Trans Woman Wins Landmark NZ Discrimination Case

As I've been pointing out throughout the history of this blog, a trans human rights win or advance anywhere is good for trans kind everywhere on this planet.

In New Zealand, our trans siblings there and around the world are celebrating Dakota Hemmingson's recent Employment Relations Authority win that awarded her nearly $13,250 ($9680.65 US).

The Employment Relations Authority ruled Hemmingson was unjustifiably dismissed from her job and awarded her back pay of $3248 ($2373 US) and $11,000 ($8036.77 US) compensation for the hurt and humiliation the dismissal caused her.     

The 23 year old Hemmingson was employed at a hair salon in Auckland for six weeks until she revealed to her employer Matt Swan on April 11 2015 she was transitioning.  She was told by Swan that although he supported her move on a personal level, he was 'concerned about her safety' and in a later April 14 meeting that her transition 'didn't fit the commercial profile of the business', located in the Barkers clothing store.  

She felt after that conversation she had no choice but to leave that job and resigned that day.




"It's a huge win for transgender rights and human rights, but personally its been a huge burden," she told the New Zealand Herald. "I didn't want any special treatment (at the salon)  This was never about money or attention."

Hemmingson hopes that the positive Employment Relations Authority case ruling sent a message to employers to educate themselves on gender identity issues.

She said she was proud the case would set ERA precedent against discrimination aimed at New Zealand trans people in the workplace. And it's also more irrefutable evidence that we are also everywhere on Planet Earth, but trans rights are international human rights.

Empowered: Trans Women And HIV Series

One of the things I have been keenly aware of since 2000 and reading the Washington Transgender Needs Assessment is that trans women are at the highest risk for HIV/AIDS.

The US Centers for Disease Control and prevention reports that one in four trans women, and nearly half of Black trans women, are living with HIV.  Globally, trans populations in various nations are 50 times more likely to have HIV compared to other populations

That's unacceptable, and in response  to these sobering statistics, Greater Than AIDS is launching a video series entitled: Empowered: Trans Women and AIDS, a video series discussing love, life and HIV among #TransEmpowered women

Thanks to Phoebe, Blossom, Bre, Victory, and Joanne for telling their stories and being part of this video series, and here's the promo video for it.




In order for us to get to the international goal of zero new HIV/AIDS cases, eradicating the virus in trans populations needs  to expeditiously happen and we will need funding and resources allocated to trans led HIV/AIDS organizations to do the job.

Removing trans women from the MSM stats and counting trans people in our own HIV/AIDS statistical category instead of lumping us in with gay men is necessary.  We need to know the extent of the actual number of HIV cases in our community, and it will help immensely toward gathering statistics in the future and removing stigma.    

There are also societal fixes that need to happen of passing trans non discrimination laws so that trans women aren't forced to resort to escorting to pay their bills and we get another step forward toward getting new HIV cases to zero...
     

President Obama's Speech To Canadian Parliament

President Obama took a quick trip north of the border to Ottawa to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto for a trilateral meeting,

He then spoke to the Canadian Parliament yesterday in the wake of that North American Leader's Summit meeting.

Here's the video of the speech.

BBC Free Speech 'Things Not To Say To A Trans Person' Video

On BBC Free Speech, several of our British trans siblings, Paris Lees, Fox Fisher, Veronica Blades, Adeleh Sasansara, Munroe Bergdorf, Dani Gibbinson and Harry Taylor were asked to randomly pick out of a bowl some questions they and by extension many trans people are asked. .  

Here's the results.

Houston Vigil For Orlando

In the wake of the Orlando attacks, there were many vigils held in different location around the Houston area organized by different groups.

The one sponsored by the city of Houston was held last Wednesday night on the steps of City Hall on the reflecting pool side, and I was honored to be asked to be a part of it.

It started at sunset, and included remarks from Fran Watson, Ashton Woods, Lou Weaver, Councilmember Robert Gallegos and Mayor Sylvester Turner just to name some of the people who spoke at the vigil

Houston City Hall was lit up in the colors of the rainbow pride flag as people gathered to pay their respects to the 49 people who were killed and the 53 injured in that domestic terror attack

Here's the video of Mayor Turner's remarks, and if I find the video of the full event, I'll post it here.

HOU Equality 'My Pride' Video

Because we had a terroristic threat aimed at the Houston Pride parade mere hours after the Orlando terror attack, there are people here and around the country who have expressed concerns about attending our parade this Saturday despite Mayor Turner's and HPD assurances that security levels will be ramped up for it.

