“9 Teens Charged for ‘Unrelenting’ Bullying”
CBS News, March 29, 2010
Nine teenagers have been charged in the case of Phoebe Prince, a 15-year-old student who killed herself last January after enduring months of bullying in a Western Massachusetts school.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/29/national/main6343798.shtml?tag=mncol;1st;2
Do you think criminally prosecuting the accused bullies is an appropriate response? Do you think the publicity surrounding this case will contribute to safer school environments? What is the best solution for school bullying?
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“Transgender Issue Draws Controversy”
Bangor Daily News, February 27, 2010
The Maine Human Rights Commission plans to recommend policy changes regarding transgender students in Maine public schools, allowing them to dress, play sports, and use bathrooms based on the gender of their choice.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/137785.html
What do you think about these recommendations? What concerns might you have if you had/were a student in Maine public schools?
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“Coming Out in Middle School”
The New York Times Magazine.
September 27, 2009
An increasing number of students—as early as middle school—are coming out as gay or lesbian. As teachers and parents struggle to respond appropriately, youth are experiencing the limits of labels available for discussing orientation, and the tension that ensues when “gay” is interpreted as being about sex.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27out-t.html?_r=1&sc...
What do you see in your communities around this topic?
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“Transgender Men Seek to End Guyana Dress Code Laws”
Reuters, February 23, 2010
A group of transgender men in Guyana filed a petition to their Supreme Court to overturn dress code laws that leave them open to arrest.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-46380620100223
What do you think about assumptions underlying existing Guyanese legislation?
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"Pakistan's ‘Third Gender’ Seeks Greater Rights"
North County Times, February 7, 2010
The Supreme Court of Pakistan is considering expanding rights for Pakistan's long-marginalized khusra community by adding a third gender to national identity cards.
http://www.nctimes.com/news/world/article_89c2cd8e-24c6-5614-8f32-8...
Do you think this change will foster greater social acceptance for khusra? Should the U.S. use Pakistan as a model for similar
changes?
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“Italy to Open First Prison for Transgender Inmates”
BBC News, January 12, 2010
Italy has designated the Pozzale prison near Florence to house transgender inmates.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8455191.stm
Transgender prisoners often face enormous challenges within incarceration settings, including higher rates of assault and difficulty accessing medical services. Do you think a separate prison is the most appropriate response?
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“Death Penalty for Gays? Uganda Debates Proposal”
The Associated Press - ABC News, December 8, 2009.
Legislators in Uganda are considering a proposed policy that would mandate the death penalty for Ugandans who engage in “homosexual acts.” Proponents of the policy are concerned that traditional cultural values are being compromised by Western influences. The debate underscores the extreme consequences of deep-seated fears and misinformation on gender and orientation.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wirestory?id=9281237&page=1
What impact do you think this legislation will have on conversations around gender and orientation taking place globally?
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“Public Triumph, Private Torment”
Los Angeles Times, March 27, 2010
In April 2007, former LA Times sportswriter Mike Penner announced to the world his decision to live in the world as a woman. Mike became known as Christine Daniels, and was an instant celebrity, advocating around the country for transgender rights. After a tumultuous year of personal struggles, Christine returned as Mike, but this time remained silent about the process that led to that transition. In November 2009, Penner killed himself, leaving friends and colleagues with many unanswered questions.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sportswriter27-2010mar27,0,6006529,full.story
What role does gender play in how you relate to others? What concerns would you have if you went through a gender transition?
“Can Animals Be Gay?”
The New York Times, March 29, 2010
Researchers have found evidence of same-sex behaviors across a wide variety of species, provoking debate about the most accurate interpretation of these findings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/magazine/04animals-t.html
What consequences arise when behavior is conflated with orientation? Do you think arguments about what is “natural” among humans are valid?
“Why Has a Divided America Taken Gay Rights Seriously?
Slate, March 8, 2010
A review of Martha Nussbaum’s From Disgust to Humanity discusses Nussbaum’s thesis that imagination is both the cause of and solution to tensions that arise around issues of gender and orientation.
http://www.slate.com/id/2246892/pagenum/all/#p2
Do you think generous, empathetic engagement is the basis for sound politics?
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"Transform Me"
VH1 plans to premiere a new series in which three transgender women travel the country giving makeovers.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vh1s-new-series-transform-m...
How might this show both perpetuate and break down the gender binary?
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"My Boyfriend Turned Out to Be a Girl"
Seventeen Magazine, November 2009
Seventeen Magazine profiles a high school girl who falls in love with a young transgender man.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/upload/Autumn/Seventeen_MyBoyfriendTu...
What do you notice about the language around gender used in this article? What does this story suggest about the source of attraction?
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"Amanda Simpson: A Transgender Rocket Scientist Goes to Washington"
The Huffington Post, January 4, 2010
President Obama appointed Amanda Simpson as a senior technical advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security. Simpson, who has undergone a gender transition, has over 20 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry.
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanne-herman/amanda-simpson-a-transgen_b_410400.html
If you had undergone a gender transition, would you disclose that information, or keep it private? What factors would influence your decision?
