2012 Olympic Watch-USA vs Canada In Olympic Women's Soccer Knockout Semis

Back in January the USA and Canadian women's soccer teams met in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament that was held in Vancouver to determine who the two reps from our FIFA region would be for the London Olympics.   It was a match that had a disappointing ending for our northern neighbors as the USA beat Canada 4-0.

Fast forward to August and we are now deep into the Olympic women's soccer tournament knockout rounds.   Surprise surprise, Canada and the USA are facing each other on one side of the women's Olympic soccer semifinal bracket while FIFA world champ Japan takes on France in the other semifinal.

Canada knocked off the host nation Great Britain 2-0 in the quarters while Team USA was doing the same thing to New Zealand by the same 2-0 score.

The win over New Zealand kept their streak alive of playing in the semifinals of all the Olympic tournaments in which women's soccer has been contested.   Team USA women have also played in the semifinals of all six FIFA Women's World Cups.

The semifinal match will take place tomorrow at Old Trafford in Manchester, England starting at 1:45 PM CDT.   It will be the 500th international match that the USA women have played and just in case you're wondering, they have a 388-57-54 record.   

But back to tomorrow's game.   Since the opening 4-2 win against France, Hope Solo and Team USA have posted a 4-0 record and have posted three shutouts.   But we're facing our neighbors with a chance to go to the Olympic gold medal match on the line.     


And bragging rights between moi and a certain Canadian blogger are on the line as well.  

Manitoba Trans Human Rights Code Expansion Bill Gets Royal Assent

The trans rights positive momentum in Canada continues as Bill 36, the Human Rights Code Amendment Act passed the Manitoba Legislature and received Royal Assent on June 14.

Translation for you peeps south of the 49th parallel:  it's now the law.

Manitoba now has become the second Canadian province to pass trans human rights protections with the passage of Bill 36.  .

In addition to the Manitoba human rights code now being expanded to cover gender identity, the Human Rights Code Amendment Act adds "social disadvantage" to protect individuals who are or are perceived to be undereducated, underemployed, homeless or living in inadequate housing.

It also streamlines procedures for the Manitoba Human Rights  commission to handle its business

Congrats again to the Canadian trans community.  Your home and native land is rapidly becoming one that respects and protects your human rights in at least two provinces and the Northwest Territories and its something that I home my own country will replicate soon.

Canadian Trans Student Named Prom Queen

The positive trans news just keeps on coming from north of the 49th parallel, and this time it's centered in Trenton, ON.

We've had on our side of the border two people, Crystal Vera of Fresno, CA in May 2007 and Andi Viveros in Davie, FL last year be elected by their respective student bodies as prom queens.  

There was also the thwarted October 2010 attempt of Andy Moreno of Dallas to become the first ever open trans homecoming queen when the transphobic principal of North Dallas High School refused to allow her to run.

Toby Covarrubias of Fresno attempted weeks before Crystal Vera became prom queen at Roosevelt High to become the first trans prom king at Fresno High School but didn't get enough votes to make history.  

In 2010 while Moreno was battling her principal, Oak Reed in Michigan won the title of homecoming king at his school but was denied by school authorities the opportunity to accept it.  Niko Walker of Culver City, CA became the first trans homecoming king.

Now comes news from the Great White North that Connor Ferguson was named on June 22 prom queen at Trenton High School.

“I was really surprised,” Ferguson said of the win. “It was pretty surreal actually. If I remember correctly my jaw hit the floor and we all started laughing because it was so crazy. I walked up and the crown didn’t fit my hair, so I had to hold it.”

Ferguson admitted high school was relatively easy-going, especially considering the stigma surrounding transgender people and the LGBT community. The school has a tolerant student body and supportive staff, as well as the positive effects of the anti-bullying campaign the school holds annually, Ferguson said.

“I’ve lived as I am for four years now, so I believe the ‘shock value’ is gone and most people just accept me for me,” Ferguson said. “It took some time for quite a few people, but the school and staff definitely helped with that, and my group of friends was endlessly supportive. I think people accept you a lot more when you stick up for yourself and have enough confidence to be yourself.”

I agree Connor, and congrats on being probably the first open trans prom queen in Canadian history.

It's The USA's 236th Birthday...Who's Jealous Of Whom?

Renee had a little too much Canadian Club or was on an intense sugar high when she wrote that Canada Day post extolling the virtues of her home and native land.

