THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT by Lexie Cannes

Rational thinking and reporting on all things transgender by Lexie Cannes.

Jenna Talackova to give TV audiences a peek into her transgender life

Jenna Talackova (Photo: Gerry Kharman, Vancouver Sun)

Jenna Talackova (Photos: Gerry Kahrman, Vancouver Sun)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — If you guessed “reality show”, you guessed right. But wait, before you say anything, consider this: the viewers of reality shows are just the kind of people who are in need of the awareness Talackova can expertly serve up. Indeed, they’ll lap it right up.

Talackova already has demonstrated her ability to turn her attention from the international media into a positive spin on all things transgender. After the pageant ended, she undertook a couple of high-profile events to promote equality. She has done a great job thus far and I don’t fault her for now wanting to make a few bucks off her fame. She’s likely to continue to this track record of positive transgender PR in whatever she does.

There’s no guarantee though that the reality TV show will actually happen. As someone in the business, I can tell you these things fall apart more often than not. If not this show, something else will no doubt surface for her, as her success story is the kind of thing many producers would kill to get her on board their projects, if not create one specifically for her.

Stay tuned!

Previous articles about Jenna Talackova: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=talackova

More about the proposed show: http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Transgender+beauty+Jenna+Talackova+says+return+spotlight/7761254/story.html

Jenna Talackova (Photo: Gerry Kahrman, Vancouver Sun)

Jenna Talackova (Photo: Gerry Kahrman, Vancouver Sun)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , ,

Jenna Talackova, transgender Miss Universe contestant becomes trans activist

Jenna Talackova

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Jenna Talackova shot to fame as a Canadian beauty contestant and along the way she became a de facto spokesperson for the trans community simply because she had the attention of the media. She did a splendid job and brought loads of positive PR to trans people around the world — the kind of PR one can’t buy.

Now with the pageant behind her, Talackova has stepped up into the role of trans activist. She’s following the lead of the American Psychiatric Association’s plan to remove gender dysphoria as a mental disorder and is petitioning the World Health Organization to follow suit.

Talackova writes: “I’m not sick. In fact I’m great! I’m a woman that had to undergo transgender medical procedures to become who I really am on in the inside.”

If you want to help, you can sign Jenna’s petition and watch her PR video here: https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/world-health-organization-trans-people-aren-t-sick

I last wrote about Jenna Talackova here: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/lgbt-rights-activist-says-jenna-talackova-doesnt-deserve-pride-parade-grand-marshal-honor/

I wrote this for The  Huffington Post: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/courtney-odonnell-why-i-did-an-about-face-and-boarded-the-jenna-talackova-pr-train/

Miss Universe contestant petitions World Health Organization to remove transsexualism as a mental disorder.

Jenna Talackova as she appears in a PR video about petitioning the WHO

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , ,

LGBT rights activist says trans beauty contestant Jenna Talackova doesn’t deserve pride parade grand marshal honor

Jenna Talackova (Photo: LA Times)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Sorry, but you couldn’t be more wrong! As I came to realize myself, we couldn’t BUY the kind of widespread positive publicity and good will directed our way as a result of transgender contestant Jenna Talackova’s participation in the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

Vancouver, BC (Canada) LGBT rights activist Jamie Lee Hamilton:  “I respect her for that [entering the pageant after being outed], but really she was entering a beauty contest that has never done anything for the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.”

Hamilton says more deserving of the honor are LGBT activists fighting the spread of HIV or those pushing for the inclusion of SRS in medical coverage. Clearly, all people who participate actively for the betterment of our community are deserving of this honor. What we should not be doing is start setting criteria that must be met before one can be a grand marshal — trans people, especially, tire of having to meet criteria for one thing or another.

The other thing — reaching the masses through popular culture is something that works really well — almost too well. The whole trans thing is a bit hard for some in our society to swallow, so if it goes down better with a beauty pageant, serve it up, I say!

I previously wrote about Jenna Talackova for The Huffington Post: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/courtney-odonnell-why-i-did-an-about-face-and-boarded-the-jenna-talackova-pr-train/

More about the Vancouver BC Pride Parade: Transgender beauty contestant to lead Vancouver Pride parade – British Columbia – CBC News.

