Philly voters to decide on LGBT office, new planning post

Tricia L. Nadolny
philly.com

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please press:  http://www.philly.com

Help our Afghani friends!

Credit:  http://www.aaj.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/AfghanQuake.jpg

We remain unaware - blissfully unaware - of the earthquakes which ravage the poorer countries on which we share this earth.  Even in the area where quakes are more prevalent, things tend to be much sunnier.  Not so in Afghanistan. The death toll has surpassed 100, and is likely to climb much higher.

As for me,  Doctors Without Borders is my choice.  If you agree, please click the logo on the upper right and fill out the donation form that appears here.

Of course, there are many other very worthy funds to donate to.  Here are some others:

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (outside US)

American Red Cross

Save the Children

There are also many churches, synagogues, mosques, and civic groups that are sending money to Afghanistan.   Please be sure, though, that the money being spent is going directly to relief supplies and medication.

Thanks.

Ask Amy: Is her guy hanging with the girls because he's bored? (see third letter)

Amy Dickinson
Chicago Tribune

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please press:  http://www.chicagotribune.com

My Trans Experience: I'm Not Who You Thought I Was

Brad Migliaro
Hartford Courant

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please press:  http://www.courant.com

Tina's Story: My Fifty-Year Journey from Shadow to Sun

Pamela Valentine
Chicago Now

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please press:  http://www.chicagonow.com

'We can't say it’s fine, because it’s not fine': Transgender model Lea T insists LGBT people are still being discriminated against, calls for society to 'do more' (UK)

Valerie Siebert
Daily Mail

Lea T

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please press:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Pope Francis Sees Some Bishops With 'Closed Hearts'

Lucas Grindley
Advocate

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please press:  http://www.advocate.com

Review: 'Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family,' by Amy Ellis Nutt

Kurtis Scaletta
Star Tribune

Amy Ellis Nutt

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please press:  http://www.startribune.com

Christina Kahrl, transgender pioneer long before Caitlyn Jenner, says passion for talking, writing baseball transcends differences

Michael O'Keefe
New York Daily News

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please press:  http://www.nydailynews.com

Viewpoint: October is Transgender Awareness Month

Michaela Bishop

Ravalli Republic

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please press:  http://ravallirepublic.com

Education needed on inclusion of transgender students

Margeaux Mutz
Tallahassee Democrat

Margeaux Mutz

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please press:  http://www.tallahassee.com

Chicago-area school district defies government on transgender access

Fiona Ortiz
Reuters

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please press:  http://www.reuters.com

Dayton, Ohio

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Petition urges Cardiff University to cancel Germaine Greer lecture (UK)

Ben Quinn
The Guardian

Germaine Greer

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please press:  http://www.theguardian.com

Tony Perkins: Trans People Will Try To Go To Jail For 'Free Surgery'

Isabel Carter-Kahn
Right Wing Watch

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please press:  http://www.rightwingwatch.org

In Kolkata, smashing the sex barrier (India)

Shamik Bag
Live Mint

Kolkata, India

Credit:  http://images.skymetweather.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/kolkata-rain.jpg

please press:  http://www.livemint.com

Vote!

Credit:  http://www.politusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/vote-angry-cartoon-election.jpg

First to Canada:  Congratulations!  You made the difference by kicking Conservatives to the curb! Yay!

Next, to the US:  Yeah, I know voting can get a bit discouraging at times.  But, please, look at our friends to the north.  They voted, and they won.  I'll be straight with you.  There are no ironclad guarantees in voting.  But it provides you with the only way in which you have a real voice.  Throw your vote away, and you've thrown your voice away.

PS:  Check to see if you have a ballot initiative as well.  Please don't forget these as well as candidates.

'Gentlemen only' barbers accused of refusing to cut transgender teenager's hair (UK)

Josh Parry
The Mirror

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please press:  http://www.mirror.co.uk

ezs note:  Come on, Evander, we're only being lighthearted.

Uh... we are, aren't we?

LGBT Veteran Activist Stephen Snyder-Hill to Speak at UC

Rachel Richardson
University of Cincinnati 

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please press:  http://www.uc.edu

Laverne Cox to take on iconic ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ role

Adam Howard
MSNBC

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please press:  http://www.msnbc.com

Know the facts behind Houston’s HERO fight

Cece Cox
The Dallas Morning News

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Dallas_Texas_Skyline_bei_Nacht.jpg

please press:  http://lgbtqblog.dallasnews.com

ezs note:  In Houston - and in cities and towns around the country - there are ballot measures around the country.  Don't overlook them!  In Houston, it is being referred to as the HERO measure.  Please vote YES on this measure.  And better yet, bring a friend!

