African-American/People of Color Transperson Research

Stephen "Arch" Erich, Ph.D., LCSW and Josephine Tittsworth, MSW, LBSW are conducting research on issues related to African-American, Hispanic, and others of color transgenders in relation to their Life, Satisfaction and Self Esteem.

We are collecting this information in order to examine Life Satisfaction issues related to the individual's personal life style and also the person's relation to family issues. We are also wanting to see if there is any correlation between Life Satisfaction and Self Esteem. I hope you will participate in the furthering of educating society on issues related to the transgender.

Stephen "Arch" Erich, Ph.D., LCSW has researched gay adoption extensively in the past and has been within the past four years researching issues important to the transgender community. He is the Director of the Social Work Program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Josephine Tittsworth, MSW, LBSW is an activist and researcher within the transgender community. She is the Research Chair for NTAC and has served on the board of directors of many transgender organizations. She is a post-op transsexual. She is currently a doctorial candidate at the University of Houston.

They request that if you wish to participate that you email Arch at erich@uhcl.edu to request the survey questionnaire. If you have any questions you can also call him at (281)283-3388

Please participate and help further the knowledge base on transgender issues.

J. P. Tittsworth, MSW, LBSW, AA; NTAC Board of Directors, Research Chair; GCSW-SA Senator; SGA Social Work Senator

Identity Construction Among Transgender People Of Color Study

TransGriot note: I met Kylan during TSTBC 2005 and have participated in his research project. There is a huge need to get information out there about African-American transgender peeps and other t-peeps of color.

f you are a trans identified person of color I would love to hear from you and have you share your experiences. I will be traveling the US (Midwest, West Coast, and Southwest) and Vancouver, Canada in May and June, as well as New York in August. I will also be conducting phone interviews over the next year.

I am a FtM, queer, and anti-racist identified graduate student in Sociology at SIUC. My research is in the area of gender and racial stratification, how this is experienced in the transgender communities, and how this affects perceptions of self.

My research project is called "Identity Construction Among Transgender People of Color". If you have any questions about me or my research please contact me at kylan.devries@gmail.com or my faculty advisor, Professor Rob Benford at rbenford@siu.edu

This research explores the stories/narratives of Trans People of Color
(inclusive term to include all identities on the transgender
spectrum), how you perceive yourself, and how others perceive you. I am particularly interested in how racial identity affects perception of self during and after transitioning (I recognize that transitioning is subjective and may not have an end for some). Participation is completely voluntary and confidential

To participate please contact me:
Kylan M. de Vries
kylan.devries@gmail.com or kylan33@siu.edu
(618) 303-4767


This project has been reviewed and approved by the SIUC Human Subjects Committee. Questions concerning your rights as a participant in this research may be addressed to the Committee Chairperson, Office of Research Development and Administration, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4709. Phone (618) 453-4533. E-mail: siuhsc@siu.edu