01 July 2014

Minimum wage increases to $9 and other new laws for California July 1, 2014

http://www.turnto23.com

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ezs note:  If you live in California or were born there, see item number 8. 

Why I'm not voting for Dannel Malloy - and why I don't think you should either

Two words - Jane Doe.

When I voted in 2010, let me say up front that Dannel Malloy was not my first choice.  However, he seemed like a decent enough guy, so I voted for him anyway.  Over the years, I had my occasional pet peeves with him - but then again, who doesn't?  I voted for Barack  Obama twice, yet on occasion he'll do something that I regard as boneheaded.  I like what the late Ed Koch had to say on the subject:  "If you agree with me on nine out of twelve issues, vote for me.  If you agree with me on twelve out of twelve issues, see a psychiatrist."

Yes, there are blunders.  But then there are mind-numbing, jaw-dropping, super-blunders.  And these deserve our immediate attention.

For those of you not in the know, Jane Doe (not her real name since Jane is underage) is a transgender teenage female.  Simply put, her life has been crap.  Not "my daddy won't let me shop at Izod" type of crap.  I'm talking Mommy shooting heroin type of crap.  You get the picture.

She winds up going from place to place once her mother is found unfit, until she is found to be a "problem child" (!) So they do what any responsible caregiver would do.  They haul her ass to prison.  She didn't have to commit any prisonable offense.  Being "bitchy" is good enough for them, thank you.

She stayed in prison for three months. 

What, you say, is their problem? Didn't anybody shout from the rooftops?

Oh, yes, people knew.  Dannel Malloy knew.  Joette Katz (director of Department of Children and Families) knew.  They just didn't say anything.

While Jane Doe sat in prison, Malloy and Katz dithered.  Ultimately Jane Doe was released, but not until a horrific experience.

Malloy would have us believe that the system worked.  I'm sorry, governor, but it didn't.  The Orwellian system hasn't changed a bit.  Joette Katz works breezily along, destroying children and families as she goes.
You see, this isn't a transgender issue.  This isn't an LGBT issue.  This is an issue for every troubled child who is unsure where she or he will wind up.  In short, you aren't doing your job.

And that is why I won't be voting for you, Governor Malloy.

30 June 2014

Supreme Court clears ban on gay conversion therapy

Lisa Leff
www.visaliatimesdelta.com

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ezs note: Apart from the universal acceptance of gay marriage, this may be the most significant ruling by the Supreme Court. Even Justices Thomas and Scalia called it crap.  Another quack bites the dust!

It’s A Celebration! The Best Pics From Pride Parades Around The Nation

aminajade
http://globalgrind.com

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Medicaid Doesn't Cover Transgender Health Care in New York—Yet.

Nicole Pasulka
http://www.takepart.com

***click HERE for more ***

US: Supreme Court rules that religious freedom applies to businesses (UK)

Nick Duffy
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/

*** click HERE for more ***

Anti-discrimination task force reports back to council

Thomas Gounley
http://www.news-leader.com

*** click HERE for more ***

29 June 2014

Punjab to comply with Supreme Court directions on transgender welfare (India)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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1.5 Million People Attend 44th Annual Pride Parade in San Francisco

http://www.nbcbayarea.com

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Obama takes gay rights global, despite an uncertain welcome

http://www.vindy.com

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Catholics march in Pride Parade: 'This is all about justice'

Manya Brachear Pashman
http://www.chicagotribune.com

*** click HERE

Thousands turn out for Istanbul gay parade (Australia)

http://www.sbs.com.au/

*** click HERE for more ***

28 June 2014

A Glimpse of Gay Pride in the 1950s

JASE PEEPLES
http://www.advocate.com


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ezs note: Be sure to click on "ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives" at the very beginning of the article.  You'll be quite impressed!

Azusa, California

Credit: http://route66trips.com/

27 June 2014

LGBTQ communities speak out after person found shot to death

Emily Wood
http://www.wlwt.com


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ezs note:  Sadly another transgender woman was murdered today, this time in Cincinnati.  If you live or work in the greater Cincinnati area, and you have information about Tiff Edwards' murder (original name: DeAndre Edwards) please notify the police IMMEDIATELY!!! Or call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.

Fundraiser to feature comedy, jazz

CHRYSTAL ALEGRIA
http://www.pe.com


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David Cameron: Same-sex marriage is just one reason to celebrate this Pride in London (UK)

David Cameron
http://www.pinknews.co.uk


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Jewlyes Gutierrez: Mother of Bullied Transgender Teen Talks About Daughter's Journey

David-Elijah Nahmod
http://blogs.sfweekly.com


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26 June 2014

Mamet fails to grasp essence of theatre, objects to transgender role (Canada)

RUSSELL SMITH
http://www.theglobeandmail.com

*** click HERE for more ***

Meyer Memorial Trust, Sexual Assault Services Program fund The Harbor

http://www.dailyastorian.com


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ezs note:  Please, if you or someone you know is being assaulted, get help RIGHT AWAY! 

