Houston GLBT Caucus Hosts 2nd Annual Advocacy Day

If you are in the Houston area, and looking for an opportunity to chat with your state legislators, your opportunity to do so will take place on (no joke) April 1.

The Houston GLBT Caucus along with their partner organizations United We Dream, Transform Houston, Your Houston PAC, the New Leaders Council and Indivisible Houston will head to Austin on April 1 for their second annual Houston's Advocacy Day at The Capitol

If you're wishing to register for the lobby day and be in the ATX for it, here's the link to register.

Bus will leave the Montrose Center at 6 AM on Monday from the Montrose Center at 401 Branard St to head to the Pink Dome, and return to H-town at 8 PM

So if you wish to lobby your state reps, register now, because the Caucus and all these amazing orgs would love to have you there in Austin with them and your fellow citizen lobbyists,

Moni Needs Some Help.....

You  longtime TransGriot readers know that I don't like asking for help unless I really need it, but this qualifies as one of those times.

Because I had two speaking engagements cancel on me in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, it threw my finances into chaos for a few weeks   I managed to get everything straightened out except one bill and that on my storage unit.

I had some promised help fall through at the last minute, which is why I'm putting up this last minute appeal now.   It's a storage unit that contains a lot of trans history like my papers and awards like the Virginia Prince that if I don't get the balance on it down to zero by 11;30 AM CST tomorrow, at noon it goes up for auction.

Need to raise $750 to get the balance current, and the clock's ticking. 

I do have a link to my PayPal account on my TransGriot blog, and I do have Facebook Pay   Also don't mind making a trip to the nearest Wal-Mart for their walmart moneytransfer if you prefer to do it that way.   I just need to get it done before 11:30 AM tomorrow. 

Whatever you can spare, it's deeply appreciated..

Trans*H4CK TDOV Panel 'On Being Black and Trans In The US'

March 31 is the Transgender Day of Visibility, and there are many event planned to focus on trans lives throughout the country

The Oakland based Trans*H4CK will be sponsoring a TDOV discussion moderated by Dr Kortney Ziegler entitled 'On Being Black and Trans in The US'.

The panelists are A. Dionne Stallworth,  Jevon Martin, Michael David Battle, Lynx M'Chea, Deja Sparks, Preston Martin and Lourdes Ashley Hunter.

This International Trans Day of Visibility, Trans*H4CK celebrates the lives of Black Trans Americans. In this live video panel, you will hear from black trans, black gender non conforming and black non-binary folks covering topics such as: Cross gender coalition building; Black Trans mental health; grassroots activism; ways to self-sustain as a black trans person with our current administration.

RSVP and join the discussion live on The LOFT March 31st at 10:00 AM PDT. 

The discussion will start at 10 AM PDT  (11:00 AM MDT, 12;00 PM CDT and 1:00 PM EDT)  and looking forward to hearing the discussion.

Alexandra Billings In Upcoming Performance Of 'I'm Still Here, Still'

For those of you in southern California, you'll have something to look forward to coming on January 26 in an upcoming Alexandra Billings cabaret performance.

'I'm Still Here, Still'  is a autobiographical show organized by the USC School of Dramatic Arts about moving forward while finding stillness based on the life of trailblazing actress Alexandra Billings.

It is the triumphant life story of a little boy from Inglewood who through a dark pathway of shame and self-hatred found the trans woman she was born to be and recognized her as the truest light and the most profound gift. It is a story of humor and pathos, of ease and stillness. It is a tale that insists: even in the greatest chaos, there can be beautiful peace. And it is stacked with show tunes and sequins—as is Alexandra Billings’s life. Still.

Billings has been acting since 1968, performing in hundreds of plays and musicals throughout the United States.  She became in 2005 the first out trans actress to play a transgender character on television and currently plays Davina on the show Transparent .  She has also appeared on the ABC television shows How To Get Away With Murder and Grey's Anatomy   A PBS documentary about her life entitled Schoolboy to Schoolgirl was nominated for an Emmy.

So if you want to check out Alexandra's cabaret show, won';t cost you any money, but you will have to RSVP for the performance starting on January 10 at 9:00 AM PST.

The show will take place starting at 7 PM  at the Bing Theater on the USC campus..  Address is 3500 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089.   The performance will be followed up by a Q&A session with Alexandra Billings.

Break a leg Alexandra, and I hope the theater is not only sold out, but the show is an unqualified success.

Service For Cheryl Courtney-Evans October 12

The life and legacy of our pioneering trans sister Cheryl C. Courtney-Evans will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 12 at the Vision Church of Atlanta starting at 12 PM EDT.

