Gender outside the box
Gender-challenging film premieres in Gorham
Abigail Cuffey
Issue date: 1/26/09 Section: News
One MTF (male-tpo-female) said that she didn't socialize well in school and "didn't understand the male bonding thing", both of which are common experiences for the transgendered.
In the film, Roan reminds viewers of the different terms revolving around transgender. He defines transgender as "an umbrella term that encompasses any individual who does not conform to society's expectations of what it means to be male or female. Often an individual whose gender identity does not 'match' their birth sex."
And Roan's distinction is an important one since many people confuse transgender with transexual. In reality, a transexual is someone who has taken steps to physically change their body to be more like their gender identity.
Also in attendance at the film was Sarah Parker-Holmes, program-coordinator of USM's Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity. Also a USM alumnus, Parker-Holmes was asked to co-sponsor the event by Associate Professor of Counselor Education, Bette Katsekas.
Parker-Holmes said the main focus of the Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity is to "help identify local therapists in the area, since very few are familiar with transgender issues."
The group participates in the Safe Zone project, which identifies and trains allies on campus, makes contacts, and works with Residential Life with gender neutral housing. They are currently working towards promoting gender neutral bathrooms on campus.
The Center also gives referrals for therapists and medical providers.
In terms of gender identity, Parker-Holmes said that it's really an "internal sense of who you are" and everyone's gender expression can be different.
Parker Holmes emphasizes that society plays a significant role in gender identity, and that people "can have the freedom to explore in a way that is meaningful, whether that means changing their bodies or not."
Conversations about transgender are often taboo, and stereotypes about the role of women often lead to unfulfilled expectations.
"This issue is important for everyone, not just about transgender," Roan said.
In the film, Roan reminds viewers of the different terms revolving around transgender. He defines transgender as "an umbrella term that encompasses any individual who does not conform to society's expectations of what it means to be male or female. Often an individual whose gender identity does not 'match' their birth sex."
And Roan's distinction is an important one since many people confuse transgender with transexual. In reality, a transexual is someone who has taken steps to physically change their body to be more like their gender identity.
Also in attendance at the film was Sarah Parker-Holmes, program-coordinator of USM's Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity. Also a USM alumnus, Parker-Holmes was asked to co-sponsor the event by Associate Professor of Counselor Education, Bette Katsekas.
Parker-Holmes said the main focus of the Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity is to "help identify local therapists in the area, since very few are familiar with transgender issues."
The group participates in the Safe Zone project, which identifies and trains allies on campus, makes contacts, and works with Residential Life with gender neutral housing. They are currently working towards promoting gender neutral bathrooms on campus.
The Center also gives referrals for therapists and medical providers.
In terms of gender identity, Parker-Holmes said that it's really an "internal sense of who you are" and everyone's gender expression can be different.
Parker Holmes emphasizes that society plays a significant role in gender identity, and that people "can have the freedom to explore in a way that is meaningful, whether that means changing their bodies or not."
Conversations about transgender are often taboo, and stereotypes about the role of women often lead to unfulfilled expectations.
"This issue is important for everyone, not just about transgender," Roan said.
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