'Black Panther' Gets Golden Globe Nomination For Best Motion Picture Drama

It's still Wakanada Forever as Black Panther makes more movie history.

When the 2019 Golden Globe nominations were announced on Thursday, Black Panther was nominated for three of them.   It also became the first ever superhero film to snag a Best Motion Picture Drama nomination

The other Black Panther Golden Globe nominations were for the Best Original Song (All The Stars')  and Best Original Score.

The Ryan Coogler directed film made $1.3 billion in worldwide box office and is the highest grossing superhero movie in US history.

It is also beginning to get some Oscar buzz as the January 22 announcement date draws closer . .

We'll see when the Oscar nominations come out in a few weeks if it does.   But until then, it's time to celebrate Black Panther making more cinematic history.

TransGriot Update:  Black Panther didn't win in any of its categories.  The most shocking was  Bohemian Rhapsody winning best picture.   Really? 

Coretta Scott King's 1986 Letter About Jeff Sessions

US Senate Rule 19 doesn't affect me.   Here's the letter that Senator/Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)tried to read in the Senate chambers last night about Jeff Sessions that the Republican majority was 'scurred' of her doing and censured her for doing so, but allowed three white male Democratic senators to read.

Thus continuing the long tradition of racist Republicans suppressing the voices of Black women.

Hmm, wonder if McConnell would have used Rule 19 on Sen Cory Booker or Sen. Kamala Harris had they tried to read it?

Here's the text of Coretta Scott King's letter in opposition to Sessions getting a federal judgeship.

***

The introduction:.
Dear Senator Thurmond:I write to express my sincere opposition to the confirmation of Jefferson B. Sessions as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of Alabama. My professional and personal roots in Alabama are deep and lasting.

Anyone who has used the power of his office as United States Attorney to intimidate and chill the free exercise of the ballot by citizens should not be elevated to our courts.

Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters.

For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded with a federal judgeship.

I regret that a long-standing commitment prevents me from appearing in person to testify against this nominee. However, I have attached a copy of my statement opposing Mr. Sessions’ confirmation and I request that my statement as well as this letter ‘be made a part of the’ hearing record.

          I do sincerely urge you to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Sessions.

Sincerely,Coretta Scott King

Here's the text of Coretta Scott King's letter about Sessions.

Statement of Coretta Scott King on the Nomination of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III for the United States District Court Southern District of AlabamaSenate Judiciary CommitteeThursday, March 13, 1986

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

 Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express my strong opposition to the nomination of Jefferson Sessions for a federal district judgeship for the Southern District of Alabama. My longstanding commitment which I shared with my husband, Martin, to protect and enhance the rights of Black Americans, rights which include equal access to the democratic process, compels me to testify today.Civil rights leaders, including my husband and Albert Turner, have fought long and hard to achieve free and unfettered access to the ballot box. Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens in the district he now seeks to serve as a federal judge. This simply cannot be allowed to happen. Mr. Sessions’ conduct as U.S. Attorney, from his politically motivated voting fraud prosecutions to his indifference toward criminal violations of civil rights laws, indicates that he lacks the temperament, fairness and judgment to be a federal judge.

