Ugandan transgender fugitive Pepe Julian Onziema

Imagine being a law abiding citizen yet living in fear for your life, having been stoned by neighbors and falsely imprisoned by your government, and your only crime?

Being transgender!

KAMPALA, Jan 29, 2010 (IPS) - Every morning Pepe Julian Onziema wakes up not knowing if she will live to see another rising sun. Onziema is transgender and she lives in fear for her life because of a national campaign against gay people.

Although she has done nothing wrong, Onziema lives like a fugitive - always on the lookout to avoid trouble.

Her days are spent in fear and as darkness descends she securely locks the doors to her flat in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb where she lives with her partner.

Onziema is a well-known activist and the national programmes coordinator of Sexual Minorities Uganda, an advocacy network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations. She has appeared on television several times defending the rights of LGBTs. But it has not made her life any easier.

Just like other LGBTs in her country Onziema has been arrested; spat on; attacked; insulted and even stoned by neighbours.Read the rest at IPS RIGHTS-UGANDA: Fugitives in Their Own Country

Equality Utah amazing progress in five legislative days

I was along with many others, so profoundly effected by the Mormons contribution to the passage of prop 8 became intensely interested in Saltlake cities newly formed GLBT groups.

Like a flickering candle of hope in the mountains, Utah's equality birthright was a battlefield where every attempt to find common ground was met by the goverment and the LDS with stifling overpowering opposition, threatening to extinguish the very human spirit of those courageous early campaigners for equality.

Astonishingly, Utah may emerge as a bright star of fairness if progress is maintained. Many of us are now hopefull.

From Equality Utah:

Equality Utah has been working with Representative Christine Johnson and Senator Howard Stephenson on a Fair Workplace and Housing Bill.

Today at a press conference, Leadership of both the House and Senate along with Representative Johnson and Senator Stephenson agreed to engage in an anti-discrimination study related to Housing and Employment during the Interim Session.

It was also announced that there will be NO PREEMPTIVE BILLS.

Both of these announcements represent incredibly positive developments, especially in light of what was potentially underway during this Legislative Session.

This means that we truly have the opportunity to find Common Ground in the state of Utah. Stakeholders and interested parties have agreed to continue the dialogue to gather pertinent information through the study sponsored by Rep. Johnson and Sen. Stephenson.

Most importantly, just 5 days in to the 2010 Session, we managed to defeat 5 negative bills.

• Two were outright preemptions that would have stopped ANY non-discrimination Ordinances from being enacted, including those that were already passed.

• Two were focused on stripping housing protections from the Housing and Workplace bill.

• One would have gutted the Human Rights Ordinances by allowing religious "Adherents" to discriminate.

Equality Utah is committed to providing these critical protections in Housing and Employment, and will continue to work with all stakeholders until full equality is achieved.

Working for a fair and just Utah,

Brandie Balken
Executive Director

Salt Lake Tribune'Dramatic jump' with Utahns for gay rights "More want SLC's rules to go statewide; marriage, adoption don't gain traction."

Pay Your Respects to Myra Ical This Saturday

Pay Your Respects to Myra This Saturday

Friends and family of Myra Ical would like to invite the community to pay their last respects on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Santana Funeral Home located at 5352 Katy Freeway (corner of I-10 & T C Jester).

Myra Ical was a Houston transgender woman who was brutally murdered January 18th and whose memory was imediatly slandered by media. The community spoke out against the slander and organized the largest TG action in Houston's history.After the community spoke up, the media corrected their portrayal of Myra's life and death, the request for information leading to the arrest of Myra's killer was carried on practically all Houston media and we now know the name of a person of interest.

Myra's friends were moved beyond words by the response from the community. Many of them shared stories about Myra's life - especially her compassion - with me. Myra's family and friends asked me to extend this invitation to help them say goodbye to their loved one and our sister, Myra Ical between the hours of 1 and 9 PM this Saturday.

Thank you,
Cristan Williams

Tyra Banks Show Transgender Children with Cameos from Kim Pearson and Dr. Marci Bowers

Families of transgender children compassionately undertake the momentous task of educating Tyra Banks about transgender youth....like finger painting a Monet so that Tyra and more people might appreciate our children's wonderful rainbows.....





Just love your children unconditionally and know you are not alone.



This is something much deeper than just a physical thing.



At this point supposed "expert" makes a case for the disbarment of Kenneth Zucker.



Tyra Banks is obsessed throughout the show with the physical differences that the sexes have as if she believes that these differences alone predicate our genders. Then Tyra goes to show how just how shallow she is by embarrassing a post op transgender woman with a demonstration on how to pee with out sitting down. Tyra then tells her that "OK now that you are a real girl" you have to wipe the toilet seat clean. OMG!!

If thats what real woman do then why is the ladies room toilet seats covered with pee so often?

just asking

But the real tragedy is the wounding of transgender children everywhere as Banks again surprised her guests, but not with a unexpected act of goodwill. Banks blindsided the advocate who's good will brought the innocent children to the show, Kim Pearson of the TYFA, and world renowned SRS surgeon DR. Marci Bowers with a short unprovoked attack by a very obnoxious man who's religious views compelled him to shout over any objections that Marci or Kim presented.

I once asked Kim why she formed the TYFA and she responded, it's what a mother would do. The look in Kim's and Marcie's eyes as they leaped in defense of the children was like mother lions protecting their offspring, purely primordial and fearsome.

It was what a mother does.

To our transgender children. You are our blessing and we love you so very much.

Glaad Blog “The Tyra Show” Features Transgender Children and Their Families

Prop 8 testimony wraps UP proponents of gay marriage ecstatic "WE DEMOLISHED THEIR CASE"

Click on picture for raw video of statement.

The opponents of prop 8 said they were satisfied that the testimony of both sides validated their argument that gay marriage was not a threat to the present day traditional institution of heterosexual marriage.

