Life, Law, Gender

Halloween Party

Ryan absolutely knows how to throw a party! I did not go to the law school student senate party on Friday night. But I did go to the Outlaws party last night. After all my whining about costumes, I totally blew it. I first decided to be Elle Woods, but gave up on that as too cheesy (and also because, although I found a totally cute pink suit, I couldn't easily find the other accouterments, and I was too lazy to put any real effort into it); so I decided to reprise an old costume, using my Navy uniform and a short dark wig (and a 'binder', but that's another story). That effort failed when I couldn't find my uniform (I'm certain it must be in storage in Florida). Then, I thought that the suggestion that I go as the "opposite" sex would be doable. I had the short hair wig, I had a man's suit. All I needed was a fake moustche and shoes. Those were easily acquired. But, predictably, my mother was unhappy with that choice (and, as it turns out, so were several close friends) and I guess I just really wasn't ready for that yet, myself.

By now, of course, it was the day of the party and I had no costume. So, I rifled through my closet and came up with a dress that had flapper undertones and thought I could just add a boa and a headband and I'd be set. So, that's what I did. It wasn't glamorous or inventive, or anything like that. But, it gave me the chance to play dress-up again, which I love to do once in a while and I could at least pretend that I came in costume.

Sadly, I left my camera in my car and got NO pictures of the evening. Damn. We totally packed the room. Fortunately, I was able to sit at a table with a group of women and talk for much of the evening, so I was in my comfort zone -- got to people watch (is there a better place to people watch than a Halloween party where people are freed of the inhibitions of their daily selves?), got to get to know some delightful people better and got to meet some new people and make new friends. And, along the way, I also enjoyed a few adult beverages (keeping in mind, of course, that I was driving (responsibility rears her cute little head)).

Now, comes the real challenge. I got to bed at 3 and I have to finish that paper today. No more blogging!

[Update]: OK, 1 more quick post! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (read this cute post).

TG Voting

I don't know how many transgendered readers I have, but in the event I have some, I would like to pass along the following link and information:

Overcoming Voting Obstacles: Resources for Transgender People

Washington, DC, October 26, 2004 -- The National Center for Transgender Equality released a guide to help protect the voting rights of transgender people. “Overcoming Voting Obstacles: Resources for Transgender People” explains and provides solutions for the most common voting problems that transgender people face.

According to Mara Keisling, NCTE Executive Director, “This is a very significant election to trans people and it is important that every qualified voter be allowed to vote. Our new guide is meant to help people advocate for themselves at their polling place.”

The guide covers the most common issues trans people may face: 1) having identification documents that don’t match the name and/or face of their current gender identity, 2) facing transphobia or discrimination and 3) being inappropriately asked for multiple forms of ID that may not be consistent.

The guide also provides referrals for other types of discrimination or intimidation that transgender people might encounter including language barriers, dealing with past felony conviction, racial discrimination, voting while homeless, and more.

The guide is available on NCTE’s website at http://nctequality.org/Vote.asp.

Keisling strongly urges transgender people to resist being intimidated. “Transgender people have as much right to vote as anyone else and our votes are vital in this election,” she said. “Bring appropriate ID and if anyone tells you that you can’t vote for any reason, ask for a provisional ballot and immediately call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) for assistance.”

1-866-OUR-VOTE is a non-partisan voter assistance line provided by the Election Protection Coalition.

NCTE has asked that transgender, LGBT and other organizations disseminate this important information as widely as possible.

Transsexual Insurance - III

This day had to come eventually. It is a small step, but it is, in fact, a step. In the right direction.

Aetna has quietly published a "Clinical Policy Bulletin" wherein it says:

Aetna considers sex reassignment surgery medically necessary when all of the following criteria are met:

The criteria are the usual things: the patient isn't suffering from schizophrenia, finds his or her biological sex repugnant, and has followed the Harry Benjamin Standards. At least they don't require married patients to get a divorce first!

