You can be another blizzard!

As I sit here tapping away on my computer, it is snowing.  Really snowing. As I look out the window, the road, which is normally fairly busy, is barren, with the exception of the occasional plow truck.

Then there are the snowflakes.

When you first see a snowflake, you are normally a bit nonplussed.  Sure they're pretty, but... they're so tiny.  Can't amount to much, can they?

Take a look out my window and you'll sing a different song.

At first glance, you may feel like the tiny snowflake.  Sure, you can write to your Congressperson about issues you feel strongly about

Researcher Rebekah Stone Receives Grant from TranscendSupport.com to Study Transgender Children - http://www.sbwire.com

*more here*

Fox (and Friends) Have Fun at Expense of Brown's Transgender Student Healthcare - J. K. Trotter - http://www.theatlanticwire.com

*more here*

More Than Healthcare: Transgender Prisoner Rights - Molly Savard - http://campusprogress.org

*more here*

Comprehensive transgender healthcare for Dallas employees is ‘off the table’ - http://www.dallasvoice.com

*more here*

Brendon Ayanbadejo expands his gay advocacy to transgender rights - http://chicago.gopride.com

*more here*

Tet Parade: Gay group gets support from school district, ACLU - ROXANA KOPETMAN -http://www.ocregister.com

*more here*

Transgender rape accused denied rape in police interview, jury told - http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

*more here*

Does Classical Music Have A Transgender Problem? -

*more here*

Transgender Lingerie Brand, Chrysalis, Fills An Important Void - Ellie Krupnick - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

D.C. Seeks Tougher Punishment for Hate Crimes - http://washington.cbslocal.com

*more here*

JaParker Jones murder: Vigil held for slain transgender woman - Richard Reeve - http://www.wjla.com

*more here*

ezs note:  rest in peace, JaParker...

Benetton’s Spring 2013 Campaign Features Transgender Model Lea T For The UnHate Foundation - Danica Daniel - http://live.drjays.com

*more here*

Out in the open, they long for acceptance - http://www.thehindu.com

*more here*

Hello!

Hey... it's Groundhog Day!  Here's what's happening... Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico... West Hartford, Connecticut... Mountain View, California... Stony Brook, New York... Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma... Koca, Bartin, Turkey... Pleasantville, New Jersey... Durham, England, UK... Mount Vernon, New York... Boise, Idaho... Bolton, England, UK... Concord, North Carolina...  Lake Saint
Louis, Missouri... Willimantic, Connecticut... Elkton, Virginia... Plattsburgh, New York... Seattle, Washington... Renton, Washington... Kansas City, Missouri... Buffalo Grove, Illinois...
Ithaca, New York... New Baltimore, Michigan... Groningen, Netherlands... Atlanta, Georgia... Berlin, Germany... Watford, Hertford, England, UK... Isesaki, Gumma, Japan... Fairfax,
Virginia...Markham, Ontario, Canada... Las Vegas, Nevada... Pontecagnano, Campania, Italy... Wilmington, California... Paso Robles, California... Greensboro, North Carolina... Dover, New
Hampshire... Exeter, Rhode Island... Burlington, Ontario, Canada...

I don't know how to get groundhogs to see their shadow, but I do know to get them to smile... give to the American Red Cross!

www.redcross.org

Happy Groundhog Day!

Credit: www.someecards.com

I'm putting MY name down... are you?

This week, I saw two petitions which I gladly put my name onto. The first was one regarding the beautiful Vicki Marlane, who passed away last year.  Petitioners there were letting the mayor and city council know that one of the streets should be renamed "Vicki MarLane".  The other was far more repugnant - Atlanta legislators are allowing "No gays allowed " signs in front of their businesses... in fact, if you can't afford one, (!) the state of Georgia will pitch in and buy one for you!!! (out of your tax money, of course)

No... this not a misprint.

Many people here in the United States believe mistakenly that they have the right to vote, but not much else.  But what does the Constitution say?

(First Amendment)  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
(boldface italic mine, source Wikipedia)

See that? That's your right, from the day you can scrawl your name until the day you die.

