2/28/10

Do you recognize the suspects in pipe beating of SF transgender Woman?

Source examiner.comThe San Francisco Police Department released images and information Friday in an effort to identify two suspects in a Jan. 31, 2010 attack that authorities are describing as a hate-crime assault on a transgender female and a male friend.

Images of suspects released by the San Francisco Police Department

A press release by the SFPD reports that on Jan. 31, 2010, and about 2 a.m., a transgender female and her male companion went to eat at a restaurant on the 3000 block of 16th Street in San Francisco.

Two suspects started to harass the transgender female and one of the suspects took a swing at her. The male friend of the victim then defended her and the fight was broken up by the restaurant owner.

When the victims stepped outside the restaurant at about 2:35 a.m. and tried to hail a taxi cab, the suspects from the earlier fight ran up behind the victims and yelled "remember me now?!" and then started beating them both with a chrome pipe, causing both victims to lose consciousness. The suspects fled on foot westbound on 16th Street to Northbound on Guerrero Street.

Both victims were transported to the ER.

The SFPD is asking for the public's assistance in the investigation by identifying the suspects in the photos and contacting the police.

The first suspect is described by investigators as a Latino male, 5'6" tall at 150 lbs., black hair, tar marks on his lower teeth. He was last seen wearing a black button-up dress shirt and black pants.

The second suspect is also described by investigators as a Latino male, 5'6" tall at 150 lbs., black hair, last seen wearing a black coat, dress shirt, dark pants, black glasses with thick frames.

Anyone with knowledge about the identity of the suspects is asked to call the SFPD Hate Crimes Unit at 415-553-9163 or SFPD Operation Center (after hours) at 415-553-1071 or the anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or SFPD Text-A-Tip at 847411 type: SFPD + msg and reference SFPD case no. 100 100 990.

Texas LGBT Advocacy Organizations Call on DART to Amend It's Nondiscrimination Policy

For immediate Release

Contact
Latisha McDaniel
Equality March Texas (EMT)
Info: equalitymarchtexas@yahoo.com
Web Site


Kelli Busey
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (DTAA)
Web Site
972-693-1988
Info: kellibusey@yahoo.com

Co sponsors

Transgender Foundation Of America (TFA)
http://tgctr.org/tfa/

Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT)
http://www.tentex.org/

LULAC 4871 - The Dallas Rainbow Council
http://www.lulac4871.org/
LULAC4871@aol.com

Legacy of Success Foundation (LOSF)
http://www.losf.org/
losfjai@yahoo.com

Equality Texas
http://www.equalitytexas.org/

Texas Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender advocacy organizations call on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board members to amend DART's non-discrimination policy to include gender identity/expression.

Next DART Board Meeting: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Board Room
DART Headquarters
1401 Pacific Ave. (Akard Station)
Dallas, TX 75202
Map

• DART Customer Response Center
214-749-3333
Customer Service Feedback Form.

These organizations, being fully committed to equality and fairness, are commencing a email campaign and attending DART board meetings in their respective cities to express their desire that DART amend its non-discrimination policy to become more thoroughly reflective of the people and culture in the region that it serves.

Since 2002 the city of Dallas and as of 2009 Fort Worth have instituted nondiscrimination policies that include Gender expression/identity. Dallas, because of it's longer history being gender inclusive has enjoyed increased commerce because of its reputation as a LGBT welcoming city.

DART is the transportation provider of the future in the DFW. But DART is much more than that, it is also the wind which on its currents carry our diverse culture. We ask DART to be true to it's mission statement that calls for it to improve the lives of it's patrons and employees.

2/27/10

Did San Antionio COP Rape a transgender MAN or Woman Confusion abounds

Mainstream media maybe confused in the gender expression of the alleged victim of sexual assault by San Antonio police officer Craig Nash, adding insult to injury.

Initially Feb. 26 news accounts indicated the victim identified as male
"woaitv San Antonio -- "A San Antonio Police officer was arrested and is accused of sexually assaulting a transgender man."

Is the victims correct gender being used by the media?

