Trans Person Elected To Office In Peru!

History was made on October 5 as the first out trans person was elected to public office in Peru.

Lucia Revilla Urcila (left in photo) was elected by the voters to a seat on the local council in La Esperanza in the province of Trujillo in northwestern Peru.


This electoral breakthrough in that nation came mere weeks after a groundbreaking September 5 LGBT conference of 300 Latin American and Caribbean LGBT advocates was held in Lima with the goal of increasing LGBT political participation in their various nations.

One of the co-organizers of that conference was the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute along with the US Agency For International Development.

“I will execute my office with great humility and tenacity,” Revilla told the Washington Blade on Thursday. - See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/10/10/peruvian-voters-elect-countrys-first-trans-council-member/#sthash.DNPI1XWc.dpuf

This is also wonderful news after several trans people in various nations across the South American continent in 2012 and 2013 fell short in their attempts to get elected to their respective national legislatures in Colombia,  Ecuador, and Chile.

The 43 year old Revilla told the Washington Blade in a recent interview, "I will execute her office with great humility and tenacity."

"I am going to promote equality and say no to discrimination" she said to the Blade.  "We want everyone to have equal access, to succeed and achieve their goals. When there is no discrimination, there is pacification. Infrastructure and modernity is important, but promoting values and having concern for the people matters even more."

Revilla's win was hailed by Peruvian LGBT activists as a watershed moment for their country and their movement.

"We as a community feel proud for the significant achievement of our colleague," said Lima-based trans advocate Maricielo Pena Hernandez. "The labor we had undertaken years earlier for the fight for respect of our rights have seen their fruits come to bare, showing the bad perception that society has toward us is going to change."

It remains to be seen if this is the small step that results in giant leaps of progress for not only Peruvian trans people, but their national TBLG human rights movement.

But it definitely is an accomplishment to be celebrated.

“I am going to promote equality and I will say no to discrimination,” she said. “We want everyone to have equal access, to succeed and to achieve their goals. When there is no discrimination, there is pacification. Infrastructure and modernity is important, but promoting values and showing concern for the people matters even more.” - See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/10/10/peruvian-voters-elect-countrys-first-trans-council-member/#sthash.DNPI1XWc.dpu

Smithsonian Adds Trans Items To Expanded LGBT History Collection

Yesterday The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History added hundreds of photographs, papers and historical objects to its collection to document the history of trans, bisexual, gay and lesbian people.   And in case you're wondering about it, yes, the trans end was ably represented on this day. 

One of the trans items donated was a wooden tennis racket from Renee Richards, who turned 80 years old yesterday and was one of the newsworthy trans folks of the 1970's.  After she was denied entry to play in the 1976 US Open because of a hastily enacted USTA women-born-women policy, she won a landmark New York Supreme Court trans rights decision in 1977.

Another of the trans-specific items donated for historical posterity was the original trans pride flag created by longtime Atlanta based trans advocate Monica Helms back in 1999 along with a Transgender American Veterans Association button, a TransParentday.org rubber wrist bracelet, Trans and Proud and Trans Ally buttons  and items from Monica's military career in the US Navy.  

This ceremony also took place on the 15th anniversary of the August 19, 1999 day she created the trans pride flag she is donating to the Smithsonian.  

Helms was in Washington DC for yesterday's donation ceremony and obviously thrilled to be representing the trans community on this momentous day.  In her remarks she spoke to the importance of the 'T' being repped in this expansion of the National Museum Of American History's LGBT collection.

Thank you Director John Gray, Katherine Ott, Jennifer Jones and Valeska Hilbig for all that you have done to make this moment possible. This is a historical honor for all transgender and gender non-conforming people across our country. We have always been part of America’s history since the beginning, yet we have also been marginalized the entire time.

Now, the Smithsonian and the American Government are saying that our history is worthy of being displayed, along with that of our fellow Americans. The Transgender Pride Flag was created to give our community a unique symbol for us to show that we are proud of who we are. Not only have trans people in America embraced the flag, but trans communities in other parts of the world have also embraced it. If weren’t for them we would not be here today. The honor goes to the people of the world’s trans community. Transgender and gender non-conforming people of America are truly part of this country that we all love.

And, since the Smithsonian will be displaying items from my military career, they are also acknowledging that we have contributed to the security of our country since the Revolutionary War. We only hope that the Department of Defense and President Obama hears this message and allows transgender and gender non-conforming people the right to serve openly in the military, like our gay, lesbian and bisexual brothers and sisters are doing today.

Thank you for this honor.

***

Sea Monica shot me an e-mail before her departure to DC for yesterday's donation ceremony and I asked her a few questions.

