Vickie Davis - TS

Breaking through the binary: Gender explained using continuums

2012-02-01T20:17:00.000-06:00

I think Sam is on to something here, although it is still a work in progress.

Anderson - Transgender Children

2012-01-16T01:07:00.000-06:00

Topless Transsexual Served 23 Days in Jail

2011-11-15T19:54:00.001-06:00

It really caused me great consternation when I heard the story of Andrea Jones on WATE channel 6 last night. Jones had visited her local Tennessee driver’s license office to attempt to have the gender marker on her driver’s license changed from “M” to “F”.

Of course, she was refused.

The rules regarding change of gender marker are dictated by the Tennessee Department of Safety. They will change the sex on a license “if an applicant presents a doctor’s statement indicating that a full sex change has occurred and the procedure is complete.”

This overlooks the fact that many transsexuals do not have sex reassignment surgery (SRS). The greatest impediment is cost. Few people have $14,000 – 20,000 available in disposable income to fund such surgery. Instead, many transsexuals opt for surgeries that are less expensive but actually enhance their ability to “pass” in their true gender, like breast augmentation. There are also many transsexuals that do not feel the need to have SRS. They have found happiness and contentment in living as their true gender and do not believe that additional surgery will improve their happiness.

This state requirement is at odds with the federal government. Under federal guidelines, Ms. Jones is considered female by the Social Security Administration and by the State Department.

Further complicating this issue is that Tennessee is the only state in the United States of America that has passed a law, T.C.A. §68-3-203 (d), which explicitly forbids changing the sex on a birth certificate: “The sex of an individual shall not be changed on the original certificate of birth as a result of sex change surgery.”

So for all legal purposes, Ms. Jones is considered a man by the State of Tennessee. Further insulting her humanity, the officers involved in her arrest referred to her as “Mr. Jones” as demonstrated in the following statement to WATE, ”Mr. Jones continued to yell that he had the right to show his breasts in public and wanted to be recognized as a female.”

Andrea had a well intentioned point to make. If the state will only recognize her as a man, then she should have every right to bare her chest like every other over-weight, cigarette smokin’, tobacco spittin’, shit farmin’ redneck in Morristown does. She argues that the state cannot have it both ways.

However, the State, at least in Morristown, lacks the gift of deductive logic. She was immediately arrested for indecent exposure which carries the possibility lifetime inclusion in the National Sex Offender Registry, jail time, fines, and probation.

Andrea was incarcerated for 23 days in the Morristown City Jail – as a male. She was pressured, badgered, and coerced every day to confess to committing indecent exposure and plead guilty with only a two day sentence. She refused. “I’m stubborn,” she told me on the telephone. In truth, she says that she could not stand the thought of serving time without something positive coming out of it. She wanted her day in court. Indeed she will have it. her hearing is set for December 20th and I’d like to pack the courtroom with her supporters.

Because of her incarceration, she lost her job. She was employed at American Books through labor Ready for over a year. As a temporary contract worker, she was recently assigned responsibility for a production line. Even so, things weren’t always rosy at work. She’d been denied restroom use because she is transsexual, but ironically, required to wear a bra – again, the double standard.

It was a rough week for her too. Just prior to the arrest, she lost her grandfather.

Andrea wants to see this through. She believes she did nothing wrong and I agree with her. With both agree, it is about time that this shit stop. Leaving people in a genderless legal limbo does nothing but complicate their lives.

From our conversations, I truly believe Andrea is a good person with a good heart, but she just had enough. She lives in the Dandridge area and desperately needs a job. She currently walks wherever she needs to go, sometimes up to 10 miles. If you say anything about her, you cannot say that she is a quitter. She is determined. If ANYONE that reads this has a contact in the Dandridge area that would hire this young woman, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP!

If any of you read my blog, you know that when I get behind a cause, I give all the effort that I can. Further, after raising money for the Stutte family, raising money for an insulin pump, and raising money for Duanna Johnson’s funeral expenses, I hope you all know that I’m a good steward of your money.

Andrea has asked for nothing and expects nothing. However, I know it has to be tough trying to rebuild your life after losing your grandfather, losing your job and then being imprisoned for almost a month. This girl needs a break. I think our community can afford to help her get one. Please donate using the ChipIn widget on my sidebar.

http://manicsquirrel.com/2011/11/15/topless-transsexual-served-23-days-in-jail/

WPATH 2010 Slideshow

2011-09-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

I know who or have met way too many people here. I also wonder about the person shown on this video before it starts, but I like the look.

SCC and WPATH 2011

2011-09-29T18:16:00.000-05:00

Here is short report on my trip to SCC last week.

I arrived at the SCC hotel Sunday. I like to get there early. The relaxed pace of things is really wonderful.

On Monday I was in the hotel bar and I made sure the TV was on DWTS channel so we all could watch Chaz dance.

On Tuesday we did the "Envelope Stuffing Party" where we prepare the registration packet and then when we are done we eat pizza and drink Cokes. It is always a fun evening.

Probably the highlight of my week, other then going to dinner with all the Tennessee folks we could find, was meeting a mother Logan. She is the mother of a young transgirl who has already transitioned at a very young age and will not suffer under a purbity she does not want.

I found Logan on Facebook after watching the documentary "Sex, Lies, And Gender." I have been able to follow her and her family and I am so glad I could.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7dt5sTDGc

I knew she was at SCC and we finely met in Dr. Milton Diamond's seminar. Dr. Diamond is the one that exposed John Money's lies in the "John/Joan" case.

Having the WPATH sure gave us some great seminars.

In another WPATH seminar I found it interesting in a discussion on "gate keepers" that they don't see themselves as gatekeepers and still don't understand why folks would ever present to their pshrink in an ultra fem look. From what I had read in the early days and some places today, when a MTF saw their gender counselor they thought they should present in a certain way or be denied surgery. How can they not understand all this???!!!

Dr. Lin Fraser EdD

Here are some simi random pictures I took.

On Sunday, they had a bus to take us to the WPATH's location at Emory University. It was a joint day with WPATH, GLMA (Gay and Lesbian Medical Association). SCC played a very big part that day. There was a great panel of trans people.

The made a big deal about the new Standard of Care, and the committee all came forward and we all toasted it and them with champagne.

If I had known that the WPATH was as good as it was, I would have stayed the whole week. Sandra Stewart was staying to get them to focus on crossdressing more then they do now.

I posted some of these and others at Facebook.

Hugs,

Vickie

WPATH announces new standards of care for transgender and gender nonconforming people

2011-09-26T21:06:00.001-05:00

Below seems to be a nice summary of the changes in the v.7 of the SOC. It is so long and I was pretty exhausted of 7 days of SCC and 1 day of WPATH that I have not made it threw the SOC yet.

