Showing posts with label Texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Number 16- Rest in Power and Peace Tracy Single
Unfortunately we are in a moment in which the trans murders have been happening at a fast and furious pace in the last few weeks. The latest one happened in my Houston backyard back on July 30.
There was a July 30 news report of a woman found dead in a gas station parking lot along the eastbound feeder road in the 11000 block of the Katy Freeway (I-10 to the rest of y'all) at 3:34 AM CDT
Two local stations, ABC13 and FOX 26 reported her as a woman who did not die of natural causes, and HPD detectives were investigating the case. It took a week to pass here in H-town before we were advised by our HPD LGBT liaisons that the woman who was found along I-10 back on July 30 was actually trans and was murdered.
Dee Dee Watters subsequently organized an August 11 town hall meeting that led to us finally IDing Tracy so we can now officially #SayHerName.
Now for the business end of this post.
The 22 year old Single is now the 16th person we have lost to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, the third in the state of Texas this year, and the 12th person under age 30 that has joined the ancestors far too soon.
If you peeps in the Houston area have any information that will lead the arrest and conviction of her killer, you are urged to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Tracy is being remembered here in Houston by having City Hall lit up in the trans pride flag colors today and tomorrow.
There's also a stretch of six arched bridges along the below grade portion of I-69 here in Houston that cuts through the southern edge of the Montrose gayborhood that can be lit up in various colors.
Like City Hall, those bridges will be lit up thanks to Houston Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board Chair Harrison Homer-Guy in trans pride flag colors to honor our fallen sister.
As soon as I get confirmation of the funeral arrangements and memorial service, I'll pass that information along when I receive it
Rest in power and peace Tracy. You were taken away from us way too soon, and we will not rest in the 713 until the person who killed you is locked up for a long stretch in a TDC unit.
Tuesday, August 06, 2019
Law Harrington Senior Living Center Finally Breaking Ground Today
One of the stops that I enjoyed during a LGBT Media Journalists Convening trip to Philadelphia a few years ago was to the John C Anderson Apartments.
It was a seven story low income LGBTQ seniors apartment complex in the Philadelphia gayborhood. I enjoyed a conversation I had with one of the residents, a trans woman named Barbara who dropped a history lesson on me in terms of what it was like to transition back in the 60's.
I walked away from that visit wondering why we couldn't have something similar to that in Houston.
Fortunately then Mayor Annise Parker was visiting a similar low income LGBTQ seniors complex in Los Angeles, and upon her return to Houston began the process in conjunction with the Montrose Center to replicate the same thing for us.
Later this morning at 10:30 AM ground will be broken on the 112 unit Law Harrington Senior Living Center at 2222 Cleburne Street
It was first announced back in September 2018, but rising construction costs forced a delay. $23 million dollars in funding through various sources such as grants, tax credits and community donations and the No Place Like Home campaign put it back on track, and the final necessary funding was acquired in June.
Seniors age 62 and up will be housed in the one and two bedroom apartment on the site that located a 1.5 miles east of the Montrose Center along the proposed Blue Line light rail line in Third Ward. .
The rent will be limited to no more than 30% of a prospective seniors income because one third of . LGBTQ seniors live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Housing discrimination also forces many LGBTQ seniors to go back into the closet just to survive or age in isolation from the community.
The complex will include a social services center, a group dining area, a garden, dog park, game rooms, a fitness center and a geriatric primary care facility provided by Legacy Community Health
The Montrose Center is not yet taking applications for housing in the complex, but you can best believe I'll be keeping an eye on how construction is progression on it since I'm less than 5 years from being able to apply for one of those units
It was a seven story low income LGBTQ seniors apartment complex in the Philadelphia gayborhood. I enjoyed a conversation I had with one of the residents, a trans woman named Barbara who dropped a history lesson on me in terms of what it was like to transition back in the 60's.
I walked away from that visit wondering why we couldn't have something similar to that in Houston.
Fortunately then Mayor Annise Parker was visiting a similar low income LGBTQ seniors complex in Los Angeles, and upon her return to Houston began the process in conjunction with the Montrose Center to replicate the same thing for us.
Later this morning at 10:30 AM ground will be broken on the 112 unit Law Harrington Senior Living Center at 2222 Cleburne Street
It was first announced back in September 2018, but rising construction costs forced a delay. $23 million dollars in funding through various sources such as grants, tax credits and community donations and the No Place Like Home campaign put it back on track, and the final necessary funding was acquired in June.
Seniors age 62 and up will be housed in the one and two bedroom apartment on the site that located a 1.5 miles east of the Montrose Center along the proposed Blue Line light rail line in Third Ward. .
The rent will be limited to no more than 30% of a prospective seniors income because one third of . LGBTQ seniors live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Housing discrimination also forces many LGBTQ seniors to go back into the closet just to survive or age in isolation from the community.
The complex will include a social services center, a group dining area, a garden, dog park, game rooms, a fitness center and a geriatric primary care facility provided by Legacy Community Health
The Montrose Center is not yet taking applications for housing in the complex, but you can best believe I'll be keeping an eye on how construction is progression on it since I'm less than 5 years from being able to apply for one of those units
Labels:
housing,
Houston GLBT community,
LGBT seniors,
Texas
Friday, July 26, 2019
Warning H-town Progressives, Bill King and Tony Buzbee Are Republicans
Houston municipal elections are officially via the city charter nonpartisan, but a little digging into voter records, Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) and Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign donations records will reveal despite any spin attempts whether you're really a Republican or Democrat.
Because of the blue tsunami last year that flipped Harris County to Democratic control and the desperation of the Harris County Republicans to capture a Houston mayor's chair they haven't held in over 30 years, they are trying to peddle the fiction, especially in Houston's Black community, that mayoral candidates Tony Buzbee and Bill King are Democrats.
