Zimbabwe: stop attacks and politically motivated arrests of GLBT advocates

Zimbabwe: Drop Charges Against Rights Defenders
Stop Attacks, Politically Motivated Prosecutions Against Gays and Lesbians

For Immediate Release

Contact:
In Cape Town, Chivuli Ukwimi, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (English): +27-21-469-3700; or +27-79-440-3938 (mobile)

In New York, Juliana Cano Nieto, Human Rights Watch (English, Spanish): +1-212-216-1867; or +1-646-407-0020 (mobile)

In Brussels, Shaun Kirven, Protection International (English, Spanish): +32-26-09-4409; or + 32-474-276-555 (mobile)

In Halifax, Kim Vance, ARC-International (English): +1-902-488-6404 (mobile)

(Harare, May 30, 2010) - A police raid and apparently politically motivated arrests at the offices of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) is an attack on all human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, a group of five international organizations said today in a letter to Margaret Sekaggya, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders.

A trial is set for June 10, 2010, for two persons arrested in a raid at the GALZ offices in Harare on May 21. The arrests occurred shortly before the opening of a national Constitutional Reform Outreach Program, through which GALZ is seeking to remove discriminatory provisions and secure constitutional protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The five human rights organizations believe that the context in which the raid and arrests occurred raises serious concerns that they were politically motivated.

"It is troubling-and ironic-that the government is persecuting people who are seeking to protect the rights of all Zimbabweans through the constitution," said Juliana Cano Nieto, researcher in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "This assault on the LGBT community threatens everyone in the country who is working for human rights."

In the raid on May 21, the police arrested a GALZ staff member, Ellen Chadenama, and a visitor to the offices, Ignatius Mhambi, charging them with possession of "dangerous drugs" and "pornographic material," and confiscating educational material. On May 24, a Zimbabwean Magistrate's Court added the charge of "undermining authority of or insulting [the] president" because the GALZ office displayed a placard that made a critical reference to President Robert Mugabe. Two days later, police searched the house of the acting director of GALZ, confiscating his birth certificate, several GALZ magazines, books, and business cards. The Magistrate Court in Harare granted bail to Chadenama and Mhambi on May 27 after they spent six days in detention.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which is providing legal assistance to GALZ, said that Mhambi and Chadenama stated being physically assaulted by the police while in custody. Mhambi said that police hit him with empty glass bottles on his knees. Both told the lawyers' group that the police forced them to "sit in the air"- crouching in an uncomfortable position-for a long period of time.

"This is not the first time a state has used antiquated public decency laws to garner public support for intimidation and harassment of legitimate sexual rights work," said Shaun Kirven, advocacy officer at Protection International. "These attacks only inflame public intolerance and prevent the international community from taking action against state-sponsored homo- and transphobia."

Other GALZ staff members, including some who were out of Zimbabwe at the time of the arrests, are afraid to return home or to the GALZ office, and the work of the organization has effectively been halted, the human rights groups said. GALZ, the only organization of its kind in the country, provides critical HIV/AIDS and psychological support and services to the LGBT community in Zimbabwe.

"The raid on GALZ, the arrests and the charges severely impede the work of an organization that provides life-saving services to a marginalized population," said Chivuli Ukwimi, health and human rights officer at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. "It is time for the government of Zimbabwe to deliver on its promise of equality and justice to all members of society."

In their letter, the human rights organizations called on Sekaggya and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, to investigate the raid on GALZ and the prosecution and alleged ill-tratment of Mhambi and Chadehama.

"This is a cynical and revealing move by Mugabe's camp to exploit the fact that the international community is in 'wait-and-see' mode vis-à-vis the unity government, which has also left the opposition toothless and vulnerable," said Lisa Veneklasen, executive director of JASS.

Government-sanctioned homophobia has led to attacks against GALZ in the past. In 1995, GALZ was denied permission to participate in the Zimbabwe International Book Fair because of government pressure. In May 1998, the state-controlled Sunday Mail published a front-page article accusing GALZ of running a brothel from its office and of showing pornographic videos. Subsequently, the same paper accused GALZ of holding "rowdy parties" featuring "public indecency." In no instance was there any evidence to support the allegations.

Speaking at a ceremony marking International Women's Day earlier this year, President Mugabe said, "Those who engage in homosexual behavior are just crazy." In the past, Mugabe has compared homosexuals to pigs and dogs and has stated that homosexuality "degrades human dignity."

The 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders calls on states to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the Declaration."

The letter was signed by the following organizations:ARC-InternationalHuman Rights WatchInternational Gay and Lesbian Human Rights CommissionJASS-Just AssociatesProtection International

The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.

Understanding Gay Misogyny: Why "Ticked off Tra**ies with Knives"?

Ain’t nothin’ hotter than a dead girl

To many transgender people the whole concept of Misogyny is a mystery and to others like myself, it is not.

I once identified out of fear as male and played the male dominate role. It had been ingrained in my psyche and served as my cover so no one would get a glimpse of my true self, except.....

.....when I had to lower my defenses as I had to do frequently to engage in sex. Then I was feminine and emotionally accessible and afterwards I felt angry. Angry at myself for being vulnerable, at my sexual partner for seeing my vulnerabilities and in my momentarily sedated mind I was especially angy at my temporary sexual partners for capitalizing on my vulnerabilities.

Seeking retribution and a way to mend my broken self I would tell sexist jokes, visit strip clubs, act disrespectfully and generally try to makeup for my lack of self respect by exhibiting passive aggressive behaviour towards women.

Exit Mr and enter Ms. I am asking you to take a leap of faith with me.

In believing I have transitioned and have had many years introspection and spiritual growth thats allowed me to view that "me" with a rear view mirror. That intimate knowledge of misogyny and the resultant behaviour enables me with a unique vantage point.

But why are so many gay men so enthralled with stereotyping as sexually inferior transgender woman, usurping and denigrating transgender phraseology and whats up with this violence? First lets get a handle on what misogyny is and thanks to glbtq Social Science we will debunk it's mystery.

"Misogyny" literally means "hatred of women." However, in everyday usage, beliefs and actions described as misogynist range from intense hatred of women to a more subtle disdain that maintains women as inferior beings who must be dominated and controlled by men. There are some men who eagerly adopt the label of misogynist and others who take its definition literally to mean hatred and therefore absolve themselves of the charge."

Curious is the response of a few transwoman who defend "TO$WK"!

"Misogyny also infects women, including their attitudes toward themselves as well as toward others. Just as there are homophobic queer people, there are also misogynistic women."

So how is Misogyny exhibited socially?

"Misogyny, and societal acceptance of it, can be blamed for men's violence against female family members, as well as strangers; discrimination against women in employment, education, and politics; lack of appropriate health care for women (such as inadequate funding for research on female cancers); and continuing unequal divisions of labor in the home, among many other social inequities."

