Atlanta night club Don Pollo denies entrance to transgender woman saying 'because we can'

On Friday November 8th at about 3:30am Alissah Brooks was illegally denied public accommodations access by employees of Don Pollo's who refused her entrance because of her gender identity. Don Pollo's facebook page makes no mention of the establishment being a members only nightclub.

A male employee appears and asks, “What’s the problem?” One of Brooks’ friends explained, “The problem was she’s a transgender and [the bouncer] denied her entry.” Without skipping a beat the employee asks, “What’s wrong with that?



Here's what's wrong with that...it's against city code as of July 19th 2013 to deny public accommodations on the basis of gender identity. Marco Polo owners and staff really need to become better informed and hopefully less bigoted.

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10376

Too small to read manager Luis Munoz? You can click the link or read it here....especially for you...



Sec. 94-68. Unlawful discrimination.

(a)
Except as is exempted in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person, whether acting for himself/herself or another, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of a public accommodation, to engage in or cause another to engage in any of the following prohibited acts, or to allow a subordinate employee of the public accommodation to engage in any of the following prohibited acts, in any public accommodation in the legal limits of the City of Atlanta:
(1)
Denial, refusal, rejection, or granting or any privilege, service, goods, merchandise, advantage, facility, membership, commodity or accommodation because of an individual's, or the perception of an individual's, race, color, creed, religion, sex, domestic relationship status, parental status, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide by a blind, deaf or otherwise physically disabled person.

Serbian X Factor Judge Жељко Јоксимовић votes alone against transgender contestant Fifi calling her a "Tranny"

Serbian X Factor judge Željko Joksimović pronounced " [ʒěːʎko jôksimoʋitɕ"] acknowledged he liked Fifi's performance but couldn't vote for a 'tranny'.

Ok, so what happened? Buzz Feed's lazaralazara interpreted the video of her appearance embedded below:

After Fifi’s introduction, judge Kristina Kovač checked with her in which gender she wants to be addressed to and Fifi said – „female“. This is when Željko Joksimović interrupted the conversation with the first transphobic and discriminatory remark:
„Wait wait, sorry, I don’t understand something here. Fifi, in your application it says Filip. How can we then address to you as a female?!“
„Well, I was born as a male and I identify as a female, I am transgender“
„You are a tranny (?). Crazy.“ said Joksimović.

What followed doesn't need much translation. It's obvious by FiFi's eyes narrowing she is being degraded even more by Joksimović who demands that 'both of him' sing another song.

Fifi brings the house down with a rendition from her heart of 'words don't bring me down'. delivering a love smack down to Željko Joksimović.

Bravo Fifi!





Serbia has laws against hate speech based on a persons sexual orientation.

Trans Serbia's Press release regarding discriminatory speech pop singer Zeljko Joksimovic judge X Factor Adria

Gayten LGBT Center to promote LGBT rights and Labrys, lesbian human rights , strongly condemns last night's behavior one of the judges on the show X Factor Adria, which is broadcast on the television channel Pink. reality show in a competition which aired 5 November, the pop singer Zeljko Joksimovic showed a basic lack of respect for competitors who identifies as transgender . Joksimovic is in direct communication with Philip Janevski - Fifi (22) , showed disrespect first, then disbelief and disgust and eventually discredit her as a competitor on the basis of her gender identity, rather than on her singing abilities (Joksimovic at one point and says: "This is not like me ... and well sing"). Zeljko Joksimovic as a public figure has the responsibility for what is pronounced in a public space. Equally important, he shows a basic ignorance of the law on gender expression, and we believe that it violates the Law Against Discrimination , according to a person on the basis of her personal property, not on the basis of her vocal ability. Thus, Zeljko Joksimovic contribute even more difficult position trans people in Serbia who are exposed to daily violence and discrimination at multiple levels. By April 2013th has recorded 78 cases of murders of trans people in the world, according to the report Trans Murder Monitoring , organization Transgender Europe (upon TGEU), published to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and the vicious murder of Darko Vujanovic in June this year rapid and effective response of the Commissioner for Equality and reaction RBA, and a public apology pop singer Zeljko Joksimovic and TV Pink. Belgrade, 6 November 2013th

