'Her Story' West Coast Premiere

You know I have mad love for Jen Richards, and can't wait for the web series premiere of Her Story to happen on the website January 19.

Wednesday night it had its West Coast premiere in the West Hollywood City Council chambers to a packed house that included my Houston homegirl Nikki Araguz Loyd, the cast of  Her Story, casting directors, actors, and West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath who presented a proclamation to the cast and crew.

The Advocate's Dawn Ennis was in the house to cover what happened, and here's her take on it.

One of the things that needs to happen in 2016 and beyond is more media productions written, acted, directed and produced by trans people so that we can tell our stories in the way they deserve to be told.

As I and others have pointed out, having Hollywood doing just that is just as important to our trans human rights movement as all the lobbying we do at the local, state and federal levels for human rights laws that protect us.   Positive media coverage, and especially accurate portrayals of us in non-fiction and fictional stories paves the way for that to happen.

It's why I'm rooting for the blockbuster success of Her Story,.and hope it leads to a second season for it and more of our stories being aired on network and cable television.  

MAJOR! Premiere This Friday

This Friday will be an event I hope I get the chance to attend in the premiere of  the highly anticipated movie MAJOR! at the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival.

The film festival runs from September 12-15 at the Roxie Theater, but the MAJOR! premiere will happen at the Castro Theater.

MAJOR! is the documentary directed by Annalise Ophelian about Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, who is a Stonewall vet and Bay Area resident who has fought for trans human rights for trans women of color for over 40 years.

The 75 years young Miss Major recently retired as the executive director of the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project, better known as TGI Justice, and is a beloved and much respected figure for many of us in the community.   I've also had the pleasure of spending quality time with her at various conferences around the country over the last few years.

While I've had the pleasure of seeing a rough cut of the movie, would love to see the final finished documentary and Miss Major at the same time.

TransGriot Update:  Tried, just couldn't make it happen.  Will just have to see it when it hits my neck of the woods.  

Miss Major's TGIJP Retirement Party Coming Soon

After her decades of service to our community, the TGI Justice Project announced that Miss Major Griffin-Gracy  would be retiring as executive director of the organization.

On October 25 there will be an epic retirement party in San Francisco for our pioneering trans elder that also doubles as a fundraiser for the organization and Miss Major.

The party will also witness the formal passing of the TGIJP torch to Janetta Johnson, who will take over as executive director of TGI Justice Project.

While Miss Major is stepping down from the ED role at TGI Justice Project, she says she's still going to be speaking out about issues in our community when she feels moved to do so.

“I want to thank you all for working with me and being part of the transitions and changes we’ve  gone through at TGIJP over the years. And I want to assure you that while I’m stepping down as Executive Director, my mouth is not stepping down and I will continue to bitch and let people know what my community is going through. It's difficult living in our truth, but what better way to survive? It's important that we survive; we've got to come out on top. Please continue to support and back up Janetta for taking on the responsibility of taking TGIJP into the next phase. Wish her well and help her prosper. Be safe and stay strong."

The retirement party is slated to start at 4:00 PM PDT and run until 8 PM at the Bently Reserve Banking Hall in San Francisco, located at 301 Battery Street in San Francisco, CA.

You can purchase your tickets at this link.. There is also a Gofundme that has been set up for Miss Major to help her with her retirement expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/MsMajorRetirement 

Thanks for all you have done for us Miss Major, being still f*****g here to tell your story, passing down our history to me and others in our community, and representing for girls like us.

Another Cali Trans Teen Becomes A Prom Queen

California has led the way in crowing trans feminine prom and homecoming queens, and I'm happy to report that another trans teen has been selected by her high school as their prom queen.

Meet 17 year old Angie Esteban, who not only has persevered through a transition that has been bumpy at times, but on April 18 became Salinas High's first trans feminine prom queen.

The road to it started several months ago during homecoming when she was a volunteer on the senior class homecoming dance committee.  

She saw the homecoming court girls during a pep rally and thought, "I'd like to do that."  

