Transgender Texas edispu nwod/upside down should Nikki Araguz lose

Think your transgender day in the grand republic of Texas is bad now?

Should our worst fears be realized, you may very well have to revert to your gender identity the doctor assigned you at birth, and up to this point the national gay and lesbian organizations may as well be helping to hang us out, upside down.

Maybe they feel it's a no win battle her or perhaps as the ENDA Blog suggests or perhaps they just don't give a damn.

Money talks and according to attorney Phyllis Frye gay.com hasn't antied up.

In a email Phyllis asks:

Where is the same national support given for the L and G same-sex marriage struggles? Has it remained nonexistent for over six weeks now because this Texas fight is insignificantly and merely a “tra##y” same-sex marriage fight, so who nationally gives a shit? Then are we a National LGBT-inclusive community, but NOT when it comes to financing the “tra##y” same-sex marriage fights? From here, it seems to me — still — that the national L and G groups and the big bucks L and G attitudes haven’t really changed very much. FOLKS, IT IS TIME YOU FIGURED IT OUT THAT THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FIGHT IS JUST AS MUCH A TRANSGENDER FIGHT AS IT IS A LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL FIGHT.

TransYouth Family and Allies Organizing Legal Battle for Denied Kansas Student

Pennies From Heaven

Two moms transgender daughter denied access to school becuse of her gender expression seeks your love from our rainbow!

From Kim Pearson Friday, August 20, 2010

Those of you who follow my Facebook may be aware that I made an emergency trip to Kansas this week. A school there was refusing to recognize a 10 year old transgender girl's gender identity. They were requiring her to attend school as male and wouldn't budge.

I met with a school across town and they were happy to have her and wanted to learn how to make her school experience safe and productive. We registered her and expected that she would start school later in the week. I flew home to AZ.

Now the district administration has become involved and informed the parents (two moms) that their child will not be accommodated at ANY SCHOOL in their district. The child must present male or gender neutral, must use a male name and male restroom. The reason given is that to do otherwise would "interfere with the learning environment".

We are going to file suit against this school system. TYFA has retained the best attorney in KS with experience in GLBT discrimination. We need to raise an estimated $25,000 (or more) to litigate this case. I am calling this fund raising effort "Pennies From Heaven". Make any donation amount but end it with .01 (example 20.01) so that we know you are donating for the KS Defense Fund. Are you with me here?

It is time to take back our schools for gender variant students everywhere and we are going to start in Kansas.

LETS MAKE IT RAIN LOVE!

THANK YOU! TO MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW: click here

Kim Pearson
Executive Director
TransYouth Family Allies

Cristan Williams Debates the Nikki Araguz case with fascist Dave Welch

Cristan Williams of the Transgender Center of America agreed to debate on Fox News the controversy surrounding the Nikki Araguz case. Of course the lead questions all were bent to put Cristan at a disadvantage. Happily the Fox channel home-turf was of no benefit to Dave Welch who writes for 'world daily' which publishes extremist pseudo-christian, borderline psychotic right wing screeds. Watch and enjoy.

Welch: "Clearly we are at a point when we have to defend (activate the good ol' boy netwerk) and (re)define (discriminate) with the (Texas) constitutional amendment."


Welch: "You can't legislate on a fractional percentage of society". (like blacks, Jews, transsexuals and woman?)

It is clear.

Welch is a talking head for racist patriarchal white transphobes who would pervert Christianity inorder to facilitate the subjugation of ALL minorities by the Texas legislature.

Yes Welch, we CAN 'undefine' a institution inplaced by the majority that not only discriminates against, but denies minorities by segregation the privileges enjoyed by powerholders, this is America you plastic smiling turd.

Thanks to ENDA Blog's appropriately tittled post How to debate a plastic-smiled turd!

Uniting against hatred: the Shirley Sherrod Plea

I received this from the NAACP. It's about racisim but the bigotry that is behind this hatred is universal. Transgender people must stand with all people in a united strugle against injustice no matter who or where it is found.

from Shirley Sherrod Back in March, I delivered a speech to an NAACP Freedom Fund banquet in my home state of Georgia. I drew on my personal life story to urge poor people, white and black, to pull together and overcome racial divisions. We have to understand that our struggle is against poverty and against those who are blocking our path out of poverty.

Unless we figure this out, I warned, our communities won't thrive and our children won't prosper.

As you know, a Tea Party blogger named Andrew Breitbart released an intentionally deceptive, heavily edited clip from that speech to make it look as if I was delivering exactly the opposite message. Then Fox News blasted that false message across America's airwaves, creating a firestorm that led to my ouster as the USDA State Director here in Georgia.

Not long ago, I sat here in my living room in Albany, Georgia for an afternoon of deep conversation with NAACP President Benjamin Jealous. As he has done in public, Ben movingly apologized for the fact that the NAACP was initially hoodwinked by Breitbart and Fox into supporting my removal. I told him what I want to tell you.

That's behind us, and the last thing I want to see happen is for my situation to weaken support for the NAACP. Too many people confronted by racism and poverty count on the NAACP to be there for them, especially those in rural areas who often have nowhere else to turn.

People ask me, "Shirley, how are you getting through all of this?" I tell them that, if they knew what I have lived through, they'd understand that these current challenges aren't about to throw me off course.

When I was 17 years old, my father was murdered by a white man in Baker County, Georgia. There were three witnesses, but the grand jury refused to indict the person responsible. I knew I had to do something in answer to my father's death.

