Black? Trans? Alive? Defended Your Life and A Racist Died? Go to Jail.

Picture BDOLAN
The anger at the sentencing of Cece McDonald can not be expressed logicaly right now. America has failed us. So I'll let these videos and pictures do the talking.



Leslie Feinberg Arrested

Contact: Katie Burgess, Executive Director, Trans Youth Support Network, transyouthsupportnetwork@gmail.com, (612) 363-7574; and Billy Navarro, Jr., MN Transgender Health Coalition, mntranspr@gmail.com, (612) 823-1152
Leslie Feinberg was arrested last night amidst hundreds of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald supporters protesting outside of the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. Feinberg is being held at the Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis and is facing charges of property damage. The protest was held on the eve of McDonald’s transfer to the state prison system, where she will serve out a sentence of 41 months for defending herself against racist and transphobic attackers. Although McDonald initially faced two charges of second degree murder, earlier this month she accepted a plea agreement to a reduced charge of second degree manslaughter due to negligence. Outraged supporters took to the streets, blocking traffic for over an hour in protest of the violent abuses McDonald has faced at the hands of our legal system. Feinberg joined demonstrators in making noise loud enough to be heard within the facility McDonald is currently being held at, and marching through the streets in a show of love and solidarity with CeCe McDonald and with all incarcerated individuals. Feinberg was the only person arrested, and is excited to draw more attention to McDonald’s story and to the prevalent racism and transphobia within the criminal system.

Feinberg has given the following statement:

Many people across the United States and around the world are watching, and history will record what happens on June 4, 2012. CeCe McDonald survived a fascist hate crime; now she’s sentenced as she struggles to survive an ongoing state hate crime. As Martin Luther King Jr. reminded: “Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.”

As a white, working-class, Jewish, transgender lesbian revolutionary I will not be silent as this injustice continues! I know from the lessons of histories what is means when the state—in a period of capitalist economic crisis—enacts apartheid passbook laws, bounds up and deports immigrant works, and gives a green light to e white supremacists, fascist attacks on Black peoples—from Sanford, Florida, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a courtroom in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The prosecutor and the judge are upholding the intent of the infamous white supremacist Dred Scott ruling of 1857.

The same year Fredrick Douglass concluded: “Without struggle, there is no progress!”

CeCe McDonald is being sent to prison during the month of Juneteeth: celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation—the formal Abolitionist of “legal” enslavement of peoples of African descent. The Emancipation Proclamation specifically spelled out the right of Black people to self-defense against racist violence.

Yet, the judge, the prosecutor, and the jailers are continuing the violent and bigoted hate crimes begun by the group of white supremacists who carried out a fascist attack on CeCe McDonald and her friends.

CeCe McDonald is being sent to prison in June—the month when the Stonewall Rebellion ignited in the streets of Greenwich Village in 1969. From the Compton’s Uprising to the Stonewall Rebellion, defense against oppression is a law of survival.

This is Pride month, and will be bringing the demand: “Free CeCe—now!” to the regional Pride march where I live. I believe many other individuals, groups, and contingents will thunder that demand in Pride marches and rallies all over the world—informing millions who take part, and millions more who support.

The prosecution hopes this struggle is over. But it is not over: Free CeCe—now! An injury to one is an injury to all! Come out against racist, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ and sexist wars at home and abroad!
Feinberg’s arrest is symptomatic of growing anger and frustration at the disproportionate targeting and abuse of young transgender women of color in our society. The actions Feinberg took last night were in solidarity with McDonald and all prisoners to let them know they are not alone. Feinberg is excited to garner attention to how McDonald is treated today as McDonald is transferred to the prison intake facility in St. Cloud, MN.

