For our next example of liberal leaning media pundits not allowing facts challenged lying GOP surrogates to spin unchallenged, here is MSNBC's Chris Matthews calling out RNC chair Reince Priebus on his party's race-baiting.
A proud unapologetic Black trans woman speaking truth to power and discussing the world around her since 2006
Friday, August 31, 2012
Liberal* Media, This How You Shut Down A Lying Conservafool 2
For our next example of liberal leaning media pundits not allowing facts challenged lying GOP surrogates to spin unchallenged, here is MSNBC's Chris Matthews calling out RNC chair Reince Priebus on his party's race-baiting.
Happy 50th Birthday, Trinidad And Tobago!
At a few moments before midnight on August 30, 1962 in Port of Spain's Woodford Square, the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and in its place at midnight was raised the red, black and white flag of Trinidad for the first time. It was the catalyst for more than a week of festivities and events across the country from August 28 to September 5 during that first Independence Day celebration.
Noted Caribbean historian Dr Eric Eustace Williams became its first prime minister, with the 'Father of the Nation' holding that position until his death in 1981.
Its current prime minister is Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is the seventh person to do so and has served as prime minister since May 2010. She also hods the distinction as the first Trini woman to do so. Here's the address she delivered on the occasion of Trinidad and Tobago's Golden Jubilee
The 1.3 million people who call the islands home along with the people across the Diaspora who proudly claim Trini heritage in just 50 years as an independent nation have impacted the world in many fields and been history making trailblazers as well. They have produced a Nobel Prize winner, scholars in various fields, Olympic medal winning athletes and sporting legends, chart topping innovative musicians and artists such as Nicki Minaj and have created an educational system in their nation renowned across the Caribbean and the world. .
Of the four African descended women to win the Miss Universe crown, two of them hail from Trinidad and Tobago. Janelle Commissiong (1977) was the first ever to do so with Wendy Fitzwilliam doing so in 1998. The steelpan, the only instrument created in the 20th century was invented there and in 2006 Trinidad and Tobago became the smallest nation by population to qualify for the World Cup Soccer tournament finals..
Interestingly enough, want to point out the first transperson purported to have SRS from the Caribbean, activist Jowelle De Souza, hails from that island nation as well. .
To all my Trinidad and Tobago readers, Happy Independence Day! May you have many more to come. . .
No, Patricia Carroll, This Racist BS Happened At The RNC Con For A Reason
Some of the comments Ms Carroll made in the one interview she has granted so far I agree with in terms of this incident being a wake up call to Black people.
But in her attempt to not politicize the issue, she unfortunately did precisely that by trying to claim that the incident could have just as easily happened at a Democratic convention.
Yeah it could have- in any DNC convention prior to 1968.
I have to call bull feces on that one. The Democratic National Convention you will see unfold in Charlotte September 4-6 next week is not one in which you'll be able to count the non-whites in the convention hall.in each delegation on one hand. At the 2008 DNC convention there were 1079 African-American delegates versus just 38 at the 2008 RNC one. That was 24% of the delegate in attendance at the 2008 DNC.
The Republicans have morphed into a monoracial party which has made it their racist mission to denigrate and disrespect the first African-American president, openly stated their goal was to make him a one term president and has executed Massive Resistance 2.0 to prevent him from getting anything done to help this country. . It's a party that has the illusion of inclusion in terms of the speakers it parades on its stage but the only diversity it has is young white men, old white men, middle aged white men, Southern white men.young white women, middle aged white women....You get the picture
The racist crap repeatedly happens in the GOP ranks because since the late 1960's they have been the home of the Dixiecrats and have deliberately pimped white resentment, racist dog whistle code words and hatred of non-white Americans as a key component of their electoral campaign strategies.
That empowered the bigots in the RNC midst to feel their thought processes are validated and respected, no thanks to the race baiting of the Romney-Rayan campaign and the year long GOP primary one that engaged in it. So now they're shocked, shocked and horrified that on cue the racist dogs heard the whistle and start barking accordingly.
So no Ms Carroll, I think it highly unlikely a racist peanut throwing incident would have happened to you in a DNC convention arena, and by trying to be evenhanded, you unwittingly fueled the false equivalency meme that conservatives will try to exploit to claim that racist incident never happened .
Shut Up Fool Awards-Cirque De GOP Edition
The 2012 Republican National Convention is mercifully over and thank God I won't have them polluting the airwaves with their illusion of inclusion Cirque de GOP show Tried to ignore the conservapropaganda for one more night by watching the Texans-Vikings preseason game, but even that was preempted in the fourth quarter by you guessed it, ABC-13 cutting away to Mittbot's speech.
It's Friday, and you longtime TransGriot readers know what that means. It's time for my weekly public service to the world and blogosphere of exposing the fool, fools or groups of fools that spend their days and nights consistently spewing idiocy and ignorance on such a scale I've got to call them out on it.
