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MAY 30, 2008
national
CALIFORNIA
MICHIGAN
Group Creates First Guide
for Kids of Trans Parents
which way
play?
wondering
to
ask/teH a6„w
Report Finds Raise in Hate Crimes
Violent crimes against gays and those per­
Colage, a San Francisco-based group for youth
ceived to be gay in Michigan reportedly jumped
and adults with a queer parent, released a first-of-
133 percent since 2006.
its-kind Kids of Trans Resource Guide on May 18.
According to a report released May 20 by the
While many transgender people have chil­ Triangle Foundation, 226 incidents involving
dren, few resources exist for transgender parents
violence or violent threats against queers were
and their families.
reported in 2007. The report was released in con­
“When my father explained that she was
junction with the National Coalition of Anti­
becoming a woman, she handed me a pamphlet
Violence Programs. By comparison, the foundation
about transgender issues,” said Monica Canfield-
said, there were 97 reported incidents in 2006.
Lenfest of Colage. “1 really wanted a pamphlet for
Among the 226 reports last year were two
me. Ten years later, that resource finally exists.”
homicides, 21 cases of vandalism, 46 assaults and
The Kids of Trans Resource Guide offers a range
101 incidents of intimidation or harassment, the
of perspectives with valuable
report said. In addition to
quotes from people of all ages
the violent incidents, the
with transgender parents.
foundation reported 72 cases
This invaluable guide seeks
of discrimination based on
to provide an understanding
sexual orientation.
of transgender issues spe­
Triangle members told
cifically for the children of
Detroit’s Free Press there are
transgender people with ba­
several possible explanations
sic vocabulary and concepts,
for the increase, including
frequently asked questions
poor economy and aggres­
and what to expect during a
sive outreach efforts by the
parent’s gender transition.
foundation.
Copies are available by
Melissa Pope, director of
donation at www.colage.org.
victim services at Triangle,
said she believes there is a
FLORIDA
less tolerant atmosphere in
Gay Straight
the state, citing court de­
Alliance Lawsuit
cisions such as a February
Reinstituted
2007 ruling by the Michigan
Monica Canfield-Lenfest of Colage
A federal judge in Florida
Court of Appeals that said
helped create a resource guide for
the children of transgender parents.
reinstated May 20 an Ameri­
public employers can’t offer
can Civil Liberties lawsuit
health care benefits to the
on behalf of students at Okeechobee High School
partners of gay and lesbian employees. Earlier this
who are trying to form a Gay Straight Alliance.
month, that ruling was upheld by the Michigan
The case, which started in November 2006,
Supreme Court.
was dismissed earlier after the only remaining
member of the group transferred out of the school.
SOUTH CAROLINA
At that time, the court dismissed the case even
Principal Resigns Over GSA
though a new student came forward wanting to
Principal Eddie Walker announced his resig­
participate in the GSA. The ACLU argued that
nation May 21 because of the formation of a Gay
the former students should be able to proceed be­ Straight Alliance at Irmo High School in Colum­
cause they were entitled to nominal damages; the
bia, S.C.
court disagreed.
“I feel the formation of a Gay Straight Alli­
The court reconsidered its decision and re­ ance club at Irmo High school implies that stu­
instated the lawsuit, which is scheduled for trial
dents joining the club will have chosen to or will
in September. The Okeechobee School Board
choose to engage in sexual activity with members
argued that GSAs are sex-based clubs that lead to
of the same sex, opposite sex or members of both
premarital sex and cause harm to students.
sexes,” Walker told The Associated Press. He
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