Two Kennedy brothers were assassinated and a third drove a car off a bridge. Martin Luther King's assassination in Memphis. There was the war in Vietnam on the nightly news in, what NBC touted as "The Wonderful World Of Color."

I grew up in Cleveland and saw the city torn apart by race riots. I saw one of the first black mayors in the nation go on the evening news and plead for the citizens of the community not to burn the city down.

There was the summer of love, American Bandstand LIVE from Philadelphia, Elvis Presley got drafted and The Beatles invaded America. I'm one of the few members of my generation who is honest enough NOT to claim that I was at Woodstock.... but I sure remember it.

I got beat up in school because, FIRST, people thought I was a fairy, and then because I wore a black arm band, long hair, Student Mobilization Committee buttons and protested against the war and the draft. Cleveland radio and TV had the first news and pictures of the Kent State massacre. I remember a disk jockey crying and saying "Nixon's finally done it. They're killing us!" CSN&Y's song "Ohio" STILL sends shivers of fear down my spine.

I registered for the draft and remember holding my breath as the lottery numbers were announced and thanking God that I'd gotten a number up in the 300's. And then, I wound up ENLISTING in the Navy.

I remember the amazing pictures from Apollo 8 on Christmas eve, the words of Genesis 1 being read as 3 Americans orbited the moon and showed us that it really IS a small world after all. I stood within spitting distance of Apollo 11's Saturn 5 rocket on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy, a mere two weeks before it went to the moon. I remember the world stopping to watch the first steps on the moon, and I remember holding my breath and praying that Apollo 13 would make it back home.

There was Bowie yelling "Wam bam thank you ma'am," Andy Warhol, and breakup of the Beatles, the marriage of Paul McCartney to some photographer named Linda Eastman. I remember hearing Yoko Ono sing "Don't Worry Kyoko" for the first time and wondering where was the sensational artistry John Lennon was talking about.

I remember walking into Record Rendezvous in Richmond Mall and seeing several customers laughing hysterically as the clerk played a record called "National Lampoon's Radio Dinner." Pretty soon I was laughing so hard I was crying too. Then there was Firesign Theater's "I Think We're All Bozo's On This Bus" and "How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All?"

I remember Watergate. I remember the impeachment hearings on TV and Senator Sam Ervin. I remember a song on the radio called "Haldeman, Erlichman, Mitchell, and Dean" I remember watching the "I'm not a crook" speech. I remember hearing the National Lampoon Radio Hour... on radio, of course, and listening to the "Impeachment Day Parade." And, I remember watching Nixon's resignation followed by the helicopter wave.

I remember the evacuation of Saigon... the sight of Americans running from a fight for the first time... people clamoring to climb into helicopters from the embassy roof top... on television.

I remember the first time the world saw "Directed by Steven Spielberg" on a movie credit and when we all heard "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night."

All of this before I turned 21. I thought I'd seen nearly everything. That was before the Election of 2000.

Join Us!

This month's meeting will be on Thursday, January 4th at our normal location, using our regular format. If you are inspired to cook up an entrée for this month's meeting, please indulge yourself.

Items to bring:

Casseroles/Main Dishes
Side Dishes
Hors d’oeuvres
Snacks
Soda (pop)
And
Desserts

Need directions?

Call (216) 691-HELP (4357) or
e-mail Karen at karen_gross@transfamily.org.

Volunteers are needed not only to take charge of committees but to serve on those committees as well. We need people to commit to take leadership roles in the organization and to actively serve. We really need your skills and commitment of time. If you have benefited from TransFamily, then please consider giving back. We also need people to help cleaning up after the meetings. Please, help us out.

Call or email Karen and find out what you can do to help TransFamily continue.

New Speaker Training

Saturday, January 20th, 9:30 - 4:30 at The Center

Keep those speakers rollin'! This is the training for those interested in either our speakers Bureau or SSAFE presentations. Speaker's Bureau topics are usually about awareness of general LGBT issues. These range from "Homo 101" to specific topics like marriage, hate crimes, parenting, HIV/AIDS and aging. SSAFE presentations focus on GLBT issues.

Regardless of the topic the speaking format is similar and skills are needed to assure a quality and effective program. We want our speakers to feel confident and prepared as representatives of The Center and of TransFamily. We especially encourage students to become speakers!

To register, please call The Center at 216-651-GLBT (5428) or TransFamily at 216-691-HELP(4357). There is no charge, but reservations are needed, so please call by January 10, so we have a correct count. Please help SSAFE and TransFamily to be successful in this join endeavor with The Center and GLSEN! !

The Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund

The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) would like to announce that it will be awarding numerous scholarships to transgender identified students in the helping and caring professions through it's collaborative Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund (TSELF) in the United States and Canada.

