http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/index/ en Transsexual Road Map Notes Copyright 2010 2010-03-12T18:48:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/controversy_continues_over_apa_and_gender_variance/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/controversy_continues_over_apa_and_gender_variance/#When:18:48:01Z The battle is heating up over how gender variance will be handled in the American Psychiatric Association’s update of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Allen Frances, the previous DSM-IV general editor, listed two of transyouth reparative therapist Ken Zucker’s proposed changes as the worst ideas from the DSM-V drafts. http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1522341?CID=rss&verify=0 That led to Zucker sending out a super-snippy retort. http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/dsm-v/content/article/10168/1526647 Dr. Renee Baker has written an excellent overview of the controversy in the Dallas Voice: Mental illness can carry a heavy stigma. It can destroy families, end careers, cause health care to be turned down and even the most basic of human rights to be denied. Just look at homosexuality as an example: It was once labeled a mental disorder, and the liberation of LGB people today continues to depend upon them having a clean bill of mental health. But that same clean bill is routinely denied to freely expressing gender-variant people — from toddlers to adults — regardless of transgender identity. And though the liberating road ahead is anything but clear, many voices are speaking out amidst a firestorm of controversy, and they’re speaking to the American Psychiatric Association. http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_12594.php Real World, Well-Being, Youth Issues 2010-03-12T18:48:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/canadian_minor_skips_gender_clinics_gets_post_office_box_for_hormones/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/canadian_minor_skips_gender_clinics_gets_post_office_box_for_hormones/#When:18:34:01Z My page on obtaining transsexual hormones as a minor is written primarily for a US audience, but the same information can be used in Canada with a little planning and assertiveness. I just can’t tell my mom. She sometimes seems to be on a emotional precipice, and I fear me telling her I’m someone completely different would be far too much for her. She still cries at times over the loss of her father, two years later. I live in Canada (Montreal) and just called my local Canada Post office with regards to post office boxes… I intend to order hormones and anti-androgens from 1drugstore online. But I was greeted by a very French man at the desk saying they do not rent post office boxes to minors, only to those over 18. Eeek! What do I do next! And Canada Post is very vague on their website; I can’t seem to find a form like the one you supply on your website. It’s very frustrating, I have a cell phone, all the ID, and a very generous sum willed to me by my grandparents. But without the box, I’m stuck… and unfortunately (fortunately) I absolutely would not pass for 18, even with a fake ID. People have repeatedly informed me I look about 14 (I do look a bit feminine, partly because of my longish hair). However, I can produce two distinct voices: one I never use and hate with a passion, my guy voice, and my normal talking voice, which is rather androgynous. I really can’t afford to wait any longer, I just hit 5’6” and my facial hair, although concealable as of now, is just starting to darken over my lip. I should have started a year and a half ago when my voice started dropping and shoulders got a bit wider, but you can’t change the past. So if I can’t really bypass the Canada Post rules, what can I do? Is it possible a different outlet would have a different policy? My reply: You might consider a private mailbox service at UPS, FedEx or other non-chain option (look online in your area). They might be able to assist you. About a week later, I got this response: I just thought I would let you know- today I was successful in obtaining a post office box! :D Perhaps you may want to add on your “obtaining a post office box for minors” page, unfortunately, Canada is quite uptight about renting them to minors. I called Canada Post customer service, and after being put on hold three times in 20 minutes, the guy on the other end found (from his manager) that they have a country-wide policy to not rent PO boxes to minors. I was going to try UPS next, but I had a feeling to try the other Canada Post nearby. I put aside my actual me to seem older, using a more male voice, and that probably helped. I had all my ID, cash, bank card, and confidence, and once he handed me a form I thought it would be easy- then he asked me for ID. He looked at the birthdate on my Medicare, asked me my age, and then told me he couldn’t rent PO boxes to minors. But being so close I had no intention of giving up. I said there was nothing on their site that indicated that. From your suggestions on your site I said it was for a business, though when he still seemed unconvinced, I dragged out my balance book from my bank. I motioned to the several-figure number in the latest entry, and implied my business had generated that revenue (I’ve never been a spender by any means). He believed me and gave in. Then I paid, thanked him, tested the key, and left. I could barely contain myself… Thanks so much Andrea for all your suggestions, and