In the group nominations we have the Republican Party, Fox Noise, CNN, the NFL (for the officials lockout), the NHL (for even parting their lips to utter the word lockout after losing the 2006 season to one), and the Paulistas.
The individual nominations this week went to Rep Ron Paul (R-TX), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Sen Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). Mia Love (R-UT), Condoleezza Rice, Tom Smith, Ted Cruz, Ann Romney, Rep. Paul
Honorable mention goes to Kansas State Rep Pete deGraaf (R), who during debate about a bill passed by the GOP majority to ban insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in their general health plans except when a woman's life is at risk, said that women should plan ahead for situations such as rape because 'I have a spare tire on my car."
Honorable mention number two goes to Florida Republicans Robert Stevens and John Nelson who are pimping the 'Stand Your Ground' approach to GOP voter suppression efforts.
This week's winner is MSNBC's Chuck Todd, who parted his lips on Morning Joe Wednesday to say this ginormously stupid comment on Morning Joe. “Democrats wish they had the diversity of speakers and deep bench [of the GOP] to show America ".Umm Chuck, did you forget the current President of the United States not only is a Democrat, but African-American as well along with Attorney General Eric Holder? Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is a Latina? Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick? California AG Kamala Harris is both South Asian and African American? The Congressional Black Caucus? The Congressional Hispanic Caucus? The Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus? House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi? Senate candidates Rep Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Rep Mazie Hirono(HI)?
Democrats overwhelmingly have more women and non-whites elected to Congress than Republicans. Of the 74 women serving in the House, 50 are Democrats and 24 are Republicans. Only 5 of the 17 women serving in the Senate are Republicans.
Out of the 44 African Americans serving in the House, only two are Republican with all of the African-American women currently elected to Congress being Democrats. Of the 31 elected Latin@ lawmakers, 22 of them are Democrats. And don't even get me started about the party leadership ranks that are inclusive of TBLG people and having office holders from the rainbow community as well.
The diversity of the Democratic Party is unquestioned and will be on full display at the 2012 DNC in Charlotte from September 4-6 if you open you eyes.
Like you and you're one of the best political analysts on the air right now, but gots to call you out homes for this one.
Chuck Todd, shut up fool!
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4th European Transgender Council Happening Next Week
Transpeople in various parts of the world are having to do so like us for the same reasons we do here in the States and Europe is no exception.
While Europe may seem like a paradise to those of us deep in red-state America, trans human rights coverage varies depending on the nation you live in.
There are some European nations in which we red-state Americans would instantly recognize the hostile faith-based negativity and repression aimed at transgender people that makes being trans just as challenging here as it can be on our side of the Atlantic.
Every two years Transgender Europe (TGEU), the umbrella organization founded in 2005 in Vienna, Austria with the mission of achieving trans equality and inclusion across Europe has been convening a Transgender European Council focused on issues specific to the European continent.
Previous TGEU Councils were held in Berlin,Germany in 2008 and Malmo, Sweden in 2010, It is the first and largest gathering of political transgender activists in Europe that draws upwards of 200 delegates, has well known keynote speakers and panelists, workshops and a diverse cultural program.
The TGEU Councils serve as a forum setting the agenda for transgender politics in Europe, a celebration of a lively continental; transgender community and handle their political business. It is during this event the General Assembly of TGEU elects its board and steering committee that formulates policy for the organization.
The 4th Annual European Transgender Council will be taking place September 7-9 in Dublin, Ireland.at Dublin City University.with the theme of 'Realizing Recognition, Respect and Equality.'
For my European TransGriot readers across the Pond (yes I have international readers, people) interested in or thinking about attending, heres a guide put together by TENI, Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
To my transbrothers and transsisters in Europe, hope you have a wonderful and productive time in Dublin next week.
Shannon Eastin, First Female NFL Referee
It was also (arrgh!) preempted in the fourth quarter by Mittbot's speech.
Since the NFL officials have been locked out by the league, the preseason has been played with replacement refs on the field for these games and it looks like the lockout will last through the first week of the season.
This lockout has also resulted in some sporting history being made.
One of the people who has gotten a chance to.officiate during these games is 42 year old line judge Shannon Eastin. On August 9 she became the first woman to work an NFL game of any kind in the league’s 97-year history when she served as a line judge during the San Diego Chargers-Green Bay Packers preseason opener in San Diego, CA.
Eastin said when the NFL selected her, “Knowing that I’m a female in a man’s world, I’ve always put the most pressure on myself. Pretty much everything I do is going to be magnified. I know what I signed up for. I have to be bigger, stronger, know that I understand the rules. I have to do things even better than the men that are working. And I’m OK with that.”
The 5-5 Eastin was part of the officiating crew in the Texans-Vikings game last night and has 16 years of officiating experience, including four in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, made up of HBCU schools..
