News & Views
Volume 2, Issue 14 March 2018
Insights LGBT-QiA B o b’s Bl u r b s and Endocrinology
Anecdotes and Opinions
By Calvin Jorden PFLAG Beaumont Treasurer
I had an unexpected, pleasant experience at a Compass Bank this afternoon. While standing at the teller’s window, I noticed a little stand-up brochure behind her titled, “Behaviors That Promote Inclusiveness”. I asked the teller to hand it to me, and I paged through it as she completed her work. It contained four sections, “Welcomed, Heard, Validated, Respected” with brief examples of behaviors and attitudes that the bank expects their employees to demonstrate in the workplace, to customers and coworkers alike, regardless of age, gender, race or religion. I gave the brochure back and told the teller I really appreciated the bank making those policies. She said “Yes, they’re all about equality and inclusiveness here.” I explained that I have family members who are gay and lesbian, and good friends who are bi and trans, so it means a lot to me. She responded that she has a stepbrother who is gay, so she likes the policies too. I walked away thinking, “Wow, we might really change the world, after all!” We should always make it a point to thank and congratulate businesses that choose to promote inclusiveness and equality these days. Change is going to come from the bottom up, one locality at a time. It is not going to come down from Washington D.C. — those days are gone, at least for a while.
By Bob Meier PFLAG Beaumont Hospitality Chair
When what we thought was our “tomboy-daughter” came out to us at age 22 as lesbian and then at 23 as transgender, I was perplexed. I wondered, “How did this happen? What did we do wrong as parents?
Did he play too many sports? What is the cause of this? Are there scientific explanations?” Later, I discovered that our child did not change, as he had always known he was a boy, and had been verbalizing that he was a boy since age two. When he was little, his Cont. Inside as Blurbs
Monthly Movie Pick: ‘The Carmilla Movie’ By Kaelyn Smith Pride Fest Street Team Chair It is on the very rare occasion that a queer movie can simultaneously impress me and make my heart swell with emotion at the same time. “The Carmilla Movie” does just that, and more. This film does an excellent job of avoiding negative lesbian tropes portrayed in today's entertainment, including but not limited to, student-teacher relationships, women cheating on their husbands with girls they've met at church, and the big one: Random Unexplained Lesbian DEATH™. Furthermore, with the inclusion of the character LaFontaine, or Laf, being non-binary and queer opens up conversations that are an essential part of moving forward in our society. The actor who
plays Laf, identifies as non-binary and queer as well. This representation aids in helping non-binary or genderqueer kids feel not so alone, while educating cisgender people in and in and out of the LGBTQiA+ community. All of the above, partnered with the magic of ghosts, vampires, vengeful exes, and beautiful imagery earns this film an A+ and two thumbs up. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is into vampires if Twilight did nothing for them,or is looking to expand their queer movie collection.
Inside PFLAG Beaumont is a non profit, local chapter of a national organization
Monthly Call To Action
Get involved with community activities and education with PFLAG Beaumont
Engage in discourse for the betterment of the community
Check in on those who may feel attacked by bigoted political and social rhetoric Register to vote
Contact PFLAG Beaumont at pflagbeaumont@gmail.com
Blurbs Cont.
mother and I thought he was being silly, cute, and only a “Tomboy”. Since then, Pediatric Endocrinologists have studied how the hormones estrogen and testosterone interact with the fetus while in the mother’s womb. According to the Pediatric Endocrinology Society as of February, 2017: Compelling scientific studies indicate that gender identity is likely “hard-wired”, like sexual orientation, and therefore is not a personal choice or a result of parental rearing. There are do data to support the use of “reparative or conversion” therapy with the intention of changing one gen-
der identity or sexual orientation. Transgender individuals are at a significantly increased risk for depression and suicide, largely derived from discrimination and social isolation. As experts in the care of transgender children and adolescents, we support that they should live accordingly to their gender identity, as this has been shown to significantly improve their long-term well-being and mental health. I have learned a lot about transgender people in the past twelve years. Now that I know more of the science behind this, I am ready to work on educating our little part of the world in Jefferson County about transgender people.
