Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 08:57:43 +0000 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF16 MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org GAY, LESBIAN, AND TRANSGENDER GROUPS PROTEST GAY GAMES POLICY FOR TRANS-ATHLETES ============================================ [New York, NY: 25 Jul 98] A COALITION OF GAY, lesbian, and transgender groups has written a letter to organizers of Gay Games 98 to protest policies that they say stigmatize transgender people and discourage trans- athletes from competing in the games being held in Amsterdam this summer. The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), FTM International, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, GenderPAC and other groups object to parts of Gay Games' policy that apply only to transgender people who wish to compete in the games. Transexuals must provide: "Proof of completed gender transition in active daily life [sic] since at least two years (photos, personal correspondence, employer's declaration, etc.); and, a letter from a medical physician stating that the participant has been actively involved in hormone treatment for a minimum of two full years without any time lapse..." Speaking of these requirements, the letter states, "These requirements are irrational and unnecessary. They perpetuate the stereotype that transsexual people are inherently untrustworthy and deceptive by suggesting that they are likely to deceive the organizers of the Games about their "true" gender identity... "Transsexual people are not all under the care of physicians; they are not all out to their employers... Thus, well-qualified athletes in their stated gender category may be unable to produce the corroborating documents the committee requires... "Trans people already experience rampant discrimination in the form of violence, ridicule, and exclusion, not to mention economic marginalization. It is only further demeaning to receive this kind of treatment from the Gay Games." ### Subscriptions. Please send: subscribe iyf-online or: unsubscribe iyf-online to: MajorDomo@apocalypse.org For prior press releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace Our online news-only service for gender activism.