Miki's Victory: Settlement With Kaiser Permanente of Colorado.Insures Equal Coverage For Transgender People

When FTM teen Miki Alexander Manigault was turned down for SRS and HRT the heat got turned up. Turns out Kaiser grabbed the tigress by the tail because Miki's mom is by coincidence a human rights officer for the state. She knows paperwork.

Miki has received a undisclosed settlement from Kaiser for discriminating against him resulting in a Bulletin from the Colorado Insurance Regulator agency stating effective immediately:

If you are transgender that can't be considered a pre-existing condition denying you coverage. Secondly, transgender people can not be charged more and thirdly and most importantly transgender people in Colorado have the same sort of access to care for conditions that are covered for cisgender people.

Colorado joins Oregon, California and the district of Columbia in insuring non discrimination when it comes to accessing insurance for transgender individuals.

There's amazing in depth coverage of Miki's victory at Health Policy Solutions.org and One Colorado.



Colorado has come a long ways in the four years since Angie Zapata was murdered. R.I.P. Angie

Can The Taiwanese Gov't Revoke A Marriage With A Letter?

台灣跨性別伴侶對抗政府同性婚姻法令

In May 2013 Taiwanese citizen Abbygail a transgender woman, won a ground breaking legal battle to marry her partner, Jiyi Wu. This gave hope to the Taiwanese LGBT community as it came just months after a gay couple gave up their challenge to marry.

Their  marriage would seem like  a dream come true, a happily ever after scenario, so why did the government of Taiwan annul their marriage just weeks after recognizing it? The couple, Abbygail Legal name Yi_Ting, Wu吳伊婷), and Jiyi, legal name: Ji-yi, Wu 吳芷儀 are bringing a powerful team in there quest to contest this ICCPR violation of human rights.

Announcing the challenge pictured from left to right: Attorney Victoria Hsu Director of Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil
Partnership Rights, Yu, Mei-Nu Legislator, Cheng, Li-Chiun Cheng Legislator, partners Jiyi Wu a physics and mathematics specialist and Abbygail Wu (hat) computer engineer, Yu ji Spokesman for ISTScare Taiwan and Xu, Bai-Xing supporter.

Abbygail in a interview with planetransgender explains why the government is reacting the way it has and what they intend to do about it.

"First of all we got married in Oct. 2012, so why we can get marry but other same-sex (sex in law) couple can't? Because after our SRS in July,2012, I change my official gender first , so we become "opposite sex" and get married. Jiyi changed her official gender after that, that's how the magic happened."

"In the official explanation of the "marriage validity for person do SRS and change official gender after marriage" few years ago, the ministry of interior claimed "if the marriage registration is taken place when two people is 'one male and one female' , the marriage will keep valid."

One gay American blogger wishing to make a point that transgender people need to support marriage equality said Abbygail and Jiy "unwitting" became marriage equality advocates. But as a trans person I knew there much more to this story, a trans human love story, so I asked Abbygail if it was simply a Faux pas on there part:

Abbygail explained: "So how did the government find this out? It's because when Jiyi tried to apply to change "official gender" in Oct. 2012 after our marriage, one of the director in the Household Registration Office noticed her SRS is done before the marriage ( the date on the certificate). He remain uncertain about the effectiveness of our marriage, and send the official letter to his upper administrative offices. This is how the story begins."

"The government claim that although our legal gender is "a man and a woman" at the marriage registration, but we both "physically" woman because the SRS is done."

"Jiyi said: It feels like asking the ID card is not enough, and also put a hand into your underwear. It feels violation."

"unwittingly", yes, it might be. But base on the diversity of gender, what's our gender? female? We can't have babies. male? we aren't. We are in the somewhere of the "gender spectrum".

"I like to quote and change some words from the movie I recently watched and enjoyed -- "Now you see me":

"Look closely, because the more gender boundary divided you think you are, the less gender you will actually see."

"For legal change, We certainly hope the decision can change and we and other friends in the ISTScare and TAPCPR think we should have a "protection law" which can help to protect human rights for the gender diversity people."

"For the worst scenario, if the government is still want to revoke the marriage and the appeal is lose in the court, we will ask asylum to the "marriage with gender-centralize" countries, because the country we belong is not capable to protect our rights, the first country on the list is US and then UK(base the the info from ILGA website , UK grants asylum on the basis of gender identity.)"

