Upcoming Group Meetings
Tennessee Vals Newsletter
June 2000
Upcoming Group Meetings
In This Issue:
Vals' Special Events:
Saturday, September 16th: Nashville Pride March and Rally,
from War Memorial Plaza to Riverfront Park
The
Queens Throne by Marisa Richmond
marisaval@aol.com
As a kid, I survived all sorts of diseases: measles, mumps and chicken pox. Plus, over the years, I have been slowed by the flu on more than one occasion. I was fortunate, however, that I heard the news about the Love Bug before I went into work and discovered six of the nasty little messages on my e-mail. I later received five more, but since I was aware of it, I immediately deleted all of the messages and did not suffer adversely. Even if this particular bug may not have been created maliciously, I still wonder what motivates people to do such things in the first place. I have never shared the fascination of others to create fancy computer programs for any reason, but especially not if it is destructive.
In experiencing life, every one of us has certain milestones: getting a driver's license, our first drink, our first kiss, our first..., well, you get the picture. This month, I have reached a rather dubious one. It marks my 20th reunion. College reunion. If I had not graduated at the age of 9 (or thereabouts....), I swear I'd feel old....When I received the official program of events, I was startled to see one special interest group called the "Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transsexual Students Association." I get the distinct impression they have seen several of us before. I am definitely going to have to make plans to go to my 25th!
I am not actually planning to go back up to Cambridge this month. For one thing, I have to be in Boston in January for a professional meeting, but also because the reunion falls on the exact same weekend as the Be All convention near Cincinnati. You noticed I said near Cincinnati. That is probably a good thing considering the city's reputation. This is the community that has produced such notable citizens as Pete "How Much You Wanna Bet?" Rose, Marge "Hitler Was Good in the Beginning" Schott, and, of course, Jerry Springer, who served as Mayor from 1977 to 1981, and who, while Mayor, got caught visiting massage parlors since he paid with checks! Common sense alone tells you not to do such things. You should always pay in cash....Ahh, but Cincinnati's claim to fame does not end there. Oh no. This same city declared Robert Mapplethorpe's art obscene in 1990--despite a little clause known as the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of speech and expression--and which then passed Issue 3 in 1993 authorizing discrimination against sexual minorities. Ironically, a lesbian was elected Mayor in that same election. Yep, I am very much looking forward to visiting Ohio's Queen City again.
My first visit to Cincinnati many years ago started poorly. I rode up with some friends when I was 10 to see the Reds and Dodgers. We were riding in one of those big, old, gas guzzling Buicks made out of solid steel. Just after we crossed the Ohio River, we ran out of gas. I had to get out and help push that car through the streets of downtown Cincinnati at rush hour. That sucker was heavy!
One good thing about being in Cincinnati this June is that most of the Southern Baptists should be on their way to Orlando for their annual convention. In other words, they're going to that notorious den of iniquity, Disney World. They have spent the past year alone antagonizing Jews and Hindus because of their belief that only Southern Baptists have found true religion, so I should have known they could not stay away from the Magic Kingdom–especially just one week after the annual Gay Days.
Their anger towards the Disney Corporation is based on the fact that they claim Disney is not "family friendly." Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White all promote witchcraft, Snow White apparently espouses bisexual orgies (which sounds pretty friendly to me...), and Cruella DeVil is anything but submissive.
But religious based bigotry is not the exclusive purview of the Southern Baptist Convention. Recently, Gary "Mr. Transphobic" Bauer, fresh off a dismal showing during his run for the White House, criticized George "I Support Bob Jones University's Policies" Bush for meeting with gay Republicans by saying "why don't you pick a transvestite?" Well, I happen to know that there are actually some transgendered Republicans, although the majority within the transgendered community do tend to be left of center. After all, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani dressed in drag, and there were even rumors in the gender community a few years ago that none other than Richard Nixon may have been a crossdresser–rumors that remain unconfirmed I might add. That good book they claim to know so well says that one should not judge others lest they be judged. They really need to spend less time passing judgment on others' faiths and learn to love. That is what they profess but never seem to be able to accomplish. I have no objection to religions setting standards for their own membership, but they take it upon themselves to tell everyone else how to behave because of their apparent belief that if they did not, we would all be making Love in an Elevator every chance we got.
One theme I have seen a lot of recently in society is denial. This is true not only of all those religious bigots who talk about love but preach intolerance, but of many others as well. One morning as I was working my way through the newspaper, I came across a couple of items that show this theme. In one story, Witless Houston, who had been relatively invisible lately (Hmmm, there may be a Goddess after all....), slogged her way through some rather tepid performances. There have been rampant rumors of a substance abuse problem which have grown in volume as a result of her increasingly unstable behavior. Of course, she has been denying any such problem. The other was a letter in an advice column from a person who professed a love for chocolate but insisted "I'm not a chocoholic." The writer makes it sound like that is a bad thing.
What is it with all these people who cannot confront reality? If you are a bigot, admit it. If we in the gender community stand up for ourselves, however, we can put an end to the sort of abuse being perpetrated upon us by religious bigots and help others coming out accept themselves. Now, in case anyone is asking, I am willing to stand up and admit this: I love fine lingerie, milk chocolates and bourbon–especially when someone else is buying. There. See? Nothing has happened to me. The Earth did not open up and swallow me. And I do not expect to be plagued by hurricanes, terrorist bombs, earthquakes, tornadoes or possibly a meteor. I am not going to say anything about black helicopters, however, after witnessing the events in Little Havana as I was completing this column. I will save those observations for another month.
Well, I need to get started packing for my drive to Cincinnati. Look for me at the nearest craps table with Pete.
Over the last year, Calpernia Addams has received a lot of press coverage. She has been interviewed by sources as diverse as The New York Times and Rolling Stone. The fact that she was dating PFC Barry Winchell at the time of his murder at Fort Campbell Army Base on July 4, 1999 has propelled her into a national spotlight.
I first met Calpernia during the memorial service held for PFC Winchell at Nashville's Centennial Park, sometime in August, 1999.. She addressed the crowd for only a few brief moments, hiding well the stress and heartache she must have felt, so soon after Barry's death. After the ceremony, she stayed and took the time to greet each person who came to speak with her. She was very gracious and seemed to genuinely appreciate everyone's care and concern.
We met again to conduct this interview on the outdoor terrace of a small cafe. It was an unseasonably warm day for early March, and Calpernia, a 29 year old Nashville native, blended in with the early evening crowd of college students. She spoke freely of her life as a transgendered person and of her relationship with PFC Winchell. What follows is the result of a very pleasant conversation.
