Number 12- Rest In Power Dominique Rem'mie Fells

Figures that literally the day after I posted that 2020 trans murders midyear review article, another trans person was killed.

We head to Philadelphia for the latest trans murder in the person of 27 year old Dominique Fells. 

The delay in reporting Fells' death is due in large part to media misgendering of her.  The initial reports on Philadelphia TV station ABC6 and other Philadelphia media outlets misgendered Fells.

It took The Morris Home, a local recovery residence for trans and gender non conforming people recognized her as one of their residents to end the disrespect of being media misgendered.

Her body was found June 9 on the banks of the Schuylkill River in the 3500 block of Schuylkill Avenue near Bartram's Garden.   In addition to having her legs severed in the upper thigh area in a manner that indicates a train may have cut them, she had sustained injuries to her head and face.

Her legs have not been recovered at the scene where her body was recovered or anywhere else in the Philadelphia area so far, and the coroner as I'm writing this hasn't determined the official cause of her death.

It is however being ruled as a homicide

The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs, which is currently headed by Black trans woman Celena Morrison, released this statement concerning the death of Fells.

 “As thousands take to the streets to proclaim that Black Lives Matter, it is critical we remember that this includes Black trans lives. Dominique Rem’mie Fells’ life mattered. We are reminded with this, and countless other painful losses — especially within our transgender communities — that there is much left to do until we achieve full equality, respect, and support for us all. The murder of transgender people — especially those of color — is truly an epidemic and a crisis that we cannot afford to allow to persist any further. Let us uplift her memory together.”

Fells is now the 12th person we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2020, and the fourth African American trans person this year.     She's also the seventh under age 30 that we have lost in 2020 to anti-trans violence.

Here's also hoping the the perpetrators of this crime are found and swiftly brought to justice. 

Michelle Washington Celebration Of Life Service Tomorrow

For those of you in the Philadelphia metro area who wish to attend the celebration of life services of Michelle 'Tameka' Washington, here's the info.   

They will take place at Batchelor Brothers Funeral Home., located at 7112 North Broad Street in Philadelphia.   The viewing will start at 12 noon EDT, followed by the service starting at 1 PM EDT.

The Repast/Reception will begin at 2:30 PM EDT and is scheduled to run until 4:30 PM.   It will take place at Hot Pot Cuisine.    The address is 4234 Germantown Ave in Philadelphia.   

Hope you peeps in the Philly area are able to attend and honor our gone too soon sibling.

Number 4- Rest In Power and Peace Michelle Washington

Less than 24 hours after Muhlaysia Booker was killed in Dallas, in Philadelphia 40 year old Michelle Washington was found at 5:06 AM EDT in the 3400 block of North 11th Street suffering from gunshots to the head, body and buttocks.

Washington was transported to Temple University Hospital where she subsequently died after her arrival.

Now for the grim stats.   Washington is now the 4th trans person we've lost to anti-trans violence in 2019 and the second in less than 24 hours.   As you probably suspected, all the trans people we have lost in 2019 have been African American.

Philadelphia police found three shell casings at the scene, and are looking for any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of thee perpetrators of this crime.

As of yet no word about a memorial service, but will post that information once I receive it from my Philly trans family.   She was also known as Tameka to her close friends in the community

Rest in power and peace, Michelle.   You not only will be remembered by everyone who loved you, we will not rest until the person who committed this crime is rotting in a jail cell.

Dewey's Historical Marker Erases and Gaywashes Black Trans History

'It's always sad to me when a historic site closes,   Here's hoping that someone in the Philly LGBT community will work to have a historical marker placed at that spot where Black trans history was made once the new hotel is completed.'

-TransGriot, April 25, 2017 
One of the trans themed protests that I have talked about on this blog was the 1965 Dewey's Lunch Counter Sit In and Protest, in which gender variant African Americans led a weeklong protest starting on April 25 at the diner that led to the owners rescinding a transphobic policy.

Because Dewey's was a 24 hour eatery near the Philly gayborhood, it was a hangout for trans and gender nonconforming people.  The owners, afraid they would lose cis customer business, announced a policy that anyone who was dressed in attire at odds with their birth gender would not be served.

