3/11/13

El Paso's New Non Discrimination Policy Is Nothing New

May 11th voters in El Paso will go to the polls to decide if the city's employees fair treatment policy should migrate from city ordinance to become part of it's charter. Most Texan cities have accomplished this step in one form or another, but there are opponents to this move in El Paso.

The council of churches have been very vocal in there opposition citing these three reasons, warning of terrible consequences should this 'new' amendment be approved:

1. "Immutability". The Council says because ones sexual affinity may change during ones life time affording a person who is attracted to the same sex equality is unreasonable and unfair.

2. "Freedom of Speech". The council isn't concerned about there right to say what they want inside there churches. They are worried if a person attacks a LGBT person verbally while on the the towns time that person could be disciplined.

3. "Privacy": "We are also concerned that men who claim to be transsexuals, whether true or not, could use the amendment to enter the women's restrooms on city grounds."

I will address each of the Council of Churches concerns.

1. The Council of churches has stated in so many words that they are opposed to homosexuals if nothing more than the fact they are homosexual. And yes there are bisexual transsexuals myself being one. I have a reasonable expectation of fair treatment regardless of whether I am dating a man or a woman just like a purely homosexual or hetroesexual person does.

2. By admitting your concerns your freedom to intimidate in the workplace may be curtailed you have made a best case for protecting our minority.

3. The bathroom meme is a fallacy, a disproved fear mongering tactic. There has never been a case where a pervert stated in a court of law, he felt empowered when before he didn't by a ordnance affording public accommodations provisions to transgender people. Ever.

Furthermore good council of churches, the amendment makes no mention of public accommodations. This just Fear mongering in its purest sense.


Incredibly given the council of Church's dire warnings the sky hasn't already fallen.

El Paso's city Trans employees have been enjoyed equal opportunities since 2006 and people in domestic partnerships have been receiving benefits since 2011, the same ones that this amendment will codify.

I asked El Paso Council member Susie Byrd if LGBT people are already were covered by the city, then why a vote? Council woman Byrd explained "we are asking the voters to make fair treatment of all people, not just LGBT folks, part of our cities charter insuring this practice continues"

But not everyone is please especially an affiliate of the infamous alliance defending freedom Pastor Brown who's church's anti LGBT political activities were investigated by the DA in 2011.

Click Here To Watch Video

Pastor Brown told Fox News in this interview "We don't think people that practice homosexual sex need government endorsement or governmental protections as a class."

Brown says because the amendment includes transsexuals that woman would lose there privacy "Men who claim to be transsexual whether they are or not, can go into a women's restroom and we don't think thats right."

El Paso council member Susie Byrd responded to Brown: "I think that pastor Brown has a unique obsession which creates a lot of odd delusional thinking."

She says the amendment basically says you can't discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Please register to vote here!



3/10/13

2nd Casting Call For the Erotic Trans Doc "Doing It Again"

[text from the website] Please help spread the word – we're doing a second round of casting for the erotic documentary Doing it Again specifically looking to cast scenes of trans women with trans partners. We're looking for couples, friends, fuckbuddies, and individuals willing to be paired with someone – yes that includes trans men applying individually!

(If you’ve already applied before, please see the note at the top of the new casting call for what this means for you).

Anyone who is trans can apply but we’re specifically trying to get more submissions from:
* Trans Men – as a part of a relationship or individually to be paired with a trans woman.
* People of color
* People in existing relationships (especially long term)
* People over 40
* People in or near Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland


We are especially looking for:
* People of color,
* People over 40
* Trans men
* People in mid to long term relationships

(Note about genderqueers: Trans folks who are genderqueer are certainly welcome to apply for this volume, but be aware that there is a separate volume specifically around genderqueer identity, that this volume will not discuss genderqueer identity in detail, and as a side effect there is a risk you will be read as having a binary gender identity. Please gauge your own comfort level with this.)


WHAT PARTICIPATION ENTAILS?

Participation will include both an interview about your experience of relationship and hookup dynamics and unscripted sexual activity in whatever form that sexual activity takes in your life. If possible, this will be broken up into two shoots, each taking approximately 1 to 3 hours of time (including setup, paperwork, etc). You will be compensated $200 for participating in this project. You must be 18 years of age or older and have photo identification.

People are encourage to apply as a pair or triad (whether they are partners, lovers, friends with benefits, etc.), however, there is a limited ability to pair individuals who apply individually with others who apply individually. Please note that if applying as a pair or triad, each person must fill out the application.

* March 14-18, in Washington DC
* March 19-22, in New York City
* April 2-6, in Toronto
* Mid April, in Vancouver, BC
* May ??, in Victoria, BC (NOT CONFIRMED)
* June 13-15, in Philadelphia (NOT CONFIRMED)
* The rest of the time - Seattle, WA

Clich here for the appication