What Happened To Trans-Fusion Radio?

Last Friday night there was supposed to be a Trans-Fusion Radio show on the subject of the trans prefix and whether it was necessary to identify ourselves as such or just use 'woman' to ID ourselves.

For the record, I think we should unapologetically ID ourselves as trans women, but that's another post.

When 7 PM CDT hit I was in my Dallas hotel room tuned in and eagerly expecting to hear the voices of my Dallas based sisters Mieko Love, Leshay Weeks and R. Pocahontas Duvall Crowe.   

But what I and everyone who tuned into Power214.com that evening got was silence, and when I called the show's number it just rang without being picked up.

When I called Mieko Saturday morning to find out what happened to that Friday's show, I was angered to find out that since mine and Dee Dee Watters' visit to the Power214.com studios back in April during the BTAC conference, they have not been treated with the respect they were due as one of the more popular shows on that Dallas based broadcast platform.

In fact Trans-Fusion Radio has become so popular beyond the Dallas- Ft. Worth area, the other Power 214 platform shows noticed and expressed their desires to do collaborative shows with the Trans-Fusion Radio team, according to Love.   

But they were receiving no love from the station's cisgender Black male owner, who was getting squeamish about the increasing popularity of the show and bristling from comments he was hearing from the Dallas Black community that Power214.com was 'the t****y network'.

The owner revealed that alleged community critique in conversations with the Trans-Fusion team,  then in the wake of the conversation started showing up late to produce Trans-Fusion Radio. 
Even though it was his tardiness that would delay the start of their show, he wouldn't make up for his late arrival by extending their paid for two hour time block into the next show . 

When the Power214.com studios moved to a new building at the intersections of Alpha and Preston Roads in far north Dallas, the owner asked if they were coming along, but said it in such a way that gave the Trans-Fusion team the impression he wouldn't be disappointed if they didn't.

Power214.com also has a online magazine that does feature interviews with the podcasters to promote their shows.   In the time that Trans-Fusion Radio has been part of that station, they have never had a feature article done on them.

So being fed up with the shady treatment they were getting for their t-bills, the Trans-Fusion team started looking for a new broadcast studio home just in case caca hit the fan and the Power214.com owner went full transphobe and cancelled the show.

The final straw was the Dallas Morning News article written by award winning journalist Lauren McGaughy to discuss the epidemic of anti-trans violence in Texas that seems to be centered on the DFW area.   McGaughy interviewed the Trans Fusion team for the story and wanted to take some photos of the Trans Fusion team at work in the studio for Friday's show.

Most rational business owners would jump at the chance to get free media publicity about their business.  But the transphobic station owner started tripping, probably because of who was getting the publicity and why. and the Trans Fusion team had enough of his crap.

Trans-Fusion Radio is moving to a new home, and as soon as they have done so, they will let everyone who loves their show know what night and time it will be broadcasting from their new platform.   I also hope that there is a way they can file a complaint against Power214.com under the Dallas non discrimination ordinance that covers anti-trans discrimination

And I hope that Trans-Fusion Radio is broadcasting sooner rather than later, because the DFW area, Texas and the world needs to hear their voices.

Marsha's Plate Hits 100th Show Milestone

My multi-talented sis Diamond Stylz is a trailblazer in many areas of the media.   She was a YouTube video blogger for over a decade until they shadily deleted her channel. 

When she was in high school, she was the plaintiff for a successful trans rights lawsuit, then became the first out trans student to attend Jackson State University.    Being in that somewhat hostile environment helped her hone her activist skills.  She's also a singer and songwriter. 

She recently wrote an article that was published in ESSENCE magazine, and for several years now she has a podcast called Marsha's Plate that she hosts with Mia Mix and Zee that focuses on Black trans community issues, pop culture and other subjects.

I've had the honor of doing one of their shows since the podcast is based here in Houston, and hope I get the chance to do another one in the near future.

The big news is that Marsha's Plate is now celebrating its 100th show, and it's a must listen to one in which one of the topics they discussed is Andre Mizrahi's jacked up transphobic rant.

Congratulations to the Marsha's Plate team for hitting this milestone!

Can We Talk 4 Real Podcast Tonight Featuring BTAC

Later tonight myself and BTAC CEO Carter Brown will be chatting with the award winning Can We Talk 4 Real podcast duo of Michelle and Terri Boi about the just completed Black Trans Advocacy Conference in Dallas.

BTAC just celebrated its fifth anniversary and an amazing week in the Lone Star State, and we'll be discussing what happened at #BTAC2016   To become part of the conversation, you can dial 347-215-8985 and press 1 to take part in tonight's conversation.