PAMELA: It was recently brought to light that the
commanding officer of Fort Campbell Army base, Major General Robert Clark,
notified the management of The Connection- Nashville that the club had been
declared off limits to Fort Campbell soldiers. The letter he sent to Connections
claimed reports of drug sales and use, violence, property crimes, and underage
drinking. Any thoughts on this?
CALPERNIA: I've heard about it. Our manager, Todd Roman,
responded in a press release that stated what I already knew. That is, if
you check the records of arrests and police calls, the straight clubs in
town have had much more police activity related to violence, drugs, and underage
drinking than the Connection ever had. If that's the criteria for banning
service members, then they should be banned from most of the straight clubs
here before the gay clubs.
Especially with the underage drinking issue, probably
one of the largest violators is Fort Campbell. Testimony during the trial
stated again and again that all these kids do on base is get kegs of beer,
cases of beer, whatever they can get their hands on, and sit around and drink.
The boys involved in Barry's murder had been drinking heavily that night.
If Fort Campbell is concerned about underage drinking, then they should point
the finger at themselves. Violence and underage drinking is what contributed
to Barry's death on base. The Connection was a safe haven comparatively.
Prof. Bill Turner of the Lesbian and Gay Coalition for
Justice here in Nashville, called General Clark's letter "a cheap ploy".
Prof. Turner went on to say, "It's embarrassing to see an institution that
claims to honor value and courage stoop to such depths." Sounds like the
Army is trying to blame the club and shift all blame away from PFC Calvin
Glover for the crime. How do you think this attitude will affect gays, lesbians,
and transgendered soldiers stationed there?
The gays, lesbians and transgenders have always functioned
as best they could. I think that with all the attention being focused on
it, things are gonna change, at least in the Fort Campbell area. The leader
of Fort Campbell Base is being reviewed, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's
relieved of duty. Something has gotta change.
By the way, do you know of any transgendered/ transsexual
personnel on base?
I've met a lot of gays and lesbians from base. I've
met a lot of open minded heterosexual people from base. But no one has come
to me as transgender.
Have you met Barry's parents? Do you have any kind
of relationship with them?
I've spoken with his mother on the phone. I had an
opportunity to meet them during the end of the trial to have dinner, but
some conflicts came up and I wasn't able to go. I'm really nervous about
it, in some ways.
What would you say to anyone already in the military
who wishes to explore transgendered/transssexual issues?
I would say for me the military, strangely enough,
opened a lot of doors, gave me a lot of opportunities, and taught me a lot
about life. Becoming a transgendered person is a lot of steps. If you have
a four year enlistment, and you think you can wait, use that four years to
research, to save money, to get your life in order, to learn a skill. This
is all if you can do this without compromising your personal safety. Use
this as preparatory time, and then when you get out, you'll be so far ahead
of so many transgender people who, like me, fall into everything as it comes
along, and stumble upon what you're supposed to do. If you can't do this
safely and blend in, then use your resources, call the hot lines available,
and go ahead and get out of the military if you think it's dangerous. You
don't want to end up getting hurt or killed.
Prior to Barry's death, did you consider yourself
a politically active, or politically motivated person?
I have no faith in traditional politics, such as
congressmen and senators and presidents. I'm absolutely convinced that they'll
tell whatever lie is necessary to put them in a position of personal power.
I do realize that it is necessary to have a political system. I'm not an
anarchist by any means. But I was so personally disgusted with the lies,
falsehoods and deceptions that I was never involved. In this circumstance,
I do feel like maybe I can make some personal change in a small, relevant
area. I guess that a lot of little, personal changes like that are what can
make a big change. I do feel that I have something to offer in this
area.
Speaking of politics, how much attention have you
paid to gender activism, in particular the efforts being made on many levels
towards gender inclusion in ENDA legislation?
I read the news. I always try to see what's going on.
It interests me, but unfortunately I have a sort of pessimism that I sometimes
feel that things are never gonna change, and even if they do, transgendered
people will be the last to be included. But I'm not going to let any pessimism
stop me from trying. I think you will tend to overcome you cynicism, pessimism,
hopelessness, and do something anyway. It's not that people don't feel those
things, it's the fact that regardless of their weaknesses they still push
forward and try to make change.
What are your personal perceptions of the effectiveness
of gender politics/activism?
I'm certain that it has made important changes. Without
the people putting that voice out, it wouldn't even be considered. And it's
brave people, because a lot of transgendered people, myself included, in
a way, we just want to blend in. You put yourself out there and tell everybody
your secret in order to get your voice heard. You're giving up a lot of your
personal secrecy and freedom to do that. Very admirable.
What do you think the biggest needs of the gender
community, as a whole, are?
I think it would be wonderful if more resources were
provided. Not necessarily to educate the public about transgender people,
but to educate transgender people about what they need to do. If you can
get yourself together and start living comfortably like you want to live,
then maybe you can make more inroads towards changing the external. I wish
there would have been more help for me instead of having to find out everything
for myself.
As a performer, your TS
status is no big deal. But what would your advice be to others who are thinking
about transitioning?
It's hard to do. That's the understatement of the century.
I would suggest you get on hormones, start electrolysis, do the ground work
first. Research what it's gonna take to do. When it finally does come time
to transition at your job, it's gonna be so much smoother if you've already
been on hormones, if you've taken care of your electrolysis, if you've started
letting your hair grow. Eventually, it's not gonna be that big a difference.
I think, unfortunately, the way we look controls a lot of how society accepts
us a transgendered people. I'm not saying that's right or good. It's just
the way it is. I'd say for someone transitiioning at work, take things subtle
and slow. Look at women around you. How do they dress? How do they act? Get
help, talk to people, research, make it smooth.
On a personal level, how far along are you? Do you
have a time frame established for SRS?
I've been living full time for about a year now. I've
been on hormones for three years. I've had my name changed. I don't look
exactly like I want to look yet, and I probably never will look perfect.
Nobody does. But I feel comfortable now, I go where I want to go, I do what
I want to do.
Within two years, i'd like to stop entertaining, get
SRS, and move away to start again, somewhere. I'm at a comfortable point
right now where I can live as a woman and have people accept me that way.
I'm by no means finished.
What would your advice be to someone in the overall
GLBT community about "coming out"?
Number one, I would say be cautious. In any community,
you can't just jump into it and accept everything you hear. You need to make
contacts, talk to people, find out about yourself and find out about the
community that you belong to. Eventually, you'll learn to be free, and learn
to love yourself more and experience the life that you deserve.