The opponents of prop 8 said that the testimony of both sides established their contention that children of same sex couples suffer from not being allowed the security of being raised by married parents.

The testimony of the proponents of prop 8 established they did not do analytical research to validate their contention that same sex marriage would threaten "traditional" heterosexual marriage and their their own testimony established that prop 8 was conceived, organized and funded mainly by religions that have homophobic histories dating back thousands of years.

My opinion: I beleive the only tradition being threatened is the institutionalized right of religion to hold people of it's choice to positions of vulnerability and subservience.

The opponents of prop 8 appeared to be satisfied that their case for overturning prop 8 was won on all counts by testimony from both sides.

Source San Francisco Chronicle 01-27) 17:51 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- "Testimony in the federal court trial over California's Proposition 8 ended Wednesday in San Francisco with an advocate of male-female marriage maintaining that the rights of gays and lesbians must give way to society's interest in promoting traditional families.

Sponsors of the 2008 constitutional amendment called David Blankenhorn, founder of the Institute for American Values, to make the case that allowing gay and lesbian weddings would weaken marriage - a potentially decisive issue in the clash over the ballot measure's constitutionality.

In two days of testimony, Blankenhorn predicted fewer heterosexual marriages and more divorces and one-parent households if marital rights are extended to homosexuals.

But a lawyer for gay and lesbian couples challenging Prop. 8 confronted Blankenhorn with his declaration in a 2007 book, "The Future of Marriage," that "we would be more American" if same-sex marriage were legalized. Blankenhorn sought to reconcile his statements Wednesday, saying gay and lesbian couples and their children would benefit but marriage as a whole would suffer.

Although same-sex partners deserve "equal dignity," Blankenhorn said, their interests conflict with every child's right to have a mother and father.

As he wrote in his book, he said, "the rights of gays and lesbians should take second place to the needs of an existing social institution," traditional marriage."

H. R. 4530, the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA)

Polis Seeks to Protect LGBT Students from Discrimination in Schools through Introduction of Student Non-Discrimination Act

Press Contact: Lara Cottingham (202) 225-5693

Washington, Jan 27- Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), a leading proponent of equality in education, today introduced historic legislation—H. R. 4530, the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA)—that would protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students by establishing a comprehensive Federal prohibition of discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and provide victims with meaningful and effective remedies. Thus far, SNDA has 60 original co-sponsors.

“Every day innocent students fall victim to relentless harassment and discrimination from teachers, staff, and fellow students based on their sexual orientation,” said Polis. “These actions not only hurt our students and our schools but, left unchecked, can also lead to life-threatening violence. Like Title VI for minorities in the 60s and Title IX for women in the 70s, my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear.”

While Federal civil rights statutes expressly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin, they do not explicitly include sexual orientation or gender identity and, as a result, LGBT students and parents have often had limited legal recourse for this kind of discrimination. By establishing a comprehensive Federal prohibition of discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and empowering victims with meaningful and effective remedies (loss of federal funding and legal cause of action for victims) for discrimination, SNDA represents an enormous step toward safe public schools for all kids, regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation.

“Hatred has no place in the classroom,” said Polis. “Every student has the right to an education free from harassment and violence. This bill will protect the individual freedoms of our students and enshrine the values of equality and opportunity in our classrooms.”

Polis, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and Co-Chairman of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, is a former chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education and has founded and served as the superintendent of charter schools serving at-risk student populations.

Congress.org Bio Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO 2nd District)

Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR) Urgent Action needed Stop Asghar Hedayati's Deportation to Iran

Please support this URGENT call for support for Asghar Hedayati, a 40 years-old Iranian gay man from Norway — he may be sent back within a few days to a country where numerous gay men are currently on death row.
http://www.irqr.net/English/231.htm
This urgent CALL TO ACTION comes via Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR). They say that Hedayati has been seeking asylum in Norway since 2003. He is one of IRQR refugee cases who has not lucky so far, but he is still fighting for his rights.
“I was waiting for good news, everyday for the last seven years,” he says. “I was optimistic that I can start a normal life here in Norway. Unfortunately, it did not happen for me, I lost my hope, energy, happiness, and future when I got negative answers from Norwegian authority.
“There is no light for my future now but I never ever give up,” Asghar says in a letter to Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees – IRQR.
Asghar was in love with his boyfriend, Mr. J [for security reason we can not publish his name] and they were so happy but their happiness until Asghar’s family forced him to get married.
It was really difficult time for Asghar and “J” as they could not ‘come out’ for their families and Asghar did not have any reason to convince his family that he did not want to get married. Finally, he was forced to get married.
“I did not love her, I did not like her, and she was not the right person at all,” he says. “We lived together but we were together just at kitchen table. I could not stop thinking about [Mr. J] for a moment.”
After all the difficulties, he left Iran for Denmark and sought refugee status on basis of his sexual orientation. Unfortunately, his asylum application was refused by the Danish government and he was scared to death because he did not want to be deported back to Iran.
So he fled Denmark, going to Norway where he applied for asylum. At that time, he did not imagine that one day he will be in the same situation again. He has now received a letter from the Norwegian government that he has to leave by January 25, 2010 and he does not know what will happen in next day.
He has been told by the Norwegian authorities he can go back to Iran and “nothing will happen for you if you do not come out”.
“How it can be possible? Can they recommend it to Norwegians as well to just shut up and do not ask your basic rights?” Asghar said.
His life is now in danger and the Norwegian government has to grant his asylum because there a lot of evidence that Iranian gays in Iran are threatened because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. There is no doubt his life will be in danger.
Asghar Hedayati is in an unjust situation and needs your urgent action. Please show your support by writing to the Norwegian government to urge them to grant refugee status to Asghar Hedayati. You may copy and paste the sample letters (below) into an email and send it to the provide emails below or you may write your own letter in support of Asghar Hedayati. Please CC IRQR: info@irqr.net for tracking purposes. Thank you for your support.
Further information:
* UK Gay News: “Now I Have Lost Hope” – Gay Iranian Who Faces Deportation from Norway in Hours* Twelve Men Face Execution for Sodomy in Iran: For first time, activist confirms queer organizing on university campuses (Doug Ireland, published in Gay City News)* From Teheran to Riyadh, this is how we are discriminated against* Human Rights Watch: Iran prepares to execute gay teens
Send your letters to:

Mr. Knut Storberget
Minister of Justice and the Police
E-mail: postmottak@jd.dep.no
Phone: Switchboard +47 22 24 90 90
Mailing address: Postboks 8005 Dep, 0030 Oslo, Norway
&
Immigration Appeals Board of Norway – Utlendingsnemnda
Email: postmottak@une.no
Telephone: +47 21 08 50 00
Mailing address: Utlendingsnemnda, Postboks 8165 dep. 0034 Oslo, Norway
In addition, if you or your organization is interested in hosting an event to support Asghar Hedayat or interview him, please contact us at info@irqr.net as soon as possible. Thank you for your support.
- – - – - – Sample Letter – - – - -
Date:
To: Minister of Justice and Police, Mr. Knut Storberget, postmottak@jd.dep.no
Immigration Appeals Board of Norway, postmottak@une.no
CC: IRQR, info@irqr.net
Subject: Norway threatens to deport Asghar Hedayati to Iran – Please stop him deportation
Dear Minister,
I am contacting you to request your assistance on a very urgent case involving Asghar Hedayati a gay Iranian, who is currently in Norway. I received some information about him through the IRanian Railroad for Queer Refugees, based in Toronto, Canada.
Asghar Hedayati is a citizen of Iran, with case number DUF 2003 046 114 08. He escaped Iran in 2003 because of his well-known fear of persecution on basis of his sexual orientation. He applied for asylum in August 2003, but the Norwegian Government unfortunately denied his asylum status for several times and he is now at risk for deportation.
His asylum judge said that he can live in Iran if does not ‘come out’, which is against fundamental human rights. I would like to express my deep concern about his situation, as he will experience imprisonment, torture, and even execution upon his forced return to Iran.
I am urging you to reconsider this case under the spirit of respect for human rights and I am requesting you to grant Iranian queer refugees the full state of asylum in Norway because there a lot of evidence that Iranian queers in Iran are threatened because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sincerely
X

Myra Ical Another Unrecorded Transgender Murder

The Brutal beating death of Myra Chanel Ical illustrates the absolute necessity of a Texas Hate Crimes Bill making the recording transgender hate crime murders a mandate for local and state police.



Until then only the community will recognize Myra as one more murdered Transgender person.

Please note. The last speaker said Myra's choice to "live a lifestyle" put her in jeopardy.
I strongly object to that persons statement.
Transgender people do not choice to "Live a life style" as gay and lesbian people do not live a life style choice.

Secondly the speaker may have been making a assumption that Myra was murdered because she was involved in illegal activities such as prostitution of drugs. That is a ASSumption.

Thirdly, speaking from my own life experiences I will testify that the homelessness and discrimination are the LEADING cause of transgender murders because it is those conditions that force transgender people to the street.

Source YouTube:

HOUSTON, TX A public memorial and candlelight vigil will be held on Monday, January 25 at 6 pm to honor Myra Ical, whose body was found last Monday in the 4300 block of Garrott St near Richmond Avenue.

The memorial will include two moments of silence, one for Ms. Ical and another for the 6 transgender Houstonians who have been murdered since 1999 whose crimes remain unsolved, as well as a moment of noise-making to recognize that it is silence that allows the perpetrators of crime to go unpunished.

The time for silence has ended said Cristan Williams, executive director of the Transgender Foundation of America. Myras body was discovered at 2 in the afternoon at a busy intersection. Somebody saw something or knows something about this crime. We want to encourage people to make noise about the violence that is inflicted on our community.

The press release sent by the Houston Police Department identifying the victim used male pronouns to refer to Ms. Ical, whose legal name was Ruben Dario Ical, raising protests from transgender advocates.

The local media took their cue from HPD, consistently referring to Myra as he which is disrespectful of her memory said Ms. Williams. Every media style book in the country, including the Associated Press, is clear that transgender people should be referred to using pronouns that reflect their gender identity. I am thankful that HPD is working hard to solve this crime, but they have a duty to communicate with the public in a way that respects the victim.

Houston Police have no leads in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Transgender Foundation of America at 713-520-8586.

The Memorial will be held at the site where Ms. Icals body was found, at the vacant lot at 4300 Garrott. Attendees are encouraged to bring noisemakers. Candles will be provided.

Disgraced ANTI Gay NJ Firemen seek reinstatement Garden State Equality Protest!

Vicious anti-LGBT firefighters may be reinstated - join us in protest Tuesday night

THIS WILL MAKE YOU SICK: The town of Secaucus in Hudson County may reinstate three firefighters who made anti-LGBT death threats against, and threw condoms at, a same-sex couple who lived next door to the firehouse. In a $4.8 million verdict that came out of taxpayers' pockets, a court ruled against the town and the firefighters, who were forced to step down. But now, the brand new mayor, himself a firefighter, may reinstate his friends back onto the force. This anti-LGBT cronyism is revolting. You can read this weekend's Bergen Record story about their possible reinstatement at North Jersy.com Firemen seek reinstatement of 3 who left in gay bias flap

Garden State Equality is holding an urgent rally and speak-out at the Secaucus Mayor-Council meeting this Tuesday night, January 26 at the Secaucus Municipal Government Center, 1203 Paterson Plank Road. Please arrive at 6:00 pm if you can.
Please forward this email immediately to everyone you know in Northern New Jersey - to each of your friends, colleagues, organizational members and list servs.
Questions? Contact Garden State Equality's field manager at Troy Stevenson or cell (405) 802-8229.

