State files charges against ‘phone message leaving’ bar owner for transgender discrimination

Bar owner leaves phone message for trans patrons telling them to stay away (Photo: KATU-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –This case is widely known for bar owner Chris Penner’s leaving a phone message for transgender regulars of his bar in Portland, Oregon, then known as the P-club, telling them not to come back because they’re scaring customers away.

In October, Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian stated that their investigation turned up compelling evidence of discrimination and suggested that Penner work out some sort of agreement with the state civil rights division to resolve the issue. Since Penner did not come to an agreement, Avakian went ahead and filed formal charges against Penner under the 2007 Oregon Equality Act. The next step is a hearing on March 19th.

Avakian: “[The 2007 act] changed the way Oregon respected the rights of gays, lesbians and transgender people. It was a strong statement that Oregon would not stand for discrimination. That doesn’t just mean in Portland in the P Club. It means in every business in the state, in every government body. In this particular case, it was clear that that standard was being violated. The T Girls were not being treated with fairness. They were being blatantly discriminated against because they were transgendered.” . . .

“But The P Club will get a chance to put on their defense, and we will aggressively prosecute the case. Not only do we have the new law, but we have a position, the labor commissioner position, and an agency that’s in charge of making sure that this law has teeth, that when someone is treated unfairly, the law stands up to protect them.”

I’ve been closely following this case and you can read all the details here:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=chris+penner

Quote source: The Oregonian

Bar owner leaves phone message for trans patrons telling them to stay away (Photo: KATU-TV)

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian files formal charges against P Club for discrimination against transgender customers | OregonLive.com.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Policy, Administrative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, 2007 Oregon Equality Act, Brad Avakian, chris penner, oregon, Oregon Labor Commissioner, P Club, portland

Pro-trans kids group gets puberty blockers a covered item in the Oregon Health Plan

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — A Portland, Oregon trans kids organization, TransActive, has succeeded in getting puberty suppressing treatment added to the Oregon Health Plan and Oregon Healthy Kids program in what is reported as a first for any government-funded program.

The Oregon Health Plan will begin this coverage in October, 2014. The Basic Rights Oregon Trans Justice Working Group also had a hand in getting this included in the state health plan.

TransActive’s Executive Director Jenn Burleton: “Pubertal suppression provides transgender adolescents the option of avoiding unwanted, irreversible and deeply distressing changes that come with birth-sex pubertal development. Far too often trans adolescents experience increased suicidal ideation as a result of these changes and the indifference of others about the impact these changes have on trans youth.”

I also wrote about TransActive earlier:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/courtney-odonnell-a-sobering-number/

TransActive:
http://www.transactiveonline.org

Email: info@transactiveonline.org.

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Filed under: SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Basic Rights Oregon Trans Justice, Jenn Burleton, oregon health plan, Oregon Healthy Kids, puberty blockers, state health plan, transactive

Lawsuit prompts state of Oregon to provide sex reassignment surgery insurance coverage for state employees

Tara Borelli of Lambda Legal (Photo: Lambda Legal)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — An out-of-court settlement to a discrimination lawsuit filed by a transgender Oregon Court of Appeals clerk has resulted in sex reassignment surgery insurance coverage for all state employees.  In addition, the state will pay Alec Esquival $36,000.

Esquival, a trans man, filed the lawsuit against the state and public employees benefits board after he was denied a doctor-recommended hysterectomy. Although a hysterectomy is a covered benefit, he was denied coverage because it was for the purpose of transitioning.

Esquival’s attorney Tara Borelli (of Lambda Legal): “When the state refused to provide him with coverage for the same medical procedure that co-workers could access, Alec was compensated less based on his gender identity. Oregon has now corrected that inequity.”

Oddly enough, a 2007 state law bans private insurance companies from gender or sexuality discrimination, seemingly allowing the public employees benefits board a loophole of some sort. With the settlement, that ambiguity is gone.

