7/10/13

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei The Trans Woman Behind WKRP in Cincinnati Hilarity

I can't say how many times I in delighted in the antics of the WKRP crew. Being a native of Ohio it gave me something to laugh about in our otherwise flat and boring state. WKRP was unique, warm, endearingly daringly transcending racial and gender boundaries long before it was cool to do so. That was also long before I came to terms with my gender identity, long before doing so was a possibility in that ultra conservative state.

Or so I thought.

But not to PJ. She transitioned long before it was acceptable to do so. Long before the surgical operations were perfected. Long before HRT dosing became a science and she paid for it with her life suffering liver failure and complications from her SRS only 10 years after transitioning.

But there is an amazing tribute to PJ Torokvei,  at The Hollywood Reporter which was penned by Stan Brooks, a writer, director and Emmy-winning producer who was one of Torokvei's closest friends and collaborators.

PJ came out in a birthday letter to her friends at age 50. Brooks like many of PJ's friends was expecting a punchline after this news from his old friend but none came. Brooks was cool with it but PJ's life was forever changed, lessened by the loss of so many of her friends who couldn't understand.



Now I know why I loved WKRP so much so long before I knew who I was.

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei.



ENDA Gets Through Senate Committee A Historic First. So What Now?


Mara Keisling of the NCTE was kind enough to invite me to a media conference call this morning regarding the forthcoming ENDA S815 committee vote. Pretty much as she predicted ENDA was marked up this morning with the bipartisan support of Republicans Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Kirk (R-IL).

Source Thomas Library of Congress S.815 -- Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (Introduced in Senate - IS) full text and status.

SEC. 4. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED.

(a) Employer Practices- It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer--

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; or
(2) to limit, segregate, or classify the employees or applicants for employment of the employer in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment or otherwise adversely affect the status of the individual as an employee, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

I think I could speak for every trans person on the planet when I say WE NEED this to become law, and for myself especially number 2.
I can't tell you how many times since finally going full time post transition that I have watched new hires zip past me to a better paying job for doing the same OR less than what I do. That sucks. Seriously, the cotton ceiling Sucks because it comes at you from all directions, cisgender woman and men. Bosses. Co Workers alike. Talk about posses.


So now ENDA is making history by making it to the Senate Floor, but will it even get voted on their? Mara believes the chances are it will but when I posted on Facebook that it faces a dysfunctional death march in the republican controlled House Mara simply agreed at least in part, by 'liking' the status. In any case huge thanks go out to Mara and crew for riding herd on this.

We are making progress? Of sorts and sometimes that's a goal. But mostly, this was a opportunity to post this really cool picture I saw on Glaad blog.

So why are Republicans house members so opposed to ENDA which essentially guarantees the most religiously biased constituents exception in cases of discrimination? They are afraid that young tea party peons will take their jobs. That and plain old hate. Can't fix hate with nothing. Not with love. Not with money. And evidently, not even with exceptions.
Read what ENDA is and what it ain't at Media Matters.


Justice For Slain Türkçe Transsexual DORA İÇİN : Protest March July 12th

I was contacted via twitter by the first and as of this time the only Turkish transgender TV reporter Michelle Demishevich, who told me of some terrible news. A well known transsexual Dora Özer, has been murdered in Aydin Turkey.

[Bing Translate. Anyone offering a better translation would be so appreciated. plz post it in the comments]

Source Travesti Club: July 9, 2013 Time: 23:00 'in the transvestite DORA ÖZER murder was the last straw now. Site Hacifeyzullah district town of Kusadasi AYDIN ​​Altıngüvercin occurred on the second floor of the block 21. 24-year-old Huo alias ÖZER DORA had brutally stabbed to death in her home.



On 15 December 2012 in İstanbul, "Ghafoor" Kusadasi 4 April 2012 September 2012 at the "Nergis" Bursa "Add" and others as "Dora" the last murder. Every year at least 3 gay friend rapidly this hate murders, ignored the explosion, cut back so why? You have to take what these people veremediginiz tacirlerini kollarsınız drugs across Turkey lifter, so our people are what is in these people with this type of crime you ignored your "transvestite murders" and "gay" and veremediginiz status? Now it's time to say stop this hate killings gelmedimi rapidly and at least 10 years, our friend, our restless yetmedimi?

Cool n easy going until a State of TURKEY, NETHERLANDS bagıra basamıyormu gays Ceesay's picture? Even though they are Gay transvestite in Asia in our people are, so to speak, "hırlıya thief" where those great Turkish State to open arms? According to the eye every year with the massacre of our people is how "Turkish" ID, you are in the audience? You read through eglenirken Cocktail, private dining, otobanlarda, those people in their homes, in the streets, "STRUGGLE for LIFE". Just a little beyond your honor, if you varsaki your own hasiyetiniz insanınız quit with the "TRANSVESTITE". Don't overlook some things.



Facebook event: DORA İÇİN, ADALET İÇİN! NEFRET CİNAYETLERİNE DUR DE! DORA, FOR JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL!

Ontario Association of solidarity with LGBT and other Derneklermizin Contributions: DORA, for JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL! ALL OUR PEOPLE are SENSITIVE to TRANSPHOBIA PARADE on July 12, FRIDAY: 7: 30, WE are GLAD to SEE YOU AMONG US.
Hate killings to mean stop!
To defend our right to life!
To stimulate the political power!
To defend her life together!






