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Folks, Time Magazine is doing an article on the IS movement. I've asked the reporter to register and solicit interviews personally, but wanted to throw it out there as well.
She is interested in talking to real IS people (you) who are willing to be out (it means coming out in a really big way :cool: ). Some of you have already received an email from me asking that you contact her.
If you are interested but didn't get one of those emails, please contact me directly and I will give the contact information.
She is particularly interested in anyone near Chicago as that is where she is based.
Betsy
Jules, I just sent you a PM with contact information. Betsy
Thank you for the info. She and I have spoekn already.
i spoke with her as well today.
i think i sounded like a total idiot.
:D
With all of the crap that news prganizations have to cover these days, 'total idiot' would be a step above the usual.
I'm sure you did just fine.
Janet
thanks
i dont really think i sounded like a total idiot.
being still sorta new in the speaking out thing, i was just really nervous.
Nervousness isn't all bad, and you shouldn't expect that your story will just tumble out in complete thoughts or sentences.
If you've rarely spoken the words out loud, which is true for most of us, they may sound more jumbled to you than the person you're talking to.
What is remarkable about this activism is that people listen because they are moved by a life story. When you then convey you are one of thousands, that there are so very many of us wounded by 'good intentions', and that little has changed in how children are treated today, your words become part of a compelling oral history of how society has unsuccessfully tried to change what is beautiful and unique about people with bodies and souls like ours.
Nervous or not, just keep talking!
Janet
I wholeheartedly agree with Janet.
As someone who was just terrified to speak in public, be interviewed, be on camera etc...I know how you are feeling Elijah. I used to apologize to people I spoke in front of for being so nervous or emotional. But I soon learned from them that it made it real to them. Didn't sound practiced etc.....so like Janet said:
" just keep on talking".
Eventually the nervousness subsides some but the passion to get your story out doesn't.
I still get nervous some but I usually kick into a "the message has to get out mode" and soon forget I am nervous......
You were fine I am sure.....Thanks for sharing your story with Time. I am going to do so as well.
I am scheduled to do an interview with Wendy the reporter doing this article. It started out as a phone interview but then she asked to fly here to Jersey and do a face to facce. We're gonna meet on Friday. Wish me luck.
I gave a four hour phone interveiw with Wendy and will be sending her some pics, I wish you the best of luck Debbie
Wow - 4hours.. thats great! I am sure your interview will add a much needed part to this article Jules.
I thank you for your good luck wishes.
You sure have a lot more to contribute because your a mom who is in the postion of setting a example for other parents who might be in your shoes. Who knows, you might make the cover. It just feels good to be a part of something and that I'm seeing a change in attitude in my life time tword comming out as a intersexual. some of these atttitudes are slow but just to see it in my life time at a time when I'm really at my happest. Is a really great thing....
Happy thanks giving, Debbie.
Betsy,
Can I bother you for the email address of the reporter for Time?
I seemed to have deleted her email address and I needed to follow up on something from Kells and my interview.
Thank you.
I gave you her e-mail on that P.m.
cheers
Thanks for the info Jules.
Debbie
Dana Gold
01-07-04, 09:13 PM
Does anybody have any idea when (what month) the Times magazine with said article will come out? I want to be sure not to miss it. Thanks.
Dana
I spoke to Wendy today, it comes out next week:D
Oh shit! Did I tell you the Today show wants to fly me to New York to be on T.V.? Next week?
Who new comming out would be this big!! Should I do it??
Yes, yes, YES!!!
Want to rendevous if schedules permit?
Keep us up to date!
If you need any media pointers, Betsy's a great resource so check in with her.
Good luck,
Janet
Wendy had called and left a message for me too Jules about being on the today show or good morning america. So- I called her back.
I must have spoken to Wendy (reporter) after you Jules. When I called they had just told her that the 'higher up editor' said they "might not" include our interview article in this special edition.
She sounded quite frustrated but reassured me it was not the final call. She said her editor loved the article but that 'they' (the higher up editor- one guy that i know of) - said he felt it did not go with the rest of the special edition about 'health'. Supposidly there are articles about like sex in older couples and marraige (sex counseling) counseling for couples or something like that. I was a tad perturbed and told her to tell him that this issue is most definitley related to health - both physical and emotional.