In this Feb. 27 article mysanantonio.com questions what sexual reproductive organs the victim possess.
"While police identified the alleged victim as transgendered, a spokeswoman could not confirm if the complainant had undergone male-to-female sex reassignment."

This article leads me to beleive the transgender victim is a transwoman and has been maligned by articles that incorrectly identified her as male.

2/26/10

San Antonio Police Officer Arrested For Sexual Assault of Transgender Man

Up Dated Feb.27 Confusion abounds in reports of the gender identity of the alleged victim Did cop rape a Trans Man or Trans Woman?

**********
Feb.26 woaitv San Antonio -- "A San Antonio Police officer was arrested and is accused of sexually assaulting a transgender man.

The man claims officer Craig Nash [pictured left] picked him just south of Downtown early Thursday morning, handcuffed him, and told him to lay down in the back seat of a patrol car. He told investigators Nash then drove to a nearby location, un-handcuffed him, and sexually assaulted him.

The alleged victim said after the assault, Nash dropped him off at a nearby school. He then took a bus to a police station to report the assault. According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by News 4 WOAI, the alleged victim told officers Nash "wasn't going to get away with this"

Police arrested Nash after the alleged victim identified him in a photo line-up, and police linked his patrol car to the alleged scene using a GPS tracking system.

Nash has been charged with sexual assault and official oppression. He has been with the San Antonio Police Department for 6 and a half years."

2/25/10

DART Questioned over unethical treatment of Transgender employee

DART embroiled in controversy over it's involvement in the Ms T DART discrimination issue. At the center of the conversation is a request by the LGBT community that DART amend it's discrimination policy to include gender expression.

Read the latest on the Dallas Voice article DART asked to add trans protections

Call CW Network: Object to the word Tranny used as a insult

High Society Trailer - Real Look. Series Premiere Wednesday, March 10 uses the N word and tranny because they are "princess" and they can do what ever they want.



Please call the CW network and ask to speak to "Dawn Ostroff" and tell her you're offended with them using the derogatory slur "tranny" as an insult in the trailer for the upcoming show "High Society"

Good news! According to Queerty The CW network has pulled the offending trailer after receiving feedback from the GLBT community condemning the racist innuendos and transphobic slurs.

2/24/10

HUD invites Transgender community for input on housing discrimination Study

TLEDF extends invite to help Shape HUD's Study on LGBT Housing Discrimination

Please join us and a host of other organizations and elected officials at a first-of-its-kind town hall meeting with officials from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to discuss HUD's ground-breaking national study of housing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and families in the rental and sales markets. The purpose of the meeting this Friday, February 26th will be to discuss the nature of HUD's study and to receive comments from interested groups and individuals. It is essential that members of the transgender community attend to provide input into this important process. We hope to see you on Friday.

Date: Friday, February 26th, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, Room 301, Manhattan (map)

Please RSVP to Jasmin Varjavand at Jasmin.Varjavand@hud.gov if you plan to attend.

This event is hosted by HUD Assistant Secretary Raphael W. Bostic with the offices of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, along with Council Member Erik Martin-Dilan, Council Member Rosie Mendez, Council Member Danny Dromm, and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.Additional town hall meetings will be held in the near future in San Francisco and Chicago.

Weather-related information - Any weather-related contingencies or cancellations will be sent to you by email if you RSVP to the email address listed above. We will also post any updates on our web site and on our Twitter feed. In order to keep email traffic to a minimum, we will not be sending out any additional messages about the event. Thank you for your understanding.



Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts. Help Shape HUD's Study on LGBT Housing Discrimination

2/23/10

Deaf Trans Conference March 2010 Toronto Canada

The Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (ORAD) and The Trans Program at The 519 Church Street Community Centre are hosting the first-ever Deaf Trans Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from March 12 to 13, 2010.

This first of its kind conference aims to bring together the Deaf and Trans communities in North America and shed light on both communities. It will provide an opportunity for individuals and their allies in the Deaf and Trans communities to unite and share common experiences, regardless of language barriers, and to gain a greater understanding of both the Deaf and Trans experience.

Don’t miss panel discussions by medical professionals, workshops by Deaf and Trans individuals, and our special guest presenters: Drago Renteria, Jennifer Mantle, Austin & Eliza Greenwood.

