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I am all ready to begin the next issue (24 pages). Following this, you will receive three more issues for the year as we are now publish ing QUARTERLY instead of bimonthly but you will still be getting the same number of pages (4 x 24 = 96 instead of 6 x 16 = 96) . (The cur rent double issue is still owing from last year, so new members and subscribers, please add $6 ($30 + $6 = $36; $18 + $6 = $24), other wise you will not be entitled to the fifth issue for this year,
The three gender identity prog Happy Easter Holiday, friends! rams (pages 21-24) were randomly selected for the purpose of provi I deeply regret the long delay ding general information only. We in getting this double issue out do not necessarily endorse any one to you but I have also been busy specific program or particular me doing other things on behalf of thod of phalloplasty, and hope to MMRF and for the TS community, as feature other programs and surgic a whole (see "News & Info' Update" al procedures in upcoming issues. enclosed and "Foundation News" ov erleaf). Too, I lost 15 files (in I wish to extend a big "THANK cluding 10 pages of this issue!) YOU" to Patricia Fisher (FACT Que which I had to re-write, before we bec Area Rep) who just took out a got our printer and second disk MMRF Life Membership (which was drive. I was also in the States on recently halved to $250) Hopefully three occasions. And, my weekends Pat's example will inspire others are usually taken up by telephone to follow suit (hint, hint). and "office" counselling, business calls, Board meetings, socials, My sincere gratitude also goes bookkeeping and correspondence (1 to Ms Joanna Clark, for sending me have written 80 letters since I a videotape of several TV programs sent you the last double issue) featuring TSs (including Joanna all in the name of MMRF, and to a and 1), to Dr. Roberto Farina, for lesser extent, Transition Support sending me two more copies of his the local M-F TS group with which book, !RANSEX~ALJSMQ (1982); to Dr we are proposing an affiliation (I Jan Walinder, for sending copies am the Liaison Officer) . Addition of his books: TRANSSEXUALISM: A ally, I do work for Transexuals In ~tugy_of fortx=Ih~~;-c~i~i=(1967)~ Prison (I am the Facilitator) and and A SOCIAL-PSYCHIATRIC FOLLOW-UP for the International Foundation sruDY-oF--2~sEx-REAssrGNEn-rRANs= For Gender Education (I was a ~E!YALS~975)~-~~d-to-D~-C~lli;; Steering Committee Member for the Cole, Ms Judy Jennings, Dr. Milton first annual convention and am the Edgerton and Ms Joyce Schmidt, for First Alternate to the Board of providing in-depth replies to my Directors) . Of course I do not get inquiries about their own gender paid for any of this work! programs and surgical procedures.
Anyway, I hope this meaty issue Take care till the next issue partly makes up for the long wait. comes out about the end of May ...
1 scriber/Metamorphosis Center Direc tor Michelle Poll attended a memo rial gathering for Dr. Benjamin at QQ.!__._~Q=~i..t MMRF Executive Director the New York Academy of Medicine. Rupert Raj accomodated & counseled F-M member and mate from Winnipeg. J~n .... !~ MMRF grant proposal to Gay Community Appeal for $1500 denied. QQ.!. .... ~2..t TIP Facilitator Rupert Raj reproduced & posted Transexuals In Jan.l§J. N~~-__l~lephQn~~~yic~..t Prison Newsletter (Dec.11/Jan.29). Rupert initiated peer-counselling/ support service 1st, 3rd & 4th N.QY .... ~..l. Rupert, his sister, MMRF Fridays, ?~12 p.m. (free for mem Professional Consultant Joanna bers, calls limited to 3/4 hour). Clark, her father, GIC of Colorado Director Tomye Kelley and former !~b .... ~1-22..t Rupert accommodated anq Roman Catholic priest Nancy Ledins counselled F-M member's mate (pot appeared on "Sally Jessy Raphael" ential Board member) from Kingston CWTNH-TV, Ch. 8, New Haven, Conn.) !~b.2~..t Rupert moderated workshop: NQy_._§_t Rupert, GenderServe Direct "TS Consumer, Professional Provid or Susan Huxford and Clarke Insti er" at Conference ··a7, Social Ser tute of Psychiatry GIC Senior Re vices Network for Gays, Lesbians & search Psychologist Ray Blanchard Transexuals at Ryerson in Toronto. appeared on "Lifetime" (CFTO-TV, Ch. 9), Toronto. !eb,2~..t Rupert hosted social for 6 F-M members and friends. N.2Y..s.~.l Metamorphosis Magazine Edi tor Rupert Raj produced and posted !eh.~~ Bo~rd of Directors Meetirui June-September double issue, Purchase of printer & disk drive approved; proposed merger with NQY .... ~..t »Q~~4-.Qf_Di~~Q.!..Q!:~_Me~!.ingJ. Transition Support tabled for fur Three new directors welcomed; pur ther discussion; some proposed chase of computer approved; Meta constitutional amendments approved morphosis Magazine to be published quarterly in 1987; magazine for M Ma~_._4-§..t Rupert and ETVC's Kim F TSs to be published if feasible. Hellman moderated workshop "Trans sexualism: Fact And Fantasy" & two NQY..s.!~J. Rupert, Susan, Clarke GIC open forums at the International et al were featured in "Altered Foundation For Gender Education's States", Toronto Globe and Mail. First Annual Convention in Chicago
Nov_._!~..t Rupert hosted a social for AP.L.!!..t Rupert hosted a social for 30 M~F TSs, friends, professionals 22 M-F TSs, mates and friends.
NQY .... !2J. Rupert, Susan and Ray were AP.L.18: ~.QyQ_of Ding_to~etirui featured guests on "Shirley" (Life Membership fee increased to $30; Channel, Cable 26), Toronto. further proposed constitutional amendments approved; proposed mer D~Q._._~Q..l. Rupert hosted a social for ger with Transition Support disap 8 F-M TSs and friends. proved (business affiliation to be discussed); time & place set for J~n ....!Q..t Rupert, colleague Denise A.GM; nominations submitted for Hudson, MMRF member/The Gathering election of officers & directors. Director Jana Thompson and MM sub- (cont'd,)
2 sexuals and gender dysphoric people. Certainly I will study On May 6, 1986, the gay commu with care the issues you have nity won a 15-year battle to have drawn to my attention in your sexual orientation added to the letter. Thank you for your kind Ontario Human Rights Code as a pro words ~f support for the work hibited ground of discrimination. I have been doing to end discri The Legislature, studying a bill mination on the basis of sexual to bring Ontario's laws into line orientation. Clearly similar with Canada's Charter of Rights arguments would apply to discri and Freedoms, voted 64-45 on Dec. mination against transsexuals. 2 to keep the sexual orientation amendment proposed by Member of Svend J. Robinson, Member of the Legislature Evelyn Gigantes Parliament, Burnaby, B.C. 11 (New Democratic Party, Ottawa Centre) who spearheaded the bill. A second reply (Aug. 27, 1986) from Ms. Gigantes follows: Although some people say that the new law applies equally to "Thank you for your letter ... The transsexual Ontarians and that we lobby which has arisen in oppo should ride on the coat-tails of sition to the amendment is quite the gay ·community, I was of a fierce. It willbe all we can do different mind. So, more than a to beat it back. In the meantime year ago, I wrote to several pro I happen to know one transexual, vincial and federal politicans, now a man, who has had all his suggesting a separate amendment to personal documents changed to the Code that would protect trans reflect his needs and he is in sexual citizens by prohibiting the process of marrying. The discrimination on the grounds of Family Law may pose problems in "gender identity" or "transsexual such a case, as it specifically ism". Their respons·es to my appeal identifies a spouse as a person have been published in past issues of the opposite sex and [he] of this magazine (cf: Ms. Evelyn could face legal challenge by a Gigantes, MPP, NDP, Ottawa-Centre, third party concerning custody Feb.-March 1986; Mr. Greg Lawrence or inheritance matters. These Intake Officer, Ontario Human problems are real and they are Rights Commission, Toronto, April going to have to be faced. Bill May 1986; The Hon William Wrye, 7 and the debate that will oc Minister of Labour, Queen's Park, cur do not seem to me the appro Toronto, June-Sept. 1986). priate place to raise them.
I also contacted a gay Member Evelyn Gigantes, Member of Prov of the House of Commons, Svend J. incial Parliament,Ottawa Centre" Robinson, who is trying to pass a similar bill on a national level. I will be writing both Evelyn His Jan. 30, 1986 reply follows: Gigantes and Svend Robinson again very soon in order to further pur "Just a short note to thank you sue the issue of human rights for for your lett.er about MMRF ... the transexuals in Ontario and Canada. first ... I have received from an * * * organization representing ±rans- (cont'd.) 3 f2!iti£~l_An4_1gg~!_Dgyg!ii£2nt~4l Commissioners were divided on Art icle 12. On Mar 14, 1985, the Com On April 1, 1987, the Change of mission brought the application Name Act in Ontario was modified before the European Court of Human to become a simple beauracratic Rights The case was publicly heard procedure, thus waiving the former before the Court on Mar. 18, 1986. requirement to appear in court and to publish notice of the change Against all expectations and in of-name in two daily newspapers (a contradiction to the earlier find welcome reprieve for transexuals!) ings of the Commission, the Court found there was no violation of Transsexual Ontarians can obtain human rights, either with regard the Application for Change of Name to a transsexual's private life (Change of Name Act-Form 5) and a (bifth certificate) o~ the ability Statement of Guarantor (Change of to marry. The Court felt that the Name Act-Form 8) from the Off ice U.K Government had endeavoured to of the Registrar General,MacDonald meet the applicant's demands as Block, Queen's Park (Wellesley & far as possible under the new ex Bay), Toronto, Ontario M7A lYS isting system and that any change (416-965-1687) . Payment of $100 in birth certificate registration must be submitted to the Treasurer 11would have important administrat of Ontario together with primary ive consequences and would impose proof of identification (original new duties on the rest of the pop birth certificate and photocopies ulation .11 With regard to marriage, of citizenship card, passport, the Court defined it narrowly as driver's licence and social insur "traditional marriage between per ance card) Notice of the change of sons of opposite biological sex". name will be published at no cost Therefore, there were no grounds in The Ontario Gazette. By mail, to allow TS marriages, The majori the process takes up to two months ty of judges in each case were 12- applying and picking up the docum 3 on the birth certificate and 15- ents in person takes about a week. 0 on the marriage question. * * * Earlier, in Sept. 1976, Belgian F-M TS Van Ousterwijck complained to the European Court that sex im On Oct. 17, 1986, a major set posed upon him by Belgian law did back occurred for transsexuals in not correspond to his real postion Great Britain when the European but in early 1980, the complaint Court in Strasbourg, Austria total was rejected on a technicality ly r~jected the appeal by British (all procedures under (cont'd.) F-M TS Mark Rees on Articles 8 (Respect for Private and Family Life) and 12 (Right to Marry) of IQ !Si!Si-P IC( ..-:at the Convention of Human Rights, On m:..- 2020 "B" Beechmont Ave. Box 150 Sept. 29, 1981 Mark's solicitor, Cincinnati, OH 45230 David Burgess, petititoned the European Commission of Human A support group for all Cross-Dressers. Rights which admitted the petition Meetings - Third Thursday of the Month. Proposals for friendly settlement News-Letter - "lnnerView" published monthly. For more information write. raised no response from the U.K. Government. On Dec, 12, 1984, the A Chapter of Gateway Gender Alliance Commission adopted a report recor ding a breach of Article 8 but the
4 Belgian law hadn't been exhausted) AE!:..!..~7.1. Rupert produced and posted In 1983, British M-F TS Tula also January-April double issue of Met appealed to the European Court, amorphosis Magazine. citing discrimination against her right to marry. In Oct. 1985, the Jyl..!..!i AnnY~l __ §~n~!:~l_Me~iingJ. To European Commission admitt~d her be held Saturday, 1-5:30 p.m. at case, linking it to the outcome of 519 Church St. Community Centre in Rees' case and another application Toronto (with a social to follow). submitted by British M-F TS Rachel (Members & two guests are eligible Webb was accepted by the Court. to attend for a registration fee).
