TransMen and Fags

Nice article interviewing Amos Mac, founder of Original Plumbing magazine. Clicky here for a gander.

STALLED *CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS*

Working Title: Stalled
Editors: K. Bridgeman and A. Lee Crayton
Contact: stalled.the.book [at] gmail [dot] com
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2010

The range of gender non-conforming folks is broad. We are men, women, genderqueers, two-spirits, trans women/transwomen, trans men/transmen, intersex, bois, grrrls, butchs, faeries, FtMs, MtFs, tomboys, drag queens, transvestites, transexuals, queers, none or maybe all of the above?* In a society that preaches gender as rigid, fighting for gender self-determination can be challenging. For some the process is finite, traveling from point A to point B, while others wade continuously through the mire or transcend altogether. But despite the trajectory of our own personal journey, we all experience the polarizing demands of the binary.

One way these demands are evident is in sex-segregated spaces: changing stalls, detention centers, restrooms, group homes, homeless shelters, locker rooms, and security checkpoints.* These places can be hard to avoid, and interaction with them demands we make a choice about how we will present ourselves. With this anthology, we want to explore the sometimes difficult, layered, isolating, heart breaking, frightening, awkward, frustrating, challenging, funny, and/or queer experiences people are faced with in these settings. Stalled is a space for us to share our stories...


MORE INFORMATION HERE.

Transsexual Empire Strikes Back

And here is what we got up to for the Mardi Gras parade -- The Transsexual Empire Strikes Back float.

Whipping Girl in The Scavenger

Yeah, I have been slack, will try and get back to this soon. But for now, have an interview I did with Julia Serano . Mwah!

*Call for Submissions* Double Edge: The Intersection of Transgender and BDSM

This call is from Raven Kaldera- contact info below...

Call For Submissions:

Double Edge: The Intersection of Transgender and BDSM

I’m looking to interview transgendered perverts of all sorts for this book, over email if we can’t meet face to face. I’m looking for people who openly identify as transgendered in the BDSM communities they move in, and how that identity affects their partners and their activities. I’m looking for people who shapeshifted their bodies and transitioned their identities, and how that changed their BDSM relationships and fetishes. I’m looking for people who publicly hold third gender space in BDSM contexts, and how they interface with the demographic. I’m looking for transpeople in power exchange relationships who are willing to talk about how their perception of gender affects their perception of dominance and submission. I’m looking for FTMs and MTFs, fat and thin, old and young, all sorts. Those who end up with featured interviews will need to submit a photo of yourself, and yes, your face needs to be in it. Those who don’t submit photos will be quoted throughout the work, but not get featured interviews.

I'm looking for articulate people who are willing to write or speak thoughtfully about things, not just give me one-line answers.

I’m also open to hearing from partners of transfolk who contribute to this book.

I’m also looking for photos of transfolk doing kinky things, faces or no. The photos don’t have to be professional quality, they just have to show us as the sexy and passionate and creative people we are.

If you’re willing to contribute to this book, please email me at cauldronfarm@hotmail.com and put “Double Edge” in the caption and I'll send you the email questionnaire.

Thanks,

-Raven Kaldera

TransLondon Boycott Pride 2009

With good cause it seems. Check out the full report at their website:

'Last year, a successful Pride march was marred at the rally in Trafalgar Square when a number of trans women were denied access to the women's toilets by Pride security stewards. One woman was subsequently sexually assaulted after being told to use the male toilets. Roz Kaveney, one of the women targeted in the 2008 "ToiletGate" incident, explained how she felt Pride London had only ever provided a grudging apology under threat of legal action, and that she felt they had never taken the discrimination against trans women in the 2008 rally seriously.

During the meeting on May 19th 2009, members heard how the democratic and transparent structure used in 2008 to co-ordinate participation of trans groups and the funds made available for transgender attendees, through the elected Trans@Pride committee, has been abolished by Pride London for 2009. Instead, Pride London have imposed their own unelected "representative" for the trans strand. Furthermore, requests for information about funding, how decisions were made and who participated in the decision-making process, have been rebuffed.

Last year, the elected Trans@Pride Committee consulted repeatedly with over a dozen groups and hundreds of individuals over before arranging travel bursaries for trans people to attend from around the country, hosting a breakfast for marchers on the day, commissioning artwork from a local queer artist as a rallying point for trans marchers, producing banners and bunting, arranging trans performers for all of the Pride stages including the main stage in Trafalgar Square and publicising the arrangements widely. In stark contrast, the meeting heard of how Pride London's appointed trans "representative" for 2009 has simply imposed Pride’s vision for trans participation in the march and rally.

