US 4th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules In Favor Of Gavin Grimm!

In a closely watched case that will possibly have an effect on North Carolina's Hate Bill 2,  a federal appeals court ruled today that a policy barring Virginia trans masculine student Gavin Grimm from using the bathroom matching his current gender presentation at his high school is unconstitutional!

The three judge panel of the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA  overturned the Gloucester County School Board's unjust policy in a 2-1 decision.

US District Court Judge Robert G. Doumar  (Reagan appointee) last year had previously sided with the Gloucester County School Board in the GG vs Gloucester County Schools case, denying Grimm's sex discrimination claim because in his words, 'Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and not on the basis of other concepts such as gender, gender identity or sexual orientation."

The three judge panel said otherwise   Judges Henry Floyd and Andre Davis (Obama appointees) ruled in favor, judge Paul Niemeyer (GHW Bush appointee) was the dissenting judge.

'Because we conclude the district court did not accord appropriate deference to the relevant Department of Education regulations, we reverse its dismissal of G.G.'s Title IX claim. Because we conclude that the district court used the wrong evidentiary standard in assessing G.G.'s motion for a preliminary injunction, we vacate its denial and remand for consideration under the correct standard.  We therefore reverse in part, vacate in part, and remade the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.'  

The Justice Department filed a 'statement of interest' in this case declaring that failure to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity was sex discrimination. .

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling establishes legal precedent in every state in the circuit that includes, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and North Carolina.

"I feel so relieved and vindicated by the court's ruling,' said Grimm in a statement released from the ACLU. "today's ruling gives me hope that my fight with help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school."

Stay tuned, because we trans folks may have just gotten another legal hammer to whack HB 2 with  

This case also emphatically points out that elections not only matter, the person sitting in the Oval Office selecting who goes onto these federal judicial benches matters, too.

I'm Okay And Dry TransGriot Readers!

For those of you who haven't heard about it, much of the Houston metro area got hit with 11 to 20 inches of rain in a little over five hours from training thunderstorms.  The northwest, west, southwest, north and northeast sides of town along with parts of Waller, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties got hit hardest.

KPRC 2 in SW`Houston was also knocked off the air for several hours.

Many of those creeks, rivers, retention ponds and bayous were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of rain we got which led to the flooding that you saw reported on national newscasts. Unfortunately we have lost six  people because they realized too late the water they were driving into was too deep or accidentally drove into deep drainage ditches. .

We also had over 1500+ rescues by the Houston and area volunteer fire departments and first responders.

Where me and my roommate live on the south side of Houston, we didn't get the heavy rain, but the light to moderate stuff and localized street flooding, so I and my family are okay along with many of the local trans folks I've been able to check in with.

Just to let you TransGriot readers know, I'm dry and have power.  While the local creeks, bayous, drainage ditches and retention ponds surrounding me were higher than normal, they fortunately didn't go over, and we got a chance for the extra water we received to drain off and continue its journey to Galveston Bay.

We'll have to cross our fingers in the Houston area for later tonight because we're still under a flash flood watch.  We can only hope the upriver areas in the surrounding counties or the Houston area don't get any additional heavy rainfall, but so far so good.

Thanks to those of you from around the area, Texas, the country and the world who have called, sent messages, or e-mailed to check on me and everyone else down here in Houston and vicinity.

It's deeply appreciated, and I'll keep y'all posted as to what's going on here.

Islan Nettles' Confessed Killer To Be Sentenced Today

James Dixon, the confessed killer of Islan Nettles will be sentenced staring at 9 AM EDT.

As part of a plea deal, he's getting a 12 year sentence for the brutal killing of our trans sister, and many local activists are not happy about that development.

I agree with my New York trans family, 12 years in jail is a joke considering the level of brutality of the crime, and really don't care if it was his first offense.  He killed somebody.

Dolores Nettles, the mother of Islan Nettles is requesting that trans community members able to do so join her in the courtroom for the sentencing.   If you live in the New York metro area and can take the time out of your busy day to be there in solidarity with Ms. Nettles, I urge you to do so.

And here's hoping the New York media covers it this time.    

New York Primary Election Today

After nine days of hard fought campaigning, New York state goes to the polls for their primary elections on the Democratic and Republican sides in a few hours.

It's the state in which Hillary Clinton has resided in since 2001, was elected twice to represent in the US Senate, and if the polling holds up (and the last poll showed Hillary Clinton maintaining a double digit lead), she will once again continue the pattern of blowout wins in the big delegate haul states that look like the Democratic Party.

How many delegates are at stake?  291 delegates total are up for grabs, and in more cascading bad news for the Sanders campaign, it's a closed primary state, which means only registered Democrats can participate.  

It's also a state with an 18% Black population.   #BlackVotersMatter, but then again, we've been sending that message since Nevada.

So we'll find out in a few hours who will take New York and get the momentum leading up to April 26 and the five Northeastern states that will be having primaries on that date.  

