HOLLABACK Demands Firing of El Guardian's Juan Terranova for Rape Threat of local activist

Been Harassed, threatened or assaulted? Take a picture of your assailant and send it to HollaBack. Just the knowledge we are so empowered will give most assholes a second thought before they give you cause to HOLLABACK!

What is HollaBack?

Hollaback! is a movement dedicated to ending street harassment using mobile technology. Street harassment is one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence and one of the least legislated against. Comments from “You’d look good on me” to groping, flashing and assault are a daily, global reality for women and LGBTQ individuals. But it is rarely reported, and it’s culturally accepted as ‘the price you pay’ for being a woman or for being gay. At Hollaback!, we don’t buy it.

We believe that everyone has a right to feel safe and confident without being objectified. Sexual harassment is a gateway crime that creates a cultural environment that makes gender-based violence OK. There exists a clear legal framework to reproach sexual harassment and abuse in the home and at work, but when it comes to the streets—all bets are off. This gap isn’t because street harassment hurts any less, it’s because there hasn’t been a solution. Until now. The explosion of mobile technology has given us an unprecedented opportunity to end street harassment—and with it, the opportunity to take on one of the final new frontiers for women’s rights around the world.

By collecting women and LGBTQ folks’ stories and pictures in a safe and share-able way with our very own mobile phone applications, Hollaback! is creating a crowd-sourced initiative to end street harassment. Hollaback! breaks the silence that has perpetuated sexual violence internationally, asserts that any and all gender-based violence is unacceptable, and creates a world where we have an option—and, more importantly—a response.

ihollaback.org
ihollaback Facebook

Change.org petition demand the resignation of Journalist Juan Terranova for rape threat

Open Letter to Catherine Hyde, PFLAG Mother

Catherine Hyde, the Transgender Network Coordinator for PFLAG Howard County and a mom of a 17-year-old, is planning to testify at the House Committee hearing on HB 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act.

Catherine's support of this bill was recently announced by Equality Maryland which is persisting in championing this bill despite opposition by all Maryland transgender groups, local advocates and national outrage.



Dear Catherine,

Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I would write a letter opposing a PFLAG mother intending to testify at a legislative hearing, but today I find I must.

Catherine, You have been mislead by the very people whom you have trusted with your daughters very future, Equality Maryland.

The message you are prepared to deliver to the House committee in support of HB235 could ensure insure your very own child never has the legal right to use any of the places listed here:
§ 20-301. 2010 Maryland Code,
STATE GOVERNMENT
TITLE 20 - HUMAN RELATIONS,
Subtitle 3 - Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation.

In this subtitle, "place of public accommodation" means:

(1) an inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment that provides lodging to transient guests;

(2) a restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom, lunch counter, soda fountain, or other facility principally engaged in selling food or alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises, including a facility located on the premises of a retail establishment or gasoline station;

(3) a motion picture house, theater, concert hall, sports arena, stadium, or other place of exhibition or entertainment;

(4) a retail establishment that:

(i) is operated by a public or private entity; and

(ii) offers goods, services, entertainment, recreation, or transportation; and

(5) an establishment:

(i) 1. that is physically located within the premises of any other establishment covered by this subtitle; or

2. within the premises of which any other establishment covered by this subtitle is physically located; and

(ii) that holds itself out as serving patrons of the covered establishment.

But your testimony will have far worst consequences than apparent at first glance.

Catherine, your testimony will tell your daughter and all transgender children they are not considered human enough to share the same world with the human race. Think of it! Why else would a law be written that purposefully does not entitle them to be in such places?

That same question will be pounded into the minds of politicians and the public when and if amendments are brought forward. Given the opposition in Montgomery county just to the west of your house what do you think the chances of such amendment being successful? How many times do you think it will be debated? It boggles the mind.

Think of the damage you will be doing to your child's self esteem. As you know, especially for transgender youth, damaged self perception is the main reason for suicide. And what hurts a child the most is being told over and over they that they are less than and not worthy. Ask me I know.

I pray you will reconsider supporting HB235 and listen to us transgender people who are so against this bill without public accommodations. TransMaryland, Trans-United, and every transgender blogger nationwide has expressed dismay at the lack of public provisions in this bill.

Please listen to us Catherine. You are speaking as a mother of a child still in school from her experiences. The transgender community is speaking the words of wisdom earned from decades of experience.

Kelli Anne Busey
TransAction ConVergence
planetransgender
TIME.org

Washington Blade Lies and Deceptions Target Transgender Community

A true monument to the gay Mafia's media machine is the Washington Blades article about the Maryland bill HB235.

This planetransgender article will remain as a tribute to gay.com's insidious malevolent misinformation campaigns that are mounted whenever the gay agenda comes in conflict transgender peoples well being.

The transgender community was anticipating a major disinformation blitz by IN-eq MD once the inequality of HB235 without public accommodations hit the mainstream media.

We knew once HB235 broke into mainstream media EQMD would unleash the gay media machine dogs of war and here's what started it:


Maryland Senator Rich Madaleno March 3rd press release calling for HB235 to include Public Accommodations published by a marriage equality advocateKnowThyNeighbor.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Adam Fogel (301) 858-3137 afogel@senate.state.md.us

March 3, 2011

Senator Rich Madaleno’s statement on HB 235: Human Relations - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – Antidiscrimination

I have been the lead sponsor or lead cosponsor of the Gender Identity Antidiscrimination Act for the past four years. In advance of the 2011 Session, I had a bill drafted that is identical to the bill I had introduced previously. This draft prohibited discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. However, our advocacy coalition asked me to not introduce the bill, preferring a strategy of pursuing a House bill alone. This approach has not diminished my commitment to enacting these much needed protections, and I urge the House of Delegates to pass HB 235, with an amendment that prohibits discrimination against transgender individuals regarding public accommodations.

