Another Victory!

This one came in New Hampshire this week. From "Slate.Com":

On Wednesday, the New Hampshire Senate passed a landmark bill outlawing discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The state House of Representatives has already passed the measure, and Gov. Chris Sununu has confirmed his intent to sign it. What’s remarkable about this victory is that Sununu is a Republican, and both houses of the state legislature are controlled by the GOP. Democrats pushed hard for the bill and supported with near-unanimity. But it was Republican legislators who carried it over the finish line.

This bipartisan triumph for transgender equality contrasts sharply with Donald Trump’s unrelenting assault on transgender rights. Indeed, it should be been seen as a rebuke to his persistent attacks on LGBTQ Americans. The Trump administration has revoked federal guidance protecting transgender students, employees, and homeless people. It is poised to attempt to repeal nondiscrimination protections for transgender patients under the Affordable Care Act. And, of course, it is striving to ban open transgender military service by arguing that trans people are mentally unstable deviants. Vice President Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are the driving force behind the onslaught: Pence intervened behind the scenes to overrule Secretary of Defense James Mattis’ support for trans service, while Sessions has issued a stream of directives designed to undermine LGBTQ rights under federal law

Cyrsti's Condo "Sunday Edition"

Good morning "Condo-ites!"  Lots of content this morning! Let's get moving.

 Page 1.- News.   Recently, this title caught my eye, 6 Ways Trans Women Are Helping to Deliver Gender Equality.  Essentially, for all the movement women have made in the world over the past two decades, this post points out:
From the gender wage gap to increasing incarceration rates — or “Slavery 2.0” — the failure of the ERA in 1982 and the continued lack of a federal equal rights amendment are testaments to the unrelenting, pernicious and unethical treatment of women in America — especially women of color. 

It goes on to say:

The movement for women's equality has occurred primarily within the LGBT community over the past decade, with the discourse of “equality” often framed in terms of marriage. DADT and DOMA were both federally repealed, and the marriage equality movement has a nearly invisible state-organized apparatus, thanks to two Supreme Court's decisions this past summer.

It's a good read from PolicyMic.  Go here to read more.

Page 2.- Opinion.  The preceding story prominently mentioned the growing influence of transgender women of color leading the fight for rights. Not unlike their race went through during the Civil Rights battles of the 60's and beyond. Ironically, the one other transgender woman besides me who showed up for the Trans Ohio meeting was of color and outspoken and not shy.  I'm not making the case for color equaling a significant desire or ability to speak up on our trans issues except to say the highest instances of transphobic violence are directed  towards women of color.

Now, to my point.  I began to wonder if those of us who are transitioning and have the ability or will power to do it - are preconditioned not to stand up for our rights?  Do we spend too much time in the stereotypical feminine mind state?  I don't know but it is a thought.  The irony is not lost on me though that a few of the genetic women groups are grudgingly beginning to recognize the appeal of a group of new transplanted citizens on their soil.  After all, immigration is good in so many ways. New ideas, culture and energy are always beneficial if accepted for what they are.

Page 3.- Comments.  This week I was greedy and put off answering a couple excellent responses I received here in the Condo until now.  From week to week, I never know what content I will have for our Sunday Edition.  The first came in response to my post Having Coffee with the Peeps and comes from writer Bobbie Thompson:

"... made the mistake of assuming ... " Been there done that. Of course, my ONLY experience with anyone trans is via Alana. I 'assumed' ALL trans experiences were the same as hers. While attending the 2012 Southern Comfort Conference with Alana, I quickly learned that EVERY EXPERIENCE is different and not one person's experience can be 'representative' of all. I learn something new every day ... mainly that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' ways to 'be.' I think the important part is to simply be yourself ... and allow others to be who they are.

Indeed Bobbie, you are right and thanks for the comment!  Perhaps the isolation the transgender community subjected itself to helped to further the notion that somehow we are all alike or know plenty of other trans friends. None of that is true for most of us of course and once again it proves we are just "regular" folk with just a little more insight into how both of the other gender binaries live.

The other comment came from Sally Bend in response to our Oldie but Goodie Post:

Back in high school I used to wash dishes and bus tables in a greasy little cafe that had a old bookstore attached. The bookstore was only open by appointment (it was a cluttered fire hazard), and I usually got the job of cleaning it up for customers. I found so many old trans magazines and paperbacks in there, it was like my own personal treasure trove. I never got to take many home (like you, I didn't have the courage to buy them), but I read most of them.

A great memory Sally and I'm sure many of us wish we had the same access to a "treasure trove" like that too!  It's amazing you got any work done. Thanks for sharing!

And thanks to all of you for spending part of your precious time here in Cyrsti's Condo.  Can't thank you enough and hope to see you again next week!

Why We Will Succeed!

This morning I came across a couple stories which counter balanced the ignorance, hate and even violence we sustain as transgender women and men.

The first comes from a top women's site in Australia called Daily Life called "Transitioning our son to a daughter."

The three on the left, Roland, Maddi and Maddi’s mother Beck were guests on SBS's One's Insight program which looked at the increase of young people presenting as transgender. Insight speaks with children and their families, asking how parents can be sure whether their child is transgender and how they chose to deal with it. As we know, in most cases it is not the other kids who provide problems for their transgender peers, it is the parents who cause the friction.  The more parents who have an understanding of trans kids, the better!