X Factor Serbia producers didn't think Жељко Јоксимовић's comments were hate speech. Quite the opposite it seems that they will turn a blind eye to transphobic hate speech on their show if it builds a audience.  X Factor producers statement:

Contestant Philip Janevski Fifi is auditioning for Singing Shows program "X Factor" a second round of competition thanks to his voice and stage performance. The jury "X Factor": Zeljko Joksimovic, Kristina Kovac, Emina Jahović and Kiki Lesendrić are entitled to their own opinion about the registered competitors.

Produced by "X Factor" believes that no member of the jury has not used the hate speech in a fit athlete Philip Janevski, and on the further marketing of the aforementioned athletes will decide the audience.

Andrey L. Bridges guilty on two counts for the murder of transgender woman Cemia Dove Acoff

The jury took 10 days to convict Bridges on two counts of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. After Bridges learned of Cemia Dove Acoff transgender status he stripped and tortured her to death, tied her to a concrete block and threw her into a pond.

Bridges will be sentenced to life on the 13th of November. He will be eligible for parole in 15 years.

Sadly Dove, a law abiding citizen was revictimized in death simply for her transsexuality.

John Caniglia acted criminal in his "reporting"

The worst offender was the Plain Dealer which originally reported on Dove's murder as that of a oddly dressed man and with a few small exceptions  intentionaly ignored the AP Style guide

The plain Dealer's John Caniglia horrific transphobic reporting criminalizing her life angered Doves family and outraged not only the LGBT community but all people of conscious including the Columbia Journalism Review who slammed him for his articles.

The Cleveland Challenger responded:

Since stories about men who decide to live as women are “sensational” according to Cleveland news standards, the Betty Boop t-shirt and three bras that Dove’s body was clothed in when it was found gets mentioned in the story reporters wrote and broadcast about her.  They also make it a point to call her a “man” to tease readers and television viewers to keep reading and watching.  Cleveland.com told its readers that Dove was “oddly dressed.”

For good measure and an extra kick to the ratings, reporters used the word “transvestite” to describe Dove as something she wasn’t.  The goal is an old school media tactic designed to make her sound like a sexual deviant.  According to the Wikipedia definition of “transvestite,”  the word is a“clinical term that carry potentially negative connotations or implications of mental illness.”

“Police confirm Acoff was a member of the transgender/transvestite community,” WOIO TV19 posted on its website.

Cemia Dove Acoff

Other media outlets rushed in to sensationalize her death hoping to similarly capitalize on her murder by digging up every part and parcel of her existence.

The dangerous drugs she was convicted of possessing are the same ones I and most trans people take every day. The only difference is that she obtained hers legally albeit without a prescription which costs me nearly $1000 a year including doctor visits.

You can get those same drugs online if you can't afford the Physicians and bloodwork. If you can please have a Endocrinologist monitor your health but if you can't I offer these self medicating resources.

Her arrest for using pepper spray was in defense of a eight year old girl who was being badgered by an adult man according to a relative.

Having lived my first 9 years of my life in Cuyahoga county I have to wonder how much the prevailing misogynistic transphobic and homophobic media played in the following 25 years I spent in agony denying my true gender.

It's my hope that social media like planetransgender will help to dispel the untruths and transphobia displayed by media like the Plain Dealer easing the pain for trans people to come.

R.I.P. Cemia Dove Acoff

Richard Thomas.Oakland Teen charged as a adult for setting Transgender student's skirt on fire

OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - A 16-year-old California boy accused of setting fire to a transgender teen's skirt as the victim slept on a public bus in the city of Oakland earlier this week was charged as an adult on Thursday with committing a hate crime.

Richard Thomas was charged with aggravated mayhem, felony assault and a hate-crime "enhancement" after telling a police officer he committed Monday's attack "because he was homophobic," according to the criminal complaint.

