Carta Aberta enviada para a Embaixada Russa Lisboa, Portugal: Free Pussy Riot

Open Letter sent to the Russian Embassy Lisbon, Portugal: Free Pussy Riot!

NÃO A LEIS HOMOFÓBICAS! NÃO Á HOMOFOBIA NA LEI!
LIBERDADE PARA PUSSY RIOT!*

versão castellano, Português e Inglês

_____________________
Carta Aberta/ Open Letter
enviada para a Embaixada Russa/sent to the Russian Embassy in Lisboa, Portugal/ Abril 2012/April 2012
Contra a Censura LGBT na Rússia e pela Libertação do colectivo punk-feminista Pussy Riot


As organizações e pessoas abaixo assinadas vêm deste modo protestar junto da Embaixada da Federação da Rússia em Portugal, Presidência da Federação da Rússia e da Duma contra a possível aprovação da lei Anti-Propaganda Homossexual e contra a detenção dos membros da banda punk feminista Pussy Riot.

Como ativistas LGBT, feministas e defensores dos direitos humanos estamos extremamente preocupados com a lei Anti-Propaganda Homossexual aprovada e em vigor nas cidades de São Petersburgo, Arkhangelsk e Kostroma.

Esta lei visa criminalizar a divulgação de mensagens que promovam os direitos LGBT punindo com multas quem as emitir ou propagar. Os promotores desta lei, para além de equipararem a homossexualidade à pedofilia defendem que a promoção desta constitui uma influência negativa para as crianças, podendo igualmente ofender a maioria da população russa.

No dia 29 de Março, uma versão similar da mesma lei deu entrada na Duma (parlamento da Federação Russa). A ser aprovada estender-se-á a toda a Rússia e colocará em risco não só os direitos de todas as pessoas LGBT mas também de todos os defensores dos direitos humanos. Apesar de esta lei não prever a pena de prisão, no dia 8 de Abril Sergey Kondrashov foi preso por segurar um cartaz que dizia "Uma querida amiga da família é lésbica. Minha esposa e eu a amamos e a respeitamos. E sua família é exatamente igual a nossa."

O Parlamento Europeu já emitiu, este ano, uma resolução condenando e exortando “todas as autoridades russas a porem termo às restrições à liberdade de expressão no que se refere à orientação sexual e à identidade de género, em conformidade com a Convenção Europeia dos Direitos Humanos e o Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos; solicita à Alta Representante/Vice-Presidente da Comissão que transmita a oposição da União Europeia a estas leis”.
Por isso, exigimos a imediata suspensão da lei Anti-Propaganda Homossexual e o efetivo cumprimento dos tratados internacionais por parte das autoridades russas.

Como defensores da liberdade de expressão exigimos igualmente a libertação de Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova e Ekaterina Samucevich membros da banda punk feminista Pussy Riot.

No dia 4 de Março, as autoridades russas detiveram Maria Alekhina e Nadezhda Tolokonnikova e, no dia 15, Ekaterina Samucevich por conduta desordeira e hooliganismo depois de terem cantado numa catedral um hino anti-Putin. Estas mulheres podem ser condenadas a 7 anos de prisão por isso, a Amnistia Internacional reconhece-lhes o estatuto de prisioneiras de consciência e pede a sua libertação imediata no entanto, as detenções mantêm-se estando o julgamento marcado para o dia 19 de Abril de 2012.

Consideramos inadmissível a violação dos direitos LGBT, a recusa em proteger as minorias sexuais e o ataque à liberdade de expressão que está a ser promovido pelas autoridades políticas e pela Igreja Ortodoxa russas.

Vimos assim demonstrar a nossa solidariedade com todas as organizações, grupos e pessoas afetados por esta lei homofóbica, exigir a libertação das Pussy Riot e condenar as politicas discriminatórias das autoridades russas que têm como objetivo atacar as minorias sexuais, impedir a liberdade de expressão e de exercício duma cidadania livre pondo em risco o regime democrático e a laicidade da Rússia.

APOIAMOS TODOS OS ACTIVISTAS E GRUPOS RUSSOS QUE LUTAM PELOS DIREITOS LGBT! EXIGIMOS A IMEDIATA LIBERTAÇÃO DAS PUSSY RIOT!
POR UMA RUSSIA LIVRE E DEMOCRÁTICA!


Subscrições Individuais:

Alexandra Silvestre Coimbra
Alexandra Tavares Teles
Alistair Grant
Ana António
Ana Botica
Ana Nicolau
Anabela Rocha
António Costa Santos
António Pedro da Silva Pereira
António Subtil
Artur Neves
Artur Queiroz
Bárbara Rocha
Bruno Portela
Carla Rafaela Macedo
Carlos António Caeiro Vargas
Carmo Pereira
Cláudia Belchior
Cláudia Figueiredo
Cristiana Pena
Cristina Andrade
Cristina Paixão
Daniel Cardoso
David Agudo
Eduarda Ferreira
Emmanuel Theumer
Eugeni Rodríguez
Fernanda Câncio
Fernanda Lérias
Fernando André Rosa
Fernando Gouveia
Fernando Sánchez-Avila Estébanez
Fernando Sousa
Filipe Couto Gomes
Francisco João Martins e Sá Barbosa
Gracia Trujillo
Helena Alves Velho
Inês Meneses
Isabel Justino
Isabela Preto Junqueira
Joana Bizarro
João Labrincha
Joana Lobo Antunes
Joana Lopes
Joana Manuel
João de Sousa
João Manso
João Pacheco Paulo
João Pedro Prates de Oliveira
João Pereira
João Santos
José Carlos Tavares
José Manuel Duarte Fernandes
José Martínez Escamilla
Josué González
Lia Nogueira
Luciana Moreira Silva
Luciano Balisa Cavaco
Luís Amorim
Lourdes Baginha
Magda Alves
Magdala Gusmão
Manuela Góis
Margarida Paredes
Margarida Salema
Maria Galamba Sá Pessoa
Maria João Pires
Maria Olímpia A. Pereira Gordon Pinto
Mariana Avelãs
Marília Guerreiro Santos
Mónica Barbosa
Mónica Redondo
Natalia Telega-Soares
Nuno Canha
Pablo Pérez Navarro
Paula Antunes
Paula Gil
Paulo Jorge Vieira
Paulo Martins
Pedro Pereira Neto
Raquel Freire
Rita Paulos
Rita Veloso
Rosa Maria Santos
Rosário Simões
Sara Barbosa
Sara Boavida
Sara Martinho
Sarah Saint-Maxent
Sérgio Lavos
Soraia Pereira Silva
Tiago Braga
Tiago Neves
Vânia Martins
Vera Tormenta Santana
Veronica Alcalde Fernandez


