Louisiana - A sign to remember Vontashia Bell and a sign to find her killer

Emily Enfinger
Shreveport Times

Shreveport/Bossier City, LA

Allen Bridge

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Bossier_City_September_2015_08_%28Long%E2%80%93Allen_Bridge%29.jpg

please press:  www.shreveporttimes.com

ezs note:  It's been a little over a year old, and Vontashia's case is getting cold.  But it's never too cold.  Make her friends happy and put this cretin in jail.  Call Crimestoppers at 318-673-7373.  Thanks. 

lead story - Mum arrested in front of her kids for calling transgender woman a man is hauled to court for trolling

Ellie Cambridge, Mark Hodge
The Sun

Hitchin, UK

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Hitchin_History_-_geograph.org.uk_-_143243.jpg

please press:  www.thesun.co.uk

lead story - Juniper Eastwood to Become First Transgender Runner to Compete in DI Cross Country

Taylor Dutch
Runners World

Cross-country running

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Umncc07.jpg

please press:  www.runnersworld.com

Russia - Russian Authorities Drop Charges Against First Suspect, Detain Second In Killing Of Rights Activist Grigoryeva

Press
RFE/RL

Moscow, Russia

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please press:  www.rferl.org

civil rights - Civil Rights Turned Topsy-Turvy

Linda Greenhouse
The New York Times

 former Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Anthony_Kennedy_official_SCOTUS_portrait.jpg

please press:  www.nytimes.com

Iowa - Title X rules hurt transgender people

Staff
The Gazette

Cedar Rapids, IA

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please press:  www.thegazette.com

lead story - Transgender woman beaten in Newport, man charged

Joe English
KOMO News

Newport, OR (1937)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Newport_harbor_%28OR%29.jpg

please press:  komonews.com  

lead story - N.J. kept a transgender woman in men’s prisons for over a year. She says she was harassed and beaten.

S.P. Sullivan
NJ.com

Clinton, NJ

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please press:  www.nj.com

Ohio - Ohio GOP Lawmaker Blames Mass Shootings On Trans People, Gay Marriage And More

Alanna Vagianos
HuffPost

Middletown, OH

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please press:  www.huffpost.com

lead story - Boyfriend charged in death of 22-year-old transgender woman found in Houston parking lot

Julia Jacobo
ABC News

Houston, TX

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please press:  abcnews.go.com

Donald Trump - Trump privately clashed with G7 leaders over reinviting Putin

Pamela Brown, Kevin Liptak
CNN

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please press:  www.cnn.com

Poland - Polish Court Rebukes “LGBT-Free Zone” Stickers

Kyle Knight
Human Rights Watch

Warsaw, Poland

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please press:  www.hrw.org

civil rights - Fired for Being Trans or for Violating Dress Code? Supreme Court Will Decide.

Jessica Mason Pieklo
Truthout.

Livonia, MI

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/LivoniaMiCityHall.jpg 

please press:  truthout.org

Mississippi - MISSISSIPPI CHURCH VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO KICK OUT LESBIAN COUPLE. PASTOR TELLS THEM 'I HAD HOPED YOU WOULD REPENT'

Daniel Avery
Newsweek

Southaven, MS

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Southaven_Top_Of_Mississippi_sign.jpg

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

Lucas Waldron, Brenda Medina
ProPublica

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Brijot_SafeScreen.jpg

please press:  www.propublica.org

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)

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.

Minnesota - Court allows Minnesota to join lawsuit against Anoka-Hennepin Schools alleging transgender discrimination

Adam Uren
Bring Me The News

Anoka, MN

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Windego_Park_1.jpg

please press:  bringmethenews.com

lead story - Court Says Idaho Must Provide Gender Confirmation Surgery To Transgender Inmate

Amanda Peacher, James Dawson
NPR

Kuna, ID

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/MainStreetKunaIdaho.jpg

please press:  www.npr.org

Nebraska - Nebraska’s First Openly LGBTQ Lawmaker Wants to Get More Queer People Elected

Nico Lang
newnownext

Omaha, NE

Logan Fontenelle (1825-1855)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Logan_fontenelle.jpg

please press:  www.newnownext.com

lead story - 'Have to be heard': Advocates speak out about violence against black transgender women at Black Pride Festival

Jaida B. Nabayan
ABC News

New York City, NY

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Beekman_Place_New_York.jpg

please press:  abcnews.go.com

lead story - Transgender issues: Where the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates stand

Emily Tillett
CBS

Vermin Supreme (and no, this is not a joke...)

(Hey, he's better than Trump...)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Lozwp_DSC00677.jpg

please press:  www.cbsnews.com

Donald Trump - Yes, Donald Trump really believes he is 'the chosen one'

Chris Cillizza
CNN

our dear "lord", Donald Trump

Credit:  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7YopxE7Ro8FvnMvKJjBE8OYJQC47Wuq-dTVgh04JKw35tzDTIAczz1s2TSeVkn-XvaSVsejQU8X_eXJdiq13hHJuNcB6ahOodxhAfOvtdMjWDNbTpuRoKyiE9guRRG6JFmTaTrYAbZ8/s1600/dark+shadows%252Bchick+tract.png

please press:  www.cnn.com 

Palestine - Palestine Authority police ban Palestinian LGBT group from holding activities in West Bank

Adam Rasgon
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

Sara Willa Ernst
NHPR

Nashua, NH

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Police_Station%2C_Nashua%2C_NH.jpg

please press:  www.nhpr.org

Arizona - If he runs, Curt Schilling says he would take on Rep. Tom O'Halleran

Ronald J. Hansen
azcentral.

