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!

Social Security Administration (SSA) No Longer Requiring Surgery or BC for Gender Marker Change!

I went to the Texas SSA office on a hot Friday August afternoon in 2007 on a mission. My terminal manager was getting pressure from the main office to correct a discrepancy in an employees records. My record. I am a MTF whose gender was unrecognized by the SSA. Within a month his requests had turned into a demand. I had to get the SSA to stop sending the payroll department gender"no match" letters or risk losing my job.

I had been able to change everything except my birth state, Ohio, does not amend or reissue birth certificates for transsexuals. Since I was pre op and couldn't produce proof of SRS I was left with only one option. A friend had told me I might be able to get the change through on the QT, as she did, if I did it as directed. So I passively, submissively  approached the SSA window after a short 3 hour wait, smiling in my most pleasant feminine way and explained what I wanted.

Well long story short the clerk produced the regulation denying my gender marker change a couple of hours later and I left unsuccessful and soon to be unemployed. A couple of years later after Obama was elected he directed the SSA to stop sending out those no match letters, but that was too late for me. I lost a $900 a week job because of that bureaucratic bullshit.

And I know I'm only one among thousands of trans people who have had their jobs put in jeopardy thanks to a government which seemed to not care.

I have great news! My brothers and sisters, you will not have to become unemployed and homeless as I did to satisfy that antiquated bureaucratic rule.

According to The National Center For Transgender Equality as of June:

Social Security will accept any of the following forms of evidence for a gender marker change:

• A U.S. passport showing the correct gender,
• A birth certificate showing the correct gender,
• A court order recognizing the correct gender, or
• A signed letter from a [provider] confirming that you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition

You can view the official SSA regulation here.

The Pew LGBT Report Ignores The Transgender Experience

Listening to public radio last night on my MP3 while at work in a shipping department I became increasingly disturbed about a PBS show, which I embedded below,  about the recent Pew Report which conducted a first of a kind spectrum wide survey of LGBT people.

I became immediately distraught by the framing the survey with what transgender people perceive as a gay issue, the upcoming supreme court ruling on same sex marriage. What further distressed me was how little the survey acutely reflected my experiences as a transgender woman with nearly 10 years of living authentically.

It really makes me wonder. Did the survey results include the 5% of the LGBT population that is transgender? I do not see evidence transgender people were asked questions based on their gender expression. It appears the results were grouped by sexual orientation regardless of gender expression.

I don't believe the Pew Report properly reflects the transgender experence because it fails to survey us as a separate component of the LGBT population.

I for one have faced and continue to face discrimination at work mainly because many of my supervisors religious beliefs. I have been told "No Way" when asking about a pathway out of shipping to a higher paying job and have been the victim of vicious  rumors since starting there. I have been physically threatened twice with physical harm in the last year at work. I have been harassed by the management and there employees at my apartment. For all this I think it we have made progress but nothing like the Pew Report suggests.

A much more accurate survey for transgender people was conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality Injustice at every turn.

Watch Acceptance for Gay Americans Grows, Discrimination Persists on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Zoey Tur Famed LA News Copter Pilot Comes Out as Transgender

Los Angeles helicopter pilot-reporter Zoey (Bob) Tur, who covered the L.A. riots and the O.J. Simpson freeway chase has announced she is transgender.

Tur the lone pilot who dared fly above the LA Riots says she has started taking HRT 30 days ago. She says her life has already started to change and expects major changes within the first year. Tur says her name change is forthcoming is addressed by her birth name and male pronouns during the MP3 interview and the embedded CBS video.. According to Tur, transsexualism a genetic change that occurs in the embryonic state that is yet to be understood.

Nova Scotia Reverses itself the Next Day and decides to Cover Sexual Reassignment Surgery

On June 11th we received the heartbreaking news published by CBC.ca that "After studying the issue, Health Minister David Wilson said in a letter last week that the province has decided not to fund the surgery."

“When we must decide which areas to fund, there are a number of items to consider. For example, what does the best available research tells us, and are we able to fund a service within our limited healthcare budget,” said Wilson.