With the lockout extending to the first week of the season, Eastin has the possibility of making more history becoming the first woman to officiate in an NFL regular season game.
And once the officiating lockout is settled, hope she gets the chance to stick around and become an NFL offical on a permanent basis.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Gettng To Out On The Hill On A Dime
Attending the National Black Justice Coalition's OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit last year was both an honor and a blessing. I left knowing who I was and who I wanted to be. I fell in love all over again with my Black LGBT family. As Emerging Leaders, we don't always have the means to pay for conference costs such as registration fees, lodging, and meals. That didn't stop me (and the ten Norfolk State University students I recruited). And it shouldn't stop you. Here's all you need to know about the upcoming summit and six steps for you to attend OUT on the Hill at practically no expense.
On September 19-22, 2012,
over 200 Black LGBT leaders and activists from across the country will
once again gather in the nation's capital for the 3rd annual OUT on the Hill.
Attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion,
strategizing and organizing as well as educate congressional leaders and
federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns.
OUT on the Hill
was a liberating experience for me and my colleagues. As African
American LGBT and ally students, it is important for us to gain
knowledge of not only the politics of the overall LGBT movement, but
the strategies specifically dedicated to the experiences of people of
color. OUT on the Hill provides opportunities for Emerging
Leaders to network amongst each other, while providing a safe space for
us as future leaders to hold conversations that will advance our
community. The summit also allows Emerging Leaders to connect with
powerful Black LGBT politicians, activists, creatives and more.
OUT on the Hill
is an experience that will change your life as LGBT person of color
and as an Emerging Leader at a Historically Black College and
University (HBCU) or majority institution. It is an experience worth
fighting for. By the end of the journey you will be equipped with the
tools necessary to own your power.
| OUT on the Hill - Video Promo |
Six Steps to Gain OUT on the Hill Sponsorship from Your College/University
- Point out the pluses. Notable conferences are typically events that college campuses sponsor. The college gains "bragging rights" (they will get to boast that their students attended special briefings at the White House and met with Members of Congress) and students return to the institution with a wealth of knowledge to share with the campus community. It's a win-win all around.
- Know your target. Seek out departments that are in need of knowledge on LGBT-inclusion. These include the Student Life and Engagement, Office of the Provost, Student and Resident Affairs, Women's Center, Sociology Department, Gender and Women's Studies and the Political Science Department. Maybe there has been an increase of reports of violence against LGBT students or a new women's center recently opened. Take advantage of these opportunities to be a resource for information and cultural sensitivity.
- Be relatable. Connect your experiences as an LGBT person to their broader research or mission. For example, approach the School of Education with an emphasis on bullying and how LGBT students of color are disproportionately victims. Or stress the importance of advocating on behalf of homeless LGBT youth to the School of Social Work. The possibilities are endless.
- Identify allies. Speak to Deans and other administrators who will have access to funds that could possibly promote awareness of these causes. Look to faculty advisors of student groups and professors of LGBT-inclusive courses.
- Be a champion of change. Know what you and/or your student organization want to accomplish on and off campus. Then market yourselves as ambassadors of change and diversity for your college campus.
- Be prepared. Utilize resources and statistics on everything from hate crimes to transgender equality from national organizations such as the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Gay & Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN), and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. You will be able to make a better case for why your presence at OUT on the Hill is imperative.
See you at OUT on the Hill, September 19-22, 2012. Read more about this year's summit here! Contact NBJC's Programs Associate Je-Shawna Wholley via email at jwholley@nbjc.org with any questions.
- Antonio "Toni-Michelle" Williams
Antonio
"Toni-Michelle" Williams studies journalism at Norfolk State
University and hails from Atlanta, Georgia. Her most significant
leadership position is as President of LEGASI,
which serves as NSU's Gay-Straight Alliance organization. Under her
two year leadership, the organization's membership has significantly
increased. Toni-Michelle is also a distinguished member of the National Black Justice Coalition's Leadership Advisory Council.
Texas Unjust Voter Suppression Law Unanimously Rejected
First the redistricting plan unanimously went down in flames, and today a federal three judge panel unanimously rejected the Texas
"Uncontested record evidence conclusively shows that the implicit costs of obtaining SB 14-qualifying ID will fall most heavily on the poor and that a disproportionately high percentage of African Americans and Hispanics in Texas live in poverty,” according to the ruling written by U.S. Circuit Judge David Tatel and joined by U.S. District Judges Rosemary Collyer and Robert Wilkins. .
Tafel was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton, Collyer by President George W. Bush and Wilkins was appointed by President Barack Obama.
Collyer was also part of the three judge panel that threw out the jacked up Republican concocted discriminatory redistricting plan earlier this week.
