May 18, 2008
by
Mercedes Allen
Dr. Marshall Forstein, Chair of the Work Group on Practices Guidelines on HIV Psychiatry for the American Psychiatric Association (not to be confused with the American Psychological Association), has written a reply to the drive to have Drs. Kenneth Zucker and Ray Blanchard removed from the Work Group developing the revisions for "Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders" for the planned DSM-V. In it, he writes:
"I hope that what I have written makes us pause a bit before we do something to ... Read More
May 10, 2008
by
Mercedes Allen
For those who are concerned about the establishment of an adherent to reparative therapy (Dr. Kenneth Zucker) and another seeking to entrench "autogynephilia" (a pathologization of treatment of non- "homosexual transgender" transfolk) in the DSM-V, there have been some new happenings.
One letter writer reports receiving an email from the APA which states that:
"The Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group, chaired by Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D., will have 13 members who will form three subcommittees:
* Gender Identity Disorders, chaired by Peggy T. ... Read More
Mar 25, 2008
by
Vanessa Edwards Foster
“I was sitting in my basement.
I just rolled myself a taste
Of something green and gold and glorious
To get me through the day.” — I Got Stoned And I Missed It, Shel Silverstein
“"I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life ….” — author, Hunter S. Thompson
Another day, another … reason to go get stoned.
It’s ... Read More
Mar 5, 2008
by
Vanessa Edwards Foster
“We need a revolution for the people – for the poor, for [those] who have nothing! The politicians and the rich, they’ve already got it all! What do they need?” — Stonewall veteran, Sylvia Rivera at the 2001 NTAC Board meeting in Washington DC
It seems just like old times. Admittedly I’ve been jaded after a decade plus of political activism, with nothing to show for it other than broken nails, broken dreams, broken promises and a broken ... Read More
Feb 28, 2008
by
Vanessa Edwards Foster
“These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York!” — New York, New York, Frank Sinatra
You gotta love New York!
Seriously, these folks know how to speak out against what is wrong, organize and create a disturbance that’s worthy of the biggest city in the nation. I’m writing in response to the Gay City News.com report coming from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Banquet in the Big Apple. They organized not just ... Read More
Feb 27, 2008
by
Mercedes Allen
If my previous post seemed a little scattered and emotional, there’s a reason for it. The first trans community function I ever attended was a TDoR function, as was the first event I ever MCed outside a support group. I’ve been sensitive to transphobic violence at every step, and my own transition began with violence. But [...]
If my previous post seemed a little scattered and emotional, there's a reason for it. The first trans community function I ever attended was a TDoR function, as was the first event I ever MCed outside a support group. I've been sensitive to transphobic violence at every step, and my own transition began with violence. But seeing the settings for it shift to schools was not something I was prepared for.
At or around November 20th of every year, the transgender community commemorates a day of ... Read More
Feb 16, 2008
by
Vanessa Edwards Foster
“Love cannot be defeated.” as said to rock vocalist, Bono by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
The political group I belong to – the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) – noted the passing of longtime Rep. Tom Lantos in a press release on Monday from complications due to esophageal cancer. Chances are, most of [...]
“Love cannot be defeated.” as said to rock vocalist, Bono by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
The political group I belong to – the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) – noted the passing of longtime Rep. Tom Lantos in a press release on Monday from complications due to esophageal cancer. Chances are, most of the transgender community was unfamiliar with congressman Lantos – but they should’ve been. Our press release characterized him as a “hero for the oppressed and voiceless ... Read More