“The department has given the matter of gender reassignment surgery considerable consideration and we went through a careful policy review, including extensive research and consultation with other jurisdictions.”

"The surgery is either partially or fully funded in all provinces except Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island."

On June 12th, the very next day, Health Minister David Wilson changed his mind and decided to0 rescind the law because "its the right thing to do"

Get the inside scoop on this atDented Blue Merecedes

Nicole Maines' Transgender Rights Case Heard By Maine Supreme Court

At question, do transgender students have the right to an education? This case is critical as it will set a legal precedent right wing haters attorneys will defer to in the future when deciding whether to persecute transgender students or not.

Nicole's dad talks about the inhuman treatment of his daughter that brought the case to where it is today:

"In the fifth grade when Nicole was ten years old another student made her life a living hell. He came into the bathroom one day and called her a 'faggot'. It Turns out this young mans grandfather was active in Maine's Christian civic league and he wanted to protest Maine's new law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression."

'He told his grandson "if that boy can use the bathroom (girls room) so can you".

"Instead of enforcing Nicole's rights the school scared of being sued by the Christian civic league told Nicole she could no longer use the bathroom. That separation from Nicole's peer's made her feel like a freak."

Nicole's dad tells of what brought there family this point.



They discriminated by failing to allow her to use the proper restroom and failing to stop harassment.

How do you tell your to children it's adult that do not under stand you. How do you explain to your children adults are using you as political pawns? To make matters worst the boy began a two year campaign of harassment and intimidation calling Nichole hateful names, constantly following her around school, watching which bathroom she used and tormenting her.

Instead of stopping the bullying the school appointed staff to follow Nicole around punishing her instead of the bully.

Boston Police Adopt New Transgender Policy After Losing Lawsuit

The Boston Police working with the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) have adopted a new transgender policy in response to to a lawsuit filled by Trans woman Brenda Wernikoff.

Ms. Wernikoff had been staying at the Boston Woods Mullen homeless shelter for a year when a employee called the police on her for using the ladies room. According to the Lawsuit Ms. Wernikoff was arrested and humiliated, made to strip and jump up and down for the officers who then called her by male pronouns. Ms. Wernikoff won this lawsuit and was awarded $30,000 dollars.

**************

SUBJECT: TRANSGENDER POLICY

Section 1. General Considerations
The purpose of this Special Order is to establish guidelines for the appropriate treatment of
transgender individuals who come into contact with the Boston Police Department. The policy of
the Boston Police Department is to treat all individuals with dignity, respect, and
professionalism. Officers shall at all times abide by Boston Police Department Rule 102 §9
(Respectful Treatment), as well as the City of Boston Office of Human Resources’ “Guidelines
to Prevent Gender Identity Discrimination” when interacting with transgender individuals. The
following considerations are simply a codification of existing procedures and practices:

Section 2 Definitions

Adopted Name – Non-birth name that a transgender individual uses in self-reference (this may
or may not be in the individual’s legal name).

Gender Expression – External characteristics and behaviors that are socially viewed as
masculine or feminine. Gender expression is the external manifestation of one’s gender identity.

Gender Identity – A person’s gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not
that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated
with the person’s physiology or assigned gender at birth. Gender-related identity may be shown
by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the
gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any
other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, as part of a person’s core
identity; provided however, gender-related identity shall not be asserted for any improper
purpose.

Gender – An individual’s biological or anatomical identity as male or female
Transgender Individual – A person whose gender identity differs from his/her assigned gender
Female-to-Male (“FTM”) – A person who transitions from “female-to-male,” meaning
a person who was assigned female at birth, but identifies and lives as a male. A “femaleto-male” individual should be addressed using masculine pronouns (i.e. he, him, his),
regardless of surgical status.Male-to-Female (“MTF”) – A person who transitions from “male-to-female,” meaning
a person who was assigned male at birth, but identifies and lives as a female. A “male-tofemale” individual should be addressed using feminine pronouns (i.e. she, her, hers),
regardless of surgical status.

