Emily's virtual rocket

01 October 2017

Planning and Zoning Commission? Who votes for that?

Credit: https://www.siggraph.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_news/public/field/image/vote-scrabble-pieces.jpg?itok=2b7IUkWC

ezs note: Well... Chris Murphy, for one. You see, way back when, Chris ran for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Small potatoes, to be sure. It wasn't even the 'limelight' of the Southington Town Council.

But, Chris moved up. Way up.

Today he is the junior US Senator from Connecticut. There is even talk - it's a dark horse, to be sure - of him taking Herr Donald's place! (Please, let it be so!)

Granted, it's a long shot. (Okay... really long...) But when you vote for... or against... someone's chances are helped or hurt, and your vote weighs far more heavily in a local election.

Election Day is November 7. Please remember to vote.

SNL returned with Donald Trump once again playing center stage

Theodore Schleifer
recode

Alec Baldwin, playing you-know-who

Credit: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/171001001426-trump-snl-season-premiere-1024x576.jpeg

please press: www.recode.net

Thousands March in Uruguay to Demand Rights for Trans People (Argentina)

Press
TeleSur

Credit: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/media/images/63656000/gif/_63656987_uruguay.gif

please press: www.telesurtv.net

War history, military history, LGBT history? Yep, Norfolk has plenty of that, too. A local historian has created a tour about it

Denise M. Watson
The Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk, VA ca. 1900

Credit: https://i.pinimg.com/236x/24/d1/ef/24d1ef20ce51fa2c5165133c5c877903--norfolk-boats.jpg

please press: pilotonline.com

A colorful day along the Greenbelt at Idaho Falls Pride Days

Leslie Sieger
East Idaho News.com

Credit: https://www.pridefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Idaho-Falls-Pride-banner-1024x1024.jpg

please press: www.eastidahonews.com

NJ transgender student beaten in 'vicious' high school attack

Francis Lally
app.

Credit: http://ste.india.com/sites/default/files/2015/12/11/440736-rape-1.jpg

please press: www.app.com

30 September 2017

Donald Trump's last 7 days are just mind-bogglingly bad

Chris Cillizza
CNN

Credit: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4f/c8/e9/4fc8e957c2b7041ea97642c2ac82df02--real-donald-trump-donald-oconnor.jpg

please press: www.cnn.com

Malawi told to stop inquiry on homosexuals: ‘Human rights are not for public opinion’ (Malawi)

Hudson Mphande
Nyasa Times

Credit: http://www.operationworld.org/files/ow/maps/lgmap/mala-MMAP-md.png

please press: www.nyasatimes.com

Missouri transgender teen’s killing will not be charged as a hate crime

John Riley
Metro Weekly

Credit: http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com/files/2016/01/10/635880254892802937-147520905_powerofprotest.jpg

please press: www.metroweekly.com

ezs note: Missourians - here are four things you can do to change things.

1. Call (don't e-write) the governor. His number is 573-751-3222.

2. Call the state congressperson and state senator.

3. If you hear of a protest march, go if you possibly can. Go early and often.

4. Call or e-write your like-minded friends to do the same.

Arkansas attorney general asking court to block a city's LGBT protections

Press
ArkansasOnline

Ah, some things never change... (unfortunately)

Credit: http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2014/01/Little_Rock_integration_protest-P.jpeg

please press: www.arkansasonline.com

ezs note: Well.. you can. The phone number for the Attorney General in Arkansas is 501-682-2007. If she refuses, or is silent, you can start a grassroots movement for her opponent. Am I asking a lot? Yup. But it's been done before, and you can do it again.

YSU's 1st Transgender Director Aims to Help All Students

Amanda Tonoli
US News & World Report

Credit: https://cms.ysu.edu/sites/default/files/images/web-ysu/YSU_Entrance.jpg

please press: www.usnews.com

Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

estimated transgender population: 35*

(rounded down)

(population larger outside borough limits)

Joseph P. Oller House

Waynesboro, PA

Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Oller_Hs_Waynesboro_PA_Hist_Society.JPG/260px-Oller_Hs_Waynesboro_PA_Hist_Society.JPG

ezs note: The Joseph J. Oller House is just one of the beautiful sights you'll get to see when you visit Waynesboro, Pennsylvania! Come on down and visit!

