Laverne Cox Moves To Top Spot In Time 100 Poll

Interesting news concerning the Time 100 that will be revealed on April 24.    While the people in the various categories of the Time 100 are chosen by the magazine's editors, they do include input from the the public as one of the factor in helping to guide their decision. 

Justin Bieber had been holding the top spot in the Entertainment Time 100 section until Laverne passed him and he has now slipped to fourth.  

It's a narrow lead, and we can help keep Laverne there, but we have to work fast because the voting on the Time 100 closes at 11:59 PM on April 22.

So if you have time (pun intended)  you can hit this link to vote for Laverne in that Time 100 poll and if you wish, participate in the Time 100 polls concerning other areas such as sports, US and world politics and science and technology.   

Monica Jones Guilty Of Walking While Black Trans In Arizona

Have another reason to not like Arizona despite some of the cool people who call it home.

Been keeping an eye on the ongoing case of ASU student Monica Jones, who was accosted on the street while walking in her Phoenix neighborhood during a sting operation and charged with 'manifestation of intent to prostitute' the very night after she spoke at a May 2013 rally denouncing Project ROSE.  .

Project ROSE is a program created with 15 partner organizations including the Phoenix Police Department with the goal of avoiding filing charges against adults engaged in prostitution, providing an opportunity for medical and social services and assistance in helping them exit the life of prostitution if they choose.  

In practice, the program and its profiled prostitution sweeps target trans, SGL and low income women far too often and has a 30% success rate, the same rate as a woman who goes before a judge and hasn't gone through the unjust Catholic Charities supported program.  

Jones believes she was unfairly targeted for arrest because of her outspoken criticism of Project ROSE.   A Change.org petition was created urging the Phoenix city prosecutor to drop the charges against her..    

The ACLU of Arizona joined Jones’ lawyer in contesting the constitutionality of the manifestation statute. Dan Pochoda of the ACLU explained in his arguments, “The statute eviscerates first amendment rights.”

In a packed Phoenix municipal courtroom this morning filled with supporters wearing “I Stand With Monica Jones: Stop Profiling Trans Women of Color”shirts, Judge Hercules Dellas found the 29 year old Ms. Jones guilty based solely on the statements of the police officer who targeted her. 

Gee why am I not surprised?   Jones' trial is also being monitored by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders as an example of discriminatory policing and retaliation on activists organizing for human rights.

She is appealing the ruling because she faces time in the men's jails, and Maricopa County has a less than stellar human rights record in their penal system.  

Ms. Jones stated, “I am saddened by the injustice that took place at my trial this morning, but we are not giving up the fight. It’s time that we end the stigma and the criminalization of sex work, the profiling of trans women of color, and the racist policing system that harms so many of us.”

Hope she has better luck with her appeal.

Isis Coming To H-town For WorldFest!

Well well, looks like I'll finally get that opportunity to give my sis that hug I promised her a few years ago.


The 47th annual WorldFest Houston Film Festival started yesterday at  the AMC 30 just west of the Galleria and runs though April 13.  When I lived over on the southwest side of town that theater was one of my fave places to watch a movie, but now that I'm on the other side of town I actually have movie theaters downtown and in Greenway Plaza that are closer to where I live now.    

I found out that one of the movies WorldFest will be screening this year is Hello Forever starring a certain New York based girl like us I know and owe a hug.   

Yes, I know it shocks some of you, but as I keep reminding you peeps, Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, has culture and it's predominately a liberal-progressive oasis in the red and soon to be purple state. 

WorldFest also happens to be one of the oldest independent film and video festivals in the world.


Isis shot Hello Forever two years ago in the Philippines.  It is now having its debut during Worldfest at 9 PM Monday night and is up for several awards.

Since little sis is coming to H-town for it, I'm definitely planning on taking my behind there to see her and the movie.  

It'll also give me a reason to attend WorldFest for the first time ever as well.
  

Happy Janet Mock Day!

As y'all are aware of, Janet's tour across the country in support of Redefining Realness continues, and tonight she is in San Francisco. 

She was given a proclamation at an event that is happening right now declaring today in San Francisco as 'Janet Mock Day'.  

I also found it deliciously ironic that it happened (snicker, snicker) on the very day the last Piers Morgan Tonight show is being broadcast on CNN.

Aww, my heart bleeds for him.  Psyche.  