Brad Pritchett of HOU Equality was significantly concerned after several people personally told him they wouldn't be attending the Houston Pride Parade because they were apprehensive and even scared of doing so.

He reached out to me and other Houston TBLG leaders to make this 'My Pride' video encouraging our H-town LGBT family to show up and celebrate this weekend.

The terrorists and our right wing enemies want us to be 'scurred' and cowering in our homes.  The best way to honor the folks we lost in Orlando is to show up for pride events, the parade and celebrate.

By doing so, you'll be making a powerful statement that we will not go back to those days they want to bring back of us being apprehensive and scared to be in our safe spaces.

Here's the video, and Happy Pride people!

Hillary Clinton Calls Out Trump In San Diego Speech

"He's not just unprepared-- he's temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability and immense responsibility."
--Sec. Hillary Clinton 

For those of you who wondered why I endorsed Hillary Clinton back in February and said she was the best qualified person for the job of replacing President Obama, yesterday in calling Donald Chump Trump out  in a San Diego campaign speech unqualified for the job on national TV, she justified my confidence in her to be the next POTUS.

But hey TransGriot readers, see it for yourself if you missed it.

Parents Of Texas Trans Kids Speak

I have a major problem with bullies of children since I had to deal with them myself.  I also have a major problem with bullies that wield legislative power like my Republican Governor, Lt. Governor, and indicted attorney general who are attacking Texas transgender kids for their own political gain.

Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, and Ken Paxton claim their are speaking for Texas parents, but one group of parents whose voices are being ignored in their one sided discussion are the voices of the parents of Texas trans kids.

Yesterday, there was a press conference outside of our state capitol in which several parents joined with Equality Texas in order to talk about why these GOP led attacks on the humanity of Texas trans kids is wrong.

Here's the press conference video.

Absolut Vodka #AbsolutNights 'Darla' Trans Themed Commercial

As our visibility and acceptance increases, popular culture and media will positively reflect that.paradigm shift.  And it stands to reason that advertisers will take notice of that pro-trans cultural shift.

Trans people in advertising around the world isn't a new phenomenon, but it has been all over the map.  Some attempts at trans themed advertising have been positive, while others have been massive fails that I've had to call out more than a few times on these electronic pages.

One of the latest attempts by advertisers and companies to go with a trans themed ad is Absolut Vodka, which has always had a pro-LGBT reputation.  With the increase in trans acceptance in various parts of the world and trans rights being increasingly recognized as a human rights issue, has now created an ad featuring a trans storyline.

Here's their 'Darla' #ABSOLUTNIGHTS ad, presented to you TransGriot readers without editorial comment.



 

President Obama's Hiroshima Speech

On May 27 President Obama made more history in an already historic presidency.   He because the first sitting US president to travel to Hiroshima, where the first atomic bomb was droppedon August 6, 1945.

Ten other US presidents had declined to do so, but President Obama didn't.

While the right wingers here in the US have predictably gone off the deep end about it, the rest of the world and reality based America have praised him doing so and the speech he gave in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial marking the Ground Zero spot above where the bomb exploded..

Here's the video of that historic speech

Jessica Shuts Down A Transphobic Bigot

This happened on a March episode of CNN's  Dr Drew, but take notes peeps.   This is how you blow up and shut down transphobic bigotry.  None of that 'acknowledge the fear' bullshyt we tried and failed to defend HERO with, it's time to gut punch these fake faith based idiots and make them engage in sputtering defenses of their transphobia.

The best way to shut them down is to interrupt their ability to spout their well rehearsed talking points.  Gotta throw them out of their comfort zone, and having to try to spin anti-trans lies in front of a person your unjust policy negatively affects and is calling you and your org out about it is nerve wracking for them.  

Jessica Taylor does a fantastic job of it here.  I' m looking forward to the day when I get and other non white trans people get our opportunity to do so because it's just a matter of time before I right wing enemies deploy the kneegrow sellout pastors and we are the best equipped people to take them on.

But enjoy Jessica taking on the FRC's Peter Sprigg.

 

Tamron Hall Calls Out The Berner NV Bad Behavior

One of the many reasons I love my Texas homegirl Tamron Hall is because she's a no BS journalist who doesn't let peeps on either side of the political spectrum weasel out of tough questions.