Excuse me while I lick the BBQ sauce off my fingers in preparation for denouncing you properly.  And by the way, can't stand beer, no matter who brews it. 

The United States of America is 236 years old today.  It doesn't have to be jealous of any nation, much less our youngling 145 year old next door neighbor we share that long border with.  I wouldn't even start bragging about the War of 1812 since our former colonial overlords Britain did most of the fighting and paying for it.  

May I point out your hometown of Toronto (then known as York) was captured on April 27, 1812 by US troops and the Upper Canada parliament building and library located there were subsequently burned. 

The Niagara region was an invasion route in that war and Fort George and Niagara-on-the-Lake (then known as Newark) got captured and burned as  well.   By 1813 the US had control of Lake Erie and was threatening to cut off Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River, so I hardly call that an azz kicking.  The War of 1812 is regarded by many historians as a draw, but I can understand why you Canadians have a soft spot for it..

If you're going to selectively attempt to take credit for the British burning of Washington DC in 1814 then you get to take credit for the loss future president Andrew Jackson handed the Brits at the Battle of New Orleans. 

Canadian bacon is still ham, Vermont and New Hampshire produce great maple syrup as well, and I like my fries with bacon bits, cheese and occasionally chili.  But barbecue is still the all-American food besides the hamburger we're famous for.

As I pointed out in last year's post, there's no comparison between the Canada goose and the eagle.  Our national symbol will not only majestically poop on you but kick your behind if you have the misfortune of getting in the way of its razor sharp talons when it's diving on you..

You can stop guzzling that Canadian red hateraid from three liter sized bottles.  Can't help it that many of your singers (Tamia, Deborah Cox, Bobby and the Vancouvers, Vanity, Drake) take their musical talents south of the border    .

And about that comment about our national anthem:



And yes, noticed that you were quiet about 'your game' in which you can't even hold the men's or women's International Ice Hockey Federation tournament titles in it.   May I remind you that the 2012 men's IIHF world champs are the Russians, and our USA women felt sorry for y'all this year after holding the IIHF women's title for three straight years.  We'll have fun taking it back from y'all when y'all host the 2013 tournament in Ottawa.   Oh yeah, you can bet your loonies the Russians and us are coming for those Olympic medals in 2014.

Speaking of something else you're quiet about to the point you're trying to trade the Sweater Vest for a pint of beer,. there's no comparison between our national leaders. 

President Barack H. Obama, his lovely wife Michelle our First lady, and the First Daughters are not only smart and talented people, but look so good representing the USA at international events.

We're proud to have him sitting in the Oval Office fighting for us and I hope we get to enjoy him and the First Family living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for another four years. 

Now as for those trades.  Y'all can keep Alberta.   We have enough problems with our own conservafools that we need to rein in now.  Besides, I gave you Canadians a birthday present by pointing out to our conservaidiots y'all didn't want them desecrating your country. 

You can thank me later with Timmy's when I make it to your side of the border.

On that note back to me chowing down on my BBQ while I wait for the fireworks show to commence later this evening at Eleanor Tinsley Park.  .

Canadian Women B-Ballers Headed To London!

It's next stop London for the Canadian women's basketball team.

Two days after being upset by Croatia in the quarterfinals, they had to do it the hard way and on Canada Day no less, but for the first time since 2000 the Canadian women's basketball team will be taking part in the women's Olympic basketball tournament.

They knocked off Argentina 58-41 yesterday to get to today's final.  Courtney Pilypaitis scored 21 points and handed out six assists in the 71-63 win over Japan to clinch the final berth available in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Ankara, Turkey.

The Canadians shot 48% for the game and lit it up from three point range, knocking down 9 of 19 attempts from behind the arc.

They get to savor their win for a few days and contemplate what life will be like in the Olympic Village before preparing for tough Group B Olympic competition that will include games with 2008 silver medalists Australia, Brazil, 2008 bronze medalists Russia,  2010 FIBA Women's World Championship runner-up Czech Republic and host nation Great Britain.   

Happy 145th Birthday, Canada!

Today is Canada Day and I wanted to take a moment to wish all my TransGriot readers north of the 49th parallel a happy one.

Canada Day celebrates our northern neighbors birthday.   Specifically it commemorates the uniting of three colonies, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada (which split into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec) and creating a four province federation under the British North America Act in 1867.