Several friends got together, got her nominated, and the campaign to get her elected started earnest with the enthusiastic support of her classmates.

Angie's post graduation plans are to attend college and become a contestant on America's Next Top Model.

California Activist Counters Hate With 'Intolerant Jackass Act'

We've all seen the stories about the so-called 'Sodomite Suppression Act' that if it collects the 365,000 signatures it needs to make it to the ballot, calls for the execution of gays and lesbians in the Golden State.

Activist Charlotte Laws on Monday filed a counterproposal to the unbridled genocidal 'Kill The Gays' initiative proposed by attorney Matt McLaughlin (have they yanked his law license yet?) entitled the Intolerant Jackass Act

"Any person, herein known as an 'Intolerant Jackass,' who brings forth a ballot measure that suggests the killing of gays and/or lesbians, whether this measure is called the Sodomite Suppression Act or is known by some other name, shall be required to attend sensitivity training for at least three (3) hours per month for twelve (12) consecutive months," the initiative reads in part. "In addition, the offender or 'Intolerant Jackass' must donate $5,000 to a pro-gay or pro-lesbian organization."

Laws told The Advocate via e-mail why she filed it.

“I felt that ridiculing this man was the best way to defuse his vicious proposal and take away his power,” Laws told  The Advocate via email. “By filing the Intolerant Jackass Act, I am attempting to speak out against prejudice and hatred. It is important to fight injustice and intolerance. I want the world to know that Matt McLaughlin’s wretched and small-minded perspective is in the minority. Most people in California are caring and loving individuals who welcome the LGBTQ community.”

As delicious as this would be for this to go through the ballot initiative process and become California law, it may not be likely to happen.  Even if it did, it would probably be struck down as unconstitutional

But it sure will be fun to watch and see what happens.

Arrest Made In Deshawnda Sanchez Murder

The last moments of 21 year old Deshawnda Sanchez's all too brief life were engaged in a frantic early morning search for help in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood before she was gunned down December 3.

One break was that a neighbor's  security camera caught the perp getting out of a car, running toward the porch, and running back moments later to get in the car before it makes a high speed departure.

That video probably led to the announcement made by LA police that 30 year old Robert James Spells was arrested in connection to the Sanchez murder.

Spells, who according to an LA Times report has been convicted of various offenses, including robbery, being a felon with a firearm and possession of a controlled substance, was picked up Wednesday on a parole violation by US marshals at a relative's home.

LAPD Det. Chris Barling said Spells knew Sanchez but declined to discuss the nature of their relationship.  It is unclear whether Sanchez was targeted because of her gender identity, but it is believed to be a contributing factor in the attack.

“In this case, it is not clear-cut,” Barling said. “I think hate was used by Mr. Spells in killing Deshawnda.”

While it is unclear whether prosecutors will try to prosecute this case as a hate crime, what is clear is that Spells is not only facing a criminal count of murder in Sanchez's death, he is also expected to be charged with human trafficking over allegations he sexually assaulted an 11 year old girl and forced her into prostitution in a separate case.

We're one step closer to seeing our fallen sister receive justice in this case.

Updates In Two 2015 California Trans Murder Cases.

Have some updated information concerning the trans murder cases of Taja DeJesus and Michelle Yazmin Payne, who were murdered in northern and southern California within days of each other.
I'm happy to report there is good news in both of theses California cases in terms of bringing their killers to justice.

In the Michelle Payne case, 25 year Ezekiel Dear, who has been IDed as the boyfriend of Ms. Payne, turned himself into the LAPD 7th Division headquarters at 3:30 PM PST on February 1 accompanied by a pastor and confessed to killing her.

He was arraigned the next day at the Van Nuys courthouse on one felony count each of murder, with a knife-use allegation, and arson of an inhabited structure or property.

Will continue to keep you posted on this case.

Meanwhile, up I-5 in the Bay Area, the Taja DeJesus case has had a interesting twist.in the suspected perpetrator of the murder of our fallen sister being found dead himself.

49 year old James Hayes was found dead on February 2 hanging by the neck from a fence in the 4000 block of Third Street.  

