'Her Story' Emmy Disappointment

Was hoping along with everyone in the community that my girls Jen Richards and Angelica Ross would be making some more history at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards Sunday night, but alas, it didn't happen for them.

As y'all may be aware, Her Story was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series category, but unfortunately  the show Children's Hospital on Adult Swim walked away with the Emmy in that category.

Said Richards on her Facebook page concerning the result:  "Her Story didn't win tonight, but it's hard not to celebrate when it was just a short while ago that Angelica Ross and I were just two unknown transgender women living together in Chicago, who found in each other reasons to dream big."
 
"We have pushed and challenged and cheered each other, have laughed and cried and strutted despaired and hope together every step of this.  And here we are at the Emmys because we had the audacity to believe our stories mattered," she added..

"Thanks to everyone for their unceasing love and support tonight:."  

But the Emmy nomination for Her Story was a win in itself, especially in light of Hollywood's continued annoying pattern of casting cis masculine actors to play trans feminine characters.

I hope that the Emmy nomination of Her Story not only leads to additional seasons of it, but also leads to Hollywood realizing once and for all that trans stories not only matter, but they best done and most authentic when you cast trans actors in trans roles.

IBetter luck next time ladies!  I have a feeling that one day one or both of you will someday be putting an Emmy in your trophy case.

Moni's 2016 GLAAD Gala SF Remarks

TransGriot Notes: These are the remarks I prepared for delivery as I accept this Special Recognition award at tonight's GLAAD Gala San Francisco.

You can check out the @GLAAD Twitter feed and the hashtag #glaadgala for it.

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2016 GLAAD Gala SF Remarks

Thank you Angelica for that wonderful introduction.  and thank you GLAAD for this unexpected but deeply appreciated honor.  On behalf of the community and myself, I humbly accept this award. 

When blogging began to go mainstream in 2004, I was writing a column for a local monthly LGBTQ paper in Louisville.   Trans oriented blogs addressing the issues germane to the trans community existed, but the common thread was that none of those early trans blogs were discussing issues important to trans people of color.  Neither were they discussing trans issues and the news of the day from our perspective.   

After prodding by my friends in Louisville and around the country, predominately led by Jordana LeSesne and my own observations that a POC oriented blog was necessary for the growth and maturation of our Black trans community ranks, at midnight EST on January 1, 2006, the first post went up at TransGriot. 

It’s now been a decade, 6.4 million viewers and nearly 10,000 posts later, and TransGriot is still telling it like it T-I-S is on behalf of my community from an unapologetically Black perspective and documenting its history.  It is probably the oldest continuously published blog founded and run by an African-American trans person and I’m exceedingly proud of that fact.

And thanks to the Trans National Alliance, Trans United Fund and assorted individuals who have contributed money and technology to help me keep TransGriot alive and operating for the last decade   

While what I write at TransGriot is focused on and for Black trans people, over time those posts have also touched people around the world.  TransGriot is also unique in the fact it is written by a person who has been a trans human rights advocate for 18 years and counting, and has had a ringside seat to much of the LGBTQ community’s history since 1994.

It has also grown beyond its original mission to talk about the issues that affect all LGBTQ people. 

The power of a blog to shape events is mighty.  It’s even more potent when walk the walk and back up your words with deeds.  I get up from behind my keyboard and lobby legislators, educating people at panel discussions and community forums, and engage in public speaking in order to make that positive change I advocate for via my writing happen. 

And thank you GLAAD for standing up for our human rights and pushing for accurate portrayals of my trans siblings across the media spectrum.   Accuracy in media stories about trans people matters.

TransGriot has shed light and spoken truth to power on the issues that impact trans people of color such as anti-trans violence, HIV-AIDS and anti-trans bigotry inside and outside the LGBTQ community.  Posts I wrote helped push for passage of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance in May 2014, and sounded the alarm when the defense campaign for it was going off the rails.  I have urged LGBTQ people to vote and called out disrespectful reporting on trans people of color.    

And sadly, over the last decade I’ve had to document far too many murders of trans women of color.

Some of my TransGriot writing is designed to build community and pride in being an unapologetically Black trans person.   I wrote an open letter post last month that inspired a young Black trans feminine kid to see that she too can be a leader in our community and that she has a proud legacy and history of Black trans leaders to emulate. As her mother told me in an e-mail two days ago, Trini told her, “Ms. Monica showed me my history.  Now I’m gonna make my own.” 

