Transgender Women 49 Times More Likely To Have HIV, Study Says - Meredith Bennett-Smith - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

*more here*

49 TIMES. THAT'S 49 TIMES.

If you have delayed getting tested for HIV, the time for being tested is NOW!!!!!  Please, I beg of you.  

Campaigns to get Richard Littlejohn sacked by Daily Mail signed by 240,000 - William Turvill - http://www.pressgazette.co.uk

*more here*

April Fool's!

Credit: wikimedia.org

To my Jewish friends, Happy Passover!

Credit: oyvey.co.il

To my Christian friends, Happy Easter!

Credit: freakingnews.com

Wyoming, Michigan

Credit:  staticflickr.com

Hello!

Finally, the computer works!  Here's what's happening... Wyoming, Michigan... Esslingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany... Tacoma, Washington... West Hartford, Connecticut... Mountain View,
\California... Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland... Athens, Attiki, Greece... Piscataway, New Jersey... Poughkeepsie, New York... Winchester, Massachusetts... Zenica, Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina... Burlington, Ontario, Canada... Le Chesnay, Ile-de-France, France... London, England, UK... Stony Brook, New York... Moscow, Moscow City, Russia... Alabaster, Alabama... Hyderabad,
Andhra Pradesh, India... Novato, California... Grand Forks, North Dakota... Brno, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Czech Republic... Carroll, Iowa... Wixom, Michigan... Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia... Concord, North Carolina... Deerfield, New Hampshire... Waukee, Iowa... Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan... San Diego, California... Goose Creek, South Carolina... Pune, Maharashtra,
India... Bayside, New York... 's-hertogenbosch, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands... League City, Texas... Towson, Maryland... Florence, Toscana, Italy... Pacific Grove, California... Denver, Colorado...

www.redcross.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Now's the time!!!

I remember the two cases very well.

In the first one, Gore vs. Bush, the nation was deeply divided. Two attorneys, David Boies and Theodore Olson, went into battle with swords drawn.  In the end, George W. Bush won.

Thirteen years later, another case, United States of America vs. Windsor, was about to be waged.  Once more, the attorneys waged battle.  After it was over, the attorneys came out to speak.

But this was different - very different. David Boies and Theodore Olson were on the same side.

First it was the last two presidents and vice presidents.  Then the two attorneys who were against each other so often, yet they come together for this seminal case.

Let your representatives know the tide - finally - is turning.  Let them know that you believe that marriage is equal, whether same sex or opposite sex.

You can do this!

Piscataway, New Jersey - Frank Pallone Jr. (D) - NJ6
Austin, Texas - Lamar Smith (R) - TX21

Conservative group calls Iowa workshop 'evil propaganda' - Mike Wiser - http://muscatinejournal.com

*more here*

ezs note: Uh huh.  We've been caught, all right.  These children will learn the 'virtues' of spanking, homophobia, and bullying.  You know,   good things like that.

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) - Request for Proposals Protecting Transgender Persons From Violence and Combating Impunity - http://www.state.gov

*more here*

Bindya Rani files nomination papers for PS-115 - http://pakobserver.net

*more here*

DC Comics' 'Batwoman' author J. H. Williams III talks transgender representation - J. SKYLER ROBINSON - http://www.examiner.com

*more here*

Activists urge labor unions to support trans health - http://www.washingtonblade.com

*more here*

Repression, homophobia and transgender policies in Iran - MARIA KARI - http://rabble.ca

*more here*

Transgender Teacher Kills Self After Being Bullied By Newspaper - Judy Molland - http://www.care2.com

*more here*

ezs note:  This hits close to home, though the ocean separates us. No one deserves what Lucy Meadows got in Richard Littlejohn's vituperative attack.  Please, if you find yourself depressed or suicidal, seek counseling immediately!  I promise things will get better.

As far as Mr. Littlejohn goes, yes, he should be fired.  Then shipped to an Antarctic island. 