That very night, I made a commitment that I would stay in the South and fight for change.

I have lived true to that commitment for 45 years. I didn't yield when, just months after my father was killed, they came in the middle of the night to burn a cross in front of our house with my mother, four sisters, and the baby brother my father never got to see still inside.

And I'm surely not going to yield because some Tea Party agitator sat at his computer and turned everything I said upside down and inside out.

I learned a lot of lessons from my parents growing up, but one of the most important ones is what my mother taught her children after our father was killed. She told us we mustn't try to live with hate in our hearts.

My mother led by example. Just 11 years after that cross-burning incident, she became the first black elected official in Baker County, and she's still serving, still working to bring people together.

You and I have to keep working as well. Change has to start with us. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I have received over these last few weeks. It means so much to me and my family.

But you and I have to make sure that people all across the country who wage a daily struggle against poverty and racism have support networks as well. And that's why your personal involvement in sustaining the NAACP is so critical.

The NAACP confronts the virulent racism that my family and so many other families have had to endure. But it is also leading the way in breaking down the structural barriers that block so many people's paths out of poverty.

In our struggle between the "haves" and the "have-nots," they want to keep the poor divided - and we have to insist, by our words and our actions, that there is no difference between us.

As we move forward together, I urge you to remember this: Life is a grindstone. But whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us.

Thank you for all you are doing to challenge poverty and racism. I look forward to working and struggling right by your side.

Sincerely,

Shirley Sherrod

Degrassi FTM portrayed by cisgender actress powerful and intuitive

Cisgender female 15-year-old Jordan Todosey portrays a female to male transgender character Adam. The episode follows a purposefully hard hitting storyline about being a young transgender man who's very masculinity is challenged and even attacked.

xtra.ca"Hit teen TV show Degrassi has introduced its first trans character this season, and Xtra went on set to speak with actress Jordan Todosey, who plays the role of Adam. Watch our interviews with Todosey and writer Michael Grassi, and watch a clip of an upcoming episode featuring Adam."

"Watch Degrassi in Canada on MuchMusic from Monday to Thursday at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. The show airs on TeenNick in the United States. Adam's storyline comes to a head in the episodes airing August 11 and 12, "My Body Is A Cage". Catch the episodes online at muchmusic.com/tv/degrassi. www.xtra.ca

Read more from Steve Williams "Trans Story Tackled on Hit Teen Show Degrassi"

Jesus Christ, Kelli Busey and Whoopi Goldberg Give a Damn

I hope my transgender friends join this effort and are counted! Its the only way people will know you are alive. A New PSA from We Give A Damn.Org!



My shared story on Wegiveadamn.org

I am transgender male to female and having completed many of the prerequisite steps in rectifying my gender expression to match my identity and yet I still felt something was missing. I felt a unexplainable emptiness.

That was untill a cisgender friend finally convinced me to attend a service at a Metropolitan Community Church. The next few Sunday's my legs would buckle, my heart would roar and tears of joy fell from my eyes with uncontrollable joy!

After all these years of denial I could show love for Christ without reservation, without being belittled, without shame.

This is a love story, a begining, a wonderfull joining with Christ as I walk in his footprints on a shared 'path less taken'.

I wanted to share this what after all these years remains the very most important part of my transition. I hope you like it.

We give a Damn On twitter

Wegiveadamn.org

Stop Corporate Takeover of Web No Pay Per USE

PETITION: STAND WITH ME TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY AND STOP THE CORPORATE TAKEOVER OF OUR MEDIA

The Comcast-NBC merger is the first domino. If it falls, the rest will soon follow. If no one stops them, how long do you think it will take before 4 or 5 megacorporations effectively control the flow of information in America not only on television, but online? How long do you think it will take before the Fox News website loads 5 times faster than DailyKos?

It's almost too late to stop this from happening, but not quite. The government can stop them… but first the government has to be MADE to act.

Net Neutrality is THE First Amendment issue of our time. If you want to protect the free flow of information in the country and all that depends on it, you have to help me fight this.

Sign the Petition! Help Senator Al Franken fight the corporate takeover of media

Texas Transgender peoples Lives Riding on Nikki Araguz Marriage Litigation as Attorney General Declines to Rule

Texas transgender people like myself have long understood that living in a specific county and petitioning a particularly progressive judge to amend our drivers licence was key in establishing our correct gender identity, regardless if you were post SRS. Because there was no law or ruling by the Attorney General it allowed us to fly under the radar in this the bluest of states. It was our secret.

This allowed Texas transgender people to live our lives presenting ourselves as who we truly are without fear of arrest in the workplace and in most social situations. Most.

This is all possibly coming about to a screeching halt as our anonymity has become headlines because of the marriage controversies. Texas transgender people such as myself have our worlds riding on the outcome of the Nikki Araguz litigation recently filed in the 245th District Court of Wharton County, In the Estate of Thomas Trevino Araguz III, Deceased, Cause No. 44575.

Source Texas Attorney General Declines To Issue Opinion To Clarify Same-Sex Marriage Controversy In El Paso

"EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal on Monday announced that the Office of the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has formally declined to issue a legal opinion regarding the granting of marriage licenses to individuals who have undergone sex change operations."

"The request was made after two Hudspeth County women - Sabrina Hill and Therese Bur requested, and were denied, a marriage license in El Paso in February of this year. As proof of identification, Hill presented a birth certificate identifying her as a male, a court order approving his name change from a male to female, and an Arizona driver's license with her new identity as a female."

