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		<title>Transsexual Independence Day (22 March 2012)</title>
		<description>Discuss Transsexual Independence Day (22 March 2012)</description>
		<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012</link>
		<lastBuildDate>Fri, 24 May 2013 08:21:22 -0500</lastBuildDate>
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			<title>Forced Into Silence says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5809</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I called them out on their lies and fabrications. I tried to communicate the real differences between their desires to trans, (cross-over) gender, and our absolute NEED for access to those medical protocols so necessary for our very survival. The end result, after the usual barrage of derails and personal attacks on the messenger, was an all to real and concerted effort to destroy my life and all that I have worked for, by exposing my real-life, personal identity and long, long forgotten medical history: IE, outing. These people have no conscience nor do they have any scrupples. What they do have is a total committment to their own selfish needs and desires. They have no care whatsoever about whose, or how many, lives they must destroy to accomplish their own nefarious ends. I support this, your effort, but it is not even close to being enough. It is a tiny step in the right direction. Sharon and Lisa claim to have heard privately from 15,000 men and women who clearly understand the difference between TG and TS. What I would suggest is that they, or anyone reading this put together a statement, or 'white paper', or whatever such things are called, that we can ALL subscribe to and SIGN, anonymously if need be, and then circulate it to every political and media outlet available. Nothing less will even begin to detract from that mountain of lies and falsehoods that such media savy PACS such as NCET, GLAAD and Gay Inc. have built.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Forced Into Silence</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:56:19 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5809</guid>
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			<title>Evangelina says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5775</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In 2010 I wrote an essay that was published here on TS Si titled "The Transsexuxual War of Independance" It was not a war where people lob bombs or fire rounds across the trenches but a philosophical war fought by people able write down their thoughts on the new social media outlets such as private blogs and journals such as this one. I wrote essentially for my own blog about the issues that concerned me. I had one real objective and that was to take back the ownership of not just the word "transsexual" but the concept and aetiology that it embodied. Two years beyond that essay that put a name to what it is that we were fighting the situation has changed and not for the better. The TG Juggernaut trundles on crushing not only the dreams and aspirations of young transsexuals and herding them to a life of gender limbo that may or may not desire but gets forced upon them anyway because it is legitimising the fetish fantasy of men. To have a day that celebrates and highlights our factual independance is all very well but what is needed is rather more than this. What is required is a concerted and organised effort that lets our feelings be known 365 days a year. On the TG blogs and we sites. We need to make our feelings known on the blogs of TG Central where the transvestites masquerade as us. I look in on those blogs and I don't see any of the names here posting their comments in oppostion to their crackpot memes. There are a few who used to do just that and i am not going to name them but their voices are now silent. Leigh, you were brilliant. Susan your blog was a beacon in it's clear message. Cathryn the only place I see your name is Gay journals. Saphirenz, I have never seen you post. Pamela you post here and nowhere else.Sharon and Lisa you're work is confined to these excellent pages. All very fine and I hear you when you say much work is being done behind the scenes. So where is this apparently empty gesture going to go if all anyone does is fire verbal missiles at each other when all the time the TG Borg are busy controlling the media outlets? The answer is clearly oblivion and it's going there in a hurry. I agree with Anonymous T Girl here it's a total waste of breath if all any of us do is complain about the Tg and what they and what they are and are not. Perhaps what is needed is a clear message that defines what women with a TS history are and what we are not. We had also better pray that sometime soon science provides facts that provide proof of what we are and what we are not. Because all we have right now is John Money, Autogynophelia Versus Harry Benjamin and a few half proven scientific by products of unrelated research. Oh and a lot of in fighting that calls people names. Wake up!! Cassandraspeaks]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Evangelina</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:56:32 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5775</guid>
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			<title>Miss a couple days. . .</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5769</link>
			<description><![CDATA[And I miss out on the excitement. I have to admit to growling more than a little if someone calls me transgender. I'll have to put it on the calendar for next year.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Janet L.</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:05:57 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5769</guid>
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			<title>Transsexual is NOT Transgendered</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5766</link>
			<description><![CDATA[i'm Transsexual. at the age of 4, i knew i had the wrong body. that feeling didn't go away, although i tried different ways to deal with it. eventually i learnt i could get surgery to fix it, so i did as fast as i could. now, i'm a happy, productive member of society. my body fits me properly and i thank God for it. Hormones and surgery have helped me be a harmonious member of society, to stay alive. if i had had access to information, puberty blocking drugs and surgery when i was little, i'd be less scarred by testosterone. i'm a pretty typical TS woman. what i am NOT is transgendered. this is an ugly, ill defined term covering people with "gender identity disorders". mostly, men who like to play at being women. They do not have a desire to fix their anatomy, they do not have a belief they are int he wrong body. Quite a few of them even deny that Male and Female are real things. The TG claim that we are like them, and then deny that we need surgery and hormones, putting forward the abhorrent idea that merely by changing clothes and playing a male stereotyped 'female' role, we can be happy. this is nonsense. it Does apply to them, of course. As anatomically functioning males, playing dressups and gender role play might be fine. they are not like us, they are not Transsexual. they do not need surgery to fix their bodies. they are not harmonious with society, but challenge it and challenge the concepts of gender. they also demand that we recognise them as female, simply because they wear dresses. this is beyond incomprehensibl e. TS women have hormonal and surgical intervention to deal with their birth defects. We are women - we have no attachment to the incorrect genitalia of birth. the TG community have no issues with their birth genitalia - only with gender roles. they are not women. yet, the TG claim to speak with our voice. Despite the protestations of thousand of thousands of TS women (and we are normally a hidden group, not wishing to stand out, but rather get on with our normal lives), they still claim we are the same. IF we stand up and challenge them, they attack us and censor us and continue to claim to speak for us. so please. Do not confuse us, no matter what the TG community may say. We are Transsexual. I was born with a surgically correctable birth defect, that i got fixed. I am a woman, and i only wish to live in harmony with the rest of society.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>flow</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:50:59 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-5766</guid>
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			<title>Peace</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4998</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Joanne, you are welcome here. Please be assured there are a growing number of people like us, both pre- and post-corrected, who have found another path. Btw, I too am a cancer survivor (among other things). It can be done, no matter the obstacles in our way. I will contact you offline to discuss this further.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:12:48 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4998</guid>
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			<title>I think this is an idea whose time has come...</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4997</link>
