Summer Issue #94 2001 12.00 $ NO-WINN SITUATION A MODEST PROPOSAL THE BUCK LAKOTA WINKTE STOPS AT THE VATICAN: TO FICTION ROME WITH POETRY SOULFORCE 94 > TRAVERSING ACROSS THE GENDERS 74470 74121 DRESSING FOR SUCCESS DAVID OSTAD, M.D. Park Avenue Plastic Surgery 1045 Park Avenue New York, NY 10028 244-2020, 494-8648 (212) (800) e-mail: [email protected] www.SEX-CHANGE.com Specializing in SRS and associated procedures Contouring of the Face, Nose, and Forehead Chest Surgery Tracheal Shaving Calf, Buttock, and Pectoral Implants Face, Neck, and Eyelifts Laser Hair Removal Liposuction Financing Available. Dr. Ostad has presented his techniques to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons . Results will vary from person to person. of your transition stagfe from female to male? If you are under treatment with a therapist for your gender transition and are psychologically ready to make the permanent life change from female to male, Chest Reconstruction is an important part of your decision. This surgery reconstructs the female chest, creating masculine contours. It can make you feel more at ease in your newly chosen gender and makes men's clothing easier to wear. Dr. Reardon has been performing cosmetic surgery for 27 years and transgender chest reconstruction for 22 years. From minimally invasive procedures, such as simple liposuction, to advanced surgical methods for the more extensive reconstruction of very large 38-40D+ breasts, he has the in- depth experience that allows him to hand tailor these techniques and technologies to correct your particular problems and to enhance your unique self image. All procedures are performed under local anesthesia with supplemental IV, sedation in our state-of-the-art ambulatory facility on an out-patient basis. If you are from out of town, we will assist you with accommodations. In the hands of a caring physician, who is sensitive to all gender transition issues, the result is a well-contoured, natural looking, masculine chest. Be the hest you can he. James Reardon, M.D. J. Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon 737 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10021 Telephone (212) 832-0770 Web: www.drjamesreardon.com/dysphoria TRANSGENDER TAPESTRY OUR ADVERTISERS TheJournal ofthe International Foundation forGender Education 3-D Communications 62 FOUNDER Alonge DeNicola, Maria CPE 77 MerissaSherrillLynn Anderer, Suzanne CPE 77 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Becker, Christine LICSW 75 DallasDenny Best Value Products C3 ASSOCIATE EDITOR DonnaCartwright BodhiTree House (Kindred Spirits) 15 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Ellaborn, Diane LICSW 77 kariedwards Fantasia Fair 83 MiqqiAliciaGilbert,Ph.D. MonicaHelms Florence’s Fashions 10 AndrewMatzner Glamour Boutique 67 ART DIRECTOR LarissaGlasser Network for Battered Lesbians and Women PHOTOGRAPHY Bisexual 83 MariettePathvAllen Nubel, Dr. A.S 20 CONTRIBUTORS Ostad, David M.D C2 CarolynCampbell DebraA.Johnson The Phoenix Project 67 JohnChinworth-Percy MatthewKailey DiannaCicotello RachelKronick Reardon, Dr. James 01 KennethDollarhide StarMaris kariedwards SonoMontoyama Rikki Swin Institute (R.S.I.) C4 VirginiaErhardt JudyOsborne St. Louis Center of Electrology 75 JaneEllenFairfax Keith Rogers MiqqiAliciaGilbert ZantuiRose Take a Walk on the Wildside 12 MichaelGray JeanMarieStine TG Cosmetics (tgcosmetics.com) 62 Lisa Hartley LiAnneTaft Monica Helms The Transgender Fund 13 SUBSCRIPTIONS University of Michigan Health System ....83 JoanHoff The WayOut Club 15 PUBLISHER The WayOut Publishing Co., Ltd 13 TheInternational FoundationforGenderEducation(IFGE) XLent Jewelry 68 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IFGE Nancy Cain J. PLEASE NOTE: IFGE does not endorse the DIRECTOR OF SALES and INFORMATION SERVICES, IFGE DeniseLeclair claims, products, or services of any advertiser. CAVEAT EMPTOR! DIRECTOR OFOPERATIONS, IFGE SaraJ. Herwig To advertise in future issues please CIRCULATION contact us at 781-899-2212 DEYCO or e-mail to [email protected] Transgender Tapestry (ISSN 0884-9749) Subscription and Subscriber Services: is published by the To order Transgender Tapestry, make payments I.F.G.E., P.O. Box 540229, Waltham MA, 02454-0229 or purchase back issues, contact IFGE Phone: (781) 899-2212 / FAX: (781) 899-5703 E-mail: [email