I mentioned that as a kid I loved reading Archie Comics. I not only am an Archie fan, I also like Josie and the Pussycats as well.
I was even surprised to discover there was a trans themed storyline in Issue 516 which Mrs. Andrews imagines what it would be like if Archie had been born a girl.
Well, the news broke in May that the love triangle that has fueled the sales of Archie comics for over 70 years was taking a new turn starting with Issue 600.
Archie decided that he was going to marry Veronica, and that story is going to play out over a six episode arc.
Well, my roomie read the post I'd written about my love of the Archie comics.
When Issue 600 hit the stands a few weeks ago, I was surprised to come home from work after a very crappy day and find that issue sitting on top of my computer keyboard.
Well, whatever leftover pissivity I had about my jacked up day melted as I settled into a chair and read that issue.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Issue 600 but I really felt for Betty. She now has to deal with the reality that her rival snagged the guy she wanted.
At the same time Archie confesses to Jughead, who was with Betty when she witnessed the proposal, that Betty was the first person he met when his family moved to Riverdale.
To add to her shock over witnessing the engagement, Betty is asked by Veronica to be her maid of honor.
I just picked up Issue 601, which chronicles Archie and Veronica's wedding, the hype leading to it and even the conversation that Archie and Betty had prior to it happening.
It also skips ahead a year at the end of their honeymoon to Archie dealing with his workday life in his father-in-law's company and Veronica making an interesting announcement.
I won't spoil the surprise that's at the end of Issue 601, and we still have four issues in this six issue story arc yet to go.
"...beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect."
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Dred Scott v. Sandford March 6, 1857
152 years after this case, the descendants of white Americans not only seem to be channeling the ghost of Roger B. Taney, but think we're 3/5 of a human being.
Some of us are exhibiting 21st Century thinking and evolution in terms of our attitudes that we are all one multicultural America. Others are trying to work toward that positive, progressive vision of America.
Unfortunately, there are others who believe based on their skin color America belongs to them. They still harbor the vanilla flavored 18th Century worldview that if it ain't all white, it ain't all right.
We have a reality challenged group of white people claiming the African-American president of the United States is not a US citizen.
We've had ugly incidents in which a white male slapped an African-American child in a Stone Mountain, GA Wal-Mart because the child disturbed him.
There was another disturbing incident at a Georgia Cracker Barrel restaurant in which an African American woman was beaten n front of her daughter while people watched and declined to come to her aid.
We had a white male tear up a Rosa Parks sign a Black woman was holding at a Missouri health care town hall meeting held by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO). Instead of security tossing him out, they brusquely hustled her out of the room as if she was the aggressor instead of the aggrieved party.
You have a gay white male angry over the success of anti marriage equality forces in California over Prop 8 angrily hurl later discredited accusations that Blacks caused the defeat. It led to ugly racial incidents in the GL community.
This is not just a recent phenomenon. Remember Jim Crow segregation? Literacy tests and poll taxes to deny our rights to vote? Police used as stormtroopers to break up civil rights protests? The too numerous to list race riots? Lynchings, church bombings, Klan terrorism? Discrimination?
You get the drift.
But as my Houston homegirl, the late Rep. Barbara Jordan so eloquently stated,
"I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision I have finally been included in 'We the People'.
Translation, I and every other African descended person thanks to the 14th Amendment and those various laws, court decisions and interpretations are not only United States citizens, but have rights that you must respect.
Try to remember that at your next tea bagger party, okay?
News flash, we ain't even close to a post-racial America. Thanks to the Republicans pimping their 'Southern Strategy', right wing hate radio, and being a 'nation of cowards' when it comes to honestly tackling this topic, I believe we have regressed in terms of progress on race relations.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's did not magically erase 246 years of negativity. When two an a half centuries was spent demonizing African descended people to justify their enslavement, it is irrational and unrealistic to think that those attitudes are not still part of American culture.
And until those attitudes are eradicated and expunged from our national body politic, we are going to continue to have instances in which some white people operate under the misguided belief that African descended people have no rights they are bound to respect.
If you're looking for a learning opportunity for gender and intersex issues, you may wish to check out Sex, Lies, and Gender on the National Geographic Channel. Read more:
It does not seem like a question that should be asked. You know who you are. Or do you? Each year thousands of people around the world are born with ambiguous gender. They do not fit into our binary system of male or female - and shockingly many of them don't know it. Early surgeries transformed their bodies; families and doctors hid the truth.
