Cher Discusses Chaz In Letterman Interview

Cher's recent interview with David Letterman and the part of it discussing Chaz's transition.

TransGriot Interviewed At 'Talk About Gay Racism'

Lincoln is a transman who's been a Christian since the age of 15, loves being active in the LGBT communities, helping people understand the Bible, and working to make the world a better place.

He's also the editor of 'Talk About Gay Racism', to which I gave an interview that was posted today.

If you wish to read it, surf on over to TAGR via this link and check out what I had to say about various subjects there.

Maria Roman Interview

The first time that many people outside of Southern California heard her name was in conjunction with the 2007 Transtasia documentary. But this telegenic trans Latina has been involved in fighting HIV/AIDS in the Los Angeles area for over 15 years as well as being a eloquent voice for transpeople on Spanish language and other media.

Here's a link to a recent interview done with Maria on the Raant blog.

Laverne Cox VH1 Interview

TransGriot Note: Here's an interview featuring my sis Laverne Cox talking about her new reality show 'Transform Me' and other subjects.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

I Love Interviews-Except At Queerty

One of the things I love to do and see as an important part of informing and educating our allies and others about transgender issues is transgender people speaking openly and honestly about our lives if you feel comfortable doing so.

Over the course of my 15 year transition I've done numerous print, radio, blog and podcast interviews with GLBT and non GLBT media. I've even been shown on TV twice for non transgender reasons. The people who have conducted them have done so in a courteous, loving and intellectually curious manner that made it a joy to be a part of those situations.

As the leading (and so far only) transgender blogger who focuses on transgender, GLB and other issues from an African-American perspective I get interview requests that if I can work them into my schedule I'm happy to do, especially if it involves POC or African-American media.

But there are limits to that availability. If the publication is openly hostile to African-Americans or transgender people, or is seeking the interview more for sensationalist rather than serious educational reasons, I'm turning it down.

Jerry Springer's people actually called me back in 1998 to ask me if I'd come on their show. He had long since slid into treating transgender issues as a joke or a sweeps month ratings boost, so I told them 'hell no and lose my number'.

In the wake of my 'Your Pink Sheets Are Showing' post that criticized the racism in the GLBT community, was posted on Queerty and led to me being viciously attacked by its readers with racist and transphobic comments, its editor Japhy Grant wanted me to do an interview on Queerty with him which I have repeatedly declined.

One major reason is because I have not received an apology from him for the attacks from his readers when he posted the Pink Sheets article on his blog. Second, it is my right to do so, especially after Queerty has continued to live up to its perception based on its comment threads that it is a less than friendly place for transgender people. It devolves to hostile for transgender people of color and our allies who express opinions that run counter to the groupthink of the Log Cabin Republican/HRC gays that comprise some of its readership.

But Japhy seems to arrogantly think that he can bully me into doing an interview on his site. You can't bully a Taurus once their minds are made up into doing anything they don't want to do except pay taxes and die.

I'm making it clear that I'm not doing a Queerty interview. I just posted a commentary which gives crystal clear evidence of the depth of the transphobia that's endemic with some of the commenters on Queerty.

So why would I subject myself to that again just because Japhy wants an interview and I'm not giving it to him? Calling me names isn't going to make me change that position any faster, and all it's doing is setting my original decision in concrete.

So yes, I love to do interviews-except on Queerty.

Monica Speaks At Womanist Musings

Today is International Women's Day, and in honor of it Renee, the brilliant creative genius behind the Womanist Musings blog has begun posting a series of interviews she conducted with eight different women. They will be posted on her blog over the next eight days, and I was honored to not only be chosen as an interview subject, but be the person that kicked off this week's series of conversations.

1) It is my understanding that you don't identify as a womanist or feminist, would you share with us some of your reservations for not owning either label?

My major reason for not claiming the feminist label was the anti-transgender attitudes still prevalent in much feminist thought and discourse, especially the radical feminist end of it. I also didn't like seeing the way feminists have disrespected women of color, so why would I try to identify with a movement that hates me on two levels?

As for as the womanist label, it appeals to me since as an African descended transwoman, it speaks more to my own core beliefs of not only uplifting the race but all people. But I haven't totally embraced it because at times I feel like I'm still not part of the sistahhood and haven't done enough to be worthy of the legacy of Audre Lord, bell hooks, and other pioneering womanists.

2) What if any positive changes have occurred in terms of including the concerns of trans women in feminist/womanist circles?

The changes I see are more on the womanist end of the scale. Feminists, and particularly the radical feminists are still clinging to the 'hate on transwomen'. screeds uttered by Janice Raymond, Germaine Greer, Mary Daly and others. I see womanists as being far more willing to accept and embrace us as friends, get to know our issues, and intelligently realize that we have many things in common. Womanists in many cases are more tenacious about speaking up about our issues and defending our right to exist than some transwomen are.

