The Traditional Values Coalition has posted a list of the “wide variety of sexual orientations outside of normal heterosexuality” that apparently they — or at least their executive director Andrea Lafferty and their founder Rev. Louis P. Sheldon — believe may be protected sexual orientations if anti-discrimination and/or hate crime legislation becomes national law.  They  apparently believe that the legal protections for LGBT people will a provide a slippery slope into protecting . . . Well, I’ll just post the list:

1. Apotemnophilia - sexual arousal associated with the stump(s) of an amputee

2. Asphyxophilia - sexual gratification derived from activities that involve oxygen deprivation through hanging, strangulation, or other means

3. Autogynephilia - the sexual arousal of a man by his own perception of himself as a woman or dressed as a woman (p. 574)

4. Bisexual - the capacity to feel erotic attraction toward, or to engage in sexual interaction with, both males and females

5. Coprophilia - sexual arousal associated with feces (p. 576)

6. Exhibitionism - the act of exposing one’s genitals to an unwilling observer to obtain sexual gratification (p. 569)

7. Fetishism/Sexual Fetishism - obtaining sexual excitement primarily or exclusively from an inanimate object or a particular part of the body (p. 570)

8. Frotteurism - approaching an unknown woman from the rear and pressing or rubbing the penis against her buttocks (p. 570)

9. Heterosexuality - the universal norm of sexuality with those of the opposite sex

10.Homosexual/Gay/Lesbian - people who form sexual relationships primarily or exclusively with members of their own gender

11. Gender Identity Disorder - a strong and persistent cross-gender identification, which is the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, or the other sex, “along with” persistent discomfort about one’s assigned sex or a sense of the inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex (p. 576)

12. Gerontosexuality - distinct preference for sexual relationships primarily or exclusively with an elderly partner

13. Incest - sex with a sibling or parent

14. Kleptophilia - obtaining sexual excitement from stealing

15. Klismaphilia - erotic pleasure derived from enemas (p. 576)

16. Necrophilia - sexual arousal and/or activity with a corpse (p. 576)

17. Partialism - A fetish in which a person is sexually attracted to a specific body part exclusive of the person (p. 576)

18. Pedophilia - Sexual activity with a prepubescent child (generally age 13 years or younger). The individual with pedophilia must be age 16 years or older and at least 5 years older than the child. For individuals in late adolescence with pedophilia, no precise age difference is specified, and clinical judgment must be used; both the sexual maturity of the child and the age difference must be taken into account; the adult may be sexually attracted to opposite sex, same sex, or prefer either (p. 571)

19. Prostitution - the act or practice of offering sexual stimulation or intercourse for money

20. Sexual Masochism - obtaining sexual gratification by being subjected to pain or humiliation (p. 573)

21. Sexual Sadism - the intentional infliction of pain or humiliation on another person in order to achieve sexual excitement (p. 574)

22. Telephone Scatalogia - sexual arousal associated with making or receiving obscene phone calls (p. 576)

23. Toucherism - characterized by a strong desire to touch the breast or genitals of an unknown woman without her consent; often occurs in conjunction with other paraphilia

24. Transgenderism - an umbrella term referring to and/or covering transvestitism, drag queen/king, and transsexualism

25. Transsexual - a person whose gender identity is different from his or her anatomical gender

26. Transvestite - a person who is sexually stimulated or gratified by wearing the clothes of the other gender

27. Transvestic Fetishism - intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving cross-dressing (p. 575)

28. Urophilia - sexual arousal associated with urine (p. 576)

29. Voyeurism - obtaining sexual arousal by observing people without their consent when they are undressed or engaged in sexual activity (p. 575)

30. Zoophilia/Bestiality - engaging in sexual activity with animals (p. 576)
Gender Identity Disorders

I suppose one should really be worried about No. 9’s possible impact on “normal heterosexuality.”

Interesting facts from DiversityInc:

The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for GLBT Employees

Everyone knows someone who is gay or lesbian. The 2000 census found that 99 percent of U.S. counties had at least one household led by same-sex partners. Increasingly, both GLBT and straight people care deeply whether corporations are giving all their employees equal treatment, regardless of orientation. And they—and their friends and relatives—are important and loyal consumers. Research by Witeck-Combs estimated the buying power of the GLBT market at $640 billion last year. By comparison, the Selig Center for Economic Growth put black buying power at $799 billion last year and Latino buying power at $798 billion.

