What Does Being A Democrat Mean?

I was challenged by someone in a Facebook thread to explain what being a Democrat means. 
This is what I came up. 

****
What does being a Democrat mean?

That evidence and fact based policy matters. That scientific research matters and needs to be consistently funded.

It means we Democrats believe public schools and universities matter because they teach our kids, and they deserve proper funding because an educated populace is important.

We Democrats believe that healthcare is a right that all citizens enjoy, shouldn't be denied because of preexisting conditions or ability to pay, and a healthy society is a policy imperative.

Being a Democrat means that our military should only be used to go to war as a last resort, and not as a first policy option.   We also believe that when people make the sacrifices necessary to serve in our military, they be compensated properly for it.   The Veterans Administration should be properly funded and serve our warriors when they return home from foreign shores. 

It means we recognize that our government at all levels works best when a diverse group of people step up to lead, and that when people of all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to run for public office.

Democrats believe that people be paid a fair wage for their work, have the right to form a union to collectively bargain for reasonable wages, and get regular wage increases at those jobs.

Being a Democrat means that you believe that all people inside our borders should be treated fairly and with dignity and respect, even ones that aren't citizens of our country.  Who you love or your gender identity should not be justification for mistreatment. 

Being a Democrat means that we believe our country is better when we welcome people not born here to immigrate and contribute their talents to building our society.  It also means that as a multicultural society, hate speech, bigotry and xenophobic commentary is unacceptable and deserves the strongest condemnation  

Being a Democrat means that we believe the Constitution is a living document that evolves as our country and society evolves. It means that all people eligible to vote should be able to cast a ballot that counts in our elections, not suppressed out of participation in them.

It means that we Democrats believe that what determines whether a person receives justice in this country shouldn't depend on their skin color, whether the judge has a D or R behind their name, the federal judge was appointed by a Democratic or Republican president, or the size of their bank account

It means we Democrats believe in a media with journalists dedicated to speaking truth to power and reporting the facts.   We believe the media is an indispensable part of our democracy and a crucial component of creating the informed society we need so this American democratic experiment works properly.

Being a Democrat means we recognize there are many religious traditions in this country, not just right wing evangelical Christians.  The practice of those other religions inside our borders must be respected and protected.    We also recognize and respect the right of people to have no religious tradition at all, and the separation of church and state matters in a multicultural nation.

It means we recognize that infrastructure matters and it needs constant attention, funding and improvement

It means that as people who wish for America to be worthy of being called and seen as a great nation around the world, we praise our country when it is doing things right and constructively criticize it when it is on the wrong evolutionary path

It also means that we Democrats love this country, too

This is what a Democrat means.

Say Hello To Judge Tracey Nadzieja

Here's some wonderful news coming out of Arizona.

On October 12 Tracey Nadzieja was sworn in as a commissioner in the Maricopa County Superior Court.   That made her the first trans judge in the state of Arizona and only the third ever in the United States.

In case you're wondering who the other two are, they are Phyllis Frye here in Houston and Vicky Kolakowski in California.

“That’s the weird thing about doing this. Yes, I’m the first, and that’s a story,” Nadzieja said in an interview. “But on the other hand, what I had basically hoped going into this job is that people won’t see that part of the story. That the whole transgender part of the story will ultimately become an absolute non-issue. That people will just see me as somebody who is competent, fair, dedicated and just like anybody else.”

Still, Nadzieja becoming a judge is a tremendous point of pride to the Arizona trans community.   She is also ascending to a judicial bench at a time when the trans community is under assault from the Trump misadministration. 

Congratulations to Judge Nadzieja!

Moni's Latest Radio Interviews

During my time as an advocate, I've had the pleasure of doing numerous radio and podcast interviews for stations across the US and in Canada.   As someone who used to co-host a radio show on KPFT-FM in the late 90's early 2000's, I enjoy doing them. 

On Wednesday I had the interesting development of having two interviews scheduled on the same day.    One was with Genia Stevens at WORT-FM in Madison, WI during the noon CDT hour on A Public Affair.  The other was with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner's Breaking Through show later that evening at 7 PM CDT.

I have the link for the A Public Affair show, bit it hasn't been posted yet for the Breaking Through one.  When it becomes available, I'll post it here.

