Home » AEGIS » AEGIS Internet News, January 1997

AEGIS Internet News, January 1997

Posted on May 29, 2013 in AEGIS, AEGIS Online News, Editing & Layout, Gender

In May, 1995 when I was Executive Director of the nonprofit American Educational Gender Information Service, I compiled and transmitted what I believe was the first transgender-specific online news feed. It was called AEGIS Online News. The News initially went out to several hundred AEGIS members and other subscribers as a plain text file over the fledgling internet.

In those days there wasn’t much news to repost. Consequently, the News was initially distributed every other month; it took that long to compile enough material to create a newsletter. Within two years, however, there was almost too much news to handle.

I posted material as I came across it, both from primary sources and from other newsfeeds. Rex Wocker’s LGBT newslist was a valuable resource. Soon, subscribers were sending me material.

In November I moved the News to a majordomo automated list which kept track of subscribers; before that I handled subscriptions, unsubscriptions, and address changes manually and sent out the news via blind carbon copy. The name was changed to AEGIS Internet News and the introductory material about AEGIS was removed because it was available to readers on demand from the server. The list, initially hosted by my ISP (Mindspring) was eventually moved to a server hosted by Kymberleigh Richards, the publisher of the magazine Cross-Talk. This enabled me to send e-mails to the server as I came across news items, yet distribute them as a digest once per day– sometimes twice or three times daily if there was a lot of news. This was easier on both me and the readers, who had been receiving up to eight e-mails a day.

I stopped publishing AEGIS Internet News in mid-1998.

On January 1, 2000 AEGIS was repurposed as Gender Education & Advocacy. Under the supervision of the late Penni Ashe Matz, news went out as Gender Advocacy Internet News.

Many posts have been lost, but we preserved several hundred. Here are issues of AEGIS Internet News from January, 1997:

1997, 2 January

Subj: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: 97-01-02 08:40:38 EST From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com To: thexgrrrl@aol.com

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 03:23:45

============================================================================= AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 31 Dec 1996 16:40:26 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E98Al; Tue 31 Dec 1996 16:40:26 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Defense Of Marriage Act administrative policies Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 16:40:26 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9612311640.E98Al@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 19:26:16 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

A friend of mine who works for the US Court system FAXed me the following document, which is the administrative information for the court system’s implimentation of DOMA for its employees.

Please pass this information as you think apropriate.

–Michelle

LEONIDAS RALPH MECHAM Director

CLARENCE A LEE, JR, Associate Director

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20544

CHARLOTTE G. PEDDICORD Chief

Human Reources Division

December 17,1996

MEMORANDUM TO ALL APPOINTING OFFICERS

SUBJECT: Benefit Changes for 1996

1. Definitions of “Marriage” and “Spouse” for Benefit Purposes

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has recently informed us that the Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law 104-199) created a new section 7 to Title I of the U.S. Code. This new section provides that in the interpretation of any law enacted by the Congress, “the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” This definition is to be applied in “any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States.” According to OPM, this law clarifies that same-sex marriages cannot be recognized for benefit entitlement purposes under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

However, this law does not effect [sic] the definition of “family member” found in both the Federal Employee Family Friendly Leave Act (Public Law 103-388), which allows federal employees to use sick leave to care for a family member and/or for purposes relating to the death of a family member, and the leave sharing program (Public Law 103-103). The definition of “family member” for these programs includes the following: “any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.”

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 31 Dec 1996 20:35:25 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E08rQ; Tue 31 Dec 1996 20:35:25 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Right to be different in Rosario Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 20:35:25 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9612312035.E08rQ@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 22:15:00 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Escrita en el Cuerpo – Archives and Library Electronic News Service

ANOTHER CITY DARING TO BE “DIFFERENT”

A proposal advocating for the acknowledgement and guarantee of the right to be different was submitted by Colectivo Arco Iris (gay/lesbian group based in Rosario, Argentina’s second city in size and population) to the local town council. The proposal is similar to the one adopted by Buenos Aires few

months ago. It was supported by Amnesty International, ILGA and the local University.

The proposal was passed on December 20 and the definite text reads: “no discrimination involving exclusion in the name of or under the excuse of race, ethnical affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, ideology, nationality, physical appearance, psychological, social, economical condition or any other circumstance will be allowed … The city promotes the removal of any and every type of obstacles that, actually restricting equality and freedom, impede a person’s full development and her/his effective participation in the social, political or economical community life.

Rosario’s activists celebrated the new clause, with the hope it will contribute to alliviate the hard realities currently faced by lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people there. Firings due to sexual orientation (the organisation receives around 30 complaints per months), arbitrary arrest and youth suicide are the main problems affecting the Rosario GLTTB community, as denounced by Arco Iris.

Colectivo Arco Iris is the main GLTTB organisation outside Buenos Aires. It was founded in March 1994, by Pedro Paradiso and Guillermo Lovagnini, now joined by an enthusiastic and highly efficient group of young lesbians, gays

and transgender people. Their current activities include: support groups (for people living with HIV/AIDS, for lesbians and for transgender people), massive distribution of leaflets educating about AIDS, work projects for people with AIDS, hot line for receiving discrimination complaints and an ongoing presence at the local media, community organisations and schools. Besides, Arco Iris was the host of the I National Gathering of GLTT and a key factor for its success.

If you want to congratulate Rosario activists for their victory, please write to: Colectivo Arco Iris C.C. 208 (2000), Rosario Provincia de Santa Fe Argentina Phone/fax: (54 – 41) 47 02 68

Alejandra Sarda Escrita en el Cuerpo Avda. San Martin 2704, 4to. C (1416), Buenos Aires, Argentina Phone: (54 1) 581 01 79 Fax: (54 1) 373 89 55 E.mail: ales@wamani.apc.org

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>From listserv@xconn.com Wed 1 Jan 1997 22:55:33 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E70FB; Wed 1 Jan 1997 22:55:33 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: MEDIAlert! – for 31 DEC 96 Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 22:55:33 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701012255.E70FB@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 00:57:58 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

From: Al Kielwasser <MediAction@aol.com> Subject: MEDIAlert! – for 31 DEC 96 To: GLB-NEWS@LISTSERV.AOL.COM

*** DID SHE, OR DIDN’T SHE? . . . Reuters/Variety (Dec. 23) reports that “HBO has halted work on a movie about J. Edgar Hoover, because it could not resolve such issues as whether to portray the late FBI director as a cross-dresser who had an affair with his right-hand man, Clyde Tolson.” Apparently, network executives objected to “the issue of drag and other allegations made in the Anthony Summers book ‘Official and Confidential: The

Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover,’ which served as HBO’s source material for the film.” However, HBO sources deny that the network is “shying away from volatile subject matter” and insist the script is still being developed.

Aside from a latenight phone call from an HBO staffer, Summers said he has not been fully briefed by the network. “Three weeks ago, I had a call from a

woman who was very rude at 9:30 at night, asking, ‘What’s this about Hoover being homosexual, what are your facts to back it up?,'” Summers said. According to Variety, HBO has “officially declined comment.”

Contact: HBO, Jeff Bewkes, President, HBO, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New

York, NY 10036, fax 212-512-5517, web http://www.hbo.com/cmp/feedback.html.

ABOUT MEDIALERTS

Distributed as a community press service since 1992, “MEDIAlert!” [TM] (formerly “Media Watch”) is a biweekly, advocacy-oriented column of media criticism, primarily focused on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender issues. Recipients may print, publish or post this material, in whole or part, under

this or any title, without prior permission. When appropriate, attribution can be made to “Al Kielwasser” and/or “MEDIAlert!” File copies of publications using all or part of any “MEDIAlert!” are always appreciated (and can be sent to the address below).

Next “MEDIAlert!”: January 15, 1997. Contact: A. P. Kielwasser, MEDIAction, 163 Park Street, San Francisco, CA 94110-5835, voice-mail 415-826-5203, fax 415-826-5203 (ext. 8), e-mail mediaction@aol.com.

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———————————————————————— NOTE: The AEGISNWS list is a one-way newsfeed. You may not post to it. Your comments and news items should be sent to <aegis@gender.org>. For listserv assistance, send the message HELP to <listserv@xconn.com>. ———————– Headers ——————————– From listserv@xconn.com Thu Jan 2 08:39:58 1997 Return-Path: listserv@xconn.com Received: from netcomsv.netcom.com (uucp13.netcom.com [163.179.3.13]) by emin31.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id IAA13616 for <thexgrrrl@aol.com>; Thu, 2 Jan 1997 08:39:57 -0500 Received: by netcomsv.netcom.com with UUCP (8.6.12/SMI-4.1) id FAA06871; Thu, 2 Jan 1997 05:13:45 -0800 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E45uv; Thu 2 Jan 1997 04:20:41 From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 04:20:39 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: thexgrrrl@aol.com Message-Id: <9701020420.E45uv@xconn.com>

1997, 5 January

Subj: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: 97-01-05 07:10:16 EST From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com To: thexgrrrl@aol.com

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 03:56:14

============================================================================= AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E89mR; Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: European Tradition of Clitorectomy Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701040028.E89mR@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sat, 04 Jan 1997 01:49:48 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

To: “ISNA news” <cchase@isna.org> From: Cheryl Chase <cchase@isna.org> Subject: European Tradition of Clitorectomy

European Tradition of Clitorectomy

A new book on early Christian attitudes toward sex between woman discusses the long European tradition of clitorectomy employed both to stem homosexuality, and against women with “overly large” clitorises.

“Without knowledge of the selective clitoridectomy performed on women with “masculine” desires, we might erroneously see nineteenth- and twentieth century lobotomies and hysterectomies performed on lesbians as absolute innovations” (Brooten 1996, p 18). A seventeenth century surgical textbook illustration demonstrating the technique for performing clitorectomy is reproduced. The technique is attributed to the gynecology text of Soranos (1st/ 2d C. CE).