I think that, unfortunately, even in our own community,
we have grown up with so much derision and hatred directed towards us that
sometimes we get catty and mean and direct it back at our own. You can get
caught up and go down the drain with negativity. Then again, there's the
other side to it of openness, and intelligence, and love, and those are the
things you have to seek out in every aspect of your life.
Any final thoughts?
I think I've been very lucky in a lot of ways as a
transgender person, as far as the people I've met and who have befriended
me. I've been very lucky to have known Barry, and to have had love with him,
because he was a rare person. That's easy to say about anyone who has passed
away, but it was true of him. I hope that I can do something positive for
Barry, and for transgendered people, and just for the world and community
in general, through the platform that has unfortunately come up through these
circumstances.
When I first approached Calpernia about doing this
interview, she told me that hardly anyone in the Transgender community had
requested one. She really wanted to talk to her sisters about what has happened
to her. I really wanted to get to know Calpernia Addams as a person, and
not just the partner of a crime victim.
There are those in the gender community who tend to look down upon entertainers
such as Calpernia as nothing more than flakey, self-centered drag queens.
This was not the kind of person I spent an evening with. She is charming
and focused, and deeply sincere in her beliefs and convictions. And above
all else, Calpernia Addams is a true lady.
(Editor's Note: This interview was originally conducted for Transgender Community News. It is with their express permission that it is reprinted here.)
A Blonde, Brunette AND Redhead by Julie Phillips FabulBabe@aol.com
June Bride??
It's the ultimate fantasy of a lot of girls: to actually be a bride in their own real-life wedding ceremony. Personally, being the maid of honor at someone else's would be a kick. Much less pressure and smaller chance of ending up with a pound of rice in your cleavage You have to be careful; if you get rice down there on a hot summers day, and you're nervous and sweaty already, by the end of the ceremony, you're bra's like a side dish at a Chinese restaurant. By the time of the wedding photos, the blushing, perspiring bride will have plumped up a cup size.
I'd never given much thought to the possibility of, one day, having an actual wedding ceremony. But after surfing a few websites featuring CD girls modeling gowns, I began thinking. It really would be romantic to have a wedding or commitment ceremony with me as the blushing bride in a gorgeous white gown and long, long train. Hold your tongues, ladies--we all know I haven't blushed at anything since ‘78, and that was actually an alergic reaction to a bee sting. And don't start with that "You're not exactly qualified to wear white" business. Brides HAVE to wear white; it's in the Constitution somewhere.
Now that same-sexed couples can "make it legal" in Vermont, I can envision me and my sweetie having an honest-to-gosh, document-signing, cake-slicing, rice- throwing, bride and groom ceremony.
I can just see it now......(Imagine harp music and your computer screen getting blurry as we enjoy a wacky fantasy dream sequence filled with surprise guest-stars and free cake.)
We'd travel up to Vermont and
stay at the historic Stratford Inn. The kindly innkeeper and his wife, Dick
and Joanna Louden, would check us into the Honeymoon Suite as George the
Handyman carries our bags up to our room. We'd dine by candlelight at the
inn, gazing longingly into one another's eyes, as our waitress, known only
as Cupcake, disappears and never brings us our drinks or food. The next day,
we'd marry at a little church by Johnnycake Lake, officiated by the town's
mayor, Chester. We're presented a wedding gift on behalf of the townspeople
by three unusual men known only as Larry, Daryl and Daryl. The package, wrapped
in newspaper and string, is quite aromatic. My sweetie, handsome in his tux,
and me, wondering how maple syrup got all over my gown, climb into the back
of a limo amid a shower of rice; within one minute, I'll plump to a C- cup.
As we speed away, we toss the gift out the window when it begins to make
growling noises. Back at our honeymoon suite my sweetie carries me through
the threshold. He slips on an ugly mixture of maple syrup and cooked rice
and drops me in the wedding cake, conviently placed nearby. We all have a
good laugh. Freeze-frame. Roll credits. (Harp. Fuzzy. Back to now.)
On second thought, maybe we'll just exchange rings, rent a tux and gown and take some cool pictures down at Glamour Shots in the mall. And hold the rice.
My Hair Has Been Deported
I heard a knock at the door. I didn't think twice about it. Probably some neighborhood kid selling candy for a school project, or a hunky UPS guy (nice brown shorts, guys) delivering something I'd ordered. Well, you can imagine my shock and surprise when I opened the door and, standing there on MY porch, was Attorney General Janet Reno. She was pointing a huge gun squarely at me, but her finger wasn't on the trigger. Before I'd even had a chance to say "What the--?", she pushed me aside and stormed into my living room. "Where do you keep your wigs?" she growled. "Uh,uh-- in th-th-the bedroom," I stuttered.
She stormed down the hall and into my bedroom where, upon seeing my cat sleeping on my bed, Reno proceeded to hiss. That was unnecessary and totally uncalled for, I thought.
She cackled as Kitty scurried under the bed. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," she kept repeating as she took inventory of my hairstyles and trying each one on. "What do you think of me as a blonde?" she rhetorically asked.
Suddenly Reno shrieked "Just as I thought! Cuban wigs! These belong on Communist drag queens in Cuba! I'm returning them all to Havana!" "But, but, but--" was all I was able to say. I stood there helpless as, one by one, she yanked my glamourous babies from their Styrofoam resting places.
With her arms full of my hair, she turned, laid a finger aside of her nose, gave a nod, and out the front door she ran.
As she climbed onto the awaiting Army tank and planted herself in a rocking chair bolted to the top, she spoke one last time. Pointing her gun at me, finger not on the trigger, Janet Reno bellowed, "Don't mess with me, sister!"
Amid the grinding of the tank's motors and the scraping of metal treads against pavement, I could only make out some vague ramblings about my evening gowns belonging to queens in Czechoslovakia. As the tank slowly grinded and creaked it's way out of sight, crushing every parked car on the street, I fell to my knees, shook my fist and made a vow: Never again will I order my wigs from Fidel's House of Hair.
My Closet by Leslie Louise DuPaix lldupaix@hotmail.com
Changes, Movement and Expression
I think I mentioned that it would seem that The Goddess does not tolerate lack of movement very well; that She prefers instead constant development of the many themes she has created. She delights in the departures that come from the starting points she has given. She delights in diversity and change and surprises.
Thinking further on all of that, those are all feminine characteristics - at least in our bi-polar culture. Think of it for a moment. In our culture a "Good Man" is one who is regular, predictable, reliable - in short: no surprises. On the other hand a charming woman is unpredictable and full of surprises.
