This is a really great article by David Moran from the Orlando Sentinel. It gives some pretty sobering numbers, but we already knew that, didn't we? I'd like to thank and applaud David for his candor and support! The more and more people like David who become enlightened to the REAL plight of Transgender people makes me believe that WE SHALL OVERCOME this climate of hate & violence and be able to live productive, happy lives!!
New Voices: Transgendered people deserve same rights that others enjoy
By David Moran | Special to the Sentinel
12:00 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2011
A friend of mine recently told me that she was kicked out of a bar in Kissimmee for being transgendered.
She had ordered a drink and was waiting for her friends to arrive when three male bar-staff members confronted her. They accused her of being a man. She was told she was not welcome there and was escorted out.
My friend thinks the bouncer at the front door suspected she was transgendered after looking at her identification, and that he notified the bar staff. My friend was not disorderly, violent or causing a scene. She was simply a paying customer out for drinks with friends, minding her own business.
I am appalled that my friend would be kicked out of a bar simply for being transgendered. Should all diabetics or people with high blood pressure be thrown out of bars, too? Her transition from male to female is to accommodate a medical condition, just like insulin or blood-pressure medicine are methods of treatment.
What kind of example does this set for youth? That it is OK to bully people and treat certain individuals like second-class citizens because they are different?
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network found in its 2009 National School Climate Survey that nearly nine out of 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students experienced harassment at school in the past year, and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation. We are already breeding fear and ignorance in our schools.
This incident at the Kissimmee bar is more evidence of an ongoing, nationwide transphobia epidemic. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, transgendered people face well-documented and unconscionable levels of hate violence as well as workplace, housing and health-care discrimination.
Twenty-six percent of transgendered people have been fired because of their gender identities; 19 percent of transgendered people have been homeless because of their gender identities; 15 percent of transgendered people have incomes below the poverty level.
Transgendered people of color are even more profoundly impacted, with 28 percent of Latino transgendered people and 35 percent of black transgendered people living in poverty.
The Human Rights Campaign estimates that one out of every 1,000 homicides in the United States is an anti-transgender hate-based crime.
The 2010 National Transgender Discrimination Survey found that 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide compared with 1.6 percent of the general population.
Transgendered individuals are human beings with basic rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness like everyone else. I once was ignorant toward the transgender community, but I now am becoming educated on the issues.
Orlando has certainly made strides with the anti-discrimination and human-rights ordinances that aim to protect residents from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Central Florida is also fortunate to have community organizations like the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, the Metropolitan Business Association, and the Transgender Women's Business Council, which continue to improve the visibility of transgender issues.
The Zebra Coalition is also working to provide services for transgendered youth.
I admire and respect members of the transgender community for having the courage to be true to themselves, in spite of such unnecessary adversity. I am proud to be an ally and an advocate, and I challenge others to educate themselves and do the same.
Email submissions of about 600 words to newvoices@orlandosentinel.com. Include a high-resolution JPEG image of yourself.
David Moran, 27, of Orlando is pursuing an Emerging Media Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Central Florida.
Transgender equal rights: Transgendered people deserve same rights that others enjoy - OrlandoSentinel.com
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Crazyeye McGee strikes again!
Just WOW!
Now in the interest of fairness (which she doesn't really deserve, but I try to be better than that) and full disclosure, apparently a group called the "White People Soul Band" (they sound like a hoot, don't they?) was the band that was on stage before Crazyeye McGee came out, but still...HOLY CRAP, this doof wants to be president?????!!!!!!!
I have a feeling if you did an x-ray of her brain, there would be a cartoon monkey from the 50's in a cute little hat on ice skates just going around in a circle. I swear, Ol' Crazyeys makes the homeless lady that screams at cars near my house look like Susan B. Anthony!
I'm guessing her brain scan might look something like......this;
Same music, but ony with an ice skating monkey!!
Now in the interest of fairness (which she doesn't really deserve, but I try to be better than that) and full disclosure, apparently a group called the "White People Soul Band" (they sound like a hoot, don't they?) was the band that was on stage before Crazyeye McGee came out, but still...HOLY CRAP, this doof wants to be president?????!!!!!!!
I have a feeling if you did an x-ray of her brain, there would be a cartoon monkey from the 50's in a cute little hat on ice skates just going around in a circle. I swear, Ol' Crazyeys makes the homeless lady that screams at cars near my house look like Susan B. Anthony!