European and Arab medical texts from the middle ages through the modern period have recommended clitorectomy for women “overly large” clitorises, which they associated with immoderate sexual behavior, and with a masculine desire to penetrate. The surgery is simple enough: the woman is to be placed lying on her back, with her feet together. The surgeon grasps the clitoris with a forceps, then removes it with a scalpel.

Though author Brooten, Professor of Christian Studies at Brandeis University, cites Kessler’s “Medical Construction,” she appears to doubt that large clitorises were common, or generally related to hermaphroditism.

Brooten, Bernadette J. 1996. Love between women: early christian responses to female homoeroticism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kessler, Suzanne. 1990. The medical construction of gender: case management of intersexual infants. Signs 16 (1):3-26.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E45xe; Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: WOCKNER/1996/QUEEREST QUOTES OF 1996 Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701040028.E45xe@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sat, 04 Jan 1997 01:50:04 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

From:

============================= = QUEEREST QUOTES OF 1996 = = (c) Rex Wockner = =============================

Reprinted with permission.

“I do not impersonate women. How many women do you know who march around in 7-inch heels, 3-foot wigs and skin-tight outfits? Women don’t wear that, _drag queens_ wear that! The public persona of RuPaul is just a fabulous, eye-popping celebrity package designed to work well in front of the camera.”

–RuPaul to Chicago’s BLACKlines.

<><><><><>

“I don’t mind straight people as long as they act gay in public.”

–T-shirt worn by Chicago Bulls transvestite Dennis Rodman during a network-TV interview.

<><><><><>

“Old or young, healthy as a horse or a person with a disability that hasn’t kept you down, man or woman, Native American, native-born, immigrant, straight or gay — whatever — the test [for acceptance by others] ought to be: I believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. I believe in religious liberty, I believe in freedom of speech, and I believe in working hard and playing by the rules.”

–Bill Clinton in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president.

<><><><><>

* PET PEEVES *

“It _really_ bothers me when I see people doing my mother in drag. I mean, just imagine if you saw people doing that with _your_ mother.”

–Cher’s lesbian daughter, Chastity Bono, to Oregon’s Just Out.

<><><><><>

“It’s these propaganda queens who are really hurting us. These people who put out this lie that we’re exactly the same [as heterosexuals] and that we’re just straight people who fuck our own; that is just not true!”

–Kids In The Halls’ Scott Thompson to San Francisco Bay Times.

<><><><><>

“[W]ithout consulting the rest of us mere mortals, [NGLTF] suddenly rename[d] us ‘the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered movement’ or, as one of NGLTF’s leaders recently said in a press release, ‘the g/l/b/t community.’ Sounds like a sandwich. … NGLTF’s often dated and unrealistic political dogma will be cast off by the gay masses in due time.”

–Out magazine columnist Michelangelo Signorile.

<><><><><>

“They offered me either the Queen or the Lincoln [bedrooms]. Being from San Francisco, the Queen intrigued me. [But] I’m doing the Lincoln. He cut me loose.”

–San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown on spending the night at the White House.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E01rx; Sat 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Intersex Society of New Zealand Established Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 00:28:08 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701040028.E01rx@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sat, 04 Jan 1997 01:49:59 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

[1 January, 1997 — San Francisco]

ISNA is pleased to announce the establishment of the Intersex Society of New Zealand. ISNZ intends to provide peer support for intersexed people and their families, and public education and advocacy against harmful and unnecessary genital surgeries, secrecy, and stigma. Founder Mani Bruce Mitchell has already spoken before several groups of physicians, and is scheduled to appear before New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission.

Inquiries, letters of congratulation, or donations may be sent to:

Intersex Society of New Zealand PO Box 9196 Wellington New Zealand

Tel +6 4 4727386 Fax +6 4 4727387

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———————————————————————— NOTE: The AEGISNWS list is a one-way newsfeed. You may not post to it. Your comments and news items should be sent to <aegis@gender.org>. For listserv assistance, send the message HELP to <listserv@xconn.com>. ———————– Headers ——————————– From listserv@xconn.com Sun Jan 5 07:09:39 1997 Return-Path: listserv@xconn.com Received: from netcomsv.netcom.com (uucp13.netcom.com [163.179.3.13]) by emin39.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id HAA16063 for <thexgrrrl@aol.com>; Sun, 5 Jan 1997 07:09:38 -0500 Received: by netcomsv.netcom.com with UUCP (8.6.12/SMI-4.1) id EAA25989; Sun, 5 Jan 1997 04:03:12 -0800 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E45GT; Sun 5 Jan 1997 03:58:22 From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 03:58:21 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: thexgrrrl@aol.com Message-Id: <9701050358.E45GT@xconn.com>

1997, 9 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 03:36:00

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E34YC; Tue 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: WOCKNER/TOP 10 WORLD NEWS STORIES OF 1996 Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701072200.E34YC@xconn.com>

Original Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 00:26:49 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Reprinted with permission from:

=============================================== = TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL NEWS STORIES OF 1996 = = (c) Rex Wockner = ===============================================

>>> AUSSIE ‘TRANYS’ WIN RIGHTS

The parliament of the Australian state of New South Wales (where Sydney is) passed legislation June 5 banning discrimination against transgendered people and granting transexuals the right to correct their birth certificates. Sporting organizations were exempted from the laws, which were championed by state Attorney General Jeff Shaw. “The days of institutionalized bigotry and punishing those who do not adhere to so-called gender norms are over,” said Nadine Stransen, co-convener of the Transgender Lobby Coalition. “This has taken five hard years of lobbying, so we are feeling ebullient.”

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E94Rd; Tue 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: (Australia) Brother Sister News – 26/12/96 Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 22:00:32 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701072200.E94Rd@xconn.com>

Original Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 00:26:51 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

BROTHER SISTER – QUEER NEWS FROM DOWNUNDER

Issue #122 – 26/12/96

Including: 1. ALSO plans change for centre 2. Education program for police and schools 3. Pink dollar hot again

* 4. Trannies for female jail

(we’re posting this item only)

5. AIDS Council faces payout 6. No more EAR ache TRANNIES FOR FEMALE JAIL

*Jails in New South Wale are set to become the first in the world to accommodate male to female transgenders in women’s prisons. *

The Sydney Sunday Telegraph has reported that the plan will allow offenders currently in male prisons but who recognise themselves as women to serve their sentence under their elected gender.

One supporter of the changes is recently-released, convicted murder Donald Geoffrey Macpherson who would have served time in an all-female prison although initially jailed as a man.

Macpherson, 60, who changed his name to Kimmie and began taking female hormones while in jail, was released last month having served 18 months in a male prison for the murders of Carey Crooke, 17, and Charles Devine, 77.

Shortly before release, she wrote of how transsexuals in prison became “lambs to the slaughter in many different ways”.

Transgender lobby groups are hailaing the move by the NSW Corrective Services Department as a major breakthrough. Gender Centre spokesperson Bill Robertson said transgender inmates would number less than 100, but were those at greatest risk of abuse.

“It is very common for male to females to suffer horrendous abuse within the prison system,” he said.

“It’s the same as saying you are gay in prison-you become a piece of meat.”

The proposed change in NSW Corrective Services policy was sparked by the high rate of assaults against transgender inmates.

Under the new rules, expected to be rubber-stamped by NSW Government legal officers within the next few weeks, women who considered themselves male could also request transfers across the gender divide.

The Corrective Services Transgender Policy Working Party began drafting the policy well before anti- discrimination laws to protect transvestites and transsexuals were introduced in the state.

The Transgender (Anti-Discrimination and Other Acts Amendment) Bill, which became law in October, prevents discrimination against people who identify or live as a member of the opposite sex regardless of whether or not they have undergone sexual reassignment surgery.

This means that a pre-operative male-to-female or female-to-male prisoner could conceivably ask to be jailed with the opposite sex.

A Corrective Services spokesperson was reported as saying, “It won’t just be an automatic thing where if you see yourself as the other sex and you identify with the other sex you will automatically be transferred to the other jail.”

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1997, 16 January

Subj: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: 97-01-16 08:15:00 EST From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com To: thexgrrrl@aol.com

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 03:42:41

============================================================================= AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E97xz; Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: TRIAL STARTS ON TRANSPRISONER RAPE CASE Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701122100.E97xz@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 23:09:55 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Riki Anne Wilchins (212)645-1753, Riki@Pipeline.COM

TRIAL OPENS ON TRANSPRISONER RAPE CASE KICKED BACK BY SUPREME COURT

INMATE APPEALS FOR SUPPORT ====================================== [Madison, WI – January 10, 1996] The jury trial of raped trans-inmate Dee Farmer, whose case went all the way up to the Supreme Court, begins January 21st in Madison, Wisconsin. After Farmer had been raped in prison, she charged that prison authorities – who knew of her transgender status – had failed to take proper steps to protect her from a sexual assault which was virtually inevitable.

Wisconsin Federal Court Judge John Shabaz threw out Farmer’s case on grounds that the prison had not been properly notified of the special risks she faced. Ms. Farmer, with little money and few resources, refused to back down, appealing her case all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court heard the case last year, ruling that prison officials could not require notification if the risk at hand was obvious. The case was sent back to Judge Shabaz’s courtroom for trial.

Farmer’s suit affects all current and future genderqueer prisoners who are held in a sexually-hostile environment, subject to repeated sexual assault, and dependent upon prison officials for protection. Farmer’s case is unique in that – despite the tremendous odds against her – she has refused to drop her suit.

