The All In For Equality Texas Rally Speeches

I got up at 3:30 AM CDT so I could board a bus headed to Austin to participate in the All In For Equality Lobby Day.  I was also tapped to be one of the speakers at the rally happening on the south Texas Capitol steps, and if you wish to hear my comments, they start around the 13;00 minute mark of the video

And here's the link to me, Sara Ramirez and other orators speaking truth to power outside the Texas State Capitol.

All Trans MSNBC Panel Discusses Trans Rights Under Trump

Here's something interesting that occurred during Saturday's edition of AM Joy that was guest hosted by Jonathan Capehart  An all trans panel discussing trans issues

For those of you who missed it,  here's Chase Strangio, Mara Keisling and J Mase III discussing trans rights in the Trump era

There's A Reason I Wasn't Feeling Gaga's Show Last Night

Watched the Super Bowl like 100 million plus other peeps last night, and know the chatter in Gay World was all about the halftime show and Lady Gaga.

Some of you marveled about how she mentioned the word transgender while singing 'Born This Way' and gushed about other points in the show that were frankly meh for me.

By the way, for those of you claiming this Gaga show was political, this Beyonce performance last year is the gold standard for a Super Bowl halftime show that is political.   When wingers are STILL complaining a year later, and people are still talking about it, you know the message was received..

The reaction from the conservafool media to Gaga's Super Bowl show was they were glad she didn't go political. That confirms my initial impression of it that is wasn't as political as some people in Gay World are desperately trying to make this out to be.

Because her mentioning the t-word in NRG Stadium during her show and people commenting about it in social media just reminded me of why I'm not a huge fan of hers.  

If you're wondering why, we need to go back to 2011 and the fight to pass marriage equality in New York.

While the New York state marriage equality push that year had the HRC, former president Bill Clinton, Gov Andrew Cuomo, then New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a host of politicians and celebs going gaga (pun intended) in pushing for its passage after passing the New York Assembly for the fourth consecutive time, ,GENDA, the trans rights bill had for then three consecutive years overwhelmingly passed the New York Assembly but was in an infuriating pattern of getting stuck in the Republican controlled NY senate.

GENDA if passed would amend the New York state non-discrimination laws to add gender identity and expression to the list of characteristics protected from discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations, housing and credit. It would also add gender identity and expression to the state hate crimes law. 

Currently there are seven cities in the Empire State, Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester and Syracuse, and three counties, Suffolk, Tompkins and Westchester  that have legislatively enacted trans non discrimination protections. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has signed an executive order that prohibits discrimination against trans people in the Empire State.

But as we are witnessing in Washington DC right now, executive orders can be overturned, which is why passage of GENDA to secure the human rights of transpeople in New York State is needed and necessary.   It is also necessary in light of the fact that when SONDA was passed in 2002, New York gay and lesbian activists violated a deathbed promise to Sylvia Rivera and threw New York transpeople under the legislative bus to selfishly enact human rights protections for themselves.

In June 2011 GENDA overwhelmingly passed in the New York state assembly for the third consecutive time and was awaiting action in NY Senate just like the marriage bill was after it passed for the fourth consecutive session.  

But unlike the marriage bill, GENDA wasn't getting the attention it deserved and eventually died in the New York Senate without a hearing or a vote as gay peeps celebrated, claimed it was a 'victory for equality'  and planned their weddings when the marriage bill passed after that all out push for passage .

I note that Lady Gaga at that time was urging her 'Little Monsters' to call the NY Senate and urge passage of the marriage bill, but the word 'transgender'' didn't pass her lips at the time to have the same happen for GENDA.   Never mind the fact that some of her 'Little Monsters' as her fans are called are transgender peeps

I still believe that had she in 2011 made that same exhortation for her fans to call NY senators and demand GENDA's passage, that may have possibly been the publicity nudge GENDA needed at that time to get it attention during that 'all marriage all the time' media frenzy to get it passed in the New York Senate and to Gov. Cuomo's desk for his signature.

Lady Gaga has been a champion for marriage equality, and I'd like to see her put the same level of effort into speaking out on behalf of trans human rights as she consistently did for marriage equality. My trans siblings could use her help and star power, especially in her home state of New York  to break that legislative logjam that GENDA seems to be in.

