Gender Queer's topics - tribe.net

Question and not sure if this is the right place

George — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:21:07 GMT

Hi

I just made an FtM friend who is "BBW" bodied but male minded. He has a (light hearted) love/hate relationship with his body but he enjoys having a girls body. I love him either way. We're not sexually involved, but he likes to think he's my puppy and I'm his Sir. He's not on T and not ready to transition, but I can see it being a possibility in his future as he matures.

My big question is how do I treat him like a female in public and switch gears and treat him like a male around friends? I guess what I want is to hear from other "BBW" bodied men who have transitioned so I can get an idea.

Thanks.

posted in Gender Queer - 2 replies

A Compassionate Eye: The Work of Victor Arimondi at The Hormel Center of the SF Public Library

ericsf7 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:30:07 GMT

A Compassionate Eye: The Work of Victor Arimondi
The Hormel Center at the San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street, 3rd Floor
FREE & Open to the Public
September 12 -- December 2, 2009

Famed fashion & art photographer Victor Arimondi was known for his unique eye and sensuous style. This is the first major retrospective of his work since his death from AIDS/HIV in 2001
www.victorarimondi.net

If a picture is worth a thousand words then the iconic images of photographer Victor Arimondi (www.victorarimondi.net) are an unfinished epic: a tone poem that blurs the boundaries of fashion and art, and delves into realms of the sensual, the celebratory and society’s disenfranchised. In the first major retrospective of the artist’s work since his death from AIDS/HIV in 2001, A Compassionate Eye: The Work of Victor Arimondi explores the incredible breadth of the internationally-acclaimed photographer often compared to – but lesser known than – such contemporaries as Mapplethorpe, and Bianci. The exhibit runs through December 2 at the James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center of San Francisco’s Main Public Library (100 Larkin Street, 3rd Floor). Entrance to the exhibit is free and open to the public.

Part of New York’s heady “pop art” era, Arimondi started as a fashion model before turning the lens on his former life often citing his admiration for the work of Avedon as one of his inspirations. Born in Italy in 1942, it was in Sweden that Arimondi was discovered while working as a laborer. Soon, his rough-hewn beauty made him one of Europe’s most popular regulars in print and on the runway, an experience which led him to his ultimate career. His varied palette and incredible output – with more than 3000 photos -- included male nudes, high fashion treatments, photo montages and later documenting the plight of the homeless and the onslaught of AIDS / HIV. When he died in his adopted home of San Francisco on July 24, 2001, his face and work had graced most of the world’s top fashion publications and several books, now collectors’ items.

“My approach to photography has never been causal,” Arimondi once said. “Since I posed in front of the camera so many years, my experience with talented photographers made me realize a way to express my inner world. My approach to beauty is dominated by my classical background and European style. I came to this country to further develop my style and spirit – I believe that I have been faithful to my ideal.”

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

TransMission!

Alecs — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:53:33 GMT

Yup! That's the name of the new play party geared towards the trans, genderqueer, and generally gender-variant communities coming to the SF Citadel January 2010! Stay tuned for ongoing updates on this event. If you're on Fetlife, please join our group (SF Citadel Presents TransMission) if you want to help with planning process and tell us what makes a hot tranny party for you. We're also in the process of designing a logo for our publicity material, so if you have ideas for one, we'd love to hear it.

We look forward to your input.

-Alecs aka: sailor, on behalf of the TransMission team

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

help needed from individuals who identify as genderqueer!

Jen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:26:28 GMT

HELP NEEDED FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY AS GENDERQUEER/TRANSGENDER

I am a graduate student seeking volunteers in the San Fancisco Bay Area for my research about individuals who feel the gender binary (male/female, masculine/feminine) is too limiting. Volunteers will be asked to participate in a brief phone screening procedure. If you are found to match the study criteria, you will be invited to participate in a confidential interview, where you will be asked about your experience of gender.

My hope is that this study will contribute to, and expand, the current understanding of people who do not identify with the gender binary (male/female, masculine/feminine), and that it will help mental health professionals begin to understand that gender-variance and gender non-conformity are not an illness. It may also offer you the opportunity to reflect on your personal gender experience.

Are you:
Over the age of 18?
Born biologically female?

Do you:
Feel that your gender identity, biological sex, and socially prescribed gender don’t match up?
Identify your gender as being outside the gender binary (male/female,masculine/feminine), and instead use a descriptor that is both, neither, or a third?

If the answer is YES to all four of these questions, you are needed for a study that is based on your personal experience of your gender!

Your participation is voluntary and confidential.
If interested, please leave a message at (415) 550-0218, or email genderqueerstudy@gmail.com. Please provide your name and phone number, along with a convenient time to reach you, so we can schedule the initial phone conversation.

Thank you for your time,
Jennifer Evans

posted in Gender Queer - 3 replies

New book about men, religion and the value of queerness

mrman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:20 GMT

Numen, Old Men: Contemporary Masculine Spiritualities and the Problem of Patriarchy:
http://tinyurl.com/desl9s

Since the early 1990s there have been various waves of interest in what is often described as “masculine spirituality”. While diverse, a commonality among these interests has been a concern that spirituality has become too feminine, and that men’s experiences of the spiritual are being marginalized. Masculine spirituality is therefore about promoting what it perceives to be authentic masculine characteristics within a spiritual context. By examining the nature of these characteristics, Numen, Old Men argues that masculine spirituality is little more than a thinly veiled patriarchal spirituality. The mythopoetic, evangelical, and to a lesser extent Catholic men’s movements all promote a heteropatriarchal spirituality by appealing to neo-Jungian archetypes of a combative and oppressive nature, or understanding men’s role as biblically ordained leader of the family. Numen, Old Men then examines Ken Wilber’s integral spirituality which aims to honour and transcend both the masculine and feminine, but which privileges the former to the extent where it becomes another masculine spirituality, with all its inherent patriarchal problems. Gay spirituality is then offered as a form of masculine spirituality which to a large degree resists patriarchal tendencies, suggesting a queering of spirituality could be useful for all men, both gay and straight.

Excerpted here:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/masculine_spiritualities_and_problem_patriarchy

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Curiosity killed the pussy...

Raina — Sun, 03 May 2009 23:56:22 GMT

I'm curious... do you gals grow your hair
or predominately wear wigs?
(I grow)

posted in Gender Queer - 2 replies

INTRO TO BOUFFON WORKSHOP/AUDITION - MAY 24TH

FAEBLE Morningglorious — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:54:53 GMT

WORKSHOP – INTRODUCTION TO BOUFFON

In the realm of bouffon, the audience is the joke. Their greatest joy is to make fun of the audience, its values and flaws. This pack of grotesque outsiders engages in a direct relationship with the spectators using intelligence, charm, and an ecstatic sense of play. To play as bouffon is to celebrate contrast and paradox. They hate you, yet they flatter you. Hideously deformed yet beautiful, wickedly insane yet prophetic, bouffons explode with joy and mockery and create ferocious social satire. No one is safe. In this workshop participants will explore:

-Discovering the body and mind of your bouffon

-Playing upon contrasts of state and rhythm

-Connecting with the audience

-Being 100% present and captivating

-Parodying societal maladies and hypocrisies

This workshop is in preparation for Naked Empire Bouffon Company’s inaugural production, San Francisco Blows, a grotesque satire of the queer community, that will premiere at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory August 20-29th. It is free, but space is limited. You must RSVP with Artistic Director, Nathaniel Justiniano by Saturday, May 23rd in order to attend. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins.

This is also an audition opportunity. We are seeking a female physical theatre performer to be our 5th cast member. As this is a production ‘by, for, and about’ the queer community, the actress must identify as non-straight. She does not need previous experience with bouffon but must be comfortable with improvisation and intense physical performance. Each performer will be a co-creator of this new work. Actresses of color and of all ages are highly encouraged to audition. Please contact Nathaniel Justiniano for more details.

When: Sunday, May 24th, 12p – 6p (w/ a 30 min break)

Where: Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, 1519 Mission St. (between South Van Ness and 11th St)

What to bring: Water. Snacks. Although there will be a break there isn’t really any local fast food in the area. Padding. Please bring at least one grocery sized bag or larger of pillows, extra large movement clothes, stretchable fabrics, etc. Articles will get dirty and sweaty, but shouldn’t be ruined. The more, the better.

Contact: Nathaniel Justiniano, 615.720.0703, luvthatgoat@yahoo.com

Naked Empire Bouffon Company was founded in 2009 by Nathaniel Justiniano and combines social activism with grotesque satire in original, actor-created bouffon performances for the stage and street.

Nathaniel Justiniano has been a professional actor and director for 10 years and he is a DIY Artist-in-Residence at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, one of the city’s most popular new centers for queer and activist performance. He holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theater from Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater, North America’s center for the research, training, and performance of the actor/creator, where he collaborated or led the creation of nineteen new productions for the stage in a two and a half year period. In 2007 he co-created Pax Americana, a satire of war as seen through the lens of United States history and EUOI!, a bouffon experiment in ecstatic ritual. More recently, he performed with the SF Buffoons in their productions of The Hasheesh Eater and Spunk, a satire of gold rush-era San Francisco. Mr. Justiniano has also been a professional community organizer and educator for GLBT youth empowerment programs for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, as well as a program manager for community-based theater initiatives out of the National Conference for Community & Justice and Cornerstone Theater Company.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

know your ememy

Sizzle — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:13:18 GMT

www.silencingchristians.com/

a friend told me, as a follow up to this, allegedly it was meant to be aired on a tv station in Wisconsin,
the TV station has sinced passed the offer, because the AFA has been uncommunicative.
Of course, AFA supporters have blamed the "homosexuals" for denying their freedom of speech.

these are their hateful survey questions... who knows what they have planned next.

Do you believe the Bible condemns homosexuality as sin? Yes No Undecided

Can homosexuals change their sexual orientation? Yes No Undecided

Should homosexuals be allowed to adopt children? Yes No Undecided

Should homosexuals be given the same special rights extended to African-Americans and other minorities? Yes No Undecided

Should hate crimes legislation be passed that would call for more severe penalties for crimes against homosexuals? Yes No Undecided

Do you believe that churches and religious organizations should be forced to hire homosexuals? Yes No Undecided

Would you support a boycott of a major U.S. corporation that contributes money to support homosexual activist organizations? Yes No Undecided

Should judges be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court who support extending special rights to homosexuals? Yes No Undecided

Should employers be forced to extend special consideration in the hiring of homosexuals? Yes No Undecided

Is the secular media demonstrating a bias in favor of the homosexual agenda? Yes No Undecided

Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to limit marriage to a union between one man and one woman? Yes No Undecided

Should children in public schools be taught homosexuality is normal, acceptable, and equal to the traditional marriage of a man and a woman? Yes No Undecided

Do you agree that Christians should be arrested for speaking against homosexuality in public places? Yes No Undecided

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

Recently joined Tribe. Just weighing in and saying hello

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:17:00 GMT

EOM

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Starting a new Intersexed, trans, Genderqueer, etc.... support group in the Sf Bay Ayea

blackmetal — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:38:21 GMT

We are starting an Intersexed and trans SUpport Group in the SF Bay Area (Specifically the East bay). It is for any Intersexed, Transgendered, Genderqueer, transexual, 3rd gender, Middlesex, Androgynous, MTF, FTM, transmasculine, etc...well you get the idea. Please help spread the word. It is the first and third Sunday of each month. Contact the moderator Brian for directions.

http://tribes.tribe.net/bayareaintersextransetcsupportgroup

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SFBayAreaIntersexTransSupportGroup/

http://groups.myspace.com/SfBAYAREAINTERSEXSUPPORTGROUP

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

gender neutral bathroom directory

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:04:48 GMT

Hello,
I’m working with several other genderqueer folks in the san francisco bay area to create a searchable gender neutral bathroom directory. At the moment, what we have is a work in progress and only accessible through a web browser, but we'd like to think that it offers the beginnings of a great resource for those who may not feel comfortable with the rigid binary of bathrooms in our society.

Most of our locations are in the san francisco or portland, but the site will take submissions nationally, and we're working towards international support. We've only been promoting it for a few days and we already have over 100 bathrooms listed!

The project has only begun and there is still a lot of work being done to improve the scripting and layout, but you can visit and add to the
beta at http://safe2pee.org/beta/. When the project is stable we intend to release the scripting and bathroom data as open source, so others may benefit of it (and/or to ensure against a future demise)!

If you have any comments, ideas, feature requests or a desire to assist with the project, you may reach us at safe2pee at r i s e u p dot net

Thanks!

posted in Gender Queer - 11 replies

Gender (Binary) is a Social Disease

Al — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:48:20 GMT

People need to consider that human beings are fluid... as far as gender expression and identity, and closely related, but not the same, in sexuality as well... It surprises me that a good amount of people I have encountered have not had an anthropology or sociology class, to let them know that gender is a SOCIAL CONSTRUCT. It is an arbitrary based, yet fundamental part of being human (for some), and I think it is an especially powerful tool when reclaiming your body or authentic self versus strict (binary) taught gender ideas and what is acceptable.

Check out massproduce.spreadshirt.com

I'm hoping the idea will spread...

Break down the walls, inspire dialogue, educate, and eradicate ignorance!

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

youtube

sineatersmith — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:29:50 GMT

my 1st youtube video of my poem

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

Please go vote ("Should sex-change operations be tax deductible?")

stormaldo — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:45:10 GMT

Please vote and pass this on...

