7/9/12

Stand Firm Call to Action in revulsion of Episcopal GC Transgender Canonical Changes

General Convention Updates [No Rest For the Wicked, Not Even On Sunday] Via Stand Firm

I received this article in a email call to action prefixed with the above title from Stand Firm the de facto media outlet for the followers of the virulently anti trans Fort Worth Bishop Ikers in response to the Episcopal Church's GC vote to become inclusive to transgender and all gender diverse.

Although Stand Firm states it is not a official mouthpiece for Bishop Iker's Dioceses of Fort Worth the publication is essential in disseminating information and call to action for Republican Episcopal Conservatives followers of the radically anti LGBT Iker.

Yes Iker, I was at your Church a few years ago and that was me who one of your goons deflected from the communion rail. Your article tries to give the impression gods love is the reason cradle Episcopalians like me are abandoning our beloved church. How can you live with knowing its you who is destroying gods good will and inviting the devil to manifest his presence physically?

Stand Firm Call to Action in revulsion of Episcopal GC Transgender Canonical Changes A couple paragraphs from the Stand Firm article that say it all....
[Commentary] What does this mean, practically? Parishes who are in search processes, and who are looking for a good priest, cannot “not consider” those who “differ from majority societal gender norms” simply because of that disorder. To name two examples: those men with perfectly good xy chromosomes but who imagine that they are really women, and then undergo surgery and take hormones in order to further foster their beliefs or who simply cross-dress or otherwise “differ from majority societal gender norms” cannot be “not considered” because of that disorder in gender identity. The words “gender identity and expression” are extraordinarily broad and vague—and they are meant to encompass a variety of “expressions.”
Stand Firm goes on to condemn us all for love and acceptance.....
It has been clear for some years now that the people leading us at the national level—90% of bishops, lay and clergy deputies to General Convention, and those serving on national commissions and committees—are not competent, healthy, or ordered in their theology or foundational worldview. It is one thing to love sinners [as we all are], and to love those with mental illness [as many of us have]. It is another thing to re-name pathologies as “good and healthy”, to enshrine those with such pathologies as leaders of a church, and to force others to pretend as if disordered affections or gender identities are functional and wholesome.

7/8/12

An Amazing Interview With Julie Bindel

META magazine's interview with Julie Bindel on July 7th, 2012.



Frankly I am surprised. Of course we differ greatly on some topics such as delaying puberty in adolescents. I also think she played the victim card then went and blew up a whole lot of good will with her description of trans people who called her on her transphobia in 2008 and again in 2011 when she was nominated for all things, the Stonewall Diversity Award...but as she said, those are years past.

Some will say she was simply on her best behaviour during the interview adapting to the changing social norms and I could see a cauldron of anger swirling just below the surface of this woman. But that being said, I would say I am in agreement with Bindle on a number of topics.

We need to take a pluralistic view, accept that others disagree and find common ground.

RadFems monolithic view of men bad, woman good is ridiculous but somehow, just somehow we need to make peace with Radfems. Lord knows I have tried and failed, maybe someone else would be successful.

The only ones who will benefit directly from the Trans Radfem conflict are those who hate us and make no differentiation between cisgender and transsexuals, and believe it or not, some from within our own community who find satisfaction in the fanning the flame of the current conflagration.

Like Julie said, we journalists have the potential to greatly influence social understandings, and the winners are the ones who rise to the top.

7/7/12

A Conversation With... Isis King and Janet Mock

Two of the most prolific transgender advocate roll models of our generation come together for a 10 minute conversation.



Published on Jun 30, 2012 by itlmedia

America's Next Top Model's first transgender contestant, Isis King, sits down with People.com staff editor and transgender advocate, Janet Mock, for a conversation about representations of transgender people in media.

I'd like to show some love too. Thank you Janet. Thank you Isis. We are blessed.

All Out.ORG: Ukraine Parliament Going on Vacation Before "Gay Propaganda" Vote Is Not A Victory

This is good, but it wasn't a victory, just serendipity.

