UH Josephine Tittsworth Act Town Hall Meeting

I've been saying to the UHD Gators during my last several visits on their campus that I've spent more time visiting One Main Street than I have on my alma mater's campus since I came back home in 2010.

Well, seems like that imbalance of visits to the UH campus versus UHD is starting to rapidly change in the other direction.

Last week I was honored to be invited to speak at the Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson vigil held at the AD Bruce Religion Center on campus.  

This week I got a chance to finally see the newly renovated UH Student Center and attend a town hall meeting yesterday afternoon in a packed SGA Senate Chambers.

The town hall was called to give the UH community an opportunity to discuss the Josephine Tittsworth Act.  The UH SGA proposed this piece of legislation that seeks to have the University of Houston follow its existing EEO and non discrimination policy by allowing trans* UH students to update their university identification with their preferred name, discerned gender and titles. 

Shouldn't be that controversial, right?   Well, one unidentified UH senator has been spreading lies and falsehoods about the Tittsworth bill and gotten the frats and sororities stirred up in the process.

A panel comprised of UH LGBT Resource Center head Lorraine Schroeder, UH SGA senators Guillermo Lopez and James Lee, UH SGA President Charles Haston, SGA Senator emeritus Josephine Tittsworth and 2014 Trans 100 honoree and UH senior Lou Weaver spent two minutes each making initial statements dispelling the myths and lies that had arisen concerning the Tittsworth bill before opening the floor to written questions.  

While the town hall was surprisingly civil, two of the questions asked were the highly offensive to the trans community bathroom predator and sexual offender ones I hear far too often from GOP operatives opposing trans human rights laws.  It not only made my eyes visibly roll and loudly scoff upon hearing them, it also made me wonder if there were campus Republicans in the room trying to stir up 'fear and smear' transphobic trouble.

Before the town hall concluded after 30 minutes,  Haston reminded everyone that diversity on the UH campus is not just ethnic diversity, but also includes diversity of opinions and thought and LGBT diversity.

Since I wasn't in any hurry to head back home right away, I consented to an interview along with Josephine about the Act with Daily Cougar reporters Kelly Schaffer and Cara Smith.  We talked about Houston and UH trans history, and discussed the positive effects UH could expect from the Tittsworth Act should it gain SGA approval.  

I also had a chance to talk to several cis and trans UH students and talk a walk around the newly renovated building that is way different from the 1967 UC I was familiar with before heading home.

Will keep you posted on the developments concerning the Josephine Tittsworth Act as it moves toward a final vote.      
 

Welcome To The Black Trans Renaissance!

Kortney discussed it during his interview with Katrina Goodlett, and when he mentioned the words 'Black Trans Renaissance', it made me think about the post I wrote back in 2012 about the birth of the New Black Transwoman. 

I was thinking about the 1920-30's Harlem Renaissance when I wrote that post, and apparently so was Kortney when he started talking about the unprecedented visibility that Black transpeople have at this 2k10's moment as a Black Trans Renaissance.  

When I did the hard, solid thinking after the podcast interview was concluded, I had to admit my brilliant trans brother was correct in his assessment when you connect all the disparate dots into a larger picture.

We have the simultaneous rising of New Black Transmen and New Black Transwomen who are fearlessly owning their power and if they aren't getting seats at the power tables, have begun to make their own.

We have Black trans writers, academics, artists, musicians, athletes,  thinkers and activists getting major visibility.  We have possibility models, heroes and sheroes in place.  Black trans people are well represented as Trans 100 honorees for 2013 and 2014, and I can confidently say that our people will be well represented when the 2015 Trans 100 List is revealed next March.  

As New Black Transmen and New Black Transwomen, we are outspoken advocates of dignity for our people, refuse to accept the status quo that has crippled our community and are thinking critically about our images as African descended trans people here and across the African Diaspora.    

As Kortney demonstrated with Trans* H4CK, we are coming up with creative solutions to many of our trans community's pressing problems.   We are forming our own organizations and holding national and regional conferences to discuss the problems that ail our communities and solve them.

We are reclaiming our history, pushing back against the use of Scripture to browbeat our community and pointing out to our cis allies that Black trans issues are Black community issues. 

In some cases the ideas and organizations we are coming up with in Black trans world like BTMI/BTWI, the Trans 100 and Trans* H4CK, are paradigm shifters for the entire trans community. 

Unlike the Harlem Renaissance,  the Black Trans Renaissance is not centered in New York, but stretches from coast to coast.   We have a blend of youth and seasoned elders who are leaders in this community.

We also benefit from the fact that our Black trans youth are the best educated transpeople we have ever had, and those who are matriculating in college now will exceed even what has been accomplished so far.  

For those who are foolishly fearful of the Black Trans Renaissance, may I remind you that a strong, powerful and confident Black trans community that owns its power and uses it to uplift themselves and the groups it chooses to ally itself with also benefits you in the short and long run.   

So welcome to the Black Trans Renaissance.   It is a chapter in the modern day history of the American trans community that bears watching.
 

I Find The Proposed Houston HRO's Lack Of Citywide Employment Protections Disturbing

I'm hearing disturbing chatter coming from my human rights sources here in Houston concerning the proposed Houston Human Rights Ordinance that is supposed to be unveiled later this month.

I'm hearing that the proposed ordinance will cover city employment and public accommodations but not cover private employment citywide and I'm about to go into Maya Wilkes mode over that. 

If it is true and the reporting I'm seeing from Lone Star Q seems to back that up, that is unacceptable to me as a transperson of color who represents the group that gets the disproportionate share of anti-TBLG discrimination aimed at them in Houston and that is facing 26% unemployment.  .

The Izza Lopez case emphatically demonstrated along with the harassment and 2010 arrest of Tyjanae Moore for using the women's restroom in the downtown Houston Public Library branch why a comprehensive human rights ordinance is needed and necessary.