After getting protested for a week, they dropped that policy.

Dewey's, operating since 1978 at 219 S. 17th St, as a 24 hour restaurant called Little Pete's, permanently closed last year and was subsequently demolished to make room for a new Hyatt Hotel on the site. 

During the 2015 LGBT Media Journalists Convening, the hotel we were using for the convening was directly across the street from the restaurant.   When I was told during the opening mixer event by local Philly community folks that we were across the street from this trans historical spot,  all of the trans journalists in attendance that year quickly agreed after I told them that we would take a photo in front of Dewey's.

During a break in the convening action, we  along with NLGJA executive director Adam Pawlus went across the street to take that photo.

While I was happy someone read my blog post about the Dewey's closure last year and started the process to get a Pennsylvania historical marker placed at the former Dewey's site that I suggested in the post, what I'm not happy about, and neither is the Philadelphia Black trans community, is that the marker gaywashed and erased us out of history we made.

The marker was dedicated on October 1, and there is no mention on the historical marker that it was Black trans gender variant people who sparked, led and executed this event. 

The text of the marker states: “Activists led one of the nation’s first LGBT sit-ins here in 1965 after homosexuals were denied service at Dewey’s restaurant. Inspired by African-American lunch-counter sit-ins, this event prompted Dewey’s to stop its discriminatory policy, an early victory for LGBT rights.”

Frankly, I'm not surprised it happened.   I've had Philly based Black TBLGQ advocates candidly talk to me about the disturbing undercurrent of anti-Blackness in the Philly TBLGQ community. 

 I've been worried that because of that Philly area anti-Blackness, erasure of the involvement of Black trans people in the the text of the marker for the Dewey's sit in would happen if we weren't involved in the process while it was being created to emphatically insist that the marker reflect that. 

I also suspected it might happen because ever since I've started talking about Dewey's on this blog and on the Bilerico Project that I used to write for, I got pushback from white gays trying to whitewash the event, or assert there wasn't any African American or trans involvement in it. 

Here's hoping that the Philly activist community can get the gaywashed marker corrected so it tells the real story for future generations who read it about what happened on that spot where it stands over 60 years ago

Number 19- Rest In Power and Peace Shantee Tucker

It has been another rough year for Black trans women in terms of once again being the ones most likely to be killed due to anti-trans violence. 

I was traveling, and was distressed to hear while waiting for my connecting flight in Phoenix this morning that we added another name to the already too long list of trans people who have been killed in 2018.  We go to Philadelphia. PA  for the nineteenth person we have lost in the person of Shantee Tucker.

According to reporting from Philadelphia magazine, the 30 year old Tucker was found at 1:05 AM EDT by police officers responding to reports of a shooting at 4300 Old York Road.

Upon arrival they found Tucker lying in the highway suffering from a gunshot would to the back. 
She was taken to Temple University Hospital where she succumbed from her injuries.

The initial police investigation revealed that Tucker had a brief argument with a person or persons in a black older model Ford pickup truck.   Gunshots were subsequently fired at Tucker after the verbal confrontation.   That black Ford truck had bonding on it and no tailgate, and the Philadelphia police are looking for the people in that truck. 

If you have any information concerning this latest murder, you are urged to call the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit at 215- 686-3334   or 215-686-TIPS (8477)

Tucker unfortunately is now the 14th African American trans and gender nonconforming person killed due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2018 and the thirteenth Black trans feminine person.

What is even more distressing to me is that this is the third Black trans person we have lost in a week and as I write this, I'm hearing unconfirmed reports that we may have another one in New York..

What is also upsetting to me is that Shantee just recently celebrated her 30th birthday on September 2.

Her Black life mattered.   Her Black trans life mattered.  When are our Black legacy orgs going to stand up and speak out publicly about the slaughter of Black trans women and call for its end?

Still waiting for that public statement from you, NAACP.

As of yet, no word about any vigils planned for Shantee, and if I hear any news about them or I'm notified about it in time, I'll pass that info along.