protected] e-mail <[email protected]>, call (781) 899-2212, MA or write P.O. Box 540229, Waltham, 02454-0229. Thecontentsanddesignofthismagazineare©2000bythe Mastercard and Visa accepted. InternationalFoundationforGenderEducationandtheauthors.All rightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedby.any commercialindividualorservicewithoutpermissionofthe International FoundationforGenderEducationortheauthors. Theeditorialcontentofthismagazineistheresponsibilityoftheeditor . andmayormaynotreflecttheopinionof theInternationalFoundationforGenderEducation MemberCOSMEP 2 • Transgender Tapestry #94 — THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION inggrantstotransgenderstudents,TSELF and vitality of the transgender commu- FOR GENDER EDUCATION recognizes these students’ past achieve- nities. TSELF invests in our future by Waltham, MA mentsandprovidesmuchneededsupport awarding scholarships to students with for their future pursuits. Through these leadership potential, and the desire to The Transgender Scholarship and awards, we forge links between profes- help build our community’s health, Education Legacy Fund sionalsandemergingleaders. Indoingso, educationandculture.TSELFisbuilding Wednesday, December20, 2000 TSELF helps to facilitate the growth and an endowment to ensure permanent advancement of not only these individu- financial support for transgender — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE als but of our communities as well. students. TSELF promotes philanthropy CONTACT:JulieJohnson,Chairperson TSELF is committed to the concept that among transgender identified people IFGE <[email protected]> trans-peopleshouldbeencouragedtohelp and demonstrates the growingpower of Carrie Davis, Project Director other trans-people. In the simplest terms, transgendergiving. <[email protected]> transpeoplehelpingourSELVES TSELF! The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), founded in WEBSITE: <http://wvnv.tself.org> VISIBILITY 1987, is a leading advocate and educa- tional organization for promoting the NewTransgenderScholarshipFundAnrtounced A special component of TSELF is self-definition and free expression of for Transgender Identified Students in the the aspect of visibility. All awardees individual genderidentity. IFGEisnota HelpingandCaringProfessionsIncluding:Social must be “Out and Proud," not only as support group; it is an information Services, Health Care, Religious Instruction, members of the trans-communities, but provider and clearinghouse for referrals Teaching,andtheLaw. alsowithin theeducational systems and about all things which are transgressive professions for which they are seeking ofestablishedsocialgendernorms.IFGE The International Foundation forGender scholarship assistance. The Transgender maintains the most complete bookstore Education (IFGE) announces it will be Scholarshipand EducationLegacyFund on the subject of transgenderism avail- awarding numerous scholarships to is seeking trans-individuals living full- able anywhere. It also publishes the transgender-identified students in the time in a gender or sex role that differs leading magazine providing reasoned helping and caring professions through from the one assigned to them at birth discussion of issues of gender expres- its collaborative Transgender Scholar- who wish to serve as role models for sion and identity, including crossdress- ship and Education Legacy Fund other transgender identified people. As ing, transsexualism, FTM and MTF (TSELF) in the United States and out trans-people in the helping and issues spanning health, family, medical, Canada. Each scholarship will provide caringprofessions,thesespecialindivid- legal, workplace issues and more. IFGE supplemental funding for post- uals will be challenging many of the values: secondary students who have a demon- societal prejudices that trans-folk strated ability in and commitment to encounter within educational and • individual uniqueness and affecting change in the transgender professional institutions. dignity; communitiesthroughtheircommitment • personalwholeness; to working and being educated in the DEADLINE • respectforhuman diversity; helping and caring professions. These • freedom from society’s include, but are not limited to. Social Awards will be processed and arbitrarilyassigned gender Services, Health Care, Religious