Category: Columns

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #104, Winter 2004.
by Monica F. Helms

So, this is the part of the column where Monica gets to be funny and clever. I get to spin words in order to bring the reader into a fantasy world, or create an alternative reality. It is my quarterly moment, my chance to escape into another realm, be creative, to dance within the beauty of the English language. It is the time when I open my soul for others to see.

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #104, Winter 2004.

Dear Ari,
My partner and I are considering having a woman carry our child through surrogacy. We?re not biased as to whether we have a boy or a girl, just as long as the baby is healthy. What are your thoughts about having opposite gender role models in the child?s life? We?re aware of some studies that reflect that the children of gay and lesbian parents do very well socially, but we feel that our child, whether it be a boy or a girl, should get to know the ?culture? of the opposite sex. Is having our sisters and our own moms in the child?s life enough, or should we seek out another individual to be in his or her life?
?Robert

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #104, Winter 2004.
This column was previously published in DaKine.

Making a Difference Against Prejudice
By Li Anne W. Taft

Transgendered men and women can fight intolerance and injustice by helping others better understand TG-related issues and lifestyles.


My angry words flew out. ?Get out of here?just leave me alone!?

The panhandler jumped back in surprise. He had offended me by his rude question: ?What, you male or female?? My explosive reaction provoked another angry response. ?You f??- queer!? he threw back at me.

I gave him stink eye. As he shuffled away, I felt my anger subside and a feeling of disappointment snag me.

This guy had been confused by my transgender appearance, I reasoned, and my shouting had only increased his fears and squashed his desire to talk with me.

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #104, Winter 2004.

by Miqqi Alicia Gilbert
Part 1 of 2


Clothing is a political issue. It serves a great number of purposes, all of which are social, but many of which are also political. First, I want you to think about what we know, or, more correctly, what we assume about someone from their clothes.

Of course, the first thing that comes to your mind is gender, and you may well be right. But clothes are not always safe gender signals in every context. I work on a university campus, and as often as not, the young women and men there are wearing the same thing?jeans, a T-shirt, and runners. When a young woman dresses like that, she can be stating many things, including, to cite just one, that she is not in a romantic space and is focusing on her classes.

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #105, Spring 2004.

by Monica F. Helms

As always, Dallas has given me more work than an Army pack mule. She even has a mule whip in her office to keep me and the other columnists in line. I suspect some act up on a regular basis just so Dallas can pay them a private visit with the whip. I don?t understand. Am I missing something here?