There are many good things so far, but I not everyone is totally happy. I have a what I hope to be a great picture of a mother of a trans-girl arguing with chair Eli Coleman right he made his summery at SCC. He neglected to mention that same thing when he gave the summery the next day at the WPATH meeting.

Although they don't see themselves as gate keepers, I think this document will do little or nothing to change things for our local providers.

Hugs,

Vickie

WPATH announces new standards of care for transgender and gender nonconforming people

BY DYANA BAGBY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011 19:57

There were champagne toasts and rounds of applause as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health released on Sunday its newest Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People at a symposium at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta.

WPATH revision committee chair Eli Coleman launched the 7th version of the standards of care to some 300 people who attended the symposium as part of a partnership with the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association and the Southern Comfort Conference, the largest transgender conference in the nation that takes place annually in Atlanta.

"This is a momentous occasion," Coleman said before he conducted a brief outline of the standards of care.

"This was a very, very important task. Just the title is a fundamental change — you do not see Gender Identity Disorder," Coleman said to a warm round of applause from transgender people and physicians and psychotherapists who work with transgender individuals.

"We've made a clear statement that gender nonconformity is not pathological," a pronouncement greeted with another round of applause from attendees.

"We've set a whole different tone. It's more about what the professionals have to do" and not about transgender people having to prove their health needs to the professionals, he explained.

And when Coleman announced that the new standards of care state in no uncertain terms that "reparative therapy is unethical," there was even more applause.

"This is no longer about hormones and surgery — it's about health in a holistic sense," Coleman said.

Ushers brought out champagne flutes to attendees and to members of the standards of care revision committee and all raised several toasts after version 7 was announced.

Walter Bockting, the outgoing president of WPATH, said in an interview before the launch that theversion 7 of the standards of care represents a significant departure from the past six versions — the original version was published in 1979 with revisions made in 1980, 1981, 1990, 1998 and 2001.

"Some of the changes we've made really incorporate the latest science," Bockting said. "Research in this area is really increasing so it is still a growing area but there has been a boom in research publications. Our standards of care are more evidence based."

Some key revisions:

• Psychotherapy is no longer a requirement to receive hormones and surgery, although it is suggested.

"It used to be a minimum amount of psychotherapy was needed. An assessment is still required but that can be done by the prescribing hormone provider," Bockting explained.

• A number of community health centers in the U.S. have developed protocols for providing hormone therapy based an approach known as the Informed Consent Model. These protocols are consistent with version 7 revisions of WPATH's standards of care.

"The SOC are flexible clinical guidelines; they allow for tailoring of interventions to the needs of the individual receiving services and for tailoring of protocols to the approach and setting in which these services are provided," Coleman explained.

"Access is more open and acknowledges transgender care is being provided in community health centers. This certainly makes it easier to access hormones," Bockting added.

• There are now different standards for surgery, as well. For example, a transgender man who wants a hysterectomy no longer has to live one year as a male in order to receive the surgery. Likewise, a transgender woman who wants her testicles removed does not have to live one year as a female.

For people who want genital reconstructive surgery, however, the standards of care recommend living a year in the role of the gender they are transitioning.

• Another major change, Bockting explained, is that the standards "allow for a broader spectrum of identities – they are no longer so binary."

"There is no one way of being transgender and it doesn't have to mirror the idea of a change of their sex," Bockting explained.

"These standards allow for a gender queer person to have breasts removed without ever taking hormones," he said.

The WPATH conference in Atlanta, along with the Southern Comfort Conference and the conference of the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, was a joint effort to show the world what is being done in the area of LGBT health.

But, Bockting added, the new WPATH standards of care also show the tremendous effort that transgender people themselves are doing to ensure their access to healthcare.

"Oftentimes the standards of care were perceived as a barrier even though they were meant as access to care for hormone therapy and surgery," he said.

"The new standards showcase the important role [transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming people] have played in changing the landscape of transgender health in the U.S.," Bockting added.

http://www.thegavoice.com/index.php/news/national-news/3497-wpath-announces-new-standards-of-care-for-transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-people

My Extra(Ordinary) Family: Transgender

2011-09-04T19:13:00.001-05:00

Ma Vie en Rose

2011-09-04T18:47:00.002-05:00

I can't watch this on Netflix but I can at the link below!!! I love this film!!!

OUT!wear is selling hateful WBW clothing for Michfest and still claims to be supportive.

2011-07-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

How in the world can these folks say that this "WBW" stuff could "promote ... unity and self esteem amongst Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, and Trans-gender persons," when the whole concept of "Womyn Born Womyn" is used to exclude transwomen from Mishfest!! (emphasis mine)

OUT!wear™ is quality custom Pridewear and Accessories "WORN WITH PRIDE" to promote visibility, unity and self esteem amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans-gendered persons.To promote a positive image within our community, whether bold or discreet.

http://www.outwear.com/

And they brag on their site that they are a lifetime PFLAG member.

We are proud to be lifetime members of PFLAG. A portion of the sale of PFLAG merchandise goes to support PFLAG's efforts.

http://www.outwear.com/PFLAG.php

I wonder why PFLAF and GLAAD has to say about all this transphobia. I know I hate it!!

Intersex

2011-06-28T00:59:00.000-05:00

It Gets Better - Janet Mock Reveals Trans History

2011-05-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

Chaz Bono - Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man - May 11, 2011 - Interview w/ David Letterman

2011-05-14T05:06:00.005-05:00

APA Releases Gender Dysphoria for the DSM-5, May 4, 2011

2011-05-07T00:10:00.001-05:00

It looks like we have a new definition for being a transsexual. Instead of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) the APA is proposing to call it Gender Dysphoria. I have not read much about these changes yet, but at least it is not a "disorder." Charlotte Goiar (of HBS fame) posted this on her Facebook page Thursday.

APA Releases Gender Dysphoria for the DSM-5

Today the American Psychiatric Association announced the
replacement of the diagnosis GID for Gender Dysphoria [P 01 Gender Dysphoria] in the DSM-5 to be published in the year 2013.

Transsexualism (ICD-10) will not be longer classified as a mental disorder in the DSM-5 after confirmation of the true diagnosis of Transsexualism after medical and surgical correction of it.

She made this political comment to her post:

It's time for us to be finally separated from the sociopolitical transgender agenda, and for to create medical protocols specific for our group of patients. Transgenderism is folly. HBS is real.

