[International] [Commentary]
APA Releases 2nd Proposal to Replace GID in the DSM-5
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the medical and social definition of mental disorder throughout North America and strongly influences international nomenclature. There is broad recognition that some kind of diagnostic coding is necessary to facilitate access to medical and/or surgical transition care for those trans and transsexual people who need it. However, the current psychiatric classifications of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and Transvestic Fetishism (TF) in the Fourth Edition, Text Revision of the DSM (DSM-IV-TR) fall short of meeting this need and actually contradict transition by describing transition itself as symptomatic of mental disorder.
[Commentary] DSM-5: Revised proposal for diagnostic criteria for Gender Dysphoria published
[Brasil]
Metrô é multado por ofender transexual
Ela queria que nome social, e não de nascimento, constasse em bilhete especial; Metrô tentará redução
[UK/USA]
Female-to-male transsexuals could be more autistic - Cambridge University
Female-to-male transsexuals have a higher than average number of autistic traits, a new study from Cambridge University has found.
[Turkey]
Press Release on TIB's Request of Cancellation of Domain-Hosting, by Pembe Hayat To the Press and the Public Opinion
Information and Communication Technologies Authority- Telecommunication Communication Presidency (TIB) has recently sent a list of banned words to hosting companies requesting that domain names including these words which are considered to be obscene, be removed. “Gay, homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, transvestite” are also among these banned words.
This request uses as a pretext the Law no: 5361 on “Regulation of Internet Broadcasting and Fighting Against Crimes Committed in these Broadcasts” and the Directive laying down the “Principles and Procedures of Issuing Activity Certificates to Access Providers and Hosting Companies, by Telecommunication Presidency” that is based on this law. This request refers to rejection of self-existence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals and/or to perception thereof as “indecency, obscenity”. The way the said law and directive have been interpreted, results in dismissal of the most fundamental rights of the LGBT citizens; the right to exist and right to be accepted equally.
While a debate is on-going about grave restrictions on internet freedoms which may amount to censorship, TIB has sent on 21 April 2011 a new demand to the hosting companies. The information message of TIB states the following; “It has been understood that you are the hosting company of the below listed domains. You are required to terminate your services as a hosting company immediately. Otherwise, legal proceedings will be initiated without any further notice”. The justification is that; “It is forbidden to be the hosting company of websites falling under the scope of catalogue crimes [obscenity, prostitution, sexual abuse of children etc.] stipulated in Law No: 5651”. The domains listed include, inter alia, pembehayat.org which is the official website of Pembe Hayat LGBTT Solidarity Association.
To date, the expressions of “general morality”, “public morality”, “public order”, “obscenity”, “national and moral values” used in various laws, regulations and by-laws, have been interpreted against LGBT individuals, resulting in the grave violation of their rights and freedoms.
The demand calling for the termination of services as the hosting company of the official website of Pembe Hayat Association clearly means the censoring of the information, ideas and democratic demands generated by LGBT individuals in the struggle for their rights. In other words, censoring them is the same thing as censoring the civil society struggle of the LGBT.
This demand which is also contrary to Article 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey entitled “Freedom of Expression and Dissemination of Thought”, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights regulating “freedom of expression” and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on “freedom of opinion and expression” amounts to the confiscation of LGBT individuals’ right to share with wider segments of the society the developments encountered in the struggle for their rights as well as their right to express and disseminate demands for their rights.
The aforementioned practice should be seen as a reflection, and a consolidating element of the ongoing intensive and systematic discrimination against LGBT individuals. Article 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights, entitled "prohibition of Discrimination", notes that discriminatory practice against any group is a violation of human rights. In the same manner, Annexed Protocol 12 of the Convention, too, charges the signatory States with the responsibility to prohibit all forms of discrimination.
Although Pembe Hayat officially became an association upon application to Associations Desk on 30 June 2006, Ankara Governorate approached Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office, demanding its closure on the basis of extremely ambiguous wording of relevant laws, such as "general morality", "public order", and "contraction with Turkish family structure".
This demand, which meant the curbing of 'freedom of association' for LGBT individuals, was overturned by Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office. And the statement delivered by Press prosecutor Kürşat Kayral clearly put that “the wording homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay and transvestite were not concepts that grant or deny rights to an individual but on the contrary they defined human”, “interpretation should be done in a narrow framework when limiting freedoms through concepts like public order or general morality”, and “interpretations that would curtail self-expression of individuals were in violation of freedoms”.