The July 1 date is considered Canada's birthday, and that means it's a holiday weekend in the Great White North. I presume my homegirl in Niagara Falls will be marking the auspicious occasion of her nation's birth by indulging in a few Timmy's Ice Capp's or maybe some adult beverages.  

And yeah Renee, I'm waiting to see what Canada Day smack you write this year because you know the retaliatory post will be coming three days from now.

And don't overdo it on the ketchup flavored potato chips.

I suspect when the fireworks and parades happen to celebrate their nation's 145th birthday, trans Canadians, especially in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario will be singing 'O Canada' a little louder and be standing a little taller this year because of the positive direction that trans human rights have taken in their home and  native land. 

Happy Birthday, Canada!

Canada Women B-Ballers Still Alive For Olympic Berth

It's probably not the way they envisioned spending Canada Day, but they will be glad to take the court tomorrow with a final chance to dribble their way into the London Olympic women's basketball tournament. 

After a tough quarterfinal 59-56 loss to Croatia that dropped them into the win or go home knockout semifinal games today, Canada defeated Argentina 58-41 today to reach the final game at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament being contested in Ankara, Turkey.

Their opponent will be Japan, who knocked off their fellow FIBA Asian Zone rival Korea 79-51 to advance to tomorrow's pressure packed game for the final Olympic women's basketball berth.

Good luck ladies and don't sleep on Japan.   If you do your next chance to play basketball on the Olympic stage won't occur until 2016 in Rio.

The Canadians Don't Want You Conservafools In Their Country, Either

Sorry to kill your buzz as y'all prepare to celebrate your 145th birthday on the other side of the 49th parallel, but as a good neighbor to all my loyal TransGriot readers on the other side of the long border we share, I thought I should advise you that some of our Ugly Conservafool Americans have expressed a desire to live on your side of the border because of their foaming at the mouth racist hatred of President Obama.

As much as I would love for them to bounce and never come back, I can't in good conscience let that happen with at least giving y'all a heads up.

Since y'all are busy celebrating Canada Day weekend, as a birthday gift to your nation I'll take it upon myself to talk to our conservafools American to American and point out why US conservafools should reconsider their hasty ramblings and empty threats to move to Canada. 


Okay conservafools, let's chit chat for a moment shall we?   Before we get started, there is no industrialized nation or continent in the world that you can to go to escape a government run health care system except sub Saharan African ones, and even they are trying to get to single payer health care as expeditiously as possible
.  
Now y'all have been in sore loser freak out mode ever since the SCOTUS ruling on the Affordable Care Act Thursday surprisingly went against y'all.   Here's just a sample of the tweets y'all composed that we 'libruls' have been hysterically laughing at the wake of your loss.

I don't know why you peeps arrogantly think the Canadians want you to live in their country.  They have their own conservawingers in Alberta and Little Alberta (Saskatchewan) to deal with and damned sure don't want y'all stomping around Banff National Park or smoking up their high quality BC weed.

And hello, if you want to leave the USA because of 'socialized medicine', guess what the medical system is based on in the Great White North?  

If you said socialized medicine, congratulations, you're smarter than the average non hooked on phonics conservafool.  Even your NRA poster girl Caribou Barbie has snuck across the border from Alaska to partake of their high quality socialized medical care that results in Canadians having longer life spans than us exceptional Americans.

You conservapeeps are stuck in your conservamedia echo chamber you'll have to give up once you step across the 49th parallel.  But before you do so, you have to pay all the taxes you owe Uncle Sam before.you leave.  Assuming you meet the requirements for emigration to your proposed new home and native land, you'll quickly discover that Canadians live in a different and reality based world

They don't allow unchecked hate speech or have a network that broadcasts 24 hour conservalies.  Their gun laws are stiffer, and oh yeah, Canada has allowed since 2003 gay marriage, respects a woman's right to choose and has strong, powerful politically active unions.   You'll have to get used to a Canadian Armed Forces that allows transpeople to openly serve in it, and speaking of transpeople, human rights for trans Canadians is starting to make serious progress in the Great White North thanks to the New Democratic Party and fair minded Canadians realizing it's time to do so.

The national pastime is hockey and televised on Hockey Night In Canada.  Football is CFL football, played with three downs, 12 men and on a 65 by 110 yard field with 20 yard end zones and a championship game called the Grey Cup.     .