This historic appeal, the culm MonihlY~Q£i~l.!.1. Rupert is hosting ination of of years of preparation get-togethers for F-M members and and protest by transexuals against guests every 4th Saturday, after 7 the denial of their human rights p.m.Please call a day or two ahead in the United Kingdom, was backed if you plan to come (416-532-5769) by the Self Help Association For Transexuals (SHAFT) whose European ~Qnfig~nii~l_H~mQ~!:~hiE_Qi!:~~iQ!:YJ. fund (contributed by members) has Please submit your name, address, helped defray legal costs of the phone no., birthdate, marital and case. Co-operation among all the TS status as soon as possible if principal people involved: Mark you wish to be listed. Rees, solicitor David Burgess, ad viser Richard Ekins and SHAFT reps B~§.!!l!!:~h-2Y~.!.iiQn~i~~l. Please sub Judy Cousins and Cheryl Warren has mit anonymous Qs as soon as possi been especially close Cheryl adds: ble to help aid our data collect tion for the TS manual. Thank you. "SHAFT would like to express its gratitude to those whose unstin Hemhe!:.!.hiE__ B~n~~~ll. Please renew ting work and dedication ... has your membership ($30 as of Apr.18) paved the way for helping all or magazine subscription ($18 for TSs achieve their goal. Whatever renewing subscribers, $24 for new the verdict in this case, the subscribers - to cover this double fact that the TS community could issue owing from last year) as 'get its act together' over this soon as possible as our treasury and be blessed with such a splen is low in funds. Members who have did torch-bearer as Mark Rees already renewed are requested to (not forgetting Tula .•• ) is a remit the recent $2 fee-increase. splendid ref elciton on a group of people too often condemned H~~~~§hiE~Q!:iY~l. Please lend us for their internecine bitchiness your financial support by taking and trivialized by the media, out a couples membership ($45) or Make no misiake - this is an a second membership for a family historic time for the TS world, member, friend, helping profession and the case marks a watershed al or unemployed or imprisoned TS. in our fight for normal decent Life memberships are now available treatment by society. If we fail for $250•- half the previous fee. thi~ time, there will be - there Please help us to double our mem must be - other watersheds. If bership this year in order to en we succeed then 1986 will be sure our financial stability and long remembered by generations continued growth, as well as our of thankful transsexuals." collective consumer voice. Thanks!
5 The first annual convention of Sherrill Lynn, Executive Director, the International Foundation For International Foundation Gender Education took place in For Gender Education, P.O. Box 19, Chicago, Mar. 4-8, marking a mile ·wayland, MaEs.01778 (617-358-2305) stone in the history of the trans gender community. Rupert Raj, P.O. Box 5963, Stn. A, Toronto, Ontario, Canada MSW 1P4 Over 140 transvestites, trans (416-532-5769) • sexuals, their spouses and helping professionals from across the U.S. * * * * * * and Canada attended the premiere business conference for the commu MMRF Executive Director Rupert nity's "movers and shakers". The Raj served as a member of the theme was "Coming Together - Work Steering Committee for the first ing Together" and the 30 support IFGE convention and was also asked groups and service organizations to act as Transsexual Program Co represented did just that. ordinator. He co-moderated a work shop, 11 Transsexualism1 Fact And IFGE Executive Director Merissa Fantasy" and two open f orurns on Sherrill Lynn saw her longtime various aspects of gender reassign dream to unify the cross-dressing ment with Kim Hellman, Executive community into an ef f~ctive inter Committee member of Educational TV national network finally come true Channel - a transgender group in in a large suburban hotel in mid San Francisco. (ETVC submitted a Amer ica' s "Windy City". Over two proposal to host the 1989 conven years in the making, this first tion in California - which was ap convention signifies the threshold proved by IFGE's Board of Direct of a new era for people who wish ors at the Mar.8 meeting). Raj was to express the "opposite" gender. elected First Alternate to the 15- member Board and sat in on the Dr. Virginia Prince, a pioneer first (four-hour) meeting. He vol since the early '60s who has enab unteered to work on the Programs led thousands of transvestites to Committee and the Public Relations "come out of the closet", and has Committee for the 1988 convention. helped their wives to understand, personifies the era that has gone before. For 27 years of commitment TV·TS TAPESTRY to the cross-dressing movement, P.O. Box 19 she was presented with a "Lifetime Outstanding Service A.ward" by Con Wayland, MA 01778 vention Co-Director Merissa Lynn. (61?) 358·5~75 Lynn expects the turn-out for Tasteful, comprehensive, non· next year's convention to more profit Journal for all persons than double and is optimistic more professional people in the fields Interested In cross-dressing of sexology, pscyhology and psych and transsexualism iatry will participate. Single copy $10, Subscription $l0 ($40 lat claaa) "* Wlth this ad $10 of each aubacription will be For information on IFGE and next rebated to HHRF year's convention, please Merissa
6 Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Changing Perspectives in the Un Universiteit and The Harry Benjam derstanding of Gender Identity in International Gender Dysphoria Disorders: The Case Western Association, Inc. will sponsor the Reserve Experience, 1972-1987, Tenth International Gender Dyspho Aaron Billowitz, M.D. et al oria Symposium in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 9-12, 1987. For ~L!Nl~AL_EXfEBIEN~E~-ANQ_!H~!§tlX~, further information, contact: Dr. Moderator: F.G. Bouman, M.D. Aaron Billowitz, Program Chairman, 3395 Scranton Road, Cleveland, The Transsexual and Criminal Ohio 44109 (216-459-4605) . Behavior, Marc Bourgeouis, M.D. The Transsexual in the Military: Flight into Hypermasculinity, George Brown, M.D. DEVELOPMENTAL AND CHILDHOOD ISSUES IN GENDER__ IDENTlI!, Moderator: Multiple Family Groups, Kathy Peggy Cohen~Kettenis, Ph.D. Harowski, Ph.D.
Construction of Gender Identity in Patient and Therapist Perpectives Early Childhood, Beverly Fagot in the Treatment of a Hermaphro dite, Tina Wheeler, Ph.D., Leah Family Dynamics and. Gender Schaefer, Ed.D. Identity, Susan Coates, Ph.D., Rick Friedman, M.D. Longitudinal Case Studies of Pati ents with Chromosomal Abnormaliti Development of Gender Self es, John Money, Ph.D., Representat ion in Gender-Disturbed Children, Leslie Lothstein, Ph.D.
Gender-Atypical Behavior in School-Age Boys, Heino Meyer Phalloplasty Past, Present and Bahlburg, Ph.D., D.E. Sandberg, Future, John Kenney, M.D., Milton Ph.D., R.R. Pleak, M.D. T. Edgerton, M.D.
What Do We Really Know About the Alternatives for Urinary Extension Development of Gendar Identity Dis Urethroplasty, Donald R Laub, M.D. orders? Moderators: Peggy Cohen Kettenis, Ph.D., Ira B Pauly, M.D. Effects of Smoking on Arterialized Skin Flap Phalloplasty, Neal ~!AGNOSTI~!SSYE~~!H_§ENDER_DI~= Wilson, M.D. ORDER~, Moderator: Sharon Satter field, M.D.
Character Disorders and Transsexu al ism: Results of MMPI Files, Paul A. Walker, Ph.D. One-Stage Reconstruction with Em phasis on Aesthetic Vulvar Recon Gender Dysphoria: A Nosological struction - Videotape Presentation Perspective--1987, Judy Van Maas Arnaldo Rizzetto-Stubel, M.D. dam, M.A., Paul A. Walker, Ph.D. (cont'd.)
