1/7/09

Thomas Hammarberg Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights: Trans discrimination must no longer be tolerated


pinknews.co.uk: Thomas Hammarberg is the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights released this comment on trans rights on his website yesterday.

“Discrimination against transgender persons must no longer be tolerated”

"My discussions with non-governmental organisations defending the rights of transgender persons indicate that a number of such hate crimes go unreported – even in serious cases. One of the reasons appears to be a lack of trust in the police."

"I have been struck by the lack of knowledge about the human rights issues at stake for transgender persons, even among political decision-makers. This is probably the reason why more has not been done to address transphobia and discrimination based on gender identity. The result is that individuals are discriminated against all over Europe, in areas such as as employment, health care and housing."

1/6/09

Connecticut To Consider Transgender Anti-Discrimination Proposal


Hartford Courant, CT, USA Connecticut To Consider Transgender Anti-Discrimination

Transgender activists believe this is the year they will gain equal protection under the state's anti-discrimination laws.

"We feel good," said Jerimarie Liesegang, who leads the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition. "We've done the groundwork, we've done the education and we know we have the votes."

A proposal, to be introduced in the legislative session that begins Wednesday, would prevent people who in any way blur gender lines from being discriminated against in the workplace or while seeking housing or obtaining credit. More than a dozen states, including California, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon and Rhode Island, have enacted similar laws.

1/3/09

Jon Stuart asks Gov. Mike Huckabee "Why gay people?"


From Courage Campaign

"Usually, discussions of political issues wind down after elections, but Prop 8 is not about politics. It is about love, equality and civil rights.

We all need to talk to our family and friends about the importance of restoring marriage equality to California.

That is why I am asking you to watch the video and join me in thanking Jon Stewart for continuing this conversation."

Courage Campaign.org

Dallas Defense of Marriage Act Protest


For Immediate Release

Nationwide Defense of Marriage Act Protest
Queer Liberaction
Blake Wilkinson
405-535-5406
lgbtliberaction@gmail.com
January 10 at 11:30 am

Historical Plaza behind Records Building
Historical Plaza behind Records Building
509 Main St. in downtown Dallas

Just ten days before Barak Obama will be sworn in as the next president of the United States Queer people across the country will be protesting against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Let's send a message to the future president that the Queer community is resolutely opposed to this discriminatory piece of federal legislation. We will also demand that the purportedly most GLBT friendly president-elect in history use his new political weight to repeal DOMA along with taking other pro-Gay and pro-equality action.

The Defense of Marriage Act is an anti-Gay piece of federal legislation which does two things. First, it legally excludes GLBT families from marriage benefits by defining marriage on a federal level as between a man and a woman. All the federal benefits that accompany marriage, such as immigration rights and tax breaks, are denied to non-heterosexual couples. DOMA also states that a marriage between two people of the same sex does not need to be recognized outside of the state where that marriage took place. Because of this, same-sex marriages that take place in the two states with marriage equality, Massachusetts and Connecticut, are not required to be recognized by other states.

On paper Obama is for the repeal of DOMA. We can't make the mistake of sitting back and expecting Obama to act on our behalf by taking on pro-Queer initiatives while we sit idly by. Let's hold Obama to his word by keeping the fight for our civil rights unapologetic and in the streets. While the president-elect might be on record as being on our side on the DOMA issue, he still asserts his opposition to marriage equality by saying, "I do not support gay marriage. Marriage has religious and social connotations, and I consider marriage to be between a man and a woman". We can do better. From day 1 of his presidency we will be demanding that Obama stand up for full marriage equality.

Queer Liberaction is an organization dedicated to struggling for the civil rights of GLBT people. We use direct action activism to directly, visibly and publicly confront homophobia along with organizations, institutions, groups or individuals who support or promote discrimination toward the GLBT community

Austin "TRINIDAD" Screening to Benefit (TENT) Transgender Education Network of Texas



Trinidad Screenings and Locations

Screening Jan 4th 5pm, 7:30pm
Special guest cast member Sabrina Marcus Sabrina Marcus will be in attendance along with filmmaker PJ Raval to benefit (TENT) Transgender Education Network of Texas.


About Sabrina:
Sabrina founded the transgender-focused Southern Comfort Conference in Atlanta and is an active member in the International Foundation for Gender Education and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Sabrina worked for nineteen years as a Space Shuttle engineer, until 2003 when she was dismissed after announcing she had begun transitioning from male to female. Sabrina completed her GRS with Dr. Bowers in 2004. In 2005 she moved to Trinidad to open Morning Glow with Dr. Laura Ellis. Sabrina is an active member in Trinidad’s Holy Trinity Church: “Without my faith I’d never have had the strength to transition to a woman.

Alamo Draft House
Showing: Sunday, January 4 - 5:00 pm
Theater: (MAP) Alamo Downtown - 320 E 6th Street Austin Texas Purchase Advance Tickets: TRINIDAD with Special Guest!