Transgender / Intersex / Crossdresser
Support & Resources

Please also check out our Transsexual / Transgender / Crossdresser Links

Definitions - Queer? Trans? Intersexed? Learn the correct terminology Here.

    - by Julian Gregory with input from GenderTalk.com and Wikipedia

Olympics 2008 - A Lab Is Set to Test the Gender of Some Female Athletes

By the time they arrive in Beijing, most athletes have resigned themselves to the possibility of undergoing a battery of tests for banned substances, like anabolic steroids and certain cough medicines.

But some female athletes may find they are asked to submit to an entirely different examination - one that will test whether they are, in fact, women.

Read the whole Article.

GenderTalk.com - Speaking the Language of Gender

Check out this website for good Resources.

Thai School Offers Transsexual Toilet

With its spacious, tree-lined grounds and slightly threadbare classrooms, there is nothing obviously unusual about the Kampang Secondary School.

It is situated in Thailand's impoverished north-east, and most of the pupils are the children of farmers.

Every morning at 0800 they all gather outside to sing the national anthem and watch the flag being raised.

Then they have a chance to use the toilets, before heading off the first classes of the day.

Kampang is proud of its toilets. Spotless, and surrounded by flowering tropical plants, they have won national awards for cleanliness.

But there is something else about them too. Between the girls' toilet and the boys', there is one signposted with a half-man, half-woman figure in blue and red.

This is the transsexual toilet, and outside, in front of the mirrors, some decidedly girly-looking teenage boys preen their hair and apply face cream.

Read the whole Article.

Sports Saved My LIfe

Kristen Worley, a woman who used to be a man, strives to make it to the Olympics, but the Canadian Cycling Association says she hasn't qualified

The Olympic dream of cyclist Kristen Worley - a 40-year-old woman who was once a man - is being crushed.

The Canadian Cycling Association says any chance to qualify for Beijing has passed.

"It's just not possible," said Lorraine LaFreni�re, CEO of the CCA, who says Worley didn't compete in any of the Olympic qualifying events that could send her to the Games.

"It's about performance, and she just doesn't have it. She hasn't done any of the required events," she said. "I mean, you can train in your backyard and get results, but unless anybody sees it, unless it's at an official event, it's not going to happen."

Born and raised male, Worley grew up in Mississauga, Ont., as Chris, and began "transitioning" to Kristen in 1996. She took hormones for five years and in 2001, in her early-30s, had surgery to complete the process.

Read the whole Article.

CatharsisOnline

The professional counselors and forums at Catharsisonline.net have the special expertise to address the needs of the following individuals:

- Those in the Transgender/Transsexual Community, whether in conflict about their identity or decision, in active transition, requiring counseling for the transition process, or adjusting to your trans-man or -woman life.

- Those in the Transvestite Community, whether gay or straight - helping you accept your choices and desires and what they mean.

- Those in the Down-Low Community - helping to open up to the feelings you have about whether you are GLB or T, why you choose to live on the Down Low/In the Closet, how to accept yourself - and how to share with your loved ones if you choose to do so.

- Those in the Military, living ANY sexually alternate life style.

- Those in the openly Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Transgender Community who may wish to receive anonymous counseling and support for any life decisions, whether it be choice of partner, issues of family and children, family issues, specific situations with family members, divorce or separation, travel, religious worship, among other issues.

- Those living any other sexually alternative Life Style .

- AND - Any family member, spouse, parent, significant other, friend, co-worker or loved one of someone you know or suspect may be living with, or struggling with a sexually alternative life style. We know there is little support for you and we are determined to provide anonymous counseling and support for you. We want you to be able to share your feelings, misgivings, guilt, resentment, and any other feeling, to learn how to cope, how to support and accept. We are here to explain these alternative life styles and why they are chosen and why they are often hidden.

Visit CatharsisOnline.net for more information about the organization.

Visit Laura's Playground - A Transsexual Transgendered Crossdressers Support Site including trans forums, chat and member pages, research and surveys you can participate in - in association with CatharsisOnline.

