2009 Miss International Queen Asks For Tolerance In Japan

Japanese TV personality Ai Haruna held a press conference in Tokyo December 3 in which she stated the desire for Japan to be more tolerant toward transpeople and others of diverse sexual orientations.

The 37 year old beauty was already a household name in Japan before she was crowned Miss International Queen 2009 last month in Pattaya, Thailand.

"I was surprised to see many transgender people work at hotels and restaurants with no problem in Thailand," she said.

"Japan can learn many things from other Asian nations like Thailand and the Philippines."

In Japan, people can legally change their gender on official documents but transgender people still face spoken and silent discrimination, Haruna said.

She recalled condominium owners had declined to let her rent apartments because neighbors may object.

"I was rejected five straight times," she said.

"I think Japan is behind."

Haruna said she had lived with difficulties since when she was a child.

"I was born with a very masculine sounding boy's name. But I always wanted to be a girl, always dreamed of becoming a pretty idol seen on TV."

"But for a long time life was very difficult for me," she said in a quivering voice.

"Even after I had a sex change operation at the age of 19 and had my first boyfriend, I encountered many, many obstacles that constantly made me realize I wasn't a woman."

Haruna said that she wanted to work internationally to raise awareness for sexual minorities. "I want to work for those who are troubled like me."

"I want to work in the world. And of course, I want to be married some day."

And may you be successful not only in raising awareness about transgender issues during your reign, but in your homeland as well.

Georgina Beyer Election To NZ Parliament Tenth Anniversary

Today is the tenth anniversary of Georgina Beyer's grundbreaking achievement.

On this date in 1999 she became the first open transperson in the world to be elected to a national legislative body when she defeated Paul Henry to win the Wairarapa seat for the NZ Labour party and become the world's first transsexual MP.

Traditionally, a new legislator is given 10 minute to make a Maiden Speech as a way to introduce themselves to their new colleagues.

On this 10th anniversary of Georgina's historic achievement, I leave you with an excerpt from tht speech.

Mr. Speaker, I can't help but mention the number of firsts that are in this Parliament. Our first Rastafarian… our first Polynesia n woman… and yes, I have to say it, I guess, I am the first transsexual in New Zealand to be standing in this House of Parliament. This is a first not only in New Zealand, ladies and gentlemen, but also in the world. This is an historic moment. We need to acknowledge that this country of ours leads the way in so many aspects. We have led the way for women getting the vote. We have led the way in the past, and I hope we will do so again in the future in social policy and certainly in human rights.

And hopefully there will be many others following in your footsteps over time.

Sierra Broussard Reaches Settlement In Wisconsin Trans Discrimination Suit

I mentioned Sierra Broussard's case in two posts a few months ago. Since the trial was scheduled to start tomorrow, I was curious to see what had transpired in the suit she filed since I last wrote about it.

This story from the Post-Crescent notes there has been a settlement reached in this case.

The 28 year old biracial transwoman appeared in Outagamie County Court on October 23 in her civil lawsuit against Concepts Unlimited Inc., which does business as the Park Central nightclub.

Broussard said she was twice denied entrance to the nightclub complex and said an employee told her if she "used either bathroom it would cause confusion for the other patrons," and that she should go to a club that caters to "her kind."

Broussard's attorney, Eric Pitsch of Appleton, said the agreement includes a judgment against Concepts Unlimited, but he is not allowed under the deal to discuss its specifics. He did state that the agreement was reached before an upcoming hearing about evidence. "I was preparing the case for trial," Pitsch said.

The judgment dismissed claims against Concepts Unlimited owners Charles A. and Lynn McCarrell, who were named in the original civil complaint.

"I feel more relief than anything," Broussard said. "I plan to take this one more step and use it as an educational tool, educate people on bias and let people know they can't discriminate."

I find it interesting that all this BS started because of the faux hysteria and concern whipped up by haters about what bathroom I or any transperson should use.

It's very simple.

If you're a transwoman, you use the women's restroom. If you're a transman, you use the men's one.

Now Wisconsin GL peeps, here's a question for you?