The 18-year-old victim, Luke Fleischman, who was born male but identifies himself as gender neutral and goes by the name of Sasha, remained hospitalized in San Francisco with severe burns on Thursday and was listed in stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The teen will require several surgeries to recover, according to a website posted by family members to raise money for the victim's medical treatment.

"The intentional and callous nature of the crime is shocking and will not be tolerated in our community," Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said in a statement.



Relatives defended Thomas saying he was just joking and not a hateful person.

Meanwhile, police would like to interview passengers on the bus who left before police arrived, particularly two men who helped extinguish the burning clothing. Lead investigator Anwawn Jones can be contacted at 510-238-3326.

"We are asking the good Samaritans to contact the Oakland Police Department, and we also want to recognize their heroic efforts," said Oakland Police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson.

Transgender model Ines Rau rocks with the hot Tyson Beckford

Hot and smart Persian expat Ines Rau is turning the world of cisnormality on its ear!

So Colorlines just has to know, who is this Ines Rau? Hip Hollywood wanted to know so bad they capitalized their query like a explanation point asking who is this "TRANSGENDER MODEL" who would dare pose with a cisgender hunk like Tyson Beckford.

Rau having traveled our road less taken offers this advice to our sisters and brothers considering gender alignment surgeries:

Having a sex change is not the answer to insecurities or other issues, a lot of transgender do not understand that it has to be done with reflection: because of a real deep desire to be a woman from a younger age. It’s fabulous the level of happiness- it’s just absolutely impossible to describe. I’m the happiest girl in the world, just being what I wanted to be. You have to love yourself enough to go for it without the fear of being judged or rejected. That’s my advice for them.

Seems the pictures are so steamy that Istagram and Facebook banned them!

Damn My babies FB and instagram keep Censured this Story lol with Tyson so im not posting anything about it... http://t.co/d6PTHFlhpJ
— Inès-Loan Rau (@Ines_Rau) October 31, 2013

Models.com has a great interview with Ines Rau and yes some more pictures of this gorgeous woman.

JONTE' / "MIXxXED" MUSTACHE MONDAYS+JONTE=CATEGORY CLOSED: http://t.co/vEjUYCoPPV via @youtube Start My HIP/HOP and Voguing Class with Jonte
— Inès-Loan Rau (@Ines_Rau) October 31, 2013

Her photo shoot can be seem in full at oobmag

Eighth Grade Kansas student Skyler Davis suspended for carrying a Vera Bradley bag

"It expresses myself and I think everyone else can wear it, so I wear it as well," Skyler told KCTV'5s Dave Jordan.

He was summoned to Assistant Principal Don Hillard's office after he wouldn't take it off.

"I went to the office and I refused to take it off, and they suspended me," the teen explained.

School personnel then called his mother, Leslie Willis, to come get her son.

"I was a little furious, and I called the school [and spoke to Hillard] to reverify the story, and yeah, he refused to take off his Vera Bradley bag, nothing more to it," Willis said.

Vera Bradley.com

She said she reviewed the student handbook but did not see a mention to bags or purses. She questions the suspension and the timing.

"Skyler has been going to school since August with that same Vera Bradley bag on, hasn't taken it off. What is the problem?" she asked.

Click here to watch opens in new window

In response to Blome's comments Thursday, Willis told KCTV5 that the bag rule should be a formal part of the student handbook so that there is no confusion.

She said she supports her son and his choices. She said if he wants to carry a Vera Bradley purse or any other type of bag that he should be able to do so without being punished.

In an email, she said that her son went back to school at 1:30 p.m. Thursday with the bag in tow.

"He was pulled into an office, behind closed doors to tell him that he was never suspended for refusing to take off his purse, he got suspended for foul language," she wrote. "That's not the story that Mr. Hillard told me yesterday. Skyler is only 13 years old. He's just a child. And if this isn't bullying, I don't know what is."

Senate passes SB 815 Transgender Inclusive ENDA 64 to 32

Click here to watch ENDA pass the Senate

Huge Kudos to the Republican Senators who voted to pass SB 815. Senators Kirk, McCain, Flake, Toomey, Portman, Hatch, Ayotte, Murkowski, Heller and Collins all voted to pass the bill.

