Justice For Brittany Kidd-Stergis!

There is good news to report in terms of another one of our fallen transsisters receiving justice.

In my last update on this case back in June,  Delshawn Carroll was arrested and charged with the aggravated  the murder of Stergis while in the Cuyahoga County Jail on drug trafficking charges.

On Friday Carroll was convicted of the December 6, 2013 murder of Stergis as
she sat in her car in a Cleveland westside public housing project.   Carroll tried to deny that he and Stergis had a past association with each other, but that lie was blown up by evidence frond by investigators that placed him inside Stergis' car.

Carroll was also convicted of the drug trafficking charge.  It carries an 18 month sentence that he will serve concurrently with the life sentence he will get for killing Brittany Kidd-Stergis 

Justice has been served and another murderer of our sisters will be rotting in jail for doing so

RIP Aniya Parker

We now know the name of our fallen transsister in Los Angeles.    She is 47 year old Aniya Parker., whose friends knew her as Asia. 

 LAPD may not want to call it a hate crime, but when somebody throws a punch at the victim before they shoot them, and leaves the purse behind, it doesn't take a Cal Tech degree to suspect this is a hate crime

She is the eight transperson to die this year in the United States and the second in the Los Angeles area since June.  And  fitting the pattern of all the previous trans murders in the United States in 2014, she is a trans woman of color.

A candlelight vigil was held last night at the Melrose and N. Kenmore Ave corner where she was fatally shot.

The LAPD are still looking for the 2-4 Latino men suspected of being perpetrators of this crime. If you have any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of these wastes of DNA, you can call them at 1-877-527-3247.

To all the folks  who knew and loved Ariya, we are just as upset and outraged about the untimely  loss of another one of our sisters, and hope justice happens expeditiously in this unfolding case.

And if you have a photo of her, please send it to me.

2014 FIBA Women's World Championship Watch-On To The Semis

The quarterfinal action took place in the 2014 FIBA World Championship For Women yesterday with Spain taking on a China team that upset Belarus 72-67 and the host Turks taking on Serbia in the upper half of the bracket. 

In the lower half of it Australia took on Canada while the defending FIBA champion USA got a 2012 Olympic finals rematch with France.

France came into this game with a semblance of confidence after handing Team USA their first loss in an international basketball game since 2011.   France beat Team USA 76-72 in a September 21 prep game before the tournament started.

Spain beat China 71-55 to punch their ticket to today's semifinals and they will face Turkey after their narrow 62-61 win over Serbia. 

Turkey had to overcome a 10 point fourth quarter deficit in order to send the home country fans home happy as they punched their ticket  to the semifinals.

Australia beat Canada 63-52 to remain unbeaten in this FIBA World Championship tourney.  Their reward is facing their longtime b-ball rivals Team USA, who got payback for the friendly game loss pinned on them by France.  




France upset them in Paris back on September 21 as Team USA was sorting out the final spots on their FIBA championship squad and was missing Brittney Griner. 

This time Team USA shattered and splattered France's pipe dream of a semifinal matchup.  Team USA raced to a 29-14 first quarter lead they never relinquished thanks to 92% shooting, and sprinted to a 20 point halftime lead.   The 94-72 win secured their spot in the semis against the Opals. 
Brittney Griner led all USA scorers with 17 points

Once again we have a clash between unbeaten USA and Australia squads for the right to move on to the title game.  Should be fun to watch.
  

HERO Updates, Notes and News-October 3

Was using the computers at the Houston Public Library location downtown when I received another reminder of why the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance needs to implemented without further delay.

I was just one spot away from two other people using some HPL computers when a  twentysomething Black man made a comment to the gentleman sitting next to him after he was visited by some openly gay people that 'he hated gays' and 'you need to keep your f****t azz away from me'.

Of  course the Black gay man was offended , and asked the homophobe if he wanted to take it outside and find out just how much of a man he was.

After listening to this for about five minutes, I finally shifted to Maya Wilkes mode and was moved to speak when he made the crack that 'Black people shouldn't be homosexuals' .

Interestingly enough I'm wearing my purple Task Force Houston Host Committee t-shirt today, and I called his azz out after he said, 'God didn't create gay people' and "I don't understand why people are homosexuals'

I said to him, 'God did create gay people, and I'm sick and tired of hearing that bigotry wrapped in prayer.'

