‘Ti-Time’ – Bigger Success than dreamed possible!
By Clara Voiance

On Saturday November 4th in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, it was a cool rainy morning primed to be brightened by the warmth and clarity that blossomed at our first “Ti Time” Event. More than 40 people gathered for a short seminar about the “T” and “I” in GLBTI (Transsexual, Transgender and Intersex) during the Fall Diversity weekend, sponsored by Diversity Pride Events and hosted by Coordinators Faith, Donna Marie and Joney. It was a wonderful time of listening, learning and growing for the many ages represented in our crowd. As the room filled, we enjoyed informal conversation with coffee, juice and pastries.

Donna Marie spoke first about the differences between Transsexual people and Transgender people, and the various stages of realization and transition that punctuate the lives of the people with these issues. She pointed out that Transgender people are those who do not fit the usual gender expression of their physical gender. For instance,, a Cross Dresser who feels the need to express themselves as the opposite gender, yet feels no compunction to change their body. While a Transsexual person is one who feels that they are the opposite gender on the inside (know as Brain Gender), from their Physical Gender. A Transsexual may feel so strongly that they are in the wrong body that altering their body to match who they feel they are gives the only possibility of a peaceful and productive life. This change is known as Transition and there are many stages involved. She brought us facts and figures, like one from Lynn Conway that states the prevalence in the US for Male to Female Transsexualism is higher than 1 in every 500 men. She was wonderfully received and was much applauded when she turned the floor over to Faith.

After a brief description of Faith’s introduction to Transgender people, and the revelation that she lives with one, she dove into her subject. There is surprising research about the differences between the BST area of the Hypothalamus of males and females. Scientists have proven that the Male size BST is 2.5 times larger than in the female. While in Male to Female Transsexuals, it is the size of a Female and vice versa proven for Female to Male Transsexuals. After some discussion and sharing a paper she put together about this surprising information, Faith ended with a call for tolerance and compassion for all of our differences. Amidst her applause she introduced Joney who spoke about Intersex people.

Joney has a unique perspective on this topic and has traveled a rough road to understanding and acceptance; probably not unlike the pain that many Intersex people in our society go through. She discussed the definition of Intersex as a person with a mixture of Chromosomes, and usually will also display a mixture of Physical Gender characteristics and/or ambiguous genitalia. Unlike the usual XX and XY of men and women, respectively, Intersex people have a mixture of Chromosomes such as XXY, XXXY, XO, and other combinations. In the course of a lifetime, these conditions are painful and confusing to live with. There is a real lack of in-depth information from the medical community about humans with an Intersex condition, but loads about Fish and Pigs!? While our society is more accepting of differences, we have a long way to go to understand all the conditions we are born with and how challenging life is with each one.

Again a round of applause greeted her as she turned the floor over to questions and a lively discussion ensued about every topic brought and more from personal to global. We had a Female to Male Post-Op Transsexual and a Male to Female Post-Op Transsexual who also volunteered to answer questions from the group. Among those were an MD and a Psychologist, who were very thankful for the new information and another Intersex person who was happy to find people who understand. Everyone was pleased with the presentations and the literature handouts. Everyone was reluctant to leave, but there were many more Diversity events to enjoy, so the door was closed on our first “TI Time” Diversity Event.

We are very thankful that Diversity Pride Events sees the value of education and supports us in our zeal. We would also like to thank Ben, Keith, Danielle, Garren, Hellen, Rachelle, Jamie, Sparky, Amanda Sharp of Accent on Giving, and the Rodeway Inn for all their support and help. The Rodeway Inn staff, especially Kara, could not have been more helpful and warm towards us and our needs. Thank you Leo for filming us so well and for all your help and patience. Thanks also to the NWA GLBT CC for caring and attending.

In the future we hope to present more information and speakers on the many and varied topics that we all need to understand within the GLBTi and general community. Look for “G Time” or “B Time” events at the future Diversity Weekends and join us for lively learning and the growing of compassion through understanding. For info on future events sponsored by Diversity Pride Events, join the mailing list