Section 3 Forms of Address

Officers shall address transgender individuals by the individual’s adopted name. This is true even
if the individual has not received legal recognition of the adopted name. In addressing or
discussing a transgender person, officers will use pronouns appropriate for that person’s gender
identity (e.g., she, her, hers for a prisoner who is male-to-female; he, him, his for a prisoner who
is female-to-male). If officers are uncertain about which pronouns are appropriate, then officers
will respectfully ask the individual.

Section 4 Calls for Service

Calls for service or complaints generated by transgender individuals shall be addressed and
investigated in a manner that is consistent with all Department policies. No officer shall fail to
respond to a call for service based on the gender identity or expression of the caller.

Section 5 Stop and Frisk

Officers shall continue to use standard practices and procedures when conducting “Field Stops”
and “Frisks”, and shall abide by Rule 323 at all times. Additionally, a search or frisk shall not be
performed for the sole purpose of determining an individual’s anatomical gender, and
transgender individuals shall not be subject to more invasive search or frisk procedures than nontransgender individuals.
Section 6 Prisoners

Sec. 6.1. Transportation
Whenever possible, a transgender prisoner shall be transported alone. Officers shall
ensure that additional units are called in order to assist with transporting transgender
individuals.

Sec. 6.2. Booking
The Booking Officer will process transgender prisoners, including persons held in
protective custody and juveniles held in custody, according to normal booking procedures
as outlined in Rule 318. When booking a transgender prisoner, the Booking Officer will
include the prisoner’s adopted name (i.e. name that the individual uses in self-reference)
in the booking, either as the primary name or as the “also known as” (a.k.a.) name. The
transgender prisoner will be booked under the name appearing on the prisoner’s
government-issued identification, as well as under an a.k.a. name where applicable. If no identification is available, then the Booking Officer will use the adopted name for
booking purposes, either as the primary or the a.k.a. name. The prisoner’s birth name will
be used only if it is the prisoner’s legal name or it is required by a legitimate law
enforcement purpose, including but not limited to, a prior arrest record.

Sec. 6.3. Searches
All searches of the transgender prisoner’s person will be conducted by two officers of the
gender requested by the transgender prisoner, whenever possible. If two officers of the
preferred gender are not available, the search shall nonetheless be conducted by two
available officers. If the prisoner does not specify a preference, then the search will be
conducted by officers of the same gender as the transgender prisoner’s gender expression
(e.g., a female-to-male prisoner’s expressing no preference should be searched by a male
Officer). The prisoner will also be required to complete the “Statement of Search
Preference Form” prior to any search (Form #0076-BFS-0413). Any prisoner who refuses
to complete the “Statement of Search Preference Form” shall be searched by officers of
the same gender as the transgender prisoner’s gender expression. Officers shall refer to
Rule 318D regarding proper search procedures.

Sec. 6.4. Conditions during Holding
Whenever possible, a transgender prisoner shall be held in a cell without other prisoners.
The Booking Officer and Duty Supervisor shall make all efforts to ensure that the
prisoner is held without other prisoners, including looking at availability in any and all
other district stations. Transgender prisoners requiring medical attention shall be handled
as any other prisoner requiring medical attention in accordance with Rule 318.

Edward F. Davis
Police Commissioner

Full policy in PDF Here.

Transgender and Gay People Beaten OUTSIDE While The Russian Duma Passed ANTI LGBT Laws

In what can only be described as a day that will live in infamy school children so indoctrinated with hatred by parents and society attacked LGBT people while police watched. The BBC video while good does not, in the tradition of western media, do justice to the violence. I have posted pictures detailing the violence against one LGBT protester shown as a story line.

Published on Jun 11, 2013
There have been violent scenes outside the Russian parliament, with gay rights campaigners clashing with anti-gay activists.

The Russian parliament has overwhelmingly passed a bill that severely restricts the distribution of information about homosexuality. The legislation fines anyone organizing a gay pride event or giving information about gay issues to children Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reports.