Her trans Little Monsters that idolize her would love to see that as well. especially the ones that call New York State home..

So Lady Gaga, ball is in your court.   Saying the trans word during your Super Bowl show isn't enough these days.  How about some action to back it up just like you did for marriage equality?

Paige's Open Letter To Charlotte City Council

Was not happy to hear that yesterday the Charlotte City Council, after resisting a so-called 'deal' in September to  repeal their NDO in exchange for the Republican controlled North Carolina legislature subsequently repealing the unjust HB2, the Charlotte City Council on a surprise 10-0 vote threw the Charlotte trans community under the bus and repealed the trans protective NDO as part of a 'deal' brokered by Roy Cooper that allegedly will result in the repeal of the unjust HB2.

Of course I'm pissed about it along with trans folks in Charlotte and North Carolina who don't trust the NC GOP to follow through on their end of it.   But what has them even more incensed is that they weren't consulted, and are livid that the Charlotte City Council would take this step without consulting them.

Local trans leader Paige Dula composed an open letter to the Charlotte City Council that expresses the feeling of trans folks in the Queen City, and I'm posting it as a guest op-ed because the voices of the local trans community needed to be signal boosted.

And now, here's Paige Dula's open letter..

***

As a member of the local LGBTQ community I must say I was totally taken aback by the sudden repeal of Charlotte's NDO on the condition of the NCGA lifting HB2. I have been personally contacted by a couple of you privately and I appreciate you reaching out as you have. But I have to ask why didn't you reach out to our community sooner to discuss this course of action? We worked together very hard over several years to make the NDO happen. So many people in the local LGBT community have a LOT of skin in that game. It's not safe or easy to be out as a transgender woman but I and a few others did so the past couple years to put a face to why the protections are important. We sacrificed our personal safety and privacy for the betterment of our whole LGBT community. In one meeting you rendered that as worthless. I understand the state and Charlotte in particular is really taking on the chin financially in the wake of HB2 and the boycotts. But why give in NOW? Why when you said you wouldn't in September?

I've been assured that in the future Charlotte will pass another NDO, once Roy Cooper is in office. The problem is the NCGA still has a Republican super majority that will just be able to do a repeat of HB2. That is, unless Charlotte passes an NDO the NCGA finds palatable. That would entail stripping transgender protections in the public accommodations area. That would be unacceptable as that is the area where transgender people experience the most harassment and discrimination.

The other option would be to hope the redistricting and subsequent re-election of the NCGA next year results in there no longer being a republican super majority and a fully inclusive NDO could go in and stand unchallenged at least as long as we have a Democratic governor. In that case we have at minimum a year before a new ordinance can go in. And let me tell you that at least for the Trans community the incidences of harassment have done nothing but increase thanks to HB2 and the Trump campaign. Bigots feel emboldened now and we need protection now more than ever. Next year transgender people are likely to lose a ton of protections that Obama put in place for us: Affordable Care Act requiring medical treatment for Trans patients... GONE, Title IX protections for Trans students... GONE, DOJ case against HB2... GONE, transgender people serving openly in the military... GONE.

So pardon me if I don't have a lot of trust that you all are doing what is best for me, my community, Charlotte, and NC. What good is a government who doesn't stand beside the least of their constituents? We fought hard to make sure you were elected because we were assured you had our backs. All I see now is your back turned against us.

C-16 Trans Rights Bill Passes House of Commons, Heads To Senate

Some wonderful news for our Canadian trans cousins that happened in the runup to TDOR.

On November 18, Bill C-16, also known as the Trans Rights Bill, passed the House of Commons on a Third Reading voice vote after a last ditch attempt by some Conservatives to attach an amendment to it force the bill back into committee.

C-16 passed with overwhelming multiparty support from the Liberals, the NDP and the Greens. Despite some Conservative MP's hating on C-16, it did receive support from many Conservative MP's, many of them who voted against previous versions of the trans rights bill.

MP Randall Garrison (NDP-Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) is the Critic for LGBTQ Issues and has led since 2011 the NDP effort to pass trans rights legislation.  MP Bill Siksay has led the NDP charge to pass trans rights legislation since 2005.



