Update In The Luna Younger Case!

Trans Texans, our Mama and Papa Bears and allies have been anxiously watching a North Texas court case involving a young trans girl that unfortunately got politicized by the Texas Republican Party, the conservafool media and Texas evilgelicals.

The saga started when Luna's mother, Dr Anne Georgulas, an American Academy of Pediatrics board certified pediatrician, filed for an annulment of their marriage from Luna's father Jeffrey Younger and sought full custody of their AMAB twins that was granted in 2016. 

Luna had been exhibiting signs of gender dysphoria and has identified as a girl since age 3.  Luna's clearly expressed female gender identity and gender dysphoria diagnosis was confirmed by a therapist who specializes in gender issues.   Luna was allowed by Georgoulas starting at age 5 to express her femme gender identity full time.

Jeffrey Younger was opposed to this decision, and decided to get the Texas conservafools involved in their family business by claiming he objected to the transition on ;religious grounds'. 

He set up the now defunct website SaveJames.com to raise fund for his case and started talking to conservative media outlets like the virulently transphobic LifeSite News, claiming that he was fighting to 'protect' his children.  The SaveJames.com website raised $43,930 of its $75,000 goal before it was shut down. 

The Texas Republican Party, eager for a distraction from a major scandal involving Texas House speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and never missing a chance to demonize Texas trans people in the process for their nefarious political gain, stuck their reprehensible noses in this family business.   

They not only outed Luna, but also Dr. Georgulas.   That outing of Dr Georgulas caused major drama in her life and led to vandalization of her property and attacks on her medical practice

As the Right Wing Noise Machine saddled up to attack and smear Dr. Georgulas, Gov Greg Abbott (R), Sen Ted Cruz (R) and Rep Dan Crenshaw (R) tweeted their support of Younger at the #SaveJamesYounger Twitter hashtag. 

Our indicted TX AG Ken Paxton (R) along with Gov Abbott, quickly announced an investigation of the case was being launched by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

That investigation found that Luna identifies as a girl, and did so consistently in three interviews without both parents present.   Luna also expressed during those interviews fear of her father because he refused to allow her to express herself as the girl she identifies as.

The Texas Freedom Caucus also stuck their reprehensible noses in this case.  Rep Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) pledged to author a bill that would declare  transitioning of a minor child as 'child abuse', and Rep Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) wants to introduce a bill banning the use of puberty blockers in children.

With the faux right wing outrage mounting, in October 2019 Judge Kim Cooks (D) of the Dallas based 255th District Court caved, reversed the previous court ruling in favor of Georgulas, and awarded partial custody of Luna to Younger. 

That led to Georgulas filing a motion in November 2019 to have Cooks removed from the case after problematic posts about it popped up on Cooks' Facebook page and called into question her impartiality.  (Cooks is up for reelection in 2022). 

While the FB post was removed, the motion removing Cooks from the case was granted,by Judge Tena Callahan of the 302nd District Court in December 2019.

Judge Mary Brown (D) of the 301st District Court was assigned to the case with a hearing slated for September 25.  The evilgelical devils are already busy spreading their special brand of hate in advance of this court date.   The evilgelicals are also desperately trying to rev up the Right Wing Noise Machine and faux outrage in order to generate donations for the case.     

According to my sources, the evilgelicals have resorted to picketing outside Judge Brown's house with bullhorns in order to loudly express their hateful selves and their brand of not so 'christian' love. 

As for what Jeffrey Younger will do, the Texas trans community, our Mama and Papa Bears,  our allies and the organizations who support us will be watching to see what happens with this trans youngling and her mother and act accordingly. 

We are also only nine seats away from flipping control of the Texas House blue for the first time since 2002, so the upcoming November election will be an even higher stakes one for the Texas trans community. 

Once we're past Election Day, the Texas trans community will also be watching and ready to fight any bill proposed by the TXGOP in the 2021 session that seeks to criminalize or end life saving early transition for trans kids.

We will also be watching for any unjust bills that seek to criminalize doctors for providing such treatment or that attack parents of trans kids.  

And oh yeah, something else I need to say to the Texas Republican Party:  Don't mess with Texas trans kids or their parents.   It won't go well for you.

'Trans In Texas' Documentary Wins an Emmy!

I noted that Kai Shappley has her bag packed to go on a quick trip to New York, but didn't know what the trip was for.