			<description><![CDATA[For years, I was forced into alternative therapies after surviving cancer in 1972 and being deemed as "an inappropriate candidate for medical treatment of a psychological condition"... due to impairment of liver function and the amount and available forms of estrogen readily available in the 1970's. This changed for me about six years ago when it got to the point where I could no longer tolerate the coping and repairative therapies I was diverted into by well medical and and psychological practitioners of good intentions and horribly skewed ideologies and behaviorist tenets that have the same relationship to biological diversity and medical necessity as Fundamentalist theology has to God, or truth to history, i.e.: none to speak of. I have never been comfortable having the yoke of being represented by some high-profile female impersonator, operating under the title of transgender, being used to define me. This is talking apples and oranges. Female impersonators do not suicide when the pain of being one sex trapped within another and it becomes endurable - or having your sex and physicality determined and altered, by some surgeon, before slapping a diaper on you and sending you home to live your life in an arbitrary, sexually mutilated, sexually assigned niche that conforms to a disproven sexual binary. One of the greatest evils that one can possibly do to an individual is to apply a non-applicable generic term on them - especially when it is wrong and does them tangible harm. Enough is enough. It is one thing to have a common cause, as we all suffer the same oppression and denials of rights, unequal protections under the law and religious persecution. However, we also have our needs, which are not parallel to the vast majority of the LBGT, GLBT, or any other alphabet soup. We also have one other thing going for us: Our minds and our own voices.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Joanne Hook</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:53:22 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4997</guid>
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			<title>Making Progress</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4656</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Many thanks to those who participated in Transsexual Independence Day. You may be interested in this TS-Si article: Institute of Medicine LGBT Health Study Call Impacts TS Population (http://ts-si.org/horizons/29532-institute-of-medicine-lgbt-health-study-call-impacts-ts-population). We now have an opportunity to translate belief into action by informing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (http://www.nih.gov/) of our views. We will have more on this later.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:16:39 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4656</guid>
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			<title>Letters delivered</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4590</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Our group of eight women and 2 guys made our message to President Obama on down to everyone here in Illinois. We think this should be done every year. It will be a slow build but that is how real grass roots progress gets done. I admire what everyone has done but lets see who can put their egos aside for the greater good.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Lindy Smith</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:34:44 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4590</guid>
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			<title>Out &amp; about in DC</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4589</link>
			<description><![CDATA[All of our letters have been delivered. I am on the Hill now taking short break between a series of appointments to personally make our case..]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:57:37 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4589</guid>
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			<title>Ah!</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4588</link>
			<description><![CDATA[That explains it. I suppose, then, that Diaries are a privilege of membership.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:55:02 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4588</guid>
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			<title>I don't know what you see if not a &quot;member&quot; of Pam's</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4587</link>
			<description><![CDATA[but on the right hand side at the top is a menu that includes "recent diaries" where individual "blenders" can post original material which might then be promoted to the front page.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:44:25 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4587</guid>
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			<title>Cathryn</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4586</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I read your post: very interesting. But I do have a question about how they publicize their articles. I know that the principals' of their site will find your diary, but how about the rest of their Blenders? I have never really taken the time to fully learn their site navigation.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:30:41 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4586</guid>
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			<title>I have put up a diary on Pam's promoting TID</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4585</link>
			<description><![CDATA[My letters will be going out today. Check out the posting on Pam's before it is taken down even though it carefully violates none of the TOS there.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:47:16 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4585</guid>
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			<title>I have put up a diary on Pam's promoting TID</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4584</link>
			<description><![CDATA[It probably will result in my being banned once again despite the fact it violates not a single TOS rule on Pam's. Check it out fast..... My letters will be posted today.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:45:45 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4584</guid>
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			<title>Welcome Kathryn</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4583</link>
			<description><![CDATA[It is good to be working with you on this. It is a modest effort that pares the appeal down to the essentials. It is something everyone can do. Best of all, we do it together. By the way, I have already heard from naysayers who apparently did not read and absorb these two points: (1) we have (or had) a correctable medical condition, and (2) we should not be confused with the sociopolitical and lifestyle activism of transgender activists. We have heard from a lot of people who are writing their letters for 22 March. Yay! We are in Washington, DC, so the federal reps will get hand delivery tomorrow. The state and local communications are already in the mail.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:34:48 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4583</guid>
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			<title>Kathryn Truscott says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4580</link>
			<description><![CDATA[A worthy effort. I have done this very thing many time in the past, but "one more time" can't hurt!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Kathryn Truscott</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:04:37 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4580</guid>
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			<title>Bravo, Marilyn</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4574</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Our letters go out in a couple of days. We will get to everyone that represents us.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:26:39 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4574</guid>
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			<title>Letters Mailed!!!!</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4569</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I just dropped my letters in the Post Box to: President Barack Obama Governor Chris Chistie, New Jersey Governor Rick Perry, Texas (where I was born) Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, New Jersey Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General Hope Andrade, Texas Secretary of State. Yippee, Skippy! Marilyn Pierce]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Marilyn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:38:11 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4569</guid>
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			<title>AnnaRosa</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4541</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Have you published your article yet on Transsexual Independence Day?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:43:41 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4541</guid>
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			<title>AnnaRosa</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4490</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I have no doubts that the initiative will "... alert and provoke those that stand in opposition to our independence". It has always been so, but the climate today is such that we detect a mix of resignation and desperation in the TG camp. By cloaking a negative message in the bravado of "progress" under the umbrella, the activists have compromised their real needs. They did this, in part, by denying ours. We re on a path that will actually get somewhere. The TG activists are are at a dead end and have to start over. If there is a rub, then that is it. They will look for someone to blame and we are among the likely candidates. The upside here is that the directness and austerity of our message soen not give them a topical handle to justify anger. That is: (1) we have (or had) a correctable medical condition, and (2) we should not be confused with the sociopolitical and lifestyle activism of transgender activists.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:01:57 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4490</guid>
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			<title>Joanne Proctor has died</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4489</link>
