Yesterday morning over breakfast, I was riveted by a New York Times article on elective female-to-male transgenderism in rural Albania. The story detailed the practice of "sworn virgins" (although I think this name is misleading and sensationalizing), women who, after the death of the family's patriarch, volunteer to remain virgins for the rest of their lives and then assume the male role of the family.

In the next two weeks, it will be my honor to talk to actress, author, and activist Calpernia Addams for an upcoming podcast! Please submit your questions, comments, and thoughts to guide the interview in the comments section. Born genitally male, Ms. Addams served for four years as a field medical combat specialist (HM 8404) in the Navy and with the Marines during the first Gulf War. Upon her return as a decorated war veteran, set out to become one of the top showgirls in Tennessee. During one of her popular performances at a nightclub in Nashville, Calpernia met Pfc. Barry Winchell. Winchell was one of those exceptional human beings who truly loved a person for who she is, not what her physical manifestation dictates. According to an an article in The New York Times:

On March 26th, 2008, The Advocate published the first person story, Labor of Love, by Thomas Beatie, which sparked world wide media interest. Most reports on this story read 'Pregnant Man,' and include

The other night I caught a documentary on Showtime called Trantasia.This film documented the first ever ‘World’s Most Beautiful Transsexual Pageant’ held in Las Vegas. The pageant followed the standard format; evening gown, talent, and swim suit. The top 3 winners won small amounts of money, which wouldn’t have covered the cost of the trip. But, if I recall correctly, the real purpose for the pageant was as talent search for a new Vegas Show featuring Transsexual Showgirls. I'm sure they found their talent.

Like American Idol, gender to me is a social construct. It is an artificial process of peer pressure, unnecessary dichotomies, and boundary setting and punishment that limits people, forcing us into boxes in which our full range of humanity is constrained. Does this mean that there aren’t some inherent differences between the male and female sex?