Um naw players, not on my H-town watch. Buzbee and King are undeniably Republicans. Don't want any Republicans in my mayor's chair.
Thanks to Melody Tan and Erik Manning, I have the receipts.
Let's start with Buzbee. That's him on the right in this pic at the top of the post with Rick Perry and Lugenprasident at Buzbee's River Oaks mansion.
Um no. He not only held a fundraiser for Trump, he has according to this FEC filing, made multiple donations to the Republican National Committee and Trump,
Buzbee has also given money to the state Republican parties of AR, CT, LA, MS,NJ, NY, TN, VA, WV and WY.
Nope, #NeverBuzbee You were canceled when you donated money to Trump.
Now for Bill King, the former mayor of the suburban community of Kemah who narrowly lost to Sylvester Turner in 2015. He still wants to take his act to the Horseshoe.
Um. no boo boo. Not on my watch Democrat my azz. Peddle that lie to someone that isn't paying attention. #NeverKing
Note King's donation record. Rep. Jarvis Johnson, the person who succeeded Mayor Sylvester Turner in HD 136 is the only Democrat on this donation list. The rest of his cash is going to Republican leaning groups like the Houston Realty Business Coalition, the Kingwood Republican Women's Club, The Spring Branch Republicans, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt's (R) problematic behind, and the Coalition For a Greater Houston.
And yes, King since 2006 has been voting (when he has cast a ballot ) in the Republican primary.
So naw Harris County Republican Party and all you Houston activists mad at Mayor Turner to the point you're considering spitefully voting for these two. The Houston mayor's chair is not something to be played with because of its immense power in our strong mayor form of governance.
We know the Harris County GOP is big mad about being swept out of power, so they are trying to push that 'Buzbee and King are Democrats' lie to siphon enough votes from Turner to force a runoff.
Frankly, I don't see a compelling reason why Mayor Turner should be kicked out of office after only one term. Neither am I inclined to fire only the second African-American and first Black Houstonian to have the job without an exceptional candidate to replace him.
I'm also not happy about the dog whistle racism that King has deployed in his second campaign implying there is 'corruption' at City Hall, or the dog whistle racism being aimed at him by some of his detractors.
As Trump has overwhelmingly proved, being a businessman doesn't mean you have the ability to handle the demands of being mayor of the soon to be third largest city in the US. If these two are trying to cover up the fact they are proud Republicans, what else are they covering up?
Because of the charter change, the mayor no longer serves just a two year term. If we don't handle our electoral business, we're stuck with that person in our mayor's chair for four years.
So we must choose wisely on November 5.
But at least you're going into the voting booth when early voting starts on October 21 armed with the knowledge that Buzbee and King are not Democrats, but undeniable Republicans.
TransGriot Note: Lugenprasident = lying president in German
Because of the blue tsunami last year that flipped Harris County to Democratic control and the desperation of the Harris County Republicans to capture a Houston mayor's chair they haven't held in over 30 years, they are trying to peddle the fiction, especially in Houston's Black community, that mayoral candidates Tony Buzbee and Bill King are Democrats.
Um naw players, not on my H-town watch. Buzbee and King are undeniably Republicans. Don't want any Republicans in my mayor's chair.
Thanks to Melody Tan and Erik Manning, I have the receipts.
Let's start with Buzbee. That's him on the right in this pic at the top of the post with Rick Perry and Lugenprasident at Buzbee's River Oaks mansion.
Um no. He not only held a fundraiser for Trump, he has according to this FEC filing, made multiple donations to the Republican National Committee and Trump,
Buzbee has also given money to the state Republican parties of AR, CT, LA, MS,NJ, NY, TN, VA, WV and WY.
Nope, #NeverBuzbee You were canceled when you donated money to Trump.
Now for Bill King, the former mayor of the suburban community of Kemah who narrowly lost to Sylvester Turner in 2015. He still wants to take his act to the Horseshoe.
Um. no boo boo. Not on my watch Democrat my azz. Peddle that lie to someone that isn't paying attention. #NeverKing
Note King's donation record. Rep. Jarvis Johnson, the person who succeeded Mayor Sylvester Turner in HD 136 is the only Democrat on this donation list. The rest of his cash is going to Republican leaning groups like the Houston Realty Business Coalition, the Kingwood Republican Women's Club, The Spring Branch Republicans, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt's (R) problematic behind, and the Coalition For a Greater Houston.
And yes, King since 2006 has been voting (when he has cast a ballot ) in the Republican primary.
So naw Harris County Republican Party and all you Houston activists mad at Mayor Turner to the point you're considering spitefully voting for these two. The Houston mayor's chair is not something to be played with because of its immense power in our strong mayor form of governance.
We know the Harris County GOP is big mad about being swept out of power, so they are trying to push that 'Buzbee and King are Democrats' lie to siphon enough votes from Turner to force a runoff.
Frankly, I don't see a compelling reason why Mayor Turner should be kicked out of office after only one term. Neither am I inclined to fire only the second African-American and first Black Houstonian to have the job without an exceptional candidate to replace him.
I'm also not happy about the dog whistle racism that King has deployed in his second campaign implying there is 'corruption' at City Hall, or the dog whistle racism being aimed at him by some of his detractors.
As Trump has overwhelmingly proved, being a businessman doesn't mean you have the ability to handle the demands of being mayor of the soon to be third largest city in the US. If these two are trying to cover up the fact they are proud Republicans, what else are they covering up?
Because of the charter change, the mayor no longer serves just a two year term. If we don't handle our electoral business, we're stuck with that person in our mayor's chair for four years.