TG- What prompted the Smithsonian to seek to enshrine the original trans pride flag and when did they contact you?

MH- I contacted the Smithsonian a year ago. They are starting to collect LGBT artifacts, so I contacted them at the right time.

TG- How excited were they about getting the original trans pride flag and to your knowledge what other trans historical artifacts are going into their collection?
MH- They were very excited. I was surprised.  They became more excited when they understood how important this was to the trans community.

TG- How soon will Smithsonian visitors be able to see it?

MH- It may take them a year or more before the display is put together and put out to the public. They will let me know. It will be on permanent display versus temporary.  It will be in their Armed Forces Flag display section, because I was in the Navy.

***

So how important is this?  BFD important.  Just as it happened when the April Ashley exhibit opened last September in her hometown Liverpool Museum, it notes to the world and our haters that transpeople exist. 

It loudly says to the world we have a proud history we can show to our transkids and others that The Smithsonian thought was worthy enough to be enshrined in its National Museum of American History halls.    It's one of the reasons I participate in efforts locally and elsewhere to document trans history on behalf of my African-American trans community.   It's why I keep a lot of my papers and memorabilia around so I can pass them on so future generations can enjoy them.

Thank you Sea Monica for helping to ensure that when The Smithsonian was looking to expand the LGBT collection, items representing the trans end of the community were included.

6th Annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit Recap

To be honest, I'd like to take a road trip to San Antonio, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin or even better one of our Texas HBCU campuses in Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M to attend or teach a seminar at a TTNS one day.
-TransGriot, July  21, 2013    5th Annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit Recap.


You know what they say about being careful for what you wish for, you just might get it.  

And what we got for the 6th Annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit on August 8-9 was a road trip.  For the first time in TTNS history, we Houston folks would have to hit the road to attend an event that was born inside Beltway 8.  

The 6th edition of the TTNS would be hosted by the wonderful folks at Texas State University in San Marcos, and I hit I-10 west on a warm sunny Thursday morning with Maria Gonzales, Kristen Capps and Daniel Williams for the 166 mile run to their campus nestled between Austin and San Antonio. 

And yes, there were some very interesting conversations during that drive. 

Texas State used to be known as Southwest Texas State until the 2003 name change, and its most famous alum is Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States along with country singer George Strait and actor Powers Boothe.. 

After a lunch stop at the 80 year old Frank's Restaurant along I-10 in Schulenburg, we hit San Marcos a little after 2 PM   Our hotel was across the street from a popular outlet mall, and the hotel was surprisingly full because we had the double whammy of summer graduation on the Texas State campus transpiring Friday and the start of the Texas tax free shopping weekend.  

Ironically it was hotter in San Marcos than the home sweet humidity I left behind, with the temp hitting 102 degrees F (39 C).  Not long after I settled into my room and decided to grab some ice and something to drink, I ran into my roomie Nikki Vogel in the hallway.   The last time I'd seen her was when UH was trying to pass the Tittsworth Act.   Since then she's been working on her masters at UT-Austin and is taking a killer class load to get it done in less time.

Several hours later we were making the short drive down I-35 south to New Braunfels and Oma's Haus to sample its tasty German-Texan cooking.  I had their German chocolate cake for dessert, and Mom, yours is light years better. 

I passed on the peanut butter fudge knowing I needed to get some sleep for our busy day tomorrow. 

Friday dawned with Nikki and I after a pit stop at a nearby Starbucks to get her coffee, heading to the LBJ Student Center at 8 AM to help set up its cavernous third floor ballroom for breakfast and the historic first day of the TTNS.  

After the meet and greet phase, founder Josephine Tittsworth took to the stage at 9:30 AM to welcome everyone to the TTNS and introduce Dr. Sherri Benn, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs at Texas State. 

I'd already started during the meet and greet at our table having an awesome conversation with her, Dr. Audwin Anderson and Jesse Silva in which we were discussing a wide range of topics before the TTNS day started.  

She welcomed everyone to the Texas State campus and laid out in her occasion speech why we were there.  Dr. Benn is also an ordained minister, and it was evident in her rousing speech.
 
After Dr. Benn's speech concluded, Josephine introduced our MC Jenifer Rene Pool, who shortly after taking the stage introduced our Friday keynote speaker in Dr. Gage Paine, the Vice President for Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin just up I-35 from San Marcos.

Dr. Paine's keynote started at 10:55 AM and was entitled 'The Power of Paradox'.  She talked about the university paradox of being a guardian of tradition, yet also being an agent for change.  Another interesting point she made during her keynote is that what needs to be done to create allies for systemic chance is not to talk more, but to listen. 