New York City TLDEF Arranging Free Name Change

The Name Change Project

"For many transgender people, a legal name change is a first step towards conforming their legal identities to the way they identify and live their lives. But securing a legal name change can be an intimidating experience, involving interaction with the court system and judges that is foreign to many people. It can involve a significant expense as well as a serious commitment of time and effort. By ensuring that transgender people have adequate legal representation when seeking name changes, TLDEF's Name Change Project ensures that they can successfully negotiate the legal process and move forward with their lives."

"In only a short time, The Name Change Project has helped hundreds of people on the road to getting legal recognition for their names. The project is straightforward. Everyone who wants a lawyer deserves to have one to make the legal name change process as simple as possible. If you can pay the costs of your name change (not the legal fees; we never charge those!), we ask that you do so. If you can't, those fees will be covered. You must live in New York City to participate in the project."

Need Help?
If you are seeking a legal name change, please call our office at 646.862.9396 or
contact us by electronic mail.

Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund Name Change Project

NY Times For Transgender People, Name Is a Message

Virginia Supervisor Eugene A. Delgaudio(R) Should Resign for unrepentant Transphobic Slurs

Tell Eugene A. Delgaudio, pictured left, transgender people are not "Real Life Tootsies".

Anyone who has attended a council meeting where the expansion of LGBT liberties are debated have memories indelibly imprinted on there minds of seemingly normal neighbours suddenly and inexplicitly transformed into disillusioned venomous bigots. However most comments by citizens and council members are contained within civil discourse, and regardless if one disagreed, were not statements that would inspire violence.



Virgina Supervisor Eugene A. Delgaudio(R) has crossed the line of civility and has unrepentantly attacked transender people repeatedly with sentiment that in fact encourages violence towards transgender people.



This is not a attack on freedom or speech but a attempt to insure that our right to freedom of speech is not abused by government officials who espouse sentiment that gives credence to violence.

Virgina Supervisor Eugene A. Delgaudio(R) should Resign.

Equality Loudoun Believes that Delgaudo's remarks were another attack and ask you to email the council members and express your views.

Supervisor Delgaudo has made it clear he will not moderate his language and must be removed so that it becomes known that the public only accepts civil language while addressing minorities by our elected leaders.

Washington Post Loudoun Supervisor Delgaudio rebuked for anti-gay remarks


Loudouni Loudoun Not to Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

HT Metro Weekly Loudoun Co., VA Supervisor Delgaudio blasted for public, anti-transgender remarks [video]

NBC 5 YouthFirst Dallas Texas: a place for Gay and Lesbian Youth

ABOUT YOUTH FIRST TEXAS

"Youth First Texas is the only non-profit organization in Dallas exclusively committed to providing social services, education opportunities, and recreational activities to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning (GLBTQ) Youth through age 22.


Our mission is to provide group interaction and individual support for GLBTQ Youth by providing age appropriate activities, programs, and resources that facilitate empowerment and self-acceptance.

There are more than 50,000 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (GBLTQ) youth estimated to be in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Some are fortunate to have an accepting home environment. Others live without hope in isolation and fear. Those feeling alone and lost make up a staggering 50% that contemplate suicide every day. Many services so desperately needed by youth today are not available due to homophobia or a lack of resources.

You are not alone and you should never feel that way."

YouthFirst Texas.org/

Map to YouthFirst Dallas

Memorial for Myra Ical Transgender Foundation of America Hosting

Host: Transgender Foundation of America
Type:Causes - Rally
Date:Monday, January 25, 2010
Time:6:00pm - 6:30pm
Location:Vacant Lot at Garrott St and Richmond Ave
Street:4300 Richmond St
City/Town:Houston, TX
View Map
Google

A public memorial and candlelight vigil will be held on Monday, January 25 at 6 pm to honor Myra Ical, whose body was found last Monday in the 4300 block of Garrott St near Richmond Avenue.

The memorial will include two moments of silence, one for Ms. Ical and another for other transgender Houstonians who have been murdered whose crimes remain unsolved, as well as a moment of noise-making to recognize that it is silence that allows the perpetrators of crime to go unpunished.

The time for silence has ended! Myra’s body was discovered at 2 in the afternoon at a busy intersection. Somebody saw something or knows something about this crime. We want to encourage people to make noise about the violence that is inflicted on our community.

The press release sent by the Houston Police Department identifying the victim used male pronouns to refer to Ms. Ical, whose legal name was Ruben Dario Ical.

The local media took their cue from HPD, consistently referring to Myra as ‘he’ which is disrespectful of her memory. Every media style book in the country, including the Associated Press, is clear that transgender people should be referred to using pronouns that reflect their gender identity.

We are thankful that HPD is working hard to solve this crime, but they have a duty to communicate with the public in a way that respects the victim.

Houston Police have no leads in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Transgender Foundation of America at 713-520-8586.

The Memorial will be held at the site where Ms. Ical’s body was found, at the vacant lot at 4300 Garrott. Attendees are encouraged to bring noisemakers. Candles will be provided.

kelli's note: I am crying for you Myra that you died alone and unloved in a empty lot. God knows you now and our sorrow will lift you to his loving arms. God bless you Mrya.

Amarillo Pseudo Church Repent Amarillo now to Boycott Houston

In the wake of Houston's electing mayor Annalise Parker members of the "special forces of Christ" Raven church not only want Amarillo to repent but are also demanding potential visitors to Boycott Houston.

Source:myfoxhouston "BoycottHouston.com recommends that people do not travel to Houston, support Houston sports teams or buy their merchandise or book conferences and conventions in the city. The website also asks that people who have relatives that live in Houston not visit those relatives and instead ask those family members to leave Houston for family gatherings."