Elections matter people. The POTUS picks your federal judges, so it ain't as the GOP is lying to you just about the economy. It's about the federal judiciary, the Supreme Court and who controls both for the next three decades or more.
But back to the wonderful news about this federal court ruling legally pimp slapping this Abbott is probably going to waste more Texas taxpayer money appealing it to the Supreme Court, but the upshot of this ruling is that all we Texans will need to cast ballots on November 6 in the Lone Star State or during the early voting period is our yellow voter registration cards.
Thank you Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and Attorney General Eric Holder.
I'll be celebrating this win by as soon as early voting starts in October by heading to the nearest early voting center and casting another proud ballot for President Obama and every Democratic candidate I see on it..
You racist Teapublican conservafools have pissed me off that much.
Hell No To Proposed 'Stand Your Ground' Polling Place Law
Every time I presume that conservafool fetishes with guns can't get any crazier, I see another jaw dropping article that convinces me conservative identified white people have gone fracking crazy since President Obama was elected in 2008. The Republican 2012 platform already ratcheted up their fetishistic gun love another level by expressing support for
Now if two Florida Republican sympathizers named Robert Stevens and John Nelson have their way, they want to have the ability to take the 'Stand Your Ground principle to a polling place near you.
They want the state of Florida to pass a “Protect the Polls" law under which “anyone suspected of committing voter fraud can be fired upon – provided the weapon is registered and operated by its licensed owner.”
Not no, but OH HELL NO. And you want to know why I and other African-Americans have a severe distaste for Republicans and the conservative movement in general besides their racism that's on daily display.
I know you conservative white people are deathly 'scurred' of determined large numbers of non-white progressive voters using the ballot box to elect politicians with mandates to overturn your jacked up, mean spirited and unconstitutional policies and have been using every underhanded method to keep that from happening, but this is insane. It's also one more reason we non-white folks and our allies need to be ensuring right now we are registered to vote and on November 6 (or as soon as early voting commences) voting for every person at every level of government with a 'D' behind their name.
It's past time to throw the conservabums out, and make sure we exercise and strengthen our right to vote so that we can keep them out of power for the next 40 years.
It's time to end the conservamadness. Because if we don't work to non-violently protect the polls and our democracy from fools like this and stupid ideas like this, there are monumentally stupid conservative legislators who may actually think this a good idea and file the bill to actually make this steaming pile of crap law.
HBCU Law Schools Non Discrimination Policies
Not only was I deliriously happy to see it, I was curious to discover if the same applied to the other five American Bar Association accredited HBCU law schools since I have African descended trans friends who are in college right now who are considering applying to law school.
These six law schools started because African-American students were denied opportunities to study law at white dominated campuses. These historic institutions educated many of our nation's most distinguished African-American judges, legal scholars and attorneys, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
I'm happy to report that many of these HBCU law schools are more forward thinking than their main campuses in terms of having inclusive non-discrimination statements and employment policies.
So let's start with the aforementioned Thurgood Marshall School of Law at TSU in my hometown which passed this policy to my pleasant surprise in 2011.
Texas Southern University's main campus does not have an inclusive non discrimination statement that includes sexual orientation or gender identity. and expression..
North Carolina Central University School Of Law
North Carolina Central University is committed to equality of education opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran's status, sexual orientation or identity, or disability. Moreover, North Carolina Central University is open to people of all races and actively seeks to promote racial integration by recruiting and enrolling a larger number of white students.
The North Carolina Central University does not have a non-discrimination statement that includes sexual orientation or gender identity. and expression..
Howard University School of Law policy was adopted by Faculty Resolution in February 1991
Howard University School of Law is committed to a policy against discrimination in the interviewing or employment of its students based on race, sex, religious creed, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, handicap, or political affiliation.
Howard University main campus, unlike the School of Law doesn't have a non-discrimination statement i could find on their website, but with the school being located in Washington DC is under the 1977 DC Human Rights Law that was expanded in 2005 to cover transgender people
The Southern University Law Center (SULC) is committed to ensuring equal opportunity without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, actual or perceived gender, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or parental, marital, domestic partner, civil union, military, or veteran status.Southern University main campus statement does not include sexual orientation, gender identity and expression language in its non discrimination statement.
Florida A&M University College of Law
Florida A&M University College of Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, and veteran status as protected under the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act in the administration of its education policies, admissions and placement policies, and other school administered programs.
Back in February a student referendum passed seeking to add sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida A&M's non-discrimination policy..
University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
In accordance with federal law and the Human Rights Act of 1977 (DC Law 2-38), the University of the District of Columbia—David A. Clarke School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibility, matriculation, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, source of income, or place of residence in its programs, activities, and employment practices. In addition, the school complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1973.
As for the University of the District of Columbia,
It is the policy of the University to prohibit discrimination of members of the University community on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations.
HBCU's, time for y'all to emulate these six distinguished law schools and get busy protecting the trans and SGL students not only currently matriculating on your campuses, but future ones as well.