Another point that jumped out at me during her speech is that mixed messages are part of the paradox.   Dr Paige closed with another thought provoking message in be yourself, but live in community before taking questions from the audience.

After lunch came the initial session of the 2014 TTNS conducted by Iliana Melendez, the Student Conduct Officer for Texas State, entitled Understanding Title IX on a College Campus.   Melendez's presentation focused on the parts of Title XI discrimination claims based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity.

In addition to pointing out it protects students, faculty and staff, she then talked about the expansion of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act of 2013 that takes effect October 1, and the Know Your IX website.  When she was done answering questions about her presentation, Josephine took to the stage to talk about the Macy v Holder case and the Title XI sections that help trans collegiate students

After a ten minute break, at 2:30 PM we prepared to leave the ballroom and head to the first concurrent sessions of our choice.  The choices were Chris Busby's Engaging The Conservative Movement In Meaningful Dialogue or Supporting Trans* Students of Color

Since I'd checked out Chris' seminar last year, I decide to check out the one in LBJSC 3-14 taught by the Texas State team of Corey Benson, Jesse Silva, Iliana Melendez and Texas State police officer Sue Taylor.

It was an interactive seminar that discussed the point that we all have multiple dimensions of identity.   There was some lively discussion about privilege being brought into all marginalized spaces and needing to be aware of that ended far too soon at 3:40 PM  

After we returned to the ballroom for closing remarks from Josephine, Day 1 of the TTNS at Texas State ended with a reception that lasted until 5:30 PM  

Two hours later Nikki, Josephine, Cheryl Cabusas and I headed to Centerpoint Station, another local eatery that had milk shakes made with Blue Bell ice cream.  Passed on them this time because I was full from the meal.

Day 2 of the TTNS began with Corey Benson introducing our Saturday welcoming speaker in Dr. Brandon Beck who had made a little trans history of his own the day before.   Dr. Beck became the first open transperson to earn a doctorate at Texas State, and he picked it up at the summer graduation ceremony the day before.

After his speech, I got to teach starting at 9:30 AM my Contemporary Texas Trans History seminar in LBJSC 3-14, while in LBJSC 3-13 the other concurrent seminar was Transgender Perspectives: Learning From Literature that Dr. Brandon Beck was teaching. 

After that seminar block, we returned to the ballroom at 10:55 AM for Jenifer's introduction of our Saturday keynote speaker in Equality Texas Field Organizer Daniel Williams.

Daniel's entertaining and informative keynote speech was entitled  'A Tale of Three Amendments'.  It discussed the odious attempts by Texas Republican legislators Wayne Christian and Bill Zedler to shut down LGBT resource centers on Texas collegiate campuses and the progress made in getting bipartisan support to keep them alive.  His speech also discussed the Littleton v Prange and Delgado v Araguz trans marriage cases and noting that with the looming January start of the 2015 Texas Legislative session we will have to fight  hard to defend those gains  

After the opportunity to ask Daniel some questions we moved to lunch and the concurrent sessions starting at 1:15 PM.  The choices were the Transgender Legal Issues one by the Frye, Oaks and Benavidez PLLC Law Firm in LBJSC 3-13 and Trans*cending Limitations: Student Panel on Creating Spaces For Trans* Identified Students and Allies moderated by Dr. Brandon Beck in LBJSC 3-14.

I wanted to see the student panel, so LBJSC 3-14 was where I ended up.   It was an interesting discussion of Texas State students that lasted right up until the scheduled 2:45 PM end time and our return to the ballroom. 

Ten minutes later a panel comprised of people who have helped create change on collegiate and school district level policy answered questions from the audience until 3:45 PM.  . 

Then came the What's Next? remarks from Jenifer, followed by the closing remarks and thank yous from Josephine.   And as quickly as it had started, the 6th annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit at Texas State came to an end. 

The Houston contingent on our way back home stopped in Luling to chow down on some tasty barbecue before we played tag with each other on I-10 east all the way back to H-town.  I got to ride with Nikki on the way back so she wouldn't be making that drive by herself..

This TTNS broke its all attendance record set at the 2010 event at Rice University with 82 people in attendance.   Two attendees thought it was important enough to make a 495 mile drive (one way) from West Texas A&M in Canyon, TX to the San Marcos campus of Texas State. 

It also exposed the event to Central Texas, got it out of the Houston-Gulf Coast area where it was founded, and fulfilled the dream of founder Josephine Tittsworth that the TTNS be an event held on college campuses around the state to discuss these transgender-specific higher education issues     

As to what Texas school will host the 7th annual TTNS?   Good question.   If you're interested in hosting it, send the proposal.  But you know I'll pass on that news as to the 2015 host school as soon as I receive it.