 

 

 

Read about this at vocativ.com

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli Urinal Photo Doesn't Mean Squat For Trans Rights

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli posted this picture to her facebook page and it has since been picked  by many gay blogs and mainstream publishers.

So there is no ignoring it.

 I think it goes without saying its controversial, but does Refaeli's picture promote equality by 'raising the Bar' as Queerty would have us believe? Or is it a tasteless self promotional stunt needlessly stigmatizing transgender people like most of the commentators on her facebook page believe?

My take on it? I think she thought it was edgy. Maybe she thought she was helping us. In any case she knew her superstar status would get a boost from it. News flash Bar, you're not helping us. You're picture doesn't mean squat for transgender rights.

Bar, I'm pretty sure you don't deserve the condemnation that "Work It" received with this image. We in the blogosphere fought long and hard, eventually helping to purge the ABC network of that plague.

Bar Refaeli, you are gorgeous and a ally, but that does not give you a free pass. If you really wanted to help try being real. Take a picture of yourself taking a squat. Now that would be edgy. For real.

Lex and Terry Show Offer An "Apology" Based On Lies and Transphobic Assumptions

Lex and Terry have responded to a story first appearing on the TransAdvocate about an attempted murder of a Tampa transgender woman and have issued an apology after making transphobic comments on air about this hate crime.

As heard on that segment: "There’s a teen that shot a tranny after finding out that it was a man after they had a little sexual encounter. A co-host responded, I don’t blame him. I would have shot his ass too."



Up to that point in time with no apology forthcoming SiriusXM Senior Vice President of Communications, Patrick Reilly notified us that Lex and Terry show had been pulled from the SiriusXM network. “As you may already be aware, the Lex and Terry show is no longer on XM. The show was dropped yesterday, Thursday, from the Extreme Talk channel on XM. That’s the channel under the control of Clear Channel.”

According to All Access.com Lex Staley released the following apology:

"I want to reach out the best way I can to the transgendered community. I deeply apologize for an insensitive remark concerning a news story being discussed on my radio show where a 16-year-old boy shot a transgendered person after they had intimate contact."

"Please know that my off-the-cuff remark was not intended to offend or hurt anyone, but after listening to the audio I understand why the comment caused hurt and anger. I had originally hoped to explain the context of what I said, but quite honestly, what I said was just plain wrong and there is no context in which my statement is acceptable and I take responsibility for it."

"I would like to clarify two things. One is that I work every day on a very liberal program. We are an advice show that has helped the LGBT members of our audience for the past 21 years. We have consistently supported LGBT equality rights on our show, well before it was popular to do so."

"Secondly, as a father of a young daughter I am always distressed when I hear of adults having inappropriate contact with minors. But instead of properly expressing my distress in this situation I made a stupid comment that had no place and failed to express what I was actually thinking."

"I deeply regret the insensitive and hurtful remark I made. My on-air partner and I will be devoting a segment on an upcoming show to discuss the serious issue of discrimination in the LGBT community. We’re all human and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity – as members of the media, we embrace our responsibility to use our platform to help our greater community." ~ All Access.com

Note, this apology does not appear on the Lex and Terry Facebook, web page or twitter.

I was blocked by Lex and Terry after the first post Does Clear Channel Approve of Lex And Terry's Rant Promoting Transpanic Murders? They Haven't said Otherwise.

It appears that Lex and Terry were highly upset that a transgender person would have the audacity to confront them openly about killing us. Posting this article I mentioned them in a tweet and as an act of good will attempted to reach out and follow.

The real issues:

Staley said the shooting occurred after intimate contact. The basis for Staley's angst was an unfounded assumption. Coco, the transgender victim was not arrested for having sex with a minor. She would have if she had been charged with having "intimate contact" with him. I can not find any media reports that state she was arrested for that.

The minor had 'expressed interest in dating" Coco as a means to lure her to an abandoned house to murder her not for sex.

I honestly do not know why Staley would issue an apology based on those untruths but I will offer two possible explanations.