7 Surgical Follow-Up of Fifty Cases F.G. Bouman, M.D. Gender Dysphoria, Sex-Role Identi fication and Psychological Adjust Surgical Update for the Nonsurgeon ment 1unong Self-ldentif ied Homosex Moderators: Louis Gooren, M.D., ual Men, Peggy Cohen-Kettenis, Phd Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Ph.D. A Rorschach Analysis of Mothers and Their Transsexual Children, Les 1i e L'o th stein , Ph . D.
ldentif ication and Internalized The Significant Other: Partners of Object Relations: A Comparison of Post-Operative Male Transsexuals, Female To Male Transsexuals, Les David Hurley, Jr., M.D., Milton T. bians and Heterosexual Women, Edgerton, M.D., MW Langman, ps,dra Terrie Lyons. Ph.D. ·
Specific Satisfying Results in Symbolization ·Processes in Gender Post-operative Patients!, James Dysphoric Males, Marilyn Wilchesky Nachbar, M.D., Milton T. Edgerton, M.Ed. M.D., M.W. Langman, ps.dra. ~IOMED!CAL ASPECTS OF THE ETIOLOGY Theological Questions and Pastoral OF GENDER IDENTITY DISORDERS, Responses Regarding Gender Dyspho Moderators: Marc Bourgeois, M.D., ria, Rev. Canon Clinton R. Jones F. Huyse, M.D.
"La Question Transsexuelle" - A Psychoendocrine Theories of Gender New Book, Pasteur J. Douce Identity, Heino Meyer-Bahlburg Phd
Sexual Differentiation of the Brain, D.F. Swaab
Recent Endocrine Studies of Construction of the Neo-Phallus, Transsexuals, Louis Gooren, M.D. F.G. Bouman, M.D. Anatomic V~riations of the Corpus Advances in the One-Stage Callosum· in Persons with Gender Phalloplasty, P.J. Daverio, M.D. Dysphoria, Lee Emory, M.D, Collier M Cole, Ph.D, Eugenio Amparo, M.D. Construction of Neo-Vagina From Sigmoid Loop, A.C. Drogendijk EEG Abnormalities and Transsexual ism, H.P. den Haas, M.D. Measurement of the Neo-Vagina, A.
A Technique for Penile and Scrotal Historical Overview of Harry Inversion Vaginoplasty, Michael Benjamin's First 1500 Cases, Tina Small, M.D. Wheeler, Ph.D, Leah Schaefer, Ed.D
Reports on Penile Implants, Recto Remembrance of Harry Benjamin, Sigmoid Neocolporrhaphy, Revision 1885-86, Paul A. Walker, First Vulvoplasty, Neal Wilson, M.D. President - HBIGDA
8 doctors, $18,500 for the hospital and $37 a day for the hotel room. On Aug. 5, 1986, I entered Norfolk General Hospital in My wife stayed with me for the Virginia to undergo the genital first week, went home for a week, reconstructive surgery. and was called back for instruc tions on how to take care of me I was admitted at 5:30 a.m. At upon my release. She changed the 7:30 a.m., I was wheeled to the bandages on my left arm twice a operating theatre to start the 12- day. (I think it is best you have hour surgery. I had understanding someone with you during recovery). nurses and excellent care. I had a catheter hooked up for During the operation, the a week following my release, and surgeons took a strip of skin had to take sitz baths every day 5"x8" from my left lower arm to as well as a regular bath. form the penis. A main blood vessel, nerves and a piece of bone I returned for a check-up on Dec. (to act as a stiffener for the 22, 1986. I will try to set a date phallus) were also taken. Strips for the final stages of the opera of skin from both upper legs were at ion for sometime this summer. grafted onto my lower left arm. * * * --C.E. The room temperature had to be maintained at 80 F because of the skin gr~fts. I felt I was roasted. Are you an active member, I was in the Intensive Care Unit The kind that would be missed? for 2 1/2 days, in a private room Or are you just contented for two weeks more and then, in a That your name is on the list? motel another 13 days before I was Do you attend the meetings released. I couldn't drive for .two And mingle with the crowd, months afterwards. Or do you stay at home And crab both long and loud? I had no pain from the surgery, Do you take an active part but have some inflammation under To help the club along, neath my penis and am taking medi Or are you satisfied to be cation. I have an old injury in my The kind who "Just Belong"? right arm and leg which was aggra Do you help to plan the programs vated when I was moved during sur Get new memoers quick, gery So I had pain there and still Or leave the work for just a few, have little feeling in my leg. Then talk about "the Clique"! There's a lot of work involved The penis is 6 11 long and the head That means success if done, is 4 1/2u in diameter. I go But it can be accomplished through a hole in the underside of With the help of everyone. the penis but cannot go through it So attend the meetings monthly at all times, I must return next And help with hand and heart ... year to complete the urinary hook Don't just be a member, up and construct the scrotum. I But take an active part. will have sensation in the penis, Think this over, member, later on, the surgeons say. Am I right or am I wrong? Are you an active member, The cost was $15,000 for three Or do you "just belong"?
9 my shoulder and jabbing it with the needle. There was no pain, by Khalil Jordache "That'll be $10. You can give While in Atlanta, this past April it to the nurse out front," his through October, a friend of mine hand already on the door knob, (also a female-to-male waiting to escort me out. transsexual) told me about a Dr. Light (not his real name) who Caught up in the fast pace of administers hormone therapy at a it all, I paid my fee as he said: nominal fee. I had contacted other "Next week when you come in for doctors, none of whom charged less your shot, Khalil, you will see than $150 to begin the procedure. Dr. Drew (not his real name) as I didn't have that kind of money well as myself. He's a psycho and I was despondent. So, this was logist and his fee is $10 too." wonderful news The next day I went to see Dr. Light at his office. "Thank you, see you next week, 11 I said, shaking his hand. So ended Transsexuals came into this my first visit with Dr. Light. medical off ice everyday but there were other people waiting to see In the following three weeks, the doctor too. I explained to the I received two more shots from him receptionist the nature of my and the third from a friend who visit and, not so much as blinking was a nurse. You see, I had asked an eye, she handed me an informa the doctor for a prescription so I tion sheet to fill out. Then I was wouldn't have to come in each week called into the doctor's office So, for a $5 fee, he prescribed me and led into an examination room. a 10-week supply of testosterone We introduced ourselves and shook cypionate and 10 syringes for a hands. After reading over my chart total of $17. That's all there was he stopped and stared at me. to the entire ordeal. Everything was as simple as that. "You want estrogen, right?" he asked. I wondered what he was But is such 11 simpleness 11 talk~ng about. orthodox? Certainly a transsexual without very much money would find "No, I want testosterone. I'm a the process an inexpensive one. In fem2_l~::..t.2.::.m2.l~ transsexual." addition, neither the receptionist nor the medical staff embarrassed "Oh, oh yes, of course," he me by calling me by my surname stared at me again briefly, and even once. It was all over and then abruptly left the room. done with nearly before it had begun. If a transsexual had been I began to wonder if the exam was waiting a long time to start the going to be as unbearable as they hormones, and hadn't been able to always were. I thought about the find a doctor who charged less doctor's question too: if I had than $150 just to begin, Dr. Light been a male-to-female, would I would seem like a godsend. have come to him for hormones dressed as a man? Carrying a But, I am sad to say that his needle, he re-entered the room. procedure was very unorthodox. Due to the complex change testosterone "Roll up your sleeve, please," promotes within the body's system, he instructed, swabbing a spot on more thorough physical ... (cont'd.)
10 examination was in order, not to The American Federation Of Trans mention psychological observation. sexuals, P.O. Box 9238, North r Apart from being transsexuals, we Dartmouth, Mass. 02747; Attn: are E~2El~ - subject to any part Karen Aldrich (617-996-3046) of the conundrum of everyd~y existence, Dr. Light had no know The Gathering, 560-C Main Street, ledge whatsoever of my mental or Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 emotional health, and his failure Attn: Jana Thompson (201-342-6548) r to physically examine me did not or Renata White (203-869-3561) 1 disclose any other existing medi cal condition I might have had. In Gender Identity Anonymous (415- short, he behaved incompetently. 467-5285 or 431-1221), Meetings - 3255 Balboa St, San Francisco, Ca. I know what it's like to want desperately to start treatment. My National Gender Dysphoria Organiz own desperation carried me to Dr. ation, P.O. Box 02732, Detroit, Light initially imagining his Michigan 48202; Attn: Justina affordable fees as a blessing long Williams (313-842-5258) overdue, Without him, I wouldn't have been able to commence therapy Northwest Gender· Dysphoria Inf orma for quite awhile - a long time, tion & Support Center, 1061 N. Hwy yes, but I ~ould have begun event 95 16, Moscow, Idaho 83843 ually and under safer conditions. Attn: Jessy Jerimiah James III
I was lucky in that my physical Rainbow Gender Association, P.O. health was sound, and, as far as I Box 700730, San Jose, Calif. 95170 determined my mental and emotional state. But what if I had not been? The Association For Canadian Trans With my need to be a full realized sexuals (TACT) P.O. Box 44, Stn. B male, I wonder if a prior ailment' Hamilton, Ont. L8L 7T5 (523-7055) would've been enough to have kept me from seeing Dr. Light anyway? Transition Club, P.O. Box 42454, Las Vegas, Nevada 89116 I believe that, as a medical Attn: T.C. Onekea (702-731-5814) practitioner, it is his responsi bility not to leave that choice to Transition Support, 519 Church St. the transsexual, If the patient Community Centre, Toronto, Ontario had a pre-existing condition and M4Y 2C9 Attn: Connie Radbone (416- was given hormones, regardless, 690-0693) or Rupert Raj (532-5769) adverse reactions to the drug could occur, and he could fall ill and suffer irreparable damage. And the doctor might find himself in legal trouble if other patients SlrtamorplJosts weren't so reluctant to reveal his name to the medical authorities. (Psychotherapy • Coun.. llngl
Is safe not better than simple? P.O. Box 8246 [Cf. the Standards of Care set by Broadway Station By Appointment the Harry Benjamin International L.l.C., N.Y. 11108 (J r) 72B-4816 Gender Dysphoria Association.-Ed,]
11 fRE~ENIAilQN~_Qr_§EN~ER. Robert J. Stoller, Yale University Press, 1986
Reviewed by H. Marshall 1968). His father, all too absent, is neither rival nor This book has been written from model. The boy is deprived of the perspective of the traditional the needed conflict. 11 pyschoanalytic approachy. That is, I the author believes situations can Stoller includes chapters on be observed, patterns detected and two feminized male Native conclusions drawn; the experiment Americans, and a cross-cultural i can be repeated and the conclu approach to the development of • sions repeatedly reached. That is masculnity. He also reviews some the goal: as Stoller makes clear, biologic effects on the develop r that may not be the actuality. ment of gender identity.
