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

Marisa Richmond Confirmed To Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission!

In some more good news for trans kind, Dr. Marisa Richmond and 8 other candidates for the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission were unanimously confirmed by Metro Council tonight for a three year term.

By doing so, Marisa becomes the first out trans person nominated and confirmed to a term on this or any commission in Nashville metro government.   The Human Relations Commission is tasked with investigating discrimination complaints within the city of Nashville and Davidson County.

Congrats for making history in your hometown Marisa, and kudos to Mayor Berry for recognizing that you would be a wonderful addition to that body.  

TransGriot PervWatch- The Tennessee GOP Sexual Harasser

As we've noted on these electronic pages and elsewhere on the Net, there has been a GOP legislative attack on the trans community spread across several states in reaction to their pissivity over the Obergefell SCOTUS ruling.

In Tennessee, the attack on transpeople legislation has been co-sponsored by state Rep. Jeremy Durham (R-Franklin), who has pimped the debunked lie that cisgender men would 'pretend' to be transgender in order to gain access to the women's bathroom.

Well, it turns out that the Tennessee GOP would be better off passing laws to protect women from Rep Durham and his like minded harassers..

Rep. Durham, who is one of the co-sponsors of the unjust HB 2414 has been accused of harassing 34 women, and was declared by Attorney General Herbert Slatery III  (R) in a warning he issued after investigating the complaints to be "a continuing risk to unsuspecting women who are employed by or interact with the legislature.".  

"With few exceptions, the women who related incidents felt they could not report Representative Durham's behavior because nothing could be done and they didn't want to lose their jobs or be considered 'untrustworthy' by employers, clients or legislators," said AG Slatery

In response to the warning from the Attorney General,  Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) had the trans oppressor exiled from his office in the War Memorial Building, moved to the first floor of the Rachel Jackson Building and limited his access to the Legislative Plaza, the second floor of the state capitol building and those buildings for 'official legislative business only'.

Durham has resigned from his positions as the House majority whip and in the Republican legislative caucus, and will be the only legislator with an office in the Rachel Jackson Building.  There have been bipartisan calls for his resignation which he has ignored, so it will be up to his district to decide in November if they want to be continued to be represented by a sexual harasser.

But this is just another example of what we have been saying in Trans World.   Those who have been squawking the loudest in pushing for these unjust laws aimed at the trans community and repeating the lie about phantom trans sexual predators to get them passed have turned out to be as they are investigated the real sexual predators.  

Unjust Tennessee Anti-Trans Bill Dies In Committee!

I was alerted by the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition to the introduction of an unjust bill aimed at our trans kids in the Volunteer State.   The latest attempt to legislate anti-trans hate, HB 2414, the Transgender Student Bathroom Harassment Act.was sponsored by Rep Susan Lynn (R- Mount Juliet).

Those of you who live in her district know what to do to her this November.  Vote her butt out of office.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam (R) had also expressed concerned about what the unjust bill would do to imperil the state's Title IX education funding.

Thanks to the efforts of the TTPC, the Tennessee trans community, our fair minded allies, and the countless other folks who called, showed up for the meetings of the House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee to urged the members of that committee to not go forward with that bill, your efforts were successful.

According to chatter and reports from multiple sources, I'm pleased to report that HB 2414 has died in committee!    A unanimous committee vote was taken to study it over the summer, effectively killing the bill.

 "Once again we saw today how meeting with trans young people changed hearts and minds," said ACLU Staff Attorney Chase Strangio in a statement.  "Our common humanity can unite us and we can push back against these costly and discriminatory impulses if we center those most affected."

" It is an exciting day in Tennessee and I am thankful for the brave young people who are making the world a better place for us all,." added Strangio.


As to what is happening with the unjust senate companion bill, SB 2737, we'll have to keep an eye on that to ensure it dies as well.

Congratulations to my Tennessee trans family for killing that unjust legislative attack on the humanity of our trans kids who live in the Volunteer State.

Time To Fight An Unjust Anti-Trans Bill In Tennessee

Well, the latest attempt by conservative Republicans to attack trans kids with unjust laws is about to be launched any day now in the Volunteer State.

Thanks to the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition for posting the alert so I can signal boost it.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is disappointed to learn that HB 2414 by Lynn, Matlock, & Lamberth, the Transgender Student Bathroom Harassment Act, has been placed On Notice in the House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee on Tuesday, March 1.

