12-28-11: Being Transgender in Maryland (mdmorn.wordpress.com)

*more above*

Breast implants 'save lives': advocacy group (www.thelocal.se (Sweden))

*more above*

A year in LGBT issues (blogs.phillymag.com)

*more above*

COMMENTARY: Money talks for LGBT groups (sdgln.com)

*more above*

ezs note-  let me see... how should I put this... just as Jimmy says, GIVE!

The Catholic Church And The Sin Of Sexism (lezgetreal.com)

*more above*

Blaine Man Sentenced to 367 Months for January Murder

*more above*

Peace

'Gender equality has been debated for a long time throughout the world. Even in the EU women do not have equal opportunities. Is it because they are not as capable or as well educated? No.'  -Dr. Shirin Ebadi

The Top 12 Gay Political Stories Of 2011 (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Gay Viral Videos Of 2011: Zach Wahls, Michele Bachmann, Gay Grandpas And More (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Transgender Woman Beats the Hell Out of Transphobic Man (unicornbooty.com)

*more above*

After Legal Battle, Transgender Woman Returns To Work (www.wmtw.com)

*more above*

De Leon: Queer and Immigrant for the Holidays (news.feetintwoworlds.org)

*more above*

President of transgender association to contest elections (tribune.com.pk (Pakistan))

*more above*

Can transgender people pray? (www.federalwaymirror.com)

*more above*

We pray (thoughtsonblank.wordpress.com)

ezs note: This is one of the best, most inspiring pieces I've read this year. Whether you are a believer, semi-believer, or nonbeliever who seeks some inspiration, in my mind, this is the place to go.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Credit: Urbandogg

Hillary Clinton produces video in support of gay rights (www.zambianwatchdog.com {Zambia})

*more above*

Merry Christmas!

credit: LeeX

Houston, Texas

Credit: Affiliated Engineers

Hello!

Ho, ho, ho!  Here's Santa, gettin' on his Harley!  Here's what happened... Houston, Texas... Northampton, Northamptonshire, England... Central District, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China... Boston, Massachusetts... Kohtla-jarva, Ida-Virumaa, Estonia... Pyongjom, Kyonggi-do, South Korea... Mountain View, California... London, England, UK... Washington, DC... Loveland, Colorado... Rocky River, Ohio... Amherst, Massachusetts... Raleigh, North Carolina... Atlanta, Georgia... Kennesaw, Georgia... Croydon, England, UK... Laurel, Mississippi... West Hartford, Connecticut... Athens, Attiki, Greece... Dayton, Ohio... Ottawa, Ontario, Canada... Cheshire, Connecticut... Olimpia, Sao Paolo, Brazil... Southampton, England, UK...

This month's top dog: Grady High to host CNN forum on LGBT issues

Last moments for Christmas Eve!  Make this time a special time!  Here's some charities you might give to:

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

Ho, ho, ho!  (Vroomm, vroomm!)

MDC member admits he is gay (their words,not mine) (www.zimdiaspora.com {Africa})

Acting While Trans: A Look Back at 2011 for Transgender Actors in the Media (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Amy Koch Affair Scandal: Minnesota's LGBT Community Apologizes To Resigned Senate Majority Leader

Promoting gay rights essential for health of Africans

*more above*

Colorado Girl Scouts give acceptance for Christmas (www.edenfantasys.com)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Reflections on the trial of Lawrence King's murderer (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Thai airline hiring transgender flight attendants (www.gayapolis.com)

*more above*

Girl Scout troops disband in protest over allowing seven-year-old transgender to join group (www.dailymail.co.uk {UK})

*more above*

Warren Beatty toasts transgender son (www.ctv.ca {Canada})

*more above*

Happy Winter Solstice!

source: calamitiesofnature.com

Why does the media still refer to "Bradley" Manning? The curious silence around a transgender hero (globalcomment.com)

*more above*

Hatred intensifies for 'Work It', the worst show in television history (gawker.com)

*more above*

Where you can go for help

Make a copy of this guide and use when needed.  Even when you don't need it today, you might need it tomorrow!



AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP)
Provides free and low-cost legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the
San Francisco Bay Area.
 415-701-1100 (San Francisco)
  510-451-5353 (Oakland)
www.ALRP.org


Disability Rights California
Advances the rights of Californians with disabilities.
 800-649-0154
www.DisabilityRightsCA.org

Equality California
Works with policymakers and communities to achieve equality and secure
legal protections for LGBT people, including seniors.
 415-581-0005
www.EQCA.org

Lambda Legal (Los Angeles office)
Works to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and those
with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
 213-382-7600
 www.LambdaLegal.org/wro

Law Help California
Helps Californians find legal aid referrals and self-help resources, with
specific assistance for seniors.
 800-551-5554 (Bay Area)
 www.LawHelpCalifornia.org

National Center for Lesbian Rights—Elder Law Project
Provides legal services, legislative support and policy work to advance
equality for LGBT elders.
 800-528-6257
 www.NCLRights.org/ElderLaw

National Center for Transgender Equality
Advances the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration
and empowerment, with a special emphasis on issues facing trans elders.
 202-903-0112
 www.TransEquality.org

National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
Provides a wide array of resources for LGBT older adults, aging service
providers, and advocates.
 212-741-2247
 www.LGBTAgingCenter.org

National Senior Citizens Law Center
Protects the rights of low-income older adults through advocacy, litigation,
and technical assistance, and manages www.LGBTLongTermCare.org.
 213-674-2900
 www.NSCLC.org


Positive Resource Center
Provides comprehensive benefits counseling and employment services for
people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS in San Francisco.
 415-777-0333
 www.PositiveResource.org

Proyecto Poderoso—a joint project of the National Center for Lesbian
Rights and California Rural Legal Assistance
Works to improve legal services for low-income LGBT people in rural
California.
 209-946-0605
 www.NCLRights.org/ProyectoPoderoso

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
Works to guarantee equality of treatment and opportunity for LGBT servicemembers and provides resources on issues affecting LGBT elder veterans.
 202-328-3244
 www.SLDN.org

Swords to Plowshares
Provides counseling and case management, employment and training, and
housing and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 415-252-4788
 www.STP-SF.org

Transgender Law Center
Utilizes direct legal services, public policy advocacy, and educational opportunities to advance the rights and safety of diverse transgender communities.
 415-865-0176
 www.TransgenderLawCenter.org

Credit: Navigating the System: A Know-Your-Rights Guide for LGBT Elders in California
please download the guide for specific information  (California only when specified)

Domestic violence charity seeking transgender worker (pressitt.com {UK})

*more above*

Prudential named a best place to work by the Human Rights Campaign (www.thestreet.com)

*more above*

Silencing communal conversation (forward.com)

*more above*

Massachusetts newspaper mocks transgender people: 'If they want, they can change it back' (thinkprogress.org)

*more above*

Utah: 73% think gays deserve protection, but 54% think it's a choice (www.gayapolis.com)

*more above*

Happy Hanukkah... Chanukah... *sigh*

credit: idowhatiwant

Three teenagers receive part-funding for first year at university (auckland.scoop.co.nz {New Zealand}))

*more above*

Crossdressing comedy no laughing matter (gaynewsnetwork.com.au {Australia})

*more above*

Human rights complaint launched against NWT minister (www.cbc.ca {Canada})

*more above*

Chaz Bono, Jennifer Elia split (www.nypost.com)

*more above*

News briefs - six Ohio firms hit 100 on harder HRC equality list [among others] (www.gaypeopleschronicle.com)

*more above*

CWA (Central Texas) leader calls for boycott of Macy's (lezgetreal.com)

*more above*

Marriott hotels gets high gay friendly rating from the Human Rights Campaign (www.gayapolis.com)

*more above*

LGBT history project (www.hastingsobserver.co.uk)

*more above*

Peace

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Howard Thurman
Permanent Prayer for Peace

LGBT film festival in city ends (ibnlive.in.com {India})

*more above*

Gay couples happier and healthier if legally accepted (www.ibtimes.com)

*more above*