Nouveau Girl Blog

Forward March!

Posted on March 1st, 2007 by April.
Categories: Ignorant, LGBT, Transgender.

About a week ago Largo FL. city manager Steve Stanton announced his decision to begin transitioning to Susan Stanton.

After holding the position for 14 years and earning the respect of the citizens and fellow city officials, he’d hoped to find support and be allowed to keep his $140K job working for the city he loved.

Sadly, it was not to be.

Last night, city officials voted to begin the process for removing him from office.

 "If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he’d want him terminated," said Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo’s Lighthouse Baptist Church. "Make no mistake about it."

With all due respect Pastor, you are wrong.

At times like these, it can feel as though the transgender community will never be given the respect that is do everyone in a just society.

But a society that allows the discrimination of any group of people also fails every member within that society.

 "We think this is a really clear example of the type of employment discrimination that transgendered people face every day," said Simon Aronoff, deputy director of the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington, D.C. "By all accounts, he was doing a good job. The only reason he was fired is because he made the brave decision to live openly."

I feel sorry for the citizens of Largo.  They are removing someone from office that worked tirelessly for the city and the city is a better place because of Stanton’s hard work.  Their bigotry will cost them the dedicated work of an outstanding city manager and will only be to the city’s detriment.

 "I’m going to be embarrassed if we throw this man out on the trash heap after he’s worked so hard for the city," said Mayor Patricia Gerard, one of a few Stanton chose to share his secret with before last week. "We have a choice to make: We can go back to intolerance, or we can be the city of progress."

Shame on you Largo Florida.

We must take events like this only as a sign that work still remains to be done and not let the feeling of defeat take over,.  Do not allow the ignorance of others to dictate a second class status to those whom deserve nothing less then the same rights and privileges of all peoples.

While the fight is just beginning in Largo, we can not loose sight of  battles fought and won.

To counter the sad news from Florida, I’ve highlighted some recent positive events in the fight to gain what is just and right:

Positive Change for
Transgender Legal Rights

House passes anti-bullying legislation

"DES MOINES — The Iowa House on Thursday passed an anti-bullying bill that provides specific protections for gay and lesbian students.  The measure, approved by the House and Senate, bans harassment of students based on a number of factors, including sexual orientation, gender, age and race."

Transgender equality at the University of Florida

If approved, a referendum added to Tuesday and Wednesdays Student Government elections will amended the Student Body constitution’s nondiscrimination clause to include the terms "gender identity and expression."

Lawmakers Considering Bill Prohibiting Transgender Discrimination

HARTFORD, Conn. — State lawmakers are again considering a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.

ABA expands bias policy, includes TGs

American Bar Association expands its Model Code of Judicial Conduct. The new model code now states that judges shall prohibit bias against attorneys and parties based on gender identity and transgender status.

Attention Shoppers

Loehmann’s Transgender Shoppers Can Use Proper Fitting Rooms

"Discount clothing chain Loehmann’s reached an agreement this week with Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) that results in the store allowing shoppers to use fitting rooms, restroom and other store facilities that are consistent with their gender identity or gender expression."

"Loehmann’s also agreed to add “gender identity and gender expression” to its corporate non-discrimination policy."

Fighting the Good Fight

Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

 
 
Ordained Baptist Minister is Fighting Dismissal

"A professor at Spring Arbor University has asserted in a discrimination complaint that the Christian institution unlawfully removed her from a deanship and is now trying to get rid of her altogether because she told administrators that she planned to become a woman."

"John Nemecek, who now goes by Julie, says the university in Michigan removed her as assistant dean of adult studies last June, demoted her to a non-tenure track faculty position, and slashed her salary by 20 percent, to $44,977. The university, which is affiliated with an evangelical group of Methodists, also gave Professor Nemecek a contract that required her to work primarily from home and that forbade her to dress like a woman on the campus or to talk to other university employees about her decision to change genders."

A Positive Roll Model in Education

Transgender woman to speak at MSU

"David Nielsen, a former media specialist at Southwest High School in Minneapolis, left work on a Friday in 1998 as a man and returned Monday as Debra Davis, a woman."

