(UPDATED-3, Vigil planned April 29, 2013 ) Trans woman Brandy Martell killed in Oakland

Some of the people remembered during TDOR 2012. Brandy Martell is in the upper right corner.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –UPDATE-3, April 28, 2013. Transwoman Brandy Martell was killed a year ago, her crime remains unresolved. A vigil is planned.

This is from CBS: A vigil (April 29, 2013) is being held Monday in downtown Oakland on the anniversary of the slaying of a 37-year-old transgender woman who was sitting in her car socializing with friends when she was killed, vigil organizers said. . . .

The Tri-City Health Center and TransVision will be holding the vigil from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Besides remembering her, they want to call attention to Martell’s still unsolved murder and bring awareness to the continued violence against the transgender community.

The vigil will be held downtown at Franklin and 13th streets, near where she was killed.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/04/27/vigil-to-mark-anniversary-of-murder-of-transgender-woman-in-oakland/

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[UPDATE -1] Victim ID’d as Brandy Martell. See below.] Oakland police responded to reports of gunshots near 13th and Franklin streets on Saturday and found a body in the roadway. The victim’s name is being withheld pending family notification, however the police did say the victim was a 37-year-old Hayward resident. There was reports of a confrontation prior to the shooting.

Oakland: Three killed in weekend violence – San Jose Mercury News.

The police report does not say if the person was transgender, however, a blog is reporting the death of a transwoman named “Brandi”  at the same location and same approximate time frame.

From the blog: Brandi, a transwoman, was murdered last night, shot at 12th and Franklin in Downtown Oakland after an altercation with a man who became enraged and shot her when he realized she was trans.

http://oaklandoccupypatriarchy.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/tonight-emergency-demo-for-murdered-trans-woman/

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UPDATE: May 1, 2012: From KGO-TV: “37-year-old Brandy Martell was sitting behind the wheel of her car around 5:15 a.m. Sunday when one or two men walked up and began a conversation. A witness told ABC7 the conversation was cordial, but then a few minutes later, one of the men became angry and fired into the car right where Martell was sitting. Until late last year, Martell worked as an outreach worker at the Tri-City Health Center in Fremont which serves the transgender and transsexual community. . . .”

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8641958

Some of the people remembered during TDOR 2012. Brandy Martell is in the upper right corner.

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Law Enforcement, Police, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Brandy Martell, murder, Oakland

Lincoln, NE to consider trans protection bill, trans man beaten in Memphis — arrest made

Chase Mason Kelley, arrested for beating of trans man

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — On the heels of success in Omaha, Lincoln city councilman Carl Eskridge plans to introduce an anti-discrimination bill Monday that will offer trans and LGB protection in housing, employment and public accommodations in the city. Opposition to the measure isn’t expected to be as severe as Omaha’s, although the Nebraska Family Council is expected to put up a fight citing morality issues.

More: Lincoln proposal to widen anti-discrimination ordinance to gay, transgendered echoes Omaha law | The Republic.

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Chase Mason Kelley was arrested in Memphis, TN after beating a trans man unconscious. The brother of Kelley tried to run down the victim with his vehicle but missed.  The victim was hospitalized with a concussion but is expected to recover.

Tennessee Equality Project’s Jonathan Cole: “If a hate bias based on gender identity can be proven, the attacker may be subject to stronger penalties under the Matthew Shepard, James Byrd hate crimes law that passed in 2009.”

http://www.advocate.com/Crime/Transgender_Man_Beaten_In_Memphis/

Lincoln city councilman Carl Eskridge to introduce trans protection bill

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, beating. memphis, Chase Mason Kelley, councilman Carl Eskridge, Jonathan Cole, Lincoln, Nebraska Family Council, Tennessee Equality Project, trans man, trans rights

U.S. Justice Department honors trans activist Victoria Cruz

Victoria Cruz (Photo – NY Daily News)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Last week Attorney General Eric Holder honored trans activist Victoria Cruz and 11 others at National Crime Victims’ Service Awards ceremony in Washington D.C.

Cruz began as an activist in 1997 when she reported the nursing home coworkers harassing her. This ultimately ended in two successful convictions. Shortly thereafter, she started working as a counselor with New York City’s Anti-Violence Project helping other victims in the LGBT community, making it her life’s work.

Cruz: “For me it’s very humbling and I’m honored, but to me all of this is also very healing. . . . This award is very positive. It makes the invisible, very visible. It allows our community to know the services that are there for them, to show our community that when they are in darkness they can always come to light.”