"We choose to stand out because we know "nobody can know more and ask more clear about our rights, we need to stand our and tell the world and change it. Don't be afraid. If you are more afraid, more rights can be lose"

Same sex marriage movement is somewhat outside of the trans agenda, even resented by some (like myself)because of the resources consumed in the LGBT equality effort, but it remains important to us. More to some of us, than others. ( like those in love:)

Will and Grace- I will remember you

Before, when I lived in self imposed pretransition exile I saw myself as Grace the quintessential gay persons friend, in so many ways. I loved and admired Eric for being Will, so unabashedly gay before it was ok. Will's character helped empower me to transition.

I will remember you (partly because I have every season box set I could find through the years:)

Chicago TransLife Center Opens

Chicago Translife center officaly opened today with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The project bills itself as the first ever to provide short term housing, medical, employment and legal services, with much of the staff coming from the trans community.

Source WEBZ:

"Lana Wachowski attended the opening. She said she had observed transgender homelessness in her neighborhood. “Often LGBT people, especially the T’s, are in need of family,” she said.  Wachowski said that this center recognizes that family extends beyond just our blood and kin."

"Stormie Williams cut the ribbon for the opening. She will be one of the first residents and has already found employment with help from the staff. “I know there are more things to come,” she said."

Shannon Heffernan is a reporter for WBEZ. Follow her at @shannon_h 

DORA ÖZER İÇİN, ADALET İÇİN! Update: Global Protest locations for #justiceforJasmine #justiceforDora

Paris - meet in front of Swedish Embassy then walk to Turkish and Italian embassies - with Strass and Acceptess-T Facebook event


Glasgow - meet in front of Swedish Consulate with Sex Worker Open University
Facebook event

Edinburgh - meet in front of Turkish Consulate with Scot Pep
Facebook event

London - meet in front of Swedish Embassy with Sex Worker Open University, Xtalk and ECP
Facebook event

Berlin - meet in front of Nordic Embassies - Schwedische Botschaft
Rauchstr. 1, 10787 Berlin, Germany \
Facebook event

Brighton – in progress, contact Gillian Love

Canberra, Australia - meet in front of Swedish Embassy contact Roxanne Wilde
the memorial stone to our missing women on Friday July 19th, 6pm (PST) to protest violence against sex workers!

In Vancouver, Canada (CRAB Park
Also at 4 pm:
Västerås Sweden:
Minnesstund för Eva Marree Smith Kullander
RFSU Västerås
Facebook event


Also at 6 pm (PST):
Vancouver, Canada.
Meeting at memorial stone to our missing women to protest violence against sex workers! In Vancouver, CRAB Park

Also on Monday the 15:

Helsinki, 12 / midday , Ruotsin suurlähetystö (Pohjoisesplanadi 7B)
Facebook event


Friday afternoon the citizens of Turkey took to the streets to protest the murder of yet another trans person, Dora. Up until lately transgender murders have gone unnoticed in Turkey as no knew or even cared. But this is changing to some degree as social sites like this one have become quicker to disseminate information as we did when we learned of Dora's murder.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get news out of Turkey due to governmental oppression of the media. Just following the protest for Dora,  journalists gathered but were met by police in gas masks. I have very hard time translating Turkish but I believe that a suspect was arrested and has confessed to the murder of Dora Serdar Ozer. If you have further information please post it in the comments.

Trans Cinayetlerine Dur De! | Ankara Basın Açıklaması
Trans Stop Assaults On Too! | London Press Release
Via ICRSE: After a trans sex worker,Dora, killed by her clients in Kusadası 'Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association' organised a press conference and protest in Ankara/Turkey. Sex workers and LGBTs demand their rights.

Yesterday we shared the news of Dora, a trans sex worker murdered in Turkey. Today, we learn about the murder of Jasmine, a sex worker in Sweden who was murdered by her husband. Her child had been taken away from her because of her line of work. we send all our thoughts and condolences to all of friends, lovers, comrades of sex workers victims of violence all over the world. Violence will not stop once we have basic human rights but this is a first step. Solidarity with all and every sex workers in the world. be strong and safe.