Irish state refuses to issue new birth certificates to transgender people - PATRICK COUNIHAN - http://www.irishcentral.com

*more here*

THANKS TO JOHN DUNCAN - NINA USHERWOOD - http://www.canada.com

*more here*

Justices Hear Landmark Case on Allowing Gay Marriage - ADAM LIPTAK - http://www.nytimes.com

*more here*

Arizona Transgender Bathroom Bill: Let Us Pee Without Showing ID - Julie Strupp - http://www.policymic.com

*more here*

Hulk Hogan Would Fight Transgender MMA Fighter - http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com

*more here*

Maharashtra’s ‘progressive’ policy for transgenders seeks ‘preventive measures’ - AMRUTA BYATNAL - http://www.thehindu.com

*more here*

GLAAD adds transgender equality to its mission - Meredith Clark - http://tv.msnbc.com

*more here*

Upminster, Havering, England

Credit:  www.flickr.com

Hello!

I'm melting!  I'm melting! (The snow, that is!) Here's what's happening... Upminster, Havering, England... Manchester Township, New Jersey... Smyrna, Georgia... Mountain View, California... Troy,
Ohio... Bucha, Kyyivs'ka Oblast', Ukraine... Moorhead, Minnesota... Concord, North Carolina... Segovia, Castilla y Leon, Spain... Stony Brook, New York... Bixby, Oklahoma... Bloomington, Illinois...
Sunnyvale, California... San Francisco, California... Brooklyn, New York... Allentown, Pennsylvania... Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey... Chester, Maryland... Scottsdale, Arizona... Bagumbayan, Albay,
Philippines... Youngstown, Ohio... Los Angeles, California... Corvallis, Oregon... Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan... Nokia, Western Finland, Finland... Fredericksburg, Virginia... Fredericksburg, Virginia... San Antonio, Texas... Lagos, Nigeria... Lawrenceville, Georgia... Miami, Florida... Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK... Birmingham, Alabama... Chester, Maryland... Perth, Western Australia, Australia...

Oh, what a beautiful morning... becomes even more beautiful when you give!

www.redcross.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Makin' a difference!

I hear it often.  To be honest, far too often. I hear people say, "Well what can we do?  That's politics for ya."

But it's not true.

A few days ago, Rep. John Kavanagh, village idiot, was about to propose a bill to the Arizona legislature.  He said his withdrawal was due to a typographical error.  Yeah, right.  More likely it was due to the appalling (and amazing) stupidity of its author.

So,  what was this bill?  Let's say a transgender woman has to use the bathroom.  But our ever intrepid policeman is there to check her.  He asks for her to present her papers - her original birth certificate!!
Even if she had full surgery, that wouldn't satisfy Rep. Kavanagh.  But she has to go, so she pushes past the policeman and relieves herself.

She might not have realized it, but she's in big trouble now.  The policeman hauls her in, an unsympathetic judge hears the case, and throws her into jail for six months.

All because she had to pee.

Fortunately, this hasn't happened yet.  What happens is that when you e-write, bad legislation is more likely to be killed, and good legislation is likely to be passed.

Contact your legislator.  Tell him/her that freedom to marry is freedom for all.  Tell him that two systems of taxation - one for heterosexuals and another for homosexuals - is unfair, and possibly unconstitutional.

Concord, North Carolina - Richard Hudson (R) - NC8
Stony Brook, New York - Tim Bishop (D) - NY1
Bixby, Oklahoma - Jim Bridenstine (R) - OK1
West Hartford, Connecticut - John Larson (D) - CT1
Moorhead, Minnesota - Collin Peterson (D) - MN7
Bloomington, Illinois - Aaron Schock (R) - IL18

As always, the above are picked at random via the Internet.  For the US, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code.  For Canada, go to www.parl.gc.ca and follow the instructions.

Nobody Should Make Transgender Kid a ‘Poster Child’ for Anything - ZEYNEP TUFEKCI - http://www.wired.com

*more here*

Senate, House hear pleas for LGBT protections - http://idahobusinessreview.com

*more here*

Asshole of the Year: Arizona bill ties restroom use to birth gender - Cristina Silva - http://www.newstimes.com

Credit:  www.cartoonstock.com

*more here*

ezs note:  Read especially the possible imprisoning of a woman whose only crime is wanting to take a leak.  This is, truly, an asshole of the year.

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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/

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here*

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

*more here

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

*more here*

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