*Credit: UCLA

29 September 2017

Betsy DeVos Says She Did Math on Trump’s Tax Plan and It Will Save Nation Eleventy Krillion

Andy Borowitz
The New Yorker

Credit: http://image.cagle.com/188410/750/betsy-devos.png

please press: www.newyorker.com

Israel Proves Rich Pickings in Latest Season of 'Transparent,' Say Critics

Press
Haaretz

Wailing Wall, Israel

Credit: http://images.wisegeek.com/morning-prayers-at-the-western-wall-in-jerusalem.jpg

please press: www.haaretz.com

Cornyn has doubts about nominee who said transgender rights were ‘Satan’s plan’

Kevin Diaz
San Antonio Express-News

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Credit: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Sen.%20Cornyn%20-%20Official%20Portrait%20%282009%29.jpg

please press: www.expressnews.com

Transgender Naval officer’s talk moved to bigger West Texas A&M venue due to increased interest

Robert Stein
amarillo.com

Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ac/WTAMU_seal.png

please press: amarillo.com

A Place to Call Home

Susan Milligan
US News & World Report

Credit: http://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/the_salvation_army_0_72907.jpg

please press: www.usnews.com

Thank you, John Nichols!

John Nichols

Credit: http://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/johnnichols_small1.jpg

ezs note: A few days ago, I saw John Nichols discussing his new book, "Horsemen Of The Trumpoocalypse". About halfway through, he mentioned criticizing the Cabinet, not just Trump himself. Really, it was a simple idea, but one which could chop an idea (!) into pieces, not just lop off the head. So today I will start with Betsy DeVos, then randomly select other Cabinet members, roughly one day out of six. (In other words, I'll roll the die.)

Once again, thank you, John Nichols!

28 September 2017

Bathroom bill is dead, but one Dallas transgender man won't stop fighting

Lauren McGaughy
Dallas News

Credit: http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kera/files/styles/x_large/public/201704/BTACC-3.jpg

please press: www.dallasnews.com

California Is Adding Gender Category 'X' to State IDs. Good—Your Gender Isn't the Government's Business.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown
Reason

Credit: https://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/america.jpg

please press: reason.com

A transgender minister's 'long, painful, joyous, happy and dizzying' road to acceptance

Monsy Alvarado
NorthJersey.com

Credit: https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9f2c77c49ee5c8c5597ec74afecf329ec1d3fc20/r=540/https/media.gannett-cdn.com/5114477740001/5114477740001_5575419895001_5575414121001-vs.jpg

please press: www.northjersey.com

27 September 2017

"Horsemen Of The Trumpocalypse" - John Nichols

Credit: C-Span (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFVg0AUWxGA)

The Distance Between Donald Trump and Puerto Rico

Amy Davidson Sorkin
The New Yorker

Credit: https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/520ca2d/2147483647/resize/1200x%3E/format/png/quality/85/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2Fbb%2F2e%2F55116f0d4d1ca6ce2bf402754d05%2F20170926edwas-a.tif

please press: www.newyorker.com

Meet Daniela Vega, Who Could Be the First Transgender Actress Nominated For an Oscar

Patrik Sandberg
W

Daniela Vega

Credit: http://s3.amazonaws.com/lahora-cl-bkt/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/30212453/daniela-vega-entrevista-lahora.jpg

please press: www.wmagazine.com

Pottsville transgender woman settles discrimination lawsuit

Mark Gilger Jr.
Republican Herald

Pottsville, PA (Yuengling mansion)

please press: republicanherald.com

North Carolina’s Gerrymandering Puts Democracy on the Line

Barry Yeoman
The Nation

Credit: http://web.csulb.edu/~astevens/posc100/files/notes/nc12.jpg

please press: www.thenation.com

Wichita district not buying transgender novel for elementary schools

Suzanne Perez Tobias
The Wichita Eagle

Credit: http://toonclips.com/600/cartoon-female-librarian-sitting-at-a-desk-by-toonaday-5210.jpg

please press: www.kansas.com

Ham & AiG News - Paulogia and Amy

Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySZANZA8erQ

ezs note: This is a YouTube piece which might be of use to you if you are a transgender person living in Canada. It alternates between Ken Ham - everyone's favorite nutball - and Paulogia & Amy, who actually read the books they're supposed to read, (The transgender section runs about half)

26 September 2017

LeBron James Is Right. Donald Trump Is a Bum.