Jenna Talackova being discussed on national TV. How much would it cost to BUY this kind of time in front of millions of viewers? (Photo: ABC-TV)

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , ,

Courtney O’Donnell: Why I Did an About-Face and Boarded the Jenna Talackova PR Train

Jenna Talackova (Photo – Rueters)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — (From my article in The Huffington Post:) Transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova cracked the top 12 in the final night of the pageant. Although she didn’t win, I was rooting for her the entire way, because over the past few weeks I’ve come to realize that you can’t buy this kind of positive PR. And when such an opportunity comes your way, you’ve got to milk it for all it’s worth to win the hearts and minds of those wary of all things trans.

Read the rest of the article here: Courtney O’Donnell: Why I Did an About-Face and Boarded the Jenna Talackova PR Train.

Jenna Talackova (Photo – Rueters)

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , ,

Transgender beauty contestant Jenna Talackova cracks top 12, doesn’t make top 5 – photos

Jenna Talackova (Photo – Canadian Press)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE  The Miss Universe Canada pageant is over. She made it to the top 12. Congrats to Jenna. More below.]

While Jenna Talackova’s story is familiar to everyone, rivals now are complaining the spotlight is on Jenna, not them. These comments came up during an intermission on Thursday during the pageant.

On the upside, pageant organizers report the event has drawn twice as much media attention as last year. Judges say they’re remaining impartial, and one states he doesn’t know the identity of the transgender contestant.

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UPDATE – May 19, 2012:

TORONTO (AP) — The first-ever transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant strutted the runway Saturday night, making it to the penultimate round before losing her bid to win the title. Jenna Talackova, 23, competed with 61 contestants and was among the final 12 contestants before failing to make the final five in the glitzy pageant. Sahar Biniaz, 26, claimed the crown and advances to the international Miss Universe competition in December.

http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Transgender-Miss-Universe-Canada-contestant-loses-3571638.php

Lets give a round of applause to Jenna Talackova!

My previous post on Jenna Talackova: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/the-ruckus-surrounding-canadian-trans-beauty-contestant-jenna-talackova-burying-other-trans-stories/

Some Miss Universe Canada supporters complain of transgender spotlight – Brandon Sun.

Jenna Talackova –Photos from May 17 2012 pageant (Photo credit – Canadian Press, Reuters)

Jenna Talackova –Photo from May 17 2012 pageant (Photo credit – Canadian Press)

Jenna Talackova –Photo from May 17 2012 pageant (Photo credit – Reuters)

Jenna Talackova, May 19, 2012, final day of pageant (Photo – Canadian Press)

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[UPDATED -1] The ruckus surrounding Canadian trans beauty contestant Jenna Talackova burying other trans stories

Jenna Talackova

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE April 2, 2012 - Talackova might be back in the pageant. See below.] All the hype and hoopla in the mainstream media over the Jenna Talackova booting has pretty much wiped out coverage of other transgender-related stories for nearly an entire week. Those in the news business will know exactly what I’m talking about — with all the space given to the Jenna Talackova story, most everything else goes unreported. Indeed, there were a couple of stories I happenstance across by sheer luck — something that would not have happened during normal times.

While it is true more positive transgender awareness can come out of the Talackova story, and it is also true that some media outlets are giving coverage to a topic that they otherwise would never touch, however, in the grand scheme of things, there are topics of more vital importance to the well-being of trans people than this. Too bad they’re not getting the same attention.

But then, one cannot control which stories go hot (or viral). For sure, my stats show that the keyword “Jenna Talackova” set a new all-time total record for my blog — bringing more people to my site than any other keyword by a multiple of three! Maybe I shouldn’t complain.

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UPDATE – April 2, 2012 – A statement from the pageant: The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.”

http://www.back2stonewall.com/2012/04/universe-canada-reverses-decision-transexual-contestant-jenna-talackova-compete-maybe.html

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My earlier post on Jenna Talackova:  Trans beauty contestant gets boot, trans man denied male dorm RA position « The Guerrilla Angel Report by Lexie Cannes.

Trans woman Jenna Talackova bumped from beauty pageant. Other trans news go unreported.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , ,

Courtney O’Donnell: Readers’ Top 12 Transgender Stories of 2012

Courtney O'Donnell as "Lexie Cannes"

Courtney O’Donnell as “Lexie Cannes”

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT – [I wrote this for The Huffington Post] During 2012 I wrote approximately 400 articles for The Guerrilla Angel Report, the vast majority of them transgender-related.

