Posts by Marti Abernathey

Posts by Marti Abernathey

Transphobic Jokes, Context, and the Free Speech Canard

July 11, 2015 ·

Recently comedian Vicky Wagner posted this on social media: When criticized, she said: "I appreciate your opinion but Caitlyn had 65 years exp being a man in a man's world. She had male privilege. Has nothing to do with respect. Has to do with jokes. No one is off limits and I can't censor my self. Expected some flak. We should be able to laugh at ourselves. I have plenty of Gay and Lesbian jokes so why are Trans offlimits?… Read more.

I’m Trans, and I Don’t Like or Use the Trans Flag

July 5, 2015 ·

Facebook recently came out with a way to "rainbowify" your Facebook icon to show support for the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality. Soon after, a way to "celebrate trans pride" was also released. Recently a friend of mine, Shadi Petosky, posted on Facebook something that expressed my feelings about the trans flag perfectly: "I'll never use the trans flag on my photo or in any context. It's anti-feminist, not one flavor of feminism wants to continue codefying baby pink… Read more.

In Case You Missed it, Hillary Clinton Can’t Say Transgender

June 29, 2015 ·

I'm not sure why the Hillary Clinton campaign is sending me their LGBT related emails (I've never solicited this), but it seems as if I've been put on her press list. Today I received this: It's an email from the Clinton campaign, reminding us that Clinton is the candidate best suited to tackle "LGBT" rights. In case the campaign needs a lesson on what the LGBT acronym means: L is for lesbian G is for gay B is for bisexual… Read more.

Is Criticism of Marriage Equality a Sign of Homophobia in the Trans Community?

June 27, 2015 ·

On Facebook and Twitter, I've seen some criticism of the SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality from trans people.  The script may vary depending on the audience, but here's an example. Rebecca Juro posited this on Facebook: "The LGBT civil rights movement as we know it just came to a screeching halt now that SCOTUS has legalized marriage in all 50 states. LGBT working families and especially trans people are on our own now. Now that the rich gays have what… Read more.

When Rape Isn’t Rape, and Trans Veterans Aren’t Terrorists

November 13, 2014 ·

Trans-exclusionary radical feminist thought leader, Janice Raymond, once famously said: "All transsexuals rape women's bodies by reducing the real female form to an artifact, appropriating this body for themselves." All transsexuals rape women's bodies? Last I checked rape was non-consensual,  forced sexual intercourse.  Raymond's use of it as something less than that should be considered an insult to the victims of rape everywhere. Now Gallus Mag is claiming:   on Veteran's Day the person on the left: is a terrorist.… Read more.

Admit it, Obama is our Fierce Advocate

June 19, 2014 ·

Recently Rebecca Juro wrote a post at the Advocate called "No, Obama's Executive Order Is Not a (Total) Win" that I find extremely short-sighted and politically naive.  Soon after the election in 2008 of President Barack Obama, many started to question President Obama's claim as a "fierce advocate" for the LGBT community. I have my issues with the President (mainly on issues of privacy and his use presidential power). But in realm of LGBT advocacy, he has lived up to… Read more.

Is NGLTF’s Executive Director, Rea Carey, a Trans-Exclusive Radical Feminist?

May 3, 2013 ·

Is the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's executive director, Rea Carey, a Trans-Exclusive Radical Feminist?  If I was a Christian and "liked"  Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church on my Facebook page, would you think I was a radical anti-gay Christian Fundamentalist? Rea Carey's Facebook page: If it's difficult for you to see, here's a close-up of one of her "likes": if you're not sure who Cathy Brennan is, she's about as iconic in trans circles as Fred Phelps is in gay ones.… Read more.

If you Want to Lobby for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Stay Home

April 26, 2013 ·

I recently received an email from Mara Keisling asking me to join the: "National Center for Transgender Equality and the Transgender People of Color Coalition in Washington, DC on June 17, 2013 to lobby for basic job protections and fair treatment in the U.S. immigration system." In years past, the lobby days put on by the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, GenderPAC, and the National Center for Transgender Equality, were invaluable in educating both citizen lobbyists and the US Congress about… Read more.

The Human Rights Campaign Just Needs More Education About Transphobia

December 9, 2012 ·

The Human Rights Campaign has a history of making moves that make it seem like it is becoming more and more trans aware/friendly/positive. After all, they hired Allyson Robinson: and they gave Lana Wachowski the HRC Visibility Award: So they're on our team, right? They're our allies? Apparently team trans hasn't "educated" HRC's e-mail Communications Coordinator, David Salisbury. Salisbury apparently thinks this is appropriate behavior for an HRC employee: Can you say institutionalized transphobia? Or maybe the Human Rights Campaign… Read more.

Exploiting The Transgender Dead: Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition’s Rent-A-Corpse Page

November 18, 2012 ·

I used to be outraged when the non-profit sector of the "LGBT" community tried to exploit the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), but after repeated attempts (1, 2, 3, 4) I have come to expect it. This year's attempt comes from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition's (MTPC) TDOR page: You too can become a Boston TDOR sponsor. You can make MTPC's TDOR page look like a sponsored NASCAR vehicle! As I mentioned before, the intention behind the TDOR is best… Read more.

I Get The Anger, But Hate Isn’t The Answer

October 27, 2012 ·

Over the last few days I've seen a lot of anger from the trans community over the Roseanne Barr controversy. I do understand the anger. We are often portrayed as being sexual deviants who just want access to women in bathrooms and showers.  I do understand the fear we live under, every single time we attempt to urinate. I get it. But  when you do something like this, in response to hatred: or this: or this: and especially this: and… Read more.

What Did Roseanne Say That Was So Transphobic?

October 27, 2012 ·

I heard that question asked over and over on Twitter last night after Roseanne Barr tweeted: Well, the short answer is, "where do I start?" Barr is speaking of is Colleen Francis. Francis was using the sauna in a women’s locker room inside the recreation center at Evergreen State College when a few girls from a local swim team complained. What do I find transphobic about Barr's statement? I've not seen ONE media… Read more.

Right Wing Throwing Transphobic Hatred at Rachel Maddow?

October 1, 2012 ·

What would you say if I told you that right-wingers on Facebook were throwing transphobic, misogynistic slurs around like this: "a nasty two cent slut ....h. mmmmmm" "Whoopie should have held her down and Joy could've bitch slapped her. Can't stand Maddow." "That horse faced wench needs to put a stopper in that pie hole." "... Maddow isn't a woman. It incubated, popped through someone else's chest and somehow learned to speak." "If she weren't so sadly skinny, I'd think… Read more.

Rupaul: Fuck You, You Silly F****t!

January 15, 2012 ·

Even though RuPaul Andre Charles is a drag performer who lives his off-stage life as a man, he seems to think he can speak for the transgender community. In an interview with Michelangelo Signorile, Rupaul said of Lance Bass (apologizing for using the word tranny): "It's ridiculous! It's ridiculous! I love the word "tranny" And I hate the fact that he's apologized. I wish he would have said, 'F-you, you tranny jerk!'" As Monica Roberts of Transgriot (and a contributor… Read more.

Neil Patrick Harris Sounds Like A Transphobe

December 2, 2011 ·

I was alerted to a transphobic statement from Neil Patrick Harris. Trans Femmergy posted Neil Patrick Harris:  I've never sounded more like a tranny in my life.  She said: Nope. But ya do sound just like lots of other trans misogynist gay guys that don't give two shits about the lives of trans women (Dan Savage and Don Lemon come to mind immediately). Check out the video link available here (I don't embed trans-haters). Great job, NPH. Thanks for using… Read more.

Introducing New Transadvocate Contributors: Matt Kailey and Jennifer Carr

November 8, 2011 ·

The list of The Transadvocate contributors is growing by two today! Please Welcome Matt Kailey and Jennifer Carr! Kailey is a transsexual man and an award-winning author, blogger, and community leader, as well as a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on transgender issues. He blogs at Tranifesto. You can learn more about him here. Jennifer Carr is a writer, blogger, public speaker and advocate for gender diverse individuals. She is also "proud mother of a child who knew she was… Read more.

Kelly Osbourne, Angie Zapata, and Why Words Matter

November 2, 2011 ·

Yesterday I wrote a post about Kelly Osbourne's transphobic rant in the Glamour UK. There were many attacks on my character by the Kelly Osbourne Twitter Army, but one tweet questioned my use of Angie Zapata in criticizing Kelly. I told Osbourne that: @MissKellyO R U denying U used "chick w/ a dick" or tranny? Do U know how awful ths words R & how they dehumanize us to the point of death? The Transadvocate @MissKellyO and you should learn… Read more.

Kelly Osbourne’s Transphobic Rant: Humiliated by Chicks With Dicks and Trannys

November 1, 2011 ·

Recently the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, opened up about her "humiliation": "Having to tell them (my parents) my fiance had cheated on me with a tranny who sold his/her story to the press (was the most uncomfortable moment). It was so humiliating. Everyone kept telling me that Luke was cheating on me, but I never believed them. It's hard enough to get your head around someone cheating on you, but when someone is a chick with a d**k?… Read more.

To Calpernia Addams and Andrea James: Trans Cyberbullying is Never OK

August 30, 2011 ·

I've been keeping tabs on the continuing drama between Gina Grahame vs. Calpernia Addams and Andrea James and it's getting pretty ugly. The argument seems to have blown up after an email that Grahame sent TYFA Concerning James' work on "Likin Big Dicks". James is a board member of TYFA and Grahame was concerned that the video wasn't appropriate for a board member to be affiliated with. What happened  after the email was a lot of "she said, she said"… Read more.

Radical Lesbian Separatism in LGBT Activism: Hyding in Plain Sight?

August 25, 2011 ·

I recently posted "Transphobic Radical Hate Didn't Start With Brennan: The Sandy Stone-Olivia Records Controversy" to point to the past of anti-trans radical feminist bigotry. Pointing out the past is important in building a unified future. You can't simply ignore people inside the "LGBT" community who foster hatred and fear against you. There are lesbian radical feminists in the community that wish to "challenge the practice of transgenderism". I don't wish to silence dialogue, but there's a certain line of… Read more.

Transphobic Radical Hate Didn’t Start With Brennan: The Sandy Stone-Olivia Records Controversy

August 24, 2011 ·

When Cathy Brennan recently published her transphobic missive to the UN at radfem Hub, it reminded me of a similar kind of radical feminist transphobic screeds from the past. In 1977 Sandy Stone was the focus of a controversy concerning her inclusion into the Olivia Records women's collective. The following letter, "Open Letter to Olivia" and Olivia's response were posted in "Sister: West Coast Feminist Newspaper" in the June-July edition of 1977. "Dear Olivia: We are writing concerning your decision… Read more.

Reparative Therapy for Trans Youth: Kenneth Zucker is Different from George Rekers How?

June 8, 2011 ·

Watching this recent CNN story on reparative therapy and the damage it did to George Reker's poster child (Kirk Andrew Murphy), I was struck by the similarity of this story and a child that NPR covered about childhood gender identity issues. "Bradley" was treated by Kenneth Zucker for gender identity disorder. Does this: "So, to treat Bradley, Zucker explained to Carol that she and her husband would have to radically change their parenting. Bradley would no longer be allowed to… Read more.

McLaurin Apologizes for “Circus Freak” Comment

April 20, 2011 ·

I received this from Mark  McLaurin this morning: "As an advocate and activist with a fifteen year history of working for equality in the LGBT community, I know that words not only matter, but they are powerful.  Last week, I carelessly used a pejorative phrase in an online argument that is insulting and hurtful.  While my intent was not to refer to Transgender people, as a community, that way, I now recognize that what I intended is not important- what matters is… Read more.

SEIU 500 Issues Statement Concerning McLaurin’s Troubling “Circus Freak” Comment

April 19, 2011 ·

From SEIU Local 500 Executive Director David Rodich: "It has come to our attention that SEIU Local 500 Political Director Mark McLaurin made what we believe to be insensitive and inappropriate statements regarding members of the transgender community in a semipublic online forum recently. We wish to make clear that Mr. McLaurin was not speaking on behalf of SEIU Local 500 or its members. We do not support any statements that are meant either implicitly or explicitly to denigrate any… Read more.

HB235, NCTE, ENDA, and the big Reveal

April 18, 2011 ·

When Mara Keisling of NCTE publically came out in support of Maryland's gender identity anti-discrimination bill, I wondered what her angle on it was. Bilerico recently posted "3 Ways to Improve ENDA Advocacy: Take the Fight to the States" written by civil rights attorney Tico Almeida. Almeida points to why there was such a push for HB235:"But the policy and legislative advocates at both NCTE and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force think it is plausible that we can… Read more.

SEIU Political Director and Progressive Maryland Board Member Calls Trans People “Circus Freaks”

April 15, 2011 ·

I've seen vitriol spewed in my decade or so of transactivism, but it's usually spewed most venomously by the right wing. SEIU Political Director Mark McLaurin spewed this vitriolic chain of transphobic/mysogynistic/hateful comments on Dana Beyer's Facebook page concerning TransMaryland/TransUnited/Out of state supporters of fixing or killing HB235. "Ohhhhh so it wasn't spineless lawmakers who killed the bill but rather your uncannily strategic merry band of out of state circus freaks who, heretofore havent been able to organize anything more… Read more.

Press Release from TransMaryland Concerning HB235

April 12, 2011 ·

Press release from TransMaryland: TransMaryland Issues Statement of HB235’s Demise Maryland House Bill Ultimately Failed on Several Levels Annapolis — April 12, 2011 — Today is not a day to celebrate, for it is still one more year without the critical and necessary public accommodations protections for transgender Marylanders and those transgender individuals merely visiting our state. Today is a day to remember that every November 20 we hold a vigil, a Day of Remembrance Service for those we lost… Read more.

Trading Away Public Accommodations in Maryland

April 9, 2011 ·

There's bickering over at Pam's House Blend about a statement made by Jenna Fischetti in her public testimony to the Senate in Maryland. She said "Never in the history of transgender-specific legislation has any state gone back and added a public accommodation only provision when there is already an existing law," in the argument over the truthfulness of Fischetti's statement, a very important point gets lost.  Sandeen states: "Well, I am sorry I got the facts wrong. And I do, without reservation,… Read more.

NCTE Supports HB235 IN MARYLAND?

March 15, 2011 ·

It would seem so.  Though they've been silent publicly, one only need look as far as NCTE Executive Director's Facebook wall: Now if the Executive Director of Maryland Equality (Morgan Meneses-Sheets) is thanking Keisling, I'd suggest that Keisling supports the bill. Or you could just look at this picture: Any questions? Read more.

If You Dig Michfest, You’re NOT a Trans Ally

March 14, 2011 ·

I recently had a discussion with a person with cisgender privledge about Michfest. I thought feminist/POC theory taught rather early on that a person who isn't in the oppressed category doesn't get to define if they are in fact, an ally. If you support Michfest, you're NOT a Trans ally. This is what I said: "No, we don't share similar viewpoints on Michfest. I wouldn't go to Hammerfest, no matter how 'good' or how much of a "safe space" it… Read more.

Gay Media: Maryland Trans Community, Love The Crumbs We Give You

March 4, 2011 ·

As much as trans people seem to want to believe it, gay (GayINC) media is not their friend/advocate/ally. Tom Lang, of Know Thy Neighbor said: It seems that the hard work of transgender and transsexual activists inside and outside of Maryland are getting some movement regarding the discriminatory Maryland Bill HB235. But how are our friends over at the "lgbtq community news source", the Washington Blade, covering the story? They posted ‘Political reality’ forces changes to Md. trans bill.  They… Read more.

The GayInc Muzzle on Maryland

February 22, 2011 ·

Transgender blogs (here, here, here, here, here, here, here and that's not counting the numerous blogs by Katrina Rose here and on ENDAblog)  have been buzzing over the lack of public accommodation protections in Maryland's HB235. The head of TransMaryland,  Jenna Fischetti, wrote this post saying: "House Bill 235's introduction and language came as a shock to the majority of the transgender community because its lack of protection in respect to not only previous bills, or currently enacted laws in both Montgomery County… Read more.

Why No ENDA? The Scary Trans Frank’en Penis!

February 15, 2011 ·

There's a meme going around the GLBT leadership out in the media right now that goes something like this: "Democrats wouldn't pass ENDA even when we had the votes and no one knows why." And what do our transgender leaders say about this troubling question? Dana Beyer  blamed it on the  "national LBGT leadership": "This was strange, since after talking to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a number of colleagues said she was perplexed as to why the national LGBT leadership had abandoned… Read more.

Still Sockpuppeting After All These Weeks

February 10, 2011 ·

Or, to pilfer from the oeuvre of Paul Simon's wife: Shooting Rubberbands at Sockpuppets (Because That's All I Can Do Without Violating the Patriot Act.) Sooooooooooooooooooo... Now, where to begin? Where to begin?  Where to begin? Well, lets start at planetransgender and word that Pam's House Blend isn't the only venue that is actively impeding and/or denigrating views that don't rigidly adhere to the 'all gay marriage, all the time - and all gay marriage all the time is good for trans… Read more.

Be Good or You WILL BE Degraded, TRANNY!

February 10, 2011 ·

Sometimes the intersection of two seemingly unconnected stories come together to show how little respect for trans people there is and how transition/surgery are treated as luxuries, not medically necessary. Many people will argue that transgender prisoners do not "deserve" treatment for GID in prison.  That argument is based on the thought that transition is a luxury and not medically needed. Some media outlets may think that they only have to follow the AP stylebook when they address transgender people in a good or… Read more.

Any Equality Except Trans Equality

February 7, 2011 ·

From Marriage Vomit Central: Maryland’s same-sex marriage bill gets its first hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. in Annapolis. Those interested in testifying have until 12:45 p.m. that day to register, but a Senate spokesperson today warned that large crowds are expected so anyone planning to attend should arrive early. ... Maryland’s Senate has 47 members; 24 votes are needed for passage. The Baltimore Sun reported this weekend that the marriage bill has 20… Read more.

GayINC 101: a Tutorial

January 30, 2011 ·

Wondering if you're part of GayINC? Some recent comments by GayInc bloggers have asked/mocked/been incensed by people asking that question: Most entertaining PHB rumor out there: that we are all tools of Gay Inc. We're still waiting for our raises from $0 to $0...plus generous D&G gift cards...." - Pam Spaulding "If you only knew how laughable it is to call me "Gay Inc." - Jeremy Hooper GayINC stands for Gay incorporated. "Gay rights" organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, National… Read more.

(LGBT Issues = Same-Sex Marriage) = The New Transgendercide Agenda

January 20, 2011 ·

From Queer Channel Media: Support for same-sex marriage tops the list for what LGBT rights supporters want to hear from President Obama next week during his State of the Union address. No. It tops the list of what the 'all gay marriage, all the time - and fuck the working-class shlubs who don't already have employment anti-discrimination protection and don't have an 8-figure estate tax bite taht they're trying to dodge'-oids want. The demand from advocates makes for great expectations… Read more.

The Reality That Dares Not Speak Its Name in Gay Blog Land

January 18, 2011 ·

Facts matter. Here is a timeline that apparently cannot be spoken of in Gay Blog Land. “jpmassar” posted the item New Hampshire to LGBTs: Happy New Year! Now Die. In the view of myself, Kathleen and some others, the post mischaracterized the legal position of trans people in New Hampshire. I took issue with it on that PHB thread - more vocally than any of the others.  Kathleen occasionally chimed in as well. “Lurleen,” and others, took issue with my interpretation of… Read more.

Super Secret Lesbian Barista At Pam’s House Blend and The Trans Lunch Counter Sit-in

January 15, 2011 ·

Kathleen, a transwoman and commenter on Pam's House Blend (PHB), asked a very compelling question: "It's hard to justify pushing for national orgs to focus all their resources on marriage & no such push for basic employment rights in the same state." She was referencing states like Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Maryland, Delaware, and New York that have basic employment protections for gays and lesbians but do not protect transgender people. With that in mind, Kathleen's questioning of a… Read more.

After The Personal Wars: What’s Next In The Fight For Transequality?

January 14, 2011 ·

Given the current political climate it looks as if the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) is dead for at least the next couple of years. What should we do? We need to look at the example of Haverford. From Philadelphia Gay News: "Haverford is on its way to becoming the 19th jurisdiction in the state to ban LGBT discrimination, as the township commission voted 5-3, with one abstention, at its Jan. 10 meeting to adopt a measure that prohibits discrimination based… Read more.

The Democratic Party’s New LGBT “Equality” Agenda: Big Words, Short Arms

January 10, 2011 ·

It’s really interesting to see how mainstream cable newsmedia is lauding the Democratically-controlled 111th Congress for getting so much done. It’s not entirely undeserved of course, but when one takes a close look at what actually did get done this past session of Congress in terms of protecting and ensuring equal civil rights for all Americans, we find that their actual results are really not quite as impressive as some would like us to believe. The repeal of Don’t Ask,… Read more.