Say Hello To Andreja!

So it will be interesting to see in 2012 how Andrej Pejic tops this and what other interesting developments happen in Pejic's life gender wise..
--TransGriot, January 15, 2012,  Andrej Pejic Does Bra Ad.

There has been an interesting development and major change in androgyne supermodel Andreja Pejic's life recently.  

Nope, that's not a typo. As many of us in Trans World had an inkling would probably happen after the Bosnian born Aussie first burst into the fashion world's consciousness by doing androgynous fabulousness while ripping the worlds fashion runways, the 22 year old Pejic on Wednesday came out as trans and revealed she has undergone SRS.

Pejic also revealed she recently changed her name in addition to releasing a statement that from now on she would only exclusively model women's clothes.   She also noted in the statement she is receiving support from her modeling agency, friends and family.

She also conducted an interview with GLAAD published on Style.com that discussed her transition. 
 

Andreja also had this to say in a message on her Facebook page directed at trans youth.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the love and support throughout the years. You've all helped me through this journey and I have learned a lot and really come into my own and the response to today’s announcement truly overwhelmed me and reminds me of why I chose to do this publicly.

I think we all evolve as we get older and that's normal but I like to think that my recent transition hasn't made me into a different individual. Same person, no difference at all just a different sex

I hope you can all understand that.

I would also like to to reach out to all young gender non-conforming youth out there: I know it's hard, I've been there, but remember it’s your right to be accepted as what you identify with---you deserve the same respect as any other human being on this planet. As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter without having to alienate their past. Most importantly differences should not equal divisions, let's all stand together in union." ‪#‎betruebeyou‬

***

Welcome to the trans fam Andreja!  

Glad you're a girl like us and you are officially joining the long and increasingly stylish line of trans models.   Fashion Week should be quite interesting in September.

Tyra Banks To Produce VH1 Trans Cable Series

This ought to be interesting..   Tyra Banks is set to executive produce a docuseries starring Carmen Carrera    

According to Hollywood Reporter, the eight episode docuseries entitled TransAmerica would be based in Chicago and focus on Carrera and five other trans feminine women as these millenials live, love and seek to establish their careers in the Windy City. 

"It would be easy to focus on the transgender aspect, but this series is about so much more," said Susan Levison, executive VP programming for VH1. "This is a show about a group of compelling, gorgeous young friends who are on a unique journey while staying true to their authentic selves. We believe that message resonates."

The show is set to air in late 2014-early 2015 on VH1.

Last Day Of Gender Proud Indiegogo Campaign

I did want to take some time to highlight today is the last day to donate to the indiegogo campaign to help raise funds for Gender Proud, the international organization model and girl like us Geena Rocero founded.

Gender Proud's mission is to pass laws that make it easier for trans people in our various nations to change documentation and gender markers to match their gender presentation 

This inaugural Gender Proud campaign's goal is to raise $15,000 in order to cover expenses for legal aid, transportation, and stipends for front line activists doing the work and they have already raised as of this writing $13,875.     Gender Proud is just $1,125 short of its goal, so if you can drop $1, $5, $10, $20 or more if you can, it will help the org get closer to reaching it on the last day of this campaign.

Here's the link to Gender Proud's website to do that 

TransGriot Update:  Gender Proud reached its fundraising goal and surpassed it, raising $16,025 as of 1 AM CDT on May 17.    Congratulations!


 

'No Shade' Web Series

I spent an enjoyable few hours Sunday night binge watching the entire 10 episode first season of No Shade, a dramedy web series created by Sean Anthony.

The series centers on artist Noel Baptiste (David Brandyn) and his friends Eric D. Stone (Terry Torro) , Kori Jacobs (Donnie DuRight) and Danielle Williams (Tamara Williams) as they navigate the New York TBLG and ballroom community scene.  They live, date, love, navigate their personal issues and have personal journeys of evolution in the process.

While there are some humorous moments in the series, No Shade also touches on some serious issues like parental and religious condemnation, gay bashing, and substance abuse.   Through Danielle's eyes we get to see her as she deals with the issues a trans woman deals with such as transphobic harassment, name change and documentation issues, and when to disclose her trans status when she meets the cis man of her dreams and starts dating him.   .  

And yes, in case you're wondering, Danielle is played by a #girllikeus.
 
It also ends with the four main characters in a season ending cliffhanger that will have to wait until Season 2 of No Shade for resolution. 

You can check out the pilot episode for the first season of No Shade.   If  you like it you may want to consider donating to their campaign to raise money to produce Season 2.

Upcoming TWCUC Trans Panel Discussion

My first local post Creating Change event will take place later this week.

