Sage Smith Still Missing A Year Later

Today marks a year since Dashad Sage Smith was last seen alive in Charlottesville, VA.  

The last person the then 19 year old teen talked to on her cell phone was Erik Tyquan McFadden on the November 20 day Sage went missing. 

McFadden admitted to the Charlottesville police that he not only talked to Smith on the phone, but had set up a meeting at the local Amtrak station with the missing teen. 

After having that chat with the police, McFadden subsequently left the area.  They are still not only looking for Smith, but McFadden as well as he has been named as a person of interest in this case..  

In the meantime the Smith family and all who loved Sage are hoping and praying their missing loved one is found soon. 

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Sage or McFadden, call the Charlottesville Police Department at 434-977-9041 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.

La Feria ISD Trans Student Will Have Pic In Yearbook

"But based on what happened in 2013 and previous school years over the life of this blog, I'm betting I'll be writing a few posts during the 2013-14 school year chronicling your attempts to fight the power, express your trans selves and live your lives."
  
--TransGriot  Trans Class of 2014, Start Planning Now To Beat Your Trans Oppressors  June 8, 2013

It's not even Thanksgiving Day yet and I've already been busy writing up on this blog drama already happening across the country with trans students fighting against their trans oppressors to be themselves as they navigate this school year. 

And you can bet that prom season and graduation days will bring even more resistance, transphobic ignorance and anti-trans bigotry from school administrators. 

Have been keeping my eye on along with other trans Texans the unnecessary drama going on in the Rio Grande Valley with La Feria High School trans teen Jeydon Loredo.

The La Feria High senior received some transphobic resistance from newly installed La Feria ISD superintendent Rey Villarreal concerning his picture that is slated to appear in the school yearbook.  

Villarreal has only been in the LFISD supenintendent's chair for four months andl stated that due to nebulous 'community standards'  Jeydon's yearbook picture of him in a tuxedo would not be allowed to be placed in the yearbook unless he wore traditional feminine attire.





That got the Southern Poverty Law Center involved.   They threatened to file a federal lawsuit on Jeydon's behalf if the anti-trans bigotry didn't cease and desist.  It set the stage for a November 11 LaFeria ISD board meeting in which Jeydon addressed the board along with his SPLC attorney Alesdair Ittelson.

“As school board members, you don’t get to decide whether transgender students receive the same rights as students who are not transgender, ” Ittelson told the LFISD board. “You must treat Jeydon equally and with the respect he deserves. The fact is, you must allow the tuxedo photo in the yearbook in order to remain in compliance with the law.” 

“Please allow my community to remember me, and to remember me the way I truly am, in the clothes that reflect me: Jeydon Loredo,” he asked the board.

The La Feria ISD school board subsequently went into closed session but made no decision on the photo.  They also closed ranks, refusing to comment on the issue or make a final decision probably in a vain attempt to stonewall and hope the story and the negative attention it was focusing on the town and school district near the Mexican border would fade away.

The SPLC wasn't amused.  They threatened to file the promised legal action if the LFISD didn't make a decision in Jeydon's case by November 21.  After a November 15 meeting between the interested parties, the La Feria ISD reversed itself. 

Jeydon's photo will now be included in the yearbook (as it should have been in the first place).  The La Feria ISD agreed to follow its own policies for cases of gender discrimination and provide training for the persons involved.

They also agreed to do a comprehensive education program for the La Feria school community in addition to adding gender identity and expression language in its district anti-discrimination policies.  

“We are very pleased that the school district has recognized Jeydon for who he is and will allow his photo in the yearbook along with all his classmates,” said Ittelson.

"This is a signal to other school districts that transgender students should be recognized as important members of their communities rather than ostracized and subjected to discrimination. We applaud Jeydon’s courage in standing up for his rights.” he continued.

And Jeydon's Lone Star State trans brothers and trans sisters second that sentiment.  

2009 Miss Tiffany Winner Detransitions To Become A Monk

Back in May 2009 I wrote about Sorawee 'Jazz' Nattee becoming the latest person to wear the Miss Tiffany's crown and become Thailand's representative in the upcoming Miss International Queen Pageant that November.   

Nattee ended up not placing in that Miss International Queen competition won by Ai Haruna of Japan but did finish third in the pre-pageant competition.    

The interesting news that came out of the Land of Smiles ironically right about the time the Miss Tiffany pageant is held in Thailand is that the now 24 year old Nattee traded her crown for the orange robes of Buddhist monkhood.

Since only males can become Buddhist monks, that meant Nattee had to detransition to do so. 

