Thursday, September 24, 2009

Free The Antigua 6

I learned about this story courtesy of the TJMS (Tom Joyner Morning Show) commentator Jeff Johnson and BlackAmericaWeb.com. It plays into some of the stuff that Kola Boof, Renee, Allison and I briefly discussed in our podcast with her a few weeks ago.

By dint of our birth in North America, African descended people living in the United States and Canada are considered by the rest of the African Diaspora as wealthy in comparison to the rest of our African cousins.

That's news to us on a lot of levels, but the reality is that the median income of an African-American family was $25,351 in 1998.

While we know that pales in comparison to the $88,000 median income of a White family, our African descended cousins, with visions of American TV shows on the mind, see it differently.

But that perception of wealth plays into some of the negative treatment that we African-Americans sometimes receive when we sail on these cruises that stop in Caribbean islands

But on to the subjects of this post. The Antigua Six are Rachel Henry, 27, Shoshannah Henry, 24, Dolores Lalanne, 25, Nancy Lalanne, 22, Joshua Jackson, 25, and Mike Pierre-Paul, 25.

And before you haters get started with the usual negative stereotypes about African-Americans, let me nip this in the bud now.

Peep the professions of the Antigua 6:

Rachel Henry, certified chef; fashion and runway model
Shoshannah Henry, singer-songwriter; law school student
Dolores Lalanne, social worker
Nancy Lalanne, licensed practical nurse
Joshua Jackson, crew chief for an international airline and a customer service representative for a utilities company
Mike Pierre-Paul, licensed practical nurse

They were part of a group of a dozen Brooklyn, NY residents aboard a Carnival Cruise ship that docked at Antigua earlier this month.

The six negotiated a $50 fare with a cab driver to tour the island, but ended up in a dispute with the cabbie when he demanded double the amount at the end of the ride. When the group refused to pay the new amount, he drove the passengers to a police station away from the port where the cruise ship was docked.

The group was subsequently arrested and beaten by the Antiguan po-po's. They are facing numerous charges and had an Antiguan court hearing at 2 PM yesterday in which the all pleaded not guilty.

There was a press conference held for the Antigua Six yesterday in New York, and this is the statement that was prepared by Dudley Brutus, one of the group of the tourists the Antigua Six was part of.

****

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

On August 30, 2009, Martine Larochelle, Kirstie Mauze, Joshua Jackson, Nancy and Dolores Lalanne, Antoinette Lovelace, Rachel and Shoshannah Henry, Natacha Chicoye, Edwine and Dudley Brutus and Mike Pierre-Paul, embarked on an 8 day cruise on the Carnival Victory ship leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Throughout the week, we visited the following islands: St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts.

On Friday, September 4th, 2009, we docked on the island of Antigua, where the majority of the group wanted to go to the beach, while Shoshannah wanted to rent All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). As we disembarked from the ship, Martine was greeted by a van operator who agreed to take us to the beach and rent ATVs afterwards. Martine negotiated a flat fare of $50 for a trip to the locations, to which the driver agreed. Martine shared the agreement with the group, and we all walked with the driver towards his minibus, which was parked separately from the other taxi cabs. While in the minibus, we asked the driver permission to use his cell phone so we could inquire about the renting costs for the ATVs. He informed us that we would need to purchase a phone card to put minutes on his phone so we can use it. The driver took us to a store, where Martine, Kirstie and Joshua went in to buy the phone card.

While inside the store, Martine decided the price was too excessive for the phone card and decided not to purchase it. We then decided to just go to the beach.

The driver took us to the beach and agreed to return and pick us up within an hour. When the driver did not return at the agreed time, the group began to consider getting another driver. A few minutes after the hour, he returned and we decided to continue with his services because the driver had not yet received payment from us. We got back into the minibus, and Shoshannah asked the driver about the costs of renting ATVs again. He indicated that he was unaware of the price or its location, but would take the group back to the store to get the phone card to call and obtain the necessary information.

During the ride back from the beach, some of us entertained ourselves by playing games, singing and listening to our IPods. At some point, we noticed that we were driving towards the direction of the ship and not to the store to obtain the phone card. When we asked the driver what was happening, he told us that the trip has ended and the fare is $100 US. We argued that the price was not a $100 US but $50 US. In his response, he stated its $50 US going and $50 US coming. The driver re-stated that the price was $100 US and informed us that if we did not pay what he was demanding, he would take us to the police. We asked to be taken to the police that we had seen at the port earlier in the day to resolve the issue and the driver agreed. At that moment, he picked up his cell phone and made a call as he drove in a direction that appeared to be away from the boat. When the group inquired about where he was going, the driver informed us that the road was closed and as a result, he had to take another route.

The driver started to pull up to a gated area and we became fearful of the unfamiliar surroundings. As the driver approached the gate, it began to open and I jumped out of the minibus, and the rest of the group followed behind me. As the gate opened, a uniformed officer approached the minibus and exchanged words with the driver and then with Mike. The officer tried to grab Mike, who pulled away, and the officer said, “You are under arrest!” We were still largely unclear of our surroundings, and we were becoming increasingly fearful and confused. At this point, all we saw was a uniformed officer standing outside a gate in front of an unmarked building. We asked the officer, “Why is he under arrest? What did he do? What did he do?”

A man in a white polo shirt approached the group, punched Shoshannah in the face and hit Nancy (which was witnessed by Antoinette, Kirstie, Edwine and myself). Shoshannah then told the uniformed officer that she wanted to press charges on the man who punched her. The officer ignored her and continued to hold on to Mike. Then, several people in plain clothes came out of the gate and started attacking us. Shoshannah was being kicked by individuals in plain clothes as she was down on the ground. We were pushed inside the gates and Joshua was placed in a grappling hold from behind by a plain clothes male (witnessed by Edwine, Martine and myself).

Soon afterwards, Joshua was placed in a cell with Mike and a uniformed officer came to the cell, with his hand resting on his gun, and told them that if they moved, he would shoot them.

