Article by Rev. Pressley Sutherland

Gender DynamiX and Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church recently sponsored theatrical performance activist Peterson Toscano’s original play “Transfigurations - Transgressing Gender in the Bible”.

In this one-person play, Peterson Toscano unearthed transgender Bible characters--those people who do not fit in the gender binary, and who in transgressing and transcending gender, find themselves at the centre of some of the Bible's most important stories.

The South African NGO Network (SANGONeT) has announced the winners of the 2008 NGO Web Awards.

The top three websites for the 2008 NGO Web Awards are:

• Career Planet
• Gender Dynamix
• Women'sNet

SANGONeT executive director, David Barnard says, "The 2008 winners reflect a growing recognition amongst civil society organisations of the importance of having an online presence. NGOs are beginning to realise that it is not only about providing information, but how this information is presented, and whether it encourages feedback.”

Graduate Program in Sexual Health
The University of Sydney
Faculty of Health Sciences

Gender Variant Children: Views of Professionals, Parents & Transgender Adults
[Ref. no. 11203]


Dear Professional,

I would like to invite you to participate in this research identifying the needs of children with gender variance and the needs of their parents. The ultimate aim is to develop an evidence-based supportive approach and environment for gender variant children.

Zoliswa Nkonyana, a proud affirming lesbian, was brutally murdered at the age 19 on February 3 in 2006 near her home and in front of her friend in Khayelitsha. Nine men were arrested and are standing trial. This crime is one of many incidents in our country targeting lesbians, gays and transgender people in the last few years.

The case of Zoliswa Nkonyana has been dragging on for more than 2 years and after 22 postponements the case has still not been brought to trial.

The Cape Law Society was approached by the Commission on Gender Equality with regards to all the delays and requesting that action be taken to prevent any further delays and to bring this trial to a conclusion. They effectively washed their hands of the whole situation and referred us to the Cape Town Bar Council
On 05 December 2008 there will be a picket outside the Khayelitsha court to protest the delays in this case and to demand that action be taken to ensure that justice prevails.

As part of the Western Cape End Hate Campaign  Gender DynamiX would like to call on all persons to please make every effort to join us in supporting this action. We also call on all NGO’s and PBO’s to mobilise their members and constituents to support this action. This is an integral part of the battle against the abuse of woman and children and an opportunity for your organisation to include action related to LGTBIQ (Lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, intersex and queer) issues in their struggle and is also a part of the activities around the 16 days of activism.

For those interested in joining us we will meet at the Gender DynamiX offices at 08:00 on 05 December 2008 and proceed to the court. We will be joining other organisations in a protest and a call for justice to be served.

transsexual

1. To commemorate those who have died due to Transphobia, across the world
2. To acknowledge our many African brothers and sisters who are silenced about their Gender identity and living daily in danger of their lives.
3. To increase public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people and to publicly condemn all those involved in these acts.
4. To call upon governments to protect gender non-conforming people.
5. To encourage and stand together with all those in the fight against Transphobia