Saturday Night Live, NBC And Comcast Ridicule Transgender People

Enough is enough. Saturday Night Live, NBC and Comcast have gone too far by ridiculing Transgender women and promoting misunderstanding about Transgender people in general. There are plenty of other topics from which to chose. I understand SNL attempts to poke fun at everyone but there comes a time when even they have to consider the implications of when something is no longer funny. Transgender Rights Group Demands that NBC/Comcast Apologize for Transphobic Saturday Night Live Skit "Estro-Maxx" Skit Degrades and Dehumanizes the Lives of Transgender Women New York, New York - On Saturday, January 29, NBC's Saturday Night Lived aired a cruel and transphobic skit. It revolved around "Estro-Maxx" and it amounted to nothing more than an attack on transgender people. The piece purported to represent transgender women during gender transition on "Estro-Maxx" hormone therapy, and mocked them with representations of men with facial hair wearing dresses. It was an attack on transgender women, plain and simple. "Degrading, dehumanizing and ridiculing transgender people isn't comedy," said Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) executive director Michael Silverman. "Saturday Night Live's skit contributes to the toxic brew of intolerance that leads to real-life discrimination, harassment and violence for transgender people." TLDEF demands that NBC and its owner Comcast apologize and take steps to ensure that similar segments do not air again in the future. ###

