civil rights - Human Rights Campaign Endorses Pro-Equality Candidate Candidate Mike Levin for U.S. Congress

Chris Sgro
HRC

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khsfhEeD0tg

please press:  www.hrc.org

Montana - Bathroom Initiative 'Should Have Been A Slam Dunk,' Montana Family Foundation Says

Corin Cates-Carney
Montana Public Radio

My heart bleeds... NOT!!!

Credit:  https://toonclips.com/600/cartoon-dirty-blond-white-boy-crying-over-a-small-boo-boo-by-toonaday-56430.jpg

please press:  www.mtpr.org

lead story - Are you sure it wasn’t your girl name?’ Transgender woman outed by airline crew member

Patrick Kelleher
PinkNews

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/WestJet_737-200_C-GWJE.jpg

please press:  www.pinknews.co.uk

Wallingford, Connecticut

estimated transgender population:  261*
(rounded down)

Wallingford, CT

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Paul_Mellon_Arts_Center_-_Choate_Rosemary_Hall%2C_Wallingford%2C_Connecticut.JPG

ezs note:  Built by the famed architect I. M. Pei (still alive!), Wallingford, Connecticut is home to the Modernist Paul Mellon Arts Center.  If you are an architecture buff, come on down!

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

Donald Trump - Sad! Don Jr. uses obviously photoshopped image to falsely inflate Trump’s approval rating

Aaron Rupar
ThinkProgress

Credit:  https://sceneenough.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/495437275v2_480x480_front_color-black_padtosquare-true1.jpg

please press:  thinkprogress.org

Hong Kong - Judge ruling a blow to transgender rights in Hong Kong...

Chris Lau
South China Morning Post

Credit:  http://hkpinoytv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/HighCourt.png

please press:  www.scmp.com

civil rights - Transgender and gender non-conforming women sue New York chicken restaurant for discrimination

John Riley
Metroweekly

Harlem (New York City), NY

please press:  www.metroweekly.com  

Tennessee - How Bill Lee and Karl Dean plan to win Tennessee's race for governor

Joey Garrison, Dave Boucher
Tennesseean.

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Tennessee_State_Capitol_2009.jpg

please press:  www.tennessean.com   

ezs note: It's down in the article, but you might wish to take note of how transgender boys and girls are treated.

lead story - Transgender candidates could make history in upcoming races

Daniel Trotta
Reuters

Christine Hallquist

Credit:  https://vtconversation.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/hallquist.jpg

please press:  www.reuters.com  

ezs note:  One way in which you could make a difference is by giving to victoryfund.org candidates.  From Maine to Alaska, there's probably someone worthy of your support. 

Donald Trump - Jimmy Kimmel Is Recruiting For Donald Trump’s ‘Space Force’

Lee Moran
HuffPost

Jimmy Kimmel

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Jimmy_Kimmel_and_Cousin_Sal_%28cropped%29.jpg

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

Jamaica - The rough, rugged life of a transgender surviving in Ja

Tanesha Mundle
Jamaica Observer

Jamaica

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Dunns_River_Falls_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg

please press:  www.jamaicaobserver.com

civil rights - Policy Changes Could Make Air Travel Easier For Transgender People

Casey Mendoza
NewsChannel5

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/S7_Airlines_Boeing_767-300.jpg

please press:  www.newschannel5.com

Virginia - Transgender woman claims discrimination at Shockoe Bottom night club

Allison Norlian
NBC12

Shockoe Bottom, VA (part of Richmond)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/17th_Street%2C_Richmond%2C_Virginia.JPG

please press:  www.nbc12.com

lead story - Wilton Community Center hosts talk on transgender issues

Ashley Saari
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Wilton, NH

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Aunt_Mary_Ann_Cottage%2C_Wilton%2C_NH.jpg

please press:  www.ledgertranscript.com

My choice in primaries (Connecticut)

Credit:  https://gm-volt.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/vote.jpg

ezs note:  Well, Primary Day is approaching, (next Tuesday) and you might be thinking of who to vote for.  Well, I thought of this myself, and I thought I'd share them with you.  I'm not endorsing these picks, just thought I'd share them with you.  For the top pick only,  I let you know who both the Democratic and Republican choices are.  Here goes: 

Governor

If you are choosing Democratic:  Joe Ganim, Ned Lamont - Just so you know, I campaigned very briefly for Ned eight years ago.  That having been said, I still looked at his campaign literature very carefully. I still have a few follow-up questions, but I feel comfortable with Ned.  This is not the case with Joe - far from it.   Let's leave his time in the pokey(!)  Bridgeport is the worst city in the state, and under Ganim's watch, it ain't getting any better. 

If you are choosing Republican:  Mark Boughton, Tim Herbst, Steve Obsitnik, Bob Stefanowski, David Stemerman -  Yeah, yeah, I know.  None of these choices are exactly wonderful (at least to me).  But if I had to choose one, Bob Stefanowski would be my choice. He uses the high road, and for me, that's a good sign.

Lieutenant Governor

Susan Bysiewicz, Charlie Stallworth, Eva Bermudez-Zimmerman - Susan is the endorsed candidate, but she's got flaws that I can't overlook.  Bermudez-Zimmerman seems to be the better choice.

