June - The Tennessee Vals

The Tennessee Vals
J
Juunnee 22000055
Show Us Your Pride!!!!
Table of Contents
The Board
The Publications
Pg 1
Staff
Pg 2
All That Jazz
Pg 3
From Kevin
to Karen
Notes From
Pg 11
Out and About
Pg 13
What’s
Happening
Pg 14
A Letter
From God
Pg 18
Chrysis
Breaking
News
Pg 20
Pg 30
Genes Behind
Transexualism
Possibly
Found
Life Can be
Roses or
Weeds
In attendance were Roxie Fox, Sara
Gibson, Karen Cole, and Shayna Aubrey. The
event was emceed by our own Scarlett Redd.
who entertained the crowd with a dazzling
show.
Pg 6
The Margin
International
On May 21st Clarksville
held it’s first annual Pride
Festival. The Tennessee Vals
were present to represent the
transgender community
Pg 31
Pg 34
Calling All Vals!!
On Saturday June 4th,
The Vals will be participating
in the Annual Nashville Pride
Festival at Centennial Park.
We are asking for a big
turn out from our
membership. We will be
marching in the Pride Parade
and then taking part in the
festivities that will follow.
On Thursday June 2nd, we will be hosting our
“Pride Mixer”at The Gaslight. Donna Noack
will be spinning the music for Karaoke.
The Board
Laura Beth Wages
Board Chair
[email protected]
Roxie Fox
Vice-Chair Woman
[email protected]
Lee Ann Martin
Secretary
[email protected]
Linn F.
Treasurer
[email protected]
Sara Gibson
Publications Director
[email protected]
Kelli Halliburton
Membership Director
[email protected]
Shayna Aubrey
Events Director
[email protected]
Stevie Patterson
Webmistress
[email protected]
The Publication Staff
Sara Gibson
Publications Director
[email protected]
Shayna Aubrey
Layout & Design
[email protected]
Contributing Writers
Karen Cole
Roxie Fox
Chrysis Monaco
Fredrikka Maxwell
Jenny Zoehler
Barbara Ann Ehrgott
The Tennessee Vals
PO Box 331006
Nashville, TN 37203-7507
615-664-6883
http://Tvals.org
Crises Line
615-244-7444
National Crises Hotline
1-800-549-1749
All That Jazz
Article by
Roxie Fox
The Fox Diary
5/17/05 5:46 AM
Physical Measurements:
Chest 36.75”Bust 37”
Rib cage 35”Waist 32.5”
Butt 37.75”L Thigh 20.75”
Total Premarin 2.5mg
To day is truly the first
day of the rest of my life!
This morning I actually
experienced Light headed
ness after my second dose of
Estrogen.
I thought it to be a
caffeine rush but Momma
assured me that it truly was
the effects of my body
adjusting to the newly
introduced hormones flowing
in my blood stream.
Sara Gibson, one of
my dearest friends, has always
wanted to be a woman and a
mother. Recently as I was
experiencing an extremely
difficult time she adopted me
as one of her surrogate
daughters.
I am both honored and
blessed, and have come to
truly give her the same love
and respect of my real
Mother.
My real Mother died
of breast cancer at an early
age when I was younger. I
have been at an important
crossroads in my life for
several months now.
Momma is helping me
emotionally and providing support. I am
so glad she is here to help me through
this time in my life.
A lot has transpired in my life
over the last five years. I will begin to fill
in some of the events of the past period
as I go forward from this point. I have
started to keep a diary of future events. I
will try to get the sequence of events in
order if not date perfect. However from
this point forward I wish to present as
accurate a chronological record as I can.
The major event that has just taken
place, which has prompted me to start my
biography in this format, is that last
evening while at one of my dearest girl
friend’s home I took my first dose of
Estrogen.
I have initiated a hormone
regimen of 1.25 mg tablets of Premarin
Conjugated Estrogen. My dose is 2.50mg in the morning and 2.50-mg in the
evening for a total of 5-mg per day. Why
is this significant? Because yesterday at
7:00 PM by taking my first pills. I
solidified my resolve that “I am truly a
woman”.
All That Jazz
Article by
Roxie Fox
Continued…
When I took my first
dose I was making a statement
to myself and the rest of the
world that my being a woman
had taken place over every
concern I have and value that
I live by.
Though Lynn my wife,
best lesbian girlfriend (she is
not really a lesbian we just say
that since I am not her man
anymore), and significant
other and I have been
discussing my starting
hormone therapy for months.
I did not ask her
permission nor was she telling
me I couldn’t. I simply shared
of my decision when I arrived
home. My girl friends and I
had even captured the historic
moment on digital camera and
I showed the picture to her.
She said that she had
been more surprised by my
decision to have my ears
pierced for public display a
week earlier than to begin
hormones since I had been
discussing both for months.
The decision scared
her because she didn’t know
what effect it would have on
our sexual life. She said she
knew it was the right thing to
do because I was truly a
woman inside and miserable
having to live as a man.
She said she loved me, we were a
team, and that it had no affect on our
marriage or our relationship. We
discussed options available to both of us
if and when I become unable to sexually
perform separation is not an issue.
Lynn has been and remains my
biggest support. When I ask her for
advice she offers it but never tries to
influence any decision I make on this
journey. She has supported every step I
have taken before, during, and after.
It is also important to note that I
was terminated from my financial
planning job of 5 years on April 26th.
Though, I have a new company to start
with, I am almost certain that I never
want to work as a man again. Even with
all my research about hormone protocol
and the affects of attempting transition, if
it hadn’t been for my TG Momma Sara
and my two TG family sister’s Jenny and
Karen encouragement, support and
experience, I might never have taken this
step.
The second significant thing
about last night’s decision is that I will be
taking these pills for the rest of my life
and everyday forward I will consider my
self to be the woman I have always
known I should be. I can never stop,
never return, and even now though I can
not see it or feel it coursing through my
veins, I have the miracle working.
Hormones creating permanent change in
my body so that it will finally match my
brain.
All That Jazz
Continued…
Article by
Roxie Fox
I am so excited and
thrilled to know that I am
already becoming the
beautiful woman I need to be.
I am taking my second
dose as I write this diary entry
5/17/05 6:14 AM. As the first
5mg’s of Premarin begin to
forever change my body and
mind, my attention shifts to
the necessary business
decisions of the day.
However they are not
those of Roger for as Lynn
says, he is now truly dead.
From this moment Roxanne
will have the opportunity and
the need to become all she can
be and over the next several
years I will see and experience
life as both an emotional and
physical woman even if I can
never be anatomically correct.
Regardless, I can truly
say I have never been happier
and I finally feel complete for
the first time in my life.
Roxanne Fox
May 25, 2005
From Kevin to Karen
Article by
Karen Cole
FORWARD
In the pages that
follow, you will learn about
the experiences of one
member of the transgendered
community. Each individual
that identifies as being a
transsexual will have a story
that is very similar to
everyone else's but it will be
unique in all aspects to that
individual.
