Trans* Success

Adobe is strongly committed to fostering a diverse workplace. Treating employees, customers, and partners with respect is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense. As a successful global company, Adobe values and benefits from a wide variety of ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Adobe administers its personnel policies and conducts its employment practices in a manner that treats each employee and applicant for employment on the basis of merit and experience, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or other classification protected by applicable law. In addition, consistent with Adobe’s culture and values, all employees are expected to treat one another in a manner that reflects dignity and respect.

This is a study being run by a trans man getting his Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He is doing this study to contribute to developing an awareness in therapists and doctors about how to work competently with trans* clients. He is also committed to helping others in the healthcare profession understand the diversity in trans* identity development, ensuring that people of all identities and transition (or not) statuses are heard and validated.

He also plans to, once he gets his degree, gear his therapy practice toward working with gender and sexual minority clients!

Participate!

Clarissa Vincent was born in Huntingdon, Herts, UK in 1961. As a toddler she sailed with her parents in a GP14, general purpose 14ft dinghy, but never liked it because she was too young to take control. This early experience gave her a deep sense of security as she headed offshore for different lands in later life. In 1990 she sold a house in Peterborough and bought a boat with a big dream to sail to Spain. A big voyage remained a dream throughout twelve years of cruising with progressively audacious trips setting out from the harbours and rivers of the East Coast of England, to arrive in France, Belgium; then the South Coast of Britain to Cornwall and eventually around Land’s End into the Bristol Channel. She settled in Bristol for five years and graduated with a BA at the University of the West of England. Sociology taught her to organize large written texts and sailing alone provided rich experiences.

Vincent changed her name from male to female in 1996 and went through sex reassignment surgery in 2001. A year after her major surgery she left Britain alone on a sailing boat on what became a five year sailing adventure. Clarissa now lives in a houseboat in Suffolk, UK where she plays a saxophone in a jazz/blues band, The Barry Kingston Trio, and teaches saxophone.  Bristol was the turning point which led to her book: ‘The Voyage of Storm Petrel - Britain to Senegal Alone in a Boat’.

Lone voyagers are brimming with contradictions. They can afford few self doubts if they are to survive the trials of solitude, the relentless demands of single-handed sailing and the potentially overwhelming power of wind and sea. Yet what is such an adventure if not a journey of self-discovery which will test one’s confidence and self-awareness to the limit? It is likely to be a life-changing experience. And so it was for Clarissa Vincent. As the familiar English coastline disappeared over the horizon and Storm Petrel settled into the steady rhythm of the sea, canvas taut, heeling jauntily to the breeze, Clarissa too was beginning to spread her own wings, free at last to embrace a new identity and live on her own terms. A passage that was originally intended to stop at Spain slipped almost seamlessly into a voyage to West Africa, eventually negotiating treacherous mud banks and shallows as Storm Petrel worked her way hundreds of miles up the River Gambia. And with her went music. Friends will tell you that if you follow the sinuous sounds of a saxophone on a sunny afternoon, or subtle guitar chords quietly floating on a warm evening’s air, you will likely find Clarissa. For making music is as essential a part of her everyday life as breathing. Hand her an instrument and the melodies will flow, as they often did during undemanding spells at sea, while the nautical miles slid relentlessly under Storm Petrel’s keel. Clarissa’s voyaging may be over - at least for the present - but her musical journey knows no bounds, and, thanks to the internet, reaches out to audiences worldwide. Meanwhile I hope you enjoy reading the Voyage of Storm Petrel as much as I have. (Andrew Blackford)

A couple of reviews of the book:

Most of us can only dream of such independence and courage. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and I’m sure you will too. (G Reynolds).

Another readers review:

This unique book tells of an epic voyage that just kept on going. I have always enjoyed reading stories of personal travel and this book was no exception! It’s a truly fascinating story; not only for the dangers that could have been but also because of the author’s resilience and ability to cope in such extreme circumstances. It reads nicely and is not too challenging on the reader. I was particularly attracted to this book because of the ethos of sailing a boat across the ocean without the benefit of a huge luxury all singing; all dancing purpose built explorer or huge pots of borrowed/corporate cash. This is the grass roots of adventure sailing and as such ranks as one of the more raw and realistic books I have read in a long time, this book makes dreams of sailing away that much more attainable. If you want to read an exciting book about a real explorer than press the “Buy Now” as you will not be disappointed!
I cant wait for the sequel

(P Kaeochon)

Another review:

I just finished Clarissa Vincent’s ‘The Voyage of Storm Petrel’. I can’t stress enough how refreshing it is to read and hear a story of someone just following their sailing dreams without a ‘daddy’s fortune’ or a ’ dot com’ behind them. This is truly a book of the possible for everyone, and not just the well healed (forgive the pun ;0).

The editing of a few of the early captures could be improved, but don’t let this put you off. The writing style is light and easy to read keeping the pages turning. The narrative matures and improves throughout the course of the book.
A great story well told…I look forward to Book II

(Philip McKee)

Jason Robert Ballard is a 24 year old from all over New York State. He first discovered his need to present male when he was 13 in a chat room. At age 17, he came out to his mother and then soon the rest of his family and for his 18th birthday received new pronouns and cards directed at male genders. He’s currently been on testosterone therapy for 3 years and underwent male chest reconstruction Fall ‘10 with Dr Kevin MaGuire of Cooperstown, NY. He has gained experience speaking through being out and open about being transgender. Having opportunities to put a friendly face to the cause where ever he goes and the conversation happens to come up. Whether it’s in front of 100+ people at a panel, or privately to a co-worker, sharing his experiences with the world has started to come naturally. 