Naw, I know I won't miss watching him berate guests and neither will America 

But back to the #girllikeus of the hour.  Congrats Janet for the well deserved honor!   



 And oh yeah, happy Janet Mock Day!

Congrats Queen Of Swords!

Our #girllikeus WMMA warrior handled her business last Friday night during her bout against the previously unbeaten Heather Bassett at UIC Arena in Chicago. 

Fallon won by submission 40 seconds into the second round of her match.  

 The Queen of Swords is now 4-1, and when I find some video of the match I'll put it on this post. 

But Congrats Fallon!  Looking forward to your next match.

Help Tona Get To Carnegie Hall

There's an old joke that asks the question how do you get to New York's Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice.

Well, our sis Tona Brown has more than put in the practice time and paid her dues to perform there.

Now the founder of the Aida Strings needs an assist from the community to raise the funds for the deposit to make that Carnegie Hall performance she's dreamed about happen.   

Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious venues for classical and popular music artists in the United States.  This summer the historic venue is sponsoring their first ever LGBT Pride music event and invited her to participate.   Tona needs to raise $3,500 to make her part of it happen.

So here's the link to the indiegogo campaign so you can do your part to support a #girllikeus artist and make what promises to be amazing night of musical entertainment happen.   Even $1 will help get her closer to her goal, so please consider doing so.  

I'd love to see her standing on the stage of this historic concert venue that opened over a century ago in 1891 this summer performing, making history once again and representing our community well while doing so. 

Arkansas Transwoman Fired For Using Correct Bathroom

If you wonder why I go ballistic every time I hear people who don't share my ethnic background ignorantly stating public accommodations language is not important when it comes to protecting the human rights of trans people, I call bull feces on that.

If you're a non-white transperson, that public accommodations language is critical, especially since we seem to find ourselves in situations far more frequently in which discrimination is aimed at us based on our ethnicity and our trans status..  

Meet 21 year old Kaye Bowens, a girl like us living in Star City, Arkansas.   It is a town 75 miles SSE of Little Rock and Bowers until recently was an employee at a local McDonald's.   

Bowens made it clear when she was hired in December that she was trans and had begun her transition three years ago..  She used the bathroom appropriate to her outward gender presentation and had no trans status related job problems until two weeks ago.  

Obviously either a coworker or somebody in the area had a transphobic problem with her and complained.   Bowens found herself being confronted in the women's restroom by the store's shift manager who told her she should be using the men's room.    

The very next day she was called into the general manager's office and terminated.   When she threatened to file a lawsuit over the obvious gender discrimination,  she was offered her job back later that day provided she agreed to the dehumanizing demand of using the men's restroom. 

Bowens description of the events was corroborated by two fellow employees who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution. 

If I'm a good worker for you, what does it matter where I use the restroom?" said Bowens. 

Bowens has now filed an EEOC discrimination complaint against the Mickey D's in question to which Michael Retzer, the owner of the McDonald's franchise in Star City issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“We believe in the value of a diverse workforce, equal opportunity and a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.  As such, we continue to do our best to meet the needs of our employees and customers, and we are reviewing this situation carefully. It is important for us to share that the employee in question is a current employee and has not been terminated. We have asked the employee to discuss this issue with us, but we have not received a response.”

Yeah, right.  Now that your rumps are in the legal wringer, and you have made national and international news for your transphobic bigotry, now you wanna talk. 

Here's hoping the situation does end in a satisfactory conclusion for Ms. Bowens. 

This is also another concrete example of why the federal ENDA law needs to be passed ASAP and the gender identity language needs to stay in it.  

Tona Brown As Principessa

Time for a little culture, TransGriot readers!. 

I mentioned Tona Brown was performing in the DC metro area last weekend in the Puccini one act opera Suor Angelica as Principessa and lamented the fact I couldn't be there to see the performance and support her. 

Well, through the magic of YouTube, now I can, thanks to one of Tona's students who shot the short video from the audience from her cell phone.   Megathanks to her for doing so. 

In this concert version of Suor Angelica, Tona is playing La Principessa, the mean aunt who is asking Angelica on the left to give away her family inheritance so her sister can have a dowry for marriage.  Her character is reminding her how much she has shamed the family name by getting pregnant without marriage. 

Opera, the soaps before TV and the movies.

And now, here's Tona in the role of Principessa.