You need to handle your academic business HBCU's because Black LGBT students exist, aren't going away and it's the right thing to do.
Have A Great 2012-13 School Year Houston TBLG Students!
I hope you rainbow students matriculating in HISD schools and those college campuses I mentioned got your school year off to a wonderful start
Wanted to point out for you TBLG students in the area that in HISD the anti-bullying and employment non-discrimination policies have gender identity and sexual orientation language in them, so for you rainbow community kids matriculating in HISD schools, know you are covered if people start jacking with you.
Unfortunately the other school districts in the area have yet to follow HISD, the largest school district in Texas and seventh largest in the country's lead, but a statewide anti-bullying law takes effect September 1..
On the local college front, HCC has gender identity and expression language in its non-discrimination policy along with Rice University, which has had it since 2006. The San Jacinto College system along with UH-Clear Lake also has gender identity and expression language in their non-discrimination policies.
On February 15 Texas A&M's President R. Bowen Lofton added sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the yearly TAMU-College Station employment memo.
"...It is our policy to not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Furthermore, we will maintain a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression."
Although my alma mater as of yet has not yet incorporated gender identity and expression language into their nondiscrimination statement, in January 2010 the UH Vice Chancellor of Legal Affairs, Dona H. Cornell issued a memo stating that transgender individuals are protected from discrimination at the University of Houston based on the analysis of the court case Lopez v. River Oaks Imaging & Diagnostic Group.
Unfortunately neither area HBCU has sexual orientation or gender identity language in their non discrimination policies, but interestingly TSU's Thurgood Marshall School Of Law does.Hopefully TSU and Prairie View A&M will see fit to join other local colleges and universities in the Houston metro area and the TSU Thurgood Marshall Law School to expeditiously add sexual orientation and gender identity language in their non-discrimination statements.
It would be nice for these HBCU's to set a sterling example in the SWAC and other HBCU campuses in this region and around the country of being leaders on this issue just as they have for decades produced outstanding leaders in their classrooms. The SGL and trans students who matriculate on your historic campuses deserve it.
Houston area rainbow community students, keep working to get that education and hope you will have a fantastic 2012-13 school year.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Hurricane Katrina 7th Anniversary
I lived in Marrero, LA on the West Bank as a toddler and my godsister Angela still lives in the area along with more than a few friends, so I took it personally what happened to the city. I've also written posts since 2006 on the anniversary of the storm.
It's also eerily ironic that on the anniversary of the storm that took almost 1500 lives and devastated the region, the area is once again experiencing the effect of a hurricane.
Hurricane Isaac came ashore last night 90 miles south of New Orleans with Category One level winds, heavy rain and a storm surge that has already overtopped a levee in Plaquemines Parish.
That was far less than the Category 4 status Katrina pummeled the area with, but seven years later is still memorable for not only the devastation it caused, but also triggering the largest population movement of African-Americans since the Great Migration with the resulting seismic consequences to Louisiana, the Gulf Coast region and local, state, regional and national politics.
Since New Orleans has TBLG residents living there they were also affected. We were painfully reminded that transphobia and homophobia can rear its ugly head even in times of disaster relief situations. It prompted the Houston transgender community to compile a list every hurricane season of people who would be willing to host trans evacuees in case a disaster necessitated the evacuation of rainbow community people from their home areas.
We Texans can credit one of the four congressional seats we picked up in the 2010 census due to Katrina evacuees moving to Houston and Dallas and staying. Louisiana politics going red is also a result of the loss of African-American population from New Orleans.
So on the anniversary of Katrina's landfall, let's never forget the people who died during that storm and the ripple effects that are still reverberating in our communities from it years later.
If It Barks Like A GOP Racist And Growls Like A GOP Racist, It IS A GOP Racist
Umm, no they aren't. And don't even try to come at me with that elephant feces.
If your presidential campaign is predicated on not talking about the merits of your candidate, but blowing racist dog whistle comments to stir up the bigot base of your party because you refuse to compete for the votes of non-white American citizens, you actively work to suppress their votes, and you have openly disrespected the first African-American president since he took the oath of office in 2009, don't be surprised when your fellow Republicans and the people your campaign tactics validate and appeal to feel empowered to unleash their inner Klansman and their bigotry at inopportune moments.
CNN posted a written statement saying, “CNN can confirm there was an incident directed at an employee inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum earlier this afternoon. CNN worked with convention officials to address this matter and will have no further comment.”
No further comment? You're joking, right? That's why I switched to watching MSNBC because CNN in my opinion has been far too busy trying to coddle the Republicans instead of calling them out on their fascist and racist bull feces.