On 7/17/07, lillisa410 < papichulo410@gmail.com> wrote:

This was on Boston.com and I thought this was an interesting case.

IRS denies sex-change writeoff

By Associated Press | July 17, 2007

After a tormented existence as a father, a husband, a Coast Guardsman,
and a construction worker, a 57-year-old suburban Boston man underwent
a sex-change operation. And then she wrote off the $25,000 in medical
expenses on her taxes.

But the IRS disallowed the deduction, ruling the procedure was
cosmetic, not a medical necessity, in a potentially precedent-setting
dispute now before the US Tax Court.

Rhiannon O'Donnabhain is suing the IRS in a case that advocates for
the transgendered are hoping will force the tax agency to treat
sex-change operations the same as appendectomies, heart bypasses, and
other deductible medical procedures. The case is set to go to trial
July 24.

An estimated 1,600 to 2,000 people a year undergo sex-change surgery
in the United States, according to the Gay and Lesbian Medical
Association.

O'Donnabhain, now 63, served in the Coast Guard, got married, helped
to raise three children, and worked as a supervisor at various
engineering and construction jobs, including the Big Dig highway
project. O'Donnabhain said she could have paid back the approximately
$5,000 she received in her tax refund, but decided to challenge the
IRS because she believes the ruling against her was rooted in politics
and prejudice.

"This goes way beyond money," O'Donnabhain said in an interview with
the Associated Press. "If I were to give the money back, it would be
saying it's OK for you to do this to me. It is not OK for them to do
this to me or anyone like me."

The federal Tax Court has never issued an opinion in a similar case,
said Jennifer Levi, a lawyer with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders,
the Boston-based legal organization representing O'Donnabhain.

But the IRS has ruled against allowing the deduction in at least one
other case. In a 2005 case, the IRS ruled the costs of a woman's
gender reassignment surgery and related treatments were not deductible
as medical expenses. The IRS cited the section of the tax code that
says cosmetic surgery or similar procedures are deductible only when
they are needed to improve a congenital abnormality, an accident or
trauma, or a disfiguring disease.

Diego M. Sanchez, APR
Director of Public Relations & External Affairs
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc.
294 Washington St., Boston, MA 02108
direct: 617.450.1524; mobile: 617.835.1455
www.aac.org

posted in Gender Queer - 6 replies

being "out" about being gender queer

sugarsink — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:29:14 GMT

in general would anyone care to share some stories about how they out themselves to people that don't generally know what gender queer is. i would like to here from both folks who's GQ-ness is "invisible" as well as those who are read as GQ because of how they appear physically.

also, stratagies for dealing with folks who get angry and cruel when they they feel confused because you don't fit into a gender binary?

I had a bathroom incident today that left me feeling a little shook (realizing that it was a tip of an iceburg of violences people experience) and i could use a little love and some posi stories......

thanks.

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

The Lenses of Gender

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:34:24 GMT

This is a great book about gender roles and how they are used to keep sexual minorities and women in place.
Written by Susan Lipsitz Bem- theorist on sex and gender-
Great for all of us that dont fall into available categories given to us by society-how its perceptions are shaped.
Why are there categories?

posted in Gender Queer - 2 replies

hello from Seattle

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:24:17 GMT

hello all, I am Seattle area Crossdresser interested in making connections with other kinky people for kinky encounters as well as for advice and friendship.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Is genderqueer anti-trans- ?

Seven — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:31:03 GMT

Obviously not literally, but theoretically? Would the logical answer to the trans- 'condition' (used very loosely for lack of better words) from a genderqueer position be "you don't have to transition, and if you do, you're only reinforcing the binary?"
Something I've been struggling with. Many of the trans-folks that I've talked to express some degree of 'maybe if there had been the genderqueer option I may not have transitioned/had SRS..' how does the genderqueer movement respond to that?

-Seven*

posted in Gender Queer - 20 replies

Camp Beaverton hits the playa 2008: Our call to queer women to participate!

Allison — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:23:59 GMT

Greetings, Beavers and friends!

Camp Beaverton is the playa's home for queer women and allies. Last year was Camp Beaverton's inaugural Burn. It was wildly successful and this year we'd like to see it grow and thrive. If you'd like to learn more about last year's burn, check out our tribe. If you'd like to participate in THIS year's burn, read on!

I'm Allison- the orange-haired Camp Counselor from last year's burn. I'll be helping organize our pre-playa planning this year, starting with our Beaver Calls. If you haven't been checking in on Tribe.net lately, now is the time to do so. We've already started some lively discussions about our presence on the playa, our intentions for this year's burn, and semantics about fundraising and shade structures. Your opinions are invaluable, so please pop on over to tribes.tribe.net/campbeaverton to get in on the action. As soon as Tribe gets with the program, I'll be taking over as moderator for the tribe. In the meantime, feel free to continue to contact last year's moderator Reid or me on the site. Or you can email me directly at this addy.

Our first organizational call will be happening on Wednesday, June 18th at 6pm Pacific Time/ 9pm Eastern Time.

You and anyone who may be interested in being involved with Camp Beaverton is invited to attend. Please RSVP on the Tribe (tribes.tribe.net/campbeaverton).

Call Date: Wednesday, June 18th
Conference Start Time: 9:00 PM New York time / 6:00 PM Los Angeles time
Dial-in Number to call: 1-309-946-5100
Participant Access Code: 81567# (hit pound after entering in the access code)

QUESTIONS? Leave me a Tribe message, or an email me at allison.moon(at)gmail.com

On the agenda for this call:

1. A brief history of Camp Beaverton and what we'd like to create for this year's burn
2. The role of Camp Beaverton within our parent camp of FreedomCommunity (tribes.tribe.net/freedomcommunityburns)
3. The Beaver Den and additional shade structures.
4. Fundraising
5. Events and activities.
6. Leadership positions and ways to get involved
7. Questions

This is the first in a series of calls to help manifest powerfully and playfully our queer oasis in Black Rock City this year.
Last year's burn and inaugural year for Camp Beaverton blew my panties off (if I had been wearing panties, that is). I would love to see us inspire even more playful, queer, totally rad energy this year. Please come be a part of it! And please FWD this to your friends who might be interested in what we're up to!
Looking forward to speaking with you all on the 18th...

Dusty tails,
~Allison

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

The Final Edition of the ICP

Ron — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:56:52 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities:

It is with both joy and sadness that I am writing to announce the final edition of the ICP. After you receive this notice, I will delete the mailing list for the ICP from my files and you will no longer receive announcements about the project. I was placed on a new drug regimen about 2 months ago and have experienced a serious side effect to the new meds. I am no longer able to continue to maintain the project as a result.

Please know that it has been a joy to bring you the ICP for the past 2 years and that I wish I could continue the project into the future. However, my focus has to be on my own healing now. For those of you who have contributed or hosted the ICP, my heartfelt gratitude can hardly be expressed. For those who blog about HIV/AIDS and who fight to end the stigma of this disease, I urge you to continue your work. We are all in the fight of our lives.

Many, many thanks to Sokari at Blacklooks for hosting the final edition of the ICP at the following link:

http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/06/international_carnival_of_positives_-_final_edition.html

Please visit, read and leave your feedback for the host and the contributors in this, the last edition of the ICP.

I wish you all peace and health.

Much love.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Cuba approves free sex-change operations

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:40:21 GMT

Cuba approves free sex-change operations

By WILL WEISSERT,
Associated Press Writer

HAVANA - Cuba has authorized sex-change operations and will offer them free for qualifying citizens, an official said Friday. The move is the latest in a series of changes implemented by President Raul Castro since he succeeded his elder brother, Fidel, in February. Raul Castro's daughter, Mariela, heads Cuba's National Center for Sex Education, which strongly backs the new policy.

Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer signed a resolution approving sex-change surgery, said an official at the center who spoke on condition of anonymity because the measure has not been formally published. The resolution will be posted on the Internet on Saturday, the official said.

The procedure would be available to Cubans for free as part of their country's health-care system.

The sex education center has said previously that 28 transsexual Cubans have asked to undergo the surgery and that Cuban doctors have trained with physicians from Belgium to prepare for the procedures.

According to the center, a clinic for transsexual health will be created to perform the procedures, but it was not clear when it will start operating.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Gender Labels project

XylophoneGender — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:42:34 GMT

Hi all-

I'm currently working on a final project for a Sexuality & Gender Theory class and made this video on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oOF0S3sgcNg

If any of you lovely queers have the time to leave your thoughts and comments, I would really appreciated it. The premise for the video is basically to gather together individuals who don't comfortably or completely describe themselves using "man" or "woman" to ask them for their stories about how they're using or not using gender labels in their lives. If you don't have or want a YouTube account, but still want to post, here's the accompanying blog:
http://xylophonegender.blogspot.com/

Thanks much!

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Meeting people

Solonhae — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:40:18 GMT

So i moved here to San Fransisco about four months ago. Got really busy with school and stuff and neglected to make friends... LAME!
Any ideas on friend making in a city that feels so big!!!

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

trans friendly doctors

toe.may.toe — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:39 GMT

Does anyone have a reference for a trans friendly doctor or clinic in Humboldt County?

many thanks,
Maggie

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

east bay???

DANDYDIXON — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:56:19 GMT

just trying to get an idea of what's going on in the east bay for queers. i recently moved here from nyc and i other than a couple of clubs, i don't know what's going on. trying to meet some sweet and sexy guys for friendship, bootie, whatever. where y'all at?

posted in Gender Queer - 3 replies

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Kim — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:03:06 GMT

Doesn't get much more gender queer than them.

It's the 29th anniversary of their Easter Indulgence in Dolores Park.

http://www.thesisters.org/calendar.html

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Pomosexuality and the Death of the Label

Jaimee — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:21:43 GMT

BECAUSE LABELS ARE FOR CLOTHING... NOT PEOPLE.

Pomosexuality (short for postmodern sexuality) refers to a nonorientation in which people disregard sexual labels altogether. While it is convenient to sort everyone into a handful of different groups - homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual - pomosexuality argues that not only can these words and categories not do justice to the complexity of human sexuality, but are also grand illusions socially constructed to maintain a state of separateness between people. Like most other things in life, sexual orientation and/or gender identity isn't a black and white, either/or experience for many of us. More appropriately, it is best described as a fluid and incalculably unique journey that is beyond definition. Pomosexuality literally means anything you want it to mean. It means anything goes. And it represents an end to all the confusion, oppression, fear, and restraint that comes with trying to identify with a restrictive label.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXxODfmU_iU

Join the new social network that is introducing the concept of pomosexuality to the masses, revolutionizing the way the world views sexuality and gender. http://wWw.POMOWORLD.com

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Ostara Blessings

Sizzle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:05:39 GMT

wishing you all a safe abundant spring season...
enjoy this egg to celabrate Ostara!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54cn1gbIyI

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

A party!

kaite — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:38:38 GMT

I'm Kaite Katz. you may or may not know me. Either way, I have a great thing going. So, I would like to make something awesome happen. What I do for a living (aside from being a comic book artist/filmmaker) I make parties. And I would like to throw a HUGE party of the pan-gender persuasion. I live here, in SF CA USA. You know where, its the bay area. Anyway, I just made a brilliant party... and working on another... would you like to know more? (gosh that sounds like starship troopers)

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

ICP 2.9 now available at Creampuff Revolution

Ron — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:38:19 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.9 of the ICP at the following link:

http://rosemaryrowe.typepad.com/creampuff_revolution/2008/03/creampuff-welco.html

Creampuff, a.k.a., Roro, who hails from Vancouver, is our first repeat host from Canada. I encourage you to bookmark this edition and visit it over time so that you can enjoy each of the contributions from the world of HIV/AIDS. I hope that you will also join me in thanking Roro for her work this month. We “met” about 2 years ago during the NHL Hockey Championship between Edmonton and the Carolina Hurricanes and have been fast friends since despite some rather competitive invocation of mojo to make our teams win the Stanley Cup. Roro’s sense of compassion combined with her sense of humor makes me quite happy to count her among my friends.

This 21st consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, a special musical contribution from UK band Slovo, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors. It is through your comments that we can hone our messages and learn how you feel about our work. Please feel free to leave your thoughts with each of the contributors and for our gracious host.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute here:

http://www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com .

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.10 to be hosted here, at Mshairi:

http://www.mshairi.com/blog

This will be Mshairi’s first stint as host of the ICP although she has been a frequent contributor in the past. Mshairi’s edition will mark the first time that the ICP will have been hosted by an African host. If you like poetry, you should scroll through her blog. A selection of her poetry also appears at one of my favorite sites, The Other Voices Poetry International Project, an anthology of poetry from around the world that has been recognized by UNESCO, here:

http://www.othervoicespoetry.org

Mshairi's work appears under the title “Footprints” here:

http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol27/mshairi/index.html .

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net with the subject listed as “Volunteering to Host the ICP” and I will make the process for you as fun and rewarding as possible. We urgently need new volunteer hosts for the ICP editions after April, 2008. I will work with you to make the process as painless as it can be whether you are a first-time or returning host.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net to be added to or removed from the ICP mailing list. Please include the word subscribe or unsubscribe in your subject line to indicate your intent. I will use your source email address as indicated in your note. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Safe Journeys!

