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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2001)
¡une 15.2ÛÛ1 ’ JiMt «Mt35 to realize maybe I’m not a woman at all. You see, I’m a gender-complicated person.” The 22-year-old college graduate just came out of the closet for the second time. He iden tifies as a trans guy attracted to guys but sees himself as someone more attracted to individ uals than genders. “Coming out wasn’t easy,” Nelson explains. “But people were much more comfortable to see me as a lesbian than a gay man.” Nelson must have skin 2 inches thick, because he has to deal with prejudice all the time. On the bus, he endures verbal attacks on an almost daily basis. “They ask me what my gender is and get angry,” Nelson says. “They stare at my throat and see if 1 have an Adam’s apple. They don’t even realize they’re being prejudiced and transphobic. “You need to know my name and the correct pronoun to use,” Nelson says, leaning forward as his voice becomes serious. “But don’t ask me what sex I am. I think I know which bathroom to use.” Still, Nelson has a remarkably sober view of his persecutors. “I understand that prejudiced people are people with potential for change, and I’m also a person with potential for change.” Nelson, a member of COQSURE and Gen der Machine Works, has been a Buddhist for seven years, actively involves himself in anti oppression work and provides ground support for tree sitters at Eagle Creek. He recently moved in with his boyfriend and is getting married in a few months. Last year Nelson went to Gay Pride, openly identifying himself as trans. This year he plans to organize a whole group of trans, intersex and cross-dressing people and march with them in the parade. “Most people don’t wear shirts that say, ‘I am trans,’ ” Nelson says. “It can get lonely walking around the city. It’s a great feeling to be among trans people and visible to the wider community." —PZ Who can you turn to in times like these? There is no question the markets are more volatile these days. S K.D. PARMAN sinking its claws into personal decisions. “We should extend freedom to do what we choose,” she explains. “It enrages me that some guys can put into law that my lifestyle is illegal." As a result of this conviction, Parman has worked on political campaigns for the past five years. She oversaw volunteers and staff as statewide field director for No on 9 in 2000. “I couldn’t just volunteer. I had to work,” she remarks. Like a lot of people, Parman still has some kinks to work out with her family. Although she is out to them, she describes their relationship as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” As a 27-year-old graduate student at Port land State University pursuing a master’s degree in education, Parman plans to become a high school science teacher. She lives with her part ner of four years, Jeana Frazzini, and says they became close “while traveling around the coun try for four months in a ’70s Volkswagen bus." Parman also plays soccer on the women’s team Artemis, which is training to go to the Gay Games in Australia next year. —PZ he first time K.D. Parman went to Pride, she saw something that scared her. Macho women climbed up the pedestrian cross ing signs, ripped off their shirts and hurled them into the crowd. This year, Parman will join those grrls, the Lesbian Avengers, for the Dyke March. Then atricia Raicht and Ann Marie Chinn she plans to kick back. have known one and other for more than “I just want to hang out, sit and watch every 20 years and have been a family for the one—from drag queens to Dykes on Bikes,” she past eight years. Today the center of that family says. “Everyone comes out full force. For one weekend no one has to be discreet. 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