El Paso's New Non Discrimination Policy Is Nothing New

May 11th voters in El Paso will go to the polls to decide if the city's employees fair treatment policy should migrate from city ordinance to become part of it's charter. Most Texan cities have accomplished this step in one form or another, but there are opponents to this move in El Paso.

The council of churches have been very vocal in there opposition citing these three reasons, warning of terrible consequences should this 'new' amendment be approved:

1. "Immutability". The Council says because ones sexual affinity may change during ones life time affording a person who is attracted to the same sex equality is unreasonable and unfair.

2. "Freedom of Speech". The council isn't concerned about there right to say what they want inside there churches. They are worried if a person attacks a LGBT person verbally while on the the towns time that person could be disciplined.

3. "Privacy": "We are also concerned that men who claim to be transsexuals, whether true or not, could use the amendment to enter the women's restrooms on city grounds."

I will address each of the Council of Churches concerns.

1. The Council of churches has stated in so many words that they are opposed to homosexuals if nothing more than the fact they are homosexual. And yes there are bisexual transsexuals myself being one. I have a reasonable expectation of fair treatment regardless of whether I am dating a man or a woman just like a purely homosexual or hetroesexual person does.

2. By admitting your concerns your freedom to intimidate in the workplace may be curtailed you have made a best case for protecting our minority.

3. The bathroom meme is a fallacy, a disproved fear mongering tactic. There has never been a case where a pervert stated in a court of law, he felt empowered when before he didn't by a ordnance affording public accommodations provisions to transgender people. Ever.

Furthermore good council of churches, the amendment makes no mention of public accommodations. This just Fear mongering in its purest sense.

Incredibly given the council of Church's dire warnings the sky hasn't already fallen.

El Paso's city Trans employees have been enjoyed equal opportunities since 2006 and people in domestic partnerships have been receiving benefits since 2011, the same ones that this amendment will codify.

I asked El Paso Council member Susie Byrd if LGBT people are already were covered by the city, then why a vote? Council woman Byrd explained "we are asking the voters to make fair treatment of all people, not just LGBT folks, part of our cities charter insuring this practice continues"

But not everyone is please especially an affiliate of the infamous alliance defending freedom Pastor Brown who's church's anti LGBT political activities were investigated by the DA in 2011.

Click Here To Watch Video

Pastor Brown told Fox News in this interview "We don't think people that practice homosexual sex need government endorsement or governmental protections as a class."

Brown says because the amendment includes transsexuals that woman would lose there privacy "Men who claim to be transsexual whether they are or not, can go into a women's restroom and we don't think thats right."

El Paso council member Susie Byrd responded to Brown: "I think that pastor Brown has a unique obsession which creates a lot of odd delusional thinking."

She says the amendment basically says you can't discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Please register to vote here!

2nd Casting Call For the Erotic Trans Doc "Doing It Again"

[text from the website] Please help spread the word – we're doing a second round of casting for the erotic documentary Doing it Again specifically looking to cast scenes of trans women with trans partners. We're looking for couples, friends, fuckbuddies, and individuals willing to be paired with someone – yes that includes trans men applying individually!

(If you’ve already applied before, please see the note at the top of the new casting call for what this means for you).

Anyone who is trans can apply but we’re specifically trying to get more submissions from:
* Trans Men – as a part of a relationship or individually to be paired with a trans woman.
* People of color
* People in existing relationships (especially long term)
* People over 40
* People in or near Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland

We are especially looking for:
* People of color,
* People over 40
* Trans men
* People in mid to long term relationships

(Note about genderqueers: Trans folks who are genderqueer are certainly welcome to apply for this volume, but be aware that there is a separate volume specifically around genderqueer identity, that this volume will not discuss genderqueer identity in detail, and as a side effect there is a risk you will be read as having a binary gender identity. Please gauge your own comfort level with this.)

WHAT PARTICIPATION ENTAILS?

Participation will include both an interview about your experience of relationship and hookup dynamics and unscripted sexual activity in whatever form that sexual activity takes in your life. If possible, this will be broken up into two shoots, each taking approximately 1 to 3 hours of time (including setup, paperwork, etc). You will be compensated $200 for participating in this project. You must be 18 years of age or older and have photo identification.

People are encourage to apply as a pair or triad (whether they are partners, lovers, friends with benefits, etc.), however, there is a limited ability to pair individuals who apply individually with others who apply individually. Please note that if applying as a pair or triad, each person must fill out the application.