And as I stated in the September 2013 post, I will not accept trans human rights crumbs in Houston and will fight with ever fiber of my being to ensure that any human rights ordinance passed in my hometown has  citywide job protections and public accommodations language .       

When I spoke in favor of a comprehensive human rights ordinance for my hometown in January, enshrining the unjust Houston status quo into law because you are 'scurred' of a referendum that is coming from the right wing haters anyway no matter what kind of human rights ordinance you pass is not the vision I had in mind for our human rights ordinance along with TBLG Houstonians.  

And it would human rights malpractice for me as a Houston based human rights advocate to NOT to call this injustice out. 

It takes nine votes to pass anything on Houston City Council, and we're one vote shy of passing an ordinance with citywide job protections with four undecided councilmembers.  Three of them that are alleged to be noncommittal share my ethnic heritage, so Houston Black SGL, trans and bi community, time to get busy expressing ourselves.    


This is the question that was asked by the Houston GLBT Caucus of Mayor Parker when you came asking for the caucus endorsement last year: 

Would you be willing to introduce a non-discrimination ordinance, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing, and public accommodation, that provides reasonable exemptions for small businesses, religious organizations, and federally exempt residential property owners?

This is how you answered it at that time.

Mayor Annise Parker:  YES

And Houston City Council members, when the Caucus asked:

If elected, would you publicly advocate for and vote in favor of a non-discrimination ordinance, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing, and public accommodation, that provides reasonable exemptions for small businesses, religious organizations, and federally exempt residential property owners?

The Houston City Council members and candidates for council answered:

Jerry Davis: YES
Ellen Cohen: YES
Dwight Boykins: YES
Ed Gonzalez: YES
Robert Gallegos: YES
Mike Laster: YES
Larry Green: YES
Steve Costello: YES
David Robinson: YES
C.O. Bradford: YES
Jack Christie: YES

So mine and other inquiring Houston LGBT minds wanna know, what's changed your minds since you were asking for our votes last year? 

If you councilmembers wish to see the language of the proposed HRO before committing one way or another I can understand that.  But if you have already have seen that language and it's as bad as I'm hearing, then it's time for some profiles in political courage.

Note to Maverick Welsh, Houston LGBT Caucus president:  I'm not liking the incrementalist chatter coming out of your mouth either. 

Welsh added that the Caucus will still support the proposed ordinance if it doesn’t include citywide employment protections. “I don’t think the perfect has to be the enemy of the good,” he said.in a Lone Star Q interview.

'The perfect' as you called it Maverick is 'Necessary for our survival' when seen from the viewpoint of trans, bi and  SGL people of color disproportionately affected by anti-GLBT discrimination in this city.  

We want a Houston HRO that FIXES the problems we face, not locks the wretched status quo of discrimination in place so you Mr Welsh and your like minded peeps can sip appletinis at the next Houston HRC gala and declare a win     

We still have time to ask for what people in the Houston TBLG community expect in a long overdue Houston Human Rights Ordinance:  that it fix the problem and it has enforcement teeth.

Thanks to the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats for the form so you can click on this link and do precisely that.   Here's the contact information for Houston City Council members so you can also respectfully express yourselves and ask for that comprehensive Houston Human Rights ordinance we elected them to enact.

So we're asking politely (for now) Houston City Council to fix it.   We only get one shot at this, so let's do it right the first time, pass the Houston Human Rights Ordinance the entire community can get behind, then work to defend it from Dave Welch and his haters.   

The 2014 Trans 100 List (US)

The names of the 100 people who are 2014 Trans 100 honorees were revealed March 30 in a live event at the Mayne Stage in Chicago.    Now the full list has been compiled and released. 

"I wish to reiterate again that the Trans 100 is not a 'Top 100,' 'Best Of,' or even the result of straight voting by the public or volunteers," Trans 100 co-director Jen Richards writes in the list's foreword. "It is an intentionally curated list of out trans people who are working on trans issues in the United States and having a positive impact. We do not claim to be anything more than this."

Texas was represented on this list with five honorees, Cristan Williams, Lou Weaver and Tye West from Houston, Sharyn Grayson from Dallas and Morgan Robyn Collado from Austin.  

And yeah, I felt we should have had more than that.  We'll have to rectify that next year, Lone Star State trans community.   

Congratulations to all the people who were honored this year including Gloria Allen, who received the inaugural Trans 100 Living Legend Award. 

Now here's the full list of the 2014 Trans 100 Honorees

A. Dionne Stallworth
Adrien Lawyer
Alana Nicole Shola
Alison Gill
Amos Mac
Angel Celeste Colley
Angelica Ross
Askari Gonzalez
Bailey Jay
Bali White
Dr. Ben A. Barres
Blue Montana
Brynn Tannehill
Cameron Thomas Whitley
Carmen Carrera
Causten E. Rodriguez-Wollerman
CeCe McDonald
Charlene Jacqueline Arcila
Charley Burton
Chase Strangio
Chella Isabel Marie Coleman
Cherno Biko
Cheryl Courtney-Evans
Chris Mosier
Chris Paige
Courtney Gray
Cristan Williams
D'Lo
Danielle Nika Askini
Dee Dee Ngozi Chamblee
Dr. Jillian. T. Weiss
Dr. Van Bailey
Drian Juarez
Ezak Perez
Fallon Fox
Gabriel Foster
Hayden Mora
Holiday Simmons
Imogen Binnie
Jamison Green
Jazz
Kiara St. James
Kim Watson
Kingston J. Farady
Kye Allums
Lana Wachowski
Landon Pan
Laura Jane Grace
Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson
Logan Ferraro
Lou Weaver
Minister Louis Mitchell
Lourdes Ashley Hunter
Maria Louise Roman
Mattee Jim
Mauro Sifuentes
Michael David Battle
Mitch Kellaway
Maya Jafer
Micah Bazant
Moof Mayeda
Morgan Robyn Collado
Nancy Nangeroni
Nic Sedillo
Nikki Calma
Octavia Hamlett
Parker T. Hurley
Parker Marie Molloy
Precious Davis
Red Durkin
Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge
Riley Johnson
Rocco 'Katastrophe' Kayiatos
Ryan Li. Dahlstrom
Sarah McBride
Scott Schneider
Sean Coleman
Seth Kirby
Sharyn Grayson
shay(den)
Syd Robinson
tash shatz
TC Tolbert
Tiffany Woods
Tiq Milan
T.J Jourian
Tobi Hill-Meyer
Tom Léger
Tracy Garza
Trystan Reese
Tye West
Valerie Spencer
Vanessa Losey
Vanessa Victoria
Viveka Ray-Mazumder
Vivian Taylor
Wesley Ware
Z. Jae Williams
Zackary Drucker