			<description><![CDATA[We have received word that Joanne Proctor has passed away. I have been Joanne’s editor at TS-Si and over time her willing confidante and friend. She is a woman of love and substance who is sorely missed. Joanne was one of TS-Si's writers and frequent correspondents. You can see a list of her opinion columns at the Joanne Proctor: list (http://ts-si.org/component/ijoomla_archive/?task=archive&search_archive=1&act=search&author=143&ptitle=Joanne+Proctor) [ link (http://ts-si.org/component/ijoomla_archive/?task=archive&search_archive=1&act=search&author=143&ptitle=Joanne+Proctor) ] Jo understood where we all have been and where we all are going. For all her struggles, Jo kept to a path of integrity illuminated by love. It is too oft forgotten that the current degree of understanding between TS and IS folk was due in large part to her efforts. Once the details are finalized, TS-Si will run an obit and appreciation. In the meantime, OII Australia has posted a notice and is taking comments at Rest in peace, Jo Proctor, late OII Australia board member (http://oiiaustralia.com/12904/rest-in-peace-jo-proctor-late-oii-australia-board-member/comment-page-1/#comment-1102) [ link (http://oiiaustralia.com/12904/rest-in-peace-jo-proctor-late-oii-australia-board-member/comment-page-1/#comment-1102) ] Our hearts will be heavy when we revise the signature bio on her articles. But through the tears comes resolve borne of her loving example. Requiescat in Pace, our dear Joanne.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:53:29 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4489</guid>
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			<title>AnnaRosa says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4488</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Sharon and Lisa. I very much support this simple idea to present these two Simple Points, (FACTS) to our Legislators.... "(1) we have (or had) a correctable medical condition, and (2) we should not be confused with the sociopolitical and lifestyle activism of transgender activists." I am planning to promote this Initiative on my blog, (Ella es Asi), but I am concerned that there will be some "push back" from the more activist TG's. I am NOT concerned about the usual name calling and flaming, but I AM concerned that my promoting this initiative might alert and provoke those that stand in opposition to our independence. I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject. Anne]]></description>
			<dc:creator>AnnaRosa</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:58:34 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4488</guid>
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			<title>A comment from Germany</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4476</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Ramona Gottfried posted the comment below on the TS-Si Article TS-Si Reboot Gets Underway (http://ts-si.org/thompson-&-gaughan/29081-ts-si-reboot-gets-underway). Among other things it speaks to the planned ,i>Transsexual Independence Day so we have re-posted it here FYI. ***** Comment Title: Congratulations We in Bundesrepublik Deutschland sincerely admire what you do and hate the many slings and arrows headed your way. Very much good luck. We have a group of mailers in Germany that avoid the overrun group by frock men and talk on mail a lot. We are busy writing our letters to Wulff-Merkel and the Budestag and the pet catchers and everybody else for launch on 22 march. We sign the petition! Good luck to all everywhere!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:46:45 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4476</guid>
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			<title>Note to readers</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4458</link>
			<description><![CDATA[TS-Si will publish a special announcement regarding current and future directions for TS-Si as an organization and this site, TS-Si.org. The announcement has been in the works for some time and is not connected in any way to this current discussion. We will post the announcement on US Sunday, 06 March 2011 at US 09:00:00 am est (09:00:00 UTC -5:00). Please be assured our commitment to the GLAAD Petition and Transsexual Independence Day remains. In fact, those activities will be strengthened by our announcement.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:54:31 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4458</guid>
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			<title>Thank you, saphirenz</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4457</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Your post was a bracing reminder of our responsibilitie s.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:53:58 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4457</guid>
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			<title>saphirenz says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4453</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Sharon and Lisa I ask for a little indulgence here if I seem to thwart the rules of topicality. I am constantly surprised by the wide divergence of views expressed in forums such as this, and the vigour with which they are presented commonly only serves to divert attention from the original topic. This makes me wonder , at times, if we are all singing in the same choir. It also concerns me that whilst we are arguing amongst ourselves we are not defending our position against those who would suborn our identity. It would seem that some have our own pet demons who we love to hate and others those we love to defend. Personally I have little doubt that the vast majority of GLB people just ordinarily get on with their lives and have little interest in our politics, except perhaps a little sympathy and empathy of one oppressed section of society for another. By the same token I am equally convinced that there are some activist members of GLB who are not without culpability in relation to the assault on the integrity of transsexualism. However that is not the subject under discussion here. Perhaps, if you feel strongly about something Sharon and Lisa would assist you to present a column here and then invite comments upon it. Now, may I cordially invite all contributors to the comments on this topic (Transsexual Independence Day) to unite in support of this simple initiative. …..it really could be the start of something big.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:27:12 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4453</guid>
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			<title>Désirée says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4414</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm in, although not sure what I can do here in Sweden. I'm an American but have been living in Stockholm for the last 5 1/2 years. I had my surgery here 2 years ago, thanks to nationalized health care and the understanding here that transsexualism is a medical condition. In fact, when I moved here, it was with all female paperwork (ID, Passport) and with all my SOC completed, just awaiting surgery. (My GRS was scheduled and ready to go until I used the money to move) After going through the system here, they accepted all my American SOC documents and at my final pre-surgery evaluation they basically said "well, your papers say you are female, so you get surgery." I was reminded of the film Brazil, where because the paperwork said someone was dead they had to make sure the person as really dead, even if they weren't. Point being: here at least, TS is recognized as a medical condition and covered by the state. In all regards, as far as the Swedish government is concern, I'm female. As I'm also a lesbian (my wife is Swedish, thus my relocation from Los Angeles to here) I still participate in the GLBT community here. There are no TS groups though, just TG/CD/TV ones. Being TS is usually a collective shrug from people here (one friend upon being told I was in the hospital for gender reassignment said "Désirée wants to be a guy?"). I'd love to see the rest of the world reach this point as well. Back in Long Beach, CA, as a pre-op I took over running the local T* support group at the local GLBT Center. I attempted to run it in 2 parts - 2 meetings a month, one was open to all trans people of any variety and one was specifically for TS (i.e. surgery tracked or post-op) individuals. The TG group was far larger, and often wondered why they couldn't be involved in both meetings. I eventually let both die off as it was too much headache to juggle. But I know full well how TGs will take over - in this case not even as a deliberate attempt to stiffle TS voices or places, but just because, well, they felt they deserved to. One of my closest friends during my transition was Gwen Smith, the creator of the Remembering Our Dead Project which the Transgender Day of Remembrance grew out of. Over the years (starting back in the early AOL years when "trans anything" was banned) we have discussed the different groups of T people and whether we are together, separate, joined, whatever. We don't always agree, but out of respect, I will never disregard TG/TV/CD/Gender queer/etc people and as a lesbian, I am still involved in GLBT issues but I fully embrace the idea of Transsexual Independence. Thanks for pushing this. Now I just need to get my wife on board.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Désirée</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:23:31 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4414</guid>
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			<title>Warning</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4411</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Off-topic comments on this opinion column, “Transsexual Independence Day”, are not acceptable. We have issued a warning to responsible individuals via email. Any further off-topic comments on this article will be blocked without warning.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:53:43 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4411</guid>