Each individual has
felt discrimination aimed at
them and they must learn how
to handle it in their own way.
Some crawl into a shell and
never come out while others
gain strength and move to the
front of the transgendered
movement.
These individuals
become the beacons of light
and they work to eliminate the
hatred, bigotry and apathy that
has become commonplace in
the transgendered community.
Until these three aspects of
discrimination and
intimidation are eliminated,
the transsexual will continue
to live a life that is full of fear.
Hopefully, one day in
the future we will be able to
live in harmony and not be
discriminated against because
of our gender variances.
I can only hope that by reading
this book, others will gain an
understanding of us and not feel the need
to discriminate or cause physical harm
and death to any of the transgendered
communities members.
FROM KEVIN TO KAREN
(A Transsexual’s Journey)
Oh what a life it has been. Who in
their wildest imagination would ever
have thought that a life as screwed-up as
mine could be straightened up with a
transition. Now most of you have no idea
what I am talking about by transition.
That will become clearer at the end of my
story.
THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS
November is always a cold
month. Having no memory of my birth, I
can only assume that that was the case
when I was born. It would be the logical
way that someone with gender identity
dysphoria would come into this world.
Yes, I am a transsexual. I was born a boy
on the 6th of November 1953 in Kansas
City, MO, to Thomas J. and Donna J.
Cole. My older sister, Kathryn, was born
7 years earlier and both of us shared the
month of November as our birth months
and just 5 days apart. That meant that we
were both born a Scorpio and everyone
knows that a Scorpio is bullheaded and
usually gets his/her way. This would
prove to be very beneficial later on in
life.
From Kevin to Karen
Continued
Article by
Karen Cole
Anyway, back to my
birth. I have been told that my
dad wanted a girl because he
didn't want a son to have to
fight in a war. No such luck.
What he got was a blondehaired, blue-eyed, bouncing baby boy. Nothing could get
worse, or so I thought.
Two years into my
life, my younger brother,
Edwin Brent, was born and
that now made five family
members. Sibling rivalry
would have nothing on the
three of us. We fought with
each other continually. Each
of us was vying for any
attention we could get from
our parents.
One such argument
between my older sister and I
had me standing on a kite that
she had. The next thing that I
remembered was falling face
first into the tangs of a garden
tractor. My face was a bloody
mess and I was very fortunate
to have only two small scars
from this incident.
It could have been
much worse. I guess you
could say that we did not have
much of a family atmosphere.
It was more like we were all
pulling in different directions
and could never pull together.
Each member of my family
was a contradiction of what a
family should be.
My first recollection of my gender
problem was at age 4. I had the Sears and
Roebuck catalog out and had opened it to
the little girl dresses. I took this to my mom
and asked her why I couldn't wear them.
She told me that little boys didn't wear
girl's things and that I was a boy.
RIDICULOUS. I was a girl. At
least that was what my mind was telling
me. I couldn't believe that this horrible joke
had been played on me. But there it was,
dangling between my legs in all of its
glory. How was I suppose to tell everyone
that I was a girl when I had the anatomy of
a boy.
I tried to make the best of it. I
played with the girls in the neighborhood
and did the things that other girls would do.
I learned to cook at age 6 and could make
my bed and dust and do all the other girlish
things. I especially enjoyed it when I went
to visit my Aunt Gerry and my Grandpa
Spuhel. My aunt had this wonderful toy
box loaded with toys. I used to enjoy
digging through it because it contained
loads of girl's toys.
While my younger brother would
play with the trucks and other boy toys, I
got out the stove and the pots and pans and
the dolls. More importantly, I put on the
child's pair of high heels and would prance
around with them on. These WERE the
toys I was supposed to play with and not
those yucky boy's toys. They seemed so
normal for me and I couldn't understand
why they wanted to keep buying me boy's
toys all of the time.
From Kevin to Karen
Article by
Karen Cole
I knew that I was a girt
and I also knew deep down that
God would not make a mistake
and that if this was wrong, He
would change it and I would
wake up as a girl. I prayed my
butt off that he would make me
a girt and every morning I woke
up the same.
Maybe my prayers
weren't sincere enough or
maybe I was being selfish in
asking for this one thing. All I
knew was that it was like I was
living in a prison except that no
one could see the bars. Inside
me, I was screaming for them to
let me out.
On the outside, no one
could hear me. I stayed trapped,
unable to release myself and
unable to set myself free. In the
meantime, I still had to live as a
boy. I had also learned that it
was better to keep my big
mouth shut on this subject
rather than upset my mom and
dad. I was just going to have to
learn how to be a boy.
This was going to be
interesting. I played football
with the neighbor boys and I
was always getting the hell
knocked out of me. At this point
in my life, I was skinny as a
rail. I don't think that I weighed
100 pounds wet. What this did
was make me an easy target for
all of the bullies.
They started bothering me at about
the time I started Catholic school. I learned
very quickly that there were no saints at
Saint Ann's.
These kids that I tried so hard to
make friends with, turned out to be my
worst enemies. When I would play
hopscotch or jump rope with the girls, the
boys would ridicule me. It seemed that I
could never get this right. I was equal to
the girls and bullied by the boys. And the
nuns didn't help either. I was continually
admonished to act like a young man and
stop playing girls games. The only problem
with that admonishment was that I didn't
know what a young man was. I guess if I
watched the other boys and tried to act like
them, I might be able to get by.
From kindergarten to 4th grade, I
tried my best to stay out of trouble and not
gain the Sister's ire. Everything was going
fine until I hit the 5th grade.
5th GRADE
I started the 5th grade in 1963 at 9
years old and had Sister Mary Blaise as my
teacher. She could only be described as the
Sister from hell. During my time in 5th
grade, I had this penchant for not
completing my assignments and turning in
incomplete papers. Little did I know that
Sister Blaise had this diabolical scheme to
wait until the following spring and hand
each of us our incomplete papers with the
admonishment that they would be done by
the end of the school year and that there
would be no recess.
We would also be at the Nun's
Convent on Saturday mornings until the
papers were completed.
From Kevin to Karen
Continued…
Article by
Karen Cole
My folder looked like
a large dictionary because
there were so many papers in
it. I wasn't sure that there were
enough hours left in the
school year to complete all of
this. We were told that if they
weren't completed, we would
not go on to the sixth grade.
Somehow, I got them all
done.
During this period of
time, the little girl didn't cry
out too much and I was way
to busy to hear her if she did.
Just prior to hearing all of this
good news, I had another
situation come up.
I learned that I had
been chosen to be an alterboy.
This meant that I had to learn
Latin among other things. My
life wasn't bad enough, now I
had to be an alterboy and
learn a dead language. I
suppose they decided that I
should have this privilege
because I had learned to hide
my feminine side so well that
they thought that I was well
adjusted.
Little did they know
that I was the least adjusted of
all the boys. Hell, I didn't even
think that I was a boy, but I
sure as hell couldn't tell
anyone. And I sure wasn't
going to go to the nuns and
say, "guess what Sister, I'm
not a boy. I'm a girl."
