Translating Gender

http://temple-news.com/2009/10/05/translating-gender/

Since last year’s merge with TransAction Student Network, Queer Student Union has expanded both its membership and diversity. Still, some issues in the transgender community are beyond reach of a student organization.

Ash Yezuita describes his elementary school-aged self as a somewhat girly tomboy.

KEVIN COOK TTN Junior history and Asian studies major Ash Yezuita and junior film and media arts major Wil McCall discuss plans for the addition of the Transgender Committee to QSU.

“I had this long, flowing, wavy blond hair,” Yezuita, a junior history and Asian studies major said. “I loved skirts and dresses and corsets, but I’ve always been told I’ve been a little androgynous.”

Yezuita, whose birth certificate reads he was born female, revealed to his family as 12-year-old “Ashley Renee” that he was bisexual.

“From an early age, I’ve always known a lot about the [LGBTQ] community, but the ‘T’ wasn’t on my radar yet,” he said. “I had no idea about that ‘T.’”

That “T” refers to transgender, one community encompassed under the umbrella of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community........