Monthly Book Pick: ‘The Death Of Washington Democracy’
By Bob Meier PFLAG Beaumont Hospitality Chair
“The Death of Washington Democracy is a warm and a fine book written by former U.S. Congressman and former Lamar University Student Body President Mr. Nick Lampson. Nick Lampson was a local Catholic boy in a family of eight from Southeast Texas. He attended local grade schools and high schools before Lamar University. Following college he taught science high school for the South Park Independent School District in Beaumont. He spent 42 years in government service including 10 years in the
US Congress. The book describes the changes in his family, his city (Beaumont), as well as Washington DC over a 40-year period of time. Of special interest were the personal moments he spent with former Marine and Congressman Jack Brooks, our longtime representative from Southeast Texas who gained significant power in the House of Representatives. Texas Governor John Connelly was another one of his political mentors. Congressman Lampson’s major concern is the development of horrible severe divisions between Republicans and Democrats over a 40-year period of time. In the “old days” represen-
Ally and Advocacy Training March 17
Noon-2:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the public 720 Franklin
tatives did not fly home over weekends, but played cards together, drank whiskey together, and visited at each other’s homes. Now most representatives are flying home every week. Mingling with members of “the other” party is severely frowned upon. Members of both parties have become divisive and extremist in their views. There is less of a middle ground that it takes to pass needed legislation. Now there is no incentive to cooperate with the other party. Gerrymandering or the practice of redistricting electoral results for a particular party to achieve an advantage was once was frowned upon and some-
7 p.m. 720 Franklin
times illegal. This process can be used to protect incumbents and hinder or protect specific racial or religious groups. Gerrymandering is now rampant across the USA, which further divides our people and our country. Congressman Lampson’s plea is for citizens to end hatred of one another to and increase tolerance of both other people and their ideas. This can happen with a bigger middle for each party, fewer extreme positions, and with more civil and respectful discussions. I would recommend reading this book written by a local, hometown hero and Lamar graduate.
More
PFLAG Monthly Education and Support
Sunday, March18, 2 p.m.,
450 11th Street, Legacy Community Health Building International Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2018 TDOV is a day to show your support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, this is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment and getting the recognition we deserve! TDoV is on March 31st every year! TDOV is Everywhere! We encourage you to have discussions, create direct actions, and spread knowledge about the trans community no matter where you are! You can also join our Facebook event and use hashtag #tdov or #transthriving on social media. This year’s theme is “surviving, thriving” (#TransThriving).
Rainbow
Revelations
stead of gay rights. In nco is W 2: a d iscusMarch 2, 198 focusing on t rs fi e th e m e moral . sin beca sion about th to n io un of ho mostate in the implications ion at in im ncr is d ban ity, the Wisco ien- sexual or al xu se oked at base d on sin debate lo oyment, pl em in on ility of intati the acceptab ic bl pu d an g, lf. ho usin to lerance itse ions. AB70, ed: at st acco m mo dat Clarenbach s Bill, ht ig R ay G The t of private the The righ in ed on pi ce was cham xual preferen by Davi d se y bl m se As ould e sh Stat among adults d an h ac inherClarenb be considered e’s at st e as amended th And as long crimi- ent. is d nno ng s not imexis ti so meone doe to s ce an in d al prefnation or pose this sexu nie or al or include sexu on others, he ex- erence it gh ou th an al guar tation, she should be e th ed ud c human plicitly excl teed the basi e th om fr ry catego live w itho ut - right to ac e iv at rm fi state’s af ssment or d is Wiscon- hara s. m ra int og po pr he T tion crimination. of y or oer ho m sin’s hist is not wheth iscriminad g in it ib mioh pr sexuality is ad e—it was bl ta no is ther tion rable, but whe to e at st t rs fi also the imination imina- d iscr cr is d al ci ra ban rable[1]. sla- is to le gi le ng ti ac tion, en tion in 1945. r the bill Advocates fo shifting succee ded in tion about the conversa f ro m Retrieve d ual o utandeq
By Payshunz Nagashima, PFLAG Beaumont Education Chair
What’s Happening Band Nite @ TASI March 31, 7:30 p.m. Doors at 7:30 LIVE, ORIGINAL MUSIC BY: Music starts at 8:00 - Chasing Sandcastles - Robb Wellz ALL AGES WELCOME - Austin McCarter $5 cover - Jaigee
Beau Jam 2018
(21+ BYOB)
Spring Membership Drive and Backyard Concert
Sunday, March 11 * $8 Entry * ALL AGES McCray Upholstery and Refinishing 2555 Gulf Street, Beaumont iT’S OUR SEVENTH ANNUAL SXSW RUNOFF FESTIVAL AND IT IS GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS. Presented by Victoria House. Please Carpool.
at the home of Eric Bradley Barnes-Gibson and Russell Barnes-Gibson at 1923 Broadway
March 17, 5 - 9 p.m. All Ages
Free
Statuarys beginning March 10
Adult and Child Clay Class The Art Studio, Inc. 720 Franklin
PFLAG Beaumont Presents: Amber Martin as Reba: Queen of C*ntry for Beaumont PRIDE Fest In the footsteps of classic comic character monologists such as Ruth Draper, Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin, the Texas-born acclaimed vocalist and performance artist, Amber Martin, brings her award winning chops to The LogOn Cafe... This time, for the premiere of Reba C*untry! Be prepared to enjoy a mind-altering hour of meticulously chosen musical and comedic vignettes from Amber's very own rib-cracking interpretation inspired by country music superstar, Reba McEntire.
Saturday, March 22 7 - 10 p.m. at The LogOn Cafe, 3805 Calder Ave