Ms. Farmer spoke to InYourFace from a prison in Oklahoma, where she is being held while in transit to her trial. Declared Dee, “Transpeople in prison deserve to be able to pay their debt to society free of the constant fear of sexual assault or rape, just because prison authorities consider them disposable inmates. When my case was first heard, the courtroom was empty and the judge simply threw it out. This time, I hope members of the queer community will show up and support me. Not only because my case affects queer- inmates all across the country, but because — although this time it’s me — the next time it could be any one.”

Ms. Farmer is being represented by Wisconsin attorneys, Virginia Jones and Peg Kelsey. For those interested in attending the opening day to support Dee, the trail is at:

Federal Courthouse 120 North Henry Madison WI Tuesday, January 21st Judge John Shabaz

Dallas Denny, M.A., Executive Director

American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation P.O. Box 33724, Decatur, GA 30033-0724 (770) 939-2128 Business (770) 939-0244 Information & Referrals (770) 939-1770 FAX aegis@mindspring.com or aegis@gender.org E-Mail

Visit the AEGIS FTP Site: ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/users/aegis/ User ID: anonymous Password: (your email address)

We have several electronic mailing lists: AEGIS NEWS: Trans-related news, press releases, and items of interest GENDER HELP: Discussion of issues related to transition and personal growth

(Send e-mail to listserv@xconn.com; on separate lines in the message, include the following: subscribe aegisnws subscribe gendhelp

If you’re on AOL, try the keyword AEGIS

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E95et; Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: New List: glbt-workplace Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701122100.E95et@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 23:10:42 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Caitlin Flowers and Tamara Alexander separately sent us this notice:

— Dallas

*** Please Post Widely ***

Announcing a new internet mailing list for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace!

glbt-workplace is a general discussion list on any topic which is in some way related to both GLBTs and the workplace. There are many unique concerns that GLBTs have in the workplace – being closeted, outed and coming out; interactions with coworkers and managers; activism to attain equitable treatment; workplace activities in the community, etc. This is the appropriate place to post news stories, action alerts, questions, or just general discussion.

The goals of this list are to: – provide a supportive space for the workplace concerns of GLBTs – share what it is like to be GLBT in various fields – industry, acedemia, professional, blue collar, pink collar, etc. – facilitate activism and an exchange of ideas – share resources for information and mutual support

To subscribe, send email to Majordomo@QueerNet.ORG, with the body containing:

subscribe glbt-workplace your-email-address

Questions? Contact klyndon@queernet.org

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E32ZK; Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: TRANSGENDER PRISONER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701122100.E32ZK@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 23:19:42 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

TRANSGENDER PRISONER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY CORRECTIONS OFFICER Mid-Valley Support Coalition, a human rights organization dedicated to breaking the silence about psychiatric assault and promoting humane alternatives for people in emotional crises, is monitoring a case of transphobic sexual violence in the Wasington state prison system. We have taken-an interest in this case because our friends in prison are neglected, marginalized, and stigmatized in some of the same ways we as psychiatric survivors are; and transexuals are oppressed by institutionalized medical neglect both in prison and in the “free” world. Donald Merlyn Snook is an electroshock survivor, a prisoner in the Washington state prison system, and a paralegal. He is an old friend of Crystal, a pre-operative transexual prisoner who was sexually assaulted by a prison guard. When Don and Crystal began litigation against this guard, whose name is Robert Mitchell, prison officials waged a relentless campaign of sexual harassment and intimidation against Crystal. According to the article Don has written about this case, many prison officials were involved in this malicious and illegal retaliation, from the Dept. of Corrections Superintendant all the way down the hierarchy to the prison librarian.

Crystal and Don have filed a CIVIL RIGHTS ACTION against Robert Mitchell and other Dept. of Corrections employees. They have obtained a lawyer who is educating himself about transgender issues. Incredibly, the Washington state attorney general’s office is illegally using taxpayer dollars to defend Robert Mitchell. A tentative trial date for Crystal’s and Don’s CIVIL RIGHTS ACTION has been set for JULY 14th, 1997. We hope to publicize this between now and then, all over the country but especially in the Northwest, so that people will protest the Washington state prison system’s brutal treatment of Crystal and other transgendered prisoners. The trial will be in Walla Walla WA.

PROTEST FOR CRYSTAL IN JULY 1997! SEND US ADDRESSES OF TRANSGENDER ACTIVISTS, ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON! PHOTOCOPY THIS FLIER AND GIVE IT TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FIGHTING RAPE, TRANSPHOBIA, HOMOPHOBIA, AND PRISON ABUSE OF ALL KINDS! GET A COPY OF DON’S ARTICLE AND SPREAD THE WORD!

Prison regulations require that correspondence use Crystal’s birth name: Douglas W. Schwenk #902875 Airway Heights Corrections Center P.O. Box 1839 N-B-9-L Airway Heights, WA 99001-1839

Donald Merlyn Snook #627618 Washington State Penitentiary 1313 North 13th Ave. 1-C-8 Walla Walla, WA 99362 Send letters of protest to: Nancy J. Krier Asst. Attorney General Corrections Division P.O. Box 40116 Olympia, WA 98504-0116

For copies of Don’s article write us at: Mid-Valley Support Coalition 131 N. W. 4th St. Suite #204 Corvallis, OR 97330 (send stamps if you can)

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E55vE; Sun 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: The National Lottery / UK Transgendered Yellow Pages Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 21:00:18 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701122100.E55vE@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 23:23:14 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Dear All

1997 is off to a great start!

The Gender Trust has won The National Lottery.

The Trust has expanded greatly since its inception just 6 years ago. While this is a welcome endorsement of what we offer to our members and all those people who have turned to us for help, information or advice, it represents an ever increasing workload for a relatively small team of volunteers. The Trustees had begun to think of the possible merit of establishing a proper office with someone employed to help with this workload. Alas, this seemed to involve what must be a common dilemma for organisations at our stage of development. Without some extra help and facilities it would be difficult to meet the increasing demands on our services, yet without providing increased services, or reaching more potential members, we would not have the financial resources to pay for such expansion. Money was the obvious, if elusive, solution!

It then came to our attention that the National Lottery Charities Board were planning a round of grants dedicated to the theme of health, disability and care. There was not a lot of time to act, but we obtained the necessary application pack and submitted a bid. It was necessary to find an independent referee to support our application and we were delighted when Alex Carlile QC, MP agreed to act in this capacity for us.

What we were seeking was a grant to meet the major part of the costs of establishing a small office and employing one part time worker to help us over a 3 year period. We would obviously hope that after the period of the grant we would be able to sustain this level of activity from our own resources.

The funds available to the Board are always greatly over subscribed but we have been successful. The grant is one of 65 to be announced today (13th January 1997) and will, I am sure, be picked up by the national press. While we can hope for a positive response from the press, I think it would be naive to expect anything but bigotry from the tabloids – we have a long way still to go!

—————————–

UK Transgendered Yellow Pages

You can now find the UK Transgendered Yellow Pages at:

http://www3.mistral.co.uk/gentrust/index2.htm

If you have not seen them yet please take a look – if you have information that can be added to them, please e-mail me with details.

Lots of hugs

Tracy Dean Vice-Chair – The Gender Trust

Serving the Gender Community at http://www3.mistral.co.uk/gentrust

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>From listserv@xconn.com Mon 13 Jan 1997 21:59:13 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E99lV; Mon 13 Jan 1997 21:59:13 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: SLSA Conference – call for papers Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997 21:59:13 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701132159.E99lV@xconn.com>

Original Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997 21:48:10 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Socio-Legal Studies Annual Conference Cardiff, UK, April 2nd -4th 1997.

Richard Collier and Lois Biibings are co-ordinating a stream: SEXUALITY, GENDER AND THE BODIES OF LAW The stream will include a wide range of papers which address inter alia issues of sexuality, gender, feminism, masculinity, the body and medicine. In line with the Conference theme of `Crossing Boundaries’, they are keen to include papers of an interdisciplinary nature, in particular they are keen to encourage speakers from other jurisdictions to offer papers.

If you would like to present a paper, please contact Richard Collier or Lois Bibbings, with the proposed title and a brief extract (200 words) by the 15th January 1997. It is likely that 10-12 papers of a sufficiently high quality will be published by Dartmouth Press in an edited collection within its Socio- Legal series.

Contact: Richard Collier, Reader in Law, Newcastle Law School, 22-24 Windsor Terrace, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, Tel: 0191 222 6000 ext 6655, Fax: 0191 212 0064, email: Richard.Collier@Newcastle.ac.uk OR Lois Bibbings, Department of Law, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Rd, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, Tel: 0117 928 8852, Fax: 0117 925 1870, email: lois.S.Bibbings@Bristol.ac.uk

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>From listserv@xconn.com Wed 15 Jan 1997 00:12:21 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E41ro; Wed 15 Jan 1997 00:12:21 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: (Australia) Brother Sister News – 9/1/97 Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 00:12:21 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701150012.E41ro@xconn.com>

Original Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 01:41:00 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

The following item is from

BROTHER SISTER – QUEER NEWS FROM DOWNUNDER

Issue #123 – 9/1/97

CINEMA’S A DRAG

Supermodel Elle Macpherson is tipped to portray famous transsexual performer Carlotta in an upcoming Hollywood movie. The Kings Cross veteran has sold the rights to her biography, He Did It Her Way, to a major Hollywood film company and although Macpherson must yet approve a final script, she has indicated an interest in the part. “When I was asked who I’d like to see doing the part, I’d said half-jokingly Elle Macpherson,” Carlotta said from Lismore, where her current tour Carlotta and Her Beautiful Boys is playing. “Then I heard that her agent had been approached and was interested, and that she was as well.” There is currently a writer working on a script in New York, but Carlotta said the author of her original biography, James Cockington, was also preparing a script. “Then they’ll present them to Elle to get the go-ahead from her,” she said. “Of course I’d love to see her so the part-who wouldn’t? I think it’d be the biggest laugh in Sydney. She might not have my legs, but the likeness is there in the tits.” Meanwhile, Carlotta’s next tour, Las Vegas By Night, will be premiering in Brisbane in March. Carlotta described her last appearance in her old stamping ground at Brisbane as “phenomenal”. She added, “I had a tear in my eye that evening.” Stephen Scott

Brother Sister is a fortnightly newspaper published in Melbourne, VIC and Brisbane, QLD, Australia. I have selected the main news stories as well as items of interest.