you were right, it went very smoothly having different types of ID (bank book in my name). Further reading: http://www.tsroadmap.com/early/transsexual-hormones.html Real World, Youth Issues 2010-03-12T18:34:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/dr_oz_y_ninos_trangeneros_con_subtitulos_en_espanol/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/dr_oz_y_ninos_trangeneros_con_subtitulos_en_espanol/#When:18:29:00Z TYFA’s Kim Pearson notes: Dr. Oz Transgender Kids clip with the collaboration of Dr. Robert Garofalo and subtitled in Spanish by Abril Torres http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimeU0_zenw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F3GNSMIHQg Further reading: TransYouth Family Allies http://www.imatyfa.org/ Youth Issues 2010-03-12T18:29:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_fringe_flare_ups_purplegirl_and_cloudy_sillyolme/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_fringe_flare_ups_purplegirl_and_cloudy_sillyolme/#When:21:15:00Z Article by Andrea James Political progress in the mainstream trans community has occasional distracting flare-ups involving bizarre fringe groups. They often try to criticize the community or assert their authenticity as True Transsexuals™ while remaining anonymous. When their veil of anonymity is lifted, they are invariably shown to have been brainwashed in some manner. It’s always due to belief in some cult-like ideology about how they are different from or better than other trans people. I have also discussed wannabe movements previously: wannabe disabled, wannabe intersex, wannabe autistic, wannabe transsexual, etc. After a lull, the fringe groups have recently become active again. I have just published a new piece on major participants from two especially bizarre fringe movements: the “Harry Benjamin syndrome” movement and the transkids.us hoax. PurpleGirl, aka Courtney Michelle Holder, who self-identifies as black and having “Harry Benjamin Syndrome.” Cloudy, aka Sillyolme, aka Candice Brown Elliott, who self-identifies as a “homosexual transsexual.” Both have been causing a lot of problems online under assumed names. Now that the transkids.us hoax site has gone back online after being gone for about a year, I felt it was time to publish this information and analysis. More than ever, we need to ignore the divisiveness caused by these pitiable anonymous critics. They lack the courage of their convictions and cause a lot of long-term damage and distraction. If anyone refuses to be open and honest about their identities, don’t waste your time listening to them and responding to them, whether you agree with them or not. They will invariably turn out to be exaggerating or lying when making fallacious arguments from authority based on their self-described transitions. Don’t believe those who are too cowardly to identify themselves. They are probably giving you misinformation or just getting off on causing trouble, as we have seen time and time again. Among future people I’ll profile: a bizarre scientist wannabe who is African-American (for real, not a race wannabe like PurpleGirl), as well as a “furry” (an interspecies wannabe) also involved in the “transkids” hoax. The first one did time for a serious crime. Stay tuned for more on delusional kooks and high weirdness from the fringes of the trans movement. Full article: Transgender fringe flare-ups: “PurpleGirl” and “Cloudy”/”Sillyolme” http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/transkids/cloudy-purplegirl.html Real World 2010-03-04T21:15:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_health_handbook_for_transwomen_in_asia/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transgender_health_handbook_for_transwomen_in_asia/#When:22:47:00Z Sam Winter notes: The Transgender Health Handbook. A health resource (currently in English) for transwomen in Asia. Produced in 2010 by APNSW (Asia-Pacific Network of Sex Workers) with funding from amFAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research). Superbly comprehensive advice for transwomen in plain English. Please visit it at our TransgenderASIA website: http://web.hku.hk/~sjwinter/TransgenderASIA/index.htm The Transgender Health Handbook (PDF) http://web.hku.hk/~sjwinter/TransgenderASIA/apnswtghandbook.pdf Information 2010-02-27T22:47:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transsexual_road_map_german_translation_wegweiser_fuer_transsexuelle/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/transsexual_road_map_german_translation_wegweiser_fuer_transsexuelle/#When:21:33:00Z Reader Sandra has begun a project to translate this site into German. She notes: Schönen guten Tag an alle! Die TS Roadmap von Andrea James gibt es als “Wegweiser für Transsexuelle” bald vollständig in deutscher Sprache. Ich darf mich als eure Übersetzerin vorstellen Ich bin Sandra, 32 Jahre alt, lebe in der Nähe von Idar-Oberstein und bin dabei, die 1600+ Seiten zu übersetzen, was natürlich eine gewisse Zeit dauert. Aber schaut bitte regelmäßig herein, es gibt sicherlich jedesmal neue Inhalte zu entdecken. Ziel des Wegweisers ist es, euch auf eurem Weg Tipps und Hilfestellung zu geben und euch über praktisch alle Aspekte rund um Transgeschlechtlichkeit/Transidentität zu informieren. So wird der Weg viel, viel einfacher, da ihr euch nicht alles in mühsamer Kleinarbeit selber erarbeiten müsst. (Ich muss sagen, mir helfen die Texte beim Übersetzen auch sehr viel. Ich bin selbst transident und befinde mich mitten