Mysterious light in sky, loud explosion rattles nerves in Hampton Roads

Last night at about 9:30 I was wathching television when my entire house shook. It felt like an earthquake I experienced in Alaska many years ago. The news report said a large fire ball raced across the eastern sky over parts of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. The sonic boom from the fireball shook my house.

There is specualtion the fireball was part of a Russian missle, US military "black ops", a meteorite and, of course, a UFO.

I am here to say I know exactly what it was.

Knowing Tuesday, March 31 is the much anticipated Transgender Day of Inspiration, I arranged for Rocky Horror to fly in from planet TRANSsexual abourd a TRANSgalatic flight. Unfortunately, Rocky got carried away and flamed in a day early.

Anyway, have a great Transgender Day of Inspiration!

Transgender Fairy Tale 'Beginning'

Transgendered 'Top Model' Contestant Opens Up on 'Tyra' by Celebuzz on Mar. 27, 2009 05:00 PM Isis King made headlines as the first transgender contestant to compete on America's Next Top Model. She didn't win the prize, but she served as an inspiration to many. Host Tyra Banks took a particular interest in Isis' story, and offered to pay for King's final gender reassignment surgery after she was sent packing on America's Next Top Model. On Monday's episode of The Tyra Banks Show, Isis makes her first public appearance since her transistion, and she's thrilled. "I got the bathing suit issue out of the way," King tells Banks on the episode, according to Us Magazine. "I feel very confident and sexy." (Isis exited from Cycle 11 of ANTM after panicking about wearing a bathing suit during a swimming pool photo-shoot.) "It's almost like I was supposed to have it," King says about her surgery. "Although it was swelling and bruising and everything, automatically I felt more comfortable. I was ready to walk around the house in my little shorts. I just felt more confident." As an added bonus? Isis' boyfriend, whom she met on MySpace before her surgery, proposes to her on the episode! "Yes!" King says. "Oh my Goodness. Oh my goodness. Are you serious?" How often do you see a fairytale ending like that?

Transgender Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility plans erupt locally, nationwide Groundbreaking day of events set to take place March 31 by Jessica Carreras Originally printed 3/26/2009 (Issue 1713 - Between The Lines News) Rachel Crandall admits it - she is a Facebook addict. But sometimes, like when starting up the first ever International Transgender Day of Visibility, that's a great thing to be. "I went on Facebook and I was thinking...whenever I hear about our community, it seems to be from Remembrance Day which is always so negative because it's about people who were killed," Crandall, who heads up Transgender Michigan, recalled. "So one night I couldn't sleep and I decided why don't I try to do something about that. "I thought, 'why doesn't someone do it?' Then I thought, 'why isn't that someone me?'" Just a few months later, Transgender Day of Visibility is in full swing, slated to take place for the first time in history on March 31. Events will happen locally, but also across the country and in England and Canada. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, Crandall said, the day of visibility aims to focus on all the good things in the trans community, instead of just remembering those who were lost. "The day of remembrance is exactly what it is. It remembers people who died," she said. "This focuses on the living. People have told me they love Remembrance Day but it really focuses on the negative aspect of it. Isn't there anything that could focus on the positive aspect of being trans?" The largest local event is happening at Five15 Media, Mojo and More in Royal Oak, where a panel will talk about trans visibility, how to increase it, the obstacles to it and whether or not transgender people feel free to be out. Crandall will speak on the panel, as well as philosopher, public speaker and LGBT activist John Corvino and Triangle Foundation Executive Director Alicia Skillman. Another panelist, straight ally Michael Layne from the public relations company Marx Layne, has yet to be confirmed, as does the planned moderator, TV news anchor and local celebrity, Charles Pugh. "It will focus on Michigan in the way that everybody on the panel is from Michigan," Crandall said of the event. "However, we're going to be talking in a larger scope." A scope, Crandall added, that reaches all the way across the world. As the executive director of Transgender Michigan, she has answered calls on their helpline and received e-mails from as far away as Russia, and the response to a call for a day of visibility was overwhelming. "I hear from people all over the world about visibility," she said, "and I've heard from some people who said they would love to be visible but it's just not safe where they are." The same is true, Crandall admitted, for parts of Michigan. However, though certain cities and areas are not safe for trans people in the state, she is adamant that the network for transgender people is stronger than many other states. The pros and cons of being out as transgender in Michigan, Crandall said, will also make it into the panel discussion. "There are small towns in Michigan where I would be very careful. This will be talking about that," she said. "We'll be talking about our fears and what stops us from being visible." Crandall added that she's especially excited about the panelists. "I'm excited that John Corvino, who really has never said much about the trans community, he really wanted to be on our panel," she said. "And I'm excited about Alicia (Skillman). That's gonna be really cool. She really hasn't had a chance to say that much yet so I'm excited about this. I think it will help to expand the dialogue, which is one of the goals of the first International Transgender Day of Visibility." Though the event was borne out of Michigan, events all over the country and even world have popped up since Crandall put the word out on Facebook. Maryland Equality is holding an event. Members of a high school Gay Straight Alliance in Washington, D.C. are painting the transgender symbol on each other's faces. A group in Minnesota is holding a whole weekend of workshops and discussions surrounding the topic. And in Michigan, the Ruth Ellis Center and youth trans group GenderSpark also have plans in the works to be involved with the day. To Crandall, the enormous and viral growth of the events proves that people in the community were waiting for something just like the Transgender Day of Visibility. "I think sometimes people are thirsty for something and we may not even know it until we take the first step," she speculated. "I took the first step and people are just hungry for it." One big change from usual events, Crandall was proud to report, is that the Transgender Day of Visibility was done all on a grassroots level, without backing from any large organizations. So more than just big events that raise money, Crandall hopes that the day will allow people to get involved as individuals - from coming out to their friends, family or coworkers, to just wearing a ribbon to show support. "I've heard people say that if it wasn't for this, they wouldn't be doing anything out," she said. "...I think a lot of trans people are just looking for an opportunity to actually do something, not only to write a check. They want to actually do something and I think this day is giving them something to actually do." For more information on the first International Transgender Day of Visibility, check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=45086343009&ref=mf