The international trans community has been hearing about disturbing cases in Thailand in which families who are majorly resistant to their trans children transitioning to live as women or their gay ones being forced to become monks.

According to Nattee, this isn't what's happening in his situation.  ‘It’s not that I’ve become a monk to run away from problems, but I’ve studied dhamma for two years and now know what it truly is.’’ 

Nattee also said in the Bangkok Post article he was doing so to repay his parents.

Genital surgery is optional for a contestant in the Miss Tiffany's and Miss International Queen competitions, and according to Nattee's family the only surgery Jazz had at the time of competition were breast implants..

Nattee removed the implants and took the ordination name of Phra Maha Viriyo Bhikku as he entered a monastery in his home southern Songkla province. He didn't hide the fact that four years ago he was wearing the Miss Tiffany's pageant crown.

"I want to be a monk for the rest of my life and I’m ready to leave my worldly possessions behind,’’ Jazz said after becoming a monk at Wat Liab

I and everyone else in trans world hope that Nattee freely made this decision and wasn't pushed into it by his parents or other outside influences.   If it's what Jazz truly desires and made the conscious decision to do so, then best of luck in his life and spiritual journey.

But if he didn't, I definitely along with people in Thailand won't be surprised to see the return of Jazz

First Ever Houston Black Trans Organized TDOR Event Tomorrow

Dee Dee Watters noticed what other people (myself included) in the community had in terms of many of the fallen trans people being memorialized at TDOR events being Black and Latina and the TDOR memorial services not doing a good enough job reflecting the diversity of the community.

She believed it was past time for the Houston African-American trans community to hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial event of its own to honor our fallen sisters and got busy making it happen.

Dee Dee's efforts to make that event become a reality received a major boost when the radically inclusive Progressive Open Door Christian Center, which ministers to a predominately African-American TBLG congregation agreed and offered their church sanctuary for the TDOR event Watters was organizing.  .

The result is tomorrow night at 7 PM CST a little Texas trans history being made inside Loop 610 as the first ever African-American trans organized TDOR event in Houston kicks off near the Texas Southern University campus .

Progressive Open Door Christian Center holds its services in the St Luke The Evangelist Episcopal Church just east of the TSU campus at 3530 Wheeler Avenue and Sampson Streets.

After the conclusion of the TDOR memorial service at 9 PM, there will be a panel discussion with trans community members discussing their lives, their struggles and answering questions about the 'T' end of' the TBLG community.

All are welcomed to attend this first ever event, and the TransGriot will be in the house for this TDOR memorial.  Hope to see you there.

238 Names

Once again trans* people all over the world and our allies are gathering at Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial events to solemnly remember the people we lost to anti- trans violence since we last tearfully gathered to do so. 

In addition to this being the 15th anniversary of the Transgender Day of Remembrance memorials that were conceptualized by Gwendolyn Smith in the wake of Rita Hester’s murder, we will be marking on November 20 it being one year since trans teen Sage Smith disappeared after departing her home to meet someone at the Charlottesville, VA Amtrak station. 

This year we’ll be reading 238 predominately Black and Latina names as we gather in our TDOR venues, light candles, say our prayers, give our speeches, and decompress from grieving about the people we’ve lost after these worldwide15th anniversary Transgender Day of Remembrance memorials conclude. 

And we’re fed up with doing so.

We’re fed up with reading the names of so many young trans* women and sadly a few trans* men this year who will never get to experience another birthday.   Far too many of them who were killed this year were under the age of 35.

We’re fed up with contemplating the disturbing fact some of the names we’ll be reading during these TDOR memorials hadn’t even made it to age 21 yet.

We’re fed up in the African-American and Latin@ trans* communities of far too many of our people dying and our politicians, clergy and media pundits being cricket chirping silent about it.

We’re fed up with legislative inaction on the human rights laws it’s painfully obvious trans* people need at the local, state and federal levels as a wide range of people from trans exclusionary radical feminists to right-wing politicians gleefully spread disinformation and lies to roll back or retard our progress.

We’re fed up with our people dying and our people choosing suicide over life because you transphobic cisgender haters have made it so hostile and uncomfortable for them to live.

But sadly we’ll probably be gathering next November 20 at locations around the globe to read another 200 plus names of people killed because of anti-transgender violence.

And we’ll gather because for the sake of the people who died trying to living their lives as their authentic selves, we must.   

As one of the lines in the 1955 South African Freedom Charter states, ‘Our struggle is also a struggle of memory against forgetting.”

