Happy 75th Birthday Dr. Renee Richards

While watching MSNBC's Countdown Keith Olbermann made me aware of a milestone birthday occurring for a woman that happened to be his ophthalmologist.

Dr. Renee Richards turned 75 today.

This woman happened to be one of the transgender newsmakers during the 70's. She was one of the transpeople I was following news wise nationally, internationally and locally as I struggled to make sense of and deal with my own gender issues.

She fought for her right to play professional tennis when the USTA established a woman-born-woman policy back in the day that the New York Supreme Court overturned.

She ended up ranked as high as number 20 in the world before retiring as a player in 1981, and was Martina Navratilova's coach when Martina was dominating the women's tennis scene during the 80's.

She's still practicing medicine, and she has become less than popular in some transpeople's eyes with her increasingly conservative views and public regrets about transition.

She openly criticized the 2004 IOC decision to allow transpeople to compete in the Olympic games, calling it 'stupid'.

I disagree, but just like I speak my mind and some people don't like what I have to say, I respect her right to articulate her opinions on that subject and many others.

I need to point out to the peeps criticizing her that just as I reflect the attitudes of someone who grew up in the 60's and 70's, she is a product of her generation. She grew up in a time that was far more rigid and repressive about gender and she reflects those attitudes.

Happy birthday Dr. Richards. I hope that your remaining days on the planet are filled with whatever happiness and peace you can find.

You're Welcome, Leona!

TransGriot Note: Received an e-mail recently from my sis in Singapore that she asked me to post to the blog. It has a commentary concerning her wildly successful Ah Kua Show that sold out its three night run there.

And without further ado, here's Leona.

The show was a great success with lots of support from the local media. In a way, it was like the dawn of a new era. The show and the media coverage would not have been possible five years ago.

Could you give me your address please? I would like to send the programme booklet to you.

Thank you for your fabulous support!

Cheers!
Leona

***

Done sis.

It was an honor for me to write the commentary for it. I'm looking forward to perusing the program once I receive it. I'll let you (and my TransGriot readers) know when the program finally reaches my mailbox.

I'm also looking forward to the day when we finally get the opportunity to meet in person.

Remembering Tyra Hunter

In the midst of this bruising battle to fundamentally reshape our health care system, those of us on the trans side of the spectrum definitely need to be paying attention to and help shape a positive outcome for it.

While we pay attention to the inside the beltway shenanigans of those wishing to kill the reforms at the behest of their insurance company paymasters, it's time once again to focus on another inside the beltway travesty that happened in 1995.

Today is another marking of the sad anniversary of transwoman Tyra Hunter's death.

Tyra didn't die in a hail of bullets like Stephanie Thomas and Ukea Davis would on that same Southeast DC street corner years later. Her death was preventable.

She was in a car accident at the intersection of 50th and C Street on the way to work. Because of a transphobic EMT named Adrian Williams, she is no longer walking this Earth today or doing her clients hair.

Rest in peace, Tyra. As long as TransGriot exists I'll never allow the story of what happened to you die. It's past time that my fellow African-Americans hear it and realize that their irrational faith-based hatred of transpeople carries a cost as well.

Happy Birthday, Angie!

Today will probably be is a bittersweet day for Angie Zapata's family.

Angie would have celebrated her 20th birthday today. Instead, they will be memorializing her.

However, the family and the transgender communities in the Denver metro area, the state of Colorado and nationally will mark the occasion knowing that her murderer Allen Andrade is rotting in a Colorado prison.

Yes, justice was served, but unfortunately that doesn't bring back this beautiful young woman's life or ease the pain of her loss for all of the people who were blessed to have Angie in their lives.

Hopefully the message was sent in this trial and the recently concluded one last month of Dwight DeLee that it's no longer open season on transpeople.

One of the things we can do to honor Angie today is to redouble our community efforts in getting federal hate crimes and ENDA legislation passed.

