Per a recent comment, here's where you go to get an HRC sticker:
HRC Sticker
Thanks!
= HRC's MySpace Team =
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A History of National Coming Out Day
A History of National Coming Out DayEvery Oct. 11, thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and allies celebrate National Coming Out Day. They hold workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other kinds of events all aimed at showing the public that GLBT people are everywhere. But what's so special about Oct. 11? How did that become a day aimed at encouraging GLBT people to come out and be honest about themselves?In the Beginning, There Was a March: 1987 On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This was the second such demonstration in our nation's capital and the first display of the NAMES Project Quilt, remembering those who have died from AIDS. One measure of the march's success was the number of organizations that were founded as a result — including the National Latino/a Gay & Lesbian Organization (LLEG..) and AT&T's GLBT employee group, LEAGUE. The momentum continued four months after this extraordinary march as more than 100 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, Va., about 25 miles outside Washington, D.C. Recognizing that the GLBT community often reacted defNCOD materialsensively to anti-gay actions, they came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out and chose the anniversary of that second march on Washington to mark it. The originators of the idea were Rob Eichberg, a founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience, and Jean O'Leary, then head of National Gay Rights Advocates. National Coming Out Day was born.O'Leary expanded the West Hollywood, Calif., office of NGRA to give National Coming Out Day its first headquarters. She hired staff and began preparations for the big day. And, activist Sean Strub got Keith Haring to donate his now-famous image of a person fairly dancing out of a closet. The first National Coming Out Day was celebrated with events in 18 states, and national media attention including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, USA Today and National Public Radio.Lynn Shepodd, who later became a member of HRC's board of governors, was part of that first year's organizing and remembers that the concept wasn't universally popular in the gay community. "There were some who opined that NCOD was an invasion of privacy because the movement had been based on respecting gay peoples' private lives," she says. "It was clear, though, that the community was ready to take its next step and be out. You cannot have an invisible movement."
The next year, National Coming Out Day headquarters moved to Santa Fe, N.M., where Eichberg could oversee it. Pilo Bueno was hired as national coordinator and expanded events marking the day to 21 states — no mean feat without a computer and relying on a mailing list that was handwritten on a lavender pad.
1990: Combining Forces
In 1990, Shepodd was hired as executive director and among her first actions was to obtain tax-exempt status for the organization. In an effort to make the Haring coming out image a universal symbol, Shepodd began requesting free ad space in the gay press to run it. A total of 150 publications eventually agreed. Her innovations resulted in the expansion of National Coming Out Day to all 50 states and seven foreign countries.
Over the next three years, National Coming Out Day continued to grow and thrive.
In 1993, late author and activist Marvin Liebman joins Lynn Shepodd, then National Coming Out Day's executive director, and Tim McFeeley, then HRCF's executive director.
In 1991, Geraldo Rivera hosted a coming out day TV program that featured Dick Sargent, a gay actor famous for playing Darren on Bewitched, openly gay California Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl and Eichberg. A turning point came in 1993 when National Coming Out Day merged with the then-Human Rights Campaign Fund.
"I wanted to kick this project up to the next level and HRCF had the muscle to do it," Shepodd says. Tim McFeeley, then executive director of HRCF, also understood the impact the merger could have, and saw it as a missing piece of the movement. "There were so many activists who were still afraid of being truthful about their own lives," remembers Shepodd "Tim saw NCOD as a way to make a bigger impact on public policy issues."
1994: Star Power
Wes Combs was named HRCF's project director for National Coming Out Day, and one of his first — and smartest — innovations was to add celebrities to the program. Actress Amanda Bearse of Fox-TV's Married… With Children agreed to be chairperson for National Coming Out Day 1994. At the time, Bearse was the only nationally known actress who was open about her lesbianism, and her participation in community events across the country drew a new and larger audience to the day. She appeared in a public service announcement with the message: "I'm not a straight woman but I play one on TV. And that's where acting belongs — on television or in the movies. Not in real life. That's why I stopped acting and came out."
Wes Combs was named HRCF's project director for National Coming Out Day, and one of his first — and smartest — innovations was to add celebrities to the program. Actress Amanda Bearse of Fox-TV's Married… With Children agreed to be chairperson for National Coming Out Day 1994. At the time, Bearse was the only nationally known actress who was open about her lesbianism, and her participation in community events across the country drew a new and larger audience to the day. She appeared in a public service announcement with the message: "I'm not a straight woman but I play one on TV. And that's where acting belongs — on television or in the movies. Not in real life. That's why I stopped acting and came out."
Actors, straight allies and parents of Ben Stiller, Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller, flank then NCOP Manager Wes Combs at the NYC Gay and Lesbian Business Expo in 1994.
Under Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, HRC grew National Coming Out Day into a year-round program that promotes honesty and openness about being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender on campus, in the workplace and at home. HRC named this new effort the National Coming Out Project, with yearlong activities that culminate in the observation of National Coming Out Day every Oct. 11.
Under Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, HRC grew National Coming Out Day into a year-round program that promotes honesty and openness about being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender on campus, in the workplace and at home. HRC named this new effort the National Coming Out Project, with yearlong activities that culminate in the observation of National Coming Out Day every Oct. 11.
Then NCOP Manager Wes Combs, actor Amanda Bearse and Albert Williams, partner of late actor Dick Sargent, at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center celebrating National Coming Out Day 1994.
1995: One Sister, A Bulldog and Two Coasts
In 1995, Candace Gingrich (half-sister of then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich) become a National Coming Out Project spokesperson and full-time activist. That year, she traveled to 52 cities in six months, delivering the message, "Your brother doesn't have to be speaker of the House for your voice to be heard." The other project spokesperson that year was Dan Butler, who plays the character Bulldog on NBC-TV's Frasier. Butler appeared in broadcast and print public service announcements with the message "I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television." Rock musician Melissa Etheridge did a radio public service announcement, reminding people that "Labels belong on records, not on people." More than 100 radio stations aired Etheridge's message.
National Coming Out Day was celebrated that year on both coasts — at a morning news conference with Butler, Gingrich, Birch and the staff of HRC at the U.S. Capitol, and an evening reception at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center.
Birch, Butler and Gingrich participated in that event as well, along with California Assemblywoman Kuehl, National Coming Out Day co-founder Jean O'Leary, and Frasier co-stars Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin. The event was bittersweet, however, because co-founder Rob Eichberg had died just two months before.
1995: One Sister, A Bulldog and Two Coasts
In 1995, Candace Gingrich (half-sister of then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich) become a National Coming Out Project spokesperson and full-time activist. That year, she traveled to 52 cities in six months, delivering the message, "Your brother doesn't have to be speaker of the House for your voice to be heard." The other project spokesperson that year was Dan Butler, who plays the character Bulldog on NBC-TV's Frasier. Butler appeared in broadcast and print public service announcements with the message "I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television." Rock musician Melissa Etheridge did a radio public service announcement, reminding people that "Labels belong on records, not on people." More than 100 radio stations aired Etheridge's message.
National Coming Out Day was celebrated that year on both coasts — at a morning news conference with Butler, Gingrich, Birch and the staff of HRC at the U.S. Capitol, and an evening reception at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center.
Birch, Butler and Gingrich participated in that event as well, along with California Assemblywoman Kuehl, National Coming Out Day co-founder Jean O'Leary, and Frasier co-stars Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin. The event was bittersweet, however, because co-founder Rob Eichberg had died just two months before.
National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, 1995
Top: Wes Combs, then NCOP manager, Candace Gingrich, Dan Butler and Elizabeth Birch, HRC's executive director, in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Bottom: Then California Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, Frazier stars Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin join NCOD spokespeople Candace Gingrich and Dan Butler.
Come Out Voting: 1996
HRC ratcheted up the project's profile in 1996 because it was a presidential election year, and a very important one for the GLBT community. The theme was, "You've got the Power. Register. Vote." HRC brought together a stable of spokespeople to pose for a print ad with that message. Fashion photographer Don Flood shot past spokespeople Bearse, Butler and Gingrich, along with Olympic diver Greg Louganis, actor Mitchell Anderson, newly minted gay activist Chastity Bono and Sean Sasser, who had appeared in MTV's The Real World. That photo became the image on posters, public service announcements and the cover of the HRC Quarterly that was spread across the nation.
