A bill by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) that seeks to create a safer environment in state prisons for transgender inmates cleared its first hurdle Tuesday, March 31 when it passed out of the public safety committee on a bipartisan vote of 7-0.

What causes transsexuality? People have been arguing over that little drama for decades. There have been all kinds of theories. Some have been sensible. Many have been short sighted. A couple have been down right moronic. Scholars, scientist, doctors and self righteous debunkers have all thrown their opinions into the hat.

Transsexuals are convinced that they were born in the body of the opposite gender and would do almost anything to change that fact. This transformation occurs step by step, by first taking on the social role of the other gender, then taking hormones and then undergoing a series of major operations, after which just 0.4 percent express regret later.

The gender team of the Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre in Amsterdam has been a pioneer in this field for many years, initially under the leadership of professor Louis Gooren and now of professor Peggy Cohen-Kettenis. This is unusual because the Bible, on which the VU is founded, states in Deuteronomy 22:5-6: “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.”

 

Riviera Presbyterian Church will hold a public workshop, Gender Identity and Our Faith Community, from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 26. Here's the invitation:

 

Do you know what “gender identity” means to you? Have you ever wondered what struggles transgender people face? Do you have questions about where our ideas of “appropriate” gender expression stem? Do you feel called as a person of faith to stand with those who are marginalized, but are not sure how to advocate politically from a religious voice? If you answer yes to any of these questions than we have a FREE workshop for you!