1. You did not take the time to read the news reports nether before your screed or before offering this apology.

2. You suffer from latent  transphobia. We can help with that.  As a matter of fact some transgender people suffer from internalized transphobia as well. But the truth is I believe you are an intelligent man who normally would not allow ignorance to govern your actions, however...saying you lie is rough..but think of this as tough love, a transgender intervention of sorts. The kind you are asking for.

I cringed while reading your apology. Staley, you danced around the crucial points. You used a transgender slur, intentionally maliciously misgendering the victim saying you would have done the same thing (a trans person is murdered globally ever day and a half). I cringed again after reading your defense that you are liberal. Transgender people do not need people to be 'liberal' to be decent human beings.

Staley, you are not only lying to yourself about the reason you reacted as you did but your untruths are ultimately reinforcing transphobia which leads to....yes...more murders.

I seriously look forward to the Lex and Terry show addressing these core issues during the on air segment as promised. If that happens I will advocate for your return to the SiriusXM network.

Father Confronts Transgender Child Shopping for Prom Dress. What Would You Do?

Its time to feel good. About ourselves. About the people we share the earth with. Well, most of the people in this edition of "What would you do?" will make you feel good, but that's life. OK, so I feel a little guilty about enjoying these innocent people's emotional responses, but that being said, Enjoy!



Hat tip to Towleroad!

FBI Raids The Anonymous Member Who Outed The Steubenville "Rape Squad" And Threatened Him If He Talked About It!

NO ONE would have known that a 15 year old had been raped had it not been for a intrepid blogger's investigation who after being stymied by officials alerted KightSec in desperation. She knew the police, judicial and administration of Steubenville were in cover up cahoots. They were perfectly happy to sweep this rape under the rug and deny justice just to save the 'good name' of the local football team, Big Red.

The collective Anonymous became involved and threatened to release the contents of a hack revealing alleged child pornography in the Roll Red administrators  email account. Judging by the hits my blog received after I posted that article, that threat was what scared the local officials the most. It still scares them. They invaded this mans home knowing perfectly well another person admitted to the hack.

So in retribution the FBI has raided Deric Lostutter, a KnightSec members home, seized his computer, terrorized his family and pets and maliciously vandalized his home. What makes this last governmental crime Even worst was their their threat of legal actions should he make public those events.



KYAnonymous has set up 'home page' on which Deric Lostutter tells of the ordeal:

I had been expecting a T-Shirt in the mail from ShieldTactical.com and what appeared to be a Fed-Ex truck was parked in my driveway. As I open the door to great the driver approximately 12 F.B.I. Swat Team agents jumped out of the truck screaming for me to "Get The Fuck Down" with m-16 assault rifles and full riot gear armed safety off, pointed directly at my head. I was handcuffed and detained outside while they cleared my house. My brother soon emerged later with his new girlfriend, both bewildered that the F.B.I. was at my house seeing as I have no prior criminal history, both of them in handcuffs as well. The Swat team left my belongings in the floor, my dogs shocked, my family nervous, my garage door battered open with a ram though I stated I had a key, and the RV camper window broken for entry though I stated to pull hard on the door.

Looking around I seen the Swat Team of course, a few fbi detectives from Columbus Ohio, Lexington KY, and Louisville KY. Also with them were a state trooper or 2, a local sheriff, and shortly thereafter the buildings were cleared the CIS labcoat wearing "Geek Squad" so to speak who analyzes your "evidence".

I was detained on the back patio, I asked if I was going to jail, they said no, they said who are you, I responded KYAnonymous. They asked me a few questions, asked me for my passwords for my account, stated that I could not tell anyone I was raided or I would face additional charges such as "destroying/tampering with evidence".

I was emailed their intent to send out a "Target Letter" which means they are going to try to indict me for a Federal Offense, (most likely a felony and two misdemeanors) to a secret Grand Jury of 23 individuals, for which I can not be present to state my side, nor state my innocence. Let us not forget that Batcat did the hack, as stated in the Herald ARTICLE HERE which by all accounts is a clear admission of guilt. So I am curious to see the charges, as is the lawyer I have teamed up with, Jason Flores-Williams of the WhistleBlower Defense League.