announced twice yearly. Applications definitions; Instruction (all denominations). Teach- for theFallAwardsmustbepostmarked • respect, acceptance, ing and the Law. We seek to reflect a by August 1st. Scholarship awards will enforcement, and protection broadrangeofinterests,includingsocial be made at the IFGE conference in ofgender-related Human services, HIV/AIDS education, law, March, and the Southern Comfort and Civil Rights forall. teaching & education, religious instruc- Conference (date varies, but late tion (all denominations), medical and September/early October). Supporting Scholarship applications areavailable healthcare, aswell asthe sciences. materialsshouldarrivewithinoneweek online at: Todayawholegenerationofoutand of each deadline. Applicants will be <http://www.tself.org> proud transpeople have the power to notified oftheiraward status duringthe create dramatic change in the world. We monthdirectlyfollowingtheapplication TSELFcanbereached at: wanttohonorthatpowerwiththesupport deadline. Applications are available International Foundation forGender that education focused scholarships can online at: <http://www.tself.org> Education (IFGE) provide.It’simportanttoacknowledgethe TSELFAwardsCommittee achievements of our communities. Some BACKGROUND P.O. Box540229 MA of the most powerful forces for the trans- Waltham, 02454-0229 gendercommunitiesaretransgender-iden- The Transgender Scholarship and Telephone: (781) 899-2212 tified individuals being nurtured and EducationLegacyFund (TSELF) isdedi- Website: <http://www.tself.org> supported bythis community. By provid- catedtoenhancingthevisibility,strength TSELF e-mail: <[email protected]> EDITORIAL 18 • No-Winn Situation by Jane Ellen Fairfax 19 • The Clown Among Us by Dianna Cicotello COLUMNS Monica Helms 1 1 • 14 £ Micfqi Alicia Gilbert 76 • Li Anne Taft A Mtfdest Proposal by Lisa M. Hartley Dressing for Success by Sono Montoyama Trans Sexuality by Zantui Rose t Flaming by Jean Marie Stine Doing the Next Right Thing . by Keith Rogers 69 • Lak'ota Winkte f by Kenneth Dollarhide^^ Traversing Across the*Gender^^ by Carolyn Campbell Transgender in Taiwan by Rachel Kronick COMMUNITY 21 • Professional Listings 29 Announcements • Directory of Organizations Guidelines for Contributors DISCUSSION THE JOURNAL Concluding Responses to Autogynephelia SPECIAL PHOTO FEATURE The Buck Stops at the Vatican o Romgi^with Soulforce by Judy Osborne FICTION 78 • Trdth and Matthew Kailey POETRY j>t a Fucking Dtag _Qu«" Star Maris 1 tty ndej (de)Construction y Michael Gray mmworth-Percy BOOKSTORE 84 'Synchr^frtcity Bookstore Catalog • photograph of Tony Barreto:.Neto by Mariette Pathy Allen cover photographist Moonhawk River Stone by Nicholas Petrocci for Thp'Picture Place, Crossgates Mall, Albany, NY, copyright 20.00. LETTERS I would like to thank you for printing my photo in your magazine. I was surprised, to say the least. I hoped the photographs taken that day would be print- ed inside; I didn't expect the cover. Wow! Ithas put me in thespotlightwith friendsand co-dragpeopleI know. Also, I would like to ask if I could look you up the next time I am in Waltham. Your cover girl calls Waltham her home town, too. Dovima The IFGE office in beautifuldowntown Waltham is openfive daysa weekand we—lcomes visitors. Youreditortelecommutes from Atlanta, GA Ed. I'm writing to express my thoughts concerning the article "Only A Crossdresser'' by Miqqi Gilbert. I’ve L ast Fall I had the good fortune of dining in the company been a member ofTri-Ess for eight years and a member MichoefllDer.KaSmamnedrrear,CoSlhe,annPaoinslMeiyntCeurr,raJhan,isJaWmailswoonrthG,reeLni,z of the Charlotte, NC Kappa Beta chapter for seven. Seaton, and someonefrom the Human RightsCampaignwho During this time I've been in contact with hundreds of csliaakttechat,tobtthuhetanowkthhhoeirmpeiancndkdedoHfuRtpChetvhteearbyelnemtiuarcnehdt.awb,hofsorewnhaimceh II wdoidunl'dt cdrroessssdirnegssiesrssu.es,I afneedlIImhuasvteshsaormeemyextpheoruiegnhctes wiintchroysosu- It was one of those leisurely affairs at which there are and your readers. myriad conversations, but one in particular gave me pause: As corresponding secretary for Kappa Beta, I have Jamison spoke about the importance of defining others in helped many sisters out of their closets. Many contact- ortehleartsi.onItttooooukrsmeelvbeas,ckratthhreorugthhatnhedyeefairnsi.ng