E-News from the Transgender Law Center January 2011

Transgender folks are fortunate to have such wonderful organizations protecting the rights we have and fighting for the rights we yet to have! Happy new year! It's hard to believe that 2011 is already well under way. I hope the following sampling of our 2010 successes inspires hope in how much we can accomplish. Knowing how powerful we are as a community, I am extremely excited to work with you throughout the coming year to achieve still more victories!  First, please mark your calendars for Transgender Advocacy Day in Sacramento! Participants will be trained in advocacy and messaging on Sunday, May 1st, and will visit legislative offices on Monday, May 2nd. This year, the Transgender Law Center will sponsor two bills designed to reduce discrimination against transgender Californians. We hope to have an impressive turnout at the Capitol to advocate for the transgender community and would love to have you join us.  We are also excited to announce that we will be having the 6th Annual Transgender Leadership Summit in Los Angeles in July 2011. We will need YOUR help to make both the Advocacy Day and Leadership Summit a success. Be on the lookout for more information soon, and contact Maceo Persson at 415-865-0176 to volunteer for either or both events. In solidarity,     Masen Davis Executive Director  Celebrating 2010's Successes    Two of our most exciting and innovative successes in 2010 were the opening of a Goodwill store in San Francisco that provides job training and experience to transgender people and the kick off of a transgender health clinic in rural Humboldt County. Learn more about the historic collaboration between Goodwill and the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=7697653 The initiative received coverage in newspapers across the USA when the story was picked up by the Associated Press. Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20101128/us-transgender-goodwill/   Humboldt County's Transgender Health Clinic also received media attention: http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16783052 To receive healthcare at the Transgender Health Clinic, please call 707-826-8610 to make an appointment. The clinic is open the first Tuesday of every month, 1:30pm-4:30pm, and is located in Arcata, CA. We are also excited to celebrate three important policy victories: In January 2010, the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission released "Recommended Policies and Standards for the Los Angeles Police Department's Interactions with Transgender Individuals," which will help to increase the LAPD's responsiveness to the safety needs of the Los Angeles transgender community and help the LAPD to comply with existing non-discrimination statutes.   In December 2010, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the addition of "gender identity and gender expression" to the county's Equal Employment Opportunity regulations for county workers and residents. In December 2010, the California Department of Education released a model handout for California school districts that details a school's "duty to protect" students. The release of this handout was one of thefinal steps in the implementation of the Safe Place to Learn Act, legislation protecting transgender students that the Transgender Law Center helped pass in 2007. In addition to the handout, the Department of Education also released a copy of amodel complaint form that the Transgender Law Center and GSA Network collaboratively drafted. Simple change, big difference As of January 1, 2011, out-of-state residents may directly petition a California Superior Court for a Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth certificate by checking a box on a Judicial Council Form. Previously, an out-of-state resident would have to use a form designed for in-state residents, which caused confusion and may have resulted in some qualified out-of state-petitioners being denied the ability to file for a gender change. This welcome change to the Judicial Council Form NC-300series resulted from the landmark decision, Somers v. Superior Court (2009) 172 Cal. App. 4th 1407. The Transgender Law Center represented Ms. Somers in her action and in April 2009, the First District of the California Court of Appeal held that there is no compelling state interest in treating a California-born transgender individual who resides out of state differently from an individual who resides in California, as well as no rational basis for any disparate treatment. Despite this positive ruling, it remained difficult for many non-resident transgender individuals to petition a California court. To assist with implementation, the Transgender Law Center developed a brief explaining the Somers decision for use by non-residents submitting gender change petitions to the Court, and advocated with the Judicial Council to include a box on the Gender Change Petition indicating that a person was a non-resident.   Settlement Reached in San Francisco Employment Discrimination Case! The Transgender Law center is pleased to announce that it recently settled an employment discrimination claim by a transgender man against a San Francisco restaurant. Nic Weinstein, a server at the restaurant Weird Fish, was a stellar employee who had worked at the quirky Mission District seafood restaurant for more than two years.  In the summer of 2009, after informing the owner/managers of his gender transition and his desire to be referred to by male pronouns, Weinstein was fired. When he asked for a basis for his termination, he was told that he was only being laid off.  A week later at a meeting with the manager, Weinstein was told that he was indeed being fired. Weinstein contacted the Transgender Law Center for assistance. Legal Director Kristina Wertz, working closely with attorney Lisa Charbonneau of the civil rights litigation firm Minami Tamaki, contacted the restaurant's owners and informed them of Weinstein's discrimination claim and of violations of state law mandating meal and rest period breaks. In September 2010, Weird Fish agreed to pay Weinstein $10,500 to settle his claims. 2010 Legal Services Statistics Primary Reason for Contacting the Transgender Law Center  Location of People Contacting  the Transgender Law Center for Assistance Profile of a Community Leader & Donor: Dana Runge   Dana Runge first connected with the Transgender Law Center when helping to advocate for the Insurance Non-Discrimination Act (which went into effect in 2006). Since then she has attended numerous Transgender Leadership Summits. Dana says that "lobbying for legislation is a very empowering experience."  She first connected with her local Democratic Club, the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club, in 2008, working on President Obama's campaign and the campaign to defeat Proposition 8. On January 8th, 2011, Dana was elected as one of twelve delegates from the 44th Assembly District to the California Democratic Party's State Central Committee. The delegates help set the policy platforms for the California Democratic Party, serving a two-year term and participating in the 2011 and 2012 State Democratic Convention. Remarkably, she said she wasn't sure if it was the first time that a transgender person has been elected to this position (though it is likely the case at least in her district), because it was a "non-issue" in the campaign.   