Welcome To TransGriot

For you peeps who met me in DC while I was attending Out on the Hill, the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference or while I was speaking at the town hall on Wednesday, welcome to TransGriot, my cyberhome.


This post explains how I came up with the name for this blog, and it has been in existence since January 1, 2006.  You can thank musician Jordana LeSesne for challenging me to take my writing to the blogging level.

We had a November 2005 phone conversation in which I was talking about our erasure due to the lack of Black trans blogs and she bluntly asked me when I was going to start one.

On January 1, 2006 at 12:01 AM EST  TransGriot started with this post.   The mission statement came later as the blog evolved and grew to become what it is today.  

The TransGriot blog's mission is to become the griot of our community.  I will introduce you to and talk about your African descended transbrothers and transsisters across the Diaspora, reclaim and document our chocolate flavored trans history, speak truth to power, comment on the things that impact our trans community from an Afrocentric perspective and enlighten you about the general things that go on around me and in the communities that I am a member of.

And from what many of you told me as I interacted with you at Out On the Hill and the ALC this week, I have been succeeding in fulfilling that mission statement and you are deeply appreciative of the work and writing that I do here. 

The awards I've either won or been nominated for attest to the quality of my work, but there is always room for improvement and continued evolution in making TransGriot better.   

And yes, if you feel inclined to drop a little change in the TransGriot Tip Jar in the left hand margin, that's all good too and greatly appreciated.

So to my new readers and longtime ones, welcome to TransGriot.

OUT On The Hill-Sunday Events

The 2nd Annual National Black Justice Coalition OUT on the Hill event concludes today with a daylong invitation only meeting of the NBJC Leadership Advisory Council that is kicking off as I type this and runs until 5:00 PM EDT.

And yes people, there are talented transmen and transwomen on the NBJC Advisory Council that will more than hold their own in that meeting and aren't 'scurred' to speak up for our community's interests as they formulate policy and NBJC's strategies going forward.

The concluding event will be a 7:00 PM EDT screening of the movie Pariah.  It premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film festival and is a critically acclaimed coming out story starring Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker and Kim Wayans.   It is directed by Dee Rees and executive produced by Spike Lee.. 

The movie will be in limited release on December 25 and is a feature length expansion of Rees' 2007 short film of the same name.   The screening will be taking place at the Regal Gallery Place  on 7th St NW and is sponsored by NBJC and the DC Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs.

I'm going to take the opportunity to get my trip to the MLK Jr Memorial in today since the weather's nice and I'm leaving for the Lone Star State tomorrow.   But I'm definitely going to check this film out.

RIP Vesta Williams

Was shocked to hear during one of my OUT on the Hill sessions on Friday that singer Vesta Williams was found dead in a California hotel room on Thursday.  She was scheduled to be part of the DIVAS Simply Singing performance next month.

I had the pleasure of meeting Vesta and having a long conversation with her during my airline days in which I discovered we had in common our parents being in the radio biz.  

She was one sweet lady.and girlfriend could sing, too.  She had six Top 10 Billboard R&B chart singles in the 1980's and 1990's.  Some of her hit songs peeps might recognize are 'Sweet Sweet Love', 'Special', and 'Congratulations'.

Unfortunately she'll no longer be around to do that any more.    Rest in peace, Vesta.

2011 Texans Watch-Beat Dem Saints Again

I'm still in Washington DC and the Redskins-Cowchips hatefest Round One is taking center stage today amongst inside the Beltway football fans.   I'm still laser focused on my hometown NFL gridiron heroes. 

The Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints 27-14 during the preseason in a game at Reliant the starters only played in the first half. 

Now fast forward a few weeks.  The Saints and Texans are playing this time in an NFL game that not only counts in the standings, it's at the Superdome in front of their fans.   The Texans also are playing for the first 3-0 start in franchise history.

Ben Tate, who did some damage in the preseason game against them, will be seeking to become the first rookie running back since Cadillac Anderson to have three consecutive 100 yard games in the opening weeks of his NFL career. 

Hmm, no pressure. 

Who Dat say we gonna beat Dem Saints?    The team 375 miles west of you on I-10, that's who.

OUT On The Hill-Saturday Sessions

OUT on the Hill continues to its conclusion as we gathered to discuss the Black LGBT Revolution that would not be televised.

The first part of the morning was devoted to plotting and planning the next steps in that Black LGBT Agenda that NBJC ED and CEO Sharon Lettman Hicks along with the National Black Justice Coalition BOD has been ably leading.   Ms Lettman-Hicks will approach her second anniversary as the head of the NBJC on October 1, and as I heard from many people before I arrived here in DC and have witnessed firsthand, she is definitely a positive force to be reckoned with.