One of those Conservatives who has evolved concerning the trans rights bill was MP Michelle Rempel (C-Calgary).  She expressed that sentiment in her Third Reading House floor debate comments which have been praised across party lines in the Great White North.

“In the last three years, I have watched this community face bigotry, more discrimination, and becoming a flashpoint for fights that we should no longer be having in Canada, she said.

“I especially want to thank the trans activists who have lived through this discrimination. They deserve our thanks, and they also deserve an apology for when we have failed them in the past.”

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould had this to say after C-16 passed

“Today, I am very proud that Bill C-16 has passed the House of Commons. This Bill would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to add gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination. 

It also proposes to amend the Criminal Code to add gender identity or expression to the definition of "identifiable group" for the purpose of the hate propaganda offences and to the list of aggravating circumstances for hate-crime sentencing.

All Canadians should feel safe to be themselves. Our strength as a nation lies in our diversity and our inclusiveness. It is our responsibility to recognize and reduce the vulnerability of trans and other gender-diverse persons to discrimination, hate propaganda, and hate crimes, and to affirm their equal status in Canadian society.

I am pleased that so many Members of Parliament supported this important piece of legislation and I look forward to working with the Senate as it continues through Parliament.”

MP Garrison had this to say in the wake of C-16's passage.

Seeking to address gaps in Canada's human rights protections, I am proud to have worked with transgender and gender variant activists over the past five years. Today, Bill C-16 was passed by the House of Commons. This is the third time that the HoC has affirmed equal rights for all Canadians.

This legislation is now headed to the Senate, one more time. Hopefully, this time, the unelected Senate will act quickly, respect the will of the House, and fill this gap in Canada's human rights protections.

Now comes the hard part of getting it through the Canadian Senate, when two previous trans rights bills have died after passage in the House of Commons..

C-16 had its First Reading in the Canadian Senate on November 22. and now moves to the Second Reading and debate phase in the Canadian legislative process..

Canadian C-16 Trans Rights Bill Successfully Clears Another Legislative Hurdle

Bill C-16, the Trans Rights Bill passed another critical hurdle towards passage in the Canadian House of Commons on Thursday when it cleared its November 3 Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing.

The best news about that committee hearing was that C-16 did so without any amendments being added to the bill and minimal Conservative opposition.

C-16 had its first parliamentary hearing back on October 18 and passed Second Reading on a 248-40 vote prior to being sent to the Justice and Human Rights Committee.

The bill was tabled again yesterday in the House of Commons and is now awaiting its Third Reading vote that proponents of the bill hope will occur before the end of 2016

If it passes its Third Reading vote, it will complete the House of Commons part of the Canadian legislative process and move on the Canadian Senate in which it faces what is expected to be a tougher fight to passage.

It's Trans Awareness Month 2016!

November 1 also means that it is the start of Trans Awareness Month.

Because the Transgender Day of Remembrance happens on November 20 that memorializes the people around the globe we have lost to anti-trans violence, what has happened is that in many locales, a week of activities leading up to that day have occurred with the mission of educating and informing people about our community.

We did something similar in Louisville while I lived there in advance of the TDOR, and in some places it has been two weeks of events leading up to that TDOR date.

Because TDOR also falls close to Thanksgiving, it sometimes tends to get overshadowed by that looming holiday as well.

The Trans Awareness Week concept has been supported by advocacy groups like GLAAD, NBJC, the Transgender Law Center and the Task Force just name a few along with local groups across the nation.

Because Trans Awareness Week tends to get overshadowed at times by the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US, it was expanded in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Trans Political Coalition to a month of events focused on trans human rights.

With trans human rights and our very humanity being under attack by the Republican Party and the conservative movement, the time for a standardized Trans Awareness Month celebration is needed and necessary not only to educate people about our lives, but also to help drive the message that trans rights are international human rights

Happy Trans Awareness Month!.

Gavin Grimm Case Going To The SCOTUS

Looks like the G.G v Gloucester County Schools trans human rights case is about to become a landmark US human rights case

On Friday the US Supreme Court announced that they would hear the Gloucester County, VA school district's appeal to the 4th Circuit ruling that favored Grimm.   It also sets up a landmark case that could determine the course of transgender rights in the US for decades to come.