I’m struggling to find words to descripe my feeling on watching this show.  Frankly, my eyes teared through much of the program, and I sobbed through parts where Riley talked about her feelings about herself and the bullying she experienced at school.

I’ll probably respond with some collected thoughts tomorrow.  In the meantime, here are some links to ABC’s 20/20 special on transgender kids:

‘I’m a Girl’ - Understanding Transgender Children

Transgender Children Face Unique Challenges

Transgender Children: Frequently Asked Questions

Hillary Clinton has shown us, in a press release, how to express support an LGBT civil rights bill without using the terms sexual orientation, gender identity, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender:

Statement from Senator Clinton on Iowa Discrimination Bill

4/26/2007

“I applaud the Iowa State Legislature for their efforts to end discrimination and make the state more welcoming. I’ve supported similar legislation in the US Senate because too many Americans suffer as a result of bigotry, and I believe this legislation will help reinforce our fundamental belief in equality and justice for all. As President, I will work with Congress to echo the clear message of fairness Iowa’s leaders sent today.”

I don’t know whether to be applaud her for supporting the new Iowa law and future, national-level LGBT anti-discrimination legislation, or be angry with her for not using any LGBT terms while expressing her support. 

New York Blade: All Hate Crimes Are Not Equal; Va. Tech shootings exploited to oppose Matthew Shepard bill
(This was written by the Chris Crain, who also wrote the infamously anti-transgender article ENDA gets trans-jacked)

Theantidesi101 : Which is Worse? Racism or Homophobia?
(This is a blog entry where the perspectives found in the comments are at least as interesting as the original article)

Mad Professah: And then there were 19! (Iowa Legislature Passes LGBT Rights Bill)

PlanetOut: Micron Technology spurns LGBT job protections
Micron Technology’s board of directors refuses to accept a shareholder resolution to add LGBTs to the Idaho firm’s nondiscrimination policy.

Ex-Gay Watch: Exodus Web Site Promotes Discredited ‘Research’ of Paul Cameron
Updated with Exodus President Alan Chambers responds

Outsports: USGA Welcomes Trans Golfers
To little fanfare, the United States Golf Association this week adopted a policy to allow post-op transgender male-to-female golfers to participate in women’s tournaments.

San Francisco Chronicle: Nude Man in High Heels Causes Lockdown
A man wearing nothing but women’s high heels was the cause of a building lockdown by police in downtown McMinnville, Oregon.

Metro - London, UK: Man robs bank to pay for boob job

San Francisco Chronicle: He’s Got Psalm Memory!
Ohio judge frees an accused thief on bond after he passes a Bible quiz, reciting six verses.

Simon Aronoff had an article posted in the Washington Blade today entitled Demagogues of Defamation. In the article, Simon says:

Words have power. Words in the media have more. That’s why Michael Savage’s recent disgusting on-air tirade slandering Ruby Ordenana, a 24-year-old transgender woman who was found murdered on March 16, was so dangerous. I know you’ve read this before: Hate speech creates an environment where hate crimes are acceptable. But is anybody listening when those words slander transgender people?

SAVAGE’S COMMENTS MAKE the world an even more dangerous place for me and my trans brothers and sisters. Ruby’s body was found nude, lacerated and strangled, and the attention-seeking Savage called her a “freak” and a “psychopath.”

What is worse, Michael Savage (who no one expects to deliver actual news) is not the only trans-bashing voice in the media. Try reading through some transcripts from CNN’s Glenn Beck or MSNBC’s Tucker Carlson. Enabled by networks, producers and advertisers in this dangerous defamation, here’s Carlson in his own words:

“Just because you’re castrated and have a fake set of boobs does not make you a woman. It makes you a castrated man with a fake set of boobs. If a person voluntarily undergoes a castration. . .that is an act of a crazy person. . . .That’s like setting your hair on fire or blinding yourself . . .and I don’t want a person that unstable teaching my kids.”

And from CNN’s talking head Glenn Beck reporting on a trans teen who was turned away from her prom for wearing a dress:

“Don’t we as a society, don’t we have the right to say, what the hell is wrong with you? … Go home and change, freak boy.”

In the article he announced the formation of a website: Trans Media Watch. As someone who follows how media covers transpeople, this is a blog I’m going to watch . I know I hope that this idea of tracking how media covers transgender people nets positive attention and results.