Ron Hudson

2sides2ron http://www.ronhudson.blogspot.com
Poundcake Love http://www.poundcakelove.blogspot.com
The International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)
http://www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Benefit for local non-profit working for lgbtq rights in schools

Ben — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:16:00 GMT

Hey all,
I dont want to sound like spam, but I'm looking for folks to come out a week from sunday to the white horse in oakland. I'm putting on a fundraiser with a BBQ 4-6 then raffle and show at 8. Stop by anytime. The beer bust has been extended to 9 for us and if you get a burger with the beer bust, you'll save a few dollars. Also, jello shots and other baked goods and of course, the ipod we'll be raffling off among other things. PM me if you have any questions.

Ally Action:
www.allyaction.com
"Making schools safe for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender-identity/expression."

THE WHITE HORSE INN
6551 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94609

Thanks!!!
Ben

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

hi

Lee — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:43:59 GMT

my name is lee i live in the south bay area. thought id drop in and introduce myself. im 23.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

IMsL for FREE - Volunteer!

Rae — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:36:40 GMT

IMsL for FREE - Volunteer!

Do you want attend IMsL for FREE? Or half-off?

Come volunteer for the hottest event in San Francisco! IMsL has 30+ workshops, 24/7 dungeon space, events and socials that cover more than 72 hours!
IMsL is May 1-4, 2008, in SF. Check out www.imsl.org for more details.

Volunteering is great community service and a fabulous opportunity to CRUISE!

Choose an option that works best for YOU!
2 hours - You'll receive a big Thank You!! from IMsL
4 hours - You'll receive a Collectible IMsL Volunteer Pin, available only to volunteers
8 hours – You’ll receive Half-off IMsL Basic Weekend Package, and a Volunteer Pin
12 hours – You’ll receive a Free IMsL Basic Weekend Package, and a Volunteer Pin

Please go to http://imsl.org/volunteer.php to sign up to volunteer!

IMsL needs lots of volunteers! Please forward this email to any and all Leather or LGBT email lists and to your friends. Encourage them to volunteer!

See you at IMsL!

Rae Goldman
Volunteer Coordinator
volunteercoordinator@imsl.org
http://imsl.org/volunteer.php

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

IMsL 2008 – Strap On Your Boots and Ride

Rae — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:46:04 GMT

IMsL 2008 – Strap On Your Boots and Ride

The 22nd Annual International Ms Leather contest and the 10th
Anniversary of the International Ms Bootblack contest return to San
Francisco to be celebrated from May 1 – 4, 2008. IMsL can boast being
the longest running women's leather competition. There is no other
contest with its history. No women's contest has continually brought
fierce, yet friendly, competition of leather women, educational
seminars, one-stop shopping for all kinky needs at the vendors' space,
and, of course, hot play parties around the clock. Each year, leather
women and *everyone* who loves them, experience an unforgettable event
which leaves them, not only with two outstanding title holders to
represent them for the following year, but with tingling memories of
their weekend and a hunger for next year's event.

The weekend will begin Thursday night with "Seduction" presented by
Good Vibrations – an evening of burlesque, strip tease, drag kings and
queens, go-go dancers, lap dancing and more. On-site play spaces will
open Thursday night as well and remain open all weekend. The weekend
continues on Friday with hospitality receptions including our new
Uniform Party, educational workshops, world-class vendors, charity
auctions and our Bootblack Salon and Leather Lounge staffed by the
contestants for the International Ms Bootblack competition. Saturday
brings the contests and the annual Boots and Cigars party. Sunday's
brunch has been reformatted and will be highlighted by a keynote
address from the hilarious, and often irreverent author, Laura
Antoniou, creator of `The Marketplace' Series.

Registration is now open, with an early bird price of *only* $99,
available until February 29. Registration may be completed online at
www.imsl.org. Tickets for the Sunday brunch may be secured at the same
time. Also on the website is a link for making reservations for the
host hotel, the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. Alternatively, rooms may
be reserved by calling (415) 441-4000. Those who mention group code
SML receive the IMsL discount.

Discount packages are being offered this year which can be used by
leather clubs, leather families, contestant entourages and other
groups to save some money. These group discount packages offer 10 full
weekend packages for the price of 7 ½. See www.IMsL.org for more
information.

The delightful and entertaining Shann Carr (IMsL 1988), will return as
emcee. Judging the International Ms Leather contest are Sarah Humble,
Head Judge (American Leatherwoman 1994), Lady Faye Falconnier
(International Ms Leather 2006), Skeeter (of Mr. S Leather and Madame
S), Mr. Marcus Hernandez (Bay Area Reporter), Mike Gerle
(International Mr. Leather 2007), diamond (Black Beat, Inc), and slave
marsha (International slave 2001).

Former International Ms Bootblack titleholders will judge the 10th
Anniversary International Ms Bootblack contest, including Slaveboi
Eddie, Head Judge (2003), Ms V (2007), Alex Bettencourt (2006), Izzy
(2004) and michael ann (2000).

Those who are interested in competing to represent the women's leather
community as International Ms Leather or International Ms Bootblack
can find applications on the website or by emailing
contestantcoordinator@IMsL.org. Intelligent and articulate women,
capable of communication and outreach both to leather and non-leather
communities worldwide, are encouraged to apply.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the International Ms Leather Contest
Weekend and applications for volunteer positions are available by
writing to volunteercoordinator@IMsL.org or by visiting www.IMsL.org.
Volunteers will receive a special collectible IMsL pin and either a
partial discount or a full discount on the registration fee so this is
a great way to be a special part of the IMsL team.

As with any contest, the producers of IMsL welcome hearing from
prospective vendors, sponsors, donors, advertisers – and anyone else
who has or requires information. Contact Glenda Rider at
executiveproducer@IMsL.org or visit the website at www.IMsL.org to
begin the ride.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

I'm the #1 DJ on tribe

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:43:20 GMT

http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/recommendation/Shatter/san-francisco-city/1d723bb5-2887-47c3-a3a2-a942e6acea93
I'm the #1 DJ on tribe come see for you slef

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

ICP 2.8 now available

Ron — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:22:54 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.8 of the ICP at

http://notperfectatall.blogspot.com/2008/02/icp-28.html

Dragonette is our first European host, working from The Netherlands I encourage you to bookmark this edition and visit it over time so that you can enjoy each of the contributions from the world of HIV/AIDS. I hope that you will also join me in thanking Dragonette for her work this month.

This 20th consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, music, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. Among these posts, you will find news about HIV/AIDS from around the world, posts from long-term survivors, an Annie Lennox HIV-prevention video, news and personal accounts from Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.9 to be hosted at Creampuff Revolution, located here:

http://rosemaryrowe.typepad.com/creampuff_revolution/

This will be Roro’s second stint as host of the ICP. Her writing style is beautiful, funny, clever and guaranteed to make your ICP experience a good one. Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. We urgently need new volunteer hosts for the ICP editions after March, 2008. If any of you have previously hosted or if you are first-time host, I will work with you to make the process as fun as it can be. It would be especially cool to have a volunteer host for the April edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

http://www.ronhudson.blogspot.com 2sides2ron
http://www.poundcakelove.blogspot.com Poundcake Love
http://www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com
The International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Be an extra in Gus Van Sant movie about Harvey Milk

Rae — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:06:51 GMT

On Monday night, February 4th and Friday night, February 8th, the feature film MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk) will be re-creating three 1970's marches through the Castro.

We are looking for volunteers to appear in the these marches in the film. THERE ARE NO AUDITIONS. IF YOU SIGN-UP ON THIS SITE AND SHOW UP, YOU WILL BE USED. All ages, races and genders are welcome. But, you MUST be 18 or over to participate.

more info:
http://www.milkmarch.com/

post this on other kinky and faerie lists so the crowd will be filled
with leather and fabulous drag

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Edition 2.7 of the International Carnival of Pozitivities Available

Ron — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:47:54 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.7 of the ICP at

http://www.thespincycle.blogspot.com/2008/01/as-positive-as-you-wanna-be-icp-27.html

Matty the Damned at The Spin Cycle

(http://www.thespincycle.blogspot.com)

has graciously served as our host for this month...from Australia. Bless his heart, Matty has a way with words. I have to include a STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING for you to consider, but what is a little language when you are dealing with a terminal illness? I hope that you will read this article and overlook any part that might offend you to see through to the good in the messages that we share to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

This 19th consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.8 to be hosted at NotPerfectAtAll, located here:

http://notperfectatall.blogspot.com/

Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process as painless as possible. We have hosts inline through March, 2008, but if you would like to host in April, 2008, or beyond, please let me know. I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Screwup TONIGHT! (Friday, January 11th)

jaywill — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:30:32 GMT

January Screwup: Kinky Dating!
screwup: BDSM for trannies, genderqueers and their friends, presents...

Kinky dating: Loosely co-facilitated by Jay and Mykkah

Friday, December 14, 2007 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM

We meet at THE NEW COLLEGE of California in San Francisco
Room 22 (2nd Floor),
766 Valencia Street (near 18th Street)

Kinky dating will be a relaxed group discussion of the joys and frustrations of dating in and out of BDSM community.

Some possible topics:
How do I find potential partners?
How do I broach the topic of trans/kink/specific play preferences etc?
How do I make the first advance as a bottom?
How do I keep myself safe with pickup play or other play with strangers?
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Bring your questions, as well as your personal experiences to share!

Hope to see you there!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

$0-5 donation will be accepted to cover the cost of supplies and flyers. No one turned away. The New College of California is wheelchair accessible and has gender-neutral bathrooms!

Spread the word by downloading, printing, and distributing flyers.

Please contact screwup@screwup.info if you'd like us to arrange for an ASL interpreter, to get involved, make suggestions or with any other requests.

Directions to the New College of California

The MUNI BUS LINES 14, 22, 26, 33, and 49 all run within a few blocks of the New College of California, many run within 1 block. Also, BART runs within 3 blocks (exit at 16th and Mission Streets in SF).

Please use public transportation - parking near the New College of California is not easy.

If you do drive, please be considerate of the New College of California's neighbors and do not block driveways or park in blue or white zones.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Club Feral Presents...

TheFloatingCorpses — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:46:01 GMT

dear peerz across the stratusfearz, a show for your consideration, a Club Feral presents at Thee Parkside on Sat. Jan. 5th. Anyone who has gone know these are fun shows, and this one promises to deliver more than it's share of transcendant inspiration and body heat, with The Floating Corpses, Jenny Hoyston's Paradise Island, with Trannysaurus Sex being the three bands playing, along with a drag performance by Jupiter, and Dj's Frankie Sharp and Rhanimals. 9pm, $5. This is a bar 21/up show, so fans/friends under 21, sorry. We are playing Gilman on Jan 18th with the Avengers, which is of course all ages, and will be doing other all ages venues in the future, t.b.a. Parkside is at 1600 17th St. @ Wisconsin. San Francisco.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Trans guy looking to meet other trans guys

Alex — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:52:05 GMT

I just moved to Toronto six months ago from Ohio. I'm looking to meet some new people. I'm finding it hard to find trans guys.

thanks,

Alex

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

To hirsute, or not to hirsute?

Sarah (Pat) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:42:21 GMT

One benefit, if you can call it that, of being two spirit, or third gender, is the disposition of experiencing both male and female cultures equally and simultaneously. I understand with all my being the feeling of "cozy;" and of deep, of both logical analysis and emotion/intuition-based decision making.

Many think of the male and female spirit as opposite, which they are not. But rather each pools its own family of characteristics, grinning at its counterpart across an avenue cobbled with intrigue. The masculine and feminine operate with their own, very unique vocabularies of experience.

Some things are easier to explain, like the sensation of body hair. Even if woman could, few would be willing to grow the soft, matted body armor of men. Some men do shave or wax, for various reasons--swimming, cycling; but for most I doubt that the idea ever arises. Pity, for the contrasts between body forestry and smooth, exposed flanks is invigorating.

Remove the hair, and your perception of temperature will drop by at least ten degrees. Does anyone question why, aside from differences in body mass, women chill more readily than men?

With my skin exposed beneath pants and shirt, I become acutely aware of being clothed, of fabric swaying against skin. The nature of the fabric becomes much more apparent, too. Of course, women's clothing tends to be of a much finer weave and lighter weight. This is less apparent to a man, except perhaps to the eye. Shaved arms and legs are fully perceptive of these tactile differences.

Life is more gentle without body hair; movement more liquid and serene. That mat of insulating hair does isolate one from the natural environment. Most guys will simply never appreciate this. Very few women will ever comprehend how that insulation of body hair provides for the man a greater sense of security.

posted in Gender Queer - 11 replies

Announcing Edition 2.6 of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)

Ron — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:33:55 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.6 of the ICP at

http://www.dropdeadhappy.com/dropdeadhappy/ICP26.html

Mark Kokocki is our third host from Canada and our second from the Vancouver area after Roro at Creampuff Revolution. I encourage you to bookmark this edition and visit it over time so that you can enjoy each of the contributions from the world of HIV/AIDS. I hope that you will also join me in thanking Mark for his work this month and Giles of Slimconomy and Roro of Creampuff Revolution for the previous Canadian editions.