 

Fallon Fights Next Friday

Next Friday March 21 our WMMA fighting sister Fallon Fox will enter the cage and get busy at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago as part of a big 50th XFO fight card

As part of the "Biggest Night in XFO History", the 3-1 'Queen of Swords' will do battle against the 1-0 Heather Bassett. 

Fallon is hoping that many of you in the Chicagoland area and especially the TBLG community will come out and support her and I hope you will do so for those of us in the national community who would like to be there but can't.

It'll be at the UIC Pavilion at 525 S. Racine Ave.for those of you in the Chicago metro area who want to attend the fight with the action starting at 6 PM CDT.

As we get closer to that date, I'll remind 'errbody' to get those warm thoughts and best wishes ready for our fave #girllike us WMMA warrior

Nobody Wants To Hear Your Transphobic Bigotry, Mario

The slain Tejano singer Selena is well loved in the Latin@ community and especially here in Texas.

There have been more than a few times I've attended drag shows, pageants or club talent nights and witnessed either Latina transwomen or Latino drag illusionists perform to the Queen of Tejano's songs


With the painful 19th anniversary of her March 31, 1995  murder in Corpus Christi at the hands of her fan club president Yolanda Saldivar weeks before her 24th birthday looming, the city has marked that sad anniversary with an annual tribute event.  

For the last three years #girllikeus Honey Andrews has been performing at that tribute in addition to doing her Selena illusion in clubs and other events around the area and the state.   She performs as the Queen of Tejano in outfits custom made to resemble the ones Jennifer Lopez wore in the 1997 biopic on Selena's life. 

She's preformed at the tribute event in Corpus Christi with no problema until this year. 




Andrews was set to perform at this year's event scheduled for March 30 until she received this transphobic text message from promoter Mario Gomez stating she wasn't welcome, he'd have police deal with her if she did, and adding at the end of it 'nobody wants to see a male person dress up like a girl'

Oh really?   Guess you haven't heard about RuPaul's Drag Race, or the fact the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar garnered a box office of $36.5 million     

Once the transphobic conversation was posted on Andrews' Facebook page it went viral Wednesday and triggered a backlash that prompted Gomez to backpedal and offer her a spot in his show. while spouting the usual comment of persons who have been caught doing and saying transphobic ish.

“If this person really wants to sing that bad, they are more than welcome,” Gomez told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. “This person shouldn’t be making such a big deal about it ... I’m not a bad person. I’m not discriminatory. There’s no need for this.”

 There was no need for the transphobic bigotry you unleashed upon Honey, either homes.. 

Of course, the disrespected Andrews declined it.  “He did this to clear his name up,” she said in an interview. 'That's not the way it works. He did something wrong. He needs to face the consequences.”


Andrews is already committed to performing at another Corpus Christi tribute on March 31

Tona Brown To Sing In DC Area Opera Friday

Too bad I won't be able to be there to see it, but for those of you in the Washington DC metro area, you'll get an opportunity to enjoy hearing Tona Brown sing this Friday.

My mezzo-soprano singing sis, who has not only performed for audiences around the world and has the distinction of being the first trans person to perform for a sitting president, will be performing in the role of Principessa in the Puccini one act opera Suor Angelica being presented by the Singers' Theater of Washington. .

“I am honored to be part of this production,” says Brown, “I love doing opera, and working with such amazing people. - See more at: http://ikonsmagazine.com/2014/03/tona-brown-perform-dc-area-opera/#sthash.4CzNJE3X.dpuf

"I am honored to be part of this production", says Brown.  "I love doing opera and I love working with such amazing people."

You'll get the opportunity to see her on Friday and Saturday March 14 and 15 starting at 7:30 PM EDT at Convergence in Alexandria,VA.

The tickets are $20, and $15 for students and seniors.and can be purchased here if you're interested in attending and supporting our sis and checking her out..

Help Jaila's EP Become A Reality

You may remember me talking about Jaila Simms, who was on the reality TV show Making Diddy's Band back in 2009.

So what's Jaila been up to since then? 

Well, Jaila has put together a debut EP entitled 'Best of Both Worlds' with a tentative release date of April 8, but is $600 short so the post production of it can happen.   

)

She has a Gofundme campaign that is running through March 17 that is trying to raise that post production money for the EP, so let's help a #girllikeus out. 

Every dollar counts, and even if you can only spare a dollar, that's one dollar closer to her goal..  600 people x $1= $600. 300 people x $2 =  $600.  120 people x $5= 600   60 people x $10 = $600

Help Jaila's EP become a reality.
 

