Guatemala - Forced to flee her home, trans activist calls for tolerance

Michelle Hoffman, Alex St-Denis
UNHCR

Guatemalan real coin (pron. ray-AL)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Guatemala_Real_1847_Silver_Coin_Fonrobert_7236.jpg

please press: www.unhcr.org 

civil rights - EXCLUSIVE: LGBTQ Federal Employees Confronted Betsy DeVos Last Year

Rebecca Klein
HuffPost

Betsy DeVos

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Betsy_DeVos_official_portrait.jpg

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

Massachusetts - Transgender Inmate's Discrimination Suit Can Move Forward

Press
US News & World Report

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please press:  www.usnews.com 

lead story - Model Munroe Bergdorf Is Beating The Odds As A Transgender Woman Of Color

Blair Raynor
HuffPost

detail of the Bayeux Tapestry (1066)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Bayeux_Tapestry_WillelmDux.jpg

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

Donald Trump - New York attorney general sues Trump Foundation

Chris Isidore, Melanie Schuman
CNN

Gee, Donald, I told ya you should have stayed in Singapore!  😁

Credit:  https://krebsonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cashcow-e1433131582818.png

please press:  www.cnn.com 

Thailand - Thai transgender women share their truths about social acceptance

Annie Kuo
International Examiner

Angkor, Thailand

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Statue_de_Bouddha_Ayutthaya.JPG

please press:  www.iexaminer.org

civil rights - Guest column: Despite DOJ, court rules transgender discrimination violates federal law

Rob Ratton
Memphis Business Journal

Department of Justice headquarters

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/U.S._Department_of_Justice_headquarters%2C_August_12%2C_2006.jpg

please press:  www.bizjournals.com

Idaho - Boise Pride Fest chooses the mainstream

Anne Wallace Allen
Idaho Statesman

Owyhee Mountains, Idaho

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Owyhee_Mountains.jpg

please press:  www.idahostatesman.com

lead story - China’s transgender people ‘step forward’ from the shadows

Agence France-Presse
South China Morning Post

Along the River During the Qingming Festival, Bianjing

Abt. 12th century CE

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Along_the_River_During_the_Qingming_Festival_%28detail_of_original%29.jpg

please press:  www.scmp.com

Donald Trump - Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen likely to cooperate as his attorneys leave case, sources say

George Stephanopoulos
ABC

Michael Cohen (on right - and down)

Credit:  http://www.sandipointe.com/im/automotive/wile-e-coyote-10.jpg

please press:  abcnews.go.com

Lebanon - Beirut Pride Was Forcibly Canceled. Lebanon’s LGBTQ Community Remains Undeterred.

Trey Strange
HuffPost

Beirut, Lebanon

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Beirutcity.jpg

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

civil rights - HRC Statement on American Medical Association Endorsement of Two LGBTQ-Inclusive Policies

Nick Morrow
HRC

HRC building, Washington DC

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Human_Right_Campaign_headquarters.JPG

please press:  www.hrc.org

Nevada - CCSD to hold public meeting on policy to address needs of transgender students

Philip Moyer
3 News (NBC)

Clark County, NV

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Clark-county-nv-map.gif

please press:  news3lv.com

lead story - 120 House Democrats hit ‘flawed’ science in Pentagon’s plan limiting transgender people in military

Joe Davidson
The Washington Post

Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Joe_Kennedy_III%2C_115th_official_photo.jpg

please press:  www.washingtonpost.com

Donald Trump - The Eight Weirdest Moments of a Very Weird Summit

Yasmeen Serhan
The Atlantic

Credit:  https://johnhively.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/where_does_all_the_money_go___pavel_constantin.jpeg

please press:  www.theatlantic.com

Maldives - 'Serious deterioration’ of human rights in Maldives

Press
Maldives Independent

Malé, Maldives

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Male_maldives_skyline.jpg

please press:  maldivesindependent.com

civil rights - Republicans are essential to winning full LGBT freedom

Margaret Hoover, Tyler Deaton
CNN

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please press:  www.cnn.com

Oklahoma/California - California bans state workers from traveling to yet another state

Adam Ashton
Sacramento Bee

Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve, Oklahoma

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Tallgrass_Prairie_Nature_Preserve_in_Osage_County.jpg

please press:  www.sacbee.com 

lead story - As a transgender female I have been bullied and harassed. This ends now