Senator Casey Asks Social Security Administration to Provide Gender Change Publication

January 10, 2011 ·

Today Senator Bob Casey asked the Social Security Adminstration to create a publication for gender change: Dear Commissioner Astrue: Thank you for your continued leadership of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and demonstrated commitment to improve SSA'S service to the public. l commend your agency for the website's recognition by the American Customer Satisfaction Index and your maintenance of over 50 informational publications available to the public I write today today to request your attention to a gap in Social… Read more.

Blog Of Shame: Sockpuppets and The Politics of Personal Destruction

January 8, 2011 ·

Autumn Sandeen's latest "expose" over at Pam's House Blend is about activist and blogger Ashley Love. She states her reason for this post is that: "However, I can't help but feel that Ashley Love's pattern of writing derogatory and defamatory commentary needs to be exposed to the light of day. It seems to me that her views are outlier viewpoints, and she's too much of a public figure -- both in and out of trans community -- to ignore what… Read more.

Gay Agendas and The Trans-Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

January 4, 2011 ·

When I heard that "Kathleen" over at Pam's House Blend was banned for allegedly outing an anonymous blogger that just happened to be affiliated with GayINC, I was shocked... for all of about thirty seconds.  As someone that's been inside the belly of the "GLBT blogger beast", I can tell you that there is a coordinated message that is put out by GayINC that is generally followed by the bloggers that are "in the know." As with traditional media these days, access… Read more.

DEAR STONEWALL, PLEASE STOP EXPLOITING OUR DEAD!

November 18, 2010 ·

I'm pissed. Every year I write this post. EVERY SINGLE GODDAMN YEAR. You just can't help but feed off the dead. You did it in 2007, in 2008, and 2009, and you're doing it again this year. What am I talking about? Every year I do a post about a group that is either exploiting or misusing the Transgender Day of Remembrance.  Today after reading Gwen Smith's  "Dancing on Graves" on the subject, I get this in my email: Today… Read more.

De-transitioned in Death, How the Media Disrespects Transgender People

October 30, 2010 ·

I'm tired. Tired of the so called "liberal media" disrespecting our dead.  Hell, even our own "LGB(t) media does it. Ya know, "Today a transgender woman, Jane Doe,  who was formerly known as John Doe, was murdered today."  A few examples: "The Essex County Prosecutor's Office reported today that the victim of a fatal shooting in Maplewood on Sunday was Victoria Carmen White, formerly James White. White had legally changed her name to Victoria Carmen following sex reassignment surgery."- Maplewood… Read more.

History Theft: How Gay and Lesbian Historians Appropriate Trans History

October 9, 2010 ·

As far back as we have history of transgender people, we have appropriation (a nice word for theft) of our history by gays and lesbians. I wrote a post about Albert Cashier, who was a veteran of the Civil War and lived as Albert most of his life. His identity stayed intact for most of his life. Only until he was admitted to Watertown State Hospital was it widely known that Cashier was born female. When he was forced to… Read more.

The Blind Push For ENDA And Your Advocacy Dollars

April 19, 2010 ·

Tomorrow you'll  likely to see a big push from inside the beltway "equality" organizations pushing for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). From a recent e-mail plea: Dear United ENDA Coalition Organizational Leaders: We think you'll agree that our community is more than ready to see ENDA passed now. So we are writing to ask your organization to sign on to a very simple statement asking Congress to PASS ENDA NOW. The statement is attached but you'll see that… Read more.

ENDA And Barney Frank’s Trans Penis Panic

April 13, 2010 ·

In a recent interview with Karen Ocamb, Barney Frank said: “I’m hoping to get a vote on it in committee . I’m doing a lot of work on it quietly, to get the issues involving transgender access to rooms where people have their clothes off. That’s a fact that you have to deal with, particularly for people who have not had an operation." Frank has had a reputation for… Read more.

When Ticked Off Gay Men Attack: Misogyny As A Knife

March 29, 2010 ·

Last week when I posted Tribeca Film Festival Promotes Exploitation of Transgender People, I never thought that the call to action would cause controversy within the GLBT community. As gudbuytjane said about the movie on her blog: I felt sick. I have seen the lives and even the deaths of trans people appropriated by cis LGB culture before, but I didn’t think anyone would be so crass as to describe in lurid detail the deaths of two trans people (ironic… Read more.

Update: Facebook Ban and Lost Corporation Status of “Ticked-Off Trannies” Film

March 25, 2010 ·

I recently tried to post an update on Facebook to the story ran on Transadvocate on Monday (March 22, 2010) titled: Tribeca Film Festival Promotes Exploitation of Transgender People and got the following: I then was auto-logged out and when I logged back in it said my login had been disabled. Since when is posting about GLAAD's petition of the movie a violation of Facebook's TOS? What exactly was reported as abusive? I can't figure out if the petition itself… Read more.

Tribeca Film Festival Promotes Exploitation of Transgender People

March 22, 2010 ·

The Tribeca Film festival has announced it's 2010 lineup of films and "Ticked-Off Trannies With Knives" is among them. "When a group of transgender women are violently beaten and left for dead, the violated vixens turn deadly divas in this hilariously campy homage to the exploitation films of the '70s and '80s ("Transploitation," anyone?). Loaded with bodacious bods and extreme violence, this revenge fantasy proves that it takes more than balls to get even." And guess what, it's billed as… Read more.

Questioning ENDA: Since I’m On Moderation At Bilerico…

March 12, 2010 ·

Apparently I'm on comment moderation at Bilerico even though I'm a former contributor and a verified user. So, I'll post my question to Dr Jillian Weiss here: Dr. Weiss, I'm kinda confused. You've said here that: I do not have any reliable info on this. My feeling is that I will not abandon the effort to get job protections based on rumors. If the language comes out, and it is unjust, I will fight to get it changed. Dr. Jillian… Read more.

Genital Checking, Bad ENDA Language, and NCTE Lobby Days

March 10, 2010 ·

Recently  I did an  interview with Ethan St. Pierre of Transfm.org. You can listen to here: We discussed a post at the Bay Area Reporter titled "Leaders: ENDA will get House vote this month", specifically comments from the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Mara Keisling. Even as NCTE gears up for it's  "Lobby Day 2010", Keisling said of the changes to the ENDA language concerning transgender people: "it might be harmless or it might be… Read more.

Transphobia? Only On CBS

February 12, 2010 ·

First they aired a tranphobic episode of The New Adventures Of Old Christine, then CBS News decided to ditch the accepted guidelines of the AP Stylebook to write this ugly little post, and now this: CBS was recently criticized for airing an anti-abortion ad during the Super Bowl while refusing to sell ad time to a gay dating site.  CBS's repeated promotion of ugly stereotypes of transgender people show an obvious disregard for our community. When GLAAD gave the The… Read more.

Dr. Jillian T. Weiss Soon To Join Other Transgender Activists In The Wilderness

February 10, 2010 ·

That's my opinion on where the good doctor is headed. In a recent post at Bilerico.com she said: "The incredibly unflappable Signorile asked about the failure of Congress to move on ENDA and DADT, and the President's failure to lead. Frank's angry response was that the LGBT community has failed to lobby Congress. He characterized our community as "lazy" and "whining". He said "that is why we will lose" on ENDA and DADT. It was obvious he was more interested… Read more.

Transpinay Activist Sass Rogando Sasot Speaks To United Nations

December 23, 2009 ·

Sass Rogando Sasot speaks to United Nations on December  10th, 2009 - A  panel discussion organized by the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights. Theme: Opposing grave Human Rights Violations on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Read more.

Gay Mafia Wars: ENDA and the Politics of Personal Destruction

December 10, 2009 ·

As I write this, I  feel as if I've been transported back in time to May of 2007. The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) had just had a successful lobby days event and I reported back that the talk on the Hill during  Lobby Days was that we were being written out of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Mara Keisling said then that: "Rumors that a non-inclusive ENDA will be introduced in the Senate are unequivocally only rumors that seem to… Read more.

The White Gay Mafia Wants Marriage, Not ENDA

December 8, 2009 ·

I read the post by Adam Bink, "Misdirected Anger Over ENDA" and I have to say I'm pretty damn appalled. His first contention: "I reject blame placed upon people who choose to focus on an issue and pound on it. In the first place is prioritization. By my own estimate, probably 80% of my posts and online organizing in the past three months have related to marriage equality. I focused on marriage in the Corzine race, Maine, New York State,… Read more.

The Bible Tells Me So: Transsexualism Is Not A Sin

November 5, 2009 ·

I have to admit that ignorant Christians get on my nerves, especially when it comes to discussing transgender people and genital "mutilation".  This was brought to mind yesterday from a tweet I received: reSemblance: The surgical mutilation of ur God given body in an attempt 2B something you're not, is indeed a disgusting pretense. This isn't even remotely biblical. Jesus said in Matthew: "For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men;… Read more.

Racism, Congressional Hearings, and GLBT Politics: Stop Excluding African Americans

November 3, 2009 ·

On November 5th, 2009,  the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will hold hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The hearings will take place in a city where over half of its citizens are African American. According to the Washington D.C. Transgender Needs Assessment Survey performed in 2000, only 58 percent of transgender respondents in Washington D.C. were employed, 29% reported no annual source of income, 31% reported that their annual income was under $10,000, and 15% reported… Read more.

Transwoman Removed From Restroom, Subjected to Transpobic Slurs

October 28, 2009 ·

A press release from transsexualities.com: Transwoman removed from female washroom by security and subjected to transphobic slurs for using “wrong bathroom” KELOWNA, BC - On Sunday, October 26th, at approximately 2AM, a transwoman was dragged out of the women’s washroom at LeVeL Nightclub. A LeVeL employee who identified herself as Carly Wilson, initially directed the victim, a regular patron, to the male washroom after Wilson was asked where the female washroom was located. The victim pushed the door slightly open… Read more.

Opponent of Gainesville’s “Bathroom Bill” Arrested For Bathroom Voyeurism

October 21, 2009 ·

From the Gainesville Sun: The CVS Pharmacy manager who allegedly admitted Friday to filming women in his store's bathroom was an active participant in the 2008 charter amendment to "keep men out of women's restrooms." Jonathan Matheny, 27, was charged with one count of video voyeurism after a customer told police she had discovered a cell phone equipped with a camera under a pile of tissues in the CVS bathroom at 125 S.W. 34th St. Can you say projection? Maybe… Read more.

Media Using Children For Profit: Gender Change, Not Sex Change Kids

October 20, 2009 ·

Every time I see a story about "USA: 8-year-old child sex change",  "8-year-old boy has 'sex change', or Boy, 8, has ’sex change’, that is Unbelievable!,  it sickens me. Not because of the children, but because of the media. These children are transgender, not transsexual. They are simply being allowed to self  identify, without any surgery or hormones. Trans-children won't need hormones blockers until the onset of puberty (which happens in a range from 10-18 years old), and generally don't… Read more.

Trolling: The Ultimate Activist Trap

September 23, 2009 ·

The Internet is a wild place. It also provides one of the most remarkable resources to any social movement: the capacity to integrate resources and efforts and share narrative and information rapidly. But the flora and fauna of this digital landscape can be downright unpleasant and dangerous at times. As I'm sure anyone who's ventured into the depths of its maw can attest to. What am I talking about? Why, trolls, of course. No, not the scary things that live… Read more.

Siriusly EmpTy

September 18, 2009 ·

Recently, I saw a tweet by Diana Cage on twitter. I'd heard Cage on her nightly show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio's "Diana Cage Show", and I decided to subscribe and listen in on her show. I came in during Derek and Romaine's "Desperately Fucking Angry" segment where people call in and complain about things that piss them off. "Trans Trucker" called in the following audio: And "Trans Trucker" isn't alone. Last December, Becky Juro referred to Sirius XM's… Read more.

Is HRC Wicked?: A Return TO Barney Frank’s Oz

September 17, 2009 ·

Coming up on the two year anniversary of the Human Right Campaign's (HRC) support of Barney Frank dropping gender identity from the 2007 Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA), the irony of HRC's current position on DOMA couldn't be scripted any thicker. HRC defended their defection with Frank in 2007 this way: "Our community can work with the people who want to help us, or we can walk out on them," Solmonese wrote. "In a community facing such fierce opposition from the… Read more.

Am I A Woman Born Transsexual?: The Politics of Trans-Identities

September 16, 2009 ·

The intersection of internet wars sometimes brings interesting observations to mind, and today one such intersection really spoke to me. Recently Jasper over at Jasper's wardrobe has made some pretty controversial things about gender and transwomen. From "just your average straight white guy with a cunt": "I do not recognize any claims to the truth of a gender. All genders are constructed. From this standpoint I see hormones and SRS as body modifications. That is great. Tattoos piercings and hormones.… Read more.

How To Be An Ally

September 12, 2009 ·

Privilege is a nasty thing. It steals perspective, traps us in mindsets and views that make it near impossible to comprehend what a marginalized person is going through. It is, invariably, the worst obstacle facing any ally of any marginalized group. What I say here is probably applicable to any context of ally and oppressed but I'll stick with the trans angle, as it is what I know the best. Some of this might be lifted straight from my twitter… Read more.

The Hate We Fight Abroad, The Ignorance At Home

September 7, 2009 ·

In the context of the "war" for our equality, trans-people have to fight the war on two fronts. There's the kind of hatred that is espoused by morally corrupt people on the right wing conservative side (the "abroad" part of the fight). It's  found at places like Pat Dollard's blog. On a post about a transgender woman running for mayor you see hatred so open and bare, it's sickening. We are seen as "icky": "As Tony Snow would say 'Just… Read more.

Breaking News: First Ever Transgender Appointment To The DNC

September 4, 2009 ·

On Friday DNC Chair Tim Kaine appointed Barbra Casbar-Siperstein ( the first transgender person appointed) to the Democratic National Committee. Casbar-Siperstein is currently the President of the New Jersey Stonewall Democrats, Vice Chair of Garden State Equality, and  Political Director of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of NJ.  She  was a voting delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. In 2005-2006, she served on Governor - elect Corzine’s Labor and Workforce Development Transition Advisory Board. More details to follow. Read more.

Trans and Stealth

September 2, 2009 ·

I used to be pretty arrogant about the whole stealth vs. out thing.  Today reading Dyssonance's To Stealth Or Not To Stealth, I had to reflect on how my perspective has changed, and not. I've worked jobs where no one knew I was transgender/transsexual and I've worked at places where my entire story was posted on page one of the Indianapolis Star. The bottom line for me is this: I am a woman, but I am not  female (Gender=social construction,… Read more.

Privileged and Pretty Equals Success

September 2, 2009 ·

This morning I received an email talking about a website called "The Pink Butterfly Network". It claims to be a knockoff of Lynn Conway's Transsexual Women's Successes, pointing to transsexual women who should inspire us. I like Lynn Conway, and her Transsexual Women's Successes page has become more than just pretty faces. But this knockoff site and others like it bother me. A success to who? What qualifies as a success? Someone that is feminine? Someone that is pretty? To… Read more.

Frank Leaps Transgender Lobbyists in Single Bound

September 1, 2009 ·

Am I the only one who is a bit puzzled/miffed/baffled by Barney Frank's insinuation in this exchange: There is another difference from 2007. Frank now has a policy adviser who is a female-to-male transsexual. Diego Sanchez is the first transgender person hired for a senior congressional staff position on Capitol Hill. Sanchez has done extensive face-to-face lobbying for ENDA, and Frank says that's enabled some members of Congress to get to know a transsexual for the first time. "He interacts… Read more.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly?

August 27, 2009 ·

I spend a lot of time here at The Transadvocate posting various news articles from around the web through a plugin that pulls tweets from the Transadvocate Twitter page. Recently Stephanie Stevens from Abnormal Heights and Transgender News Yahoo group started tweeting transgender news on Twitter as well.  This morning she posted the following tweet: In California, a transwoman led police on a 100 mph chase in stolen vehicle. http://bit.ly/DAr00 In response to that tweet, I asked: @TransNewsGirl how is… Read more.

Transgender Woman Attacked At Gym

August 17, 2009 ·

From Facebook and my friend María Lapachet: "At the beginning of last month a woman was assaulted in a private gym in Gijon, Spain. She was taking a shower when a man kicked the door open, almost knocking her out. She was dragged out, thrown to the floor, kicked and verbally assaulted by a group of men who told her their attack was just a warning. No one came to her aid. She managed to escape, get half dressed, and… Read more.

Conan O’brien Mocks Transsexuals For Easy Laughs

August 14, 2009 ·

As if transsexuals needed any help being stigmatized, Conan O'Brien did his part  to further negative stereotypes with a comedy sketch portraying transsexauls as mustached strippers. To make matters worse  the liberal leaning website, Huffington Post, promoted the video on its site.  Just another example of how transphobia isn't a left/right thing. Read more.

Megan Fox is a Transsexual! Lady Gaga is a Hermaphrodite! Daniel Radcliffe is a Tranny Chaser!

July 15, 2009 ·

In my search of twitter for transgender/transsexual content for the Transadvocate on Twitter, the tweet: "ZOMG Megan Fox is a transsexual!" comes up repeatedly. The genesis of this meme is from Megan Fox herself: I am pretty sure I am a doppelganger for Alan Alda. I'm a tranny. I'm a man. I'm so painfully insecure. I'm on the verge of vomiting now. I am so horrified that I am here, and embarrassed. I'm scared. Another celebrity rumor suggests that Lady GaGa… Read more.

Embracing Trans Diversity is not a Luxury

July 10, 2009 ·

Over the 12 years of living my life as Monica, I have been privileged to learn many things about the TBLG community, but mostly about the trans community. The biggest lesson in my short life as a woman has been the diversity of our people. Trans individuals have covered every segment of human experience since the dawn of time. We span all races, all sexual orientations, all gender identities, all gender expressions, all social and economic levels, all job experiences,… Read more.

A Strange Brew – Pam’s House Blend Now Serving: Privilege

June 30, 2009 ·

There's been a controversy brewing over at Pam's House Blend, and the flavor of the day is privileged. It all started with the post "Jumping Into The Deep End Of The Language Pool", then "Aravosis Needs To Issue His Own Apology To Trans People Before Citing TGs Regarding Fed LGBT Issues", and continued with "Enough Already". You can read it all yourself but the bottom line is this, if you dare cite white gay male privilege, you're not welcome to… Read more.

ENDA Bill Introduced… Last Week?

June 24, 2009 ·

Today at 1pm today (6-24-09) Barney Frank is set to officially introduce the HR 2981, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This week, Congressman Barney Frank will introduce the Employee Non-Discrimination Act.  The legislation would extend federal employment laws, which currently prevent job discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, to also cover sexual orientation and gender identity.  The bill covers both the public and private sectors. Although some states have passed laws to prevent such… Read more.

Yes Pat Robertson, I’m Transgender and Proud

June 17, 2009 ·

Pat Robertson spouting off about Barack Obama's announcement of a "Presidential Memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination" asked "someone's proud to be transgendered? His historical record seems a bit off, since the fall of Rome happened when it WAS A CHRISTIAN NATION. So to answer you Pat, yes we are proud. Many of us are unashamedly transgender. If you would read your Bible, you'd know that: Isaiah 56: 4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who… Read more.

The Big Shitty Lie: Transgender Trouble and Toilets

June 16, 2009 ·

On twitter yesterday, Kyle Pratt of Ruminations Blog posted this: 'Bathroom bill' foes rally in Mass.: http://digg.com/d1tt6Z?t More problems with "transgender" guys and restrooms. Of which I responded with: Can you name one person that's been a victim of a sex crime by transgender person in a bathroom? Lying to scare people is pathetic. he responded by saying: I don’t think I scared anyone, it wasn’t a lie--it is a warning. There 's no reason a man should go into… Read more.

ENDA And Hate Crimes Go To The Back Of The Bus

June 8, 2009 ·

Last Thursday Jason Bellini of the Daily Beast reported that  the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) had made a deal with the Obama Administration to delay repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy in an effort to focus on the federal hate crimes bill and Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). I thought it sounded too good to be true. For a minute I was almost proud of them for doing the right thing! On twitter Jburroway, of Box Turtle Bulletin, asks… Read more.

KRXQ Morning Show Apologizes

June 7, 2009 ·

GLAAD recently put out a "Call to Action" against KRXQ's "Rob, Arnie, and Dawn" show after they went on a nasty verbal tirade against transgender children. Since the outburst, show sponsors Snapple, Sonic, Chipotle, Bank of America, Verizon, Carl’s Jr (CKE Restaurants), Wells Fargo, Nissan North America, AT&T, and McDonald’s have all pulled advertisements on the show. I asked on twitter how many sponsors had to pull out before they apologized, and it looks like these were enough. This comes… Read more.