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Sources: Statesman Journal, AP

Tara Borelli of Lambda Legal (Photo: Lambda Legal)

More:
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_state_employee_benefits.html

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Filed under: Judicial, Courts, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Alec Esquival, insurance, oregon, Tara Borelli

Federal appeals court orders Virginia trans inmate’s sex reassignment surgery lawsuit to proceed

Ophelia Azriel De’lonta

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reinstated a lawsuit that was previously tossed out by a lower court, which will now allows trans inmate Ophelia Azriel De’lonta to proceed with her case against the state of Virginia to allow her to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

De’lonta attorneys argued that to deny her the surgery amounted to “cruel and unusual” punishment — a violation of the Eighth Amendment. The court did not order the surgery but ruled the case was viable and the previous judge was wrong for tossing it. The case now goes back down to district court for further proceedings. De’lonta is in prison for bank robbery with a 73 year term.

4th Circuit Judge Albert Diaz: “The disease is “characterized by a feeling of being trapped in a body of the wrong gender . . . In these cases, the surgery is not considered experimental or cosmetic; is it an accepted, medically indicated treatment.”

The “cruel and unusual punishment” claim is the same one that recently won Mass. inmate Michelle Kosilek an order from a judge requiring the state to give her the surgery (now being appealed). More on Kosilek:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=Michelle+Kosilek

Case #:  De’lonta v. Johnson et al., No. 11-7482.

More on the De’lonta case:  Federal appeals court reinstates prisoner’s sex-change lawsuit | Reuters.

Ophelia Azriel De’lonta

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Filed under: Judicial, Courts, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, cruel and unusual punishment, Judge Albert Diaz, Michelle Kosilek, Ophelia Azriel De'lonta, virginia

NBC says Boy Scouts to drop gay ban; no info on transgender scouts

Will the Boy Scouts join the 21st century?

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — While there has been no official word from the Boy Scouts of America, NBC’s sources say a vote is scheduled soon within the organization and it is likely to pass. There is no information on whether or not this includes transgender scouts or volunteers.

If this is true, it would be a dramatic about-face for the organization which merely six months ago reaffirmed their long time ban on gay and transgender scouts. Since that reaffirmation, UPS, the Merck Foundation and Intel dropped their funding of the Boy Scouts. In addition, the courts ordered the scouts to release their “perversion files” — a 20-year record of suspected child molesters from within the BSA not shown to anyone outside the organization.

I wrote about both of these recent developments here:  
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=boy+scouts

I will post updated news links in the comments section while we’re waiting for the official word.

Stay tuned.

Will the Boy Scouts join the 21st century?

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, boy scouts, child molesters, perversion files

Trans-Mayor

(Photo: Just Out)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [I wrote this for Just Out.] On Election Day 2012, a transgender Oregonian drew national attention for the second time by winning a fifth term as Mayor of Silverton, Oregon. Stu Rasmussen first drew media attention in 2008 by being the first transgender person elected mayor in the United States.

[Read the entire article on the Just Out site here:
http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/trans-mayor/
]

Stu was born and grew up in Silverton. She was hired by Tektronics right out of college, eventually ending up as a staff engineer for the Television Products Division. Later, she started a cable television company with a partner bringing service into Silverton and Mt. Angel. After a while she sold that company and moved on to a number of other engineering ventures as well as running the Palace Theatre in Silverton. She also dabbled in local politics and along the way changed her gender and decided to shoot for the mayor’s chair after serving three 4-year terms on the city council. Although national media came to town following her victory, Stu says it was “no big deal” in Silverton.

A visit to Stu Rasmussen’s campaign website reveals that this no ordinary trans woman. The site states: “If you just stumbled on this site you may be asking yourself ‘Is this guy for real?’ or ‘Is that really a guy?’” No beating around the bush here.

Stu kept her first name after she changed gender. Pronoun references to Stu in the local media appear to use both forms. This had me wondering a bit so I checked in with Stu and asked her about this and a couple of other things.

Just Out: Any pronoun preference?

Stu Rasmussen: I avoid ‘pronoun angst’ by personally not caring whether I’m referred to in male or female terms. I grew up here [Silverton] as a guy and have transitioned to something ‘in-between’ where either is correct – so either pronoun works fine.

JO: Has being trans presented opportunities for you (and for the city of Silverton) you might not have had otherwise?

Stu: The publicity after the 2008 election has resulted in a small bump in tourism — we should probably have capitalized on it early on but the Chamber of Commerce was in the other political camp. That may change.

JO: How do you view Portland as Mayor of Silverton?