Melissa Griffiths
The Guardian

Credit:  http://www.dealingwithbullying.com/images/verbalbullyinggirl2sized.jpg

please press:  www.theguardian.com

Missouri - ‘I don’t support them’: Gov. Parson’s views on ‘the homosexual issue’ are cause for concern

Editorial Board
The Kansas City Star

Kansas City, MO

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Downtown_Kansas_City%2C_MO.jpg

please press:  www.kansascity.com

ezs note:  Missourians - I am glad that The Kansas City Star has asked your governor to reconsider his position on LGBT issues.  I honestly hope that he does.   However, if he refuses, please think of a few names - Republican, Democratic, or other - who might consider a run for governor.

lead story - Student says Brownsburg teacher's transgender policy was dangerous

Matthew McClellan
ABC - rtv

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please press:  www.theindychannel.com

Donald Trump - 'FOX & FRIENDS' HOST SLIPS, CALLS TRUMP 'DICTATOR'

Nicole Goodkind
Newsweek

Oh, this is TOO rich!!!

Credit:  https://financialtribune.com/sites/default/files/field/image/17january/03_3trump.jpg

please press:  www.newsweek.com

Jamaica - ‘We Are All Jamaicans!’ - Transgender Woman Pleads For Tolerance

Carlene Davis
The Gleaner

Kingston, Jamaica

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/View_of_Kingston.jpg

please press:  jamaica-gleaner.com 

civil rights - NH Transgender Rights, Gay Conversion Ban Bills Approved

Jason Claffey
patch.com

Hollis, NH

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Winter_in_New_Hampshire.JPG

please press:  patch.com

Minnesota - Vikings to become first NFL team to host summit on LGBTQ inclusion

Lindsay H. Jones
USA Today

Minnesota Vikings

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Cris_Carter_HOF_jersey.jpg

please press:  www.usatoday.com

lead story - How Birth Certificates Are Being Weaponized Against Trans People

Garrett Epps
The Atlantic

Walter A. Plecker (1861-1947), racist

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/PleckerPaperGenocide.jpg

please press:  www.theatlantic.com

Rockford, Michigan

estimated transgender population:  36*
(rounded down)

Credit:  http://rockfordmichamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FishRogue.jpg

ezs note:  Do you like hiking?  Well, I sure do!  If you are in the area of Rockford, Michigan, you are in the midst of a 91-mile trail!  Have fun!

*Credit:  http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/How-Many-Adults-Identify-as-Transgender-in-the-United-States.pdf

Donald Trump - The Madness of King Trump on Full Display at the G7

Christopher Dickey
Daily Beast

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please press:  www.thedailybeast.com

Chile - Chile: Sex Change No Longer Required To Alter Gender Identity

Press
teleSUR

Chilean bell flower (Lapageria rosea)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Lapageria_rosea_Strybing.jpg

please press:  www.telesurtv.net

civil rights - Bill would give transgender inmates in California jails civil rights protections

Beatriz Valenzuela
Q Voice News

Pleasant Valley State Prison

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Pleasant_Valley_State_Prison.jpg

please press:  qvoicenews.com

Rhode Island - R.I. House votes to end ‘gay or trans panic’ defense

Katherine Gregg
Providence Journal

Rhode Island State Capitol

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Rhode_Island_State_House_2.jpg

please press:  www.providencejournal.com

lead story - Despite Trump, transgender veterans honor their own

Michael Mathes
The Times of Israel

Arlington National Cemetery

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Arlington_National_Cemetery_2012.jpg

please press:  www.timesofisrael.com

I think a servicemember said it best:

“In November, people need to get off their butts and vote,” she said.

Any questions, jarheads?  (with apologies to Dr. Heitner)

AUDIO - Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires - Jane Mayer

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uoaTlB5oPA&t=5172s

Donald Trump - An isolated Trump attends the G-7

Stewart Patrick
The Hill

Credit:  http://www.thesentinel.com/mont/media/k2/items/cache/6d883c67dc178d0bc0078a5b55c8d44d_XL.jpg

please press:  thehill.com

Botswana - Group challenges criminalisation of same-sex relationships in Botswana

Press
news24

Gaborone, Botswana

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/CBD_towers%2C_Gaborone_2.jpg

please press:  www.news24.com

civil rights - Civil rights 'under assault' at Justice Department, DOJ 'exile' says

Julie Moreau
NBC News

Credit:  https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Untitled-23.jpg

please press:  www.nbcnews.com

Wyoming - Fight LGBTQ discrimination everywhere we find it

Kerry Drake
WyoFile

Lander, Wyoming

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Lander%2C_WY.jpg

please press:  www.wyofile.com

lead story - A judge has struck down Iowa's Medicaid ban on transgender transition-related care. Here's why.