P 01 Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents or Adults
Proposed Revision
Rationale
Severity
DSM-IV

Updated May 4, 2011
Gender Dysphoria (in Adolescents or Adults)**
A. A marked incongruence between one's experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months duration, as manifested by 2^* or more of the following indicators: [2, 3, 4]**
1. a marked incongruence between one's experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics (or, in young adolescents, the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [13, 16]
2. a strong desire to be rid of one's primary and/or secondary sex characteristics because of a marked incongruence with one's experienced/expressed gender (or, in young adolescents, a desire to prevent the development of the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [17]
3. a strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender
4. a strong desire to be of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one's assigned gender)
5. a strong desire to be treated as the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one's assigned gender)
6. a strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one's assigned gender)
B. The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or with a significantly increased risk of suffering, such as distress or disability**

Subtypes
With a disorder of sex development [14]
Without a disorder of sex development
See also: [15, 16, 19]
Specifier**
Post-transition, i.e., the individual has transitioned to full-time living in the desired gender (with or without legalization of gender change) and has undergone (or is undergoing) at least one cross-sex medical procedure or treatment regimen, namely, regular cross-sex hormone treatment or gender reassignment surgery confirming the desired gender (e.g., penectomy, vaginoplasty in a natal male, mastectomy, phalloplasty in a natal female).
Note: Three changes have been made since the initial website launch in February 2010: the name of the diagnosis, the addition of the B criterion, and the addition of a specifier. Definitions and criterion under A remain unchanged.

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevision/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=482

Transgender Day of Remembrance Speech

2011-04-18T21:02:00.002-05:00

The amazing Ms. Vanessa Edwards-Foster, long-time trans-activist and co-founder of National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (N.T.A.C.), offers her experience-based wisdom as the keynote speaker at the official Illinois 2009 Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was observed at the New Spirit Community Church (in Oak park IL) this year. This secular but highly spiritual annual event was co-sponsored by Illinois Gender Advocates and Equality Illinois. This series of videos were produced, directed, shot (on location) and edited by Ms. Cyndi Richards (I.G.A. Chair) and Ms. Kimberly Nicole (Film 'n Video, Chicago) with the sole purpose of spreading the word far and wide about the ongoing series of unprovoked acts of fatal violence that victimize individuals who are perceived as gender-variant by xenophobes and other bigoted "haters" .

In 2009, approximately 120 human beings (that's TEN per month, or one every THREE DAYS!) from all over the world had their lives taken from them by other ignorant and violent human beings who could not simply "live and let live". (Point of fact: these disturbing statistics reflect only those murder cases which were reported to the authorities.) In Illinois (as well as other enlightened communities across the U.S.), we also pay tribute on this day to the legions of trans-folk who have succumbed to the slow, agonizing, ongoing effects of day-to-day discrimination by mainstream society, as well as the inexcusable incidents of "horizontal violence" (Google it) that occur within the LGBT community itself, which inevitably lead to isolation, hopelessness, and ultimately suicide. Those unique lives also had great value to the community, even if they themselves did not recognize that fact in their time of loneliness, desperation and sorrow,. Collectively we are ALL diminished by their tragic and highly avoidable choice, but they too deserve to be remembered. It is unreasonable to expect society to accept and respect trans-people when so many of our own community do not even respect each other. How many more people have to die, regardless of method, before we learn to take care of one another?

If trans-folk can't even manage to "watch each others' backs", then who will?

For more about I.G.A. and the fine, all-inclusive work they do for the entire Illinois transgender community, please go to www.genderadvocates.org.

Also please feel free to share this important message with anyone who truly cares about the safety, dignity, and basic human rights of transgender people. Together we CAN "stop the madness".

Daily Show: Toemageddon 2011 - This Little Piggy Went to Hell

2011-04-15T02:04:00.000-05:00

The Daily Show - Toemageddon 2011 - This Little Piggy Went to Hell
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

2011-04-15T01:29:00.001-05:00

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-13-2011/toemageddon-2011---this-little-piggy-went-to-hell

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-13-2011/toemageddon-2011---this-little-piggy-went-to-hell

Transmen Documentary Part 1

2011-04-10T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sandy Stone. Transgender Feminism. 2006 1/5

2011-04-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

Sandy Stone. Transgender Feminism. 2006 4/5

2011-04-01T21:08:00.001-05:00

Terri O’Connell - Transgendered Race Car Driver at Gaywheels.com - Gay-Friendly Automotive Resource

2011-03-27T01:02:00.000-05:00

Terri O’Connell - Transgendered Race Car Driver at Gaywheels.com - Gay-Friendly Automotive Resource

2 Trans Murders Rock Brazil: Priscila & Val Executed In The Streets

2011-03-17T02:20:00.002-05:00

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Priscila, a 22-year old trans woman in Brazil (born Gustavo Brandão Aguilar), was captured on surveillance camera being shot seven times, execution style, earlier this month. It is -- and I do not write this lightly, or with malice -- to be expected in a country where a LGBT person is slain every other day. After shooting her, the suspects fled in a car. Police do not appear to have any significant leads. Her killing was followed, 20 hours later, by the murder of Valdecir. She was shot in the head and neck. THIS IS WHAT INTOLERANCE LOOKS LIKE:

[TRANSLATE]

Transgender 'Thailand's Got Talent' Contestant Stuns Audience

2011-03-16T23:16:00.001-05:00

A recent "Thailand's Got Talent" contestant shocked audiences by revealing herself as a male-to-female transgender when her beautiful soprano morphed seamlessly into a masculine tenor midway through her debut performance.

Though male-to-female transgender operations are reportedly fairly common in Thailand, the performer's dual range certainly surprised the judges, who said they were "dumbfounded" but nonetheless praised her vocal prowess.

Watch the surprising performance in full below:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/15/transgender-thailands-got_n_836048.html

Baby Driver

2011-03-16T00:03:00.000-05:00

Becoming Chaz - OWN Trailer - Premiering in May

2011-03-11T23:23:00.000-06:00

Our America with Lisa Ling - Transgender Child: A Parent's Difficult Cho...

2011-03-11T23:22:00.000-06:00

Transmen Documentary Trailer

2011-03-11T01:04:00.003-06:00

"Transmen" will premiere at Middle Tennessee State

March 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m

State Farm Lecture Hall in the Business Aerospace Building (BAS)

MTSU

Murfreesboro, TN (Map http://bit.ly/ie1EF8 )

Dirty Fucking Hippies WERE RIGHT!

2011-02-06T21:23:00.000-06:00

Zach Wahls Speaks About Family

2011-02-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

Aleshia Brevard, one of America's first transsexuals ....

2011-01-31T11:40:00.000-06:00

I met her at SCC. I knew she was from Tennessee, but I did not know most of the stuff in this video.

