We Need A Training Course on Transgender 101

I can't help but think how the greater LGBT movement has been so focused on an orientation hierarchy they've dropped the ball with regards to "normalizing" trans men and trans women. There's been a huge push at reducing the anxiety and generating familiarity for lesbians and gays that it doesn't seem so "weird" anymore. It's still opposed by many but it's not a wholly foreign concept. Think of it in terms of how relations between whites and blacks were addressed.

As a cis-gender woman I often cringe at the public fumbles and stumbles of others who are lesbian, gay and straight alike who exhibit their lack of understanding of trans-related "issues". I have to qualify this with the quotes because I do not purport to understand what it's like to be a trans woman. Just as a white person will never understand what it's like to be black or a wealthy person not know all the ways they've benefitted from not being poor we all have our own set of blessings and obstacles. I do think the standard should be higher for the lesbian and gay collective but we as individuals can pick up the mantle as we see fit.

I expect reciprocity in my support of all LGBT "issues" but realize that as with many things in this society certain people of color may have an extra burden. I've also written about numerous cases of violence against black trans women like Lateisha Green and Duanna Johnson. I have also found that for every person willing to examine how they relate to others many still exhibit virulent discriminatory behavior. Including gays and lesbians. So if they engage in such foul behavior against their trans kinfolk how is that the straights will learn? Not to mention the racism and gender bias that exists amongst the entire population.

I am confident that I examine the ways in which I express my gender privileges if only because I'm willing to be put through the paces by others. We have to be humble enough to consider the fact that being well-intentioned is no guarantee of complete success in dismantling our prejudices. There is a big difference though from deciding to hate in thoughts, words and deeds.

There's been a discussion at Pam's House Blend about the review of this dance crew on an MTV dance competition show by a recording artist. The comments by Lil Mama displayed a lack of understanding that should be addressed but are by no means as offensive as statements made by gay politician Barney Frank for example. Any standards for evaluating behavior should be applied across the board. I see this as a teachable moment IF people are willing to learn. Like most reality shows they're edited to promote high drama and ignorant behavior for ratings.

Lateisha Green Post-Conviction Update & Essence Interview

I have some good news to share for those interested in justice across the board. The now-convicted murderer Dwight DeLee has been sentenced 25-years to life for killing Lateisha Green. Ms. Green was a lovely trangender woman who was brutally murdered by DeLee for no reason other than her gender identity which I've discussed in this post.

While this won't bring her back at least her family can take some comfort (I hope) knowing consequences have been meted out. As someone who has experienced the murder of a beloved innocent sibling by a DBR (damaged beyond recognition) black male I wish that one chapter would be closed. If there can be no justice in this life I trust there will be some in the afterlife. See the great post that blog host Monica wrote up at Transgriot.

One other interesting development is how MESSence, er Essence magazine interviewed Lateisha's mother Roxanne Green and published it on their web portal. I think they are desperately trying to combat the negative publicity and ridicule they justifiably received after a) telling black women they were low value, desperate and should take whatever they can get by b) dating black men (not suggesting they seek out a man of caliber of any race/ethnicity) WHO FREQUENTS STRIP CLUBS. I for one was very glad my subscription had lapsed and I missed that month of debasement for I most certainly would have cancelled it after being so insulted.

Anyhoo, not to detract from this one incident of decency I still cannot in good conscience recommend any black woman who values herself to ever read MESSence again but this is one interview. You can decide for yourself about that. This is good exposure to an audience of "conservative black church-going black community" loving women though. I wonder how well they'll respond to this seeing how the strip club recommendation went over many heads.

The Fight For Justice Continues With the Murder Trial of Lateisha Green

Update: July 17th - A jury convicted Dwight DeLee of manslaughter in the first degree as a hate crime!!!! WooT!! Of course, the caveat is that it was manslaughter and NOT 1st degree murder. Witnesses had been intimidated against testifying (WTF) and Teisha's brother had also been injured when this miscreant murdered her. So this is a case of a step to the side versus a definitive step forward. Progress for black trans women is slow but it will happen!!!

So while I will be continuing the discussion about the disordered thinking within the non-existent "black community" I'm stepping aside to get back to some other business of the day. Sonia Sotomayor's SCOTUS Confirmation hearings are a joke, but not funny. The white male privilege in place really makes me want to throttle some of them and wipe the smirks off their faces. I still think Kimberlie Crenshaw should have been nominated first. 

