Trans Woman Booted From Country Club

Rachael Gieschen x390 (courtesy) | ADVOCATE.COM

Rachael Gieschen's membership to a Wrightsville Beach, N.C., club has been canceled by the board of directors, even though her family founded the organization in 1898.

Gieschen, now 69, began her transition from male to female in 2007. Despite notifying the board of directors of her decision in 2008 (to which she received no response), Star Newsreports that "no one at the club spoke to her, and she was snubbed by people she considered family and friends most of her life."

In 2009, Geischen received a letter from the board of directors suggesting that she resign from the club. They explained members of the club were uncomfortable during her visit. The board also addressed bathrooms, a common point of tension for transgender people: “Other members' comments support the conclusion that, although you are now a woman, members will be uncomfortable regardless of which locker rooms or rest rooms you use. In view of the physical limitations of the club, we do not see how this problem can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.”

The board invited Gieschen to discuss the issue in person but barred her therapist from attending to explain the situation. Afterward, the board informed Gieschen that her membership had been canceled with all paid dues for the upcoming term refunded. As Geishen stated, "I was just kicked out and asked to leave."

Gieschen's lawer, Michael Silverman, told Star News, "Essentially what they're telling us is people feel uncomfortable. While that may in fact be true, our feeling is it's natural and predictable to feel uncomfortable, but there's a lot of things the club can do to not exclude someone."

Gieschen and her attorney say they are seeking a friendly resolution with the club in order to reinstate her membership.

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Reader Comments

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Name: etrert
Date posted: 7/30/2010 1:11:50 AM
Hometown: wsrtywetye

Comment:
vfsds
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Rachael Gieschen
Date posted: 7/23/2010 9:01:57 PM
Hometown: Raleigh nc 275609

Comment:
I just love you writers who fail to check the facts, My story is not about some COUNTRY CLUB as desribed by writer. It is a beach club which my great grand father, his two gbrothers and others in the Gernman community in Wilmington NC started in 1898. I have been a member since i was in the womb until i had to pay my way at the age 18 or completed college. So the clear fact is IT IS NOT A COunTRY CLUB BUT A VERY REVERED MEMBERSHIP WITH PROSPECTIVE MEMEBERS WAITING OVER 10-15 YRS BEFORE BEIGN OFFERED A MEMEMBERSHIP. AGAIN IT IS A BEACH CLUB WITHout ALL THE FANCY AMENITIES YOU ASSOCCIATE WITH A COUONTRY CLUB. YOU HAVE TO REALLY CHECK YOU IDEAS AT THE DOORS WHEN YoU TRY TO PICTURE THE BEACH CLUB When it HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 1898. TO0 THE EDITORS FACTS, JUST THE FACT. HOW HARD IS THIS. YOU SURE HAVE NOT DALLED ME TO CONFIRM ANY PART OF THE STORY. RACHAEL GIESCHEN!
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Name: Pamela
Date posted: 7/19/2010 1:07:27 AM
Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Comment:
You GLB's are a bunch of losers!!! I wish I could post a picture. I do not have any problem passing in public. I will agree I am not the most beautiful woman but I am 63 years old!! But that should not matter, we trans should expect support from a group of people who have been scorned by the straight world!! This is depressing!!! You know I actually get better support from the straight world!!
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Name: Carol
Date posted: 7/18/2010 8:48:18 PM
Hometown: St. Louis

Comment:
I object to all the insults being hurled at this trans person, who didn't harm you. I also object to the horrible comments of a certain "d" (please) who stirred up more hatred by calling people "fags" and wishing anyone who disagrees with her or him dies. This party (d) has a history with anger mangagement and is very low class trash. He or she (I honestly don't know or care) is the enemy of us transgendered, the enemy of GLBT liberation and certainly doesn't represent our community. Lets give the trans woman who the article is about the respect she deserves. Her fight is our fight.
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Name: Mark
Date posted: 7/18/2010 4:02:07 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
A truck driver trailer trash in bad drag, but what can we expect for North Carolina and its denizens? Trash people. Hicks and hayseeds. Look at the one hiding behind "d", you can't get lower yet he calls other names. Sorry bub , but your problems staying in your country club leave me cold
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Name: Dave
Date posted: 7/18/2010 11:38:52 AM
Hometown: Washington DC

Comment:
Nobody at the club wanted to talk to RG. Not one person. Yep, that must be because everyone is prejudiced. Everyone. Could not be because this one is nuts. Naw.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Gunther
Date posted: 7/18/2010 11:13:02 AM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
After reading this article I was set to write in to support Rachel. After reading these comments from the self appointed standard bearers of all that is politically correct- even wishing death and calling for censorship against others who disagree- I have something else to say. Too bad it upsets you that anyone would comment on appearances. It is done all the time in our minds and all over with Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Mr. Blackwells "worst dressed", etc. Deal with it. A part of life if you are in the public eye. I guess it really hits home with some people who probablly look like they could be in a horror film themselves. The homophobic outburst from mentally ill so called "d' is inexcusable. Since it bothers you, I will say it: THIS IS ONE UGLY MAN IN A DIME STORE HARLOT'S IDEA OF CLASSY DRESS
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Paula
Date posted: 7/18/2010 10:19:03 AM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
Isn't Halloween over? He is so ugly and cheap looking. I know he lives in redneck land, but really- wearing a chain went out in 1963
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: d
Date posted: 7/18/2010 9:43:30 AM
Hometown: raleigh

Comment:
I am in a mental institution and full of gay self hatred. Nobody has wanted me for 50 years.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Gin
Date posted: 7/18/2010 9:41:14 AM
Hometown: Phoenix

Comment:
Dale, referring to a transwoman as he or him/her is not support. It is an insult. How lovely it must be for you, btw, to sit back with your pals laughing at pictures of us poor trannies who are not quite passable. Maybe we should wear burkas so as not to offend you with our ugly mugs. But hey, serves us right for being born like this, right? We should be ridiculed, right? We should just stay home so no one should have to see us, right? After all, all we really want is to use the ladies room, right? Don't worry, Dale. It's okay. We can take it. We have no choice.

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