9/30/10

Turn it up Thursday! Share your passion


Something new for planetransgender, a weekly feature of new groundbreaking exciting efforts by LGBT peeps and allies.

Featured Today! Psychology Degree. The site has among other things a page called "50 Brave Blog Posts About Coming Out"..

I love this. Someone who is promoting other peoples work asks me to introduce it to you! I will in turn ask you to share also! Yeah baby, lets share.

One of the 50 stories about coming out is from one of my very favorite bloggers "Card carrying Lesbian" by Sasha. Well, she's s hot, outrageous, funny muff diving outspoken lesbian. Whats not to love?

One more extraordinary story is about a Methodist Minister, the Rev. David Weekley who after accompanying for the first time his congregation on it's annual pilgrimage to Minidoka, a former internment camp in Idaho, got him thinking about sharing his transgender story with the Japanese-American congregation he serves at Epworth United Methodist Church.

Two of the incredible stories about coming out that will touch you and help those who wish to learn about us.

Got something to share? Send it to me at kellibusey@yahoo.com

9/28/10

Mona Shores Superintendent Babbitt's Abdication of Morality and Stolen Transman's Crown Protested by Students

The following press release is the sanitized terse legalistic statement issued by the Mona Shores superintendent who defended his actions that resulted in a stolen election, a homecoming king dethroned and a disenfranchised student body. The Statement did not comment on the moral issues not taken into account in this travesty of democracy.

According to the WoodTV article that accompanies the video (right top) the dethroned transman Oakleigh Marshall, was grateful that the School will allow him to dress in a tux. I think he shows incredible class in being thankful for being allowed to wear clothes!

# #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mona Shores Public Schools:
Statement To The Media:
Norton Shores, MI—September 27, 2010— Superintendent of Schools
Terry L. Babbitt shared today that Mona Shores High School has earned a
long-standing and well-deserved reputation for providing a safe, secure,
and nurturing environment for all students. Past and present students, staff,
and administrators all share in the credit for building this proud legacy.

Superintendent Babbitt pointed out High School Administrators were
guided by district legal counsel last week when conducting and carrying
out 2010 Homecoming activities. Superintendent Babbitt further shared
this is not the first time HS administrators have had to turn to legal counsel
for guidance this school year. The district respectfully obtained a formal
legal opinion from school district counsel early last month to guide
building and district actions this school year.

Superintendent Babbitt said the district will continue to follow district legal
counsel when dealing with additional questions that arise in the future.

Contact:
Questions can be directed to:
Mr. Terry L. Babbitt
Superintendent of Schools
231.780.4751, Ext. 8201
# #

Did the superintendent Babbitt consider how this action might influence the students as they integrate into society? After being victims of this stolen election will these students value the democratic electoral proccess? Or would now morality and ethic's become secondary to winning should one of these students become embroiled in a political race? Would now it become acceptable to win no matter what the means?

In the minds of these young people becoming the winner may now entail being the one who commits the most grievous underhanded tricks. It may now seem justifiable to steal votes or just plain over the top invalidation of electoral results even if that entailed violence and declaring themselves the winner?

The links on the facebook page and other media recommends contacting the school paper and the local media to voice a opinion. None of these have any mention of this incident.

I will contact Mr Babbitt by phone and email these two contacts in hopes of impressing on them the magnitude of this disservice.

Mr. Terry L. Babbitt
Superintendent of Schools
231.780.4751, Ext. 8201

Stuart Jones Board President
Contact Form
Phone: (231) 798-3104
2009-2010 President

Direct all other inquiries related to discrimination to:

Todd Geerlings
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mona Shores Public Schools
Contact Form
3374 McCracken Street Muskegon, MI 49441
(231) 780-4751, ext. 8210


Wiki Electoral_fraud

In national elections, successful electoral fraud can have the effect of a coup d'état or corruption of democracy. In a narrow election a small amount of fraud may be enough to change the result. If the result is not affected, fraud can still have a damaging effect if not punished, as it can reduce voters' confidence in democracy. Even the perception of fraud can be damaging as it makes people less inclined to accept election results. This can lead to the breakdown of democracy and the establishment of a dictatorship.
Electoral fraud is not limited to political polls and can happen in any election where the potential gain is worth the risk for the cheater; as in elections for labor union officials, student councils, sports judging, and the awarding of merit to books, films, music or television programmes.

The subsequent interview is with a empathetic well meaning student who's unintentional misgendering of Oak is indicative of the long way that West Michigan has to go to catchup in equality in this state where the assistant AG blogs intimidation and false accusations towards a gay university student body president.

TEXANS! Another child is bullied to death DEMAND ACTION!



