I guess I'd like to put forward some thoughts on a few of the replys posted.
First, in regards to turtledove's comments.
I do think that 'picking and choosing' various points of previous posts, and then making negative commentary on them truly does little to enlighten or further the discourse. To me, it seems to simply berate or negate these particular snippets, without understanding the full context in which they were written. Fortunately, these items are located in this thread, such that interested parties can see these items in their full context. It would certainly be better to make some of your own observations or talking points, and then offer some solutions to any problems that you see, rather than just tear apart and leave in a dishelveled heap that which has come before.
In terms of mohnblume's somewhat humorous tongue-in-cheek suggestions;
heres the term from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary;
androgyne
One entry found for androgyne.
Main Entry: an•dro•gyne
Pronunciation: 'an-dr&-"jIn
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English androgine, from Latin androgynus
: one that is
androgynous
------------------------------------------------
One entry found for
androgynous.
Main Entry: an•drog•y•nous
Pronunciation: an-'drä-j&-n&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin androgynus hermaphrodite, from Greek androgynos, from andr- + gynE woman -- more at QUEEN
1 : having the characteristics or nature of both male and female
2 a : neither specifically feminine nor masculine <the androgynous pronoun them> b : suitable to or for either sex <androgynous clothing>
3 : having traditional male and female roles obscured or reversed <an androgynous marriage>
------------------------------------------------------------------
I would suggest that Michael Jackson fits entry #2 and, possibly, #3...however, the connotation that he's Intersex is not there, and, while - if asked - he may Wish to be Intersex, he probably is Not.
Personally, I would venture a VERY strong guess he Isn't - in fact I remember when this young man - not so young anymore - first started out with the Jackson 5 - he was a cute little boy with a gift for singing and theatrical dancing that had been drilled into him from a very early age. Probably Why he is so messed up now.
All this said, I'm not so sure that 'getting a celebrity' would necessarily be in the IS community's best interest, given that we may end up with someone who does NOT have either a 'good' reputation (or loses it in a drugged or drunken state), nor may have our best interests in mind. I seriously doubt that we could 'choose' any particular 'celebrity' to represent 'us' ... these people live for the income from such endorsements - I know I do NOT have the 'deep pockets' that would be required.
Moreover, I KNOW that I would NOT want any of the individuals that currently Have or seek 'Celebrity' to be a spokesperson for ME - in Any way. I feel that any of us could speak far more eloquently, and with a personal Passion in such a way that None of these so-called 'celebrities' could.
If you want My vote regarding a spokesperson, I would whole-heartedly suggest either our own Betsy, or ISNA's Cheryl Chase. Both have a vast store of knowledge and personal experience, and have spoken at length to numerous organizations and gatherings. I suspect that there are others currently involved in the IS cause, who could do as good a job as these exemplary people, but I'm just not that familiar with everyone doing so.