July 18, 2003

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

eveningsout

Sacrificing everything

The Phallus Palace

Female to Male Transsexuals by Dean Kotula

Alyson, $19.95, paperback Reviewed by Kaizaad Kotwal

The third gender, as transsexuals are sometimes called, is a world of finding order in a lot of confusion, is a realm filled with a lot of pain-physical and otherwise. But above all, the third gender is a FEMALE state of being marked by a lot of courage. TO MALE TRANS ace by Dean Kotula

The Phallus Pal-

is a brave new book

SEXUALS about the world in-

THE

habited by female-to-

PHALLUS male transsexuals. PALACE Kotula changed his sex from female to male while working

DEAN KOTULA as a machinist at a shipyard in a pre-

dominantly male milieu.

The ordeal that Kotula endured before, during and after the journey from female to male forced him to create this book in an attempt to allay people's fears about transsexualism and as a hope of diminishing people's animosity towards people of the "third gender."

The book is a medley of essays, interviews, photographs and resources. In Parts One, Three, and Five of the book, Kotula has edited severaressays, particularly with reference to trans-phobia, myths and misperceptions. There are also essays that serve as starting guides to individuals con-

sidering the crossover.

Part Two is a stunning array of photographs of transsexuals, post-transition. These photos, taken by Kotula, are each accompanied by a short essay written by the subject.

In Part Four, Kotula has assembled together some forthright and very graphic images of various types of surgeries that are offered as options. This section is not for readers with queasy stomachs. But it serves its purpose in multiple ways. For one, the honesty of the images is compelling and proves that no one would undergo this transformation for fun. It is by all accounts a serious decision and not by any means an easy or painless process.

This is a stark and stunning book. A must read for anyone considering surgery. It is also a must read for anyone who knows someone who is going through or has already gone through the transition.

Even in the gay and lesbian world, there is a lot of fear, misunderstandings and myths about transsexuals. The work of reducing bigotry and fear is not only to be done in the straight world.

Hap Hanchett, one of the transsexual poets published in this brave book, sums it all up succinctly and powerfully. She writes:

As part of the female gender

I was taught and learned

SELF SACRIFICE

As part of the male gender I was taught and learned

SELF IMPORTANCE

As part of the third gender I learned the importance of sacrificing

everything I had been taught.

Ohio City's

Open air

MARKET SQUARE

Every Saturday-10am 4pm

May 24 to Aug. 30 Market Square Park

W. 25th and Lorain. Collectibles, antiques, art and more.

Ohio Arts Council

OpenAirInMarketSquare.com

CLEVELAND'S Only URBAN Outdoor MARKET 216781-3222

Saturday, July 19th

10am to 1pm The Dreadful Yawns

Live Entertainment all day! 1pm to 4pm Jimiller Band

FREE MOVE

Make the move and we'll move it for you! Luxurious Living Along Lakewood's Gold Coast Effcy's, 1 & 2 bedrooms from $475

♦ Large suites All new laundry facilities

• Some with new windows & kitchens

✦ MMany feature hardwood floors

* Garages available

• Heat & water included

Call for more great specials & to schedule your tour 216-521-2200 or 216-288-2485. Night & Weekend appts. available

*Some restrictions apply. (Moving services provided by Leaders Moving & Storage)

www.winwoodprop.com

Lakewood's Newest & Most Progressive

Management Company!

STOP

FORECLOSURES GARNISHMENTS I.R.S. ACTIONS LAWSUITS BILL COLLECTORS

CHAPTER CHAPTER

7 13

Cancel Debt. While

Save Your Home & Car Keeping Most Property By Consolidating Debt

Joan Allyn Kodish Co., LPA

216-566-0580

Evening & Saturday Appointments Available 1015 Euclid Avenue

It's Not a Choice It's the Way We're Built

Subaru All-Wheel Driving System.

In every car we make.

SUBARU,

The Beauty of All-Wheel Drive

Maximum traction, agility and safety. Experience the performance of the Subaru, All-Wheel Driving System in the versatility of the Outback, the ruggedness of the Forester and the get-up-and-go of the Legacy GT Limited. To test drive one of our family of cars, stop by your nearest Subaru dealer, call 1-800 WANT-AWD or visit our Website at www.subaru.com

Subaru supports the community as the proud founding sponsor of the Rainbow Endowment, The Rainbow benefits health, civil rights, and cultural interests. For more information or to apply, call 1-800-99 RAINBOW.

Jeep Motors Inc.

925 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312

330.784.5091