We can also work toward doing a better job of ensuring that the American transgender community showcases all of the members and the talents of its diverse rainbow of people.

Happy birthday Angie. Say hello to all of our fallen brothers and sisters for us

'Jeremy's' Compensation For Jacked Up Guam Prom Denied

Remember 'Jeremy', the gay student on Guam who was denied entry to his prom because he was wearing a dress while female students were allowed to enter wearing tuxedos?

Jeremy's quest for getting reimbursement for the $400 spent getting ready for that aborted prom night at George Washington High School has been denied.

This tempest is also occurring as Guam's legislature is embroiled in a contentious debate over whether to allow same gender unions. The US Western Pacific island territory, whose slogan is 'Where America's Day Begins', decriminalized homosexuality in 1979.

It also has laws in place banning all discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Jeremy identifies as gay instead of trans, and told KUAM-TV News he felt discriminated against by school officials.

"I said, 'Where does it state in this rule in this paper that there's no cross-dressing, no individualism and no opposite genders? It doesn't say anything'. And that's wrong," he said.

Jeremy recently met with school officials about the matter to demand a refund on his ticket and on the items he purchased for the event, as well as a public apology. He says the over $400 he spent on clothes, shoes, hair, nails and makeup getting ready for the prom all went to waste because he wasn't allowed to attend.

While they granted the refund for his ticket, the school has balked at the refund for the items Jeremy purchased and the public apology.

George Washington High School principal Begona Flores stated: There's no need to make a public apology, because we weren't the ones that put it out in the public. He was the one that did so. There's no need for a public apology from any of us, according to legal counsel."

Flores then let her homophobia and transphobia seep into the comment by adding: "He knew the attire. This is for male, this is for female. And he made the conscious decision to buy something else. So why should we be responsible? You cannot pick and chose when you want to be. You want to be this, then not this time. When you start picking and choosing, there's no consistency here. And so we cannot blame other people because when I see Jeremy here, he's a boy."

Jeremy has apparently dressed in female clothing and expressed his gender as female while in school, so school personnel say they were not unreasonably surprised when he arrived at the prom in a gown.

All Jeremy wants is fairness in the system. He wishes to ensure all people are treated the same and not differently because of their sexuality.

Flores insists that it is the decision of the Department of Education and the Guam Education Policy Board to come up with any trans specific policies to ensure this doesn't happen again.

But she added: "I am not going to personally put myself in that position (of drafting a policy) because I don't believe in it. I don't believe in it because I have my own (personal) beliefs and I am not going to deviate from them."

Ms. Flores, I believe your personal beliefs are why you're so intransigent on giving Jeremy a refund on the money spent and an apology for your staff's heavy handed and inconsistent actions that evening.

If you and the Guam school board end up in court and suffering an adverse legal verdict directing you to pay more than the $400 Jeremy's request plus still have to apologize, you'll have no one to blame but yourself.

Sarah Luiz Interview Video

The 50's had Christine Jorgenson as a transgender newsmaking icon. In the 60's it was April Ashley and Coccinelle. In the 70's it was Renee Richards and Caroline 'Tula' Cossey.

In the 80's Sarah Luiz was one of the newsmaking transwomen of that decade. Sarah first burst onto the scene with her very public fight to have her SRS covered by her Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, a battle she eventually won.

Sarah was also hitting the talk show and interview circuit during the 80's and early 90's. In addition to being an inspiration for the transkids and others like myself grappling with the issue at that time, she spread the word that all we transwomen wanted was to live our lives out like everyone else with a minimum of drama.

Here's one of those talk show interviews from the Jane Whitney Show.



Thanks Sarah for standing up and fighting for us then so we could stand tall now.

Justice For Teish Update II

I'm doing regular updates of news concerning Lateisha Green's alleged killer Dwight DeLee's trial starting July 13.

We have a week to go until it starts at the Onondaga County Courthouse in Syracuse, NY. I plan to do these updates until justice is served.