We cannot allow ourselves as a community to forget how and why these 238 people and the ones who have preceded them over the last fifteen years of organized TDOR memorials died. 

We cannot allow ourselves to forget that trans* rights are a human rights issue not just in this nation but around the world.  We must do whatever it takes to ensure that trans* people here and around the world can live their lives free of fear and wrap themselves in the security blanket of freedom and justice. 

We also cannot forget the price that was paid in the blood of our fallen trans* sisters and trans* brothers.  Their lives mattered then, their lives mattered to the people who loved them unconditionally and their lives matter to us who mourn their passing.

We as their trans* brothers and sisters and our allies also cannot forget that it is up to us to ensure that the 238 trans” people who died this year and memorialize on this day did not do so in vain. 

Yes, the moral arc of the universe is bending toward justice for trans* people but the people who died will sadly not experience the unbridled joy of that inevitable day. 

TDOR exists to remind us that it’s time for us to remember our dead, pull together as a community and comfort each other.  It is a memorial day, and if you think it’s ‘too somber’, too bad.  There are 364 other days on the calendar for you to do your partying and November 20 or the TDOR will never be an appropriate time for you to do so.  

As we work to eradicate anti-trans violence causing these senseless murders and waste of human life and potential, we remember our dead, wipe away our tears, and dry our weeping eyes.  We replace sadness and grief with a steely resolve to work for that sunny day of freedom and justice for all trans* people and make the TDOR’s obsolete.

And we want to make that day happen as expeditiously as possible

Carter Brown Challenges Black Leaders To Stand Up For Trans Community

The TDOR Unite! online ceremony was last night, and one of the videos that stood out for me was Black Transmen founder/CEO Carter Brown challenging the Black community leadership to speak out and stand up for the Black trans community.

Moni's Busy TDOR 2013 Week

The 15th annual observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance officially happens on November 20, but the trend over the last few years has been to build informational programs around the observance of the day especially if that date doesn't fall on a weekend. 

With the official TDOR date falling on Wednesday this year, that has been the case with many locales having events starting last week and continuing through this Sunday.

Because of my status in Trans World, I do get the honor and privilege of being invited from time to time to take part in a wide variety of TDOR events including keynote speeches.  

The arrival of TDOR 2013 means as usual I'm going to be a little busy during this runup to November 20.  

I have a TDOR themed article I'm writing that's due Tuesday.  I woke up this morning to do a radio interview on Canadian radio station CHRW 94.9 FM that I'll post to the blog when it's available.  There's a local TDOR event in Houston I'm participating in near the TSU campus that starts at 7 PM on Wednesday, then I  get up early to travel to San Antonio for a TDOR event in San Antonio I'm speaking at Thursday evening . 

So if I'm going to see The Best Man Holiday this week, better be an early morning matinee.

'Race-Themed' Movie My Azz, USA Today

I was not surprised when I heard that The Best Man Holiday was kicking butt and taking names at the multiplexes during its opening weekend.  

I said this when I wrote about it in my SUF post on Friday.

Already checked and many of the theaters I like to hit are pretty much sold out, so don't be surprised on Monday if you hear that it was the number one movie this weekend.

Thor made a last minute run to beat The Best Man Holiday in this weekend's money race by earning $38 million to BHM's $31 million, but even Miss Cleo and her defunct Psychic Hotline could have predicted a sequel to a beloved classic African-American movie with the same star studded cast that we've been waiting 14 years to see again would clock serious dollars. 

It actually made more money Friday night ($10.7 million) than Thor did ($10.4 million) before the screen advantage kicked in.   The Best Man Holiday was on far less screens (2024) than Thor's 3841, cost only $17 million to make, didn't have the same advertising budget as that (ho hum) comic book movie but still made big bucks.. 

So why was USA Today hatin' on the Best Man Holiday by calling it a race-themed movie? 

Yeah, you knew Black Twitter would put its collective foot in USA Today's and writer Scott Bowles' azz for that full of fail original headline and article as the race-themed Black blogosphere came for them in rapid succession. 

Birth of A Nation is a race-themed movie, Scott Bowles.  The Best Man Holiday isn't.  .

While the movie had a predominately African-American cast, the movie themes covered universal issues of friendship, love, family and loss just to name a few and will easily top the $34 million the original movie made back in 1999.

If Hollywood would make more movies in which I can see myself reflected on the silver screen in everyday situations as The Best Man Holiday does, I'd be more inclined to spend money at the multiplex.  I'd be even more inclined to do so if that particular African-American film is written and directed by someone besides Tyler Perry. 