"Presented with conflicting documents, the El Paso County Clerk's Office requested guidance from the County Attorney's Office as to the eligibility of the applicants to obtain a marriage license."

Legal analysis revealed the existence of a legal gray area around this particular issue, raised by recent changes adopted by the Texas Legislature. Up until 2009, the identity and gender of a marriage license applicant was established through a birth certificate.

"However, during the 81st Session, the Texas Legislature expanded the list of documents acceptable to establish proof of identity and age for purposes of obtaining a marriage license. Section 2.005(b) of the Texas Family Code lists the nineteen documents approved and, to make things more difficult, all are given equal legal weight. This is important for transgender individuals, as conflicting information on various personal documents may arise not from fraud, but because of sex reassignment surgery, and so transgender applicants should be able to self-identify their gender, as opposed to a court doing it for them."

"In a letter dated on August 6, 2010, the Texas Attorney General's Office notified the El Paso County Attorney's Office that they will refrain from answering any questions or issuing an opinion, and in fact are closing the file on this request. The reason provided for this action is that issues included in the opinion request are the subject of pending litigation recently filed in the 245th District Court of Wharton County, In the Estate of Thomas Trevino Araguz III, Deceased, Cause No. 44575. The letter further states that, once that litigation is concluded, the El Paso County Attorney could submit another request if these questions remain unresolved."

"El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal expressed her disappointment regarding the decision of the Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott."

"Unfortunately, the ambiguity in the law and confusion for the County clerk remains," Bernal concluded.

Angie Zapata Missed 21st Birthday, Drag Queens and CNN

Drag Queens and Angie haven't been a good mix lately but the reigning Miss Rocky Mountain Shining Star, Leo "Sable" Corona, is doing her part to heal the wounds. What can happen when people act in a socially responsible and caring manner (take note Israel Luna).

According to the West Word Blog Friends and family joined with Sable to remember Angie on her missed 21st birthday and to raise money for a documentary of Angie's life that is missing just one very expensive two minute segment from CNN shot during the Allen Andrade trial. Donations can be made via the Photos of Angie Facebook page or through Just Media, a local nonprofit that backs social justice media projects.

Photos of Angie - Day 1 from Alan Dominguez on Vimeo.

Fort Worth Weekly Writer Jimmy Fowler Fouls Out with "Ticked Off"

Fighting misogony one trashy publication at a time.

Fort Worth Weekly stoops to deceiving, defaming and maligning minorities to increase readership.

"Ticked Off at Ticked-Off Trannies"

"Transgender activists took to the streets to oppose a locally made movie — and made it more successful than ever."

~FW Weekly Tittle and lead paragraph.

FT Worth Weekly author Jimmy Fowler called me and asked if I would interview for a article about TO#WK and my first response was "why now?". I had read the earlier Weekly article which liberally used pejoratives defaming transgender people without attributing the sources and I was very wary. I explained I have turned down similar requests from print and radio media because of their histories of past hate inciting journalism. Fowler reassured me saying previously he was unaware that 'tra##y' was demeaning and that the FW Weekly was blessed with great writers. I was led to beleive it would be a intuitive thought provoking piece.

It was a piece, a piece of crap that is. The second line proclaimed that efforts of all woman to advocate only results in promoting those that would harm us and any further efforts would be futile.

It pissed me off the author claimed ignorance about the word "tra##y. While he never offered he would not use the word 'tra##y' his tone and sincerity suggested that he now understood how harmful that word is for transgender people. That led me to beleive Fowler would at least obscure some of the letters. He did not and in fact Fowler quoted the pitiful excuse Luna made for reneging on his promise to 'blur' tra##y.

In essence, the Fort Worth Weekly is using a pejorative intentionally, being aware of it's injurious nature to transgender people while simultaneously insinuating standing up for our dignity was futile.

It really pissed me off they did not use a photograph of me. The photographer was told I was a principle in the story and that was confirmed by the FT Worth Weekly's Fowler. The FW Weekly had been initially unsure if they were going to pay the photographer for the session, dependent on his editors decision.

These two pictures were supplied by the photographer and should have been next to my interview.

I felt they refrained from including any of my picture from the session was because they wanted the readers to form a perception of my physical being which would not be supported by a photograph showing me as who I truly am.

A beautiful, well adjusted transgender woman.

Why did the Fort Worth Weekly lower itself to such depths?

Of course as anyone who was in the room when Fort Worth city council debated on amending the non discrimination policy to include transgender people will confirm there is a massive contingent of the north Texas population who would See us stoned, raped and institutionalized.

The Fort Worth Weekly editors obviously realized a huge potential for readership and lowered themselves to publish that despicable article catering to sexual perverts, haters and bigots.

I would ask you to comment on the fort Worth Weekly article, but instead of increasing their web visibility, comment here. You will be doing the transgender community good.

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 electorate 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 represented 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 trivializing and ridiculing to the Transgender Community before the general populace.

* The casual abuse of the Transgender Community.

* 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.

* 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 chose 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 live, our fortunes, our time and our sacred honor.

*********************
About the author Shauna Marie O'Toole,

It was recently discussed online that we need a declaration of what we believe and stand for. And, just as Concord & Lexington occurred over a year before the Declaration of Independence, we, too, are at war. As long as there is a need for a Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor those recently killed in hate crimes, we are at war.

What we seek is the peaceful installation of representation that would secure the rights of the Transgender Community as well as those of all Americans.

