Fall Back! Daylight Savings Time Ends

Don't forget to roll those clocks back an hour before you go to sleep, otherwise you're going to be at least an hour early for everything you do Sunday.

The GOP would like to roll the clock back to the 18th century, but that's another post for another time.

Daylight savings time ends in the States at 2 AM, so it's time to 'fall back' into standard time. 

Recharging The Batteries Day

I'm having one of those days where I'm experiencing   a little bit of writer's block and just need to clear my head. 

Considering I've had four consecutive months in which I've written over 100 TransGriot posts and I'm on track to do it again, it's probably understandable why I'm feeling that way. 

Usually when writer's block strikes for me, I step away from the computer for a while and that cures the problem.   You can bet that before these 24 hours are up I'll be inspired to write something about the issues of the day.  

I have six posts that are in various stages of completion, but I just felt weren't at the quality level for a TransGriot post I demand of myself.   So I'll do what I always do in that situation.

I'll set them side and look at them again in a few hours.   By that time somebody will write something somewhere either on Facebook or Twitter that will either piss me off or make me say 'what in Hades were you thinking?'   I may also get one of those 'aha' moments after engaging in hard, solid thinking that makes perfect sense,.fits into the theme of the post I was compiling and allow me to complete.it.

Thanks for your patience and will have some fresh content up ASAP.

NBJC Announces GOTV Partnership With NAACP

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) announced its partnership with the NAACP in an effort to increase voter turnout and has launched its own Get-Out-The-Vote web portal at www.nbjc.org/gotv.  This site gives activists an opportunity to help in the NAACP's outreach efforts to ensure that voters across the nation and in key states are informed about campaigns and issues important to the African American community.

In this crucial election, the stakes are particularly high for LGBT voters.  Minnesota, New Hampshire, California and New York have become battlegrounds for marriage equality.  Rhode Island and California candidates are seeking to become the fourth and fifth openly gay members of Congress.  There are 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats, 37 U.S. Senate seats, and 37 gubernatorial seats hanging in the balance.  Also at stake are the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; Safe Schools legislation to end anti-gay bullying; and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act.  This is truly an important election for our entire community.

National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks stated, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.  It is imperative that we recognize that each of us has a stake in this election, each of us stands to build on or lose the gains of the past two years, and each of us must do our part to protect our quality of life.  Make sure that everyone in your network understands the importance of this election and what's at stake for Black LGBT people and their families come November.  For the future of our communities, we need you to vote on November 2 and take others with you to the polls."

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The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. NBJC's mission is to end racism and homophobia.

U of L Vigil To Honor Victims of LGBT Bullying

The members of the new Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) invite you to stand in solidarity against all forms of bullying, hate, and bias at the University of Louisville.

Honoring recent college students who committed suicide after being bullied, the vigil will be an opportunity to speak out against all forms of hate and commit to a welcoming, hate-free campus.

BIRT is comprised of the following:

PEACC
The Cultural Center
The Office for LGBT Services
Housing and Residence Life
The Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs

The vigil will take place at the Red Barn on the University of Louisville campus today from 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT.

Houston Trans Community Meeting October 9

A trans community meeting concerning the ongoing Araguz case will take place on Saturday October 9 from 1:00-3:00 PM CDT at the Transgender Center.

It's located at 604 Pacific St in Houston, TX and this town hall meeting will focus on the impact the Heather Delgado v. Nikki Araguz case will have on the overall GLBT community within Texas and beyond.

A loss can mean that the State of Texas will no longer recognize the transitioned status of transgender people. This will have a huge impact on transgender employment issues, bathroom issues, issues of policy and issues of law.

A win will ensure that the State of Texas will officially recognize the transitioned status of transgender people. This will also have a huge impact on transgender employment issues, bathroom issues, issues of policy and issues of law.

Additionally, a win will put Texas in the exact same place California was post-Prop 8. A win will mean that we will have a law banning same sex marriage while at the same time having many officially State-sanctioned valid same sex marriages that came about due to the 1999 Littleton vs Prange ruling.

We will discuss strategy and what you can do. This will be your opportunity to become fully informed and have all your questions and concerns addressed about this case.

On hand for the community meeting will be:

Phyllis Frye and her entire law firm
Nikki Araguz
TFA Executive Director and Board of Directors
Vanity, Diamond Girls
Jenifer Rene Pool, Host of Queer Voices and City Council candidate
Kris Banks, President of the GLBT Political Caucus

TRANSFORMATION: A Community Writing Salon At Mills College

When: Friday September 24th, October 22nd, and November 12th, 2010  3:00-5:00 p.m. PDT
Where: The Bender Room #200

As part of my work with the "Belonging Initiative at Mills College", I am inviting you to build community across boundaries at Mills College. The Belonging Initiative at Mills College mission is "to connect unlikely allies across differences, in order to build strong integrated communities where all students can feel a sense of belonging, particularly on College campuses".

TRANSFORMATION:A Community Writing Salon with Ms. Terrilynn Cantlon and Mr. Fresh! White. Fresh! is a professional Whole-Life Coach, Community Activist, Facilitator and experienced LBGT Diversity Speaker covering gender diversity and inclusion.

We will be co-presenting information from the Gender Diversity Project this Friday at 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Bender Room. Come and be a part of building a stronger inclusive campus at Mills College. There is no charge, and snacks will be served for free. We will be holding a no cost raffle for some cool prizes! Open to interested faculty, students and staff. Note: This salon is open to the public. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Funded by a civic engagement grant through the Mills College Institute for Civic Leadership. Advised and mentored through the Mills College English Department. Dr. Ruth Saxton, Dr. Diane Cady and Dr. Rebekah Edwards faculty mentors and advisors. In association with the Mills College Division of Student Life “Belonging Initiative”.


For further information contact:
Terrilynn Cantlon
tcantlon@mills.edu