No Match, No Job, No Surgery

June 2, 2009 ·

Maybe it was my naiveté, but I always thought when I got my documentation changed, I transitioned, and was passable, that I'd be able to live the nice normal life I did before transition. It hasn't quite worked out that way. Recently I was interviewed a few times and offered a job... and then I got that dreaded call. "Marti, we were doing our normal background check and we have a problem. We keep getting a rejection with your gender."… Read more.

Hate Crime Blood Lust

April 20, 2009 ·

To those that use Angie Zapata's death as a way to "raise" your profile by covering the trial, shame on you. I have to agree with Brielle over at Women In Love. "Anyone who presents a rational ideology to empower the lgbt as a whole is basically ignored. People want blood. It’s the only thing that really draws their attention. We want liberation! we want free speech! (Please coat with blood first though, thanks)The dozens of sites that routinely re-post… Read more.

More Brain Droppings From Jenni

April 15, 2009 ·

It's the day before Sunday and I'm sitting here planning out my vid for Trannystar Galactica. For those not in the know, Trannystar Galactica is a channel on Youtube that's trans related. Every week is a new topic and there's a different host for each day of the week. I alternate with Mila and Jayna of Trans-ponder. It's a fun gig for me, considering I'm a "look at me, look at me!!!" type of gal. In order to stand out, … Read more.

My Dead Feminist Heart

April 15, 2009 ·

Reading Nexy's blog, I found out about a post over at Feministing and the boycott that's being called by some in the transgender community. The title of the post is "Men in Women's Bathrooms, Is Your State Next?" I don't believe the post itself was bad. The original post author, Miriam, asked in the last paragraph: "Here's the thing that always gets me about the bathroom debate: The idea that laws governing a space which by nature is unpoliced, unregulated… Read more.

Transsexuals Not Covered In Hate Crimes Bill

April 6, 2009 ·

Back on Feburary 25, 2009 Kathy Padilla wrote a post over at Pam's House Blend titled "Hate Crimes & ENDA: Bad Bills Come and Bad Bills Go". When it came out I really thought it would be one of those explosive posts that rocked the community down to the bone. She said: "The new definitions can generally be said to cover gender expression but not gender identity. Which in the real world would present the likelihood that gender variant gay,… Read more.

Why Am I Doing This?

April 2, 2009 ·

So when I was offered a blog spot I was excited but at the same time I was scared. I love to write and I'm pompous enough to believe that others give a shit about what I have to say. There's a lot on my mind especially with everything going on this past year. As of this month, April , I will have been transitioning for a year. It's been a um... very interesting year. One full of heartaches and… Read more.

ENDA and The Gay Media Cabal

March 30, 2009 ·

According the Washington Blade, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) approved a policy statement that"the group will not support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, if it excludes language protecting persons from discrimination." The Advocate followed suit with: "The Human Rights Campaign adopted a policy statement on Wednesday that says the group will not support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act if it excludes protections for transgender individuals. The statement was approved by the HRC board of directors in Washington, D.C. 'It’s the… Read more.

The Great Transsexual Radical Feminist Menace

March 24, 2009 ·

"I don't give a shit whether or not they [MTF transsexuals) want to chop themselves up. I don't give a shit if they want to wear dresses. That doesn't make them female. It doesn't mean their issues and concerns are female issues and concerns. So long as female issues and concerns are subsumed to and absorbed by male interests (as they are when male people call themselves and are accepted as female), women will never socially realize our full humanity AS FEMALE PEOPLE." Read more.

West Side Story Activism, Utah’s GLBT Rights, and the Coming Tranny Apocalypse!

February 17, 2009 ·

We discussed the pretty people in activism, Christian hatred of queer people, and changing the gender binary. The videos and web links used in the production of this vlog are below: India Transgender candidate Transgender to face BJP chief in ‘ her’ first LS fight Pakistan Mazhar Anjum, "Its not easy being a hijra in this society" Gender identity and image The "pretty" transgender movement Gender - Why Only 2 The Pope and the Death of Discourse No Difference Transgender… Read more.

OBAMA GAY, Trangender Wars, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T

February 9, 2009 ·

Today on the show we discussed: Allyson Robinson+IFGE=HRC <3 ??? Here We Go Again: IFGE Elects HRC’s Allyson Robinson To The Board HRC and Their access to power. After expending political capital over Rick Warren, I wondered how much has ole' Joe got. HRC Relishes Sudden Access To White House Obama Fundie Watch Revelations of Truth Why I pray for our new president Dr. Kenneth Zucker's War on Transgenders Non-Discrimination Legislation: Transgender people plead for law change Campaign Puts The… Read more.

You Don’t Know Jack or Barack

December 18, 2008 ·

Last month the Advocate ran an article titled "Gay Is The New Black?: The Last Great Civil Rights Struggle". Today Joe Solmonese and other gay rights advocates have expressed outrage at the choice of Pastor Rick Warren. But not every GLBT person agrees. I count myself as one of those voices. I defended Barack Obama feverishly when the whole Donnie McClurkin thing came down because I understood what he was trying to do. He's never claimed to be a liberal,… Read more.

The Gingrich That Stole Christmas

December 9, 2008 ·

There's a recurrent story that is going through the gossip circles during the Christmas season in trannyland. It goes like this: Barney Frank and the Human Rights Campaign really got their clocks cleaned by the United ENDA controversy, and now that they've really learned their lesson! Good ole' St. Frank and the HRC's equality elves will surprise everyone and come on board by supporting a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and opposing any version that doesn't include everyone. There's only one problem with that dream/fantasy/rumor... it ain't true! Read more.

Agree or Disagree…

December 6, 2008 ·

Transadvocate is a place for discussion and debate. If feel like you have a rebuttal post, or want to do more than comment on a specific post, feel free to send Read more.

TransResistance No More?

October 30, 2008 ·

Running for office in 2003, Althea Garrison said that a:

"most compelling reason why someone should vote for me is that I am different and unique from the other candidates, when candidates run and loose [sic] elections most of them goes back to their obscurity not me I continue to fight and bring issues to the limelight,"

Read more.

The Irresistible Temptation:Exploiting Our Dead

October 9, 2008 ·

Last year I wrote Photo Ops, Donations, And The Selling of Our Dead, when the Human Rights Campaign tried to hijack the Washington D.C. Transgender Day of Remembrance. To refresh your memory, the founder of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, Gwen Smith, said of the day:

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence."
Read more.

The Sound of Silence: The HRC National Dinner Protest

September 25, 2008 ·

Last week I received an email from the Human Rights Campaign informing me that Joe Biden will be speaking at the the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner on October 4th, 2008. Since that time I've expected to hear about an organized protest of this event from the transgender activist community in Washington D.C. Protests have already happened from coast to coast (and everywhere in between). Last Feburary the New York City protest caused many prominent local politicians to boycott the New York City HRC Dinner. In July the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Pride at Work, And Castro For All, the Lou Sullian Society (FTM SF), and the Trans March came together to boycott the Human Rights Campaign Dinner. Such a strong presence of organized labor was especially important. The key note speaker for the San Francisco dinner, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, dropped out of the event because of labor's involvement. Read more.

What NCTE Doesn’t Say

September 6, 2008 ·

I recently recieved an email alert from NCTE about a fully inclusive ENDA. Mara Keisling said:

Dear Friends, I have no doubt we can pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA next year if we all do the work now to educate Congress and the public. In a recent interview Rep Barney Frank (D-MA) agreed saying:
"The more Democrats we have, and obviously, not every Democrat votes with us, the better we'll do. If we can pick up 15 Democratic seats, then I think we are in good position to pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA." (http://www.365gay.com/features/interview-with-barney-frank)
Of course he's right, not every Democrat votes with us and not every Republican votes against us. That's why the best work we can be doing now to get us in position for winning our rights in 2009 is the work of building relationships and educating all of our lawmakers - whoever they are, where ever they are. When I'm visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill one thing I hear far too often is that lawmakers don't think they have transgender people in their districts. You and I know that is impossible - we are every where. I can visit your representatives everyday up on the Hill, but they really need to hear from you and to meet you face to face.
Read more.

Can I Have a Refund Please?

September 4, 2008 ·

On June 25, 2008 I was asked to sign on to the National Stonewall Democrat's Transgender ActBlue page. While I disagreed with the effort (there was no concerted effort behind the scenes to make the fundraising campaign a success), I donated $150 to try and help in the effort. As I predicted, it was a flop (collecting a measly $4,951. I know gay donors that have given as much). Read more.

HRC’s Project Win Back, Part II

July 19, 2008 ·

I recently wrote about the lead role the Human Rights Campaign took in the historic transgender hearings, and it looks as if their project win back strategy is coming to fruition. The Human Rights Campaign has hired ordained Baptist minister Allyson Robinson as their Associate Director of Diversity. Here's Allyson in action: The HRC website states that: "This is a regular, full-time staff position reporting to the Chief Diversity Officer. The Associate Director of Diversity will lead the Human Rights… Read more.

Indiana’s Historic Moment

July 2, 2008 ·

A recent post over at the Indiana Equality blog was enough of a kick in the pants to remind me to post about some recent events. If you know me, you know how jazzed I am about Barack Obama. The first time I ever heard about Barack the “Indianapolis” Colts still hadn't ever won a Super Bowl. It was October 17th 2006, which just so happened to be my 39th birthday. Barack had been to Indiana the previous day to attend a fundraiser for Baron Hill, Joe Donnelly, and Brad Ellsworth (who at the time were three Congressional candidate hopefuls). At the time Jim Shella said: "He then pointed out that the Colts have been "eeking out victories" while the Bears have been winning blowouts. Ever the politician, he said he's looking forward to a Bears/Colts Super Bowl matchup.” (At the time of that fundraiser the Colts were 5-0, and in fact did go on that year to face the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl) When Barack announced in January of 2007 he was running for president of the United States of America, I started to research him relentlessly. The more I learned about him, the more I liked him. My fire for Obama grew steadily over the months, but the turning point for me was the HRC/Logo Presidential Forum. Read more.

Counting the Cost

February 27, 2008 ·

If my previous post seemed a little scattered and emotional, there's a reason for it.  The first trans community function I ever attended was a TDoR function, as was the first event I ever MCed outside a support group.   I've been sensitive to transphobic violence at every step, and my own transition began with violence.  But seeing the settings for it shift to schools was not something I was prepared for. At or around November 20th of every year, the transgender community commemorates a day of remembrance (TDoR) for transgender folk who have died as a result of transphobic or homophobic violence.  Since that memorial, fifteen more homicides involving transgender victims have occurred: Read more.

“Sometimes, We Just Have to Pay Full Price.”

February 21, 2008 ·

My partner is a nut about sales. If it isn't on sale, it doesn't get purchased. So sometimes, when we run out of a breakfast staple and such, I have to remind her of that basic fact of life: "sometimes, we just have to pay full price." And then, the phrase comes back to haunt me. This usually happens around the evenings, these days. She's been talking about returning to work in a capacity which would take her out to job sites with contractors and crew, some of whom could know from her previous 20 years of work in that trade that she is trans. And I've been having troubling dreams about both that and my own job, where I've been back for several months with no trouble beyond the occasional rude exchange, and now all of a sudden I'm dreaming repetitively about getting shot in the head. The latter is not something I'm actually afraid of during the light of day, so I'm wondering what is bringing this all on. Am I sensing something nasty coming, or am I just reading the trans-related news way too much? And that's when that dirty little voice says to me, "sometimes, we just have to pay full price." And that's when I start thinking about how far we've come... or haven't as the case may be. The first GRS surgeries were performed in the 1940s, and with the rise of Nazi Germany and its pogroms, the invention of "stealth" soon followed. We've been in hiding ever since. Don't get me wrong -- I'm on record as defending a woman's and man's right to go stealth if they feel it's best for them. We earn that. But the wholesale movement toward stealth -- the lack of barely anybody to stay behind and educate the masses -- has meant that we've only made small strides during that time. The first known piece of trans-inclusive legislation didn't happen until 1993, and most of those strides have been since then. And without adult transfolk there to lay that groundwork, a crisis has developed. Because now it is children on the front lines. Read more.

Remembering Our Dead, Echos From Our Fallen Sisters

February 17, 2008 ·

I was looking at videos for my YouTube post and found this video titled "Twin Boys Living As Girls". It was taped in the early nineties, and is from the Jenny Jones Show. I sat their thinking this was just another trans segment on talk TV. It is not. When I realized who these two girls were, a sat here trembling, on the verge of tears. If you are not aware after watching the video, of just who these young… Read more.

Transgender YouTube Sunday

February 17, 2008 ·

I don't know why I didn't see this earlier, or why it just now hit google alerts, but I think it's a pretty good interview. ------- I love this video. I'm going to burn it to DVD and start giving it away to people that want a trans101. It's very well done. ------- And now... a vantreliquest! ------- Read more.

Remembering Tom Lantos

February 16, 2008 ·

“Love cannot be defeated.” as said to rock vocalist, Bono by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) The political group I belong to – the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) – noted the passing of longtime Rep. Tom Lantos in a press release on Monday from complications due to esophageal cancer. Chances are, most of the transgender community was unfamiliar with congressman Lantos – but they should’ve been. Our press release characterized him as a “hero for the oppressed and voiceless of the world” and a hero specifically for the transgender community. Those superlatives were not merely rhetoric. The San Francisco-area congressman was honored in a memorial service on Capitol Hill yesterday, with an emotional farewell that encompassed both conservatives and liberals, from the U.S. Sec. Of State, Condolleeza Rice, to Sec. Gen. Of the United Nations, Ban-Ki Moon to ambassador of goodwill, rock group vocalist, Bono (Paul Hewson) of U2. Holocaust Survivor, Death Camp Escapee, a Penniless Émigré from Hungary to the United States, Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives, champion for human rights causes around the world. "Tom Lantos was a true American hero. He was the embodiment of what it meant to have one's freedom denied and then to find it and to insist that America stand for spreading freedom and prosperity to others," — Sec. Of State Condolleeza Rice. Indeed I was blessed to have had the opportunity to lobby Lantos’ office on a couple of occasions. Unlike some supposedly trans-supportive offices, they were more than merely perfunctory. The staff always exhibited concern that felt genuine, even being candid with us (something that doesn’t happen as frequently as one might presume). This year’s visit was a perfect example as Lantos was not signed on as co-sponsor for the inclusive version of ENDA (HR 2015), to which I questioned his Judiciary Committee Asst, Michael Beard. Merely an oversight, was his response – and sure enough, Lantos was shortly thereafter a co-sponsor. They “walked the walk.” Read more.

Hatred Poured Out On Our Children

February 16, 2008 ·

Over the last few days since it was learned that an 8 year old is transitioning at a school in Colorado, quite a few blogs have been pretty ugly about it. I wrote about some of these blogs on the post Targeted Families, Targeted Lives. Last night I learned that a 10 year old, Cameron McWilliams, committed suicide. Cameron had asked for permission to wear make-up, and been teased after he was found wearing his half-sister's undergarments. His mother said… Read more.

Men to Take Major Role in IFGE 2008 Conference

February 16, 2008 ·

This post comes from Michael Woodward: In keeping with its theme "Toward a Greater Diversity", the IFGE Annual conference has successfully engaged many leaders and champions for the FTM community to take part in its 23rd Annual Conference. The conference, which runs from Monday, March 31, 2008, to Saturday, April 5, 2008, is being held in Tucson, Arizona at the Doubletree Reid Park Hotel. Wingspan's Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) is the local host committee. Past conferences have been decidedly transfeminine-oriented, but organizers made concerted outreach efforts for 2008 to transgender men, as well as people of color and allies of all ages, to ensure a broad range of issues, identities, and dialogues are represented in Tucson. While pre-conference excursions and social activities start Monday, the actual conference program kicks off Thursday morning, April 3, with a plenary session featuring renowned activist Jamison Green, author of the prize-winning book Becoming a Visible Man. Green has served on numerous national and international boards and received many awards for his work. Following a welcome by Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup, Mr. Green will address the attendees on the Conference theme of diversity. His international travel in service to the transgender community has introduced him to an amazing array of transgender expression, yet he has observed distinct similarities among diverse groups. In this session, he will reflect on the evolution of the transgender community-or communities-and the meaning and importance of diversity for our movement. Later in the conference, Green will also present a workshop session titled "Identity Crisis-an open discussion about who we are." Read more.

Christian, But Not Christ

February 15, 2008 ·

Recently Christianity Today posted a story titled Walking a Fine Line:Pastors wrestle with transgender issues. According to the story, the pastor of the church where the former Spring Arbor University professor Julie Nenecek attended, said: "They were welcome to worship with us and listen to the Bible as it was proclaimed in preaching," Cumings told Christianity Today. "Since we felt his course of conduct was contrary to our understanding of the Scriptures, we would not allow him to serve ." and said: 'We tried very hard to walk a fine line between biblical authenticity—faithfulness to our understanding of the Bible—and compassionate concern,' Cumings says. 'We have no desire to attack him and we certainly do not see ourselves as his judge. But a transgender lifestyle is outside the boundaries of how God intends his children to live.' Read more.

Back to Oz

February 15, 2008 ·

I really do hesitate to even write this post, as the topic is a rehash of one of the ugliest times for GLBT unity I've ever seen. Recently Matt Foreman said the following on the Michelangelo Signorile Show concerning the ENDA debacle: I think what really happened is the Speaker's people said 'look, Congress has a terrible reputation right now, they're not delivering for any progressive causes, what do we do to deliver for our progressive allies?' That means labor, health, and environment, and gays. And so, I mean... I don't know this for a fact, but I'd bet my life this is what happened. They went to Barney frank, they said, 'what do we need to do to pass ENDA?' Representative Frank, who's always been pretty squeamish on the trans issue, ... and I guess I can say these things because I'm leaving my job, ya know, said 'look the best way to pass ENDA and the easiest way is to take out gender identity.' And I don't think the Speaker's people thought this through, didn't think it through and said 'lets do it. ' Yesterday, Barney Frank came on Signorile's show to respond to Foreman's statement and said: He just made that up, that's not remotely how it happened. He also has no basis for talking about my attitude on transgender people because I've had one set of conversations with Matt Foreman about transgender people. In 2002, when he was the head of Empire State Pride Agenda, he lobbied hard to get through the New York legislature a bill that did exactly what our bill did last year, it covered discrimination based on sexual orientation, but excluded people that were transgender. Some people didn't like that. Tom Duane said at the time that Matt Foreman excluded him from meetings on the subject. Matt Foreman not only helped get that bill through, frankly, and this I disagreed with, as part of the deal to get it though, that year the Empire State Pride Agenda endorsed the Republican George Pataki for reelection over an outstanding African American Democrat, Carl McCall. So you had Matt Foreman guiding to passage an ENDA bill that didn't cover transgender, it was called SONDA for the State of New York, and in return, denying an endorsement that I think he should have gotten on to Carl McCall. The reason I talked about it with him was because called me around that time, this is late 2002, and said 'I'm being criticized for doing this, would you come to a meeting that we're having in New York to celebrate it and give an award for Gov Pataki to show that uh people shouldn't be attacking me for it.' And even though I did disagree with decision to make make the deal with Pataki, I do believe that you work together with each other, and you try to be supportive, and I went up there. Read more.

Protest, HRC, and My Investment Portfolio

February 14, 2008 ·

I like to think of my advocacy/political work in much of the same way as I think of how to invest my money. I see activism as an investment in my community and my future. With that in mind, I have to say that I don't see the benefit in protesting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). There are so many national organizations that support transgender people and support gender identity in ENDA (National Stonewall Democrats, National Gay and Lesbian Task… Read more.

Targeted Families, Targeted Lives

February 13, 2008 ·

I really can't believe all the ridiculously negative things I've been hearing about the 2nd grade student that is transitioning at school. Here are a few examples: Public schools have been involved in a sick propaganda campaign that encourages and collaborates with the advancement of mental illness in children. - Stop The ACLU.com It is a basic fact of biology, sex is immutable. If you are born a male, you will die a male. There is absolutely nothing any mortal can do about that. Yet for some strange reason, we seem to think that are sex is like a pair of socks, which can be changed on a whim. Putting a dress on a boy, having him the girl’s room and calling him a female name, can not and will not make this John Doe into Jane Doe. It has can’t be done and it has never been done. School systems should be in the businss of teaching life and not pandering to delusions. Putting a dress on a young man and calling him by a girl’s name will not make him into a female. It will only make him into a boy with a dress.We are what we are, and we can not change what we are by wearing or not wearing a dress. Stop pandering to utter foolishness. - Bits Blog It makes one wonder what is happening to our culture when a 2nd grade boy decides he has to dress up as a girl and his public school chooses to accommodate his feelings. - Dallas Blog The original purpose of the public schools was to indoctrinate children in being “Good Americans.” At the time, this meant Protestant patriots who worked for work’s sake. Now, public schools are still indoctrinating little “Good Americans,” but this time it means supporting the idea that man is first, last, and all-importantly a sexual animal whose desires, no mater how perverse, need to be sated without consequence or guilt. First, it was Sex Ed. Then condoms and abortion referrals. Then, GLBT clubs and gay proms. Now, this satanic doctrine is manifesting itself in the policy of a public school in Colorado allowing a sexually confused second grade boy to come to school dressed, and addressed, as a girl. - Fish In A Barrel Read more.