So we must choose wisely on November 5.
But at least you're going into the voting booth when early voting starts on October 21 armed with the knowledge that Buzbee and King are not Democrats, but undeniable Republicans.
TransGriot Note: Lugenprasident = lying president in German
Labels:
Houston,
Moni's commentary,
municipal election,
politics,
Texas
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Houston Puts In Bid For 2023 World Pride!
I got a small taste of WorldPride when I made that quick trip to New York last month to participate in the opening ceremony for it at Barclays Center. There's now a possibility that I may get to stay in my H-town backyard and participate in a WorldPride.
So what's WorldPride? It's an international Pride event sponsored by InterPride, the international organization that represents and is composed of producer organizations of TBLGQ community pride events from around the globe.
WorldPride is generally a month long and is comprised of parades, panel discussions, parties and other events that celebrate the TBLGQ community.
The first one was held in Rome in 2000, and since then has held in Jerusalem (2006), London (2012), Toronto (2014), Madrid (2017) and the just completed one in New York for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion
It was the first time that WorldPride was ever held in the US, and New York successfully handled their business, drawing over 5 million attendees for it.
WorldPride will next be held in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden from August 12-22, 2021 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Christine Jorgensen's successful GCS in 1951 and the 50th anniversary of the 1971 founding of the Danish chapter of the Gay Liberation Front.
The EuroGames will also be held in the two cities during WorldPride.
Pride Houston, our local group that coordinates our local pride event, has put together a bid to host the 2023 WorldPride event. We have the fourth largest pride event in the United States (after New York, LA and Chicago), are the fourth largest city in the US (at least until we leapfrog Chicago to become the third largest after the 2020 census) and the only one that has a nighttime parade.
Houston will be competing to get the WorldPride bid against Sydney, Australia and Montreal, Canada. Pride Houston will have a 30 minute presentation to make at the InterPride annual meeting being held in Athens, Greece this October in order to secure it.
Houston Pride President and CEO Lorin Roberts (yep, my cousin) believes that we can do so.
"We're Houston, where everything is bigger and better. Our main thing when it comes to this bid, is that even though we're a small town in the south of the U.S., you can see the world when you come to Houston," Roberts said in an ABC13 interview .
The theme for our Houston WorldPride 2023 bid is "Come to Houston, See the World, Feel Your Pride." We are considered one of the most diverse cities in the United States, and only New York has more international consulates than we do.
"We're trying to win this thing because we see so much in Houston as a Pride organization and within our community, that we just want to share with the rest of the world," Roberts said.
If we get WorldPride 2023, it would also be happening during the 45th anniversary of Pride Houston's formation and the 20th anniversary of the Lawrence v Texas SCOTUS case that declared sodomy laws unconstitutional in Texas and a dozen US states. .
Good luck, and hope it does happen for us. Would love to experience a WorldPride without having to leave Texas to do it .
So what's WorldPride? It's an international Pride event sponsored by InterPride, the international organization that represents and is composed of producer organizations of TBLGQ community pride events from around the globe.
WorldPride is generally a month long and is comprised of parades, panel discussions, parties and other events that celebrate the TBLGQ community.
The first one was held in Rome in 2000, and since then has held in Jerusalem (2006), London (2012), Toronto (2014), Madrid (2017) and the just completed one in New York for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion
It was the first time that WorldPride was ever held in the US, and New York successfully handled their business, drawing over 5 million attendees for it.
WorldPride will next be held in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden from August 12-22, 2021 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Christine Jorgensen's successful GCS in 1951 and the 50th anniversary of the 1971 founding of the Danish chapter of the Gay Liberation Front.
The EuroGames will also be held in the two cities during WorldPride.
Pride Houston, our local group that coordinates our local pride event, has put together a bid to host the 2023 WorldPride event. We have the fourth largest pride event in the United States (after New York, LA and Chicago), are the fourth largest city in the US (at least until we leapfrog Chicago to become the third largest after the 2020 census) and the only one that has a nighttime parade.
Houston will be competing to get the WorldPride bid against Sydney, Australia and Montreal, Canada. Pride Houston will have a 30 minute presentation to make at the InterPride annual meeting being held in Athens, Greece this October in order to secure it.
Houston Pride President and CEO Lorin Roberts (yep, my cousin) believes that we can do so.
"We're Houston, where everything is bigger and better. Our main thing when it comes to this bid, is that even though we're a small town in the south of the U.S., you can see the world when you come to Houston," Roberts said in an ABC13 interview .
The theme for our Houston WorldPride 2023 bid is "Come to Houston, See the World, Feel Your Pride." We are considered one of the most diverse cities in the United States, and only New York has more international consulates than we do.
"We're trying to win this thing because we see so much in Houston as a Pride organization and within our community, that we just want to share with the rest of the world," Roberts said.
If we get WorldPride 2023, it would also be happening during the 45th anniversary of Pride Houston's formation and the 20th anniversary of the Lawrence v Texas SCOTUS case that declared sodomy laws unconstitutional in Texas and a dozen US states. .
Good luck, and hope it does happen for us. Would love to experience a WorldPride without having to leave Texas to do it .
Friday, July 19, 2019
In The 2019 BTAC Leadership Institute House
Last week I was in Philadelphia for Netroots Nation, now I've made another drive up I-45 with Dee Dee Watters and Diamond Stylz to attend the second annual BTAC Leadership Institute.
This time instead of having it in NOLA, we're having it in our headquarters city of Dallas. Last year's event in New Orleans helped us tremendously in not only building a solid foundation for us to kick off our 2018-2019 programming year, it also had the benefits of allowing us to get to know each other better
We had a board meeting yesterday at the Wyndham Dallas Suites in which we discussed BTAC coalition business, our upcoming 2019-2020 programming year and fundraising to pay for it.