A Transgender Forum sponsored by the Transwomen of Color United For Change (TWCUC ) will happen Saturday, February 8 at the Montrose Center, located at 401 Branard St. just off Richmond Ave and Spur 521   The METRORail Wheeler Station is in easy walking distance of the Montrose Center as well

You can join me, Dee Dee Watters and our facilitator Tye West for the discussion that will take place in Room 112 of the Montrose Center. 

The room opens at 6:45 PM with the discussion starting at 7 PM so join us in what promises to be an interesting and informative evening of conversation. 

Hey John, The SA Coke App Likes These "T' Words

AmericaBlog is one of the gay oriented sites I avoid like I do Vidor, TX on any drive I make on I-10 east because of the transphobia that pops up in its comment threads.

I'm also still pissed off at John Aravosis for his loud and wrong attempt to race bait last year when the marriage equality bill in the Illinois House failed and he tried to blame the Black legislative caucus in that state for it.

Well what do you know, Aravosis has had a broken clock moment. 

There is an app on a South African based Coke website that allows you to 'share a virtual Coke' with people by typing your own name on it or someone else's name..

Aravosis pointed out in a post on his blog that the app won't let you type in the word 'gay'.  So just for fun I went to the website and typed in the word 'transgender' to see what would happen.

The pic gracing this post is the result.   Now trans* with the asterisk won't go through but trans without it will.  So will the words 'transwoman' and 'transman'

'Lesbian'  goes through as well..

So all you folks with time on your hands who want to have mischievous fun playing with the app, try testing the limits of it and seeing what will and won't go through on it

But so far, the South African Coke app definitely likes the 'T' community.    
.   

Jared, Those Trans Women Are The Reason You Have A Golden Globe Award

After Kerry Washington and a too long list of African-American actors and actresses were dissed and dismissed at the Emmy's, I didn't even bother watching the Golden Globes.  

Maybe I should have.  

Jared Leto won a Golden Globe for playing the trans character Rayon in the movie Dallas Buyers Club which is a movie I have yet to see.

Leto is being taken to task this morning for the tone deaf acceptance speech that he made while accepting the Best Supporting Actor award..

"I did not ever use any prosthetics in this film…that tiny little Brazilian bubble butt was all mine."

"It was a very transformative role, I had to do a lot of things to prepare. One of the things I did was wax my entire body including my eyebrows," he shared.

"I'm just fortunate that it wasn't a period piece so I didn't have to do a full Brazilian [wax]. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about though…and so do some of you men, I think."

He did end it on a serious note.  "I want to thank my team for making this so fun and giving me this incredible life, and to the Rayons of the world, thanks for the inspiration."

But there are some trans women like Jaila Simms who aren't laughing.  In a comment she posted on FB and shared with me, Simms put him on blast for that speech.

The (Salon) article rings VERY true. ESPECIALLY KNOWING that other great transgender actresses were passed up so that Leto could play the role. Furthermore, he further disconnects trans people from being anything other than physical novelties, and not actual people facing REAL SHIT! You won an award for playing a TransWoman with AIDS and all you can say in your speech is some corny a$$ joke about waxing your body hair!!!??!!! CeCe McDonald is being released from 19 months in jail today for defending herself from a hate crime, Laverne Cox and Janet Mock are pioneering in media for trans women, DOMA was just passed, little trans kids are bullied, depressed, and dying!! And it was a platform to honor, respect, and enlighten and that moment was diminished. Without THAT ROLE, THAT LIFE, THAT "CHARACTER," there wouldn't have been AN AWARD!!

Mercedes Allen said this on her Twitter feed:

I doubt a trans actress in a #trans role would have been as trivializing & embarrassed as Leto. #goldenglobes @glaad http://t.co/3U0iEH3oWG

As Jaila said, trans women and their very real lives are the reason you have that Golden Globe on your shelf now.  Too bad that point didn't come across in your acceptance speech last night.. 

GOP Hate Speech Aimed At Iconic Hawaiian Trans Teacher

If you had any doubts that the Republican Party would be cranking up the War On Transwomen in the 2K14, here's another example of it coming from the sunny shores of the Hawaiian Islands..

In the wake of them losing badly in trying to stop the implementation of marriage equality legislation in the Aloha State, the sore losers in the Hawaii Republican Party sharpened their attacks on the   māhū and trans* community there.

In their attempt to attack Hawaii's Pono Choices sex education program aimed at grades 6-8, Tito Montes, the president of the Hawaii Republican Assembly let his transphobic flag fly and attacked respected Hawaii trans leader Hina Wong-Kalu 

Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL


They viciously misgendered her despite the obvious feminine presentation to the contrary and her legal status as a married woman.  They referred to a woman fluent in the Hawaiian language and a cultural icon who has chanted for innumerable important occasions in the islands, including the most recent opening of the Hawaii State Legislature as a "transvestite drag queen."