Here's the link for the interviews if you wish to check them out

A Public Affair- Madison


Breaking Through-

2018 Florida Governor's Debate

The race between Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) and Rep. Ron DeSantis (R) has been ugly from the start, with DeSantis wasting no time going low and deploying racist tactics against the first African American nominee for governor of the Sunshine State. 

Well, it shouldn't be a surprise since DeSantis has been swimming in the white supremacist sewers.

Early voting is now taking place in Florida as you read this, so if you live in the Sunshine State, handle you business. If you didn't see the October 21 debate that was broadcast on CNN, as a TransGriot public service, here's the debate video

Bye Megyn!

Black Santa came early this year and gave us the Christmas present of Megyn Kelly FINALLY getting fired from the Today Show for her comments defending blackface.

The karmic wheel has finally come for Kelly, who Black America has always had a hate-hate relationship with.    While Kelly was the pretty propaganda face at FOX Noise, she dished out a long stream of anti-Black comments that we still have receipts for and she's been unrepentant about.

What pissed off Black America even further was Andy Lack paying $69 million to Kelly to come to NBC, and the shady way that Tamron Hall and Al Roker were forced out of their Today Show time slot to make room fo her to do so. 

Seems like Andy Lack was the only person in America who didn't know this was a ratings trainwreck in the making. I stopped watching Today the nanosecond that Tamron Hall was bounced.

Wonder how my fellow Texan is feeling today about this news?   She's keeping it classy, so Black America will be gleefully petty for her. 

#ByeMegyn.  And a suggestion for you as you look for a new TV job.   Get some counseling to deal with those anti-Black attitudes you obviously have a problem with.

Chief Justice Lee Rosenthal Dismisses Drag Queen Storytime Lawsuit

Some good news to report for you out of Houston this week. 

As y'all know, the fake faith based hatemongers have their draws in a bunch over the monthly Drag Queen Storytime event held at the Freed-Montrose Public Library.

A group of faith based haters with a long history of filing frivolous suits in Chris Sevier, Tex Christopher, Tracy Shannon and Calvin Miller filed another one in federal court to stop this weekend's edition of Drag Queen Storytime from taking place at the Free-Montrose Library in the historic Montrose gayborhood on Saturday.

Sevier tried to claim that the library hosting Drag Queen Storytime amounted to the establishment of 'the religion of secular humanism".   His frivolous suit history includes one filed against Apple in 2013 for 'making a computer that allowed him to access pornography'.  A few years later he filed lawsuits in several states including Texas seeking the right for him to marry his computer. 

Sevier also filed suits against four Democratic congress members who flew rainbow flags outside their offices claiming that by doing so, they were 'promoting the religion of homosexuality'.

Tracy Shannon's problem with Drag Queen Storytime is that her husband allegedly left her for a trans woman.   And that pertains to Drag Queen Storytime in what way, Miss Thang?

Co plaintiff Tex Christopher claimed the event is 'grooming people to be transgender', and even threw in a comment about the suicide rates of trans children to buttress his weak argument.

"Why would they want to do that?  Transgender children have the highest suicide rate.  Why would we want to groom our children to be transgender?" Christopher said.

Naw Tex, its anti-trans hate and oppression coming from you, other evilgelicals, the TERF's and the Republican party that play a major role in spiking the trans suicide rate, not Drag Queen Storytime.

Another point is that drag queen does not equal to transgender person.   Trans people can and sometimes do work as drag artists.   But drag queens are predominately male performers who sometimes come out as trans people.

The case ended up in Chief Justice Lee H. Rosenthal's court, and she wasted little time in dismissing the suit and by extension, denying their attempt to get an injunction to stop this weekend's edition of Drag Queen Storytime.

On October 19, 2018, Tex Christopher, Tracy Shannon, Calvin Miller, and Mark Sevier sued [library system head] Rhea Lawson and [Houston Mayor] Sylvester Turner, alleging that Drag Queen Storytime at the Freed-Montrose Library violates the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution… On October 23, 2018, the plaintiffs applied for a temporary restraining order to enjoin the event… There is no basis to support the requested relief. The application is denied.

Legal mic drop.  The best part of Judge Rosenthal snatching their legal wigs is that they can't claim she is a 'liberal judge' because she was appointed by George HW Bush.

The fake faith based haters have appealed to ruling, but the end result is Drag Queen Storytime will go on as scheduled this Saturday.   The suburban haters will probably be protesting it.