EXCUSE ME FOR LAUGHING

CHARDON, Ohio (AP) -- A woman who exercised her 73-year-old husband to death in a swimming pool, will spend the next 4 years behind bars.

A judge sentenced 41-year-old Christine Newton-John to prison after she pleaded guilty to reckless homicide. OK, the guy is 73 and she is 41 - big ol' red flag here!

Newton-John broke down in court and apologized for her role in her husband's death. She will get credit for the 121 days she has already served.

Police in Middlefield, Ohio, said surveillance video showed 41-year-old Christine Newton-John pulling James Mason around the pool by his arms and legs and preventing him from leaving.

Mason had a heart attack on June 2 after the extended swim session.

Newton-John faced up to five years in prison. what, no insurance????

Police Chief Joseph Stehlik says Mason's death was investigated because of previous complaints that he was abused.

Mason was a longtime friend of his wife's family. He knew her as John Vallandingham before she had gender reassignment surgery in 1993 and changed her name. They married in 2006.

Can we all say gold digger? If not, here is the definition from Urban Dictionary:

Archaic Ideologies from the Catholic Church

This article was submitted by our dear friend and contributor Boo Scary.

As posted on CNN today; Pope Benedict XVI visited Africa, the first since becoming Pope. He upheld the church's archaic ideas that condoms should be banned. Seriously?!? He "intends to uphold the traditional Catholic teaching on artificial contraception -- a "clear moral prohibition" I can respect religious thinking although I may not understand and may never understand this one. What really struck my nerve was his comment "The Catholic Church has long been on the front line of HIV care, adding that it is probably the largest private provider of HIV care in the world." Probably, but in what fashion? Avert.org's latest statistics: At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa. Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.

See World and Regional statistics for HIV & AIDS, end of 2007

Apparently, what the Catholic Church is doing is NOT working, especially in Africa.

Also taken from Avert.org: "Condoms play a key role in preventing HIV infection around the world"
"The distribution of condoms to countries in sub-Saharan Africa has also increased: in 2004 the number of condoms provided to this region by donors was equivalent to 10 for every man, compared to 4.6 for every man in 2001. In most countries, though, many more condoms are still needed. For instance, in Uganda between 120 and 150 million condoms are required annually, but less than 40 million were provided in 2005."

& last but not least

"Relative to the enormity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, providing condoms is cheap and cost effective"
They also acknowledge "Even when condoms are available, though, there are still a number of social, cultural and practical factors that may prevent people from using them"

This is one site of many that supports the effectiveness of condom usage in the prevention of AIDS. Does the Catholic Church have alternative plans to bridge the one they have that ISN'T working?

Should we point out the fact that the largest victims are WOMEN? But that's a whole other rant isn't it?

Kaywood speaks

My very dear friends Kathleen and Caroline Caywood are back from Philly where Kathleen had her "special" surgery. She is resting comfortably and wanted me to share this quote of hers with you. "Inside every penis is a vagina waiting to emerge." These words are not directed just at Trans women but to everyone - men, women and all in between alike. I think more men should be thinking of this especially if they have any misogynistic tendencies. The bi gender construct is a direct result of misogyny. Think long and hard about what Kathleen said! The world would be a better place if people understood these special words.