When are y'all gonna get around to coming back for the trans community and adding transpeople to the non-discrimination law you passed for yourselves and cut us out of back in 1982?

Hopefully, the civil suit settlement sends the message that discrimination against transpeople isn't cool.

But what will emphatically send that message is for the Wisconsin legislature to add transpeople to the existing anti-discrimination law.

Ai Haruna Wins 2009 Miss International Queen

The 5th Annual Miss International Queen pageant came to a successful conclusion Halloween night after a one year hiatus due to last year's Thai political crisis.

The title however, will be leaving the Land of Smiles.

Japan's Ai Haruna beat out 24 contestants from several nations competing for the coveted 2009 Miss International Queen title. The host Thais had to settle for homegirl Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul being the first runner up. Brazil's Daniela Marques was second runner up.

The 37 year old Haruna is a television personality in her homeland and also captured the Angel of Talent competition contested on October 28. Another Japanese contestant, Beni Tukishima took second place while Thai homegirl Sorawee Nattee grabbed the third place spot in the pre-pageant talent competition.

Transwomen from twelve nations and Puerto Rico took part in this year's pageant which not only garners international attention, but is treated by the Thai with the respect and seriousness they give a pageant involving ciswomen.



Congratulations to Ai Haruna, Miss International Queen 2009

Dr. Dana Beyer Running For Maryland House Seat

It seems as though the 2010 election cycle is shaping up to be a potentially historic one for the transgender community.

Kim Coco Iwamoto's first term on the Hawaii State Board of Education is coming to a close and she has yet to declare whether she will run again or seek higher office.

Brittany Novotny's a candidate for the Oklahoma legislature, Pam Bennett's making another run for the Aurora, CO city council after nearly winning in 2007, and Dr. Dana Beyer has decided to make another run for the Maryland State Legislature.

Dr. Beyer currently serves as the senior adviser to Montgomery County MD council member Duchy Trachtenberg and sits on the board of Equality Maryland.

“People should vote for me because they want someone looking out for them, not just taking orders from the antiquated leadership,” Dr. Beyer said. “We need a new approach to very serious economic difficulties if we are to reset our economy and move forward, building a better world for all.”

She's running for Maryland House Seat 18, but will have to get through the primary which takes place September 14, 2010. If she successfully does that and wins in the general election, either she or Brittany Novotny would become the first United States based trans people to win election to a state legislative body.

She's already been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

I wish Dr. Dana the best of luck and hope that this run for the Maryland state house ends in a more satisfying conclusion for her than it did in 2006.

Pam Bennett In The Homestretch For Her Aurora, CO City Council Race

After nearly winning in her first attempt in 2007 running for an at large seat on the Aurora. CO city council, Pam Bennett is making her second run for public office.

She's part of a six candidate field trying to convince the voters of Denver's neighboring city they are the best candidate to garner their votes on November 3.

They are vying to be the at-large member of City Council for the suburban city of 297,835 that lies just east of Denver. Pam's a US Air Force veteran who currently serves as a commissioner for the City of Aurora Veterans Affairs Commission, but wants to do more for the city of Aurora.

Bennett stated on her campaign website:

I am running for Aurora City Council because I want to help Aurora achieve its full potential as a world class city. I am a veteran and a Commissioner on the City of Aurora Veterans Affairs Commission. I have worked in businesses large and small. I volunteer in our community to help others.

I have a diverse background and can bring many resources to the challenges ahead. I will use the strength and experience that I have gained to help the City of Aurora address its variety of challenges during the next four years.

Aurora is emerging as a major U.S. city and a city with a great future. Our city needs a leader ready to work hard for that future. We find ourselves at a time where we must find the path to economic growth and quality of life. Our working men and women and our neighbors need the economic security of a strong working city. Bringing jobs to Aurora is important for our future.

Aurora needs a leader during these difficult economic times; a leader working to bring jobs for our working men and women. Aurora has the start of our future as a healthcare city with medical care and research at Fitzsimmons and the world class healthcare facilities throughout our great city. This is an opportunity few cities ever have. These jobs and jobs created by new businesses will be the new Aurora.