Transgender and Transsexual Veterans of America Part 2

2011-01-22T10:58:00.000-06:00

I received a Christmas Card from the First Family today.

2010-12-21T17:26:00.002-06:00

Front of White House Christmas Card

Inside of card

Envelope

Back of card

A Transgender Voice - Jamie Clayton

2010-12-13T15:43:00.000-06:00

Going All Out

2010-12-10T04:14:00.000-06:00

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

2010-12-03T13:20:00.000-06:00

OTL: Sex Evaluation

2010-10-20T14:38:00.002-05:00

Outside the Lines' Julie Foudy examines how complex sex evaluation and defining male and female athletes can be.

Nikki Araguz interview with Ernie Manouse

2010-10-20T13:57:00.001-05:00

TTPC Dinner coming up fast!!

2010-10-20T12:39:00.003-05:00

Hello,

I would like to sat we still have tickets to our Banquet this Saturday.

TTPC is not directly affiliated with the Tvals, but most of members of TTPC are or were Tvals members. TTPC is the only group that lobbies exclusively for the transgender community at the state and federal level. We advocate for change in Tennessee to improve the laws that affect us, like adding us to the state hate crime law, and allowing changes in our birth certificate and drivers licence.

If we were not doing it, who would do it for us!!

We do need all your help. You can still get tickets at the our website. Just use the PayPal link or just email me and you can pay at the door. OK??? The dinner is just $20!! (Please put "Banquet Tickets" in the subject line so it won't get lost.

http://ttgpac.com/

I hope to see you all Saturday!!!!

If you can't make it there Saturday, please donate what you can at the website. We need all your help!!!

Thanks so much and hugs.

Vickie

davis.vickie@gmail.com

Danny's Solo...first upload ever!

2010-10-20T02:54:00.001-05:00

Danny came to a few meeting before he moved to Florida. This is his first of a series of YouTube videos about his life and transition.

http://bit.ly/9V071w

Hugs,

Vickie

It Gets Better

2010-10-04T22:52:00.000-05:00

An interview with singer/songwriter Namoli Brennet, who describes past performances in pigtails and a five-o’clock shadow. -genderfork

2010-10-03T02:05:00.002-05:00

October 1, 2010

An interview with singer/songwriter Namoli Brennet, who describes past performances in pigtails and a five-o'clock shadow. -genderfork
I love the song played in the video (Boy in a Dress): "When i was just thirty-three / I looked at me / I could have seen / a girl or a boy in a dress / or a girl / or a boy in a dress"
Here's an excerpt from her bio:
"Webster's defines anomaly as a deviation from the common rule, but look a little farther and you'll find another definition: hard to classify. And that might be the best way to describe musician Namoli Brennet. Brennet was born male and transitioned to female, but like many gender-variant types, she simply identifies as 'trans'."
Filed under musician namoli brennet trans interview video music mtf

http://bit.ly/b8CZA9

The Conversation: The 'It Gets Better' Project

2010-10-03T01:39:00.004-05:00

Columnist Dan Savage Tells ABC's Jeremy Hubbard About Project to Help Gay Youth

3 comments
Sept. 30, 2010
When a Rutgers University student killed himself after his sexual encounter with another boy was broadcast online by his college roommate, he joined a growing list of gay suicides in recent months.
Rutgers student Tyler Clementi apparently jumped to his death from a New York City bridge after his privacy was compromised online, and earlier this week, a Houston teen was also driven to commit suicide after enduring anti-gay bullying in school.
Gay kids are four times more likely that straight kids to commit suicide, according to a recent study, and nine out of 10 gay kids report being bullied.
"Hearing about these kids that have committed suicide, the reaction as a gay adult is always, 'God, I wish I could have talked to them for fifteen minutes or five minutes and told them it gets better,'" said gay columnist Dan Savage.
Related

WATCH: The Conversation: The 'It Gets Better' Project

Cyberbullying: What Should Have Been Done to Protect Tyler Clementi?

NJ Gov. Wonders How 'Spies' Can Sleep
In an effort to counter the despair and isolation that many young gay people feel, Savage has launched a YouTube channel to provide positive examples of gay adults living their lives and sharing that simple message -- it gets better.
"It occurred to me that we can talk to these kids now," Savage said. "We don't have to wait for an invitation or permission to reach out to them using social media and YouTube."
Savage's first video, recorded with his husband Terry, has had over 200,000 views on YouTube.
In the couple's video, Terry talks about enduring severe bullying as a teenager, recalling being beaten up, thrown against lockers and stuffed into bathroom stalls in his school.
"Sometimes in big urban centers and in media centers, we get the impression that things are universally great everywhere," Savage said. While things may be getting better in big cities, he added, "they're getting worse in small towns and rural areas. We've had fifteen years' worth of an aggressive campaign by the religious right to demonize and stigmatize gay people."
Dan Savage spoke to ABC's Jeremy Hubbard for a Conversation about his new project. We hope you'll watch.
Click here to visit the "It Gets Better" YouTube Channel.
Click here to return to the "World News" page.
Read 3 Comments and Post Your Own

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/dan-savage-project-world-news-conversation/story?id=11764984

San Francisco says "It Gets Better!"

2010-10-01T02:14:00.001-05:00

It Gets Better!

2010-10-01T01:19:00.003-05:00

"Dan Savage and his husband Terry talk about growing up gay, the assholes in high school, families you grow up in and families you create. Really beautiful stuff, and please, LGBT teens, watch it."

Thanks Helen!!

Pam's House Blend:: SCC 2010 is almost over, but SCC is Never Over!

2010-09-13T23:55:00.006-05:00

Lurleen, Autumn, and Pam.

It is pretty cool to see a picture I took used on Pam's House Blend website.

Corrections, History & Our Future

2010-09-04T02:02:00.000-05:00

Nikki Araguz: What happened in court today

2010-07-24T01:15:00.000-05:00

Red Without Blue - Watch the Documentary Film for Free | Watch Free Documentaries Online | SnagFilms

2010-07-13T18:19:00.001-05:00

Red Without Blue - Watch the Documentary Film for Free | Watch Free Documentaries Online | SnagFilms

Watch more free documentaries

The Times of Harvey Milk

2010-07-13T18:15:00.001-05:00

A little history for those that did not know the details at the time of Harvey's murder.