Wong-Kalu responded to the unprovoked GOP hate attacks by posting a debate challenge to Montes on the HIRA Facebook page.

I challenge the Hawaii Republican Assembly to a public engage on my culture, history and language in Olelo Hawaii, the language of this land. If you are so bold as to speak of my life with no knowledge or understanding of me then you should address me directly. Your perspectives and perceptions are simply unfounded notions which have no bearing on you nor indicative of my capabilities at that thus you should engage me face to face. And although my life's roles and responsibilities are now acknowledged as my family's daughter and sister, you freely refer to me using male gender pronouns because of your inability to cope with the reality of another who never attacked you or said one negative thing about your organization. And since you refer to me as a man well then man up and engage me in a public political forum. And by the way, the intimacies of my family and our relationships and connections are not your business but since you have no other way to defame me you needed to include my brother. I challenge you and I await your answer. Post it to my page if you have the confidence and wherewithal to engage me in my language and challenge me on the basis of my contributions to our community. Good day and aloha to you.

As of yet, no word from Wong-Kalu about whether Montes has accepted the challenge.  I'm betting you'll see a blizzard in Honolulu before the GOP cowards do so.

Fallon Fox Fights For A CFA Title Tonight!

It's been a long hard and at times bumpy road for her to get to this point, but later tonight at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, FL unbeaten Fallon Fox (3-0) will take on Ashlee Evans-Smith (1-0)  for the CFA featherweight title.

This championship match will be broadcast on AXS-TV and the winner will not only claim the championship of the CFA tourney but take home $20,000.

If AXS-TV posts the video of it to YouTube, I'll get it up on the blog as quickly as possible.

Y'all know I'm rooting for the 'Queen of Swords' in this one and I hope she emerges from this WMMA battle victorious.  

best of luck tonight, Fallon!

National Coming Out Day 2013-It's STILL Different For A Trans Person

'I don't want to underestimate how liberating it is for a trans person to come out to family, friends and allies.  It does wonders to lift the burden of carrying that tremendous secret off our psyches so we can begin to openly and honestly live our lives.' --TransGriot October 11, 2012 

Today is National Coming Out Day.  Congratulations if you did so on taking that first giant and scary step towards evolving to become the person you needed to be.  

And yes, if you don't feel strong enough today to do so, don't worry about it.   You don't have to do it amidst all the hoopla of this week and this day.  Only you know when you are ready and emotionally strong enough to handle it and the challenges that will come your way after you come out.
 
If you're trans*, it's even scarier and a much different dynamic from our LGB brothers and sisters because a gender transition is not easy.  After the initial coming out date, unlike our cis LGB brothers and sisters, we have to pay cash out of pocket, get trans specific medical care and counseling, and morph our bodies to be our kind of person we wish to project to the world.  

We get to be hated on and resisted by a depressingly long list of societal haters.   

And what I said about coming out as trans last year still applies.

That's your mission once you realize you are trans and decide to accept the fundamental truth that it's absolutely essential for your quality of life, health, sanity and future happiness to transition. 

For the vast majority of us it's a decision that once made and executed, we wonder why we didn't do so sooner as our bodies and minds align and everything else falls into place once we get the gender issue resolved. 

You become part of a brotherhood and sisterhood that expands across the globe.   You begin to realize that we transfolks are part of the diverse mosaic of human life.  You discover that we have a proud history.  We have had and do have some amazing leaders at the local, state, national and international levels.   We are accomplishing some groundbreaking things and doing our part to uplift the communities we interact and intersect with including our own.

We trans people can do and accomplish anything we wish to do if we're just given the opportunity to do so.


With trans kids coming out as early as five and six, trans teens breaking new ground every day, and in many cases being agents of their own trans liberation, we trans elders are motivated to keep busting our behinds to create a world in which your human rights are respected and protected.  

The world we want for you is one in which all you'll have to do in addition to ensuring those rights stay in place for the generation of trans kids behind you is to dream your big dreams and make them happen.

But it all starts with that first scary and exhilarating step out of the closet after you come to the epiphany that you are trans*.
  
Everything else we can handle together one day at a time.


TransGriot Note: photos are of Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler accepting the inaugural Authentic Life award from the Transgender Law Center and Cheryl Courtney-Evans in front of the Stonewall Inn where the TBLG movement began in 1969.

Chelsea Manning Is No Hero

I've had a few people (including my mother) ask me about Chelsea Manning, who was recently convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks while working as an intelligence analyst in 2010.