Again, Wendy said that a final decision had not been rendered and that she would keep me posted. IF they decide to keep it in this special edition, it will come out next week. She said there is the chance it would go in the regular issue instead. If in the regular edition, the likely hood of TV shows wanting to interview us, would not be there most likely.
I felt Her fear is that the article would be lost in the shuffle and not come out for a while,,,she would then have to do follow up and things could be different. Bottom line,,,alot of work on her part and ours --- and the article could possibly not come out at all - or given the specila atttention it deserves.
If you are like me - you will feel some kind of way about this guy saying it isn't a 'health' issue nor worthy of the 'special edition'.
I will keep you posted as Wendy is keeping me posted.
Sorry to be such a 'downer'. Lets keep our fingers crossed that those who believe in it and 'get it' will push to have it included.
Deb:confused:
Dana Gold
01-08-04, 01:58 PM
Hi Jules! Good luck with the "bump to the top" (from HS to national TV) if you decide to do it. You will, of course, have to get out the Barbie and Ken dolls this time, as you can't say "those words" on TV:D
Debbie,
I would think that you have a right to know exactly why you and your child's experience is posssibly being shifted around...the editor-in-chief is NOT the chief medical officer in a hospital who dictates where a person's (specifically IS) life will be categorized. This person must have a specific reason why your article doesn't "fit", maybe he thinks IS doesn't belong with sexual issues, as you mentioned...whatever the case, I would hope that you get an answer from HIM, not a third or fourth intermediate person (spokesperson), you and Kelli deserve that much, if in fact the "shuffle"takes place. Heaven forbid that this article gets "buried"...that would be an outrage:mad: .
I know it must be nerve-wracking for you to be "left in the lurch"..it's not right, that's why it would be good to have a personal communique with this person, if at all possible. If you are not bound by contract (copyright or whatever) then maybe other magazines would be interested, and since you have experience, then maybe you could have a little more control on how your article is being presented AND if and when they do release your story in the Times or other publications, review it first! I did an interview for a campus newspaper recently and the editing was not to my satisfaction, what I really wanted to convey didn't come out properly:rolleyes: , but I had no control over it ..please make sure what is written is the "real deal" and not some modified (edited) version. Anyway, take care..wishing the best for you and Kelli.......Dana:)
I think that's a great opportunity!
I guess The special issue has more to do with sex and health then with intersex.
I would rather not get sqeezed into a magazine issue that doesn't fit with the topics. If time was covering gender and race, or sexual identifaction and surgery, then we would get much bigger coverage. But does having sex and sex counsling have anything to do with the storys of the intersexed?
Well just because they are talking about sex doesn't mean we always fit into the conversation.
I was STILL very disspointed, I'll be honest.
But Wendy said they all liked our storys and We hopefully will get better limelight under a"science" issue.
We are still due to be published just in a few more weeks. I'm glad I didn't tell to many people about my fame and t.v. show, even though it still could happen:D
..have faith....
Dana Gold
01-08-04, 04:24 PM
Gee, if the Times issue revolves around sexual health (as in "doing it" and marital sexual problems) then maybe IS experience doesn't fit...the readers would think that being IS means SEX problems and the general public maybe would not fully understand the physical and emotional issues, the pain and struggle to be normal in a world that views us as "anomalies"....I'd like to see a special edition on Intersexed with sexual issues left out, focusing on the lives and people, how it is to live as IS, or have IS children, the difficulties we face in a society that views IS human beings as "anomalies" in need of anatomical and gender correction and gender normalization. Our own physical and emotional health problems. I don't know....I dislike the root word of sex...the normals don't go around refering to themselves as heteros/heterosexuals...."Good morning, Let me introduce Mr. Gordon, Mr. Gordon's a heterosexual from Mayberry, Illinois". OR "Mr. Gordon is heterosexed (or normo-sexed), let's welcome him to our company"....:rolleyes:....I know I'm being snide and idealistic, but any IS experience in any publication for the general public should hopefully be neither clinical (medical journals) nor sexual (sleaze mags), but of a person''s life experience, from their perspective as an IS human being... Anyway, that's my feeling...maybe the current editor-in-chief of Time is thinking somewhat the same way, who knows?..especially when things aren't made clear to all parties involved., I hope Debbie gets some clarification on the matter and that the article makes it into an appropriate place for the reading public.
Dana
Dana
I would be dissapointed too if the article got lost.
But on the other hand, these are very personal issues and a special edition about health only might be too "clinical". Or maybe they think there's more to it? Personally I would prefer to see the article in an edition about children.