Top: Wes Combs, then NCOP manager, Candace Gingrich, Dan Butler and Elizabeth Birch, HRC's executive director, in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Bottom: Then California Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, Frazier stars Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin join NCOD spokespeople Candace Gingrich and Dan Butler.
Come Out Voting: 1996
HRC ratcheted up the project's profile in 1996 because it was a presidential election year, and a very important one for the GLBT community. The theme was, "You've got the Power. Register. Vote." HRC brought together a stable of spokespeople to pose for a print ad with that message. Fashion photographer Don Flood shot past spokespeople Bearse, Butler and Gingrich, along with Olympic diver Greg Louganis, actor Mitchell Anderson, newly minted gay activist Chastity Bono and Sean Sasser, who had appeared in MTV's The Real World. That photo became the image on posters, public service announcements and the cover of the HRC Quarterly that was spread across the nation.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., speaking at the "Come Out Voting" rally in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 1996.
Bono, Sasser and Gingrich traveled the country that year, speaking at gay prides, HRC dinners and other events as part of their roles as National Coming Out Project spokespeople. The year's activities peaked at a huge "Come Out Voting" rally in Washington, on the Ellipse behind the White House. More than 1,000 supporters attended, and heard speeches from actress Judith Light, pro golfer Muffin Spencer-Devlin and, in her first appearance at a gay rights event, Cher. The rally was carried live by C-SPAN, and rerun several times, so that millions of Americans could be part of National Coming Out Day.
Straight-ally and performer Cher speaking as a proud mother of lesbian daughter Chastity Bono on Oct. 11, 1996.
1997: Super Mom
In September 1997 the project brought in its first straight spokesperson - Betty DeGeneres, mother of actress/comedian Ellen DeGeneres. The message she delivered and continues to spread is perhaps the most powerful of all. "The fact that I'm a mom advocating equal rights for my daughter and her partner underscores the point that ending discrimination based on sexual orientation is not just important to gay people, it's important to their families and the people who love them," she told HRC Quarterly in 1997.
Fall 1996 HRC Quarterly cover featuring Betty DeGeneres and daughter Ellen. (Photo by Annie Leibovitz)
Betty DeGeneres traveled the country with this message, and also made a television public service announcement for HRC entitled "For Our Families." In it, she said: "For too long, gay Americans have suffered discrimination. As long as our sons and daughters are excluded from the basic protection of law, we must share that burden as a family." HRC and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation co-hosted a celebrity reception in Los Angeles to mark National Coming Out Day 1997. The event featured past project spokespeople, as well as Ellen DeGeneres and her then-partner, actress Anne Heche.
Happy Anniversary to NCOD: 1998
The following year, 1998, was National Coming Out Day's 10th anniversary. The project's public service campaign focused on the image of a birthday cake decorated with the Keith Haring artwork. The 10th anniversary was featured that year as a cover story in the HRC Quarterly. Because this was also an election year, the coming out message emphasized that the GLBT community cannot achieve equality from the closet and encouraged political involvement.
HRC hosted National Coming Out Day festivities in San Francisco, beginning with a black-tie dinner Oct. 10, which featured emcee Joan Rivers. Since Oct. 11 fell on a Sunday that year, there was a morning interdenominational service held to reaffirm the support people of faith have for honesty and equality. HRC's official NCOD event was held in San Francisco's Delores Park and featured a who's who of openly gay and supportive politicians, actors and activists, including Patrick Bristow (formerly of the Ellen TV show), Dan Butler, San Francisco Supervisor Mark Leno, longtime activist Donna Red Wing, Betty DeGeneres, emcee Candace Gingrich andMayor Willie Brown. That year, HRC produced a Spanish translation of the Resource Guide to Coming Out, including a foreword by the "Latina Oprah," Univision TV talk show host Christina Seralegui.
Vick To Plead Guilty
Vick has finally admitted his guilt! Michael Vick has reportedly accepted a plea deal—and a likely prison sentence—to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of his attorneys had told The Virginia-Pilot newspaper.
-peta2
We're still waiting on the details, but we're happy knowing that if a celebrity with Vick's amount of money and his team of lawyers can't get out of legal trouble (and hopefully can't get out of serving jail time) then anyone else who fights dogs had better head for the hills.
On a more somber note, when Vicks co-defendants entered their plea agreements on Friday some details came out about the dogs being hung. It is pretty chilling stuff, so I give kudos to the media outlets who covered it.
PETA is again calling on the NFL to add cruelty to animals— in all its forms— to its "Personal Conduct Policy." This case has clearly shown that NFL fans are just as outraged by cruelty to animals as any of the other antisocial behaviors outlined in the policy. Click here to contact the NFL now!
-peta2
SORRY HOMOPHOBES!
Pass it along as you please,
and subscribe if you'd like.
For everyone mailing us about volunteering, hold on!
We're trying to set everything up first!
Patience please
& thank you..
Thanks again for all your support!!!
Thai government considers new trans rights
Some promising news from www.pinknews.co.uk:
15th August 2007
Gemma Pritchard
Thailand, one of the world's most tolerant countries towards transvestites and transsexuals, may soon allow people who have had a sex change to officially alter their title.
A proposal which would allow transgender men or women to choose how they are addressed is being considered by the country's National Legislative Assembly, to support an anti-discrimination provision in the draft constitution, according to AP.
Wiroon Tangcharoen, an assembly member who is also rector of Srinakharinwirot University, said he supported the move and did not believe it would affect room assignments in university dormitories, where students are segregated by sex, The Nation newspaper reported.
Students wishing to live with members of their adopted gender would have to produce medical certificates proving they had undergone sex-change operations.
"The university has nothing against male transsexual students staying in female dormitories on the campus," he said.
Even though Thailand is widely tolerant of gays, transvestites and transsexuals, who have regular presence on TV, in movies and the entertainment business, many face family pressure, social prejudice and domestic violence.
Three years ago, a college in the northern province of Chiang Mai designated a bathroom for the exclusive use of the school's 15 cross-dressing students.
Dubbed the Pink Lotus Bathroom, the facility at the Chiang Mai Technology School featured four stalls, but no urinals. On the door was a sign with intertwined male and female symbols.
The transvestites — who had to wear male attire at school but were allowed to sport feminine hairdos — had annoyed female students when using the women's bathrooms, and faced harassment in the men's facilities.
15th August 2007
Gemma Pritchard
Thailand, one of the world's most tolerant countries towards transvestites and transsexuals, may soon allow people who have had a sex change to officially alter their title.
A proposal which would allow transgender men or women to choose how they are addressed is being considered by the country's National Legislative Assembly, to support an anti-discrimination provision in the draft constitution, according to AP.
Wiroon Tangcharoen, an assembly member who is also rector of Srinakharinwirot University, said he supported the move and did not believe it would affect room assignments in university dormitories, where students are segregated by sex, The Nation newspaper reported.
Students wishing to live with members of their adopted gender would have to produce medical certificates proving they had undergone sex-change operations.
"The university has nothing against male transsexual students staying in female dormitories on the campus," he said.
Even though Thailand is widely tolerant of gays, transvestites and transsexuals, who have regular presence on TV, in movies and the entertainment business, many face family pressure, social prejudice and domestic violence.
Three years ago, a college in the northern province of Chiang Mai designated a bathroom for the exclusive use of the school's 15 cross-dressing students.
Dubbed the Pink Lotus Bathroom, the facility at the Chiang Mai Technology School featured four stalls, but no urinals. On the door was a sign with intertwined male and female symbols.
The transvestites — who had to wear male attire at school but were allowed to sport feminine hairdos — had annoyed female students when using the women's bathrooms, and faced harassment in the men's facilities.
TIME TO GET ACTIVE!!!
Videos, for or own iSupport channel!
*with LGBT related subjects of course*
Chatroom moderators to help people in a large group, and one on one. (We're going to need people to be able to schedule an hour out of their day every other day on a time schedule to help people. Or on days/times you can.)
and we're trying to set up a hotline for people
who need to talk on the phone with us.
More info soon.
Keep up all the support!
TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT US!
and please remember:
AIDS is out there,
and you can help prevent it.
Shawn Harris of The Matches
The Matches have been busy. Since recording their new album, Decomposer, with punk icons Tim Armstrong, Mark Hoppus, and peta2's good friend John Feldmann, the band has conquered The Bamboozle and is hitting up Warped Tour all summer long.
