Date: Mon, 02 Nov 1998 07:23:55 -0800 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF - Transwoman elected Co-chair of NLGLA MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org . TRANSWOMAN ELECTED CO-CHAIR OF NLGLA . TRANS-TEEN FORCED TO QUIT SCHOOL Contact: Melinda Whiteway, melindamw@aol.com TRANSWOMAN ELECTED CO-CHAIR OF NLGLA ==================================== [Boston, MA: 30 Oct 98] TRANSGENDER WOMAN MELINDA Whiteway, of Santa Cruz, CA, has been elected co- chair of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA)for the 1998-99 term, marking the first time a transgender person has held such a position in a national lesbian and gay organization. NLGLA, which is both bisexual and transgender inclusive in its bylaws, is the only queer law association affliliated with the American Bar Association. Said Ms. Whiteway of her election, "I'm delighted... It is a formidable task, but I am excited and very enthusiastic about it... I have pledged to do my best to represent the women of our organization on the board and the executive committee. I actively solicit any comments, suggestions, or constructive criticism so that NLGLA can realize its potential as a national leader of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community." ### TRANS-TEEN FORCED TO QUIT SCHOOL ================================ [Carrollton, GA: 29 Oct 98] FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW Alex McLendon was "invited to withdraw" from the private Georgian Country Day School for dressing like a girl. Alex, who speaks in a soft, feminine voice, began cross-dressing two years ago. He says he isn't gay, but considers himself "95% girl." Echoing similar cases in VT and CT, Alex's fellow students--including some boys--wore ribbons in their hair to show solidarity with him until they were threatened with explusion by school administrators. Alex, refusing to comply with administrator's demands that he "dress as a boy," was forced to leave school. The school declined to cite the rule or regulation that Alex had violated, leading administrators to force him out. Said Lori Lipoma, a teacher at the school and mother of one of Alex's classmates, "Alex represents something that's way beyond the experience and the comfort zone of the very conservative people we live with. I really think we all lost something very precious [when he was forced to withdraw]. Carrollton is a town of 22,000 in central Georgia. Commented Alex, "School is supposed to be preparing you for life. Parents are trying to protect their kids by covering their eyes. It's going to be a real shock for some of these parents when their kids get out into the real world." ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@Gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace GenderPAC's online news-only service for gender activism.