How does misogyny effect gay men?

"Gay men are both perpetrators of misogyny and victims of it. In all-male societies where women are neither necessary nor desired, gay men can create a misogynistic culture without the existence of any women to object."

"Gay men's use of drag, as well as campy humor imitating or making fun of women, can be seen as misogynist behavior. Drag exaggerates and flaunts over-the-top femininity in a way that few women would or could. While many drag artists and connoisseurs respect and appreciate women, others engage in drag with the conscious understanding that they are making fun of women, or at least of certain aspects of female behavior and existence."

So how as a transgender woman does gay misogyny affect my life?

"As individuals who reside in the borderlands between maleness and femaleness, or who try to cross this border, transgendered people are subject to particularly virulent misogyny (wit TO$WK). Men who are seen as "acting like women" are subjected to misogynist violence by men who see them as degrading masculinity. Women who are seen as "acting like men" are often especially targeted by misogynists, who believe such behavior is a corruption of nature. Fear of violence from misogynists and others forces many transgender people to try to hide who they are, an onerous task in daily life."

How can I better the transgender experience for people yet to begin there trip on our road less traveled?

I am working hard to expose this sickness in our LGBTQ community. You may also and we can help to open one gay persons heart, stop one gay man from attending TO#WK, stop one LGBTQ film festival from gorging at the temple of transplotation, we have succeeded for today.

For today! Tomorrow as our detractors have often noted much to there dismay, we will work again Never satisfied untill we are treated as fully equal in the Gay and Lesbian Bi Sexual world.


Interesting read: Hollywood’s Misogyny: Top Model’s Beautiful Corpses

DADT Repeal? WOOT-WOOT! Watch out you napping heterosexuals It's a free for all!

The cat's out of the bag! The jinks is up, so to speak. The real reason for our efforts to repeal DADT have been revealed! We want to s**k you off in your sleep!

Filed in I needed a good hysterical laugh circular bin is the latest comedy of idiocy from family research something or another titled "Family Research Council: End Of DADT Means More Gay Rape In The Military".

Are the good people at FRC concerned for our behinds? Oh no. This is too funny.

"Here's how the Family Research Council envisions things going if Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed: first, more straight soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines will be fellated in their sleep against their will. Then, commanders afraid of being labeled homophobes will refuse to do anything about it. Eventually, the straight service members will quit out of fear."

"On a conference call with reporters today, FRC Senior Fellow for Policy Studies Peter Sprigg delivered the results of what he said was the first-ever study of "homosexual assault" in the military. Joined by several former military officers opposed to allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces, he warned Congress that the DADT repeal language currently under discussion with the agreement of the White House will turn the U.S. military into a terrifying free-rape zone where no heterosexual is safe."

Source Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 26, 2010, 5:07PM

Have any of these fools ever spent a day in uniform? Woman getting raped by hetero men is EPIDEMIC in the military and unwanted pregnancy and disgraced woman make up the highest percentage of less than honorable discharges.

This gay hate groups propaganda is representative of the culture of denial in the military.

Man up generals. It's your precious subordinates you are protecting who are raping the daughters America has entrusted to you thats the cause of the ruination of so many good troops. Damn.

Kim Pearson Trans Family Youth Allies: We need a Grant Writer yesterday!

TransYouth Family Allies Executive Director Kim Pearson talks with Autumn Sandeen about the volunteer work that the TYFA accomplishes and how expense travel is frequently required. The Trans Family Youth and Allies needs a volunteer grant writer today! Thank you Autumn Sandeen and Kim Pearson, you are my heroes.



Source Pam's House Blend

Support St. Louis adding Gender protections to it's Nondiscrimination Ordinance

Start Time: Monday, May 24, 2010 at 3:30pm
End Time: Friday, May 28, 2010 at 11:00pm
Location: St. Louis City
Facebook page
TransHaven.org

The first reading was on May 21st so please contact your alderman and ask him/her to support Board Bill 67 adding Gender Identity and Expression to St. Louis' existing Nondiscrimination Ordinance.

Don't know your alderperson? Check here

You can see the entirety of the bill here: stlcin.missouri.org

e-mailing your alderperson is a quick and easy way to make our city take a step in the right direction!

Gay Liberation Network's Andy Thayer en route to Moscow for outlawed 2010 Pride

Thayer’s trip is sponsored by the all-volunteer Gay Liberation Network (GLN), of which he is a co-founder. In 2007, GLN sponsored Nikolai Alekseev’s first-ever visit to the United States. God speed brave advocate.

Gay Russians Arrested | Boycott Eurovision

Source Gay Liberation Network activist en route to Russia Mayor Yury Luzhkov has labeled gays "satanic," and last year had Thayer and others arrested by the OMOH, Moscow's riot police. This year's demonstration, slated for Saturday, May 29, will go forward despite Luzhkov's ban.

This is the fifth year that Moscow authorities have banned gay pride events in the city, despite a decriminalization of homosexuality that occurred 17 years ago when Russian authorities were courting the European Union. In announcing this year's ban, Moscow authorities did not offer an alternative venue to the proposed site of the protest, as they are required to by law.

"For several years, Moscow has experienced unprecedented pressure to conduct a gay pride parade, which cannot be called anything but a Satanic act," said Luzhkov in December. "We have prevented such a parade and we will not allow it in the future. Everyone needs to accept that as an axiom. It's high time that we stop propagating nonsense discussions about human rights, and bring to bear on them the full force and justice of the law."

I reported on the 2008 Moscow pride Russian Gay Pride: everything you want to know about getting your head bashed in but were afraid to ask

2009 Русский язык Гей Изолировано и преследовал Мировые Стенды Близко Russian Gay's Isolated and persecuted the World Stands By

Breaking News: DART to Vote on Transgender Protections TONIGHT!

Pamela Curry Dallas transgender activist reports she received a unexpected but welcomed phone call from DART board member Claude Williams, Chair, Economic Opportunity and Diversity Committee
.
Curry said "Mr. Williams wanted to remind me that as planned the committee will vote on whether to pass to the full Board a recommendation to amend the DART nondiscrimination policy to include gender inclusion at the 4:30 committee meeting."

Then he dropped the bombshell Curry explained "There will be a vote at the full Board meeting at 6:30 on whether DART will amend it's nondiscrimination policy to include protections for their transgender employees. This was news to everyone Curry stated "Because it is not even listed on the Board agenda for tonight."

Pamela would like to extend a invitation to everyone in north Texas to attend both meetings because even as it is expected that the committee will pass a recommendation to a receptive Board to include Transgender protections, a strong showing from our community will be highly beneficial.