And I will be pleased and proud to watch you make that history Trini on our behalf.  

I’m proud that TransGriot in its ten years of existence has led the way in sending the messages that LGBTQ rights are international human rights, we trans people exist  we are part of the diverse mosaic of human life, and we will not be dehumanized or disrespected by friend, foe or frenemy.

Once again. I thank you for this award, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next decade holds in store for TransGriot and the TBLGQ community I serve.  

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GLAAD To Honor Moi At The Gala San Francisco

The reason why I'm hopping a flight to San Francisco on Wednesday has finally been announced, so I can now talk about it.

On Thursday during the GLAAD Gala San Francisco I am going to be honored for the ten years I've been speaking truth to power courtesy of my TransGriot blog I founded on January 1, 2006.  

The Special Recognition Award will be presented by Angelica Ross, and so looking forward to seeing her again.

"Monica Roberts has used her blog to become a powerful voice for trans women of color and all trans people for the past 10 years," said Nick Adams, GLAAD's Director of Transgender Media. "Monica has consistently spoken out about the discrimination and violence faced by our community, and she's shined a light on trans people, especially people of color, when other blogs and media outlets would not. We are thrilled to honor Monica for her work and for her contributions toward accelerating acceptance for all trans people."

Thank you GLAAD for the award and thank you everyone for the continued expressions of congratulations and well wishes for this award.  I've been especially touched by the ones that have come from my former CAL co workers, who have told me every time I encounter them either while transiting IAH, on a United flight or just while out and about in Houston how proud they are of me along with everyone else in the community.   That's also true of my local LGBTQ community, the one I was part of in Louisville and nationally.

Thank you everyone.  It means a lot that y'all think so highly of me, and you see me as a worthy possibility model, friend and mentor.

It's been ten years, nearly 10,000 posts and 6.4 million visitors later and I'm still posting and telling it like it T-I-S is about the issues that impact my community.

If you can attend, here's the info for the gala.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at City View at Metreon on Thursday night, and as many peeps in the Bay Area trans community as I can while I'm there.starting Wednesday afternoon.

TransGriot Update:  Now hearing that the GLAAD Gala San Francisco is sold out.

#Black Queer Magic Empowerment Brunch Tomorrow

Tomorrow afternoon the Young Black Voices group will present their Empowerment Brunch that serves to honor Houston area Black LGBTQ community leaders that are empowering at the intersections of their identities.

They are also honoring the 2016 Bayard Rustin Scholars during this complimentary brunch that is being held at St. John's United Methodist Church.  

I've been asked to present an award to one of the honorees, and I'm looking forward to seeing this person again and meeting all of the 2016 award winners.

If you wish to attend, St John's UMC is located at 2019 Crawford St in the heart of downtown Houston, and will start at 12:30 PM

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

I'm The Caucus' 2016 John Paul Barnich Award Winner!

I don't do what I do activism wise just for awards, it's to help advance human rights for all.  But it definitely is nice when people think so highly of your work and what you do that you get nominated for them, and occasionally win a few.

 It's even nicer when the people in your hometown recognize and value your work on their behalf.

The Houston GLBT Caucus, one of the oldest TBLGQ organizations in the southern US, has for the last several years hosted their Equality Brunch at various locations around the city.  

It is a fundraiser for the organization that we in the Houston LGBTQ community and our allies get to break bread, spend quality time with each other and share a delicious meal.

At the Equality Brunch there are several awards given out by the Houston LGBT Caucus to honor members of our community.  Those awards are the Eleanor Tinsley Award, which goes to a distinguished community ally, the Don Hrachovy Award for the most distinguished LGBT Caucus member, the Presidents Award for distinguished Houston community leadership, the John Paul Barnich Award for justice for the LGBT community, and the Tim Brookover Award for lifetime achievement.

This will be the 8th annual edition of the Equality Brunch, and it is being held deep in the heart of the Montrose gayborhood this year at the La Colombe d'Or Hotel's Grand Salon

I'm pleased and proud to announce that when this 8th annual edition is held next month, I will be receiving the 2016 John Paul Barnich Award!

Judge John Paul Barnich was an attorney and a trailblazing leader in our community who was the first openly gay person appointed to become a municipal judge here and in the state of Texas.