It is imperative that those who live in Tennessee contact members of the committee and express your opposition to this incredibly dangerous bill. It would expose transgender, gender variant, and gender non conforming students to increased levels of bullying, harassment, and physical assault.

Mark White (R-Memphis), Chair, 615-741-4415, rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov,

Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville), 615-741-6879, rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov,

John DeBerry (D-Memphis), 615-741-2239, rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov,

Kevin Dunlap (D-Rock Island), 615-741-1963, rep.kevin.dunlap@capitol.tn.gov,

Debra Moody (R-Covington), 615-741-3774, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov,

Eddie Smith (R-Knoxville), 615-741-2031, rep.eddie.smith@capitol.tn.gov,

Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), 615-741-6849, rep.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov,

Rick Womick (R-Rockvale), 615-741-2804, rep.richard.womick@capitol.tn.gov,

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/hou…/committees/sub-education.html

As TTPC advises me how those of us outside Tennessee's borders can help them in their fight against HB 2414 I'll pass that info on to you.   I'll also keep tracking this latest unjust bill designed to attack the humanity of our trans kids.
.

And Now There Are Eleven- RIP GIzzy Fowler

And with  the November 20 TDOR date looming, it is my sad duty to inform you that  we've lost another transsister to anti-trans violence.

This time we go to Nashville, TN and its north side Bordeaux neighborhood for the latest sister we will be memorializing on November 20.   Her name was Gizzy Fowler, and the 24 year was found shot to death in a private driveway at 3904 Lunn Drive.

Fowler's body was lying next to the open door of her car, a white 2006 Buick LaCrosse on November 12.  Neighbors reported to Nashville PD hearing a gunshot around 4 or 5 AM CST, and were prompted to call the police because the homeowner had recently passed away due to natural causes..

Fowler is now the  eleventh trans woman of color since June to be murdered in the US, with the most recent one being Ashley Sherman in Indianapolis.    And as you probably guessed, the Nashville media did a piss poor job in initially covering the story.

Anyone with information concerning this killing has been asked to call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME, or through an electronic tip by texting the word “CASH” along with the message to 274637 (CRIMES) or online at www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com

Rest in Peace Gizzy!   Know that your trans brothers and trans sisters, and all who loved you will not rest until the person who committed this crime is captured and swiftly brought to justice.

Trans Woman In Memphis Brutally Attacked

Here we frakking go again with yours truly having to report another instance of a trans woman of color being attacked

This time it happened in Memphis to Alexia Dupree Taylor, and as usual the police are issuing the standard 'It isn't a hate crime' line we're sick of hearing.

How does someone get stabbed and hit with a brick if it's 'just a robbery'?   Wake up and smell the transphobic violence in this attack.

The homeless Taylor was found on the ground Wednesday bleeding with head injuries behind a Midtown Memphis church at 69 North Cleveland St. according to a news report.

Taylor told Memphis police she was behind a building, a block away from the church, when someone dragged her down stairs and robbed her. After stealing a purse, the robber stabbed Taylor and hit her in the head with a brick.  She was taken by medical personnel to Regional Medical Center wher is was later upgraded to critical condition.  

Her friend James Houston said something in the article that I concur with: "I really believe that if she would have been in a place where she could call home, she would not [have been attacked],"

Here's hoping that Alexia not only recovers quickly and finds a home, but she receives justice when the waste of DNA who did this to her is captured.

Trans Latina Killed In Memphis

Well people, it has unfortunately happened again.  We have lost another one of our trans sisters and her name is Alejandra Leos.   This time it happened in Memphis, TN on Friday, just steps away from her North Memphis home in the 1600 block of Berkshire St.   According to news reports the 41 year old Leos was shot around 8 PM CDT on Friday.   




The Memphis PD arrested and charged 21 year old Marshall Pegues with first degree murder in what appears to be a domestic violence case.   Pegues and Leos had an argument at their home prior to Pegues shooting her in the back.

Hopefully Pegues will be expeditiously tried and convicted for this crime and justice will be served.     