Each scholarship will provide supplemental funding for post-secondary students who have a demonstrated ability in and commitment to affecting change in the transgender communities through their commitment to working and being educated in the helping and caring professions.

These include, but are not limited to, Social Services, Health Care, Religious Instruction (all denominations), Teaching and the Law. We seek to reflect a broad range of interests, including social services, HIV/AIDS education, law, teaching & education, religious instruction (all denominations), medical and health care as well as the sciences.

Today a whole generation of out and proud transpeople have the power to create dramatic change in the world. We want to honor that power with the support that education focused scholarships can provide. It's important to acknowledge the achievements of our communities. Some of the most powerful forces for the transgender communities are transgender-identified individuals being nurtured and supported by this community. By providing grants to transgender students, TSELF recognizes these students' past achievements and provides much needed support for their future pursuits. Through these awards, we forge links between professionals and emerging leaders. In doing so, TSELF helps to facilitate the growth and advancement of not only these individuals -- but of our communities as well.

TSELF is committed to the concept that trans-people should be encouraged to help other trans-people. In the simplest terms, Transpeople helping ourSELVES 'TSELF!

Visibility

A special component of TSELF is the aspect of visibility. All awardees must be "Out and Proud," both as members of the trans-communities, but also within the educational systems and professions that they are seeking scholarship assistance for. The Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund is seeking trans-individuals, living full-time in a gender or sex role that differs from the one assigned to them at birth, who wish to serve as role models for other transgender identified people. As out trans-people in the helping and caring professions, these special individuals will be perceptibly challenging many of the societal prejudices that trans-folk encounter within educational and professional institutions.

Deadline

Awards will processed and announced twice yearly. Applications for the Spring Awards must be postmarked by February 1st. Scholarship awards will be made at the next IFGE convention (3/21 - 3/25/01). Applications for the Fall Awards must be postmarked by August 1st. Scholarship awards will be made at the next Southern Comfort Conference (date varies). Supporting materials should arrive within one week of each deadline. Applicants will be notified of their award status during the month, directly following the application deadline. Applications are available online at: www.tself.org

Background

The Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund (TSELF) is dedicated to enhancing the visibility, strength and vitality of the transgender communities. TSELF invests in our future by awarding scholarships to students with leadership potential, and the desire help build to our community's health, education and culture. TSELF is building an endowment to ensure permanent financial support for transgender students. TSELF promotes philanthropy among transgender identified people and demonstrates the growing power of transgender giving

The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), founded in 1987, is a leading advocate and educational organization for promoting the self-definition and free expression of individual gender identity. IFGE is not a support group, it is an information provider and clearinghouse for referrals about all things which are transgressive of established social gender norms. IFGE maintains the most complete bookstore on the subject of transgenderism available anywhere. It also publishes the leading magazine providing reasoned discussion of issues of gender expression and identity, including crossdressing, transsexualism, FTM and MTF issues spanning health, family, medical, legal, workplace issues and more. IFGE values:

• individual uniqueness and dignity;
• personal wholeness;
• respect for human diversity;
• freedom from society's arbitrarily assigned gender definitions;
• respect, acceptance, enforcement, and protection of gender-related Human & Civil Rights for all.

Scholarship applications are available online at: www.tself.org TSELF can be reached at:

International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE)
TSELF Awards Committee
P.O. Box 540229
Waltham, Ma 02454-0229
Telephone: (781) 899-2212

TSELF e-mail: carrie@tself.org

Election Outcome to Provide Challenges, But Not Insurmountable

WASHINGTON - Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 -- With the presidential election settled by a historic Supreme Court decision and the subsequent concession of Vice President Al Gore on Dec. 13, the Human Rights Campaign pledged to continue working for progress in the new political environment.

"We know there are challenges ahead, but HRC has long proven its ability to operate professionally and effectively on shifting political terrain," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "We will continue to work in a strong, bipartisan fashion to further our progress. With challenge comes opportunity, and we will seek to advance, not retreat, from issues important to our community."

Newspapers editorialize on Supreme Court decision

Compiled by United Press International

New York Times

The United States Supreme Court has brought the presidential election to a conclusion in favor of Gov. George W. Bush, but its decision to bar a recount in Florida comes at considerable cost to the public trust and the tradition of fair elections. Our national history bears the comforting lesson that the American people's confidence in the rule of law and the stability of their institutions will not be damaged in the long run. It is incumbent on citizens and elected officials alike to respect the authority of the ruling and the legitimacy of the new presidency whether or not they agree with the court's legal reasoning. In the short term, Mr. Bush and Vice President Al Gore bear great responsibility for bringing the nation together in spirit if not in immediate political agreement. Mr. Bush needs to be gracious and unifying in victory, and Vice President Gore must master the difficult task of placing the national need for continuity ahead of any bitterness he may feel.