I am urging that you go to Congress and urge them to grant the full right of marriage to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people; to have equal taxation regardless of heterosexual or homosexual status, to visit one another in hospitals or nursing homes, and to say a final farewell in a funeral home and the spot where they will be interred.

You can do this by e-mailing your Congressperson.  To make this even easier, simply copy the preceding paragraph, and print this in the body section of your Congressperson's e-mail.

It's that simple - and that profound.

Pleasantville, New Jersey - Frank LoBiondo (R) - NJ2
Mount Vernon, New York - Eliot Engel (D) - NY16
Boise, Idaho - Mike Simpson (R) - ID2
Concord, North Carolina - Richard Hudson (R) - NC8
Lake St. Louis, Missouri - Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) - MO3
Willimantic, Connecticut - Joe Courtney (D) - CT2
Elkton, Virginia - Bob Goodlatte (R) - VA6
Plattsburgh, New York - Bill Owens (D) - NY21
Seattle, Washington - Jim McDermott (D) - WA7
Renton, Washington - Adam Smith (D) - WA9

The preceding are samples from the Internet.  To find out who your legislator is, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code in the box indicated.

To my Canadian friends go to www.parl.gc.ca and search from there.

Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act Introduced in Maryland Senate - John Riley - http://www.edgeboston.com

*more here*

Vancouver Canucks Welcome Trans Goalie Onto Ice for His Sweet 16 - SUNNIVIE BRYDUM - http://www.advocate.com

*more here*

CIF adopts policy for transgender athletes - Joe Naiman -

*more here*

A good friend...

If you have ideas regarding gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders that run opposite to my (and many others) own, hey, that's your right.

But if you plan to counter our ideas with half-baked, nutzoid, looney-tune "ideas",  them's fightin' words.  And our good friend Alvin McEwen has put a few nuclear bombs in our side to toss straight in your direction.  And we love to see you squirm.

For those who haven't checked it out go to http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/ and check it out.

Thanks, Alvin.  Keep on makin' those nukes! 

Petition To Rename Turk Street Block After Late Transgender Performer Vicki Marlane - http://sfist.com

*more here*

ezs note:  I signed the petition - did you?

Ophelia Azriel De'lonta, Transgendered Prisoner, Gets Sex-Change Lawsuit Reinstated -

*more here*

Pham Le Quynh Tram, Transgender Vietnamese Woman, Loses Government Recognition - Glennisha Morgan - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

*more here*

Uptown lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender groups seek a base in Harlem - Michael J. Feeney - http://www.nydailynews.com

*more here*

Transgender People of Color and Domestic Violence - Toni Newman - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here

ezs note:  If you are transgender and are being abused, and the thought is running through your head, "Ahhh... it'll pass...", know this:  this is WRONG!!!  Listen to Toni!!  Listen to me!  Make that call today!!


www.thehotline.org

1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

OR

1-800-787-3224

FDA attempt to curb prescription drug deaths concerns transgender individuals - J. SKYLER ROBINSON - http://www.examiner.com

*more here*

ezs note:  My best advice in taking prescription medication is to seek the advice of your doctor - but not just any doctor.  If she/he has never treated a transgender patient, and/or has not specialized in transgender concerns, it might be best to find someone else.

“Look! A Transgender Person!” — On the Road to Acceptance - Jillian Page - http://blogs.montrealgazette.com

*more here*

Transgender group’s visit to coffee shop revealing - BY MARY ELLEN MACINTYRE - http://thechronicleherald.ca

*more here*

Brighton, Brighton and Hove,England, UK

Credit:  www.flickr.com

Hello!

I know it's too good to be true... but, brr!!  Here's what's happening... Accrington, Lancashire, England, UK... Clifton, New Jersey...  Galesburg, Illinois...  East Chicago, Indiana... Wesley Chapel, Florida...  Powell, Ohio... Trenton, New Jersey... Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine... Dayton, Ohio... Portland, Oregon... Sunnyvale, California... Albuquerque, New Mexico... North Hollywood, California... Torrance, California... Delano, Minnesota... Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India...Harbor City, California....Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania... Burlington, Ontario, Canada... São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil... Oslo, Norway... Fairfield, Connecticut...  Centereach, New York... Providence, Utah...   Dumas, Texas... Russian Federation, Russia... Los Angeles, California... Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates...Vancouver, British Columbia...   Norwalk, Connecticut...Padsdow, New South Wales  Australia... York, England, Uk... Stockport, England, UK... Tonnerre, Bourgogne, France... Milton, Florida... Humble, Texas... 