[Read this article at The Huffington Post site here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/courtney-odonnell/transgender-stories-2012_b_2361282.html

The following are the 12 most read stories of the year:

12. Miss Universe Pageant Generates Loads of Positive PR for Trans People: Trans beauty contestant Jenna Talackova brought more positive public attention and good will for trans people than any other individual. I wrote about half a dozen stories related to this topic during the year, and the most recent one is still being shared and may end up as #7 or #8 overall.

11. Transgender Student Banned, Then Later Unbanned After Showing Headmaster UK's Equality Act: Trans student Ashlyn Parram is only 16 years old, but she surpasses her teachers at the Giles Academy in Boston, Lincolnshire, when it comes to knowing the UK's law on sex discrimination.

10. Catholic School Tells Trans Student His Name Will Not Be Recognized: The Archdiocese of Indianapolis told a transgender student at Cathedral High School that they would not use his new male name.

9. ESPN Radio Hosts Unleash Horrifying Anti-Transgender Rant On Player: Hosts Steve Czaban and Andy Pollin were suspended following their transphobic remarks on the air about transgender college basketball player Gabrielle Ludwig.

8. Brooklyn Trans Woman Dies in Suspicious Apartment Fire: Well-known NYC performer Lorena Escalera was the only person who failed to escape a burning building.

7. Mexican Transgender Leader Agnes Torres Tortured, Killed: Arrests have been made in Torres' brutal death in Mexico.

6. Artist Who Drew Covers for 'The Phantom' Comic Books Is Now Openly Transgender: The comic book phenomenon is nothing to sneeze at, and Lindsay Walker is a role model for trans artists everywhere.

5. Trans? Boys? Girls? Andrej Pejic Is Not Telling. Good for Andrej I Say!: Andrej Pejic is a highly popular, androgynous, high-fashion model, posing as either female or male, depending on the needs of the client.

4. Don't Donate to Anti-Transgender Salvation Army This Holiday Season: There are other trans-friendly charities more deserving of your dollars.

3. Judge Tells Trans Person's Neighbor to Pay Up for Years of Harassment and Hate Comments: South African magistrate M J Thobela told Wilna van Staden that her behavior toward her trans neighbor amounted to unfair discrimination and hate speech.

2. Rapist Acquitted in Sweden Because Intended Female Victim Turned Out to Be Transgender: A higher court in Sweden eventually overruled this lower court ruling, and the rapist was fined and sent to prison.

1. First Openly Transgender Mayor in the U.S., Stu Rasmussen, Re-elected to Fifth Term: Silverton, Ore., voters reelected Mayor Rasmussen for a fifth term. Rasmussen previously gained national attention in 2008 as the U.S.'s first trans mayor.

Thanks for reading, and your comments are always welcome!

via Courtney O'Donnell: Readers' Top 12 Transgender Stories of 2012.

Courtney O'Donnell as "Lexie Cannes"

Courtney O’Donnell as “Lexie Cannes”

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While trans model Andrej Pejic rocks high fashion world, a bigger story lies under the surface

Andrej Pejic (Photo: andrejpejicmodel.com)

Andrej Pejic (Photo: andrejpejicmodel.com)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Transgender model Andrej Pejic is being reported as the first transgender model on the cover of a high fashion magazine. Of course, with all the sources being tabloids, we’ll take this with a grain of salt as there may have been others.

However, Pejic is on the cover of the most recent issue of Elle Magazine, Serbia. This in itself is a major accomplishment for any trans person, worthy of recognition — especially how they’ll bring positive PR to the trans community. Like beauty contestant Jenna Talackova, Pejic has the potential to bring about changes in the way society thinks about us in the way we couldn’t possibly pay to have done.

While I’m leaving the details of Pejic’s magazine spread to the fashion magazine and tabloids, I am going to point out the even bigger story here: Pejic is blurring the difference between gender to the point where society’s norms about gender are shattered further. Pejic appears as either male or female (or neither, for that matter) depending on the needs of the client. Indeed, in the Elle spread, Pejic poses both as a male and a female. This certainly will give many a reader pause on their thinking of all things gender. The seeds have been planted. One day, gender won’t matter.

While we’re fighting a slow uphill battle to show the fallacy of two gender thinking with medical professionals, politicians and in the courts, Pejic and others having high public attention are positioned to win the hearts and minds of many in society who may not be persuaded otherwise.