HRC3 ≠ Bright Future For Transgenders

February 11, 2008 ·

“This is a story of the lives and loves, and hopes and dreams, of young Batswana in the context of the changing cultural norms and values of modern times. Each of the dancers are shaped and challenged by the forces upon them: love, power, money, lust, and authority. They must choose their destiny by making difficult choices and search for what they truly believe in.” — plot summary for the documentary, Re Bina Mmogo (2004) It’s been a really blue funky week and a half for me. Seeing John Edwards drop out of the race just over a week ago, I’m left with nothing but second choices for the upcoming presidential election. I feel as if I’m wakening from a really bad hangover. My personal preference was for a presidential candidate who would address the rampant inequities, to eliminate poverty and end the disenfranchisement and disparity in this entitlement-oriented society. The last thing I wanted was a choice of gatekeepers for the corporate power stranglehold status quo. With my last best hope for that out of the campaign at virtually the same time my job ended, it’s been consideration time over the two primary candidates who are left. Read more.

Hillary Talk, Not Gender Talk, Not Frank Talk

February 8, 2008 ·

In the past week or so I've noticed increasing heat (see also: infighting) from the supporters in the GLBT Clinton camp. Tuesday they pointed towards Hillary Clinton's "fully inclusive" ENDA statement as a sign that Hillary is a more GLBT inclusive candidate than Barack Obama. I unexpectedly found an example of this kind of rhetoric from Nancy Nangeroni (of Gender Talk fame). She included the text from Hillary's statement to the GLBT community that included her support to: pass the… Read more.

GLAAD:New York Post Headline Dehumanizes Transgender People

February 7, 2008 ·

This is from the folks over at GLAAD: February 7, 2008 Just one week after GLAAD issued an alert encouraging our community to respond to a sensational New York Post headline, the tabloid today ran yet another egregious headline, “Axis of She-Vil.” The article, about the Iranian government’s plans to subsidize sex reassignment surgeries, also included the defamatory sub-headline, “Death to Gays But Free Ops For Irani Trannies.” Read article here. “The Post’s latest dehumanizing headline is outrageous,” said Rashad… Read more.

Can You Ever Leave Behind the Evil Twin?

February 6, 2008 ·

Don't you just love that phrase, "used to be a man?" GARRICK Jacobson was in custody at Sydney's Surry Hills police station when he apparently discovered his girlfriend used to be a man. Within hours of being released on bail, he went to her apartment and started "belting the hell" out of her, Downing Centre Local Court heard yesterday. Read more.

Please Give Me Feedback

February 2, 2008 ·

Those of you that have commented on this site before... do the threaded comments drive you crazy? I'm thinking about unthreading Transadvocate comments. Your thoughts? Please vote in the poll in the left sidebar. Read more.

Walking Through the Valley of Shadows

January 31, 2008 ·

(As I'd mentioned, it's time to move on from the previous discussion. I admit, I probably wouldn't have reacted as badly if the debate hadn't touched on something that was freshly raw for me personally, but as it is still a raw nerve, we'll leave the HBS thing be. I thought I'd go with something far less controversial. Politics is being overdone right now, what with all the stuff on the primaries, so I thought I'd take on Religion. -- Mercedes) Modern churches do an excellent job of creating an equation between the questioning of fallible teachers, preachers, copyists and translators, and the questioning of God Himself. You can do one without necessarily doing another. But "all scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:16) is usually used to rebuff any inquiries about the many interpretations of those scriptures. Assuming that all scripture was given by inspiration of God, it should also be kept in mind that all scripture was also interpreted and worded by a myriad of authors, then recopied by hand for thousands of generations, passing through different translators and copyists, each with differing biases. All New Testament scripture was additionally collected at the Council of Nicaea, where it was decided which books (and which specific versions of them) to keep and which ones to ignore or destroy. This was done under the guidance of an appointee (Eusebius Pamphilus) of the first actual Pope (although they later retroscribed themselves back to the apostle Peter), the Emperor Constantine I, who wished to forge a new religion that was a synthesis of Mithraism, fledgling Christianity, and Constantine's own worship of the sun god, Sol. He also intended to set himself up to be portrayed as the returned Christ (although it did not quite end up working out that way), which was understood at that time to mean an earthly King-level saviour. And in addition to the hands that scripture passed through being imperfect, so too are those of the preachers who deliver it on Sunday. Religious leaders have repeatedly abused and misused scripture for their own ends, right into modern times -- sometimes innocently but other times specifically for the acquisition of money, political power and fiercely loyal masses. 150 years ago, the church used scripture to justify slavery, alleging among other things that Black people had no souls. 100 years ago, scripture was used to resist emancipation, re-establishing womens' role as a subservient one and portraying them as not worthy or intelligent enough to be able to vote. Even today, scripture is twisted to assert the subordinance of women. Can we question the church's teaching while relying on our heart to sort the truth from the centuries of spin-mongering that has tainted it? I'd think we'd have to. Read more.

From Pride At Work

January 31, 2008 ·

From the wonderful folks at Pride At Work: Poll after poll show working families view health care as one of the most important issues facing our country today. But we know these polls only tell part of the story. We want to know more--more about how the health care system affects you and your family. Take our Healthcare Survey Do you have health care coverage for yourself, for your partner? Does your employer offer domestic partner benefits? Are you left… Read more.

The (lack of) space between homophobia and transphobia

January 30, 2008 ·

I asked to cross post this post from Bilerico. It  was written by Alex Blaze Through an unlikely chain of blog posts, Waymon's entry about a gender identity inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance in Montgomery County, Maryland, started a discussion that made it halfway across the blogosphere to one of the more popular radical feminist blogs out there. Heart, the aforementioned radical feminist blogger, writes about the real transbigotry in an attempt to take advantage of the T-folks' internal disputes to distinguish the good transwomen from the bad ones. As a queer boy who fully came out among feminists and feminisms (at times misguided), who thought that Judith Butler and Leslie Feinberg were just the bomb, and who saw connections between transgender experiences and oppressions and gay experiences and oppressions as so obvious as to be taken for granted, I was pretty surprised when I was introduced to this (hopefully limited) brand of feminism that characterizes transwomen as men who lived as women part-time just to better oppress them and transmen as nonexistent, and, when they are, see the Gendercator. Read more.

Gender Fundamentalists

January 30, 2008 ·

Many of us in the LGBT community are painfully aware of the religious fundamentalists who have such a wonderful time coming up with lies and fear tactics to throw out to the uneducated masses. They know full well that a great deal of those Americans will believe anything they are told, if you follow it up with “Praise the Lord.” Of course, their true God is the Almighty Dollar, which they get in abundance from those people who don’t know any better. We hear a lot about the Islamic fundamentalists and how they are such a threat to America. In many ways, they are ranked amateurs compared to the Christian fundamentalists here in the US. Oh yes, we hear of gays being executed in the country that has no gays, Iran. I’m sure that every time that happens, Beverly LaHaye, ChairMAN of the Concerned “June Cleavers” for America, salivates, hoping we get a Republican President who will support that as well. I’m sure she would like it if President Eddie Haskell “gave us the business.” (The “June Cleaver” comment is not to put down the beloved character in “Leave it to Beaver,” but to emphasize the time period their mindset is in.) Not to make light of it, but the Christian fundamentalists are a dangerous group of people, even if there weren’t any gay people for them to hate. Mike Huckabee’s comments on wanting to change the Constitution to reflects God’s laws instead of the Founding Fathers’ wonderful ideas is a prime example of the danger this group of Americans can be. But, I didn’t title this article “Christian Fundamentalists.” There are plenty of others who can talk intelligently on that subject. My article is on a growing number of transsexual women who use their post-operative status as a symbol of their superiority over any other gender-different people. I can guarantee that as soon as this article sees the light of day, they will rise up out of their holes and swoop down on me like the creatures in the movie, “Pitch Black,” with Vin Diesel. I’m not afraid of the dark. Read more.

Welcome!

January 30, 2008 ·

I want to welcome new Transadvocate contributors Monica Helms of Trans Universe and Mercedes Allen of Dented Blue Mercedes! Please take a minute to show them some TA love. Read more.

Communities of Ones

January 30, 2008 ·

Like some others in the discussion, I do feel a need to say a few final words on the Old Guard (HBS) versus deconstructionist battle in the transgender community, and then move on. I am undecided about any further participation in anything trans, beyond this post. It's clear that resolution is impossible; the majority remains entrenched -- and judging by the volume of responses that I've seen, it is in fact the HBS / Old Guard are that majority, at least among transsexuals. But to me, the question was always whether people can set aside the hostilities enough to work for the betterment of all the community, or remain wrapped up in those differences. This has been met with total indifference. I no longer believe that the community even wants to work together. The olive branch I've extended on my own behalf was very real, despite having been recently burned by Old Guard / HBS sentiment myself... but that offer of putting aside differences has gone completely unacknowledged, in favour of further divisive scorn. I wish to be clear on something: I have taken the time to educate myself about many of the sub-communities in the transgender spectrum (by getting to know people in those sub-communities, rather than distancing myself from them), and strongly believe that there is much overlap in communal needs and also in the genesis of what drives us -- although more needs to be learned, on a scientific level as well as on the social plane. I use "transgender" in the modern, all-encompassing sense of the term, rather than any now-irrelevant historic one. And as a transsexual myself (although I know that there are those who will always believe that I cannot possibly be anything other than a male-bodied fetishist, in spite of all evidence to the contrary), I support the rights of transsexuals, and do not see how they've been turned over to some other agenda (there seems to be some duplicity on this point from the Old Guard, in which it's asserted that the community has been taken over by non-transsexual people and that TS issues are being left by the wayside, but then it's later claimed that non-TS people are pretending to speak for them.... you can't have it both ways). But as I see it, the transgender community continues to advocate for transsexuals, and will continue to do so whether HBS-brand transsexuals wish any association or not. There is strength in numbers -- and like it or not, a unified community is better positioned to accomplish lasting change than those who wish to carve the community up and advocate rights for only a small privileged, arrogant slice of it. Not to mention that the most disenfranchised of the community still need us, and I'm not keen on anything that suggests that people should be left behind. Read more.

Radical Feminists on the Transgender v. HBS Controversy

January 29, 2008 ·

I found a pretty intriguing comment over at Womens Spaces/The Margins concerning a post written by Harry Benjamin Syndrome apologist, Cathy Platine, at Pam's House Blend. That whole thread over at PHB consists of males scratching out turf over the female body, each laying claim to ownership. While I live in this society as a woman, the reality is that I'm male bodied and a surgically constructed vagina will not change that. Thoughts? Read more.

Confessions of a Middle-aged Transinista

January 25, 2008 ·

Somewhere along the line, I became a Transinista. I don't know how it happened -- there was no recruitment drive -- I just found myself looking at a photo of myself dressed in combat boots, mirrored sunglasses, floppy angel wings trimmed with sequins and feathers, and sporting a lit stogie dangling out of my mouth. "Holy Jeebiz," I muttered. "That's got to be Photoshopped. And I don't appreciate the moustache." Now, I think my credentials are pretty good. I'm not a litigation activist, my focus has been on community-building. Part of this has meant learning a lot of perspectives (our community is incredibly diverse), and then trying to teach T-folk what the other groups of T-folk are all about. And learning what I could about Intersex, crossdressers, gender renegades, drag performers, Two-Spirits, non-op transsexuals as well as those who clearly need the operation has introduced me to a wide experience of unique people who I respect. I never assume that my experience of being trans is the only valid one. It's the approach which drove me to write "Transbigotry?" Maybe this is sort of the equivalent of the cartoon squirrel who scurries up with an olive branch, squeaking, "why can't we all just get along?" before someone pulls out an M16 and perforates her, a note of satisfaction for the far right-wing and far left-wing types who resent "bleeding heart peacemakers." But I've actually found diplomacy to be an approach that most people -- both at the grassroots level and in the online world -- to be usually quite open to. There are, however, always people of strong opinion who won't be swayed: This colours my point of view just as those who identify as some brand of trans come from an entirely different point of view. I see the world through the eyes of a feminist woman who has studied history and is also a pagan theologian. I live within the greater world where the dominate viewpoint of gender is a strictly bi-gendered one where most people's understanding of gender is limited to there are men and women and if slightly more enlightened, some people are born intersexed and some are born transsexual but both these groups get put in either the male or female bin. -- Cat Kisser, from "Not Ready For Prime Time, Or: How the TG Rights Movement Went Insane By Talking Only To Itself." Read more.

With Apologies to Radical Feminists

January 24, 2008 ·

Recently, I commented on a post at Bilerico: You want to get technical Sue? In the strictest definition, you're not female. The distinction between the "sexes" is that a female has the ability to produce ova, and the male has the ability to produce produces sperm. Your "sex" isn't based on an organ but on your reproductive ability. For that matter, your neo-vagina isn't even an "organ." An organ is tissue or a group of tissues that constitute a morphologically and functionally distinct part of an organism. Your "vagina" isn't a social construct, it's a surgical construct. And an incomplete construct at that! Go find your bartholin glands.... And in the above scenario, the woman wasn't afraid of genitals, but because of other physical characteristics. It's more about passing privilege than genital configuration. And judging from the pictures I've seen of you, ya got your own passing issues. So you might want to jump off that high horse of yours. Pretty strong statement eh? I said this in response to Sue Robins, who said: A ladies locker room is no place for Man and if you have male genitals you are a Man end of story. Read more.

Activism Leaders Leading Towards the Door

January 24, 2008 ·

“We're setting sail to the place on the map from which no one has ever returned ….”  — Ship of Fools, World Party It was just Tuesday that I read in the press that Gay/Lesbian/Straight Educators Network (GLSEN) founding executive director Kevin Jennings was stepping down. He announced he will be back from his current sabbatical as planned on Feb. 1, but will step down on August 1, 2008 after thirteen years. According to another organization source, he isn’t taking… Read more.

Are We Ready For Prime Time?

January 18, 2008 ·

With the announcement from the Democratic National Committee of the appointment of a record number of LGBT members to the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, an obvious question for transgender activists and supporters is are we ready for prime time? The 2004 Democratic National Convention included seven transgender delegates. While this was historic, many people felt let down when the DNC left transgender people out of the party platform. At the time, Steel City Stonewall Democrats Founder, Scott Safier… Read more.

ENDA Three Card Draw

September 27, 2007 ·

With passage of The Matthew Shepard Act in the Senate on Thursday, it should have been a time for celebration. But on the heels of the victory came the news that gender identity could possibly be stripped of from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Advocate confirmed the story tonight saying: "The Democratic House leadership is considering stripping protections for transgender people from ENDA after a preliminary vote count found the measure would not pass if it had trans-inclusive language. 'The fact of the matter is, we’ve been canvassing this -- the votes just are not there for a trans-inclusive bill,' said Steven Adamske, spokesman for Rep. Barney Frank, sponsor of the original bill. Reps. Frank and Tammy Baldwin, the only openly gay members of Congress, called for the count after they learned House speaker Nancy Pelosi feared the measure lacked enough support to pass." Matt Foreman took the bold step this morning by posting to Bilerico.com "A non-transgender-inclusive ENDA? No way!" Around the same time, a statement was put out by the Executive Directors of nine national LGBT organizations saying: Our collective position remains clear and consistent regarding the status of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. Our organizations oppose the removal of protections for transgender people from ENDA. We would also oppose any bill that did not protect transgender people. We are shocked and upset that, according to the Washington Blade, influential members of the House of Representatives have apparently made a decision to remove protections for transgender people from the bill. If true, this decision was made without consultation with leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. While we don’t doubt the sincerity of Congressional leadership’s intent to take action and be helpful to the LGBT community, we cannot disagree more with this strategy. We will continue to work with LGBT supportive members of Congress to urge their colleagues to immediately drop this strategy. Jody Huckaby, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights Jon Hoadley, National Stonewall Democrats Rebecca Fox, National Coalition for LGBT Health Jeremy Bishop, Pride At Work, AFL-CIO Clarence Patton, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects Andrea Densham, Mautner Project Read more.

It’s Put Up Or Shut Up Time

September 26, 2007 ·

According to the Washington Blade:"House Democratic leaders are strongly considering dropping anti-discrimination protections for transgender persons from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, after an internal Democratic head count on Wednesday found that the bill would likely be defeated if it included the trans provision, multiple sources familiar with the bill said. "In May of this year I reported of the whispers in the halls of Congress to drop transgender people from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Some went as far… Read more.

Last Ditch Effort: The Right Wing Whopper Lies

September 26, 2007 ·

Unbelievably, I woke up to find this in a google alert:"Bringing back Hitler and the SS" From the get go, it's filled with lies:"Right now we have a bill called HR 2015 that, in my opinion, would bring back forced hiring by our government for local business. Surprised, I am not."From the bill:No Preferential Treatment or Quotas- Nothing in this Act shall be construed or interpreted to require or permit- (1) any covered entity to grant preferential treatment to any individual or to any group because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of such individual or group on account of an imbalance which may exist with respect to the total number or percentage of persons of any actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity employed by any employer, referred or classified for employment by any employment agency or labor organization, admitted to membership or classified by any labor organization, or admitted to, or employed in, any apprenticeship or other training program, in comparison with the total number or percentage of persons of such actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity in any community, State, section, or other area, or in the available work force in any community, State, section, or other area; or (2) the adoption or implementation by a covered entity of a quota on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. She continues:"A company will no longer be able to hire a person because of their qualifications. The company will be forced by law to hire the type of person that will be mandated by our government." Apparently there's some kind of forcefield around her eyeballs that keeps her from reading the above section of the bill that says NO QUOTAS. On with more fear mongering! Read more.

New feature:TA Tidbits

September 26, 2007 ·

I'm stealing a way of posting from Autumn and Stephanie over at Abnormal Heights. With TA tidbits, I'm going to post multiple trans stories I find with just a bit of commentary in one post. So without further ado.... ***A new television series debuts this fall called "The Dirty Life" that stars Billy Baldwin and Candis Cayne. He quipped to E! Online: Who’s in Patrick’s closet? A secret transsexual lover named Carmelita, played by real-life transsexual Candis Cayne “Ironically, with… Read more.

With “Defenders” Like This…

September 26, 2007 ·

Alice Dreger Destroys Academic Freedom in Order to Save It It is an old adage that “crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.” This appears to be the thinking behind Alice Dreger’s latest attempt to stifle criticism of J. Michael Bailey’s pseudoscience in the name of “academic freedom”. Joelle Ruby Ryan recently issued a Call for Proposals for a proposed panel of the National Women’s Studies Association entitled The Bailey Brouhaha: Community Members Speak Out on Resisting Transphobia in Academia in Beyond. In it, she accurately summarises the history of the “controversy” around Bailey’s The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender Bending and Transsexualism, as follows: While Bailey's book The Man Who Would be Queen was released in 2003 to overwhelmingly negative reviews, the book caused a stir for its assertion that trans women can be split into two groupings: "homosexual transsexuals" and “autogynephilics." Trans activists and allies mobilized and took Bailey to task for his bogus claims and helped to document a compelling case against him. Many considered it an open-and-shut case until the 2007 appearance of an article by Bailey colleague and intersex researcher Alice Dreger, who published a lengthy apologia for Bailey in the Archives of Sexual Behavior and castigated trans women activists for their attempts at "ruining" Bailey. In response, Dreger declared that the CFP was “laden with factual errors and misrepresentations about the history of the Bailey controversy and my work”, of which she could identify none, and points to her own dubious “scholarly history” (to be published by a journal controlled by Bailey, Blanchard, and Lawrence) and a breathtakingly inaccurate New York Times article that I have discussed previously as reliable sources of information. Dreger repeats her unsupported and unspecified claims of misrepresentations (in one case “profound” misrepresentations”) and factual errors throughout her correspondence on the subject with Emi Koyama on the Women’s Studies listserv WMST-L, and falsely claims that Bailey’s critics attempted to censor him. She does not enlighten interested readers about the scientific status of Bailey’s claims or his defamatory responses to criticism. She closes the e-mail exchange by endorsing a veiled threat directed at Ryan by Emi Koyama(1): What is the “academic freedom” that Dreger defends so fiercely as to resort to threats and blatant misrepresentations? Is it the freedom to publish scientific findings and engage in scholarly discussion without state or institutional censorship? Clearly not. That right has not been impinged upon. No one is calling for censorship of Bailey’s work, nor has any censorship occurred. The book remains in print, for all to see. Bailey’s right to fetishise “controversy” over science remains inviolate. Read more.