Joan Walsh
The Nation

Credit: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/be/a1/9b/bea19baa9120baa97b88fb18eb819312--donald-trump-donald-oconnor.jpg

please press: www.thenation.com

Trinidad and Tobago: A nation in the closet

Maykel Gonzalez-Vivero
Washington Blade

Trinidad and Tobago

Credit: http://www.equinofunholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/p14trinidad%20and%20tobago.jpg

please press: www.washingtonblade.com

Lawsuit filed in Pensacola over transgender rights

Allie Norton
WEAR-TV

Credit: https://storage.googleapis.com/idx-acnt-gs.ihouseprd.com/AR438013/file_manager/pensacola.jpg

please press: weartv.com

ezs note: To join, or increase your donation, contact the ACLU. Thanks.

Murdered transgender teen had her genitals mutilated before she was set on fire (UK)

Josh Jackman
Pink News

Ally Steinfeld (2000-2017)

Credit: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/images/2017/09/ally-steinfeld-facebook-9_640x345_acf_cropped.jpg

please press: www.pinknews.co.uk

‘Just who I am’: In new ad, Va. Democratic candidate discusses being transgender

Antonio Olivo
The Washington Post

Credit: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBZKY6XXUAAb3vv.jpg

please press: www.washingtonpost.com

25 September 2017

The protesting NFL players, not Donald Trump, are the true patriots

Suzanne Moore
The Guardian

Credit: http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.13490520.1492593087!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_525/image.jpg

please press: www.theguardian.com

Human Rights Council adopts universal periodic review outcomes of Bahrain, Ecuador and Tunisia

Press
UN Human Rights Council

Credit: http://iransr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/OHCHR-logo-White-450x300.jpeg

please press: reliefweb.int

ezs note: Originally a review of Oman, this blog morphed into a United Nations Human Rights meeting. Although this was a summary, it is very lengthy. The thing you might want to take note of is how countries fare in LGBTQIA rights. The other thing you may wish to take advantage of is reliefweb.int.

Will transgender people be denied chance to serve in the military?

Andy Fitzpatrick
Battle Creek Enquirer

Battle Creek (MI) Medical Center

Credit: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/image.asp?id=11&parm=facility

please press: www.battlecreekenquirer.com

Boyertown students to appeal transgender bathroom ruling

Peter Hall
The Morning Call

two of Boyertown High's finest

Credit: http://mtv.mtvnimages.com/crop-images/2014/10/13/beavisandbutthead.jpg?width=640&height=360&crop=true&resize=true

please press: www.mcall.com

A Trump judicial pick said transgender children are proof that ‘Satan’s plan is working’

Kristine Philipps
The Washington Post

Credit: http://byebyepie.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f9367fb8834017d4178c5da970c-pi

please press: www.washingtonpost.com

ezs note: I know I've brought Jeff Mateen's name before you again, but the more people who put pressure on Senators to say "NO" the better. Remember, you have two Senators from your state. You can contact them at www.senate.gov. Thanks.

24 September 2017

"Unbelievable" - Katy Tur and Jake Sherman

Credit: C-SPAN

The Fragile, Toxic Masculinity of Donald Trump

Dave Zirin
The Nation

Credit: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b5/de/6f/b5de6f8af9635bbd78cefd2b6b33c9f1--trump-jokes-trump-train.jpg

please press: www.thenation.com

Thousands protest ruling to overturn ban on 'conversion therapy' for gays and lesbians in Brazil

Jill Langlois
Los Angeles Times

Credit: http://www.yegdeals.com/img/ul/x44jmy76qnj2bivk.jpg

please press: www.latimes.com

5 films you have to see from this Austin’s gay and lesbian film fest

Matt Shiverdecker
Statesman

Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992)

Credit: https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/marsha-p-johnson.jpeg?w=670&h=377&crop=1

please press: www.statesman.com

ezs note: If you go to the movies, see in particular The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (pictured above) and Trans Youth.

Forced from an abusive home at 16, she knows what it’s like to be a homeless teenager

Laura Bauer

The Kansas City Star

Credit: http://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/styles/issues_270x170/public/images/issues/lgbthomeless.png?itok=2PBBuMJh

please press: www.kansascity.com

Violence has no place in transgender debate (UK)

Linda Bellos, Lucy Masoud etc.
The Guardian

Credit: https://pitakwatimes.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/say-no-to-violence.jpg

please press: www.theguardian.com

ezs note: Y'know, Linda, Lucy and I might have some differing views about politics, ethics, et cetera, but one thing which we absolutely agree is this - violence is wrong. I ran across a book/pamphlet entitled A Force More Powerful which explains 198 nonviolent means by which people can be persuaded. If you can't find one out of 198 - you're just too freakin' lazy.