Washington State

From a story by Tom Flint, Associate Editor of the Seattle Gay News.

Sheila Richardson, a Washington State transgendered woman, was forced out of her local Republican Party organization. The Whatcom County Republican Party returned her $100 check for membership renewal in their "Century Club," dipleased with her support for Initiative 677, a gay/lesbian civil rights proposal and the organization Hands Off Washington.

Richardson disputes the notion that support for civil rights is incompatible with belonging to the Republican Party: "Hands off Washington is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to civil rights. There were Republicans on the board of directors, and Log Cabin Republicans endorsed I-677. They did not work against the Republican Party."

A two thirds vote of Republican Party leaders on March 14 endorsed her expulsion, which was followed by a press release ridiculing her gender identity and referring to Richardson as a man.

Turkey

From an April 14th AP report by Suzan Fraser.

A well-known Turkish transsexual singer, Bulent Ersoy, has stirred a controvery following her April 4th marriage. Previously, she was accepted after undergoing a sex change operation in Britain 14 years ago. However, she is now the focus of a media barrage, criticizing the "morality" of her marriage.

The uproar may help pending legislation aimed at discouraging sex-change operations in Turkey. It would force a prospective pre-op to prove the necessity of the process to a court. Without this authorization, the transsexual would be denied state identification papers and legal rights.

Ironically, it was Ersoy herself, winning official recognition as a woman in the 1980's, who opened the door for thousands of others.

Isreal

The April 19 issue of the New York Times Magazine included a story about Dana International. The 26 year old transsexual singer is Isreal's entry in the 1988 Eurovision song contest, held this year in Birmingham, England. Articles about her, and the mixed reaction to her choice as Isreal's representive, appeared in the web's Planet Out news service and Isreal's Ha-aretz newspaper.

Her song (as well as other contest entries) can be heard via this BBC web page.

Oregon

An Oregon transsexual, Olivia Jaquay, is challenging a refusal by an HMO to cover her surgery expenses, following the state guidelines. Last fall, the Willamette Weekly carried a story about the dispute prior to surgery. More recently, the AP reported that she is continuing the legal challenge after paying for the surgery herself.

Back to IFGE Home