Associações e Colectivos:
AMPLOS – Associação de Mães e Pais pela Liberdade de Orientação Sexual
Asamblea Transmaricabollo de Sol (15M- Madrid)
Associação Clube Safo
Associação Comunidária
Associação ILGA Portugal
Caleidoscópio LGBT
Ciclobollos Dykes On Bikes (estado espanhol)
Coordenação Portuguesa da Marcha Mundial de Mulheres
GAT - Grupo Português de Activistas sobre Tratamentos de VIH/SIDA
Grupo Transsexual Portugal
não te prives – Grupo de Defesa dos Direitos Sexuais
Opus Gay
Panteras Rosa - Frente de Combate à LesBiGayTransfobia
PATH - Plataforma Anti-Transfobia e Homofobia
PortugalGay.pt
rede ex aequo
Rede Portuguesa para a Igualdade entre Mulheres e Homens
Secção de Defesa dos Direitos Humanos da Associação Académica de Coimbra
SlutWalk Lisboa
SOS Racismo
UMAR – União Mulheres Alternativa e Resposta


_________

(English)

The undersigned organizations and individuals present their protest to the Russian Federation Embassy in Portugal, the Presidency of the Russian Federation and the Duma against the possible adoption of the Anti-Gay Propaganda law and against the detention of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot.

As LGBT activists, feminists and human rights defenders we are extremely concerned with the Anti-Gay Propaganda law approved and in force in the cities of St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk and Kostroma. This law seeks to criminalize the dissemination of messages that defend LGBT rights, punishing with fines those who “promote or propagate” it. In addition to equate homosexuality with pedophilia, the promoters of the law are arguing that this gay propaganda can be a negative influence on children and may also offend the majority of Russians.

On March 29, a similar version of the Anti-Gay Propaganda law was proposed to the Duma (parliament of the Russian Federation). If approved, this law will be extended to all Russian territory endangering not only the rights of all LGBT people but all human rights’ activists. Although the law does not foresee detention for the ones who violate it, on April 8 Sergey Kondrashov was arrested for holding up a sign saying: "A dear family friend is a lesbian. My wife and I love and respect. And his family is exactly like ours. "

Therefore, we call for the immediate suspension of the Anti-Gay Propaganda law as well as the commitment to implement and respect international human rights treaties.

The European Parliament has already issued a resolution condemning the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg’s decision and calling “all Russian authorities to stop restricting freedom of expression in relation to sexual orientation or gender identity, in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative to convey the European Union’s opposition to these laws"[1].

As advocates of freedom of expression, we also demand the immediate release of Mary Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samucevich, members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot. On March 4, Russian authorities arrested and accused them of disorderly conduct and hooliganism after singing inside a cathedral an anti-Putin feminist punk anthem.

These women can be sentenced to seven years in prison. It is important to note that Amnesty International recognizes their status as prisoners of conscience and calls for their immediate release, but Pussy Riot members are still in jail waiting for the trial, scheduled to April 19, 2012.

We consider unacceptable the violation of LGBT rights, the refusal to protect sexual minorities and the attack on freedom of speech that is being promoted by the political authorities and the Russian Orthodox Church.

We are here to demonstrate our solidarity with all organizations, groups and individuals affected by this homophobic law, to demand the immediate release of Pussy Riot and condemn Russian authorities for their discriminatory policies that aim to attack sexual minorities, prevent freedom of speech and limit the exercise of full citizenship. endangering secularism and democracy in Russia.


WE SUPPORT ALL RUSSIAN ACTIVISTS AND GROUPS FIGHTING FOR LGBT RIGHTS!

WE DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF PUSSY RIOT!

WE FIGHT FOR A FREE DEMOCRATIC RUSSIA!

[1] European Parliament resolution on the upcoming presidential election in Russia, 2012.


Individual
Alexandra Silvestre Coimbra
Alexandra Tavares Teles
Alistair Grant
Ana António
Ana Botica
Ana Nicolau
Anabela Rocha
António Costa Santos
António Pedro da Silva Pereira
António Subtil
Artur Neves
Artur Queiroz
Bárbara Rocha
Bruno Portela
Carla Rafaela Macedo
Carlos António Caeiro Vargas
Carmo Pereira
Cláudia Belchior
Cláudia Figueiredo
Cristiana Pena
Cristina Andrade
Cristina Paixão
Daniel Cardoso
David Agudo
Eduarda Ferreira
Emmanuel Theumer
Eugeni Rodríguez
Fernanda Câncio
Fernanda Lérias
Fernando André Rosa
Fernando Gouveia
Fernando Sánchez-Avila Estébanez
Fernando Sousa
Filipe Couto Gomes
Francisco João Martins e Sá Barbosa
Helena Alves Velho
Inês Meneses
Isabel Justino
Isabela Preto Junqueira
Joana Bizarro
João Labrincha
Joana Lobo Antunes
Joana Lopes
Joana Manuel
João de Sousa
João Manso
João Pacheco Paulo
João Pedro Prates de Oliveira
João Pereira
João Santos
José Carlos Tavares
José Manuel Duarte Fernandes
José Martínez Escamilla
Josué González
Lia Nogueira
Luciana Moreira Silva
Luciano Balisa Cavaco
Luís Amorim
Lourdes Baginha
Magda Alves
Magdala Gusmão
Manuela Góis
Margarida Paredes
Margarida Salema
Maria Galamba Sá Pessoa
Maria João Pires
Maria Olímpia A. Pereira Gordon Pinto
Mariana Avelãs
Marília Guerreiro Santos
Mónica Barbosa
Mónica Redondo
Natalia Telega-Soares
Nuno Canha
Pablo Pérez Navarro
Paula Antunes
Paula Gil
Paulo Jorge Vieira
Paulo Martins
Pedro Pereira Neto
Raquel Freire
Rita Paulos
Rita Veloso
Rosa Maria Santos
Rosário Simões
Sara Barbosa
Sara Boavida
Sara Martinho
Sarah Saint-Maxent
Sérgio Lavos
Soraia Pereira Silva
Tiago Braga
Tiago Neves
Vânia Martins
Vera Tormenta Santana
Veronica Alcalde Fernandez