The Vision Church of Atlanta is located at 704 Ormewood Ave SE. in Atlanta, GA

Following the service, the repast will take place at the Phillip Rush Center Annex, located at 1553 DeKalb Ave NE, also in the ATL.

The repast will be a potluck, and the request is being made for people who plan to attend to bring a dish to share with other.  

A request is also being made for people to bring their favorite photos of Cheryl to contribute to a photo memory wall that will be set up at the repast.

If there's any additional information, I'll pass it along to you as I receive it..

Houston's Inaugural Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board Announced

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced yesterday afternoon that he was forming our city's first ever Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board that will serve as a direct link to the mayor's office and the Houston TBLGIQ community and providing recommendations and advice on issues impacting our community..

"It was important to me to make this announcement before the end of Pride Month," said mayor Turner. "However, let me be clear.  Our support for the LGBT community is not ending.  We are standing with Orlando today and we will be standing with them tomorrow.  In Houston, we fight hate with love and inclusion.  There is much work to be done and I can't wait to get started."

The Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board is comprised of 49 members (21 women, 28 men), a symbolic nod to the 49 people we lost in the Orlando Pulse club shooting, and will be co-chaired by Lou Weaver and Melanie Pang.

And in case you TransGriot readers were wondering, I'm one of the 49 TBLGIQ Houstonians who was appointed to the board.

The 49 members of this board reflect not only the diversity of my hometown, but the diversity of the Houston TBLGIQ community.  There are 21 Anglos, 13 Latinx, 12 African-Americans and 3 Asians on the Board.   In terms of the LGBTIQ composition of it, 26 members identify as gay, 13 are lesbian, 8 trans people, 2 intersex people, one bisexual, and one parent of a transgender child that is represented..

Because of the size of the board, Mayor Turner anticipates that much of the advisory board work will be done in committees.


Here's the list of the members of the inaugural Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board

Kristen Capps 
AJ Mistretta 
Alan Dettlaff 
Ashton P. Woods
Aurora Harris 
Barry Mandel 
Becca Keo-Meier 
Brad Pritchett
Brandon Mack
Brandon Wilke 
Chris Busby 
Crystal Solares-Bockmon 
Dee Dee Watters 
Dennis Beedon 
Eesha Pandit 
Erika Richie 
Felix Perez 
Fran Watson 
Frances Valdez
Harrison Guy 
Isabel Longoria 
Januari Leo 
Jeffry Faircloth 
Juan Lerma 
Kent Loftin 
Kevin Nix 
Koomah 
Lily Pando (15-year old who will serve as an honorary member)
Lura Groen 
Maria González 
Mark Chupik 
Maximo Cortez 
Mike Webb 
Monica Roberts
Paul Guillory 
R. Aaron Flores 
Renita Cooksey 
Ricardo Rodriguez 
Richard Lapin 
Ron Goines 
Ryan Leach 
Steven Guthrie
T. Ray Purser 
Tamira "Augie" Augustine 
Tammi Wallace 
Tiffany Ross 
Tim Martinez   

Congratulations to all the community leaders who were appointed to this board, and like Mayor Turner, I can't wait to get started making some positive things happen for our city and the Houston LGBT community.

Moni Teams With Celebrity Publicist!

It's been in the works for a few months, but I can now make the announcement official. 

I am now being represented by TLH Public Relations and Consulting, LLP!

The full service public relations firm founded by celebrity publicist Leigha Hagood with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC. The firm represents clients in the theatrical, sports, political and public speaking worlds.

They were enthusiastic about taking me on as a client and I have been wanting to do more public speaking appearances.

I believe they can get me to the level that I need and deserve to be at as a trans human rights pioneer and long time activist..

TLH Public Relations and Consulting, LLP will be handling my speaking requests from now on so I can focus on my writing and activist work when needed.

If you are interested in having me appear as speaker for your event, you can contact Leigha at 646-893-4337 or leigha@tlhpr.com

TransJustice Fellowship Applications Due October 1

For those of you in the New York area, got word of a fellowship opportunity that is accepting applications.

If you're interested, you'll have to get that completed application in for the fellowship by October 1.

TransJustice Political Education and Campaign Fellowship

Who We Are:

TransJustice is a political organizing group created and led by Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color in New York City. We work to educate organize and mobilize our communities and allies on the pressing political issues we face. We are a multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-class, and all ages group.

TransJustice is an organizing program of the Audre Lorde Project. The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.