Stu: I like Portland (it’s really ‘a small town with a lot of people’) and visit at least once a week just so I can appreciate what we have here when I return. I describe Silverton as ‘40 miles and 40 years’ from Portland. Our downtown is a time capsule of when I grew up in the 50s and 60s and is a great spot for day trips from the Portland area. A weekend spent at the Oregon Garden Resort here and wandering in Silverton’s business district is a great opportunity to re-charge one’s personal batteries.

JO: Any advice for Portland’s next mayor?

Stu: Avoid trysting with a teenager.

JO: People who know you comment about what a great guy you are. These comments are made by people who live, lived or just drove through Silverton. Most politicians would love this kind of feedback. What’s your secret?

Stu: I’m just being ‘me’.

via Trans-Mayor.

(Photo: Just Out)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, mayor, oregon, portland, pronoun angst, silverton, Stu Rasmussen

Five arrested in killing of Milwaukee trans man

Trans man Evon Young murdered (Photo: YouTube)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Trans man Evon Young, missing since January 1st, is now believed murdered, buried somewhere in a landfill. Police in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have arrested five people in connection with his death.

According to an admission by some of those arrested, his death was the result of an argument. Reports say Young was choked, then a bag was placed over his head rendering him unconscious. He was then shot and his body tossed in a dumpster.

The Milwaukee District Attorney’s office has charged Victor Stewart, Ashanti Mcalister,  Billy R. Griffin, Ron Joseph Allen, and Devin L. Seaberry.

I do not know if this is a hate crime at this point. One of the men arrested was Young’s roommate and he was killed in the basement of their home. Young had a bit of fame as a rapper in the area as “Yung LT”.

More:  5 arrested in Milwaukee in slaying of transgender rapper | Breaking News | Wisconsin Gazette – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) News.

Trans man Evon Young murdered (Photo: YouTube)

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Ashanti Mcalister, Billy R. Griffin, Devin L. Seaberry, Evon “Yung LT” Young, Milwaukee, Ron Joseph Allen, Victor Stewart, wisconsin

UK’s Telegraph newspaper publishes yanked Julie Burchill transgender hate piece

Toby Young of the UK’s Telegraph (Photo: socialregister.co.uk)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In the midst of this ongoing explosion in the transgender community over the Julie Burchill trans-hate piece that was pulled from the UK’s The Observer newspaper, another UK paper, the Telegraph, has recently republished it on their website.

The Telegraph‘s Toby Young argued that The Observer’s actions amounted to censorship. He stated that he was a friend of Burchill and that she had given him permission to republish it as part of an article for his paper.

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It appears clear to me that ad hominem attacks like Burchill’s article, especially when used against a marginalized group of people, have no place in entities other than those that exploit to pad their pocketbooks. This appears pretty much what the Telegraph is doing. Young could have still made his argument without republishing the piece, but now, any point he had is lost.

Likewise, Burchill could have easily made her arguments without using ad hominem comments to engage a public discourse on something that concerned her, however, by doing a hate piece, she invalidated any point she was trying to make.

The Guardian, The Observer: Thumbs up.

Telegraph: Thumbs down.

More on Julie Burchill’s trans hate piece:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=burchill

Up to the minute monitoring of the Burchill affair:  
http://www.facebook.com/groups/transmediawatch/

[Trigger Warning!] The Observer’s decision to censor Julie Burchill is a disgrace – Telegraph Blogs.

Toby Young of the UK’s Telegraph (Photo: socialregister.co.uk)

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Filed under: Exploitation, Dehumanizing, Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Violence, Hate, ad hominem, Julie Burchill, Telegraph, The Guardian, The Observer, Toby Young, uk

Judge tells state of Mass. to report on trans inmate sex reassignment surgery prep status

(Photo on left: Boston Globe)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf, concerned that the state of Massachusetts is dragging its heels, stepped up enforcement of his order to prep for the sex reassignment surgery (SRS) of trans inmate Michelle Kosilek.

As you may recall, Judge Wolf earlier ruled that withholding SRS for Kosilek amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. (Note: this ruling only applies to Kosilek, not all transgender inmates in Massachusetts). More on the Kosilek case here (several articles):
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=kosilek

According to a brief news report in the Boston Herald and the Mansfield Patch, last week, Judge Wolf ordered the corrections chief to submit a monthly report signed under oath on the status of the preparations. Judge Wolf has apparently put the actual surgery on hold while the state appeals its case, but wants the preparations completed.

