Grand Rapids rates below average for LGBT equality

 David Czurak
http://www.grbj.com/


*more here*

ezs note:  If you wish to view the full Human Rights Campaign article, go to www.hrc.org.

DU seeks third gender status for transgenders (India)

Shaswati Das
http://www.hindustantimes.com/



*more here*

Best workplaces for lesbian, gay employees named

http://www.democratandchronicle.com


*more here*

Hello!

I recently read a story about two transgender woman who were murdered in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. These stories always sadden me, but this one hit me especially hard.  Her name was Betty Skinner.  A 52-year-old woman, she was disabled.  She lived in a senior housing complex.

Just like me.

Tell your Congressperson that there are people who are transgender people of all ages, all races, and all abilities.  Tell them that they are just as deserving of police protection as anyone else.  And if, god forbid, a transgender person is murdered, they deserve a thorough investigation into their murder.

We deserve nothing less. We are human beings.

New Haven, Connecticut  Rosa DeLauro (D)  CT3
Wilmington, North Carolina Walter Jones (R)   NC3
Birmingham, Michigan   Kerry Bentivolio (R)   MI11
Bushkill, Pennsylvania   Tom Marino(R)  PA10
Eastchester, New York   Eliot Engel (D)   NY16
Owings Mills, Maryland  C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D)   MD2
North Port, Florida   Vern Buchanan (R)   FL16
Hendersonville, North Carolina Mark Meadows (R) NC11
Kennesaw, Georgia  Phil Gingrey (R)   GA11
Denver, Colorado   Diana DeGette (D)   CO1

The towns and cities listed above are randomly listed through the Internet.  If you live in - not near - one of the towns or cities listed, simply place the cursor over the name of the Congressperson, click it, and you will be transported to the Congressperson's blog.  For any other location, go to www.house.gov, enter the ZIP code, and you will be shown who the Congressperson you should be in touch with.  For more than one Congressperson, enter ZIP+4.  (example: 12345-6789)  You can check the last 4 digits on virtually any mail you receive.

New Haven, Connecticut

Credit: https://www.bluestatecoffee.com

mmm...coffee... 

Transgender appeal lost (Australia)

Stephen Ryan
http://www.theherald.com.au/


*more here*

Gay partner benefits growing at Fortune 500 firms

Lisa Leff  (AP)
http://www.fox19.com/


*more here*

Turning the page: Transgender woman brings LGBT awareness to Bemidji

 Crystal Dey
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/


*more here*

Myths About Gender Confirmation Surgery

Brynn Tannehill
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

*more here*

Two violent deaths in two days worry Cleveland transgender community

 Ron Rutti
http://www.cleveland.com/


*more here8

ezs note: Two transgender people - one of whom was disabled and living a senior complex - were brutally murdered over the last few nights.  If you live in Cleveland, or have business or pleasure there, and you know about either one of these murders, please contact Cleveland police immediately!  It's time to make these vermin shake in their boots!

 Their names are Brittany Stergis and Betty Skinner. 

Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013

Credit: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/ 

Nelson Mandela

A great leader

A great friend

Rest in peace, Mr. Mandela

"The Gender Book" Is a Clear, In-Depth Look at Gender Theory

Parker Marie Molloy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*

Covered California Reaches Out to LGBT Consumers

MICHAEL REGULA
http://www.shewired.com/


*more here*

Rape and predation talk about trans youth

AUTUMN SANDEEN
http://lgbtweekly.com



*more here*

Transgender cop files complaint against Middletown Police for “hostile environment”

Kaitlyn Schroyer
http://www.middletownpress.com/



*more here*

ezs note: Middletown, only 15 miles away... oy...

Ohio Mother Accuses Other Parents Of Harassing Transgender Child On Social Media

 Sarah Fruchtnicht
http://www.opposingviews.com/



*more here*

Hyattsville bans discrimination against transgender people

Jamie Anfenson-Comeau
http://www.gazette.net/


*more here*

16-year-old transgender student speaks to School Board about being bullied

http://www.examiner.com/


*more here*

'Night Of 1000 Genders' Celebrated Gender Non-Conforming Youth In NYC

James Nichols
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*

Rhode Island Home to 1st Transgender High School Coach

Joe Siegel
http://www.edgeboston.com/


*more here*

Got what it takes?

Credit:  http://gallery.mailchimp.com/

So, it's almost Christmas.  Time to buy presents for all the people in the family.  Or it's Hanukkah. Time to buy a beautiful brisket for family and friends.  Or just a time to relax after the bustle that comes with winter.  And it's time to think about your election.

What?

It's too early, you say.  And... me?  Little ole me? What can I bring to the table?  

Plenty.  You just haven't thought of those things yet.  Do you remember Islan Nettles, the transgender woman who was bludgeoned to death?  Or those transgenders who want to work, are desperate to work, but can't find any?  Or the transman who is about to be evicted for the sole reason of who he chooses to be.  Suddenly, you bring eloquence to the table.  One which is sorely lacking without you.

If you think that I'm saying this will be ridiculously easy, sorry, go to Fantasy Island.  The next year will be hard work.  Unless you run unopposed,  you're going to have to take some of the most ridiculous trash possible from your opponent.  And take it all with good cheer.  You may have to run on a shoestring.  A really bad, worn, about-to-fall-apart shoestring.  And if you come in second, you feel as if you lost the universe.  

You didn't, though.  We need voices like yours.  Have courage, and be our voice.

'Preferred' Pronouns Gain Traction At US Colleges

LISA LEFF
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*

An Open Letter to Katherine Svenson of the Delta County School Board

Dannie Dobbins
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*

ezs note:  Well done, Dannie!