A group of 23 states led by my transphobic Texas attorney general Ken Paxton (R) is fighting the DOE/DOJ guidelines that were issued by the Obama administration on behalf of transgender students.

The ACLU filed the original lawsuit on behalf of Grimm in 2015 because the Gloucester County board adopted a policy in December 2014 requiring trans students to use only single stall restrooms after some transphobic parents complained to the board.

That was despite the fact that Grimm, who was a high school sophomore at the time the unjust policy was adopted, had been using the boys restrooms for two months without incident with the permission of the school's principal

The ACLU contends that this is a violation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution and Title IX of the US Education Amendments of 1972, which is a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in school.

Translation: The ACLU is arguing that 'sex' in that law covers transgender people.   Ken Paxton and the other right wing transphobes he's leading want to make discrimination against transgender people legal.

Grimm originally lost at the federal district court level, but won his appeal in front of a three judge panel at the 4th Circuit court of appeals level in April.  The 15 judges of the 4th Circuit declined to rehear the case in May, thus establishing a trans positive precedent in the 4th Circuit court states that include North Carolina.   The Gloucester County school board decided to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, which in August unfortunately put the appellate ruling on hold .

The justices have finally decided to get off the sidelines and settle this matter.   It is hoped that by the time they hear this case sometime in April, there will be nine justices to hear it.

We'll also be nervously anticipating in Trans World the Grimm case ruling when it is announced in June 2017.

Not Happy About The Incrementalist Sentiment In White LGBTQ World Over Trans Rights

If civil rights laws without public accommodations language are not acceptable for cis people, then why should transpeople be satisfied with a human rights crumb of an unjust law that cis people wouldn't accept or want to live by?-TransGriot, November 16, 2011

While I was in Philadelphia doing a panel discussion on June 10 during the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, an invitation meeting only meeting was taking place that according to Buzzfeed involved the Gill Foundation and several LGBTQ organizations.

It was a conversation about how to push forward on passing trans human rights laws, and one of the things that disturbed me was hearing some BS words I thought were dead after the 2007 ENDA fiasco in terms of 'incremental progress'

To be more specific, the folks at that June 10 meeting want to basically push a legislative strategy of passing trans human rights laws WITHOUT public accommodation language.   That's not only a non-starter for me and the trans people of color I represent, It's a HELL F-WORD NO in terms of pursuing that strategy.

The proponents are citing what happened in Massachusetts, a state with Democratic legislative supermajorities.

That lack of will to pass a comprehensive bill even with Democratic supermajorities in hand does not need to be the template for what needs to legislatively happen in the rest of what you East and West coast and DC Beltway based orgs derisively call flyover country.

When legislators get the courage to pass trans rights bills, we need to be ready with comprehensive ones, not watered down ones.

I also wouldn't be surprised to discover that the proponents of this incremental trans rights strategy all live in areas that already have comprehensive bills passed that protect them.

I'm sick of White run LGBT organizations who from the safety of the I-5, Washington DC and I-95 corridors trying to insist on and push incremental progress as the only solution to pass incomplete human rights laws for trans people.

That dog won't hunt as we say here in the Lone Star State, so stop trying to sell that incremental progress horse manure.

Trans rights bills without public accommodations language are unjust laws.  In case that term is unfamiliar to you, let me point out for your reading pleasure what an unjust law is according to the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

 "A just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself."

 "To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted  in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."

Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 'Letter From Birmingham City Jail, 1963

The bottom line is that a trans rights law without public accommodations language that allows the dehumanization of trans people and for our haters to continue to discriminate against us for transphobic reasons is an unjust law.

There was no compromise when you lesbian and gay folks pushed marriage equality.  Why should trans folks, who face discrimination in the public accommodations arena, send the message it's okay to do so by leaving it out of a bill that is supposed to protect our human rights, a way to remedy that discrimination and send the message that public accommodations discrimination aimed at the trans population is unacceptable?

Public accommodations are also more than just bathrooms and locker rooms.  It is hotels, restaurants and other public places that we trans folks interact with and face discriminatory behavior.   If you're non-white, unjust profiling can lead to your arrest as Megan Taylor unfortunately experienced in Iowa.