They would have had me over to
the priest faster than I could have run. I
may even have been the first boy in the
state of Missouri to have the devil
exorcised out of him. Course, I guess I
could have asked the priest to take the
boy and make me a girl. I just don't think
that in my lifetime I would have had
enough time to say that many "Our
Fathers" and "Hail Mary's."
So I just kept my mouth shut and
suffered. I never wanted to start anything
and I figured that it was better for all
parties. Still, that little girl was screaming
that she wanted out and I just kept putting
more walls and barriers up to keep her
from getting out. I was afraid of what
would happen if she got out before I
reached puberty. That was my salvation.
Everyone would then get to see the giril
that had waited for so long to get out.
I just knew that when it happened,
that thing between my legs would fall off
and I would grow breast. Not on your
life. What happened was that my beard
grew, my voice got deeper, and that thing
between my legs didn't fall off, it came to
life. Now what in the hell was I supposed
to do now.
I found out in a hurry that it was
not going to be easy living with this
sexuality that had thrust itself upon me.
The first thing that was out of kilter was
the fact that I cross-dressed. This was
definitely something I didn't openly
discuss with my friends. It was bad
enough that they thought that I was
weird. This would have given them more
ammunition than I felt they needed. So, I
just kept my mouth shut and didn't say
anything to anyone.
From Kevin to Karen
Article by
Karen Cole
Continued…
I didn't even tell my
parents. I just couldn't stand to
have my dad tell me that I
needed to grow-up and be a
man, again. I was trying my
best to be what he wanted, it
just wasn't happening. Then,
he brings home this trailer full
of clothes, and I don't mean
just any clothes, "GIRLS
CLOTHES." And they fit me,
too.
I was in heaven. I had
dresses, and jumpers, and
blouses, and shoes. I hid
clothes like there was no
tomorrow. I found out very
quickly that when I was
dressed, I felt normal.
Something that I had never
felt before and it was great.
Unfortunately, there was a
downside to all of this. I had a
younger brother that I had to
always hide from. He would
always show up at the wrong
time. Just about the time that I
started to feel comfortable, I
would hear him trying to find
me. Luckily, he never did find
me; but he tried.
My mom was the only
one that did and that scared
me to death. I was in our
garage one morning dressed in
a blue jumper and she walked
in. All I thought was that the
shit was going to hit the fan
as-soon-as she told my dad.
She never did; but she did tell me that we
needed to talk. Unfortunately, to this day
we never talked about that incident and
she has stated that she does not remember
it happening. Even if she had, I don't
know what we would have said. I just
knew that I was going to have to be more
careful in the future.
(To Be Continued)
Notes from the Margin
Article by Fredrikka
My mom once said that
"God don't make junk." She said
that years before she suddenly
realized she had not one but two
daughters, years
before she began trying to use
the correct pronouns and even
correcting herself before
referring to me in masculine
terms.
Dad used to say that
"A man gotta do what a man
gotta do." Although I doubt
dad knew this other daughter as
he died seven years before I
came out, he unwittingly
contributed to my sense of pride.
Because if a man gotta
do what a man gotta do, then a
man gotta believe enough in
himself to do it, likewise for a
woman. Thanks dad. My first
thesis then is I got my sense of
pride from my parents.
The flip side of this thesis is that
parents can also be instillers of
shame by failing to affirm that
their offspring is somebody
and by using put downs. Such as
telling a boy he "Throws like a
girl" or telling a girl, "you walk
like John Wayne," Parents then
have potential to do great good-or great harm--when it comes to
instilling a sense of pride in their
offspring.
My second thesis is that
I got my sense of pride from my
spiritual life. Strange you might
say, since too many churches are
throwing out GLBT people.
Here's the thing, you cannot
simply take a religion or
spirituality or whatever without
questioning and examining it.
Only after you've done that can you
determine that the religion or spirituality is a
good fit for you. See, I grew up Catholic,
and when I was first baptized nobody asked
me if I wanted to be baptized. But by the
time I entered college I was questioning and
reading and trying to find answers to my
questions.
I found them and made the faith my
own. So some of my fellow parishioners will
probably blanch when I tell them what I
stand for. Things like the ordination of
women and the right of people to be who
they really are. So I got my sense, I
developed what I called the Mirror Theology.
It goes like this, if we were indeed
made in the image of God and we are as we
are, then it stands to reason that to find the
image of God I just need to look in the
mirror. As my mom put it, God don't make
no junk. So I believe in myself in the sight of
God and people.
Yes, I believe in me. If I don't believe in me
who will? You know what that means? It
means that even if ignorant cashiers call me
sir, I am still who I am. They can't take that
away from me. It means that, even though
my official church may not officially
recognize me as who I am, I am still who I
am.
So for those who are not yet out of
the closet and have not yet claimed their true
selves, I will gladly march in any parade on
their behalf. Because people have got to be
free and the closet is for clothes--not people.
Visit Our Advertisers!!
Ou t a n d Ab o u t
Article by Shayna
Tranfucius Say…
I have worked in sales and
in a call center environment for
the last 6 years. I currently work
for Dell. Starting next week I
will be working on a “Business
Improvement Program”and will
not be doing sales. While this
looks good on paper, I will not
be making my usual commission
but instead only “quota relief”.
But as my manager’s boss
told me, I must learn to deal with
ambiguity. In other words we
must all do things to improve
ourselves and the group we
support, even if it means harder
work and less pay for it.
I have had the opportunity
to work on several projects to
help improve several companies
that I have worked for in the
past. One thing that I was told
was if I saw a problem or had a
complaint, instead of just voicing
my complaint or pointing out a
problem, also suggest a solution
to rectify the situation.
I tell that to make this
point. During the last 7-8 months
that I have been a board member,
I have heard from members
saying things they wanted from
the Vals. Be it events, speakers,
food, etc. I know we (The Board)
have tried to accommodate these
requests as best we can.
I have also heard many complaints and
several people pointing out things that they
perceive to be a problem. With that being said, I
have also noticed that very few of these issues are
accompanied by a suggested plan for improvement.
Another thing that I have noticed is the lack
of participation in activities, events, meetings, and
helping out board members with their particular
office activities. For example, the newsletter
requires people to write articles, gather news,
contribute photos, put it together, print it, assemble
it and distribute it.
With our events and fund raisers, it takes
work and participation at these functions to set
them up and run them. I was a bit disappointed with
the turn out at our last meeting. Now I can totally
understand if work, health, or life does not permit
you to come. I can also appreciate not coming to
events outside of the monthly meetings if you do
not feel comfortable doing so.
For those of you not present at our last
meeting, we had representatives from the Metro
Police Department on hand to answer questions and
give as very important information. We only had
about 20 members (give or take a few) in
attendance.
I have had several people request an SRS
Surgeon come in to speak to us. With this kind of
turn out I hesitate doing so. If we ask a doctor to
come in to speak to our group, we will probably
have to pay some of their traveling expenses.