It has, as its core, a discussion He briefly parallels the (with illustrative cases) of the development of masculine females families of boys with "marked with what he has found with femininity". Stoller has delved feminine males. Not surprisingly, into the roles mothers and fathers girls who do not form close play in the gender development of attachments to their mothers, and children. He has also delved into who become "buddies" with their the childhood and early family fathers suffer from later gender life of the parents of the confusion. feminine boys. His major conlcusion is that: 1) fathers who It is Stoller's belief gender are either physically and/or development occurs within the emotionally absent from the first year of life, In the case of specific father-son relationship, boys, "once the femininity begins and 2) mothers who prolong the to appear, somewhere around one or symbiotic mother-son state too two · years" the mother is pleased long Q2ih contribute to the to see it, at the same time "deny development and reinforcement of ing it is strange behavior." the feminized male. A significant finding of Stoller's for this One of the chapters is titled: reviewer was that a large percent "Near Miss:'Sex Change' Treatment" of the mothers in these cases had, This reviewer, while not in agree in their childhoods, exhibited ment with some of Stoller's conclu strong cross-gender behavior of sions, strongly feels he has done their own, and many had, in fact, many of us in the paraculture and wished they had been born males. in the helping professions a great service by listing, in one table, The combination of absent father many of the moral, medical, psychi and all-too-present mother leads atric, theoretical and practical to a state where there is an issues, in pro and con format, absence of an oedipal situation. regarding 'sex change• surgery. If For the very feminine boy, you haven't thought about the "other side of the coin", Stoller "His mother, not his father, is certainly presents the opportunity the model for his gender iden to do so He is outspoken regarding tification, and she is not the the contemporary use of sex change object of his eroticism; He surgery to resolve an issue that wants i2_Q~ like her, rather might best be treated in another than i2___ hay~ her (Greenson, man. However, he makes (cont'd))
12 that statement against the This 1986 book is edited in following backdrop: French by Pasteur Joseph Douce, of the Centre Du Christ Liberateur in "Though gender disorder rarely Paris, He has worked with trans l remits with psychotherapy, some sexuals and transvestites for over r patients find themselves and in a decade and is a member of the doing so become aware that 'sex HBIGDA. Dr. F.G. Bouman - a Dutch change' will not suit their plastic surgeon, wrote the preface gender identity." and Dr. Louis Gooren - a Dutch endocrinologist, the introduc±ion. What percent is "some"? How big Some 20 specialists contributed. is the sampling? What is "finding Order from: Lumiere & Justice, 32, oneself"? Does it include happi rue Berzelius, 75017 Paris, France ness? Relief? Comfort? How can The price is 133 1/2 French francs we define healing for the person, perhaps not gender dysphoric, who wishes a change in anatomy? Is "sex change" surgery cosmetic? Or This 600-page tome cover~ the therapeutic? How does breast whole spectrum of sex and gender. augmentation for a "healthy" male The author is John Money, Ph.D,, differ from same for a "healthy" Director of the Psycho-hormonal female from a social, ethical, Research Unit at Johns Hopkins in medical and therapeutic perspec Baltimore. Published by Prometheus tive? How does breast reduction Books in 1986, it costs $48 (Cdn.) surgery for a "healthy" female wanting the body of a male differ 'THE SISSY BOY SYNDROME' AND THE from same for a "healthy" woman DEVELOPMENT OF--HOMOSEXUALITY _____ wanting more attractive breasts? This 15-year study identifies a Much has been said in the past correlation between boyhood ef fem that there has been little follow inacy, including an early intense up on "sex change" surgery Stoller desire to be a girl, and becoming goes on to say we know all too gay or bisexual as an adult. The li ttle about how the post-surgical writer is Richard Green, M.D., at person feels years or months after the University of California in the surgery. He feels many have Los Angeles The book came out this had illusions regarding what the year from Yale University Press. surgery could have done for them and what it did achieve for them. IHE__SP!B!I __ AMQ_IHE-l~E~Hi_~~~Y~l If this is the case, then perhaps ~i~r~iiY-~!n ___ Ameri£~n~_!n4i~n it is the counselors, therapists ~ul.t.YU and analysts who have failed, Did the professionals require their This field study presents proof clients seek the knowledge of that the Native Indian institution others who have preceded the pre of the berdache - the religiously operational clients in surgery? and culturally sanctioned adoption by men of female social roles - is These were some questions the still practised by traditionalist book created in this reviewer. tribespeople. Walter L Williams, a scholar of Indian cultures and an [Reprinted from the OUTREACH openly-gay man, wrote the book NEWSLETTER, Fall/Winter 1986] . published by Beacon for $22 (U.S.)
13 since I'd been emotionally able to let another human being touch me- by Steve Wells the very act terrified, repelled me, In a labor room one is Some people were born to be expected to totally surrender her mothers; I was born to be a man. body to what ever disgusting Therefore, when I became pregnant things assorted unknown nurses and gave birth, I was not a and aides insist they have to do. 'mother' but a parent - without a Anyone can do any thing to you. distinctive title or role. You lose your rights dignity, control over your own body, and l I had never been able to accept the things one must quietly submit being female - or more accurately, to are nothing less than degrading being in a female body. The and repulsive. feelings I had about it since childhood were all negative: I had very little pain but the feelings of vulnerability, fear, emotional and mental torment were shame, disgust, and in adolescence absolutely unbearable. Had I known they worsened to the point where I what goes on in hospitals, I would considered the body I inhabited as have given birth in my apartment my worst enemy, my tormentor. It risks and all. Childbirth, given caused me nothing but physical and the surroundings of this so-called emotional pain and humiliation. modern hospital, was not a natural Being raped at the age of 19 experience. It was designed to certainly didn't help although I completely strip a person of human felt so 'separate' from my body dignity and make her feel like a that I couldn't accept it as a terrified animal,a bloody piece of personal attack and became a drug meat hanging in a slaughterhouse. addict for many years. I had no "maternal instincts". I I had wanted a child since I was had desperately wanted my child 15 or 16. I had been abused as a since years before his conception youngster and felt the need to but was unable to be a "mother". I raise a child to make up for all took very good care of him but the pain I had received. When I there was none of the emotional became pregnant at 21, however, it attachment or the hard-to-define was like a fantasy, a living day feelings and exp.ressions I had dream - not really a bad exper noticed between mothers and their ience, but it was as if I was babies. From the moment (cont'd.) merely a spectator watching a movie about someone else, The "movie" ended in the labor room. "INSIGHT" A newsletter for transsexuals. I've been through many things in Helpful, factual information for my life - physical and emotional and about transsexuals. abuse, rape, drug addiction, to Published monthly. name a few - but nothing I have $18. 00 I year. ever experienced was comparable to Send check or money order payable the sheer hell I went through toa The Montgomery Foundation, those last 6 1/2 ours. With the P.O. Box 33311, Decatur, GA. exception of sexual relations with 30033. boyfriends, it had been many years
14 being male in a female body. That fact makes me different from most of his birth, I saw my son not people, but it does not make me a actually as my own off spring but freak or an unfit parent. It is a more like the younger brother I'd defect that, more than anything never had but had always ~anted, else in the world, I want to have "cured". But I must wait for the While most mothers were saying sake of my son, not because of any 11 goo-goo 11 to their babies I played problems he might have about it, him Bob Dylan songs on my guitar. but because of Society's self While most were taking their kids righteous hand. Transsexualism may to play groups, I took mine to car have been a factor in my slightly shows. We went places together, unconventional relationship with saw things, did things, travelled my son. If so, then I am grateful, together, I spoke to him not as for our relationship is so much adult-to-child but as person-to better than that between most person, There was none of the "normal" parents and their kids. familiar power games or condes cending attitudes that most A F-M transsexual having a parents use when "dealing with" child is in itself a miracle, and youngsters. My son and I do not raising him over the years is a "deal with" each other, we true blessing. I feel much more communicate. We enjoy our mutual fortunate than people who have company; nothing is forced, ''normal 11 lives, marriages and assumed or taken for granted, families for they seem to lack so much of the joy we have. In my My main fear is that if my son, I have cause for joy every transsexualism becomes publicly day of my life - he is like a new known, I will lose custody of my sunrise each dawn. To "normal" son on the basis of other people's people, children are generally prejudices. [Editor's Note: This just a product of biology; to me, has happened to at least two of my son is a blossoming rosebud our F-M members] . Even though most into whom I have breathed life. do not understand transsexualism, they will consider it just reason Still, the "normal, straight to use their biases to declare me world" rejects me at every turn, unfit to raise my own child, because I do not associate with other mothers (to do "fun stuff" My son's love is not blind: he like discuss floor cleansers and does not love me because I am his garage sales) and because my life parent; he loves me because he is rather unconventional.(cont'd.) knows I love him. Pr_!!judice..a. however, is conveniently blinflt_it ~~.!.__2!!!.v_what it wants to see.a. TRANSCEND COUNSELING SERVICE yndentands_2n~hat_j_t ws.nll._to 500 Newbury St., Springfield,· Mass. unde~~tand..a. And, they can only see (413-737-5032) transsexualism for the "weirdness" they believe it to be. They refuse Sliding Scale Fees*No Collect Calls to even try to see or understand Help with record, name, vocation, it for what it is or to believe employment changes and resumes. that behind the word there are individual human beings. Testing and Psychological Work-ups STEPHEN E. PARENT, M.A., DIRECTOR I was born with a birth defect:
15 My passion is music. I wear Heavy I am a mean to whom Metal T-shirts and jeans, and am no one has given birth. generally like the average 15- year-old boy (except that I am One day soon I shall awaken interested in men, not women). in the morning, as I have been in the night, in my mind's eye; People brand me a "freak", soon it will be tomorrow ... J "weirdo", "queer" all those soon it wiil be dawn, ignorant terms they use when you J do not fit their mold of I have spent life as a butterfly conformity and they don't know desperately longing to escape its what to make of you. I am a I have spent a lifetime /cocoon; parent, transsexual, etc. but I trying to escape this monstrous use only one word to describe /shell. myself: PERSON. It has been an unbearable pain; twenty-eight years To my son, too, I am a PERSON of Feminine Face/MasculinP..Grace not like the "Mommies" most of his the violent porcelain of a fragile school pals have, but closer to a shattered, as crystal. . /mind, friend, more like a brother. He has called me by my name since he No human being could ever imagine learned to talk. He has never this pain I have suffered and heard the word "transsexual •i but no doubt will continue to suffer when he does, I'm sure it will not as long as my life remains, matter to him - unless Society has being who and what I am, managed to contaminate his young mind. He does not care what body Only those who are as I am parts I have - only that I am the could ever understand, main person who loves him. --Steven Wells ~£~iY4i£~--i~~n2i __ Q2£n __ ini2----9:. * * * * * ~rs2ni_~2£i~iY~~--££Y~liY~h~~_i.Q in~iill_ii __ ini2_E~2El~~~-min4~i I am raising my son not to be narrow minded but to accept each human Will I forever be condemned to being as an individual. Certainly /this hell- this is not an attitude that makes existing in such an empty shell? a parent unfit. And it is attitude I am trapped within a cage; understanding and personal example I am a prisoner within myself, which matter the most in parenting - not how a person's body is put No amount of colored paint and together or what s/he chooses to /disguise do about it. When people are born Can mask to me this scene of lies with a defect it must be their ! am not as you see me; right to be able correct it and to I am a prisoner within myself. not have to stand trial as to their fitness because of it. Inside I am aching endlessly to be set free into reality- I am a good parent and it does 1 am Titania; not matter if I've male or female I am a prisoner within myself. parts. I am transsexual but I am the only one affected by that fact --Steven Wells
16 "*5¥?' . .12.:!' ,·: :-~::,,-·--:--- .. ~1---.,. ' : ' ,~~--.,..,...... ,--.~ ._ ..,_ ' ~'""""'"" _,,,.,,, -.·-<~· .. ··· ..... ;: :~· w R~ ea - 1e- -.oots1e ---in reverse E
dents of Orlando as ·the quiet. ·rlf ,:, ,. ~··•··· 'lr, N 0 ::1~:tim~~ ;;=::fl~1·;.. ~ ..s ~ ford.s·· restaurant· ·on Orange~ . .... · ·, .?.~~w::..:~t~~J&&- · ··"""'' $¥#? &:;. Av~u~. That.·~ in, .the la~...I' '"'~-~:@w! W 1SC::~~·Jti.::j11die ··Dolia1~--ll!•~-. S Ch~y. was jUst .~ boy back ._,,.. <~-%w. .-~. then~ ~.but. -he can -ftlDeDlber .Cal.• , •.· ,;.~slender,- plainly__ . ~- . . . . M ·dressedman of-.average height.·· 0 ~ ft'& , • · :,, · . ·· .. ~Bit,'..bUdl1- ··ever· t:alked,.. .· . · 'z ~- · -· -~ J1ardly--_ ~ver~alniled," · 94-~··· · . • . , . " · A old ;CheJ181 ·recalleCL :. < ' ~ ·:· . " .. . g. : · •1fe ~:dressed,. ver; . .atmply; · " - . · · : ·"' · ~.usuan.•, 'y witho.. 'ut1i co.•.t ~ nsi:- ... D.uati.·n...... H.• ~. •n. Stan.~ ....xt tO a poster promotin9. hi~ mo•i•. \J j~ a _plain pair Of pants and.._ ._ 'Tootsie _in ~hlch he ptayed an -.who poae4 as• wo11tt1n. . l sbirL' :...,::~·:«:·-.'-> ...;_, ;·:_. mafter·Calder's death that with Sar!lh in Tampa's Wood· .. · ~0·0ne'.ffer:1uspe~tecUora longtime 1riud Doris Topliff lawn Cemeteey. But Calder 3 moment tb8t·bebiDd't&at:CiUiet stumbled ·Bc:ross, a Bible that was a· pauper. when she died :~emean.. or ~ei:e: ..._ a . _ 'revealed Calder's- astonishing and ~e went to an. unmarked 1 'i Jn ·man'• dotbiilg-a woman D)Biquerade: md: .the .secret grave in Orange county's pot· ·~ :wtth· ~tOlltde• ..-/· .< sfiame.5he-hadkeptbiddeDlor .ter's -field ... in .a $9 coffin. ' ~ ;:._._., lf~the?e'.':was,·~One ;enoa:·on ~·~:tmee·11ecad.es.<.. -:. .on Sarah's tombstone, now 1 · ~Earth-tbaf:'kp~ ~der!s se- : :Iii-' Calders -old . .Bible were weather-worn with the passing ·e ,eret.. ':.·il(·Ufe,,lt wu1ler dauglle papers .thatdisclcmecf.:that., as· a of time, are inscribed - the q 'ter, :Sarah·,...;. the-woma. who young woman living in New words "Gone but not forgot· .1JC)lecl as.Caltfen~wlfe lot 3G ·York,: she had given birth-to an. ten." . - i l "inCr.edible·rean. ~' ·• ':. -~~--= •·· illegitimate child.· , . - · Above ·and below those -~· Whe.l·Sarah·di~~atthe ag•· -:~ Toconcealtbis'~QJ'tuJlate heart-tugging· words of love ·oH7.m19lO;~Calder.Wal·lftef· tliisstep" .. anti.: ·to· save. her are spaces as blank. as the '.:l. ·stricken ... and -~ed with 'daughter·the.-abuse and dis.. white stones. in another ceme- ;.;) -llllf:1 • • •• · • -'· • ~ ·:./'.'"·- ~ • i;oriow;"
18 Rae. The church where Rae was a steward is sympathetic and will the sex-change operation, received welcome her back. Rae is thought a face-lift instead and has decid to have been born with Kleinfelter ed to stay a woman as she says she 's Syndrome.The couple are writing only opted to become a man because a book about their life together. she had been an ugly woman. SEX-CHANGE MAN HAS BABY THAT IS SEX CHANGE DAD WANTS CUSTODY OF HALF-BOY. HALF-GIRL (photos), The WIFE'S BABY (photos incl.), Weekly Sun, Nov. 11, 1986. Post-op M-F World News, Jan. 20, 1987. Post-op Gertrude (nee Gerard) Hurnan gave F-M police officer Michael Fitz birth to Heidi - a hermaphrodite gerald, 26, of Cocao, Florida, is with both male and female sex org getting divorced from wife Cynthia ans The abnormal birth (an example Jean Fornari, 30, and is fighting of technological heredity) is dir for custody of his wife's baby who ectly related to the sex-change, was conceived with a surrogate fa says Dr. Rolf Einhauer, who moni ther last May. The divorce trial/ tored the pregnancy. According to custody battle is in March but Dr. Adali Valkens who works at the they are under~oing counseling to birth clinic near Zurich, Switzer work things out between them. land, Gertrude's female hormone shots interfered with the baby's HUSBAND REVEALS ' I'M A WOMAN' : development - which probably would Walter Knows A Woman's Needs Be have been male. Heidi will undergo cause He Was One (photos), The surgery to become female. Sun, Nov. 18, 1986. Post-op F-M Walter Myerson (nee Wanda), 26, ASTOUNDING BOY HAS TWO BRAINSi_One told his shocked wife, Linda, 25, .Is Ma!~he Other Female (photo), on their sixth wedding anniversary Weekly World News, Nov. 4, 1986. he used to be a female, Linda had Kenjii, 5, of Omuta, Japan, has a trouble coping initially but now male and a female brain that func realizes she is very lucky for 'he tion independently and have separ is a very sensitive man who's more ate personalities, according to understanding.' They were married research results released at an in 1980 in Queenstown, New Zealand international symposium of neuro and plan to son adopt children, logists and neurosurgeons in Tokyo Pediatric neurologist Tatsuo Kato ALTERED STATES: Switching Gender says the boy's male brain causes Bv Surgery (photo incl.), Toronto him to play aggressively and to Globe and Mail, Nov. 15, 1986. excel at sports, math and drawing, Features Rupert Raj, Susan Huxford but when dominated by his (cont'd) et al and parodies transsexuals as freaks and human oddities [article PO BOX 632 and letter to the Editor enclosed] WAUKESHA, WI 53187-0632 SEX-CHANGE COP STILL LOVES HIS ('H) 5'2·5735 BEAUTY QUEEN (photos), The Examin er, Nov. 11, 1986, Post-op M-F Dee Dalley, Preeldent police heroine Rae (nee Raymond) George Oaahgar, Vice Preeldent Smith, 51, of Leicester, England, is still legally married to his £rpttirnct ']"WWt' 6 '}i111uMi~ 'J'tOUj' 19 female brain he shows special tal ents in language and music and has well-developed eye-hand co-ordina tion The CAT scan showed also that while Kenjii's male personality is more outgoing and competitive, his ACCIDENT FORCES PARENTS TO RAISE female one is more affectionate, INFANT BOY AS A GIRL, Weekly World sensitive and highly emotional. News, Oct, 29, 1985. "Baby Doe", the victim of a circumcision acci MALE TRANSVESTITE SENTENCED TO FE dent in which his penis was des MALE !RAINING CENIBE, The Adverti troyed by an electric cauterizing ser, Sept. 17, 1986. (Melbourne) device, was surgically changed to Pre-op M-F Christine Alexis Stan a girl two weeks after his birth ford, 18 (on female hormones), was and will receive female hormones directed to serve a seven-month starting at age 11. Her parents term at the female Winlaton Youth are suing the Northside Hospital Training Centre in Nunawading, in Atlanta, Georgia, the surgeon Australia after pleading guilty to who performed the circumcision and one charge of unlawful possession he manufacturers of the cauteri and eight charges of theft. Stan zing device, Baby Doe was one of ford had been assessed by a psych two little boys whose penises were iatrist from Children's Court Cli damaged in separate circumcision nic and continuing medical treat accidents at Northside on the same ment was being arranged, She will day. The parents of the other boy have a private room at Winlaton are also suing but their son has and will shower separately from not undergone a sex-change. the other inmates. MAN KILLS GIRLFRIEND WHEN HE DIS PENTHOUSE PET WAS BORN A MALE COVERS SHE WAS A HE, The Examiner, (photos), The Advertiser, Sept, 6, Oct.22, 1985. Loveless Austin, 22, 1986. (Sydney) Post-op M-F dancer of Chicago, brutally bludgeoned to and model Julia Sommers, 28, rev death TV (TS?) Jerome Brent (alias ealed to Australian Penthouse pub Stella Essie), 33, and ransacked lishers she was a male until a her apartment after learning about $7,000 sex-change - operation in her true sex. Austin was booked a Singapore in 1983, Three years ago month later on charges of burglary she won third prize in a Perth armed robbery, assault and murder. beauty contest. Her family now ac cepts her as daughter and sister, (cont'd.) and her boyfriend is proud of her. ADJUSTING THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT The Advertiser, Sept, 6, 1986, (Peking) Two Shanghai Hospital surgeons lepgthened the p~nis of a man who complained it was too short by taking skin from his fore arm and grafting it onto the penis tip. Earlier, surgeons on the same team grafted a penis back onto a man after it had been chopped off, 20 GENDER IDENTITY PROGRAMS the desired gender role for 18-24 months before surgery can be reco mmended. For those who meet this Gender Treatment Program, Rosen requirement already or have had berg_Clini~alveston~n!. previous surgical procedures else where, there is still a mandatory Our program began in 1976 as the six-months waiting period; this Gender Clinic at the University of allows us to obtain the necessary Texas Medical Branch, Galveston documentation from other doctors, under the direction of Paul Walker as well as meet with the applicant Ph,d. A few of us (psychologists, several times to assure that he is psychiatrists, endocrinologists fully informed about the surgery and surgeons) on the faculty began beforehand and that he's achieved to work with Paul and the progam a satisfactory level of social grew, When he left in 1980, I bec vocational-emotional stability in ame Director and the program moved order to facilitate rehabilitation out into the private sector. Our after surgery. Clinic spent several years with Galveston Psychiatric Services but The surgical procedures involved has now found a permanent home at in phalloplasty are divide into the Rosenberg Clinic We still have the following stages: abdominal our basic team of professionals tube pedicle, transfer (3 stages); that work with our clients, and we urethroplasty and vaginectomy; tes still use the University of Texas ticle insertion; penile prosthesis Hospitals here when it comes to surgery. Currently, we have about To date, our surgeon's results 75-80 people in active treatment with this procedure have been on our program (a ratio