The five weeks since the election have seen the writing of an entirely unexpected chapter in the nation's political history. This will long be remembered as an election decided by a conservative Supreme Court in favor of a conservative candidate while the ballots that could have brought a different outcome went uncounted in Florida. The court overruled the Florida Supreme Court by saying that the recount it ordered was inconsistent with the equal protection and due process provisions of the federal Constitution, and that state election laws afforded no more time to conduct a full recount under uniform standards. These days will also be recorded as a time of struggle between the nation's highest federal court and a Southern state supreme court that, in a reversal of the old states' rights routine, showed the greater sensitivity to protecting the franchise. Finally, these will be remembered as days of bitterness between Republicans and Democrats. We will not know for some time whether that bitterness will usher in a period of ruinous conflict capable of tying up Congress and hobbling a new presidency.

Just as John F. Kennedy carried a piece of note paper reminding him of the narrowness of his victory in 1960, Mr. Bush should keep in mind the more complicated numbers of this election. Vice President Gore got more popular votes nationally and probably in Florida as well. Mr. Bush's title to the office comes through the electoral count and through appropriate legal procedures that settled in his favor the official result of a messy Florida election. Die-hards may want to keep arguing this outcome for four years, and that makes it doubly important for Mr. Bush to reach out to the broader constituency.

Chicago Tribune

The decision came late Tuesday night, long after most Americans had assumed the U.S. Supreme Court couldn't agree on how to resolve the thorny issues of the presidential election.

And when the justices finally issued their complex opinion, that inability to find clear agreement only grew more obvious.

It is risky to analyze court decisions on the fly. But one key finding of the court seems clear. Throughout the recent process that Americans watched in the wake of the Nov. 7 election, the notion that tabulating votes by various means in various places slowly came to seem acceptable. Even the courts of Florida, and lower federal courts, didn't express serious doubts about one county tabulating dimples as votes while another demanded a stronger show of each voter's intent.

Tuesday night's decision suggests that, while they will be criticized for their ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court justices simply wouldn't tolerate a violation of the notion of equal protection: The choices of different voters must be evaluated in the same way, or in as close to the same way as is possible.

That is such a fundamentally American principle that it's a shame, and a marvel, that it took this long to be articulated in a decisive way. During oral arguments before the high court on Monday, attorney David Boies was unable to explain to the justices why different ways of counting ballots didn't cheat some voters. Boies was in a jam, because to admit the obvious would have undercut a key tenet of Al Gore's strategy: Take every vote we can get and push local election officials to set the loosest standards possible.

In retrospect, it's remarkable that the Gore lawyers thought they could get through both the protest and contest phases without someone, anyone, demanding that votes be counted in some uniform fashion, either by machine or by hand.

Other parts of the decision will leave voters scratching their heads, and leave many partisans arguing that a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court justices are hiding behind polite legal maneuvering. It would have been more satisfying to have the court say more directly who won or who lost. On first blush, it appears that Florida's already-chosen slate of Bush electors is now the one and the only.

As some voices, this newspaper's included, have argued from the start, the only fair way to count ballots is with uniform standards so that any errors occur randomly, and not by crafty legal design. With Tuesday night's ruling, that concept now appears inviolate.

Dallas Morning News

The U.S. Supreme Court, seeming loath to step in and impose some order on the disorderly Florida election dispute, did so in a convoluted fashion Tuesday evening.

Befitting the deep divisions within the country, the court issued a two-faced decree. The pamphlet-sized opinion said on one hand that the Florida Supreme Court's rulings allowing a recount were overruled and that any new count would have to fit a more uniform set of standards. On the other hand, the federal court said there was not enough time to do so, because Dec. 12, the day to certify electors, was elapsing even as the ruling was being handed out.

"The court said, 'You didn't use the right standard and we're going to send it back to you - and by the way, it's too late," was how former Supreme Court clerk Luther Munford described the historic bunt.

In a backhanded way, it was tantamount to ruling in favor of Gov. George W. Bush, who had argued the Florida Supreme Court had overstepped its bounds by allowing a recount with widely varying canvassing standards from district to district. The federal court responded by giving the state court a task it cannot complete. It would take some extraordinary creativity for the Florida court to give Vice President Al Gore any help at this point.

Some questioned last night whether George W. Bush would have legitimacy with such a narrow victory, but history shows that presidents such as John F. Kennedy, who arrived in office with a razor-slim margin amidst allegations of vote fraud, can move quickly to establish a popular standing. In the often mentioned 1800 election, where emotions were so high a civil war was feared, Thomas Jefferson gave a stirring inaugural address that helped bring the country back together. As he said then, our nation may have differences of opinion, but no differences of principle. This country will recover from even this botch of an election and a hard-to-digest judicial ruling.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

What has the U.S. Supreme Court wrought? Certainly not clarity. Definitely not justice. Its Tuesday night ruling on Florida's election dispute turned a troublesome tangle into an incomprehensible snarl. Instead of bringing light to a dark hour, it cast a long shadow over the country. No one should celebrate a decision that sacrifices democracy to the clock.

