01 November 2012

Let 'em have it - by e-mail!

I'm one of the lucky few - I live in the Northeast.  Many of those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender aren't so fortunate. This isn't a matter of "conservative" or "liberal" - it's a matter of basic human rights.  The right to marry.  The right to hold hands. The right to comfort each other. The right to visit the other partner in the hospital.  The  right to say a final farewell in the cemetery.

Y'know, little stuff like that.

Tell your representative that you want these rights to be universal and irrevocable.  PERIOD.

Detroit, Michigan - Hansen Clarke (D) - MI13
Houston, Texas -  Sheila Jackson-Lee (D) - TX18
Bentonville, Arkansas - Steve Womack (R) - AR3
San Francisco, California - Nancy Pelosi (D) - CA8
Evergreen Hills, Illinois - Bobby Rush (R) - IL1
Wellston, Ohio - Bob Gibbs (R) - OH10
Sunnyvale, California - Anna G. Eshoo (D) - CA14
Largo, Florida- C.W. Bill Young (R) - FL10
Bellbrook, Ohio - Steve Austria (R) - OH7
Duluth, Minnesota - Chip Cravaak (R) - MN8

The preceding were samples.  To find out which representative is yours, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code.  If you are near a border, or live in a heavily crowded area, you may need to provide additional information.

27 October 2012

D.C. cop convicted of assault with dangerous weapon in trans shooting case - Lou Chibbaro Jr. - http://www.washingtonblade.com

Somerville, Massachusetts

Credit: dinerhistory.blogspot.com

Hello!

Voting Day is just a little more than a week away!  If your state permits early voting, go NOW!  Here's what's happening... Somerville, Massachusetts... Saint-cloud, Ile-de-France, France... San Francisco, California...  San Diego, California...  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... Villas, New Jersey... Chaguanas, Caron, Trinidad and Tobago... Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, UK... Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India... Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, Germany... Cornwall, Ontario, Canada... Chelmsford, Essex, England, UK... Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine... Mountain View, California... Chesterfield, Derbyshire England, UK... Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany... Durham, England, UK... Tulsa, Oklahoma... Norfolk, Virginia... Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany... Munich, Bayern, Germany... Billericay, Essex... Neumarkt, Bayern, Germany... Moron, Buenos Aires, Argentina... Osceola, Arkansas... Melbourne, Victoria, Australia... Zephyrhills, Florida...  Wolfenbüttel, Niedersachsen, Germany... Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines... Kensington, Maryland... Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK...  Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia...  Ormond Beach, Florida... Königsbach-stein, Baden-Württemberg, Germany... Berlin, Germany... Newark, Delaware... Ennepetal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany...

24 October 2012

easiest e-mail... EVER!

Okay, okay... so five minutes is too much. Here's a handy-dandy e-letter you can paste onto your representative's blog, and send it off!

*****

Dear (representative's name)

I am writing to you because I am concerned about the future of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) rights.

The vast majority of these people are hard working, peace-loving persons.  This is why I find it so hard to believe that a majority of our representatives would not allow same-sex people to marry.  They would not allow visits of people who love each other if the family objects.  They even would not allow visits to a gravesite to say a final farewell.

I am strongly in favor of a nationwide guarantee of rights for all Americans.  These are egregious wrongs, and they MUST be righted.

Sincerely,

(your name)

*****

Simple, isn't it?

Norfolk, Virginia - Scott Rigell(? - VA2
Tulsa, Oklahoma - John Sullivan(R) - OK1
Osceola, Arkansas - Rick Crawford (R) AR1
Zephyrhills, Florida - Richard Nugent (R) - FL5
Mountain View, California - Anna Eshoo (D) CA14
Kensington, Maryland- Chris Van Hollen (D) - MD5
Ormond Beach, Florida - John Mica (R) - FL7
Newark, Delaware - John Carney (D) - DE-AL
Reading, Massachusetts - John Tierney (D)- MA6
Post Falls, Idaho - Raul Labrador (R)

23 October 2012

The 26st transgender teen who wants to drop 16st so he can have surgery to become a woman - Sara Malm - http://www.dailymail.co.uk (UK)

'Social shame' heightens transgender suicide - http://www.cbc.ca

*more here*

ezs note:  Remember, no matter how alone you feel, you are not alone!  Both the White Pages and the Yellow Pages are good places to look; the Internet is also a great place to look.  Just be careful: "ex-gay", "ex-transgender", and "ex-lesbian" meetings look great, but they'll take your money and build false, unrealistic hopes. By reaching out, you can be happy!