And surprise surprise, even non-white folks would come to see them if you spent as much advertising dollars promoting them as you do on movies like Thor.
I'd also make some calls to the agents of Nia Long and Larenz Tate and work on getting that sequel to Love Jones made or call a few Black novelists and enter into discussions with them to turn their novels into movies.   


But if you're insistent on doing another comic book movie, I have two words for you if you want to make money:  Black Panther. 

Would love to see who would play him or what Wakanda looks like on the silver screen.

Newfoundland And Labrador Adding Gender Identity To Provincial Human Rights Act

Thanks to two years of lobbying by trans advocates in Newfoundland and Labrador and NDP MHA Gerry Rogers, Minister of Justice Darin King announced on November 7 that he would be introducing an amendment to the 2010 Human Rights Act during this House of Assembly session that would add gender identity and expression to the prohibited grounds of discrimination in the province.  

“Discrimination in any form is wrong. This amendment is important to enhancing public education and dialogue around issues of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgendered and Queer community in the province. Creating a climate of understanding and mutual respect is important to this government and we must all strive to ensure that each person, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression, feels a part of their community.”
- The Honorable Darin King, Minister of Justice

While the government's position was that discrimination against trans people in Newfoundland and Labrador because of gender identity or gender expression was covered under sex in the Human Rights Act, the community and MHA Rogers insisted otherwise. 

MHA Rogers has been personally lobbying the Department of Justice along with trans community members to point out the language was needed, and she is happy that it's finally being done. 

“This is a real victory for advocates of trans rights, “said Rogers. “I’m so happy that all the hard work is paying off and that trans people will now be protected by our Human Rights Act.” - See more at: http://www.nlndpcaucus.ca/nr110713GIRights#sthash.jGhdwD3P.dpuf

is a real victory for advocates of trans rights, “said Rogers. “I’m so happy that all the hard work is paying off and that trans people will now be protected by our Human Rights Act.” - See more at: http://www.nlndpcaucus.ca/nr110713GIRights#sthash.jGhdwD3P.dpuf

"This is a real victory for advocates of trans rights," said MHA Rogers. "I'm so happy that all the hard work is paying off and that trans people will be protected by our Human Rights Act." 

The amendment adding the gender identity and expression language to the Act will not only clarify and strengthen it, but make Newfoundland and Labrador the fifth Canadian jurisdiction to do so after the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. 

Now if the Canadian Senate would get busy doing the right thing and pass C-279 the federal Trans Rights Bill. 

You're A Superhero

"Because having the power to love yourself and others enough to fight for better in a world that fears and hates you, is nothing short of a superheroic feat in and of itself."-- Denny Upkins
 
I have some pretty smart people I hang around with don't I?

Denny's comment has some serious truth to it as well.  As a marginalized person we deal with on an almost daily basis microaggressive and macroaggressive discrimination aimed at us and the challenge of living in a world that is mostly hostile to us.

But yet many of us get out of bed every morning, look in the mirror, smile at it, and get ready to face the self-esteem challenging day ahead of us.

Some of us have developed over time and through facing many trials and obstacles in our lives such an unshakeable self love for ourselves that it does enable us to confidently go about our daily lives and defeat whatever challenges come our way. 

Yes, we have superheroes walking amongst us.  They have superstrengthened character.  They have the vision to imagine a better world.  They have the endurance to run the race and fight the battles that will change society for the better.  They whip out the utility belt of justice to combat injustice and unjust laws.   They break out the Lasso of Truth when necessary to stamp out lies and disinformation spread about our trans lives.  They have the steely determination to win when others in their community express fading hope that it will ever happen for girls and guys like us.

Those superheroes have decided they want a better world for the people who come behind them, and are willing to rise up and do what it takes to make that world a reality.   Sometimes those people may fail in that lofty task  Sometimes they show signs they are oh so human in terms of being frustrated with the pace of change or rocked by events beyond their control. 

But they continue to fight for themselves and the community they love until they win. 

But superhero status isn't just reserved for the people who stand up and fight for truth, justice and human rights for all.  You are a superhero for just getting up every day to live your authentic lives against the odds.  For telling the world this is who I am and I will have the last word on who the person is that I project to the world.  

And we have our superhero sidekicks and allies who aid us in our mission of being the best people we can be and fighting for a decent, just and humane world. 

Yes, you're a superhero.  And don't ever let anyone tell you you're not or allow someone to make you feel like you are less than human.. 
 

