Posted on 12/16/2004 12:10:14 PM PST by freespirited
Amanda Simpson was recognized last week by the YWCA as one of a dozen local Women on the Move.
That's more than a personal accomplishment for the 43-year-old senior principal systems engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems. It's also a personal victory, since Simpson is a transgendered woman who very publicly allowed the media to recount her transition from Mitchell Simpson four years ago.
"To say that I was absolutely thrilled is a bit of an understatement," Simpson said. She was selected from a pool of 89 finalists for the award, which gives the nod to women who are committed to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women.
When Simpson was introduced at the awards banquet, the audience heard about her accomplishments at Raytheon, her recent bid for the state House of Representatives and her volunteer work in the community. She was also singled out as "an example of courage" for being open about her transition and becoming a nationally known speaker on gender issues in employment - openness worth recognizing when anonymity can be easier.
Linda Breck, director of leadership development for the YWCA, met Simpson at YWCA leadership conferences and planning committees. "She is very professional. She's certainly committed to the mission of the YWCA," Breck said. "She's very reliable and has great ideas. But she's really being recognized for her activism in the community and for taking a leadership role."
Kent Burbank, executive director of Wingspan, the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community resource center, said he gives the YWCA credit for issuing the award. It came on the heels of the "moral values" debate launched following the national elections, when voters in 11 states banned gay marriage at the polls.
Simpson's award, he said, makes a larger statement. "It's a wonderful achievement for her personally, but it's also an important thing for the transgender community that a transgendered woman be recognized as a woman," Burbank said.
But, as Simpson can attest, while she went public to help erase the stigma that can follow gender transitions, it isn't always easy having an adjective following her everywhere - something this very story is perpetuating.
"To some extent, yes, I wish when someone mentioned that I was the first transgendered person to win a (state) primary in the United States, I wish that wasn't true. I wish I didn't have to be the trailblazer. Someday, I won't have to be, because it will be completely accepted, but until then, I can't let harassment and biases continue unchallenged.
"Why should I not do things that I'm interested in?" Simpson continued. "Should I not get involved in politics or not work with nonprofits because of my past? And the answer to that is 'No' - I'm going to pursue things that interest me."
Simpson said she is noticing more tolerance. She won a similar award from Raytheon three years ago, and there was some grumbling then, she said, since it came so soon after her transition. But with the exception of some news accounts during her legislative campaign, Simpson said, the focus of the race was on important issues - health care, education, the economy - and not her transgenderism.
Ultimately, even though she had limited funding as a Democrat running against two popular incumbents in a district with a Republican advantage, she still collected 21 percent of the vote - a respectable showing since she trailed the second-place winner, an incumbent, by only seven percentage points.
"I'm not in people's faces. I'm challenging discrimination by saying, 'This is who I am and this is what I do.' All I ask is to be accepted for my qualities and judged on that basis."
Looks like there's a financial bonus in here for this dude, doesn't it!!
Sir, being born with a cleft lip or a hole in the heart hardly compares to one "choosing" to become a female/male physically. Plastic surgery is a miracle for many families with children that are born with physical deformities. I know because my own daughter has benefited from plastic surgery. I have no doubts that individuals that receive this surgery are obviously mentally ill as are the physicians that perform them. It is unethical and immoral. I'm sure the studies are interesting but I have very little faith in studies conducted by people (studies tend to be very self serving).
You completely missed my point.
To make such a ridiculous statement proves you know nothing of this nation's founders and their strongly held belief, almost to a man, in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They would have been repelled and disgusted by such an act.
I never said they would choose one way or the other, I just said that the Founding Fathers would give it a fair hearing.
Intelligent people tend to hear someone out before they make a desision on a subject, something you cannot even imagine doing.
By the way, the jury system of our courts is based on Norse Viking culture and our republic form of government is partly based on the English system of government, but parts of it are throwbacks to the Ancient Roman and Greek governments.
"Apologetics"?... No one has so far apologizied for anything here. And I use logic and reason to rule my opinions.
The money spent doing these procedures would be better spent going towards mental health counseling.
Actually, if you had researched this you would have know what that other things have been tried for twenty years (50's to 70's); everything from 'peer pressure' to lobotomies. The person either ends up dead, still feeling like they are in the wrong gender or a catatonic vegetables.
And 'peer pressure' only works at best temporarily.
I am not being a jerk,
I never said you were. Do you believe you are?
it is what I firmly believe.
Belief without reason, nor evidence is insanity.
Here's a thread, I know there's more.. off to find another, see you in a few minuets.
Yes, being transgendered and having one's body mutilated and castrated in order to fulfill one's fantasy is totally legitimate and rational. Umm hmm. Yup.
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