Archive for the ‘Self-Organizing Men’ Category
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
[1]
Seriously, folks. Masculinity is just as constructed as femininity. Julia Serano, author of Whipping Girl [2], riffs on this point in an interview at My Husband Betty [3]. Very little that we do as humans is natural. Not our cell phones, pencils, automobiles, central heating and air, having a cornucopia of off-season foods flown freshish to our local supermarkets and certainly not our genders.
In the book, I talk about how masculinity often comes off as natural while femininity comes off as artificial. For example, many feminists have argued that high heel shoes or make-up are inherently unnatural and artificial, and that they only exist to appease or attract men. What underlies many of these arguments is the presumption that their masculine counterparts are inherently natural or practical. But this clearly isn’t the case. Most men shave their face (something that is arguably unnatural), and those who do it every day often do so in order to look presentable or attractive. But nobody ever talks about all of the time and money men waste on razors, shaving cream, and aftershave. And plenty of men spend an exorbitant amount of money fancy Italian shoes or the latest fad sneakers – there is nothing practical about that.
I agree with you that we live in a highly consumerist culture, and I’ll be the first to critique that. But I also think that when people talk about consumer culture and feminine presentation without also addressing masculine presentation, it seems to me to be really one-sided and sometimes even downright anti-feminine. Granted, women typically spend way more than men on clothing and most grooming products. But while growing up, I knew lots of guys who spent tons of money on things related to their image and presentation: they’d buy overpriced sneakers, or spend lots of money on prettying up their cars, and flaunting their money in other ways to impress women they’re dating or interested in. I’ve found that many (albeit not all) men are just as concerned about their overall image as many women are. It’s just that men are expected to spend money to enhance their image in different ways than women are, and they are far less often critiqued for it when they do.
[1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/slide2.jpg
[2] http://www.amazon.com/Whipping-Girl-Transsexual-Scapegoating-Femininity/dp/1580051545/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213285069&sr=8-1
[3] http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=1682#more-1682
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | No Comments »
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
[1]
April 1 is the official birthday of Homofactus Press [2]. We'll be three in about two and a half weeks. Had you told me five years ago I would grow up to become a publisher, I would have scoffed. But I've come to believe that our ragtag company of two - both working full time jobs elsewhere - are the poster kids for the whole industry around Start Where You're At and See What Happens.
Who knew? Tonight our third (!) author (and Self-Organizing Men contributor) Scott Turner Schofield will debut his acclaimed solo plays. I'm tickled.....
Please join us in welcoming Atlanta-based performance artist Scott Turner Schofield [3] to celebrate the release of his new book, Two Truths & a Lie at Atlanta’s Charis Books & More [4]. Two Truths and a Lie is a memoir in the form of three solo plays written and performed by Scott Turner Schofield. From inside the often hilarious—but all too real—moments of his young life on the Homecoming Court and Debutante Ball circuit (in a dress), through a closet of suits to find one that fits, Schofield comes out with truly unbelievable stories of a body in search of an identity. By turns slapstick and slap-to-the-face, this drama invites audiences and readers to explore gender, sex, sexuality, and self in their own first person. Come see Turner perform excerpts of his memoir, then stick around for the Q & A and book-signing.
We believe we are lucky publishers! Scott chose us to publish his groundbreaking, funny, and poignant performance pieces. If you haven’t yet seen Scott in “Underground Transit,” “Debutante Balls,” or “127 EASY Steps,” read his words to get a feel for his inborn comedic timing. After reading his plays you will put seeing him perform as an “A” on your personal to-do list.
You can buy your own copy here [5].
You’ll be glad you did, as are we for publishing these timely, important, and unique ways to tell one person’s trans/gender queer/raced/classed/regionalized history.
Congratulations and Big Love!
Jay and Ms. H. (x-posted at www.homofactuspress.com)
[1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/standing-in-shit.JPG
[2] http://www.homofactuspress.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Marrow\'s-Telling-Audio-Files.zip
[3] http://www.undergroundtransit.com/
[4] http://charis.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp
[5] http://www.amazon.com/Two-Truths-Scott-Turner-Schofield/dp/097859732X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205415946&sr=8-2
Posted in Cartoons, Self-Organizing Men | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
Hey All!
