Moni Does Dallas Soon

Moni's going to be in Dallas, TX March 13-17 for the second annual Black Transmen, Inc Conference at the Hilton Doubletree Dallas-Campbell Center

The person who will be given the honor and pleasure of doing one of the keynote speeches for this event will be a certain IFGE Trinity Award winning blogger y'all all know and love.    

I'll get to see one of my fave transmen in the community in the person of Kylar Broadus, who will be following in Louis Mitchell's capable footsteps in giving the 2013 BTMI keynote address. 

It's also the first time I'll be doing a keynote speech inside the borders of the Lone Star State, and it'll ironically be on the opposite end of I-45 from my hometown.  

Go figure.  I hope you peeps in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex come check it out.

I'm looking forward to it and will do my best to give you Black Transmen, Inc. Conference attendees a speech worthy of the event.

See y'all in Dallas March 13-17!
 

SMU Adds Trans Policy Protections

The list of Lone Star State colleges and universities adding trans protections just grew by one.

Thanks to the hard work of the folks at Resource Center Dallas and other allies in the Dallas area. Southern Methodist University's Board of Trustees voted at their December 2012 meeting to make the necessary additions to the policy to protect the trans students matriculating on their campus. 

The revised policy took effect on January 1.

SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

Over the past several years, RCD officials provided SMU with several examples of fully-inclusive nondiscrimination policies in both higher education and other settings, and met with SMU officials to explain the importance of adding the trans protections for their students.  .

SMU becomes the first four-year college in North Central Texas to have fully inclusive nondiscrimination protections and hope others in that region step up to the plate and join them..

Texas TDOR 2012 Events

As you TransGriot readers know, I am a huge long time supporter of the Transgender Day of Remembrance events and have had the honor and privilege of being the keynote speaker for TDOR's in Louisville (2002, 2003) and the Long Island TDOR in 2009. 

Just wondering when it will happen for me in my hometown and my home state (hint, hint)

This is the link to find a TDOR memorial near you in the US, Canada and around the world, but I'm focusing this post on Texas and when, where, what date and what time the Lone Star State TDOR's will take place.

Austin, Texas
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 6:30 PM CST at the Austin City Hall Plaza
—–
Dallas, Texas
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on November 18, 2012 from 6:00-8:30 PM CST at the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas,TX., 75235
For more information contact: Oliver at olblumerdc@aol.com
—–
Houston, Texas
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 7:00-9:00 PM CST at the UH Main Campus, A.D. Bruce Religion Center
parking in lot 13A
website: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/146252865521389/?fref=ts
—–
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock's first Transgender Day of Remembrance to be held Thursday November 15, 2012 from 7-8:30 PM CST at Metropolitan Community Church  4501 University Ave, Lubbock, Texas 79413-3615
 —–
San Antonio, Texas
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
at the Metropolitan Community Church Sanctuary 611 E. Myrtle St.
San Antonio, TX 78212

Big Tex Goes Up In Flames

The 2012 run of the State Fair of Texas closes down in Dallas later today, but as it does so it will be missing a beloved iconic figure that stood tall over it for 60 years.

Big Tex, the 60 foot tall cowboy that stood over the fair since 1952 caught fire Friday.   It's suspected that an electrical fire that started in the wired jaw that allowed the statue to say 'Howdy Y'all" is what caused its fiery demise. 

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is already on record as stating Big Tex would be rebuilt and in place to greet visitors to Fair Park when the 2013 edition of the State Fair opens next year.  

Janette Tovar Update

The friends and family of our trans sister Janette Tovar held a candlelight vigil for her Thursday night at the Grapevine Bar in Dallas that was well attended.   People in the Dallas rainbow community are still stunned, shocked and angry about her untimely loss and how it transpired.

As for the arrangements for Ms. Tovar, there won't be a wake, viewing or funeral because Janette is being cremated.  A church service is being planned and scheduled for a later date and as soon as I have that info, I will pass that along to you.

Thanks to my friends, fellow bloggers and allies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I'll have some help keeping you apprised of the ongoing developments in terms of the murder investigation and how the case against her alleged killer Jonathan Kenney is progressing. 

I will definitely let you know if and when our fallen trans sister Janette receives justice.

RIP, Janette

Damn, we'll be adding another name to the 2012 TDOR list.  This time the fallen trans sister comes from my home state.   According to the Dallas Voice, 43 year old Janette Tovar was murdered Tuesday by her life partner, 26 year old Jonathan Stuart Kenney.

