http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/index/ en Transsexual Road Map Notes Copyright 2009 2009-11-02T20:17:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/what_motivates_ray_blanchards_oppression_of_sex_and_gender_minorities/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/what_motivates_ray_blanchards_oppression_of_sex_and_gender_minorities/#When:20:17:01Z Ray Blanchard at Toronto’s notorious Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has accused me of spreading “misinformation” about him, so let’s get all his biographical details out on the table in order to make my point more clearly. Blanchard is widely reviled by transsexual people. He once declared that a trans woman who has transitioned is merely “a man without a penis,” and said of trans men, “They get a kind of lump that in the best, most expensive, $100,000 cases, kind of, maybe, look like a penis from across a room.” His comments on trans people’s genitalia echo his fixation on “phallometrics,” the measurement of penile length, width, and tumescence when subjects are exposed to erotic stimuli. The field of “phallometrics” was developed by Blanchard’s mentor at CAMH to determine if army recruits were gay or not. Blanchard, who has not disclosed his own sexual orientation publicly, is considered an expert in determining the size and tumescence of male genitalia. Blanchard took umbrage at my publication of his 2008 taxpayer-funded salary and my comment that he and Zucker both left America for Canada during the Vietnam War. Why is Blanchard so touchy about military matters, and what personally motivates his life’s work? What drives this key figure in the oppression of sex and gender minorities? Since he feels entitled to ascribe labels and motivations to others, let’s turn the tables. Why is Ray so reticent about revealing his own sexual interests and behavior, when his career involves “catching” people not being open and honest about their sexual interests and behavior? This article examines Ray’s childhood, family life, sexuality, Catholic upbringing, and interest in penile tumescence. It also examines how CAMH became the world’s largest publicly-funded forced feminization sex dungeon and transgender reparative therapy clinic. Finally, it examines what Blanchard’s most important legacy will be: the broad expansion of “paraphilia” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to further oppress sex and gender minorities as mentally disordered. In this section: * Ray Blanchard motivations for oppressing sex and gender minorities http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/ray-blanchard-motivations.html * Toronto: epicenter of pathologization of sex and gender minorities http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/ray-blanchard-hypotheses.html * Ray Blanchard’s problematic place in history http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/ray-blanchard-history.html * Notes, updates, further reading http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/ray-blanchard-notes.html Information, Real World, Well-Being, Sexuality, Youth Issues 2009-11-02T20:17:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_disclosure_letter_for_conservative_workplace/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_disclosure_letter_for_conservative_workplace/#When:18:05:00Z A reader notes: I recently had That Talk with my HR person.  While I was putting together my coming out letter that I addressed to my HR person, I found very few examples of what I imagined would be an appropriate letter.  Of the few existing examples, I found them to be too personal or that they focused on details that I didn’t feel I needed to tell people. The letter that I did produce was very well received by management.  Please feel free to publish this anonymized version of my letter, as a resource for all the other trans folk that are looking for more reference material. Bill, I have recently come to terms with some personal issues that will affect the way in which I continue my work here at Initech.  After much consideration and with the support of both my doctor and family, I must disclose that I am transsexual.  That is to say that in every aspect of my personality I am a woman, and that having a male body causes me great distress in my day-to-day life.  I am currently in the process of transition, after which I intend to live as a woman for the rest of my life.  I will need the Initech to accommodate some of my basic needs during this period. I would like to work with the company in order to devise a process in which I can easily make this transition with minimal discomfort to myself or my coworkers.  I have included an information pamphlet produced by the Ontario Human Rights commission on the subject of gender identity, as well as a sample company policy for employees and managers regarding transition in the workplace published by the Chevron Corporation.  I can also provide additional resources upon request.  I would suggest that we agree on a date within the near future, at which point I will begin working with a female gender presentation.  In the time immediately preceding this date, the staff should be tactfully informed that I will be continuing my work here as a woman.  Following this, I should return to work in a female role with all the rights and responsibilities of any other female employee.  My personal preference would be to have the management organize a mandatory presentation by a speaker or consultant that specializes in explaining concepts of gender identity in a corporate environment. I know that the Initech values diversity and our unique sense of community.  These key aspects of our company have made this the most fantastic environment in which I have had the pleasure of working.  And I am fully confident that my coworkers will have no trouble accepting me for who I am. Sincerely, Meagan Further information: http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/jobtrans.html Real World 2009-10-30T18:05:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/visualizing_camhs_stranglehold_on_canadian_trans_health_services/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/visualizing_camhs_stranglehold_on_canadian_trans_health_services/#When:17:31:00Z Lynn Conway notes: This interactive map reveals that the Centre for Addiction and mental Health (CAMH) not only controls the fate of gender transitioners in Ontario, but in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland too.  