Associações e Colectivos:
AMPLOS – Associação de Mães e Pais pela Liberdade de Orientação Sexual
Asamblea Transmaricabollo de Sol (15M- Madrid)
Associação Clube Safo
Associação Comunidária
Associação ILGA Portugal
Caleidoscópio LGBT
Ciclobollos Dykes On Bikes (estado espanhol)
Coordenação Portuguesa da Marcha Mundial de Mulheres
GAT - Grupo Português de Activistas sobre Tratamentos de VIH/SIDA
Grupo Transsexual Portugal
não te prives – Grupo de Defesa dos Direitos Sexuais
Opus Gay
Panteras Rosa - Frente de Combate à LesBiGayTransfobia
PATH - Plataforma Anti-Transfobia e Homofobia
PortugalGay.pt
rede ex aequo
Rede Portuguesa para a Igualdade entre Mulheres e Homens
Secção de Defesa dos Direitos Humanos da Associação Académica de Coimbra
SlutWalk Lisboa
SOS Racismo
UMAR – União Mulheres Alternativa e Resposta

____________________
(versão castellano)

Las organizaciones e individualidades abajo firmantes deseamos protestar ante la Embajada de la Federación Rusa en Portugal, el presidente de la Federación Rusa y la Duma contra la posible aprobación de la ley Anti-Propaganda Homosexual y la detención de miembras de la banda punk feminista Pussy Riot.

Como activistas LGBT, feministas y defensorxs de los derechos humanos, estamos muy preocupadxs por la ley Anti-Propaganda Homosexual aprobada y en vigor en las ciudades de San Petersburgo, Arkhangelsk y Kostroma.

Esta ley tiene por objeto criminalizar la difusión de mensajes que promuevan los derechos LGBT, castigando con multas a quienes los emitan o difundan. Los promotores de esta ley, además de equiparar homosexualidad y pedofilia, defienden que la promoción de esta es una influencia negativa para lxs niñxs, pudiendo igualmente ofender a la mayoría de la población rusa.

El 29 de marzo, una versión similar de esta ley fue admitida en la Duma (el parlamento de la Federación Rusia). De ser aprobada e implantarse en el conjunto de Rusia pondría en peligro no sólo los derechos de todas las personas LGBT, sino también los de todxs lxs defensorxs de los derechos humanos. Aunque esta ley no prevé la pena de prisión, el 8 de abril, Sergey Kondrashov fue arrestado por portar una pancarta que decía: “Una querida amiga de la familia es lesbiana. Mi esposa y yo la amamos y respetamos. Su familia es exactamente igual a la nuestra”.

El Parlamento Europeo ha emitido este año una resolución condenando y exhortando a “todas las autoridades rusas a que pongan fin a las restricciones a la libertad de expresión en lo que se refiere a la orientación sexual e identidad de género de las personas, en conformidad con el Convenio Europeo de Derechos Humanos y el Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos; pide al Alto Representante/Vicepresidente de la Comisión que transmita la oposición de la Unión Europea a estas leyes. “

Por lo tanto exigimos la suspensión inmediata de la ley de Propaganda Anti-Homosexual y el efectivo cumplimiento de los tratados internacionales por parte de las autoridades rusas.

Como defensorxs de la libertad de expresión exigimos igualmente la liberación de María Alekhina, Tolokonnikova Nadezhda y Ekaterina Samucevich, miembras de la banda punk feminista Pussy Riot.

El 4 de marzo, las autoridades rusas detuvieron a María Alekhina y Nadezhda Tolokonnikova y, el día 15, a Ekaterina Samucevich, por conducta desordenada y hooliganismo después de cantar un himno anti-Putin en una catedral. Estas mujeres pueden ser condenadas a siete años de prisión, por lo que Amnistía Internacional les reconoce el estatuto de presas de conciencia y pide su inmediata liberación. Sin embargo, las detenciones se mantienen y siguen pendientes del juicio programado para el día 19 de abril de 2012*.

Consideramos inadmisible la violación de los derechos LGBT, la negativa a proteger a las minorías sexuales y el ataque a la libertad de expresión que están promoviendo las autoridades políticas y la Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa.

Queremos mostrar así nuestra solidaridad con todas las organizaciones, grupos e individualidades afectadas por esta ley homofóbica, exigir la liberación de las Pussy Riot y condenar las políticas discriminatorias de las autoridades rusas que tienen como objetivo atacar a las minorías sexuales e impedir la libertad de expresión y el ejercicio de una ciudadanía libre, poniendo en peligro el régimen democrático y la laicidad de Rusia.

APOYAMOS A TODXS LXS ACTIVISTAS Y GRUPOS RUSOS QUE LUCHAN POR LOS DERECHOS LGBT!

EXIGIMOS LA INMEDIATA LIBERACIÓN DE LAS PUSSY RIOT!

POR UNA RUSIA LIBRE Y DEMOCRÁTICA!

*La sentencia ha sido pospuesta hasta el 24 de junio. Mientras tanto, las tres Pussy Riot siguen presas.

Ending Transsexual Hospital Horror Stories: HHS Confirms We are Covered

I think pretty much every trans identified person can recount instances when we were made to feel uncomfortable, misgendered, and even denied emergency service because of our gender expression. And nearly everyone of us have reservations about returning to those intimidating institutions.

