5/31/14

Is Laverne Cox helping or hurting transgender people?

This magazine rip off is not a exercise in narcissism. I just fit all of the parameters.

With the recent plethora of gorgeous gender conforming trans spokes people, I have a question. What about the 99%? The people who nominally fit stereotypical gender expectations? Or what about those of us who don't fit at all.

And what of those of us who refuse to conform at all? Those people were once covenanted for their nonconformity as pioneers. Will they now be considered pariahs?

Personally I think this has been great, like riding a social tsunami triggered by the overwhelming female humanity of Laverne Cox.
But what happens after we are washed up 100 miles inland stranded alone in our personal realities dealing with anxiety, the kind that convinces so many us to get 'pumped'?

One gender therapist warns us to be aware of the machine that is making this happen saying
And how can we not be left with our mouth agape at the head-to-toe shot of actress and trans activist Laverne Cox. The caption reads, “Laverne Cox, a star of Orange is the New Black, is one of an estimated 1.5 million Americans who identify as transgender.” I have watched hundreds of my social media friends in the transgender community commenting on this cover story with astonishment, joy, and hope. My own initial reaction was one of shock, followed by great excitement.

However, as the day progressed on, and the news continued to spread, and the comments continued to pour in, I felt something…unsettling come up for me about it. I couldn’t put my finger to it until I had a conversation with one of my clients, when I asked her what she thought of the upcoming cover story.
Laverne Cox is now the “face,” and therefore the voice, of the Transgender Population in the eyes of many Americans.

Now…let us not forget that Ms. Cox also just happen to be drop-dead gorgeous.
So let’s be honest about what that means as we look at this snapshot of this moment in time (no pun intended).
There was a conscious decision made to put Ms. Cox on the cover of TIME magazine. Not a montage of “everyday transgender folks” that included persons having many different experiences, including those who transitioned from female-to-male and who are gender non-conforming.
This is a glamorous photo of a very feminine, well-dressed, television actress who happens to be transgender. This photo represents the entire “transgender civil rights movement.”

Continue reading what DARA HOFFMAN-FOX says via her facebook post. Its thoughtful, respectful and insightful......





























































5/27/14

RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio tells Carmen Carrera to "stick whats left of your dick in your mouth and STFU"

Drag queen Bianca Del Rio, pictured left, crowned winner of Rupauls drag race on May 19th wasted no time putting his contempt of transgender people on full blast.

Del Rio told  the audience "I think Carmen Carrera should stick whats left of her dick and shove it in her mouth"

Del Rio raised his arms as the audience clearly recognized he went to far.

What could have caused Del Rio to attack her so viciously? Carmen Carrera was a contestant on Season 3 of Rupauls Drag race and afterwards has enjoyed success as a transgender model. Is that the only reason? No it is not. Carman has gently been trying to ask that  Rupaul stop using transgender defamation.

Bianca Del Rio sees that as a betrayal of gaydom. He sees Carmen as a turncoat, but more than that. Del Rio now sees Carrera as a target, less than human to despise and denigrate. Del Rio sees Camen as transgender.

I posted Del Rio's comments unedited because of how his words actualize the hatred being spewed by RuPaul and his gay fans toward transgender people. What he said:



Carmen Carrera comes out as transgender on "What would you do".



Once again I have to ask. Does LOGO want to be branded with this hate? And oh yeah, where's GLAAD?






5/25/14

Drag show "Tranny Shack" rebranding to "T Shack"

Heklina, the owner of the drag show formely known as "tranny shack" has announced that it will be known in the future as "T Shack". She say she has done so becuse society has come to understand that transgender people find the word 'tranny' offensive.

