My Worst Nightmare Lunch with Coworkers and the "Maury Show - Man or Women?"

Imagine when approaching your break room for lunch to be greeted with shouts "oh no I won't do that, he's really guy' and a non stop cascade of laughter and jeers as coworkers compared factual features and body types of contestants as they tried to 'trick' the studio audience into believing they were born woman.
Maury Show - Man or Women?


To a cisgender man or woman this maybe great fun. To a transgender person who has just started working part time after being unemployed and homeless for 8 months, this is your worst nightmare.

To put this into context. Imagine that you are one of the many ethnic people who were in the break room and were compelled to remain quite as coworkers bet on a contest if your parents and family were "Real Americans" by determining if their backs were wet or dry. Winner remains, losers shipped to a 'resettlement' camp or homelessness.

Or maybe you were a informed intelligent person in the break room or perhaps a closeted homosexual. Either way you could not hold my gaze as I stood in front of the TV and explained why I was so insulted by this show.

Do the last two scenarios seem a little ridiculous? That is true. Human rights have been earned and laws enacted that require society to respect ethnicity. It is expected and required.

Closeted homosexuals are so scared to be 'outed' they are among the most homophobic, transphobic and shameful of all and remain indiscernible to most.

Transgender people do not have that respect yet. Unlike LGB people most of us do not have the option of invisablity. However, transgender people are striving towards workplace equity with ENDA. Unfortunately there will be Judases like these people on the Maury Show who would sell their humanity for money and a chance for momentary fame.

Until societies mores change I will be compelled to stand up for my dignity and human rights whether it is in a break room, a transphobic Church or a bigoted politician.

Today I am meeting with HR to explain my mysterious I behaviour in the Lunch room that day. I will answer why I shut the TV off after what may have seemed to some in the room as irrational behaviour.

Wish me luck.

Fred Karger founder of "Californians Against Hate" Subpoenaed!

Picture courtesy of Latter Day Chino The as yet unanswered notice to reveal the NOM funders as required by law.

Prop. 8 Supporters Subpoena Activist Who Revealed Contributors

Source dailyjournal.com

"SACRAMENTO In its continuing efforts to protect the identity of those who bankrolled the campaign to pass Proposition 8, lawyers for The National Organization for Marriage have issued a subpoena for one of the leaders behind the opposition, Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger, who led boycotts and created websites outing top contributors."
"The subpoena compels Karger to produce the group's financial records and all communications and documentation regarding affiliated websites and the dissemination of donor information. It also directs him to appear for a deposition on October 13th."
"This is harassment and they are trying to silence me," said Karger, who points out that he's not a party to the case. "I'm a citizen activist, and my organization is just me, funded entirely by myself versus the power of a group who has millions and millions of dollars behind it."

Source: Mike Tidmus Blog NOM subpoenas Fred Karger

"According to a press release sent a few minutes ago by Californians Against Hate, the group’s founder, Fred Karger, has been hit with a subpoena ordering him to produce the organization’s financial records and correspondence and to appear for a 13 October deposition. Clearly Karger’s complaints, filed in California and Maine, have the National Organization for Marriage’s collective knickers in a knot. This is, obviously, nothing more than a blatant attempt by NOM’s Maggie Gallagher to throw her considerable weight behind a shameless legal maneuver intended to suppress her opposition and conceal the sources of NOM’s substantial and mysterious funding."

Support the upcoming ENDA Congressional Hearing on 9/23/09

Join the "Hearing on Inclusive ENDA" Facebook group, and get info on how to contact the committee members in and near your state.

Go to the Facebook page for more information.

We are rapidly moving towards a vote. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their party.

Jillian T. Weiss
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA

Memnosyne Foundation

World peace!



What we do this moment directly affects people around the globe. It is our responsibility to make this a GOOD Thing! Please watch this video and pause to reflect. Did that coffee purchase mean? What does that extra tank of gas a week do? What can we do? Did 9/11 have to happen?

When in history can we recount acts of violence precluded violence?

http://www.memnosyne.org/

Courage Campaign: Urge your Congressmember to co-sponsor the Respect Marriage Act

From: The Courage Campaign

"The Defense of Marriage Act unfairly singles out legally married same-sex couples for inequitable treatment, denying those couples the protections and responsibilities cited over 1,100 times in federal statute that otherwise apply to married couples."

"Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the Respect Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA as an important first step towards full equality. Remind them that we won’t stop until we reach full equality for all Americans."

Click Here to speak out for Equality!

Ohio House of Representatives passed H 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act.

Anti-Discrimination Law Passes Ohio House of Representatives
History is made in Ohio

Today, with a vote of 56 to 39, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act. The historice vote marks the first time in Ohio that a vote on the floor of the Ohio General Assembly has occurred on legislation protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The bill now moves to the Senate.

This win would not have been possible without years of hard work and dedication to change from activists across Ohio . Congratulations and thank you to everyone who played such a vital role in making today a reality.

Please take a moment to find your legislator's name below and click on the link to either thank them or express your disappointment.

Voting YES were (Democrats) Stewart, Belcher, Bolon, Book, Boyd, Budish, Brown, Carney, Celeste, Chandler, DeBose, DeGeeter, Domenick, Dodd, Driehaus, Dyer, Foley, Garland, Garrison, Gerberry, Goyal, Hagan, Harris, Harwood, Heard, Koziura, Letson, Luckie, Lundy, Mallory, Moran, Murray, Newcomb, Okey, Otterman, Phillips, Pillich, Pryor, Sayre, Schneider, Skindell, Slesnick, Sykes, Szollosi, Ujvagi, Weddington, B. Williams, S. Williams, Winburn, Yates, Yuko. (Republicans) McGregor, Blair, Dolan, Hite, Lehner. Click here to thank them.

Voting NO were (Republicans) J. Adams, R. Adams, Amstutz, Bacon, Baker, Balderson, Batchelder, Blessing, Bubp, Burke, Combs, Coley, Daniels, Derickson, Evans, Gardner, Goodwin, Grossman, Hackett, Hall, Hottinger, Huffman, Jordan, Maag, Mandel, Martin, McClain, Mecklenborg, Morgan, Oelslager, Ruhl, Sears, Snitchler, Stautberg, Stebelton, Uecker, Wachtman, Wagner, and Zehringer. Click here to express your disappointment

Absent: Boose, Fende and Patten

Celebrate with us tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Union, 782 N. High St., Columbus
sign up for Equality Ohio Action Center.

Democratic National Committee appoints first transgender member

"Barbra Casbar-Siperstein is among the six LGBT nominees the DNC approved at a meeting in Austin, Texas. Others include Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, Victory Fund co-founder Terry Bean and Dallas County [Tex.] sheriff Lupe Valdez. Siperstein, who was also elected vice chair of the DNC’s Eastern Regional Caucus, reflected upon her appointment during an interview with EDGE last week."
Source: Boston Edge

Last Chance to speak up for Harvey Milk Day!

This bill would require the governor proclaim May 22 each year as Harvey Milk Day. It would encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date.
Capitol Office
(automated line)
916.445.2841
Fresno Office
559.477.1804
Los Angeles Office
213.897.0322
Riverside Office
951.680.6860
San Diego Office
619.525.4641
San Francisco Office
415.703.2218



Dustin Lance Black, Oscar-winning writer of the screenplay for Milk, testifies before the California Senate Education Committee on behalf of SB 572 | The Harvey Milk Day bill authored by Mark Leno and sponsored by Equality California. Add your name to the petition to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to sign this important legislation.
eqca.org/HarveyMilkDay

Eight Years Later: A Week of Media Action Against the War in Afghanistan!

