9/5/13

Victory in San Antonio! LGBT protections adopted, Transgender exclusionary language removed!

The San Antonio City Council has just passed a municipal Nondiscrimination Ordinance that prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The ordinance passed on a vote of 8-3, with Council Members Elisa Chan, Carlton Soules, and Ivy Taylor voting against the measure.
The ordinance is an update of existing city code, and for the first time adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status as protected classes.

Specifically, the ordinance prohibits discrimination:

in municipal employment (city employees),
by municipal contractors (third party contractors with the city),
on city boards and commissions,
in citywide housing, and
in citywide public accommodations.

Objectionable language dealing with transgender bathroom access was removed from the ordinance. The language had previously been added to a draft version of the ordinance last week. Council member Rey Saldana successfully offered an amendment from the dais removing the objectionable language.

 Lauryn Farris, who is on the Alamo Area Board of Directors for the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) and a member of the San Antonio Gender Association (Saga) said this about what she called a "fully inclusive ordinance":
I am blessed to be able to be here and work with the most awesome LGBT community anywhere. To an individual or organization when we agreed that we were all in it together they never wavered.


Send a letter of thanks via Equality Texas to Mayor Castro and our fair minded council members.

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Councilwoman Elisa Chan! Calling for integrity and transparency! Are you serious Chan? I guess you have no where to go but further down your hole since your lies and derailing were exposed in that secret recording. You have no shame.

Have you faced heath care discrimination? HHS is accepting comments on health reform

Via email from the Trevor Project:






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We Need Your Help! Share Your Stories About Discrimination in Health Care


Dear LGBTQI reader,


The Affordable Care Act, often known as Obamacare, includes important provisions to protect patients from discrimination in health care, including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Right now, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is in the process of deciding just how robust those protections will be.

To help understand the experiences of our community, HHS is asking for examples of the kind of discrimination that LGBTQ people face in health care settings. No one can tell your story better than you can, so today we are asking you to share your health care discrimination experiences with us.  We will collect your stories and submit them to HHS to be part of the official record considered as they move forward in deciding how best to implement these important nondiscrimination provisions.

For example, this could include times that you felt disrespected by a provider because of your LGBTQ identity, times that you received substandard care, or times when the identity-specific care you needed was not covered by your insurance. These nondiscrimination provisions will apply to all kinds of providers, so please think about your experiences receiving both physical and mental health services. 

Help us tell HHS why robust nondiscrimination protections are so necessary to ensure LGBTQ people have equal access to health care!

Very truly yours,  
Alison Gill
Government Affairs Director
The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide
prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
For more information visit TheTrevorProject.org














9/3/13

Watch: Denver Wrangler gay bar Deny Entry To a Drag Queen Telling Him He's Not Transgender

Got this message via Facebook from Jed Rosenberg of the Denver Wrangler demanding I take a picture down which was being used under the "Fair Use"  exception to the copyright law. New images courtesy of the creative geniuses at Transadvocate where this is cross posted.


Fair Use:
Commentary, Criticism, Parody. 

                                                                                           
My name is Jed Rosenberg and I'm an online marketing consultant for the Denver Wrangler. I couldn't find an email for you, so I'm writing you today via Facebook to request the removal of an image that appears on the blog site, http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/, specifically on your authored blog article, "Watch: Denver Wrangler gay bar Deny Entry To a Drag Queen Telling Him He's Not Transgender" (http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2013/09/watch-denver-wrangler-gay-bar-deny.html). The name of the file is "lugg.png"
The Denver Wrangler did not give you permission to use the image on your blog and violates their legal rights. Could you please take it down? I wanted to ask you first before submitting a report to Blogger.
Also, this image appears in your Facebook images and timeline in a related post on September 3, 2013. Can you please remove that image as well?

As time goes on more people people are speaking up about the Wranglers history. This is a screen grab from the Wranglers website from around 2007 according to Daniel Gonzales who posted it to Boycott the Denver Wrangler facebook page. This image has since been removed from the Denver Wrangler website.



Update 9/12/13The Denver Wrangler has pressured You Tube into sending a privacy statement to Vito, threatening to take the video down. ANYONE who has tried to get youtube to respond to a request to review videos knows what it means to be frustrated.

Vito posted this to the Boycott Denver Wrangler Facebook page:

The Wrangler is shaking! I just got a YouTube Privacy Violation threat. Even though they knew they were being videotaped, even though it was on a public sidewalk, even though I clearly state I'm uploading the video, even though it has been up for days, it seems that as this people become aware the Wrangler continues its systematic policy of retaliation.

Facebook is not letting me post this on saying it is a 'security' risk. Out of the 2100 blogspot articles I have posted on facebook THIS ONE post is a security risk?



Now back to the original story......