But even with broad religious exemptions ENDA is doomed in the Republican controlled house as Speaker Boehner has promised to kill it..


Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Monday said he is opposed to ENDA because it could open businesses up to lawsuits.

“The Speaker believes this legislation will increase frivolous litigation and cost American jobs, especially small business jobs,” said Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.

Conservative Republicans have ostracized nearly every portion of our republic who's not white or male. As if on cue to illustrate this chasm in Americana it is recognized that a black transgender man, Kaylar Broadus's appearance before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee last summer, the first transgender person to testify before the Senate, was tipping point.

Speaker Boehner opposes ENDA for fear of frivolous lawsuits? He led a frivolous lawsuit defending DOMA that cost taxpayers over $2 million!
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 5, 2013

Meet the 32 Republican Senators  who voted to continue discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace.

Transgender woman Armani Nicole Davenport surrendered to police: pumper party victim still in critical condition

Drag diva Armani Nicole Davenport turned herself in to police on a warrant for negligent injuring after allegedly injecting a transgender woman with silicon.

The So called "Pumper Parties" are low cost high risk shortcuts to a curvy body. They are illegal, the substance injected toxic and the results are sometimes deadly.

The person who Davenport allegedly injected remains in critical condition according to Huffington Post.

Nebraska Athletic Association not voting on transgender inclusive policy

Ian Rivers Ph.D.

June this of this year we welcomed the announcement by Nebraska Rhonda Blanford-Green, NSAA's executive director that a transgender inclusive statewide policy had been voted on and approved unanimously by board members.

The goal, she said, was to make sure that Nebraska schools had plans in place that would ensure that any student could participate in activities. She said it makes sense for schools to accommodate and protect transgender students just as they would students with disabilities or those who are minorities.

“All we're talking about is a checklist to make sure no kid — I don't care if you're a special needs kid, a gay kid, a black kid, a girl — you're not discriminated against,” Blanford-Green said.

But apparently the vote was not included in the minutes meetings for some reason and that gave transgender opponents all they needed to derail progress





The battle for transgender acceptance in the Cornhusker state is intensifying as the states hate groups have coalesced into one entity, "Nebraska Family Alliance" to more effectively fight progress.

Transgender people pose no threat in public accommodations. To this day there has has never been a substituted report of a transgender athlete infringing on a cisgender persons privacy.

To some Transgender Chileans life is a Circus called Fama

What is a Fama? in Spanish the acronym means, fundación para el Apoyo a la Microempresa Family and in English, Family Foundation to support the Micro Enterprise.

Indeed, Fama is a family working together to escape the countries brutal repression.

Fama members carry their possessions and the tent capable of seating 400 people everywhere they go. The pay is less than the minimum wage but to the circus members its the only life they have. It's there Family. They have been doing it for a decade sometimes performing for a full tent and sometimes for just one person.

Life in this predominately Catholic country isn't easy or even a sure thing. There have been four murders in the past 5 years. But those numbers only tell of the reported murdered.

The brutal killing of a gay man last year set off a national debate about hate crimes that prompted Congress to pass a hate crimes law. But while one of his attackers was sentenced to life in prison last week, another young man is in a coma fighting for his life from a similar beating.

The transgender performers are often mocked and some of them have suffered violent attacks.

"The verbal aggressions and attacks continue, even after the passing of the anti-discrimination law," Vero told one of the founding members told the AP.

In 2011 a Chilian transgender community was torched leaving ocupants without shelter. The temporary housing had been set up after a horrific earth quake forced them to move.

The investigator never even visited the homes instead he issued a report saying a space heater was to blame.

Read more about our Chilean Fama here

Report California AB 1266 Anti Transgender Petition Gatherers to EQCA HotLine

Time after time petition gathers have been observed spreading lies and misinformation about California's newly enacted AB 1266 the transgender inclusive "School Success and Opportunity Act."

What is AB 1266?

Prohibits any person from being subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes in the Penal Code, in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls pupils who receive state student financial aid.