He received that historic appointment from Mayor Lee Brown in 1999, and served on the municipal bench until illness forced him to resign in October 2007.   Barnich was also chairman of the Houston AIDS Foundation board, and created in partnership with the FBI the criminal justice program at Waltrip High School that evolved to become HISD's High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

He passed away at age 63 from diabetes complications in 2009.

There have been some amazing people and advocates in our Houston community who have preceded me in receiving this award like John Nechman (2010), Noel Freeman (2014) and Brad Pritchett (2015).

I'm not the first trans Houstonian to win the John Paul Barnich Award.  Lou Weaver won it in 2013, and I'm honored to be joining the distinguished ranks of the winners of this award.

Thank you to the LGBT Caucus for bestowing me with this honor, and for those of you who will be attending the Equality Brunch, see y'all at La Colombe d'Or on September 25.

Mya Taylor Makes Some Movie History

While the Oscars broadcast and the people nominated for the awards will be melanin free, there are other awards shows that are far more diverse than the whitewashed Oscars.

Was excited to find out that Tangerine actress Mya Taylor picked up an Independent Spirit Award for her performance as Alexandra in that independent film that was considered Oscar worthy but unfortunately was snubbed by the Academy for consideration.

Taylor made a little trans history when she picked up that award for Best Supporting Female. She's probably the first out trans person to do so and noted in her acceptance speech that Hollywood needs to expand opportunities for trans actors.

 

Congratulations Mya!  Hope the award results in more acting opportunities coming not only your way, but for all trans actors.

Not Happy About GLAAD Chopping The Best Blog Awards Category

When GLAAD announced their nominees for their upcoming media awards shows in Los Angeles and New York, there was a glaring admission in the 2016 edition of the awards.

Bloggers.

My blog is celebrating its 10th anniversary (January 1) in continuous operation as one of the few Black owned media outlets that centers the voices of trans persons of color and talks about trans history from our perspective..  

As a former nominee for that Best Blog award in 2014, I am not liking the decision, whoever made it, to cut the blogging award category.

Even when TransGriot was nominated in 2014, I felt like we were treated like media stepchildren by not even having our blogging award given during the televised feed. That's why when I was a finalist in 2014, my behind was in Dallas, TX at the BTAC conference being enveloped in my community's love instead of New York at the GLAAD awards ceremony being snubbed.

There seems to be this disconnect concerning just how much impact bloggers have in driving the media conversation about TBLG issues and the movement as a whole.  Since my blog is the only one that unapologetically discusses issues from a Black trans perspective and has done so for a decade, it is considered a credible news source to mainstream journalists and the LGBT big box outlets that do get nominated for awards.  The fact I have been an activist for now approaching 18 years also makes my blog unique and gives me more credibility when I opine about LGBT activism issues.

I can't tell you how many pictures I joyfully took or conversations I had with young LGBT kids at the recent Creating Change in Chicago that grew up reading TransGriot.  In addition to having conversations with the next generation of our movement, and my fellow LGBT journalists, they thanked me for writing the over 9000+ posts I have written over the last ten years telling it like it T-I-S is about our community.

And speaking of my fellow LGBT journalists, looking forward to sharing space with them in Baltimore for the upcoming LGBT Media Journalists Convening in March.

It's also important to have media outlets that are not centered in Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York since the vast majority of  LGBT people don't live there but in cities and rural areas in what is derisively called 'flyover country'.   It is also vitally important to have trans media voices of color breaking down stories from their perspectives.  The more diverse voices we have on the ground to inform our community, the better.

I didn't get into writing TransGriot for the awards.  It simply started as a way for me to have a real time way back in 2006 on commenting on the issues of the day when I was writing a then two year old monthly column at a Louisville-based regional LGBT newspaper.  TransGriot the blog became bigger than and enhanced the readership of TransGriot the newspaper column until it ended in 2007.

It was also founded because I saw the necessity of having an unapologetically Black trans centered blog talking about the issues of the day from a trans perspective.

But it sure is nice when the hard work you put into making sure your blog is a credible news source is recognized by your peers.

It's interesting for me to note my GLAAD media trained self gets quoted in news stories inside and outside the LGBT community, and so do my Twitter comments from time to time.