I received a email from All Out.org thanking me for signing the petition and essentially claiming the lions share of the credit for the Anti LGBT Russian style "Gay Propaganda" bill not being made into law, for now anyways. Then they asked for money, over and over.
"Thank you. Law 8711, Ukraine's proposed gay-gag rule, has been shelved for now. Because of the efforts of All Out members around the world who signed, called, tweeted, shared and stood with local Ukrainian activists, a bill that would have silenced millions has been stalled and hopefully defeated."
All Out is right in that the petition did help immensely but the claim that it was the reason the bill was not enacted is disingenuous.

Even if Gay magazines publish the story with that spin on itover and over it doesn't make that any truer.

There is a struggle inside Ukraine over Russian people's immigration into the country and language which is threatening to tear it apart, again. The Parliament went on vacation instead of recognizing the speakers resignation in protest of a law recognizing Russian as an official language.

All Out.Org, do what's in the best interest of your members, don't be seduced by fund raising and self promotion.

All Out.org, don't deceive your members and become all HRC on us. Stay grass roots, Stay Real.







7/6/12

Police Release Sketch Of Texas Teen Murderer

Portland Police Department statement:

PRESS STATEMENT
July 4, 2012 5:30 PM

Portland police continue to investigate the murder of Mollie Judith Olgin and the aggravated assault of Mary Kristene Chapa.

The following sketch was developed with the assistance of an eyewitness to the attack. The single suspect is an Anglo male in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 140 lbs, skinny build with brown hair.



Persons who believe they may know the identity of this suspect are urged to call police
department at (361) 777-4444. Reports may be made anonymously.

Further statements will be made as conditions warrant.

7/4/12

PuSsY RiOt ON Hunger Strike ** FREE PUSSY RIOT **


Three alleged incarcerated members of the Feminist Punk Rock band "Pussy Riot" have gone on hunger strike according to the Moscow Times. They are protesting the 2 days their lawyers had to prepare a defense after being handed a 2,800-page indictment for a Punk Prayer held at a Russian Orthodox Church.

Putin and the Russian Orthodox wants this travesty of injustice ended as quickly as possible.

Нормальная реакция цивилизованных людей на творящийся в России беспредел. Faith No More показали, что они тоже неравнодушные ЛЮДИ.

The normal reaction of civilized people by in the face chaos in Russia. Faith No More have shown that they too are people who care.

In Moscow......


In Brooklyn New York.....


In London.....


On 25 November, an article attributed to Alexander Litvinenko was published by the Mail on Sunday Online entitled Why I believe Putin wanted me dead...

In his last statement while dieing from poison administered my Putin's assassins Alexander Litvinenko said about Putin:

"...this may be the time to say one or two things to the person responsible for my present condition. You may succeed in silencing me but that silence comes at a price. You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed. You have shown yourself to have no respect for life, liberty or any civilised value. You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilised men and women. You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life. May God forgive you for what you have done, not only to me but to beloved Russia and its people."

The howling continues.....

Watch Argentine President Cristina Fernandez Sign New Transgender ID Law



Source IB Times UK Youtube Channel To great cheer the Argentine President Cristina Fernandez signed the decree and then personally delivered the first new National Identity Cards to a handful of transsexual persons featuring their new pictures, names, and perhaps most importantly, the gender with which they identify. Speaking in Spanish, she said.

"I want to say something about all of you. Today you are going to have the same rights that I and millions of Argentines have had from the day we were born. This is the society that we want. A society of reparation for everything you've had to go through to reach this point."

Declaration of Transgender Independence

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Declaration of Transgender Independence

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to arise and demand the political and social rights other Citizens enjoy, a decent respect to the opinions of humanity requires that they should declare the causes that impel them such.

We hold these truths to be self-evident. Regardless of gender identity, expression and sexual orientation, all people are created Equal – that they have been endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these Rights, governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to that end, it is the Right of the People to use the electoral process to change such government and institute new representation that will secure these rights and positively affect their safety and happiness.

Prudence, indeed, would dictate that representatives long in office and that have served the people well should not be changed for light and transient causes. Indeed, experience has shown that people are willing to tolerate and suffer positions of their representatives as long as such evils are sufferable.

However, when such abuses and usurpations of Civil Liberties arise providing evidence to dehumanize any one group, it is the right and duty of the People to cast aside such representation in favor of new guardians that would secure the future and the liberties of all.

