In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Canadian airline regulations problem for transgender travellers

(Huffington Post) It slipped passed many, but in July the Canadian Ministry of Transportation updated regulations which require anyone boarding an airplane in the country to match the gender on their photo identification. For transgender individual, this poses pragmatic, emotional and legal issues.  The Identity Screening Regulations have just come to light and many are outraged, feeling that this is overt gender identity discrimination. To have gender information changed on identification, the Canadian government must be presented with evidence that someone has gone through gender reassignment surgery or will do so in the next year. For some who cannot afford the surgery, this makes air travel impossible. Gender reassignment is a lengthy process and some feel that this poses an additional barrier in an individual's transition.

1.

History and herstory

Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
Since 1973, the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA) has been documenting the history of LGBT individuals and culture in Canada. It strives " to acquire, preserve, organize, and give public access to information and materials in any medium, by and about LGBT people, primarily produced in or concerning Canada." Since its inception, it has become the second largest LGBT archives resource in the world. It contains information on interesting artifacts, exhibitions across Canada, research and news affecting the LGBT community. It also acts as a resource for understanding, researching and navigating archives. 

2.

Surgical precision

Gender reassignment surgery Montreal

People often have many questions when it comes to transgender issues, the most prevalent of which involve the specifics of gender reassignment surgery. Dr. Brassard and Dr. Belanger are Montreal cosmetic surgeons who specialize in reassignment surgery. Their website is dedicated to outlining the various procedures performed for male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) procedures and criteria that someone must meet to be eligible for the surgery. They also provide options for improvements of failed surgeries, since many transgender individuals will allow under-qualified doctors to operate on them because of a lack of alternatives.

3.

Tongue-tied?

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Any child on a playground can tell you that words have the power to hurt and shame. As adults, we try to avoid any language that may offend anyone. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is devoted to ensuring that people understand the power of words as they relate to the LGBT community. They offer programs and resources to clarify proper and potentially harmful language. The Talking About series offers resources to help the public understand specific issues around the LGBT community. GLAAD also strives to keep the media accountable for their language, often acting as watchdog against potentially offensive language. 

4.

Global issues

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
Despite the transportation regulations in the limelight, Canada is much more progressive than many other countries in the world. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is dedicated making international trans issues known, from ousting countries with discriminatory policies to highlighting breaking news stories. One of the most informative aspects of the site is an interactive map: users can choose an LGBT topic (i.e. Is transgenderism classified as an illness?) and click on an individual country to see its policies and any related material.

5.

Community of voices

Trans Group Blog
Like any issue, the most powerful voices and stories come from the community that is directly affected. "The Trans Group Blog is where you'll find a working group of writers who have written about trans topics, and is intended to give voice to a diversity of voices within the trans community." The strength of this blog lies in the breadth of topics covered-- from television to politics to health-- that have an impact on the transgender community. It is also a great starting point to find academics and activists working in the trans community.  One short, feisty and effective post highlights an LGBT retailer that sells WBW t-shirts (short for 'women born women'), with the author urging readers to contact the store regarding this offensive material.