The location was behind a warehouse a half mile from the crime scene where DeJesus was found stabbed to death, and Hayes was still wearing the clothing he wore when he allegedly stabbed Ms. DeJesus.

A die-in was held in front of San Francisco City Hall to protest the DeJesus killing and the murders of other trans women since June in California and elsewhere across the country.

After an operatic rendition of 'Amazing Grace' by Breanna Sinclaire, trans leaders in the San Francisco area called for an end to transphobia fueling these murders.

"We're still being murdered, harassed, and cast aside. We have to show that our lives matter," said Danielle Castro.

Yes they do, Danielle/   #TransLivesMatter.  #BlackTransLivesMatter   #LatinaTransLivesMatter  And let's hope that the people who have committed these heinous crimes aimed at us  are captured, tried and convicted for killing us.

LA Vigil For Michelle Yasmine Payne Tonight

New month, but the same old crap we have to deal with as we mourn the death of our 33 year old LA area trans sister Michelle Yasmine Payne.

Payne was found stabbed to death by firefighters called to put out a fire in the Van Nuys apartment she shared with her boyfriend in the 14600 block of Saticoy St yesterday morning.

A murder weapon was recovered at the scene, and there is a person of interest in this crime in Payne.s boyfriend.   He is described as being an African-American male that stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

If you have information that will result in the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of this heinous crime , please call the Van Nuys detective desk at 818-374-0040. After-hours calls could be made to 818-374-1999.

If you also have a photo of our fallen sister, please get them to me ASAP.

In other news, LA based trans advocate Bamby Salcedo has organized a vigil for Ms. Payne that will start at 6 PM PST at the 14600 Saticoy St. location.   If you can be there tonight, please do so to honor our sister who was ripped away from us far too soon.

Rest in Power, Michelle Yasmine.   Your sisters will not rest until justice is served in your case.

Kamala's Running For US Senate!

You longtime TransGriot readers know I have much love for Kamala Harris, the current two term Attorney General for the state of California

She was an Alameda County prosecutor and a San Francisco city attorney before winning her first term as the California AG after a nasty Karl Rove run fear and smear campaign in 2010. 

With the retirement of Sen Barbara Boxer (D)  looming next year, she announced yesterday that she was going to run for the US Senate seat  currently occupied by Boxer in what it sure to be a crowded Democratic primary race.

“I’m excited to share with you that I’m launching my campaign to represent the People of California in the United States Senate,” Harris wrote in an email to supporters. “Your support has been crucial to me every step of the way, and I’m asking you to help me build a grassroots campaign that reaches every community of California.”

We haven't had a female senator of African heritage since Carol Moseley-Braun became the first (and so far only African-American woman) to do so in 1992.

Could Kamala Harris be the second?   Stay tuned.

RIP Deshawnda Sanchez

So much for the 2014 Christmas season being devoid of a trans murder.

In the Los Angeles area in the early morning hours of December 3, 21 year old Deshawnda 'Tata' Thomas spent the last moments of her life pounding on the door of a Compton, CA home around 4 AM desperately seeking to escape someone.

That help arrived too late, and she unfortunately became the third trans woman on Southern California to die this year and the eleventh trans woman of color nationally to die since June .

And what's even more distressing to me, she was just 21 years old.

In what may turn out to be a huge break in this case, a surveillance camera at a nearby home caught someone getting out of a car and running toward the porch where Deshawnda was standing.   That person is spotted moments later running back toward he vehicle as it departs at high speed.

A vigil was held Friday night to point out those grim statistics and to loudly restate the point that #TransLivesMatter.



Lets hope the person pr persons responsible for this latest murder of a trans woman of color are swiftly caught and punished.

And the trans community won't rest until that happens.

Aniya Parker Case Update

In the latest news concerning the Aniya Parker murder in Los Angeles, a $50,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the three men who are believed to have committed it.

As the search for her killers continues, family and friends have launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Parker’s funeral expenses, describing her as a woman with “a heart of gold.”