You'll not bow down if you're a journalist
If you bow down you'll not say I'm a journalist

Tweeps report police put on the gas masks in front of journos.You know what that means: v @miyavmiyaav #DirenGazeteci pic.twitter.com/mQQFKCrlaF
— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) July 12, 2013

Is Singer Neko Case Transgender? Maybe Not But She Is The Man

"I'm a man, that's what you raised me to be / I'm not your identity crisis, this was planned," she sings. "If I'm dipshit drunk on pink perfume* then I am the man in the fucking moon, because you didn't know what a man was until I showed you."hitfix.com

Neko Case indie country singer and song writer's hard driving lyrics from her new album would make one wonder. That and the hyper machismo cigarette smoking horse and the albums title which is easily relatable with the struggle of gender transition..

'The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.'....I'm a man its what you raised me to be..it's not an identity crises.....
...in that when we begin struggling to release the facade we hid behind and obtain and display our true selves it seems as if things couldn't be worst, but as time goes on we find we love who we truly are more and more.



More at Neko's second NPR interview, first NPR interview, and The Slate.

@kellibusey ❤❤❤

— Neko Case (@NekoCase) July 14, 2013

Malala Yousafzai Addresses the UN on her 16th Birthday "Malala Day"

Malala Yousafzai, UN Youth Assembly
Education activist Malala Yousafzai will mark her 16th birthday, on Friday, 12 July 2013 at the United Nations by giving her first high-level public appearance and statement on the importance of education.

Malala became a public figure when she was shot by the Taliban while travelling to school last year in Pakistan -- targeted because of her committed campaigning for the right of all girls to an education. Flown to the United Kingdom to recover, she is now back at school and continues to advocate for every child’s right to education.

In support of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative (GEFI), on 12 July – declared as “Malala Day” -- the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Special Envoy for Global Education with the support of A World at School initiative are organizing the UN Youth Assembly, where more than 500 young leaders from around the world will convene to accelerate the goal of getting all children, especially girls, in school and learning by 2015.

New Texas State Flower "Jack Boots " Confiscated Tampons At HB2 Hearing

My state of Texas GOP in the last few years has forced the publishers of school books to edit out positive references to religions other than Christianity, reduced or removed information on evolution in future editions pushed absitance only birth control education resulting in the country's highest STD and teen pregnancy rates, allowed unsafe workplaces, refused to accept the new health care system resulting in tens of thousands more uninsured people and now have Voted to Close all but a few of the places a low income uninsured woman can go seeking reproductive health care.

I could not make this up. State troopers in Texas Senate are searching bags, confiscating tampons and pads. They fear projectiles.
— Gene Weingarten (@geneweingarten) July 12, 2013

Gene Weingarten Washington Post at the Texas Legislature July 12th.....

What about gun shaped tampons? @AIsForOrg Welcome to Texas, where guns in our Capitol building are cool, but tampons are a big no-no. #SB1
— Kevin Baker (@deutschmarine) July 12, 2013

...where if you have a concealed handgun permit you skip the lines and the metal detector and walk right in.

Why?

Because in their wealthy christian addled hate filled bigoted GOP infected gray matter they know they doing the right thing. The far right thing.

Monica Roberts down in the Dome sums it up quite nicely with this paragraph titled   "Teahadist Republifools"

"And if you thought I was being over the top partisan when I called the Republican controlled Texas government 'neo-fascist GOP oppressors' and I referred to Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst as Tex Fuhrer and Deputy Tex Fuhrer, peep this hearing on SB 2 in which Sarah Slamen is dragged from the mike by jack booted stormtroopers DPS troopers"




Last nights attempted testimony wasn't what these assholes wanted to hear so the asshole in charge failing to shout her out had her dragged out. WE need to VOTE these ASSHOLES OUT.

I moved here in 2002 and after 11 years I'm beginning to wonder why. Why did they go and crush our beautiful  Bluebonnet with their jack boots?

Transgender Marriage Equality Battle

Rapist who Threw up on transgender victim in 2001 is being retried

Gay Star News has published that the man who raped trans woman Anna Vincent January 2001 has 'been brought to justice'. Mohammad Salim 43, allegedly snatched Anna Vincent, 36, from outside Camden Town Tube station and raped her in a nearby alleyway on 23 January 2001.