Leos' funeral is planned for Wednesday, September 10 between 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Hickory Hill Funeral Home.  Address of the funeral  home is 5270 Knight Arnold Rd, Memphis, TN 38118 and their phone number is (901) 795-6688.  Family members are asking for those who would like to help with funeral expenses to contact the funeral home directly.  

I hope that members of the Memphis trans community can attend and show the family some love during this difficult time.

Unfortunately Alejandra will be another one of the names we'll have to read at this year's Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial ceremony this November.  

Rest in power and peace, sis.

Bye, Stacey!

I've said the most dangerous bigot is one that has the power to write legislation, and Tennessee Teapublican state senator Stacey Campfield has been Exhibit A of that.

Ever since he was elected to the Tennessee legislature in 2010, he has not only proposed unjust legislation like the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, in 2013, he put forward a widely criticized bill that would have reduced welfare assistance for families if their children did not do well in school.   Campfield also is behind a new Tennessee law requiring the state to drug-test applicants for public benefits.

In addition to Sen.Campfield's attempts to push unjust legislation, he has also flapped his gums and made cringe inducing remarks that even his own party has backpedaled from.

Back in May Campfield invoked Godwin's Law and parted his lips to say that the Obama administration touting how many people signing up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act was like the Nazis bragging how many Jews they sent to the concentration camps.

"Democrats bragging about the number of mandatory sign-ups for Obamacare is like Germans bragging about the number of mandatory sign-ups for 'train rides' for Jews in the 40s," Campfield wrote at the time. The misspelling of "mandatory" appeared in the original text.

Campfield has compared homosexuality to bestiality, made a tasteless joke about the Boston Marathon bombing, and in 2012 made wildly inaccurate claims about the origin of AIDS during a Sirius XM OutQ interview with Michelangelo Signorile.

He became well known in Tennessee LGBT community circles as being hostile to TBLG constituents that came to visit him in Nashville, which is probably a factor in why he lost his re-election bid.   

"Campfield was actually WORSE than his reputation. He regularly berated and attempted to humiliate LGB and especially T constituents who went to meet with him," said Brenda Lunger.." I had to help console a young gender nonconforming person and their partner once after they had a meeting with Stacey. I just hope his replacement is human. Campfield isn't."

Last Tuesday was the Tennessee primary elections, and Campfield went down in flames in his state senate District 7 race.  He was crushed by Knoxville cardiac surgeon Richard Briggs.  

With all precincts reporting, Briggs had 13,977 votes, or 66 percent, compared with Campfield's 5,824 votes, or 28 percent.

Buh Bye Stacey.   Don't think they are going to miss you in Nashville.   And good riddance.  

Memphis Passes Inclusive Non-Discrimination Law

It wasn't looking good for this to happen last month after word leaked of an alleged secret deal to cut transpeeps out of the civil rights mix.

But the Memphis City Council did the proper civil rights thing and passed on a 9-4 vote an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance that has protections for disability, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation and ethnicity.

It was sexual orientation only until Councilwoman Janis Fullilove proposed an amendment to the ordinance that added protections on the basis of gender identity that also passed 9- 4.

The only "no" votes on the gender identity amendment and the main motion to amend the city's nondiscrimination ordinance came from Memphis council people Wanda Halbert, Bill Boyd, Kemp Conrad, and Joe Brown.

And thanks to all the hate calls conservative Councilmember Reid Hedgepeth received because he voted in favor of the ordinance last time, he voted for this one as well.   Hedgepeth told the audience that harassment and robo-calls from the amendment's opposition, the Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) had only strengthened his resolve to vote in favor of the amendment again.

"One e-mail said 'I hope you and your family burn in hell together.' How is that for Christianity?" Hedgepeth asked.

Thank you FACT haters for flipping a vote to our side.

It was delayed 30 days to get legal opinions on whether it would violate the city charter. City Attorney Herman Morris gave an opinion that the ordinance would not violate the charter because it would strengthen an existing policy to prevent discrimination while the City Council Attorney asserted the proposed ordinance was unnecessary.



The 9-4 vote in favor of the ordinance set off celebrations amongst the Memphis rainbow community while the haters of the Family Action Council of Tennessee slunk out of the chamber in defeat.

The arc of the moral universe is bending toward justice for the TBLG community in Memphis this morning and I couldn't be happier for my trans brothers and sisters who live there.    . 

