Deaf patron of the arts and esteemed community leader sentenced to nearly a decade in jail

John TC Yeh, former Gallaudet University trustee convicted of fraud.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In addition to the prison term, John Yeh was ordered to pay $20 million in restitution. Mr. Yeh is the former CEO of deaf services business Viable. He was convicted of conspiring to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s Video Relay Service program. Mr. Yeh and his firm charged the federal government for illegitimate calls. He was sentenced by federal Judge Joel A. Pisano of the U.S. District court in Trenton, N.J.

Viable vice president Joseph Yeh, John Yeh’s brother, was sentenced to 55 months also order to pay $20 million in restitution.  Other Viable executives, Anthony Mowl and Donald Tropp,  are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

Mr. Yeh, was a trustee of Gallaudet University and has received many honors, including Deaf Person of the Year. He has also started a number of very successful businesses. He was well liked and gave back to the community generously.

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I’ve been giving Mr. Yeh the benefit of the doubt until now. It is quite clear that that anyone of Mr. Yeh’s caliber — university trustee, business owner — knew exactly what his company was doing the entire time they were defrauding American taxpayers. Mr. Yeh has fallen from grace and now, along with his gang of thugs, has a debt to pay society. Let’s not make excuses for the convict until his debt is paid off, then we’ll talk.

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Filed under: Disabilities, Hearing Impaired, Deaf, ASL, American Sign Language, Deaf Education, Everything else, Anthony Mowl, ASL, deaf, Donald Tropp, fraud, gallaudet, john tc yeh, john yeh, viable

Police agencies dubious behavior results in lawsuit by trans woman

Trans woman Erica Kay (photo: LGBT News)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — After trans woman Erica Kay won an appeal on her grand theft conviction, she claims a warrant was left active long after the conviction was overturned. In addition, she states that city and state agencies continued to list her gender improperly even after she corrected them a number of times — this lead to her humiliation in jail and in court.

She’s suing two police departments — Panama City, and Parker, both in Florida, and the Florida state attorney’s office for discrimination. Kay claims everything started after a disgrunted former employee  “outed” her by circulating old tabloid articles written about her.

Further details from the news media are skimpy so I’ll update if further info becomes available. She is, however, taking quite a beating in the feedback section of one of the TV news station in Panama City.

In unrelated news, there is a report of a film about her in the works.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Erica Kay, florida, Florida state attorney, panama city, parker

DRIVE BY PHOTOS: A Citroen that still runs! In pristine condition too!

A Citroen -- click for full size (guerrilla angel photo)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Spotted chugging up a hill at 45 MPH, this near pristine Citroen looked way cool! I’m not going to guess the year of this one, but rather, leave it up to readers to educate me. I DO know its been years since I’ve seen one that ran! If you look at the photo close up, you’ll notice the driver looks like he’s trying to find his way back to Paris!

Does it say: Citroen A, SCV6 Special?

A Citroen -- click for full size (guerrilla angel photo)

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Filed under: Everything else, citroen, French automaker, SCV

[UPDATE-2] Recall of Wis. Gov. Scott Walker reaches one million signatures!

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker does not represent the 99% of us!

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATED Jan 17, 2012: The Gov. Walker recall effort had one million signatures -- nearly double the number needed -- when they submitted the recall petition today. The matter is now in the hands of the Wisconsin elections board for review. http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/17/politics/wisconsin-walker-recall/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn ]

[Updated Dec. 15, 2011: Now at 507,000 signatures they they are almost near the minimum needed to put the recall before the voters with an entire month to go. However, they are aiming for  720,000 signatures as a buffer in the event of invalidated signatures. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/scott-walker-recall-democrats-target-signatures_n_1150931.html ]

In only 12 days, over 300,000 signatures to recall Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker from office  was collected — more than half needed. The recall coalition — United Wisconsin — in the remaining 48 days need to collect only 241,000 signatures.  They will likely exceed the amount needed as a safety buffer in the event of invalid signatures.  Signatures have come in from all 72 counties in the state.