TransGriot 2018 NFL Picks- Week 8

We are now at the halfway point of the 2018 NFL season.  We have a great idea which teams are looking like Super Bowl contenders, and which ones are pretenders competing for the first pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

My Texans are now in first place in the AFC South after stomping the Jaguars.  They are playing  playing a home game unde the Thursday Night lights against the Miami Dolphins and Brock Osweiler.   This should be fun.   Keep reading to see who I picked in that game.

I had an excellent NFL Week 7, and can't wait to get at it and continue the positive momentum.

Y'all know the drill.  Teams I'm picking to win in bold print, HOME team in CAPS with Mike's picks here.   Only 14 games to pick because the Chargers, Cowboys, Falcons and Traitors Titans are on their bye week 

Also have another game in London's Wembley Stadium on the schedule.

Week 7 Results                                                2018 NFL Season Results
TransGriot  12-2                                               TransGriot  67-38-2
Mike           11-3                                               Mike           63-42-2

Thursday Night Game
TEXANS over Dolphins

London Game
Eagles over JAGUARS

Sunday Early Games
PANTHERS over Ravens
BEARS over Jets
BENGALS over Buccaneers
LIONS over Seahawks
CHIEFS over Broncos
Washington over GIANTS
STEELERS over Browns

Sunday Afternoon Games
Colts over RAIDERS
CARDINALS over 49ers
RAMS over Packers

Sunday Night Game
Saints over VIKINGS

Monday Night Game
Patriots over BILLS

MegaMillions $1.6 Billion Jackpot Drawing Tonight

As early voting is commencing in several states, the powerball and Megamillions drawings this week are worth a whole lot of life changing money.

The MegaMillions one that draws tonight is worth an all time MegaMillions record  $1.6 billion dollars.   If you take the cash option, it's only worth a measly $905 million.

The Powerball jackpot that draws on Wednesday night is worth $624 million

Even if you don't play it a lot, if you don't by at least one two dollar ticket, the only thing it guarantees by that non action is that you're NOT going to win the grand prize.  So it's why I'm going to take a chance at it and spend up to $6 maximum to get a few Powerball and MegaMillions tickets.

Yeah yeah,  I know I'll  have better odds of being struck by lightning twice or getting a date with Idris Elba than winning either jackpot, but what if I DO happen to purchase the winning ticket? 

For starters, I'm taking the cash option instead of the 30 year annuity.   After setting up my niece's college tuition trust fund, and a foundation that will benefit trans folks, may spend a hard cap amount  on some stuff I've always wanted.

The rest of that money would be invested wisely.   And yeah, I'd STILL be writing my blog, but from my own office space.

There is no doubt it would changes my life.  My family, and the trans community would benefit from my bank account getting a few extra zeroes in it.

And all you folks who hated on me before that jackpot win would get to stay in that corner and keep hating afterward.   No new friends, long lost relatives, or relatives who don't speak to me because I'm trans needed or necessary.   If you were ashamed to claim trans me before, frakk y'all afterward. 

But we'll see what happens at 10 PM EDT.   Time to go stand in line at the nearby convenience store and get my tickets.

TransGriot Update:  The winning ticket was sold in South Carolina.  

Miss Major's Comment About The Trump Trans Madness

As y'all know, I had something to say about the Trump misadministration making another renewed attempt to enact anti-trans policy to 'protect the nation'.

Really, conservafool?  Is that the lie you're going with this time, Dear Orange Misleader? 

One of the things that never fails to make my day is when I get a check in call from Miss Major.

As my trans elder, she has been through more crap that I have yet to experience, and she's #stillfuckinghere to tell us about it.   She also has been there to call our butt out on crap when we needed it, and give us encouragement  to handle our trans business as well.

So you know Miss major was down for Dolt 45's latest anti trans mess.   Here's what she posted on her Twitter feed about it.

After 70 years I am here to tell you the system has always tried to break us. All us trans girls know we got to depend on each other and when enough of us bitches come together we can it down and use the ashes to build the motherfucking mansions we deserve! #stillfuckinghere

Gotta love her.   Looking forward to the next opportunity to spend quality time with you.

You Will Not Erase American Trans People

'Should the self destructive white privilege fueled racist tendencies of white voters prevail on Tuesday, we will be stuck with people who hate us having offices in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the Justice Department gleefully making policy backed by the federal government that rolls back all the human rights games we have made since Stonewall.'
-TransGriot  November 4, 2016
I have noted since 2014 the disturbing conjoining of the Republican Party, the evilgelicals (mainly the Southern Baptists), TERF's and conservafool media with the goal of making a coordinated attack on the humanity and human rights of trans people.

