transfeminism

The community is now open for new members again. I've set it to moderated membership, which is the same as trans_feminism and many other trans communities, which should help keep certain spammers out...

The results of the mod election are as follows:

Elected:
auntysarah - 14 votes
snugglebitch - 8 votes
fabmadamj - 7 votes

Not elected:
tinyrevolution - 3 votes
leastconcern - 2 votes
alicephilippa - 1 vote

2 votes were invalid. (On both cases, they were votes for multiple people)

There has been a request for the votes to be deleted after the election, so that the new moderators can't see who voted for whom. This seems reasonable - I haven't voted and neither has jamiethegrey, so he's agreed to verify I've counted correctly. I don't think he's about at the moment but he should be tomorrow so if everyone is OK with the result, I'll delete all the vote comments tomorrow evening and appoint the new moderators.

This is your moderator election post!

Nominations and seconds have been received from the following:
auntysarah (Seconded by parmonster)
alicephilippa (Seconded by darph_bobo)
fabmadamj (Seconded by amokk)
leastconcern (Seconded by pikake)
snugglebitch (Seconded by fall_of_sophia)
tinyrevolution (Seconded by shemale)

The three candidates with the most votes will be elected as mods. Please vote by commenting below - it's a secret ballot so your post will not appear publicly, however bear in mind that after the election the newly elected mods will be able to see the votes. auntysarah and parmonster have been removed from modship as they are standing and seconding respectively so they won't be able to see the votes. Voting will run for exactly 48 hours from the timestamp of this post. (Approximately 2215, GMT)

Candidates my not vote for themselves, but seconders may vote for the person they proposed. (Or someone else, should they see fit!)

Edited to add: Sorry, I should have clarified - there are three posts, but it's one vote per member.

So, I don't know how many here read my LJ, but I have complained about it there about the campus' GSA (Yes, they still insist on being called a GSA even though it's college. Maybe that explains the behavior listed below.) While there have been numerous incidents outside of club meetings/events, here's the few that happens PUBLICLY, while we're supposed to be representing ourselves to our straight and cisgender peers.

1) During the first group of meetings, it turned into a Q&A about transgender stuff where people continued to throw around "yeah like a hermaphrodite". During my explaination of the word, one of the faculty advisers tried to contest to me that there was actually a true hermaphrodite, like the ones in Greek mythology.

2) One of my deaf studies friends went to the GSA bakesale (I dropped off my lemon cake, just to be a good sport), and she complimented saying that Dani (I) was the handsomest guy on the job, and Joe (one of the head members) was like "Yeah with breasts."

3) I am constantly identified as a girl (don't get me started about the sexism in the group, let alone them not sticking to my pronouns), so when I once let someone borrow my cell, and this dude is like "Oh you lesbians are always so helpful."

In culmination, I stopped going to the meetings. Recently asked why, I did confess my issues about how the club doesn't seem to want to go forward, and is still stuck in this high school feeling instead of progressing to a more mature venture of academia and thought. So guess what their solution is? They want me to do a TRANSGENDER SENSITIVITY TRAINING! Woooow! So what am I to do? Honestly? They have reduced me to token transy-dom, where I have to obviously educate them about everything because they don't want to do the research themselves or hire an outside source.

How would you handle the situation, and is it unreasonable to still need to feel validated that "yes, Dani, you have a reason to be upset"?

Hey all -- I've posted on this community some time before with great success, so I wanted to extend a quick invitation to any aspiring writers, pundits, vloggers, and other bloggerforms:

I co-manage Below the Belt, a forum for commentary about gender, sexuality, identity, and beyond. We're looking for a couple new contributors, so if you think the site might be a good fit...please be in touch!

Best,
-ts

Greetings community members!

Your old moderator, genderwarrior, has passed the baton on for management of this community. Your current moderators, for the time being, are:

auntysarah, jamiethegrey, parmonster, snakey and zoeimogen.

We've already made a few small changed - the user info page will be rewritten, we haven't worked out what will be put there yet. The community has also been switched from moderated posting to open posting, assuming I did it right. For the time being, the membership of this community is open, unlike its sister community, trans_feminism, which has moderated membership. We'll have to see how that goes.