of three quite good. He has performed six males to one female transsexual) . of these and the patients are gen While most come from the Texas erally satisfied with the results Louisiana area we also have active (especially with respect to urina participants from Kansas, Arkansas tion and sexual activity), Yet, no Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, firm guarantees can be made with Alabama, Florida and Nevada, respect to outcome; this surgery is not routine and each procedure We off er a complete range of is done on an individual basis. services for persons seeking reha bilitative treatment towards esta Collier M. Cole, Ph.D., Director lishing a new gender role, includ ding pre- and postsurgical counsel * * * ing, hormone therapy, speech ther Gender Identit~sociation. apy, and surgery. We also schedule Jack§.Qll.Yille-L-Fl.Q.rig~ bi-monthly Saturday group meetings for all our patients - to allow an The Gender Identity Association opportunity for everyone to come is one of the original 12 teams and discuss achievements, concerns devoted to the diagnosis, gender and problems (partners, friends rehabilitation and surgical seK and parents are also invited). reassignment on patients with Gen der Dysphoria (transsexualism) , We work in accordance with the guidelines established by the Har Care of people with gender dys ry Benjamin International Gender phoria is undertaken on an indivi Dysphoria Association. That is in dualized basis, whether they are dividuals must live full-time in transsexual, transvestite (cont'd) 21 Gender Identity Prog~_{£2nt'g_._l the use of external skin graft. or homosexual. A treatment plan is Surgical sex reassignment sur developed for specific patients to gery can only be performed on pa meet their individual requirements tients who have met the prerequis ites of surgery. These include A full range of surgical servi proof of partial surgery done else ces is available: where, including information from the physicians who cleared the pa 1. Facial and body restructuring tient for surgery, as well as surgery, including eyebrow ridge, copies of the operative reports. nose, chin reduction, Adam's apple reduction and breast augmentation. For patients who have not yet Other speci~lized forms of cosmet received surgery, the criteria in ic surgery have been developed to clude emotional stability, living meet the specific needs of the for some period of time in the new male and female transsexual. gender role without the world at large being aware of the patient's 2. Surgical sex reassignment for original sex. Since these require male-to-female transexuals involve ments are rather individualized, creation of functioning neovagina, we work with the patient's own with external genitalia so close therapist whenever possible. These to the "real thing" that many phy reports must be supplemented by sicians who examine our patients personal interviews in Jackson are not aware that they are not ville. If the patient doesn't have genetic females. appropriate evaluation in the home community, a complete assessment 3. For female-to-male transexuals, is obtainable through us at a cur breast reduction and penis con rent cost including psychiatric struction is done. The operations and psychologic testing of $1,400. for the latter are unique and dep end on an unscarred abdomen as far Judy Jennings, Executive Secretary as poss~ble. Hysterectomy is done at the same time as the phallopla * * * sty to avoid disturbing the blood Gender Identity Program, Univer supply to the abdominal and thigh sity of Virginia Medical Center. skin used to make the penis. Every Charlottesville. Virginia effort is made to make the penis functional in terms of intercourse The Gender Identity Program was and urination with a high degree established in 1971 to offer aid of success. Penile stiffeners are to persons presenting with gender required on about one-third of the dysphoria, specifically, transsex patients. Testicular implants are alism. The University of Virginia placed if required by the patient. Gender Team comprises professional in the areas of plastic surgery; 4. For those patients who have had urology, gynecology, psychiatry, partial treatment or poor results psychology and adjunct services. from surgery performed elsewhere, our surgeons have spent more than Written referrals are accepted 20 years correcting the poor res from those candidates who provide ults of inexperienced surgeons or a brief autobiography, fill out those using mass production tech our questionnaire, submit a letter ques. The vaginoplasty that we of recommendation from their local have developed does not involve psychiatrist and a letter (cont'd) 22 second stages of surgery. In the third stage a segment of the blad of support from a family member der tissue is used to recreate the and/or close friend. We require a urethra and insert it into the de three-day evaluation period at our layed, raised bladder flap. Thus medical center. The candidate will far, we have had more success with be seen by each member of the team this surgical technique as opposed and will under go a series of psy to the original method used, chological tests. If the urethral hook-up is cho Prior to surgery, the candidate sen in order to attain the ability will meet with the treating physi to stand and void as a normal male cian and his staff to discuss pro the penis remains somewhat soft cedures, risks and complications continually. If one chooses to use of the surgery. These operations the reconstructured penis for the are costly and usually are not cov . purpose of sexual intercourse main ered by health insurance. Three to ly, then an opening is surgically four separate surgical procedures created and a silastic device is may be needed for conversion from inserted into this pocket of skin. female to male genitalia. The cost Almost all of our patients have of the phalloplasty with or with opted for the urethral hook-up. out urethral hook-up varies. Hos pital costs are billed separately. Artifical testes are given to all patients who request them. Prior to sex reassignment sur This is done as a final cosmetic gery, breast reduction and total procedure at which time the penis hysterectomy are completed, either is usually sculpted as well. at the center or at a hospital near your home, Further fees may Qualifications for accep~ance be required if testicular or into our program include: living penile implants are requested. and working in the desired gender role for at least 18-24 months, About 12-20 days of hospitaliz financial and job stability, accep ation are necessary for the first tance by friends or family members stage of surgery, as well as two and referral by a psychiatrist who shorter admissions to finish this must submit a transexual diagnosis step. This first stage of phallo plasty requires the patient's pre Joyce Schmidt, R.N., Co-ordinator sence in Vi~ginia for about three [Ed Note: M. Ina Langman, Ps. Dra. weeks, A waiting period of about is now program co-ordinator.] six months between stages three and four is often needed to allow Progress continues to be made the blood supply to improve ... in phalloplasty and mastectomy for female-to-male transexuals. We now We have been using a new tech see almost as many patient in this nique for penile reconstruction category as in the reverse group. since 1971. Instead of using seve ral groin flaps as originally done We published a report in the with limited success, we now take August 1984 issue of Plastic and an abdominal flap from the center Reconstructive Su~ery explaining of' the abdomen. This is raised and our current technique for recon the urethra routed from the upper structuring the urethra from the most portion of the flap to the bladder wall. I believe this has lower portion during the first and certain advantages over (cont'd,) 23 previously used methods. We are ARE SCIENTISTS SEEKING TO PHASE now further in improving the safe OUT--WoMEN?;--Impl;ntlnq--W~mbS-In ty of the phalloplasty by using Tran~~~Kyal~_flanrulg (photo), The muscle and musculocutaneous flaps Examiner, Oct.22, 1985, Australian from the rectus abdominus muscle social psychologist Robyn Rowland based on the inferior epigastric says artificial wombs could be im artery and vein. This, in some planted in transsexuals, who could instances, is allowing one-stage then fertilize themselves with reconstruction of the phallus with their own sperm taken before the the urethra inserted either at the operation, At a panel held at the time or at a later operation, if University of Washington, Seattle the patient decides to have this she predicted the new race of sur additional feature. gically-created human queen bees would be both mothers and fathers, The principal change we are not - eliminating the need for women. ing in the mastectomy has been a method to advance the incisions to HALF-MAN. HALF WOMAN (photo), The a lower level and blend them along Examiner, Jun.18, 1985: Hermaphro the lower border of the pectoralis dite Patrick/Patricia Hofstetter, major muscle This leaves the upper 28, of Los Angeles, rejects the chest almost unscarred in these idea of a sex-change because s/he patients. The surgical techniques is both man and woman in mind and change each year but patients seem body. 'I hated myself as a freak, to be getting increasing satisfac yet I accepted myself despite my tion with the improved methods, problem.' Tragically, a/he has searched in vain for love because Dr. Milton T. Edgerton, Chairman each romantic affair ends once the * * * partner finds out s/he has both male and female sex organs But de spite all the pain it causes, s/he 'wouldn't change for the world.' This moving, 1985 Danish docu mentary about four transsexuals: BRAINS OF MEN, WOMEN FUNCTION DIF an opera singer, Christine Jorgen FERENTLY, PSYCHOLOGIST CLAIMS, The sen, a taxi driver and a woman who Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 19? became a man, was shown Nov. 1986 Psychologist Sandra Witelson, or: at Toronto's first int'l. festival McMaster University in Hamilton, of gay cinema and provides a hist says the brain is a sex organ that orical perspective· on sex-changes. affects men and women's intellect ual functions, and suggests girls and boys be taught differently to make the best use of their pa~tic ular abilities She says linguistic and spatial aspects are divided in ~- ::~u~=NUNLOOfED men between the brain's left and y .· GROWTH GROUPS right side but are present in both • TRANSOENDER CQUNSELINO sides of women's brains. Toronto neurologist Marcel Kinsbourne, at Sick Kids' Hospital,.warns that ROGER E. PEO, PHD CAND. P.O. Hox 4887 findings on the brain's function PouonKEEP81E. N.Y. 1200:? C014l 473-5684 ing are inconclusive and could be misinterpreted to justify sexism. 