The Can We Talk 4 real podcast featuring Carter and the birthday girl will start at 8:30 PM EDT-7:30 PM CDT, and hope you will join us for this sure to be informative and amazing conversation. 

Carter Brown On Can We Talk 4 Real Tonight

The Black Trans Advocacy Conference April 25-May 1 dates are approaching fast, and the Can We Talk 4 Real podcast will be hosting Black Transmen, Inc Executive Director/CEO  Carter Brown to talk about it later tonight with Michelle and Terri Boi.  

Black Transment, Inc has become the Change They Wish To See In The World because Brown actively leads a host of over 40 board, staff and volunteer members of the organization, and continues to multiply the presence of the organization with over nine BTMI state chapters throughout the U.S.

His work, along with Black Transmen, Inc. and its subsidiaries, is based in peace building, community education, public policy initiatives, empowerment programs and direct services. Black Trans Advocacy works with communities in the U.S. and across the globe to foster diversity, inclusion and equality for all people. 

The show will start at 8:00 PM EST/ 7:30 PM CST. and you can call 347-215-8985 and press 1 to become part of tonight's conversation.

Moni's Recent Can We Talk 4 Real Podcast Interview

The Can We Talk 4 Real podcast appearance was scheduled for November 4 before we knew what was going to happen to the HERO.

Timing was great for me because I got to vent about what happened a mere 24 hours after the vote..

The podcast has now been posted to the site, and for those of you that missed the original November 4 podcast can now click on the link to listen to it.  

Thanks Teresa and Michelle for the invite..

Can We Talk 4 Real Podcast Turns Three Today!

On August 14, 2012, a podcast debuted on Blogtalkradio featuring as the hosts Michelle, Ina and Terri Boi that had as its mission to discuss the topics and subjects the LGBT community sometimes didn't wanna talk about, and so so from a Black SGL perspective.

I have been honored to be a guest on this show a few times since the Can We Talk 4 Real team started it, and have had the pleasure of meeting them at various conferences and events around the country during that time.

I also know how much work and dedication goes into producing a podcast, much less keeping it going for as of today three years.

It also goes without saying I have mad love for each one of you!

So happy anniversary Can We Talk 4 Real team!   Thank you for all the conversations you have facilitated via your show, the people you have given a voice that didn't have one until you started this show, and may you have much continued success in facilitating those much needed conversations in the future.

My Latest WFPL-FM 'Strange Fruit' Interview

Y'all know I have much love for Dr. Kaila Story and Jaison Gardner, (AKA 'Niece' and 'Nephew' and they refer to me as 'Auntie Monica') the co-hosts of WFPL-FM's Strange Fruit.  

I pop in from time to time with my thoughts on various topics, and normally I have to do so by calling in to participate on their show.

This particular appearance was different, because one of the things I got to do while I was on vacation in my other hometown was actually sit in WFPL-FM's 4th Street studios and tape an interview that was just broadcast.

Only took me being away from Da Ville for four years and be on vacation inside I-265 to actually walk in that building for the first time after years of walking past it for various reasons. 

The podcast is up of that interview, and you can click on this link to listen to it.  My comments start around the 13:00 minute mark of this edition of Strange Fruit.

Mia's Mad As Hell!

There are a lot of us extremely pissed off in Trans World about our sisters Janell Crosby and Tyra Woods being attacked by cismales on an Atlanta MARTA train and no one stepping up to help stop or defuse the situation.  

The fools in question have been arrested for it.  I and the trans community in the ATL and nationally are hopeful that justice will be served in this case.   We're hopeful the message will be sent as a result of this high profile case that putting your hands on a transwoman is unacceptable.

Y'all know I have mad love and respect for Mia Macy, who is a retired law enforcement officer.   She had plenty to say during her radio show about it, and if you click on this link you can hear her take on this developing situation in the ATL.

Another Can We Talk 4 Real Show Appearance Tonight

I get the opportunity to appear on another episode of the award winning Can We Talk For Real show with Ina, Michelle, and Terry Boi for the first time since I got to see them all at CC14.  

Interestingly enough, I'll be on the CWT4R to talk about another conference, the upcoming Black Trans Advocacy one next week in Dallas ,TX April 29-May 4.

Looking forward to discussing this rapidly growing third annual conference and chatting with the CWT4R team .

To be part of the conversation, you can call 347-215-8985 at 10:30 PM Eastern time, 9:30 PM Central time, 8:30 PM Mountain time and at 7:30 PM Pacific time tonight.