Meanwhile, Kirstie was being attacked by a plain clothes female with a red shirt and twists in her hair. Nancy ran to her defense, and then the same female began attacking Nancy. Another woman also in plain clothes came over to hit Nancy with a baton, but was advised by another person not to do so. Kirstie and Martine asked uniformed officers to intervene, but the requests were ignored, as the uniformed officer watched the scene unravel. Natacha witnessed Dolores get kicked, while Dolores was sitting on the floor crying. Antoinette and Rachel were on the floor by what looked like holding cells. Antoinette was helping Rachel calm down, who was having what appeared to be an anxiety attack at the time. I also tried to stop the fighting between the plain clothes women and Nancy, but I was pulled by the collar by a uniformed officer with a paddle in his hand. The officer then moved me off to the side and hit me in the stomach with the paddle. Antoinette, Martine and Natacha noticed our belongings on the ground and began retrieving all our property.

The police attacked us with no attempts to resolve the situation with the driver. We were in an unknown territory, trying to obtain assistance to resolve a dispute. Some of us were working at breaking up the squabble, but when attempts were made to do so, we had to protect ourselves from being punched, hit with paddles, pushed and kicked by “officers” who failed to identify themselves.

Martine, Kirstie, Natacha, Edwine, Rachel and I were released, but then two-three plain clothes individuals came running after us and demanded that Rachel return with them. Shoshannah was carried away to a different area on an upper level above the jail cells outside the main office. Shoshannah asked that her sisters, Antoinette and Rachel, accompany her, but the police officials states only one sister, Antoinette, can escort her. Inside the room, Antoinette and Shoshannah were met by Reverend Mark Azille, who instructed them to do as they were told by the officers.

There was a tall, burly, dark-skinned police officer who noticed the Reverend speaking to the women, and told the Reverend to leave the room, and then the officer demanded that Antoinette leave the room as well. Antoinette asked the officer for a reason, stating that she did not feel comfortable leaving her sister alone, but with no remorse she was commanded to leave.

Mike and Joshua were jailed while Nancy, Rachel and Dolores were behind a partition in a different holding area. Martine, Kirstie, Natacha, Edwin and I returned to the ship and met Antoinette there. We told the Carnival officials about what occurred. Carnival referred us to an individual named Kevin, who took us to Nathan Dundas, president of the travel tourism office on the island. He called us into his office and explained that the six individuals who were arrested would not be returning to the ship and advised us to retrieve the passports and personal belongings of the detained. Mr. Dundas helped us get the belongings to the group. Martine and I returned to the holding facility and left the detained with cash and debit cards. Joshua asked for a lawyer so Mr. Dundas reached out to Mr. Benjamin, a private lawyer, to represent the six in jail.

As it stands, the six of us 12 are on trial for battery and wounding of police officers, using indecent language and disorderly conduct. The six of us here are concerned about the injustice they are receiving, and we all feel victimized. Presently, we are seeking assistance from the U.S. government, media outlets and citizens of the Unites States of America to bring our friends and family members home.

****

Time to not only see to it that our peeps not only receive justice, but bring them back home to their families. W should also let the Antiguan government, the Antiguan ambassador in Washington D.C. and their Ministry of Tourism know that we African Americans ain't having and won't tolerate this bullshit.

Y'all won't pull this bullcrap on white tourists because the unblinking eye of the MSM would come crashing down on you.

You already got a taste of that in the wake of the July 2008 attack on British honeymooners Dr. Catherine and Benjamin Mullany at an Antiguan beachside resort that left her dead and her husband on life support.

Speaking of the MSM media besides the TJMS, where y'all at on this?

Uof L Pride Events with Calpernia and Andrea

For my TransGriot readers who are on or near the U of L campus, I'll be back on your side of Da Ville later today for the Pride Week LGBT Alumni Reception starting at 5 PM EDT. Calpernia Addams and Andrea James will be delivering their Pride keynote speech at 7 PM EDT tonight.

Some of you expressed dismay that you missed my panel discussion Tuesday, so you get another opportunity to meet with me and chat about whatever issues you have on your minds for the next few hours.

Y'all can't miss me. I'll be the stylish dressed statuesque sistah in the room.

Looking forward to chatting with y'all. If you say hi, you may even get a shout out in my next TransGriot post.

See y'all at the University Club at 5 PM and Humanities 100 at 7 PM EDT.

Congressional Black Caucus ALC Weekend 2009

It started yesterday, but it's an event that I would like to attend one day despite the bitter memories I have about the 2002 one.

The Congressional Black Caucus under the auspices of their Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has held an Annual Legislative Conference since the mid 90's.

It's a four-day event held every September at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Every African-American member of the US Senate and House attends along with intellectual, political and thought leaders around the country and sometimes African descended leaders from around the world as well.

It has multiple workshops that are led by CBC congressmembers that discuss a wide variety of issues pertaining to the Black community and beyond.

The CBC congressmembers are there in full effect to hear the input of their constituents and get feedback so they can better represent the issues of African-Americans.

This year's edition of the ALC is running through September 26, so there's still time for you in the DC area to check it out and make your voices heard on some issues pertinent to our community.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The President's First UN Speech

Good morning. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to address you for the first time as the 44th President of the United States. (Applause.) I come before you humbled by the responsibility that the American people have placed upon me, mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history, and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad.

I have been in office for just nine months -- though some days it seems a lot longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around the world. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted, I believe, in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they are also rooted in hope -- the hope that real change is possible, and the hope that America will be a leader in bringing about such change.

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. And this has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for collective inaction.

Now, like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 -- more than at any point in human history -- the interests of nations and peoples are shared. The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people, or they can tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet, or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child -- anywhere -- can enrich our world, or impoverish it.

In this hall, we come from many places, but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. I have carried this message from London to Ankara; from Port of Spain to Moscow; from Accra to Cairo; and it is what I will speak about today -- because the time has come for the world to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and our work must begin now.

We know the future will be forged by deeds and not simply words. Speeches alone will not solve our problems -- it will take persistent action. For those who question the character and cause of my nation, I ask you to look at the concrete actions we have taken in just nine months.

On my first day in office, I prohibited -- without exception or equivocation -- the use of torture by the United States of America. (Applause.) I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed, and we are doing the hard work of forging a framework to combat extremism within the rule of law. Every nation must know: America will live its values, and we will lead by example.

