Hello!

Hey, happy New Year!  Here's what's happening... Sunnyvale, California... London, England, UK.... Zephyrhills, Florida... Slacks Creek, Queensland, Australia... Garden Grove, California... San Francisco, California...  Fullerton, California... Lexington, Kentucky... Mckinney, Texas... Bogotá, Distrito Especial, Colombia... Woodland Hills, California... London, Ontario, Canada...Newburyport, Massachusetts... Washington, District of Columbia...  Helena, Montana... Beloit, Wisconsin... Portland, Oregon... Phoenixville, Pennsylvania... Bronx, New York... Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India... Griesheim, Hessen, Germany... Springfield, Virginia... Toronto, Ontario, Canada... Greensburg, Pennsylvania... Arlington, Massachusetts... Carpenedolo, Lombardia, Italy... Spring, Texas... Metz, Lorraine, France... Boise, Idaho... Brooklyn, New York... Lincoln, Arkansas... Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK... Dallas, Texas... San Leandro, California... Sandhurst, Hampshire, England... Göteborg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden... Madrid, Spain... Dunedin, New Zealand... Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia...

Livin' ain't easy... but you can make it easier!

www.redcross.org

Oh, by the way...

The United States is really an amazing country.  From Nome, Alaska to Key West,  Florida, from Waimea, Hawa'ii to Fort Kent, Maine, we can all particpate in our republic.

Oh, except for a wee backwater that divides Maryland and Virginia. It lies on the Potomac River.

It has more people than the entire state of Wyoming.  But never mind that.  Its congresswoman has been reduced to a toothless thing.  The two Senators are nonexistant. There is a city council, but Congress can nullify their vote on a whim.

Its name is Washington DC.

Cut the crap.  Let them vote.

Woodland Hills, California

Credit: waterandpower.org

The new Congress is here! Time to bug the hell out of them!

New Congress, old Congress... what's the dif, you say.  Well, watch the news.  John Boehner had the crap scared out of him when Republican lawmakers tore him a new one. Very thankfully, some   tea party crazies were sent home packing.

The fact is this:  Whether you wish to be married, whether you wish to keep the money you earned that your heterosexual neighor  earned, whether you wish to walk home unaccosted... if you don't say anything, IT'S YOUR FAULT. Period.

C'mon, people, you can do it.  Take five to e-write.  I did, and I feel great.

 Woodland Hills, California - Brad Sherman (D) - CA30
Mountain View, California - Anna Eshoo (D) - CA18
Newburyport, Massachusetts - John Tierney (D) - MA6
Delano, Minnesota - Michele Bachmann (R) - MN6
Washington, DC - Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)  - DC(AL)
Helena, Montana - Steve Daines (R) - MT(AL)
Beloit, Wisconsin - Mark Pocan (D) - WI2
 Portland, Oregon - Earl Blumenauer (D) - OR3
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania - Jim Gerlach (R) - PA6
Bronx, New York - Eliot Engel (D) - NY17

The Internet is used to randomly pick out where various Congresspersons are from.  For the US, go to www.house.gov and put in the ZIP code of where you live.  For Canadians, go to http://www.parl.gc.ca, enter House of Commons, and enter your postal code

No reason... I just love this graffiti!

credit:  publicdomainpictures.net

Chicago Cardinal Condemns Illinois Lawmakers For Considering Marriage Equality This Week - Zack Ford - http://thinkprogress.org

*more here*

Arizona ban hampers transgender's divorce - Jacques Billeaud - http://www.staradvertiser.com

*more here*

Happy New Year! (If it's midnight, please don't wake me up...)

Credit:  www.shutterstock.com

‘Be-All’ Chicago transgender conference called off after 30 years - Tony Merevick - http://chicagophoenix.com

*more here*

The ‘Transgender’ Word: Reflections on the Jenna Talackova Story - Jillian Page - http://blogs.montrealgazette.com

*more here*

First gay Anglican bishop reflects on tenure in NH - LYNNE TUOHY - http://www.modbee.com

*more here*

London, England

Credit:  lgbthistorymonth.org.uk

Hello!

The hour is coming soon!  Here's the latest... London, England, UK...Sunnyvale, California... Zaventem, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium... Nagoya, Aichi, Japan... Decatur, Illinois... Torino, Piemonte, Italy... Evansville, Indiana... Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...  Lexington, Kentucky... Mountain View, California... Kansas City, Missouri... Morgan Hill, California... Omaha, Nebraska... Lake City, Florida... Lexington, South Carolina... Taoyuan, Hunan, China... Ridge, New York... Montevideo, Uruguay... Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK... Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa... Russian Federation, Russia... Malvern, Worcestershire, England, UK... Göteborg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden... Lincoln, Nebraska... Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey... Amman, Al Balqa', Jordan... Hightstown, New Jersey... Lebam, Washington... Muscat, Masqat... Woodridge, Queensland, Australia... Calgary, Alberta, Canada...