us in relation to ed Kappa believing they were crossdressers, but later In 1992, at the for-postop-MTF’s-only Second New realized they were transsexual. It is well-known Woman Conference, in the company of, among others, Anne throughout the gender community that Tri-Ess chap- Ogbom, Sister Mary Elizabeth, Merissa Sherill Lynn, Rena ters do not support transsexuals at their meetings, and SawnidftAhnagwekl,a WReancshleely,Powlelacekn,gaJagneids iWnaclownosritdhe,rabWleenddiiscKuasissieorn, usually the members who realize they are transsexual ofterminology. Although I assigned noparticularimport to it will leave the chapter and move on to more supporting when I opened my mouth, it has been said in print, I believe groups. bnoyntRraacnhsesleoxruamlatyobreefAernnteo,thtohsaetwIhsuoggarees,tweedllw,enoutsetrtahnessteexrum- the hIebaedlicevoencMeirqnqiin’gstahretiwclaeyvetrhye nteraarnlsygehnitdetrhecnoamilmuo-n al. Thinkabout the term: nontranssexual. It sayseverything, nity has dealt with the crossdressing community. We doesn't it? There are transsexuals, and then there are those are like annoying little sisters who want to play with who aren’t transsexual. The center, the norm, is the transsex- you and your friends but lack the sophistication and cuarlo,ssadnrdesesveerrsyoannedelsneonis-cnrootsstrdarnesssseexrusa,l.tIrtawnosrgkensdfeorrisaltlsofaunsd: maturity necessary to get along. I feel we are all trans- non-transgenderists, lesbians and non-lesbians, intersex and sexual to some extent. Some of us only crossdress, non-intersexed. others go on to live full-time, and still others go on to In this community, we have historically defined ourselves in relation to others. Terms like GG abound. have SRS. Genetic girl. What, we transfolk have no chromosomes? Many in the transgender community don’t agree We're not genetic? New other-centered terms are constantly with Tri-Ess policies concerning crossdressers only. arising; a recent issue of the women's magazine Sojourner Personally I don’t agree with the policy either, but I gave “factory direct" as a term for nontrans people. Even our most commonly used labels, like crossdresser and transsexu- believe people should have a right to meet and social- al, imply that we wear the clothing of the other sex or cross ize with people like themselves. Some ofthose I helped the sexes, while “normal” people of course don’t to those out of the closet have gone on to have SRS. They might thingWs.hen the center changes, those on the periphery of the never have come out if there had not been a Tri-Ess new center become the suspect ones. I’ve heard transpeople chapter around to help them overcome their fears. I speaking derisively about “nons" in the same way Georgia believe Tri-Ess helps more than it hurts the community. bubbas talk about queers and yankees. It’s certainly not I look forward to more articles written by Ms. aispparospirginatethtaotpwoek’evfeunbaetgoutnhertso,bduetfitnheeuostheeorfsthienwtoerrdmsnoonf Gilbert, and 1 think you are doing a wonderful job yourself. ourselves. Sherri Lynn Carmichael 6 • Transgender Tapestry#94 Thanksfor the kind words, Sherri. TheBiblestartedwiththestories Please allow me to add my two Miqqi'sarticlewassupposed tobecalled passed on by word ofmouth. It was cents to the ongoing discussion over “Just a Crossdresser.” Your editor’s written and formulated for nomadic Deuteronomy 22:5. Sadly, this nimblefingers slipped on the keyboard. tribes thousands of years ago. It has passage, perhaps more than any I’ve been critical of Tri-Ess in the been translated through several other, has been used by members of — past, but only of its policies never of tongues, eventually reaching Eng- various fundamentalist sects tobash its mission.