Another Reason Why Non Discrimination Laws To Protect Trans People MUST Have Public Accomodations Language In Them

Those of you who have read this blog know that I will go straight the hell off if I hear any hint of a suggestion that in order to pass a non-discrimination law that protects trans people, we trans folks must drop public accommodations language from them.  

Bull feces.  You gay and lesbian peeps didn't drop public accommodations language from the local and state non-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation only, so not no, but hell no will I even entertain that thought or publicly support a trans rights bill with no public accommodations language.   

If you want to know why I'm so militant about that point, ask the folks in Massachusetts who are honest enough to do so about the problems they are having adding that missing public accommodations language into their no prize winning public accommodations language free trans rights law elements of their community  trumpeted as a win back in 2011.

Hate to say I told you so, but ....

The reason why public accommodations language is a must for any trans human rights law and I'm so insistent upon it was demonstrated once again in this videotape of a November 8 incident outside an ATL Latino bar.

Alissah Brooks was denied entrance because of her trans status, and the manager ignorantly asserting that since it was a private club they had the right to do so. 

FYI, the City of Atlanta's non-discrimination ordinance passed in 2000 and updated by a unanimous vote back in July covers trans people.  But you'll find that out soon enough Don Pollo when y'all either get hauled into municipal court or in front of the Atlanta Human Rights Commission.

In the meantime, this video is evidence why public accommodations language is necessary in non-discrimination laws with this disturbing video taken by Alissah Brooks of Don Pollo personnel engaging in anti-trans discrimination.

Miss Universe 2013 Lets Her Transphobic Slip Show

It didn't take long for the newly crowned Miss Universe 2013 pageant queen to let her mouth get her embroiled in a little controversy.

Gabriela Isler revealed during a HuffPost Live interview that she believed transwomen shouldn't be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe pageant but should compete in their own pageants.

"They should have their own pageant, I think, and maybe they can realize in this pageant, Miss Universe, or the other pageants [were] made for women," she said. "They are... they have the opportunity, but I think that they have to compete with the same... the same team. Right?"

Ah, the old separate but unequal solution rears its head again.  It's also not surprising that as the former Miss Venezuela she comes from one of the few Miss Universe national pageant systems that still bars transwomen from competing. 

And Gabriela, in case you weren't aware of it, and obviously you aren't, trans women have had since the 80's pageants we can compete in.  The Miss International Queen one has been happening for nearly a decade along with national ones like Miss Amazing Philippine Beauties, Miss Tiffany Universe in Thailand and the recently started Miss T Brazil.

But those trans women specific pageants pale in comparison to the international prestige and prize money available to a pageant winner in the Miss Universe or Miss World pageant systems.

Her fellow trans Venezuelans who competed in Miss International Queen 2013, Chanel and Nohemi Montilla will probably cosign that last paragraph. 

And before you throw that surgery shade at trans women, some of you so-called 'natural born women' have had snip and tuck work done to enhance your chances of walking away with a pageant crown on more than a few occasions.  I also know trans women who have the Coke bottle curves not because of the surgeon's knife or pumping but simply because HRT was very good to them. 

And we know next to Brazil, Venezuela is the plastic surgery capital of the South American continent.

I guess The Donald didn't make Gabriela aware of the fact than in the wake of the Jenna Talackova situation in which she had to prep a lawsuit to be able to compete in last year's Miss Canada Universe pageant, as of January 1 the Miss Universe system that she now is the reigning queen of allows post operative trans women to compete. 

Olivia Culpo, the previous Miss Universe who you succeeded had the opposite opinion. 

As for transfeminine contestants during this 2013 Miss Universe pageant cycle, unfortunately made it through their national pageants to make the Miss Universe stage in Moscow this year.  Kylan Wentzel, the only trans woman the international trans community is aware of who attempted to do so didn't win Miss California, and even if she had, she would have had to win Miss USA to get there.  

There were rumors in other nations such as the Philippines that Miriam Jimenez was contemplating entering their national pageant but as the entry deadlines approached it didn't happen.

Does the fact that Talackova finished in the Top 12 of Canada's national pageant last year and was one of four women who won Miss Congeniality 'scurr' y'all in Pageant World that one day you will lose a pageant crown to a trans woman?

That day is coming as little trans girls mature into trans teens who will someday hit that 18-27 age range that makes them eligible to compete for and one day hopefully win Miss Universe.

And that day is coming sooner than you think.  

Does Homophobia Go With That Hate?

The latest in my ongoing series of song rewrites was motivated by the recent instances in Kansas and New Jersey of alleged 'christians' stiffing their wait staff out of their tips because of their bigoted perceptions they were gay. 