—————
Related:

Michael Savage And Silent GLAAD

Boycott Hate

I Do Hear Crickets, But Not From GLAAD

I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words. I realize many readers and colleagues and friends will be shocked to read them.That’s OK. I understand that I am not the only one in transition as I move from Mike to Christine. Everyone who knows me and my work will be transitioning as well. That will take time. And that’s all right. To borrow a piece of well-worn sports parlance, we will take it one day at a time.

Sportswriter Mike Penner announced in the Los Angeles Times today that he she is transitioning from Mike Penner to Christine Daniels.

Christine further stated:

A transgender friend provided the best and simplest explanation I have heard: We are born with this, we fight it as long as we can, and in the end it wins.

And. . .

When I told my boss Randy Harvey, he leaned back in his chair, looked through his office window to scan the newsroom and mused, “Well, no one can ever say we don’t have diversity on this staff.”

Fortunately for Christine Daniels, she lives in the most transgender friendly state in the United States. The Gender Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 (AB 196) was signed into law back in 2003, the law changed the California Government Code in two places.

First, it amended California Government Code 12926(p) which defines sex to read:

(p) “Sex” includes, but is not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. “Sex” also includes, but is not limited to, a person’s gender, as defined in Section 422.56 of the Penal Code. California Government Code 12926 (Italicized portion is the amended language)

For the sake of statutory consistency, AB 196 did not create a new definition of gender to add to the statute. Instead it incorporated the definition from California’s Hate Crimes Statute. That statute defines gender as:

“Gender” means sex, and includes a person’s gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth. California Penal Code 422.56(c)8

Christine Daniels, through her personal journey, provides another argument for an inclusive ENDA. It’s because unlike Steve Stanton or Julie Nemecek, Mike Penner couldn’t be legally fired for beginning the transition to Christine Daniels.

Christine Daniels’ story is an example of what laws protecting people against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity can do for LGBT employees. The Gender Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 (AB 196) changed the employment climate in California; the Los Angeles Times didn’t fire her. The Times may have accomodated her transition without legislation, but as it is they don’t really have a legal choice whether or not to accomodate her — they are required by law to accomodate her transition.

And of course, Christine Daniels‘ case is one more case that proves one can be male-to-female transperson and still really, really like sports.

—————
Related:

Mike Penner Coming Out as Transgender

Sports Writer To Become Woman

Mike Penner…on courage

———Update———

Chritine Daniels has a blog up entitled “Woman In Progress,” which includes the byline photograph above.

I’m always amazed at the over-the-top hyperbole who are against LGBT civil rights laws. Here’s the latest from a Republican in Oregon, as reported by Gay.com/The Advocate:

Oregon state Rep. Dennis Richardson’s weekly newsletter to constituents, in grouping the Virginia Tech shootings with the advance of two gay rights bills as “tragic” events, has floored advocates of the two bills.

The April 20 letter, headlined “A Tragic Week in Review,” begins, “This past week has been like no other.

“On Monday the world witnessed the tragedy at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. On Tuesday Oregon witnessed the passage of Domestic Benefits for same-sex couples (HB2007) and Civil Rights based on sexual orientation.”

The LGBT anti-discrimination bill passed both houses and is expected to be signed by Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The partnership bill, also backed by the governor, goes under Senate review after sailing through the state House on a 34-26 vote.

Richardson, R-Central Point, wrote that the anti-discrimination bill is broad and has “uncertain definition.”

“In the years ahead, I believe SB2 will result in a small minority of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) activists imposing their lifestyles and views of behavior on an unwilling majority in Oregon’s schools, work places, and eventually in all aspects of our society,” he wrote. “When it comes to political strategy and maneuvering, the GLBT activists have certainly been successful in moving forward their political agenda.”

All I can say is “Wow.” What incredible associations this Oregon statehouse representative makes within his mind about LGBT people.

I’m tired of racism, sexism, and anti-gay, anti-disabled, anti-transgender, and anti-Christian material being put out on the public airwaves. Where are the advertisers/businesses who demand that acceptance of diversity on the airwaves occurs in the same way they demand support for diversity in their workplaces?

From 355Gay.com:

Radio Duo Suspended After Slurs

(New York City) A New York radio station that ignored criticism after two of his morning show stars called a musician a “fag” on air has suspended the shock jocks following a prank phone call to a local Chinese restaurant that was filled with ethnic slurs.

