MTPC has launched a new “kit” to help. The “Gender Marker Change Kit with New Passport Guidelines” is now available!  The kit, as MTPC describes it in their announcement:

MTPC’s Gender Marker Change Kit includes all the necessary forms and instructions to change one’s gender on all major legal documents: driver’s license, state i.d. card, Social Security Card, birth certificate and passport. The kit also includes detailed instructions on how to fill out the forms, what you need to include with the forms or bring in person to government office. The kit includes a sample attending physician’s letter for attaching to the forms required to change gender on birth certificates.

It’s an open resource and available for download by visiting MTPC’s site at their link, “Changing Gender Marker on Legal Documents“

The State Department has revised its policy on changing passports for transgender people, announcing Wednesday night that a doctor’s note will now suffice in such cases.

Previously, the State Department had required that a person undergo sexual reassignment surgery before it would change the passport. The policy had outraged transgender advocates, who called for an updated approach.

Under the new policy, which takes effect Thursday, a doctor must attest that the person is undergoing clinical treatment for gender transition, State said. Limited-validity passports will also be available to applicants in the process of gender transition, the department added.

That’s pretty exciting news first thing this morning!   But what has prompted such an important change?   WPATH and the AMA!

State noted that its policy is “based on standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field.”

The department also stressed that passport-issuing officials “will only ask appropriate questions to obtain information necessary to determine citizenship and identity.”

You can read the full article here at the Washington Post, “State eases rules for changing gender on passports”

You can also read the official statement by the U.S. State Department here: “New Policy on Gender Change in Passports Announced”

More news and other sources on this topic at Google News here.

Walmart has an interesting record when it comes to how it deals with women:

• Women are only 33% of the company’s managers but comprise 65% of hourly employees
• Women were steered away from management positions into lower-level jobs without much advancement potential
• And an internal report in 1996 found “a pervasive hostility to women in management” and widespread agreement that “stereotypes limit opportunities offered to women” at the company

Discrimination against women is very real today.  As long as people exist on earth, I suppose discrimination will thrive as one class or group feels that another is not worthy of equal rights.   This is true even in the supposedly more egalitarian high tech sector where I work.  Still, in today’s “modern” world I still have to shake my head about how common this is, whether its discrimination against trans-persons for being who they are or persecution of Christians for believing in God.

The event is open to the public.  From the UCC Needham web site, here’s the full announcement:

Sun., April 11, 2010 – 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Open to the Public Book Reading and Signing by Ms. Joanne Herman – author, speaker, transgender woman, member of Old South Church UCC in Boston Joanne’s book, Transgender Explained for Those Who Are Not, will be available for purchase for $15 (cash only).  See amazon.com, borders.com or barnesandnoble.com for purchase ahead of time.

Looks like the church is providing a light dinner.  Reservations don’t appear to be mandatory but the church would appreciate it if you could, email your intentions to kacarp@comcast.net

1. You Will Be Physically Stronger: Increasing your strength will make you far less dependent upon others for assistance in daily living.
2. You Will Lose Body Fat: Studies performed by Wayne Westcott, PhD, from the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Massachusetts, found that the average woman who strength trains two to three times a week for two months will gain nearly two pounds of muscle and will lose 3.5 pounds of fat. As your lean muscle increases so does your resting metabolism, and you burn more calories all day long.
3. You Will Gain Strength Without Bulk: Researchers also found that unlike men, women typically don’t gain size from strength training, because compared to men, women have 10 to 30 times less of the hormones that cause muscle hypertrophy. You will, however, develop muscle tone and definition.  (FYI – this applies to the majority of trans-women as well; especially if you are on HRT; see this article by Krista about how to strength train for MtF trans-women).
4. You Decrease Your Risk Of Osteoporosis: Research has found that weight training can increase spinal bone mineral density (and enhance bone modeling) by 13 percent in six months.
5. You Will Reduce Your Risk Of Injury, Back Pain and Arthritis: Strength training not only builds stronger muscles, but also builds stronger connective tissues and increases joint stability.
6. You Will Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease: According to Dr. Barry A. Franklin, of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, weight training can improve cardiovascular health in several ways, including lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. When cardiovascular exercise is added, these benefits are maximized.
7. You Will Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes: In addition, Dr. Franklin noted that weight training may improve the way the body processes sugar, which may reduce the risk of diabetes.
8. You Will Improve Your Attitude And Fight Depression: A Harvard study found that 10 weeks of strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms more successfully than standard counseling did. Women who strength train commonly report feeling more confident and capable as a result of their program, all important factors in fighting depression.