If she wins on November 3, Pam would become the first open transgender politician elected in the state of Colorado, and nationally the first one elected to the city council of a municipality with a population of over 250,000.

Good luck, Pam on election day, and may you have better results than you did in 2007.

Nepali Transwoman Eager For Miss International Queen Challenge

Sudeshna Sarkar of Thaindian News wrote an interesting article about one of the 25 people who will be competing in the 2009 edition of the Miss International Queen pageant.

21 year old Sandhya Lama, is the reigning Miss Gay Nepal and is eager to walk the stage at the most prestigious transgender pageant in the world.

“I am excited,” said Sandhya, who not only is the reigning Miss Gay Nepal, she beat 54 contestants last year to win the Miss Beauty and Brain 2008 pageant title. The pageant was organized by the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal’s pioneering gay rights organization,

“I look forward to telling the world about the leaps made by the gay rights movement in Nepal. The Supreme Court has recognized us as citizens who should have the rights enjoyed by other citizens. It has also approved of same-sex marriages.

“Moreover, when a new constitution, written by the people themselves, is promulgated in May 2010, it will also include recommendations given by us.”

Sandhya's day job is working as a counselor for the Blue Diamond Society. She counsels her peers about the perils of intravenous drug use and advocating measures to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in addition to fulfilling her official duties as Miss Gay Nepal.

Looking forward to seeing if she can add the Miss International Queen title to her increasing list of pageant wins.

Choi Han Bit-Korean Supermodel

Those of us with longer memories would probably dispute that title by pointing out Harisu was the first Korean transwoman to garner international attention.. But 23 year old Choi Han Bit has done something that even trailblazing transwoman Harisu hasn't.

In Korea there is a television show called Open Hall in which beautiful women compete for a chance to become a supermodel. Out of the 1,200 applicants they received for this show, Choi Han Bit was one of the 160 initial contestants selected.

Over the 20 days of competition Choi has continued to impress and advance. She got through the first preliminary round which whittled those 160 contestants down to 50, and then made it through the July 28 second round which cut the remaining ladies down to 32 competitors.






Making the September 25 finals virtually guarantees her 'supermodel status' regardless of whether or not she actually wins

During her speech, according to AllKpop she had lots to say and many people to thank, including her parents.

"Looking back, the situation I'm in would have seemed impossible to me as a child. I'm just so happy to be here right now and I want to become a dignified supermodel as well as a great role model. I would like to thank my parents for actively supporting me through the surgery and the pursuit of my dreams."

When asked if she would like to be a celebrity, she said that she did not want to use her transgender status to become a celebrity, but would rather become a celebrity through her hard work and passion.

At the conclusion of her speech, Choi said, "I would like to send a message to any other transgenders. Be dignified and proud of who you are."

Amen sis. Your transsisters around the world are definitely proud of you.

I'll have to do some searching to find out if she ultimately won the contest. Here's hoping she did.

Leiomy Maldonado Interview

This one was shot during Week 3 of America's Best Dance Crew which sadly, Vogue Evolution didn't win.

I'm still proud of sis and Vogue Evolution.

Sharon Franklin Brown's Story

Thanks to the archived pages of JET magazine, we'll get to take another trip on the way back machine and check out a little trans history with soul.

This time we're going to travel back to November 1995 and the North Carolina campus of Fayetteville State University. We're going to tell the story of transwoman Sharon Franklin Brown's brush with job discrimination.

Sharon grew up in a southern African-American community, feeling the usual angst about her gender issues and sensing her family's shame about them. After telling her parents she was going to make the physical changes to complete her transition, they disowned her for 18 years.

Fast forward to the Fayetteville State campus. The then 29 year old Sharon had been transitioning for seven years at the time was on hormones and working toward getting SRS.

She was attempting to switch from a part time position as a resident adviser in a women's dorm on this HBCU campus to a full time position.

Her supervisor, the late Iris Hunt-Smith said at the time in a Jet interview she was the best residence director she'd ever had.

But when Sharon's old male name popped up while checking her Social Security number, the administrators learned that she was a transwoman.