The conference will be presented in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English with ASL-English interpretation.

Click here for confrence and Registration Information


http://www.the519.org/

2/22/10

ENDA March crucial Lobby Day | Fired or unemployed? | Scholarships available

Posted on Bilerico by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss The long-stalled Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is going to roll out shortly. Exactly when, and with what changes are uncertain. But it's coming, and Representative Frank has promised a vote by the end of March. If you value the need for job protections as I do, we must be prepared to lobby -- hard, fast and furious.

On Tuesday, March 16, there will be a lobby day specifically for ENDA in Washington, D.C.. LGBT people and allies from around the country who support ENDA will be there. I will be there. Will you?

It is particularly important to ENDA that people attend from the eight states in which Senators are on the fence. If you live in one of these states, you hold the fate of ENDA in your hands.

•Alaska
•Arkansas
•Florida
•Indiana
•North Carolina
•Ohio
•West Virginia

This is too important to be limited to only middle or upper class people who can afford a ticket. If you are from one of these eight states, and you are a currently-unemployed LGBT person who is unemployed because of job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, I would like to help you get there. Read on at Bilerico and how you can get to Washington DC

NCTE Lobby day registration.

EX gay con artist thankful for skills honed in 80's bond Swindling Scheme

Convicted felon Arthur Abba Goldberg [pictured left] grateful for con artist education that led him to successfully engage in his next con, the discredited Ex gay industry.

According to the South Florida Gay News after being exposed for his past and present predatory practices Goldman became defensive claiming he is being attacked unfairly as he is only the ex gay messenger.

Goldman's dangerous present day con serves as a illegitimate source of income for self serving people who have no true concern for the welfare of others. Unfortunately ex gay organizations also provide a platform for various pseudo religious and right wing organizations that need to legitimize their crusades against the human rights movement in America.

Goldman's ex gay message condemned by the American Psychiatric Association
"The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone reparative therapy relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction.

In December of 1998, the Board of Trustees issued a position statement that the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as "reparative" or conversion therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a patient should change his/her sexual homosexual orientation (Appendix 1). In doing so, the APA joined many other professional organizations that either oppose or are critical of "reparative" therapies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, The American Counseling Association, and the National Association of Social Workers (1)."

Ex-ex-gay

2/21/10

2/19/10

Dallas Area Transit (DART) Attorneys Pressure Judge to Reverse Transgender Women's Gender Marker Order

Dart Tyrannically crushes a transgender woman's life and steals her legal identity.

By Kelli Anne Busey/Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies

Found in the Dallas Voice "DART stands accused of bigotry and transphobia after attorneys for the local transit agency intervened in family court last year to challenge a gender-marker change granted to an employee."

"According to court records, a transgender DART employee obtained a court order in February 2009 directing all state agencies to correct their records by changing her gender-marker from male to female, including on her birth certificate."

"But DART’s attorneys objected to the gender-marker change and responded by filing a motion seeking a rehearing in court. DART’s objections prompted 301st Family District Court Judge Lynn Cherry to reverse her order granting the gender-marker change."


Is it legally permissible for a publicly funded service agency to employee it's attorneys to influence a family judge's decision in a private matter which results in that persons entire life ruined?

That is tyrannical. !Notice! The DFW LGBT community will not accept this.

This jeopardizes all transgender people in Texas.

Ironically the DART mission statement says one of the purposes that DART was formed was to "improve the quality of life'. That statement should be rewritten DART "will subjectively elect which citizen it will tyrannically oppress and reserves the right to use public funds to accomplish this goal.

DART Mission Statement
DART's mission statement defines the purpose for which the Agency was created:

The mission of Dallas Area Rapid Transit is to build, establish and operate a safe, efficient and effective transportation system that, within the DART Service Area, provides mobility, improves the quality of life, and stimulates economic development through the implementation of the DART Service Plan as adopted by the voters on August 13, 1983, and as amended from time to time.

2/18/10

Barney Franks optimistic on ENDA or prepping for Transgender Exclusion?

