.

. !]\fnaissance ~ws 1l. Volume 6, No. 3 Vision - Integrity - Quality March, 1992 Police departments cop out on 's civil rights by Elsa Larson the "male" of"" blocks on the male, and was unconvinced when and Paula Jordan Sinclair A transsexual member of the application, instead noting that she she explained that she had followed Lower Susquehanna Valley chap­ is a male-to-female transsexual. the Pennsylvania Department of ter of Renaissance ran afoul of two That didn't fly with officials, and Motor Vehicles procedure for chang­ police departments when she tried they forced her to check the male ing the sex designation of licenses. to get hired as a cop. A detective at block. Now that she is two years He also was unmoved when she the Harrisburg police department into the "real life test" required produced documentation from her was so incensed that her drivers' before sexual reassignment surgery, counselor. license said she is female that he she returned to the police depart­ Glad called in another officer, an detained her for four hours and ment to change her sex designation "expert" on drivers' licenses, Cpl. threatened her with arrest and a to female. Isaac Nixon. Both Glad and Nixon strip search. Shortly afterward, The process seemed to be pro­ made it clear to Streeper that they police in Upper Allen said she was a ceeding smoothly with routine in­ were going to arrest her for carrying prime suspect in a criminal case. terviews and fingerprinting. The false identification. They repeatedly Markely Streeper's problems trouble began when police detective · told her that they would order a began in mid-January when she Larry Glad, assigned to the depart­ strip search and have her confined went to the Harrisburg bureau of ment's internal affairs section, in the male section of the jail. police to update her job application, asked to see Streeper's drivers' li­ "They were bound and deter­ originally filed two years earlier. At cense. He questioned the fact that mined they were going to write a that time, she did not check either the license showed her sex as fe- (continued on page 12) Female impersonator held in murder of roommate in Center City Philadelphia A well-known Philadelphia fe­ several local clubs and carried the 1218 Walnut Street. Police went to maleimpersonator has been charged title Miss West Side Club. the apartment and found Griffin with the January 20 murder of his Most recently, DeVeareaux has dead after receiving a call from roommate. Shawn DeVeareaux, 25, been performing stand-up comedy De Veareaux. Griffin had been hit in was ordered held for trial in late in at local bars and emceed the head several times with a ham­ January for the killing of Frank various drag shows. He has written mer. The following day, DeVear­ Griffin, 42. Bail was setat$200,000. and directed two plays, one of them eaux turned himself in to the police De Veareaux, who is identified in was a satire of the local gay commu­ Homicide Unit and confessed to the police records as Jonathan Brown nity. The other, titled Murder Is A slaying. but who is known legally as John Drag, was a mystery in which a According to statements made by Allen, Jr., has been active in com­ transsexual character is falsely DeVeareaux to police and read into munity events for nearly a decade accused of killing a person with a the record at his January 29 pre­ as an actor, playwright, and female baseball bat. DeVeareaux cast liminary hearing, he killed Griffin impersonator. Two years ago, he himself in the role of the innocent following an argument. He said the received the Lambda Award from transsexual. older man wanted DeVeareaux to the Philadelphia Gay N ews as up Griffin's body was found in the pay him money or move out of the a nd coming young community apartment he shared with DeVear­ apartment that day. leader. He performed in drag in eaux in the Mid-Town Apartments, (continued on page 4) ~naissance 'fi&ws o/o{ 6, 9{p. 3

Announcements... Events to note ... Background Papers ... are available for $1 each plus $.25 postage for each pair March ordered. Eight papers are available: 1-Myths & Misconcep­ 7th South Jersey Chapter meeting: Dr. tions About Crossdressing, 2-Reasons for Male to Female Reynolds on child abuse Crossdressing, 3-PARTNERS: Spouses & Significant Others, 4-The Matter of Children, 5-An Annotated Bibliography, 6- 7th Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter Tellingthe Children: A Transsexual's PointofView, 7-What ls meeting : Makeup demo by Mary Renaissance?, and 8-AIDS & HIV Safety and Ethics. Kay

Pen Pal Project 21st Greater Philadelphia Chapter If you are willing to write letters to pen pals, please inform meeting : Shelia Kirk, M.D., on Maryann Kirkland, or write to the main office, c/o Dept. PP. hormones Prisoner Project A gift of only $8 gives a trans-gendered inmate 12 issues of April the Renaissance News. Please help provide this needed sup­ 4tht South Jersey Chapter meeting port to our sisters in prison. 4th Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter The Transsexual Phenomenon meeting : Dinner meeting A few copies of the deluxe edition of this book by Dr. Harry Benjamin are still are available at $39.95 postpaid. 15th Greater Philadelphia Chapter Our chapters ... meeting May Greater Philadelphia 2nd South Jersey Chapter meeting Meets third Saturday of the month in King of Prussia, Pa. Fall/winter meetings start at 8:00 p.m. For information, call 2nd Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter (215) 946-8887, or write Renaissance PHL, Box 530, Bensalem, meeting: Herb Merchant with PA 19020. Michelle Lynn, chapter leader. fragrance ideas Lower Susquehana Valley 9th Renaissance 5th anniversary gala! Meets the first Saturday of the month at Cameron Cut Rate, 16th Greater Philadelphia Chapter Cameron and Market Streets, Harrisburg. Call (71 7) 780- meeting 1578 for latest information, or write Renaissance LSV, Box 2122, Harrisburg, PA 17105. Brenda Davidson, chapterleader. South Jersey !l\g,naiss ance 9\[f,ws Meets on the first Saturday of the month at the Atlantic © 1992 RENAISSANCE Ecuc.