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			<title>Actually Sharon</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4410</link>
			<description><![CDATA[You are wrong the vast majority of Tee-Gees are not straight, and so are the majority of TS women, I can't speak to TS men I don't know any. The Homosexuals did hijack our identity, you are biased because you are in a lesbian relationship which I have no problem with. Facts are facts. Show me any facts to support your position that don't come from GAY INC and I'll agree. Since you wish to drop it that is fine with me. But I know darn well I'm right. Got any data that is not from some organization supported by GAY INC?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:33:13 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4410</guid>
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			<title>Title Deleted (for Excess Sarcasm)</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4409</link>
			<description><![CDATA[You know, I swear I have met women of transsexual history who are dykes and men with transsexual history who are [deleted]s. Not to mention any number of Drag Queens who are straight (as are almost all the cross-dressers and transvestites I have met.) Transsexuals come in all flavors, skin colors, religions, political parties, and sexual orientations. My observation is that most self identified transgenders and most cross-dressers/ transvestites -- the ones who infiltrate and attempt to commandeer transsexual identity -- ARE straight. Don't confuse the packaging with the cracker jack inside it. We need to move off this particular topic. The charge that the "Homosexuals stole our identity" is an outright distortion and libelous. Enough. Or I will send my gay friends over and have them redecorate your bedroom.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Lisa Thompson</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:15:49 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4409</guid>
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			<title>Actually Sharon</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4408</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I have a good idea what it's all about. I don't think you were referring to me. I Certainly know full well it's not about sexual orientation. It was the homosexuals that stole our identity in the first place. FWIW; I sighed Cathryn's petition a very long time ago, I was one fo the first 15 to have signed it.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:29:01 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4408</guid>
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			<title>Anonymous T-Girl says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4407</link>
			<description><![CDATA[My comment was not directed at you, Sharon. It was directed at anyone who attempts to hijack any TS separatist effort and turn it into a gay-hate tool. You know. The usual effort made.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Anonymous T-Girl</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:00:02 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4407</guid>
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			<title>The GLAAD Petition</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4380</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rev, Cathryn Platine launched the petition drive awhile back. In our view, it is still a great idea and entirely compatible with TID. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/transgender-is-not-an-umbrella/ (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/transgender-is-not-an-umbrella/)]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:27:04 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4380</guid>
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			<title>Regarding Sponsorship</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4379</link>
			<description><![CDATA[TS-Si claims no ownership of anything to do with Transsexual Independence Day. We merely came up with an austere way to make the point without including side-issues that range from the merely diverting to partisan or outright odious. We will be happy if the concept gains acceptance over the coming years and people forget we had anything to do with it. In the BTW department: Some of the older-timers may remember when many local transsexual support groups half-seriously -- and with a certain poignance -- cited St. Valentine's Day as the national transsexual holiday. That was back when newbies often experienced romantic loneliness as a trump over other consideration.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:24:17 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4379</guid>
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			<title>ATG</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4378</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I am not sure who you directed all of your comments toward but I can pick up on a few of your points. All that is happening here is the launch of an effort to establish a Transsexual Independence Day, starting with a modest and straightforward letter-writing campaign that makes two points: (1) we have (or had) a correctable medical condition, and (2) we should not be confused with the sociopolitical and lifestyle activism of transgender activists. There is nothing in the campaign that is directed at anyone's sexual orientation. In fact, we specifically said that There has been at least one individual who overly generalized about homosexuals. I answered that post earlier.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:14:58 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4378</guid>
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			<title>Not Your Friend</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4377</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The motive behind Transsexual Independence Day has nothing to do with sexual orientation. It is a startup attempt for a letter-writing campaign that makes two points: (1) we have (or had) a correctable medical condition, and (2) we should not be confused with the sociopolitical and lifestyle activism of transgender activists. There is nothing in the campaign that is directed at anyine's sexual orientation. In fact, we specifically said that You said: and Not only is this irrelevant to what we are trying to do with Transsexual Independence Day, it is -- in my view -- an overreaching generalization. The activist GLB organizations do not represent all GLB people, and even within their ranks they are not unanimous in their acceptance of the T in GLBT. Even worse, your statements ignore the presence of same-sex orientation among people of transsexual history who reject inclusion in the Transgender T in GLBT.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:13:49 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4377</guid>
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			<title>Anonymous T-Girl says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4376</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Women's Indepependence Fighters was shut down over a year ago for lack of participation. i'm curious to see what happens here, but frustrated that no one anywhere seems to care to work together unless it's under their own banner. And railing against homosexuals is flat-out homophobic and nothing more. Most of the 'TG' population appears to be crossdressing men. And most of them have sex (in some form or another) with women. Focusing obvious hate and attacking gays and lesbians for the actions of a group that seems to be mostly straight men in women's clothing is just conservative-la ced non-sense. Evolve.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Anonymous T-Girl</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:26:42 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4376</guid>
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			<title>saphirenz says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4364</link>
			<description><![CDATA[My experience and limited knowledge of the history of support in this tiny country of four million people would certainly tend to endorse the comments of Sharon and others. I believe that there was a non judgemental support group which was pretty "laid back" and its organiser naturally grew older. Several years ago I believe she did a good job but eventually there appeared , in addition a cross dresser's support group and eventually its founder decided to open it to Transsexuals and change its name from its original specifically CD oriented acronym.(To what I won’t say) It seemed that whilst paying lip service to the more serious concerns and needs of the transsexual this self styled ‘all inclusive support group” did nothing to help them but gave voice to their belief that there was little difference between CD/TV and TS and that transition was just a lifestyle choice. This self styled answer to everyone’s prayer manoeuvred into a position where they were frequently consulted on matters TS by the media and government departments. They are largely responsible for a lot of misinformation and the bovine excrement known as the Gender Theory. (I am trying to keep this short) . This organisation still exists and with multiple branches aspires to be the National Support group and to speak for Transsexuals and all the rest .. CD, TV, GQ, AG &c….&c….God help us. (Actually it’s a bit more complicated than that even.) Sadly these people take great delight in sucking in the more naïve transsexual until the truth eventually becomes plain. I and another attempted to organise an online group specifically for TS but it was invaded by the usual disruptive trolls and the group was terminated. I have the intention of starting again with stricter subscription rules but have only three members so far , since I can only think of two other people I can trust…… That’s basically why there are no support groups here for classic/core transsexuals.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:19:08 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4364</guid>