It also reveals that CAMH requires a two-year RLE in all cases, in non-compliance with the WPATH Standards of Care. Sex reassignment surgery in Canada: what’s covered and where http://www.xtra.ca/public/Ottawa/Sex_reassignment_surgery_in_Canada_whats_covered_and_where-7706.aspx Province-by-province breakdown of SRS coverage http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/77/06/7706/7706-SRS/212_SRS.swf Information, Physical, Real World, Well-Being, Youth Issues 2009-10-30T17:31:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/new_irish_trans_documentary_identities/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/new_irish_trans_documentary_identities/#When:16:27:00Z Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting director and musician Vittoria Colonna and producer Rachel Lysaght, who were in LA for our Irish Film Festival. They have a new film out called ‘Identities.’ It profiles five trans people in Ireland, each representing an aspect of the trans experience. The stories themselves are given room to breathe, and each story has a relaxed pace that allows time to get to know each subject better than most transdocs. As the bar gets set higher and higher on the transdoc genre, we’re starting to see better production values and more innovative lensing. This film has beautifully shot color interstitials before each black-and-white interview, which gives the whole piece a performative tone. One of the central themes of each interview is the performativity of gender, and the whole film feels joined thematically despite the very different backgrounds and experiences of each trans person. The film has a great score which includes some singing by the director. Anyone considering a documentary should look at this as an example of where production quality needs to be these days to break through. http://www.filmireland.net/tag/identities/ Filmmaker’s site: http://www.colonnavittoria.com/ Information 2009-10-30T16:27:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/bodyshock_episode_on_transgender_youth/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/bodyshock_episode_on_transgender_youth/#When:00:18:00Z UK series ‘Bodyshock’ aired a somewhat sensationalized but generally respectful episode on transgender youth, featuring two families we’re working with at TransYouth Family Allies. Availability of this may be limited, as I believe it’s posted without permission. Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRfophkvNnk Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-8GxKLi6q8 Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNSI1t4HgLs Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk0eAO-hpPo Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtOpR75wKI Transitioning early in life: http://www.tsroadmap.com/early/earlyindex.html TransYouth Family Allies http://www.imatyfa.org Youth Issues 2009-10-26T00:18:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_physician_dana_beyer_kicks_off_state_office_run/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_physician_dana_beyer_kicks_off_state_office_run/#When:23:41:00Z Dana Beyer notes: With the inspiration of my friend and namesake from New Zealand, Georgina Beyer, and the encouragement of my friend and fellow NCTE board member Amanda Simpson, who ran for state office in 2004, I am poised to become the first openly trans American state legislator in 2010. I am here today only because of the struggle and sacrifice of those who came before me. I am profoundly aware of this. And I am asking you all to invest in me and sacrifice just a little bit more, because my electoral success will take us all to the next level of full American citizenship. I work for us all – trans, gay, racial and ethnic minorities, the disabled, anyone who is left out and vulnerable – but I am well aware that through this work all Americans become better off. More information on Dana’s campaign and how you can contribute $20.10 toward her 2010 victory see: http://www.danabeyer.com Real World 2009-10-25T23:41:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_people_in_trade_unions/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_people_in_trade_unions/#When:23:21:00Z Amanda Kelly sends along some encouraging information about how her union has handled transgender members. She notes: I was reading on your page that you have little knowledge of Trade unions, how they function & trans people within those organizations. A few years ago we I worked with other trans-involved union activists & we put forward changes to our national constitution to have Transgender people included in the language. Trans-activists from all over the country put in similar requests as we did in Toronto to change this language & it was unanimously voted in! This wonder occured in 2002. D-18 Rights of Transgender Workers The Union recognizes that transgender workers face discrimination in the workplace, society at large and the Union. The Union recognizes that all people, regardless of their gender identity and/or gender expression, have a right to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. The Union strongly opposes discrimination based on gender expression and/or gender identity. The Union will work with other union organizations and community organizations to protect, defend and expand the rights of transgender people. The Union will develop an internal union education program outlining the experiences and situation of transgender people. The Union will develop an internal union education program to challenge and counter transphobia. Ever since we’ve been fighting to get the language in our collective agreement (Contract). The union is CUPW - the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Bellow is a link to the document in PDF format. http://www.cupw.ca/multimedia/website/publication/English/PDF/2008/cupw_constitution_2008_en.pdf Hope this helps & puts a positive spin on Trade Unions for you. More employment information: http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/jobtrans.html Real World 2009-10-25T23:21:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/uk_commission_releases_detailed_report_on_trans_research/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/uk_commission_releases_detailed_report_on_trans_research/#When:23:14:00Z The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued the 27th in their Research Report Series on trans issues. This 100-page report