GLSEN study: 'Harsh Realities' finds transgender youth face extreme harassment in school

News release from GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network: NEW YORK – Transgender youth face extremely high levels of victimization in school, even more so than their non-transgender lesbian, gay and bisexual peers. But they are also more likely to speak out about LGBT issues in the classroom, according to Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools, the first comprehensive study on transgender students, released today by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Nearly nine out of 10 transgender students experienced verbal harassment at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation and gender expression, more than half experienced physical harassment because of their sexual orientation and gender expression and more than a quarter experienced physical assault because of their sexual orientation and gender expression. These levels of victimization were higher than those faced by the non-transgender lesbian, gay and bisexual students who participated in the 2007 National School Climate Survey, GLSEN's biennial survey of LGBT students.

In addition to looking at comparisons between transgender and non-transgender students, Harsh Realities specifically examines the experiences of the 295 transgender students who took the National School Climate Survey.

“Harsh Realities demonstrates the urgent need for educators, policymakers and all who care about safe schools to address the disproportionate victimization of transgender students and to improve the knowledge and understanding of all members of the school community about issues related to gender and gender expression,” said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. “It is important to note, however, that in the face of extreme harassment, transgender students are resilient and taking the lead to bring up LGBT issues in school.”

The high rate of victimization had a direct impact on school attendance and academic performance. Transgender students who experienced high levels of harassment were more likely to miss school because they felt unsafe and had lower grade point averages than those who experienced lower levels of harassment. The full report can be viewed at http://www.glsen.org/cgi-in/iowa/all/news/record/2388.html. Key findings of Harsh Realities include:

Biased language:

• 90% of transgender students heard derogatory remarks, such as “dyke” or “faggot,” sometimes, often or frequently in school in the past year.
  
• 90% of transgender students heard negative remarks about someone’s gender expression sometimes, often or frequently in school in the past year.
  
• Less than a fifth of transgender students said that school staff intervened most of the time or always when hearing homophobic remarks (16%) or negative remarks about someone’s gender expression (11%).
• School staff also contributed to the harassment. A third of transgender students heard school staff make homophobic remarks (32%), sexist remarks (39%) and negative comments about someone’s gender expression (39%) sometimes, often or frequently in the past year.

School Safety and Experiences of Harassment and Assault

• Two-thirds of transgender students felt unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation (69%) and how they expressed their gender (65%).
• Almost all transgender students had been verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened) in the past year at school because of their sexual orientation (89%) and gender expression (87%).
• More than half of all transgender students had been physically harassed (e.g., pushed or shoved) in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation (55%) and gender expression (53%).
• More than a quarter of transgender students had been physically assaulted (e.g., punched, kicked or injured with a weapon) in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation (28%) and gender expression (26%).
• Most transgender students (54%) who were victimized in school did not report the events to school authorities. Among those who did report incidents to school personnel, few students (33%) believed that staff addressed the situation effectively.

Impact of Victimization on Educational Outcomes

• Almost half of all transgender students reported skipping a class at least once in the past month (47%) and missing at least one day of school in the past month (46%) because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.
• Transgender students experiencing high levels of harassment were more likely than other transgender students to miss school for safety reasons (verbal harassment based on sexual orientation: 64% vs. 25%, gender expression: 56% vs. 32%, gender: 68% vs. 38%).
• Transgender students who experienced high levels of harassment had significantly lower GPAs than those who experienced lower levels of harassment (verbal harassment based on sexual orientation: 2.2. vs. 3.0, gender expression: 2.3 vs. 2.8, gender: 2.2 vs. 2.7).

Engagement with the School Community

• Transgender students who were out to most or all other students and school staff reported a greater sense of belonging to their school community than those who were not out or only out to a few other students or staff.
• The majority (66%) of transgender students were out to most or all of their peers, yet less than half (45%) were out to most or all of the school staff.
• Most transgender students had talked with a teacher (66%) or a school-based mental health professional (51%) at least once in the past year about LGBT-related issues.
• Transgender students were also more likely than non-transgender lesbian, gay and bisexual students to talk with school staff about these issues.

In-School Resources and Supports

• Although transgender students were not more likely to report having a GSA in their school, they did report attending GSA meetings more frequently than non-transgender LGB students.
• Although most transgender students (83%) could identify at least one supportive educator, only a third (36%) could identify many (six or more) supportive staff.
• Only half (54%) of transgender students reported that their school had an anti-harassment policy, and only 24% said that the school policy included specific protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

About GLSEN GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

Transgender Positive Radio Broadcast

Today at noon, Thursday, Mar 12, on National Public Radio - NPR - WHRV, 89.5 FM, Barbara Hamm Lee of "Hear Say with Cathy Lewis" interviewed Tona Brown, a local member of the Hampton Roads Transgender community, Dr. Saundra Winstead, a physician who works for the Park Place Medical Center Transition Your Life Clinic, and Dr. Deanna Carpenter, a psychology professor at Christopher Newport University who specializes in gender identity and has worked with transgender support groups and outreach programs. Malcolm Venable from the Virginian-Pilot joining us via phone briefly at the top of the show.

