Brandy Martell Memorial Vigil Held In Oakland

As I mentioned in one of my posts, a memorial candlelight vigil was held in Oakland to mark the one year anniversary of the date that Brandy Martell was killed.   The 37 year old Martell was fatally shot while sitting in her car through the door an window of it at the corner of 13th and Franklin Streets.

Martell was a peer advocate for TransVision, a Fremont, CA based organization for trans women. Martell worked there from February 2007 to November 2011, offering health information and outreach to other transgender women.

Last night Brandy's friends and colleagues gathered at that location to remember her and also point out the perpetrator of this crime has yet to be brought to justice.  They lit candle and movingly spoke of her TransVision work  

Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan was also there urging folks with information on this case to come forward and help OPD solve the crime.

Anyone with information on Brandy Martell’s murder can send the Oakland Police Department tips anonymously by texting TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777, calling the toll-free hotline at (855) 847-7247, or by calling (510) 535-4867.

“If you saw something, say something,” said Police Chief Howard Jordan at the vigil. “We know there were a lot of people out there that night who saw what happened. Don’t let Brandy’s death go in vain.”

Don't let the wastes of DNA who committed that crime go free.   If they killed Brandy so callously, they could possibly kill someone else you're acquainted with, too.

They need to be rotting in jail.  Let's do what we can to ensure the crime gets solved and Brandy can rest in peace.

Rest In Peace, Shakira

Received the shocking news that one of my trans sisters, writer Shakira Daneshia Gordon Garr passed away today due to complications from childhood heart issues that started asserting themselves on April 7. 

I met her in 2011 through an online Facebook group I'm a part of and we'd gotten to know each other over the last year and a half.  The Jackson, MS native lived in the Los Angeles area and was the author of two books, 'The Downfall Of An Arrogant DL Brother' and "Roderick-The Emancipation of a Young Black Serial Killer' and was working on more.  

During one of our conversations she confided in me tht it was her fondest wish to have one of them turned into a screenplay.   We also had another long conversation in which we talked about trans human rights and the media images of trans people of color needing to change. 

She was spiritual, thoughtful, positive, had a big heart, was supportive and had kind words for everyone that got to know her.  She was one of the first people in the community who called me when my father passed away last month. 

It's just a huge shock for me and everyone else who loved her to hear that she's singing with the angels now.  It is a reminder to all of us still here on this space rock to tell the people who are important to you in your lives how much you love and appreciate them.   Once they are gone from this plane of existence it's too late. 

Rest in peace, Shakira.   Will definitely be rereading the novel you sent me in your memory.

     

Former 2006 Miss International Queen Erica Andrews Dies

I was shocked to hear that longtime Texas resident and pageant community icon Erica Andrews died yesterday in Chicago of a lung infection. 

Erica was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, moved to San Antonio and became one of the most decorated queens on the pageant circuit.
Andrews performed at clubs in San Antonio, Dallas and Houston and her jaw dropping beauty and creative routines led to a long list of titles that include Miss Gay Texas USofA 1997, Miss Gay USofA 1999, Miss Texas Continental 2001, Miss Florida Continental 2004, Universal Show Queen 2004, Miss Continental 2004, Miss International Queen 2006 and Entertainer of the Year 2006.

She also appeared on the Tyra Banks Show, the Maury Povich Show, in the documentary Transtasia and the controversial movie Ticked Off Tr*****s With Knives.   She also worked as a makeup artist for the Maury Povich Show.

She had less than a year ago moved from the Lone Star State to the Terre Haute, IN area to be with her significant other, and was a beloved and respected person in Texas and around the TBLG community.   .



As the news has spread, commentary from her peers and all who loved her has come pouring in on her Facebook page for this community icon who will be sorely missed. 

Rest in peace, Erica..  

Trans Organist T. Desiree Hines Passes Away

Was stunned and saddened to hear the news from Tona Brown that trans organist T. Desiree Hines passed away January 24 due to the Stage Four neuroendocrine cancer she was bravely battling.

I had the pleasure of having a few long conversations with her, and when I last checked in with Desiree she had moved to Kansas City, MO, was playing the organ at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and had started her studies at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Before moving to Kansas City she was a well known fixture in the Philadelphia TBLG community.  But mere months into her KC stay she received the devastating medical news last March. 

Despite that the Jackson, MS native stayed upbeat about her situation and fought it tooth and nail despite the long odds until the end.

"When I'm sick, it affects me. But it is actually given me a better outlook on life, more drive to be a better person, a better musician," Hines said.

Rest in Peace Desiree.   Heaven just picked up one heck of an organist.   You will be missed. 

RIP Larry Hagman

Another one of our iconic Texans has passed on.  Actor Larry Hagman, who everyone remembers due his most famous character as JR Ewing for the CBS and rebooted TNT show Dallas, passed away of complications from throat cancer yesterday afternoon in Dallas.