"A short video about incidents going on in Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo citizens act now before hate wins. The darkness of the video is to hide my identity so as to protect myself from retribution of repent Amarillo."

According to the group formed to counter repent Amarillo, Citizens against Repent Amarillo the Raven Church who's weekly meetings are held at a local home and sparsely attended should not be taken lightly since the appearance of repent Amarillo's high gloss web page has coincided with harassment of local liberals and the recent closing of a long time entertainment establishment.

In a ironic twist of fate repentHouston may be doing locals a major favor by persuading potential attendees of the upcoming Sarah Palin and Rick Perry election rally to stay outside of city limits.

Become a fan of Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo facebook page, visit Houston and help to stop this hate group from spreading.

By Kelli Anne Busey

Myra Chanel Ical Transgender Woman Murdered Houston Texas

Transgender Foundation of America seeks information about murdered transgender woman

"TG Woman Murdered in the Montrose

Does anyone know a a transgender woman named Myra Ical… around 50 years old? If so, please call the Transgender Center number at 713-520-8586. Any information you have about Myra can be very helpful!

Myra was murdered just off of Richmond on the 4300 block of Garrot in the Montrose area. She went down fighting; she had a lot of bruising and defensive wounds when her body was found around 2 PM on Monday the 18th. Her legal name was Ruben Dario Ical.

She was last seen in a black blouse, black jeans and a black sweater. Her body was found partially clothed.

As of right now, HPD has ZERO leads. Any information could be useful at this point! Please forward this information far and wide. It is important that we break the chain of unsolved transgender murders in Houston.

Please call: 713-520-8586
Thank you,
Cristan Williams"

Anyone with information is also urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

A Child with Severe Asthma Died last night we don't know her name

God. The suffering and devastation of a child dieing untreated of asthma in your arms. Please donate as you are able. Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971.
Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.

Jack (Jesus) Black on Gay Marriage!

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... - watch more funny videos

Tell CBS: Reject Focus on the Family Ad, or Accept United Church of Christ Ad

Change.org petition

Five years ago, television network CBS rejected as too controversial an advertisement from the United Church of Christ (UCC) that suggested churches should be places free from discrimination, including discrimination based on age, gender, race, and sexual orientation. At the time, CBS told the UCC that the network had "a longstanding policy of not accepting advocacy advertising."

Fast forward five years, and now CBS is prepared to run an advertisement during the Super Bowl -- the largest watched television program in the entire country -- from vehemently anti-LGBT organization Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family has a long history of spouting anti-LGBT beliefs, from calling gay marriage perverted, to saying that homosexuals were a threat to civilization, to telling girls that sex education strips them of their modesty. On top of that, the advertisement that Focus on the Family plans to run during the Super Bowl will take an anti-choice viewpoint.

A history of anti-LGBT actions, coupled with tackling an issue like abortion -- and CBS doesn't think that counts as controversial?

Click here to tell CBS that they should reconsider their decision to run the Focus on the Family advertisement, or offer the UCC another chance to air their advertisement. Anything less sends the message that LGBT-friendly churches are controversial, while religious organizations that demonize LGBT people and women's rights are considered perfectly acceptable.

Pope Benedict Visits Italian Synagogue to ferment Anti Gay Sentiment

Former Nazi youth Pope Benedict XVI historic visit to a Synagogue in Italy was essentially a denial of the holocaust an effort to revise history and attempted assimilation of Jewish culture in a continuing effort to form a multi faith coalition to fight against transgender, gay and lesbian people's struggle for social, political and religious inclusion.

AP News regarding the objective of Benedict's visit "Under the leadership of John Paul and Benedict, the Vatican has been seeking common ground on such conservative agendas as traditional families while forging stronger relations with other religions, including Judaism and Islam."

Not lost on many is the likeness of the current Vatican's inaction regarding the proposed genocide of gay and lesbian people in Uganda and the Vatican's silence and collusion with the Nazi's when they attempted to annihilate the Jews during world war two.

If you can't convert em, kill em.

Demand Face Book UN-ban Transman Dominic Scaia's Top Surgery Pictures

UPDATE Jan 15 Facebook reevaluates decision to censor Dominic's profile picture!!Transgender people's VICTORY and EMPOWERMENT!!!
*****Original post******** Pictured right is Dominic Scaia a transgender man from Canada who posted this profile picture of himself after top surgery on FaceBook. His account was then terminated and Dominic was unable to solicit a reply from FaceBook as to why.

Face Book reinstated Dominic's account only after xtra.ca contacted facebook. xtra.ca received this statement in a email.

"Photo content that you uploaded has been removed for violating Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Photos containing nudity or other graphic or sexually suggestive content are not allowed. Unfortunately, for technical reasons, we are unable to provide further information about the removed content.

However, after reviewing your situation, we have reactivated your account, and you should now be able to log in. In order to prevent this from happening in the future, please refrain from posting photos of this kind and remove any that still exist on the site. For more information on conduct prohibited by Facebook, please read our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, which can be accessed by clicking on the "Terms" link at the bottom of any Facebook page."

Pictured left is a example of one of thousands of Facebook pictures that are of bare chested and sexually explicit cis men. Facebook's determination of acceptability is biased against trans men since these pictures and titles clearly are sexually suggestive. Hell, the word SEX is often used in the picture description! This is further illustrated since a cis woman who had the same type of surgery for the removal of a cyst was allowed to post like pictures.

Dominic talks his Facebook experience,

Dominic invites all to contact Face Book and express your opinion!

Join the Facebook group: Stop Transphobia on Facebook - Un-Ban Dominic Scaia

I find facebook's actions to be two-facebooked.

I contacted facebook using the press option and asked these questions on January 15, 2010 and stated I would like to have a answer by January 20th.