This 18th consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, music, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. Among these posts,you will find news about HIV/AIDS in women and children, a good sampling of posts from long-term survivors, a Bollywood-like HIV prevention video from India, news and personal accounts from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America, I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.7 to be hosted at The Spin Cycle, located here:

http://thespincycle.blogspot.com

This new edition marks the first time that the ICP will have been hosted outside of North America as we go to Australia for host Matty the Damned and the Spin Cycle team. It is notable that Matty and the Spin Cycle contributed the first post to the ICP’s first edition in June of 2006. Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. We have hosts inline through February, 2008, but if you would like to host in March, 2008, or beyond, please let me know. I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

New tribe - Pansexual

greatdane — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:01:26 GMT

A tribe with a focus on sexuality beyond the limits of gender and biological sex...

http://tribes.tribe.net/pansexual
------------------------------------------------------------------
Pansexuality is sometimes described as the capacity to love a person romantically irrespective of gender identity or biological sex. Some pansexuals assert that gender and sex are meaningless to them. The word pansexual is derived from the Greek prefix pan-, meaning "all". This includes potential attraction to people who do not fit into the gender binary of male/female implied by bisexual attraction. Many people who identify as pansexual may associate with people of all sexual orientations, but are not necessarily interested in people of all sexes or genders.

Basically, an orientation that sees other people as individuals, rather than a product of their gender or biological sex.
Or just, open to all.

See also: Pangender, polysexuality, genderqueer, polyamorous

posted in Gender Queer - 4 replies

Naughty Gifts for Naughty Adults

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:14:07 GMT

WearablePorn.com

Naughty Gifts for Naughty Adults

Original fine art bondage & erotica t-shirts, posters, framed prints, greeting cards and more.

http://www.wearableporn.com

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

ICP 17 is now Available. I hope you are finding it helpful and interesting.

Ron — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:59:59 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 17th consecutive edition of the ICP is now available at the following link:

http://slimconomy.blogspot.com/2007/11/w-elcome-to-november-10-2007-edition-of.html

This edition is the second to have been hosted by a Canadian blogger and the second to be hosted internationally. Please join me in thanking Giles at Slimconomy for his participation as our host this month. As usual, this edition features personal accounts, video, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage at the following link to learn more about this project and how you can contribute:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 18 to be hosted at Drop Dead Happy, located here:

http://www.dropdeadhappy.com

Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send me a message and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome! We have hosts in line through December, 2007, but need to start recruiting new hosts for next year right now!! I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send me a message with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Seeking cast/crew for Erotic Sheep short film

Lalalala! — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:57:08 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm making a short film (5 minutes or so), and am looking for people to join me on this project. The story is of a woman discovering the erotic joys of imagining that she is a Sheep, having adventures with her loving Ranch Hand. (I myself am a part-time sheep in real life).

I need to cast for two roles, a Woman-As-Sheep (female; very physical role) and a Handsome Ranch Hand (butch female or FTM).

Professional acting experience not necessary. However, you need to be playful and uninhibited in front of the camera, and able to identify with your role. (So, when I direct you to "cavort and bound like a sheep" or “rest in the doorway looking like a tired but happy ranch hand” you have an idea in your head of what that looks like and can draw on some inner inspiration). People who've done animal play are strongly encouraged.

I'll be submitting this short to festivals and perhaps some online venues. Everyone will get credit and a DVD.

This will be a fun project for people who want to just do something silly/sexy and creative for the heck of it. It's a short commitment that can fit into a weekend and a weeknight. I’m a queer female video producer with corporate/industrial experience, so it will be a well-run shoot.

I’ll be having auditions this upcoming week. If interested, drop me a line about your interest in the project, and I can tell you more...

Thanks!!

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

Books for Research

sara — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:34:54 GMT

Hello,
I am presenting and writing a proposal to add G.I.E. to the anti-discrimination laws in Tampa.
I need to find texts that pertain to trans-rights, trans-issues, genderqueer, etc.
I have googled many things, but I do not know who is THE scholar(s) in these issues or who is most renowned. I have web sources, but lack a more academic basis. I am basically looking for a 101 book on anything trans/queer. I need to be able to field basic questions on this topic almost expertly. (So- the less dense the better- considering I am in a time crunch). I am trying to avoid looking like an idiot when I present this information in a week to the Human Rights Board in Tampa.
The most difficult questions, according to my attorney, will involve bathroom use while transitioning. Personal stories will be most valuable.
Also,
If you know of any books/experience on personal stories pertaining to violations of rights (because of being queer/trans) such as: housing discrimination, employment, bathroom use, crime, etc. THAT would me very valuable.
Thank you for your input!
-Sara

posted in Gender Queer - 9 replies

Tomboy Genderqueer looking for same.

Ana — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:17:25 GMT

I am a Genderqueer, and looking to meet other Genderqueer's. I like dressing like a male, and looking for the same. Betewwn 45-60.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Socially male, Romantically genderqueer?

BlackManChild — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:53:35 GMT

a few things have me thinking about gender lately.

1. I am a switch and love a good pegging. i have had 3 GFs who were game. at best, they were turned on by the novelty of 'fucking a man in the ass." one couldnt get past the idea that i just might be gay. (i REALLY like a good pegging)

The point of all of this is that i realized that i have never really associated penetration with gender. when i was little i REALLY wanted to know what it felt like to be a woman; enough so that i remember getting in trouble for pretending. i remember when i discovered' sex i was fascinated by the thought of penetrating and of being penetrated. i never was interested in just one piece of it, so here i am now.

2.i have been looking around for a transgender partner and kept on seeing that they wanted to be treated "like a real woman." after reading 1 i am sure you can see how that might be a frustrating sentiment. there is already a thread about whether or not trans peope maintain binaries, so i will not belabor that point.

3. i am a switch. but i am, apperently, a really good top. but, again, when i start talking about giving control in sex, gender roles become an issue and i realize that i just don't care.

all of this lead me to try to find a label for myself to simplify explanation. i think genderqueer fits...but then the kicker is that i just don't "look" genderqueer...which seems to complicate issues further.

*sigh*

any thoughts?

posted in Gender Queer - 4 replies

ICP 16 is now available

Ron — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:26:27 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 16th edition of the ICP is now available at:

http://ogresview.mu.nu/archives/243135.php.

This edition represents an attempt to reach out to a conservative political community about HIV/AIDS. It is my hope that our messages might encourage those who normally do not come in contact with the issues of HIV/AIDS to think about how to help us fight the pandemic. We have poetry, video, personal accounts and news from around the world.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 17 to be hosted at Slimconomy at the link:

http://slimconomy.blogspot.com

Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

As usual, I would like to ask you to post a permanent link to the ICP homepage (you can get a widget there as well) on your blogs or websites and to share the word of this edition with your readers and friends. The more people who know about the ICP, the more likely it will be that we will continue to receive excellent contributions. In fact, feel free to nominate your own HIV/AIDS related contributions from your favorite blogs or websites. The most powerful stories are those of personal nature, so I would encourage you to seek out or write personal accounts and to share them with the ICP. There are many more of you than of me, so join me in the search for quality blogs that share personal stories about HIV/AIDS from around the world. We have hardly begun to tap into the situation in Asia, so blogs from that region of the world are particularly welcome.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome! We have hosts in line through December, 2007, but need to start recruiting new hosts for next year. I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please email me with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list!!!!!

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Legal Language of anti discrimination laws

sara — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:13:50 GMT

I am currently trying to change the laws/city code of the HRO (human rights ordinance) to include Gender Identity Expression in Tampa, Fl. I have recently attended the Southern Comfort Conference and have seen drafted versions of similar ordinances from other cities. My question is, as members of a community where the laws have already been inclusive of GIE, has the legal language been effective in protecting Trans identifying persons? If you identify as Gender Queer or Trans, do you feel the following definition used in the legal text accurately represents you?

GIE- means a gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior of an individual, regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth.

Is this language too vague? What are your thoughts?

Thank you,
Sara

posted in Gender Queer - 5 replies

Playing with Gender

Milo — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:11:14 GMT

hey kids,
my friend Ashley posted the trailer for her new film "Playing with Gender". I think she's going to try touring it, so if you want to see it in your city get in touch with her

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQSbwN0j3N4

oh, btw, I play the genderqueer character. life imitating art imitating life, i guess ;)

xoM

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Seeking queer triads for research!

sunny — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:24:59 GMT

My name is Sunny. I am a graduate student in the Sexuality Studies program at San Francisco State University. I am conducting research on polyamory. The aim of my study is to explore how individuals in queer polyamorous triads discuss love in their relationships. I am in search of individuals in queer, long-term (one year or longer), polyamorous triads to interview. Individuals must identify themselves and their relationships as queer, and the triads must be three people who are all sexually and romantically involved with one another.

Participating in this study will entail a 45-90 minute one-on-one interview at a comfortable and private location convenient for both of us to discuss your experiences and feelings of love while in a triad.

If you are currently in a queer, long-term (one year or longer), triad relationship and are interested in participating in the study, please contact me!

smnordmarken@yahoo.com
(415) 516-0908

I am currently seeking people to interview! Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to participate.

Thank you!
Sunny

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Trans love

Devin — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:38:20 GMT

Was wondering how many of us love and chose other trans as lovers and how that plays out for you. My lover is Butch/Boi/Transgendered not Transexual, bearded woman and I am a Butch/Boi/Transgendered/Fag I know we compliment eachother in so many ways and totally get eachothers fluidity. I find it amazing the energy between us and that we come together on so many levels and are able to share our transactivism and our butch culture activism as well. Would love to hear from others in this area of your lives.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

educating teachers about gender queer, trans, gender variant (ect.) issues

Auli — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:20:31 GMT

hi everyone, I am a grad student at Western Carolina University. I am pursuing teachers licensure and a Masters of Arts in Teaching. I am currently working on a project to educate current and future teachers about trans issues and gender variant youth. The goal is to educate teachers in order to foster an understanding of these students so that teachers can be more supportive and well informed, therefore better able to understand the unique experiences of trans and gender variant youth. Part of the project will be to include short, personal narratives from trans or gender variant individuals. These can be anywhere from a few sentances to a few pages. I would like to get stories of people's experiences in school, particlarly in terms of the experience of being trans or gender variant (there are lots of words that would be approriate here, I'll stick with these two for brevity purposes) Ideally, these personal stories will help teachers understand the unique challenges youth face as well as how they can be more supportive and inclusive. Our text books and classes do not cover this material, so your input is valuable. If you prefer to ramain anonymous, that is fine. Some helpful information might be age and state you attended school in, but even that is optional. Please send any ideas or stories to:
aullli@aol.com
I look forward to hearing your insights.
nicole

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Just wanted to introduce myself

Theodorus Theophanes Gabriel — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:16:15 GMT

Theo Gabriel here, new to coming out, love to meet some people online and perhaps in NYC. Hit me up with any advice, a story perhaps you want to tell or anything like that.
TG
Smile

posted in Gender Queer - 2 replies

Bay Area Bisexual Network - new Tribe

BayBi Mod — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:48:52 GMT

hi all,

we have a tribe now for babn; if you are in the bay area and want to participate in our REAL LIFE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DINNERS AND BRUNCHES, please feel free to drop me a line and you'll get an invitation to the tribe.

it's private but NOT cuz we want it exclusive; we want it to be as inclusive as possible but we don't want any bi haters or wankers so we made it private so it couldn't be searchable by google. (everything not private on tribe shows up in google searches)

hope to see you at one of our events or on our tribe!

much love,

bay bi mod

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

ICP 15 is now available at Living Mindfully with HIV

Ron — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:18:04 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 15th edition of the ICP is now available at the following link:

http://hivhsnmindfulness.blogspot.com:80/2007/08/15th-edition-of-international-carnival.html

on the blog Living Mindfully with HIV. This edition includes a return of artwork from Colombian artist Farid de la Ossa, a video from Angelique Kidjo and Joss Stone for relief for Darfur, a special gift offer from me for your contribution to an AIDS Charity of your choice, HIV/AIDS news from around the world, more addiction recovery help, a very special introduction to "Big Love" or "Arohanui", and much more. Please take a few moments to read and leave comments, particularly for your host, James Wortz, who has done yet another great job despite a bout of bad health in the last few days.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage ( http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com ) to learn more about this project and how you can contribute. We are now accepting submissions for edition 16 to be hosted at Ogre's Politics and Views ( http://www.ogresview.mu.nu ). Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition. This next edition is very special. I have approached the host, Mr. Ogre, to participate as an outreach to a conservative political community that normally may not hear from people living with HIV/AIDS. Please consider this an opportunity to share your stories with a group of people who may not normally think of HIV/AIDS as often as we do and how you might make your case for teamwork with people who may not necessarily agree with you.

Please Share with Your Friends

As usual, I would like to ask you to post a permanent link to the ICP homepage (you can get a widget there as well) on your blogs or websites and to share the word of this edition with your readers and friends. The more people who know about the ICP, the more likely it will be that we will continue to receive excellent contributions. In fact, feel free to nominate your own HIV/AIDS related contributions from your favorite blogs or websites. The most powerful stories are those of personal nature, so I would encourage you to seek out or write personal accounts and to share them with the ICP. There are many more of you than of me, so join me in the search for quality blogs that share personal stories about HIV/AIDS from around the world. We have hardly begun to tap into the situation in Asia, so blogs from that region of the world are particularly welcome.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome!

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send me an email (ron.hudson@verizon.net) with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed or added to the ICP mailing list.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Primal (San Francisco) seeks alternative performers

edukink — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:01:24 GMT

We host Primal parties every few months in San Francisco.

