Dr Z's Hackathon For Trans Empowerment

Y'all know I have much love and respect for Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler and enjoyed the long chats I had with him during the 2013 BTMI conference in Dallas. 

Dr. Z's latest project is the first ever hackathon centered on uplifting the transgender community and we need your help and t-bills to ensure its success.   His May 1 blac(k)ademic essay  laid out the case why LGBT organizations need to embrace hackathons  

But here's Dr. Z to tell you what it's all about and the link to the GoFundMe page that is trying to raise $5,000 for this event.   I'm happy to put some of my own money to this cause and get it started.

WHY A HACKATHON CENTERED ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE?

Research shows that transgender people are unemployed at 2x the national rate–4x for transgender people of color; have incomes of less than $10,000 a year; experience homelessness at 2x the rate of non-trans people; and suffer overwhelming discrimination when it comes to accessing adequate healthcare and legal services. This problem not only affects transgender adults but trans and gender nonconforming youth as well. A necessary step in addressing anti-transgender bias is to create technology that socially empowers transgender individuals. Imagine if there existed a mobile phone app that helps individuals find trans friendly doctors or an app that profiles safe space job opportunities for trans people across the country?

Trans*H4CK is a space in which to turn these possibilities into reality.

Over the course of 48-hours, developers, designers, activists, community members, youth and entrepreneurs invested in the betterment of the lives of trans and gender nonconforming people, will share ideas and create apps, websites and products that provide solutions in challenging anti-transgender discrimination.

Money raised will be used for space rental, travel sponsorships for out of town participants, payment for guest speakers and prizes.

Trans*H4CK is organized by Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler--an internationally recognized award-winning transgender advocate. More information on Dr. Ziegler can be found at: blackademic.com

 

This Is H.O.W Life Made Better: Our Own Place Campaign

TransGriot Note: Y'all know I have much love and respect for Antonia D'orsay, the ED of This Is H.O.W.    The organization has been affected in an unexpected way by the housing crisis.

Can y'all help some sisters out?

A local charity, This is HOW, has launched a new project “Life Made Better – Our Own Place” to raise $20,000. Their current property, which was leased, recently received a notice of foreclosure. This property is home to 8 residents who are members of the most underserved population in the Phoenix metro area.

Life Made Better: Our Own Place: The organization must raise a minimum of 20K to ensure their current level of service to the community. Through their housing, education and empowerment programs they have helped over 500 individuals since their launch 6 years ago, including the current Executive Director, Antonia D’orsay, who was rescued from homelessness and given a chance during a deep crisis period in her life. She has also served as the House Manager, and the Chair of the Board before stepping into her current position a year ago. Her ambitious efforts have resulted in the creation of model programs that are highly sought after by social service agencies. She and all of the staff at TIH are volunteers.

The organization’s goal is to ensure that the needs of their constituency are served in the most efficient, cohesive and cost effective manner. The current foreclosure on the leased property has highlighted the need for the organization to own their facility thus ensuring their future ability to be of service to the entire community.

Board member at large, Kim Pearson said, “This project is very important to the community. It helps folks who are homeless by providing a safe haven while they heal from their life crises. We provide opportunities for them to learn the skills they need to move out into the larger community in a healthy and empowered way. This is HOW provides a hand up, rather than a hand out!”

Executive Director Antonia D’orsay said “’Life Made Better’ is our motto, and I live by it. This place saved my life, gave me purpose and direction when I had lost all confidence in myself, and made possible changes in my life that could never have happened without it. The thought of our current residents not having those same life saving opportunities terrifies me. We can’t do it alone, though.”

This Is H.O.W. (TIH) is a six year old 501(c)3 organization that works to reduce homelessness, aid victims of domestic violence, teaches skills to help lift people out of poverty, teaches general life skills, performs advocacy, and handles crisis moments for a segment of the population that is usually ignored, looked down on, or outright denied services by other organizations. Led by Executive Director Antonia D’orsay, it began an extensive expansion of services and dramatically improved its ability to provide services to the men and women it assists while establishing itself as the local expert in their field.

The First Official TransGriot Fund Raiser

As I've mentioned, I am concerned about the long term future of TransGriot and want to take steps to secure it's future. I'd like you loyal readers to help by hitting the DONATE widget on the left hand side in order to do that.

I would like to get a new computer so that I can get the current TransGriot Computer Prime repaired. I have a balky CPU fan on it that needs replacing and I'd like to have a little money set aside for a emergency repair fund in addition to purchasing a new Computer Prime.



TransGriot is approaching its 5th anniversary on January 1, 2011 and has grown beyond my wildest dreams for it. I didn't dream when I started it in 2006 that it would become as well read and respected as a community treasure and news source as it has.

I want to raise $2000 to do that. I think it's doable. I get roughly 2000 people a day visiting this site and that number has increased since winning my recent 2010 Black Weblog award. If I get just $1 from people who visit TransGriot, I can hit that goal quickly.

Of course, now that the blue ChipIn campaign widget is up you loyal readers can keep track of the progress toward the fundraising goal. Once I hit it, I'm headed to off at warp speed to get a new computer.

Trying to decide between a laptop and another desktop, and while I was in Western Mass got a chance to test drive my host Ericka's Compaq laptop. I liked it, and it appeals to me since I started on HP products and Compaqs are still locally produced here.

I like my desktops, so it's going to be a tough decision. But its probably best for the long term future of the blog that I get a laptop so I have portability.

I know times are tight for everybody and I deeply appreciate whatever change you can spare to help me achieve this goal.

Thank you, TransGriot readers. Whatever you can spare be it $1, $5, $10 or more will be put to good use and greatly appreciated.

Brittany Novotny Cali Fundraiser Sunday

You know that I've been watching with major interest the potentially historic election taking place north of me in Oklahoma City in which attorney Brittany Novotny is taking on notorious homobigot and Republifool incumbent Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern.

While I've been tracking Novotny's progress since September, I've wondered why the gay community hasn't realized the fact they have a golden opportunity to take out one of their notorious enemies and help their trans allies at the same time by supporting Novotny.

In case you need any reminders of what a waste of DNA Sally Kern, check out this link to her August 7 speech hatin' on gays and 'libruls' and the YouTube video, loyal TransGriot readers:



LGBT activist Ben Patrick Johnson and trans activist Ashley Love are teaming up to host a fundraiser for Brittany at the Hollywood Hills home of Mr. Johnson on August 29. It will run from 4-6 PM PDT and at this event you'll have an opportunity to meet the woman who is poised to write a new chapter in trans political history.

You'll also get a chance to help a sister out and pause to drop some bucks for the cause. Of course, for those of you who aren't in OKC, y'all can still donate to her campaign by hitting up Brittany's website at www.brittany4hd84.com

It'll also be beautiful if Brittany can get some serious cash out of this fundraiser. Per their usual political tactics, the national wingnuts are probably going to throw a blizzard of cash and negative ads late to save Sally's sorry behind and Brittany will need the money to rapidly respond to it.

If you're interested in attending the fundraiser, RSVP to Ashley Love at ashleylapr@yahoo.com so they can get a firm headcount of the number of people attending.

People wanted someone to run against Rep. Sally Kern. Brittany accepted the challenge. Now help her win on November 2.