1/29/09

DVTV Movie Producer Promotes newest movie "TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES"



Israel Luna who produces videos for the Dallas Voice on DVTV, is promoting his new movie "TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES" on the same Dallas Voice Instant Teas article that reported on the Queer communities objection to the nondiscriminatory usage of "Tranny" by the Dallas Voice and the Dallas Voice's Blog "Instant Tea."

Luna in referencing the relatively low level response (we are but 1% of the general population) of the queer communities to this article as a justification for his stance that hateful and hurtful language is acceptable and permissible.

Totally inexplicable is Luna's failure to correlate the struggle of transgender "minority within a minority" as it is portrayed as "Tranny" knife wielding lunatic by the Gays with the reason why we both were participating in the Liberaction rally to generate support for Gay Marriage.

Pictured left from to right at the rally, Israel Luna, Blake Wilkinson and our megaphoned kissing both shouting "Come kiss Me"!


Blake Wilkinson the founder and organizer of Liberaction which was formed in response to the Prop.8 disaster in which a majority victimized a minority and who's rally we were both attending commented on the Instant Tea Web log article linked below;

Blake Wilkinson ,Liberactions reaction:

"I think that if Transgender people are expressing to the rest of the GLBT community that they feel the word “tranny” is offensive then fair-minded people should not use it and the city’s GLBT publication shouldn’t use it either. It seems pretty simple to me."

"The same is true when Gays and Lesbians speak with straight people that say things like “he’s a gay” or “she’s a homosexual” or talking about our “lifestyle”. Usually those that say these things know no better than those GLTB folk who use the word “tranny”. It seems to me that it’s a question of education. Gay, Lesbian and Bi-sexual people should be the first to take this lesson to heart because of our similar experiences."

The Dallas Voices Official blog "Instant Tea" is attempting to generate readership by exploiting our objection to hateful, transphobic and immoral exploitation of the most vulnerable component of the GLBT community, transgender people.

I object to the moneyifcation and profiteering of this practice and have in the past resisted participating in their transbaiting as not to be a pawn in the the hate machine, but now is the time to speak up.

Let them know how you feel and leave a comment on the Instant Tea blog article.

Please leave a comment on planetransgender article "Demand Dallas Voice Stops Using Tranny"


Thank you so much for caring,

kelli Busey
January 29, 2009
planetransgender

1/28/09

City shrouds anti-bias ordinance in secrecy

By John Wright, Dallas Voice
May 22, 2008

"6 years after LGBT activists succeeded in getting an ordinance passed, no one knows if it works or not."

"In the nearly six years since they were ultimately successful, the city hasn’t prosecuted a single case of job discrimination under what is known as HR Ordinance 46".
"As of April 7, 2008, there had been 22 job discrimination complaints filed under the ordinance, according to the city’s Fair Housing Office, which investigates the complaints. The ordinance took effect on Oct. 1, 2002."

"Of those 22 complaints, only one resulted in a “mediated resolution,” while one was withdrawn, 17 were found to have no cause, and three were deemed nonjurisdictional (because the accused party was a government entity or the complaint involved an employer with fewer than 15 employees.)"

Read Full Story at Dallas Voice

Homeless Transgender in New York Ciry

Source Topix Trans Formed: To Be Homeless & Transgender

Nowhere to go: To Be Homeless & Transgender in Dallas Texas

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Kelli Busey
214-226-7080
kellibusey@yahoo.com
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies
http://dallastaa.ning.com/

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (DTAA) and the City of Dallas TX working together to make "The Bridge" homeless shelter transgender accepting.

Dallas Texas. Dallas TX enacted Ordinances in 2002 prohibiting discrimination in housing and the workplace based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It was not until the death of a mayoral candidate and homeless transgender woman Jennifer Gale after spending a night exposed to subfreezing temperatures did it become apparent the cities homeless shelter did not house transgender people according to the transgender person's self determined gender identity. Transgender people were judged by a shelter staffer as to whether the applicant was female or male regardless of information supplied on intake. The transgender homeless person was then required to sleep, shower and use bathrooms without protection in whatever accommodation chosen by the staffer.