So when I work on an outfit, I work on developing the themes that my outfit may have going. There is the theme of color; of shade and intensity. The theme of presentation: am I going for subtlety or a presence that will not be overlooked? I may throw in a surprise: an unusual color or texture. Once I find something that works, I quickly get bored and try and take it in a new direction. All things that The Goddess understands and encourages. Things She may choose to reward with new knowledge and insights that in turn will tempt me to further developments and so on.
If that is true, then I can easily incorporate that part of my femininity into my daily Bubba life. I can think of a new direction to take something that seems frozen. I can breathe new life into a situation or a project and be rewarded with perhaps a surprise, knowledge or maybe even success.
I think I am right. A difference between male and female in our society is not in what is expressed, but how it is expressed. The same "Good Man" I described earlier-- predictable, reliable and all the rest--may be that way only with himself. If he has a car, or a motorcycle, for example, that is where his human abilities to create, develop themes, work towards some concept of beauty and perhaps incorporate a surprise or two get to be expressed. Males can express "feminine" abilities only in an outward way focused on something other than themselves. Females are expected to involve themselves in the expression of all of this, although by no means are they expected to limit this expression only to themselves. That may be why men get so distraught when some tragedy befalls their car or their motorcycle. The tragedy is befalling the closest thing to a feminine extension of themselves that they can acknowledge.
When I femme then I am focusing these tendencies on myself. Bubba cannot comfortably spend longer than 3 minutes in front of the mirror unless he is performing minor surgery. Ms. Leslie can spend hours in front of the mirror, experimenting, being creative--but most of all being nurturing to the soul within the physical container in front of the mirror and being fully human.
The supposed feminine characteristics of creativity, surprises and nurturing are really part of being human. They do not really belong to only one half of humanity and my culture is wrong when it tries to tell me that they do. Sillier still is the long about road I ended up taking to understand all of this.
Thank you, Goddess.
Pamela and Soulforce Attend Methodist Conference by Pamela DeGroff
May 5th through May 12th, Soulforce delegates from over 25 states, representing different faiths, gathered in Cleveland, Ohio. The purpose of this particular Soulforce event was to conduct a direct action against the United Methodist Churches' General Conference 2000. Every four years, the United Methodist denomination holds a General Conference, which is the law making body of the church.
The opening procession of the conference, held at the Cleveland Convention Center, attracted over 3000 people. There are 922 delegates sent to the conference (half clergy, half lay members), with the purpose of revising the Book of Discipline and the Book of Resolutions, which represent the main body of church law.
Homosexuality has been an issue within the church since 1972, when the church officially declared being gay as "incompatible with Christian teaching." The last time the Methodists faced such a controversial issue was the debate over slavery, 150 years ago. The United Methodist Church is the country's third largest denomination, with 8.5 million US members, and 1.5 million overseas.
It is the church's attitude towards GLBT people, and their treatment of clergy
who have performed commitment ceremonies, that led Soulforce to confront
the church. Rev. Mel White, cofounder of Soulforce, called the Conference
a "historic week...one thousand clergy and lay delegates...will make the
most important decision they have made since slavery. They will decide to
open their arms to God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered children,
or they will vote to turn us away."
Last year, two UMC ministers, the Rev. Jimmy Creech of Omaha and the Rev. Gregory Dell of Chicago, were found guilty of breaking church law by performing holy union ceremonies for gay couples. Rev. Dell was suspended for a year. Rev. Creech, in a much publicized "church trial" in Grand Island, Nebraska, lost his ministerial credentials.
Rev. Creech was in Cleveland to participate with Soulforce in the direct action against the UMC conference. "Thank you for your presence here," he told gathered Soulforce participants. "You are making a statement against the United Methodist Church. You are saying that what this church does, in regard to its policies and its teaching regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, does not just affect United Methodists. It affects the world...the church is emitting toxic poison that is causing spiritual violence towards the GLBT community.
"Before I'm reinstated, every gay and lesbian that has suffered should be reinstated, and ordination redeemed before restored."
Rev. Creech went on to explain that marriage didn't become a religious ceremony until the 13th century. It was made a sacrament of the church, thus being considered as part of God's law. Prior to this, it was a civil act, similar to the transferring of property from one party to another. (Since women were generally considered property, when a father or a brother gave away a female family member, it was the transference of right to that "piece of property.") In the early Christian Church, there were liturgies that celebrated male/male and female/female unions. Until the 13th century, this was considered the only true marriage. Because of church influence since then, marriage has become a constantly changing phenomenon.
Dottie Berry, a lesbian and a long time Methodist, along with Rev. White and other Soulforce delegates, were given the chance on Monday morning to address the Bishops. Ms. Berry related her story of being rejected for membership in her local church because of her honest regarding her sexual orientation.
"I don't want to act like it has not hurt me in any way, because it has," she said. "But what I really want you to hear is how much more I've gained than I lost. You cannot imagine the things I've learned about myself. This reminds me again how powerful God is."
Originally, the Bishops were only going to give Soulforce 30 minutes. But after it started. Soulforce was told, "We're going to be with you as long as we need to be with you." The 30 minute meeting lasted two hours.
This meeting was going on while the rest of the Soulforce delegation did the first of many vigils outside the Cleveland Convention Center. They lined the sidewalks silently, wearing shirts that said "We Are God's Children Too." These vigils were scheduled throughout the remainder of the week.
Soulforce delegates were not the only ones holding a vigil.
There is a group within the United Methodist Church called Affirmation: United
Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Concerns. They posted
a vigil with posters and names of people from the GLBT community, who have
been killed or committed suicide. There was also a group of Methodist ex-gays
and lesbians who were holding banners proclaiming "Sometimes Love Says No."
However, they were not like most "ex-gay"
ministries in that they were not trying to proselytize.
They simply wanted their presence to be known.
Soulforce conducted training sessions in nonviolent protest methods, and held a press conference on Tuesday, May 9 to introduce to the public some of the civil rights leaders who would be leading the civil disobedience on Wednesday, May 10. These included Re. James Lawson, a United Methodist pastor and friend and coworker of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the Rev. Robert Graetz, a Lutheran pastor whose home was bombed because he was the only white person to stand with King during the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott; Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandis Gandhi; and Yolanda KIng, Dr. King's eldest daughter.
The May 10th disobedience coincided with the appearance of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other denominational leaders with anti-GLBT policies in place. "We are not in Cleveland to protest the presence of these Christian leaders," Rev. White explained. "They are our sisters and brothers. We are marching on the Convention Center to protest their policies against God's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children, and to help them understand the tragic consequences of these policies."
On Wednesday, there were 191 arrest. Before going before a judge, the delegates arrested did about 9 hours jail time. Several Bishops joined with Soulforce in the vigils and even the arrests. Several Bishop's wives also took part in the arrests and jail time. They did so because of the opening of the dialogue with Soulforce. This was an extremely powerful witness to the GLBT community, and to the community of Cleveland.