TransSomatechnics Conference Registration is Now Open!
May 1-3, 2008, Vancouver, BC

TransSomatechnics, an international conference on "theories and practices of transgender embodiment" will take place May 1-3, 2008 at Simon Fraser University's Harbour Centre Campus in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

To register for the conference, book accommodations, or refer to the CFP, please follow this link: http://www.sfu.ca/womens-studies/rwwp_conference/index.html

We have accepted more than 120 abstracts from around the world, and have room for a few additional sessions, so please spread the word to friends and colleagues who might like to attend - we also need session chairs and commentators. Conference schedule will be posted by March. Confirmed keynote speakers include: Afsaneh Najmabadi, Harvard University, USA Nikki Sullivan, Macquarie University, Australia Mauro Cabral, Human Rights Activist, Argentina Bobby Noble, York University, Canada Viviane Namaste, Concordia University, Canada

Contact rwwchair@sfu.ca

Radio Interview with Julian Gregory
Nov. 30, 2007

Julian is a personal friend that I met when he was still "Melanie" and just beginning his transition to Julian, so it has been an education (and a blessing) for me to know him these past several years. He has taught me more about gender identity than anyone else. He has truly enlightened me.

This is an interview on the Queen's University (Kingston, ON, Canada) radio station. Many topics related to being trans are covered, and it is educational for all.

Click Here to listen to this half hour interview.

We are blessed that Julian is one of our volunteer Counsellors. Please read more about him on the Counselling page where you will find a link if you wish to contact him.

Transexual Road Map

Transsexual transition is simply a journey. Just like a trip, you decide on

   * your destination
   * the time you'll need to get there
   * the money you'll spend

Transsexual Road Map is a travel guide to set priorities and choose your route.

It's about making informed purchasing decisions and setting realistic, achievable transition goals.

Click Here to find out more.

SheWee - Stand Up Take Control

Shewee provides women with a simple, private and hygienic method of urinating while standing up.

Shewee doesn't just offer equality with men, but is a real and revolutionary device which will change women's lives worldwide.

This ergonomically designed funnel provides women with a simple, private and hygienic method of urinating while standing up and without removing clothing. At just 17cms long, the plastic funnel fits easily into a pocket, handbag or backpack.

Designed with women of all ages and occupations in mind, the compact Shewee will soon be as much of a handbag essential as your lipstick!

Whether you choose to use Shewee to avoid sitting on less than desirable public toilet seats, or if your job or favourite hobby makes going to the washrooms in the usual squatting stance difficult, Shewee is a brilliant solution.

Be one of the first of many Canadian women to be empowered by the convenience of standing up to pee.

If squatting is difficult, if privacy is a concern or if the toilet is unclean or unavailable then you need Shewee now!

Click Here to find out more.

Transgender Minister Is Reappointed

A year ago, the Rev. Ann Gordon received her routine reappointment as minister of a Charles Village Methodist congregation.

Yesterday - after undergoing a sex-change operation and taking on a new symbolic name - the Rev. Drew Phoenix received another one-year contract to head St. John's United Methodist Church. Click Here to read the story.

Transgender Student Runs for Prom King

When school officials announce the name of the Fresno High School prom king on Saturday, Cinthia Covarrubias will be wearing a tuxedo just like the six boys vying for the honor. Click Here to read the story.

"I Want To Be Seen As Male"

Click Here for a link to an Article about Jeremy, who told his parents that he was a transgender male in 2004 at the age of 14.

Support For Transgender Steve Stanton

Click Here for a link to the Article, Comments from our ChristianGays.com family, and Press Release from MCC.

Unhappy As A Boy, Kim Became Youngest Ever Transsexual At 12
by Bojan Pancevski in Vienna, Sunday Telegraph

A boy of 12 is believed to have become the world's youngest sex change patient after convincing doctors that he wanted to live the rest of his life as a female.

The boy - originally called Tim, but now known as Kim - has started to receive hormone treatment, in preparation for the operation that will eventually complete the sex change.

Tim was diagnosed as a transsexual two years ago, when doctors and psychiatrists concluded that his claims to be "in the wrong body" were so deeply felt that he required treatment. The therapy involves artificially arresting male puberty, with a series of potent hormone injections before the administration of female hormones to initiate the development of features such as breasts.