Shout it out!

President Obama's speech was indeed inspiring.  For the first time ever, gays and lesbians were defended explicitly, not once but twice. (Though it must be stated that he remained silent on transgenders - thank you, Sadie!)

On a larger theme, Obama's spoke to a larger voice, that of "my fellow Americans".  We must always remember that this voice does not belong to 435 Representatives.  They only represent the larger voice, that of 315,214,000 people.  And that your voice is only heard when you e-mail, snailmail, telephone or in person.

I know that I defend the rights of all people to marry, to be taxed at an equal amount (heterosexual vs. homosexual), to visit at a hospital nursing home, and to say goodbye at a funeral home and a cemetery.

How about you?

Sunnyvale, California - Mike Honda (D) - CA17
Albuquerque, New Mexico - Michelle Lujan Grisham(R) - NM1
North Hollywood, California - Brad Sherman(D) - CA30
Torrance, California - Maxine Waters (D) - CA43
Delano, Minnesota - Michele Bachmann(R) - MN6
Portland, Oregon - Earl Blumenauer(D) - OR3
Harbor City, California - Henry Waxman (D) - CA33
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania - Patrick Meehan(R) - PA7
Burlington, Ontario(CAN) - Mike Wallace (Cons) - Burlington
Milton, Florida - Jeff Miller (R) - FL1

TRANSGENDER RAPPER KILLED BY GANG IN MILWAUKEE - Natelege Whaley - http://thedrop.fm

*more here*

Transgender inmate granted trial for allegations of sexual abuse - Diane Walker - http://www.nbc12.com

*more here*

Country's largest gathering of LGBT advocates kicks off in Atlanta - David Schick - http://clatl.com

*more here*

United Colors of Benetton Features Transgender Model Lea T; Alek Wek - Tracy McNicoll - http://www.thedailybeast.com

*more here*

Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act is transgender inclusive - J. SKYLER ROBINSON - http://www.examiner.com

• *more here*

Inauguration 2013: A Transgender Call to Action - Gwendolyn Ann Smith - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

Transgender Rights Push Us All Toward Equality - Joan Annsfire - http://www.indybay.org

*more here*

N.W.T. minister to face human rights tribunal - http://www.cbc.ca

*more here*

3 arrested in Milwaukee in case of missing transgender rapper - WlG - http://www.wisconsingazette.com

*more here*

ezs note:  Please, if you have information about the whereabouts and condition of Evon "Yung T" Young, give the information to Milwaukee police immediately!  Their phone number is 414-935-7360.

Sadie, 11-Year-Old Transgender Girl, Writes Essay In Response To Obama's Inauguration Speech - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

ezs note:  WOW!!!  Way to go, Sadie!

Adam Lambert May Record with Cyndi Lauper - http://www.opposingviews.com

*more here*

Thai trans group complain to IKEA about ad - ANNA LEACH - http://www.gaystarnews.com

*more here*

Inauguration Day 2013

Credit:  bet.com

Today is, officially, Inauguration Day.  Barack Obama has taken the oath of office for the second time.  

Over the past four years, we have come to see how 435 House members and 100 Senators would react to Mr. Obama's presidency, particularly the Republicans.  There are those who, to their credit, put politics aside (at least for the moment) and worked with the President to stem Hurricane Sandy's fury.  Chris Christie tore into John Boehner when he thought it nifty to put the wreckage on the back burner.  Rep. King(R-NY) thought it ludicrous to float such an idea, never mind post it as official policy.  

