Univ of Vermont’s Trans*Friendly Computer System

All in a Name: New Software Benefits Transgender Students

In addition to buying books, making last minute changes to his course schedule, and stocking up on three-ring binders, senior art history major Davin Sokup’s pre-semester to-do list always included one more task: emailing his professors to tell them that, when classes started, he preferred not to be called the name on their class rosters or the pronouns it implied.

Sokup, a transgender student born female, asked professors to address him as Davin, not the feminine name on the class list, and to use the pronouns “he” and “his.”

The effect of these communiqués was mixed at best. While only one professor outright refused to comply — Sokup dropped his class — many bumbled through with well meaning intent that was nevertheless embarrassing and ultimately threatened his safety.

Read the rest:
http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=News&storyID=14419

Genetic Link to Gender Identity?

In the largest ever genetic study of male to female transsexuals Australian researchers have found a significant genetic link between gender identity and a gene involved in testosterone action.

From an early age people develop an inner sense of being male or female – their gender identity. Transsexuals however, identify with a physical sex opposite to their perceived biological sex.

DNA samples were collected from 112 male to female transsexuals and researchers compared genetic differences with non transsexuals. The results are published in the high impact journal Biological Psychiatry.

The researchers discovered that male to female transsexuals were more likely to have a longer version of a gene which is known to modify the action of the sex hormone testosterone.

“We think that these genetic differences might reduce testosterone action and under masculinise the brain during foetal development.” said researcher Lauren Hare.

For decades, there has been debate over the causes of transexuality. Early theories included psychosocial factors such as childhood trauma. More recent studies have indicated that family history and genetic aspects are linked to the development of gender identity.

“There is a social stigma that transsexualism is simply a lifestyle choice, however our findings support a biological basis of how gender identity develops.” said study leader Associate Professor Vincent Harley, Head of Molecular Genetics at Prince Henry’s Institute.

“As with all genetic association studies it will be important to replicate these findings in other populations” said Associate Professor Vincent Harley.

Researchers are now planning even larger genetic studies and are investigating a wider range of genes that may be related to gender identity.

Further Information

Androgen Receptor (AR) Repeat Length Polymorphism Associated with Male-to-female Transsexualism. Authors: Lauren Hare, Pascal Bernard, Francisco J. Sanchez, Paul N. Baird, Eric Vilain, Trudy Kennedy and Vincent R. Harley. The research will published in the Jan 2009 edition of Biological Psychiatry. Advance online publication date 27 Oct 2008.

This international study involved researchers at Prince Henry’s Institute, Monash Gender Dysphoria Unit, Monash University, Melbourne University, the University of California, Los Angeles in the USA. The research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia and the US National Institutes of Health.

Contact Ian Muchamore, Science Communications
Tel : (03) 9594 4049 or 0415 551 705

Original Press Release

Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit at Texas A&M

In a meeting at Texas A&M on Wednesday evening it was determined to go forward with the first Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit on July 23, 2009 (Thursday) at the Texas A&M campus in College Station. This will be a full day summit meeting and is free to all attendees. Specifics will be announced within the next few weeks. We do have a need to locate a volunteer to create a website for this summit. It needs to be a simple website with summit information and a registration form. Texas A&M Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center will put a link on their official website to the Summit website link. Space is limited so register early; once we have the registration process in place (it will be announced). Here is our Mission Statement:

To invite interested parties at other universities to discuss what works and what does not work in getting the phrase “gender identity and expression” into their respective nondiscrimination statements. Also, discuss strategies on how to approach the inevitable barriers that always arise. This summit is not intended to be a protest, demonstration, or rally. We want to invite the other universities’ representatives to simply discuss strategic approaches towards social justice issues related to inclusion statements.

She’s Not There: 5/26 Book Discussion

The Department of English of Texas Tech University recommends the following book for your reading enjoyment in May:

She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders, by Jennifer Finney Boylan (2003)

She’s Not There is the story of a person changing genders. It is the story of the love of James for his wife, Grace, and the enduring love of Grace for the woman Jenny. It is the story of the friendship of James with colleague Richard Russo, and the enduring friendship of Richard with the woman Jenny. Sometimes funny and sometimes moving, Jennifer Finney Boylan’s story “explores the remarkable territory that lies between men and women … and rejoices in the redeeming power of family.”

You are invited to a public discussion of this book on Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m. at J&B Coffee, 26th Street and Boston Avenue. Dr. Joyce Carter will serve as moderator.

If you can’t join us but would like to offer your comments on the book, please visit http://wb.engl.ttu.edu/~books. Register, login with your name and password, choose the discussion for May, and post your comment.

New Channels

just created, and is testing, the following:

1. a new feed via Feedburner and pointed it to the right address: http://transttu.wordpress.com/feed/

2. a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lubbock-TX/Trans-TTU/68883928285

3. a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/TransTTU

Inside Higher Ed on Transition

While still relatively uncommon, there is a fledgling movement across higher education to expand health care benefits as Michigan has done. In the University of California’s 10-campus system, seven campuses have such benefits for students or will offer them next year, and two more are formally negotiating to include them. Faculty and staff across the entire California system already have transition-related care covered, but each campus has to independently approve the expansion for students.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/03/30/trans