January 13, 2013 • 10:15 PM 3

[UPDATED] Int’l trans community comes to the defense of UK doctor; transphobic article published in “The Guardian”

Dr. Richard Curtis (Photo guardian.uk)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE: Transphobic article pulled. See below.] In recent days the international transgender community has responded angrily to two different incidents, both potentially impacting the well-being of trans people in the United Kingdom in a negative way.

The first began when it became known that the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) was investigating Dr. Richard Curtis, a rare physician who does gender re-assignment support outside the NHS. Although not everyone can afford his services, he is respected among many trans people for providing a rare alternative to the NHS path.

Trans activists fear the GMC’s actions could eliminate trans patients options, leaving everyone with just one choice — the NHS system, which some trans activists say is ‘slow, controlling and unsympathetic.’

The response from the trans community not only focused on Dr. Curtis but also revealed the many shortcomings of the NHS from the trans perspective.

Read more about this uproar in this piece by trans woman Jane Fae: The real trans scandal is not the failings of one doctor but cruelty by many | Jane Fae | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk.

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The second storm followed the publication of a transphobic article in the UK’s The Guardian. Written by Julie Burchill and titled “Transsexuals should cut it out”, the piece clearly crosses the border into deep transphobia territory.

Here’s a snippet: “Shims, shemales, whatever you’re calling yourselves these days – don’t threaten or bully us lowly natural-born women, I warn you.”

That’s quite enough to get a flag thrown for me.

UPDATE — Jan. 14, 2013: The Guardian has pulled the transphobic article. See below:

~~Following an uproar from the trans community, the publication’s Readers’ editor says he will be looking into the matter, however, you can still contact them and voice your opinion:~~

Statement from John Mulholland, editor of The Observer

Observer.co.uk, Monday 14 January 2013 12.48 EST

Statement from John Mulholland, editor of The Observer:

We have decided to withdraw from publication the Julie Burchill comment piece ‘Transsexuals should cut it out’. The piece was an attempt to explore contentious issues within what had become a highly-charged debate. The Observer is a paper which prides itself on ventilating difficult debates and airing challenging views. On this occasion we got it wrong and in light of the hurt and offence caused I apologise and have made the decision to withdraw the piece. The Observer Readers’ Editor will report on these issues at greater length.

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Write to: Readers’ Editor
The Observer
Kings Place
90 York Way
London N1 9GU
Tel: 020 3353 4656
Email: reader@observer.co.uk

Here’s the entire article [Trigger Warning]: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/13/julie-burchill-suzanne-moore-transsexuals?mobile-redirect=false#comment-20580194

Dr. Richard Curtis (Photo guardian.uk)

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Filed under: Exploitation, Dehumanizing, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Dr. Richard Curtis, General Medical Council, jane fae, Julie Burchill, NHS, transphobia, Transsexuals should cut it out, uk, united kingdom

September 13, 2012 • 10:26 PM 42

Taunts, struggles drives gifted UK trans woman to her death

Natasha Lauren Brown (Photo: News Group Newspapers)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Hands down, suicide is among the most difficult thing for me to write about, but it is such a huge elephant silently stumbling around in the trans world, it does no good to any of us to ignore its presence.

Last July we were reminded again suicide can happen to the best of us when prominent Canadian trans activist Kyle Scanlon took his life. http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/toronto-canada-trans-community-leader-kyle-scanlon-dies/

Indeed, a recent and widely shared study indicated that upwards of 40% of trans people attempt suicide in their lifetimes (the cis population rate is under 2%). http://endtransdiscrimination.org/PDFs/NTDS_Exec_Summary.pdf

Just weeks ago there were a few discussions at social media websites where we saw “experts” claiming the trans suicide rate isn’t as bad as the study and us writers are making it out to be. If this is true, they need to make their case, backed up with evidence — not just merely denying a suicide problem exists.

It is said Staffordshire University (UK) student Natasha Lauren Brown began a downward spiral after she was taunted and beaten. Her life ended May 14, 2012 from liver failure after she ODed on paracetamol.

Although gifted, Brown struggled with depression and other issues throughout most of her teens. It was only in the last few years that she decided to officially move forward and change her gender identity. Even though Brown had contact with mental health professionals, her family believes their daughter would still be alive if the UK’s mental health services we better equipped to handle gender identity issues — something the family felt these professionals came up short on.

Brown’s mother: “We’d just like to say we strongly believe the mental health services could have done more to help her than they did.”

Staffordshire University student union president Fiona Wood [commenting on the beating and bullying]: “Some people just don’t understand the issue and how society can turn against the individual.”