TransGriot's Upcoming Kitty Bella Show Appearance

Another day, another upcoming radio podcast interview appearance.

I get the honor on February 22 of appearing on that day's Kitty Bella Show with the Trans 100's Jen Richards to discuss the topic of 'Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Good Ally?'

The Kitty Bella Show is a groundbreaking web radio show where host Katrina Goodlett (Kitty Bella) has fun, revealing conversations with her fellow Transgender brothers and sisters as well as allies on various subject matters and topics inside and outside the community..

The Kitty Bella Show is on Blogtalk radio, and the call in number to speak to Katrina the host or ask questions is (347) 237-4756.

I'm looking forward to discussing the topic at 11 AM EST (10 AM CST).   If you miss it, you can always listen to the podcast at your leisure once it is archived.     

Can We Talk For Real Talks CC14

With seven days to go until Creating Change 2014 kicks off in Houston, I and the entire Houston Host Committee are eager to roll out the rainbow carpet for you and welcome you to our beloved hometown and blue oasis for the first ever Creating Change in the largest city in Texas.

I get the honor of appearing on Can We Talk For Real with Ina, Michelle, and Terry Boi who are also coming to CC14.  I've met 2/3s of the CWT4R team and will finally get to meet Terry next week. 

Starting at 10:30 PM EST (9:30 CST, 8:30 MST and 7:30 PST) yours truly will be on your internet radio podcast dial to talk about Creating Change.

You'll be getting it from the perspective of someone who spent the last year being part of the Houston Host Committee planning process for this major TBLG community event as the co-chair of the Racial Diversity Committee and documenting it for posterity on TransGriot

Can We Talk For Real is on Blog Talk Radio, and if you wish to join in the conversation you can dial 1-347-215-8985 to do so. 

Looking forward to seeing you folks when y'all come to H-town January 29-February 2 at the Hilton Americas Hotel for the largest annual gathering of activists, organizers and leaders of the TBLG movement. 
 

Transitions Radio Interview Tuesday Afternoon

You regular TransGriot readers are probably saying to yourselves "'Didn't you just do a radio interview Saturday?"

Sure did.  But new week, new opportunity to discuss trans and other issues on another show.

This time it's Mark Angelo and Jessica Lynn Cummings extending the invitation to do so on their Transitions Radio show tomorrow on blogtalkradio.

The show will start at 6:30 PM EDT, so if you can listen to it, please do so.  If you're motivated to do so you can also call in at (646) 716-6895.

Should be fun and looking forward to talking to Mark and Jessica about many of the issues that impact our community.

TransGriot Note: Transitions Radio art by Kelley Miller

Fallon Fox Interview On 'No Holds Barred' Radio

Our fave WMMA #girllikeus Fallon Fox has her big CFA championship fight coming on Saturday night. 

The unbeaten (3-0) 'Queen of Swords' will be taking on Ashlee Evans-Smth (1-0) at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, FL.  Winner departs the octagon with the CFA featherweight title and a nice $20,000 check for her trouble.  This is an interview Fallon conducted on the No Holds Barred podcast with Eddie Goldman

Fight will also be broadcast live in the US on AXS-TV.   Go 'Queen of Swords'!   Handle your business! 

Strange Fruit-Janet Mock Interview

I've talked about the WFPL-FM radio show that Niece and Nephew (Dr Kaila Story and Jaison Gardner to y'all) do in Louisville entitled Strange Fruit: Musings on Politics, Pop Culture and Black Gay Life that is produced by Laura Ellis and has been on 89.3 FM for a year now.

And yes, I've been on it twice.  By the way, congratulations and Happy 1st Anniversary for the show Niece and Nephew!  

They have had some interesting guests and discussed some thought provoking topics in the year they have graced the radio waves of Da Ville and I expect there will more of the same to come in Year Two of Strange Fruit.

For those of you who don't live in the Louisville metro area, Strange Fruit is also available via podcast. 

Speaking of interesting guests, last Saturday's Strange Fruit broadcast featured Janet Mock, who was on her way to Louisville as a keynote speaker for U of L's annual on campus Pride Festival event.

Janet's keynote speech happened Thursday night, and I heard from my friends in the area she rocked it per usual.  Heard there were some cheers for yours truly who was part of Janet's presentation when I popped up in it.

Aww, miss y'all too Louisville.  If there's video of Janet's keynote floating around I'll put it up in a future post.   

Here's Janet's Strange Fruit interview with Kaila and Jaison. 

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Can We Talk For Real Turns One!

I had the honor and pleasure of doing two enjoyable appearances on the Can We Talk For Real radio podcast show hosted by Ina, Michelle and Terry Boi. 

