sù ea k
out
Serving all women
To
the
E ditor :
January 21.2000 * lU StO M ts
close our doors and be safe? Can we afford to put
ourselves above another group of people? I will
not submit to the mentality that says, “Well, at
least I’m not one of them.”
The women who want LCP to close its doors
so they can have a “women-only space” should
open the doors of their houses and invite these
womyn-loving womyn over for a pot luck— and
I hope they remember to check each other’s
panties so no one undesirable gets in.
Over the past couple of years in Just Out, 1
have read many articles and letters that address
the issue of including trans people in lesbian,
gay and bisexual organizations, and at women-
only events.
What I hear in many of these letters is a tone
of misunderstanding and fear. Those of us who
identify as lesbians constantly face having our
lives questioned, criticized and physically
M organ L e F ey
attacked. We know what it’s like to be forced to
Portland
struggle in order to create safety for ourselves
and for the people we love, but somehow the
threat of trans folks asking to be recognized as a
part of the movement for sexual minority rights
To the E ditor :
has resulted in an unsafe environment for these
I read with interest the article about the
sexual minorities who have always worked
meeting with Lesbian Community Project and
alongside us in this movement.
people from the community [“Aboveboard
A s the sexual minorities’ services coordina Meeting,” Dec. 17]. I was at the meeting and
tor at Bradley-Angle House, I would like to let
thought the article, while it was very nice to
folks know that it is our goal as a feminist orga folks, missed some on the emotional issues being
nization to continue the struggle against oppres discussed.
sion.
In the October 1998 annual meeting, mem
In the past few years we have found that we
bers were informed that part of the changes tak
need to examine the ways in which we partici ing place was to remove the term “woman” from
pate in the oppression of transsexual, transgen-
the definition of lesbian...this to many, myself
dered and intersex people.
included, was not OK. The reason many came
One of the results of our discussions is the
to the annual meeting was to not only review
creation of a policy that directly addresses who
the changes, but see what we as members could
our agency serves. Our policy states that if “a
continue to do to support LCP. However, I,
person identifies as a woman, Bradley-Angle
speaking only for myself, will not support an
House will accept her into services as appropri organization that decides to redefine who I am.
ate. Actual biology or participation in a med We have long supported differences in LCP, but
ically-based transition is not the deciding fac 1 refuse to be considered not woman-identified
tor.”
or as a “nontrans” by anyone. If LCP chooses to
In a period when some feminist organiza be an any-sexual-orientation-identified mem
tions are attacking trans folks I understand that
bership, then that is up to the organization,
trans women are likely to feel wary of accessing
however, I think it is time for the name to reflect
the services of our organization. I know we have
who they are, as I am sure many people in our
and will continue to make mistakes in our
community are not aware of some of the issues.
attempts to serve trans women, but it is impor
Women in the Woods has long been sup
tant to let members of the trans women’s com portive of LCP both emotionally and financial
munity know that our services are available to
ly. I think it’s very narrow if the LCP board
all women, and that we are working to create an
refuses to support an organization that chooses
environment that is safe for trans, lesbian and
to provide a safe and supportive environment
bisexual women.
for women. It seems that those of us bom
While I believe it is important that this dia women are continually expected to take into
logue among our different sexual minority com consideration the fact that trans people may not
feel they belong.
munities continues, I am uncomfortable with
the manner in which we are communicating. It
In most instances, I could not agree more,
is my hope that the climate of this dialogue can
but I also believe that many women need space
change from one of fear and misunderstanding
safe for them with women who do not represent
to one of empathy and respect.
in whatever fashion, male origins or have a
penis.
When we understand the myriad ways that
we are both affected by and participating in
There definitely needs to be acceptance of
oppression, we can begin to recognize the
who people are or choose to be— that also
strength and power we gain by working in
extends to Women in the Woods and their right
alliance for social change.
to serve a specific need. LCP was instrumental
in fighting the O C A , reaching out to the gay
men’s community, combating the onslaught of
J ody A nderson
A ID S and the ignorance of who would get it. I
Sexual Minorities’ Services Coordinator
have long believed that there should be sister-
Bradley-Angle House
brother organizations: Gay Community Project,
Portland
Trans C.P., Bi C.P. If this is not to continue
being lesbian-focused allowing differences and
allowing sameness, then the name and the
membership needs to change to reflect this.
To the E ditor :
I wish the bi/gay/trans/nontrans Community
Congratulations to the Lesbian Community
Project all the luck in the future.
Project for having a brain and a heart.
Every lesbian knows what oppression is, and
D onna L uckett
1 am proud that I have access to a community
Portland
project that does not push oppression on other
people, e.g., transsexuals.
The people at LCP should be proud of them
selves for having the courage to open their arms
In the photo caption accompanying the Jan.
to all people. The signs that read “whites only”
7
article
“From Secretive to Supportive,” Jen
are still erect in many peoples minds, and saying
"woman bom " is a sign created in fear and igno nifer Jako was incorrectly identified as Allison
Cox. Just Out regrets the error.
rance just like the signs that segregate by color.
A s lesbians, are we really so sure that we can I
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