Sedona, AZ

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/SEDONA_AZ19.jpg

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

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

lead story - Overcoming stigma – Vietnamese transgender person transitions with mom’s love and support

Lê
Sacramento Bee

Sacramento, CA

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please press:  www.sacbee.com

lead story - For transgender youth, an affirming family is important: Readers sound off

Jay Brown
USA Today

"reparative therapy"  (licensed witch doctor)

Credit:  https://arthuride.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/reparative-therapy.jpg

please press:  www.usatoday.com

Kentucky - Dayton May Be Kentucky's 12th City to Adopt Pro-LGBT Ordinance

Michael Monks
Cincinnati Public Radio

Dayton, KY

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Dayton-Kentucky-September-2008.jpg

please press:  www.wvxu.org

lead story - The Trump Administration Asked The Supreme Court To Legalize Firing Workers Just For Being Transgender

Dominic Holden
BuzzFeed.News

Donald Trump, au naturel

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please press:  www.buzzfeednews.com

Donald Trump - “OH MY GOD, THIS JACKASS”: THE MOOCH EXPLAINS WHY HE THINKS TRUMP IS “CRAZY,” “NARCISSISTIC,” AND A “PAPER TIGER” WHO WILL DROP OUT BY MARCH 2020

William D. Cohan
Vanity Fair

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please press:  www.vanityfair.com

New Zealand - Weightlifter Hubbard becomes lightning rod for criticism of transgender policy

Ian Ransom
Reuters

Wellington, New Zealand

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Old_Government_Buildings_-_whole.JPG

please press:  www.reuters.com 

civil liberties - North Carolina transgender inmate moved to women's prison

AP
WLOS

Polkton, NC (center left)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Map_of_Anson_County_North_Carolina_With_Municipal_and_Township_Labels.PNG

please press:  wlos.com

California - California Lawmakers Approve Bill To Update Transgender School Records

AP
KPIX

Sacramento, CA

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Sacramento_DSC_0063_%285673641314%29_%28cropped%29.jpg

please press:  sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com 

lead story - Coming Out As Transgender When There Was No Language To Describe It

Emma Bowman
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

civil rights - GENDER ROLES SHAPE PUBLIC ATTITUDES ABOUT TRANSGENDER MILITARY SERVICE, STUDY FINDS

Press
University of Kansas

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please press:  news.ku.edu

Idaho - Republican Idaho House leaders defend attacks on Boise State diversity efforts

Ryan Blake
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

Hayley Krischer
The New York Times

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Rainbowshopswiki2.png

please press:  www.nytimes.com

civil rights - Over 132,400 Opposed Trump’s Anti-Trans Health Care Plan

Lindsey Kaley
ACLU

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Respect_and_Equality_for_All_Trans_People_%284764133272%29_%282%29.jpg

please press: www.aclu.org 

Alaska - Women’s shelter can't be punished for denying access to men who identify as female, court rules

Michael Gryboski
The Christian Post

Anchorage, AK

Credit:  https://www.sott.net/image/s22/442686/full/homeless_cold.jpg

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

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!

Kansas - State agency's transgender ideology and foster families

Kiley Crossland
Baptist Press

Mr. Weber, waxing philosophically 

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please press:  www.bpnews.net

lead story - IMDb changes names policy after transgender protest

Catherine Shoard
The Guardian

Credit:  http://logodesignfx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/imdb-logo-3.jpg

please press:  www.theguardian.com

Donald Trump - ‘Using the Lord’s name in vain’: Evangelicals chafe at Trump’s blasphemy

Gabby Orr
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

Oscar Lopez
Reuters

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/TGU2.jpg

please press:  news.trust.org

civil rights - Equality AM

Staff
HRC

Bill Mauldin, 1921 - 2003

Credit:  https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/mauldin/images/03244r.jpg

please press:  www.hrc.org

Texas - TEXAS LIBRARY CANCELS EVENT WITH TRANS AUTHOR

Press
National Coalition Against Censorship

Leander, TX (look for red dot)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/TXMap-doton-Leander.PNG

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

thill@leandertx.gov

lead story - North Charleston man, 34, turns himself in for murder of transgender woman of color

Conner Mitchell
The Post and Courier

North Charleston, SC

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Andre_Michaux_North_Charleston_South_Carolina.jpg

please press:  www.postandcourier.com 

Donald Trump - Scaramucci fires back at Trump: He will turn 'on everyone' and then 'entire country'

Justin Wise
The Hill

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please press:  thehill.com

ezs note:  Damn.  Even the Mooch.