posted by Isaac at
10:56 AM
Voices of American Sexuality represents a bold leap for both American Sexuality magazine and the National Sexuality Resource Center. We've done a heck of a lot of work to build sexuality dialogues around the country and around the world, and now (some would say finally) we've moved in to the 21st century. We at AmSex hope this forum becomes useful, interesting and fun for you and yours, and that it enhances your experience of sexual literacy, sexual well being and sexual health!
30 Comments:
I'm sensing a big announcement... maybe a lawsuit against the city, or state? What do you think?
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 11:03:00 AM PDT
hopefully this will introduce a much needed national dialogue on transgender rights
By
Anna Rose, at Thu Apr 12, 11:13:00 AM PDT
I don't feel this is a transgender rights issue. If a human qualifies for a job and is hired to perform the work to the satifaction of the employer and is then fired for some other reason then it is a labor relations case. Certainly the firing sounds like discrimination but that's not how this case should be tried by.
By
Unknown, at Thu Apr 12, 12:13:00 PM PDT
I fear that this will turn into a freak show because I get the impression not Stanton nor HER advisors have a glue what being male2female TRANSSEXUAL IS ALL ABOUT. :(
This is NOT about transgender rights BUT about TRANSSEXUAL rights, there is a HUGE difference.
It is NOT about sexuality it is about GENDER IDENTITY
See why I fear the WRONG EXPOSURE for the RIGHT reasons????
I wish I was THERE to assist and help MISS STANTON and I wish the advisors WOULD GET THE PRONOUNCE RIGHT.
Very sad
Tina (mtf Transsexual) South Africa
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 12:43:00 PM PDT
I totally agree with don this is more like Discrimination issue and it is not right at all for a peson to be fired just because he in a trasexual,I am from the smallest and the last remaining Kingdom in the Pacific called Tonga and I am a Transexual,I have been brought up this way and I have worked and mingle with all our Hierachy and our Government as a Transexual we also hold one of the Best Events of the year which is called "The Miss AirNZ Galaxy Queen Pageant" and it is packed in all 3 nights everyone works together here in our community and our people accept us as we are...this reminds me of the Coca Cola case in Mexico some years ago...Steve our Prayers are with you....Stand Tall and be proud of who you are.
God bless
Joey Mataele
Kingdom of Tonga.
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 01:02:00 PM PDT
I agree that this is an important transgender rights issue, and is creating visibility that will lead to a national dialogue on civil rights. I also believe that Steve Stanton has an excellent chance of showing that the City of Largo violated the law. If you're interested in my legal analysis, see my blog at http://transworkplace.blogspot.com
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 04:46:00 PM PDT
Stanton's appearance has been shifted to Friday night, as per NCLR
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 05:58:00 PM PDT
This is an outrage.... the program has been pre-empted due to the coverage of the Don Imus story. Both stories are about discriminiation, yet why does the transgender story take a seat at the back of the bus!!??
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 06:13:00 PM PDT
I think THE issue is to uphold the rights of ALL people, and in this case, a Trans-person. It is a wonderful opportunity to keep the Trans movement in the media spotlight as long as it does not become a tranny circus and remains a rights issue.
Lisa O'Connor, MD
www.healthytransitions.md
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 06:34:00 PM PDT
I feel the battle for recognition needs to be fought on two levels. On the one level, it's a matter of legal rights and discrimination. The forum for that discussion needs to remain the legislative chambers and the courtroom. The other level is with the individual. "Demanding" equal treatment from an individual will not produce the desired result. The plan at this level must be compassionate, caring education. If we want compassion, we must show it.
The real benefit for a program like this occurrs at both levels. It not only provides the education for individuals in a non-threatening way, but it also educates the legisators and judges. Furthermore, it inspires some dialog and debate over the issues. All of this is very positive.
The really good news is that Steve Stanton (I'm using his male name as he has not formally transitioned yet, so far as I know) is a very positive example of a transgendered person. I'm sure he never set out to be a example, but like it or not, he's a positive one. I guess we're pandering him just a bit when we parade him around on Larry King Live. I simply appreciate that he's willing to be in the spotlight for all of us. It is quite kind of him to do that.
By
Anonymous, at Thu Apr 12, 10:05:00 PM PDT
I can not belive that the story was bumped for the Don Imus issue, aren't both issues a discrimination issue?
Once again the Media has proven that Transgender issues are not as important as other issues to them. I am tired of being treated as a second class citizen by others. Yes this is horrible what has happenend to Susan but to be honest this might help the Transgender issues at hand.
I hope that with this being more in the public eye that this issue is not a choice it's who we are. Also it might bring more understanding and teaching to the rest of the public.
I am a MtF Transexual and have had been Disriminaated against in employment and other areas of life, but I am so very proud of who and what I am.
Yes I too am an American just like everyone else.
I/we are not asking for speacial rules or treatment,just to be treated and respected just like everyone else.
I would like to thank Susan Stanton for being brave and bring this issue to the public.
Now we all need to stand behind or beside her.