So what did the convention officials do to the GOP attendee who committed this microaggressive racist act? Did they throw them out for the rest of the convention or just for a day with a wink and nod to the reprehensible behavior? Did the knee-grow conservafools placate the bigoted attendee by saying the CNN camerawoman 'provoked' it? Is the unnamed so far GOP attendee a credentialed delegate? An alternate? What state are they from? Are they a proud member of the Tea Klux Klan or the Paulistas?These are the questions that need to be answered instead of swept under the rug and trying to deny the incident happened. The one thing it confirms once again for African-Americans is that the Republican Party is racist from the top of its presidential ticket to its grassroots.
You white peeps who vote Republican can swim in vanillacentric privileged denial all you want, but if it barks like a GOP racist and growls like a GOP racist, it IS a GOP racist and your votes and donations to the party enable that racist behavior.
It also ensures non-white Americans will continue voting for Democrats.
TransGriot Update: Turns out it was TWO GOP convention attendees, not just one. It's still reprehensible behavior no matter how many peeps participated in it.
MJ-Gone Too Soon
While this song Michael Jackson is singing is along with the video about Ryan White (and AIDS is still a major problem in our world) the lyrics also apply to MJ in terms of his legions of fans around the world losing this remarkable talent and all around wonderful human being way too soon.
Rest in Peace, King Of Pop. You are missed.
Texas Redistricting Gets Messed With Again By Feds
A federal three judge panel unanimously threw out the shady and discriminatory Texas redistricting plan that was passed by our GOP dominated legislature.
The federal judicial panel ruling on this case was made up of GW Bush appointed judges Thomas Griffith and Rosemary Collyer and Obama appointee Beryl Howell, and stated the state failed to show the new political lines would not discriminate against non-white Texans under the Voting Rights Act.
Texas also failed to show that the new political lines were "not enacted with discriminatory purpose" when passed by the legislature during the 2011 session.
"Accordingly, we deny Texas declaratory relief," the three judges said in a 154-page ruling released by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“The court’s decision is a damning indictment of (Gov.) Rick Perry and other Texas Republican leaders who, in a cynical attempt to hold on to power, engaged in intentional discrimination against Texas Latino and African-American voters,” said Lone Star Project Director Matt Angle.
"This is absolutely a victory for Texas and for minority voters to elect a candidate of their choice," said Trey Martinez Fischer with the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, which opposed the redistricting plans.Damn right it is. Texas grew by 4.3 million people and picked up four congressional seats primarily on the strength of African-American, Asian and Latino population growth. 65% of that growth was by Latinos, 13.4% African-American, and 10.1% was Asian.
In a just world the new districts should have been drawn where the growth occurred in the urban areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio-South Texas.
Justice and fairness is a foreign concept to Republicans hellbent of holding power in a state that has been majority-minority population wise since 2000 and their presidential election prospects are predicated on Texas not becoming the blue-leaning swing state it should be.
Of course, Abbott is going to waste more Texas taxpayer dollars by appealing this ruling to the Supreme Court. But once again the Texas Republican Party has been busted for playing shady political tricks.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Happy Birthday Kylar!
It's TPOCC founder and Executive Director Kylar Broadus' birthday, and I had to give him a TransGriot birthday shoutout.
It's been a busy, history making year for the brother from Missouri building the Trans Persons of Color Coalition into the national voice for transpeople of color it has become in addition to all the other trailblazing work he has done.
I look forward to my next opportunity to spend some quality time with my fellow red stater at NBJC's Out On The Hill in just a few weeks.
That's your cue people to make your plans to attend the third annual edition of this empowering Washington DC conference.You get to meet outstanding national African-descended trans and SGL leaders like Kylar and we make the point once again to our inside I-495 politicians and organizational leaders that Black LGBT people are Black people, too.
And yeah, when conservafools aren't attempting to suppress it, we vote.
But back to the birthday shoutout.
Happy birthday Kylar! Thanks to all you do to raise the leadership bar, the visibility of transpeople of color (especially those of us from red states) and help us own our power.
May you have many more birthdays to come and they be happy ones!
Patrick Wooden Conservapimping For NOM
The National Organization for Marriage decided to waste $34,000 of their donor's money deploying
Really? Good luck with that.
In addition to NOM giving those Black radio stations some additional ad money they laughed all the way to the bank with, they are insulting the intelligence of African-American voters, which is much higher than the sheeple they're used to aiming their propaganda at.
There was this jacked up comment from the vanillacentric privileged conservafool Brian Brown concerning the just launched scampaign
“The goal of our advertising campaign is to issue a wake-up call to the African American community in North Carolina that President Obama does not represent the values that they have fought to protect,” said NOM president Brian Brown in a statement. “We urge all North Carolinians to join Dr. Wooden in rejecting the anti-family policies of President Obama this November.”We already know about NOM's strategy to try to drive a wedge between the African-American rainbow and straight communities, and North Carolina NAACP President Rev Dr. William Barber is already on the case debunking NOM's and by extension their spokesellout Patrick Wooden's bull feces.