"I was fully impressed by the Christian witness," said Peggy Zimmerman, a local pastor's wife who was one of the arrestees. "The police, and even some man at the Justice Center said to me, 'You did a good thing today.'
"In our courtroom," she went on to explain, "the judge wanted to understand why this was done. It was explained this was the only way to begin to change hearts and minds that have been closed for 32 years."
The requests that Soulforce had made to the Conference included asking the United Methodists to remove from church law language that stated "we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we affirm that God's grace is available to all"; the ordination of GLBT people; full participation of GLBT people in church liturgy; and the reinstatement of Jimmy Creech. Soulforce also requested the right to address the entire assemblage of church delegates.
No Soulforce proposals were acted upon by the United Methodist General Conference.
On Thursday, after the Soulforce action, 27 Methodist delegates protested the arrests by standing behind the Bishops during the conference and singing "We Shall Overcome". They were removed from the facility by Cleveland police and arrested, which further caused other Conference delegates to protest this action by staging a walk out.
The Soulforce delegates heard about this action at the last moment and were able to get to the Convention Center in time to see their Methodist supporters being taken away in police vans. The Conference delegates who staged the walkout then joined with Soulforce, as both groups circled the Convention Center, continuing to sing "We Shall Overcome".
So why go to all the
bother of doing something like this? Peggy Zimmerman had this to say: "I
know my life was changed by being a part of this. I felt a little like Paul
might have felt about the strength of the Christian witness.
"Phelps was there also. I can't believe how evil he is. No one thought his actions were valid, as I have heard news and radio reports. I guess seeing him there was the final straw that made me realize I had to stand with others."
While it may be true that Soulforce's actions did not result in any immediate change on the part of the United Methodist Church, it raised awareness of the treatment of GLBT people in the nation's third largest denomination. It's entirely possible that the United Methodist Church could split over these issues. While that remains to be seen, one fact has become a certainty: the spiritual persecution of God's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people will no long be ignored. It's had to believe that warfare can be waged nonviolently, but then again, that's Soulforce.
Easter has always been a happy, delightful holiday for me...a celebration of new life. It's Springtime, with birds singing and flowers blooming. As a young girl (Oops, I mean boy!) I remember having a vision of myself sitting in church wearing a white dress and pink hat. Mom made sure we had a basket of Easter goodies. My sister and I would have "Peep" fights-throwing those yellow and pink sugar marshmallow chicks. People don't actually eat those, do they? To this day, Mom still give me an Easter basket. This year I only got a chocolate bunny.
I must confess that I now usually only go to church at Christmas and Easter. Normally, I attend Catholic Mass with my daughter, where we participate in the tradition Easter story. This year I went to a Baptist church with my parents. As the service began, my attention drifted to admire the colorful pastel outfits in the congregation. And there she was...a young woman wearing the pink hat of my dreams! It brought a little smile to my lips as I enjoyed the warmth of sunshine through a window. What a wonderful Easter Sunday!
Then I heard the minister say something about the Oscars. He was making a point that the Academy Awards had become a forum to advocate immoral lifestyles and agendas. The minister said that it was wrong for the Academy to vote for Hilary Swank to win an Oscar for a decadent film titled Boys Don't Cry. What!? Did I miss something? I will admit I was daydreaming a bit, but how did this minister manage to involve Hilary in the Resurrection? Oh, but that was not enough. The minister proceeded to say that her acceptance speech, in which she proclaimed the film to be a positive change, was actually an example of the decay in American morals.
I could feel my face flush red and sweat on my forehead as shock and anger welled inside me. How could this "servant of God" use MY Easter to express such a hateful opinion about a woman I admire so much? Where was the compassion for Brandon Teena, against whom so many sins were committed? Talk about abusing a forum to advocate an agenda! Thank goodness there were no "Amens" as voiced in other parts of the service. The minister himself did not understand the message of Easter. Hate and personal attack had no place there. Not a place for me either.
Easter is a time to celebrate hope, love, and charity. I wanted to walk out, but I decided to refuse to allow this bitter man to spoil a special holiday with my family. I turned my attention and thoughts back to the pink hat. Besides, I had another important matter to take up with my Mom after church...Where's my "Peeps"?!
NEWS TRANS-missions
news, media mentions, etc...
Millenimum Money Marches Away/ FBI Investigating
In a sad coda to the generally happy occasion the Millennium March on Washington, DC for Equality (MMOW) turned out to be, substantial revenue from the associated festival has allegedly been stolen. The April 29 - 30 festival was a street fair with a $5 entry fee that offered live entertainment, food and souvenir vendors. Millennium Productions LLC ran the festival under a contract by which it was expected to turn over to the MMOW about $750,000, estimated in advance to be 65% of total festival revenues, as the largest single source of funds to defray the roughly $1.8-million cost of the march and rally.
On May 1, Millennium Productions advised MMOW that it believed a significant amount of festival money was missing; an actual figure has yet to be released, although Millennium Productions has estimated it could be anything from $250,000 to $750,000 or even more. At the request of MMOW's executive committee, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) undertook a preliminary inquiry beginning May 3...
On May 4, Millennium Productions officially notified MMOW that it would not be making its scheduled payment because the funds had been confirmed missing. MMOW may consider a lawsuit against Millennium Productions in the future to recover its $750,000, although the Millennium Productions partners consider themselves to have been "victimized" and said in a statement that they "feel terrible that we are unable to meet all the financial responsibilities associated with the festival." ...
It will soon be up to an Assistant U.S. Attorney to decide whether a full-fledged FBI investigation is warranted. As yet, the FBI has yet to publicly confirm that any crime has been committed.
The Human Rights Campaign announced that it will use some of its income from the April 29 Equality Rocks concert at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium to help the MMOW pay outstanding bills. The concert reportedly grossed $2.75 million, with some $750,000 expected to remain after expenses have been paid, although those are preliminary figures...
source: PlanetOut 05/12/00 AOL Keyword PlanetOut
TB Outbreak in Trans Community
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a report April 20 of tuberculosis infections associated with social circles of young African-American transgenders in Baltimore and New York City. The first four cases in this group were identified in mid-1998, a year in which there were 18,361 cases of active TB identified nationally. The same strain of tuberculosis has now been found in a total of 26 active and 37 dormant cases among transgenders in the two cities and their close associates, almost all connected by attendance at a single social event. Although this strain is highly infectious -- reportedly one physician became infected after only an hour with a patient, while typically many hours of close contact are required -- it is not drug-resistant and so can be easily treated. The CDC issued the report and notified health authorities in eastern seaboard cities because "Frequent travel and social network links identified among the Baltimore and New York City cases have raised concern that this strain ... may be circulating in other cities among young, mobile transgender persons with HIV infection."