Americans will not easily swallow such fatalism. The Florida Supreme Court need not readily give in to it. Tuesday's ruling declares that Florida's vote recount could only proceed if the state's high court fashioned new, uniform standards for determining voter intent. But it's hard to see why the ruling bothered to say so, since most justices think it's too late to fix the flaws and carry on with the count.

But why is it too late? The deadlines the high court mentions-the Dec. 12 date for choosing electors, the Dec. 18 electoral college meeting-aren't sacrosanct. They could be waived in the interests of democracy-if democracy were in fact paramount in this dispute. Indeed, a bold Florida court would insist that democracy trumps all, seize the moment and proceed with a recount.

This would be a most valiant act after the U.S. Supreme Court's sorry performance on Tuesday. Floridians deserved more from the court, and so did all Americans. Since the high court went out of its way to wander into this political thicket, it should have mustered the foresight to lead the country out of it.

But the high court has not led. It has abdicated. Like too many in this country, it has forgotten what this dispute called Bush vs. Gore is really about. It has never been about who wins the presidency. It's about how the presidency is won. It isn't about who gets the keys to the White House, but about who chooses the keeper of those keys.

The Florida Supreme Court knows the answer to that question, and it has known from the start. It has spoken the same line time and again: "Let the people decide."

Such plain words, so fundamental in a democracy. Why did the U.S. Supreme Court find them so hard to say?

Detroit News

Perhaps it was too much to hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would provide a clean and definitive end to the presidential election morass .

In a ruling Tuesday night that was a murky mix of the theoretical and practical, the high court reversed the hand count of presidential ballots ordered last week by the Florida Supreme Court. That would seem to guarantee the presidency to Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

But the ruling by a divided Supreme Court left the door open for considerable legal interpretation of its intent, and lawyers for Vice-President Al Gore surely spent the night examining the opaque wording for a loophole that would keep their hopes alive.

The high court ruled that the Florida court violated both the state law and state constitution in ordering a recount of the undervote - those ballots kicked out of vote counting machines because of no discernible choice for president - without establishing clear standards for what constitutes a vote or allowing for debate of what should be the procedure for recounting disputed votes.

So it would seem the election is over at last, and Mr. Bush the winner. But after more than a month of almost biblical twists and turns, we assume nothing.

Tuesday's ruling and the resulting confusion dramatically illustrate the folly of inviting the courts into the electoral process. Florida's vote should have been counted from the beginning under the rules established by state law and a winner declared by appropriate state authorities.

Perhaps now it will be.

San Francisco Chronicle

It took 35 days for the final votes to be counted. In the end, George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by a single vote. In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to allow any further recounting of votes in Florida, where Bush clung to a slim lead that would give him the state's 25 electoral votes and the presidency.

The growing group of Americans who were craving finality at all costs could go to bed satisfied last night. But for the rest of us, the few days required for a more thorough recount of the Florida vote would have been justified to defend the principle that every vote counts. The justices' divide on the critical recount-stopping portion of the ruling-falling so cleanly on ideological lines-will add to the unsettling impression that politics prevailed. Consider the dissent of Justice John Paul Stevens: "Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the law."

Unfortunately, the court was not willing to embrace a remedy, including a sensible one proposed by Justice Stephen Breyer. He suggested the Florida Supreme Court could have been told to design a uniform vote counting standard so that the state could complete its recount by the time electors gather nationwide on Dec. 18.

Copyright 2000 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

Democrats will exact high political "price" from Bush victory

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) - Democrats will try to force Republicans to make concessions or get the blame for gridlock in Washington, political experts said Wednesday. The ultimate goal: to use anger at the outcome of the election to galvanize the Democratic base and win control of Congress in 2002.

"The strategy is to exact as high a price as possible for bipartisanship," Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Marshall Wittmann said. "The Democrats know that to a certain extent they are in the cat-bird seat."

Vice President Al Gore is expected to end his bid for the presidency in a televised speech Wednesday night, a day after a sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court ended the election contest, ruling that insufficient time remained for any constitutionally acceptable recount of disputed ballots in Florida.

If Gore withdraws, Republicans will control not only the White House but also the House and the Senate -- but only by a razor-thin majority. The GOP majority in the House is a slim 221 to 212, and the Senate will be split 50-50 with Bush's running mate, Richard Cheney, breaking any tied votes as President of that chamber.

