Scottish Trans and Intersex people no longer must divorce before legally transitioning but...

It's an amazing day for equality that makes me proud of my bonnie Scottish heritage. A new marriage equality bill that was made public today is arguably one of the best, but it is in need of revision to treat trans and intersex people fairly.

Up until today Scottish transgender people who wished to change gender markers legally were first required to divorce and resubmit a application for a civil partnership which was reserved for same sex couples. This process was stressful, costly and time consuming.



Under the new The Equal Marriage Bill, to be published today transgender people wishing legal gender recognition will no longer be forced to divorce first, however  if a trans person wishes to divorce a interim certificate would be issued during the process. The full Gender Recognition Certificate(GRC) will not be issued until the divorce process is complete unnecessarily delaying transition.

The Scottish Transgender Org. posted to facebook voicing their objection to Gay Star News misquoting them about the bill writing "We have NOT "applauded the bill for being tight and clearer" and have asked Gay Star News to remove that erroneous line. The Alliance commented almost immediately "Gay Star News have just apologized to us and confirmed they will correct the article. The article now reads:

Nathan Gale, a Development Worker for STA, said: ‘We are delighted that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill has been launched today.

‘We are particularly pleased that transsexual people will no longer be forced to divorce in order to have their gender legally recognized.

‘There are some outstanding issues for trans people which we will continue to press with the Scottish Parliament and Government. But this is a substantial step towards equal marriage rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.’

According to the Scottish Transgender org mailer:

What the bill means for married trans people where they and their spouse wish
to continue their marriage:
• An application to the gender recognition panel is made
o To confirm that the couple wish to remain married, a statutory
declaration will be submitted by the trans person’s spouse stating that
they consent to the marriage continuing after gender recognition
• If the application is successful a full Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) will
be issued
• The Gender Recognition Panel will send a copy of the GRC to the Registrar
General for Scotland
• Regulations will be made by the Registrar General for issuing a suitable
additional revised marriage certificate to the couple (showing new name and
gender)

What the bill means for married trans people where either/both they and/or
their spouse do not wish to continue their marriage:
• An application to the gender recognition panel is made without any statutory
declaration from the spouse
• If the application is successful an interim Gender Recognition Certificate
(GRC) will be issued
• Either the trans person or their spouse can initiate divorce using the interim
GRC
• Once the divorce is completed the interim GRC is replaced with a full GRC

We are concerned that this process could lead to unreasonable delay in the granting
of a full GRC if the spouse is uncooperative and seeks to delay the divorce process.
We will be pushing to prevent such unreasonable delays being possible.

What the bill means for civil partnered trans people:

There will be two recognition routes for civil partnered trans people to select from.
First option:
• An application is made to the panel and an interim gender recognition
certificate is issued
• The couple either change their civil partnership into a marriage or dissolve
their civil partnership
• The interim gender recognition certificate will be replaced with a full GRC



It's interesting to note that by volume most responses were opposed to gay marriage - 64% of the 62,000 responses were against it, but most of those were generated by postcard and internet petition campaigns by religious groups; of the individual submissions on the Scottish government website, the vote was 65% in favour - a finding broadly in line with opinion polls.

Transgender Artist Arrested For Responding To Transphobia By Baring Her Breasts

Arsenault said the incident was provoked by questions from the flight attendant, which they deemed inappropriate.

"She came over and said, 'You guys have to teach us how to do our makeup,' " said the 39-year-old performer. "And then they were like, 'You know, because you used to be guys, right?' "

In response, Sanfino decided to strut topless down the aisle.

"She walked down the aisle with quite a bit of grace and flamboyance and had her arms out," said Arsenault. "And then the flight attendants came and covered her up, saying 'Think about the children!' "

When the plane landed officers arrested them despite there being no law against woman or men going topless in Canada. They then deleted photos and videos from their cell phones telling them that it was illegal for them to film the arrest.

It's interesting to note that while the officers arrested Sanfino for baring woman's breasts, her legal documents still identify her as male. When the officers saw their pasport gender makers indicated male they then began misgendering them, threatening to throw them in jail with men.

There are no law prohibiting Canadians from photographing and filming police as long as one is not obstructing.

Australia Passes Worlds First LGBT Anti Discrimination Laws That Includes Intersex People

Gay star news: Australian lawmakers have voted to make discrimination against LGBT people illegal at a national level for the first time, although religious bodies will still be mostly exempt in line with state level legislation when it comes to LGBTs.

But for the first time aged care providers who are owned by religious groups will no longer be able to exclude people from aged care based on their LGBT or same-sex relationship status.

"For the first time in Australia, and for the first time internationally, intersex people are recognised fully and authentically in anti-discrimination legislation." ~ Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII).

Morgan Carpenter (OII Australia secretary) said:

"Intersex people face discrimination because we have queer bodies. We face discrimination in access to healthcare, employment, schooling and even in interpersonal relationships. Intersex men and women face disbelief in the reality of our gender identities, and those of us who are physically most different are often the most vulnerable.

