Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2004)
feDfudry 20. 2004 • J n t M i t 1 5 nTîTîTTTWn^lnews in the creation and identification of a trans com ment changes from one state to another. munity, legal and legislative actions are constant While Buckwalter believes discussions around ly under way that affect the quality of life for trans gender theory and broad legal strategies are essen people. Leaders struggle to develop strategies that tial pieces in the development of community con can mobilize opinion and common purpose in sciousness, her activism is f<x:used on the effects of the community in response to these actions. this kind of legislation. “There are more pragmat “Since the trans movement, on a political ic things than grand natural politics. Things like footing, is still developing, we can’t speak with legal identification, medical referrals and dealing out reserve for the same constituency. There is with insurance issues. These are little things that no general sense of public leadership direction,” are self-empowering opportunities for people.” Buckwalter says. Together with gender therapist Reid Vander W ith a lack of political solidarity or identity, burgh, Buckwalter began the Identity Project in there is no organized voice to act or respond on Portland to address such pragmatic concerns. behalf of trans people. According to Buckwalter, Operating out of Outside In, the program pro the Senate lacks civil rights advocates who are vides resource, referral and financial assistance willing to support nondiscrimination measures. to people seeking to change their identification O f significant concern is the status of gender and accomplish other legal goals in relation to identity inclusion in anti-bias legislation. Confer their transitions. ence participants agreed that the extension of “The identification process is one of the hate crimes laws to protect genderqueer people is incremental hut invaluable processes when legal an essential step toward creating a safe communi ity touches human beings,” Buckwalter says. “In ty, not only for trans people, hut for all people. these crucial passage points of strength and Buckwalter believes trans issues, like all diversity weakness, there are some things that people can issues, share a similar process of exclusion. do for themselves. Identification— or medically “There is no excuse for there not to he full and legally controlled identity— gives people inclusion of gender identi access to possibilities.” ty in hate crimes legisla This type of direct "Since the trans movement, tion,’’ she says. “There is a action was an important demonstrable need for it. contribution to the con on a political footing, is still There must he a clear mes ference, Buckwalter adds. developing, we can't speak “I think everyone recog sage that all people have a right to live in safety. No without reserve for the same nized that local activism is other civilized culture a part of the conversation. constituency. There is no abandons this notion in a There must he a way to group of people because of weave pragmatic pro general sense o f public what they represent.” gramming into the under Legislation kximing on pinnings of legal and pub leadership direction. the horizon threatens to lic policy.” — Lori Buckwalter chip away at the personal While no specific plans rights and safety of trans were made to hold anoth people. The hotly contested Federal Marriage er conference of this kind, Buckwalter is confi Amendment seeks to define the institution as a dent that a similar gathering of leaders and activists will he held sexm. Ideally, she would love union between one man and one woman, defin- - ing “man” and "woman” in concrete legal terms. to see a larger regional conference that includes a greater and more diverse number of voices. Increased travel security policies enacted by the newly formed Department of Homeland Securi “Conferences are important in growing our ty mean close scrutiny of individuals whose gen sense of awareness,” Buckwalter says. “People der presentation and identification are consid need to come away with successes and new ways ered out of the norm. Trans people have already to succeed.” Though she acknowledges the complex chal suffered great humiliation and civil rights viola tions in the wake of such measures. lenges facing the young trans and genderqueer Statutes such as these at the federal level are movement, Buckwalter is optimistic about what particularly significant because they have the lies ahead. “Some see gender as a cliff that exists power to supersede local law, Buckwalter says. in front of us. Rather than plowing into it, some “There is a lot of administrative hassle right now times you start at the bottom and work your way up. Then, you tum around and offer someone that threatens the fabric of local and state laws that people have used to survive and to facilitate else a rope. If we can all just keep our foot in the their transitions. This is a really scary time.” The door of possibility, maybe eventually it will be institution of a federal law defining “man" and opened.” j H “woman” will affect passports, tax documents, Social Security and the transferability of docu E r ic P le m o n s is a Portland free-lance writer. In ju r e d ? ...Call me Free Consultation N o Fee U n le ss You Recover Hala Gores, P.C. Proudly serving our community since 1989 in personal injury claims including: • Auto & Motorcyle Accidents • Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents • Medical Malpractice • Wrongful Death • Defective Products • Insurance Claims You Deserve Full Compensation for: Attorney at Law 5 0 3 /2 9 5 -1 9 4 0 • Pain & Suffering • Medical Expenses • Lost Earnings • Property Damage • Car Rental 12th Floor, 621 S W M orrison Integrity, E xperien ce R esults Portland & P O R T L A N D A R EA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Jew el A . Robinson B’Zillion $$$ Producer (5 0 3 ) 2 8 1 -4 0 4 0 (5 0 3 ) 3 0 1 -4 2 8 3 J e w e l2 U @ te le p o r t.c o m O F F IC E v o ic e e - m a il M A IL Visit me now at: http://www.jewelrobinson.com flR © B i 1730 N.E. 10th Avenue Portland, OR 97212 Prudential Northwest Properties Hubbard Chevrolet Integrity, Quality, Service Since 1936 Up lo <5,000 Cash Back Rebates or 0% OAC . . . . . . . .. M ost D iverse D ealership limiteli time in Hubbard! One of Only 5 Fem ale Auto Dealers in th e S tate o f Oregon • One o f Only 200 Fem ale GM Auto D ealers in the N ation Hours: M -F 9 :0 0 -7 :0 0 p m Sat 9:00-6:00pm Closed Sundays SP^ipic t H air C u t & C oF or W a x in g A n d A lo r c ! Where the Heck is Habbanf? Purifying Treatments • Intense Reconditioning Eyelash Tinting * Manicurist Available toon! Wilsonvtlle Hubbard Everyone d e se rv e s to be S P A N K E D novy a n d fh e n ! I433 NE Alberta • S03-280-S280 N e w C u s t o m e r s r e c e iv e 2 0 % OFF first Visit (s e r v ic e * o n ly ) Canby 503-233-7551 135 n l 9th Avenue • 97216 www.dbcelectriccorp.net CHEVY WE’LL BE THERE Chevrolet Integrity, Quality anil Service Seruing Greater Portland Area Since 1955 1 - 888 - 470-2188 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB It 288 w w v v . Im b ib a rd C h e v ro le t, c o m Woodbum Only 30 mm from Portland Just Oil I-5 between Canby i Woodbum