Providing transgender individuals with basic protections against discrimination is long overdue. Although much of the media attention this legislative session has centered on marriage equality, we cannot let that debate overshadow efforts to enact these essential protections. Protection against discrimination, including gender identity discrimination, is a basic human right. Our state laws must reflect the values of equality and equal opportunity – values that are central to who we are as Americans.

Now is the time for Maryland to join thirteen other states, Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, and Baltimore City in protecting individuals from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. In 2007, Governor O’Malley signed an executive order adding protections against discrimination to our state personnel policies. We now must pass a statewide law that protects transgender individuals from discrimination when seeking employment, housing, and public accommodations."

Many transgender advocates have posted comments on this Blade article but as of 8:00am ET none are published.

Censorship at its dirtiest lowest form oppressing a disadvantaged minority who are opposing legislation furthering degrading their condition.

Blade propagandist Chibbaro wrote

"Opponents of the bill, led by some of the same anti-LGBT groups that oppose same-sex marriage, often have cited religious beliefs as grounds for denying non-discrimination protections for transgender people."

That is a disingenuous LIE designed to equate transgender Marylander opposition to this bill with the group NOT IN MY SHOWER that had previously led the disinformation and hate inspired fight against transgender rights in Maryland.

NOT IN MY SHOWER and other right-wing anti marriage quasi religious groups have remained SILENT about HB235. They GOT what they wanted, HB235 would insure we are not in their shower.

BTW Chibbaro transgender bloggers such as myself are writing about this atrocity otherwise it would have remained the token unknown sacrifice for marriage equality that "Equality" Maryland had intended it to be.

And to all those who point out that many who oppose this bill are "out of state" as you did Chibbaro I want to remind YOU that "Equality" Maryland a federation member receives a great deal of financial support from OUT OF STATE fund raisers by the MEGA GAY.COM HRC!

I would also like to remind you Chibbaro why we out of state people are so concerned. As a former resident of Cockeysville MD I am aware of the potential fallout if the bill should see the light of day as other FEDERATION members may also grasp at this outrageous sacrifice of transgender rights to further there own gay agendas.

We knew we are underdogs and I have personally been gang attacked by gay media in the past but this is truly disgraceful.

Washington Blade lies and disinformation. YOU should be ashamed.

Kelli Anne Busey
TransAction ConVergence
planetransgender

Stonewall UK Trans/Homophobic Speaker Event to be paid with Mega Bank Barkley's Murderous Money

Stonewall UK profiting by trading with the enemy.

UK Stonewall, a GLB organization with out a transgender inclusive mission statement renowned for its transphobic speakers in 2008 and 2010 is now being funded by Barclays the worlds tenth largest bank.

This bank which hides taxable profits by loaning money to Mideast and north Africa dictators (which are now being overthrown as I type) is funding this event which honors the UK's Equality Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May as the opening speaker at their Workplace Employers Conference despite her record of opposing TLBG
rights and not helping TLBG political
refugees

This UK mega bank, Barkley once thought itself unresponsible to its moral obligations, comes in at number 22 top gay employers by Stonewall despite being recently fined $298 Million by the United States Department of Justice under Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act Charged, Barkley simply paid the fine and walked away without criminal charges.

From the US Justice website

"According to court documents, from as early as the mid-1990s until September 2006, Barclays knowingly and willfully moved or permitted to be moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of banks from Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Burma, and persons listed as parties or jurisdictions sanctioned by OFAC in violation of U.S. economic sanctions."

"Criminal activity of the type we found at Barclays does more than deceive our financial institutions, it threatens the security of our country," said District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr."

PROTEST STONEWALL'S CRIMINAL SUPPORT AND TRANSPHOBIC HOMOPHOBIC OPPONENT of TLBG ANEMESTY

From the Facebook event Protest Stonewall's Hypocrisy organized by the UK group OUTRAGE which incidentally has NO transgender actions listed I could find

"The UK LGB charity" Stonewall has now published its Top 100 Employers 2011 showcasing Britain's best employers for gay staff. It names the Home Office as the best place to work for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Hypocrites Stonewall has now gone a step further and given Equality Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May the honour of opening their Workplace Employers Conference.

This is the same person refused to intervene in the High Court case of a Lesbian Asylum Seeker fleeing torture in Uganda, the same week gay rights activist David Kato was murdered for his beliefs in the same country.

Most LGBT people don't need to be reminded of the May's long history of voting for homophobia during her time as an MP. She claims she is sorry bit her refusal to allow persecuted LGBT people to stay in the UK, leaving it to the courts causing years of heartache of despair shows she has not changed at all.

With the Home Office receiving the award for best place to work for LGB people, Stonewall however picked a winner that leaves us with a bitter taste. Theresa May is NOT suitable for the role of Equality Minister, let alone address some of the most influential people in the country at a leading 'equality summit' - which is also sponsored by BARCLAYS BANK which funds violent dictators and arms manufactures around the globe.

London NoBorders condemn this decision of Stonewall and would like to remind them of their key priorities and the historical background of their chosen name.

Gay Mafia Watch has more on this.

I created the facebook page "Equality MaRRyland" that's already showing up in Facebook searches for "EQMD."

" LIKE" us if you give us the respect all other minorities demand. HATE us if you just want us to shut up.