More about Cruz’s background from The Huffington Post:  Victoria Cruz, Latina Transgender, Given Award From Justice Department For Her Work With Abuse Victims.

Victoria Cruz (Photo – NY Daily News)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Anti-Violence Project, Attorney General Eric Holder, National Crime Victims’ Service Awards, New York City, trans activist, trans community, Victoria Cruz

New Australian transgender health action group hopes to reverse dismal conditions

(Photo: TheConversation.edu.au)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — On the heels of a recent Australian study indicating poor health conditions for many trans people, a newly formed group last week held their first meeting hoping to reverse these dismal conditions.

Based in Queensland, the Australian Trans Health Action Group hopes to convince the Australian government to cover the cost of SRS (sex reassignment surgery) and other treatments. They hope to educate people on SRS — erasing the misconception about it being “cosmetic surgery”.

Indeed, for many trans people, the surgery is paramount — their well-being, and lives are often dependent on it.

Spokesperson Melody Moore: “Urgent action is needed because there are trans people in Australia living with extremely high levels of anxiety and depression who are driven by the despair and desperation of not being able to get funding to access surgical and medical treatments, and often end up harming themselves or turning to suicide.”

Contact the Australian Trans Health Action Group at info@transcairns.org

More:  Trans action group takes shape | Star Online.

My recent post on this topic: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/new-australian-lgbt-research-report-shows-transgender-people-worst-off/

(Photo: TheConversation.edu.au)

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, australia, Australian Trans Health Action Group, melody moore, mental-health, Queensland, sex reassignment surgery, srs

[UPDATE -- this new ruling went into effect May 21st!] EEOC rules on-job gender ID discrimination violates LBJ-era Civil Rights Act

JFK proposes Civil Rights Act, Johnson strong arms it into law.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –

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UPDATE – May 21, 2012 – Masen Davis, Executive Director [of the Transgender Law Center], celebrated today saying, “This is a historic day for human rights in the United States. . . . starting today transgender and gender non-conforming people now have legal recourse if they face discrimination on the job. We no longer have to be silent when we are fired or not hired . . . If you think you are being targeted with harassment or discrimination at work, I urge you to contact your local EEOC office and file a complaint.” More info from the Transgender Law Center:   http://transgenderlawcenter.org/cms/blogs/552-24

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LBJ’s Great Society finally helps transgender people — this is a MAJOR federal-level anti-discrimination break for trans people. We’ve entered a new era and I believe we have Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to thank for this, so I’m going to take a moment to do just that.

It was Kennedy who initially pushed for a Civil Rights bill but upon his death, it fell to Johnson see that it became law. LBJ, who had previously served as a powerful Congressional leader called in IOUs and strong armed Congress into enacting the law.

Johnson: “No memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honor President Kennedy’s memory than the earliest possible passage of the civil rights bill for which he fought so long.”

After the Civil Rights Act became law, LBJ pushed his Great Society program, targeting, among many other things, poverty and racial injustice. Progress was made, but his misadventures in the Vietnam war caused much to be left undone and some laws not as strong as they ought to be.

We have to remember LBJ knowingly gave up a lot of political capital to get these civil right laws enacted — a large part of the country, Democrats included, didn’t want to see black people, women and others afforded equal rights, but Johnson wanted to do the right thing for society. We need to be grateful for this. I can’t imagine any kind of sweeping civil rights laws passing today. Indeed, TG people obtained job anti-discrimination protection today as a result of a law passed in in 1964.

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From an article by Chris Geidner of MetroWeekly: An employer who discriminates against an employee or applicant on the basis of the person’s gender identity is violating the prohibition on sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to an opinion issued on April 20 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The opinion, experts say, could dramatically alter the legal landscape for transgender workers across the nation. . . .

[the decision] comes on the heels of a growing number of federal appellate and trial courts deciding that gender-identity discrimination constitutes sex discrimination, whether based on Title VII or the constitutional guarantee of equal protection of the laws.

The EEOC decision, issued without objection by the five-member, bipartisan commission, will apply to all EEOC enforcement and litigation activities at the commission and in its 53 field offices throughout the country.  . . .

Transgender Law Center’s Masen Davis: ”Given the incredibly high rate of employment discrimination facing transgender people, this is incredibly significant for us” . . .”Given that transgender people do not have employment protections in the vast majority of states, this creates a whole new fabric of legal support for our community.”