Overseas media who utilise any or all of the above material please credit Brother Sister as your source (and by-line if it is listed). Thank you.

Brendon Wickham

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———————————————————————— NOTE: The AEGISNWS list is a one-way newsfeed. You may not post to it. Your comments and news items should be sent to <aegis@gender.org>. For listserv assistance, send the message HELP to <listserv@xconn.com>. ———————– Headers ——————————– From listserv@xconn.com Thu Jan 16 08:14:35 1997 Return-Path: listserv@xconn.com Received: from netcomsv.netcom.com (uucp13.netcom.com [163.179.3.13]) by emin25.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id IAA24023 for <thexgrrrl@aol.com>; Thu, 16 Jan 1997 08:14:33 -0500 Received: by netcomsv.netcom.com with UUCP (8.6.12/SMI-4.1) id FAA10799; Thu, 16 Jan 1997 05:03:41 -0800 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E22Dk; Thu 16 Jan 1997 03:57:56 From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 03:57:54 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: thexgrrrl@aol.com Message-Id: <9701160357.E22Dk@xconn.com>

1997, 19 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 18:24:12

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Fri 17 Jan 1997 19:47:07 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E02Hv; Fri 17 Jan 1997 19:47:07 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Forwarding: Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 19:47:07 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701171947.E02Hv@xconn.com>

Original Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 21:29:48 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Reposted from Trans-Academic Network Mailing List

UK News Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 15 January 1997

Issue 600

Bottomley accused of sex-swap hypocrisy

By Joy Copley, Political Staff

VIRGINIA Bottomley was accused of “transparent hypocrisy” last night after a leaked letter revealed her sympathy for sex-swap operations which could reduce the chances of suicide.

Sources close to the Heritage Secretary had let it be known this week that she was upset that a #33,700 lottery grant had gone to the Gender Trust , a charity for transsexuals, and she had called on the National Lotteries Charities Board to justify its decision. But last night a letter written by her in June 1995 when she was the Health Secretary struck an altogether different tone.

It is estimated that there are more than 7,000 sex-swap patients in Britain and that the NHS pays for between 60 and 70 operations a year.

Mrs Bottomley’s letter was addressed to Alistair Goodlad, the Chief Whip, who had been asked by a constituent about the Government’s attitude to gender identity disorder. It defended sex-change operations and said: “Much plastic surgery can improve a patient’s quality of life and influence overall health. The risk of suicide is one factor and the main issue for NHS provision is the assessment of likely improvement of the individual’s ability to function psychologically and socially.

“The Department supports decisions that take proper regard of these factors and recognises that sometimes clinical intervention will significantly reduce the chances of suicide.”

Mrs Bottomley said the needs of individual patients were subject for the clinical judgment of their doctors and that GPs were in the best position to decide what treatment to give, based on the particular medical history and condition of their patients. “With this wealth of expertise and experience available, decision about patient treatment are left to the discretion of hospital consultants. The Department of Health does not attempt to lay down rigid protocols or definitions describing a particular condition, especially with a condition as complex and notoriously difficult to define as this one.”

Chris Smith, Labour’s health spokesman, said: “This is a clear case of double standards. She says one thing one year and takes a completely opposite line the next. Could this be because there is an election around the corner?”

Lewis Moonie, Labour’s spokesman on the National Lottery and broadcasting, said: “Once again Mrs Bottomley is guilty of transparent hypocrisy.” He said the Charities Board gave hundreds of grants to a huge range of organisations and all applications were carefully investigated. “I do not think it is the job of politicians to interfere in these decisions. The Gender Trust does a valuable job in helping this vulnerable section of society.”

The Gender Trust accused Mrs Bottomley of “being out of touch with reality”. It said its publications and 24-hour telephone helpline had often “saved many desperate people beside themselves with anxiety from suicide” since the trust was founded in 1990.

One of the trust’s voluntary counsellors, a 60-year-old retired engineer who is now known as Julia, said: “Mrs Bottomley is probably deliberately being out of touch with reality. With an election coming there are some politicians who think that prejudice and bigotry will win votes.”

The trust, which is funded by membership subscription, was formed to give confidential help and support to people who feel themselves to be “gender dysphoric”, their families and professionals who need advice in dealing with transsexuals. Julia, who sought assistance from the trust herself five years ago “when the agony of being trapped in the wrong body became too much to bear”, said: “I was pretty suicidal at the time and the help I was given probably saved my life. It enabled me to keep my marriage and my wife of 34 years is still with me. My daughters have come to terms with what has happened and my family is still intact, which has been a massive relief.

“We do not choose to be what we are. Many people spend years trying to prove that they are not what they are. When they come to us they are often desperate for help. We should not be used as a political football.”

Timothy Hornsby, the charity board’s chief executive, said he was “entirely comfortable” in responding to Mrs Bottomley’s challenge to justify the grant.

) Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997. Terms & Conditions of reading. Information about Telegraph Group Limited and Electronic Telegraph . “Electronic Telegraph” and “The Daily Telegraph” are trademarks of Telegraph Group Limited. These marks may not be copied or used without permission. Information for webmasters linking to Electronic Telegraph. Email Electronic Telegraph.

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1997, 22 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Wed, 22 Jan 1997 03:52:06

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E50ry; Tue 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Full Circle of Women Conference Date: Tue, 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701212040.E50ry@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 21 Jan 1997 23:02:19 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Feel free to repost:

Full Circle of Women Conference April 4 – 6, 1997 Essex, Massachusetts

A radically different, politically incorrect exploration of what it means to be a woman…

This conference is for woman-identified individuals living their lives as women: transgendered, nontransgendered (“biological”), transsexual (preoperative and postoperative), and intersex people living as women. It has particular relevance for women who are thinking about gender as a concept or as a personal issue and those who want to broaden their vision of womanhood or understand the range of transgender experience more fully.

Writers, therapists, educators, friends and partners of transgendered women, political activists, and leaders in the gender community have found this conference inspiring. Participants at previous Full Circle weekends called it “an amazing experience,” “an incredible gift,” and “a major turning point.”

*THE VISION* It is time for a reformulation of feminism, for a philosophy that embraces all women–not just those who are politically correct, not just those with a certain sexual orientation, not just “genetic” women, not just those with vaginas, but all who identify as women. Full Circle of Women is an opportunity to leave genderphobia behind and take a step toward an expanded vision of who women are and where feminism is going.

We will examine the varied terrain our paths to womanhood have led us through. We will ask on what common ground those paths converge. What do we share in our souls that leads us to experience our lives as women? Can we free ourselves from patriarchal doctrine enough to encompass our tremendous variety? What power can we tap with diversity that can’t be touched with uniformity? What unique gifts can we bring to feminism?

For those who have been excluded from women’s events, Full Circle of Women is a chance to include ourselves in women’s space. For those who have taken womanhood for granted, it challenges all our assumptions about gender.

*WORKSHOPS* We come together as experts on our own lives, to teach and learn from each other. Participants are invited to facilitate workshops, ceremonies, and other events. Many forms can be employed: discussion, movement, art, demonstration, ritual, music, theater, readings, slides, massage, etc. Some possible topics are:

Same-Sex Marriage and Transpeople Gender Through Dreams Creating Gendered Identity Women-Only Space: Do We Need It? Experiencing Belonging Hormones, Emotions, and Gender Intersex Issues Male Energy-What Is It? Vision of a Genderless World Is a Penis a Barrier to Womanhood? Poetry Sharing Transsexual Gods/Goddesses Loving Our Bodies

…our imagination is the limit

*DETAILS* Full Circle of Women will be held at the Essex Conference Center and Retreat in Essex, Massachusetts, a 45-minute drive from Boston. The Center is secluded, its two modern buildings set on 18 acres of peaceful woods within walking distance of the ocean. The Center features a hot tub that holds 12 people and a wood-fired sauna that accommodates eight. Wonderful, healthy, mainly vegetarian meals are prepared by the staff and served family-style.

Space is limited to 30, so it is important to sign up early. The cost of the weekend is $265.00, which includes double or triple accommodations, all meals from a light supper Friday evening through lunch on Sunday, the use of the hot tub and sauna, and all workshops. Single rooms extra. We hope to have some scholarship money available.

For further information or a registration form, contact:

Janis Walworth merkin77@aol.com or Center for Gender Sanity PO Box 451427 Westchester, CA 90045

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E39bp; Tue 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: GPAC & HRC LOBBY TOGETHER ON THE HILL Date: Tue, 21 Jan 1997 20:40:02 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701212040.E39bp@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 21 Jan 1997 23:02:25 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dana Priesing (703)578-0903 DPriesing@waOnline.Com

GENDERPAC & HRC LOBBY TOGETHER ON THE HILL ==========================

Today marked the turning of a corner as — for the first time – the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and GenderPAC made a series of joint calls on Capitol Hill. The day’s activities, organized by HRC’s Senior Policy Advocate, Nancy Buermeyer, was devoted to conducting basic education around bi/herm/trans issues, and discussing prospects for ENDA trans-inclusion with the bill’s sponsors.

Lobbyists Dana Priesing (GPac), Deb Kolodny (BiNet USA/GPac), Nancy Buermeyer (HRC), Kris Pratt (HRC) and Riki Wilchins (GPac) called on a half- dozen congressional offices. The meetings were all constructive, and in most cases included a basic “Gender 101” for the staffers, as well as plans for return visits.

