My sis Laverne Cox has an upcoming VH1 reality TV show starting March 15 called TRANSform Me that she's starring in with her co-hosts Nina Poon and Jamie Clayton.
More about that later.
Laverne was interviewed by Jacque Reid this morning during Jacque's 'Inside The Story' segment on the Tom Joyner Morning Show about the show and trans issues in general. It's significant because the TJMS has a syndicated national audience of 11 million predominately chocolate flavored people on stations in 29 states and the US Virgin Islands.
And thanks to Buffalo, NY station WBLK 93.7 carrying the show, listeners in southern Ontario can catch the TJMS as well
The interview was going well until Laverne mentioned her show cohosts and J. Anthony Clown (oops Brown) decided to try to make a joke out of Nina Poon's last name.
The interview will post later today if you wish to check it out.
A 57 year old trans woman battling the IRS over a tax deduction for the costs of her sex realignment surgery says she feels like she won a victory for all transgender people.
Rhiannon O'Donnabhain (oh-DON'-oh-vin) with the help of GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) sued the Internal Revenue Service in 2007 after the agency rejected a $5,000 deduction for about $25,000 in medical expenses associated with her surgery, asserting it was a cosmetic procedure and not medically necessary.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Tax Court ruled that O'Donnabhain should be allowed to deduct the costs of her treatment for gender-identity disorder, including sex-reassignment surgery and hormone replacement therapy on an 11-5 vote.
"The tax court has spoken for my community and has supported my community by saying that this is a proper medical deduction, much the same as an appendectomy or open heart surgery," O'Donnabhain said in an interview Wednesday.
In a dissenting opinion, Judge David Gustafson said he believes sex reassignment surgery falls within the "cosmetic surgery" category of the tax code and the expense is therefore not deductible.
Even if such surgery "is medically indicated ... it is an otherwise cosmetic procedure that does not 'treat' the mental disease," Gustafson wrote.
GLAD said the decision could potentially affect thousands of people a year in the United States who undergo similar operations.
"It was a proper medical deduction, and it certainly is not cosmetic surgery as the IRS contended," she said.
IRS spokeswoman Michelle Eldridge declined to comment on the ruling.
Lambda Legal called the ruling "a case of the federal government catching up with medical standards."
"I think it's an important decision that could help educate and bring along transgender rights in other areas because it ratifies what the medical community has said clearly for years, which is for people with gender identity disorder, this type of surgery is frequently a medical necessity for their lives and for their health and for their well-being," said Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director at Lambda Legal.
Amanda Simpson is no stranger to making transgender history. In 2004 she won the Democratic nomination for an Arizona House of Representatives seat but narrowly lost that bid to become the first transperson elected to a state legislative body.
She made history in another way by becoming the first transgender presidential appointee.
Simpson has been appointed by the Obama Administration as a Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce. She'll be working in the Bureau of Industry and Security.
Simpson brings considerable professional credentials to her new job. For 30 years, she has worked in the aerospace and defense industry, most recently serving as Deputy Director in Advanced Technology Development at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. She holds degrees in physics, engineering and business administration, along with an extensive flight background. She is a certified flight instructor and test pilot with 20 years of experience.
In other words, Amanda's all that and three bags of chips!
“I'm truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me,” said Simpson. “And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”
I was hoping that the 2010's would be a decade that results in an avalanche of groundbreaking 'firsts' and universal recognition of our human rights for the transgender community in the States and around the world.
Well, on the first day of it, we get this wonderful news.
Congratulations Amanda. You deserve it and what a great way to start off the new year and the new decade on a positive note.
Japanese TV personality Ai Haruna held a press conference in Tokyo December 3 in which she stated the desire for Japan to be more tolerant toward transpeople and others of diverse sexual orientations.
The 37 year old beauty was already a household name in Japan before she was crowned Miss International Queen 2009 last month in Pattaya, Thailand.
"I was surprised to see many transgender people work at hotels and restaurants with no problem in Thailand," she said.