Now in all fairness there was a controversy regarding the propriety of Anonymous acting without the govermen'st permissions on this vendetta for justice.



I honestly believe that without social media's ability to reach the public the government would do whatever whenever it wishes as they have recently contemptuously displayed.

KY Anon Facebook.

The final words of the KYAnonymous sums it up:

You do not have to be technical, you do not have to be "Anonymous", you just have to have the initiative, the drive to volunteer, to change the world. Plant a tree, Raise a forest. Speak out publicly against bullies both in school and workplaces. Volunteer to clean up disasters, Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, whatever it is you do, commit one good deed a day, or hundreds if you wish, and simply ask those whom you help to "pay it forward."

 Together we can change the world, Together we can change the quality of life for future generations to come. Check this page frequently for updates, photos, and more.

Go out now, and promote the idea that is #ProjectKnightSec 

Indian Transgender Activist and Actress Kalki Subramaniam Sexually Assaulted

Indian Transgender activist, singer, dancer and actress Kalki Subramaniam was attacked June 2nd while in route to her home in Auroville, near Puducherry India. Subramaniam was riding her moped when two unidentified men begun following her on bikes. When she crossed a unlighted section on the Karuvadikuppam bridge on East Coast Road the men sexually assaulted her ultimately pushing her to the gtound.

Kalki told Times of India "When I reached a dark spot, they suddenly came very close to me, sexually assaulted me and pushed me down onto the road. My moped was damaged and I was hurt in my left arm and right foot and was bleeding," said Kalki, who played the lead role in the film 'Narthaki' (embedded below), which won international acclaim. Kalki said her assailants fled soon after pushing her down. "A foreigner, who was passing by, came to my help," she said.

Subramaniam tried to report the attack at the Auroville police station but they refused to accept it saying she needed to know who the attackers were first. The police have denied that was the reason for not taking her claim saying they were unable to process Subramaniam complaint becuse she was unable to name the location of the attack.

Subramaniam responded to this on facebook "What an irresponsible answer and a lie it was for the police officer to say this to the press? I am a victim assaulted. Even if what they said was true, isn't it their responsibility to help me to find the place where I was assaulted?"

Perseverance paid off shortly later Kalki posted a facebook status update: "Finally, my FIR registered, promises made by the top level officers to take actions as soon as possible. protection for Auroville women assured with more police patroling and monitoring around Auroville. I believe, the crime prevention measures I recommended will surely be in action soon."

Kalki Subramaniam is founder of the Sahodari foundation empowering India's transgender community who's latest project teaching journalism would be very frightening to those who would desire our community's continued subservience. The world of transphobic haters need to know this, transgender people are one, united world wide. When you attack one of us you attack us all.

Kalki's lead roll in the critically acclaimed movie Narthaki is of great importance to the transgender community. The traditional role of transgender people in India's ageless culture validates our existence to pre biblical times.



The story begins with Kalki (Kalki) a transgender who is a classical dance artist, recounting her life's story to a journalist.

Synopsis:

Her life begins in Vilar, Thanajavur, as a young boy Subbu (Aswin), the son of a Silambam exponent (Karate Venkatesh) and a home-maker with a keen interest in dance. The boy grows up watching his mother, drawn to feminine adornments, and dresses.

He first discovers his attraction to his own sex as an adolescent, in itself an awkward episode. His cousin Meena (Leema) tries to engage his affections, but has no success. Matters explode when Subbu's parents come to know of this, and the boy, thrown out of his home, runs away.

It is after this point that the story actually picks up pace. You're shown the terrible strain faced by a young man who's confused by his sexual identity, and finds refuge with others like him in Mumbai. His gradual transformation into a woman, the pain he undergoes, both physical and mental, and his embracing of his identity is shown in neat and touching detail. A new world is thrown open to you, and it's a fascinating, although depressing, one.