In Dana's words: We have a lot to contribute, and we can help make the world a more just place. There are lots of opportunities to be involved in the public realm. And regardless of your party affiliation, there are always local campaign headquarters during federal elections that need volunteers, which is a great way to get your foot in the door and to meet people. We have to collaborate with other people who share our interests, and are always going to be stronger together. Dana is also a long-time monthly donor to the Transgender Law Center.    Help strengthen the movement for transgender rights, and join Dana by signing up as a monthly sustainer today! Lyon-Martin Update As you may have heard, Lyon-Martin Health Services of San Francisco is currently in a funding crisis and may be closing. We have deep respect for the staff of Lyon-Martin, who are caring, competent providers with an excellent vision for transgender health.    The Transgender Law Center's clients desperately need community clinics with knowledge of transgender individuals' health needs. Lyon-Martin has been our go-to referral for people in the Bay Area. The Transgender Law Center is committed to ensuring that transgender people in the Bay Area continue to have a place to go for health care. We will work with the Department of Public Health to make sure they understand the need for providers who are well educated on transgender health. Project HEALTH, our joint program with Lyon-Martin, has been wildly successful in increasing access to health care for transgender people. We will do everything we can to continue Project HEALTH. For up-to-date information about Lyon-Martin's status and ways to support it, visit the "Save Lyon-Martin" Facebook page. Are you going to be  at Creating Change?  If so, come say hi!   We'll be helping to facilitate: Stronger Together: A Trans Strategy/Skills Sharing Institute Designing a Survey and Using Data to Secure Protections for LGBT People Advocating for Better Health Care Access for Transgender Individuals Caucus for State/Local Transgender Advocacy Trailblazing for Transgender Health Creating Our Destinies: Strategies for Employment in Trans Communities Going for the Gold: Transphobia, Racism, and Why the Oppression Olympics are a Losing Game Reception for Bay Area Lawyers to Support  Transgender Rights    Thursday, February 24 5:30pm-7:30pm All supportive attorneys and other legal professionals are invited to learn more about opportunities to support the Transgender Law Center's ground-breaking policy advocacy and vital legal services at this reception. Location: Seyfarth Shaw, 20thFloor - JP Morgan Chase conference room, 560 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA (at 2nd Street). Seyfarth Shaw is closest to the Montgomery BART/MUNI. Space and refreshments generously donated by     Tell your friends via Facebook! Please RSVP topaige@transgenderlawcenter.org.    Thank you to our  2010 volunteers! To all the volunteers who make our work possible this year: thank you! From stuffing envelopes to staffing the margarita booth at Pride to serving on our event host committee, you were an invaluable resource and we could not have done it without you. We deeply appreciate all of your contributions.   Below are a few words from our law clerks--law students who spent 2-4 months working with us full-time on a volunteer basis. If you are interested in becoming a law clerk, please contact our Staff Attorney, Matt Wood, atmatt@transgenderlawcenter.org. Zoe Genzler Thomas M. Cooley Law School What made my internship at the Transgender Law Center truly enjoyable was the friendly and incredibly hardworking staff of this wonderful organization. Everyone was so supportive and I had the best legal team to help me learn the ropes.   I was trusted to meet with clients and so was directly able to help people with issues with which they had been struggling.   After years spent studying in my law school's library I found it inspirational to be able to put my knowledge and skills to good use and improve the lives of those in the transgender community. Vikram Swaruup  UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law   Our Summer 2010 clerkship was generously supported by   the Pride Law Fund. While at the Transgender Law Center, I was able to answer legal questions, refer people to the resources they needed, and assist people in navigating legal and administrative systems to ensure that the state recognized their experiences. In addition, I was able to work on major priorities, such as increasing accessibility to transition-related health care for low-income transgender individuals and combating pervasive employment discrimination against California's transgender communities. On a personal level, spending ten weeks at the Transgender Law Center was inspiring. I left every day amazed by my co-workers' patience in dealing with frustrating and difficult legal issues, and our clients' strength in the face of incredible adversity and pervasive discrimination.   Ashley Pellouchoud Golden Gate University  School of Law  I feel honored to have clerked for the Transgender Law Center--the experience was challenging, inspiring, and enlightening. I gained expertise in my writing, legal identity documentation, and also the inner-workings of an impact litigation firm in an innovative field of the law.  I am thankful most to the legal team, but the experience was deeper than just legal work. Working with lawyers who partner with health and policy advocates was educational in and of itself. I would recommend this clerkship to anyone with a passion for justice who appreciates a challenge. Make a Difference, Volunteer!   We especially need volunteers who can volunteer for a few hours on a weekly basis for more than 4 weeks. Bay Area volunteers can help with a variety of critically needed administrative, research, and fundraising tasks. Volunteering in our San Francisco office offers the best opportunity to work closely with Transgender Law Center staff and to assist with some programmatic work. Volunteers who are based outside of the Bay Area can help with Advocacy Day, Summit, and other event logistics. If you are interested in volunteering, please send your name, contact information, volunteering interests, and general availability to paige@transgenderlawcenter.org. We rely on your support   to change laws, policies, and attitudes   so that transgender people no longer experience discrimination. About the Transgender Law Center The Transgender Law Center is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. The Transgender Law Center uses direct legal services, education, community organizing and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org