The call was made by “JV” and “Elvis” on WFNY the day after WFAN’s Don Imus made his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team and was replayed a week after Imus was fired.

Both stations are owned by CBS Radio.

In the mock call, a woman employee at the Chinese restaurant was told by the caller that he would like to “come to your restaurant” to see her naked, especially the body part he referred to as “hot, Asian, spicy.”

He then attempts to order “flied lice,” and uses a series of racial slurs and four lettered words.

The program was denounced by an Asian American rights group.

Ironically, “VJ”, whose real name is Jeff Vandergrift, and “Elivs”, Dan Lay, were suspended the day that a spokesperson from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was to have gone on the show for an apology for homophobic remarks that the station laughed off earlier this month.

–
H/t Pam’s House Blend

From the Los Angeles Times:

Scientists find earth-like planet; European astronomers say it orbits in a ’sweet spot’ zone where life could exist.

European astronomers announced Tuesday that they had discovered the first planet beyond our solar system that orbits in a “sweet spot” zone where life could exist.

The planet, about five times as massive as Earth, orbits Gliese 581, a red dwarf star about 20 light-years from our solar system.

The team of Swiss, French and Portuguese scientists who found the planet estimate its surface temperature at freezing to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, a range in which water can exist as a liquid.

“Because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a very important target of the future space missions dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life,” said Xavier Delfosse, an astronomer from Grenoble University in France.

“On the treasure map of the universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X.”

The discovery was made with the European Southern Observatory’s 12-foot diameter telescope in La Silla, Chile. The planet was first detected by the telescope’s HARPS Spectrograph, which analyzes light from distant astronomical objects.

Geoffrey Marcy, a UC Berkeley astronomer who has discovered most of the so-called exoplanets orbiting other stars, called it “a marvelous discovery … the best case for a habitable planet” so far.

The next step, obviously, is finding a smaller, rocky planet in the same ’sweet spot.’ So exciting, these panetary discoveries!

From the National Center for Transgender Equality:

(Washington, DC) - Today America made an historic stride forward in protecting the civil rights of transgender people.  Members of Congress Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Christopher Shays (R-CT) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit workplace discrimination based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” 

It remains legal in 33 states to fire or refuse to hire someone based on sexual orientation, and it is legal in 42 states to do so based on a person’s gender identity.  Today’s introduction of ENDA demonstrates that Congress recognizes the need for workplace protections on the federal level. 

“The introduction of this legislation represents a tremendous civil rights advancement for transgender communities,” said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). “I am proud of the work that the National Center for Transgender Equality has accomplished to insure that the language of this bill protects all LGBT people.” 

Since our inception in 2003, the National Center for Transgender Equality has worked tirelessly to educate Congress about the need for federal employment protections for transgender workers.  NCTE has also worked closely with national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations to grow broader community support for transgender-inclusive legislation.  Through the years, much of NCTE’s programmatic and policy work has aimed to educate both the public and policymakers on the critical importance of making employment protections for transgender people explicit in federal law.  

“Too often transgender people face harassment and discrimination on the job or when applying for employment,” said Keisling.  “Our office receives calls every week from transgender individuals who have been harassed at work or have lost their jobs simply for being who they are.  Prohibiting discrimination based on a person’s gender identity is common-sense given the level of workplace prejudice we face.  Elected officials increasingly recognize the need for civil rights protections for all of their constituents.” 

On May 15, 2007, NCTE’s annual Lobby Day will bring over 100 transgender and ally advocates from more than 25 states to the Capitol to meet with members of Congress.  This year’s Lobby Day will be the largest federal transgender lobby effort in history.

Participants will be sharing their stories of employment discrimination and asking their members of Congress to support ENDA. 

“I am so pleased to stand here today and watch the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community move forward together,” said Keisling.

Recognizing the need to curb rampant discrimination against transgender people, currently eight states (California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Washington), the District of Columbia and over 80 cities and counties across the country have already passed explicitly transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination laws. These laws currently cover approximately one-third of the US population.  Passage of ENDA would provide much needed workplace protections nationwide.

What YOU Can Do: Join NCTE Lobby Day — infomation on NCTE Lobby Day can be found on the NCTE website.

From Autumn: This bill includes transgender people — gender identity and expression are included in the Employment Non-Descrimination Act.  If you can’t lobby in person, ask NCTE or other organization what you can do to support this bill.