You asked, so here goes.  Chelsea Manning is no hero, and I have a major problem with elements of this community treating her like one for leaking those classified documents.

I'm also looking at the big picture aspect of how this affects the trans community, especially when people have been busting their behinds to get the ban on trans people's ability to openly serve in the United States military lifted.

When you join the military, you swear an oath to protect, defend and serve not only the country but the Constitution.   Manning violated that oath by leaking those documents and it remains to be seen how much damage was done in leaking our country's military secrets to WiklLeaks and the world.

And yeah, I have questions about the timing of this 'I'm trans' declaration, too.

Long story short, Manning has applied for a presidential pardon and asked to start hormone therapy while doing time in Leavenworth.  Right now it ain't happening.

My concern about this Manning mess is the potential it has of setting back the just cause of trans people being allowed to openly serve in the US military because of Manning's actions that have no justification as I and many trans veterans who honorably served their country with distinction in many cases see it. 

It also dishonors those trans people who have served our country in their various branches of the US Armed Forces.  It also hands the enemies of our community a poster child and a talking point they will hammer ad nauseum on FOX Noise and elsewhere in conservaworld as to why transpeople shouldn't be able to serve in the military.

So no, Chelsea Manning is no hero to me

Happy Anniversary Wendy and Ignacio

Today is the second wedding anniversary of our Cuban trans sister Wendy Iriepa and her activist hubby Ignacio Estrada, and wanted to wish our Cuban girl like us and her hubby a happy one.

Wendy got married back on August 13, 2011 to her hubby in a very public wedding in Havana in front of the unblinking eye of the world's media with Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez as a witness.

Iriepa is the first person in that island nation to get a state sanctioned SRS through the CENESEX program run by Mariela Castro.

Iriepa worked for it and was the public face of CENESEX until she and Castro had a public falling out over her attacking her activist hubby, who is the self proclaimed 'number one opponent of the Castro government'. 

She and her hubby have been visiting the US for three months and in addition to being in Miami and taking part in panel discussions and events in the area traveled to Washington DC and met with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) whose district covers Miami along with touring Casa Ruby.

Happy anniversary Wendy and Ignacio!  May you continue to speak truth to power in your homeland and your marriage be a long, happy and healthy one.

Hazreen Shaik Daud Video Update

I talked about Hazreen Shaik Daud, the Malaysian trans girl like us who was appointed the political secretary to Tanjung Bungah state assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Malaysia.

In Penang state a Transgender committee headed by Teh has been approved and will be formed in two months.  The objectives of this legislative transgender committee is to collect data and alleviate the status and social stigma associated with the transgender community. 

Some of their activities will include holding public forums to spread awareness on the issue.

Here's a video that discusses Hazreen's appointment

Pat Robertson Has Another Broken Clock Trans Moment

You longtime TransGriot readers know I have gleefully pointed out that televangelist Pat Robertson, who has a long history of uttering racist and anti-gay remarks has actually said that 'transsexuality is not a sin'

Well, duh.  And nope, it's not April 1. 

Pat made that comment during a October 5, 1999 broadcast of his 700 Club show and has had other broken clock TBLG moments as to when this show happened a he was asked a question last year about Christians bullying BTLG kids that he had a surprising answer to.

And now, here's another broken clock Pat Robertson trans moment that comes in response to a question during his 'Bring It On-Line segment from David

"I work with two people who have decided that they are females. I know what the Bible says about homosexuality, but is it wrong to refer to them as females since they have had their gender status changed in the eyes of the law?"




Surprise surprise, Pat says NO.   While he take a swipe as SRS and transition as 'radical' and dangerous', he basically echoed the 1999 comment in saying transsexuality wasn't a sin. 

Better get busy people copying this before they delete the video along with the transcript of his remarks from the 700 Club website.
 

Italian Cardinal Gives Communion To Trans Woman At Funeral-Wingers Trip

With Pope Francis running thangs in Vatican City, is the hate on transpeople doctrine injected into the Roman Catholic church by Paul McHugh during the tail end of Pope John Paul II reign finally at an end?

As evidenced by Damian Garcia having to skip his Albuquerque Catholic high school graduation because of his transphobic archbishop was witness to, the jury is still out on that.

But on the other side of the Pond there was an interesting development taking place at the funeral of TBLG rights advocate Fr. Andrea Gallo, who passed away on May 22 at age 84 in his hometown of Genoa.  

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the Archbishop of Genoa was seen giving Holy Communion during the televised ceremony to two transwomen.  One of the transwomen in question was none other than Vladi Luxuria, who has the distinction of being the first trans parlimentarian in Europe and the second on the planet after New Zealand's Georgina Beyer.   She held that seat until the Italian elections of April 2008. 