It would seem our dear President has been advised he needed to make some type of gesture to black women because he nominated Regina Benjamin to the Surgeon General post. Many people are pleased not only because of her work, but because she's a Delta. Now since one of the black male fraternities extended a membership to former President Bill Clinton will he think he's got black cred again? Let's hope not.

Moving on there's something more serious to mention. Today was the first day of the murder trial of trans woman Lateisha Green being held in Syracuse, New York. Her life was lived in the open which put her at great risk. Currently the Federal Hate Crimes legislation does NOT include gender identity and that needs to change. Here's to the hope the murderer gets a long prison sentence and the message gets sent that if you murder a transgender person you will be prosecuted and put away.

Photo gallery Press Conference Day One of Trial Transgender Legal Defense with the Green family. It's nice to know they fully supported her transition which also dispels the myth of blacks being less tolerant than other groups.

I can't help but think of a case that horrified many of us last year regarding Memphis resident Duanna Johnson. Duanna was taken into custody ostensibly on a prostitution charge that was never filed. She had to be released but not before she was humiliated, cursed at with racial ephitets and physically assaulted by police officers. Thanks to the taped footage of the beating both officers were fired. Yet shortly thereafter Duanna was found murdered. You connect the dots. 

So when the corporate media fails again to cover stories of importance that's where we bloggers come in. Nice to see GLAAD on top of things as well. There's a history of gays and lesbians working against transgender rights believe it or not! Hooray for citizen journalism and the stomach to write about these things. It's not easy to discuss but again, the things that make us squirm are the conversations we need to be having. It might save someone's life. 

There's a Facebook page "Justice for Teish" you can join as well.

Just When You Thought A Same Sex Marriage Had Gotten Through By "Accident"!

I knew it was too good to be true and was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When the New York Post of all "newspapers" publishes a story you know they get the side eye after their President as primate debacle earlier this year. 

They claimed to have an Exclusive! titled, "Wedding Crashers" on a same-gender (male) couple that had managed to sneak in a marriage certificate in New York State despite the current ban there. Psych! 

As it turns out one half of the couple is in fact a trans woman who has yet to undergo the reassignment surgery but who lives her life for all purposes as one. Which is usually the requirement before you can have the surgery anyway. I haven't used their names because much of the story has been about using the male names of the couple. Wrong!!! Per Autumn Sandeen's post at Pam's House Blend who says:

I'm angry regarding how this story is being covered. This is not a same-sex marriage story; this is a transgender person not being able to marry the one she loves story. This is a story about why marriage equality is more than a gay and lesbian story; part of why marriage equality is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community civil rights issue.

If the couple in question technically was a same-sex couple, then for sure this couple are definitely not a same-gender couple. This was a marriage between a man and a woman where the state doesn't recognize the woman as a woman.

But at least in one example, it seems that even the LGBT media is gaying up this relationship by using male pronouns, using the male legal name of the female partner in this opposite gender couple, and putting the female name of the female person of the opposite gender couple in quotation marks.

Oh but this is just par for the course. Not only did the NY Post gunk up the story but the Advocate misled its readers as well by trumpeting this. Now I've discussed why transgendered folks are so peeved at the big Gay Rights Industrial Complex for co-opting their marital rights by pushing a "marriage equality" agenda that actually excludes them. 

Though I support it I think it's really foul what they've done and wonder if part of the reason why they have to face so much opposition is partially due to karma. I mean you can't claim to be a victim, steal the African-American Civil Rights movement mojo AND trample over your transgendered peers and get away with it - can you?

Well....I guess we'll see.

Will Chaz Bono's High Profile Help Elevate Gender Identity Within the LGBT Community & Out?

Due to the celebrity status of Cher's former lesbian daughter, who has opted for gender reassignment surgery and is now known as Chaz Bono, will more people research transgender issues? This is something a lot of people are unfamiliar with and may think of as "weird" not necessarily in a malicious way but from basic lack of knowledge. Even people who are part of the LGBT community still need to be educated on trans men and women. I know the curiosity factor has been upped with this public statement: "It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his coming out did."

Also if the larger LGBT movement has been guilty of marginalizing Trans Rights will the "leadership" now have to give more than lip-service? Aside from the very personal journey of one individual, this could be a wonderful opportunity for others to step forward to have their needs addressed. Visibility breeds familiarity after all. Timing is everything - so carpe diem! 

The Human Rights Campaign has a Transgender Page on their website which is a good place to start to get more information. 

Now about that reality show the family was trying sell....

photo: E-Online