He then shot back, 'What makes you think I'm a Christian?' to which I replied, "Too many people that call themselves Christian are spouting that right wing anti-gay hate speech, and I'm tired of it."

I then ended my soliloquy with "I don't understand why people are homophobes' and shut his behind down before I went back to handling my writing business.   

The gay Black man eventually took his problem with the homophobe in question to security . 

The sistah security guard warned the homophobe that if she had one more complaint about him, out the library he was going.

After she left, he mutters some more anti- gay remarks and 'effing f*****s before he gets up from the computer and storms off.

Note to you HERO haters: A library is a public accommodation.  Since we have far too many people in the Houston area like you wanting to do more than just vocally express your anti-LGBT attitudes and discriminate against folks, that's why gender identity and sexual orientation are included in the 15 protected classes in the HERO that awaits the rapidly approaching January 19 court hearing.

And yes, as today proved, it's an ordinance that is sorely needed,
  
 

Shut Up Fool Awards-Countdown To Election Day Edition

It's the first Friday in October, and that means the clock is rapidly ticking toward October 20 and the opening day of early voting in Texas for this critical election 

I'm damned sure planning to be there bright and early to handle my civic business, and hope you are planning to do the same thing

Speaking of handling business, time to get to handling our usual Friday business of calling out all the fool, fools or group of fools who so richly deserve it.

It's this Friday's edition of the Shut Up Fool Awards.

Honorable mention number one is the NFL.  Once again they stumbled into another PR issue when a Muslim NFL player was flagged for 'excessive celebration'  when he bowed in prayer after a pick six  interception return in Monday's 41-14 demolition of the New England Patriots by Kansas City.  

After having to watch an endless parade of Tim Tebow celebrations and his and other Christian NFL players ad nauseum proselytizing, why y'all have a problem with a Muslim player doing what y'all have done for a decade or more?   15 yard flag on the play for hypocrisy

Honorable mention number two goes to the Minnesota Star Tribune for printing a full page transbaiting ad from a fearmongering anti-trans org in the run up to a decision that would approve a trans human rights policy for Minnesota students.  .

Honorable mention number three is Bruce Braley, whose comment slamming Chuck Grassley may flip the Iowa senate race and possibly imperil the Dems chances of holding the US Senate 

Video has surfaced of Braley calling Grassley (R) at a fundraiser a few months ago “a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school.”   Not a smart thing to say when your state's major business is farming and many of the voters there are survey says, farmers..

Honorable mention number four is the New York Post for its disgusting heading heralding the birth of Chelsea Clinton's first child as 'another liberal crybaby'

When will you media conservafools grow up?  Or are you in a perpetual state of cognitively impaired adolescence?    But then again, what else is new for a Rupert Murdoch owned newspaper?

Honorable mention number five to Jessica Duggar for blaming the Holocaust on the theory of evolution.   Maybe you need to dye your hair blonde and audition to become a Fox Noise fembot.
You've definitely demonstrated through your recent actions and statements you're intellectually challenged enough to be one.

id you not learned your lesson when you openThis week's Shut Up Fool honoree is former Rep Barney Frank. 

In a recent GAVoice interview, the Purple One  slammed HRC Prez Chad Griffin for his SCC apology to the trans community, then tried to pinkwash his being a trans oppressor by lying saying 'trans people don't have rights because we 'refused to lobby' and 'the votes weren't there' to pass a trans inclusive ENDA.

Interesting that the votes were there in the Senate to pass a trans inclusive ENDA last year.

You need to come clean about that transphobia Barney.   And oh yeah, Shut up fool!

What's The Latest News About Canada's C-279?

Like my Canadian trans cousins, I've been keeping track of what is happening with C-279, the trans human rights bill that passed the Canadian House of Commons last year but has been stonewalled in the Conservative controlled Senate.

And the Conservative Party needs to be called out on it.

When I last checked the Senate website, it passed Second Reading on June 6 and was referred to committee before the Senate went on their summer break.

It is now awaiting action in the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, which is no longer chaired by Liberal Sen. Mobina Jaffer, but Conservative Sen. Bob Runciman.