So, Republicans technically hold all the power in Washington. But the margins are so slim Democrats can easily create chaos or gridlock and Republicans could face the blame. In effect, full control of the White House and Congress - even by such a slim majority - may leave Republicans with few excuses if they don't make any legislative progress, Democrats said. Republicans might thereby be forced to move Democrats bills.

"A lot will depend on whether the Republicans want to work with the Democrats," New Democrat Network President Simon Rosenberg said. "They are in charge. They are going to have to set the tone and the agenda."

But Republicans said Wednesday that Democrats' attempts to create gridlock could backfire should they choose that strategy. "I think it could be a loser for either party to just try to have their way or block things," Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said.

Moderate Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, of Maine, said Democrats might still look guilty for gridlock even though Republicans technically control Washington. "They could use it to their political advantage," Snowe said. "But it could work against them if they do not work in a constructive manner."

Some Republicans are already predicting that Democrats will create a stalemate in Washington with the next elections on the horizon. "Their motivation is to take back the House and the Senate in 2002 and the White House in 2004," Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chaffee said.

Democrats also said the win by Bush will only galvanize Democratic voters and drive them to the polls in 2002. Democrats in general could be angered by a Bush victory that comes despite Gore winning the popular vote. The 5 to 4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that seems to have handed Bush the White House is considered by many to reflect a split along political and ideological lines, only exacerbating Democrats' anger.

Many minority groups might also be motivated by what they saw as widespread disparities in voting infrastructure that lead to many minority votes being thrown out or not counted, Democrats said.

All of those factors could drive a huge win for the Democrats in 2002. "We are going to have much higher turnout," AFL-CIO AFSCME President Gerald McEntee told United Press International. "My members are enraged. . . We are going to turn out an incredible vote of working families and African Americans. They understand what happened. They get it. And we are going to show them in 2002 and 2004."

That motivation might be even greater if unofficial recounts suggest that Gore actually won Florida. Under the state's "sunshine laws," media organizations and others could get access to the ballots and conclude Gore did get more votes there.

Pundits predict the wave of Democratic support might mirror the 1994 elections, when Republicans took full control of the House and the Senate. "The Democratic base is going to be as energized as the Republican base was in 1994," Wittmann said.

But Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said Democrats should work with Republicans simply because it is best for the country. "They are elected by the people to do the people's business," Specter said.

(Mitchell Prothero reporting from Tallahassee, Fla.) Copyright 2000 by United Press International.

Thanks To Roger And Karen Lateiner

Many thanks from TransFamily of Cleveland to the Lateiner Family and the Jenni Fund for their generous contribution that was received this past week.

The check, meant to reimburse support and education expenses, will allow us to continue the advocacy and education programs we provide through our website, newsletters, conferences, and programs. The funds will help us support and educate parents, family members, SOs and allies of transpeople. The funds will help us continue to send the "Parent Packs" to parents and others who request support and information.

The Jenni Fund was created to honor Jenni Lateiner, Karen and Roger's trans daughter, who died in an automobile accident in California. Jenni's sister, Bogi, who was a student at Oberlin College, graduated last spring. Along with many classmates, Bogi was a frequent visitor at our TransFamily meetings.

Karen and Bob Gross

I'm Finally Taking Who I REALLY Want To The Prom!!

The Pride Center
cordially invites one and all to the first annual

R  A  I  N  B  O  W     P  R  O  M 

at The Oaks Lodge in Chippewa Lake, Ohio
Saturday, March 31st, 2001

The Prom begins at 6:00 pm, seating for dinner is at 6:30 pm sharp. Tickets are $40.00 for individuals and $80.00 for couples. Ticket price includes a DJ, entertainment by the Front Alley Girls, and a choice of entrees: beef choice, chicken choice, or vegetarian choice. Any alcohol is at an extra cost.

Buy your tickets now!!!

Seating is limited!!! Contact The Pride Center at 330-253-2220 and leave your name, number attending, phone number, address, and entree desired. Check or money order should be made payable to The Pride Center and mailed to P.O. Box 22254, Akron, Ohio 44302. Tickets and directions will be mailed upon receipt of payment.

Prom Portraits by Vicki Lantz Photography

Packages range in price from $18.00 to $40.00 Payment by check or cash due when portrait is taken. Portraits will be taken from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm (there will also be a short period of time available after dinner for those unable to arrive early). Portraits will be mailed upon completion of professional processing (please allow three to four weeks).

TV Guide Jeers

The following appeared in the December 11th edition of TV Guide, in their "Cheers And Jeers" department.