Make the waning days your best!

www.redcross.com

Makin' the best from the end of 2012!

It certainly has been a topsy-turvy year.  On the plus side, we see Barack Obama and Joe Biden forcefully championing LGBT folks.  On the minus side, we see such great sadness in Aurora and Newtown.

So, as the year ends, you might be wondering what difference you can make.  The year is almost over, right?

But you can make a difference.  You can send an e-letter to your Congressperson or MP.  Let them know that LGBT people are watching - and they vote.  Whether Democratic or Republican, you can put the feet on the fire.

It's true, 2012 is almost over.  But you can make a difference, and you will feel so much better inside.

And as for what is coming, happy New Year!

Vancouver, BC (CAN) 

Year in Review: EEOC issues landmark decision banning trans bias - Lou Chibbaro Jr. - http://www.washingtonblade.com

*more here*

A Remarkable Year for Transgender Civil Rights - Dana Beyer - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

Readers' Top 12 Transgender Stories of 2012 -Courtney O'Donnell - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

To my African-American friends, happy Kwanzaa!

credit:  toledoblade.com

To all the UK countries, happy Boxing Day!

Credit:  mirror.co.uk

Now, transgenders come forward for strong action - Annapurna Jha - http://dailypioneer.com

*more here*

How social media helped foil an Arizona school shooting plot - Mike Sunnucks - http://www.bizjournals.com

*more here*

30 Days Of Holiday LGBT Giving: Kulia Na Mamo Transgender Organization - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

*more here*

Mark Regnerus Claims Viewing Porn Increases Support For Gay Marriage Among Straight Men - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

To all my Christian friends, Merry Christmas!

Credit:  dailycaller.com/Charles Schulz

Police, transgender groups building trust - Paul Grondahl - http://www.timesunion.com

*more here*

Video: Lana Wachowski Opens Up About Her Journey as a Transgender American - Dan Rafter - http://www.hrc.org

*more here

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Credit: idwraps.com

Hello!

It was frigid out yesterday!  Here's what's happening... Scranton, Pennsylvania... Mountain View, California...  Corning, New York... Ripley, Derbyshire, England, UK... Mumbai, Maharashtra, India... Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia... Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada... Pottstown, Pennsylvania... Berlin, Germany... Bucharest, Bucuresti, Romania... Saint James, New York... Zephyrhills, Florida... London, England, UK... Auckland, New Zealand... Moreno Valley, California...  Buffalo, New York... Villas, New Jersey... Asheville, North Carolina... Woodland Hills, California... Guelph, Ontario, Canada... Tulsa, Oklahoma...  Bocholt, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany... Honolulu, Hawaii... Porterville, California... Bakersfield, California... Meriden, Connecticut... Helena, Montana... Minneapolis, Minnesota... Norman, Oklahoma... Michigan City, Indiana... Kansas City, Missouri... Huntsville, Alabama... Atlanta, Georgia... Austin, Texas... Paoli, Pennsylvania... Anchorage, Alaska... Saint Peter Port, Guernsey...  Lincoln, Nebraska... Wilmington, North Carolina... Luzern, Switzerland... Arcata, California...

Make the Christmas tree brighter!
www.redcross.org 

Can I have another?

OK, so I've been a long-winded woman advocating LGBT rights.  But think about this: an elderly woman, Edie Windsor, already sorrowful about the loss of her partner, has to pay 363,000 dollars in estate taxes.

Well, how about if Edie Windsor had married a man?

Then she would owe nothing.

This is but one of many appalling travesties.

And this is why I urge you to urge you to e-write your congressperson.  Please do so.

Arizona cops foil girl’s school shooting plot with help from Toronto police - http://www.660news.com

*more here*

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel apologizes for gay comment - http://www.cachevalleydaily.com

*more here*

Congratulations! You have been named Asshole of the Year!

Credit: Danziger

You know, sometimes people don't give enough credit to selecting the Asshole of the Year.  This year was quite a difficult one, picking out that person who possesses those special qualities which shout out "Hey!  I'm a person who truly possesses those qualities of an asshole!"  I thought my search was in vain for the year 2012.

Then along came Wayne LaPierre, who deservedly, no, most deservedly qualified  for the moniker "asshole". My god, he is an asshole.