—It’s an essential part ofthe lish in the King James version, us over the head. community Ed. prepared in the reign of Elizabeth I. I would like to expand, if I may, The quotes given are from a more on Mr. McGee’s comment. Indeed, Further to Deuteronomy 22:5 modem version—yet more transla- the Apostle Paul, in his Letter to the tion, yet more interpretation. Galatians, was stating that fact that I read with interest Darlene The Bible is still a good book; it we are no longer under the law Webster’s article about the above gives basic law by which we are because of our faith in Jesus Christ: oft-quoted (to us crossdressers) enabled to live together. But much verse from the Bible, and wonder if has changed since it was written, a “Before this faith came, we were those who are so keen on quoting it lotofdiscoveries made. Maybe there held prisoners by the law, locked up take quite literally other verses from has even been some progress! I do until faith should be revealed. So the the same book. not regard myself as an atheist, but law was put in charge to lead us to believe the Bible is but one of sever- Christ, that we might bejustified by Iftheirsonwerestubbornand rebellious, al extremely valuable books. The faith. Now that faith has come, we are wouldtheytakehimoutsidethecitywallsand major religious works (all faiths) no longer underthe supervision of the stonehimtodeath?(Deut. 21:21) give us basic sets of rules by which law. You are all sons of God through we are able to live in communities. I faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who If theirdaughterwerefound notbea have a healthy respect for religion; it were baptized into Christ have clothed virgin,wouldtheytakeheroutsidethe house is the interpreters I mistrust. yourselves with Christ. There is no and stonehertodeath? (Deut. 22:21) One tenet common to most reli- longer Jew or Greek, there is no gions can be summed up as "Do as longer slave orfree, there is no longer If theyfound a couple committing adul- you would be done by." This prima- male or female; for all of you are one — tery, should both receive sentence of ry rule tolerance ofthe fact thatwe in Christ Jesus.” — death? (Deut. 22:22) are not all alike allows us to live (Gal. 3: 23-28, NIV). together. This means we should also If theirdaughterwere raped, and the be tolerant of those who object to Itisimportantto rememberwho rapist presented herfatherwith fifty our “hobby” (for want of a better is speaking. Paul was a Pharisee as shekels of silverand offered to marry her, word) or thosewho mightbeembar- well as the son of a Pharisee, and would theyjustagreetothe proposal? rassed by it. If they have no right to was busy persecuting Christians (Deut. 22:29) convert us to their way of thinking, when Jesus appeared to him, asking neitherdowehave therightto try to what the heck he thought he was If a man is seriously injured “in the convert them. All we should ask is doing. Paul ultimately took on the stones” orhis “privy member," dothey tolerance, not full acceptance. mission of establishing the Church believe he should suffereternal damna- On an entirely different subject, in the Gentile territories away from tion? (Deut. 23:1) Iam a memberofMENSA, and have Jerusalem. Thesectionfromtheepis- recently started a Transgender tle above was a response to ques- Dotheybelievesomeone bornoutof Special Interest Group in the UK. If tions from the church in Galatia. It wedlockshould bedamned,and notonly any readers are members of seemed that certain Jewish teachers them, butthenexttengenerationsshould MENSA, I would be delighted to who professed to be Christians alsobedamned? (Deut. 23:2) hearfrom them. Weareaminorityof acknowledged Jesus as Messiah, but a minority, and the SIG needs overlaid their teaching with the idea If you are religious, please do support and more members. We’d that the simplicity of the Gospel of not take offense at these examples. I be pleased to greet—any other Free Grace in Christ must be added do not mock the Bible or religion; I MENSA transpeople or anyone to obedience of the Mosaic law. The merelymakethepointthatifyouare who is a MENSAmember. letter was Paul’s way of correcting going to take one verse completely and clarifying this point. literally, you have to take the lot. Christine-Jane Wilson There are certainly some very With the best will in the world, you 22 Hillside, Hay Lane valuable lessons in the Old Testa- cannot do so. Kingsbury, London NW9 ONE, UK ment, lessons that when properly Transgender Tapestry#94 • 7 understood can aid us in our daily dards for the community. I just want- Recently the San Jose Mercury lives. What is all-too-easily forgotten ed to write you and tell you you are News published an article by Nicole in all of this is the New Covenant doing an outstanding job and I think C. Wong, which described a comput- established by God through Jesus the magazine will be helpful to those er program for detecting