Unjust Tennessee Transphobic Bill Dead For Now

The transphobic HB 2279 bill that Tennessee state representative transbigot Richard Floyd (R-Chattanooga) introduced that sought to make it a Class C misdemeanor crime punishable by a $50 fine to use a public restroom or dressing room "designated for one particular sex" if not a member of that designated sex.appears to be dead for now.

Rep. Floyd told Nashville's WTVF-TV his motivation for introducing HB 2279 was reading news reports about the San Antonio Macy's dressing room incident involving transphobic clerk Natalie Johnson.  She denied access to the transwoman in violation of Macy's corporate policy and was subsequently terminated

"I just do not want the same sort of thing happening in Tennessee," Floyd said in a WTVF-TV interview, adding that he believes "society is on the slippery slope to depravity" and the bill would help average citizens avoid being forced to "go along with the perverted way of thinking" promoted by a few persons.

Yeah, right.  And what about us citizens who don't want your conservabigotry imposed on us?  

Moving on to the good news.   The bill was effectively killed (for now) thanks to Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) withdrawing his Senate version of the unjust bill. 

For the unjust bill to become law it not only had to pass both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly, it needed at least one sponsor in the Senate to do so.  

As of this writing no one in the Senate has stepped up to be the sponsor for Rep Floyd's transphobic bill.  
 
As Marisa Richmond of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition pointed out in a MetroWeekly article, in the TTPC's view the bill had it been enacted would be unconstitutional: "For any gender non-conforming, or gender variant person, we see this as a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures."

In addition, the bill would have put transpeople and androgynous looking cis people transiting the Volunteer State either in its airports, bus stations or interstate highways traversing the state in the position of being cited for violating the draconian bill.   That's before we even talk about cleaning staffs and parents who bring children of the opposite gender into restrooms with them or fitting rooms.

So yeah, this was a bad bill that needed to die.   This is a prime example of a legislator seeking to write an unjust law targeting a minority group and in the process not seeing (or caring) that it would have ripple effects far beyond the group they were singling out for vindictive action.

The TTPC will keep a watchful eye on the HB 2279 situation and so will I.  .

Unjust Tennessee Transphobic Bill Update

Since I posted about the transphobic 'Bathroom Harassment Bills' that two Tennessee legislators filed less than 24 hours after the session started January 10, there have been some new developments since I first posted the story.

SB 2292, the Senate version of the unjust bill that was sponsored by Bo Watson (R-Hixson) as a favor to Rep. Richard Floyd has been withdrawn with the senator's communications director stating his reason for it was that “Sen. Watson concluded that there are far more pressing issues facing the state of Tennessee at this time.”

That is not deterring Rep Floyd (R-Chattanooga)  who is doubling down on the transbigotry, ramping up the transphobic rhetoric and continuing to push HB 2279. 

He said he'd resort to violence if a transwoman was in the restroom with his wife or daughters.

FLOYD: I believe if I was standing at a dressing room and my wife or one of my daughters was in the dressing room and a man tried to go in there — I don’t care if he thinks he’s a woman and tries on clothes with them in there — I’d just try to stomp a mudhole in him and then stomp him dry.

Don’t ask me to adjust to their perverted way of thinking and put my family at risk. We cannot continue to let these people dominate how society acts and reacts. Now if somebody thinks he’s a woman and he’s a man and wants to try on women’s clothes, let him take them into the men’s bathroom or dressing room.

He also doubled down on the transphobic insanity by trying to claim his bill doesn't 'penalize anybody', would 'protect everybody' and he doesn't care what transpeople or trans advocacy groups think about it'

Vanillacentric cis privilege in action folks. .



Yeah Richard, that was the same excuse and jacked up thinking people who shared your ethnicity used over five decades ago to justify segregated bathrooms during the Jim Crow era.  

Stay tuned, this is going to continue to be interesting to watch.

God bless them, the TTPC will have their hands full as they always do every legislative session as they battle to make life better for Tennessee trans people. . 

It's also a living example of what I consistently point out to liberal-progressive people.  

You cannot expect liberal-progressive social policies to come out of conservative politicians.  We need to be as zealous in sending our people to public office to represent our values and agenda as the conservafools have been in electing people like Rep. Richard Floyd to represent their bigoted values and devoid of logic agenda.