Under Obama-care this is no more according to HRC who reported this:

"In response to a letter from LGBT organizations, including HRC, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the non-discrimination provision in the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sex stereotyping.

This part of the law, referred to as Section 1557, extends the protections of existing federal civil rights laws – which prohibit discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, disability and age – to anyone served under any federally funded or administrated health program or activity, or any entity established under the Act. Individuals who feel they have been discriminated against in a healthcare program that may fall under this protection can file a complaint with HHS’s Office of Civil Rights here"

Kudo's to HRC for working WITH and and giving CREDIT to others who contributed to this project. I think it's a sign of the times.

VOTE Republican Kinsey Sicks for President:

I have changed party affiliations and vow to vote Republican! Vote Eerictile Dysfunction 2013, vote The Kinsey Sicks for President!



Just one more!!



Have some fun:)

Will Madonna's St. Petersburg Concert Be the Mother of all Pussy Riots?

The world holds it's breath for Madonna's August 9th St. Petersburg Russia concert. Will the material girl be good to her facebook pledge and speak against the newly enacted draconian law criminalizing "the propaganda of male homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism among minors" despite being threatened with legal action and possible arrest? Its my belief she will and it's my prayer that she does so while wearing a balaclava, the trade mark of the feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot who's current trial for freedom of speech has been called Worst Than Stalin Era Trials.

The law author — Vladimir Putin’s United Russia deputy Vitaly Milonov "said Madonna and her concert organisers are most likely to face fines and that he “will have to attend her concert to monitor the concert’s moral content”. Previously Milonov mentioned he had planned forbid rammstein concerts in Saint-Petersburg."

"Together with his colleagues Vitaly Milonov is planning to introduce a bill to the Russian State Duma banning “homosexual propaganda” across Russia. “United Russia” has a majority in State Duma, and rights activists fear that such federal law could pass."

So what has Putin to fear? Obviously he's afraid of something. I think it's freedom of expression. Freedom of speech but as some one said "You can't jail an idea".
If Madonna does speak out as I believe she will, it's my hope when she does speak out against the repressive goverment in Russia that her fans are also wearing balaclavas.

Madonna hasn't shied away from controversy in the past. I hope its a all out Madonna style Pussy Riot!

Picture of Madonna in balaclava credit: sparla.

Madonna Facebook Screen snip from Madonna Facebook

Việt Nam đầu tiên LGBT Pride : Vietnam's 1st Pride Happening Now!

Vietnam a country so foreign is not so different as it turns out. August 3rd,4th, and 5th 2012 mark the inaugural Viet LGBT pride. What so struck me when reading the Viet Pride 2012 homepage was that it featured a video of Barack Obama's Pride Month opening remarks, the first time to my knowledge any United States President declared in a speech, transgender deserve to be treated equally.



I think our countries have a lot more in common than the war we waged on them. We are one people united in LGBT.

Worst Than Stalin Era Trials Say Pussy Riot Defence Lawyer

Хуже, чем испытания сталинских Скажите киска Riot Адвокат. Lo peor que los ensayos era de Stalin Di Riot coño abogado defensor. Pire que les essais ère stalinienne Dites Riot Pussy avocat de la défense.

ANTI-FLAG: PUNK-PRAYER "Virgin Mary, redeem us of Putin" (Pussy Riot Cover) by antiflag. Lyric's and statement at the bottom of this post.



Source: Rolling Stone "After five days' sitting in the cage, some days for 10 hours at a time, the women appear exhausted. Violetta Volkova, one of their lawyers, said they were being tortured – denied food and adequate sleep. After a week of being dismissed and lectured by the judge, she could no longer hide her anger. On Friday, as the judge, Marina Syrova, denied yet another defence objection, Volkova began to shout."

Syrova, her glasses forever perched perfectly in the middle of her nose, answered tartly: "You're losing the frames of dignity."

"Those frames long haven't existed here," Volkova replied, seething.

According to Pussy Riot's lawyers, Russia has revived the Soviet-era tradition of the show trial with its case against the group. "Even in Soviet times, in Stalin's times, the courts were more honest than this one," lawyer Nikolai Polozov shouted in court. Outside, during a rare break, he explained: "This is one of the most shameful trials in modern Russia. In Soviet times, at least they followed some sort of procedure."

I a unprecedented act of courage one of the Pussy Riot members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova smuggled out of prison this interview sent to her by hecksinductionhour, published on Wordpress by www.colta.ru

What have you learned about himself, about society, about the state at the time of your arrest? How have you changed?

- "The state and society behave like a textbook on the left of the theory: the state punishes and represses, the company is struggling and changing. Behind bars you see, the theory comes to life. One can only wish to be, to develop and to give and share. I want to prison ecstasies, inspirations, revelations about freedom, and lack of freedom that follows from this after all a person needs to develop. I would like greedy to think, feel - because in the absence of external develops a mad interior life."

Lyrics to Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away" by PUSSY RIOT
Lyrics via FreePussyRiot.org

(choir)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

(end chorus)

...
Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners crawl to bow
The phantom of liberty is in heaven
Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains

The head of the KGB, their chief saint,
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend His Holiness
Women must give birth and love

Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!
Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!

(Chorus)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist

(end chorus)

The Church’s praise of rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
A teacher-preacher will meet you at school
Go to class - bring him money!

Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, better believe in God instead
The belt of the Virgin can’t replace mass-meetings
Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!

(Chorus)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

(end chorus)

Statement: ANTI-FLAG RELEASE SONG IN SUPPORT OF RUSSIAN ACTIVIST BAND PUSSY RIOT

"Dear Friends and Family,

Punk rock is much more than a t-shirt, a sound, a record, or a band, and it knows no borders or nationality. Punk rock is a community and a family that spans around the globe. By now you may have heard that three members of our community, three young women who are members of the band Pussy Riot, are being detained by the Russian authorities for performing their protest song ‘Virgin Mary, redeem us of Putin’ in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral on 21 February 2012. The three have been charged with "hooliganism" under Article 213 of the Russian Criminal Code. If found guilty, they could be jailed for up to seven years."