I have taken some thoughts that Mr. Shay has shared with me and merged them with a familiar document

You may friend Shauna Marie O'Toole on facebook here

Ball Memorial Hospital Refuses Woman Coughing up Blood because She's Transgender

Erin Vaught after correctly filling out the ER admittance forms ...was told "we don't know how to go about treating someone with your condition," referring to her transgender status. Star Press

"Ball Memorial spokesman Will Henderson said the hospital first became aware of Vaught's concerns on July 19 via a Google alert, and that a patient representative was investigating the issue. We take our patients' rights policy very seriously," Henderson said." The Indy Channel 6

GOOGLE ALERT THIS BALL!

Sign the Change.org petition Demand Ball Memorial Hospital Stop Discriminating Against LGBT Patients

Then leave a comment on the Ball Facebook page

Lady Gaga Supports Boycotting AZ's LAW SB1070 During The Monster Ball Tour in Phoenix 31 July 2010

From GETEQUAL: Your pressure, combined with some amazing on-the-ground organizing, created a moment in Arizona on Saturday night that was unforgettable.

Just before her Phoenix concert, Lady Gaga met with the two queer migrant youth who we introduced you to last week. They originally launched the petition asking Lady Gaga to speak out against the discriminatory SB 1070. [1] During that meeting, the youth talked with her about their lives -- and about the culture of fear that has been created for immigrants in Arizona.



Following that backstage meeting, Lady Gaga tweeted to more than five million followers, "Tonight we will continue to actively protest social and political injustices in Arizona. We will sing, we will stand up, + we will be heard."

She performed that night with "Stop SB 1070" written on her arm -- which Victor and Amelec had helped her paint on -- pausing in the middle of her show to denounce the bill and call on fans to "peacefully protest and speak against discrimination everywhere." After a mix of applause and boo's, she continued, "Without immigrants this country wouldn't have sh*t."

GetEQUAL was thrilled to be asked to be part of the organizing effort that helped create this opportunity, and are proud of Lady Gaga's ongoing commitment to stand up to legal and social discrimination. We will continue to support the work of the young organizers who created this conversation -- and others who stand at the intersection of LGBTQ and immigration issues.

We know that there is a lot of work left to do in educating people about the overlap between LGBTQ issues and immigration issues. GetEQUAL is committed to continuing the work of intersectional organizing, and we hope that you will join us.

Thank you for taking action -- we look forward to doing more work with you soon!

Get out! Get active! GetEQUAL!

Robin, Kip, Heather, Jay, and Michelle

Transgender Freaks and TDOR Ghoul's: "Ticked Off Tra$$ies With Knives" Commercial Halloween Debut

Ticked Off Tra##ies to be released to coincide with the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Luna's latest sacrilegious impiety intended to injure the living and further desecrate the memory of our transgender dead.

Film director Israel Luna apparently throwing his hands up in disgust after being protested at and turned down by one film festival after another, has opted for a early release, casting his latest failure into the cold November wind, hoping for a place in infamy but in reality simply allowing for it's sad demise along with the other forgettable halloween spook spoofs.

But Luna may never be forgotten or forgiven by the mothers of the murdered children he used to promote this horrendous atrocity. There will be many prayers for the cast during the Transgender Day of Remembrance that they be forgiven for there part in this, Luna's last futile attempt to enrage and humiliate the mothers who's lives were dedicated to loving and caring for their now long gone children.

Finally, Luna has taken the gloves off and officially declared what the transgender community has long known. This was confirmed by the releasing company Fangoria Entertainment's president who stated he is thrilled about Luna's choice of a "Halloween Season".

Israel Luna believes that transgender actress Crystal Summers and the rest of the cast of drag queens in his film are freaks and oddities, just disposable Halloween atrocities to laugh at and discard when Dead. Transgender people are just cold meat to Luna and nothing else.

God have mercy on you Israel Luna.

kelli anne Busey, 7/31/2010

Speaker Pelosi Misspeak confirms Two Edge Sword of Damocles's ENDA Demise

Nancy Pelosi confirmed the reason ENDA remains in committee by attempting to mislead us as to whom is actually denying us workplace equality and why.


Source: LGBT POV Netroots Transcript

Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "ENDA has been something that has been part of my being (?) since I went to the Congress. And then some years later, around 16 years ago, we finally had legislation that we could rally around. This is an absolute priority, not only for me personally, but for our House Democratic Caucus."

"Under the leadership of George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee which has primary jurisdiction, we have been working very hard to try to iron out some of the – to have some clarity of language that could dispel some opposition. This is something that has to be done. It’s so long overdue. It’s almost embarrassing to have to have to pass a bill to end discrimination in the workplace."

Moderator: Who’s blocking the passage of ENDA and whom should the netroots target?

Pelosi: Well, I think I would target in a positive way (audience rumbles) – this is America – show your appreciation for those who are with you, with us – encourage them to be not only a vote but a leader on the issue – persuader, the peer pressure that is there. Because I don’t think – I think that some of the opposition comes from those perhaps in the work, um – in the business community who may not understand the – how this can be practically accomplished. We think it can. I think that should be the least of it, when we’re talking about ending discrimination in our country.

Yes Speaker Pelosi it is embarrassing that you should offer up such a lame excuse and worst, try to offer up false hope that DADT might be repealed before the years end to placate the majority of the LGBT population. Even more embarrassing is your sacrificing of our minority on account of your worthless democrats.

