Save the elephants!

It is a sad, sad fact that elephants are nearing extinction.

How does this happen?  Simple.  We kill them.

It seems that there is little we can do.  But that's not true.  Here are some things you can do:

1. Contact John Kerry and urge him to contact and speak out against elephant killings.

2. Contact the People's Republic of China and ask them to forbid all killing of elephants, with severe jailing for any flouting of the law.

3. If you own any ivory, take it off.  Better yet, throw it out into the trash.

We can do our part to make this world safer for these gentle giants.  But we need to start now so they will have a future. Thanks.

GOP Lawmaker Mocks LGBT Protections In VAWA: ‘Change-Gender… How Is That A Woman?’ - Zack Ford - http://thinkprogress.org

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Transgender kids' rights in court - Deirdre Fulton - http://blog.thephoenix.com

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Senate committee nixes transgender-equality bill - Daniel Leaderman - http://www.gazette.net

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ADL Deeply Concerned About Alleged Transgender Hate Crime In Silver Spring, Md - http://news.gnom.es

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ezs note:  At the end of this article is the address of the ADL (www.adl.org) where, among others, you can find the amicus brief with which you can win against anybody, be they Congressperson, state Congressperson, state Senator, or just some person you're hanging out with at a bar or coffeeshop.  Thanks ADL - we appreciate it!

Trailblazing transgender golfer from Canada vies for place in LPGA tour — at 62 - RANDY BOSWELL - http://www.montrealgazette.com/

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Landmark legal ruling for South Korean transgenders - Um Ji-won, Park Hyun-jung - http://english.hani.co.kr/

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School district responds to discrimination complaint over transgender 6-year-old Coy Mathis - http://www.thedenverchannel.com

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ezs note:  Keep the HEAT on!  To sign the petition go to change.org.

Hudson, Florida

Credit: www.flickr.com

Hello!

It's almost spring... here's the latest... Hudson, Florida... Naperville, Illinois...  Villa Park, Illinois... Nokomis, Florida... Mountain View, California... Stony Brook, New York... Massillon, Ohio... Cochin, Kerala, India... Woodland Hills, California... Trenton, New Jersey... Norman, Oklahoma... Lugo, Galicia, Spain... De Pere, Wisconsin... Mississauga, Ontario, Canada... Marengo, Iowa... Salisbury,
Wiltshire, England, UK... Lake Havasu City, Arizona... Toledo, Ohio... York, England, UK... Varel, Niedersachsen, Germany... Mumbai, Maharashtra, India... Birmingham, England, UK...
Pottstown, Pennsylvania... Swindon, England, UK... Lynbrook, New York... Purmerend, Noord-Holland, Netherlands...

Even the flowers are brighter when you give!

www.redcross.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

It ain't over 'til it's over!

I had an interesting experience last Tuesday.  I had a nurse (who is also a good friend) come by.  Well, I saw an opportunity there,  so I mentioned that there was a transgender girl in Colorado whose board of education had the, uh, "bright" idea that she could no longer use the girls bathroom.  She had to use the boys bathroom, the one in the teacher's lounge, or the nurse's room.

She is six years old.

My nurse was, of course, both disgusted and saddened.  I told her that there is something she could do. She could sign an e-petition on change.org. (You can do the same by clicking on it) A few minutes later, her petition was signed.

My point is this:  whether you sign an e-petition, or sign an e-letter to your representative, your signature is a start, not merely a finish.  How many people do you know who might be interested?  Who can tell?

(An aside:  I just got another person to sign - yay!)

E-sign for basic liberties for all, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.  E-sign for the little girl who only wants to use the bathroom she has always used to relieve herself.

One more thing:  After you have signed, drop a quick note in the "comments" section.  It can be really quick - "I signed!" plus your name, if you wish, is perfect.  Thanks so much.

Norman, Oklahoma - Tom Cole (R) - OK4
De Pere, Wisconsin - Reid Ribble (R) - WI8
Massillon, Ohio - Bob Gibbs (R) - OH7
Mississauga, Ontario(CAN) - Eve Adams (Cons) - Mississauga / Brampton South

Marengo, Iowa - Bruce Braley (D) - IA1
Stony Brook, New York - Tim Bishop (D) - NY1
Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Paul Gosar (R) - AZ4
Toledo, Ohio - Marcy Kaptur (D) - OH7
Pottstown, Pennsylvania - Jim Gerlach (R) - PA6
Lynbrook, New York - Carolyn McCarthy (D) - NY4

Those listed above are random, through the Internet.  To find out who your representative is go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code.  For Canadians, go to www.parl.gc.ca and follow the directions from there. 