Rest in power and peace, Shantee.  Your family and all who loved you will not rest until the wastes of DNA who committed this crime are caught, prosecuted and rotting in a jail cell.

#StopKillingUs  #StopKillingBlackTransWomen   Stop killing trans people, period

Ciora Thomas Named To PA Commission of LGBT Affairs

That was fast.

Just posted yesterday about the Pennsylvania Commission of LGBT Affairs being devoid of Black trans representation, and now comes word that the oversight has been fixed.

Ciora Thomas of Pittsburgh has been added to the commission as of today.   And yes, she's a proud girl like us.

She's the founder of Sisters PGH,  serves on the Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council secured a partnership and position on the board of Proud Haven, an organization that provides a safe shelter for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth/adults.

Congrats Ciora!  I know you'll be an unapologetic voice for Pennsylvania trans folks.   Kudos also to whoever was reading and listening to Ernest and myself, and fixed the representation problem with the LGBT Commission that Ernest Owens and I were calling out.

The PA Commission of LGBT Affairs Is Black Trans Free

Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order yesterday that created the Pennsylvania Commission of LGBT Affairs.  It is the only one like it in the entire nation.

But it has a seriously problematic omission as pointed out on his FB page by NABJ award winning journalist, CNN contributor and Philly Mag LGBT editor Ernest Owens.

***

Ernest Owens

2 hrs · 

THIS IS DISAPPOINTING. Finally getting back in the groove from a long week off and see a lot of things remain the same.

There is something very wrong with this list of 40 LGBTQ names chosen to take place in this historic moment for Pennsylvania.

THERE ARE NO BLACK TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ON THIS LGBTQ AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NONE. NOT A SINGLE ONE.

Looking even closer, I don't think there might be any trans people of color on board for that matter. THIS IS ERASURE. THIS IS A PROBLEM.

To make matters worse, out of the 40 people -- TWO DO NOT EVEN IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ -- State Rep Dan Frankel and State Senator Larry Farnese.

So in other words, two cis-gender straight white "allies" are taking up space in a position of leadership that could be designated by more of our people.

Furthermore, the majority of this list is most of the same ole' respectable token LGBTQ leaders who dominate the conversation within the state all the time.

The fact that none of them spoke out about this glaring omission speaks volumes. The fact that they felt comfortable being in a room that ignored a subset of our community that lead the call for LGBTQ equality long before any of their cis-gender, non-diverse assess says a lot.

I'm disappointed by this list and by the fact that in 2018, we are still acting like transgender people of color aren't out here putting in that work.

To the 40 people on this list, including the two straight white cis-gender men, change this ASAP.

***

Once again, out of the 40 Pennsylvanians that have been named to this groundbreaking commision, none of them are part of the most marginalized group in the commonwealth, Black trans people.

And it's not like you don't have Black trans people that could have been picked to serve on it. 

I do know of one who has national respect in Black trans circles who was not only a 2016 DNC delegate for Pennsylvania, but would be an excellent addition to that commission in Sharron Cooks. 

She is probably the most high profile Black trans leader in Pennsylvania, and she's not on this LGBT commission?   But I guess Sharron is 'too Black' and 'too woke' for y'all, huh? 

And before you go there, Amber Hikes is a Black cisgender woman.   While she's part of the LGBT fam, I've met her during one of my trips to Philly and personally like her, that's not the same as having a Black trans person who deals with the daily microaggressive slights of living life in Pennsylvania while being unapologetically Black and trans.

We need Black trans people like Sharron, who are well versed in the issues that affect Pennsylvania Black trans people, to be on that Pennsylvania LGBT commision to unapologetically talk about them.

It also occurred to me there are no Latinx trans people on this commission either.   Where's Naiymah A.Sanchez's name?   Was she even extended an invitation to join it?   Latinx trans voices are needed as well if you're going to craft effective policy that helps the Pennsylvania trans Latinx community.   

But I see you had no problem putting Tyler Titus on it, and doing so as a co-chair.   Congrats to him for being tapped as a co-chair of this LGBT commission, but I still have to call out the fact that it looks like so far he's the only trans person on this commission, and as usual, the interests of white trans people will be repped and articulated on it from the outset.