We'll see if the bill gets the fair hearing it did when Sen. Jaffer chaired the committee, much less gets out of committee and back to the Senate floor for third reading, passage and royal assent to become Canadian law

The world is watching Canadian senate.  Do the right thing, not the right wing thing.

We've Lost Another Transsister

This time in Los Angeles.

Reports are coming from the area that a fortysomething trans woman was fatally shot in the head early this morning after an attempted robbery in East Hollywood.  

She was discovered about 2:30 AM PDT by LAPD officers responding to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of North Kenmore Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The woman was taken to the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 5 AM PDT, an LAPD police spokesperson said.

The unknown for now trans woman will unfortunately become the eighth transperson murdered this year in the United States.  She will also become the second transwoman in the LA metro area murdered since Zoraida Reyes was found dead back in June. 

I'm trying to get more information about our lost trans sister from local and other sources, and as soon as I have it, I'll post further updates to this story. 

But we'll have to recite another name at next month's TDOR, and this month';s just getting started. 

TransGriot Update: LAPD has finally released the name of our gone too soon sister, and she is 47 year old Aniya Parker

Thanks OutSmart Readers For The Dual Wins!

As I've said more than a few times on the blog, in numerous panel discussions and speeches, I don't do the activism I do for awards.   But it sure is nice when the work you put into advancing the human rights of yourself and others gets recognized by the people you are fighting for.

OutSmart Magazine is a monthly LGBT themed publication here in Houston.  It does an annual Readers Choice Award, and in the 2014 edition I was shocked to discover that I was nominated in three categories.  

Even better, I won in two of them.

Considering the lousy, unnecessary drama filled second half of September I've had, it was much needed positive news.

I was nominated along with Kristen Capps and winner Christina Gorczynski in the Most Prominent LGBT Female Activist category.   I was also nominated for the Favorite Blogger female and Favorite Tweeter female categories which I won.

I'm humbled by the support of my local community, and thank you OutSmart readers and everyone who voted for me for the dual wins.   It's deeply appreciated. 

Congratulations also goes out to all the nominees and winners in this year's 2014 Gayest and Greatest poll.

TransGriot 2014 NFL Picks-Week 5

Aww yeah, had a great Week 4 picking games and for a minute it was looking possible I was finally going to get my elusive perfect week.

Then the NFL afternoon and evening games, Tampa Bay's upset of the Steelers and the Chiefs hammering the Patriots Monday night happened.

I still ended up with a respectable 8-5 record to win the week while Eli and Mike had a rough Week 3.

Now comes the week that every Texans fan has waited for since they announced the 2014 schedule back in April.  It's a regular season match up at Jerryworld with the hated Dallas Cowboys.

One of the highlights of the Texans inaugural season in 2002 was that 19-10 opening win at Reliant over the hated Cowchips.   Unfortunately the last two matchups in 2006 and 2010 went their way.

But this time the Cowchips will have to deal with Justin James Watt and the Texans defense.   Hopefully Good Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Texans rushing attack atones for their sorry performance against the Bills this Sunday.  

We will find out who emerges victorious in the Governor's Cup Battle on Sunday, but time to get to the Week 5 NFL picks.  There are only 15 games to pick this week because Miami and Oakland went across The Pond to play and are getting their bye week.

Dennis Allen is spending it cleaning out his office and looking for a new job after the Raiders fired him yesterday.

As usual, my picks will be in underlined bold print.  Mike and Eli's will be here.

Week 4 Results

TransGriot    8-5
Eli                 6-7
Mike             7-6

2014 NFL Season Record

TransGriot     37-24
Eli                  34-27
Mike              35-26



NFL Week 5 Picks

Thursday Night Game
Green Bay over Minnesota

Sunday Early Games
Detroit over Buffalo
Indianapolis over Baltimore
Cleveland over Tennessee
Chicago over Carolina
Houston over Dallas
Pittsburgh over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
NY Giants over Atlanta
Philadelphia over St. Louis

Sunday Afternoon Games
Denver over Arizona
San Francisco over Kansas City
San Diego over NY Jets

Sunday Night Game
New England over Cincinnati

Monday Night Game
Seattle over Washington

GenderProud ID Video

Identification documents that matches who we are as people is vital to us navigating the world with as little drama as possible.

ID that matches our gender presentations is a human right and transpeople shouldn't have to go through bureaucratic hoops and surgical or medical intervention to get it.   ID that matches our gender presentation is also needed so that we can avoid being outed and greasing the skids for anti-trans attitudes and discrimination.