3) As a transwoman and a woman of colour do you find that you are often asked to choose between your identity as a trans woman and a woman of colour? Which if any do you consider to be your primary identity and why?

I made that choice a long time ago, so I don't get asked as much since I made it quite clear to the transgender community where I stood. I'm a proud African descended transwoman that also feels comfortable with the woman of color label as well. One of the reasons is that when I'm out and about, they see 'Black woman' long before they see the 'transwoman' part of my identity.

4) What would you like to see allies do to bridge the differences between trans women and cisgender women?

One is form friendships with transwomen. You'd be amazed how much you do have in common with transwomen and how much we desire to be full partners with cisgender women. It's a win-win situation that does wonders to break down the wall of mistrust, hurt feelings, misconceptions and anger on both sides. You gain a loyal friend, and it helps us gain confidence that we can be the types of women you expect and want us to be.

Two, realize that many transwomen take our transition into our new gender roles seriously and want to be seen as compliments to womanhood, not a joke or detriment to it.

5) During your transition what differences did you notice in how you were treated? What came as the biggest surprise?

The most glaring one was not being treated as a criminal suspect. Since I'm 6'2", the other was not being asked by whites the annoyingly stereotypical 'if I played basketball' question. That got replaced with 'Are you a model' until the WNBA cranked up in 1997.

Biggest surprise had to be discovering that I now have a doubled risk for breast cancer and have to do breast exams and mammograms on a regular basis. Next biggest was discovering how fast my intelligence was devalued. It only took three months of living full time before as I sarcastically complain, that I lost 15 IQ points once I transitioned.

Read the rest of the interview here

Lynda Carter To Caribou Barbie: You're No Wonder Woman

TransGriot Note:Philadelphia magazine recently interviewed Lynda Carter about her three week show at an Atlantic City casino. The interviewer asked a question about the comparisons that Repugnicans are making to Palin and the Wonder Woman character she played back in the 70's.

Needless to say Ms. Carter has very definite opinions about that.


PHILADELPHIA: Okay, last question. I'm sure you've seen all the comparisons in the media and among Republicans of Sarah Palin to Wonder Woman. How do you feel about that?

CARTER: Don’t get me started. She’s the anti-Wonder Woman. She’s judgmental and dictatorial, telling people how they’ve got to live their lives. And a superior religious self-righteousness … that’s just not what Wonder Woman is about. Hillary Clinton is a lot more like Wonder Woman than Mrs. Palin. She did it all, didn’t she?

No one has the right to dictate, particularly in this country, to force your own personal views upon the populace — religious views. I think that is suppressive, oppressive, and anti-American. We are the loyal opposition. That’s the whole point of this country: freedom of speech, personal rights, personal freedom. Nor would Wonder Woman be the person to tell people how to live their lives. Worry about your own life! Worry about your own family! Don’t be telling me what I want to do with mine.

I like John McCain. But this woman — it’s anathema to me what she stands for. I think America should be very afraid. Very afraid. Separation of church and state is the one thing the creators of the Constitution did agree on — that it wasn’t to be a religious government. People should feel free to speak their minds about religion but not dictate it or put it into law.

What I don’t understand, honestly, is how anyone can even begin to say they know the mind of God. Who do they think they are? I think that’s ridiculous. I know what God is in my life. Now I am sure that she’s not all just that. But it’s enough to me. It’s enough for me to have a visceral reaction. And it makes me mad.

People need to speak up. Doesn’t mean that I’m godless. Doesn’t mean that I am a murderer. What I hate is this demonization of everybody but one position. You’re un-American because you’re against the war. It’s such bullshit. Fear. It’s really such a finite way of thinking about God to think that your measley little mind can know the mind of God. It’s a very little God that way. I think that God’s bigger. I don’t presume to know his mind. Or her mind.

Sarah Palin-Not Ready For Prime Time

Here's the YouTube video from the recent interview Katie Couric did with Caribou Barbie. If anybody thinks that this woman is qualified, much less even ready to be vice president (or president) they are seriously delusional and I'd recommend they get professional help immediately.



As a bonus, here's Tina Fey skewering Palin on Saturday Night Live.



And Tina Fey skewering her again.

A. Dionne Stallworth Interview

TransGriot Note: When I started the Transsistahs-Transbrothas Yahoo discussion list on January 1, 2004, all I was trying to do was provide a place for transpeople of African descent to have thoughtful discussions on the various issues that affected us.

Little did I know that I'd not only meet some wonderful people, but learn about some of my history makers as well in the process. One of the joys of founding this list has been getting to know and call history maker A. Dionne Stallworth my friend.

This was a recent interview conducted on September 14, 2008 by Genaro Urso with Dionne at www.stoppingthehate.com.

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Dionne Stallworth has been a longtime advocate and activist concerning issues of mental health, homelessness, people of color, and equality for all LGBTIQ people.