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			<title>Does anyone think Gay, Inc. regrets it?</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4363</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The only thing I have seen focused on, as far as laws, are for the LGB community. We did see a federal hate crime law passed that at least gets more prison time for those who attack or murder us. However, almost all of the laws where the LGB-t community would all benefit was pretty much ignored. They created the situation where the opposition could use the 'bathroom bill' approach. Perhaps they might want to consider repairing the damage they have caused.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Dana Lane</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:53:47 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4363</guid>
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			<title>Not Your Friend says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4362</link>
			<description><![CDATA[What Sharon says about groups has been my experience here. There use to be a TS only group here and it was overrun by drag queens, transvestites, CDs and GFs. The misfits won't let one exist.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:06:05 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4362</guid>
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			<title>Very simple</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4361</link>
			<description><![CDATA[It is the homosexuals who have colonized our identity by lumping us in with transvestites, drag queens, and all manner of gender misfits. Then they used their political power to force it upon us. That is called Identity Rape. And They Did it to Us. So yes I blame it ALL on the Homosexuals. Don't believe me the proof is there all over the net.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:02:12 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4361</guid>
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			<title>Natálie</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4360</link>
			<description><![CDATA[You asked about TS groups. I have to second what Cathryn said in general and specifically: That certainly was our experience. For example, at the beginning of my formal transition nearly 20 years ago, there was a local group that already had been in existence for around 20 years. It was anarchic, creative, and focused on transsexual transition. It was very helpful to newcomers. However, the old-timer who coordinated the group retired and left. Shortly after there was a steady stream of people who claimed they were transsexual, insisted on specific political positions, and introduced the notion of optional corrective surgery as a norm for transsexuals. The term "non-op" was not in use at that time (as least around here). Then, after a few months, the main event arrived. There was a group of cross-dressers and self-acknowledg ed transvestites who met regularly at the opposite end of the DC metro area. One of our regulars would occasionally mention that the CDs were having a gala or something and, on their behalf, invite us to attend. I never did because I knew what would happen. Those few who did go never returned to such events and regretted accepting the invitation. Within a year, frustrations mounted when some of the people in our meeting started to talk up how we should all get along and we needed unity, so we should invite the CDs/TVs. The group consensus was no as we wanted to maintain our focus. The next week a couple dozen of the interlopers arrived and camped out at every meeting, bullying people, ridiculing our existing consensus, but tolerating the presence of people post correction - or who were working toward correction. Discussions featured such topics as "Is surgery really necessary?", led by a hostile cross-dresser. We had to tolerate fetishists who would show up wearing cheerleader uniforms and fairy princess outfits. I heard way to much a "trying get in touch with the girl inside". All of the experienced post-corrected people left. As did I. And by then, Lisa. I am told that since then the group has at times been strictly transgender, mixed, and back again. We have done a careful search and there are few, if any, groups dedicated to transition support anywhere in the United States. Mainly, we have TG groups who say they accommodate transsexual folk. Our admittedly non-scientific straw poll tells us this has significantly delayed transition for far too many. In some cases, the affected individuals have not lived long enough to meet their goals and died unfulfilled.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:42:23 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4360</guid>
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			<title>Not Your Friend</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4359</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Please explain what you mean by the following statement:]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Abby Shoemaker</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:15:17 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4359</guid>
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			<title>In my eyes</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4358</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Cathryn has a lot of credibility if she says you guys have been working behind the scenes than I believe her. With that said I take back what I said. I'll let the fruits of your labor be the judge. Maybe we can make some progress against the homosexuals.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:13:28 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4358</guid>
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			<title>It was a typo</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4356</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Cathryn, I refreshed the page and it was gone. Anyway, count me in for Transsexual Independence Day. I love how it gets to the essence of things. I am so over the blather and pointless arguments over sexual orientation, politics religion, what jobs we had to get some scratch for surgery, and I mean everybody's politics. This is something I can do. I liked what they said about a message in a bottle. I am writing mine and telling what women or heard of I know all about it. Wait until Jerry Brown gets my letter with a cc to all the other guys in California who don't get it. If they don't get it we will do it again until they get the message.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Abby Shoemaker</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:36:49 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4356</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>First, I hope that was a typo</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4355</link>
			<description><![CDATA[It's not Transgender Independence Day, it's Transsexual Independence Day. Natalie, there are no transsexual specific organizations because systematically whenever they were formed, they were invaded. First by "non-ops" claiming poverty etc., then by TGs. I saw it happen over and over the past fifteen years every time. Back around 99 I ran an activist yahoo email group......and resisted invasion and had false reports about me made to yahoo and lost all my yahoo accounts without warning or recourse. They don't do that anymore but back then they did. I know who did it because they bragged all over the place about it. Calpernia Addams groups started out as totally surgical tracked only and in rather short order a non-op became the administrator.. ...opps, so much for that effort. Start a TS only group and watch how fast the non-op TGs invade it. This is exactly why this effort will pay off. Most of us women are no longer active in these issues because we are women and have other issues important to us and more relevant to our lives. This is something we can do that will make a difference now.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:17:46 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4355</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Where are the TS groups?</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4354</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I love this plan. It dumps all the back-stabbing baggage and side issues to get the point across. We may start small but it will grow. Next year will be bigger than this and on and on. I live in New York and looked around for transsexual support groups to publicize Transsexual Independence Day. We have transgender groups and that's that. I checked other parts of the U.S. and in other countries and it was much the same. I expected Europe and Austalia and the Kiwis would have more TS groups. But no. What happened to them all? Should I talk to the groups around here and peel off the TSs for the Day. Do you ladies think it worth it?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Natálie Matejka</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:58:57 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4354</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>To everyone....... ..</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4353</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I am the one who started the petition. When Sharon and Lisa said they could not, for legal reasons, promote it, I had no problem with that. I understand that legal situation has now changed and they ARE promoting it, for which I am grateful. Sharon and Lisa have been working quietly behind the scenes all along, I know this. They both have posted opinion pieces here on TS-Si at least as outspoken as anyone else. I fully support this current effort and urge everyone to drop all the past slights real or imagined and work towards this worthy effort. All along (15 or so years) I have said that the general public and Joe and Jane Congresscritter "get" transsexuality quite easily but the TG feminine penis nonsense is a total non starter. This effort is finally taking action on that truth. We have the science and medicine on our side, the science in no small part to the efforts of TS-Si to update the science and document it right here. I am personally extremely grateful to both Sharon and Lisa for this incredible service to all women of history in doing so...]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:26:03 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4353</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Joining the Public Circus and other follies ...........</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4352</link>