The 2009 pride participation is, so we are told, to consist of a float at the very back of the parade which would pander to the most tired and inaccurate media stereotypes of trans people. Trans women would, in Pride's vision, be dressed in sequins, high heels and fairy wings and, apparently as an afterthought, a few trans men would be invited to pose in football strips. The Pride representative explained that the trans float would complement a float at the front of the march with members of the cast of the West End musical, "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". In her vision, onlookers would be delighted to see "Priscilla at the front and Priscilla at the back". As a coup de grace, a visible cordon of security stewards would surround the trans float, ostensibly "for our own protection". '

Note The Pronouns *SIGH*

Have been trying to formulate some sort of response to this, but have a monster headache so for now here it is as reported by The Age (on SMH website):

'Court lets girl, 17, remove breasts

* Karen Kissane
* May 4, 2009

THE Family Court has allowed a 17-year-old girl to have her breasts removed so she can be more like a boy.

The teenager, code-named "Alex", was on court-ordered hormone medication from the age of 13 to prevent menstruation and breast development. She returned to the court in December 2007 asking for a double mastectomy to make it easier for her to pass as a boy.

The Chief Justice of the Family Court, Diana Bryant, decided it was in the teenager's best interests to have the surgery immediately rather than wait until turning 18. The teenager had been diagnosed with "gender identity dysphoria", a psychological condition in which a person has the normal physical characteristics of one sex but longs to be the opposite sex. Justice Bryant said: "In the end, it wasn't a particularly difficult issue because the only real issue was, 'Would he (Alex) have it at 17 or once he's 18?' Then, he doesn't need permission.

"So the issue was, 'Was there any likelihood he would change his mind in the meantime, and was it in his best interests to have it at that time?'

"Overwhelmingly, the evidence was that it was in his interests. And I made that order. I wanted to make it quickly so that he could have the operation straightaway."

But ethicist Nick Tonti-Filippini said mainstream medicine did not recognise hormone treatments and surgery as treatment for gender dysphoria. He said it was a psychiatric disorder qualifying under American guidelines as a psychosis because "it's a belief out of accordance with reality". "What you are trying to do is make a biological reality correspond to that false belief."

The Chief Justice said Alex had not had any urgent plans to proceed with further surgery when he turned 18. She did not make Alex wait for the mastectomies until of age because the teenager had been living as a boy since the age of 13. "Everyone was absolutely adamant that he wasn't going to change his mind. He was very comfortable . . . that he was going to continue on this path."

The written judgement is due to be published soon. Justice Bryant said it was better for the teenager to have the surgery at 17 because this was an age where she would qualify for support from state social services. This was also a crucial time in her development: "It's a year when he's really cementing his friendships with peers that will stand him in good stead for moving into university and the wider world, and it was very important to him that he be able to do that confidently as a boy."

Justice Bryant said having breasts constrained Alex socially. She had to avoid being hugged by friends, could not go to the beach and had to wear binding. "So it was quite an impediment to his social development, which everyone thought was very important." The decision was not irrevocable: "You can have prostheses and things. So if he changed his mind later on, it's reversible."

Justice Bryant said she heard evidence from medical experts and from Alex, her counsellor and an independent children's lawyer, and she called in the Office of the Public Advocate "because I wanted a contradictor". The vidence was overwhelmingly in favour of the surgery, she said.

Mr Tonti-Filippini said he was also concerned that in previous Family Court cases involving gender dysphoria, the medical experts had been confined to a small group of Melbourne doctors who work with sex changes. Mr Tonti-Filippini said a Melbourne man who had had sex-change surgery at 22 was now suing his doctors because he regretted the decision and felt they had not explored his doubts at the time.


The Family Court's 2004 ruling allowing Alex to take hormones provoked a debate about when children are old enough to make serious medical decisions. There was another furore about a Family Court ruling in 2007 allowing a 12-year-old girl code-named "Brodie", who also wanted to be a boy, to begin a course of puberty-suppressing hormones. The court was told that Brodie had threatened self-harm at the prospect of her periods starting. It was later claimed by a relative that Brodie's mother had had postnatal depression and had "brainwashed" the child by buying her boy's clothing from the time she was a baby and fostering boyish behaviour. Brodie's father had opposed the hormone move.'

Jockette Strap Update

Rang the maker of the mistaken identity underwear, and explained ever-so-nicely that I did not want the girly version of the boy item (so to speak)-- I wanted the one I ordered. He seemed somewhat surprised, and explained in his defence that he didn't quite understand my 'character'. Notions of gender performativity aside, it did appear he thought I was engaged in some sort of vaudevillian cross-dressing. TOO MANY MUSICALS perhaps? Hey, if stereotypes are good enough for the goose...