If anyone doubts my impact on community conversations or the news cycle, ask the Houston Pride Committee just how much impact my blog 'nobody reads' had when it came to generating the media publicity storm that resulted in getting them to change their misguided decision to move the Houston Pride date to Juneteenth.   I also pointed out mistakes made during the coverage by those same LGBT national outlets GLAAD wants to honor about the HERO fight that was playing out in my Houston backyard.

And before the bigger outlets started doing so, it was yours truly chronicling the deaths of Black trans women, calling people out about the disrespectful transphobic news coverage, chronicling Black trans history, and talking about the history of why HRC is loathed by many in Trans World.

My readers include in addition to high school and college peeps, Houston, Washington D.C. and Texas politicians, various people in my old Louisville stomping grounds, TBLG leaders around the country and the world, and educators at the high school and collegiate levels.

I have been told by various college professors across the country that some of my TransGriot posts have been used in their classes when they wish to talk about and teach trans issues during their gender studies classes.  

And more seriously, so far I have had five people privately tell me that reading some of my posts that focus on empowerment and trans pride on TransGriot kept them from committing suicide.

But I agree with my fellow former two time GLAAD nominee Alvin McEwen that eliminating the Best Blog category sends a negative message.  It's not only short sighted to those of us who toil in the blogging world with little to no compensation at times to ensure that the voices of marginalized LGBT people here and around the world are heard, it's also a mistake.

And it's a mistake I hope they rectify next year.

Serena's 2015 SI Sportsperson Of The Year Acceptance Speech

Y'all know I'm ride or die for Serena Williams, and was pleased to hear that she was named the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year.   She became the first woman to win the prestigious award by herself and not as part of a team since 1983.

And then Serena's racist haters unleashed their vitriol, with some of those racist haters being on the LA Times payroll.  I had my say about it along with other social commentators.

But here's Serena in a dropping the mic moment as she accepted the award and dropped some truth nukes while doing so.

Just an FYI haters, the Australian Open starts January 18   Hope that's the start of a Golden Slam for one of my fave tennis players and the Greatest Of All Time, if not her generation.


 

Y'all Still Hatin' On Serena

Was happy to find out that Sports Illustrated chose Serena Williams as their 2015 Sportsperson of the Year, and deservedly so.

When you come within two sets of accomplishing a tennis feat that hasn't been successfully completed since 1988, you dominated your sport so thoroughly at age 34 that the biggest news in it was you losing in the US Open semis,yeah, you deserve it.

But there are some folks out there, starting with the LA Times who were hatin' on my fave tennis playing sibling and showed their racist  behinds by disrespectfully running a poll comparing her with a horse.and transmisogynist horse racing fans showing their asses on Twitter.

Bet you wouldn't do the same thing to Maria Sharapova, who BTW, wishes she had 1/10th of Serena's talent along with the rest of the European glamazons she routinely beats on the WTA tour.

This ongoing racist and trans misogynistic hatred of her unapologetically Black self is why I and the rest of Black America love her and gleefully celebrate Serena's Grand Slam wins and mourn when she loses in Grand Slam tournaments.


And I and Black America are tired of you vanillacentric privileged haters attacking her femininity.

And with the 2016 tennis schedule about to kick off with the first Grand Slam tournament of the year being the Australian Open from January 18-31, frankly I'm hoping Serena uses it as a springboard to accomplishing the Golden Slam in 2016.

What's the Golden Slam?   Winning all four tennis majors plus the Olympic singles gold medal in a calendar year, which is what Steffi Graf accomplished in 1988.

And speaking of Graf, with one more Grand tournament win, she ties Steffi for all time Grand Slam tournament wins, and Margaret Court's 24 wins are in striking range of Serena this upcoming season as well.

Go Serena!  See y'all haters in Melbourne next month for the Australian Open.

Trans Teen Makes Vancouver 50 Most Powerful People List

I keep saying that our trans younglings are going to do some amazing things if just given the opportunity and the chance to live their lives to the best of their ability. In some cases, they are role modeling for their trans elders the courage and leadership it will take to make trans human rights laws, trans acceptance and recognition of our humanity a reality.

More evidence of that is coming from north of the border in Vancouver.