And yes, there are also Black trans masculine leaders in Pennsylvania.  Where are they on this list?

The bottom line is that Black, Latinx and other trans persons of color live in Pennsylvania and deserve representation on this statewide LGBT commission. 

If you're going to create this commission, Gov Wolf, in order to craft policy that improves the lives of trans Pennsylvanians, the voices of trans people of color must be at the table at the outself to help shape equitable policies and procedures that come out of it.


TransGriot update:  Not long after writing this post, discovered a Latinx trans man was part of the original list of members of this commission.   Ciora Thomas was added the next day  

Homophobic Presentation Happening In Philly Saturday

This kind of crap is why Dan Savage's 'Blacks are more homophobic' lie is hard for us to kill.

This Saturday some clueless kneegrow is going to step into the Universal Audenried Charter High School venue in a city he can't spell and give a homophobic lecture that does nothing but spread unnecessary animus in our community.

And this why I have a major problem with many of the peeps in the Nation of Islam.  They are far too busy peddling anti-TBLGQ nonsense that does nothing to unify our community.

Too bad I won't be in the Philadelphia area to relentlessly mock and snatch wigs in that event., so I'm going to throw my shade from long distance.

If you wish to mock and protest the dissemination of anti-TBLGQ propaganda in person Philly TBLGQ fam, the school is located at 3301 Tasker St/, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19145 .

Who is this kneegrow 'Dr' Wesley Muhammad?  He's definitely trying to pump up the fact you can't watch this hot mess of a lecture on YouTube or Facebook. 

And I presume he got his 'doctorate' from the same place Umar Johnson acquired his.

I wouldn't be surprised if our old friend James David Manning didn't ride the train down from NYC to join them  Does he still have his Harlem hate church?

And how exactly do you 'make a homosexual'?  Do you lock them up in a room and force them to sing show tunes for hours?  Watch RuPaul's Drag Race on an endless loop?  Do reverse  reparative therapy?   

Tell me, because my inquiring mind wants to know. 

Wesley, one thing I'm quite aware of in my 55 years and counting of life on Planet Earth and my 37 years observing and being around the TBLGQ community that homosexuals are born, not manufactured.

And since you were whining about 'feminization of the male baby', let me school your ignorant azz about basic biology.   All human life at conception is FEMALE.   A little less testosterone in vitro and you would have come out of mommy's womb in a female body answering to a feminine name

It has also been an observation of mine that those who doth protesteth too loudly and are virulently anti- gay, especially when they are standing in a pulpit or behind a lectern screeching their anti-TBLGQ hate speech are usually the ones involved in or desiring same gender loving relationships. 

But as we know, homohaters gotta hate.

Blaina and Antoine, what's your review of this upcoming gaybaiting fest?

Here's hoping the Philadelphia TBLGQ community will give you the welcome you so richly deserve, especially since you mispelled the name of the city on your poster..

TransGriot Update:   In the wake of my post, I understand from my Philly fam that Muhammad's invite to speak has been rescinded.    He's taking his hate speech down I-95 to the Muhammad Mosque #35 in Wilmington, DE 

 

Pittsburgh (and Philadelphia) Voted For Hillary, Not 45

The political science joke about Pennsylvania is that it is Pittsburgh in the west, Philadelphia in the east and Alabama in the middle.

We all know that Trump shockingly won this state narrowly on Election Night in large part to three third party candidates siphoning off just enough votes to allow Trump to eke out a narrow (ugh) victory in the Keystone State.

Dear Orange Misleader seems to have it in his head that the two largest cities in the state of Pennsylvania voted for him when he cited the Steel City as his jacked up rationale for pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Change Accords that 195 nations signed.

No Dumb Donald, Pittsburgh didn't vote for you, it voted for Hillary, and it wasn't close.

Hillary Clinton received 363, 017 votes (56.4%) of the votes cast in Allegheny County to Trump's 257, 488 (.40% ) .