Today at the Wyndham Dallas Suites starts our two days of training to level up, and I'm looking forward to it.
Also looking forward to seeing and spending quality time this weekend with my BTAC family
This time instead of having it in NOLA, we're having it in our headquarters city of Dallas. Last year's event in New Orleans helped us tremendously in not only building a solid foundation for us to kick off our 2018-2019 programming year, it also had the benefits of allowing us to get to know each other better
We had a board meeting yesterday at the Wyndham Dallas Suites in which we discussed BTAC coalition business, our upcoming 2019-2020 programming year and fundraising to pay for it.
Today at the Wyndham Dallas Suites starts our two days of training to level up, and I'm looking forward to it.
Also looking forward to seeing and spending quality time this weekend with my BTAC family
Labels:
Black trans leadership,
BTAC,
Dallas,
events,
Texas
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Congrats Judge Watson!
Y'all know I have much love and admiration for my trailblazing Houston activist sis Fran Watson.
She's an attorney and former head of the Houston GLBT Caucus. She was also the first Black woman to head the Caucus. ,
Fran has run for the Texas state senate, is one of only three Black women to be elected as a Houston Pride grand marshal, and volunteers her time to many worthy causes and organizations in the Houston area.
Earlier today the Houston City Council unanimously voted to approve Fran's nomination for a two year term as a municipal judge.
Congratulation Judge Watson! This is a well deserved, and glad you will get to serve our fellow Houstonians from our municipal court bench. I have no doubts that you will do a fantastic job in this new position
She's an attorney and former head of the Houston GLBT Caucus. She was also the first Black woman to head the Caucus. ,
Fran has run for the Texas state senate, is one of only three Black women to be elected as a Houston Pride grand marshal, and volunteers her time to many worthy causes and organizations in the Houston area.
Earlier today the Houston City Council unanimously voted to approve Fran's nomination for a two year term as a municipal judge.
Congratulation Judge Watson! This is a well deserved, and glad you will get to serve our fellow Houstonians from our municipal court bench. I have no doubts that you will do a fantastic job in this new position
Labels:
Houston,
Houston. GLBT community,
judge,
Texas
Friday, June 14, 2019
Macy's Galleria Pride Fashion Show
Some positive news out of my home state in terms of Macy's Galleria celebrating Pride Month by hosting a fashion show inside the store yesterday from 6-8 PM CDT.
This wasn't just any store fashion show. The participating models were all local Houston area trans people, and one of the show's organizers and commentators was none other than Jessica Zyrie, who knows a few things about ripping runways.
She was joined in the commentator duties by wardrobe stylist Ashley Kahn as the models showed off in season fashion looks that were inspired by Pride month. The show also included a DJ spinning tunes, a photo booth, makeup tutorials and complementary swag.
Note to my critics. Hey it ain't always about me. I'm a firm believer in there is room for everyone in this trans community to shine, and I practice what I preach.
I was good with the fact that I got to see the spotlight shined yesterday on our younger Houston area trans peeps . I also got to watch a positive event for our community in a month we sorely needed it.
Just wish the show had been a little longer, but the people in attendance who saw this first ever event won't forget it along with the customers and employees who were in the store at the time it happened.
And hope it happens again next year.
This wasn't just any store fashion show. The participating models were all local Houston area trans people, and one of the show's organizers and commentators was none other than Jessica Zyrie, who knows a few things about ripping runways.
She was joined in the commentator duties by wardrobe stylist Ashley Kahn as the models showed off in season fashion looks that were inspired by Pride month. The show also included a DJ spinning tunes, a photo booth, makeup tutorials and complementary swag.
Note to my critics. Hey it ain't always about me. I'm a firm believer in there is room for everyone in this trans community to shine, and I practice what I preach.
I was good with the fact that I got to see the spotlight shined yesterday on our younger Houston area trans peeps . I also got to watch a positive event for our community in a month we sorely needed it.
Just wish the show had been a little longer, but the people in attendance who saw this first ever event won't forget it along with the customers and employees who were in the store at the time it happened.
And hope it happens again next year.
Labels:
events,
fashion,
fashion show,
Houston,
pride,
Texas,
trans models,
transgender
Thursday, May 30, 2019
My Muhlaysia Booker Post Funeral Thoughts
I traveled to Dallas on Memorial Day with Dee Dee Watters and Diamond Stylz to represent BTAC and the Black Transwomen .Inc (BTWI) board at Muhlaysia Booker's wake and funeral
While I was being interviewed by CNN and having a TV camera follow us upon our arrival in Dallas, I did take a moment on the nearly 4 hour drive up from Houston to ponder this latest trans death.
There were things about it that were maddeningly familiar, and some that felt different this time.
Let's start with the familiar stuff. Muhlaysia was at the time the fourth trans woman to die due to anti-trans violence in 2019. She was just 22 years old and as we already depressingly know, a Black trans woman. She was also like someone else y'all know from Texas, unapologetic about it.
To add to the pain we were already feeling in Dallas, in Philadelphia and across Black Trans America, just before Dee Dee, Diamond and I headed up I-45 to be at Muhlaysia's wake and funeral came the news about Paris being killed in Detroit that Saturday.
Six Black trans women this year. Four in the month of May alone. We were also here in Dallas a year after Carla Pavon had been murdered a few miles from where the Cathedral of Hope sits
But this one felt different as well. The last time I attended a funeral for one of our slain trans siblings was back in 2008 when I was living in Louisville. That particular funeral was deeply personal because I knew Nakhia Williams and we worked for the same local security company.