For those of you not in the know, I'll let you read the fine Mercury News editorial.  If you feel so moved, go to www.house.gov, enter your ZIP code, then e-write your congressperson in favor of sensible gun control.

And Wayne, thank you for coming out with some of the most vapid, idiotic, and moronic statements I have ever seen.  You do more to advance sensible gun control than you will ever know.

VIEWPOINT: America the senseless - Sarah Toce -http://www.windycitymediagroup.com

*more here*

ezs note:  This may seem a bit off-topic, but please take the time to read it.  If you are so moved, go to www.house.gov, enter your ZIP code, and tell your legislator that you are for sensible gun control.  Thank you.

Aurora district ceases work on trans policy - Kate Sosin -http://www.windycitymediagroup.com

*more here*

The Troubles and Tribulations a Transgender Woman Underwent to Change Her Identity - Diana O’Brien - http://www.southfloridagaynews.com

*more here*

Helena, Mont., unanimously approves LGBT non-discrimination ordinance - http://sdgln.com

*more here*

Michelle Obama Portrayed As Transgendered Woman On Magazine Cover - Terrell Jermaine Starr - http://newsone.com

*more here*

OHSU extends coverage to transgender workers - Andy Giegerich - http://www.bizjournals.com

*more here*

Kansas City, Missouri

Credit:  Kansas City Public Library

hello...

Here's what's happening... Kansas City, Missouri... Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, UK...  Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England, UK... Redditch, Worcestershire, England, UK... Tulsa, Oklahoma... Hebron, Kentucky... Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania... Mountain View, California... Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines... West Hartford, Connecticut... Izmir, Turkey... Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada... Sunnyvale, California... Philadelphia, Pennsylvania... Monroe Township, New Jersey... Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... River Forest, Illinois... Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan... Taoyuan, Hunan, China... Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts...   Anaheim, California... West Jordan, Utah... Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland...  Charlotte, North Carolina... Chicago, Illinois... Villas, New Jersey...  Terre Haute, Indiana...  Ottawa, Ontario...  Plainwell, Michigan... Huntington, New York...  Guelph, Ontario, Canada... Finale Ligure, Liguria, Italy... Graignes, Basse-Normandie, France... Moorestown, New Jersey... Scarborough, Ontario, Canada... Westlake, Ohio...

www.redcross.org

unspeakable... unspeakable...

Normally, I've been requesting that you send an e-letter to full rights for LGBT people.  Sadly, these are not normal times.

Twenty children were murdered in Newtown, Connecticut.

Six adults were also murdered.

It took about twenty minutes.

I wrote my Congressperson, John Larson who has failed to write me back... (ahem...) when the last slaying took place in Aurora, Colorado, and I wrote saying that this is of the utmost importance: Congress must ban automatic and semiautomatic weapons.

Whether it's one person or fifty who is slain, we can stop this wholesale slaughter.  But only if you e-write. Please.

Sunnyvale, California - Anna Eshoo (D) - CA14
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Robert Brady (D) - PA1
Monroe Township, New Jersey - Rush Holt (D) - NJ12
River Forest, Illinois - Danny Davis (D) - IL7
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts - Bill Keating (D) - MA10
Anaheim, California - Gary Miller (R) - CA42
West Jordan, Utah - Jason Chaffetz (R) UT3
Charlotte, North Carolina - Mel Watt (D) - NC12
Hebron, Kentucky- Thomas Massie (R) - KY4
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania - Jim Gerlach (R) - PA6

The preceding places were picked at random using the Internet.  To find out your representative is, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code.

To those in Newtown, please know that we are thinking of you.

Transgender protections added to Charlotte personnel policy - Matt Comer - http://goqnotes.com

*more here*

Queens transgender woman files lawsuit against city - Josey Bartlett - http://www.qchron.com

*more here*

School leaders explain newly passed anti-discrimination policy - Amanda Evans - http://www.cfnews13.com

*more here*

Talk the talk leads radio pair to take a walk, at least temporarily - Bob Wolfley - http://www.jsonline.com

*more here*

LGBT Inclusion At University of Iowa - CHARLOTTE ROBINSON - http://blog.outtakeonline.com

*more here*

Transgender prostitutes face abuse in Ivory Coast - http://www.vcstar.com

 *more here*

Trans woman jailed under Malawi’s anti-gay laws speaks out - Joe Morgan - http://www.gaystarnews.com

*more here*

Transgender people get a status update - http://www.guardian.co.uk

*more here*

Orlando, Florida

Credit:  allposters.com