ENDA holdup: Transgender partial and full frontal nudity in bathrooms and shower rooms.

Barney Frank feels that ENDA is on track to be passed in the House in March but he is unsure about it's prospects, regardless of gender issues, in the Senate.

Regurgitation of HR2015?

Congressman Frank has reversed his lifetime stance on transgender participation. Might we have a unified political coalition that is essential in passage of ENDA? Or not.

February 5th Frank responded angrily and defensively on the Michelangelo Signorile Show when questioned about LGBT participation in the political proccess calling us whinny and lazy and that we have never lobbied congress and that now we are ultimately to blame for ENDA potentially failing.

Barney Frank since has dramatically abandoned his time proven scapegoat for the democratic party's political pandering and backsliding on ENDA telling the DC Agenda on Feb 17 that transgender lobbying efforts are now "supportive".

According to Frank everything is in place for ENDA to move out of the Education committee to a full house vote except that;
“There has always been a problem with the question of people who are
transgender in situations where people are totally or partially
unclothed.”

Are we a unified team, win or lose or is Barney "Lucy" Franks and his political backers setting up the ENDA football? Again?

2/17/10

Texas Instruments Hosts Enda Discussion

Texas Instruments will host a panel discussion on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The panel has been created to discuss the impact of ENDA on working Americans and the benefits of businesses supporting such legislation that would:

Support existing non-discrimination policies without adding a financial burden
Eliminate inconsistency across operations, business clients and suppliers
Reinforce corporate reputation

WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8am - 9:30am CST
WHERE: Texas Instruments South Campus
12500 TI Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75243
Map

TI Entrance/Gate 1, Parking in Lot I
Enter building through the South Lobby (South Lobby and Auditorium)
TIME: 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Continental breakfast will be provided
RSVP: It is important to RSVP for this event by February 19, 2010. Please send your RSVP to political@hrcdfw.org

We are honored to have the following individuals contribute as panelists:
Rebecca Solomon (Bank of America)
Ken Upton (LAMBDA Legal)
Tony Vedda (North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce)
Cece Cox, Associate Executive Director, Resource Center Dallas will facilitate the panel

2/16/10

Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

What does the United States and Somalia have in common?

They are the only governments worldwide refusing to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.




The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children. Only two nations in the world have yet to join the global community in ratifying this agreement: Somalia and the United States. Urge President Obama and Congress to ratify the convention without delay.

"We, the undersigned, support US ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We urge President Obama to submit the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to the US Senate for its advice and consent without delay. We further call on the US Senate to move swiftly to approve this convention.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children by defining their basic human rights. It is the most comprehensive, accepted international agreement on basic protections for children. 193 countries have committed to support it.

Only two countries have failed to ratify this UN convention - Somalia and the United States of America. US failure to ratify the convention is an embarrassment.

Americans cherish our children and are generous in aiding boys and girls in need around the world. Now, with the advent of the 20th anniversary of the Convention, it is time to act. 2 countries in the world have yet to ratify. Let’s cut that number in half.

Sign the petition now so that children no longer pay the price for the United States' delay.

http://www.alternet.org/

2/13/10

Brittany Novotny Representing Keith Kimmel Lawsuit to have a Oklahoma 'IM Gay' License Plate

Kimmel points out officials allowed tags such as STR8FAN and STR8SXI.

Transgender lawyer Brittany Novotny is also the political Challenger to Sally Kerns for state representative after Kern's homophobic tirade made her infamous among LGBT people everywhere.
Brittany has made it clear that she does not wish gender issues to cloud the race for 2010, but the topic now will be unavoidable in her pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Keith Kimmel,
405.886.5095,
http://tinyurl.com/otcplatecase

Oklahoma City, OK – An Oklahoma taxpayer has filed a civil lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court against the Oklahoma Tax Commission, continuing a battle for freedom of speech on vanity license plates. The suit seeks to have part of the Commission's rules regarding the issuance of personalized license plates declared unconstitutional.