Watch more free documentaries

Trans-Friendly Police Woman of Memphis

2010-07-13T17:02:00.001-05:00

Trans-Friendly Police Woman of Memphis
POSTED BY BIANCA PHILLIPS ON FRI, JUL 9, 2010 AT 2:24 PM
This may be old news to some, but I caught last week's episode of TLC's Police Women of Memphis in the encore showing last night. In one scene, Officer Joy Jefferson schools a couple of teens who had been harassing a couple of transgender ladies in a neighborhood near Latham and East Trigg.
Officer Joy Jefferson
"You deserve to be comfortable and happy and on sit on your porch and rock your fuschia hair," Jefferson tells the transgender women after warning their harassers to stay away.
Jefferson calms transgender harassment victims
Earlier in the scene, she tells the camera person riding along in her squad car, "If you are a good person, you should always be treated with respect."
After the way former Memphis Police officer Bridges McRae handled relations with transgender police brutality victim Duanna Johnson in 2008, I guess I'd formed a negative opinion of the department's ability to deal with diversity. But Jefferson proved that some MPD officers are respectful to transgender people. Way to go, Jefferson!
Watch the scene for yourself on TLC by clicking here. The police call in question is about seven minutes into the video, but you can fast forward if you're in a hurry.

TWO SPIRITS Trailer a movie about the murder of Fred Martinez.

2010-07-09T03:01:00.000-05:00

Photos of Angie Trailer

2010-07-09T02:55:00.000-05:00

Photos of Angie Sample

2010-07-09T02:54:00.000-05:00

This house is one of my favorites.

2010-07-02T02:50:00.002-05:00

I drive past this house nearly every day and I love it's look. It is empty now and looks a little sad.

Hugs,

Vickie

Sent from my Motorola Droid phone.

Rally for Transgender Rights

2010-06-03T19:05:00.000-05:00

Way to go Nancy!!

Cold Case End - S2E03 - Daniela

2010-05-22T23:35:00.000-05:00

Great show which handles a kid meeting and falling in love with a transwoman. I cried my eyes out at the end.

2010 Nashville Flood Aftermath

2010-05-19T05:22:00.000-05:00

True Life | I'm Changing My Sex | MTV

2010-05-14T23:53:00.002-05:00

True Life - MTV Shows

http://bit.ly/dyvkku

Family Secrets - When Dad Becomes Mom - The Chloe Prince Story - ABC Primetime

2010-05-06T23:45:00.003-05:00

I just discovered Chloe Prince's "Family Secrets" show is on YouTube!!

Family Secrets - (1/6) When Dad Becomes Mom - The Chloe Prince Story - ABC Primetime
From: TheGreatPrinkOne | March 07, 2010 | 4,884 views
ABC Family Secret's - When Dad Becomes Mom - The Chloe Prince Story Part 1 of 6

Chloe Prince of Canton Ohio, Founder of PINKessence.com shares her family's story of life POST surgical male-to-female transition. Chloe is a Post-op Transgender Woman who was also born with a condition called "Klinefelter's Syndrome", also know as XXY. Klinefelter's Syndrome is considered to be a sub category of being Intersexed per the AMA.

ABC's camera's follow Chloe and Family for 1 year recounting the steps from Male to female transition, the effect on her family, work and marriage.

Learn more about Chloe Prince and her family at ChloePrince.com
... (more info)

http://bit.ly/FamilySecrets

It is quite a story! I am not sure I would be so open, but I am glad she did it!! I love the interviews with the kids. :-)

Nicole "Nicki" Stallard

2010-04-23T23:45:00.005-05:00

Nicole "Nicki" Stallard is a unique person, a publically open post-op MTF transexual gun rights activists. Nicki grew up in New York, served in the US Navy from 1978 thru 1985. Nicole has been involved in various Libertarian and Republican political activities since 1989. Nicole took over the San Jose Chapter of the Pink Pistols in 2006 as the coordinator. She has been Northern Ca Pink Pistols spokesperson and has testified for California CCW reform bills. She has represented the Pink Pistols at the SAF GRPC in 2007 and 2008 and is currently building bridges with both gun rights and gay rights organizations.

The Pink Pistols is a LBGT(Lesbain, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered) rights group that advocates armed self defense to deal with hate crimes. The Pink Pistols views the individual right of armed self defense as a basic human right and looks forward to getting "shall issue" CCW laws in all 50 states.

Nicole Stallard is working to find common ground and build alliances in both the gun and gay community. She is a Ron Paul Republican and views herself as a pragmatic Libertarian Republican.

Armed and Gay at the Right to Bear Arms Rally in Washington, DC.

Re: Queer Student Needs Help for Thesis--please forward widely

2010-04-13T19:03:00.005-05:00

I got this email today. It was just another snub to the T of the LGBt community. Kind of sad it is still going on.

My reply is below the email.

========================================
On Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 2:43 PM, Sarah Baillie wrote:

Hello,

The Social Identity Lab at the University of Washington would like to represent the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community in a study on cognition and social groups. We are conducting an anonymous, online study on cognitive processing about social groups. The study takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. For more information, please see the message below. Please forward this opportunity to your group and any friends you know that may be interested.

Best wishes,

Sarah Baillie
Senior Honors Student
Department of Psychology
University of Washington
sbaillie@u.washington.edu

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We invite you to participate in a study on cognition and social groups. In this study, you will be asked to answer a variety of questions about yourself. You will also complete two timed categorization tasks. Participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for $50.

The purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of cognitive processing about social groups in the world.

This is an anonymous, web-based study run through the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. For more information, please go to https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/sbaillie/95609 , or contact the Social Identity Lab at silab@u.washington.edu or (206) 685-4229. Please remember that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent by email.

This study has been approved by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board, Certification of Exemption #38239 under 45 CFR 46.101 (b)(2).

========================================

I am a transwoman. I started doing your study, but it quickly became obvious, that it was not written to with transgender folks in mind. Actually I felt a bit left out.

There are a lot of MTF and FTM people, that would feel not be able to fill out the study, because the questions were not written with us in mind, but definitely conceder ourselves as part of the "community."

You even talked about the "lesbian, gay and bisexual community" in your email. I thought we were past leaving transgender out of the "community."

Hugs,

Vickie

Here is her lame response. I know our issues are different, but it is obvious we are not part of "her" community. Just seeing how she does not feel that transgender does not belong as part of the LGB community.

Hi Vickie,

Thank you for your interest in the study and your feedback.

You are correct, the study is not aimed at transgender people. I was referring to the community as LGB because I am not looking at transgender individuals specifically.

In research, trans individuals are usually not clumped with LGB people, because studying trans individuals is very different from studying LGB individuals. Keeping with this, I am not specifically looking at trans participants in my study. I believe that, given the unique experiences of trans individuals, trans and intersex people deserve their own study that is aimed specifically at them.

This is my honors thesis that I am working on now. However, I want to extend the scope of this research to include a study aimed specifically at trans people in the near future.

Thank you so much for your feedback. If you feel you would like to discuss this further, then I would love to hear more from you.