Chris, I’ll Say It Again: You’re Wrong

September 22, 2007 ·

With a vote coming soon on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, I'd like to revisit something Chris Crain said a while back in his post "A trans activist tees off on ENDA" that was in reference to my post "You Can Still Fire Me". At his blog he said: The EEOC says exactly what I said: "existing federal civil rights laws have already been interpreted by SOME JUDGES to protect trans workers." Is it every judge? No. Would adding "gender identity"… Read more.

Nothing Says Patriot Like Hiding… Your Children

September 21, 2007 ·

That ever popular bastion of Jesus freedom, WorldNetDaily, is hiding a Transgender Partriot! In their "Letter of the Week" they showcase the anonymous patriot. She starts out by saying "First, before I begin, I just want to let you know that I support WND and the work you do primarily as it relates to the illegal-alien invasion and the North American Union. My feedback below doesn't change that." Then goes on to say: I feel badly that the "T" is… Read more.

The Blue and Yellow Stepchild

September 20, 2007 ·

Every year around this time I start seeing the GLBT media get in a feeding frenzy about the HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Story after story is told of how American corporations are getting better and better for GLBT Americans. That may be true for GLB Americans, but the transgender part of the index is fatally flawed. The transgender wellness benefits defined in the 2c component include: 1. counseling by a mental health professional 2. pharmacy benefits covering hormone therapy 3. medical visits to monitor the effects of hormone therapy and other associated lab procedures. 4. medically necessary surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or short-term disability leave for surgical procedures A company only needs to give ONE of these benefits to get the five points. What does that mean in a practical way?Nick Gorton MD explains it this way: "Let's say you are Dominos Pizza and you get the HRC CEI index survey to fill out. One question asks you if provide "medically necessary surgical procedures (i.e. hysterectomy)". Then it asks you if you exclude transgender employees from this benefit. If you state that you don't exclude transgender employees then you get 5 points on item (#4) 2.c on the CEI. So lets say your policy is that if a transgender man has invasive cervical cancer that your insurance will actually (shock and horror!) pay for his hysterectomy rather than condemning him to death for an untreated cancer. Well then heeeeeey! All of a sudden you are hella transgender friendly, Dominos. (And yes, Dominos got that.... Christian-Fundamentalist funding Dominos offers transgender benefits.) Companies like Microsoft, General Motors, IBM, and Eastman Kodak will get the same grade as Dominos, even though they comprehensively cover (they cover parts a, b, and c, including sex reassignment surgery). Read more.

GOPs and Gays and Good Ol’ Politics

September 18, 2007 ·

“The gays and lesbians are after me! The gays and lesbians are after me!!!” — Texas State Rep. Robert Talton (R) while running down the halls of the Texas Capitol Building being chased by a transsexual activist. All apologies, but I had to start this article with a bit about Robert Talton of Pasadena, Texas (or as we like to refer to our suburb here in Houston, Pasa-g*ddamned-dena). It was instructed to we trans activists not to bother with Talton, he was bad news – not the worst, but bad news. Well, myself and another close friend with me that day, Dani MacCleney, were always up for the challenges – giant killers we considered ourselves. During that first visit any of us had made to Talton’s office we discovered something. He was very much into the evangelical play book, fashioned his entire agenda after a tight circle of cherry-picked biblical text. However, he had some pretty serious skeletons in his closet. We both walked out with one word in mind: xenophobia. In time, I and others learned to fight fire with fire, using biblical text to counter his own. That’s when the rules changed, he couldn’t see us any more, he needed DPS officers (state police here in Texas) to escort him to and from his appointments and to act as sentry outside his office to keep us out. He even singled out a female minister (sitting next to her husband), pointed and declared “I don’t like you and I don’t like your kind!” The minister was aghast, replying “What!?! Presbyterians?!?” Apparently Talton presumed the minister, whose hair was short, was a lesbian even though she was sitting next to her legally-married husband. Here in Texas, Robert Talton personifies the word phobia – whether homophobia or transphobia (or other unpublicized lesser-known phobias) he’s become Public Enemy #1 of anything GLBT. Indeed he revels in his reputation as a pig would wallow in mud. Recently we had the latest in a recent spate of Republican outings and subsequent oustings from their political office and party participation itself. Former Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) has been a staunch anti-GLBT vote to the red-meat conservatives dominating the GOP. He comes from the mountain state red zone, Idaho, where anti-homosexuality rants play to standing ovations. Yes, he was a man in his element. At least he was, so long as he kept his personal and private feelings about sexuality private. Then came the infamous “sting” in June at the Minneapolis airport men’s restroom. Yes, it seems Sen. Craig got caught up in a sex-sting dragnet in airport bathrooms there. Kind of an odd place to pick up a quickie, but some will go to extraordinary lengths I suppose – no pun intended, of course. Apparently this is a recent fad, and one that even the conservative senator appeared to know about. In typical hand-in-the-cookie-jar guilt, the senator tried his mightiest to wiggle out of being nabbed. First he plopped down his business card and demanded “how do you like that?” The arresting officer was unimpressed. After a bout of entrapment claims, Craig finally acquiesced and pleaded guilty to the charge. Then came the contrition (or as best as the Republican senator could muster): “I’m not gay and never have been gay.” Note how he cleverly avoided anything to do with bisexuality (he is marred), and how we never here him talk of never having had a homosexual experience. Still … clever wording, very Republican. The one major misstep by Sen. Larry … he admitted guilt to the charge. Cardinal sin in RNC-land. There was a literal RNC stampede away from ol’ Sen. Larry after the guilt plea. Who cares about honesty? When there’s consistent denial, it’s plausible deniability regardless of how red-handed you’re caught – at least in Republican-land. Unless it’s adultery by a male politician with a woman (a-la Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), admitting guilt is a kiss of death. Witness the contrast between Randy “Duke” Cunningham (caught and admitted guilt) and Tom DeLay (caught and denied vehemently). However, it was more than guilt that got him a speedy one-way ticket out of GOPperville. Compounding it was being caught as being gay. Though it may seem so in recent years, GOP does not stand for “Gay Old Party” – something the conservatives will be quick to point out. Again, when you have an “R” next to your name, you’re never truly gay until your caught by your own admission, red-handed or no. Why be like Mark Foley or Ed Schrock when you could be a David Dreier or even aspire to the highest office in the land like President George W. Bush? Even though the hypocrisy of the consistently anti-gay legislator was blatant, hypocrisy by his own party is much more bluntly evident. Sen. Larry is a fine man up to the minute he admits his guilt. And in their defense, Republicans point out Gerry Studds and Barney Frank (both D-MA). How weak is that? Democrats aren’t the judgmental ideologues. That’s Republicans. Democrats pardon. Republicans never forget, nor let it go. And while Jesus forgives, and Democrats generally follow suit, Republicans tend to like Paul’s teachings better, or the Old Testament punitive styles better still (Jesus being a bit too liberal for their tastes.) Later Sen. Larry hinted at wanting a do over. Or maybe not. He decided the error of his ways was admitting guilt, and that holding out for wearing the opposition down (RNC-style) is a better strategy. But then he even rescinded that by saying it’s his “intent” to step down September 30 as planned. Notice the equivocal wording. (Can you say “wiggle room”?) Who knows what’s Sen. Larry’s plans are – we’re not sure he knows just yet. Recently he’s flipping and flopping like a freshly beached fish on a hook. One thing you can say, you gotta admire the chutzpah of Republicans and their morals. Whether it’s Rush Limbaugh railing about all druggies needing life in prison until he’s popped gaming scrips to feed his addiction to hillbilly heroin (aka: oxycontin), or President Bush taking hard line on lawbreakers until it happens to a well-connected aide such as Scooter Libby. Sen. Larry was always a reliable vote against anything GLBT, a good RNC company man. The American Conservative Union rated Craig's 2005 voting record at 96 out of 100 points! After his guilty plea, he bleats at the crowd during his press conference back in Idaho, “I am not gay. I have never been gay ….” But of course, rumors had been going around even in his own party circles of his rep. A report from the Idaho Statesman noted: Read more.

Taking The Good With The Bad

September 13, 2007 ·

According to KTVB.com, Idaho Inmate Jennifer Spencer has won a small battle in the fight to get hormone replacement therapy in prison. While this is definitely a win for humane treatment of prisoners  and for transsexuals that are incarcerated in Idaho, I have to wonder  what the blacklash will be. These are the kind of cases that rile up the nastier side of the right wing. Examples from the comments of One News Now: Although I do not live in… Read more.

Grasping At Straws and Straw Men

September 11, 2007 ·

The vitriol over at Traditional Values Coalition is heating up. As Bil over at Bilerico has reported : "The Traditional Values Coalition has a series of offensive cartoons they've been circulating since ENDA became a possibility. While the group isn't known for their Christ-like love of truth, this latest flier steps outside of their usual circle of lies and deceit to directly attack two people who, as far as I know, aren't doing anything to their organization." You can find… Read more.

Closets Are For Clothes, Stealth Is For Planes

September 9, 2007 ·

Recently, I read a blog post about an FTM complaining about being judged by other transgender people about living "stealth." To those of you who feel the need to live secretly, I say this; if you wish to live your life in a closet that is your choice. But don't be surprised when I judge you for this. For as long as folks with passing privilege hide in their closets, there will be a stigma attached to transgender people because… Read more.

Three Card Monte, Bailey Style

September 6, 2007 ·

I'm getting rather tired of posting about this, but J. Michael Bailey is at it again. He posted "Transsexual Smokescreen: Ignoring Science In “The Man Who Would Be Queen” at Scientific Blogging.com. The post is a microcosm of the disingenuous nature of this man. He's said in multiple forums: (from the KQED Forum interview) I wrote what is commonly understood to be a popular science book, in which I reviewed serious academic work by myself and other scholars." So the book is science? Read more.

Who Needs Truth When There’s Revisionism?

September 3, 2007 ·

Just when you think you’ve heard it all …. Just a couple weeks ago, President George W. Bush let loose what we in Texas parlance (at least among polite company) term “a whopper” (no, not the hamburger). First he went on news saying how we needed to get more results from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s Administration, and start seeing real progress. This coming right on the heels of the Iraqi ministry taking a month of vacation while the life-or-death issues of this “fledgling democracy” teetering on the brink are put on hold with all the urgency of reviewing a bill on water allocation to farmers. Seemingly, give-‘em-hell-George appeared to be lighting a fire under the Prime Minister. Then at almost breakneck direction change, the Mr. Bush calls another press conference to reiterate his “unwavering” support of Al-Maliki, and blasting critics calling for his ouster. He goes on to chide the critics of Al-Maliki, noting, “it's not up to the politicians in Washington, D.C., to say whether he will remain in his position. That is up to the Iraqi people who now live in a democracy and not a dictatorship.” Odd that Georgie would bring that up because a mere year and a half ago, it was Ibrahim Al-Jaafari that appeared poised to be re-elected as Prime Minister in Iraq. Unfortunately for him, the White House wanted none of that. The Bush Administration insisted Al-Jaafari step down, and Al-Jaafari dug in his heels initially and refused. With no small amount of arm-twisting, and some help by enlisting the cleric Ali Sistani to show that Al-Jaafari’s obstinance would hold the nation back, the man who the Iraqi Parliament would’ve elected stepped aside. The man that Iraq’s Parliament on whole were not so keen on (especially the Sunni segment), was instead “democratically elected” – with a little help and wisdom from their neighbors halfway across the globe! Hey, we would expect nothing less in our own democracy, right? And while Bush’s words sounded like the typical beat-up-a-Democrat, Congress-been-keeping-me-back rhetoric, he was actually responding to critics within his own party. The astonishing part of all of this was … Bush did this with a straight face! More impressive, virtually no one called him on it! It’s something we’ve seen a startling increase in, especially in the 21st century: Real-Time Revisionism. Unlike other examples in history, these days revisionism can’t wait for the history-book writers to massage the facts in a decade or two. No, history is now revised now in the span of a mere year or two. This brand of nuanced politic-speak has been perfected to an art form by the Bush / Cheney Administration, most notably with the Iraq War mission creep. Revisionism has also become a well-used defense or attack strategy by the RNC, and to good effect. And in typical RNC fashion, as long as you say it loudly enough and long enough (especially if you shout the challengers down) it becomes fact. It’s notably helpful to have the press in your pocket, where they can participate in spreading the desired outcome of what’s already past. To be sure, this isn’t strictly a conservative trait. Indeed some of their counterparts have watched their success with revision and wish to duplicate for themselves. It’s become a concept that’s in vogue in the GLBT political community as well. It’s not a new approach by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as they’ve used this to lesser success over the years. Lately, however, it’s become much more forward, particularly with a sales push to the transgender community. Claims made about their historical “support” of inclusive language in either Hate Crimes or Employment Non-Discrimination bills fly directly in the face of reality. In later years they’ve taken note of the pressure of other GLBT organizations pushing them to get with the program that most others adopted years ago: actively pushing for trans-inclusive language. It hasn’t stopped them from trying to support language such as the Senate bill that has gender only as they attempted to slide with in the previous Congress. Now, with the assistance of a few trans leaders they tap to assist in getting their marketing message to the transgender community, the message is all about how they’ve supported us all along. Ahem, nice try. Read more.

Do It for the GOPper: Republican Presidential Politics Plays to the Faithful

September 3, 2007 ·

While the Dems got through with their debates a week back, in the interest of fairness it behooves me to at least give the GOPpers a report with regards to Trans America. Two weeks earlier, they had their first network debate with all candidates currently declared (Fred Thompson is not one of those) in Iowa; the following week they conducted their straw poll there, with the expected victory for Mitt (the only presidential candidate ever named after a baseball glove) Romney. For the sake of fairness, the other top-tier candidates to date – Rudy Giuliani and John McCain – skipped the straw poll. Fred Thompson has not officially declared, so he’s officially not a candidate and polled better than the aforementioned other skippers. So what does this mean for GOP America? Moreover, what does this communicate to Transgender Americans? Read more.

That Old Tranny Religion!

September 3, 2007 ·

I am an atheist/agnostic so I'm not sure why Jesus has been on my mind lately, but he has. So many Christian bloggers have written about the sin of being transgender. God, help us here in America. We have made a total mess of Your plan for us. We have forgotten that without You we are nothing and we have nothing. We have made a mockery of your creation by allowing people to change it completely. We have kept our… Read more.

August Carnival of Bent Attractions

September 1, 2007 ·

It's that time of the month! No, not that time! It's time for The Carnival of Bent Attractions! Trusted Advisor starts us out by "Defining Trust by Defining Moments--Larry Craig's" "This is not a moral judgment, not in the sense that some want Craig ousted for alleged homosexual behavior that's been rumored for many years. Nor is it an indictment of his tepid stance in the Iraq war or his unpopular support of President Bush's proposed immigration reform." Why does trusted advisor think Senator Craig should get the boot? "The senator did not own up to his misdemeanor crime. He did not apologize to his family, to the fabulous staff that has supported him for more than a quarter century in Congress, to his constituents here in Idaho. If you had just dropped in from Mars and read only this one editorial, you'd get a good sense of what the human race means by trust. It means transparency; it means taking responsibility; it means telling the truth." Maybe it's just me, but both Mars and Idaho seem like far away worlds that I couldn't live in. But maybe if Jon Swift is right, it's just being Republican! Recently Swift asked " Why Do Conservatives Like Larry Craig Seem So Gay?" Read more.

I’m A Bitch, I’m A Lover

August 31, 2007 ·

Meredith Brooks once sang: " I’m a bitch, I’m a lover I’m a child, I’m a mother I’m a sinner, I’m a saint I do not feel ashamed I’m your hell, I’m your dream I’m nothing in between You know, you wouldn’t want it any other way" But I guess there are some gay men who aren't channeling Meredith. From the Washington Blade's "Bitch Session" "It’s transgender people that need the gay and lesbian movement to succeed not the other way around. They are a minority within a minority who couldn’t get very far without us yet they always arrogantly fail to recognize that! Learn some humility instead of being so damn uppity. To the transgender activist who had the gall to say that gays and lesbians can’t move forward without them: The fact is transgender activists have opposed gay rights legislation in the past simply because they weren’t included! Despite their being as bad as Christian conservatives or selfish brats, we often managed to succeed without them! They should thank us for forgiving them for this and allowing them to retard our progress by including them now!" Read more.

Science and Ideology: The Blanchard-Bailey-Lawrence Model of Transsexuality

August 30, 2007 ·

By Élise Hendrick (reprinted with permission) Autogynaephiles, Homosexuals, and Fabricators: The Blanchard-Bailey-Lawrence Taxonomy of Trans Women I. A Hypothetical Let us suppose that someone claimed to have found that rape is primarily a function of the sexuality and presentation of the victim, and proposed a binary taxonomy of rape victims: (1) The provoker: Provoker-type rape victims are heterosexual women no older than their mid-to-late twenties at the time of the incident. They are generally sexually active, and are characterized by general attractiveness and a preference for attractive, even provocative modes of dress and behavior. In these women, the rape is the subconsciously desired result of their behavior and presentation. (2) The confabulator: The confabulator, like the provoker, is heterosexual, but homely and unattractive, and at least in her late twenties or thirties. She is not sexually active, nor does she dress in a particularly attractive or provocative manner. She is most likely to have convinced herself that she was raped in order to deceive herself into believing that she is sexually desirable despite her age and appearance. Let us further suppose that the person who has “discovered” these categories also claims that there are no categories outside of the two above, and that any woman who claims not to fit within these categories in any particular is either lying or delusional. In dealing with these claims, rational people will likely do as suggested by Noam Chomsky in The Case Against B.F. Skinner, and ask: ”What is the scientific status of the claims? What social or ideological needs do they serve? The questions are logically independent, but the second type of question naturally comes to the fore as scientific pretensions are undermined.” Read more.

Christ Commands You To Get Your Ass Kicked!

August 29, 2007 ·

From the Evangelical Bible: I Fundamentalists: 1 And Christ said "if you're a transsexual, you're doomed. 2You deserve to be raped or sexually assaulted." Or so it would seem from the Jesus blogosphere : "If I may put this delicately, will these bathrooms make any concessions to that biological reality formerly known as "sexuality?" You know, body parts; will men be able to use the facilities in a manly way, or must we sit? One of the more painful memories of my life was visiting my brothers, David and Nathan, at Macalester College and having to use their coed dorm bathroom. Icky yuck-yuck. Gross. Cooties were caught." - Bayly Blog Apparently these "men of God" have an issue with gender neutral bathrooms that are safe places for transgender people. Read more.

Transadvocate Reports: In development

August 24, 2007 ·

I'm working on bringing the podcast you hear at times, Transadvocate Reports, into a live show. I NEED YOUR HELP! I'm trying to decide which intro and outro music is the best. Please listen to this audio and put in the comments your 3 favorite tracks, and why. Remember that this isn't going to be a comedy, but a show that centers on transadvocacy. The target audience is YOU!!! http://podcasts.transactivists.com/TAR/media/2007-08-24_showintrooutro.mp3 Thanks for your help. Read more.

I’m Just an Angry Transsexual Activist Mafioso

August 23, 2007 ·

In KQED's recent interview of J Michael Bailey and Alice Dreger, Bailey said:   "Again I reject the assertion that it's all transgendered people are offended by my book. Many transgendered people are actually very happy that people are finally talking about this phenomenon called autogynophelia, which they feel captures their motivation." I actually think that Bailey is wrong and that a majority of transgender people see Bailey's work as a direct attack on their lives. If you do too, I'd ask that you please sign a petition I made at:   http://www.petitiononline.com/trans4us/   Please spread the word about this petition to as many people you can think of. Alice Dreger's dredging up of this old controversy has inflamed the right wing blogosphere with such wonderful posts as: Read more.

Stylebook? What Stylebook?

August 21, 2007 ·

From the AP Stylebook: "Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly." Now keeping that in mind when you see this image: Name: Francis Renee White Headline from WTKR Suffolk Man Charged… Read more.

Truth In Numbers, Hate Crimes Statistics

August 18, 2007 ·

From a recent report out of UCLA entitled: Comparison of Hate Crimes Rates Across Protected and Unprotected Groups ( by Rebecca Stotzer, Public Policy Research Fellow at the Williams Institute) Current proposed legislation would change certain existing federal hate crime laws to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories. Sexual orientation and gender identity are important categories for inclusion in federal law because members of these groups are just as likely to be victimized as members of other… Read more.