As the intensive discrimination, crimes of hatred, social exclusion, and violence against LGBT individuals continue in Turkey, officials should guarantee these very fundamental rights and liberties rather than restricting them. A demand to close down the website of an official civil society organization, which struggles for the rights and liberties of LGBT individuals, can be a wall of shame for a country that is an official candidate to the European Union. A government policy ignoring the democratic demands of LGBT individuals; destroying their freedom of association and expression; taking no measures against the attacks aiming at their right to life; and institutionally consolidating discrimination is unacceptable.
We will not allow this political mentality, which was unable to prevent us from realizing our freedom of association, to unlawfully cut off our official communication channels. In the face of this application by TIB, which meant an explicit violation of the LGBT human rights defenders' right to association and spread their thoughts, we would like to announce that as Pembe Hayat Association, we will take all necessary legal steps.
Kind Regards.
Pembe Hayat LGBTT Solidarity Association
NOTE: Yesterday, upon our continous protests through calling TIB, the Presidency sent us an e-mail stating that pembehayat.org will continue its existence and that its domain will not be cancelled. However, the issue is that this statement does not have any significance in legal terms. Upon our call to our hosting company - Kriweb - and TIB, they both confirmed that pembehayat.org was among the list of domain names which were demanded to be cancelled. This cannot be accepted, and since they gave a positive [!] statement saying that there will be no problem with the website, this may last short as the Turkish Government does so everytime as regards to HR issues.
The procedure is weird since TIB, normally has the right to close down the websites, but they don't do so - they are afraid of the reactions I think. But they make hosting companies to cancel the domain fields of websites. This is illegal and may cause problems with the hosting companies and the website owners.
As TIB did not reject that they sent their demand of cancellation of the domains and as we confirmed this through TIB and Kriweb, we will continue to put pressure over the presidency and relevant ministries through media and international pressure. because we don't have any guarantee that they will not cancel it when the protests end in the close future [hope they don't].
[Australia]
Sydney tackles trans violence
Realising that transphobic violence is a serious and often under-reported issue, NSW Police and City of Sydney have today launched much-needed resources to encourage transpeople to speak up about violent crimes against them.
Building bridges with the transgender community – Transgender Anti-Violence Project
[Australia]
Transgender people most likely abused
The Human Rights Commissioner, Catherine Branson, has called on the federal government to introduce federal laws to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
[USA]
Transgender people discriminated against on a daily basis
“With all the anecdotal evidence I have seen and experienced, I was very much aware that societal discrimination and stigmatization of transgender people was pervasive,” says Edison resident, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, “But to be honest, to see the actual numbers, the incredibly high percentage of attempted suicides, outlandish job bias, physical and sexual assaults was an absolute shock.”
[USA]
Trans Golfer Settles Suit
Lana Lawless, a transgender woman and expert golfer, settled her lawsuits against the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Long Drivers of America association after those organizations ruled that only women "female at birth" were eligible to compete in their events.
Transwoman Golfer Prevails in Suit
[CA, USA] [PR/News]
Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes Bill Strengthening Employment, Housing, and other Nondiscrimination Laws
The Assembly Appropriations Committee today passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 877) by a 12-5 vote. The bill is authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and is sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center. AB 887 will strengthen employment, housing, and other civil rights protections for all Californians, especially those who face discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
[IL, USA]
Commission recognizes IDAHO
At its regularly scheduled monthly meeting April 20, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues recognized the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), which will be observed May 17 around the world.
[KS, USA]
Manhattan City Commission repeals ordinance adding sexual orientation, gender identity to anti-discrimination policy
The Manhattan City Commission has voted to repeal a controversial ordinance that added sexual orientation and a new definition of gender identity to its anti-discrimination policy.
[MA, USA]
MTPC Action Alert: Hearing & Trans Equal Rights Day
The Date is Set and the State House is Waiting For Us! Thursday, June 23, 2011
[MD, USA]
Transgender anti-discrimination bill will return, sponsor says
The sponsor of an anti-discrimination bill for transgendered individuals that failed to see passage this year says her bill will come back.
[NY, USA] [Film]
Candy Darling and Jeremiah Newton: Q&A with the Man Behind Beautiful Darling
Beautiful Darling is a new documentary about the late James Lawrence Slattery, better known to the world as the Andy Warhol superstar Candy Darling.
[OK, USA]
OK trans prof denied tenure despite faculty backing
A transgender professor at a small Oklahoma college has been denied tenure by the school’s administration. But university officials continue to ignore faculty appeals to change their minds.
