(en)gender

Apparently I’ve stirred things up a bit by mentioning that I was boycotted in Phoenix by members of the local Tri-Ess group, Alpha Zeta. Word from Tri-Ess is that there was no “official” boycott whatsoever – not amongst the local group, nor from the National.
I was going by what I was told by one of the organizers of the event – which was reiterated by other people in the T community there. In fact, I was told this several times, over & over again actually. I nearly felt the need to address it in my speech (which was already written) but didn’t. That is, I felt bad to hear that my appearance there might have dissuaded people from coming.
The difficulty is, I get reports and I get reports. Just yesterday I heard from a spouse who was asked to write something for The Sweetheart Connection (Tri-Ess’ newsletter for spouses). She intended to write a review of my book, and then was told it wasn’t wanted, that “books about transsexuals have nothing to do with us.”
I didn’t ever think there was a boycott in the official capacity. What I thought was that a group of AZ members agreed amongst themselves not to come. Tri-Ess’ National leadership has been very clear: they have not made any public statement against the book, nor do they support it. Kind of “live and let live.” Some local chapters have read and reviewed the book, and as far as I know, were not reprimanded for doing so.
It turns out, of course, that there were other underlying politics involved, including the recent inclusion of a local BDSM group in the Glitz. Apparently, several Alpha Zeta members were not attending because they are uncomfortable with the presentations of some of the BDSM-oriented CDs.
Let me make it clear: I don’t feel defensive about Tri-Ess, and I don’t have any kind of “agenda” with them. For instance, I’ve had people forward me emails from other Tri-Ess groups where CDs are bashing the book without having read it! Stupid stuff like that. People like stirring it up – apparently too many have too much time on their hands.
On the other hand, there are many Tri-Ess members who have been positive about the book and without agreeing with everything I’ve said in the book, understand I’m on your side – even Tri-Ess’ side, in fact. I’d just like to see the group expand their horizons a bit – to catch up with the times, and the types of couples that are coming up now. I have never failed to acknowledge what a life-saver Tri-Ess has been for many, and I can cite the instances in the book where I talk about that. My only issues have ever been the half-truths (CDs never transition) and the exclusivity of membership – especially of gay CDs.
I hate this crap.
I still don’t doubt that a few people didn’t come because I was speaking, but I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
Shoot. We all have so many other better things to be doing with our time.