His story on Transgender silicone ‘pumping’ brought the local Hampton Roads Transgender community to the attention of "Hear Say".

In a press release, "Hear Say's main goal is to dispel myths that surround the word ‘Transgender’ and cover the issue in a way that is not salacious, as some media coverage of the topic tends to be. Also, given the guest list, we will discuss some health issues that are specific concerns within the Transgender community."

Ms. Lee accomplished her goals. This may have been the most positive interview I have ever heard. Unlike Operah, Dr. Phil, et al the subject of Transgender was treated with dignity and respect. In less than an hour, they covered Tona's experiences as a Transgender woman, Transgender definitions which is worth more than an hour in itself, health care, discrimination, ignorance, the Gender Identity Disorder controversy, lack of Transgender education for health care professionals, social justice issues and legal issues.

These are all issues which New Life Transgender Outreach and the Gender Expression Project at The Rainbow Bridge Connection are addressing now and in the near future.

If you didn't hear the broadcast, you can listen to the wonderful interview on the "Hear Say" web site. Thank you WHRV. Thank you Barbara Hamm Lee.

Good news from Washington State

Politics Northwest The Seattle Times political team explores state, regional and local politics. Subscribe Blog Home March 11, 2009 3:03 PM Law would extend protections to the transgendered Posted by Chantal Anderson The state Senate has passed a bill that would extend the state's hate-crime law to protect transgender individuals. The bill, which passed Tuesday night with a 36-12 vote, is sponsored by Sen. Joe McDermott. The hate-crime law currently covers crimes against people based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability, but sexual orientation specifically refers only to heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. Malicious harassment is a class c felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson said the department already uses the state's hate crime law in certain cases where the victim is transgender. Jamieson didn't have statistics about how many malicious harassment cases involving transgender individuals were investigated in the past year. The FBI reported in 2007, that 15.9 percent of hate-crime victims nationwide were targeted because of their sexual orientation. That same year, 39 people in Washington state were targeted because of their sexual orientation. The Washington Student Lobby, Equal Rights Washington and WashingtonTransgender Equality Project support the measure. No opposition testified at the hearing last month. More information on Senate Bill 5952 can be found here.

Transgender group forms exclusive country club

I am really kind of baffled by a comment I heard at last night's New Life Transgender Outreach - NLTO meeting. During the first few hours of the meeting, we follow an agenda. We introduce ourselves, state our preferred pronoun usage, tell a little about ourselves and share any concerns we might have. We always have a Transgender Positive topic. Thanks to L's!
After this, we just have informal chats. People come and go. During one of these chats, I was told there is another Transgender group ninety (90!) miles from here that screens its members.
Huh? Screen for what???? Criminal background? Disease? Bad breath?
Nope, they screen you for membership in other Trans organizations. If you belong to any other group or attend any other meetings, you are not allowed to join this group. This is sophmoric behavior and it is dangerously exclusive.
NLTO welcomes everyone without question. There is no prescreening or conditions although NLTO does have a super secret Transgender handshake ;D!
The Transgender - Gender Queer community, group or organization cannot afford to be exclusive in any way, shape or form.
Geesh!
Trans people and gender non conforming people are the ones being discriminated against, misunderstood and marginalized.
It seems to me this other group by creating an exclusive "membership" is shooting the entire Trans community right where it hurts.
They should be ashamed of themselves!

It's a girl!

My dear friend Kathleen C. is recovering from her "special" surgery from this past Tuesday. If you know her, send her an email, a card or give her a call and wish her a happy birthday!

"Virginia is for WASPS lovers"

If you are WASPS - white, Anglo Saxon, protestant, straight or straight acting, Virginia is for you! Virginia is a 'right to work' and right to discriminate state. Virginia has zero, nada, zilch discrimination laws. This same type of Transgender friendly legislation was considered in the Virginia General Assembly this year although Transgender identity and gender expression were hidden under the definition of sexual orientation. The bill was tabled in committee for the last two years. I hope our Trans family in Maryland is more successful.

Md. residents to urge transgender protections ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) A Maryland Senate panel is scheduled to hear testimony on a measure that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people. The bill is sponsored by Montgomery County Senator Richard Madaleno Jr. and would protect transgender residents from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Testimony will be heard on Wednesday. Thirteen states, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and 90 other local jurisdictions including Montgomery County, have banned discrimination against transgender people, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. On the Net: Read Senate Bill 566: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0566.htm (© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press news wire and may contain occasional typographical errors. )