Showing posts with label Jackson Citizen Patriot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jackson Citizen Patriot. Show all posts
Saturday, February 10, 2007
CitPat Runs Follow-up Article
The story has again made front page in Jackson. They even mention this blog. I won't ramble about it this time, I'll just give you the link. You can tell me what you think in the comments section.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
My Interview with the Jackson Citizen Patriot
I was interviewed for the story with the CitPat, but they only used a small portion of what I had to say in the second story. Here are the questions I was asked (in bold) by Steven Hepker, and the responses I gave. (The e-mail dates from 12 January 2007, but I'm glad that my Dad can still cheer for the Chicago Bears this week. Go Bears!)
How has the change impacted your relationship?
Overall, I'd say it has improved. There is certainly a trade-off. On the one hand, I felt a sense of loss of a connection I had with my father; I thought I understood him pretty well. Things changed when I learned of his condition, as I suddenly felt I didn't know him very well at all, as if I had grown up with a different person then the one sharing this news with me. The fears proved to be unfounded, as my dad still is pretty much the same person underneath. He still plays golf, enjoys playing games with his family, is still committed to his faith (in a renewed way, I think), and this coming Sunday after returning home from church, I suspect he may sit down in the living room to cheer on the Chicago Bears (or huff about Rex Grossman, depending how things go). Eventually, I had to come to accept the fact that this one area (transgenderedness) is something I won't ever really understand about my dad. The closest I can come, I think, is an analogy of the awkwardness of finding ones identity as an adolescent. I imagine the pressure only builds over time.
In some ways, I appreciate being able to know my dad in ways he never shared with me before. I admire the way my dad tried to model masculinity for the three of us (my two older brothers and me) as we grew up, but in trying to fulfill the stereotypical male role, he held back things about his identity (beyond his preference in clothing). Now my dad is more open about how he feels, to the extent that I sometimes don't know how to take it. Just this past Thanksgiving, we had a time of sharing as a family that went beyond what would have ever happened a few years ago. It is the getting to know my dad as he really is that makes it all worth it to me
Is it an overriding issue, or more in the background?
It is the "new thing" to talk about! I think our father/son relationship is still rooted as it has always been, in love. That's not to say that this new persona doesn't take some getting used to. Initially there was a lot of time spent on trying to "negotiate" our relationship - figure out "how does this change things?" There are still some things that will play out in time. Recently, things have focused more on progression of the EEO complaint, or the latest act of retailiation by the University (not as central things to our relationship, but it's what we talk about on the phone). Most of the time though, he's still just my dad.
Can you or do you tell friends your father is transgender?
I'll tell anyone who asks. Beyond that, I've told most of my friends with whom I'm in regular contact. Some good friends that I unfortunately don't get to see as frequently I have not told yet, out of the conflicting interests of wanting to share the news in person, but not wanting to sacrifice cherished quality time with people I only get a chance to see a few times a year.
What was your reaction to seeing your father as Julie?
I guess I'd say he could have done a lot worse dressed as a woman, and maybe I underestimated him a bit. Of course, I think my mom had given him quite a few tips by then. It wasn't as shocking as you might expect. When I look at her (I must admit, I'm still not used to that), I still see my dad.
How has the change impacted your relationship?
Overall, I'd say it has improved. There is certainly a trade-off. On the one hand, I felt a sense of loss of a connection I had with my father; I thought I understood him pretty well. Things changed when I learned of his condition, as I suddenly felt I didn't know him very well at all, as if I had grown up with a different person then the one sharing this news with me. The fears proved to be unfounded, as my dad still is pretty much the same person underneath. He still plays golf, enjoys playing games with his family, is still committed to his faith (in a renewed way, I think), and this coming Sunday after returning home from church, I suspect he may sit down in the living room to cheer on the Chicago Bears (or huff about Rex Grossman, depending how things go). Eventually, I had to come to accept the fact that this one area (transgenderedness) is something I won't ever really understand about my dad. The closest I can come, I think, is an analogy of the awkwardness of finding ones identity as an adolescent. I imagine the pressure only builds over time.
In some ways, I appreciate being able to know my dad in ways he never shared with me before. I admire the way my dad tried to model masculinity for the three of us (my two older brothers and me) as we grew up, but in trying to fulfill the stereotypical male role, he held back things about his identity (beyond his preference in clothing). Now my dad is more open about how he feels, to the extent that I sometimes don't know how to take it. Just this past Thanksgiving, we had a time of sharing as a family that went beyond what would have ever happened a few years ago. It is the getting to know my dad as he really is that makes it all worth it to me
Is it an overriding issue, or more in the background?
It is the "new thing" to talk about! I think our father/son relationship is still rooted as it has always been, in love. That's not to say that this new persona doesn't take some getting used to. Initially there was a lot of time spent on trying to "negotiate" our relationship - figure out "how does this change things?" There are still some things that will play out in time. Recently, things have focused more on progression of the EEO complaint, or the latest act of retailiation by the University (not as central things to our relationship, but it's what we talk about on the phone). Most of the time though, he's still just my dad.
Can you or do you tell friends your father is transgender?