Tuberculosis is a lung disease caused by airborne bacteria. It is easily tested for and generally easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated it can be fatal. The lowered immunity of people with HIV makes them particularly susceptible to tuberculosis infection and vulnerable to its disease process. Among the transgender group reported by the CDC, nearly two-thirds were HIV-positive (62%). Since the first TB cases in this group were identified, four have died. Baltimore health authorities screened more than 100 social contacts of the transgender group there and found that 37% tested positive for TB.
When the CDC uses the term "transgender," it includes and does not distinguish among recreational and full-time cross-dressers and pre-operative and postoperative transsexuals. The report described all but four of the people with TB in Baltimore as "men," presumably reflecting their sex as officially defined at birth. The four "women" were described as the men's family members and healthcare workers. The CDC recognizes that transgendered individuals may be heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual in their orientation. The New York Times reported that New York City's Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center's gender identity project assisted health officials in developing and distributing information flyers.
source: PlanetOut 04/21/00 AOL Keyword PlanetOut
CA Assembly Bans Trans Discrimination
The California Assembly on May 11 gave the minimum vote for passage to AB 2141 (Keeley), a bill to prohibit discrimi- nation in employment and housing based on gender expression. Winning the 41 - 30 vote against opponents who didn't want employers forced to allow workers to cross-dress on the job is probably a bigger hurdle than the bill will face next in the Senate.
Sponsor Assemblymember Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek) said the bill would not alter employers' right to impose dress codes for legitimate business purposes, but that it would provide recourse for individuals who were fired or lost promotions because they were perceived to be not feminine or masculine enough to suit their employer. The bill to add the new protected category to the Fair Employment and Housing Act refers to identity, appearance or behavior not "traditionally associated" with the individual's actual or perceived gender.
Another bill awaiting a state Senate vote, AB 1851, would clarify the process for legally recognizing sex reassignments.
source: PlanetOut 05/12/00 AOL Keyword PlanetOut
It was the day Edward, then Prince of Wales, took on another role...more queen than future King Of England.
Our exclusive pictures reveal yet another extraordinary side to the controversial royal, who abdicated the throne for the love of American divorcee Wallis Simpson and became Duke of Windsor.
Edward wore the patterned woman's gown and a pair of high heels, at the age of 25, while on board the battleship HMS Repulse in 1925.
He and his shipmates enjoyed regular cross-dressing sessions to relieve the boredom of months at sea on a diplomatic mission to Africa.
A collector discovered the photograph - which has never before been published - in an album which belonged to a sailor who had died.
She said: "The Duke looks very relaxed in the outfit, right down to the way that he has crossed his legs in a feminine way. It was an off-the-cuff thing and a bit of fun. On these long trips people would get bored."
The Duke of Windsor was embroiled in controversy after his abdication in 1936. He was accused of being a traitor after leaving the country to live in Paris with Wallis Simpson.
source: Sunday Mirror04/23/00
The practice of surgically ``reassigning'' boys born without penises is being called into question by a new study that suggests gender identity is determined in the womb. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Hospital on Friday said the study found that such boys, raised as girls, had masculine behavior and most declared themselves to be boys. In what is believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers tracked the development of 27 children born without a penis, a rare defect known as a cloacal exstrophy. The infants were otherwise male with normal testicles, male genes and hormones. Twenty-five of the children were sex reassigned, meaning doctors castrated them at birth and their parents raised them as girls.
But over the years, all of the children, currently aged 5-16, exhibited the rough-and-tumble play of boys. Fourteen declared themselves to be boys, in one case as early as age 5, said Dr. William G. Reiner, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and urologist at the Hopkins Children's Center. "These studies indicate that with time and age, children may well know what their gender is, regardless of any and all information and child-rearing to the contrary,'' he said. "They seem to be quite capable of telling us who they are.'' The two children who were not reassigned and were raised as boys fit in well with their normal male peers and were better adjusted psychologically than the reassigned children, Reiner said. He called for a thorough review of the practice of sex reassignment of children. The study was presented Friday at the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society Meeting in Boston.
The results contradicted a Canadian study published in the journal Pediatrics in 1998 that suggested gender identity develops after birth. In that study, researchers found that a boy who was raised as a girl after his penis was mutilated during circumcision continued to live as a woman. ``This has very profound implications for the development of gender identity,'' said Michael Bailey, an associate professor of psychology at Northwestern University who studies gender identity and sexual orientation. ``This suggests that hormones' effect on the brain has a major impact on gender identity.'' Dr. Marianne J. Legato, a Columbia University professor of clinical medicine who studies the differences between men and women, said sexual differentiation occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. "When the brain has been masculinized by exposure to testosterone, it is kind of useless to say to this individual, 'You're a girl,''' she said. ``It is this impact of testosterone that gives males the feelings that they are men.'' Source: AP via AOL News 05/13/00
websites for additional reading: Johns Hopkins University; Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
UPDATE: Dr. Laura Doesn't Impress Canada & P&G Pulls Sponsorship
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) blasted controversial radio show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger today in a decision accusing her of using "abusively discriminatory" language against gays on her daily radio show. The decision also suggested that Schlessinger's anti-gay rhetoric may "fertilize the ground" for "brutality" against gays and lesbians.
The decision resulted from a series of complaints by Canadians objecting to Schlessinger's on-the-air attacks against gays and lesbians. It should be noted that the CBSC is not a Canadian governmental entity, but rather a trade association, of sorts, for Canadian broadcasters to self-regulate their own. Thus as it is a "jury of her peers," and not government action, there are no free speech issues involved...
As an industry self-regulating body, it is not clear if the CBSC's decision extends beyond requiring the stations that broadcasted Schlessinger's shows to read the decision publicly on the air...
The
CBSC began by criticizing Schlessinger's use of the term "doctor" to describe
herself. "...the use of terms such as 'aberrant', 'deviant', 'a [biological]
error', 'disordered' and 'dysfunctional', which appear to have a medical
connotation to them, is exacerbated by the host's insistence on describing
herself as Dr. Schlessinger, when the degree which she has earned has no
relevance to the opinions which she expresses...The Councils regret the deceptive
effect that this must have on her audience, particularly in the context of
the gay and lesbian issue at hand," the CBSC said in its decision.