We have a unique, hand-picked audience of 200+.
We seek alternative performances:
http://edukink.org/Primal/performers.php

The event is private, erotic, and aimed at Queer, Bi, Trans, and other non-mainstream sexualities:
http://edukink.org/Primal

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Call for Artists: Androgyny art show in Los Angeles

Allison — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:25:24 GMT

Hello all,

I am curating a new show to open at the Advocate Gallery in Los Angeles in October 07. I am looking for 1 or 2 artists to fill out the line up. The title is "Anima Rising" and will highlight work that discusses androgyny and intersex identity.

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, please email me: amoon(at)lagaycenter.org

Generally, artists must be local or semi-local to Los Angeles, but I am willing to make exceptions.

Thanks!
~Allison

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

New site

-robin — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:28:13 GMT

this is a new site recommended by my friend Elaine in Vancouver.

http://www.transdude.com

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

Hella Bonanza!

cassandra — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:06:01 GMT

I forgot the when and where!

Sunday, August 19th at 1:00pm til late
Mosswood Park (at the corner of Broadway and MacArthur in Oakland)

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Hella Bonanza Vegan Potluck Picnic!!!

cassandra — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:58:52 GMT

Come eat hella good vegan food with us! Bring a dish to share (no meat, dairy, eggs, or honey), your own plate and a spork, and all your friends. We're rad, you're rad, let's hang out!

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

ICP 14 is now available--Please share this news with your friends

Ron — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:47:53 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 14th edition of the ICP is now available at the blog Straight, Not Narrow at the following link:

http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2004/08/welcome-to-14th-edition-of.html

This edition includes original artwork from HIV+ Colombian artist Farid de la Ossa, an original Spanish-language poem with translation by Mexican poet Jeannette Clariond, a video blog from the American comic ANT at his ANT Colony and a spoken-word video from my friend and 1 Giant Leap collaborator Rich Ferguson of Los Angeles, CA. Other posts address recognizing alcoholism within the HIV/AIDS community, as well as other thought-provoking articles about living with HIV/AIDS. We have a number of returning contributors as well as new participants. Please take a few minutes to visit and bookmark this edition so that you can enjoy it at your leisure over the next month.

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 15 to be hosted at the blog Living Mindfully with HIV. Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, and video or music files for the next edition. The more of you who actively submit your articles, the more I will be able to identify and solicit new participants for this project.

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS and allies. Please note that we are still seeking hosts for our November, 2007, edition and for all editions beyond December, 2007. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron(dot)hudson(at)verizon(dot)net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome!

If you have a blog, please feel free to post a notice about the availability of this edition. Also, please share this note with your friends. We need to involve as many people as possible. I really appreciate all of the links that you have added for the ICP in your blog sidebars and would encourage any of you who have not yet done so to consider adding a permanent link to the ICP to your blog.

TO BE ADDED OR REMOVED FROM THE ICP MAILING LIST

If you would like to be added to or removed from the ICP mailing list, please email me with either the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in the subject line of the email and I will ensure that your desires are followed. This email list is confidential and will not be shared with anyone. All correspondence is handled using blind copy so that your identity will be protected.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

The International Carnival of Pozitivities

Ron — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:54:56 GMT

Hi everyone.

As a gay blogger and a 22 year survivor of HIV/AIDS, I started a blog carnival for people living with HIV/AIDS and their allies. The homepage of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP) can be found at:

www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

This is a forum to share artwork, music, video, poetry, short stories and personal accounts about living with HIV/AIDS, the struggle to end the stigma of HIV/AIDS and how allies help the HIV/AIDS community.

Please check out the homepage at the link above and you will find links for the first 13 editions. Our next edition will be posted by 10 August at Straight, Not Narrow at:

www.straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com

We accept pertinent submissions for each edition until the 2nd of each month at midnight New York time and publish each month by the 10th at midnight.

Please have a look. If you like what you see, please share the link with your friends.

Peace to one and all.

Safe Journeys!

Ron Hudson

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Milwaukee or Wisconsin?

Liz — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:36:37 GMT

I was just wondering if there is anyone in this group from the Milwaukee or Wisconsin area?

posted in Gender Queer - 6 replies

harrasment in missouri...feedback wanted

love_4_love — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 06:35:26 GMT

A friend of mine was arrested for driving with a permit last night. She is in transition right now (mtf). I've never been arrested so I'm not sure what the protocol is for booking. So if you could give me some feedback I would appreciate it. The police officer that arrested my friend was asking questions which I felt where unnecessary correct me if I am wrong. the officer told my friend that she needed to remove the hair piece she was wearing as well as the makeup she was wearing, he asked her if she had (his) surgery yet (my friend declined to answer) she felt it was none of his business. He wanted to know if her tits where real she said no he asked here to remove what was in the bra and she did. He asked her in front of his fellow cops to count the socks she removed from her bra when she refused he counted out loud. he made her remove one of her two tops and the bra she was wearing...I don't know if that is protocol...the officer also asked her about her genitals she told him that was none of his business. He said he needed to know. my friend asked why that mattered the officer said he needed to know if (he) had any piercings down there my friend said she didn't the cop still wanted to know "what's between the legs" my friend refused to answer and then put her in a cell with a camera after doing her prints and her mug shot. Another cop went by his cell and asked if she had the surgery down there. She told him that was a privet matter and he left. I think she should file a complaint...any s suggestions? My friend is 17 and she lives in Missouri and she is very upset about the whole ordeal she felt humiliated. They set bail at $600 also. What should she do if anything.

posted in Gender Queer - 3 replies

do trans people support the binary system?

Ben — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 18:20:58 GMT

it came up in a post i was just reading and have been thinking about it for quite a while now. i identify as gender queer to those in my life that are of a level to actually care and respect that, but most folks think that i'm just some confused guy. and while i choose to live as "male" in this binary society, i'm obviously not.

many (but not all) trans people that i've been around are insistent on passing and it just seems to me like this doesn't support what we should be moving towards. my brother is a transman that has completely given up on any aspect of femininity that he ever had, despite how "girly" (god i hate that word, but for lack of a better one, i'll use it) he used to be. he's also doing much better emotionally, but it just makes me wonder how the trans movement is helping for the rights of gender queer people.

any thoughts?

posted in Gender Queer - 59 replies

Lesbians sentenced for self-defense. FREE THEM NOW!

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:34:02 GMT

FREE THEM NOW!
Lesbians sentenced for self-defense
All-white jury convicts Black women

By Imani Henry
New York

Published Jun 21, 2007 2:58 AM
On June 14, four African-American women—Venice Brown (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20) and Renata Hill (24)—received sentences ranging from three-and-a-half to 11 years in prison. None of them had previous criminal records. Two of them are parents of small children.

Their crime? Defending themselves from a physical attack by a man who held them down and choked them, ripped hair from their scalps, spat on them, and threatened to sexually assault them—all because they are lesbians.

The mere fact that any victim of a bigoted attack would be arrested, jailed and then convicted for self-defense is an outrage. But the length of prison time given further demonstrates the highly political nature of this case and just how racist, misogynistic, anti-gay, anti-youth and anti-worker the so-called U.S. justice system truly is.

The description of the events, reported below, is based on written statements by a community organization (FIERCE) that has made a call to action to defend the four women, verbal accounts from court observers and evidence from a surveillance camera.

The attack

On Aug. 16, 2006, seven young, African-American, lesbian-identified friends were walking in the West Village. The Village is a historic center for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) communities, and is seen as a safe haven for working-class LGBT youth, especially youth of color.

As they passed the Independent Film Cinema, 29-year-old Dwayne Buckle, an African-American vendor selling DVDs, sexually propositioned one of the women. They rebuffed his advances and kept walking.

“I’ll f— you straight, sweetheart!” Buckle shouted. A video camera from a nearby store shows the women walking away. He followed them, all the while hurling anti-lesbian slurs, grabbing his genitals and making explicitly obscene remarks. The women finally stopped and confronted him. A heated argument ensued. Buckle spat in the face of one of the women and threw his lit cigarette at them, escalating the verbal attack into a physical one.

Buckle is seen on the video grabbing and pulling out large patches of hair from one of the young women. When Buckle ended up on top of one of the women, choking her, Johnson pulled a small steak knife out of her purse. She aimed for his arm to stop him from killing her friend.

The video captures two men finally running over to help the women and beating Buckle. At some point he was stabbed in the abdomen. The women were already walking away across the street by the time the police arrived.

Buckle was hospitalized for five days after surgery for a lacerated liver and stomach. When asked at the hospital, he responded at least twice that men had attacked him.

There was no evidence that Johnson’s kitchen knife was the weapon that penetrated his abdomen, nor was there any blood visible on it. In fact, there was never any forensics testing done on her knife. On the night they were arrested, the police told the women that there would be a search by the New York Police Department for the two men—which to date has not happened.

After almost a year of trial, four of the seven were convicted in April. Johnson was sentenced to 11 years on June 14.

Even with Buckle’s admission and the video footage proving that he instigated this anti-gay attack, the women were relentlessly demonized in the press, had trumped-up felony charges levied against them, and were subsequently given long sentences in order to send a clear resounding message—that self-defense is a crime and no one should dare to fight back.

Political backdrop of the case

Why were these young women used as an example? At stake are the billions of dollars in tourism and real estate development involved in the continued gentrification of the West Village. This particular incident happened near the Washington Square area—home of New York University, one of most expensive private colleges in the country and one of the biggest employers and landlords in New York City. The New York Times reported that Justice Edward J. McLaughlin used his sentencing speech to comment on “how New York welcomes tourists.” (June 17)

The Village is also the home of the Stonewall Rebellion, the three-day street battle against the NYPD that, along with the Compton Cafeteria “Riots” in California, helped launch the modern-day LGBT liberation movement in 1969. The Manhattan LGBT Pride march, one of the biggest demonstrations of LGBT peoples in the world, ends near the Christopher Street Piers in the Village, which have been the historical “hangout” and home for working-class trans and LGBT youth in New York City for decades.

Because of growing gentrification in recent years, young people of color, homeless and transgender communities, LGBT and straight, have faced curfews and brutality by police sanctioned by the West Village community board and politicians. On Oct. 31, 2006, police officers from the NYPD’s 6th Precinct indiscriminately beat and arrested several people of color in sweeps on Christopher Street after the Halloween parade.

Since the 1980s there has been a steady increase in anti-LGBT violence in the area, with bashers going there with that purpose in mind.

For trans people and LGBT youth of color, who statistically experience higher amounts of bigoted violence, the impact of the gentrification has been severe. As their once-safe haven is encroached on by real estate developers, the new white and majority heterosexual residents of the West Village then call in the state to brutalize them.

For the last six years the political LGBT youth group FIERCE has been at the forefront of mobilizing young people “to counter the displacement and criminalization of LGBTSTQ [lesbian, gay, bi, two spirit, trans, and queer] youth of color and homeless youth at the Christopher Street Pier and in Manhattan’s West Village.” (www.fiercenyc.org) FIERCE has also been the lead organization supporting the Jersey Seven and their families.

The trial and the media

Deemed a so-called “hate crime” against a straight man, every possible racist, anti-woman, anti-LGBT and anti-youth tactic was used by the entire state apparatus and media. Everything from the fact that they lived outside of New York, in the working-class majority Black city of Newark, N.J., to their gender expressions and body structures were twisted and dehumanized in the public eye and to the jury.

According to court observers, McLaughlin stated throughout the trial that he had no sympathy for these women. The jury, although they were all women, were all white. All witnesses for the district attorney were white men, except for one Black male who had several felony charges.

Court observers report that the defense attorneys had to put enormous effort into simply convincing the jury that they were “average women” who had planned to just hang out together that night. Some jurists asked why they were in the Village if they were from New Jersey. The DA brought up whether they could afford to hang out there—raising the issue of who has the right to be there in the first place.

The Daily News reporting was relentless in its racist anti-lesbian misogyny, portraying Buckle as a “filmmaker” and “sound engineer” preyed upon by a “lesbian wolf pack” (April 19) and a “gang of angry lesbians.” (April 13)

Everyone has been socialized by cultural archetypes of what it means to be a “man” or “masculine” and “woman” or “feminine.” Gender identity/expression is the way each indivdual chooses or not to express gender in their everyday lives, including how they dress, walk, talk, etc. Transgender people and other gender non-conforming people face oppression based on their gender expression/identity.

The only pictures shown in the Daily News were of the more masculine-appearing women. One of the most despiciable headlines in the Daily News, “‘I’m a man!’ lesbian growled during fight,” (April 13) was targeted against Renata Hill, who was taunted by Buckle because of her masculinity.

Ironically, Johnson, who was singled out by the judge as the “ringleader,” is the more feminine of the four. According to the New York Times, in his sentencing remarks, “Justice McLaughlin scoffed at the assertion made by ... Johnson, that she carried a knife because she was just 4-foot-11 and 95 pounds, worked nights and lived in a dangerous neighborhood.” He quoted the nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” (June 15)

All of the seven women knew and went to school with Sakia Gunn, a 19-year-old butch lesbian who was stabbed to death in Newark, N.J., in May 2003. Paralleling the present case, Gunn was out with three of her friends when a man made sexual advances to one of the women. When she replied that she was a lesbian and not interested, he attacked them. Gunn fought back and was stabbed to death.