McDonald’s case does not reflect an isolated aberration in the functioning of the U.S. legal system, but rather business as usual within a society that has, for hundreds of years, profited from the incarceration and exploitation of people of color and trans/gender non-conforming people. McDonald’s sentencing sends a very clear message to all those following her case across the country: transphobia and racism are alive and well, both in the violent verbal and physical attacks on trans youth of color in the night as well as in the legal system which makes surviving this violence a crime punishable by years of incarceration. Nevertheless, we look forward to joining all of McDonald’s supporters in continuing to fight against these systems of power, for CeCe and for all transgender women of color targeted by the prison-industrial complex.

With love and rage,

The CeCe McDonald Support Committee

Watch Miss Rhode Island Clinch Miss USA With Transgender Answer

Fans tweeted the this final question, a first for a Miss USA pageant and asked a question about another first.

Source: Buzfeed.com What really clinched the win for Olivia was probably her answer about whether transgender pageant contestants should be allowed to compete and win. She said, "I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women, but today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it's a free country." Watch her and the other four finalists answer their questions in the video.

I couldn't agree more Amy! I am thrilled that her answer in your opinion was largely responsible for her win. But is it possible there were no "Natural Born" woman in that competition.

"Natural born". What does that mean? dictionary.com definition

nat·u·ral-born
 
adjective

1. native-born.

2. by virtue of one's nature, qualities, or innate talent: a natural-born musician.

...makes no mention of gender, only attributes such as talent or abilities. So saying someone won the Miss USA Pageant because she was really, I mean really more woman more naturaly born is pretty absurd, intrusive and rude as quantifying a persons humanity always is. Transgender people could write volumes on that topic alone.

Peter McKnight at the Vancouver Sun makes a strong scientific argument that there is No such thing as a natural-born woman.

The reality is, in my opinion, we are all naturally born.

Radfems Gives All Radicals a Black Eye, Even Me

They, being the people who claim the moniker of RadFem have given all female radicals a black eye, including myself. Its inevitable, since all who do not identify as a "RadFem" (the rest of womanhood), are guilty by association simply because we are females, too.

 I have never been so presumptuous to call myself a 'feminist', because the reality is as a transgender woman, I have different life experiences. This difference incredibly is one of the cornerstones RadFems used for excluding all non cisgender people. They call us "Dickiest" which I presume the ignorant Radfem belives is insulting to trans woman by inferring we are male privileged. But in reality it means something entirely different. Now that's funny.

 But I do call myself a radical. A transgender radical and my agenda is intrinsically intertwined with feminism.

But RadFem's just don't seem to get it. No one is denying them a place to congregate to cast dispersion on a minority, if said minority has a opportunity to represent themselves in the conversation. RadFems do not abide by such conversation because by there creed we do not exist, as females.

I have had many years experience dealing with Cathy Brennan, a outspoken Radfem. At times the augment RadFems offer as validation of there anti trans views are almost comical, but in a tragic way.

Every time a RadFem indulges themselves in hate, we as there fellow woman suffer. All Cisgender woman suffer. That's tragic so in trying to get this across to Cathy Brennan I mentioned her in a tweet about their recent denial of a meeting place by Conway Hall. Brennan replied, tweeting as "Bugbrennan".....(note she always misspells my name to infer maleness, i guess)......

It is ultimately tragic that RadFems will not allow themselves to get past their hateful rhetoric and become at least open minded enough to engage in discourse and thus allow themselves the dignity of returning to a respected position within feminism.

I believe Radfems by virtue of their tenacity will locate a venue without morality that will allow them a stage. Its in their DNA, but is such a waste. Such a misdirection of potentially beneficial feminism.

Tragic. Ultimately tragic.

JC Penny's CEO is One BA Honey Badger

What is a "Honey Badger? I knew you were going to ask that:) According to the Urban Dictonary.....

You can find this BA Honey Badger's company on Facebook.

Video: Obama Proclaims June Transgender, Lesbian and Gay Pride Month!

."...Bit by bit they bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice..." President Obama June 1st 2012 

That's you and me the president of the United States of America is talking about. The gay man working quietly behind the scene for equality, the lesbian feminist fighting for transsexuals, the transgender man returning to speak at his all girl highs school about gender diversity. You are heroes and heroines of the American dream. You are the soil that great dreams thrive in...you are my hero's.