Gary Johnson received 15,854 (2%) ,Jill Stein  5,021 (0.8%) and Darrell Castle got 1,793 (0.3%)

In Philadelphia, it was a blowout    Clinton received 560, 542 votes (82.4% ) of the votes cast in Philadelphia County to Trump's  105, 418 (15.5%).

Johnson got 6,786 (1%). Stein 6,452 (0.9%) and Castle 1,029 (0.2%)

So nope Dumb Donald, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the two largest cities in the state, didn't vote for you. and in both cities it was a massive rejection of you.

TransGriot Note:  Thanks to TransGriot reader Jason Byrd for sending me the Allegheny and Philadelphia Counties 2016 election data that inspired the post.

Election Registration Deadlines Today In TX And Several States

If after watching (or not watching) the second debate and you are sufficiently motivated enough to vote on November 8, then you better bust a move because today is the deadline day to get registered.

Texas is one of those states in which today is the deadline to get registered to vote along with georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Just a reminder, here's the rest of the voter registration deadlines for October.

In the District of Columbia today is also the deadline to register in advance of the election, but you can do same day registration there. I'd suggest you do it now DC if possible.

Florida's deadline was originally today, and Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) refused to extend the deadline despite the fact that county offices in much of the state were closed because of Hurricane Matthew.  
Thanks to a successful voting rights lawsuit filed by the Florida Democratic Party, the voter registration deadline was extended by US District court Judge Mark E. Walker (Obama appointee) by one day, with another hearing coming later today to determine whether to extend it beyond Wednesday.


Once again, presidential elections matter, and if you wish you exercise that right to vote on November 8 or during early voting if your part of the country offers it like Texas does (October 24-November 4), you must handle the first step of it and register to vote.

The clock's ticking.    You can check your registration status or register to vote via this link.

If you believe your voting rights are being messed with, call the ACLU Voter Protection Hotline at 877-523-2792

Two People Arrested In Maya Young Murder Case

That was fast.   Two people have been arrested by Philadelphia PD in connection with the fatal stabbing death of Maya Young.

19 year old Jose Pena and 24 year old Tiffany Floyd  were arrested this week and charged with murder and conspiracy in Young's death.

Floyd was denied bail and is being held pending her scheduled March 16 hearing at 9 AM in Room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center.

Pena was also denied bail, but is being held in a juvenile facility.   His hearing is scheduled at 9 AM in Room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center on March 23.   In case you Philly area peeps wish to witness the proceedings in either case, the Criminal Justice Center is located at 1301 Filbert St.

Will be checking on this case to see if our fallen sister receives justice .  

Parents Try Suing To Stop Adult Child From Having SRS

In our WTF news of the day, was alerted to a situation in which the parents of Christine Kitzler tried to sue in a last ditch attempt by them to stop their 48 year grown azz child from undergoing SRS

Kitzler was in Pennsylvania from her home in South Carolina to get the gender confirmation surgery done after 16 months of pre-operative preparation, the prerequisite psychological clearances and a 24 hour fast before the scheduled Tuesday procedure was halted by her parents lawsuit.

Angela Giampolo, Christine's attorney said she had never seen competency invoked in order to block a gender reassignment surgery, and that Kitzler's parents were trying to prevent Christine from living an authentic life .

"This isn't a competency hearing.  This isn't a guardianship hearing. This is a difference of opinion,." said the prominent Philadelphia based TBLG rights attorney.  

Judge C.Theodore Fritsch agreed and denied their request, saying Klaus and Ingrid Kitzler had failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that guardianship was necessary.  Judge Fritsch also denied their motion for an independent medical exam.

Of course Christine was happy with the decision rendered by the court and is moving forward with the planned procedure.  

Good luck with your SRS Christine and may you have a speedy and complication free recovery from it.

Pennsylvania School Board Denies Trans Student Chance To Run For Homecoming King

Well Class of 2014, I guess y'all were paying attention when I wrote this post.   Too bad the adults running many of your schools and school districts aren't. 

While one trans student made history last week, another one won't even get the chance to become homecoming king at his school when they play their game on October 5.  

The Richland School Board let stand a decision by school administrators in the Johnstown, PA area district to deny 17 year old senior Kasey Caron to chance to run for homecoming king.