As I warned before the 2016 election, trans people's humanity and human rights were on the ballot, and if Hillary didn't get elected our next president, it was going to be a problem for our community. 

Some of you dismissed my warnings as 'scare tactics'.  Now I reluctantly get to say 'I told you so' before I dive into what I need to say here.

I hope it is clear to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the GOP and their allies hate trans you and especially Black trans me.  If you're one of the trans idiots who voted for Trump and still support him, I repeat, you are a sellout to the trans community.   You deserve  every bit of derision and shame we can heap upon you as a trans community sellout because you also voted for you own oppression.

But while venting on the sellouts will only make us temporarily feel good for a minute, when we're done chewing them out, it still won't change the fact that we have for at least another two years a federal government and in some states GOP controlled ones that are gleefully hostile to our trans existence.

The New York Times leaking a memo that details another fresh Trump misadministration attack on the human rights of the American trans community is definitely alarming. 

But as a Black trans person, I shake it off as just another day at the office. As a Black American. I'm used to whiteness and white supremacy trying and mostly failing in their 400+ year quest to attack my people's humanity and human rights.   To borrow Maya Angelou's words, and still we rise.

Yes, our ongoing centuries old human rights fight has seen some spectacular wins and progress for us and some disappointing losses and setbacks.   But as the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr reminds us, "We must accept finite disappointment, but must never lose infinite hope." 

The bottom line is our trans ancestors and elders have seen worse attacks, and they not only withstood them, they managed to build a movement that we have now taken international.

Yes, we as a community have made tremendous progress.  But it was also inevitable that a conservative backlash would emerge that would attempt to roll back whatever trans rights progress we have made in the United States.

Yes, we see the progress that trans people around the world are making as their nations recognize the human rights and humanity of their trans citizens.  One day the United States will belatedly join them.  But unfortunately that time isn't now. 

So no, take heart in not only the history of my people that we will win, but the history and resilience of the trans community.   No matter how hard the anti-trans haters try, they will not erase American trans people from existence, because frankly, they can't.

They had a better shot of doing so when we were in the closet.  We're not any more and haven't been since February 1953.   Nor are we American trans people going back into the closet.  We are going to fight Republican oppression of us with every fiber of our beings because we must for ourselves and for our trans kids.

That fight starts by firing every politician with an 'R" behind their name on November 6 at all levels of government.   And no, there aren't any 'good Republicans' if they are silent about the persecution of trans people.    It includes trans people running for office.   Then we mark the calendar for November 3, 2020 to get Agent Orange and his reprehensible misadministration out.

That fight also includes building allies.  Calling out our enemies every time they go low and attempt to push disinformation out there about our trans lives.  Educating people.   Drawing strength and comfort from our trans history.   Being our out, proud, amazing and unapologetically trans selves.

It also means that we need funders to get off the sidelines and invest in trans led organizations.  Donation money is also critically needed by POC trans led orgs like Black Trans Advocacy Coalition,  Trans Latina Coalition and others across the nation.

And yeah, if you like what I have to say on TransGriot, drop some change in the TransGriot Tip Jar in the upper left hand corner of the blog or my PayPal

Dry the tears of our trans kids.  Hug, love on and appreciate our Mama and Papa bears because they are also being viciously attacked by the right wing fake faith based haters in addition to our trans kids. 

Trans allies and trans family. check on the trans people in your lives and envelop them in love.   Listen to our trans elders for advice on what we do to navigate these troubled waters.   Trans adults, do whatever you need to do within reason to calm those rattled nerves,

Trans leaders, our trans younglings and our community constituency are looking to us for leadership, and we must provide it in this moment.

You will not erase American trans people, consevafools.   We will fight you every step of the way when you try to pass unjust laws and anti-trans policies because frankly, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.             

And the thing we have to gain is a better America and a better world for our trans kids.

Houston Evilgelicals File Lawsuit Against Drag Queen Storytime

The same group of professional hatemongers that helped kill the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance are once again trying to force their right wing hatred upon our city.