“You can’t help but wonder that if Sakia Gunn had a weapon, would she be in jail right now?” Bran Fenner, a founding member and co-executive director of FIERCE, told Workers World. “If we don’t have the right to self-defense, how are we supposed to survive?”

National call to action

While racist killer cops continue to go without indictment and anti-immigrant paramilitary groups like the Minutemen are on the rise in the U.S., The Jersey Four sit behind bars for simply defending themselves against a bigot who attacked them in the Village.

Capitalism at its very core is a racist, sexist, anti-LGBT system, sanctioning state violence through cops, courts and its so-called laws. The case of the Jersey Four gives more legal precedence for bigoted violence to go unchallenged. The ruling class saw this case as a political one; FIERCE and other groups believe the entire progressive movement should as well.

Fenner said, “We are organizing in the hope that this wakes up all oppressed people and sparks a huge, broad campaign to demand freedom for the Jersey Four.”

FIERCE is asking for assistance for these young women, including pro-bono legal support, media contacts and writers, pen pals, financial support, and diverse organizational support. For details, visit www.fiercenyc.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Articles copyright 1995-2007 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Insidious little things

LadyStardust — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 23:01:41 GMT

I had a discussion the other day with somebody about whether binary gender identity was innate or learned, and my position was that it's learned, though not always overtly, because it's so well embedded in most interaction, and most things we see/hear. Today I ran across a little piece of evidence supporting my position in, of all places, a book about coding web pages with XHTML 4.01, in a section about input types for forms:

"Text input fields are a convenient way to collect some forms of user input. But, sometimes, you will want to present users with a set of predetermined choices. You might do so to eliminate input errors (typos) or when limited choices are obvious (gender, for example)."

Limited choices indeed....

Just for my own benefit, I used gender instead of the suggested input when it came time to practice making checkboxes, under the heading "Choose all that apply"

posted in Gender Queer - 16 replies

Queer Women's Camp at Burning Man this year: Camp Beaverton for Wayward Girls...

ReidAboutSex — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:56:56 GMT

Hey, everyone!

Just wanted to post a "heads up" regarding Burning Man this year and a queer women's camp that is birthing itself into existence: "Camp Beaverton, Camp for Wayward Girls"...

We've got our second organizational call June 21st. Join us, why don'cha! I've also included a cut and paste announcement you can FWD to your queer gal pals and transfolk who might want to be on the call, too, and/or know of Beaverton's existence. Please post, FWD, blab, text, and spread the word!

If you want to learn more about what we're up to, go to tribes.tribe.net/campbeaverton

Queerly yours,
REiD

Here's the cut and paste....

Wayward Women Campers of Black Rock City!

Going to the Burning Man Arts Festival this year? Not going, but want to help create a queer women's oasis on the playa?

Please join us for our second "Camp Beaverton, Camp for Wayward Girls" organizational call and have a say and help us organize this extraordinary concept...

And please tell all your queer gal pals and trans peeps and help us raise awareness. Whether you will be camping with us or just want to lend your creative wit and wisdom, dial up and participate. : )

Thursday, June 21, 2007
Start Time: 9:00 PM East Coast Time/6:00 PM West Coast Time
End Time: Should last about an hour
Dial-in Number: 1-712-945-0210 (Iowa)
Participant Access Code: 232837 (then hit the pound # key)

Please RSVP if you think you'll be joining us so we know how many lines to reserve for the call!

Questions? Email or call - reid@cuddleparty.com or 917.207.4554
And if you want to learn more about what we're up to, go to tribes.tribe.net/campbeaverton

Can't wait!

Tail-smacking goodness,
Your Busy Beaverton Camp Counselors

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

buttons and t-shirts

water_muse — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:55:31 GMT

Someone in a smaller Androgyne tribe had expressed some difficulty finding t-shirts with the word androgyne or intersex on them and not having seen or heard of it before I decided to go ahead and make some. I know some folks don't care for cafe press and prefer to handle the screen printing, etc. themselves -- but this is honestly the easiest way for me to get a variety of things out, both t-shirts and buttons, etc... throw out any ideas you might have for improving these -- one thing I'm considering is versions of these with a tao (yin/yang) in the middle of the O.

http://www.cafepress.com/anupwardspiral/3120929

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Queers over 40

herekitty — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:09:33 GMT

We're here, we're queer, we're not as young as we used to be. Yay!

http://tribes.tribe.net/a68e5908-1bdc-48bc-852e-f0473714068c

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

A little to the left of woman

Noemi — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:24:34 GMT

I’m just back from 3 weeks in India, where strict gender dichotomy is the rule: women sit in the front of buses, men in the back; often, women are supposed to stand in different lines from men; at a religious ceremony I went to, women and men sat on different sides of the stage. Hijras, who I thought were intersex, but in the newspaper were referred to as transsexual, are esteemed in some areas and totally demonized in others (tons are in sex work to survive). Queer rights are virtually nonexistent. Men are totally affectionate with men, and women with women, but all ostensibly straight. I was obviously completely out of my own social context, and my gaydar didn’t exactly work, nor did I see anyone who seemed at all genderqueer to me.

This was really intense for me, and made me feel more than I have in a while that the woman box just doesn’t really fit me. I have this weird longing for a box to check, but none of them really work. I look too woman (and don’t have huge desires to change this) to feel comfortable with a genderqueer label, and most of the time, woman fits ok. A few years ago, when I first started to feel like “woman” didn’t fit, I came up with this sky/stars imagery. In my heart, I feel like there are innumerable genders; we just don’t have language to name them all (and maybe we need to get past wanting to name them). I figure that there are at least as many genders as there are stars in the sky, and I think my star is just a little to the left of the woman star.

I guess I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there who gets what I’m saying, maybe even someone out there who’s spent some time on my star. This seemed like a good place to look.

posted in Gender Queer - 9 replies

the gendered gymnasium

Thu, 31 May 2007 21:01:31 GMT

(i posted this to the transgender tribe too but thought it might be relevant for those here as well...)

hey all,

i'm new! and am wondering if other peeps out there have experienced stressful gender dynamics at "the gym." specifically, i am thinking of the often very macho space of the weights area where there are usually not many female bodied persons. while some gyms are more queer-friendly than others (or "women-only," like parts of the downtown berkeley Y), my usual workouts occur in my rather heteronormative university facility where all genders use a common area and there are not many queer people at all, let alone masculine female-bodied persons like myself. in this kind of space i am most often read as male, as evidenced by the way the bio guys address me ("hey dude, can i work in?" or "hey man, how many more sets do you have?"). i don't mind this in the least, even when i'm not necessarily trying to pass as male, but along with this friendly social dynamic comes a distinct kind of anxiety that the guys around me will read me as non-heteronormal and resent that i'm not a "guy" in the same way that they are "guys." i worry that this will lead to hostile/territorial behavior or the much-dreaded aggressively curious gaze.

i don't want to feel like a curiosity in a space i otherwise enjoy. and i don't want to be "male" like the other guys. but, given that the gym is precisely a place where bodies of all genders are on display and up for different kinds of scrutiny, i can't help allowing this anxiety to register. so far, nothing really bad has happened, but i worry that it will. i totally embrace my genderqueerness and love inhabiting a kind of in-between gender identity (i.e. working out at the gym is an activity that only helps me feel good about myself and my masculine female body), so this worry is not about self-loathing or feelings of inadequacy but rather about how to avoid allowing that kind of gaze to stress me out. i experience this stress on a weekly basis, so it'd be great to figure out how to work through it.

anyone else have similar experiences or strategies for dealing with this concern?

tnx!

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

6/01 Primal "Pulse" queer erotic party, in SF

edukink — Wed, 30 May 2007 20:42:47 GMT

Reminder - It's this Friday.

This is a mixed energy event. Wide range of ages (18+) and queerness (bi, trans, gender queer, leather, etc). A unique event, open to any non-mainstream (hetero-normative) sexuality. We also transform the venue.

- -
Primal "Pulse"

A Private, Queer Erotic Party
Hosted by Iain & Angela of EduKink

Friday, June 1, 2007, 8 pm – 1 am
SF Citadel, 1277 Mission Street, at Ninth Street
$20 per person

The Primal parties are alternative sexuality parties for queer and queer-friendly adults, celebrating all genders, orientations, and preferences.

You must be on the invitation list to attend. Anyone 18 or older with a positive, personal interest in celebrating sexuality in all its flavors, colors, shapes, and expressions, may apply at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EduKink-Erotic-Events

Strict Dress code. Basics:
- Ordinary street clothes not permitted.
- Red sexy attire admired, but not required.
- Trans folk may dress as they please.

Featuring live music by Cuir Bleu
(CuirBleu.com)

Feel the pulse … .. low beat of the drum … .. feel it throbbing in your veins … .. the rhythm of sex … ..
… .. the pulse … .. … .. pulse … .. … .. pulse … .. … .. Feel it.

For more information, see http://EduKink.org/Primal

Do not forward this message to other lists without permission.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Queer & Intersexed - Where are they welcome? Where should they be welcome? Where would they be imposing?

Max-Voltage-SF — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:19:43 GMT

The below message was posted in a yahoo group & got a bit of discussion..

I recently saw a flyer for an event, a fundraiser & was curious about
it. Based on the flyer, I was not certain who is or is not welcome.

Which got me to thinking further on this issue, as it pertains to me
(and people like me). You see, I am Intersexed. Approximately 1% of
the population is intersexed (source: ISNA website). So we are in
fact out there in far more numbers than many folks realise.

I know that the society I live in is a Gendered society. I had to
select a gender to have a Yahoo email address. But they only offered
male or female. I am neither.

I am not a man, I am not a woman, I am not Trans. I am Intersexed.
I am genetically intersexed. Furthermore, I as identify as an
intersexed person. I see my orientation as Queer. Indeed, I don't
actually see it as possible for me to be homosexual, hetrosexual or
bisexual.

There are Men's Events. Women's events. Trans events. I am none of
these things. I don't want to be a man. I don't want to be a woman.
I don't want to Transition. I am happy as I am. Both male and female.

I respect that different spaces & different parties have different
rules. And I do not want to make anyone else uncomfortable.

So.. where do I fit? Where do I belong. Where would I be imposing?

I thank you all in advance for your thoughts or input.

Max

posted in Gender Queer - 14 replies

NYC LGBT PRIDE EVENTS- clarification for the online community

SilverdenStarson — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:25:25 GMT

New York City’s Mayor’s Office and the Community Assistance Unity have denied Heritage of Pride a permit for the re-envisioned PRIDEfest, our annual street festival, however the other annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride events WILL proceed as planned.

Below is a list of events, including the date and times of each. Please visit our website, Hopinc.org, for more information.

THE RALLY
Bryant Park
42nd Street and 6th Avenue
Sunday, June 17th, 2007
2:00pm - 6:00pm

RAPTURE: A WOMEN’S DANCE
Pier 54 (13th Street @ the Hudson River)
In the Hudson River Park
Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
6:00pm - 11:00pm

THE MARCH
5th Avenue and 52nd Street to Christopher Street and Greenwich Street
Sunday, June 24th, 2007
12:00pm - End
Moment of Silence: 2:00pm

DANCE 21: THE DANCE ON THE PIER
Pier 54 (13th Street @ the Hudson River)
In the Hudson River Park
Sunday, June 24th, 2007
4:00pm - 11:00pm

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Research on Bisexuality and Well-Being

Tera — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:13:34 GMT

Are you a bisexual female and at least 18 years old?

- You are invited to participate in an anonymous on
line survey concerning sexual experience and
feelings.
- This research is being conducted by a graduate
student at the California School of Professional
Psychology/Alliant International University.
- Participation will take approximately 60 to 70
minutes
- All Participants will be entered in a lottery for a
chance to win one of two raffle prizes for $100

- If you are interested, go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=165663204675

- For more information or questions email:
bisexualityresearch@yahoo.com

posted in Gender Queer - 3 replies

Funny Stuff!

water_muse — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:10:18 GMT

Hi all I just finished coloring a new comic strip earlier today and in light of the gender-queer nature of the strip, I thought some of the folks here might enjoy it. :) This is part of a recent push to build up a portfolio for submission to be syndicated in the hopes of creating a comic strip similar to Gary Larson's old Far Side strip - one panel, no repeat characters, no story, just an endless series of one-liners. :) Although admittedly I Bowdlerized the copy I'm submitting to the syndication companies by removing "BJ" from the sidekick's costume. :P If I had to name the hero in the back I would name him the American Eagle (note the color of the costumes and the wings on his head - a strange bastardization of Superman and Captain America). Should I have put a white star on his forehead? Note also that there's no white on the costume for Boy Justice... he's not that pure. :P

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this strip: http://people.tribe.net/water_muse/photos/89d61369-e951-4ce0-a7c5-6393b69915e8

ike

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

New toTribe

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 06:39:24 GMT

My name is Ami and i just started a new tribe for people who love diffrent. No judgement. Just a place to talk about anything.
http://tribes.tribe.net/diffrentkindoflove

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

it's OK to be gay

Sizzle — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 01:38:12 GMT

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/133463
absolutely fagulous...a real must see- must see music video

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

tribe= Partners/Parents/Friends of Trans

Kelly — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:37:33 GMT

tribe for the partners, parents, and friends of FTM/MTFs- looking for support, advice, and good discussion.

http://tribes.tribe.net/ppfot

check it out =)

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Community Mourns Murder of Latina Transgender Woman

stormaldo — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:19:54 GMT

Tina D’Elia, Hate Violence Survivor Program Director (415) 777-5500 ext. 304
Alexandra Byerly, EL-LA Program Coordinator (415) 864-7278

Community Mourns Murder of Latina Transgender Woman

Requests Attendance at Vigil to Demand Change

San Francisco, California (March 22, 2007) – A Nicaraguan transgender woman, Ruby Rodriguez, 24 years old, was murdered on Friday, March 16, 2007. Her body was found on the corner of Cesar Chavez and Indiana Streets in the Mission District of San Francisco. The murder is currently under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department. Community United Against Violence (CUAV), EL-LA, San Francisco LGBT Community Center, TRANS Project, allies, and community members will hold a community vigil in her honor on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 6:00PM, on the corner of 24th Street and Mission Street in the Mission District.

