Sharron, Why You Hatin' On Janet?

One of the pleasures of my first ever Philadelphia Trans Health Conference experience was getting to see Janet Mock's keynote speech in which I got an unexpected shoutout during it. 

But what is pissing me off is that in the wake of it, is Sharron Cooks dipping a nasty cup in the post PTHC Kool-Aid and engaging in Hate on Janet Mock Derangement Syndrome. 

The Philadelphia based activist leveled the charge on her Facebook page that Janet was paid a five figure fee for her keynote speech at the just concluded conference.  That didn't sound right, so I called Janet myself to get the lowdown.  

Let's just say according to Janet, Ms. Cooks numbers are highly inflated by about $11,000.  What Janet told me her compensation was didn't even come close to that.  

PTHC is now the largest trans themed convention in the US and arguably the world. The room was overflowing when Janet spoke Thursday afternoon.  

Let's shift the conversation in another direction for a moment . How many people who were on the fence about coming to PTHC 2014,   made the decision to come because she was the keynote speaker?

Activists need to pay bills and replenish our bank accounts too, and because we do this work many of us will have a hard time getting 9 to 5 jobs. So if we have the ability to leverage our status as activists into speaking fees, what's the problem with that?

One of the things I have griped about for years on this blog is Black transpeople not being paid what we are worth or conference organizers trying to go cheap on our speaking fees when we are asked to keynote conferences or speak on the college circuit. It's even more galling when you have white transpeople who literally can make a living from doing so.

Dan Choi at one point reportedly wouldn't speak anywhere unless he got a minimum $10,000 fee plus first class air travel to wherever he was going. The Rev. Dr. ML King Jr in one year in 1960's dollars reportedly made $600,000 in speaking fees. The PTHC is a free conference, so where are the funds going to come from for Janet to get paid the $12K speaking fee that Ms. Cooks alleges happened? 

My inquiring mind also wants to know what is Ms. Cooks' beef with Janet when she also adds the shady 'she's not an activist' line in her loud and wrong critique?  


And my additional question to you Sharron, is what in your mind makes you think Janet ISN'T an activist?
Did you not consider that activism isn't just screaming and direct action protesting in the streets and it takes multiple forms? 

Activism is changing hearts and minds of the fence sitters when it comes to our human rights struggle.  It's pushing back against the falsehoods and lies of our opponents. It's lobbying legislators to pass trans inclusive legislation that helps ALL transpeople live quality lives. It's giving hope and a voice to people in this community who feel like they don't have one. It's also providing role models to our trans community that people can look up to and emulate.

All of us involved in trans community activism have certain missions and roles to fulfill and the skill sets necessary to complete that particular mission we gravitate to.  And as Janet has stated in those multiple venues she has access to, there is room for all of us to shine as we do so. 

Janet, because she worked in media as a former People.com editor, has a masters degree in journalism, and yes is attractive, is perfect for the role of being the trailblazing media savvy Black transwoman along with Laverne Cox and Tiq Milan for engaging with the media and telling our stories.

That is her activist lane, and we need to be doing whatever it takes as a community to support her in that role.  

I'm curious to know Sharron, what exactly does 'NOT an Activist' mean? Does it mean you have to take a vow of poverty in order to become an activist? That only certain forms of activism like street protests are 'acceptable activism'?  Does it mean that because I have an internationally read blog in TransGriot that has over 5.5 million hits and I have spent 8.5 years building it into a go to resource and voice for our community, I'm 'not an activist'?  

If you tried to say that about me in Houston, elsewhere in this country and the trans community, you'd be laughed out of the room. 

Who are the other people who meet your 'not an activist' criteria?   Is Geena Rocero 'not an activist' because like Janet, she was an undisclosed trans woman and supermodel until recently, but since coming out has had the well received TED talk, lobbied in her birth nation for trans human rights friendly laws to be passed there, formed an international trans rights organization in GenderProud and was also in attendance at this year's PTHC?

Or is it envy that Janet was asked to keynote that PTHC speech in your hometown conference and not you? 

Was it jealousy that Ms. Mock has been interviewed in multiple national media print outlets, cable news programs like the Melissa Harris-Perry Show and now has a New York Times bestselling book that people eagerly line up to get autographed that makes her in your mind 'not an activist'?


Frankly, I'm tired of the attacks that have been being aimed at Janet Mock and other Black transwomen including moi since February.  They aren't acceptable when they come from jealous white transwomen and their clueless boyfriends.  It's also an interesting things that make you go hmm moment to note that some of the white transwomen attacking Janet reside in your Philly backyard.

Those attacks are problematic and unacceptable when they come from our own people.

Sharron, you have every right to your opinion about who is and isn't an activist.  But where I draw the line is when your opinion leads to false attacks on a sister doing the work and mimic 'Janet is not an activist' shade that has been thrown by jealous and borderline racist white transwomen.

And yes, I characterize a statement that Janet Mock is 'not an activist' as an attack on her.

Ms Cooks, It flies in the face of logic and reason and makes you look petty and vindictive when you claim Janet Mock is 'not an activist' when it is clear in her own way she is.