The 81 year old actor was born in Weatherford, TX to actress Mary Martin and while many people remember him for playing the delightfully ruthless oil baron JR, there's another role people of my generation remember him for in addition to his roles on Broadway, and movies such as  Fail-Safe, Nixon and Primary Colors . 

He played astronaut Major Anthony Nelson on the sitcom I Dream Of Jeannie that ran on NBC from 1965-1970.



He recently reprised the role of JR Ewing in the TNT reboot of Dallas that started earlier this summer, was renewed and has completed shooting for its second season that will start January 28.

As to what that means for the rebooted Dallas is still yet to be determined, but we will all miss JR's larger than life presence on the show and the man who played him.

Rest in peace Larry.

Sherman Helmsley Moves To Deluxe Apartment In The Sky

Another one of the iconic actors of my youth has passed on.   I also had the pleasure of meeting him during my airline days, so I was doubly sad to hear this news.  

Actor Sherman Helmsley, who played George Jefferson on that iconic CBS show The Jeffersons, Deacon Ernest Fry on NBC's Amen and was the voice of Earl Sinclair's boss BP Richfield on the ABC animated series Dinosaurs was found dead in his El Paso, TX home at age 74. 

Helmsley's George Jefferson started out as the counterpart neighbor to Archie Bunker but moved on up to his own groundbreaking lead actor sitcom role in 1975 along with television wife Isabel Sanford who passed away in 2004.  The show earned Helmsley Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and The Jeffersons was the first show to feature an upscale African-American couple.  It was also the first to feature an episode with a Black trans character.  

When it was canceled ten years later, it not only at the time was the longest running sitcom on television, it led to his role on 'Amen' from 1986-1991 

Dinosaurs was a guilty pleasure for me when it was on, and I was pleased to discover that Helmsley was doing the voice of BP Richfield..  

Helmsley's death has also caused me to reflect on how much better television was in the 70's and 80's and early 90's in terms of not only entertaining you, but leaving you with a social message as well.  It's something we really need to get back to.   

Rest in peace Mr. Helmsley.  Thanks for the long career in which you made us laugh and entertained us.  Enjoy that rest you've earned in that deluxe apartment in the sky.

MJ's Been Gone Three Years

Been three years ago today since the news broke about Michael Jackson's shocking death in Los Angeles.  This celebrity death hit me pretty hard since I had a personal connection with it.  

I'd had the pleasure of meeting him and his brothers during a 1973 tour stop in Houston and like a lot of kids who grew up during the 70's I was a huge Jackson Five fan. 




You can also go back in the Womanist Musings radio show archives and check out what me and Renee had to say at the time about the King of Pop's death.

RIP King of Pop, you are still missed.

Last Dance: Donna Summer Passes Away

You peeps who have been longtime readers of my blog know that I long ago revealed my unabashed love for all things disco on the electronic pages of this blog.  

One of my favorite singers during that period was the Queen of Disco, LaDonna Adrian Gaines, better know to the world by her stage name of Donna Summer.  Of course, Donna could sing any style of music with her mezzo soprano vocal range as she repeatedly proved throughout the late 70's and 80's, but she made her name and rep during the 70's 

Summer was an NAACP Image Award winner, a five-time Grammy Award winner and the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard chart.   She also charted four number-one singles in the United States within a thirteen-month period from 1977-1979.

She was also nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and 2011 but to mine and many of her fans disappointment wasn't chosen for enshrinement.   Hope they will rectify that oversight soon.

I was shocked and saddened to hear that Donna Summer passed away this morning at age 63 after a battle with lung cancer.

My music collection runneth over with many of her CD's, and there was more than a few times on my way to work I played or sang off key She Works Hard For The Money and countless others of my favorite songs of hers.

But unfortunately we won't get to hear her sing them live any more because another one of our iconic singers and part of my teen years has unfortunately made her Last Dance. 

Rest in peace, Donna Summer.   Your family, I and your devoted fans around the world are definitely going to miss you.  

Dick Clark Passes Away

As my milestone birthday rapidly approaches, another one of the iconic personalities I grew up with has passed away.

I was saddened to hear that Dick Clark, who hosted American Bandstand for over 30 years, the $10,000, $25,000  and $100,000 Pyramid game shows, founded the American Music Awards and since 1972 rocked New Year's Eve for us, died of a massive heart attack in Santa Monica, CA yesterday morning. 

Dick Clark was not only an iconic presence on our television screens, but also helped integrate the music industry.  One of the first major predominately white shows that Motown artists got exposure on was his  American Bandstand, and the Bandstand dance floors were integrated.

But what I and everyone else will fondly remember is spending our New Year's Eves since 1972 courtesy of  the Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve show in which we got to see our fave music artists perform just before the ball dropped to usher in the New Year from New York's Times Square with him.



When New Year's Eve comes around in a few months and we move from this year to 2013, for a moment it will be a little sadder than normal because the 'World's Oldest Teenager' won't be around to do the final countdown.