So y'all know the drill, break out the iPods and sing along to Moni's remixed lyrics

Does Homophobia Go With That Hate?
Sung to the tune of 'Do Fries Go With That Shake' by George Clinton.

Oh oh
Oh ohh
Oww oww

Oh, I see the damndest things
Working in the restaurant game
On duty, my feet are tired and ache
Then a big party comes my way
I had a big tip coming today
Instead all I received was hate.
Making my blood boil again

(chorus)
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?

They said my gayness they could see
And that means there's no tip for me
A Christian?
That's a big fat lie
All that means is I got stiffed
Less cash for me at the end of my shift
Don't even try it

Does homophobia go with that hate?  (does homophobia go with that hate? X4)
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?

You know homophobia isn't marvelous (x2)

I'm working hard
Don't need this shyt
Judgmental christophobes  
Make me sick
So don't try it
Ooohh, this homophobic bigotry isn't sweet
Its got me and my peeps ready to riot

Ohh, Does homophobia go with that hate?  Does homophobia go with that hate? X4)
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?

Oh oh, oh oh

With LGBT peeps you got beef
So don't blame it on Christian beliefs
You need to stop telling that big lie

Does homophobia go with that hate?
Does homophobia go with that hate?
(fade to end)

TDOR Unite! Online TDOR Ceremony Tomorrow

The official Transgender Day Of Remembrance observance happens on Wednesday, but tomorrow starting at at 9 PM Eastern / 8 PM Central / 7 PM Mountain / 6 PM Pacific time (US) the first annual online Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial service will take place.

The theme this year is Our Lives Are Valuable and the goals of this service are to remember the lives we lost to anti-trans violence this past year, comfort and support each other and affirm that our lives as trans human beings are valuable.

The event was created by the TDOR Unite! coalition and hosted by the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a Unitarian Universalist congregation without walls, in partnership with Standing on the Side of Love.

The groundbreaking livestreaming event will also be available to those of you who have mobile devices as well.  www.livestream.com/questformeaning

Mobile devices link:
www.livestream.com/questformeaning2

The Opening Invocation for the online TDOR event will be by Lynn Young with reflections offered by Ignacio Rivera, Carter Brown, Pauline Park, and Bamby Salcedo

The Artistic Expressions during this first annual event will be provided by KOKUMO, Tona Brown, Arjuna Greist, Christian Axavier Lovehall, Cherno Biko, Monica Stevens Yorkman, and others.

So mark your calendars and check out this first annual online event tomorrow in your time zone.
  

My Trans Images In Entertainment Expanded Commentary

Because of the global reach of my blog and I'm not 'scurred' to give my thoughts about many issues inside and outside of the trans community, I get my share of opportunities to comment on the issues of the day.  

Sometimes they even end up in print in places other than this blog.

Recently GLAAD and The Wrap asked me and 10 other personalities in the community that included Kye Allums, Isis King, Jamie Clayton, and Mia Ryan from Houston Beauty to comment on Trans Images in Entertainment. 

My comments for the article:

1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?

"The best trans characters so far have been Edie Stokes in a 1977 episode of  The Jeffersons and the Alexis Meade character on Ugly Betty."

2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?

"Trans media representation has been a mixed bag. We still have media outlets that refuse to follow GLAAD and AP Stylebook standards. What I would like to see are trans actors and actresses actually playing trans people, trans writers writing those roles and stories."

***
Since I was limited in the amount of words I could say in this commentary, I wasn't able to expound on them as I would have liked or can do on these electronic pages. 

So let me get started with that process right now.

As for Question 1, as someone who was wrestling with gender identity issues at the time and wondering where the trans people were who looked like me, the Edith Stokes character was a revelation at the time.  I would see after that episode two years later the first of the JET stories about transpeople who shared my ethnic heritage.

The Alexis Meade character played by Rebecca Romijn, although it was in a dramedy, actually was groundbreaking in showing a glamorous trans woman in a professional work atmosphere and in a position of power and influence.  It also realistically at times touched upon the very real issues of discrimination, differing immediate family reactions to the transition and Alexis adjusting to life in her gender role.

To expand upon my answer in Question 2, one of the things that has bothered me when I ponder the issue of fictional trans media images, is that the Edith Stokes character has been one of the few African-American trans fictional characters that hasn't fit into a stereotype.

Ever since then it has been the loud drag queen, the street hooker, the escort or the over the top personality for comic relief especially when it involves a trans character of color.  Some don't even get to survive longer than the opening five to ten minutes in the program because they are a victim of a crime.  