In February, the Senate agreed with us that intersex is a biological reality, and that all of us should be protected, regardless of our gender identity and without religious exemptions. This is now law, and a huge step forward that will have many positive repercussions."

Colorado civil rights division rules that Coy Mathis' School Discriminated Against Her

First-of-Its-Kind Decision Mandates Equal Treatment for Transgender Students

Source Transgender Legal Defense Fund: June 23, 2013 - Happy LGBT Pride Month! We are thrilled to announce that the Colorado Civil Rights Division has ruled in favor of six-year-old Coy Mathis, whose school had barred her from using the girls’ bathroom at her elementary school because she is transgender. This is the first ruling in the nation holding that transgender students must be allowed to use bathrooms that match who they are, and the most comprehensive ruling ever supporting the rights of transgender people to access bathrooms without harassment or discrimination.

NY Times: In a sharply worded ruling, the division concluded that the Fountain-Fort Carson school district needlessly created a situation in which the student, Coy Mathis, would be subject to harassment when it barred her from the girls’ bathroom even though she clearly identified as female.

Telling Coy “that she must disregard her identity while performing one of the most essential human functions constitutes severe and pervasive treatment, and creates an environment that is objectively and subjectively hostile, intimidating or offensive,” Steven Chavez, the division director, wrote in the decision.

But the state’s ruling went even further, saying that evolving research on transgender development showed that “compartmentalizing a child as a boy or a girl solely based on their visible anatomy, is a simplistic approach to a difficult and complex issue.”

Michael D. Silverman, the executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, which filed the complaint on the Mathises’ behalf, hailed the decision as a momentous victory and hoped it would sway how other school districts treated transgender students.

“This is the first ruling in the nation that holds that transgender students be allowed to use bathrooms that match who they are,” he said. “There are thousands of families like the Mathises who are feeling relieved and vindicated that the commission ruled that Coy is a girl just like any other girl.”

A lawyer for the school district did not return requests for comment. The school district had argued it acted reasonably in the dispute, saying Coy was permitted to wear girls’ clothing to school and was referred to as female.

“When Coy was told we won, she got this giant smile and her eyes bugged out. She said, ‘So I can go to school and make friends?’ ”

This win is important in the legal context, but its even more so to Coy and her wonderful family. I had the honor of getting to know this wonderful family and thank god things turned out as they have.~ kelli Busey

Some history of this case found on planetransgender:

TLDEF Files Complaint to Protect Transgender First Grader From School Discrimination

Colorado School District 8 Notches It Up saying Mathis Family Rejected Invitation To Talk

Pediatrician Dr. James Sears On CNN: Coy Mathis Will Walk Around The Girls Room With Her Penis Out, Like all Boys Do.

Dr. Jim Sear's Excuse is Not An Apology For Transphobic Bashing of Coy Mathis

Would You Sign Coy Mathis Parent's Petition?

Thousands march in today's Istanbul Trans Pride

Taksim square belonged to trans Pride Today! Thousands turned out for this celebration, although joyful there was a underpinning of discontent. Turkey is one of the most hostile of countries in the world to trans people but that didn't stop this from happening. Posted below are some of the Mobil uploads and photos posted on LGBT Istanbul facebook Enjoy!

Marchers were chanting Homofobik devlet, transfobik devlet or Homophobic state, transphobic state!

OutServe/SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson Fired By Board

Bilerico reports that Robinson was ousted in a suprise vote at Saterdays regular board meeting. Further updates indicate a third of the Board members and most of the senior staff have resigned in protest.

Visiting Allyson's facebook page just now she has not changed any of the information regarding her SLDN position.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Allyson with whom I finally had the pleasure of meeting in January.

Read the story as it breaks at The Bilerico project.

Ben Jealous @Netroots_Nation Voter ID Laws suppresses the Trans Vote

This is why we liberals win at the polls. We have an agenda the encompasses the vast majority of Americans and have become increasingly successful at meeting at the intersection of our communities concerns. But the most empowering element of our movement is we embrace the concept of freedom and democracy for everyone.

Jealous tells us that voting rights is the single thread that allow us to win "I'm a voting rights activist because I'm a senior citizen, I'm a voting rights activist because I'm a student rights activist, I'm a voting rights activist because I'm a marriage equality rights activist..." but all Fox heard was his comments starting at 1:19:32 about his transgender brother.

This rebroadcasting of a ultra right wings take on Ben Jealous' statement is a prime example of why the right wing is losing and will continue to lose. Their binding thread is hate.

(Red Alert Politics)Via Fox Nation Via Fox Nation

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)President Benjamin Jealous threw out a bizarre, new reason Friday for Voter ID laws to be banned in the U.S. –transgenders.

