Japan - Out of the closet: Japan's transsexuals gain freedoms, but still face barriers...
To most Japanese, Takafumi Fujio -- with cropped hair, thick arms and deep voice -- is a typical, middle-aged salaryman. But until four years ago, when the food company worker started on a range of hormonal treatments, he was a woman, a housewife and mother of two.
Fujio is one of an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 Japanese who believe they were born the wrong sex, a sexual minority that has been largely hidden from view in Japan.

Journalism and gender variance - uneasy bedfellows?

In my opinion, a free press is an essential element of a free and just society. And yet, for all of the examples where journalists have uncovered wrong-doing and pursued those responsible (even to the highest reaches of government) there is at least one area where the fourth estate typically fails to cover itself in glory.
Take the death of Krystal Heskin. A woman of 31, Krystal was found dead in a motel on April 18th. Police have now arrested and charged a Chicago man, Michael Davis. And how did the Chicago Sun-Times choose to cover this news?

Sheriff deputies' use of force contributes to death of transgender person - Medical examiner's report contradicts statements made by Sheriff's Department.

According to a San Diego County deputy medical examiner, there isreason to believe sheriff deputies' use of force resulted in thedeath of Vanessa Facen, a 35-year-old pre-operative transsexual whowas arrested last November for a residential burglary.

Sam I am no more

When Sam Parker planned his own killing, it was a crime of passion.

It's late April, there's a chill in the air, and amid the faceless sprawl of Auckland's North Shore, a carefully planned killing is being carried out.

Robbery Said To Be Motive In Transgender Killing

(CBS) LOS ANGELES

Police believe the fatal shooting of a transgender man Saturday was a robbery gone bad, rather than a hate crime, officials said. Juan Jose Jacobo Preciado, 26, was known as Romina. She was shot at about 4:30 a.m. in the hallway of an apartment in the 800 block of South Westlake Avenue, Los Angeles police Officer Sara Faden said.

Fighting to become who they've always been

Members of SLO County's transgender community reflect on the long road to acceptance

Transgender Documentary to premiere in New York City
Documentary filmmaker Tom Murray will be premiering his third documentary film in early June at NEWFEST in New York City. ALMOST MYSELF will be the third film in a many years by the director/producer to have it's world premiere at NEWFEST, the New York Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival. The film recounts Tom's journey as a Gay man to explore and gain some understanding of what it means to be transgender.