This isn't perfect (indeed, far from it) -- and even Aetna admits that "[m]ost Aetna plans exclude coverage of sex change surgery (gender reassignment surgery, transgender surgery) or any treatment of gender identity disorders. Please check benefit plan descriptions." Still. It's slowly moving in the right direction!

Time to read?

I am definitely going to have to read this book.

Just what I need

Throughout my life I have let my heart guide me more often than I have let my mind. For the past couple of days I have been struggling with a difficult choice (well, it's not difficult in the sense of anything really important, understand, just in a personal sense).

I wrote once a little bit about Kate Bornstein, here. My best friend, Michelle, in Chicago called me a few days ago to say that Kate was performing at NIU this Friday night (tonight). I desperately wanted to go. I've not seen Kate in several years and I just adore her (actually, when she autographed her first book (Gender Outlaw) for me, it was only a couple of years after I had come out -- in 1994, when she first published it -- and her note to me was "Bless you for your blossoming strength, my sister Outlaw"; I know it's childish, but I seriously treasure that book!).

But, I let my mind rule the day and said 'no'. After all, I have my Summary Judgment brief due on Monday, I am (as I've said too many times before) still behind in my overall reading, and I've got finals approaching in a mere 6 weeks. I just knew I should not let this 3 day weekend slip by without some serious study time. A 6 hour, one-way, drive to DeKalb, IL just didn't figure into that plan.

Just now, Michelle calls me to say that they've also arranged for the little TG group up there to have dinner with Kate this evening and we're invited. Study? I don't need no freakin' study!

Day of Remembrance

As y'all did with the weeks leading up to National Coming Out Day and Jamison Green's keynote speech, you're going to have to put up with (or skip!) a few posts over the next couple of weeks about the

Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20th marks the 6th annual event, remembering the transgendered people who died over the previous year from trans-related violence. Ann Arbor's event this year is being put on by the Transgender Advocacy Project (a local A2 group with no web-site) and I have been asked to emcee. This year, we will remember another 19 people (please, god, no more). But, as this event approaches I am reminded of other violence that transgender people face. Not on any lists are people like my friend Robert Eads (about whom I first wrote, here) who died prematurely of ovarian cancer because of sheer prejudice. Or what about the dozens who take their own lives, like Alex Goodrum did. Are these not also violent deaths, deaths related almost exclusively to transphobia in society? I think that they are.

This year Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR) is on a Saturday -- three weeks from tomorrow. Since most people won't be going to school or work on that day, my request is that -- if you are sympathetic -- would you please wear a black arm-band on Friday, Nov. 19 to help us remember that transgendered people are subject to violence at a rate several times that of even the broader gay and lesbian community, let alone the public at large? I will, naturally, remind you a few more times before then. Of course, if you're actually here in A2, I'd appreciate your coming to the Union on that Saturday, Nov. 20 to help us remember those who died from hate.

Contradictions

My best friend has a saying that I love: "I contradict, therefore I am."

I was convinced tonight by an Outlaws friend to join him and some other friends at the Aut bar this evening. What? A Thursday evening? Well, yes. Thankfully I have no classes tomorrow (today). Despite my being an introvert, and protestations against crowds, I had a marvelous time. While there, I met a couple of students from the class of future therapists that my friend and I presented at, at the beginning of the semester. We had such great conversations. And -- there were even women there! Woohoo!!

I had a delightful evening. I'm glad my friend called; I'm glad my mom talked me into going. I'm even glad that I am such a contradiction.

Please! NO!!!

Most people know that I'm from Florida. In the last election, I did my duty and voted for Gore (in a very Republican precinct). I was heartsick when I learned about the mess in South Florida that ultimately led to Bush v. Gore and the presidency of GWB. My ex, who also lives in Florida, did not vote -- as she believes the old saying: "Don't vote; it only encourages them." However, after the last election, she was so mortified at the impact that so few votes had and at the outcome that she has registered and will vote this year -- for Kerry.

There has been such national and international focus on the shenanigans in Florida that one might hope that this election would be clean, on the up-and-up, as it were. Apparently, I am being naïve again.