"Pussy Riot embody the spirit of punk rock which speaks truth to power that inspired the members of Anti-Flag to start our band and dedicate ourselves to the punk rock community and the planet. The Russian authority’s actions against Pussy Riot are clearly an attack on freedom of thought, opinion and artistic expression which must be protected for any society to be free. Anti-Flag calls for the immediate release of Pussy Riot and all prisoners of conscience. Whether it be trumped up charges levied by police against Occupy protestors, or the trumped up charges levied by the Russian authorities against the members of Pussy Riot, there is no difference in the police-state tactics that those in power will stoop to in order to oppress those who are willing fight for equality and justice for all, not just the wealthy few."

Boston Edge Calls MTPC " I Am: Trans People Speak" "Crazy Trannies"

The first article I read about the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition's project "I Am: Trans people speak" was from the Boston Edge article: "Crazy Trannies Invade Ladies Room! MTPC Dispels Common Myths".

The Boston Edge's title not only places transgender people past the outer limits of social acceptability, it uses a hateful word to accomplish that, but it doesn't suprise me a bit. The Boston Edge belongs to same Gay.com network that rebroadcast the Dallas Voice's vicious Campaign against me to normalize the word defamatory word "tranny".

So of course the Boston Edge jumped on the opportunity to use that defamation, one more time.
The lone comment as of this publishing was from anonymous who wrote

"The use of the word "trannies" in your title for this article without quotation marks was uncalled for and is exactly the type of misprint that is all to common in this clearly cissexist publication that makes too many grammatical errors when it comes to the Trans Community and our identities."

MTPC doesn't have anyone to blame for inviting that title or the perception from the greater population we are a threat in restrooms. The MTPC championed the states bill sans public accommodation provisions, and now they have the nearly insurmountable job of proving to Massachusetts people Trans people are normal enough they should be allowed the dignity the rest of the states population takes for granted.

When obviously before they were not.

But I'm not here to beat the MPTC up for trying, after all they are family, misled family, but family after all so here's the video...

Honey Badgering At Our Texas Towns Chic-Fil-A

What better place to get waste deep into the gay anti chicken frier grease than in my little redneek Texas town of Mansfield.

Chick-Fil-A is so ingrained in society here it's Manfields place of worship Monday to Saturday and the Methodists church across the street overflow parking lot where they run the church shuttle on Sunday.

So what better place for a radical transgender activist to make a statement on the gay kiss in day? What better place than this Chic-Fil-A where everyone knows about the bully.

So I walked into the Chick-fil-a I couldn't help but notice the look of suprise on one of our burly town police as he recognized me. See, I just quit a job at the walmart directly behind this Chick-Fil-A. I have served that officer quite a few times as well as everyone inside at the moment.

As I approached the counter the young lady looked me square in the eye and said sweetly "can I help you ma'am"? I replied "Yes, is your manager here?" and she turned around and motioned this tall young man over. So now I have the attention of all three people at the counter, but strangely the policeman seemed disinterested, so I ask the manager, Brandon, (thanks Anna) "Have you seen the video?"

Brandon looked perplexed and asked "What video ma'am?" I replied the video shot at the drive up window at a Chick-Fil-A.

Unable to avoid the topic he said "Yes Ma'am , we all watched it this morning". I saw that look, the one of detachment start to come over his face. As a former customer service representative we used to call what he was getting ready for "a acting job". He was getting ready to play his part.

I said "Yes that video, the one with that obnoxious guy. The one with that rude obnoxious bully". A look of relief crossed this young mans face as he began to smile and I continued "I just want you to know, we are not all like that. Most of us, in fact, respect others opinions and would never bully anyone." I asked him to shake hands as that nice cashier took our picture.

After that she asked, if I would like something to eat. I said yes, you know, I am in the mood for a salad. so ordering one I took out my wallet to get my debit card and realized that I had left it at home this morning after buying some kitty food. It was my turn to look her directly in the eye and apologised telling her it was a honest mistake.

She offered to buy my salad for me.

Now anyone who knows me I would never give money to a company who's president or board contributes to anti LGBT efforts. But I was so disgusted that the Huffington Gay would run a article lording that vile bully's actions, but even that wasn't the reason. It was a comment from a friend on my facebook wall that motivated me.

To many LGBT people bullying is just fine if we feel its just and we are the aggressors. My friend was very concerned that my views were divisive and could split our community apart. So concerned it seemed almost like a warning, I should just go with the flow and not cause a uproar.

That's when the honey badger in me leaps out. I will NOT be silent in approval of the very behaviour that contributes to our youth AND adult suicides. I will not be silent no matter how righteous the offended feel.

I do not approve of Chick-fill-a proceeds funding anti LGBT activities and normally I would never have even considered going inside that store but.... I will fight with every breath in my body for the right of every Aerican to freely, without fear express their opinion.

But that's not all of it as if it wasn't? Gay people have begun targeting the physically challenged as well!

Yes obesity is epidemic and without a doubt fast food is a contributor but this is fucked up. Gay people, please. Think, you know how it feels to be bullied. Transgender people think! You know how our physical incongruous is like flypaper to haters? Does it make you feel any better knowing we, our wonderful LGBT people are now known as bullies?

HuffPost Feature Video: Gay Ally Bully's Min Wage Worker At Chick-Fil-A

Huffpost gay Featured this articlevideo as if it was a win of some kind. Gay's, this kinda bullshit isn't going to win hearts. This bullshit isn't making any point other that a rich guy (in comparison) can act like a asswipe to a min wage service worker.

She didn't make that company policy. She's probably starving. She's probably just hanging on to her apartment!



What a asshole. Common, HuffPost. Really? You think anything was proven by him asking her " how do you live with yourself"? That's why I stopped supporting this boycott. I have never eaten at out towns Chic-Fill-A, but I did go in there to use there wi-fi once and was given a whole lots of dirty looks and wouldn't have gone back in there in any case.