We got a chance to catch up with The Matches' vocalist/guitarist, Shawn Harris, backstage at The Bamboozle and found out that playing with The Matches isn't the only thing on his plate; he also has veggie burgers, riblets, and tofu on it too! That's right, kids—Shawn is vegan, and we found out why. Let's just say it has a lil' something to do with maggots…
Even if you haven't had a life-changing maggot-related experience, you can still see that eating animals is just plain wrong! All you have to do is watch "Meet Your Meat" and you'll see what we mean.
So why wait another minute to do something that'll have a huge impact on your life and the lives of animals? Get to it! Take the Veg Pledge. We can't promise that you will automatically become as cool as Shawn Harris, but we do promise that you'll be one step closer.
-peta2
We got a chance to catch up with The Matches' vocalist/guitarist, Shawn Harris, backstage at The Bamboozle and found out that playing with The Matches isn't the only thing on his plate; he also has veggie burgers, riblets, and tofu on it too! That's right, kids—Shawn is vegan, and we found out why. Let's just say it has a lil' something to do with maggots…
Even if you haven't had a life-changing maggot-related experience, you can still see that eating animals is just plain wrong! All you have to do is watch "Meet Your Meat" and you'll see what we mean.
So why wait another minute to do something that'll have a huge impact on your life and the lives of animals? Get to it! Take the Veg Pledge. We can't promise that you will automatically become as cool as Shawn Harris, but we do promise that you'll be one step closer.
-peta2
Together in life, apart in illness
SUMMARY: Brett Conrad and Patrick Atkins met in college and were together for 25 years, until Patrick had an incapacitating stroke and his parents stepped in.
The horrifying case of an Indiana gay couple separated after one partner's incapacitating illness makes clear the necessity of partners obtaining legal directives for each other to the extent the law allows.
Brett Conrad and Patrick Atkins, both 47, met in college and were together for 25 years. Atkins was CEO of his family's company, Atkins Elegant Desserts; Conrad, a waiter. They shared a house and bank accounts; both men's names were on their home's deed. In March 2005, traveling on business, Atkins suffered an aneurysm and then a stroke that rendered him unable to care for himself.
Atkins' deeply religious parents took over, refusing to recognize the men's relationship or even to let Conrad see him. Conrad has spent two years trying to win guardianship of his partner.
On June 27, an Indiana appellate court ruled that Conrad could have visitation rights. The Atkinses have petitioned the court to reconsider its ruling.
"Unmarried couples -- it doesn't matter whether straight or gay -- ought to have documents in place that address whom they want to make health care decisions, generally a durable power of attorney and an advance health care directive," Conrad's lawyer, Jeffrey Dible of Indianapolis, told Gay.com.
"If you don't have them, you are at the mercy of state law, which usually favors blood relatives."
Indiana courts have so far sided with the Atkins family, even while noting that "it is in Patrick's best interest to continue to have contact with Brett, his life partner of 25 years."
"Given the Atkinses' lack of support of their son's personal life through the years and given his mother's astonishing statement that she would rather that he never recover than see him return to his relationship with Brett, we are extraordinarily skeptical that the Atkinses are able to take care of Patrick's emotional needs," wrote Chief Judge John G. Baker in the appellate court's ruling.
At one point, the court noted, sympathetic hospital staffers were sneaking Conrad onto the premises to see his partner.
Jeanne Atkins, Patrick's mother, "testified that no amount of evidence could convince her that Brett and Patrick were happy together," the opinion read.
The case's growing publicity "just seems to inflame things," Dible told Gay.com
"I hope that you will share this story with your friends and encourage them to avoid purchasing Atkins products," wrote Karen Celestino-Horseman, a former Indianapolis city councilwoman, on Bilerico.com.
The Atkinses -- who run regular Christian prayer meetings at their dessert company -- have the right as guardians to dispose of his and Conrad's house, even though it is owned jointly. A lower court gave Conrad one third of the pair's checking account, but gave the parents most of the other assets, which were in Patrick's name.
Atkins, meanwhile, now lives at his parents' home. He is "able to walk, dress, bathe and feed himself with some help, to read accurately but understand only 25 percent of what he read, and to engage in simple conversations," according to the court. (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate) If you'd like to know more, you can find stories related to Together in life, apart in illness.
-originally posted by Activist Queer Folk. com
Delia
The horrifying case of an Indiana gay couple separated after one partner's incapacitating illness makes clear the necessity of partners obtaining legal directives for each other to the extent the law allows.
Brett Conrad and Patrick Atkins, both 47, met in college and were together for 25 years. Atkins was CEO of his family's company, Atkins Elegant Desserts; Conrad, a waiter. They shared a house and bank accounts; both men's names were on their home's deed. In March 2005, traveling on business, Atkins suffered an aneurysm and then a stroke that rendered him unable to care for himself.
Atkins' deeply religious parents took over, refusing to recognize the men's relationship or even to let Conrad see him. Conrad has spent two years trying to win guardianship of his partner.
On June 27, an Indiana appellate court ruled that Conrad could have visitation rights. The Atkinses have petitioned the court to reconsider its ruling.
"Unmarried couples -- it doesn't matter whether straight or gay -- ought to have documents in place that address whom they want to make health care decisions, generally a durable power of attorney and an advance health care directive," Conrad's lawyer, Jeffrey Dible of Indianapolis, told Gay.com.
"If you don't have them, you are at the mercy of state law, which usually favors blood relatives."
Indiana courts have so far sided with the Atkins family, even while noting that "it is in Patrick's best interest to continue to have contact with Brett, his life partner of 25 years."
"Given the Atkinses' lack of support of their son's personal life through the years and given his mother's astonishing statement that she would rather that he never recover than see him return to his relationship with Brett, we are extraordinarily skeptical that the Atkinses are able to take care of Patrick's emotional needs," wrote Chief Judge John G. Baker in the appellate court's ruling.
At one point, the court noted, sympathetic hospital staffers were sneaking Conrad onto the premises to see his partner.
Jeanne Atkins, Patrick's mother, "testified that no amount of evidence could convince her that Brett and Patrick were happy together," the opinion read.
The case's growing publicity "just seems to inflame things," Dible told Gay.com
"I hope that you will share this story with your friends and encourage them to avoid purchasing Atkins products," wrote Karen Celestino-Horseman, a former Indianapolis city councilwoman, on Bilerico.com.
The Atkinses -- who run regular Christian prayer meetings at their dessert company -- have the right as guardians to dispose of his and Conrad's house, even though it is owned jointly. A lower court gave Conrad one third of the pair's checking account, but gave the parents most of the other assets, which were in Patrick's name.
Atkins, meanwhile, now lives at his parents' home. He is "able to walk, dress, bathe and feed himself with some help, to read accurately but understand only 25 percent of what he read, and to engage in simple conversations," according to the court. (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate) If you'd like to know more, you can find stories related to Together in life, apart in illness.
-originally posted by Activist Queer Folk. com
Delia
If I Died Tonight
if i died tonight, and
you would never get a
chance to see me again.
[be honest]
01. What are 5 things you
would want me to
know before I died?
1]
2]
3]
4]
5]
02. What would 5 questions be
that you have been wanting to ask me?
1]
2]
3]
4]
5]
03. If I died, would you
come to my funeral?
04. If I died, would you cry?
05. If I died, would you
forget me eventually?
06. If I died, what would
be going through your head?
07. Would you tell me you
loved me before I died?
08. Would you mean it?
09. If I died, would you
regret anything you said to me?
10. If I died, would you be wishing
you told me something that you
haven't already told me?
11. If I died, what would be
your last memory of me?
12. If I died, what would you
remember me by?
13. If I died tonight,
I would want to know your
true feelings about me.
What are your complete
feelings about me, u to this day?
You will find out who
truly cares about you
when they message
you back..
you would never get a
chance to see me again.
[be honest]
01. What are 5 things you
would want me to
know before I died?
1]
2]
3]
4]
5]
02. What would 5 questions be
that you have been wanting to ask me?
1]
2]
3]
4]
5]
03. If I died, would you
come to my funeral?
04. If I died, would you cry?
05. If I died, would you
forget me eventually?
06. If I died, what would
be going through your head?
07. Would you tell me you
loved me before I died?
08. Would you mean it?
09. If I died, would you
regret anything you said to me?
10. If I died, would you be wishing
you told me something that you
haven't already told me?
11. If I died, what would be
your last memory of me?