About the Fellowship:
-- Are you interested in community organizing and developing leadership in yourself and others?
-- Want to develop skills in facilitating workshops, building curricula, and political education?
-- Interested in learning more about campaign and coalition work?

The TransJustice Fellowship is a pilot project to support and develop the leadership of Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color. Fellows will receive supervision and work closely with the TransJustice Coordinator to meet the following goals:
-- Build skills and capacity in Community Organizing work, including coalition work, political education, and facilitation
-- Support the coordinator with logistics, planning, and implementation of programming
-- Support with administrative work and documentation

Requirements;
-- Can commit to ten months (November 2014 through September 2014), 10 hours per week
-- Can be on site at the Manhattan offices of the Audre Lorde Project during fellowship hours
-- Identifies as Trans and/or Gender Non-Conforming and a Person of Color
-- Can demonstrate experience using Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Gmail.
-- Is invested in building community/movement and struggling across difference from a loving place
-- Wants to grow in their skills and support others in growing their skills as an organizer and facilitator
-- Willing to be supervised, and willing to give and receive feedback in open and communicative ways
-- Works well in collaboration and teams

Responsibilities Include:
-- Participating in coalition meetings with the program coordinator and core members, and creating new and exciting ways to share information from meetings back to the membership base
-- Supporting with logistics and facilitation for TransJustice Community School, our 9 week Political Education and Leadership Development Program.
-- Supporting with logistics, planning and facilitation of our 3 monthly meetings
-- Data Entry and Administrative support
-- Supporting members in outreach for meetings and events
-- Preparation and planning for all TransJustice Related events (Trans Day of Remembrance, Trans Day of Action, TransJustice Community Schools, and Open Political Education Workshops)

How to Apply!
Please send a cover letter stating why you are interested in the fellowship and a resume to efukui@alp.org.
This is a paid fellowship. TransJustice Community School Graduates and Daring to Be Powerful
 Graduates are strongly encouraged to apply!

The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center focusing on the New York City area.

147 West 24th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212-463-0342
Fax: 212-463-0344
www.alp.org

Congrats Tiq and Kim!

Had to give a TransGriot shoutout to my brother Tiq Milan and his lady Kim Katrin Crosby who are getting married today in New York.

At least it'll be easy for me to remember their May 5 wedding day.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kim during my just completed BTAC weekend in Dallas, and I wish the happy couple a long, happy and healthy marriage.

Also looking forward to the next time I see you two as husband and wife. 

Houston Britney and Crystal Candelight Vigil Tomorrow

For those of you in the Houston area and can do so, hope you're planning on joining me in the chapel of the AD Bruce Religion Center on the University of Houston main campus tomorrow evening, April 2  for the candlelight vigil honoring our fallen sisters Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson.

Both died on March 8 and were just 24 years old.

I will be speaking along with Tamira 'Augie' Augustine, Dr. Rachel Afi Quinn and Pastor Ernie Turney from Bering United Methodist Church.

The event starts at 6:30 PM CDT and is being sponsored by the UH Women's Resource Center , UH LGBT Resource Center, Global at UH, NAACP UH Chapter, Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network, the Student Feminist Organization at UH and  The Montrose Center .

AD Bruce Religion Center is on the Wheeler St/Cullen Blvd side of the campus with the closest entrance to AD Bruce and parking lot being Entrance 13 off of Cullen Blvd.    

Please consider joining us and the Houston community tomorrow  as we remember these young women and begin an open and honest dialogue about violence against the LGBT community.

And since it is being hosted on campus, I hope to see a strong UH Cougar presence at the vigil.

MAJOR! IndieWire Project Of The Month Voting Has Started

You helped MAJOR! get funded.  You helped it win IndieWire's October Project of the Week.  Now the voting has started on IndieWire for October Project of the Month, and you once again get the opportunity to help Annalise and StormMiguel get another step closer to making this documentary film a reality. 

The voting for October Project of the Month has started and will happen until 5 PM EDT (2 PM PDT) on November 1. It only takes a few seconds and doesn't cost you anything, so please consider it. We need all hands on deck to ensure that MAJOR! emerges victorious once again.

If MAJOR! wins October Project of the Month, it means that Annalise and StormMiguel get a creative consultation with the Tribeca Film Institute!     

Nominations For 2014 Trans 100 List Open!

It was a tremendous honor for me to be nominated for and eventually be selected to become part of the inaugural list of honorees for the Trans 100 List

Time flies, and it gives me great pleasure to announce that the nominations period for the 2014 Trans 100 List is now open!

So start thinking about and nominating the people in your area who are active, out and proud trans people, and deserve the recognition for their stellar work to benefit the trans community. 