Heklina posted the following message to Facebook:

Hey everyone! I just thought it was time for me to chime in and have my voice be heard. There’s been a lot of discussion, and a lot of it has been great to read, as this, for me and so many others, is a timely issue. Poor Brian Daniel Peters and LA Kendall LaBree have been dealing with the drama and speaking on my behalf, but now it’s time for me to chime in. I generally loathe to be political, but whether I like it or not the very name of my legendary nightclub has become political.
First, a little history about the name Trannyshack, and the club itself. When I started the club (waaaaaay back in 1996) the word “tranny” did not have the charged weight to it that it has today. Simply put, it was not (arguably) considered a slur word, and not even thought of on the same level as the words “dyke” or “faggot” (two words which, maybe ironically, have somehow become less charged and have been “reclaimed” to a certain degree-for instance, leading the Pride Parade in San Francisco every year are the Dykes On Bikes. I can’t imagine in this day, a contingent called Trannies On Bikes). There are people who might argue this, but I’m sorry it just was not a word thought of as a slur on the same level as today. It was just not. I considered the name transgressive, and cutting edge.

The club itself? It became a legendary San Francisco institution. A bastion of alternative drag and diversity. Every walk of life came to, and performed at, Trannyshack. Gay men, lesbians, drag kings, drag kings, M to F’s, F to M’s, Faux Queens, and yes, even straight people. It won every award for Best Drag show in SF every year, and is generally thought to have redefined drag on the West Coast. It didn’t matter (and still does not) what gender you were, or what you had between your legs, if you were a great performer you were welcome on the Trannyshack stage. It grew to mean a great deal to a great many people.



I am, and will always be, immensely proud of what I have accomplished with Trannyshack. It’s given me so many great experiences, it’s afforded me the great luxury of not having to live in the 9 to 5 world (which would kill me), and I have had the even greater luxury of working with and meeting the most incredible people. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s been my life’s work.
However. Increasingly, and in the past year especially, it’s become clear to me the meaning the word tranny has taken on. I’ve tried to avoid the issue because I’ve spent almost 20 years branding and promoting my club. But more and more, I am asked on the street, in interviews, and online about my thoughts on the word, and the name of my club. I’ve given the answer “Oh, my club is different, it means so much to so many people, it’s this it’s that, etc.”, but it’s been nagging at me. I started to talk to people close to me about the need for a rebrand. What really was the clincher for me was a post I saw on Facebook by a performer at my club . I wasn’t tagged in the post, but came across it anyway. He said how excited he was to be performing at my club but, out of embarrassment, he couldn’t type the name of it, and something along the lines of “you all know where it is”. Ouch, OK. Time for a rebrand.

I am in the business of (hopefully) entertaining people. It’s never been my intention to hurt people. I am not another Shirley Q. Liquor, wanting to offend just for sake of it. Also, on a purely business level, I don’t want to be viewed as archaic, out of step with the times, like an ostrich with my head in the sand.
OK, a rebrand. How to go about it? Time to test the waters. But, where to start? When Brian asked me to bring Trannyshack to Seattle for Pride, I thought this was a good place to start. I suggested the name T-Shack. Let’s see how this works, I thought. As expected, many people familiar and loyal to the Trannyshack brand were up in arms, and I received several messages along the lines of “You caved in to pressure” and “You sold out” (? Not sure what that one means). OK. I can deal with this.
But, I was taken aback by the response from many in the trans community. It seems I cannot win with some people. They are not happy when I call it Trannyshack, and they are not happy when I try to rebrand (granted, there were some aspects of the roll-out for the Seattle event that were a bit clunky, but still). This to me does not seem right.