Yesterday they filed a lawsuit against the Houston Public Library and Mayor Sylvester Turner with the goal of shutting down Drag Queen Storytime

The Drag Queen Storytime has been happening monthly at the Freed- Montrose Neighborhood Library branch  in the historic Montrose gayborhood for two years.   Local drag queens have been on their own time showing up at the library to read to the kids brought there by their parents who obviously don't have a problem with it. 

The goal of Drag Queen Storytime is to not only promote literacy, but give kids in attendance a fun event that promotes healthy self esteem in them.

The faux faith based haters have been protesting the events, with the most recent one happening last month.   Houston city councilman Michael Kubosh has also been on the side of the faith based oppressors, railing against this event back in July. 

The suit in federal court accuses the HPL and Mayor  Turner of being 'recklessly entangled in the LGBT Agenda.'  The lawsuit says the storytelling sessions advertised as appropriate for patrons of all ages at the Freed-Montrose Neighborhood branch should not be funded with taxpayer dollars since the library would not host a “man-woman marriage storytelling hour.”Naw, you clowns don't have that story hour you claim in your lawsuit isn't being hosted because you're too busy working to gleefully oppress TBLGQ people.

The plaintiffs self identify themselves as “Christ followers,” taxpayers and card-carrying library patrons, but have long histories of being opposed to marriage equality.   They also fought the HERO ordinance.  They claim in the suit the Drag Queen Storyline violates their 'freedom of religion'

One of the peeps bringing the anti-storytime lawsuit is Tex Christopher, who claims he homeschooled his children using library books.

Another plaintiff is Chris Sevier, who has filed a number of lawsuits across the country in several states, including one in Houston for the right to marry his laptop.

If men can marry men, Sevier actually has argued, why can’t he marry a computer?  The case was throw out of court in large part because it was designed to get to the SCOTUS so they could have the opportunity to overturn the 2015 Obergefell case.

The plaintiffs also include an evilgelical minister and a woman who claims she got into a custody battle with her husband after he left her for a transgender woman.

What the hell does that alleged divorce proceeding have to do with reading books to kids?
Y'all are just trying to throw anything up on the wall and hope it sticks.

Need to find out what federal judge got assigned the case, but it's probably a safe bet they shopped around for an anti-TBLGQ federal judge to file this lawsuit in.

Stay tuned to see how this case turns out.   

Houston Chronicle Endorses Beto O'Rourke!

"With eyes clear but certainly not starry, we enthusiastically endorse Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate. The West Texas congressman's command of issues that matter to this state, his unaffected eloquence and his eagerness to reach out to all Texans make him one of the most impressive candidates this editorial board has encountered in many years."-Houston Chronicle Editorial Board
This is definitely a huge shock and a win for Team Beto. 

The Houston Chronicle, which leans so conservative on its editorial board it endorsed George HW Bush, George W Bush, Mitt Romney and a certain Rafael Cruz in 2012, just flipped the US Senate endorsement script and endorsed Beto O'Rourke.

"What sets O'Rourke apart, aside from the remarkable campaign he's running, are policy positions in keeping with a candidate duly aware of the traditionally conservative Texas voter he would be representing in the U.S. Senate," the Chronicle editorial board said.

The board then goes on to conclude that O'Rourke would serve as a check to President Trump, whom it describes as a "danger to the republic."

"Cruz is unwilling to take on that responsibility." 

The Chronicle editorial board also called Rafael out for leading the 2013 government shutdown, and recited the negative comments from his Washington House and Senate GOP colleagues about him.   

It also pointed out the obvious that Cruz has shown little interest "in addressing the needs of his fellow Texans during his six years in office."

Hey, his wife Heidi is tired of 'scraping by' on that measly $174,000 a year taxpayer funded salary anyway.

Of course, Rafael was hatin' immediately after the decision, calling the Chronicle a 'left wing rag'.  Interesting to note you didn't say the same thing in 2012 when they endorsed your Canadian born azz. 

Hey, just keeping it real.   He may have a house in River Oaks and votes at the West Gray Multiservice Center, but the vast majority of Houstonians don't like him and don't claim Rafael as one of our own.

But yes, it's a huge win when the paper of record in the largest city in the state, and his home base goes with his opponent.   

Spirit Day 2018

Today is Spirit Day!

In case you're wondering how and why it's celebrated, it's has been around since 2010. 

Spirit Day was created bt then Canadian teeneger Brittany McMillan in the wake of a string of TBLGQ teen suicides to not only show support for TBLGQIA+ youth, but also draw attention to the bullying and harassment they still get aimed at them.