1.How does facebook determine acceptability of profile or other publicly view pictures?
2.Does facebook take into account the persons stated gender when determining if a naked chest picture is acceptable?
3.If facebook does not base it's decision to suspend a facebook account with a naked chest picture, on the stated gender of the account holder, who or what standards does facebook use to base this decision?
4.Why is contacting facebook difficult for suspended account holders?

It remains to be seen if facebook has the bravado to face these issues chest on or not.

Update January 15,2010 9:91pm CT

I received this email from Facebook in response to the above request for a interview with facebook;


Hi Kelli,

Thanks for your inquiry.

"We evaluate content on Facebook according to our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, the governing document for our site (http://www.facebook.com/terms.php?ref=pf). Photos containing nudity violate our policies, and we will remove these photos – and may disable the account of the person posting them – when they’re reported to us by our users.

When determining if a photo meets our standards around nudity, we do take into account the gender of the person depicted.

Our policies are designed to ensure Facebook remains a safe, secure and trusted environment for all users, including the many children (over the age of 13) who use the site. Users can always write to our appeals queue (using the contact form in the “Warnings” section of our Help Center) if they feel they’ve been treated unjustly. Our team will then investigate and reinstate the account if appropriate.Regarding our customer service practices, we are committed to serving our 350 million users the best we can and continue to explore new options and additional resources to accomplish this goal."

Best,
Jackson Colaco
Facebook Public Policy

I replied with this email.

Dear Jackson Colaco,

The Facebook policy is fair and well advised. It would be supported by most gender diverse if it was adhered to. However Facebook did not follow it's own guidelines.

If facebook followed it's stated policy of taking into the consideration the stated gender of the account holder when deciding if a profile picture meets criteria that requires a account to be suspended, Facebook would not have suspended Mr. Dominic Scaia's account.

I am asking Facebook to follow it's policy and allow Mr. Dominic Scaia to post pictures of his bare chest without fear of retribution from Facebook.

Thank You,
kelli anne Busey
planetransgender
http://planetransgender.blogspot.com
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies
http://dallastaa.ning.com

Amnesty International Stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill!

A proposed bill storming through Uganda's parliament is one of the most severe pieces of anti-homosexuality legislation in the entire world! If passed, it would establish an alarming precedent that would virtually annihilate the human rights of Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population.
Stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill!

In October 2009, Parliamentarian David Bahati introduced draconian legislation in Uganda that would make "any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex" punishable by prison or even death. The bill even takes aim at those offering protection or support to any lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person by instituting harsh prison sentences of up to 7 years.

If the Ugandan Parliament chooses to endorse this hateful legislation, it would be responsible for depriving countless Ugandans of their human rights as well as placing LGBT people throughout the world at significantly greater risk.

The vote on this bill could happen as soon as the end of this month, so we've got to act fast.

Fortunately, momentum to fight Uganda's egregious bill has already started building in Washington. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is spearheading a joint Congressional letter that will be sent to Uganda's President urging him to put an end to this discrimination. We need all U.S. Representatives to unite in opposition to codify persecution and discrimination in Uganda. Urge your Representative to sign-on to stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.We fear that the negative consequences sparked from the passage of such irresponsible legislation will not stop at Uganda's borders, but will reverberate throughout the rest of Africa and even the world. Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda! Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda!

Tell your Representative to condemn the proposed legislation that would deal a blow to human rights in Uganda and across the world.

Ted Olson and four Prop 8 Plaintiffs to appear on Today Show

Ted Olson and the 4 plaintiffs (Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo) will be on the TODAY Show tomorrow morning between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM ET/PT.

Ted Olson 42nd United States Solicitor General, serving from June 2001 to July 2004 during the Bush administration and a conservitive icon is now the star of liberial progressives. Olson is garnering praise as he briliantly leads a team in a federal lawsuit Perry v. Schwarzenegger in an attempt to overturn Proposition 8, a California state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
We will get a YouTube up as soon as it is available after the show and AFER is planning getting the video up on their website. It’s late notice, so help in spreading the word about their appearance would be great. The four plaintiffs were incredibly powerful today testifying and it’s important that as many people as possible get to watch them tomorrow.

Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Prop 8 Live Blogged RSS and Twitter Feed at planetransgender

Planetransgender will cover Prop 8 trial with a Live RSS feed from Courage Campaign as they attend the trial and a twitter feed from American Foundation for equal Rights. See right bar for feeds!

Feminizing your Voice Monster JAM!

I think I inadvertently feminized my voice. One adorable older lady who was going threw my checkout line said "I don't want you to think I'm one of those funny girls but you have a incredibly dangerous sexy voice! OMG I got so flustered I didn't even think to tell her that I am one of those funny girls. Oh well, missed opportunity's:)

Seatle woman fighting fear with elbows and fists

SEATTLE, Wash. -- "More than a hundred women punched and kicked off a self-defense workshop called "Fight The Fear," a campaign created in honor of a Seattle woman who lost her life last year."

"Bam! Right to the head," organizer Melinda Johnson showed as she demonstrated techniques with her elbow. Johnson, a martial arts instructor and one of the event organizers, also told participants to yell "No!" or "Stop!" or anything that came to mind."

"Whatever you want to say," she told the crowd. "The point is your bringing out your voice." Full story at King5.com

Trial begins for fired Memphis cop who brutally beat Duanna Johnson

 
This video recorded during the intake of transgender woman Duanna Johnson clearly shows one officers restraining Ms.Johnson while former Memphis Police Officer Bridges McRae struck Ms. Johnson repeatedly with all his might. It was later revealed that McRae rapped his fist with metal to intensify the damage of the blows.

McRea's lawyer contends that his client was fighting for his life after being attacked by Ms. Johnson and used justifiable force in restraining Ms. Johnson.

Ms. Johnson was found shot to death shortly after being released from detention. That crime remains unsolved.