“As many people know, I have an adopted brother who’s transgender and he typically doesn’t dress the way he does when he hangs out in the Tenderloin when he goes to a government office,” Jealous said, referencing a notorious LGBT community in San Francisco. “And so if you show his ID you know and he would hold it up to his face, it looks like two different people.”

Watch live streaming video from freespeechtv at livestream.com

Penny Arcade Creator Truly Sorry For TERF Tweets Donates 20G To Trevor Project

Not being a gamer this whole episode flew under my radar until I stumbled on a an apology by "Gabe" a Creator of Penny Arcade, apparently a highly successfully game dynasty. Gabe's apology to the trans community was so heartfelt I needed to find what happened.

Apparently he believed in the rigid gender binary construct, men have penis' and woman have a vagina. Period.

Gabe writes: "I was called a bigot and told that I was giving a stage to bigots. I had not even had breakfast yet. I said again that if they have a different opinion they are welcome to submit their own panel. I was then called “cis male garbage”. Someone then tweeted at me that I should die.

"I should have walked away from my computer at this point and played with my dog but instead I put on my asshole hat and went to work. I said if you use the word “cis” don’t bother tweeting me. This brought back another twitter argument from a week or so ago in which I defended a game about female masturbation. This game only included vaginas which I thought was reasonable given the point of the game was to teach women how to masturbate. It was pointed out to me that not all women have vaginas and I will admit right here in front of everyone that this came as a big shock to me."

"I don’t want to be the reason people don’t go to PAX or don’t support Child’s Play or don’t watch the shows on PATV. I hate the idea that because I can’t stop being an asshole I hurt all these other amazing things."

"I’m very sorry about yesterday. There are very few things that someone can say to me that will actually make me lose my temper. All my buttons got pushed yesterday though and I snapped. I doubt that will change anyone’s opinion but there you go. I’m not qualified to talk about the ambiguity of sexuality and frankly I don’t give a shit about it. I like drawing comics and playing video games. I’ll keep my mouth shut when it comes to all the other stuff."

What transgression caused Gabe to apologize so profusely?

I realized I wasn't that upset about Gabe's view about gender, then it hit me. I was giving him a pass when a few posts ago I took it to Brownworth for her TERF beliefs, essentially the same as Gabe's. Time for me to check my x-male privilege.

Anyways there's a couple more twists and turns and one admonishment. First a indie developer pulled out of a upcoming convention, Citing Penny Arcade Controversy. That was a blow to the industry but maybe not one of the magnitude that would have motivated Gabe to apologize as he did.

Turns out a close friend of his contacted him after his initial tweets and came out as transgender. . They had a heartfelt conversation, not something you can do in 140 letters.

But Gabe wasn't done making amends. He decided to donate $20,000 to the Trevor Project. That's what I call an sincere heartfelt apology.

Now apart for occasionally confronting BugBrennan in a unscripted response with a few doz other activists I have never been a participant in a twitter bomb and especially never one like the one that fell on Gabe. It was vicious and mean spirited.



I went all the way back and couldn't find one apology from a transgender person. There were many thank yous and tweets appreciating Gabe's apologia, but no apologies from the trans community I could find. (maybe there was one but I couldn't find it)

I would like to offer Gabe an apology on behalf of the trans community. I am sorry those mean things were said to you Gabe and in the spirit of good humor that has guided you through this mess I'd like to share a video I know you appreciate.

NY Senate Refused To VOTE on GENDA! WHY?!

[email Empire State Pride Agenda]

Despite this, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) made historic progress during the legislative session that just concluded. Virtually every major New York newspaper, including the New York Times, called for the Senate to pass the bill, which this year passed the Assembly for the sixth time with a nearly two-to-one bipartisan majority.
In addition, 78% of New Yorkers polled support ending discrimination against transgender people.
 A sixth city, Syracuse, passed their GENDA law; a ninth county,Albany County, passed theirs, bringing the percentage of New Yorkers living in a jurisdiction that protects all of their citizens equally to 60.25%.

Law enforcement officials from around the state also voiced their support for enactment of GENDA as a strong tool for public safety, including this year for the first time Commissioner Ray Kelly of New York City. This broad and deep statewide coalition of law enforcement, labor, faith, civil rights, LGBT, progressive and women’s organizations stood shoulder-to-shoulder and called for GENDA. The community was united behind language that would offer strong protections, particularly in the areas of housing and employment.

We believe we had a bi-partisan majority of the Senate to pass the legislation and send it to the governor for his signature. We were defeated by the adamant refusal of the Senate leadership to bring the measure to the floor for an up-or-down vote.
What were they afraid of?

The Empire State Pride Agenda, on behalf of tens of thousands of transgender people and their families and others who wish to live their lives without fear or discrimination because of who they are, is angry and disappointed. Seventeen other states have already enacted a version of GENDA (including Delaware that passed a GENDA bill earlier this week). New Yorkers who are currently treated as second-class citizens by the laws of their home state deserve better. The LGBT community deserves better. Citizens of the United States deserve better. Frankly, New York State deserves better.