The trip for my adopted niece was for the Short Doc Emmy Awards, and the Trans In Texas documentary in which Kai had a major role in won a Short Doc Emmy.

This was the moment they announced the winner.   I couldn't be happier for Kai and the team that put it together., 

Short Doc_Emmy Acceptance Speech: 2019 from Daresha Kyi on Vimeo.


Congrats

Transphobia An Unacceptable Part Of A VA Middle School's Mass Shooting Drill

Because mass shootings on school campuses happen far too frequently in the United States, one of the facts of life for students currently attending our public schools is active shooter drills.

One recent active shooter drill at a Stafford County, VA middle school had a unnecessary helping of transphobia injected into it   

During the drill, a trans feminine student was not only barred from going into either the boys or girls locker rooms by school staff, she was told by the PE teachers to sit alone in the bleachers and subsequently in the hall while the cisgender students in her physical education class were immediately sheltered in the nearest locker rooms and bathrooms.

This is outrageous on many levels.   An active shooter drill happens so that kids are taught the basic procedures necessary to survive an attack like getting to shelter quickly.   Any hesitation in doing so can be deadly.

The PE teachers in question not only outed the student by doing this, they basically made the problematic statement to the world that you considered the mere presence of this trans child in the student body to be more dangerous than some assailant who is gleefully shooting up a school.

You also left that trans student, through your transphobic actions, exposed had this been an actual active shooter situation. 

Stafford County Public Schools spokeswoman Sherrie Johnson said in a statement concerning this disturbing incident:

"Stafford County Public Schools does not comment on individual student incidents to avoid divulging confidential information. However, the new superintendent has requested a review of all protocols and procedures to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. We take such matters very seriously and they will be addressed. The welfare of all students is of the utmost importance for SCPS."

Ms Johnson, unfortunately the teachers at the SCPS middle school in question failed to demonstrate during the drill that the welfare of this SCPS trans feminine middle school student was of the utmost importance to them,

When asked by reporters if the trans feminine girl should have been allowed into the girls' locker room because she identifies as a girl, Johnson said that all the policies, practices and safety procedures are under review.

The Virginia and national trans community will be watching to see if the SCPS policy review is not only expeditiously conducted, but what recommendations or policy adjustments come out of it that protect this trans child and others that happen to matriculate in this district 

Of course, news of what happened to the still unidentified trans child has pissed some folks off. 
People in the district and the Stafford County area are planning to attend the next scheduled Stafford County Public Schools board meeting scheduled for tomorrow night at 6:30 PM EDT to let the board and new Stafford County Public Schools superintendent Dr Scott Kizner have it.

One thing that needs to be repeatedly stated until it drilled into the heads of every employee and administrators in that district, is that a trans child's life is just as valuable as any cisgender kid. 

And that includes protecting their lives in an active shooter situation.

Happy Fathers Day, Papa Bears!

I talk a lot about the amazing moms of trans kids that have earned the nickname 'Mama Bears' because they are fierce and determined advocates for their trans cubs.

But on this Father's Day, I want to highlight and give a shout out this Father's Day for the Papa Bears, the fathers of trans kids who are just as supportive and just as fiercely protective of their trans offspring as their moms are.

I met the amazing Wayne Maines at the same time I met Jeanette Jennings, back during the 2012 Philly Trans Health Conference, and through both of them subsequently met their amazing trans daughters.   Every time I have a chance to spend some quality time with Wayne at PTHC, we have some long conversations about a wide range of issues in addition to trans politics.

Since then I've gotten a chance to meet the Texas Papa Bears.    I've gotten to meet and know Aaron Richie and his family, and Dallas' Frank Gonzales and his family.   I'm looking forward to meeting Greg Lambert in the near future if I haven't done so already.

All three men were standing tall for their kids during the SB 6 and HB 2899 fights, and I bump into Aaron on a regular basis at various events in the Houston area.    

And yes, there are Black Papa Bears in the person of J.R. Ford, Joseph Ghartey and Chris Neal who support their trans kids and provide them the unconditional love they need to survive and thrive in a hostile at times to trans kids world that is trying to assert despite all the evidence that they shouldn't exist.

Happy Father's Day Papa Bears!  Thanks for all you do to not only help raise your kids, but in some cases are also sterling leadership examples that we trans elders can admire and follow.