in der Umwandlung) Wenn ihr Ergänzungen habt, Anregungen, Korrekturen, Adressen von Organisationen im deutschsprachigen Raum, die unbedingt hier reinmüssen, interessante Filme oder sonst irgendwas, schreibt mir ruhig unter: Liebe Grüße Sandra Wegweiser für Transsexuelle http://www.tsroadmap.com/deutsch/ Information 2010-02-27T21:33:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/facial_feminization_patient_guide_from_agave_clinic/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/facial_feminization_patient_guide_from_agave_clinic/#When:21:24:00Z Maxillofacial surgeon Dr Bart van de Ven, director of the Agave Clinic, notes: Attached I send you our brochure about facial feminization surgery that contains lots of information about FFS. http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/images/uploads/FFS_patient_guide_en.pdf Further reading: Facial Feminization Procedures http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/face/facesurgidx.html Information, Physical 2010-02-27T21:24:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/new_project_trans_bodies_trans_selves/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/new_project_trans_bodies_trans_selves/#When:21:22:00Z Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, MA notes Want to be part of a resource guide for transgender and other gender-variant people? Trans Bodies, Trans Selves features a line-up of wonderful transgender and genderqueer authors, and they’re looking for your help to make the book amazing. Take the survey and your thoughts could appear in the book! Go to http://www.transbodies.com/Survey.html for surveys designed for: -Transgender/genderqueer people -Parents of gender-variant children -Partners of transgender/genderqueer people Please forward widely. YOUR VOICE is greatly appreciated! Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, MA Editor, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves transbodies@gmail.com http://www.transbodies.com Information 2010-02-27T21:22:00-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/paul_mchugh_still_fighting_against_rights_for_sex_and_gender_minorities/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/paul_mchugh_still_fighting_against_rights_for_sex_and_gender_minorities/#When:00:26:01Z Paul McHugh is a busy guy. - In 1979 he shut down the gender identity clinic at Johns Hopkins. - In 2007 he was ordered by Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison to stop making public statements about physician George Tiller’s work. McHugh disapproved of Tiller’s work providing abortion services. Tiller was later murdered by a fanatic who was influenced by public statements made about Tiller. - He promotes the concept of “autogynephilia,” a sex-fueled mental illness created by Ray Blanchard. - He defends Catholic priests against sex abuse charges. - Now he’s fighting to stop gay marriage. Katrina Rose points us to Filing # 379 in Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al.: http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/candce/3:2009cv02292/215270/379/ McHugh’s reason for opposing gay marriage cites the work of J. Michael Bailey. McHugh lays out his views on homosexuality in this pithy quotation: It really is amazing ... I mean, 50 years ago [homosexual behavior] was a crime, and now we’re talking about [same-sex marriage]. Anyone who wants to stick with the tradition is accused of being a biblical literalist or a homophobic racist, because, in part, of the more fundamental change in our society towards permissiveness, that is, easy divorce, cohabitation and concubinage, abortion, pornography ... and euthanasia. The issue of the homosexual is not separate ... it’s all part and parcel of the pandemonium that the permissive movement has brought. We have just licensed all kinds of behavior.” Source: Virtue Online http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=11994 Further reading: Paul McHugh on transsexualism http://www.tsroadmap.com/info/paul-mchugh.html Real World 2010-02-25T00:26:01-08:00 http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/trans_film_news_paulista_prodigal_sons/ http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/trans_film_news_paulista_prodigal_sons/#When:00:09:00Z Trans depictions in the media continue to improve. Trans actress Maria Clara Spinelli is on the festival circuit right now with Paulista. It premiered earlier this year in Palm Springs and just played the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival. About her character: She is simply a woman who wants to be loved. “That’s what makes the character so fascinating,” Spinelli said, with the help of a translator. “She is a paradox. The fact is that she’s a transsexual, but she’s the most conservative one in the film. People assume that she would be the flamboyant, overly sexual one, and it is not so. “The fact that she is a transsexual is just one part of her. She is so much more than that.” http://www.examiner.com/x-23585-LA-Brazilian-Culture-Examiner~y2010m2d6-Hollywood-Brazilian-Film-Festival http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100113/EVENTS01/1130309/A-remarkably-unremarkable-role ---- Also, watch for filmmaker Kimberly Reed on Oprah 11 February http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/The-High-School-Quarterback-Who-Became-a-Lesbian Kimberly’s highly-recommended documentary ‘Prodigal Sons’ has a theatrical release in March. http://www.prodigalsonsfilm.com/ Information 2010-02-10T00:09:00-08:00