27 August 2019
Mississippi - MISSISSIPPI CHURCH VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO KICK OUT LESBIAN COUPLE. PASTOR TELLS THEM 'I HAD HOPED YOU WOULD REPENT'
Daniel Avery
Newsweek
Newsweek
Southaven, MS
please press: www.newsweek.com
ezs note: Y'know, churches do have the right to make whatever screwball letter they'd like. But a couple has the right to leave. And good riddance to you. 😆
lead story - When Transgender Travelers Walk Into Scanners, Invasive Searches Sometimes Wait on the Other Side
26 August 2019
review of Shishunki Bitter Change
author: Masayoshi
Shishunki Bitter Change
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Shishunki_Bitter_Change_volume_1_cover.jpg
Before I get started on the main manga, there is a story to be told. It originally started in Japan, from Empress Koken. (孝謙天皇, 713-770 CE) It describes the tale of the cow-herder and the seamstress, or Higoboshi and Orihime. To keep things very short, they were very star-crossed lovers. Due to her father's anger, they would only be allowed once a year. In modern times, slips of paper would be handed out, with wishes for the future written on them. They were then hung on a holiday tree. (perhaps analogous to a Christmas tree)
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Japanese woodblock of Tanabata, 1852
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Tanabata_Festival_in_Edo_%28Hiroshige%2C_1852%29.jpg
Now to the manga. Yui (大塚 結依) and Yuuta(木村 佑太) are, in the beginning, elementary school students at later grades. (5th-6th grade?) Supposedly, they were at an earlier grade, but this is where the drama takes place. The change takes place immediately, with Yuuta falling from the tree onto Yui. Perhaps you don't see it (well, at this point you don't see at all, unless you're psychic) but the hint is starting to crop up; the cap is seen. To Masayoshi's credit, he puts in the tiniest detail, things that you won't see for detail, but things that are there - to which an uninformed public will pooh-pooh him for his (relatively) spare drawing.
However, to his demerits, are the supporting cast. One of the earliest is Haruki (木村 春樹) one of the kindest, most thoughtful little boys around. Yeah, he's a bit of a squirt, but that's the exception rather than the rule. However, in his last scene (and absolutely the most important one) neither Yui nor Yuuta mentions his name at all. Not once. If taken alone, he might as well be a stick figure. Granted, Yui and Yuuta are involved in one of the most intense conversations of their lives... but still, Haruki deserves better.
One other problematic person is that of Tachibana (橘 隼人). He doesn't show up until chapter 20, and when he does appear, you might think that he's little more than a street punk. However, he does appear far more greatly. When he does (finally, at last) decide to attend high school, he has grown to such an extent that he qualifies as a minor/major character. Shortly after the kiss he plants on Yuuta, however, he becomes strangely silent. It's not nearly as irksome as what happened to Haruki, but it left me wanting nevertheless.
The singular problem facing Yui and Yuuta is not, strictly speaking, "transgender". For example, in the earlier sections, both Yui and Yuuta desperately want to change back to their "normal" skin. But what is "normal", after all? Neither Yui nor Yuuta can dodge the complexities of life. They can't escape that this is normal.
In the final chapter, Kazuma (高岡 和馬) one of the other minor characters, nevertheless gets to utter one of the more intriguing passages. He says, "I... think it's (Yui and Yuuta) been decided ages ago."
We - all of us who follow a different path - are descendants of the cow-herders and seamstresses.
Before I get started on the main manga, there is a story to be told. It originally started in Japan, from Empress Koken. (孝謙天皇, 713-770 CE) It describes the tale of the cow-herder and the seamstress, or Higoboshi and Orihime. To keep things very short, they were very star-crossed lovers. Due to her father's anger, they would only be allowed once a year. In modern times, slips of paper would be handed out, with wishes for the future written on them. They were then hung on a holiday tree. (perhaps analogous to a Christmas tree)
Japanese woodblock of Tanabata, 1852
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Tanabata_Festival_in_Edo_%28Hiroshige%2C_1852%29.jpg
Now to the manga. Yui (大塚 結依) and Yuuta(木村 佑太) are, in the beginning, elementary school students at later grades. (5th-6th grade?) Supposedly, they were at an earlier grade, but this is where the drama takes place. The change takes place immediately, with Yuuta falling from the tree onto Yui. Perhaps you don't see it (well, at this point you don't see at all, unless you're psychic) but the hint is starting to crop up; the cap is seen. To Masayoshi's credit, he puts in the tiniest detail, things that you won't see for detail, but things that are there - to which an uninformed public will pooh-pooh him for his (relatively) spare drawing.