I'm guessing her brain scan might look something like......this;
Same music, but ony with an ice skating monkey!!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
Happy Birthday, Dad! Our time together was way too short, but I feel your presence and love EVERYDAY! I love you!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MISSING TRANSGENDER WOMAN?
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MISSING TRANSGENDER WOMAN?
Posted 8/23/2011 10:45:00 AM
Karen Ocamb - Frontiers Magazine
Friends of Sara Nykole Del Rosario (natal name James Boober) are very concerned about her apparent disappearance around Sunday, Aug. 2 from the San Diego area. Friends say Sara, who is sometimes called Nikki, had a restraining order against Gabriel Cisneros (aka Johnny Good) and they are concerned about her safety.
Sara is the godmother to two very young boys who friends say miss her dearly. Apparently there is a Missing Persons Report out for Cisneros, as well.
If anyone has any information, please contact Kim at (619) 269-6769 or contact the detective on the case, Catharine Millett, at (619) 531-2277. If she is not there, please leave a message. The case number is: 11-031499.
Link to story...http://bit.ly/okNyTG
Posted 8/23/2011 10:45:00 AM
Karen Ocamb - Frontiers Magazine
Friends of Sara Nykole Del Rosario (natal name James Boober) are very concerned about her apparent disappearance around Sunday, Aug. 2 from the San Diego area. Friends say Sara, who is sometimes called Nikki, had a restraining order against Gabriel Cisneros (aka Johnny Good) and they are concerned about her safety.
Sara is the godmother to two very young boys who friends say miss her dearly. Apparently there is a Missing Persons Report out for Cisneros, as well.
If anyone has any information, please contact Kim at (619) 269-6769 or contact the detective on the case, Catharine Millett, at (619) 531-2277. If she is not there, please leave a message. The case number is: 11-031499.
Link to story...http://bit.ly/okNyTG
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Idiot!
I swear, Michele Bachmann makes Sarah Palin look like Eleanor Roosevelt. Oh yeah and happy birthday Elvis!
Hey Crazy Eyes, maybe get on your crazy bus and instead of your delusional "Take The Country Back Tour", you take your crazy ass down to Graceland and read a tombstone!
Hey Crazy Eyes, maybe get on your crazy bus and instead of your delusional "Take The Country Back Tour", you take your crazy ass down to Graceland and read a tombstone!
Monday, August 15, 2011
LA Gay & Lesbian Center's Gun Hill Road Screening
So check it out...I was able to put the bug in the right people's ear at my work and guess what???
The LA Gay & Lesbian Center is hosting a special Center-sponsored screening of "Gun Hill Road," the critically acclaimed independent film about a Transgender teen coming to grips with her identity while her macho, Bronx-bred, ex-con father's struggles to overcome the streetwise ideals that blocks him from unconditional love and understanding for his child. It's showing this Wednesday, (August 17) at the Laemmle Sunset Five at 8 p.m.
One of the stars of the movie; Esai Morales will be on hand to sign posters and participate in a Q&A session after the film.
Check out the trailer and I hope to see our LA Trans Community out in force at the show!
The LA Gay & Lesbian Center is hosting a special Center-sponsored screening of "Gun Hill Road," the critically acclaimed independent film about a Transgender teen coming to grips with her identity while her macho, Bronx-bred, ex-con father's struggles to overcome the streetwise ideals that blocks him from unconditional love and understanding for his child. It's showing this Wednesday, (August 17) at the Laemmle Sunset Five at 8 p.m.
One of the stars of the movie; Esai Morales will be on hand to sign posters and participate in a Q&A session after the film.
Check out the trailer and I hope to see our LA Trans Community out in force at the show!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
You Gotta Own It!
Bravo to the author for not only a well-written essay, but having the kind of healthy, positive and enlightened attitude that we need to see MUCH more of in our Trans community!!!
As an out and productive TransWoman, I always tell people that a major part of the reason I'm thriving in this world is because I learned to "own this!" i.e. being Trans and being ME.
I always say, people are like dogs, they can sense fear in someone and will pounce upon the weak. Being strong, confident and "owning" who you are is so vital to making our lives as TransWomen viable.
Once again, I totally applaud this smartly written article and the author's enlightened and empowered outlook! Be sure to share this article with everyone you know!! The mainstream needs to see and hear more stories like this!!
Transgender: Anger or Humor, How to respond?
Date: 08 August 2011
By : by Brianna Austin
As trans people we run into ignorance all the time. I have often said to friends that when they get angry at some crude, rude or nasty comment that "you give away too much power."