"Japan can learn many things from other Asian nations like Thailand and the Philippines."
In Japan, people can legally change their gender on official documents but transgender people still face spoken and silent discrimination, Haruna said.
She recalled condominium owners had declined to let her rent apartments because neighbors may object.
"I was rejected five straight times," she said.
"I think Japan is behind."
Haruna said she had lived with difficulties since when she was a child.
"I was born with a very masculine sounding boy's name. But I always wanted to be a girl, always dreamed of becoming a pretty idol seen on TV."
"But for a long time life was very difficult for me," she said in a quivering voice.
"Even after I had a sex change operation at the age of 19 and had my first boyfriend, I encountered many, many obstacles that constantly made me realize I wasn't a woman."
Haruna said that she wanted to work internationally to raise awareness for sexual minorities. "I want to work for those who are troubled like me."
"I want to work in the world. And of course, I want to be married some day."
And may you be successful not only in raising awareness about transgender issues during your reign, but in your homeland as well.
Today is the tenth anniversary of Georgina Beyer's grundbreaking achievement.
On this date in 1999 she became the first open transperson in the world to be elected to a national legislative body when she defeated Paul Henry to win the Wairarapa seat for the NZ Labour party and become the world's first transsexual MP.
Traditionally, a new legislator is given 10 minute to make a Maiden Speech as a way to introduce themselves to their new colleagues.
On this 10th anniversary of Georgina's historic achievement, I leave you with an excerpt from tht speech.
Mr. Speaker, I can't help but mention the number of firsts that are in this Parliament. Our first Rastafarian… our first Polynesia n woman… and yes, I have to say it, I guess, I am the first transsexual in New Zealand to be standing in this House of Parliament. This is a first not only in New Zealand, ladies and gentlemen, but also in the world. This is an historic moment. We need to acknowledge that this country of ours leads the way in so many aspects. We have led the way for women getting the vote. We have led the way in the past, and I hope we will do so again in the future in social policy and certainly in human rights.
And hopefully there will be many others following in your footsteps over time.
I mentioned Sierra Broussard's case in twoposts a few months ago. Since the trial was scheduled to start tomorrow, I was curious to see what had transpired in the suit she filed since I last wrote about it.
This story from the Post-Crescent notes there has been a settlement reached in this case.
The 28 year old biracial transwoman appeared in Outagamie County Court on October 23 in her civil lawsuit against Concepts Unlimited Inc., which does business as the Park Central nightclub.
Broussard said she was twice denied entrance to the nightclub complex and said an employee told her if she "used either bathroom it would cause confusion for the other patrons," and that she should go to a club that caters to "her kind."
Broussard's attorney, Eric Pitsch of Appleton, said the agreement includes a judgment against Concepts Unlimited, but he is not allowed under the deal to discuss its specifics. He did state that the agreement was reached before an upcoming hearing about evidence. "I was preparing the case for trial," Pitsch said.
The judgment dismissed claims against Concepts Unlimited owners Charles A. and Lynn McCarrell, who were named in the original civil complaint.
"I feel more relief than anything," Broussard said. "I plan to take this one more step and use it as an educational tool, educate people on bias and let people know they can't discriminate."
I find it interesting that all this BS started because of the faux hysteria and concern whipped up by haters about what bathroom I or any transperson should use.
It's very simple.
If you're a transwoman, you use the women's restroom. If you're a transman, you use the men's one.
Now Wisconsin GL peeps, here's a question for you?
When are y'all gonna get around to coming back for the trans community and adding transpeople to the non-discrimination law you passed for yourselves and cut us out of back in 1982?
Hopefully, the civil suit settlement sends the message that discrimination against transpeople isn't cool.
But what will emphatically send that message is for the Wisconsin legislature to add transpeople to the existing anti-discrimination law.
The 5th Annual Miss International Queen pageant came to a successful conclusion Halloween night after a one year hiatus due to last year's Thai political crisis.