Now, their stories are starting to be heard. In this hour, Explorer examines the science of gender...and the gray areas in between. From scientists and medical professionals to individuals whose lives are affected, we search for answers, even looking to the lives of other animals for clues.
The show is being broadcast later today on the NGC at 7 PM EDT.
Today the University of Louisville Cardinals hit I-64 east and travel to Lexington to take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats. They are not only fighting for the Governor's Cup, but state bragging rights, football division.
One of the questions I consistently get asked since I moved here is whether I support U of L or UK.
Many Kentucky natives won't accept my answer that I'm neutral and like both teams. They'll spend whatever time I have in their presence extolling the virtues of the Cats or Cards while dissing the other team with the zeal of missionaries.
When U of L and UK get together to play any sport, people are passionate about it. Friends, families, co-workers and sometimes even spouses divide along Cardinal red or Wildcat blue lines.
No matter what the sport, it's a highly competitive rivalry played by two teams separated by 73 miles of interstate highway and no love lost on either side.
It's so competitive that Kentuckians have already circled Jan 2, 2010 on the calendar.
What's happening that day you ask? It's the date of the annual U of L-UK basketball clash at Rupp Arena.
The trash talking this year for this season's football clash has come mostly from the UK fans. U of L has slipped from its 2006 Big East championship and BCS bowl winning heights and Cardinal Nation is anxious about it.
Cards fans are even more anxiety ridden going into this noon showdown at Commonwealth Stadium. U of L is not only coming off a 5-7 season after going 6-6 the previous year, they have a lot of question marks on both sides of the ball.
They also watched the Cats spank Miami of Ohio 42-0 in their season opener in Cincinnati.
Cardinal Nation also knows the Cats had a bye week to rest and retool for this game.
The Cards briefly trailed 7-3 in their season opening game at 'The Pizzeria' with Indiana State. They had to fight tooth and nail with the Sycamores before eventually pulling away for the 30-10 win.
UK is a football team on the rise and coming off a third straight bowl appearance. They not only want to keep their two year winning streak alive against U of L, they see themselves as a Top 25 program that can compete and win in the tough SEC East Division and as BCS bowl material.
No matter who wins, both teams when this game is over will have tough challenges to overcome the next week. UK will take on Number 1 ranked Florida in Lexington while the Cards will travel to Salt Lake City to take on Utah.
But for those of us who are neutral, it sure is a lot of fun to watch, no matter what the sport.
I get a chuckle every time I get home from work, check my e-mail inbox and note the vast jump in e-mail. That let's me know that once again, one of my posts somewhere had plucked somebody's nerves.
I enjoy dropping knowledge about transgender issues when I do these guest positing stints. I thank the people that have graciously extended those invitations to share their spaces with me now and in the future.
I see my guest posting stints as opportunities to introduce my writing to a new group of people who may not surf by my home blog on a regular basis.
But one thing I repeatedly note is the usual violations of Renee's Rule when I write about my experience as an African descended transperson.
What's Renee's Rule you ask?
If it ain't about you, don't make it about you.
My posts on trans issues are written from my chocolate flavored experiences, my perspectives growing up as an African-American Texan in the 60s'-70's, dealing with my gender issues, and my 20 plus years of interactions and observations of the GLBT community at a local, state, national and international level.
And oh yeah, need to point out I'm not just talkin' out the side of my neck. I've done (and still am) doing the work for this community that earned me an IFGE Trinity Award in 2006 among many others.
But yet, when I read the comments, the first things that I notice happening are the egregious displays of white privilege, denial, naked prejudicial and borderline racist comments and Internet silencing techniques.
You do this crap, then wonder why trans people of color don't want to have anything to do with you.
The bottom line is that ever since the 1953 arrival of Christine Jorgenson from Denmark, the trans narrative has been all about vanilla flavored transpeople.
You have dominated the headlines for good and ill. Your faces are the ones that have disproportionately been in the news. You get called for the talk radio and TV interview shows. You're the ones held up as examples of 'successful' transwomen. You dominate the leadership ranks of this community. You're the ones who predominately get to speak at universities and college classes about being trans. You're the ones who get the book deals documenting your personal stories or your versions of transgender history and theory. You're the ones who have had miles of film shot about them and their lives in documentaries.
Damn, can somebody else get a word in now since you've had 56 years of it?
There are stories about trans persons of color and about my African descended trans community that need to be heard.