She was able to file a civil lawsuit for the anti-trans discrimination because the Iowa law covers gender identity.and has a public accommodations component.

As we have discovered in Houston, Jacksonville and other locales including blue state Massachusetts, Republicans and their right wing allies are going to fight trans rights bills period with or without public accommodations language, so we might as well continue fighting for comprehensive bills while finding an effective antidote to their fresh out of the Jim Crow segregation playbook of bathroom attacks.

Trans Rights Are Human Rights.   Did it occur to anyone in that June 10 meeting to ponder that basic reality?   So why are you Gay, Inc attempting to foister an unjust legislative strategy on our community and trying to claim it's the only way to pass trans rights coverage?

No it isn't, and I suggest you peeps who get paid more than me to think up ways to make trans rights laws happen get on the job of doing so and ending the blatant societal discrimination we face.  

Canadian C-16 Trans Rights Bill Passes Second Reading!

Been keeping an eye north of the border tracking the progress of Bill C-16, AKA the Trans Rights Bill that was introduced back on May 17.   It's the first time one of these trans human rights bills is being pushed by the governing majority, and it passed another critical step to becoming Canadian law two days ago.

C-16 had its first parliamentary debate on October 18, and as you probably guessed, the Conservatives in their response speech to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould sponsor's speech dragged out the bathroom arguments.

They were swiftly debunked by NDP MP Randall Garrison. in his response speech.



As many of you TransGriot are aware of,  MP Garrison has previously filed two private member's bills that have passed the House of Commons only to get bogged down in the Conservative dominated Senate, or spiked by election calls.  C-16 being a government sponsored bill increases its chance of passage.   He has also tabled C-204, another trans rights private member's bill

C-16 would bar discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act against trans people in the areas of employment.   It would also make changes to the Canadian Criminal Code  so that gender identity and expression are added to the nation's hate speech laws.

The House of Commons voted 248-40 to pass C-16 thanks to unanimous support from the Liberals and the NDP with some Conservative legislators voting affirmatively for it.

C-16 was subsequently sent to the Justice and Human Rights Committee.   If it clears committee, it will then be sent back to the House for a third reading vote.

The hope is that C-16 will be in the Senate before the end of 2016

Two Federal Courts Rule Trans Students Are Protected Under Title IX

While we Texans await the results of an appeal to a case being heard by Reed O'Connor, a GW Bush appointed transphobic judge, the human rights of trans students got a major boost with two recent federal court victories in Ohio and Wisconsin.

It's also another clear example of pointing out who you elect as president matters because the POTUS selects the people who sit on the federal bench.

Increasing numbers of victorious court cases have found that transgender students are protected from discrimination under Title IX, including being forced into separate bathrooms.

Both cases involve trans students and bathroom access and these students trying for years to get the school districts to do the right human rights thing before turning to the court system. .

In Ohio, US District Judge Algenon L. Marbley (Clinton appointee) ordered that the Highland Local School District allow an 11 year old transfeminine student known as Jane Doe to use the girls restroom just like any other girls at her elementary school.

Judge Marbley found in a 45 page opinion that denying Jane Doe use of the restroom consistent with her gender identity violates Title IX.

The school district, which covers parts of Delaware, Knox and Monroe counties,filed the suit in June opposition to the DOE/GOJ Dear Colleague letter and lost.  The attorney for the district have of course, appealed the ruling.to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Sixth Circuit is considered the most conservative leaning in the country, and this ruling holding up in it would be huge.

In the other trans friendly court ruling in Wisconsin, US District Court Judge Pamela Pepper (Obama appointee)declined to dismiss the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by Ash Whitaker and ordered the Kenosha Unified School District to immediately allow 17 year old student Ash Whitaker to be allowed to use the bathroom just like any other boys in his school.

Pepper found that KUSD had violated Title IX denying Ash the ability to use facilities consistent with his gender identity would cause him irreparable harm.  She recognized the emotional, physical and emotional harm that the  discriminatory KUSD policy had inflicted on him.