JEERS to jumping on the trans-wagon. Remember when audiences gasped at the big surprise of 1992's The Crying Game? Well, today's TV viewers might just as likely yawn. What Austin Powers would call the "It's a man, baby!" plot twist has become nearly as frequent as loud arguments on The Practice. First, Fox's Ally McBeal featured a story line about a woman (actress Lisa Edelstein) who packed more in her knickers than anyone could have guessed. Then Jenny McCarthy showed up on NBC's Just Shoot Me as a former he. And ABC's Gideon's Crossing crossed gender boundaries when a woman with breast cancer stunned her husband with the news that she was once a man. We can only assume that the dumbfounded hubby hasn't been watching much TV lately.

Draft Registration Information

For those who need to be concerned about registering for the draft, here are the facts straight from the Selective Service Administration:

Individuals who are born female and have a sex change are not required to register. U.S. citizens or immigrants who are born male and have a sex change are still required to register. In the event of a resumption of the draft, males who have had a sex change can file a claim for an exemption from military service if they receive an order to report for examination or induction.

GenderPAC's National Conference on Gender

By Joni Christian

To all who are interested in the future of gender: I would like you to consider doing, "Understanding 'trans' in Genderism" for GPAC's 1st National Conference on Gender. Let's get a definition of "Genderism" so that we can show that we are not taken seriously unless we come from one box or the other. This is just as pervasive as sexism and it doesn't take too much to figure that one out. The intolerance and indifference must stop. Help me to help all of us. If you would like to join me, I would like you to consider being panelists for this upcoming event. Please, let me know as early as possible. The deadline is 12-15-00. Thank you for your continued support.

"Understanding the 'trans' in Genderism" inspires the following thoughts-

In these post-politically correct days, attaching the suffix "ism" to anything tends to provoke yawns, irritation or even outright hostility. This list of ism's is long and growing longer. Categorizing the kinds of oppression visited upon individuals and communities and labeling them 'isms' is a fine game among an academic community used to deconstruction, pseudo-marxist analysis and dialectics. But it less than effective in evoking change in public attitudes.

This workshop seeks to construct a new rhetorical, semiotic and activist basis for engaging in discussions which lead to genuine social change. We focus on the issues related to people of variant gender expression, but the content and methodology is of value to all communities and interests. In particular the use of personal narrative is stressed. The expression of personal stories is vital to the healing of individuals and communities and is also a more effective means of reaching hearts, opening minds and rewriting laws than political/social theoretical constructs based on conflict fomenting patriarchal modes of discourse. We also seek to increase awareness of the personal, social and political victories of transgendered people. By doing so we promote role models for the young, heroes and heroines for ourselves and generate a positive public image for our journey.

This is of course my casting about and may have nothing to do with your intent. But maybe it will be helpful. If I were submitting a workshop on my own, I might do one on "Bridging the gap- Healing the issues that divide segments of the gender community"....but something like that should really be done in this context by several leaders of communities...(get Rikki Anne Wilchins and Virginia Prince on the same panel ).

CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
GenderPAC's 1st National Conference on Gender -- May 18-20th

Deadline For Submissions : December 31, 2000
Notification Process Begins On/Around: February 15, 2001

GenderPAC proudly presents its 1st National Conference on Gender -- a 3-day conference devoted to gender politics, policy, and strategy. NCG will be held in downtown Washington, DC at the Washington Court Hotel on May 18-20, 2001, immediately before National Gender Lobby Day on May 20-22. NCG is designed to bring together all the diverse communities and identities who have a stake in gender rights: youth, feminist, gay, transgender, queer, questioning, and straight.

Conference Priorities

• Strengthen the political skills of gender rights advocates and activists
• Make connections across the diverse communities affected by gender civil rights
• Educate on gender policy and political issues such as hate crimes, job discrimination, misogyny, sexual orientation, media fairness, intersex genital mutilation, and GID reform.

Proposal Review

All workshop and panel proposals will be reviewed by the GenderPAC staff. Considerations for selection include:

• Relevance to gender politics, policy, strategy and organizing
• Content and panelists dealing with diverse groups and communities
• Presenter qualifications and experience
• Overall strength of the submission
• Diverse race/gender/class/age representation among panelists and presenters

Primary consideration will be given to presentations and workshops that are issue-based instead of identity-based and appeal across a broad range of attendees.

For instance, a proposed workshop on gender-based hate crimes would be given stronger consideration if it not only addressed crimes like that of Brandon Teena, but also assaults against gay men perceived as "flamboyant," sexual assaults against women, and the harassment of gender queer youth.

Due to the volume of submissions, GPAC reserves the right to reject proposals or to decline to review proposals received after December 31, 2000. You will be notified of the status of your proposal beginning on or about February 15, 2001.

Presenter Responsibilities

To keep conference registration fees at an affordable rate, presenters are asked to their volunteer time and services at NCG. In consideration of your service as a presenter, you will be able to register for the entire conference at a discounted rate of $100 (the lowest conference rate). This discounted rate includes all plenary sessions, workshops, round tables, trainings, screenings and caucuses scheduled beginning Thursday evening May 18 and concluding through Lobby Day, plus two continental breakfasts and two lunches (Friday and Saturday). This discounted registration rate DOES NOT include special conference events or Congressional Gala on Monday, May 21st.