Keith Kimmel, who filed the suit through his attorney, provided the following statement: "The Oklahoma Tax Commission is continuing to subject Oklahomans to a subjective decision making process in issuing personalized vanity license plates. Under our state Constitution, all Oklahomans enjoy the right to freedom of speech and an equal opportunity to express their viewpoints. Previous testimony in the administrative proceedings held on this matter have shown that the Commission is selectively granting and denying applications based on Commission employees’ own personal prejudices and viewpoints. The Constitution requires that state rules are viewpoint neutral, with an objective standard that puts the taxpayer on notice of what is legal and what is not. This suit is intended to put an end to the Tax Commission’s unconstitutional practice of subjecting taxpayers to the whim of individual employees."

The case is Keith Kimmel v. State of Oklahoma, ex rel, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oklahoma County Case No. CJ-2010-1072.

OCIS Case Summary Kimmel, Keith , Plaintiff
State of Oklahoma, ex rel., Oklahoma Tax Commission , Defendant


Facebook Keith Kimmel - Oklahoma 'IM Gay' License Plate Litigant

ENDA Whats the HoldUP? Bathrooms Again!?!

Bil Browning talks with Mara Keisling about the present state of ENDA.



I find Mara to be spot on about the reasons that ENDA have not been moved for a full committee vote.

However, the wordsmithing of Enda is only a glitch and easily amicably remedied. The real issue once again is bathrooms.

Religious and run of the mill right-wing zealot fearmongers fortelling the end of humanity if a transgender person is allowed into a bathroom and warning if the trans inclusive ordinance is passed it will open the door for predators to attack ciswoman and children while they are most vulnerable.

I can only speak from my experiences helping to pass city trans inclusive ordinances.

Tell congress to grow a pair. In city councils nationwide transgender inclusive ordinances are being proposed and passed by us and our allies as people realize that this isn't about pooing and peeing. It's about human rights

2/11/10

Garden State Equality invites You to Help DEMOLISH THE DiViDE!

Next week marks the three-year anniversary of one of the worst public policy failures of our time, New Jersey's civil union law. Many hospitals and employers still reject the law because it is not marriage. At the recent state Senate hearing and floor vote, even legislators who oppose marriage equality admitted the civil union law has failed.
New Jersey's civil union law took effect on February 22, 2007. Through waivers of the waiting period, the first couples got civil unioned on February 19, 2007.
DEMOLISH THE DIVIDE! To mark the three-year anniversary of the civil union law, join Garden State Equality at marriage equality rallies, marches and free dinners from Wednesday night, February 17, 2010 through Monday night, February 22, 2010. New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, a great champion of marriage equality, is our special speaker at the Thursday night, February 18 event in Montclair.
No tickets, no RSVP required. Just show up and please spread the word by emailing your friends and colleagues and by posting on list servs, blogs and Facebook. Questions? Press, contact Chair Steven Goldstein at Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (917) 449-8918. Members, contact Field Manager Troy Stevenson at Stevenson@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (405) 802-8229.
The schedule for DEMOLISH THE DIVIDE:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Collingswood. Meet at 7:00 pm for a rally at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike. We'll then do a candlelight march through Collingswood, ending at Cafe Antonio in downtown Collingswood for a free pizza dinner. This event is in the district of Senator Jim Beach, who abstained on the marriage equality bill.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Montclair. Meet at 7:00 pm for a rally at Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue, 99 South Fullerton Avenue, with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver. We'll then do a candlelight march through Montclair, ending at the Lower Lounge in downtown Montclair for a free pizza dinner.
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Asbury Park. Meet at 7:00 pm in front of Garden State Equality's Asbury Park office, 658 Cookman Avenue. From there we'll do a candlelight march through downtown Asbury Park, past the law office of Senator Sean Kean and then onto the Brickwall restaurant for a free dinner. This event is in the district of Senator Sean Kean, who voted no on the marriage equality bill.
Monday, February 22, 2010 at 6:00 pm, Trenton (note time). Meet at 6:00 pm in front of the Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market Street, where we'll hold a candlelight vigil on the plaza. From there we'll do a candlelight march through Trenton, ending the evening at Covello’s Pizza in downtown Trenton for a free pizza dinner. Note: This event is in the district of Senator Shirley Turner, who voted no on the marriage equality bill.