Just to clear a couple of things up. The event on Friday June 27 is not “Trannyshack presents T-Shack” as some people have said (and I would invite anyone to show me where it says this on any of the materials). It plainly says who is actually presenting it. The word Trannyshack appears on the materials to let those familiar with the brand know what the event is. When the full rebrand happens this kind of wording will be necessary initially (i.e. “AKA Trannyshack”, then “Formerly known as Trannyshack”) until we can phase it out completely. It’s also unrealistic to expect everyone to stop using the name Trannyshack right away when they discuss it online , or even in person. As preciously mentioned , I’ve relentlessly promoted the brand for almost 20 years, so it’s ingrained in people’s consciousness. It will take time. To use a ridiculous comparison, it’s like when Kentucky Fried Chicken decided to only be referred to as KFC. It took awhile. I know, I told you the comparison was ridiculous.
When will the full rebrand happen? Most likely not until the beginning of the new year. In San Francisco, it’s going to require focus groups, a press campaign, all that stuff. It really is that big of a deal here. Also, I have not as of yet decided what the final name will be. I used T-Shack for the Seattle event because that is what the insiders of my circle of friends have always called it, so I’m trying it out. Other names have been thrown around. Drag-Shack does not seem right. Maybe simply The ‘Shack. I don’t know, that’s why it will take a few months.
Ultimately, when it happens I will need the support of EVERYBODY. That means all of those loyal to the Trannyshack brand , as well as the Trans community.
As I see it, there’s two ways we can deal with this. We can see this as progress and a step forward, or we can engage in fighting and divisiveness. Whichever one you choose I am going for progress, and away from hurt and anger. Please also know that I do not engage in Facebook “threads”, as I simply do not have time, and they tend to become masturbatory and a contest of who will have the last word. If you post a comment under this post I will not reply to it.
But! For those interested in having a face to face dialogue, I would LOVE that. I have a “date” with Danielle Niki Askini when I am in Seattle to sit down for coffee and go over ideas, and just talk. If you would like to join us please email me directly at heklina@earthlink.net (I guess I am archaic after all, I’m still on earthlink). We haven’t figured out a time yet. Best time for me would be Monday morning after Pride weekend
Xoxo
Heklina

5/24/14

Two Trans woman attacked and stripped on a MARTA train police looking for Perps

Tuesday two transgender woman were followed by a group of men as they boarded a MARTA train in Atlanta. The men had been harassing them and when the train departed it became worst. One of the woman took a more defensive role and one of the men attacked her.

I have posted the unedited version because the censored one does not show the faces of the attackers. If you have any information on this attack please contact MARTA police.

Click here to watch *Trigger Warning Must be 18

Channel 2 Ryan Young spoke with the women and MARTA officials about the video.

The women told Young they were walking to the Five Points MARTA station when a group of men approached them and started yelling at them. They said the strangers followed them into the station and waited on the platform next to them while taking pictures. They said they believe the strangers targeted them because they are transgender.

“[They] just kept of asking us was we real,” said Janell Crosby. “Like really trying to get us. ‘Are you real?’ 'Are y’all this or that?’ Just trying to embarrass us.”
"They were trying to find out if we are men or women,” said Tyra Woods. “I shouldn’t have to disclose who I am to an innocent person who I’m not even interested in talking to.”
Crosby and Woods say they were harassed, attacked and embarrassed, and no one came to give them any help.
“I really didn’t want to fight, but he just kicked me and tried to make a big scene,” said Crosby.
“It’s all over the internet and like, I’m naked,” said Woods. “I felt like since it was in a public transportation, we should’ve felt like we should’ve been secure.”
Officials said they won’t stand for that type of behavior and have opened an investigation into what happened on the train. They are actively searching for the two men who may have started the fight.

MARTA:
Non-Emergency: (404) 848-4910 Email: martapolice@itsmarta.com

If this requires immediate attention, please contact MARTA Police at (404) 848-4911, pick up the blue and white customer assistance telephones located in the stations, or use the MARTA See and Say App. This email address is checked once a day during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.

MARTA Police Headquarters: (404) 848-4900

Detectives:(404) 848-4584


Rupaul already despised by the trans community excommunicates himself with 'tranny'

There is sort of a communion within the transgender community, respected by most, even those who don't believe in the umbrella. We have a unspoken credo, do no harm. Even if we are deeply offended or disagree, speak freely but do so in a way that doesn't inflict injury That can be difficult at times because we are in what I see as an adolescence, the CDDTIQA community, transitioning to adulthood, earning respect from one another and in the process the world as a whole.