Best wishes,

Sarah Baillie

Sarah Palin being uncharacteristically candid.

2010-04-09T14:38:00.002-05:00

I spotted this today, and I just had to share Sarah's being uncharacteristically candid about how she does not mind misleading the world.

transgender children and their parents speak out part 1

2010-03-26T00:35:00.002-05:00

transgender children and their parents speak out part 2

2010-03-26T00:34:00.002-05:00

Jackie Shane

2010-03-23T18:18:00.003-05:00

Someone wrote me at one of my Tvals email addresses to ask me if I knew of Jackie Shane. I guess he was born here in Nashville and was back here. Sad to say I had not seen him here.

Has anyone seen him lately.

August 26, 2009
Jackie Shane
HOLY MUSICIAN, BATMAN…
“Okay swingers, now that we’ve ditched the squares, hang on, ’cause Jackie’s gonna do it to you like you’ve never been done before!”
-Jerry Lincoln, liner notes of Jackie Shane Live
I tend, in my writing about music, to focus on the vocalist and to delve into biography. I try to remind myself to conjure up the nuance of a drum brush or a chord struck on the Hammond organ at just the right moment, but it always comes back to the frontman. I like instrumental music, and a perfect hook or nasty bassline can drive me wild. It’s just that when someone has not only a unique sounding voice and interesting phrasing, but brings a wildly fascinating persona to their song, it becomes that much more relatable. It’s what I always loved about listening to cover after cover of the same old soul song, driven by the vocalists, each with their own inflection and character; each with their own lament. And it’s why I always figured that guts and attitude can translate into excellent musicianship: done right, they have the potential to push a piece of music or a whole body of work into the realm of mythology. And no one had guts and attitude like Jackie Shane.

As with many of life’s big discoveries, my unearthing of Jackie Shane’s music was a total accident. I was looking for video footage of William Bell’s “Any Other Way,” a sweet country-soul song that came out on Stax in 1962. In “Any Other Way,” Bell is singing to a friend who’s been sent by his ex-girlfriend to check on him after a breakup. “I think you better go now/or you might see me cry,” sobs Bell, “but when you see my baby/here is what you say/tell her I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His earnest, clear-voiced treatment of this poorly-disguised heartbreak made for just about the saddest song I’d heard in a while, but damn it, I couldn’t find any performance footage online. Instead I stumbled upon this haughty, sauntering version of “Any Other Way” by some draggy-looking Canadian with tadpole eyebrows and a bouffant hairdo. And then another version, recorded by the same guy at some Toronto nightclub called the Sapphire; eight minutes littered with sassy banter. “Diamonds on my finger/I can’t get no more on there!” This was far from the lovesickness I’d been drawn to on the original, but man, was Jackie Shane entrancing.
Jackie Shane was a cross-dressing Canadian soul singer who recorded a couple of 45s and one live LP, Jackie Shane Live in the early 1960’s. Breathy, dissolving into wisps beneath a languishing canopy of horns, Jackie’s voice on “Any Other Way” is a curl of smoke. He didn’t jump on a note. No, instead he’d come in late on a phrase and just hang there.With his feline looks and boisterous sensuality, Jackie was, as a fan once wrote, “Little Richard meets Prince meets Eartha Kitt!” He pushed the boundaries of what was sexually accepted at the time, and his Canadian audience loved him both for it and in spite it.
His versions of songs were often the opposite of what you’d expect: Rufus Thomas’s blaring “Walking The Dog” turned mincing, William Bell’s driving, tormented “Any Other Way” became almost celebratory. When Bell sang “Tell her that I’m happy/tell her that I’m gay,” he was covering up his hurt, but when bewigged, spangled Jackie sang it, especially with that added chuckle, suddenly the song became about something entirely different. His live album is full of spoken bravado and fast-talking riffs (”I get money…and I can sing sexy too!”), but behind them he often delivered a real message. “Because the mean things people say about you, baby/Can’t make you sad/cause Jackie’s never lost a friend that I’ve never had.”
Beyond his strong Toronto following – and a television appearance onSoul Train “Night Train,” which you can see below – Jackie never achieved commercial success. And though celebrated on a few websites dedicated to queer musicians, his music has, for the most part, been lost to time. In fact, Jackie disappeared in the late sixties, and while there’s been speculation about a violent death in Los Angeles, no one really knows what happened to Jackie Shane. Yet here he was, this brief spark, pushing limits way ahead of his time, and it’s this lost moment that makes his music seem all the more enchanting.
I recommend you look into Jackie Shane, and that you remember, if nothing else, his words: “I live the life I love and I love the life I live/And I hope you’ll do the same.”
by Erin Sheehy
PS: Besides the video, listen to his live and studio versions of “Any Other Way.”
Tags: Any Other Way, Eartha Kitt, Erin Sheehy, Holy Musician Batman, Jackie Shane, Little Richard,Prince, William Bell

Sassafras Lowrey at NYC Lawrence King Memorial

2010-03-17T15:24:00.001-05:00

Baseball Prospectus on Real Sports

2010-03-12T22:11:00.003-06:00

A commercial for the Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel feature on Baseball Prospectus. Check the show out on March 16. BPers Christina Kahrl, Kevin Goldstein (beginning), Jay Jaffe (end, though I guess I cut him off a bit--sorry!) are in the clip. Sorry, got a bit shaky toward the end.

Gender Dysphoria

2010-03-05T18:28:00.001-06:00

Amazing video. It was written from the FTM point of view, but it made this 60 something MTF cry.

Our New Trans Hero Rhiannon O'Donnabhain's

2010-02-06T23:22:00.004-06:00

I wonder why I did not here about this coming. Congratulations Rhiannon!!!

V

Court Rules Sex-Change Surgery Is Tax-Deductible
Updated: 1 day 15 hours ago

Mara GayContributor

(Feb. 3) -- Along with their home office expenses and one-half of the cost of their business meals, American taxpayers can take a tax deduction for their sex-change operations. On Tuesday, the U.S. Tax Court ruled that a Massachusetts woman can write off the $25,000 price tag of her hormone therapy and gender-reassignment surgery because the procedures were medically necessary. Rhiannon O'Donnabhain, who was born a man, had sued the Internal Revenue Service in 2007 after the agency denied her $5,000 deduction after deeming the procedures "cosmetic." In an opinion that could have a far-reaching effect on transgender Americans, the Tax Court said it found the IRS' argument "at best a superficial characterization of the circumstances" and one that was "thoroughly rebutted by the medical evidence," ABC News reported. "(Gender identity disorder) is a well-recognized and serious mental disorder," the majority wrote.