12. If I died, what would you
remember me by?
13. If I died tonight,
I would want to know your
true feelings about me.
What are your complete
feelings about me, u to this day?
You will find out who
truly cares about you
when they message
you back..
Save Fish, Eat Chips!
Well it's summer time again and there's nothing better in between floods and torrential downpours than to go out and get active for animals. For our UK friends, especially, we've come up with something really fun by asking you to Save Fish, Eat Chips and take a photo!
It's good to remember that billions of our fishy friends are living, feeling beings that communicate with each other and feel pain, too! Please take part in our photo mission by clicking here and get the message out to people that animals (whether they live on land or under water!) are not ours to abuse.
Remember to join the Street Team (if you haven't already). When you are a signed up, we will sort you out with some Street Team points (for helping animals, of course!) that you can swap for peta2 merchandise.
Fin (that's like 'the end' in French and it's part of a fish, get it?)
-peta2
It's good to remember that billions of our fishy friends are living, feeling beings that communicate with each other and feel pain, too! Please take part in our photo mission by clicking here and get the message out to people that animals (whether they live on land or under water!) are not ours to abuse.
Remember to join the Street Team (if you haven't already). When you are a signed up, we will sort you out with some Street Team points (for helping animals, of course!) that you can swap for peta2 merchandise.
Fin (that's like 'the end' in French and it's part of a fish, get it?)
-peta2
I don’t care how many friends I lose over this
Month One
MOMMY
I am only 4 inches long
but I have all my organs.
I love the sound of your voice.
The sound of your heart beat
is my favorite lullaby.
Month Two
Mommy
today I learned how to suck my thumb.
If you could see me
you could definitely tell that I am a baby.
I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though.
It is so nice and warm in here.
Month Three
You know what Mommy
I'm a boy!!
I hope that makes you happy.
I always want you to be happy.
I don't like it when you cry.
You sound so sad.
It makes me sad too
and I cry with you even though
you can't hear me.
Month Four
Mommy
my hair is starting to grow.
It is very short and fine
but I will have a lot of it.
I spend a lot of my time exercising.
I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes
and stretch my arms and legs.
I am becoming quite good at it too.
Month Five
You went to the doctor today.
Mommy, he lied to you.
He said that I'm not a baby.
I am a baby Mommy, your baby.
I think and feel.
Mommy, what's abortion?
Month Six
I can hear that doctor again.
I don't like him.
He seems cold and heartless.
Something is intruding my home.
The doctor called it a needle.
Mommy what is it? It burns!
Please make him stop!
I can't get away from it!
Mommy! HELP me!
Month Seven
Mommy
I am okay.
I am in Jesus's arms.
He is holding me.
He told me about abortion.
Why didn't you want me Mommy?
Every Abortion Is Just . . .
One more heart that was stopped.
Two more eyes that will never see.
Two more hands that will never touch.
Two more legs that will never run.
One more mouth that will never speak..........?
If you're against abortion, post this as...
i dont care how many friends i lose over this
MOMMY
I am only 4 inches long
but I have all my organs.
I love the sound of your voice.
The sound of your heart beat
is my favorite lullaby.
Month Two
Mommy
today I learned how to suck my thumb.
If you could see me
you could definitely tell that I am a baby.
I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though.
It is so nice and warm in here.
Month Three
You know what Mommy
I'm a boy!!
I hope that makes you happy.
I always want you to be happy.
I don't like it when you cry.
You sound so sad.
It makes me sad too
and I cry with you even though
you can't hear me.
Month Four
Mommy
my hair is starting to grow.
It is very short and fine
but I will have a lot of it.
I spend a lot of my time exercising.
I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes
and stretch my arms and legs.
I am becoming quite good at it too.
Month Five
You went to the doctor today.
Mommy, he lied to you.
He said that I'm not a baby.
I am a baby Mommy, your baby.
I think and feel.
Mommy, what's abortion?
Month Six
I can hear that doctor again.
I don't like him.
He seems cold and heartless.
Something is intruding my home.
The doctor called it a needle.
Mommy what is it? It burns!
Please make him stop!
I can't get away from it!
Mommy! HELP me!
Month Seven
Mommy
I am okay.
I am in Jesus's arms.
He is holding me.
He told me about abortion.
Why didn't you want me Mommy?
Every Abortion Is Just . . .
One more heart that was stopped.
Two more eyes that will never see.
Two more hands that will never touch.
Two more legs that will never run.
One more mouth that will never speak..........?
If you're against abortion, post this as...
i dont care how many friends i lose over this
Help To Bring A Face To Gay Marriage
Join Us & Be Counted!
Help to bring a Face to Gay Marriage! Join our new, national 'Commitment Photo Album' to show that all American citizens deserve the right to legalize their committed relationships. Couples all across the nation are invited to submit their Wedding or Engagement Photo or Family Portrait to join these archived pages.
Our goal is to compile 5000 entries by December 31, 2008.
Take a moment and enjoy the Album! It is located under Inter-Activism. Then simply add your photo.
www.SameLoveSameRights.com
We believe you'll agree that whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered... Love Shines Through.
Does Crying Help?
Does Crying Help?By MySpace.com/GayMarriage
From a biological perspective there are three kinds of tears; "Basal tears" are continuous and lubricate our eyes; "reflex or infant tears" occur when we chop onions or receive a blow to the eye; "emotional tears" are psychologically caused. There is a difference between the biochemical composition of emotional tears compared to the other tears (Frey et al, 1981). The protein concentration of emotional tears is 24% greater than irritant tears. The complex proteins in emotional tears were those involved in the human stress response. Frey proposed that tears performed a sort of physical catharsis, much like taking a shit, which expels toxins from the body.
It is a widespread belief that crying is therapeutic and also the converse, that failure to cry is a danger to our health. Randolph Cornelius (1986) systematically analysed the content of popular articles on weeping in the press from 1850 to 1985 and found a major theme was that crying was considered an important means of releasing physiological tensions; if it wasn't released, it would find an outlet in some other way, such as affecting the person's body and possibly causing disease.
It is a widespread belief that crying is therapeutic and also the converse, that failure to cry is a danger to our health. Randolph Cornelius (1986) systematically analysed the content of popular articles on weeping in the press from 1850 to 1985 and found a major theme was that crying was considered an important means of releasing physiological tensions; if it wasn't released, it would find an outlet in some other way, such as affecting the person's body and possibly causing disease.
A type of physiological catharsis was proposed by Efran & Spangler (1979). Following a period of sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, crying is part of a parasympathetic rebound effect in which tears serve to discharge arousal (Efran & Spangler 1979).
In a laboratory experiment it has been deteremined that while crying the person experiences raised levels of physiological arousal. When the arousal returns to previous levels, it is experienced as feeling better (Kraemer & Hastrup 1988). In other words, the person does not really feel better but only feels better by a sort of 'contrast effect' with their distress during crying.
People universally report crying is beneficial but the laboratory says something different.
In a laboratory experiment it has been deteremined that while crying the person experiences raised levels of physiological arousal. When the arousal returns to previous levels, it is experienced as feeling better (Kraemer & Hastrup 1988). In other words, the person does not really feel better but only feels better by a sort of 'contrast effect' with their distress during crying.
People universally report crying is beneficial but the laboratory says something different.
>:->
Monday, August 20, 2007
Coming Out
We hope this helps.
Subscribe to Matthew Lush's
YouTube for more coming soon!
and please repost this video in a bulletin.
so if your friends are having problems coming out,
it may help them with a lot of things.
Thank you again for all your love and support!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Transgender Awareness Day
Transgender Day of Remembrance
What is the Transgender Day of Remembrance?
The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held in November each year to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender, each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people. The list of deaths available at http://www.rememberingourdead.org only contains those deaths known to the transgender community or that have been reported to the media. The Day of Remembrance is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco candlelight
vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
What is the purpose of the Day of Remembrance?
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance gives transgender people and their allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, memorializing those who've died by anti-transgender violence. Putting on the Day of Remembrance in schools can also be used as a way to educate students, teachers, and administrators about transgender issues, so we can try to prevent anti-transgender hatred and violence from continuing.
What are the guiding principles of the Day of Remembrance?
These are the guiding principles developed by the organizers of the Day of Remembrance. You can use these words to help frame your message and tone for the day.
• "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." (Santayana)
• All who die due to anti-transgender violence are to be remembered.