So what did they do? Bounced her out the door, citing misrepresentation on her application.

Sharon begs to differ. She said at time, "If I wasn't performing up to par I could understand. But the only decision was made according to gender. My being let go had nothing to do with performance. I would still be there today had they not found out."

That was cosigned by her boss Hunt-Smith, the then director of student housing. "She was an excellent residence director. She was doing a good job so I was very sad to see her go."

That experience galvanized her to become an activist and speak to GLBT organizations and groups at various North Carolina universities about her situation such as Duke and the University of North Carolina.

She's still an activist on GLBT employment issues, but now lives in Los Angeles and works for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center there.

You can check out this footage of Sharon speaking at a USC School of Social Work's All School Day on February 7, 2008.



Sharon Franklin Brown continues to remind us why ENDA is vitally important and needs to pressed far more aggressively to final passage than the community is currently doing.

I'm also happy to see that Sharon is still fighting for and representing the African descended trans community as well.

Musing About Carole Small

One of the great things about the digitizing of past EBONY and JET magazine issues is that they act as a digital time capsule that you can search for nuggets of history.

One of the pleasant surprises has been to discover just how much JET covered trans issues of people of African descent back in the day.

On the tail end of the March 16, 1967 issue of JET is a small two paragraph item about a transwoman named Carole Small, who they stated was about to undergo SRS in Denmark.

The story stated that the then 28 year old from Philadelphia, PA was working as a female illusionist and singer garnering quite a following in (West) Germany.

It ends with her stating, "Black women in America are the luckiest on the face of the earth and it will be marvelous to be one."

Assuming Carole is still alive she'd be about 70 now. Does she still echo the same youthful sentiment she expressed in 1967?

Did she stay in Europe or return back to the United States to live her life? Did she get married and blend into society or did she discover that being a transwoman carried its own baggage even if you have the genitalia between your legs?

Assuming Carole is still alive, what advice would she have for her African descended transisters who followed her?

So once again, we have JET introducing us to a transwoman on the verge of getting SRS, then leaving us hanging concerning the details.

And that's frustrating to me as a trans person of African descent who wants to know my history.

Trans Teen Has High School Dress Code Issues In Cobb County, GA

Ah, what would a school year be without some kind of dress code controversy, be it at the beginning or the end of the school year during prom season.

Why am I not surprised about this one? This is the same Cobb County that gained a worldwide negative rep for having an Olympic preliminary volleyball venue taken away from it before the 1996 Atlanta Games because of an anti-gay resolution it passed in August 1993.

The resolution passed by the Cobb County Commission but rescinded in 1997 stated among other things "that the life style advocated by the gay community should not be endorsed by government policy makers because they are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes."

I found out about it thanks to Pam's House Blend and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. BTW, I'm going to use feminine pronouns in this story, especially since she stated in the article, "I don't consider myself a cross-dresser. This is just who I am."

Jonathan Escobar moved from Miami to Kennesaw, GA to live with her older sister and attend North Cobb High School. Her old school in Florida didn't have a problem with her dressing in feminine attire, but her parents did.

Before beginning school at North Cobb, Escobar asked administrators about the dress code and asked if she could wear items like high heels, and brightly colored wigs.

She was told there wouldn't be a problem, but four days after starting school at North Cobb High School the fun started.

Kids will be kids, and someone started cracking jokes at her expense. A friend stood up for her and unfortunately a fight ensued.

School administrators told Escobar that she was now in violation of the section of the North Cobb High School dress code that states:

"All students shall be required to…refrain from any mode of dress which proves to contribute to any disruption of school functions.”

Translation, Escobar was told she had to dress more like a male or she couldn’t come to school.

Her sister Veronica says she's shocked by what has happened.

"I didn't think they would take it this far," Veronica Escobar said.

Escobar says she wasn't a disruption in the classroom, but she attracted attention in the lunchroom. "Everybody was surrounding me," she said.

On her second day of school, Escobar says he was pulled out of class to speak with a police officer who told her he was concerned about the student's safety.

"They should've told the students to back off," Escobar said. "They should have never given me the option of homeschooling or changing who I am."