ON EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN, PUBLIC STRONGLY OPPOSES THE WAR: COALITION OF ACTIVISTS CALL ON LEADERS FOR WITHDRAWAL
Thousands join CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE and Community Leaders Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans,Tom Hayden, Barbara Ehrenreich and Paul Haggis in Calling for Change
WASHINGTON D.C. - On the 8th Anniversary of the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Afghanistan, with public opinion opposing the war at an all time high, CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE, Brave New Films and a coalition of progressive and antiwar organizations call on leaders for an exit strategy and near-term withdrawal.
Catalyzing the shift in public opinion toward a change in policy, the coalition is speaking out across the country supported by thousands of members. A petition to Take Action Against the War is being circulated widely signed by hundreds of community leaders, including longtime leader and activist Tom Hayden, CODEPINK founders Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin, author Barbara Ehrenreich, filmmaker Paul Haggis and many more (view the petition at: http://bit.ly/rNDFS).
“The tide has turned on the war in Afghanistan, we need to raise our voices over the din of distraction, so that turning tide can bring our troops home and much needed peace and development to the people of Afghanistan” said CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans. “This week we aim to shake the ground below those who profit from and push for war and remind Congress a majority of the U.S. citizens want military engagement in Afghanistan to end, NOW.”
This week of action comes at a pivotal moment, as President Obama considers authorizing more troops for Afghanistan. Congressional leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Carl Levin are expressing opposition to increased troop levels and according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, 57 percent of Americans now oppose the war in Afghanistan. “Our military is overstretched, our wallets are empty and there are no military solutions to these conflicts," said CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin. "We can save money, save lives and honor the will of the American people by focusing on negotiated solutions and bringing our troops home.”
The coalition and petition call on leaders to oppose escalation of troops, adopt an exit strategy based on all-party talks, regional diplomacy, unconditional humanitarian aid, and timelines promising an American and NATO military withdrawal from Afghanistan The Petition to Take Action Against the War will be delivered to Congress Thursday, just one day before the September 18th anniversary of the AUMF - the bill that authorized the invasion of Afghanistan.
CODEPINK Founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans are available for interview. Contact Dana Balicki, 202.422.8624, dana@codepinkalert.org For more information go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4895.

Equality Utah: Municipal Primary Election Tomorrow. Get OUT and Vote!

Tomorrow is the Municipal Primary Election and we want to remind you to GET OUT and VOTE! We have released a list of candidates that are supportive of the Common Ground Initiative, and we hope that you will support these candidates in tomorrow’s Primary Election!
Recommended Candidates
If you do not know where to vote, please call our office at 801.355.3479, and we will help you find your polling location.

Trinity MCC Arlington Hosts Shawn Thomas OUT Gay Christian Music Star

Out gay Christian musical sensation to bless Trinity MCC Arlington TX with a live celebration of Christ's all inclusive love!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Trinity Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)
Street: 1846 W Division #305
City/Town: Arlington, TX
View google map


Come join in the celebration and reception following the event on September 19 at Trinity MCC at 7:00 pm!

Shawn Thomas on line
Trinity MCC My Space
Facebook Event page

New Sexual Reassignment Surgery Laws in Thailand

New laws forbidding sexual reassignment surgery prior to age 18 and requiring parental consent for those between age 18 and 20 years will go into affect November 18 according to Asia One News.

Thailand will also enforce a regulation that a person seeking SRS have undergone a year 'Real Life' experience where in a transgender individual lives in their proper gender and undergoes hormones replacement therapy.

It is unclear what affect the new regulations will have on transgender people from foreign countries when they seek SRS in Thailand.

Thailand however does not have laws allowing a person to legally change there documents to properly reflect there gender which creates incredible hardship for a person in transition. Currently a transgender person is forced to identify themselves as a "Lady Boy", which according to search records at planetransgender is the term that people use when searching for transgender articles involving people from Thailand and many South East Asian countries.

According to Yollada Suanyot, chairperson of the Transgender Women of
Thailand group, the new regulations lack guidelines as to whom would make the determination if the applicant has met the criteria. In her opinion this will create further hardships for transgender people.

On the web
transgendernews

From "A T Revival" : God Made Me the Way I Am and I Accept Myself

A T Revival: God Made Me the Way I Am and I Accept Myself

"So Caster Semenya is determined to be intersex though she's always considered herself a woman."

"God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself," she [Caster] said."

Source: Daliy Telegraph Caster Semenya has male sex organs and no womb or ovaries

I wanted to write about a athlete who's gender is being questioned, examined and evaluated and who's determination will effect the world in ways no other single could. But I hesitated. How could I approach this subject without contorting it, or worse yet, Jerry Springer sizing it?

It's actually simple. Thanks Lori D.

"God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself," she [Caster] said."

The Trevor Project - National Suicide Prevention Week points to a preventable epidemic

Cross posted from the Thalamus Center by Fr. Marty Kurylowicz

Thalamus Center - Early Childhood Psychological Development Growing Up Gay - M Kurylowicz: The Trevor Project - National Suicide Prevention Week points to a preventable epidemic - By Charles Robbins

A new study released in August by the UCLA School of Public Health found that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to seek help from mental health >professionals. This recently-revealed conclusion perfectly illustrates the already often-noted statistic determined by a Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey published in 2007: LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers – a fact we’re all too familiar with at The Trevor Project.