Guess you weren't paying attention when she used her media profile and blog to draw attention to the plight of transteen Jane Doe in Connecticut. Or you were probably too busy rolling your eyes to notice in that very PTHC room where she delivered her keynote and answered questions after concluding it, when she only had time for one more question, she insisted the last one come from a transperson of color. .

You stated on your Facebook page 'We cannot have unity without honesty'.  Bearing false witness against someone and calling it the truth doesn't promote unity, either.

I met you during that same just concluded PTHC conference.  I'd like to sit down and have a serious conversation with you one day and get to know you better.  But one of the things I have very little tolerance for is a trans sister of color unjustly attacking another one.  Seen too much of that divisive dynamic in white trans feminine world, and I refuse to let that dynamic even get a foothold in ours. 

So whatever your issue is with Janet, take it off the Net, pick up the phone, call her and work it out.   . 

    

Happy Juneteenth Trans Texans!

We've stepped off the mental plantation of shame, fear and guilt and are taking those bold steps into being proud trans masculine and trans feminine Texans involved with and ensconced in the communities we intersect and interact with.  How that continues to evolve will be the source of constant communication. effort and sometimes 'The Texas Trans Revolution Will Not Be Televised' consultation, but I'm happy to see it's finally happening in my birth state.
--TransGriot  June 19, 2013  'It's Juneteenth, 2013 Edition'

Juneteenth is the Texas state holiday now celebrated in 42 states that commemorates the 1865 day that Union Major General Gordon Granger ascended a balcony at Ashton Villa in Galveston, TX and read General Order Number 3 that proclaimed that all slaves in Texas were free. 

Since 2012 I have been writing posts that framed Juneteenth in the context of what we Black trans Texans needed to do.  I called for a Trans Juneteenth in which we worked to emancipate ourselves from the mental plantations we have been inhabiting for far too long

I called for us in the two previous posts to do a better job of owning our power, stepping up our leadership game and working together with all the communities we inhabit and intersect with in bringing  about a new birth of freedom in Texas and the  various cities we inhabit inside the Lone Star State.

As you witnessed in the Houston HERO battle, I have no problem practicing what I've been preaching at y'all.  Nether do the African-American trans Texans represented on the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Trans 100.

One of the easy things you can do to own your power is to vote this November 4 and in EVERY subsequent election for the rest of your life.   You vote is your political and societal voice, and if you don't exercise it, shame on you.   Shame on you for not doing so and not exercising your precious right to vote on behalf of our community.     


I'm proud to report on Juneteenth 2014 that call to own our power was not only heard, but is being acted upon.  It was heard by Carter Brown and the brothers of Black Transmen, Inc. who organized the Black Trans Advocacy Conference in Dallas in 2012 that continues to grow and prosper 

The Dallas headquartered BTMI also continues to grow with three chapters here in Texas and five other states to help African descended trans men own their power and become the change they wish to see in the world.. 

It was heard by the Rev. Carmarion Anderson in Dallas. It was heard by Tye West, Diamond Stylz, and Dee Dee Watters here in Houston.   It was also heard by numerous Black trans Texans around our state who while they agree with the call to own our power, they don't feel comfortable enough yet to openly do so.  

It was heard by allies to our community like Espy Brown who organized the sister org to BTMI, Black Transwomen, Inc.   It was heard by allies like Augie Augustine, Perri McCary, Fran Watson, LaTrina Carter, Brandon Mack, Jon Humphries and A.J. Woods.   It was heard by Yesenia Chavez, Maria Gonzales, Kristin Capps, Arianna Lint, Lou Weaver, Januari Leo, Daniel Williams, Tarah Taylor Christina Gorczynski, Amelia Miller, Brenda Lunger, Ray Hill, Phyllis Frye, and a long list of people I'd need another post to name.     

Black trans Houstonians were integral parts of Team HERO that helped the much needed H-town human rights ordinance pass on May 28 and will be part of the team defending it.

Yes, trans rights are international human rights.  We are at a tipping point moment that sees us on the verge of making them a reality around the world. Even a red trending purple Texas can't resist the forward momentum of trans human rights forever.  If we want a Texas that protects our human rights as trans people, we will need to show up, show out and fight tooth and nail to make it a reality. 

No matter how much a bunch of kneegrow sellout ministers want to deny it, we are as Black trans masculine and trans feminine Texans part of the kente cloth fabric of our communities  

Black trans issues are Black community issues, and even three of the four African-American Houston city council members, our African-American Texas and national legislators, judges, and legacy orgs like the NAACP and Urban League get that point.

We Black trans folks didn't just pop up into existence in the early 21st century either.  Black trans Texan and Houstonian Wilmer 'Little Axe' Broadnax was a major gospel singer from the 40's to the 70's.   Black trans  Texans like myself have influenced everything from media to the pageant worlds to trans history itself.

And if given the opportunity, we will make substantive contributions to the Black community and Black history.


So on Juneteenth 2014, let us Black trans Texans resolve to honor our ancestors by doing our part to uplift the race and our community.

 Let's continue to plant those human rights trees in our beloved Lone Star State soil watered by the blood of our people who were sadly taken from us by anti-trans violence.   Let us continue to close ranks and own our power so that we are a stronger, more cohesive partner to all the group we intersect and interact with. 

And as we drink that strawberry soda, strawberry Kool-Aid, or whatever your preferred libation is, let's think about the work we still have to accomplish to make Texas and the Lone Star State cities and town we inhabit better for ourselves and future generations..