Vancouver magazine recently published their 15th annual list of the 50 most powerful people in the city. On this list that includes CEO's, politicians, labor leaders, First Nations leaders. and other movers and shakers in the city, at number 20 is 12 year old trans teen Tru Wilson

“I didn’t expect to be on posters and people recognizing me and making a difference for other kids,”says Tru. “I just wanted to be me.”

But that's exactly what happened.   Because Tru and her family refused to take no for an answer from the Catholic school  powers that be and pushed for her humanity to be recognized, the successful human rights complaint forced the Vancouver Catholic school system to develop policies for trans students like herself that the Vancouver Public Schools were already working on.

Global TV was also telling their story at the time, and since that successfully mediated BC human rights complaint Tru has continued speaking out about transgender issues with a bigger goal in mind.

What's that goal?   To have a chat with new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about getting trams people's human rights ensconced into federal law in the Great White North.

Congrats Tru!  So proud of you and looking forward to seeing if you get to have that meeting with not only Premier Christy Clark in your home province of British Columbia, but the one with PM Trudeau as well.

2015 OutSmart Gayest And Greatest Reader's Choice Awards

The 2015 edition of the OutSmart Magazine Gayest and Greatest Reader's Choice have been tabulated and the winners have been announced.

I was a finalist in three categories, Favorite LGBT Blogger, Favorite LGBT Tweeter and Most Prominent Female LGBT Activist and had tough competition in all of them.

So how did I fare in this year's OutSmart Reader's Choice Awards after winning two of them last year (Favorite Female Blogger and Favorite Female Tweeter)  and being a finalist for the Most Prominent Female LGBT Activist for the second straight year?

Well, didn't win any of them this year, but it bees that way sometimes.  I'm just honored and humbled that people in the Houston LGBT community think highly enough about me to nominate and vote for me in all those categories,

At least I was in it, and had a shot to win it.   Just didn't work out for me, and I congratulate all the 2015 winners of these awards.

And besides, when they have the 2015 awards reception on October 20, I'm going to be a little busy in Provincetown, MA on that evening.  I'll be making a little history at Fantasia Fair as the first African-American winner of the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award.

Better luck next year for me in 2016

Been Nominated For 2015 OutSmart Reader's Choice Awards

Was surprised to learn that in the latest edition of the OutSmart Gayest and Greatest Readers Choice Awards has started the online voting process yesterday and will run until September 5.

In 2014 I won two of the Reader's Choice Awards  in the Favorite Blogger (Female) and Favorite  Tweeter (Female).categories and was a finalist for the Most Prominent LGBT Female Activist award. 

In 2015 I was nominated in three categories:
.
Favorite LGBT Blogger
Favorite Female Community Hero
Most Prominent Female LGBT Activist 

While I deeply appreciate those nominations, especially the second consecutive nomination in the Most Prominent Female LGBT Activist category,  just curious as to why I didn't get one for Best LGBT Local Blog and why no trans, bi or lesbian woman was nominated in the Best LGBT Tweeter category despite many of us having very active twitter accounts?

I guess that's why they have write in voting in all the categories in question.

Congrats to everyone who was nominated, and just an FYI you can vote once a day until the September 5 closing date.   You don't have to be a Houston resident either, just register and you're good to go.

Here's the link to vote in the 2015 OutSmart Gayest and Greatest Reader's Choice Awards.


You can also vote early and often once per day until voting closes on September 5.

Caitlyn Jenner's ESPY Speech

Well, no matter where you stood on the issue pro or con, the bottom line is that ESPN chose her to receive this year's Arthur Ashe Courage Award. 

As to where I stood, it's on the pro side.   I appreciated the fact that it's the first time a trans person has received an ESPY of any kind.   I don't doubt because of all the interest and controversy leading up to this speech, will probably be far more folks tuning in to hear it than the total number of people that have ever surfed to read posts on my blog in its 9.5 years of operation.

So don't hate.  Appreciate the fact that we have a girl like us in Caitlyn who is sincere about being an advocate doing good in the community, is an experienced public speaker, and she's wanting to 'ejumacate' some peeps about our lives inside and outside that Microsoft Theater and do some good for trans kind.

And here is Caitlyn's acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Moni's Getting The 2015 Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award Press Release

I knew this was going to happen back in January, but now thanks to yesterday's press release, the whole world is aware of it.  

I'm thrilled I'll be receiving it this year, and thanks to all of you who have called or sent congratulatory messages concerning this historic achievement.