Transgender positive news from the US Department of State

Transgender positive news from the US Department of State January 28, 2011 State Department Issues Amended Policy Guidelines on Passport Sex Marker Changes In response to concerns raised by TLDEF and other organizations and individuals, the U.S. State Department today published amended policy guidelines for changing the sex marker on passports. Among other things, the new policy guidelines: allow you to submit a doctor's letter from any licensed doctor, eliminating the burdensome physician specialty requirements; allow you to submit a letter from a doctor who has either treated you for "gender-related care" or who has reviewed and evaluated your "gender-related medical history"; and allow passport holders to change their passport's sex marker by presenting an updated birth certificate instead of a doctor's letter. We've only described a few of the highlights of the new guidelines here, but there's much more. Please read our comprehensive web-based guide to the updated policy. We are also available to answer any questions that you may have. If you need additional assistance, please contact us. We are pleased to bring you this news and will continue to update you on any additional changes to these State Department policies and procedures. Join Our Mailing List  Privacy Policy Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts.

Synnwyr cyffredin Used Yng Nghymru ar gyfer Pobl Trawsrywiol - Common Sense Used In Wales For Transgender People

Baner Cymru or Y Ddraig Goch Tybed pam fod cymaint o gynnwrf am bobl sy'n defnyddio ystafell ymolchi. Mae gennym dair ystafell ymolchi yn ein cartref. Mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu dynodi fel un rhyw, ac ni fyddwn byth yn cael unrhyw broblemau. TRANSLATION: I wonder why there is so much commotion about people using a bathroom. We have three bathrooms in our home. All of them are designated as unisex and we never have any problems. Cymeradwyaf y myfyrwyr o Gymru ar gyfer eu synnwyr cyffredin. Cofiwch, mae pobl Cymru yn enwog am eu synnwyr cyffredin. Er enghraifft, maent yn codi y mynediad Saesneg i'r cestyll yn y Saesneg yn berchen ar unwaith cyn iddynt gael eu gyrru o Gymru.  TRANSLATION: I applaud the Welsh students for their common sense.  Please remember, the people of Wales are known for their common sense. For example, they charge the English admission to the very castles the English once owned before they were driven from Wales. Cardiff Students' Union to install unisex loos by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo Jan 28 2011 CARDIFF Students’ Union is set to go 21st Century with the installation of unisex toilets. The building on Park Place is to modify some of its existing toilets for the benefit of transgender students. Mark Anderson, head of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Association, who is behind the move said: “Student unions around the UK have installed gender-neutral toilets and trans students no longer feel unwelcome and can enjoy their student experience more. “A lot of students may choose to use the gender neutral toilets without fear of discrimination, bullying or even violence.” The Student Council passed a mandate for the changes. Toilets on the building’s third floor or in the CF10 cafe have been suggested as candidates, but other facilities are to remain gender-specific. Original article

Hello President Obama and Congress!! Priorities For Transgender Equality

I had a conversation with another Queer activist yesterday. She asked me what are the major concerns of the Hampton Roads Trans community and the greater LGBTQ community in Hampton Roads. I said, "Marriage equality is certainly important. Everyone should certainly have the right to be "married." As for the Trans community, inequality means no employment, little to no health care, and rampant housing discrimination. It is most difficult to think about marriage when you do not have a roof over your head. You do not have a job. You cannot afford to eat. Health care professionals turn you away because they refuse to treat Transgender people." "As for the greater LGB community, many of these folks share the same issues in particular if they are LGBTQ of any color than white."  It is so easy for folks who are white, middle class, assimilated to sit back in their easy chairs and ponder their marriage equality navels. Military service is not the answer to these immediate issues for Transgender people. It is a tradeoff. One trades their lack of civilian rights so they can gain said rights by putting their own well being in harm's way.  Do not misunderstand me. Everyone should have full equality throughout society including the right to get married or to join the military.  Employment, housing, food, and health care are more important than getting married or a military trade off. Let's get our priorities right! State of the Union 2011 Quick Links NCTE Website Support our Work Policy Conference and Lobby Days 2011 Join us from March 13-15, 2011 in Washington DC as we hear directly from policy makers and educate legislators on Capitol Hill More information Register today Join Our List January 25, 2011 Tonight, in his State of the Union address, President Obama celebrated the fact that the American military will no longer bar openly gay and lesbian service members. He went on to call on colleges and universities to open their campuses to ROTC and military recruiters now that the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy has been repealed.   However, students on campuses like Stanford and Harvard have already pointed out that the repeal of this policy, while an improvement, still does not allow transgender people to serve openly or to join the military. We support the organizing efforts of students on those campuses and others in continuing to advocate for the exclusion of the military from their campuses as long as the military continues to discriminate. While the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a victory for fairness, it does not fully address the discrimination that LGBT people face. We must keep up our efforts until the job is completely done and the US military is open all Americans who seek an equal opportunity to serve our country. In the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, conducted by NCTE and The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 20% of respondents reported having served in the military, a rate of service twice the national average. The full report from the survey will be released on February 4th.   For more information about the military's policies that impact transgender people, please read the joint statement issued by NCTE and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.  About NCTE The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.