So you disagree with a private citizen and want to express your anger about it MR BIG in the CAR? BE A MAN, and go talk face to face with the owner and leave that poor girl alone. Sheesh!

Roman Catholic Immoral Manipulators Try To Silence Latino Ally

A $40,000 Catholic grant was returned after a representative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops visited the community group soon after their leader, Gladys Vega, spoke out for a local Transgender beating victim. The absence of these funds leaves our allies, The Chelsea Collaborative Latino Immigrant Committee, which advocates for immigrant workers, in dire straights.

According to the Boston Globe The community group was shaken after a representive of the American Catholic Bishops visited their group. Following the visit the group tried to clarify what exactly the Roman Catholic campaigns expectations were in exchange for the grant.


"Ultimately, Vega said, the Catholic Campaign did not answer the questions to the collaborative’s satisfaction. At one point, she said, the Catholic Campaign suggested that specific questions about thorny issues — for example, about whether it would be acceptable to hold a rally in support of the victimized transgender woman — could be posed to local church authorities first."

"The group’s work is about community empowerment, Vega said, and the Catholic Campaign “is telling us that in order for us to do a campaign against the assault of a transgender woman we need to check with the archdiocese or consult a local priest. That didn’t sit well.”

My heroines and heroes...



"Vega said she is now scrambling to find other sources of income because few organizations underwrite the kind of work the Latino Immigrant Committee does. Recently, for example, the committee has been fighting for workers at a local bakery paid below the minimum wage. The grant represents 82 percent of the committee’s funding and helps pay for a staff member to assist the committee’s community activists, Vega said. The Chelsea Collaborative’s annual budget is $1.4 million, she said."

Our Lady J Music Video "We Stand"

Huffpost interviews Lady J:

(HP)Where did "We Stand" come from?

"We Stand" is about the power of two, how 1 + 1 = 3. I wrote it while riding a bus down Hollywood Boulevard! [Laughs] I hadn't gotten my driver's license yet, and it was too late at night to be riding my bike. (I now have my license, like a proper California girl.)

(HP)Many gay and/or trans artists say that their sexual or gender identities have little to do with their art, but in your case, trans themes seem to be prevalent. Do you think this is a fair reading, and if so, why do you include these themes?

When artists say that identity politics have "little to do with our art," it's really just a nice way of saying "let's not scare away the mortals" -- a valid point when an artist's survival could be threatened by the majority's limited exposure to the minority. The reality is that our sexual and gender identities do influence what we create, because everything in our lives influences our artistic output (unless we're completely splintered sociopaths). I publicly admit that my experience as a transgender person influences my music, purely for the fact that there are so few trans role models out there for the younger generation. I was starving for these role models when I was a kid, and the lack of positive media exposure for the queer community nearly prevented me from getting to where I am today. But to say that my music is only trans themed isn't accurate. Everyone can relate to the search for our true identities, which is what I'm really singing about.

Read the rest of the article on Huffington Post

Uncensored "Bunchh" The Androgynous Drawing Facebook Banned

There been much said around the web about this drawing by artist Wendy Pini creator of ElfQuest®. Many fans believe "Bunchh" is Androgynous or possibly transitioning male to female and think the censoring by facebook is unfair and uncalled for.

But every article I could find that show Bunchh like the one on lezgetreal had Bunchh's breasts and crotch area obscured. What the heck! Articles about censorship that censor?! So of course I had to find the real deal and post bunchh up in all her/his androgynous grandeur!

ElfQuest® posted this comment by fan Sonny Strait on their facebook wall...
"Wow! My mentor Wendy Pini got censored on Facebook for her picture of Bunchh. The interesting thing to me is I always considered Bunchh a male "in transition" but Wendy left even that to speculation. Bunchh was about as androgynous as you c...an get. So it's a very interesting philosophical quandary set up here. If it's okay to show male nipples, whats the rule on ambiguous ones? In a way facebook decided what even the creator of the series refused to set down...facebook decided Bunchh was female and therefore the bare chest was offensive."

I was one of the major backers of Dominic Scaia a post op female to male who was banned from facebook for showing his chest but this is different in fact... I'm a MTF and Bunchh's chest and mine look quite a bit alike (blush) so in this instance, I guess in our world where woman's breasts are to be hidden facebook has a point but...(so does both Bunchh and I and we both stand proud).

The image that Facebook wouldn't allow! Enjoy beautiful Bunchh as she/he was meant to be enjoyed! You can purchase your own Bunchh poster at cafepress.com

Pussy Riot, Gender Riot, An Act in Solidarity

A few months ago as you probally know a group of feminists in Russia staged the mother of all indiscretions. They took Jesus Christ's stage and asked for freedom for Russia from the developing oppressive dictatorial theocracy led by Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Krill.
Three members have been held in custody since and today, August 1st the third day of their trial for the 'punk prayer'.

Right now as you read this the prospects of a democratically ruled Russia and the freedom for these pussies is being determined in what many consider a mock trial.





More Videos Here

Are they unrepentant? No but they are being mistreated.

On August first the three incarcerated Pussy Rioters have offered an apology stating their objective to the Orthodox Pussy Prayer was not to offend but to educate. So far two of the those inside the cathedral have accepted that apology as a Christian should, but Patriarch Krill and Putin remain silent.

And why should be care? Because the reality is not only are they are fighting for freedom of speech in Russia they are fighting for every woman rights to diversity and self expression. Am I a lowly blogger from cowtown Texas making a stretch in saying we benefit from their sacrifices?

No. before Sting. Before the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Before MP's spoke out, before Amnesty Internationale's call for their release, the lone voices in the wilderness were small time bloggers (in comparison) like me, and Pussy Riot honored me by acknowledging my activism and the premise we are one united, by featuring that planetransgender post on their website.

@FreePussyRiot is a global @TERN for Freedom of Gender Expression. Undeniably the transgender and transsexual agenda is intrinsically intertwined with the cisgender feminist movement and as allies its our duty to support Pussy Riot any way we can.