I will be visiting Chicago March 27 and March 28 and would love to meet other FtMs/trans masculine folks, as well as friends, partners, and anyone else while I'm there. The big feminist bookstore in Chicago is not an option for doing a reading gig so I'd love the opportunity to read from Self-Organizing Men as well as talk about our current and upcoming books.
If you want to meet and/or know of places (people's homes/coffee shops/etc.) where I can do a reading I surely do appreciate it. Leave your contact info in the comments.
Big love to all, Jay
P.S. I did contact Nick Winter at GenderWorks.....
Posted in Self-Organizing Men, The Good Life | 1 Comment »
Friday, January 4th, 2008
I believe that men can and do benefit from the subjection of women. What interests me is how it is that men remain silent in the face of their daughters or sisters abuse. Setting aside the sure percentage of men who think women deserve it, I wonder if the group of men who may want to intervene don’t intervene because they are afraid they will get beat up, too.
The times when I have confronted bullies, I’ve been terrified. Maybe he’ll come after me, too, I think. Male violence works to keep us all in place, perpetrators and victims alike. But letting another man beat up a woman won't keep us safe. It just delays the more than likely chance that we may be victimized by another man.
But this reality should not keep us from working to end male violence. Why does work around ending domestic violence address helping the victim, with no collective, ongoing, state and federally funded response for abusers? Many men agree that rape and domestic violence are wrong. Sitting around, though, and doing nothing or attributing this behavior to some misguided notions of evolutionary biology sends the strong message to women and these abusive men that we are totally down with what you are doing….And I’m glad it’s not me you’re beating up.
Ending violence against women is an excellent place to begin the work of dismantling violence. But we should also be working to end bullying schools, homophobia and corporal punishment as a way of dealing with bad boys. Our own well-being depends on it.
Posted in Features, Self-Organizing Men | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
Another podcast, again with Dan Burns, where I discuss Self-Organizing Men's fabulous debut in Sydney, Australia, the imperialism of American English, and a few of the motivations of Homofactus Press [1]. Gaylourdes, SOM contributor and our Australian affliate at HfP, will be playing this podcast at the Melbourne, Australia debut of Self-Organizing Men [2] at Camp Betty [3].
[1] http://www.homofactuspress.com
[2] http://www.selforganizingmen.com
[3] http://www.homofactuspress.com/archives/106
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
People often ask me what the title of my book means. Self-organizing derives from the greek term autopoeisis, which literally means to self organize. Rather than bore you with a lengthy written analysis, I created a short podcast with my friend Dan Burns, of the WCBN show Closets are for Clothes, where I explain why I wrote Self-Organizing Men [1] and what, exactly, the title means.
[1] http://www.selforganizingmen.com
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | No Comments »
Friday, February 9th, 2007
I had the good fortune to be interviewed by Dan and Gabe on the longest-running queer radio show in the U.S., Closets Are For Clothes. Broadcast by WCBN, an entirely free-radio format, the show has been in existence for over thirty years.
In addition to me, Dan and Gabe also brought along Keith Orr, owner of Common Language Books [1] in Ann Arbor. Keith has been an early and staunch supporter of Self-Organizing Men and Homofactus Press. We're already brainstorming better ways to distribute print-on-demand books to independent bookstore owners around the country.
This interview is long, and I don't actually start speaking until about minute 17 or so. But to gain a context for the show, the hosts, and some of my early comments, listen to the whole thing. We had some great exchanges about complex masculinity, digital publishing, and filling niche markets. There are some statements I made I don't agree with now but interviewing, like writing, gets better with reviewing and editing.
I've had the most success playing this file by clicking on the Play Now button. The other two take awhile to load.
And I'll be reading at Common Language Books this Saturday, tomorrow, at 4 pm. If you're in Ann Arbor, or within driving distance, I'd love to chat with you in person. Call me at 734.635.1404 if you want to meet up afterwards.
[1] http://www.glbtbooks.com
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | No Comments »
Sunday, January 14th, 2007
This year is the Year of the Pig in the Chinese astrological calendar. In honor of the pig’s jovial qualities, I’m offering Self-Organizing Men for 9.99 plus shipping. Just click on the link below.
This offer has ended.
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | No Comments »
Thursday, December 21st, 2006
After nearly four years of cohabiting Ms. H. declared this evening that I had done an 'excellent job' loading up the dishwasher. Finally.
I'm sure I can die now, a happy man.