Two spirits, transgender, transsexual, Intersex, Questioning, Asexual, Cross Dressers and Drag among others...

Arguably, drag queens have a place under the trans umbrella. Most artists are great people but then there's Rupaul.

Hudson Valley LGBT center.org

Rupaul, who identifies as cisgender gay man, said some highly offensive things last week. Clearly, there's no longer a place under the transgender umbrella for Rupaul.

Marc Maron asked Rupaul on his podcast Wednesday about the most recent flare up over gay people saying tranny. I assume Maron was alluding to the Australian transgender community's request that gay men use remove the defamation 'tranny' from "Tranny Bingo" or could it be his unwillingness to learn from Neil Patrick Harris, Lance Bass, and Kelly Osbourne?. Or perhaps his belief that the difference between a trans person and a  drag queen is $25,000 and a good surgeon?. Or could he have been asking in reference to his employer's reaction to his latest transgender defamation?



Whatever. Rupaul went on the attack telling him it wasn't the trans community who are upset over his defamation. It was a 'fringe element' looking to reinforce their 'victimhood'. Rupaul could not have said a single more offensive thing than that.

A clear majority of trans people object to "tranny" being used by cisgender people as our 2010 survey indicates.

"No, no no its not the transsexual community. These are fringe people who are looking for story lines to strengthen their identity as victims."



Rupaul continues "recently my show got into a..these are four people who have a wifi connection sit behind a computer in god knows where and deliberately misinterpret our verbiage and decide we're ah, you hurt me." Then in his best mealy mouth weaselly voice. "We didn't do anything to hurt you that's how you decided to interpret it."

Last year Rupaul screamed bloody murder when Amanda Bynes called the writers at people magazine FAGGOTS. Of course Huffpost GAY came to his defense,











Rupaul having a grand guy old cisgender male privileged time at the JPL.


Yes it is a hard road dealing with ignorance like his. But you Rupaul are by far the most ignorant men the transgender community has ever encountered mainly due to your previous proximity to us. It was just days ago that the LOGO network, you're employer, told you to stop with the defamation and yet here you go again.

Just weeks after LOGO appoligized and pulled the highly offensive 'shemail' episode Rupaul is back at it with all of that defamation:

According to Buzzfeed
"Logo TV, which airs the widely popular show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, is distancing itself from comments host RuPaul Charles made during a May 19 interview in which he defended the use of a term some find transphobic and offensive."





Does LOGO know its name is being dragged through the dirt by Rupaul? Look at the right corner of the violent video retweeted by Rupaul. LOGO, do you approve of this violence? It would appear that you do.




Rupaul you will not lessen or cheapen our existence. For the record its not four people and no this is not a joke. Granted there are a few within the trans community who claim 'tranny' as something less than detrimental. That is their right. They live authentically 24/7 and pay a personal price for lowering their life expectations, but you Rupaul are not transgender. You are a gay cisgender man who profits from hurting transgender people.

"Derogatory slurs are ALWAYS an outward projection of a person's own poisonous self-loathing" ~ Rupaul Charles.

planetransgender first took this slur to task  in 2009 and was beat on by gay media who interviewed  Rupal who said he "approved of tranny."

Personally I hope LOGO realizes that Rupaul is a liability, incapable of either education or redemption and fires him.


5/23/14

Man gets 23 to life for murder of NY Transgender woman Camila Guzman

Source DNA Info

NEW YORK — A New York City man convicted of killing his girlfriend in a brutal attack with knives, a candlestick and a pillowcase around her neck has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced Equan Southall's sentence Thursday.

The 28-year-old Southall was convicted last month of murder in the August 2011 death of Camila Guzman, a Chilean immigrant. The two lived together in East Harlem.

Prosecutors say Southall stabbed Guzman the back and torso, used a candlestick to bludgeon her in the head and finally strangled her with a pillowcase.

Vance says the case shows domestic violence "can escalate in a heartbeat."

Southall's lawyer didn't immediately return a call Thursday. - WSJ