, and he received hormone injections." According to my research, SRS was actually illegal in the United States at the time - although the actual illegality centered on so-called mutilation of the sex organs.

Charles McLeod, a person who "was regarded as an efficient bookkeeper and typist" but could not hold a job "because of his effeminate ways," could not get legal treatment here - and, following the press sensationalism of Christine Jorgensen's transition, could not even get it in Denmark. He had to go to a butcher.

Back-alley abortions.

Back-alley gender reassignment.

Kissin' cousins of repression.

When either is necessitated by backward laws, based on one particular religion, something is horribly wrong. Just be cause there is safe, legal SRS currently available in this country do not ever let down your guard. The U.S. Supreme Court stepped in on reproductivity issues. Griswold v. Connecticut stopped states from criminalizing condoms and Roe v. Wade allowed access to abortion treatment.

Those decisions have not stopped the radical religious right. They have been hammering away at all forms of the right to choose ever since.

There is no Griswold or Roe protecting the right to gender self-determination in the United States. When such biblically totalitarian groups as the Christian Coalition and the Promise Keepers gain major influence in the machinations of state governments, the danger is always there that some up-and-coming young Newt- wannabe will manage to get an anti-gender treatment law passed as an obscure rider to a complex bill. Once a statute is enacted - any statute - repeal is extremely difficult. Politicians just don't like to muster up the energy to do such things.

If a law criminalizing gender treatment slithers into the criminal code, the likelihood of anyone who faces intermittent re-elections voting for anything that might be deemed "anti-family" - as anything connected with anything even remotely non-heterosexual is branded by the Pat Robertson cabal - is infinitesimal.

When the time approaches, I may go to Montreal for genital surgery. Or, I may not. However, I do not want to be forced to go to another country for treatment.

Charlotte McLeod's words still apply: "We are an army of people who live deeply depressed, under circumstances we cannot control." We can control more aspects of our existence now. My severe depression ended when I started venturing out of my shell. I have no intention of going back to that depression. I also have no desire to see our society go backward to the point where almost all transsexuals are put in Charlotte's predicament.

Some in the gender community are averse to politics. I am not insensitive to closets of necessity Some of us can't be political, so others of us have to be. Otherwise, we'll all be booking reservations at the Copenhagen Quack Shack instead of the civilized gender clinics of America.

If I want quacks I know where to go. Come to think of it, it is a nice clear day. I think I'll go to the zoo and feed the quacks...er, ducks.

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City of Houston: Executive Order Protects TG Employees

On Monday, February 16th, 1998, Lee P Brown, the Mayor of Houston signed an Executive Order to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The magic is in the definition of sexual orientation which reads "the actual or perceived status of a person with respect to his or her sexuality." The term sexuality can be defined in many ways, and the real or perceived status of a person's "sexuality" definitely covers the transgender experience.

Hats off to the Mayor and his legal staff.

Hats off to Annise Parker, Houston's first openly-queer elected member of Houston City Council. She has been saying transgender inclusion from the beginning.

Hats off to Houston TG leaders, including but not limited to, Vanessa Edwards, Marie Gallagher, Michelle Myers, Sarah DePalma and MANY, MANY others who were out and visible and worked on Annise's campaign and followed this executive order through to the signing. Good work.

By Phyllis Frye, 2/98

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Making a Dream Come True

by Del Door

Male Impersonation in Nashville

Rabbitt is a male impersonator. As she was coming out she had an opportunity to see another male impersonator perform. That performance made a deep impression on her. Her first thoughts were, "I can do that!" This spark of a dream has served to motivate her to become an impersonator herself as well as form Rabbittino Productions for discovering, developing and promoting other male impersonators.

Rabbitt looks for qualities in male impersonators: the male illusion, masculine characters , and a desire or interest. She finds inspiration for her act in the music of Sam Cooke, Peabo Bryson and Marvin Gay.

Rabbitt is a native Nashvillian. She and her partner have appeared in the area since 1981 under the name of Rabbitt & Mac. They have performed at the Cabaret, The Chute Complex, The Jungle Lounge, Al's Victor Victoria's, Connection Nashville and the Warehouse.

From '92 to '94 her major endeavor focused on "Boys to Men." This group traveled and performed at various clubs in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Presently, Rabbitt's dream has centered on creating a national pageant system to showcase and promote male impersonators. Such a network has existed for female impersonators for a number of years. In 1997, she staged a Mr. Esquire Pageant with eight contestants competing in Nashville. The program consisted of a presentation of the contestants, formal wear competition, talent competition, and a question and answer competition. Stephen Matthews of Knoxville, Tennessee won that contest.

Plans are currently underway for Mr. Esquire 1998. The contest will be conducted at the Connection on Sunday, October 18th. Franchises are being offered to other cities in the Southwest area to host similar pageants. Winners from these local contests will then take part in a Mr. Grand Emperor Competition which will be held in Nashville.