24 WHY ASK ME1: A Personal Profile factor I would have to face, some somehow, someday, for as time went on, I felt more and more isolated by Rae Patrick Allan and that I was the only one living this hell that would not stop. With the ongoing discusssion of Aids, I am constantly being asked, My first year of college was an "What are your risks of getting eye-opener: I attended a four-year Aids?" My problem is understanding church school where women were to why my friends think a female-to act as ladies and men as gentlemen mal e transsexual is going to con I knew the college would give me tract Aids. I try to explain that the total education I required, as I am not homosexual or bisexual well as the religious training I and that I am a little confused at wanted in order to deal with my the thought of such As the conver sensitive self - a self I'd never sation continues it unfolds around been able to express. The dress the idea that TSs are seen as more code here (something I overlooked) sexually active than any other was the first major undertaking I group - with a variety of partners would have to contend with in ord of both sexes. I'm having a hard er to survive. It plainly stated time understanding where these id that female students would wear no eas come from because my friends slacks except in the dorm.or as are, for the most part, very well required by the physical education educated. I realize they only ask department Yet after six weeks and because they care about me but the alot of stepping on toes, I manag association makes me very angry. ed to change the code. Now I could get down to some serious study! Upon questioning my TS.friends who have had the surgery, I was I kept to myself mostly and fan shocked and amazed to find that tasized about women and the fact many liv~ as either gay or bisex that I was truly intended to be a ual. One of the guys I've come to man except that something.had gone know over the years said it was obviously wrong - and this I had realy hard to accept at first ,but to do something about. The fact after surgery and a new identity, that I was always in boys' attire his feelings and way of thinking and had more male than female started to change, and one thing friends was brought up to me many just led to another. Overall, this times by our housemother and by shocking news really set me back, the Dean of Women - who requested as the possibilities had never en that I get more involved in girls' tered my mind. So, I've been doing activities as it would look better a lot of soul-searching, trying to and people would stop ref erring to figure it all out. I've gone back my friends as more than just that. to before I had my surgery and the kind of life I was living then. So Confusion was a way of life and I'd like to take you back to my there was no one with whom I felt college days and share some exper I could discuss my innermost feel iences I've had and the directions ings - especially that I wanted to I took to get where I am today ... be 'one of the guys' literally. A psychology major, I tried to find I knew long before I left my home a condition that would explain my in Pennsylvania for college in feelings. Soon I ran across a des Kansas that I was different and cription of what a homosexual and that my differences were a driving a bisexual were, with (cont'd,) 25 to where to find help for my prob lem. Once, I got an appointment transsexual and transvestite pas with a counselor, I was so excited sed over like bad apples. But the but on revealing my preoccupation discussion of gender got my mind with becoming a man, was told I'd to really question my existence, got some bad information. He tried to change my mind by telling me I knew my life was missing some how 'dirty' such thoughts were. So thing so, I began to experiment more confused than ever, I walked with sex, as was the norm for all out, never to return. I then made people my age, but soon realized an appointment to see someone else that in no way was the female role in another city and was urged to one that I could accept or contin let myself be hospitalized in ord ue to cope with. I had some gay er to redirect my very distorted friends at this point and the many and misguided feelings to becoming trips to gay bars on weekends ex a model heterosexual. No way was posed. me to the world of others this going to happen to me - to be also confused with their gender, locked up like an animal because I had feelings that were different! With this new finding came the contacts I needed to help me solve Now that many people knew that I my problems (so I thought) . Now I had some strange thoughts about was ready to solve my "gender dis sex, I felt I had to set things disorder" but all the literature I straight so as to get the 'heat' could find related only the change off my back. So, I accepted offers for a man who wanted to become a from the guys to go out and acted woman. There was nothing even hin accordingly. In the long run, peo ting that a woman could become a ple quit talking about me but I man totally - and not just with a did not feel good about all the change of clothing. I knew there things I had done and felt myself had to be more and I told myself I slipping farther away. I isolated would find a way to get to the me myself concentrating on my studies that was hiding inside, and spending my free time in the bars away from campus, where I For awhile I let people consider could escape into a dreamland, me gay and I went to gay functions imagining becoming a man and meet and churches with my friends, This ing just that right woman and liv new way of living was fascinating ing happily ever after •.. but I knew that for some reason, I did not fit into this mold either ~long the way, I met some really and there had to be more answers great ladies. One I spent (cont'd) somewhere else and other people who felt as I did. Gender reassign ment was a goal for me as I knew, deep inside, it had to go both ways. I became more isolated and kept very few friends as I could not come to tell them what was pre ~ !&,e "II/lute occupying my mind and why I had Gender Counseling been spending my time off-campus. 509 East Putnam Avenue When I sought help through the Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 869-3561 various mental health agencies, I was turned away without a lead as 26 missed alot along the way and that just 'hanging out' with the boys a summer with and then she never is vital for my continued mental spoke to me again. (Just recently, health. True, she gets a little after 11 · years, we started to jealous as I find interest in a write again as she was my best lot of other women, but she knows friend during college), Then, this is just an adolescent phase I there was a lady I spent five need to go through, even though, years with,' It was during this by reason of age, this should all relationship that I found some be out of my system by now. literature on the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galves Yes, I still identify with a lot ton, This was one of the places of my gay friends and frequent gay where counseling was available and bars (several times a year) but where sex-reassignment surgery was only because I can feel at ease done. So we moved to Galveston and here, and in the long run, know both got jobs at the University, what my expectations and limita tions are. So, when people ask me It was during this time that I about Aids who are not aware I go had to come to grips with a very to gay bars, it gets me mad and I viole'nt childhood and this would feel a need to put them straight. distract my search for two years, I did not live an isolated life as I dealt with an overwhelming and endure some real hell just to anger that had built up inside me. become someone else. I am a man by 'This so·on brought our relationship choice if you want to call it that to an end, as I also expressed my and women are what it's all about. desire, again and again, to be a My wife knows I have some off feel man - which was something the lady ings now and then but we work them could not accept as she could not through and I'm very happy. I now think of me as anything other than work in the mental health area as a woman. (After all, I had a very a man with much objectivity in a large chest one could not ignore sensitive way and this is the only and this rationalization in the way I know how. mirror made me even more angry!), There has been a lot of pain One day in therapy, I mentioned and heartbreak along the way and I this very protected part of me and really want to thank my Canadian in the same building, on the same friend Rupert, 'from the bottom of floor, just two doors down, was my heart, for being there when I the man who would be instrumental needed someone. He wrote back in in changing my gender. In one year answer to all my questions and I had gro~n a beard and changed my found contacts for me. Thank God I name and at long last, had changed stumbled across the ad for MMRF my body to fit the me inside. because it has indeed made a dif ference for me. Rupert and the ma The point here is this journey gazine need your support in order took so damn long, how could I to ensure its continuation. change again and become someone else like a gay or bisexual? I'm When all is said and done, the married and have a good job where TS is no more a prime player than I work as a man with no hassles. any other in the spreading of Aids My wife accepts me for what I am Maybe the reason for tying the two and even encourages my 'night out together is because the average with the boys' because she knows I person does not understand t~e TS. 27 edited by Dr. Betty Steiner, Plenum Press, New York, 1985 Reviewed by Ariadne Kane about the nature and subtlety of people who present as tr~nsexuals. This book is the result of 15 years clinical research on 700 in Chapters Two through Six in the dividuals who presented themselves work focus on early influences in as gender dysphorics to the Clarke gender identity development. There Institute of Psychiatry at the are descriptions of persons whose University of Toronto, Canada. It subjective sense of gender identi includes information on management ty was in contradiction to their of the dysphoria, as well as the biological sense at a very early development of the subjects. Dr. age. The thrust of this section is Steiner and her colleagues have to review what is known about the put together a most interesting factors that influence this subjec series of chapters with several tive sense in "human intersexes". theoretical notions and much clin ical data to corroborate some of In another chapter, one author the ideas related to the ideology deals with biologic perspectives and management of the transsexual. on the problems of transsexualism. This would include recent work on The basis for most of their work the H-Y antigen. The rema1n1ng derives from the definition of chapters of this section are con transsexual (gender dysphoric) as cerned with crossgender-identified defined by the third edition of children. One author provides an the Diagnostic and Statistical overview of the literature, anoth Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM er provides summary . of clinical Ill). This publication came out in experiences with crossgender-iden 1980 and serves as the basis for tified children and their families much of our current clinical and and presents an etiological f ormu management attitudes on this seg lation that tries to take into ment of the paraculture, defining account both constitutional and "transsexual" as a heterogeneous psychodynamic variables. disorder of gender identity - the sense of knowing to which sex one Three chapters 9ontain a number belongs. The essential features of of empirical and theoretical issu the disorder are stated to be "a es relevant to adults with gender persistent wish to be rid of one's identity "disorders". For instance genitals and live as a member of one author points out that cross the other sex." (It is important dressing in males has generally to note that this reviewer does been evaluated with regard to fem not subscribe to this narrow defi inine gender identity. However, nition of a person with gender he states that crossdressing is dysphoria syndrome) . Apart from also practised among others, such this basic terminology difference, .as rapists, sadists and masochists I have found this book offers the and that these individuals have greatest number of clinical cases not traditionally been considered on record {over 700} of people who to have gender identity disorders. want to have sex reassignment sur Yet, in adulthood, a percentage of gery. It provides a wealth of cli these people who present childhood cal data so that a helping prof es crossgender behavior patterns dis sional can get reasonably good play at