The Capital Times, April 18, 2005
Steve Mayer spouts off
By Steve Mayer
Staff Reporter
slm379@psu.edu
It is that time of year once again!
Another semester at Penn State
is rapidly coming to a close, and
perhaps you are wondering, "Just
what shall I do with all the free
time I am about to experience
this summer?"
Well, I have a few suggestions
to keep everyone occupied and
out of trouble.
If you like movies as most
people do, then I recommend
David Lynch's 1986 seminal
masterpiece Blue Velvet. A
coming-of-age tale about a
boy and girl confronted by
circumstances that interfere with
their wholesome love for each
other, this film explores human
desire and the innocence in all
of us. It truly is a heart-warming
testament to the endurance and
resilience of the human spirit.
Great one-liners abound, and
Dennis Hopper's performance
as a jovial, fun-loving chap with
an affinity for great laughs and
Welcome to the Circus
From a caterpillar to a rainbow butterfly
By Maruja Rosario
Copy Editor
mxr3oo@psu.edu
The colors of the rainbow hang
on a sign that tells about support
for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and
transgendered students at Penn
State Harrisburg. The person
who is behind those signs is
J.D. Jistavis, no stranger to
needing support. Jistavis is
transgendered, which means he
underwent surgery to become a
male.
Jistavis began his life as a
female; at least that is what his
body appeared to be. In his mind,
however, Jistavis had always
been a boy. "I didn't want to play
with dolls or house, but I did to
conform. I wanted to be out getting
dirty and playing war." Jistavis
thrills is perfect on any occasion
and a sure-fire way to tug at your
heartstrings. This is the perfect
date movie for all ages.
But if you really want to impress
your date on a lackluster summer
night, then I recommend Last
Tango in Paris, which stars
the late, great Marlon Brando
who longs for unattainable love
in a riveting role of passion
and romance. Trust me--your
significant other will be impressed
by your emotional side and your
ability to convey your true feelings
through the magic of cinema.
Keep the margarine close at
hand.
If movies are not your thing, then
try music. David Bowie has just
released a reissue of his classic
album David Live--the first time
on CD, and recorded live at the
Tower in Philadelphia. Relive all
the hip-shaking classics such as
"Rebel Rebel," "1984," "Panic in
Detroit," and "Suffragette City."
Wham, barn, thank you, ma'am
-indeed!
Also new to the Bowie catalogue
is Stage, which was recorded
live during the years that Bowie
conceived the "Berlin Trilogy."
Many of the songs featured are
from his album Low, the first
album of the series. Your spirit
will be uplifted as the "Thin
White Duke" serenades the
audience and performs his more
experimental, rollicking material
that is sure to please any fan of
Top-40 radio.
If you do not trust digital
technology, which is
dealt with the "brainwashing" in
order to please his mother, who
always wanted a girl.
When puberty rolled around,
Jistavis held hope that his body
would finally match his mind.
However, he did not grow the
male anatomy the way he had
hoped. "You feel like your body's
betrayed you," he said.
Jistavis continued to live life in
a female's body, which started
to seriously take a toll on his
mind. Jistavis coined the phrase
"mentally ill;" to describe what
was going on in his head and
to his body. Because he was
convinced he was male, his
body stopped giving him the
right hormones that he needed to
keep his body healthy. So Jistavis
finally decided to make a huge,
understandable, there is still hope.
The albums are both available
on vinyl for the true connoisseur.
A good friend of mine is a vinyl
aficionado and has proclaimed,
and rightly so, that the analogue
versions of the albums are "the
way God and David intended it."
Finally, if you want to revel in
the written word, try obtaining
a copy of William S. Burroughs'
Naked Lunch. Containing over
200 pages about psychosis,
weird sex, junk addiction and
bugs, it is the perfect book for
anyone who has ever wanted to
read a novel by a person loaded
on smack. See why the Superior
Court of Boston instituted a
statewide ban on the book in the
'6os. Highly quotable, it is sure to
remedy those awkward moments
of silence during this summer's
family reunions.
Well, I hope everyone has a
great summer and that my advice
provides a blueprint for a good
time, whether at the beach or the
pristine waters of Gifford Pinchot
State Park.
Since this is the last column of the
year, I just want to let The Capital
Times staff and editors know that
I appreciate the opportunity to get
involved in the school and share
my opinions and views.
Also, a big "thank you" goes
out to everyone who gave me
feedback * and advice on my
articles.
Yours truly,
Steve Mayer
life-changing decision. "I had to
be myself."