Kenney was arrested by Dallas police yesterday.   According to an arrest affidavit, an investigation into Tovar’s death revealed that Kenney slammed Tovar’s head into the concrete in the 830 block of West Davis Street at 6:20 AM CDT Monday.   Kenney then continued to assault Tovar when they returned home to 918 W. 8th St.

Police then responded to a 911 call at about 4:20 PM at the couple’s residence. The initial police report states that a man called 911 around 4 PM Monday after finding Tovar “not breathing and unresponsive.” Dallas Fire-Rescue and homicide detectives responded to the scene.

The arrest affidavit states that Kenney did not tell police he and Tovar had a fight before he found Tovar. The apartment manager told police the couple were fighting between 8 and 9 AM and that he heard Tovar tell Kenney to “Get off me!” The manager told police he lives directly below the couple and banged on the ceiling to get them to stop fighting. He told police they “are always fighting and arguing.”

Kenney provided a taped statement to police Monday night, admitting that he slammed Tovar’s head into the concrete at Tyler and Davis streets and that he continued to assault her after they arrived home at their apartment.

After the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy, Tovar’s death was ruled a homicide Tuesday with the cause of death listed as blunt force trauma to the head.

An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Kenney on Wednesday with Dallas PD confirming that he was in custody on Thursday morning.

Will be keeping track of this case to see if Janette receives justice

2nd Annual Black Transmen,Inc Conference Coming Soon

I was pleased to hear about the first one when it occurred earlier this year in Dallas with Rev. Louis Mitchell doing an inspiring keynote address for it.  The 2013 event not only has a date but a bigger hotel close to the DART light rail lines to help you get around Big D and experience what the city has to offer.  

Save the date because the transbrothers are getting together on the other end of I-45 for their 2nd Annual Black Transmen,.Inc Transgender Advocacy Conference and Dinner in Dallas.  

For the second year in a row the transbrothers are planning a conference as big as the Lone Star State from March 13-March 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas - Campbell Centre .   Had some scheduling conflicts that kept me from attending the initial one (and was pissed about it)  but will do my best to keep the calendar open and clear for that weekend.

But I'll let my transbrothers toot their own horns about this fast growing and sure to be well attended event.

***.
 
Welcome to Our 2nd Annual Black Transmen, Inc Transgender Advocacy Conference! We are anxious to meet you in Dallas, Texas once again for an amazing and life changing experience. We would like to extend a special invitation and welcome to our sister group Black Transwomen and look forward to building with you as well. This is our time to meet, unite, discuss, learn and celebrate.

Plan for an event of a life time for couples, youth, singles, families and allies to transmen and the SLGBTQIH community worldwide. "Become the change you want to see in the world"

General Conference Information:

(4) Day Empowerment Event Schedule. Featured Topics on: Identity, Culture, Religion, Family, Health, Wealth, Careers, Education, Business, Legal, Community and Youth Services
Registration: http://blacktransadvocacy2013.eventbrite.com/

Conference Tracks:

Black Transmen, Inc Leadership Training (staff only)
SLGBTQHI Alliance & Community Training
Trans Health Fair & HIV/AIDS Education, Prevention and Testing
Trans Career Services & Job Fair
Trans Youth Seminar
Transmen Seminar
Transwomen Seminar
Trans Aging Adult Seminar
Spouses Seminar

Conference Events:

Annual Black Transmen, Inc Awards Dinner Ball (Formal Attire)
For Men: www.menswearhouse.com
TransManifest- Live! Performances from the SLGBTQ community.
Black Transmen, Inc Mini Ball featuring* All Trans Categories*
Pre & Post Conference Events will also be scheduled
More Events Will Be Posted!

Travel Discount Information:

Our Host Hotel $89 Night! Double Tree: Code BTA
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/D/DFWCNDT-BTA-20130313/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
American Airlines: Code A6733DE www.aa.com
Avis: Code D256983 www.avis.com
Amtrak: Code X79L-957 www.amtrak.com
Get on the Bus: Enjoy A Bus ride from your local area! Contact us to be added to the list.

Fans Gearing Up To Save GCB

I wrote about how much I loved the backstabbing faith based antics of the ABC show GCB, which is based on the Kim Gatlin novel and set in the fictional Dallas enclave town of Hillside Park. 

Was disappointed when ABC announced they would not be renewing the show, but the fans of this creating from the same writers who penned Sex In The City had other ideas.

A Save GCB effort has started with a website and online petition drive that has garnered 100,000 signatures.  In addition a campaign to sell out the just released first season DVD of the show has also been launched (and I'll have get my copy of that along with Scandal)

I loved the show, and the season finale has some cliffhangers in it I'd love to see explored and resolved in a Season 2.  Carlene discovers that Ripp has a Latina daughter named Lucia as her dream of her Condos for Christian Living in unincorporated Juarez, Mexico was a disaster.   Amanda and Luke's relationship is on hold after she discovered that he lied to her about being in Austin when he was in fact down in Mexico investigating whether Lucia was actually Ripp's daughter.  

