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GENDER IDENTITY DISORDER

Our webmaster had concerns that referring to Jami by use of the female pronoun instead of the masculine one could be confusing to those visiting this site. However, Jami has had a gender identity disorder all of her life. Not coming to terms with it, and not living life as she perceived it to be, led to much chaos and confusion in her own life. Being true to herself works best whether others may be able to fully understand it or not.

It may also be important to point out that a policy directive of the Michigan Department of Corrections (no. 04.06.184 eff. 04/19/ 1993, § II ¶A) defines “gender identity disorder “ as a person who

"is unhappy with his/her own biological sex, and desires to be considered as a member of the opposite sex. In the extreme gender identity disorder called transsexualism, the individual also has a long-standing desire to replace his or her physical sexual characteristics (genitals, breasts, voice quality, hair distribution, body shape, etc.) with those of the opposite sex. Gender identity disorders including transsexualism differ from homosexuality, which it is the sexual attraction to persons of the same sex, and transvestism, which is wearing clothing of the opposite sex for sexual gratification."

In the criminal extortion case, the trial court denied Jami's motion to drop mister, but stated that it would provide others with a cautionary instruction to refer to Jami using the female pronoun rather than the male one. 1/The trial court also granted Jami's motion to wear feminine attire for the five-day criminal jury trial. 2/The court reporter also referenced Jami as Miss rather than Mister in the trial transcript. Since the law recognized Jami's gender identity disorder, respected and accommodated it, then it should not be confusing to reference Jami using the female pronouns on this site.

Those who would like to learn more about people with gender identity disorders can visit the following web sites:

www.gender.org
(touted as the best by Michigan's first gay district court judge)

www.med.umich.edu/transgender
(University of MIchigan Health System Comprehensive Gender Services Program)

www.transgendermichigan.org
(a leading Michigan transgender organization)

www.gicofcolo.org
(leading national journal serving transgendered in prison)

/www.kglrc.org
Transgender Support Services*Kalamazoo Transgender Support Services
(an excellent resource for trans-information in general)

You may email , a male to female transperson.

If the link does not bring up a blank email, dsprague@mtu.edu is the email address

While not the greatest picture after eleven hours in court, and with little sleep for seven days, the following is a picture of Jami in her trial clothes. Even though it was taken the same day that the jury found her guilty, it was still one of the most happiest days of her life; dressed on the outside as she is on the inside regardless of her biological gender.
Jami Naturalite 07/14/03

Click here for some poems that were written by fellow prisoners. A few of them are about gender identity disorder.