In her short time at the Kennesaw school, Escobar has apparently made a lot of friends. By Tuesday evening, nearly 900 supporters had joined a Facebook group called "Support Jonathan." Many were planning to purchase a bright pink T-shirt with the same phrase.

Escobar says she wants to be allowed to attend school and eventually graduate. But she doesn't want to stifle what she calls her art.

"If I can't express myself, I won't go to school," he said. "I want to get the message out there that because this is who I am, I can't get an education."

Happy Birthday Isis!

Today is my little sis Isis King's birthday.

Who knew that when we celebrated the fact last year she was the first transwoman to appear on America's Next Top Model she'd become more popular and well known than the person who actually won Cycle 11?

She has continued to be a classy role model for all of us, and I wish my sis on her 24th birthday nothing but positive blessings and a happy and healthy life.

Oh yeah, have some fun for me at your birthday party as well.

Brittany Novotny To Challenge Oklahoma Homobigot Sally Kern

Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, one of the GLBT community's virulent Christohaters, will have to fight to keep her office in 2010.

After spending a few weeks exploring her political options, civil rights attorney Brittany Novotny announced on September 27 she is going to challenge Oklahoma's nationally renowned hater.

The voters of House District 84 deserve a representative who will fight for them. So today, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for State Representative. I believe I have the drive, dedication, and determination to fight for the people of the district on the real issues they face—jobs, education, and transportation. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with my neighbors and voters in the district in the coming year as we build this grassroots campaign to give the voters a real choice to have a representative who will fight for their issues and build a brighter future for Oklahoma.

If you think I'm kidding about Sally Kern, peep what she had to say in the district about the GLBT community.



Kern's homophobia according to several business people has cost Oklahoma jobs. Two corporations that were set to move high wage jobs to the state changed their mind after hearing Kern's anti gay tirades.

Novotny is attempting to make history in the process. If she's successful in knocking off the homobigot Republican (what else?) in their race to represent Oklahoma's 84th House district, she would also become the first out US transperson to be elected to a state legislative body.

While both candidates stated they want to keep the race focused strictly on the issues facing the people of Oklahoma's 84th district, you know the Reichers aren't going to let Novotny's trans status slide without some attacks, especially if Kern is put in a position where she's losing the race.

"I've addressed that, and I've not had any Oklahomans treat me different. They are good people who are going to judge me for who I am and judge me for my ability to go be a fierce advocate who's going to fight for them."

She has already set up a website in which you can make donations to her campaign and keep up with what's transpiring in her race.

She's going to need it. The Reichers will fight tooth and nail, empty their dirty politrick bag and flood Kern with cash. After losing US Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) in the 2008election cycle they will do everything possible to keep their poster child for GLBT intolerance in that chair.

We need to be fighting even harder against the Forces of Intolerance to put a quality candidate like Brittany in the Oklahoma legislature.

Here's her bio:

The youngest of five siblings, Brittany Novotny was born on March 6, 1980, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Theresia and Louis Novotny. She grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Westmoore High School in 1998. After high school, she went on to USAO, where she worked at a local youth shelter, while also managing a full-course load. Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Sociology in 2002 and embarked on a career in law.

She earned her J.D. from the University of California – Hastings in 2005. Despite her time in California, Brittany saw that she could make the greatest difference as a lawyer back in her home state.

She subsequently moved back to Oklahoma City and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 2005. In 2007, she started her own law practice in Oklahoma City focusing on employment and civil rights law, while also doing some pro bono work for several clients. Recently, she began in-house counsel work with the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 916.

In addition to managing her own career, Brittany has also been an active member of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. As a member of the Young Democrats, she serves as the National Committeewoman and the chair of the YDO LGBT caucus.

Brittany is a hard-working Democrat dedicated to improving Oklahoma for subsequent generations. She has tirelessly advocated for civil liberties and equality within the state, recently receiving the 2009 Leadership Award for Community Action from RAIN Oklahoma, and has become a mainstay of Oklahoma politics."

Congratulations, Brittany! If I lived in your district you'd definitely have my vote. I'll have to vote with my dollars instead.

