Hi folks. I received this announcement in pamphlet form, and thought it deserved wide propogation across the net. If you know anyone who would be interested in this, please pass this along to them. I'm posting this to every group we get that is relevant. If you know of a group that is also relevant, please post a pointer, or forward this message there. I would especially appreciate it of this were to be forwarded to legal-oriented mailing lists or listservs. Due to the subject matter of the conference, this article is being crossposted to the following groups: alt.activism, alt.activism.d, alt.discrimination, alt.sex.bondage, alt.society.civil.liberty, alt.society.civil.liberties, bit.listserv.gaynet, misc.activism.progressive, misc.jobs.misc, misc.legal, news.announce.conferences, soc.bi, soc.misc, soc.motss, soc.rights.human, talk.politics.misc, tx.general, tx.jobs It is also being posted to private mailing lists CDforum and Transgen. Short posts pointing to this main announcement are being posted in alt.dads-rights and sci.psychology. If you have any flames regarding the wide-crossposting, email them to me or /dev/null. These were the survivors of a longer list that went though a bit of 'peer review.' I apologize in advance if you see this more than once; my newsreader won't accept a crosspost line longer than 80 characters. Followups are directed to misc.legal. If you have something to post that would not belong there, please edit your followup line accordingly. DISCLAIMER: I am not a member of G.C.T.C., and I have no further information beyond what you see here. Any typing or spelling errors are my own. I am not able to attend this conference myself, due to schedule conflicts. I would be interested in hearing from any net.people that plan to attend, so I can know I did not post this in vain. ;-) Thanks go to the Boulton & Park Society for bringing it to my attention. ______ _ _ /\ / __ /__________ _____ M. Otto //// /__\ / / / //_ __ __// _ / otto@vaxb.acs.unt.edu _ _ //// // \\ / /_/ / / / / / / // / A virtual prisoner of the VAX \\\X/// / \ / \ /_____/ /_/ /_/ /____/ at The University of North Texas \XXX/ / ~ ~ \ Denton, USA ~~~~~~~~~~ - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Annoucing: THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSGENDER LAW AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY This conference is for attorneys and other legal professionals; for employment, personnel, and other human resource professionals; and for members of the transgender community, all of whom have an interest in the current status of, and in strategies for, progressive changes in either the law and/or employment policy as they pertain to the transgendered community. Wednesday, August 26, 1992 through Sunday, August 30, 1992 Hilton Southwest 6780 Southwest Freeway Houston, Texas Sponsored by: Gulf Coast Transgender Community (an outreach organization) In affiliation with: Bar Association for Human Rights of Greater Houston, Inc. Association of Women in Law (student legal society at University of Houston) Mandamus (student legal society at University of Houston) TRANSGENDER LAW AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY ARE... ...the law and employment policy at all levels (federal, state, and local) in The United States and various other countries that are applied to transgendered persons. They include, but are not limited to: military law housing law insurance law probate law criminal law health law family law anti-discrimination law employment law and policy. Transgendered persons include transsexuals, transgenderists, and other crossdressers of both sexes, transitioning in either direction (male to female or female to male), of any sexual orientation, and of all races, creeds, religions, ages, and degrees of physical impairment. Knowledge of law and employment policy for transgendered persons is important because disadvantage in the law and loss of employment are the biggest problems of transgendered persons. This is a very unfortunate society for those persons (and their loved ones) who were born of one sex, yet have a definite opposite gender identity. This disagreement may range from moderate (occasional crossdressing) to complete (sex reassignment surgery). The condition is observed over such a vastness and diversity in geography, race, education, religion, income, and profession that to be transgendered is not a matter of mere choice. Furthermore, rational people do not take upon themselves the burdens placed by intolerant societies merely to express an occasional crossdressing fling. The Conference Format Weekday Committee Meeting Format: During the daytime of Thursday and Friday, conference participants will meet in committee areas of their choices, exchange ideas and knowledge, and prepare a committee report (for Saturday presentation) on the current status of and strategies for progressive changes in either the law or employment policy as they pertain to the transgendered community. Luncheons with featured speakers will be held on both days. Tentatively scheduled speakers are an administrative judge and an appeals court justice. Wednesday and Thursday Nights will be hosted by the affiliated organizations and will include buffet dinners and cash bar at locations away from the hotel. Also planned are introductions of the winners of the University of Houston Law Center writing competition on the subject of transgender and sexual-minority law. Weekend Committee Reports Format: Friday night will include a get-acquainted buffet at the hotel, a reading of the 2nd-place paper from the writing competition, and a presentation by another appeals court justice, all followed by entertainment. On Saturday, each committee will present a report of its findings on current status, and strategies for progressive changes in its areas of law as it pertains to the transgendered community. The emplyment policy committee will present its report at the Saturday luncheon. Court reporters will provide transcripts for a post-conference "Proceedings." Saturday night will feature a formal banquet, with a reading of the 1st place paper from the writing competition, a distinguished speaker (tentatively scheduled is another appeals court justice), and entertainment afterwards. A farewell brunch will be held on Sunday morning. LOCATION OF THE CONFERENCE The conference will be held at the Hilton Southwest, 6780 Southwest Freeway, in Houston, which has earned a reputation for boundless hospitality and service. A special room rate of $48 plus tax per night (single or double) has been arranged for conference participants. To get this rate, call the Hilton directly at 1-800-545-0064 and ask for "Law Conference." Calling the nationwide Hilton 1-800 number will not entitle you to this rate. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the conference organizer: Phyllis Randolph Frye, as a child and young adult, was very successful as a male-- Eagle Scout, corps commander in high school ROTC, winner of several scholarships, holder of two engineering degrees from Texas A&M, licensed professional engineer in three states, and a husband and father. Even so, she was never truly a "man." Following her transition from being a man to being a woman, she and her second spouse faced and eventually overcame many challenges, including loss of visitation of her child, ostracism from their families, near total loss of engineering employment, severe underemployment for over ten years, daily fear of arrest, hostility from neighbors, recurring vandalism and obscene phone calls, hostility from people professing religion, and multiple bouts with depression. Overcoming these challenges, they have remained married for over eighteen years, she is loved by her child (now an adult), the family ostracism is much reduced, and the neighbors are friendly. She returned to school on the G.I. Bill and earned an MBA degree and a law degree from the University of Houston. She was instrumental in the repeal of the law making crossdressing illegal in Houston. They remain secure and true in their religious convictions. Their outlook for the future is optimistic. She has had a successful law paractice as a sole practitioner since 1986. Phyllis Randolph Frye is the Vice President of of the sponsoring G.C.T.C. She serves as the Organizational Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Houston and has been on the boards of several organizations, both business and professional. She is very well known in the Houston area legal community, is often published in _Docket Call_, and is well respected for her work. She is completely out-of-the-closet and has been so for over 15 years. She organized this conference because, "There are many people out there in both the legal and employment professions who are not transgendered but who want to help. There are transgendered people out there who are still scared of the laws and for their jobs. It is the right time." Phyllis may be contacted at: 5707 Firenza Street Houston, Texas 77035-5515 (713) 723-8368 (leave message) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFERENCE PRICES For the convenience of those who cannot attend the entire conference, prices have been established for individual events. Half-day sessions (no lunch, pay at door): Thursday and Friday committees $10 each Saturday committee reports $15 each [*] Thursday and Friday daytime each, $30 (Morning and afternoon committees, luncheon) Saturday daytime [*] $35 (Committee reports, luncheon) Wednesday evening (away from hotel) $20 (Buffet and cash bar, with B.A.H.R.) Thursday evening (at the Courthouse Club) $40 (Buffet and cash bar with law school societies) Friday evening $30 (Buffet, cash bar, speaker, entertainment) Saturday evening $40 (Formal banquet, cash bar, speaker, entertainment) Sunday morning brunch $15 PACKAGE PRICES (Order must be received before Monday, 10 August) 1. Wednesday evening + Thursday daytime $45 2. Thursday evening + Friday daytime $60 3. Friday evening through Sunday brunch $105 4. ENTIRE CONFERENCE (Wednesday-Sunday) $210 EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT is 5% for registration before 10 June. [*] Continuing Legal Education -- Saturday only $70 7.0 hours in Texas via registration form; For possible credit elsewhere, contact B.A.H.R. Chris Bacon, PO Box 130911, Houston, TX 77219-0911 Printed Proceedings from Saturday's reports $40 Audio Proceedings from Saturday's reports $40 Directory of Law and Employment Policy Professionals who *affirmatively request* such a listing $20 The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE hotel accomodations, any transportation, cash bars, or breakfasts. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGISTRATION FORM Name:______________________________________________________________________ Name of business (optional) or Title:______________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City, Sate, (Country) zip:_________________________________________________ Phone (optional) Bus. (_____)_______________ Res. (_____)_________________ DO YOU WISH TO BE LISTED IN DIRECTORY? YES_____ NO_____ Areas of interest for conference (and Directory) ___A1 military law ___A4 probate law ___A7 family law ___A2 housing law ___A5 criminal law ___A8 anti-discrimination law ___A3 insurance law ___A6 health law ___A9 employment law & policy INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (for half-day session, pay at door) ___I1 Wednesday evening @ $20 = $________ ___I2 Thursday daytime @ $30 = $________ ___I3 Thursday evening @ $40 = $________ ___I4 Friday daytime @ $30 = $________ ___I5 Friday evening @ $30 = $________ ___I6 Saturday daytime @ $35 = $________ ___I7 Saturday evening @ $40 = $________ ___I8 Sunday brunch @ $15 = $________ PACKAGE EVENTS (must be received by Monday, 10 August) ___P1 Wednesday Evening + Thursday Daytime @ $45 = $________ ___P2 Thursday Evening + Friday Daytime @ $60 = $________ ___P3 Friday Evening through Sunday Brunch @ $105 = $________ ___P4 ENTIRE CONFERENCE @ $210 = $________ Subtotal above: $________ ___S2 Apply discount: Less 5% before 10 June (________) ___T1 Printed Proceedings (mailed to you) @ $45 = $________ ___T2 Audio Proceedings (mailed to you) @ $40 = $________ ___T3 Copy of Directory (mailed to you) @ $20 = $________ TOTAL AMOUNT $________ Send check or money order to GCTC, PO box 90335, Houston, Texas 77090 For Texas C.L.E., draft deperate $70.00 check to BAHR, *BUT* send to GCTC above. For other C.L.E., contact BAHR, c/o Chris Bacon, PO Box 130911, Houston, TX 77219-0911.