Term |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Sex: |
The category assigned at birth, usually male or female, that is determined by a combination of biological factors including genitals, chromosomes, and hormones. Not every infant falls clearly into one category or the other (see intersex below.) |
Intersex: |
Term used for people whose sex at birth is not entirely clear. Intersex infants are often born with ambiguous genitals and are surgically modified, "assigned" either a male or female sex. Many intersex people today speak out against this practice and are challenging the medical field to stop it. The old term for intersex people (hermaphrodite) is considered somewhat derogatory. |
Gender identity: |
A person's internal sense of being male, female, or something in between or outside the two. Since gender identity is internal, it's not clearly visible to others. For transgender people, their biological sex and their gender identity do not match. |
Gender expression: |
How we each represent and communicate our gender identity, usually through "masculine" or "feminine" behavior, clothing, hair style, voice or body characteristics. |
Cross-dresser: |
Person who occasionally wears clothing typically associated with the other sex. Cross-dressers are most often heterosexuals who are comfortable with their sex and not interested in changing it. Cross-dressing is not necessarily related to sexual orientation or erotic behavior. It is but one form of gender expression. The old term (transvestite) is considered somewhat derogatory. |
Sexual orientation: |
Refers to the sex or gender of the people you are physically and emotionally attracted to. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual are all sexual orientations. |
Transgender: |
A broad term for people whose gender identity and gender expression are different from their biological sex. This term can encompass transsexuals, cross-dressers, drag queens and kings, intersex people, and other gender variant people. |
Transsexuals: |
People whose gender identity differs from their biological sex. Many, though not all, transsexuals alter their bodies through hormones or surgery so their sex matches their gender identity. |
Transition: |
The period during which a transgender person begins living as a new gender. Transitioning can include changing one's name, taking hormones, having chest, genital, or plastic surgery, and changing legal documents (drivers license, social security number, birth certificate) to reflect one's new name and sex. |
Sex reassignment surgery: |
(Also called "gender confirmation surgery"): Surgical procedures that change a person's genitals and/ or other body parts from one sex to those resembling the other sex. Can include "top surgery" (breast augmentations for female transsexuals, or breast reduction or removal for male transsexuals) and "bottom surgery" (the creation of a vagina or a penis and testicles). |
Drag queens: |
Men, usually gay, who dress in women's clothing and make up, often for fun or to perform. |
Drag kings: |
Women, usually lesbians, who dress in men's clothing, often for fun or to perform. |
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Judges: 2004 Queer Youth Leadership Awards
http://www.diversitycenter.org/qytf/2004qyla/judges.html
Community leaders met on April 12th at the Santa Cruz AIDS Project Conference room to select the Awardee's for the 2004 Queer Youth Leadership Awards. The judges selected six Queer Youth Leaders, two Allies to Queer Youth and two Organizational Allies to Queer Youth. QYLA thanks the five youth and five adults who volunteered to select the Awardee's.
Kevin West
2002 QYLA Awardee
Kevin is an 18 year old FTM who sees youth and adults working to create a safe place not only for queer youth, but for everyone!
Carmelita Lima
2002 QYLA Awardee
Carmelita is a graduate of Watsonville High School and currently enrolled at Cabrillo College. She is preparing to move to Washington, D.C. where she will be volunteering in community service with Americorps.
Chris Knarr
2003 QYLA Awardee
Chris currently is a Biology major at Cabrillo College and plans to attend medical school after receiving his Bachelor's degree.
Amanda Edwards
2003 QYLA Ally to Queer Youth Awardee
Amanda is a junior at Watsonville High School and the president of the WHS Gay-Straight Alliance. She is a public advocate on Queer Youth issues and speaks to peers and adults on behalf of GSA and the Queer community.
Nirika Hernandez
2002 QYLA Awardee
Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County, Coordinator
Nirika is a senior at Santa Cruz High School and an active member of SCHS's Rainbow Alliance for teh past four years. She has also been a "National Day of Silence Organizer" for the past four years as well. She is currently finalizing college plans and looking for a job.
Antonio Rivas, City Council Member
City of Watsonville, District 3
Counselor, Alisal High School, Salinas
Supervisor Mark Stone
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, District 5
Former member of the Scotts Valley Unified School District, Board of Trustees
Darlene Wilcox
PVUSD Equity Team
GLSEN Santa Cruz, Treasurer
Second Grade Bilingual Teacher, Salsipuedes Elementary School
Cynthia Druley
Cynthia is a leader and member of Triangle Speakers, member of the Queer Youth Task Force, and former QYLA Ally to Queer Youth nominee. Currently a school administrator, Cynthia divides her time between her job, her partner and being a mom to her terrific son.
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Independent Computer Counsultant and founder of the Metro Riders Union/La Union de los Pasajeros, and advocacy group for bus riders in Santa Cruz County. Paul lives in Santa Cruz with his husband Joe.
Co-chairs of 2004 QYLA Judging Process:
Zachary Davenport - 2001 QYLA Awardee
Gail Levine - Vice Principal, New Brighton Middle School
Steve Trujillo - Educator, Diversity Center Board Member