Dublin Core
Title
Jamison Green
Subject
FTMI Presents the First FTM Conference of the Americas in San Francisco, 1995.
Description
In his keynote address, Green as president of FTMI (appointed by Lou Sullivan), observes:
"We hear a lot these days about the ‘Gender Community’ or the ‘FTM Community’. But unlike the ‘Gay or Lesbian Communities,’ there really is no community of transgendered or transsexual people. … But the majority of the activism and visibility is carried by male-to-female transgendered and transsexual people. FTMs as a group don’t seem to be as active or as visible. "
Pointing out the nature of the problem, he further states:
"Are we too diverse to ever form community? Last year I was honored to accept a Transgender Pioneer Award from the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, and during my little speech at the awards presentation dinner, I asked (another rhetorical question): Who Is the FTM Community? And a very enthusiastic and well-meaning Phyllis Frye called out “You are!” And I said, “NO! I am Not the FTM Community.” We are trying to create one just by naming it. It may exist someday; it does not exist now. And it won’t exist until we learn to come together and get beyond our personal issues."
Green astutely concludes:
"I believe this is an evolution of consciousness, and it starts with each of us."
"We hear a lot these days about the ‘Gender Community’ or the ‘FTM Community’. But unlike the ‘Gay or Lesbian Communities,’ there really is no community of transgendered or transsexual people. … But the majority of the activism and visibility is carried by male-to-female transgendered and transsexual people. FTMs as a group don’t seem to be as active or as visible. "
Pointing out the nature of the problem, he further states:
"Are we too diverse to ever form community? Last year I was honored to accept a Transgender Pioneer Award from the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, and during my little speech at the awards presentation dinner, I asked (another rhetorical question): Who Is the FTM Community? And a very enthusiastic and well-meaning Phyllis Frye called out “You are!” And I said, “NO! I am Not the FTM Community.” We are trying to create one just by naming it. It may exist someday; it does not exist now. And it won’t exist until we learn to come together and get beyond our personal issues."
Green astutely concludes:
"I believe this is an evolution of consciousness, and it starts with each of us."
Source
Keynote Address From the 1st FTM Conference of the Americas, by Jamison Green, Issue #58 of FTM International published in Spring 2005, p. 4.
Keynote Address from the 1st FTM Conference, August 18, 1995, Part 2 of 2). Written and delivered by James Green. ©1995 Jamison Green. All rights Reserved.
Keynote Address from the 1st FTM Conference, August 18, 1995, Part 2 of 2). Written and delivered by James Green. ©1995 Jamison Green. All rights Reserved.
Identifier
"FTM Newsletter #58." Periodical. 2005. Digital Transgender Archive, https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/qv33rw66f (accessed March 22, 2023).
"FTM Newsletter #59." Periodical. 2005. Digital Transgender Archive, https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/pc289j08t (accessed March 22, 2023).
"FTM Newsletter #59." Periodical. 2005. Digital Transgender Archive, https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/pc289j08t (accessed March 22, 2023).