What I meant by that was, that when you allow someone to "push your buttons," you're essentially giving them control over your actions.
Living in NYC I have -- and do -- run into tourists from all over the world. And they each have their own way of dealing with the confrontation of a trans-person. But in all the years that I have been out… 10... and even those infrequent outings before I was out, I've had very few confrontations. And I believe strongly that this is due to a comfort level within myself that people pick up on.
This is not to say that I have never run into intense situations, because I have. On one occasion, no matter what I said or did, this one guy in line next to me (to get into the Limelight Club years ago) did everything possible to avoid me as though I was radioactive: and he was the one that kept initiating the conversation. In another situation early in the morning after a night of clubbing, I found myself alone on 9th ave when a car full of young, drunk guys yelled out their windows and then made a U-turn. I didn't bother to hang around and try to converse with them: sometimes you have to sense danger and be scarce.
Yet in ninety percent -- or higher- of the incidents I was engaged in, I found that a combination of self comfort and humor disarmed people.
For example, on one night I was walking down Broadway -- a small group of friends in tow – when just as I crossed West 22nd Street I heard a voice shout out, “Hey, beautiful, is that an Adam’s Apple you have”? I turned, with a grin upon my face and saw four or five guys in their late-20s, sitting in their compact car (no doubt part of the “bridge-and-tunnel-crowd” that descend upon Manhattan from New Jersey, Connecticut and the other New York boroughs each weekend) laughing as they waited for the light to change.
Honey, that’s the least of what I have,” I said with a giggle, prompting them to laugh once more. We then engaged in a playful banter for the next few moments. Were they initially laughing at me? Perhaps, though I wasn’t sure, but, now, they were laughing with me. As the light changed they pulled off with a parting, “you’re pretty cool, have a great night!” And so I did.
Since I had walked out of the closet so many years ago, encounters like these had become a regular occurrence for me. I don’t necessarily go looking for them; but it’s pretty hard not to find them when you’re walking down the street in a pink, spaghetti strap, Gucci mini-dress and matching spiked sandals. And though things don’t always go so smoothly, I have to say that most times they do.
For all the remarks that are aimed at me, I never took any of them too seriously. Several of my friends were offended at the Adam’s Apple remark, and given the chance would have opted for a simple, “F-ck you,” or some other aggressive response. But it seems to me that many of the guys who are arrogant with TG girls are often insecure within themselves to start with, making for a potentially explosive situation. So, when met with head on anger it is a breeding ground for physical confrontation. Leaving me to wonder why any TG would risk the possibility of physical harm as their first course of action? What purpose could such an action provide?
Even if I had taken an aggressive stance, met a physical confrontation head on, and emerged victorious, what is the prize? The odds are higher that I would have ruined my new shoes rather than changed anyone’s views about me. Not to mention that the rest of the evening I would have been all worked up emotionally, only to have me right back where it all started anyway. That’s not to say that I take everything that comes along, because sometimes, you just have to stand your ground. But I at least try to give the antagonist a way out by trying to ease the tension first. If it doesn’t work, then sometimes you have to decide your next option. In fact later that same night, outside of Centro Fly, the club we were en route to, another fellow yelled out from his SUV, as he was waiting to park.
Again – with a smile – I found myself in a verbal banter; however, this time was different. This guy was hostile and arrogant. The more my remarks brought laughs from his friends, the angrier he became. But, I never downgraded him; I only made light of the situation. It is easy to keep a lighthearted mood if you don’t allow people under your skin. By realizing that their words don’t define you, but only them, makes that easier to do. Someone calling me a freak, fairy or jerk doesn’t necessarily make me those things; but does define them for saying it. With every insult he threw, I tossed back something light and easy, until finally, when he had been verbally out jousted long enough, he screamed, “ I’m gonna kick your ass fagot!”
What was I to do? My friends were quite stunned when I reached down and took my shoes off, looked at him and quietly said, “OK, come on. How bad a beating I give you will depend on how dirty you get my dress.” He stood there a long minute, absorbing the words, and finally, cracked a smile and started to laugh. And that was that. Maybe he realized how ridiculous the whole affair was, or perhaps he suddenly realized that had he lost his friends would never have let him live it down. Still, right until the very end I kept offering him a way out through humour, and just in time, he took it. Confronting someone is always a last resort however, and only if you’re confident you can handle the situation. Otherwise just walk away: use your head, not your ego. Believe me, I have walked away from many hostile situations where I felt that I was in danger.
