23 December 2019

Goodbye Ray...

😔



ezs note:  For those of you who read this blog regularly, I am sad to report that Ray Thomas died recently.  He was one of the most decent men I know of.  I will miss him terribly.

To honor Ray, or to honor someone who is struggling with Alzheimer's,  go to Alzheimer's Association.  


Thanks.

civil rights - Abortion. Transgender rights. Voting access. Polarizing issues could dominate statehouse agendas in 2020.

Tim Craig, Emily Wax-Thibodeaux
The Washington Post

  
Ohio statehouse


please press:  www.washingtonpost.com

Kentucky - LGBTQ platform launches workplace trans inclusivity training

Haley Cawthon
Louisville Business First


Louisville, KY
Heine Brothers' Coffee


lead story - Transgender Woman Sues Miss United States Of America Pageant

Lulu Garcia-Navarro
NPR


Portland, OR


please press:  www.npr.org


Donald Trump - House counsel suggests Trump could be impeached again

Josh Gerstein, Kyle Cheney
Politico


ezs note:  Aw, shit, not again...


please press:  www.politico.com


22 December 2019

Mississippi - Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance in Mississippi

Staff
HRC


Jackson, MS


please press:  www.hrc.org

lead story - In the state that passed HB2, two transgender candidates running for legislative seats

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan
The News & Observer


Wendell, NC


please press:  www.newsobserver.com

Donald Trump - White House official directed hold on Ukraine aid shortly after Trump’s July 25 call with Zelensky

Toluse Olorunnipa
The Washington Post


Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine
(roughly center, 1804)


please press:  www.washingtonpost.com

21 December 2019

Now let me see...



As you might know, Emily's Virtual Rocket has been around a while.  You'd think that  I  would get some fabulous clothes.  Uh, not really.  I get clothing, but it's male clothing.

I am not asking for a handout.  What I would like is if you see an article that really moves or inspires you, sending an article of clothing would be a way of saying "thank you".  Just send one item.  It doesn't have to be from Saks or Cartier.  In fact, sending a good lightly used item would be just as appreciated.  I am very large (280 pounds/127 kilograms), but I am following one item Weight Watchers diligently. Here's what I'm looking for:
  • tops (not too loud or flashy)
  • wig (medium to dark brown)
  • slacks
  •  skirt (knee length) 
  • panties (new only, cotton preferable)
  • bra (new only)
  • nylons (new only)
  • socks (extra-large please)
  • insert into bra (C cup, no larger)
  • sweater
  • coat
  • inexpensive necklace (long)
  • inexpensive perfume
For three of the items which I specify as new, I am not calling for expense or extravagance.  Family Dollar, Target, or Wal-Mart, for example, will do nicely.  Here's the address:

Emily Shorette
60 Starkel Road 
Apartment 60, #110
06117

Trinidad and Tobago - Sexual harassment case in Trinidad & Tobago highlights need for better policies

Press
Global Voices


Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

please press:  globalvoices.org


civil rights - Federal judge orders sweeping reforms of treatment of transgender inmates in all Illinois prisons

Angie Leventis Lourgos
Chicago Tribune


East St. Louis, IL


please press:  www.chicagotribune.com

Vermont - Pride Center of Vermont to celebrate 20th anniversary of civil unions victory

Press
VTDigger


Burlington, VT


please press:  vtdigger.org

ezs note:  The December 13 event is over, but there is a plethora of events going on.  You can see what's happening at pridecentervt.org.  

lead story - Maya Forstater: Woman loses tribunal over transgender tweets

Donald Trump - Trump's letter to Pelosi: Not 'unhinged' — but worse, from a speechwriter's perspective

Bob Lehrman
The Hill



please press:  thehill.com

20 December 2019

civil rights - 10 LGBTQ Moments that Defined 2019

Washington (state) - Police make arrest in death of transgender teen in Washington state

Press
NBC26


Vancouver, WA


please press:  www.nbc26.com

lead story - Transgender worker suing Nike for $1.1 million cites pronoun abuses

Sarah Min
CBS News


Nike World HQ
Beaverton, OR


please press:  www.cbsnews.com

Donald Trump - Christianity Today, an influential evangelical magazine, says Trump ‘should be removed from office’

Sarah Pulliam Bailey
The Washington Post



please press:  www.washingtonpost.com

19 December 2019

Nebraska - 'We're here and we're Nebraskans' — Lincoln responds to Westboro Baptist Church picket

Chris Dunker
Lincoln Journal-Star


Lincoln, NE


please press:  

lead story - Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Faces Criticism for Transgender Comment

Donald Trump - Trump Should Be Removed from Office

Mark Galli
Christianity Today


Christ Crucified, Giotto


please press:  www.christianitytoday.com

ezs note:  While the differences between my own views and theirs are quite opposite, the fact that Christianity Today came out so boldly is quite refreshing. 

16 December 2019

Kentucky - Kentucky bill would let students sue over transgender bathroom use

lead story - Transgender homeless Americans find few protections in the law

Jonah DeChants
The Conversation



please press:  theconversation.com

ezs note:  To read a more scholarly paper, see HERE. (page 9-33)

Donald Trump - READ: The House Judiciary Committee's Trump Impeachment Report

Staff
NPR

example of report


please press:  www.npr.org

ezs note:  To read the report directly, press HERE 

15 December 2019

Now let me see...