This article just came to my attention through e-mail. The article discusses the BBC's obtaining a list of voters in predominately African-American districts from Bush's campaign headquarters in Florida. It discusses how the Republicans plan to challenge voters, possibly in violation of the law.

A secret document obtained from inside Bush campaign headquarters in Florida suggests a plan - possibly in violation of US law - to disrupt voting in the state's African-American voting districts, a BBC Newsnight investigation reveals.

Here in Michigan, I am working on election day as a "challenger". But, our training has not been centered around challenging Republican voters, but noticing when Republicans are challenging and otherwise intimidating Democratic voters. I hope that such an effort is underway in my adopted state of Florida as well. Damn. Why can't we just vote?

Baseball

I've said many times that I'm not a big sports fan (ignoring the Denver Broncos, which team I seem to be hopelessly stuck on). I didn't even know the World Series had started let alone was ending last night. But, I just read a nice article about their sweep and the ending of their long-time drought. This article says they are the first team to ever win 8 games in a row to take the title. That has to be special for the team and for the fans. Congratulations!

Solomon Amendment

The Judge Advocate General (JAG) office is on campus this week interviewing and recruiting law students for service as lawyers in the military. If you happen to be openly LGBT, you are not allowed to serve. The law school has an anti-discrimination policy (which forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation) which it requires all potential employers who wish to conduct On Campus Interviews to sign. The military, on behalf of the United States government, refuses to sign. Yet, because of a bill called the "Solomon Amendment" they are allowed on campus to conduct their recruiting efforts. The alternative would be to lose ALL federal funding for the entire University (not just the law school). In Michigan's case, that adds up to over $500 million. Pretty effective coercion.

Today, in protest, all the OutLaws came dressed in suits. The idea was that we hoped people would comment or ask if we were dressed up for interviews. Then, of course, we would explain that we weren't allowed to interview. Of course, I wouldn't be allowed to interview in any case (too old to serve), plus I already served, while I was still deep in the closet. But, I wore a suit in a show of support and solidarity (actually I wore this pink and black suit that I had bought when I thought I might go to the Halloween party as Elle Wood). I had more than half my section (at least 50 people) ask me about why I was wearing a suit; it was really a pleasure to explain it to them. Many were, understandably, perfectly oblivious. That sometimes shocks me. I get so involved in this whole civil rights thing -- and have been for so long -- that I just assume everyone knows something basic like this. That would be no.

From 11 - 1 today, in the law school corridors, we handed out flyers and cookies (with cute little "Ask. Tell." slogans on them) and told anyone who would take the time to listen why were there. I think we did a great job of educating the law school community. I was pleased to be a part of it.

You can learn more about Don't Ask; Don't Tell and the Solomon Amendment by visiting these websites:
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) as www.sldn.org
The AALS Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues at home.pacbell.net/pkykwan/aals/what.htm
The Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) at www.saltlaw.org/positionsolomon.htm
The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu.

12 Step Program?

Will someone please stop me before I volunteer again?!? What the hell am I doing? Note to self: You are in law school. Your first priority, your job, is to read cases, attend classes, and learn to apply the law. Repeat as necessary.

I actually forced myself today to get my hair cut. About damn time. Plus, I got my halloween shopping completed (sorry that I never posted the top choices, as I said I would. Oh well). I did not get my dry cleaning picked up. Hey! This is important stuff -- you need to know this!

This afternoon, I volunteered to help do research on a question posed by "Vets for Peace". I imagine you can guess that I'd be sympathetic to that cause. Basically, they're asking for help along these lines:

Research equal protection, gay rights, and due process. "Vets for Peace", an independent organization, is inquiring whether they are guaranteed "equal time" for "counter-recruitment" to advocate peace groups and discourage teenagers from joining the military. The military is guaranteed certain time for recruitment at schools and this group would like to know if they have a claim to equal time to promote alternative options.

It should be fun and interesting, but where do I think I'll get the time?!?