The accused was not linked to the crime until a cold case a decade later discovered semen in the alleyway was found to be a one-in-a-billion match with his DNA, the Ham & High reports." (The Ham & High link is disabled.)

Pink News reports that Salim's first trial ended without a verdict so a new trial begun July 8 2013.

It is not clear from the Gay Star article whether a verdict was found or if sentencing has or will take place.

Both of those occurrences must take place before justice prevails.

Anna Vincent died in 2006 but it is not clear how.

Curiously there is a video posted by a VIMEO user going by the name of the accused that examines in depth the prevalence of suicides among rape victims. Salim is a fairly common name so it could only be a guess if this video has anything to do with the alleged rape of Ms Vincent.

The British justice system is a mystery to me and there are only a couple news accounts published about this trial. If you can help shed some light on this case please do!


#rape from on V.

Jazzie Collins Transgender Activist Icon Passed Away at 54 Peacefully and Powerfully

Cecilia C Chung shared this with us on Facebook "We are mourning the passing of Jazzie Collins today. From the offices of Tom Ammiano and Rich Gordon":

Assemblyman Rich Gordon (Menlo Park), Chair of the Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (San Francisco) released the following statement in response to the passing of San Francisco resident, long-time activist and LGBT Caucus honoree, Jazzie Collins. Ms. Collins passed away this morning at the age of 54.

“Jazzie was absolutely glowing last month when the LGBT Caucus honored her in the Capitol,” said Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. “Of course, we were the ones honored to have her with us, gracing us with her stature as a community leader and a human being. Her work for justice and equality in San Francisco will have long-lasting impact, as will her advocacy for communities that needed her voice. Her death robs us of that voice, and she is missed.”

“Today we lost an advocate and a leader,” Assemblyman and LGBT Caucus chair Rich Gordon said. “Jazzie Collins worked tirelessly on behalf of all communities, serving as an untiring advocate for the poor, for the transgender community and truly, for all San Francisco residents.

While we celebrate her Ms. Collins and her life’s work, her spirit will continue to live on through the many lives she has touched. On behalf of the LGBT Caucus, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in power.”

Starting in 2006, the California Legislative LGBT Caucus honors a select group of individuals from across the state, who strive to advance the cause of equality in California and throughout the country. Ms. Collins was one of 12 honorees this year recognized in a special ceremony on the Assembly Floor.

Jazzie won these accolades from the Legislators like all of the ones she is receiving on her Facebook page not with money but with love. Although I never met her in person I was blessed to have her as a facebook friend. Whenever I needed to know what was actually happening on the ground in San Fran Jazzie would cheerfully offer what she knew. We will miss you Jazzie for now, but know we will all be joining you once again to march in the sky.



Jazzie's BOA Mic Check evicting the financal preditors from their San Fransico office.

Florida Nursing Student Threatened With Arrest and Expulsion If She Continues To Use Students Bathroom

Up until the July 9th transgender woman Alex Wilson was using the the students restroom but after someone complained she said "I've been told I have to use a closet in the school administration building."

Ms. Wilson is a certified nursing Aid is a student at the Pinellas Technical Education Center in Clearwater Florida where she is continuing her education to a become a licensed practical nurse. She has been on HRT for four years and plans on changing her paperwork to indicate her authentic gender in the future.

According to WFLA "The Pinellas schools spokeswoman says administrators plan to look into this case to understand what happened. "In a scenario such as the one you're describing , a person will be offered access to a private restroom. And that's for the individual's privacy and for the privacy of other students," said Melanie Marquez Parra."

"The school spokesman says administrators will gather facts to see if anything should have been handled differently."

WFLA-TV News Channel 8

It sounds to me like the administration has already made up their minds and have acted accordingly. This story is personally disturbing to me because years ago early in my transition while in medical school I faced the same situation.

I was forced out of school because of the unending ridicule, harassment and ostracization after I agreed to use the teachers private restroom. The bigotry I faced wasn't just from the students, the staff intentionally misgendered me as well enabling the students to continue until one day I was threatened with violence. And the threats continued until I was being pushed and shoved in the hallways.

If this bothers you as well you can email the the Pinellas Technical Education Center using their contact form by clicking here or use this the information below.