As co-founder of a quickly growing resource for the Trans* community, The Self Made Men - Jason spends almost all of his time taking baby steps toward goals of wide spread public education and Trans* awareness. Uniting resources, advertising for funds toward future engagements and speaking at transgender panels, lectures and class room discussions. 

Jason has attended a few different colleges, landing finally on Nazareth in Rochester, NY. He is an advertising major, focusing on brand identity and public relations and therefore is in charge of the look and feel of The Self Made Men as well as the website and advertising. The Self Made Men actually started as a graphic design assignment meant to educate his classmates. When the professor said “design a logo and brand for your company and run with it…” even she herself says she never dreamed he’d have taken it this seriously, and this far. The Self Made Men became more than just a brand or logo. With over 700 people using it’s new pen pal system, about 250 daily views and an ever growing list of transgender links and resources, he definitely received an A on that assignment.  

Jason goals are to finish his degree in advertising and one day take The Self Made Men to a point where it can pay it’s employees. A solid, building location full of local resources and the ability to open smaller chapters around the world. The staff as a whole believes that their first goal is toward public education, and that sales and traffic and being widely known will all follow that as long as they continue to do what they do with all of their heart.

Volunteer Opportunities with The Trevor Project

Volunteers are the backbone of The Trevor Project. Our dedicated team of volunteers helps in every aspect of the organization from programs to communications, to development and special events.  Volunteers positions:

• Lifeline Counselors
• TrevorSpace Administrators (Nationwide)
• Lifeguard Workshop Facilitators
• Project Volunteers
• Trevor Survival Kit
• Resource Compilation and Updating
• Office Assistance
• Event Volunteers

Volunteering opportunities are open February 1st with the Trevor Project.  While the Trevor Project is not trans exclusive, there are many LGBTQ youth who are helped by volunteers.  You can also donate to the Trevor Project.

The Self Made Men is an online resource that believes in promoting transgender equality through public education. The staff travel all over doing interviews, speaking at panels and teaching classes and lectures. On the internet, TheSelfMadeMen.com is home of countless resources including; The Big Brother Program, where tips and tricks to transitioning are shared from transmen to transmen. The pen pal system titled Me Too!  which matches up guys all over the world to build community and give them an outlet for trans topics and concerns. A news center, FAQ, photo gallery and actively updated blog. The site is also home to over 80 links of resources for the trans community, making it the largest source for trans information on the web.

Their online store is packed full of trans pride items such as buttons, stickers, Tshirts and support bracelets as well as a full color 2012 calendar. The calendar is designed based on submissions every Sept, and features twelve transguys before and after pictures, a bio and a motivational quote or message in hopes of helping others get through rough points in their own transition.  

The Self Made Men was founded by Jason Robert Ballard and Noah Michael in 2010 but has since expanded to having staff members, representatives in other states and countries, and volunteers. Upcoming additions include: The Closet, a clothing exchange program, Noah It All - a guide to basic ‘guy’ knowledge and The Gentleman Primer, a sub-site about the ftm gentleman and situational advice. 

Visit TheSelfMadeMen.com for more information. 

Alexandra Scott Billings is an American transgender actress. She is the first trans woman to have played a transgender character on television, appearing as transsexual characters in episodes of Karen Sisco, ER, Eli Stone and Grey’s Anatomy. Billings’ father, Robert, was a music teacher, which influenced her interest in theater. She assisted him, working backstage in the shadow of such stars as Carol Burnett and Yul Brynner. She also appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar and The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd.

In the early 1980s, Billings worked under the stage name Shante at the famed Baton Show Lounge. Winning a series of beauty contests, she was named Miss Wisconsin, Miss New York, Miss Chicago, Miss Illinois, and Miss Florida. She also served as a judge of the Miss Continental pageant in 2000 and 2001. Most of her professional work has been in Chicago theaters, most notably The Bailiwick Theater, Light Opera Works, Court Theatre, and the Tony Award winning Steppenwolf Theatre. She has collaborated on plays with such notable authors as Larry Kramer, Tina Landau, and Jamie Pachino. She has received one Joseph Jefferson Award, and 5 After Dark Awards for her work in Chicago Theater.

Alexandra is also a professional singer who performs in theaters and nightclubs throughout the United States. She was a recipient of the New York MAC Hanson Award for Cabaret Artist of the Year in 2004. She has taught Viewpoints at the Steppenwolf Summer School since 2002, as well as Louis University, The University of Chicago, Illinois University, for the Illinois Theatre Convention, at Act One Studios, and various Master classes and workshops around the Chicago area. Currently, she teaches alongside Steppenwolf company members Tom Irwin and Jeff Perry at the Steppenwolf School West in Los Angeles California. She is also currently teaching and earning her Master’s in theater at California State University, Long Beach.

She appeared in the 2010 GLBT film FAUX, in which she commented on gay marriage spurring the economy.  Billings lives in Hollywood, California with her wife Chrisanne. They were married in a commitment ceremony in Chicago on December 4, 1995. Alexandra was chosen as the Grand Marshall for the Pride Parade in Chicago, Illinois on June 28, 2009.