Isn’t It Ironic, Don’t You Think?

August 17, 2007 ·

During the HRC/LOGO Presidential Forum John Edwards was asked: MR. SOLOMONESE: Susan Stanton is in our audience tonight. She was, for 17 years, the city manager in Largo , Florida . She did her job well; she was respected and admired. And when it was revealed that she was transgender, she was fired. So my question for you is if a member of your staff came to you and told you that they were transgender and that they were thinking… Read more.

For Matters of Disclosure, I Open Myself To You

August 16, 2007 ·

The post that follows this will discuss Alice Dreger's "The Controversy Surrounding The Man Who Would Be Queen: A Case History of the Politics of Science, Identity, and Sex in the Internet Age." As a matter of disclosure, I believe before I can discuss this journal article I must be clear about a few points. 1. I'm not a supporter of Andrea James or Calpernia Addam's websites. From years of visiting their sites and taking part in their forums, I've… Read more.

Summer Songs that helped us Survive

August 12, 2007 ·

When I was Stone Blue ... Rock and Roll sure helped me through .... Warning beforehand, this is a fluff-piece – you’ll have to excuse me. Actually, a little of this can be blamed on Verizon commercials. What originally inspired this was the return of typical south Texas summer heat in all its oppressively humid splendor. Mostly we’d been spared this year, save for July 21 (my birthday) and one other day in June – the only profusely body-moistening days… Read more.

Presidential Forum on Marriage Equality

August 10, 2007 ·

It was billed as the "HRC Foundation and Logo Presidential Forum" but you could have just as easily called it the "HRC and Logo Presidential Forum on Marriage Equality. But it wasn't supposed to be that way. According to Donna Rose's blog: "I have been told by people who would know that a decision has already been made that each candidate will be given a "T" question (their words, not mine). When I sent my list of questions this morning (the deadline was noon), part of the response I got back was that they particularly "like the more general ones because it requires them to be more forthcoming." For the record, there was ONE question during the entire forum that was a "T" question. Joe Solmonese asked John Edwards the following question: "Susan Stanton is in our audience tonight. She was, for 17 years, the city manager in Largo, Florida. She did her job well; she was respected and admired. And when it was revealed that she was transgender, she was fired. So my question for you is if a member of your staff came to you and told you that they were transgender and that they were thinking of transitioning, how would you react to that? And who in your life has influenced what your reaction might be?" Read more.

Transman Civil War Hero?

August 9, 2007 ·

I won't lie, I'm a lover of history. One of the the blogs I regularly read is Civil War Women. The blog is thick with biographies of women that lived and thrived in the Civil War era. One of the "women" she posted about caught my eye. He was born Jennie Irene Hodgers, but lived most of his adult life as Albert D.J. Cashier. Albert served in the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment. The 95th was was part of the Army… Read more.

Bush Doesn’t Care About America

August 8, 2007 ·

When Kayne West said "George Bush doesn't care about black people!" , he was partly right. George Bush doesn't care about the majority of Americans or what they care about.  From HRC's "Back Story" blog:  It's really sad, but apparently Bush never tires of catering to his base, despite the undeniable (and well publicized) loss of confidence in his judgment and leadership by the majority of Americans. It’s not that complicated.  In May, Gallup released a poll that showed overwhelming… Read more.

Radical Feminist Hate, Fear, or Loathing?

August 8, 2007 ·

Typically, when reading about radical feminists on various blogs, it's an "us verses them" type of debate. I've been thinking a lot about that, as witnessed by my last post, Michfest Music Melodrama I've been thinking a lot about the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival lately. So much anger and divisiveness occurs between radical feminist and transgender bloggers, it really turns my stomach. Very few posts on either side attempt to understand each other. so much so, it ends up being… Read more.

Michfest Music Melodrama

August 7, 2007 ·

I really have no desire to go to the transphobic Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. I don't really care to protest the event (with Camp Trans). If the Klan wanted to have a meeting out in the midde of nowhere, I'd let em. But the one thing DOES bother me about Michfest are the performers. Artists like Alix Olson, Melissa Ferrick, and Ferron are playing at an event that actively excludes transwomen. I keep thinking, should I refuse to go to any further shows or buy their albums? Is it anathema to support any of these artists? :( I really do love Ferron. Some music under the cut... Read more.

You Can Still Fire Me

August 3, 2007 ·

Chris Crain has repeatedly suggested 1, 2, 3, 4 that transgender people don't need to be included in the Employee Non-Discrimination Act because "existing federal civil rights laws have already been interpreted by some judges to protect trans workers." A recent EEOC informal discussion letter would suggest otherwise. Historically, courts and the EEOC have held that Title VII does not prohibit discrimination against an individual because of transgendered status. See, e.g., Ulane v. Eastern Air Lines, Inc., 742 F.2d 1081… Read more.

Not A Feminist By Birth Or Biology

August 3, 2007 ·

I've been over at Feministing all day, writing responses to "You learn something new every day." The post is a response to The BBC's recent coverage of a debate with Julie Bindel. Julie believes that sex reassignment surgery is a "mutilation." The debate over there is one of the best I've ever encountered. There's a whole lot of cross talk and listening, and very few personal attacks. This is the first time I've ever posted about this in a forum where I didn't feel like I was talking to a wall. I've included some of the comments, and my responses, under the cut. Read more.

TRANSAPOCALYPSE

July 28, 2007 ·

The following video is from " Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour" [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/mjMRgT5o-Ig" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] At the end of the video, I caught a glimpse of this: This kind of display dispels the notion by some in the civil rights community that GLBT people aren't being dehumanized. Read more.

This Says It Better Than I Ever Could

July 27, 2007 ·

From Alas, a blog Amp has been personally attacked many times because of this cartoon. I believe it's because it's speaking truth. Some folks don't like to see their own reflection, or refuse to believe it and react violently when they do. Read more.

As If You Needed Any More Proof: Randi Rhodes III

July 27, 2007 ·

From the Wednesday, July 25th edition of the Randi Rhodes Show When someone apologizes for a "bad joke" and understands their mistake by making the following comment... " This is my second attempt at posting a reply because I feel awful about your PERCEPTION of who I am. Can YOU imagine that? Being misunderstood? I am honesty sorry if my attempt at humor failed." - Randi Rhodes" Would they continue to air this? http://www.transadvocate.com/audio/Annisaman.mp3 I think not. Read more.

Wyoming (IN)Equality

July 26, 2007 ·

What the heck is up with Wyoming Equality? From their front page: An equality group is promoting The Michigan Womyn's Music Festival? For those that don't know, the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival is a "womyn born womyn" event that specifically excludes transwomen. In recent years they've softened their "no transwomen" policy from "DO NOT ENTER," to "WE TOLD YOU NOT TO ENTER, BUT YOU CAN BUY A TICKET." If you don't believe the politics behind Michfest is transphobic, just take… Read more.

Woman’s Space To Hate With Heart

July 25, 2007 ·

Things I learn from the radical feminist blogosphere: -" Male-to-female transsexuality/transgender is really about men’s rights. It has nothing to do with feminism. As such, as feminists, just as we oppose men’s rights, in general, we oppose this manifestation of men’s rights as well." - "Radical feminists are no more “transphobes” than we are “manhaters.” To allege that we are is to indulge in sexist, misogynist, anti-feminist propaganda." - " Female-to-male transsexuals/transgendered persons are situated much differently than male-to-female transsexuals/transgendered… Read more.

There’s Something About Transphobia

July 25, 2007 ·

I'm continually amazed at the hatred and bigotry shown by the Fox Broadcasting Network. The fall lineup includes the inherently transphobic series, "There’s Something About Miriam." The series first aired in the 2004 in the UK and features six men who try to win the affection of 21-year-old Mexican model Miriam. In the final episode it is revealed to the suitors that Miriam is a preoperative transsexual woman. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/2ACJL41x3QE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] The series originally ran in the… Read more.

R We Family?

July 24, 2007 ·

I've been home a little over a week from my vacation on the R Family Vacation summer cruise to the Bahamas. I've had a week to sit back and reflect on the trip. For those that don't know, R Family Vacations is the brainchild of Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli O’Donnell. It's billed as a cruise for GLBT families. From the R Family Vacation website: R Family Vacations is truly the most inclusive GLBT vacation offered. All of our vacations are… Read more.

Transactivism, For Your Eyes Only

July 23, 2007 ·

"A Town hall meeting is an informal public meeting derived from the traditional town meetings of New England. Similarly to those meetings, everybody in a community is invited to attend, voice their opinions, and hear the responses from public figures and elected officials, although attendees rarely vote on an issue. In today's heterogeneous communities with large populations, more often, town hall meetings are held so that people can influence elected officials in their decision making or to give them a… Read more.

Don’t Call Me A Lesbian

July 19, 2007 ·

A question recent posted on Lesbian Life at About.com asked "Question: I am at the very early stages of being a transsexual, and I want to be a woman. I also love women. Could I consider myself a lesbian?" I've struggled to define my own sexuality, so this question has been ever present in my mind. Kathy Belge, of Curve's "Lipstick and Dipstick" fame, responded by saying: "Yes, transsexuals can be homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual. Gender identity and sexual orientation… Read more.

GLAAD ACTION ALERT: Transadvocate.com Is Worse than Randi Rhodes and Michael Savage Combined!

July 16, 2007 ·

I'm waiting for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to put out an action alert calling for a ban on Transadvocate.com. Why? Because I've asked them to advocate for  the "T" in their mission statement with the same veracity that they do for gay and lesbian issues. I even wondered on blog if we should protest GLAAD the way we've protested the Human Rights Campaign (for lack of inclusion). While on vacation last week, I periodically checked my… Read more.

Justice, American Style

July 15, 2007 ·

It was striking seeing a blurb by a spokesperson in the Iowa Republican Party responding to the prospect of former-President Bill Clinton lobbying for his wife Hillary’s presidential campaign: “After Bill Clinton tarnished the name of the president of the United States, the Republican Party restored hope, respect and morality within the Oval Office by bringing positive ideas and conservative values back to the White House.” Reading this caused me to respond with one of those GEICO© caveman moments: “Yeah,… Read more.

Love Thy Neighbor?

July 15, 2007 ·

As the Hate Crimes amendment to the Defense Funding Authorization is being debated in the Senate, it’s funny hearing some of the arguments coming from those opposed to allowing the additional protections to sexual orientation and gender identity. Many of the callers advocating for killing the Hate Crimes amendment have taken liberty of saying it infringes on free speech. Nothing in the Hate Crimes bill (S. 1105), nor the amendment to the defense-spending bill with the exact same wording, makes… Read more.

Protest GLAAD?

July 7, 2007 ·

Transexual Menace protested HRC for lack of inclusion in their advocacy back in 2005, I think maybe it's time to protest GLAAD for the same thing. In a post entitled : GLAAD About Hate Speech, I discussed the viciousness of Michael Savage's most remarks concerning the murder of Ruby Ordenana. GLAAD's response consisted of a paragraph, released ONLY to me. So what do I get in my email box today? GLAAD Call to Action: "The O'Reilly Factor" - "Lesbian Gang… Read more.

Randi Rhodes Redux

July 5, 2007 ·

I guess Randi's transphobia isn't something new. I edited the clips down (I edited them for time, I did not rearrange or manipulate the content). If you want to hear the segments unedited, watch the youtube videos below. I find it rather ironic that Randi's reaction to Ann Coulter's personal attacks is to attack Ann's body, gender identity and sexuality. Podcast: http://podcasts.transactivists.com/TAR/media/2007-07-05_tacoulterrhodes2.mp3 [kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/K7VCwqJlJIo" width="425" height="350"/] [kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/KBf9eUk7_GI" width="425" height="350"/] oh, and for you gays and lesbians that are feeling… Read more.

An Example of Why Gender Identity Inclusion Is Important

July 3, 2007 ·

An update on the previous post, Trans-panic Defense Alive And Well In Palm Beach. A 17 year old Florida teen was found guilty of a second-degree felony of aggravated battery when he assaulted a 39 year old transwoman. Further details of the beating were learned when one of the police officers testified. From the Palm Beach Post: "Palm Beach police Sgt. Jennifer Sandman, who interviewed the teen on the morning of the incident, testified at Monday's trial in juvenile court… Read more.

Trans-panic Defense Alive And Well In Palm Beach

July 3, 2007 ·

It looks as if the trans-panic defense is alive and well in Palm Beach. From the Palm Beach Post: Two strangers met outside a bar on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. One of the strangers turned out to be a 17 year old male and the other was a 39 year old transwoman. "The teen says that she got into their car, and performed oral sex on him in the back seat while his friend drove. They ended up… Read more.

Randi Rhodes’ Transphobic Moment

July 3, 2007 ·

Listening to "progressive radio," you don't really hear to many examples of out and out transphobia. Listening to Randi Rhodes on Air America Radio I heard her mock Ann Coulter, insinuating she was a transsexual. This is insulting to Ann Coulter on a purely personal level, and it's demeaning of anyone trans because of the stereotypes. Just goes to show you that ignorance, bigotry, and transphobia isn't exclusive to right wing Republicans. http://podcasts.transactivists.com/TAR/media/2007-07-03_tacoulterrhodes.mp3 Read more.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

July 1, 2007 ·

Pride Party this year was fun, and probably left most of us a little fuzzy-minded. Like all parties where we partake a bit too much, there’s always the obligatory hangover. This year I made good on a promise and attended a friend’s Pride party at THE Pride Parade in New York City. Yes, my hometown Houston’s Pride Parade is unique in that it’s at night, with lit up floats – the only night Pride Parade in the northern hemisphere. Even… Read more.

The Dirty Dozens

June 29, 2007 ·

Hillary Clinton is going to be the next President of the United States and look at all the trans friendly people who are endorsing her campaign. Can you imagine endorsing a candidate that doesn't support gays and lesbians? Why not? They don't have a problem supporting Presidential candidates that don't support transgender people, and why would you be surprised at that? Take a look at what's happening in NY with GENDA or Massachusetts where transgender people can still be fired from their jobs, harassed, beat up and murdered with no hate crime law to help with investigations or prosecutions. MASS Equality is having trouble trying to figure out what to do with their left over 3 million dollar budget. Their job is done, same sex marriage is legal, gays and lesbians have a non-discrimination law and a hate crimes law. Look out NY, same sex marriage will be next in your state too. Don't worry, they'll be back for ya...just ask Jeff Soref to help ya out, perhaps he'll even put in a good word for us so Hillary will support a trans-inclusive ENDA. I do believe there are a few members of Mass Equality on Hillary's support list too, let's all remember to thank them. While we're at it, we can thank Peter Rosenstein (another name on the "list") for his stellar support for trans-inclusion in ENDA and the Hate Crimes Prevention act. You can read about it here in his opinion piece: Should we support pro-gay legislation that does not include trans protections? Do I really need to mention Joe Solmonese's co-hostess on XM satellite radio? She gets the double whammy award for support. The list of undying support goes on and on and on but don't take my word for it, you have Google. Hold the phone! There is one transgender person on this list, go get 'em Melissa Sklarz! We like to try and change the world, one tranny at a time. Here's Hillary's support list: Read more.

Pro-Choice is Pro-Trans

June 28, 2007 ·

Years before my transition, when asked how I felt about abortion, I would jokingly I would say, "personally, I'd never have one." It was my way of wiggling out of this very sensitive hot button issue without really answering the question. I don't have the reproductive ability to carry a child to term, so I always felt the issue didn't concern me. I've come to realize over the years that a woman's right to choose isn't just about reproductive choice.… Read more.

Taking The Tyranny Out Of The Y

June 22, 2007 ·

With the ongoing battles between radical feminists and transgender bloggers, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be transgender. Radical feminists, in the vein of Andrea Dworkin's dream of an "androgynous society," hope to demolish gender roles. Recently i read an article written by Susan Cole of Now magazine. She discussed her gender fluidity and how she's beginning to enjoy it. "Does this mean I've lost my feminist edge? I know I still believe that… Read more.

Ok, Maybe I’m Just Cranky

June 16, 2007 ·

The headline from a recent Rex Wockner PrideSource  post screams "Transsexual becomes mayor of Cambridge". What would you think of this headline: "Gay becomes mayor of Cambridge"? Now, I know that "Lesbian becomes mayor of Cambridge" does work, but that's because being a lesbian denotes sex automatically. At the very least, I wish he'd have written it as Transsexual woman, or Trans-woman. It's frustrating to transition, go through all that it entails,  only to be objectified and thrown in some… Read more.

What’s In A Word? Context, Ya Fag!

June 15, 2007 ·

I know I have this obsession with words. I've never particularly liked Queerty.com because it's posts on transfolk generally border on bad taste/transphobia. The most recent edition sports this headline: When I think of the use of the word tranny, I think of the words of George Carlin: [kml_flashembed movie="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" width="430" height="346" fvars="m=598001949;type=video"/] The point being, if you are a transgender person and you say tranny, it's acceptable because the intent isn't negative or hateful. But if your not, it's… Read more.

Are You Hungry?

June 14, 2007 ·

If you've been to TA today, you might have noticed that in the left sidebar I've linked to the site feed for ALL the bloggers of Transadvocate.com. I really am proud of Nexy, Sabrina, Autumn, Stephanie, Becky, and all the other TA bloggers. Add the global TA feed and get every blogger on TA and you'll see what you've been missing! Read more.

It’s A Tranny Inferno!

June 8, 2007 ·

As the years go by, I tend to think that this culture is becoming more and more progressive. But I've seen snippets of the past that keep reminding me it isn't exactly the case. Take this song for example, it came out in 1979. sammyjoanne.mp3 You think this would make it on any album, much less get air play? H/T to Popeye Pete Read more.

It’s All Greek To Me: The Transgender – Homosexuality Death Match

June 8, 2007 ·

In reading the recently published "Interview: Transgenderism Emerging on the Heels of Homosexuality in Media" at the Christian Post, I sat amazed with my mouth agape at the following statement. "When you look at Scripture for example, when Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 6:9 about the following group of people will not inherit the Kingdom of God. One of those groups of people he calls the “soft men.” Now the meaning of that essentially, in its historical context, is men… Read more.

Confessions of A Ex-Ex-Transgender

June 5, 2007 ·

You've probably heard of the ex-gay movement. You may have even heard of the ex-ex-gay movement. Odds are slim that you know anyone that is ex-transgender. But have you ever known anyone that is ex-ex-transgender? You have if you've read this blog. In 1997 I confessed to my wife that I'd cross-dressed most of my life. After her initial shock wore off, she began to accept and integrate this part of me into our marriage. This was an activity that… Read more.

Same Ole “Ball and Crain” Dreams

June 2, 2007 ·

"I know some of my transgender sisters question my commitment to their equality, but let me be the first (I think) to point out where the top-three Democrats on in inclusion of gender identiy in federal hate crimes legislation (where I support it) and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (where I support in principle adding it at some later date, but oppose its inclusion now)." - Chris Crain First of all, it's not just the sisters that question you "commitment" to… Read more.

Radical Feminist Christ

June 2, 2007 ·

Until someone puts actual empirical data along side radical feminist doctrine, I refuse to call it a theory. It  isn't a theory, it's a religion. And it's about as believable as there being a man named Jesus Christ that rose from the dead after three days. If your wondering, THIS is the genesis of my reason to post. Now, let us pray. Read more.

Words Mean Things: You’ve Been Transgendered!

May 24, 2007 ·

When I hear "This is my friend _____ , she's transgendered", I cringe. It may seem innocuous, but using the word "transgendered" indicates that being transgender is something you have done to you. Imagine someone saying "this is my friend Andy, he's gayed" or "this is my best friend Betty,  she's lesbianed." Like being gay and lesbian, being transgender isn't something that you have done to you, it's part of who you are. I'm proud to be of Irish, Scot,… Read more.

A Week of Direct Advocacy

May 23, 2007 ·

If nothing else, last week was historic in that the three major transgender advocacy organizations (National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition) brought in citizen lobbyists to Washington D.C. from across the United States for a week of direct congressional advocacy. Rolling in to DC on Tuesday, I had the chance to see the lobbyists for the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) in action. Tuesday night NTAC sponsored a plenary session or… Read more.

The T Isn’t Silent, But HRC Is

May 17, 2007 ·

It's coming up on two years ago that I wrote an "Open Letter to Cheryl Jacques." A month after I posted my open letter, Jacques greeted transgender protesters outside of Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) offices with the news that HRC would not support any version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that didn't include transgender protections. She later wrote: "passing ENDA without gender identity and expression is like passing a copyright law that covers books and television shows but doesn't cover… Read more.