Adam Hunter, Chill With The Unfunny, Transmisogynistic Jokes

In the nearly a year since Fallon Fox came out as our #girllikeus in the women's MMA ranks, in addition to the love and appreciation she gets from us in Trans World and our allies, the 'Queen of Swords' has also had to endure a lot of bull feces, ignorant comments, incorrect pseudoscientific rants from people without MD behind their names, and straight up transphobia.

But the latest transphobic attack on Fallon comes wrapped in the Trojan Horse of humor from comedian Adam Hunter.   While he also flings misogynistic and sexist comments at WMMA fighters Ronda Rousey (who said some transphobic crap about Fallon a few months ago), Miesha Tate, and Kim Winslow, he has through his MMA Roasted Twitter handle (which I'm not linking to) also thrown shade at Khloe Kardashian (who is 5'10" vis a vis her petite sisters Kim and Kourtney) and Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife Beth.

But it's Fallon that he has aimed most of his low brow unfunny humor at.   It's one thing to be humorous, and transpeople do have senses of humor.   I enjoy a good joke just like anyone else and one of my fave places to go is the Laff Stop here in H-town, any comedy club or see comedians who are on their game like a Sinbad, Kim Coles, George Lopez and countless others I can name who can make you laugh without offending you.   

But comedians walk a fine line between humor and being straight up offensive, bigoted and hurtful, and when they cross that line we've got to call them out on it.  

When it comes to Fallon Fox, Adam Hunter has long since jumped over that comedic red line.

But it's not just me saying that.  The person who the transmisogynist jokes are being aimed at has also commented on it.:

***

The twitter comments made by MMA Roasted are extremely disgusting. I understand comedy. I really do. And I can take a joke. But, there comes a time when a joke goes too far. Example: Imagine what would happen if MMA Roasted decided to continually make jokes about another aspect of any other fighter that falls within a minority category. Imagine if he repeatedly made derogatory jokes about a black fighter, slamming her or him for being black.

He made this horrible transphobic joke, “I still don’t understand why Big Foot Silva has a tattoo of Fallon Fox’s foot on his back.” I suppose this is supposed to be a crack at me having large feet? (Which I do not.) This is similar to making a joke about the stereotype of black people having large noses. Does anyone reading this think that he would get away with a racial joke like that? And not only making a joke one time, but continuously.

He also said “The New Fallon Fox Action Figure Comes with a Detachable Penis.”  And he took no thought into how that would affect me or the trans community. His jokes in relation to me are transphobic. I don’t believe he understands exactly what he has done or how what he has said incites unnecessary hate and misunderstanding about trans people.

Like I said before. I understand comedy. But, there is a line! Michael Richards found that out years ago. And if this continues, some of them are going to find themselves in the same boat.

Some people may find those degrading and hateful jokes funny.  But those people have a transphobic mindset also. Outside of MMA, the conversation is changing on trans athletes. People are starting to wake up a little bit on this issue. Unfortunately, some in MMA are not paying attention to that. And that will likely bite them in the end. Some of the MMA commentators, comedians, and athletes are really giving MMA a bad name. Their misogynistic, transphobic mindset and language will not be accepted outside of the MMA sphere. And even inside of MMA, people are starting to be uncomfortable with their language and treatment of every type of woman.

This has got to end. It hurts us all. It hurts trans athletes, it hurts cisgender athletes, it hurts the sport of MMA as a whole. If MMA wants to grow, the culture must change just a little bit, or it is going to have bigger problems within greater society. It seems to me that the MMA culture within the United States has gone off the deep end in some areas. Why is that? What is the reasoning behind the hatred many have in our sport for people who are feminine? I’m not just talking about myself. I’m also talking about some of the sexist comments some tend to rattle off about other female fighters. Why all of the blatant misogyny?

What is going on here is obvious. Much like the editors of the “Dr. V’s Magical Putter” story, MMA Roasted is unfortunately negatively exploiting the status of a trans person for notoriety.

Because trans people are looked at as oddities by some in our American society, he uses this particular trans woman as a focal point to unload the ignorance, intolerance, and bigotry that is apparently in his heart to help make a buck. This tactic is very shortsighted and unnecessary. There is an easy way around not making a mistake like this. Simply not make the joke. This is not good for business in the end.