This evening from 6 - 7:30, I attended a "town hall" meeting put on by the Provost (second to President Coleman) to discuss the status and progress of the report "From Inclusion to Acceptance: Report of the Task Force on the Campus Climate for Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay (TBLG) Faculty, Staff and Students." that I first mentioned last April. The long and the short of the meeting: Some progress, but things are mostly on hold until after the election; the trans community wants some action, especially in the area of health care, and would like it as soon as is possible. Download TBLGFinalReport.pdf

Then, I raced back to the law school to attend training to be a Democratic poll monitor on Tuesday (all of our professors have made accomodations for us to do this (either taping their classes or, in the case of CivPro, offering a make-up class). Of course, that also means I'm going to have to make time to actually check out and listen to those tapes (or attend that make-up session)).

Is there a program where people like me can go and get help?

"Hello, my name is Denise and I am addicted to doing anything and everything except what I should be doing."

Compassionate Conservative

Bush announces -- one week prior to the election -- that he thinks the Republican platform plank that condemns civil unions (as well as gay marriage of course) is wrong. Wow. Maybe I've been wrong about this compassionate uniter. You don't think he'd just say that to win votes 'cause he's scared do you? No, I don't either. I'm sure his heart is full of love for all and he just couldn't bear the disconnect between his personal views and those that his party tried to force upon him. Right.

"I view the definition of marriage different from legal arrangements that enable people to have rights. And I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as between a union between a man and a woman. Now, having said that, states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others."

Mr. Gibson then asked, "So the Republican platform on that point, as far as you're concerned, is wrong?"

"Right," Mr. Bush replied.

...

Mr. Bush has sought to walk a careful line between pleasing conservatives who oppose same-sex marriage and not alienating more moderate voters who might see bigotry in his views. Mr. Bush's support for civil unions and his opposition to his party on the issue is in part an effort to reach out to swing voters, whom he needs to win on Nov. 2.

[Update] Also see this post by Kos, via Chris at LawDork.

An impossible day

Today (and by today I mean yesterday, given it is now 1:00 in the morning) was long and difficult.

We had a discussion of Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas in our ConLaw class. I read both cases. I thought I really understood them. I even outlined arguments from both the majority and dissenting opinions. But, once again, when class started I was completely thrown by the discussion framework that the prof presented. Plus, I expected that I was going to end up on the side that argues for upholding the Bowers decision and for sustaining the Texas statute. For those that don't know -- these are the two landmark sodomy cases. Bowers said it is constitutional to criminalize gay sexual conduct and Lawrence overturned Bowers.

Thinking about this possibility (being on Scalia's side in this argument) on my way to school, I got more and more annoyed with the underlying decision in Bowers, and decided I had to say something about it. When I got to school, I even jotted down my thoughts. But, when it came to speak, I felt that I was totally stilted and, afterward, was embarrassed by my little diatribe.

We don't normally have a full day on Mondays, but today we did as we had a make-up session for Criminal Law. Plus, I had to meet, in between classes, with my group to discuss a paper due in Civil Procedure (and then my group got called on in the actual class). When school finally let out, I came home, vegged for about 45 minutes and then went off for football practice. I totally sucked, completing only about 20% of my passes. Practice was running a bit late, so I had to leave there a little early in order to make an Outlaws general meeting (for which I was already late). That meeting dragged on longer than it needed to and I was, consequently, late for a transgender group meeting that meets twice a month. That meeting also ran late and I didn't get home until nearly 11:00.

I then realized the Denver Broncos were on Monday Night Football and I thought it would help me relax and wind down. No. They got their asses whipped by a totally inferior team. I turned it off in the 4th quarter and tried to go to bed. No dice. So, here I sit.

The only thing I did not get done today was getting to the library and being perky.

Happy Birthday, Shanna!

Happy birthday to my 6 year old niece, Shanna Rose! I love you, Honey!

Religion -- again!

Totally unrelated to the prior post (indeed, I just got the e-mail informing me after I had uploaded the previous post), I just found out that my eldest daughter, Jennifer, has completed her conversion to Judaism and had her ceremony on Friday, which my youngest says was very nice. Oh, and by the way, she tells me that she is now in the process of converting!

Congratulations Jennifer! As always, I am very proud of you.