Sunday, October 02, 2011
MC Prof Speaks Up About Chaz
http://vigilance.teachthefacts.org/2011/10/mc-prof-speaks-up-about-chaz.htmlChaz Bono has really done the world a service, appearing on Dancing With the Stars and forcing a kind of conversation about gender that is long overdue (or maybe just making people the realize that there isn't all that much to say on the topic). Chaz puts a face on the word "transgender," it's good to see a regular person having fun after a gender transition. At birth he was given the name Chastity and raised as a girl by parents Sonny and Cher Bono, and last year successfully changed his name and identity to Chaz, having begun the transition in 2008.
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This week the President of Tufts University released a statement about the Fox psychiatrist, Keith Ablow, making it clear that he is not associated with Tufts in any way. Quoting from it ...
LGBT individuals have historically faced oppression and stigmatization within the broader society. While public attitudes and scientific understanding are both evolving, people whose sexuality and gender identity are seen as non-conforming still face very real challenges to full participation in civic life. These challenges are particularly great for transgender individuals. We are committed to an academic, co-curricular, and residential experience that gives trans people the opportunity to thrive at Tufts.