CSU transgender inclusive student health care plan to begin in August - Alex Steinmetz - http://www.collegian.com

*more here*

Whirlpool Named 2013 Straight For Equality In The Workplace Award Winner - http://www.digitaljournal.com

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25,000 Support Six-Year-Old Trans Girl Facing Discrimination - Lindsay Miller - http://www.edgeboston.com

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ezs note:  Yes, you can do this... just like I did!  Just go to change.org and look for the family of Coy Mathis, and sign the petition. Thanks! 

Allyson Robinson stresses post-DADT goals at OutServe-SLDN dinner - Justin Snow - http://www.metroweekly.com

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Judge Hands Down Fine In Columbus’ First-Ever Transgender Discrimination Case - http://www.10tv.com

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BEING SEEN: VIDEO DIARIES OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH - Margaret Talbot - http://www.newyorker.com

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Lawmakers consider protections for gay Nebraskans - http://siouxcityjournal.com

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ezs note - Nebraskans - Please find out who your state legislator and state senator are.  Then, e-mail them to vote in favor of all three important bills.  Thanks!

Poland's Gay and Trans MPs Take A Seat Against Bigotry - MICHELLE GARCIA - http://www.advocate.com

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Oh, and by the way...

Dear Congressperson:

I do understand the reasoning that you have to face on a daily pressure cooker that Congress forces you to go through.  It isn't easy, and often thankless work.

But having said that, I don't really give a flying fart what mean ol' Barack Obama or ghoulish John Boehner is up to.  We care what you are doing.  Or why you missed a vote. Just be frank about it.  That's not too much to ask.

Sincerely,

ezs

Papillon, Nebraska

Credit:  www.rvresortstoday.com

Hello!

Wow!  After a few lightly snowy days, a really sunny day follows!  Here's what's happening... Papillon, Nebraska... Toronto, Ontario, Canada... Belle Plaine, Minnesota... Kenitra, Morocco... Mountain View, California... West
Hartford, Connecticut... Weinböhla, Sachsen, Germany... Wolverhampton, England, UK... Seal Beach, California... East Hampton, Connecticut... Manchester Township, New Jersey... Saint
John's, Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda... San Jose, California... Sydney, New South Wales, Australia... East Liverpool, Ohio... São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil... Columbus, Ohio... San Francisco,
California... Sunnyvale, California... Stony Brook, New York... Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...  Sheffield, England, UK... Burlington, Ontario, Canada... Somerset, Kentucky... Dennison,
Minnesota... Carroll, Iowa... Two Rivers, Wisconsin... Mound, Minnesota... Malvern, Arkansas... New Rochelle, New York... Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria... Grayslake, Illinois... Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia...

Hey!  The snow melted!  No excuses!

www.redcross.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org 

Now's the time to e-write!

If you have put this off for awhile, hey, I do understand.  I don't think there's a person in this world puts at least a few things off. (except for the anal do-it-right-nowers)  But... this is the time!!  We have a President who is compassionate to our cause.  We have a former President, who, however he might differ on other issues, agrees with the President on this one.

The time for same-sex marriage is near, very near.  If you e-mail now, you can put your name on record as being for it.

C'mon, folks.  Make history.

Manchester Township, New Jersey - Chris Smith (R) - NJ4
San Jose, California - Mike Honda (D) - CA17
East Hampton, Connecticut - Joe Courtney (D) CT2
East Liverpool, Ohio - Bill Johnson (R) - OH6
Belle Plaine, Minnesota - Collin Peterson (D) - MN7
Angier, North Carolina - Renee Ellmers (R) - NC2
Seal Beach, California - Dana Rohrabacher (R) - CA48
Columbus, Ohio - Pat Tiberi (R) - OH12
San Francisco, California - Nancy Pelosi (D)  CA12
Stony Brook, New York - Tim Bishop (D) - NY1

The previous representatives were chosen at random by the Internet. To find out who you are represented by, enter your ZIP code in www.house.gov.  In Canada, enter www.parl.gc.ca .

New Clinic Helps Transgender Children - Nesita Kwan - http://www.nbcchicago.com

 *more here*

FSBC reviewing Fox's MMA license - Franklin McNeil - http://espn.go.com

*more here*

When James Becomes Janice: What Not to Ask a Transgender Friend - Steven Petrow - http://www.nytimes.com

*more here*

More lesbian and gay parents needed in Gloucestershire - http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

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ezs note:  If you are in the UK, and are a loving, caring, responsible person, please see www.iwanttofoster.com.

Massachusetts Lawmakers Retaliate Against Youth With ‘Transgender Issues’ - Zack Ford - http://thinkprogress.org

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Culliver meets with LGBTQ group, the Trevor Project - Katie Dowd - http://blog.sfgate.com

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Spa World Clarifies Policy - John Riley - http://www.metroweekly.com

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ezs note:  I don't know if Anytime Fitness has the same policies in Virginia, but if not, they do not have the same asinine "policies" as Spa World.  Check them out to see.

