Who the Hell is Arlene Starr? “Is nothing sacred” whose side can she possibly be on when she implies you don’t have the right to morn the dead? And partners are not in the community? Talk about us not being able to win, because it took me a couple of days to get over it when I was first informed, “you’re in the GLBT community now too” because I was not expecting this and was taken aback. Of course (Olivia) was right and now that we have made our own journey to be comfortable with this fact, then Arlene comes along and tells us “no, you’re not”. But then, I’m sure she has no experience with mixed messages. Her close-mindedness proves you know a lot more about trans than she does. And of course you and I are trans in a way, working hard to transition from vanilla heterosexuality to becoming a new type of lesbian partners. I think Helen is more trans, living her life so out, making this the passion of her life, than a stealth crossdresser who doesn’t come out to anyone, even themselves.

I didn’t know about this going on, but on my own site yesterday I posted about you being one of the people who has inspired me to get out and speak to others about who I am. Just like Jenny Boylan and Donna Rose and others like my friend Colleen.

You are as much a part of the trans community as anyone I know. You are also very right about allies. It’s the one thing that more Fortune 500 companies are trying to get in their GLBT groups. In a panel I was on an ally spoke on the Out For Work board sponsored by the HRC in DC. She spoke of how she’s an ally and because she is she is in our community the greater community of GLBT issues. She has to come out to her non-GLBT friends quite frequently and tell them she’s not gay, lesbian, bi, or trans. I imagine she too faces discrimination from those who think “she doesn’t belong”. :: rolling eyes ::

It’s silly how people who are bitter and sit behind keyboards think their words don’t hurt or care that they can. I’m sorry that you had to go through that and I’m sorry I wasn’t there to be on of your “minions” or “groupies” because I stand strong on my belief in you, Betty, the board of legionnaires, and for what both you and Betty have done for spouses, family, and TG’d people like me.

Again, I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time, but boy.. how could you have any more of an endorsement than from Ethan that what you’re doing is right for all of us. So I don’t mind coming in after that endorsement to turn off some of the last lights on this fracas. (I looked that last word up after I used it.. wow! it fits! )

Arlene has posted my most recent post on her blog, with her response.

**
Nr. 16, helen boyd says:
I’ll step aside of the mud-slinging and personality assassinations, and only point this out: Arlene, on your Yahoo 360 blog, you wrote “First and foremost it is a crime in and of itself that Gender Variant people anywhere on this earth should have nothing noteworthy as a people besides death to set aside a day for,” and I could not agree more. One of the reasons Betty & I are public – and specifically why I am, as a partner – is to show that Gender Variant people have far more than death to commemorate: we have love. Without partners and family members and children and parents or trans people being visible within the trans community, that point is not so obvious to the outside observer, and it needs to be, as gender variant people are, for the same reasons all people are, worthy of love and family and community.

A Happy Thanksgiving to you & your readers & their loved ones,
helen boyd

**
23 11 06 – 14:00 , comment on helen boyd
Nr. 18, Arlene says:
Thank you Helen, in spite of what others may think you and I are not that far apart in our views. We just come at it from different places. Someday soon I hope there will be room for all of us to exchange views constructively including those said or written out of personal pain, anger or that particular days frustration as is often the case with things I write.. What happened here is something we should all be ashamed of regardless of who is right and who is wrong. Treating each other the way we have here is simply wrong and there is no excuse for it ever.\n\nThank you for your comments. I wish you and Betty and your legion of supporters the very best of everything now and through out this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Arlene Starr
**

So let’s all move on.

Ethan St.Pierre
Remembering our dead project
http://www.rememberingourdead.org

Spouses of transpersons are members of the community, end of story. You are one of us; God bless you.

I am sorry someone did that to you.

We are all a community. Even our spouses and loved ones.

Violence effects everyone.

I appreciate your support, even the foul-mouthed bits of it. Most of you were disturbed – as I was – by the idea that only trans people have a stake in the Transgender Day of Remembrance. That’s just foolishness all around. Everyone needs allies.

But please don’t worry about the personal comments directed at me. As another public person privately reminded me: this is part of the gig. As usual it impresses me that I should be insulted by being called a feminist or accused of not being one (what else is new? the whole of the country’s pundits verily spit the word feminist out of their mouths), and it’s always amusing to be accused of making money off the trans community, since Betty & I have only gone into debt doing what we do.

Arlene (or anyone else) has the right to be offended by anything I write, if it offends her genuinely. I have no problem with that. What bothered me about her post is what it means to partners and loved ones of trans people: that we are not welcome. & While I know it’s a distinct and bitter minority who believe that, I chose to comment on it via my blog exactly because I wouldn’t want other partners to think the same thing. The leaders in the trans community – people like Leslie Feinberg & Mara Keisling & Jamison Green – appreciate the support of allies & partners, because they’re in the trenches, where they know that help is help, and needed.

“We” is an expression of solidarity, of course, but an expression that Betty’s transness of course makes violence against trans people my life. I don’t identify as trans – though I do identify as gender variant – & the idea of someone saying I’m not “trans enough” is laughable, because what I see as my role is exactly that I’m not trans. In a world that belittles trans people’s opinions about their own lives and struggles, I thought for a while I could serve as emissary, since the majority of the people I might talk to – at colleges or elsewhere – are going to be non-trans as well. But also, our relationship gives not only trans people & their partners hope and community, but I think is very strong evidence that transness is not a choice, that betty did not “do this” to me, and that we’re trying to find our way through it such as any couple would deal with a crisis.

& As for the accusations of me being Betty’s gatekeeper: as you all well know, that’s always been something I’ve been worried about. I don’t want her to restrict herself for my sake. What astonishes me most about the idea of it – and it being lobbed at our heads – is that it insults Betty, as if she is not responsible for her own life and her own decisions. Which she is. For any of you who have met Betty: she knows who she is, she knows what she wants, & she is not someone who has any interest whatsoever in playing martyr. The idea of her being held down by me – other than for fun, ha – is entertaining. Betty is a very huge personality, all on her own, & does what she wants. The idea that Betty’s transness is something she needs to give into – without thought or compromise – is one we reject, & have always rejected, for its lack of balance.

Some people don’t like me, which is okay by me: I had an old friend once tell me that being admired by people you don’t admire is the worst kind of insult. But you all – my “minions” and “groupies” – are a really great set of people: opinionated, intelligent, and working hard at making transness work in your own lives & in the world. Being admired by people you admire is, no doubt, the finest compliment a person can be paid, and I thank you for it.

Don’t let others’ negativity or pettyness or border-protecting get you down. There’s no use in it, or usefulness, and it doesn’t move anything forward one whit.

Which is, after all, what this is all about: onwards & upwards.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Well this is something I’ve not experienced before, such personal nastiness, Just not a good thing in a community of folks who need all the understanding and compassion they can get. Helen Boyd is like a lone voice, calling out for right’s for wives and SO’s where they were merely tolerated before, on MHB they are celebrated.

I’m not a rubber stamp supporter, I have and will again disagree with Helen on many things, but this is true. I know them, have observed the relationship with a very studied eye, and Helen does _not_ use Betty, they are a team, and in love.

Elizabeth Levitt,
Family Counselor for 18 years.