Pamela also wanted to pass along a note to our lesbian and gay DART employees regarding partner benefits. Pamela stated "We have made great strides forward on the transgender issue thanks to the GLB community and we want you to know we are coming back for you!"

First meeting committee decides whether to pass to the board a recommendation to amend the nondiscrimination policy:


DART- Dallas AREA RAPID TRANSITCOMMITTEE-OF-THE WHOLE
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 4:30 P.M. - Conference Room C
1401 Pacific Ave., Dallas, TX 75202
DART Homepage
Map

Second meeting tonight most possiable a vote by the board to include gender identity in the DART nondiscrimination policy.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit
6:30 P.M. BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - Board Room
1401 Pacific Ave., Dallas, TX 75202
DART Homepage
Map

Protest TO*WK sight unseen JUSTIFIED/Beating GAYS with Bats a NO NO But 'Trannies' A.OK.

• Q: How is it so many transgender people decline to watch TO*WK yet feel justified in objecting to it's title and message?
  
  We all seem to be ignorant protesters, flying in judgment with out knowing the exact details of who's head was smashed sending scalp grotesquely flying, or which bloodied woman prevailed in murdering their attackers.
  
  
• A: We are e victims and survivors and of hate crimes, and allied people be they transgender or cisgender, who object to the commercialization and sensationalization of murders committed against woman.
  
  Because of the prevalence of murder committed against the transgender community we know this violence personally and like the nightmares that will forever wake us shivering in cold sweat, this movie haunts us with the knowledge of exactly how powerless we are to physically defend ourselves.
  
  It sends a spike of pain, guilt and shame into our very souls.
  
  Except now the provocateurs are misogynistic OPENLY GAY MEN. The director and producers of TO*WK hold a physiological baseball bat above us, waving it contemptuously, maniacally grinning, uttering pejoratives, enthralled and empowered in tormenting weak and vulnerable women.
  
  
• Q: Protesting the 'Tranny' in the title! How could we?
  
  Bashing gays with baseball bats has become an American pastime, especially in Oak Lawn /Cartoon, Dallas Voice May 18, 2010
  
  
• A: We find it contemptuous and the height of hypocrisy that the Dallas Voice, the same gay newspaper that the defamatory usage of tranny was protested on, relies on the same definition of defamatory language to demanded justice when gay man are attacked with baseball bats, has so enthusiastly promoted a movie that transgender people are attacked with baseball bats.
  
  Excuse me, but WTF?
  
  WE find it repugnant that the Dallas Voice, apparently a home of gay misogyny, has repeatedly refused to allow any articles expressing our concerns yet has taken so much enjoyment in publishing articles helping to turn a word transgender people previously used sparingly within our own community to address each other in extreme joy, or as a endearment in deepest despair, into a singularly hateful pejorative.
  
  These gay men are responsible for prompting the public to use 'TRANNY' with total cavalier disregard.
  
  HOW COULD A PERSON OF CONSCIOUS BELIEVE A JUDGE IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AND WILL REMAIN DISAFFECTED?
  
  Do you think this same judge might disallow the word 'Tranny' to be admitted into evidence during a trial of a transgender persons attacker since it's use now is so prevalent in the gay and general population?
  
  To answer no to the above question would be indicative of malice towards transgender people, a kind of hatred previously hidden or displayed only by skin heads and Klu Klux Klan members.
  
  We are not gay! Do not subvert our culture. The word 'Tranny' is ours, has always been ours and unfortunately is also the domain of killers who use it in a defamatory manner while being beating and murdering us.
  
  These are but some of the reasons we are protesting TO*WK!
  
  We stand together with the larger LGB community and cisgender allies who are not seduced by power over woman that misogynist find so essential to feed fragile ego's.
  
  We will hold our Gay film maker brothers to a higher standards. A standard which if you raise to, will allow you to be remembered with reverence instead of being reviled with contempt.
  
  It's your decision.
  
  Am I going elevate myself out of the waters of hatred and contempt? Directors, film festivals and movie goers, this is a personal question from me to you.
  
  Who am I? How will I be remembered?
  
  It's up to you.

Save the Life of Kiana Firouz Iranian Lesbian Activist

Iranian lesbian activist Kiana Firouz is currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom after a controversy over the upcoming release of Cul de Sac. The film, which stars Firouz and includes explicit lesbian sex scenes, is based heavily on Firouz's life and struggles as a lesbian in Iran. Directors Ramin Goudarzi-Nejad and Mahshad Torkan posted the trailer on YouTube in December 2009 (below, NSFW) and since then, the Iranian government has attempted to deport Firouz back to Iran to be tried and punished for her crime of homosexuality. Firouz applied for refugee status in the UK, but was rejected.



If she is not granted asylum in the UK, she will be sent back to Iran, where the minimum punishment for homosexuality is 100 lashes. The punishment for "unrepentant" homosexuality, which Firouz's LGBTQ activism clearly demonstrates, is public execution by hanging.

To sign a petition asking for asylum in the UK endorsed by Firouz herself, click here: petitiononline.com

Send a letter asking for amnesty for Firouz here:
Minister of State (Borders and Immigration) -
Home Office, 2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Fax: +44 870 336 9034

Secretary of State for the Home Department -
Home Office, 2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Fax: +44 20 7035 0900

A form letter can be found here: madikazemi.blogspot.com

This is the face of death the moment Neda was shot dead by Iranian militia simply for watching a freedom protest. The need is real. If we fail to save LGBT Activist Kiana Firouz's life she will be exucuted for who she loves

2008 KNUS 710 AM Radio's Trevor Carey Encourages Listeners to Kick Transgender "Fraud" Teeth IN! AUDIO, TEXT, LINKS

Source: colorado.mediamatters.org

KNUS host Trevor Carey (pictured right) stated that transgender individuals who commit "fraud" about their previous gender identity are "at least gonna get [their] teeth kicked in"

Summary: KNUS weekend host Trevor Carey asserted that a transgender woman murdered in Greeley had committed "fraud" in presenting herself as a woman and agreed with a caller that it was grounds for physical violence against her. Carey also stated that the victim, Angie Zapata, had "faked" the suspect into having "some sexual relations," and claimed that "rage" regarding "the fact that [Zapata] was living as a woman" had "so much to do with the murder."

KNUS 710 AM
Mailing Address:
KNUS
3131 South Vaughn Way Suite 601
Aurora, Co 80014

PHONE:303-750-5687
FAX:303-696-8063
KNUS Opinion Line: 866-710-KNUS

Programming Department

When contacting the media, please be polite and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and be sure to indicate exactly what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.