Please keep in mind ya’ll, you can only get
out of the Vals, what you put in. I write this not to
offend or upset anyone, but to encourage everyone
to participate. This is your organization and the
only way for it to grow and to blossom is with
support.
What’
s Happening
Article by Shayna
•
June 2nd –Pride Mixer at
The Gaslight Lounge.
8 pm to close
•
June 11th –Talent Show - to be held during
monthly meeting –bring your Karaoke
music (tapes and or CDs)
•
June 4th –Nashville Pride
Festival and Parade at
Centennial Park
12:00 pm
•
We are holding a Logo Contest. Design a
new TVals logo to appear on our
newsletter, etc. Winner receives $100.
$5.00 entry fee per logo submitted.
•
We will be putting together
a commemorative TVals
book to be handed out at the
Holiday Banquet. Books
will be sold for $5 at the
Banquet. $10 afterwards.
To submit information for
the book please see the form
at the end of this newsletter.
•
Tickets for our holiday banquet are on sale
now. $25 per person through June 30th, $30
July –Oct., and $35 afterwards.
•
Roxie is requesting questions from our
members to field to SRS Surgeon Dr.
Harold Reed M.D. on her radio program.
Email them to her at [email protected]
~Shayna Aubrey
Events Director
F o r ms
+
6
Advertise your business or service to our members around the country for a small annual fee.
Business Card Size Only $25/yr ~ 1/2 Page Display Only $50/yr ~ Full Page Display Only $100/yr
****Don’t Have an Ad?? We can design an ad for you for a One Time Fee of $10.****
Business Name: ____________________________________________________________
Business Address: _______________________________Phone: _____________________
City: _________________________ State:___________________ Zip Code: ___________
Email Address: ______________________ Web Site: _____________________________
Type of Business: __________________________________________________________
[] I have included an Ad for my display.
[] Please Design an Ad for my display. I have included the additional $10 One Time Fee.
(Please include any information that you would like displayed in your ad)
Requests/Comments/Etc.: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Make Payments Payable To: The Tennessee Vals
Mail To: The Tennessee Vals, PO Box 331006, Nashville, TN 37203-7507
Visit Our Advertisers!!
Visit Our Advertisers!!
A Letter From God.
My Dear Children (and believe me,
that's all of you), I consider
myself a pretty patient guy. I mean,
look at the Grand Canyon. It took
millions of years to get it right. And
about evolution? Boy,
nothing is slower than designing that
whole Darwinian thing to take
place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.
I've been patient through your
fashions, civilizations, wars and
schemes, and the countless ways
you take Me for granted until you
get yourselves into big trouble again
and again. I want to let you know
about some of the things that are
starting to tick me off.
First of all, your religious rivalries
are driving Me up a wall. Enough
already! Let's get one thing straight.
These are YOUR religions, not
Mine. I'm the whole enchilada; I'm
beyond them all. Every one of your
religions claims there is only one of
Me (which by the way, is absolutely
true). But in the very next breath,
each religion claims it's My favorite
one. And each claims its bible was
written personally by Me, and that
all the other bible's are man-made.
Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put
a stop to such complicated
nonsense?
Okay, listen up now. I'm your Father
AND Mother, and I don't play
favorites among My children.
Also, I hate to break it to
you, but I don't write. My
longhand is awful, and I've
always been more of a "doer"
anyway. So ALL of your books,
including those bible's, were
written by men and women.
They were inspired, remarkable
people, but they also made
mistakes here and there. I made
sure of that, so that you would
never trust a written word more
than your own living heart.
You see, one human being to me -- even
a bum on the street -- is worth more than all the
Holy Books in the world. That's just the kind of
guy I am. My Spirit is not a historical thing, it's
alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next
breath.
Holy books and religious rites are sacred
and powerful, but not more so than the least of
you. They were only meant to steer you in the
right direction, not to keep you arguing with each
other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting
your own personal connection with Me.
Which brings Me to My next point about
your nonsense. You act like I need you and your
religions to stick up for Me or "win souls" for My
sake. Please, don't do Me any favors. I can stand
quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you
to defend Me, and I don't need constant credit. I
just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing: I don't get all worked
up over money or politics, so stop dragging My
name into your dramas. For example, I swear to
Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never
rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never
told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've
never NEVER had a conversation with Jim
Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of
course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend
to...
The thing is, I want you to stop thinking
of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me.
The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU
can become more aware of ME, not the other way
around. Believe
Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of
your hearts, and I love you with no strings
attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what
religion is best for.
What you seem to forget is how
mysterious I am. You look at the petty differences
in your Scriptures and say, "Well, if THIS is the
truth, then THAT can't be!" But instead of trying
to figure out My Paradoxes
and Unfathomable Nature-which by the way, you
NEVER will -- why not open your hearts to the
Simple common threads in all religions.
A Letter From God.
Continued…
You know what I'm talking
about: Love and respect everyone.
Be kind, even when life is scary or
confusing, take courage and be of
good cheer, for I am always with
you. Learn how to be quiet, so you
can
hear My still, small voice (I don't
like to shout).
Leave the world a
better place by living your life with
dignity and gracefulness, for you are
My Own Child. Hold back nothing
from life, for the parts of you that
can die surely will, and the parts that
can't, won't. So don't worry, be
happy (I stole that last line from
Bobby McFerrin but who do you
think gave it to him in the first
place?)
Simple stuff. Why do you
keep making it so complicated? It's
like you're always looking for an
excuse to be upset. And I'm very
tired of being your main excuse. Do
you think I care whether you call me
Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah,
Wakantonka, Brahma, Father,
Mother or even the Void of
Nirvana? Do you think I care which
of My special children you feel
closest to -- Jesus, Mary, Buddha,
Krishna, Mohammed or any
of the others? You can call Me and
My Special Ones any name you
choose, if only you would go about
My business of loving one another
as I love you. How can you keep
neglecting something so simple?
I'm not telling you to abandon your
religions. Enjoy your religions, honor them, learn
from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and
learn from your parents. But do you walk around
telling everyone that your parents are better than
theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may
always have the most special place in your heart;
I don't mind that at all. And I don't want you to
combine all the Great Traditions in One Big
Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason.
Each has a unique style so that people can find
the best path for themselves.
But My Special Children -- the ones that your
religions revolve around -- all live in the same
place (My heart) and they get along perfectly, I
assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth
of sibling rivalry where there is none. My blessed
children of Earth, the world has grown too small
for your pervasive religious bigotries and
confusion. The whole planet is connected by air
travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines,
rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and
concerns. Get with the program! If you really
want to help then commit yourselves to figuring
out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked,
protect your abused, and shelter your poor.
And just as importantly, make your own everyday
life a shining example of kindness and good
humor. I've given you all the resources you need,
if only you abandon your fear of each other and
begin living, loving, and laughing together.