Happy Juneteenth, trans Texans! 
 

USA World Cup 2014 Watch-Revenge!

When the World Cup draw happened a few months ago with the USA ending up in the Group G  'Group of Death' with Germany, Portugal and Ghana, the June 16th game with Ghana was the one the USA pointed to.

Ghana was responsible for eliminating the USA out of the 2006 and 2010 World Cup Finals knockout rounds and payback was on the menu in this 2014 Brazilian edition.

The USA wanted to get off to a fast start in their opening Group.G match played in Natal and they did. 

Clint Dempsey scored 32 seconds into the match with the sixth fastest goal scored in World Cup history to stake the USA to an early 1-0 lead they stubbornly held despite determined Ghanian counterattacks until the 82nd minute.

Andre Ayew received a gorgeous back heel pass that he blasted past USA goalkeeper Tim Howard to tie the game and give USA fans 'there they go again' nightmares of another World Cup loss to Ghana . 

But not on this night.   In the 86th minute sub John Brooks headed in the winning goal off a corner kick and made a little USA World Cup  history by doing so.  He became the first USA sub ever to score a World Cup goal.

The USA still had to navigate the rest of the second half and 5 nerve wracking minutes of extra time to secure their opening Group G win and a vital 3 points in the standings.

And oh yeah, beating Ghana was the most delicious part of it. 

But this win was costly as striker Jozy Altidore left in the first half with a hamstring injury, Matt Besler had a milder version of one in the second half and Clint Dempsey ended up with a broken nose after being kicked in the face.

It only gets tougher for Team USA.  They face a Portugal team in Manaus mauled by Germany 4-0 that will be pissed off, determined to show the world they can play better than they did June 16 and fighting for their World Cup lives.

And if Team USA survives that match, they will close out group play in Recife on June 26 against Germany.  

   

I Don't Mind Being A Mentor...But

One of the things that I have made a priority ever since I started my own transition 20 years ago was to one day be that mentor to the next generation of trans women I wish I'd had at the start of my journey.

I'm still evolving into the person I wish to be, and along the way I have accumulated a lot of knowledge and history I want and need to pass down to the next generation of trans women.   

But there are some ground rules.

Rule number one is when you get to be my age, you pass down the knowledge I'm telling you as my mentee to a trans person younger than you someday. 

One of the things that royally pissed me off with my predecessors is that elements of them hoarded the knowledge about transition like it was the secret recipe to KFC.  Thanks to the Internet, that type of gatekeeping is impossible now, but it was a handicap during my trans formative years in the 70's and 80's when I was seeking knowledge on a wide variety of fronts, including about our trans history. 

Rule number two is listen.   The object of me mentoring you is to pass down knowledge that you respectfully listen to, then do what you will with it to confidently blaze your own trail.   If you're not willing to listen to what I have to say, then it's a waste of my valuable time.  That's also valuable time I can spend with someone else who is more respectful of my time and my status as a elder stateswoman who paid her movement dues. 

Rule number three is critically think. I am human.  I don't walk on water.  While I will do my best to make sure any information I pass down to my mentees is accurate, it doesn't hurt for you to cross check it and make sure it is.   It won't hurt my feelings if you let me know if I'm incorrect about something I told you so I can adjust it.

Rule number four, don't betray my mentor's trust in you.    I and my fellow trans elders are willing to share our experiences, wisdom and stories because we see something in you as future leaders.  We're hoping that you will use the info we give you to make yourselves better leaders, pass it down to future generations and uplift our entire community as a result. 

But don't stab us and the community in the back

Rule number five, this mentorship is a two way street.   There is not only information and history I get to pass down to you, but at the same time your input is valuable to me.   It not only keeps me up to date on how things have evolved, it gives me an idea of what the trans landscape was like when you began to transition so I have a baseline frame of reference as to the forces that shaped your thinking.  It also helps me properly target my advice for maximum positive effect.  

I don't mind being a mentor.  I enjoy it and see it as part of my activist job description.  I had the same kind of help from veteran activists when I was a novice, still get it and eagerly seek it out.  It's time for me to pay it forward. 

It also keeps my thinking on these issues from becoming stagnant and rigid.  

And hopefully me and my trans elders mentoring puts you on the road to becoming the best activist for our people you can be, and makes us better ones. 

MHP On Open Military Service For Trans People

You know where I stand on this issue, and I believe it's past time for it to happen. 

Melissa Harris-Perry in one of her commentaries just before Memorial Day took hater Elaine Donnelly to task for promoting the exclusion of transgender people from our armed forces.

Publicist Leigha Hagood Comes Out As Trans

TransGriot Note: I have pointed out more than a few times over the years that trans women can accomplish and do anything if just given the opportunity to do so. 

I was made aware of a situation in which a previously  undisclosed professional #girllikeus was threatened with extortion because of the unscrupulous and criminal behavior of a transphobic former employee. 

Leigha Hagood is a real life Olivia Pope for the hip hop and PR world and as we now know because she is coming out, a trans woman. 

I'm honored that Leigha trusted me with her story, and there will be more to come from me on these electronic pages concerning our trans sister in the weeks to come.  