We have set a clear and focused goal: to work with all members of this body to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies -- a network that has killed thousands of people of many faiths and nations, and that plotted to blow up this very building. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, we and many nations here are helping these governments develop the capacity to take the lead in this effort, while working to advance opportunity and security for their people.

In Iraq, we are responsibly ending a war. We have removed American combat brigades from Iraqi cities, and set a deadline of next August to remove all our combat brigades from Iraqi territory. And I have made clear that we will help Iraqis transition to full responsibility for their future, and keep our commitment to remove all American troops by the end of 2011.

I have outlined a comprehensive agenda to seek the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. In Moscow, the United States and Russia announced that we would pursue substantial reductions in our strategic warheads and launchers. At the Conference on Disarmament, we agreed on a work plan to negotiate an end to the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. And this week, my Secretary of State will become the first senior American representative to the annual Members Conference of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Upon taking office, I appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, and America has worked steadily and aggressively to advance the cause of two states -- Israel and Palestine -- in which peace and security take root, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are respected.

To confront climate change, we have invested $80 billion in clean energy. We have substantially increased our fuel-efficiency standards. We have provided new incentives for conservation, launched an energy partnership across the Americas, and moved from a bystander to a leader in international climate negotiations.

To overcome an economic crisis that touches every corner of the world, we worked with the G20 nations to forge a coordinated international response of over $2 trillion in stimulus to bring the global economy back from the brink. We mobilized resources that helped prevent the crisis from spreading further to developing countries. And we joined with others to launch a $20 billion global food security initiative that will lend a hand to those who need it most, and help them build their own capacity.

We've also re-engaged the United Nations. We have paid our bills. We have joined the Human Rights Council. (Applause.) We have signed the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have fully embraced the Millennium Development Goals. And we address our priorities here, in this institution -- for instance, through the Security Council meeting that I will chair tomorrow on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and through the issues that I will discuss today.

This is what we have already done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: This cannot solely be America's endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone. We have sought -- in word and deed -- a new era of engagement with the world. And now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.

Now, if we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we are not living up to that responsibility. Consider the course that we're on if we fail to confront the status quo: Extremists sowing terror in pockets of the world; protracted conflicts that grind on and on; genocide; mass atrocities; more nations with nuclear weapons; melting ice caps and ravaged populations; persistent poverty and pandemic disease. I say this not to sow fear, but to state a fact: The magnitude of our challenges has yet to be met by the measure of our actions.

This body was founded on the belief that the nations of the world could solve their problems together. Franklin Roosevelt, who died before he could see his vision for this institution become a reality, put it this way -- and I quote: "The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one nation…. It cannot be a peace of large nations -- or of small nations. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world."

The cooperative effort of the whole world. Those words ring even more true today, when it is not simply peace, but our very health and prosperity that we hold in common. Yet we also know that this body is made up of sovereign states. And sadly, but not surprisingly, this body has often become a forum for sowing discord instead of forging common ground; a venue for playing politics and exploiting grievances rather than solving problems. After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium and point figures -- point fingers and stoke divisions. Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anybody can do that. Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demand more.

In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero-sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold. The traditional divisions between nations of the South and the North make no sense in an interconnected world; nor do alignments of nations rooted in the cleavages of a long-gone Cold War.

The time has come to realize that the old habits, the old arguments, are irrelevant to the challenges faced by our people. They lead nations to act in opposition to the very goals that they claim to pursue -- and to vote, often in this body, against the interests of their own people. They build up walls between us and the future that our people seek, and the time has come for those walls to come down. Together, we must build new coalitions that bridge old divides -- coalitions of different faiths and creeds; of north and south, east, west, black, white, and brown.

The choice is ours. We can be remembered as a generation that chose to drag the arguments of the 20th century into the 21st; that put off hard choices, refused to look ahead, failed to keep pace because we defined ourselves by what we were against instead of what we were for. Or we can be a generation that chooses to see the shoreline beyond the rough waters ahead; that comes together to serve the common interests of human beings, and finally gives meaning to the promise embedded in the name given to this institution: the United Nations.

That is the future America wants -- a future of peace and prosperity that we can only reach if we recognize that all nations have rights, but all nations have responsibilities as well. That is the bargain that makes this work. That must be the guiding principle of international cooperation.

Today, let me put forward four pillars that I believe are fundamental to the future that we want for our children: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

First, we must stop the spread of nuclear weapons, and seek the goal of a world without them.

This institution was founded at the dawn of the atomic age, in part because man's capacity to kill had to be contained. For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a superpower stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine.

A fragile consensus stands in the way of this frightening outcome, and that is the basic bargain that shapes the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It says that all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy; that nations with nuclear weapons have a responsibility to move toward disarmament; and those without them have the responsibility to forsake them. The next 12 months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve.

America intends to keep our end of the bargain. We will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers. We will move forward with ratification of the Test Ban Treaty, and work with others to bring the treaty into force so that nuclear testing is permanently prohibited. We will complete a Nuclear Posture Review that opens the door to deeper cuts and reduces the role of nuclear weapons. And we will call upon countries to begin negotiations in January on a treaty to end the production of fissile material for weapons.

I will also host a summit next April that reaffirms each nation's responsibility to secure nuclear material on its territory, and to help those who can't -- because we must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist. And we will work to strengthen the institutions and initiatives that combat nuclear smuggling and theft.

All of this must support efforts to strengthen the NPT. Those nations that refuse to live up to their obligations must face consequences. Let me be clear, this is not about singling out individual nations -- it is about standing up for the rights of all nations that do live up to their responsibilities. Because a world in which IAEA inspections are avoided and the United Nation's demands are ignored will leave all people less safe, and all nations less secure.

In their actions to date, the governments of North Korea and Iran threaten to take us down this dangerous slope. We respect their rights as members of the community of nations. I've said before and I will repeat, I am committed to diplomacy that opens a path to greater prosperity and more secure peace for both nations if they live up to their obligations.

But if the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East -- then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear.

That brings me to the second pillar for our future: the pursuit of peace.

The United Nations was born of the belief that the people of the world can live their lives, raise their families, and resolve their differences peacefully. And yet we know that in too many parts of the world, this ideal remains an abstraction -- a distant dream. We can either accept that outcome as inevitable, and tolerate constant and crippling conflict, or we can recognize that the yearning for peace is universal, and reassert our resolve to end conflicts around the world.