[TX, USA]
Anti-bullying bill clears Texas House
HB 1942, the anti-bullying bill by Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, cleared the Texas House today on its third and final reading, by a vote of 94-41. According to Equality Texas, which now lists Patrick’s bill as its top priority in this year’s session, no Democrats voted against the measure, which now proceeds to the Senate. From Equality Texas blog:
APA Releases 2nd Proposal to Replace GID in the DSM-5
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the medical and social definition of mental disorder throughout North America and strongly influences international nomenclature. There is broad recognition that some kind of diagnostic coding is necessary to facilitate access to medical and/or surgical transition care for those trans and transsexual people who need it. However, the current psychiatric classifications of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and Transvestic Fetishism (TF) in the Fourth Edition, Text Revision of the DSM (DSM-IV-TR) fall short of meeting this need and actually contradict transition by describing transition itself as symptomatic of mental disorder.
[Commentary] DSM-5: Revised proposal for diagnostic criteria for Gender Dysphoria published
[Brasil]
Metrô é multado por ofender transexual
Ela queria que nome social, e não de nascimento, constasse em bilhete especial; Metrô tentará redução
[UK/USA]
Female-to-male transsexuals could be more autistic - Cambridge University
Female-to-male transsexuals have a higher than average number of autistic traits, a new study from Cambridge University has found.
[Turkey]
Press Release on TIB's Request of Cancellation of Domain-Hosting, by Pembe Hayat To the Press and the Public Opinion
Information and Communication Technologies Authority- Telecommunication Communication Presidency (TIB) has recently sent a list of banned words to hosting companies requesting that domain names including these words which are considered to be obscene, be removed. “Gay, homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, transvestite” are also among these banned words.
This request uses as a pretext the Law no: 5361 on “Regulation of Internet Broadcasting and Fighting Against Crimes Committed in these Broadcasts” and the Directive laying down the “Principles and Procedures of Issuing Activity Certificates to Access Providers and Hosting Companies, by Telecommunication Presidency” that is based on this law. This request refers to rejection of self-existence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals and/or to perception thereof as “indecency, obscenity”. The way the said law and directive have been interpreted, results in dismissal of the most fundamental rights of the LGBT citizens; the right to exist and right to be accepted equally.
While a debate is on-going about grave restrictions on internet freedoms which may amount to censorship, TIB has sent on 21 April 2011 a new demand to the hosting companies. The information message of TIB states the following; “It has been understood that you are the hosting company of the below listed domains. You are required to terminate your services as a hosting company immediately. Otherwise, legal proceedings will be initiated without any further notice”. The justification is that; “It is forbidden to be the hosting company of websites falling under the scope of catalogue crimes [obscenity, prostitution, sexual abuse of children etc.] stipulated in Law No: 5651”. The domains listed include, inter alia, pembehayat.org which is the official website of Pembe Hayat LGBTT Solidarity Association.
To date, the expressions of “general morality”, “public morality”, “public order”, “obscenity”, “national and moral values” used in various laws, regulations and by-laws, have been interpreted against LGBT individuals, resulting in the grave violation of their rights and freedoms.
The demand calling for the termination of services as the hosting company of the official website of Pembe Hayat Association clearly means the censoring of the information, ideas and democratic demands generated by LGBT individuals in the struggle for their rights. In other words, censoring them is the same thing as censoring the civil society struggle of the LGBT.
This demand which is also contrary to Article 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey entitled “Freedom of Expression and Dissemination of Thought”, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights regulating “freedom of expression” and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on “freedom of opinion and expression” amounts to the confiscation of LGBT individuals’ right to share with wider segments of the society the developments encountered in the struggle for their rights as well as their right to express and disseminate demands for their rights.
The aforementioned practice should be seen as a reflection, and a consolidating element of the ongoing intensive and systematic discrimination against LGBT individuals. Article 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights, entitled "prohibition of Discrimination", notes that discriminatory practice against any group is a violation of human rights. In the same manner, Annexed Protocol 12 of the Convention, too, charges the signatory States with the responsibility to prohibit all forms of discrimination.
Although Pembe Hayat officially became an association upon application to Associations Desk on 30 June 2006, Ankara Governorate approached Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office, demanding its closure on the basis of extremely ambiguous wording of relevant laws, such as "general morality", "public order", and "contraction with Turkish family structure".
This demand, which meant the curbing of 'freedom of association' for LGBT individuals, was overturned by Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office. And the statement delivered by Press prosecutor Kürşat Kayral clearly put that “the wording homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay and transvestite were not concepts that grant or deny rights to an individual but on the contrary they defined human”, “interpretation should be done in a narrow framework when limiting freedoms through concepts like public order or general morality”, and “interpretations that would curtail self-expression of individuals were in violation of freedoms”.