Publicist Leigha Hagood released a coming out statement to TransGriot blogger and civil rights activist Monica Roberts.  It was in response to a defamatory press release issued by a former employee who demanded cash in exchange for not disclosing Hagood's transgender status.

Hagood refused to give in to the extortion demands, stating, "This is not the first time someone has threatened to out me unless I pay them, but it will be the last! I'm trans and so proud."

Hagood is known behind the scenes throughout the industry as a fixer who specializes in crisis management, and worked with several high profile clients in public relations scandals. In 2012 she took control of the PR company she was working for (The Firm Global) as head publicist, which merged with LT Creative Group in summer 2013 and specializes in personal PR and brand development.

Hagood says, “I got tired of doing so much work and never really getting the credit.  Because of the delicate and highly confidential nature of the services rendered, I couldn't even publish a client list and most clients are taken on referral basis only. I even had large publicists coming to me for ideas and crisis management for their clients.” 

Hagood currently is tied deeply within the hip hop industry and works with several high profile celebrities, including Grammy nominated and Grammy winning producers, artists and athletes.   She has also worked with large corporate clients, including The Gay and Lesbian Center and Friends Without Borders.

Hagood had not previously publicly disclosed her transgender identity during the time she has been working in the PR and hip hop industry.  "It's hard enough to be a woman in this industry without having to throw trans in front of that, but enough is enough! I look at people like Laverne Cox, Tona Brown and Janet Mock, on top of the amazing support I’ve gotten, and I’m confident this is the best thing to do."

Hagood hopes that clients will see beyond her gender and that her work speaks for itself, saying, “We are all humans and strive for the same thing success, love and happiness."

When Hagood refused to pay an ex-employee for her silence, the ex-employee sent out a defamatory press release calling Hagood several anti-transgender slurs and a fraud while attaching unlawfully obtained copies of Hagood’s California ID and Social Security card. 

Hagood says, “Contrary to what was written in the (ex-employee's) press release this has nothing to do with my work and everything to do with my being transgender. My gender has nothing to do with the integrity of my work. The employee says she feels she should have been told upfront that she was working with a ‘Person’ like me.”

Hagood has filed a police report with the West Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and their investigation is ongoing.

Denmark Becomes First European Nation To Pass Progressive Gender Identity Law

Over six decades ago Denmark was the nation in which Christine Jorgensen underwent her hormonal transition.   Now Denmark becomes the first nation in Europe to pass a progressive gender identity law that removes obstacles to legal gender recognition. 

On June 11 the Danish Parliament passed a law modeled on the one passed in Argentina in 2012 that removes the requirement of a Gender Identity Disorder (GID), Gender Dysphoria or any other psychological assessment or opinion is not necessary    The Danish Parliament also removed requirements for medical intervention, mandatory surgical intervention and mandatory sterilization.

Under the new law an application for legal change of gender is submitted to a relevant authority and after 6 months the applicant simply needs to confirm their application for it to happen..

The passage of the first in the European region law was hailed by European TBLG organizations and activists.

"This is ground-breaking for trans persons in Denmark and elsewhere. We hope that other countries will follow the Danish example and pass quick, accessible and transparent legal gender recognition legislation based on self-determination swiftly. Nevertheless, for the young generation of trans people in Denmark we hope that the minimal age of 18 years will be dropped eventually..” comments TGEU Executive Director Julia Ehrt 

Paulo Côrte-Real, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe, added: “We are very pleased to see the Argentinian model for legal gender recognition being introduced in Europe by Denmark today. The benchmark is set high now and we encourage other European countries to follow suit and to remove unnecessary, humiliating and degrading requirements which hinder people across Europe to fully enjoy their lives in preferred gender.”

The new law will take effect in Denmark on September 1.   Here's hoping other governments in Europe and elsewhere role model it in their own trans ID policies.    

HERO: Next Steps Meeting

You know I thought is was important if I tore myself away from the USA's initial World Cup match to head over to Resurrection MCC to attend a community meeting concerning the HERO and our next steps in defending it.

It was another one of the frequent questions I received while I was in Philadelphia for the PTHC in terms of how the haters petition drive was going.

In a fast paced one hour meeting in their Gathering Place room that seemed more like a reunion, we got updates on the current situation from Januari Leo, Christina Gorczynski, Brad Pritchett, Lou Weaver and Ryan Leach with major assist from Kristen Capps .

Christina reminded us in her presentation that our greatest asset in this fight to defend the HERO is the truth is on our side.   She pointed out the HERO covers 15 protected classes of which only two are sexual orientation and gender identity.  The HERO also addresses discrimination based on sex, race, color, age, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, familial status, genetic information, military status, pregnancy, disability and religion. 

The exempted classes are private clubs, religious organizations, private schools, senior citizen and military discounts and federal, state and county governmental entities. 

The private employers threshold is stairstepped.  I would have rather had it be 15 from the outset, but it goes from 50 employees in the first year to 25 in the second year and 15 in the third and subsequent years. 

It not only protects Houstonians but visitors to our city as well.. 

Brad's presentation covers the HOUequality website which is designed to be an informational clearinghouse concerning all things HERO related.   If you need to do some faith-based lie busting, you can whip out your mobile device and have at your fingertips all the factual information to crush the lie in an avalanche of information. 