However, to his demerits, are the supporting cast. One of the earliest is Haruki (木村 春樹) one of the kindest, most thoughtful little boys around. Yeah, he's a bit of a squirt, but that's the exception rather than the rule. However, in his last scene (and absolutely the most important one) neither Yui nor Yuuta mentions his name at all. Not once. If taken alone, he might as well be a stick figure. Granted, Yui and Yuuta are involved in one of the most intense conversations of their lives... but still, Haruki deserves better.
One other problematic person is that of Tachibana (橘 隼人). He doesn't show up until chapter 20, and when he does appear, you might think that he's little more than a street punk. However, he does appear far more greatly. When he does (finally, at last) decide to attend high school, he has grown to such an extent that he qualifies as a minor/major character. Shortly after the kiss he plants on Yuuta, however, he becomes strangely silent. It's not nearly as irksome as what happened to Haruki, but it left me wanting nevertheless.
The singular problem facing Yui and Yuuta is not, strictly speaking, "transgender". For example, in the earlier sections, both Yui and Yuuta desperately want to change back to their "normal" skin. But what is "normal", after all? Neither Yui nor Yuuta can dodge the complexities of life. They can't escape that this is normal.
In the final chapter, Kazuma (高岡 和馬) one of the other minor characters, nevertheless gets to utter one of the more intriguing passages. He says, "I... think it's (Yui and Yuuta) been decided ages ago."
We - all of us who follow a different path - are descendants of the cow-herders and seamstresses.
24 August 2019
Minnesota - Court allows Minnesota to join lawsuit against Anoka-Hennepin Schools alleging transgender discrimination
lead story - Court Says Idaho Must Provide Gender Confirmation Surgery To Transgender Inmate
23 August 2019
Nebraska - Nebraska’s First Openly LGBTQ Lawmaker Wants to Get More Queer People Elected
lead story - 'Have to be heard': Advocates speak out about violence against black transgender women at Black Pride Festival
22 August 2019
lead story - Transgender issues: Where the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates stand
Emily Tillett
CBS
CBS
Vermin Supreme (and no, this is not a joke...)
(Hey, he's better than Trump...)
please press: www.cbsnews.com
21 August 2019
Donald Trump - Yes, Donald Trump really believes he is 'the chosen one'
Palestine - Palestine Authority police ban Palestinian LGBT group from holding activities in West Bank
Adam Rasgon
The Times Of Israel
The Times Of Israel
Nablus, Palestine
(old Palestinian passport)
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/British_Mandate_Palestinian_passport.jpg
please press: www.timesofisrael.com
civil rights - N.H. AG Pursues Civil Rights Case On Behalf of Transgender Woman in Nashua
Arizona - If he runs, Curt Schilling says he would take on Rep. Tom O'Halleran
Ronald J. Hansen
azcentral.
azcentral.
Sedona, AZ
please press: www.azcentral.com
ezs note: 1st district (federal) in Arizona - Hey, if Curt Schilling wants to make his name as a ballplayer, hey, have at it. But he would be a lousy legislator. Talk to some neighbors, lick some stamps, do what it takes to keep his skills as a ballplayer - and that's all.
lead story - Trans woman googles every news story containing the word 'transgender' in a year
Rachel Thompson
Mashable
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Mashable
London, UK
London City Hall
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/City_hall_London_at_dawn_%28cropped%29.jpg
please press: mashable.com
19 August 2019
lead story - Overcoming stigma – Vietnamese transgender person transitions with mom’s love and support
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18 August 2019
lead story - For transgender youth, an affirming family is important: Readers sound off
17 August 2019
Kentucky - Dayton May Be Kentucky's 12th City to Adopt Pro-LGBT Ordinance
lead story - The Trump Administration Asked The Supreme Court To Legalize Firing Workers Just For Being Transgender
16 August 2019
New Zealand - Weightlifter Hubbard becomes lightning rod for criticism of transgender policy
civil liberties - North Carolina transgender inmate moved to women's prison
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lead story - Coming Out As Transgender When There Was No Language To Describe It
Emma Bowman
NPR
NPR
Philadelphia, PA
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Elfreth%27s_Alley%2C_Philadelphia%2C_2008.jpg
please press: www.npr.org
15 August 2019
Idaho - Republican Idaho House leaders defend attacks on Boise State diversity efforts
Ryan Blake
Twin Falls Times-News
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Twin Falls Times-News
Star, ID
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Star_Camp_Tabernacle_%28Star%2C_Idaho%29.jpg
please press: www.postregister.com
lead story - Beyond Androgyny: Nonbinary Teenage Fashion
14 August 2019
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Alaska - Women’s shelter can't be punished for denying access to men who identify as female, court rules
Michael Gryboski
The Christian Post
The Christian Post
Anchorage, AK
please press: www.christianpost.com
ezs note: Aw, we're just helpin' to promote "Christian" values...