Your homeschooled kids will no longer be taught Flintstones science, they'll be taught facts based  science in schools that are ranked in the top five in the world in math and science education in addition to a longer school year that ends in late June.  

There's also something y'all hated on called the metric system that is in widespread use north of the border that you and your conservakids will have to get adjusted to.  You'll watch a smiling weatherperson telling you it's going to be a hot 37 degrees in Calgary.  Your speed limits are posted in km/h, distances between cities will be measured in kilometers and you'11 be buying gas for that trip in liters.  . 

Since many of you conservafools have a demonstrated spelling problem, they also use Her Royal Majesty's English north of the 49th parallel as well.

Oh yeah, since you conservapeeps love hating on France, I would suggest you don't move to or visit Quebec where the French language and culture are dominant to the point where the road signs are printed in that language and Francophone Quebeckers are fiercely protective of that French heritage as well.

And yes, Canada is a bilingual country. 

The Sweater Vest and his Conservatives have a majority government now, but his conservafool policies y'all love are pissing off the Canadian electorate to the point that by the time you experience your first Canadian election in 2015 you may be facing the prospect of gasp, you ran from the federal center-left policies of President Obama to the federal center-left policies of the New Democratic Party if the chatter coming out of the Canadian pundit class is correct and another Orange Crush wave to throw the Conservative bums out is building..

FYI, if you move to Ontario, they just passed an anti-bullying law that applies to all schools in the province including the Catholic ones and an anti-trans discrimination one.   If you visit Toronto, it's a world class city with a multicultural population that has people there who look like me.   Nova Scotia has a lot of people there who look like me as well.


And if you're bitching about paying taxes now, wait until you discover on April 30 that Canadians shell out much more of their loonies in taxes to pay for that socialist infrastructure. 

But you will get to eat at Timmy's more often, celebrate Thanksgiving in October, be healthier and drink better beer.

Hell, maybe I should consider moving there, but only after President Obama wins his second term. 

2012 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tourney In Quarterfinals

The 2012 FIBA Women's World Olympic Qualifying Tournament tipped off in Ankara, Turkey June 25 with our FIBA number 11 ranked Canadian neighbors being amongst the femme roundball teams trying to dribble their way into the London Olympic basketball tournament that starts a few weeks from now

Out of the 12 nations that started their quest for the five remaining spots to go to London only eight remain after they survived group play.  The host nation Turkey won Group A and will play Group B runner up and FIBA number 12 ranked Argentina. Group B winner and FIBA number 4 ranked Czech Republic will play Group A runner up and FIBA number 15 ranked Japan.  

Canada was in Group D with FIBA number 8 ranked France and Mali and got their tournament off to a rousing start June 25 by crushing Mali 89-23.  

The next day against France they brought their bricklayers union cards and got off to a slow start that resulted in a 57-46 loss and a 1-1 record in Group D play.  

Despite the loss they were still in great shape to qualify for the quarterfinals because of the blowout win over FIBA number 19 ranked Mali.   The only way they would be knocked out of the tournament is if Mali upset France and beat them by a 65 point margin in doing so. 

Umm no. France routed Mali 88-37 on June 27 to win the group with Canada finishing as the runner up.  France will play Group C runner up and FIBA number 9 ranked Korea for one of the Olympic spots.

The Canadians will play Croatia, the group C winner that has jumped 23 spots in the FIBA rankings to number 31 with a spot in the Olympics going to the winner and the loser moving on to play June 30 the loser of the Turkey-Argentina game.   The losers in the Czech Republic-Japan and France-Korea games would also battle it out on June 30 in the semis.

The winners of the June 30 semifinals would play July 1 for the final Olympic berth.  

I would think the Canadian women's b-ballers would rather handle their business today and be celebrating on Canada Day a trip to London rather than playing a nerve racking two additional must win games tomorrow and on Canada Day to get the final Olympic berth.

Toby's Act Granted Royal Assent!

The final stage in making Toby's Act the law in the province of Ontario occurred earlier this week.

As a reminder for those of you who have been following my posts concerning this north of the border trans human rights issue, Toby’s Act enshrines gender identity and gender expression into Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Bill 33 as it was known has been a multiyear effort spearheaded by New Democratic Party MPP Cheri DiNovo for several years.  