Looking forward to meeting you one day and best of luck in your quest to get elected to the Oklahoma House.

Miss You, Jahna!

Today would have been my fellow Texan Jahna Steele's 51st birthday.

The San Antonio born Jahna was part of the Crazy Girls Revue at the Riviera in Las Vegas starting in the late 1980s. She was voted Las Vegas' Sexiest Showgirl in 1991 and things were going well for her until she was outed by the tabloid TV show A Current Affair a year later.

She resurfaced in 2004 after moving to Hawaii and making early 90's guest appearances on several talk shows, an episode of NYPD Blue and nightclub singing stints.

She was the hostess of The World's Most Beautiful Transsexual Contest' that was documented in the film Trantasia.

Jahna was working on an autobiography and reviving her singing career when she tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in Las Vegas on January 24, 2008.

She had a colorful life and won't be soon forgotten.

Rest in peace, sis.

The Interesting Story Of Gerald Trenton

TransGriot Note: One of the things that I absolutely love about the digitizing of our iconic EBONY and JET magazines and their subsequent availability on Google Books is that it has allowed me to unearth some interesting stories of back in the day African descended transpeople.

Today I'm going to take you back to 1963 and tell you the story of Gerald Trenton, who was discussed in the February 7, 1963 issue of JET.

I'm going to use female pronouns and the feminine derivative of the birth name since Geraldine expressed the desire to transition. Unfortunately the JET article doesn't chronicle the femme name.


When 17 year old Geraldine moved to California in 1958 she tried to find a job but had two problems. She was a light skinned Black person who was read as effeminate by potential employers even while dressed as a male.

So after 60 job rejections, young Geraldine decided since she was 5 foot 9 inches tall, had no facial hair and weighed 125 pounds, she would try job hunting as a woman.

Trenton said at the time, "I'm a terrible looking boy. But as a woman, I'm not unattractive; nothing special, but not bad.

Her dressing for feminine success paid instant dividends along with her fair skinned complexion that employers mistook for being white.

She worked as a waitress in a San Francisco diner for almost two years without raising suspicions, then quit that job to become a popular female illusionist at a local nightclub. But because she would get depressed when she had to switch back to male attire, she quit that job.

Trenton said about the female impersonation job, "I would have to go back into boy's clothing after performing, and I'm not happy as a boy."

Trenton then drifted across the bay to Oakland and shared an apartment for two months with two cis women. Unfortunately they stole her dresses and left her almost denuded of feminine attire.

Trenton then moved into an Oakland YWCA for four days until she got back on her feet and took a job as a secretary.

It didn't take her long to garner the amorous attention of her male coworkers. She remarked about him to JET, "That he paid more attention to things other than work."

The now 22 year old was chased around her desk, pinched and felt up by her boss as well to the point where she quit her job.

Trenton's luck took another twist when she was hanging out with some gay friends. They we minding their own business and having a great time, but the homophobic owner called the po-po's, who arrested her for 'immoral dress'.

Translation: violating the anti-crossdressing ordinance on the books at that time.

Trenton said, "I suppose it will be even harder for me to find a job now."

She expressed her wish to permanently become a woman and visit a Los Angeles based surgeon to make that happen.

She also had some words to say in that JET article that we echo to this day. "I wish people would have more understanding about homosexuals. People don't realize how many there are. It could be their own father or mother. You never know."

One thing we don't know if Trenton got her SRS wish fulfilled as well.

Transwoman Exploring Run To Challenge Homohater Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern

One of the things I've argued for years along with people such as fellow Trinity Award winner Dawn Wilson and others is that transpeople need to start running for and getting themselves elected to public office.

Whether it's large or small city councils, county commissions, school boards, mayor's chairs, judges, state legislatures and ultimately Congress, we just need to do it.

Transpeople in other nations such as former New Zealand MP Georgina Beyer have successfully done so, and it's past time we emulate that in the States.

While we had some successes, we can always use more

That's why I was happy to hear that Oklahoma City attorney Brittany Novotny is currently exploring a run to take on homophobic Republican Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern in the 2010 election cycle. She's planning on making a formal announcement either later this month or in October about her political plans.