Presenters are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. You may use your own travel agent or the travel agent for the Conference, Diane Boswell at Wilcox World Travel: 800.294.5269 x308.

Presenters are responsible for securing accommodations. GenderPAC will hold its conference at the Washington Court Hotel in downtown Washington, DC. The special conference rate will be extended to conference participants who mention GenderPAC when making reservations. You may reserve a room by calling 202-628-2100.

If you need a roommate, please contact us directly about our RoomShare Program, which will match you with from 1 to 3 roommates to help keep your conference costs low. We can also recommend economy-priced lodging in the nearby area.

Dr. Laura's Slow Death

GLAAD - December 11, 2000 -- Since the Dec. 1 Laura Watch, several additional stations have moved to downgrade or drop Dr. Laura, bringing the total to more than 35 markets that have either relocated the show to post-midnight timeslots or dropped it from their schedules since early November.

• Cleveland, OH (WKYC-TV, NBC) - moves to 3 a.m. effective Jan. 1
• Columbus, OH (WWHO-TV, UPN) - moves to 5 a.m. effective today
• Chico-Redding, CA (KHSL-TV, CBS) - dropped the program
• Portland, OR (KGW-TV, NBC) - now airs only on Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Oklahoma City, OK (KAUT-TV, UPN) - moves to 4 a.m. effective today
• Fort Wayne, IN (WPTA-TV, ABC) - moves to 3:05 a.m. effective today
• Tallahassee, FL (WTLH-TV, Fox) - moves to 4 a.m. effective today
• Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX (KFDM-TV, CBS) - moved to 12:35 a.m. (date unknown)

On the ratings front, Variety reports today that Dr. Laura's average rating since her debut has been a 1.5, but since the downgrades her rating has dropped to a 1.2. Also, Washington Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes reported Saturday (12/9) that the show's ratings in the D.C. market -- the only market in the top ten still airing Laura during daylight hours -- are dead last in its 1 p.m. timeslot, drawing just 9,000 viewers a day. And with a December broadcast schedule containing at least 13 consecutive repeat episodes (Dec. 6 through at least Dec. 22), the coming weeks promise even further ratings erosion for Dr. Laura.

This week's Variety features a front-page in-depth feature by Melissa Grego on Paramount and Dr. Laura, tracing the history of the studio's ill-fated decision to put Schlessinger on television and the impact of GLAAD's campaign to educate local stations and national advertisers. The article reports that Paramount Domestic Television has incurred losses said to be in the seven-figure range on the show; that Paramount is not repeating its sight-unseen marketing of Dr. Laura with its three new properties for next season; and that Paramount's leverage during the current selling season for 2001-02 may be compromised due to the ill-will of stations saddled with contracts to air Dr. Laura.

The following corporations deserve your support for their commitments to the GBLT community.

AT&T
American Airlines
American Express
Anheuser Busch
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Coors Beer
Disney Corporation
IBM
Kodak
Levi Strauss
Miller Beer
NAYA Spring Water
Neiman Marcus
Starbucks Coffee
Subaru
Toyota

SSAFE News

SSAFE is looking for an Intern to provide clerical and program support. This is a paid position.

SSAFE Speaker Training

Saturday, January 20th, 9:30 - 4:30 at The Center. This is the training for those interested in either our speakers Bureau or SSAFE presentations. Speaker's Bureau topics are usually about awareness of general LGBT issues. These range from "Homo 101" to specific topics like marriage, hate crimes, parenting, HIV/AIDS and aging. SSAFE presentations focus on GLBT issues.

To register, please call The Center at 216-651-GLBT (5428) or TransFamily at 216-691-HELP(4357). There is no charge, but reservations are needed, so please call by January 10, so we have a correct count. Please help SSAFE and TransFamily to be successful in this join endeavor with The Center and GLSEN! !

SSAFE and TransFamily

SSAFE Coalition has voted to accept TransFamily as one of the collaborative groups. Our name will now appear on all SSAFE brochures along with GLSEN, PFLAG, and Gay Lesbian Center. We need many of you to volunteer to help with their projects. Please call the center (216-522-1999) and Judy Maruszan, identify yourself as a member of TransFamily, and ask what you can do to help. Their biggest project is the annual fund raiser, which is held in either March or April (at the Cleveland International Film Festival). Let's have many of our members available to help with the project. In the fall, there will be a need for many of our members to speak at area schools. Please let the center know if you will be available.

