I'm doing a lot of catching up on how the news is spreading across the Internet. I found one YouTube video of a vlogger from Jackson and her reaction to the news story. There have been a few vitriolic posts (on both sides), and I'll get to those, but I wanted to share this video. Enjoy.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Dr. Jen
Here's a letter from a medical doctor that will be printed in my local paper's "Letters to the Editor".
SELMA, CALIF. ‹ I am a medical doctor with 26 years of experience in Family Practice and Obstetrics. I also have a special expertise in treating those with Gender Identity Disorder. GID is a medical problem ‹ a congenital disorder in which centers of the brain that determine our "gender identity" develop in the fetus in a manner opposite to the chromosomal sex and the anatomy of the rest of the body. Though many are successful in their lives, driven for decades to prove to others and themselves that they are "normal," this process extracts a mental-emotional toll that cannot be maintained indefinitely. When those with GID reach their crisis point (often in their 30s to 50s), they can no longer continue living a facade contrary to their "true self." They must either "transition" to their true (mental) gender, under the care of medical and psychological professionals, or end up in a severe depression which often results in suicide. The phrase we use for this crisis is "Transition or Die.²"
Unfortunately,most of those who transition that also have a strong church background are frequently brutalized by their very own churches, to which they have long attended and contributed over many years. It is astounding to see that their pastors and so-called Christian brothers and sisters, who should exemplify the love and compassion of Jesus, turn against them in this difficult period of transition. There is nothing in the Bible that would condemn anyone suffering from GID for utilizing the only means (including hormones and surgery) available to bring wholeness to a mind-body incongruity that has caused them decades of suffering. To equate GID with immorality or sexual perversion makes no more sense that to state that all who suffer from seizures are "demon-possessed" just because one boy healed from epilepsy by Jesus was afflicted by an evil spirit.
Jennifer A. Burnett, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine UCSF-Fresno,
Teaching Faculty Fresno Family Practice Residency
SELMA, CALIF. ‹ I am a medical doctor with 26 years of experience in Family Practice and Obstetrics. I also have a special expertise in treating those with Gender Identity Disorder. GID is a medical problem ‹ a congenital disorder in which centers of the brain that determine our "gender identity" develop in the fetus in a manner opposite to the chromosomal sex and the anatomy of the rest of the body. Though many are successful in their lives, driven for decades to prove to others and themselves that they are "normal," this process extracts a mental-emotional toll that cannot be maintained indefinitely. When those with GID reach their crisis point (often in their 30s to 50s), they can no longer continue living a facade contrary to their "true self." They must either "transition" to their true (mental) gender, under the care of medical and psychological professionals, or end up in a severe depression which often results in suicide. The phrase we use for this crisis is "Transition or Die.²"
Unfortunately,most of those who transition that also have a strong church background are frequently brutalized by their very own churches, to which they have long attended and contributed over many years. It is astounding to see that their pastors and so-called Christian brothers and sisters, who should exemplify the love and compassion of Jesus, turn against them in this difficult period of transition. There is nothing in the Bible that would condemn anyone suffering from GID for utilizing the only means (including hormones and surgery) available to bring wholeness to a mind-body incongruity that has caused them decades of suffering. To equate GID with immorality or sexual perversion makes no more sense that to state that all who suffer from seizures are "demon-possessed" just because one boy healed from epilepsy by Jesus was afflicted by an evil spirit.
Jennifer A. Burnett, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine UCSF-Fresno,
Teaching Faculty Fresno Family Practice Residency
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Slideshow Added to CitPat Website
A slideshow has been added to the Jackson Citizen Patriot website that includes photos of my dad en femme at home with my mom. The video is a little under five minutes long and is narrated by my parents.
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.
Administrivia
Welcome to my blog! If you are reading this, you are probably an early visitor to my blog, and hopefully interested in the story. Please add yourself to my recent readers list on the right, and follow my RSS feed.
This is my blog, so I figured I'd set some rules. The early adopters of this blog will be the ones to set the tone, so please be respectful. I like a good argument as much as the next, but please try with me to seek common ground before taking issue with what I or others have said. While I will allow room for debate, under no circumstances will I allow hateful ad hominem attacks to stay up on my blog.
Thanks for visiting.
This is my blog, so I figured I'd set some rules. The early adopters of this blog will be the ones to set the tone, so please be respectful. I like a good argument as much as the next, but please try with me to seek common ground before taking issue with what I or others have said. While I will allow room for debate, under no circumstances will I allow hateful ad hominem attacks to stay up on my blog.
Thanks for visiting.
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