By
Debra, at Fri Apr 13, 07:15:00 AM PDT
Well, if nothing else, the delay bought some time to let more people know to watch. In light of the Imus stuff, it could have made for some additional enlightened conversation...I sent e-mail messages to people in my contact manager to get them to watch. I've included them below only because my experience has been that the majority of the people that I have spoken to directly have actually understood and appreciated that I would take the time to share my personal take on it. I find that pushing flamethrowers in peoples' faces will get their attention, but tends to distract from my message...I believe that Susan/Steve will be up to the task of keeping this in perspective even if she hasn't been at it as long as many of the rest of us.
This what I sent, maybe you can do better and send it to even more people than did I!!
-----
If your car is constantly pulling to the left when you're driving, do you take it in for an oil change?
When it was learned that early SUV's had a serious roll-over problem, did the manufacturers re-design the engines or the frames?
Steve / Susan Stanton lost her job as City Mgr of Largo, FL when she announced her plans to change the physical appearance of her gender. Tonight, she'll be Larry King's guest on CNN at 9PM. I thought you might like to see the quality of another individual that for so many years woke up, grabbed her cinder block, and headed for her daily routine, never setting it down, until just prior to climbing back into bed at the end of her day.
Whining here? Not at all! Just trying to find a way that one could get some sense of what it's like and why an individual, so affected, would go to such incredible extremes to fix things.
Was it fair to fire her? Doesn't seem so, but I am aware of 'at will' types of employment contracts- in this case, I would call it a fall-back position for a weak-kneed city board. More important, though, is the mentality of any society that would allow it to happen; and, sadder still, is the loss that the citizens of Largo will experience. They are an extension of the collateral damage already experienced by family members, friends, acquaintances, and co-workers because they, too, are suffering a loss at the hand of an intolerant society. In my prayers, in addition to those close to me, you will find on my list all of those who seem so challenged by someone that doesn't quite fit a simple profile.
I know I'm taking a chance here, betting that you'll see more compassion than anger from Susan; but I do have some experience with what it feels like and I suspect that I'm on safe ground. In so many ways, that could just as easily be me you'll be watching. Maybe, one day it will be me.
In closing, think about how loyal a person like Susan or me would be to any person or organization that would be open minded enough and supportive enough to allow us each to self actualize on a level that most people take for granted. Think about how unbelievable she could be when she no longer spends her days carrying around a cinder block. Think about the potential that could come from a combination of the two.
I could never overstate the value I place on the friendships that I have- like yours!! Thank you!!!
And thanks for watching!!
Bob / Robyn
------------------
post re-scheduling message:
Thank you for trying to watch and I apologize for taking up an hour of your evening. The additional coverage of the Imus story wasn't scheduled, but was clearly the story of the hour. The Stanton interview has been re-scheduled for tonight. (Friday) Larry King Live @ 9:00PM on CNN
---------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday's show- that didn't quite happen as planned...
Elizabeth Edwards' first live primetime interview since the recurrence of her cancer. Plus, the man fired by the city he'd served for fourteen years because he planned to become a woman. Tune in Thursday at 9 p.m. ET
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Imus story did get me to thinking, however... [ I'm sorry!!!! :)) ]
I grew up with all of the advantages that could possibly have been conferred on a young child- race, apparent gender, religion, nationality, reasonably bright, reasonably decent looking, good education, and probably much more that doesn't even come to mind at the moment; but I've also been on the receiving end of society's darker side. As many have heard me say: Laugh at me and it will hurt, but I'll survive; laugh with me and we can thrive. Any way you cut it, the boundaries aren't always clear and even when they are, for some unknown reason; we occasionally forget to put on our glasses. It probably has something to do with being human!
When a boundary is crossed, we should reasonably expect accountability; but we should also consider what might have led to the problem in the first place. It might be that whatever happened was a fluke or it might be that a much larger, more systemic problem has become apparent.
Thankfully, whether one person or many, it's generally the willingness of each individual to forgive that clears the air for objective review and, when necessary, can provide the foundation for rebuilding. One would hope that our love for each other would be sufficient reason to continually repeat this process despite the knowledge that attaining perfection can be nothing more than the object of a dream.
Here endeth the crazed ramblings of a lunatic mind!! :))
Many thanks and warmest regards,
Bob / Robyn
Ps: Can we move on now? :))
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 02:28:00 PM PDT
By the way, the Ps: "Can we move on now?" may not have given a clear reference. My intended reference was the overwhelming number of hours of media time dedicated to the Imus thing.
Thanks again!!
Robyn
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 02:35:00 PM PDT
So is it on tonight? I can't get CNN here - is it viewable anywhere on the net?
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:02:00 PM PDT
We just got back from the ifge meeting in Philly and tuned into LKL about 10 minutes past the hour. Did we miss it, or is it still on the program for tonight's show?
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:27:00 PM PDT
Yes, it's about to come on now... @9:40PM EST....
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:37:00 PM PDT
okay it's on now
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:38:00 PM PDT
The announcement is that she is NOT going to sue...it's the high road and, despite my passion for the cause, I'm inclined to agree...education will, in the long run, do more than a protracted court case...