Prop 8 trial fires far reaching battle for freedom of speech

San Fransico, CA. Proponents of same sex marriage equality who recently asked for and were denied a request to open public records to reveal who and what institutions contributed to the vote passing prop 8 have been denied a simular request by the Supreme Court, until at least Wednesday to allow television cameras into the courtroom.

Proponents of marriage equality contend that video graphing of the upcoming court battle would insure freedom of speech by allowing public disclosure of who and what organizations opposed equality during the trial.

Opponents of marriage equality have a diametrically opposite conception of what constitutes freedom of speech in a democratic society.

The opponents of marriage equality beleive people and organizations will only be allowed to operate without fear of retribution if they are not legaly responsible to disclose who and what organizations provide funding and manpower to achieve their goals.

The opponents of marriage equality are petitioning the court to disallow televising or video recording that would be available to public viewing on closed circuits or domains such as You Tube.

The Republic of Iran recently enforced it's ability to censure it's population by electronically shutting down it's border in a attempt to isolate and stifle the voice of freedom. That attempt at silencing it's population's voice resulted in the world's condemnation and unification of political forces previously divided along ideological lines.

The right to publicly confront oppressors in the United States is likely to be ruled on by the Supreme court before marriage equality is ultimately decided.

HT Murcury News Trial over Proposition 8 set to make history

Protest Uganda Kill Gay Bill at the John F. Kennedy Federal Office Building

From the US to Uganda: Stop the Hate. Protest America's Religious Right Inspired Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Join the Impact MA and the Anti-Violence Project of Massachusetts are calling for a day of action on February 4, 2010 to protest the American-inspired Anti-Homosexuality Bill (“AHB”) pending in the Ugandan Parliament.

That day a politically-connected, far-right coalition known as “The Family,” linked to the Ugandan legislation, will be sponsoring the “National Prayer Breakfast” in Washington, D.C., their only annually publicized meeting. This secretive, yet powerful group of anti-gay extremists, which includes Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich), Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pa), Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), Sen. James DeMint (R-SC), and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), supports discriminatory policies at home and fuels hatred overseas.

Protest information
Start Time: Thursday, February 4 at 5:30pm
End Time: Thursday, February 4 at 7:00pm
Where: JFK Federal Building 15 Sudbury St. at the corner of Cambridge St. Map here

To see more details and RSVP, follow this link to Facebook event page: From the US to Uganda: Stop the Hate

Face Book Group JOIN THE IMPACT MASSACHUSETTS

JOIN THE IMPACT MASSACHUSETTS.com

Youngest Documented Transgender Children my "secret life"

I think all transgender people can relate to some of these experiences.

"A report on some of the youngest transgender kids, including a six-year-old girl who was born a boy, a 10-year-old boy who lives as a girl and a 16-year-old-boy who was born a girl. Barbara Walters talks to these transgender children, all diagnosed with gender identity disorder (GID), as well as to their parents, who are allowing their children to live in the gender they identify with in order to save them from a future of heartache and pain. They are sharing their personal stories to increase future understanding of transgender children."

As many of us now are begining to understand gender variance is not a disorder, but the natural state of being human.

Former AG Albert Gonzales unsure if he was first transgender appointee

Stephen Colbert, pictured right cross dressed in the very cheap camel hair blond wig, grilled former attorney general Alberto Gonzales on his own gender expression after learning the goverment was "unsure" if Amanda Simpson was in fact the first federal transgender appointee.

OK, this is funny. Colbert is a equal opportunity disrespecter. He equally disregards peoples dignity regardless of race, age, disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation and gender expression.

Utah Legislator Christine Johnson Carrying Gay Couples Love Child

This story is what we are all about. Love.

After experiencing frustration at not being allowed to adopt and the prohibitively expensive surrogate option a gay couple from Salt Lake City was offered by a friend to be their surrogate mother, at no cost other than those assoiated with child birth.

That this woman is part of the greater LGBT community warms my heart, but that she is a Legislator from Utah makes this story a heart warming testament to our humanity.

Source Salt Lake Tribune: "I can very much empathize with their desire to become parents and share their lives with and open their hearts to a child," Johnson says. "I'm immeasurably grateful to be a mother."

She also plans to be an "aunt" to her soon-to-be newborn, who will be her biological son or daughter. "The child will know I'm its mother," Johnson says, "and it was created with the intent of being loved by many people." Read the full story The Salt Lake Tribune

Love makes a family and life is good.

kelli anne Busey
planetransgender

Sarah Luiz first transgender uterine transplant candidate

Today a one stop surgery can allow a transgender woman to physically become complete with the conversion of a penis to a vagina, well almost complete.

Sarah Luiz of the colony in north Texas is being considered among other woman to be the first human to receive a uterine transplant. Sarah, like many transgender woman, find there lives spiritually wanting for a child from their own womb.

Evidently this procedure is on the near horizon. There remains issues of organ rejection as in all transplants, but this operation would allow a person who was originally born with a penis to bear childern.

Cue the religious right hysteria!

H/T Dallas Voice

TRANSEVENT 2010: THE EMPIRE CONFERENCE!

Join us! at our annual conference, this year in historic Albany, capital of New York State. The Empire Conference will run from Thursday through Saturday, May 20 – May 22, 2010. Three jam-packed days with speakers and workshops exploring the transgender experience in all its variety, from trans-theory to trans-practicalities. TransEvents usa.org

There will also be special evening entertainment, area outings, and pre-conference activities for those who can come early. Most of all, we'll experience the warmth our gatherings always generate, as we renew old friendships and form new ones.
You asked for it .. You got it! A conference right in the center of a major city.

