- Legends @ Legends - Meet Lidia Theron, Philip Liebenberg and Guillaume
- TRIO ON A TRIP - Pianist Charl de Plessis at Centurion theatre on 19 September, 20.00 see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
- Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Diary of events - also see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/ for write-ups on movies
BravoBrava's Personality of the Week is the Director of Gender Dynamix, the only registered NGO looking after transgender matters in Africa.We caught Liesl Theron between arriving at Johannesburg Airport from Seattle in the UInited States and departing for her hometown - which is the little village of Cape Town.
Liesl chats engagingly about transgender people and the challenges they face in a very intolerant society.
Gender DynamiX is a Human Rights organisation promoting freedom of expression of gender identity, focusing on transgender, transsexual and gender non-confirming identities. It is currently the only registered organisation within Africa which specifically advocates for transgender individuals.Gender DynamiX aim is to increase awareness and visibility of transgenderism in South Africa and also to support transgender people to access their human rights through its activities.
Transgender:
The sense of self is in conflict with the gender assigned to you at birth and its corresponding stereotypical roles.
Transsexual:
Transsexual people may seek medical treatment to bring their body and gender identity into alignment.
Not all transsexual people undergo reassignment surgery, for various reasons. High medical costs, unemployment, access to information and limited medical care are some of the factors.
Cross Dresser / Transvestite:
A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. Being a transvestite does not mean that you are gay.
Drag Queen:
Being a drag queen is about the occasional portrayal of the opposite gender with an emphasis on performance and fun.
FTM (female to male), often called trans man:
Chosen gender is male; he starts out with a female body.
MTF (male to female), often called trans woman:
Chosen gender is female; she starts out with a male body.
Androgyne:
Person appearing and identifying neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.
Intersex:
Intersex people (sometimes called “hermaphrodites”, to use a term many activists prefer to avoid) are people whose physical sexual differentiation at birth is not typical. This may involve chromosomal patterns which are not typical, and often involves ambiguous genitalia. Some intersex people develop gender identity issues later on in life.
SOFFA:
Significant Other, Family, Friends and Allies.
What Gender Dynamix does: · assist trans people to access their rights, and to provide South African relevant information on services and support;
· ensure that trans people are aware of their rights in their communities, at work and when accessing services;
· educate both people in the trans community and non-trans people, this includes media, employers, activists, researchers, students and the general public;
· ensure that medical- and mental health professionals have access to information and to lobby for quality medical treatment, care and access to health care benefits. Medical treatment is a pivotal factor in transgender issues. The lack of materials to the medical community currently has severe irreversible implications for transgender individuals.
· provide a safe space for the transgender community to share information, stories and experiences and to participate in the organisation’s development, as well as in social and political processes.
· create a much needed history and positive identity for South African transgender people;
· contribute, encourage and stimulate academic and scientific research in Africa on transgenderism; and
· collaborate, partner with other NGO’s to strengthen the LGBTI and human rights sector.
Transgenderism is not unAfrican or Western. The word transgender is fairly new, dating back to the early ’90 – but the existence of transgender was always there.
Transgenderism is not unAfrican or Western. The word transgender is fairly new, dating back to the early ’90 – but the existence of transgender was always there.
“At the age of six I already knew how to differentiate between Male and Female. I knew that I was in a female body but did not identify as one when I was growing up, I heard about a myth which stated that if a crab bit you, your gender will change to the opposite one. I always wanted it to bite me but I was scared of the pain that it was going to give me.
Later at the age of 15 I had a calling to become a Sangoma( traditional herbal healer) and when my family investigated it they discovered that the Ancestor that wanted me to practice the herbal healing was my great grandfather, because of this they then started to believe that my male behaviour comes from that Ancestor. They started to become more accommodating and accepting of my feelings and decisions that I made regarding my gender.
Neighbours were curious to know how my family dealt with how I address myself. My parents always used my Ancestors as the justifying reason for my male behaviour. They always said “He inherited in from his great grandfather”. People started to accept me and became friendly towards me because they respected my Ancestors wish.
I personally think that even if my Ancestors did not choose to call me I was still going to be a transgender person. “
How to deal with Transgender matters:
1. A short guide to the what - not’s
NO - Never ever use the words Tranny, Trassie, She-Male, Hermaphrodite or any other slang words when reporting on Trans people.
Yes Always use Trans man, Trans woman for people who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning. See list below for extended terminologies.
No Never call Trans men and Trans women by the popular reference -Transvestite.
Transvestites do not change their gender. They are people who just dress in clothes of their opposite sex.
NO Never, under any circumstance, refer to Trans people under the blanket term Gay.
Transgender is not about sexual preference, it is about gender. Trans people run the gamut of sexualities - gay bisexual and heterosexual. Calling them gay would be like assuming and asserting that all feminists are lesbians.
2. He or She?:
When writing about transgender people, the correct way to refer to them is by their chosen gender.
When talking or reporting about a person who has transitioned from female to male, the correct pronouns would be the masculine form like for any other kind of male.
E.g. “He realized that his female body did not match his sense of self”
E.g.: Robert Hamblin used to be a woman but has transitioned to a man, thus one now refers to him as him and he.
Of course the same transition applies to people who have transitioned from male to female.
With intersex people and gender queer people it would be best to ask how these people would like to be referred to.
www.genderdynamiX.org.za
NO - Never ever use the words Tranny, Trassie, She-Male, Hermaphrodite or any other slang words when reporting on Trans people.