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It appears that if the higher court upholds his ruling, Judge Wolf wants the surgery to go forward shortly there after.

Stay tuned.

There wasn’t much more information beyond what I’ve stated: State Must Report Progress on Kosilek’s Sex Change Operation – Mansfield, MA Patch.

(Photo on left: Boston Globe)

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Filed under: Judicial, Courts, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, cruel and unusual punishment, inmate, Judge Mark L. Wolf, Massachusetts, Michelle Kosilek

Transgender embarrassment at airports to end — TSA to yank nude body scanners

On the left is a simulated nude body scanner image. On the right is a newer generic image. The area in yellow alerts the TSA to a possible concealed weapon.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — One day people will be looking back at this era in airport security and ponder ‘what were they thinking?’ Airport personnel then were looking at nude body images, outing many transgender people!

The days of invasive body scanning are over. A Congress-set deadline to de-tune the body scanners to produce generic images instead clear nude images passed without software programmers coming up with a fix so the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is yanking all 250 machines from use at U.S. airports. Only (apparently, newer) body scanners that produce generic images will be used from this point on.

Obviously, this will cut into the embarrassment many trans people face at airports.

The TSA has a webpage specifically devoted for transgender passengers and I urge flyers to view and print out a copy before heading to the airport and help the TSA work with us instead of against us. View that page here: 
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers

More about transgender travelers and the TSA:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/transgender-travelers-vs-the-transportation-security-administration-tsa/

On the left is a simulated nude body scanner image. On the right is a newer generic image. The area in yellow alerts the TSA to a possible concealed weapon.

More about the types of body scanners being used: Victory For Transgender Privacy: TSA Abandons ‘Nude’ Body Scanners | ThinkProgress.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Exploitation, Dehumanizing, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, airport, body scanner, Transportation Security Administration, TSA

UK’s “Observer” owns up to transphobic article publication blunder

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — While the massive fallout from Julie Burchill’s now-pulled transphobic article continues, the United Kingdom publisher is owning up to what is, as Observer readers’ editor Stephen Pritchard, described as ‘a collective failing of editing by Observer staff’.

Burchhill’s article, which, among other things, contained transphobic slurs directed at trans people. The paper pulled the article after a massive social media protest from the trans community and allies.

I wrote briefly about Burchhill’s article here:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/intl-trans-community-comes-to-the-defense-of-uk-doctor-transphobic-article-published-in-the-guardian/

The paper’s editor, John Mulholland:

“It was a mistake to publish it. I could not let the mistake stand. I didn’t want that legacy for the Observer. The idea that I would compound a mistake by continuing to publish the piece online is absurd. . . .

“It was not a complicated decision to make. The responsibility I had was to try to make amends to a group of people we had needlessly and mistakenly offended.”

Prichard stated that the editor will have discussions with the trans community shortly. “A lesson has been learned,” Prichard said.

Meanwhile, the Burchill article has released pent-up anger within the trans community beyond the mere publication of it. The suppression or rejection of trans woman by certain vocal cis women has been a point of contention for some time and has now come to a head. I’ve found this site a good place to stay on top of the Julie Burchill affair: 
http://www.facebook.com/groups/transmediawatch/

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The preceding was compiled from these sources and elsewhere:  Burchill column ‘a collective failing of editing’ by senior staff | Media | guardian.co.uk.    
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/18/julie-burchill-and-the-observer

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Filed under: Exploitation, Dehumanizing, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, John Mulholland, Julie Burchill, observer, Stephen Pritchard, transphobic, uk

LAPD says ‘Western Bandit’ transgender killer may be back

“Western Bandit” (Photo: LAPD)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — The Los Angeles Police Department says they believe the “Western Bandit,” a violent serial robber who also killed a trans woman named Cassidy in November 2011, has resurfaced, pulling an armed robbery on Jan. 8th and an attempted robbery that same day.

I wrote the following two months ago: “The LAPD has tied the death of trans woman Cassidy who was killed [Nov. 2011] on West Lexington Avenue in Hollywood during an armed robbery to a violent suspect who has terrorized the area with a string of robberies. The suspect is dubbed as the “Western Bandit” after the area he has conducted most of the robberies in.” More about that murder:
http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/lapd-says-western-bandit-killed-trans-woman-one-year-ago/

Los Angeles police Lt. John Radtke says the Western Bandit is ‘very violent and quick to use a firearm.’ He’s black, stocky and between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall, and rides a bike.

