7/12/13

Rapist who Threw up on transgender victim in 2001 is being retried

Gay Star News has published that the man who raped trans woman Anna Vincent January 2001 has 'been brought to justice'. Mohammad Salim 43, allegedly snatched Anna Vincent, 36, from outside Camden Town Tube station and raped her in a nearby alleyway on 23 January 2001.

The accused was not linked to the crime until a cold case a decade later discovered semen in the alleyway was found to be a one-in-a-billion match with his DNA, the Ham & High reports." (The Ham & High link is disabled.)

Pink News reports that Salim's first trial ended without a verdict so a new trial begun July 8 2013.

It is not clear from the Gay Star article whether a verdict was found or if sentencing has or will take place.

Both of those occurrences must take place before justice prevails.

Anna Vincent died in 2006 but it is not clear how.

Curiously there is a video posted by a VIMEO user going by the name of the accused that examines in depth the prevalence of suicides among rape victims. Salim is a fairly common name so it could only be a guess if this video has anything to do with the alleged rape of Ms Vincent.

The British justice system is a mystery to me and there are only a couple news accounts published about this trial. If you can help shed some light on this case please do!


#rape from on V.



Jazzie Collins Transgender Activist Icon Passed Away at 54 Peacefully and Powerfully


Cecilia C Chung
shared this with us on Facebook "We are mourning the passing of Jazzie Collins today. From the offices of Tom Ammiano and Rich Gordon":

Assemblyman Rich Gordon (Menlo Park), Chair of the Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (San Francisco) released the following statement in response to the passing of San Francisco resident, long-time activist and LGBT Caucus honoree, Jazzie Collins. Ms. Collins passed away this morning at the age of 54.

“Jazzie was absolutely glowing last month when the LGBT Caucus honored her in the Capitol,” said Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. “Of course, we were the ones honored to have her with us, gracing us with her stature as a community leader and a human being. Her work for justice and equality in San Francisco will have long-lasting impact, as will her advocacy for communities that needed her voice. Her death robs us of that voice, and she is missed.”

“Today we lost an advocate and a leader,” Assemblyman and LGBT Caucus chair Rich Gordon said. “Jazzie Collins worked tirelessly on behalf of all communities, serving as an untiring advocate for the poor, for the transgender community and truly, for all San Francisco residents.


While we celebrate her Ms. Collins and her life’s work, her spirit will continue to live on through the many lives she has touched. On behalf of the LGBT Caucus, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in power.”

Starting in 2006, the California Legislative LGBT Caucus honors a select group of individuals from across the state, who strive to advance the cause of equality in California and throughout the country. Ms. Collins was one of 12 honorees this year recognized in a special ceremony on the Assembly Floor.

Jazzie won these accolades from the Legislators like all of the ones she is receiving on her Facebook page not with money but with love. Although I never met her in person I was blessed to have her as a facebook friend. Whenever I needed to know what was actually happening on the ground in San Fran Jazzie would cheerfully offer what she knew. We will miss you Jazzie for now, but know we will all be joining you once again to march in the sky.



Jazzie's BOA Mic Check evicting the financal preditors from their San Fransico office.


7/11/13

Florida Nursing Student Threatened With Arrest and Expulsion If She Continues To Use Students Bathroom

Up until the July 9th transgender woman Alex Wilson was using the the students restroom but after someone complained she said "I've been told I have to use a closet in the school administration building."

Ms. Wilson is a certified nursing Aid is a student at the Pinellas Technical Education Center in Clearwater Florida where she is continuing her education to a become a licensed practical nurse. She has been on HRT for four years and plans on changing her paperwork to indicate her authentic gender in the future.

According to WFLA "The Pinellas schools spokeswoman says administrators plan to look into this case to understand what happened. "In a scenario such as the one you're describing , a person will be offered access to a private restroom. And that's for the individual's privacy and for the privacy of other students," said Melanie Marquez Parra."

"The school spokesman says administrators will gather facts to see if anything should have been handled differently."

WFLA-TV News Channel 8

It sounds to me like the administration has already made up their minds and have acted accordingly. This story is personally disturbing to me because years ago early in my transition while in medical school I faced the same situation.

I was forced out of school because of the unending ridicule, harassment and ostracization after I agreed to use the teachers private restroom. The bigotry I faced wasn't just from the students, the staff intentionally misgendered me as well enabling the students to continue until one day I was threatened with violence. And the threats continued until I was being pushed and shoved in the hallways.

If this bothers you as well you can email the the Pinellas Technical Education Center using their contact form by clicking here or use this the information below.

Just remember please our intent is to help, not to vent.

Mark Erickson director at Clearwater Fl Campus.

Clearwater Campus
6100 154th Avenue N
Clearwater, FL 33760-2140
(727) 538-7167 - Fax (727) 538-7203
Toll Free: 1 (866) 503-PTEC (7832)

I just spoke with Mark Erickson director at Clearwater. He said that he can't speak specifically about what is going on with a given student but the school respects every student equally. Mr. Erickson was a great listener as I related my personal experiences. I also pointed out that in all of the counties, cities and states where trans people have been given access to public accommodations there has never been a instance when a trans person has abused that right.

I then talked with Melanie Parra media contact for the district. Ms. Parra was also a great listener even though as she pointed out she was not directly involved in the decision making process my input would become a part of her experience.

Both phone calls were highly encouraging and both people I talked to were very receptive. Both individuals pointed out the school is in decision making process so it's my hope some of my readers will also call and have a constructive conversation with these school officials as well. My apologies for any misspelled names or improper titles. I could not find a staff listing on the webs sites.


