3/17/12

Agnes Torres Mexican Transgender Activist Burnt Alive: Should I Fear?


Just 20 hours of driving time separates me from the location Agnes Torres, a leader of Mexican Transgender people, was brutally murdered

I work and sleep every day in very close proximity to people who have just crossed the border into the united states from Mexico. Some legally, some undocumented seeking asylum and some undoubtedly brutal murderers.


As a transgender activist I am a fairly public person. Although I am nowhere the activist Agnes was, I don't think that fact would dissuade people intent on terrorizing transgender people from attacking me.

Should I acquiescent to tyranny?

Regardless of how I react to her murder and the recent deluge of horrifying violence being committed against us there is a rally and vigil for Agnes in Chicago.

Rest in peace Agnes Torres.

3/14/12

HRC Cash Cow Goldman Sachs Director Quits "Toxic and Destructive" Company


For HRC its all about the money. The board of directors wouldn't give a rats ass about the human condition or transgender people unless doing so made them money. Millions of dollars in fact.



Joe Annino and Jeffrey Marx, unofficial leaders of Queering OWS, tell me their reasons for organizing a protest outside of the Human Rights Campaign's swanky 2012 dinner gala.

So why would HRC an organization who's name suggests it defends human rights get into bed with the very man who made 76 million dollars on the destruction of our retirements and shattering of our economy in 2007?

I for one lost my 401k that year. I will work until my dieing day thanks in part to this greedy bastard.

HRC is a morally corrupt entity which will do anything for money including helping this company present itself as good will ambassadors.

Want the details? More at Think Progress and Matt Tabbi on the Rolling Stone.

I hope that HRC takes note that Goldman Sachs lost 2.15 billion dollars the day after being exposed on the New York Times by its former director.

2.15 BILLION Dollars HRC! That's how Goldman Sachs investors reacted, how about you're prey, the people you have hoodwinked? Think they read the NYT too? I know some of them read this blog and have told me how surprised and disappointed they are in you.

3/11/12

Dear 15 Year Old Me - Letters of Hope for LGBT Teens

Dear 15 year old me,

I know there was no way for you to escape the beatings administered to make you manly. Dear 15 year old me, but step away from your self for a second and realize that wasn't love. Step away and know that contrary to what you were told, impossible as it may seem, believe in your feminine self with your heart on your sleeve, believe. Just believe.

Kelli Anne Busey, transgender woman, age 53

A friend is Introducing a novel concept to give hope to our LGBT youth and I would love to share it with you.....

Welcome to Dear 15 Year Old Me - Letters of Hope for LGBT Teens

Being a teenager is tough, to say the least, but for many LGBT teens, it is the most painful time in their lives. Often, these kids are just beginning to understand and accept their sexual orientation or gender identity for themselves, and they’re doing so in a world filled with dangerous bullying and venomous homophobia and transphobia. How can they uncover their true selves when doing so could mean hateful emotional attacks, or even the possibility of physical harm?

We want to offer these young people hope by sharing with them stories about how, not only does it get better…not only will they survive, but it can be better NOW, and they can thrive.

Will it be easy for them? No, there will be struggles, to be sure. But by sharing your story of survival, perhaps you can inspire a young person to hold on when they want to give up. It could be the letter that YOU write that will help them find a way to cope with the loneliness, the alienation and the heartache of defining themselves in a world that says they aren’t worth definition. Your story of survival could save a life.

If you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender adult, please consider adding your letter to our project. In time, we hope to have enough letters to publish a book that could become a valuable resource for LGBT youth around the world.

Write your letter and and send it to your 15 year old me. And find your 15 year old me on Facebook.

Believe.

3/10/12

Not Guilty Says Kenneth Furr Drunk DC Cop who Shot at Transsexuals


The police officer who was arrested for standing on the hood of a car firing shots at the transgender people inside, has entered a plea of not guilty.

As absurd as this may seem since so many witness have come forward the comments found on that article make sense of this:

"He was drinking, trying to pick up a hooker, he was armed and started shooting. Yep. Not guilty."


... "He's counting on one or more of the following: an inept D.A.'s office messing up their case, his fellow officers "misplacing" evidence, or witness tampering (aka: "bribes"). "

No wonder the DC Trans Coalition accused the DC Police Chief for "Abdicating" Responsibilities.

3/9/12

Khloe Kardashian: We Don't Talk Like That In Texas, "Homo" and "Tranny" Don't Fly


Khloe Kardashian, a newcomer to Dallas said in this video she never felt such a sincere welcome as she did when she arrived here from LA attributing the hugs to southern hospitality.
Well, I think I can speak for most Texans and say we are glad you feel at home here Khloe. Welcome, but......