Read the full story:  Transgender Breakthrough: EEOC ruling that gender-identity discrimination is covered by Title VII is a ”sea change” that opens the doors to employment protection for transgender Americans: News section: Metro Weekly.

JFK proposes Civil Rights Act, Johnson strong arms it into law.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Civil Rights Act of 1964, EEOC, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, gender identity, great society, JFK, LBJ, Lyndon Johnson, Masen Davis, prohibition on sex discrimination, title vii of the civil rights act, Transgender Law Center

New Australian LGBT research report shows transgender people worst off

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Not surprisingly, a new LGBT study released in Australia indicates transgender people scored lowest most categories, including health and mental health. It appears this study is within the ballpark of research findings compiled in other countries  — trans people face higher incidents of discrimination, violence, drug use, rejection from society and suicide.

The report, Private Lives 2, is the second such survey done, and although there has been some progress legislative arena for trans people in Australia, there isn’t a corresponding improvement in the results.

While the results seem downbeat, the upside is that researchers around the world are getting the same findings from their studies and in the long run, professional and political action will reverse these now clearly identified problems and conditions.

Private Lives 2
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe Universityhttp://www.glhv.org.au/files/PrivateLives2Report.pdf

Further reading: Report Shows Trans Worst Off, by Annelise Roberts. In this article Roberts suggests women’s political issues are getting in the way of helping trans people: Report Shows Trans Worst Off | newmatilda.com.

More, with links to other studies: http://www.autostraddle.com/studies-say-lgbts-suffer-anxiety-depression-and-substance-abuse-oh-my-135983/

Research studies are useful for finding professional and political solutions. (photo - autostraddle.com)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Annelise Roberts, australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe, Private Lives 2, Report Shows Trans Worst Off, research study

Bill O’Reilly takes pot shot at transgender people over Glee storyline

Bill O'Reilly

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — No surprise here, really. Promoting fear for ratings is just part of the game for O’Reilly. In fact, he’s probably already moved on beyond this, planning his next topic to exploit for ratings.

If anyone of you reading this is still watching Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor, right now would be a good time to quit, especially if you watch online. Ratings are easily measured online, so let’s not contribute to keeping him on the air.

From Media Matters: “Throughout the [O'Reilly Factor] segment, O’Reilly and [Gretchen] Carlson criticized Glee for encouraging “dopey kids” to experiment with homosexuality and possibly identify as transgender, comparing LGBT youth to smokers and “drug-fueled” celebrities.”

“Dopey kids”, huh? C’mon Bill, have a political debate with Al Franken or something . . . anything besides exploiting trans kids. Didn’t you learn anything last year when your fear mongering about Chas Bono backfired and a boatload of professionals put you in your place over the lack of evidence supporting your claims? No, I guess not.

Fox’s O’Reilly, Carlson Warn That Glee Makes Kids Experiment With Homosexuality, Identify As Transgender | Media Matters for America.

If you MUST watch O’Reilly, watch the classic “We’ll Do It Live” remix instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j2YDq6FkVE

Nothing to see, move along.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Stupidity and Dubious Achievements, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, al franken, bill o'reilly, chaz bono, exploit, fear mongering, FOX news, glee, The O'Reilly Factor

Okay . . . maybe going a bit airborne here?

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — My guess here is that this homemade tail attachment is an attempt to squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of the car — hypermileage is what they call it.

The vehicle is a Geo Metro and the year looks right for it to have a 3-cylinder engine. These cars weigh next to nothing and they always get over 40 MPG and 50 MPG is achievable.

The tail appears to be constructed out of sheet metal — perhaps aluminum with a wood frame and a clear plexiglass top (I suppose to see out of the back with). There appears to be foam insulation.

Did the car achieve hypermileage? Good question. In it’s current configuration, I vote no. The plexiglass is cracked and straps of lumber is holding it in place. Also the surface area where the tail is attached to the car isn’t “clean” (smooth) — this is vital to achieving hypermileage.

However, the laws of physics indicates this is a very unsafe car. The level principle likely makes it possible to push down on the tail and lift the front tires off the ground with this design. The huge sail area on such a light car will make it easy for the car to get blown off the road by wind, oncoming traffic or passing traffic. Likewise, the large sail area will make it hard to change direction at speed. And finally, there’s the issue of lift — the thing has a shape of a wing — go fast enough, the thing may get airborne — the rear wheels anyway.