Novotny graduated from University of California – Hastings College of the Law in 2005 and began a private practice in 2007 specializing in civil rights and employment law.

She has set up a website with a donation button. Her first event is a September 18 wine and cheese fundraising reception in Norman, OK.

Novotny wrote on her site web page, “we need a representative who values all families in the district, who is dedicated to bringing good jobs to Oklahoma, and who will work tirelessly to make sure our children are getting the best education in our public schools. I believe I have the experience, drive, and determination to do that.”

The 84th House district seat she's contemplating running for borders the Oklahoma House district of the only openly gay legislator in the Oklahoma House, State Rep. Al McAffrey (D-Oklahoma City)

Kern earned the ire of the GLBT community last summer when she stated, "I honestly think it [homosexuality] is the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.”

In June Kern issued her "Declaration of Morality', in which she stated that the United Sates was the “world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse and many other forms of debauchery.”

Kern has also earned the ire of the business community as well. Because of her homophobic antics and being a proud member the GOP bat guano wing, Republican consultant Brenda K. Jones claimed two companies that were about to announce a move to Oklahoma changed their plans according to a report in the Oklahoma City Journal Register.

Former Oklahoma County commissioner Jim Roth said Novotny has “a genuine understanding of the dignity intended for all citizens by our constitution. Her service will be a wonderful departure from the crazy, homophobic rantings of one-issue Sally Kern.”

He added, “I’ve known Brittney for years and I know she’s dedicated to growing jobs, improving schools and helping people.”

I hope she decides to throw her hat in the political ring and run. If she does, it won't be easy. The Christohaters love Kern and definitely will pull out all the cash and the negativity they can muster to keep her in office.

We have to be just as determined to do whatever it takes to put Brittany in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

If Novotny does run, I hope she gets to make a little history while deliciously knocking out of office one of our enemies.

Happy Birthday Caroline!

The Caroline I'm referring to in this post is one of our transgender icons. Back in the 70's and 80's she was a Bond Girl, model, author of two books, civil rights activist, a Paris showgirl and even posed for Playboy.

Today Caroline Cossey, AKA Tula is celebrating her 55th birthday.

She grew up in Britain, worked in Paris, Rome and London as a showgirl, had her SRS at 20 and became a sought after high fashion model.

But after achieving her childhood dream of being a Bond girl and appearing in the For Your Eyes Only Bond movie, she was outed by a British tabloid. It derailed her push to become an actress and temporarily sidelined her modeling career.

She fought back by releasing her first autobiography in 1982 entitled I Am A Woman

Upset about the jacked up British laws concerning the legal status of transsexuals in the wake of the Corbett v. Corbett case, in 1983 she filed suit against the British government to get the legal status of transsexuals changed.

While the legal process percolated through the British judicial system she made numerous media appearances and campaigned tirelessly for transsexual civil rights

After seven years, in 1989 her case reached the European High Courts in Strasbourg, France, where they ruled in her favor. The conservative British government promptly appealed it,

She got married in the wake of the court ruling to businessman Elias Fattal. Soon after she'd returned from her Caribbean honeymoon, the same tabloid that outed her earlier, News of the World, did so again.

During this ugly period, her marriage to Fattal was annulled, her car was sabotaged, and she received death threats. To top it all off, in 1990 she received an adverse ruling from the European Court that reversed her win from the year before.

Despite all the drama swirling around her, she released her second autobiography, My Story and resumed her modeling career.

It does end happily for her. In 1992 she met and married Canadian David Finch and has since moved to the States.

Happy birthday to Caroline Cossey, another one of our transgender icons. May you have a nice quiet stress free day down in Georgia.

I hope to one day get to meet you in person and tell you how much of an inspiration you were to me growing up.

Tenika Watson's Story

When Teddy Pendergrass had the traffic accident that paralyzed him back in 1982, there was another passenger in his car whose life was affected as well.

Then 31 year old Tenika Watson's injuries were more emotional than physical. Her life after the accident suffered as a result of the publicity surrounding the crash and after she was outed as a transwoman.