Attorney General

Paul Doyle, Chris Mattei, William Tong - William is the best choice, by far.  If Richard Blumenthal retires, I'd pick him to be the next US Senator.

Treasurer

Dita Bhargava, Shawn Wooden - Can we talk, Dita?  You might the most wonderful treasurer in the world.  But you soured me. Permanently.  Go away, Dita. I'm picking Shawn Wooden.

18th State House

Andy Fleischmann, Jillian Gilchrest - A tough choice, because I like and respect them both.  I give the nod to Jillian, though, because it's really time for a change, not any animus toward you.

Donald Trump - Omarosa Secretly Recorded Trump and Played the Audio for People, Sources Say

Lachlan Markay, Asawin Suebsaeng, Maxwell Tani
Daily Beast

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Compactcassette.jpg

please press:  www.thedailybeast.com

Singapore - PINK DOT: SINGAPORE’S RARE GEM FOR LGBT COMMUNITY SHINES BRIGHTER THAN EVER

Bhavan Jaipragas
South China Morning Post

Singapore

Credit:  https://wikitravel.org/upload/shared//6/6f/Singapore_overview.jpg

please press:  www.scmp.com

civil rights - New HRC Report Details Threat Brett Kavanaugh Poses to LGBTQ Americans

Press
Windy City Times

Brett Kavanaugh

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Judge_Brett_Kavanaugh.jpg

please press:  www.windycitymediagroup.com

Kentucky - After investigation, Manual principal who made racial remarks is out

Mandy McLaren
Courier-Journal

duPont Manual High School

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

please press:  www.courier-journal.com  

ezs note: In addition to the racial remarks, the principal made insensitive remarks to a transgender boy.  These are roughly halfway through the article. 

lead story - Some transgender drivers are being kicked off Uber’s app

Jaden Urbi
CNBC

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Protest_against_Uber_-_Budapest%2C_2016.01.18_%282%29.JPG

 please press:  www.cnbc.com

Donald Trump - Wall Street Journal: Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen under investigation for possible tax fraud

Maegan Vazquez
CNN

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ad/81/3f/ad813f362c8f3bb3764150d7aa41ab77.jpg

please press:  www.cnn.com

Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka lacks progress in protecting rights of women, LGBT community and minorities: UK

Press
economynext

Sri Lanka

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Sri_Paada1.JPG

please press:  economynext.com

civil rights - How Caitlyn Jenner Is Secretly Fighting Trump’s White House on Transgender Rights

Ramin Setoodeh
Variety

Caitlyn Jenner

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Web_Summit_2017_-_Centre_Stage_Day_3_DF2_7286_%2838286777521%29.jpg

please press:  variety.com

Minnesota - All are welcome in Hastings (unless you’re transgender), say pastors

Hannah Jones
Citypages

Hastings, MN

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

please press:  www.citypages.com 

lead story - Democrats poised to pick transgender woman for Vermont governor

Ben Schreckinger
Politico

Underhill, Vermont

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/2017-09-11_10_27_43_View_east_along_the_Maple_Ridge_Trail_at_the_junction_with_the_Frost_Trail_on_the_western_slopes_of_Mount_Mansfield_within_Mount_Mansfield_State_Forest_in_Underhill%2C_Chittenden_County%2C_Vermont.jpg

please press:  www.politico.com

VIDEO - Matt Baume - Texas GOP's Wildly Anti-LGBT Platform

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzK9XrTXdR8

Luxembourg - Luxembourg makes status change for transgender people easier

Barbara Tasch
Luxembourg Times

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg  (Chamber Of Deputies)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Chamber_of_Deputies_of_Luxembourg.JPG

please press:  luxtimes.lu

civil rights - Iowa 4-H director fired after gay, transgender inclusion policy inflames conservative groups

Courtney Crowder
USA Today

  

4-H symbol

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Oldham_County%2C_TX%2C_4-H_emblem_IMG_4911.JPG

please press:  www.usatoday.com 

Indiana - Indiana school must allow transgender to use male bathroom

Press
The Seattle Times

Evansville, IN

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Evansville-sky-view.jpg

please press:  www.seattletimes.com

lead story - Transgender men can help the #MeToo movement. Don’t exclude us

Lee Hurley
The Guardian

Credit:  https://ftmmagazineimages.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/dsc_0337a.jpg

please press:  www.theguardian.com

In memoriam...

Today, another fire burns in Chicago... 😟

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Chicago-fire1.jpg

VIDEO - Matt Baume - Trump's "Religious Liberty Task Force" is a Major Threat

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhzMI61DZv0

Donald Trump - Paul Manafort’s First Trial Is a Sideshow. The Next One Won’t Be.

Cristian Farias
New York

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/14/d3/96/14d396a80d9d406ea89839aa00f73879.png

please press:  nymag.com

ezs note:  I know it's a long read, but the 92-page document is important.  Please read it if you have the time.