The title however, will be leaving the Land of Smiles.
Japan's Ai Haruna beat out 24 contestants from several nations competing for the coveted 2009 Miss International Queen title. The host Thais had to settle for homegirl Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul being the first runner up. Brazil's Daniela Marques was second runner up.
The 37 year old Haruna is a television personality in her homeland and also captured the Angel of Talent competition contested on October 28. Another Japanese contestant, Beni Tukishima took second place while Thai homegirl Sorawee Nattee grabbed the third place spot in the pre-pageant talent competition.
Transwomen from twelve nations and Puerto Rico took part in this year's pageant which not only garners international attention, but is treated by the Thai with the respect and seriousness they give a pageant involving ciswomen.
Congratulations to Ai Haruna, Miss International Queen 2009
It seems as though the 2010 election cycle is shaping up to be a potentially historic one for the transgender community.
Kim Coco Iwamoto's first term on the Hawaii State Board of Education is coming to a close and she has yet to declare whether she will run again or seek higher office.
Brittany Novotny's a candidate for the Oklahoma legislature, Pam Bennett's making another run for the Aurora, CO city council after nearly winning in 2007, and Dr. Dana Beyer has decided to make another run for the Maryland State Legislature.
Dr. Beyer currently serves as the senior adviser to Montgomery County MD council member Duchy Trachtenberg and sits on the board of Equality Maryland.
“People should vote for me because they want someone looking out for them, not just taking orders from the antiquated leadership,” Dr. Beyer said. “We need a new approach to very serious economic difficulties if we are to reset our economy and move forward, building a better world for all.”
She's running for Maryland House Seat 18, but will have to get through the primary which takes place September 14, 2010. If she successfully does that and wins in the general election, either she or Brittany Novotny would become the first United States based trans people to win election to a state legislative body.
After nearly winning in her first attempt in 2007 running for an at large seat on the Aurora. CO city council, Pam Bennett is making her second run for public office.
She's part of a six candidate field trying to convince the voters of Denver's neighboring city they are the best candidate to garner their votes on November 3.
They are vying to be the at-large member of City Council for the suburban city of 297,835 that lies just east of Denver. Pam's a US Air Force veteran who currently serves as a commissioner for the City of Aurora Veterans Affairs Commission, but wants to do more for the city of Aurora.
Bennett stated on her campaign website:
I am running for Aurora City Council because I want to help Aurora achieve its full potential as a world class city. I am a veteran and a Commissioner on the City of Aurora Veterans Affairs Commission. I have worked in businesses large and small. I volunteer in our community to help others.
I have a diverse background and can bring many resources to the challenges ahead. I will use the strength and experience that I have gained to help the City of Aurora address its variety of challenges during the next four years.
Aurora is emerging as a major U.S. city and a city with a great future. Our city needs a leader ready to work hard for that future. We find ourselves at a time where we must find the path to economic growth and quality of life. Our working men and women and our neighbors need the economic security of a strong working city. Bringing jobs to Aurora is important for our future.
Aurora needs a leader during these difficult economic times; a leader working to bring jobs for our working men and women. Aurora has the start of our future as a healthcare city with medical care and research at Fitzsimmons and the world class healthcare facilities throughout our great city. This is an opportunity few cities ever have. These jobs and jobs created by new businesses will be the new Aurora.
If she wins on November 3, Pam would become the first open transgender politician elected in the state of Colorado, and nationally the first one elected to the city council of a municipality with a population of over 250,000.
Good luck, Pam on election day, and may you have better results than you did in 2007.
Sudeshna Sarkar of Thaindian News wrote an interesting article about one of the 25 people who will be competing in the 2009 edition of the Miss International Queen pageant.
21 year old Sandhya Lama, is the reigning Miss Gay Nepal and is eager to walk the stage at the most prestigious transgender pageant in the world.