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:51:00 PM PDT
good for him - he wants to spend his energy elsewhere. i think this reflects that he who knows litigation and realizes it's not going to solve his issues
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 06:52:00 PM PDT
Agreed, Robyn. But, viewing the comments from the panel and the diversity of the panel, illustrates that we need to communicate effectively and potentially by not pursuing legal action, does this contribute to the misunderstanding of the public? Back on later
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 07:00:00 PM PDT
She just resolved, or so it seems, the one glitch: she will continue to use her notoriety to facilitate education...
In our world today NOT going to court may be bigger news...hope so!!
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 07:01:00 PM PDT
The problem is finding the forum or forums...I've started small by presenting to several classes at a local campus of a larger propriety business college where I am now a contract instructor for one class. I began my TG teaching before being hired...when I did, I was told to expect challenges as many of the students came from 'right leaning' Christian backgrounds...it went unbelievably well and now I'm trying to get in front of any interested group, especially churches...
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 07:08:00 PM PDT
After having been to the Trans Health Conference in Philly as well as the IGFE (coincendentially also in Philly) we remain amazed by the level of information exchange that is critical to the success of all of this. The varying levels of awareness and acceptance are so multifaceted that we can only attempt to reach important "audiences" with the information needed to aide in understanding from individual perspectives. Not a topic that can be covered completely in a blog, but one that we are committed to..... more later. For now, LKL showing, not horrible... not fantastic, but at least awareness.
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 07:24:00 PM PDT
I would have to agree re LKL...if nothing else, it gave me a forum to further educate the growing group of people in my life that are aware of this through my personal experience...I think it would be fair to say that it also reinforced my point regarding character...
Btw, I wasn't able to go to Philly...wanted to, but in the end money ruled the day...
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 07:46:00 PM PDT
Wish Stanton would sue the pants off Largo but then, again, maybe it's the right thing to devote energy to advocacy. I second Anna Rose in that we need more dialoge on transgender rights in this country...particularly in Flori-Duh.
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 10:01:00 PM PDT
To court or not to court, that is the question...
I have a family member that's tired of each new minoriy looking to the government for recognition, so I tend to fall into the 'let's educate' camp more often than not.
That's what rules court out for me...I prefer to give my brother as little amunition as possible in support of his perspective; so, education seems like the better alternative and I'll keep doing it whenever and wherever I can.
I'll also join NCTE for their DC Lobby Day in May...for now, though, the zzzzzzzzzz are beginning to get out of hand; so I guess I'd better start coralling them by calling it a day!
I'm gone!! ...at least for the night!!
By
Anonymous, at Fri Apr 13, 10:54:00 PM PDT
While I applaud the decision not to sue it seems like an opportunity to establish some case law for transgendered rights is being wasted.Having gone thru a similiar gauntlet just a year ago in Ocean County,NJ I can attest to the fact that education,abeit one mind at a time is beneficial to our relationship with society.
There are also instances where the superficial "Tolorance" shown to the public by some institutions is corroded beneath the facade by "Discreet Discrimination" and such should be exposed for what it truly is.
Lily McBeth
Tuckerton,NJ
By
Anonymous, at Sat Apr 14, 04:03:00 AM PDT
In so many ways, it really is a Catch-22 situation with great arguments on both sides of the debate!
It seems to me that, even with great laws in place, the hidden discrimination will continue until we cross some sort of intangible threshold of acceptance by the whole of society. Most likely, our ability to cross that line will have as much to do with the changing of the generational guard as with our collective effort to educate and litigate.
I'm well into transition, but hit a financial roadblock on the way to going full-time Robyn.
I recently interviewed for a position where two friends of mine were employed. I had only come out to them a couple of weeks earlier with no thought given to the idea that I would ever be interviewing with that particular business. I made it to the final round, but was 'edged out' by someone with ‘more direct experience in that particular area.’ Everyone was nice, I was well qualified, and the interviews, in my mind, all went very well. Did I lose out because of unintended disclosure by my friends or did this financial services business prefer to avoid hiring a TG person in transition? I doubt that I'll ever know and I'm not sure that a law would have made a difference.
It's like a dead skunk in the middle of the road, stinkin' to the high heavens; and there doesn't seem to be a thing I can do about it. (...dating myself here- the words aren't mine, they're from a song!)
Of course, I'm always open to suggestions!!
Many thanks for the conversations!!
Robyn
RobynDeane@gmail.com
By
Anonymous, at Sat Apr 14, 06:58:00 AM PDT
Sometimes filing a discrimination complaint and/or a lawsuit are the only ways to get the attention needed to do education. In Susan's case that was not necessary. In my case, it was the only way to get a platform.
By
Julie Nemecek, at Sun Apr 15, 05:29:00 AM PDT
I'm saddened to findout that she will not be suing the City of Largo. I believe that this would have helped tremendously as it would have put the discrimination issued as illegal.
I read that she opted to "educate". I am happy she is doing that but sad that she didnt try to sue. It's important to educate but clearing the legal way would have also allowed for education in the work environment.
By
Anonymous, at Sat Apr 28, 09:48:00 PM PDT
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