Well, this week I have spent a lot of time researching! This is what I think: We should start out in Wilmington and then take a trip to Chapel Hill and other places for interviews because it seems as if there are so GREAT programs out there. Below are just some that sounded interesting. I am working on organizing these into lists by location, and professions, then we can all look at the websites together to choose who we want to contact, and see what we are missing, and what we don't need.
People I found in Wilmington:
Louise Hahn, MA, NCC: She is "nationally certified counselor specializing in gender-related issues.
Alpha Counseling Center: they run a transgender group by wrightsville
Ralph W Fox II, Ph. D: works with transgender clients
On mondays at 7pm its gay and lesbian AA and the 4th monday of every month, at St. Jude's Metropolitian Community Church there are there are PFLAG (parents families and friends or Lesbians and Gays)
I also think we need to find a consevative chruch and maybe a program that tries to make gay people stright.
We also have Cape Fear Acad. 7th graders (my moms class) and Chris also got some High School Students, I think we need some really young kids, (has anyone seen the 7up series? little kids sometimes have telling answers)
Other people/groups not in Wilmington:
Kindered spirits located in Black Mountian, NC Its a group that focuses on the speritual journey of transgendered people
Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life at Duke University, Durham
North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys: Would be VERY interesting to get some legal insight! Durham, NC 27702
Equality North Carolina Political Action Committee and Equality in Raleigh
NC TG Unity in Raleigh
Triangle Transgender Support in Chapel Hill
Triad Gender Association in Greensboro
Lisa Griffin, Ph.D: She specializes in gender issues and also there is Kimball Jane Sargent, in Raleigh who also specializes in gender issues, including the transgendered.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
52 things you can do for Transgender Equality
http://www.nctequality.org/52things.asp
Check it out if your interested, everyone can help...
Check it out if your interested, everyone can help...
Transgender equality website
"Because of the transphobia that is prevalent in U.S society, transgender people face many issues that negatively impact our quality of life, from joblessness to homelessness to acts of violence. It is important that we name and understand these issues. By educating ourselves and others, we can better fight for the right to live our lives openly without fear of abuse or discrimination"
This is an interesting website. I really liked this passage because it just gets to the point. I think the "national center for transgender equality" may be a good resource we should explore.
http://www.nctequality.org
This is an interesting website. I really liked this passage because it just gets to the point. I think the "national center for transgender equality" may be a good resource we should explore.
http://www.nctequality.org
Monday, January 29, 2007
Stephen Lynch song
In our society it is a joke to be a hermaphrodite... It alsmot seems that by over-simplifying what it means to be a hermaphrodite makes it easier to handle, to laugh about...
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friday
Well I'm excited about our project. This week we got our group together and just got the converstaion started. So we have been talking about who would be good to interview and such. Someone lent me some stock footage today ( Girl's Toys and Boy's Toys: Favorite TV commercials of the 50s/60s/70s) so that shall be splendid. I've been thinking we should paint on some film and maybe have the ♂ and the ♀ and the ☿ thats (the intersexed symbol) over it in marker for lots of frames so you can see them change into the other... and then transfer it to video. Group, does that sound like something you would be interested in doing? Oh and its will be fun to go to the film "The Great Happiness Space: Tale of Osaka Love Thief" on Sunday!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Email from Dan my step dad
... You might cast it as a conflict between nature (parts are parts) vs. nurture (how individual is socialized), or when nature can't decide, or gets confused, double dips, or tries to go both ways. How to sort it out?
If sexuality is ambiguous, I think psychologists and courts will generally go with how the child has been socialized, even if their predominant parts say otherwise. Can you imagine being raised as a boy til, say 5 years old, and then hearing, "ooops, wait a minute, you're really a girl." You don't stop the train and turn around--you just keep going.
There are certain brain parts that are different based on sexual preference, even more than gender. It would be fun to be part of it. Let me know...
So I think that sounds interesting, I really want to learn more about the brain in relation to sexual pref.
If sexuality is ambiguous, I think psychologists and courts will generally go with how the child has been socialized, even if their predominant parts say otherwise. Can you imagine being raised as a boy til, say 5 years old, and then hearing, "ooops, wait a minute, you're really a girl." You don't stop the train and turn around--you just keep going.
There are certain brain parts that are different based on sexual preference, even more than gender. It would be fun to be part of it. Let me know...
So I think that sounds interesting, I really want to learn more about the brain in relation to sexual pref.
And the Brain...
Oh and I forgot, so If we went to Chapel Hill to interview him we can also interview my former step dad who is a Neurologist at UNC and he is very used to answering questions and would be fine with cameras. I can email him to ask if he knows a lot about the subject but I'm sure he does he is like a sponge.... That would be great if we have two doctors opinions, Emilie, does your sis work in Wilmington?