Talk about this to a friend. Facebook about Pussy Riot. Tweet, blog and write about them in every place you have available!

Freeing Pussy Riot is one more TERN. Trans* Equality Right Now.

Here's how you can Help FREE Pussy Riot

Catherine Brennan's "Sorry about Your Dick" TweetPic Ignites Trans Firestorm

We Win! Update at bottom of the post!

This woman, Attorney Catherine M. Brennan Partner at Hudson Cook LLP ....



....who's protected twitter account is @bugbrennan sent the below Twitter picture to Marti Abernathey, a transgender woman who writes and tweets for the TransAdvocate.



So what's the big deal you ask? Just a imbecilic moronic juvenile insult, right? Not so, Cathy Brennan is a liaison to the American Bar Association's Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and contributed to the...



So while Brennan's not insulting transgender people with asinine twitter insults what other things has she done.

To name a couple Brennan co authored the now infamous letter to the UN intentionality timing it so the transgender community had no time to repute letter her before the commission ended. The crux of the letter was this paragraph...

when she makes it clear she does not believe a trans woman is female or should be allowed in public accommodations because to do so would place woman in danger of rape of fore mentioned transsexuals (men)!

But her most egregious conduct to date was to out a 17 year old trans youth to his school knowingly endangering his life.

So what's this vengeful immoral hater of transgender people doing on a LGBT legal commission? That's what I would like to know. I have resisted contacting Brennan's professional contacts for years but I think its time we did that and I'm not alone.

Update.....WE WIN!!!!

The Petition asking that Gonzaga University Remove Cathy Brennan as liaison To ABA's Commission on LGBT has been closed.

I contacted the office of Robin L. Rone Director, American Bar Association
Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity the morning of July 21st and was told Brennan has been removed from the position of liaison to thet commission.

This has been a short (thankfully) and highly successful action made possible by you! Thank you!


After signing your signature will be automatically emailed to the following people but please email and call also.

Linda Rusch,
Chair, ABA Business Law Section,
c/o Gonzaga Univ School of Law,
PO Box 3528, Spokane, WA 99220-3528;
lrusch@lawschool.gonzaga.edu
Ask that Cathy Brennan be removed as a liaison to the ABA's Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

American Bar Association
Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
321 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654

E-mail address:
sogi@americanbar.org
Telephone: 312-988-5000


Robin L. Rone
Director, American Bar Association
Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Phone: 312-988-5137
Fax: 312-988-5647
E-mail:
robin.rone@americanbar.org

Free "Pussy Riot" Участники группы Интервью: Видео

Путин не боюсь искусство : Putin: Fear No Art!

On the eve of the mock trial of alleged members of the punk rocker feminist group "Pussy Riot", three free band members in hiding talk about to the Observer about what it means to be a woman living in today's oppressive patriarcal misogynistic Russia.



There has been protests worldwide but this one from the desert southwest USA where I live says it all for me.



FREE PUSSY RIOT

Chaz Bono To Receive The Elizabeth Birch Award At The Dallas Black Tie

I could have titled this 'my how times have changed". Read a great article about this on the Dallas Voice but it really left a lot of history out. Dallas transgender history.

It was only a few years ago Elizabeth Birch represented all that was wrong with HRC vehemently opposing us and only a few years ago that we protested the Dallas Black Tie after transgender people were so unceremoniously dumped from ENDA HR3015.

Actually it was a protest, then it wasn't then was a protest and it all begun with our petition that Bishop Robinson NOT attend the Dallas Black Tie and if he did, that he would refuse the Elizabeth Birch award. I ended up it making a backroom deal of sorts with Bishop Robinson that if he agreed to our "transgender Conversation", the first time he ever spoke publicly with transsexuals, and if we did that at the black tie, we wouldn't protest. Well I did anyways.

The Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies membership was alerted and I started trying to get us a place to meet inside the black tie. No easy task. I was repeatedly ignored or just flat out told no time and again by the hotel staff until as luck would have one day I was recognized for who I truly am.

Handing my paperwork over one last time to the clerk expecting the same look of disapproval, being a highly visible anti HRC protester in the day, I was amazed by this young man who said "Oh I know who you are! You're one of the street people". (reads 99%er b4 that was a trademark)

Yes my gay young friend was right and giving me a look of adoration he said ya'got 300 bucks'? So we got our hall inside the Dallas Black Tie and our members flew from every corner of the country. Literally. It was that big of a deal.

Long story short,the Dallas Voice cancelled 3 minutes before the event, most of the seats were empty as gays ignored us, +Robinson refused to take the podium moving the only black ally at the meeting from his seat, refused to follow a moderator or answer questions to clarify his statement earlier in the year when he responded to our exclusion from ENDA with 'well better half a loaf than no bread at all'.

Another words it was essentially a bust and I was out that months rent. No one cared outside our trans community, including obviously +Robinson.

We were invited up to his presidential suit (paid for by HRC) afterwards. Not by Robinson of course, but by a documentary film maker desperate for some drama. The drama didn't come until we were on our way down the spiral staircase and Vanessa Foster ripped her shirt off revealing a beautiful "Transsexual Menace" T shirt:D

So filled with all that disappointment and energized by Nessie's T shirt we all went out of doors, grabbed our signs and continued with what we knew best. Being street people.

Times sure have changed. New HRC president. A transgender inclusive HRC mission statement brought about by our protests. I would love to see Chaz receive his award but one thing hasn't changed. I can't afford the ticket. Wonder if I could get the Dallas Transgender Advocates inside again? Hmmmmm....

Cartoonstock "Tranny Gift" Cartoons now KILL.

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies Action Update to remove Cartoonstock's sick transphobic images, the good, the bad and the horiffic......

Good: Cartoonstock has replaced the worst of the 'tranny gift' cartoon with other cartoons after becoming aware of our members ASA complaint.

Bad: The slew of cartoons they replaced it with are even worst like the one to the left.

These are the replacement images currently being sold by Cartoonstock. Why they are bad by the numbers.