Waiting until the cultural stigma
was that of a
more "socially
acceptable"
society, he
underwent a
transformation
October
that
would forever
rid him of his
female body
and make him
the male he
already was
Photo by Maruja Rosario/Capital Times however, is a
in his mind, J.D. Jistavis no longer feels society that for the
since the other 'mentally ill.' most part does not
option would mind that Jistavis
be to match the mind to the body. is transgendered. Oftentimes,
"It is easier to match the body Jistavis' reaction is "What the
Opinion
Former pres. gives farewell
By Rodney Horton
Former SGA President
thyork2@yahoo.com
Hello Penn State Harrisburg!
This will be my final column to
yoU as I prepare for my summer
internship. As of April 7, 2005 I am
no longer your president. I want to
thank everyone for their help with
this year's Student Government;
especially Dr. Widoff, who has
assisted us in accomplishing
many of our agendas, such as
contract preparation for various
programs and items. Within SGA,
there were many individuals
that made this year successful
and accomplished the following
goals:
Jason's Woods trip
Held various open
forums
Financed all clubs that
requested money
Adopted a
Constitution
Reorganized the Senate
Reestablished the
to the mind. I became healthy. I
became much calmer, the brain
functions better, and I became a
normal person," he
said with a smile
on his face.
Jistavis went
through a period
of questioning
during the process
and afterwards as
well. Jistavis tends
to worry about
how society will
accept him. What
he has found,
Student Court
Strengthened
Executive Board
Held online elections
(large turn-out)
Finals Food Week (free
food for all students
during finals week)
Soup Bowl 2005 (free
soup for evening
students)
Helped fund Spring Luau
and Fall Fest
Come In From the Cold
Snow Ball (winter
dance)
Supported Tsunami
Relief Efforts
Held a faculty forum in
the fall semester
Held a Town Hall Meeting
in the spring semester
Met with administrators
about student concerns
Met with students about
concerns
Organized the Annual
Awards Banquet
Supported the Women in
Society Program
Held numerous movie
nights (Collateral, Ray,
and The Village)
Held weekly voting
meetings, committee
meetings, and caucus
meetings
As you can see we did a lot. It
has been fun and stressful, but at
the end of the day it was worth
it all.
Every leader has a good team,
hell was I worried about?" This
is not to say that everyone is
understanding of Jistavis' choice.
"People have their preconceived
notions and prejudices."
One place where Jistavis has
only experienced a positive vibe
is right here at PSH. Jistavis had
come from a situation at another
Penn State campus where no one
was willing to work with him and
understand his situation and was
concerned that PSH would offer
him the same treatment. What he
found was a body of faculty, staff,
and students that only made him
feel positive about coming here.
"I'd like to thank PSH for having
open-minded faculty and staff. It
had made a big difference."
Making a difference is what
Jistavis is all about. Jistavis
and I was fortunate to have an
excellent team. Altamese Kelley
provided more events and
activities for the student body;
I am glad to have served with
her. Maruja Rosario, who raised
$1,500.00 in fifteen minutes for
children with cancer, is a gem.
If I could have a final plea to the
campus, it would be to encourage
the student body to GET ACTIVE!
Join a club that is of interest to
you. Be a part of something
that not only make your resume
look good, but also helps you to
develop your leadership skills. I
urge my fellow students to stand
for something and not fall for
anything. Get active and stand
for something, don't fall for the
status quo.
I will miss everyone; I only
wish the best for you all. We all
will miss working with the clubs,
especially the clubs that are
growing and are becoming more
active on campus.
Thank you and God bless Penn
State!
The Capital Times
would like to thank
SGA President
Rodney Horton for
participating in an
active campus dis
cussion through our
newspaper.
WARNING! This is a
Sharon Furfaro
original cartoon.
I thought I've give everyone a
glimpse into the life of The Capi
tal Times. It has been so much
fun writing, editing, and drawing
for the paper. As "resident artist" I
thought it would be appropriate to
immortalize the crew in ink.
And no, this is not an exaggera
tion. Just walk into the office and
this is exactly what you will see,
I swear
I would like to thank everyone
who has given me advice and
feedback about my work, and
also encourage any of you read
ers who express yourself with art
- consider drawing for the paper.
The future leaves room for many
more faces to make their mark
in the office. Consider becom
ing one of these, urn, interesting
folks.
One last "thanks" to all who put
up with my ranting and raving. It's
not entirely bad to be opinionated
sometimes . . . right?
Peace and God bless,
Sharon Furfaro
is actively pursuing the
reactivation of the Capital
Lambda constitution, the club
for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and
transgendered students, faculty,
and staff. However Jistavis is
quick to point out that you can
be a heterosexual and join the
club. "Eleven out of 12 signatures
are from heterosexuals, and are
willing to be active members."
Jistavis came to The Capital
Times to tell his story in order
to erase rumors and help those
that might be a little reserved
about being as open as Jistavis.
His advice to them is simple.
"Be brave. Have some courage.
Take a risk [because] you
always have ignorant people.
Find out for yourself that PSH is
understanding."