SONG's Survey For VA & NC LGBTQ Folks

Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans Folks in NC and VA:  Please, Fill Out this Survey! January 19th, 2011 Southerners On New Ground - SONG is doing a survey of LGBTQ People in VA and NC as part of our Listening Work to lead up to new Projects and Campaigns! Filling out this survey means YOU have a voice in the future of SONG’s work to build stronger and more whole LGBTQ communities in VA/NC! Please take a few minutes and do it TODAY and encourage other LGBTQ North Carolinians and Virginians to do it TODAY as well…we need you to take this opportunity to fill us in on what is most important to you, your community, your families, and your state. There are so FEW opportunities that LGBTQ folks of color, rural people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and working class and poor folks get to speak for OURSELVES, so let’s get this opportunity out to as many people as we can! We are trying to get as many surveys as we can before FEBRUARY 5, 2011 Please click on Links in English and Espanol Below! 1.     Virginia Survey-Espanol 2.     Virginia Survey-English 3.     North Carolina Survey-Espanol  4.     North Carolina Survey-English Thank you so much for taking the time to build a Better South for all of us! SONG envisions a sustainable South that embodies the best of its freedom traditions and works towards the transformation of our economic, social, spiritual, and political relationships. We envision a multi-issue southern justice movement that unites us across class, age, race, ability, gender, immigration status, and sexuality; a movement in which LGBTQ people – poor and working class, immigrant, people of color, rural – take our rightful place as leaders shaping our region’s legacy and future. We are committed to restoring a way of being that recognizes our collective humanity and dependence on the Earth.

Transitioning Your Life - Transgender Clinic Reopens February 7, 2011

Due to a conflict in scheduling  Transitioning Your Life Clinic Reopens 1/31/11 2/7/11 TLC has a new day and new time. TLC is moving to Mondays from 4 pm to 7 pm. Location is still at Park Place Medical Center.

Christy Moyer: Transgender Ally Needs Our Support

Christy Moyer Our Trans sister, LLLL (like the letter but more of them) asked me if there was anything I could do to help a dear friend, Christy Moyer. Christy supported LLLL through transition and remains a close friend to this day.  Because Christy is a special friend of LLLL, Christy is a dear friend of mine and a dear friend and ally to the entire Trans community. Now it is the Trans community's turn to support Christy. Let's surround Christy with love and support. Please, dig deep into your pockets! If you cannot afford a donation, send positive thoughts to Christy.  Support her in any way you can. Thank you! A good friend of mine is in need of help. She's been living with a horrible chronic pain condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (or CRPS). It makes it feel like her skin is constantly on fire and she can't get away from it. It started in July of 2009 in her arm and has spread through her entire body, from the top of her head to the tips of her feet. Complex regional pain syndrome Definition By Mayo Clinic staff Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon, chronic condition that usually affects your arm or leg. Rarely, complex regional pain syndrome can affect other parts of your body. Complex regional pain syndrome is marked by intense burning or aching pain. You may also experience swelling, skin discoloration, altered temperature, abnormal sweating and hypersensitivity in the affected area. The cause of complex regional pain syndrome isn't clearly understood, though it often follows an illness or injury. Treatment for complex regional pain syndrome is most effective when started early. In such cases, dramatic improvement and even remission are possible. Although there is no cure, she has been getting treatments for it to attempt to put it in remission. In particular, she's seen one of the few experts in CRPS, Dr. Schwartzmann of Drexel University (who has been the head of Neurology for over 35 years and has trained more neurologists in the USA than any other doctor) who is convinced that he can help her get rid of the pain. Her best bet is a procedure that requires her to travel to Mexico where she will be induced in a coma for five days while ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist or pain inhibitor, is pumped through her body. The reason that she has to travel to Mexico for this procedure is that in the United States it is illegal to induce a coma for more than 48 hours. And since their health insurance is based in the US, this treatment is not covered. The whole process is going to cost her about $50,000, which she doesn't have. She's looking for donations which can be sent through PayPal to donationsforchristymoyer@gmail.com. If you would like to send a donation in another manner, she asks that you contact her or her husband at donationsforchristymoyer@gmail.com. I've known Christy since middle school. She's an absolutely amazing person, and one of exactly three of my (cis) childhood friends who continue to talk to me since I came out as trans (one other being her wonderful and awesome husband). Ever since she's been out of school, she's been helping people by working with people with mental disabilities in a nursing home as well as helping young children with school. She hasn't been able to do either as of late due to the advanced stage of CRPS. Anything you can do to help, even if it's only donating $5, it will help tremendously. For more information, as well as a link to her PayPal donations, please visit Donations For Christy Moyer. Thank you, LLLLL