The Top 175 Essential Films of All Time for LGBT Viewers

http://www.advocate.com


*** click HERE for more ***

ezs  note: Here's a hint for you - I LOVE movies!  Great movies, so-so movies, even stinkers - I love 'em all!  This blog contains 175 of the greatest LGBT movies of all time. Yeah, you'll grouse over a few  that made it and a few that didn't, but, hell, that's half the fun of lists!  My personal favorite was Ma Vie En Rose (My Life In Pink), starring Georges  DuFresne. Please - give this list a look!

5 Ways DOMA’s Demise Changed the Finances of Same-Sex Married Couples (Mine Included)

Stuart Armstrong II
http://time.com


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25 June 2014

When, oh when, will the silliness end?

Credit: www.glasbergen.com

On this day, it happened - twice.  Both Utah and Indiana struck out.  Indiana had its first same-sex marriage a few hours later.  Now, I understand the feelings these attorneys general must have.  (Mind you, I don't agree with them - I just understand them.)  However, when you put your pants on and and head to the office, your priorities change.  In fact, to do your job worthily, they must change.  Otherwise, get a job at a liquor store or something.

This isn't the type of job akin to a knight, mounting his trusty steed and given a lance.  When  court after court disagrees with you (including the Supreme Court) after awhile you just look like a silly nobody rather than a courageous attorney.

You've fought the good fight.  You've said your peace.  But now, the time has really come.  Let us be married.

Students rise in defense of equality, and inspire the community

Lindsay Sauvageau
http://www.leominsterchamp.com


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Pride Week Victory: WA State Bans Exclusions for Transgender Health Coverage

DOMINIC HOLDEN
http://www.thestranger.com

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Millington Naval Base Will Hold LGBT Pride Event

BIANCA PHILLIPS
http://www.memphisflyer.com


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What's in an abbreviation? WorldPride 2014 organizers go long (Canada)

Laura Armstrong
http://www.thestar.com


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Biden: Protecting gay rights defines a nation as civilized (Canada)

Jim Kuhnhenn
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca


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24 June 2014

Leonard Pitts: ‘Maybe we all have to come out’

LEONARD PITTS JR.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com


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From merely awkward to truly troubling: Questions trans people face - and how they answer (Canada)

Leanne Italie
http://www.windsorstar.com

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Trans activist Brackett to speak at Frederick Pride

Steve Charing
http://www.washingtonblade.com


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Jailed Connecticut transgender teen moved to psych center

http://www.nhregister.com

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ezs note:  GOOD. I'm glad she is in a proper facility which meets her needs.

23 June 2014

A vulnerable section (India)

Dar Akhter Rasool
http://www.greaterkashmir.com

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A transformative change

Jeremy C. Fox
http://www.bostonglobe.com


*** click HERE for more ***

Here's 4 Great Latin & South American Queer Films Currently Screening At Frameline

GARY M. KRAMER
http://blogs.indiewire.com


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American sanctions hit Uganda’s ‘most vulnerable’ hardest

http://lgbtweekly.com

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Activists, authorities disagree on gender identity after Upstate boy forced to remove makeup for DMV photo

Andrew Knapp
http://www.postandcourier.com

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22 June 2014

Why Pride Is Not a Choice, But Necessary to Our Survival

Allison Hope
http://www.huffingtonpost.com


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Equality celebrated at Rocket City Pride

 Vincent Crivelli
http://www.waff.com


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Transgender Priest Compares LGBTQ Oppression To Persecution Of Jesus

http://www.inquisitr.com


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Pride-SWFL picnic marks second year

Michael Braun
http://www.news-press.com


*** click HERE for more ***

Police Seek Suspect in Sex Assault of Transgender Female

http://www.csnbaltimore.com


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ezs note: Police got a lucky break this time.  The transgender woman got a number of clues as she was being raped.The suspect was driving a gold four-door Lexus, possibly an ES 350.  This took place in the Washington DC area.  If you see the car, do NOT encounter the suspect, but contact the police IMMEDIATELY!!!  The phone number for the police is 202-727-9099.

21 June 2014

Chattahoochee Valley foundation hosts first gay pride event

Sara Lim
http://www.wtvm.com


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Without Fanfare, Obama Advances Transgender Rights

LISA LEFF
http://abcnews.go.com


*** click HERE for more ***

45 Trailblazers Who Changed The World, From Pride 1969 To Pride 2014

http://goodmenproject.com


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Transgender priest to preach at National Cathedral

Amy Himmelberg
http://kansasfirstnews.com


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Toronto's gay community choir wants you to sing along (Canada)

Natalia Manzocco
http://www.blogto.com


*** click HERE for more ***

Telford, Telford on Wrekin, England, UK

Credit:  avanews.net