After a few moments of Lettman-Hicks laying out a strategic vision that needs to stay covert for the time being, we sprang into the Youth Emerging Leaders conversation in which a panel discussion co-moderated by Kamora Herrington and Maurice Jamal tapped four young TBLG leaders to come up with a FUBU organizing strategy.that would capture the imagination, creativity and energy of our 18-35 GLBT youth.

Some of the ideas they came up with will be discussed in the NBJC Advisory Board meeting tomorrow and the four people on that panel will continue to have those conversations

When that concluded we broke for lunch and prepared to listen to a keynote luncheon speech from the Black AIDS Institute's Phill Wilson  entitled ''30 years of AIDS Is Enough'.


Wilson not only pointed out the sobering statistics and reality of the fact that AIDS has become a Black disease, he challenged us in the NBJC to step up to the plate and do something about it.

One of the things he also mention at the conclusion of his speech is what he called the Four Gets:

1. Get Informed
2  Get Tested
3. Get Treated
4. Get Involved!

After Wilson's inspiring speech, and some panel and audience questions and commentary, the retiring Dr. Sylvia Rhue was presented with an award from NBJC for her six years of service to the organization to a standing ovation

We then moved on to two breakout sessions in which one of them was conducted by Cory Allen Johnson and Roy Potts of the IGLHRC concerning LGBT rights across the African Diaspora.   That's a discussion I would have loved to have been in the room for.

The other breakout session was focused on TPOC, the Transgender Persons of Color Initiative facilitated by Kylar in which we discussed the issues that are germane to transpeople of color, its progress and the TPOC plans for addressing those issues.

And yeah, some of that is part of the Black trans revolution I warned y'all about that won't be televised.

While we were in those sessions, the NBJC board and ED/CEO Lettman-Hicks were in a session of their own in listening mode. 

5 PM came much too fast to end this day.   Some of my fellow NBJCers are headed to the Convention Center for the CBCF-ALC dinner tonight.

As for the TransGriot....well, somebody had to write about what was going on during this OUT on the Hill session day.

Well, at least the parts I can tell y'all about.

2011 UH Cougar Watch-Eyes On Georgia State Game

While I'll be handling some OUT on the Hill business today, my eyes and thoughts at times will be turned southwestward toward my hometown and "the Rob' thinking about the 3-0 University of Houston Cougars and their game against the Georgia State Panthers.

Just hoping that this time the Cardiac Cougars don't show up and we have my fave college football team focused and ready to kick some butt from the opening kickoff at 7 PM CDT.

Eat 'em Up!

TransGriot's NFL Picks-Week 3

I was looking for improvement in Week 2 and boy did I get it.  Ended up with a double digit win total and that's what I'm shooting for every week.  

So did Michael Watts, and I'm trying to open up some separation between me and him now.

Even though I've been focused on the political and other community happening inside the Beltway at the OUT on the Hill conference and the CBCF-ALC, there's always time for some football.  I'll be up here as the Arlington Cowchips-Washington Redskins hatefest is transpiring, and I'm already trading barbs with the New Orleans OUT on the Hill contingent for the Texans-Saints game.

And yep, here are Michael's Week 3 NFL picks.

Anyhoo, to be honest I'm shooting for that elusive perfect week.   I've come close a few times but never achieved it.  Best I've done is 15-1 twice.

Let's see if I can get it.   Home team is in bold print. 
          
Week 2 record 12-4
TransGriot season record 21-11

Sunday, September 25
12 Noon Games

Houston over New Orleans
Philadelphia over NY Giants
Carolina over Jacksonville
New England over Buffalo
Miami over Cleveland
Cincinnati over San Francisco
Tennessee over Denver
Detroit over Minnesota
3 PM Games Baltimore over St. Louis
NY Jets over Oakland
San Diego over Kansas City
Arizona over Seattle
Atlanta over Tampa Bay
Green Bay over Chicago 7 PM Game
Pittsburgh over Indianapolis
Monday, September 26
Dallas over Washington

OUT On The Hill-NBJC Friday In Full Effect

While I'm siting in another exciting program at this moment, thought I'd tell y'all about yesterday's DC events.  .

As y'all have been discovering during the updates, I've been having a blast at the second annual NBJC OUT on the Hill event in our nation's capitol that is dovetailing with the 41st annual CBCF-ALC.

Friday dawned cool and cloudy as I headed out the door to the Convention Center and the NBJC sponsored panel discussion that was set to kick off at 9:00 AM entitled 'From Civil Rights To LGBT Equality'

The panel was co moderated by ESPN's LZ Granderson and Detroit City Council president Charles Pugh with the participants being Phill Wilson, Dr. Cathy Cohen, Valerie Spencer, filmmaker Maurice Jamal, 'My Princess Boy' author Cheryl Kilodavis, and GLSEN board member Sirdeaner Walker.