ConGRADulations Trans Class of 2017

It's not easy getting an education while trans, and our haters are trying to make it harder for you to do so. You deserve the utmost love and respect for making the investment in yourselves to do so.
-TransGriot, May 3, 2016

Me attending a graduation potluck celebration in Emily Chambers' UH dorm room last night reminded me that I haven't written my annual post congratulating the Trans Class of 2017 and showing y'all some love like I have done for trans classes in previous years.

Congratulations indeed on getting your 'ejumacations' while trans, because the right wing transphobic haters are trying to make it harder for you to do so from grade school to graduate school.

But the bottom line is that you persevered.  You are making the jump from elementary to middle school;.  From middle school to high school.  From high school to college.  From college undergrad to graduate school or to that off campus real world life.

Each jump to the next level of your educational journey has its challenges,.  But if you can successfully navigate a gender transition, school is easy compared to that.  

By doing so, you are committing a revolutionary and evolutionary act at the same time.  You are being revolutionary by being your out and proud selves in those academic spaces and excelling in them.  You are becoming indispensable parts of your various campuses.  many of you have evolved become leaders because you have had to fight to defend your very humanity and right to exist from ignorant transphobes.

And most importantly, you are stepping across those stages at either the main or lavender graduation ceremonies that will happen across the country with diplomas (or diploma covers) in hand.

You also did so while also dealing with the challenges of being a trans masculine, trans feminine or gender non conforming person in a classroom or collegiate setting, and that makes us trans elders and hopefully your families, be they blood or chosen, smile.

Congratulations Trans Class of 2017!    Looking forward to see what happens in your lives over the next few years.

  .

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. ,

Pearland ISD Oppressing A Trans Child

I was not happy to hear that while I was handling my Chautauqua business, the Pearland ISD has decided to be unapologetic trans human rights oppressors and ignore the guidelines contained in the DOE/DOJ 'Dear Colleague Letter.

Kimberly Shappley's five year old trans daughter Kai starts school on August 22, and Shappley appeared at the PISD school board meeting on Tuesday to appeal once again to PISD trustees.

The subject wasn't on their board meeting agenda, but Shappley was trying once again to get the district in Houston's booming southern suburbs to wake up and start treating transgender kids not as people to gleefully demonize but with the dignity and respect they deserve just like every other kid that is in the boundaries of their school district.

Looks like unfortunately at first glance that plea fell on deaf ears, and they are following the lead of their transphobic superintendent Dr. James Kelly.

Kelly back in May made a transphobic comment criticizing the Dear Colleague letter that alarmed Shappley, the Houston area trans community and allies living in PISD and the Houston area.  

Shappley has been told by PISD officials that when Kai begins kindergarten in a few weeks, that she will have to either use the boys bathroom or one in the nurses office.  It is a policy that runs counter to the DOE/DOJ Dear Colleague letter, that encourages districts to allow trans students to use the bathrooms that match their outward gender presentation .

It also violates Kai's civil and human rights.

Shappley said as she addressed the PISD board on Tuesday that the PISD policies create an intolerant atmosphere that promotes bullying and could put her daughter's life at risk.

"You are increasing the risk of suicide among these children.  "I am the mom of a little girl who I want to live." Shappley said to the board.  "I'm fighting for her happiness.  I'm fighting for her freedom."




Since the topic wasn't on the PISD board meeting agenda, the trustees declined to address Shappley's comments either at Tuesday's board meeting or in the media.

But it's increasingly clear that the Pearland ISD, despite their rhetoric that they care about the welfare of all their students, doesn't care about the happiness, lives, freedom and welfare of its transgender students.

They are hell bent on being trans human rights oppressors and unfortunately are willing to continue violating Title VII and Title IX at the behest of bad advice from our indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.   PISD probably won't care about the human rights of Kai and other trans kids in their district until they lose a federal human rights lawsuit.

And that's sad because PISD should be embracing Kai and doing what they can to educate her.  Instead they are taking the path of gleefully oppressing Kai and greasing the skids for her cisgender classmates and adults who should know better at her elementary school to bully her.

Trans United Fund 'Meet My Child' Video

The Trans United Fund has just released in time for Mother's Day a video featuring mother's talking about their trans kids and the loud and wrong anti-trans hate being put out there

The video is entitled Meet My Child, and has three moms discussing the emotions they went through when their children let them know they were trans.

It also points out that there have been 50 anti-trans bills introduced in 20 states, and also has a snippet of Sen.Ted Cruz (R-TX) pushing anti-trans hate on the campaign trail.
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Here's the video, and let's share it for these amazing moms.