We have transpeople of color like myself who consistently do hard, solid thinking about this community.
We have the right to comment about the future course of the trans movement and the trans community as any non POC transperson does on a regular basis, not be dismissively told by vanilla flavored privilege wielding trans people 'we don't speak for the trans community'.
News flash for you. That Trinity I earned says otherwise.
I am tired of my people's history not being heard, ignored, belittled or dissed. I am sick and tired of our accomplishments not being acknowledged. I am beyond sick and tired of our contributions to building the transgender community and making its history being denied, whitewashed or ignored.
While the memories of African descended people who have fallen victim to trans related violence deserve to never be forgotten, we are more than just tragic victims.
I'm beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of African descended transpeople being described in the context of the Remembering our Dead List or sex work and not by the quality people we produce.
We are stakeholders that have paid a steep price in blood for our place in it. It is because of the blood shed disproportionately by my African descended transpeeps that I am compelled to speak up on their and my community's behalf.
And I and others will not be deterred from doing so.
Our transition journeys are different from yours because it is affected not only by class, but race as well. I have to fight on multiple fronts just to be the Phenomenal Transwoman I am. I have to battle racism and transphobia not only from people outside the GLBT community, but inside it as well.
I have to shout just to be heard, even by my so called allies.
And what hurts even more as a proud African descended transperson who loves her people and their history is that I have to battle ignorance about trans issues within my African descended family as well.
So when I write about my experiences as a transperson, or add our stories to the community discourse on trans issues, it's not always going to neatly line up with yours.
You've had 56 plus years to tell your stories and will continue to have multiple opportunities to do so.
It's time for you to STFU, listen, and let me and other POC transpeople tell ours.
The Council of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County adopted a fully inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance, which bans discrimination against Metro employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity on a 24 to 15 vote.
Nashville joins a growing list of communities all across the country to provide an explicit ban on discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and becomes the first city in Tennessee to do so.
It's also important because Nashville is also Tennessee's state capital as well.
Congrats to the TTPC and all the folks who worked to help it pass.
I'm so proud of my AP Number 21 ranked UH Cougars. They are taking a well deserved weekend off before they tangle with another tough Big 12 school in Texas Tech.
Do the Coogs have the potential to be this year's BCS buster?
Maybe. But to do that they have to channel Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis' mantra of 'just win, baby.
So now that I've given a shout out to my fave collegiate football team, time to sort through the cavalcade of foolish losers and decide who gets our coveted prize this week.
As usual, we have a plethora of fools to choose from. Hannity and Limbaugh ever fail to disappoint. There were others such as Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Michelle Malkin.
But this week's fool is Glenn Beck
This conservaclown actually compared President Jimmy Carter to Osama Bin laden.
No wonder you've lost 62 advertisers (and counting)
I try to call my family at least once a week to keep up with what's going on back home and in my old neighborhood, catch up on the latest Houston scuttlebutt and family news.
During my conversation with my mother a few days ago she mentioned she'd had a conversation with one of my old neighbors who was unaware of my gender transition. Her sons stumbled across my blog and of course relayed the news to their mother.
She made some cis privileged comments such as 'I was too smart to transition' and other ones that smacked of Christoignorance that my mom called her on.
I thought I made it clear for you African descended peeps last year that harbor the same thoughts as my old neighbor when I wrote about this subject.
It looks like it's time to remix and reiterate what I said because it still applies in the '09 and beyond. Say it loud, I'm Black, trans and I'm proud!
Just because I transitioned a decade and a half ago doesn't shield me or any African descended transperson from being whacked with all the daily slings and arrows that being Black in America presents you with.
I still get called 'nigger'. As a matter of fact I've had that epithet thrown at me more so by people in the GLBT community since I transitioned than folks outside it.
I also get the displeasure of in addition to having the other anti-black and anti-gay ones hurled at me, having the b-word and other epithets directed at women spat at my statuesque behind as well.
As a child and godchild of historians I am not only cognizant of our history, I eagerly embrace and revel in it. I'm always striving to learn more about my people's accomplishments across the Diaspora.
Transition did not lower my IQ. As my cis girlfriends jokingly tell me, it enhanced it.
I am still down with our ongoing effort within the Black community to uplift the race and make it better. I want to add the voices, thoughts and talents of African descended trans people like myself and others to that effort both inside and outside the Black community.