As you might know, Emily's Virtual Rocket has been around a while.  You'd think that  I  would get some fabulous clothes.  Uh, not really.  I get clothing, but it's male clothing.

I am not asking for a handout.  What I would like is if you see an article that really moves or inspires you, sending an article of clothing would be a way of saying "thank you".  Just send one item.  It doesn't have to be from Saks or Cartier.  In fact, sending a good lightly used item would be just as appreciated.  I am very large (280 pounds/127 kilograms), but I am following one item Weight Watchers diligently. Here's what I'm looking for:
  • tops (not too loud or flashy)
  • wig (medium to dark brown)
  • slacks
  •  skirt (knee length) 
  • panties (new only, cotton preferable)
  • bra (new only)
  • nylons (new only)
  • socks (extra-large please)
  • insert into bra (C cup, no larger)
  • sweater
  • coat
  • inexpensive necklace (long)
  • inexpensive perfume
For three of the items which I specify as new, I am not calling for expense or extravagance.  Family Dollar, Target, or Wal-Mart, for example, will do nicely.  Here's the address:

Emily Shorette
60 Starkel Road 
Apartment 60, #110
06117

South Africa - Through dysphoria to a doctoral degree

Carla Bernardo
University of Cape Town News


Cape Town, South Africa


please press:  www.news.uct.ac.za

civil rights - Opinion: Does America Really Value Equality? What Women and Transgender People Might Say

North Dakota - LGBTQ people are more likely to attempt suicide, but one friend can make the difference

Kim Hyatt
West Central Tribune


Fargo, ND


please press:  www.wctrib.com

ezs note:  Once again, the phone number is 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) If you need help, give them a call!

lead story - Man tells judge he regrets punching transgender woman in face, gets 75 days in jail

Aimee Green
Oregon Live


Portland, OR


please press:  www.oregonlive.com

ezs note:  Mr. Gonzalez - I'm glad you feel sorry for your actions.  But I'm also glad you served 75 days to think about it.  Hopefully, this WON'T happen again.

Donald Trump - 'Subversion of constitutional order': Nadler slams McConnell for coordinating with White House on Senate impeachment trial

Chandelis Duster, Aileen Graef, Kevin Bohn
CNN


painting of Constitutional Convention
Junius Brutus Stearns, 1787


please press:  www.cnn.com

13 December 2019

Philippines - Philippines president appoints transgender woman to government

Michael K. Lavers
Washington Blade


Manila, Philippines


please press:  www.washingtonblade.com

civil rights - Why Democrats just gave away their best chance at ending the trans military ban

Katelyn Burns
Vox


US Capitol
Washington DC


please press:  www.vox.com

Delaware - No place for discrimination in health care or insurance industry

Trinidad Navarro
Delaware Business Times


Dover, DE


lead story - More transgender men seeking care, psychosocial burden decreasing

Gesine Meyer et. al.
Healio


Frankfurt, Germany


please press:  www.healio.com

Donald Trump - Donald Trump keeps making history -- but not how he wants to

Chris Cillizza
CNN


imPEACHment


please press:  www.cnn.com

12 December 2019

civil rights - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FAIRNESS FOR ALL ACT

Kelsey Dallas
Sojourners


ezs note:  Is the sun rising or setting?


please press:  sojo.net 

North Carolina - Bars became a safe place during a decade of change for the N.C. LGBTQ+ community

Alice Bennett
The Daily Tar Heel


Raleigh, NC


please press:  www.dailytarheel.com

lead story - Vandals Deface Mural Honoring Transgender Community In Dallas

Donald Trump - Report: Trump’s Ukraine Extortion Scheme Was Financed by Russians

Jonathan Chait
New York


ezs note:  The more things change...


please press:  nymag.com 

11 December 2019

Myanmar/US - Miss Universe celebrates its first openly gay contestant

Jessie Yeung
CNN


Naypyidaw, Myanmar


please press:  www.cnn.com

civil rights - Amid outcry, Seattle Public Library weighs decision to provide venue for ‘radical feminist’ event criticized as anti-trans

Crystal Paul
The Seattle Times


Seattle Public Library
Seattle, WA


please press:  www.seattletimes.com\

West Virginia - Carmichael backs proposed LGBTQ non-discrimination act

Steven Allen Adams
The Weirton Daily Times


Weirton, WV


please press:  www.weirtondailytimes.com

ezs note: I know that there are Republicans who feel they are treated unfairly.  It's a bitter pill to swallow, but there are transgender people who are treated unfairly, even horribly.  But there are those like Mitch Carmichael who have championed transgender causes.  Well done, Mitch.

lead story - Deputies say transgender woman attacked by teens in Tukwila

Donald Trump - Trump assaults facts to survive impeachment

Stephen Collinson
CNN


aerial view of White House


please press:  www.cnn.com

10 December 2019

Mauritius - Activist seeks to overturn anti-gay law of African island Mauritius

Press
Erasing 76 Crimes


Port Louis, Mauritius


please press:  76crimes.com

civil rights - Medically necessary transgender surgery now covered by Wisconsin Medicaid after legal battle

Bruce Vielmetti
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel


Baraboo, WI


Florida - Transgender Florida student’s fight over school bathrooms could affect Alabama

Press
AL.com


Ponte Vedra, FL
Nease High School


please press:  www.al.com



lead story - "These women are targets": Transgender women fight for their rights in Colorado's prisons

Jonathan McDougle
CBS News


Canõn City, CO
Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility


please press:  www.cbsnews.com