Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 18:01:38 GMT
Subject: DEMO CALLED FOR EMBATTLED TG TEEN
From: riki@nyc.pipeline.com (Riki Anne Wilchins)

Media Advisory - For Immediate Release 
 
CONTACT: Riki Anne Wilchins,  
Riki@Pipeline.Com, (212)645-1753 
 
CITY-WIDE DEMONSTRATION PLANNED  
FOR EMBATTLED TRANSGENDERED TEEN 
================================ 
 
[Burlington, VT - October 1, 1996]  
THE NATIONAL PROTEST group Transexual  
Menace and the Vermont -based  
organization T.R.A.N.S. today  
announced a city-wide demonstration  
of support for suspended  
crossdressing teen Matthew Stickney  
for Saturday, October 5th, in  
downtown Burlington, VT.   
 
       The demonstration quickly drew  
endorsements from a wide spectrum of  
city groups, including the Burlington  
Women's Council, Outright Vermont ,  
Bi-Net, the Vermont Coalition for Gay  
& Lesbian Rights, and local queer  
newspaper "Out in the Mountains." 
 
       In a case that attracted  
national attention, Matthew was  
suspended on September 9th from  
Burlington High School for wearing a  
dress to class. Matthew, who  
identifies as both gay and  
crossdressing, explained his attire  
as both an expression of identity and  
pride.  
 
       However, after Matthew was  
verbally assaulted by other students,  
principal Ridgley Shott claimed  
Matthew was "creating a disturbance"  
and suspended him from school.   
During the ensuing national media  
barrage, Matthew went into hiding,  
from which he has only recently  
emerged.   
 
       The October 5th demonstration  
marks the first city-wide expression  
of support for the embattled gay  
youth, and hundreds are expected to  
attend. 
 
 
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church,  
top of Church St., Burlington town  
center. 
 
 
WHEN:  Press Conference at 11:45 am.   
Demonstration at 12:00 noon. 
 
(c) 1996 InYourFace 
The on-line, news-only service for  
gender activism from GenderPAC. To be  
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                ###