This condition created a unsafe environment for transgender people. Many transgender people would then refuse to stay in the cities shelter and forgo the opportunity to learn how to move from the streets to become a vital contributing member of society.

Dallas transgender Advocates and Allies invited the City to a conference in which it would conduct a gender 101 and introduce the City of Dallas to who transgender, queer and the gender diverse people are. The next step was to use the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force study "Transitioning our shelters: A guide to making homeless shelters safe for transgender people" to suggest options to make the cities shelter safe and accepting for the gender diverse.

According to DTAA member Kelli Busey "My initial reaction to this effort was that the conference was a success. The city managers who were present although dismayed by the unaccountable absence of the invited Bridge personal at the meeting, became involved and enthusiastic about the prospect of caring for our GLBT homeless population. We will be monitoring the city to insure it implements policy that will make it compliant with it's gender and sexual protective ordinances. We will also offer our assistance to the City of Dallas to conduct ongoing Gender 101 classes for Bridge employess. The need for this was made apparent at the meeting by the observation of a Dallas City manager who noted that when the Bridge was initially opened there was a concern expressed for making it GLBT accepting but "It was never followed up on."

Press Release
For immediate Release
planetransgender
January 28, 2009


1/27/09

Chicago: ACLU sues on transgender birth certificate

Source Radical Queer News;

Chicago: ACLU sues on transgender birth certificate

CHICAGO, Jan. 27 (UPI) — The American Civil Liberties Union says it will sue Illinois for refusing to issue a new birth certificate to a citizen who underwent a sex-change operation.

Attorneys announced the lawsuit in Chicago Tuesday, saying the state Department of Vital Records had routinely changed birth certificates for transgender people for more than 40 years before recently pulling the plug on the practice.

The ACLU called birth certificates a fundamental document people need to legally and accurately establish their identity.

Full story at United Press International, Inc.

Supreme Court: law bars sex harassment retaliation


Supreme Court: law bars sex harassment retaliation (Reuters).

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An employee is protected from being fired in retaliation for answering questions during an employer's investigation of suspected sexual harassment, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday.

The unanimous court ruled the federal civil rights law's anti-retaliation provision for employees who report workplace sex or race discrimination also extended to an internal investigation of a supervisor or another worker.

"Nothing in the statute requires a freakish rule protecting an employee who reports discrimination on her own initiative but not one who reports the same discrimination in the same words when her boss asks a question," Justice David Souter wrote in the
opinion.

Full Article at Democratic Underground

1/25/09

DEMAND the Dallas Voice stops using "TRANNY"



Thank you Nikki Dreams for this wonderfully sensitive and enlightening video. I hope everyone who watches this comes to appreciates how harmful it is to the self respect of transgender people when you call us "Trannie" and unless we are a entertainer with published articles which we identify ourselves individually as a "Drag Queen or Tranny" please do not call us by these names.

The Dallas Voice and it's Web Log which bill themselves as a "LGB Paper" have been a constant recipient of my emails and phone calls to both the Editor, Tammye Nash and News Editor, John Write, both of whom I consider an allies, protesting their use of these derogatory names. I have explained that we suffer from the use of TRANNY as Black people do being called "Nigger" by non Afro Americans or Hispanics hate "Wetback" or Jewish people rail against 'Kike".....this list of bigotry inspired names is used by haters........and how others will capitalize on their insensitivity resulting in the marginalization, Victimization and violent murders of Transgender people.

I have resisted the Dallas Voices invitation to post letters to the editor protesting this because I feel it would exploitative on the Dallas Voices part. My indignation would be used as a promotional commercialization aid for the sales of this very hateful language.

!Please save lives and Take Action! Copy the message below and Send the Dallas voice a email!

