9/15/12

Texas ISD principal Terminates Cosmetology Class To Rid School Of "Flamboyant Gays"

Then principal Thomas Amons takes retribution against Instructor Cequada Clark pictured right, and fires her from all of her other teaching positions. Being a Texan this makes me ill.

Source: The Advocate reports a cosmetology program for adults at a Texas technical school is canceled, according to The Examiner of southeast Texas, because it's illegal to bar an applicant for his sexual orientation.

Instructor Cequada Clark of the Taylor Career Center told the newspaper that the school's principal, Thomas Amons, had said he'd rather shut down the program than have "flamboyantly gay guys" included.

The Examiner reports that Kwmane Gray, 22, arrived at class and when the principal realized it, he consulted with lawyers about how to keep him out. The lawyers for the Beaumont Independent School District reportedly advised that it's illegal to ban an individual student just for being gay, so instead the principal shuttered the entire program, which had been running since 2009.

Clark, who told the newspaper she had been subsequently fired from her job, said the program had been used most often by single mothers who were trying to start a career.
A short video of today's protest shared on facebook by Vic Demented.



You can hear the few dozen protesters demanding principal Thomas Amons produce proof that he cancelled the program for lack of participation and you can see Fox News was there but as some on the facebook protest page have noted Fox is refusing to publish about the story having posted this on their Facebook page.



Instructor Cequada Clark responded on that same thread to Fox's contention she was not employed by the BISD:
"I have a BISD email I have a BISD w-2 form and a 1099 my name is in the book at the career center and the high school enrollment tutorial forms as a teacher. Am I on candid camera? I work as a paraprofessional -a high school tutorial- and I also was the teacher of the Adult cosmetology program. I have a copies of my time sheets."
In two days over 800 people who have signed the petition demanding proof as well. Will you?

Instructor Cequada Clark told the Examiner
“I don’t understand this. I really don’t,” Clark said. “(Amons) told me he would rather shut down the program altogether than to have ‘riff-raff’ like that in the program. The next day, he shut down the program.”

Clark, who has headed the adult cosmetology program since 2009 at BISD, said, “Earlier this year, I learned he had a problem with gay guys while we were at the hair show in April.” Clark said at the hair show, Amons told her that he never wanted to see “flamboyantly gay guys” in the BISD program like the men enrolled at other programs competing in the event.
This may not be quickly resolved so in the meantime I hope all my LGBT family patronizes Cequada Clark's wonderful establishment.












Mara Keisling, Anderson Cooper's Spot On, You're Just Wrong!

Mara Keisling of the NCTE broke bad on Anderson Coopers interview with Mandi a trans person who claimed her transsexualism resulted from the side affects of Propecia.

Cooper: "Look I have friends who are transgender(ed) and they all tell me these feelings don't come out of a bottle." to which Mandi replies 'ah yeah".

Cooper delves deeper trying to ascertain when his guest first realized her transsexualism and Mandi replied she knew first when she questioned her sexuality as a youth to which Cooper pointed out "gender and sexuality are two different things.



Mara offered a private 'appology' to Mandi McKee who posted it to Facebook calling for Keisling to make a public appology.

Mandi, I am so sorry that you interpret NCTE's recent activity around Anderson Live as being an attack on you personally. We were very careful not to even use your name or to say anything about you. Our complaint was with Anderson and his producers doing a show that they knew was just using trans people as a sensational ratings chaser. After watching the show, I am convinced all the more that they were willing to use you and transgender people to stir up emotions and ignorance about trans people.

Every trans person has a different story and NCTE is very serious about respecting that and even empowering many different stories. And you are welcome to conduct your search for meaning anyway you want. You are welcome to identify as trans or not. But it is not okay for a public personality like Anderson Cooper with a respected public forum like Anderson Live to risk spreading misinformation that could actually hurt trans people.

And I know how hard it is to decide whether or not to transition. I have felt the crushing and deflating depression and anxiety. You can't even know how much I personally wish you the best as you are going through that. It can be really hard, I know.

But our number one job at NCTE is to end the societal ignorance that really is the underlying cause of that depression and anxiety and marginalization. Framing the show the way they did and using you the way they did, was not good for ending that ignorance and we rightly spoke out.

Be well,
Mara
Ah, yeah the premise of the interview was slightly absurd but....

I think we can all agree hypersensitivity to discussions of gender diversity inhibit media from further exploration which ultimately sets us back into obscurity.

Mara Keisling, Anderson Cooper was spot on debunking that misconception, you are guilty of being a sensationalist media hound.

9/11/12

Transgender Director Lana Wachowski's "Cloud Atlas" Premier Gets Standing Ovation

Video: Cloud Atlas opening at the Toronto Film Festival receiving rave reviews, but whats it all about? Check out the trailer and then the Directors (3) yes three Directors cut....



Why would the fabulously successful director of the Matrix open at the Toronto Film Festival?



Our lives are not our own we are tied to others in the past and future. Every crime and every kindness gives birth to our future.....

9/9/12

Family Outraged Over Transgender Murderer Michelle Kosilek's Court Ordered SRS. Are you?

How about you? Yes, No? Take the poll on the top right sidebar>>>

Update* Mass Gov may repeal Judge Wolf's ruling. Details at the bottom of the post.

Surprisingly there are many within the trans community who are in agreement with the victims family. Not so surprising though in light of how rule conscious our community is, its the essence of our validity. They feel that Michelle Kosilek should not receive a state funded sexual reassignment surgery. Many feel that since they have absolutely no chance at becoming whole at state expense, why should a murderer, any murderer be granted SRS.