Courtney Crowder
Des Moines Register

Des Moines, Iowa

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Civic_Center_of_Greater_Des_Moines.jpg

please press:  www.desmoinesregister.com

The National Popular Vote

Credit:  https://i2.wp.com/www.projectvote.org/wp-content/uploads/ElectoralCollegeUnfair.png

ezs note:  Recently, I picked up one of the cards Andy Fleischmann distributes to the part of the town he represents.  Normally, I find that these are a waste of time - but not this time.  He passed a compact for a National Popular Vote (HB 5421 in Connecticut) What this means, essentially, is that Connecticut - and all the other states that agree to the compact - is they will pledge to vote for the popular vote nationwide, thereby eliminating this asinine Electoral College.  I am happy to report that the State Senate passed it, and it was signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy.  If your state hasn't signed this good bill yet, call your State Representative and State Senator to urge a YES vote for the National Popular Vote compact.  Thanks.

Donald Trump - Voters really, really want a check on Trump. This new poll confirms it.

Greg Sargent
The Washington Post

the big blue wave?

Credit:  https://www.sporcolobbista.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tsunami-facts-1.jpg

please press:  www.washingtonpost.com

Hungary - Hungary greenlights first-time features through Incubator Program (exclusive)

Geoffrey MacNab
ScreenDaily

King Saint Stephen (975-1038)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Istvan-ChroniconPictum.jpg

please press:  www.screendaily.com

civil rights - Civil rights rally for transgender community June 23 in SF

David L. Shaw
Finger Lakes Times

Keuka Lake

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Bluffpoint.jpg

please press:  www.fltimes.com   

Vermont - Green Mountain State again leads way on LGBTQ rights

David Jordan
OutSmart

Vermont State House

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Vermont_State_House_Montpelier_VT_2014_10_18_09.JPG

please press:  www.outsmartmagazine.com

lead story - Pure Romance CEO, gay rights leader unveil study that shows transgender teens in peril

Sharon Coolidge
Cincinnati.com

Glacier au dessus de Saas-Fee

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Glacier_au_dessus_de_Saas-Fee.jpg

please press:  www.cincinnati.com

Donald Trump - Exclusive: Trump invokes War of 1812 in testy call with Trudeau over tariffs

Jim Acosta, Paula Martin
CNN

Credit:  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxZZCOf9zc4gnqcPTn8WlXXDB4BmuHo3blJqhBRju9LO0_itz3svr57ofFY5ueeEEvkVw9gFJi5fR3Ue2weLeCNpmI-zutlHbm-EV0xXPknSe6fUIPLsQ4XO_F_lf1UHeCtA_S8qoabQ/s1600/trump+crazy.jpg

please press:  www.cnn.com

Romania - LGBT rights, marriage definition, ‘defending justice’: Three rallies in Bucharest this Saturday

Press
Romania Insider

Bucharest, Romania

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Lacul_Vacaresti_-_Delta_Vacaresti_-_Vara.jpg

please press:  www.romania-insider.com

civil rights - Courts Take Expansive View in Transgender Rights Cases

Mark Walsh
Education Week

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/HistoricMNsupreme.JPG

please press:  www.edweek.org 

Massachusetts - Slim Majority Of Mass. Voters Want To Keep Transgender Public Accommodations Law

Yasmin Amer
WBUR

old sketch of Provincetown, MA

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/North-eastern_view_of_Provincetown%2C_Mass_%28NYPL_b13512827-420860%29.jpg

please press:  www.wbur.org

ezs note:  Massachusetts voters:  Remember, you don't have to plan something gargantuan to make a real difference. Go to town/city hall meetings.  Go to a pancake breakfast. If you a person of faith, go to meetings at your church, synagogue, or mosque.  You get the picture. And you don't have to wear a badge the size of a paper plate.  Just strike up a casual conversation.

Oh, by the way, register and VOTE.  This makes a REAL difference.

lead story - By Any Other Name

Colleen Flaherty
Inside Higher Education

Vibia Sabina (ca. 136 CE)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Vibia_Sabina_%28Villa_Adriana%29_01.jpg

please press:  www.insidehighered.com

Donald Trump - DeVos: Trump school safety panel won’t look at guns

Michael Stratford
Politico

Betsy DeVos

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Betsy_DeVos_official_portrait.jpg

please press:  www.politico.com