Annie Connell-Bryan, Joanne Kenen, Jael Holzman
Politico
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Malakoff, TX
please press: www.politico.com
27 November 2022
25 November 2022
Madoka no Himitsu (Madoka's Secret) (manga)
When we first meet Madoka, it is a little bit saccharine. However, it's well worth the wait of getting through. Madoka is a longtime transgender girl (In Japan, the word 'he' is used) [full name- Yamada Madoka] The first clue is not something we, as English-speakers, would take note of. Madoka uses 'he', but the name, Madoka, is a girl's name. After she is introduced by the teacher, she takes her seat. Itsuki snubs her. Madoka picks up an eraser, but still Itsuki is very curt. Rather than take offense, she thinks it's manly and cool.
Later, when she goes around distributing kairanban (neighborhood newspaper) she crosses the Tanokana house. When she is greeted by a black Shiba Inu dog, she falls in love. (By the way, I had a Spitz cross - very lovely!) Then, Itsuki walks up, and is miffed by Madoka's dress. Madoka slaps Itsuki, and Itsuki slaps Madoka. Shortly thereafter, Hiroto (known early as 'big brother') sees Madoka, takes pity on her, and invites her in. Itsuki takes note, and Hiroto introduces him... as a transgender boy.
I won't say too much more, other than to mention two other characters. The first is good, the other, um, not so good. The first is Mai, nemesis of the first two (and especially that of Itsuki). She is very realistic, understandable - if not heroic. She's kinda like the Green Goblin in the Spider-man movies. You get her, even if you don't condone her. The other is Takato, twin brother of Hiroto. He swears revenge on Madoka... but does practically nothing. 'Throwaway' is defined here.
All in all, despite the hiccups, a good read.
22 November 2022
19 November 2022
just ONE vote...
Southington, CT
Just one vote.
No, it wasn't in far-off Nome, Alaska. Nor was in a large state such as New York, California, or Florida. It was just one town away, in Southington. When we imagine small states such as Connecticut, we think erroneously of uniform legislatures. True, Connecticut leans Democratic, but Southington doesn't fit this profile. In fact, Southington has had some true knuckle-draggers.
But not this time.
If one or two voters had stayed home this would be a different story. What I'm saying to you is vote. From President down to dog-catcher. I'm not saying this will an ironclad guarantee. But you never know...
14 November 2022
Should transgender youths have access to gender-affirming care? Why bans are 'cruel' and 'dangerous'
13 November 2022
Past Future (manga)
Well, perhaps it's from seeing that stinker 'Naisho no Otome Revolver' previously, but seeing 'Past Future' is a damn sight better. Let me explain.
The scene opens with Akari Kako and Akari Mirai (in Japan, the names are reversed) with Mirai just about to attend a soccer match. Upon her leaving, Kako starts to do some chores... and starts to do some laundry. Well, things are inevitable, so Kako tries Mirai's clothing. Of course, Mirai forgot something, and is 'horrified' with Kako wearing girl's clothing. I say 'horrified' because Kako isn't waving a magic wand around, where suddenly he's a girl. Kako tries Mirai's clothing, but there are hints long before... and (his) classmates know.
As I said before, there are flaws. One glaring flaw is a total absence of parents. Unless both parents croaked, they can't be explained away. However, the struggles they all face are more realistic and truer. It might be nice if things are all pat, but that would be false.
12 November 2022
See Law & Order: SVU this week
Mariska Hargitay
(as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU)
This past week I was watching Law & Order: SVU (yeah, I'm a junkie for this show) and I took note for the upcoming show. It involves the investigation of a murder of a transgender person. There's not much more to go on, but Mariska Hargitay has shown forth sensitivity on this subject.
07 November 2022
05 November 2022
Naisho no Otome Revolver (Secret Maiden Revolver) (manga)
Wow.
I don't know if 'Naisho no Otome Revolver' is absolutely the worst manga ever seen. But, gawd, it lies among the bottom o' the barrel. At the beginning, Tachibana Hinata wants to be a boy. Understandable. But in almost every scene, we get a crotch shot. Again. Again. And yet again. A little later we see hir little sister, Tachibana Hinata.
No, this ain't a typo. Only halfway (!) is the name changed.
Haryuki, do anything but manga. You'll make the world a better place.
23 October 2022
A, A' (manga)
At a time when transgender people were just stepping their toes in the water (1984) Moto Hagio was a fresh air. And she still is. Despite what Michelle Smith says, we have to remember what 1984 really was. It was a little better... but things were really bleak.
A, A' is set in the future. The earth was moving out to the various planets and moons (Mars, Jupiter, etc.). Also, humans developed Unicorns. Unicorns were engineered to replace people. The people who worked out found they worked... almost. In a seemingly innocuous mention, Adelaide (clone) wants coffee - but she wants it black, rather than have it with cream and sugar. (original Adelaide)
First, let's look at A, A'. Unlike the newer manga which show a single sheet , the older ones show two pages, therefore showing a double sheet. There are three interrelated stories:
A, A'
4/4
X+Y
The first two stories don't seem to be transgender related. However, Mori is important in two of the three chapters. In the end of 4/4, Mori is grieving over the death of Trill. Fast-forward five years (X+Y), we meet Tacto, a seemngly male unicorn. He meets up with Merimé, who is nonplussed at Tacto's lovemaking - until he might be winning an award. Suddenly, she 'loves' him. At first, Tacto is interested in Merimé, until a professor throws a really big wrench. Tacto is really a woman. And in comes Mori.
I won't tell you any more, but Moto Hagio is prescient in 1984 than most Americans (especially middle and Southerners) are aware. Hopefully they'll learn a little.