“I am excited,” said Sandhya, who not only is the reigning Miss Gay Nepal, she beat 54 contestants last year to win the Miss Beauty and Brain 2008 pageant title. The pageant was organized by the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal’s pioneering gay rights organization,
“I look forward to telling the world about the leaps made by the gay rights movement in Nepal. The Supreme Court has recognized us as citizens who should have the rights enjoyed by other citizens. It has also approved of same-sex marriages.
“Moreover, when a new constitution, written by the people themselves, is promulgated in May 2010, it will also include recommendations given by us.”
Sandhya's day job is working as a counselor for the Blue Diamond Society. She counsels her peers about the perils of intravenous drug use and advocating measures to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in addition to fulfilling her official duties as Miss Gay Nepal.
Looking forward to seeing if she can add the Miss International Queen title to her increasing list of pageant wins.
Those of us with longer memories would probably dispute that title by pointing out Harisu was the first Korean transwoman to garner international attention. But 23 year old Choi Han Bit has done something that even trailblazing transwoman Harisu hasn't.
In Korea there is a television show called Open Hall in which beautiful women compete for a chance to become a supermodel. Out of the 1,200 applicants they received for this show, Choi Han Bit was one of the 160 initial contestants selected.
Over the 20 days of competition Choi has continued to impress and advance. She got through the first preliminary round which whittled those 160 contestants down to 50, and then made it through the July 28 second round which cut the remaining ladies down to 32 competitors.
Making the September 25 finals virtually guarantees her 'supermodel status' regardless of whether or not she actually wins
During her speech, according to AllKpop she had lots to say and many people to thank, including her parents.
"Looking back, the situation I'm in would have seemed impossible to me as a child. I'm just so happy to be here right now and I want to become a dignified supermodel as well as a great role model. I would like to thank my parents for actively supporting me through the surgery and the pursuit of my dreams."
When asked if she would like to be a celebrity, she said that she did not want to use her transgender status to become a celebrity, but would rather become a celebrity through her hard work and passion.
At the conclusion of her speech, Choi said, "I would like to send a message to any other transgenders. Be dignified and proud of who you are."
Amen sis. Your transsisters around the world are definitely proud of you.
I'll have to do some searching to find out if she ultimately won the contest. Here's hoping she did.
Thanks to the archived pages of JET magazine, we'll get to take another trip on the way back machine and check out a little trans history with soul.
This time we're going to travel back to November 1995 and the North Carolina campus of Fayetteville State University. We're going to tell the story of transwoman Sharon Franklin Brown's brush with job discrimination.
Sharon grew up in a southern African-American community, feeling the usual angst about her gender issues and sensing her family's shame about them. After telling her parents she was going to make the physical changes to complete her transition, they disowned her for 18 years.
Fast forward to the Fayetteville State campus. The then 29 year old Sharon had been transitioning for seven years at the time was on hormones and working toward getting SRS.
She was attempting to switch from a part time position as a resident adviser in a women's dorm on this HBCU campus to a full time position.
Her supervisor, the late Iris Hunt-Smith said at the time in a Jet interview she was the best residence director she'd ever had.
But when Sharon's old male name popped up while checking her Social Security number, the administrators learned that she was a transwoman.
So what did they do? Bounced her out the door, citing misrepresentation on her application.
Sharon begs to differ. She said at time, "If I wasn't performing up to par I could understand. But the only decision was made according to gender. My being let go had nothing to do with performance. I would still be there today had they not found out."
That was cosigned by her boss Hunt-Smith, the then director of student housing. "She was an excellent residence director. She was doing a good job so I was very sad to see her go."
That experience galvanized her to become an activist and speak to GLBT organizations and groups at various North Carolina universities about her situation such as Duke and the University of North Carolina.
She's still an activist on GLBT employment issues, but now lives in Los Angeles and works for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center there.
You can check out this footage of Sharon speaking at a USC School of Social Work's All School Day on February 7, 2008.