Such has been patient suffering of the Transgender Community, and such is now the necessity to replace those Oppressors with New Representation. The history of the Transgender Community is a history replete with injury and usurpation designed to dehumanize and eradicate a people within a society. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

* The Transgender Community has been trivialized and ridiculed before the General Populace.

* The Transgender Community has been casually abused, both physically and emotionally, often without punishment to the abuser.

* Psychological warfare against the Transgender Community has been committed to affect a disassociation between the Community and the General Populace.

* Censure of the Transgender Community for expressing the desire to be treated with the same respect as other Citizens.

* Allowing the Abuse of Freedom of Speech to inspire and incite violence and maltreatment against transgender people.

* Deprivation of liberty against the Transgender Community for expressing their nature.

* The committing of Murder against the Transgender Community with the purpose of eradicating an entire Community within the General Populace.

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. Any representative whose vote and actions have given concurrence with these oppressions is unfit to be a representative of a Free People. And, thus, must be removed from office using the electoral process to place New Representation in its stead.

We, therefore, the Transgender Community, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, declare that we are a Free People – Equal with all other citizens and subservient to none. We state now and for all time that we have the right to Fair Treatment under the Law; Retention of employment and housing; Medical Treatment as deemed necessary and prudent; to Love and marry those Whom We Choose and do all other Acts that a Free People may of right do.



And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, our Time and our Sacred Honor.


Signatures:


Shauna Marie O'Toole, Author
Pam Zastrocky
Zachary T. Shay
Barbara Bouwens Miller
Planetransgender
Diana Lynn
Maur DeLaney
Kristi Boyer
Dana Kay
Gen ID
Jennifer Chavez
Zythyra Y2gender
Bonnie J. Keller
Tg Lynns Place
Hannah Equality Miller
Janet L O'Brien

6/30/12

Massachusetts Toothless Transgender Law Goes Into Force Sunday

Fail. Caved. Gave up. All these terms come to mind when considering the Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights law that does not protect transgender peoples right to be in public places. Why would I condemn a law many see as a step forward? Because on the ground, unemployed or in the workplace, this law means squat.

Perception is 99% of social Conscript. The haters won. Sure they aren't celebrating openly, we are still alive after all.

Point to consider. Im September of last year I was hired to work in a warehouse in a small Texas town. Its a huge state of the art electronics distributor, a place you might assume to have enlightened people employed.

The second day I was there I learned of a rumor that I was seen using the men's room. The next thing I knew I was being questioned by HR as to whether hiring me had been a good idea. It's been a uphill battle since then with myself continually having to be on the defensive, essentially fighting for my life.

Employment revolves around public accommodations. Without a job having housing or credit protections doesn't mean mean jack shit.

No high falutin lawyer came to my defense even if they could have. But there are Lawyers who defend the Transgender Equal Rights In Massachusetts: Likely Broader Than You Think.

I am not a lawyer but the reality for Massachusetts transgender people in Public Accommodations is this. The public now knows for some reason unlike any minority before you, you were judged unworthy, unequal and untrusted enough not to be thought of as fully human. Not to be granted the same dignity.

I'd rather die than live a life so judged.

Advanced Screening Of "Hit & Miss" Chloë Sevigny's Dick Is Out

I now I have bashed this concept from the beginning only having seen the trailer, but now that I seen the first episode...I am fascinated in a dark sort of way. It doesn't just challenge social concepts it runs them over like a tank with guns blazing.

They didn't waste any time getting to the real money shot at 2:50 mark following the gratuitous killing seen (yawn) and a peek at her tits and ass (yawn). The real money maker is Chloë Sevigny getting ready for the shower as she turns to the camera with her dick hanging out.

My only question is this, what now? More murder? More gratuitous dick and tit scenes?

Just when you thought your sense of morality couldn't be more challenged..transsexuality more perverted...there's more..



The scene when Chloë Sevigny finds her "hormone" pills stolen she reacts in rage punching a hole threw a door. Just for the record cisgender people, speaking strictly for transgender woman, this is a awful presentation. Often many of us are can't afford our hormones but it would be completely out of character for us to react with violence.