2 ~naissance 9{/,ws 'J/o{ 6, 'J{sJ. 3 Military court OKs drag, but ... The Court of Military Appeals in The court's senior judge, Robin­ appeal his case to the U.S.Supreme Washington has ruled that even son 0. Everett, disagreed with Court. though crossdressingcan sometimes upholding the conviction on the His attorney, GregoryZitani, said "enhance morale and discipline" in second charge. "Even though Guer­ the case centered around the "ques­ the armed forces, the Navy acted rero had been seen casually by oth­ tion of when does the impact of good properly when it gave a senior en­ ers 'crossdressed,'he was away from order and discipline outweigh the listed man a bad conduct discharge any military installation and was in right to privacy." He added that for wearing women's clothes in a his apartment," Everett said. "while Guerrero's conduct was cer­ way that brought discredit to the "Under these circumstances, to tainly eccentric, I didn't believe it sea service. uphold his conviction - and the was a crime" even in the military. The case concerns former Navy sentence to bad conduct discharge Before the appeals court upheld Petty Officer 1st Class Virgilio which is based in part thereon - is the court-martial sentence last Guerrero who was given a bad con­ not within the law." September, the Naval Clemency and duct discharge and demoted to the Everett said the appeals court Parole Board upgraded Guerrero's lowest enlisted rank after his 1989 ruling was "an invitation for the separation to a general discharge. court-martial conviction of two Supreme Court to re-examine its EEi> Thanks to Crossroads Chat­ charges of crossdressing, both of holding there." ter, the newsletter of Crossroads, which took place in his apartment Guerrero took the hint from Royal Oak, Mich., for first reporting in National City, Calif. Judge Everett and said he would on this case. According to the court-martial records, Guerrero, a storekeeper, dressed in women's clothes after he and a Navy recruit went to Guer­ Sports radio is latest outreach rero's apartment for drinks. The second crossdressing charge was mediumfor Greater Phila. composed of two separate instances by Dina Amberle embarrassment (or pleasure?) of of neighbors saying they saw Guer­ Thanks to Charlene Galante, crossdressing in public. rero crossdressed through the win­ treasurer on the National Board Here's were Charlene entered the dows of his bedroom. and a member of the Greater Phila­ picture: After the Eagles-Cowboys Writing for the appeals court, delphia chapter, Renaissance re­ game, she wrote Cataldi a letter Judge Thomas Cox noted that cently got free publicity from a very offering him the opportunity to ful­ "crossdressing can certainly be unlikely source - WIP-AM, the all­ fill his "secret desire" to crossdress nonprejudicial and (can) even en­ sports talk radio station in Phila­ by attending a Renaissance meet­ hance morale and discipline. Indeed, delphia. Here's how it happened: ing. She enclosed her photo with the many popular entertainers have WIP's morning drive-time host, letter. The letter was read on the air successfully portrayed women char­ Angelo Cataldi, made a bet with co­ in its entirety during prime morn­ acters, such as Dustin Hoffman's host Tom Brookshire and their ing period. It also mentioned the 'Tootsie' and Flip Wilson's 'Gerald­ audience that the Dallas Cowboys Renaissance name, its mission, and ine."' But, Cox added, "It is the time, would defeat the Eagles in their the fact that the Greater Philadel­ the place, the circumstances, and December rematch, or he would phia chapter has more than 150 the purpose of the crossdressing, all wear a dress to the Eagles' game active members. together, which form the basis for against the Washington Redskins Cataldi, of course, denied any determining ifthe conduct is to the the following Sunday. The bet be­ latent interest in crossdressing and prejudice of good order and disci­ came a hot topic of discussion on the hid behind the bet as his sole reason pline ... or was of a nature to bring show for the week leading up to the for mentioning the possibility of discredit upon the armed forces." Cowboys game. Many male listen­ wearing a dress. He employed his "It is not the crossdressing, per ers were giving Cataldi fashion typical obnoxious on-air demeanor se, which gives rise to the offense," advice and offering to donate lip­ and denounced Renaissance mem­ Cox stressed, adding that if a serv­ stick for what Eagles fans believed bers as "perverts." But Tony Bruno, ice member crossdresses at home to be a sure thing: victory for the another co-host, stuck up for Ren­ with curtains or drapes closed and Birds and drag for Cataldi. Unfor­ aissance a little bit, and implied is unaware of being watched, he is tunately, the Cowboys beat the that maybe Cataldi should attend a not committing a crime. Eagles, and Cataldi was spared the (continued on page 18)

3 'i{f,naissance 'J{j.ws 'Vo{ 6, 'J{p. 3 Female impersonator heldfor murder (continued from page 1) eaux said he took the clothes he was not totally surprised. They knew "Frank asked me for money, and wearing and the hammer and dis­ him to have a volatile temper, but I told him I didn't have any," De­ posed of them in a dumpster behind they said he was not violent. Other Veareaux told police. "Then I got up a fast-food restaurant on the 1200 friends said DeVeareaux claimed and went into the kitchen and put block of Chestnut Street. He said he that he and Griffin once were lovers some barbecued and cab­ then went to a cafeteria for a cup of but that they were simply friends. bage in the microwave. Frank comes coffee before he called police. Ironically, Griffin reportedly had at in, opens the oven, took the food out At the preliminary hearing, one time told friends that DeVear­ and dumped in the garbage (and De Veareaux pleaded not guilty to eaux would always have a "special said) 'No money, no food."' the charges of murder and posses­ place" in his heart. According to the statement, the sion of an instrument of crime. His two scuffled, and then Griffin went court-appointed attorney, Jeffrey Notice in to the bedroom and sat on the bed. Kolanski, said "there's a defense for I am conducting research on De Veareaux, who said he had be­ every crime." women who passed as men from come very angry, came up behind Assistant District Attorney Evan 1880-1930 and am interested in Griffin and struck him with a ham­ Silverstein said his office would collecting first-hand documents mer. "vigorously" prosecute the case on these women. I would be inter­ "I raised the hammer. I hit him in against De Veareaux. Ifconvicted of ested in receiving personal ac­ the head. He let out a loud scream," the capital murder charge, DeVear­ counts from women who De Veareaux told police. He also told eaux would receive a mandatory crossdressed during that period authorities he said "Johnny's not sentence of life in prison without or who knew women who did, as doing this; Shawn is" as he struck parole. The death penalty is also well as newspaper accounts of the first blow. "After my first swing, possible. such women.Write to J.J., 1906 I used both hands," he said. Friends of De Veareaux expressed Kilbourne Place, NW, Washing­ After he killed Griffin, DeVear- shock at the killing, but they were ton, DC 20010.

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4 1(/naissance 9.f!,ws 'Vo{ 6, 'J{p. 3 For 23 years Charlotte White has been a role modelfor a double minority by Whitney Brown WB: Did any of these heroes in­ demeanor helps the next . People Ifyou are black, live in Philadel­ fluence your decision on who you see my behavior and say, "Oh, well phia, and are transgendered, gay, would become? they all don't have to act like the or have AIDS, you know Charlotte CW: I would have to say, if any, ones on 13th Street." I was on 13th White as a pillar of support. In fact, Diana Ross, glamour wise. As a Street, I was on Broad Street, I did some call her the matriarch of the transgendered person, Miss Bunny all the things everybody else did. black transgendered community in Blocker, one of the older transves­ Then I found it could be done a the city. For 23 years, she has lived tites, and China Doll and Miss Tina different way. We all don't have to and worked as a woman and has Thomas. These older , much be hairdressers or do drag shows. become well-known in North Phila­ older than myself, are our local There's an arena out there for us; delphia neighborhoods and among legends. Tina and I are about the we must take our place because the gay black community through­ same age, but she was out longer. they are all watching us. To be out the city. She currently is the These were the kids who paved the treated like a lady, you must act like director of fundraising for the Wil­ way. a lady. liam J. Craig Memorial Founda­ WB: Are things different now? WB: What kind of advice would tion, which provides assistance to CW: Girls today take for granted you give a transgendered girl com­ people with AIDS and their families the struggle we went though so that ing out today? within the black community. they have freedom to walk and be CW: Be a lady, above all, because WB: What type of background the ladies that they choose to be, that is going to gain you the respect did you come from? and I think they should carry them­ that is so hard for us to get. We're CW: I grew up in my early years selves as that. I don't see it in the always put in the class of trouble­ in Mobile, Alabama with my grand­ younger girls now, and it disap- makers. They think we're all alike. parents. After their demise, my Above all, be a lady and retain your father came from Philadelphia to dignity because this is really what get me and brought me back to live " ... we have never they're trying to take from us. They with my mother and two brothers. feel that we don't have the right to This was at age 11. totally gotten re­ be the ladies that we feel we are. WB: What were the differences WB: Do you feel being a lady is between Mobile and Philadelphia? spect. (But) we're learned or comes from within? CW: It was a very dramatic CW: Definitely from within! No change, being a Southerner, facing coming to be now, one could be a transperson if they my first junior high school. Integra­ and people are didn't feel it. It is too difficult a tion for one thing. Here I had white process. You may see yourself as a teachers, students, etc. It wasn't focusing on us ... " beauty, and the whole world may like that in the South. see a beast. It takes a lot to go out WB: Who were some of your under that pressure. Wearing heroes? points me. I know that girls today clothes of the opposite sex and pay­ CW: Like every young person of can go farther if they calm them­ ing the world no mind, it takes a lot. my generation, Diana Ross was the selves and be ladies. That's a hell of a lady! ultimate/We admired any glamour­ The girls fighting one another WB: What is your definition of (ms black woman -The Supremes, isn't right, queens are gonna be being a lady? The Marvelettes, Nancy Wilson, and queens, we know. But out in public, CW: Being a lady means you have Dionne Warwick. But Diana Ross display means a lot. The whole world respect for yourself, respect for stands out the most because of tele­ is watching. In the gay life we are others, you carry yourself in the vision. If you didn't have a televi­ the lowest on the totem pole, we fashion that a lady would. You can't sion, you went to someone else's have never totally gotten respect. be a lady, then have a situation house to watch black people on TV. We're coming to be now, and people come up and you act like a guy. You It was a big thing to see these glam­ are focusing on us, on our behavior, haven't stuck with the character orous black women with big wigs, our mannerisms, and it helps the you've chosen. eyelashes, and lip rouge (as grand­ next girl. @Next month, Whitney Brown's mother would say) and all that. We I'm often depicted as being snob­ interview with Charlotte White con­ were coming to be. bish or trying to be grand, but that cludes.

