NGLTF Adds Bi & Transgender to Mission Statement
Free Surgery for Brazilian Transexuals
| NGLTF ADDS BI & TRANSGENDER TO MISSION STATEMENT |
[Washington, DC: 19 Sep 97] THE NATIONAL GAY and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) announced the adoption of a new mission statement that includes bi and transgender people. The mission statement now reads: "The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level."
"Our revised mission statement is the result of discussions by our board and staff to add clarity to our work," said Kerry Lobel, executive director of NGLTF. "As gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, our future is closely linked to other movements for social justice. We have recommitted ourselves to that important work."
| FREE SURGERY FOR BRAZILIAN TRANSEXUALS |
[Brasilia, Brazil: 27 Sep 97] TRANSEXUALS in Brazil are to be given free sex change operations under new rules that classify the operation as experimental. The only conditions for the operation set by Brazil's Federal Council of Medicine are that patients be older than 21 and that they undergo 2 years of hormone treatment and psychological counseling first.
Reuters news service reports that gleeful transexuals were already lining up for operations that usually cost $15,000. "I've been dreaming about this for so long that I'd already given up hope," said a Sao Paulo nurse.
"We must develop the technique which, though rather simple, is little understood," said Dr. Julio Gomes, a council member. A council resolution said transexuals suffer a "tendency toward self-mutilation and self-extermination." Sex-change operations serve to equate transexuals' physical characteristics with their psychological sex.
| TRANSINCLUSION RESOLUTION PASSED BY CHICAGO COUNCIL |
[Chicago: 3 Oct 97] THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON GAY and Lesbian Issues (ACGLI) of the City of Chicago unanimously passed a resolution supporting the inclusion of transgender rights in the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. In part, wording of the resolution goes, "...The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues supports the inclusion of protection based on gender identity/expression to the City of Chicago Human Rights Ordinance."
ACGLI's overwhelming support of the transgender community resulted from interactions with It's Time Illinois and Queer Nation. Said Miranda Stevens of ITI, "We are excited about the support we are getting from ACGLI, and are anxious to work with them on the passage of trans-rights in Chicago."
| GAY GAMES V: BACK TO THE FUTURE ON TRANS-PARTICIPATION? |
[New York : 23 Oct 97] WILL GAY GAMES V in Amsterdam turn the clock back to the transgender policy established by Gay Games IV in 1994 in New York? Gay Games V in Amsterdam is set for August 1-8, 1998, and while no official policy has yet been posted on trans-participation, insiders allege there is an increasing probability that transwomen will be required to undergo sex verification or else be forced to compete as men.
While "Friendship through Culture & Sports" is the theme for these Gay Games, sex-discriminatory policies have begun to emerge; even Ballroom Dancing (dancing??) has already disallowed mixed-sex couples.
To express your opinion, write to:
Vieeuwen@gaygames.nl
Janssens@gaygames.nl
For prior press releases, check the GenderPAC web site at http://WWW.Gpac.Org
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