Finally, My Children everywhere, when you think
of the life of Jesus and the fearlessness with
which He chose to live and die. As I love
Him, so do I love each one of you. I'm not really
ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention
because I hate to see you suffer.
But I gave you free will. I just want you to be
happy. Always Trust in Me.
Your One and Only,
God
International Chrysis
Non -Fiction by
Chrysis Monaco
To fully appreciate the
quality of transgender lifestyle
that we now enjoy in the 21st
century, it is important to
reflect on some of the
courageous people who led the
way.
From Vietnam to Haight Ashbury
hippies, the 60’s exploded with passionate
diverse opinions on a myriad of issues and
alternative lifestyle movements. William
no doubt searched his inner feelings in
much the same way as new transies do
today.
This non-fiction
biography is about a woman
who truly made a difference
and left a legacy. Her coming
out occurred at a point in time
when America as a whole was
in a period of transition.
The psychological and
physiological motives that drive desire to
present one’s self in the illusion of the
opposite gender remains a topic of
research. William somehow managed to
come up with a dress and wig in his quest
to express feminine feelings.
Before Woodstock and
other defining events of his
generation, a young boy named
William decided that he wanted
to become a showgirl.
As with all new transies, where
there is a will, there is a way. At the age of
13, William strolled through the Grand
Concourse of the Bronx at 174th Street
dressed as a girl. He quickly concluded
that crossdressing in the Bronx was neither
an acceptable nor even a safe alternative. It
was 1964. The Beatles arrived in New
York that same year to perform at the Ed
Sullivan Theatre near Times Square.
Born in 1951, William was
raised in the Bronx… a “tough
guy”borough of New York.
The Bronx was undergoing
major change in the 1950’s
when construction of the CrossBronx Expressway displaced
thousands of residents as part
of President Eisenhower’s
national interstate project.
Located only a few
miles north of Central Park, the
Bronx was just a brief subway
ride away from the glitz and
glamour of Broadway. While
William and his schoolmates
played street hockey, a media
controversy ensued in
Manhattan when Elvis Presley
swiveled his hips on the Ed
Sullivan Show.
The relatively few active
transgender men and women in the 1960’s
were for the most part performance drag
queens living on the edge of tolerance or
vying for recognition as pageant
contestants. Regional transgender social
and support groups that we now enjoy were
virtually non-existent at that time. Without
the Internet that facilitates communication
today, drag clubs and gay bars were the
best places to meet people with similar
feelings.
Crossdressers and pre-op
transsexuals were commonly referred to as
transvestites. Gay men were known and
referred to themselves as homosexuals.
International Chrysis
Non-Fiction by
Chrysis Monaco
Continued…
Female impersonation
of celebrities such as Bette
Davis and Carol Channing was
the trendy art form of drag in
the mid-60’s. The oldest and
longest running drag showroom
in America was Finnochio’s in
San Francisco.
In New York, stage
queens such as Lynne Carter
performed as female
impersonators in clubs like The
8th Street Nightclub in lower
Manhattan near Greenwich
Village. Certain clubs such as
The 8th Street Nightclub were
known as tourist clubs,
attracting a number of straight
patrons.
In recent years, New
York City drag clubs Lucky
Chang’s, located on the Lower
East Side, and Lips, located in
Greenwich Village, are the
successors to the tourist clubs
of the 60’s.
The 82 Club was New
York’s finest drag showroom at
that time. Rumors of drag
queens in New York City led
William to the decision to
pursue his dreams by running
away from home to the eclectic
Greenwich Village section of
New York.
Older queens… that is
girls in their 20’s and 30’s, took
William under their wings to
provide a place to stay and to
teach him the basics of makeup and female presentation.
William selected the femme name
of International Chrysis. He chose the
name from a sensual Greek goddess named
Chrysis, immortalized in the book
Aphrodite by French author Pierre Louys.
Writings by Pierre Louys with themes on
sexuality were underground sensations in
the late 19th century. In Aphrodite, Louys
depicted courtesan life in ancient
Alexandria. Lithographs in the book
portrayed Chrysis as a voluptuous woman.
As luck would have it, filming of a
groundbreaking documentary afforded
International Chrysis a unique opportunity
to appear on the big screen at a very young
age. “The Queen,”featuring female
impersonator Joey Arias, was the first film
to go behind the scenes of a drag pageant.
International Chrysis was only 16
years old when “The Queen”was filmed in
New York City in 1967. She was still too
young to perform in a drag club, and not
refined enough to compete in a drag
pageant, so her role in the film was that of
an aspiring contestant. She was featured in
three brief scenes, two as William and one
as International Chrysis. “The Queen”
remains a cult classic.
An article about International
Chrysis in The Village Voice tipped off
William’s mother to her son’s
whereabouts. William’s parents finally
caught up with their son, wearing a dress
and living in Manhattan. They promptly
had him committed to the Belleview
Mental Institution.
At the age of 18, William returned
to Greenwich Village and resumed a
transgender lifestyle. He never went back
to the Bronx again.
International Chrysis
Continued…
Non-Fiction by
Chrysis Monaco
Over the next several
years, International Chrysis
crafted her persona with
shoulder length auburn wigs,
lashes even Liza Minelli would
envy, and a great body!
In the late 60’s, two
drag queens, Joey Arias and
Holly Woodlawn, jointly held
the informal title of “Mother”
to the young transies of New
York City. Both befriended
International Chrysis.
Born Harold Eisenberg,
Holly Woodlawn moved to
New York City in 1967.
Already an experienced
performer from Miami, Holly
pursued a cabaret career in
New York, appearing in clubs
such as Smilers and Reno
Sweeney. Holly was blessed
with a wonderful singing voice
which no doubt inspired
International Chrysis.
One of the more
popular bars in Greenwich
Village for homosexuals,
lesbians, and transvestites to
socialize with each other was in
the Stonewall Inn on
Christopher Street. On the
evening of June 27, 1969, New
York City vice officers raided
Stonewall.
The New York Daily
News made fun of the episode
with the headline “Homo Nest
Raided, Queen Bees are
Stinging Mad!”
- 18 -
Following numerous arrests for
seemingly no infraction beyond choice of
lifestyle, some 400 protestors marched
from Washington Square Park to Sheridan
Square. In so doing, they expressed pride
in their sexuality and lifestyle. From that
event, the Gay Pride Parade was founded.
Eventually, it became simply Pride. To this
day, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and
transgender men and women across
America hold Pride parades and festivals in
the month of June to commemorate
Stonewall.
In the 1970’s, International Chrysis
launched her stage career in earnest. She
had done her homework. Despite the cost
and forbidding laws, bigger than life
friends like Holly Woodlawn helped
International Chrysis to find doctors who
would dispense hormones that were then
$20 per injection. She even managed to get
breast implants, albeit with wax.
International Chrysis had a
delightful sense of humor. A play on the
name of a floor wax led her to jokingly
refer to her breasts as “Johnson &
Johnson.” Her hips were shapely by nature
and her cheekbones very feminine. She
had the body, the gowns, and the voice.