* March 14-18, in Washington DC
* March 19-22, in New York City
* April 2-6, in Toronto
* Mid April, in Vancouver, BC
* May ??, in Victoria, BC (NOT CONFIRMED)
* June 13-15, in Philadelphia (NOT CONFIRMED)
* The rest of the time - Seattle, WA

Clich here for the appication

A Year Has Passed Since Mexican Trans Activist Agnes Torres Murder And Still No Justice

A un año del asesinato de Agnés Torres –activista en pro de los derechos humanos–, el asesino principal está libre, el asesino menor de edad fue sentenciado a sólo tres años de prisión. El proceso legal sigue abierto, los tres culpables restantes no han recibido sentencia. Por si fuera poco, uno de los homicidas pretende obtener su libertad. Por eso es de vital solicitar que el acto criminal no quede impune, que los asesinos se sancionen y que el prófugo sea atrapado.

Agnes Torres forever changing the world...

La discriminación empieza por la boca from Miguel De Lara on Vimeo.

Para que sigas cambiando al mundo, un honor haberte conocido Agnes Torres.

Fragmento del proyecto de tesis elaborada con Johanna Gersch. “La dinámica del Diseño de Información para contrarestrar el desinterés político en los jóvenes mexicanos”, Mayo 2009.

A year after the murder of Agnes Torres activist for human rights, the principal is free and an accomplice was sentenced but only received three years in prison. The legal process is still open, the three remaining culprits have not been sentenced. To make matters worse, one of the murderers sought freedom. So it is of vital request that the criminal act does not go unpunished, that murderers are punished and that the fugitive is caught.

Keep up to date with the facebook group Justice for Agnes Torres Hernandez

Please help bring these criminals to justice by signing the petition Que los asesinos de la activista Agnés Torres sean sentenciados y que el prófugo sea atrapado.

Istanbul Trans Woman Dies Of Injuries Sustained During Police Retaliatory Attack

 This is what gendercide looks like.

The transgender community in Turkey is under attack by it's own goverment. In a apparent retribution for our communities increased visibility a transgender woman beaten during March 7th raids by the police has died.

I can't believe if the 5000 friends I have on facebook only four have 'liked' LGBT Istanbul! This is our family being slaughtered! Please if you care like LGBT Istanbul. Then really care by sharing, bring this human tragedy, this blatant gendercide to the worlds spotlight.

This battle must be joined by the entire transgender community and allies if our dear family is to have any chance at survival.

Colorado School District 8 Notches It Up saying Mathis Family Rejected Invitation To Talk

The Fountain-Fort Carson School District twisted over the negative media attention its receiving about discriminating against Coy, a six year old transgender girl, went on the offensive taking it up a notch hoping to play the victim card.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette "the District will respond to the Civil Rights Complaint filed by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund which “will include its explanation as to why the district believed mediation would be unproductive in light of the parents’ refusal to meet, as well as their unwillingness to consider reasonable proposals offered by the district.”

"The family contends that they met in person in December with the principal of Eagleside Elementary School and also talked by phone with officials, said Michael Silverman, Defense Fund attorney."

"Silverman wrote a letter to the district on Dec. 26 asking that they reconsider the restroom issue, and their response was that there was nothing to talk about."

The school district has until March 17th to file the response.

Reality check.

They gave Coy three options for where to go to the bathroom; the boys' room, the staff bathroom with adults, or the nurse's bathroom which is used by sick children.

Coy is not sick, she is not an adult, and she is not a boy.

She's six years old you pompous self righteous transphobic asshats. She has to use the correct rest room just like all the other LGBT students in Colorado do or she will be ostracized by her classmates.

The School district broke the law by refusing Coy Mathis access to public facilities fitting her gender identity as mandated by state law.

Please support Coy and her family by signing there petition.

Iowa Judge Rules In Favor Of Transwoman and Against Bathroom Deputy

Jodie Jones complied with a Deputy's order to leave the ladies room in 2011. Ms. Jones tried to explain to the deputy that transgender people are covered in Iowa by state law in public accomidations but much to her astonishment and dismay was told by the dupety 'she didn't care about the law'.

Thirteen states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) and the District of Columbia protect transgender people from discrimination in public accommodations. NCLR

Jones will sue if a public apology and settlement isn't obtained. It's a fairly safe bet law enforcement in Iowa is refreshing their knowledge of that law today.

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