Phone: (214) 754-8710
Fax: (214) 969-7271

Robert Moore, Publisher
robertmoore@dallasvoice.com
Tele. Ext.112

Tammye Nash, Senior Editor
nash@dallasvoice.com
Tele. Ext.128

John Wright, News Editor
wright@dallasvoice.com
Tele. Ext.113

Ben Briscoe, Staff Writer
briscoe@dallasvoice.com
Tele. Ext.117
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Dallas Voice,
Our community is comprised of Queer, Transgender, Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Intersexed and Questioning people who deserve the same respect as your staff expects to be shown in there personal daily lives. You would scream bloody murder if I called you "Faggot" do not call our people "Tranny". We demand our own community stops leading the way for hate and violence targeting transgender people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Related Posts on planetransgender

"Angie Zapata's Life and Death : changed how we are treated"

"Boston Herald "TRANNIE" is what a 16 year old calls a gear shift. Not a HUMAN."

DEMAND the Dallas Voice stops using "TRANNY" also published at,

Pams House Blend
Queer Toda.com
Dallas Transgender Activists and Allies(DTAA)

DEMAND the Dallas Voice stops using "TRANNY", auto linked at

QueerCincinnati.com
Queers United

Dallas Voice and it's Weblog and outside publications referencing articles by the Dallas Voice containing the word "Tranny"

Dallas Voice's official Blog Instant Tea responds with post"Planetransgender takes action against the word ‘Tranny’" Visit Instant Tea and leave a comment!

Hot tranny Hawaii | Aloha art


2009’s first hot tranny: Katelyn Cusanelli
January 8th, 2009


Hand Puppet Land blog postings

Oregon Live "Dallas bar owner bans drag queens and trannies"

Weblog headlines Local Gay Hate Crime and uses Tranny in later article

SHE-DICK sings 'Galactic Tranny' ... Dallas Voice DVTV News. Candi Shell

2006-2009 outside.in stories about 'lgbt' in Cityplace

Pegasus News Dallas gay bar to ban drag queens on “Trashy Tuesday”

(Dallas Myspace)theres a pic of me in the dallas voice and ive got this stupid look on my ... OMG you tranny whore shouldnt you be kissing some red necks ass right now

Crews Inn rep says drag queens allowed in on certain conditions; performers vow to continue fight

Dallas Voice Joan Rivers shares the stage with the Turtle Creek Chorale, ... recently as “halfway through becoming a trannie,

The list goes on forever and I have to go to church now.

By Kelli Busey,
Transgender Woman
January 25, 2009
planetransgender

Human Rights First Thanks President Obama


From
Human Rights First

"If there was any doubt that a new day is dawning in America, it has been washed away by the events of [last week]."

"I am speaking about the three executive orders that President Obama signed yesterday. They represent a significant victory—a victory for which Human Rights First has fought relentlessly over the past seven years. And you have been there right alongside us the entire way."

"Standing next to the president as he signed these orders were 16 members of Human Rights First's coalition of retired military leaders. Over the past several years, Human Rights First has brought together more than 50 generals and admirals to speak out against disastrous policies of torture, ill treatment, and indefinite detention."

"Taken together, these executive orders end coercive interrogation practices by the CIA and other U.S. agencies, shut down secret detention facilities, and order the closure of Guantánamo within one year."

Please take moment now and send a thank you to President Obama for his action. Let him know that you will support him in making sure that America's leadership is fully restored.

Posted by Kelli Busey
January 25, 2009
planetransgender

1/24/09

Belovedness and The United Methodist Constitution: Does All Mean All?


Sometimes in my wandering I happen to come back to the United Methodist and am instantly thrust into the very passion of Christianity.

A blog post found on "Religion is a Queer Thing" by Rev. Tiffiany Steinwert, pictured right,

"Belovedness and The United Methodist Constitution: Does All Mean All?"

"There is a story that another UM pastor, Janet Wolf, tells about one of her parishioners. This story about Fayette has become gospel for me in understanding the fullness of the meaning of baptism in our Christian tradition. You see Fayette, although new to the Church understood the power of baptism deep her in soul."

"She came to Janet’s church one summer, pacing back and forth outside the open doors, listening intently to the music, the laughter, the words. Occasionally she would crouch down on the front steps engrossed, amazed and astounded at what she heard. Little by little that summer Fayette moved from the sidewalk to the steps, from the steps to the door and finally one day from the door to the pew."

Please read and share Religion is a Queer Thing.