Thailand - Major beauty brands are celebrating the Thai trans community

Sofia Lotto Persio
Pink News

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Krungthepmahanakorn.jpg

please press:  www.pinknews.co.uk

civil rights - Five Ways HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council Shows Up for LGBTQ Youth

Helen Parshall
HRC

US Capitol

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/United_States_Capitol_building_under_renovation_November_2014_photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg

please press:  www.hrc.org

ezs note:  Even if you're only slightly uncertain as to your ability to vote, it might be wise to make sure.  Make a voting plan!

Nebraska - Social Success at First Veteran LGBTQ Event in Omaha

Jennifer Scales
DVIDS

Omaha, NE

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Heartland_of_America_Park%2C_Omaha%2C_Nebraska.jpg

please press:  www.dvidshub.net 

ezs note:  LGBTQ veterans - in case you missed it, here are some numbers you can reach the Whole Health Program (Nebraska only):

Omaha - 402-599-2130

Lincoln - 402-486-7822

Grand Island - 308-395-3495

    

lead story - NHS threatened with legal action unless it offers transgender people fertility treatment

Josh Gabbatiss
Independent

London, UK

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/bb/dd/b9bbdd587955cb11ddfb7a5204a1c6ea.jpg

please press:  www.independent.co.uk

Donald Trump - Debate rages over Trump tweets and obstruction

Morgan Chalfant
The Hill

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/41/25/3f4125473d680e92220b69eb4a074e47.jpg

please press:  thehill.com  

Dominican Republic - Gay Pride Parade in the Dominican Republic: Shift in the country’s culture?

Joaquin Salazar
via.news

Credit:  https://wikitravel.org/upload/en/d/d2/Dominican_Republic_Regions_Map.png

please press:  

civil rights - Middle school principal wrote transgender women ‘are NOT women.’ He says he regrets it.

Lexi Cortes
Belleville News-Democrat

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fc/10/42/fc104200b2eddef213410d0936a738b9.jpg

please press:  www.bnd.com

ezs note:  If this paragraph were written by a janitor or a substitute teacher,  yeah, maybe I'd give him/her a pass. But a principal???  I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I'd think long and hard if I were offered this position. 

Virginia - Michael Berlucchi, Kathy Hinson and Tracey Swinarsky: Beach coalition to work for equal rights

Michael Berlucchi, Kathy Hinson, Tracey Swinarsky
The Virginian-Pilot

Virginia Beach, VA

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/VirginiaBeach.jpg

please press:  pilotonline.com

lead story - 'Pose' Renewal Is Proof That Transgender People Can Play Trans Characters and Succeed, Producer Says

Lesley Goldberg
The Hollywood Reporter

Pose (TV show)

Credit:  https://tomandlorenzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Pose-Season-1-Episode-1-FX-TV-Reviews-Tom-Lorenzo-Site-8.jpg

please press:  www.hollywoodreporter.com

Springfield, Missouri

estimated transgender population:  971*
(rounded up)

Springfield, MO

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/A_Nighttime_view_of_Hammon%27s_Tower_-_panoramio.jpg

ezs note:  Horace Duncan.  Fred Coker.  Will Allen.   Three African-Americans who were taken from their homes and lynched.  Springfield, Missouri did what was right and put up a plaque commemorating this ugly event - but it's only worth it if you take the children to the square and let them know what happened there.

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

Donald Trump - Stephen Colbert Delivers Blistering Takedown Of Ivanka Trump: ‘WHAT DO YOU DO?’ (see video)

Lee Moran
HuffPost

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5JawiWe8Q

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

Spain - Miss Universe's first transgender contestant aims to be a role model for trans kids

Press
USA Today

section of ruins, Sevilla, Spain

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Ca%C3%B1os_de_Carmona_en_calle_Luis_Montoto_%282%29.jpg

please press:  www.usatoday.com 

civil rights - Transgender passport rules haven't changed, advocates confirm amid concerns

Kit Ramgopal
NBC News

Credit:  http://www.clker.com/cliparts/b/0/b/9/R/x/us-passport-md.png

please press:  www.nbcnews.com

ezs note:  If you have a friend who is a lawyer and are planning a trip, it might be best to doublecheck. But overall, this is good news (for a change!)

Massachusetts - ACLU Massachusetts helps release 14 transgender immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody

Kristin LaFratta
MassLive

Here's to you, Trump!

Credit:  https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/vsbattles/images/3/3e/Be25a47224b2bfbd03c71ee4d72256c0_middle-finger-emoji-middle-finger-emoji-clipart_1189-1189.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20170405162358

please press:  www.masslive.com

lead story - Parents of three transgender teens sue Warren County judge to allow name change

Staff
WCPO

Credit:  http://rixtrema.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/153902607-1.jpg

please press:  www.wcpo.com

Donald Trump - Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Bonkers Tweet About ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Goes Awry

Lee Moran
HuffPost

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8PrXc9D7mg

please press:  www.huffingtonpost.com

Belarus - Belarus Refuses Asylum For Uzbek Transgender Woman

Press
RFE/RL

Minsk, Belarus

Credit:  https://financialtribune.com/sites/default/files/field/image/17january/14_belarus-.jpg

please press:  www.rferl.org