The governor has begun airing ads to counter the recall effort.  Americans for Prosperity — a conservative organization, has also aired ads in Walker’s favor. Two Republican state Senators lost their recall election earlier this year and 4 more are being targeted this time.

Public anger at Governor Walker curtailment of collective bargaining rights for public workers earlier this year prompted the recall drives. Gov. Walker only recently became eligible for recall.

Stay tuned!

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Filed under: Politics, Americans for Prosperity, anti-union, collective bargaining, Gov. Scott Walker, recall, United Wisconsin, wisconsin

Transgender American Samoan soccer player key to World Cup qualifying victory.

Jonny Saelua, trans soccer player for American Samoa (ladoculto.com photo)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In Polynesian culture, soccer player Jonny Saelua is part of the fa’afafine — to be a woman — biological males who identify as a third sex. Saelua appears to be the first trans person to play at the World Cup stage.

Samoa Fa’afafine Society’s Alex Su’a, says about 1,500 fa’afafine live in Samoa and American Samoa.

Su’a: “To be fa’afafine you have to be Samoan, born a man, feel you are a woman, be sexually attracted to males and, importantly, proud to be called and labeled fa’afafine. The fa’afafine are culturally accepted.  They have a role in Samoan society. They are the caretakers of the elders because their brothers and sisters get married, but the fa’afafine traditionally don’t.”

This appears to be similar to Native American’s “Two Spirits” — these trans tribe members are respected rather than looked down upon.

More soccer info via New York Times: Transgender Player Helps American Samoa to First International Soccer Win – NYTimes.com.

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Alex Su’a, fa’afafine, Jonny Saelua, Polynesian culture, Samoa Fa’afafine Society, soccer, world cup

[UPDATED] Well-known transgender leader Sonia Masi shot dead in India

Famed trangender leader Sonia Masi killed in India

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — From DNA: “Sonia Masi aka Imran Ajmeri, who had emerged as the face of the transgender community in Gujarat, was shot dead near Rupali cinema by unidentified assailants on Thursday night.

Sonia was better known for contesting in the general elections against BJP leader LK Advani. She was on her way to have refreshments near Rupali cinema when some men in a car shot six rounds at her.”

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UPDATED Nov. 28, 2011 — from DNA: According to police sources, the murder may have been committed because of property disputes. Among the documented properties were her hotel and office at Ashram Road as well as her residence in Shahpur.

Karanj police are also interrogating Sonia’s husband, Yusuf Jaam alias Pilot. The local cops questioned him following his interrogation by the detection of crime branch (DCB) officials. During his questioning, it was revealed that the couple were having a tiff over property.

Latest news: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_property-disputes-may-have-led-to-transgender-sonias-murder_1618125

This article is a good historical background about her: http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-life-times-of-flamboyant-sonia-masi-2594115.html

Earlier news about the shooting: Transgender leader Sonia Masi shot dead in Ahmedabad – India – DNA.

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Filed under: Politics, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, ahmedabad, Gujarat, Imran Ajmeri, India, LK Advani, Sonia Masi, transgender community, Yusuf Jaam

Let us not forget The Salvation Army discriminates against us!

Donate money, lose some rights!

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Just say NO to the red kettle! The Salvation Army has a long history of discrimination.  Indeed, the money you donate, may very well be used against you — the organization has actively attempted to curtail some of your rights!

There are other places to donate — ones where your money doesn’t come back to haunt you!

Bil Browning in The Bilerico Project: “The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. While you might think you’re helping the hungry and homeless by dropping a few dollars in the bright red buckets, not everyone can share in the donations.  The organization also has a record of actively lobbying governments worldwide for anti-gay policies – including an attempt to make consensual gay sex illegal.”

Before You Donate to the Salvation Army This Year, Educate Yourself – Top News – The Seattle Lesbian.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Bil Browning, Bilerico Project, donate, homeless, Salvation Army

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber suspends capital punishment for duration his term.