5 ~naissance ~ws 'Vo{ 6, 'J{p. 3

THENEWSQUEEN™ Only two things interest Miss ity went into high gear at several as fashion designers recruiting for Sinclair at this time of year: presi­ recent fashion shows ... the upcoming fall shows. dential politics and fashion shows. The Jean Paul Gaultier show in +++ While some would argue that nei­ Paris featured crossdressed men on About half of the Bois de Bou­ ther has anything to do with the the runways and in the audience. longe girls are from South America, way real people live, she disagrees The crossdressing Swedish pop and with recent events, it's no won­ by claiming that both mirror our group Army of Lovers (two men and der that transgendered people are times - the victory of style over one woman) entertained the crowd, emigrating. substance. which included several fantasy According to human rights However, Joan Jett Blakk's transvestite nurses and Lypsinka, advocates,the death toll among campaign for president has more the popular New York entertainer. transgendered and gay people in substance than one would expect She also did some runway work for Latin America continues to mount. from a drag running for the Thierry Mugler. "You know," one of More than 1,000 murders have been White House. the crossdressers proudly told a reported to date. At least 40 have "You might think we're joking," member of the fashion press, "the been killed in Peru in the past two Blakk said in announcing her cam­ designers all use us as inspiration." years, 320 in Colombia in the past paign in her native Chicago in Janu­ She may be right. GG party girl seven years, and 710 in Brazil since ary. "I'm sorry, but I think the fact Susanne Bartsch hosted an affair at 1980. that this is the only industrialized which, according to Mirabella, the Many share in the responsibility country without national health care drag queens wore clothes that looked for these killings: the police who is a joke .. .I think the fact that a as though they came right off the have special "morality squads," woman who accused a Supreme runways-fishnet stockings, rumba right- and left-wing political groups, Court nominee of sexually harass­ skirts, lace underwear ... " Bartsch is private armies belonging to drug ing her was judged by a group of all reportedly planning on mounting a lords, and even the Roman Catholic men is a joke. Are you still laugh­ fashion show this spring in which Church. Last year, Argentina's ing? California Gov. Pete Wilson, all the models will be drag queens. Antionio Cardinal Quarrancino are you still laughing? William What could be ca11ed an anti­ described homosexuality as "ani­ Dannemeyer, are you still laugh­ fashion show was held in New York malism." ing?" to protest the wearing of furs. "Fur +++ But her campaign is not totally Is a Drag'' was sponsored by People A protest against homegrown without humor. One of her cam­ for the Ethical Treatment of Ani­ violence directed against transgen­ paign promises is to change the mals at the Palladium nightclub. dered people took place in F.B.I., renaming it the "Fashion Natura11y, the models were female Rockefeller Center during the New Bureau of Investigation because impersonators who vamped down York Film Critics' Circle Awards. crime will be a thing of the past if we the runway wearing fur coats em­ The and gay activist group arrest the poorly dressed before they blazoned with anti-fur slogans. ACT UP crashed the event and can do any wrong." She also pro­ +++ handed out pamphlets denouncing poses awarding the Congressional Before you book passage to Paris The Silence of the Lambs, the movie Medal of Honor for the best hairdo. in hopes of having a career as a that swept the awards. Last year Blakk, a persona cre­ transgendered fashion model, be The front cover pictured Venus ated by Terrence Smith, ran for advised that the City of Light seems Xtravangaza, the transgendered mayor of Chicago. She lost. to be swimming with crossdressers person who was murdered during +++ hoping for that first big break. In the filing of Paris Is Burning, and One should not confuse the poorly the meantime, the girls are strut­ carried the message ''The Reality." dressed with the poor (even though ting their stuff in the Bois de Bou­ The back cover showedJamie Gumb, both groups will always be with us), longe, a park along the chic western the crossdressing killer in Lambs. for sometimes one has to be fabu­ edge of the city. This was called ''The Myth." Inside lously wealthy to be really poorly Police report that each night400 were statistics about hate crimes dressed. Who else can afford dresses to 600 prostitutes - most of them against sexual minorities, along that cost up to $40,000 each, yet men dressed like women - line the with the message "How do you re­ prompted Women's Wear Daily to pathways and roads. Police chief spond? By honoring a film that feeds remark that the spring creations Pierre Verburgghe has proposed the myth that drag queens, since "looked far-fetched and out of sync that iron gates be installed at the they wear dresses, must be sick." with the times." park entrances and locked each Least we totally condemn the This movement away from real- night to keep out motorists as well New York Critics' Circle, we should 6 ~naissance 'J{f,ws 'l/o{ 6, 'J.{p. 3

THENEWSQUEEN™ note that they invited drag star agement to do the aging rocker up vestite boutique Charles Busch to present an award in drag. A friend reports that once Vandever and fellow inmate to Paris Is Burning director Jennie while staying at their house "every­ Ronald Rutman were at large for Livingston. Busch was then off to one comes down to dinner in drag, more than two weeks after their Tokyo, where he opened his play and it's just huge fun. Masses of escape. Police eventually captured Vampire of Sodom for a people sort of screaming, running in Rutman, but Vandever continued three-week run last month and out of each other's bedrooms, to elude dogs, a police helicopter, +++ applying makeup to the boys. The 150 FBI agents, and police from Speaking of political correctness, English and the Irish love to do this. Connecticut, New York, and New here are the au courant phrases to It's wild upper-class house-party Jersey for two more days. During describe certain activities engaged behavior. It's nothing kinky or the manhunt for Vandever, FBI in by crossdressers ... sexual."Anotherfriend reports that Assistant Special Agent Dan Clark ./Men who have a feminine side "Mick was terribly dashing one night was asked if the search was made to their personalities are not sis­ in a tight black shift and a ratty more difficult by the fact that Van­ sies, instead, they are "profoundly silver-fox fur. He was so chic, he dever might be dressed as a woman. masculine-challenged." looked like Coco Chanel." ''We don't think he ran away in high ./ Irate drag queens no longer +++ heel shoes," Clark replied. attempt to "scratch each other's eyes Well, we all know about rock +++ out." Rather, they "process their stars, don't we? Or do we? Don't be Finally, you remember the ar­ anger in conjunction with Lee Press­ confused about a local rock group rest of San Diego Chargers center on Nails." called the She Males. Sad to say, Courtney Hall on prostitution ,/ Likewise, they no longer wear they're not what you might think. charges when he was discovered in wigs, but don "faux hair." +++ the company of a crossdressing +++ Here's the latest entry on the list hooker in the city's North Park A drag role in a film now in pro­ ofl,001 reasons for crossdressing... neighborhood? The city attorney duction is unlikely to induce pro­ A few years ago, a Chicago broad­ requested that the prostitution tests, even by the most "pc" viewer. caster pretended to be his own charges and a related charge oflewd Virginia Woolfs gender bending female therapist named Stephanie conduct be dropped. Hall pleaded novel Orlando is being brought to and called his girlfriends trying to guilty to misdemeanor charges of the screen. Perhaps the most in­ convince them to provide psycho­ using offensive words to the "girl," spired bit ofcasting is Quentin Crisp logical help by participating in his Charles Thompson, and was fined portraying Queen Elizabeth I. crossdressing activities. Now, in a $360, ordered to undergo private +++ different line of work, the man is AIDS counseling, and placed on Crisp's physical alterations for again working the phones, posing three years probation. Officials said the role - a bright orange wig - as "Susan," a promoter who is look­ the order for AIDS counseling is pales in comparison to what Kelly ing for women to help the guy "learn standard in prostitution-related Michaels has gone through to per­ how to be a woman," write a book cases. fect his portrayal of Madonna. The about it, and eventually go on the Judging from a news report out reportedly heterosexual female talk show circuit with ''her" new of San Jose, Calif., the practice is a impersonator spent $3,500 for girlfriend. wise one. Gilbert "Diane" Mascare­ breast implants. +++ nas has been charged with feloni­ "I'm the only professional male Imagine the fun Geraldo would ous prostitution charges for engag­ Madonna with breasts," the 20-year­ have with that pair, almost as much ing in the world's oldest profession old said. He noted, however, that fun as the show "Hard Copy" had while aware that he carries the AIDS his are one size smaller than hers. with the story that a "transvestite virus. Police say that Mascarenas Michaels began portraying Ma­ killer" had escaped from a Connecti­ had a record of 35 previous arrests donna three years ago when he said cut maximum security prison. on misdemeanor prostitution and he convinced his girlfriend to do his Inmate Frank Vandever, 37, a other sex-related charges. makeup.We don't know if this is the former stock broker, had been con­ A plethora of correspondents showered same Kelly Michaels who appears victed of killing a client after he Miss Sinclair with clipping this month. in the adult video She-Male Sex discovered Vandever had been si­ Among them are Etienne, Jackie Dawn, Clinic. phoning funds from his investment J enifer Michaels, and Laura Smiley. You can join this august group by sending clips about +++ account. After killing the man, crossdressing to Miss Sinclair at the Renais­ Jerry Hall, the girlfriend of Mick Vandever used his victim's credit sance office. Remember to note the name and Jagger, doesn't need much encour- card for a shopping spree at a trans- date of publication. 7 ~naissance 'J,/j,ws 'J/o{ 6, 9'.(p. 3