It was wonderful news to hear about these trans court victories in Ohio and Wisconsin.  These cases are giving us hope in Texas that the courts in the Fifth Circuit will eventually wake up and recognize that trans rights are human rights, and that it's not okay to discriminate against trans students. ,

Texas v. USA Case Hearing In Wichita Falls Friday

For those of you in the Wichita Falls area, the unjust federal transphobic lawsuit that Ken Paxton filed is going to get another hearing on Friday

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS WICHITA FALLS DIVISION STATE OF TEXAS et al.,Plaintiffs,v.UNITED STATES et al., Defendants.§§§§§§§§§§Civil Action No. 7:16-cv-00054-O ORDER Before the Court is Defendants’ Motion for Clarification of the Court’s Preliminary Injunction Order and Unopposed Request for Expedited Consideration (ECF No. 65), filed September 12, 2016.

This motion is set for hearing at 9:30 AM on September 30, 2016. The hearing will take place in the District Judge’s Courtroom, 2nd floor, 1000 Lamar Street,Wichita Falls, Texas.

SO ORDERED on this 26th day of September, 2016.
This motion is set for hearing at 9:30 AM on September 30, 2016. The hearing will take place in the District Judge’s Courtroom, 2nd floor, 1000 Lamar Street,Wichita Falls, Texas.

SO ORDERED on this 26th day of September, 2016.

The Texas v USA case will be heard starting at 9 AM CDT in the 2nd floor District Judge's Courtroom.  If you are a friend, ally to the trans community,or parents of a trans child and can make it to Wichita Falls for that hearing, Equality Texas wants to chat with you

You can also get in contact with Erika Richie of PFLAG Houston and she'll pass on your availability to Equality Texas.

I hope the courtroom is packed with our family and supporters Friday morning, and this time justice prevails.

Federal Judge Rules UNC Can't Enforce Unjust HB2 Potty Provisions

Had more good news for transkind happen on Friday when we got an unexpected HB2 ruling in North Carolina that went our way.

US District Judge Thomas Schroeder (GW Bush appointee) issued a surprising 83 page ruling in our favor and in favor of the three trans plaintiffs that filed a lawsuit challenging Hate Bill 2's anti-trans provisions as violations of Title IX.

Judge Schroeder granted a temporary injunction against the University of North Carolina's attempt to enforce HB 2 against trans Tarheel students and a trans UNC employee that he unfortunately said only applies to the three plaintiffs in the case.

The Carcano v McCrory case goes to trial in November, and in what has to be additional bad news for the North Carolina GOP transphobes, Judge Schroeder stated he expects that the plaintiffs will succeed in proving their claim that  HB 2 is a violation of the Title IX law that bars sex discrimination in schools.

"Today is a great day for me and hopefully this is the start to chipping away at the injustice of HB 2 that is harming thousands of other transgender people who call North Carolina home," said Joaquin Carcano, the lead plaintiffs in this case in a statement released by the ACLU.

"Today, the tightness I have felt in my chest every day since HB 2 passed has eased.  But the fight is not over: we will not rest until this discriminatory law is defeated," Carcano added.  

But evil never sleeps, and the right-wing hatemongers and GOP trans oppressors who passed Hate Bill 2  are determined to continue the fight to oppress trans people as their latest brief they filed in the Carcano case suggests.

However, Judge Schroeder is still reserving judgment on the other parts of their claim that he will make a final ruling on in November.

And FYI, in the 4th Circuit, despite the unjust ruling that came out of Wichita Falls last week by another GW Bush appointee, the positive ruling made in April in the Grimm v Gloucester County case at the 4th Circuit appeals level is the controlling precedent.