Psychotherapist hmmm
This may be an interesting interview...I don't know how "credible" this would be but It would be cool to get interviews from all over the spectrum... whether or not phychotherapy is a good measurement of anything or not, he has still probably heard a lot of anxieties and may give us some sort of perspective...
http://samallencounseling.com/
"Samuel Allen is a licensed psychotherapist with over twenty years in the mental health field. His professional background includes work with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families-- from the general population to individuals with severe/chronic mental illness, in community, private, in-patient, and outpatient settings. One of Samuel's areas of specialization and expertise is LBGTQI concerns, and he has been privileged to serve the Lesbian/Bisexual/Gay/Transgender/Questioning/Intersex community since 1982. Samuel offers face to face psychotherapy and counseling in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, along with telephone counseling and consulting for clients outside this geographic location. Help is available for depression, anxiety, phase-of-life issues, relationship problems, identity and sexual orientation issues. Samuel also works with individuals who are exploring spirituality issues and their own spiritual/metaphysical path."
Any thoughts?
http://samallencounseling.com/
"Samuel Allen is a licensed psychotherapist with over twenty years in the mental health field. His professional background includes work with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families-- from the general population to individuals with severe/chronic mental illness, in community, private, in-patient, and outpatient settings. One of Samuel's areas of specialization and expertise is LBGTQI concerns, and he has been privileged to serve the Lesbian/Bisexual/Gay/Transgender/Questioning/Intersex community since 1982. Samuel offers face to face psychotherapy and counseling in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, along with telephone counseling and consulting for clients outside this geographic location. Help is available for depression, anxiety, phase-of-life issues, relationship problems, identity and sexual orientation issues. Samuel also works with individuals who are exploring spirituality issues and their own spiritual/metaphysical path."
Any thoughts?
About biases
Yes, I definitely have them... I am a feminist, I believe there is a lot of sexism in our culture, and that human interaction is mostly determined by social context. I do have very strong opinions about this subject matter- I also am very interested in equality, gay rights, etc. I’m really glad that my group is balanced though, and I’m interested to see their perspectives and to all work together on this film that could turn out many different ways, and I’m excited just to start the process and to see where it goes.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Cape Fear Academy
My mom is a 6th/7th grade teacher at Cape Fear Academy and she was excited when I asked about getting interviews/ footage of her students. She said it would be great to come in one day to all her Launguage Arts classes. She can make a form for the parents to sign saying it's okay to film their children. I think it would be interesting to get a perspective from pre teens about what it means to be male/female, what they think expectations are for each, steriotypes, their interactions w/ the opp sex, just a wide variety of things...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Intersexed stuff
"Our culture conceives sex anatomy as a dichotomy: humans come in
two sexes, conceived of as so different as to be nearly different species.
However, developmental embryology, as well as the existence of
intersexuals, proves this to be a cultural construction."
Did you know that there are actully up to 5 sexes? It's a spectrum, and it happens a lot more than you would think. Alice Domurat Dreger says 1 out of every 100 children is born with a body that differs from a standard male or female.
In some cultures intersexual people are considered to be part of a 3rd gender, could you imagine our culture being that accepting? It seems that in our society the only appropriate thing for you to do if you are intersexed is to choose male or female, but what does that say about our identity and culture? But who is really doing the choosing? Mostly its the parents, because they want to "fix" the problem as fast as they can, but what if its not the right choice, how would they know? What if that individual grows up feeling like they are in the wrong body? Some of the medical procedures ruin that persons sex life FOR life, and that seems so unfair to me. I'll write more later..
two sexes, conceived of as so different as to be nearly different species.
However, developmental embryology, as well as the existence of
intersexuals, proves this to be a cultural construction."
Did you know that there are actully up to 5 sexes? It's a spectrum, and it happens a lot more than you would think. Alice Domurat Dreger says 1 out of every 100 children is born with a body that differs from a standard male or female.
In some cultures intersexual people are considered to be part of a 3rd gender, could you imagine our culture being that accepting? It seems that in our society the only appropriate thing for you to do if you are intersexed is to choose male or female, but what does that say about our identity and culture? But who is really doing the choosing? Mostly its the parents, because they want to "fix" the problem as fast as they can, but what if its not the right choice, how would they know? What if that individual grows up feeling like they are in the wrong body? Some of the medical procedures ruin that persons sex life FOR life, and that seems so unfair to me. I'll write more later..
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program Idea
Another idea, even though I like the gender one better...
I just started volunteering for the Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program; it’s a nonprofit organization and part of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). I’m going to quote the website’s info; “Therapeutic horseback riding provides physical, emotional, and social enrichment to children and adults with special needs. The rhythmic action of the horses' gaits relaxes and strengthens riders' muscles and improves body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility, and coordination. Sitting proudly on the back of a friendly horse, riders experience the thrill of independence for perhaps the first time in their lives.”