Maybe liberal Christian/liberal Jewish/atheist organizations could come together for the homeless rather than have this shithole do the "work"...
lead story - This Teenager Is Speaking Out Against President Trump's Proposed Repeal Of Transgender Protections
Dawn Ennis
Forbes
Forbes
Hartford, CT
Travelers Tower
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Travelers_Tower%2C_Hartford%2C_CT_-_view_1.JPG
please press: www.forbes.com
ezs note: Yay Eva! Things may be rough from time to time, but please remember that me and 12,398 in Connecticut people support you!
13 August 2019
Kansas - State agency's transgender ideology and foster families
lead story - IMDb changes names policy after transgender protest
12 August 2019
Donald Trump - ‘Using the Lord’s name in vain’: Evangelicals chafe at Trump’s blasphemy
Gabby Orr
Politico
Politico
Credit: https://cdn2.creativecirclemedia.com/neni/original/20180902-165123-roge_c180901_12969.tif.jpg
please press: www.politico.com
ezs note: ...and next, the Evangelicals! (believe it or not!!!)
Honduras - Transgender murders in Honduras stoke fears of backlash against LGBT+ rights
Texas - TEXAS LIBRARY CANCELS EVENT WITH TRANS AUTHOR
Press
National Coalition Against Censorship
National Coalition Against Censorship
Leander, TX (look for red dot)
please press: ncac.org
ezs note: Especially if you live in the city of Leander, Texas (straddling the counties of Williamson and Travis) please make a quick note. Make it polite but firm. Here goes:
Troy Hill, Mayor
City of Leander
201 North Brushy Street
Leander, TX 78641
lead story - North Charleston man, 34, turns himself in for murder of transgender woman of color
11 August 2019
Germany - How safe is Germany for LGBTQ travelers?
Gero Schließ
Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle
Berlin, Germany
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/%C3%9Cber_den_D%C3%A4chern_von_Berlin.jpg
please press: www.dw.com
civil rights - Mike Anthony: Connecticut is at the heart of a transgender athlete debate that is difficult to explore, let alone solve
Mike Anthony
Hartford Courant
Hartford Courant
Bulkeley High School, named after Morgan Bulkeley (above)
please press: www.courant.com
Idaho - Dems defend Boise State University diversity programs
Nathan Brown
Post Register
Post Register
Boise, ID (1911)
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Main_Street%2C_Looking_East%2C_Boise%2C_ID.jpg
please press: www.postregister.com
lead story - Victorian MPs to debate bill to let transgender people change birth certificate without surgery
Josh Taylor
The Guardian
The Guardian
Melbourne, VIC, Australia (1880)
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Melbourne_international_exhibition_1880.jpg
please press: www.theguardian.com
10 August 2019
Donald Trump - Trump retweets Epstein conspiracy theory, claiming Clinton connection
Cuba - First transgender couple married in Cuba
civil rights - Betsy DeVos May Force High Schools to Discriminate Against Trans Athletes
Tennessee - A Nashville songwriter wrote on her transgender life. The city library refused the book. | Opinion
Stacy Harris
Tennesseean
Tennesseean
Nashville, TN
(Bellevue area)
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Bellevue_TN_Don_Johnson_Memorial_Garden.jpg
please press: www.tennessean.com
Coming to a place near YOU!!!
ezs note: Rep. John Larson will be coming to the branch library in West Hartford (Starkel Road) on Friday, Aug. 23 at 11:00 pm. Who knows - maybe you'll see me there!
lead story - Transgender Man Gavin Grimm Wins Court Fight He Started As A Boy
Dawn Ennis
Forbes
Forbes
Gavin Grimm
San Francisco, CA march
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Trans_March_San_Francisco_20180622-3445.jpg
please press: www.forbes.com
09 August 2019
lead story - This Transgender Man Was Kicked Out Of His College After Getting Top Surgery
Hey - I wrote something in the Hartford Courant!!
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