There were a few old articles in the moderation queue - rather than have them posted all at once with odd looking timestamps, I rejected them when I turned off post moderation. Those who wish to repost them may do so if they like, and feel the entries are still timely.

We'd like to thank genderwarrior for the work they did on the community previously.

Anyway, over to the members, enjoy!

Hi All - I understand that there are a few people who are upset with me / my decisions regarding how to handle the recent situation. I honestly believe that I have acted fairly and appropriately based on the rules of this community and I stand by my decision based on the banned members violating the community rules. However, if someone else would like to take over moderation of this community, I will gladly hand it over to the first 5 people who state that they would like to moderate, and then further steps can worked out by the new moderators and the community.

Thank you to those who reached out to let me know about the flame war going on in this community.

As we all know, abortion is an exceptionally sensitive topic in most, if not all communities. It is completely understandable that rights around pregnancy would be even more so in this trans-centered community. While I certainly understand that some may be triggered by the topic because it may feel to be a topic privileged to cisgender people, I do not believe that it is an inappropriate inclusion in this community. It is clearly a feminist issue, and I daresay that each of us knows someone, trans or not, able to biologically reproduce or not, who may face choices and challenges around access to abortion. I understand that others may feel that this is an inappropriate inclusion, and I respect that, however as the moderator, I will always err on the side of inclusion if something is feminist related, rather than silencing a topic by not approving its posting.

Now, being the moderator, I am tasked with figuring out how to handle this mess. First,
throwing around language such as "real transpeople," and suggesting that a person does not have the right to speak in this community because of their gender -regardless of what that gender is- is sexist, discrimination, completely inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

Second, From our community rules, that each of us agreed to when we joined:

"This community wishes to offer a safe space for all for respectful, calm discussion of these controversial topics, (with the hope of establishing some common ground). In order to achieve this end, those who are not willing or are not capable of respectful dialogue with different minded (or differently gendered) people are discouraged from joining this community."

- The moderator(s) of this community reserve the right to ban users without notice for personal attacks on other users, flaming, and general inappropriateness.

- Do not feed the trolls, or engage in flame wars. Please notify the moderator of this community of any users / posts / comments that contain trolls or flame wars. Users engaging in trolling or flame wars will be immediately banned." "

The last time that a few of the major players in this current controversy were engaging in similar behavior, I issued a warning and I stated that if it happened again, I will ban all parties involved who violate these rules. I stand by that statement and I am banning pandapajamas, auntysarah, danaelaurm, tinyrevolution, gender_euphoric, and pikake. It is not what you say, but how you say it, and if you say it more than 5 times, its flaming. Also, even if your flames are sarcastic in nature and are intended to mock a flame war, it is still flaming.

Since there is no option for me to lock the post and stop commenting, I have deleted the post in question. (ETA - My bad! I didn't know about the freeze feature, and will use it in the future).

Also, in answer to questions about moderation - the community is set so that all posts must be moderated before they are posted. I do my best to respond to moderation requests within 24 hours. If you have a moderation concern, please remember to message me directly.

From NARAL:

Hi -

I'm pretty angry that the House passed an anti-choice measure that would essentially eliminate insurance coverage for abortion in the new system. Health reform is important, but no one should lose coverage in the new system.

I just signed a petition to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asking him to stand strong against a similar attack in the Senate. Will you add your name? The deadline is 12 noon (EST) on Friday, November 13.

http://action.prochoiceamerica.org/site/Advocacy?id=4013&pagename=homepage

Thanks for standing up for women!
To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
https://secure.prochoiceamerica.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=69gKKTAtN0Ip7I8GYO_WVQ..&id=4013
If the text above does not appear as a link or it wraps across multiple lines, then copy and paste it into the address area of your browser.

From NARAL and the House:

Attention Michigan residents: Rep. Stupak, he of the anti-choice Stupak-Pitts amendment "fame," is holding a townhall today.