Every statewide elected official in New York has publicly expressed support for passage of GENDA, joined by 36 members of the New York City Council. More than three-quarters of voters support GENDA.

Today, the fight for GENDA continues. We are convinced that the passage of GENDA in New York State is inevitable. We invite all people and all parties who believe in freedom and equal opportunity to work with the Empire State Pride Agenda and its allies to ensure the swiftest possible passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act.

Sign our pledge committing to keep fighting for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. Send a message to Albany that we won’t stop until we win.

In solidarity, 

Empire State Pride Agenda

Nathan M. Schaefer

Executive Director

One Suspect Arrested For Beating Of Trans Woman on Hollywood Blvd, 3 Remain at Large

Police are confirming they have made one arrest in the vicious beating of trans woman Vivian Garcia which occurred on May 31st.

Nicol Shakhnazaryan, a 21-year-old Los Angeles resident, was taken into custody on Thursday night and booked for felony battery charges. Three other suspects remain outstanding, police said. He is being held on $1,050,000 bail.

Vivian recalls the assault "All I remember is the one punch to my temple then I blacked out"

Speaking through a wired jaw she shows whats she's made of  "I'm not letting this incident, this attack, stop me from living my life," she told the station. "As you can see, I'm still fabulous. You guys didn't stop no show." Indeed you are dear Vivian.



Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime, and offering a $25,000 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest. LAPD investigators have set up a special email account for anyone with information to contact them: hollywoodcrimetips@gmail.com. Anyone with knowledge of the attack can contact LAPD's Hollywood Area Detective Division at (213) 972-2967, or (877) LAPD-24-7 during non-business hours or weekends.

PGN! TERF Victoria Brownworth Teaches Us About Transphobia?! What, Julie Bindel wasn't Available?

Having read The Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) article by Victoria A. Brownworth titled "Victims of the night: Stories of trans sex workers"  I was very impressed by the authors personal investment in her neighbors well being. Her writing indicates a deep compassion for the most marginalized of our community, Tiffani, a black transgender working woman and offered many teaching moments. I was totally cool with her piece until I read the comments and began wondering why trans people were so upset with her writing this article.

Brownworth's article was quick to point out she is a white middle class woman who sometimes feels extremely vulnerable in this prevalently black part of Philadelphia.

It's from her life experiences living their that she feels validates her latest metaphor explaining why she is a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist (TERF).  June 5th 2013, just prior to the PGN publishing Brownworth's latest article she explains why, in her opinion, trans woman have no right to be at the Michigan womyns music fest. She believes trans people aren't real woman the same as she can empathize with black peoples plights, but she could never be, well, black. *Facepalm*

"MWMF is about women who are oppressed by men every minute of every day being free of that oppression for one week of their year or possibly their lives and reveling in that and celebrating each other, just like the Greek picnic is about solidarity among African-Americans who are oppressed by racism every day of their lives being free of that in all-black space.

SLAP!....she asks would it be appropriate for white people to have a 'camp Caucasian' outside of the Greek picnic...?

But if you can’t leave your male privilege there, as well as your penis, then MWMF is not the place for you and your presence will harm other women who, like me, have been brutalized by men. It will also alter the atmosphere for every woman who has come specifically to be in women-only space because they will feel just as constrained as they feel in straight society."

 Brownworth has a long history of helping to create the social economic conditions that put Tiffani on the street.  In fact it stretches back until at least 1981. TS Roadmap reports:

Victoria Brownworth was on the 2003 selection committee for the Lambda Literary Awards. This committee voted to honor The Man Who Would Be Queen by J. Michael Bailey as a finalist for an award in the trans category in February 2004.

On 24 February 2004, the selection committee inlcuding Victoria Brownworth voted to retain the nomination of this book over the objections of the trans community and other concerned parties around the world.

In March 2004, the committee reconsidered and withdrew this nomination.

"When we talk about the role of male-to-female transsexuals in the women’s movement as a whole and the lesbian movement in particular I feel we are talking about the ultimate in male power-tripping."-Victoria Brownworth, Philadelphia Gay News - May 29, 1981, pp, 22, 27

To put this into context, her first anti trans article published by PGN  was three years BEFORE Gendernet, the first ever online group for the betterment of trans people.

Brownworth's latest story offered what appears to be a personal narrative recounting encounters with transgender sex workers. It's graphic, without being sensationalistic. All in all a great article, except that one little TERF detail. Has Victoria Brownworth had an epiphany and now understands genitals does not a person make? This was Brownworth's first installment so maybe she will reveal a revelation later.

Or maybe not.

Brownworth just commented on the PGN article in response to the trans commenter's outrage:

The "Segment"? Going for the victimization meme already? Typical TERF MO. It would be totally inappropriate and disingenuous for Brownsworth to to give us lessons about the hardships she is at least partially responsible for creating and doubly so in a gay publication.