The Voting Rights Act was, and still is, vitally important to the future of democracy in the United States. I was privileged to join Martin and many others during the Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights in 1965. Martin was particularly impressed by the determination to get the franchise of blacks in Selma and neighboring Perry County. As he wrote, “Certainly no community in the history of the Negro struggle has responded with the enthusiasm of Selma and her neighboring town of Marion. Where Birmingham depended largely upon students and unemployed adults (to participate in non-violent protest of the denial of the franchise), Selma has involved fully 10 percent of the Negro population in active demonstrations, and at least half the Negro population of Marion was arrested on one day.” Martin was referring of course to a group that included the defendants recently prosecuted for assisting elderly and illiterate blacks to exercise that franchise. ln fact, Martin anticipated from the depth of their commitment twenty years ago, that a united political organization would remain in Perry County long after the other marchers had left. This organization, the Perry County Civic League, started by Mr. Turner, Mr. Hogue, and others as Martin predicted, continued “to direct the drive for votes and other rights.” In the years since the Voting Rights Act was passed, Black Americans in Marion, Selma and elsewhere have made important strides in their struggle to participate actively in the electoral process. The number of Blacks registered to vote in key Southern states has doubled since 1965. This would not have been possible without the Voting Rights Act.
However, Blacks still fall far short of having equal participation in the electoral process. Particularly in the South, efforts continue to be made to deny Blacks access to the polls, even where Blacks constitute the majority of the voters. It has been a long up-hill struggle to keep alive the vital legislation that protects the most fundamental right to vote. A person who has exhibited so much hostility to the enforcement of those laws, and thus, to the exercise of those rights by Black people should not be elevated to the federal bench.
The irony of Mr. Sessions’ nomination is that, if confirmed, he will be given life tenure for doing with a federal prosecution what the local sheriffs accomplished twenty years ago with clubs and cattle prods. Twenty years ago, when we marched from Selma to Montgomery, the fear of voting was real, as the broken bones and bloody heads in Selma and Marion bore witness. As my husband wrote at the time, “it was not just a sick imagination that conjured up the vision of a public official, sworn to uphold the law, who forced an inhuman march upon hundreds of Negro children; who ordered the Rev. James Bevel to be chained to his sickbed; who clubbed a Negro woman registrant, and who callously inflicted repeated brutalities and indignities upon nonviolent Negroes peacefully petitioning for their constitutional right to vote.”
Free exercise of voting rights is so fundamental to American democracy that we can not tolerate any form of infringement of those rights. Of all the groups who have been disenfranchised in our nation’s history, none has struggled longer or suffered more in the attempt to win the vote than Black citizens. No group has had access to the ballot box denied so persistently and intently. Over the past century, a broad array of schemes have been used in attempts to block the Black vote. The range of techniques developed with the purpose of repressing black voting rights run the gamut from the — straightforward application of brutality against black citizens who tried to vote to such legalized frauds as “grandfather clause” exclusions and rigged literacy tests. The actions taken by Mr. Sessions in regard to the 1984 voting fraud prosecutions represent just one more technique used to intimidate Black voters and thus deny them this most precious franchise. The investigations into the absentee voting process were conducted only in the Black Belt counties where blacks had finally achieved political power in the local government. Whites had been using the absentee process to their advantage for years, without incident. Then, when Blacks realizing its strength, began to use it with success, criminal investigations were begun.
In these investigations, Mr. Sessions, as U.S. Attorney, exhibited an eagerness to bring to trial and convict three leaders of the Perry County Civic League including Albert Turner despite evidence clearly demonstrating their innocence of any wrongdoing. Furthermore, in initiating the case, Mr. Sessions ignored allegations of similar behavior by whites, choosing instead to chill the exercise of the franchise by blacks by his misguided investigation. In fact, Mr. Sessions sought to punish older black civil rights activists, advisors and colleagues of my husband, who had been key figures in the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. These were persons who, realizing the potential of the absentee vote among Blacks, had learned to use the process within the bounds of legality and had taught others to do the same. The only sin they committed was being too successful in gaining votes.
The scope and character of the investigations conducted by Mr. Sessions also warrant grave concern. Witnesses were selectively chosen in accordance with the favorability of their testimony to the government’s case. Also, the prosecution illegally withheld from the defense critical statements made by witnesses. Witnesses who did testify were pressured and intimidated into submitting the “correct” testimony. Many elderly blacks were visited multiple times by the FBI who then hauled them over 180 miles by bus to a grand jury in Mobile when they could more easily have testified at a grand jury twenty miles away in Selma. These voters, and others, have announced they are now never going to vote again.
I urge you to consider carefully Mr. Sessions’ conduct in these matters. Such a review, I believe, raises serious questions about his commitment to the protection of the voting rights of all American citizens and consequently his fair and unbiased judgment regarding this fundamental right. When the circumstances and facts surrounding the indictments of Al Turner, his wife, Evelyn, and Spencer Hogue are analyzed, it becomes clear that the motivation was political, and the result frightening — the wide-scale chill of the exercise of the ballot for blacks, who suffered so much to receive that right in the first place. Therefore, it is my strongly-held view that the appointment of Jefferson Sessions to the federal bench would irreparably damage the work of my husband, Al Turner, and countless others who risked their lives and freedom over the past twenty years to ensure equal participation in our democratic system.
The exercise of the franchise is an essential means by which our citizens ensure that those who are governing will be responsible. My husband called it the number one civil right. The denial of access to the ballot box ultimately results in the denial of other fundamental rights. For, it ‘ is only when the poor and disadvantaged are empowered that they are able to participate actively in the solutions to their own problems.
We still have a long way to go before we can say that minorities no longer need be concerned about discrimination at the polls. Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Americans are grossly underrepresented at every level of government in America. If we are going to make our timeless dream of justice through democracy a reality, we must take every possible step to ensure that the spirit and intent of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution is honored.
The federal courts hold a unique position in our constitutional system, ensuring that minorities and other citizens without political power have a forum in which to vindicate their rights. Because of his unique role, it is essential that the people selected to be federal judges respect the basic tenets of our legal system: respect for individual rights and a commitment to equal justice for all. The integrity of the Courts, and thus the rights they protect, can only be maintained if citizens feel confident that those selected as federal judges will be able to judge with fairness others holding differing views.
I do not believe Jefferson Sessions possesses the requisite judgment, competence, and sensitivity to the rights guaranteed by the federal civil rights laws to qualify for appointment to the federal district court. Based on his record, I believe his confirmation would have a devastating effect on not only the judicial system in Alabama, but also on the progress we have made everywhere toward fulfilling my husband’s dream that he envisioned over twenty years ago. I therefore urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to deny his confirmation.
I thank you for allowing me to share my views.