That effort must begin with an unshakeable determination that the murder of innocent men, women and children will never be tolerated. On this, no one can be -- there can be no dispute. The violent extremists who promote conflict by distorting faith have discredited and isolated themselves. They offer nothing but hatred and destruction. In confronting them, America will forge lasting partnerships to target terrorists, share intelligence, and coordinate law enforcement and protect our people. We will permit no safe haven for al Qaeda to launch attacks from Afghanistan or any other nation. We will stand by our friends on the front lines, as we and many nations will do in pledging support for the Pakistani people tomorrow. And we will pursue positive engagement that builds bridges among faiths, and new partnerships for opportunity.

Our efforts to promote peace, however, cannot be limited to defeating violent extremists. For the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the hope of human beings -- the belief that the future belongs to those who would build and not destroy; the confidence that conflicts can end and a new day can begin.

And that is why we will support -- we will strengthen our support for effective peacekeeping, while energizing our efforts to prevent conflicts before they take hold. We will pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure the peace that the Sudanese people deserve. (Applause.) And in countries ravaged by violence -- from Haiti to Congo to East Timor -- we will work with the U.N. and other partners to support an enduring peace.

I will also continue to seek a just and lasting peace between Israel, Palestine, and the Arab world. (Applause.) We will continue to work on that issue. Yesterday, I had a constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. We have made some progress. Palestinians have strengthened their efforts on security. Israelis have facilitated greater freedom of movement for the Palestinians. As a result of these efforts on both sides, the economy in the West Bank has begun to grow. But more progress is needed. We continue to call on Palestinians to end incitement against Israel, and we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.)

The time has come -- the time has come to re-launch negotiations without preconditions that address the permanent status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians, borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. And the goal is clear: Two states living side by side in peace and security -- a Jewish state of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people. (Applause.)

As we pursue this goal, we will also pursue peace between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Syria, and a broader peace between Israel and its many neighbors. In pursuit of that goal, we will develop regional initiatives with multilateral participation, alongside bilateral negotiations.

Now, I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us -- not just the Israelis and the Palestinians, but all of us -- must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we will only lend it lip service. To break the old patterns, to break the cycle of insecurity and despair, all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private. The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians. (Applause.) And -- and nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks against Israel over constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy and its right to exist in peace and security. (Applause.)

We must remember that the greatest price of this conflict is not paid by us. It's not paid by politicians. It's paid by the Israeli girl in Sderot who closes her eyes in fear that a rocket will take her life in the middle of the night. It's paid for by the Palestinian boy in Gaza who has no clean water and no country to call his own. These are all God's children. And after all the politics and all the posturing, this is about the right of every human being to live with dignity and security. That is a lesson embedded in the three great faiths that call one small slice of Earth the Holy Land. And that is why, even though there will be setbacks and false starts and tough days, I will not waver in my pursuit of peace. (Applause.)

Third, we must recognize that in the 21st century, there will be no peace unless we take responsibility for the preservation of our planet. And I thank the Secretary General for hosting the subject of climate change yesterday.

The danger posed by climate change cannot be denied. Our responsibility to meet it must not be deferred. If we continue down our current course, every member of this Assembly will see irreversible changes within their borders. Our efforts to end conflicts will be eclipsed by wars over refugees and resources. Development will be devastated by drought and famine. Land that human beings have lived on for millennia will disappear. Future generations will look back and wonder why we refused to act; why we failed to pass on -- why we failed to pass on an environment that was worthy of our inheritance.

And that is why the days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over. We will move forward with investments to transform our energy economy, while providing incentives to make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. We will press ahead with deep cuts in emissions to reach the goals that we set for 2020, and eventually 2050. We will continue to promote renewable energy and efficiency, and share new technologies with countries around the world. And we will seize every opportunity for progress to address this threat in a cooperative effort with the entire world.

And those wealthy nations that did so much damage to the environment in the 20th century must accept our obligation to lead. But responsibility does not end there. While we must acknowledge the need for differentiated responses, any effort to curb carbon emissions must include the fast-growing carbon emitters who can do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting growth. And any effort that fails to help the poorest nations both adapt to the problems that climate change have already wrought and help them travel a path of clean development simply will not work.

It's hard to change something as fundamental as how we use energy. I know that. It's even harder to do so in the midst of a global recession. Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. As we head into Copenhagen, let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future.

And this leads me to the final pillar that must fortify our future: a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

The world is still recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In America, we see the engine of growth beginning to churn, and yet many still struggle to find a job or pay their bills. Across the globe, we find promising signs, but little certainty about what lies ahead. And far too many people in far too many places live through the daily crises that challenge our humanity -- the despair of an empty stomach; the thirst brought on by dwindling water supplies; the injustice of a child dying from a treatable disease; or a mother losing her life as she gives birth.

In Pittsburgh, we will work with the world's largest economies to chart a course for growth that is balanced and sustained. That means vigilance to ensure that we do not let up until our people are back to work. That means taking steps to rekindle demand so that global recovery can be sustained. And that means setting new rules of the road and strengthening regulation for all financial centers, so that we put an end to the greed and the excess and the abuse that led us into this disaster, and prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again.

At a time of such interdependence, we have a moral and pragmatic interest, however, in broader questions of development -- the questions of development that existed even before this crisis happened. And so America will continue our historic effort to help people feed themselves. We have set aside $63 billion to carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS, to end deaths from tuberculosis and malaria, to eradicate polio, and to strengthen public health systems. We are joining with other countries to contribute H1N1 vaccines to the World Health Organization. We will integrate more economies into a system of global trade. We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year's summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.

Now is the time for all of us to do our part. Growth will not be sustained or shared unless all nations embrace their responsibilities. And that means that wealthy nations must open their markets to more goods and extend a hand to those with less, while reforming international institutions to give more nations a greater voice. And developing nations must root out the corruption that is an obstacle to progress -- for opportunity cannot thrive where individuals are oppressed and business have to pay bribes. That is why we support honest police and independent judges; civil society and a vibrant private sector. Our goal is simple: a global economy in which growth is sustained, and opportunity is available to all.