			<description><![CDATA[We are not one for grand public gestures followed by mutual back patting. We certainly are not some supplicant bending our knee to the collective. We work outside the media glare, our hands clean of government grants or commercial advertising. We do not hold great convocations or expect to ever seen our names up on some self-serving national forum. We do the science, continue to build the foundation by doing the day to day grunt work necessary for ultimate success. We work the political corridors of Washington and the research laboratories at universities and institutes as a fair and honest broker without political affiliation. We are out to change the world, not to make some bumper-sticker political statement.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Lisa Thompson</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:15:52 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4352</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Not Your Friend says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4351</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Truthfully as one who has been fighting this fight for sometime and have seen some sit by and watch while others get outed and have their lives destroyed by the Tee-Gees. This is all too little too late and Sharon Lisa Pam and company are coming to the party way too late. One would even suspect you waited until all the dirty work was done. That is all I have to say on the subject. Good Bye.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Not Your Friend</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:17:42 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4351</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Knit Circle Ladies</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4350</link>
			<description><![CDATA[It is a joy to hear from you here on the site and in the private messages. It grants me great comfort knowing you are all still out there walking in aglaia. I am so happy for you all. We are taking a simple but special and manageable step forward. There will be more in the future. Please tell Genia her bouquet reaches to me through the years, tears, and her well-earned happiness. Ask her Bersediakah Anda berdansa dengan saya?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:23:26 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4350</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Ladies Knit Circle</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4347</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Greetings from Japan expats! We come from 9 countries. Our husbands work here and some of us do too. We don't meet up much often but wrote sometimes by post or bittybites on computer. Some hate computers so we call. Clara told us what is going over there. We love our sisters and don't love transgender. So we decide to make a list of each fixed lady we know and write them a letter and tell them to write their bosses. Sandra here: Do-yeon gave up on typing. There are twelve of us ladies who think the tgs jacked our lives camp it up at our expense. We will contact others and tell them to contact others. We will have letters for the big event. And Genia says to tell Sharon Sinead she is Ok and happy running a flower stand in Jakarta. She remembers and loves you for what you did.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Ladies Knit Circle</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:12:04 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4347</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Enough!</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4346</link>
			<description><![CDATA[No more off-topic posts. I will remove any more of them that appear. Let us get back to the matters at hand, especially how to get a turnout from people in stealth and/or off the internet.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:24:39 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4346</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Pamela says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4345</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Susan, Please go learn to read, I NEVER called Leigh a transvestite or crossdresser; I merely told her to go back to playing on their websites if that gave her a buzz. Speaking of juvenile insults, do please check out the remarks she made to me. Nope, I "OWE" no apology to Leigh, if anything she was way out in left field and should be on bended knee asking for my forgiveness. While we are at it, you NEED to keep your nose in your OWN business and not display a great sense of prejudice you seem to have due to a friendship. You OWE ME an apology.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Pamela</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:14:01 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4345</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Update: 23 February 2011</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4343</link>
			<description><![CDATA[We have changed the title and lightly edited the article text to reflect our consensus on changes through this date. The informational sidebar and the resource information on mailing lists will be revised or expanded on an ongoing basis. If any of you have any useful information we should post with the article, please let me know.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:41:46 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4343</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Susan</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4341</link>
			<description><![CDATA[0. Enough. I absolutely do not appreciate how this comment thread is continually hijacked, starting with Leigh's aggressive off-topic post that led to a series of back-and-forth jabs with Pamela. Otherwise, we have had a very good and productive discussion here, both on- and off-line, despite the antics. 1. You said "... but calling Leigh a transvestite/cr ossdresser ..." never happened. I interpreted Pamela's remark in context, as a reaction to Leigh's statement about being "... on the transgender blogs defending transsexual positions..." 2. I did allow some mildly rude language to get through, but nothing that rose to the level where it needed intervention. 3. You talk about consistently over the years "standing toe-to-toe, comment-to-comm ent, head-to-head with with the transgender refuting every possible point they might have" The truth squad approach is one viable tactic. We acknowledge that. In fact, I personally was involved for years doing the very same thing on venues that predated the emergence of the world wide web. 4. There is no one acceptable way to get results. There are many reasons why there has been the groundswell you speak of, as well as many people (including yourself) who have contributed to the situation we find ourselves in today. Moreover, there is an array of outcomes necessary to get the job done and achieve genuinely strategic goals 5. Please afford us the courtesy of understanding there are other approaches that have contributed to resisting transgenderism. Also, please remember that we have had our share of people who came here and carried on in all kinds of ways, such as accusing us of being transgendered or at least fellow travelers of a sort. Nonsense, of course, but it happened. 6. Everyone should take a deep breath, focus on facts and relevance, then get back to work.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:43:56 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4341</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Susan says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4340</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I swore I'd never post here again because of this very type of thing, but this once, I am. I've known Leigh personally for many, many years. She had GRS in 1985 or so and has the T-shirt and newspaper clippings to prove it (I've seen them). She is married to someone she met while double dating with me. And, she has stood up to the onslaught of the transgender on their blogs when others would only watch on the sidelines. I can understand disagreement, but calling Leigh a transvestite/cr ossdresser, and even worse, TS-Si allowing your insulting and juvenile comments to stand is simply unacceptable to me. Me, Leigh, Cathryn, and a few more whose numbers are growing daily have consistently over the years stood toe-to-toe, comment-to-comm ent, head-to-head with with the transgender refuting every possible point they might have...and have advocated just as long for the united coalition TS-Si is just now supporting. Sitting on the sidelines talking only to yourselves is useless if you are not prepared to take the debate to the heart of the very transgender who say they are "just like us." It is because of that tact that anyone who follows gender issues on the net will find that the ground swell of transsexuals who are fed up with the dogma of transgender and gay colonization is increasing in leaps and bounds daily. Leigh has been one of those who has not hesitated to call the transgender out on their own blogs. Pamela, you owe Leigh an apology for your ignorant insults...TS-Si owes her an apology for letting them stand; they should know better.