Defines "gender" as sex, and includes a person's gender identity and gender expression. "Gender expression" is defined as a person's gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of the characteristics listed in #1 in any aspect of the operation of alternative schools or charter schools.

States that it is the policy of the State that all people, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the educational institutions of the State. Each educational institution in the State is
required to have a written policy on sexual harassment.

Map Light reports  that thirty one organizations financially supported AB 1266 and contributed $1,564,675 to its passage, the top supporter being the Teachers Union which gave $1,067,875. Four organizations opposed it's passage giving $53,528 to defeat it.

California teachers felt so strongly that they gave one million, sixty seven thousand and eight hundred seventy five dollars in support of its passage. That says a lot. Teachers, the ones in the classrooms understand how important it is to give every child a opportunity.

California teachers fully understand that this law does not infringe of any child's right to privacy.

There are four very powerful well funded and organized groups who are opposed to AB 1266 all coalescing into the disingenuously named group "Privacy for all students".

 "Privacy for all students" has already contracted Mission Public Affairs which successfully managed the Prop 8 fight against marriage equality in California.  All of these and many more are being amplified by the right wing media source WND, which has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

What can I do? I 'm just a quite law abiding California citizen doing everyday things?

You can help by photographing and recording these professional signature gatherers. They could care less about ethics, they are paid on their performance and will stoop to any depth to get that next signature even if there behaviour would invalidate that signature.

There are very strict guidelines set up by the  state validating not only the gatherer but those who sign.

They only have a few days left so as far as they are concerned all bets are off.



What are signature pros telling California citizens that would be considered illegal? Listen to this:

California Election Code SECTION 18600-18604 :

Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(a) Circulating, as principal or agent, or having charge or
control of the circulation of, or obtaining signatures to, any state
or local initiative, referendum or recall petition, intentionally
misrepresents or intentionally makes any false statement concerning
the contents, purport or effect of the petition to any person who
signs, or who desires to sign, or who is requested to sign, or who
makes inquiries with reference to it, or to whom it is presented for
his or her signature.

(b) Willfully and knowingly circulates, publishes, or exhibits any
false statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents,
purport or effect of any state or local initiative, referendum, or
recall petition for the purpose of obtaining any signature to, or
persuading or influencing any person to sign, that petition.

(c) Circulating, as principal or agent, or having charge or
control of the circulation of, or obtaining signatures to, any state
or local initiative, intentionally makes any false statement in
response to any inquiry by any voter as to whether he or she is a
paid signature gatherer or a volunteer.

Protect AB 1266, the School Success & Opportunity Act
Report Anti-LGBT signature gatherers in your community by calling our toll free hotline: 866.377.0578

Stay up to date and connect with other activists online. Join online rallies and share news and action alerts with your friends and family.

  Facebook      Twitter       YouTube      Flickr

Viral single girl in the "Kinks Shirt" gives a rise to trans cisgender amour

To many, transgender people remain a oddity, not a focus for adulation. Granted we have differences but crossing the gender divide is Matt Nathanson with his new single "Kinks Shirt".

The clip features a love story involving a transgender individual and -- refreshingly -- approaches the relationship in an incredibly nonchalant way.

"The thing I love about this video is that it shows two people in love and it never makes a big deal out of the fact that one is trans," said Nathanson in a statement to The Huffington Post. "The video is touching and funny, while at the same time making a very definite statement about equality and acceptance. Let people be who they are... the only way forward in this life is with acceptance and equality for everyone, period."



You can buy Kink Shirt and other fabulous music from Matt at iTunes and on twitter at @mattnathanson

Chelsea Manning's bid for transition is a bit of a conundrum for the Army

Inadvertently Chelsea Manning might have started the Army gender revolution.

Some believe Chelsea Manning is a patriot railroaded by the military machine simply for exposing its wilful and joyful slaughter of Innocent civilians.

Some see Chelsea Manning as a Benedict Arnold of the Internet age and believe her sentence fair.