I didn’t get to talk to the driver, but he was leaving Fry’s (a computer and other electronic gear retailer) — I’m hoping he bought some design software and is headed back to the drawing board!

Geo Metro with a Pope Hat.

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Filed under: Science, Technology and the Environment, Stupidity and Dubious Achievements, 3-cylinder, geo, geo metro, Humor, hypermileage, metro, miles per gallon, mpg

Supt. of NJ school district cancels “Day of Silence” for dubious reasons

Superintendent Elizabeth Nastus cancels Day of Silence

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — National Day of Silence is a widespread and regular student-led observance involving 8,000 plus schools and colleges promoting awareness for safer schools for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. What educator wouldn’t want to be part of a nation-wide awareness of this type?

Apparently, there is one. Superintendent Elizabeth Nastus cancelled Delaware Valley High School’s (Frenchtown, NJ) planned Day of Silence saying she intends to have a different diversity day, involving more kids and more messages.

I’m calling bunk here. Day of Silence already involves everyone — students, educators, families and friends — participation by all is welcome and encouraged. There’s something else going on here and I’m not buying Nastus’ excuses.

Family members of a transgender child at the school believes that parents were complaining about the upcoming Day of Silence, believing it can lead to a “gay lifestyle”.  I most certainly hope the cancellation wasn’t to appease the ignorant.

Regardless of the real reason(s) for the cancellation, the excuses given aren’t good enough. The cancellation says more about Supt. Nastus than anything else.

School District Office

19 Senator Stout Road
Frenchtown, NJ 08825

Main Office: 908-996-2131
Fax: 908-996-6653

website: http://www.dvrhs.org/Page/81

Email: mcirig@dvrhs.org

Transgender student’s grandparent angry over ‘Day of Silence’ cancellation at Delaware Valley High School | NJ.com.

Day of Silence cancelled (photo-nj.com)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Stupidity and Dubious Achievements, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Day of Silence, Delaware Valley High School, education, Frenchtown, NJ, Superintendent Elizabeth Nastus

[UPDATE-2 Fort Knox cancels Nugent concert] Ted Nugent’s draft dodging techniques

Is Nugent a hero?

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE -  Military cancels Nugent concert, Nugent pleads guilty to federal wildlife violation. See below.] If someone wants to dodge the draft, I suppose it’s their choice, after all, former vice president Dick Cheney set an example for many people by getting five deferments and avoided Vietnam entirely.

But then, Dick Cheney didn’t insinuate violence against the president (I can’t believe I’m using Cheney again in a positive portrayal!) like Ted Nugent did last weekend.

Ted Nugent at a National Rifle Association gathering: “If Barack Obama becomes the president in November.  I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year.” He also ranted about a “vile, evil, America-hating administration.”

A public figure doesn’t get to use “free speech” rhetoric to justify harming, or threatening to harm the president. So, as a result, Nugent has a meeting scheduled today with the Secret Service (sans girls, of course) to explain his behavior. While some are calling for his head, I think he’ll just be forced to make a public apology and the Secret Service will move on to other matters.

Nugent, however, did open the door into his draft-dodging history. According to Nugent in an earlier report, he quit showering and ate nothing but junk food prior to the physical exam then showed up with several days worth of crusty poop in his pants. The scheme worked.

How’s that for a great American hero?

UPDATE-1 April 21, 2012: Military cancels Ted Nugent concert:

Fort Knox has cancelled Ted Nugent’s appearance at its annual summer concert, following the rocker’s incendiary comments about President Obama.

Nugent had been scheduled to headline the June 23rd concert at the Kentucky military base, along with REO Speedwagon and Styx. But the controversy he attracted last week when he told a group of NRA supporters that he would be “dead or in jail” next year if Obama was reelected did not sit well with Fort Knox’s leadership.

“After learning of opening act Ted Nugent’s recent public comments about the president of the United States, Fort Knox leadership decided to cancel his performance on the installation,” read an announcement posted to Fort Knox’s Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.”

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fort-knox-cancels-ted-nugent-concert-20120421#ixzz1sk8OVQjl

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UPDATE-2 April 21, 2012: Nugent guilty of a federal wildlife violation:

“Rocker Ted Nugent has agreed to plead guilty to a federal wildlife violation for killing one black bear too many during a hunting expedition at a national forest in Alaska, . . . Nugent has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine and be barred from hunting or fishing in Alaska or any U.S. national forest for a year, according to the plea agreement Nugent signed last Saturday.  . . . He has also agreed to produce a 30- to 60-second public service announcement about responsible hunting that is to be aired every other week on his television program for a year . . .”