7/10/13

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei The Trans Woman Behind WKRP in Cincinnati Hilarity

I can't say how many times I in delighted in the antics of the WKRP crew. Being a native of Ohio it gave me something to laugh about in our otherwise flat and boring state. WKRP was unique, warm, endearingly daringly transcending racial and gender boundaries long before it was cool to do so. That was also long before I came to terms with my gender identity, long before doing so was a possibility in that ultra conservative state.

Or so I thought.

But not to PJ. She transitioned long before it was acceptable to do so. Long before the surgical operations were perfected. Long before HRT dosing became a science and she paid for it with her life suffering liver failure and complications from her SRS only 10 years after transitioning.

But there is an amazing tribute to PJ Torokvei,  at The Hollywood Reporter which was penned by Stan Brooks, a writer, director and Emmy-winning producer who was one of Torokvei's closest friends and collaborators.

PJ came out in a birthday letter to her friends at age 50. Brooks like many of PJ's friends was expecting a punchline after this news from his old friend but none came. Brooks was cool with it but PJ's life was forever changed, lessened by the loss of so many of her friends who couldn't understand.



Now I know why I loved WKRP so much so long before I knew who I was.

R.I.P. PJ Torokvei.



ENDA Gets Through Senate Committee A Historic First. So What Now?


Mara Keisling of the NCTE was kind enough to invite me to a media conference call this morning regarding the forthcoming ENDA S815 committee vote. Pretty much as she predicted ENDA was marked up this morning with the bipartisan support of Republicans Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Kirk (R-IL).

Source Thomas Library of Congress S.815 -- Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (Introduced in Senate - IS) full text and status.

SEC. 4. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED.

(a) Employer Practices- It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer--

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; or
(2) to limit, segregate, or classify the employees or applicants for employment of the employer in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment or otherwise adversely affect the status of the individual as an employee, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

I think I could speak for every trans person on the planet when I say WE NEED this to become law, and for myself especially number 2.
I can't tell you how many times since finally going full time post transition that I have watched new hires zip past me to a better paying job for doing the same OR less than what I do. That sucks. Seriously, the cotton ceiling Sucks because it comes at you from all directions, cisgender woman and men. Bosses. Co Workers alike. Talk about posses.


So now ENDA is making history by making it to the Senate Floor, but will it even get voted on their? Mara believes the chances are it will but when I posted on Facebook that it faces a dysfunctional death march in the republican controlled House Mara simply agreed at least in part, by 'liking' the status. In any case huge thanks go out to Mara and crew for riding herd on this.

We are making progress? Of sorts and sometimes that's a goal. But mostly, this was a opportunity to post this really cool picture I saw on Glaad blog.

So why are Republicans house members so opposed to ENDA which essentially guarantees the most religiously biased constituents exception in cases of discrimination? They are afraid that young tea party peons will take their jobs. That and plain old hate. Can't fix hate with nothing. Not with love. Not with money. And evidently, not even with exceptions.
Read what ENDA is and what it ain't at Media Matters.


Justice For Slain Türkçe Transsexual DORA İÇİN : Protest March July 12th

I was contacted via twitter by the first and as of this time the only Turkish transgender TV reporter Michelle Demishevich, who told me of some terrible news. A well known transsexual Dora Özer, has been murdered in Aydin Turkey.

[Bing Translate. Anyone offering a better translation would be so appreciated. plz post it in the comments]

Source Travesti Club: July 9, 2013 Time: 23:00 'in the transvestite DORA ÖZER murder was the last straw now. Site Hacifeyzullah district town of Kusadasi AYDIN ​​Altıngüvercin occurred on the second floor of the block 21. 24-year-old Huo alias ÖZER DORA had brutally stabbed to death in her home.



On 15 December 2012 in İstanbul, "Ghafoor" Kusadasi 4 April 2012 September 2012 at the "Nergis" Bursa "Add" and others as "Dora" the last murder. Every year at least 3 gay friend rapidly this hate murders, ignored the explosion, cut back so why? You have to take what these people veremediginiz tacirlerini kollarsınız drugs across Turkey lifter, so our people are what is in these people with this type of crime you ignored your "transvestite murders" and "gay" and veremediginiz status? Now it's time to say stop this hate killings gelmedimi rapidly and at least 10 years, our friend, our restless yetmedimi?

Cool n easy going until a State of TURKEY, NETHERLANDS bagıra basamıyormu gays Ceesay's picture? Even though they are Gay transvestite in Asia in our people are, so to speak, "hırlıya thief" where those great Turkish State to open arms? According to the eye every year with the massacre of our people is how "Turkish" ID, you are in the audience? You read through eglenirken Cocktail, private dining, otobanlarda, those people in their homes, in the streets, "STRUGGLE for LIFE". Just a little beyond your honor, if you varsaki your own hasiyetiniz insanınız quit with the "TRANSVESTITE". Don't overlook some things.



Facebook event: DORA İÇİN, ADALET İÇİN! NEFRET CİNAYETLERİNE DUR DE! DORA, FOR JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL!

Ontario Association of solidarity with LGBT and other Derneklermizin Contributions: DORA, for JUSTICE! STOP THE HATE KILLINGS AS WELL! ALL OUR PEOPLE are SENSITIVE to TRANSPHOBIA PARADE on July 12, FRIDAY: 7: 30, WE are GLAD to SEE YOU AMONG US.
Hate killings to mean stop!
To defend our right to life!
To stimulate the political power!
To defend her life together!