Those with an interest in male impersonation, or the possibility of hosting such a contest are encouraged to contact Rabbittino Productions at (615) 612-0620 or write to PO Box 78475, Nashville, TN 37207-8475.

Xenogeny, 2/23/98

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Thai Transvestite Kickboxer Debuts

Bangkok, Thailand - Some fighters are known for their right cross, but kickboxer Pirinya Kaibusaba is known for cross-dressing.

A sellout crowd of 10,000 spectators was expected tonight to witness Pirinya's debut at Bangkok's Lumpini Stadium, the nation's mecca of Muay Thai, or Thai kickboxing.

The draw? The 15-year-old native of Lamphun, 350 miles north of Bangkok, is the first known transvestite to try his hand - and legs - at the martial sport.

And though he powders his nose during training, the 140-pound Pirinya is no powder-puff in the ring. The young welterweight with red-tinted brown hair has already compiled a professional record of 20 wins, 2 losses and 17 knockouts in a sport where brutal kicks and elbows to the head are common.

Yet the prospect of a broken nose, cut eye or cauliflower ear doesn't faze Pirinya.

``If I was afraid about my face, I wouldn't fight,'' said Pirinya, who wore makeup and pink nail polish at today's weigh-in.

It was the weigh-in that presented Pirinya with his toughest test so far as a fighter. Boxing officials at Lumpini insist combatants be completely nude when they step onto the scale.

When ordered to strip in front of a phalanx of reporters and cameramen, Pirinya broke down in tears. Lumpini officials, who are all members of the Thai military, eventually allowed him to keep on his black jockey shorts.

Although Thai boxers are generally tattooed tough guys from poor farming areas or Bangkok slums, many readily accept Pirinya.

"I thought it was strange when I heard there was a transvestite boxer, but I like to see people who like boxing - I don't care who they are,'" said Pong Sudsaeng, another fighter.

Most Thais, in fact, accept transvestites. Locally they are called "katoeys"' and are regarded as a third sex. Pirinya is only 15, but that's not unusual for a Thai boxer. Many start when they are 10 or 12, and some headliners at Lumpini are only 16. Most fight until their late-20s.

Advocates for children's rights decry the violence of kickboxing, but Thai officials already have their hands full fighting rampant child labor and trying to free the 300,000 children the United Nations estimates are prisoners in Thai brothels.

Pirinya says he isn't dreaming of championships or fame - he just likes the feeling of being in the ring.

"I don't think I'm fighting to be famous. I'd rather have a quiet life," he said. "I'll fight until I get bored with it.'"

By Jiraporn Wongpaithoon, c1997 Associated Press, 2/24/98

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World's Scariest Police Chase Down Transpeople

On February 17, FOX targeted transpeople in World's Scariest Police Chases, another "reality-based" police program. "They could be high, they could be insane, they could be both," the voice-over says. "These suspects are so dangerous, so reckless, and so weird that they make these chases unforgettable." During the "so weird" section, the program shows police forcing at gunpoint a transgendered person from a truck. Then two separate clips are shown where either cross-dressing men, drag queens or transgender women (the show does not make this distinction) are engaged in high-speed chases. In the first, the voice-over identifies the suspect as a "local football coach, well-known and well-liked." When the person is caught, the voice-over asks, "But why did he run, and why didn't the officer recognize him?" He snidely states that, "He was wearing a wig and women's clothing." Between segments, a police officer explains that safety is the number-one concern, and that they want people to be stopped, not humiliated. But the next arrestee tells a different story. While being chased, the driver calls 911 and explains, "Brand-new dress on, that's what I got. Now they'll see me all dressed up, and want to parade me around in front of everybody in jail...." The arrestee says he will stop when "I get my make-up off," adding, "I hope this won't make the news." When the driver is arrested, the camera fixes on his legs in hose, noting that "an officer can't help but smile."

By prefacing the segment by calling the transpeople "weird," and lumping that in with being "high," "crazy" or both, FOX sets viewers up to consider transpeople "freakish." The voice-over confirms this bias against transgendered people in its attitude toward the wig and dress of the first driver. The second driver has a valid concern of humiliation after arrest by police officers, who unfortunately have a long history of insensitivity and even outright violence towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. But this is dismissed by the officer stating that police do not want to "humiliate" suspects. Instead of giving any context to the driver's fear, the structure of the show makes the person appear irrational and "weird."

Let FOX know that this kind of side-show treatment of transgender people is unacceptable. Contact: Peter Roth, President of Fox Entertainment Group, Fox Television Network, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064-2606, fax: 310.369.7363, or call the viewer hotline at: 310.369.3066.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

(GLAAD) 3/2/98

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Tennessee Vals - Candidates for Board Positions

April 11 Meeting

ChairJennileigh, Bonnie
Vice ChairBonnie (incumbent), Deanna
SecretaryMarisa (incumbent)
TreasurerPamela (incumbent)
MembershipSusan
EventsBonnie, Susan
PublicationsAnne, Terry

Additional nominees accepted at the meeting.


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