Aging need not and should not mean that your butt finds a comfy groove on the couch at age 35 and stays there for the next 50 years.

Old Broads, The Golden Years of Pumping Iron

The roundtable discussion in July of 2008 focused on Transgender Youth. The panel consisted of:

• Dr. B, Pediatric Endocrinologist/Gender Management Specialist
• Dr. G, Psychologist/Facilitator of therapeutic support group for genetic males living as females
• Parent of teenager (T) who has completed the gender reassignment process.

It’s a great discussion centering around many aspects of how to care for transgender youth with dignity and care, and some of what their experiences are prior to getting treatment including suicide attempts.  It’s a very useful read based on the experiences of these concerned people for transgender youth.   You may reach their roundtable discussion at The Schwartz Center web site at this link here: Roundtable Discussion on Transgender Youth.

You can listen to the teaser promo here:  “81 Words”

Here’s a synopsis:

Act One.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) declared that homosexuality was not a disease simply by changing the 81-word definition of sexual deviance in its own reference manual. It was a change that attracted a lot of attention at the time, but the story of what led up to that change is one that we hear today, from reporter Alix Spiegel. Part one of Alix’s story details the activities of a closeted group of gay psychiatrists within the APA who met in secret and called themselves the GAYPA … and another, even more secret group of gay psychiatrists among the political echelons of the APA. Alix’s own grandfather was among these psychiatrists, and the president-elect of the APA at the time of the change. (24 minutes)

Act Two.

Alix Spiegel’s story continues, with a man dressed in a Nixon mask called Dr. Anonymous, and a pivotal encounter in a Hawaiian bar. (30 minutes)

You can listen to This American Life broadcast here: “81 Words: The Story of how The American Pyschiatric Association decided in 1973 that homosexuality was no longer a mental illness“.

The reason we’ve been following this is because her death was so unnecessary.  Well we’ve got more follow up.   Christine’s Church, MMC L.A., held a memorial service for her in January 2010.  The interview done by Autumn Sandeen of MMC L.A.’s Reverend Dr. Neal Thomas sheds a little more light on Christine and how she felt about herself after she transitioned.   You can check the story out at Pam’s House Blend; MMC L.A. Memorial Service For Christine Daniels

The December 2008 issue of the Harvard Business Review features a case study, “When Steve Becomes Stephanie” in which they cover the issue of an employee in gender transition.  The intro is free but the actual study is $6.50 and downloadable from HBR.

Dr. Jillian Weiss, who was the keynote speaker at First Event Transgender Conference, has a nice review of the case study and some additional thoughts as well.  You can see her take at The Bilerico Project: “December Harvard Business Review Features “When Steve Becomes Stephanie”

At Beck’s Cafe we covered an earlier note about gender transition at Harvard Business Review, you can click to that write up here at Beck’s Cafe at the article, “Harvard Business Review and Transgender Workplace Issues“

Nobel Laureates Dr. Elizabeth H. Blackburn and Dr. Carol W. Greider recently shared the Nobel Prize for their work in understanding how chromosomes protect themselves as they divide.  The benefit to their work so far is in creating new experimental cancer therapies and in understanding the aging process better.  While their work in science earned them the Nobel, a rarity as only 10 other women have won the Nobel prize in Medicine, their thoughts on how science is conducted on a personal and institutional level by the scientists themselves, women in particular, bears consideration.

Dr. Blackburn noted with regards to the career structure for scientists that, “The career structure is very much a career structure that has worked for men”.  This should come as no surprise as the foundations of science came up from organizations built by men.  They’ve certainly done many great things but maybe now is a time to rethink how we conduct science to give more room for women’s equal brilliance to have impact.  Brilliance isn’t constrained by gender but institutional bias against gender, womens in particular, can artificially trap brilliance and creativity.

Dr. Greider said, “a more flexible approach to part-time research and career breaks would help women continue to advance their careers during their childbearing years.”  My guess is that many men might balk at such an approach due to the institutional sense that intense focus on a problem is needed to solve the problem.  Dr. Greider qualifies her statement by saying, “I’m not talking about doing second-rate quality science, far from it.  You can do really good research when you are doing it part-time.”  Her call is for a more flexibility for women in their involvement in pushing the envelope in science.  I can’t help but think that would be a good thing for men too  and perhaps for science overall.

