12/13/08

Why Should I?

"Why Should I?"

This is the response I received from a religious leader after he read my scathing note critiquing his behaviour during a transgender event and an invitation to continue the conversation.

I think it gave him the opportunity to slam the door shut.

Why should you care about the effect your actions are having on the gender variant?

By allowing your religion to lend credence to violence committed against gender variant people you are fueling the unbroken cycle of of violence and condemning us to horrific deaths. By being the leader of a major religion you are amplifying this message in a way that none other could, that we are less than you.

What is your motivation? Not the little voices to be sure. Or could that be why you got so angry? Is that why when I attend church some pastors look at me with such fear?
Look at me with fear! My god man, it's not my physical stature for sure. No it only could be one thing.

The Truth.

The fear is that I exposure our monetarily driven religions and the duplicity it nurtures by it's continuation of profiteering from the brutal transgender murders.

What is HRC's Motivation? Make one or two million dollars a night and hand local churches and 501's their 1 for 5 payoffs. Whats the hurry to change anything?Everyone is fat and happy.

Except you. When I show up. And the dead, and oh yeah, Jesus.

By Kelli Busey
December 13, 2008
planetransgender

12/11/08

Join The Impact Light Up The Night In Dallas December 20

Join the Impact is organizing a nationwide rally to take place on December 20, 2008.



On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector.

National food drives, culminating with candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE

WHAT IS IT?
Dallas - LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FOR EQUALITY
On Saturday, December 20th, JoinTheImpact.com asks that you join them again for a nationwide rally. Candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for everyone.
The Dallas vigil will be held outside the Galleria and want to stress we are not protesting the Galleria. Many locals and tourists will be passing by as they carry on a 26 year tradition of visiting the Galleria during the holidays for their shopping needs. This will be a peaceful candlelight vigil in the spirit of the holidays. No protest signs please.

Please click link for directions Join the Impact

12/7/08

Fish Out of Water

Fish Out of Water - "Every thing you have ever heard about homosexuality and the Bible is going to be turned inside Out!"

Center Stage Chicago theater editor Alicia Eler interviews film maker and director Ky Dickens about her forthcoming revolutionary Ani-Doc film Fish Out of Water.

Fish Out of Water Trailer part 1



Fish Out of Water Trailer part 2


By kelli Busey
Dec. 07, 2008
planetransgender

Colorado Teens Protest Transphobic Schools


Colorado Springs Gazette.com Transgender teen decries hate at schools. A group of 25 Transgender teens and allies gathered to protest unacceptable treatment in Colorado High Schools and Colleges.

According to the protesters the shared experience of transphobia in school can be mainly attributed to a ignorant faculty who's binary conception of gender is reflected and amplified in the student bodies transphobic interactions.

When a person's gender identity is stifled by a unknowledgeable (ignorant) school faculty eventually the condition will become intolerable for the youth and can lead to the loss of that person to society.

When I attended a medical school I was humiliated by my instructors. Despite my best efforts before the semester began to introduce myself and subsequent strenuous objections I was constantly addressed with the wrong gender. I was allowed to use the faculties one stall woman's restroom, but this only increased my isolation and disenfranchisement. While in the halls the whispered degrading comments, laughter and finger pointing became increasingly frequent and blatant as students mimicked teachers unveiled bigotry making me extremely self conscious and eventually fearful for my very safety. Granted I was very early in transition and my appearance was not polished but the feeling of failure after escaping this intolerable situation was nearly unbearable. It was after all, my only life experience to that point.

Since then I have been successful in obtaining a physical appearance and mental state which nicely matches my gender and I am gainfully employed. My life has become meaningful and my passion for living intensely rewarding.

If we value all youth we must honor that obligation. All schools must work to become educated, understanding of, and sensitive to gender variant youth. It is a teachers obligation to afford equal opportunity to all not just the ones that fit effortlessly and conveniently in line with patriarchal preconceptions.

Related article Students protest dorm bigotry and violence

By kelli Busey
Dec 07, 2008
planetransgender

12/6/08

Support LGBT Measures passing in Cleveland



Date: Monday, December 8, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Cleveland City Hall
Street: 601 Lakeside Ave.
City/Town: Cleveland, OH

Google Maps

Contact Info Phone: 216-651-5428x12
Email: sdoerfer@lgbtcleveland.org

Please read the Action Alert below. We need as many people as possible to attend both the Finance Committee Hearing and the City Council Meeting on Monday Dec. 8th. Please do everything you can to be there yourself….and forward this to as many people as you can think of.



This is important as it sets a standard for other cities in Ohio! Even if you don't live in Cleveland it impacts YOU! Stand up for the rights of your community!

ACTION ALERT!

Friday Dec.

5th, 2008

The Legislation Committee of Cleveland City Council heard testimony on both the domestic partnership registry and inclusion of gender identity in the city's anti-discrimination law. Both measures passed on to the Finance Committee for hearing.



TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION

Your help is needed to ensure passage of this legislation.

There are several ways you can support this effort:

TODAY (Friday Dec. 5th)

Call your City Council representative (from where you live OR work) and ask them to support the Domestic Partner Registry and the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Ordinances.

Ask 5 people to do the same thing!

MONDAY(Dec. 8th)

Attend the Finance Committee Hearing 9:45am - 12noon. The Finance Committee will be hearing both ordinances. Both Ordinances need to pass out of the Finance Committee for a vote of the Council.

Ask 5 of your friends to attend with you!

Attend the City Council Meeting 7pm to support the voting, and hopefully to celebrate passage, of these changes to Cleveland City Law. Come early to ensure a seat. Ask 10 of your friends to attend with you.

Cleveland City Hall
Council Chambers
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH

It is crucial that your city council representatives hear from their constituents so they know there is popular support for equality issues. It is important to show strong support through attendance at the Finance Committee Hearing and the City Council Meeting.

For further information or with questions, contact:
Sue Doerfer, sdoerfer@lgbtcleveland.org, 216-651-5428 x12



Sue Doerfer

Gainesville Florida gains in Equality Challenged

By kelli Busey
Dec. 06, 2008
planetransgender

Gainesville Florida a city of vision.

A misleading petition campaign which fostered fear of sexual predators is bringing to vote a proposed amendment whether to allow stand equality afforded presently by this cities laws. The petition campaign gathered the necessary votes by expounding on fear of sexual deviants who would for some reason would suddenly care about societies law and and attack woman in bathrooms now all people in Gainesville are allowed equal rights. This cities determination to protect it's citizenry is being brought to a vote on March 24, 2009.

>snip>

According to Gainesville.com Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan emphasized Thursday that without the city's added protections, it is perfectly legal for a business owner to refuse to serve a gay person or for a landlord to deny housing to a transgender individual.

She said the city has chosen to protect these people from discrimination.

"If you take away your community's right to do that and cede that right to the state, then you defacto say, that, 'OK, we are willing to allow those discriminations.' "

>snip<

The petition sponsor "Citizens for Good Public Policy" who orginally objected to transgender people being included in human rights objected to the wording the Council choose for the proposed admendment which clarified which class of people would loose protection as "Gender Idenity" should the admendment pass.