Sharon Franklin Brown continues to remind us why ENDA is vitally important and needs to pressed far more aggressively to final passage than the community is currently doing.
I'm also happy to see that Sharon is still fighting for and representing the African descended trans community as well.
One of the great things about the digitizing of past EBONY and JET magazine issues is that they act as a digital time capsule that you can search for nuggets of history.
One of the pleasant surprises has been to discover just how much JET coveredtransissues of people of African descent back in the day.
On the tail end of the March 16, 1967 issue of JET is a small two paragraph item about a transwoman named Carole Small, who they stated was about to undergo SRS in Denmark.
The story stated that the then 28 year old from Philadelphia, PA was working as a female illusionist and singer garnering quite a following in (West) Germany.
It ends with her stating, "Black women in America are the luckiest on the face of the earth and it will be marvelous to be one."
Assuming Carole is still alive she'd be about 70 now. Does she still echo the same youthful sentiment she expressed in 1967?
Did she stay in Europe or return back to the United States to live her life? Did she get married and blend into society or did she discover that being a transwoman carried its own baggage even if you have the genitalia between your legs?
Assuming Carole is still alive, what advice would she have for her African descended transisters who followed her?
So once again, we have JET introducing us to a transwoman on the verge of getting SRS, then leaving us hanging concerning the details.
And that's frustrating to me as a trans person of African descent who wants to know my history.
Ah, what would a school year be without some kind of dress code controversy, be it at the beginning or the end of the school year during promseason.
Why am I not surprised about this one? This is the same Cobb County that gained a worldwide negative rep for having an Olympic preliminary volleyball venue taken away from it before the 1996 Atlanta Games because of an anti-gay resolution it passed in August 1993.
The resolution passed by the Cobb County Commission but rescinded in 1997 stated among other things "that the life style advocated by the gay community should not be endorsed by government policy makers because they are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes."
I found out about it thanks to Pam's House Blend and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. BTW, I'm going to use feminine pronouns in this story, especially since she stated in the article, "I don't consider myself a cross-dresser. This is just who I am."
Jonathan Escobar moved from Miami to Kennesaw, GA to live with her older sister and attend North Cobb High School. Her old school in Florida didn't have a problem with her dressing in feminine attire, but her parents did.
Before beginning school at North Cobb, Escobar asked administrators about the dress code and asked if she could wear items like high heels, and brightly colored wigs.
She was told there wouldn't be a problem, but four days after starting school at North Cobb High School the fun started.
Kids will be kids, and someone started cracking jokes at her expense. A friend stood up for her and unfortunately a fight ensued.
School administrators told Escobar that she was now in violation of the section of the North Cobb High School dress code that states:
"All students shall be required to…refrain from any mode of dress which proves to contribute to any disruption of school functions.”
Translation, Escobar was told she had to dress more like a male or she couldn’t come to school.
Her sister Veronica says she's shocked by what has happened.
"I didn't think they would take it this far," Veronica Escobar said.
Escobar says she wasn't a disruption in the classroom, but she attracted attention in the lunchroom. "Everybody was surrounding me," she said.
On her second day of school, Escobar says he was pulled out of class to speak with a police officer who told her he was concerned about the student's safety.
"They should've told the students to back off," Escobar said. "They should have never given me the option of homeschooling or changing who I am."
In her short time at the Kennesaw school, Escobar has apparently made a lot of friends. By Tuesday evening, nearly 900 supporters had joined a Facebook group called "Support Jonathan." Many were planning to purchase a bright pink T-shirt with the same phrase.
Escobar says she wants to be allowed to attend school and eventually graduate. But she doesn't want to stifle what she calls her art.
"If I can't express myself, I won't go to school," he said. "I want to get the message out there that because this is who I am, I can't get an education."
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.
Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, one of the GLBT community's virulent Christohaters, will have to fight to keep her office in 2010.
After spending a few weeks exploring her political options, civil rights attorney Brittany Novotny announced on September 27 she is going to challenge Oklahoma's nationally renowned hater.