To read the whole article Click Here.

Transcending Gender
by Jennifer Burke

Includes links to Legal Resources, Activism and History, Health Support and Other Issues, Businesses and much more.

This is an extensive website and definitely worth a visit.

Transcending Gender

Transsexual Wants Two Passports
August 30, 2006

The Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud (LDO) has received a unique enquiry.

A man claiming to be a transsexual has asked the LDO for assistance in acquiring two passports, one with a "woman passport photo".

"I have previously applied to the Ministry of Justice on this matter, since traveling as a woman leads to considerable problems when one's passport photo depicts a man," the man writes, describing himself as a "trans-person".


Read the Full Article

Boy I Am - Film
June 15, 2006

While female-to-male transgender visibility has recently exploded in this country, conversations about trans issues in the lesbian community often run into resistance from the many queer women who view transitioning as a "trend" or as an anti-feminist act that taps into male privilege.

Boy I Am is a feature-length documentary that begins to break down that barrier and promote dialogue about trans issues through a look at the experiences of three young transitioning FTMs in New York City--Nicco, Norie and Keegan--as they go through major junctures in their transitions, as well as through the voices of lesbians, activists and theorists who raise and address the questions that many people have but few openly discuss.

Boy I Am has been selected to screen at three major queer film festivals this summer! The film will be featured at NewFest in New York, Frameline in San Francisco, and Outfest in Los Angeles.

A DVD is in the works.

Please Click here to read more.

Transgender Petition to the United Nations
April 13, 2006

As citizens of the world, we petition the United Nations to revise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from "all women and men" to "all people". The United Nations stands for human equality and freedom from discrimination for any reason, including gender. Yet the term "women and men" is exclusionary of all people whose gender cannot be described by either category.

We also urge that you include the term "gender", within Article 2, "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." This addition is suggested to protect transgender people, whose human rights are being violated because of their exhibited gender, not their biologic sex.

The transgender population of the world is emerging, and in doing so, faces grave misunderstanding, prejudice and injustice on a daily basis. In the absence of recognition as a distinct and equal subset of humanity, transgender people do not receive equal protection under common law or human rights. Many instances can be referenced where transgender people were not afforded equal rights nor freedoms, and have been subjected to atrocious and inhumane treatment at the hands of law makers and society at large.

We urge the United Nations to take a leading role in including the transgender population through use of the phrase "all people", rather than excluding them by using the term "all women and men". This simple step would go a long way in setting precidents for the equal recognition and protection of all human beings of the world.

Please Click here to sign this petition and forward to all who will support us.

Transgender Person Is Elected To Italian Parliament
Media Release, April 12, 2006

Five lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people were elected as members of the Italian parliament. While Europe is more accustomed to the presence and visibility of LGB people in politics, the case of Vladimir Luxuria, a transgender person being elected as a parliamentarian, is probably the first of its kind in Europe.

This is a significant result not just for Italy but for the entire Europe and European politics as LGBT people are taking more prominent and visible places within the political arena.

The majority of the centre-left coalition Unione lead by the former President of the European Commission Romano Prodi is expected to introduce some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples as most coalition members supported the idea in their election manifestos. It is also likely that Italy will improve its anti-discrimination legislation and expand its hate legislation to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and possibly that the new government will improve the present gender reassignment legislation.

Riccardo Gottardi, Co-Chair of the ILGA-Europe Board, said:

"We are happy to see a transgender person being elected as Italian parliamentarian. This is a very important victory not just for Italy, but for all Europe. This is also a sign that the European electorate is becoming more open-minded and embracing the diversity of human kind."

We hope the newly elected Italian politicians will fulfil their pre-election promises and will introduce Italy into a family of European nations legally recognising same-sex families as well as introduce further legislation to guarantee equal rights for LGBT people.

For more information please contact
Juris Lavrikovs at + 32 2 609 54 16 / + 32 496 708 375

www.ilga-europe.org

Transgender Event April 28 - 30, 2006 - Kingston, ON, Canada

A weekend of learning, shopping, dining, dancing and fun. Joint weekend at the Holiday Inn in Kingston with Xpressions from Toronto and TraVestis Quebec from Montreal. The weekend is open to the Transgender Community and its supporters.