How The Pacific Justice Institute Plans To Continue Demonizing Transgender Children

ZACK FORD
http://thinkprogress.org/


*more here*

Hercules High fight prompts special school board meeting

http://www.ktvu.com/


*more here*

Nearly 80 Percent Of Transgender People Have Considered Suicide, Study Says

Sarah Rae Fruchtnicht
http://www.opposingviews.com/


*more here*

ezs note: If you have considered or attempted suicide, please consider seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist to help you through the rough patches in your life. There's no shame in it, and you'll feel a lot better!  One caveat though - make sure that the person is fully board certified.  If a person claims to "make you straight",walk out and don't pay the quack!

Hello!

It's getting to the last month of the last month of the year.  Already!  Here in the United States Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas preparations are on the way.  Little kids who believe in Santa Claus (or, kinda believe) are writing letters or e-letters to be sent to Ole Saint Nick.

However, what do we grown-ups write?  Isn't there anything that we wish for?  Well, let's see. I wish that every transgender person has a home to live in.  I wish that she or he would walk from the store to home without being accosted.  I wish that she or he would hold hands with a girl/boyfriend without being stared at or kicked out.  I wish that she/he be allowed to live, period.

Go ahead, write to Santa Claus. But then write to your Congressperson regarding these essential issues.  Whatever your belief or non-belief, you'll be jollier for it.

Wellington, Kansas   Mike Pompeo (R)  KS4
Scranton, Pennsylvania   Matt Cartwright (D   PA17
San Jose, California  Zoe Lofgren (D)   CA19
Asheville, North Carolina   Patrick McHenry  (R)   NC10
Lawrence, Kansas  Lynn Jenkins (R)   KS2
Yonkers, New York   Eliot Engel (D   NY16
Rowlett, Texas  Pete Sessions (R)   TX32
Belgrade, Montana   Steve Daines (R)   MT(at large)
Winnetka,california   Xavier Becerra (R)   CA34
Towanda, Illinois   Aaron Schock (R)   IL18

The listings above are at random, through the Internet.  If you live in (not near) one of the towns or cities listed above, simply press the name of the person, and you will be transported to their district office.  For other Congresspeople, press www.house.gov, and enter your ZIP code in the upper right corner.  For multiple Congresspeople, enter the ZIP+4 code.(example:  12345-6789)  This can be found on most of your regular mail.  Thanks!

Lawrence, Kansas

Credit:  http://myeducationofagardener.files.wordpress.com/

My Prairie Home with Rae Spoon bends genre, gender (Canada)

 KATHERINE MONK
http://www.calgaryherald.com/


*more here*

No more transphobia (UK)

http://www.varsity.co.uk/


*more here*


ezs note:  Thank you!

Tamil Nadu Schools to Invite Transgender Activists and Counselors to Take Gender Identity Sessions (India)

http://www.jagranjosh.com/

*more here*

Laverne Cox, Transgender Actress, Discusses Bullying In Vibe Vixen Interview

James Nichols
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*

Killed for who they really were: Kingston remembers those murdered for being transgender (UK)

Hannah Pupkewitz
http://swlondoner.co.uk/


*more here*

ezs note:  She was hanged to death at age 13.

At age 13!!!

Remember... please, remember.

'Now I only have cake on my birthday!' Sonny and Cher's transgender son Chaz Bono opens up about his 85lb weight loss (UK)

SADIE WHITELOCKS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/



*more here*

WATCH: Navy Chaplain Claims 'Demon of Rape' Inside Call for Trans Student Rights

Sunnivie Brydum
http://www.advocate.com/


*more here*

ezs note:  Hey, kids!   Let's sing the "Gordon Klingenschmitt" song!

"If he only had a brain..."

Local vigil marks Transgender Day of Remembrance (with correction)

SULEIDYS TELLEZ
http://www.gazettenet.com/


*more here*

Transgender given hall ticket for TNPSC Civil Exam (India)

http://www.business-standard.com/


*more here*

BCPC Launches Women’s Groups, Observes Trans Awareness Month

Winnie McCroy
http://www.edgeboston.com/


*more here*

Transgender man settles discrimination lawsuit

http://www.outinjersey.net/

*more here*

Happy Turkey/Tofurkey Day!

Credit:  http://31.media.tumblr.com/

To all my Jewish friends, happy Hanukkah!

Credit: http://rlv.zcache.com/ 

CAP Releases LGBT Detainee Report

Will O'Bryan
http://www.metroweekly.com/


*more here

ezs note:  No matter what state you reside in, you do have rights!  To find out what they are, go to these websites:

Transgender Law Center  (specifically for transgenders)

National Justice Law Center

CIVIC

Hate Group Wages War Of Words And Fake Signatures Against CA’s Trans Student Law

http://www.queerty.com/



*more here*

A Case Study in Transphobia: Rolling Stone’s “About a Girl: Coy Mathis’s Fight to Change Gender”

Leela Ginelle
http://www.pqmonthly.com/


*more here*

Hip hop artists Macklemore and Lewis join UN gay and transgender rights campaign (Canada)

http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/


*more here*

Cisgender bias and airline miles

 VI NGUYEN
http://www.dailycal.org/


*more here*

Transgender Russian Lawyer Strips Down for Gay Rights in Russia

Joseph Pedro
http://www.passportmagazine.com/


*more here

Report: LGBT Immigrants Abused In Detention

http://www.talkradionews.com/


*more here*

Remembering fallen friends

Jess Bourget
http://www.theanchoronline.org/

*more here*


ezs note:  REMEMBER!!!

Colo. School Board Member: Transgender Students Need 'Castration' Before Using Bathrooms

Matt Ferner
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/


*more here*