The start of the panel discussion was delayed a few minutes in order to allow the students from Norfolk State University to arrive at the venue and hear the discussion in its entirety.

Once our students arrived and NBJC CEO and ED Lettman-Hicks gave the opening remarks, the moderated discussion began in earnest.   It touched on a wide variety of subjects such as the bullying that prompted Ms.Walker's son Carl on April 6, 2009 to take his own life, Kilodavis speaking about her son Dyson and her journey towards being the best mother she can be for her child with her proud parents in the audience, Valerie keeping it real on the trans related portion of it, and Phill Wilson reminding us that HIV/AIDS is still around 30 years later and the disease has a disproportionately Black face to it..

Speaking of people in the audience, NBJC founders Mandy Carter, Dr Sylvia Rhue and Keith Boykin were in the room to witness this panel as well.

The discussion also talked about media images, The Safe Schools Improvement Act, and a spirited debate on the 'Black people are uniquely homophobic' myth.   It also contained a humorous moment in which Valerie was taking about in relation to trans issues having the courage and pride to be your authentic self to which Charles Pugh wryly remarked,"Does that include the Indian hair you're wearing on your head?

Ouch.  Val walked right into that one.  Of course, Valerie is lying in wait for an opportunity to read him back when he least expects it.

But that moment quickly turned into a serious tear jerking emotion choked one when Ms Walker was the final person on the panel to make her closing statement.  She responded with a moving standing ovation receiving tribute to her son Carl and a plea for us to do more to protect all our kids from the scourge of bullying.

NBJC also donated a check to the Carl Walker-Hoover Foundation before photos were taken of the panel, the board of directors, and the NBJC advisory board.  There's also a possible future photo of me and Valerie.

At this point everyone breaks for lunch and I decided to kill time and and hang out with the people working the NBJC booth in the vendor area while waiting to see how Cheryl's 'My Princess Boy' book signing turned out. When I checked on her she was being interviewed by a local television station and the No More Down Low TV cameraman who has been documenting the happenings of the OUT on the Hill conference since it started.

It's several hours until the CBCF Foundation Chairman's Reception starts at 5 PM, but I was planning to go to the NBJC one at the hotel in Arlington, VA that started an hour later.   Since I had the invite to it in my grab bag, decided not to let it go to waste and checked it out for an hour until it was time to hop the Yellow line to the Crystal City station, hang with the NBJC peeps and get my grub on.

The food selection included crab cakes, and sure did help myself to them. Crab cakes are as indigenous to the DC-Maryland area as barbecue is to my home state and it would have been a crime not to partake in them.  Yep, they were good as advertised.  So was the jazz ensemble band with a very familiar vocalist to us.


We had once again some great food, great times and I got challenged by ED Lettman-Hicks at the dinner table to make a personal blog project happen by January 1, 2012.

Time flies when you're having fun, and it's hard to believe that the time I'm spending with these wonderful people will soon be coming to an end.   

Oh well, have today and Sunday to make the most of it.

FIBA Americas Women's Championship Tournament Starts Today

Y'all know I wasn't going to let the FIBA Americas Women's Championship tournament getting started in Neiva, Colombia today and running through October 1 get cranked up without showing them the same love I did in commenting on the 'menz' one earlier.

This is not only a qualifier for the London Games, it is also the first time a FIBA Americas women's tournament has been conducted with ten teams and it's about time they did so. 

One of those ten teams will not be the FIBA world number one ranked USA since our women handled their Olympic basketball business by winning the FIBA Women's World Championship in the Czech Republic last summer.   Coach Auriemma now has time to decide who be on the USA Olympic women's squad that will attempt to claim a fifth consecutive gold medal in 2012.

However, there is a difference from the just concluded men's tournament in that only the FIBA Americas champion winner will automatically qualify for London.  The next three teams will head to next summer's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women that will be conducted June 25-July 1 at a to be determined site.to determine the last five slots in the Women's Olympic basketball tournament.

The FIBA Africa Women's Championship started yesterday in Mali and will run until October 2 to determine the FIBA Africa representative in the London Olympics and fill the two spots in the Olympic Qualifying tournament alloted to the FIBA African representatives.

The Olympic basketball tournament picture on the women's side looks like this.  The USA has already qualified along with host Great Britain, Russia, China and Australia.   The teams that are in next summer's FIBA Women's Qualifying Tournament are Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Turkey, Japan, Korea and New Zealand..

So the stakes are high as always for this tournament.  The draw for the 2011 FIBA America's Women's Championship was held May 5 with Group A being comprised of Chile, FIBA world number 10 ranked Cuba, Argentina, Puerto Rico and host Colombia.      
 