I'm looking forward to being in Provincetown, MA in October to receive this award and spend some quality time at the 41st annual Fantasia Fair with the attendees their guests and the Fantasia Fair family.

For those who haven't seen it yet, here's the press release announcing the 2015 Virgina Prince Transgender Pioneer Award.

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PROVINCETOWN, Mass. – Real Life Experience, Inc. has announced that the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award for 2015 will go to Monica Roberts. The award, named after the late Virginia Prince, will be presented  Oct. 20 in Provincetown, Mass. during the 41st annual Fantasia Fair conference.

Monica Roberts is an award winning blogger, history buff, thinker, lecturer and passionate advocate on trans issues.

In 1994, after seeing an article with a problematic representation of Black trans people in a trans centric magazine, Ms. Roberts resolved to participate in the next GenderPac trans lobby day in Washington DC and increase the visibility of Black trans leaders in the transgender movement. Since then, she’s advocated for trans human rights protections and has lobbied at the federal, state and local levels in Kentucky and Texas.

Monica is a founding member of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition and served on its inaugural board as its Lobby Chair from 1999-2002. She co-hosted a GLBT radio show in her hometown from 1999-2001, founded the Transsistahs-Transbrothas Internet discussion list for African-American transgender people in 2004, and helped organize the 2005 and 2006 Transsistahs-Transbrothas Conferences that took place in Louisville.

Ms. Roberts is also a prolific writer. She wrote for the Louisville-based GLBT newspaper “The Letter” and since 2006, has authored the award-winning blog TransGriot. According to GLAAD, the writings at TransGriot made Monica Roberts “the first African American trans woman to create a news outlet that not only reports trans women of color issues but also showcases the leaders in the fight for equality of trans people… filling a void in the blogosphere.” Her writing about transgender issues from a Black perspective has appeared at Ebony.com, Loop21.com, Transadvocate, Racialicious, Feministe, Global Comment, The Bilerico Project, What Tami Said and Womanist Musings.

Monica seeks to not only end the erasure of African-American trans voices from a movement they played significant roles in starting, but get African-American transpeople and other voices of color more involved in empowering themselves. Her activism focus is educating the GLBT community and allies about our issues and concerns in addition to shedding light about the struggles of GLBT people across the African Diaspora.

“We're delighted to help showcase the outstanding work of a true pioneer of our community” said Barbara Curry, the Executive Director of Fantasia Fair. Ms. Curry continues saying “Monica Roberts has made a significant, positive impact on so many. It is an honor to have her join us this October in Provincetown.”

Started in 1975, Fantasia Fair or “Fan Fair” is the oldest and longest-running gathering of transgender persons for mutual education, support, collaboration, and socializing. The week-long event happens every October in the resort town of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Presenters scheduled to appear at the 41st Fantasia Fair include Denise Norris, Marisa Richmond, Aaron Devor, Ph.D., and Dr. Jillian Weiss, and many others.

For more information about Fantasia Fair, including workshops, daily schedule, and scholarships, please visit http://www.fantasiafair.org.

Congrats Nicole Maines!

Jazz Jennings wasn't the only amazing trans teen I got the opportunity to meet during last year's Philly Trans Health Conference.  I also got to meet Nicole Maines and her amazing father Wayne. 

Nicole is the trans teen who was transphobically discriminated against by the Orono, ME school district as a fifth grader when they tried to ban her from using the girls restroom.  Her precedent setting case eventually made it to the Maine Supreme Court when she won in early 2014 and the Orono schools had to pay the trans young lady.

She also helped kill one of the first anti-trans bathroom bills in LD 1046 back in 2011, has been on Maine public radio and in other venues doing education about trans issues, been an Equality Maine volunteer and is a role model for other trans teens/

The now 17 year old high school senior has been getting numerous deserved awards lately.  Glamour magazine last year named her  one of their 50 Amazing Women Who Are Making A Difference.

She has also won the Hardy Girls Healthy Women’s Community Organizing Award and the Maine Women's Fund honored her earlier this month with the Samantha Smith Award

And she's even appearing on an episode of USA Network's Royal Pains   

Nicole will be attending the University of Maine in the fall, and megacongrats to the well deserved accolades.

Kelly Ripa GLAAD Media Awards Speech

The New York division of the GLAAD Media Awards occurred Saturday night.