The other day, we had an autistic 13-year-old rider. The theme of the day was circles. There were circles drawn on the grass, we had him throw a ball back and forth (while on the horse). He was asked to read “pizza” off a piece of paper, so the lessons are specifically designed thematically. The place itself is pretty run down, it’s messy and dirty but its organized chaos, but that gives it an interesting aesthetic. There is so much to look at! The place also seems so isolated, the first time I went in I felt like I was in a horror movie, I walked into these empty stables… anyway…It is this little microcosm and from what I can tell so far, there are some unusual people that work there. There would be a lot to look into for a doc: the helpers/stable people/organization and the disabled kids, and there’s much to say about both sides...
I just started volunteering for the Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program; it’s a nonprofit organization and part of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). I’m going to quote the website’s info; “Therapeutic horseback riding provides physical, emotional, and social enrichment to children and adults with special needs. The rhythmic action of the horses' gaits relaxes and strengthens riders' muscles and improves body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility, and coordination. Sitting proudly on the back of a friendly horse, riders experience the thrill of independence for perhaps the first time in their lives.”
The other day, we had an autistic 13-year-old rider. The theme of the day was circles. There were circles drawn on the grass, we had him throw a ball back and forth (while on the horse). He was asked to read “pizza” off a piece of paper, so the lessons are specifically designed thematically. The place itself is pretty run down, it’s messy and dirty but its organized chaos, but that gives it an interesting aesthetic. There is so much to look at! The place also seems so isolated, the first time I went in I felt like I was in a horror movie, I walked into these empty stables… anyway…It is this little microcosm and from what I can tell so far, there are some unusual people that work there. There would be a lot to look into for a doc: the helpers/stable people/organization and the disabled kids, and there’s much to say about both sides...
Monday, January 15, 2007
Gender Doc Idea
I think it would be awesome to make a documentary about gender that addresses some of these questions:
Since gender is socially and not biologically constructed, how from birth are we conditioned to fit into the mold of male or female? How do we embody our gender and how is it reflected in society and in the media (stereotypes)? And conversely, how does the media’s perception of gender affect us? How and where are stereotypes perpetuated and how is sexism enforced, or is it so ingrained in the way of things that we don’t even recognize it in our dailey lives? And what about the people who are left out of these two categories? like Transexuals,transgendered people, hermaphrodites?
If someone is interested in this let me know.
Since gender is socially and not biologically constructed, how from birth are we conditioned to fit into the mold of male or female? How do we embody our gender and how is it reflected in society and in the media (stereotypes)? And conversely, how does the media’s perception of gender affect us? How and where are stereotypes perpetuated and how is sexism enforced, or is it so ingrained in the way of things that we don’t even recognize it in our dailey lives? And what about the people who are left out of these two categories? like Transexuals,transgendered people, hermaphrodites?
If someone is interested in this let me know.
Schedule
Mon: No class!
Tues: 2-3:15 FST 317-003
Wed: 6-8:45 FST 495-002
Thurs: 10-12:45 FST 398-003 then 2-3:15 FST 317
Fri: 2-6 both my idependent studies with the Silvas
Tues: 2-3:15 FST 317-003
Wed: 6-8:45 FST 495-002
Thurs: 10-12:45 FST 398-003 then 2-3:15 FST 317
Fri: 2-6 both my idependent studies with the Silvas
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
I am interested in experimental and nontraditional filmmaking but also narrative filmmaking as well. Most of my favorite films are foreign and/or independent. I love screenwriting, production, editing, painting on film, and participating in and programming film festivals. I am very interested in sociology and issues of class, race, age, and especially gender. I am primarily interested in making films that create social awareness through portraits of people, and human interaction in general within society.I am very interested to see all the many ways people live and are, and love to see new perspectives even if I don’t personally agree with them. I like all types of Documentaries, I wouldn’t say I favor one kind over the other; it just varies film by film. This semester I am doing two independent studies: I am making an experimental film, and in the other, Reel Girls, we will teach selected middle school girls filmmaking. I am also taking intro to Editing, and writing about film. Other film classes I’ve taken include: FST 201, 203, 205, 227, 292, 318, 395, 398, and 491. As for the future, I am going to graduate school to prolong entering the “real world” but what I really want is to be an independent filmmaker working on projects I believe in.
I am interested in experimental and nontraditional filmmaking but also narrative filmmaking as well. Most of my favorite films are foreign and/or independent. I love screenwriting, production, editing, painting on film, and participating in and programming film festivals. I am very interested in sociology and issues of class, race, age, and especially gender. I am primarily interested in making films that create social awareness through portraits of people, and human interaction in general within society.I am very interested to see all the many ways people live and are, and love to see new perspectives even if I don’t personally agree with them. I like all types of Documentaries, I wouldn’t say I favor one kind over the other; it just varies film by film. This semester I am doing two independent studies: I am making an experimental film, and in the other, Reel Girls, we will teach selected middle school girls filmmaking. I am also taking intro to Editing, and writing about film. Other film classes I’ve taken include: FST 201, 203, 205, 227, 292, 318, 395, 398, and 491. As for the future, I am going to graduate school to prolong entering the “real world” but what I really want is to be an independent filmmaker working on projects I believe in.
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