“The universe is full of mysteries, and some have been foreshadowed by comics. We look forward to scientists figuring this one out.”
–Paul Levitz, DC Comics President and Publisher

I remember Mr. Anderson, my Junior High School science class teacher, telling us students in 8th Grade Science that the elements that needed to combine to make kryptonite just wouldn’t combine in nature.

Show’s what you knew Mr. Anderson! Comic Book Resources (and well, a mainstream news publication or two) has given us the news: Kryptonite existis in nature!

Well, I’m sure this is bad news for Truth, Justice, and the American Way — Oh yeah, and Superman too.

So let’s here it here instead for Superwoman! Go Superwoman!

Los Angeles Times (free subscription): Why do straights hate gays?
An 72-year-old gay activist isn’t hopeful about the future.

Box Turtle Bulliten: Know Thy Neighbors
“One of the concerns I’ve had with the state of activism today is the tendency to literally “dehumanize” opponents — by that, I mean the process by which activists reduce those who disagree with them to caricatures which make them appear to be, well, not people. . .”

Pam’s House Blend: The truth about the federal hate crimes legislation and free speech

Cynical-C Blog: The Blame Game
In case you were wondering what columnists and bloggers are saying is to blame for the Virginia Tech massacre (because obviously it has to be more than just a mentally ill killer’s fault, right?), the Cynical-C Blog is maintaining a list for us so we can keep track of anyone or anything that might be to blame for the students’ deaths.

And speaking of menal illness. . .Los Angeles Times (free subscription): State is sued over hospital staffing crisis
“In their court filings, Department of Mental Health officials concede that the staff shortages have left them in violation of both state and federal regulations and jeopardized patient safety.”

AEBrain: Pre-Natal Hormones and Post-Natal Cognition and Left or Right? — Not Politics: Brains

Feministe: “Pro-Life” Mississippi Has Highest Infant Mortality Rate in the Nation

Transgender Workplace Diversity: 600,000 Transgenders “Could” Push Diversity Envelope for Some Employers
“Bill Leonard, senior writer for HR Magazine, published by the Society for Human Resource Management, yesterday posted an article on transgender workplace diversity, entitled “Transgender Issues Could Push Diversity Envelope for Some Employers.” Yes, it could. It discusses the Stanton case, noting that Stanton’s case made national headlines and has left many employers pondering how they would handle a similar situation. . .”

Chico Enterprise-Record: [Chico Area Recreation and Park District] gives nod to disc golf course, transsexual policy legislation and free speech

San Francisco Chronicle: Beware Of Flame-Shooting Bidet Toilets
“‘The fire [from the toilet] would have been just under your buttocks,’ Japanese maker says.”

From S.F. publisher bets on Christian fiction; As blockbuster ‘Left Behind’ series ends, industry looks for next big inspirational hit:

For HarperSanFrancisco, a publisher of religious and spiritual books, the time has come to capitalize on the market for Christian fiction revealed by the success of the “Left Behind” series of evangelical novels.

Since 1995, those apocalyptic thrillers, based on the Book of Revelation and written by Jerry B. Jenkins and influential Christian-right leader Tim LaHaye, have sold more than 50 million copies. When sales figures come in for the just-published last book in the 16-part series, “Kingdom Come” — in which satanic forces are vanquished and heaven is established on Earth — that number is only due to grow.

“It has been a wake-up call for a lot of retail channels. They realized that money could be made,” said Mickey Maudlin, HarperSanFrancisco’s editorial director. “Some of the major chains said, ‘Hey, these sell really well for us, and the only people doing them are the smaller Christian publishers.’”

A lot of money to be made off of Jesus’s second coming – A lot of opportunity for moneychangers.

Well, Yahoo got it wrong, refereing to a transman as a “she.”

What’s so gauling about Yahoo refereing to a transman as a she is that the headline was linked to a Associated Press story that followed doesn’t even apparently follow the Associated Press Stylebook (2006, Pg. 249) (see comment), which states:

transgender: Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.

If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.

Yahoo, for the record, the headline should have read Will He Reign As Prom King? — but I guess insensitivity makes for better headlines.

By the way, the transstudent didn’t win the Prom King title. But that said, congratulations to Cinthia Covarrubias for his Fresno High School (and California School System) victory for gender expression on high school campuses.