Secondly, when we resume HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) there is a deep sense of becoming whole again but unlike how Hit & Miss portrays us we are NOT DRUG ADDICTS as that scene suggests.

Sevigny said wearing the fake penis made her cry every day..."Then looking in the mirror... it was weird. I was lonely and I felt really unattractive. I was confused about my desirability - was I desirable? - in having put that on, and having men see me with that on."

Sevigny hoped her part would raise awareness of what it means to be transgender, and she succeeded in part anyways. She became personally aware of what trans people feel when we see our reflection pre op. but I think the only one who would make this connection would be transgender people. To Joe and Josephine Cisgender it just justifies their unabashed staring at my crotch, regardless how uncomfortable I am about that.

Chloë you're money shot is your fake penis. Our existence depends on taking the focus off our crotch in into our hearts and souls. In that regard you have done us a major disservice

Great cinematography mixed with a real perversion of transsexuality and a appealing bulldozing of social conscripts. As much as I have booed this I have to say, its a ground breaker.

6/29/12

Police Didn't Protect The Istanbul Trans Pride. It was Cameras.


Watching Turkey's Trans Pride March videos since its beginning in 2010 there is one point that's undeniable. Each year the Turkey's Trans Pride March has progressively become less a celebration of gender diversity and more of a protest. 2010 it was a party....



The second year of the Turkey Trans Pride the drums became louder, more central and rhythmic, a noticeable shift from celebration to a political statement. Although it was still a party there was a noticeable shift to militarization.



Finally, this year on the Trans Pride, permitted march held as the final LGBT Pride event, had to take the square that was being occupied by another goverment sanctioned march, of all things a right wing group.

What was the chances this was just conquencidence? Highly unlikely.



I don't understand what the highly distraught young person was saying but I would guess this person recognize someone in the right wing crowd that had committed violence against one of us. And the police knew it too by the looks on their faces had no intention on investigating.

It's also clear that the Turkey "Riot Police" had no orders to protect the Trans Pride. They were all looking around at each other with a look like "what do they want us to do".

And the right wingers? They didn't move away from the police, they moved away from the cameras like any common thief of murderer will. The police and the fascists, those are the people that are responsible for or have knowledge of who is murdering us in Turkey.

6/28/12

100 Russian Cultural Icons Demand "Free Pussy Riot"


More than 100 prominent cultural figures have addressed a letter to the Supreme Court and Moscow City Court calling for the release of the three jailed Pussy Riot rockers.


Among the signatories were figures who openly supported President Vladimir Putin in the last election, including Chulpan Khamatova, a popular actress and co-founder of the Gift of Life charity, and actor and theater director Yevgeny Mironov.

A copy of the letter was published Wednesday in Moskovsky Komsomolets.

In all, the list of Pussy Riot supporters includes 103 musicians, actors, filmmakers, singers and other cultural figures.

"We do not believe that the actions of Pussy Riot constitute a criminal offense," the letter said. "The girls did not kill anyone, they did not rob, did not commit violence, did not destroy or steal anyone's property."

The letter asks for the women, two of whom are young mothers, to be freed from custody.

"We see no legal basis or practical reason for the further isolation of these young women, who do not pose any real danger from society," the letter said.

Ekho Moskvy has a list of the 103 signatories gathered so far, and they are looking to add names to the list.

Three members of the Pussy Riot punk group have been in detention since shortly after an impromptu February performance at the Christ the Savior Cathedral that incensed church and state officials. Their detention was extended last week until at least July 24 while they await trial. They face up to seven years in prison.



The above is cross posted in full from The Moscow Times


I posted the letter in Russian and the English translation provided by PussyRiot.org

Please sign Amnesty International Petition "Free Pussy Riot"

Интеллигенция призывает освободить Pussy Riot

Appeal of actors and artists of the Russian Federation



6/24/12

14 Year Old Transgender Asher Needs His Family, Thats You And Me.



Fourteen year old transgender Asher needs a change. He needs a nurturing accepting educational environment and believes that it awaits him at the Arthur Morgan School in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He needs us, his family now especially since he has no father in his life.