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/04/21/usa-alaska-tednugent-idINDEE83K01120120421

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Ted Nugent: Call him Chickenhawk: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060528/NEWS/605280335/1017/FEATURES08

CNN: Why Nugent belongs in jail: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/18/opinion/granderson-nugent/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

Conservatives, who is your hero?

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Filed under: Politics, barack obama, dick cheney, draft dodger, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year, national rifle association, NRA, secret service, ted nugent, vietnam

U-Texas to let trans students use preferred name on records — but not on diploma

UT Gender and Sexuality Center

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Prompted by a student-faculty task force, the University of Texas-Austin adopted a new policy allowing transgender students to use their preferred name on college records — this includes identification cards as well as class rosters.

Being inadvertedly “outed” by by college professors and the difficulty of using student ID to make on campus purchases were some of the concerns expressed by trans students. Trans students need to personally contact the UT Gender and Sexuality Center to make a request for the change.

The ID cards will still have the student’s official name on it, but placed on the back. This is supposedly to help off campus law enforcement and on campus security issues. As for University diploma or transcripts — a legal name change is still required.

New policy will allow transgender students to list their preferred name on University records | The Daily Texan.

UT Gender and Sexuality Center

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, preferred name, student ID, transgender students, University of Texas-Austin, UT Gender and Sexuality Center

Ontario Human Rights Tribunal says SRS not required to change birth certificate gender

Lawyer N Nicole Nussbaum (Photo -Kulanu Toronto)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In finding that the Vital Statistics Act’s requirement of SRS (sex reassignment surgery) before allowing birth certificate gender change as discriminatory, the Ontario (Canada) Human Rights Tribunal has made a ruling that is likely to change the Canadian transgender landscape.

The decision came down on April 11, 2012 after a trans woman complained she was discriminated for not being allowed to change her birth certificate prior to surgery.

N Nicole Nussbaum, the lawyer for the woman who filed the complaint, says Ontario must now come up with an alternative criteria for sex designation change within 180 days. She says the decision is precedent-setting and likely to force changes to laws elsewhere in Canada.

Trans Lobby Group’s Susan Gapka: “This is a clear signal to the federal government, and all legislatures across the country, that Ontario is leading the way in harmonizing and modernizing the way legal documents are distributed and accessed by trans people.“

Susan Gupka of the Trans Lobby Group (Photo - blogto.com)

More details:  Ontario trans rights decision makes Canadian history.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, birth certificate, Canada), Human Rights Tribunal, N Nicole Nussbaum, Ontario, sex reassignment surgery, srs, Susan Gapka, Trans Lobby Group, Vital Statistics Act

[UPDATED -2] Rally planned for trans woman shot in Chicago, expelled trans student under investigation for Pitt bomb threats

Paige Clay, murdered in Chicago

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE- Rally planned for Paige Clay who was shot to death in Chicago. See below.]

Chicago police stated that a trans woman was discovered shot to death Monday in the city’s West Side.

UPDATE April 18, 2012 – From the Windy City Times: Paige Clay, 23, was found in an alley was found in an alley on the 4500 block of West Jackson on Monday at 3:52 a.m. Police did not identify Clay. Rather, several community members confirmed her identity to Windy City Times. According to reports, Clay received services at local LGBT agencies and was known in Chicago’s ball scene. According to police, Clay suffered a gunshot wound to the head. No one is custody. Area North Detectives are investigating.”

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-woman-found-murdered-in-Chicago/37284.html

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UPDATE-2 April 23, 2012: From The Examiner: Chicago native and local ballroom community star Paige Clay was found murdered on Monday, April 16th. Ms. Clay’s body was found in West Garfield Park of Chicago. She died of a single gunshot wound to the head. No arrests have been made at this time. This case is currently being investigated by Area North Detectives. Paige Clay was noted as a quickly rising star in the local ballroom community scene and had won many competitions in her lifetime. Though young, Ms. Clay was noted to have great creativity and ingenuity in her work.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs has announced their assistance to the Center on Halstead in helping the community during this difficult time. “Though we do not have all the details, this news is extremely disturbing, especially as severe violence against transgender women is all too common. Transgender women face some of the highest rates of violence and abuse in our nation. This is the third reported murder of a transgender woman in the U.S. in April alone. We must work together to create more safety in our world for all people, especially those most targeted,” stated Modesto Tico Valle, Center on Halsted CEO.