July 6

Things are beginning to move on the Justice For Teish front. GLAAD is hard at work putting together their communications strategy for the DeLee trial. I'm trying to coordinate my schedule with Andy Marra's so we can chat about what's transpiring on GLAAD's end.

The Syracuse media still needs some 'ejumacation' on proper pronouns and trans etiquette, so keep impressing on them how important respectful reporting of this case is to you and the rest of the world watching them.

The New York based Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) is beginning to ratchet up their media efforts as well in addition to working with Teish's mother Roxanne Green.

Still keeping hope alive that something will allow me to be in Syracuse next week for the trial. I hope the local community will have someone Tweeting the trial.

Thanks to Questioning Transphobia and Bird of Paradox stumbled across this link to an article that features quotes from Roxanne Green, Lateisha's mother.

“It’s bad enough to live with families that don’t approve,” said Roxanne Green. “I never expected a gay son and I have two. It needs to stop. They hurt and I hurt. I have a boy living with me now because he can’t go home. For these kids to fear school! Teish had to go to school late and leave school early. That was the school’s idea of helping! It made Teish angry. She wanted to go when everyone else did.”

Green acknowledged that the spotlight has been hard for her at times.

“I relive a lot of things,” she said. “He really took something precious. I lost a mother when I was nine and that hurt. Losing a child is a whole different hurt.”

If there's any further news to report, I'll get it to you as quickly as I can.

Sierra Broussard Trans Discrimination Case Going To Trial

I've posted about 28 year old biracial transwoman Sierra Broussard and the discrimination she faced while trying to enter the Park Central nightclub in Appleton, WI.

Sierra filed a civil lawsuit against the nightclub a few months ago. The latest news out of Appleton, WI is that Outagamie County Judge Mitch Metropulos has finally set the trial dates.

Broussard's suit alleges the Park Central nightclub denied entrance based on race and her transgender status.

The civil complaint says one employee told Broussard that using either bathroom "would cause confusion for the other patrons."

Broussard is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, but does not indicate an amount in the lawsuit.

The club owner, Concepts Unlimited, denies that Broussard was denied admission based on race or trans-gender.

Judge Metropulos has scheduled the trial for November 17-18.

Well, we'll find out what transpired a few months from now. What is undeniable is the transphobia that ran rampant in the local paper's comment sections accompanying the story.

Advocate's (And The Gayosphere's) Jacked Up Reporting On Black Transwoman's Marriage

I spend a lot of time at TransGriot criticizing and correcting piss poor reporting from the MSM on transgender issues. Here's an example of it coming from the Advocate.

Yes, the Advocate.

Just because they are GLBT news and info outlets and are our 'alleged' allies doesn't mean they aren't capable of writing horribly transphobic crap. Ask anyone in the Boston transgender community who remembers the shoddy and disrespectful 1998 Bay Windows reporting about Rita Hester.

In this case, it's a story about African American couple Kimah Nelson and Jason Stenson. They were married May 26 at the New York City Clerk's Office ten days after receiving their marriage license. But unfortunately, their marriage license was revoked after the news broke because Kimah is a transwoman.

The New York Post is a typical Rupert Murdoch owned and run rag that's insensitive to everybody that isn't a white male. I expect that kind of crappy reporting from them and MSM sites like WINS-AM.

But there's no excuse for you, several gayosphere blogs, websites and other GLBT media outlets to repeat the glaring transphobia of the Post by cutting and pasting verbatim in some cases the jacked up Post article.

High five to Rod 2.0 Beta for noting a transwoman and her boyfriend got married.

Let's try this again, shall we Advocate and gayosphere?

The AP Stylebook rules for coverage of transgender people states:

transgender: Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.

If there preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.