I agree with Pam. NOM is wasting valuable air time and money on that Don Quixote like mission of sending that cookie chomping sellout Patrick Wooden to our community. Wooden is attempting on behalf pf NOM to convince African-American North Carolinians to vote against President Obama for a man in Mitt Romney and a party that has shown zero respect for our community, our issues and our policy concerns."The real insult to the Civil Rights Movement is that same regressive ultra conservative tea party type folks suing to overturn the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which many historians consider the most important achievement of the Civil Rights Movement, re-segregate and rob our public schools of valuable resources, block workers’ rights to organize, force us all to get photo ID’s to exercise our right to vote, cut back on the time to vote, and repeal the Racial Justice law, now somehow think the sons and daughters of the Civil Rights Movement can’t see through their Trojan Horse trick.
The ultra-conservative sponsors push their anti-gay amendment with one hand, and their restrictions on our voting rights with the other. They would write discrimination into our Constitution with one hand, but violate it by withholding enough funds for children to get a sound basic education."
And Patrick Wooden, this next graphic is aimed directly at you Oreo cookie chomping sellout behind
To be honest, you don't deserve to be called a Negro. Let's tell the truth. Conservapimp is an accurate description for what you are dong now. Once your value as a 'useful fool' for white supremacy and whiteness is no longer required, they'll kick your butt to the curb soon enough.
GLAAD National POC Media Institute Compilation Post
And yeah, the TransGriot needed to do her job of chronicling this event for future generations.
So let's get into the POC Media Institute realness. Click on the various links to my posts discussing what transpired during the New York edition of the 2012 edition of the GLAAD National POC Media Institute.
Looking forward to hearing from you LA bound GLAAD National POC Media Institute participants what went on during your upcoming sessions on September 7-9
Moni's Going To The 2012 GLAAD POC Media Institute
Eagerly Awaiting The GLAAD National POC Media Institute
I'm In NY (Finally)
GLAAD National POC Media Institute-Day 1
GLAAD National POC Media Institute-Day 2
Leaving New York
2012 Out On The Hill-Be There!
It's when and where Black trans and SGL leaders will have thoughtful discussions, own our power, and state unequivocally that Black LGBT people are Black people as well.
So what's Out On The Hill? Roll that empowering video footage.
And yeah, the TransGriot will be headed to DC to take part in some of the activities and discussions being planned for the 2012 edition of Out On The Hill.
Monday, August 27, 2012
NBJC's Je-Shawna Wholley To Keynote State Of Black Gay America Summit
I'm ecstatic to hear that Je-Shawna Wholley will be the keynote speaker September 1 for the upcoming State of Black Gay America Summit that is one of the events for the highly anticipated Atlanta Black Gay Pride.
I met her during last year's Out On The Hill, and this Spelman alum was the president of Afrekete, the LGBT student group on campus. In 2009 she helped organize the university's first LGBT Pride Week with the help and support of Morehouse College's Safe Space organization and for her work was invited to the White House to meet with President Barack Obama.
She's also included in the movie "Legalize Gay" about gay and straight activists combating homophobia.
The Summit will have the theme of 'Embracing Our Collective Power To Embrace Change' and will start at 11:00 AM-4;00 PM EDT at the The Melia Atlanta Hotel & Resorts.
The address is 590 W. Peachtree Street, N.E. in Atlanta, GA 30308
So if you peeps in the ATL get a chance, you may wish to take some time to check out that summit and hear one of our powerful young rainbow community leaders speak.
Leaving New York
Moni's on her way back to Houston.
Had a wonderful and informative time while attending the 2012 GLAAD National POC Media Institute and I learned some things that will serve me well in future public speaking engagements and media opportunities.
I also highly recommend that POC rainbow community activists who wish to improve their public speaking skills and media presence consider attending it when the application process opens up for the ones that will take place in New York and Los Angeles next year.
To the peeps attending the 2012 Los Angeles one September 7-9, you're in for a treat.
And speaking of travels to New York, the clock is ticking, it's getting close to time for me to check out of my hotel and make the return trip to Hobby via Chicago Midway.
I leave here with tools to make me a better activist communications wise, being able to connect faces with the names of some of the people I have communicated with at GLAAD and seeing firsthand how hard they work to improve the media images of people of color. The bonus was leaving here with a few more friends than I had when I arrived. I also get to rest for a few weeks before I make another trip to the East Coast in September for the 2012 edition of Out On The Hill
Later New York. Time for me to head back to the Lone Star State
Sunday, August 26, 2012
GLAAD National POC Media Institute-Day 2
We were going to spend the day at a television studio getting professional makeovers and putting into practice what we learned yesterday in front of the unblinking eye of a HD camera.