Their podcast turns one, and the CWT4R team will be celebrating that milestone on tonight's show.

Happy Anniversary!  Time to let the Can We Talk For Real podcast team have their say.

***. 

Wednesday, August 14th Can We Talk for REAL will be celebrating our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Ina, Michelle and Terry Boi would like to thank everyone that has been a part of this first year for allowing us to educate, entertain, share thoughts on some of the issues spoken and not spoken about, given voices to those who had been silent, and those that needed to be heard, and resources that the community may not have known was right in our own back yards.

'Thank you for allowing us to enter your homes each Wednesday with topics that were not being discussed enough.. The first year was where 'Silence was not an Option'. Many joined us to express their opinions and know they were all heard.

We were glad to know that our guests, callers and chatters were comfortable enough to know that here on CWT4R. It was okay to agree to disagree. Some of our guests that we had on during our first year will be joining us tomorrow for some interesting updates on what has been happening since you last heard from them. The night as always here on CWT4R will be educational, fun filled and exciting. So if you want to know who is coming back to help celebrate you have to be there!

Call in on 347-215-8985 at 10:30 pm Eastern time, 9:30 pm Central time, 8:30 pm Mountain time and 7:30 pm Pacific time. Press 1 if you want to Speak.   

Ackshun Jackson Disses Jordana On His YoYo DC Podcast

'No fight is more just than the battle for self determination of one's own identity.'Jordana LeSesne April 2013

Last night got an e-mail alerting me to a situation in which a podcast called 'YoYoDC' went into problematic territory on a May 28 show they were doing concerning a local pediatrician, Dr. Robert Dickey who was facing pedophilia charges.

Three quarters of the way into it Ackshun Jackson as he calls himself segues from that discussion to disrespectfully talking about Jordana LeSesne, the girl like us who is a pioneering DJ, music producer and current frontwoman for a metal band. 

He claims he's a huge fan of hers, but referred to her as 'it' during the show banter that ensued while the track she produced and he claimed was his favorite played in the background.     

And yo, shouldn't you as a fan know how to spell your idol's name?   I'm just sayin'.

It's already treading into questionable territory to bring up a transperson, much less have a discussion about one on a show in which you started it discussing a pedophile doctor.   BTW, 98% of the people who get busted for doing so are heterosexual white males

I DESPISE the 'politically correct' term far too many conservafools and people attempt to use as a shield to insulate themselves from the jacked up crap they say.   The Golden Rule exists for a reason and I love this Dion Beary quote about the politically correct term that one of my TransGriot longtime readers Lilith posted in the discussion thread that ensued on Jordana's page.

''Politically correct" is just a term assholes came up with so they can dismiss people who have the nerve to want to be respected. Demanding not to be stereotyped is not political correctness, it’s a human right, and you are not some hero for refusing to respect people’s right to be treated like humans.'
—Dion Beary

Back to our post.

I need to get into the other ways this podcast was problematic.   He used her old name which was not germane to the discussion since 99% of the music she produces is under Jordana.    References were made to chopping off dicks, 'different strokes' comments and other transphobic language thinly disguised in bad joke drag.

It's also problematic in terms of the show being based in Washington DC and these comments being juxtaposed against the long, ugly history of anti-trans violence and discrimination aimed at POC trans women in the District.    

When Ackshun Jackson was advised Jordana was not amused by his show, he surfed over to her Facebook page to chat with her and ask for an interview.   And yes, Jordana asked me to be part of that discussion. 

While he was contrite about insulting her, Ackshun Jackson still has a ways to go in terms of Trans 101 education.  While Jordana believes he wasn't trying to be malicious about it, clueless transphobic bigotry still hurts the same as the willful transphobic variety.

I dropped the link to the GLAAD Media Reference Guide trans section in our discussion along with dropping knowledge about the 1995 Tyra Hunter case, the 2002 Stephanie Thomas and Ukea Davis execution style murders, Kenneth Furr's August 2011 incident firing his service revolver at a car with  three transwomen and friends in it and getting probation and the Deoni Jones killing Gary Niles Montgomery will be going to trial for next month. 

To Ackshun Jackson and everyone one else out there, here's two basic facts about a trans person's identity that you need to commit to memory.   

You don't get to define our identity, we do.

And disrespecting that identity, whether it's done overtly or covertly still hurts. 
 

Race In The Transgender Community Podcast

On Monday I had the honor and pleasure of being part of a Prism Radio podcast show with two people from the Louisville portion of my life.  

Holly Knight has 70 episodes of this Blogtalk radio show under her belt since June 2010.