Another Trans Woman Murdered- RIP Keyonna

Well, we've lost another trans woman to violence, this time in the Washington DC area.

22 year old Keyonna Blakeney, who just celebrated her birthday on April 11, was found dead at a Red Roof Inn in Rockville, MD on Saturday at 11:49 AM EDT.

Montgomery County, MD police reported that Blakeney suffered 'upper body trauma' , and they are still searching for her killer.  

They also flung specious allegations she may have been engaged in sex work at the time of her untimely demise.

And on top of all that shadiness, the local DC area FOX and ABC news stenographers misgendered and deadnamed Keyonna.

If you have any information that will help lead to the person or persons who killed her, detectives are urging you to call 240-773-5070.  

Anonymous tipsters can call 866-411-8477, and a reward of up to $10,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Keyonna's killers.

And yeah, I'm sick and tired of losing our trans younglings to violence. It's got to stop because #BlackTransLivesMatter too.
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Rest in power and peace sis.  Meanwhile your trans siblings in the Washington metro area will be watching to ensure the person or persons who did this are brought to justice.

   

Moni's On 'Queer Voices' Again Tonight

Didn't have to wait as long for another invite to appear as a guest on Queer Voices this time.

For those of you in the Houston area or within the over the air broadcast range of KPFT-FM 90.1, our local Pacifica network station, yours truly will be back in the Montrose area studios of the station as a guest on tonight's Queer Voices broadcast at 8 PM CDT.

It's to talk about last week's murder of Shante Thompson and Willie Davis and hopefully other issues affecting the trans community in the time we have allotted for that segment, but we'll see how that transpires starting at approximately  8:35 PM.

They do livestream the show for those of you who would like to hear it, and you can go to this link to do so.

Hope y'all check it out.

TransGriot Update: My appearance on Queer Voices also depends on whether I can get to the station because of the widespread local flooding.  

It will happen.  Will call in for tonight's show.

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TransGriot Perv Watch- Iowa Megabus Masturbator

The TransGriot Perv Watch is a new series of posts in which I point out the overwhelming majority of perverts terrorizing women in this world are cisgender men who ain't in drag when they commit their crimes.

So when the right wingers peddle the trans predator myth, I want you to have cases you can find to gut punch these lying bastards with.

In our latest episode of the TransGriot Perv Watch, we have 41 year old Telly Shadell Corey of Tennessee who was arrested in a Coralville, IA bus station on April 10 after a complaint was filed enroute.

What was he doing to get himself free accommodations at the Johnson County Iron Bar Motel?  Seems like Mr. Corey decided to find another way to pass the time during his three hour Megabus trip and pleasure himself.

After rubbing his erect penis through his sweatpants, he then pulled them down, exposed himself and proceeded to beat his meat in front of a terrified female passenger.

When he was busted by Johnson County sheriffs, he admitted to committing the crime and remarked that he thought the woman in question was enjoying it "since she didn't say anything about it."

She was probably in shock that someone would be that WTF trifling on a bus.

Corey was charged with the misdemeanor crime of indecent exposure and booked in the Johnson County Jail under a $2500 bond.  He is due in court on April 21 for a preliminary hearing..  

Today Is National Trans HIV Testing Day

As part of my medical procedures when I restarted my HRT last year, one of the things I had to do was take test for not only Hepatitis B and C exposure, but HIV.  It was a relief to know that the results of those tests all came back negative.

I mention this because today is the inaugural National Trans HIV Testing Day.   Trans people in the US are unfortunately among one of the groups at highest risk for HIV infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, trans women of color, and especially trans African-Americans and trans Latinas experience disproportionately high rates of HIV infections.

To add an exclamation point to the issue of trans HIV infections, the Transgender Law Center last month released the initial reports from their groundbreaking Positively Trans Survey with the support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation that focuses on the lives of trans Americans trans living with HIV/AIDS.

The CDC points out certain risk factors directly tied to transphobia and the marginalization that transgender people face that may contribute to the high transgender HIV infection rates.

Those risk factors include:  higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, sex work, incarceration, homelessness, attempted suicide, unemployment, lack of familial support, violence, stigma and discrimination, limited health care access, and negative health care encounters.

The National Trans HIV Testing Day was conceived in order to promote and recognize the importance of routine HIV testing, status awareness, and ongoing focus of HIV prevention and treatment efforts among transgender people.

It encourages participation by local community based organizations, health jurisdictions, and HIV prevention programs by hosting local trans community specific HIV testing events and forums.  They are also encouraging on this day the development of trans specific HIV campaign materials and resources to tackle the ongoing health crisis in our trans ranks.

Here's hoping that this inaugural National Trans HIV Testing Day is just the first step in a series of coordinated moves that will help us in Trans World get down to zero new infections in our ranks.

Fellowship Of Affirming Ministries Trans Support Resolution

During the Friday City Hall vigil for Shante and Willie, a resolution was read by Pastor Freedom K.D. Gulley of Progressive Open Door Christian Center at the event expressing support for the Houston trans community.