Since I took the plunge and went first in class yesterday, I earned the opportunity to chill out, get made up by our makeup artist DeAngelo and his assistant, watch everybody else go through our individual interviews, and be constructively critiqued by Joel and our GLAAD team.
Note TransGriot readers, sometimes volunteering to go first pays off.
You know what they say about what happens when you're having fun, and the clock hitting 4 PM meant that Day 2 was over along with the GLAAD National POC Media Institute.
While I'm a little sad it's over, I did get to meet a few of my goals that I'd set before I came to this training. I wanted to get not only some experinece doing on-camera interviews, I also wanted to get as comfortable in front of a camera as I am in front of a radio microphone. I made some steps and progress in getting to that comfort level and I'm confident with time and repetition I'll eventually get there.
One of the other things that happened is I'm headed back to Texas with more friends and allies than I arrived with.
I also thank you New York rainbow community for showing me some love. That means a lot to me to know how much y'all appreciate what I do and my role as an elder statewoman in our trans community.
To you folks who are about to go through the LA Division of the GLAAD National POC Media Institute, you're about to have a wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did in New York.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
GLAAD National POC Media Institute-Day 1
Today was the day I would discover who the other people were in my training class I exited my sixth floor hotel room and headed to the hotel lobby around 8:15 AM and was ecstatic to find out when the elevator door opened that one of the people involved was NBJC's Je-Shawna Wholley. I also discovered there were other familiar faces in my group such as Maya Rupert, who I met at the 2011 Out On The Hill, Vincent Villano from NCTE that I met at the 2012 edition of Netroots Nation earlier this summer and Tiq Milan.
So as Je-Shawna and I greeted each other, I was also introduced to my classmates I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting before today who were also here for the 2012 edition of the POC Media Institute New York Division. Introductions were made before we were met by GLAAD's Monica Trasandes and Brian Pacheco and escorted to the nearby 4th floor offices of GLAAD for the day.In addition to spending an enjoyable and informative day with GLAAD team members Monica, Brian Marcus Brock, Darryl Hannah and super fellow Geoff Montes we were introduced to our media trainer Joel Silberman. My POC Institute classmates and I on our first day got to participate in mock interviews (I took the plunge and went first), learn some concepts in terms of being more effective media messengers for our rainbow community, learn some of GLAAD's history and past and current campaigns to increase the media visibility of POC rainbow people and have a lot of fun while doing so.
We wrapped up Day One a little after 6 PM EDT before heading to a nearby restaurant about 7:30 PM to eat dinner, enjoy each others company and discuss our first day. That dinner also had two special guests. One of the special guests was GLAAD's director Herndon Graddick, and the other was Janet Mock.
Yep. I finally got to give her that hug I promised her in addition to us talking for most of the evening about a wide variety of subjects including her ongoing projects.
My dinner companions and I also broke into a sometimes humorous discussion about Paris Is Burning in which we all started reciting lines from that iconic movie
Tomorrow is Day Two in which we'll be heading to a local TV studio, getting made up and taking what we learned from Day 1 and building on those concepts.
That means it's going to be another early day tomorrow, so I'd better get some beauty sleep. Don't need the makeup artists having to erase bags from under my eyes.
Saturday Sellout-Artur Davis
Former congressman Artur Davis has left the Democratic Party and become a Republifool.
You'll see him being given a speaking slot at the upcoming GOP
We'll probably see his azz on Fox Noise and being trumpeted all over the conservanet as a 'wise person' who 'escaped the Democrat plantation'. I'm already hearing that bull feces from vanillacentric privileged conservafools now.
So why do I despise Artur Davis? Let me count the ways. Davis was representing a district centered in the Selma, AL area. He was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the Affordable Care Act and the 2009 Byrd-Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Negro, IZ U Sirius?!!! Your district is in the heart of Alabama, not exactly a wealthy one and you voted against bills that would have helped you constituents get health care and give local law enforcement the tools to fight bias related crimes? Thank God a real Democrat in Terri Sewell has replaced you
The Harvard trained lawyer also voted against the trans-free Employment Non Discrimination Act in 2007, but not for the principled reasons other CBC members voted against the bill for
He gave up his seat in 2010 to run for the Democratic nomination for governor. While he got endorsements from the major newspapers in the state of Alabama, in a telling move, the four major Black political groups in the state declined to endorse the first African-American candidate with a legitimate shot at winning the governorship.
Davis got blown out by Ron Sparks by a 62%-38% margin and after that rejection by Democratic primary voters packed up and moved to Virginia. He continued to move closer to full conservafool status by stumping for voter suppression laws that will make it harder for our people to vote
.
Your attempt to run as a Republican will end the same way you bid for Alabama governor did.
You 'll also find out sooner or later that you new conservafriends will toss you aside like a beer can once you get in their vanillacentric estimation 'too uppity' for them or your 'useful fool' status has ended.