FEBRUARY 26 . 2005 • Q-NOTES
Global & National
study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force Policy Institute reveals that 82 percent
of LGBT Asian Americans experienced dis
crimination based on their sexuality in the
past year — with the same percentage fac
ing racial or ethnic discrimination.
The findings, based on survey data from
phase one of the largest study of LGBT
Asian Americans ever undertaken, also
show that 96 percent of respondents
believe homophobia and/or transphobia is
a problem within the Asian American com
munity, and over 80 percent think LGBT
Asian Americans experience racism within
the larger queer community.
“Asian Pacific American LGBT people are
often at the margins, experiencing discrimi
nation in both the LGBT communities and
the Asian Pacific American communities,
said Alain Dang, an NGLTF Policy Analyst
and the study’s lead researcher. “The Queer
movement must combat racism and the
Asian Pacific American community must
combat homophobia to create truly inclu
sive movements for social change.”
Gay military discharges down
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the fourth
year the number of service members dis
charged under the military’s “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” policy declined. According to
Department of Defense figures. 700 person
nel were dischaiged for violating the gay ban
in 2004, a 15-percent decrease from 2003.
By branch. The number of those sepa
rated from the military in 2004 includes
325 from the Army, 92 from the Air Force,
59 from the Marines and 177 from the
Navy. These figures are the second lowest
amount of discharges in 20 years.
“The continued drop in ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’ discharges at a time of war
clearly shows that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
is a law we don’t need,” said Kathi
Westcott of Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network. “Who can support a law that is
irrelevant, unnecessary and harmful? The
fact is that gay and lesbian service mem
bers don’t harm unit cohesion, and the
continuing decline in discharge numbers
clearly illustrates this fact. ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’s days are numbered.”
TS denied child custody
CHICAGO, 111. — The Illinois'Court of
Appeals ruled that Sterling Simmons, a 46-
year-old female to male transsexual, has
no claim to custody of his lO-year-old son
because he wasn’t legally a man when he
married Jennifer Simmons, who became
pregnant through in vitro fertilization dur
ing their marriage.
Although Sterling Simmons has changed
his birth certificate to reflect his male identi
ty, he has not completed the change surgi
cally. Since he has breasts and a vagina, the
Appeals Court determined that he is a
woman. Based on that fact, they ruled that
his marriage was never valid and he has no
rights with regard to the child.
The Appeals Court’s decision upheld a
Cook County judge’s earlier finding against
Simmons. Testimony in the case showed
that the boy had been raised by both par
ents and he wanted to live with his father.
International
TS golfer ok'd for British Open
LONDON, England — Mianne Bagger
Whether you're in
,.^r out, it needs organizing!
t
inf
imI
OR G
The beginning of organizatior.'
Dream Closets, Inc.
Your Organization Specialist
336-442-6665 336-861-1006 (fax)
phill@dreamclosets.org www.dreamdosets.org
Free design and consultation!
(pictured), 38, made history last year when
she became the first transsexual golfer to
compete at the Australian Open. Her par
ticipation was made possible when the
Australian Ladies Professional Golf tour
abolished its rule requiring players to be
female at birth.
Now, thanks to a similar decision by the
Ladies’ Golf Union,
the transplanted
Aussie is joining the
Ladies European
Tour. She has
accepted an invita
tion to compete in
the Women’s British
Open in late July. The
event is one of the
most respected tournaments in women’s
golf.
Rules barring transsexuals from partici
pating in various sports have been falling
since the International Olympic Committee
made the decision to allow transsexuals to
compete at the Athens games.
Bagger is still waiting to learn of her
standing with the American Ladies
Professional Golf Association. The ALPGA
was to scheduled to vote late last year on
her membership application, but there’s
been no word to date.
Gay couple's 'escape' quesrioned
LAGOS, Nigeria — Government officials
tell human rights activists that the recent
“escape” from police custody of two gay
Nigerian men charged with violating the
country’s “crimes against nature” law is
under investigation.
Ogudu Emmanuel and Odjegba Tevin
were arrested January 15 after neighbors
contacted police with their suspicions that
the men were lovers. When authorities
questioned the men in their home, they
acknowledged their relationship and were
taken to the Rumuokoro Police Station.
Homosexual activity carries a mandatory
14 year prison term.
While the couple was in jail awaiting
trial, they disappeared. Police say they do
not know what happened to the men but
“it appears” they escaped. Gay rights
activists fear they may have been killed by
other inmates or by police.
The government says it is proceeding
on the belief that an unnamed official may
have let the men go.
Cop rehired after TS snafu
LIMA, Peru — A national police officer
who was fired in 1996 because his superi
ors felt he tarnished the department’s
image by marrying a transsexual was rein
stated by Peru’s highest court.
The Constitutional Ttibunal ruled,
“What is judged unconstitutional is that,
interfering in a sphere of human freedom,
a sexual choice and preference of a person
is considered illegitimate and from there
susceptible to sanction.”
In an odd twist. Officer Jose Antonio
Alvarez testified that he did not know his
wife was a post-operative transsexual
when he married her. Alvarez’s attorney
told a local television station that one of his
client’s former girlfriends, who was preg
nant with his child at the time, let the cat
out of the bag.
Alvarez’s marriage was later annulled
and he reunited with the gossipy girlfriend,
with whom he now has a second child.
body therapy
Spring is on the way,
Are you ready for it?
David Stout,
LMBT # 2204
Swedish
Neuromuscular
Reflexology
Acupressure
Reiki
$30/half hour
$55/hour
$80/hour and a half
Hot Stone Massage
$75/hour
$95/hour and a half
Gift certificates available
4037 E. Independence Blvd.
(The Vamadore Building)
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phcxie: 704-566-0120
E-mail: intouch«“carolina.rr.com