It's similar to the battle earlier this year that Isaak Wolfe fought in his administratively thwarted attempt to become prom king at Red Lion High     Kasey is being listed on the ballot for homecoming queen instead of homecoming king.

Kasey's mother Kathy Caron read a prepared statement seeling to not only reverse that school decision, but also asked the Richland board to address three issues:

• Allowing Kasey to wear a cap and gown of male color during graduation.

• Adding gender identity to the school’s protection under its bullying policies.

• Establishing a gay-straight alliance at the high school this year.

The board punted on the homecoming king issue and claimed they would need more time to study the other three.  

“No formal action is required due to the board agreeing with the previous decision of the administration,” Richland School Board Solicitor Timothy Leventry said from a prepared statement.

“Basically they’re leaving Kasey on the female ballot,” Kasey’s mother, Kathy Caron, said after the meeting. “I’m disappointed.”

Wondering if the ACLU is going to jump into this case.

Sheena Monnin Still Owes The Donald And Miss Universe $5 Million

Remember Sheena Monnin, the transphobic 2012 Miss Pennsylvania pageant queen who threw shade at Jenna Talackova and made the sour grapes tinged accusation the Miss USA pageant was rigged? 

The Donald as the co-owner of the Miss Universe pageant system sued, alleging that Monnin's accusation cost them a $5 million fee from a potential 2013 pageant sponsor and she lost a December arbitration hearing.

She also inserted herself in the at the time news surrounding Jenna Talackova competing for the 2012 Miss Canada Universe crown by shadily using her as a excuse to resign the Miss Pennsylvania Universe 2012 crown June 4 after she failed to make the Top 15 in the 2012 Miss USA pageant won by eventual Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.

“I refuse to be part of a pageant system that has so far and so completely removed itself from its foundational principles as to allow and support natural born males to compete in it,” Monnin's resignation email said. “This goes against ever moral fiber of my being.”

Well, she's in the news again because she tried to get the adverse arbitrator decision against her overturned and failed. 

U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken upheld the arbitrator’s decision that Monnin sought to have overturned on the grounds that the arbitrator overstepped his authority, his decision disregarded law, and she didn’t know the arbitration hearing was taking place.

Judge Oetken, who was appointed by President Obama to the federal bench in July 2011 said otherwise.  Judge Oetken BTW is the first openly gay man appointed to the federal bench, so I found it it deliciously ironic he received this case.

And yeah, karma is a rhymes with itch.    Miss Moral Fiber 2012 still owes The Donald and the Miss Universe pageant system $5 million.

What, Fox Noise hasn't called you for a fembot commentating gig yet?  Gee, I wonder why? 

Issak Gets To Go To His Prom With His Date

The Red Lion Area Senior High School prom in Red Lion, PA was last night, and senior Issak Oliver Wolfe was in attendance with his date Taylor Thomas last night.

The reason we're aware this happened is because of the transphobic events leading up to last night's prom that prompted the ACLU to get involved.

Issak has been transitioning since ninth grade even though his paper trail hasn't yet caught up to where he is in his physical transformation.


But a nasty cup of transphobia was dipped in his transition Kool-Aid by Red Lion High School principal Mark Shue when he listed Issak as a candidate on the prom queen side under his old name because he was 'uncomfortable'.  

Never mind the fact that Issak was running for prom king.

When a stunned Issak went to find out why, Shue and his assistant principals were conveniently out of the building for a meeting.   Then Shue continued to dig the transphobic hole he was in by barring Wolfe's 19 year old girlfreind from being able to attend the prom with him because she exercised her First Amendment rights and called out Red Lion High School on a Facebook page.

The ACLU got involved at this point and threatened a lawsuit if Shue not only didn't cease and desist with the prom shenanigans, but allow Issak to wear the black cap and gown male Red Lion students wear.on May 3.  Why they don't have all students wear the school color cap and gowns is a mystery, but back to the story.


.The ACLU is also demanding an apology from Shue for the hurt and unnecessary drama he caused Wolfe with his initial transphobic stunt.

Will keep you updated as to if it happens.