Dr. Blackburn and Dr. Greider may be the most visible promoters of this issue, (and mother’s themselves) but they are not alone.    A book published in 2008 by Cornell University Press entitled, “Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory: Women Scientists Speak Out” provides a platform for this same topic.  The book, edited by Emily Monosson, an independent toxicologist, brings together the stories of 34 women scientists around this issue of being scientists in mostly male dominated science spaces and yet trying to live the balanced lives they need as mothers and as dedicated scientists.  The books stories are static but the companion blog has even more stories that are quite alive on this important topic.

The blog Science Mom’s, which grew out of the book, “Motherhood, The Elephant in the Laboratory” seeks to capture these living stories, provide a forum to publicize them, and to share them to foster the debate and discussion on this issue.   And the blog Mama PhD. takes a similar tack recording stories of women trying to make life balance, motherhood and rigorous science all work together in a system that was conceived for success by men but, for which a time has come to rethink the structure of how to successfully “do” science.

Apparently the amazing Clownfish is “protandrous hermaphrodites” that is, it’s first a male then, at the right time for it’s species, changes it gender to female for pro-creation.  Yet another example from nature of our sometimes fluid gender in biology.  Interesting indeed.

Have a read for yourself at Wikipedia’s article:  Clownfish

Grab that mug of hot morning blend bold brew and have a watch; well worth the five minutes or so the interview takes by clicking over to CBS in SF: Sue Kwon speaks with JoAnne Herman, author, “Transgender Explained for Those Who are Not”.

Transgender Lives has put out a call for such workshop presenters and the deadline to provide them with your concept is November 15th.  So if giving a workshop on a topic that may be important to the transgender community is up your alley, have a visit to the Transgender Lives site and send your form in.

For as long as Terry* could remember, she never felt comfortable with her body. The 35-year-old New Jersey native was born with XY chromosomes and had the right corresponding anatomy, but “my body parts felt wrong,” says Terry. As a child, Terry preferred to play with girl toys, have female friends, and tried to hide her urge to cross-dress. “My dad would flip a lid if I played with girl stuff.” During her teen years, Terry struggled with low self-esteem and emotional issues as she tried to suppress her hidden gender identity. Terry had no doubt she was a female trapped in a male’s body, but it would take years of anguish and psychological counseling before she could completely transform into being the woman and mother she is today.

On this first Transparent Day, you can read more of Terry’s story at Mom Logic, by visiting, “Trans-Parenting: How Daddy Became Mommy“.

Many of us women-folk don’t really understand the men in our community. We think we do, but, often times our stereotypes cloud our knowing these amazing guys. This night is sure to be extra special and enlightening for everyone who attends. Here’s more of the detail:

Where & When?

• Thursday, October 8, 2009, 7-9pm
• St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5 St. Lukes Road, Allston, MA Corner of Brighton Ave & St. Lukes Road, one block from the Packard’s Corner T-stop The event is free and open to the public. Donations for the speakers will be appreciated.

What about those reading?

• Matt Kailey is a Denver author, speaker, and activist focusing on transgender issues. He is the author of Just Add Hormones: An Insider’s Guide to the Transsexual Experience, a Lambda Finalist, the editor of Focus on the Fabulous: Colorado GLBT Voices, the National Transgender Issues Examiner for Examiner.com, and the author of the personal blog Tranifesto. He can be reached through his web site at www.mattkailey.com.

• Max Wolf Valerio is a poet and writer, sometime actor, and long transitioned trans man who remembers Lou Sullivan and a time when the FTM Newsletter was one of the only sources of communication for trans men and their allies. The Testosterone Files (Seal Press) is his memoir about his first five years on testosterone. A poet, who has been writing, performing and reading his work for thirty years, Max began transition in 1989. He has appeared in many films and documentaries including the “Max” short in “Female Misbehavior” and “Gendernauts” both by German Director Monika Treut, and in “You Don’t Know Dick – Courageous Hearts of Transsexual Men,” “Octopus Alarm,” and “Unhung Heroes” — the FTM comedy and the new “Maggots and Men”.

• Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge is a scholar of religion and gender/sexuality studies and is the vicar of St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. One of his projects is to bring to publication the memoir of Michael Dillon.

So, I follow Ms. Herman on Twitter and what pops up but that she’s writing a book. And now it’s published and I thought all our wonderful readers would like to know.

