Indiana’s Historic Moment

by Marti Abernathey

A recent post over at the Indiana Equality blog was enough of a kick in the pants to remind me to post about some recent events. If you know me, you know how jazzed I am about Barack Obama. The first time I ever heard about Barack the “Indianapolis” Colts still hadn't ever won a Super Bowl. It was October 17th 2006, which just so happened to be my 39th birthday. Barack had been to Indiana the previous day to attend a ... Read More

Categories: DNC, election, politics

Destigmatization Versus Coverage and Access: The Medical Model of Transsexuality

by Mercedes Allen

In recent years, the GLB community has been more receptive to (and even energized in) assisting the transgender community, but regularly asks what its needs are. One that is often touted is the “complete depathologization of Trans identities” (quoting from a press release for an October 7, 2007 demonstration in Barcelona, Spain) by removing “Gender Identity Disorder” (GID) from medical classification. The reasoning generally flows in a logic chain stating that with homosexuality removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM, the ... Read More

Categories: gender dysphoria, health care, mental illness, politics, trans health, transgender needs

Taking Pot Shots At Trans Rights

by Vanessa Edwards Foster

“I was sitting in my basement. I just rolled myself a taste Of something green and gold and glorious To get me through the day.” — I Got Stoned And I Missed It, Shel Silverstein “"I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life ….” — author, Hunter S. Thompson Another day, another … reason to go get stoned. It’s ... Read More

Categories: Barney Frank, ENDA, Trans, Transpolitical, active legislation, civil rights, gender identity, politics, sexual orientation, transphobia

Pounding the Pavement in Primary Season: It’s Obama Time!

by Vanessa Edwards Foster

“We need a revolution for the people – for the poor, for [those] who have nothing! The politicians and the rich, they’ve already got it all! What do they need?” — Stonewall veteran, Sylvia Rivera at the 2001 NTAC Board meeting in Washington DC It seems just like old times. Admittedly I’ve been jaded after a decade plus of political activism, with nothing to show for it other than broken nails, broken dreams, broken promises and a broken ... Read More

Categories: DNC, Trans, Transpolitical, activism, civil rights, election, politics

Remembering Tom Lantos

by Vanessa Edwards Foster

“Love cannot be defeated.” as said to rock vocalist, Bono by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
The political group I belong to – the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) – noted the passing of longtime Rep. Tom Lantos in a press release on Monday from complications due to esophageal cancer. Chances are, most of [...]

“Love cannot be defeated.” as said to rock vocalist, Bono by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) The political group I belong to – the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) – noted the passing of longtime Rep. Tom Lantos in a press release on Monday from complications due to esophageal cancer. Chances are, most of the transgender community was unfamiliar with congressman Lantos – but they should’ve been. Our press release characterized him as a “hero for the oppressed and voiceless ... Read More

Categories: GLBT history, Trans, Transgender in History, Transpolitical, civil rights, hate crimes, politics, trans history

HRC3 ≠ Bright Future For Transgenders

by Vanessa Edwards Foster

“This is a story of the lives and loves, and hopes and dreams, of young Batswana [sic] in the context of the changing cultural norms and values of modern times. Each of the dancers are shaped and challenged by the forces upon them: love, power, money, lust, and authority. They must choose their [...]

“This is a story of the lives and loves, and hopes and dreams, of young Batswana [sic] in the context of the changing cultural norms and values of modern times. Each of the dancers are shaped and challenged by the forces upon them: love, power, money, lust, and authority. They must choose their destiny by making difficult choices and search for what they truly believe in.” — plot summary for the documentary, Re Bina Mmogo (2004) It’s been a ... Read More

Categories: ENDA, HRC, Transpolitical, gender identity, hate crimes, politics, transgender needs

Activism Leaders Leading Towards the Door

by Vanessa Edwards Foster

“We’re setting sail to the place on the map from which no one has ever returned ….”  — Ship of Fools, World Party
It was just Tuesday that I read in the press that Gay/Lesbian/Straight Educators Network (GLSEN) founding executive director Kevin Jennings was stepping down. He announced he will be back from [...]

“We're setting sail to the place on the map from which no one has ever returned ….”  — Ship of Fools, World Party It was just Tuesday that I read in the press that Gay/Lesbian/Straight Educators Network (GLSEN) founding executive director Kevin Jennings was stepping down. He announced he will be back from his current sabbatical as planned on Feb. 1, but will step down on August 1, 2008 after thirteen years. According to another organization source, he isn’t ... Read More

Categories: ENDA, HRC, NCTE, Transpolitical, politics