Bill 33 had tri party support in Queen's Park in this session of the Ontario Legislature was also sponsored by Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi, and Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott.

It passed unanimously on Third Reading last week and I discovered that it was granted Royal Assent on Tuesday by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

So it's official.  Toby's Act is not only the law in Ontario, it now becomes the first province and the second jurisdiction in Canada to protect the human rights of trans people.

And just in time for pride, too.

Yo, Canada! Wonderful Week For Canadian Transpeeps

Transpeople in the Great White North have had a wonderful week and I couldn't be happier for y'all peeps north of the 49th parallel.

First came the unexpected news that the province of Alberta, a bastion of Canadian style conservatism reinstated funding in their provincial health care plan for SRS. 

That was quickly followed up on Wednesday by the unanimous Third Reading vote in Ontario for Toby's Act.  That makes Ontario the first Canadian province to pass trans human rights coverage and the second large Canadian jurisdiction after the Northwest Territories to do so..   

There's also word that similar trans positive human rights legislation is pending in the Manitoba provincial legislature after the province's.human rights code is being expanded to cover trans people. 

I also can't forget to point out that C-279, the federal trans rights bill, passed a Second Reading vote by a 150-132 margin in a Conservative dominated House of Commons chamber on June 6 with support from some Conservative MP's..

Hoping the positive trans human rights momentum keeps going for y'all    We'll certainly be watching from south of the border what happens from this point forward.

Toby's Act Passes Third Reading!

In an anti-climactic but still historic day for transpeople in Ontario, Bill 33, also known as Toby's Act unanimously passed the Ontario Legislature. 

Toby's Act had tri-party support and it capped several years of attempts starting in 2007 to pass it by New Democratic Party MPP Cheri DiNovo and local trans activists.

The wonderful news from Queen's Park followed good news on the Canadian trans activism front in Alberta and from Ottawa.

NDP MP Randall Garrison's C-279, the federal trans rights bill passed Second Reading on June 6 by a 150 to 132 vote that included several Conservative MPs.  A provincial trans rights bill similar to Ontario's is currently pending in the Manitoba legislature as well

Bill 13, an anti-bullying bill was also passed by the Ontario legislature as well.

Toby's Act is still awaiting the final step of Royal Assent before it becomes law and makes Ontario the second large Canadian jurisdiction after the Northwest Territories to confer upon its trans citizens full human rights coverage.

Toby's Act To Have Third Reading Today

Transpeople in Ontario may be on the verge of an historic event today when Bill 33, known as Toby’s Act has its third reading today.

It has already unanimously passed its second reading back in May and has support at Queen's Park from all three parties.

New Democratic Party MPP Cheri DiNovo is the author of the private member's bill and has tried three previous times since 2007 to get Toby's Act passed.

Thanks to DiNovo's determined efforts to make it happen, lobbying from local trans rights groups,that helped build tri-party support, Toby's Act may finally be on the verge of happening for the trans community of Ontario in its fourth attempt of passage.

Toby's Act will amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to add gender identity and gender expression language to it should it become law.   It would also make the province of Ontario the second jurisdiction in Canada after the Northwest Territories in which trans people have full human rights coverage.

“This is absolutely historic. This will be the first jurisdiction in North America outside the Northwest Territories to have included trans people as full citizens truly and given them human rights along with everyone else,” MPP DiNovo said on Tuesday.

“The time has come. Hats off to the trans lobbyists who been working on this for years and years,” she said of the bill known as Toby’s Act, after the late musician Toby Dancer, who led the gospel choir at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church where DiNovo ministered.

It would definitely be a welcome development for trans people in the Great White North and especially those in Ontario, and if it does happen, your trans cousins south of the border will be celebrating right along with you.

Alberta Reinstates SRS Funds

Any time Alberta is mentioned in our conversations concerning Canadian politics, my Timmy's Ice Capp loving homegirl refers to Wild Rose Country as 'that wretched province' for its rampant Canadian style conservatism.  

I end up feeling obligated to defend Alberta and its dedicated activists who live there like Mercedes Allen.  I know all too well what it is like to have your nation's liberal progressive activists comfortably ensconced in liberal areas taking frequent potshots at your home turf due to the conservafool politicians in charge of it pimping jacked up social policies.

Never mind the fact you and others are busting your behinds to get progressive political momentum restarted in your conservative leaning home area.