2012lgbt.prc.Rel

Thanks to Steve Rothaus at Gay South Florida for the Scribe

Integrity USA Begins Pride Month With Focus on The "T"

We invited Bishop Robinson to his first ever "transgender conversation" in 2008 following the exclusion of trans people from ENDA. We wanted to understand his statement in regards to gay people leaving us out of ENDA "A Half a love is better than none at all". It took place inside of the HRC Black Tie Dinner in Dallas Texas in Lu of our protesting the fundraiser.

I was upset that Bishop Robinson had refused to take the podium, instead took the the chair of our one and only gay panelist, a black man. He then refused to speak directly on his position regarding transgender inclusion in work place non discrimination laws. Afterwards in his luxury suite I asked him about this and he became quite agitated. Recognizing it would be better to continue the conversation at a later date I asked if we could.

Bishop Robinson simply answered "Why should I".

It became obvious to us at the conversation he had a long ways to go to accept us as equals in gods eye, but as evidenced by this video Bishop Robinson has come a long ways since 2008.



Integrity marks the beginning of Pride Month with the June 1st release of "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" – the groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender people of faith. Courageously inviting the viewer into their journeys, the film is ultimately a celebration of hope and the power of God's love to transcend even seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Produced by Integrity’s Communication Director Louise Brooks, the film is being offered as a gift to the Episcopal Church as a resource for both teaching and transformation.


"Gender identity and gender expression are issues that can easily be misunderstood and cannot be wrapped up in a neat little box,” said Brooks. “So the goal of “Out of the Box” was to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. We have been blessed by a truly amazing cloud of witnesses who shared their stories and their lives with us. It has been a privilege to work with them to take this project from a dream to a reality as we offer their voices of witness to the church and to the world.”


"I believe God is calling us into this conversation now,” said New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, one of the voices featured in the project. “It is an opportunity to get to understand another part of God's never-ending diversity and another way to live into our baptismal calling to love all God's children."

The third in the Voices of Witness series, “Out of the Box” was released on the IntegriTV YouTube Channel on Friday, June 1st. It will also be distributed to every bishop and deputation prior to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Indianapolis in July, along with a study guide written by the Rev. Gary Hall.


“Making ‘all’ mean ‘all’ is the foundation of Integrity’s platform for General Convention 2012,” said Jon Richardson, Integrity’s VP for National Affairs. “And partnering with our TransEpiscopal allies to complete the work of adding gender identity and expression to our non-discriminations canons is part of the work “Out of the Box” will help us do.”


For more information contact:
Louise Brooks
Director of Communications
Integrity USA
communication@integrityusa.org
626-993-4605

Cece McDonald Sentencing Monday: Please Write The Judge

If one person reads this post and writes before 1:00pm central Friday June 1st I will be happy. I know its short notice but our letters could make the critical difference during her sentencing.

email your letter to mpls4cece@gmail.com and the support committee will print and hand carry them to the judge.

From the Support Cece McDonald Committee

Write to Judge Moreno!
CeCe's sentencing is scheduled for this coming
Monday, June 4, at 1:30pm. Our expectation is that she will be sentenced to 41 months in prison (between time already served and time off for good behavior, the time left that she'll remain incarcerated is likely under two years), in accordance with her plea agreement.


HOWEVER, we believe that CeCe's status as an African American transgender woman makes her especially vulnerable to abuse while incarcerated, and so we are asking Judge Moreno to exercise his judicial discretion and order that she serve her sentence *on house arrest rather than in prison.*



We are calling on supporters to take a few minutes and write a letter to Judge Moreno, urging him to order house arrest rather than prison.



Letters should be addressed to Judge Daniel C. Moreno, but *submitted to the CeCe Support Committee via email (mpls4cece@gmail.com) by THIS FRIDAY, June 1, AT NOON.* We're going to deliver them all at once to the judge personally.