Just remember please our intent is to help, not to vent.

Mark Erickson director at Clearwater Fl Campus.

Clearwater Campus
6100 154th Avenue N
Clearwater, FL 33760-2140
(727) 538-7167 - Fax (727) 538-7203
Toll Free: 1 (866) 503-PTEC (7832)

I just spoke with Mark Erickson director at Clearwater. He said that he can't speak specifically about what is going on with a given student but the school respects every student equally. Mr. Erickson was a great listener as I related my personal experiences. I also pointed out that in all of the counties, cities and states where trans people have been given access to public accommodations there has never been a instance when a trans person has abused that right.

I then talked with Melanie Parra media contact for the district. Ms. Parra was also a great listener even though as she pointed out she was not directly involved in the decision making process my input would become a part of her experience.

Both phone calls were highly encouraging and both people I talked to were very receptive. Both individuals pointed out the school is in decision making process so it's my hope some of my readers will also call and have a constructive conversation with these school officials as well. My apologies for any misspelled names or improper titles. I could not find a staff listing on the webs sites.

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei The Trans Woman Behind WKRP in Cincinnati Hilarity

I can't say how many times I in delighted in the antics of the WKRP crew. Being a native of Ohio it gave me something to laugh about in our otherwise flat and boring state. WKRP was unique, warm, endearingly daringly transcending racial and gender boundaries long before it was cool to do so. That was also long before I came to terms with my gender identity, long before doing so was a possibility in that ultra conservative state.

Or so I thought.

But not to PJ. She transitioned long before it was acceptable to do so. Long before the surgical operations were perfected. Long before HRT dosing became a science and she paid for it with her life suffering liver failure and complications from her SRS only 10 years after transitioning.

But there is an amazing tribute to PJ Torokvei,  at The Hollywood Reporter which was penned by Stan Brooks, a writer, director and Emmy-winning producer who was one of Torokvei's closest friends and collaborators.

PJ came out in a birthday letter to her friends at age 50. Brooks like many of PJ's friends was expecting a punchline after this news from his old friend but none came. Brooks was cool with it but PJ's life was forever changed, lessened by the loss of so many of her friends who couldn't understand.



Now I know why I loved WKRP so much so long before I knew who I was.

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei.

ENDA Gets Through Senate Committee A Historic First. So What Now?

Mara Keisling of the NCTE was kind enough to invite me to a media conference call this morning regarding the forthcoming ENDA S815 committee vote. Pretty much as she predicted ENDA was marked up this morning with the bipartisan support of Republicans Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Kirk (R-IL).

Source Thomas Library of Congress S.815 -- Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (Introduced in Senate - IS) full text and status.

SEC. 4. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED.

(a) Employer Practices- It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer--

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; or
(2) to limit, segregate, or classify the employees or applicants for employment of the employer in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment or otherwise adversely affect the status of the individual as an employee, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

I think I could speak for every trans person on the planet when I say WE NEED this to become law, and for myself especially number 2.
I can't tell you how many times since finally going full time post transition that I have watched new hires zip past me to a better paying job for doing the same OR less than what I do. That sucks. Seriously, the cotton ceiling Sucks because it comes at you from all directions, cisgender woman and men. Bosses. Co Workers alike. Talk about posses.

So now ENDA is making history by making it to the Senate Floor, but will it even get voted on their? Mara believes the chances are it will but when I posted on Facebook that it faces a dysfunctional death march in the republican controlled House Mara simply agreed at least in part, by 'liking' the status. In any case huge thanks go out to Mara and crew for riding herd on this.

We are making progress? Of sorts and sometimes that's a goal. But mostly, this was a opportunity to post this really cool picture I saw on Glaad blog.

So why are Republicans house members so opposed to ENDA which essentially guarantees the most religiously biased constituents exception in cases of discrimination? They are afraid that young tea party peons will take their jobs. That and plain old hate. Can't fix hate with nothing. Not with love. Not with money. And evidently, not even with exceptions.
Read what ENDA is and what it ain't at Media Matters.

Justice For Slain Türkçe Transsexual DORA İÇİN : Protest March July 12th

I was contacted via twitter by the first and as of this time the only Turkish transgender TV reporter Michelle Demishevich, who told me of some terrible news. A well known transsexual Dora Özer, has been murdered in Aydin Turkey.