Well, there was a big win for the Canadian trans community, and it happened in wait for it, Alberta.

On April 7, 2009 Alberta's conservative provincial government delisted SRS from its provincial health plan in order to save money, but discovered that the 700,000 CAD it costs for the 16 surgeries a year was just a tiny sliver of the 12.9 billion CAD provincial healthcare budget.  It not only didn't produce the savings they thought it would, all it did was piss trans Albertans off enough to cause a tipping point moment that got them to organize, fight and file lawsuits against the province over the issue.

Well, it was announced that Alberta would be reinstating SRS funding in its health care plan for SRS effective June 15.  

Of course our trans cousins in Alberta are ecstatic about the welcome news. 

We are pleased that the current administration sees value in caring for all Albertans needs, enabling them to live happy, fulfilled lives.  The return of this coverage, whose removal only saved Albertans $0.18 each annually, will give hope to those for whom GRS was previously out of reach.  While there are many other issues facing Trans-identified Albertans, this is a huge step in the direction of respect and dignity for the Trans Community by the Alberta Government. Thank you for taking this important first step.

Those Alberta lawsuits probably would have been successful because Ontario tried a similar delisting tactic in their OHIP provincial healthcare plan.  After a ten year battle, in March 2008 they had to restore SRS funding in OHIP after losing a human rights lawsuit similar to the ones being filed in Alberta.

Once again, another win for the Canadian trans community and in conservative dominated territory on top of that which makes it even sweeter.  Way to go, Alberta trans community!

Toby's Law Unanimously Passes Second Reading

Looks like the fourth attempt of NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo to pass Toby's Law may finally be on its way to a successful conclusion.

DiNovo has been trying since 2007 to get this law passed.  It would amend the Ontario Human Rights Code by adding gender identity and expression to protect transpeople from discrimination in the province.

The need for it was highlighted by an ugly October 2011 trans discrimination incident at a flea market in London, ON that news of went international.

On May 10 Private Member's Bill 33 reached Second reading stage.  The bill has support from all three parties in the Ontario Legislature and after debate came up for a vote which was unanimous.

The bill now goes to committee and if it clears committe with no propblems will be brought back to the Ontario House for a Third Reading that should it pass, will become provincial law.

Wow, major props to the persistence of MPP DiNovo,  the local trans rights groups there to keep pushing for its passage.  Hopefully you peeps in Ontario will really have something to celebrate when pride kicks off later in June.  

Manitoba Human Rights Code Expanding To Cover Trans People

More progress for our Canadian trans peeps. 

Trans people living in the province of Manitoba got some wonderful news yesterday from Justice Minister Andrew Swan.  The province's human rights code will be changed so transgender Manitobans and those with a "disadvantaged social status" will be protected from discrimination.

Manitoba's human rights code already forbids discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status and other factors and will bring Manitoba's code up to speed with what exists in other provinces such as Quebec.  

The changes were requested by the province's Human Rights Commission, the body that hears complaints of discrimination and a legislative amendment was introduced by Swan yesterday to initiate the process.

In addition to adding protections for trans residents and the poor people of Manitoba, also includes revisions on how the commission does its work.  The proposed changes allow for joint Manitoba Human Rights Commission proceedings on similar complaints, allowing the commission to sit in smaller panels and expanding mediation provisions.

Swan said the changes will protect people who have a social disadvantage, or are perceived to be undereducated, underemployed, homeless or living in inadequate housing, from being discriminated against.

You're Still A Winner In Our Eyes, Jenna

With the eyes of the world focused on Toronto for a historic finals night for the 2012 Miss Canada Universe pageant, 23 year old Jenna Talackova was not only competing for the right to represent her nation in the Miss Universe event in December, but an entire worldwide community of transwomen.

She did make it to the 12 semifinalist round, but unfortunately not to the five finalists one.

But as I've said for a few days now, even if she didn't walk out with the Miss Canada Universe crown last night and I presume she's probably disappointed she didn't, she's still a winner.  

Talackova fought for her place in this pageant after being unjustly disqualified by the bogus and transphobic 'natural born womna' rule.  Because she did so she eventually broke through a glass ceiling that allowed her to be on stage with 64 other Canadian women and will make it  easier (we hope) for the next transwoman who wishes to compete in her Miss Universe system national pageant.

