NEWS ITEM - Prof. Blanchard Quits

In a November 4, 2003 letter to the President and Executive Director of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), noted gender researcher Dr. Ray Blanchard resigned his membership in protest of the HBIGDA stance on the controversy over J. Michael Bailey's recent book and research methods.

"It is with deep regret that I tender my resignation in the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA)," Dr. Blanchard, Head Clinical Sexology Services Professor of Psychiatry, of Toronto's Clarke Institute, wrote: "I have long supported the goals of the HBIGDA. It is therefore a matter of some sadness that the recent actions of the HBIGDA Executive have made it necessary for me to disassociate myself from this organization. I am referring to the appalling decision of the HBIGDA Officers and Board of Directors to attempt to intervene in Northwestern University's investigation into the allegations made by certain members of the transsexual community against Prof. J. Michael Bailey."

Blanchard referred to a HBIGDA letter responding to concerns over Prof. Bailey's book and research methods raised in a July 2003 letter from Professors Lynn Conway (University of Michigan), Deirdre McCloskey (University of Illinois at Chicago), Ben Barres (Stanford University), Barbara P. Nash (University of Utah) and Joan Roughgarden (Stanford University).
The Conway, et al, letter stated, in part, "As a result of the widening investigations and the growing controversy, many people will turn to HBIGDA's leaders and ask your opinions about Bailey's book. We urge you to begin your own investigation into Prof. Bailey's motives, methods, and activities---including his "research" methods, his treatment of human subjects, his veracity, and his methods of reporting and publicizing his "results."
Prof. Bailey is a faculty member at Northwestern University in Chicago. Bailey's book is based on Prof. Blanchard's theory of autogynephilia, a term described as love of oneself as a woman. Bailey's book, "The Man Who Would Be Queen" proffered that there are only two types of male-to-female transsexuals: homosexual transsexuals and autogynephiles.

A letter dated October 20, 2003, by the HBIGDA Board of Directors stated that, "a relationship of trust and mutual respect between the scientific and the transgender communities is essential to further its mission to promote the health and well-being of transgender and transsexual individuals and their families. It is felt by many of our members that this poorly referenced book does not reflect the social and scientific literature that exists on transsexual people and could damage that essential trust."
The HBIGDA letter added that, "We hope that the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects at Northwestern will consider the ethical issues that are involved and we will be sending them a copy of this letter so that they are aware of our concerns. We are also preparing a separate letter to Northwestern University to express our concerns directly."
The letter concluded with a plea for all parties concerned to exercise professionalism and treat the relationship between researchers, practitioners, and the community with great care.

The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) echoes the HBIGDA concern. It is essential for the transgender community to project a cohesive image during a time when we are undergoing vicious attacks from without. Despite differences over gender theories, research results and techniques, we can ill afford to continue a divisive, self-consuming internal battle.
"Dr. Blanchard had a unique perspective that may well be missed on HBIGDA," Vanessa Edwards Foster, chair of NTAC, "but hopefully this resignation doesn't become a self-regenerating controversy of its own. "It is time to let the University investigations and the civil lawsuits surrounding this controversy proceed on their own."
Founded in 1999, NTAC - the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition - is a §501(c)(4) civil rights organization working to establish and maintain the right of all transgendered, intersexed, and gender-variant people to live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.

NEWS ITEM - Government Announces Transsexual Rights Bill........... Dated: 11/07/2003

The Westminster Government today unveiled proposals which will give transsexual people the right to re-register in their true gender.
The Gender Recognition Bill, which is expected to go before parliament next year, will give transsexuals thr right to re-register their gender and marry in their true gender. The Bill also includes a provision to prohibit the disclosure of information that a person has re-registered their gender. The draft bill only covers England and Wales, however the announcement from the Lord Chancellor's Department says that the Scottish Executive intends to ask the Scottish Parliament to approve a "Sewel motion" which will enable the bill to be extended to cover Scotland.
The government is introducing the measure following a victory a year ago in the European court of human rights for two male-to-female transsexuals.
Britain is one of only four countries in the Council of Europe - the others are Albania, Andorra and Ireland - to refuse transsexuals permission to alter the gender on their birth certificates.

