The Malawi Couple: Gay or Transgender? Or Something Else?

[Shana A]

The Malawi Couple: Gay or Transgender? Or Something Else?

Jim Burroway
May 22nd, 2010

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2010/05/22/22871

Transgender advocate Autumn Sandeen has published a post on Pam's House Blend calling attention to something that we noticed on January 5th — that Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who was convicted and sentenced with Steven Monjeza to 14 years at hard labor under Malawi's harsh anti-homosexuality law, actually identifies as a woman. Since learning of this, we've been extremely careful at BTB not to use the term "gay" to describe Tiwonge, and we've tried to avoid the use of male pronouns. (Actually, we've tried to avoid the use of pronouns altogether when talking about Tiwonge, as I'll explain in a moment.) Unfortunately, other blogs and media outlets haven't been so careful. Autumn notes: