United Nations on Transphobia and Homophobia

Theme: Opposing grave Human Rights Violations on the basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.

I have not posted much because I am massively disillusioned with trans activism in the UK which refuses to understand how far the UK has moved and concern that stories are sometimes used as a point rather than in compassion for the victim.  This UN video, however, is a landmark and is something that everybody should watch. It reinforces how lucky we are in the UK – I wish people would remember that because, I believe, until we do, we cannot really understand how bad the situation is on other countries.

Warning: this is a speech which is emotionally powerful and some may find deeply upsetting. There are no disturbing images – just truth about brutality in many countries.

There’s a full version of the even (85 minutes) here

Self-Inflicted Transphobia

It’s easy to blame all prejudice encountered on others but talking to ordinary people I have realised that they may have a very different attitude to one transsexual person than to another: for instance I know people who call some MTFs she/her and others he/him depending on the behaviour of the individual.  That’s not transphobia – that’s a reaction to somebody who comes across as either male or transsexual, not as a woman (or vv for FTMs).

Queer Youth Network Slams The Sun

The Queer Youth Network has made a formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission alleging that The Sun’s reporting of Kim Petras was transphobic in describing her gender confirmation surgery as “drastic body mutilation”. There is a good write up on the Lesbian and Gay Foundation website so there is no point me repeating it – just pop over there.

Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg Speaks Again

Thomas Hammarberg has again spoken out against transphobia.

Council of Europe member states should do more to stop transphobia and discrimination against transgender people. The situation of transgender persons has long been ignored and neglected, although the problems they face are very real and often specific to this group alone. They experience a high degree of discrimination and intolerance in all fields of life, as well as outright violence. Transgender persons have been the victims of brutal hate crimes, including murder, in some European countries”

Thomas Hammarberg is the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights. Some time ago he released another strongly worded statement against transphobia and discrimination against trans people, reported here as “Discrimination Against Transgender Persons Must No Longer Be Tolerated”.

He also spoke out against the UK’s Gender Recognition Act’s discriminatory treatment of marrried transitioners:

In some countries there is a legal obligation that a transgender person who is legally married to his or her different-sex partner has to divorce before his or her new gender can be recognised,” he said, citing the problems this causes when the couple can not remarry if their country does not allow same-sex marriage.

Hammerberg has also released a position paper which I have not yet had time to read.  The best coverage of the story is by LezGetReal.

Supposedly in the UK Trevor Philips as Head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is supposed to speak out for those who have undergone gender reassignment (by statute that is not trangender people more widely as some seem to believe).  When did you last hear him speak out on trans rights?  Has he ever challenged the Government on trans rights has Hammarberg has?  Have the EHRC produced any papers like that Hammarberg has just published?  Never. No. And No.  It’s a good job we are part of Europe because neither the Labour Government nor the Equality and Human Rights Commission seems to really care about addressing the issues facing those people who undergo gender reassignment.

(By which you would be correct in assessing that I am rather fed up with those in the UK who are supposedly the advocates of transitioners.)

Lateisha Green

I struggle to follow the implications of this case – I’d suggest you read about it on Feministe instead.  Essentially one Dwight Less has been convicted in the USA of the manslaughter of a transsexual woman, Lateisha Green and that the killing was a hate crime.

Faith, Homophobia, Transphobia and Human Rights,

Faith, Homophobia, Transphobia and Human Rights is the name of a TUC-sponsored conference to discuss homophobia and transphobia in faith communities taking place on Saturday 16th May. There’s more about it on the Morning Star site.

Personally I have reservations about this.  In some quarters there is entrenched homophobia and transphobia within some (but not most) faith communities.  There is, however, a problem within the LGBT community that quite unacceptable anti-religous views are tolerated.  Both sides of the divide need to grow up, not just one side.

Voice and Movement: Free Workshops for All Trans People

Galop have asked me to publish a series of free workshops in London on Thursday evenings from 21st March.

Galop in association with Central School of Speech and Drama invite you to:

Voice and Movement: More Free Workshops for All trans* people
Following on from the success of the first series, Galop is offering another chance for you to participate in these innovative workshops. The sessions will involve using your voice to connect to your body, to challenge, explore and celebrate your own senses of self – however that manifests itself for you. We’ll use deep relaxation techniques and elements of Yoga and the Alexander technique to understand breath; for example, how the muscles in our bodies produce the breath which supports the sounds we make. We’ll be experimenting with the different places sound resonates in our bodies (and the different qualities of sound these make), and exploring the pitch and range of our voices. We’ll combine this voice work with movement; for example, we’ll use our understanding of breath and support to dance the waltz together in session 2. These sessions will be a chance to explore and embrace your physical sides in playful and experimental ways. Whether you’re a commanding leader or expressive partner, you can decide: and of course you’re free to interpret and move between different roles as you wish. There will be plenty of time for reflection and feedback in the sessions. All are welcome, playfulness encouraged! When? 8 week course, Thursday evenings 7-9 from 21st May. Where? Central School of Speech and Drama Spaces are limited so to find out more or book your place, contact Ben Gooch by phone 0207 704 6767 or email to benjamin.gooch[at]galop.org.uk (make the usual replacement to get a valid email address). 

About the tutors: Glen Snowden. Glen trained at the Royal Ballet School, and has danced extensively with Ballet Companies in Europe, North America and South East Asia. He works at the Drama Centre London where he also teaches a number of styles including jazz, ballet, historical and social dance. Helen Ashton Helen trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating with Distinction from the MA in Voice Studies. She has taught at various London Drama Schools and worked extensively in community settings, through Knowledge Transfer at CSSD. Helen is committed to helping people from all walks of life to communicate expressively and with ease.

About Galop Galop is London’s anti violence charity; we offer confidential advice and support to people who have witnessed or experienced transphobia. Our helpine number is 0207 704 67 07. Want to find out more about us? Visit http://www.galop.org.uk Come as you are be you trans, FTM, MTF, woman, man, TV, TS, bi-gender, ambi-gender, androgyne, CD, gender queer, or your own special creation.

What is transphobia?

Sometimes the easiest answer to that question is just to point people in the direction of an article that is nakedly transphobic – like this one.

Spanish trans woman in custody battle

Alexia Pardo is a trans woman in Spain whose ex-wife has refused to allow Alexia to see her son when she started hormones.  The Spanish Constitutional Court has refused a hearing to discuss the case and Alexia has vowed to take her case to the European Court.  One has to feel sorry for Alexia.  Even if she wins, the case will take time during which she won’t see her son grow up.

Internationally this may be an important case and set precedents across Europe.

Trans woman killed in Belgrade

Given that transsexuals make up such a small fraction of the population, the regularity of murders demonstates the high homicide risk – especially for trans women.  The latest victim is Minja Kočiš who was found dead in her Belgrade flat at the weekend.   She had been stabbed twice in the stomach.  There was no sign of robbery so the Serbian police are working on the basis that the murder was probably somebody she knew.