Moni Goes To A Movie Premiere

As many of you TransGriot readers knew, the film Hello Forever with my homegirl Isis King was debuting last night at the ongoing WorldFest Film Festival here in H-town that started April 4 and runs until April 13.

Hello Forever is up for five awards during this festival, and there was no way I was missing it, since Isis was in town for it along with her castmate Rebecca Khoo, director Peter Kirk, writer Noelene Turton and other members of the Hello Forever team.  I'd also been aware of it since Isis traveled to the Philippines in 2011 to shoot it.

Masumay Booc and Jennifer Blair-Bianco round out the lead actresses in this film..

But you knew there was going to be Moni drama before we even get to the story about the movie. 

I went to the AMC 30, the host theater for WorldFest which is on the other side of town from moi and a 1.5 hour bus ride to pick up my ticket for tonight's 9 PM screening.  I needed to change clothes and check on my grandmother, so I headed back to the house to make sure she was okay.   After changing clothes, I bounced at 7 PM hoping to get to the theater by 8:30 PM.  

That unexpectedly got derailed when my initial bus while picking up peeps at UH gets stopped by an Asian woman asking a long list of questions to the driver about METRO routes and service to the UH campus that delays us just long enough to where I missed my connecting METRORail train and bus downtown.  I compound it by not taking the 81 Westheimer (because it only goes down Westheimer to Hillcroft and then turns toward Sharpstown) when it pulled up where I was waiting for it across the street from the Main Street Square station thinking that the faster 53 Briar Forest was coming that would hit the freeway and turn on Westheimer just past the Galleria and make up some of the time I lost.

Meanwhile as the ticking clock moving inexorably toward the movie start time revealed how much of an error that assumption was, I didn't get on the next westbound 82 Westheimer until 8:25 PM.  I arrive at the corner of Westheimer and Dunvale after a long anxiety filled ride through downtown, Montrose, Upper Kirby, River Oaks, Highland Village, the Galleria area, two construction zones and points west of the Galleria until 9 PM.   I still had to walk another ten minutes after crossing Westheimer across the massive parking lots of a Walmart and a Garden Ridge Pottery just to get to the AMC 30.   

Needless to say by the time I finally entered the theater at 9:15 PM the movie had started and I was pissed off because I was late, but put it on pause long enough to remember why I was there.. 

Hello Forever is set in Manila and tackles the subjects of poverty, corruption, single motherhood, human trafficking and sexual exploitation by following four women affected by it.  

To get through a world with odds stacked against them, they form sisterhood bonds to collectively get through their personal and group situations..

Isis plays Rommy, a transpinay with an American GI father who finds herself on the mean streets of Manila trying to make the money for SRS.



I won't say any more than that because I don't want to spoil the movie before y'all get a chance to see it, but I will say it was worth the 1.5 hour ride to see it.   I loved it because of the sisterhood despite the trying circumstances theme.  It didn't Pretty Woman sugarcoat how mean the world that sex workers inhabit can be, and I hope more film festivals get to see this independent film as the year continues.

I also got a chance when the movie was over to spend some quality time with Isis and the crew to discuss a long list of subjects before I had to take myself home and go back into blogger mode.  

And yes, when I find out how the awards broke down, I'll let y'all know.    

Chevara's Letter Concering The Cyberbullying Of Aaron

TransGriot Note: Chevara Orrin's letter concerning the recent homophobic cyber-bullying of Aaron McCorkle.   She was the co-founder and former advisor to the WSSU Gay-Straight Student Alliance 

Good morning:

Please find attached the response from Aaron McCorkle regarding Brian "B-Daht" McLaughlin's apology and the cyber-bullying incident involving students at Winston-Salem State University. Although Mr. McLaughlin has attempted to distance himself from the entities and organizations that he represents, it is troubling that there have been several bias incidents across the nation during the past several years in which Entercom Communications radio personalities have made disparaging comments about the LGBT community.

As you know, in 2005 Gerry Callahan made insulting comments regarding the cast of Queer Eye; in 2006 John DePetro made inflammatory comments about gubernatorial candidate Grace Ross and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chairman Matthew J. Amorello; and in 2010, derogatory comments were made by Janet Snyder and Nicholas Picholas about transgender people.   

Although in all instances, Entercom executives declared the remarks unacceptable, I have been unable to locate information regarding Entercom's current EEO non-discrimination policy. Please send me the most recent statement.

You may be familiar with the work of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the excellent resources and training modules they offer that could be useful in creating better understanding of the LGBT community and promote a diverse and inclusive culture within your organization. The HRC Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index

According to Entercom Greensboro EEO Annual Public File Report, training was provided in 2013 in the areas of EEO compliance/best practices and workforce diversity. It appears that Entercom recognizes the need for such training, but questions remain. Would you provide more details about the specifics of the training and outcomes? What metrics are currently being used to determine training effectiveness? How frequently is training provided? Are there specific non-discrimination guidelines for on-air personalities (on-air and within the broader community as representatives of the station)?

It is unacceptable for a media personality to make disparaging comments about any marginalized group of people and as such, we formally request an on-air apology and retraction from Brian B-Daht" McLaughlin. These statements are especially hateful since Entercom has already faced several similar incidents.