[Bing Translate. Anyone offering a better translation would be so appreciated. plz post it in the comments]

Source Travesti Club: July 9, 2013 Time: 23:00 'in the transvestite DORA ÖZER murder was the last straw now. Site Hacifeyzullah district town of Kusadasi AYDIN ​​Altıngüvercin occurred on the second floor of the block 21. 24-year-old Huo alias ÖZER DORA had brutally stabbed to death in her home.

On 15 December 2012 in İstanbul, "Ghafoor" Kusadasi 4 April 2012 September 2012 at the "Nergis" Bursa "Add" and others as "Dora" the last murder. Every year at least 3 gay friend rapidly this hate murders, ignored the explosion, cut back so why? You have to take what these people veremediginiz tacirlerini kollarsınız drugs across Turkey lifter, so our people are what is in these people with this type of crime you ignored your "transvestite murders" and "gay" and veremediginiz status? Now it's time to say stop this hate killings gelmedimi rapidly and at least 10 years, our friend, our restless yetmedimi?

Cool n easy going until a State of TURKEY, NETHERLANDS bagıra basamıyormu gays Ceesay's picture? Even though they are Gay transvestite in Asia in our people are, so to speak, "hırlıya thief" where those great Turkish State to open arms? According to the eye every year with the massacre of our people is how "Turkish" ID, you are in the audience? You read through eglenirken Cocktail, private dining, otobanlarda, those people in their homes, in the streets, "STRUGGLE for LIFE". Just a little beyond your honor, if you varsaki your own hasiyetiniz insanınız quit with the "TRANSVESTITE". Don't overlook some things.

Facebook event: DORA İÇİN, ADALET İÇİN! NEFRET CİNAYETLERİNE DUR DE! DORA, FOR JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL!

Ontario Association of solidarity with LGBT and other Derneklermizin Contributions: DORA, for JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL! ALL OUR PEOPLE are SENSITIVE to TRANSPHOBIA PARADE on July 12, FRIDAY: 7: 30, WE are GLAD to SEE YOU AMONG US.
Hate killings to mean stop!
To defend our right to life!
To stimulate the political power!
To defend her life together!

Trans Woman Found Murdered In NW Houston Bayou

In Monica Roberts back yard. The Houston police are awaiting the autopsy of a "man wearing what appears to be a black dress and panty hose" who was found in 3 inches of water at 4100 Antoine in Brickhouse Gully about 8:15 a.m. on Sunday July 7.

This is not a high crime area and yes it does "appear" she was wearing a dress.

The person was assaulted sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning. The body was discovered by two young people who waved down a motorist who in turn called the police. The two young people then left the scene and are not believed involved in the murder but are being asked by the police to come forward and speak with them none the less.

A phone call to the Houston police public affairs office has not been returned as of this posting. If you have information please call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

Watch SheZow Episode 1 what "Disgusted" One Million (60,000 Moms)? Well, SheZow happens

"One Million (60,000) Moms" is all twisted about a cartoon show that dares to challenge male dominance by transforming a boy into a female super hero. Wait, aren't mothers woman? Why wouldn't woman be ecstatic about a cartoon which empowers there daughters?

Ok, I'm not a cartoon fan. I don't even own a TV because I can find so many constructive entertaining things to do with my mind when it's not in neutral zombyfied and vegetative, but this cartoon wasn't just funny it was unique. Yes, I'd watch it if I had a TV.



Not everyone agrees with me on that though. A bunch of men masqurading as woman on Facebook as "One Million Moms" for instance.

The email One Million Moms Transphobes is sending to the Hub Network:

As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com AKA as the AFA, I am deeply concerned about the new program called "SheZow." I am disgusted that your network produced a show with a transgendered superhero character. Hub network is being irresponsible and causing great damage to our culture.

I am appalled that Hub intends to air a show that portrays cross dressing in a positive light on a kid's channel. I strongly encourage Hub to drop all plans to air the program "SheZow."

This superhero character will be confusing for kids. Children desire to be just like superheroes and love to mimic a superhero's every action, even to the point of dressing up in costumes to resemble these characters as much as possible. It won't be long before little boys are saying, "I want to be a girl, so I can help people and save the world!"