Rest in peace Dick Clark, you will be missed..

RIP Alexis Rivera

Another powerful trans activist has passed away.  Los Angeles area activist Alexis Rivera died March 28 at age 34 due to compilations from HIV.   She was loved by all who got to know her on the West Coast and became an amazing advocate for our community.  

For those of you on the Left Coast who wish to pay your respects to her, a memorial service for Alexis Rivera will be held at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park on Sunday, April 1 at 12:15 PM PDT.   Location is 7377 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, CA.    Viewing will be Monday, April 2 from 1-3 PM PDT at Abbott Abbott and Hast Mortuary.

A memorial service for Alexis will be held for her in San Francisco on April 7 at the SF LGBT Center for 3-5:30 PM PDT.  Location of the center is 1800 Market Street  

She worked for the Transgender Law Center and here's video of Alexis speaking at a 2007 gender conference.    Rest in peace sis.  You will be missed by your activist peers and all who loved you.

Rest In Peace Rep. Donald Payne

I was shocked and saddened to hear that Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey died today after a several month long battle with colon cancer. 

Rep. Payne was the first (and so far only) African-American elected to Congress from New Jersey and represented New Jersey's 10th Congressional District for 23 years after his initial election in 1988.

In addition to his tireless advocacy for increased United States attention on African continent issues, he was a tireless advocate for his constituents, a champion for education as a former teacher and a civil rights warrior who was returned to Congress 11 times by wide margins.

And yes, I had the pleasure of meeting him along with Vanessa Edwards-Foster during the 1999 GenderPac lobby day.   Vanessa and I had gone to Rep JC Watts (R-OK) office earlier that morning and as we were recapping what happened in the elevator it stopped and Rep. Payne got on enroute to his office to open it.     

He'd heard part of our conversation and asked what we were there to lobby for.   When we told him trans rights issues, we ended up getting to follow him to his office and having 30 minutes with him before he started his day to explain why our coverage in hate crimes and ENDA was needed.  

During my subsequent lobby trips to Washington DC I made it a point to stop by his office any time I was on Capitol Hill just to say hello.  Unfortunately, the next time I'm on Capitol Hill, I won't be able to do so

Rest in peace Rep. Payne.  I will definitely miss you.along with your constituents in the 10th Congressional District..

Whitney Goes Home

I've been watching the homegoing service of Whitney Houston for most of this rainy depressing day in H-town. 

I've also been contemplating the fact we're only a year apart age wise and its been a week since the shocking news circled the globe that she died way too soon.  

Sure the movie Sparkle when it comes out near her August 9 birthday will give us one last chance to see her and hear some fresh music from the soundtrack of it. But during most of the 3 hours and 45 minutes the service lasted, I was pondering a lot of things including how capricious life is.

Life is not only capricious, it's chock full of sometimes cruel ironies at times. I doubt that Dionne Warwick thought that she'd be the MC of her talented cousin's funeral, but yet there she was doing so. 

I thought about the now 18 year old Bobbi Kristina and how she was going to deal with the pain of losing her mother, and Bobbi Kristina's elegantly dressed grandmother stoically walking behind the casket supported by people on either side of her while dealing with burying her daughter.

As the parade of family members, dignitaries, ministers, and people from the entertainment and music industries took their turns either to say a few words or serenade her in song the reality hit me, especially as they lifted up her casket at the conclusion of the service to the tune of her singing 'I Will Always Love You'  this wasn't a bad dream and we would never see her again or hear that angelic voice live in concert.

And at that point I started crying at that thought. 

Whitney Houston 1963-2012

This is shaping up to be a Black History Month we'll never forget and in a sad way.  We've lost in this month Etta James, Don Cornelius and now the 'Queen of Pop' Whitney Elizabeth Houston.

Was shocked to learn that the 48 year old Houston was found in her hotel room in Los Angeles and pronounced dead at 5:55 PM CST after paramedics performed 20 minutes of CPR on her  

Cause of death as I write this is still unknown.

Whitney not only was an iconic singer and actress who came from a musical family, but was a modeling trailblazer as well.  She was the first African-American woman to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine.

Her mother was R&B and gospel singer Cissy Houston, her cousins were Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick and her godmother was none other than the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin.   

She sold 170 million records, won 2 Emmys, 6 Grammys, 22 American Music Awards and 30 Billboard Music Awards just to name some of the over 400 awards she's won for starters.

She was also in the midst of a comeback and had completed the remake of the movie Sparkle that will be released later this year.

You know like everyone else who enjoyed her music I have all her CDs in my expansive collection and one of those songs, her remake of Chaka Khan's classic song 'I'm Every Woman' she recorded for The Bodyguard movie soundtrack got me through some rough patches during my transition.


The heavenly choir has just gained another singer, and those of us left here on Planet Earth are mourning the loss of a trailblazing musical icon on the eve of the Grammy Awards and pondering her ginormous legacy.

RIP Whitney.  You've left us way too soon.