Josh Reynolds, AP
Rhiannon O'Donnabhain, here in 2007, sued the IRS after it refused to let her deduct $5,000 from her taxes for her sex-change operation.
According to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, between 1,600 and 2,000 Americans undergo sex-change surgery every year. Lawyers for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, who represented O'Donnabhain, argued that the tax code should approach her condition the same way it does other recognized mental disorders; treatment for alcoholism, for example, is considered tax-deductible. In a GLAD press release, O'Donnabhain said she was "overjoyed, not only for me, but for other transgender people. We deserve respect, equal treatment for our medical care and fair treatment by our government." GLAD attorney Jennifer Levi also praised the decision. "I think what the court is saying is that surgery and hormone therapy for transgender people to alleviate the stress associated with gender identity disorder islegitimate medical care,'' she told The Boston Globe. In 2007, O'Donnabhain spoke to The Associated Press about her decision to undergo a sex change. "I always thought the feelings would go away. If I date, the feelings will go away; if I marry, they'll go away; if I do male stuff, they'll go away. But of course, they never went away," she said. "I finally reached a point where I just couldn't contain this any more. I felt like my life was unraveling." Some commentators cautioned, however, that the implications of the ruling could be as complicated as gender itself. "This case ineluctably contributes to the medicalization and pathologization of gender identity," Tony Infanti wrote at the Feminist Law Professors blog. One thing O'Donnabhain won't be able to write off: her breast augmentation surgery, which the court said is not medically necessary.

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/sex-change-surgery-is-tax-deductible-court-rules/19343302

The Snows of Columbia.

2010-02-01T01:32:00.001-06:00

Sent from my Motorola Droid phone.

TEDTalks : Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl - Eve Ensler (2009)

2010-01-29T07:21:00.001-06:00

Check out this item TEDTalks : Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl - Eve Ensler (2009) - http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~3/LHoBGZbXFfE/751

In Remembrance of Maxwell Anderson

2010-01-18T13:09:00.001-06:00

Beautifully done, Monica!! I can hardly see my keyboard threw the tears, even tho I hardly knew him. It was also great to see him in the early years. He was so handsome then. Also it was great to see a picture I took. Thanks for seeing what I saw in it.

Atlanta's Rally for Transgender Rights - Dr. Maxwell Anderson

2010-01-17T06:15:00.001-06:00

His last public talk.

The Last Pageant - Calpernia, EOY and a Goodbye

2010-01-16T15:30:00.001-06:00

Wow.

Sarah Luiz on Jane Whitney

2010-01-14T14:08:00.001-06:00

I am so glad things like this are saved for us all.

Trans woman seeks uterine transplant

2010-01-14T13:56:00.001-06:00

Dallas Voice :: Trans woman seeks uterine transplant

United Breaks Guitars

2010-01-14T13:13:00.002-06:00

I saw this on The View this morning. Pretty funny. Finely the little guy got back against the big guys.

Stop Transphobia on Facebook - Un-Ban Dominic Scaia

2010-01-11T18:40:00.002-06:00

Dominic Scaia is a female-to-male (FTM) transsexual and transgender activist whose journey has been documented on Youtube, his personal blogs, and on Facebook.

He recently had his chest surgery, and posted some post-op photos of the results on his Facebook account, to share with his friends. These were photos of a MALE chest. There was no nudity in the photos, and they weren't in the least bit gory.

On December 20th, just hours after he posted one of the affirmentioned photos as his profile picture, he went to log in to Facebook to discover that his account had been disabled.

He wrote to Facebook the day his account was disabled, and once again about 9 days later. He has still not heard back from them, and his account is still disabled.

Dominic has adhered to Facebook's Terms Of Service perfectly, and has been using the site for over 3 years with no problems.

I've seen birthing pictures, female and male genitalia, as well as breasts on Facebook with no problem, and all Dominic posted was his newly male chest that he was so proud of.

There is nothing to justify what has happened here.

This is discrimination, and there is no way around it.

I'm surprised at Facebook's behavior, as Facebook, Inc. is headquartered in Palo Alto, California - a state that has laws specifically outlawing discrimination based on gender identity, and decent amount of precedent that trans people should be respected as the gender they identify as in public accommodations.

This group has been formed in hope of not only getting Dominic un-banned, but also in hope of bringing this issue to light, making sure this type of thing doesn't happen to OTHER FTM's, and hopefully getting an explanation for what has happened.

Test from my Moterala Droid phone

2010-01-11T12:48:00.006-06:00

Amazing! ! I can write a post from a web page. But I can not upload an image. What's up with that????
Is

Rachel Maddow discusses Amanda Simpson

2010-01-07T01:39:00.001-06:00

I had this on my DVR and made a bad video of it. Sorry.

Presidential Appointment Announced Amanda Simpson appointed to Department of Commerce

2010-01-01T04:44:00.002-06:00

News Bulletin: Transgender Woman Appointed to Department of Commerce.

Amanda Simpson

She only wants to be a "A natural woman."

2009-12-29T16:04:00.011-06:00

A cross-dressed male college student named Liu Renwei who longs to release his inner female spirit stands on the pedestrian lane of Shengli Road in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province holding a sign that reads: "I won't give up my dream of having a transsexual operation even if I die, because I want to be a real woman."

In long black silk hose, high heels and light make-up, he vamped to the music from a nearby clothing store and caused a stir. Liu, a 21-year-old senior at Jingdezhen Pottery and Porcelain College said he needs $100,00 yuan ($14,640) for transsexual surgery to realize his dream.

"I've wanted to be a woman since I was a child," Liu said. "So I want to have the operation and become a real woman. I hope some good-hearted people, after seeing what I do, will donate or some hospital will do the operation free to help me." Liu added that he'd learned that others like him had found happiness after parading their plight in public and he hoped to do the same.

Liu told a reporter that he's shunned at school where he has no friends or social life but ultimately hopes to live a normal life. "I want to be employed by a multinational company, become a white collar, and gain dignity and confidence," he said.

www.jxcn.cn

She has to be so brave. I sure could not do that. I wish her the best.

Fwd: New TG resource - a primer on passing

2009-12-28T21:02:00.001-06:00

I just received this email from Melinda Green with the link to a online book that looks pretty good. Now I have just spent a few minutes looking at it but it looks like it is full of good information.

Passing Glances
A primer on passing and successful transition for the early-stage transwoman

Please take a look and see if you like it?

Look at her resume on her personal page http://www.superliminal.com/melinda/ It is more then very impressive.

Hugs,

Vickie

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Melinda Green <melinda@superliminal.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 28, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Subject: New TG resource - a primer on passing
To: webmistress@tvals.org

Dear Tennessee Vals,

I thought that you would like to know about the free on-line book Passing Glances that I've self-published as my gift to the TG community. You may like to link to it from your resources page.