All I know about this school is what Asher tells us and I believe him, and I know how magical those mountains and people are from personal experience. When I was growing up I needed a different environment just as Asher does now and I found that by hiking the blue trail thru those mountains, summer and winter spring and fall, this city kid made the trip south. Sometimes I was accompanied and guided by the most fearless mountain people I have ever meet, sometimes alone I found the challenges I craved and the satisfaction of doing what no one thought I could, on the Blue Ridge.

Source: indiegogo.com Hi! I'm Asher, I'm fourteen, and I'm transgender. I'm raising money to get to this really awesome Quaker boarding school in North Carolina.

If you wanna learn more about me and my desires for education, then please keep reading...

Being fourteen isn't easy, not for anyone. Puberty, middle school, and all that crazy stuff. For trans kids like me, it's even more complicated. At two, I found this out about myself. This has never been easy at my other schools, but luckily, my mom has been very supportive and has learned a lot about trans issues over the years. I am so grateful for this. If I hadn't been raised around a bunch of queers, or if my mom was trans-phobic, I honestly don't know where I would be. I have felt very affirmed and accepted by a lot of adults in my life, and this has helped me so much.

The school I currently go to is not a great fit for me. I think they try to be good allies to me, but they don't know much about trans stuff, and I don't feel safe coming out as trans when most of the teachers and staff are not so prepared to support me. This makes it much harder for me to make good, trusting friendships with kids at school, so I wind up feeling pretty isolated, and this causes more stress and loneliness and frustration in my life. Its been a pretty depressing year so far.

As I've been looking for a way to create a better future for myself, I found this place called Arthur Morgan, a small boarding school in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I got to go visit a couple months ago and it was everything I hoped for and more! Surrounded by beautiful mountains and woods, we sang songs every morning, there were cows and chickens and sheep, the other kids were super mature and fun, the classes were very small, and INTERESTING! They served great homemade snacks between classes. For PE, we hiked in the woods and played fun, athletic games. It felt really good to me there, surrounded by mountains, forests, and lots of animals. I applied and they accepted me... YAY! Although the school has never had an out trans student before, they're very excited about welcoming me to the community. The staff is doing workshops to learn how to be good allies for me, and any other trans kids they get in the future. I really feel like this sort of outdoor education within a small community will bring out the best in me, and help me build a solid foundation for the rest of my life.

I'm seriously wanting to go to this seriously awesome school, and it's seriously expensive. Well, not so bad for a boarding school... but its still a whopping $25,000! I'm getting about a 7,000 dollars scholarship from the school, and my mom is pitching in at least five thousand. Now all that's left is ONLY thirteen thousand dollars! Not so bad, right? Well YES, I'm dreamin' big here, but why not? Which is why I'm needing LOTS of SUPPORT from LOTS of PEOPLE! AND, I'm offering some SWEET perks (check 'em out>>>)

Even if you can't afford to donate to my campaign, you can still help! You can SPREAD THE WORD by forwarding this to your friends, POSTING IT TO YOUR FB WALL, telling people you work with, announcing it at potlucks, and whatever else.


Any help you can offer me will make a huge difference in my life. These are important years, for me and the whole world. Going to middle school in a healthy environment surrounded by people who accept me for who I am will not only give me a better life next year, but will also influence who I become in the world. Thanks for reading this, and I totally appreciate whatever you feel inspired to contribute.

That's it folks!


Cecilia Chung, Tita Aida and Theresa Sparks performing the Vagina Monologues May 2012



Herbst Theater, San Francisco May 25 2012. Three trangender icons took the stage to perform the Vagina Monologues.



Cecilia Chung a longtime trans advocate is currently a Health Commissioner in San Francisco where she is the first trans woman appointed to the position by Mayor Ed Lee.

Tita Aida Aids/HIV activist.

Theresa Sparks Executive Director, San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

Enjoy.





6/23/12

Trans Pride March Turkey 2011 Video Wow

This one got past me but in case you missed it too...



A Social Justice and Art project of Gabrielle Le Roux, about Trans Activists in Turkey with the support of Amnesty International Turkey and the Consulate General of Netherlands.