TWO Calls On Officials To Investigate Ted Haggard's Former Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, Jan 24, 2009

Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org

Truth Wins Out Calls On Authorities To Investigate Ted Haggard's Former Church.

Hush Money Scandal Emerges From New Life's Closet, Says TWO

NEW YORK - Truth Wins Out (TWO) today called on Colorado officials to investigate New Life Church, after the Associated Press revealed that New Life paid money to keep a male volunteer from publicly disclosing a romantic affair with the church's former minister Ted Haggard.

According to the AP, New Life's current Senior Pastor, Brady Boyd, said that the church reached a legal settlement to pay the man for counseling and college tuition, with one condition being that none of the parties involved discuss the relationship publicly.

"Until conservative churches stop shaming gay people and learn to accept them, we will see more tawdry scandals," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "These calamities are a direct result of the closet."

Rev. Boyd denied that New Life paid hush money and said, "Our desire was to help him. Here was a young man who wanted to get on with his life. We considered it more compassionate assistance - certainly not hush money."

TWO called on Colorado officials to look into the matter.

"Authorities should investigate to ensure that this volunteer was not manipulated or coerced into silence," said Besen. "The leadership of New Life has little credibility and should not simply be taken at their word. At a minimum, Boyd should resign for using his position of power to pressure a vulnerable member of his congregation into silence."

In 2006, Denver escort Mike Jones disclosed that he and Haggard had a three-year relationship where money was exchanged for sex. Shortly after, Haggard stepped down from New Life. Next week, HBO will air a documentary on the rise and fall of Haggard. The disgraced minister will be promoting the show in media appearances throughout the week.

There is speculation that the HBO special spurred the volunteer to contact a Colorado Springs television station to discuss the situation.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that defends the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community against anti-gay lies. TWO also counters the so-called "ex-gay" industry and educates America about the lives of GLBT people.


HBO Showtimes "THE TRIALS OF TED HAGGARD"

1/23/09

Queer Liberaction kicks off "Milk Box" Dallas January 24


What is Queer Liberaction's "Milk box" you might be asking yourself. It is a way to celebrate our freedom of speech, but instead of getting up on a soapbox we will be getting up on a Milk box in honor of Harvey Milk. Our rights might be able to be taken from us, but they will never be able to steal our voice.

Help Queer Liberaction kick the Milk box off right this Sunday at 4:00 PM. We will meet at the corner of Throckmorton and Cedar Springs in front of the old Crossroads Bookstore to publicly speak our mind and educate Dallas's Queer Community as to exactly how we are being oppressed. Angry over the current state of things, or tickled pink? Come tell Dallas Gays and Lesbians about it or just come and listen and help hand out flyers. Anyone and everyone is welcome!

If you haven't already done so, be sure to put our upcoming events on your calendar. QL will stage a Queer kiss-in on Saturday, February 7 at noon. This will take place by the Dallas Museum of Art at Ross and Harwood in Downtown Dallas. Also, be sure to attend our big Freedom to Marry Day demonstration at 11:30 am on Thursday, February 12. The festivities will begin in Founder's Plaza outside the Records Building at 509 Main St.

Queer Liberaction is also in need of a few things to help make the Freedom to Marry Day demonstration a success. Please contact us if you're able to help us with any of the following.
* Limousine rental for a couple hours* Flowers, bouquets of flowers* Rice, flower petals to throw, bubbles* Poster board* Professionally printed banners * Donations

Queer Liberaction
lgbtliberaction@gmail.com
214-679-6321
www.myspace.com/queerliberaction

1/22/09

Texas Independence Lobby Day March 2nd


Equality for all Texans! Support House Bill 538

Make your voice heard on Texas Independence Day.

Date: 3/2/2009 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Central Time)

Hosted By: Equality Texas
Lindsay Marsh, Field Organizer
Lindsay@EqualityTexas.org
512-474-5475

RSVP by: February 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm (Central Time)

Don't miss this opportunity to share your concerns and your lives face-to-face with the Texas lawmakers elected to represent you.