Despite being active in trans rights work for a decade at the time, I wasn't as well known nationally as a trans advocate as I am now when walked into that funeral home and the Cathedral of Hope the next day. TransGriot was only two years old at the time.
This funeral had international news coverage, in large part because of the viral video of Muhlaysia being assaulted after a traffic accent just a month ago. This funeral was attended by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas council members Omar Narvaez and Adam Medrano
We had people that came from New Orleans and Washington to be in attendance.in addition to her Dallas and Texas trans family showing up and showing out in terms of their support for Muhlaysia and her family.
It was also nice to find out some interesting personal details about Muhlaysia. She was an Eagle Scout. We discovered that when members of her former scout troop showed up at the funeral home to pay their respects to her. She was fun loving and well liked by members of the Dallas trans community and people in Oak Cliff neighborhood.
Her mother told us that while Muhlaysia didn't like starting fights, she had no problem finishing them.
During the resolutions phase of the funeral, proclamations were read from Texas state Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), the city of Dallas, and the Texas House of Representatives from House Rep Jessica Gonzales (D-Dallas) A few days earlier, Muhlaysia Booker's name had been spoken from the US House floor by Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Ft Worth)
It reminded me as I was sitting there listening to those resolutions being read, that the Texas Lege had gone sine die the day before. HB 1513, which would have added trans Texans to the James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, was one of the bills that died when it was left pending in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee after an April 29 hearing in which I and other trans Texans pointed out why it needed to be passed.
Our sister Muhlaysia is now with the ancestors. It's up to us left here to make certain that when the 2021 Texas legislative session kicks off, we do everything possible to add trans Texans to the Byrd Hate Crimes Act. We also must ensure that the wastes of DNA who killed her are also brought to justice.
While I was being interviewed by CNN and having a TV camera follow us upon our arrival in Dallas, I did take a moment on the nearly 4 hour drive up from Houston to ponder this latest trans death.
There were things about it that were maddeningly familiar, and some that felt different this time.
Let's start with the familiar stuff. Muhlaysia was at the time the fourth trans woman to die due to anti-trans violence in 2019. She was just 22 years old and as we already depressingly know, a Black trans woman. She was also like someone else y'all know from Texas, unapologetic about it.
To add to the pain we were already feeling in Dallas, in Philadelphia and across Black Trans America, just before Dee Dee, Diamond and I headed up I-45 to be at Muhlaysia's wake and funeral came the news about Paris being killed in Detroit that Saturday.
Six Black trans women this year. Four in the month of May alone. We were also here in Dallas a year after Carla Pavon had been murdered a few miles from where the Cathedral of Hope sits
But this one felt different as well. The last time I attended a funeral for one of our slain trans siblings was back in 2008 when I was living in Louisville. That particular funeral was deeply personal because I knew Nakhia Williams and we worked for the same local security company.
Despite being active in trans rights work for a decade at the time, I wasn't as well known nationally as a trans advocate as I am now when walked into that funeral home and the Cathedral of Hope the next day. TransGriot was only two years old at the time.
This funeral had international news coverage, in large part because of the viral video of Muhlaysia being assaulted after a traffic accent just a month ago. This funeral was attended by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas council members Omar Narvaez and Adam Medrano
We had people that came from New Orleans and Washington to be in attendance.in addition to her Dallas and Texas trans family showing up and showing out in terms of their support for Muhlaysia and her family.
It was also nice to find out some interesting personal details about Muhlaysia. She was an Eagle Scout. We discovered that when members of her former scout troop showed up at the funeral home to pay their respects to her. She was fun loving and well liked by members of the Dallas trans community and people in Oak Cliff neighborhood.
Her mother told us that while Muhlaysia didn't like starting fights, she had no problem finishing them.
During the resolutions phase of the funeral, proclamations were read from Texas state Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), the city of Dallas, and the Texas House of Representatives from House Rep Jessica Gonzales (D-Dallas) A few days earlier, Muhlaysia Booker's name had been spoken from the US House floor by Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Ft Worth)
It reminded me as I was sitting there listening to those resolutions being read, that the Texas Lege had gone sine die the day before. HB 1513, which would have added trans Texans to the James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, was one of the bills that died when it was left pending in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee after an April 29 hearing in which I and other trans Texans pointed out why it needed to be passed.
Our sister Muhlaysia is now with the ancestors. It's up to us left here to make certain that when the 2021 Texas legislative session kicks off, we do everything possible to add trans Texans to the Byrd Hate Crimes Act. We also must ensure that the wastes of DNA who killed her are also brought to justice.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Muhlaysia Booker Wake Today
Headed to Dallas today with Dee Dee Watters and Diamond Stylz as representatives of BTAC and Black Transwomen, Inc to attend the wake and funeral of Muhlaysia Booker.
The wake is later this evening at the Golden Gate Funeral Home starting at 6 PM CDT, with the funeral service being moved to the Cathedral of Hope.
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and wish to attend the wake and or the funeral, the Golden Gate Funeral Home is located at 4155 S. RL Thornton Fwy in Dallas
The funeral will start at 11 AM CDT The Cathedral of Hope is located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road. You may wish to get there early because they are expecting a large crowd to attend this service.
The wake is later this evening at the Golden Gate Funeral Home starting at 6 PM CDT, with the funeral service being moved to the Cathedral of Hope.
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and wish to attend the wake and or the funeral, the Golden Gate Funeral Home is located at 4155 S. RL Thornton Fwy in Dallas
The funeral will start at 11 AM CDT The Cathedral of Hope is located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road. You may wish to get there early because they are expecting a large crowd to attend this service.