On a sobering note, the advice of most legislative assistants, including ENDA sponsors, was that trans-inclusion was probably not viable at this point, and might delay the bill’s passage 5-10 years. Said Wilchins, “If this is what we’re hearing from our ENDA friends, it may signal time to re-evaluate our emphasis and consider shifting some of our resources to Hate Crimes, Psychiatric Abuse of Gender-variant Children (PAGC), and Intersexed Genital Mutilation (IGM).”

The meetings marked the first held under GPac auspices since its articles of association were signed and formalized February of 1996, and GPac lobbyists sought to represent all the marginalized groups which could be considered within their mission of fighting “gender-based oppression,” including transgenders, bisexuals, the leather community, crossdressers, the intersexed and transexuals. Said a GPac spokesperson, “We’re trying to cast as wide a net as possible in pursuing our motto of ‘gender, affectional and racial equality.'”

The meetings also marked the first time a lobbyist specifically from a bisexual organization has been on the Hill representing the concerns of their community. Said Deb Kolodny of BiNet USA, the national bisexual organization (in the midst of joining GenderPAC), “Naturally we’re disappointed to hear from ENDA sponsors that trans-inclusion might harm the bill. On the other hand, we were pleased that every office expressed genuine concern about Bisexual and Transgender issues and a desire to work closely with us in the future. BiNet USA is looking forward to working with GenderPAC on the lobbying and constituent organizing to make more inclusive legislation a reality.”

The meetings also covered specific ENDA-inclusion wording developed by a team of HRC’s Chai Feldblum, Sharon Stuart of the Transgender Law Conference (ICTLEP), It’s Time America’s (ITA) Jessica Xavier, and GPac’s Dana Priesing. Said key team-member Jessica Xavier, “The development of proper ENDA language which is trans-inclusive was a giant step forward. Now it’s up to the gender community to press our growing visibility on Capitol Hill, and move Congressional offices closer to trans- positive voting.”

In summarizing the day’s events, stated HRC’s Nancy Buermeyer, “Education is one of our strongest tools in working with Congress. I look forward to working with the GenderPAC to continue this vital first step. The upcoming 2nd National Gender Lobby Day May 5th will provide an excellent opportunity to continue this education — I’m excited about participating.”

Dallas Denny, M.A., Executive Director

Our website is http://www.ren.org/rafil/aegis.html Visit the AEGIS FTP Site: ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/users/aegis/ User ID: anonymous Password: (your email address)

We have several electronic mailing lists: AEGIS NEWS: Trans-related news, press releases, and items of interest GENDER HELP: Discussion of issues related to transition and personal growth (Send e-mail to listserv@xconn.com; on separate lines in the message, include the following: subscribe aegisnws subscribe gendhelp

If you’re on AOL, try the keyword AEGIS

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1997, 24 January

Subj: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: 97-01-24 07:19:20 EST From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com To: thexgrrrl@aol.com

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997 03:44:57

============================================================================= AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 16:28:40 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E19Va; Thu 23 Jan 1997 16:28:40 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: WOCKNER/INT’L NEWS #140/1 Jan 1997 Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 16:28:40 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701231628.E19Va@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 19:09:35 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

============================================= = INTERNATIONAL NEWS #140 – Jan 01, 1997 = = (c) Rex Wockner = =============================================

Reprinted with Permission

>> NICARAGUAN TRANSVESTITE THROWN DOWN WELL

Managua, Nicaragua, transvestite Jose Ramon Martinez Arteaga, 22, spent eight days at the bottom of a well in mid- December after two homophobes raped him then threw him in, reported La Prensa. The tranny, also known as “Shakira,” said the men picked him up at a dance club. “With lies, they led me to a field where they violently assaulted me, one after the other, and when they had satisfied their animal desires, they tied a cord around my neck as if to strangle me,” Martinez said. Martinez fractured a leg when he was tossed into the pit and could not climb out. Searching family members heard his cries eight days later. “I slept next to a plastic pipe. The ants and lizards were my friends,” Martinez said.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E05dM; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: CBC Newsworld Sunday Morning Live Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E05dM@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:48:39 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

ANNOUNCEMENT

Please forward or post to others who may be interested

Holly Devor, Ph.D. Henry Rubin, Ph.D. Ray Blanchard. Ph.D. Sociologist Author, FTM Psychiatrist University of Victoria Boston Clarke Institute

Will be speaking about FTMs on CBC Newsworld Sunday Morning Live Sunday January 26th

Check local listings for times (approx. 8:30 am PST)

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E98Vv; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: ICOP ’97 Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E98Vv@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:48:45 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Hi all–

The “International Conference on Prostitution: An Interface of Cultural, Legal and Social Issues” will take place in Van Nuys, California, March 13-16, 1997. This conference is co-sponsored by The Center for Sex Research at California State University, Northridge, and COYOTE LA. If anyone wants more information about this conference, email James E. Elias, Director of The

Center for Sex Research, at <james.elias@email.csun.edu>.

I’ve just received the preliminary program, which includes a session entitled

“The Transgendered Community and Prostitution.” The paper titles & presenters

in this session are: “She-Male Prostitutes: Who Are They, What Do They Do, and Why Do They Do It?”

Dwight Dixon, J.D., Ph.D., Joan K. Dixon, Ph.D., and Jan Eder, Psy.D., San Diego, California “Prostitution in The Transgender Community” Nora Gaberlya Molina, New York, New York “The $1500 Lick and Other Stories: The Lives of Transgender Sex Workers in Detroit, Michigan” Larry Gant, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Alvine Bell, Executive Director, Project Survival; and April Dancer, Homemaker, Detroit, Michigan

A session called “Law, Legal Reform and Sex Workers II” includes a paper entitled “Asian Pacific Islander Transgender Prostitution” by Stephanie Eng. Do any of you have any background on these folks? Should my antennae be twitching? Showing up with a carload of Transexual Menace t-shirts? Planning

to take careful notes and network with smart, cool trans studies scholars? Or

what?

Richard Green also has a prominent place on the program. His talk is entitled

“The Law and Sexual Tourism.”

Best, Jacob Hale

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E42zL; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: OP-ED: D’Emilio Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E42zL@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:48:48 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

********************************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force OPINION-EDITORIAL

Contact: John D’Emilio 202/332-6483 x3302 jdemilio@ngltf.org

2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org *********************************************************************

The following is an opinion/commentary written by Dr. John D’Emilio, the director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Policy Institute. This

month’s commentary is a tribute to the life of Dr. Evelyn Hooker, whose work did much to change scientific understanding of homosexuality.

Dr. D’Emilio is a noted historian and author. His works include “Making Trouble: Essays on Gay History, Politics and the University” (Routledge, 1992), “Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The Making of a Homosexual Minority in the United States, 1940-1970” (University of Chicago Press, 1983), and he is the co-author of “Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America” (Harper and Row, 1988). He is currently working on a biography of the late Bayard Rustin.

D’Emilio’s monthly column is available the last week of each month. Please publish or distribute this piece. Photos of Dr. D’Emilio are available by contacting Tracey Conaty at 202/332-6483 x3303.

…………………………………………………………….

Unsung Hero

By John D’Emilio Director, NGLTF Policy Insitute

Evelyn Hooker died in November at the ripe old age of 89. I’m willing to lay

odds that not many of us know who she is or what she did. Yet she deserves the status of hero in our community as a pioneering psychologist whose research has changed our world. Her career is also a fascinating case study of the potentially productive relationship between “the expert” and a social movement.

Hooker earned a Ph.D. in psychology in the early 1930s–not an easy achievement for an American woman of that era–and was teaching at UCLA when a former student who had become a friend challenged her to study him and his other gay

male friends. “Science” was pretty clear in its attitudes toward homosexuality in the mid-20th century. Physicians, psychoanalysts, and psychologists agreed

that homosexuality was a mental disorder that needed treatment and cure. Since virtually all of the homosexuals whom professionals studied were either institutionalized or seeking medical help, it wasn’t hard to prove that we were sick and disturbed.

With the help of the recently formed Mattachine Society in southern California, Hooker became the first professional to assemble a group of non-patient gay men, and match them with a group of heterosexuals with similar demographic characteristics. She then administered a series of standard psychological tests to each group and asked a panel of professionals, who were kept in the dark about the identity of the subjects, to evaluate the test results. Much to their surprise, and to Hooker’s delight, they were unable to tell the homosexuals from the heterosexuals, and rated the gay subjects high in personality development

and emotional adjustment. Two decades later, when I interviewed Hooker for a

book I was writing on the homophile movement of the 1950s, she chuckled mischievously as she remembered how baffled the other professionals were by the outcome.

Hooker’s work shattered conventional wisdom. Throughout the 1950s, Hooker kept giving papers at professional conventions and publishing scholarly articles about her research. In the 1960s, she began expanding her work to study gay men not just as individuals but as members of a community–a novel way of looking at us. Slowly, networks of dissenting medical and mental health professionals began to form, and Hooker’s work was the catalyst that made it happen. She also kept up her ties with the homophile movement, and provided support and encouragement for their efforts to make change.

In 1967, Hooker was approached by the National Institute of Mental Health to

chair a Task Force on Homosexuality. Gay activists were thrilled, since Hooker was clearly an ally and, in fact, the composition of the Task Force seemed stacked in our favor. When the Task Force released its report in 1969, the final document was without doubt the most enlightened statement on homosexuality ever to have emerged from our government. I have often wondered what difference it

would have made if the liberal Democrat, Hubert Humphrey, had been elected president in 1968, instead of Richard Nixon. Would the government have started to act on the recommendations of its own Task Force?