I don't know if PGN has a trans contributor but from my observations I would say it's focus is gay issues, not transgender concerns. And for the record trans sex workers of color are not 'with out a voice'. There are many transgender people and allies who strive to lift up our sisters and brothers who have no history of slamming them back down with sledge hammer force.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to wonder if this wasn't just another instance of the gay media manipulating transgender people's sensitivities for a cheap shot at notoriety.

But in all fairness we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

I messaged PGN publisher Mark Segal with whom I had made personal acquaintance with this year at the Philly LGBT convo for a statement. The facebook message was read but as of this writing I have not received a response.

*Update after mentioning Brownworth in a tweet she responded with this tweet, then blocked me:

This article does express my appreciation for your present effort and my hope that you would stop promoting TERF transphobia in the future.

And just so you know, as most of my friends and readers already know, I am a former addicted sex worker who is trans. Back in the 80's after nearly being beaten to death on the street twice I got clean and began the long journey to lucidity. I did that IN SPITE of TERF's like yourself who were at that same time using the power of the word to dehumanize, marginalize and disempower  us.

You don't get to judge me Brownworth.

Kelli Anne Busey
Transgender activist blogger, journalist,
former sex worker, recovering addict.

Trans woman settles for $7G For being illegally removed from Iowa Court House ladies room

Back in march planetransgender reported about transgender woman Jodie Jones winning a judgement by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission after she complied with a Deputy's illegal order to leave the Court house ladies room in 2011 because of her gender expression.

Ms. Jones tried to explain to the deputy that transgender people are legally entitled to use public accommodations in Iowa by state law but much to her astonishment and dismay was told by the deputy 'she didn't care about the law'.

Jones had said she wouldn't sue if a public apology was given. Ms. Jones' updated facebook status:

Apparently none was offered but instead of becoming in entangled in losing litigation the county settled with her for $7,000 and a promise to clarify its non discrimination policies and train their law enforcement officers so perhaps in the future they would care about the law.

Press-Citizen reports that "Under the agreement, the county’s Board of Supervisors will pass a motion reaffirming its policy that people are permitted access to restrooms in county buildings based on their gender identity, and regardless of their gender at birth."

"In addition, the Johnson County Attorney’s Office will provide 30 minutes of in-person training to deputies assigned to work at the courthouse. And by February 2014, all deputies will receive two hours of training on civil rights and public accommodations with specific emphasis on gender identification and sexual orientation issues. That training will also be made available to officers from municipal police department annually."

Ben Levin Group's Live Studio Performance of "Goddess" a tribute to a transgender person

Published on Jun 19, 2013
www.BenLevinGroup.com

The members of Ben Levin Group are all allies and supporters of LGBT rights. This song is a portrait of a courageous transgender person's experience and is inspired by Neil Gaiman's Sandman story "A Game of You."
Lyrics:

No pretending no secrets
No more wondering if I am sick
No more hiding no more masks
No more lying when people ask
I'm a goddess in the sky
You can't see me, sun's to bright
Thunder clouds blow 'round my soul
Through this fog I'll come out whole
Singing.
I wear mascara and my stockings high
Look so beautiful in this dim light
And they cackle and they yell and they follow me
And they say that I'm freak when they call to me
A hormone tablet in a glass of wine
Funhouse mirror flash of what's inside
And I fight with my dreams and I barely breathe
And the razor tip's slowly lowering
Oh my lover tells me that he's gonna leave
Father tries to beat it out of me
But I am who I am and I need to be
More than contradictions fictions and atrocities
Singing.

Transgender Canadian Requesting Sex-Designation Change Original Birth Certificate Shredded By Registrar

One Canadians request for her birth certificate sex designation change wasn't just rejected, it was shredded!
Source: chrismilloy.ca

Trans* people who were born in Ontario can apply to the Registrar General’s Office (part of the Ontario Ministry of Government Services) to have the Sex designation on their Birth Certificate changed to reflect their Gender Identity. At least, they can try.

Information from within the Registrar General’s office, which I have obtained from a reliable source, reveals that of the first 213 applications received since the surgical requirement was officially dropped (between October 5th 2012 and May 24th 3013), only 96 have been approved. 117, more than half, have been rejected.

Most were returned due to “outstanding requirements.” So what are the requirements, really, and why are so many applicants having trouble meeting them?

For one thing, a Doctor’s note is still a requirement, it says so on the cover page of the form. But, ambiguously, after stating this requirement, the forms then follow with a section called ”alternate evidence” which suggests that it might not be an absolute requirement… Although unhelpfully, they are not at all specific with examples for what will suffice (and have even been known to reject applications for no good reason at all).

Read the rest of the story at chrismilloy.ca

Transgender Kenyan Awarded $2,332 For Police Publicly Stripping and Humiliating Her

 "I AM not ashamed to be a woman!"

Identity Kenya reports that those were Alexander Ngungu Nthungi’s words after Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi declared that police violated her rights and dignity by stripping her naked to ascertain her sexual identity.