Labels:
#BlackTransLivesMatter,
Dallas,
Remembering our Dead,
Texas
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Number 3- Rest In Power and Peace Muhlaysia Booker
This latest report of a trans murder in 2019 is not only coming from my home state of Texas, it is shocking and mindnumbingly sad for me.
23 year old Muhlaysia Booker survived a brutal April 12 assault by a mob in an apartment complex in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood. Today it is my sad duty to report that Ms Booker was found shot to death Saturday morning by responding Dallas police officers at 6:40 AM CDT in the 7200 block of Valley Glen Dr. near the Tenison Park golf course in east Dallas.
Booker was pronounced dead at the scene due to 'homicidal violence'. There are also no suspects as of yet in her murder. I know where y'all can start looking, DPD. How about every transphobic fool that was videotaped throwing blows at her on April 12?
Rest in power and peace Muhlaysia.
This one's personal to me, her loved ones, BTAC and every trans Texan. As BTMI president Trenton Johnson said on my FB page, "They attack her in one month and then take her life the next!! This has to stop!"
I agree. It needs to stop. I want the waste of DNA who killed Muhlaysia to be expeditiously captured and brought to justice.
Booker is now officially the third trans person to die due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, and our first in the Lone Star State this year. All three trans persons who have been killed in 2019 so far have been African American
This one infuriates me even more because it not only happened here in Texas, it is because of what happened to Booker back in April. It also happens after HB 1513, a bill sponsored by Rep. Garnet Coleman that would have added trans people to the state's James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, died in the House State Affairs Committee committee for this session.
What is really pissing me off is that we are still sorting out the fallout from the transphobic April 12 mob assault on her in Oak Cliff and were engaged in getting justice for her in that case.
Now she's dead and her family is now planning her funeral.
I have to ask the question of the Texas NAACP and other organizations in the Black community not named Black Lives Matter or Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. Do y'all even care about the lives of Black trans people, much less Black trans women?
Your silence, Texas NAACP tells me otherwise.
If any memorial services are scheduled, I will pass that info along to you as I receive it.
23 year old Muhlaysia Booker survived a brutal April 12 assault by a mob in an apartment complex in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood. Today it is my sad duty to report that Ms Booker was found shot to death Saturday morning by responding Dallas police officers at 6:40 AM CDT in the 7200 block of Valley Glen Dr. near the Tenison Park golf course in east Dallas.
Booker was pronounced dead at the scene due to 'homicidal violence'. There are also no suspects as of yet in her murder. I know where y'all can start looking, DPD. How about every transphobic fool that was videotaped throwing blows at her on April 12?
Rest in power and peace Muhlaysia.
This one's personal to me, her loved ones, BTAC and every trans Texan. As BTMI president Trenton Johnson said on my FB page, "They attack her in one month and then take her life the next!! This has to stop!"
I agree. It needs to stop. I want the waste of DNA who killed Muhlaysia to be expeditiously captured and brought to justice.
Booker is now officially the third trans person to die due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, and our first in the Lone Star State this year. All three trans persons who have been killed in 2019 so far have been African American
This one infuriates me even more because it not only happened here in Texas, it is because of what happened to Booker back in April. It also happens after HB 1513, a bill sponsored by Rep. Garnet Coleman that would have added trans people to the state's James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, died in the House State Affairs Committee committee for this session.
What is really pissing me off is that we are still sorting out the fallout from the transphobic April 12 mob assault on her in Oak Cliff and were engaged in getting justice for her in that case.
Now she's dead and her family is now planning her funeral.
I have to ask the question of the Texas NAACP and other organizations in the Black community not named Black Lives Matter or Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. Do y'all even care about the lives of Black trans people, much less Black trans women?
Your silence, Texas NAACP tells me otherwise.
If any memorial services are scheduled, I will pass that info along to you as I receive it.
Friday, May 03, 2019
Moni Is Going To San Antonio!
Going to San Antonio for the second time this year, and this time it's for two purposes.
May 4 is election day here in the Lone Star State. San Antonio, Dallas and other municipalities across the state will have elections on that day.
One of the election campaigns I'm watching is a San Antonio city council race which pits Frankie Gonzales Wolfe against an incumbent council member in District 8.
If Wolfe wins, she would become the first trans Texan elected to public office in the Lone Star State, and possibly the first out trans Latina elected nationally to any office. I definitely want to be there to witness that history should it happen.
It goes without saying that I enthusiastically endorse Frankie Gonzales Wolfe for that San Antonio city council seat
May 4 is also my birthday and I wanted to do something on my birthday this year besides chilling in my apartment.
So that's just a few of the reasons why I'll be spending it on the San Antonio end of I-10. I hope I'll have a lot to celebrate before that day is over.
May 4 is election day here in the Lone Star State. San Antonio, Dallas and other municipalities across the state will have elections on that day.
One of the election campaigns I'm watching is a San Antonio city council race which pits Frankie Gonzales Wolfe against an incumbent council member in District 8.
If Wolfe wins, she would become the first trans Texan elected to public office in the Lone Star State, and possibly the first out trans Latina elected nationally to any office. I definitely want to be there to witness that history should it happen.
It goes without saying that I enthusiastically endorse Frankie Gonzales Wolfe for that San Antonio city council seat
May 4 is also my birthday and I wanted to do something on my birthday this year besides chilling in my apartment.
So that's just a few of the reasons why I'll be spending it on the San Antonio end of I-10. I hope I'll have a lot to celebrate before that day is over.
Labels:
city council,
elections,
Moni's road trips,
San Antonio,
Texas
Why Y'all Want To Change Texas Judicial Elections Now, TXGOP?
Over the last 25 years the Texas Republican party has gleefully celebrated as they took over the state judiciary in large part because of partisan judicial elections.