Other times we don't get a trans woman to play a trans woman.  It's either a male actor in drag or a cis woman playing a trans woman.  Sometimes they even do so with the cis woman's voice electronically lowered as Pam Grier's was in the 1996 movie Escape From LA when she played the transfeminine character Hershe Las Palmas.

When we finally did get a trans woman to play a trans character on the ABC show Dirty Sexy Money, Carmelita Rainer, the trans girlfriend of Sen. Patrick Darling IV played by Candis Cayne was killed during the second season.  

When Kerry Washington played a trans woman in the 2009 movie Life Is Hot In Cracktown, she revealed during an interview that she almost didn't get the role of Marybeth because she was considered by the director 'too beautiful' to play a transwoman.

Excuse me?  And that's before we even start talking about trans men.  Fictional characters to represent them are pretty much non-existent for trans men of color. 

While that's starting to change a bit, we still have a long way to go in terms of getting some balance for the fictional media images of transpeople and especially non-white trans people

Bella Maddo was a film that featured an all-trans cast.  Jamie Clayton played trans woman Kyla for several episodes during the third season of the HBO show Hung and Laverne Cox currently has a groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix show Orange Is The New Black.

But one thing I would love to see is a fictional trans woman, and especially a transwoman of color play a professional character who happens to be a trans woman more often.  I'd like to see more trans men pop up in fiction  We do exist in the real world Hollywood, so get busy creating them. 

Or if you're too busy for the job, you hand me the cash and I'll be happy to come up with the script for one. 

We can only hope that happens sooner rather than later.     

Shut Up Fool Awards-'The Best Man Holiday' Release Edition

In addition to today being another anniversary of my sister Latoya's 21st birthday (Happy birthday sis!), the long awaited and anticipated release of the sequel to the 1999 Best Man movie hits the multiplexes today.

Don' care what the reviews have to say about The Best Man Holiday, been waiting almost 15 years to see Lance, Mia, Harper, Jordan, Quentin, Julian, Candy, Robyn and Shelby hit the screen and what their lives are like after the original movie ended.

Already checked and many of the theaters I like to hit are pretty much sold out, so don't be surprised on Monday if you hear that it was the number one movie this weekend.

And Hollywood, if you want to make money I suggest you get busy greenlighting more of these films and even catching up with Black novelists and turning some of their books into screenplays.  You can only do so many movies based on comic book characters.  

Now if you make the Black Panther one I might retract that last statement.  But I know y'all don't want to greenlight a movie with the technologically advanced fictional African nation of Wakanda and its kick ass ruler, so I'll have to aim lower. 

So when can I see the sequel to Love Jones at my neighborhood multiplex?

Now that I've finished jibber-jabbering about Hollywood and its lack of soul in its movies, let's segue from talking about movies to talking about what fool, fools or group of fools will walk away with this week's Shut Up Fool Award.   I had a lot of fools to sort through as usual this week and needed extra time to do so. 

Honorable Mention number one we went north of the border for in Toronto's crackhead mayor Rob Ford.  Just a matter of time before they remove him from office. 

Honorable Mention number two goes across the Pond to merry old England and Andrea Minichiello Williams, the head of Christian Concern, the christobigot org there.  

She made the mind numbing statement that Stonewall should be helping them put anti-gay advertisements on London's city buses.   Yeah, really.  Stonewall should be an willing agent in their own oppression.

Let's head back to our shores for Honorable Mention number three in Sandy Rios.   She parted her lips to claim that the gay waiter in Overland Park, KS who received a hate message instead of a tip was 'a ruse to help ENDA pass'.   

Guess those ten GOP senate votes were a ruse along with another couple in New Jersey that showed their 'christian' love by dispensing christohate instead of a tip on a $93.55 meal.

Honorable mention number four goes to Bradlee Dean, this wannabee Limbaugh clone who said, 'Liberals belong in prison because that's where they want to go.'

Naw where I want to go is the Texas Legislature or Congress so I can repeal all of your BS conservalegislation and pass common sense laws that help everyone.

Honorable mention number five is Sarah Palin.  I had to pull Palin out of SUF retirement and call her ass out for some jaw droppingly ignorant statements comparing the national debt to slavery.  Then Caribou Barbie doubled down on her racist ignorance by stating we African-Americans misinterpreted her comments.