Meanwhile, Hooker’s work had started the ball rolling toward an historic achievement: the decision by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973 to

remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. Simultaneously, the open-minded approach of this pioneering psychologist also had its effects on her own professional organization, the American Psychological Association. Today, in the 1990s, the APA has probably done more than any other mainstream professional society to advocate for fair treatment of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people. APA has a staffer dedicated to gay concerns; it produces publications that can be used effectively in advocacy work; it files court briefs and testifies at legislative hearings; and it actively encourages and

supports groundbreaking research on issues of sexuality and identity.

We can’t give Hooker credit for all these changes, of course. But it is possible to trace the historical lines of influence back to her pioneering scholarly work.

Sometimes, as I work at the Task Force to develop its Policy Institute, I watch swirls of activity around me as staff respond to the latest hot spot in some

corner of the country. Frankly, I wonder whether it makes sense to be putting

resources into research and the production of knowledge when there are so many immediate crises at hand. And then I remember the work of Evelyn Hooker, and the difference it has made, and I know that we need to operate on many fronts at

once, that knowledge, as someone famous once said, is a form of power.

…………..

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major

initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change.

###

_________________________________________

This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E53mj; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Transformations conference Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:23 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E53mj@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:48:53 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Stephen suggested I post to the list about this conference. I’m excerpting the below from conference material, and adding a plug for the panel Del Grace, Jack Halberstam & I will be doing. I don’t have the program yet.–Jacob Hale

******************************************************************************

*****************

Transformations: Thinking through Feminism

17-19 July 1997

Lancaster University UK

This conference is dedicated to a consideration of the transformative power of feminism: its ability to engender alternative ways of thinking and being,

to shift boundaries and undo certainties. The intention of the conference is

to provide a space to reflect upon histories, futures, investments and the politics and practices of feminism. Where are we in the 1990s and how did we

get here? Do we want to be where we are and are we satisfied? We want participants to reflect upon and interrogate the transformations that are part of feminism’s history, present and future. But also to reflect upon how

we know our history, place and fantasy: what are the conventions and the boundaries of our knowing? What narratives do we employ to understand our places? What do we leave behind when we think about the future? What spaces to we vacate when we move on, what are the effects of transformations?

Confirmed Plenary Speakers: Avtar Brah; Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak; Gail Ching-Liang Low; Moira Gatens; Jean Grimshaw; Sneja Gunew; Donna Haraway; Joanna Hodge; Anne McClintock; Maureen McNeil; Elspeth Probyn; Valerie Walkerdine.

Confirmed Panel: “Beyond *Woman*, Beyond *Man*: Transgender Transformations of Fundamental Categories”: Del/la Grace: “Hermaphrodyke” Judith Halberstam: “Butch Realness: The Art of Gender Transformations” C. Jacob Hale: “FTM Transsexuality and Leatherdyke Genderplay: Gender Transformations and the Fiction of Unitary Gender”

For further information about Transformations: Sara Ahmed Centre for Women’s Studies Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YL U.K. <S.Ahmed@Lancaster.ac.uk>

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E44ho; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Dennis Rodman Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E44ho@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:49:14 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Cross-Dressing Basketball Star Admits to Queer Fantasies

by David A. Moore

In a recent interview that appeared in The Advocate’s January 21 issue, outrageous basketball player Dennis Rodman confirmed that while he’s not had sex with another man, he’s definitely thought about the prospect. “Oh, of course,” he told writer Peter Galvin. “I’ve done it. It’s easy to do.”

Rodman offered further insight about his experiences “making out” with a transsexual and what the future might hold for his sexual orientation. “I think the more that I keep exploring myself in that area maybe one day it will happen,” he stated, and I’m gonna’ do it. And I’m gonna’ enjoy it. If it happens for me I’m gonna’ damn sure enjoy it.” Rodman’s skillful exploitation of the media through various flashy experiments in gender-bending fashion have no doubt contributed to his recent success. Because of his honesty and clearly pro-gay stance, you’ll now find “The Rodman World Tour,” a half-hour variety-interview show for MTV, listed in the totally queer Homoculture Entertainment Calendar. (Note from Dallas: this calendar is a feature of Etcetera, the source of this article).

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E43Yj; Thu 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Slouching Toward Nebraska Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 21:26:24 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701232126.E43Yj@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 23:49:24 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

For those who may care, this week’s New Yorker magazine has an article about

the Brandon Teena murders, written by John Gregory Dunne, whose major claim to fame seems to be that he is the husband of Joan Didion. Certainly, he doesn’t have a clue. Those who read it might drop a line to the editor of New Yorker pointing that out to them.

— Dallas

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———————————————————————— NOTE: The AEGISNWS list is a one-way newsfeed. You may not post to it. Your comments and news items should be sent to <aegis@gender.org>. For listserv assistance, send the message HELP to <listserv@xconn.com>. ———————– Headers ——————————– From listserv@xconn.com Fri Jan 24 07:18:46 1997 Return-Path: listserv@xconn.com Received: from netcomsv.netcom.com (uucp13.netcom.com [163.179.3.13]) by emin34.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id HAA19834 for <thexgrrrl@aol.com>; Fri, 24 Jan 1997 07:18:44 -0500 Received: by netcomsv.netcom.com with UUCP (8.6.12/SMI-4.1) id EAA00217; Fri, 24 Jan 1997 04:05:43 -0800 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E73AQ; Fri 24 Jan 1997 03:46:28 From: aegisnws@xconn.com (List Server) Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: AEGIS-NEWS Digest Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997 03:46:26 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: thexgrrrl@aol.com Message-Id: <9701240346.E73AQ@xconn.com>

1997, 25 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Sat, 25 Jan 1997 03:41:19

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Fri 24 Jan 1997 17:07:12 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E24MM; Fri 24 Jan 1997 17:07:12 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Charlotte, NC Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997 17:07:12 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701241707.E24MM@xconn.com>

Original Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997 19:40:46 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

>From The Advocate, 4 February, 1997

Skirting the Issue

There’s a huge difference between guys in dresses and female impersonators, according to the major of Raleigh, NC. Even though the city has been busy trying to shut down a drag-queen show at a local bar, the mayor saw no conflict in attending a theatrical production of Cinderella in which men dressed like women to portray the evil stepsisters. After the performance Mayor Tom Fetzer told The Raleigh News & Observer (December 21, 1996) that he thought Cinderella was a “good production” and that there was no comparison to the drag show he opposes. Fetzer said the difference is that the play doesn’t generate “criminal activity or solicitation for sex acts against nature.”

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1997, 27 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 03:43:02

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Sun 26 Jan 1997 09:26:39 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E26xp; Sun 26 Jan 1997 09:26:39 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Super Bowl Spot Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 09:26:39 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701260926.E26xp@xconn.com>

Original Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 12:00:34 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Be on your toes for a TS superbowl spot. PBS was discussing it today:

“Lips– $3000. “Nose– $6000. “Breasts– $8000.”

“I never forget a face. You look familiar… my God! Bob! It’s Bob!”

— Dallas

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1997, 28 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 03:46:42

=============================================================================

AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

=============================================================================

>From listserv@xconn.com Mon 27 Jan 1997 21:27:37 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E24kx; Mon 27 Jan 1997 21:27:37 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Re: Bisexual & Transgender Activist Call For Unity Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 21:27:37 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701272127.E24kx@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 00:26:38 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Subj: Bisexual & Transgender Activist Call For Unity Date: 97-01-22 22:15:43 EST From: virago@slip.net (Stephanie Berger) To: virago@slip.net

Please cross-post and distribute widely.

************************************************************ PRESS RELEASE ************************************************************

BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ACTIVISTS CALL FOR UNITY AND INCLUSION AS NEW CLINTON TERM KICKS OFF:

GAY AND LESBIAN BALL TARGETED

Contact: Stephanie Berger Media contact for the ad- hoc National Coalition of Bisexual & Transgender Activists 510-601-1806, pager 415-698-3770 virago@slip.net

Washington DC, January 22, 1997

At this year’s Gay and Lesbian Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, The Victory Fund and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in the nation’s capital on Jan. 20th, there was more than just talk about which lesbian sported the smarted tux or which gay man boasted the most sequins.

Hot on everyone’s lips was the controversy ignited over inclusion of bisexual and transgender in the Gay and Lesbian Inaugural Ball. Bisexual and transgender activists had pushed the host organizations to include “Bisexual” and “Transgender” in the print ads and other promotions for the Ball as well as at the actual Ball. Following pressure from the activists the host organizations did include bisexual and transgender in a Washington Blade Ball ad.- “The national host campaigns have been very slow to recognize bisexual and transgender activism on behalf of the entire G/L/B/T community,” says long time bisexual activist Lani Ka’ahumanu.

Bisexual and transgender inclusion in the gay and lesbian movement has taken center spotlight in recent months. Out, Advocate Magazine and Newsweek have reported on the debate and activists have urged leaders in gay and lesbian organizations to be more inclusive. Most recently bisexual and transgender people have established a presence on Capital Hill, and in the larger gay and lesbian movement. For example, bisexual and transgender activists recently initiated an historic first meeting with a White House official to articulate the needs of bisexual and transgender people in federal policy; staged a mass visibility action at NGLTF’s 1996 “Creating Change Conference”, and GenderPAC and BiNet USA, two national activist organizations, recently conducted one of three planned lobbying days in the US Congress.

“Bisexual and transgender people share many of the same issues as Gay and Lesbian people,” says Yosenio V. Lewis, Vice President of FTM International. For example, says Lewis, the Radical Right targets all G/L/B/T people in its hate campaigns and initiatives. Bisexual and transgender people are denied jobs, housing, health care, visitation rights to their partners in case of hospitalization and lose custody of their children. The right’s to get married and to serve in the military are based on sexual orientation, gender and gender identity. “G/L/B/T people are discriminated against and are the targets of hate crimes due to the perceptions of gender or behavior based on gender roles imposed by society”, says Stephanie Berger, a National Coordinator of BiNet USA. “All G/L/B/T people,” continues Berger, “can be victims of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia regardless of their actual gender or sexual orientation.”