Then there are some within our community who would argue that denying Michelle Kosilek SRS would essentially confirm what corporations contend, that this surgery is elective and cosmetic. The people in this corner believe that would be counter productive to fight against Michelle Kosilek surgery as it is central to our argument that SRS is a medical necessity as we fight to get that option added to medical plans. Humanists further argue its even even more important she be granted this state funded surgery since it would allow Michelle Kosilek to be correctly housed while incarcerated.

How do you feel?

*Update via Washington Post:
"BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says his administration is reviewing a judge’s ruling ordering state prison officials to pay for sex reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate."

"Patrick said Monday no decision has been made on whether to appeal last week’s decision by U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf, who ruled the surgery was medically necessary to treat Michelle Kosilek’s “serious medical need."

"Patrick notes the ruling went against the state, which opposed the surgery. But the Democrat also calls the judge “thoughtful and scholarly” and says the state wants to fully evaluate the opinion before deciding what to do."
I'm unclear what Gov. Deval Patrick meant when he said the ruling 'went against the state". Perhaps 'the state' he is referring to is the vocal component of his constituency opposed to the Judges ruling?

In which case our own Zoe posting as aebrain made a very good case in her comment on the WP article writing that "The Governor has a problem."

Correct me if I'm wrong but essentially, Zoe pointed out the Governor's problem is one of political survival VS Constitutional law.





Denmark Do Not Send Trans Woman Fernanda Milan To Her Death

Protest Danish acquiescence to the murder of this woman, Fernanda Milan.

***UpDate! Uncommon Scents is reporting an 11th hour appeal has stayed her deportation, for now.

At 22 Fernanda has made some powerful enemies. Adversaries in her country who have beaten her in the past, and now that she revealed to world the fate that awaits her in Guatemala they will stop at nothing to silence her, if she is forced to return.

What has made these people act so violently towards Fernanda? She is transgender and an activist.



Liberal Conspiracy contributor Natacha Kennedy writes : "It has been estimated that the average life expectancy of a transgender person in Guatemala is 25, and there are, quite simply, no trans people there at all over 35. Trans people are excluded from society and have no access to education or employment, most being forced into sex work to survive, where they become easy targets for extra-judicial killings."

"The problem for Fernanda is that Denmark, the UK and Ireland opted out of an EU agreement to include persecution on the grounds of gender identity as a criterion for asylum.


Despite the best efforts to date by ILGA-Europe
Denmark will not allow her asylum leaving one option. Protest.

Save Fernanda Milan Demonstration outside the Royal Danish Embassy,55 Sloane Street,London SW1X 9SR.Monday 10 September 5.30 – 8.00pm .The Facebook demo page

9/8/12

PUSSY RIOT Releases New Video BURNING PHOTOS Of Putin.

The Fight Is Bigger Than This Tyrant. Reuters and MTV report that PUSSY RIOT has released this new video thanking the world for supporting them and calling out the illegitimate leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
PUSSY ZDJĘĆ BURN RIOT Putina, Pussy RIOT BURN fotografií Putina, PUSSY RIOT PHOTOS BURN de Poutine, PUSSY RIOT BURN FOTOS von Putin 2012.07.09



Mosca - Nel video diffuso online si vedono tre PUSSY RIOT con il passamontagna colorato che esprimono sostegno nei confronti delle loro tre compagne condannate a due anni di carcere in carcere e ringraziano le star internazionali che le hanno sostenute, tra cui Bjork, Madonna e i Red Hot Chili Peppers

Moscow - In the video posted online there are three PUSSY RIOT with colored balaclava expressing support for their three companions sentenced to two years in prison in prison and thanked the international stars who have incurred, including Bjork, Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Масква - У відэа размешчаны ў Інтэрнэце ёсць тры PUSSY RIOT з каляровымі падшлемнікі выказваючы падтрымку іх трыма спадарожнікамі прысуджаны да двух гадоў пазбаўлення волі ў турме, і падзякаваў міжнародных зорак, якія ўзялі на сябе, у тым ліку Б'ёрк, Мадона і Red Hot Chili Peppers

Moskva - I videoen lagt online der er tre PUSSY RIOT med farvet elefanthue udtrykke støtte til deres tre kammerater dømt til to års fængsel i fængslet og takkede de internationale stjerner, der har afholdt, herunder Bjork, Madonna og Red Hot Chili Peppers

Moskou - In de video online geplaatst zijn er drie PUSSY RIOT met gekleurde bivakmuts hun steun voor hun drie metgezellen veroordeeld tot twee jaar in de gevangenis in de gevangenis en bedankte de internationale sterren die zijn ontstaan, daaronder begrepen Bjork, Madonna en de Red Hot Chili Peppers

Moskva - I videon upp på nätet finns det tre PUSSY RIOT med färgad balaclava uttrycker stöd för sina tre kamrater dömts till två års fängelse i fängelset och tackade de internationella stjärnor som har uppkommit, inklusive Björk, Madonna och Red Hot Chili Peppers

Москва - В видео размещены в Интернете есть три PUSSY RIOT с цветными подшлемник выражая поддержку их тремя спутниками приговорен к двум годам лишения свободы в тюрьме, и поблагодарил международных звезд, которые взяли на себя, в том числе Бьорк, Мадонна и Red Hot Chili Peppers

Moscú - En el video publicado en línea hay tres RIOT COÑO con el apoyo pasamontañas de color para expresar sus tres compañeros condenados a dos años de prisión en la cárcel y agradeció a las estrellas internacionales que han incurrido, incluyendo Bjork, Madonna y los Red Hot Chili Peppers

and to all the activists in the world who are joining the fight for Russia, thank you.