Another Texas child has been bullied to death.
Thirteen-year old Asher Brown committed suicide on September 23, 2010. He shot himself in the head after enduring what his mother and stepfather say was constant harassment from four other students at Hamilton Middle School in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. Brown's parents said they had complained about the bullying to Hamilton Middle School officials during the past 18 months, but claimed their concerns fell on deaf ears. [Houston Chronicle story]
This is the same school district in which Langham Creek High School freshman Jayron Martin was repeatedly beaten with a metal pipe last November. Martin said he had asked for help from two principals and a bus driver, but it took a neighbor with a shotgun to stop the beating. [KHOU story]
DEMAND ACTION!
There is simply no excuse for failing to protect school children. The State of Texas is obligated to provide a safe learning environment.
Under current law, students are not specifically protected from bullying and harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Current law does not establish a uniform state school conduct policy and does not provide for monitoring or enforcement of independent school district policies.
This coming January, for the third legislative session, Equality Texas will be working to pass safe schools legislation. It will not pass until lawmakers know it is a top priority for their constituents. During the 81st Legislative Session, Rep. Mark Strama filed a bill relating to safe schools for all youth. While it was voted favorably out of committee, it died on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. Will this be the session to finally pass a safe schools bill?
Ask your state representative to take the issues of bullying and harassment seriously by supporting the passage of safe schools legislation - legislation that would protect all children, including children of lesbian or gay parents and teens who are gay.
DEMAND ACTION NOW!
Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

9/27/10

Queer Activists Commence SOS: NYC Congressional Vigil For Equality Bill



RELEASE:
For immediate release (9/27/10).
Media Contact: Iana DiBorna, 718-309-8598,
queersos@gmail.com

Today, Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, NYC activists will commence a daily vigil Standing OutSide of Senator Gillibrand’s campaign office at 15 W. 26th Street, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. to urge the Senator to take action for LGBTQ inclusion in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The demand is that Gillibrand file a bill to start this process called The American Equality Bill (AEB) which would add “sexual orientation & gender identity” (SO+GI) to all U.S. nondiscrimination laws, consistent with her campaign platform announced last October, 2009 (http://bit.ly/GillibrandCRAoct09).

The AEB was created by veteran activists Karen Doering, Esq. and Juan Ahonen-Jover, Ph.D., and is supported by www.equalitygiving.org and www.actonprinciples.org, as well as grassroots activists around the country.

“We need a bill worthy of our dignity to organize around and we will wait no longer,” said Iana DiBona a lead SOS! organizer. “It’s been 46 years since the ’64 CRA passed, how long must we wait to start the process?”

Activists maintain that it is long-past time that our community demand equal inclusion in the 1964 laws that protect everyone else in American from discrimination.

It was after all, Bayard Rustin, a black gay hero who helped lead the black civil rights movement and created the March on Washington where MLK gave his Dream Speech, almost 50 years ago.

“In ’64, we were shoved aside and Mr. Rustin’s civil rights and ‘sexual orientation’ were excluded from America’s non-discrimination laws,” said Todd (Tif) Fernandez, the Campaign Facilitator for The AEB Project (on FB at http://bit.ly/AEBnow). “Our time has come, our dignity demands it.”

The action – called THE QUEER SOS! – will involve sentries Standing OutSide Gillibrand’s office every day, all day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) until the bill is filed. If no action is taken, on October 11th – National Coming Out Day – the vigil will go around the clock (24/7), and, as of Nov. 2nd, some members will begin a water-only fast to demonstrate the urgency.

Each day at noon there will be a “Homophobia Kills Die-In” to bring attention to the fact that LGBTQ people commit suicide or are killed regularly due to this country’s on-going sanction of homophobia.

“Homophobia kills,” said Alan Bounville, a founding member of Queer Rising NYC, “and each day that Congress fails to include us in the Civil Rights Act they are complicit with more of these deaths.”

The Queer SOS! daily vigil and community commune will feature art, music performances and friendship, amidst steady activism. See the schedule at www.queersos.com, or just come by.

PERFOMERS and ACTIVISTS can sign up for sentry duty, or to perform by emailing queersos@gmail.com, or at www.queersos.com – or just show up – 15 W. 26th Street/Broadway.

Follow The QUEER SOS! – on FB & Twitter.

NOTE: The AEB Project is all grassroots, all volunteer. The AEB adds SO+GI (sexual orientation and gender identity) to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, giving full and equal federal non-discrimination/civil rights protections to over 30 million LGBTQ Americans in every state with one bill – covering housing, employment, credit, public places, gov’t buildings (including schools), and all federally funded programs (like HIV and health programs, homeless youth, adoption, etc.) (see bill and FAQ at: www.queersos.com).

9/26/10

Protest Democracy INACTION at Kay Bailey Hutchison's Offices Austin

Monday, October 11 · 6:00pm - 11:30pm

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Location Outside Kay Bailey Hutchison's Offices
300 E 8th St
Austin, TX

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Created By EAA Texas: Austin Branch

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More Info In the face of widespread support for LGBT equality, we get inaction from Democrats and hostility from Republicans. Join EAA Austin in sending a clear message to both parties that WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO! Get out there with us and show 'em what democracy looks like!

On Facebook No, YOU'RE FIRED! Democracy Inaction Protest

$5,000 reward offered in conjunction with Myra Ical Murder Mystery

Mathew, who anonymously wrote Cristan Williams the executive director of the Transgender Foundation in Montrose maybe in line for a substantial reward should he contact police. Included in Mathews letter were the times and locations that he came into contact with the alleged murderer. Also included was the first name of the murderer.



Not included was a way for police to contact Mathew. The transgender community hopes he will come forward before this violent person acts again.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information leading that leads to the arrest of a suspect. Anyone with tips is asked to call the hot line at 713-222-8477. Full story at abclocal.go.com