Now, the changes that I've spoken about today will not be easy to make. And they will not be realized simply by leaders like us coming together in forums like this, as useful as that may be. For as in any assembly of members, real change can only come through the people we represent. That is why we must do the hard work to lay the groundwork for progress in our own capitals. That's where we will build the consensus to end conflicts and to harness technology for peaceful purposes, to change the way we use energy, and to promote growth that can be sustained and shared.

I believe that the people of the world want this future for their children. And that is why we must champion those principles which ensure that governments reflect the will of the people. These principles cannot be afterthoughts -- democracy and human rights are essential to achieving each of the goals that I've discussed today, because governments of the people and by the people are more likely to act in the broader interests of their own people, rather than narrow interests of those in power.

The test of our leadership will not be the degree to which we feed the fears and old hatreds of our people. True leadership will not be measured by the ability to muzzle dissent, or to intimidate and harass political opponents at home. The people of the world want change. They will not long tolerate those who are on the wrong side of history.

This Assembly's Charter commits each of us -- and I quote -- "to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women." Among those rights is the freedom to speak your mind and worship as you please; the promise of equality of the races, and the opportunity for women and girls to pursue their own potential; the ability of citizens to have a say in how you are governed, and to have confidence in the administration of justice. For just as no nation should be forced to accept the tyranny of another nation, no individual should be forced to accept the tyranny of their own people. (Applause.)

As an African American, I will never forget that I would not be here today without the steady pursuit of a more perfect union in my country. And that guides my belief that no matter how dark the day may seem, transformative change can be forged by those who choose to side with justice. And I pledge that America will always stand with those who stand up for their dignity and their rights -- for the student who seeks to learn; the voter who demands to be heard; the innocent who longs to be free; the oppressed who yearns to be equal.

Democracy cannot be imposed on any nation from the outside. Each society must search for its own path, and no path is perfect. Each country will pursue a path rooted in the culture of its people and in its past traditions. And I admit that America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy. But that does not weaken our commitment; it only reinforces it. There are basic principles that are universal; there are certain truths which are self-evident -- and the United States of America will never waver in our efforts to stand up for the right of people everywhere to determine their own destiny. (Applause.)

Sixty-five years ago, a weary Franklin Roosevelt spoke to the American people in his fourth and final inaugural address. After years of war, he sought to sum up the lessons that could be drawn from the terrible suffering, the enormous sacrifice that had taken place. "We have learned," he said, "to be citizens of the world, members of the human community."

The United Nations was built by men and women like Roosevelt from every corner of the world -- from Africa and Asia, from Europe to the Americas. These architects of international cooperation had an idealism that was anything but naïve -- it was rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war; rooted in the wisdom that nations could advance their interests by acting together instead of splitting apart.

Now it falls to us -- for this institution will be what we make of it. The United Nations does extraordinary good around the world -- feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, mending places that have been broken. But it also struggles to enforce its will, and to live up to the ideals of its founding.

I believe that those imperfections are not a reason to walk away from this institution -- they are a calling to redouble our efforts. The United Nations can either be a place where we bicker about outdated grievances, or forge common ground; a place where we focus on what drives us apart, or what brings us together; a place where we indulge tyranny, or a source of moral authority. In short, the United Nations can be an institution that is disconnected from what matters in the lives of our citizens, or it can be an indispensable factor in advancing the interests of the people we serve.

We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation -- one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations. And so, with confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people so richly deserve.

Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.)

Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid May Get More High Powered Help

With Chicago being in a tight race to secure the 2016 Olympic Games and the October 2 decision date looming, the Chicago 2016 committee may be about to get more help from the big guns in its arsenal- Oprah Winfrey and the POTUS.

There are also rumors that Chicago 2016 is trying to get Hall of Famer and Olympian Michael Jordan to make the trip as well. No word from His Airness yet as to whether he will do so, although he does support the bid.

“I’ve had some tremendous memories in my professional basketball career,” Jordan said. “But the memory of standing as a representative at the Olympics representing the United States is one of the proudest moments of my life. To step up on that podium representing your country—there’s no greater honor than that.”

As for Oprah, she stated in a recent interview from Toronto that she is open to the idea of going to Copenhagen to help Chicago sell its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

There's some talk about it, and if I feel I can be useful there, then that's what I will do." Oprah said to the Chicago Tribune.

First Lady Michelle Obama and White House adviser Valerie Jarrett are heading to Copenhagen with the Chicago 2016 delegation for that October 2 meeting.

On that date each of the Final Four cities will get a final chance to impress IOC members and make their Olympic case after months of preparation and visits by IOC officials.

Each candidate city will have 45 minutes to present, followed by 15 minutes of questions. First up will be Chicago thanks to the results of a random drawing conducted before this meeting.

To secure the Olympic bid, a candidate city must garner a 51% majority of the secret ballots cast. IOC President Jacques Rogge has said this year's vote is too close to call, and the winner could be decided by a few votes.

Olympic bid watchers are predicting a tight race between Chicago and Rio. It's adding to the pressure for President Obama to help his adopted hometown cross the finish line and secure the Olympic Summer Games for a US city for the first time since Atlanta hosted the 1996 Games.

There are rumors the Prez is creating room on his domestic calendar to hake that trip and be available for the vote.

Even if he doesn't make the trip to Copenhagen, the White House says the president has been actively engaged in helping Chicago. He has not only reached out to IOC President Jacques Rogge, but sent letters to all IOC voting members, taped four video messages supporting Chicago's bid and made targeted phone calls to key IOC members.

That outreach will continue and probably intensify as the October 2 meeting date approaches.

During the Olympics rally recently held at the White House, the president stated a winning bid would not only be a success for Chicago, but the whole country.

"Chicago will make America proud," he said. "And America will make the world proud."

GOP Plays Itself

There's an old saying in the African American community. If you dig a grave for someone, better dig one for yourself.

In the conservative zeal to attack and destroy ACORN, the GOP has deliciously done just that.

The GOP written congressional legislation intended to defund ACORN is written so broadly that it applies to "any organization" that has been charged with breaking federal or state election laws, lobbying disclosure laws, campaign finance laws or filing fraudulent paperwork with any federal or state agency. It also applies to any of the employees, contractors or other folks affiliated with a group charged with any of those things.