While I’m not sure where the tipping point is where trans equality becomes an unstoppable force, but we ought to milk every opportunity to get there sooner by embracing things some may find distasteful — like high fashion and beauty pageants.

More about Pejic and additional photos: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/trans-boys-girls-andrej-pelic-is-not-telling-good-for-andrej-i-say/

Andrej poses as male or female depending on the needs of the client (Photo on right: Hema)

Andrej poses as male or female depending on the needs of the client (Photo on right: Hema)

Andrej Pejic shows why gender isn't so black and white, is it? It never was.

Andrej Pejic shows why gender isn’t so black and white, isn’t it? It never was.

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , ,

Miss Universe pageant generates loads of positive PR for trans people in 2012

Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, cis ally Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant

Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, trans ally Olivia Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Transgender people went 3 for 3 in the positive PR department on the Miss Universe beauty pageant circuit in 2012.

Earlier this year Canadian trans woman Jenna Talackova pioneered the acceptance of transgender contestants in that pageant and last week, a cis-contestant who previously voiced her support of transgender participation back in June, Olivia Culpo, was crowned Miss Universe.

Here’s what Culpo, then Miss Rhode Island, said during the Miss USA pageant in response to this question: Would it be fair if a transgender woman won the Miss USA title?:  “I do think it would be fair…  there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”

Culpo, a Boston University sophomore, went on to win the Miss USA title in June and the Miss Universe title last week.

Contrast that from what Carrie Prejean, Miss California (2009) USA, said back in the 2009 pageant: “I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.”

Also. there’s this third positive bit of news from the Miss Universe pageant that ought to bring a smile to many trans people’s faces. Last week, the Miss Universe organization won a lawsuit against Sheena Monnin, former Miss Pennsylvania USA, who quit in the middle of the pageant, for, among other things, allowing transgender contestants.

This statement was reportedly sent by Monnin to the pageant officials: “I refuse to be part of a pageant system that has so far and so completely removed itself from its foundational principles as to allow and support natural born males to compete in it. This goes against ever (sic) moral fiber of my being.”

I’m not so sure if they’ll be able to collect the $5 million they’re asking for, but I like the idea that hate can be expensive.

More on Jenna Talackova, Culpo, Monnin and the Miss Universe pageant can be found here: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=jenna+talackova

Culpo’s June statement:  Daily Kos: Miss Rhode Island Embraces Transgender Contestants, Wins.

Monnin’s June statement: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47696589/ns/today-style/t/miss-usa-contestant-resigns-says-pageant-was-fixed/#.UNgSdVI_eJ8

Lawsuit outcome: http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/12/donald-trump-wins-arbitration-suit-against-miss-usa-contestant

Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, trans ally Olivia Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant

Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, trans ally Olivia Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , ,

The Guerrilla Angel Report: 1-year milestone

Thanks to all of you, we’ve reached a milestone!

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — It’s been a year since I started this blog and we’ve hit a significant milestone: 250,000 all time views. It is at this point that I need to thank you, the readers, for the success of this blog. Seriously, thanks for reading.

Okay, let’s get straight to the stats:

Countries: The USA takes a solid 50% of the views, with the English-using countries United Kingdom, Canada and Australia taking the next 25%. The remaining 25% is divvied up among over 100 other countries with Germany, Sweden, France and the Philippines leading with solid blocks.

Keywords: The winner: Jenna Talackova — the Miss Canada beauty contestant out distanced everyone by a wide margin. This also indicates the need to write stores on popular culture (beauty pageants) if one is draw traffic to the site. Also drawing big numbers was CeCe McDonald (self-defending trans woman now jailed), and Bridget Bonheyo (of VRS fraud fame).

Top Story: “Rapist acquitted in Sweden because intended female victim turned out to be transgender” http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/rapist-freed-in-sweden-because-intended-female-victim-turned-out-to-be-transgender/

Runner Up: Bridget Bonheyo and husband indicted in another VRS federal fraud case  http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/two-people-indicted-in-another-vrs-video-relay-service-for-deaf-people-federal-fraud-case/
The Bonheyo story went “viral”. I didn’t actively “push” this story as I do with transgender topics — it ended up having a life of its own, going on and on and on.

Stories that usually don’t do well: Politics not related to transgender, LGB but not T stories, film making or movies topics, science and tech topics.

A story that died: Rick Perry: A night to remember http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/rick-perry-a-night-to-remember/

I really thought this story would do well — funny and cleverly titled. Nope. It absolutely died. So, I thought I’d bring it out and give it another go.