I'm also cautiously optimistic after reading the opinion Judge Schroeder issued and this money quote that grabbed my attention:

Defendants argue that separating facility users by biological sex serves prophylactically to avoid the opportunity for sexual predators to prey on persons in vulnerable places. However, the individual transgender Plaintiffs have used facilities corresponding with their gender identity for over a year without posing a safety threat to anyone … Moreover, on the current record, there is no evidence that transgender individuals overall are any more likely to engage in predatory behaviors than other segments of the population. In light of this, there is little reason to believe that allowing the individual transgender Plaintiffs to use partitioned, multiple occupancy bathrooms corresponding with their gender identities, as well as UNC to seek to accommodate use of similar showers and changing facilities, will pose any threat to public safety, which will continue to be protected by the sustained validity of peeping, indecent exposure, and trespass laws. And although Defendants argue that a preliminary injunction will thwart enforcement of such safety laws by allowing non-transgender predators to exploit the opportunity to cross-dress and prey on others ...,the unrefuted evidence in the current record suggests that jurisdictions that have adopted accommodating bathroom access policies have not observed subsequent increases in crime …

We'll see if this is exactly what happens in a few months, but if it does, it's music to my ears and music to the ears of the ACLU, ACLU-NC, Lambda Legal, Equality North Carolina and the Department of Justice, who has also filed their own lawsuit seeking to strike down HB2.

Directive Requires Bathroom Access In Federal Buildings For Trans Citizens

'Federal agencies occupying space under the jurisdiction, custody or control of the GSA must allow individuals to use restroom facilities and related areas consistent with their gender identity'
The Federal Register, August 2016

More trams positive news is coming from inside the beltway   Reporting comes via BuzzFeed and the Washington Blade  concerning a new directive in the Federal Register that states trans people in federal facilities across the US, whether they are employees or visitors to those facilities, must be granted access to those facilities based on their gender presentation.

This directive is building on the increasing body of case law, regulatory agency rulings, EEOC cases and Obama Administration interpretations finding that transgender people are covered under the sex discrimination bans ensconced under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Trans people do not have to complete any medical procedure to qualify to use the facilities that correspond with their gender presentation, are not required to show proof of genital or other trans related surgical procedures, or cannot be restricted to a single occupancy restroom because of their trans status.

There are over 9,200 federal properties from federal buildings to Social Security offices covered by this new directive.

Unfortunately the GSA properties that aren't covered by this upcoming regulation are the White House, the US Capitol Building and national parks.

But this new directive send the unmistakable message and makes it clear that we trans folks can access the facilities that match our gender presentations.  We trans Americans and visitors also have backup on that from the Obama Administration, the Department of Justice, and an increasing body of supportive court cases and administrative rulings.  

British Columbia Finally Passes Trans Human Rights Law!

Provincial trans rights laws in Canada have been on the fast track since 2012, with seven Canadian provinces, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta  plus the Northwest Territories being ones that have laws that explicitly protect  transgender people from discrimination..

New Brunswick, Quebec, Nunavut Territory and Yukon Territory don't have explicit language in their human rights acs, but interpret the current laws in ways that imply trans human rights are covered in those areas

We are also awaiting action on C-16, the federal trans rights bill that has been tabled by the Liberal federal majority and has passed its first reading.

On Monday British Columbia finally joined that list of provinces that protect the rights of their trans citizens thanks to the passage of Bill 27, a bill that was fast tracked through the legislature in one day as transgender BC residents like Tru Wilson, her family and others came to Victoria to lobby for its passage
.
NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert has been trying for five years to get four different private members trans right bills through the BC Legislature without success, so it was a surprise that the BC Liberal majority finally decided on July 25 to table and pass in all three readings Bill 27.

Bill 27 is now awaiting royal assent by BC's lieutenant governor, and adds explicit trans rights protection to the BC Human Rights Code.  Gender identity and expression are now listed as protected classes, and BC trans folks can no longer be fired, lose housing or face discrimination just for being their trans selves.

While Bill 27 was passed unanimously,  there was opposition from one of the ruling Liberal Party MLA's in Laurie Throness.  He cited the usual anti-trans BS to justify his opposition to the bill, called it 'unnecessary', but abstained from voting against it.,

Well peeps, if you live in the Chilliwack-Hope provincial riding, y'all know what to do in the next provincial election.   Vote this transphobic bigot out of office.

Congrats British Columbia for finally recognizing that trans rights are human rights, and doing the right thing in protecting the human rights of BC residents.

Dads For Transgender Equality Video

I've talked more than a few times on this blog about the 'Mama Bears', the awesome mothers of transgender children call themselves who are fighting for the humanity and human rights of their gender variant kids.

We don't hear too often from the fathers of those trans kids, but many of them are just as involved, amazing and determined to make lives better for their kids as the mons are.