"One of the first transgender people to work with high school students, Nielsen retired several years later and has since been educating people about gender issues and equality. Her next stop is the United Church of Christ in Mankato during a presentation called “Reading Rainbows: An Evening With Transgender High School Librarian Debra Davis,” sponsored by Minnesota State University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center, Women’s Center and CADA Inc."

Related Links

Sun-Sentinel: Largo to oust transgendered city manager
Bradenton Herald: Fired city manager gives transsexuals a champion
Tampa Bay News: Stanton tell employees he’s transgendered

News: Student Rally backs transgender prof
Ex-Gay Watch: Can one be a transgender Christian?
Chronicle of Higher Education: Transgender Professor Runs Afoul…
Boing Boing: University fires prof over transgender identity
Workplace Diversity: University firing transgender prof
Bible Gateway: Samuel 16:7

Gender Education Center: Debra Davis

 
 
  -April

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Nothin’ Funnier Then a Beating

Posted on February 24th, 2007 by April.
Categories: Celebrity, Ignorant, LGBT, Transgender, Video.

I sent the following e-mail to George Takei regarding an episode of the Jimmy Kimmel show that aired after showing Mr. Takei’s PSA video:
 
 

Hello Mr. Takei,

I want express my appreciation for the fantastic PSA video you did regarding Tim Hardaway.  You stood up to the bully and his ignorant statement, spanked him on national television, and made Hardaway look ignorant and silly.  You’ve become the clear winner in the court of public opinion.

The PSA video clip I’ve seen was cut from a segment of the Jimmy Kimmel Show.  I’m not sure if you produced it in conjunction with the show or not, but if you did I’d like to know if you’d address something from an episode following the airing of your PSA video.

On February 21st, Jimmy Kimmel had Rebecca Romijn as a guest to discuss her new roll as a transgendered character on ABC’s ‘Ugly Betty’.  During the interview he mocked transgendered men and women, made jokes while showing photos of several transgendered women, then wrapped up his "jokes" by reading from a book where a transgendered woman is hit with an ax.  All for laughs… real funny.

As a transgendered woman, I’ve faced the threat of violence and didn’t find the humor Mr. Kimmel thinks is there.  Mr. Kimmel’s "joke" hits close to home, even here in the tolerant San Francisco area, Gwen Araujo was beaten to death by a group of men… just like his "joke".

If you have any contact with the producers of the Jimmy Kimmel show, I’d appreciate bring attention to the fact that violence toward anyone is not funny - and that includes the LGBT community.

Here’s the segment from the 2/21/07 Jimmy Kimmel Show:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhf_uF3pgnU

All the best,

 -April

P.S. "Naked Time" is one of my favorite StarTrek episodes!

 
 
(h/t Pam’s House Blend)
 
 
 

Links

Pam’s House Blend: Jimmy Kimmel Jokes About Violence…
Shakespeare’s Sister: Know what’s hilarious?
After Elton: Best. Gay. Week. Ever.

George Takei: PSA: Tolerance

Gwen Araujo: Justice for Gwen Araujo
Transgender Law Center: Gwen Araujo

YouTube: Jimmy Kimmel, Mocking & Beating the Transgendered is Funny
ABC Television: Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Wikipedia: Gwen Araujo
Wikipedia: Jimmy Kimmel

Home Page: George Takei

  -April

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Glazed in Man Sweat

Posted on February 23rd, 2007 by April.
Categories: Gender, Ignorant, Sex.

hate |hāt|
verb [ trans. ]
feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone) : the boys hate each other | he was particularly hated by the extreme right.

The other day, I posted the video of George Tekei taking a shot at the ignorant statement made by former NBA All-Star player Tim Hardaway.  George illustrated he was the better man.  Choosing to have a bit of fun at Hardaway’s expense has the Intertubes a buzz, laughing at Sulu’s pwnage of the jackass.

Even those normally less supportive of gay issues have given George props.  A "gay dudes gross me out" coworker of mine yes not everyone in San Francisco waves a rainbow flag, sent me an e-mail - and I quote… "you have to see this video of Sulu giving Hardaway the total smack-down… it’s hilarious, funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.  Hardaway is Sulu’s bitch!"