Translation: The bill they passed has the potential to defund their allies in the entire military-industrial complex.

Freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) noted the arrogant and boneheaded GOP sponsored legislative overreach. He asked the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) to check its database and find our which defense contractors might be caught up in the same tangled web the GOP weaved to ensnare ACORN with.

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman both popped up quickly on POGO's list with 77 fraud cases between them since 1995.

Rep. Grayson is also seeking help from you intrepid fraud busters to find more examples of organizations committing fraud against the federal government.

The GOP also played themselves and filed the bill as a "motion to recommit" in the House, where it passed 345-75. Constitutional expert Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) noted that The Defund ACORN Act appears to be a 'bill of attainder'.

In other words, if it specifically targets a company, organization or individual, it is banned by the Constitution. Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Barney Frank (D-MA) sent a letter to the Congressional Research Service asking it to clarify if in fact the Defund ACORN Act is constitutional.

If it's ruled the bill doesn't specifically target ACORN, then Northrop Grumman and a host of other companies are in big time danger of losing their federal funding as well.

Hey, that's what you GOPers get for sending people to Washington who don't read the Constitution, but instead run roughshod over it.

It would serve the Rethuglicans right for starting this BS in the first place.

ENDA House Committee Hearing Today

At 10 AM EDT today the House Education and Labor Committee chaired by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) will hold hearings on HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

ENDA is the proposed legislation introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) that would prohibit employment discrimination, preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers with 15 or more employees.

Currently, it is legal to discriminate in the workplace based on sexual orientation in 29 states and in 38 states based on gender identity.

Some of the people who are on the witness list are:

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
Hon. Stuart J. Ishimaru, Acting Commissioner, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
William Eskridge, John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence, Yale Law School,
Vandy Beth Glenn, fired from her Georgia state legislative job when she told her supervisor she was transitioning from male to female.
Camille Olson, partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Rabbi David Saperstein, director, the Religious Action Center
Brad Sears, executive director, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law.

The Forces of Intolerance will be represented by Craig Parshall, senior vice president and general counsel, National Religious Broadcasters Association

There are also other witnesses to be announced that weren't available at the time I received the press release.

If you're in the DC area, it will be taking place in Room 2175, the House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Historic Change Has Come To Japan

For fifty years the conservative Liberal Democratic Party has ruled post war Japan.

But the impact of the worldwide recession on Japan combined with various LDP scandals and its almost unbroken control of Japanese political life got the voters in 'throw the LDP rascals out' mode.

On August 30 the center-left Democratic Party of Japan rolled to a convincing and historic electoral beatdown of the LDP.

The ten year old DPJ captured 308 seats in the 408 seat Diet lower house elections and put the son of a respected Japanese political family in the position as leader of the Democratic Party of Japan to be its next prime minister.

On September 16 a new era in Japanese politics began as Stanford University educated Yukio Hatoyama formally took power as prime minister. The DPJ is also riding a huge wave of popularity according to a poll conducted by the Nikkei newspaper and TV Tokyo Corp.


It is starting its new administration with the second highest approval rating ever recorded for that poll. It has the support of 75 percent of the poll rspondents.

Only Junichiro Koizumi’s government after it took power in April 2001 had a higher approval rating at 80 percent.

But now comes the fun part, governing Japan.

The DPJ now has to make good on the promises it made during the campaign. It printed and distributed five million copies of its "Change in Power" campaign manifesto and program which lists in black and white what the new government is committed to achieving.

The DPJ also faces the challenge of reviving the sluggish Japanese economy.

Prime Minister Hatoyama and the other DPJ leaders are keenly aware that if they don't, their current sky-high poll numbers could plunge and they could suffer the fate of the conservative LDP government they just ousted.

So it will be interesting to see just what form change takes in the Land of The Rising Sun and how fast they achieve it.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Pouring Tea At U of L

I only stayed home long enough to change clothes, write a post and check my e-mail as I returned to the U of L campus for a 7 PM Pride Week event.

This time I wasn't leading the discussion. I got the pleasure of being a spectator after running my mouth with Dr. Kaila Story, Jaison Gardiner (or as I call him 'Nephew' since he calls me 'Auntie Monica') the gang in Blkout, the new African American GLBT organization on the U of L campus, and other assorted peeps on campus and in the Louisville GLBT and progressive community.

What I bounced out of the house for was to witness Dr. E. Patrick Johnson's one man play entitled 'Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Tales'

The play grew out of the oral histories that Dr. Johnson compiled while writing his just released book published by the University of North Carolina Press.

The book is entitled Sweet Tea: An Oral History of Black Gay Men of the South.

It covered topics such as coming of age in the South, religion, sex, transgenderism, love stories to coming out. The oral histories are from black gay men and a transwoman who were born, raised, and continue to live in the South ranging in age from 19 to 93.

It was a fascinating and enjoyable two hours listening to Dr. Johnson channel the various people depicted in this play. One of the people was an old friend of mine I met at the 2004 Southern Comfort Conference.

Some of the stories hit close to home, especially when Dr. Johnson got to the section of the play about Chastity, the trans character. I was also fascinated to hear 93 year old Countess Vivian tell his stories about Black gay life in segregated New Orleans.

I had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Johnson when it was over. He is on a fall tour on various college campuses with this play as I write this.

If it appears on your campus or a campus near you, go see it. You'll be glad you did.

A Wonderful Discussion At U of L's Ali Institute

It's Pride Week on the U of L campus and I spent a wonderful few hours this afternoon leading a brown bag panel discussion of the subject of gender neutral bathrooms.

It was sponsored by the Muhammad Ali Institute For Peace and Justice, which is located on the second floor of U of L's Ekstrom Library.

As I like to do with any speaking engagement, even though it was a noon start, I like getting there early. I enjoy walking around on college campuses, talking to staff and students and observing what's going on.

I had a chance to chat with Ali Institute staff members Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye, Erika R. Stith, and Mikal Forbush and two Ali Scholar students who dropped in before we got started with the panel discussion.

I also discovered that two of the students attending read TransGriot on a regular basis.