Among her many accomplishments, Dionne was one of the original founding members of GenderPAC, a former officer and board member of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association, founded and ran the first organization in Philadelphia dealing with the issues of transgender youth of color, and one of the founding members and original co-chair of the Philadelphia–based Transgender Health Action Coalition.

Dionne is currently the Resident Activities Coordinator for In Community, a housing program run by the internationally known and respected non-profit organization, Project H. O. M. E. Part of her responsibilities include aiding in the development of educational and entertaining activities for program residents, including direct oversight of an interactive film series program called “Community Night at the Movies” – which recently celebrated its 1st anniversary. She is a public grant reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health and is working on the development of a pilot transgender-specific shelter project.

What do you think the most perplexing issue facing transgendered people is?

I think the biggest issue we face is how we see ourselves and how we define ourselves. Unlike most other movements, we have never defined ourselves and as such, we become defined by others who are not us. It separates us from would be allies and each other. Without that definition, we can't even begin to have a conversation about what we need, what we want, or what we want the future to look like for ourselves.

Over the last year there has been a deep seeded division between the trans community and the GLB community. Do you think it is better served to redefine the trans role with the HRC or should Trans people seek their own organization to lobby Washington?

Someone so much wiser than me said: "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it." That being said, historically, LGB organizations have failed miserably to recognize the fact more often than not - issues of gender-variant people are more theirs, than the other way around. At the peak of the dot com boom, I chose the online name of "A. Dionne Stallworth" as a political statement and as an active form of protest against that type of bigotry and lack of vision. LGB people for a long time have been called "children of the rainbow;" Gender-variant people are "children of the prism."

We are crystal by which all of them have become visible. As for the 2nd part of the question, about forming our organizations, our organizations need to meet and agree on a definition of who we are without clinging to other people's definition of who we are. Until that happens, we are like Jews who were lost in the wilderness for 40 years. Another wise person said: "The only way to have freedom of the press is to own the press." We will only come to our destiny if we define who we are and not before.

What is the biggest misconception you feel faces transgendered women?

I think some of us think because of our experience we experience everything a genetic or biological woman does. This is not possible. It is a fact. We will never know what is to experience menses or giving birth. Most of us will never know what it means to grow up female in a patriarchal society. This has left its scar upon us and why so many of us have a hard time during transition. Male privilege is hard to shake, especially for white men. This does not negate our femaleness, but it makes our experience different and we should recognize it. We should embrace it.

Another big problem is feminism. Not so many years ago, women were saying that we are not defined by our vaginas and our ovaries. In the last 15 years, I'd say that is how women are redefining themselves - which make that harder for us as women of a trans or intersexed experience as women of ...etc.

Many of the stereotypes facing Trans people from what they see on TV and the movies how do those stereotypes play out in corporate America?

I think western women are beginning to embrace the power of the imagery of sexuality and sensuality. The problem is how does that power translate itself into economic and social power. As I said previously, the mark of male privilege is upon us. As intersexed or transwoman, we are versed in corporate warfare on an instinctual level because these are the social cues that were imposed on us. I still find it surprising that women who are in business have no knowledge of Sun Tzu (The Art of War) or The Prince and still have no idea what is being perpetrated upon them.

As for the stereotypes of us, we see.... my agreement for self-definition is never more applicable.

What do you feel the biggest advancement has been in the GLBT community over the last 40 years?

The same thing that caused LGBs to make gender-variant people the flavor of the millennium and killing us at the same time - HIV/AIDS. As the 1st three waves of the disease hit them and destroyed most of our part in their history, they discovered that we were the means to keep their attempts at dealing with the epidemic funded. This epidemic is forcing down a lot of the old barriers to working together, but racism is still a big part of who we are as a country and as a culture. When we can get past it, maybe there might be hope for all of us as a species.

Even within the trans community there is some separation between non op, pre op and post op . Do you think the ties that bind you are more important to the physical difference?

I think the explanation of how women see themselves exacerbates this divide. That being said, we exist in a gender binary and despite the people who transcend gender as a political statement or the scientific truth that we are all a combination of both genders - this is the way our world sees gender and sex.

Where do you see the GLBTIQ community in the next 10 years?

Unfortunately, I think we will probably be about where we are right now. There is nothing in current events to suggest to me otherwise. Wish I could be more optimistic, but that's how I see it.

What areas do you think would best serve in bringing unity to the GLBT community?

I think the answer to this is relatively simple;however, the actualization is a
lot more complicated. I think the 1st thing that needs to happen is the
acknowledgment on the part of LGBTIQ leadership that gender-variant people are equal partners in our collective history and our impending future.

I also think that the spectres of classism and racism will have to be fought on all levels. Presently, I don't think the status quo has the courage and vision to make these adjustments. So, we will continue to fight each other and watch as our political foes threaten our very existence while the bigots and hate mongers continue killing us in even larger numbers. While this not true of all the leadership, it is far too prevalent - which is my answer and outlook is rather grim.