Cuomo Planning Discrimination Protections for Transgender New Yorkers

Jesse McKinley
The New York Times

Credit:  http://www.msnbc.com/sites/msnbc/files/2013/05/ap549511955200_1.jpg

please press:  http://www.nytimes.com

Transgender woman's final message (New Zealand)

Press
nzherald.co.nz

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please press:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz

ezs note:  Crap... on the one hand, I feel so badly for Ashley's friends and family.  On the other hand, if I had gotten to her in time, I would have said there's hope.  There's always hope.

I can't do anything for Ashley now, but I can do something for you.  If you live in New Zealand, there's a whole host of people you can call. They are listed at the end of the article. If you live in the United States, you can call Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386.  If you live in another country, type in "suicide hotline". Look first for a government agency - this way, you won't be duped by a "conversion therapy" line.  (Yeah, these are quacks.)

If you feel despair, get help!!!

Iowa community college offers transgender student housing

Staff
thonline.com

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please press:  http://www.thonline.com  

2016 Ujjain Kumbh: Separate akhada comes up to cater to eunuchs (India)

Staff
The Statesman

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please press:  http://www.thestatesman.com

Cape Air announces support for transgender anti-discrimination legislation

Staff
Cape Cod Today

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please press:  https://www.capecodtoday.com

Gay conversion therapy harms young people, report says

Tia Ghose
CBS

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  please press:  http://www.cbsnews.com

Transgender students at Cal State Long Beach to choose names for IDs, class rosters

Josh Dulaney
Press-Telegram

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please press:  http://www.presstelegram.com

Transgender Canadians Speak Out On Federal Election Issues (Canada)

Al Donato
Huffington Post Canada

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please press:  http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

Indiana governor discusses division on LGBT protections

Press
Daily Herald

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please press:  http://www.dailyherald.com

With release of new book, transgender Maine teen finds her voice

Eric Russell
Portland Press Herald

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please press:  http://www.pressherald.com

Renee's Story: Once Upon a Time

Pamela Valentine
Chicago Now

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please press:  http://www.chicagonow.com

A Brief History Of Memoirs By Trans Women: Lives Beyond Our Identities

Meredith Talusan
Buzzfeed

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please press:  http://www.buzzfeed.com

Gay People In Myanmar Can't Live Openly. Here's Why

Dominique Mosbergen
The World Post/The Huffington Post/Berggruen Institute

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please press:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Hillary Clinton: TSA Dropping 'Anomaly' Is a 'Good Move'

Daniel Reynolds
Advocate

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please press: http://www.advocate.com

Man arrested in transgender woman’s death in Montgomery County

Press
WTOP

Rico Hector Leblond

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please press:  http://wtop.com

Lima, Peru

Credit:  http://theholidaze.com/images/countries/peru/lima-beach.jpg

Bengali Durga Puja all set to dazzle

Press
iFree Press

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please press:  http://www.ifreepress.com

Edmonton Catholic School Board dysfunction could lead to 'dissolution', says expert (Canada)

Paige Parsons

Edmonton Journal

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please press:  http://edmontonjournal.com

Buffalo bolsters anti-discrimination laws to better protect transgender people

Susan Schulman
The Buffalo News

Credit:  http://www.buffalospree.com/images/cache/cache_3/cache_9/cache_9/GBLT-b769d993.jpeg?ver=1415391898&aspectratio=1.3341067285383

please press:  http://www.buffalonews.com

Transgender woman dies after being shot between Montgomery County shopping centers

Press
Daily Reporter

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please press:  http://www.greenfieldreporter.com

ezs note: Please, if you have any information regarding this killing, and you live or travel through Montgomery County, contact the police at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477) immediately!!!

Rest in peace, Zella...

Canada's Girl Guides say all transgender girls are welcome

Michelle Toh
The Christian Science Monitor

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please press:  http://www.csmonitor.com

Please, no excuses!

Credit:  http://ktvn.images.worldnow.com/images/5421498_G.jpg

Okay... I know it's a bit early, but I had to tell you.  Seems that there was this guy who was a bit disgusted.  He couldn't stand Hillary or Bernie.  (Never mind that there were three other candidates he could choose from.) So he wouldn't vote.  I tried to reason with the man; I tried to tell him that what the founders intended was a "more perfect" union, not an "absolutely perfect" union.  But he wouldn't budge.  What could I do?  Hey, I disagreed with the guy, but I do respect him.

Now... to my friends:  Please, don't let this dimwitted, shit-for-brains, asshole, dumb as dirt, nitwitted, troglodyte, moron get you down.  Vote anyways.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

VOTE!