As the co-founder and former advisor to the Winston-Salem State University Gay-Straight Student Alliance, I am especially troubled as we worked diligently and intentionally during my tenure with WSSU to create a campus culture of understanding and collaboration, partnering with national organizations such as the White House Office of Public Engagement, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and the National Black Justice Coalition.

http://goqnotes.com/2292/wssu-becomes-gay-friendlier/

http://yesweekly.com/article-8855-lgbt-student-leaders-enjoy-signing-moment-with-president.html

http://www.journalnow.com/relishnow/outdoors/article_f52f1568-3a17-5f04-8bdc-de15253283f3.html?mode=jqm

http://rampages.wssu.edu/archives/5267

As founder and co-creator of We Are Straight Allies, I have continued that work in Florida securing support from internationally renowned feminist icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Gloria Steinem, Florida Blue (formerly Blue Cross Blue Shield) CEO, Pat Geraghty, and Olympic gold medalist and civil rights attorney, Nancy Hogshead-Makar among others.

www.wearestraightallies.com

http://folioweekly.com/United-We-Stand,7982

http://wearestraightallies.com/press-coverage/

I welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the role that Entercom might play in helping us create a more supportive and protective environment for LGBT students, faculty and staff at WSSU. We are planning a series of programs in partnership with the HRC, Pride Winston-Salem and Equality Winston-Salem, and would be most interested in your support and collaboration.

Warm regards,

Chevara Orrin

Chief Creative Catalyst

EQ3 Media

"Creative Campaigns for Social Evolution"


TransGriot Update: Here's the link to the Change.org petition calling on WSSU to add the gender identity and expression language to their non discrimination policy and institute mandatory campus wide Safe Zone training.

Josephine Tittsworth Act UH Town Hall Wednesday

The University of Houston SGA has proposed a bill that seeks to have the University of Houston follow existing EEO and non discrimination policy by allowing students to update their university identification with their preferred name, discerned gender and titles.  

The bill is named the Josephine Tittsworth Act after my awesome homegirl, fellow Cougar and who while on the UH campus was an SGA Senator.

It's expected to get voted on April 16, but in advance of the vote, to do a little education on the issue, a town hall meeting will be conducted on Wednesday in the UC North Senate Chambers in the UC North starting at 5:30 PM

The Josephine Tittsworth Act will be discussed and what it means for student safety, academic success, and fulfilling our Nondiscrimination Policy's promise.  As a Cougar I support the passage of it and plan on being at the town hall to report on what happens.  

Tired Of Black TBLG Women Getting Harassed For Going To The Bathroom

Had a nice conversation with Andraya Williams Saturday in which she reminded me we'd met when I was in Charlotte in 2012 to deliver the keynote speech for the TransFaith In Color conference. 

The subject then turned to the battle she and her attorney Sarah Demarest are currently fighting with Central Piedmont Community College.

Appears as though the CPCC peeps seem to think that if they keep stonewalling instead of coming to grips with the fact they have seriously screwed up by disrespecting Andraya and resolving the matter, this will all go away.

Umm hmm, keep thinking that.   The more you stonewall, the more you piss people off to where this will escalate into you having to deal with your transphobic sins in federal court and probably paying for them.





The well attended protest that occurred Friday should have been a wake up call, so CPCC, I would urge you to expeditiously apologize to Ms.Williams,discipline the security officers involved, get busy enacting non discrimination policies that cover sexual orientation and gender identity, and create some clearly marked and designated gender neutral bathrooms.

You can either do that now or pay Ms. Williams much more in cash later.
 
One of the things I told Andraya was she isn't the first transwoman to face anti-trans harassment over the bathroom, and sadly won't be the last one. I pointed out this crap happened to Tyjanae Moore in 2010 at the Houston Public Library downtown location instigated just like in her case, by a transphobic security guard.   Another incident happened to a transgender UHD student last year that led to gender neutral bathrooms being established on their campus.. 

But there have been far too many of these incidents aimed at Black trans, SGL and gender variant women.  There was Khadijah Farmer's 2007 case in New York against the Caliente Cab restaurant.   
No sooner had the ink dried on the settlement agreement in the Farmer case we were hearing about producer Tanya White being thrown out of the posh Beverly Hills Hotel and disrespectfully being called 'it' in September 2007 for using the ladies room while attending a party at the hotel for actress LisaRaye McCoy.

In Arkansas Kaye Bowens was fired from her job because somebody had a problem with her using the ladies room. 

Bottom line is we transwomen of all ethnic backgrounds are beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of being harassed and in some cases violently confronted by cis people just for going to the damn bathroom. 

We've got to poop and piss too, so let my trans people do that in peace, will you?  Or is your need to bully and oppress somebody that deep seated?  

Y'all also need to stop believing the 'bathroom predator' woof tickets the right wing is selling you peeps because they have no logic and reason based argument to justify their opposition to trans human rights laws.        

All that I or any transwoman does when we go potty is the same thing you do.  Poop, piss and wash our hands when we're done.   We don't need your harassment aimed at us because you have insecurities you haven't dealt with yet and you want to feel like Mr. Big Cis Man or Ms. Big Cis Woman by messing with us. 
  

Unveiling Of Houston MLK Jr. Plaza Statue Delayed

Across the street from the soon to be opened MacGregor Park-MLK Station on the METRORail Purple Line a memorial plaza is being built.  

That plaza will contain an 8 foot bronze statue of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 30 year old 'Tree of Life' that was planted by the Black Heritage Society back in 1983 in the middle of the MLK Blvd esplanade at Old Spanish Trail. 


The Black Heritage Society founded by Ovide Duncantell in 1974 was instrumental in getting South Park Blvd. renamed for Dr. King in 1978 and starting the parade held on his January 15 birthday.   He and the BHS have been pushing the city of Houston for 33 years to get a statue honoring the Good Doctor erected at that site.  

When METRO began planning the Purple Line route down MLK Blvd they were unaware the 'Tree of Life' was in the middle of the planned MacGregor Park-MLK Station they were set to build in the esplanade.