Lou's portion of the presentation busted the anti-trans myths the haters are using to stir animus toward the ordinance and what to do to help Houston trans community voters get registered and a early voting polling place they can go where they will be respected. 

Ryan closed it out with our game plan if the faith based haters get enough signatures to place it on the November ballot.  Who gets to write the repeal ballot language, fundraising and PAC's.

So yep, definitely needed to be there.  Besides, the USA-Ghana game will be replayed on demand  anyway.      

Where's The Black Trans Man-Black Trans Woman Romantic Love?

June is the traditional start for the wedding season and just like 'errbody' else, trans masculine and trans feminine people are searching for that special someone to spend the rest of their lives with.

In my case that's been a so far futile search, but as a hopeless romantic I remain somewhat optimistic it may happen for me someday since I see it happening for so many of my trans sisters .

What drove me to write this post is something that was mentioned in the PTHC workshop I facilitated on Friday but we ran out of time to properly explore it. 

One person asked the question during the discussion that was centering on the unity theme at that moment why Black transwomen and Black transmen haven't been hooking up in relationships with each other. 

It was a valid question, seeing that I know of Black trans women hooked up with long-term relationships with cis men and Black trans men doing the reverse with cis women.

Why haven't we seen more often the no-brainer situation of transmasculine and transfeminine people not only hooking up in long term relationships, but marrying each other?   What is preventing us from doing that? 

I say it's a no-brainer situation because it eliminates one of the impediments in a trans-cis relationship in terms of the ''When does the transperson disclose that history?' scenario.

I have no problem with trans people marrying the people they love be they cis or trans.   But what I would like to see is more instances of hetero oriented Black transmen and Black transwomen getting into healthy relationships with each other that lead to long-term relationships and possibly marriage. 

We briefly touched on it before time ran out, but the initial short answer is steeped in the gender binary and internalized transphobia we navigate in the community.   In order to be seen as a 'real man', a transman must date and eventually if they're fortunate enough to have found the right person, marry a cis woman.    Their emerging masculinity will be called into question if they are seen dating transwomen.   

The reverse dynamic is also somewhat true with trans women hooked up with trans attracted men who revere them.  

Some trans feminine women see it as a test of our budding femininity to see if we are attractive enough to get and keep a cis man.   It's even more of a feather in their cap if they are 'woman enough' to get him to stay in their lives even if we reveal our trans feminine status.

But frankly, just as some transmen need to stop believing the negativity and real woman' shade about transwomen, we transwomen also need to stop focusing on a transman's genitalia and recognize the content of his character just as we insist people do with us.

As Precious Davis said in a comment on her Facebook page that accompanied the initial photo, 'Black trans men and Black trans women loving each other is revolutionary'.

It damned sure is.   And we need to do a better job of role modeling the mutual respect and friendships which will allow that love to blossom and grow.  

HERO: Next Steps Meeting Tonight

As I've been reminding everyone, passing the #HERO was the easiest part of the process.   Now we have to defend it from our misguided faith-based haters and their 'fear and smear' tactics. 

There will be a #HERO: Next Steps meeting taking place later today from 6-7 PM at Resurrection MCC Church facilitated by Januari Leo and Brad Pritchett.

Januari and Brad will be your hosts for this exciting opportunity for community building and conversation around what's currently happening with our soon to be three week old non-discrimination ordinance.

At the #HERO: Next Steps meeting we'll discuss: (1) tools to address misinformation online and in person (2) details on a high-impact way to share your story (3) updates on the petition gathering and referendum process.

And if you attend, you also get to ask questions and make suggestions and comments concerning these issues.

Resurrection MCC is located at 2025 W. 11th Street west of TC Jester Boulevard.  The meeting will be in The Gathering Place building on the Resurrection MCC campus, and it has ample parking.   For you METRO riders it is on the 40 Pecore line

I will have my face in the place, and hope to see you there.

Trans Latinas Representing In Chicago

While much of Trans World was focused on the just concluded Philadelphia Trans Health Conference in Philly, some of our trans Latina sisters were in Chicago for the National Latin@ Network conference taking place that same week.  . 

Members of the TransLatin@ Coalition were in the house. They did a fabulous job as usual of representing themselves, our #girlslikeus community and looking flawless while presenting, networking  and getting their learn on.

One of the things we must keep doing is not only advocate for ourselves and our own human rights, but make it clear we trans folks also interact and intersect with other communities.

We are just as concerned about the other issues that affect the groups we intersect with, and the trans Latinas gave us a great example of role modeling this.

Thanks Trans Latin@ Coalition for stepping up and doing the Trans 101 educational work in the Latin@ community.  It's what we will need to happen for the entire trans human rights community to advance.    You also prove by doing so that trans people are an integral and intertwined part of the Latin@ community as well.

RIP Zoraida Reyes

"Life is too short. We have to enjoy life however we want. We can love whoever we like. We were born to help others. We all are equal because we are not labeled like products. We are humans. Do something with your life, and not let life to do something with you"
-Zoraida Reyes'

While I was in Philly meeting many of our next generation activists during the just concluded Philadelphia Trans health Conference, sadly their is one trans sister that I won't have the honor and pleasure of getting to meet and know.