This GenderProud video makes some valid points as to why ID that matches our outward presentation of our deeply held internal gender identities is a human rights issue.

Trans and Gay Panic Legal Defenses Banned In California

The good human rights news just keeps on coming. 

The California Assembly passed on a 50-10 vote in August the AB 2501 bill authored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla that bans the use of trans and gay panic defenses in California criminal courts.  

Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed the bill into law, and it makes California the first state to ban the odious trans and gay panic defenses.

There is absolutely no justification for the use of ‘panic defenses,’" Assemblywoman Bonilla said in a statement. "Clearly this tactic has been utilized by defendants, unjustly targeting members of the LGBT community, based on damaging stereotypes. With AB 2501, we are moving forward to ensure equality in our courts and making it very clear that discrimination against the LGBT community is intolerable and unacceptable.”

Here's hoping that other states follow California's lead and pass similar legislation.

Texas Governor's Debate: Round Two

This second debate between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott last night in Dallas got a little more contentious than the first debate in the Valley.  

Many statewide media pundits in the post debate aftermath consider Wendy to have won this one, and I concur with that assessment. 

To be honest, They really needed to do one in a town hall format, but Abbott didn't want that for obvious reasons.

For those of you who didn't get to see it live last night or who didn't see the livestream of it, as a TransGriot public service, your favorite blogger will make it easy for you to check it out.

NFL Flags Muslim Player For Prayer

The NFL used to be the most PR savvy professional sports league in the country.  

But lately it has been buffeted by multiple scandals and kerfluffles, while seeming to be hellbent on liking up to the sarcastic nickname of the 'No Fun League'  

I enjoyed watching the New England Patriots get their butts kicked by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.  I enjoyed watching this 39 yard pick six by Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah that helped propel the Chiefs to their 41-14 win over the Patriots. 

What has people pissed off is that after the pick six, Abdullah prayed in the end zone for a moment and was flagged for a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct for 'excessive celebration'.

Okay, I have a problem with that after having to watch Tim Tebow multiple times and a long line of Christian NFL athletes proselytize their faith after scoring TD's. 

Abdullah is a devout Muslim who skipped the 2012 season so that he could take part in the Hajj to Mecca with his brother Hamza Abdullah, who played in the NFL for several seasons.   Both wanted to take part in the Hajj while they had the means to do so.   Hamza Abdullah has yet to be picked up by an NFL team since making that journey, while Husain is now in his second season with the Chiefs after playing for the Minnesota Vikings from 2008-11.  

Abdullah also practices the traditional fast that happens during Ramadan even though it falls during training camp.

The problematic penalty flag also drew the attention of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.  The organization issued a statement early Tuesday asking that the NFL take steps in response to the growing backlash citing the problematic nature of the penalty.

"To prevent the appearance of a double standard, we urge league officials to clarify the policy on prayer and recognize that the official made a mistake in this case," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper.

The NFL to their credit, acknowledged that Abdullah and the Chiefs shouldn't have been penalized   Even Abdullah noted that it was probably the end zone slide before the prayer that drew the flag. 

"I'm pretty sure he understands who I am, what my faith is," he said in a ESPN interview. "And again, I think the prostration is all right. It's the slide. Come to a full stop, get down, make the prostration, get up and get out."
 

Texas Lt. Governor's Debate

Where's State Senator Dan Patrick been in this 2014 lieutenant governor's race?   Hiding from the people of Texas.

Yeah, Dan's been running from the spotlight and hanging out with his 1% GOP buds in his bid to avoid any campaigning, debates or media events that will draw attention to his sorry record.

But Dan couldn't hide on Tuesday night.   He had to come out of his undisclosed Lone Star State location and hit a debate stage in Austin with State Senator  Leticia Van de Putte for their one and only debate before we Texans begin going to the polls on October 20.

And here's the video of the debate.

Have A Happy Birthday, Isis!

One of the things I have been most happy to see over the last few years is the renewed rise of #girlslikeus walking the fashion runways of the world and in some cases working behind the scenes to make those shows happen..  

One of the peeps I had the pleasure of finally meeting after chatting and talking to her on the phone over the last few years is my talented sis Isis King. 