In 2012 METRO agreed to move the 30 year old oak tree and contribute funds to build the memorial plaza across the street.    

The statue was scheduled to be unveiled on Friday, but unfortunately was damaged just prior to being shipped to Houston and is being repaired. 

The candlelight vigil went on as scheduled.  The rescheduled date for the statue unveiling and a parade starting at Griggs Rd heading north up MLK toward the statue and MacGregor Park that was supposed to take place yesterday along with other events connected to the statue unveiling has yet to be determined or announced.

The memorial plaza was completed in January.   The theme of it has the Tree of Life as part of the Atlanta Birth Axis and a Memphis Assassination Axis with 8 foot wide sidewalks.  The statue will be located in the center including a four foot pedestal it will be anchored to that raises the total height to 12 feet. 

Pink granite benches for sitting and meditation, pavement lights, a granite donor wall and MLK quotes verified by the King Center from the 1963 'Letter From Birmingham City Jail' laid in the granite flooring complete the design of the memorial plaza that will have Houston join cities such as Atlanta and Washington D.C. which have memorial plazas dedicated to the memory of Dr. King.     

Looking forward to seeing the H-town version when the statue is finally added to the completed plaza. 

It's been a long time coming, and it will definitely be a nice addition to MacGregor Park and that corner..   

Isis Coming To H-town For WorldFest!

Well well, looks like I'll finally get that opportunity to give my sis that hug I promised her a few years ago.


The 47th annual WorldFest Houston Film Festival started yesterday at  the AMC 30 just west of the Galleria and runs though April 13.  When I lived over on the southwest side of town that theater was one of my fave places to watch a movie, but now that I'm on the other side of town I actually have movie theaters downtown and in Greenway Plaza that are closer to where I live now.    

I found out that one of the movies WorldFest will be screening this year is Hello Forever starring a certain New York based girl like us I know and owe a hug.   

Yes, I know it shocks some of you, but as I keep reminding you peeps, Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, has culture and it's predominately a liberal-progressive oasis in the red and soon to be purple state. 

WorldFest also happens to be one of the oldest independent film and video festivals in the world.


Isis shot Hello Forever two years ago in the Philippines.  It is now having its debut during Worldfest at 9 PM Monday night and is up for several awards.

Since little sis is coming to H-town for it, I'm definitely planning on taking my behind there to see her and the movie.  

It'll also give me a reason to attend WorldFest for the first time ever as well.
  

Aaron's Response To B-Daht

As you TransGriot readers are aware of courtesy of the viral post I wrote earlier this week (14,000 hits and counting), some homophobic hating broke out in reaction to Winston-Salem State University junior Aaron McCorkle's run for Mr WSSU.  

102 Jamz DJ and WSSU alum Brian 'B-Daht' McLaughlin let fly with some homophobic tweets of his own that poured gasoline on this toxic situation. 

In the run up to Wednesday's election that unfortunately Aaron lost, WSSU Chancellor Donald J. Reaves in a statement concerning the rapidly escalating controversy said in response:

“Winston-Salem State University strives to be a campus where diversity can thrive. We believe strongly that the educational environment is enriched by the unique attributes, perspectives and outlooks embodied in the people who make up our university family and community. Words or actions that seek to marginalize any person or group constitute unacceptable behavior and are not tolerate.”

McLaughlin apologized for the tweets, but the damage to McCorkle's Mr. WSSU campaign had already been done.   Brandon Bowden garnered 727 votes to McCorkle’s 565.   


In the wake of this, a Change.org petition has been created asking WSSU to not only add gender identity and expression the EEO policy, but mandate institution wide Safe Zone training.

McCorkle has responded to McLaughlin's apology in a letter I was sent a copy of by Chevara Orrin of wearestraightallies.com.       

April 4, 2014

To Whom It May Concern:

My candidacy for Mr. WSSU and the events that have followed have deeply impacted me.  I am eternally grateful for the WSSU family and others across the nation that stood beside me and believed in me, even as attacks have been made against me.  I am also heartened that Brian "B-Daht" McLaughlin has apologized for the statements h made which questioned both my candidacy and my fitness for office because I am --unapologetically--a Black gay man. 

While I accept Mr. McLaughlin's apology, I hope he is willing to learn why his actions were so destructive.  I hope he will challenge his limited understanding of our vast and varied differences as human being by joining me in the advocating for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).  It is not enough to apologize if you are not willing to be the change you wish to see in the world.  

Poet and novelist Audre Lorde said, "It is not our differences that divide us.  It is the inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences."  

This tragic circumstance has created an opportunity for us as a WSSU family to begin an authentic dialogue about how to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our community.  I invite Mr.McLaughlin to join me in calling on our university to expand its non-discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression, to mandate LGBT sensitivity and Safe Zone training for its students, faculty and staff, and to hold a campus wide dialogue about homophobia that includes myself, Mr. McLaughlin, the Chancellor and other members of the WSSU community.  I believe this is just a starting point to creating a campus climate and culture of inclusion that we can all be proud of.

Sincerely,

Aaron McCorkle
Winston-Salem State University
Class of 2015

Tona Brown To Carnegie Hall Campaign Update

In case you're wondering where our sis Tona Brown's indiegogo campaign is in terms of raising the $3,500 she needs to get to Carnegie Hall this June, she's more than halfway to her goal.

She has as of this writing raised $2,685, but let's keep the positive momentum going.  Even if you can only spare $1, that one dollar closer to her goal.   Of course if you can do $5, $10, $20 or more that would be deeply appreciated, too

Help Tona make some more history.     And to understand why this is important to me and other transwomen, here's Dane Figueroa Edidi to explain why.

 

Mayor Parker Discusses TBLG Inclusive Human Rights Ordinance

During Mayor Annise Parker's State of the City address she gave to a crowd of 1600 members and guests of the Greater Houston Partnership on Wednesday, she outlined many of the issues that she'll be tackling during her final term as Houston's leader. 