We have met with her lawyers and the following are their suggestions on how best to write letters.

Please consider the following points when crafting your letter:

-Genuine sentiment and honesty are more important than length and eloquence. Don't worry about how articulate your letter is--just say what you mean (in a respectful manner)!

-Letters should speak to any or all of the following topics:

--That house arrest is a reasonable option given the offense CeCe pled to and which adequately addresses her vulnerability in the prison system

--CeCe's good character (explain your relationship to her in the letter, and include anecdotal evidence of what a loving, caring and constructive person she is)

--That CeCe poses no threat to the community

--Ways that CeCe's imprisonment will have an unduly negative impact on her friends and family (if you have personal knowledge of this)

-DO NOT disparage or even comment on Dean Schmitz, or any of the other people (including CeCe's attacker) present that night.

-DO NOT comment on issues of innocence vs. guilt. DO NOT claim that CeCe is innocent, or that she was falsely or unfairly convicted or coerced into taking a plea deal, or that she acted in self-defense. In considering her sentence, the Judge will be looking at whether or not CeCe takes full responsibility for the action she pled guilty to, and any arguments undermining that taking of responsibility may do more harm than good.

-DO NOT use the letter to make arguments about the unjust nature of the criminal legal system. We all feel it, but the Judge won't!


In solidarity,
the CeCe Support Committee

++++++++++++++++++

The following is a letter sent by a friend. You can use it as a example, if you wish. You can find my letter at the bottom of the post. Your letter does not have to be long, just words from your heart.

+++++++++

Dear Judge Daniel C. Moreno,

I am writing you in regard to the case of CeCe McDonald who has a sentencing hearing scheduled on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 PM.
... I would like to ask you to show discretion and take into account her time served along with good behavior in her sentence. Please take into consideration the possibility of allowing her serve her sentence under house arrest.

I feel incarceration in a public facility could be detrimental to CeCe’s mental health and physical safety since she is not only African American but also a transgender woman. I fear this will make her even more vulnerable to physical abuse if housed with the general population.

While I do not personally know CeCe I have followed her case since the beginning and have had many communications with her support group. In following those communications I do truly believe that CeCe wants to take full responsibility for her actions. I know she has a solid support system of family and friends which will give her a solid foundation of support during the service of her sentence. She is of no danger to herself or a threat to the community.

Thank you for taking all options into consideration and I hope you will give CeCe a chance to redeem herself and have the opportunity to give back to her community.

######################

The letter I just sent.......

Dear Judge Daniel C. Moreno,

I am writing you in regard to the case of CeCe McDonald who has a sentencing hearing scheduled on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 PM.

As a advocate and columnist I have become aware of the terrible times transgender people in general population face, and this would even be worst for Cece being a woman of color.

I have been following this case since the beginning and have faithfully read her supporters statements. I believe Cece could be trusted to do her time under house arrest. She is of no threat to the general population and I believe, not a risk to flee.

Cece has an amazing support network who truly care for her waiting to help this young woman become a productive citizen.

Thank you,

Kelli Busey

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (Co Admin)
http://dallastaa.ning.com

planetransgender
http://planetransgender.blogspot.com

"Ain't No Homo Making It To Heaven" Sings 4 Year Old To Standing Church Ovation

This was a very proud moment for Pastor Sangl. It must have took hours to teach these words to this baby who obviously was clueless to their meaning or why everyone reacted the way they did when he parroted his teacher.
The congregation in the church, which according to Free Thought Blog is the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Church in Greensburg, Ind 47270., gives a standing ovation after the child sings, "I know the Bible’s right, somebody’s wrong...ain't no homos gonna make it to heaven."

"Welcome to Apostolic Truth Tabernacle - where our doors are open to you regardless of your background or where you are on your spiritual journey."

"We are striving to become the kind of church described in the Bible, where there's relevant teaching, heart-felt worship, honest friendships, constant prayer, and compassionate care for those in need. In short, we'd like to have the kind of contagious Christianity that can influence and encourage the entire community, one life at a time.
"
"So whether you're a spiritual seeker who's just starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian who wants to sink the roots of your faith even deeper, you can find a home here at Apostolic Truth Tabernacle. You'll find that this is a place where you really matter — because you matter to God."

I called. You can too but please as descent humans remember Christians have a long way to go to become christian so be gentle and courteous. Hate has never stopped hate. Ever.

ph: 812-662-8224
pastorsangl@apostolictruthtabernacle.net

Kiev Christians, Neo Nazi's and Gang Members Beat Gay man to protect "Family Values"

A bus load of gang members, Christians and police were bused to Kiev by the goverment to attack gay pride participants while uniformed police stood by. Do I have proof the goverment brought them there? No but its all too obvious they did. This should serve us as a reminder the USA is but one presidential election away from placing in to power Mitt Romney who also champions the same family values.
Who they were sent to beat up....

The Day of the Pride and events leading up to the attack....


The beasts sent by Putin ariving.....



And the people Putin's power brokers brought to beat up the LGBT people.

A picture of a street protest? No, its not. Russia's Mariinsky shocks with Putin protest opera

Video: Russian Orthodox "Christians" and Police Beat and Arrest LGBT Rally

Полиция при поддержке "православной общественности" разогнала акцию в поддержку прав геев и лесбиянок. 27 мая 2012

Police with the support "of the Orthodox community," broke up a rally in support of the rights of gays and lesbians. May 27, 2012





27 мая в Москва планировался гей-парад, однако, столичные власти в очередной раз его запретили. Члены ЛГБТ-сообщетсва устроили две акции - у Городской Думы и у памятнику Юрию Долгорукову напротив мэрии Москвы. Союз православных хоругвеносцев и другие противники ЛГБТ-движения пришли, чтобы выразить свое несогласие с требованием равных прав для людей любой сексуальной ориентации.



May 27 in Moscow planned gay pride parade, but the city authorities have once again banned it. The members of the LGBT community has work staged two shares - at Town Hall and in front of the monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Moscow mayor's office. Union of Orthodox Bannerbearers and other opponents of the LGBT movement have come to express their disagreement with the requirement of equal rights for people of all sexual orientations.

K-11 is Cruel and Unreal Punishment For Transgender People

Synopsis: K-11 is a riveting drama that deals with the politics of race and gender-identity in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail.

The film follows Raymond Saxx Jr. (Goran Visnjic), a powerful record producer who wakes from a drug-induced blackout to find himself locked up and classified "K-11." Plunged into a nightmarish world ruled by a transsexual diva named Mousey (Kate del Castillo), Raymond is truly a fish out of water. Complicating matters are a troubled young transgender named Butterfly (Portia Doubleday), a predatory child molester (Tommy 'Tiny' Lister) and the ruthless Sheriff's Deputy, Lt. Johnson (D.B. Sweeney). Ray's struggle to contact the outside world and regain his freedom seems impossible, but he must learn to navigate this new power structure if he is ever going survive and be in control of his life again.

The movie sports a tour de force cast that includes Goran Visnjic (Beginners; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur), Portia Doubleday (Youth in Revolt), D.B. Sweeney (Hard Ball), Jason Mewes (Clerks), Tommy 'Tiny' Lister (The Dark Knight), Tara Buck (True Blood; Justified) and Cameron Stewart in his feature film debut.

After watching the K-11 trailer I had mixed emotions. First I was enthralled, then quizzical, then I stated to wonder, what the fuck if this anyways? So I made my own little movie.



The synopsis of K-11 presents this as a drama and makes no mention that it is fantasy. So I began reading the comments and one after another they all sounded very similar to the ones we found on the "ticked off "T" with Knives" trailer. Misogynistic transphobes delighting in the sexual stereotyping, objectification, commercialization and dehumanization of transsexuals.

Until I read this one:

"If you want to see a real film about this serious subject, I encourage everyone to watch the documentary "Cruel and Unusual" which is a film about actual trans women in the prison system. It's on YouTube.
This is the actual world they live in, not a bunch of non-trans people's creepy fantasy about it."

Snyopsis: After arrest, no matter the crime, countless transgender women are incarcerated in men's prisons across the United States. These transwomen are denied medical and psychological care as well as the hormone therapy that keeps their system regulated. While painfully struggling against sudden chemical deficiency, these women are often victims of heinous crimes committed by the general prison population and prison staff including assault, rape, and murder. CRUEL AND UNUSUAL is an often unsettling documentary that candidly presents the challenges and inhumane treatment faced by these women. For additional information about this film or to purchase the DVD, please visit Outcast Films.com

Cruel and Unusual is real, not a glitzy Hollywood production pandering to sexually deprived fetishists gay and straight alike. It should be made clear to audiences that K-11 is a fantasy especially given the recent hard won improvements in inmate care in Los Angeles.

Our locked down sisters like Cece McDonald are the onces who will suffer directly from K-11. And the crew of K-11 will laugh about that fact, all the way to the bank. This is the truth.



McDonald had to plea down to manslaughter to avoid spending her life in prison for defending hereslf so here's how we can do to Support Cece.

Watch:: Against Me! Laura Jane Grace "Ain't No Little Bo Peep" Trans Punk Rocker Ist Concert

This is the first video to hit the web of Friday's coming out gig for recently out Transgender punker Laura Jane Grace. Her band Against me opened for the Cult in San Diego on Friday and according to the Rolling Stone interview after the show:

Charging through a 40-minute set at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego – the first stop in a month-long U.S. tour with British rockers the Cult – the quartet played six new songs, including the rollicking anthem "Transgender Dysphoria Blues," the title track of an album they're working on. Decked out in a loose-fitting black tank top, tight black jeans and black eye shadow, Grace was in high spirits as she delivered her trademark, throat-shredding screams.

"I was worried that some people expected me to come out looking like Little Bo Peep or something," Grace said after the show while hanging out at the merch table with her wife, Heather. (They're doing the tour as a family; their toddler daughter, Evelyn, was sleeping with a nanny in the tour bus.)

OH HELL yeah baby.... Ready or not....HERE....SHE....COMES!!! June 20thy Dallas House of Blues!!!!! YES!!! Want to see this amazing woman too? Here's the Full Tour Schedule for Against Me!

R.I.P Unknown Transgender Veterans

After serving 7 years in the regular Army I became lonesome for the companionship of fellow soldiers and enlisted in the National Guard.

But because I was a Buck Sargent (E-5)I could not get promoted until I changed my job. So much to my surprise I ended up in the Infantry, went to the next Non Commissioned Officer School and was subsequently promoted to Staff Sargent and went on active duty with the Guard.

"On behalf of the United States Goverment, the Department of Defense and the United States Army I wish to present this flag in gratitude of your love ones service to our country." This still brings tears to my eyes.

So in the the process I went from being a member,  to leading what we called "firing squads" and presenting the flags to the next of kin.
Yes, a transgender woman  represented the United States Government during the most critical seconds that will formulate how the public thinks of us. Represented. My fellow Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and was so proud during those seconds, our eyes mutually tearful, honestly conveying my respect and love, and condolences.

My respect was honest because even though DADT included me a trans woman my soldiers and superiors  had no issue with who I am. They knew as I showed over and over they could count on me during those critical seconds. They respected me and that meant more than anything.
I always wondered though, how many of those people in the coffins were closeted transsexuals as well, forced to endure a life of internal torture battling their gender incongruous for the love of our country?

To this day that question remains unanswered even after the repeal of DADT, for gay people. But why, you ask, were we left behind? Why?