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:04:56 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4340</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Consensus</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4339</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In addition to the comments in this discussion, we have received a few hundred emails that show a broad consensus. Hearing no objection, we will update the article title and text, and the advertising to reflect the following points: -- "Transsexual Independence Day" is preferred by a wide margin. -- 22 March 2011 is as good as any other day. A few people noted that it does not coincide with any other holiday, birth/death commemoration of a notable personage, etc. -- Mailing the letter on March 22nd seems best because of widely varying delivery services around the world make it difficult to target simultaneous delivery. -- The idea of a physical letter has resonance, but in some cases email and/or fax might be preferable, depending on the local situation. Here in the United States, letters to our Federal officials now go through an extensive vetting process because of attempted terrorism. The states vary. Other countries have the same or very different situations. -- Most of our correspondents who cloak their identities say outright they will not use their legal names and addresses to avoid disclosure. Interestingly, some say they will use their personal identifiers because this initiative is just one of several that they support, a citizen's right. -- The most poignant statements come from women (and some men) who live in countries where repression is a constant and they could face serious retribution of they speak out. Their plan is to send an anonymous physical letter with no return address.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:52:10 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4339</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>saphirenz says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4338</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Ahem...come on girls, play nicely now. Acrimony and arguing amongst ourselves is highly counterproducti ve. Save it for our detractors huh.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:18:29 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4338</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>saphirenz says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4336</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think a simultaneous delivery would be very effective, don't you? Even if the mail arrived during two or three days it would still be effective. I suppose email would be almost as effective ...unless someone knows different]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:01:46 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4336</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Pamela says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4335</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I LIKE Transsexual Independence Day and March 22nd sounds good to me too.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Pamela</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:50:16 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4335</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Pamela says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4334</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Leigh one doesn't have to be "OUT THERE on "transgender blogs" and all that other crap, so go take a hike and some Valium. Thanks for all the gratuitous insulting, remind me to skip knowing you in person, I'm much to busy with my daily activities and living my life and interacting with the world to waste time arguing with a bunch of transvestites on their web sites. By the Way, here's a direct quote from one of your scribbles above: Sounds like you are claiming they owe you an apology to me and I'm sure others also. I also notice your nasty "Smart Ass" comment in one of your other messages that certainly says you "think" they owe you an apology. Now go play on the crossdresser blogs and let the adults alone.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Pamela</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:46:44 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4334</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>AnnaRosa says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4332</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Are we Mailing of 3/22 or are we trying for a simultaneous arrival on 3/22? And what about emails to our Reps?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>AnnaRosa</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:20:09 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4332</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>saphirenz says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4331</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Two earthquakes in 5 months is enough for anyone. Let us console each other through the ethernet. I have marked 22nd March, Transsexual Independence Day on my calendar. Perhaps we should keep it prominent in our minds.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:33:15 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4331</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Christchurch</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4328</link>
			<description><![CDATA[New Zealand has suffered too much as it is; this is too much. It brought me to tears as well.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:01:35 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4328</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Yeeesss !</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4327</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Ah, Now you come to mention it , 'Independence' does have that ring of rebellion and defiance which seems so appropriate in our case. Yeeesss 1 Let's go for it ...and the idea of an annual event appeals even more to me .]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:59:52 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4327</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Freedom or Independence?</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4326</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi Sharon, Freedom versus Independence, to me is six of one and half a dozen of the other.Freedom from or idependentent of? I suppose freedom implies everyone's freedom which is nice but independence implies that of a bloc or unit. If anything I prefer freedom but would not be averse to the use of independence. As for the date, 22nd March sounds fine to me and it will tend to avoid procrastination . PS I spent yesterday afternoon in tears at the heartbreaking news and sights from Christchurch. Thank God I am far enough away as to be unharmed.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:45:39 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4326</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>saphirenz</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4325</link>
			<description><![CDATA[How do you feel about Kelly's suggestion that we go with "Transsexual Independence Day" instead of "Transsexual Freedom Day"? And what about the date?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:16:47 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4325</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>This is what is required</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4324</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi Sharon, Leigh et Al., Please let us forget the bickering and get behind an initiative which, I believe, is overdue. Certainly I have long felt that we need a rallying point which will be truly world wide. Perhaps this will be an opportunity to express our feelings without ranting. I think it is an excellent idea so let us all get behind it and grasp the opportunity.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>saphirenz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:38:30 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4324</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Hmmn:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4323</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Kelly suggested an alternative to "Transsexual Freedom Day": It could be the melody of an Elton John song ran through our heads when we came up with "Transsexual Freedom ...". lol I kind of like "Transsexual Independence Day" for the reasons Kelly gave in her post. How do the rest of you feel about this?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:45:42 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4323</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Transsexual Freedom Day?  How about...</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4322</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Since we have already declared our freedom (through countless blogs, letters and replies/comment s to articles, including here at TS-Si) how about calling our forthcoming day of reckoning 'Transsexual Independence Day'? As an act of resistance/rebe llion it shall become a recurring day of remembrance and celebration, the day we declared our independence from our transgender oppressors/aggr essors. March 22 is as good a day as any, I'll sign up for that.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Kelly</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:29:01 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4322</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Leigh ............... ............... ............... ...