She also addressed the one question that has been on the minds of TBLG Houstonians ever since San Antonio's contentious passage of their trans inclusive human rights ordinance last September made Houston the largest city in the state and the only one of the top five population US cities that doesn't have one:  What's up with the LGBT inclusive non-discrimination ordinance she's been talking about for months now and even mentioned in her third inauguration speech back on January 2? 

You know as a native Houstonian I believe it's past time we do so, and have already spoken to Houston City Council twice urging them to pass such an ordinance.

That's why she discussed during the GHP speech and in the press conference afterward the long needed Human Rights Ordinance, which will prohibit discrimination in city employment, contracting, housing and public accommodations.  It will also add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes of people and will create a seven person Human Rights Commission that hears complaints and refer them to the proper authorities

Mayor Parker is expecting that ordinance to be rolled out sometime next month, and as you probably guessed, the usual H-town conservahaters in Dave Welch and the Houston Area Pastor Council are already trying to scuttle it.

But we are just as determined in liberal progressive H-town to pass it, and the fun will begin when we finally see the initial draft of the proposed ordinance next month.
 

Shut Up Fool Awards- It's April, Fool! Edition

Today is the first Friday in April, and there's a lot going on connected with this April 4 date.  

Today happens to be the 20th anniversary of the day I began my physical transition.  It's also sadly the 46th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The men's and women's NCAA Final Fours are taking place this weekend in Arlington, TX at the Jerrydome and for the women in Nashville. 

Only one of my men's March Madness picks survived the NCAA tournament run and it was Florida.  But two made it to the Elite 8 and one to the Sweet 16.  

As usual I did better on the women's side with two of my four surviving to play in Nashville.  The two who survived are unbeaten UConn and unbeaten Notre Dame who I picked to be in the title game.

And oh yes, it's time to slam dunk four more Final Four Fools and see which one is cutting down the net and claiming the championship level titles of hypocrisy, ignorance, and jaw dropping level stupidity.

Final Four Fool number one is Brian B-DAHT McLaughlin, who put homophobic tweets up slamming the candidacy for Mr. WSSU of openly gay junior student Aaron McCorkle.  When he got called on it by me and others in the media ranks about it along with advocates, defiantly changed his name to Teflon DAHT before apologizing for the tweets

Guess that Teflon wasn't as protective as he thought it would be.

Final Four Fool number two is the GOP majority on the SCOTUS for another jacked up ruling on the McCutcheon vs FEC case that guts the campaign finance rules, builds on the insanity of Citizens United and lets the 1% spend as much money as they want on political campaigns. 

Final Four fool number three is Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte that got an 'F' in respecting the human rights of Andraya Williams, then tried to lie and stonewall their way out of it probably hoping it would blow over.   Protest started at about an hour ago and looks like CPCC will be explaining themselves to a federal judge soon. 



Final Four Fool number four is Hobby Lobby for suing the federal government concerning the ACA's federal contraception mandate because it is against their 'religious principles', while hypocritically investing in companies that produce those same contraception drugs. 


Our winner this week is a joint award for sportscasters Mike Francesa, Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton for going off the rails into male chauvinist pig territory when they criticized New York Mets baseball player Daniel Murphy for missing the first three days of the new 2014 MLB season to be with his wife for the birth of their child.

Seriously?  There are 162 games in a baseball season and the right to take up to 3 days of paternity league is part of the 2011 CBA.  And childbirth is not a given that it will go smoothly. 

And it not like the world was going to end because David Murphy wasn't on the field for the last few days.

Mike Francesa, Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, shut up fools!
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Today Is My 20 Year Transition Anniversary!

Today is the day 20 years ago I walked into Houston Intercontinental Airport's Terminal C to clock in at my then seven year old airline job to begin my first nerve wracking work week evolving into the Phenomenal Transwoman you see today.

It had been a long road to get to that April 4, 1994 day.  I'd had my first appointment with my gender therapist Dr. Cole just two months earlier.  

That first work week was filled with me having one on one emotional conversations with my airline co-workers spelling out why I was handling my transition business.   Some of them led to tell it like it T-I-S is revelations and epiphanies.   Others were simply people wanting to know what the process was like as I would evolve in front of their very eyes.

The now 16 years and counting of activism around trans human rights issues started four years later, but from 1994-1998 my thirtysomething self was more focused on becoming the best woman I could be.  

I felt at the time I was going from zero to femininity and needing to play catch up with the other cis sisters in my peer group, my workplace and elsewhere around H-town. 

On that April 4, 1994 day I was facing the task of needing to have the acquired knowledge of a thirtysomething Black woman and not having three decades to learn and make mistakes while doing so.   I also accepted the mission of going through a body morphing second puberty with a wide variety range of reactions from friends, family and society ranging from unconditional acceptance to virulent hostility.  Add to the body morphing and other changes bumrushing me at that moment at a dizzying pace the frustrating at times documentation and paperwork changes combined with rolling down I-45 south to Galveston every few months for check ups and chats at the gender clinic with Dr Emery and Dr. Cole.

Some of those challenges I encountered were quickly learning that sexism, misogyny, and the straight up hatred aimed at Black women is no joke. 

I also received an early reminder of the transmisogynistic hatred trans women face inside and outside our community when Tyra Hunter died at the hands of a transphobic Washington DC EMT a mere 15 months into my transition.  

I had a scary 1996 incident that taught me paying attention to my personal safety was a must and that any lapse in attention could result in severe injury, sexual assault or my untimely death 

I discovered the wallet in my purse was going to take a bigger hit now that I was on the femme gender side because of the added expenses and the new wardrobe I was having to build from scratch. 

I also discovered that the weight gain you pick up after starting HRT is no joke either.  

I already knew this from sitting in locker rooms during my teen years, but it got it reinforced as an estrogen based lifeform just how much men can be pigs at times.

There were humorous and sometimes touching moments along the way as I adjusted to my happier life as Monica. 

