Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Oct. 14, 2004, edition 1 / Page 20
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Page 20 •Thursday, October 14, 2004 FEATURES The Penduluni special OFI’ER! CM-YMPUS- (amcOIA. D-575 ZOOM Dtfi^tat Camera F««tur«s: 3.2 m«gof>lx«l CCO lOx Total S#omleu Zoom CapobiRJy 3x optiod pk» flbxibia 3.3x di^ld 200m TnwKc TURBO fcnogt Procoifof FiCtlurvi OMckHm^Mmie Modo w^ Audio Dir«ci Print Copobilify xCVPidurt CatP** Compertfcl# Av4oConn«di USB CMymput xO Pletuft Cardi item # 345016163 $208-49 - 30-^^^ veW: 7/15/04-12/3 W $178-49 il9tld Mtvlcit l^ptoodl and CNrid»r Diglfol l^olos from die conweniwioe of your own comfNitefI Pick up ymt order from our Bufiington store or hivo fh«m ihippwi to you. UJUILU. ePHOTOfilesjoom* •iMt IHMI SWI|Nl6S 32M& OIY300841 $24.95 6Am OtY200W2 $29,99 126M& (XY300843 $54,98 photos os |oW 3S 29t j camera corner J , "Our Customers Take Better Pictures"" Burtington 2273 South Church St UMWUi.CafTIOOr.COm 33#>228«02St Transgender minister talks about beliefs, experiences Rachel Hinson Reporter As the first mainstream Presbyterian U.S.A. minister to transition from male to female and stay ordained. Rev. Erin Swenson has created quite a stir throughout many communities. At a very young age, Swenson could tell that something was not right. Throughout her adult years, she suppressed feelings of wanting to change to a female because “it seemed completely wrong,” she said Wednesday. Oct. 6, at Whitley Auditorium. Swenson hit a point in her adult life where even though she had accomplished everything she had set out to accomplish - earning several degrees, learning to fly - she knew something was missing. For her, it was not enough. “1 was a successful person in just about every aspect of the word, but was I happy? No,” she said. Until she finally decided to make the transition, Swenson faced a life filled with depression and turmoil. The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. was faced with quite a decision when Swenson wanted to retain her ordination during her transition. The biggest argument from con stituencies against her continued ordination was that she was living a life of deceit - deceiving people in living as a woman when she was bom a man. When trying to defend her decisions to those that did not agree with her transition, she found that many people do not have a solid reason behind why they think a minis ter should not be transgender. “Most people believe it’s wrong just because it’s wrong,” she said, referring to the view that many in society are told a transgender life is wrong. Now Swenson is faced with a new dilem- Swenson hit a point iti her adult life where even though she had accom plished everything she ha set out to accomplisf^" earning several degf^^^ learning to fly, she kne^ something was missing- For her, it was not enough. (T \V01 rids th« ma. She is a part of two not completely fitting in in ui- “In Christian gatherings, I “ I'nf tran.sgender. In transgender always the Christian minister, s Regardless of opinion, ff,ale new ground with her transition r female and has opened people s e possibilities. jg,- niin “1 had never heard of a ister before. I think it is a little ^ ^ j-elig*®' initely moving toward somet in^ needs to address. It’s definite ^ toward the positive.” said Heat e ^ an audience member at Swenson s Sometimes it takes something , ^ 11 ne\v ordinary to push us to an an- understanding. Contact Rachel Hinson at pendidum@elon.edu or 278-72 Go RIGHT WITH FEATURE^" Reporter's meeting every Sunday! Moseley 233 at 7 p.m. Can t make the meeting but still interested in writing? P. dulum@elon.edu with your story ideas, questions and iiit^f^^ the pendulum
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Oct. 14, 2004, edition 1
20
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