Yes Always use Trans man, Trans woman for people who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning. See list below for extended terminologies.
No Never call Trans men and Trans women by the popular reference -Transvestite.
Transvestites do not change their gender. They are people who just dress in clothes of their opposite sex.
NO Never, under any circumstance, refer to Trans people under the blanket term Gay.
Transgender is not about sexual preference, it is about gender. Trans people run the gamut of sexualities - gay bisexual and heterosexual. Calling them gay would be like assuming and asserting that all feminists are lesbians.
2. He or She?:
When writing about transgender people, the correct way to refer to them is by their chosen gender.
When talking or reporting about a person who has transitioned from female to male, the correct pronouns would be the masculine form like for any other kind of male.
E.g. “He realized that his female body did not match his sense of self”
E.g.: Robert Hamblin used to be a woman but has transitioned to a man, thus one now refers to him as him and he.
Of course the same transition applies to people who have transitioned from male to female.
With intersex people and gender queer people it would be best to ask how these people would like to be referred to.
www.genderdynamiX.org.za
BOOK AND SHOW EVENING @ LEGENDS Tuesday 23/9 WITH LIDIA THERON & PHILIP LIEBENBERG, AND SHOW BY GUILLAUME
Well-known writer, Lidia Theron, and new kid on the block, Philip Liebenberg, writer of "Daar's 'n gay pastoor in my kop" (There is a gay pastor in my head), will give talks on their respective books and sit for a Q&A session at Pretoria gay nightclub, Legends, on Tuesday, the 23rd of September at 8pm. The versatile singer Guillaume will do a show thereafter, which will be followed by the dance floor opening, as the next day is a public holiday. It promises to be yet another night of wonderful diversity at Legends. Entry is only R50, and R30 for students.About Lidia:
It is not too late if you haven’t yet read the book Jy bly my kind, written by Lidia Theron, to do so now. It is a must. It is about a mother’s acceptance of a gay child. The book is not meant necessarily for gay people or for the parents of such children only. Lots of other people said after reading the book, that it was very informative and gave them a different view of gay people. The publisher’s comment on the back of the book:"What is a mother’s reaction when she finds out her daughter is in love with another girl – or her son with another boy?
How does she comfort her husband when he cries out: “We have lost our child!”?
How does she handle questions like: “What will people say?” or: “What did we as parents do wrong?”
How does she deal with the shame and feelings of guilt that accompanies it?
How does it affect her standing as a believer, towards her church?"
The book has since changed the lives of many gay people and their families and it's an honour to have Lidia, who is a pensioner and resides in Betty's Bay, SW Cape, here in Gauteng as guest.
About Philip:
Philip Liebenberg is the pastor of Die Kapel, Melville, Johannesburg, South-Africa. He also authors the series 'Espresso vir jou siel', which is a series of books containing essays and devotional writings as well as sermons preached by Philip. Philip is a gay pastor although his congregation is not a gay-only church.He is a published author: Penguin South Africa published a book on his life journey as a very spiritual child and later as a married pastor, struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and spirituality. The title of the book is "Daar is 'n gay pastoor in my kop!"What makes Philip’s book so unique is that he comes from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background and this is the first time in South Africa that a book by someone (a gay pastor) coming from one of these churches is being published. Following in the footsteps of the groundbreaking '‘n Kas is vir klere', this book will give voice to the experiences of numerous gay and lesbian Christians from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background, who not only have to deal with the usual rejection from their churches when they realise they are gay, but with the terrible stigma of being labelled as “demon possessed”.About Guillaume:
Guillaume needs no introduction - since his very popular album "Da-Idi" in 2001, he has since launched several more. He was one of the top 5 most favourite artists at KKNK 2003, where he launched his album "Swart of wit", which has since gone gold. He is back in 2008, with his new look and his new album, called "Nader aan jou", produced by Coleske Artists, who was also responsible for Eden's latest success, "Knieë lam".
The authors will be available for book signing and a chat afterwards, and books will be on hand for sale to the public (cash only).
Gayspeak.co.za
Edited by: Coenie Kukkuk
Contact: wbvd@law.co.za
Events at the Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Killarney Mall. The Festival runs until Sunday 14 September. Tickets are R25.
Monday 8:
Lisa Gornick, Director of Tick Tock Lullaby will do a Q&A after the 7pm screening
Tuesday 9:
Director Bennett Singer and Walter Naegel will present and do Q&A for the film Brother Outsider (Edwin Cameron's choice), screens at 7pm
Director Jamie Babbit and Producer Lias Thrasher will present and do Q&A for their film Itty Bitty Titty Committee, screens at 7.15pm
Jewish OuLlook are presenting the film The Bubble. There will be a panle discussion with david Bilchitz and lael bethlehem after the 7.30pm screening
Wednesday 10:
The Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) will present the film Underneath and engage with the Director / Writer / Actress Katrina Deaton. Screening begins at 7.30pm
Saturday 13:
Janine Preesman (Glorious Light MCC) and Douglas Torr (Anglican priest) will conduct a Q&A session after the 7.30pm screening of the Oscar nominated documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.
Photographed in the BravoBrava studios (from l to r) our Personality of the Week, Hugh Fraser, director of Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Nodi Murphy, show host Mixael de Kock and physics guru Shane Wilson.
