(Transgendered independent write-in U.S. presidential candidate Bennie Lee "Ben" Ferguson was recently interviewed by Jacob Anderson-Minshall for the "San Francisco Bay Times." A complete text of the original interview follows.)

Ferguson Interviewed by GLBT Columnist
2008-02-14




You're running for president as a Libertarian. I see that you hope running for office will affect the political landscape. In what way?
FERGUSON: Let me correct you, if I may. I am in the rather unusual situation of running concurrently as the official Libertarian candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives (District 104) and also as an independent write-in U.S. presidential candidate registered with the Federal Election Commission. There is a method to my madness in that I expect publicity from the two concurrent campaigns to 'bleed over" into each other. (In the 2006 election, I received 22% of the votes in the Kansas House race against an entrenched conservative Republican incumbent who has held the seat for over twenty years. National publicity concerning my presidential campaign should increase that total in the 2008 election.) In regard to affecting the political landscape, I believe that the presidential candidacy, in particular, will serve to disabuse many people of stereotypical notions concerning the transgendered community, especially the assumption that all transgendered people march in lockstep with the GLBT establishment in regard to the issues.

Why run for president?
FERGUSON: There are both light-hearted and serious components in regard to my presidential candidacy. For one thing, it is something that I have always wanted to do at least once in my life, simply for the experience. On the serious side, it was a chance to make history since, to the best of my knowledge, I am the first openly transgendered U.S. presidential candidate ever to register with the Federal Election Commission. Finally, many of my right-of-center positions should serve to foster greater tolerance for the transgendered community by the larger society.

What do you say to those who argue that running as anything other than the main Democrat or Republican candidate is a waste of time?
FERGUSON: One of the perennial socialist presidential candidates once remarked that his greatest accomplishment was the adoption of much of his party's platform by the major parties. One need not necessarily win elections in order to wield influence. Additionally, due in part to budget constraints, much of my campaign is centered in my home state of Kansas and directed toward the GLBT community here. It is a foregone conclusion that Kansas will go Republican in the 2008 presidential contest. Given the demographics, GLBT votes cast for the Democratic candidate (which is usually the case) would be truly wasted. On the other hand, if I, as an openly transgendered candidate, receive any sizable amount of votes it will be a newsworthy event which will attract media attention. Votes for me will be tallied and published by the Kansas Secretary of State's office and the resulting publicity will benefit the Kansas GLBT community and highlight its political clout within the state.

What in your experience qualifies you to run the country?
FERGUSON: I have long maintained that the primary function of the chief executive is to surround himself or herself with competent people and delegate authority where appropriate. It is my contention that any number of reasonably intelligent, erudite people in this country could serve as effective leaders in this regard. Without wishing to seem conceited, I can confidentally say that I am one of those intelligent, erudite people. (I currently hold a Bachelor's degree and will graduate from Wichita State University in the spring of 2009 with a Master's degree in History.) Above all else, I have a keen understanding of the fundamental challenge of our time, which is to strike a balance between basic civil rights and liberties and security concerns. The resolution of all other issues is contingent upon this.

You've been a Log Cabin Republican. What made you split from the Republican Party? What drew you to the Libertarians?
FERGUSON: I have been a Libertarian-minded person all of my life. I feel that I am more influential as a Libertarian, as opposed to being a mere cog in the wheels of the Grand Old Party. I switched party affiliation formally when I was asked by the Kansas Libertarian organization to run for the first time in a Kansas House race several years ago. I maintain an affinity for the Republican Party, particularly its more moderate wing.

Has your gender played any role in your campaign?
FERGUSON: Yes, obviously. As I said, to the best of my knowledge, I am the first openly transgendered official presidential candidate in the history of the United States. Also, if I can be said to have any 'base," it would have to be the community which makes up the Trannyweb.com website. With close to 30,000 members, the site and its chief administrator Katie Glover have been unstinting and lavish in their support for my candidacy. While my transgendered status certainly does not completely define me as a candidate, it is nevertheless a basic component of my campaign.

About the Iraq entanglement you've said, "Our goal in these conflicts should be victory and nothing less. Our government and the Amereican people should do whatever is necessary to support our troops in the field and victory in these conflicts." What would "victory" look like? Why is it important?
FERGUSON: This question is perpetually bandied about by pundits and politicians alike. Let me stand the question on its head and tell you what "victory" does not look like. Victory does not look like precipitous, premature withdrawal from Iraq before any semblance of security and stability is established. Victory does not look like the pronouncements of various politicians that the conflict is lost while our forces are still engaging the enemy on the battlefield. Victory does not look like anti-military sentiment aimed at driving the U.S. Marines out of Berkley or referring to our commander as "General Betrayus." It is my sense, that in keeping with the contemporary tendency toward instant gratification, large segments of our society expect virtually instantaneous "victory," however one defines that term and lack the tenacity to see long-term military commitments through to a successful conclusion. John McCain has been chided for suggesting that a U.S. presence in Iraq may be necessary for 50-100 years, but if that's what it takes to satisfactorily resolve this conflict it is a sacrifice we must be willing to make. It is vitally important to our own national security that the region be stabilized and denied to terrorist organizations as a base of operations.