“The judgment has given me renewed hope; I will no longer have the fear of being a woman. Now I am free and I feel those like me having transgender problems should come out and fight for their rights,” said Ms. Nthungi during an interview with the Nation on Wednesday.

By her side was Andrew Mbugua, who has been engaged in a running legal battle to be officially recognised as a woman and be known as Audrey Mbugua.

In January 2011, Nthungi was at work in her grocery shop in Thika town, dressed like a woman when she was arrested and taken to Makongeni Police Station for questioning over claims of assaulting another woman.

While at the station and in the full glare of the media, an officer stripped her naked claiming they wished to identify her gender.

The Nation reports that although transgender Kenyans have won a victory immense work lays ahead.

On the outcome of Nthungi’s case, Audrey Mbugua founder of Transgender Kenya said: “Although we are happy about the judgment, the judge should have compelled the police to offer a public apology. Sometimes it’s not about being compensated with money but being recognised as human.”

Their lawyer, Mr Daniel Wokabi, said transgender persons should be classified as “a special need group” so that their rights to dignity are respected.

“Issues of transgender ought to be dealt with a lot of caution and restraint. They are human and people should appreciate the pain they undergo in trying to identify with another gender,” Mr Wokabi said.

The Constitution, he said, recognises the rights and dignity of such people.

He urged individuals having the same problem to come out in the open to have the issues resolved in line with the Constitution without fear of public perception.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell Signs Transgender Protections Into Law!

Congratulations Equality Delaware and THANK YOU Gov. Jack Markell!

Signed into law June 19th 2013 legis.delaware.gov "This Act (SB97) adds the term “gender identity” to the already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity."

The bill took a quick trip back to the house on the 18th were its was amended to clarify transsexualism to satisfy fence sitters:

“Gender identity may be demonstrated by consistent and uniform assertion of the gender identity or any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of a person’s core identity; provided, however, that gender identity shall not be asserted for any improper purpose.”

The amendment also includes a clause that would allow sex-segregated public venues like locker rooms to “provide reasonable accommodations” including “a separate or private place” for transgender people. Rep. Short and Equality Delaware President Mark Purpura clarified that no organizations would be required to provide such accommodations, but merely that they may do so if they wish. None of the provisions in the amendment are binding, or change the main purpose of the Senate bill in a significant way.

Sixteen states and D.C. now have trans-inclusive anti-discrimination laws. Thirteen of those states and the nation’s capital have also added gender identity and expression to their hate crimes statutes.

Police Release Video of Hollywood Transgender Beating Offer $25,000 Reward

ABC 13 reports: HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Police have released dramatic surveillance video showing a vicious attack on a transgender woman on a Hollywood sidewalk. They are hoping the video will help them track down the suspects.

The vicious attack occurred on May 31 around 2:30 a.m.

Surveillance footage shows the victim, a transgender woman known as Vivian, walking along Hollywood Boulevard near Ivar Avenue. Four men are seen approaching her.

"She became involved in a verbal confrontation," said Lt. Marc Reina with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Vivian walks away from the men, heading toward Vine Street.

"At that point, one of the males ran up behind Vivian, striking her from behind, knocking her unconscious, it appears on the video, to the ground. And then the rest of the group joined in and brutally assaulted Vivian by kicking and punching her," said Reina.

The victim had to spend a week in the hospital. Authorities are still trying to determine if this was a hate crime.

The suspect who knocked Vivian down was described as a white male between 20 to 25 years old with blond hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a "YSL" logo.

The other three suspects are around the same age. They were wearing black shirts and black pants. Authorities are hoping witnesses will help them track down the attackers.

"As you can see in the video, there's people around, there's cars driving by, so we're asking anybody that happened to see this incident to contact us," said Reina.

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Anyone with information was asked to call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or online at http://www.lapdonline.org/report_a_crime

Watch: Cathy Brennan Geting Kicked OUT of the most LGBTQI Friendly Bar in London on Trans night

This is too funny in a sadly pathetic way.  Cathy Brennan got herself thrown out of arguably the most LGBTQI accepting bar in London, filmed it and posted it in a failed attempt at martyrdom on her facebook page! This is Brennan's most worst attempt at becoming a victim yet.

Brennan, but you just made a royal fool of yourself.

Seems Brennan's bullshit was bad enough that the Wotever Bar felt compelled to post a new Door Policy the next day in the event they have to deal with another troll like Brennan.

Posted on June 12,

Wotever does have an open door policy, and we respect and will engage with a variety of views.

However we also have a zero tolerance policy towards hate speech and harassment.

Anyone who stalks or harasses members of the Wotever audience is not welcome, and will not be allowed to enter Bar Wotever.

Any harassment should be reported to the RVT security and/or the police.

Bar Wotever aims to provide an open, engaging and safer space for the LGBTQQIAFF community and their allies.