Here are the details:

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)
Bay de Noc Community College
Besse Center
2001 North Lincoln Rd
Escanaba, MI
(Map It)
From Rep. Stupak's press release:

U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) will host a town hall meeting in Escanaba on Wednesday, November 11, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (EST) at Bay de Noc Community College's Besse Center. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for constituents to ask Stupak questions on a range of issues, including health care and the economy. Stupak will also provide an update on his work in Congress.

The Besse Center is located at 2001 North Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, Mich.

"This is an opportunity to speak with constituents, answer their questions, and address their concerns about the critical issues currently impacting Northern Michigan, including the health care bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this past weekend," Stupak said. "I look forward to engaging in a respectful, civil dialogue on a broad range of issues. I enjoy hearing from constituents and the ideas and feedback I receive at town hall meetings, and through the letters, emails, faxes and telephone calls to my offices is valuable to me personally and is critical to the work I do in Congress."

Out of respect for all those wishing to attend the town hall meeting only credentialed media will be permitted to record the event. Signs, banners and posters will not be allowed inside the center.
If you live near Escanaba, Michigan... this would be a good opportunity for you to tell Rep. Stupak what you think about his anti-choice amendment.

And might I also suggest you sign our petition calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to stand firm against a ban on abortion coverage for women in the new health system? Thanks!

So i know this community isn't that active, and that generally it contains political rather than personal discussion, but as i was looking for an appropriate audience for my current question i found this in the comm. info:
"How to maintain a feminist identity and community ties while transitioning from one gender to another".

This is something i struggle with a lot. I greatly enjoy the freedom i have to organize/network with women, genderqueer/variant etc on issues of gender oppression. I have a deapseated fear that by transitioning beyond my current "genderqueer" status to "transmasculine" i'll begin to co-opt male-privilege and lose my stake in feminist circles. This is obviously, a personal emotional thing, and not a rational political argument. I was wondering if any transmasculine folx or allies have anything to say about this personally, and if they ID has feminist- how that played out in their transition.

This is a big component of my questioning/confusion, and I'd greatly appreciate it.
Shay

Edited to add: Congress is in fact OPEN today (Saturday) and people CAN call their Reps NOW! I just called Speaker Pelosi's office in DC and they had people answering the phones. PICK UP THE PHONE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN, FOLKS!!! This is SERIOUS!

The Capitol Switchboard is RINGING BUSY, so go here to find the contact info for your reps: http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/mcapdir.html

Don't know who your rep is??? Go here to locate them by zip code (top left corner): http://www.house.gov/

Hello Friends,

Please forward widely!

This morning around 1am, Members of the US Congress House of
Representatives agreed to allow an Up or Down Vote TODAY to create
what would essentially become a "de facto ban" on abortion services
for private as well as potential public insurers. This is outrageous
and NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!

Where do your reps stand?
Check here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/7/801738/-HCR-House-Debate:-The-Stupak-Amendment

Make sure to contact your Representative in the House and Senate via
email and follow up on Monday morning with a phone call!!!
Go here: http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/issues/abortion/access-to-abortion/health-care-reform.html

News from The NY Times:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/07/abortion-fight-erupts-in-health-care-debate/
From The Hill (DC):
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/66789-stupak-to-get-up-or-down-vote-on-amendment-to-block-abortion-funding

In Pro-Choice Solidarity!

Pls. x-post!

Hi Friends,

On November 5, the US Senate held the first hearings on a fully
transgender inclusive ENDA Bill –
http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_11_05/2009_11_05.html

Please call your Senators and encourage them to vote YES on the
Transgender Inclusive ENDA Bill – S. 1584, in the United States
Senate.

Where do your Senators stand?
See here: http://www.actonprinciples.org/enda-senate/

To find out who your Senators are, as well as ascertain their contact
information please see this link:
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/general/one_item_and_teasers/contacting.htm

Thanks!

For some reason, unknown to me, the author of the "Is Cis A Dis?" article over at Femmessay deleted her entire blog. With a little digging with some friends, we found it, and republished it to two locations. Feel free to link.

http://www.gendersaurusrex.com/2009/08/is-cis-a-dis-article/

http://www.zubon.org/blog/feminism/is-cis-a-dis/


Sorry for the x-posting.