The reward was announced during an emotional October 10 press conference. While the LAPD continues to investigate the case as a 'robbery gone wrong', the LA LGBT community continues to insist it was a hate crime.

Aniya Parker's distraught family members just want to know why she was killed.

“I don’t understand how you young people could do such a mean and cruel thing,” said Adrian Parker. “We just want to know why. We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. … Our family is in deep emotional stress.”

As usual TransGriot readers, will keep you posted on the updates and developments in this case as I receive them.

Arrest Made In Zoraida Reyes Murder

There is finally some great news to report concerning the case of our fallen trans sister Zoraida Reyes.   The 28 year old activist was one of four trans women of color killed across the nation during a deadly month of anti-trans violence that broke out in June.

Reyes' body was found dumped near an Anaheim, CA Dairy Queen back on June 12.  The speculation was that she was killed in another location and the body was bought there.

Anaheim Police on October 8 arrested 38 year old Randy Lee Parkerson and charged him with Reyes' murder.   He is accused of meeting Reyes on June 10, choking her to death, and driving around with her body in the trunk of his car for a day before dumping it, according to the charging documents.  

Parkerson is charged with one count of murder.  He is being held on $1 million bail at the Anaheim PD Temporary Detention Facility.  

The case according to an APD spokeperson still is not being investigated as a hate crime.

"The motive is still unclear" said Lt Bob Dunn in an LA Times interview. “There is nothing to suggest that Zoraida was specifically targeted.

As Parkerson undergoes questioning in this ongoing investigation, that is one of the questions that is crying out for an answer.

We are another step closer to getting justice for Zoraida, her family, and all the people who loved  her.

RIP Aniya Parker

We now know the name of our fallen transsister in Los Angeles.    She is 47 year old Aniya Parker., whose friends knew her as Asia. 

 LAPD may not want to call it a hate crime, but when somebody throws a punch at the victim before they shoot them, and leaves the purse behind, it doesn't take a Cal Tech degree to suspect this is a hate crime

She is the eight transperson to die this year in the United States and the second in the Los Angeles area since June.  And  fitting the pattern of all the previous trans murders in the United States in 2014, she is a trans woman of color.

A candlelight vigil was held last night at the Melrose and N. Kenmore Ave corner where she was fatally shot.

The LAPD are still looking for the 2-4 Latino men suspected of being perpetrators of this crime. If you have any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of these wastes of DNA, you can call them at 1-877-527-3247.

To all the folks  who knew and loved Ariya, we are just as upset and outraged about the untimely  loss of another one of our sisters, and hope justice happens expeditiously in this unfolding case.

And if you have a photo of her, please send it to me.

We've Lost Another Transsister

This time in Los Angeles.

Reports are coming from the area that a fortysomething trans woman was fatally shot in the head early this morning after an attempted robbery in East Hollywood.  

She was discovered about 2:30 AM PDT by LAPD officers responding to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of North Kenmore Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The woman was taken to the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 5 AM PDT, an LAPD police spokesperson said.

The unknown for now trans woman will unfortunately become the eighth transperson murdered this year in the United States.  She will also become the second transwoman in the LA metro area murdered since Zoraida Reyes was found dead back in June. 

I'm trying to get more information about our lost trans sister from local and other sources, and as soon as I have it, I'll post further updates to this story. 

But we'll have to recite another name at next month's TDOR, and this month';s just getting started. 

TransGriot Update: LAPD has finally released the name of our gone too soon sister, and she is 47 year old Aniya Parker

Trans and Gay Panic Legal Defenses Banned In California

The good human rights news just keeps on coming. 

The California Assembly passed on a 50-10 vote in August the AB 2501 bill authored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla that bans the use of trans and gay panic defenses in California criminal courts.  

Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed the bill into law, and it makes California the first state to ban the odious trans and gay panic defenses.

There is absolutely no justification for the use of ‘panic defenses,’" Assemblywoman Bonilla said in a statement. "Clearly this tactic has been utilized by defendants, unjustly targeting members of the LGBT community, based on damaging stereotypes. With AB 2501, we are moving forward to ensure equality in our courts and making it very clear that discrimination against the LGBT community is intolerable and unacceptable.”

