Kasey Caron PA transgender student fighting for the right to run for Homecoming King

After being invited by a school councilor to run for homecoming king transgender student Kasey Caron was devastated after being told by the school Principal he had to run for prom queen or withdraw his name. Kasey was told the reason being was that his drivers license incorrectly indicated his gender as female.

Even more disempowering was the school board meeting he attended were he displayed his new driver license with the gender marker correctly indicating male, confidently expecting to be allowed to run for prom king. Kasey eloquently and succinctly stated his case, only to be misgendered and humiliated by the schools attorney. He told him Pennsylvania law requires him to present a birth certificate aligned his gender expression which requires body modification and sterilization before Kasey would be allowed to run for prom king.

In his words on XoJane: "The first person, and really the only person on the board to speak was the solicitor Timothy Leventry. He basically said that regardless of my license, regardless of my gender expression and identity, I was a girl and I was going to be treated as such. He said that because I have “female genitalia, things of this nature,” then I am legally female.

My question is: Since when did my genitalia come into conversation? In a public meeting, too!

Did they question the other court members about their genitals?"

Even after being corrected, Leventry also continued to constantly use the incorrect pronouns to refer to me. I had never felt so disrespected, so singled out and so humiliated in my life.




Kasey isn't giving up. If this isn't resolved before the next school board meeting he will be registering to speak. You have our support Kasey. Remember, you are a pioneer in the Keystone and as such the way may be very difficult.

Also on Salon

Cassidy Lynn Campbell wins OC Homecoming Queen breaks down In tears

It was amazing enough for Cassidy when she learned she was among the top ten contenders for homecoming queen so when she won it, was almost to much.



The enormity of her victory is in sharp contrast to the struggles Pennsylvania trans students still have just getting their authentic gender identity recognized by their schools.

“And then I realized it wasn’t for me anymore and I was doing this for so many people all around the county and the state and possibly the world and I am so proud to win this not just for me, but everyone out there,” Campbell said.

The 16-year-old did face some negativity over her nomination from fellow students, but she and Principal Paul Morrow are proud of the way the majority voted.

“Were proud of the message from home of the Vikings has been one of equity, acceptance, tolerance and respect,” Principal Morrow said.

Click Here to Watch Opens in New Window

We are proud of Cassidy and you Principal Morrow.

Read more: at KTLA.

From Worcester to Leicester a Topless Transgender Woman is Causing Quite a Stir

Stacey Schnee's bike ride from Worcester to Leicester Massachusetts on busy route 9 caused rubber necking, U Turns and calls to the police.

Ms. Schnee is making a statement for topless quality saying that woman should be allowed to go topless just like men. Ms. Schnee wasn't arrested because her nipples were covered said the only thing that will stop her is the weather.


I can imagine a lot of men and women, maybe even the ones who called the police, are secretly hoping for a mild winter.

WHDH-TV 7News Boston

Read more at WHDH channel 7

Turkish Government Shuts down gay dating app Grindr

Kaos GL is reporting that the gay dating app Grindr used by the gay community has been "censored" in Turkey. The app cannot be accessed since yesterday evening. İstanbul Anatolia 14th Criminal Court of Peace blocked Grindr as a “protection measure.” This is yet another measure by the government to regulate the Internet and limit freedom of speech.

Join @allout & @Grindr4Equality to help repeal the #Grindr ban in Turkey. RT and sign the petition http://t.co/3VMGZHdnsH
— Grindr (@Grindr) September 18, 2013

Whats Grindr?

Grindr Xtra 1.5 Demo Video for Apple Devices from Grindr Videos on Vimeo.

Have you heard about Grindr Xtra but don’t know what it’s all about? Watch this demo video that highlights the unique features exclusive to Grindr Xtra on Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Xtra is the banner ad-free premium version of Grindr, with perks that optimize your Grindr experience and make it even easier to chat with other guys. Find links to download at www.grindr.com/xtra.

Wig master Terrence Davidson to feature Transgender models for "Just My Color"

TV Wig Master Terrence Davidson has announced he is using transgender woman for his new project Just My Color featuring woman with "Hair that looks just as real as the model".

“Just My Color is a unique hair-line that offers a complete transformation for all women.” Notes Founder Terrence Davidson. “Whether you want to wear it long, shoulder length and or a crop cut, Just My Color offers the texture and real human-hair quality that all women will embrace.”

H/T The Fab Femme




Terrence Davidson: The Wig Master from DIGITAL7 Media on Vimeo.

South Dakota Transgender Woman Cori McCreery awarded $50,000 after being fired for transitioning

Yesterday Lambda Legal  announced a landmark settlement for Cori McCreery, a transgender woman in South Dakota who was terminated from her job after she informed her employer that she would be taking steps to transition from male to female at work.

Cori McCreery had known and worked for the the owner of this small grocery store for years, building a sense of trust and loyalty. When the owner of Don's told her it was fine with him that she transition on the job she was not surprised even though South Dakota has no state LGBT protections.

But the day she came dressed authentically her world came crashing down.

Cori McCreery explains..."that at Don’s Valley Market, I was a very good employee – in fact, I had just been promoted and given a raise. I had known the owner for years; in fact, I had worked for him for four years at a different grocery store he owned back in 2000 to 2004. So, when he initially told me it was ok for me to come to work as my true self, I trusted that. I had already been living as a woman in every other aspect of life, and to go to work as someone else was not something I could deal with anymore. Working is so important to me, and being at there as myself was something I needed."

"The day is a little foggy from the shock, but I remember being told that I was “making other employees uncomfortable” and “what would moms think?” I didn’t know what to do. I trusted my boss, liked my job, I needed the pay check and I felt like my safety net had just been pulled out from underneath me. That was definitely a day when I knew I needed help."

Ms. McCreery having a great network of friend and family was able to quickly recover, finding employment elsewhere. But the its a lesson the owner of Don's Valley Market won't soon forget and employers nationwide should make note of.

If you discriminate against transgender people because of our gender expression you will be held accountable under Title VII. This was not the first trans victory against job discrimination since title VII was amended and it probably won't be the last. It's a tough learning curve for bigots.

"I'm so incredibly thrilled," Cori McCreery told Lambda Legal, who now works for a company which scores 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. "This gives me hope. The day I was fired, I had no idea what I would do. I now feel a sense of closure and can focus on my future. No one should be fired just because of who they are."

McCreery's settlement affirms the EEOC's position on workplace protections for transgender employees and the types of severe penalties employers could face if they attempt to discriminate against their transgender employees. McCreery's employer did not have a workplace non-discrimination policy, which is avoidable and in business owners' best interest to establish policies.

Statement on the EEOC.Gov website Rapid City Market to Pay $50,000 to Settle EEOC Finding of Discrimination Against Transgender Employee