And to the Christo haters, your problem with Vladi getting communion is?

God made transpeople, too.  Y'all need to stop tripping.


Of course the right wing Christohaters went apoplectic about it, but for the rest of us trans peeps around the world who are more than a little sick of the hate on trans people doctrine that been coming out of their mouths, the Catholic Church since 2003 and has trickled down to the flock, it was an interesting breath of fresh air that bears watching.

Fallon's Historic Friday MMA Fight

Fallon Fox will return to mixed martial arts action on Friday and make a little MMA history in the process when she does so. 

When the undefeated (2-0) Fox steps into the Octagon at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus against Allana Jones she will be participating in the first nationally televised bout (AXS-TV) of the Championship Fighting Alliance Series.

It's the first bout she's participated in since the revelation in March the undefeated Fox is a girl like us and the transphobically ignorant reactions to the news it triggered in MMA world that included UFC women's champ Ronda Rousey.

CFA president Jorge de la Noval featured the 37 year old Fox on a card in March before finding out she was trans when he got a call from the commission.  He stands by his decision to feature her on Friday night’s card and supports her 100 percent.

“I’ve been discriminated many times because I’m Hispanic,” de la Noval said to the Miami Herald. “People have been discriminated through the years because of color, sexual preference, and that’s something I’m completely against. As long as she’s got her license, and doctors approved her to fight as a female, I was fine with it. I’ve gotten a lot of calls, mostly negative, but I stick with my decision no matter what the outcome is.

I’m just glad she’s fighting for the CFA this Friday.”

So are we in the trans community, Jorge.

Best of luck Fallon on Friday night.  Your best revenge for all the drama you've been through since March is to just keep winning.   You have an ever growing legion of fans inside and outside the trans community that wish you nothing but success.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/21/3409426/transgender-mma-fighter-fallon.html#storylink=cpy

DC Comics To Introduce First Reality Based Trans Character

I've talked in the blog about the Archie Comics having storylines in which they have done 'what if' gender bending with their hero Archie and reimagined his life twice as a girl in issues 516 and 636.  In Archie 636 they took it a step further and gender swapped Betty and Veronica as well as Archie.      

Gender fluidity has been present in the comic world for decades but only through fantasy based methods such as magic, shape-shifting, brain-swapping, and cloning via adult or independent published comics or websites such as the adult-themed TG Comics.

But DC Comics, which has also done its share of fantasy based gender bending with its line of superheroes, and over the last few years has introduced not only ethnically diverse characters, but started adding ones who are gay or lesbian after once being banned by the Comics Code Authority.

DC is about to take a major leap forward and introduce a reality based trans character.

Introducing Alysia Yeoh, the roommate of Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl.   In the rebooted Batgirl series Barbara is a lesbian, and in Batgirl #19 Alysia will reveal to Barbara that she's a girl like us in a conversation with her roommate in the same conversation in which Barbara reveals she's Batgirl.  

Writer Gail Simone also revealed that Alysia's sexual orientation is bi.

She also attributes the idea of a trans character to a Wondercon convention conversation she had with comic writer Greg Ruska after a fan asked why there were fewer gay male superheroes than lesbian ones.

Rucka, who co-created (and rebooted) Batwoman as a lesbian character, replied that it would be a real sign of change for a gay male character to appear on a comic book cover — and an even bigger step for a transgender character to do the same.

While Simone is aware of the trans characters that exist in various comic book universes through fantasy based means, she wanted to create one that was reality based.  Alysia will be “a character, not a public service announcement … being trans is just part of her story. If someone loved her before, and doesn’t love her after, well — that’s a shame, but we can’t let that kind of thinking keep comics in the 1950s forever.”

She also talked to people in the trans community before creating Alysia. 

Simone suggested the Alysia Yeoh story to DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio at lunch one day, prepared to offer a passionate defense for the idea of a transgender character. ”I thought I might have to sell it, so to speak,” said Simone in the Wired interview. “But he just paused for a moment, asked how this would affect Barbara’s story, and immediately approved it. And we went back to our excellent nachos.”

Simone according to the Wired story will be adding another trans character to a story she's working on.   She also thinks it's time for a trans superhero character, especially since many of of the loyal comic book fans and people who attend comic conventions around the country also happen to be from the trans community.

“It’s time for a trans hero in a mainstream comic. I think it’s time to make that thing happen that Greg [Rucka] mentioned years ago. And it’s going to happen … I’m sure it’s controversial on some level to some people, but honest to God, I just could not care less about that. If someone gets upset, so be it; there are a thousand other comics out there for those people.”

And as a comic book fan, I couldn't agree more.