She's a twentysomething multitalented woman who in addition to her demonstrated runway ripping skills, is also a fashion designer and actress. 

It was the acting part which was the reason why I got to meet her in H-town back in April.

The movie Hello Forever she was starring in premiered at the World Fest film festival here.   I enjoyed getting the opportunity to finally meet and kick it with my beautiful sis and the cast

Well, couldn't let her birthday pass without giving my sis a proper TransGriot birthday shoutout!

Have a wonderful day filled with abundant blessings, love, and smiles, and may you have many more of them.   I also hope I get to spend some quality time with you the next time I'm in New York.

Wendy vs Greg: Round Two

The final Texas gubernatorial debate between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott is taking place later tonight in Dallas, and I'm hoping to see a lot more fireworks in this one. 

But since both candidates are playing not to make the game changing mistake that can swing the election, it's probably going to be just as close to the vest as this one.

Frankly, I would have rather seen a couple of town hall ones in which both candidates have to take questions from the audience, and would have loved those town halls to have been in The Valley and on the TSU campus in Houston for starters..  

But for you political junkies, the debate starts at 8 PM.  I've been invited to a debate watch party later tonight with a group of Wendy Davis supporters gathering at Nikki Araguz Loyd's house (yep, that Nikki).   KXAS-TV (NBC5), KXTX-TV (Telemundo 39), The Dallas Morning News, Texas Association of Broadcasters are the sponsors of it with the moderator for tonight's political fun being KERA managing editor Shelley Kofler. 

The questions will come from panelists Brian Curtis, NBC5; Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News/Houston Chronicle; Norma García, Telemundo 39; and Gromer Jeffers Jr., The Dallas Morning News.  

If you don't live in the Lone Star State, the debate is being livestreamed, and it may end up being broadcast on C-SPAN like the first debate was.

What I'd Like For Transitioning Trans WOC

Yesterday I got an opportunity to participate in a Twitter discussion on the topic of stopping anti-trans violence disproportionately aimed at trans women of color moderated by Kylar Broadus. 

It took place for an hour starting at 2 PM EDT, and if you wish to check out the Twitter chat thread, you can search the ‪#‎StopTransMurders‬ thread to read mine and the comments of others on that topic.   

When Katrina Goodlett pointed out she was about to reach her 35th birthday in two weeks, it was a sad reminder that is the average life expectancy for TWOC's because of anti-trans violence aimed at trans women of color, and it drove me to write this comment in response:

I would like for a transitioning TWOC to expect to live her life past her 35th birthday ‪#‎StopTransMurders‬

I didn't stop there.  I posted on my Facebook page I would like for that transitioning TWOC to have a roof over her head, a job at a living wage, food in her pantry, medical care and clothes in her closet.

And that resulted in the thinking that resulted in what else I'd like to see for transitioning trans women of color.

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to have caring, loyal and supportive family and friends enveloping her in love and support so she can concentrate on being the best person she can be.

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to have her life respected and protected.  

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to not have to deal with negative law enforcement attitudes that manifest themselves into when they see her walking down the street, she's a target for harassment, she gets stopped and frisked for Walking While Trans, or worse.

I'd like a transitioning TWOC to recognize she is part of a long line of fabulous women with a proud heritage, has sisters cis and trans, and she is not alone. 
I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to have pride in herself, know her history, and be proud of being a trans woman of color.

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to be able to get her name and identity document changes without drama or hassle from bureaucrats.

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to be able to love and marry the person of whatever gender that loves them, be they cis or trans without stigma. 

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to see the day that people who love them and desire them as life partners aren't ashamed of them.

I'd like for a transitioning TWOC to see the day that cis women recognize that trans women are women, and we are your allies and sisters in the struggle.

I like for a transitioning TWOC to see the day that the Transgender Day Of Remembrance becomes obsolete.  

But that is a long way from happening until the lives of trans women of color, and especially Black trans women matter not only to ourselves, but our own people.

But a sistah can dream can't she?   This is one dream I'd definitely like to make a reality.

2014 FIBA Women's World Championship Watch- On To The Quarters

The FIBA World Championship For Women started in Turkey on September 27.