We ended up covering issues beyond just gender neutral bathroom ones. We discussed a wide variety of topics such as intersex issues, Caster Semenya, trans ID issues and race and gender in the hour and ten minutes I was there.

I was also surprised and pleased to get the neat U of L Ali Institute note pad I received as a token of the staff's appreciation when it ended. It's definitely going to be put to good use.

Before I left the U of L campus I paid a courtesy call to Brian Buford and the gang at the Office of LGBT Services. We had a brief discussion about how the event was going as he gave me a quick tour of the place.

Just an FYI, the 2009 edition of U of L Pride Week will continue until September 29.

On my way to the Red Barn where it's located, passed by a fundie preacher spouting the usual anti GLBT hate screed. After I grabbed something to eat I was going to go mess with his head a bit but he'd ended his christodiatribe by the time I exited the Student Center.

So as you can tell, I had a wonderful time on campus. I deeply appreciate the gracious invitation the Muhammad Ali Institute staff extended to me and the warm welcome I received from them and the students attending today.

I'm looking forward to helping them with another event in the near future.

EBONY Fashion Fair Fall 2009 Season Cancelled

The EBONY Fashion Fair for fifty years has been an iconic slice of African-American culture. It was responsible for opening the eyes of the fashion industry to the fact that Black people not only like high fashion clothes, we have money to spend on it and Black women look good in them.

In addition, the EBONY Fashion Fair laid the groundwork for African descended people to consider and have careers in the fashion industry in addition to showcasing the work of Black designers.

The show also paved the way for Black people to enter modeling and other professions. A 15 year old Pat Cleveland strutted down the EBONY Fashion Fair runways before she moved up to the runways of Paris and supermodel status. Richard Roundtree was also an alum along with newscaster Sue Simmons and Janet Langhart Cohen.

So it was with shock and sadness that I heard the news that the Fall 2009 edition of the EBONY Fashion Fair will not take place.

"In light of the overall economic challenges that are affecting many, including our potential corporate sponsors, we have arrived at a most difficult decision to cancel Ebony Fashion Fair's fall 2009 season," Johnson Publishing Co. Chief Executive Officer Linda Johnson Rice said in a statement. "In the coming months, we will develop a new business model to ensure that the show is a mutually beneficial endeavor."

The EBONY Fashion Fair in addition to being a much anticipated event is one that also acts a a primary fund raising activity for sororities, churches and other civil groups. It is estimated that over the life of the show, it has raised an estimated $55 million in support of local charities.

It's also acted as a rite of passage activity for many African descended mothers and daughters, and a fun family night out activity as well.

Here's hoping that whatever fiscal problems prevented Johnson Publishing Company from putting on this fall's show are quickly rectified.

We need the EBONY Fashion Fair to bounce back, bigger, better and badder than ever.

Monday, September 21, 2009

SCC 2009

Today is the first day for the 2009 edition of the Southern Comfort Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia.

It will take place in the ATL from today until September 27 and is considered the world's largest transgender conference.

Last year they set an all time attendance record with over 1000 attendees. With the down economy, they are not expecting to break that record this year, but you never know.

I attended my first SCC ten years ago and my last one was in 2004. It became one of my favorite trans conferences because back in my Air Marshal days it was held at hotels inside the Atlanta city limits. At the 2004 SCC, the last one I attended, they used a hotel in midtown Atlanta not far from Piedmont Park.

If I was bored with what was going on in the hotel, I was a short walk from a MARTA station and access to Atlanta's history and other attractions. It gets old sometimes counting the number of Black trans persons at an event as large as SCC on one and sometimes two hands.

One of the ongoing problems that the SCC organizers have consistently struggled with is drawing enough African-American and other POC transpeople to attend.

I do give SCC props for trying to address it. It's long been a source of irritation to the organizers that they are sitting in what is considered the Black gay Mecca and the African descended attendance rate is anemic.

Much of that problem is related to cost and the suburban hotels they choose to host it in causing fiscal participation barriers, but that's another post.

One of the things I love about SCC is that it's chock full of quality seminar presentations. It's also one of the events where the political peeps of the trans community meet and talk shop.

It was also at SCC where The Lie was told prior to the trans community getting cut out of ENDA in 2007.

And since employment is an issue, for the third year SCC is sponsoring a Career Expo.

So if you're a person wishing to learn more about the trans community, this is the event along with the IFGE conference that usually held in April.

The SCC conference theme this year is 'Heroes In Our Lives' and the keynote address will be given by longtime activist Jamison Green.

Wish I could be there, but have local fish to fry.

At any rate, have a great and successful 2009 conference. Since 2010 is an anniversary year, the TransGriot may pop down to the ATL for that one.

Need to make that pilgrimage to the MLK Jr National Historic Site that I keep putting off along with the trip to the Carter Center.

The Interesting Story Of Gerald Trenton

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Welcome Back, Bill Cosby

After agreeing with President Carter's recent comments about racism in this country, Pat Buchanan and his conservafools won't be calling his name as an example of Black people we African descended peeps should be listening to in their jacked up opinions.



I agree with President Carter that racism is playing a role in recent outbursts against President Obama. During President Obama’s speech on the status of health care reform, some members of congress engaged in a public display of disrespect. While one Representative hurled the now infamous “you lie” insult at the President, others made their lack of interest known by exhibiting rude behavior such as deliberately yawning and sending text messages.

Health care reform is the most important domestic issue facing America today. Disease does not discriminate. African American, White, Asian, Latino, Republican, Democrat, no one in America is immune. So it seems obvious that a debate on health care reform should not include views born solely of partisanship or bigotry.

Boo yah! The Cos is tellin' it like it T-I-S is on this issue.

Stick that in your Jello pudding right wingers.

Texans Beat The Tennessee Traitors!

Time to gloat. Go Texans!

You know how much we jilted Oilers fans hate the Tennessee Traitors (oops, Titans) for skulking out of H-town. When we got the Texans and were placed in the AFC South, the Traitors became our number one rival for obvious reasons.

We get to see them twice a year and get our hate on.

So I was deliriously happy to see my Texans not only won their first game of the young NFL season earlier today, but beat the Tennessee Traitors 34-31 in Nashville to do it. The Texans also got into a fourth quarter sideline scrap with the Traitors as well.