Unfortunately this racist man was nominated by 45 to become the next Attorney General of the United States and was just confirmed in a straight party line vote.

And you Bernie or Busters and third party voters in swing states greased the skids for this to happen..

TransGriot Nominated Again For A 2017 Outstanding Blog GLAAD Media Award!

Wasn't expecting it, but was surprised and pleased to find out that TransGriot has been nominated for a 2017 GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Blog category

Time to do a little popping of my collar.  It's the second time TransGriot has been nominated for ta GLAAD Outstanding Blog award, with my first nomination for it being back in 2014.

In case you're wondering, the other blogs nominated in this category besides TransGriot are Alvin McEwen's Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters, I'm Still Josh, Mombian, and My Fabulous Disease

Congratulations to all the nominees in this category.  I've gotten to meet many of the nominees at various TBLGQ  community events over the years like the upcoming LGBT Media Convening in Orlando.   We bloggers are committed to doing the research and hard work to ensure that you readers have quality, informative blogs for you to peruse, enjoy, and get you to think about issues that affect our community and the world.

 During the recent Creating Change in Philadelphia, I ran into one #CC17 attendee who told me she's been reading my blog since she was 11 years old, and ran into others who have thanked me for doing what I do to keep you informed not only about my trans community, but the world at large.

The GLAAD Media Awards will be held in two separate ceremonies. One is taking place on April 1 in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton and the other in New York on May 6 at the New York Hilton Midtown

We'll see it this is the year I finally get that elusive for me Outstanding Blog award and make a little history at the same time.

BTAC 2017 Keynote Speaker Nominations

BTAC 2017 will be here before we know it, and one of the cool things about this conference is there is space made for community input for some of the events like the Awards Gala and the keynote speakers.

The nominations for 2017 keynote speakers have opened, and BTAC is looking for trans masculine and trans feminine nominees to do their keynotes for the conference that is set to happen April 24-30.

Who Will Be Your Next Keynote Speaker? BTAC 2017 National Keynote Speaker Nominations NOW OPEN for trans, transmen, transwomen!!!

If you or someone you know would be a great candidate for this opportunity, please nominate them today. The deadline to submit keynote speaker nominations is October 30, 2016.

Here's the link to nominate your candidates for BTAC 2017 keynotes.

I Received A 2014 GLAAD Media Award Nomination!

Was surprised and pleased to find out during Creating Change Houston that I may have made a little Black  and trans history.

TransGriot received its first ever GLAAD Media Award nomination in the Outstanding Blog category   I'm the first trans feminine blogger ever to have received a nomination in this category and second overall.   Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler's blac(k)ademic last year became the first trans blog ever to receive a nomination in this category.    

However, I have some stiff competition in this category.    Kimberley McLeod's Elixher (of which my posts appear at times) is nominated along with Alvin McEwen's Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters.

The other nominees in this category are Autostraddle and The New Civil Rights Movement.