Team USA is multitasking during this tournament.  They are not only trying to defend their world title and keep their long winning streak alive, they are also trying to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

The 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship squad is comprised of Brittney Griner, Tina Charles, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Angel McCoughtry, Odyssey Sims, Diana Taurasi, Candice Dupree, Nneka Ogwumike and UConn's Breanna Stewart.

The Geno Auriemma coached Team USA squad got their title defense off to a strong start when they took out China in their opening Group D matchup 87-56 in Istanbul.  

Maya Moore and Brittney Griner were the leading scorers in this game for Team USA with 15 points apiece.  My Houston homegirl also made some FIBA history when she threw down the first ever dunk in FIBA Women's World Championship competition early in the first quarter.  



The next day (September 28) Team USA took out Serbia 94-74.  This time it was Diana Taurasi doing the damage with 20 points to lead all Team USA scorers as they clinched their spot in the quarterfinals with one pool play game left today against Angola.

If Team USA does what we expect and wins the game against Angola today, Team USA will finish atop Group D and play on October 3 in Istanbul the winner of the Brazil- France knockout round game. 

France and Canada play today in Group B to determine who finishes second in their group.   Winner plays Brazil on October 1 in the elimination round while the loser plays 2010 finalists the Czech Republic in an elimination round game.

The USA's longtime international b-ball rivals Australia are on their side of the bracket and won Group C.  If they handle their quarterfinal business would meet Team USA in the semis. 

You know the Opals are just itching to dish out some payback and knock off the FIBA world number one ranked Team USA short of the October 5 finals, but may not have enough firepower to do so since Lauren Jackson is sitting this FIBA tournament out.

We'll see on October 5 if Team USA accomplishes its mission of repeating as the best FIBA women's basketball squad in the world.

TransGriot Update:  Team USA knocked off Angola 119-44.  My other Houston homegirl Nneka Ogwunmike led all USA scorers with 18 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.

When Will Transpeople Be Able To Openly Serve Our Country?

September 20 was the third anniversary of the day that DADT took effect and allowed the LGB end of the community to openly serve in our country's armed forces.

I till have to ask the question along with SPARTA and the rest of the trans community, when will we be able to do the same?

Legislation does not need to be passed via our do nothing Congress to make this a reality.  

The studies have been done to prove that transgender military service will be feasible, can be done administratively, would not harm military readiness, cause major changes to medical policies, or be burdensome or complicated to implement.

So what's the holdup?

There are an estimated 15,000 trans people already serving in our armed forces, so why not  do them the favor of lifting the ban on transgender people being able to serve openly so they can do so proudly?

You can also sign this Change.org petition to help sped the process along.

It would also allow transpeople who do wish to serve our country the option of doing so.  It would also pave the way for the United States to join the ranks of countries such as Germany, the UK, Australia and Israel that allow their trans citizens to serve.

It's past time for trans people to have the ability to do so

Barney, STFU

Far from staying his azz in retirement and keeping his lips in neutral when it comes to anything trans related, trans oppressor and former Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) opened his lips and tried to rewrite history.

He tried to justify his reprehensible actions of cutting transpeople out of an inclusive ENDA bill in 2007 and slam transpeople at the same time.

In a recent GAVoice interview He blasted HRC president Chad Griffin for making the apology at the recent Southern Comfort Conference to the tran community and claimed his political instincts were off and is still trying to pimp the lie he told in 2007 that the votes to pass a trans inclusive ENDA weren't there.

Bullshit. They were.  Your transphobic behind wanted to keep us out of ENDA and you were looking for ANY excuse to do so.

I still find it interesting that the whip count you conducted was done while the Congressional Black Caucus and much of the Hill was attending the 2007 CBCF Foundation Annual Legislative Caucus.

And what you said in that interview was a blatant lie.  Scores of transpeople have been hitting Capitol Hill to lobby since 1994.  I personally have been spending my own money and burning up my vacation time at various jobs to do so since 1998.  Many of us when we couldn't go to Washington DC to do so did so at the local congressional offices.  

The biggest impediments to trans people being included in ENDA since 1994 have been you and HRC.  And no amount of spin can change that attempted pinkwashing of that sorry record.

Purple One, you were the one that came up with the bathroom argument that our right wing opponents have been trying to use to oppress us with   

So no, the only person with suspect political instincts is you.    And you really need to come clean about that  transphobia that you still harbor in your heart.