I've met and enjoyed talking to one of those trans dad in Wayne Maines, and have been getting more acquainted with those trans das as my interactions with trans parents hear and around the country increase.  

One thing I'm happy to see is that Wayne and the other fathers of trans children are stepping up their leadership game and becoming more vocal advocates for their kids.

Here's a video from HRC highlighting the Dads For Transgender Equality

Trans Commercial To Air During RNC Convention

The Republican National Convention kicks off at noon EDT and during the event as of yet we have not heard of any trans delegates that will be in attendance, unlike the DNC one that will happen next week.

But one of the interesting things that will occur is a commercial that will be run on FOX News pushing for transgender equality courtesy of fairness.org.

You know I'm highly skeptical of what good it will do broadcasting this ad it on a network that at times has mocked and demonized our humanity, but if there are movable people who call themselves conservatives, it can't hurt to try.  

Besides, in addition to getting some of our own recalcitrant peeps on the left to understand that trans rights are human rights issues and it's not cool to discriminate against us, we do have to try to persuade people on the right of that basic premise.

Here's the ad in question.

President Obama Stands Up For Trans People In PBS Town Hall

Another historic moment for transkind took place in a PBS town hall Wednesday  hosted by Gwen Ifill as President Obama continued to cement his legacy as the best president ever on trans human rights.

A question was asked of him during the town hall in Elkhart, IN concerning why the bathroom has become a pressing political issue?

As any trans person can tel;l you, it isn't about bathrooms, it's about human rights coverage for trans people, but check out courtesy of this video how eloquently President Obama made that case.

Massachusetts House Overwhelmingly Passes Trans Public Accommodations Bill

A month after the Democratically controlled Massachusetts Senate passed the trans public accommodations bill,  the Massachusetts House passed the measure on a 116-36 vote.

It passed the Massachusetts Senate on a 33-4 vote   While the Massachusetts House also has a Democratic supermajority like the senate does, the Republican  minority fought the Trans Rights Bill tooth and nail for over seven hours before its final passage.. The GOP opposition proposed 36 anti- LGBT or poison pill amendments to kill the legislation, which all failed.  .

The House bill bans discrimination aimed at trans people in area of public accommodations including restaurants, sports arenas, stores, hotels, schools and sports arena

Before it gets sent to Gov. Charlie Baker's (R) desk for his signature, the bill will have to be reconciled because the house version is different from the Senate passed bill.   Massachusetts senate leaders have indicated that they are ready to speedily accomplish that task, and Gov. Baker has indicated that he will sign it once they do.

And I Gov. baker keeps his word to do so, the Massachusetts trans rights bill passed in 2011 will finally have the public accommodations language it should have contained five years ago.

4th Circuit Denies En Banc Review In Gavin Grimm Case!

Good news for transkind from Richmond, VA.   Several hours ago the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Gloucester County Schools request to hold an en banc hearing in the Grimm vs Gloucester School Board case.   In an en banc review, all the active judges in the 4th Circuit court review the case, and there are currently 15 active judges in the 4th Circuit..

That means the favorable April ruling in the Grimm case stands, and the school board's only option is to take it to the US Supreme Court   The dissent in this ruling came from not surprisingly, Judge Paul Niemeyer (GHW Bush appointee) , who was on the dissenting end of the three judge panel that heard the Grimm case in April .

Of course, Grimm was ecstatic about yesterday's ruling from the 4th Circuit.

“Now that the Fourth Circuit’s decision is final, I hope my school board will finally do the right thing and let me go back to using the boys’ restroom again,” said Gavin Grimm, the high school junior who is the plaintiff in the case. “Transgender kids should not have to sue their own school boards just for the ability to use the same restrooms as everyone else.”

Also happy about the ruling are the folks fighting Hate Bill 2 in North Carolina, since it is under the 4th Circuit's jurisdiction.  .Three cases to strike down HB2 are pending in federal court in addition to the lawsuit the Department of Justice filed against the state several weeks ago.    

We need to stay tuned to see what happens next in this case and if the Gloucester School Board wants to continue being on the wrong side of history and pushing this all the way to the Supreme Court.