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David Letterman "Trans-Panic" Skit
In response to the appointment of Amanda Simpson to the U.S. Commerce Department, David Letterman aired a skit depicting "trans-panic" on the part of a fictional paramour of Simpson. The skit drew criticism from activist groups.
http://showhype.com/video/david-letterman-skit-insults-transgender-...
Do you find the skit offensive, good comedy, or complimentary?
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“Can Plastic Surgery Be Good for Teens?”
TODAYshow.com, March 30, 2010
The number of teens getting plastic surgery has doubled since 2002, which is linked with the longing teens have to fit in with their friends. This trend is raising concerns among many parents and healthcare professionals.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/36101073/ns/today-parenting_and_family#36096396
Under what circumstances is it appropriate for teens to pursue plastic surgery? Is this an effective antidote to name-calling? How do ideals for beauty and attractiveness impact your self-expression?
"Transgender Surgery Is Deductible; Medical Coverage Coming"
The Huffington Post, February 3, 2010
The U.S. Tax Court ruled that costs incurred for medical treatments associated with gender transitioning are tax deductible, contrary to the Internal Revenue Service’s position that such treatments are cosmetic in nature.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanne-herman/transgender-surgery-is-...
"Should Sex-Change Surgery Be Tax-Deductible?"
Slate Magazine, February 16, 2010
This op-ed piece comments on the U.S. Tax Court’s decision.
http://www.slate.com/id/2244817/#a
How do you think the concept of medical necessity will evolve when it comes to gender transitioning? How will this impact insurance coverage?
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“New Guidelines for Teens with Gender Identity Disorder”
Children’s Hospital Boston’s Health and Science Blog, September 24, 2009
The Endocrine Society unveiled new guidelines for treating transgender youth. The recommendations suggest suppressing puberty until around age 16 before beginning any physical transition.
http://childrenshospitalblog.org/new-guidelines-for-teens-with-gend...
Do you think these guidelines are appropriate? What questions or concerns do you have about kids receiving medical services related to gender transitioning?
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“For Transgender People, Name Is a Message”
The New York Times, January 24, 2010
The Manhattan Civil Court has seen a recent increase in the number of people pursuing name changes related to gender transitioning.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/nyregion/25namechange.html
If your identification documents did not reflect your gender expression, what concerns would you have? Why do you think name changes are so important for people who go through a gender transition?
“Judge: Transgender Inmates Have Right to Therapy”
The Washington Post, April 1, 2010
A federal judge issued a ruling that allows prison inmates to receive hormone therapy as part of a gender transition, overturning a 2006 Wisconsin law denying taxpayer funding for such treatments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040102892.html
What is your opinion about this ruling? Do you think surgeries related to gender transitioning should be covered by taxpayer funds for prison inmates? Why, or why not?
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“U.S. Job Site Bans Bias Over Gender Identity”
New York Times, January 5, 2010
The federal government—the nation’s largest employer—has updated the nondiscrimination policy on its job website, banning discrimination based on gender identity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/us/06gender.html
“Transgender State Workers Expected to Gain Bias Protection”
New York Times, December 15, 2009
New York State is poised to make a similar change to protect workers from
discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/nyregion/16transgender.html?_r=1
How important do you think formal policies are in protecting workers from discrimination?
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“Johnny Weir Responds to Commentators Who Questioned His Gender, Example He Sets”
Entertainment Weekly, February 25, 2010
Two sports commentators criticized Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir for his flamboyant style. Listen to Weir’s response in these clips.
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02/25/johnny-weir-olympics-gender-example/
How do you think Weir handled the controversy? Do you think he is a good role model? How do ideals for masculinity impact sports?
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"Semenya Told to Take Gender Test"
BBC News, August 19, 2009
Following a victory in an 800m race, the International Association of Athletics Federations ordered tests to be performed on South African athlete Caster Semenya to assess her eligibility to compete as a woman. This public move sparked a controversy in the athletics community about fairness and confidentiality.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/8210471.stm
"South African Runner's Sex-Verification Results Won't Be Made Public"
The New York Times, November 19, 2009
Caster Semenya will keep the medal and prize money from the 800m race that touched off the controversy, though her eligibility to compete as a woman in future competitions has not been disclosed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/sports/20runner.html
What was your initial response to the controversy surrounding Semenya? Have your viewpoints changed since the story first appeared?
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“Where’s the Rulebook for Sex Verification?”
The New York Times, August 21, 2009
Alice Dreger, professor in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, points out some of the factors that make “sex verification” difficult. This is Part 1 of Dreger’s three-part analysis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/sports/22runner.html
“Science Is Forcing Sports to Re-examine Their Core Principles”
The New York Times, September 12, 2009
Part 2 of Alice Dreger’s analysis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/13dreger.html
“The Sex of Athletes: One Issue, Many Variables”
The New York Times, October 24, 2009
Part 3 of Alice Dreger’s analysis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/sports/25intersex.html
Considering all the biological complexities, how do you think athletes’ eligibility for competition should be assessed?
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