Why?  Mr. Tekei stood up to the bully, spanked him on national television, made Hardaway look stupid, and became the clear winner in the court of public opinion.

I try to choose my words carefully.  To me, hate is a very strong word and expresses pretty intense feelings.  Rarely do I use the word and when I have, I’ll often retract it before I’ve finished the sentence.

[editors note: while writing this post, I did remember using the word hate while discussing taste of beets yesterday.  That's a good example, I think beets taste like dirt, but I'll cook them for someone else and I've used beet juice to dye pasta... I dislike beets, I don't hate them.]

Hardaway’s use of the word ‘hate’ made it easy to tease him and left little room for people to feel any empathy.  If he just stated disproval of gay sex, said gay people made him uncomfortable, or made him nervous to be around, it would be much easier for people to have sympathy for him.  Many people still feel uncomfortable being around someone who’s gay or seeing someone do something gay - two gay men, OK… two gay men holding hands, creeps them out.  But hate?  No, that’s area reserved for wackos like Rev. Phelps.

Hardaway is a bigot.  He’s ignorant and was foolish enough to express that ignorance publicly.  The outburst ended his career with the Continental Basketball Association, any future appearances in NBA events and could likely limit any future opportunities in coaching or media.  There is a chance if he’d try to make amends, work past his ignorance, that he could be welcomed back in front of the public… maybe on Fox News [sic].

But there is another kind of bigot, one far worse then Hardaway.  These bigot’s are too smart to come right out and say something so foolish as Hardaway did, but what they do say is just as ugly and hateful.  More distressing still, this group of bigots try - often successfully - to express their bigotry in a way as to sound reasonable or couched behind a question… they won’t say "let’s put the fags in jail", but they’ll ask "should we do something to protect the children?"

This second group also has little problem finding media outlets from which to point a finger, demean, and vociferate ideas that anyone different or having views outside their own, are somehow a threat. 

I might have some hope for people like Hardaway, but this second group deserves no sympathy.  They only wish to limit expression, impose their views and beliefs on others, eliminate reasonable debate, and only further reduce, what little of it remains, civil public discourse.

Michael Medved sits proudly within this group.

His column on February 21, spewed out a volume of crap like an olestra fueled nightmare:

"Tim Hardaway (and most of his former NBA teammates) wouldn’t welcome openly gay players into the locker room any more than they’d welcome profoundly unattractive, morbidly obese women. I specify unattractive females because if a young lady is attractive (or, even better, downright “hot”) most guys, very much including the notorious love machines of the National Basketball Association, would probably welcome her joining their showers. The ill-favored, grossly overweight female is the right counterpart to a gay male because, like the homosexual, she causes discomfort due to the fact that attraction can only operate in one direction. She might well feel drawn to the straight guys with whom she’s grouped, while they feel downright repulsed at the very idea of sex with her."

Shakespeare’s Sister posted the appropriate response:

"Thirdly, I love the presupposition that fat chicks and gay dudes automatically want to fuck NBA players, and that NBA players are so insecure that even if someone to whom they weren’t attracted was in their vicinity, they couldn’t begin to function. In fact, I just love the entire idea of straight men who are made uncomfortable by the mere presence of someone wanting to fuck them whom they don’t want to fuck. All I can say is that these assholes would crumple if they had to spend a week as a woman, getting chatted up, having their space invaded, being subjected to unwanted touching, and all other manner of unsubtle displays of attraction by, well, them. It’s precisely the kind of drooling, moronic Neanderthals who proffer asinine arguments like this one that have the least compunction about aggressive horniness—which is, I suppose, why they can’t imagine that there exist people who, even if they are attracted to someone, don’t feel compelled to practically hump his or her leg to show it."

The Rude Pundit tries to get Medved out of the shower:

"The very idea of this skeeves the fuck out of Medved, a man whose balls are so filled with unejaculated semen that it looks like he has cantaloupes in his pants. Medved says, "[M]any (if not most) Americans no doubt share his instinctive reluctance to share showers and locker rooms with open homosexuals." If this led to a larger discussion about sexual desire and irrational fears that lead to prejudice, it’d be fine. But, no, Medved wants to stay in the dripping wet shower room with the large, nude men, many of whom so tower over Medved that they could use his head as a nutrest."

