6/18/14

The two adversarial copter pilots who covered OJ's chase? They both transitioned.

Dana Vahle and Zoey Tur, who as Dirk Vahle and Bob Tur, were the first two TV chopper pilots to follow OJ on June 17, 1994. They were arch enemies; now they're friends.

What would the chances of two competing macho appearing men meeting again after years being separated and becoming friends? Pretty slim right?

What are the odds that both are transgender and friends now? Apparently better!

Listen to the NPR interview with Zoey Tur and Dana Vahle by Clicking here (opens in a new window) and read the great article by clicking here.


6/17/14

Trans Pride LA Evacuated after 2nd bomb threat

TransPride LA posted this to facebook Sunday.

We at Trans Pride L.A. regret the situation that abruptly ended yesterday's event, shortly before it was scheduled to conclude.

The Los Angeles Police Department notified us that an anonymous person called in a bomb threat, identifying the Renberg Theatre as the target. It was our second bomb threat of the day, the first of which just referenced Trans Pride. After the first threat, police and security immediately conducted a sweep of The Village and found no reason for concern. The second threat came later in the evening, at a time when close to 200 people were in the theatre enjoying the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival’s short film program. Out of an abundance of caution and with input from the LAPD, we made the decision to evacuate the theatre. Fortunately, a subsequent security sweep determined there was no explosive device."

Our apologies to the filmmakers and everyone else inconvenienced by someone’s hateful and disruptive actions. We truly regret that this put a damper on an otherwise glorious day of joy and celebration. It saddens us greatly that the day had to end on a negative note.

Our sincere thanks to all who participated in Trans Pride L.A. 2014 and again we apologize for any inconvenience.

With love and PRIDE,
The Trans Pride L.A. Organizing Team

#####

So what is that scares people so much about this event? Music and art? Must be that we have passed the Tipping Point. No amount of explosive devises imaginary or real or hate shrouded in religion can stop us now.

Here's a taste of TransPride LA 2014.....





6/16/14

Nassau NY: Advocates and legislators to rally for Transgender protections

Nassau NY: Trans people in most of the state can still be refused service in restaurants, denied public accommodations,even forced off a bus simply because they are transgender. NY transgender people are routinely targeted with violence, perpetrators often walking free, and there remains very little legal recourse.

The Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition (LITAC) knows this all too well. This year LITAC held a protest after a member was denied entrance at local establishment simply because she is trans. She wasn't just barred by the staff of the Irish Pub, she was thrown through the door breaking the doors lock.

Just because she's transgender.

LITAC will be hosting a Trans March and Rally to advocate for GENDA's passage June 22. It's critical that law makers be aware of the urgency of this legislation.

From the Event facebook page:

The Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition will be hold a march and rally on June 22 1:pm. It will end at the Nassau County Legislature Building.

We now have 3 confirmed guest speakers for the Rally:

Assembly Member Chuck Lavine

Nassau Legislator Judy Jacobs

Nassau Legislator Laura Curran

MARCH & RALLY DAY IS SUNDAY JUNE 22ND - RAIN OR SHINE!
AT 12:30 PM, WE WILL MEET AT THE GARDEN CITY PARKING LOT #11, LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF GOLF CLUB ROAD AND 11TH STREET, GARDEN CITY NY 11530
THE MARCH (6/10THS OF A MILE) BEGINS AT 1 PM
THE RALLY BEGINS AT 1:30 PM ON THE STEPS OF THE NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
BRING YOUR VOICE, WATER FOR DRINKING, AND ANY TYPE OF NOISE MAKER TO INSURE THE PUBLIC IS MADE AWARE THAT WE ARE MARCHING FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS!


6/15/14

Latino Trans-teen held in solitary without charges might be moved from adult prison by June 20th

This is Jane.
Jane asked her supporters to share this representation of her so you can see her as the person that those of us who know her best do: a teenager who wants to smile with friends, shop for prom dresses with Janet Mock, and have a family to love her. Source: reinagossett.com

HARTFORD AP: A federal judge has canceled a hearing on whether to order Connecticut officials to stop detaining a transgender teenager in an adult prison where she had been held for two months without criminal charges.

Judge Robert Chatigny was to hear arguments Monday in Hartford. He canceled the proceeding and set a status conference for Wednesday. The reason wasn’t disclosed.

The 16-year-old girl’s lawyer was seeking an injunction against what he called her unconstitutional detention in solitary confinement at the state women’s prison in Niantic.

A state judge ordered the girl transferred into prison officials’ custody in April after child welfare officials said she was too violent to handle.

State officials announced June 5 that the teen had been accepted for admission to a private treatment center in Massachusetts.



You can download this PDF flier at Dropbox.