</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4321</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Leigh, If you've nothing to add that indicates a human brainwave, stuff it. Stay on subject. Don't try to chalk up brownie points in whatever game you think you are playing.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Lisa Thompson</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:48:48 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4321</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>leigh says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4320</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Sharon I never said you owed me an apology. Likewise, I didn't owe you one either. I gave it freely, because it was the right thing to do. That you don't feel it the right thing to do, even in light of this 180 degree turn about, say's a lot. Now I am done with this unless someone else wants to have a go at me.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>leigh</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:11:51 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4320</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Proposed Transsexual Freedom Day</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4319</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Except from a few misquoted (and misconstrued) comment threads, anything I have had to say on this subject was done in private to the appropriate parties. Neither Lisa nor I owe Leigh anything. I did not say "we had affiliations they are now free of". In fact, our affiliations are in place. In the past, we explained the need to protect our non-profit status, which has a bearing on certain institutional associations here in Washington, DC and other places. None of this prevails any more. We expect a formal announcement within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, let us deal with the primary subject of this thread: the proposal for a "Transsexual Freedom Day" on 22 March 2011.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:46:50 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4319</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>leigh says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4318</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Oh shut-up pamela ... I havn't seen you out there on the transgender blogs defending transsexual positions against the transgender sociopolitical lies. Show me where Pamela ? Go Ahead .. show us where you have done anything at all except post here in agreeance like a lemming, regailing us all with your personal transition experiences, ad nauseum. All Sharon and Lisa had to say was they had a change of heart, a change of mind. Instead they post an excuse about having affiliations they are now free of. Three years ago the excuse was they were protecting their non-profit status. I was willing to let it rest with my last post, but I just knew you would have somt smart a$$ comment.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>leigh</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:34:08 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4318</guid>
		</item>
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			<title>Pamela says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4317</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Let it rest Leigh, Shame on you for trying to drag up old issues. I apparently signed this petition last August and forgot about it.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Pamela</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:46:12 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4317</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>leigh says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4316</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Nice try Sharon .. You and Lisa called me everything but a white woman when I first posted a proposal that ts-si endorse Cathryn Platines Petition to Glaad. In point of fact, both of you ASSUMED that it was MY petition, not Cathryn's. What ensued thereafter was a very nasty exchange from both sides aimed at discrediting. I have since apologized to both of you, I am still waiting for an apology from you and Lisa. Must we go through this again ? No I have nothing further to say Sharon! I wish you well with your efforts and hope you have much success.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>leigh</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:29:51 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4316</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Leigh</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4315</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Regarding the GLAAD petition, we did not say that we "had no intention of ever signing on to such a petition". We were restrained by institutional associations that no longer prevail. We seek no accolades nor do we claim any ownership of the idea. This isn't about us, but people who need our help. Now, do you have anything to say about the proposal for a "Transsexual Freedom Day"? That is the principal subject of this opinion column.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:18:17 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4315</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>leigh says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4314</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Well now! Nice to see you two finally came to the party. I was one of the first to sign this petition and that was ...oh .. what ... 2 years ago! I seem to remember you saying back then that you had no intention of ever signing on to such a petition. In the mean time, Cathryn's petition has been held up by the transgender as evidence that we are nothing more than a small group of nutcases with no support. Why are yanks always late for everything worth fighting for, and always first when it comes to picking up the accolades and presenting it as their idea all along?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>leigh</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:58:25 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4314</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>US Official Contacts</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4313</link>
			<description><![CDATA[For people in the United States, a website called USA.gov (http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml) has a facility to contact elected officials on the federal and state level throughout the country. For most federal officals, the site provides email access and snail mail addresses. The latter is preferable in this case, since a physical letter confers a personal touch and stands out from the deluge of electronic mail. State level contacts require some clicking to find te details.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:56:13 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4313</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Cathryn: Stealth Women</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4312</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Yes, there are many who avoid the internet, but there is a large (and unknown) number that lurk without comment. We hear from a great many of them in private correspondence and know they subscribe to one or more of our various feeds. In fact, the comment feed for this article spiked as soon as it appeared. We plan to contact as many women as we can in both camps, consistent with their wishes when they contacted us in the first place. We recommend that everyone who reads this article and associated comments contact everyone they know. Even if our separate efforts overlap, the multiple contacts can only reinforce the call for for action.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Sharon S. Gaughan</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:23:03 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4312</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Yes.......</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4311</link>
			<description><![CDATA[But in order to really be effective we will need to enlist the "stealth" women we all know who avoid the internet.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cathryn</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:09:19 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4311</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Bring it on!</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4310</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Ladies, this is a great idea. We are in full support. We have a home, the usual teenagers and their angst, and a wonderful life. We just get by but that is enough. Kerrie can be who she really is and Lee says he has a wonderful lover, wife and mother that he does not deserve. We wish everyone could be as happy as we are. Lets spread it all around and help those who face tough times. The transgender aren't just silly - their actions are dangerous. Love, Kerrie and Lee]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Kerrie and Lee</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:06:05 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4310</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Maggie says:</title>
			<link>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4309</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Excellent! Solidarity creates change. Being born transsexual is not a mental illness.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Maggie</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:47:14 -0500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ts-si.org/thompson-&amp;-gaughan/29048-transsexual-independence-day-22-march-2012#comment-4309</guid>
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