For the most part I have found that being candidly transgender disarms people. Straight guys love to yell, “You’re a guy,” or something to that effect. But, when you shrug it off as though “Your point being,” what else is there really left for them to say? Their punch line came and went, and had no effect. When they then know that you know that they know, everyone is more comfortable. That doesn’t imply abusing yourself for their sake, but rather making light of the obvious. There are times when being TG can be funny, and onlookers shouldn’t be expected to pretend that something out of “their” ordinary hasn’t occurred. When someone yells out, “Hey, you’re a guy,” that’s an observation not necessarily an insult. And even if it is first intended to be, most people chuckle when my friend Dahlia would counter, “Thanks for reminding me, I had almost forgotten.”
In the end, we are new to people in the mainstream, and many, especially young straight guys, are intimidated and insecure. So, to cover it up they try their hand at an insult for laughs. Our society breeds contempt and insult, just watch any of the late night talk shows. So I say, there is too much drama in the world already, why add to it. Does it make you feel better to be hostile in trying to make a statement? Get over it, and make your point by example: live and let live with a smile. Even if the other person is a little slow to grab the idea, usually they’ll realize how silly they are acting in time. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be trying on a new pair of shoes?
Until next time, be happy, be safe, and always think pretty.
The link to the article is here...http://bit.ly/p0i2qW
As an out and productive TransWoman, I always tell people that a major part of the reason I'm thriving in this world is because I learned to "own this!" i.e. being Trans and being ME.
I always say, people are like dogs, they can sense fear in someone and will pounce upon the weak. Being strong, confident and "owning" who you are is so vital to making our lives as TransWomen viable.
Once again, I totally applaud this smartly written article and the author's enlightened and empowered outlook! Be sure to share this article with everyone you know!! The mainstream needs to see and hear more stories like this!!
Transgender: Anger or Humor, How to respond?
Date: 08 August 2011
By : by Brianna Austin
As trans people we run into ignorance all the time. I have often said to friends that when they get angry at some crude, rude or nasty comment that "you give away too much power."
What I meant by that was, that when you allow someone to "push your buttons," you're essentially giving them control over your actions.
Living in NYC I have -- and do -- run into tourists from all over the world. And they each have their own way of dealing with the confrontation of a trans-person. But in all the years that I have been out… 10... and even those infrequent outings before I was out, I've had very few confrontations. And I believe strongly that this is due to a comfort level within myself that people pick up on.
This is not to say that I have never run into intense situations, because I have. On one occasion, no matter what I said or did, this one guy in line next to me (to get into the Limelight Club years ago) did everything possible to avoid me as though I was radioactive: and he was the one that kept initiating the conversation. In another situation early in the morning after a night of clubbing, I found myself alone on 9th ave when a car full of young, drunk guys yelled out their windows and then made a U-turn. I didn't bother to hang around and try to converse with them: sometimes you have to sense danger and be scarce.
Yet in ninety percent -- or higher- of the incidents I was engaged in, I found that a combination of self comfort and humor disarmed people.
For example, on one night I was walking down Broadway -- a small group of friends in tow – when just as I crossed West 22nd Street I heard a voice shout out, “Hey, beautiful, is that an Adam’s Apple you have”? I turned, with a grin upon my face and saw four or five guys in their late-20s, sitting in their compact car (no doubt part of the “bridge-and-tunnel-crowd” that descend upon Manhattan from New Jersey, Connecticut and the other New York boroughs each weekend) laughing as they waited for the light to change.
Honey, that’s the least of what I have,” I said with a giggle, prompting them to laugh once more. We then engaged in a playful banter for the next few moments. Were they initially laughing at me? Perhaps, though I wasn’t sure, but, now, they were laughing with me. As the light changed they pulled off with a parting, “you’re pretty cool, have a great night!” And so I did.
Since I had walked out of the closet so many years ago, encounters like these had become a regular occurrence for me. I don’t necessarily go looking for them; but it’s pretty hard not to find them when you’re walking down the street in a pink, spaghetti strap, Gucci mini-dress and matching spiked sandals. And though things don’t always go so smoothly, I have to say that most times they do.
For all the remarks that are aimed at me, I never took any of them too seriously. Several of my friends were offended at the Adam’s Apple remark, and given the chance would have opted for a simple, “F-ck you,” or some other aggressive response. But it seems to me that many of the guys who are arrogant with TG girls are often insecure within themselves to start with, making for a potentially explosive situation. So, when met with head on anger it is a breeding ground for physical confrontation. Leaving me to wonder why any TG would risk the possibility of physical harm as their first course of action? What purpose could such an action provide?