Btw, does special edition mean, it will be printed in addition to the regular issue?
Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Sofie
"Sex and health" as a topic does seem a bit far afield from "the Intersex movement". I'm confused. It really does seem like quite a change in topic.
:confused:
I thought this was about the intersexed movement untill today.
But I'm not the only one dissapointed,a lot of people were in favor of this.
Athough it is very common in the "news" bussness to have storys get pushed aside at the last minute.
I just hope that fate is working in our favor and things will work out in the long run better then we hoped:)
This news stinks, and even worse, I wrote a great reply until a kitty had her word and erased it all.
Betsy
Dana Gold
01-09-04, 12:01 PM
quote: "This news stinks"
I think that most of the News (Media) stinks: editing and/or coaching on interview/article context occurs even within the most liberal of media organizations. The recent events with Time magazine is a lesson for me when I get even more involved in activism to do it without having my presentation "filtered" through the standards/guidelines of a media agency, or at least be well informed and have the opportunity to review MY story before publication/printing. I have found that talking openly/publicly about personal experience and IS (as well as TS) issues within academia and religious organizations ( for me here at UCI and within my Buddhist group) seems to preclude "intervention" from intermediaries.. As for national magazines and IS experiences:
I think People magazine would be better than most... last year there was an article on TS and after reading it, I thought it to be fair and accurate "reporting"...I had been familiar with the person in the article through my then TS support group. I'm basically a cynic and "on guard" when it comes to dealing with "The System", whether medical, civil authority, or public/private agencies; they are not to be totally trusted and one must be careful to not let one's self and agenda get misconstrued, shuffled around, altered, or "forgotten". Sad, but true, and I accept it as a reality for safety's sake and self-dignity.
"To change and to change for the better are two different things."
-German proverb
Dana Gold
01-09-04, 01:54 PM
I'm sorry but I'm not sure:rolleyes: about the People magazine article I wrote about before....it could have been another mag...my head is still "slow":o from recuperating from an ear infection.. Anyway.
Dana
It was an article in PEOPLE magazine. March 17, 2003.
Page 109, "Gender Jump" written by Thomas Fields-Meyer and Ulrica Wihlborg. Perhaps it can be accessed online at People Magazine's archives.
Dana Gold
01-09-04, 07:50 PM
Thank You, Janet. I wasn't "lost":confused: after all.:p
Dana :)
Time Magazine's web page about the special issue doesn't refer to IS at all, although the very important issues of sex after 60, bondage and pornography all got space.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,1101040119,00.html
We can only hope that they had SO much info on IS they'll be doing a special issue belonging to us.
Disappointing news, especially after so much energy was spent. Has anyone heard from them with the inside story? Perhaps they just don't think people like us have love lives or sex.
Janet
When I talked to Wendy, the reporter, she stated that the higher up editor did not think ''Intersex'' was a 'fit' into the special edition.She also told me of her worry for the intersex article getting lost in the shuffle of trying to get it in a regular issue under science or something. She said she would try and follow and hope it would go next regular issue and would keep me posted.
I have to say I am very disappointed that this got pushed back. Makes me angry that the subject gets shoved back once again. I know alot of people gave of their time and personal lives, thoughts etc.....
this deserves special attention....
Debbie
Yes.. we got delt a set back.
There seemed to be some miscommunication between editors about the "theme" of what the "special edition" was going to be about.
I got the magizine and it is all about "sexual behaviour" I'm not bitter.
It is true that there is nothing in this Time magizine about the boilogical make up of people and gender issues.
To fit in the theme, insted of talking about our surgerys and our lives and our sucsess, Time magizine would have had to ask us how we have sex.
Although my sex life is good, and I talk about sex, my sex life is no diffrent then anybody eles, and everybodys sex life can can be diffrent. Being intersexed simply means that I can have sex like just like everybody else. Of course I can only speak for myelf.
Wendy would have had to talk to my partner, in fact all of our partners would have had to come forward and talk about having sex with us. If we were to flow with the topics that were choosen for the magizine.
Who choosed the topics was not up to us or the reporter.
I think that Wendy had the best of intenstions. All of us can contact time magizine Ourselves and show support of Wendy Cole.
I'm sure she understands our dissapoinment in this turn of events. It is possible that a well supported follow up would help insure that we at least tried to have Time magaizine Puts us in a good limelight.
ALthough we don't know things like who owns the story, or The story itself, We made a big step foward even if we took a step back. Sometimes the biggest postive changes happens when the old one foward two back happens.
I'm not the kind of person that ever gives up.
I had nothing to loose by sharing with Time magizine.
I had every thing to gain by stepping up to the plate because when it happens again I will be better prepared to follow it through.
I think that a lot of us have exstrodonary lives inspite of our medical condtions. Our boilogy, and our lives, led us to become
B L O which is I would say one of the best support group for gender idenity issues and gential surgery issues the web, which will help you even of you not intersexed or don't have sexual issues!!!! :D Now thats news!!
Billie Q.
01-13-04, 09:16 AM
Originally posted by Debbie
When I talked to Wendy, the reporter, she stated that the higher up editor did not think ''Intersex'' was a 'fit' into the special edition."
But, isn't that encouraging? That the sages at TIME don't see IS in the same fruit-basket with bondage, web-escorts, et al?
I really hope IS makes it into that special science edition. Shall we all write a letter?
Click on "Letters to the Editor" at:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Billie Q.
[B]But, isn't that encouraging? That the sages at TIME don't see IS in the same fruit-basket with bondage, web-escorts, et al?
thats why I was not bitter. Sex as a word has so many meanings doesn't it?
sex as in reproduction.
sex as in your gender.
Sex as in the act of doing it.
sex as in behavior
sex as in how you dress
sex as in biology
sex as in intersex.
they all are about sex but some relate better then others.
If more BLO members came foward and contracted time about where BLO and intersex fits WE might have a better shot second time around.
Thanks for the support Billy Q
Billie Q.
01-13-04, 10:20 AM
Originally posted by Jules
Thanks for the support Billy Q
Jules, it's the very least I can do, right now. As soon as possible, I'll be sending some dollars BLO's way.
Here's my letter:
"To the editors of TIME:
I understand that interviews were conducted with members of the IS community for an article slated to appear in the 1/12 issue.
The article was pushed back, due to its "lack of fit" with the other articles dealing with sexual diversity.
I understand that the interview material collected for that issue could appear in a TIME issue concerning science.
I would like to encourage the editors to use that interview material, and give intersexed people the high visibility that article offers, to combat their perceived "lack of fit."
Sincerely"
Billie Q.
01-13-04, 12:08 PM
"Thank you for letting us hear from you. The editors appreciate the
interest that prompted you to write, and they have made attentive
note of your comments. We hope that you will continue to share your
thoughts with us.
Best wishes.
TIME Letters"
:rolleyes:
Here's my (imaginary) reply:
Dear TIME,
Since you kindly solicited my thoughts, here's a thought: Your magazine ceased to be fresh or interesting, in my opinion, many moons ago. With the inclusion of an article on Intersexed people, you might have reversed that trend.
Dana Gold
01-13-04, 12:13 PM
quote: "...very important issues of sex after 60, bondage and pornography all got space."
I think it a "blessing in disguise" that Debbie's, Jule's, and/or others' experiences didn't make it into this issue due to the major theme of sexual practices (bondage..porn..:rolleyes: etc.)....that IS NOT the category, I believe, that IS should share a space with. However, it is disconcerting and aggravating to me that those people (Wendy excluded) couldn't/wouldn't find a place where IS could "fit in"...science?:confused: ...how about 'The Diversity of Humankind'? OR better yet, as Janet suggested, a apecial issue about 'The Lives of Intersexed Human Beings" the LIVES not just the "anomalies" of the bodies and psychology (as medical mags focus on )...I think I shall write to Time magazine also....I wonder if People magazine would be interested?:cool: ...Oh well,
Dana
Billie Q.
01-13-04, 04:24 PM
Originally posted by Dana Gold
I think it a "blessing in disguise" that Debbie's, Jule's, and/or others' experiences didn't make it into this issue. . .However, it is disconcerting and aggravating to me that those people (Wendy excluded) couldn't/wouldn't find a place where IS could "fit in. . . I wonder if People magazine would be interested?
I agree, DG, it is a blessing, and not disguised, either! That old stodgy mag is a business, and sex sells, baby.
I think another interesting use for the interview material would be an article on *SIG websites.
They could focus on BLO and other websites where members find information, news and support they can't easily access elsewhere.
The Historical Researcher in me can't bear to see good primary source material go to waste!