The Top Categories/Tags/Keywords: Transgender, Transsexual (No surprise!) Discrimination, Transgender Rights, Civil Rights.

The number of views, readers, shares continue to trend upwards in all categories. The number of posts I’ve written declined slightly due to the taking on of more difficult topics (more research and verification) and the time-consuming aspect working from gender- and pronoun-incorrect source material.

I’ve “killed” 6 stories that never went to press for varying reasons, including the lack of reputable sources. Only one story had a relatively serious error — I attributed an incident that happened in Canada to Australia, confusing readers on two continents for about an hour until I figured out the difference between .au and .ca ! Other than minor errors from sources, I stand behind everything I’ve written.

I also want to thanks readers for bringing to my attention vital information that would have flown under the radar if it wasn’t for their alertness.

Also, a tip of the hat to all of you that supported this site by purchasing a DVD. This is a never-a-profit blog, so any help with offsetting the cost is always cool! :)

Feel free to comment one way or another what you think about this blog and the topics I write about.

Thanks to all of you, we’ve reached a milestone!

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Everything else, Judicial, Courts, Law Enforcement, Police, Media, Positive PR, Other Health, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , , ,

Miss Pennsylvania USA quits, then blasts pageant for allowing transgender contestants

Quits, blast trans contestants (Photo – NBC)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — While reputable reports are skim, it is clear one of the contestants — Miss Pennsylvania USA Sheena Monnin — quit just prior to the end of the Miss USA pageant held a few days ago. The Miss Universe organization is reportedly saying it’s because they allowed trans woman Jenna Talackova to compete. Contents of an email from Monnin to the Miss Universe organization the day she quit was disclosed:

” . . . a pageant system that has so far and so completely removed itself from its foundational principles as to allow and support natural-born males to compete in it. This goes against ever moral fiber of my being. I believe in integrity, high moral character, and fair play, none of which are part of this system any longer.”

Reports say that Monnin has changed her story since then and now accuses the pageant of fraud claiming that ‘the top 5 were selected in advance’. The organization however, insists the Jenna Talackova controversy was the reason she quit.

I wrote this piece on trans people in beauty pageants for the Huff Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/courtney-odonnell/jenna-talackova_b_1530563.html

My previous post on Jenna Talackova: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/transgender-beauty-contestant-jenna-talackova-new-photos-new-complaints/

http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2012/06/miss-pennsylvania-quits-amid-transgender-constestant-flap/

Miss Pennsylvania USA Sheena Monnin resigns over transgender policy – Pop2it – Zap2it.

Miss Pennsylvania USA Sheena Monnin quits, blast pageant for allowing trans contestants (Photo – NBC)

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , ,

Another beauty pageant spotlight moment goes well for transgender people

Newly crowned Miss USA Olivia Culpo embraces trans contestants (Photo – FOX)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — While the winner of the Miss USA crown for the Miss Universe pageant was not a trans person, her smooth, matter-of-fact, embracing of trans contestants answer in the final question round helped Olivia Culpo, Miss Rhode Island, cinch the crown.

The question: would it be fair for a person born a man to be named Miss Universe after becoming a woman?

Culpo: “I do think that would be fair. . . .  [because] “there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”"

Another positive transgender moment in the national spotlight and we’ll take it!

Read the article I wrote for The Huffington Post about my evolving thoughts on beauty pageants and transgender contestants: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/courtney-odonnell/jenna-talackova_b_1530563.html

Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo Crowned 2012 Miss USA | NBC Chicago.

Newly crowned Miss USA Olivia Culpo embraces trans contestants (Photo – FOX)

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Transgender teen in semi-final for Miss England

Jackie Green

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In a community that is often lacking in upbeat news, I’m embracing the positive impact transgender beauty pageant contestants can have for trans people and their allies in the media.

On the heels of Canada’s trans beauty contestant Jenna Talackova, The UK’s 18-year-old Jackie Green is doing a turn at the spotlight — now in the semi-finals for national pageant Miss England. Green was convinced to enter by scouts for the national apparently unaware she was a trans woman. The competition resumes at the end of May with the finals in June.

Suspecting something was up, Green’s mother flew her to Boston for psychological tests at age 12 and refianced her house to pay for sex reassignment surgery when she was 16. She was prescribed prescribed female hormones and puberty blockers after the Boston trip.