• It is up to us to remember these people, since their killers, law enforcement, and the media often seek to erase their existence.
• Transgender lives are affirmed as valuable.
• We can make a difference by being visible, speaking out, educating and organizing around anti-transgender violence, which can
effect change.
• "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." (Santayana)
• All who die due to anti-transgender violence are to be remembered.
• It is up to us to remember these people, since their killers, law enforcement, and the media often seek to erase their existence.
• Transgender lives are affirmed as valuable.
• We can make a difference by being visible, speaking out, educating and organizing around anti-transgender violence, which can
effect change.
What can be done for the Day of Remembrance?
• Candlelight Vigils / Marches
• Discussion forums with local activists, politicians, or school officials
• Performance Actions
• Poetry or spoken word art readings
• Visual representation of the number of deaths with:
o Cardboard Tomb Stones of Remembered People
o Paper Cutouts of Remembered People
o Body Outline Chalkings of Remembered People
• Teach-Ins and Speakers Bureaus
• Art / Photography Displays
• Movie screenings (such as "Boys Don't Cry")
• Trans 101 trainings for staff or any interested people
• Anything else that reflects the grounding principles of the day that you can imagine
• Candlelight Vigils / Marches
• Discussion forums with local activists, politicians, or school officials
• Performance Actions
• Poetry or spoken word art readings
• Visual representation of the number of deaths with:
o Cardboard Tomb Stones of Remembered People
o Paper Cutouts of Remembered People
o Body Outline Chalkings of Remembered People
• Teach-Ins and Speakers Bureaus
• Art / Photography Displays
• Movie screenings (such as "Boys Don't Cry")
• Trans 101 trainings for staff or any interested people
• Anything else that reflects the grounding principles of the day that you can imagine
Tips for Planning & Having a Successful Day of Remembrance
Before:
Make a Plan: Your GSA should prepare for how exactly you want to approach the project and what you want the day to consist of.
Make a Plan: Your GSA should prepare for how exactly you want to approach the project and what you want the day to consist of.
Create a Timeline: After deciding what it is your club would like to do, you should make a timeline so that everyone knows what needs to be done. Be sure to include who is in charge of each item and when it needs to be finished.
Get More Peeps Involved: You should try to get as many people as possible aware of the event and involved in participating. You
could do that by sending out e-mail announcements, advertising in the school newspaper, putting up flyers and posters, and of course
by word of mouth.
could do that by sending out e-mail announcements, advertising in the school newspaper, putting up flyers and posters, and of course
by word of mouth.
Build Coalitions/Build Bridges: Consider including other school clubs that may be interested in collaborating on the event. There might be a need for education on how violence affects different groups, as well as how anti-transgender violence is increasingly affecting low income youth of color. It is important for other groups to know how violence based on gender affects all communities.
Issue a Press Release: Let the local media know about what you are doing to honor the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Describe the events at your school, history of the event, and use some quotes from GSA members about why you are doing the event. Be sure to include a phone number for how a reporter can reach your group to follow-up for interviews.
Get Teachers/Administrators/Staff Involved: Find out if staff are interested in participating.
Let your Principal Know: Schedule a meeting with your principal to explain your plans for the Day of Remembrance.
Be Prepared! Have a pre-Transgender Day of Remembrance meeting to discuss positive ways to handle harassment from non-participants. Be prepared to have spokespersons from your group who can speak about the event. This is an emotionally charged subject, and can end up being a very "down" event. Provide remembrance of those we've lost, but also provide reassurance and healing for those in attendance.
During...
Announce the Event: Post an announcement in the daily bulletin explaining the event and requesting that all staff and students be respectful of the students participating in the project.
Announce the Event: Post an announcement in the daily bulletin explaining the event and requesting that all staff and students be respectful of the students participating in the project.
Coordinate Volunteers: Ask people to help setup your event. Make sure that you have enough people for setup, monitoring the
event, and cleanup.
event, and cleanup.
Provide Resources: Have a resource spot or staffed table where people can find info about your GSA or other LGBTQ groups and
resources.
resources.
Organize Visual Displays: Organize some sort of visible display such as having your participants wear a sticker or T-shirt that commemorates
a victim of anti-transgender violence.
a victim of anti-transgender violence.
During the event, be sure to: let people know what the purpose of the event is, have speakers discussing transgender issues, read the names of people victimized by anti-transgender violence, describe the meaning of the visual art you have used on campus (e.g. cardboard cutouts, chalkings, etc.), close the event, and thank everyone for coming.
Create a Safe Space: Due to the intensity of the event — you should think of creative ways to create a safe space, such as a safe room where people can go if they need to reflect or talk about their feelings.
After...
Continue the Education: Host a discussion about how to raise awareness of transgender people everyday as opposed to one day out of the year.
Continue the Education: Host a discussion about how to raise awareness of transgender people everyday as opposed to one day out of the year.
Evaluate the Day: Evaluate the successes of the day and discuss what improvements could be made for next year.
Plan for Next Year: Lay groundwork for the next Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The Day of Remembrance can be a perfect opportunity to raise people's awareness of and interest in transgender issues. Some ideas for addressing larger issues within the school or community include:
• Adding "gender identity and gender expression" to the school's handbook
• Having a Trans 101 training for faculty and staff
• Having some restrooms be gender neutral and available to people of all genders to use
• Educating the school's GSA or diversity group on trans issues and how to be better trans allies
• Adding "gender identity and gender expression" to the school's handbook
• Having a Trans 101 training for faculty and staff
• Having some restrooms be gender neutral and available to people of all genders to use
• Educating the school's GSA or diversity group on trans issues and how to be better trans allies
This resource sheet was adapted from materials published by the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a project of Gender Education and Advocacy. For more information, check out the website: http://www.gender.org/remember/day/what.html.
Who is being honored by the Transgender Day of Remembrance?
Over the past year, over 30 transgender people have lost their lives due to hate crimes, but this is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg of people killed worldwide due to bias and hatred based on gender identity and expression. Most of the victims were people of color who came from working class backgrounds. Among the fallen are transgender and gender non-conforming youth of color whose lives were cut short unnecessarily.
Gwen Araujo, 17, (Newark, California) chose the name, Gwen, after her favorite star, Gwen Stefani, from the group No Doubt. Before her untimely death, her skirt was lifted up for people to see that she was born biologically male before she was beaten and buried in a shallow grave.
Alina Marie Barragan, 19, (San Jose, California) was strangled to death and her body was stuffed in the trunk of a car after a man named Kozi Santino Scott became enraged after discovering that Alina Marie, who he originally thought was a woman, was biologically male.
Sakia Gunn, 15, (Newark, New Jersey) was a gender non-conforming lesbian who was targeted because of her gender presentation. Sakia Gunn was not like most girls in her neighborhood. She refused to wear pink even as a young child. Her mother laughs when asked if Sakia played with dolls. When they were given to her as toys, she immediately cut off their hair, she says. For as long as anyone can remember, Sakia preferred baggy jeans and a T-shirt over dresses and skirts. On a hot night in June, Sakia and her friends were returning from the Chelsea Piers in downtown Manhattan, a hangout for mostly queer youth of color, to Newark, New Jersey. When Sakia and her friends, refused the advances of a couple of men, Sakia was subsequently stabbed and passed away on the way to the hospital.
Nireah Johnson, 17, (Indianapolis, Indiana) was murdered by a man who became enraged when he discovered that Nireah, the young woman he was attracted to, was transgender. Nireah and a friend, 18-year-old Brandie Coleman, were shot in the head while sitting in a SUV.
Freddie Martinez, 16, (Cortez, Colorado) was a very striking Navajo teen who presented as female and was often harassed at school. Freddie was murdered in Cortez, Colorado.
Nikki Nicholas, 19, (Detroit, Michigan) was an African-American transwoman making her living as a performer in clubs where she often danced and lip-synched to Beyonce songs. The youngster preferred playing with Barbie dolls rather than G.I. Joes, Nicholas' mother said, and by age 11 began experimenting with girls' clothing and makeup. Her body was discovered during a routine property check of an abandoned farmhouse.
Stephanie Thomas, 19, and Ukea Davis, 18, (Washington, DC) were friends found shot to death together. They were a part of SMYL (Sexual Minority Youth Liaison) and were often teased for being feminine. Stephanie started wearing dresses and makeup at the age of 14. Her mother commented that "on the school bus kids tormented her, so she would get off and walk a couple miles to the school." Through a transgender health group, Stephanie met Ukea Davis, another transgender woman. They supported one another, especially when classmates--and even teachers--harassed them about their gender identity.