And for you international trans folks not in the USA who wondered why there were no deserving international names on the 2013 Trans 100 list, here's an announcement concerning what y'all need to do to set up your own Trans 100 List to honor the people doing the work in your respective nations in 2014

So yes, looking forward to see who makes the 2014 Trans 100 List here in the States and hopefully see lists from Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Asia-Pacific Rim, Europe, Africa, South America.... 


*** 

This form is to collect nominees for a list of 100 trans activists currently working to make life better for Trans people. The final list is intended as a resource guide and seeks to raise the visibility and awareness of advocates, activists,and those who do their best to improve the lives of trans people.

The Trans 100 is a curated listing from open nominations of the top 100 Trans activists and advocates that are working to make a difference in the daily lives of Trans people,in order to provide attention, contacts, and recognition to those who do the on the ground work of reducing stigma, ending ostracizing, and furthering the social and economic development of Trans people throughout society.

Guidelines:
- Nominees must be living and currently working to improve the lives of trans people.
- Nominees can be working at any scale, locally, regionally, or nationally.
- We would like to see all parts of the country represented, and especially otherwise unsung or only locally known workers.
- We particularly encourage the addition of persons of color.
- Nominees must openly identify as Trans.
- They must have been living at least half the year 2013

Notes:
- Voting is anonymous.
- The list will not be ranked, and the tally will not be publicized.
- Nominees will be contacted by the editors for permission before the list is published.
- International nominations will be forwarded to that nation's working group.

Thank you for participating, and please share this widely!

***

Click on this link to nominate someone for the 2014 Trans 100 List

Trials Of LGBT Out Vs.Not Out Panel Discussion Event At UH Tonight

It's National Coming Out Week, and I've been invited to take part in a panel discussion on the University of Houston campus later this evening. 

It's part of the on campus series of events conducted to enlighten the UH community on LGBT issues in the runup to National Coming Out Day on Friday.

The event I've been invited to take part in is hosted by Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority's Kappa Chapter and is a panel discussion entitled 'Trials of LGBT: Out Vs. Not Out'.    I'm excited to not only be back on the campus of my alma mater, but be part of a panel of people who have either had the experience of either coming out or are unable to do so due to extenuating circumstances.

It'll be at the Agnes Arnold Building on the UH main campus tonight, October 8 in Room 30 and starts at 6:30 PM   

Hope you folks in the Houston area and on or near the UH campus can make it for what should be an interesting discussion.

BTAC 2014 Call For Proposals

I had such a wonderful time at the second annual BTMI 2013 conference in addition to delivering a keynote speech for it. 

Now that I know the date and location for it, I'm making plans to attend the renamed Black Trans Advocacy Conference 2014 in Dallas, TX from April 30-May 4. 

The third annual event will be at the Doubletree-Campbell Center once again which is on the North Central Expressway near North Park Mall, the DART Orange and Red light rail lines and has shuttle bus service to and from the nearby Park Lane DART light rail station to the hotel.

And oh yeah, did I mention there's an In-N-Out Burger location two blocks south from the hotel on the North Central Expressway feeder?  And yeah Sean, I owe you a reciprocal spades butt licking and will be bringing my dominoes and backgammon case with me, too

I'm mentioning all this stuff because the date for BTAC 2014 is rapidly approaching and the call for proposals is being made for this rapidly growing and eagerly anticipated event taking place in Dallas. 

I'm also curious to see who gets the award named for me after I teach a seminar at BTAC 2014. 

Nice segue into what this post is about, an announcement for you peeps who wish to attend BTAC 2014 can start thinking about your possible seminar presentations when the submissions page goes online.

And yeah, goes without saying the BTAC organizers would like a diverse crowd in attendance, too.  If you want to learn about my Black trans community, need to be at events where we gather and talk about our issues, especially since the 2014 BTAC conference theme is One Earth. One People. One Love     

***

BTAC 2014 Conference Info, Registration, Sponsorship Package & Call for Proposals will be available online October 2013!

Conference Theme:
One Earth. One People. One Love
2014 Workshop Dates: April 30/ May 1/ May 2 / May 3

We are looking for creative and engaging workshop proposals that will help to educate an audience inclusive of the LGBT community about gender, sex, sexuality and social change to help reinforce our BTMI mission of equality, advocacy & empowerment.

We are interested in proposals that are aligned with our conference theme and may cover topics included in our BTMI program areas: Identity, Culture, Religion, Family, Health, Wealth, Careers, Education, Business, Legal, Community and Youth Services.