Organizers request that the community bring a white candle to the vigil. There will also be an additional altar set up on Cesar Chavez and Indiana Street, and community members are encouraged to bring flowers, photographs, cards and good wishes to this site. Let us not forget Ruby. She was an exceptional woman who was intent on improving her life. Ruby participated in various support groups and language classes, and idolized Chicana singer Selena.

This murder comes at the heels of at least two other violent deaths of transgender women of color in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past six months. Transgender people, particularly low-income transgender women of color, are disproportionately poor, homeless, criminalized and imprisoned as a result of systemic discrimination in our daily attempts to access safe housing, healthcare, employment, and education.

Unfortunately, Ruby’s murder is not an exception, but an everyday fear for many transgender people who are targeted and brutalized by institutions and society at large. Our communities mourn Ruby’s death and ask for a renewed commitment to real safety for transgender communities. It is vital that the Mayor’s Office, the San Francisco Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office work to end the cycles of criminalization, poverty, and violence in transgender communities and communities of color.

Please direct any questions about the vigil to Tina D’Elia or Alexandra Byerly. If anyone has any information regarding Ruby’s murder, please contact Inspector Karen Lynch at (415) 553-1388 or Inspector Tom Cleary at (415) 553-9569 of the SFPD Homicide Unit.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Lambda Youth Project Gay Prom 2007 in Hayward, CA

Alexandra — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:39:31 GMT

I am going to volunteer for the Gay Prom again. It is an annual event by and for all Bay Area youth, held in Hayward, and inviting youth up to age 20 from all over the Bay. There are many parts we adults can play in making this a safe and fun environment for LGBTQQ youth in the Bay Area, from being chaperone the night of the event (Saturday June 9, 2007), to raising money for poor kids to attend, to updating their webpages with current info.

I have volunteer applications with me or you can visit

www.pacificcenter.org/queeryouth.html for some information. They haven't posted specifics yet for this year.

or request a volunteer packet at: info@gayprom.org

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Introduction

Leo — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:44:17 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to say hello and thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this group. I have been reading the posts and I'm really excited to see so many great topics. Sometimes, you can join a group and there's little discussion, but this certainly does not seem to apply here. I look forward to sharing ideas and getting to know all of you!

Leo

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

damn golf courses

Nic — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:02:52 GMT

I live in Florida. It may sound nice, but imagine living in a retirement home. That's FL. Nice weather. But no variety. I live at the last exit before Alligator Alley. A little town that is 60 percent golf course, 20% shops, and the rest gated communities where a majority of the people that "reside" here, are only here between Thanksgiving and Easter. They're all old, they're all retired, and they all come down for 5 months a year and act they are lost cause the driving is so bad it's a wonder why we aren't the road rage capital of the world. Oh, that's right, it's a struggle to get out of the car cause they're so fucking old.

I've been reading the posts and it's reassuring just to know I am not the only one out there who feels like I have to carve my own path out. Is this the last frontier? Gender, and the blurred lines that are societies little secret. It can't be that new of a subject. Humans have been around for thousands of years and we're just now discovering there is gray in something that has been so black and white? Why is it so hard to fit in. You mean to tell me that because I have short hair and tattoos and I wear guys polos, I'm a sir?

How different am I from the soccer mom in her suburban next to me in traffic. Or the hundreds of people that pass in and out of our days through work and just being out in public. Do we not all use the same silverware to eat the same food. We all work jobs to pay our rent and electric bill and so forth? What makes me so different that I become the topic of conversations in the supermarket checkout line? "Ooohh... big deal.... there's a girl with a boys haircut, let's snicker and stare." Last time I checked, we all go through the same rigor moro that is called life. I love my woman just as much as the close minded people that curse me love there husbands and wives.

I'm usaully very introverted. But you can only go it alone for so long. It took a while to find this site. And it's cool to see that I am not alone. AND NEITHER ARE YOU.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Passing, Privilege, and Self Identity

bigsockgrrl — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:59:41 GMT

I'm still tangled in this knot of how I "pass." I'm happy that my lovers and close friends understand. I think even my family sort of gets it--they bring up trans news bites they think may be interesting to me, and they have always taken me as I am to a greater extent than most people. But I still get read differently than I see myself, sometimes by people who should know better than to make assumptions about gender. I'm not freaked out about it; I've never cared too much about what people think of me, but I'm interested in other people's experiences of passing.

Questions:

What is your gender identity (if any)? What is your sexual preference (if any)?
Do you make a conscious attempt to encourage others to see you this way? How?
How do others tend to see you? Is how people see you different in different contexts? (ex. at work they see si as a lesbian, at the club si is seen as a butch, at the transmarch si is seen as pre-op trans, etc.)
Does your ID usually match what people see? How often? If so, does this mean you pass? If not, are you still passing? Does passing mean people see us the way we want to be seen, or is it just a way to talk about the way others see us?
When does passing confer privilege?

posted in Gender Queer - 5 replies

Out of place...

riotgrrl — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 06:42:39 GMT

I've always been in between genders, between worlds, between languages, and so on. But now, more than ever, I'm finding it is harming me. I'm not getting promotions at work, I'm not getting hired into positions I've applied for, and yet part of it is my own awkwardness with myself. My picture of myself is so different than the reality, and it's so confusing. I make such an attractive woman, and am so poorly androgynous, and on those days I think about transitioning. I think about how much easier it would be if my body would fit my self image. But what would I transition to? The american cult of masculinity? thanks but no thanks.

I feel these weird conflicting feelings about my body. With very little effort it would fall into the ideals of voluptous feminity, curves, hips, etc. and yet those are the very things that bother me the most. People spend their entire lives wishing they could have a body like mine, and yet I spend my life wishing I had a body like theirs.

And how would I know the difference between gender dysphoria and the body image issues that are force fed upon female bodies?

Square peg. Round hole. Square peg. Round hole.

posted in Gender Queer - 10 replies

where can I get ace bandage for a binder in SF or Oakland?

bigsockgrrl — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:19:49 GMT

I need a binder for a performance next week. Where can I find one quick and easy? Borrowing would be great, or I would be happy to buy one/some as long as I can get it in time to practice a bit before my performance. I've got a lot of flesh to squish, so perhaps I need two? I need the wrapping type because I'll be removing it as part of the performance, and I cannot think of a way to remove a shirt type binder without looking like a squished spider. Velcro would be better than clips, but clips would work, too. Thanks!

posted in Gender Queer - 2 replies

BAD BOY PORNSTAR SAYING HELLO TO ALL

Ricky — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:45:15 GMT

THATS RIGHT EVERYONE IM OUT OF THE ARMY AND ITS FINAL, AND NOW IM IN THE PORN INDUSTRY ITS ALL HARDCORE TATTOOED BADBOYS LIKE ME ON THE SITE
http://www.myspace.com/rickysinz
AND IF YOU HAVE MY SPACE OR XPEEPS ADD ME AS A FRIEND
HIT THE BANNERS FOR HOLE AND A HEARTBEAT TO GET DOWN WITH ME
ALSO CHECK OUT MY XPEEPS FOR SOME GOOD FREE NUDES
TAKE IT EASY AND KEEP IN TOUCH

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

medical discourse and transgender identity

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:29:32 GMT

Hey everyone!

I am a Master's student at SFSU in the Human Sexuality Studies program. I'm doing research on the influence of medical discourse on transgender identity. I am seeking FtMs (Female to Male) who have something to say about the influence of the medical field on their gender identity. All female born self-identified FtMs in any (or no) stage of transition over the age of 18 are welcome.

Please contact Grae, Master’s student in Human Sexuality Studies at SFSU, for more information or to participate in this research project: SFSUResearchProject@Yahoo.com.
Research Advisor: Dr. Rita Melendez, Assistant Professor of Human Sexuality Studies at SFSU, rmelende@sfsu.edu.

Feel free to re-post and/or pass along to any interested parties.
Thanks!

posted in Gender Queer - 1 reply

G-Queer in the East Bay?

pixie_bleu — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:59:01 GMT

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately - moving the house & studio took a bit of doing!

This is a bit of a shameless plug and a call for compatriots! I'll be singing with my band CUIR BLEU next Wednesday night in Oakland, and LIPSTICK CONSPIRACY will be playing with us. We've shared the stage with them at Pride, and I'm really excited about the combination of fetish electronica and LC's chick-rock! The venue is Club Anton, near Jack London Square, and I think there's not enough... local color.

I won't put details here... I've posted it as an event for Nov 15th or you can get it from the gigs page on our website: www.cuirbleu.com.

Will you come by and help us liven the place up a bit?

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

San Francisco anti-violence group needs your help!

Taffy — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:56:11 GMT

Concerned about hate violence & domestic violence in queer communities?

Why not volunteer at Community United Against Violence (CUAV)!

CUAV is currently looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, & questioning folks and their allies who are:
• Compassionate people willing to listen to others
• Folks who are committed to the struggle to end racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and all other oppressions

FALL 2006 5 DAY TRAINING DATES:
Saturday November 4 & Sunday November 5;
Saturday November 11 & Sunday November 12;
Saturday November 18.
All sessions run from 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Full attendance at ALL 5 training days is required.

For more information, contact Vanissar at CUAV
415-777-5500, ext 323
vanissar@cuav.org

Folks of color, transgender folks, women, and survivors of violence strongly encouraged to volunteer. We offer stipends to bilingual counselors.

Community United Against Violence is a multicultural, multi-lingual anti-oppression organization that prevents and responds to violence against and within our diverse LGBTQQ communities.

Community United Against Violence
170A Capp Street , San Francisco , Ca 94103
Phone 415-777-5500 Fax 415-777-5565 Crisis Line 415-333-HELP
www.cuav.org

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

WOW! roshambo Pirate Prom 10/21/06 8:30pm-????

Guenevere — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 05:40:43 GMT

You asked for it! And we're gonna deliver! After the stunning success of last year's Pirate Prom, Roshambo Winery is hosting yet another wild and crazy fundraising event for 826 Valencia. Staged in the winery's sleek space lounge of a tasting room, the night promises Space Cowboys DJs, dancing, and a notorious band of gypsies, the Sour Mash Hug Band, sourmashhugband.com. And of course, the party wouldn't be complete without Roshambo's award-winning wine. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off your eye patch and plumed hat and get on up to starry Sonoma County for an unforgettable adventure.

Light Snacks provided, wine sold by the glass.

roshambowinery.com

sourmashhugband.com

More Info: Roshambo winery

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

Anyone live in Arizona?

VON — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:14:24 GMT

I am going to Arizona this weekend, does anyone know a good club to party at?

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

~ Call for submissions/ volunteers! ~ Critical Studies in Sexuality Undergraduate Thesis (UBC)

violetmayfromvan — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:27:47 GMT

Hello people! My roomate Liz is working on the first part of her thesis this fall and she chose to do a performance night (or a series of performance nights, depemding on what happens) and I'm trying to help her find people that might be interested in being involved with this! . Read below for details...

Critical Studies In Sexuality Undergraduate Thesis (UBC)

The first part of the project takes place on Friday, December 8th (tentative) in the evening at Spartacus Books in Downtown Vancouver, BC. This event will empahsize the importance of unification and collaberation between the many sub-communities of our gendered and ungendered sexualities, in order to promote a stronger community as a whole.

This will be achieved through a night utilizing visual displays as well as performance art such as spoken word, song, dance, and movement peices etc. There is a very real possibility of this performance repeating at different spaces and times in the future.

Secondly, I will be putting together a zine featuring the contributions of artists involved in our live performance, with new material also very welcome. I'm looking for those of you out there that have somthing to say about gender and sexual orientation in our society, the way it defines us and works to segregate and unify. This will be published by April 2007.

If you or anyone you know is interested in contributing in any way to this project, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Liz (lizzygoode@gmail.com) or I (blooming.soul@gmail.com).

Check out the tribe for more info or updates! tribes.tribe.net/oneplusoneplusone

Thanks, Violette.

posted in Gender Queer - 0 replies

TRANS AND THE RISKS OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL DRUGS

Ms. Fill in the Blank — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 22:18:11 GMT

This was emailed to me by one of my co-workers
I know this is dense and medically oriented, but you will still get the gist as you read thru.