Brennan is a TERF (trans exclusive Radical Feminist) has made her life long mission to bait trans people, as she was doing in that bar, into reacting to her emotionally. Then she attempts to portray herself as the victim as she did when she maliciously outed a teenage trans student to his school.

Lesbilicious has all the low down on this.

Dallas Council Woman finds it Unacceptable that a AIDS Awareness Billboard Presents Gay People As Acceptable

Dallas county has the highest rate of new HIV infections in Texas with 6,000 new infections reported every year and ranks among the highest nationally for teens contracting STDs due to the abstinence   based curriculum.

The Dallas Observer reports: But you can't plaster two gay dudes on a billboard in southern Dallas and expect it to fly with Dallas City Councilwoman Vonciel Jones Hill. She seems to fear the ad might have a corrupting influence on passersby. In an email to Fox 4's Shaun Rabb, she expressed concern that "African American men who engage in homosexual conduct [are] presented as acceptable" in the ad and that it amounts to an endorsement of homosexuality.

Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Victory In Michigan! Restaurant Employee Fired For Cross Dressing To be Rehired

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD TV8) - A Kalamazoo woman said she was fired after showing up to her waitressing job dressed in drag. She calls it discrimination, but the bar where she worked says it's a matter of professional standards.

Myah VanTil wanted to show her pride as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community by dressing like a man on Saturday, when many in that community around the world celebrated a day of solidarity. She used makeup to draw a five o'clock shadow on her face and then went to wait tables at Harvey's on the Mall in downtown Kalamazoo.

"The makeup took me about two hours and then binding my chest took about 45 minutes," she said.

But the top boss at Harvey's said VanTil went too far. VanTil was fired the next day.

"She told me the whole reason was because of drag," VanTil said.

Waitress fired for dressing in drag

Just hours after the story broke on WoodTV8 Myah posted a update a photo Face Book page"\:

"After a long and drawn out discussion fueled by rage, personal feelings, WOODTV8, and closed mindedness, I HAVE REACHED A CONCLUSION WITH HARVEY'S! Harvey's On The Mall states that they will write a legal document with the Owner's signature as well as all Management staff allowing ALL EMPLOYEES to be allowed to Crossdress based on whatever gender they would like to portray on ANY GIVEN DAY. This means that makeup is allowed, binding, addition to chest, and hairstyles will be allowed as long as the employee wears a Harvey's Shirt, Black pants/Black shorts, and closed toe shoes." " I'm feeling extremely proud of Harvey's to change their minds on different views on what gender performance and identity means to all employees. I am currently waiting for the document to be written and agreed on ALL SIDES. Also, for the next mandatory staff meeting, Gender Sensitivity Training will be provided to all staff. If any other gender biasing and judgment is portrayed ever again, I do not hesitate to contact the KGLRC or ACLU about this matter. HOORAY! Can't wait to crossdress more often and be accepted for who I am!"

Neil Patrick Harris to Star in Broadway Premiere of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

What could be possibly be troubling about a Broadway production with a gay headliner who recently defamed us then tweeted an apology playing a transsexual singer who after a blotched sexual reassignment operation was left with a 'angry' inch compelling her to revert to his masculine self?

I saw Hedwig years ago. As a young person just beginning to understand my gender it was very troubling and confusing. But I think I am, and hope others are as well, in a better place where I can give a wider birth to gay adaptations, as troubling as they maybe, of the transgender experience. Much like I do with Priscilla.

Besides that, screw the haters, its a incredibly innovative creative freaking comedy.

Well anyways, the gay blogs are already ignoring that this is a sensitive issue for us so I can't wait for Glaad to start hyping it. (snark off).

But there's one more thing, the lead. Harris  knows enough about trans people to be aware of the most harmful verbiage and images. He used all of that while co hosting with Kelly Ripa. Harris tweeted an apology which Glaad of course immediately accepted and excused saying most people don't know 'tranny' is a hurtful word.
Just the ones who murder us, oh and people who could care less about our well being. And the ones who throw it about cavalierly as a joke on national television.

After Inhaling hexafluoride which deepens the voice Harris started doing a Darth Vader impression the switched to the "Silence of the Lambs" character Buffalo Bill, saying "Put the lotion in the basket!"

Harris then announced "I've never sounded more like a tranny in my life."



These gay people, you just never know what they'll do next. Just for the RECORD 'tranny' is not a "GAY" slur. It's dehumanizing defamation that targets TRANSGENDER people.

The 'lotion' was acid that stripped the skin of Buffalo Bills victims so he could use them to make a woman's suit.



The apology by Harris:

NPH is Glaad's current red carpet ticket so they quickly accepted his apology even excusing it:

It’s heartening to see a celebrity of Harris’ stature recognize and apologize for using the slur in such a timely manner, and for greater media attention being paid to its use. Many people do not realize that the word "tr*nny" is one of the most hurtful and dehumanizing slurs that transgender people hear. Most transgender people associate that word with personal experiences of violence, hatred and derision.