Homophobia in the TG community: Trying to be macho while wearing a dress?

by JoAnn Roberts gay men (drag queens) was very low it's sex. @Last month Paula Jordan Sin­ in the mid '70s when the first groups But, it's been over 20 years since clair discussed in the began to emerge. Gays were seen as the Stonewall riots and Gay Libera­ gay I lesbian community, especially promiscuous and constantly look­ tion have educated us about homo­ towards transgendered people. This ing for sex. It was also widely be­ sexuality. Aside from their sexual month we look at a similar phe­ lieved that a "straight" could be orientation, gays and lesbians are nomenon within the transvestite I "converted" to gay through social not that different from most any­ transsexual community. contact and possibly sexual contact. body else, including transvestites. A support group in New York The only image the public had to We now understand that all gays state specifically excludes homosex­ associate with a male in feminine are not promiscuous. We now un­ ual crossdressers from its member­ clothing was a stereotypical drag derstand that most gay men are ship roster. Another group in Cali­ queen. erotically attracted to a male body­ fornia screens potential members It is not difficult to understand image and, therefore, have little in­ through a complex interview/appli­ why early transvestite support terest in crossdressed males. We cation process. A large, popular TV groups limited themselves to hetero­ now understand that there are gay event in the Southwest, sponsored sexual members only. It was a con­ transvestites who have the same by an "open" support group, restricts scious effort to distance themselves feelings and needs as straight trans­ attendance for persons with facial from the public image ofstereotyped vestites. And we, presumably, un­ hair. A national transvestite sup­ homosexuals. derstand the differences between port group emphasizes its "family" Later, (M-t-F) were anatomical sex, sexual orientation, orientation. Each of these organiza­ added to the proscription list be­ gender role, and gender identity. tions can give you good reasons for cause they too were seen as males So, homosexuality should no longer their "exclusive" policies, and none who were interested in having sex be a threat to transvestites, yet we will include homophobia. So, why with other males. (Why else does a still see traces of homophobia in have segments of the transvestite male have a vagina constructed and 1992. Why? community gone out of its way to live as a female, if not to fulfill a Perhaps because society, in gen­ exclude homosexuals and trans­ female sex-role, goes the logic.) As eral, and a large number of trans­ sexuals from its membership ros­ with homosexuals, it was thought vestites still confuse gender role with ters? that social contact would convert sex role. It's clear that homophobia was transvestites to transsexuals too. According to the paper "Mexican rampant in the early days of organ­ At the heart of these arguments is and Mexican-American Male Sex­ ized support groups for the concept of promiscuous sex be­ ual Behavior and the Spread ofAIDS crossdressers. Public opinion of gay tween males, and we know that if in California," by J.R. Magana and men and especially crossdressing this society is hung-up on anything, (continued on page 15)

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8 ~naissance 9.{f.ws 'J/o{ 6, 'J{p. 3

A hidden group Who speaks for the 'All-American Crossdresser'? By Shirley Kay tance of the gender community, feminine. They feel that while their The All-American crossdresser­ many crossdressers tend to almost selves have come out of the you still remember him, don't you? become obsessed with their femi­ closet, their male selves have been He is the man who has a facet ofhis nine side. They have suppressed forced into one. personality which loves the femi­ and/or hidden their desire for the Some have also expressed feel­ nine. He thinks looking and acting feminine for so long that it only ings ofinferiority because they chose feminine is just delightful. But he seems fair that their male side take not to have chemically induced also knows that he is a man and a backseat for awhile. They may curves, or shave their body hair. derives an equal amount of satisfac­ throw themselves totally into the They feel undo pressure to attend tion from being a man and express­ safe haven they have found for the support meeting only , or ing his male side. He's not on expression of their feminine self. to accept the ultimate goal ofliving hormones, has no desire to live as Eventually, however, reality full-time as theirfemme self. Many his femme self full-time, and Ckid must set in, and a balance must be have even questioned whether per­ forbid anyone should even suggest reached. Because of the many influ­ haps something is wrong with them tampering with his male anatomy. ences of the gender community, this because they aren't transsexual, He loves his feminine ways - but balance may not be so easily reached that relishing both the feminine and not at the total expense of his male­ and is often difficult to maintain. masculine is wrong. ness. Within the gender community There is a great deal of peer pres­ A frequent complaint encoun­ today, he seems to be a dying breed. sure within the gender community, tered from family members is that Recently, on the way home from a fact which often goes unrecog­ while finding the gender commu­ a chapter meeting, my partner and nized. Many crossdressers come to nity has enabled crossdressers to I were discussing the fact that yet realize that while the gender com­ come out of the closet, it has put another of our crossdressingfriends munity is a blessing in many ways, undo pressure on an already was taking female hormones. "Am I it also can be a curse, affecting both stressed relationship. It does more the only crossdresser not on the individual crossdresser and his to undermine the relationship than hormones?" he asked me, obviously personal relationships. strengthen it. Usually these rela­ upset. This comment led to what we Discussing the need for this bal­ tionships are already in varying felt was a very productive discus­ ance is important because there are stages of crisis just from dealing sion, resulting in some conclusions those crossdressers who have ex­ with and trying to understand one we felt should be addressed in print pressed the feelings that since partner's occasional need to dress and given some thought by other coming into the gender community en femme. (These relationships are members of the gender community. they have felt they have lost contact further stressed by entrance into When coming out of the closet with their male side. They feel pres­ the gender community and the and for the first time experiencing sured by other members of the additional pressures which result.) the total and unconditional accep- community to express only the (continued on page 13) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUBURBAN BUCKS COUNTY Learn to apply your makeup with