Drag artist Vito John Marzano was denied admittance to the Denver Bear bar the Wrangler because according to the manager his license did not match his gender expression. This was in direct violation of the Colorado Department of regulatory agencies (Dora) Public Accommodations Discrimination policy posted below.



This was not the first time the Wrangler has been called out on transphobia. Autumn Sandeen posted about this bar while while trying to find a trans friendly watering hole for a upcoming visit to Denver on Pams House Blend in 2008.



The Wrangler has since removed that discrimination policy from their website but obviously they still adhere to it in thought word and deed.

Vito John Marzano posted this to the facebook group "Boycott the Denver Wrangler":
"The Denver Wrangler has a well documented history of discriminating against people whose perceived gender identity on their ID does not match how they present."

"I did not know this until the night of 8/31, when I went there in Drag after a drag pageant at Hamburger Mary's. I was denied entry for the above stated policy by General Manager Phil and the Assistant Manager Pat."

The Denver Wrangler managed to get Youtube to take the video of them ejecting Vido :(


 


But you can still watch it on Vimeo :)


Wrangler Video from Vito Marzano on Vimeo.


Vito John Marzano continues:
"I pointed out that Colorado has an anti-discrimination law against transphobia, their response is that I am not trans. I asked how would they know the difference and they tried to say the first step for any trans individual is to get a new ID from the state. I then got into a four minute argument with them (all on video) about this discriminatory policy. Their response was very clear: no drag queens, no trans (unless your ID matches your gender identity), and nobody who doesn't adhere to their myopic view of masculinity. I also want to point out that after this incident, I went into three different bars (two of which are straight) with my ID and asked the bartender if they would serve me. They were shocked I was even asking and more shocked that a gay bar on Denver would do this. Then women started telling me how they are discriminated and treated horribly by the Denver Wrangler when they have gone with their friends."

"This entire policy is bullshit. Not only is drag an integral part of LGBT culture, our trans- and genderqueer kin should not be denied entry into an established whose primary function is to take money from the LGBT community. I am also going to point out that that Denver Wrangler has been previously challenged. Their "policy" was taken off their website. It may not be on their website but it is still going strong and it is enforced by the bar staff."

"The LGBT community needs to come together and fight any form of discrimination, even if it comes from our own community. Boycott the Denver Wrangler until they treat all of their patrons equally."
Update 9/5/13 

The Wrangler Retaliates and threatens allies and boyfriends on the Rush Rugby Team. A email forwarded to me by Vito John Marzano.



Colorado Law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation based on certain protected classes (characteristics). Examples of prohibited discriminatory practices include: terms of service; denial of full and equal service; intimidation; failure to accommodate; access; conditions; privileges; advertising; and retaliation. A place of public accommodation can be a: bar; restaurant; financial institution; school or educational institution; health club; theater; hospital; museum or zoo; hotel or motel; public club; retail store; medical clinic; public transportation; nursing home; recreational facility or park; and library.

Colorado law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. By legal definition, sexual orientation means heterosexuality, homosexuality (lesbian or gay), bisexuality, and transgender status. Transgender status means a gender identity or gender expression that differs from societal expectations based on gender assigned at birth.

Denver Wrangler on Facebook and on Twitter.


9/2/13

Obama to сохранить надежду keep LGBT hope alive at St. Petersburg G20


"Four Russian non-governmental organizations told BuzzFeed Monday they had been invited to the meeting, scheduled for this Thursday at St. Petersburg’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. The groups include veteran human rights activists Lev Ponomarev and Lyudmila Alexeyeva, legal aid NGO director Pavel Chikov, and Coming Out, a St. Petersburg-based LGBT organization."

 Coming Out St Petersburg just won a district court battle annulling a lower court ruling finding that the organization is a 'foreign agent'. The director would have been fined 300,000 Rubles ($9,000 US Dollars) if the ruling stood.

"Another local LGBT group, the LGBT Network, is believed to be attending, though director Igor Kochetkov declined to comment to BuzzFeed, saying that he had been “asked not to say anything.” 
The LGBT Network Russia is promoting "Keep Hope Alive" on facebook which is a "campaign asking world leaders to challenge Russia on the deteriorating human rights situation and escalating clamp down on civil society in the context of the G20 meeting taking place in St Petersburg on 5-6 September."

Keep Hope Alive from Keep Hope Alive on Vimeo.
"Election monitoring group Golos is also believed to have been invited, though BuzzFeed could not reach its director or deputy director to confirm. Russia’s justice ministry forced Golos, which used to receive funding from USAID, to disband this summer under a law on “foreign agents” that many believed was created specifically to target the group."