Why I don't buy it. Harris knew comparing his voice to Buffalo Bill's and saying he sounded like a tranny would be the easiest way to the top of the ratings. It was premeditated. It was vile. It was disgusting. If Harris was to have apologised admitting to innate transphobia and promised to address it I would have accepted his apology.

Victory In Queensland! 9 Year Old Transgender Student Will Use the Girls Room

Click Here to watch the video in new window

Emma Hayes' Queenland school had originally denied her access to the girls bathroom but after her mother complained the school relabeled the disabled toilet to read Unisex. Do this only served to increase the possibility of bullying by 'othering' her.

That wasn't good enough, and her mother threatened to file a human rights complaint so the school threw in the towel, so to speak.

On Friday, Education Queensland North Coast regional director Colin Allen-Waters said Emma had been given permission to use the girls' toilets and will be allowed to play sports Nine News Reports

NC Trans DNC 2012 Delegate Was Told By Woman's Democratic Group that She belongs In the Men's Auxiliary

In a story broken by the Gorilla Angel Report Janice Covington the first transgender woman in history from North Carolina to be elected as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention was told by the Mecklenburg Country Democratic Woman’s Association that they turned turned her down for membership.

She wasn't just rejected she was insulted to the core. The Mecklenburg Country Democratic Woman’s Association administrators said she belongs in the men’s auxiliary.

Janice Covington asked in in a facebook status:

 "ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?"

"I joined the Democratic Woman’s Association when asked to become a member during the Mecklenburg County Democratic Convention back in April of 2013. I filled out the application and then paid my membership fee. After a month or so I received a phone call from Mary Belk chair of the membership committee. During our conversation she said she remembered me and realized I was a Transgender Woman. We talked a little longer and she then said she accepted me as a member. I was then contacted about 3 weeks later to inform me of a meeting at the Asian Library in Charlotte NC on June the 12th 2013.

I arrived at the meeting early and was asked to help set up chairs for the meeting, I did this without hesitation. I then received my name tag and was checked off on the role when I checked in at the table near the entrance. After a great meeting, I was approached by a person who was on the board of directors of the Democratic Woman’s Association; she then informed me they had a problem with my membership. I asked what it was and she stated that I could not belong to the Woman’s association and that it would be better for me to be in the men’s auxiliary. I was insulted to greatest extent. I informed her that her request was not an option. She then informed me that the North Carolina State Democratic Woman’s Association would have to vote on me to allow me to remain a member. I feel that this is not acceptable and is in contrary to the policies of the Democratic Party’s mission statemen"

.
It just happened that when I reading the article by Courtney O'Donnell I had been on the phone receiving some ground breaking news from a life long friend in Dallas Texas, Pamela Curry, who told me she is exploring grassroots support for a run at the 2014 Texas Democratic primary for the 32nd Congressional District of Texas.

That's huge news in it self since as a transgender woman she could be running against the Chairman of the House Rules Committee Republican Pete Sessions .

Curry, who has served as election day judge and democratic precinct chairwoman for six years shed some light on Covington's predicament. Curry explained she was instrumental in the amending of the Texas Democrats  non discrimination policy in 2012 which now reads

"No test of membership in, nor oaths of loyalty to, the Texas Democratic Party shall be required or used if it has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone, or support discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, economic status or disability. Further, discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, economic status or disability in the conduct of the Democratic Party affairs is prohibited."

.Curry explained that a states party's auxiliaries purpose is to help candidates get elected and with that being said it only follows that they adhere to their state's political party's rules.

The North Carolina 0.03 NON-DISCRIMINATION Rule is vague and could be interpreted as leaving wiggle room for bigotry:

No test for membership in, or any oath of loyalty to, the North Carolina Democratic Party shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination based on status.

The Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County just posted a response to The Gorilla Angel Report to their facebook page:

Janice Covington replied asking if she has voting rights which is valid question since men are allowed to be associate members but are not allowed to vote.

The DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF NORTH CAROLINA membership qualifications:

"Any woman who is an active Democrat in North Carolina as defined in the Plan of Organization, Democratic Party of North Carolina, and who pledges herself to the principles of the Democratic Party and to work for the election of Democratic candidates through her local Democratic Women’s organization, if such exists, shall be eligible for membership in this organization."

Enough dancing around transphobia in Mecklenburg County.

The North Democratic party's rules needs to be expanded to specifically include transgender people but that does not excuse how Ms. Covington is being treated. She isn't just any woman she is a transgender woman who deserves the respect she is being denied.

Facebook page Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County

Facebook Group Democratic Women of North Carolina (state group)

Kelli Busey's 55 Vblog Much Ado about Nothing

Hey all, it's kelli Busey blogger at planetransgender. If you actually watch this video without falling asleep, wow, awesome! I wanted to reach out in the most personal way I could on my birthday and connect with you to say thank you for reading planetransgender.



You made it! Quick change the channel before the video rewinds!