Whilt I was at I took the liberty to explain that 'girls' may not quite have the kinds of fumblings that he imagined. Or that they might, but that there was a WHOLE LOT MORE TO 'FEMALE' sexuality, and sexuality in general. And some of it was very sticky, and involved accessing parts in ways he hadn't considered. In sufficient detail to just get him to make what we ask for how we ask for it!

Sometimes being patronised would be a lot less horrible if people REALISED they were doing it. I mean, totally clueless to what an insensitive misogynist patronising schmuck he had been. But sweet enough when called on it I suppose? Arrrgh, I get so BORED of this game.

Am I Not Tranny Enough?

Today I went to pick up the leather jockstrap I had ordered a wee while ago. Custom. Black. Leather. Jockstrap. (Yes, like a BOYS jockstrap. LIKE YOU MAKE FOR THE BOYS, the gayboys, the leather gay boys-- just to fit my figure.) Seemingly simple. There was even a picture on the website I was shown. Same thing, with a few minor adjustments.

For reasons unknown it appeared with a very shiny/patent red trim all around it, and nothing at all like the one on the website. Like a girly bikini, sort of, with a jock-strap back. AND RED SHININESS. I have no idea what I did to deserve this horror, apart from having the audacity to be born willy-less. He is changing the trim, thank the god-dess of gender-upending, and I have requested he 'butch it up a bit.' I live in hope.

Of course, the Monster's leather-goods are all black and buckly (if suffering other eccentricities-- what DO BOYS THINK WE 'GIRLS' DO???). Obviously she didn't get red trim or girliness, not when she goes about wearing them trousers all the time, not like me with my skirt-wearing and my curious lipstick. No. All of this from people I thought were 'family'.

Bloody hell. Some days I am tempted to just chuck it all in, start ticking the Miss box on forms and forget all about r/evolution. Its tedious, its really hard work and on certain nights when the lights are out I barely have the energy to even cry about it anymore. But then boys don't cry do they? I love my crew here and will be sad to leave, but I miss my queer family SO MUCH at times like this. Bah. Only four more sleeps.

GO TO THIS *SYDNEY*

Rumour has it I may be featured in this issue *blush*...

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ISSUE 14 Weird Science
yesss its finally hear ! and its an amazing...!!! profiles, fiction, photos, its an awsume issue! Come help us launch the newest member of the Slit Mag family!

A Weird Science Affair to celebrate.
Get your nerd/geek on and get down to see sexy scientists Anna Westbrook, Molly & the Pony, Roborotic, MoJo Ju Ju , with science nerds to predict your sexual future and MC Zoe and with Bocky from Press Eject's playlisting some tunes in between!!


ITS a HUGE Weird Science Affair
Sunday 15th March 4pm-8pm
Red Rattler Theatre
6 Faversham St
Marrickville
Slit Mags $10

with merch from other great indi publishers so if you don't have your trannie trucker cards yet or the new issue of spunk mag bring some extra dosh !!

Trans Debate *SYDNEY*

The Gender Centre Inc and friends are presenting a debate that takes a light-hearted approach but gives realistic consideration to the topic of ‘Where does the trans community fit into the gay, lesbian and bisexual community?’ Does the T still fit at the end of the GLB?

Arguing for the affirmative: Katrina Fox, Stevie Clayton, Katelund Povey
Arguing for the negative: Tracie O’Keefe, Roberta Perkins, Rachael Wallbank

Hosted by renowned journalist and broadcaster Julie McCrossin.Entertainment provided by Jade Starr, local trans woman musician. This is a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival event. It is FREE! No booking required, just turn up.

Date: 18 February 2009.
Time: 19:10 - 21:30
Location:Sydney Mechanics School of Arts. 280 Pitt St Sydney, Australia

Upstart/Pickups MELBOURNE

Upstart Alley VIII - Sat Feburary 7th 2009.
Pervy performance, rocking music, seedy side show entertainment and debauchery for all you misfits, queers and trans folk.
Topping off Gasworks’ Midsumma season the Upstart Alley troupe brings you another raucous performance party, teeming with dazzling displays of bent pervy performance, gender piracy and rocking tunes. Step right up for an action packed show from performers from near and far including Kelli Jean Drinkwater (Syd), Yumi Umiumare, Wes Snelling, Kaboobie (Adel), The Bad Father (Adel) and music from psychobilly rockers The Vaudevillains, DJ Linx and more!

Gasworks Theatre, Gasworks Arts Park.Corner Graham and Pickles Streets, Albert Park.
Sat, February 7th, Bar opens 8.30pm, Show start 9pm. Tickets $13 concession or group bookings/full $20. Bookings: t: 9699 3253 or www.gasworks.org.au

--
Queertrix and the 52 Pickup Melbourne Launch.

