Allyson Robinson To Helm OutServe-SLDN

This weekend two organizations that have fought hard for the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and the rights of LGBT servicemembers , the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe are finalizing a merger.  

The new combined 6000 member OutServe-SLDN that will emerge has pledged to continue to fight for the rights of rainbow community service personnel.

As I and many trans people have pointed out, the 2011 repeal of  DADT left trans servicemembers behind, puts us at risk of being tossed out of the military if our trans status is discovered and still does not allow any trans person to openly serve our nation as transpeople in six countries can now do.. 

The merged organization recently announced its new executive director and the person tapped to lead  OutServe-SLDN is someone I know and have run across a few times in my travels around the country in Allyson Robinson.

She's definitely qualified to become the new executive director of this merged organization.  She is a 1994 graduate of West Point, commanded Patriot missile units in Europe and the Middle East on multiple deployments, was recently the deputy director of HRC's Workplace Project and has a Texas connection.  

After Robinson resigned her commission in 1999 to pursue her ministerial calling and focus on social justice issues, she earned her Masters of Divinity in theology at Baylor University in 2007.

Robinson stated “I am honored to lead the new OutServe-SLDN into this next phase of advocacy and action on behalf of our brave LGBT service members, veterans, and their families. Until they are guaranteed equal opportunity, recognition, support, and benefits, our mission is incomplete. We cannot and will not leave them behind.”

In addition to becoming the first trans person to head a major TBLG organization, Robinson has promised to advocate for the gender nonconforming service members left behind by DADT repeal as well. 

“We cannot stop until we reach the day when all qualified Americans who wish to wear the uniform of our armed forces have the opportunity to do so with honor and integrity – and without fear of discrimination or harassment – whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.”

Congratulations Allyson on this historic appointment to head OS-SLDN.  May you have much success in executing your new human rights mission.

Joint LGBT Organization Statement Over FRC Shooting

Joint Statement regarding shooting at Family Research Council (FRC) from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations

We were saddened to hear news of the shooting this morning at the offices of the Family Research Council. Our hearts go out to the shooting victim, his family, and his co-workers. The motivation and circumstances behind today’s tragedy are still unknown, but regardless of what emerges as the reason for this shooting, we utterly reject and condemn such violence.  We wish for a swift and complete recovery for the victim of this terrible incident. Michael Adams Executive Director, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) Tico Almeida President, Freedom to Work Katie Belanger Executive Director, Fair Wisconsin Wayne Besen Founding Executive Director, Truth Wins Out A.J. Bockelman Executive Director, PROMO Carly Burton Deputy Director, MassEquality Dr. Eliza Byard Executive Director, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Jennifer Chrisler Executive Director, Family Equality Council Brad Clark Executive Director, One Colorado R. Clarke Cooper Executive Director, Log Cabin Republicans Heather Cronk Managing Director, GetEQUAL Jerame Davis Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats Emily Dievendorf Director of Policy, Equality Michigan James Esseks Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project Lynn A. Faria Interim Executive Director, Empire State Pride Agenda Jenna Frazzini Executive Director, Basic Rights Oregon Herndon Graddick President, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Chad Griffin President, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Jody M. Huckaby Executive Director, PFLAG National (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Mara Keisling Executive Director, National Center of Transgender Equality Kate Kendell Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Abbe Land Executive Director & CEO, The Trevor Project Ineke Mushovic Executive Director, Movement Advancement Project National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Darlene Nipper Deputy Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Donna Red Wing Executive Director, One Iowa Aubrey Sarvis Executive Director, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Josh Seefried Co-Director, OutServe Brian Silva Executive Director, Marriage Equality USA Lee Swislow Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Rachel B. Tiven, Esq. Executive Director, Immigration Equality Chuck Wolfe President & CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute Evan Wolfson President, Freedom to Marry ### About GLAAD: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

PETA Racism Strikes Again

Y'all know I can't stand People Eating Tasty Animals, oops the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals fools.  It's not only because of their constant racist, sexist, transphobic, fatphobic, homophobic (pick one) fail in pushing their message, it's also run by Ingrid Newkirk who is best buds with FOX Noise's Bill O'Reilly.

Fresh off trying to pick a fight with Flavor Flav over his fried chicken restaurant in Iowa, the PETAoids have once again tried to appropriate African-American history and icons in order to pimp their agenda after we have repeatedly told their vanilla privileged behinds to refrain from doing that.

Flav's new yardbird venture is now closed because of some trouble back in April with some employee paychecks that bounced and disputes with his partner's business practices that resulted in its closure.

This latest episode of PETA failing badly has them according to BET.com putting up a six sided display across from the Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. that compares animal cruelty to slavery, complete with images of cruelty to African-Americans and the Dr. King “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” quote 

The NAACP called PETA's azzes out in 2005 over a traveling exhibit entitled: "Are Animals the New Slaves?" that compared images of lynched African-Americans to slaughtered cows.  

They were also called out for wearing Klan hoods to the Westminster Dog Show in New York and comparing it to the Holocaust.

Come to think of it, they engage in this racist crap so often the Klan needs to make PETA an auxiliary chapter  


"Once again, Black people are being pimped. You used us. You have used us enough.” then NAACP president of Greater New Haven chapters Scot X. Esdaile said at the opening of that 2005 exhibit there that raised the ire of African Americans in the area.

The historical oppression of African Americans disrespectfully being used repeatedly in PETA campaigns needs to cease and desist.   Until y'all permanently quit doing so, KFC will continue to get my money.

On that note, off to the Colonel for a three piece..  

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Happy 8th Birthday TAVA!

Yesterday was the 8th birthday of the Transgender American Veterans Association.   The organization was born in 2003 out of growing concerns of fair and equal treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. 

TAVA also serves as an educational organization that seeks to help the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense better understand the individuals they encounter who identify as being gender-different.   It also points out the fact that trans veterans proudly served in all branches of our country's military.


Have much love and respect for the folks at TAVA, its founders Monica Helms and Angela Brightfeather  and all trans vets.   Thanks for all you have done to advocate for the interests of trans veterans.


On this day I'd like to thank TAVA and you trans vets for your past and continuing service to our nation and community and wish the organization much continued success.

May TAVA continue to have a positive impact on our community and our nation.