I built my network of cis and trans sistafriends who broke down the evolving feminine journey I was on.  They praised me when I was handling my business and put their foot up my ass when necessary to give me that needed motivational kick.  

My sistagirls (and they know who they are) stayed on my behind to make sure that I not only continued to evolve to be a better person, I kept my promise to evolve to be a complement to Black womanhood and not be seen as a detriment.to it.  

And yes, my transbrothers have played their parts in helping me become the person I needed to be. 

Because I stepped out on faith and did so, I have been afforded some amazing opportunities.   I get to travel and participate in discussions about trans and other issues at various conferences and college campuses in Houston and around the country.

I have a blog that has been visited by 5.5 million people around the world since I started it in January 2006.  It has led to a new column at Black Girl Dangerous and being published at EBONY.com, Loop 21, the Huffington Post and a long list of other blogs

I have gotten to meet wonderful people inside and outside the trans community I probably wouldn't have come in contact with otherwise had I continued to unhappily muddle through my pre-transition life.  My network of friends and chosen family encompasses the United States and the world.  

And the question I asked at the beginning of my transition has been emphatically answered in 2014.   The girls like us who share my ethnic background are all across the African Diaspora.   I have also gotten the opportunity to meet and befriend beautiful, smart and talented transwomen of all ethnic backgrounds and ages.

I have had the opportunity to be a witness to the last 20 years of trans history, helped shape some of it, and meet some of the people who made that history before I transitioned like Phyllis Frye, the late Sylvia Rivera and Miss Major.   I get to unearth chapters of our Black trans history as one of the missions of this blog.   

I would be remiss if on this day I didn't mention all the transwomen who started that journey around the same 1994 time with me that for various reasons fell by the wayside and didn't continue their evolution, passed on far too soon, or lived their lives well and are now watching over me with the ancestors like Dana Turner and Roberta Angela Dee.

I also need to acknowledge the people cis and trans who popped in on this journey with me for a short time who had lessons good and bad to teach me but who are now out of my life for various reasons.   

There are some things that have happened in that 20 years I didn't foresee.  Becoming an activist wasn't in the original 1994 plan, that just happened because of my strong social justice leanings that were there long before I swallowed my first Premarin tablet and a jacked up IFGE Tapestry article   The nearly nine years in Louisville was something else I didn't see coming, but overall was important to my growth and development as moi.  

I also didn't foresee at the time having a generation of young trans people who see me as a iconic leader and role model, a fact I got reminded of during Creating Change 14.  That amuses and humbles me at times.   I'm honored that people think highly enough me to not only nominate me for and sometimes give me awards, but actually name them after me as BTAC did.

I  keep that iconic status in mind when I have the conversations with them about the history I've made and seen (and I'm still making) as I encourage them to fearlessly be the best girls and boys like us they can be.

I've seen some amazing progress for the trans community here in the States and internationally over the last twenty years, but we are not done yet.  There is still a long way to go before transpeople have full societal equality in my nation and around the world.  

My transition started 20 years ago today, but it is still an ongoing evolutionary journey that won't end until I'm meeting the ancestors. 

And you better believe I'm deliriously happy I took that first small, nerve wracking step in 1994 that has resulted in a giant leap in the quality of my life.  

Thanks To My Trans Sistas, Too

Tomorrow will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1994 day I began the very public coming out phase of my gender transition.   I wrote a post thanking the cis women in my sistahcircle who were there at various points along the way cheering me on and helping me evolve to become the Phenomenal Transwoman you see before you today.

I could have said it in the April 1 post, but as I wrote that post I took it out because I felt the influence of the trans community on my development needed more than just a paragraph or two, but needed to be in a separate post of its own. 

It wasn't just my cis sisters that had a hand in pushing me to become the best woman of trans experience I could be, trans women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and nationalities had a hand in it as well. 

Transwomen were also during these last 20 years teaching me the good, bad, and ugly lessons I needed to learn at various point in my transfeminine journey.  From those first TATS meetings I attended in various locales around Houston from 1994 until I moved in 2001 to Da Ville, the first group of trans women who had active influence in shaping the person I am today were the ones who came in and out of TATS during that period.  

There are others here and elsewhere who I can't name who have chosen to non-disclose, but who had wisdom to pass on to me as well about life, love and generally dealing with many of the issues that only another transwoman would be able to break down.  

There were my activist mentors and possibility models like Phyllis Frye, Dainna Cicotello, Sarah DePalma, Vanessa Edwards Foster, Josephine Tittsworth, Dawn Wilson, A. Dionne Stallworth and Dr. Marisa Richmond who not only reawakened my interest in politics, but reminded me that as someone who has been blessed with great talents, leadership skills and the ability to have been able to transition, we needed to give something back to our community.  

There were trans women in the Louisville area I have much love for as well who helped me feel at home during my Texan in exile years and also had more lessons to teach.

There are international trans women who not only helped 'ejumacate' me about how trans issues are evolving in their parts of the planet, they have also become wonderful friends and colleagues in the trans human rights struggle.  

The new kids on the trans block, the Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials who even though I'm old enough to be their mom or Big Sis in some cases, have qualities that I admire and inspire me to step up my game.  Some of them at times like my little sisters Jordana LeSesne and Tona Brown have not hesitated to give Big Sis a much needed motivational kick in the butt when necessary. 

My trans elders are also part of the equation.   They are kicking that trans herstory to me along with their hard earned and won wisdom.  They are also giving me and everyone else in the transfeminine community examples of how to age regally and gracefully.

I have much love for the transkids like Jazz, Natalie Maines, Tracey Wilson and countless others who are fighting these inspirational battles to be themselves at the elementary, middle and high school levels.   I not only envy and admire them for being able to do so at such young ages with the help of supportive families, they remind me and my generation that the primary goal of the activism we do in our time on the planet is so that when the younglings get to our ages, they'll hopefully have less societal drama.