1) The site retains the name "Tranny" knowing those who google search "Tranny", the #1 SEO, are people who seek to ridicule and belittle us.

2) Image #6 "Not another tranny" gives visual to the perception that our lives are of no more value than "another" dead "tranny" being dragged to the door by someones dog! Are YOU serious Mr. Beardwell? REALLY? Serious? Not funny. Hateful. Sick. Must be removed.

3) image #7. "Can You Keep a Secret". This cartoon gives a image to those who already believe transgender people some incredibly repulsive creature. And believe me Mr. Beardwell, there are many who believe that with every fiber of their being.

Image#2 "News Flash". On the average historically, there are 3 transgender people murdered worldwide every week. Having reported on many of them through the years I will attest the vast majority of the murders happened during or immediately following intimacy.

The murderers always claim they were "fooled" by the trans person into believing they were natal woman and reacted spontaneously in rage killing the trans person.

The reality is the vast majority of those murders happened simply to assuage the killers ego or because the murderer was afraid what his peers would think if they found out he slept with a trans person.

The look on the person face standing in the hall is that of "Transpanic", the look of death being the last thing seen by our sisters and brothers so many times, over and over. You think thats funny, or socialy acceptable Mr. Beardwell?

Click this image for the interactive map showing 800+ transgender murders since 2008. The blinking dots indicate the blood has not yet dried. Countries like Russia don't show any becuse they are not reported.



The following comment was posted by Ed Beardwell from Cartoonstock on the planetransgender post: Press Release: In Support of UK Member ASA Complaint Against Cartoo...

To those who have expressed concern about CartoonStock's treatment of transgender issues:

Please note that we have now completed the promised review of our cartoons relating to these issues and have removed many cartoons from CartoonStock that could be considered controversial. For instance a cartoon that was included in a recent submission to the ASA and labelled as the "worst offender" had already been removed from our site prior to that submission.

We want to be sympathetic to your cause and to only leave cartoons on CartoonStock that make a valid point about equality, prejudice and gender topics generally.

We are striving to tread a careful line between preserving free speech and not offending members of your community. We do not feel that obliterating all references to transgender issues from our collection would help your cause or free speech either, but where they have been retained, we have tried to catalogue those cartoons in a sensitive manner.

Whilst we may disagree on a few interpretations of what is a reasonable viewpoint, as will always happen in an open society, we do feel that since these issues were raised, we have been receptive, clear on the action we intended to take and have done what we said we would do.

We are trying to do the right thing but wish to uphold the reputation of our company and its employees. Any implication in a public forum that I or CartoonStock have not been good to our word, acted in good faith or hold anti-transsexual views is untrue an we're disappointed when our acts of good faith are not being received as such.

Kind regards,

Ed Beardwell

July 27, 2012 12:49 PM

Press Release: In Support of UK Member ASA Complaint Against Cartoonstock "Tranny" Images

Press Release: In Support of UK Member ASA Complaint Against Cartoonstock "Tranny" Images

July 27, 2012
For immediate Release
Kelli Busey
Founder/ Co Administrator
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (DTAA)
817-210-2959

*********

The DTAA fully supports UK Member Janice Caroline McCauley in her complaint filed with the Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) against Cartoonstock. Janice Caroline McCauley, frustrated by empty promises and inaction by Cartoonstock is asking ASA to help expedite the removal of the highly problematic "Tranny Gift" images from the company website.

We support her efforts for the following reasons:

Cartoonstock, a highly visible Internet commercial enterprise promotes the use of "Tranny" on its website which is considered offensive and defamatory to transgender people. The cavalier use of this defamation dehumanizes us enabling the discrimination we find at every turn.

Although Cartoonstock has promised a 'review' of the cartoons the company's website still displays all of the images in question days afterwards.

For the sake of Clarity this press release will address the cartoons in question individually explaining what exactly is offensive about each image.It is the hope of the DTAA that after viewing these images you will lodge a complaint with the ASA as well. Residency in the UK is not required.



Transgender people are discriminated against in the workplace at a appalling rate. To a casual viewer the image suggests that the reverse also applies. What a employer doesn't wish to find out about employee, they are transgender or gender variant.



By association with the web page's name 'tranny' with transgender, the suggestion is transgender employees are simply men in dresses, or drag queens which feeds the lie that we are 'fakers' who's motivation is to invade female spaces putting unaware innocent cisgender people at risk.



This image is the most offensive of all, with the actions being undertaken by the person on on right being purely speculative. The most common assumption being that 'he' is standing up and urinating. The image also dehumanizes the transgender experience by targeting the most vulnerable of our community, those who for various reasons are forced into survival sex work. It also a validates the lie that the original (reads, the real reason) the vast majority of people transition is our sexual orientation.



The above cartoon propagates the misogynistic male concept that females are somehow less than males. It suggests that ridiculing anyone, including police officers, who are non gender conforming in the workplace is acceptable and expected.

*****

The complaint procedure is painless, only taking moments and is the most important component of this advocacy.

Click Here to file your complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority. UK residency is not required.

You can also add your voice to Cartoonstock: Stop using cartoons to ridicule Transgender people. It is not acceptable.

Click Here to view the original PR at the DTAA

Petition CartoonStock To Remove Vile "Tranny" Cartoons

Recently I was alerted to a petition started by Janice McCauley on Twitter and quickly added my name knowing nothing more about it than what the overview letter said.

Googling "Tranny CartoonStock" brought up the image on the left and a slew of other egregious "cartoons gifts"...

Then I went to the updates to see what progress had been made, this was posted 7/24/12...



As much as I applaud Cartoon Stock for their quick response I think we should keep up the heat and McCauley agrees especially since days later the adverts remain on their website and subsequent communication with Cartoonstock indicates they are still deciding whether any of their "Tranny Gift" cartoons are in fact offensive.

I hope you will support McCauley's extraordinary advocacy by signing her petition
Cartoonstock: Stop using cartoons to ridicule Transgender people. It is not acceptable and join with us on the
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies Action

Hopefully soon I can post thanking CartoonStock but until then heat, heat and more heat please.