I understand that you oppose Hate Crime legislation. Can you explain why and what you suggest as an alternative route for reducing anti-GLBT violence?
FERGUSON: Hate crimes legislation smacks of the concept of "thought crime" as depicted in Orwelle's "1984." It is not possible to legislate individual attitudes, in regard to hate or any other emotion. Further, hate crimes legislation is divisive in that it creates special classes of crimes tailored to certain segments of the population and detracts from the notion of equality under the law. I view this type of legislation as a slippery slope with "hate speech" crimes and "hate thought" crimes hot on its heels. To paraphrase Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, "A man may have as bad a heart as he chooses as long as his conduct remains within the confines of the law." In regard to reducing anti-GLBT violence, I would suggest the formation of self-defense committees, legal funds for victims, self-defense training, and, in concealed carry states, arming oneself for this purpose. At the end of the day, however, violence between various communities can only be permanently reduced through communication and understanding, not legislation.

What do you think transgender candidates bring to the table that other politicians do not?
FERGUSON: Transgendered people in general, not just transgendered political candidates, bring a unique perspective to any table. The transgendered condition and lifestyle challenges traditional dichotomous notions which have polarized societies throughout history. We are consistently taught that our only choices are between extremes (black/white, conservative/liberal, Republican/Democrat, pro-life/pro-choice, religious/atheist, male/female), when a more objective appraisal of reality reveals that it consists of countless nuanced positions. For myself, I feel as though I am something of a "gender chameleon" in that I do not live in my feminine persona "full time." I am equally comfortable in my masculine persona and am loathe to abandon either.

I understand that your name will not appear on ballots, but must be written in by voters. Do you think that is fair or does it unduly prejudice third party and independent candidates?
FERGUSON: I feel that there must be certain limits placed on representative democracy to keep it from degenerating into mob rule and/or anarchy. (Witness the Italian system with a plethora of parties in a government which has been known to change within the space of a few months.) Each election site there are literally hundreds of third-party, independent, and write-in candidates. To print all of their names on the ballots and tally all of the results would place an undue burden on the election process and an already complicated bureaucratic system. However, I am dismayed that some states do not allow write-in candidates at all. (Oklahoma is one.) In Kansas, the Secretary of State's office requires affidavits signed by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates and three pledged electors in order for write-in presidential votes to be counted and officially recorded. My campaign is now in the process of selecting a vice-presidential running mate and three electors in order to meet these requirements before the general election.

Tell me about the Ben Ferguson Band.
FERGUSON: I am the lead singer/rhythm guitarist for the Ben Ferguson Band. We are an old-school classic rock and roll and rhythm & blues cover band which evolved from Alterior Motives, a project I was involved in for over ten years. I have been a rock and roll singer since I was 13 years old and have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Russia, and China. During a recent visit to Amsterdam, I performed solo at the Waterhole Club on the Leidseplein. I frequently appear "en femme" with the band, particularly on holidays such as Halloween and New Year's Eve.

I understand you used to be a security officer. What was that like?
I served in the private security industry, off and on, from 1987-2003. During that time, I worked for most of the large corporations, including Pinkerton, Burns, Wells Fargo, and Securitas. Much private security work is not particularly exciting, but I had occasion to stand armed posts, particularly in Arizona, which required the issuance of sidearms. My time in the industry is as close as I have ever come to a military experience and I rose to the rank of sergeant in two different firms.

How do you self-identify?
FERGUSON: I'm not sure that I understand the question. I would refer to my earlier "gender chameleon" comment. I am comfortable in both my masculine and feminine personae. I don't want to play the old "trannier-than-thou" game, but to my way of thinking my lifestyle is a truly transgendered one in that I do not totally identify with traditional concepts concerning either gender. I find joy and fulfillment on both sides of the gender divide.

Do you see cross dressers as part of the GLBT community?
FERGUSON: During the few decades I have been truly immersed in this lifestyle, I have found it striking to notice the various schisms evident between groups, not only within the GLBT community at large, but even within the transgendered community itself. I referred earlier to the "trannier-than-thou" controversy in which even the definition of what consitutes transgenderism is hotly debated within the community. Cross dressers, in particular, are often frowned upon in this regard. Some transsexuals, particularly post-op transsexuals who have undergone sex reassignment surgery, look askance at cross dressers, considering them posers and hobbyists and not truly transgendered. Also, in my experience, many exclusively gay men (especially activists) are inclined to disapprove of cross dressers, as well as bisexuals. (I am both.) I sometimes feel as though cross dressers are the step-daughters of the GLBT community, like an eccentric relative at a family reunion no one wants to associate with. In the final analysis, it is not particularly important to me whether cross dressers are considered part of the GLBT community or not. Being a cross dresser does not define me and it is only a part of who and what I am.

What does the GLBT community still need to learn about cross dressers?
Not only the GLBT community, but the straight community as well, should learn that cross dressing is not necessarily indicative of sexual orientation. (For instance, there are gay, straight, and bisexual cross dressers.) Also, cross dressing is a proud and ancient tradition. In the course of my academic career, I have written extensively on the history of cross dressing from the pre-Hellenistic era to the present. The Native American culture, in particular, provides a stark contrast between its perception of cross dressing and modern attitudes in this regard. "Berdaches" or "two-spirit people" (Amerinidian cross dressers, both male-to-female and female-to-male) were typically honored by their tribes and enjoyed considerable influence among their people. They were traditionally thought of as favored in a spiritual sense to occupy a position between the male and female genders. I would ask the GLBT community, and all of society, to emulate Native American culture in this sense and accord cross dressers the respect they deserve as unique human beings who bridge the gulf between the traditionally masculine and the traditionally feminine.