We'll be at the Crowne Plaza in the historic section of downtown Albany, where nightlife abounds! Save the cab fare — fabulous fine dining, local pubs, and entertainment clubs are all within easy walking distance. Historic landmarks, incredible architecture, numerous museums, shopping, and fabulous parks are all in the area; and the beautiful Hudson River is only two blocks from our door! Could there be better backgrounds for photo opportunities? Discover Albany! More reasons to come early to the Empire Conference. »

This year we are partnering with the Capital District LGBT Community Council, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary just two weeks after the conference. They are developing several programs, especially ones concerning trans-youth and Female to Male trans people; and are also organizing many social activities (think picnics, restaurant tours and club crawls...) for our enjoyment.

Come join us for this important, educational, and entertaining conference. Meet old friends and make some new ones.
Mona Mason,
Conference Coordinator monaraemason@yahoo.com
TransEvents usa.org

Equality Florida Mourns the Loss of Denise King

Equality Florida Blog: Equality Florida Mourns the Loss of Denise King mother of murdered 17-year-old transgender teen Simmie Williams, died of a heart attack Thursday night.

"Since her son's death, Mrs. King "brought the conversation of love, acceptance and compassion into a community where black [gays and lesbians] are invisible," said Michael Emanuel Rajner, a co-founder of Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives, who became a family friend after the murder."

"The night of her son's viewing, she left early because she had gotten a call from someone that evening that there was a youth, about 16, thrown out of his home because he was openly gay," Rajner said.

"Denise, not even knowing the child's name, hit the streets with her car up and down Sistrunk looking for this child. She would take them in. Her home became this safe haven for people to run. In her pain she was moved to make certain no child was turned away."

Full story at Equality Florida Blog: Equality Florida Mourns the Loss of Denise King

Obama names first transgender appointee right wing livid

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The idiots at focus on the family are livid at the appointment a highly qualified woman by president Obama.

GLAAD email to Correct David Letterman on Transgender Parody

From Gladd Blog

“Late Show with David Letterman” Contributes to Problematic Reporting on Amanda Simpson

January 6, 2010 by Anna Wipfler, GLAAD's Transgender Advocacy Fellow

Yesterday we reported on President Obama’s appointment of Amanda Simpson as a senior technical advisor at the Commerce Department and some of the problematic news coverage about her becoming one of the first openly transgender presidential appointees.

Unfortunately, as coverage of her landmark appointment continues, so does the disrespectful treatment in the media. During last night’s “Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS, David Letterman announced Simpson’s appointment and reported that she is a transgender woman. He also showed a photo of her. The show’s announcer Alan Kalter then reacted to the news with disgust and mock horror, saying, “What? Amanda used to be a dude? My God!” He then hurried off stage to hearty laughter from the audience, apparently to go collect himself after the shock of this discovery.


Using this type of reaction to the discovery of a person’s transgender identity for comic effect appears to be a current trend in entertainment media. We’ve recently criticized similar instances of such defamation on FOX’s “The Cleveland Show.” Depicting people reacting in horror to transgender individuals is a dangerous stereotype for popular media to perpetuate because it contributes to the societal conception of transgender people as abnormal and deceptive, which all-too-often results in anti-transgender violence and/or discrimination when played out in reality.

We are reaching out to CBS “Late Show with David Letterman” with our concerns about this transphobic joke. Please send your concerns to CBS at: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

Rachel Maddow interviews Family member Bob Hunter

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Since this is a blog and I don't adhere to Maddow's high professional standards.....

Bob Hunter is a cockroach, and drawn out of the moist darkness of obscurity he is sent scurrying to distance himself from the family and attempts to obscure the relationships and influence he and national prayer breakfast family members have in the national politics in each others countries.

This interview should immediately motivate President Obama to issue presidential decrees to distance church and state.

UK Commission Condemns Largest Irish paper for using "Tranny"

Our transgender brethren in the United Kingdom are fighting for the right to be respected and treated with dignity, as we do here in the states. Our struggles are similar in that transmisogyny's roots are the same. Many gay and heterosexual's, religious or not, abhor us and attempt to shred our dignity by hijacking our identity.

Tranny is to a transgender person like Faggot to a gay man and Nigger is to a person of color.

Good God. Or maybe god is also one of the problems.

Its not improper touching! Its fucking rape!

But maybe good god's love is not to blame. Maybe its gods word being hijacked by the Catholic Church in its attempts to divert attention from seemingly endless disclosures of child rape and cover up? Possibly the catholics pressures it's media contacts to misdirect the public outrage that rightfully should be directed at the perpetrators of these heinous criminal acts of rape committed against children.

And who would draw that ire more than Keira McCormack, a transgender woman who counsels rape victims in Belfast Ireland? Keira McCormack filed a complaint over the use of tranny in the headlines of the largest paper in the UK and has won a victory for transgender people to own our identity. The UK's Press Complaints Commission said the use of the word [tranny] was pejorative and upheld the complaint.

It's time the catholic Church allowed children to own their own identity as well.

Youth Homeless Shelters Dallas Texas

Emergency shelter addresses and contact numbers for agencies that will help in Dallas Texas. It's going to be really cold baby, so get your butts inside. Please.
.
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (located at The Bridge)http://www.mdhadallas.org/default.aspx1818 Corsicana, Dallas Texas 75201 . Tel: 214 670 1100

Austin Street Shelter2929 HickoryTel: 214 428 4242

The Family PlaceVictims of Domestic ViolenceTel: 214 941 1991

Dallas Life Foundation1100 CadizTel: 214 421 1380

The Salvation Army5302 Harry Hines Blvd.Tel: 214 424 7000

Family Gateway (Family Shelter)711 S. St. PaulTel: 214 741 6515 ext. 101

Union Gospel3211 Irving Blvd.Men: 214 637 6117Women & Children: 214 638 2988

Promise House224 W. Page24HR: 214 941 8578Youth Shelter Ages 10-17Transitional Housing Ages 18 – 21

YMCA Casa Shelter 24HR Tel: 214 358 4504Youth Shelter Ages 10-17