At the same time I recognize the value of having and building a vibrant, self-aware Black trans community that knows its history, recognizes its heroes and sheroes and is a key player in the decision making ranks of the GLBT community.
I am still a 'Big C' Christian who is more concerned with 'what Jesus said' than the 'what Paul said' mean spirited right-wing prosperity gospel brand of Christianity.
I am not a 'birth defect'. I was made by the Creator to be here at this particular time and place with a certain skill set and talents. I am as a trans person a person with unique insights and part of the diverse mosaic of human life.
I also still share, as William Hastie said in a 1950 speech at the University of Rochester, the 'militancy against discrimination and racial indignity that is a heritage from our forbears'.
Being a proud African descended trans person does not constitute grounds for yanking my 'Black Card'.
Now Clarence Thomas is another story, but I digress.
And you Black peeps who have a problem with trans people on specious religious grounds or because of your own insecurities need to buy a vowel and get a clue about that as well.
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.
TransGriot Note: This guest post is courtesy of Tami at What Tami Said.
The facts seem to be thus:
On Saturday, in the U.S. Open semifinals, champion Serena Williams faced an unranked Kim Clijsters, who more than held her own in a taut, close battle.
According to Sports Illustrated online:
With Williams serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the second set, she faulted on her first serve. On the second serve, a line judge called a foot fault, making it a double-fault -- a call rarely, if ever, seen at that stage of any match, let alone the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. Read more...
Williams responded to the call with an uncharacteristic level of anger. Again according to Sports Illustrated: "walking toward the line judge, screaming, cursing and shaking a ball in the official's direction, threatening to "shove it down" her throat."
In response, Williams was penalized a point for poor sportswomanship, giving a surprise victory to Clijsters.
On these things, most people agree. And few would celebrate Williams' outburst, which was ugly, unfortunate, graceless, ineffective and WRONG. My concern is that reaction to Williams lapse of judgement is ripe with sexism and racism.
When you consider the legacy of tennis "bad boys" like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Ilie Nastase, the hyperventilating over Williams' lapse seems completely out-of-proportion.
McEnroe's outbursts that included marching aggressively up to line judges, cursing and destroying rackets have become part of the tennis legend's mythology. His childish behavior can be compiled into a two-part You Tube greatest hits reel set to cheerful music. And though McEnroe continued to have meltdowns long after his behavior could be deemed youthful folly, we chalk his actions up to the sort of single-minded intensity it takes to be a legendary winner in sport...when you are a man (and preferably a white one). McEnroe is affectionately remembered as a "bad boy."
But when you are a woman, and a black one at that, your wrong is more wrong than the next person's. In contrast to comments on McEnroe You Tube videos, reactions to Williams' tantrum are filled with racist language. Of course, for anyone who has ever spent time on You Tube, it shouldn't surprise to hear the word "animal" tossed around in reference to black women. What does surprise me (or maybe not) is the reaction of more mainstream sources.
Yahoo has been playing the Williams story on its front page for two days with language that would make a reader believe Williams had gone on some sort of bloody rampage.
The New York Times offered a breathless lead in to its coverage:
Serena Williams became unhinged in a shocking display of vitriol and profanity toward a line judge at the most inopportune time Saturday night — right before match point for Kim Clijsters in the semifinals of the United States Open.
The lineswoman involved in Williams' outburst is now said to have felt "threatened."
Several commenters on the generally progressive and feminist Jezebel piled on Williams and failed to note the gender and race biases inherent in their reactions. A commenter named LaComtesse offer this post and photo:
From the article: "I've never been in a fight in my whole life, so I don't know why she would have felt threatened," Williams said with a smile. Ummm....really, Ms. Williams? You don't see how, in certain situations (say, when you threaten to shove a ball down someone's throat), one might be intimidated by you when you're angry?
The poster's implications were rightfully challenged by several others.
Sports columnist Jason Whitlock blasted Williams as "an oversized, underachieving loudmouth..." who got "smacked into reality by a just-out-of-retirement mom." In the same article, Whitlock defends Michael Jordan's pompous, ungracious, "possibly cocktail-inspired" Hall of Fame rant, also delivered this weekend. Whitlock writes:
In graphic detail, he explained the slights — real, exaggerated and imagined — that fueled his competitive fire. He gave us a peek behind the curtain, a look at what drove the greatest competitor in our lifetime. I overlooked his missteps. He's a basketball player, not a motivational speaker. He spoke without a map. His words were not measured or chosen to create the impression he was anything beyond a competitive son of a bitch.