But times have surely changed Speaker Pelosi. The entire LGBT community is fully committed to equality for each and everyone so a divide and conquer is a major fail.

We also full understand who exactly and why ENDA has failed to move out of committee and it's not because of business concerns. The democrats have once again show the spineless ignorant selves and bent to religious demagogues who have used there political clout to once again insure transgender people will not pee in peace.

The 'ENDA problem' is the legislators inability to wordsmith ENDA so that employers would be enabled to discriminate in a way that would not cause civil upheaval from the entire LGBT population. Remember Speaker we are one in purpose now.

Speaker Pelosi, we demand full equality THIS session. To do otherwise would truly be embarrassing for you.

Transgender Widow Nikki Araguz Press Conference after Court Hearing, Friday, July 23, 2010

Nikki Araguz Press Conference after Court Hearing, Friday, July 23, 2010.

Be sure to take note of the concerted media smear campaign the in-law's lawyers are engaged in.

Press Release: Widow Braves Hostile Court Proceedings:Houston, Texas
-- July 23, 2010 -- Jeers and public threats greeted Mrs. Nikki Araguz outside the Warton County Courthouse today. The Widow of Wharton County firefighter Captain Thomas Araguz, who was killed in the line of duty, was in court for the first hearing in a suit brought [...]http://www.tgctr.org/2010/07/24/nikki...

If you would like to help support Nikki in her hour of desperate need, donate to the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund. The TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund not only support Nikki's ongoing legal battle, it also provides for her day-to-day needs. Donations can be made online at http://tiny.cc/nikkisfund.

Additionally, donations may be sent to the Transgender Center at:Transgender Foundation of America604 PacificHouston, TX 77006Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America. Please make sure to note that the donation is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.Nikki's FaceBook: http://tiny.cc/fb4nikki

Nikki's Email: Nikki.Araguz@tgctr.org

Transwidow Nikki Araguz and Attorney Phyllis Frye Video Response To Allegations of Deception

Nikki Araguz, the wife of the fallen Wharton firefighter, is being sued for her husbands death benefits by in laws on allegations that her husband didn't know she had a sex change and that her marriage wasn't legal. Nikki Araguz speaks out with her attorney Houston transgender activist Phyllis Frye.

Following the video links to help support this historic struggle for transgender equality!


Courtesy http://www.chron.com/video/?207639551001

This is from the Transgender Foundation of America
please forward to your list and ask them to forward to their lists.

Firefighter's TG Widow attacked as "same-sex" marriage

This is your opportunity to shape history and push forward equality for not only transgender Texans, but also for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans everywhere. Nikki Araguz needs your help.

Mrs. Nikki Araguz is the widow of a Wharton Co. fire fighter killed in the line of duty. In a compound tragedy, Mrs. Araguz’s in-laws are attempting to void her marriage, claiming that she is a transsexual woman and as such her marriage is unlawful and only they should inherit Mr. Araguz’s estate or benefit from his insurance and pension.

This will be a landmark case. We face a long legal battle which will likely reach the U.S. Supreme Court and will define future law on transgender recognition and same-sex marriage. If we are going to win and protect Nikki from the deplorable actions of her in-laws we will need the funds to stage a first rate legal defense.
This is a rare opportunity for each of us to influence the arc of history by donating to the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund. Every $1000 donation received puts us one step closer to justice for Nikki. Individual contributions at any level are appreciated, even those as little as five dollars. We also encourage you to use your influence to persuade capable people, organizations, and foundations to contribute at higher levels.

Mrs. Araguz is represented by Phyllis Randolph Frye, a longtime supporter and member of the Transgender Foundation of America (TFA) and a transgender pioneer in her own right.
You may drop off or send contributions to the TFA at:
Transgender Foundation of America
604 PacificHouston, TX 77006
Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America. Please make sure to note that the payment is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.
Credit card contributions can be made using the following link:
www.tiny.cc/ nikkisfund
Further information on this case and other related information can be found at:
www.tglegal. com
www.liberatinglaw. com
www.tgctr.org

Thank you, and don’t forget to share this with everyone you know.
Transgender Foundation of America: Helpline: 713-520-8586Fax: 713-583-5400 TFA seeks to improve the quality of life for transgender people. TFA is a 501[c]3 nonprofit.TFA TG Center: http://tgctr. org TFA Facebook: http://www.facebook .com/pages/ TFA-Houston/ 106760432685591 TFA Twitter: http://twitter. com/tgcenterTFA Yelp: http://www.yelp. com/biz/transgen der-center- houston----- TransHouston. com is the Houston Area TG Community online.

Huff Post article

Friendfactor first social networking platform dedicated to straight and LGBT friends get basic legal freedoms, faster

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies Member of the World IGLHRC Collective: Our Proudest Moment

Europe solidaire sans frontières | planetransgender a place for everyone. No exceptions!

We at the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA) were asked to sign a petition supporting the The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission(IGLHRC) efforts to obtain UN consultative status after Egypt blocked this request.

Having added our name to this effort we have been listed with the worlds most fearless human rights organizations. Now the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies which has members on nearly every continent can stand proudly with our members and announce to the world we are the DTAA, we are transgender and we are united sans frountieres in our struggle for full equality.

The list of petition signers of the IGLHRC collective to date. Please add your organization's name today!