Sadly, these numbers are continuing to grow. With TV shows like Jerry Springer, gender identity is trivialized as transgender and gender non-conforming people are brought on the show and bashed verbally and sometimes physically. When people watch shows like this or when we reduce people's experiences to phrases like "he was dressed as a woman," we trivialize gender and people's identities.
For Gwen, Stephanie, Nikki, and other transgender teenagers, public school is usually not a safe place for them to express their gender. In addition, if they come from school districts that are underfunded, there will not be any funds to have teacher trainings and programs that address diversity, especially gender identity. Very few states have laws that protect transgender and gender non-conforming students' rights.
Transgender Awareness Day 15 August 2007
Transgender Awareness Day 15 August 2007
In August 1966, at an all night café called Comptons, in the city of San Francisco, transgendered people for the first time fought back against the harassment, abuse and discrimination heaped on then by the wider community and specifically the local Police.
Claudia McKay, President of Agender NZ says "This is still significant today. Because all transpeople wherever they are, need to acknowledge those who first stood up and said 'No more' to the abuses suffered by this community literally for centuries, within western society."
"A second significance is that in a few weeks the Human Rights Commission will release the results of its enquiry into discrimination against transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that our community is one of the most discriminated against of any minority group in the country and this enquiry, which is the first National enquiry of its type known to be conducted anywhere in the world, will shed light and make recommendations that if acted upon will significantly improve the lives of thousands of transpeople in Aotearoa New Zealand." She said.
Ms McKay says "Much has changed for transpeople since the rebellion at Comptons Café forty one years ago. Many of those who were there are now dead, those that are alive can say it is easier to live as your true self now, and yet, even now many people in the wider community do not understand, or carry misconceptions about us that all too often shows its ugly side in words and deeds."
On August 15 we honour our hero's and challenge New Zealanders to be tolerant of all difference, not just those considered to be politically correct.
We will have a stall erected in Midland Park in Central Wellington on Wednesday from 11am to 2pm where the public can meet and learn from and about the trans community who are, in reality, part of the whole, not some separate unit to be abused and discarded. We contribute to society and want everyone to know it.
Transgender Awareness Day 15 August 2007
Transgender Awareness Day 15 August 2007
In August 1966, at an all night café called Comptons, in the city of San Francisco, transgendered people for the first time fought back against the harassment, abuse and discrimination heaped on then by the wider community and specifically the local Police.
Claudia McKay, President of Agender NZ says "This is still significant today. Because all transpeople wherever they are, need to acknowledge those who first stood up and said 'No more' to the abuses suffered by this community literally for centuries, within western society."
"A second significance is that in a few weeks the Human Rights Commission will release the results of its enquiry into discrimination against transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that our community is one of the most discriminated against of any minority group in the country and this enquiry, which is the first National enquiry of its type known to be conducted anywhere in the world, will shed light and make recommendations that if acted upon will significantly improve the lives of thousands of transpeople in Aotearoa New Zealand." She said.
Ms McKay says "Much has changed for transpeople since the rebellion at Comptons Café forty one years ago. Many of those who were there are now dead, those that are alive can say it is easier to live as your true self now, and yet, even now many people in the wider community do not understand, or carry misconceptions about us that all too often shows its ugly side in words and deeds."
On August 15 we honour our hero's and challenge New Zealanders to be tolerant of all difference, not just those considered to be politically correct.
We will have a stall erected in Midland Park in Central Wellington on Wednesday from 11am to 2pm where the public can meet and learn from and about the trans community who are, in reality, part of the whole, not some separate unit to be abused and discarded. We contribute to society and want everyone to know it.
In August 1966, at an all night café called Comptons, in the city of San Francisco, transgendered people for the first time fought back against the harassment, abuse and discrimination heaped on then by the wider community and specifically the local Police.
Claudia McKay, President of Agender NZ says "This is still significant today. Because all transpeople wherever they are, need to acknowledge those who first stood up and said 'No more' to the abuses suffered by this community literally for centuries, within western society."
"A second significance is that in a few weeks the Human Rights Commission will release the results of its enquiry into discrimination against transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that our community is one of the most discriminated against of any minority group in the country and this enquiry, which is the first National enquiry of its type known to be conducted anywhere in the world, will shed light and make recommendations that if acted upon will significantly improve the lives of thousands of transpeople in Aotearoa New Zealand." She said.
Ms McKay says "Much has changed for transpeople since the rebellion at Comptons Café forty one years ago. Many of those who were there are now dead, those that are alive can say it is easier to live as your true self now, and yet, even now many people in the wider community do not understand, or carry misconceptions about us that all too often shows its ugly side in words and deeds."
On August 15 we honour our hero's and challenge New Zealanders to be tolerant of all difference, not just those considered to be politically correct.
We will have a stall erected in Midland Park in Central Wellington on Wednesday from 11am to 2pm where the public can meet and learn from and about the trans community who are, in reality, part of the whole, not some separate unit to be abused and discarded. We contribute to society and want everyone to know it.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Answers to Your Questions About Transgender Individuals and Gender Identity
What does transgender mean?
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from that usually associated with their birth sex. Many transgender people live part-time or full-time as members of the other gender. Broadly speaking, anyone whose identity, appearance, or behavior falls outside of conventional gender norms can be described as transgender. However, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-atypical will identify as a transgender person.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex refers to biological status as male or female. It includes physical attributes such as sex chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, internal reproductive structures, and external genitalia. Gender is a term that is often used to refer to ways that people act, interact, or feel about themselves, which are associated with boys/men and girls/women. While aspects of biological sex are the same across different cultures, aspects of gender may not be.
What are some categories or types of transgender people?
Transsexuals are transgender people who live or wish to live full time as members of the gender opposite to their birth sex. Biological females who wish to live and be recognized as men are called female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals or transsexual men. Biological males who wish to live and be recognized as women are called male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals or transsexual women. Transsexuals usually seek medical interventions, such as hormones and surgery, to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their preferred gender. The process of transitioning from one gender to the other is called sex reassignment or gender reassignment.
Cross-dressers or transvestites comprise the most numerous transgender group. Cross-dressers wear the clothing of the other sex. They vary in how completely they dress (from one article of clothing to fully cross-dressing) as well as in their motives for doing so. Some cross-dress to express cross-gender feelings or identities; others crossdress for fun, for emotional comfort, or for sexual arousal. The great majority of cross-dressers are biological males, most of whom are sexually attracted to women.
Drag queens and drag kings are, respectively, biological males and females who present part-time as members of the other sex primarily to perform or entertain. Their performances may include singing, lip-syncing, or dancing. Drag performers may or may not identify as transgender. Many drag queens and kings identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Other categories of transgender people include androgynous, bigendered, and gender queer people. Exact definitions of these terms vary from person to person, but often include a sense of blending or alternating genders. Some people who use these terms to describe themselves see traditional concepts of gender as restrictive.
Have transgender people always existed?
Transgender persons have been documented in many Western and non-Western cultures and societies from antiquity until the present day. However, the meaning of gender variance may vary from culture to culture.
Why are some people transgender?
There is no one generally accepted explanation for why some people are transgender. The diversity of transgender expression argues against any simple or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences in a person's family of origin, and other social influences can all contribute to the development of transgender behaviors and identities.
How prevalent are transgender people?
It is difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of transgender people in Western countries. As many as 2-3% of biological males engage in cross-dressing, at least occasionally. Current estimates of the prevalence of transsexualism are about 1 in 10,000 for biological males and 1 in 30,000 for biological females. The number of people in other transgender categories is unknown.
What is the relationship between transgender and sexual orientation?
The great majority of cross-dressers are biological males, most of whom are sexually attracted to women. People generally experience gender identity and sexual orientation as two different things. Sexual orientation refers to one's sexual attraction to men, women, both,or neither, whereas gender identity refers to one's sense of oneself as male, female, or transgender. Usually people who are attracted to women prior to transition continue to be attracted to women after transition, and people who are attracted to men prior to transition continue to be attracted to men after transition. That means, for example, that a biologic male who is attracted to females will be attracted to females after transitioning, and she may regard herself as a lesbian.