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | 5 Comments »
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006
Embedded with heteronormavity lies assumptions about the physical nature of heteronormative bodies.
They are, usually:
Thin
White
Temporarily Able Bodied
I think anytime LGBTQ folks uphold queer images that contain some, or all, of the above physicalities, we recapitulate heteronormativity.
If we want to dismantle heteronormativity we must recognize queers living with physical, aural, visual, cognitive, and learning impairments. The so-called disability arises when we refuse to acknowledge their existance; or, acknowledging they exist, refuse to remove the barriers that keep them from fully participating in Queer TV shows, Pride Parades, Academic Conferences, Anthologies, Film Festivals, Etc.
Attitudes are the real disability and our unexamined assumptions are almost always heteronormative.
Posted in Cartoons, Self-Organizing Men | 2 Comments »
Monday, August 22nd, 2005
Nick has written a response to my praise with a lovely piece [1] on his blog [2].
After dismissing my praise of him and writing about how he isn't really a transman, he concludes:
I take a step back and start to understand that my gender is still a work in progress. My comfort lately comes from accepting that it's a work in progress rather than jumping for definitive answers, from embracing the apparent contradictions rather than trying to explain them all away and fit myself into one box or another. The label bothers me because it has a connotation - which, for all I know, it doesn't have for Jay - of having reached a conclusion. Rightly or wrongly, I interpret "transman" as meaning someone who has at least begun the process of transitioning, not at all an accurate term for someone who casts envious glances at drag kings with the nerve to cut their hair.
My friend, my gender remains a work in progess. Today my gender reflects bespoke suits and cufflinks. Seven years ago it reflected a more queer persona.
I've variously identified as a transsexual man, transman, man, ftm. Increasingly I see the terms "transman" and "transsexual" as political terms, not personal ones. "Am I trans enough" defined much of my identity over the last several years. But I see this question as a political one.
Personally I don't know if I am trans. I do know that I feel differently about myself and my body today than I did fifteen years ago. With each year I change. Some of the changes I bring about in the world. Others are part of the process of being human.
Nick writes that "transman" describes someone who has begun the process of transitioning. It is not one, he concludes, that is accurate "for someone who casts envious glances at drag kings with the nerve to cut their hair."
If Nick chooses to not identify as transman he can. I will say that transitioning as the hallmark of transman seems arbitrary and dangerous. Of course all labels reflect arbitrary decisions. But they also become dangerous because their very arbitrary nature sets up a pure-impure dynamic. Real transmen transition. Real transmen take hormones. Blah. Blah. Blah.
Trans can also be about attitude, internal feelings, thoughts and so on.
Reality remains one of our most deliciously constructed and overrated fictions.
In my personal truth Nick can claim the label transman and never cut his hair and cast envious glances at drag kings. After fifteen years of kicking around transman, I've decided anyone can claim the term.
Coming to grips with the feelings and thoughts and social dynamics of gender remains one of the most difficult of human journeys. All deserve smooth travels, unfettered by unneeded drama and judgement.
Nick is also free to not claim the term. The fact that I need him to says everything about me and nothing about him. I need transmen to be out about pregnancy. Not that I would ever get pregnant. I just believe in supporting as broad a range of human behavior as possible.
The blogosphere supports just such possibility. The neat thing about words like transman and blogs come about when someone who identifies with Nick says, "well, yes, I _am_ a transman." And Nick gets to remain Nick.
Transman or not. Transitioning or not. Nick is still brave. And the last time I checked, bravery encompasses all genders.
[1] http://www.livejournal.com/users/ksej/86532.html
[2] http://www.livejournal.com/users/ksej/
Posted in A Bespoke Body, Self-Organizing Men | Comments Off
Friday, August 19th, 2005
Wonderful. Brave. Nick Kiddle has been [1] documenting [2] his pregnancy [3] and thoughts about abortion [4] at Alas [5].
And in any case, I'm hardly a typical man. I've considered taking hormones to make me look and sound a little more male, but I never wanted surgery. I was born with a female body, and no matter what surgery I undergo, it's never going to be capable of all the things a male body can do. I've made my peace with that fact, and I can appreciate all the female things it can do as a kind of compensation. If it weren't for my female parts, I wouldn't be getting this baby, and I happen to believe that being able to feed said baby using just my own body is a skill worth having.
Read on [6].