In 2018, that script flipped in a major way. In addition to being eviscerated from 59 judicial benches in Harris County (Houston), the TXGOP lost 22 benches in Bexar County (San Antonio), seven in suburban Fort Bend County and saw four Texas Court of Appeals districts serving Austin, Houston (which has two districts serving it) and Dallas flip to Democratic control. The Texas Democrats also gained majorities on half of the state's 14 appeals court districts
Can you say TXGOP panic? Thought you could.
Because the state of Texas is finally starting to show signs of turning purple because it has been since 2009 majority non-white in population, now all of a sudden the Texas Republican Party wants to change the way judges are elected in the Lone Star State,
The Republicans still have control of all nine seats on the Texas Supreme Court but SCOTX Chief Justice Nathan Hecht is calling for changes in the way that elects its judges.
Waah, cry me a river. After using the GOP run Texas judiciary to roll back or stymie progressive policies and laws passed in Texas cities, now y'all mad that the political pendulum is swinging back in the direction of Texas Democrats.
It's also the diversity of the judges bothering the TXGOP more than the fact they are now on the losing end of these judicial elections. You're also big mad that with those Texas Democratic judicial wins also comes more diversity to the bench.
In Harris County for example, we not only saw 17 African American women elected to the bench, we also saw our first ever Pakistani American female judge get elected in Rabeea Collier.
And naw TXGOP, it wasn't all straight ticket voting that was responsible for your disastrous election night. That the fake news you told yourselves and your followers, but the reality is that your party is viewed by nonwhite Texans as racist and hostile to us.
In 2018 we decided to do something about that by bumrushing the polls is massive numbers across the state to throw you TXGOP bums out of power. Didn't hurt that Beto O'Rourke was running for the US Senate against Rafael Cruz either.
The Texas electorate is changing to reflect the diversity of the state, and we want our judicial benches to reflect that diversity.
So Texas GOP judges, it's either respond to the inevitable demographic changes that have been taking place in the Lone Star State since 2009, or continue to suffer the electoral consequences in 2020 and beyond.
In 2018, that script flipped in a major way. In addition to being eviscerated from 59 judicial benches in Harris County (Houston), the TXGOP lost 22 benches in Bexar County (San Antonio), seven in suburban Fort Bend County and saw four Texas Court of Appeals districts serving Austin, Houston (which has two districts serving it) and Dallas flip to Democratic control. The Texas Democrats also gained majorities on half of the state's 14 appeals court districts
Can you say TXGOP panic? Thought you could.
Because the state of Texas is finally starting to show signs of turning purple because it has been since 2009 majority non-white in population, now all of a sudden the Texas Republican Party wants to change the way judges are elected in the Lone Star State,
The Republicans still have control of all nine seats on the Texas Supreme Court but SCOTX Chief Justice Nathan Hecht is calling for changes in the way that elects its judges.
Waah, cry me a river. After using the GOP run Texas judiciary to roll back or stymie progressive policies and laws passed in Texas cities, now y'all mad that the political pendulum is swinging back in the direction of Texas Democrats.
It's also the diversity of the judges bothering the TXGOP more than the fact they are now on the losing end of these judicial elections. You're also big mad that with those Texas Democratic judicial wins also comes more diversity to the bench.
In Harris County for example, we not only saw 17 African American women elected to the bench, we also saw our first ever Pakistani American female judge get elected in Rabeea Collier.
And naw TXGOP, it wasn't all straight ticket voting that was responsible for your disastrous election night. That the fake news you told yourselves and your followers, but the reality is that your party is viewed by nonwhite Texans as racist and hostile to us.
In 2018 we decided to do something about that by bumrushing the polls is massive numbers across the state to throw you TXGOP bums out of power. Didn't hurt that Beto O'Rourke was running for the US Senate against Rafael Cruz either.
The Texas electorate is changing to reflect the diversity of the state, and we want our judicial benches to reflect that diversity.
So Texas GOP judges, it's either respond to the inevitable demographic changes that have been taking place in the Lone Star State since 2009, or continue to suffer the electoral consequences in 2020 and beyond.
Thursday, May 02, 2019
Testifying For HB 1513
Been resting after spending ten days away from Houston for BTAC and another trip to state capitol to testify in favor of a trans positive bill.
After the 9 AM CDT press conference, I spent the rest of the day visiting a few House and senate offices to kill time before the 2 PM scheduled start of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee meeting was scheduled to start.
But because we're mercifully getting close to the end of this Texas legislative session, the House session didn't adjourn until 6 PM, with the committee meeting not starting until 6:30 PM
By the time I and Claire Bow, Danielle Skidmore, Ash Hall, and Leslie McMurry finally got to testify it was two hours later.
Only one hater from Texas Values showed up, but it wasn't who I expected. Instead of Jonathan Saenz doing his hatemongering personally, he sent a Black woman to try and fail do the job.
Sadly, the bill was left pending in committee despite our compelling testimony as to why trans Texans should be added to the Byrd hate Crimes Act. That means if it doesn't pass out of committee and by the full House by Friday, it dies for this session.
While I'm disappointed by that result, Rep Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) has made it clear he will introduce that bill when the next session takes place in 2021.
And I and my Texas trans community will be there in force when it's time to testify in favor of it
After the 9 AM CDT press conference, I spent the rest of the day visiting a few House and senate offices to kill time before the 2 PM scheduled start of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee meeting was scheduled to start.
But because we're mercifully getting close to the end of this Texas legislative session, the House session didn't adjourn until 6 PM, with the committee meeting not starting until 6:30 PM
By the time I and Claire Bow, Danielle Skidmore, Ash Hall, and Leslie McMurry finally got to testify it was two hours later.