The CBSC also blasted Schlessinger for equating gays with pedophiles. "To suggest that homosexual paedophilia is more prevalent than heterosexual paedophilia is not supported in a significant way by the authorities which she has cited, despite the implication to that effect in what she has said....the effective assertion by the host that paedophilia has to do with being gay is, in the view of the Councils, an abusively discriminatory comment based on sexual orientation in violation of the CAB Code of Ethics."...
The CBSC threw out Schlessinger's repeated argument that while she is critical of homosexual activity, she has never criticized gay people themselves (e.g., calling homosexuality "sexual deviancy" but not homosexuals themselves). "It is the view of the Councils that the host's argument that she can "surgically" separate the individual persons from their inherent characteristics so as to entitle her to make comments about the sexuality which have no effect on the person is fatuous and unsustainable."
The CBSC concluded by suggesting that Schlessinger's words may help create a climate of brutality against gays and lesbians. "...the Councils are left with the uneasy sense that there is an understandable cumulative effect of Schlessinger's positions on so many matters which concern the gay and lesbian communities. The result of this perspective may well be that, while she does not herself advocate any of the homophobic hostility or, worse, brutality, which can be found in criminal corners of society, from her powerfully influential platform behind a very popular microphone, Schlessinger may well fertilize the ground for other less well-balanced elements, by her cumulative position, to take such aggressive steps. With the power emanating from that microphone goes the responsibility for the consequences of the utterances."
source: StopDrLaura.com
press release 5/00
The entire decision by the CBSC can be found on
StopDrLaura.com and at
www.cbsc.ca/english/whatnew.htm
Proctor & Gamble Pulls Sponsorship on Dr. Laura
...Meanwhile, just a week after becoming the first major sponsor of the upcoming TV show, household products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has changed its mind, and plans to cancel future Schlessinger radio ad buys as well. On May 16, P&G released statement saying, "We've decided not to sponsor the Dr. Laura show. There has been controversy surrounding Dr. Laura on a number of topics. We've chosen not to be involved with a show that will require time and resources to deal with this kind of controversy. We were offered this opportunity as part of an on-going programming partnership. The focus of the show is intended to be responsible parenting. As we've studied it more closely, we've decided it isn't possible to separate the broad range of Dr. Laura's opinions from the specific focus of this program. Stepping back, today there are lots of programming options and we've decided there are better ones for us." P&G spokesperson Gretchen Briscoe told GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, "We currently do have ads on Dr. Laura's radio program, although for the reasons enumerated in today's statement, we do not anticipate any future advertising purchases...
The P&G move was welcomed by GLAAD, StopDrLaura.com and GABLE/P&G, the corporation's lesbian/gay/bisexual employee group. GLAAD executive director Joan Garry said, "GLAAD salutes Procter & Gamble's corporate responsibility and good conscience in its decision to discontinue advertising on Laura Schlessinger's programming. By doing so, the company has demonstrated the kind of respect for fair-minded people everywhere that we would like to see from Paramount, which plans to produce and distribute Schlessinger's TV program this fall."...
P&G Website for your comments
State Must provide TS's Health Care
The Suffolk (Mass) Superior Court today ordered the state to pay for breast reconstruction surgery for a transsexual woman, reversing its earlier denial. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders ("GLAD") represented the Plaintiff Germaine Beger in her appeal. Judge Maria Lopez found that a decision by the Division of Medical Assistance ("DMA") was arbitrary and based on an incorrect interpretation of the state agency's regulations.
Commented Jennifer Levi, GLAD staff attorney who represented Ms. Beger, "This decision highlights the discriminatory way transsexual people are often treated within the health care system. Ms. Beger was denied basic medical care simply because she is transsexual, despite the fact that she is medically and legally a woman. Judge Lopez' ruling makes clear that denying basic health care needs simply because someone doesn't fit a stereotype of what society thinks is a real woman or a real man is not a correct interpretation of our law."
Ms. Beger is a 50 year old Medicaid recipient who completed sex-reassignment surgery over 25 years ago. As part of her sex-reassignment surgery in 1975, she received breast implants. In 1999, she sought treatment for a possible cyst in her right breast and learned that she needed to have the implants removed, followed up with breast reconstruction surgery. DMA approved the removal but denied the follow up breast reconstruction surgery citing a state regulation that excludes Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery. During the appeals process, DMA refused to make any individualized consideration of medical necessity, as it would for a non-transsexual woman in similar circumstances, stating simply that the law excludes transsexual women from receiving even basic health care coverage for treatments relating to being female.
"I am relieved by this outcome. Denying coverage for a procedure which my surgeon told me was medically necessary simply because I am transsexual is wrong. I hope this decision sends a clear message that it is unlawful to deny basic health care to transsexual people simply because of stereotypes, bigotry and misunderstanding," Germaine said after hearing of the decision...
source: Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) press release 05/04/00
TS Bornstein Speaks at Stanford University
He is a 52-year-old man. She is a 14-year-old girl. Together, they are Kate Bornstein. In her performance of "Y2Kate" Saturday night in Stanford University's Kresge Auditorium, Bornstein, a transsexual who underwent genital conversion surgery almost 14 years ago, questioned the meaning of being male or female through a set of several dramatic monologues.
"I lived as a man for the first 37 years of my life," Bornstein said. "Not a day in my life have I not thought about gender. I was born and assigned one gender, and now I live my life as completely something else."
Senior Jami Datnow, one of the event's coordinators, said she felt the performance was a breakthrough event for the Stanford community. [Kate] "brought a dimension to Stanford that we've never experienced before," Datnow said. "I've never been to a performance so proud that Stanford would bring someone like her to speak."
Dressed in a tiny black tank top and tight leather pants with platform boots, Bornstein described many of her experiences with the conflict of gender by taking on roles of not only other people but of herself in the past. She explained how at first, the only job she could get as a transsexual was as a phone sex operator.
"One man said to me, 'Stormy, (that was the name I chose for myself), with a voice like that you were born to be a phone sex operator,' " Bornstein said. "And I thought to myself, 'no I wasn't!' "
Bornstein said that when she was male, she tried to eat and drink all her problems away. But at one point, she decided that enough was enough, and tried to figure out who she really was.
"I shed my addictions like snakes would shed their skin, until there was only me left," Bornstein said. "I was left naked, someone who I thought I really was."
Questions of gender still arose in her mind. Bornstein said that when she finally got the genital conversion surgery, she felt that everything would be alright. Finally, after years of mental anguish about who she really was, she could have the true body of a female. But the surgery was not the final answer.
"There were still silent wars in my mind," Bornstein said. "I had to learn to be a 'woman.' I was never taught to handle [male jeers.] I realized being a woman just brought up a whole new set of problems."