"Obama’s trip to Russia for a summit of the Group of 20 industrialized nations comes amid a deep rift between the US and Russia, not least over the countries’ competing stances on Syria. Obama was due to hold a one-on-one meeting with Putin in Moscow before heading to the summit, but abruptly called that off last month in the wake of deteriorating relations and Russia’s sheltering of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. Putin has repeatedly accused members of Russia’s civil society as being in the pay of the U.S. State Department."




9/1/13

Not you mothers Prairie Home Companion



Via Transadvocate
poe is someone who parodies fundamentalism in such a way that it is ridiculous yet simultaneously difficult to tell if the media is real or a parody. The “radio show” mixes absurd reality with absurd comedy to make a deadly serious point.
Enjoy!






San Antonio stopping Trans protections at the bathroom door may mean a full NDO Meltdown

San Antonio's Mayor and Council face a complete loss of support even recall campaigns sans allies with the changes to the proposed amendments to the city's non discrimination Ordinance (NDO).

The new language says:  "Nothing herein shall be construed as directing any policy or practice regarding the use of restrooms, shower rooms, or similar facilities which have been designated for use by persons of the opposite sex."
City attorney Michael Bernard said the language was added to clear up confusion that’s come with the city’s proposal to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes under its nondiscrimination ordinance.
The language change did nothing to placate the bus loads of church partitioners, whipped into a indignant righteous fury by their pastors who spoke out against having trans people in restrooms despite it being made clear that provision had been removed.

Jay Morris-Spriggs state lead for Get Equal Texas had this to say
"This past Tuesday, Councilman Diego Bernal, who authored the ordinance revisions without the "bathroom" exemptions, added such exemptions to the ordinance without notice it consultation with any LGBT leaders within the CAUSA coalition. Since that time, we have been pushing for the language to be removed. We are hopeful that Mayor Castro will not fail our community, and that a new revision will be released on Tuesday."

"If council attempts to include this exemption in the final revision, GetEQUAL TX will pull it's support for the entirety of the ordinance and continue to work on an ordinance that is fully inclusive and leaves no part of our community behind. We have an escalation strategy in place should such exemptions not be removed."

Tiffani FullEquality Bishop a valued and respected Texas advocate posted this comment on the author of the ordinance  Council member Diego M Bernal's wall:


  • Tiffani FullEquality Bishop Diego Bernal - Where is your honor when you throw the trans community under the bus by allowing bathroom amendments to the NDO? Where is your courage? Where is your commitment? With the LGB and not T apparently. Shameful! Beyond disappointed. Is this how you have our backs when we're protesting those trying to remove you?!
    Like · Reply · 1 · August 27 at 10:43pm via mobile
  • Diego M. Bernal Tiffani- I think you're mistaken. Again, it's an ordinance. Like I tell the other side, I'm happy to sit down and talk with you about it. Set it up. 2077279.


At the meeting District 9 Councilwoman Elisa Chan expressed her own lack of knowledge in the area as she promised to do in this secretly recorded meeting with staff members . She became concerned about an example that a transgender woman could use the restroom with her 13 year old daughter under the ordinance.

City Attorney Michael Bernard said "beyond the legal answer, (meaning we would remain in violation of the law) there is a practical one."

"People are going to go to the restroom the same place and the same way two weeks from now they did two weeks ago," he said. "Nobody checks the plumbing, nobody does a chromosome count. Things will get back to normal."

City attorney Michael Bernard said the language was added to clear up confusion that’s come with the city’s proposal to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes under its nondiscrimination ordinance.
Bernard said no matter what the city decides, nothing will change.
As abhorrent as that philosophy is there is a grain of truth to it. I fully supported the Fort Worth NDO as a transgender resident but at the time I did not understand the provision that stopped our protected class at the bathroom door.

In the years that have followed I have not had the police called on me for using the ladies room but I am, a) passable and 2) legally a woman.

But that could change at anytime. My home state of Ohio does not amend or reissue birth certificates so if the legality of my being in the ladies room was challanged in court I could go to jail.

Bernard would be correct. With his amendment nothing changes. I live in constant awareness and fear my life that I have worked so hard at, may end at any moment. For using the bathroom. OMG.

Sources have told me off the record that Causa coalition partners will pull there support of the ordinance if the exclusionary language is retained. This has of course angered Mayor Castro disrupting his plans to keep transgender people out of the full equality equation.
The opposition to the NDO has used the Fort Worth Non Discrimination policy  as an example apparently successfully to pressure council member  Deigo M Bernal to edit  full equality out (in green):


I talked to Lauryn Farris, Alamo Area Board of Directors Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) and a member of the San Antonio Gender Association (Saga) who said
"We have been in contact with the mayor and are confident that the language will be changed and hopefully it will be changed to something we can support."

"I feel confident that nether SAGA or TENT would support the NDO should it have discriminatory language"
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