Outserve answers that question. Because of The New DADT.

 Because we remain pathologized by the APA in the DSM. Gay people recognized they had to be removed from thee DSM in order to be removed fron DADT,and its time we did as well. Please take a stand for our transgender people in uniform who are dieing for us even as I type,  and sign the petition to remove transgender from the dsm

I hope on this day of memorial we stop and remember or hero's. Those who lived were granted the rights to their lives authentically, and those like us transgender Soldier, Sailor and Marines

who were not.

RadFem2012, AFA, KKK. It's All the Same.

You can dress it up anyway you like, feminist garb, white sheets or with biblical shrouds when its all said and done they have the same central purpose. To exclude to the point of eradication those who they deem unworthy to walk this earth with them.

I do not claim to be a authority on feminism having obtained my degree in homeless transsexual studies with a minor in gay and trans friend couch surfing from real life experiences. But here's my take on it. Radfems are bigots. They claim they are only asking to be left alone for RadFem2012, which they frame as a of "woman born woman living as woman" albeit trans exclusionary gathering. But they are featuring a vehemently anti trans speaker.

In the UK, one Feminist's point of view on Radfem2012::



The view of seven million students in the UK mirrors her opinion::

"NUS LGBT Campaign is saddened to learn that the RadFem 2012 conference has invited well-known transphobic, anti-sex work and anti-BDSM speakers -- notably Sheila Jeffreys -- to their event. NUS LGBT Campaign is proud to be a feminist campaign. We are inclusive of all genders; we support trans liberation, sex worker’s rights and the right to all consenting sexual practices."

"NUS LGBT Campaign is concerned that RadFem 2012 is explicitly restricting attendance to people they describe as “women born women living as women.” This discriminates directly against trans women in distinguishing them from other women. Many others - sex workers, trans folk of other genders and queers - will also be implicitly excluded by the presence of such hateful transphobic and anti-sex work speakers who do not recognise these identities as real identities, or this work as real work."

NUS LGBT Campaign is clear that gender is a matter of self-definition. The only person who can define their own gender identity is that person, regardless of what biological status they may have been awarded at birth. Trans people, sex workers and queers bring a great depth of understanding of many strands of oppression to feminism - not to mention many brilliant activists. Oppression based on gender identity is a feminist concern; our liberation is a feminist fight.

There is an ugly history of the exclusion of trans women and sex-worker feminists from feminist space and writing, but NUS LGBT Campaign believes that RadFem2012's active transphobia is not reflective of contemporary feminism within the UK. We are heartened by the support of many feminists who agree that there is no place for transphobia in feminism.

Its not just the students who are up in arms over the RadFem2012. The The "F" Word a feminist blog from the UK had this to say (and much more).....

So who is Sheila Jeffreys and why are her views at odds with the vast majority of feminists?

The "F" Word: "Then there's Sheila Jeffreys, who thinks that "transgenderism" is:

Condemnation of Jeffrey's anti trans view was not automatic. The "F" Word interviewed Sheila Jeffreys and conducted extensive conversations about it. You can hear those conversations and the highly charged responses at Facing Our Fear: Transgenderism versus Radical Feminism. The truth is mmainstream Radical Feminists as a whole wwould have rather not have become involved in this divisive topic especially since the people they condemned for there transphobia are admired for their other views and activism.

But they had to confront their fears out of a sense of moral obligation.

So what is the response from RadFem2012 participants to being so condemned by the world of feminism? Cathy Brennan, a out spoken RadFem singled out a transgender woman, a professor, to attack:

Wait! Brennan wasn't done yet! Brennan emailed her employer trying to get her fired! For having a different view on Feminism! That's, SICK! That's classic RadFem. Classic AFA. Classic KKK. That is the unacceptable and why transphobic feminism is discredited by the majority of the worlds feminists, be they cisgender or not!

When its all said and done hate is hate is hate.

This "T" Word activist agrees with The "F" Word.  Boycott RadFem2012