Thank you,
-Melinda Green
Superliminal Software

--
=======================================================

Chair Woman of The Tennessee Vals
http://tvals.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/T-Vals/

Treasure of Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition
http://ttgpac.com/

Board Member of OutCentral
http://www.outcentral.org/

http://vickiedavis.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/davis.vickie

http://www.pinkessence.com/
http://www.pinkessence.com/group/Tennessee

Yahoo IM: vickiecd
Skipe Name: vickie_davis
Email: davis.vickie@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LwvCuwUBb8

My SCC Pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144622&id=755325959&l=c77af94f7f

My MagicJack phone number is 615-562-3566
(Messages are just fine, I'll return your call very soon.)

People will do anything, no matter how absurd,
in order to avoid facing their own soul.
Carl Gustav Jung

=======================================================
Gmail is now estimating where I am. So far it is close but not always correct.

Sent from Madison, Tennessee, United States

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

2009-12-25T00:25:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone.

Articles by Christine Daniels are back on the LA Times site

2009-12-23T17:54:00.003-06:00

Vickie Davis Articles by Christine Daniels - Los Angeles Times

I see the LA Times has also put back 67 of her sports articles. I am glad.

Articles by Christine Daniels - Los Angeles Times

bit.ly/5XlVUX

It was rolling along as most conference calls with Billy Packer do – ask a question, brace for a lot oflistening. Read more

"Old Mike, new Christine" is back on the net.

2009-12-23T17:46:00.003-06:00

Vickie Davis "Old Mike, new Christine" Christine Daniels is back up on the LA Times site. This is the on where she introduces herself to the world. I read it back then and was pretty excited that she could do it.

Thanks, LA Times!

Old Mike, new Christine -- latimes.com

bit.ly/54jUt7

During my 23 years with The Times' sports department, I have held a wide variety of roles and titles. Tennis writer. Angels beat reporter. Olympics writer. Essayist. Sports media critic. NFL columnist. ...

Transgender Heroes of the Past & Present

2009-12-14T22:20:00.001-06:00

"Transgender Heroes of the Past & Present, a slide presentation I put together for SCC's Heroes Theme at this years conference." Maxwell Anderson

NYS Senator Diane Savino speaks on the Marriage Equality bill

2009-12-04T00:59:00.001-06:00

The Weekly Profiles Theresa Sparks, SF's First (Potential) Transgender Supervisor

2009-11-11T23:26:00.002-06:00

Our guest Day-Around-the-Bay aggregator Chris Daly pointed you to this cover piece about Theresa Sparks in the new issue of SF Weekly last night, but having just read it ourselves during a long F-Market trip last night, we thought we'd encourage you again. It's a compelling profile by Lauren Smiley of the woman who could be our next District 6 Supervisor (should she officially decide to run), and the main photo by Frank Gaglione (at right) makes Sparks look downright Lorraine Bracco-ish, no?
As head of SF's Human Rights Commission, and previously as President of the Police Commission, Sparks has been breaking new ground for transgendered people in San Francisco politics. She spent fifty years of her life living as a man and as a powerful executive in the oil recycling industry, and was married twice before ultimately moving to San Francisco in the 90s to seek the advice of gender therapists. She almost immediately began transitioning, and flew to Bangkok in 2000 for gender reassignment surgery.

Sparks had trouble finding work after she began transitioning, but with her business skills she ultimately rose up the ranks from being a clerk at sex retail chain Good Vibrations to being the company's CEO. She later gained the attention of some of Newsom's rivals on the Board of Supervisors and was appointed to the police commission.

Now, due to some health issues that prevent her from climbing too many hills, she has relocated out of her former Nob Hill home to a condo at Van Ness and Turk, and she is vocally eying Chris Daly's chair as District 6 supervisor (Daly will be termed out as of next year). It could be an interesting race. As Smiley puts it, "However much San Francisco can look past Sparks being transgendered, there's no question that this is a city where identity politics matter."

This Morning Worlds Youngest Transsexual Kim Petras

2009-11-04T17:30:00.001-06:00

I was catching up on my Trans-Ponder podcasts and I heard about Kim the transgender singer.

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

2009-10-29T15:35:00.001-05:00

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

OutCast Archive - January 4, 2009

2009-10-27T02:11:00.002-05:00

OutCast Archive - January 4, 2009

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It's Sunday, January 4, 2009, and tonight on OutCast our guest is transgender activist Sabrina Marcus Taraboletti.

Sabrina is featured in the documentary film,Trinidad, which screened tonight at the Alamo Ritz. Sabrina discusses a number of matters with us, including her strong Catholic faith, founding the Southern Comfort Conference, and why her kids still call her "dad".

Listen.

Download.

Bodyshock: Age 8 And Wanting A Sex Change

2009-10-26T21:34:00.001-05:00

Jamison Green Reflects on Transitioning

2009-10-22T16:27:00.001-05:00

I am reading Jamison Green's book "Becoming a Visible Man" and I learning a lot. I highly recommend it to anyone.

.

86-year-old WWII vet on gay marriage: "what do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?"

2009-10-22T01:48:00.001-05:00

Darren sez, "A disarming video of an 86-year-old WWII veteran from a public meeting on Maine's marriage equality bill on April 22, 2009."

The woman at my polling place asked me do I believe in equality for gay and lesbian people. I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her: what do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/20/86-year-old-wwii-vet.html?awesm=fbshare.me_Omb

Thanks Del Ray Zimmerman for this find!

Tammy Twotone - The Audition

2009-10-21T15:39:00.004-05:00

namoli brennet at The Latonia in Oil City Venango County, PA

2009-10-19T01:47:00.002-05:00

2008 International Transgender Day of Remembrance

2009-10-18T06:15:00.002-05:00

Transgender Day of Remembrance is coming up soon. Let's not forget.

Professor Lynn Conway on Dr. Kenneth Zucker

2009-10-18T02:47:00.002-05:00

Keep up the good fight Lynn!

Transyouth Katie Hill: Cable News's Only Trans Spokesperson This Weekend

2009-10-14T11:36:00.001-05:00

http://pamshouseblend.com - Pam's House Blend: Transgender youth Katie Hill and lesbian youth Misty TwoFull (sp?) are interviewd by CNN's Don Lemon (on Newsroom) about President Barack Obama's October 10th, 2009 speech to the HRC's annual gala.

WORKS IN PROGRESS-CROSSDRESSERS

2009-10-13T14:19:00.001-05:00

I actually know some of these people from SCC. So cool!