Says Green: “Lots of people have been in touch and it makes me blush to think I have inspired others. I never thought I would be able to inspire anyone.”

Transgender teenager Jackie Green wins place in the Miss England semi-final – Mirror Online.

Trans Miss England contestant Jackie Green

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Filed under: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , , , ,

Opponents of Anchorage’s trans-LGB measure used ads dehumanizing trans people (see photos)

No on 5 Chairperson Jim Minnery ran cartoons dehumanizing trans people. (Photo-KTVA)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — The election is over and the Anchorage trans-LGB rights bill failed, however I feel the need to share this bit of information I discovered only after the election.

Opponents of  Anchorage’s Proposition 5, ran a series of cartoons dehumanizing trans people on television in an attempt to use fear to sway voters. Here’s an example:

From On Top Magazine: In the 30-second ad titled Daycare and released on Friday, an animated day care owner is forced to hire a “transvestite” as horrified parents look on. The cartoon “transvestite” is drawn to look like an unshaven, hairy chested man in a short pink dress. “If she hires him, she risks losing customers,” a female narrator is heard saying. “And if she refuses, she can be fined or imprisoned. Anchorage is already a tolerant city, vote no on Proposition 5,” she adds.

View the video here:  Anchorage Gay Protections Prop 5 Supporters Call Opponents’ Ad ‘Dehumanizing’.

Jim Minnery, Chair of the No on 5 Campaign: Because proponents of Prop. 5 refused to provide a definition of  “transgendered identity” in their proposed law, it is very difficult to  determine just what a transgendered individual is or looks like.

http://www.ktva.com/home/outbound-xml-feeds/One-Anchorage-Asks-that-the-No-on-5-Campeign-Pull-Ads-off-Airwaves-144495885.html

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The election is over, and this is one of the things that got buried under Jenna Talackova’s beauty pageant saga. We’ll get them next time.

No on 5 Chairperson Jim Minnery ran these cartoons dehumanizing trans people. (Photo-KTVA)

No on 5 Chairperson Jim Minnery ran these cartoons dehumanizing trans people. (Photo-KTVA)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Politics, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, , , , , , , , ,

[UPDATE-1] Trans beauty contestant gets boot, trans man denied male dorm RA position

Contestant Jenna Talackova, Miami U junior Kaeden Kass

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE April 2, 2012 - Talackova might be back in the pageant. See below.] Jenna Talackova, a 23-year-old A transgender contestant in the Miss Universe Canada competition got the boot for ‘not meeting requirements.’ Jenna Talackova of Vancouver, BC began hormone therapy at 14 underwent SRS at 19 and is now 23. Reportedly the organization’s rules state contestants must be ‘born female’. Talackova is said to be consulting a lawyer soon. Stay tuned.

Transsexual beauty contestant booted from pageant | Hot Topics | an SFGate.com blog.

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Miami University of Ohio told trans man Kaeden Kass, a junior at the university that his attempt to be a resident adviser in an all-male dorm is a no-go. They did say he could be a RA in a female dorm though. Kass instead decided to file a discrimination complaint with the university’s dean of students for the male dorm position.

Kass:  “Miami has made a commitment to honoring, valuing, and respecting diversity, and then I hand them a situation where they have a chance to practice what they preach, and they completely drop the ball.”

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/kaedan-kass-transgender-housing-discrimination_n_1370431.html?ref=college

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UPDATE – April 2, 2012 – A statement from the pageant:  The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.”

http://www.back2stonewall.com/2012/04/universe-canada-reverses-decision-transexual-contestant-jenna-talackova-compete-maybe.html

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Contestant Jenna Talackova, Miami U junior Kaeden Kass

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, , , , , , , , ,

Lexie Cannes (Courtney O'Donnell) writes The Guerrilla Angel Report!

Lexie Cannes (aka Courtney O'Donnell) writes mostly about transgender issues. She is also a character in the trans-themed feature film LEXIE CANNES. Thanks for reading.

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Lexie Cannes is the stage name of a transwoman activist who is an actress and film maker as well as one of the country’s leading bloggers on transgender topics. “The Guerrilla Angel Report” is an unrelenting source of transgender news from around the country and around the world and Lexie is followed by thousands of people inside and outside of the trans community. . . . She is an exceptional journalist and her blog is a definitive look at the state of the transgender community today. --- Renee James. transwoman and author

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