HISD To Discuss Trans Inclusive Non Discrimination Policy Thursday

A few years ago when I was living in Louisville I was one of the people in Fairness along with Mike Slaton pushing to get the Jefferson County Public Schools to adopt a trans inclusive non-discrimination policy.

The trans community was cut out of it over mine, my District 2 board member Stephen Imhoff's and Fairness objections in committee before it went to the school board.

I was majorly pissed about it, and was vocal about my objections to the trans community being chopped in my speeches to the board, the half a civil rights loaf GL only policy passed in a highly contentious 4-3 vote

So you know as a TK and HISD alum I was happy to hear that HISD is preparing to discuss and do a First Reading at its upcoming Thursday June 23 board meeting not only on the district budget and redistricting, but on an amended non discrimination policy applicable to both students and employees.  

EMPLOYEE WELFARE DIA FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION (LOCAL)

Employees of the District shall not discriminate on the basis of or engage in harassment motivated by age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or age directed toward students or District employees. A substantiated charge of harassment against a student or employee shall result in disciplinary action.


The term "harassment" includes repeated, unwelcome, and offensive slurs, jokes, or other oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct relating to an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability or handicap, or age, sex, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment. 

The non discrimination policy discussion is taking place at the HISD Hattie Mae White school board headquarters building starting at 5 PM at 4418 W 18th Street .    The TransGriot is definitely going to be in the house for that one and may even sign up to speak on the issue.

2011 Williams Watch-Two Time Defending Champ Gets Started With Win

Little Sis strolled onto Centre Court for the first time since she last exited it on July 3 with the Venus (Williams) Rosewater dish in her possession for the second straight year. 

Since then she's had a drama filled twelve months.

But the back to back defending Wimbledon Ladies singles champion opened her title defense against France's Aravane Rezai with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 three set.win.  


After a shaky start which found her down 2-0, she got it together and won the next 5 games to take control of the first set and win it

After staying on serve for most of the second set, Rezai took advantage of a service break and a mid match Little Sis slump to race to a 4-2 lead that led to her evening the match.

There's an old saying I'm paraphrasing that you don't tug on Superwoman's cape, and at that point Serena went into tennis beatdown mode.  She got focused, got the service break she needed to race out to an eventual 5-1 lead, and closed out the match with her 13th ace to seal her win.

It was a shaky but emotional win for Little Sis, and showed why the Wimbledon folks seeded her at number 7 in the first place.  Remember, this is a woman who was ranked number 81 in the world in 2007, but won the Australian Open.   Big Sis won her last Wimbledon title after a long layoff and ranked 23rd in the world.

I never underestimate a Williams sister, and especially when they are standing on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.


Next up for Serena in the second round is Romania's Simona Halep

Victoria Carmen White Update 2-Indictment Handed Down

Alrashim Chambers, one of the alleged killers in the Victoria Carmen White case in New Jersey, was indicted on murder and bias intimidation charges in addition to two weapons charges according to the Essex County Prosecutors office yesterday.

26 year old Marquise Foster, the other person involved in the case, pled guilty in May to hindering apprehension, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The 24 year old Chambers if convicted of the charges is facing life in prison and will be arraigned on July 12..

The 28 year old White was shot four times and killed last September after meeting Chambers and Foster at a local nightclub.   Speculation is it was triggered by Chambers and Foster discovering she was a transwoman. 


As of  yet a trial date hasn't been set, but like the family and friends of Victoria Carmen White and all who loved her, I'm hoping that justice is finally served in this case. 

Tona Brown Making History At LGBT Gala

Just got the word from Tona about this exciting piece of news I'm about to share with you TransGriot readers.

When she  ascends the stage to sing the national anthem at the LGBT Leadership Gala that takes place on June 23 in New York, she will become the first African descended trans person to perform for a sitting United States president.

Congratulations again sis on this upcoming history making moment, say hello to the POTUS for me, and make sure they take a lot of pictures

And oh yeah, this question will be on next year's TransGriot African American trans history quiz

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Da Ville Hosts The First Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride

One of the projects I was brainstorming from time to time while I was in Da Ville was trying to drum up support for a Black Pride event in Louisville.

I was homesick for Houston Splash when I first moved there and found it ironic that Louisville and nearby Lexington had this large Black TGLB population, but no local Black Pride event of its own.   

There were Black Pride events that happened in cities surrounding Louisville such as Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, St Louis and Atlanta that peeps in Da Ville would drive to and happily deposit their money to enhance the economies of, but weren't thinking about the benefits of having one of those Black pride events in Louisville.

I also noted that when I first started bringing up the idea of having a Black Pride event there in 2003, some peeps in the community were enthusiastic about it, but when it came down to getting organized to do the work to make that idea a reality, those cheerleaders suddenly became MIA.

The Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride Association group finally got organized in 2009 and I'd heard about them.  But after being involved with two groups that went nowhere on the issue, I took a wait and see attitude about it.  I wanted to find out how serious they were before committing time and effort to it.

My move back to Houston prevented me from doing so.         

Since I'm not there to enjoy the results of the conversations I and others helped get started that made this day happen, thanks to Dawn I can help them get the word out about the new event.  

I'm pleased to announce that Louisville will finally host its first annual Black Pride event on the weekend of August 4-7.

The Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride  will have an opening 8 PM EDT mixer on August 4 at the River Bend Winery.

On August 5 there will be a meet and greet with reigning 2010-11 Miss Continental Mokha Montrese that runs from 6-8 PM followed by the first Mr. and Miss Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride Pageant from 9 PM-4 AM.

On August 6 the inaugural Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride Festival will be hosted at Cole's Place starting at 12 noon-8 PM, followed by an after party at the same location starting at 10 PM

The closing event on August 7 is hosted by the Leading Ladies Association and is an Inspirational Brunch running from 11-2PM at the Shively Community Building. 

Here's hoping that peeps in Louisville support your inaugural hometown Black Pride event and you get the same love from the surrounding cities in the area that y'all gave to their events over the years. 

Hope I'm able to discuss an even bigger and better one Kentuckiana Gay Black Pride in 2012.