Almost everyone of us in the LGBT community would find it inconceivable to be denied transition for 35 years. I say almost everyone because this is a highly divisive topic and my empathy for Manning's plight has drawn the ire of some of our friends.

Many believe she did the crime now she's got to do the crime. (how many more countries will ask for the Wikileaks papers before she's released?)

Crime or not the ARMY has a moral duty to their prisoners.

Army Regulation AR 501 para 2-27 finds a person unfit to enlist and unfit for duty if the individual has a "Current or history of psychosexual conditions including, but not limited to transsexualism, exhibitionism, transvestism, voyeurism, and other paraphilias".

The Army bases this exclusion on the prognosis by the APA DSM.

The Army considers transexulism as a mental illness and the Army spokesman for Fort Leavenworth stated they have Manning's well being in mind.

But they won't if they don't give her the opportunity to transition.

In fact, as Kristin Beck who called her a traitor pointed out it would be cruel and unusual punishment to deny her the dignity of living in her correct for what could be the rest of her life.

Quite a conundrum, maybe a revolution.

Warrant issued for Dallas transgender woman Armani Nicole Davenport after pumper partier goes into a Coma

Dallas based transgender woman Armani Nicole Davenport a 2013 Ms.Gay finalist really needs to turn herself in now that she is no longer just a 'person of interest'.

* Update Armani Nicole Davenport has turned herself in and is being held on bond

 The Advocate reports that "she is wanted on a count of negligent injuring" according to officer Frank Robertson, a N.O. Police Department spokesman."

The victim was at a friend’s apartment in the 1200 block of S. Salcedo in Zion City, getting silicone injections in her hips and buttocks just after 1 a.m. Oct. 24, said police.
Hours later, her health took a turn for the worse. She was rushed to the University Medical Center in critical condition, and remains in a coma according to WLTV.

A "Pumper Party" isn't really a party at all. You can get a walmart bought injection of silicon on a couch, on a car's hood, or in dirtiest corner of a back alley but the substance that is going into you is the same toxic mixture. Its all in the luck of the draw if your next injection is fatal or not. Transgender females desperate to have a womanly shape have long been risking death just to present. We see this story every so often. It is a crime that needs to stop. If Ms. Davenport is innocent then she has nothing to fear. But if she injected this substance and the victim dies she might have the rest of her life to contemplate her crime.

If you have any information on Davenport’s wherabouts, call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or the New Orleans Police Department at 504-658-6060.

Virginia Tea Party Lieutenant Governor candidate EW Jackson denies he said gays are immoral

"Americans for Truth About Homosexuality" introduced EW Jackson saying he had four children. EW Jackson corrected him saying he had only three children. The announcer laughly compare him to Jessie Jackson who had a child out of marriage. Incredibly the announcer then went on to condemn the left for being racist.

First the rather lengthy MP3 interview with americansfortruth.com in which EW Jackson said homosexuals were sick and perverted at the 27 minute mark.

Then Jackson denials he ever said these things.....

ENDA up for a Senate Vote Monday as last democratic holdout sign on

LA Fitness denies Public Accommodations to California Transgender woman Yanel Valenzuela

Yanel Valenzuela had been working out at LA Fitness for some time but wanted some advice on how she could fine tune her body. She explained to a employer her transgender status and that's when her troubles began. Even though she presented her drivers license with female indicated and took the extraordinary step of presenting a doctors letter stating she had gender conformation surgery the manager still denied her use of the bathroom.

In California it is against the law a to deny public accommodations access to transgender people.



read more at CBS LA

ABC 10 blatant lie about LA Schools transgender student called "Fabricated" by school spokesperson

ABC 10 San Diego ran an extremely anti transgender story spending most of the time interviewing a organizer of the petition drive which is trying to force a referendum on AB 1266. The cornerstone of the ABC story was a article about a transgender student who was said to peeping over stall walls.

That sounded a little fishy to Cristan Williams at the TransAdvocate.

Williams called the school district to do a little, you know, a little journalistic fact checking. It turns out the whole thing was fabricated by a parent who opposes transgender student rights and amplified by this ABC local.

