To Bowling Green With Love from the world's Transgender people!

Transgender led response to the attack on non Ohioans with the hateful misleading mailer being sent to area residents. Pictured are some of the 200 activists of the 5000 member group "TranAction ConVergence" and we would like to introduce ourselves to you with our facebook profile picture. You may recognize some of us as your next door neighbours, and maybe some as state residents but most of us live out of state with some far away as India and Australia! All the pictured are transgender, lesbian, bisexual, gay and allies participating in our TransAction ConVergence event "Picture Yourself in Bowling Green Action Countering Group's Hate Mailer".


We hope all Bowling Green voters see that no matter where we live are just like you. We are the worlds working citizens, just like you. Many of us are fortunate becuse live in places of equality, but sadly avatars sometimes replace photos, true idenities hidden out of fear, because some of us are persecuted becuse we are still living in inequality.
Because like bowling green's "BG Citizens Voting NO to "Special Rights" Discrimination" there are people worldwide who would exclude us from all that society offers. So we want you to know, TransAction ConVergence stands with you, the good people of Bowling Green Ohio with love and ask that you vote yes on Ordinances 7905 and 7906 and vote YES for equality!



Don’t be fooled by lies and distortion. Get the facts on 7905 and 7906
YES on 7905 and 7906
Means that everyone in Bowling Green is treated fairly and equally.

YES on 7905 and 7906
Means that everyone who does their job well has the right to earn a living and provide for their family without fear of being fired.

YES on 7905 and 7906
Adds gay and transgender people, among others, to the current housing and employment laws that protect our residents based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, military status, ancestry and age (replaced by familial status in housing).

YES on 7905 and 7906
Means religious and fraternal organizations and schools can continue to abide by deeply held religious beliefs.

YES on 7905 and 7906
Means we can take action locally to protect all people who live, work and go to school in Bowling Green.

YES on 7905 and 7906
Because everyone wants a safe and private restroom.

Want to learn more? Get the facts and how you can help at onebowlinggreen.org


TransAction ConVergence is utilizing Facebook, the world's largest social network, as a tool to share news and ideas and to advocate.

Utilize this group to connect to other advocates and to inspire change. We are here waiting for you!

Second Anniversary of Jennifer Gale's death yet Austin Transgender remain out in the Cold

Two years have passed since transgender woman and former mayoral candidate Jennifer Gale died on the steps of a Austin Church. Jennifer's serenades often preceded council appearances and her notoriety spurred a outcry and a memorial was held. It was so very, very cold at her memorial on that grey Austin day but sadly her death has yielded no concrete results. The publicly funded homeless city shelter the ARCH, still offers no overnight accommodations to transgender woman.

Please watch at least a few minutes for Jennifer.



In a email response Charles Kemp, Office of the Director, Austin/Travis County HHSD stated that the city funded homeless shelter ARCH does not allow transgender people to overnight, have a transgender written transgender policy or separate facilities to insure safety of transgender people should they take advantage of the 'day sleepers' program.

According to Natasha Ponczek, Homeless Program Coordinator at City of Austin to the best of her knowledge there are no plans to make facility changes at the ARCH to accommodate transgender people. Phone calls to Helen Varty Executive director of ARCH were not returned.

Salvation Army Shelter only hope.

The only place for a transgender person faced with deathly cold would be the Salvation Army's Austin Shelter for Women and Children which receives funding from the city. According to shelter director Cathey Ridings the Austin shelter does have '....a policy against gender discrimination including sexual orientation and gender identity.'

Licence verifying your stated gender required.

According to Ridings there is no written policy defining the procedures staff would follow should a transender person request overnight accommodations, but said a licence or similar documentation would be required that aligned with the persons stated gender expression prior to admittance to the women's shelter.

When I commented that the Salvation Army nationwide has a reputation for turning away transgender people. Ridings said things were different in Austin and people were a little more accepting.

I applaud Cathey Ridings for her powerful love of people but without written policy there is no standard of care.

Lisa Scheps of the local transgender group TENT replied when questioned about the lack of transgender homeless facilities "We have been working with local homeless shelters since Jennifer died. Currently the only agency with beds for single women is the Salvation Army and I have been working closely with them to try to get them to be a bit more trans inclusive… they are trying. But currently there are only 47 beds for single women… So we continue to work. And, yes, it IS discriminatory and we are working on changing things."

Two years past and many cold nights.

It is a travesty the cities 100% funded shelter remains without a written policy and
ongoing training of staff. This is a disastrous combination for transgender people especially queer youth. Because of traumatic circumstances that lead them there all ways leave emotional unstable and a misgendering, even innocently intentionally by staff could push the transgender person out the safety of the shelter seeking the shameless anonymity of a church walkway and death like Jenifer Gale on that starry, starry night.

I cry for the unnecessary senseless lose of you Jenifer and am shameful that we have not done better since your death. RIP dear Jenifer.