It didn't look good early as the Traitors jumped out to a 21-7 lead thanks to Chris Johnson's career day rushing for 197 yards and two TD's. He also caught nine passes for 87 yards and another touchdown.

But just as the Texans had problems stopping Chris Johnson, the Traitors had problems stopping Texans All Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson. who lit then up for 149 yards and two TD's.

The Texans took that early punch, fought back and scored 17 straight points tom forge a brief 24-21 lead thanks to Matt Schaub's passing arm. He finished the day with four touchdowns, 357 yards and zero interceptions.

The game was a tight, roller coaster affair until Kris Brown's 23 yard field goal put the Texans up 34-31, the Traitors last gasp drive ended when Kerry Collins fumbled and the Texans recovered it to preserve the hard fought victory.

It not only evened the Texans record at 1-1, it was only the second time in the team's history that they'd beaten the Traitors in Nashville.

Since it's the 50th anniversary year of the AFL's founding, the Traitors will have to wear replica Oilers uniforms when they match up against original AFL teams.

See you boys in November.

UH Climbs Up AP Poll Ladder

UH was playing Open Date yesterday but still climbed up the AP College football rankings.

The Cougars are now ranked at Number 17 in advance of Saturday's sold out game at The Rob with Texas Tech. The Coogs also cracked the USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time this season at Number 23.

This is the first time we've played Texas Tech since the breakup of the SWC 14 years ago. Yeah, I'm still bitter about UH getting frozen out of the Big 12 it along with every UH fan and alumnus because UT was tired of us kicking their behinds on the regular.

It's going to be a tough game against another Big 12 opponent, especially in light of Texas Tech's 34-24 loss to the Number 2 Wronghorns in Austin yesterday.

But back to my alma mater's football team. If they knock off the Red Raiders on national TV (ESPN 2) and in front of a sold out Robertson Stadium, it will set them up for a potentially very special season.

And more importantly, it will potentially set UH up for success in the best place in the Lone Star State for recruiting high school football talent.

Trying not to get ahead of myself and not even say 'BCS Buster'. But if they keep winning and taking it one game, one quarter and one play at a time, it could happen.

Eat 'em up!

Pride Week 2009 At The University Of Louisville

It's TBLG Pride Week at the University of Louisville!

Yes, I know Pride Week is usually celebrated in June or whenever a Black Pride event is scheduled for a particular locale, but on college campuses you either do it during the fall or spring semesters.

This Pride 2009 celebration on U of L's campus will start tomorrow and run through September 29. It's sponsored by the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality, Information Technology, the Women's and Gender Studies Department, School of Medicine and the Vice Provost for Diversity.

I'm also participating in it this year. On Tuesday I'll be moderating a discussion on the topic of 'Why Gender Neutral Bathrooms Matter'.

For those of you who wish to see the TransGriot and our esteemed panel in action, it starts at noon at the Ekstrom Library. That event is sponsored by the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice.

I sincerely thank them as well for allowing me to be a part of this event

While I'm busy at the Ekstrom Library, Number One', AKA Dawn Wilson will be participating in a September 29 event at U of L's Brandeis School of Law. It's a noon discussion entitled 'Keys to the Door: ENDA, Transgender Identity, and Community'.

It will take place in Room 275, Brandeis School of Law and is hosted by the Law School Diversity Committee and the Lambda Law Caucus.

We'll both be back on campus at 5 PM Thursday night. There's an LGBT Alumni Reception at the University Club that will be hosted by Kentucky Fairness Alliance and Mark England

The Pride Keynote Address will be given by Calpernia Addams and Andrea James in Humanities 100 at 7 PM.

I met Calpernia at the 2004 SCC, got into a long conversation with her about several subjects and have much love for her. I'm not sure if mine and Andrea's paths have crossed either at some SCC, Creating Change, IFGE Conference or another trans community event, but I'm looking forward to seeing both of them.

So if you're in the Louisville metro area, on or near the U of L campus this week, come out and support our GLBT brothers and sisters.

All My Trans Skinfolks Ain't My Trans Kinfolks


Had to borrow a line from writer Zora Neale Hurston to write this post.

She originally stated, 'all my skinfolks ain't my kinfolks'. I just added the trans to it.

We are a diverse community of people that come from various backgrounds, faiths, areas of the country, educational backgrounds, classes and trans experiences.

That diversity is our strength and secret weapon against the Forces of Intolerance.
We need to do a better job of tapping into that diversity and making it work for the betterment of the trans community.

That being said, there are just some trans peeps who don't, don't want to and never will work and play well with others. They have issues beyond just the gender identity ones that they need professional help sorting out.

There are some who are racist, lament the loss of status from the previous male lives and cling to vanilla flavored privilege like a wino holding his last bottle of MD 20/20.

There are trans people who fancy themselves as leaders who tragically aren't. They don't have the various skills, intelligence, temperament, knowledge and diplomatic touch required for the tricky job of advancing a marginalized people's civil rights to wider acceptance.

Then there are trans people who are just bullies and antisocial anuses.

I love my African descended people, but there are some that I wouldn't claim, defend, or touch with a ten meter long pole, much less a ten foot one. I not only call them out, I steer clear of them.

Same rule applies to certain people in the trans community. Just because you are trans doesn't automatically guarantee that I'm going to lockstep support you come hell or high water. If you engage in consistent antisocial batshit crazy and nekulturny behavior, I'm calling your behinds out as well.

If that makes me a sellout to you in trans bizarro world, then I'm not losing any sleep over it. Jesus Christ, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were talked about in their day by their critics for doing the right things, too.

I consider myself in good company.

I'll just let you people continue ranting to no one in particular on your negative 3 Technorati ranked blogs while I and the reality based trans community continue to build broad based intersectional coalitions to achieve what should have been done a decade ago.

Y'all can continue to chomp on those hater tots and drink Hateraid while I and the reality based trans world continue to energize, empower, enlighten, and educate our people and allies.

Those of us in the reality based trans world will provide the inspirational, visionary leadership that is required at this critical juncture in order to make our political Holy Grail a reality.

You may be my trans skinfolks, but you ain't my trans kinfolks.