I'm saddened to report that we have lost one of our trans Latina sisters in California

Our California trans family and allies are mourning the senseless death of  28 year old Zoraida 'Ale' Reyes of Santa Ana, CA.   Her body was found behind a Dairy Queen in Anaheim, CA Friday.  

Initial evidence discovered by Anaheim police investigators is that Zoraida was killed somewhere else and the body was moved to that location. 

While the Orange County Sheriff's Department is reporting that an autopsy has been completed in this case, they are still gathering evidence to determine whether this was indeed a homicide and if i was, whether Zoraida's transfeminine status played a role .

“She had many, many hats in this community. She was an activist for the Dreamer movement, for undocumented students, she was also an activist for the transgender community, along with the gay community,” friend Javier Saucedo said in a KCAL-TV interview. “She was an activist, she was a friend, she was a daughter, she was a sister, she was someone you could count on.”

Zoraida was active not only in the trans human rights movement, but other causes such as the DREAM movement, immigration rights, and as an ally to the LGB community.

 

Over the weekend, a snap GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise the funds to help pay for Zoraida's funeral raised over $10,000.   There was a vigil held Friday night in Santa Ana to honor her memory, and another is scheduled to take place Tuesday in San Francisco.

As my California trans family and my trans Latina sisters pass me the details for her upcoming funeral service and any other subsequent memorial services,  I will pass them along to you in addition to any other news concerning the ongoing investigation into this senseless killing.

You know I will also follow this case until the waste or watses of DNA who took her from us far too soon are expeditiously arrested, convicted and rotting in a jail cell 

Ronnie Velez nailed it in this Facebook commentary in memory of Zoraida.

#TransLivesMatter May we honor Zoraida's life and contributions to our Latin@, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities by allowing her spirit to continue reclaiming family and unconditional love in our lives, so that she can renew us, our conversations, our relationships, our workplaces, our schools, our streets, and the only planet we know as home. We love you, sister. UNCONDITIONALLY

The outpouring of love, grief and affection for our fallen sister is powerful testimony to the love and respect that countless people had for her, and I'm saddened I won't get to know her..     

Rest in Power, Zoraida. You are already being missed by all the people who loved you and whose lives you touched.  Say hello to all our sisters who have transitioned to a better place with you.  
    

Malala's Father Speaks

It's Father's Day, and this is an interesting TED talk given by  Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of international human rights activist Malala Yousafzai.

In it the Pakistani educator tells a simple truth that many men don't want to hear.  Women and men deserve equal opportunities for education, autonomy,  personhood and an independent life.  

When asked how he raised a strong daughter like Malala, he simply stated, "Because I didn't clip her wings"

Happy Father's Day.   And if yo are raising daughters, you may wish to click on this link and think about what Ziauddin Yousafzai has to say in this TED talk entitled, My Daughter, Malala.

Heading Back To H-town From PTHC 2014

The 2014 Philly Trans Health Conference is one for the history books, and Sammi Jo probably has her phone off and is resting after the successful conclusion of this 13th annual event. 

I had a wonderful time, and would definitely life to come back in 2015 if we can make it happen.  Maybe next time as a keynote speaker.  (hint. hint)

We'll see if that becomes a reality next year or at a future PTHC, but now I have to go back to my H-town life.  Assuming both my flights leave on time from here and the ATL, I'll be home and destroying some Pappas barbecue at Hobby around 1:20 PM CDT.

Thanks to Jennifer Michelle Gellar for being my gracious roommate while I was here in Philly.  

It opened the door for me having an even more wonderful first timer experience meeting Jazz, Jeanette, her amazing family and all the people who advocate for trans kids.

And to my trans brothers and trans sisters, thanks for the love.  I get just as big a kick out of meeting you as you do in being around me.   You will go on, if you aren't already, to do some amazing things.

 I marvel at how fabulous y'all look while doing so. 

And hopefully, I'll be blessed to do PTHC again next year if they'll have me around.

Later Philly...Houston awaits.

PTHC 2014 Diary-Day Three Recap

It's the last day of the 2014 Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, and my body told me it was time to get more sleep than I have been getting the last two nights.

So after I did some writing and had breakfast, decided to take a little nap before heading to the convention center.  That little nap lasted until 10 AM, so guess my body needed the sleep. 


After shaking off the cobwebs, I spent some time after I arrived at the convention center hanging out with my Houston peeps Jay, Robin, Koomah and the rest of the gang at The Gender Book table.  Did the same with Jeanette and family at their foundation table, and the BTMI-Philly chapter table

I spent more quality time with Dr Lobdell.  I talked to some of my TransGriot fans and with others plotting the Black Trans Revolution that won't be televised.   Even saw Kye Allums for a moment before he headed back to New York and Kylar Broadus.

And I popped my head in for a few moments at the Justice For Jane event in room 109A.

The first seminar I attended on this final day was a 2:20 PM Simaya Fogle moderated one entitled "Transitioning In The Black Family'   The panel with Lisa, Ebonee, Destiny, Christian, Leo and cis man Tierre told transition stories from a black perspective.   Tierre was on the panel to discuss the issues of being in a dating relationship with a trans woman.

Hmm, sounds like a panel topic that needs to happen for next year

It led to some commenters revealing some deeply personal secrets which will remain off the record for this post.