Subject: FW: TRANSSEXUALS AND THE RISKS OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL DRUGS

Nonviolence:
Seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
Believes that the universe is on the side of justice.
Derived from Pilgrimage to Nonviolence, Martin Luther King, Jr. 1958

FYI on transgender patients & ARVs

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY TO AIDS ORGS, TRANSPEOPLE, AND DOCTORS (For More Information, contact Helene Hazera of Act Up-Paris at helenehazera@free.fr <mailto:helenehazera@free.fr> )

TRANSSEXUALS AND THE RISKS OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL DRUGS (Translated by Act-Up-Paris from the French version of May 10th , 2006) by Doctor Nicolas Hacher Endocrinology and Diabetes Department of Metabolic Diseases and Sterility

Interactions between antiretroviral drugs (ARV) and estrogen-progestogen combinations, which are substrates of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4, are presently well-known and are possibly associated with a risk of over or under dosage of hormonal levels, depending on the occurrence of enzyme inhibition or induction. On the other hand, there are few data on these kinds of interactions with the variety of hormonal treatments prescribed to transsexuals who are HIV positive, whether they take estrogens, anti-androgens or androgens. And yet the issue deserves to be raised insofar as this population often presents with multiple pathologies associated with multidirectional drug interferences. In addition to the risks associated with alterations in hormone levels, one must add the glucide and lipid metabolic disturbances that combine with those induced by ARV drugs, the risk of thromboembolism, as well as hepatic toxicity. All these risks are further increased by the frequent practice of self-medication, which involves unsuited products and doses.

Transsexualism is an idiopathic disorder of gender identity, characterized by the full and irreversible feeling of belonging to the opposite sex associated with suffering and the desire for medical attention, a situation that can lead to surgical gender reassignment. There is no absolute consensus for health care monitoring, only guidelines such as those provided by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association and its "Standards of care for gender identity disorders, sixth version, February 2001" (www.hbigda.org/soc.htm <http://www.hbigda.org/soc.htm> ).

1. Hormonal treatments
Before surgical gender reassignment, the aim of hormone treatment is to begin transforming the body in order to conform with the psychological sex. In addition to its importance for pursuing this transformation, hormone treatment also preserves bone integrity and prevents cardiovascular complications following surgery.

1.1 Male to female transgender women

1.1.1 Anti-androgens

There are four different types: non-steroidal, steroidal, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and GnRH agonists (chemical castration).

- The most commonly used compound in France is cyproterone acetate with a 50 milligrams per day dosage. It has three properties: it is an anti-androgen, an anti-gonadotrophic compound, and a synthetic progestogen. It induces the inhibition of the binding of 5 alpha DHT to its cytosolic receptor in the target cells. It is derived from 17 hydroxyprogesterone.

- Spironolactone at 100 to 200 mg per day is an anti-mineralo corticoid with anti-androgen effects and is an alternative to cyproterone. - Among non-steroidal drugs : Anandron, Flutamide and Casodex, all used under specific circumstances in prostate cancer; Finasteride is prescribed for the hypertrophy of the prostate.
- Finally, the LHRH or GnRH agonists are prescribed in some early puberty cases, for prostate cancer, as well as in medically-assisted procreation protocols.

Before surgery, only cyproterone and spironolactone are used in France for male to female transgender reassignment.

1.1.2 Estrogens

As a reminder, ethinyl-estradiol (EE) is especially used in many foreign countries at doses ranging from 50 to 100 micrograms per day per os (oral administration). The current trend is to prescribe 17 beta estradiol, whether per os at 1 to 2 mg per day, as a daily or weekly transdermal patch or as a gel delivering 0.5 to 0.75 mg per application (1 to 3 per day).

1.1.3 After surgical reassignment

Estrogens are maintained and cyproterone can be replaced by natural progesterone, thus providing the equivalent of a treatment for hormonal substitution.

1.2 Female to male transgender men

The compounds used are:

- Androtardyl : as phials for intramuscular administration at 250 mg every 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
- Nebido : testosterone undecanoate at 1000 mg per 4 milliliter, one phial intramuscularly every 3 months.
- Androgel : 50 mg per dose of gel, one percutaneous dose every day.
- Andractim : dihydrotestosterone, one dose percutaneously each day.
- Pantestone : as a capsule of 40 mg of testosterone undecanoate, 2 to 4 times a day.

In certain pre-operative cases, a synthetic progestogen can be added for amenorrhoea. Only testosterone is kept post-surgery.

2. Interactions

2.1 Induction - inhibition of cytochrome P450 by ARV drugs (protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)

The type of effects described for the alteration of ethinyl-estradiol levels with contraceptive pills cannot necessarily be carried over for the compounds used by transsexuals, since there are few data regarding the interaction between hormones (natural estrogens, cyproterone, testosterone) and ARV drugs. In any case, such combined treatments can lead to the same hormonal fluctuations as observed with ethinyl-estradiol. ARV treatment should be initiated with caution - all the more so with ARV drugs known to inhibit cytochrome P450 - and should involve low doses of natural estrogens and CPA (cyproterone acetate) for male to female transsexuals, and testosterone for female to male transsexuals. In practice, it is essential to monitor the levels of plasmatic estradiol, with the aim of reaching a level equal or superior to 60 picograms per mL (the minimal level to prevent bone loss and ensure cardiovascular protection), while allowing a suitable feminization. CPA at a dose of 50 milligrams per day does not give rise to any problems, no more so than testosterone at usual doses whatever the mode of administration.

The complexity of these kinds of interactions is proportional to the number of compounds involved, in particular those that have effects on the induction or inhibition of cytochrome P450 : IPP, Rifampicine and Rifabutine, Ketoconazole, anti-comitial compounds [for epilepsy], Methadone, Griseofuline, Glitazone, Hypericum Perforatum, statins. For the latter, special caution should be taken (in particular with Lovastatin and Simvastatin), which should not be given concomitantly with protease inhibitors (especially with ritonavir). Otherwise, there will be increases of up to 3000% in their circulating levels and of 343% in Atorvastatin, with a risk of rhabdomyolysis.

We should note, however, that the interaction effects are not always detrimental. This is observed in the case of Ritonavir, whose enzymatic inhibitory effect is associated with the strengthening of the action of protease inhibitors taken concomitantly during antiretroviral therapy (boosting effect).

2.2 Cumulative metabolic effects

It is important to take metabolic effects into account in the short and long terms: acute pancreatitis, thromboembolic complications and coronary diseases.

2.2.1 Glucide abnormalities

More than 50% of patients treated with protease inhibitors present with a spectrum of glucide disorders, ranging from hyperinsulinism-insulin resistance to insulin-dependent diabetes with or without metabolic syndrome. It is known that protease inhibitor, especially Indinavir, have a direct inhibitory effect on the glucose transporters GLUT4, associated with an effect on adipose tissues. Gooren et al. (1994) studied the effects of ethinyl-estradiol in men and testosterone in women, by using the assay of a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp before and 4 months post hormonotherapy.
The study involved 13 female-to-men transsexuals receiving esters of testosterone (250 mg every two weeks) and 18 male-to-female transsexuals receiving either ethinyl estradiol alone (0.1 mg per day, orally) or associated with CPA (100 mg per day, orally). It showed that insulin-resistance was induced by these treatments. This effect will be added to those produced by protease inhibitors. In this study, the biological men receiving ethinyl estradiol exhibited a decreased insulin-sensitivity in spite of a reduction in testosterone levels. Insofar as testosterone injections induce an insulin-resistance in women, an increase in insulin-sensitivity was expected when testosterone levels were clearly diminished. Two hypotheses may explain this apparent paradox: first of all it can be argued that the effects of reduced testosterone levels on insulin-sensitivity were less potent than the effects of increased estrogen levels; the second hypothesis involves a difference in response to testosterone as a function of sex, testosterone inducing insulin-resistance only in women. All of this points to the difficulty in predicting what will happen in the transsexual population from the pharmacological knowledge derived from iso-sexual hormonal treatments. There is indeed something peculiar to cross-treatments. Contrary to the effect of ethinyl estradiol, however, estradiol 17 beta has opposite effects at physiological doses :
lowering of glycaemia on an empty stomach, reduction of HbA1c, of diabetes occurrence, whatever the mode of administration, orally or percutaneously. On the other hand, CPA, a derivative of 17-hydroxy-progesterone, is a factor for insulin-resistance, but it can be compensated for the natural estrogens that are associated with it.

Such glucide metabolic disorders must be taken care of according to the present recommendations in diabetes research, with the aim of lowering HbA1c below 6.5%, and by treating the factors responsible for other cardiovascular risks. This implies a therapeutic escalation that must always involve counselling on a hygienic diet, associated if needed with oral anti-diabetes treatment and insulin-therapy. Among oral anti-diabetes compounds and their potential associations, a particular emphasis can be put on the additional benefit of glitazones (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone) for lipoatrophies linked to HIV, through an increase in subcutaneous lipogenesis to the detriment of visceral fat.

2.2.2 Lipid disorders

Hypertriglyceridemia (in 35% of cases) and hypercholesterolemia (in 25% of cases) predominate. It is essentially ritonavir that causes the most pronounced effects (increase in hepatic production of VLDL and decrease in their clearance by LPL) on triglycerides. Once again, there are potential cumulative effects associated with the cross-hormonal treatments taken by transsexuals. With the mixed hyperlipidemia associated with ARV treatments, among which hypertriglyceridemia predominates, comes the possible effects of cross-hormonotherapies specific to transsexuals, the effects of which are all the more profound given that they involve oral ethinyl estradiol at a dose of 50 to 100 microgram per day, as shown by the study of Gooren et al. in 2003. This study involved 20 male to female and 17 female to men transsexuals receiving, respectively, CPA at 100 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 100 micrograms and testosterone at 250 mg every two weeks intramuscularly. Whereas the association between CPA 100 mg and estradiol 100 micrograms enabled an increase in HDL and a decrease in LDL, something beneficial, it nevertheless increased the triglyceride levels, arterial pressure, visceral and subcutaneous fat and decreased the size of LDL particles, as well as insulin-sensitivity, all of this being detrimental at the cardiovascular level. As for testosterone, it decreased HDL levels and the size of LDL particles but increased triglyceride levels and the activity of the hepatic lipase. There was also an android distribution of fat to the benefit of visceral adipose tissues. Arterial tension, total cholesterol and LDL levels, the activity of the hepatic lipase and insulin-sensitivity were practically unaltered. These results should lead us to use, as often as possible, natural estrogens, percutaneously and at the same doses used in the treatment for hormonal substitution after menopause, especially in patients using protease inhibitors. As indicated above, the dosage of plasmatic estradiol is necessary to reach a level ranging from 60 to 70 picograms per millilitre. Natural estrogens induce a decrease in cholesterol, LDL and lipase activity, as well as an increase in HDL. On the other hand, this increase in HDL is more important when compounds are taken orally as compared to the percutaneous administration. Finally, there is a slight increase in triglyceride levels orally, but not percutaneously.

2.2.3 Venous thrombosis and thromboembolic complications

Thromboembolic complications are potentially life-threatening and preventing them is of great importance. Their incidence in male-to-female transsexuals receiving ethinyl estradiol orally is significantly higher than with percutaneous 17 beta estradiol, whether it is associated with cyproterone acetate or not. The 2003 study by Gooren et al. showed that this difference was due to the specific effect of ethinyl estradiol on haemostasis factors. Cyproterone acetate alone, the association between percutaneous estradiol and cyproterone acetate, or oral estradiol plus cyproterone acetate had few effects on haemostasis factors, whereas ethinyl estradiol induced an important increase in resistance to activated protein C (p < 0.001), a slight increase in protein C levels (p < 0.012) and a significant decrease of 30% in total and free protein S. The difference between the effects of oral ethinyl estradiol and oral 17 beta estradiol proves that it is a difference at the molecular level rather than the consequence of first-pass effects in the liver. This explains why male-to-female transsexuals receiving oral ethinyl estradiol have a higher risk of developing thromboembolic accidents than those receiving percutaneous estradiol. On the contrary, testosterone prescribed to female-to-male transsexuals induces an anti-thrombotic effect.

3. Conclusion

Taking care of the diverse metabolic disorders linked to ARV treatments and the HIV infection have been thoroughly addressed in former publications and will not be further detailed in this report, which aims at studying the specificities for transsexuals and their medication.

The unique aspects of monitoring the health of transsexuals treated with ARV drugs lie in the cross-hormonotherapy that characterises them and can lead to multidirectional interactions and secondary effects. Caution should be exercised with protease inhibitors inhibiting cytochrome P450 (efavirenz, indinavir) and with the associated risk of increasing the hormone levels. It is clear that preference should be given to the use 17 beta estradiol percutaneously and that ethinyl estradiol should no longer be used by populations at cardiovascular risk. For those suffering from diabetes, glitazones should be studied in terms of potential benefit for lipoatrophies. Hypertriglyceridemias insufficiently controlled by fibrates may benefit from the addition of nicotinic acid (Niaspan), active to reduce both VLDL and LDL and increase HDL. Also, numerous protocols analysing the effects of replacing protease inhibitors by non nucleoside or nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors seem promising. The objective for these patients, besides feminization or masculinization, is to maintain antiretroviral efficiency, to prevent short-term thromboembolic complications and long-term cardiovascular accidents.

posted in Gender Queer - 6 replies

Transman On Queer Eye Tonight

Dasein — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:41:34 GMT

Okay, I don't have cable, so am not a regular watcher of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. So, I don't know how unusual this is. I just happen to have heard about it because I know someone who's involved in this episode.

Anyway, according to the schedule, Queer Eye is doing a makeover for a guy named Miles, who's a transman from California, now living in New York.

Might be kind of neat, for a commercial tv sort of thing.

posted in Gender Queer - 5 replies