Only one hater from Texas Values showed up, but it wasn't who I expected. Instead of Jonathan Saenz doing his hatemongering personally, he sent a Black woman to try and fail do the job.
Sadly, the bill was left pending in committee despite our compelling testimony as to why trans Texans should be added to the Byrd hate Crimes Act. That means if it doesn't pass out of committee and by the full House by Friday, it dies for this session.
While I'm disappointed by that result, Rep Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) has made it clear he will introduce that bill when the next session takes place in 2021.
And I and my Texas trans community will be there in force when it's time to testify in favor of it
Monday, April 29, 2019
Moni's Back In Austin Again!
While BTAC 2019 concluded yesterday, still couldn't go home just yet. I hopped a Megabus from Dallas down I-35 to come to Austin for the fifth time this session.
An opportunity presented itself to go on legislative offense for a change when I was notified that HB 1513 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee today.
HB 1513 would add gender identity and expression to the Texas James Byrd Hate Crimes Law, and it is something that is long overdue.
It's authored by Rep Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) with Reps Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas) and Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) signing on as co-authors
I came to the ATX after BTAC ended because there's a 9 AM CDT press conference being held by Rep Coleman that I'm speaking at this morning. I'll also be signing up to testify in favor of the bill when it has its scheduled hearing at 2 PM in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
The committee is chaired by Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Ft Worth) with her Vice Chair being Rep Bill Zedler (R-Arlington)
The members of House Jurisprudence are Reps Keith Bell (R-Forney), Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas), Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), Phil King (R-Weatherford), Joe Moody (D-El Paso), Andrew Murr (R-Junction), and Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio)
You may wish to call their offices and politely ask them to vote in favor of HB 1513. I'll do my best to make the case when the hearing starts at 2 PM CDT in room E2.112 why they should do so.
That hearing will be broadcast, and you can check it out on the Texas House legislative website.
An opportunity presented itself to go on legislative offense for a change when I was notified that HB 1513 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee today.
HB 1513 would add gender identity and expression to the Texas James Byrd Hate Crimes Law, and it is something that is long overdue.
It's authored by Rep Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) with Reps Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas) and Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) signing on as co-authors
I came to the ATX after BTAC ended because there's a 9 AM CDT press conference being held by Rep Coleman that I'm speaking at this morning. I'll also be signing up to testify in favor of the bill when it has its scheduled hearing at 2 PM in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
The committee is chaired by Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Ft Worth) with her Vice Chair being Rep Bill Zedler (R-Arlington)
The members of House Jurisprudence are Reps Keith Bell (R-Forney), Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas), Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), Phil King (R-Weatherford), Joe Moody (D-El Paso), Andrew Murr (R-Junction), and Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio)
You may wish to call their offices and politely ask them to vote in favor of HB 1513. I'll do my best to make the case when the hearing starts at 2 PM CDT in room E2.112 why they should do so.
That hearing will be broadcast, and you can check it out on the Texas House legislative website.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
BTWI Board Welcome For BTAC 2019
The BTAC conference welcome from the BTWI board....

See y'all tomorrow.

See y'all tomorrow.
Labels:
BTAC,
Dallas,
Texas,
trans conferences/conventions
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Miss and Mr OLTT 2019
I mentioned I had a late Friday night that saw me getting back home at 3:30 AM, only to bounce right back out the door 2.5 hours later to go to Dallas.
But it was well worth the sleep it cost me to see and talk to Jennicet Gutierrez, Sara Ramirez, Bamby Salcedo and Ruby Corado in one shot here in my hometown along with many of our Houston area advocates and allies.
And oh yeah, a pageant broke out while I was there.
It was the second annual Mr and Miss Trans OLTT pageant at Club Crysta in southwest Houston. It would not only choose the new OLTT royalty was that would represent the organization during their reign, but served as a fundraiser for the organization. All the tips for the performers were also donated,
As for the pageant business at hand, the new Miss Trans OLTT is Catalina Ramos, with the Mr Trans OLTT crown going to Fabian Echeverria.
Ramos was the favorite going into the event, and she proved why in dominating fashion, capturing five category awards on her way to the Miss Trans OLTT crown and the $500 first place prize.
Congrats to Catalina and Fabian! I know we'll be seeing them at many of the Houston area community events representing OLTT and the Latinx trans community.
And congrats to Kassandra and Mo for their trailblazing reigns as the first Mr and Miss Trans OLTT.
But it was well worth the sleep it cost me to see and talk to Jennicet Gutierrez, Sara Ramirez, Bamby Salcedo and Ruby Corado in one shot here in my hometown along with many of our Houston area advocates and allies.
And oh yeah, a pageant broke out while I was there.
It was the second annual Mr and Miss Trans OLTT pageant at Club Crysta in southwest Houston. It would not only choose the new OLTT royalty was that would represent the organization during their reign, but served as a fundraiser for the organization. All the tips for the performers were also donated,
As for the pageant business at hand, the new Miss Trans OLTT is Catalina Ramos, with the Mr Trans OLTT crown going to Fabian Echeverria.
Ramos was the favorite going into the event, and she proved why in dominating fashion, capturing five category awards on her way to the Miss Trans OLTT crown and the $500 first place prize.
Congrats to Catalina and Fabian! I know we'll be seeing them at many of the Houston area community events representing OLTT and the Latinx trans community.
And congrats to Kassandra and Mo for their trailblazing reigns as the first Mr and Miss Trans OLTT.
Labels:
Houston,
OLTT,
pageants,
Texas,
trans Latina,
trans pageants
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)










