In a call for unity and for the visible inclusion of bisexual and transgender people, an Ad-hoc National Coalition of Bisexual and Transgender activists have created a Statement of Inclusion. This statement, signed by prominent leaders in the G/L/B/T movement, calls for inclusion of bisexual and transgender issues in all aspects of local, state and national agendas that address the civil and human rights of gay and lesbian people.

The Statement reads:

“We the undersigned local, regional and national leaders advocate the visible inclusion of Bisexual and Transgender people. In doing this, we recognize their valuable participation in the political process. Transgender and Bisexual people vote, donate money, run for office, get elected and serve the public. The 1996 election victory is a credit to all of our hard work and participation.

“Furthermore, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people have common issues and common enemies.

“The Right is not exclusive in their hateful campaigns. Transgender and Bisexual people are called out by name and targeted for attack. Bisexual and Transgender people are also not protected under federal law. We support the inclusion of Transgender and Bisexual issues in all aspects of local, state and national agendas that address the civil rights of Gay and Lesbian people.

“We take this opportunity to affirm our commitment to champion the rights of all people and to defeat those who would deny basic civil rights and human dignity to anyone on the basis of sexual and gender orientation and identity.”

To sign on to the Inclusion Statement or for a complete list of signatories please contact Stephanie Berger at virago@slip.net or 510-601-1806.

* Transgender includes transsexuals, cross-dressers, and intersexed people

Attachment: ( Partial list of signatures effective 1/22/97)

Julie Dorf, Executive Director, Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) Sally Miller Gearheart, Activist, Writer, Scholar David Scondras, former Boston City Councilor The Rev. Dr. Mel White, Minister of Justice and Reconciliation Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Martha Knutzen, Commissioner SF Human Rights Commission & Chair, LGBTAC Martin Ornelos-Quintero, Executive Director, National LLEGO Steve Lew, President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights Jon Huggett, President & CEO of PlanetOut Scott W. Walton, Executive Director, Digital Queers Karen Wickre, Co-Founder and Board Member, Digital Queers Miriam Ben-Shalom, US Army Veteran Cliff Arneson, President, New England Gay Lesbian Bisexual Veterans Dyanthe McDougal, Co-Chair TRIKONE, South Asian Lesbian and Gays Robert Bray,former NGLTF and HRC Communications Director Ann Northrop, Lesbian Activist/ Journalist Marj Plumb, Lesbian Health Activist Phyllis Martin and Del Martin, founders, Daughters of Bilitis Gay Men of African Descent Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) Bob Basker, Alexander Hamilton Post 448, American Legion Warren J. Blumenfeld, Editor Journal Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Identity Lesbians and Gays of African Descent for Democratic Action (LGADDA) Rev.Margot Campbell-Gross, Unitarian Universalist Church Don Romesberg, GLAAD Media Resource Mgr, San Francisco Lester Olmstead Rose, Executive Director, Community United Against Violence Terry Person, Associate Director, Community United Against Violence FTM International Bisexual Nework of the USA (BiNet USA) Cole Roland, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Democratic Club for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors Elias Farajaje-Jones, Bisexual Queer Theologian UMOJA Strategy Group, Black Queer Activists Maggi Rubenstein, Harvey Milk Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Democratic Club National LLEGO Hank Tavera, Co-Chair, LLEGO California Lavendar Youth Freedom and Empowerment (LYFE) Gary Dotterman, VietNam Vet, Human Rights Activist Margot Okazawa Rey, Professor San Francisco State Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) Stephanie Berger, National Coordinator, BiNet USA Alexei Guren, National Coordinator, BiNet USA Shadow Morton, Secretary, FTM International Marcus De Maria Arana, Editor, FTM International Newsletter Yoseno V. Lewis, Transgender Activist & Nat’l Consultant on Gender Issues LGBT Advisory Committee to SF Human Rights Commission – Lani Ka’ahumanu, William Bland, Rachel Timoner, Eddie Kaufman, Ted Guggeheim, Rachel Bernstein,Virginia Benavidez Cynthia G. Goldstein, Discrimination Representative SFHRC Dominque Leslie, SF G/L/B/T Pride Celebration Committee, Inc. Riki Anne Wilchens, GenderPAC Laura Perez, Board, LLEGO California Rick Hauptman, California Democratic Party Computer Caucus Tonye Barreto-Neto, T.O.P.S. Jessica Xavier, It’s Time, America! Gerard Palmieri, BiPOL SF Alison Laing, Exec. Dir. of IFGE Community United Against Violence GenderPAC Transgender Community Task Force San Francisco Phyllis Randolph Frye, Executive Director, International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, Inc, (ICTLEP) Gary Bowen, Coordinator-in-chief, The American Boyz Spencer Bergstedt, Treasurer, National Leather Association:International Mark Silver, Editor, Anything That Moves and Lavendar Caucus SEIU member Matt LeGrant, Bay Area Bisexual Network (BABN) Jennifer Haejin Kim, API-QXX Atlanta Loraine Hutchins, author, organizer Cheryl Chase, Hermaphrodites with Attitude Mary Boene, GLBT Activist Brian Cheu, Discrimination Representative San Francisco Human Rights Commission Larry Brinkin, San Francisco Human Rights Commission Interweave San Francisco, Unitarian Univeralist Church Luigi Ferrer, South Florida Bisexual Network Michael LeClerc, Dignity Boston Felicia Park-Rogers, Board, San Francisco LGBT Community Center Shelly Peronni, University of Vermont LGB Student Association Deborah Block-Schwenck, Boston Bisexual Women’s Network Wayne Bryant, founder Biversity Boston Linda Blair, President, Boston Bisexual Resource Center Joseph Fischer, Boston Pride Committee Laura Sachs, President of Board, Boston Pride Committee Judith Goldberger, Boston, GLB Speakers Bureau, Chr Religous Outreach Kate Griffin, Boston, GLB Speakers Bureau Warren Barnert, TV Host, “One in Ten” Buzz Harris, Board, Boston GLB Speakers Bureau All Our Families Coalition Deb Kolodny, National Coordinator and Lobbyist, BiNet USA Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center BiPOL San Francisco & Seattle Departure Point Magazine Bay Area Transgender Law Association (BATLAW) Silicon Valley Gender Association (SVGA) BiNet Washington

###

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1997, 29 January

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 03:48:01

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AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E71Mf; Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: WOCKNER/INT’L NEWS #141 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701281939.E71Mf@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 22:44:14 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

Reprinted with Permission

============================================= = INTERNATIONAL NEWS #141 – Jan 08, 1997 = = (c) Rex Wockner = =============================================

>> BUENOS AIRES POLICE IGNORE NEW LAWS

Last August, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gave itself a new set of statutes, which, among much else, banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and repealed the “police edicts” that allowed the authorities to detain citizens temporarily without giving a reason. But the now-non-existent edicts are still being used — with gays, transvestites and prostitutes still the favored targets, says correspondent Alejandra Sarda. “Unfortunately, the legal mechanisms that will replace them [the edicts] have not been implemented yet and the police are acting as if nothing ever happened,” Sarda said. On one recent Saturday night, 72 people were detained under the ex-edicts — “average for a Saturday night,” according to Sarda. But gay life is not all bad in Argentina. “Buenos Aires is becoming a city with a powerful gay/lesbian/transvestite/transsexual/bisexual life of its own,” Sarda noted. “Bars, discos, cultural spaces, libraries, bookstores, magazines are increasingly available to an ever- growing audience. Something similar is happening in Rosario in the province of Santa Fe, while small and brave groups start sprouting in other towns.”

Dallas Denny, M.A., Executive Director

Our website is http://www.ren.org/rafil/aegis.html Visit the AEGIS FTP Site: ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/users/aegis/ User ID: anonymous Password: (your email address)

If you’re on AOL, try the keyword AEGIS

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E75ix; Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Hawaii SB1800 – Anti-Gay Marriage Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701281939.E75ix@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 22:44:18 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

SENATE BILL NO. 1800

THE SENATE NINETEENTH LEGISLATURE, 1997 STATE OF HAWAI`I

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS OF RIGHTS BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISALTURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAI`I

1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds it necessary and

2 appropriate for the people of the State of Hawai`i to

3 constitutionally reserve the institution of marriage to a union

4 between one man and one woman. This action would

5 consitutitionally preservere the existing restriction in our

6 marriage laws. The legislature further finds that Hawai`i’s

7 existing marriage laws were intended to principally foster the

8 traditional family and should, therefore, be reserved for couples

9 of the opposite sex.

10 However, the legislature must also be cognizant of its

11 obligation to promote equality among all of Hawai`i’s citizens,

12 and therefore, the development of future laws regarding

13 governmental regulation of relationship status shall be designed

14 to foster permanent, committed relationships regardless of race,

15 religion, sex, or ancestry. Thus, the legislature cannot:

16 (1) Deprive any of our citizens of meaningful access to the

17 courts, thereby potentially violating due process and

18 separation of powers principles;

19 (2) Base it restrictions upon animus against any element

20 of our population; nor

PAGE 2 S.B. NO. 1800

1 (3) Diminsh societal preferences to foster permanent,

2 loving, committed relationships of mutual support.

3 The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to

4 Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Hawai`i that will

5 preserve traditional marriage while ensuring that others are not

6 deprived of civil rights on the basis of sex.

7 SECTION 2. Article IX of the Constitution of the State of

8 Hawai`i is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately

9 designated and to read as follows:

10 <begin underscore>”MARRIAGE

11 SECTION ___. The State shall have the power to regulate and

12 define the institution of marriage, including the reservation of

13 marriage to couples of the opposite sex; provided that this

14 reservation shall be effective only if the laws of the State

15 ensure that the application of this reservation does not deprive

16 any person of civil rights on the basis of sex.”<end underscore>

17 SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall

18 be as follows:

19 “Shall the State have the power to reserve marriage to

20 couples of the opposite sex; provided that doing so does not

21 deprive any person of civil rights on the basis of sex?”