Petition
To the Members and Observers of the United Nations Economic and Social Council:

Civil society is a vital partner in the work of the United Nations and the 2010 session of the UN ECOSOC presents an opportunity to support civil society voices. We urge you to support the application for NGO consultative status of the human rights organization, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and to prevent the unfair use of procedural measures to silence civil society.

Last month, certain Member States in the subsidiary NGO Committee presented a motion of “no action” on the call for a vote to decide on the consultative status application of IGLHRC. This no-action call was successful despite the fact that IGLHRC’s application has already been in the Committee process for three years and the organization has answered numerous questions and requests for information. The nature of the questions facing IGLHRC and various other statements made by some Member States indicated that this stalling tactic was motivated by the fact that IGLHRC’s human-rights work focuses on already marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is the first time this no-action procedure has been used to prevent the Committee from doing its work to make a recommendation on an application’s merits after an initial (and in this case extensive) review of the applying organization. This extraordinary use of the no-action motion to prevent the full ECOSOC from taking decisions on an NGOs application, where that NGO works on politically contentious issues or for unpopular minority groups, should not be allowed to stand. If left unchallenged, this could result in the regular use of such a procedure to block progress. This would subvert the purpose of the NGO sub-committee, deny the ECOSOC the opportunity to fulfill its function and would limit the access of vital civil society groups to contribute to the work of the UN.

We call on you to support IGLHRC’s application for consultative status at ECOSOC and to send a message to the NGO Committee that it must review all applications without discrimination.

Diversity of civil society at the United Nations is essential to respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all people and to achieving sustainable peace and human security. Please do not allow the voices of marginalized people to be silenced by discrimination and procedural roadblocks.

Sincerely, Organization Country Name ECOSOC Status


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sign the petition here: democracyinaction.org
or email us to add your name at ecosoc.communications suS iglhrc.org

IGLHRC · 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505 · New York, NY 10038 phone: +1 (212) 430-6054 · fax: +1 (212) 430-6060 · www.iglhrc.org

Endorsing Organizations:

Aleanca LGBT Albania, Albania
Alternatives-Cameroun, Cameroon
Amnesty International
Amnesty International Australia, Australia
Arc International, Canada
Arc-en-ciel d’Afrique, Rwanda
Associacao Brasileira de Lesbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (ABGLT ), Brazil
Association de lutte contre le sida, Morocco
Associates for Global Change, United States of America
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
Australian Coalition for Equality, Australia
l’Autre Cercle Midi-Pyrénées, France
Blue Diamond Society, Nepal
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Canada
Catolicas pelo Direito de Decidir, Brasil
Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR), Spain
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States of America
Center for the Study of Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation, Germany
Center for Women’s Global Leadership, United States of America
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Malawi
Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights (CEPEHRG), Ghana
Centro De Investigacion Y Promoción Para América Central De Derechos Humanos, Costa Rica
Cero en Conducta, Argentina
Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL)
Comeout Australia, Australia
Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Mexico
Concertación Interamericana por los Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres, Costa Rica
Congo Action Now, United States of America
Conseil des ecoles catholiques de langue francaises centre est, Canada
Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), India
Cultuur en Ontspannings-Centrum Netherlands (COC Netherlands), Netherlands
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies, United States of America
Demus, Estudio para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer, Peru
DignityUSA, United States of America
EEGO Foundation, United States of America
Eddoboozi Human Rights Defenders Network, Uganda
Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF), France
Evangelical Network, United States of America
Fiji Transgender Empowerment Project, Fiji
Foundation for AIDS Research, amfAR, United States of America
Foundation for Women, Thailand
Fraternidad Q, Mexico
Freedom and Roam Uganda, Uganda
freedom fighters for equality facebook, United Kingdom
Freedom House, United States of America
Frontline Defenders, Ireland
Fundaciòn Ecuatoriana Equidad, Ecuador
Gay and Lesbian Association Of Ghana, Ghana
Gay Japan News, Japan
GAYa NUSANTARA, Indonesia
Gays United for Peace and Solidarity, Philippines
Good Samaritan Community Based Health-Care Services, Uganda
Global Rights, United States of America
Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand
Human Rights Initiative, Hungary
Human Rights Watch
Iglesia Catolica Antigua del Rio de la Plata en México
Ingersoll Gender Center, United States of America
International Alliance of Women, Austria
International Commission of Jurists
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), France
International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, United States of America
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association (ILGA)
International Service for Human Rights, Switzerland
International Union of Food workers, Switzerland
International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific, Malaysia
Interweave Continental, United States of America
Iranian Queer Organization - IRQO
Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees, Iran
Irish Raelian Movement, Ireland
Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Jamaica
Kaos GL, Turkey
Kirklees Faiths Forum, United Kingdom
Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces, Malaysia
Lambda Wellness Project, United States of America
Larcher Group, Canada
Las Ramonas, organizacion de Feministas Jovenes, Paraguay
Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network, Colombia
Law and Rural Development, Thailand
Law, Race & Gender Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany LSVD, Germany
Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad, (Limpal / WILPF), Colombia
Marriage Equality New York, United States of America
Metropolitan Community Churches
Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberacion, Argentina
MUTUAC (United Women Workers) – Mexico
Nash Mir Gay & Lesbian Center, Ukraine
New Light Metropolitan Community Church
Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Canada
Open Society Institute (OSI)
Opportunity Agenda, project of Tides Center, United States of America
Other Sheep MCC
OTRAM (org de travestis mendocinas), Argentina,
Organización de Transexuales por la Dignidad de la Diversidad, Chile
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, United States of America
OutRage!, LGBTI human rights movement, United Kingdom
Oxfam Novib, Netherlands
Patriots for Change, United States of America
Pride Hilo, a Registered Independent Student Organization at University of Hawaii, United States of America
PT Foundation, Malaysia
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Canada
Purity Affirmative Organisation For Transgender Health-Uganda
Running Amach’-Dublin LGBTQ Women’s Social Networking Club, Ireland
Safra Project, United Kingdom
Sao-Sao-ed Group, Thailand
Semillas. Sociedad Mexicana pro Derechos de la Mujer AC
Sexuality, Orientation, Gender Identity and health (SOGIAH), Uganda
Sexuality Policy Watch - Brazilian secretariat, Brazil
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Uganda
Si Jeunesse Savait, Democratic Republic of Congo
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc, Uganda
Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RSFL), Sweden
Tanzania Lesbian Association, Tanzania
Therapy North, United Kingdom
Uganda Harmonised Rights Alliance (UHRA), Uganda
UK Gay News, United Kingdom
UK-CAB, United Kingdom
Unidad de Atención Sicológica, Sexológica y Educativa para el Crecimiento Personal, Mexico
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, United States of America
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, United States of America Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee, Canada
Vida Plena Puebla, Mexico
WhyCantWeGetMarried.Com West Africa Chapter, Sierra Leone
Women for Women’s Human Rights (WWHR), Turkey
Women Living Under Muslim Law
Women’s Economic Council, United States of America
Women’s WORLD, United States of America
World Congress of GLBT Jews, United States of America