She said she didn't exactly find a place in either sex. And so she came to understand that she was neither, becoming a transsexual.
"I'm not a man. I'm not a woman. I'm playing make believe-and out of all of my options, I like being a girl best," she said. "I don't understand the people who want me to be a man, and I don't understand the people who want me to be a woman."
Many of the subjects touched on Sunday night were personal, deep and graphic. However, many people in the audience were pleased that Bornstein openly discussed such personal and controversial issues.
"The combination of her openness and candor was admirable," Datnow said. "This, [along with] her unique character, willingness to share and sense of humor" made the event intriguing.
Bornstein asked jokingly several times throughout the night, "Is it OK for me to use [this word] in an academic conference?" She explained that she used graphic and profane words only because that was the way she talked and she wanted to feel comfortable talking to the audience...
Bornstein was also part of a larger presentation earlier in the day called "Queer in the Mirror: a Symposium on Body Image and Identity," held all day in Tresidder Union. The event included workshops and discussion on gay, bisexual and transsexual experiences as well as speakers on issues such as "looking queer," body image in Asian communities, and aging in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual communities.
"It was phenomenal I hope the issue of self (and gender and self image) became complicated for the participants, and I hope the conference raised questions that hadn't been addressed before," said event coordinator David Goehring, a senior. "Our keynote, [Bornstein,] was instrumental in initiating that questioning."
The issue of the self is exactly what Bornstein threw out to her audience in "Y2Kate." She emphasized the question: "Are you really a man/woman? Why? Do you really know who you are?" She even passed out a gender aptitude test. Many people, she said, are confused, and they aren't alone.
"I am nothing new in this world," Bornstein said. "It's just that my people haven't had much opportunity to speak out."
Bornstein said she has accepted her transsexual nature, but added that it has been a long, hard road. She is neither male nor female, but a transsexual -constantly metamorphosing, becoming "the kind of person I'm attracted to."
"I'm living and dying the genders I'm traveling through," Bornstein said. "By the time the next seven years come and go, I'm going to have my girl skin shed, right along with my male skin, my boy skin, my lesbian skin."
"Take a good look now because I'm changing already."
source: By Eileen Chao Stanford University (C) 2000 The Stanford Daily via U-WIRE 05/01/2000
Transgender Youth Suspended from School for Her Attire
A 17-year-old transgender youth in Gresham, Oregon was suspended from school after coming to class on April 21 dressed in a skirt and low-heeled pumps. Officials from Sam Barlow High School claim the suspension was warranted because Brian-Violet Peters (s/he has used both names) violated the school's dress code, which bans "disruptive" or "distracting" clothing.
According to gender rights activists, however, discrimination is the real culprit.
GenderPAC's executive director Riki Wilchins said, "How does a boy wearing a dress and suffering daily taunts and harassment differ from the first girl who wore pants to school suffering intense sexual harassment? This issue is not disruption¹ but genderphobic school officials."
While school officials reprimanded some of Peters' classmates for their taunts and created a new "respect policy," which includes punishment for harassment of gay students, the school has closed the door on transgender students.
Defending the school's decision to suspend Peters, Linda Jessell, director of secondary education for the Gresham-Barlow school district was quoted in the Portland Oregonian (May 3, 2000) as saying, "We can restrict student expression and dress when it disrupts the learning environment for other kids." Peters responded, "The message [school administrators] are sending to students is that I am not normal. That I am disruptive. That I am wrong."
Peters has reportedly declined to return to Gresham High School because of the suspension and harassment, and the school is said to be making provisions for either at-home tutoring, Internet courses or after-school sessions.
GenderPAC's Riki Wilchins concludes, "Segregating, stigmatizing and publicly punishing youth because they transcend narrow gender stereotypes is unacceptable. Every American should have the right to express their gender orientation free from stereotypes, discrimination and violence.
Source: GenderPac Press Release 05/09/00
SHOWBIZ: Summer Movie Preview
Big Momma's House Release June 2, 2000
If the Nutty Professor and Mrs. Doubtfire shared a
grandmother, she'd probably look a lot like Big Momma, the crass Southern
granny at the center of the FBI's wackiest sting operation. After a
tough talking FBI agent (Lawrence) is sent to Georgia to protect a single
mom (Long) and her son (Jascha Washington) from an escaped convict, he goes
incognito by disguising himself as the woman's grandma...
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps release July
28, 2000
Remember that dinner scene in the first ''Nutty Professor''
movie-the one where Murphy played multiple members of the family Klump? Audiences
adored it so much that Universal decided to build the entire sequel around
it. ''It's basically about the Klump family,'' says Segal (who directed 1995's
''Tommy Boy''). ''The Klumps are all over this movie.'' This time around,
the supersize Sherman heads to the wedding altar-despite the objections of
his sinisterly slender alter ego, Buddy Love.
official Klumps website
Psycho Beach Party
release August 2000
Writer/costar: NY theatre drag legend Charles
Busch.
A '50s psychological thriller, a '60s beach movie and a '70s slasher film thrown together in one meat grinder of a comedy? It's PSYCHO BEACH PARTY!!!
It's 1962 and Florence Forest (Lauren Ambrose) is sweet sixteen and never been kissed. She lives with her mother, Mrs. Forest (Beth Broderick) and a Swedish exchange student named Lars (Matt Keeslar). At the local drive-in, she and her friend actually watch the film, while Starcat (Nicholas Brendon), heartthrob of the surfer set, flirts with perky babe Marvel Ann (Amy Adams). When Florence visits the concession stand, wheelchair-bound meanie Rhonda (Kathleen Robertson) torments her until screams interrupt their nasty exchange. Someone at the drive-in has had her throat slashed! Captain Monica Stark (Charles Busch) has a number of suspects, including Florence and Mrs. Forest...
source for Mama and Klumps: Entertainment Weekly 04/28/00 Psycho Beach from official website
QUICK HITS:
Media Mentions
Mr. Showbiz / 05/05/00
The website www.mrshowbiz.com reports Jennifer Aniston
is breaking out of her Friends role...
"Squeaky-clean Jennifer Aniston is apparently rockin'
in the moral-free world on the set of her new movie. The Friends actress
just finished filming a steamy orgy scene for Metal Gods, in which
she gets down and dirty with a transsexual castmate during a drunken night
with her on-screen lover, Mark Wahlberg..."
Entertainment Weekly / 04/28/00
Summarizing the April 29 episode of Cops on
Fox:
"Albuquerque police officers do their darnedest to
remove crack cocaine from the mouth of a transvestite, but someone’s
not too keen on sharing."