Discussing the case of a transgender woman murdered in Greeley, allegedly by a heterosexual acquaintance, 710 KNUS host Trevor Carey on his March 14 broadcast stated that the victim, Angie Zapata, had committed "fraud" against the suspect by presenting herself as a woman -- and agreed with a caller that this was grounds for physical violence against Zapata or any transgender person who did the same thing. Carey said that "that man didn't deserve to die" and that "the transgender segment of our society needs to be telling their type" that "you don't commit fraud" because "you're at least gonna get your teeth kicked in."

Carey stated that Zapata had "faked a guy into" having "some sexual relations," and claimed that "rage" regarding "the fact that [Zapata] was living as a woman" had "so much to do with the murder."

According to a March 12 article in the Greeley Tribune:

Prosecutors will have to proceed without some key evidence in the murder trial of Allen Andrade.

Andrade is accused of killing Angie Zapata, a transgender woman found dead in her southeast Greeley apartment on July 17. Zapata, 18, was biologically a man named Justin Zapata, but she lived her life as a woman.

Police believe Andrade, 31, of Thornton killed Zapata when he discovered she was actually a man.

[...]

According to a police affidavit, Andrade told [Greeley Police Det. Greg] Tharp he met Zapata on the Internet and that they had arranged a date. The affidavit said he stayed at Zapata's apartment alone while she went out, and he realized Zapata was a man. When Zapata returned later, Andrade confronted her about being a man, eventually hitting her with his fists and knocking her to the ground, the affidavit stated.

Andrade, according to the affidavit, said he then hit Zapata with a fire extinguisher, and later, when she started to wake up, he hit her several more times until she died.

After referencing remarks he made on an earlier program that he said prompted a response from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) national advocacy group, Carey and a caller contended that Zapata had committed "fraud" against the suspect for presenting herself as a woman -- which was grounds, they said, for physical violence against Zapata or any transgender person who did the same thing.

From the March 14 broadcast of KNUS 710 AM's The Trevor Carey Show:

CAREY: Topic B for me tonight is transgenders. Now, you might have heard of the story that happened in Greeley where there was a man who was a transgender who was a man living as a woman; Angie Zapata was his name. Now, I got in a little bit of trouble; the Associated Press states that transgendered are to be referred to as "shes." The Weld County District Attorney's office in this case is referring to this victim as a she.

She faked a guy into, there was some sexual relations. It didn't go all the way, but there was some sexual relations that happened. And when this man found it out that it was another man, he beat the victim. The victim woke up from the beating gurgling blood, whatever, out the mouth. He took a fire extinguisher and finished the victim off. Then stole the victim's car, got caught, I think it was in Denver. Anyhow, he's in jail now. So the big issue is, do we call this individual a he or she?

So in a quote in the Greeley Tribune, I stated that I had said "he," "she," and "victim" all in the same breath almost once; I didn't know what to say. I talked to our news director, and he said, "I'm calling the victim 'the Greeley transgender.' " Of course, I stated in the article that that man didn't deserve to die, but we can't -- the fact that the man was living as a woman is the whole point of the story. It had so much to do with the murder -- the rage.

So then I get a call from GLAAD in Los Angeles from this guy saying, calling in referencing to the referencing of transgenders with the gay and lesbian, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah. And we got into a conversation; I found out, I asked him, "Are you homosexual?" he said, "Yes, I am." I said, "Do you wanna, you know, have you ever had the desire to have your manhood removed?" He said, "No." And I said, "Well, I'm glad to hear you're normal," and, you know, "you don't want to have that removed." I go, "If you were down in Trinidad strapped to a stretcher and they were coming at you with a saw to remove it, would you be screaming bloody murder?" He said, "Of course I would." I said, "because see, that's abnormal."

What you want to do in the privacy of your own life in your own bedroom, go ahead and do it. That's between you and God, whatever. But -- I'm not here to say my sin's worse than your sin, whatever you want to balance it out here. But at least you're normal in the state that you want to keep what God gave you. I think I said "junk in the trunk," and he got offended, but that's what I was saying, you know, you want to keep that.

I said, "Why is it that you guys don't see this as a mental illness? Why do you associate yourself with the transgenders?" 'Cause I got him to say it was abnormal. I said, "So if it's not normal, why wouldn't you want to help these people; there's obviously something going wrong in their head.

So I've invited him on the show; let's hope he comes on the show, 'cause I think that could be some lively discussion. I said to him -- [caller], I'm about to come to you in Littleton here -- but I said to him, "What if I just wanted one day to say, 'Hey, I'm black. My name is Dimitri; I'm black, I want a NAACP scholarship.' " Well, you're not black. Yes I am, because in my mind and in my heart I'm black. This is what he told me the transgender felt -- in his or her mind or heart, they felt like they were a woman, so they should be called a woman.

[...]

CAREY: And what the transgender segment of our society needs to be telling their type is, you don't commit fraud because --

CALLER: No, that's exactly what it was.

CAREY: A), you're at least gonna get your teeth kicked in, and B) -- [caller laughs] -- here's a story from Greeley that turned out very tragic, and you should pay attention to this, because --

CALLER: You know, when I was growin' up in Greeley, I grew up in Greeley, that kind of stuff didn't ever, you know, surface in this town. And it's just sad, you know; my heart just weeps for all, everybody that's concerned. But, you know, we gotta go back to basics. You're a man or you're a woman, and, like you said, if you're fraudin' somebody, then you deserve to have your teeth kicked in. Not necessarily hung or you're killed, but it just -- they shoulda known better, you know?

CAREY: Well, you do know, now, that Governor Ritter paid back the homosexual platform by passing the transgender law now, where a transgender can go into the restroom and use the restroom right next to your daughter?

CALLER: Yes, sir; I read about that, you know. And I was in Black Hawk and Central City, and they have them type of bathrooms up there. It's like: "What the hell am I doin'? Maybe I oughta go out and piss on somebody's car." [Carey laughs] You know? I don't know where I'm safe anymore. Maybe I oughta just be taken to jail for indecent exposure and pay the consequences there rather than --

CAREY: Well, in this economy, [caller], that's three square meals a day; you could get yourself a college degree, if you don't have one already. You could work out. I mean, that's -- what's a health club membership? Seventy bucks a month? You got cable. You got cable. You got, you know, you got some friendship, you know, you develop some --

CALLER: Ah -- no, I want my freedom more, you know? I want to smoke a cigarette when I want, and drink a beer and live my lifestyle the way that, you know, and be a man about things, and man up to it. But you, it all comes down to what you said about fraud.

CAREY: That's right, [caller]; we gotta roll though, buddy. Thanks for listenin' to the show; I appreciate it. [Caller] right there on The Trevor Carey Show, back in a minute".

Source colorado.mediamatters.org

Malawian Gay &Trans Couple now Convicts Waiting Sentence of up to 17 Years

BREAKING NEWS May/29/2010: Steven Monjeza and Transwoman Tiwonge Chimbalanga recently sentenced to 14 years of hard labor for marrying now free after "pardon" by Mutharika, president of Malawi during UN Sec. Gen. visit.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Chivuli Ukwimi, Health and Human Rights Officer, IGLHRC Cape Town
Office: (27) 21 469 3700; Mobile: (27) 79 443 3938;
Email: cukwimi@iglhrc.org

Dunker Kama, Administrator, CEDEP Blantyre
Mobile: (265) 8888 7 5050;
Email: shorinjkenpo@yahoo.co.uk

For further contact information see below.
Read IGLHRC's letter on this case and the human rights situation in Malawi »

(Cape Town, May 18, 2010) - The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and the Malawian organization the Center for the Development of People (CEDEP) condemn today's conviction by a Magistrate Court in Blantyre, Malawi of Tiwonge ("Tionge") Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza for "unnatural offences" and "indecent practices between males" under Sections 153 and 156 of the Malawi Penal Code. The Court is expected to sentence the two on May 20th and issue the full judgment within three weeks. Chimbalanga and Monjeza face up to fourteen years in prison with the possibility of hard labour.

"By ignoring basic standards of evidence, this ruling undermines Malawi's commitment to the rule of law and jeopardizes the human rights of all Malawians," said Chivuli Ukwimi, Health and Human Rights Officer of IGLHRC. "In a context of escalating persecution of LGBT Malawians, this decision damages life-saving efforts to address HIV and AIDS."

Monjeza and Chimbalanga have been held in Chichiri Prison in Blantyre since December 28, 2009, when they were arrested after a traditional engagement ceremony attended by family and friends. Following their arrest, Chimbalanga was forced to undergo an involuntary anal examination and both were forced to undergo an involuntary psychiatric evaluation. The two were repeatedly denied bail - a decision severely criticized as unjust by the Malawi Law Society. There have been reports of the Court allowing the couple to be subjected to humiliating treatment during the trial, including being mocked for their relationship by trial attendees and being forced to clean up vomit after one of them became ill.

Today's ruling is part of a broader pattern of mounting pressure and persecution on LGBT people by authorities in Malawi. This persecution has come from the highest levels of government. On April 23rd, President Bingu wa Mutharika reportedly denounced homosexuality as "un-Malawian," "evil" and "disgusting" and linked it to corruption, violence, theft and prostitution. Days later, on April 26th and again on the 27th, police appeared at a conference on the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations in HIV/AIDS programming. Police demanded the names of conference organizers, seized copies of the conference program, and inquired about specific individuals believed to be in attendance. Police refused to present a warrant or justification for the intimidation.

Speaking after today's decision, Dunker Kamba, Adminstrator of CEDEP, said, "This judgment is going to drive the gay community further into hiding. It is not only a ruling against Steven and Tionge but the whole LGBT community in Malawi and Africa."

These incidents violate the Constitution of Malawi and the human rights treaties to which Malawi is a party. The continued discrimination and persecution of people on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity threatens to undermine the right to privacy, the right to non-discrimination and equality before the law, and freedoms of assembly, association, opinion, and expression that all Malawians are entitled to enjoy.

Additional Contact Information:
Gift Trapence, Director, CEDEP BlantyreMobile: (265) 888 50972; Email: gtrapence@yahoo.co.uk, directorcedep@yahoo.com
Cary Alan Johnson, Executive Director, IGLHRC (currently in Berlin)Mobile: (347) 515 0330; Email: cjohnson@iglhrc.org
Jessica Stern, Director of Programs, IGLHRC New York1- 212- 430-6014; Email: jstern@iglhrc.org
For general media inquiries, please contact:
Sam Cook, Director of Communications, IGLHRC 1-212-430-6023; Email: scook@iglhrc.org

The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.
Photo copyright World Economic Forum/Eric Miller. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of Malawi, captured during the Opening Plenary of the World Economic Forum on Africa 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa, June 4, 2008.

Uniting American Families Act needed NOW!

The NYCLU, in collaboration with the 'Britta & Carla,' the LGBT Community Center and the Office of Congress Member Jerrold Nadler, is proud to announce the release of our new short video, “Citizen Non-Citizen,’” which looks at discrimination against LGBT families in our immigration system and the ongoing efforts to reform the system in Congress through the Uniting American Families Act and comprehensive immigration reform.



“Citizen Non-Citizen” highlights the heart-wrenching story of Britta and Carla, a married same-sex bi-national couple living in New York City fighting to stay together in the United States.

There are an estimated 36,000 same-sex bi-national couples in the United States seeking recognition by our immigration system in order to keep their families intact.

Please feel free to share, post, and distribute this video widely as you see fit. To find out more about the NYCLU’s work on comprehensive immigration reform, please visit www.nyclu.org/immigrationreform.

Gov. Perry's temporary digs costs Texans 10G a MONTH!

AUSTIN, Texas – With the state facing a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live in a sprawling rental home in the hills above the capital, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.

It costs more than $10,000 a month in rent, utilities and upkeep to house Perry in a five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion that has pecan-wood floors, a gourmet kitchen and three dining rooms. Perry has also spent $130,000 in campaign donations to throw parties, buy food and drink, and pay for cable TV and a host of other services since he moved in, the records show.

The public spending on Perry's rental comes as the state grapples with a budget shortfall forecast to reach at least $11 billion over the next two years. Perry has asked state agencies to cut their budgets by 5 percent and the Republican House speaker has begun to consider furloughs and shortened workweeks for state employees.

UNITED ENDA LEADERS mum about why it's FAILING!

Bathroom cop Barney says SNIP~SNIP~SNIP

To transgender people it is or will be as plain as the dangly thing or absence of, between your legs.

• Who is responsible for this EPIC ENDA FAIL?
  
  Homophobic and transphobic 'religious' zealots mixed in with generic right wing political doomsayers, some sadly disguised as Democrats prognosticating the downfall of society should 'men with penises' be allowed in the women's room and in our classrooms.
  
  
• Who among our supporters and benefactors would be so ignorant, transphobic or self serving to completely abdicate their responsibilities and refuse to vote for ENDA?
  
  The Congressional blue dogs of the United States Congress.
  
  
• Who in the goverment has rejected these outrageous fear mongering tactics?
  
  The local and state governments who have previously passed like protections because they feel a moral obligation to protect ALL of the citizens within in their Cities and counties!
  
  
• Who is NOT talking about this?
  
  The transgender people who are positioned in Washington to advocate on our behalf! They see this "concession" as something they can sneak past the transgender population so they can claim a historic victory!
  
  At your expense poor transwoman. Transmen are not exempt who have not had 'bottom surgery'! AS unjust as this concession may be the law MUST act equally regardless if you are a MTF or FTM.
  
  Pass or fail in Congress this is a no win. In fact it could be a draconian defeat sending transgender people back twenty years, ensnared in spiderweb designed to limit there growth and be all but prohibitive to gender questioning!
  
  This could mean death to so many yet to come.
  
  
• What can you do? We have lobbied senators and Representatives. We have talked and emailed, educated untill our jaws and fingers have gone numb and to NO EFFECT!
  
  First lets contact the transgender 'leaders' who remain silent NOW! Demand they stop putting there ambition before our well being and TALK about the real reason ENDA is FAILING us so miserably.
  United ENDA
  ENDA NOW .com

IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Monday, May 17, 2010
Time: 12:00am - 11:55pm
Location: Worldwide
Web: dayagainsthomophobia.org

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is celebrated every May 17 around the world.

It is coordinated by the Paris based "IDAHO Committee" founded and presided by French academics, Louis-Georges Tin. It is celebrated in more than 50 countries in the world, and recognised officially by the European Union, Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Mexico, Costa-Rica, etc.

The international day against homophobia aims to coordinate international events to call respect for lesbians and gays worldwide. Unlike the LGBT Pride Day, which is meant to emphasise proudness of one's sexuality and refusal to be ashamed of it, IDAHO is held to highlight:“ "... that in reality it is homophobia that is shameful and must be deconstructed in its social logic and fought against openly."

May 17 was chosen as the day of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1992.In 2008, sexual relations between persons of the same sex were punishable by death in 7 countries and considered to be some form of crime in more than 80 others. In most countries in the world, people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual, intersex, queer, ... community are being denied their fundamental human rights as defined, inter alia, by the Universal Declaration of Human Right, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Day has been launched with the idea of creating a worldwide community of activists and committed people, sharing the ideal of a world without homophobia nor transphobia in which everyone can freely live their sexual orientation and the gender identity they wish to live in.

National Press Club Tuesday site of LGBT Org.'s Demanding Congress Vote on ENDA

MEDIA CONTACT:

Inga Sarda-Sorensen
Director of Communications
(Office) 646.358.1463
(Cell) 202.641.5592
isorensen@theTaskForce.org

National lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights leaders, community members demand vote on Employment Non-Discrimination Act

At Tuesday press conference, LGBT rights advocates will highlight congressional inaction on ENDA as part of National ENDA Action Week

What: Press conference to demand immediate action in both the House and Senate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It is part of a series of nationwide actions this week calling for a vote on ENDA.

Who: Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Jody M. Huckaby, Executive Director, PFLAG National
Frank Kameny, longtime activist who was fired from his job over five decades ago due to sexual orientation discrimination; 50-plus years later, he is tired of waiting for equality as he turns 85 this week
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Sharon Lettman, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Gloria Nieto, California resident, former member of the Democratic National Committee, former executive director of the People of Color AIDS Foundation, currently unemployed
Liz Seaton, Director of Projects and Managing Attorney, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Peggy Shorey, Executive Director, Pride at Work
Terrance L., a gay man who has been closeted in previous employment
Donna P., a transgender woman from the Baltimore area who was fired from two jobs


When: Tuesday, May 18, Noon (ET)

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W., Lisagor Room, Washington, D.C.


Why: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates have been lobbying for ENDA’s passage for years. There is more support for ENDA than ever before in Congress, growing every day. Congress needs to prioritize ENDA for passage to secure the most basic of civil rights, the right to work, for LGBT people. LGBT rights leaders and community members are demanding an immediate vote on ENDA and are sending a united message to Congress: No more excuses, no more delays: Pass ENDA now.

Belarus and Slavic Gay Pride Marchers Hunted Down and Jailed By Police.

Live updates about the human rights violations being committed by police against the Belarus and Slavic Gay Pride marchers. As of Sunday 8 remain in imprisoned for holding our flag and walking down the street. Via tweeter MizzM2_bi
Belarus: gay pride march violently attacked: http://bit.ly/cv2iCX via web



Blogging from Belarus and Slavic Gay Pride

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Amended to Include Gender Identity

Changes to will go into effect November 1, unless Congress disaproves.

source the Leadership Confrence: The U.S. Sentencing Commission recently adopted changes to the federal sentencing guidelines to permit crimes in which the victim is intentionally selected on the basis of gender identity to be eligible for sentencing enhancements.

The federal sentencing guidelines are rules that set out a uniform policy for sentencing people convicted of felonies and Class A misdemeanors in federal courts. The new rule will apply to every federal crime and is designed to align federal guidelines with the recently enacted hate crime law, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which authorizes the federal government to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

Many civil and human rights organizations supported the proposed changes, including Human Rights Campaign, the Anti-Defamation League, and The Leadership Conference. "This is the first time gender identity has been included in the sentencing guidelines – and another ancillary benefit of enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act," said Michael Lieberman, Washington counsel for the Anti-Defamation League.

The commission has submitted the changes to Congress and if Congress doesn't disapprove them before November 1, they will go into effect. Source The Leadership Confrence, May 14, 2010

Also from HRC:


Source HRC Back Story: "The U.S. Sentencing Commission has promulgated amendments [PDF] to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines after receiving public comment, including comment submitted in March by the Human Rights Campaign, along with the Anti-Defamation League, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the National Council for Jewish Women. In our public comment, we wrote to ensure that amendments were promulgated to make the Guidelines conform with the recently enacted Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act."

"The amendments promulgated by the Commission broaden the Guidelines to include the new hate crime offense in the criminal division of the Guidelines that applies to “offenses involving individual rights.” The Commission’s amendments also expanded the definition of a hate crime in its penalty enhancement provision to include victims who were targeted because of their gender identity (the penalty enhancement provision of the Guidelines already accounted for hate crimes based on sexual orientation). These amendments are an important step towards fully implementing the federal hate crimes law passed last year, and HRC remains committed to seeing that the federal hate crimes law is well-implemented and firmly enforced."

"The Commission submitted these amendments to Congress on April 29th and they will be enacted if they are not disapproved by Congress before November 1st." Source HRC Back Story may 11, 2010

Great work HRC. Thank you!

TO Transfolk

Dear Q Cinema Patron, please consider this handout especially if you decide to view "Ticked off Tra**ies With Knives" (TO*WK)

**THIS MOVIE GROSSLY MISREPRESENTS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE**

Transgender people lack adequate representation in legitimate cinema. Therefore, TO*WK's potential for negative stereotyping damage is exponentially multiplied in that:

1) The film, its title and its marketing misrepresent the lives of transgender women and glorifies grotesque, exploitative depictions of violence in ways that make light of the horrific brutality they all too often face.

2) Although TO*WK positions itself in the transgender narrative, it isn't really even about transfolk as a whole.

3) “Tranny” is a pejorative word. This movie suggests the caviler use of the word is acceptable.

5) TO*WK has been billed as a revenge fantasy mixed with camp humor. Most movies suspend reality for the viewer, but because the transgender community more commonly experience violence, this movie fails to be humorous.

The real transgender woman or man is a blessing. We are loving, considerate, intelligent and most of all, we are not expendable or violent caricatures. Please bring that knowledge home with you when you leave and the next time you chance to meet a transgender person may you regard her or him differently.



Pamela and I feel the meat of our message is contained in this handout. With the correct font it will convey our talking points well.



If you agree I will send this and our longer statement to Stephanie Stevens for word checks.

--- On Sat, 5/15/10, Pamela Curry wrote:



From: Pamela Curry
Subject: Re: Hand out
To: "Kelli Busey"
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 12:28 PM


Looks great; enlarge the fonts for impact make sure it just fills the page

On 5/15/2010 12:24 PM, Kelli Busey wrote:
Dear Q Cinema Patron, please consider this about "Ticked Off Trannies With Knives"(TO*WK).

**THIS MOVIE GROSSLY MISREPRESENTS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE**

Transgender people lack adequate representation in legitimate cinema. Therefore, TO*WK's potential for negative stereotyping damage is exponentially multiplied in that:

1) The film, its title and its marketing misrepresent the lives of transgender women and glorifies grotesque, exploitative depictions of violence in ways that make light of the horrific brutality they all too often face.

The number of Transgender Deaths had doubled in 2009 since the previous TDOR. As of November 2009 there had been 101 deaths, calculated for the same time frame the year before there were 47 http://bit.ly/aEqSxm

Satistics: Transgender Day of Remberance
http://www.transgenderdor.org/?page_id=4

The National Transgender Center for Transgender Equality Discrimination Survey conducted with The Task Force, found that 97% of the respondents had been harassed or mistreated on the job and 26% had been fired. http://www.transequality.org/

2) Although TO*WK positions itself in the transgender narrative, it isn't really even about transfolk as a whole.

3) “Tranny” is a pejorative word when used in a defamatory manner. This movie suggests the caviler use of the word is acceptable.

5) TO*WK has been billed as a revenge fantasy mixed with camp humor. Most movies suspend reality for the viewer, but because the transgender community more commonly experience violence, this movie fails to be humorous.

The real transgender woman or man is a blessing. We are loving, considerate, intelligent and most of all, we are not expendable or violent caricatures. Please bring that knowledge home with you when you leave and the next time you chance to meet a transgender person may you regard her or him differently.


******************************


Pamela and I feel the meat of our message is contained in this handout. With the correct font it will convey our talking points well.



If you agree I will send this and our longer statement to Stephanie Stevens for word checks.

--- On Sat, 5/15/10, Pamela Curry wrote:



From: Pamela Curry
Subject: Re: Hand out
To: "Kelli Busey"
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 12:28 PM


Looks great; enlarge the fonts for impact make sure it just fills the page

On 5/15/2010 12:24 PM, Kelli Busey wrote:


Dear Q Cinema Patron, please consider this about "Ticked Off Trannies With Knives"(TO*WK).

**THIS MOVIE GROSSLY MISREPRESENTS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE**

Transgender people lack adequate representation in legitimate cinema. Therefore, TO*WK's potential for negative stereotyping damage is exponentially multiplied in that:

1) The film, its title and its marketing misrepresent the lives of transgender women and glorifies grotesque, exploitative depictions of violence in ways that make light of the horrific brutality they all too often face.

2) Although TO*WK positions itself in the transgender narrative, it isn't really even about transfolk as a whole.

3) “Tranny” is a pejorative word. This movie suggests the caviler use of the word is acceptable.

5) TO*WK has been billed as a revenge fantasy mixed with camp humor. Most movies suspend reality for the viewer, but because the transgender community more commonly experience violence, this movie fails to be humorous.

The real transgender woman or man is a blessing. We are loving, considerate, intelligent and most of all, we are not expendable or violent caricatures. Please bring that knowledge home with you when you leave and the next time you chance to meet a transgender person may you regard her or him differently.

Chanel Larkin Milwaukee Trans Woman Murdered

Another Transwoman of color stolen from us.

Pride Fest Milwaukee "FORGE is deeply saddened to report the death of Dana A. Larkin (also known as Dade and Chanel), 26, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Larkin was killed on Friday, May 7, 2010, in part because of anti-transgender hate bias."

"While we are grateful that the suspected killer has been caught, we urge the District Attorney to consider adding a hate crime charge to the current charge of first-degree reckless homicide. We also note that some media outlets have been inaccurately characterizing Larkin's gender and pronouns; we encourage the respectful, consistent use of feminine pronouns to refer to her."

"FORGE sends its condolences to Dana's family and friends. We also note that when anyone is killed or harmed in a hate-motivated crime, those who share the victim's identity are harmed as well, and may react with the same fear, anger, and despair as other crime victims. We ask our community members to be caring, compassionate, and supportive of each other as we all try to cope with this terrible crime."

Despite assurances from NCTE Barney Frank say's there will be Gender police.

Full disclosure by Washington transgender groups demanded. Talk about the real reason ENDA is failing transgender people.

Washington Post "Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., the chief whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate House Democrats, says he opposes voting on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act this year. Shuler also said he "can't imagine" the bill will make it to the House floor. Meanwhile, some Democrats on Capitol Hill say while a vote is still expected, they worry that Republicans will try to derail the bill by offering motions that could weaken its transgender provisions."

"Frank says he understands why moderate Republicans and politically vulnerable Democrats have "some uneasiness" about the issue. He has addressed two of the bigger concerns: workplace bathroom use and the appearance of transgender employees."

"People aren't going to be disrobing" in the bathroom in front of colleagues "with the opposite set of genitals," Frank explained. To that end, he said, the bill would seek to protect employers from lawsuits."

"The other issue, he said, is the "mustache and dress" (ick) factor involving transgender employees and the reactions of clients and customers. Employers would be able to enforce what Frank called "consistent gender presentation." Washington Post 5/13

I'll be a monkeys aunt if that ain't the penis police.

Pussy cops?

Frank, you will have make sure there ain't no pussies in the men's room. I mean, gender expression swings both ways. No smooth faces or effeminate sissies. Only knuckle dragging neanderthals allowed in this men's room by golly. We're grabbing crotches and you better have a working package and a face full of stubble or your OUT'a HERE!

Who's the deputy dog? It's your boss. UNBELEVIABLE!

ENDA up in the crapper again.

TELL your Congressperson a FULLY Inclusive ENDA or Nothing!

There has been firestorm generated by Congressman Barney Franks statements recently reported by Roll Call.com that essentially said Frank has bargained away the rights we are granted by common decency to appease 'moderate' Democrats in order to get votes to move ENDA.