Contact Amanda if you want to book a place or get more information.

Dr. Carl Bushong: Transsexual Transgender Care - is an excellent website with extremely informative articles including "What is Gender and Who is Transsexual / Transgendered" and "Gender Expressions". He also offers Services and Networking, including finding knowledgeable and compassionate providers to meet your transition needs.

Kingston, ON, Canada Crossdressers - a new YahooGroup just starting up for crossdressers from Kingston and the surrounding areas.

They will be looking for, and posting names of places that they find CD friendly.

This will also be a place where wives, girl friends or partners can come for some help if they want to.

Presbyterian and Transgender - Rev. Erin K. Swenson, Th.M., Ph.D. is an ordained Presbyterian minister and a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 25 years of professional experience. She has worked in such diverse settings as the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA, where she designed, and for ten years led the Premarital Workshop, and the Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy, which she helped to found.

Erin's experience includes specialization in work with couples in severe crisis, persons and families with physical and mental disabilities, individuals and couples with gender identity/sexuality issues, as well as spiritual issues in personal life. Her approach is to work with individual and relational crisis as an opportunity for growth.

International Transsexual Sisterhood - Created for women born transsexual.

Reaching the far corners of the globe to unite in fellowship, understanding and education.

Links for PenPals, Trans World News, Sisterhood Chat, TS Teen Connection,
Cafe Trans Arabi, The Pink Nazi, The Biber Girls, Life Transformations,
TEC (Trans Eastern Conference -2005, Sisterhood Singles, Message Boards,
Transsexual Alliance of the Kingdom of Jordan.

Sex-Change In Iran

A Fatwa For Freedom - July 27, 2005

As Repression Lifts, More Iranians Change Their Sex - Aug 2, 2004

Iran's Sex-Change Operations - by Frances Harrison

Huriyah Freedom - An interview with Yasmene Jabar, a Muslim transsexual from North Carolina, now living in Jordan.

Transgender Forum - E-Zine - Resources - Community - Forum

Photo Essay Iranian Transsexuals - In 1976, the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini, imposed a fatwa to allow people with hormonal disorders to change sex if they wished, as well as change their birth certificates.

Last year, 70 transsexuals were registered at the Khomenei Relief Center, a non-governmental organization that loans money to transsexuals to help them pay for surgery and to provide psychological assistance. Athena, 20, and Milad, 30, are one of many transsexuals in Iran. The pair, who met three years ago at the center, became good friends as a result of undergoing the same life experience.

When Matt Became Jade - Many at Northern Secondary School (Toronto, ON, Canada) were surprised when Matt H. announced last year that he was running for student council president. A somewhat lonely boy, he didn't fit the model of the popular, extroverted student leader.

Read Matt/Jade's story of coming to terms with her gender identity.

Note from Mary: I'm proud to say that Northern Secondary School was my High School back in the 50's - 60's and it was the best school in the city back then. I'm glad that it has continued to be the best!

Introducing a new group on Yahoo.com for Parents of FtM Transsexuals.

Please invite your parents to join this group for support and a place to ask questions. It is brand new, but should take off pretty quickly if we get the word around.

Dr. Milton Diamond, PhD, University of Hawaii, John Burns School of Medicine, is presently trying to gather information on why people do, or do not, transition
M2F or F2M.

Would you please take about 10-15 minutes to respond to his survey.

Responses can be by pdf or email (preferred).

While at his web site you can read some of his work on gender and identity, and other matters.

Surgeons Grow Penis On Man's Forearm - Apr 11, 2005

Russian Man Grows Penis on Arm - Mar 22, 2005

Teenager Grows New Penis On Arm - Jan 31, 2004

The Gender Tree

New Yahoo group has just begun called gendertree@yahoogroups.com
All gender-outlaw-friendly people welcome. This group has no religious affiliation.

Email: transassociation@YAHOO.CA to join.
Spread the word!

Northern Lights Conference - To be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with a projected date of May 2006. The NLC will bring together interested transgender M-F and F-M persons, crossdressers, GG, pre-ops and post-ops to further their experience and ablility to come to full realization of their acceptance and enjoyment with dignity and good taste, and provide a safe and secure atmosphere to make this all possible.