Here's hoping that other states follow California's lead and pass similar legislation.

Domonique Newburn Case: One Year Later

As Islan Nettles was lying in a New York hospital bed in a coma after the vicious transphobic attack on her, today was the day a year ago the national trans community discovered we'd  lost another one of our sisters.

31 year old Domonique Newburn had been found dead in her blood spattered Fontana, CA apartment after reports of a disturbance were relayed to the local police.  

Newburn starred in a 2010 YouTube reality TV series called Hollywood Houseboys about four trans and SGLl friends trying to make it in the entertainment industry.

The prime suspect, Dantjier Domenick Powell, allegedly dated Newburn for several years.   He was spotted loading items in Domonique's black Mercedes C240 that was later found abandoned at Perris Hill Park in San Bernadino, CA.

The now 19 year old Powell fled the state by bus along with now 26 year old Jaime Nicole Cotton.  That led to a $1 million arrest warrant with extradition back to California being issued for Powell and Cotton.  

Powell was eventually captured in Springfield, MO., charged with murder and extradited back to California to face the legal music in February.   He has been held at the Adelanto Detention Center without bail since then.  

A hearing was held on Monday, August 11 before Judge Michael R. Libutti, with the result of Powell’s case being sent to Superior Court Judge Shahla S. Sabet for further action.


Prosecutors have filed charges of accessory after the fact against Cotton.   She was aware of the heinous crime Powell committed and helped him flee the state of California to avoid prosecution.

Will be keeping you posted on the outcome of this case and hoping that at long last, Domonique receives justice.

Bamby's Liberty Awards Speech

I have much love and respect for my homegirl Bamby Salcedo, the founder of the TransLatin@ Coalition and a longtime Los Angeles based activist

She was recently honored at Lambda Legal's West Coast Liberty Awards ceremony, and had some emotional and stirring things to say about our ongoing trans human rights movement.

The Liberty Awards event took place under the somber backdrop of activist Zoraida Reyes' body being found just 24 hours before she was to accept the award.

Congratulations Bamby on the well deserved honor for all the work you have done on behalf of our community.  

Here's the speech. 



 

RIP Zoraida Reyes

"Life is too short. We have to enjoy life however we want. We can love whoever we like. We were born to help others. We all are equal because we are not labeled like products. We are humans. Do something with your life, and not let life to do something with you"
-Zoraida Reyes'

While I was in Philly meeting many of our next generation activists during the just concluded Philadelphia Trans health Conference, sadly their is one trans sister that I won't have the honor and pleasure of getting to meet and know.

I'm saddened to report that we have lost one of our trans Latina sisters in California

Our California trans family and allies are mourning the senseless death of  28 year old Zoraida 'Ale' Reyes of Santa Ana, CA.   Her body was found behind a Dairy Queen in Anaheim, CA Friday.  

Initial evidence discovered by Anaheim police investigators is that Zoraida was killed somewhere else and the body was moved to that location. 

While the Orange County Sheriff's Department is reporting that an autopsy has been completed in this case, they are still gathering evidence to determine whether this was indeed a homicide and if i was, whether Zoraida's transfeminine status played a role .

“She had many, many hats in this community. She was an activist for the Dreamer movement, for undocumented students, she was also an activist for the transgender community, along with the gay community,” friend Javier Saucedo said in a KCAL-TV interview. “She was an activist, she was a friend, she was a daughter, she was a sister, she was someone you could count on.”

Zoraida was active not only in the trans human rights movement, but other causes such as the DREAM movement, immigration rights, and as an ally to the LGB community.

 

Over the weekend, a snap GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise the funds to help pay for Zoraida's funeral raised over $10,000.   There was a vigil held Friday night in Santa Ana to honor her memory, and another is scheduled to take place Tuesday in San Francisco.

As my California trans family and my trans Latina sisters pass me the details for her upcoming funeral service and any other subsequent memorial services,  I will pass them along to you in addition to any other news concerning the ongoing investigation into this senseless killing.