Marriage: It's About Love and Commitment (A Transgender Perspective) - JamieAnn Meyers - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

22 October 2012

2012 Angels of Change Runway Show Benefits Transgender Youth - Aaron Drake - http://www.frontiersla.com

African-Americans, Minorities More Likely To Identify As LGBTQ - John Hollis - http://atlantablackstar.com

Why you should vote - even if it's a gimme

Let's say you live in New York or California.  Or on the other side, you live in Texas or Arkansas.  There are other states that will contest this race hotly - but not yours. Why can't I just skip this race, you ask.  The answer is the underticket. They answer your questions and gripes much more personally.  With a bit of effort, you can meet this woman or man face-to-face. Whether you want the candidate or his/her opponent, you have a heck of a better chance winning locally than nationwide.

Guarantees I don't offer.  But a better chance I do offer. And you'll feel  better making a difference.

20 October 2012

Equality Illinois: 'The bullies won in East Aurora' - http://www.lgbtqnation.com

'The Cross in the Closet' reinforces transphobia while dealing with homophobia - Kathy Baldock - http://www.lgbtqnation.com

Transgender author to speak at PFLAG event - K. C. Myers - http://www.capecodonline.com

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Credit: http://mullahmilitarymilitantsandjudiciary.blogspot.com

Hello!

If you've fallen asleep, wake up!  It's almost Election Day time! Here's what's happening...  Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia... Buffalo, New York... Raleigh, North Carolina... Mountain View, California... Zaventem, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium... Lansing, Michigan... West Hartford, Connecticut... Moscow, Moscow City, Russia... Austin, Texas... Birmingham, Alabama... Orlando, Florida... Dublin, Ireland... Westerville, Ohio... Toms River, New Jersey... San Diego, California... Rochester, Minnesota... Randolph, New Jersey... Denver, Colorado... San Francisco, California... San Luis Obispo, California...  Chicago, Illinois... Peoria, Illinois... Taipei, T'ai-pei, Taiwan... Cleveland, Ohio...  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... Portsmouth, Ohio... Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada... Gresham, Oregon... 

16 October 2012

Yes you can!

You can make a difference!  Let your representative know that she/he must make a difference by advocating LGBT rights for all Americans.  C'mon -- it only takes five minutes!

Madison, Wisconsin - Tammy Baldwin (D) - WI2
Mountain View, California - Anna Eshoo (D) - CA14
Houston, Texas - John Culberson (R) - TX7
Jersey City, New Jersey - Albio Sires (D) - NJ13
Carroll, Iowa - Steve King (R) - IA5
Trussville, Alabama - Spencer Bachus (R) - AL6
Seattle, Washington - Jim McDermott (D) - WA7
Albuquerque, New Mexico - Martin Heinrich (D) - NM1
Hollywood, Florida - Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D) - FL20
Charlotte, North Carolina - Mel Watt (D) - NC12

These are samples of visitors in no particular order.  To find your location, enter your ZIP code in www.house.gov .   In urban areas,, you may need to be more specific.

14 October 2012

It's a TREMENDOUS occasion!!!

Credit:  thegaystation.com

Wow- I really, really didn't think this would happen.  But it just did.  This is the 2,012th blog - the same number as the year!!!  Thank you, all of you, but especially those who read regularly.  You warm my heart, and keep me going.  

Now what's the Jewish New Year again...

Gays, transgenders seek acceptance at Yuba-Sutter anti-bullying forum - Rob Parsons - http://www.appeal-democrat.com

Transgender issues: Protesters decry Rob Anders's petition - Jillian Page - http://blogs.montrealgazette.com

Transgendered bellbird found in New Zealand - Duncan Geere - http://www.wired.co.uk