The plan is to provide seminars, group discussions, outings on the town, banquet and dances that will encompass a period of five days to make it a complete experience for all, to enjoy at a single hotel location that will be secure for the entire occasion.

Church and Transgender - A Personal Story
- by Rev. Erin K. Swenson, Th.M., Ph.D.

Identical Twins Become Brother And Sister - After Sex-Change Surgery
- by Alan B. Goldberg, ABC News, November 19, 2004

Transsexual Women's Successes: Links and Photos
- by Lynn Conway

FTM Group meeting every month or so in Kingston, ON Canada

The purpose of this group is to provide support and a safe space for transgendered men, female-born male-identified transsexuals, and female-bodied men. Men in our group are pre-transition, mid-transition, and post-transition - and in every stage of the "coming out" process.

Email: ftmkingston@gmail.com

Internet Resources

AEGIS Online - American Educational Gender Information Service
Al-Fatiha Foundation - for GLBTIQ Muslims
American Boyz - support for FTM's
Deaf Queer Resource Centre - for deaf GLBTIQ's
Gender.Org - The Gender Education & Advocacy Website
GenderPAC - Gender Public Advocacy Coalition
International Foundation for Gender Education - advocates for freedom of
     gender expression
Intersex Society of North America - devoted to end shame, secrecy,
     and unwanted genital surgeries
LAMBDA GLBT Community Services - non-profit GLBT agency dedicated to
     reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by
     encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence.
PFLAG Transgender Network - Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
Trans*topia - A Project of Advocates for Youth
Transgender at Work - Need help in your workplace?
Transsexual Alliance of The Kingdom of Jordan - helping transsexuals living in
     the Middle East to find answers
Transsexual Women's Resources - Medical & other Resources for
     Transsexual Women

Magazines

Chrysalis Quarterly
Published by AEGIS, P.O. Box 33724
Decatur, GA, 30033-0724

Transgender Tapestry
Published by IFGE, P.O. Box 229
Waltham, MA, 02154-0229.

Movies

A Little Lippy
Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
After Stonewall
All About My Mother
Boys Don't Cry
Brandon Teena Story
By Hook or by Crook
Crying Game
Farewell My Concubine
Flawless
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Just Call Me Kade
Kiss of the Spider Woman
La Cage aux Folles I & II
Ma Vie en Rose
Outrageous!
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Stonewall
Torch Song Trilogy
We're Funny That Way
Wigstock The Movie

Books

Body Alchemy: Transsexual Portraits
     Cameron, L. (1996)
     San Francisco: Cleis Press.

Boys Like Her
     Taste This. (1998)
     Vancouver: Press Gang Publishers.

Changing Ones: Third and Fourth Genders in Native North America
     Roscoe, W. (1998)
     NY: St. Martin's Press.

FTM: Female to Male Transsexuals in Society
     Devor, H. (1997)
     Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women And The Rest Of Us
     Bornstein, K. (1994)
     NY: Routledge.

Masculinities Without Men? Female Masculinity in Twentieth-Century
     Fictions
     Noble, J. B. (2003)
     Vancouver: UBC Press.

My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman,
     the Real You, or Something Else Entirely.
     Bornstein, K. (1998)
     NY: Routledge.

Sex Changes: The Politics of Transgenderism
     Califia, P. (1997)
     San Francisco: Cleis Press.

Sexing the Body: How Biologists Construct Sexuality
     Fausto-Sterling, A. (1999)
     NY: Basic Books.

The Drag King Anthology
     Troka, D. J., Lebesco, K. & Noble, B., Eds. (2003)
     San Francisco: Harrington Park Press.

Trans Forming Families: Real Stories About Trans-Gendered Loved Ones
     Boenke, M., Ed. (1999)
     Imperial Beach, CA: Walter Trook Publishing.

Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue
     Feinberg, L. (1998)
     Boston: Beacon Press.

True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism - for families, friends,
     co-workers and helping professionals.
     Brown, M. & Rounsley, C. A. (1996)
     San Francisco: Jossey Bass.