Trans information is being required more often at some of the SSAFE seminars. It is really important to have a transperson represented at some of these programs. Please help schools better understand how to help trans youth and take part in these programs!

Call The Center for the location and date for the next SSAFE meeting. And, for more information on any of the above events, please contact The Center at 216-522-1999.

Community Calendar

Courtesy of The Center December

December 31 New Year's Eve

January

January 1 New Year's Day

January 4 TransFamily Of Cleveland, meeting at our usual location, 6:30 pm

January 10 The Center's Volunteer Meet and Greet Night. 6:30-8p at 6600 Detroit Ave. Open to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer!

January 11 An Evening With Emily Lyons presented by Freedom of Choice Cleveland Coalition and NCJW. (Emily was victim of the rash of violence against clinic workers.) Emily devotes her time speaking on women's rights issues. She will be speaking at the College Club 2348 Overlook Rd 5:30-7:30pm. Wine, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. $10 admission. For more information contact 216-491-2103. Please RSVP by January 5.

January 19 The Center's Singles Open House 5:30pm 6600 Detroit Ave. For more info call 216-651-5428.

January 20 SSAFE Speaker's Training 9:30-4:30p at The Center. If you are interested in being a volunteer please call Judy at 216-651-5428.

January 21 Windsong presents its annual full-length winter concert at Archwood UCC, 2800 Archwood Ave. 4pm.

January 30 Reel Lives film and discussion night. 7pm at The Center 6600 Detroit Ave. sponsored by the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Society and The Center.

February

February 1 TransFamily Of Cleveland, meeting at our usual location, 6:30 pm

The American Boyz 5th Annual True Spirit Conference

The American Boyz, Inc., a national organization for people who were born female but who feel that is not a complete or accurate assessment of who they are (FTMs) and our significant others, friends, families and allies (SOFFAs), will host its 5th annual True Spirit Conference (TSC) in Washington, D.C., February 16-19, 2001.

The conference, co-chaired by Mike Sanders and Tynan Power, will feature interactive workshops and caucuses presented and facilitated by leaders within the trans+/SOFFA community. Workshops and caucuses will range in subject from health and wellness; identities; SOFFA issues; legal, political and activism topics; "out" in the world; relationships; sexuality; spirituality; and much more. Each night will culminate in entertainment and keynote speeches from trans+ people and SOFFAs.

The True Spirit Conference is open to all who wish to attend and covers issues of interest to a broad spectrum of people, including significant others, friends, families and allies (SOFFAs).

Registration for TSC 2001 will be $60 for advance registration before January 1, 2001 and $90 after January 1. Student registration is $45 at all times; work scholarships are also available.

The True Spirit Conference will be held in the Washington Plaza Hotel at 10 Thomas Circle, NW. This central location is convenient to public transportation via the Washington, D.C. subway system and metropolitan bus routes.

For more information about the conference and to obtain a registration form for TSC 2001, visit http://www.amboyz.org/TSC/TSC.html or contact Mike Sanders at hoobieone@aol.com.

To make a hotel reservation, call the Washington Plaza Hotel at (800) 424-1140 or (202) 842-1300; use group #9840 when you make reservations. For travel arrangements, please call Bruce Forchheimer at 703-522-3777 ext.3106, or email him at bruce@rttl.com.

Bumper Sticker Humor

Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything.
- Joseph Stalin

The last time somebody listened to a Bush, folks wandered in the desert for 40 years

UNPRESIDENTED!

Don't Blame Me - I voted for Gore... I Think

If God Meant Us to Vote, He Would Have Given Us Candidates

Jews for Buchanan

What popular vote?

I voted - Didn't matter

My parents retired to Florida and all I got was this lousy President

Disney gave us Mickey,
Florida's giving us Dumbo

DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR VOTE........
LET KATHERINE HARRIS DO IT FOR YOU

Who is this Chad guy and why is he pregnant.

Bush trusts the people, but not if it involves counting.

Now do you understand the importance of user-testing?

To you I'm a drunk driver; to my friends, I'm presidential material!

One person, one vote (may not apply in certain states)

I DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIS DADDY EITHER

IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL YOUR BROTHER COUNTS THE VOTES

The election can't be broken. We just fixed it.

The skies (wheeze) of Texas (cough) are upon you! (choke)

Banana Republicans

George W. Bush: The President Quayle We Never Had

Feeling Creative??

Hey folks, we need some input. This family newsletter is for the whole group. Please share! Turn in articles and ideas as soon as possible so that they may be included in the next newsletter. Also, don’t forget to inform us of the date, time and place of upcoming events.

If you have any ideas, articles, poems, etc. for the next newsletter, please get them to Karen or Cindy at the next meeting, or calling (216) 691-HELP (4357) or e-mail Karen at karen_gross@transfamily.org or Cindy at cindy.scott@transfamily.org

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