*Special Interest Group
Well I spoke to Wendy and she said the story is most defintly on, but it will not become out in the science issue because intersex and the Mars mission, which is huge new right now are two very diffrent storys.
Also because of the content having a child in it, the story realy should wait untill the editors can make the story stand out better. Which could be as short as two weeks or as long as two months. They might even ask for more people to come out and talk, to make it larger although Wendy told me she had three very full pages.
She said "Don't worry, the right choice was made putting it on hold for now."
Because many Time readers will being hearing about intersex for the first time a special section for intersex needs to be made.
SO lets take a big breath and wait and see what happens
and Have faith..:cool:
Billie Q.
01-14-04, 06:24 PM
Originally posted by Jules
Well I spoke to Wendy and she said the story is most defintly on. . .SO lets take a big breath and wait and see what happens. . . and Have faith
Thanks Jules, for sharing this good news. You will keep us posted, won't you, while we keep the faith?
BQ
Dana Gold
01-14-04, 07:26 PM
quote from me: those people (Wendy excluded) couldn't/wouldn't find a place where IS could "fit in".
I retract my earlier negative comments about the Times; looks like the right thing is being done after all and that there are some wise, humanistic people there as well.
It's encouraging to hear the latest.
Dana
Thanks for the support from all of you,..
and has anyone heard from beach apart from the PM? I havn't heard for him in some time:confused:
Yes! I got the disclaimer to use my pic's in the magazine.
I'm almost sure this Monday my story will appear!!!!!!!
Intersex is about to make "Time"
:D :D :D :D :D
Damm!!! I got told the artical got put on hold for a another week or two. Somthing to do with breaking news gets the spotlight before regular news. (Thanks Kerry!)
Anyway I still beleve it will be worth the wait, just a few more weeks... have faith!
I received an email saying that due to lack of space the article would not make it in on Monday. I was disappointed again. The anticipation of knowing how it turned out and how its presented is hard for me. I keep hearing its good but I have a few family members who are very skeptical of my decision to first due the article,,,then have Kell interviewed and then at the last minute decide to be photographed with Kell. I had decided this because I don't want anyone to think for one ioda of a second that I am ashamed or embarrassed by my child whom I love dearly. I weighed it out for a while and decided to do it.
Anyway, I have those who think I am a bad mom because I chose to do this in such a popular magazine. SO---with all that babbling on - my point is that the anticipation is getting to me...... ;-)
I am hoping its worth the wait too Jules.
Billie Q.
02-02-04, 10:35 AM
Originally posted by Debbie
I had decided this because I don't want anyone to think for one ioda of a second that I am ashamed or embarrassed by my child whom I love dearly. I weighed it out for a while and decided to do it.
Anyway, I have those who think I am a bad mom because I chose to do this in such a popular magazine.
I don't think you are a "bad mom" at all. By sharing your story with TIME, you pave the way for other moms (and kids) to not feel isolated and weird.
"Fame" like this has good & bad points; as long as you are prepared for the people who will recognize you (at unexpected times) and want to discuss the article, you will be OK.
Just remember, people will see you as someone who has opened her story up to public discussion -- meaning, they won't consider your privacy, etc.
Such is the price of "fame." You & Kell will be fine!
cougar9q
02-05-04, 03:37 PM
Having "our" story in Time is an amazing (or going to be) accomplishment. Feeling vulnerable is very understandable. Like I have said before, It is not easy to fight for your rights when others think you are not entitled to them. I am using the hero analogy, but it takes a hero, a true soldier, to do the right thing not when it is easy, but when it is difficult. The key to our struggle is that we have eachother. We have support and want the media to share that same message to our "fellow family members."
[Monica]
Dana Gold
02-06-04, 12:17 PM
Jules quote 1/22/04:
I'm almost sure this Monday my story will appear!!!!!!!
Intersex is about to make "Time"
Well........
It appears that it will be some time before Time is on time for the article, which seemingly will take some time to appear in Time on a timely basis ........So,
because I'm getting anxious over Time , it's time for me to stop thinking about what time that Time will be on time...
AND. this time I'm feeling that it's about time for Time..because it's taking too long of time!!...so we'll see next time (week)
(whew!!):rolleyes:
Dana:D
Dana,
That was a great way to sum it all up. Let's hope page 7 includes postings along the lines of, "Did you see the article?!!"
Janet
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