Entitled, “Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not“, here’s a bit about the book from the publisher:

Joanne Herman, a transgender woman who read everything in sight to understand her own gender incongruity, has been helping others with her non-complicated explanations of transgender for almost a decade. Now she has written down her explanations for all to read in Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not. Organized by topic into short, easy-to-read chapters, Transgender Explained is perfect for parents, relatives, colleagues, friends, allies and even journalists who want to quickly get up to speed on what it means to be transgender.

Joanne claims the book contains many of the excellent essays from her equally excellent web site, http://www.joanneherman.com/ She’s a good writer, a smart businesswoman and a courageous sister. You can pick up a copy of her book at her publisher’s site Authorhouse; Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not

You can read all about her coming to present, in person, the findings from the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) funded Transgender Project study at TCNE’s Press Release.

Becki: Lisa, can you give us one or two of your favorite scenes from your book?
Lisa: (laughs) Wouldn’t that be giving away too much? I think my favorite is the awakening. Another one that was fun to write was when she meets her old neighbor in San Diego and learns about her former life. I also like the playful stuff that happens as Susan grows accustomed to being a woman and finds she likes men.

Becki: Why write a transgender fiction book now? And since you wrote it some time ago, why publish now?
Lisa: Actually this is in the past. I started this book probably ten years ago and never finished until last year. I had gotten just so far and got distracted from the project for a long time. I put it aside and didn’t think much about it. Besides I really didn’t know how I wanted it to end. It was my friend, Carollyn Olson, who pushed me to finish it.

Carollyn had just published her first novel, “Deception” and I mentioned that I had this thing I was working on. I sent her the unfinished manuscript and she wrote back Shouting at me “OH MY GOD!!!! YOU HAVE TO FINISH THIS!” She got me to write the ending and have it published.

Becki: How does the theme of death and re-birth play into your main characters life and does that mirror or relate to the experience of other transpeople (or other people in other life transitions all of them not necessarily transgender).
Lisa: You know, I hadn’t really thought of it in such allegorical terms but I suppose it really does because transitioning is really a death and rebirth. You leave one life behind and start a new one.. Initially it was just an exploration of feelings and speculations but it does work on that level as well.

It also has some element of everyone’s wish for immortality, or at least longer life or a second try at getting life right. OK, I’m no longer 60 years old and winding down. Suddenly, I’m 20 and I have a chance to not make those stupid mistakes I made all my life. I have the wisdom of my 60 years and a new fresh body. Of course if’s female now but hey, won’t that be an interesting kick?

Becki: Besides Gordon, can you give our readers any description and insight into another important character in your book and how you came to bring this person to life in your book?
Lisa: Here’s the romance novel reader/writer showing up. Greg is her knight in shining armor. Susan is a smart, capable and strong woman, but she has to face some realities that she never considered as a male. Primary is that she is discriminated against and harassed because she is a woman. This was something she never saw even in her own company until it was directed at her. It was going on when she was a man but she was too involved in other things to see it. She also realizes that while she has skills and is not a tiny woman, she has physical limitations simply because most of these bad people she encounters are so much larger and more physically powerful than she is. She needs someone like Greg to fill that need. Doesn’t hurt that he’s a handsome hunk either. I made Greg kind of an ideal but gave him a past that he doesn’t talk about and that might be something she really doesn’t want to know about. He’s done some things that might not be suitable for all audiences. That’s his mystery.

And every story needs a villain. It’s more interesting when that villain is someone the hero/heroine knows and doesn’t suspect. I had fun making that character pretty slimy. I confess to have modeled him after someone I know. So he’s kind of a real person. That part was a vicarious giggle for me.

Becki: Your smart, gorgeous, a great friend, and devoted parent and spouse, so now a published author, what’s up next on the horizon for you Lisa?
Lisa: Flattery will get you a free copy of the book! (laughs) I really don’t know what’s next. I’m working on a new story that will feature a detective who crossdresses, very convincingly, to work on a big case. I’ve also agreed to allow Carollyn to use the characters in my book in her new novel “Breaking Point”. I’ve been an advisor and consultant on that project as well as writing a chapter or so for it.

Right now, I’m being Dad to my teenage daughter who is smart, talented and beautiful (Can’t tell I’m proud of her, can you?), and trying to stay afloat in the recession. I’ve been appointed Assistant PostMistress for the Vanity Club, which is a wonderful online sorority that counts some of the most beautiful trans-women in the world as members. I’ll be going to the Lake Erie Gala this November.

I’ll let you know when the newest book becomes available.

Becki: Lisa I hope you do! And thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us at Beck’s Cafe