Firedoglake asks Medved to stop sniffing jock straps and pay attention:

"Wow.  The staggering misogyny of this premise frankly deserves its own post.  I mean, it’s downright breathtaking how many of his own personal issues Medved lays bare with this analogy.  Apparently to him the only thing as repulsively un-fuckable as a dirty faggot is a fat woman.  As if fat women are somehow the antithesis of desirability because they don’t look like a bunch of pole-dancing blow-up dolls.  Ah, the NeoCon mind, where no matter what time of the day or night it is, somewhere in there, a monkey is washing a cat."

Pandagon expands our view:

"You can sense Medved protectively grabbing his ‘nads. Hardaway may be revolted, but what about “the distraction” faced by all the closeted gay colleagues who played alongside him or on other teams? He’s ok with that? Despite the “male bonding” through collective homophobia in the forms of manly joking and banter, these closeted players, because of people like Hardaway, suffered in silence, yet still performed their jobs on the court each game."

As a final note, who would want to have sex with this jackass anyway?

Links

Home Page: George Takei
StarTrek:  Hikaru Sulu

Wikipedia: Tim Hardaway
Wikipedia: Hikaru Sulu
Wikipedia: Continental Basketball Association

-April

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Quote of the Day

Posted on February 16th, 2007 by April.
Categories: Ignorant, Quote of the Day.

0 comments.

Who’s Really Winning TWoT?

Posted on August 25th, 2006 by April.
Categories: Homeland Security, Ignorant, Stupid, Terror.

What The Terrorists Want

Bruce Schneier is a voice of reason in a world full of panic and illogical reactions.

Mr. Schneier is a renowned security technologist, author, and regular contributer to The New York Times, Wired magazine and many other international publications. It’s often said, when people want to know how security really works, they turn to Schneier.

His writings cover a wide range of issues, from critical security faults in technology and "movie plot" terror fears, to ineffective use of resources deployed to mitigate terror threats.

His latest essay takes critical view at how the US (and the world) is responding to the latest terror plot involving liquid explosives on international flights.

Here’s an excerpt:

"The point of terrorism is to cause terror, sometimes to further a political goal and sometimes out of sheer hatred. The people terrorists kill are not the targets; they are collateral damage. And blowing up planes, trains, markets or buses is not the goal; those are just tactics. The real targets of terrorism are the rest of us: the billions of us who are not killed but are terrorized because of the killing. The real point of terrorism is not the act itself, but our reaction to the act.

And we’re doing exactly what the terrorists want.

We’re all a little jumpy after the recent arrest of 23 terror suspects in Great Britain. The men were reportedly plotting a liquid-explosive attack on airplanes, and both the press and politicians have been trumpeting the story ever since.

In truth, it’s doubtful that their plan would have succeeded; chemists have been debunking the idea since it became public. Certainly the suspects were a long way off from trying: None had bought airline tickets, and some didn’t even have passports.

Regardless of the threat, from the would-be bombers’ perspective, the explosives and planes were merely tactics. Their goal was to cause terror, and in that they’ve succeeded.

Imagine for a moment what would have happened if they had blown up 10 planes. There would be canceled flights, chaos at airports, bans on carry-on luggage, world leaders talking tough new security measures, political posturing and all sorts of false alarms as jittery people panicked. To a lesser degree, that’s basically what’s happening right now."

[emphasis added]

I suggest browsing his web site and reading his other essays. His arguments are clear and shine a bright light on what’s wrong with our current counter-terror efforts. Profiling, surveillance, being reactive to threats instead of proactive.

Schneier on Security

I’d also suggest reading an article over at reason.com that offers a different prospective to living with terrorist threats that’s rarely (or excluded) discussed by the main stream media. Don’t Be Terrorized - "You’re more likely to die of a car accident, drowning, fire, or murder".

Editors Note: This article was originally published here.  It has been republished on this site to preserve continuity.

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