Even if I had taken an aggressive stance, met a physical confrontation head on, and emerged victorious, what is the prize? The odds are higher that I would have ruined my new shoes rather than changed anyone’s views about me. Not to mention that the rest of the evening I would have been all worked up emotionally, only to have me right back where it all started anyway. That’s not to say that I take everything that comes along, because sometimes, you just have to stand your ground. But I at least try to give the antagonist a way out by trying to ease the tension first. If it doesn’t work, then sometimes you have to decide your next option. In fact later that same night, outside of Centro Fly, the club we were en route to, another fellow yelled out from his SUV, as he was waiting to park.
Again – with a smile – I found myself in a verbal banter; however, this time was different. This guy was hostile and arrogant. The more my remarks brought laughs from his friends, the angrier he became. But, I never downgraded him; I only made light of the situation. It is easy to keep a lighthearted mood if you don’t allow people under your skin. By realizing that their words don’t define you, but only them, makes that easier to do. Someone calling me a freak, fairy or jerk doesn’t necessarily make me those things; but does define them for saying it. With every insult he threw, I tossed back something light and easy, until finally, when he had been verbally out jousted long enough, he screamed, “ I’m gonna kick your ass fagot!”
What was I to do? My friends were quite stunned when I reached down and took my shoes off, looked at him and quietly said, “OK, come on. How bad a beating I give you will depend on how dirty you get my dress.” He stood there a long minute, absorbing the words, and finally, cracked a smile and started to laugh. And that was that. Maybe he realized how ridiculous the whole affair was, or perhaps he suddenly realized that had he lost his friends would never have let him live it down. Still, right until the very end I kept offering him a way out through humour, and just in time, he took it. Confronting someone is always a last resort however, and only if you’re confident you can handle the situation. Otherwise just walk away: use your head, not your ego. Believe me, I have walked away from many hostile situations where I felt that I was in danger.
For the most part I have found that being candidly transgender disarms people. Straight guys love to yell, “You’re a guy,” or something to that effect. But, when you shrug it off as though “Your point being,” what else is there really left for them to say? Their punch line came and went, and had no effect. When they then know that you know that they know, everyone is more comfortable. That doesn’t imply abusing yourself for their sake, but rather making light of the obvious. There are times when being TG can be funny, and onlookers shouldn’t be expected to pretend that something out of “their” ordinary hasn’t occurred. When someone yells out, “Hey, you’re a guy,” that’s an observation not necessarily an insult. And even if it is first intended to be, most people chuckle when my friend Dahlia would counter, “Thanks for reminding me, I had almost forgotten.”
In the end, we are new to people in the mainstream, and many, especially young straight guys, are intimidated and insecure. So, to cover it up they try their hand at an insult for laughs. Our society breeds contempt and insult, just watch any of the late night talk shows. So I say, there is too much drama in the world already, why add to it. Does it make you feel better to be hostile in trying to make a statement? Get over it, and make your point by example: live and let live with a smile. Even if the other person is a little slow to grab the idea, usually they’ll realize how silly they are acting in time. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be trying on a new pair of shoes?
Until next time, be happy, be safe, and always think pretty.
The link to the article is here...http://bit.ly/p0i2qW
Saturday, August 13, 2011
G's Thought For The Day...
"I am TRANSGENDER WOMAN and sooooooooo insanely proud of it!!!! Please feel free to scoff, disparage, laugh or look at me any way you like. All I ask is that you remember to add STRONG, CONFIDENT, HAPPY and LIVING MY LIFE ON MY TERMS to your description of me! Oh, BTW...I've got a question for the unenlightened; can you paint that same portrait I've painted about myself on your canvas?"
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
What a way to spend a birthday!!!
So anyone who know me, knows my late father was a huge Beach Boys fan and bore a striking resemblance to Brian Wilson. Soooooooo, is there any better way for a daughter to celebrate her Dad's birthday then by seeing Mr. Wilson himself with my bestie! August 27th; The TerrorTwins & Brian in Cerritos, CA! OMG, I have to go cry tears of joy now!!!
I KNOW both Dad & Mom will be right there with me!!
I KNOW both Dad & Mom will be right there with me!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
G's Thought For The Day...
Whenever you hear someone start a sentence with the phrase "I think...", it's a pretty good bet they haven't.
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