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9 'i{f,naissance 9'.fJ.ws 'l/o{ 6, 'J{p. 3 Th•F;;;uM A reply to Virginia Prince's 'bigender:' 'Transgendered is good enough for me' by Tere Frederickson ./ Bigendral would also be con­ also is used in other descriptive We find ourselves embroiled in fused with bisexual by the general terms within the community and by the ceaseless circular search for public. Dr. Prince freely admits that the public, so there can be little labels. While I concur with Dr. the general public does not compre­ confusion. For example, both trans­ Prince that labels (I prefer the hend the difference between the vestite and transsexual are already phrase "descriptive words") are words "sex" and "gender;" for most in the dictionary. For the fetishistic needed as a point of reference, I do people the terms are virtually syn­ crossdresser with strictly a male not agree with either the choice of onymous. It therefore follows that gender identity, is words she suggested or the basic the general public, when hearing descriptive of their crossing of gen­ rationale behind her choice (RN, the term ''bigenderal," will without der lines if only in terms of clothing. Feb., '92). a doubt confuse it with ''bisexual," a At the other end of the spectrum, The term "bigender" (big­ confusion we in the community transgender can refer to the trans­ ender ... as in having a large poste­ obviously do not need. sexual who has permanently rior?) is neither appropriate as an ./ Dr. Prince asserts that the adopted a single gender identity overall descriptive term for our prefix "trans" means permanently akin to the opposite genetic sex community, nor is it easily under­ to cross or move beyond something. (sexual reassignment surgery stood by inference by the rest of the We beg to differ on this point; trans merely being a medical procedure population. Simply, I provide the can indeed mean temporary or tran­ to align anatomical genital appear­ following counterpoints: sitory. After all, the term "transves­ ance to that of the opposite genetic ./ Bigender would imply that tite" does not mean that the person sex). So, it can be easily argued that everyone in the community has a permanently dresses in clothing transgender is highly appropriate dual gender disposition. I'm sure styles assigned to the opposite sex. and highly descriptive in reference that the fetishistic crossdresser who Ergo, transgender does not dictate to our community as a whole. Fi­ has a strictly male gender identity a permanent crossing of the gender nally, the overwhelming common would protest to random assign­ line. Nor does it preclude a perma­ usage oftransgender in our commu­ ment ofdual genderism,just as those nent crossing. nity today is the usage we have individuals also protest the use of We propose the usage of the term proposed. Why bother to change the term transgender. I'm also sure transgender as an overall and in­ terms when we already have one that many transsexuals would pro­ clusive term for the community. All which is proper, clear, and already test the assignation of gender dual­ Dr. Prince's arguments for bigen­ in common use? ity because most have established a der in regard to simplicity and In acknowledgement to Dr. gender identity akin to the opposite understanding also apply to Prince, I recognize that she coined genetic sex, and are thus not bigen­ transgender (we won't take a trip the term "transgenderist" to refer to deral. through the dictionary). The prefix (continued on page 14) Barbara A. Susinno R.N. C.P .E. Hair Professionally Removed --~•~(908) 341-7524 Main Street Electrology Large Selection Steam Autoclave Rene of Paris, Henry Margu. Eva Gabor Sterilization Multi-pin galvanic Short wave and more. ------..·~ The Blend Callfor appointment (215) 446-0799 802 Main St, #4-A, Toms River, N.J. 08753

10 ~naissance 'l\&ws 'l/o{ 6, 'J.[p. 3 TheFORuM Book Review A Low Life in High Heels

Reviewed by Michael Klein Low Life in High Heels, Holly Wood- ti on of Paul Morrissey, the director A Low Life in High Heels: The lawn'sjournalisticscrawlacrossthe ofTrash. Holly Woodlawn Story, by Holly veryemptybutglamorousandsexu- Here,inALowLifeinHighHeels, Woodlawn with Jeffrey Copeland. St. ally provocative pages from New is the Holly some of us know and Martin's Press. York in the late 60's and early 70's. remember: pill-popping, sex starved, One of the disturbing things For those who don't know, Holly booze-guzzling - FABulous Holly, about Martha Graham's posthu- Woodlawn is a man who dresses whoreallywasnothingmorethana mous autobiography, Blood Mem- like a woman, starred in Andy homeless alcoholic who had the ory, is how it testifies not to a pri- Warhol'sTrashandsomeoff-Broad- knack of walking into the right vate life (which you hope an autobi- way plays, and was quite successful party. She had talent, but that tal­ ography will do) but to a public one. on the New York cabaret circuit. ent was al ways being short-circuited You never feel any risk being taken She was, like all of Warhol's gang, by circumstances, revenge, and bad by the words she chooses. The book an outrageous personality from luck. Mostly, it was sabotaged by is beautifully written, but there's no whom Warhol could make money. drugs. And the book takes on a revelation in it, finally, because she Ironically, she would never have strange, almost psychotic patter - hasn't really dug beneath the ve- met Warhol were it not for a par- as though none of the clearly death­ neer of her own fame. It's a book ticularly audacious stunt involving defying stunts Woodlawn managed about how to keep one's life a mys- mistaken identity and a $2,000 to pull off during her long career tery. camera Woodlawn charged to War- have changed her. She talks about I had the same feeling reading A hol, which brought her to the atten- (continued on page 14) Mail Order: Fantasyland Products, Box 682, 4"1 -·- ,.. Owen Sound, Ontario, CANADA N4K-5R4 rl :1 .,tasyl . 'C _h Store address: 274 81h St. E., Owen Sound. ~ ~ <~ Store Hours: 8-5:30, Fri. Iii 8:30, Closed Sun. ,._ ~ Phone orders: 519• 371•l2 l 5 w /major er. card 1 · • ~ ~ FAX (24hrs/day) 519•371 •2975 w/cr. card 'I'~~~ ~· ,.;. - HOME OF: Fantasia Fashions (manufacturing with the ,~ 1 - TV in mind). Sugar 'n Spice Creations (little girl) ~ ~t ' .:.a~ DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME. ~ .=:"' $80 = FULL DELUXE SET OF CATALOGS ~ f _ 16 CATALOGS =800 PAGES: Contoining Wigs (2), Shoes & '~' Boots (3), Clothing (2), lingerie (3), Silicone Breasts, 'Femme' (3) Publications: •How To Books• with VALUABLE HINTS! , Corsetry, Maids Wear, little Girl Fashions, PVC Custom CUT-ALL SIZES AVAILABLE! WE CROSSERSIZEI - REAL WELCOME!

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11 ~naissance 9f!,ws 'J/o( 6, 'J{p. 3 TheF~i:UM Don't be quiet about cops' discrimination