My family plans to avoid the network all together so there will be no chance of viewing a commercial that promotes this vulgar program. Since Hub (Discovery and Hasbro) decided to produce this offensive program, you leave conservative viewers with no other choice. I hope you will reconsider and drop all plans to air this program.

I look forward to your response

.

SheWOW! "One Million (60,000) Moms" have transformed themselves magicly into the highly patriarchal, misogynistic male dominated AFA, who by there very nature would find it abhorant that a lowly girl could challange there authority.

That's funny. They could make a cartoon out of that.

You Go Girl!

MTPC Needs Your Letter For The July 9th Public Accommodations Hearing

Take action NOW for the July 9 Equal Access Bill hearing

Cross posted from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.

MTPC’s legislative focus is on An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and All Other Places Open to the Public (House Bill 1589/Senate Bill 643), which would add “gender identity” to existing state civil rights laws, which currently permit the exclusion of transgender people in public spaces.

How You Can Help

The hearing for the Equal Access Bill is scheduled for July 9, 2013, and WE NEED YOUR TESTIMONY. We provide a letter template below and sample letters that you can use to provide written testimony in advance of the Equal Access Bill hearing. The July 9 hearing is also open to the public (details to come), so please come out and show your support.

If you are registered to vote in the district of any of the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary who are hearing this bill (listed below), please let them know you support Equal Access. The most helpful would be for you to meet with your legislator from the Joint Judiciary Committee in person. Please let us know if you want to meet with you legislator about the Equal Access Bill. We’re happy to help you prepare for your meeting. You can also call their office and use our calling script.

Members of the Joint Judiciary Committee in the Senate: Katherine Clark, Senate Chair; Gale D. Candaras, Senate Vice Chair; William N. Brownsberger; Patricia D. Jehlen; John F. Keenan; Richard J. Ross. In the House: Eugene L. O’Flaherty, House Chair; Christopher M. Markey, House Vice Chair; Bruce J. Ayers; Claire D. Cronin; Sean Curran; Colleen M. Garry; Sheila C. Harrington; Carlos Henriquez; Kevin J. Murphy; Jeffrey N. Roy; Daniel B. Winslow.

Below is a template you can use when writing a letter to your state senator or representative. Please feel free to add more about your reasons for supporting this bill or describe your own experiences of discrimination in a place of public accommodation. If you are unsure of who your state House and Senate legislators are, you can look them up by searching for your town or zip code on https://malegislature.gov/People/Search.

When your letter is complete, email it to us at jesseb@masstpc.org. We’ll take care of the rest. 

Letter template

Dear Senator Clark, Representative O’Flaherty, and members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary,

My name is ___________________ and I live at ____________________________ [include your address (optional) and the name of your town. Optional: what’s your family situation?].   I am _____________________ [include occupation, group memberships--be short and selective].

I am writing to urge you to support An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public, introduced in the House by Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing and in the Senate by Senators Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-Diaz. This proposed law would prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation such as [list three to five types of public accommodations. Some examples are: hospitals, hotels, restaurants, stores, nursing homes, theaters, convention centers, libraries, public transportation, public streets, offices of state and local government, and polling places--see the Examples of Public Accommodations PDF for other places].

I believe this bill is important because ________________________________________ [please add your personal story or reason for supporting this bill].

With the passage of this law, Massachusetts would send a clear message to its citizens that all people are entitled to feel safe in their communities and to be offered the full protection of the law, regardless of their gender identity or expression.

By offering protection in places of public accommodation where people experience harassment and discrimination, this law would increase productivity, freedom, and safety for transgender youth and adults who are employees, consumers, residents, and students.

Please help Massachusetts join the many communities–including the states of Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine–that already provide protection in places of public accommodation on the basis of gender identity and/or expression.

[Write a closing sentence that sums up what you believe this bill will accomplish and/or how your life would be better when this bill passes.]

Respectfully,
[Your Name]

When your letter is complete, email it to us at jesseb@masstpc.org. We’ll take care of the rest. 