Here's the recent interview in which she asks some tough question of Sanders surrogate Nina Turner in the wake of the Green Tea Partiers showed their nekulturny selves during last weekend's Nevada Democratic meeting

Watch as Tamron doesn't allow Turner to spin her way out of the mess the Benrers made in Nevada.

Enjoy.

 

Rep. Alan Grayson Calls Out NC's Cisgender Bigots

Y'all know how much i love Rep Alan Grayson (D-FL) who is making a run for the Florida US senate seat that Marco Rubio is leaving.

Grayson has had no problem calling out the conservafools, and I wish more Dems would follow his lead and call them on their WTF level hypocrisy and doublespeak.
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I wish Rep. Grayson had gone further in this 13 minute House floor speech and called out all the cisgender bigots, including my governor, lieutenant governor, and indicted attorney general..

Here's Rep. Grayson floor speech.

A Trans Soldier's Story

I've had the honor and pleasure of knowing Karen Kendra Holmes online for several years, and finally got to meet her in person during the 2015 Black Trans Advocacy Conference in Dallas..

Here's is an amazing story.  She's a federal government safety officer and a staff sergeant with the Maryland Defense Force who was named Soldier of the Year in 2013.  She's also a Red Cross Volunteer.

Karen is just one example of the amazing and talented people I get the meet and hang around with in the trans community that I consider myself blessed to be a part of.

Karen was the subject of a recent WMAR-TV news feature story about her that needs to be seen by you TransGriot readers.  Enjoy

President Obama's Howard U Commencement Speech

The Class of 2016 was graduating from Howard University today, and didn't realize that my cousin Derek was going to be in the audience getting his bachelors degree.(magna cum laude) and heading off to Meharry Medical School.

Hey, if you haven't noticed, brains run in my family ;)

My cousin along with the 2300 other HU grads and their friends and family in attendance got the amazing honor of having President Obama give the commencement address.at their graduation.

Here's today's commencement address for those of you who missed it.

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.

Nicole Maines' TED Talk

Another one of our amazing trans advocates I've had the pleasure of meeting is Nicole Maines.  

This is the video of her TED Talk today that was focused on her growing up openly trans and coming to the point of loving and accepting herself.    She also points out that community support is important so that trans youth like herself can find their voice.

Enough introductory jibber jabber from moi, let's get to the video for it.

Dr. Jillian Weiss Talks About The DOJ HB 2 Challenge On CNN

Earlier today on CNN attorney Dr. Jillian T. Weiss was on CNN's Legal View With Ashleigh Banfield to discuss the unjust HB 2 and the ramifications on the DOJ letter sent to Gov McCrory and the University of North Carolina.

I've been saying for a while that HB 2 was unconstitutional and a violation of Romer v. Evans., but I'm going to defer to my friends in the legal profession to let me know whether I'm on the right legal path here and if HB 2 could be the trans version of that landmark Romer v Evans case.

And now, for those of you who missed it earlier today, here's the video from Dr. Jillian Weiss' appearance on Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield.

 

NYC Trans Woman Attacked For Riding While Trans

Anti-trans hate thoughts + anti-trans hate speech = anti-trans hate violence/murders.  That is the equation that unfortunately adds up to anti-trans violence aimed at our community

The Republican Party and the conservative movement has been putting unchecked anti-trans hatred in the air, and as I and other trans leaders have been warning, it's just a matter of time before the ignorati seize on that hate speech they put out there and turn into anti-trans hate violence aimed at us.

Here's video recorded by Translatina Network outreach social worker Pearl Love while she was minding her own business on the subway back on April 28.

This member of the ignorati began flinging unsolicited bigoted and transphobic comments at her, and then became agitated as she realized she was being videotaped and subsequently attacked Love.

Love is okay, but  it's just a taste of what we trans folks are increasingly seeing no thanks to the Republican Party gleefully spewing anti-trans hate for fun and political advantage.

And oh yeah, New York State, when are you going to add gender identity to the list of categories in your state's hate crimes law?  This video is more evidence that adding coverage for transgender New Yorkers is sorely needed.

Angelica Ross On The Daily Show

Last night my homegirl Angelica Ross was on The Daily Show, and I missed the original telecast because I'm not usually in the habit of watching it and Empire was on.

Here's Angelica's appearance on The Daily Show and her interview with Trevor Noah for those of you who missed it like I did.