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber: no more executions on my watch.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber: “Let me be clear, I had no sympathy or compassion for the criminals or for anyone who commits the most heinous of acts – taking the life of another person.”

Gov. Kitzhaber, a former E.R. doctor believes the system is unfair and points out that the two most recent executions were convicts who wanted their executions to proceed.

Kitzhaber:  “Both were during my first administration as Governor, one in 1996 and the other in 1997. I allowed those sentences to be carried out despite my personal opposition to the death penalty. . .
They were the most agonizing and difficult decisions I have made as Governor and I have revisited and questioned them over and over again during the past 14 years.”

Read Gov. Kitzhaber’s entire statement:

Microsoft Word – Final Final JK Statement on the Death Penalty.pdf (application/pdf Object).

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Filed under: Uncategorized, capital punishment, death penalty, executions, gov john kitzhaber, legal system, lethal injection, oregon governor, Portland Oregon

Federal judge blocks Alabama anti-immigration law denying mobile home permits & movements

Federal judges are helping rid Alabama of this discriminatory law enacted by state legislators.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Known as HB-56, the strict Alabama anti-immigration law, prevented illegal immigrants from renewing mobile home permits or even moving them out of state.

Portions of HB-56 were already blocked, but U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson took additional steps to make the state of Alabama stop denying mobile home permits to people without proof of U.S. citizenship. The Nov.30 deadline to comply has since been lifted. Upwards of 20% of renewal permits were being denied as the deadline approached.

Sam Singh of the Central Alabama Fair Housing Center’s spokesperson said many were having to abandon their own homes to leave the state.

National Immigration Law Center’s Karen Tumlin said they are looking into how interpretation of the judge’s ruling can also help people who are denied water and heat services as a result of HB-56.

Source: USA Today.

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This whole thing is blowing up in the faces of the lawmakers in Alabama who enacted this law. It would be completely laughable if it weren’t for the harm being done to hundreds of thousands of Hispanic people living in Alabama.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Politics, alabama anti immigration, Central Alabama Fair Housing Cente, HB-56, Karen Tumlin, National Immigration Law Center, proof of U.S. citizenship, Sam Singh, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson

HUD secretary says trangender equality “a priority” in the Obama administation

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan:  “the [Obama] administration is the first to view the fight for transgender equality “not as an issue — but as a priority.”

Secretary Donovan made these comments during a speech at the National Center for Transgender Equality’s annual event on Nov. 15th in Washington DC. He also made note of the numerous actions taken within the HUD to curtail discrimination against trans people as well as the administration’s record number of LGBT and trans appointments.

Mara Keisling, executive director of NCTE: “Secretary Donovan’s presence echoes what we at NCTE have long known about HUD and the rest of the Obama administration, and that is that transgender people matter. We are a priority for the administration, and it shows in the policies that we are winning.”

More from The Dallas Voice:  Donovan says trans equality is a priority, not an issue.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Housing and Urban Development, hud, Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality, NCTE, obama administration, Shaun Donovan

Drive By Photos: Mini convention.

These original Mini Coopers are just so darn cute!

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –  The weather was horrible, but this didn’t stop Mini owners from having a rally run of some sort. I managed to pull over and snap a photo of these three original Minis lined up in a row. Unlike the newer versions, these cars are TINY! Click on photo to see larger image.

Click for larger image.

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Filed under: Everything else, mini, mini cooper

Des Moines city employee punished for last week’s harassment of a trans woman to collect on a bet.

Z’s Bar & Grill, where city employees harassed a elderly trans woman. (Photo credit: WHO-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Disciplinary action will be taken against the city employee who pulled a wig off an elderly trans woman in a bar to collect a bet. I reported on this incident here earlier this week (see link below)

The incident occurred during an annual event for public works employees at Z’s Bar & Grill. An investigation into the matter by Des Moines city officials resulted in an an employee admitting to the wrong doing.

