Trans Siblings

I knew the late Pickett twins, Chanelle and Gabrielle, were transwomen, but I wasn't aware of this little tidbit of trans trivia.

Loren Cameron is one of our iconic transmen who I've heard about and possibly crossed paths with since my own transition back in mid 90's. But one thing I wasn't aware of is that Loren Cameron has a trans sister.

Check out the video.

Happy Birthday, Alexandra!

Today is the birthday of one of our iconic trans women, Alexandra Billings.

She's a multi talented singer, actress, teacher and fellow blogger. You can check out her site at Alexandra Billings.com or her blog Stillettos and Sneakers to learn more about this talented lady.

I'm also looking forward to seeing her in the movie Stealth.



Happy birthday, Alexandra. You're looking good and expanding the minds and horizons of others. May you have many more.

The Lady Chablis

I've had the pleasure of meeting The Lady Chablis and have an autographed copy of her autobiography Hiding My Candy thanks to that May 2003 encounter at a GLBT community Derby party here in Louisville.

Thought it was time to post some videos of the 'Empress of the South.'



On Good Morning America

Alexandra Billings Documentary

Alexandra Billings is another one of our iconic transwomen I'm looking forward to meeting one day. I'm looking forward to seeing her in 'Stealth' when it finally hits a multiplex near you.

While searching for trans themed videos I ran this documentary about her life entitled Schoolboy to Showgirl:PThe Alexandra Billings Story posted to YouTube.

Enjoy



Part 2



Part 3


Part 4

Aleshia Brevard Video

This is a segment of a 2002 ABC 20/20 documentary that features Aleshia Brevard, television and film actress, author and one of our iconic trans pioneers.



It's always fascinating to listen to some of the pioneers tell their stories. It's interesting to note and discover they had drama in trying to becoming the women we know we are in a far more rigid time for adherence to the gender binary.

Am I A Black Transleader?

Friday night I received an e-mail from a young African descended transwomen based on the East Coast who I have high regard for and admire as a trans activist. Her closest friend is another young and musically talented African descended transperson I admire as well.

Her e-mail floored me by expressing hers and the other transwoman's admiration for me. She continued to say in it she saw me as an inspirational role model and expressed her desire to have a long sit down chat with me that will result in us getting to know each other a lot better in 2010 and beyond.

I was shedding a tear or two after I finished it because I was having a bit of a crummy day before I received that e-mail.

Even though I've heard for a decade how much of a leader I am and a positive influence on the African American transgender community and the trans community in general, I kind of take it in stride because I have a cadre of close friends that ensure I never get 'big head syndrome'.

I also have my detractors and haters who at regular intervals let loose their negativity at me as well.

I just do what all people do that are thrust into leadership roles and ignore the haters. As an additional layer of defense against 'big head syndrome' I still filter whatever positive commentary that flows my way through the definition of Black leadership attributed to University of Maryland political scientist Dr. Ronald Walters.

The task of Black leadership is to provide the vision, resources, tactics, and strategies that facilitate the achievement of the objectives of Black people.

These objectives have been variously described as freedom, integration, equality, liberation, or defined in the terms of specific public policies. It is a role that often requires disturbing the peace. And we constantly carry on a dialogue about the fitness of various leaders and the qualities they bring to the table to fulfill this mission.

It is this definition of leadership I use as a measuring stick in terms of my own leadership qualities. I try to follow in addition to the Walters definition of Black leadership the sterling examples of leadership from Malcolm X, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the late Rep. Barbara Jordan from the home state, the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the late Coretta Scott King and a host of other leaders past and present.

I'm cognizant of the fact that people do look up to me and I never want to be a disappointment to them.

But yes, I'm also human as well. I wonder at times if I have the qualities necessary to carry out such a critical and important mission.

That mission, ladies and gents is getting our African descended cis brothers and cis sisters to recognize that their trans brothers and trans sisters have the same African heritage, history and cultural ties. Our issues as African descended trans people are the same as Black America's issues.

It is getting our cis brothers and cis sisters to accept that we aren't going away and for them to do their part in ensuring that our humanity and our human rights are respected and protected.

It is calling out and speaking truth to power to those people inside and outside the community who align themselves with the same white fundamentalist-GOP Dixiecrat Forces of Intolerance who opposed our 50s and 60's era march toward full equality and our constitutionally guaranteed civil rights.

It is also praising our allies when they do something right on our community's behalf and chastising them with Kingian love when they don't.

So do I have the right stuff to carry that mission out?

Well, the IFGE Trinity Award on the mantel is a big clue that I know a little something-something and have some skills to execute this mission.

But my fellow African American transpeople will let me know one way or the other soon enough.

Isis Makes 2009 Out 100 List

Congrats to my sis Isis for making OUT magazine's Out 100 List. Been an interesting and groundbreaking year for little sis. She's represented us with class, dignity and style and is a sweetheart of a person as well.

You just love it when people like her get recognized for the positive things they do and Isis deserves all the accolades she gets.

Only wish that the outcome of America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 had turned out a little differently.

Happy Birthday Isis!

Today is my little sis Isis King's birthday.

Who knew that when we celebrated the fact last year she was the first transwoman to appear on America's Next Top Model she'd become more popular and well known than the person who actually won Cycle 11?

She has continued to be a classy role model for all of us, and I wish my sis on her 24th birthday nothing but positive blessings and a happy and healthy life.

Oh yeah, have some fun for me at your birthday party as well.