***

If Adam Hunter was funny, he'd be able to make you laugh without the misogyny, sexism and transphobia that contaminates his act.  But tragically, he's not and probably doesn't care as long as they are handing him a check for it.    

 
The Fallon Fox jokes aren't funny Adam and are dripping with transphobic stereotypes.   You need Trans 101 and a new comedy writer.  If you wrote those problematic 'jokes' yourself, it's past time to find a new source of material.         

Jaci Adams (1957-2014)

For many of you who didn't know Jaci Adams, she was typical of many of the #girlslikeus who do the activist work in our community. 

They are not only wonderful people, but fierce advocates known and beloved locally.  They do their work not only on behalf of the trans community they represent, but to make the city, state and the region they love better.

Sadly, they don't get much national recognition for it, but thanks to the The Trans 100, that paradigm is starting to change a bit so that people like her get their recognition and deserved accolades while they are still around to hear it.   

Speaking of accolades, they are still pouring in for our sister Jaci on her Facebook page which is still up at this time.  Please take the opportunity to leave a condolence message on it.   

The Philadelphia TBLG community is still saddened concerning the loss of one of their iconic personalities, and a team of people is planning a memorial service for her.   The memorial service date, time and location is still being arranged, an as soon as I get the details, I will pass them on to you.
 
Thanks to Gloria Casarez for sending me the link to the Philly.com obituary article that ran yesterday about Jaci that I will share with you in this post..

Jaci was loved by a lot of people inside and outside the Philadelphia metro area, and she will be missed.  

TransGriot's Upcoming Kitty Bella Show Appearance

Another day, another upcoming radio podcast interview appearance.

I get the honor on February 22 of appearing on that day's Kitty Bella Show with the Trans 100's Jen Richards to discuss the topic of 'Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Good Ally?'

The Kitty Bella Show is a groundbreaking web radio show where host Katrina Goodlett (Kitty Bella) has fun, revealing conversations with her fellow Transgender brothers and sisters as well as allies on various subject matters and topics inside and outside the community..

The Kitty Bella Show is on Blogtalk radio, and the call in number to speak to Katrina the host or ask questions is (347) 237-4756.

I'm looking forward to discussing the topic at 11 AM EST (10 AM CST).   If you miss it, you can always listen to the podcast at your leisure once it is archived.     

#RedefiningRealness Conversation With Janet Mock

Looks like I'm going to have to hurry up and install a camera on my computer since post Creating Change I'm getting more people asking me if I would or can participate in Google Hangouts like this one.

Here was a recent conversation about her now New York Times bestselling and groundbreaking book Redefining Realness.

Fallon's Fighting In Chicago Soon!

In case you're wondering what the heck our MMA fighting sister is up to, she's been busy training for an upcoming fight in Chicago.

The 'Queen of Swords' is busy getting back in shape and honing her skills for an upcoming March 21 bout in the Windy City against 1-0 Heather Bassett 

The bout will be part of XFO 50, set to take place Friday, March 21, at the UIC Pavilion at 525 S. Racine Ave.for thosee of you in the Chicago metro area who want to attend the fight.  It's being billed as the "Biggest Night in XFO History" and the action starts at 6 PM CST.

And Fallon is excited to be a part of it. 

"I am so incredibly excited [to get] back in the cage, especially since this will be XFO MMA's 10th anniversary show," Fox said in a Windy City Times interview. "There's going to be lots of great fights on this card, including many of my teammates from the Chicagoland area fighting also, or cheering me on."

"This time I'll have the luxury of having my hometown fans and teammates behind me," said Fox, who added that she wants a strong LGBT fan base at the fight. "XFO MMA is an LGBT-friendly organization. I've been to many of their fights and always come away from them pleased, so this should be a good event for everyone who shows [up]."

If you live in the area, please consider doing exactly that.  

Islan Nettles Rally And The Lingering Questions After It

Something else that was happening while I was busy hosting 4000 of our TBLG family and allies in H-town last week was a January 30 New York rally demanding action on the Islan Nettles case.

When we last checked in on the case the Manhattan DA dropped misdemeanor assault charges against Paris Wilson, the person who was pulled off of Nettles by the police. because the speedy trial prosecution clock had run out and to ostensibly pursue more serious charges in this case. 

Well, the New York trans community isn't staying silent about this, they want justice for Islan like all of us do.  There was a December 20 meeting of New York City trans leaders headed by Laverne Cox and Brooke Cerda Guzman and various organizations facilitated by the New York Anti-Violence Project with the Manhattan DA.. 

