Forum talks strategy for trans community

Nearly two dozen people participated in a town hall-style meeting at The L Train May 19 to discuss ways the transgender community can be more visible and utilize services provided by organizations in the area. A panel from several organizations answered questions and promoted dialogue among participants for nearly two hours.

The panel consisted of St. Pete Pride executive director Chris Rudisill, gender therapist Dr. Kathleen Farrell, Metro Wellness Centers' director of behavioral health Andrew Schmidt, and Triangle Interweave facilitator Robyn Kelly.

Also attending was Elaine McArthur, an outreach and training manager with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

â┚¬Å”I want us to figure out how these organizations can help us,â┚¬Â said Michael Keeffe, the executive director of the Florida Organization Regarding Gender Equality (FORGE). â┚¬Å”And we want to learn how we can be more accessible to them.â┚¬Â

Discussions ranged from inclusiveness, employment discrimination and what it means to be transgender. Several in the audience felt the transgender community was different than the gay community, meaning LGBT groups couldn't fulfill a need. Others believed that gay and lesbian organizations reaching out to transgender individuals were an improvement over options in the past.

A theme among the group, however, seemed to be one of independence or exclusiveness.

One man who did not want to be identified said that celebrating in an event like St. Pete Pride didn't make sense because gender identity disorder is a mental illness.

â┚¬Å”Why would I want to celebrate that?â┚¬Â he asked.

Others, however, disagreed, saying that many transgender and transsexual people started their adult lives in the gay and lesbian community before transitioning.

â┚¬Å”Since so many of us start there,â┚¬Â Keeffe stated, â┚¬Å”I think we're expected to remain in the gay and lesbian community.â┚¬Â

Another member of the audience said that too many people confuse transgender people with female or male impersonators and performersâ┚¬â€which is an art, not a way of living.

A consensus seemed to be that programs are needed for the transgender community and safe placesâ┚¬â€other than barsâ┚¬â€are necessary for transgender people to feel comfortable and welcomed. That could be a starting point for growing a network in Tampa Bay.

â┚¬Å”The transgender community has diffi culty reaching itself,â┚¬Â said Ricki Liff, who at one time worked for Westcare and helped educate Pinellas County organizations on transgender issues. â┚¬Å”There is education needed all around.â┚¬Â

Toward the end of the meeting St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell made an appearance and spoke briefl y to those gathered in the theater after apologizing for being late due to a city council meeting.

â┚¬Å”I support you,â┚¬Â he said. â┚¬Å”My goal is to get gender identity and gender expression into the city's human rights ordinance and to make St. Petersburg an even more welcoming place.â┚¬Â