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Transcentralpa Newsletter TransCentralPA Newsletter Serving the Transgender Community of Central Pennsylvania since 1989 May 2014 www.TransCentralPA.org c/o MCC of the Spirit Volume 25 [email protected] 2973 Jefferson Street Issue 2 TransCentralPA is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organizaon Harrisburg, PA 17110 Announcements May’s Dinner will be at Bricco in downtown Harrisburg on Saturday, May 10th at 5:30pm. We’ll sit down promptly at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP if you plan to attend at our website. May’s Meeting is Saturday, May 10th at 8:30 pm. Doors will open at ap- proximately 8:00 pm. Alexis Lake will be at the May meeting to moderate the discussion. See below in the red box for our May discussion topics. Offer your thoughts to Alexis prior to the meeting at [email protected]. After Hours is at Stock’s on Second. Gretchen Paul, Secretary of TransCentralPA, talking to students at Millersville Stock’s offers an opportunity to min- Sexuality & Gender Institute at Millersville University. The Sexuality & Gender gle and socialize in a friendly atmos- Institute - Dedicated to equity, scholarship, and cultural (r)evolution. phere as well as an opportunity to dance to some great music. So for literature, our website and our affilia- of this special offer, call the hotel di- great conversation, friendship and tion with and support of community rectly at (717) 939-1331 and use the more, please join us at Stock’s on groups and activities such as Com- rate code “TCPA”. The are also offer- 2nd. There is no cover. mon Roads, the Community Center, ing a special price for their Business May Birthdays! Please say Happy Central Pennsylvania Pride, etc. King suites, too. Ask for details. Birthday to Delaney Ol., Brenda Ro., Please continue to support our or- Electrolysis James Walker is in the Tina La., Alexis Bl., Rikki Al., Aimee ganization and efforts by joining or local area this week. Please contact Se., Beth St., and Jane Ai. Happy renewing your membership—we are Suzane Oliva for details. Birthday! making a difference! Have an announcement? Email us Membership Dues are a one-time Red Roof Inn Discount We have at [email protected] annual fee of $20. Spouses or SOs negotiated a rate of $42.99/night for are $10 for the year. Dues are used 2013 for both TransCentralPA mem- to pay for meeting space, program bers and guests. To take advantage What Are Your Thoughts? Come share yours at our May 10th Meeting at 8:30 pm at the MCC of the Spirit in Harrisburg. Our moderated discus- sion will center on the questions below. But don’t hold us in suspense...we’d love to hear it before the meeting, so email us at [email protected] to share your thoughts. “What have you gained by being more out?” and “What do you miss by having chosen to be more out?” Page 2 The sixth annual 2014 Keystone Con- Calendar of Events ference was a wonderful success once again! This year another entire day of From Bold text are TransCentralPA sponsored workshops was added, many programs May Common Roads —Safe Space were enhanced and new events and the 7 Harrisburg, PA activities were well attended. Our spon- President sors came through with more support May Common Roads—Safe Space 8 Carlisle, PA than ever. All of us involved with the Jeanine Ruhsam event and with TransCentralPA, the May Common Roads—Safe Space parent organization of the Keystone Conference, want to extend deep and 9 Lancaster, PA heartfelt thanks to all of you for your generosity! May NoVA MCC—Gender Support And, to all the volunteers that put so many hours of dedicated effort into stag- 9 Fairfax, VA ing this event: thank you! You are special and amazing; your indefatigable presence, your wonderful, welcoming, helpful smiles and attitudes truly made May TransCentralPA Dinner @ Bricco this event a warm and welcome haven for all who came. 10 Meeting @ the MCC Of The Spirit Wayne Maines, Keystone’s Saturday night keynote speaker, brought tears to After Hours @ Stocks most of the audience of 360 as he described his family’s years-long, ultimately May Common Roads —Safe Space victorious struggle to gain equal civil rights for his transgender school-age 14 Harrisburg, PA daughter. That significant win in the Supreme Court of the state of Maine in late February led to a milestone ruling last week by the U.S. Department of May CPGLCC Networking Mixer Education that federal Title IX law prohibits discrimination against transgender 14 Lancaster, PA students. The Department’s Office for Civil Rights stated that, "Title IX's sex May Common Roads—Safe Space discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender 15 Carlisle, PA identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.” The National Center for Transgender