NEWS ITEM - Donations Needed To Save Life of Imperiled Honduran Trans Activist - September 03

The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) is issuing a call to the international transgender community to come to the aid of a transgender activist in Honduras. China (born Elkyn) Suárez Mejía has been a stalwart in challenging the Honduran government and local authorities in San Pedro de Sula to investigate the rash of murders among Honduras' GLBT population.

It began with the murder of 19-year old Ericka (born Erick) Yáñez, by two policemen who had been in the area "looking for the services of a prostitute," while in their police vehicle. Upon learning Yáñez was not a biological female, they argued and then shot her. Suárez filed complaints against the officers, who were arrested, then later released.
Since the jailed officers' release, Suárez was visited by one of the accused, Jairo Antonio Mejía, and pressured to pull her complaint, to which she refused. Mejía then threatened that if the complaint weren't pulled in 24 hours, Suárez would "not see another day."

Amnesty International (AI) has issued an urgent appeal to contact Honduran authorities and petition them to provide witness protection for Suárez. In the meantime, China Suárez is in hiding, and in dire need of relocating to another country.
The Latino/a Lesbian Gay Organization (LLEGÓ) has established a fund to provide safe passage for China Suárez to another country. The website address for online donations is: https://secure.ga3.org/02/suarez
(this was the address sent to me but I suspect there is a www. after the http:// also not sure about the 's' bit)
Alternately, checks or money orders may be sent to: LLEGÓ, 1420 K Street Northwest, Suite 400,Washington, DC 20005. Please note on the check or money order to direct the monies to the China / Elkyn Suárez Mejía fund.

"China Suárez is taking a principled stand for justice for the lives of many GLBT Hondurans," said NTAC Chair, Vanessa Edwards Foster. "For this, she could end up paying the ultimate price - with her life." No less than 10 transgendered murder victims have been found in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in June, July and August.
"It is simply abhorrent that the Honduran authorities have done so little to protect LGBT citizens from serious human rights abuses or to investigate such abuses and hold the perpetrators accountable," explained Michael Heflin, Director of Amnesty International USA's (AIUSA) OUTfront program.
"Anti-transgender violence is a worldwide problem," said Gwen Smith, of the Remembering Our Dead project. "Such murders are [often] done at the hands of the police and paramilitary, with the assumed consent of the government. No matter how bad it can be in the United States, at least we are not facing such clear-cut genocide."
"Appropriate action must be taken on behalf of Elkyn Suárez Mejía, whose testimony will be vital," to achieving justice in Yáñez's death, added Heflin of AI-USA. "[It's] a first step in correcting the grave injustices against Honduras' LGBT population."
Concluded Foster of NTAC; "we encourage the transgender community to step up and save the life of someone working to save others."

Founded in 1999, NTAC - the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition - is a §501(c)(4) civil rights organization working to establish and maintain the right of all transgendered, intersexed, and gender-variant people to live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.

NEWS ITEM - Genes May Contribute to 'Gender Identity'........October 2003

Researchers say they've discovered genes that may help determine sexuality in the early days of life, weeks before hormones kick in and force fetuses to develop into males or females.
In some cases, the genes may go one way -- affecting the development of the brain -- while the hormones head in the opposite direction, says study co-author Dr. Eric Vilain, an assistant professor of human genetics at the University of California at Los Angeles. If the brain and hormones are at cross-purposes, that could shed light on why transgendered people feel as though they are trapped in the body of the wrong sex, he explains.

The findings "may explain the mechanism of gender identity, why we feel that we're male or female," Vilain adds. "What we're saying, and we're not the only ones to say this, is that [hormones] are not whole story. There also might be genetic influences independent from hormones."
Researchers have long assumed the hormones estrogen and testosterone are responsible for gender development in humans, Vilain notes.
At about six weeks of life, the hormones kick in and create testes or ovaries in humans. Before that time the fetus is physically sexless. The hormones also supposedly affect brain development, which is slightly different in males and females.
In his study, Vilain and his colleagues examined mice before they reached a similar stage of development. They wanted to see if certain genes in the mice "switched on" in accordance with their gender, which only became obvious later during physical development.
The results of the study appears in the October issue of Molecular Brain Research.
The researchers found 54 genes that seem related to gender. Eighteen were produced at higher levels in males; the 36 others were produced at higher levels in females.
In addition to possibly explaining why transgendered people feel as though they're men trapped in women's bodies (or vice versa), the findings could lead to genetic testing to help parents decide how to raise babies who have sex organs of both genders, Vilain says. Parents often have problems deciding whether these children should be raised as boys or girls and whether they should have surgery to "correct"their bodies.