Des Moines Public Works Director Bill Stowe said:  “We are mortified by the actions of our employee here. The impact on the victim, I am sure, is irreconcilable. We are deeply apologetic for that. We will learn from this and communicate clearly to our workforce that anything like this is completely unacceptable.”

http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/bar-bet-among-city-workers-lead-to-harassed-transgender-woman/

Des Moines Public Works employee punished over transgender harassment incident | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, des moines, Des Moines Public Works, harassment, Public Works Director Bill Stowe, Z's Bar & Grill

Fix-a-Flat Medicine — People can be stupid, even some trans people, but so what?

Goes in your tire, not your butt.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — I first read a report about an unlicensed doctor and her Fix-a-Flat butt enhancement procedure in my local newspaper — the word “transgender” wasn’t mentioned. I thought, people can be stupid — not only to think of such a thing to do, but to also willingly subject themselves to an injection of the stuff. Later I saw another article of the same incident, this time with a photo showing post-procedure results, again, no mention of any transperson involvement — I chuckled and thought, wow, people can be REALLY stupid!

It wasn’t until I got online and read a post about a “transgender fake doctor” injecting people with Fix-a-Flat. Is this the same incident? Yes, it was as it turns out. Wow. And now, more “patients” have stepped forward. Yup, people can be really, really stupid, even transgender people. No one group is immune to stupidity — a true equal opportunity choice/condition oppressed by no one. This is not news and did not need to be brought up.

Thumbs up to the few mainstream media reports that didn’t bring up the person’s trans status — as it was completely unrated and had no bearing at all on the incident.

Hopefully we can move on from this, pronto!

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, butt enhancement, fake doctor, fix-a-flat. injections, Oneal Ron Morris, practicing medicine without a license, stupidity

Bar bet among city workers lead to harassed transgender woman.

Contact Des Moines Mayor Cownie to voice your opinion on the behavior of city employees.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Yup, witnesses say a group of Des Moines, Iowa Public Works employees harassed a trans woman during the department’s annual party at a bar. The bar manager believes the trans woman’s wig was ripped off her head to collect a $100 bet.

The trans woman did not press charges because she did not want to reveal her name. However, video from inside the bar triggered the city to start an investigation. Public Works Director Bill Stowe was stated as saying regardless of who is responsible, that type of behavior is “repulsive”.

Z’s Bar & Grill manager Sharon Pasutti: “It`s not a joke. It hurt her very deeply, humiliated her so I don`t think anyone has the right to do that to anybody . . .”

This is a great opportunity for a very public learning experience since they are employed by taxpayers (us)!

Contact the city manager of Des Moines: (515) 283-4141

Email the City of Des Moines: http://www.dmgov.org/InteractiveForms/Pages/default.aspx?FormName=Email%20the%20City%20of%20Des%20Moines

Contact the Mayor: Franklin Cownie:

• City Hall Phone: (515) 283-4944
• Home Phone: (515) 255-3644

Watch the video:

BAD BEHAVIOR: Witnesses claim Des Moines employees harassed transgender woman at a bar – WHO.

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, des moines, Franklin Cownie, harassment, iowa, Public Works, Public Works Director Bill Stowe, Sharon Pasutti, Z's Bar & Grill

Proposed bill could silence Russian transgender advocates

Curtailing of trans rights in Russia would be about as depressing as these Soviet style apartment buildings in St. Petersburg.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –  Russia’s dominant party proposed anti-trans/LGBTQ bill passed the first reading by a 27 to 1 vote in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city. The bill, proposed by United Russia, the party of Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin, could curtail public speaking about transgenderism (and everything else under the LGBT umbrella) to minors. Violators would be  subject to a fine up to $1600.  This would pretty much ban LGBT protest rallies in St. Petersburg. This could also trigger a domino effect across Russia — a sliding back to the Soviet views on all things LGBT.

While there are several more steps that must be taken before (or if) the bill becomes law, however, the world trans community must take a proactive stance and be heard loudly and clearly enough to derail the curtailing of any equality rights for transgender people in Russia.

Source: The Associated Press.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, anti lgbt, anti-transgender, Russia, St. Petersburg, United Russia