The voters of House District 84 deserve a representative who will fight for them. So today, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for State Representative. I believe I have the drive, dedication, and determination to fight for the people of the district on the real issues they face—jobs, education, and transportation. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with my neighbors and voters in the district in the coming year as we build this grassroots campaign to give the voters a real choice to have a representative who will fight for their issues and build a brighter future for Oklahoma.
If you think I'm kidding about Sally Kern, peep what she had to say in the district about the GLBT community.
Kern's homophobia according to several business people has cost Oklahoma jobs. Two corporations that were set to move high wage jobs to the state changed their mind after hearing Kern's anti gay tirades.
Novotny is attempting to make history in the process. If she's successful in knocking off the homobigot Republican (what else?) in their race to represent Oklahoma's 84th House district, she would also become the first US transperson to be elected to a state legislative body.
While both candidates stated they want to keep the race focused strictly on the issues facing the people of Oklahoma's 84th district, you know the Reichers aren't going to let Novotny's trans status slide without some attacks, especially if Kern is put in a position where she's losing the race.
"I've addressed that, and I've not had any Oklahomans treat me different. They are good people who are going to judge me for who I am and judge me for my ability to go be a fierce advocate who's going to fight for them."
She has already set up a website in which you can make donations to her campaign and keep up with what's transpiring in her race.
She's going to need it. The Reichers will fight tooth and nail, empty their dirty politrick bag and flood Kern with cash. After losing US Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) in the 2008election cycle they will do everything possible to keep their poster child for GLBT intolerance in that chair.
We need to be fighting even harder against the Forces of Intolerance to put a quality candidate like Brittany in the Oklahoma legislature.
Here's her bio:
The youngest of five siblings, Brittany Novotny was born on March 6, 1980, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Theresia and Louis Novotny. She grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Westmoore High School in 1998. After high school, she went on to USAO, where she worked at a local youth shelter, while also managing a full-course load. Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Sociology in 2002 and embarked on a career in law.
She earned her J.D. from the University of California – Hastings in 2005. Despite her time in California, Brittany saw that she could make the greatest difference as a lawyer back in her home state.
She subsequently moved back to Oklahoma City and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 2005. In 2007, she started her own law practice in Oklahoma City focusing on employment and civil rights law, while also doing some pro bono work for several clients. Recently, she began in-house counsel work with the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 916.
In addition to managing her own career, Brittany has also been an active member of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. As a member of the Young Democrats, she serves as the National Committeewoman and the chair of the YDO LGBT caucus.
Brittany is a hard-working Democrat dedicated to improving Oklahoma for subsequent generations. She has tirelessly advocated for civil liberties and equality within the state, recently receiving the 2009 Leadership Award for Community Action from RAIN Oklahoma, and has become a mainstay of Oklahoma politics."
Congratulations, Brittany! If I lived in your district you'd definitely have my vote. I'll have to vote with my dollars instead.
Looking forward to meeting you one day and best of luck in your quest to get elected to the Oklahoma House.
Today would have been my fellow Texan Jahna Steele's 51st birthday.
The San Antonio born Jahna was part of the Crazy Girls Revue at the Riviera in Las Vegas starting in the late 1980s. She was voted Las Vegas' Sexiest Showgirl in 1991 and things were going well for her until she was outed by the tabloid TV show A Current Affair a year later.
She resurfaced in 2004 after moving to Hawaii and making early 90's guest appearances on several talk shows, an episode of NYPD Blue and nightclub singing stints.
She was the hostess of The World's Most Beautiful Transsexual Contest' that was documented in the film Trantasia.
Jahna was working on an autobiography and reviving her singing career when she tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in Las Vegas on January 24, 2008.
She had a colorful life and won't be soon forgotten.
My sis Laverne Cox has an upcoming VH1 reality TV show starting March 15 called TRANSform Me that she's starring in with her co-hosts Nina Poon and Jamie Clayton.