least one behavioral(cont) 28 research on the clinical manage ment of transsexuals. pheriotype that is similar to that of the transsexual. In the final Finally, the editor with her 14 analysis, he suggests that cross years of clinical experience in dressing has many meanings, inclu this field, concludes this impres ding some that have not been prev sive study with her observations iously systematically considered and suggestions for follow-up in in the sexology literature. other studies that are well within the interest of helping profession In a later chapter, another als who work with this client base author presents a battery of self administered questionnaire scales §Etl~EB-~Y§ftlOR!A, without doubt which are designed for the object is a major contribution in the 80s ive classification of adult 'male toward better understanding the patients into four diagnostic cat nature of gender dysphoria, sex egories. These correspond roughly reassignment and clinical manage to diagnostic groups that were ment of these clients.It is a must identified as "nuclear transves reference for all helping prof es tites", "marginal transvestites", sionals who work with this client "fetishistic transsexuals", and population. I recommend it highly. "nuclear transsexuals".The authors of this chapter briefly describe (OUTREACH NEWSLETTER, 1986, Out the use of psycho-physiological reach Institute, Boston, Mass.] measurement as an alternative to verbal methods in the assessment of erotic anomalies that usually accompany gender disturbance. Post Office Box 184 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-0184 Clinical issues are the subject (714) 496-J2CP (714) 496-5227 of the last third of the book.Here the authors have done a great ser ~2©1? Information Services vice £or the helping professional. J2CP Infonaation Services prov ides infor In one chapter, there is a good mation/referral services formerly provided discussion of the clinical manage by the Erickson Educational Foundation and ment of gender dysphoric patients. JANUS Information Facility. J2CP Informa tion Services is a separate entity and is In another, there is a good analy not affiliated with either of its prede sis of the partners of transexuals cessors. through the use of the clinical J2CP Information Services provides an vignette. Another contributor dis information package consisting of pam cusses the process by which a per phlets and literature concerning gender son moves into the social status dysphoria syndrome, transsexualism and transvestism. This information package is of the opposite biologic sex.It is available at a cost of $25.00 to cover argued here that sex reassignment research, printing, postage and secretari al services. Additionally, J2CP Infocma surgery is only one among many tion Services will attempt to provide components in this process, and is referrals to reputable counselors, psycho not necessarily the most important therapists, or gender programs, and peer of these. He claims that a general groups near your home. failure to take the rehabilitative Certified checks or Money Orders should be impact of the non-surgical compon made payable to J2CP Information Services. Please specify whether you are male-to ents of gender reorientation into female, female-to-male, or transvestite account has distorted the interpre when writing. If transsexual, please tation of surgical outcome studies provide your place of birth. and has overall, tended to mislead 29 Dear Mr. Raj: any appropriate publicity you can, Am enclosing a check to cover .I'm enclosing a check for $30 my renewal for the Metamorphosis as I've been meaning to renew my Magazine. I continue to find each membership for a long time! issue to be quite informative and helpful for our men. Indeed, we Jana L. Thompson, 560-C Main St., leave the current issue in our Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 (201- waiting room and I frequently get 342-6548) positive comments from the guys. * * * * * I tr-.ly hope to be able to make one of your General Meetings some Dear Friend: day. I would like the opportunity to meet you and others and share ETVC has recently put out an information and experiences. In informative pamphlet, "Transsexual the meantime please keep me posted Basics". It was designed to supply on the group's activities. Good elementary information on transex luck with your endeavors in the ual ism and a balanced look at rea coming year and best wishes. ssignment surgery. It was compiled from data gathered from both pre Collier M. Cole, Ph.D., Director and post-operative transsexuals. Gender Treatment Program, Rosen berg Clinic, Galveston, Texas In addition to this pamphlet and one on transvestism, we also * * * * * produce a bi-monthly newsletter covering past and future TV/TS Dear Rupert: events in the Bay area, as well as articles of interest to the gender It certainly was great to community Our members are interes finally meet you in person last ted in what other groups are doing month [at the memorial gathering and would like to exchange inform for Dr. Benjamin in New York City] ation and newsletters. We hope you will find interest in these publi A group of us have achieved our cations and invite your feedback. goal of organizing a solid support group for transsexuals in the New Gloria Peters, ETVC, P.O. Box 6486 York metro area. We call ourselves San Francisco, California 94101 "The Gathering" and meet on the first Sunday afternoon of every month. Right now, we're small but TRANSSEXUAL VOICE as people get to know of us, I'm sure we'll really grow. I expect A newsletter by and about transsexuals there will be about 15 of us at Published bl-monthly. the next get-together at my house. Free Personal Ads We have only three F-M members at $2.00 per Issue. the moment but are trying hard to $12.00 per year. reach more. Since building a solid Mate check/money order payable to: Phoebe Smith sending same to 184 North network i:)f consumer/providers is Hapeville, GA, 30354 one of your goals, I'd very much A venue, appreciate your giving our group 30 We have local referrals for M.D.s for hormonal treatment, have Dear Sister Group: counseling and analysis set up at university psychology departments Our group, known up to now as and are in touch with several sur the National Gender Alliance-Windy geons. We also offer peer-support. City Chapter, is undergoing a However, our main goal is to help change in leadership. A transition TSs in prison before and after re team has been formed to lead the lease, through the officials where group until our April meeting when they are. So, any info' you could an election of officers will take share as to surgeons, their quali place and the permanent name of fications and fees will be of help the group be finalized. During the transition period we will be known We have a nationwide support as the Chicago Gender Society. group letter and I'm in touch with about 100 M-F TSs and several F-Ms We want to assure our friends including one in Israel we are try that the group has survived intact ing to sponsor into the U.S. We're and is alive and well. We are cur also trying to negotiate a deal rently 50 strong and are confident with several banks/credit unions that through this reorganization to set up a loan program for work and refocusing of the group, old ing TSs to get aid in obtaining members will return and new ones the needed lump sum for surgery. will join us. We will keep you up dated on our progress. We will I know you must be busy but continue to hold meetings and please try to find time to help. socials at the same times and Maybe we can be of mutual benefit. places as before, and to have fun and cultivate friends while offer Donna May James, Northwest Gender ing more programs , of interest to Dysphoria Information & Support our varied membership The feelings Center, 1061 N. Hwy 95 tt6, Moscow, of optimism and enthusiasm about Idaho 83843 the changes occurring within the group are overwhelming. * * * * * We would like to thank you all Dear Rupert: for your support and confidence. Here's to a bright future! As you know, I've been trying to get a few of us together and have Roberta O'Meary-Stanton, Rachel finally found a dear friend who Richards, Dave Maxwell, Transition has lent us the use of her home. Team, Chicago Gender Society The meeting will be held in Wal pole, Mass. We would like to have * * * * * about 10 people attend and share some of the experiences and diffi Dear Mr. Raj: culties we have been having as in dividuals. They can come in the Dr. Money suggested I contact gender of their choice Our support you so I am asking you for your group is 11 The American Federation co-operation and aid. of Transsexuals" and we published our first newsletter in January. NGDISC works with many organiza tions and people around the U.S., Karen Aldrich, P.O. Box 9238, including Transsexuals In Prison. North Dartmouth, Mass. 02747 31 lesbian) I'd be angry as all hell! As a matter of fact, I don't have Dear Rupert: to be you and i'm still angry be cause he could have been writing Many thanks for your letter. We about me or any other transsexual; are always on the lookout for con To him we have no names, only news tacts with helpful organizations captions! So yeah, he was talking in other countries. We already about me, about you, about all F-M have links with TV and TS groups TSs In addition to his inexcusable in Japan and Australia, as well as inability to understand one term the Tiffany Club in the U.S.A. and from another, he portrayed TSs as exchange magazines with them. I've demented, sexually-perverted fana enclosed ours - "The Glad Rag". tics. He really bothered my pride, insulted my intelligence. I'm go If either you or your members ing to see if I can get something are in London, you'd be very wel in the Globe regarding the tone of come to call in - as well as the the article. What's the address? I weekend meetings, we've a helpline felt like I was reading something running during the week. even worse than National Enquirer! The group's going from strength Khalil Jordache, Amelia, Virginia to strength - nearly 800 members (mostly in the U.K. but a few [The Globe and Mail, 444 Front St. abroad, including Canada and the West, Toronto, Ontario MSV 2S9. A U.S.) - and we've become the point copy of this article, "Altered of reference on the subject in the States", plus my and my sister's U.K. By the way, the "Limited" in letters to the Editor are enclosed the letterhead doesn't mean we've with this issue. We welcome your become a commercial venture! we're comments for publication. - Ed.] now what you would call a non-pro fit corporation and our aims are * * * * * broadly the same as MMRF's, POETRY SUBMISSIONS WANTE!Ull Karen Richard, The Transvestite/ Transsexual Support Group (UK) Ltd Poems, limericks, free verse want 2/4 French Place, London, England ed for anthology on TS, TG and TV verse Over 170 pieces from 82 con * * * * * tributors submitted so far. Don't miss your chance to express your Dear Rupert: self in this first volume. Please specify gender status and credit That article by Ian Brown in line. Rupert Raj, P.O. Box 5963, the Nov.15 Toronto Globe and Mail Stn. A, Toronto, Ontario MSW 1P4. made me feel bad. It seemed to set our progress back a decade. Brown couldn't have been more disrespect ful, and his manner of reporting We have sold 76 copies of Kim was terribly unprofessional. They Stuart's THE UNINVITED DILEMMA: A must be desperate for writers if gy~stl~n_Qf=Gen~er ($i21J~s~-pape~ they accept writing like his. His $20 U.S. cloth) and 17 Research personal opinion comes through in Supplements ($10.50 U.S.). Why not the article; it isn't supposed to. buy copies for your family and friends? Order from MMRF, P.O. Box If I were you (whom he called a 5963, Stn. A, Toronto, Ont. MSW1P4 32