Most importantly, she had confidence,
charisma, and “the look.” International
Chrysis took Manhattan with a storm as the
showgirl she dreamed to become.
She polished her talent in the
popular drag venues of that period,
including a traveling show called The
Jewel Box Review. The Review staged
elaborate Las Vegas style drag productions
in major cities such as Chicago and New
York with a cast of some 25 showgirls.
International Chrysis
Continued…
Non-Fiction by
Chrysis Monaco
Some of the cast
traveled, and others
auditioned for a spot when the
show was in town. In New
York, International Chrysis
joined the show, performing
with the Jewel Box Review on
large theatre stages such as
the Apollo where she
experienced the thrill of
dancing the “can-can”in a
chorus line.
Breaking tradition,
International Chrysis was not
an impersonator of female
celebrities. The Jewel Box
Review was fun, but
International Chrysis
preferred performance as a
solo act, which she perfected
at The 82 Club.
She performed as
herself, singing in her own
natural voice versus the lip
sync style now popular in
drag clubs in many cities in
America. While she was very
feminine in appearance, her
voice, while lovely, was a
dead give-away.
International Chrysis
was a drag queen and proud of
it. In addition to singing and
dancing, she developed repoir
with the audience through
conversation and jokes that
were sometimes naughty.
- 19 -
The originality of International
Chrysis to simply perform as herself
served to set her apart as a unique
performer.
In the mid-70’s, renowned
photographer George Alpert put together
a portfolio of drag queens from that era in
a book titled “The Queens.” Popular
Photography described Alpert as one of
America’s master photographers. He
captured the essence of International
Chrysis in 14 stunning black and white
prints. Norman Rothschild provided the
introduction for the book, commenting
that Alpert’s photography “… reveals the
inner souls.” Alpert’s photographs were
exhibited in galleries in New York and
Milan.
International Chrysis had fulfilled her
dream of becoming a showgirl… but the
best was yet to come.
To be continued…
Part II of this inspirational biography will
be published in next month’s edition of
the Tennessee Vals Newsletter.
Chrysis Monaco, All Rights Reserved
2002
Visit Our Advertisers!!
Visit Our Advertisers!!
The Tennessee Vals wish to Thank Timely Treasures
For their support with our
First Annual Belles Ball Fundraiser!!
Photo Gallery
.
Classifieds
Editor’s Note:
All submissions for next month’s newsletter should be sent to
[email protected].
• Submissions will be accepted at all times.
• However submissions not received by the 15th of the month if approved will be
printed in the following month’s edition.
•
•
•
•
Any article submitted for publication, must be in Microsoft Word.
Please don’t format your article.
If you would like your picture displayed with your article, email it separately.
Do not use offensive language or any language that someone else might take
offense to.
• All articles are subject edit.
• Any article deemed inappropriate may be rejected.
Visit Our Advertisers!!
The Tennessee Vals wish to Thank DeVil’
s
For their support with our
First Annual Belles Ball Fundraiser!!
Visit Our Advertisers!!
98.9 WRFN-LPFM is a 100-watt station licensed to Pasquo, Tennessee, a suburb of
Nashville. When it signs on, WRFN’s signal will reach a seven to ten mile radius from
our tower and depending on the topography significantly further. The primary
broadcast area will extend from Bellevue (just west of Nashville) westward to
Fairview, to Pegram in the north and parts of Brentwood and Franklin in the south. This
is a fast-growing suburban area that includes an extremely diverse population.
WRFN will extend its range throughout the world by steaming over the Internet.
Our basic idea is simple. We believe that since the airwaves belong by law to the
public, the public should have access to them. We believe that we have as basic a right
to speak on the radio as to listen. And we have a unique opportunity.
This statement is a partial excerpt from the description on WRFN website.
Radio hostess Roxanne Fox
Produced by Fox Consulting
[email protected]
Nashville Gender Talk
Nashville’s newest Transgender radio program airs at 5:00PM every Thursday evening.
I would like to invite you all to tune in to 98.9 FM if you live in the Pasquo /Belleview
area, or to listen to us on the internet at http://radiofreenashville.org /.
I believe that “Nashville Gender Talk”will provide two equally important community
purposes: First it should help those who experience “Gender Dysphoria”who are still
in the closet to begin their de isolation process and realize their self worth. Second I
would hope to create a better channel of understanding and hopefully greater
communication between the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender cultures.
Breaking News
(Reprinted from TGV_Advocacy Newsleter)
By Laura Kiritsy
LOWELL - Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank is set to file a bill
to expand federal hate crimes statutes that includes explicit protections based on gender
identity. Frank said that he and Reps. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., Tammy Baldwin D-Wisc.,
and John Conyers, Jr. D-Mich. will file the bill sometime in the next seven to 10 days. "We are
going to have a bipartisan hate crimes bill," said the openly gay Newton Congressman during
an exclusive interview at the state Democratic Party Convention in Lowell
Saturday. "It'll be the first federal legislation ever that is specifically transgendered-inclusive."
Frank said the trans-inclusive hate crimes bill, which would also add protections based on
sexual orientation, is the best way to begin educating Congress members about transgender
issues. He has drawn criticism from transgender activists for refusing to support a
trans-inclusive version of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to outlaw job
discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying such a bill presents "a political problem," in
that it would need to be re-written to give employers discretion to set regulations around
transgender employees' access to spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms. Frank's stance on
ENDA has put him at odds with national organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign
and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who have said they will no longer support
ENDA unless it includes gender identity. Such legislation has yet to be introduced in Congress.
But Frank contends that it is easier to make the case for a trans-inclusive hate crimes law. "It's
not a political problem to include transgender people in hate crimes. I said to [GLBT political
leaders], why are you leading with our weaker thing? Let's lead with our strength and build
from strength to strength rather than from weaknesses."
The one difficulty he has encountered, however, is finding a Republican senator to sign on to
the bill. While Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy supports the bill, Frank notes, "the Senate is
having problems, because we can't even find a senate Republican who will be for including
transgenders in hate crimes." Three previous versions of the hate crimes bill, none of which
included gender identity, passed the Senate with support from Republicans Orrin Hatch of
Utah, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Maine's Olympia
Snowe, among others. In 2000, the House followed the Senate's lead in passing the gayinclusive hate crimes bill - the only time both chambers have done so - only to see it killed by
Republican House and Senate leaders. But with or without Senate support for a trans-inclusive
hate crimes bill, Frank said he grew "tired of sitting back" and waiting for others to get on
board.
Frank believes that there would be enough House votes to pass the bill but said it's unlikely to
get far in the Republican-dominated Congress. "As long as the Republicans are in power, we
probably can't pass it," he said. "But we can get a majority on record in favor of it, which
means the next time [Democrats] take over, we can do it."
Genes Behind Transexualism
Possibly Found
May 11, 2005
Special to World Science
Scientists say they may have found genes that help explain why a tiny percentage of
men see themselves as women, cruelly trapped in the wrong body.