The first ever Trans Pride March in Turkey was in 2010 in Istanbul. This short film documents the second Trans Pride and shows the passion and colour that the mobilization of Turkey's trans movement brought into the street. After this march, for the first time ever, the reporting on trans issues improved.
There is a frighteningly high, and growing, incidence of hate crimes and murders of transgender people, specially trans women, in Turkey, and a vibrant, motivated, politicized trans movement has emerged in response and is demanding to be heard.
These films comprise the video installation in the exhibition Proudly Trans in Turkey. The travelling exhibition, a cultural intervention for social justice, combines portraits drawn from life, first-person stories, interviews and video. It is a call to solidarity with the trans rights movement in Turkey. It is a co-creation between Turkish activists and South African artist and activist for social justice Gabrielle Le Roux.

This is an interactive initiative and we would love to know how and where these films are received. If you use them in your teaching/research/activism or advocacy work, please leave a comment or email proudlytransinturkey@gmail.com with feedback/questions

6/22/12

Official Chloe Sevigny Hit or Miss Trailer Just Released #FAIL



Dead shot in the back to a fleeing victim...



Ignominiously he falls to the ground humiliated in death.....



But he moved so the murderous heartless bitch pumps one more into him...



Do I need to say anything more? I think the trailer says it all. There is so much wrong with this portrayal of trans womanhood words fail me.

I'm sure we will see at least one person say she is 'fierce', oh wait, no we won't because the word 'tranny' does not appear anywhere.....

6/21/12

Why is Jillian Page Afraid To Say "Nigger" and Not "Tranny"



Why is Jillian Page Afraid to Say Nigger? Because its Stuff Black People Hate and she knows  its been judged inappropriate by the majority of the black population especially if it's usage is used in a apology to non blacks for saying it!

Its simple Page, that word is defamation and was naturally eliminated from everyday conversation as black people's struggle for rights progressed. They enabled themselves by setting that social construct.

Then why is Page unafraid to say tranny? Because conversely she believes that this like defamation is just fine for everyone to use, even cisgender people! She qualified that argument by saying she googled tranny and found that the majority of links were about transgender people.

What the fuck Page? You forgot to mention the first link was the Wikipedia definition of Tranny



Now I'll be objective...

A while back I did a survey albeit a brief one, called Who we Are. I did so because as advocate who was ardently opposed to the horrific movie "Ticked Off Trannys With Knives" I needed to know I was speaking for the majority of our community.



The survey clearly indicates the vast majority of our people object, as black people do, to defamatory words like "Tranny" being used outside of the respective community.

And Page, you didn't mention nearly everyone of the rest of the "Transgender" links were for pornography sites that prey on the most vulnerable of our society. Some not all, of these transgender people are allowing themselves to be used so to feed addictions. Paige also failed to mention that drugs play a major role in the majority of murders of our people. Black transgender woman of color murders.

Damn.

Page, one more thing. You remember the celebrities who used to to say "Nigger" in comedy acts? Most of them are dead now and like our slain trans sisters drugs nearly always played a role in there early demise.

Paige you can make fun of the transgender community for our empowering edit of the word...but....



.....I find it extremely disturbing that while you show respect for another minority you have no problem dehumanizing and demoralizing your own. Proof positive transphobia can emanate from anywhere, even from within the transgender community.

Page, its not just a few transgender activists who rightly object to the promotion of tranny, quite the opposite. Its by far the majority of our community.

You will have a few standing on your side of the fence Paige, manly populists and gay men enthusiastic about another stab at us, but you are alone and very, very wrong.

Laura Jane Grace Rocks Dallas With Transgender Dysphoria Blues



I saw Against Me! Laura Jane Grace, the punk rocker who recently announced her transsexuality at the Dallas House of Blues last night. They rocked that house down with this rendition of Transgender Dysphoria Blues. Sorry for the sound, I really wanted a good recording but guess I was a little too close to the stage (3 feet). I had the time of my life transfam. If you get a chance to see Against Me! do SO! They are touring with The Cult.



Get More: Music News


6/19/12

Transsexuals Danced "The Last Dance" Not "Men In Dresses"

The last Dance is indicative of systemic transgender exclusionary culture that prevailed in the 60's and sadly is still present today. I was asked to promote this video but after watching it I noticed no mention of transgender people was made, only saying that gay men danced with "men in dresses".