For Episode 71 she invited the TransGriot and Jaison Gardiner (AKA Nephew) to tell it like it T-I-S is about 'Race In Transgender Community' and how it affects the transitions of person of color on multiple levels.

Once again it was one of those shows in which we needed more than the 90 minutes we had allotted to break down this topic.  You know neither Jaison or I are shy about speaking our minds either..  

It's now posted and you can listen to it here if you missed the live podcast.  

TransGriot's Back On Can We Talk For Real Tonight

It was shaping up to be a busy media week and still is.   My interview on Holly's show Sunday has been rescheduled for May 13, and I'm honored to do my second appearance with Ina, Michelle, and Terri Boi, the hosts of CAN WE TALK FOR REAL

Cemia “CeCe” Acoff was another Black trans woman killed then victimized again in the media.  The Cleveland Plain Dealer leading the way with its offensive, insensitive, transphobic coverage of her death that was mimicked by the rest of the local and national media 

.CeCe sadly wasn’t the first and probably won’t be the last victim this year of anti-trans violence. Our transgender community continues to grapple with unacceptable levels of anti-trans violence, intimidation and discrimination. Trans women are disrespectfully misidentified in the media following violent attacks and trans men are often invisible in conversations about hate violence as the murder of rapper Evon 'Yung LT' Young in Milwaukee points out. 

The attacks on our transgender community aren't always by unidentified strangers in dark alleys and back streets..  It's also blatantly in their faces on a depressingly daily basis as the recent news of Arizona’s controversial SB 1045 'Transgender Bathroom Bill' is an example of.

It underscores the fact  anti-trans discrimination takes place in every area of trans people's lives in the areas of employment; housing; and public accommodations, even in our own LGB ranks. 

 

We acknowledge the “T” in our LGBT fight but unfortunately for political expediency, image, bigotry in our ranks or other unexplainable reasons when the going gets tough, the “T” has been left behind or thrown under the human rights bus. 

In 2007 LGBT advocacy organizations, most notably HRC and the LGBT community were divided over support of a modified ENDA that shadily excluded the transgender community.  As we showed our solidarity for marriage equality during the recent Supreme Court deliberations this spring, reports of exclusion of the trans pride flag ironically surfaced during the same week we celebrated transgender visibility with the unveiling of the first ever Trans 100 List

This week on CAN WE TALK FOR REAL I'm one of the two Trans 100 honorees along with , Monica Roberts, the TransGriot, and Carter Brown, director of Black Transmen, Inc. joining co-hosts Ina, Michelle and Terry Boi to talk about the “T” in the LGBT community.

We'll discuss the continued violence against our trans brothers and sisters, legislative battles facing the Trans community, and discuss why there is no room for division in our fight for equality.

 

Call 347-215-8985 at 10:30 PM Eastern time, 9:30 PM Central time, 8:30 PM Mountain time and at 7:30 PM Pacific time on Wednesday, May 8 for one dynamic conversation that I'm looking forward to.

Busy Media Week

With two radio interviews over the next three days.   Have one tomorrow with Holly Knight on her Prism Radio show starting at 5 PM CDT.   The topic will be 'Race in the TG Community' and I'll be on it along with Jaison Gardner, AKA to me as 'Nephew'.

He cohosts Strange Fruit on WFPL-FM, the public radio station in Louisville with Dr Kaila Story, AKA to me as 'Niece'. 

You can call 949-534-0761 to comment on what is sure to be a very interesting discussion..

On May 8 I've been invited to make my second appearance on the 'Can We Talk For REAL' show.   It's a Blog Talk Radio Show geared toward discussing the important issues of the LGBTQ Community including many issues that are hard to discuss within the community.   I'll be on the air along with my fellow Lone Star state Trans 100 honoree Carter Brown, the Executive Director of Black Transmen, Inc to have a chat with the Can We Talk For Real radio team of Ina, Michelle and Terri Boi.

Carter and I will be talking about recent developments in the trans community and you can join in for that lively discussion by calling 347-215-8985.

And that's not including my ongoing complaints about the jacked up Cleveland Plain Dealer report over the disrespectful reporting in the Cemia Acoff murder.


TransGriot Update: Was just advised by Holly she wants to reschedule the show for May 13

Tamala Savage Show-Take Two

In the process of taping Part 2 of the Tamala Savage Show interview I started Saturday.   You can click here to check out Part 1 of my interview with her.

Taping is going to start at 10 AM CDT (now) so until 10:30 AM CDT you can call 347-326-9756 to ask questions or comment..

And as soon as the Part 2 podcast is up I'll link to it in this post