During the 4:05 PM block I attended Ebonee's seminar in Room 104A entitled 'Get Your Tens And Make Me Know It!!!'    The seminar discussed the ballroom and pageant worlds and how both can be used as tools of empowerment and self growth for trans women of color.

In between those seminars, the sidebar meetings kept happening, people continued to connect with each other, and information was disseminated in the scheduled sessions until the last ones wrapped up at 7:00 PM.

And when that last seminar closed, so did the 2014 edition of the Philly Trans Health Conference. 

I had a wonderful first timer experience at the PTHC.  It was a blast getting to meet many of the people I've been talking to online for years and in one or two cases over a decade.

And yes, was nice to get out of Houston's warm, humid weather for three days.


But all good things must come to an end, and that is the case for this PTHC conference.  While I'm sad it has come to a close, the memories of this event and hopefully the friendships and working partnerships started here will last for a lifetime.

It's also time to take what we learned during these three days here back to our various hometowns and countries.  Once we arrive back home, let's put into practice what was discussed in those sessions and in the conversations away from the conference venue.

And hopefully I'll get to see everyone next year for the 2015 edition of PTHC.

   

Flag Day 2014

We are also aware through a perusal of history that any marginalized group fighting for their human rights is usually demonized at some point as un-American by the Forces of Intolerance.   The easiest way to counter the lie and take away one of their spin lines is to proudly fly Old Glory at any protest or community event we hold.
--TransGriot, June 14, 2011 

It's apropos that I'm in Philadelphia at the largest trans conference in the United States at a tipping point moment for our trans human rights movement. 

One of the arguments I've been making for years is for the trans community to not repeat the mistake the GL community repeatedly does of ignoring our national flag at their events and ceding its use to our loud and wrong opponents.

This flag is ours just as much as the blue, pink and white Helms one that represents our community, so use it at our events, gatherings, parades  and human rights fights

Remember we have trans people serving and fighting in our military aroubnd the world to protect our precious right to fly it, so honor their service by doing so.          

PTHC 2014-Day 3 Preview

The final day of the Philly Trans Health Conference is another one jam packed full of seminars. 

As to which ones I'll attend today?   Depends on what piques my interest since I'll be in reporter mode today.

Then again, I presumed I'd be in reporter mode yesterday, too but fate had other ideas.

That's also a nice segue into my reminder for you TransGriot readers that if you wish to keep up with the PTHC on Twitter, the hashtag is #TransHealth2014

There's a free legal clinic sponsored by the Mazzoni Center Legal department starting at 8:45 AM.

And it'll also be WWMS time:    WWMS= Who Will Moni See in the PTHC convention halls today as this conference winds down and we prepare to head back home to use what we learned at this event.

As you probably guessed, you know I'll be breaking it down later as to what transpired on this last day of the 2014 Philly Trans Health Conference and all the activity surrounding it. 

PTHC 2014 Diary-Day Two Recap

It's the middle day of the 2014 Philadelphia Trans Health Conference.  After a nap I arose at 4 AM to do some writing, get breakfast when the hotel started serving it at 6 AM and take a nap before heading over to the convention center for another day of PTHC seminars and fun.

The seminar action started at 8 AM, so I didn't get there until after 9:30 AM after receiving a call from Koko Jones, who was prepping to leave for the drive down to Philly for a concert that she, KOKUMO and Liz Clair were going to perform later in the afternoon .

One of the first people I ran into was the lovely Geena Rocero, whose regal supermodel presence and bubbly personality lit up the hallway.  As we chatted people began to recognize her and started asking to take pictures.   One of the people doing so was another one of my longtime Facebook friends in Karen Kendra Holmes.   I also got to see Fredrikka Maxwell again, and finally got to meet Nadia Belinda Roberts. 

Not sure if were related yet.  That's a discussion we'll have to have at some point for today.

Moments later I ran into my homegirl Samantha Master as I was standing by the check-in desk entrance so that I could see who was coming and going.  We also saw something for the first time we hadn't seen over the last two days: the sun.

PTHC Conference Coordinator Samantha Jo Dato joined me and Samantha Prime for a moment as Sammi Jo contined to do her job of making sure things ran smoothly.  She had us cracking up laughing about some of the humorous things that had occurred so far and how she was handling the challenge of making the country's largest trans confrence run smoothly while looking flawless.

This is the first year this #girllikeus has coordinated the massive undertaking the PTHC is and she and the volunteers have done a wonderful job along with the friendly staffers of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

I left to check out some of the other PTHC vendors and organizational info tables on the other side of the massive section of the Pennsylvania Convention Center housing our conference.

I stopped at the Lambda Legal one to talk the the folks manning it and Dru Levasseur stepped up.  We caught up on old business as he congratulated me for helping get the HERO passed.  I told him some of the funny things that happened during that HERO fight as I gave him the update on how the Decline to Sign campaign in defense of our hard won May 28 Houston human rightts victory was transpiring.

I chatted with Sue Fulton, and one of our topics was about the effort to get open trans military service done.   Since it was approaching noon and lunchtime, I headed back to the entrance.

I was surprised by my elegantly dressed homegirl Dr. Ayana Elliott, who advised me about an upcoming event she is planning.   I will keep you TransGriot readers in the loop about when it happens once I receive the details from her.   I ran into Sean Coleman, who came down from NYC and told me he owes me a spades butt kicking  (yeah, right)

You have my cell number, so let the games begin. 