Bill expands hate crimes, adds transgender persons - http://elkodaily.com

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Underworld saint becoming more popular in US - http://azstarnet.com

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CA lawmaker seeks rights for transgender students - http://www.yorkdispatch.com/

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Violence Against Transgender Women In Latin America Thwarts HIV Efforts - Hope Gillette - http://www.huffingtonpost.com

*more here*

For First Time, Baby Is Cured of H.I.V., Doctors Say - ANDREW POLLACK and DONALD G. McNEIL Jr - .

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Madonna to present GLAAD award to Anderson Cooper - http://www.masslive.com

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Transgender Woman Reported Gang-Raped in New York - TRUDY RING -

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ezs note:  If you live in or visit the midtown Manhattan (57th Street) area of New York City, and you have any information regarding this vile rape, please contact the New York City police department immediately!!  Their telephone number is 800-577-TIPS.  Take a good  look at the photo. Thanx.

Bozeman, Montana

Credit:  images.cdn.fotopedia.com

Hello!

I can't believe how fast the snow has melted!  Here's what's happening... Bozeman, Montana... York, England, UK... Mountain View, California... Sale, Cheshire, England, UK... Mound,
Minnesota...  Chicago, Illinois... San Francisco, California... Mukwonago, Wisconsin... Moreno Valley, California... Asheville, North Carolina... Eugene, Oregon... Torrance, California... Rome,
Lazio, Italy... Ivins, Utah... Reading, England, UK... Tel Aviv, Israel... Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy... Stony Brook, New York... Dallas, Texas... Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium... Lake Havasu
City, Arizona... Lady Lake, Florida... Rochester, New York... Île-perrot, Quebec, Canada... Guildford, Surrey, England, UK... Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada... Istanbul, Turkey...
Edmonton, Alberta... Portland, Oregon...


Yeah. I know my pal Gerry will harp on me (the song is American, not Irish) but I know when Irish eyes will really be smiling... give to the American Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders!  (or both!)

www.redcross.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Didn't think it could happen, did you?

When Barack Obama sent a brief to the Supreme Court advocating same-sex marriages, it was an earth-shaking moment.  But when George W. Bush sent a letter advocating the same thing... whoa.

Think of that.  Barack Obama and George W. Bush and Joe Biden and Dick Cheney... extraordinarily powerful men with very different viewpoints... come to agreement on same-sex marriage.

It used to be that same-sex marriages were a matter of liberal vs. conservative.  No more.  Now they're a matter of liberal and conservative vs. troglodyte.

Don't let your representative be a troglodyte.  E-mail 'em.

Torrance, California - Maxine Waters(D) - CA43
Ivins, Utah - Chris Stewart (R) - UT2
Mountain View, California - Anna Eshoo (D) - CA18
Eugene, Oregon - Peter DeFazio (D) - OR4
Stony Brook, New York - Tim Bishop (D) NY1
Dallas, Texas - Eddie Bernice Johnson (D  - TX30
Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Paul Gosar (R) - AZ4
Mound, Minnesota - Erik Paulsen (R) - MN3
Lady Lake, Florida - Richard Nugent (R) - FL11
Rochester, New York - Louise Slaughter (D) - NY25

The  selection above  is chosen at random through the Internet.  To determine who your representative is, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code. In Canada, go to www.parl.gc.ca and follow the directions from there.  

Translation - Jennifer Tyrrell - http://www.blogger.com

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Taylor or Kirby? Premier thinks outside the square - Anna Patty - http://www.parkeschampionpost.com.au

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Republicans now likely to pass transgender inclusive Violence Against Women Act - J. SKYLER ROBINSON - http://www.examiner.com

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Are Aging Services Ready for Us? - http://10thousandcouples.com

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ezs note:  Are you or a loved one approaching age 65 years or older?  Are you younger than that, but want to plan ahead?  If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, the time to start planning is now.  A good place to start is at www.lgbtei.org.

Students protest over transgender student's 'special treatment' - Justin Hanson - http://www.wafb.com

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VIDEO: Transgender student sues Cal Baptist for expulsion after appearing on MTV's 'True Life' - http://www.scpr.org

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Transgender Marriages An Encouraging Step - http://www.scoop.co.nz/

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Fraternity Raises Funds for Brother's Transgender Surgery - MICHELLE GARCIA - http://www.advocate.com

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Transgender Student To File Complaint Over Bathroom Use - http://www.lawweekonline.com

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Family Research Council: Transgender People Need Therapy, Not Nondiscrimination Protections - Zack Ford - http://thinkprogress.org

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