I'll tell anyone who asks. Beyond that, I've told most of my friends with whom I'm in regular contact. Some good friends that I unfortunately don't get to see as frequently I have not told yet, out of the conflicting interests of wanting to share the news in person, but not wanting to sacrifice cherished quality time with people I only get a chance to see a few times a year.
What was your reaction to seeing your father as Julie?
I guess I'd say he could have done a lot worse dressed as a woman, and maybe I underestimated him a bit. Of course, I think my mom had given him quite a few tips by then. It wasn't as shocking as you might expect. When I look at her (I must admit, I'm still not used to that), I still see my dad.
Jackson CitPat Breaks My Father's Story
Today my Dad made the newspaper. The Jackson Citizen Patriot put the story of my transgendered father on the front page, and did a follow up 2-page story in the features section. Right now, only the front page article is available at the CitPat site, so I've provided a link to the document given to my Dad by the CitPat. The purpose of this blog is to tell the story about my Dad from my own perspective. Local newspapers will tell a story, national news will present an issue, and I hope to help you understand the characters in the "story."
To me, this isn't a national issue, or a local interest story, it is a personal one. I realize that people may take this issue and use it to advance some greater cause, and that any court decisions will set precedent, but I think we have to be careful about extrapolating on a single instance to create policy. Anyway, we'll save that rant for another time.
Let's take a look at how the CitPat did with the story. Generally, I think they did a pretty good job with a difficult story. At times however, they seemed to have strayed towards some unhelpful stereotypes that I don't find helpful. Spring Arbor seems to be cast as hypocritical "puritans" (or Free Methodists) with a "squeaky-clean reputation." I don't think Spring Arbor is being disingenuous. I also don't think Spring Arbor has ever had a squeaky-clean reputation with those who are close to it. That isn't to say that they are highly immoral, but what do you expect from an organization of admitted sinners? I'd hope for a little more grace, but I digress. I'm giving Spring Arbor the benefit of the doubt that they have some real convictions here, but I wish they'd share them, because I'm confused about what they really believe. They declined to comment on this article, and that bothers me. If they believe their position is Gospel, they should not be ashamed of it, and should use opportunities like this one to say what they really believe. It might help them establish a BFOQ.
Also this statement seems a bit too broad: "Evangelical Christians consider homosexual behavior an abomination, a sin against God. Those under the broad transgender umbrella are guilty by association." The Church is actually quite diverse, and the characterization of "Evangelical Christians" all believing anything (outside of The Creed) is probably an overstatement. It is a disservice to The Church to have an image of being so narrow-minded. I believe in a God that is bigger than any single viewpoint can capture. There are many disagreements in The Church, but I don't think it necessarily means one is right and the other is wrong. If you consider yourself an Evangelical Christian, and disagree with the quoted statement above, you can let the CitPat know by e-mailing a letter to the editor to Ken Wyatt at kwyatt@citpat.com.
If you'd like to play a part in bringing this situation to a resolution, you can contact the President of Spring Arbor University, Gayle Beebe at gbeebe@arbor.edu and Chief of Staff Damon Seacott at dseacott@arbor.edu. Please, don't send hate mail.
To me, this isn't a national issue, or a local interest story, it is a personal one. I realize that people may take this issue and use it to advance some greater cause, and that any court decisions will set precedent, but I think we have to be careful about extrapolating on a single instance to create policy. Anyway, we'll save that rant for another time.
Let's take a look at how the CitPat did with the story. Generally, I think they did a pretty good job with a difficult story. At times however, they seemed to have strayed towards some unhelpful stereotypes that I don't find helpful. Spring Arbor seems to be cast as hypocritical "puritans" (or Free Methodists) with a "squeaky-clean reputation." I don't think Spring Arbor is being disingenuous. I also don't think Spring Arbor has ever had a squeaky-clean reputation with those who are close to it. That isn't to say that they are highly immoral, but what do you expect from an organization of admitted sinners? I'd hope for a little more grace, but I digress. I'm giving Spring Arbor the benefit of the doubt that they have some real convictions here, but I wish they'd share them, because I'm confused about what they really believe. They declined to comment on this article, and that bothers me. If they believe their position is Gospel, they should not be ashamed of it, and should use opportunities like this one to say what they really believe. It might help them establish a BFOQ.
Also this statement seems a bit too broad: "Evangelical Christians consider homosexual behavior an abomination, a sin against God. Those under the broad transgender umbrella are guilty by association." The Church is actually quite diverse, and the characterization of "Evangelical Christians" all believing anything (outside of The Creed) is probably an overstatement. It is a disservice to The Church to have an image of being so narrow-minded. I believe in a God that is bigger than any single viewpoint can capture. There are many disagreements in The Church, but I don't think it necessarily means one is right and the other is wrong. If you consider yourself an Evangelical Christian, and disagree with the quoted statement above, you can let the CitPat know by e-mailing a letter to the editor to Ken Wyatt at kwyatt@citpat.com.
If you'd like to play a part in bringing this situation to a resolution, you can contact the President of Spring Arbor University, Gayle Beebe at gbeebe@arbor.edu and Chief of Staff Damon Seacott at dseacott@arbor.edu. Please, don't send hate mail.
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