Okay, I don't know if this has been linked alredy, but I wanted to put it out there. Also: Cross-posting this all over, so you may see it more than once (sorry).

If you're trans and live in Ontario, please take the Trans PULSE Survey.
From the website:
We are documenting how discrimination affects trans people's health and we need as many trans people as possible to participate.
Please link this all over the place. :-)

Hey all!

Members from this community have shown an interest before in this, so I thought I'd drop a line once more:

I'm an editor for Below the Belt, a multi-faceted genderblog designed to provide a space for informed, critical commentary about gender, sex, sexuality, and the many other aspects of gender facing people around the world.  We're looking for new writers of various kinds, and I urge you to check out the site and see if you think it would be a good fit.

Cheers!
- toughstuff

Hi Folks,

I have created three newish Pro-Choice and Grassroots trans related communities, which folks might be interested in:

grassrootslgbtq
trans4choice
queers4choice

They are all open comms. The choice comms do not have much description at this point. Folks are welcome to help me with this process.

Thanks,
dandy

As I suspected in my last post, here it comes. How do we know that a tax on cosmetic surgery couldn't also be applied to SRS???

Taxing Face Lifts and Abortions to Pay for Health Reform
New York Times
July 29, 2009
By CATHERINE RAMPELL

Forget taxing the rich, the obese or your employer’s health benefits. Here’s an even better way to turn health reform financing into a wedge issue.

Some members of Congress are reportedly considering a cosmetic surgery tax to help pay for health reform (a.k.a. the “Botax”).

Such a tax could be a big revenue-raiser, since Americans spend billions of dollars on cosmetic surgeries each year. It may also discourage more people from getting plastic surgery (which mothers of teenage girls everywhere might consider a good thing, I suppose).

It might also lead to a slippery slope — and a tax on a significantly more controversial medical procedure. If Congress can tax cosmetic surgeries, asks the libertarian law professor Glenn Reynolds, what about abortion?
( Read more... )

Hello Women, Men and LGBTQI Folks,

Pls. fwd widely!

I understand that the abortion issue may seem unrelated to transgender and queer issues, but it is most definitely something that all of you should be very concerned about.

Why?

Because if the Blue Dog Democrats in the House and Senate manage to remove provisions for federally funded abortion in the Healthcare Reform Legislation, guess who might next get the axe?

Trans folks and any current or future federal funding that will be provided for us to get our medical needs met. This also includes those who are HIV+ and disabled.

Our government is supposed to respect the division of church and state, as well as the Supreme Court Decision of Roe v.s Wade, which decided in 1973 that the government does not have the right to interfere between a woman and her medical decisions.

Women's rights, disability rights, abortion rights, trans medical rights, and rights for those living with HIV/AIDS go hand in hand, so PLEASE take 5 minutes and call your elected representatives in the House TODAY! Make sure to PHONE/CALL them, because that makes a greater impact than emails and letters. Some reps also have protections in place that limit their mail services after the anthrax threat several years ago, as well, so letters, while they are a nice gesture, may not always make it to your rep's desk.

Tell them to support House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's efforts to BLOCK a vote on removing federally funded abortion from the Healthcare Reform Legislation.

Don't know who your rep is, go here: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

*This just announced late on July 19.
Gather in DC or Call, fax and email TODAY!!!

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney to Reintroduce Women's Equality Amendment on Capitol Hill

Tell Congress and President Obama and Congess that it's time!
Did you know that women are not represented in the U.S. Constitution?
The Equal Rights Amendment, first proposed in 1923, is still not part of the U.S. Constitution.
TODAY, Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York will reintroduce the WEA or Women's Equality Amendment,
which functions the same as the ERA. If passed, it would become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution
and would provide overarching federal protections for women for the first time.

Yes, you read that right.

Nice blog post about the ERA here.
More detailed history of the ERA/WEA.

Join NOW and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
as she proudly introduces the
WOMEN'S EQUALITY AMENDMENT
ON CAPITOL HILL!
Tuesday, July 21st, at 10 a.m.
House Triangle
(on the Capitol side of Independence Avenue across from the Rayburn building).
( Read more... )