As the intensive discrimination, crimes of hatred, social exclusion, and violence against LGBT individuals continue in Turkey, officials should guarantee these very fundamental rights and liberties rather than restricting them. A demand to close down the website of an official civil society organization, which struggles for the rights and liberties of LGBT individuals, can be a wall of shame for a country that is an official candidate to the European Union. A government policy ignoring the democratic demands of LGBT individuals; destroying their freedom of association and expression; taking no measures against the attacks aiming at their right to life; and institutionally consolidating discrimination is unacceptable.
We will not allow this political mentality, which was unable to prevent us from realizing our freedom of association, to unlawfully cut off our official communication channels. In the face of this application by TIB, which meant an explicit violation of the LGBT human rights defenders' right to association and spread their thoughts, we would like to announce that as Pembe Hayat Association, we will take all necessary legal steps.
Kind Regards.
Pembe Hayat LGBTT Solidarity Association
NOTE: Yesterday, upon our continous protests through calling TIB, the Presidency sent us an e-mail stating that pembehayat.org will continue its existence and that its domain will not be cancelled. However, the issue is that this statement does not have any significance in legal terms. Upon our call to our hosting company - Kriweb - and TIB, they both confirmed that pembehayat.org was among the list of domain names which were demanded to be cancelled. This cannot be accepted, and since they gave a positive [!] statement saying that there will be no problem with the website, this may last short as the Turkish Government does so everytime as regards to HR issues.
The procedure is weird since TIB, normally has the right to close down the websites, but they don't do so - they are afraid of the reactions I think. But they make hosting companies to cancel the domain fields of websites. This is illegal and may cause problems with the hosting companies and the website owners.
As TIB did not reject that they sent their demand of cancellation of the domains and as we confirmed this through TIB and Kriweb, we will continue to put pressure over the presidency and relevant ministries through media and international pressure. because we don't have any guarantee that they will not cancel it when the protests end in the close future [hope they don't].
[Australia]
Sydney tackles trans violence
Realising that transphobic violence is a serious and often under-reported issue, NSW Police and City of Sydney have today launched much-needed resources to encourage transpeople to speak up about violent crimes against them.
Building bridges with the transgender community – Transgender Anti-Violence Project
[Australia]
Transgender people most likely abused
The Human Rights Commissioner, Catherine Branson, has called on the federal government to introduce federal laws to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
[USA]
Transgender people discriminated against on a daily basis
“With all the anecdotal evidence I have seen and experienced, I was very much aware that societal discrimination and stigmatization of transgender people was pervasive,” says Edison resident, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, “But to be honest, to see the actual numbers, the incredibly high percentage of attempted suicides, outlandish job bias, physical and sexual assaults was an absolute shock.”
[USA]
Trans Golfer Settles Suit
Lana Lawless, a transgender woman and expert golfer, settled her lawsuits against the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Long Drivers of America association after those organizations ruled that only women "female at birth" were eligible to compete in their events.
Transwoman Golfer Prevails in Suit
[CA, USA] [PR/News]
Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes Bill Strengthening Employment, Housing, and other Nondiscrimination Laws
The Assembly Appropriations Committee today passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 877) by a 12-5 vote. The bill is authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and is sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center. AB 887 will strengthen employment, housing, and other civil rights protections for all Californians, especially those who face discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
[IL, USA]
Commission recognizes IDAHO
At its regularly scheduled monthly meeting April 20, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues recognized the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), which will be observed May 17 around the world.
[KS, USA]
Manhattan City Commission repeals ordinance adding sexual orientation, gender identity to anti-discrimination policy
The Manhattan City Commission has voted to repeal a controversial ordinance that added sexual orientation and a new definition of gender identity to its anti-discrimination policy.
[MA, USA]
MTPC Action Alert: Hearing & Trans Equal Rights Day
The Date is Set and the State House is Waiting For Us! Thursday, June 23, 2011
[MD, USA]
Transgender anti-discrimination bill will return, sponsor says
The sponsor of an anti-discrimination bill for transgendered individuals that failed to see passage this year says her bill will come back.
[NY, USA] [Film]
Candy Darling and Jeremiah Newton: Q&A with the Man Behind Beautiful Darling
Beautiful Darling is a new documentary about the late James Lawrence Slattery, better known to the world as the Andy Warhol superstar Candy Darling.
[OK, USA]
OK trans prof denied tenure despite faculty backing
A transgender professor at a small Oklahoma college has been denied tenure by the school’s administration. But university officials continue to ignore faculty appeals to change their minds.
[TX, USA]
Anti-bullying bill clears Texas House
HB 1942, the anti-bullying bill by Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, cleared the Texas House today on its third and final reading, by a vote of 94-41. According to Equality Texas, which now lists Patrick’s bill as its top priority in this year’s session, no Democrats voted against the measure, which now proceeds to the Senate. From Equality Texas blog:
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