And here's what the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association has to say about covering transgender people as well.

transgender (adj.): An umbrella term that refers to people whose biological and gender identity or expression may not be the same. This can include preoperative, postoperative or nonoperative transsexuals, female and male cross-dressers, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators, and intersex individuals. If an individual prefers to be called transsexual, etc., use that term. When writing about a transgender person, use the name and personal pronouns that are consistent with the way the individual lives publicly.

And just to make sure you got the fracking point, here's the GLAAD Media Reference Guide's transgender Terminology and definitions.

Transgender
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, cross-dressers, and other gender-variant people. Transgender people may identify as female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF). Use the descriptive term (transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, FTM or MTF) preferred by the individual. Transgender people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically.

Transsexual (also Transexual)
An older term which originated in the medical and psychological communities. Many transgender people prefer the term "transgender" to "transsexual." Some transsexual people still prefer to use the term to describe themselves. However, unlike transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term, and many transgender people do not identify as transsexual. It is best to ask which term an individual prefers.

Okay, first order of 'bidness' is that Kimah is living her life as female. She had begun the process of transition, and was living full time. That means not all of your ID is going to perfectly match.

Many of us still have ID's with mismatched name and gender code info or are in states that despite us having legal name changes, refuse to change gender codes until the person undergoes GRS.

Jason saw Kimah as and married a woman. That means that this is a HETEROSEXUAL marriage, not a same gender one.

This is also a concrete example of the GL same gender marriage push having a deleterious effect on legal transgender marriages. The ignorant are mischaracterizing a transperson's legal opposite gender marriages as same gender ones. We're getting the unintended consequences and backlash from society's faith-based frustration over same gender marriage in which our marriages are being annulled.

SRS is not the end all and be all to determining gender identity or when a person transitions to the other gender.

As far as I'm concerned, the second you swallow you first hormone or take your first shot of testosterone, begin living in the opposite gender and make moves to harmonize your body with that gender role that may or may not include surgical options, you ARE that gender

Many transpeople who would like to have it either aren't able to afford genital surgery or have health issues that prevent it. There are many transpeople successfully living in our new gender roles despite possessing neoclits in our panties.

To break this point down for you: gender is between your ears, not your legs.

I also believe that the reporting would have been much different if you flip the race of the couple involved. No references to homeless shelters, no disrespecting Kimah's transgender status.

I realize NY gays are righteously angry at the NY state senate's inaction on the marriage equality bill despite Governor Paterson's willingness to sign the legislation if it hits his desk. But don't take it out on the Black couple who managed to get married despite the obstacles.

And congratulations Kimah and Jason. A bureaucrat may claim you're not married, but you and the Higher Power know differently. It's not the first time in our people's 400 year history in the Americas that the powers that be tried to place obstacles in front of the varied expressions of Black love.

If the lack of a piece of paper didn't stop our ancestors, don't let it stop you.

And note to the Advocate and the gayosphere, if you claim you're our allies, respecting us is Job One. Get it right on the pronouns and just reporting on our lives, period.

Is She Or Isn't She Linda?

For those of you who are fans of The Matrix trilogy, you are well aware of the fact that it was written, directed and produced by the Wachowski siblings.

You may be saying to yourself, don't you mean the famed movie making, writing and producing team the Wachowski Brothers?

Umm, that's a good question.

Larry, the elder Wachowski sibling, in 2003 began making public appearances en femme. The rumors quickly started flying that a gender change was beginning and Lana Wachowski was beginning to emerge.

The break up of Wachowski's nine year marriage to childhood sweetheart Thea Broom only added more fuel to the rumors swirling around Hollywood and beyond.

A May 30, 2003 column by David Poland said, "Every indication I have says that Larry Wachowski is now in the process of changing his sex. Dressing in public like a woman, taking female hormones and yes, having a sex change operation."

The story only got more interesting after the movie V For Vendetta was released and the writing credit went to the Wachowski brothers. The same was true for Speed Racer as well.

While producing, directing and filming the live screed adaptation of Speed Racer in 2007 there were denials that gender reassignment surgery had occurred.