This week's Shut Up Fool goes to Rafael Cruz, daddy of the dishonorable junior senator from Canada,.who parted his lips to say that Black and Latinos were 'uninformed' and 'deceived' and should be voting for Republicans back at a conservafool conference in February, then topped it off by stating that President Obama should be deported to Cuba, and claimed that atheism and secular humanism cause sexual abuse .  


Naw Rafael, the only persons who are uninformed and deceived are  you and your jive turkey azz son. 

Rafael Cruz, shut Up Fool!

Another Day, Another Trans Student Attacked In California

More evidence that so called blue states can have their nekulturny transphobes in their midst causing drama as well. 

As we wait to see if the haters gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on AB 1266, now comes news video of an incident at a Contra Costa, CA high school that shows why the law is needed and why it needs to win in November 2014.

A transfeminine student tired of being bullied by her tormentors confronted them, and that confrontation degenerated into a fight in which the trans student was attacked by three cis girls.

 

November Trans* Formations: Activists & Allies & Community Making Series

You know it has to be important for me to miss Scandal (that's what DVR is for anyway), but tonight along with Cristan Williams and Katy Stewart I'll be discussing Trans History in a conversation facilitated by Lou Weaver at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church.  

It starts at 7 PM CST and Resurrection MCC is located at 2025 West 11th Street in Houston.

It is part of a series of Thursday night discussions organized and facilitated by Lou as part of Trans* Awareness and Ally Month and the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Thursday, November 7
Gender Talk 101: Our Stories
Thursday, November 14
A Short History of the Alphabet: Our Diversity Journey
Thursday, November 21
The A-List: Ally-Advocate-Activist Training
Thursday, December 5
Community-Making for All: Moving Forward

The trans movement and transpeople didn't just materialize in the late 20th-early 21st century.  We have a proud history that I and my fellow panelists will be discussing and hope you can join us.

If you can't make it tonight, hope you can make the ret of the scheduled topics and discussions in this series.

2013 TransGriot NFL Predictions Week 11

Another week has passed, my Texans still haven't won a game since September and had another ugly prognostication week in the worst season ever for me doing this.  

First time I've ever had back to back sub .500 weeks but Mr. Watts also joined me in sub .500 territory as Mr. Blake rebounded from his less than stellar Week 10 to go 9-5.

Serves him right for that crack about me being just ahead of the Washington Generals last week   May I remind you who won the 2012 NFL prognostication battle last year 

Since Veterans Day falls during this month, November has been the NFL's 'Salute To Service' month that honors veterans and active duty military personnel.

For every point scored during the NFL's 32 designated 'Salute to Service' games, the NFL donates $100 to each of its three military non-profit partners, the Pat Tillman Foundation, the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project.   They are also selling NFL camouflage merchandise on their website 

Now let's segue to this week's prognostication business since last week sucked  and I need to put it behind me. Teams I'm picking to win in underlined bold print.   Mike and Eli's picks are here.

Week 10 Results
TransGriot      6-8
Eli Blake        9-5
Mike Watts    6-8

2013 Season Record
TransGriot      81-66
Eli                  95-52
Mike              91-56 

NFL Week 11
Bye Week Dallas, St. Louis.



Thursday Night Game
Indianapolis at Tennessee

Sunday Noon Games
NY Jets at Buffalo
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Detroit at Pittsburgh
Washington at Philadelphia
Arizona at Jacksonville
Oakland at Houston
Baltimore at Chicago
Cleveland at Cincinnati

Sunday Afternoon Games
San Diego at Miami
Green Bay at NY Giants
Minnesota at Seattle
San Francisco at New Orleans

Sunday Night Game
Kansas City at Denver

Monday Night Game
New England at Carolina

Meet Girl LIke Us Model Ines Rau!

Trans feminine models have been strutting catwalks, rocking magazine covers and gracing print ads since Great Britain's April Ashley did so in the early 1960s. 

Now thanks to a steamy NSFW photo shoot with Tyson Beckford another name has been added to that distinguished list of trans models in 24 year old Paris born and New York based model Ines-Loan  Rau. 

The 5' 10 beauty is of North African-Latin descent, transitioned at age 16 and was discovered by French modeling scouts.  

According to a Models.com interview, she was inspired to come out as trans after reading Caroline Tula' Cossey's book I Am Woman twice.

After reading her book [I Am Woman] at least two times I realized how important it is to assume who you are with no fears. I am twenty-four years old and have done the change very young, at 16. Until now I wasn’t really out about it. I just woke up one day realizing that it’s enough, I need to embrace who I am and be loved for what I am and what I have been through- without the fear of being rejected.

And we're glad you did, Ines.  Looking forward to meeting you someday.