Sadly, this type of ending is not uncommon and happens everyday — even in seemingly progressive countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. A reality check like this from time to time will ensure that the suicide problem continues to be worked on and not swept away out of sight.

A tribute to Natasha is here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/welshflickrcymru/discuss/72157629887893530/

Gifted Hanley student was killed by pills overdose | This is Staffordshire.

Natasha Lauren Brown (Photo: welshflickrcymru.com)

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Law Enforcement, Police, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, beating, bullying, Fiona Wood, gender identity issues, Kyle Scanlon, Natasha Lauren Brown, Staffordshire University, suicide, uk, united kingdom

September 1, 2012 • 12:04 AM 6

Heard on Live! with Kelly: “tranny”

Kelly Ripa, tell your guests to use “trans” or “transgender”, not “tranny!” (Photo: Getty)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Ugh, the word that makes many amongst us cringe — no transgender person is, or deserves to be called a “tranny”.

This reportedly happened Friday on the show Live! with Kelly (the show formerly known as Live with Regis Philbin). A celebrity guest was talking about an upcoming role as a “transvestite” but said he ‘wasn’t so sure about the tranny thing.’

“Tranny” is a rather archaic term these days, however not quite everyone seems to be aware of that. While it may take some time to rid this deeply rooted term from usage in our society, we can educate people in mainstream media when it’s usage occurs to help speed up its demise.

Taking the time to educate Kelli Ripa, the Emmy winning actress and host of the show, could pay off in more ways than one.

As for “transvestite”, some have made it know they find this word offensive, too, however, I’m also aware that it’s usage as an umbrella term is rather widespread — particularly in the United Kingdom. I’d be curious to hear what trans people from the other side of the pond feel about the term.

I have some contact information for the Ripa show below, but it appears to be mostly fan-based communication and we may not be heard above the din. Anyone having better contact links (the producer’s phone number, for instance) post them below in the comments section.

I was unable to find a transcript of the show as of this writing.

http://dadt.com/live/special/ask/

http://www.facebook.com/LIVEwithKelly

(Thanks to April L. Murdock)

Kelly Ripa, tell your guests to use “trans” or “transgender”, not “tranny!” (Photo: Getty)

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Filed under: Other Health, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Kelli Ripa, live with kelly ripa, tranny, transvestite, united kingdom

July 29, 2012 • 10:31 PM 3

Oxford University enters the Transgender Age

Models demonstrate Oxford’s uniform or sub fusc

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — A British academic bastillion, Oxford University, has caved on their strict dress policy and adopted rules allowing transgender student to wear the ceremonial clothing of the gender they present in. These new rules go into effect next week.

Oxford has a long tradition of requiring students taking exams to wear gender-specific uniforms or sub fuscs. This dress code is also followed during formal occasions at the university.

However, concerns of the rules being unfair to trans students, especially with the harsh punishment that follows wearing the wrong attire, prompted the university to change the policy. It was a student LGBTQ organization that pushed for the change.

Oxford’s LGBTQ Society’s Jess Pumphrey: “In future there will be no need for transgender students to cross-dress to avoid being confronted by invigilators or disciplined during their exam.”

Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world and many of its graduates over the years went on to become major world leaders, including most recently, former President Bill Clinton. Forty seven eventual Nobel Prize winners were either students or taught at Oxford.

Let’s welcome Oxford University to the 21st century — the Transgender Age, finally!

Oxford University changes dress code to meet needs of transgender students | Education | guardian.co.uk.

Models demonstrate Oxford’s uniform or sub fusc

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Bill Clinton, dress code, Jess Pumphrey, LGBTQ Society, Oxford University, sub fusc, uk, united kingdom

July 23, 2012 • 12:29 AM 21

Transgender student banned, then later unbanned after showing headmaster UK’s Equality Act

Ashlyn Parram (Photo: SWNS.com)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Trans student Ashlyn Parram is only 16 years-old, but she’s one up on her teachers at UK’s Giles Academy in Boston, Lincolnshire when it comes to knowing the law on sex discrimination.

After Parram showed up for a school exam she was told by a teacher that she needed to leave and change into a boy’s school uniform. Parram then reportedly printed out a copy of the UK’s Equality Act and showed it to the school’s headmaster who reversed the teacher’s decision and allowed Parram to return and take the exam.

Reputable sources about this incident is scarce at this writing and I’m not going to rely on the sources I found for details beyond this. If you’re curious, you can read one of the articles below — but be forewarned — the gender IDs and pronouns usage in this article may leave you a bit upset!

[Trigger Warning!] Transsexual, 16, forces school to let him sit exam dressed as a girl: Head threatened with Equality Act | Mail Online.