The Ghost of Chris Crain: Gayjacking the Hate Crimes Bill

May 11, 2007 ·

When Chris Crain left his position at Window Media, I thought the voice of "transjack" was dead. I couldn't have been more wrong. Today the Washington Blade published an op-ed by a long time Democratic gay activist and Washington D.C. mayoral adviser, Peter Rosenstein. He writes:"On the eve of the House taking up the Hate Crimes Prevention Act it appeared that passage was not assured in this form. Republicans thought they figured out a way to strip the bill of… Read more.

Carnival of Bent Attractions: May(-ish) Edition

May 10, 2007 ·

As some of you may have noticed, there was no Carnival of Bent Attractions (COBA) post last month. This was partially due to the move of COBA to Transadvocate.com. So without further ado, the May addition of the Carnival of Bent Attractions! Romeo Vitelli's April 1st post, "Becoming Lili" reflected on the life of transsexual trailblazer Einar Wegener. "Born in Denmark in 1886, Einar Wegener must have seemed a typical male of his time. The role that he (or more… Read more.

City of Brotherly Love, Sisterly Hate?

May 10, 2007 ·

What the hell is the problem with the Philadelphia Police Department? The police covered up the events that led to the murder of Nizah Morris in December of 2002. The city settled in a federal lawsuit that alleged that police and rescue workers contributed to her death. On March March 21, 2007, (according to witness accounts) Roland Bottom repeatedly ran over Erica Keel after ejecting her from his car. A medical examiner's report supports these accounts, classifying it as a… Read more.

Don’t Let The Door Hit Ya In The @!#*!!

May 9, 2007 ·

Like a herpes sore, certain arguments pop up continually in the transcommunity and never seem to go away. Recently Gwen Smith wrote the editorial "What's In a Name?" that discussed the term "women born transsexual (WBT)" or "Harry Benjamin Syndrome." Suzanne Cooke responded to Gwen's editorial with "Good-Bye to Transgender and All That." In it she announcing her "divorce" from the community. She claims that Gwen Smith "castigates post-sex reassignment women who identify with the term "WBT" or 'women born… Read more.

It’s The Post That Never Ends

May 8, 2007 ·

It's such an amazing thing, the transformation of Transadvocate.com. Once a blog of my personal opinions and beliefs, TA has become everything I ever envisioned it to be when I first purchased the domain on March 1st, 2002. There is enough traffic here that many times a good discussion happens without me commenting. Transadvocate.com is slowly becoming more about community, and less about me. Transadvocate/Abnormalheights.org blogger, Autumn Sandeen has amazed me with her thoughtful and in depth posts. That being… Read more.

Extremist Christians For Dishonesty, Hate, and Misinformation

May 4, 2007 ·

That should be the title of Peter LaBarbera's Americans for Truth (AFT) website. His latest post attacks sports reporter Christine Penner. "I challenge 'Mike/Christine' to do a column describing, in detail, 'sex-reassignment surgery' – whereby a penis is turned into a makeshift 'vagina' — assuming he is one day going to go that route. ('Transitioning' people are required to live one year as the opposite sex before undergoing the horrifying operation.) Then we’ll see just how 'natural' all of this… Read more.

May Flowers and ENDA’s Showers

April 27, 2007 ·

I pulled a couple of well versed legal minds in to shed more light on the shared space concerns: "It's problematic for employees who have transitioned prior to employment. As I read it, it means that shower or locker rooms without private stalls are exempt, so long as employees get a shower or locker room 'not inconsistent with' their self-identified gender. Thus, a transgender person, regardless of surgical status, can be singled out for placement in a single-person shower room,… Read more.

GenderPAC CIRCA 1959!

April 27, 2007 ·

"Harrah’s Casino says it fired Jespersen, a bartender, in August 2000 because she did not conform to the company’s new 'Personal Best' program, which required female employees to wear make-up, style their hair, and dress in high heels and skirts. During Jesperson’s 21 years at the casino, her supervisors consistently rated her work 'highly effective.' - 'The country has moved a long way from 1950’s stereotypes that all female employees must wear make-up, high heels, and dresses,' said GenderPAC Executive… Read more.

You’re Just A Tranny… And You Always Will Be

April 26, 2007 ·

So we've got a trans-inclusive ENDA, time to celebrate! Or so I thought, till I actually looked at the language. Section 8(a)(3) CERTAIN SHARED FACILITIES- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to establish an unlawful employment practice based on actual or perceived gender identity due to the denial of access to shared shower or dressing facilities in which being seen fully unclothed is unavoidable, provided that the employer provides reasonable access to adequate facilities that are not inconsistent with… Read more.

Thank You, AMC

April 26, 2007 ·

To all the folks involved with the production of the Zoey/Zarf story line on "All My Children" I'd like to say thank you. I've never watched something so transpositive in the popular culture as I've witnessed today. If you don't know what I'm talking about, see the clips below: [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/u7AtMExU7rY" width="425" height="350"/] [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/_a4rkCIFeDA" width="425" height="350"/] And that's just the beginning.... Zoe going to the endocrinologist to start HRT [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_hsWwmeVQs" width="425" height="350"/] and the one that kinda hurts...… Read more.

The Man Who Would Be Jester

April 13, 2007 ·

First he said: * "Homosexual transsexuals tend to have a short time horizon, with certain pleasure in the present worth great risks for the future." * "Prostitution is the single most common occupation that homosexual transsexuals in our study admitted to." * "The more resourceful and attractive transsexual prostitutes are call girls." * "Nearly all the homosexual transsexuals I know work as escorts after they have their surgery." * "As for shoplifting, homosexual transsexuals are not especially well suited as… Read more.

Nappy Hoe’s and Presidential Faggots

April 12, 2007 ·

In my post, "Just Wondering" I asked where the outrage was concerning Michael Savage's attack on on transgender people. It's two weeks later, and I'm still asking myself the same question. Ann Coulter - Called one man a faggot. Don Imus - Called a team "nappy headed hoes." Michael Savage - Called a murdered transwoman a psycho freak. "Yeah, process of becoming a woman -- psychopath. should have been in a back ward in a straitjacket for years, howling… Read more.

Is The Radical Feminist Movement Our Enemy?

April 11, 2007 ·

I'm in the midst of a move, and a couple of other pressing things right now, but this really is worth some discussion.  Are radical lesbian separatists/feminists an enemy that we  should fight with the same veracity as we do the religious right? Your thoughts? Read more.

Strength

April 3, 2007 ·

I found this picture on TransgenderAsia: It's of Tonette Lopez, a Filipino/Asian transactivist. It's is full of so much strength and resolve it makes me want to stand up and scream HELL YES. Read more about her here. Rest in peace Tonette. Even a year after your death you still inspire people. Read more.

GLAAD About Hate Speech

April 2, 2007 ·

In my March 26th post "Just Wondering...", I asked where the outrage was concerning Michael Savage's recent tirade against transgender people. I checked the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) website to see if they'd issued any kind of statement concerning Savage's assault on the transgender community. Finding none, I contacted the only transgender contact at GLAAD that I knew of, Andy Marra (She's also on the board of NCTE, GLSEN (NYC), and NYAGRA, but you might recognize her… Read more.

Shemale Documentary or Christian Hit Piece?

March 29, 2007 ·

I recently was asked to review the movie "American Beauties" by Groove Films. The description that came with the email gives you a slight clue that something is amiss here. "American Beauties (2005) is an award-winning documentary on Asian transgender immigrants. We enter the secretive, often misunderstood world of immigrant male to female transgenders. In a series of illuminating interviews, Amanda, Imani, Kimberly and Kosal I've revealing insights on the issues closest to their hearts: discrimination, prostitution, and sex reassignment… Read more.

HR 1592

March 27, 2007 ·

HR 1592 IH 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1592 To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 20, 2007 Read more.

Just wondering…

March 26, 2007 ·

Why has GLAAD make such a big deal about Ann Coulter's slur of John Edwards and the Superbowl candy bar commercial, but has been silent on Michael Savage's rampage against transgender men and women. Their front page features this: But where is the same call to action against those stations that carry Savage? His comments are MUCH WORSE than anything that has come out of the mouth of Coulter. http://www.transadvocate.com/files/2007/03/savage-20070323.mp3 SAVAGE: The wages of sin are death. You're gonna cut… Read more.

Unity and Hope

March 26, 2007 ·

In my recent post, Rose Colored Glasses, I had quite a few people respond here and on livejournal. Anyone familiar with the history of the trans-community and HRC (Human Rights Campaign) will know how contentious that relationship has been over the years. In March of 2001 the board of directors changed their mission statement to include transgender people. In the six years since our inclusion it's been an uphill battle to get HRC to actually include transgender people in their… Read more.

Every Rose Has Its Thorns

March 23, 2007 ·

Donna Rose responded on her website to my "Rose Colored Glasses" post by saying: "One trans advocate blogger was quick to react (read his post here)." His? Wow, this isn't starting off so well. She continues: "Last year there was indeed a problem. The trans-inclusive version passed in the House, which was a historic achievement in that it set a precedent that trans-inclusive legislation could indeed pass. However, Sen. Ted Kennedy, a co-sponsor of the bill in the Senate, would… Read more.

Rose Colored Glasses

March 21, 2007 ·

In March of 2006, I suggested to members of the Indianapolis GLBT activist community that they not support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) fund raisers in the state until HRC fully supported transgender people in hate crimes legislation. I received an email back from Donna Rose, who served on the HRC Business Council. "There is a significant amount of history to overcome – full of anger, frustration, and distrust. None of us can change the past. However, to believe that… Read more.

Little Ole’ Bigot

March 18, 2007 ·

A southern, right-wing, anti-abortion, Dominionist bigot recently wrote this post denouncing Joanne Nemecek for supporting her spouse in transition. I'm not sure she'll actually let it out of moderation (sooooo typical of right wingnut blogs), so I wanted to post my response here. "I would be amused (how you support a war that has killed thousands, yet you're pro-life?...pfftt... too funny), if this wasn't all so pathetic. First of all, I love your use of idols (a representation or symbol… Read more.

Soap Transition Support

March 12, 2007 ·

In the past I've written posts supporting the "All My Children" transgender character Zoey/Zarf (here and here). Recently, Zoey (the soap character) took part in a support group with real transgender people. Simply amazing. I'm so glad to see this. There's a good representation of sex and race in the scene. Typically in the media you only hear or see white m2f trangender people. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ziWZQXqfhns" width="425" height="350"/] Read more.

Where Did I Leave My Crow Bar?

March 11, 2007 ·

The Journal of Lesbian Studies is calling for submissions to the upcoming "Lesbians and Body Image" issue. One of the questions really caught my eye: " What differentiates body image situations where it is seen as desirable to change your attitude (i.e., "accept your body") vs. where it is seen as desirable to change your body (i.e., transsexual surgery)? What determines whether someone identifies as a butch lesbian or a FTM transsexual?" Is it possible to ever "accept your body?"… Read more.

Epileptics are Demon Posessed. Really, Jesus Told Me So.

March 7, 2007 ·

I found this on Saurly Yours: "Sex Change Operations: Are They Choice or Necessity?" I left this comment in response. "I'm not really going to spend too much time discussing things here, because it's pretty obvious that you have no desire for debate. Pretty typical on the internet, you state your opinion and then shoot down any disagreement. You discount Dr Weiss without stating any logical argument, instead you try to play some sort of educational war of the degrees.… Read more.

Best. Comment. EVER!

March 2, 2007 ·

"If these religionists would just read their Bibles, they would see that God has no problem with making a woman out of a man. In fact, He was the first to do it." - Phil, a commenter over at Shakespeare's Sister. Phil's point out of the hypocrisy of the clergy who chose to speak for God at a Largo city commission meeting. City manager, Steve Stanton, was the topic of the nights meeting. Roundly praised for his work, he's being… Read more.

Torture

February 25, 2007 ·

is what life is for a transgender youth that can't come out. Hell, as a child I wouldn't even think about it, lest someone peer into my thoughts. I wore masculinity as my shield to keep others from hurting me. I ended up trusting no one and living a life that was very lonesome, even when surrounded by others. I wish the support todays youth has would have been around when I was a child. It would have saved me… Read more.

You Pretty Little Housewife

February 23, 2007 ·

"Mayor Pat Gerard says she doesn't believe Stanton will have any problems when he walks in wearing a dress, lipstick and heels." - Mike Deeson (Tampabays1o.com) Call me a Marxist Radical Feminist Nazi, but I don't think Ms. Stanton has to wear a dress, lipstick, and heels to present as a woman.  Why is it that when people think of transwomen they think of something close to a Stepford wife or June Cleaver? Where's my lighter, I have bra to… Read more.

Your Serve Is Rather Weak

February 18, 2007 ·

According to a Reuters report: "As Renee Richards, the world's most famous transsexual athlete, looks back on her life, she has one regret -- the fame she attained." Dearest Renee, your 15 minutes of fame are WAY past. If you're so against the fame you received, why are you writing another book? "In the mid-1970s and when her memoir, "Second Serve: The Renee Richards Story," came out in 1983, was treated as an curiosity and besieged by television chat shows.… Read more.

Can I Just Piss, Please?

February 14, 2007 ·

[kml_flashembed movie="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" width="430" height="346" fvars="m=893028993;type=video"/] This movie is right on! It's ridiculous i have to choose between going to jail or possible physical violence, just to go pee. If you like this vid you should go over to PlanetOut Short Movie Awards Audience Awards and vote for "Wrong Bathroom." Tip - Maria Read more.

Four Years Later, Still No Answers.

February 13, 2007 ·

Ethan St. Pierre of Transfm.org and The Radical Trannies recently interviewed Tim Cwiek. Tim is an investigative journalist for Philadelphia Gay News and has looked into the suspected police involvement of the death of transgender woman, Nizah Morris. http://radicalguy.podomatic.com/enclosure/2007-02-12T12_39_53-08_00.mp3 Read more.

I Ain’t Got No-Body

February 11, 2007 ·

(I wrote this post a while ago, but forgot to put it up.) Call it synchronicity or blind luck, but at times multiple posts converge into one line of thinking for me. The Kim Nixon case is one such intersection. Ms. Nixon was rejected from the Vancouver Rape Relief Society training program when they found out that she was transgender. Ms. Nixon brought a suit against the center. You can read more about that here and here. I found the… Read more.

I’ve Got The Power!

February 5, 2007 ·

But it's for the reasons I provided there that in my view females (women born female who have lived all of their lives as girls and women) cannot "discriminate" against transpersons. They can be nasty and mean. They can be unkind and assholish. But they can't "discriminate"– because discrimination is a function of power, and females/women (born female who have lived all of their lives as girls/women), in fact have not, and do not, enjoy sex privilege with respect to… Read more.

It’s Not All About The Gay

February 2, 2007 ·

Yesterday both Box Turtle Bulletin and my friend Steph posted this video: [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/NgJyyszPwuM" width="425" height="350"/] They both labeled it as "Gay." But two prominent scenes in the movie are of the Stonewall and Compton Cafeteria riots. To label either as "gay history" misses the bigger picture. The Stonewall Inn was raided because its clientèle was mostly Hispanic and African American, and most were gender variant. After the riots started, police targeted effeminate men. Stonewall was as much about gender… Read more.

My Gender Identity Is In Order

February 1, 2007 ·

I'm not sure why I've been thinking about gender roles so much lately. Maybe it's because I listened to Radio Open Source show on Hillary Clinton. Maybe it's because of this: "Sometimes, I think feminism and some feminists expect everyone to march to the same drummer, and Kim really seems to dance to her own tune, despite herself sometimes. Her writing is both personal and political, and she has adorable cats. Kim really comes across as human, strenghts, faults, questions,… Read more.

Momma Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Trannies!

January 31, 2007 ·

The right wing blogs are a fire with the story of a german 12 year old that is transitioning from male to female. Here is a sample:"This is wrong. A boy decides he is a girl--a boy--and psychiatrists and doctors agree to get on with the hormones before he has even had a chance to experience puberty and perhaps come to different conclusions." - - SecondHand Smoke "This is just sad. I doubt the boy is truly happy." - Right… Read more.

Turtle Soup For the Soul

January 30, 2007 ·

Reading All We, Like Sheep? over at Box Turtle Bulletin.com, part of the post really resonated with me. "If it's not a choice (being gay or lesbian), it should be." But what choice? There's a difference between a desire and the action that follows it. My therapist explained it to me using a food analogy. "I like chocolate. I can't make myself not like the taste of chocolate, but I can decide not to eat chocolate. Desire isn't something that… Read more.

It’s Poetry In Motion

January 26, 2007 ·

Throws science out the window? Um... "These findings led Swaab to believe that in humans also, BSTc size is programmed during fetal and neonatal development--perhaps as a result of an interaction between sex hormones and the developing brain--and is probably not the result of parental or social pressures after birth. His research, he says, shows that transsexuals are right. Their sex was judged in the wrong way at the moment of birth because people look only to the sex organs… Read more.

Iran is The New San Francisco

January 22, 2007 ·

I found this article about Iran's support of gender reassignment. I almost laughed when I read this quote: "Most transsexuals believe that a life in the West would be much easier for them due to the open mindedness in those societies." Hardly. Read more.

Wars, and Rumors of Wars

January 22, 2007 ·

In the haze of my early AM internets blog reading I came across this post: "I'm coming out of a depression, so I'm very vulnerable, and I might not be seeing things clearly. Maybe by this time next week, I won't feel this way. But I've really had my fill of blogs. I guess I should have stopped reading blogs that feature regular doses of infighting. But Laurelin's right: there's a thin line between stirring and silence." I've felt the… Read more.

“You kind of like me, don’t you, Chuck?”

January 18, 2007 ·

Charles revisited the transgender/feminism debate, this time centering on the "Language Around Trans, How it Works, How it Doesn't...." Little Light said: "Honestly, I don't feel comfortable getting involved in this discussion until the trans people in it actually have our words honored. In the previous thread, most of the trans folk involved dropped out quietly in frustration, and part of the reason is that our arguments and statements were not actually being engaged with. " I agree with Little… Read more.

Remembering Coretta Scott King’s Words…

January 16, 2007 ·

As the Martin Luther King Jr Holiday passed, I reflected on somne of the words of his wife, Coretta Scott King. "I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice, but I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King… Read more.

Taking A Dive For The Cause

January 12, 2007 ·

It was New Years Eve when I learned of this post, and I've spent the last 13 days digging around the radfem blogosphere reading all the posts that sprouted from that initial post. One post in particular caught my attention. As the thread developed you could see each side digging in for the long haul. As of Thursay morning, I stopped posting there because I could feel the negative energy building, which started to wear on me physically and mentally.… Read more.

More Thoughts On The Gender Binary and Feminism

January 10, 2007 ·

For the past week or so, I've really had my mind rapped around the "gender binary" and feminism. (maybe it's because I'm reading Jen Burke's "Breaking The Binary)." I'm no expert on either, so I'm looking for some direction on direction on the issue. I understand what the gender binary is "the idea that there are only two groups that a person, action, or behavior can belong in: male or female." All the reading I've done lately seems to indicate… Read more.

Playing Nice Here With Radical Feminists

January 9, 2007 ·

Ya know, maybe it's because I've read every goddamn post on the radical feminists take on transgenderism, but I'm pissed. I won't denigrate this blog with my rant. If you want to read it, it's here. I've read the following posts: Any Excuse to Denigrate Lipstick 275 comments Queer Dewd Layeth The Bitchslap Down For Sex-Positive Feminism Twisty Goes to Camp: A Very Special Episode 96 comments Okay. 316 Are Feminists Allowed to Be Partnered with Transmen and Transwomen? 310… Read more.

Carnival of Bent Attractions: Now Playing at Mombian

January 8, 2007 ·

At my personal site, Marti Abernathey.com, I hosted "The Carnival of Bent Attractions." The Carnival of Bent Attractions is published monthly and is made up of submitted blog posts on articles of interest to the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans and queer communities. Mombian is hosting this month's carnival. There's some good stuff this month, you should go check it out! Read more.

Any Excuse to Denigrate Radical Feminism

January 7, 2007 ·

For the past week or so I've been digging through just about every post I could find about this post on I Blame The Patriarchy. I was planning on writing a mega-post in response to the different blog posts I found, but today I found this post by ampersand at Amptoons.com. Ampersand breaks it down better than I ever could. "Argument #1: The argument from freeform, irrational hatred of transsexuals. Luckynkl provided such an exaggerated example of drooling, bile-soaked hate that if I hadn't known her for years, I would suspect she's a sock puppet intended to discredit feminism. Here's a couple of examples, drawn from a dozen or more similar statements: ‘You want to know how men can hurt women? **chuckle** You're joking, right? Oh wait. I'm supposed to believe men in drag are women. And if you put on a werewolf mask, will you also expect me to believe you're a werewolf? This is about what all this nonsense amounts to. In short, trans are nutjobs. The bathroom is about the last place I want to be alone with a male nutjob. These unfortunate, but seriously disturbed individuals belong on the 5th floor in a straight jacket. Not in a women's bathroom.' In this case, the important part of Lucky's argument isn't the argument itself (which is based on the nonsensical notion that men — or transwomen — who are apt to break the law by being violent against women in public bathrooms, will be stopped by the sign on the ladies' room door). Lucky's real argument here isn't what she says. It's her derisive, sneering tone: the point is to let transwomen know that they are "men" (in Lucky's view, men are evil) and that they are semi-human objects of contempt. The most reasonable reply to Lucky's argument is (to quote Brownfemipower): Fuck you. Lucky's a bigot and an asshole; the difference between Lucky and a Klanswoman is only in which oppressed minority her hate is focused on. (I should note that although Lucky was the most extreme, several feminists joined her in her hate-fest.)" Read more.

Transgender Activism Hits Second Life

January 5, 2007 ·

From PixelPulse Magazine: When The World Professional Association for Transgender Health holds its biennial symposium from Sept. 5-8 in the U.S., there's a chance participants will be discussing what sort of role a unique environment like Second Life could play in helping people deal with gender identity issues. More specifically, they could be chatting and learning about the Transgender Resource Center that SL resident Jani Myriam opened in-world just over a month ago. Read more here. I recently visited the… Read more.

Makeup Is A Tool Of The Devil

January 4, 2007 ·

"'It is important for transsexuals to look beautiful as they consider themselves female,' said Sulastri Ariffin, co-ordinator of the transsexual programme at PT Foundation, an organisation that provides support, education and counselling to transsexuals, drug users and sex workers. She said transsexuals would go straight for branded cosmetics, such as Elizabeth Arden and Christian Dior. 'We do not care about the price of make-up as we want to look great, just like normal women,' she said." - New Straits Times… Read more.

Minus My Humanity

January 3, 2007 ·

Why not just say a singaporean woman...or man? Hell, even "transsexual woman" would be better than "transsexual." I guess it's easier to see "transsexuals" as some kind of mutant rather than a person. To a person that isn't trans, it may be hard to understand why the semantics at play here are important. I agree with Rush Limbaugh, words do mean things. Writing this way will dehumanize Kamaruzaman Bin Mohamed Noor. Stripping away a person's humanity makes it easier to… Read more.

A Ray of Hope

December 29, 2006 ·

I happened upon this post today. I often struggle often to reconcile my feminism with my transgenderism, and these commenters give me hope. Hope for a better world filled with more understanding, tolerance, and love. Read more.

Congrats Autumn!

December 29, 2006 ·

"Transadvocate's most prolific blogger, Autumn Sandeen has officially been labeled a "radical gender activist" by the radical religious right. Congrats Autumn! Read more.

Satan In Your Coffee!

December 11, 2006 ·

(image used with permission of msanborn) Satan Starbucks, or a cup of Jesus Juice! This just in from "The James Hartline Report!" Millions Of Christians Buy Starbucks Coffee Everyday. The Result: Those purchases are funding the Anti-Christian Radicalized Homosexual Movement. Read more.

For The “It Could Be Worse” file…

December 9, 2006 ·

A cleric who married a female-to-male transsexual and a woman was attacked by enraged Muslims in Bogor. Prior to the attack the mob had gathered at the Al-Muawanah mosque to discuss what should be done with Abdul Halim. A spokesman for residents, Habib Muhammad bin Agil Alatas, said the meeting at the mosque had been done at the invitation of police. There it was decided that the land on which Abdul Halim's mosque and school stood belonged to the community… Read more.

Happy Birthday Transcending Gender!

December 7, 2006 ·

Jen Burke, of Transcending Gender, is celebrating her two year blogging birthday. If you haven't been over to her blog, well... YOU SHOULD! She's a very prolific blogger (and blawger) and a very talented writer! The only thing I fault her for is passing out cake. I think I gained ten pounds just looking at that cake! Anyone know how to put candles on some rice cakes? Read more.

Common Sense or Science? You Choose!

December 7, 2006 ·

Generic Confusion's author, Greg wonders about allowing gender dysphoric children to choose their gender: "What are parents to do when their child says he's tired of being a child, and wants to be a roadrunner? What if their child wants to go around naked?" I responded: Is wanting to be a roadrunner, a diagnosable mental disorder? Is wanting to be be naked, a diagnosable mental disorder? Does one "grow out of" mental disorders? You've linked to some pretty conservative blogs,… Read more.

Strangers in a Strange Land – By Caillean McMahon

June 4, 2006 ·

By Caillean McMahon Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance On this past Saturday, President Bush gave a radio address to the nation. In it he said that the committment of a husband and a wife promotes the welfare of children, that marriage could not be cut off from "cultural, religious and natural roots" without ending that "good influence upon society." He called upon Congress to pass what can only truly be called the "Anti-Gay" amendment. The message to the nation that… Read more.

Re-thinking Gay Image

May 27, 2006 ·

by Caillean Maureen McMahon I'm old enough to remember. It does not seem that very long ago that Russian Orthodox leaders commanded the sympathy of the world as they attempted to keep their faith and practices alive in the face of the Soviet Government's "scientific atheism." It was only yesterday that Russian Jews were desperately trying to emigrate to the US , to Canada or to Israel because of persecution. We applauded we empathized with their desire for freedom and… Read more.

Less than Straights

May 14, 2006 ·

by Caillean McMahon We are being openly defined as "less than" heterosexual couples by candidates for office. A "mother and a father" is the ideal family group that ought to be promoted by the state in their view. In the circumstance where a couple divorces, and the custodial parent enters a same sex relationship, the children can be removed if this policy is pursued. The welfare of the child will be defined by the state's overriding policy of children needing… Read more.

The Gay Tax by Caillean Maureen McMahon

April 22, 2006 ·

The Gay Tax Today, I had a moment of unusual clarity. Like a lightning bolt in the sky, the darkness of the tangled alliances and motivations involved in the opposition to same-sex marriage was illuminated for me and I finally understood it all. It is about a tax. The opposition to gay and lesbian civil partnerships, domestic partnerships, marriage, benefits and adoptions is not about protecting the "sanctity of marriage" or "keeping children in the best environment." The demand that… Read more.

War of the Words

March 30, 2006 ·

Could we be winning the war of the words? I got this google alert in my email box today: Notice the actual piece that the google alert was linked to: There is hope yet. We may not be winning the "war", but we're winning some battles. Read more.

One Binary Please, Supersize

March 23, 2006 ·

(The MacDonaldization of Intersex activism) My response to the following article Why Doesn't ISNA Want to Eradicate Gender? By Curtis E. Hinkle Imagine a world in which the main division between individuals were size. This would be the first thing noticed at birth and would have to be indicated on the birth certificate. Imagine a world in which big people dominated little people and made it very difficult for a little person to become a big person and vice versa.… Read more.

The Hypocricy of Catholic Charities

March 13, 2006 ·

Boston Catholic Charities decision to close it's adoption services rather than comply with state guidelines that require them to consider all good people as equal when placing children is yet another reminder of the remorseless attitude of this Pope and his Curia toward the Lesbian and Gay community. It is not the old "love the sinner" sort of thing that they parroted in the past, it is an insistence that we be marginalized, considered disordered and unfit. The Church's specious… Read more.

What exactly is St Patrick’s Day as it is celebrated in the states?

March 4, 2006 ·

What exactly is St Patrick's Day as it is celebrated in the states? Per se; it is a celebration of "Irishness" though only a certain kind. The music that will be playing in the bars, sung by irish tenors, will by and large be American in origin, a sort of faux irish with absolutely nothing to do with Irish culture. You will not hear O'Carolan, a contemporary of Bach's, played. You will not hear any of the nation's very accolplished… Read more.

Felicity Gets It!

January 24, 2006 ·

There are so many negative stereotypes when it comes to transgender people, it's a beautiful thing when someone not only "gets it," but also stands up proudly and puts down those stereotypes. That's exactly what Felicity Huffman did when she won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Bree in the movie "TransAmerica." Accepting her award, she said: "I know as actors our job is usually to shed our skins, but I think as people our job is to become… Read more.

Crain Brain Drain

January 18, 2006 ·

I really had to laugh at the complete arrogance and hypocrisy Chris Crain showed in his recent Editorial entitled: "A year of living dangerously." I focus on this one sentence in particular, "I also learned the hard way how the impact of hate crimes is felt differently, and more broadly, than other violent crimes." Please explain to us how you have learned anything, Chris. You showed that you are relentless in your opposition to transgender people being covered by hate… Read more.

“J’Accuse”

January 14, 2006 ·

"J'Accuse" One of the more recent developments in the struggle for Gay and Lesbian Rights has been the overt opposition of the African Anglican Church, the so-called "Global South" toward our ambitions. Conervative Episcopal Bishop after Bishop in the United States seem to be harking to the enticing rhetoric of the "African Mission" or "Anglican Global Communion," an anti-gay and anti-Canterbury movement in the Anglican Church and moving toward recognizing Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria as their spiritual leader. The… Read more.

A call for protest in Bangalore India (From Sangama)

January 8, 2006 ·

Dear friend(s) BANGALORE PROTEST DETAILS: Time: 5 PM Date: 9th January, 2006, Monday Place: Mahatma Gandhi Statue, MG Road Most of you are aware about the homophobic and moralistic attitudes of Lucknow Police, that lead to the arrest of 4 gay/bisexual men in Lucknow under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. In the FIR Police have mentioned 13 more people's names and mobile phone numbers. This has created fear and panic among sexuality minorities in Lucknow - many of… Read more.

The Irish Essay

January 4, 2006 ·

By Caillean McMahon A few thoughts on the issue of gay marriage: First of all, nearly all of us support the idea that same sex couples ought to have the right, or have the right to marry even if the laws of a nation deny that right. That said, I've a few observations: In re: the argument about the term "wife" Yes, the feminist tradition that is the bedrock of modern Lesbian activism always had a knee jerk and visceral… Read more.

Does a Better Future Include Intolerance?

December 30, 2005 ·

By Autumn Sandeen We have flown the air like birds and swum the seas like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.--Martin Luther King Jr. By Autumn Sandeen Chris Crain, the Executive Director of Windows Media, wrote a blog entry for Window Media speaking out against ignorance and intolerance. What prompted this post was that Mr. Crain had recently been on the recieving end of an anti-gay hate crime. I had one… Read more.

DNC-DO NOT CONFUSE

December 20, 2005 ·

From the DNC website: "Democrats are unwavering in our support of equal opportunity for all Americans." Maybe during the next Presidential election cycle the party elite can find it in their heart to include transgenders in the party platform. Hopefully 2008 won't see the DNC LGBT Caucus Chairman, Jeff Soref, play his old reindeer games. (For those that have forgotten, Jeff Soref is the person that blocked trans-inclusion into the platform during the 2004 presidential election. He's also the person… Read more.

Republicans – Do As I Say, Not As I Do

December 15, 2005 ·

It looks like Prop. 622, The Human Rights Ordinance, has a chance at passage next week. Republican Lynn McWhirter said: "(Party leaders) see it's moving forward, so they said everyone should vote their conscience this time." Is it just me, or did she just let the cat out of the bag? If you take her words at face value, it would seem that when the ordinance was defeated last April there was a concerted effort by the Indiana Republican Party… Read more.

Rainbow Golden Globes

December 13, 2005 ·

Considering the political climate, it's amazing that the Golden Globes nominated the following: BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA FELICITY HUFFMAN-TRANSAMERICA BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE - MICHELLE WILLIAMS - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE LARRY McMURTRY & DIANA OSSANA - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE “TRAVELIN’ THRU” - TRANSAMERICA - Dolly Parton Read more.

Antigay Ammendment introduced in PA

December 10, 2005 ·

Two friends of mine have lost partners to death in the last year and a half. In each case they found that the legal protections that they set up to try and cover at least some of the benefits granted by marriage were inadequate. Both of my friends had to deal with legal and financial traumas in the wake of one of the most devastating losses that a person can experience. We have few protections legally without marriage. To give… Read more.

Indiana Inequality

December 9, 2005 ·

Like Steph Mineart, I recieved a letter from Indiana Equality (IE) asking for money. The following paragraph steamed my ass: "In September of this year, State Senator Pat Miller proposed a bill that would have criminalized artificial insemination for unmarried women in Indiana. The purpose of this proposal was to deny all members of the LGBT community the fundamental right to have children. By taking swift action and working in conjunction with civil rights, child protection, and family rights organizations,… Read more.

Before You Vote No…

December 7, 2005 ·

I wrote the following e-mail to my (Indianapolis) city-county council member concerning the Human Rights Ordinance (Prop. 622). A Transgender Lives In Beech Grove! My name is Marti Abernathey. I am writing you concerning Prop. 622. I live in Willow Glen Apartments on 9th and Thompson. I've lived in your district almost all my life. I grew up at 3740 South Ewing. I am a graduate of Southport High School and I am a Cat Scan Technologist at St Francis… Read more.

The Garden State Of Eden

December 6, 2005 ·

Recently New Jersey's "Garden State Equality" announced that they are going to run a television ad campaign for the transgender equality bill, A3678/S2437. They've also done a Zogby poll that shows that 70 percent of New Jerseyans agree with the bill. Kudos to New Jersey Garden State Equality! (view the ad) Read more.

Jesus Loves Liars Too

December 2, 2005 ·

"The American Family Association of Indiana is dedicated to reducing destructive sexual behavior by promoting Judeo-Christian values through education, active community partnering, and empowering individuals at the local, state, and national level." That's the mission statement of American Family Association of Indiana(AFAI). Here's what is on their website: Apparently The head of the AFAI, Micah Clark has never read 2 Corinthians 4:2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the… Read more.

Sucking the Tit

November 4, 2005 ·

I wrote the following post to an Indy listserv in response to a misunderstanding about our local advocacy group, Indiana Equality xxxx, ever since you posted about the fact that there was never going to be a protest of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), something dawned on me. HRC should be protested/shunned, but not because of the location of their "Meet and Greet." HRC's recently decided not join in on a letter of support signed by more than 40 of… Read more.

THE TRANSBUSTER

October 22, 2005 ·

Chris Crain’s editorial lamenting that HRC apparently has finally decided to put their money where their mouth was and decide to become a GLBT rights organization and not just a rich gay white male rights organization, actually brought a smile to my face. His nit-picking over Mara Keisling’s numbers in the Hate Crimes Bill and his complaint of “trans-jacking”, would almost be funny if it weren’t for the damage that such naïve divisiveness brings to the LGBT community. He just… Read more.

Open Letter to Windows Media

September 26, 2005 ·

By Autumn Sandeen Dear Windows Media Management, I find it difficult to believe that Windows Media truly believes "Newspapers should reflect all aspects of their readers' lives" and that its "superior editorial content and community involvement sets apart". Although your organization's print and e-publications cover transgender issues (and obtain transgender readership as a result), Windows Media's homepage specifically states "Window Media publications provide comprehensive coverage of issues, news and entertainment of interest to lesbians and gay men." I'm… Read more.

What’s More Unfair?

August 14, 2005 ·

When a middle school teacher leaves for the summer as he and plans to return as she, is it unfair to students? More or less unfair than it would be to re-assign the teacher? Ms. McCaffrey is the teacher I'm speaking of. She's been teaching for twelve years and had her surgery in February, after which she returned to school in a jacket and tie to not cause a commotion. McCaffrey has chosen to wait for the summer to share… Read more.

Where is the Transgender Martin Luther King Jr.?

August 5, 2005 ·

By Autumn Sandeen All quotes in italics are the words of Martin Luther King Jr. "Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it popular? But conscience asks the question - is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right." I yearn for an… Read more.

Update on Kim

August 3, 2005 ·

Dr Kimberly Hyatt-Wallace commented on Transadvocate.com that she was sent the following e-mail from Spokane County Jail representatives: Dr. Hyatt-Wallace I was forwarded your e-mail and listed concerns. I have addressed this issue with the jail's classification unit and have removed Stankovich from all male housing. Stankovich is housed and will remained housed in our pre-classification module. This areas houses both female and male inmates. Stankovich will be kept seperate from other inmates and housed alone during this jail stay.… Read more.

Being Transgender is a Crime!

July 31, 2005 ·

On Friday July 29th, 2005 Kim Stankovich turned herself in at the Spokane County Jail. Her crime? Being transgender. Kim is serving a seven day sentence in the county jail for being a transgender. Kim stated in her journal that "In my initial temporary hearing I was told that going to school was a luxury and was ordered to get a full time job. I have completed my junior year at Eastern Washington University, working towards a BA in Psychology.… Read more.

Heriosm, Endurance and Freedom

July 25, 2005 ·

by Caillean McMahon Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance. The City of Los Angeles has just renamed a street intersection after an outspoken opponent of gay marriage and gay rights. In mutliple state legislatures, St Paul and Leviticus are being cited as the legal authorities to pass anti-gay legislation. In scattered places all over the US anti-gay rhetoric that would not have been spoken twenty-five years ago because the author would have been seen as a reactionary bigot is given wide… Read more.

A Line In The Sand

July 17, 2005 ·

by Caillean McMahon Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance This well may be the least popular editorial that I have ever written. Having said that, having warned the "gentle reader" that I am about to drop a match onto the gasoline of well-defended complacency, it is time to begin. Today's news carried a piece on the outing of Senator Santorum's aide as gay. It is not a stunning revelation in and of itself, for we have been treated to other gays… Read more.

“Pat, The Whole LGBTQI Spectrum of People Are Important In Society!”

July 2, 2005 ·

Transgender people ain't necessarily homosexual people By Autumn Sandeen Today I read an article in the Argus (A California bay area newspaper) entitled "Homosexuals Important In Society," by PFLAG's Pat Skillen. As a transgender person, I was frustrated a bit by the title and the message of the article; the writer used the acronym GLBT throughout the piece, referenced murdered transgender teen Gwen Araujo, but associated the term GLBT only with being homosexual. For example, one quote from the article… Read more.

Bait and Switch

June 13, 2005 ·

The "Focus on the Family" website recently published a "news story" concerning the recent HRC report that discusses the increasing number of major corporations adding gender identity and expression into workplace non-discrimination policies. This supposed "news" piece starts out by saying "At first, it sounds reasonable - workplace equality for homosexuals. But prying under the veneer of tolerance reveals an agenda that goes way beyond equality." The article goes on to quote Margaret Stumpp, a senior vice president at Prudential… Read more.

Letter To The Editor

September 21, 2004 ·

The following is a response to the article "Some won't 'get over' Daniels, gays meeting" published in the Indianapolis Star on September 19, 2004. Micah Clark's recent comments concerning the Daniels campaign meeting with Indiana GLBT leaders lead one to believe that Mitch Daniels has something to hide. As one of the people in attendance, I find that statement to be utterly without merit. While I doubt Mitch gained any favor with the positions he stated during the meeting, he… Read more.

Democratic Dirty Tricks in Indiana Gubernatorial Race

September 5, 2004 ·

In a stunning display of dirty politics, the Indiana Democratic party has been caught in a regrettable game of gay-baiting. Local activists have learned the Indiana Democratic Party sent emails attempting to alert Republican lawmakers and conservative groups of efforts to court the LGBT vote by Republican Gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels. Daniels, former White House Office of Management and Budget Director under President Bush, is running against incumbent Democratic Governor Joe Kernan. Kernan is viewed more favorably within the lgbt… Read more.

Transphobic Washington Blade Op-Ed

August 13, 2004 ·

In response to the Op-Ed that ran in the Washington Blade I sent the following response: Chris, have you ever heard of transphobia? Transphobia is defined as a "fear or loathing of transgender/transsexual people and refers to the values and behaviors that express this fear or loathing." This fear you have of being "trans-jacked" isn't a political reality. You've stated that "polls show longstanding support from a strong majority" for ENDA. A 2002 HRC poll by Lake Snell Perry &… Read more.

Open Letter To Cheryl Jacques

June 26, 2004 ·

Dear President Cheryl Jacques, Irony is the only word I can use to describe the recent release from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) titled "New HRC Guide Helps Employer's Create Fair Policies For Transgender Staff." You said "This tool will help managers ensure that transgender employees are valued for the job they do, not devalued by discrimination." The HRC wants to help ensure that transfolk are not devalued by discrimination on the job? You can truly help us in this… Read more.

SONDA Revisted

May 21, 2004 ·

On December 17th, 2002, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) passed the New York Senate by a 34-26 vote and was signed into law. The bill that was signed into law did not include transgender people. The Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Matt Foreman, stated, "We would be playing with fire. I don't think that there is any disagreement that if SONDA went down this year, it would be anything less than a terrible defeat for the… Read more.