4/13/11

Sandy Rawls Interview "I'm Glad HB235 is Dead"

"Equality Maryland can't just keep on with what they've been doing, they have to reach out to the transgender community." says Sandy Rawls.

Ashley Love of Trans Forming Media (TFM) talks with Baltimore transgender leader Sandy Rawls founder and director of Trans-United who initially supported HB235. Miss Rawls later became a outspoken opponent of the 'anti-discrimination bill' without public accommodations protections after hearing from her membership.



Sadly Equality Maryland the proponent of HB235 is not reaching out. Conversely they are continuing to censor the transgender community by not allowing the majority of people who voice dissenting opinions from commenting on their facebook page all the while trumpeting a fully inclusive meme .

Sandy Rawls and Ashely Love are the people Equality Maryland Should be listening to not their transgender doctor and another wealthy member who stated the only way their lives could have been effected by the omission of public accommodations was the possibly they might have a harder time reserving a room at the ski lodges.

For Better or Worst Gay Marriage is the Best!


For Better or Worst


My good friend Terry Denson publishes a non profit site called "Theology Degrees" a place where anyone may search over 65 Schools Offering Theology Degrees Online. I think that is a wonderful effort and made better by his most recent post For Better or For Worse: Top 10 Gay Marriage Blogs


God it feels GREAT to work freely again for our entire community. Thank you Terry!

4/12/11

HB235 Killed in the Eleventh Hour! WE WON!

Our hard work and determination killed the "anti-discrimination bill" without public accommodations provisions! The Maryland transgender groups Transmaryland and Trans-United members, the past Equality Maryland Board President, current EQMD members and allies lobbied legislators so passionatly to oppose this bill apparently made a impression connecting with there need to "Do the Right Thing" in this desperate eleventh hour.

To thank try and individualy the trans people in Maryland who accomplished this I would have to leave someone out and that would be sad so I will just say JOB WELL DONE! We took down Goliath.

Some of the blogs that directly empowered this effort taking on the seemingly overwhelming media power of HRC's media platform: Monica who sounded the alarm on TransGriot , Kat at Enda Blog, Ashley on her blog Trans Forming Media (TFM), USA, The Transexual Menace, Woman Born Trannsexual, She Wired, Know the Neighbor, TransAdovcate.

Twitter advocates who's passion drove the tweet world informing and educating about this terriable bill, Angel Dallare, metalmujer voz latina, ernesto olivo, whatsername, D Ruth Bavousett, Desiree Arceneaux Also belonging in our Hall of Fame is Maryland Senator Madaleno who is pre filling a anti discrimination bill for the 2012 that includes public accommodations.

Unfortunately when there is a epic battle between the underdog tweeter and bloggers fighting for equality there is a villain. In this case its Equality Maryland. After Equality Maryland's role in HB235 was exposed they panicked and sought to hide, deceive, lie, pressure, intimidate, and mislead. Instead the truth is being laid bare here, and everywhere freedom of speech is honored.

Also belong in this hall of shame is the lone national blogger who paroted Equality Marylands lies and deceptions, Autumn Sandeen at Pams House Blend. Autumn, I would be PROUD to be placed next to Ashlely Love in your sidebare of intimidation. Trans people only ask for what ALL other minorities demand, FULL EQUALITY. Nothing less is acceptable.

4/11/11

Maine Governor Paul LePage "You have to be insane to allow transgender children in the schools"


Another attack on transgender rights is taking place now in Maine.


Paul LePage the 75th Governor of Maine who took down the mural of Baths Ironworks Rosi the Riveter from the Department of Labor headquarters will undoubtedly sign LD1046 into law based on his campaign statements.

"You know, our children are being used as pawns," he said then. "I just don't understand how people, at least sane people, would want to allow transgender in our primary schools and our high schools."

LePage then pledged to oppose legislation for transgendered students. "If I claim I'm a woman in my philosophy and my thinking, I can play on the girls' hockey team or the girls' basketball team. I think it's absolutely insane, I think it's gone too far and we have to push back. As governor, I would never allow that to be signed into law," he said. Maine Public Broadcasting Network

The Senate will hold a hearing on a bill that could repeal the 4-0-1 MHRC ruling allowing transgender people to use the restroom which aligns with our gender expression.

If you can't attend in person the hearing on An Act To Amend the Application of the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Public Accommodations LD1046 which is scheduled for a public hearing on Apr 12, 2011, 1:00p Room 438 State House you can also Listen Live here

4/9/11

"Photos of Angie" Indie film of Angie Zapata premiers

Angies life forever changes how we view being transgender and her death redefines the punishment for hate crimes.


Trailer description:
"This haunting yet hopeful documentary tells the story of Angie Zapata, a transgender teen who was murdered in rural Greeley, Colorado in 2008. The film moves between the trial of her killer, Angie's brief life and self-discovery told through family and friends, and the fruition of national hate crime legislation with Angie's case very much in the foreground as it was the first time that a transgender murderer was successfully prosecuted under hate crime laws."



"Told in five movements, one per day of the trial of Angie's killer, the film features a classical score by Mackenzie Gault of the national touring band The Flobots and additional music by L.A.-based band Ozomatli. The film reveals Angie's simple life in the context of a complicated struggle juxtaposed with her violent death at the hands of a man whose true nature is finally revealed."


Source Westword.com