Bullying and harassment that unfortunately now comes with the blessing of the Trump misadministration and Secretary of Miseducation Betsy DeVos. 

GLAAD now sponsors Spirit Day, and it has become a global event since they began doing so.  TBLGQ elders, supportive family members, celebs and supportive allies are breaking out the purple clothing to signal their support to our kids. .   

With 85% of TBLGQ+ youth reporting harassment, and 57% of students declining to do so because of their justified fears that nothing will be done about it, it's vitally import that we show love and support to our kids. 

That support, no matter how small, can go a long way.

Know TBLGQ kids as your trans elder, I love and support you.  I'm doing my part along with countless others to make a better world for you than the one we grew up in. 

And we won't rest until that goal is achieved.     Happy Spirit Day! 

TransGriot 2018 NFL Picks -Week 7

We're almost at the halfway point of the 2018 NFL regular season, and I have the lead in my season long prognostication contest with Mr. Watts.   

Had another great week, but didn't expand my lead on the defending champion.  Didn't lose any ground either due to us both ending NFL Week 6 with identical 10-5 records.

With the Chiefs loss to the Cheatriots Patriots, the Rams are the only unbeaten team left.  Can they stay that way or will the '72 Miami Dolphins be popping champagne per their tradition when the last NFL unbeaten squad finally loses a game?

After starting in an 0-3 hole, the Texans now have an chance to get on the plus side of .500 if they can beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.   JJ Watt is back, and has some help with Jadeveon Clowney

 As for who I'm picking in that game?   Keep reading.   

We also have another international game at London's Wembley Stadium this week on the schedule featuring the Tennessee Titans Traitors and Los Angeles Chargers 

Four teams on on their bye week in the Packers, Raiders, Steelers and Seahawks  That means we have only 13 games to pick. 

Let's do this.   My picks are in bold print with home team in CAPS.   Mike's picks are available at this link    Speaking of picks, hope you are doing the same at the voting booth for our future governmental leaders if you can early vote or on November 6.

Week 5 Results                                            2018 NFL Season Results   

TransGriot  10-5                                            TransGriot 55-36-2
Mike           10-5                                             Mike         52-39-2

Thursday Night Game
Broncos over CARDINALS

London Game
CHARGERS over Titans

Sunday Early Games
Texans over JAGUARS
Panthers over EAGLES
Vikings over JETS
Patriots over BEARS
COLTS over Bills 

BUCCANEERS over Browns 

DOLPHINS over Lions

Sunday Afternoon Games
Saints over RAVENS
COWBOYS over Washington
Rams over 49ERS

Sunday Night Game

CHIEFS over Bengals

Monday Night Game
FALCONS over Giants

TransGriot 2018 Endorsements- Local and Texas State Races

With early voting about to start in the Lone Star State on Monday, and knowing that many of you Texas TransGriot readers have been asking for it, it's time for me to post my endorsements for various Texas state and local races. 

They are a combo from the Houston GLBT Caucus, Dallas Stonewall Democrats, Houston Chronicle  and my own thoughts and observations.

If you're registered to vote, fantastic.  Take yourself, your yellow voter registration card and photo ID to your fave early voting spot and handle your political business.   Early voting runs from October 22-November 2.   Election Day is on November 6 

US Senator
Beto O'Rourke 

US Representative
TX 1- Shirley McKellar 
TX 2- Todd LittonTX 5- Dan Wood 
TX 6- Jana Lynne Sanchez 
TX 7- Lizzie Pannill Fletcher
TX 8- Mike David 
TX 9-  Al Green 
TX 10- Mike Siegel
TX 12- Vanessa AdiaTX 14- Adrienne Bell
TX 15- Vicente Gonzalez 
TX 16-Veronica Escobar 
TX 18- Sheila Jackson Lee 
TX 20- Joaquin Castro 
TX 22- Sri Preston KulkarniTX 23- Gina Ortiz Jones
TX 24- Jan McDowell
TX 26- Linsey Fagan
TX 27- Eric Holguin
TX 29- Sylvia GarciaTX 30-  Eddie Bernice Johnson
TX 32- Colin Allred 
TX 33- Marc VeaseyTX 34- Filemon Vela
TX 35- Lloyd Doggett
TX 36- Dayna Steele