Speaking of relationships, Cricket and Blake's marriage may be tested because Blake may be about to be yanked out of the closet.   After Amanda put hers on hold with Luke for lying to her, she drowns her sorrows at a Mexican bar and ends up in a kiss with Pastor Tudor.. 

We'll see if the fan effort to save GCB is successful and if we get to see the resolution of those cliff hangers next television season.

Message From Black Transmen Conference

Black Transmen, Inc Founder-Director Carter Brown has a YouTube video welcome message for folks who are coming to (or considering coming to) the first annual Black Transmen Advocacy Retreat Conference & Dinner being held in Dallas, TX March 29-April 1.  

One of the keynote speakers will be Minister Louis Mitchell and the TransGriot may have to make that run up I-45 for this event.to support her transbrothers at this historic conference. 

     

DCCCD Passes Trans Inclusive Policy!

There's good news to report out of Dallas this evening concerning the proposed expansion of DCCCD nondiscrimination policy.  

The Dallas County Community College District Board of Trustees at this afternoon's board meeting passed on a 4-1 vote the expansion of DCCCD policy for students and employees with the inclusion of gender identity and expression language.

The new language that modifies one employee and two student nondiscrimination policies will take effect March 1 and they join the Houston area's San Jacinto Community College System and the Houston Community College System in doing so.  

The Dallas County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the state of Texas with over 85,000 students and 25,000 enrolled in continuing education courses.

There were two trustees absent from this meeting and the lone NO vote came from District 4 trustee Bill Metzger.  In case you peeps in the Metroplex are wondering when you'll get your chance to show your displeasure with his vote on this issue at the ballot box, unfortunately you'll have to wait until 2016 to do so. 

Trustee Diana Flores told the Dallas Voice that the calls and letters to the Board of Trustees received in favor of this policy expansion are what made the difference in terms of the successful vote in enacting this positive human rights advance.

So for those of you who called, wrote, spoke in front of the Board of Trustees or showed up at DCCCD headquarters wearing pink clothing in solidarity of this policy change, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to do so and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back. 

You can bet the eyes of the DFW Metroplex and the rest of the Lone Star State will be on the Dallas County Community College District to ensure the policy the Board of Trustees voted affirmatively on is implemented as expeditiously as possible at all of its campuses.

A human rights expansion sure is a nice way to get 2012 started.

DCCCD Policy Vote Today

With the new year comes the first news about an effort to advance human rights for the rainbow community of Texas.

Up I-45 from me the Dallas County Community College District board will hold their meeting today.  On the agenda will be the expansion of DCCCD nondiscrimination policies that cover employees and two student ones to include gender identity and gender expression.

DCCCD is seeking to join San Jacinto Community College and the Houston Community College District as Lone Star State institutions that have similar gender identity and expression language in their nondiscrimination policies.
  
The proposed policy expansion will come up for a board vote at this meeting and the good folks up there in the Metroplex would like to fill the room with supportive people not only willing to speak affirmatively for it but also wear pink to indicate they are in favor of the policy change.  

If you can be there or have time in your busy lives to do so the DCCCD administration building is located at 1601 South Lamar St.   It is south of Downtown Dallas and near both South Side on Lamar and the Dallas PD HQ.  The Cedars DART Rail station on the DART Rail Red and Blue lines is a few blocks away and the DART 26 bus line runs by it with service to and from the nearby DART Rail Cedars station. 

There is a free parking lot across the street from the DCCCD headquarters building, so if you can make it please show up at the DCCCD board meeting in pink and support what we hope will be the first policy victory in the nation for 2012

Rangers Manager Nine Innings From Baseball History

Ron Washington became the first African-American to manage the Texas Rangers in 2007, and so far he's led his team to back to back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. 

He's not however, the first African-American baseball manager to do that.  Cito Gaston was the first and did so with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992-1993.

Gaston's Blue Jays also won back to back titles in the process.   Dusty Baker when he managed the San Francisco Giants in 2002 became the second to take a team to a World Series but unfortunately lost to the then Anaheim Angels in seven games.  New Orleans native Ron Washington is the third African-American manager to take a team to the World series..

With the Rangers taking a 3-2 series lead into Game 6, Washington is nine innings away from becoming the second African-American manager to win a World Series, and after the foul tweet from Tony LaRussa daughter Devon about him, I'm rooting for him to do so.