is a detailed compilation of findings in various areas of law and health. They note in their conclusions: The following implications emerge from the review: - Work needs to be done with the Government to ensure that the needs of trans people are included in policies and legislation. - The Department of Health could undertake an investigation of the need for and feasibility of specific trans services in health and social care (including transition and non-transition-related healthcare). - The Department of Communities and Local Government could undertake an investigation of the need for and feasibility of specific trans services in housing provision. - All central Government departments could review their gender equality schemes to ensure that they have paid due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment of transsexual people. - A national online resource could be developed that brings together advice and information on a range of trans issues. - Anti-homophobic bullying strategies could address bullying related to gender-variant behaviour. - Employers need to respond to their legal obligations and implement good practice on trans. TRANS RESEARCH REVIEW Martin Mitchell Charlie Howarth Equality and Human Rights Commission 2009 First published Autumn 2009 ISBN 978 1 84206 160 2 You can download a copy of this report as a PDF from: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/researchreports Information, Real World 2009-10-25T23:14:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/hate_crimes_bill_passes_first_federal_protections_of_transgender_people/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/hate_crimes_bill_passes_first_federal_protections_of_transgender_people/#When:17:18:00Z National Center for Transgender Equality notes: In an historic move, the United States Senate, by a vote of 68 to 29, joined the House of Representatives in passing The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will be the first federal law to include gender identity and transgender people. Once signed by the President, this law will add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and will allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government. President Obama has indicated that he will sign the bill into law. “Transgender people have been waiting so many years for assistance from the federal government in addressing the rampant and disproportional violence that we face,” noted Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “Today we move one step closer to our goal of ending violence motivated by hatred.  Everyone in America deserves to live free of fear and of violence. We know that the dedicated leadership and hard work of Senator Kennedy and Representative Conyers and many other legislators made the passage of this bill possible. Words can’t really express our gratitude for their commitment to equality for all people.” In the past, federal law has only mentioned gender identity in a negative context, such as explicitly excluding transgender people from the Americans with Disabilities Act. The passage of the hate crimes bill marks a significant turning point from the days in which the federal government contributed to the oppression of transgender people to today when federal law takes action to protect our lives. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act will have a number of positive impacts. First, it will help educate law enforcement about the frequent hate violence against transgender people and the need to prevent and appropriately address it.  Second, it will help provide federal expertise and resources when it is needed to overcome a lack of resources or the willful inaction on the part of local and/or state law enforcement.  Third, it will help educate the public that violence against anyone is unacceptable and illegal. Transgender people continue to be disproportionately targeted for bias motivated violence. Thirteen states and Washington, DC have laws which include transgender people in state hate crimes laws. NCTE website http://www.nctequality.org/ Real World 2009-10-25T17:18:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/hud_plans_to_prohibit_gender_identity_discrimination/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/hud_plans_to_prohibit_gender_identity_discrimination/#When:17:14:00Z Transgender Law Center notes: The Transgender Law Center (TLC) applauds the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for announcing new plans to ensure that HUD’s housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  To date, HUD is the first federal agency to publicly propose guidelines that would explicitly address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD’s announcement represents an important victory in the struggle to end discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.  “This is a great day,” noted Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center. “Housing is such a basic need, yet we regularly hear from transgender people who experience housing discrimination and fear homelessness.” Indeed, TLC’s 2008 Transgender Economic Health survey of almost 650 transgender Californians revealed that housing protections and programs are critical for transgender people. Among survey respondents, 19% experienced housing discrimination and 21% have been homeless. Meanwhile, home ownership for transgender Californians is disproportionately low (20%) compared to the overall population in California (56%).  The new HUD regulations would require grantees and those who participate in the Department’s programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation or gender identity, such as California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act.  They would also clarify family status to ensure greater access to subsidized housing programs for transgender people and their families, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and will mandate that any FHA-insured mortgage loan be based on the credit-worthiness of a borrower and not on unrelated factors or characteristics such as sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, HUD plans to commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing, which will provide vital data for our community. HUD’s announcement http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2009/HUDNo.09-206 Transgender Law Center http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/ Real World 2009-10-25T17:14:00-08:00