22 SECTION 4. New constitutional material is underscored.

23 SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance

PAGE 3 S.B. NO. 1800

1 with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of

2 Hawai`i.

4 INTRODUCED BY: /s/ Avery B. Chumley /s/ Matt Matsunaga 1997-0895 SB SMA

Dallas Denny, M.A., Executive Director

Our website is http://www.ren.org/rafil/aegis.html Visit the AEGIS FTP Site: ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/users/aegis/ User ID: anonymous Password: (your email address)

If you’re on AOL, try the keyword AEGIS

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>From listserv@xconn.com Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E60gA; Tue 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: HAWAII, January 26 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 19:39:25 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701281939.E60gA@xconn.com>

Original Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 22:44:24 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

[ submitted by ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey) ]

DUELING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

This week the Hawaii House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment that empowers the Legislature to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples (HB 117). The House also passed a “reciprocal beneficiary” bill that gives less than 1% of the rights of marriage to couples who are denied marriage rights. Four specific rights of marriage are made available, provided the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters (Nov. 1998). These rights would be available to a variety of couples: a mother and a son, a father and a daughter, two siblings, as well as lesbian or gay couples. The four rights would be (1) Hospital visitation and the right to make medical decisions (2) Tenancy in the entirety (3) Certain rights of inheritance in probate court if a reciprocal beneficiary dies intestate (about 3% per year of reciprocity, sometimes 4%, to a maximum of 50%) (4) the right to sue for wrongful death

Senators Matt Matsunaga and Avery Chumbley have introduced SB 1800 to also allow the state to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples. SB 1800 would add the following language to Article IX of Hawaii’s Constitution: “The State shall have the power to regulate and define the institution of marriage, including the reservation of marriage to couples of the opposite sex; provided that this reservation shall be effective only if the laws of the State ensure that the application of this reservation does not deprive any person of civil rights on the basis of sex.”

Hearings have not yet been announced on SB 1800.

The key difference in the two CA’s: under the House version, civil rights exist at the whim of the legislature. Under the Senate version, equal rights under the law with no discrimination based on sex are kept in the Constitution.

Best Regards,

Tom Ramsey President, Friends of h.e.r.m.p Ex-Officio, h.e.r.m.p Steering Committee

HOW TO HELP?

1) Write Gov. Ben Cayetano, Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813 to describe how much money you plan to spend in Hawaii on your eventual wedding, or how much you’d like to visit a state that is supportive of all people. Be polite and courteous. Do not threaten anything.

2) Hawaii is many things, most of them unknown outside of the State. For example, the cost of living is very high here (like Alaska) and incomes are relatively low. MOST FAMILIES HAVE THREE OR FOUR JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. This means (a) they don’t have money to give to civil rights causes and (b) they don’t have time. ALL OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE HERMP STEERING COMMITTEE HAVE AT LEAST TWO JOBS, AND GIVE THEIR TIME TO HERMP ON TOP OF THAT. Please be generous to h.e.r.m.p: PO Box 11690, Honolulu, HI 96828

3) Hawaii is the most intense media-oriented market in the United States. Most people here relate to the political process through the media (which isn’t surprising, if you have two jobs and catch it all on the car radio on your ways to work). Recently, the faculty union of the University of Hawaii spent over $200,000 on a TV ad campaign to persuade the governor to complete negotiations on a contract that had expired over 18 months ago. The TV campain worked. THAT’S HOW BUSINESS IS DONE HERE. Please be generous to Friends of h.e.r.m.p, PO Box 11690, Honolulu, HI 96828. Friends of h.e.r.m.p is non-profit (501(c)4), not tax-deductible, and created to make a media presence for the truth about marriage rights.

Dallas Denny, M.A., Executive Director

Our website is http://www.ren.org/rafil/aegis.html Visit the AEGIS FTP Site: ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/users/aegis/ User ID: anonymous Password: (your email address)

If you’re on AOL, try the keyword AEGIS

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1997, January 31

Originally From: aegisnws-digest@xconn.com Original Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 03:45:03

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AEGIS-NEWS DIGEST

A service of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc.

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>From listserv@xconn.com Thu 30 Jan 1997 16:36:28 Received: from xconn by xconn.com with uucp id E47FQ; Thu 30 Jan 1997 16:36:28 From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org> Reply-to: aegisnws@xconn.com Subject: Des Moines article on M2F professor Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 16:36:28 X-Sender: UUPlus Listserver 2.01 for DOS To: anechoxc Message-Id: <9701301636.E47FQ@xconn.com>

Original Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 19:23:43 -0500 Originally From: Dallas Denny <aegis@gender.org>

<< Subj: FYI: Des Moines article on M2F professor Date: 97-01-29 01:41:48 EST From: ModMajor96 To: PRFrye

DES MOINES REGISTER, January 27, 1997 Box 957,Des Moines, Iowa 50304 (Fax 515-286-2511) (E-MAIL: letters@dmreg.com)

CONFIDENT AND CANDID, MCCLOSKEY RETURNS TO U OF I AFTER SEX CHANGE by Charles Bullard, Register Staff Writer

Iowa City, IA — Uncle Donald is now Aunt Deirdre. Donald McCloskey, 54, a University of Iowa professor of economics and history, left the school to teach for a year in the Netherlands and returned to Iowa City last week for the start of the spring semester as Deirdre McCloskey. McCloskey is still a highly regarded, Harvard-educated economist and historian, but she is now a female professor instead of a male professor. “I am now officially in every way you can name a woman,” McCloskey told her economic history class Tuesday. “That’s, of course, how I want to be treated.” McCloskey has been taking female hormones and living as a woman in the Netherlands since the fall of 1995 and underwent a sex-change operation in Australis last June. “I want you to treat me as you might treat your aunt,” McCloskey told her class. “Think of me as your Aunt Deirdre.” Over tea in her antique-filled Victorian home, McCloskey said her students will notice a marked change from Donald’s macho teaching methods. “They’ll observe a more womanly style. Instead of being Uncle Donald, I’ll be Aunt Deirdre.” The class of undergraduate and graduate students sat in silence as McCloskey talked about her transition. “Now, this will be embarrassing at first, but if we’re straightforward with each other, it doesn’t have to be,” she said. McCloskey said she defines herself as a professor of economics and history, not as a transsexual. But she said she could not change genders in secret, so she felt she needed to be forthright with her students. “I’m appealing to people’s best qualities,” McCloskey told her class. “I ask you to see a professor here, a female professor who is very anxious to instruct you. It seems to me that appealing to you directly like this is healthier than somehow leaving it to some sort of rumor mill.” McCloskey said she is not ashamed of what she’s done. “If there’s nothing shameful about being a woman, then there’s nothing shameful about becoming one.” McCloskey’s decision to become a woman after 30 years of marriage and two children was made public in November 1995, but McCloskey was on a sabbatical then and left soon afterward to teach for a year in Rotterdam. So Tuesday’s economic history class was the first exposure U of I students have had to Deirdre McCloskey. The students seemed to take the news in stride. And university officials also have accepted McCloskey’s transformation. “The position that the university is taking is this is an extraordinarily fine faculty member and we’re glad she’s back,” said Ann Rhodes, vice president for university relations. Said Gary Fethke, dean of the College of Business Administration: “The professor who’s returned to Iowa may look different from the one who left, but the essential characteristics are the same. An extremely intelligent, insightful person with a terrific sense of humor left and a person with those same characteristics has returned. From our perspective, that’s what counts.” McCloskey is encouraged by the support she’s received from U of I administrators and fellow faculty members, especially females. Lola Lopes, a professor and associate dean of business administration, said female faculty members accept McCloskey as one of their own but “it would be awkward to have to pretend that there hasn’t been a major change.” “We’re meeting someone who’s new and yet it’s someone that we’ve known for a long time,” said Lopes. “It’s like meeting someone that you have communicated with for a long time by e-mail or in letters and then you come to meet them face to face. They’re someone that you know and yet it’s a new face to you.” McCloskey spent tens of thousands of dollars of her own money to make that face look feminine. She endured hundreds of hours of electrolysis to get rid of Donald’s beard. She bought an expensive hairpiece to cover Donald’s bald spot. She had vocal cord surgery and speech therapy in a largely unsuccessful attempt to raise Donald’s voice. McCloskey said she hasn’t had any second thought. “I’ve not had a moment of doubt. I thank God I was born to be a woman. I thank God that in this great country I can be a woman for the rest of my life, that I can be who I want to be, who I am.” McCloskey said she encountered no problems in the Netherlands and doesn’t expect any in Iowa. “People in Iowa treat each other with respect. I love this state. It’s been kind to me. I’m as Iowan as a non-native can be.” McCloskey has been living as a woman only since Thanksgiving of 1995, but Donald already is fading from her memory. “I’ve started to forget what it’s like to be a man and have started to be puzzled by men, by how they act,” she said. McCloskey is working on a general-audience, non-academic book about her transformation, and publishers are expressing interest. She has been featured in Harper’s and the London Times. The New Yorker sent a writer to the Netherlands to interview her. McCloskey, who labored in relative anonymity as Donald, is bemused by her newfound fame as Deirdre. “I didn’t do this to become famous as a transsexual. I’m interested in becoming famous as an economist and historian.” But having been a man for 53 years places McCloskey in a unique position to illuminate the differences between the sexes. “It’s like being your own sister, your own twin sister,” she said. “I’m not ashamed of having been Donald and I’m not ashamed of that man. He was OK.”

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