How do transgender people experience their transgender feelings?
Transgender people experience their transgender feelings in a variety of ways. Some can trace their transgender identities or gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors back to their earliest memories. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to experience gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors much later in life. Some transgender people accept or embrace their transgender feelings, while others struggle with feelings of shame or confusion. Some transgender people, transsexuals in particular, experience intense dissatisfaction with their birth sex or with the gender role associated with that sex. These individuals often seek sex reassignment.
What should parents do if their child appears to be transgender or gender-atypical?
Parents may be concerned about a child who appears to be gender-atypical for a variety of reasons. Some children express a great deal of distress about their assigned gender roles or the sex of their bodies. Some children experience difficult social interactions with peers and adults because of their gender expression. Parents may become concerned when what they believed to be a "phase" does not seem to pass. Parents of gender-atypical children may need to work with schools and other institutions to address their children's particular needs and to ensure their children's safety. It is often helpful to consult with a mental health professional familiar with gender issues in children to decide how to best address these concerns. In most cases it is not helpful to simply force the child to act in a more gender-typical way. Peer support from other parents of gender variant children may also be helpful.
How do transsexuals transition from one gender to the other?
Transitioning from one gender to another is a complex process. People who transition often start by expressing their preferred gender in situations where they feel safe. They typically work up to living full-time as members of their preferred gender, by making many changes a little at a time. Gender transition typically involves adopting the appearance of the desired sex through changes in clothing and grooming, adoption of a name typical of the desired sex, change of sex designation on identity documents, treatment with cross-sex hormones, surgical alteration of secondary sex characteristics to approximate those of the desired sex, and in biological males, removal of facial hair with electrolysis or laser treatments. Finding a qualified mental health professional to provide guidance and referrals to other helping professionals is often an important first step in gender transition. Connecting with other transgender people through peer support groups and transgender community organizations is also very helpful.
The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), a professional organization devoted to the treatment of transgender people, publishes The Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders, which offers recommendations for the provision of sex reassignment procedures and services.
Is being transgender a mental disorder?
A psychological condition is considered a mental disorder only if it causes distress or disability. Many transgender people do not experience their transgender feelings and traits to be distressing or disabling, which implies that being transgender does not constitute a mental disorder per se. For these people, the significant problem is finding the resources, such as hormone treatment, surgery, and the social support they need, in order to express their gender identity and minimize discrimination. However, some transgender people do find their transgender feelings to be distressing or disabling. This is particularly true of transsexuals, who experience their gender identity as incongruent with their birth sex or with the gender role associated with that sex. This distressing feeling of incongruity is called gender dysphoria.
According to the diagnostic standards of American psychiatry, as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, people who experience intense, persistent gender dysphoria can be given the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. This diagnosis is highly controversial among some mental health professionals and transgender people. Some contend that the diagnosis inappropriately pathologizes gender variance and should be eliminated. Others argue that, because the health care system in the United States requires a diagnosis to justify medical or psychological treatment, it is essential to retain the diagnosis to ensure access to care.
What kinds of mental health problems do transgender people face?
Transgender people experience the same kinds of mental health problems that nontransgender people do. However, the stigma, discrimination, and internal conflict that many transgender people experience may place them at increased risk for certain mental health problems. Discrimination, lack of social support, and inadequate access to care can exacerbate mental health problems in transgender people, while support from peers, family, and helping professionals may act as protective factors.
What kids of discrimination do transgender people face?
Antidiscrimination laws in most U.S. cities and states do not protect transgender people from discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression.
Consequently, transgender people in most cities and states can be denied housing or employment, lose custody of their children, or have difficulty achieving legal recognition of their marriages, solely because they are transgender. Many transgender people are the targets of hate crimes. The widespread nature of discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression can cause transgender people to feel unsafe or ashamed, even when they are not directly victimized.
How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?
• Educate yourself about transgender issues.
• Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-atypical appearance or behavior.
• Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person's gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask their preference.
• Don't make assumptions about transgender people's sexual orientation, desire for surgical or hormonal treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to need to know, ask.
• Don't confuse gender dysphoria with gender expression: Gender-dysphoric males may not always appear stereotypically feminine, and not all gender-variant men are gender-dysphoric; gender-dysphoric females may not always appear stereotypically masculine, and not all gender-variant women are gender-dysphoric.
• Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.
• Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone who is transitioning in a new way. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.
• Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from that usually associated with their birth sex. Many transgender people live part-time or full-time as members of the other gender. Broadly speaking, anyone whose identity, appearance, or behavior falls outside of conventional gender norms can be described as transgender. However, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-atypical will identify as a transgender person.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex refers to biological status as male or female. It includes physical attributes such as sex chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, internal reproductive structures, and external genitalia. Gender is a term that is often used to refer to ways that people act, interact, or feel about themselves, which are associated with boys/men and girls/women. While aspects of biological sex are the same across different cultures, aspects of gender may not be.
What are some categories or types of transgender people?
Transsexuals are transgender people who live or wish to live full time as members of the gender opposite to their birth sex. Biological females who wish to live and be recognized as men are called female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals or transsexual men. Biological males who wish to live and be recognized as women are called male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals or transsexual women. Transsexuals usually seek medical interventions, such as hormones and surgery, to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their preferred gender. The process of transitioning from one gender to the other is called sex reassignment or gender reassignment.
Cross-dressers or transvestites comprise the most numerous transgender group. Cross-dressers wear the clothing of the other sex. They vary in how completely they dress (from one article of clothing to fully cross-dressing) as well as in their motives for doing so. Some cross-dress to express cross-gender feelings or identities; others crossdress for fun, for emotional comfort, or for sexual arousal. The great majority of cross-dressers are biological males, most of whom are sexually attracted to women.
Drag queens and drag kings are, respectively, biological males and females who present part-time as members of the other sex primarily to perform or entertain. Their performances may include singing, lip-syncing, or dancing. Drag performers may or may not identify as transgender. Many drag queens and kings identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Other categories of transgender people include androgynous, bigendered, and gender queer people. Exact definitions of these terms vary from person to person, but often include a sense of blending or alternating genders. Some people who use these terms to describe themselves see traditional concepts of gender as restrictive.
Have transgender people always existed?
Transgender persons have been documented in many Western and non-Western cultures and societies from antiquity until the present day. However, the meaning of gender variance may vary from culture to culture.
Why are some people transgender?
There is no one generally accepted explanation for why some people are transgender. The diversity of transgender expression argues against any simple or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences in a person's family of origin, and other social influences can all contribute to the development of transgender behaviors and identities.
How prevalent are transgender people?
It is difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of transgender people in Western countries. As many as 2-3% of biological males engage in cross-dressing, at least occasionally. Current estimates of the prevalence of transsexualism are about 1 in 10,000 for biological males and 1 in 30,000 for biological females. The number of people in other transgender categories is unknown.
What is the relationship between transgender and sexual orientation?
The great majority of cross-dressers are biological males, most of whom are sexually attracted to women. People generally experience gender identity and sexual orientation as two different things. Sexual orientation refers to one's sexual attraction to men, women, both,or neither, whereas gender identity refers to one's sense of oneself as male, female, or transgender. Usually people who are attracted to women prior to transition continue to be attracted to women after transition, and people who are attracted to men prior to transition continue to be attracted to men after transition. That means, for example, that a biologic male who is attracted to females will be attracted to females after transitioning, and she may regard herself as a lesbian.
How do transgender people experience their transgender feelings?
Transgender people experience their transgender feelings in a variety of ways. Some can trace their transgender identities or gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors back to their earliest memories. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to experience gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors much later in life. Some transgender people accept or embrace their transgender feelings, while others struggle with feelings of shame or confusion. Some transgender people, transsexuals in particular, experience intense dissatisfaction with their birth sex or with the gender role associated with that sex. These individuals often seek sex reassignment.
What should parents do if their child appears to be transgender or gender-atypical?
Parents may be concerned about a child who appears to be gender-atypical for a variety of reasons. Some children express a great deal of distress about their assigned gender roles or the sex of their bodies. Some children experience difficult social interactions with peers and adults because of their gender expression. Parents may become concerned when what they believed to be a "phase" does not seem to pass. Parents of gender-atypical children may need to work with schools and other institutions to address their children's particular needs and to ensure their children's safety. It is often helpful to consult with a mental health professional familiar with gender issues in children to decide how to best address these concerns. In most cases it is not helpful to simply force the child to act in a more gender-typical way. Peer support from other parents of gender variant children may also be helpful.