AUDIENCE

Transmen
Transwomen
Trans Spouse
Trans Aging Adults
Trans & HIV Positive
Trans Masculine (Stud/Butch)
Youth & Family
Trans Ally
Trans*Umbrella

Renee's In The Hospital

Got the news from the unhubby that my Canadian homegirl is in the hospital.

Renee's condition is improving since Monday.   She's armed with her tablet and her determination to get better.  With continued progress from the initial health setback she may be home sometime next week.

Until then please say a few words of prayer for her and her family for the next few days so that she can get well, back home to her family and all of us who love her as expeditiously as possible.   .

TransGriot Note: Since this is her 'Get Well Soon' post, I know one of the things she likes is Coach purses.  So I thought I'd put this Coach cake purse photo up to make her day.

Seattle And Portland Screenings Of 'Still Black' This Weekend

In the interest of journalistic integrity I do wish to disclose that I'm proud to know one of the transmen featured in it and the director of this award winning documentary.

But for those of you in the Portland and Seattle areas, Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler is headed your way with his groundbreaking film 'Still Black A Portrait of Black Transmen'.

The screening is a collaborative effort of Gender Odyssey and Sister Sinema  with partial proceeds going to the Gender Odyssey Scholarship Fund.

The Seattle screening is scheduled for Saturday, May 11 and the Portland one on Sunday, May 12, so use this link to purchase tickets for one excellent film spotlighting the lives of six transmen.

here's hoping for sold out screenings on both nights and y'all show Dr. KRZ some love.

Trans 100 Kickoff Event In Chicago Sunday

Too bad I can't be there for this one, but for those of you in the Chicagoland area, you'll get an opportunity to roll over to the Mayne Stage on March 31 and see Janet Mock, Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler, performances by Namoli Brennet and Joe Stevens in the The Trans 100 List Kickoff Event. 

It's being hosted by Kokumo and runs from 7-9 PM CDT and it's free, but you'll need to register because my sources tell me seats are going fast.  

March 31 happens to also be the Trans Day of Visibility and this event is commemorating the launch of the Trans 100 List that is a joint effort of Phoenix based This Is How and We Happy Trans.

Looking forward to it.   Hey, I'm curious to know who made the inaugural list,.too 

Trans 101 Panel Featuring The TransGriot At HCC-Southeast Tomorrow

This time tomorrow I'll be in the Angela Morales building on the HCC-Southeast campus preparing to do a Trans 101 panel.

For those of you in the Houston area interested in attending it an seeing the TransGriot in action, it will take place from 1-2:30 PM.

The HCC-Southeast campus is located at 6815 Rustic St just off the Gulf Fwy (I-45) near the Woodridge exit.

Hope to see many of your readers who can attend there

 

Isis Fall 2013 Collection Presentation

Y'all know I'm so bursting at the seams proud of my fashion designing little sis.

Nice segue into what this post is about.   For you peeps in the New York metro area it's Fall Fashion Week 2013.

Isis' main job when she's not lecturing or taking part in discussions on trans issues is as a fashion designer.  Many of the clothes you see her wearing when she's on the runways or taking photos at community events are of her own design.  

With the international fashion world descending on New York for Fashion Week, Isis will be doing a premiere and presentation of her Fashion Collection.

She's entitled it 'The Goldest Winter Ever" and it will be taking place at the Wix Lounge from 6-7:30 PM EST.

Location of the presentation event is the Wix Lounge at  10 West 18th Street in New York, NY between 5th and 6th Streets.  It will be on the second floor level of the club.

Best of luck sis and hope it's one overwhelmingly successful event.

Coming Monday, The 3rd Annual TransGriot African-American Trans History Quiz

Two years ago I started compiling a Black trans history quiz on this blog after getting a little perturbed over my observation that Black transpeople were being erased and marginalized in  LGBT compiled quizzes that were heavy on the LG end of the community.

Since Black History Month starts this Friday, it's time for me to post my latest incarnation of the TransGriot African-American Trans History Quiz as a reminder that Black transpeople did (and still are) making history today in all the communities we intersect and interact with.  

As per usual, it's an open Internet test and some of the answers are buried in my TransGriot posts.

Once I post it on Monday I'll give you a few days to ponder it before I post the answers at midnight Central time on Thursday.    And yes, some of the 25 questions you'll get will be true or false and multiple choice ones.

Just to give you a taste of what you're going to get Monday, I'll post the links to the previous quizzes.

The First Annual TransGriot African-American Trans History Quiz

The 2nd Annual TransGriot African-American Trans History Quiz



TransGriot Note:  Photo is of trans model Tracy Africa Norman during a photo shoot.