Amanda Simpson, eh? I thought we hired a Mitchell Simpson once and he wasn't a woman.
Relax sir, the IRS gives her a tax break. As her employer,we're eligible as well.
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."
"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. "
And I thought engineers are sensible people.
Looks like the guy went off the deep end in his midlife crisis at 40.
In my town they have the main office of the YMCA downtown and a branch office in the burbs. The main office has dorm rooms which still houses men needing a place to stay. The one in the burbs is a total yuppie health club.
Ha! That reminded me of a comment I read yesterday in this month's Enquirer magazine. They do a page every month called "Ten Things You Don't Know About Women" and this time they feature Maya Rudolph, from Saturday Night Live.
Number One: There is a name for women who don't fart. They are called liars.
Well, Amanda really is a woman now. I do have a couple of
questions though. What's "she" doing about birth control
and does she enjoy being a girl?
You don't even know what you are talking about, even from a surgical standpoint.
Excuse me, had their penis cut in half length wise, then pushed up inside.If I am still wrong, enlighten me some more on the correct procedure..
You don't even know what you are talking about, even from a surgical standpoint.
Excuse me, had their penis cut in half length wise, then pushed up inside.If I am still wrong, enlighten me some more on the correct procedure..
"...someday your buts may be saved from a nuclear missile aimed at your city partially due to this person's work."
More likely this thing drives good engineers and self-respecting nerds away because they don't want it for a colleague.
Well, that little factoid passes the smell test!
Amanda Simpson, eh? I thought we hired a Mitchell Simpson once and he wasn't a woman.
Relax sir, the IRS gives her a tax break. As her employer,we're eligible as well.
Defending perversion again Paul? Don't you want to cite your bogus "transgender" studies?
There's help for your homosexuality Paul, only if you want to change though.
Yeah, a man is a man is a man is a man, even though his brain may be such a cesspool that he does not know he is a man. What truly stinks is that there may be those who "admire" such confusion and call it a "brave" thing to tell the sordid story.
Wow that is scary. I habor no hatred towards this person, however it is so wrong on so many levels. "Sex change" is just wrong, you are born as you should be male or female accept it and move forward.
If you are not going to take the time to properly read and comment on my posts, I am not going to take the time to properly reply to your posts.
Oh, Paul's an expert on this subject, just ask him. Right Paul? Come on, trot out some of those transgender research 'studies" again, pleeeeese?
LOL!
You should about the study of BSTc region of the brain.
Barring that, you should research the fact that the gender of the brain developes earlier and at a different time in the womb than the physical genitalia of the person.
CNS, I never said I was an expert, you are just angry I poked holes in your statements on a previous thread.
All I have to say to you CNS is, 'Get over it and act like an adult.'
Amanda is still a guy. There is not such thing as sex change, only a mutilated guy.
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