Over 100 people including Janet Mock showed up for a January 30 rally at One Police Plaza organized by the Trans Women of Color Collective of New York (TWOCC) to keep the public pressure on NYPD and the Manhattan DA's office, keep the case in the public eye, and prod them into speedier action to solve the Nettles case. 

“Having survived a violent assault, I know what a struggle it can be to get justice in NY. Not one of my attackers was charged - and I was almost treated by the police as though I deserved to be assaulted,” says Madison St. Claire, Co-Chair of Membership for TWOCC. “Now, the same thing is happening in the Islan Nettles case - and that sends the wrong message: that trans women of color are disposable - that our lives don’t matter.” says St Claire. “Today, we send our own message NYPD and the DA’s office: TRANS LIVES MATTER!”

TWOCC activists have pointed out some troubling issues and things that make you go hmm concerns surrounding the Nettles case.  TWOCC has accused the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's office of negligence and mishandling of this investigation that is leading to fear in the NY transfeminine community that a perpetrator of violence against us will get away with it.

It was revealed by TWOCC that no DNA evidence was collected from Paris Wilson at the scene of the crime, nor were witnesses rigorously questioned. Nor has it been satisfactorily explained why Simone Wilson, the suspect’s mother, was never held accountable or charged for hindering prosecution or falsifying evidence when she persuaded a friend of her son to make a false confession which was later recanted.

And perhaps in a statement that strains credibility, the DA’s office is claiming that all 10 surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the beating that lead to Islan Nettles’ death on that August 17 night were broken.

There have also been questions raised by transpeople in the NY area and nationally about what exactly is the Rev Al Sharpton's and the National Action Network's stance concerning the Nettles case and trans human rights in general.  

NAN held a December 7 panel discussion moderated by Dominique Sharpton entitled 'My Brothers Keeper' at NAN's Harlem headquarters that included trans panelists Sean Coleman, Arisce Wanzer and Kimberly Howard.  But the forum has not quieted the trans community asking this legitimate question in light of the fact the vicious attack on Islan occurred mere blocks from NAN's Harlem headquarters.

So will keep you TransGriot readers posted on the latest developments in the Nettles case as I receive them.

Piers Morgan Starts Tripping After Janet Calls Him Out Over Interview

After Janet Mock called Piers Morgan out for sensationalizing her CNN interview with her, Piers Morgan took to Twitter to strike back and call her 'ungrateful'.

For what Oh Mighty Media Whitey?   You mad and got your vanillacentric privileged fee fees hurt because the Black trans woman called your azz out for disrespecting her on your show and she and the trans community are pushing back?

The chyron your peeps used was problematic to start with. But as Janet said in her BuzzFeed interview:  

“This is my first mainstream television show, was that moment, with Piers Morgan, and you see what they did to my story. Compared to a moment if I’m on Melissa Harris-Perry, which is slightly different, a more sensitive and safe space. But I go onto Piers Morgan, and all of my followers and everyone are like, ‘What is this?’” she said. But, she noted, “It’s also more representative of the ignorance that there is about trans people’s lives. We’re out of the safe bubble of social justice.”


Frankly, we in the trans community are beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of the six decade old focus on our genitalia in the media.  If you didn't get that fracking message last month after the Katie Couric interview with Laverne Cox and Carmen Carrera, here's the wakeup call once again.  

As a matter of fact, watch the Melissa Harris-Perry show and check out the proper way to do an interview with a trans woman.

Janet's Big Day

Today's launch of her book Redefining Realness was the fulfillment of a dream for Janet Mock to become a published author.  It's also concrete proof that just because you transition, you don't have to give up on making your dreams a reality. 

If you come up with a plan, stick to it and put in the work to make it happen our dreams can be realized.

As Janet wrote in her blog post  'A Dream Realized: Redefining Realness Is Finally Here', she states:

For so long I believed that good things could not happen to me, that my dreams and goals and desires and fantasies could not come true. This is how I’ve navigated the world for so long, with feelings of doom, of inadequacy and pain, of letdowns and failed expectations following me. As I write in Redefining Realness, “Happiness was fleeting and accidental; goodness wasn’t in the cards for a girl like me.” I wish I was at some elevated space with myself where I could say I’ve conquered those feelings, but I have not. And this book is not going to fill that craving.

You can read the rest of Janet's post by clicking this link.