By Elsa Larson response comes as no surprise. Cpl. pen. Markley's recent experiences We are all probably disturbed by Spotts may need some refresher on show that bad cops can show up Markley Streeper's story in this the "No means NO" concept but, when we least expect them. Ironi­ issue ofRN. Why would things like overall, seems to be doing his job. cally, this all happened at the be­ this happen to a well-qualified indi­ I think Markley would be a good ginning of the Martin Luther King vidual with lots of military and ci­ cop. She has some unusual extra holiday weekend when everyone vilian police experience?Whywould qualifications and insights into the should be mindful of the continuing Fraternal Order of Police members human condition. Cpl. Spotts may challenge ofobtaining human rights treat one of their own this way? The be an okay cop. Det. Glad and Cpl. for all persons. actions of Det. Glad and Cpl.Nixon Nixon have demonstrated their Let your personal friends and look like plain, old-fashioned intimi­ ignorance of the law and an appall­ elected officials in local government dation. Women and racial, ethnic, ing lack ofgoodjudgment and should and law enforcement know how (and religious, or sexual minorities want­ not be cops at all. why) you feel about such treatment ing law enforcement careers have Lots of transgendered people of transgendered or any other per­ been dealing with this for years. It's have stories about how decent the sons or groups. Remind them that relatively new for transgendered police can be when we need them you vote. persons to get into the act, but the but are afraid of what might hap- Police departnients cop out on rights (continued from page 1) reserves as an MP and a drill ser­ to leave but without her license and ticket and take my license," Streeper geant. When she took the test of the only after she changed the sex on said. ''They had their minds made Harrisburg police department, she her application back to male. She up what they were going to do, and was ranked 14th out of 200 appli­ went immediately to the Harris­ no matter what I said, they weren't cants on the male list. She believes burg Affirmative Action Office who going to change. I had to prove my that ifshe had been allowed to apply was able to get her license returned innocence." as a minority applicant (as women, to her and the citation for carrying She believes that the harassment blacks, and Hispanics can do) she false identification withdrawn. and threats of a strip search were would have placed at the top of the The stress associated with the attempts to incite her to resisting list. events at the police department took arrest, thereby disqualifying her for Even though she was ranked a serious physical toll. At the urging a job with the police department. above 93 percent of the male appli­ of her counselor, she went to the Why should two police officers cants, she was passed over for hir­ emergency room of a local hospital. worry that a transsexual who ing by Harrisburg. Her family and She passed out in the emergency walked in off the street would be friends urged her to keep quiet room and was kept there for 20 given a job on the force? There are regarding the discriminatory treat­ hours with an irregular heartbeat. many reasons, not the least of which ment. ''That was wrong," she says Later, she was admitted to the in­ is that she is already a cop and a now. "I shouldn't have kept quiet. tensive care unit for five days. She card-carrying member of the Fra­ At the time I was new at this and said she was terrorized by Glad and ternal Order of Police. didn't know what my rights were." Nixon, and the subsequent heart Currently, Streeper is employed She has since learned that the problems were due to the extreme as a Department of Defense police Harrisburg human rights law in­ stress they induced. officer and works on the security cludes transsexuals as a protected But her problems were not over force of the Navy Ships Parts Con­ class. She suspects that Glad and when she was released from the trol Center in Mechanicsburg. She Nixon knew that she was protected hospital. Returning home, she found was hired as female and holds and were trying to discourage her a message on her answering ma­ "secret" security clearance. She had from pursuing her job application. chine from the Upper Allen Town­ served three years active duty as an After several hours at the police ship police department asking her Army MP and later in the Army department, Streeper was allowed (continued on page 13)

12 '.lq.naissance 'l{f,ws o/o[ 6, 'Jl(g. 3

she believes they are looking for a of the city's Human Relations Ordi­ "female type" person whose descrip­ nance, she has filed a complaint Cop-out tion she matches. against the city and its Bureau of (continued from page 12) She said she did not feel threat­ Police and Bureau of Human Re­ to come into the station. Because ened by the interrogation, but she sources charging that "the respon­ she had applied for work on that has been asked to appear in a line­ dents' representatives harassed, force, as well, she was not surprised up and take a polygraph test. At the intimidated, detained, and forced by the call. When she arrived at the present time, the investigation is the complainant to falsify her appli­ station, however, she was surprised continuing. Criminal trespass cation for the police examination." when Cpl. David Spotts told her she charges carries a maximum sen­ A hearing on that complaint was was a suspect in a case of criminal tence of seven years. scheduled for February 25. Streeper trespass. Just as the investigation in Upper also lodged a civilian complaint In November, two coeds at Mes­ Allen continues, so does the case in against the police officers who de­ siah College, a religious institution Harrisburg. Availing herself of the tained her. about 15 miles south of Harrisburg, protections offered by Section 6(a) reported a person about 6 feet tall and with wispy blonde hair putting on makeup in a restroom of their Who speaks for the dorm. The person spoke to them in a falsetto voice and drove off in a 'All-American Crossdresser?' customized van. Streeper fits the (continued from page 9) yourself, whatever your needs be­ general description of the suspect, I have heard many genetic women whether those needs be that of a and that fact must have been noted say that the worst thing that ever spouse, crossdresser, transsexual, when she visited the Upper Allen happened to their marriages and or anywhere in between. police department to seek ajob after relationships was getting involved Society puts enough pressure on the trespassing incident. with the gender community. This all of us. We do not need to add to it Streeper spent 90 minutes vol­ needs to change! ourselves. We need to make the "All­ untarily answering Spotts' ques­ The gender community needs to American Crossdresser" a more tions and provided him with an al­ stop and take a look at itself. A visible and acceptable part of the ibi. She notes that Spotts did not balance needs to be struck for those gender community, not an endan­ appear to note that she is a trans­ who need it. It should be just as gered species. sexual nor did she gather that au­ acceptable to express your male­ @ Reprinted with permission thorities were looking for a man in ness as it is your femaleness. You from the Gender Identity Center women's clothes. Rather, she said, should be able to freely express Journal of Denver. New Kid On The Block International Transcript The new voice of the world-wide transgendered community. Six issue U.S. subscription: $40 Canada, Mexico & Overseas slightly higher. CDS, PO Box 61263 King of Prussia, PA 19406

13 'l(fnaissance ~ws 'l/o{ 6, 9\[p. 3 Holly Woodlawn's Life in High Heels (continued from page 11) vere drug and alcohol problem - a you realize that the price of this the past with what gradually be­ problem that also seemed to bring particular form of humor is an comes a creepy intimacy because with it (apart from reckless and almost acute inability to change), she is still living in it. embarrassing behavior) invitations Holly Woodlawn charts the strange Woodlawn had brief triumphs: to Fire Island. path that led her underground and glorious bits in Trash, especially Low Life in High Heels is basi­ miraculously allowed her to live. one involving a beer bottle, another cally a homage to denial, and, I There are some funny, gossipy funny movie called Scarecrow in a guess in a strange way, it is a hand­ things here - but none of it ever Garden of Cucumbers, and various book of survival. Woodlawn is the rises above the tabloid level because gigs around town - especially at last of a long line of underground Woodlawn herselfnever transcends the premier night club at that time, beauties (including Candy Darling, her own mystique- of which there Reno Sweeney's. There is also an Jackie Curtis, Hibiscus, and Edie is really none. What everybody says hilarious scene at the Continental Sedgwick), and she has, under­ about her is actually true! Baths when she was the front act standably, some resentment about - Reprinted with permission for Tally Brown. But Woodlawn that. In language that is extremely from Bay Windows, a lesbian and continually blames her unsuccess­ sarcastic but often very funny (until gay newspaper in Boston. ful bid for immortality on everyone else around her, when the fact is (and nowhere does Woodlawn come 'Transgendered is right out and say it) she had a se- good enough for me' Barbiturate Junkie (continued from page 10) - Transgender, bigender, big And you look at me as though someone who has permanently ender! Hell, I just like to dress up! nothing adopted the gender role typically Seriously, neither Dr. Prince in Out of the dictionary were assigned to the opposite genetic sex. her attack on trans, nor Ms. Freder­ happening: However, I would suggest in the ickson in her endorsement of the My wounded Alice, unable to interest of standardization of ter­ term, refer to the definition of the dream, minology that the term transgen­ prefix that gives the sense of moving Her looking glass broke and all derist-as defined by Dr. Prince­ beyond or surpassing, e.g., tran­ still in place. be abandoned by the community scend. In this way, a transvestite and another term used in reference has moved beyond clothing and a Poor lady, prone to vague alarms, to one who "cross-lives" full time in transsexual has surpassed sex. Take one more tepid tea-bomb the opposite gender role. Maybe Nevertheless, the trans camp does And adjust your peripheral something like "transrole/ have tradition on its side. This year vision. transroler/transrolist" to remain marks the 340th anniversary of the Time, is the thief that is on our consistent and simple. debut of "transvest" in the English side, dear. Have I added enough fuel to get language. Any more views? Which - Phaedra Kelly the raging semantic inferno going term should this publication adopt? full blast? -PJS