A famous transsexual, Christine Jorgensen (1927-1989), born George, who obtained a
sex change operation in 1952 in Denmark. The researchers say the findings are very
preliminary and should be “interpreted with the utmost caution,”due to the small
sample size used in their study.
Nonetheless, they say, the results might shed some light on the rare condition,
transsexualism. It is estimated to afflict about one in 30,000 men, some of whom
follow through on their sense of their correct gender by getting sex-change
operations. More broadly, the research could help clarify one of the most contentious
and poorly understood questions in biology: what creates “gender identity”— the
sense most people have that they are either a man or a woman.
The feeling is normally rather deep-seated; people don’t need to examine their body
shapes to confirm it. It is also considered distinct from the issue of whom a person is
sexually attracted to. The question is how genes, culture or both conspire to produce
gender identity. Transsexualism “raises important questions as to how the gender
identity is moulded in humans,”wrote the researchers, who included Susanne
Hennigsson of Göteborg University and Mikael Landén of the the Karolinska
Institute in Göteborg and Stockholm, Sweden, respectively.
They describe the research in the August issue of the scientific journal
Psychoneuroendocrinology. If their findings are correct, the risk of becoming a
transsexual may depend partly on variations in the length of certain segments of DNA
where the genetic code “stutters,”that is, a few “letters”of the code repeat
themselves in the same order many times.
Notably, scientists found in a study published last December that these repeat
sequences may be the sites of some of the most common genetic mutations, and thus
may underlie some of the fastest evolutionary changes in life’s history. Evolutionary
theory holds that mutations produce evolution, because the occasional mutations that
are advantageous spread through populations, changing these populations’
characteristics, and over time gradually create new species.
In that study of last year, researchers found that the muzzle length of dogs depends on
the length of certain repeat sequences. In the transsexualism study, the researchers
examined a repeat sequence in each of three genes known to affect the sexual
development of the brain, in hopes that one or more of these might shed light on
Genes Behind Transexualism
Possibly Found
transsexualism. They studied several common variants affecting the length of these
repeats in different people.
These variants “are all much more common than is transsexualism”itself, they wrote.
“Hence, the goal of this study was not to reveal the primary cause of transsexualism,”
but rather to help explain “whether the studied genes may facilitate or prevent”it.
One particular variant seemed significantly associated with the frequency of
transsexualism, they found. This variant was in a gene responsible for producing a
molecule called ER-Beta. ER-Beta acts as a minuscule gateway that controls the flow
of estrogen, a hormone, through the brain during fetal development.
Estrogen is thought to be responsible for wiring the brain in a “masculine”way in
healthy males before birth— although, paradoxically, the substance is better known as
a female sex hormone. This is because after birth, it influences the development of
female sexual characteristics. The gene that produces the ER-beta receptor contains a
section called a CA repeat sequence, so called because C and A are names for two
“letters”of the genetic code which, here, are repeated many times in a row.
The researchers found that longer CA repeats were associated with a greater risk of
transsexualism in the the study, which included 29 male-to-female transsexuals (men
who wish they were women) and 229 healthy males. It is unknown exactly how this
change in the ER-beta gene might contribute to transsexualism, the researchers said.
The gene may produce different variants of the molecular gateway, which transmit
estrogen more or less easily; but it’s unknown whether one of these might be the
reason for the effect, or whether the reason is something else.
Moreover, the researchers found that the two other genes that they studied also seem
to influence the risk of becoming a transsexual. But neither of these genes on its own
predicted that risk, they found. Rather, specific combinations of all three variants
seemed to be more common among transsexuals. The other two genes studied were
genes encoding the production of molecules called aromatase and androgen receptor.
These genes, too, are believed to help determine how “masculine”the brain becomes.
More masculine, in this context, means that certain brain structures are relatively
smaller or larger in males than in females, possibly reflecting the relative importance
of those brain structures in each sex. Researchers have found that parts of the frontal
cortex, the seat of many reasoning functions, and the limbic cortex, involved in
emotions, are bigger compared to other brain areas in women than in men. Parts of
the parietal cortex, which contributes to spatial perception, and the amygdala, which
responds to emotionally arousing information, are bigger in men. A part of the
hypothalamus, a brain region that regulates reproductive behavior, is also believed to
be bigger in males.
At least one brain region has also been found to be different in male heterosexuals
Genes Behind Transexualism
Possibly Found
Continued…
and homosexuals, also a part of the hypothalamus. And more recently, gay and
straight men have been found to differ in how their brain responds to a scent in male
sweat.
But scientists don’t know whether homosexuality and transsexualism have anything
in common biologically, beyond the fact that some people view both as aberrations—
and that now, both are being found to have a possible genetic basis.
The idea that genes underlie transsexualism, at least among men who want to be
women, has gained support from reports on twin and non-twin siblings who both
have “this very rare condition, and from reports on families with more than one
member”having it, Henningsson and colleagues wrote.
Gender identity is typically established by 18 to 24 months of age, when “boys come
to know they are boys, and girls come to know they are girls,”according to the Merck
Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition.
Some people act in ways typically considered more appropriate for the other sex, but
this doesn’t make them transsexuals, as long as they’re comfortable with their
physical gender. Rather, transsexuals “believe that they are victims of a biologic
accident,”the book says, “and that they are cruelly imprisoned within a body
incompatible with their gender identity.”
Life Can Be Roses or Weeds
Article by
Barbara Ann
Ehrgott
I would like to explain
my title first.
I have heard the horror
stories of my sisters who have
been beaten because they have
tried to live their lives as a whole
person. Early in May someone
murdered a sister in Mesa,
Arizona. The evidence of a
crime was discovered, women’s
clothes strewn upon the ground,
blood in the river. Her mutilated
body lay in shallow water.
I sit here and wonder
why nothing terrible has
happened to me. Since I came to
Terms with myself, who I have
been inside and who I have tried
to keep buried deep within me. I
expected my wife to leave me,
but, she loved me enough to
stand beside me and be
supportive.
I know the pain and
anguish many of my sisters have
felt when their wives have
chosen to leave. The despair is
beyond belief. The anguish that
is felt, when we need someone
the most in our lives who love us
for ourselves we loose that love
and companionship. We have to
be willing to lose everything to
be who we were suppose
to be at birth.
Many of us who live in
the transsexual community are
scared within for life, by
rejection from parents, family,
friends, the loss of wives,
children, and jobs. It is no
wonder that we have the highest
suicide rate of any group of
people in the world.
Once again I ponder the fact that I
have not suffered these losses. Why am I so
fortunate, this I can not begin to explain. The
one thing that I do is to be forward about
who I am. I try not to be in your face so to
speak. But I openly talk about being
transsexual.
By being open and talking with those
who do not know about me and what I have
and am going through, I have built wonderful
friendships. Upon returning to college at The
University of Virginia, I asked about the
schools non-discrimination policy, and I
came to classes dressed in a skirt, blouse and
heels.