While no one knows for sure if he’s specifically targeting trans people, those in the area ought to take additional precautions.

If you have info, call the LAPD: 213-382-9470, or 877-LAPD-24-7.

Photo of the “Western Bandit” and Cassidy, the trans woman he killed

“Western Bandit” (Photo: LAPD)

‘Western Bandit’ Serial Robber Might Be Back, Police Say – Hollywood, CA Patch.

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, cassidy, LAPD, Western Bandit

Prominent psychiatry expert: ‘no such thing as transgender’

Dr. Joseph Berger (Photo: Federated Press)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — A Toronto psychiatrist, Dr. Joseph Berger, is saying that trans people working for equal civil rights are just appealing to people’s emotions rather than stating scientific facts.

Berger says that terms such as terms such as “gender expression” and “gender identity” are ambiguous and without basis in science. He says trans-identifying people are ‘psychotic or simply unhappy’ and surgery isn’t an appropriate treatment.

Berger: “The medical treatment of delusions, psychosis or emotional happiness is not surgery. . . . . I have read the brief put forward by those advocating special rights, and I find nothing of scientific value in it. . . .”

Berger has been making these comments in an apparent opposition to a Canadian federal bill (C-279) that would offer protection to trans people.

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No doubt there is going to be a firestorm over this. I for one, think that if an “expert” doesn’t know that “transgendered” isn’t a word (which he repeatedly uses to refer to us) then he perhaps may not be qualified to speak on the topic.

I’ve not followed this Canadian bill closely so if anyone can update us, please do in the comments section below.

More  Psychiatry expert: ‘scientifically there is no such thing as transgender’ | LifeSiteNews.com.

Dr. Joseph Berger (Photo: Federated Press)

————

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Legislative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Bill C-279, Canada), Dr. Joseph Berger, psychiatrist, toronto

Trans woman murdered near Fortaleza, Brazil

Cecilia Marahouse

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Based on a translated news report, Brazilian trans woman Cecilia Marahouse (or Mara House) was shot reportedly 6 times just outside of Fortaleza on January 11th. Marahouse was a performer and was well known in the LGBT community there. Her friends hope for justice but feel the government looks upon them as nothing more than numbers to be added to statistics.

This is pretty much all the information we have on this murder. There is also a graphic photo that I am not reproducing here, however, it does bring home the danger all of us face, especially in Brazil.

(Tip of the hat to Kelli Anne Busey)

Cecilia Marahouse

Transex Cecilia Marahouse é brutalmente assassinada em Fortaleza « Diálogos Políticos.

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, brazil, cecilia, Fortaleza, mara house, marahouse

Trans woman gets honorable discharge after 31 year AWOL; trans man wants to stay at all women’s college

Elizabeth Tremblay (Photo: Lewiston Sun-Journal)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Trans woman Elizabeth Tremblay, who was arrested last September for deserting the Marines 31 years ago, was given an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps. Tremblay was stationed at Twentynine Palms at the time she left, and following her arrest, she was awaiting for news if she was going to face a prison term. It was reported that she changed her gender about 15 years ago.

A few more details and a video from KPBS: Transgender Woman Who Deserted Marines 31 Years Ago Gets Honorable Discharge (Video) | KPBS.org.

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An unnamed undergrad student at Salem College in North Carolina plans to have sex reassignment surgery in February and wants the all women’s college to allow her to remain a student afterwards. Although there are a few male students, only women are allowed to live on campus.

The college is considering adopting a trans policy to allow transgender students, however some alumni are afraid this will eventually lead to a co-ed college. The college say that won’t happen, but others don’t trust the college administrators.

The college isn’t naming the student for privacy reasons.

More:
http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=847696#.UPTqV1I_eJ8

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These are two potentially very controversial issues that may draw polarizing viewpoints.

Elizabeth Tremblay (Photo: Lewiston Sun-Journal)

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Amazon.com: Lexie Cannes: Courtney O'Donnell: Movies & TV

The Guerrilla Angel Report is associated with Wipe Out Transphobia:
http://www.wipeouttransphobia.com/

Filed under: Policy, Administrative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, all women's college, Elizabeth Tremblay, honorable discharge, marines, Salem College, sex reassignment surgery, twentynine palms