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14 ~naissance '.l{f.ws '1/o{ 6, 7{p. 3 Homophobia in the TG community: Trying to be macho while wearing a dress? (continued from page 8) penetrable, like females, (and) dressed, the phenomenon of the J.M. Carrier published in the Jour­ masculine males are active and im­ "man-in-a-dress" or the macho­ nal of Sex Research (Vol. 28, No. 3, penetrable ... " (emphasis mine). transvestite. These people do not August 1991), "Mestizo Mexican Might not the same social strictures want to lose their sense of being males involved in homosexual be­ on gender role be at work in our male for fear of appearing passive havior operate in an ... environment community? and penetrable, i.e., homosexual. that leads them to expect that they The dilemma faced by some trans­ I am reminded of a scene with should play either the anal inser­ vestites, then, is how to appear Alison Laing after one of her voice tive or receptive role but not both. feminine, yet active and impene­ seminars. An immaculately and By and large (as) a result ofsharply trable. For these transvestites, the very femininely attired crossdresser defined gender roles in the society, answer seems to lie in asserting approached Alison and commented feminine males are passive and their while cross- how much he enjoyed her book. When Alison inquired why he wasn't practicing a more feminine voice, her fan answered, "I couldn't do ~~ that. People might think I'm a ." IMAGE CONSULTANT For this person, his voice was the ''<]))~ <]))~ '' last vestige of his masculinity and he wasn't about to give that up. The preservation of macho atti­ • Make-up Application • Dressing Sessions and Lessons tudes is a hallmark of homophobia, • Shopping Seroices and we can see it in the TVtrS • Wardrobe Consultation • Feminine Image and Evaluation community if we look behind the Transformation facade of "protecting'' group mem­ My service is a unique combined approach of bers. Arcane interview and selec­ professional adviser/ consultant and sensitive caring tion processes are overt signs of friend. It is provided for the serious client only, in a homophobia, while the frequently comfortable, discreet atmosphere on an individual basis . Working destructive ego trips and power together we can create and refine the feminine image you desire. struggles intra- and inter-group are By Appointment: 215-635-TV58 covert signs. Underlying it all is a 1657 THE FAIRWAY • SUITE 190 • JENKINTOWN, PA 19046 deeply rooted fear offemininity, sex, (Suburban Philadelphia) and of becoming more like stere­ otypical females, passive and pene­ trable. ~~P.11'1· ·" < ::~~,~;i:.~~~~;;{(·.: We must actively oppose homo­ phobia in our community and recog­ 'Vernon sSpecialties, Inc. nize the implicit sexism and hypoc­ Your one-stop place to shop. By mail or in person. risy. Wemustdivorceourselvesfrom • Clothing - Regular & Full Figure FAX your order! the notion that gender role equals • Leather & Latex Clothing &Accessories (617) 647-4082 sex role. We must work toward a • Cosmetics & Professional Makeup Lesso community that is inclusive and • Shoes & Boots-Sz: 4 -14WW I Heels to 6" cherishes diversity rather than one • Basics to Exotic Lingerie for Women and Men that is exclusive and denigrates • Corsetry - Wigs - Jewelry - Hosiery • Breast Forms differences. We have nothing to fear • Videos, Books, Magazines,Marital Aids/Novelties from homosexual crossdressers nor Something 4 every lifestyle -because we care! from transsexuals. They are as much a part of the community as any Send $20 (U.S. Funds) for latest catalog(s) &Newsletters straight-laced, heterosexual trans­ MonJTues./Thurs. 10am -6pm•Wed.&Frl. Noon·Bpm•Sat 10am ·5pm vestite, and they have just as much Special Assistance & Private Appointments -Anytime to contribute to our progress toward universal acceptance by society-at­ WE 'RE NOT #1 YOU ARE Mall Ordet Spec1a/1sts Spanning the Globe Catcnng to the Needs of E1101yone ' large.

15 'RJ,naissance 'J./J,ws 'J/o[ 6, 'J{p. 3

THE lcoNocLAsT™

ATLANTA - The more I see, the sented to the board last year by Dr. Sand has been to two Fantasia more I'm impressed ... William R. Stayton and myself, Fairs and she would now like to see The folks down at AEGIS just but it was rejected as too "legalis­ a similar event held in Europe. Her never seem to rest on their laurels. tic." SIECUS wanted a statement concept, though, sounds more in line With the successful launch of their that the average person in the street with the principles of the "Coming quarterly magazine Chrysalis, they could comprehend. Together - Working Together" con­ keep coming up with very interest­ After four more tries at crafting ventions put on by the Interna­ ingmaterials. Their latest is a public the words, we finally succeeded in tional Foundation for Gender service ad from AEGIS on the dan­ creating a statement that we be­ Education (IFGE). gers of silicone injections. lieve SIECUS will adopt. Sand is also looking for a coali­ What is most heartening, is the The new statement was sent to tion of organizations to produce the number of newsletters around the the SIECUS board in early January event, which gives it the flavor of country that have picked up the ad and a response was expected some­ the Be All You Can Be convention. and donated space for it.(Look for it time in February or March. With such great examples to soon in RN.) There is hope for us as T .A. T borrow from, I hope that Jenny's a "community" yet. FRANKFURT, GERMANY -Ve hafvays idea takes hold. She is looking for a Meanwhile, back at the ranch, uf making you haf a gut time ... location in Denmark that would be AEGIS has proposed a Symposium Our Germanic sisters from Tran­ similar to Provincetown. Perhaps, for Men at the 1992 Southern Com­ sidenti tas are planning their an­ Jenny, Holland might offer the fort, to be held October 1-4. The nual meeting and they're inviting atmosphere you're looking for, or, symposium will focus on traditional everyone from around the world to how about the Isle of Wight? and non-traditional presentations join them. Ifyou're going to be in the When I visited with Phaedra of masculinity for female-to-male neighborhood of Frankfurt around Kelly two years ago, an interna­ transsexuals. Watch for further the 24th to the 26th of April, you tional gathering was one topic we announcements is a variety of TV/ might stop around and say "hello" discussed at some length, but nei­ TS publication. from across the pond. ther of us had the time or energy to T .A. T Ifthere are enough "outlanders," take it any further than simply talk. HARTFORD, CT. - Say it again, the group will hold a special session Wherever it happens, it will be Sam ... on international co-operation with an important milestone for the I have to say it again. The more I emphasis on how to improve com­ world's transgendered/bi-gendered see, the more I'm impressed. This munication exchange and relation­ community. Good Luck, Jen. time I'm talking about Twenty, the ships in Europe. The main topic for ... A. ... newsletter of the XX Club, Inc. the afternoon of the 24th will be the LOS ANGELES - New word, same The February '92 issue is their foundation of a national organiza­ old stuff. .. third time at bat and it scores an­ tion for TV!I'S support groups in Several newsletters have carried other home run with me in terms of Germany. a recent article by Virginia Prince look and content. The editors, They need your registration by that advocates the use of a new BrendaP.,JudySummers,Anne March 31, so get a move on if you're term "bi-gendered." Prince wants E. Cur, and Jamie Lee Roper interested. Contact: Transidentitas, us to use this term when referring have done an outstanding job of Postfach 10 10 46, 6050 Offenbach, to the community at large. Some providing insightful and interest­ Germany or call 069/800 100 8. The groups, notably (not unexpectedly) ing reading about transsexual is­ registration fee is 15DM and a single Tri-Ess chapters, have embraced the sues. Contact Twenty at PO Box room with shower/WC is 11 ODM. new terminology without debate. 387, Hartford, CT 06141-0387. .... A. .... However, Teri Frederickson, ... .A. T SANDNES, NORWAY-Another Fan­ writing in Gender Euphoria (Bolton NEW YORK CITY. - Keep running Fair spin-off? .. . & Park Society), disagrees with that play 'til you get it right. .. On the heels of the announce­ doyenne Prince (see p. 10 of this The executive board of directors ment from Claudia R. above, came issue of RN),and I, for a change, of SIECUS, (the Sex Information a letter from Jenny Sand ofFPE­ tend to agree with Frederickson. and Education Council of the U.S.) Norway. (For those who don't r ec­ Prince's chief argument is that will once again consider an advo­ ognize those initials, FPE was the the prefix "trans-" (across) denotes cacy statement for gender rights. Tri-Ess precursor group started by a permanent change, while ''bi-" An initial statement was pre- Virginia Prince.) simply means "two." The flaws in