UPDATE: All I will say about Nick Kiddle is I think his choices are awesome. He is doing something that truly frightens many transmen/ftms. He appears to have placed himself right in the center of the so many conundrums of our bodies and lives. Much needed and truly liberating.
[1] http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/07/25/abortion-pre-roe/
[2] http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/07/27/femininity-and-motherhood/
[3] http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/07/15/im-glad-youve-decided-not-to-kill-it/
[4] http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/07/12/pro-choice-and-pregnant/
[5] http://jaysennett.comwww.amptoons.com/blog
[6] http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/08/19/lady-madonna-baby-at-your-breast/
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | 6 Comments »
Friday, May 13th, 2005
[1]
Wil Dunham was born and raised in the Midwest and has been living outside D.C. for the past three years.
"I'm moving on to Richmond, Virginia for a bit, then out to travel for a year or so to work on a book project. I'm 47 (until this fall), and am almost 2 years into my transition and pre-operative due to financial constraints and lack of insurance. Surgery will be self-funded, unless I hit the lottery.
I've been self-employed off and on as a handyman and have worked at a good number of other occupations. My love, my passion is photography.
I'm about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime...living a free rambling life and working as an artist. I have 3 series of cards due to come out shortly. I've been accepted into a national juried show for next year, and I have several artistic photo projects in the planning stage. I'll spend the next year or so travelling the U.S. and Canada, interviewing and photographing queers for a book about being 'Everyday Queer'.
It's my hope that by showing the commonality of the human condition across race, gender, class and orientation, it may serve to move us forward on the road to equal citizenship." See Wil's work [2].
What is the most marked characteristic of masculinity that surprised you?
The changes to my face...my head looks square and I look like another version of the me I've known all these years.
What is the quality you most like in being a man?
Finally being taken seriously.
What do you most value being a man?
The inner peace I've found and the extended life expectancy.
What is a characteristic of masculinity that appalls/disgusts etc?
My own masculinity? I'm fine with it. The masculinity of others? The posturing and machismo. It's so unnecessary.
What is it that you most dislike about being a man?
Realizing that I can be accused of a myriad of things that never occurred to me before.
What is it that you most like about being a man?
Again, the inner peace and finally having recognition of my skills and abilities. (Even though they were the same pre-transition.)
What are three things you want to share with nontrans (natal) men about what you've learned as a man about being a man?
Women are not the adversary.
Kindness, compassion, and tenderness are not your enemy, nor are they a sign of weakness.
We are not the center of the universe
What advice would you give to a man just starting hormones?
Nothing is instant. Relax and enjoy the ride. Even if it seems a little scary or weird in your head...chances are it's been the same for others. Look to your trans brothers for advice and just the sense of not being alone.
What is your motto?
Life is too brief not to live your dreams.
Boxers, briefs or commando?
Depends on where i'm at and what i'm doing.
[1] http://jaysennett.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/485goofball.jpg
[2] http://www.wildun.com/
Posted in Political Art, Self-Organizing Men | 3 Comments »
Monday, April 25th, 2005
There is so much wrong with Rudy Takala: The Spectacles of Feminism [1]. I've been forced to excerpt this ridiculous tidbit.
Feminists don't advocate for rights. The contemplation of violence against women plays no role in their considerations; if it did, they would display their love for genitals in the nations of the Middle East and Africa, where human rights violations tend to be more egregious than in the United States. But rights aren’t what they’re concerned with. All they’re concerned with is transforming American culture to better match their values; to do this, they must redefine their gender as one characterized by depraved perverts.
Wow?! A gender characterized by depraved perverts....so if I'm TS does that make this fictitious beings DP?
Rudy is 16, btw.
[1] http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/takala/2005/04/spectacles-of-feminism.html
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | 6 Comments »
Monday, April 25th, 2005
The Divine Ms. H. attended an Alix Olson [1] show last night.
"Did you have fun being a lesbian?" I asked her this morning. The lack of bi inclusion in lesbian communities is an ongoing chat between us. "Were their lots of wimmins there?" Too, we've laughed about the varieties of spellings for woman juxtaposed against such biphobia.
"Well," she answered, "at least you're not one of those straight guys that says, "oh, lesbians! Can I watch?'"
I reflected for a moment. "No. I've already been a lesbian so they hold no allure for me."
[1] http://jaysennett.comwww.alixolson.com
Posted in Self-Organizing Men | 4 Comments »