Resources

Sample testimony 1
Sample testimony 2
Sample testimony 3
Sample testimony 4

Download PDF about Testifying at a Public Hearing (MGLPC)
Download Oral/Written Testimony Worksheet PDF

VICTORY! Toronto TERF RadFem 2013 "Rise Up" Protested by MP and Public is Denied Venue

Victory! Beaver Hall Gallery Cancels as Venue for Radfem Rise Up

Posted on July 4, 2013 by notoradfemriseup.

"Toronto’s Beaver Hall Gallery at 29 McCaul Street had until recently been scheduled to host a conference called RadFem RiseUp! featuring bigoted so-called “radical feminists” who have engaged in hate campaigns against trans women, sex workers and 2-Spirit people."

"The conference had planned to provide a forum to participants and presenters such as Rachel Ivey and Lierre Keith, both who espouse extreme hate toward transgender women and sex workers. As well the conference had been hosting radical feminists who have engaged in harassment, bullying, dehumanizing language, stalking, outing transgender teenagers online and blaming us for the violence we experience."



"They have also used similar hate tactics against sex workers in order to purposely, viciously, attempt to ruin lives; they repeatedly and publicly deride and denigrate sex-workers. They repeatedly, publicly, misgender trans people and 2-Spirit people and in fact they say we don’t exist; they also say that trans women are merely a perverted outgrowth of “porn culture.”

according to the Radfem Riseup website the new location will remain secret: "The address of the venue will be sent to each individual participant after she registers."

Beaver Hall Gallery just released emails stating that it will no longer host the conference:

“Beaver Hall Gallery is a space within Beaver Hall Artists’ Housing Co-operative, where artists and their family members both live and work. The gallery is managed and staffed by volunteer members who live in the housing co-op. When gallery events may affect the entire community of the co-op, the Board of the Co-op is required to make determinations in the best interest of the co-op members.

A final decision has been made by the Board of Directors to not host RadFem Rise Up! at Beaver Hall Gallery this coming weekend.

While we realize this news is disappointing for some, we hope that all parties concerned will respect and understand the decision.

The Gallery Committee of Beaver Hall Artists’ Co-op”

It's a great day when hate groups are denied venues in result of our advocacy. Great work.

Laverne Cox in the new Netflix series "Orange is the new black" Life Inside Danbury Prison

Buzzfeed reports Cox, who shares an acting coach with Nicole Kidman, plays Sophia, a trans woman who, pre-transition, was a firefighter. In the third episode, guest-directed by Jodie Foster, we learn about her complicated relationship with her wife and son. “I don’t know of a trans character on television played by a trans person that has as much humanity as this character,” Cox says. It’s true. Generally, trans folks are portrayed as tragic or heroic, but Sophia is multidimensional and complex, part hard-won confidence, part sweet underbelly.

In one flashback scene, we see Sophia’s wife help her into a dress early on in her transition, and the pained tenderness when they kiss is palpable (Cox says Foster was so moved by the scene that she came out behind the camera with tears in her eyes). Later, when Sophia is cut off estrogen in prison for bullshit bureaucratic reasons, her panic — over not only the hair appearing on her chin, but also the serious medical issue of not having any hormone production in her body — is a nuanced portrayal of a pretty universal fear for trans people who take hormones, but one rarely discussed outside our communities.

From the A compelling, often hilarious, and unfailingly compassionate portrait of life inside a women’s prison

(Based on the memoirs of Piper Kerman) who was sent to prison for a ten-year-old crime, she barely resembled the reckless young woman she’d been when, shortly after graduating Smith College, she’d committed the misdeeds that would eventually catch up with her. Happily ensconced in a New York City apartment, with a promising career and an attentive boyfriend, she was suddenly forced to reckon with the consequences of her very brief, very careless dalliance in the world of drug trafficking.



Kerman spent thirteen months in prison, eleven of them at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, where she met a surprising and varied community of women living under exceptional circumstances. In Orange Is the New Black, Kerman tells the story of those long months locked up in a place with its own codes of behavior and arbitrary hierarchies, where a practical joke is as common as an unprovoked fight, and where the uneasy relationship between prisoner and jailer is constantly and unpredictably recalibrated.

Revealing, moving, and enraging, Orange Is the New Black offers a unique perspective on the criminal justice system, the reasons we send so many people to prison, and what happens to them when they’re there.