Was I scared, yes I was scared. Since
I decided to live 24/7 as Barbara Ann
students have asked questions, and no one
has condemned, or ridiculed me. My fellow
students and my Professors have accepted
me. I have been honest when questions I
have been asked.
I speak about Gender Identity
Dysforia every chance I get. There is many
wonderful experiences that I could write
about. These are but a few. The most
wonderful person in the world has chosen to
stand beside me through my transitioning,
my darling wife.
She has taught me what Love is
really about. The wonder of all this is that I
draw my strength from my wife, I do not
understand the mechanics of how I draw this
strength from her, but, I know that I do.
My first real girlfriend, Cat, has
helped me in ways that are so many it is
hard to put them to words. When Cat
experienced soul wrenching disaster and
heartbreak I stayed with her to support
her and to be a shoulder to cry on. Do I
love Cat? Yes I hold a love for my sister
and friend.
Life Can Be Roses or Weeds
Article by
Barbara Ann
Ehrgott
My trans-daughter is
also very special to me; we have
formed a bond that will last a
lifetime. I have held her as she
has cried her heart out and I cried
with her. We have shared a very
special relationship that brings a
sense of pride to my heart as she
grows into womanhood. Do I
love her, yes I love my transdaughter.
A fellow student at college
Sara, we formed a friendship and
have talked about everything two
girl friends will talk about. She
even told me she wanted me to
be at her graduation ceremony
from college.
Sara’s parents are very
conservative Christian people.
Sara told her parents this is my
dear friend Barbara, her dad was
very perplexed and her mom was
very polite. Sara and I will be
friends for life. Do I Love Sara,
yes I love her because we are
sisters in the heart.
A gay male friend Mark,
who is a hairdresser, and I have
become friends. We hold a
friendship as a girl and guy
would have. We joke around and
tease each other some, yet we
can talk about some very deep
and personal issues also. Do I
hold a love for Mark, yes I do he
is my brother.
These are but a very few
of my very sweet and dear
friends. One of the things that I
have noticed about my own
growth as a woman is that I have
become much more spiritual.
I know the Creator in a much more
personal way. I have begun to respect my
Cherokee heritage more and more. A friend
from East Tennessee told me once, that I see
the world through rose colored glasses. I
guess that I do. I want to see the good in
creation and in people.
Unfortunately I know that people
have a tendency to let one another down
when times get tough. This is a reality of life
unfortunately; most people will not be there
when the times are tough. Where will the
experiences of this new lease on life lead me,
this I do not know. But I look forward to the
next experience that lies ahead for me as
Barbara Ann.
I love life in such a very special
way. LIFE CAN BE ROSES OR WEEDS. I
have been given ROSES so far with my new
lease on life and I expect for more of the
ROSES to be given to me. Conceded maybe,
but, my prior life was an excess of weeds and
I don’t want the weeds in my life anymore. I
hope that this explains the title.
With love to all, hugs and be well.
Barbara Ann Ehrgott
If You Build It,
They Will Come...
Have you seen our website, lately??!!
The Vals would like to thank Stevie for
all of her hard work and dedication to
making our website something to be
proud of again!!!!
From the Chair
Article by
Laura Beth
Hello, everyone. I hope
you all had a very good
Memorial Day Holiday. Mine
was not too bad considering I
spent it recuperating from
surgery and nursing an ill
vehicle.
I hope that everyone has
noted that the website is back in
business and will be much
improved and more “userfriendly”within a short period of
time. Stevie intends to make
subtle changes for now and
hopes to have the site completely
functional, including picture
galleries shortly. If you have any
ideas for the website, please let
Stevie or any of the other board
members of your ideas.
We are planning on
issuing a “commemorative
history”of the Vals in
conjunction with our 13th annual
Holiday Extravaganza. More
info on this will be available
soon. A simple biography for
members will be sent out shortly
(form follows this article). If you
would be interested in having
your bio in this publication, just
respond to the bio survey when
you receive it.
For those of you who are aware
of the Calpernia Adams story,
you may want to be at Tribe on
Friday July 1st. Calpernia will be
making an appearance that
evening at the Church Street
venue. A good turnout of T-Vals
could not hurt. She has
previously spoken at one of our
meetings, though I doubt she is
going to be available this visit.
The Vals are in search of a new logo.
We are having a contest through the end of
July. Each proposed logo entry will cost $5.
There is no limit to the number of entries you
may submit. However, each will require the
$5 entry fee. The winning logo will earn
$100 for its creator. So, let’s get those
creative minds going.
We are also going to venture into
merchandising. Initially we will market Tshirts and coffee mugs with the old logo
(state map), and will eventually venture into
key chains, ear rings, mugs, etc. with the new
logo.
As a reminder, we intend to venture
into other fund raisers, a fashion show
(complete with celebrity guest), the annual
summer picnic, Thanksgiving Dinner, and
Holiday Party during the remainder of this
calendar year. As a reminder, advance tickets
are available for the Holiday Party at a
discount. The $25 early sign-up expires on
June 30. The ticket price is non-refundable,
however, the tickets are transferable.
As you can see, much is beginning to
happen with the Vals. We are also awaiting
ideas for our revised five year plan. The only
bad idea is one not submitted. So let us know
if there is anything you would like to see
happen in the next five years.
Please have a happy June, and we’ll see you
out or at the next meeting.
-Laura Beth-
From the Chair
Article by
Resources:
Laura Beth
The following are TG friendly places to shop:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
All Dillards Stores
All Lane Bryant Stores
Fredericks of Hollywood (Rivergate Mall)
Payless Shoe Stores
Burlington Coat Factory\
Deb/Deb Plus (Hickory Hollow Mall)
JC Penney stores (Great Hosiery Club)
The following are TG friendly places to eat:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Shoneys (White Bridge Road)
Rafferty’s (100 Oaks)
Ruby Tuesday (Green Hills)
Logan’s Roadhouse (West End)
Long Horn SteakHouse (West End)
Cinco de Mayo (White Bridge Road)
CALPERNIA ADAMS TO VISIT TRIBE
Calpernia Adams, best known as “Soldiers Girl”
From the movie of the same name based on her
relationship with Army Private Barry Winchell,
will be appearing at TRIBE
on Friday July 1, 2005. Calpernia is well-spoken
in transgendered affairs and currently is a TV and
movie consultant in Hollywood.
Please make plans to come out and welcome here
back to Nashville.
Calpernia Adams at Southern Comfort 2004
TVals Member Biography and Historical Information Form
Preferred Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Year Joined: __________________ Circle (optional): MTF FTM TS CD Non-TG Other
DOB _______/_________/________ Circle (optional): Pre-Op Post-Op Non-Op
Office(s) Held and Year(s) Held: _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Biography:
List Any Historical Events with the TVals that you were a part of or that happened during your
membership with the TVals:
Please mail or email along with a Photo of yourself and any photos of TVals events (Optional and will be returned) to:
The Tennessee Vals, P.O. Box 331006, Nashville, TN 37203-7507
[email protected] and/or [email protected]