She said about Pendergrass at the time. "I was concerned about him. I was concerned if he was really hurt. I feel about him as I do about any other human being. I thought we were both going to die."

The 5'10" beauty was on her way to becoming a model when the fateful traffic accident occurred. It took according to her an hour and 45 minutes to free her and Pendergrass from the wrecked car before she was taken to the hospital.

She told Philadelphia Tribune writer Barbara Faggins in an interview published in the May 31, 1982 issue of JET that the medical people on duty were more concerned with getting a urinalysis test done than finding out about the extent of her injuries.

"They were interested in finding out what I had in my system. The wanted to find out what was in my urine." I was very upset with them. I must have gotten to the hospital around 1 AM and didn't leave until 6 AM."

I remember at the time there was much Hateraid directed at her from die hard ciswomen Teddy fans. Pendergrass used to have 'For Women Only' concerts back in the late 70's and they loved them some Teddy. Some even ignorantly blamed her for the accident as if she was driving the car.

"My family and friends are angry because of what they've read in the papers about me." she said. "What really upset me was the fact that the papers made me out to be some animal or demon and that I was not a God fearing person."

Amen sis.

She was asked by Faggins if there was any part of her life that she would like to change, Watson stated, "I wish I had been born genetically a woman instead of having to get surgery. Society won't accept me as a woman."

I had a recent conversation with Dionne Stallworth, and she tells me that Tenika is still in the Philly area. I would love to hear from Tenika what has transpired in her life since it was turned upside down by that traffic accident.

Littleton v. Prange 10th Anniversary

Kat Rose reminded me of another anniversary taking place this month that jolted the Texas transgender community when it went down ten years ago.

It's the sad anniversary of the 1999 Littleton v. Prange case.

San Antonio native Christie Lee Cavazos transitioned back in the 1970's as part of a university sponsored gender program. She'd gotten her corrective SRS surgery and moved on to quietly live her life in stealth as transpeople were advised to do back in the day.

She was briefly living in Kentucky when she met Jonathan Mark Littleton. She fell in love, told him about her past, he didn't care, they got married, moved to Texas and she concentrated on building her thriving hair salon.

They had been happily married for seven years when Mark died as a result of alleged medical malpractice by Dr. Mark Prange. Christie Lee sued as the surviving spouse and the case shall we say was badly mishandled.

During the depositions it surfaced that Christie Lee had been identified as "male" on her original birth certificate. The defendant's attorneys sought summary judgment on the theory that Christie was a "male" at the time of her marriage and is still a "male" -- "same-sex" marriages being illegal, then Christie Lee's marriage was invalid and thus she did not have any legal standing to file suit.

In other words, they used DOMA to invalidate her marriage, even though DOMA was not in effect at the time she and Mark tied the knot.

In addition, Justice Phil Hardberger tried to use chromosomes as the defining factor WITHOUT knowing what Christie Lee's chromosome patterns were.

It also screwed Christie Lee out of a share of the $2 million settlement that the rest of the Littleton family got, and she's the one who filed the suit in the first place.

Texas justice at its finest.

It addition to stripping Christie Lee of her legal gender ID as female in the 4th Circuit it set up a convoluted mishmash of gender confusion. I'll have to ask Kat if the 2003 constitutional ban on same gender marriage changed anything.

In the wake of that ruling, in my birth county and elsewhere in the Lone Star State I'm legally female. The minute I cross over into Bexar County or the 32 others covered by the Texas 4th Circuit I'm back to being 'male'. I can get married to a male in the rest of the state, and to a woman in the 32 4th Circuit counties.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that in the rush to screw Christie Lee, they made same gender marriages legal in the 32 Texas counties affected by the Texas 4th Circuit.

After her attorneys who screwed the legal pooch dropped her, she ended up being represented by transgender attorneys Phyllis Frye and Alyson Meiselman. They tried to get the case reversed in 2000, but the all-Republican at the time Texas Supreme in April 2000 denied the hearing. The US Supreme Court in October 2000 denied it as well.

Christie Lee did rebound from this. She ended up getting remarried and became an activist in the state for transgender issues.