There are my trans sisters in the pageant and drag worlds who while on their own evolutionary journeys, made time in their busy lives to help straighten a sistah's presentation out and look her gender best..  

The transbrothers have had their input from the late Alexander John Goodrum to the men of BTMI.  They have reminded me that I have been just as much an inspiration to them as they have been to me.     

Just like the cis sisters who have been or still are a part of my evolving feminine journey,  some have been here with me the entire two decades. 

Some were only here for certain parts of it to teach me lessons I needed to know at that time and have moved on to live their own lives, while others came in a bit later but are hanging with me now. 

And sadly, there are the people who I met along the way like Lois Bates, Dee McKellar, Christie Lee Littleton Van de Putte, Michelle Myers, Roberta Angela Dee, Sylvia Rivera, Dana Turner,  Jaci Adams, Tracy Bumpus and Nakhia Williams who have passed on. 

So to the girls and guys like us out ther who had a hand over the last 20 years in helping me become the best Moni I can be and own my power while doing so, thank you. 

Will April Be A Deadly Month For African-American Transwomen This Year?

With the calendar page flipping from March to April, the weather gets warmer (at least in some parts of the country), the shorts come out and people emerge to enjoy the wonderful spring weather. 

And over the last two years, what has emerged is a distressing pattern of the month of April being a particularly deadly one for African-American trans women.  

There were three slayings of African-American transwomen in April 2012, and that pattern continued in 2013.   Kelly Young and Ashley Sinclair were killed 48 hours apart in Baltimore and Orlando, and Cemia Dove Acoff's lifeless body was discovered on April 17.

So will we see a threepeat of that pattern in 2014?   I hope and pray we don't, but with the increased attention transpeople and trans issues are getting in the media, it has also fueled backlash.  Some of that backlash will be manifested in people who are mean spirited, hateful and angry enough to take their transphobia to murderous levels. 

And let this post serve as your wake up call.   Remember you are walking around in Black feminine bodies, which like our cisgender Black feminine counterparts, draw their share of murderous attention, too.

So my transsisters, be vigilant and most importantly be safe so I don't have to type out stories of a transwoman being killed somewhere in this country during the month of April.   

Safe Bathrooms DC To Launch Today

As you've noticed, with all the 'bathroom predator' lies and shade throw by TERF and our right wing opponents in their morally bankrupt attempts to stop trans inclusive laws and hate on us, it has had the result of causing more drama for trans people of color when we simply go to the bathroom to relieve ourselves as the Andraya Williams case is the most recent example of.

Later this evening at Casa Ruby LGBT Community will be launching in conjunction with the DC Office of Human Rights the Safe Bathrooms DC campaign in order to remind everyone in the District that single stall restrooms must be gender neutral by law.

Public bathrooms are never enjoyable, but for transgender people and many others, using a public bathroom can be a highly stressful and even dangerous experience. In the District of Columbia, we are attempting to reduce that stress by making every single-stall public bathroom in the District gender-neutral. It’s the law, but currently many businesses are unaware of the requirement, and we need your help to let them know. Join us on Thursday, April 3, 2014 to find out what you can do, and to see the unveiling of our new ads.

For those of you who live in the District and wish to attend, the kickoff event with free food starts at 5:30 PM EDT at Casa Ruby, located at 2822 Georgia Av, NW.   RSVP isn't required but would be appreciated and I know they will be happy to see you there for the launch of the #safebathroomsDC campaign..
 

Countdown To The GLAAD Media Awards

The Los Angeles ones are happening April 12, and congrats to my homegirl Laverne Cox for receiving GLAAD's Stephen F Kolzak Award.    The Kolzak Award is presented to a person who has made a significant difference in the promotion of LGBTQ equality and yep, Laverne definitely fits that bill.  .

The past winners of it are Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright and Sir Ian McKellen.

As for my category, I'll find out a month from now along with my fellow nominees in the GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Blog category if I make history by becoming the first trans blogger ever to win it.

Would be a nice early birthday present, but have some stiff competition in this category with Kimberley McLeod's Elixher (of which my posts appear at times) , Alvin McEwen's Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters, multiple nominee Autostraddle and The New Civil Rights Movement.

As I said in my post when I heard about the nomination, it's nice when you get recognized for the hard work you put in to maintain a quality blog.  When you get nominated, the hard part is over.  All the nomination does is give you a chance to win it.  

While I have appreciated the congratulations and the confidence many of you have expressed in me and my chances to win this with my first nomination, it's not official until they call my name May 3. 

And nope New York trans peeps, since this category won't be announced during the live show, no point in me coming up there.  But there is probably a New York trip in my future assuming I get an invite to speak in the area.  

Christie Lee Van de Putte Dies

When I traveled to San Antonio for their TDOR last November, one of the people I was hoping to see but didn't that evening was Christie Lee Van de Putte

I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that Christie Lee Van de Putte passed away on March 15.

She was a San Antonio native born on March 29, 1952 and was a hairstylist for 35 years.   But what many of us in the community know her for was as the plaintiff in the 1999 Littleton v Prange case. 

As her obituary said, Christie Lee loved bringing out the beauty in everyone and she did.  She got remarried to Pierre Van de Putte who preceded her in death.   Christie Lee's funeral Mass was held on March 25 at Holy Family Catholic Church and she was laid to rest the same day at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  

I had the pleasure of meeting her during a 1999 Texas Lobby day, and seeing her again on my end of I-10 for Houston Pride.  I stayed in touch with her even after my move to Da Ville until about 2005 and our lives went in different directions. 

I'm hearing community chatter there might be a memorial service, so if that turns out to be the case, I will pass that information along to you.

Nikki Araguz Loyd commented upon hearing the news, "Rest In Peace Christie Lee Littleton Van De Putte. I hope you knew your case had been overturned and I will always remember you, as our lives are forever intermingled in history."

So do I and everyone else who had the pleasure of knowing Christie Lee.  

Rest in power and Peace Christie Lee.  We will miss you.