Update at the bottom of the post.



So I messaged back on the same thread I was contacted on asking if we could discuss my concerns. I would love to promote this as I did "Milk". I have not received a reply as of this posting.

Synopsis via Comfort & Joy:

The Last Dance Raid documentary recounts this pivotal night in American history when gay rights first gained a seat at the table of progressive politics. The story unfolds through eye-witness accounts. Long-time lesbian activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon share their memories of meetings with the SFPD. Herb Donaldson, San Francisco’s first openly gay judge, thought his legal career was over because he was arrested for obstructing a police officer in the line of duty. Jon Borset recounts losing his job when news of his arrest was published in the newspaper.

When the entire conflict was brought before a Federal Court, the judge quickly sided with the innocent party goers. The media latched on to this like never before and the gay rights movement turned a decisive corner, and it has never looked back. Why are the "men in dresses" misidentified, possibly misgendered? I am proud that our allies carried the majority of the struggle, organizing and inviting transgender people to dance with them and no, I was not there. But one thing has remained constant since humankind first rose to two legs and put on clothes. Transgender people exists, even at the Last Dance.

I am hoping these questions will be answered, the issues resolved and am look forward to promoting this movie.

***Update:

I was contacted by Jallen Rix who promoted the feature with that trailer to raise money. So here's the boring Facebook exchange....

I asked Jallen Rix on the original thread....

I have a issue with this presentation. Why are transgender people not mentioned and why is it"gay prides" ? Transgender people will see this as an attempt to usurp stonewall. Could we talk about this? I would love to do a story promoting this as a trans inclusive event which it was.

to which Jallan Rix replied 24 hours later after I did this post....

Hi Kelli,

Yes, I'm trying to get a thorough response to you from our associate producer, and transgender person, Susan Stryker. If you can be just a little more patience than 24 hours, you're going to find that transgendered people are represented in the movie - but we aren't able to represent a lot of things in the trailer. It's a 2 minute trailer for a 60min. movie.

Furthermore, what are you suggesting? That every LGBTQ event prior to Stonewall is somehow trying to invalidate Stonewall or gender variant persons?

Have a little faith and patience before you go writing articles about information you haven't received yet - we are on the same team and yet you jab at us as if we are the enemy. It doesn't make me want to respond to you and your attitude towards your fellow travelers on this journey is not what Stonewall was about.

Dr. Jallen Rix


Jallen Rix then posted a very similar message on my facebook profile to which I responded.....

"Jallen, all it would have taken was for this post to be totally positive was a 'got ya Kelli, we are working at doing that' and I would have waited 'patiently' for as long as it took to get clarification because I think this documentary has the potential of being on the level of "Milk". Its that good."

But unlike Milk it is about a movement and not about a single person, and that's were my concern lays. Once it is done, it is done.

I commented on my profile....

I am so glad you are going to get Susan Stryker involved! I did a post in 2009 when she was interviewed by Autumn Sandeen. I will update the planetransgender post now...was hoping to hear from your executive producer first but I know you folks are busy..

So that was the facebook conversation. I felt as if he was speaking from a patriartical stance and felt intimidated by this documentary maker to the point he was trying to discredit me. I felt he drew me into the conversation to start a conflagration. I guess I know now why so many left the original Facebook thread.

A little about my radical activism............

If a theater chain does not include SSM or partner benefits as Cinemark didn't, and a gay orgainization fund raises at it, as Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance (CCGLA) TRIED to do I will respond!! And if gay people feel like I am opposing them at that moment as CCGLA did, to bad. CineMark VP Bob Shimmin did upgrade the companys benifits to include partner benefits BEFORE Inlaws and Outlaw was shown. That was because of my radical advocacy. It wasn't appreciated by gays when I did it but later, they loved it.

And if a gay man promotes a video about a crucial moment in LGBT history and the only reference to our community is "Gay" and "Lesbian" and "men in dresses" I will first attempt to communicate my concerns.

If I do not get a response, I will post a article like this. After all I am a radical transgender advocate, as most are aware, and I believe the good Dr. knows now too.