democracyinaction.org

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies

GET=EQUAL Should Add Mara Keisling to Congressional Blame List to ENDA lies

GET=EQUAL which recently forced ENDA and DADT back into the national spotlight by engaging in civil disobedience asked in a poll which legislative leaders should be held accountable. Not everyone believes our "allies" in DC should be blamed for this EPIC ENDA FAIL.

I think we should hold them accountable and I also beleive we should add Mara Keisling's name to that short list!

The Democrats HAD the ability to pass a FULLY inclusive ENDA in 2010. An ENDA that would have prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Instead the Democratic controlled house Labor and Education committee quibbled and debated secretly in committee behind closed doors. The only whiffs of information was passed by Congressman Barny Franks as he inexplicably defended the committees inaction.

A ENDA wolf in lambs clothing designed to mollify the weak transgender representation in DC who would gladly sacrifice our liberties for this law that would have had tiers designed to placate the democratic party, so embedded by the religious right, by codifying which bathroom you used dependent on an employer's subjective determination of your manhood or womanhood.

Mara Keisling adamantly denied that our liberties were being scapegoated. However, she did say that what was being discussed would be 'better than nothing". Better than nothing than what Mara? I will be damned in hell before I allow a man to dictate to me exactly how feminine I may be. And Mara, if this was not the discussion taking place in committee WHY did Enda not EVEN emerge from the House and Education committee after receiving it's second consecutive shinning recommendation from chairman Miller?

The ENDA Trojan horse in construction would have allowed the religious right to render this 'civil rights bill' useless by a erecting concrete barrier of prejudice within the walls of our nation. This law in writing was was defended by Mara Keisling of the National Center Transgender Equality who called myself and others as Idiot's and rumor mongers as we correctly identified from thousands of miles away the sickness of these Washington demagogues.

The Democrats were unable to write a discriminating civil rights law for crying out loud! The Democrats FAILED. They threw away this golden opportunity and with their own buffoonery enabled the emergence of the TEA party and empowering of it's big brother, the republican party. The November elections midterm elections may very well spell and end for ENDA for decades to come.

Most tragically Mara Keisling of the NCTE threw away our trust. She should be held accountable by GET=EQUAL because if the strategy she espouses will ever bare fruit which involves all of us working cohesively together we need transgender representation in DC that will do so in good faith.

Kelli Anne Busey | July 17, 2010

Drag Queen Sherry Vine "Your a Homo"

YOU'RE A HOMO
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE SCARED AND I KNOW THAT YOU LIKE TO HIDE IN YOUR SECRET WORLD BUT I JUST CAN'T LET YOU GET AWAY WITH IT ANYMORE. YOU'RE A HOMO
YOU LIKE YOUR SEX, IN PUBLIC TOILETS
SO NO ONE CAN SEE YOU, THEY CAN'T SEE YOU
OR AT THE PARK, IN THE BUSHES
BUT WHERE'S THAT WEDDING RING I SAW ON YOU
AND WHEN YOU VOTE AGAINST ME
FROM THE CAPITOL IN DC
CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU CREATE, A WORLD OF HATE
SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED, YOU'RE A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
DON'T WANT NO MUFF, YOU LIKE THAT DICK
YOU ARE A LYING HYPOCRITE
SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED, YOU'RE A HOMO
YOU'RE A HOMO. HONEY, YOU'RE A HOMO
PLEASE. JUST STOP LYING. YOU'RE A HOMO. JUST COME OUT!
YOU SAY I'M SICK, I'M JUST A SINNER
BUT I AM NOT THE ONE MOLESTING BOYS
AND ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU TORTURE
THEIR GHOSTS WILL FILL YOUR HEAD WITH DEAFENING NOISE
AND WHEN YOU USE RELIGION
AS A FRONT FOR OPPRESSION
CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU CREATE A WORLD OF HATE
CHORUS
THERE IS NO SHAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
LIFE'S JUST A GAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
I AM THE SAME, I'M A HOMO
THERE IS NO SHAME, I'M A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, I'M A HOMO
SO SAY IT NOW, AND SAY IT LOUD
IT'S TIME TO LIVE OUT AND PROUD
I AM THE SAME, I'M A HOMO
sherryvine.com

B4 the 1st kiss: TELL your date you're transgender! What was GLAAD thinking?