I went to Reading Market to fulfill my mission of destroying a cheesesteak, and after consulting with my Philly peeps, settled on grabbing it from Carmen's.  And yes, it was worth it.   But because I was waiting so long to get that cheesesteak, I missed Harper Jean's keynote.

So I decided to take that time to peruse the afternoon session schedule and decide which one of them I would grace with my presence.  I ran into my homegirl Denise Norris, and that jumpstarted a nice sidebar conversation about messaging that Lourdes Hunter joined before I headed to Room 107B to check out a 2:20 PM seminar entitled 'Translatinas. Are We There Yet?' presented by Cristina Herrera and Rachel Mark.

It chronicled the issues that trans Latinas deal with in their transitions and some of the work the NY based Gender Identity Project has done to help people overcome some of those obstacles.  It was a fascinating discussion that was eventually opened up to the audience for Q&A before time ran out.

When the 4:05 PM seminar slot arrived I had a dilemma.  I wanted to see the performance of KOKOMO, Liz and Koko, but there was also a seminar called 'Transmen and Transwomen of Color Come Together' that I also wanted to be in Room 106A for.  

So after chatting with Martina Downey, I decided to exit room 103C, head to the other seminar, watch half of it, then depart to come back to the room to watch the conclusion of 'KOKUMO and Friends In Concert.'

But fate had other plans for me.   I thought my 2014 PTHC presenting days were done after yesterday's Trans Pioneers panel.   When I arrived in Room 106A it was a full house with no presenter in sight.   The volunteer in charge of monitoring the room asked me to pinch hit.  

So after waiting another five minutes for that person to arrive, I facilitated the conversation in that room that touched on issues of relationships between transmen and transwomen, visibility of transmen, the 'T-Word', race relations, and disclosure. 

I had fun doing it, and got thank you's from the participants and the grateful room monitor when it was over.   But because I was occupied with my unexpected facilitator duties, I missed the concert.

Unfortunately so did Koko.   Her car broke down enroute to Philly from her northern New Jersey home base.  She's okay, but she was upset and disappointed she missed the PTHC jam session.

There will be another day.  What's more important is that you're safe and we will meet each other soon.

The final panel of the day was a 5:40 PM Kylar Broadus moderated one sponsored by TPOCC that was focused on Intergenerational POC Work.

After an icebreaker in which the capacity room was asked what is their favorite guilty pleasure (mine Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream and giving right wingers hell), panelists BT, Milan, Lourdes and Kim answered questions from Kylar before the floor was opened to powerful testimonies from Tela Love, Precious Davis and others before we ran out of time at 7:00 PM to close Day 2 of the conference.

I headed back to the hotel after taking more photos with my girls, telling Katrina Goodlett some of my humorous airline stories (and yeah, y'all need to check out her Kitty Bella radio podcast on Tuesdays) and heading downstairs to the annual Transkids pool party Jeanette was throwing for all the transkids and parents.

I got as chance to meet more of the parents with trans kids and have conversations with them before i stepped out for a few moments to attend a SPART*A reception that started in the hotel pub area at 8:30 PM.  

At that reception I had the chance to chat with Brynn Tannehill and friends about some community issues and other news of the day before I retreated to attempt to compose some posts and check on e-mail.

But the combination of quiet, a full stomach and a day that started at 4 AM had me nodding off and surrendering to my body telling me it was time to crash and conclude Day 2 of my PTHC 2014 experience.
    

Shut Up Fool Awards- In The PTHC 2014 House Edition

As y'all already know I'm in Philadelphia for the 13th annual edition of the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and having a blast. 

We're in Day Two of it and as this SUF post pops up, right now we're scheduled to be in the middle of Harper Jean Tobin's keynote speech. 

I'll talk about it later in my PTHC 2014 update post, but I know y'all surfed over here because it's Friday and y'all want to know what fools are getting called out this week.   

So without further delay, lets find out what fool, fools or group of fools earned this week's SUF honors

And I'm going to get right to it.   This week's winner is a group award for the haters of the Southern Baptist Church.   They declared war on the trans community Tuesday when they passed the Denny Burk crafted trans hate resoultion at their just concluded Baltimore convention.


The resolution puts the SBC on the wrongheaded course of massive resistace to trans human rights issues and arrogantly dismissing the fact we exist.

And yeah, once again you chose to put yourselves on the wrong side of history.


All I have to say to you spawns of Satan is, shut the hell up, fools.

PTHC 2014-Day 2 Preview

It's Day 2 of the Philly Trans Health Conference, and in addition to more exciting seminars, we have another keynote speech today being delivered at 1 PM by Harper Jean Tobin.

Remember #TransHealth2014 is the Twitter hashtag if you wish to keep up with what's happening at PTHC.

And contrary to what my haters say, I don't bite.  Hugs cheerfully accepted except from TERF's.   If  I have time in my day and I'm not headed to a panel or seminar I'll be happy to sit down somewhere in the halls of the convention center and chat with you.  

And yeah, definitely planning to destroy a cheesesteak today.   Any recommendations Philly folks on the best place in the area to do that?