Like I said tough competition.  All are quality blogs.  Two of the founding editors of the nominated blogs in Kimberley and Alvin are personal friends and I have mad respect for their blogs. .  I read the other two nominees as well and have met people affiliated with them at the LGBT Media Journalist Convening and hopefully will see them in DC later this month.
 
But as I've said a few times when it comes to these award nominations, it's nice when they recognize the hard work you put in to do a quality blog.  You also can't win an award unless you're nominated for it, and the hard part is over.  I'm in it, and hopefully I'll win it on my first nomination attempt..  

Best of luck to everyone nominated in this Outstanding Blog category

Is there a trip to Los Angeles (April 12) or New York (May 3) in my future?   We'll see.

TransGriot Update:  I'm the first transfeminine blogger to earn a GLAAD award nomination and the SECOND overall.   Kortney Ziegler's blac(k)ademic was nominated in the Outstanding Blog category last year won by Rod 2.0.   Story has been corrected to reflect that.
 

January 15 Is The Trans 100 Nomination Deadline

After writing more than a few posts about trans people being repeatedly left off of LGBT community lists that were heavy on the lesbian and gay end of the rainbow alphabet and bi, trans and melanin free, it was nice to see Antonia  D'orsay and Jen Richards collaborate on rectifying that problem with the inaugural Trans 100 List

It was an honor and a privilege for me to be included on the initial Trans 100 List, but now it's time to see who will make it to the list that will be released in 2014.  

Nominations have been open for it since October, but now you have less than 30 days to get them in before the January 15 deadline. 

And for you international trans peeps, this year's Trans100 List is open to nominations of international trans people.  Here's Toni to talk about it.

*** 

Attention all PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT TRANS RIGHTS AND PEOPLE:

Hey, it is December 17th. That means there are less than 30 days left to get your nominations in for The Trans 100 for 2013!

Spread the word, my friends and followers! Repost, share, copy and say what you will, but spread the word far and wide!    Less than 30 days left to get in nominations for trans people doing incredible work that deserves to be recognized.

Pay attention to youth activists, to people of color, to veterans, those though of as having disabilities, those in the fights for equality around who strive to improve the lives of people in ways that others overlook.

We want people from *EVERYWHERE* to be nominated. Pay attention there. Immigrant efforts, struggles against the injustice in other nations, the whole thing.

Nominate them all. Go for it. Tell others to nominate people.

The Trans 100 from 2012 have been featured in news stories, highlighted in documentaries, recognized within their fields, and given opportunities to increase the visibility of trans people and the amazing work and change we create every day.

Nominate folks today!

http://thetrans100.com/nominations/

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.... 


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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

Kerry Washington Gets Emmy Nomination!

Y'all know how much I love Kerry Washington, and was happy to hear that she has received an Emmy nomination for her critically acclaimed work on my fave show Scandal.

She was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, but I was shocked and not surprised to learn that in the 64 year history of the Emmys, in this particular category only four African-American women have ever been nominated and NONE of them won.

In case you're wondering who those four women are, Debbie Allen (“Fame”; 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985), Alfre Woodard (“St. Elsewhere”; 1986), Regina Taylor (“I’ll Fly Away”; 1992, 1993) and Cicely Tyson (“Sweet Justice”; 1995)

What's even more disgusting is that no African-American woman has been nominated for this category since 1995 and Kerry Washington is the first African-American woman to receive a nomination in this category in the 21st Century. 

There have been others who deserved nominations for their work such as Jada Pinkett Smith for HawthoRNe, Khandi Alexander for Treme and Angela Bassett during the final season of ER but all were snubbed. 

That dearth of African-American winners is probably one of the reasons I tend to ignore the Emmys when they are on TV, but I won't be doing so this year because it could be a historic night.

Don Cheadle and Alfre Woodard also received Emmy nominations..

It will be interesting to see if Kerry Washington's stylishly dressed self will be picking up that Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series trophy on September 22.

Congratulations Kellee!

The 23rd annual GLAAD Media Award nominations are out and while I didn't get one for Outstanding Blog, I played a small part in one of the nominees getting hers

Kellee Terrell interviewed me and Kylar Broadus for her article that appeared in TheRoot.com entitled Black and Transgender: A Double Burden

That article was nominated in the Outstanding Digital Journalism Category 

So congrats Kellee and good luck!   You know who I'll be rooting for in that category