Opening Welcome Reception on Sunday, March 1st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Doubletree Hotel Austin - University Area, located at 1617 North IH-35
Cash bar and free hors d'oeuvres

Lobby Day Schedule on Monday, March 2nd

8am – 9am Breakfast & Registration (TBA)
9am - 10am Group photo & Press conference (Capitol South Steps)
10am – 11am Lobby Training (Capitol Extension Auditorium E1.004)
11am – 12pm Team Lobby Visits (Assigned Capitol offices)
12pm – 1pm Lunch (provided); Capitol City Men's Chorus Performance (Capitol Rotunda)
1pm – 2pm Team Lobby Visits/Lobby Your Legislator (Assigned Capitol offices)
2pm – 3pm Thank you letters/debrief (Capitol Extension Auditorium E1.004)
Host Hotel

Doubletree Hotel Austin - University Area, located at 1617 North IH-35
Special room rate of $109, plus local taxes
Queen/Queen, or King. Free Wi-Fi
For reservations, call 512-479-4000; Specify "Equality Texas Discount Rate"

Make your voice heard on Texas Independence Day.

Equality Texas · PO Box 2340 Austin, TX 78768 · 512.474.5475 · 512.474.6297 fax

Related Posts

TEXAS to decide fate of Gender inclusive "ENDA" HB508

"Equality For All Texans Support HB 538"


kelli Busey
January 22, 2009
planetransgender

Dallas County Free's the Condom(Condoms for Everyone)


Much to the dismay of the religious right wing and "political conservatives" the failed abstinence only policy has been trashed and condoms are once again being distributed by city health.

Unable to ignore the increasing human suffrage the Dallas City council voted to change its policies to one that protects the most vulnerable.

Pegasus News reports
"The condom ban was enacted prior to the introduction of life-extending antiretroviral medications for people with HIV/AIDS, and one LGBT health advocate compared the policy at the time to “ethnic cleansing.”

"But the Republican commissioners who enacted the ban said the health department’s practice of distributing condoms and needle sterilization kits, which began in the mid-1980s, encouraged illegal and immoral behavior. It would be eight years after the condom ban before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Texas anti-sodomy law."

Also Found on

RH Reality Check
Reproductive Health Reality Check

Dallas Voice
Dallas AIDS data may end condom distribution ban

failed abstinence only policy


kelli Busey
January 22, 2009
planetransgender

TransTexas to TransOhio




TransOhio Blog on what it is like to be born transgender and living in the Transgender oasis of Columbus in the middle of Ohio.

"Ohio is one of only three states in the United States that does not allow the gender marker on an individuals birth certificate to be changed—a key document for obtaining other legal documents, such as a marriage license. Idaho and Tennessee are the other two."

The said truth is the same life destroying effect that Ohioans suffer from this states refusal to amend or reissue birth certificates are felt interstate and and even globally.
It had become a matter of extreme contention at my job over this discrepancy after Human Resources called after being notified by the Social Security Administration that the person they were filing SS tax on was male, not female.
I was born in Cleveland Ohio and have been unsuccessful at amending my birth certificate and will not be allowed by the SSA to change my gender marker until that time.
Last week my first line supervisor finished a humiliating phone call which I ended after he said, "well why don't you quit and we can rehire you as a man." (Its a grand gosip topic in the office now) Wow. What a twit.
Now the jackals have grasped this perceived weakness as an opportunity to threaten my pay on a daily basis, the buzz word is suspension. Daily.
The state of Texas issued a court order which the DMV could not deny that required them to change my name and gender marker on my CDL which I depend on to make a living.
If my employer decides to fire me for being a legal citizen I will take them to court and hopefully own their prize real estate abutting Walmart in Lowell Arkansas.
In the mean while. Yeah. Losing a job for a transgender person can be a death sentence.

Also found on
The Other Paper

By Kelli Busey
January 22, 2009
planetransgender

1/21/09

Task Force: Robinson's exclusion from HBO televised coverage 'profoundly disappointing and disturbing'



January 19, 2009


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

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responds to the exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from HBO's televised coverage of Sunday's "We Are One" inaugural event.

Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“Bishop Gene Robinson is an inspiration to millions worldwide because he lives out the ideals of courage, humility and truth-speaking. It is profoundly disappointing and disturbing that HBO viewers did not have the opportunity to watch Robinson, a genuine hero to so many in our community and others around the globe, give his powerful prayer at Sunday’s ‘We Are One’ inaugural event. Our nation becomes better and stronger when given the chance to hear from the diversity of its people. This did not happen with Bishop Robinson, and absolutely should have.”

–30–

The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We do this by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.

Prayers for Bobby Lifetime January 24th at 9pm ET


Don’t miss Lifetime’s new book-to-movie premiere of Leroy Aaron’s “Prayers for Bobby” January 24th at 9PM ET.
Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver stars in this emotional true story about a 1970s religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her young son Bobby being gay. What happens to Bobby is tragic and causes Mary to question her faith; ultimately this mom changes her views in ways that she never could have imagined.



Cast, crew, and interviews

Obama first Day : reconstituting American Justice


Justice will prevail.

Within hours of taking office, President Obama took the important first step to close Guantánamo: halting the unconstitutional military commissions by ordering the prosecution to seek a 120-day suspension.

It’s the first step in what we hope will be a series of bold measures to free America from the civil liberties outrages and human rights abuses of the Bush era.

The pundits and political experts told the ACLU we should “hold our horses” -- that it wouldn’t be right to expect swift action from Obama. You and half a million ACLU supporters didn’t listen to them -- and neither did our new President!

Let’s match President Obama’s first step forward with a powerful show of support and encouragement.

Sign the ACLU’s “Thanks for acting on Day One” message to President Obama.

Close Gitmo.com

1/19/09

Integrity Celebrates Bishop Gene Robinson’s Historic Presence In The Inaugural Celebrations

Monday, January 19, 2009
Integrity Celebrates Bishop Gene Robinson’s Historic Presence In The Inaugural Celebrations

January 19, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES--"There are miles to go before we rest in this journey toward being truly a nation of liberty and justice for ‘all,’” said Integrity President Susan Russell, “but when Bishop Gene Robinson took his place at the podium at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday we all moved closer toward realizing that goal. In addition to offering the invocation at Sunday’s Inaugural Concert, we are thrilled that Bishop Robinson will be among the invited guests at the prayer service on the Tuesday morning, will attend the swearing in ceremony, will view the Inaugural Parade from the Presidential viewing stand, and will attend the National Prayer Service at National Cathedral on Wednesday.

"Any disappointment that Bishop Robinson’s powerful opening prayer was not part of the HBO broadcast pales in comparison to the power of his iconic presence at the Lincoln Memorial on this historic occasion. Bishop Robinson’s invocation included prayers for patience, safety, and compassion, and to 'Bless us with anger--at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.' It will echo through the ages as words of hope, vision, and promise.

"We look forward to both the opportunities and challenges ahead as we enter a new era of partnership in our common commitment to overcome bias, bigotry and discrimination for all Americans."

Press Contact:
The Rev. Susan Russell, President
(626) 583-2741 office
(714) 356-5718 mobile
president@integrity usa.org
Posted by Integrity USA at 5:28 PM

Indonesia Transexual Fourm : Goverment Stop Harrasment, Beatings and Murders







Indonesia, a predominately Muslim country not know for it's progressive attitude towards transgender people is the site of the first ever conference aimed at ending discrimination in the island country.
According to a Jakarta Globe article,
"On Friday, the group is scheduled to meet with members of the House of Representatives’ Commissions III and IX in Jakarta to deliver a list of demands for equal access to public health care, social welfare and employment, as well as new policies to end discrimination against transgender citizens, said conference organizer Widodo Budi Darmo of Arus Pelangi , or Rainbow Stream, a national federation of the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual communities."

“Our main agenda is to empower transsexuals so that their existence is acknowledged,” Yulianus Rettoblaut, head of the Indonesian Transsexuals Communications Forum, or FKWI, said on Sunday, the opening day of the conference.

Yulianus, 47, who was nominated in 2007 to serve on the Indonesian Human Rights Commission representing the transgender community was denied that position due to a test administrated by the House of Representatives, possibly due to her sexual orientation.

Also found on
Transgender News

By Kelli Busey
Jan. 19, 2009
planetransgender