08 August 2018

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

07 August 2018

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

06 August 2018

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

05 August 2018

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

04 August 2018

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



03 August 2018

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.

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

02 August 2018

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

civil rights - Providence charter school responds to ACLU lawsuit over transgender student policy

Linda Borg
Providence Journal


Providence, RI

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Johnson_%26_Wales_University_downtown_Providence_RI_campus.jpg

please press:  www.providencejournal.com

Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania transgender bathroom case splits U.S. appeals court

Jonathan Stempel
Reuters


Boyertown, PA

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Boyertown_-_Cannonhill.JPG

please press:  www.reuters.com

lead story - Freemasons accept transgender women who joined as men

Press
BBC


Freemason symbol

Credit:  https://lettertoanapostle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/masory.jpg

please press:  www.bbc.com

VIDEO - Matt Baume - Rhoda's Gay Friend on the Mary Tyler Moore Show


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


01 August 2018

Donald Trump - Unhinged conservative conspiracy theory goes mainstream at Trump’s Tampa rally

Luke Barnes
Think Progress


Credit:  https://www.curezone.org/upload/Members/trapper/2013/the_tea_party_tea_party_idiots_wingnuts_rethugs_losers_obama_political.jpg

please press:  thinkprogress.org

Bermuda - Bermuda government files appeal against same-sex marriage ruling

Press
Jamaica Observer


Hamilton, Bermuda

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Front_Street%2C_Hamilton%2C_Bermuda.jpg

please press:  www.jamaicaobserver.com

civil rights - ACLU sues Providence school for not providing policy on transgender students

Frank Maradiaga
NBC Providence


Providence, RI (City Hall)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Providence_City_Hall_2009.jpg

please press:  turnto10.com

Ohio - Russell Toomey: Proposed law would harm children with gender issues

Russell Toomey
Columbus Dispatch


Credit:  http://www.travelswithtwo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/map_ohio.jpg

please press:  www.dispatch.com



lead story - Why Trans Comic Robin Tran Is OK With Transgender Jokes

Julie Seabaugh
The Hollywood Reporter


Fonda Theatre

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/HenryFondaTheater02.jpg

please press:  www.hollywoodreporter.com

31 July 2018

Donald Trump - Trump says Koch brothers are a 'total joke'

Veronica Stracqualursi
CNN


Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7a/e6/27/7ae627ff8496865a197451e2a524087e.jpg

please press:  www.cnn.com

Ukraine - Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM)...

Press
Reliefweb


Chernivtsi, Ukraine

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Chern-Panorama2.jpg

please press:  reliefweb.int

ezs note:  The mention of the LGBTI difficulties is very brief, at the end.  However, other papers may exist.  If you have time, look under Reliefweb's other articles.

civil rights - Under DeVos, agency takes a sharp shift in approach to enforcing civil rights in schools

Laura Meckler
Savannah Morning News


Credit:  http://jennifermelzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Going-Backwards.gif

please press:  www.savannahnow.com

New York - New York Times Theater Critic Apologizes for Offending ‘Transgender and Nonbinary Communities’

Ben Brantley
The Wrap


Credit:  https://theatreforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/head-over-heels.jpg

please press:  www.thewrap.com


lead story - Helping transgender women find their voice, literally

Amy Ellis Nutt
Chicago Tribune


Vocal Folds (human)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Vocal_folds-201611.jpg

please press:  www.chicagotribune.com