One of the awardees was Kelly Ripa, who received the Excellence In Media Award

She was introduced by CNN's Anderson Cooper, and said during her speech that we need to be vigilant about attempts to rebrand discrimination like the odious 'religious freedom' laws our right wing opponents are trying to foist upon this nation.

She also noted it was strange to her to be receiving an award for "just treating people like people", and noted we still have a long way to go toward acceptance.

GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis hailed Ripa as part of the reason for optimism in a statement.

"For over a decade, Kelly Ripa has greeted millions of viewers with messages of acceptance and inclusion," she said. "By sharing inclusive stories with her audience and loudly voicing support for her LGBT friends and fans, Kelly is helping to drive acceptance forward."

Eden Lane Honored As 'Best Non-Network TV Personality'

And now, time for some much needed good news .
My Denver based sis Eden Lane recently received a wonderful surprise from Westworld, the local alternative weekly newspaper

Every year the editors of Westworld along with their readers select 'Best Of' winners in various categories.  And guess who won 'Best Non-Network TV Personality''?

Here is what they had to say about our hard working media sis.:

Since 2009, Eden Lane has been hoofing her heels all over Denver to cover the burgeoning performing-arts and media beats, using a scant crew to grab an interview with new talents and introduce them to the world via her weekly, self-produced In Focus show on Colorado Public Television (Channel 12 to those in Denver). Always professional, effervescent, creative and dressed to kill, Lane's recent openness on living life as a trans woman just might bring her to national eyes as a role model for how journalism should be done.

Take note of that underlined last sentence.

Hey, I've seen In Touch, and you can also watch the show on YouTube.  I'm still wondering why some network or local station hasn't hired her yet..   But nice to see quality work and a quality person recognized!

Congrats Eden!   Hope this is just one of many awards you'll get and it results in more positive attention for you!

Kerry Washington's 2015 GLAAD Vanguard Award Acceptance Speech

As y'all know, I have much love for Kerry Washington, and look forward to the day when I can meet her and let my inner fangirl loose,

In accepting the Vanguard Award last night, she cut loose with a powerful speech that brought the assembled crowd to their feet.  One portion of it was calling out the hypocrisy of marginalized communities turning on each other.

"So when Black people today tell me that they don't believe in gay marriage… the first thing that I say is please don't let anybody try to get you to vote against your own best interests by feeding you messages of hate. And then I say, you know people used to say stuff like that about you and your love. And if we let the government start to legislate love in our lifetime, who do you think is next?" 

"We can't say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each others existence and the truth of each other’s hearts. We must be allies. And we must be allies in this business because to be represented is to be humanized. And as long as anyone, anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake and we are all vulnerable."

And here's the video of that Vanguard Award acceptance speech.

If It Happens, It Happens

Had a reader ask me recently if I was disappointed I didn't get a repeat GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Blog nomination

Yep, I was.  While I would have liked for that to happen, the nomination process for this award is out of my control.  All I can control is continuing to put together a quality blog that tells stories and comments on events in the trans, bi and SGL community and beyond from a predominately African-American trans perspective.

And one day, I hope that's enough to win it.  

But best of luck to Alvin McEwen, whose Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters garnered a second straight nomination this year and everyone else nominated in the blogging category.

CeCe McDonald To Receive The Paul A. Anderson Youth Award At CC15!

The 2015 edition of Creating Change is rapidly approaching, and one of the things the Task Force does during this event is present awards to honor the people involved in our human rights movement.

So happy to discover that the person who will receive the Paul A Anderson Youth Award is none other than CeCe McDonald.  

Since being released last January after 17 months of unjust incarceration for defending herself against a July 2010 racist and tranphobic assault aimed at her and some friends in Minneapolis, CeCe quickly became a leading and outspoken fighter in the movements for LGBTQ liberation, prison abolition, and racial justice.

She is currently working on a forthcoming documentary with actress Laverne Cox on her case entitled Free CeCe. Since being released, CeCe has spoken across the nation: she served as the Grand Marshall of Seattle Pride, received the Bayard Rustin Civil Rights award, was featured in an article published by Rolling Stone Magazine, and has appeared on Democracy Now!, MSNBC, and in various other media outlets.

And I'll finally get the chance to meet her!  Looking forward to giving her a big hug when that happens and hearing her acceptance speech.