16 ~naissance 'J{f,ws 'l/o{ 6, 'J{p. 3

THE IcoNocLAsT ™ that are: (a) there is no permanency you go to an accountant to get your ment is misleading and most TV in the "trans-" prefix, and (b) ''bi-" car repaired? Would you get your organizations welcome transsexu­ denotes two co-existing things, like income taxes prepared by a civil als, but Beattie never said they bilingual. I'm sure that most trans­ engineer? Would you have a bridge didn't. Diane was angry that Beat­ sexuals will tell you that they have built by a psychotherapist? No? I tie didn't include crossdresser in­ only one gender-identity; it's their didn't think so. Why? Because the formation in a TS information body that has failed to measure up. ''backgrounds and education levels" pamphlet and" ... that sheASSumes They're not ''bi-gendered" at all. are inappropriate for the tasks. that newly coming out crossdressers However, I do have a nit to pick As for any one person's opinion might not need information also. Is with Frederickson (you knew that, holding more weight than another's, this selective censorship?" ... ight) over terminology. She uses that's silly. An "opinion" is a belief Notethe"ass"remark. This didn't the term "fetishist crossdresser" for resting on grounds insufficient to make any sense until I read the very crossdressers with a "strictly male produce certainty [American Col­ last sentence of Diane's letter: "I gender identity." I find this usage lege Dictionary]. Like free advice, would encourage all genderists to both inaccurate and offensive to unrequested opinions are worth beware of her." Now, it becomes those people who, like me, have no what you pay for them - nothing. clear. Here is a GAL genderist on a pretensions toward transgenderism As for the "search for truth," I "search and destroy" mission be­ or transsexualism. could fill this newsletter with that cause Beattie tried to make ham­ T .I.. T subject, but suffice it to say that in burger from the Sacred Cow. ARLINGTON, VA. - Southern hospi­ searching one must be willing to With this kind of attitude, what tality is alive and well .. . look at, listen to, and examine all separates GAL "genderists" from I'd like to thank all the wonderful sides of an issue. Sometimes, it's the fanatics of Operation Rescue? Is ladies at the Delta Chi Educa­ even necessary to take an opposi­ any tactic, any slander, any twist of tional Assoc. who treated me and tion view in order to discover the the truth, fair game for the gender­ my partner like queens at their "truth" of an issue. ist's goals? Are only card carrying February meeting. I do thank you, however, for the genderists allowed to call them­ They asked me to speak about perfect segue tothe next item. selves "gender activists"? Is this the Renaissance "secret" to leader­ T J.. T really an "umbrella organization" ship. I figured that such a ''boring" SAN FRANCISCO - Truth ain't got for political action or just topic would not draw a crowd. Imag­ nu thin' to do with it... crossdressed fascism? ine my surprise when over 65 people The letter arrived with a news Diane says, "I am disgusted at showed up for the meeting and no clipping attached. Diane wanted to Ms. Beattie's self-serving attempts one fell asleep during my talk! warn all of us about the "shameful at... discrediting crossdressers." A special thank you goes to Aunt and second-rate treatment given to Well, I am disgusted at Diane's Helen for setting it up. crossdressers by self-proclaimed attempts to discredit someone who T J.. T gender activist Christine Beattie." is taking positive action to fill the ALBURQUERQUE, N.M. - Guardian Beattie, you may recall, wrote a needs of a special segment of the of''The Truth" and Defender of The piece recently that called the Gen­ community, transsexuals. American Way ... der Activist League (GAL) to task. If you're interested in Beattie's There's an interesting little opin­ Well, I read the article attached information, contact San Francisco ion piece that's showing up in a few to the letter and was pleased to see Gender Information at (415) 346- newsletters. In it, writer Michelle it was written by Renaissance 0457. There is an information packet Anne Michaels says, " ... somecriti­ alum, Kate Bornstein. But the available to callers for $2.00 that cism expressed by one member of article did not treat crossdressers includes a resource list, a bibliogra­ the [TV] community I find counter­ shamefully nor as second-rate phy and several pamphlets for both productive. It seems this person has people. As reported by Bornstein, M-t-F and F-t-M transsexuals. An appointed herself guardian of the Beattie simply started a Hotline ·additional contribution over the truth ... Instead, she attacks their and Resource database for trans­ $2.00 might be nice too. backgrounds and education levels sexuals because she felt that most ... J.. ... and thus implying that her opinions transsexuals do not avail themselves NOTA DENE ·The opinions expressed here hold more weight." (Hmmmm? of TV organizations. So what's Di­ are mine and mine alone. If you have a comment, positive or negative, write me at Wonder who she's writing about?) ane's problem? P .O. Box 61263, Ko!P, PA 19406-1263. Well, Michelle, let's see. Would Diane says that Beattie's state-

17 ~naissance 'J{f,ws 'Vo{ 6, ?{sJ. 3 New sex test for athletes: look between their legs A panel of scientists and athletes defect. Yet, he said, they are women 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He was convened by the International in all respects. beaten by three women. Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) An IAAF panel member, tennis Many female athletes reportedly has recommended that athletic coach Alison Carlson, said that there favored the end of the genetic test, organizations stop giving genetic is only one good example of a man although some wanted it retained. tests to female athletes to see ifthey posing as a female athlete: Her­ Press reports on the new IAAF are really women. The IAAF says it mann Ratjen. He claimed Nazi au­ sex-determination policy did not say will nowrely on the only fair test: thorities forced him to compete in if the federation was concerned looking at athletes' genitals. the high jumpas a woman in the about detecting transsexuals. For 25 years female athletes have had to pass a test to see if they have Sports radio is outreach tool two X chromosomes. Men generally (continued from page 3) expressed amazement at her dis­ have one X and one Y chromosome. meeting to get "this crossdressing play of , and wondered how But some people - as many as 1 in thing" out of his system. a man could look so ''bodacious." 500 by some estimates-have chro­ The free publicity continued on Then he commented, "actually, she's mosome defects which would dis­ the afternoon drive-time program kind of cute." qualify them under the testing pro­ hosted by Howard Eskin. Charlene's Charlene resisted other members' gram enforced by many athletic or­ letter must have been left in the entreaties to call Eskin on-air and ganizations, including the Interna­ studio, for he read it on the air make herself available for a date. tional Olympic Committee (IOC). again. Eskin, who has the reputa­ Nevertheless, Charlene has boldly Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, a geneti­ tion as a ladies' man, gave Charlene gone where no queen has gone be­ cist at the University of Tennessee, the supreme compliment after view­ fore - all-sports talk radio. headed the IAAF panel. He said ing her photo. He said that if he ©> This article originally appeared several genetic women athletes at hadn't read the letter, he would in the monthly newsletter edited by each competition fail the sex test have never thought Charlene was DinaAmberle and distributed at the because they have the chromosome anything but a real woman. He Greater Philadelphia meetings.

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