Save a life! What was GLAAD thinking?

Before your first kiss make sure you tell your romantic interest about your being transgender and exactly what you have between your legs. Period. To do otherwise makes you culpable and at least in part responsible for your partners anger if they should react so when learning of your genitalia or history post kiss. If you are in it for a meaningful relationship honesty is the cornerstone.

What is GLAAD Thinking?

The New York Times in open public discourse recommends honesty, discretion and respect between perspective romantic partners even if the cisgender person feels rightfully mislead and Glaad objects

Open public discourse between cisgender people involving our emerging transgender community invites some unintentional misuse of language. However was that a typo by the New York Times "transgender ed" or a taunt aimed at GLAAD?

Are transgender people being used as a weapon welded by the NY Times and GLAAD? If this is so, in this instance, GLAAD needs to seriously reconsider it's motivation and the results of its actions on the transgender community. The same people it portends to champion.

Persecuting those like Cohen who did not strictly adhere to the guidebook hurts the transgender community by inhibiting dialogue and discourse. Wars are averted by discussion a good friend reminds me.

GLAAD What are you thinking?

Kelli Busey 7/13/2010

Presbyterians Move Closer to Ordaining GLBT Clergy Soulforce 11 arrested after Marriage Equality Inaction

National Presbyterians conference moves ahead on ordaining GLBT clergy but hedges on marriage equality. Soulforce civil disobedience after justice was once again denied for marriage equality ministries results in eleven faith activists arrested.

"After the press conference, the national body voted to remove all barriers to ordination for LGBT people. This action now goes to the 173 presbyteries for a vote. Half of the presbyteries must approve it before it becomes policy. Two years ago, the presbyteries came closer than ever to passing ordination equality. This vote will occur in the next nine months." Glaad Blog



I don't know if you have ever had a opportunity to attend a Soulforce direct action where people of intense faith gather to participate in changing history, but if you do it will forever change you.~kelli

Help The IGLHRC Gain UN Consultative Status: Add Your Organization in Support

Support the Fair Treatment of Civil Society at the UN

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs your support. Three years ago we applied to the UN for consultative status so that we can bring the voices and issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to the UN. We finally have a chance on during this session of ECOSOC in July to get this status.

But there are governments who are doing all they can to prevent this. We need as many Member States as possible to support us. You can help by asking your government to vote in our favour and by showing your organizations support through visiting http://tiny.cc/iglhrcECOSOC and adding your name to this letter to be sent to all Member States.

As the letter below explains, the sub-committee that makes recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this last May again prevented our application from being considered on its merits by the full ECOSOC. With the support of some Member States this measure to block us is being brought to the attention of ECOSOC and we are hoping that we will be able to move forward and be approved.

Please add your organization name today and send this email on to your lists.

Thank you for helping to ensure that the voices of civil society are not silenced by discrimination.

Cary Alan Johnson
Executive Director
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

This letter will be available in French and Spanish shortly. Please email ecosoc.communications@iglhrc.org if you would like to receive the translated versions.

** Petition **

To the Members and Observers of the United Nations Economic and Social Council:

Civil society is a vital partner in the work of the United Nations and the 2010 session of the UN ECOSOC presents an opportunity to support civil society voices. We urge you to support the application for NGO consultative status of the human rights organization, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and to prevent the unfair use of procedural measures to silence civil society.

Last month, certain Member States in the subsidiary NGO Committee presented a motion of "no action" on the call for a vote to decide on the consultative status application of IGLHRC. This no-action call was successful despite the fact that IGLHRC's application has already been in the Committee process for three years and the organization has answered numerous questions and requests for information. The nature of the questions facing IGLHRC and various other statements made by some Member States indicated that this stalling tactic was motivated by the fact that IGLHRC's human-rights work focuses on already marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is the first time this no-action procedure has been used to prevent the Committee from doing its work to make a recommendation on an application's merits after an initial (and in this case extensive) review of the applying organization. This extraordinary use of the no-action motion to prevent the full ECOSOC from taking decisions on an NGOs application, where that NGO works on politically contentious issues or for unpopular minority groups, should not be allowed to stand. If left unchallenged, this could result in the regular use of such a procedure to block progress. This would subvert the purpose of the NGO sub-committee, deny the ECOSOC the opportunity to fulfill its function and would limit the access of vital civil society groups to contribute to the work of the UN.

We call on you to support IGLHRC's application for consultative status at ECOSOC and to send a message to the NGO Committee that it must review all applications without discrimination.

Diversity of civil society at the United Nations is essential to respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all people and to achieving sustainable peace and human security. Please do not allow the voices of marginalized people to be silenced by discrimination and procedural roadblocks.

Sincerely,
Organization
Country Name
ECOSOC Status

Sign the petition here or email us to add your name at ecosoc.communications@iglhrc.org

IGLHRC · 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505 · New York, NY 10038phone: +1 (212) 430-6054 · fax: +1 (212) 430-6060 · salsa.democracyinaction.org

LA Panel Convenes "Women Demanding Change Now : Gay Media Misrepresenting Transsexual Women