7/9/13

Trans Woman Found Murdered In NW Houston Bayou

In Monica Roberts back yard. The Houston police are awaiting the autopsy of a "man wearing what appears to be a black dress and panty hose" who was found in 3 inches of water at 4100 Antoine in Brickhouse Gully about 8:15 a.m. on Sunday July 7.

This is not a high crime area and yes it does "appear" she was wearing a dress.

The person was assaulted sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning. The body was discovered by two young people who waved down a motorist who in turn called the police. The two young people then left the scene and are not believed involved in the murder but are being asked by the police to come forward and speak with them none the less.

A phone call to the Houston police public affairs office has not been returned as of this posting. If you have information please call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

7/8/13

Watch SheZow Episode 1 what "Disgusted" One Million (60,000 Moms)? Well, SheZow happens

"One Million (60,000) Moms" is all twisted about a cartoon show that dares to challenge male dominance by transforming a boy into a female super hero. Wait, aren't mothers woman? Why wouldn't woman be ecstatic about a cartoon which empowers there daughters?

Ok, I'm not a cartoon fan. I don't even own a TV because I can find so many constructive entertaining things to do with my mind when it's not in neutral zombyfied and vegetative, but this cartoon wasn't just funny it was unique. Yes, I'd watch it if I had a TV.



Not everyone agrees with me on that though. A bunch of men masqurading as woman on Facebook as "One Million Moms" for instance.

The email One Million Moms Transphobes is sending to the Hub Network:

As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com AKA as the AFA, I am deeply concerned about the new program called "SheZow." I am disgusted that your network produced a show with a transgendered superhero character. Hub network is being irresponsible and causing great damage to our culture.

I am appalled that Hub intends to air a show that portrays cross dressing in a positive light on a kid's channel. I strongly encourage Hub to drop all plans to air the program "SheZow."

This superhero character will be confusing for kids. Children desire to be just like superheroes and love to mimic a superhero's every action, even to the point of dressing up in costumes to resemble these characters as much as possible. It won't be long before little boys are saying, "I want to be a girl, so I can help people and save the world!"

My family plans to avoid the network all together so there will be no chance of viewing a commercial that promotes this vulgar program. Since Hub (Discovery and Hasbro) decided to produce this offensive program, you leave conservative viewers with no other choice. I hope you will reconsider and drop all plans to air this program.

I look forward to your response
.

SheWOW! "One Million (60,000) Moms" have transformed themselves magicly into the highly patriarchal, misogynistic male dominated AFA, who by there very nature would find it abhorant that a lowly girl could challange there authority.

That's funny. They could make a cartoon out of that.

You Go Girl!

7/7/13

MTPC Needs Your Letter For The July 9th Public Accommodations Hearing

Take action NOW for the July 9 Equal Access Bill hearing

Trans-Equal-Access
Cross posted from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.

MTPC’s legislative focus is on An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and All Other Places Open to the Public (House Bill 1589/Senate Bill 643), which would add “gender identity” to existing state civil rights laws, which currently permit the exclusion of transgender people in public spaces.

How You Can Help

The hearing for the Equal Access Bill is scheduled for July 9, 2013, and WE NEED YOUR TESTIMONY. We provide a letter template below and sample letters that you can use to provide written testimony in advance of the Equal Access Bill hearing. The July 9 hearing is also open to the public (details to come), so please come out and show your support.
If you are registered to vote in the district of any of the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary who are hearing this bill (listed below), please let them know you support Equal Access. The most helpful would be for you to meet with your legislator from the Joint Judiciary Committee in person. Please let us know if you want to meet with you legislator about the Equal Access Bill. We’re happy to help you prepare for your meeting. You can also call their office and use our calling script.
Below is a template you can use when writing a letter to your state senator or representative. Please feel free to add more about your reasons for supporting this bill or describe your own experiences of discrimination in a place of public accommodation. If you are unsure of who your state House and Senate legislators are, you can look them up by searching for your town or zip code on https://malegislature.gov/People/Search.
When your letter is complete, email it to us at jesseb@masstpc.org. We’ll take care of the rest. 

Letter template

Dear Senator Clark, Representative O’Flaherty, and members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary,
My name is ___________________ and I live at ____________________________ [include your address (optional) and the name of your town. Optional: what’s your family situation?].   I am _____________________ [include occupation, group memberships--be short and selective].
I am writing to urge you to support An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public, introduced in the House by Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing and in the Senate by Senators Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-Diaz. This proposed law would prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation such as [list three to five types of public accommodations. Some examples are: hospitals, hotels, restaurants, stores, nursing homes, theaters, convention centers, libraries, public transportation, public streets, offices of state and local government, and polling places--see the Examples of Public Accommodations PDF for other places].
I believe this bill is important because ________________________________________ [please add your personal story or reason for supporting this bill].
With the passage of this law, Massachusetts would send a clear message to its citizens that all people are entitled to feel safe in their communities and to be offered the full protection of the law, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
By offering protection in places of public accommodation where people experience harassment and discrimination, this law would increase productivity, freedom, and safety for transgender youth and adults who are employees, consumers, residents, and students.
Please help Massachusetts join the many communities–including the states of Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine–that already provide protection in places of public accommodation on the basis of gender identity and/or expression.
[Write a closing sentence that sums up what you believe this bill will accomplish and/or how your life would be better when this bill passes.]
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
When your letter is complete, email it to us at jesseb@masstpc.org. We’ll take care of the rest. 

Resources

Download PDF about Testifying at a Public Hearing (MGLPC)
Download Oral/Written Testimony Worksheet PDF