The newspaper screen shot that appears on the ABC video does not show the papers name, and for a reason. The source that San Diego ABC affiliate reporter Michael Chen used for her aha gotcha moment is the right wing anti LGBT student newspaper "The College Fix".

Cristian calls it "fact checking". The school spokesperson calls it a "fabricated story".

I call it a blatant lie to get views for the station. If in fact ABC 10 did fact check they wouldn't have mentioned it. There wouldn't have been a story if the truth be known.


Transcript Los Angeles Unified School District: Office of communications Cristan: I’m calling to verify some information that I saw on the channel 10 news. LAUSD: I’m sorry, what information are you trying to verify? Cristan: Sure, sure, on channel 10 news it says that, at least on their website, that a LA high school student complained because a transgender kid was in the restroom peeking over stalls. And so that’s on the news and I just wanted to fact check that claim. Have you actually received complaints of transgender children climbing over stalls to look at other people as they’re in the stalls? LAUSD: I will have to check that for you. I believe that was fabricated, but give me one second. I need to verify. Hold on for a second. Cristan: Okay. LAUSD: Because it’s been a few days since we got that report. So hold on for me. Cristan: Sure. [On Hold] LAUSD: I apologize for the wait. They did get the complaint and it turned out that it was fabricated by one of the parents who opposes transgender students in schools. So it was an unfortunate situation, to have to put the students through, but it was fabricated.

Tavares Spencer: I tried to murder Coco McDonald because she's transgender

Tavares Spencer doesn't deny being told in a text by Coco McDonald prior to meeting that she was transgender. Spencer's defense said that he thought she was only kidding and went ahead with the planned date.

Spencer's attorney said that when he met Coco he planned to have sex, but when her transgender status became undeniable he became 'scared' shooting her motionless body twice then firing four more times as she attempted to flee because he was "in fear for his life".

The prosecution is saying that Tavares Spencer lured Coco to the abandoned house to rob and murdered her because she is transgender.

My 2 cents? Tavares Spencer made the prosecutors case for a hate crime. They are planing on calling Coco to the stand again today.

*Trigger warning...

California Policeman accused of raping transgender woman while on duty

A El Monte police officer has been placed on administrative while being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for allegedly stopping a transgender woman on the street and raping her.

A transgender woman is alleging in a federal lawsuit that a uniformed El Monte, Calif. police officer detained her without legal cause and raped her on his patrol car in a dark and empty parking lot.

The officer was in a marked patrol car and ordered the woman into an alley behind a business at Central and Garvey avenues, where he attacked her, the lawsuit said.

She later retrieved a condom he used and turned it over to authorities, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 18, names as defendants the city of El Monte and an unnamed police officer, seeking unspecified monetary damages.

The plaintiff, who used the pseudonym "Jane Roe" in court documents, alleges the attack happened early Oct. 23, 2012.

Source NBC Los Angeles and LA Times.

Watch "Losing Luke" Award winning documentary about first openly transgender student to graduate a Oklahoma High school

Source Newsday.com: Michael Clark, a freshman with The Film School at Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD), was recently awarded “Best Documentary” at the inaugural All-American High School Film Festival in New York City, where he also received nominations for Best Director and Best Overall Picture. Clark’s short film Losing Luke is about a transgender girl named Katie (previously known as “Luke”) and her experiences in an Oklahoma high school

Clark’s film was the only full-length student film to screen during the festival’s opening night. Tom Oliva, the festival’s executive director, said organizers wanted to give the 1,500 attendees a taste of the quality of films that would be screened that weekend.

“In the middle of the Bible Belt, many are raised to look down on transgender people,” he said. “With this film, I wanted to help stomp out this ignorance in the community by sharing her story and humanizing her.”



Among thousands of submissions, the top films from each category were sent to a panel of celebrity judges that included Edward Burns, Dylan McDermott, Morgan Spurlock, Diablo Cody, Danny Rose, Kristen Stewart, Carlton Cuse, Henry Winkler and festival founder Andrew Jenks.

Read more at News Day