6/14/14

Transgender and immigration activist Zoraida “Ale” Reyes suspicious death uniting comunities in a common cause

Found dead behind a Dairy Queen, the police refused to release any details Thursday only saying that she might have been moved after she died leading them to be suspicious about the cause of her death.

On Friday evening, Macrina Reyes addressed a crowd of 120 people in Santa Ana, referring to them as her daughter’s family.

They had gathered to honor Zoraida “Ale” Reyes, a 28-year-old transgender woman whose body was found in a parking lot behind an Anaheim restaurant Thursday morning.

Some held signs that said, “Trans lives matter” or “Love and respect our transgender community.”

“I didn’t know the family my daughter had, but I thank you,” Macrina Reyes said in Spanish. “I know she’s here uniting us.” Source LA Times











If you can please help raise funds for her funeral.

We are deeply saddened by the news that one of our Trans-Sisters Zoraida Reyes was a victim of violence. Her body was found in a lot in Anaheim and there are not many details as investigations are still undergoing. We are reaching out to all of you for help to be able to provide some aid to her Family during these tought times. Those of you who knew Zoraida know that she was a loving girl, one that was always calm, a bit shy and wore a smile in her face when surrounded by loved ones. She was always sweet and willing to help in any way that she could. Zoraida always gave back to her community by advocating for Trans-Rights as well as the rights of the rest of the LGBTQ community. Please share this page and know that any amount big or small is very well accepted and appreciated.


May she be in a better place, We love you and miss you greatly amiga.

Estamos muy entristecidos por la noticia de que una de nuestras hermanas Trans, Zoraida Reyes, fue victima de violencia. Su cuerpo fue hallado en el estacionamiento de Anaheim y los detalles de su muerte aun estan bajo investigacion. Estamos pidiendo ayuda para apoyar a su familia durante estos dificiles momentos. Aquellos que conocieron a Zoraida saben que ella era una muchacha tierna, tranquila y un poco timida. Siempre tenia una sonrisa en su rostro cuando estaba rodeada de sus seres queridos. Ella siempre fue muy dulce y dispuesta a ayudar en todo lo que pudiera. Zoraida siempre contribuyo a abogar por los derechos de las personas Transgenero y la demas comunidad LGBTQ. Por favor comparta esta pagina y sepa que cualquier monto grande o pequeno sera apreciado.

Esperamos que estes en un lugar mejor. Te queremos y te extranamos mucho, amiga.


Krystal asks If she kissed a transformer before she transitioned does that make her a homeysexual?

"Its time we told our own jokes, don't you think?" asks Marlo Bernier.

After being deluged ad nauseam with cisgender people playing problematic stereotypically oppressed trans roles the past few years the question is rhetorical. So what better way to express the true trans narrative than with comedy by a veteran of the genre?

2007 when I was faced with a choice; transition or die.  I chose to live and in so doing I knew it would be impossible to continue to keep secrets and so I pulled on my Big Girl Panties and put it all on the line, publicly, as I transitioned from male-to-female/Mark-to-Marlo.

Yes, I have lost a few friends and family along the way.  The calls to audition ceased.  I sacrificed much, but in return I gained much more,  so much more.   And amazingly once I'd stopped hiding from myself, relationships with an overwhelming majority of my family, friends and colleagues only flourished and strengthened and that has certainly never before been more evident than in seeing the quality of artisans who have graciously and enthusiastically attached themselves to Myrna.


I do very much desire for you to understand that though Myrna will tackle some pretty serious issues that it is in no way going to be a funeral dirge,  nor some sordid peek into the transsexual world,  but rather a celebration of life.



Two transsexuals and a Rabi go into a bar.......



As if to add an explanation point to the question producer Marlo Bernier asked regarding telling our own stories, a episode of 'catfish' appears in the 'recomended' videos after her promo.

My friend Darlie offered her personal insight....

"The role of Jan in Myrna was actually my partners, Beverly, who died Nov 1 2012 of stage 4 lung cancer. She loved Marlo and wanted so badly to work with her again but unfortunately she died before the the production solidified. Both of us had worked on Marlo’s play "At Least I will Own a Dress". When the opportunity came up to do it it felt like a chance to do something for her memory."

"Marlo is a terrific actress and a crazy creative person who had been a rock for me before and after Bevs death. Her abilities have no limits. She writes , directs, acts and knows the biz to its core. Myrna is a story she personally knows to it’s soul. It’s an ongoing thing with her own life experience and incorporates a far deeper understanding of the issues than most could write. People will have criticism of the “and then I decided to change my life and become a woman” but that was an intentional comedic mislead. It’s really time to twist up the knowledge of people who don’t fit the mold. I’m looking forward to some fun."

They've nearly raised her funds but its not to late to add your name to this ground breaking effort on the Myrna Fan backed page



Shes also on Twitter,,,,,