You know I will also follow this case until the waste or watses of DNA who took her from us far too soon are expeditiously arrested, convicted and rotting in a jail cell 

Ronnie Velez nailed it in this Facebook commentary in memory of Zoraida.

#TransLivesMatter May we honor Zoraida's life and contributions to our Latin@, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities by allowing her spirit to continue reclaiming family and unconditional love in our lives, so that she can renew us, our conversations, our relationships, our workplaces, our schools, our streets, and the only planet we know as home. We love you, sister. UNCONDITIONALLY

The outpouring of love, grief and affection for our fallen sister is powerful testimony to the love and respect that countless people had for her, and I'm saddened I won't get to know her..     

Rest in Power, Zoraida. You are already being missed by all the people who loved you and whose lives you touched.  Say hello to all our sisters who have transitioned to a better place with you.  
    

Brandy Martell Anniversary Plus Two

Thanks to Tiffany Woods for reminding me that today is the second anniversary of the untimely death of our Oakland trans sister Brandy Martell. 

She was.shot to death April 29 in downtown Oakland at Franklin and 13th Street while sitting behind the steering wheel of her car at 5:15 AM PDT socializing with her friends.   She was Oakland’s 43rd murder victim in 2012 and the third African-American transperson killed during that month nationwide. 

Brandy was a peer advocate for TransVision, a Fremont, CA based organization for trans women. Martell worked there from February 2007 to November 2011, offering health information and outreach to other transgender women.

TransVision’s Linkage to Care project for transgender women of color has been named the Brandy Martell Project in her honor and furthers her legacy of helping her trans sisters, and continues awareness of the issues of violence and HIV that continue to negatively impact transgender women of color. A community remembrance is being planned for a later date and as soon as that date is passed on to me I'll let you know in a follow up post..

You can also contact Tiffany Woods, the Transgender Program Manager at TransVision at
510-456-3521 or twoods@tri-cityhealth.org


There was a memorial vigil held at that downtown corner last year in which Oakland Police Howard Jordan was also there urging folks with information on this case to come forward and help OPD solve the crime.

Brandy's case unfortunately is still unsolved two years later, and OPD is still looking for information to help solve it and bring the perpetrator who commited this crime to justice. 

Anyone with information in Brandy Martell's murder can send the Oakland Police Department tips anonymously by texting TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777, calling the toll-free hotline at (855) 847-7247, or by calling (510) 535-4867. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (510) 777-8572. The case number is 12-020709.

Brandy is still missed in the East Bay by all who knew her, and as those who loved her struggle through this two year anniversary of her untimely death, the one thing they are unified in hoping for is Brandy finally receives justice.

B. Scott Loses BET Lawsuit

I saw this coming back in August when I took a lot of criticism for questioning the timing of B.Scott's 'I'm transgender' declaration.

As you recall, that declaration happened just as a multimillion dollar discrimination lawsuit was filed against BET by Scott for forcing her to change into masculine clothing and later dropping her from the telecast during last July's BET Awards show.

A suit that B. Scott has lost.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Yvette M Palazuelos ruled Thursday that BET had the right to force Scott to change to more masculine attire.

Will have to chat with my attorney friends to see if the troubling vibe I got from Thursday's ruling is something to be concerned about as a trans human rights advocate. 

But as you probably guessed, B.Scott and her attorney are disappointed in the outcome and will appeal it.

It disheartens me that the message sent today wasn’t a message of acceptance, but rather it’s acceptable to discriminate against transgender individuals on the basis of their gender identity and expression  – and that such discriminatory acts are protected under the first amendment.

As my attorney and I seek to appeal the judge’s decision on the motion to strike in the California Court of Appeal, we’re continuing to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community and to remind the world that it’s ok to be who you are.

I believe the fact B.Scott only made the trans declaration AFTER the July 2013 BET incident and had a long documented history of writings, video blogs and statements denying trans status may have possibly played a role into yesterday's decision by Judge Palazuelos.  

As I said in last August's post, the saga continues.