Sat 24th Jan. The Fox Hotel. 351 wellington st, collingwood. (cnr alexander pde), doors open 7pm, shows 8pm. $15/10.

Featuring: Toxic.Mitch Match.Mademoiselle Swan.Cleomatra, Queen of Denial.St John.KK No Pants. King Daddy and Candy.

The Name Game

My latest, and quite possibly greatest, effort for Cherrie is this month's cover article, The Name Game. Pick up a copy, or find it online here. And be sure to check out Wife, Arlene Texta Queen, Ali H's AMAZING piece of erotica (did it for me!) and Miss Yasmin's tip (also did it for me). All in all, not a bad read...

Gosh Indeed

Meet Matthew Jackson, Zoo's latest arts wanker mate. He's a Perth-anility it seems, but to me he's just a big old dirty queer Bear with significantly interesting takes on gender. Check out his website here.

Image is a painting of his, Gosh thought Sally. And he has even got his own doco! Click here for part one and then find your own way to part two.

Trans, All Of That

Working on a trans* (etc) float for Pride Parade, and going to be on the back of the truck holding a sign. And it makes me REALLY nervous on some level. Like outing myself. Publicly. All over again, same yet different. As something other than boy or girl. You know, like a Monster.

True, I have been on bi floats and leather floats and outed myself as big old poly-kinky-queer freakling many times before. And it was fine. But this, well, this is just new I guess... and somehow less acceptable. Gender-change is one thing, but gender-dismissal feels like something else altogether. Like a loss, like an emptiness, like a hole with nothing to fill it. This is scary.

How many ways are there to fall?

Brave face, and fake it 'til you make it.

Some Days...

I just feel like such a white middle-class COP OUT. Like, when I read call for anthologies like this and can't think of single way I could contribute... (Deadline has passed, yes, but not the point).

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WHY ARE FAGGOTS SO AFRAID OF FAGGOTS?:
flaming challenges to masculinity, objectification and the desire to conform

· CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ·

As back rooms are shut down to make way for wedding vows, and gay
sexual culture becomes little more than straight-acting dudes hangin'
out, where are the possibilities for a defiant faggotry that
challenges the assimilationist norms of a world that wants us dead?

Masculine ideals have long reigned supreme in male sexual spaces, from
the locker room to the tea room, the bars to the back alleys to the
beaches. But is there something more brutal and dehumanizing about
the calculated hyperobjectification of the internet? How do we
confront the limits of transaction sexuality, where scorn becomes
"just a preference," lack of respect is assumed, and lying is a given?
How can we create something splendid and intimate from that universe
of shaking and moaning and nervous glances turned inward now groaning?

I'm especially interested in essays about community-building
experiments, public sexual cultures, faggots not socialized or
presenting as male, cruising, HIV, consumerism, transfaggotry,
polyamory, feminism, sexual safety and risk-taking, norms for faggots
outside of the US, and gender transgression (of course). I'm looking
for essays that expose hierarchies of gender, age, race, nationality,
class, body type, ability, sexuality and other identity categories
instead of imposing fascistic definitions based on beauty myth
consumer norms. That's right, honey -- I'm talking about interventions
that are dangerous and lovely, just like you.

The basics:

The official deadline has passed, but if you have something you think
is urgently needed in the book, please contact Mattilda.

Send submissions to:

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore
537 Jones Street, #3152
San Francisco, CA 94102

Cherrie- OCTOBER ISSUE OUT NOW

And its jam-packed with wonderful things! My interview with the boys from SPUNK, and Webby from Dykes on Bikes, plus Jackie from Hellfire talking on big chicks, plus Canadian trans activist Viviane Namaste discussing sex work, gay marriage, toilets and lesbian bed death, and trans lesbians Rusty Mae Moore and Chelsea Goodwin chatting about bloodlust and bdsm.

Grab a copy anywhere in Sydney or Melbourne's queer ghetto, or download the whole thing as a PDF, chekc out individual articles, grab back issues etc online here.

SPUNKy Guerilla Action

and i probably told you about this already too... but in case you need reminding:

Guerilla Star Galactica:a SPUNK's alternative to sleaze

4 October 2008,10pm - 6am,The Red Rattler Theatre
6 Faversham Street,Marrickville

Nobody Passes

You should read this blog by mattilda bernstein sycamore. Trust me.

Panicked Trannis

and thanks to the beautiful Morgan, and SSO, for this pic of Necrotitties and myself at Tranni Panic on the the 13th. Somehow, she ALWAYS makes me feel underdressed!