8 GAY PEOPLE's ChroNICLE NOVEMBER 13, 1998

Savren & Caley L.L.P. Attorneys at Law

Joy B. Savren

Divorce & Dissolution Custody & Support

Probate

Bankruptcy

Beverly A. Caley

Employment Discrimination General Civil Litigation

Civil suits for victims of violence Civil Rights

A general law practice serving all of Northeast Ohio. We represent victims of accidents and provide full-service legal planning for same-sex couples.

216-771-6597

Cleveland

440-329-1936

Elyria

D.L. Dunkle & Associates

A LESBIAN & GAY PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE

Debra L. Dunkle, LISW

Jane Miller, MSSA, LSW

Martha Webb, CCDC, LPC

John O'Connor, LISW Lisa Gilbert, MD

Offering Professional, Confidential Services To Individuals, Couples, And Groups.

12417 Cedar, Suites 21-24 Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106 216-229-2100

Who Am I?

Don Murphy, CEBA, ABR President/Broker

REALTOR

EQUAL

R MLS

Nationwide Relocation Services est. 1974

am an Exclusive Buyer's Broker That Represents You Because

It matters what price, what area or what style of home you want, that you save money and time, that you have someone on your side.

Your best interests matter.

Majestic

Your Buyer's Agent

11036 LaGrange Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 1-888-257-0145 www.buyersbrokermajestic.com

Cleveland's Largest Futon Selection

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Two sets of 'queer' folk find much in common at forums

by Linda Malicki

Cleveland-How do societal standards on gender and gender norms affect your life? What are the similar experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people? Is there a place for all of us in the queer movement?

These questions and more were addressed recently at a three-part community forum on gender and transgender issues, sponsored by the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland.

15. The more we come out the more we are accepted.

16. We are more similar to each other than we are to mainstream society. 17. We don't fit gender norms. 18. We both realize early in life that we are "different," and this gives us a unique perception of the world.

19. We both face discrimination in housing and employment.

20. We both face discrimination from medical community.

21. Both are accused of "choosing our lifestyles."

22. Hate crimes committed against us have an extra degree of rage.

The Center

The series started with "Gender: It's More Than Just Your Genitals," on Sept. 22. A panel comprised of community members of varying gender identities (butch, femme, androgenous) talked about their experience of defining their own gender roles, sometimes going against the grain of accepted societal norms. The second part of the series, "Transpective: A Discussion on Transgender Issues," featured a panel of transgender people including a female-to male-transgendered person, three male-to-female transgendered people and two heterosexual crossdressers. These people honestly and openly shared their life experiences.-

The third part of the series was called "Making the Connection: Putting the T in LGB." Using small group and large group interactions we culminated the series with a very honest, emotional, and hopeful discussion on the common issues of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. We ended with a discussion on where we go from here with the issue of transgender inclusion in the queer movement.

Each part of the series was attended by over 40 people from the trans and glb communities. It was a powerful, informative and healing forum about an issue that has not be resolved in the queer community.

Perhaps the most telling part of the series was the list of common experiences that we compiled. We came up with 37 commonalities. These common issues are important enough to recount here:

1. The Bible is used against us.

2. Both groups suffer from a lack of human rights protections.

3. Both groups are targets of hatred, violence and harassment.

4. The parents and families of both groups are affected by the issues.

5. Both groups deal daily with coming out issues.

6. Both groups are adversely affected by the lack of child custody and adoption rights. 7. We state who we are, but society tells us what we are supposed to be.

8. Both groups are used as scapegoats by the Right.

9. There are places where we can't be ourselves safely.

10. Neither gender identity nor sexual orientation should be the defining issue of our lives.

11. Most media portrayals of both groups have been, and still are, based on stereotypes.

12. We are accepted as entertainment, but not as your next-door neighbor.

13. We fear complete rejection if we dare to be honest about ourselves.

14. We are both labeled sexual deviants.

23. We must both always be on guard.

24. We are both dehumanized by the Right.

25. We both have to constantly validate that our identity is not confined to what happens in our bedrooms. 26. We both bring sexuality to the forefront in a culture that wants to repress sexuality. 27. We are both denied our history. 28. Neither of us is taken seriously or considered real.

29. We both work constantly to overcome stereotypes accepted by the mainstream. 30. Both experience a high degree of isolation and being invisible.

31. Both are hassled by law enforcement personnel.

32. Both suffer from internalized misconceptions.

33. Both are greatly under-represented at government levels.

34. We are both defined as solely sexual beings.

35. Both groups struggle to "pass." 36. Both groups are more sensitive to other groups' issues than the mainstream. 37. We are everywhere! But mostly hidden.

All of the staff of the Center attended at least one of the three forums. All of us, none of whom self-identify as transgendered, found the forums to be powerful, moving and truly transforming experiences. GLB and Trans issues converge at so many points and are so connected by rigid societal gender-role expectations that it was no great leap to make "glbt" work.

It was also clear that transgender encompasses a whole spectrum of identities, as does sexual orientation. And that each person experiences discrimination at various levels and degrees. We are all "queer" to mainstream society and are treated that way.

We have experienced the transformation of public opinion when glb people come out. As trans people become more out and open about their lives, public opinion, including that of the lgb community, will be transformed once again.

In the aftermath of the Matthew Shepard murder, we have all begun to see the need for forming alliances and building community. Our transgender allies are part of our community, and with their support we will build the grand army of lovers needed to win the battle against hatred and bigotry in this country.

Linda Malicki is executive director of the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center.

Call for our free catalogue.

NORKA Lakewood

Akron

Cleve. Hts. 1812 Coventry Rd. 371-8489 17621 Detroit Ave. 226-2660 143 W. Market St. 253-9330 426 E. Main St. 678-1725 Also locations in Columbus, Cincinnati & Pittsburgh

FUTON Kent

1997 Norka, Inc.

Community Groups

"Community Groups" columns are published by the Gay People's Chronicle free of charge, as a public service. They are written by members or officers of non-profit organizations, reflecting the views of their group.

If your organization would like to submit a column for this page, contact the Chronicle's managing editor, Doreen Cudnik at 216631-8646, toll-free 800-426-5947, or e-mail editor@chronohio.com.