Group B looks a little nastier.  It will consist of  FIBA world number 6 ranked Brazil, FIBA world number 12 ranked Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Paraguay 

After playing games within their groups from today through September 28, top two teams in Groups A and B will move on the knockout round semifinals on September 30 with the Group A winner taking on the Group B runner up and the Group B winner taking on the runner up team from Group A.

Winners go on to the FIBA Americas women's title game October 1 and battle it out for the lone Olympic ticket to London.   The championship game runner up, third  and fourth place teams will be the FIBA Americas reps at the Olympic Qualifying tournament.  
 
So let the games begin and may the best team win.   As to who I'm rooting for?   I get to relax and enjoy it.  

The TransGriot 'A Different World' Quiz

Today is the 24th anniversary of the start of the first season of A Different World, and I'm still waiting along with the rest of the fans of this groundbreaking show for Carsey-Werner for them to release Seasons-2-6 on DVD..

I and other fans of the show who plunked down hard earned money for Season 2 before its release was canceled haven't forgotten, and will keep reminding y'all Carsey-Werner peeps at regular intervals to release Seasons 2-6 until y'all finally do the right thing and do so.
 
So while I'm impatiently waiting for the DVD release of one of my fave shows, just thought I'd mark the anniversary of the September 24, 1987 first telecast of the groundbreaking show by testing you TransGriot readers knowledge of it.




The TransGriot A Different World Quiz


1-What was Dwayne Wayne's middle name?

2-Which one of these well known actors DID NOT appear on the show?

a-Halle Berry
b-Eriq LaSalle
c-Damon Wayans
d-Vivica A. Fox

3-What real life HBCU was used in the still photos and shots used to represent Hillman College?

4-What actor played Jaleesa's ex-husband Lamar?  (extra credit if you can name one of the two shows he was a cast member of)

5-What was Whitley's boyfriend's name before she started dating Dwayne and what school did he attend?

6-What were Whitley's and Dwayne's pet nicknames for each other?

7-Freddie Brooks was from what state?

8-True or False- Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John made an appearance on A Different World.

9-What political office was Byron Douglas running for?

10-Colonel Taylor fought in the Vietnam War. What was his rank at the time?

11-True or False. Whitley slapped Dwayne during the first season.

12-Who was the lead singer of Ron's band Xpressions?

13-Match the A Different World parent with the job they held.

Mercer Gilbert                          psychologist
Adele Wayne                            police officer
Joni Brooks                              judge
Clinton Reese                            accountant

14-Name the actors who played these A Different World parents

Mercer Gilbert
Clinton Reese
Col. Bradford Taylor
Marion Gilbert

15-What was the name of the nearby university that Kinu Owens and Freddie's cousin Matthew attended?

16-What was Jaleesa's sister's name?

17-Ron has had three steady girlfriends during his time at Hillman. Name them.

18-What was Lena and Gina's fast talking roommate Charmaine's full name?  (bonus points if you can name her boyfriend)

19-Who played Freddie's attempted date rapist Garth Parks?

20-What state was the fictional Hillman College located in?

21-What was the name of Ron's fraternity?
(bonus points if you can name what the pledges were called)

22-How many years did it take Shazza Zulu to graduate from Hillman with his BA? 

23- What Caribbean island was Gina's family from?

24-Who played Lena's Baltimore ex boyfriend Piccolo?
 
25-What was the name of Kim's medical school lab partner and where was he from?
 
****

You may start the quiz.  I'll give y'all until midnight on the 27th to come up with the answers on your own..

Miss International Queen 2011 To Be Held Next Month

The 2011 Miss International Queen pageant, the world's best known transgender pageant with the stated goal of fostering understanding of transgender communities worldwide, will be held in Pattaya, Thailand next month.

It is wildly popular in the Land of Smiles and not only does the venue it is held in sell out, the pageant finals get national TV coverage in addition to drawing interest from various international news networks 

This year's edition of the Miss International Queen pageant will be conducted from October 31 to November 4 at Tiffany's Show Theater in Pattaya.   The competition is open to transgender and transsexual people from around the world aged 18-36 and will allow them to show off their beauty and intelligence.

And yes, there are prizes and cash they are competing for.  Winners of the pageant not only get ot claim the  Miss International Queen title but cash prizes of up to $10,000 .

The Miss International Queen pageant is organized each year to help improve cultural acceptance of transgender people and create human rights awareness, promoting Pattaya as a center for entertainment and tourism and as a charity event to raise money for the Royal AIDS Foundation.

Of course, like I've done on TransGriot for several years now, I'll keep you posted on who won.