Governor
Lupe Valdez

Lt Governor 
Mike Collier

Attorney General
Justin Nelson

Comptroller of Public Accounts
Joi Chevalier 

Commissioner of Agriculture
Kim Olson 

Texas Railroad Commissioner
Roman McAllen

Texas State Board of EducationDistrict 2- Ruben Cortez, Jr 
District 4- Lawrence Allen 
District 7- Elizabeth 'Eliz'  Markowitz 
District 11- Carla Morton 
District 12- Suzanne Smith 
District 13-Aicha Davis

Texas State SenatorDistrict 2- Kendall Scudder 
District 7- David Romero
District 8- Mark Phariss
District 9- Gwenn Burud 
District 10- Beverly Powell 
District 15- John Whitmire 
District 16 -Nathan JohnsonDistrict 17- Rita Lucido
District 23- Royce West 
District 25- Steven Kling 

Texas House of RepresentativesDistrict 15- Lorena Perez McGill
District 26- L. Sarah DeMerchant 
District 27- Ron Reynolds 
District 28- Meghan Scoggins
District 48- Donna Howard
District 50- Celia Israel 
District 62 -Valerie Hefner District 75 - Mary Gonzalez
District 85- Jennifer Cantu 
District 92- Steve Riddell
District 94- Finnigan Jones 
District 95- Nicole Collier 
District 100- Eric Johnson
District 102- Ana-Maria Ramos 
District 103- Rafael Anchia
 District 104-  Jessica Gonzalez
District 105- Terry Meza
District 107- Victoria Neave 
District 112- Brandy Chambers District 113- Rhetta Andrews Bowers 
District 115 - Julie JohnsonDistrict 123- Diego Bernal 
District 124- Ina Minjarez 
District 126-Natali Hurtado 
District 130- Fred Infortunio
District 131 -Alma Allen District 132- Gina Calanni
District 134- Allison SawyerDistrict 135- Jon Rosenthal
District 137- Gene Wu 
District 138-Adam MilasincicDistrict 140- Armando Walle
District 141- Senfronia ThompsonDistrict 144- Mary Ann Perez 
District 145- Carol Alvarado
District 146- Shawn Thierry
District 147- Garnet Coleman  
District 148 -Jessica Farrar 
District 149- Hubert Vo
District 150- Michael Shawn Kelly

Texas Supreme Court
Place 2- Steven Kirkland
Place 4- R.K. Sandhill
Place 6- Kathy Cheng

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals 
Place 1- Maria T. Jackson 
Place 7- Ramona Franklin 

Texas Court of Appeals
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals- Place 6- Sarah Beth Landau 
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals- Place 7- Julie CountissJustice, 1st Court of Appeals- Place 8- Richard HightowerJustice, 1st Court of Appeals- Place 9- Peter Kelly
Justice 14th Court of Appeals- Place 3- Jerry Zimmerer
Justice 14th Court of Appeals- Place 4- Charles Spain 
Justice 14th Court of Appeals- Place 5- Frances Bourloit
Justice 14th Court of Appeals- Place 6- Meagan Hassan 
Justice 14th Court of Appeals- Place 8- Margaret 'Meg' Poissant

District Judge
55th Judicial District- Latosha Lewis Payne
113th Judicial District- Rabeea Collier 
116th Judicial District- Tonya Parker
157th Judicial District- Tanya Garrison
180th Judicial District- DaSean Jones
182nd Judicial District- Danilo 'Danny' Lacayo
184th Judicial District- Abigail Anastacio 
189th Judicial District- Scott 'Dolli' Dollinger
190th Judicial District- Beau Miller
208th Judicial District- Greg Glass
209th Judicial District- Brian Warren 
230th Judicial District- Chris Morton 
232nd Judicial District-Joshua Seth Hill  
234th Judicial District- Lauren Reeder 
246th Judicial District- Angela Graves Harrington
263rd Judicial District- Amy Martin 
269th Judicial District- Cory Sepolio
270th Judicial District- Dedra Davis
281th Judicial District- Christine Weems
295th Judicial District- Donna Roth