How do transsexuals transition from one gender to the other?
Transitioning from one gender to another is a complex process. People who transition often start by expressing their preferred gender in situations where they feel safe. They typically work up to living full-time as members of their preferred gender, by making many changes a little at a time. Gender transition typically involves adopting the appearance of the desired sex through changes in clothing and grooming, adoption of a name typical of the desired sex, change of sex designation on identity documents, treatment with cross-sex hormones, surgical alteration of secondary sex characteristics to approximate those of the desired sex, and in biological males, removal of facial hair with electrolysis or laser treatments. Finding a qualified mental health professional to provide guidance and referrals to other helping professionals is often an important first step in gender transition. Connecting with other transgender people through peer support groups and transgender community organizations is also very helpful.
The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), a professional organization devoted to the treatment of transgender people, publishes The Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders, which offers recommendations for the provision of sex reassignment procedures and services.
Is being transgender a mental disorder?
A psychological condition is considered a mental disorder only if it causes distress or disability. Many transgender people do not experience their transgender feelings and traits to be distressing or disabling, which implies that being transgender does not constitute a mental disorder per se. For these people, the significant problem is finding the resources, such as hormone treatment, surgery, and the social support they need, in order to express their gender identity and minimize discrimination. However, some transgender people do find their transgender feelings to be distressing or disabling. This is particularly true of transsexuals, who experience their gender identity as incongruent with their birth sex or with the gender role associated with that sex. This distressing feeling of incongruity is called gender dysphoria.
According to the diagnostic standards of American psychiatry, as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, people who experience intense, persistent gender dysphoria can be given the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. This diagnosis is highly controversial among some mental health professionals and transgender people. Some contend that the diagnosis inappropriately pathologizes gender variance and should be eliminated. Others argue that, because the health care system in the United States requires a diagnosis to justify medical or psychological treatment, it is essential to retain the diagnosis to ensure access to care.
What kinds of mental health problems do transgender people face?
Transgender people experience the same kinds of mental health problems that nontransgender people do. However, the stigma, discrimination, and internal conflict that many transgender people experience may place them at increased risk for certain mental health problems. Discrimination, lack of social support, and inadequate access to care can exacerbate mental health problems in transgender people, while support from peers, family, and helping professionals may act as protective factors.
What kids of discrimination do transgender people face?
Antidiscrimination laws in most U.S. cities and states do not protect transgender people from discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression.
Consequently, transgender people in most cities and states can be denied housing or employment, lose custody of their children, or have difficulty achieving legal recognition of their marriages, solely because they are transgender. Many transgender people are the targets of hate crimes. The widespread nature of discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression can cause transgender people to feel unsafe or ashamed, even when they are not directly victimized.
How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?
• Educate yourself about transgender issues.
• Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-atypical appearance or behavior.
• Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person's gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask their preference.
• Don't make assumptions about transgender people's sexual orientation, desire for surgical or hormonal treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to need to know, ask.
• Don't confuse gender dysphoria with gender expression: Gender-dysphoric males may not always appear stereotypically feminine, and not all gender-variant men are gender-dysphoric; gender-dysphoric females may not always appear stereotypically masculine, and not all gender-variant women are gender-dysphoric.
• Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.
• Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone who is transitioning in a new way. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.
• Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.
4 (Harmless) Ways to Make a Man Jealous
I came upon an article that I thought was interesting. Since I am more like a guy and obviously seem to have male hormones and think like a guy I thought this was interesting. Yeah so I don't really identify with the female hormones cos I don't really got female hormones except maybe for the bitchiness sometimes but not really, because I think and act like a man. I just wouldn't be considered a typical male. Okay here is the article.
4 (Harmless) Ways to Make a Man Jealous
The jealousy card. You know it well, and chances are you've played it on more than one occasion.
It does wonders, doesn't it? Make a guy jealous, and he's back in the palm of your hands, treating you better, paying more attention to your ups and downs, and cleaning the bathrooms twice a week (with rubber gloves). Genius.
Or is it? As with politics and winter skies, there are various shades of gray here, too. While you may have something to gain by pushing his buttons, you also have an awful lot to lose if you hit the wrong one.
At the risk of being labeled a traitor to my gender - but as a favor to my female friends - here are some surefire ways to safely and compassionately poke your partner with the jealousy stick without risking more serious issues.
Stay Up Later Than He Does
And make sure you're logged in. When he says he's going to bed, tell him you'll be in later, that you just have a few things to look up on the computer. Not that he doesn't trust you and not that you're going to check up on an ex or two, but he doesn't know that.
And his wandering mind may just think you're up to something. And the thought that you might be means that you'll soon be getting more attention than David Beckham in the Los Angeles airport.
Have Drinks with Friends
He knows you talk. He knows you talk more when you're with friends, especially when you add drinks to the mix. And he cares deeply about how he's portrayed in your version of the media - that is, your social network - and how he stacks up against other men. Go out and compare notes with the girls, and selectively report back on the findings of the kangaroo court. He may be less likely to give you damning evidence to report.
Click on ESPN.com
Read up on the latest sports happenings, and bring them up later to your man. When he asks how the heck you knew Padraig Harrington won the British Open, tell him that a couple guys from work were talking about it.
The thought of you playing Erin Andrews (sports reporter for ESPN since 2004 ... C'mon, stay with me here!) around the coffee machine will make him steam without totally burning. (Note: Anything you do with male colleagues that's potentially frisky will infuriate him - and can potentially backfire on you.)
Whoop Him
Challenge him in something physical - whether it's in an upcoming 5K or in your regular yoga class. It's hard for even the least competitive men not to feel antsy when his woman is stronger, faster, or more flexible than he is.
He'll say it doesn't bother him when you cross the finish line first or scratch your ears with your toes. Plus, research shows that even a little healthy competition can ignite your sex life. Don't push the Venus Williams act too hard, though, or he'll wonder if his losing streak will send you in search of a man who's faster, stronger, and better.
4 (Harmless) Ways to Make a Man Jealous
The jealousy card. You know it well, and chances are you've played it on more than one occasion.
It does wonders, doesn't it? Make a guy jealous, and he's back in the palm of your hands, treating you better, paying more attention to your ups and downs, and cleaning the bathrooms twice a week (with rubber gloves). Genius.
Or is it? As with politics and winter skies, there are various shades of gray here, too. While you may have something to gain by pushing his buttons, you also have an awful lot to lose if you hit the wrong one.
At the risk of being labeled a traitor to my gender - but as a favor to my female friends - here are some surefire ways to safely and compassionately poke your partner with the jealousy stick without risking more serious issues.
Stay Up Later Than He Does
And make sure you're logged in. When he says he's going to bed, tell him you'll be in later, that you just have a few things to look up on the computer. Not that he doesn't trust you and not that you're going to check up on an ex or two, but he doesn't know that.
And his wandering mind may just think you're up to something. And the thought that you might be means that you'll soon be getting more attention than David Beckham in the Los Angeles airport.
Have Drinks with Friends
He knows you talk. He knows you talk more when you're with friends, especially when you add drinks to the mix. And he cares deeply about how he's portrayed in your version of the media - that is, your social network - and how he stacks up against other men. Go out and compare notes with the girls, and selectively report back on the findings of the kangaroo court. He may be less likely to give you damning evidence to report.
Click on ESPN.com
Read up on the latest sports happenings, and bring them up later to your man. When he asks how the heck you knew Padraig Harrington won the British Open, tell him that a couple guys from work were talking about it.
The thought of you playing Erin Andrews (sports reporter for ESPN since 2004 ... C'mon, stay with me here!) around the coffee machine will make him steam without totally burning. (Note: Anything you do with male colleagues that's potentially frisky will infuriate him - and can potentially backfire on you.)
Whoop Him
Challenge him in something physical - whether it's in an upcoming 5K or in your regular yoga class. It's hard for even the least competitive men not to feel antsy when his woman is stronger, faster, or more flexible than he is.
He'll say it doesn't bother him when you cross the finish line first or scratch your ears with your toes. Plus, research shows that even a little healthy competition can ignite your sex life. Don't push the Venus Williams act too hard, though, or he'll wonder if his losing streak will send you in search of a man who's faster, stronger, and better.
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