Chicago citizens interested in supporting Paige Clay’s case can get involved at the Justice For Paige event page. A Justice For Paige rally will be held on May 1st in Chicago.

via Chicago mourns the murder of Paige Clay, 23 – Chicago Feminism | Examiner.com.

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Trans man Seamus Johnston, previously in the news for being expelled from the University of Pittsburgh for using the men’s locker room after being told not to, was subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury. This comes after being investigated by the FBI regarding the continuing rash of bomb threats hampering the college campus.

While Johnston has since filed a discrimination complaint against the university, however, he faces trial on three misdemeanors counts resulting from on-campus incidents related to the bathroom ban.

Johnston reportedly said that he and his partner, Katherine Anne McCloskey, a trans woman, were being investigated in the bomb threats case because of his earlier expulsion, but both he and his partner claim to have no involvement or knowledge of the bomb threats.

Transgender man linked to Pitt bomb-threat investigation claims discrimination – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Trans man Seamus Johnston (Photo credit - Danielle Ecker)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bomb threats, Center on Halsted, chicago, FBI, Katherine Anne McCloskey, killed, Modesto Tico Valle, murdered, Paige Clay, Seamus Johnston, University of Pittsburgh

Trans man running for NYC city council, repeal of trans rights bill fails in Maryland

Trans man Mel Wymore is running for NYC city council

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — After serving a stint as a community board chair, trans man Mel Wymore is running for a seat on the New York City council. He says he’s not doing this to make history, buy rather, because he wants to serve his community.

Wymore:  “After I served as chair of Community Board 7, I felt like City Council was a natural progression. I really enjoyed being chair of the board, . . . and being able to engage in so many different issues and constituents.”

On being trans: “I don’t know how else to be except open and honest about who I am.”

On being a trans role model: “I would hope to be a role model for all people, not just LGBT.  I hope I can stand as an example for anyone who wants to be empowered to participate in a bigger way.”

More about Wymore:  Transgender Man Seeks to Succeed Brewer on NYC Council :: EDGE Boston.

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Trans rights bill repeal fails.

An attempt to repeal a recently enacted Baltimore county, Maryland trans rights bill has failed. Organizers failed to gain enough signatures and faced harsh opposition during public meetings as their scare tactics failed to drum up support for the repeal.

As a side note, it was reported that some of the people supporting the repeal were a small number of “radical lesbian separatist feminists”.

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/politics/news/131994/baltimore_county_enacts_transgender_rights_law_

Trans man Mel Wymore is running for NYC city council (Photo-DNAinfo.com)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Politics, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Baltimore county Maryland, Mel Wymore, New York City council, trans man, trans rights, transsexual

Mystery solved: It’s the Secular Cathedral, Temple of Power, Landmark of London!

Battersea Power Plant

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT – Maybe not a mystery to some of you, especially those of you with the Battersea Power Station in your back yard. But I have always wondered about the iconic-looking building on the cover of Pink Floyd’s “Animals” since, well, it came out in the ’70s. Surely some sort of power plant in Europe, if not the U.K., long gone, of course.

Imagine my surprise when I watched the BBC series “New Tricks” and saw this thing on the screen. Not only it still exists, it is located in the middle of London! Wow, it is worth a trip over to Europe to see!

After discovering the name of it, I paused the DVD and googled for background — the Battersea Power Station is in a sort of legal limbo land. Attempts to restore and find other uses for it have run into numerous financial problems. IMO, some kind of use for it must be found because tearing it down should not be an option!

“New Tricks” by the way, is a most excellent series. Not an intentionally a comedy, but I find myself laughing a lot following the adventures of Brian, Sandra, Gerry and Jack. Thumbs way up.

So, enjoy the photo — a treat for Pink Floyd, Battersea Power Plant and “New Tricks” fans!

Pink Floyd album cover, Jack, Sandra, Gerry and Brian from the series "New Tricks" standing in front of the Battersea Power Plant in London.

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Filed under: Everything else, animals, battersea power station, bbc, Landmark of London, new tricks, pink floyd, Secular Cathedral, Temple of Power