Family District Judge 
245th Judicial District- Tristan Longino
247th Judicial District- Janice Berg
248th Judicial District- Hilary Unger
257th Judicial District- Sandra Peake
280th Judicial District- Barbara J. Stalder
308th Judicial District- Gloria Lopez 
309th Judicial District- Linda Marie Dunson
310th Judicial District- Sonya Heath 
311th Judicial District- Germaine Tanner
312th Judicial District- Clinton 'Chip' Wells
313th Judicial District- Natalia Oakes
314th Judicial District- Michelle Moore 
315th Judicial District- Leah Shapiro

County Criminal Court At LawNo 1- Alex Salgado
No 3- Erica Hughes
No 4- Shannon Baldwin
No 5- David M. FletcherNo 6- Kelley Andrews 
No 7- Andrew A. Wright
No 8- Franklin Bynum 
No 9- Tonia J. Finch 
No 11- Sedrick T. Walker, Jr
No 13- Raul Rodriguez
No 15-  Tonya Jones

County Probate Court At Law
No 1- Jerry Simoneaux
No 2- Michael Newman 
No 3- Jason Cox 
No 4- James Horwitz

County Civil Court At Law
No 1- George Barnstone 
No 2-Jim F. Kovach
No 3- LaShawn A. Williams 
No 4- William 'Bill' McLeod 

Austin City Council
District 3- Jessica Cohen  
District 9- Danielle Skidmore 

Harris County District Clerk 
Marilyn Burgess 

Harris County Clerk
Diane Trautman 

Harris County Treasurer
Dylan Osborne 

Harris County Judge 
Lina Hidalgo 

Harris County Commissioner
Precinct 2-Adrian Garcia
Precinct 4- Penny Shaw 

Harris County School Trustee
Position 3 At Large- Richard Cantu
Position 4, Pct 3- Andrea Duhon 
Position 6, Pct 1- Danyahel Norris

Harris County Justice of the Peace
Precinct 3, Place 2- Lucia Bates 

The Black Texan Free Vice News Beto-Cruz Discussion

The Black population of Texas as of the 2010 US Census was 12%.   We have one of the most exciting US Senate races going on in over 20 years, and this Vice News/HBO discussion speaks to the national interest in this election.

But do you notice the one thing missing in this discussion of 16 people who are either Beto or Cruz supporters?  Out of the 16 people in this room, NONE of them are African American Texans.

What's up with that?

It's already problematic enough that partisan Republican pollster Frank Luntz is conducting this Vice News/HBO discussion.   But the glaring absence of Black Texans makes this even more problematic.

How did Vice News NOT catch this?    Never mind, I answered my own question.

Here's the video if you think I'm kidding about this. 
 

Happy International Pronouns Day!

Today is the first ever International Pronouns Day!   While this October 17 date was chosen for the inaugural International Pronouns Day celebration, it's possible that it could move. The intent of the founders of it is to keep it in this general late September-mid October time frame.
But why is an International Pronoun Day necessary?

The reason this inaugural #PronounsDay was conceived is because respecting someone's preferred pronouns is a basic non negotiable requirement to be considered a decent human being.  Far too often cis people feel as though the pronouns of trans, non binary and gender non-conforming people are a joke, optional or it's too burdensome on them to respectfully and consistently use.

International Pronouns Day seeks to make asking, sharing, and respecting personal pronouns a commonplace thing. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns negatively affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. It can also negatively affect or delay our pursuit of justice when we lose folks to anti-trans violence. Individuals and groups will celebrate #PronounsDay by participating in grassroots activities determined by them at the local level. This #PronounsDay is a campaign I can definitely get behind. I'm also pleased to see that one of the endorsing organizations for this inaugural day that we hope will go global over time is the University of Houston Women and Gender Resource Center.

It is hoped that by participating and promoting this #PronounsDay, we can transform society to celebrate people’s multiple, intersecting identities.

And I hope that day happens sooner, rather than later or not at all..

Evilgelical Gets Butt Handed To Him On C-SPAN

Tony Perkins is head of the SPLC-certified evilgelical  (I refuse to call then Christians) hate group the Family Research Council.

They are unabashed supporters of Trump and his racist agenda.  They are also transphobic haters that have been orchestrating along with Mike Pence many of the Trump misadministration anti-trans policies being thankfully (for now) stymied in court. 

Perkins was on C-SPAN recently, and got his behind handed to him on live television by many of the folks who called in to that show.

One particular call came from an self identified ex-evangelical from North Carolina who shamed the conservadevil by calling him and evilgelicals out for basically becoming a cult that worships Trump.

Here's the C-SPAN video footage of that call