In the process of tenaciously fighting for her dream to happen, she gave transwomen around the world an opportunity to jump start educational conversations about who we are, how transphobic and wrong that rule was and what we are capable of doing if we're just given the opportunity to try.

It's never easy to be a trailblazer, and Jenna did so with class and dignity.   Her sister contestants agree with me since she was one of three women who tied for the Miss Congeniality award for this 2012 pageant. 

It'll be interesting moving forward from this date to see what transpires next for Jenna in the future and see if she makes come true her stated goals of becoming a Victoria's Secret model and getting the swimsuit cover of Sports Illustrated.

I have the feeling that this determined young woman somehow will make it happen and expand the boundaries of what is possible for #girlslikeus.

You're still a winner in our eyes, Jenna.   

Good Luck Jenna!

Jenna Talackova has arrived in Toronto for the Miss Canada Universe pageant and what she hopes will be a successful history making conclusion to the end of her week of competition.

As you loyal TransGriot readers are aware of she fought a pitched battle to remain a contestant in the 2012 Miss Canada Universe pageant after she was disqualified under the bogus 'natural born woman' rule.

That rule was instituted by pageant owner Donald Trump after the 2001 Miss Universe pageant competition in Puerto Rico included rumors that Miss France Elodie Gossuin was a transwoman.


Talackova was reinstated after her dismissal sparked worldwide outrage, an online petition that garnered over 30,000 signatures and saw Los Angeles based attorney Gloria Allred taking up her case. 

The natural born woman' rule has been dropped and all national pageants in the Miss Universe system starting in 2013 will be open to transwomen in those nations who meet the Miss Universe pageant contestant eligibility requirements.


But many pageant fans eyes around the world this week will turn toward the Great White North and be focused on the 23 year old Talackova's history making turn as the first open transwomen to compete in a predominately cis female pageant. 

You still have time to vote for Jenna in the Miss Canada Universe's People's Choice Award that will be announced on May 17

The people checking out the happenings in Toronto will include my pageant happy transsisters from the Philippines and Thailand and probably China's Chen Lili.   She was the 2004 Miss China delegate but was denied the opportunity to compete because of that now defunct 'natural born woman' rule.  

She's got 65 people she's competing against for the honor of representing Canada in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant that is scheduled.to be held in December 2012 in a venue to be determined.  

If she does win the Miss Universe Canada one, she would make history again as the first open trans contestant to compete and win her national pageant in addition to becoming the first transwoman to openly compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

Wouldn't that cause a major spike in the television ratings for the 2012 Miss Universe pageant?

Best of luck Jenna.  Your trans sisters in your home and native land and around the globe are rooting for you to win. 

Even if you don't leave Toronto on May 19 with the crown, you did something far more important by fighting an injustice aimed at you, jump starting a worldwide conversation about our humanity, femininity and getting people to recognize how transphobic and stupid that 'natural born woman' rule was.

You also smashed a glass ceiling by getting this iconic pageant system to open its doors to young transwomen around the world who may have dreamed of winning this title and can now make it happen.

.

Renee Discusses Motherhood And Feminism

Happy Mother's Day TransGriot readers!  Since it's your day, what better way for me to spend it than listening to one of my favorite mommy bloggers who is all that and four bags of ketchup flavor chips?

Renee of Womanist Musings spent a few moments on Friday as a guest on the CBC Radio show The Current discussing the topic of motherhood and feminism.




And as you those of you who read her blog know about her, she's going to tell it like it T-I-S when it comes to motherhood and the different ways she intersects with the topic.  

The Current is hosted by Erica Johnson, and here's my Timmy's IceCapp drinking homegirl for your  TransGriot listening pleasure.

Help Jenna Win The Miss Canada Universe People's Choice Award

The 2012 edition of the Miss Universe Canada pageant as you know will make history with Jenna Talackova becoming the first transwoman being allowed to compete in it.   

This pageant also has a People's Choice Award in which you get to vote for one of the contestants with the winner being announced during the prelim show on May 17.

The voting for the People's Choice Award is happening now as I compile this post, and as a way for us to show some support for our trans sister let's see if we can help her win that People's Choice Award. 

You can click on that link which will take you to the People's Choice Award section of the Miss Canada Universe website and vote for Jenna.
The winner will be announced during the May 17 preliminary broadcast

Here's hoping she not only wins the People's Choice Award but wins Miss Canada Universe on May 19.