12 October 2022
11 October 2022
08 October 2022
N.G! (manga)
This is the first in a series of manga. If you are unfamiliar with manga, it was a form of Japanese comics. Although it started in Japan, it moved on to China (manhua) and South Korea (manhwa). It then moved on to the USA, Canada, and France, to name just a few. The first were translated, but artists from the Western countries went on to create their own manga. For more details look up 'manga' under Wikipedia.
Some people don't consider manga art. That's your problem.
N.G! is one-shot. There are more strips, but since they are separate pieces, I'll only consider the first. Nakatomi is a high-schooler, but since they have good art books, a nearby university bookstore is where she is shopping. As she moves to the racks, Okasabe eyes her. After hesitating, Okasabe her to a fancy restaurant. Even so, she's still creeped out a bit. So she talks to Rin, her twin. By the way, Rin is TG. Hilarity ensues. End of story.
Since N.G! is a relatively short story, this will be brief. Good side - N.G! is true to form, with Okasabe being kind. Bad side - translation fairly poor, with the viewer being somewhat confused about Rin's identity.
08 September 2022
Queen Elizabeth dies at 96, ending an era for Britain
07 September 2022
lead story - HRC Mourns Dede Ricks, Black Transgender Woman Killed in Detroit
Jared Todd
HRC
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Detroit. MI
please press: www.hrc.org
ezs note: Michiganders, if you live in or around Detroit, and you know something about Dede Ricks' death, please contact Detroit Police Department at 313-267-4600. Thanks.
31 August 2022
New Hampshire - Trans NH woman says she was targeted with 'voodoo doll' left on her car
Boston Children's Hospital receives bomb threat following harassment over transgender care
Kiara Alfonseca
ABC News
Boston Children's Hospital
please press: abcnews.go.com
ezs note: Greater Boston area - if you know of anyone who threatens Boston Children's Hospital, please call the Boston police department at 1-800-494-TIPS. Thanks.
No, Trump didn’t declassify everything; it’s barred by the Nixon tapes decision
15 August 2022
West Virginia - Judge: West Virginia Medicaid must cover transgender care
WBC statement on transgender atheletes
Rudy Giuliani told by prosecutors he is a target in Georgia 2020 presidential election probe
14 August 2022
Iowa - Iowa school district sued over transgender student policy
Longtime ESPN reporter M.A. Voepel comes out as transgender
Presidential historian says he's never seen a former president 'take ultra-classified documents, stick them in his basement'
13 August 2022
Key lines from the search warrant and receipt for Trump's Florida home
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11 August 2022
Pope Francis meets transgender guests of Rome church
Attorney General Merrick Garland set to make statement, days after FBI raid on Trump home at Mar-a-Lago
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09 August 2022
06 August 2022
New York (state) - New York AG Takes Action to Protect Transgender Students’ Rights
Lucas Day
Finger Lakes dailynews.com
North Tonawanda, NY
please press: www.fingerlakesdailynews.com
note: please note that Connecticut's AG filed an amicus brief.
Parents of transgender 3rd grader sue the state over Tennessee school bathroom law
Senate on track to take key vote Saturday to advance Democrats' sweeping health care and climate bill
05 August 2022
New Mexico - EOS, Title IX Director Advises Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Press
Albuquerque Public Schools
Atrisco Heritage Academy High School
Albuquerque, NM
please press: www.aps.edu
'Social contagion' isn’t causing more youths to be transgender, study finds
White House summoned Chinese ambassador to condemn provocations after Pelosi's Taiwan visit
02 August 2022
New Jersey - N.J. advocacy groups say U.S. courts are ‘turning this country back’ on transgender rights
Transgender woman says she's not allowed to work at Durham Catholic school
Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan will not trigger World War III
01 August 2022
Medical board to consider transgender treatment for youths
AP sources: US operation killed al-Qaida leader al-Zawahri
31 July 2022
Lee County School District announces plan to identify transgender students
Manchin says Republicans in 'normal times' would be supporting energy, health care bill
30 July 2022
Pennsylvania - Hempfield School District votes to have student-athletes compete on teams that align with gender at birth
Transgender woman shot, killed outside vehicle in east Houston neighborhood, police say
Ana Gonzalez
KPRC
Houston, TX
please press: www.click2houston.com
ezs note: Houstonians - if you live in the area of 11600 Wood Shadows Road, and you have seen anything suspicious, please call HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600. Thanks.
nota de ezs: habitantes de Houston: si vive en el área de 11600 Wood Shadows Road y ha visto algo sospechoso, llame a HPD Homicide al 713-308-3600. Gracias.
Death toll rises to at least 25 in Kentucky flooding as people in stricken areas remain hard to reach, governor says
29 July 2022
New Mexico - Where does New Mexico stand on transgender participation in HS sports?
James Yodice
Yahoo/Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque,NM
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Old_Albuquerque_High_School_Albuquerque.jpg
please press: news.yahoo.com
HRC Honors Cherry Bush, a Transgender Woman Killed in Los Angeles
Jared Todd
HRC
Los Angeles, CA
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Los_Angeles_-_Echangeur_autoroute_110_105.JPG
please press: www.hrc.org
She awoke by a flash flood warning. In less than an hour, her family's home was washed away
Sharif Paget
CNN
Breathitt County, KY
Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Breathitt_County_Kentucky_Courthouse.jpg
please press: www.cnn.com
ezs note: If you wish, please donate to gofundme.
28 July 2022
In a major boost to Democrats, Manchin and Schumer announce deal for energy and health care bill
Manu Raju, Ella Nilsen, Tami Luby
CNN
Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) (and Joe Manchin)
please press: www.cnn.com
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