I was born in 1940 in Kansas City, Mo. I am a bi-gendered/transgendered MTF. I have been expressing and presenting a bi-gendered identity from an early age. To understand what it means to be bi-gendered, think of what it is like to be bilingual - that is to have learned two languages as a child. By the time I was four years old I knew how to be both a girl and a boy. In other words, I learned both a masculine and feminine gender identity and have carried both self-images and identities into adulthood.
I affirm both masculinity and femininity. At present I spend approximately seventy-five per cent of my time as Tom and the balance as Sharon. I am equally comfortable in either role.
I have been married for 32 years to Ginger. We have three daughters. Two are married and the youngest is a junior in high school. We have two grandchildren and a third on the way. Our oldest daughter is married, the mother of one child and pregnant with a second. She identifies as bisexual having had same sex experiences earlier in life.
I am a lawyer, a law librarian, and a nationally recognized authority on baseball history as Tom. In January, 1995, I was fired from my post as Librarian at the National Baseball Hall of Fame after twelve successful years. While nothing can be proven, there is reason to believe that I was dismissed because of my off-the-job advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered civil and human rights. Bogus reasons were cited for my termination by a new administrator who was unwilling to work with me on his staff. I was represented successfully in settlement negotiations by Robert Abrams, former New York State Attorney General.
If I was dismissed because of my activism, it marks the second time I have lost a job because of my gender status. I was fired in 1978 from a library post in British Columbia when a former co-worker who had learned about Sharon told my bosses that I was a "crossdresser".
I have been a civil rights activist since 1959 when I participated in sit-in demonstrations as a member of the NAACP in Kansas City, MO at the age of eighteen.
I have been "out" in the gender community since 1968 when I met the legendary Virginia Prince in southern California. I was serving on active duty at the time as a U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate at Camp Pendleton, California. Over the years I have been active in gender community affairs and various organizations. I am a member of Tri Ess and President of Lambda Chi Lambda, a Tri Ess chapter in upstate New York.
I am a founding Director of the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy (ICTLEP) and currently serve as ICTLEP's Gender Rights Director. I am a principal author of the International Bill of Gender Rights (IBGR), a fundamental human rights document written from the gender/sexual expression perspective. Copies of that document can be obtained on request by E-Mail or by writing to the address below.
As a former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate and Director of ICTLEP, I have directed a study of transgendered military personnel and continue to counsel with transgendered service members regarding legal concerns.
I am a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) and currently serve as Chair of that organization's Legal and By-Laws committee.
I have been a PFLAG parent and contact person in Otsego County and upstate New York for the past five years. I recently "came out" within PFLAG as Sharon Stuart, having been previously known only as Tom Heitz. I attended the INDY '95 annual meeting as Sharon and participated in the Transgender Caucus program which has evolved into our TGS Network effort. As a PFLAG parent I am committed to the PFLAG mission to gay, lesbian and bisexual people. However, I feel strongly that PFLAG has much to offer the parents, families and friends of the transgendered people. And, the inclusion of TG people and their parents, families and friends in PFLAG at all levels will make PFLAG a stronger, more effective organization.
I am working with our TGS Network steering committee as the transgendered resource person. In January, 1996, Maggie Heineman and I will do "in-service" training in transgendered issues and resources for PFLAG's regional directors when they meet in Albuquerque, NM.
At present I remain unemployed. I continue to apply for positions in the law library field and am exploring the possibility of returning to law school to obtain an LL.M. which would allow me to pursue an academic career. I also hope to continue my work as a gender rights activist. I also continue, as Tom, to work in baseball publishing and to perform as a public address announcer for major youth baseball events.
I am happy to hear from anyone who needs assistance with transgendered issues or has concern for PFLAG's work with transgendered people.
Sharon Stuart E-Mail: StuComOne@AOL.COM
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