Trans Woman Alleges Harassment, Unjust Firing by Walmart

Trudy Ring
Advocate

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please press:  http://www.advocate.com

How my daughter became my son (New Zealand)

Victoria Lambert
nzherald.co.nz

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please press:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz

Bernie (no, not that Bernie!) school board approves transgender student policy

Derrion Henderson
KFVS12

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please press:  http://www.kfvs12.com

Transgender Rights Didn't Come Up In The First Democratic Presidential Debate, And It Was A Big Oversight

Mari Brighe
Bustle

Credit:  https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/clinton-sanders-2.jpg

please press:  http://www.bustle.com

Outcry over the killing of three transgender women in Argentina (Singapore)

Press
Today

Credit:  http://xpatnation.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Transgender-flag.jpg

please press:  http://www.todayonline.com

ezs note:  Word came from Buenos Aires, Argentina the sad news that three transgender women were murdered.  The most recent one was Diana Sacayan. Whether you live in Buenos Aires or travel there, please contact the Buenos Aires police immediately!!!

Rest in peace, Diana...

Vote!

Credit:  https://jesswanderin.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/jess-vote-04-03a.jpg

Kinda says it all, doesn't it?

VOTE!

ezs comment #4

Credit:  http://theflounce.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/article-header-326x235.png

work cited:  How 4 Black Lives Matter activists handle queerness and trans issues by Deron Dalton

Sometimes, everything just works, y'know?

Last night, I was surfing the Net, when my good friend of the ethers Steve Shives was having an extended conversation with his pal Crocoduck.  Well, they were bantering back and  forth, when Steve used a word which made me pause: intersectionality.  He was arguing that rather than putting the people around the feminist campfire and another around the atheist campfire, they should be brought together..

Now, about Shives' remarks, I see good and bad in them.  Granted, the majority of feminists go hand-in-hand with the atheists, but what about those who are either devout, or those who are simply uncertain?  A good example of this would be Malala Yousafzai.  Does she get kicked to the curb (along with her Nobel medal) simply because of her belief in Islam?

Then the next day came along.  It's fascinating when a particular word comes along and reminds you.  This time it was through How 4 Black Lives Matter activists handle queerness and trans issues.  This was a rather long essay, an interview with Kleaver Cruz, Elle Hearns, Arielle Newton and Kei Williams.  What struck me was how this most ingenious of words, intersectionality, came through on such diverse essays.  Deron Dalton uses it in their introduction, as well as Elle Hearns.

Oddly enough, the one place where I saw intersectionality most at force was at Liberty University.  (Yeah, that's the one where Jerry Falwell made his name.  Oy.)  On this morning though, Bernie Sanders, as left as left can be - in the House or Senate - stood at Liberty's podium.  In his opening paragraph, he made clear the differences the two of them would face, abortion and gay rights.  But then he got on with those areas that they would agree, namely the stilted state of our economy.  Now, could you imagine the Occupy movement standing arm-in-arm with Liberty University students?

It's not as farfetched as you might think.

What was fascinating was watching the opening five minutes of Bernie's speech.  My rough estimate would be 10 to 25  percent gave Bernie a warm welcome.  But this wasn't merely polite applause.  This was raucous cheering.  The loudest cheering was equal rights for women.

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I don't think the men quite got it.

Clearly, the fault lines were being drawn, mainly between the thirty and below and those who are forty and above.  Liberty faculty are scratching their heads.  It's not that the Bible doesn't play a central part in their lives.  It clearly does.  It's just that they are no longer looking at Jesus as a hectoring figure, a  sheep-or-goats dichotomy (mainly Revelation), to looking - closely - at what he actually said and did with his life.  (Mainly, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and to a lesser extent John) In other words, Jack Chick's screeds need apply no longer.

Now, looking at me through the ethers as you do, you have no way of seeing me.  Well, knowing me as well as I can, I am mainly white. (I say "mainly" because my grandmother told a story about a Kickapoo princess marrying a white ancestor, but without evidence, it will remain the stuff of legend.)  But intersectionalities have their way of creeping in, don't they?

Yeah, I'm a white woman, but I'm a white transgender woman. Also, at age 39, I experienced a stroke which essentially left my right limbs severely compromised.  (No tears, please)  I get around in a wheelchair quite nicely.

I remain quite fascinated by intersectionalities.  And those that remain, they have gone from an intrinsic part of my being (mainly my parents, but especially my maternal grandmother) to a useless appendage.  Eh, so I'm white. Big fat fucking deal.

And isn't that what humanity is all about?

Cheers,

Emily