Sam's Pink Dress is Perfect

A Rock and a Hard Place
Sarah Hoffman's young son's preference for dresses, long hair and tiaras makes for some very difficult parenting choices.



Young Mother Sarah Hoffman's son Sam is living in the spectrum of gender diversity that does not fit neatly into our X and O world. Sarah and Sam are beginning the journey on the path less taken and we may view their life from the perspective of people who have been so blessed to be a traveling companion.

Please join with Sam and Sarah.......On parenting a boy who is different

Would Jesus Discriminate along I-30 in Texas? Why Would We?

Brother Curtis Smith, Pastor of the Trinity Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Arlington Texas speaks up for LGBT equality!



According to Pastor Smith the "Use of religion to discriminate is not Christlike". Curtis went on to say that "while nearly everyone recognizes John 3.16, equally important is the message of John 3.17 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

If you would like send a comment to Channel 11 news please Click Here .

I love to worship at Trinity MCC in Arlington Texas. I nearly always cry during the MCC communion when Pastor Curtis or one of the hundreds of MCC's world wide proclaim that this table is open to all to share. You do not need to be a member any church, you are not required to be baptised, all are welcome.

A place for everyone. No Exceptions.

Please, come join with us in worship at Trinity MCC Arlington Texas

Sunday Worship Services are at 11:00 am

1846 W. Division Street
Suite 305
Arlington, TX 76012
(817) 265-5454
Contact Us
-info@trinitymcc.org

Would Jesus Discriminate.org

Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO)

When Neda was murdered by goverment security the image of her lifeless body falling to the pavement created a world community of people who do not recognize any goverments perceived authority to enslave and partition LGBT people. Her death puts into context the desperate plight of free thinking people in Iran.
While I know nothing of the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization (PGLO}
also known as the Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO), I would ask what can we do to help and how can we do nothing at all?

By kelli Anne Busey
Transgender Woman

Maine Equality Under Attack. Please do the right thing.

The next big battle is here, and we need your help.



The same anti-equality forces that spent millions and spread lies to pass Proposition 8 in California have set their sights on Maine. The National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family and the PR firm behind Prop. 8 have gone East to overturn the marriage equality law that passed this spring.

Invest directly in this critical effort – give to the HRC Maine Marriage PAC.

There's a lot riding on the outcome of this vote – marriage equality for Maine and momentum for our fight nationwide.

HRC has been on the ground in Maine for months, working with local groups across the state and the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign. Will you help run this amazing new ad produced by the campaign and bolster our efforts?

Watch the ad and donate to help run it in key markets – 100% of your gift will go straight to the fight for equality in Maine.

We have less than 60 days until Mainers will vote on a Prop. 8-style initiative that would void the marriage equality law enacted this spring.

We've received word that right-wing groups have already spent $600,000 to blanket the state with anti-marriage ads. We can count on a campaign fueled by distortion and lies, just like we saw in California last year.

We need to fight back with the truth. And let me be clear: a victory in Maine is within our reach... But we need more support early in the game.

Were there lessons in California? Certainly. One key lesson was that not enough people invested early to defeat Prop. 8. We can't let that happen again.

Did you know that an early contribution is, literally, three times more valuable to a campaign than one given at the end? It's true.

Invest directly in this critical effort – give to the HRC Maine Marriage PAC.

You Tube channel ProtectMaineEquality

This isn't just about Maine. We can stop these anti-equality forces – and when we do, we'll help protect and defend marriage equality everywhere. Thank you for your help.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

Final Push to Pass ENDA September 8th NCTE Conference Call

Tonight, Tuesday, September 8, NCTE will be hosting a conference call to bring you up to date and let you know how you can help get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed.

This may be our last chance to impact this bill in 2009 and we need your help.

Congress is back in session and it's time for us to consider what we've accomplished this summer and look at the steps we need to take this month as we move closer and closer to a vote. The call tonight is completely free but you will need to register (this allows us to call on you for questions and tells us how many people are present).

Please take just a minute to register now.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, September 8

Time: 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT, 6 p.m.MT, 5 p.m. PT

Click here to register today

Registration is completely free

http://nctequality.org/enda.html