Here's where our problem lies, though:  the nutburgers make up a sizable minority and they do tend to yelp the loudest.  Rep. Boehner was probably spooked, and gave the Tea Party what they wanted.  Uh, you might mark that as a really bad strategy, Mr. Speaker.  Yet it's somewhat understandable when the far-right members pull out the long knives when you and Mr. Obama do something horrendous like, say, talk to one another.

Further evidence:  in case you haven't noticed, there was a perfect gem of an asshole named Steve Stockman (R-TX).  Quick quiz:  What other leader has been compared to Barack Obama?  If you haven't run across on the Internet already,  no peeking now.  Cmom, take a guess.

Answer:  Saddam Hussein.

Yeah, you guessed it.  According to Stockman's warped little brain, Saddam and Barack were just the best of pals, plotting the takeover of the world over virgin Mai-Tais. This is the example given to us by intrepid ol' Steve.  

So you are asking what Congress can do to right itself, and have all three bodies behave in a civil manner. What to do, you say.

The answer: you can, with an e-letter.  They hear  various yahoos saying "This is my country!"  We often forget one very vital fact, though.

This is our country, too.

I'll repeat that:  this is our country too, dammit!

We have the right to full, equitable rights for LGBT people. 

We have the right to drop our kids off at school without them being shot to pieces. 

And we have the right to civil, respectful debate, not the kind done by Steve Stockman and his band of idiots.

Please, please write an e-mail to your representatives.  This is so important.  You can look up who your representative is below.

www.house.gov 

Mountain View, California

Credit:  groundspeak.com

Hello!

It's almost Inauguration Day!  Yay!  Here's what's happening... Mountain View, California... Boston, Massachusetts... Munich, Bayern, Germany... Los Angeles, California... Norwalk, Connecticut... Brooklyn, New York... Dumas, Mississippi... Arlington, Massachusetts... North Kingstown, Rhode Island... Verl, Nordrhein-Westfalen... Pataskala, Ohio... Chatou, Ile-de-France, France... Faro, Portugal... Gurgaon, Haryana, India... Newport Beach, California... Newport Beach, California... Eugene, Oregon... San Francisco, California... Delano, Minnesota...  Houston, Texas...  Lexington, South Carolina...  Palmerton, Pennsylvania... Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada... Zaventem, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium... Pflugerville, Texas... Perkasie, Pennsylvania... Santa Fe, Argentina... Pforzheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany... Wesley Chapel, Florida... Roseburg, Oregon...

Do your part on Martin Luther King working day! Volunteer for the American Red Cross, or the worldwide Red Cross/Red Crescent!

www.redcross.org

your help is needed...

In case it didn't register with you, I'll say it again:  In Newtown, at Sandy Hook elementary school, twenty seven lives were lost.  Gone. Never, never to return.

Think about that.  Then think about the thousands of lives that are taken around the country.

When morons such as Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and others put their opinions out, one of two things happen:

1)   You e-write your representative and say, "I don't give a flying fart what that idiot thinks, I'm for sensible gun control, and so are my neighbors," ;or...

2)   You say nothing; and your representative assumes that Limbaugh , Beck and the other clowns are forcing their hand, so he reluctantly opposes gun control.

What do you do?

Pataskala, Ohio - Pat Tiberi (R) - OH12
Mountain View, California - Anna Eshoo (D) - CA18
Newport Beach, California - Dana Rohrabacher (R) - CA48
Eugene, Oregon - Peter DeFazio (D)  - OR4
San Francisco, California - Nancy Pelosi (D) - CA12
Delano, Minnesota - Michele Bachmann (R) - MN6
Houston, Texas - Gene Green (D) - TX29
Lexington, South Carolina - Joe Wilson (R) - SC2
Palmerton, Pennsylvania - Matt Cartwright (D) - PA17
Pflugerville, Texas - Bill Flores (R) - TX17

The above towns and cities were randomly selected by the Internet.  To find out who your representative is in the House of Representatives, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code.

Transgender man charged with murder in 2012 slaying of Wilmington woman - Larry Altman -http://www.sgvtribune.com

*more here*

Parkland policy would ban transgender discrimination - Bill Hethcock - http://www.bizjournals.com

*MORE HERE*