Got that? Jordan, whose ego is legendary, is an awesome "competitive son of a bitch." Williams? Just a "whiner," and an "oversized" one, in case you missed than throw-away sexist language.
Ah, Serena. You can take the girl out of the 'hood but .............
Wonder if McEnroe, Connors and Nastase are from that same 'hood?
The Williams sisters have long been demonized in the tennis world for having the temerity to be, not just winners, but also big (women shouldn't take up too much space), strong (women's bodies should be soft. Not too soft, mind you. Serena's muscular round posterior, preposterously gets called "fat."), confident (women should be shrinking and always self-effacing) and worse, black. They are called manly and unfeminine. Discussions of their playing style are accompanied with words like "brute strength."
Jezebel offered an excellent post about new tennis favorite Michelle Oudin last week that offers a hint at what America wants in its female athletes.
Oudin certainly seems to be a lovable sports star, and her accomplishments are definitely praise-worthy, but there is something off about the way she is being celebrated. She has been called the "darling" of the U.S. Open, America's sweetheart," a "pint-sized, freckled-faced blonde from Georgia," the "tiny little savior of women's tennis," everything it seems, save tennis' "Great White Hope" although given the media coverage of Oudin's win, it would probably be more like the "little, teeny-tiny, super cute White Hope").
Especially problematic was this article from the Daily Beast, which quoted ESPN sportscaster Michelle Beadle comparing Oudin to the Williams sisters. "From Day 1, I've never heard the Williams sisters referred to as sweethearts." Read more...
It is instructive to see how Williams has been cast as a "baddie" in contrast to a talented, but admittedly more-sweetheart-appropriate Clijsters, who went on to. Jezebel notes in a post today:
Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News, who called the incident "very sad," notes that Williams is already being cast as a villain to Clijsters heroine: "There were fascinating elements to this match, though most of them were lost in the chaos. It might have been constructive to debunk the traditional, sexist perceptions about Clijsters and the Williams sisters. We condemn Serena and Venus for juggling business interests, while applauding Clijsters for quitting the game completely to have a baby."
This incident is perhaps the best example of how little leeway women, and black women in particular, have in the public eye. Serena Williams' behavior this weekend should be viewed as an unfortunate misstep by an otherwise admirable athlete, whose life, on an off the court, stands as a model for young women and men. Instead, we're worrying about Williams' future and whether her reputation can recover from this single incident. One incident, and to the masses, Williams has proved that she is not "America's Sweetheart," as if there was ever a question. One incident, and to the masses, Williams has proven their sexist and racist biases correct. One incident, and she is an angry, black woman--threatening, an animal.
Can a woman--a black woman--lose her shit in public and recover without the stain remaining on her reputation forever? Will Serena's wrong be treated in the same way as the wrongs of male athletes? I wish that the answer was yes, but I don't know.
History was made in Columbus, OH yesterday as HB 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act passed the Democratically controlled House by a 56-38 vote.
All the Democratic members of the Ohio House of Representatives voted for the bill except one. Rep. Lorraine Fende didn't cast a vote. It also garnered yes votes from five Republican representatives.
The EHEA would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio, and its passage in the House marks the first time a pro-LGBT bill passed either chamber of the Ohio Statehouse.
The Ohio Democratic Party sent out this press release after the passage of the EHEA.
****
Ohio Democratic Party Praises Passage of H.B. 176 Bill Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
COLUMBUS – Today, the Ohio Democratic Party praised the passage of H.B. 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act, a bill to prohibit discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All House Democrats supported the bill. It is the first bill that was passed in the Statehouse when legislators returned to session today and the first bill in our state’s history that would expand rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans.
“With today’s historic vote, we are one step closer to ensuring that Ohioans will not be fired or kicked out of their homes just because of who they are or who they love,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern.
“The fact that all House Democrats supported H.B. 176 is a testament to our Party’s commitment to equality for all Ohioans. I congratulate Equality Ohio and their coalition partners, the Human Rights Campaign and Stonewall Democrats, as well as Representative Dan Stewart, House Leadership and all who worked so diligently to make passage of this bill possible. We urge Senate President Bill Harris to move it through committee and to a vote on the Senate floor.”
The LGBT Caucus of the Ohio Democratic Party joined LGBT groups in working to pass this bill. The Ohio Democratic Party is the only State Party in the country with a full-time staff member dedicated to outreach to the LGBT community.