institution- Christ. Jesus asked us to follow the in the transgender community, as alized gender inequality. The article ten commandments and to look well as to researchers like me. points out the importance of over- toward the future to a time when he If I might make one suggestion, coming the different ways people are would return for us, his followers. thesex nethasbeen full ofarguments treated based on gender. I think This covenant is a line in the sand, a over the use of transgender as a gettingthistypeofinformationspread — fresh start for all who believe in Him term one Virginia Prince made up aboutwill help our community. to go forward and not dwell in the in the 1970s. The argument is that it past. does not cover transsexuals, yet Kelly Stevens I am ordained as Reverend Sarah Tapestry has readers from both sides Carpenter. I celebrate a worship oftheaisle. Itmight make an interest- The Littleton decision is so gross- service and distribute communion as ing feature story, and I would find it ly flawed it is an outrage of legal such. I'm not ashamed, embarrassed, helpful. Keep up the good work. bigotry like the Dred Scott decision. or uncomfortable with this; this is Is a person’s gender fixed by our simply who I am. I'm not trying to Vem L. Bullough, Ph.D. creator at birth? It is a clear violation fool anyone, because, you see, there of separation of church and state are no secrets from God. Dr. Bullough is the author ofmany books when Justice Phil Hardberger I amavailable fordiscussionwith on human sexuality, including (with invades the court with blatantly reli- anyone who would like to explore Bonnie Bullough and James Elias) gious opinions the likes of which we this or any other points. Gender Blending (Prometheus Press, have not seen since the Scopes 1997)and(with BonnieBullough) Cross- Monkey Trial! Rev. Sarah Carpenter dressing, Sex, and Gender—(University The notion of black-and-white 150 Dorset St., PMB-348 ofPennsylvania Press, 1993) Ed. gender as in the birth certificate is South Burlington, VT 05403-6256 biological and chromosomal non- I wanted to write and send a sense! Consult the most learned and I have had inquiries from happy update on my job status. In experienced physicians in the matter Canada, Australia, South America, mid-September I began working full- ofbirth gender and challenge the law England, and the United States by time for a not-for-profit in Minnea- with biological facts and you will crossdressers who have asked for polis, doing billing and grant have to trash all legal documents that M help or contact information. When proposal writing. I love the work and straitjacket gender tojust or F! M appropriate, I have directed them to the work environment. Everybody is The or F gender legal limita- one of our Tri-Ess support groups, very accepting. I am finally among tion is left over from a time when the but in many cases we don't have people for whom gender is a total religions wrote the law. That was in chapters in their area. Without your non-issue. the day when the world was flat and Directory of Organizations, would witches, Joan of Arc, and heretics I havebeenbadly hampered in provid- Lisa Renee Ragsdale were burned at the stake. The world ing local contacts for these people. is flat and there is only male and I’m proud to be a member of female. Right! Ask the Honorable IFGE. I read every issue of Tapestry I keep looking forward to each Phil Hardberger for directions to from cover to cover. I'm especially issue with a great deal of anticipa- Santa Clause’s house and Oz. I’m partial to Miqqi Gilbert’s columns, tion. I usually disappear for a couple sure he’ll know the way! for we know each other through the of nights from the family after each What they do not understand Xpressions group. issue arrives to read the whole thing they fear. What they fear they attack completely at least once. I’m not sure and destroy. They fear transsexuals Gigi Trew (FL4870-S) I like the new format, but I can’t because we are different. Host of Tri-Ess International argue with the larger type, since it Crossdressers Support Board makes reading without my glasses Michelle A. Petri easier. The letters to the editor stood The new Transgender Tapestry out as a separate section better than under your editorship sets new stan- when they were in smaller type. 8 • Transgender Tapestry #94