But then pops up this April 17 photo of Linda leaving LAX. I say Linda because once again, another rumor surfaced that she's officially changed her name.

Hmm, does this person look like a dude to you? Yeah, right.

Due to the reclusive nature of the Wachowski siblings, we don't have a definitive answer to that question yet. The only way we'll get it is when Linda Wachowski calls that press conference or releases a statement through a publicist.

Only then will we have concrete proof confirming what has been widely speculated through much anecdotal and photographic evidence to have occurred.

And even Neo and Morpheus can see that.

Introducing Transman Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono came out two decades ago and has been a visible spokesperson and activist for the LGBT community.

I'd been hearing rumors for several months that Chaz Bono was either about to transition or had done so, but could never find the evidence to either confirm or deny it.

Well, as many of you know by now, it's official. Chaz is beginning the transition process according to his spokesperson Howard Bragman.

"Yes, it's true -- Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity. He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones.

It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago. We ask that the media respect Chaz's privacy during this long process as he will not be doing any interviews at this time."

Chaz once worked for GLAAD as its Entertainment and Media Director, and GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano had this to say about the news.

“Chaz Bono's decision to live his life authentically represents an important step forward, both for him personally and for all who are committed to advancing discussions about fairness and equality for transgender people.

"Coming out as transgender is an extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We look forward to hearing Chaz's story in his own words in the future."

“GLAAD encourages media outlets to cover this story accurately, and to avoid speculation about the details of Chaz’s story before he is ready to tell it in his own words.”

I look forward to hearing Chaz tell his story as well when he's ready to do so, along with the rest of his transgender brothers and sisters.

It's On On Guam

Jeremy, the transgender high school student who was barred from attending his George Washington High School prom because he wore a dress, submitted a letter of complaint to the Office of the Superintendent and the legal counsel of the Guam Public School System.

Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania-Shafer says she will be conducting her own investigation on the matter. She states that she wants to ensure "Jeremy's" rights were not violated, telling KUAM-TV News, "At this point, we want to respect the right of any student to issue a complaint and register a complaint. Once that's done, we need to let the investigation take its place."

Dr. Bretania-Shafer says this is the first time she's heard of the issue and she anticipates the investigation into what happened will be completed in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, some of Jeremy's classmates are weighing in on the incident.

According to Michele Catahay's KUAM-TV report several freshmen stated it shouldn't matter what an individual wears to the prom, as long as it's tasteful. One female student said, "They should be what they want - it's their decision, it's their choice. They can be who they want to be." And a fellow male classmate said such should be allowed, "as long as it's not vulgar."

And as I pointed out in the guidelines drawn up by the prom committee, it does not have a prohibition against cross gender clothing.




Speaker of the Guam Youth Congress Derick Hills says what happened to Jeremy is absolutely intolerable and shouldn't have happened.

"I feel more saddened about the student. This was a once in a lifetime event for him and when he went to prom, he went there expressing his views and his passion of what he felt. And I think the school should've acted more accordingly and let the student into the prom event."

Yes, they should have. That denial of entry into the prom may be a costly one for the Guam Public School System as well.

TransGriot Note: Jeremy hasn't clarified as of yet whether he is transitioning or gay, so I left the male pronouns intact until advised otherwise.

Susan Stanton Is New Lake Worth, FL City Manager

If you've been wondering what's up with Susan A. Stanton, she's doing quite well thank you after being selected on a 4-1 vote back on April 7 to become the new city manager for Lake Worth, FL.

As most of you who followed her story know, she was dismissed after 17 years as the Largo, FL city manager when she announced her plans to transition.

She was a finalist for two other city manager jobs in Tempe, AZ and Sarasota, FL before successfully getting this one.

She started her new job on Monday and is getting paid $150,000 to manage the city of Lake Worth, FL. Here's hoping that Ms. Stanton has a long, successful and less drama filled tenure there.