****
Unfortunately the Ohio Senate is GOP controlled, so it is highly unlikely the EHEA is going to pass there.
But the gang at Equality Ohio, LGBT Democrats, supporters and Senate Democrats led by Sen. Dale Miller, D-Cleveland will give it the old college try.
Lynne Bowman, the executive Director of Equality Ohio, stated in a Columbus Examiner interview aid she is gearing up for a push in the Senate, which will include convincing Republicans that this is not a politically risky vote. However, she also realizes that, because a number of Senate Republicans are in safe seats where the only true challenge could come in a GOP primary, the bill may not see action until after the 2010 May primary.
"We've had preliminary conversations over the last few years, so we know where we need to do our work and where our opportunities are," Bowman said of the Senate.
Good luck and congratulations on getting it one step closer to becoming law in the state of Ohio.
"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter said. "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that share the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans."
Carter continued, "And that racism inclination still exists. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply."
Boo yah!
I always loved Jimmy Carter and felt like he has gotten a raw deal in terms of his presidency. Had Raygun not reversed many of his energy policies we'd be in much better shape and a more energy efficient nation now,
Thanks to JasmyneCannick.com I discovered that one of the blogs I guest post on, Racialicious, was nominated in the Best Black Blog Category for a Black Press All Star Award.
The 5th Annual Black Press All Star Awards event will take place on Friday, September 18 in Harlem, NY.
Unfortunately the September 10 voting deadline has already passed, but here's the full slate of nominees for the Best Black Blog category.
Black Agenda Report Jasmyne Cannick Mario Armstrong Opinionated Black Woman Racialicious
Congratulations to both Latoya and Jasmyne for being nominated. While we don't get into blogging for the awards, it sure is nice when people recognize the hard work you put in to make your blog a quality one that people will want to visit.
It's even more rewarding when your own people recognize the work you do.
I've been cracking up over the last three days about the right wing lies coming fast and furiously about their Washington 'Hate On Obama' protest last Saturday.
Matt Kibbe, the head of FreedomWorks and the organizer of the "Tea Party" protest in Washington falsely claimed while on stage at the event ABC News estimated the turnout at 1 million to 1.5 million people.
They've even gone as far as to try to circulate on right wing blogs an old photo claiming it was their hatefest. In the interim their leaders and the attendees of these tea parties reveal what we already know.
They hate President Obama.
The very next day ABC News rebutted that claim on their website and said they reported the DC Fire Department estimate of 60,000 to 70,000 people.
Nice try people. If you 'white' wingers really want to know what 1.5 million people look like, you need only to dial back the clock a few months to January 20 and the Obama presidential inauguration.
The crowd size was estimated by the DC Fire Department at 1.8 million
You only make yourselves look more pathetic every day.
I was shaking my head the other day when CNN and other outlets continued to play Serena's outburst at the just concluded US Open, Kanye West's trip out on Taylor Swift and Joe Wilson's dissing of the POTUS.
Then they asked the question where's the civility in American society?
You're kidding, right? Where in Hades have y'all been for the last twenty years? In a coma?
The conservative movement, the Religious Reich and right wing shock jocks have been attacking, denigrating, falsely labeling, demonizing, slandering and shouting down people for decades and now you say it's a problem?
Where was your concern over Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and a cavalcade of right wing idiots making patently false but mean spirited statements?
In Michael Savage's case, his hate speech has earned him the distinction of being banned from traveling to Britain.
Where was MSM outrage when over the month of August you said nothing as the GOP Know-Nothings turned town hall meetings on the health care issue into WWE free for alls?
This is a question and a problem you should have highlighted and called out twenty years ago. You're late.
One of the things I constantly battle as a African descended person trying to tell my stories or speak my mind about issues is vanilla flavored privilege filled folks deploying an array of silencing techniques.
They attempt to shut down or divert the conversation from whatever points I was attempting to make.
Just because what I or any other POC has to say makes you uncomfortable or does not neatly line up with your worldview doesn't make it wrong.
It also doesn't give you the right to attempt to shout it down.
I'm not 'racist' when I call out whiteness, the insidious way it operates in our society, instances of white peeps behaving badly or vanilla flavored privileged peeps saying stuff that is, let's say it, racist.
Speaking of racist, that stunt when you post epithet filled comments while hiding behind anonymous screen names is so nekulturny.
If your pointed sheet wearing behind is bold enough to say it, be bold enough to claim it.