Equality Marryland

Maryland Students Today and 55 years ago: Still fighting for Public Accommodations

Fifty five years ago then a college student Dr. Helena Hicks, pictured right, participated in the first ever lunch counter sit in at Reeds, a Maryland department store, protesting black peoples denial of equal access to public accommodations.

Transgender people are still fighting for that same right today. Incredibly, the foe promoting our second class citizenship is "Equality Maryland" a federation member!

On this podcast of The Marc Steiner Show Hicks talks about why Maryland students 55 years ago committed this civil disobedience and why the preservation of this memory is so important.



Hicks recalls “We could go in Read’s and buy a pack of cigarettes or a pack of gum, but you’re hungry and you can’t sit down. It might be cold, it might be raining, it might be snowing and you can’t sit down and drink a hot cup of coffee or cocoa or tea or anything,”

As we all know these courageous acts of defiance ignited the conscious of people of good faith of all colors and eventually resulted in the civil rights act of 1964

Helena Hicks wants to keep developers from tearing down the building that Reeds was housed in so to preserve our memory of this struggle that allowed almost every minority to live as first class citizens.


Today Maryland students are still engaged in the battle for public accommodations. They are asking their state legislators to remember the lessons learned decades ago with blood:

"The 'Gender Expression Non-discrimination Act' bill being introduced into the Maryland house of delegates this session has a serious issue. An issue so big that, if passed, could put full trans equality in the state out of reach for *years*."

"The bill lacks public accommodations protections while providing housing, employment, and credit protections. What this means in practical terms is that trans people can still get thrown out of restaurants, domestic violence shelters, forced off of buses, really most anything."

"Imagine the civil rights act of 1964 without protections in restaurants, bathrooms, buses, etc."

"And if the bill DOES pass without public accommodations, then that protection will be nearly impossible to get because any attempt to bring it to the floor will be met with 'Bathroom bill' and basically get laughed out of committee."

Lessons forgotten! Has Morgan Meneses-Sheets forgotten the value of human dignity?


In a recent conversation with Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland
she incredulously harrumphed when I asked her what reality would be like now if public accommodations had not been included in the civil rights acts.

Yet amazingly she is persisting in promoting Maryland HB235 a transgender "equality" bill without public accommodations.

HB235 is resurrecting the concept of humanity that those who voted against that legislation in 1964 believed in. They believed that people of color, as transphobes do today, could work for them and support their business but that they could not share in their public spaces.


Maryland students understand, why can't Morgan Meneses-Sheets?

Equality Loudoun VA Weighs in on HB235

Animosity towards EQMD's promotion of HB235 and its tyrannical oppression of transgender people's free will must not overflow the banks and spill out on Marriage equality efforts and other Equality Federations.

UPDATE! Read Equality Loudoun's article Two bills in Maryland published 2.23.2010 on their website.

I fully support marriage equality and will continue my passionate advocacy so that EVERY child may know a secure, loving family environment free of worries created by domestic partnerships and civil contracts.

Our saving grace has always been and will continue to be our allies. As hard as it is to believe right now, there are Cisgender people some just across the river from Maryland who see thru this ruse and will openly object to Equality Maryland forcing HB235 as written on Maryland's transgender population.

The first is David Weintraub founder of Equality Loudoun who posted this comment on Equality Maryland's facebook thread titled "End Transgender Discrimination in Maryland!"

"It seems obvious to me that if every trans rights organization in MD opposes this bill as written, it's not written correctly. Further, I think that planning to introduce a stand-alone bill sometime in the future to address public accommodations is very bad strategy - it's opening up a situation in which opponents (who will never be satisfied anyway) can focus completely on their imaginary bathroom issues."

Prior to posting his comment David had only heard what Equality Maryland had told him and asked me why transgender were so outraged about HB235. David listened to Jenna Fischetti, founder TransMaryland interview on TransFM Radio and David told me he knew he had to act.



Video streaming by Ustream
Like I said, I fully support ALL federation work towards achieving full marriage equality EXCEPT when transgender rights are traded for marriage equality as it has been done by EQMD.

On February 15, 2010 61 Maryland delegates co-sponsored HOUSE BILL 1022 "Human Relations – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 2 – Antidiscrimination."

FOR the purpose of prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity with regard to public accommodations, housing, and employment.

Last year sixty one Maryland delegate signed on. Publicly the proposed plan was to resubmit the HB1022 in 2011 as announced by lead sponsor of HB235 currently in the House:

On Febuary 2, 2011 Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk was quoted on Gay life

"The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act will be sponsored by Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-21). It defines gender identity as a “gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior of an individual regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth.” This legislation adds gender identity to anti-discrimination protections already granted on “the grounds of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.” Discrimination would be “prohibited in the areas of employment, housing, credit and public accommodations.”

“This is the year for gender identity and marriage equality. Legislative leaders have been educated. They are messaging affirmatively in the press,” declares Lisa Polyak, a board member of Equality Maryland. She remains optimistic about the chances for both bills in the upcoming General Assembly and ends with a call to action for our community.

Unknown to the transgender community HB235 sans public accommodations was already introduced in the house by Pena-Melnyk with full support of EQMD's DECEPTIVE MINIPULATION!

However then there were some that expressed doubt a full marriage bill would be passed.

"Lynda Dee, lawyer and executive director of AIDS Action Baltimore, urges supporters of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act to “have a back-up plan. Sometimes you have to compromise.”

"One such compromise could look promising to those weary of the marriage equality debate. State Senator Allan Kittleman (R-9) has stated he will sponsor legislation legalizing civil unions in Maryland. This bill would “preserve the sanctity of marriage” and give same-sex couples all the rights and benefits of a marriage—but without the dreaded “m” word."

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director of Equality Maryland, quickly responded to these sentiments marriage equality might need to be compromised.

It’s marriage or bust. We are not going to accept anything less.”

So public accommodations was thrown to extremist hate groups like Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government who led a venomous attack on the Montgomery County transgender equality bill BUT are strangely silent on HB235.

But Why?

Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government and the religious demagogues got what they wanted, but why did EQMD do this? The transgender community believes they traded public accommodations in exchange for votes and assurances a dreaded referendum challenging legislative proccess would not be mounted.

"It’s marriage or bust. We are not gong to accept anything less.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, win or lose your precious marriage bill you are already a whole lot less.

Equality Maryland: Deceit and Censorship = Transgender Rights

Maryland journalist Danna LaRocca and my comments on Equality Maryland facebook continue to be deleted even as I attempt to answer EQMD's membership questions why there has been no publicity regarding HB235 other than side notes to marriage equality.

In the capture below Elizabeth questions EQMD why there are no google returns other than EQMD press releases about HB235.



I posted the following comment on February 21 at 7:56am ET



By 8:56am on February 21, 2011 my comment was deleted.



Methodist Marylanders and others of faith, I ask you to confront EQMD and demand she let transgender people have fair and equal access to the Facebook page. Please ask them what is more important, the EQMD's marriage agenda or the lives and well being of the transgender Marylanders they are stomping on?

Trans-United Joins TransMaryland opposing Maryland "Bathroom-Less" bill HB235

UPDATE 2.21.2011: Sandy Rawls Statement on TransGriot

Maryland Section 20-301 - "Place of public accommodation" defined.

Sandy Rawls the director of Trans-United announced on her facebook profile that her group has withdrawn its support of Equality Maryland's transgender 'equality' bill minus public accommodations.

Trans-United withdraws support from Trans-United for HB235


Morgan Meneses-Sheets executive director of Equality Maryland which was instrumental in getting HB235 written without public accommodations quickly commented on Trans-United withdrawal of support.

Being that Equality Marryland has invested extraordinary resources in promoting and representing HB235 as a trans supported effort I assume Meneses-Sheets was somehow hoping to invoke in a positive light reinvent memories of the cataclysmic Cambridge Maryland racial riots of the 1960's which were ignited because of similar incrementalism.

Whats more, these are strange words coming from someones who's group EQMD blocks Marylanders if they should question their commitment to racial diversity as happened on February 8th to Transgender journalist Danna LaRocca!

Equality Maryland contention that it pursues a goodwill transgender inclusive agenda is a lie.

Former transgender Equality Maryland board member Laura Hart who quit with Dana Beyer in protest of gay peoples non support of transgender issues had this to say when questioned why she left:

"I quit the board mainly because, with my 2 years of volunteering on the United ENDA Coalition, I was totally disgusted that ENDA was left to die while DADT repeal consumed all available political capital the gay community had. I simply do not believe in an LGBT movement. There is a gay movement and a trans movement. You could say that the gay movement is our best allie and I said that is very sadly true. The gay movement has always sold us out and always will. I think the only reason they want the T to be included is to control the message to further their own ends."

As to Equality Maryland contention all transgender people made well informed desisions regarding their initial support of HB234 Laura says:

"There was a statement I read early on in this controversy which stated that the trans community was consulted and agreed to dropping public accommodations. I was on that phonecon and I can tell you they took the phonecon out of context. The call took place within days of the end of the legislative session in 2009. We were told that if we did not remove public accommodations, the bill was dead. If we did, we had a fighting but only outside chance of getting it to move. We were told that if it died in 2009 then 2010 will be an election year, 2011 will be all about marriage equality and they would not come back for GI anti-discrimination until 2012, 2013, maybe even 2015. In the hope of getting something done in 2009, we agreed. I doubt the decision would be the same if we had any idea that accepting this, under short term duress, would result in a permanent ceiling on what we would ever fight to enact."

And what does the future hold if these misconceptions were held as truth? Luara explains:

So what compromises are we going have forced on us this year and will the result of these compromises result in a bill being passed? If I was a betting person I would be willing to bet that GI anti-discrimination has already been sold out in the Maryland State Senate for the sake of marriage equality. To the best of my knowledge, there isn't even a Senate bill yet. It will be New Hampshire 2.0. Even before session began, there was word that the marriage bill would not be filibustered. What was given up to get that deal?

Trans-United now joins with TransMaryLand in non support of this bill.

Transgender Marylanders are becoming aware of this potential tragedy and are speaking up. We NOT ONE STATE will not accept a bill that allows us legal protections in the work place but not public accommodations. This bill was in effect telling us we can work for you, but we can't use your bathroom.

Equality Maryland now stands alone to meet the public outrage without any Maryland transgender groups support for HB235 as written.

Minutemen Shawna Forde Murders 9 year old girl pleading "Please don't shoot me,"

presente.org quiere saber cómo, tiempo tendremos que esperar a la justicia para Brisenia?

How long must we wait for justice for Brisenia?

Breaking Minuteman Shawna Forde has been found GUILTY on all counts. Tuesday the 14th begins the sentencing phase of Justice for Brisenia. Whether Forde receives the death penality or not, we will never see this childs bright eyes again. This makes me cry.

Shawna Forde the Minuteman vigilantly currently on trial for the cold blooded murder of 9 year old Brisenia Flores laughing tells a Norwegian news crew in the video below "you'll be very sorry you do not have a gun when the time comes."

AOL news reports Brisenia's mother has testified she was murdered despite pleading to Forde "Please don't shoot me' after seeing her unarmed father gunned down.


Via crooksandliars.com

Brisenia’s story has been largely ignored in the mainstream media, but her life has galvanized people around the country to speak out against hate violence towards Latinos. We at Presente designed a poster to honor Brisenia’s memory, and to send a statement that we want justice.

Together, let’s take a stand against anti-Latino violence and the hatred that ruins lives. Please download the memorial poster, display it proudly, and share it with your friends and family.

How long must we wait for justice for Brisenia?

Equality Maryland: UNBLOCK Trans Woman Danna LaRocca from your Facebook Page

EQMD censors vocal transgender advocate columnist Dana LaRocca who along with TransMaryLand is lobbying legislators to amend HB235 to include public accommodations provisions.

!!!Update: In=Equality Maryland is now deleting my from there facebook wall as well. Captures of thread before and after at the bottom of the post.

Equality Maryland has also been deleting comments by other Transgender Marylanders who are opposed to HB235 as written. In doing so Equality Maryland is misrepresenting the wishes of trans people to make appear we approve of the 'equality' bill without the all important public accommodations provisions.

What brought about EQMD's silencing of it's most critical transgender ally? What is Equality Maryland's investment in a transgender equality bill without the volatile bathroom provisions?




LaRocca banned by EQMD after commenting on this this Facebook thread about the above picture explains in a Facebook message what brought about this draconian messure;

"As I said other dissenters opinions have been deleted, I don’t know if they have been blocked though. I think I have been polite. I sometimes use colorful language but I don’t curse or call people names or any of that childish nonsense. I think about a week ago I asked if anyone knew when certain legislators planned to propose a pissing license to avoid having to inspect genitals at the door."

"In certain places that would be considered rude, but we are talking EQMD here. On February 4 they linked to a sex toy shop with a picture of a woman about to swallow a dildo. They were fund raising at the sex toy shop. Frankly I find that sort of thing in poor taste. My word “pissing” pales in comparison."


"What upset them yesterday was the fact that I called them out on their lack of diversity. I don’t know my exact words but I have the responses from others to give you an idea of the discussion."

"Next I posted jokingly that I was wearing my little red dress but that I was afraid of getting tossed out of the ladies room in Annapolis because my attire was illegal. Note; my (facebook) avatar is Betty Boop in a red dress."

Danna was alluding to the 2009 incident when a transman was thrown out of the gay establishment the Hippo Bar despite Baltimore having transgender inclusive ordinances.


Why was Dana LaRocca's comments deleted? Why was she blocked from commenting on EQMD facebook? Why were so many people's comments disagreeing with EQMD agenda and methods deleted?

Many people myself included believe HB235 was striped of the public accommodations and served up as a sacrifice to transphobes so EQMD can get a marriage equality bill passed. Now that we bloggers have let the cat out of the bag we will be a lot harder to silence.


EQMD: UNBLOCK DANA NOW.

Edited 02/11/09 with my apologies for shoddy journalism to all offended.

Posted Feb. Feb 19 2010 10:16 am



Deleted Feb 19 10:19am



Posted 6:45 2/19/2011



lets see if they leave this one up?

Turn Off FOX: Color of Change campaign for truth in media

Many of us already know that Fox News is biased -- but it's actually much worse than that. For years they have used lies, distortions, and race-baiting to divide this country. Recently, it's gotten downright dangerous. Earlier this summer, a heavily armed man got into a gun fight with police after he was pulled over on his way to kill people at the Tides Foundation[1] -- an obscure non-profit that Glenn Beck regularly demonizes on his Fox News TV show.[2]

Fox News is bad news for America -- and it spreads, and is legitimized, partly through TVs in public places.



That's why I've joined the TurnOffFox campaign -- the first part of a larger campaign to diminish the influence of Fox. It's about educating people about Fox and getting it turned off in stores, restaurants, and other public places.

Will you join me? It takes just a moment to declare your own household "Fox free", and at the same time appeal to public establishments in your community to stop playing Fox. And you'll get a FREE Turn Off Fox sticker when you do. Click here


No other news organization that's considered legitimate consistently wages smear campaigns based on lies and race-baiting. But for years Fox News has done exactly that, and the pattern has only gotten worse since Barack Obama entered national politics.

Here are just a few examples:

-- A frequent Fox guest, Jesse Lee Peterson, said that the majority of Black people have poor moral character, and cited "what they did to the dome" after Hurricane Katrina as evidence.[3] Peterson has also used his platform on Fox to claim that 90% of Black people are racists -- against Whites.[4]

-- In a case of naked race-baiting, Fox host Glenn Beck called President Obama a "racist" who had a "deep-seated hatred for White people or the White culture."[5] Earlier that week, Beck claimed that the President's health insurance reform proposals were a form of "reparations" designed to "settle old racial scores."[6]

-- Fox host John Stossel argued that the public accommodations section of the Civil Rights Act -- which prevents businesses from discriminating based on race, sex, and other factors -- should be repealed.[7]

-- Fox News hosts Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity were the first to air deceptively edited and incomplete video of Shirley Sherrod's remarks to the NAACP.[8] The video made it seem like Sherrod was confessing to using her position at the USDA to discriminate against White farmers, when she was really talking about the importance of overcoming prejudice. Sherrod lost her job over this misrepresentation, which Fox enthusiastically repeated without seeking the facts. Fox has since tried to pretend it had nothing to do with this smear -- but Fox is the number one reason these kinds of distortions and smears have any part in our national dialogue.

The examples above aren't even a tenth of Fox's vicious lies and smears, and over the years they've just gotten more brazen.

The goal of Turn Off Fox is to reduce the number of public TVs showing Fox News, while spreading the word about Fox's poison (and how it works) to those who don't know.

Signing up for the campaign is just the first step. We make it easy for you to tell us about businesses playing Fox. If you're willing to talk with them, we'll provide you with straightforward materials that explain why they shouldn't be a party to what Fox is doing. And if there are businesses you know that want to tell the world they would never play Fox, you can help them declare themselves a "Fox-free zone."

As businesses Turn off Fox and stand up as Fox Free, and as we encourage our friends and family to do the same, we'll help make clear, to people across the country, what Fox is about. And we'll reduce their ability to do harm.

Please join me in signing up for the TurnOffFox campaign:

turnofffox.org">

Thanks.

References

1. http://bit.ly/a5F7kW
2. http://bit.ly/9HGwia
3. http://bit.ly/cRQ3NB
4. http://bit.ly/c060C0
5. http://bit.ly/bJXhDl
6. http://bit.ly/aggEeG
7. http://bit.ly/92A5qF
8. http://bit.ly/8YnKv5

Incremental Human rights then and now a Broken Promise to broken dreams

I just finished a call with Morgan Meneses-Sheets executive director of Equality Maryland, pictured left. This was one exhausting and frustrating hour beginning with a conversation and ending in argument.

She will not be convinced Maryland's HB235 without public accommodations provisions is a bad thing. She stated that transgender people can gain equality incrementally comparing our need to use facilities of human necessity to the incremental want to move from civil unions to full marriage equality.

Published today a article by Dana LaRocca at Baltimore OUTLoud that puts things into perspective.

"Lessons from Black History".

Written by Dana LaRocca

"Gloria Richardson’s role in the struggle for black equality is a story of conscience. In the 1960’s white liberals and self-proclaimed leaders crafted a bill leaving her county, Dorchester, exempt from laws banning discrimination in public places. Gloria Richardson organized an adult run affiliate of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee; the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee (CNAC).


At stake was a referendum that if passed would have ended discrimination in public accommodations in Cambridge, Maryland. Ms. Richardson and CNAC agreed that such discrimination was wrong; what they did not concede was the right of a handful of liberals and youth activists to put their civil rights up for auction. In a counterintuitive move she went door to door telling her neighbors and friends not to vote.

The referendum failed. The Cambridge riots took their place in that grand stratagem known as the civil rights movement.

In 1961 Ambassador Adam Malick Sow of the Republic of Chad was denied service at a restaurant as he traveled through Maryland to meet President Kennedy. Nine incidents involving African diplomats had recently embarrassed Maryland and angered the international community. Compromise in the General Assembly left eleven counties untouched by public accommodations legislation.

Black citizens were not consulted in making the back room deal. Some black incrementalists, as they were called then, were pushed in front of the camera in a sixties version of spin control.

See the rest of the best of this article at baltimoreoutloud.com

Personally I believe that there are many parallels to be drawn most importantly is that political expediency motivates incrementalism. This was the case in Cambridge forty years ago and is the driving force behind EQMD support of HB235 now.

TransMaryland advocates for amending trans exclusionary HB235

TransMaryland a Maryland transgender advocacy organization has come out in opposition to House Bill 235 as written without public accommodations provisions despite it being promoted by Equality Maryland.

From TransMaryLands Event "Contact your legislator":

Right now in Maryland the rights of 1.5 million Marylanders in Baltimore City and Montgomery County are assured. 3X that amount are NOT protected.

Baltimore City and Montgomery County has legal protections for their transgender citizens. The rest of the state's transgender population deserves the same level of dignity and respect afforded to ALL of our citizens. They are denied the basic rights others carry, simply because they ...were born with a gender incongruent to their physical self.

HB 235, introduced last month does NOT provide full protection under the law!

MD HB235 at introduction.

Please contact your Legislators TODAY! and tell them you DEMAND a Gender Identity Anti-discrimination Act with protects Transgender Marylanders are the SAME level as Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, or National Origin. The current bill DOES NOT provide this!

Click here to find your legislator

[Sample letter]

Hello[YOUR LEGISLATOR'S NAME],

My name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I live in your district at [ENTER YOUR ADDRESS].


I am writing to urge you to vote for A Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act which protects Transgender Marylanders are the SAME level as Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, or National Origin by INCLUDING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS. This bill is important to me because I believe that ALL Marylanders deserve protections and respect, regardless of their gender identity.


Only by passing FULLY protective GIADA can Maryland truly be called the Free State, where everyone is treated equally.


Thank you!


Only through FULL protections can our rights be upheld!!

This bill will establish transgender Marylanders as second class citizens, subject to only partial protections and send a message National, that the same unequal treatment is acceptable.

It is through your simple phone calls and emails that YOUR voice can be heard. It is the most sacred and intimate responsibility of freedom we possess.

Facebook Event page

TransMaryland on Facebook
transmaryland.org

Take Action! EQMD Now using Full Might to Push Transgender IN=EQUALITY

Click picture for larger size.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets Executive director of Equality Maryland has made it clear this morning. Equality Maryland despite the objections of the transgender community will press forward of HB235.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets sheets said about the prospects of obtaining civil unions this legislative year Gay life "It’s marriage or bust. We are not going to accept anything less.”

Apparently Martin Luther King JR's words only apply to Gay marriage equality. Morgan Meneses-Sheets is using the entire weight of Equality Marryland in calling and emailing the legislature supporting HB235 which does not include public accommodations.


The panel will ecasted live tonite 7 EST/6 CST.

You can post a question to Morgan Meneses-Sheets sheets here.

(posted to the eQuality website 1/20/2011 10:57am ET)

My question goes to Morgan Meneses-Sheets sheets,

Why has Equality Maryland banned Danna LaRoccaa a well spoken transgender journalist from your facebook page. Why has Equality Maryland has continually removed links and comments from transgender people who oppose HB235 as written without public accommodations.

Equality Maryland is censoring the transgender community and attempting to force this bill on transgender people by using the full membership of Equality Maryland to lobby the legislature for HB235.

It is common sense that a bill framed as a "equality" bill without public accommodations is useless. The transgender community is asking you to stop censoring the conversation and let free speech be the bell weather of full transgender equality.

What will it take for you to let this bill die? The transgender community does not want it.

Not a Pot to Piss in: Maryland anti discrimination bill without Public Accommodations provision

Maryland gay rights group defends a transgender nondiscrimination bill striped of public accommodations provisions that uses our lives as leverage in furthering marriage agenda.

INEquality Maryland then parades out a employee quisling apologist who personally attempts to justify this injustice as necessary incrementalism.

The Maryland legislature non discrimination bill explicitly prohibits discrimination against trans people except in public accommodations! This is a concession to extremist neo-christian groups and generic transphobic so gay Marylanders may have a better chance for marriage equality this year:

HOUSE BILL 235 (pdf) introduced and read first time: January 28, 2011 prohibits workplace discrimination and ".... discrimination based on gender identity by certain licensed or regulated persons; prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to the leasing of property for commercial usage or in the provision of certain services or facilities; altering a certain exception for employers that relates to standards concerning dress and grooming; providing that certain provisions of law relating to discrimination in 10 employment do not apply to certain religious entities.."

Glaringly absent from this years years bill, unlike previous versions offered in the past years, are provisions to allow us access to public accommodations. This will mean if this bill passes transgender Marylanders will only be protected in the areas of employment and housing.

Dana LaRocca wrote in her column in the Baltimore Outloud

"During Thursday’s Kick-Off, Equality Maryland emphasized the importance of employment protection using the statistic that transgender people have an unemployment rate ten times the norm (their website says two times, however). I doubt the accuracy of any number. The places where transmen and transwomen are most often discriminated against are in public accommodations. A bill that leaves out public accommodations leaves transfolk, literally, “without a pot to piss in.”

Commenting on Pams House Blend post "Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination bill introduced in Maryland House" Danna was more explicit in her condemnation with a post tittled:

"Public accomodations were left out as appeasment to opponents."

"Unlike the bill offered for the past four years this bill excludes public accommodations, it includes only employment and housing. This is not equal treatment under the law. This is second class citizenship. It is the moral equivalent of what would have been if the Civil Right Act of 1964 had left restaurants, the restrooms, and the lunch counters segregated."

"I have seen no support for this bill within the transgender community. What I have seen is a lot of anger and a sense of betrayal."

"The die had been cast and the rights of the transgendered were sacrificed. Just as Neville Chamberlain had sacrificed the Sudetenland for a moment of peace the LGB lobby has sacrificed the transgendered. The result will not be the peace they expected. What the LGB lobbyists have shown is that they are willing to back down at fear of something like what they have called ""vicious" attacks on Montgomery County's transgender bill," which refers to a county struggle in 2007. I'm old enough to remember the Battle of Chicago in '68 and Stonewall in '69, when activists in my day said "vicious" they meant fire hoses, Billy clubs, and teargas. The name calling we suffered in Montgomery County was not "vicious."

Yet the majority of the commenter's on Pams House Blend just shrugged their virtual shoulders sending a disastrous potentially lethal message of "oh well its better than nothing".

Better than what? Its almost impossible to prove discrimination in housing or win any monetary compensation in employment discrimination cases

Reality Check.
You are on your way to work after a Starbucks and get delayed in one of the many MD traffic jams and you can't even use a bathroom for Christs sake!

Reality check.
This is worthless bill spotlighting gay.com's willingness to sacrifice transgender lives for its agenda. Transgender Marylanders, are you going to lay down for them and let the Gay.com bus run you over?

EQUALITY MARYLAND people of good faith, I have always supported you, will you be silent?

Demand Equality Maryland treat us with dignity. Add a comment on their Facebook page post congratulating themselves on our exclusion.

TWEET THIS and make the call!!!! From « ENDAblog Maryland Mariage Equality Hearings today call the six undecided senators needed to pass #EQMD #transgender

Ask the six undecided Senators to vote against the Maryland Marriage Equality bill UNTILL there is a bill, PASS OR FAIL, that respects transgender people.

Transgender Armed service

Transgender American Veterans Association

Trans in the military Google Docs

Rapid Action Revision (RAR) Issue Date: 23 August 2010

AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness, paragraph 2-14 which I have outlined and linked below.

2–14. Genitalia

a. Female genitalia.

(5) History of major abnormalities or defects of the genitalia such as change of sex (P64.5), hermaphroditism, pseudohermaphroditism, or pure gonadal dysgenesis (752.7) or dysfunctional residuals from surgical correction of these conditions is disqualifying.

b. Male genitalia.

(5) History of penis amputation (878.0) is disqualifying.

d. History of major abnormalities or defects of the genitalia, such as a change of sex (P64.5), hermaphroditism, pseudohermaphroditism, or pure gonadal dysgenesis (752.7) or dysfunctional residuals from surgical correction of these conditions is disqualifying.
Source(s):

AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness

Demand NBC Pulls SNL Estro-maxx skit Humiliating Transgender people

Demand SNL apologizes for and pulls "Estro-maxx" skit exploiting the most vulnerable of minorities.




In this skit Transwoman are intentionally misrepresented by male actors as gay in these enduring images of 'bearded men in dresses with penises'.

SNL has NO BALLS.

SNL achieves cheap laughs by explaining the effects that Estrogen has on a biological male physique pointedly explaining how it shrinks the testicles. This is true, but not mentioned is that estrogen also shrinks the size of ones penis. Both effects being undesirable for MTF's who are contemplating a inversion type sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) since it may limit the amount of material used for depth of the vagina during the inversion process.

Now SNL, SRS takes balls.



This attack by SNL on our image is possibly the single most violence enabling action any network could ever undertake.

I suggest SNL should GROW a PAIR and MAN UP. Heck I got a bigger pair and I've been on estrogen for five years.

Comment at NBC/Comcast about the SNL video Estro-maxx

Join with GLAAD in condemning the SNL skit Estro-maxx

Britain and Uganda we hold YOU accountable for Brenda Namigadde's life

SAVE THIS WOMANS LIFE!

Brenda Namigadde is going to be deported to UGANDA from the UK the 28th of January 2011. Brenda says “I’ll be tortured, or killed, if I’m sent back to Uganda. They’ve put people like me to death there.” THIS IS FOR REAL. Petition site http://allout.org/en/brenda/

David Bahati the Ugandan MP who authored the KILL GAY BILL called the author who wrote of LEZ GET REAL article alerting us to Brenda's plight saying: "He told me that Brenda should stop bad mouthing Uganda; that she would be welcome back to Uganda if she renounced her homosexuality and if she “repented.”

In light of the violent murder of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) activist David Kato on January 26 2011 Brenda's life is in serious jeopardy.

Please sign the petition at http://allout.org/en/brenda/

Danish Reporter Søren Østergaard Jensen: Transgender Family "Freak Show"

A Danish TV reporter while interviewing the editor of a new LGBT magazine calls a transgender people a "Freak Show" with "perverted desires".

According to AutoTrans Blogspot Danish news reporter Søren Østergaard Jensen referred to transgender people as “weirdos with perverse desires" while interviewing "Proud" magazine editor Tina Kristensen about a transgender parented family.

TV 2 doesn't think it needs to apologigize and issued this statement;

- TV 2 l East Jutland has no prejudices against either gay, transgender and other sexual minorities. Quite the contrary. We invite them like inside and that was what happened in the program Good Evening Jutland, where the presenter Søren Ø. Jensen interviewed the editor of a new gay magazine. An informative program where all viewers will learn about life as a homosexual and transsexual. Following the broadcast, both the studio host and I have been attributed several motives and I - based on a quote that was taken out of context - among other things called a biased TV2 boss. Let me stress that I and Good Evening Jutland is the exact opposite. We are interested in living for all shades of life and have great respect for the challenges of a life as a transsexual or homosexual offers, "says managing editor Eva Kvist. TV 2 Jutland East

LGBT Denmark condemned TV 2:

"- TV 2 media will appear as an exponent of marginalization, one-sided production of sex and a valuation or ranking where transgender placed at the bottom of a hierarchy. LGBT Denmark - National Association for Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people - will find this extremely regrettable. The association believes that the news broadcast coverage to transgender was not fair and honest, " says Sebastian Svegaard trans political spokesperson for LGBT Denmark"

Wait its not over!
Martin Miller Aamand, editor of panbladet.dk a gay magazine in a example of blatant gay transphobia defends the reporters remarks Here apparently saying the transphobic remarks were taken out of context. It also appears he believes these remarks that have sparked international condemnation are simply healthy conversation.

Email TV. 2. Tell them you are not a "Freak Show" redaktion@tv2oj.dk

Vote for Claire Buffie First Pro LGBT Miss America Contestant!

Source: Queers United "Ms. Claire Buffie a contestant for Miss America is the first ever pageant queen to campaign on an LGBT rights platform. Having won the nomination for Miss New York the beauty queen/photographer and activist now vies for the top crown."

"Ms. Buffie has been active in educating students about respect and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A straight ally herself, Buffie has a lesbian sister whom she wants to see have equal rights in her lifetime."

"Visit the Miss America site to vote for Buffie, or text MANY to 24470."

Be sure to tune in on January 15th to see if she is selected to the top 15!

Thank you E at Queers United and my appoligies for cliping the entire article I didn't have time to write one myself:)

Honduras Three Transsexuals Murdered in Two Weeks Demand Justice!

Three Honduran travesti or transgender woman, have been murdered in three separate incidents in the past two weeks. There bodies found raped, burned and thrown into ditches.

Source the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC):

"On December 22, 2010 in Comayagüela, a 23-year-old travesti named Lorenza(legal name: Luis) Alexis Alvarado Hernández (crime scene above picture) was found dead, her body visibly beaten and burned. Bloody stones near her corpse indicate that the bruises covering her body were caused by stoning. Her body was set on fire. Used condoms found nearby have led to the suspicion that she may also have been raped. After her death, the assailants threw her body into a ditch. News reports indicate that severe injuries to her face rendered her corpse virtually unrecognizable."

"The same day, another travesti, Lady Oscar (legal name: Oscar) Martinez Salgado, age 45, was found burned to death in her home in Barrio El Rincón of Tegucigalpa. Her body showed multiple stab wounds. Neighbors report witnessing two suspicious individuals running from her house as the fire ignited."

"Less than two weeks later, on January 2, 2011, a young travesti known only as Cheo was found murdered on the main street of Colonia Alameda in Tegucigalpa. Her body was left without legal documentation. She appears to have died from a severe stab wound to her chest."

Take Action Now Sign the IGLHRC letter to Honduran officials demanding justice!