Equality’s Poli- May The Curve cy Director Harper Jean Tobin commented, "This announcement is a break- 15 York, PA through for transgender students, who too often face hostility at school and May Common Roads—Safe Space refusal by school officials to accept them for who they truly are. It is now clear- 16 Lancaster, PA er than ever that schools nationwide are responsible for ensuring that transgender students are respected and safe.” TransCentralPA and the Key- May Laptop Lounge stone Conference extend thanks and appreciation to the Wayne Maines family 17 King Of Prussia, PA for their significant contribution towards improving the lives of America’s May Common Roads —Safe Space transgender children and students. We are so encouraged that the tide is turn- 21 Harrisburg, PA ing, state by state, and now nationally, in favor of recognition and equal treat- ment for transgender people. May Common Roads—Safe Space 22 Carlisle, PA Warmly, May Common Roads—Safe Space 23 Lancaster, PA Jeanine Ruhsam May ROSE 24 York, PA May Memorial Day 26 May Common Roads —Safe Space 27 Harrisburg, PA May The Curve 29 York, PA Jun TGEA Regular Meeting 7 VA Jun Philly Trans Health Conference 12 Philadelphia, PA Jun TransCentralPA Dinner @ Stocks 14 Meeting @ the MCC Of The Spirit After Hours @ Stocks Visit www.TransCentralPA.org for details & more event info! Page 3 A great deal of time is spent on the discussion of how to tell a spouse you are transgender. However, telling your spouse is only the first step in a long line of open communication. The Title IX to Include most important part is what happens after the initial conversation and your significant other Gender Identity now knows. Here are 6 Steps to strengthening your relationship and allowing it to continue Protections to grow. The United States Department of 1. Take Things Slow! You have known and struggled with this for most of your life. Re- Education clarified that Title IX's sex member she is just finding out. She needs time. discrimination prohibition extends to 2. Don't Push! Do not push your spouse into going shopping or going out with you claims of discrimination based on dressed. She needs to get to know your female side and appearance slowly, in the pri- gender identity or failure to conform vacy of your own home. If you push too hard, you could push her away. to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. 3. Communication is Key! Be honest with your spouse. Allow them to ask questions and be prepared to answer them in the most honest way you can. If you are not sure how In other words, transgender students far you plan to go with your transition then you need to tell her that. There should be no across the country are protected by secrets anymore. You should begin to travel this path together. Don't leave her trying to federal sex discrimination law and keep up. can file formal complaints against teachers and administrators for dis- 4. Help to Educate Your Spouse! Give your partner the opportunity to learn more. There crimination or harassment. are some great books that may be helpful. A few are: "True Selves",by Mildred Brown & Chloe Rounsley, "She's Not There", by Jenny Boylan, "If You Really Loved Me", by To learn more about these guidelines Emma Cantons and the documentary "Trans The Movie". and what rights trans and gender non -conforming students have in school, 5. Be Patient! Your spouse needs to process this new information and she may react in please download NCTE’s Your Rights several ways. It is common for many spouses to go through a grieving process which at School resource. may include the following Five Stages: 1. Denial 2. Bargaining 3. Anger 4. Depression 5.Acceptance. These stages can take time. Be there for her and take this journey to- Research has indicated that 80% of gether. transgender students feel unsafe at school because of who they are. Bul- 6. Tell Her You Love Her! Your spouse may begin to feel insecure about herself. Tell her lying, harassment and discrimination you love her and reassure her this is not her fault. Let her know you are not going any- against trans and gender non- where and you still want to be with her. She needs to hear this from you often. conforming students is a nationwide Lorrie Yale problem. Any student who feels that T.R.U.S.T. Co-Founder they have been the victim of this type significantotherpa.org of discrimination should file a com- plaint as soon as possible. This development is in-step with simi- lar clarifications issued by other fed- Kristin Beck Gallery Show and eral agencies including the Depart- ments of Housing and Urban Devel- Fundraiser to Benefit 296 Project opment and Health and Human Ser- vices and the Equal Employment June 6th in Arlington, VA Opportunity Commission.
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