Greek Transsexuals Are Being Rounded Up, Arrested and Threatened In a Pre Pride CrackDown

Amidst the Greek government's ongoing draconian reaction to the recent protests and the subsequent silencing of the media, there is yet another untold story of human suffering. The police at the bequest of the Orthodox church are targeting law abiding transgender residents of the northern city of Thessaloniki in a bid to terrorize the LGBT community by breaking the weakest link, before the city's second Pride.

*Update Aug. 12 Please sign the petition Tell EU Member States: Save Greek "undesirables" from internment camps!

The Transgender citizens of this city are already marginalized, and desperately need the world to know about this. This is not an isolated or one time occurrence. August 9th 2012 while conducting operation ‘Xenios Zeus’ Greek police detained and arrested 25 transgender woman during that one night. It wasn't until April 17th 2013 that the last of the woman were acquitted.

Source grr Reporter: The police in Thessaloniki has been carrying out a series of ungrounded arrests of transgender persons as stated by the Greek Transgender Support Association. "According to written complaints filed by our members who live in Thessaloniki, it is clear that from 30 May 2013 onwards, the police have been carrying out purges and arrests of transgender citizens on a daily basis. The same complaints state that those arrested are being taken to the police headquarters in Thessaloniki in Dimokratia Square, where the victims are waiting for at least three or four hours to be identified under the pretext that the authorities should establish whether the particular person was not a prostitute," reads an address of the non-governmental organization (NGO).

The Association stresses that the police behaviour during the arrests was offensive, humiliating and that it was intended to undermine the dignity of transgender persons. In three of the complaints, the victims note that traffic policemen had stopped transgender women while they were driving their cars without any proof or suspicion of any fault or violation of the law. Later, they were taken to the police station in order for their identity to be verified.

The testimonies of a large number of victims suggest that before being released from custody, the policemen threatened transgender women, warning them that if they did not "return to normal", legal proceedings against them would be initiated for indecent behavior in public places.



From the press release of the "Σωματείο Υποστήριξης Διεμφυλικών" (Greek Transgender Support Association) "Middle ages fascist police practices of Thessaloniki" the NGO's attorney, Electra Leda Koutra, talks about being arrested for trying to speak with the transgender people jailed during the sweeps that police begun on May 30th:

"I just got back from the police station, after a marathon night in Thessaloniki. [I]..suffered the most devastating mental violence experience of my life, from police officers, who I then sued for a multitude of crimes against me, including felony. Very briefly: When I wanted to visit my transgender client, who was in a detention center for the 3rd time in 4 days (like many transgender within the last 5 days, due to some sort of order they should be "cleared" from specific points in Thessaloniki), I was obstructed to see her. When I managed to get in, after calling the central alarm number of the police "100" and complaining about the obstacles being imposed on the communication of a prisoner with her lawyer, the officer on duty threw me too in the detention center of the police station and locked me inside, where there were mostly prostitutes, without informing me about the reason of putting me into custody."

The fascist police practices remind us of the middle ages and are not associated with any kind of rule of law.

The association for the Support of transgender people, declares that it will resort to justice, as well as to international organizations and forums asking for the condemnation of the Greek State, which on the one hand is responsible for the brutal trampling of the human rights of transgender people and of the lawyer who defended them, and on the other hand for the straight violation of every concept of application of law.

We honestly feel ashamed that the lawyer and President of the Greek human rights organization Pleiades Leda Koutra, Electra, suffered all this unbelievable humiliation and mental violence. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her perseverance and support to our struggle, and we apologize to her for those who made her suffer all this, giving the promise that they will be held accountable.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Electra Leda Koutra makes it known on her facebook page , she respects the majority of police:

"The fact that I have a very beautiful experience of my relationship with policemen who honor their oath and love out their duties despite the destitution, in terms of working conditions, salary, etc., to which and have condemned the policies of this site, I'm angry yet more serving persons as the perpetrator of the crime against me and sadly tarnished the image of the other. Please don't generalize on my wall with statements like "all policemen etc." because I have no appetite to help hate speech against any group.

The agenda for the ThessalonikiPride via Facebook: