Texas Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2009

View Larger MapEvery third day worldwide, a transgender person is murdered because of our gender identity or expression. That is unacceptable. Murdering a gender diverse person is a hate crime specifically intended to victimize an entire segment of society.

Hate crimes targeting a specific demographic due to racial, ethnicity and gender expression is often the most horrific and murderous. Hate so unconscionable societies natural response is to protect us with laws for accountability and additional punishment of the perpetrators.

Sadly, the reality is hate crime laws serve as a deterrent offering a opportunity for reparation and are not a guarantee of indemnity.

Our sorrow is mourned and an awareness created in mid November when we and our allies gather internationally for the Transgender Day of Remember (TDOR) Face Book TDOR

Texas Transgender Day of Remembrances (TDOR)
updated as required.
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Dallas TDOR

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Location: Southern Methodist University Quadrangle, at the Flagpole
Address: 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas TX, 75205
Sponsred by GEAR and OUT and Equal


Fort Worth TDOR

Location: Robert Carr Chapel at TCU
Street: Address: 2855 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76129
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Start: 7:30
Press Release
Facebook Page
Sponsors Bright Divinity School at Texas Christian University, Agape MCC, Trinity MCC, Sexuality Education Center, Ft Worth and the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies


San Antonio TDOR

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time: 6:00am - 9:00am
Location: 611 E Myrtle, San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Gender Association SAGA.org will host and a press release can be found on Facebook Face Book

Austin Texas TDOR

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Front Steps of Austin City Hall
Address: 301 West Second Street, Austin 78701
Sponsred by the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) Face Book page, Central Presbyterian Church, Equality Texas, First United Methodist Church, Gathering Place; Grace United Methodist Church; Jewish QT; Katy Koonce, LCSW; Lutherans Concerned/Austin Central Texas Chapter; MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks; OutYouth; PFLAG of Austin; Trinity United Methodist Church; and Wildflower Church.


Houston TDOR

Event: Transgender Day of Remembrance
What: Ceremony
Start Time: Saturday, November 21 at 6:30pm
End Time: Saturday, November 21 at 10:00pm
Where: Houston Holocaust Museum
Hosted by: Transgender Foundation of America
Houston TDOR Face Book page

Transgender Hate Crimes: Victims, Their Families & Advocates Speak Out

Transgender people face pervasive discrimination, harassment and violence. Leslie Mora and Carmella Etienne—victims of hate crimes in two separate incidents in Queens—are witnesses to the violence that is perpetrated against people because of their gender identity or expression. In its most extreme form, such violence can turn deadly, as it did in the case of Lateisha Green,a young African American woman who was shot and killed, and whose death lead to New York State’s first hate crime trial and conviction stemming from the death of a transgender person.

On Wednesday, October 7th, at 7pm, TLDEF clients Leslie Mora and Carmella Etienne will join Lateisha Green’s family in speaking about their experiences as victims of hate-motivated violence. Michael Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Andy Marra, senior media strategist at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, will discuss the status of gender identity and expression in federal and state hate crime laws, as well as strategies to educate the public through the media on issues of gender identity and expression.
WhatTransgender Hate Crimes: Victims, Their Families & Advocates Speak Out

Where: Brooklyn Law SchoolForchelli Conference Center205 State Street, Brooklyn (map)

WhenWednesday, October 7th7:00 pmCo-SponsorsAnti-Violence Project, Brooklyn Law School, Empire State Pride Agenda, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Make the Road New York, New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), and Queens Pride House.
Dinner and refreshments will be served.This event is free and open to the public.

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Texas District Judge Rules Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

District Judge Tena Callahan's ruling was immediately challenged by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott who maintains that Texas laws prohibiting same sex unions and marriages also deny same gender couples from dissolving these legal unions in Texas.

Judge Callahan believes that becuse federal law was written to protect all Americans it should pertain equally to all.

According to the the Dallas Morning News 'He [Judge Callahan] cited wording in the state Family Code that "the law of this state applies to persons married elsewhere who are domiciled in this state. And he noted that "Black's Law Dictionary defines a person as a 'human being.' "

on the web

Wall Street Journal Law Blog .Dallas Judge Shoots Down Texas’ Ban on Gay Marriage

AP Story Dallas judge clears way for gay divorce

by kelli Busey planetransgender

LDS Church turning away from Gay congregants

A Plea for Reconciliation

Although I am not a member og the LDS I would like to sign the petition for reconciliation. I was deeply affected by the incredible outcry of LDS members who visited my blog in disbelief after prop 8 was passed.

Parents caring for infants from the inner sanctum of the LDS walls, became fear stricken. Bewildered they visited planetransgender in the thousands with hopes of understanding WHY was I publishing Church addresses? WHY were there mobs of angry people just outside their church doors?

In their church sponsored ignorance they cradled their babies fearful of the future and suddenly the walls seemed to tremble. Tragically soon some will hold there children again and cry out in anguish WHY? WHY did my church spurn my child, my life, my hope? My child full of love now lays lifeless and we are destitute without his love.

These losses I mourn from far away and yet today the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints walk further distant, turning their backs, cold and silent as the mountain peaks.

All I can offer today is this tiny voice asking for reconciliation. I ask the LDS to please, step back towards your children, your hope. Today.

RECONCILIATION PETITION REQUEST TO THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Salt Lake Tribune Is LDS Church taking a step back on gay issues

STATISTICS COMPARING UTAH WITH THE U.S. GENERAL POPULATION report says Utah students attempt suicide less than their peers nationally-- 7 percent versus 8 percent.

Now the bad news: The actual rate of suicide in Utah is much higher than the national average.

Of the 15 to 24 year olds who died in 1997, 20 percent killed themselves. That makes suicide the state's second-leading single cause of death behind car accidents.

Brittany Novotny Challanging Sally Kerns in Oklahoma District 84 Race

Transgender woman Brittany Novotny, a lawyer from Oklahoma says its time for legislative action on issues not addressed by incumbent Sally Kerns in her past three terms. Ms. Novotny does not wish that her transgender identity be the focus of the election but recognizes that Kern's hate inspiring diatribes are a contributing factor in her decision to run.

KSBI-TV "Rep. Sally Kern thinks Brittany Novotny has chosen to run against her because Kern is known for her anti-gay comments. And Novotny says she's right."

"The way that plays into it, I feel like she's been in the legislature focusing on issues like that that aren't really facing Oklahoma voters right now," said Brittany Novotny, District 84 Candidate."



Brittany Novotny facebook
Follow on Twitter brittanyokc

Brittany Novotny official web site http://brittany4hd84.com/

Freedom to marry under attack in Maine.

An important message sent on behalf of No on 1 - Protect Maine Equality Campaign

Freedom to marry under attack in Maine.
The freedom to marry is under attack in Maine. We need your help!In less than six weeks, Maine voters will decide on a statewide referendum that could deny same-sex couples the freedom to marry. As usual, anti-gay extremists are doing everything they can to strip LGBT people of this fundamental right. Despite their efforts, polls show the election is very close.But with so much at stake, the No On 1 campaign in Maine needs every one of us to pitch in and make sure that voters in Maine hear from us. It's time to hit the phones!Sign up here to be part of the September 27th Maine Day of Action.

On Sunday, September 27, join thousands of volunteers from across the country who are calling Maine voters.
All you need is a phone and a computer with an internet connection. No long distance fees, no dialing – the web-based software does it all. But it can't sign you up! So do it – sign up here and dial for freedom.
For the past five years, the Task Force has been working side-by-side with our partners in Maine to prepare for this moment. Learn more about our work in Maine.