In the UK, a transgender city councilor turned down a spot on the British version of the TV "reality" show Big Brother, for all the right reasons:

From the The Cambridge News:

A Councillor has turned down the chance to appear on reality television show Big Brother – arguing it would not help her campaign for gender equality. Cllr Sarah Brown (left), who represents Petersfield on Cambridge City Council, is the UK’s only ‘out’ transgender politician and was approached by a casting agency to see if she wanted to appear on the Channel 5 game show. But the Liberal Democrat, the council’s executive member community wellbeing, said she didn’t think it would have been good for her, the transgender community or the people of Cambridge. She told the News: “I didn’t think it would be good way to address trans issues. 

And finally, out and out COURAGE: Marsha Bast (below) the Russian transgender attorney who has announced her bid for the Russian presidency in 2018.

Somehow all of this makes the day so much brighter!

Top Ten Transgender Positives from 2013

Two respected sources recently put together their 10 Important Transgender Moments of 2013 


The Advocate collaborated with Mara Keisling, (left) the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, to discuss what 2013 meant for trans rights. She highlighted the many victories seen this year, concluding that 2013 was a true year of momentum and sharing that perspective in a similar feature that ran first on The Huffington Post.


Follow the link above for your own look!

Do Something Dammit!

Here's the Email I got in response for standing up in support for transgender homecoming queen Cassidy Campbell:

Cyrsti, Incredible.

" You are among over 2,500 people who have taken action to lift up the transgender homecoming queen, Cassidy Campbell, and stand against bullying. Because of you, we've smashed our goal of sending 2,500 messages of support to Cassidy. Will you forward the email below to five friends who'll stand with us and help reach our new goal of 3,400 messages to Cassidy Campbell?"

 The more of us who stand together now paves the way for more transgender people being voted homecoming queens and kings, student body presidents, and even national elected officials. That's the hope you've given Cassidy and other transgender young people--the hope to dream bigger and be themselves. Here are more messages of hope you've given Cassidy: "You won a great victory. Not only for yourself, but for all of us. You single handedly gave courage to those who needed it (myself included)."

Send the email below to five of your friends to help our effort generate 3,400 supporters. This challenge is minor compared to what Cassidy has faced and if we work together, we can help end bullying in our schools and communities."

Sincerely, Mara Keisling Executive Director National Center for Transgender Equality


http://www.transequality.org/take_action/standwithcassidy.html.

Personally, I can't believe how incredibly tough Cassidy's life has been. Deciding first to run for queen and then perhaps being a little naive of how bad the ignorant bigots tirades would be. NOW is the time to silence the haters!

Back when I was in high school (before electricity) I wonder if I would even have had the guts to enter a womanless beauty pageant?  (didn't have one)
AND 
This is you closeted peeps chance to make a statement!

April Ashley

More than likely April Ashley, the 1960's transsexual icon, would have never dreamed her life's journey would have taken her to this place.

The 78 year old April is the focus for a new exhibition which opens on September 27 at the Museum of Liverpool. Her "Portrait's of a Lady"  will explore the story of the woman who was one of the first people in the world to undergo pioneering gender reassignment surgery.

To be sure, April Ashley's story is as current today as it was in the past: Born George Jamieson, the former model's remarkable journey went from suicide attempts and people spitting in her face to Buckingham Palace.

April in Liverpool

If you do not recall her story, April Ashley was outed as a transsexual in 1961 and her career was destroyed  and essentially she never worked again.

Through all of that though April refused to be bitter and got on with her life.  Eventually she was awarded the MBE for services to transgender equality: given to her by Prince Charles (left) who said it was a long time coming. She was also instrumental in bringing about changes like the Gender Recognition Act in 2004 which allowed her and others in her position to have her gender reflected on her birth certificate.

Of course there is much more to the April Ashley saga, go here to read more.

Still in the Fight

Perhaps you remember Nikki Araguz. (Shown below with her new family)

If you really remember her, she goes back to early talk show appearances on Jerry Springer I believe as a party girl with a little extra. She resurfaced in Texas years later with the story of the tragic death of her husband Thomas Araguz III ..  Thomas Araguz was a volunteer firefighter in Wharton, Texas and was killed in the line of duty in 2010.


However, Texas’ 2005 marriage amendment doesn’t recognize her marriage to a man and her 2008 marriage to her late husband, Thomas Araguz III, became invalid leaving her out of her husband's death benefits.

Now, the 13th District Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi will hear her case on Sept. 18. Araguz is appealing a 2011 ruling by Houston state district Judge Randy Clapp, who ruled that Araguz was born male and Texas’ 2005 marriage amendment doesn’t recognize her marriage to a man.

Advocate's are calling this case ‘incredibly important’ for transgender equality and it's way too difficult for a person of my limited intellect to explain.

Go here for more!

Transsexual in the 60's.

Former British model April Ashley has found her way back into the limelight.
I'm going to pass along a  link to the UK Daily Mail and pass along a couple snippets here.

April Ashley Today

"Born plain George Jamieson, he became the first Briton to have a sex change and sparked countless lurid headlines.
Yesterday  the actress and campaigner April Ashley was appointed an MBE for services to transgender equality." 


In her glamorous heyday she became a Vogue model, seduced actors Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole and attracted the amorous attentions of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
But her world came crashing down in the Sixties when a ‘friend’ sold her story to a newspaper and intimate details of how she had been turned from a man into a woman under a surgeon’s knife caused a sensation.
She bounced back, marrying an aristocrat but that only led to more astonishing revelations."

April Ashley

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2160560/April-Ashley-MBE-My-night-Micheal-Hutchence-Briton-sex-change.html#ixzz1y76lKXRt