I love it when you call on the mythical Black 'friend' who just happens to have a viewpoint that is diametrically opposed to mine and lines up neatly with yours.
Um, that's the oldest trick in the book, and doesn't fly because conservative Black peeps are currently about 2% of our voting population.
The likelihood that you know a Black person that just happens to have a viewpoint that neatly lines up with yours is about the same odds as the LA Clippers winning back-to-back NBA championships.
Oh yeah, don't try the fake comments trick either. You know, the one where you claim you're Black, biracial, a 'minority' (dead giveaway) _______________ (fill in the blank).
But you post a talking points filled commentary that sounds like you got it from Rush Limbaugh or WingNutDaily, express thoughts that put you in the Clarence Thomas or Condoleezza Rice sellout club or stick in links that go directly to right wing websites.
Writing styles are as individual as fingerprints. There are certain historical, racial, cultural and gender nuances that you vanilla flavored poseurs don't get or miss that will always get you race (and gender) perpetrators busted.
You can personally attack me by calling me, 'angry', 'emotional' or whatever euphemism du jour you're using at that moment, but it still doesn't change the fact that the crap happened and I'm calling it out.
So you can chill with your weak attempts to use various silencing techniques to muzzle me. I'm still going to call your BS out when I see it and when it happens.
If you want a meaningful dialogue on various issues, it can't be a one way conversation. Just as you wish for me to listen to what you have to say, I need, deserve and demand the same respect.
There were several school districts in Texas and at least five other states didn't show President Obama's education speech to schoolchildren last week.
Arlington ISD was among the North Texas school districts who opted out. They cited not wanting to disrupt already prepared teacher lesson plans as their excuse for not doing so.
So when word leaked out the AISD was planning to bus approximately 600 fifth graders on September 21 to a 2011 Super Bowl kickoff event at Cowboys Stadium featuring George W. Bush, the reaction in the Metroplex and nationally was swift and immediate.
In the wake of the developing media firestorm, the AISD canceled the field trip to see former President George W. Bush.
"In retrospect, I can see how the district’s decisions concerning these two events could be seen as favoring one event over another," AISD Superintendent McCullough said. "I sincerely regret that this chain of events has occurred and brought negative attention to our district. I apologize that my decisions on behalf of the district have disappointed or hurt people."
We native Texans all know that North Texas is mostly right wing territory.
The initial action of not showing the Obama speech was wrapped in the foul stench of partisan GOP politics. Then you prepare to bus AISD kids to another event for the previous (white) president.
It not only appears hypocritical, but injects the problematic element of race into the situation. It also smacks of unfairness in addition to giving the impression that AISD was politically partisan.
An urban school district such as AISD, especially one with significant POC enrollment can't afford that perception,
Glad Superintendent McCullough recognized the PR mess and corrected the mistakes.
Serena shook off Saturday's semifinal drama, the $10,000 fine it cost her and joined her sister Venus in winning their first US Open doubles title in a decade.
"I'd like to thank the fans for supporting me through everything," she said to applause from a few thousand fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I really, really love you guys and never want to have a bad image for you guys."
The Williams sisters made quick work of the world's number one ranked and tournament number one seeded doubles team in Liezel Huber and Cara Black.
It took Big Sis and Little Sis only 89 minutes to defeat Black and Huber 6-2, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and claim the $420,000 first prize.
In the process of extending their unbeaten record in Grand Slam doubles finals to 10-0, they captured their third Grand Slam doubles title this year and 10th overall in their careers.
The only Grand Slam doubles title that eluded them was the French Open.
"I have a great partner," Venus said. "I believe in her just as much as I believe in myself."
Patrick McEnroe, whose brother John was notorious for tennis meltdowns during the 80's tried to press the issue during the post match interview.
The crowd started booing until Big Sis stepped in.
"I think what the crowd is saying is, 'Patrick, let's move on,'" Venus said
Yep, let's move on to 2010 and see if the sisters can catch the team of Natasha Zvereva and Gigi Fernandez, who captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and eventually Navratilova and Shriver.
I mentioned that as a kid I loved reading Archie Comics. I not only am an Archie fan, I also like Josie and the Pussycats as well. 
When Issue 600 hit the stands a few weeks ago, I was surprised to come home from work after a very crappy day and find that issue sitting on top of my computer keyboard.
To add to her shock over witnessing the engagement, Betty is asked by Veronica to be her maid of honor. 