Since ENDA HR(3017) remains in committee and the exact wording has not been released it is only conjecture that the bill will have a harmful affect on our lives but why wait untill it is TOO LATE to ADVOCATE?

Tell Frank and your Legislators you will not accept "Human Rights" legislation that dehumanizes you.

A link provided by Dr, Julian Weiss, co chair Inclusive Enda provides a one click link to your congressional representative, and I would recommend copying and pasting the following message to personalize the one provided by Julian to make your ENDA message gender inclusive;

Copy this, then click the link below to the Inclusive ENDA letter, paste it there to make your message unambiguous that you demand full rights even when we pee.

Transgender people have in the absence of the final wording of ENDA been given information that our rights to use the correct restroom are being bargained away in order to get votes to pass the House version of ENDA. This is unacceptable.

We demand full equality especially from legislation that portends to be a human rights bill.

Do not include stipulations that segregates transgender people or disallows pre SRS transgender people from using the correct restroom whether it is a multiple stall facility or not.

Do not include language that allows a employer to make a subjective judgement about the stage of our transitions.

Representative, if you can not create a bill that at least allows us the privilege to life that we enjoy now do not include transgender people in ENDA!

Then click Enda123 to send your message!

ENDA in danger of becoming incremental inequality

BUS Driver, our stop is FULL Equality or keep going!

The true reason ENDA has remained in subcommittee so long and has not seen a vote. This topic remained ignored by Washington transgender organizations that the trans community relies on to advocate for us in good faith untill planetransgender, the ENDA Blog and Pam's House Blend irritated NCTE's Mara Keisling enough to host a conversation about it.

Keisling invited us all to a public conference call and then she went on to insult us, calling us "IDIOTS" and humiliated me by calling my blog out by name and accusing me of perpetuating wild false rumors, in a effort to shut down the trans authors unbiased and bold enough to do honest investigative reporting.

That's a dirty dealing Mara Keisling, and not worthy of the transgender experience.

Unsubstantiated rumors Keisling? Hardly. Reality is, our well being is interfering with your ambition/birthday presents.

The debated issues, statements by the lead proponent of ENDA, Congressman Barney Frank, suggesting ENDA may become a law subjectively employed by your employer.

Rollcall.com reported recently that Congress Barney Frank is giving away the rights that common decency grants us now.

Frank was quoted also as saying "...concessions were made in the drafting of the language to address moderates’ concerns. For instance, Frank said, transgender people with “one set of genitals” would not be able to go to a bathroom for people with another set of genitals."

Incremental inequality? Yeah we got that. How but subjective inequality? Lots of that because the House democrats memories are long enough to recall the upheaval after they participated in running transfolk over in 07 and are making great efforts to write ENDA to appease the uninitiated and please the haves.

Yeah, this ENDA house bill might be chock full of ambiguous wording vague enough to insure "Moderate"/chickenshit democrats get reelected since they have already been given a free pass by House speaker Nancey Pelosi that they aren't going to be held accountable for being chickenshit if only they toe the National democrats line.

Why didn't these SAME democrats vote for a inclusive ENDA last time around? They pleaded and whined that they were junior legislators in red states and were afraid they would not be reelected if they voted for a inclusive ENDA.

One bright star is Tammy Baldwin, who according to Congess.com. "had little sympathy for the complaints of moderate lawmakers who question the political wisdom of pushing gay rights bills in a difficult election year."

Baldwin said “Name one issue where you don’t hear that?” she said. “They should choose another profession.”

Human rights legislation that is incremental or allows another to measure another persons right to be included or segregated is inhuman. Given our history in the united states we should easily recognize a failed concept when it's memory is so vivid.

Ask any person who was forced to use a segragated bathroom, expecially one in a school environment. I did and I was not allowed to forget that I was different. The harassment became so intense I became afraid for my well being and I left school.

Ask anyone who is in a contentious situation at work because of their gender. Those tensions were probably created by segregation which never, never works and is unjustifiable.

You may convince yourself something is better than nothing if you wish, but look at New Jersey's gay populations misery under a separate but not equal marriage law to see if a substitute for equality is acceptable. No its not.

Demand FULL equality!

Tell this Bus driver to get off the bus and we will find someone who will DRIVE.

Why we are protesting (one reason) "Ticked Off Trannies With Knives"

I was watching this TO*WK trailer and was actually enjoying the acting UNTILL one of the characters commiserating with another about her facial injures sustained during a beating suggested humorously that she should 'put a piece of meat on her eye'. This was a obvious sexual innuendo suggesting her pain would be alleviated and guilt assuaged if a penis and scrotum were resting on her face.

VIOLENCE against transgender woman OR any woman is NOT funny. It is odious to even suggest that rape is warranted, pleasurable or desired by the victim.



And BTW, transgender woman do NOT need to trick men into desiring us by "putting duct tape in all the right places." Those of us who are attracted to men present ourselves honestly and forthright. As all of who live 24/7/365 days a year authentically know, to do otherwise invites horrific violence and even death.

To save maybe (one) life. Those who are yet to transition must be spared this pain. It is unreasonable to expect our effort to expose this horrible movie will completely change the world but to not even try would be unimaginable.

GLBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo Dallas Texas

Few things for a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered GLBT couple in a committed relationship is more exciting than their BIG DAY.

Some may call it a Pride Wedding, Holy Union, or Commitment Ceremony; either way it is a trade-marking event for any relationship.

Daniel Lewis, celebrity stylist and national fan favorite of Bravo’s Shear Genius and founder of Green Peridot Salon to host the 2010 GLBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo.

Planning this special day or just planning an anniversary celebration will exhaust every talent and effort to get all the many details complete from ordering the cake to planning the honeymoon. Our GLBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo, billed as a one-stop shop to assist couples, will showcase wedding and travel vendors, introduce specialists, present ideas and host a fashion show to help with the celebration. You’ll find an extensive array of wedding specialists at the Expo. All the major categories of wedding planning may be covered: photographers and videographers, function facilities, bridal and tuxedo shops, florists, cake bakers, DJs/bands and limousine companies may be in attendance.

In addition, you will find travel specialists ready to help you plan that special romantic honeymoon. Many vendors will be giving away items as a promotion of the show, and you can only benefit from these if you attend. Also join us for fabulous raffles, door prizes.

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Dallas Warwick Melrose Hotel
Street: 3015 Oaklawn Ave. Dallas, TX
(214) 521-5151
Map

Vendors are still being accepted, but hurry space is limited!!

Tickets are $10 can be purchased at the door or online at WhyWouldWe.org or buy.ticketstothecity.com

For more info: Kimberly Truax at (214) 924-9302

You may RSVP @ GLBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo Facebook Event Page