Vilain thinks sexual orientation is a different matter, however, and he's not as certain these genes could contribute to homosexuality.
Bruce McEwen, head of the neuroendocrinology laboratory at Rockefeller University, says the ideas behind the study aren't new, but the research is still "very worthwhile." But he cautions against assuming genes alone are responsible for different types of sexuality. "It's a nature-nurture type of thing in the extreme," he says. "Environment will play a role, genes will play a role. It would be dangerous to be simplistic."
The next step for researchers is to tinker with the genes of mice and see how they behave, Vilain says. Male and female mice act differently, with males being more aggressive. (There's no word yet on whether they're less likely to ask for directions, too.)

(SOURCES: Eric Vilain, M.D., assistant professor, human genetics and urology, University of California, Los Angeles; Bruce McEwen, Ph.D., head, neuroendocrinology laboratory, Rockefeller University, New York City; October 2003 Molecular Brain Research

NEWS ITEM - UK Transsexual's partner 'snapped' at abuse ......

They were just like any other happy couple looking forward to mingling with friends at a party in the quiet United Kingdom Norfolk village. But although James Norman and Samantha Malone hoped to blend in with fellow revellers, the pair stood out of the crowd in more ways than one. With a figure most models would be envious of, Miss Malone, a striking 6ft 4ins post-operative transexual, towered over other guests at a barbecue.
But despite being used to attracting attention, Miss Malone was not prepared for the stream of insults about her sexuality from fellow partygoer, David Glenville. And the barrage proved too much for her partner, who "snapped" and hit Mr Glenville across the face with a glass bottle - leaving him in hospital with a fractured cheekbone and a bruised eye.

Last night Norman, 33, spoke of his relief after he was spared prison at Norwich Crown Court after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm. The court was told Norman "snapped in a split second misjudgement" after MrGlenville repeatedly said of Miss Malone "it looks like a bloke, it dresses like a bloke, and therefore it is a bloke,"
Prosecuting, Stephen Ridley , said that when Mr Glenville continued to make the remarks Norman, of Holls Lane, Norwich, hit him across the face with a bottle he washolding. The court heard Norman had gone to the barbecue at a friend's house in Martham with Miss Malone, on June 21. They were joined by a number of other guests including Mr Glenville and his wife Polly, of Blenheim Avenue , Martham. But Mr Ridley said that while at the barbecue - which lasted more than seven hours - Mr Glenville continually taunted the pair about Miss Malone's sexuality, upsetting her so much that she decided to go home, leaving Norman behind.
"But further comments continued to be made," said Mr Ridley. "Norman had a bottle in his hand. He rose out of his seat and used the bottle to strike Mr Glanville in the face." Norman was then restrained by other guests and thrown out of the party.
The court heard Norman, an electrical retail store manager, was a man of previous good character. Michael Clare , defending, said: "The victim simply would not shut up about aspects of his (Norman's) partner's sexuality. "The victim was going on and on about it. He seemed obsessed about it. The victim seemed to think there was something amusing about the circumstances in a grotesquely insulting way.
"It eventually wore Norman down and he snapped in a split second misjudgement and swung at him with a bottle." He said Norman was not a violent man and was thoroughly ashamed about what had happened.
Giving him 120 hours community punishment and ordering him to pay £500 costs, recorder Christopher Chandler , said: "A weapon in the form of a bottle was used and the injuries were severe. An offence such as this would usually carry a considerable prison sentence, but that is not going to happen.
"I am pleased there has been no attempt to use provocation as an excuse for your behaviour. It is important that when this type of behaviour occurs one walks away from it and that is what you should have done."

Norman and Miss Malone left court holding hands and said they were relieved the ordeal was over. Miss Malone, who was wearing a short denim mini-skirt, said she underwent surgery "several years ago" and this was the first time something like this had happened. "It was really hurtful," she said. "He just started on me and would not give up. He was just being obnoxious. I thought James and I were going to split up over this at one point, but we have been together for about 14 months and are closer than ever now." Norman added: "I was worried I might go to prison. I am just pleased it is all over."

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