.....the next thing we know you're calling people homo's and using the "T" word while hosting on Mix 102.9 Radio. Then you went on to proclaim herself the 'queen bee' of our community to validate your're use of LGBT defamation. Listen to the audio of the show below......



Well Khloe, here some genuine southern advice. Here gay, transgender and allied people talk respectfully about each other. We don't defame transgender people with 'tranny', and we do not call people 'homo's as you did on your radio show. If you truly want to be a 'queen bee' you first must work in the hive, learn how people act and gain our respect.

3/7/12

Ryder Morrison: Not You're Generic Pop Star!

I had the pleasure of interviewing upcoming pop singer song writer Ryder Morrison for the March issue Frock Magazine and I'd like to share some of that.

Ryder Morrison (formerly known as Ryder Monroe) is more than just an up and coming recording star, she is a transgender woman doing a unique form of advocacy with her talents.

She is also a transgender person who realized that her potential far exceeded the conditions imposed on her by society. She used that knowledge and faith in herself to begin transitioning into who we know today, an exciting vibrant gifted woman. The next big thing!



Kelli: Ryder, thank you for interviewing with Frock. When we connected on
Twitter I visited your Sound Cloud site. You have a extraordinarily
beautifully voice, with a rich masculine texture but there's a layered
quality that makes it special. You are transgender so your femininity
shines through.

Many of us including myself, are reluctant to use the telephone. Its
embarrassing to have to constantly remind people to call us by
feminine pronouns so the thought of making music would seem
impossible.

Please tell us about your experiences in the music industry marketing
your voice having recently signed with a label.

Ryder: "Mach 1 Music, headed by super-producer Eddie Galan is a publishing company that recently signed me as a songwriter. I'm still actively looking for a contract as a recording artist, and building fan base through youtube, performing, and LGBT* outreach."

"Marketing my voice with a label as a singer has been difficult. When people
first hear my music they are intrigued and impressed at the artist but when they find out that the rich, rock-infused tenor is coming from a beautiful woman, they are almost always confused as the sound is coming from a man, so they think. It never fails. I always get the question,

"But this is a guy singing!?" and the point where I'm forced to come out as
trans* arrives much quicker than I'd typically prefer."

"I've rarely had anyone come outright with their bigotry upon learning of my
transgender status. I get a lot of "I don't want to judge," and "I still love your
music and think you are so talented!" but at the end of the day, once producers and managers learn of my trans* status I can never get a retweet, an email response, or a call back."

"My regular speaking voice, as people can hear in my youtube videos or in
every day conversation with me, is very feminine and actually nothing like my edgy, raspy, singingvoice. What people don't understand is how much muscle control it takes to train a once male-sounding voice to achieve a naturally feminine, passable range.
Almost every trans* singer will tell you it's impossible to train your singing voice in the same waywe can with our speaking voice and maintain the quality and control needed to be successful in the first place. I'd rather be able to sing naturally, and sing well than lose my skill level and authenticity in sounding "female". Unfortunately it's a catch 22for any transgender artist looking to breakthrough in the mainstream music industry."

Kelli: For many Male to Female transsexuals our voices have seemed an almost
insurmountable obstacle to achieving the older concept of 'passing', a
fact not missed as we were humiliated recently by Neil Patrick Harris.
Thoughts?*

Ryder: "I hate the way that people view our community as a whole, even within the LGBT* community, and amongst our supposed "allies". Public figures have been quick to humiliate and deride transgender people as sub-human, and less-than in their rants and more "light-hearted" jokes. A good example of this are noted celebrities Neil Patrick Harris and Kelly Osbourne."

"It upsets me that organizations that are meant to protect the integrity of our community are quick to give these celebrities a pass, and a pat on the back after receiving a quick apology that was more than likely career and politically motivated. Not to mention the so eloquently written articles and blogs these celebrities write in their support of the LGBT* community, which I'm more than convinced are headed up by their PR people. People forget how much words do have an impact. Transgender people are brutally murdered every day, and it's attitudes like the ones the celebrities have matched with the careless tossing around of words to mass media outlets that further fuels this hatred and disgust of transgender people. It's not fair, it's not right and I am so ready to have my soapbox to infect this industry with change."


"In the past, gender non-conforming artists like David Bowie, Billy Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel, and even more recently Jefree Star, have been able to easily gain mainstream acceptance and popularity. It's totally baffling and frustrating that as a transwoman I'm looked at in a completely different way. I live my life authentically and everything I am is represented in my artistry and my advocacy. I aim to be America's first transgender pop star and I know this goal is achievable with the support of the LGBT* community here in the states and abroad."

************

Ryder, I for one will stand with you and do everything I can to see that your dreams are realized.

Interview continues on Frock
.....

Ryder facebook and Ryder Morrison on Twitter