LGBTQ author aims to inspire Writer articulates gender transitions in acclaimed novel Edward Henderson senior staff writer San Diego State social work graduate student Zander Keig may have a promising literary career ahead of him. Keig’s book, “Letters For My Brothers: Transitional Wisdom in Retrospect,” has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, which honors excellence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer literature. Winners of this prestigious award will be announced on June 4 at the 24th Annual Lambda Literacy Awards gala in New York City. Keig’s book is nominated in the Transgender Nonfiction category. “Letters For My Brothers” is an anthology of 24 letters written by
female-to-male transsexuals describing the challenges and offering insight from their transition. The concept for the book was inspired by the life of Louis Sullivan, a pioneer in FTM transsexual community activism. Sullivan communicated methods of obtaining peer support, professional counseling, endocrinological services and reconstructive surgery outside the institution of the gender dysphoria clinics, mainly through letter correspondence with individuals interested in making the FTM transition. From the mid-1980s until his death in 1991, Sullivan raised awareness and set the foundation for a community of FTM transsexuals through these letters. “Today, fewer people who have experience in their transition stay involved in the community, so we have a dearth of mentors,” Keig said. “Because of that, I thought it would be a good idea to merry this letter writing concept with mentorship.”
Zander Keig, SDSU Social Work grad student
May 8, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 117 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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“Here are 24 people who dared to transcend expectations ... When people see others living an authentic life, it inspires them.”
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Keig and his co-editor Megan Rohrer reached out to friends in the FTM community and posted public submission calls to find content for the book. The posts prompted writers to compose a nostalgic letter to themselves before they made the FTM transition. These letters highlighted their challenges, obstacles, fears and joys throughout the experience. Writers could also compose directly to FTM brothers offering advice and guidance.
Keig hopes the book will offer guidance to those within the FTM community in hopes to inspire anyone who reads it. “If you fall outside the norms assigned to gender at birth, there are consequences. Here are 24 people who dared to transcend expectations of gender,” Keig said. “When people see others living an authentic life, I think it inspires them.”
Read about SDSU’s final-inning meltdown against UNLV.
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Proposition shortens time in office Ballot measure cuts term limits by two years, from 14 to 12 Hutton Marshall news editor With the California Presidential Primary Election approaching, voters will decide on two ballot measures. One is Proposition 28, or, “Limits on legislator’s terms in office. Initiative constitutional amendment.” If passed, the proposition would shorten the amount of time a person can serve in California legislature from 14 years to 12 years. Currently, a
person can serve three two-year terms in the State Assembly and two four-year terms in the State Senate, a combined total of 14 years. If Proposition 28 is passed, an individual’s maximum term would be shortened by two years, but they would not have to divide their time between the two legislative bodies. They could serve up to six two-year terms in the Assembly or three fouryear terms in the Senate. Critics of the proposition say the bill only has the illusion of shortening time served by politicians, while it actually would make it easier for politicians to serve for longer in the same seat. “The measure weakens term limits for state legislators and lengthens the amount of time that they can stay in
Last nuclear reactor shuts down During the weekend, Japan shut down its last remaining nuclear reactor, making it the first world major economy to run without any nuclear power. This decision was triggered as a consequence of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, after a tsunami and earthquake hit the country in March of last year. On Saturday, thousands marched celebrating the shutdown, while at the same time waving banners for Children’s Day, which automatically became a symbol of the anti-nuclear movement. Japan relied on nuclear plants for about 30 percent of its energy. This summer it’s preparing for an energy usage increase and is increasing its imports of fossil fuels to battle the tough times.
one office,” Jon Fleischman wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle. “If this measure passes, it means that most state legislators will serve a full decade in office without having to deal with a competitive election, because incumbency is such a powerful force in elections.” However, the proposition also removes an exception in the legislature by which politicians can serve for even longer than their 14-year limit. “An exception is when an individual serves additional time by finishing out less than one-half of the term of another person who left the Legislature (for example, resignation,)” the Legislative Analyst office states. According to those arguing in
favor of the proposition in the Official Voter Information Guide, this can result in politicians serving up to 17 years. “Prop. 28 does what it says,” arguers for the proposition state in the Official Voter Information Guide. “It’s a strict 12-year limit that closes the 17-year loophole and improves accountability.” “An independent study conducted by U.S. Term Limits, the nation’s leading pro-term limits organization, showed that 80 percent of legislators will have their time in office lengthened … if politicians are allowed to stay in the same office for 12 years,” arguers against the proposition wrote in the rebuttal.
dead in several districts of the Sar-e Pol province in northern Afghanistan. According to officials, more than 100 people are missing and rescue workers fear the toll will continue to increase,
Mysterious animal deaths unsolved Officials in Peru are investigating the sudden death of hundreds of dolphins and pelicans off the northern coast of Lima. Last month, 538 pelicans were found dead and there is still no explanation as to what caused the death of these birds. The Brucella bacteria is one of the possible causes being taken into consideration by the health ministry in Peru, and officials are now advising people to avoid beaches in Lima. Preliminary reports have already ruled out seismic waves caused by oil exploration and the bird flu.
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—Compiled by Senior Staff Writer Ana Ceballos
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LO O K I N G T H R O U G H OUR LENS
“... Don’t you hear it? It’s not a wolf. It’s more like ... a man?” The howls got louder. Now they could hear the movement. Marshall saw a wolf dart out ... James pulled out his gun ... B A C K PA G E
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Flood kills 26 people After eight hours of endless rainfall that began on Sunday, 26 people were found
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