Here is the full text of the April 15 resolution that was signed by Pastor Gulley and Rev Alex D. Byrd, the Southern Regional Bishop for the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.

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Resolution of Support and Action
April 15, 2016

Whereas, a double murder occurred on Sunday, April 10, 2016 in the midtown area of the city of Houston involving a young transgender woman, Shante Thompson and a young man Willie Sims.

Whereas, The fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) has been committed to providing pastoral care to transgender men and women, and protecting their civil rights since its inception in 1999, as evidenced by the TransSaints ministry,

Whereas. the South Region of TFAM includes the city of Houston, Texas and two churches which provides direct pastoral care to transgender men and women in their congregations and within the communities they serve,

Whereas, we are concerned about the negative perceptions, biases and discrimination of the public in regards to transgender men and women and how such attitudes may impact the way these murders will be perceived in the public, governmental and law enforcement arenas,

Whereas, we are compelled by a Christian imperative to speak up for those who are perceived to be the least among us and fight for the causes of justice,

Whereas, we are also compelled by our call to minister to the spiritual needs whom God entrusts in our care, especially those who are respected and marginalized by society,

Be it resolved that the South Region of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries lends our support to the family of Ms. Shante Thompson and Mr. Willie Sims.  We offer our prayers, our actions and our ear to you--- weeping as you weep and fighting as you fight the good fight.  We stand  with our arms open without judgment or shame representing the love of our God which is eternal and without respect of person.

Be it further resolved that we stand in solidarity with those who call for justice to be done in this unjust situation. Regardless of the circumstances that may surround it, Shante Thompson and Willie Sims were murdered.  Such acts deserve an unbiased commitment to justice.

Therefore, we are calling for the Houston Police Department and any other law enforcement agency that shall undertake the investigation of these murders to do so without regard to and prejudice or bias against the transgender experience.  We ask that they would treat this case with the same fervor and dignity as they would any other investigation.

We implore the city, the law enforcement agencies, and the news media to respect the lives of the transgender individuals in this case by calling them by the name and gender by which each of them have been known to self-identify.

We further pray that justice be served against the perpetrators of this crime.  We wholly expect that a fair trial and due process be given to anyone indicted in this matter.

This is our calling and our service to Christ and to the people we serve.  To this call we hereto put our hand and faith.

Done this 15th day of April Two Thousand Sixteen,

Rev. Alex D. Byrd
Regional Bishop for the South

Pastor Freedom K.D. Gulley, D. Min.
Member of the Executive Council for the South Region            .

Houston City Hall Vigil For Shante & Willie

As many of you TransGriot readers are aware of, a certain blogger y'all know along with many of my Houston area trans family, allies, and supporters gathered at the steps of City Hall to remember the people we just lost Sunday night in Shante Thompson and Willie Sims.

The vigil in addition to honoring Shante and Willie, also honored the Texas trans people we have lost in 2016.  It also called attention to the jacked up transphobic media coverage of the Thompson-Sims murders by ABC 13 and KPRC 2 in addition to issuing a call for Houston media to do better when it comes to respectfully covering trans issues.

Let me emphasize respectfully, since it seems that respect for trans Houstonians has been sorely  lacking in our local media ranks since HERO was first proposed back in April 2014.

And it's too bad my comments about the piss poor coverage got cut and didn't make the 10 PM news,  But hope those stations got the message I was happy to deliver that the Houston trans community is tired of their failure to adhere to the 2001 AP Stylebook guidelines for covering trans people.

We're also beyond sick and tired of trans Houstonians getting demonized by Houston media without a chance to properly respond to their problematic coverage.

That also extends to the men like Willie Sims who love us.  It's past time that the men who openly love us and don't give a rat's anus what you think are recognized inside and outside the trans community for having the courage to live in that truth.    We also need the men and women who love trans people to also be unapologetic in expressing their love and support of their trans partners, and with our human rights under attack, we need that to happen ASAP...

We were also pleased and proud to have Mayor Sylvester Turner say a few words before the vigil started to drive home the point that the lives of all Houstonians matter in the H-town he wishes to lead.

It was also nice to have members of Shante's family, HPD's assistant chief, Pastor Freedom Gulley, Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen, Harris County DA candidate Kim Ogg (D), Caucus president Fran Watson and other clergy and organizations there.      

The ceremony lasted just under an hour, and in addition to short speeches by Reagan White, myself and a family friend of Shante's, Pastor Gulley read a resolution on behalf of the TransSaints ministry calling for love and acceptance of trans people, along with a spoken.word dramatic performance by Dee Dee Watters, and a lantern release by Nikki Araguz Loyd and William Loyd to close out the vigil.  

Thanks not only to the organizers of this vigil, but I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of another opportunity to spend some quality time with my Houston trans family and the allies who love and support us.

I just wish it had happened under different circumstances.

Rest in power and peace Shante and Willie.  We will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.