There are whys to transgender activism, but beyond the whys there are the whats of transgender activism. What does transgender activism seek to achieve? Well, here are the six major goals of trans activism with some explanation as to why. Employment According to the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)/Task Force report Injustice at Every…
For as much as they discuss the Ten Commandments, you might think that social conservatives would endorse legislation that made schools tell the truth. Nope. They are organizing in opposition, and frantically so. California SB-48, The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act, requires that schools include the contributions of LGBT Americans in social…
There are women of color and there are disabled women; there are lesbians and there are women of faith; there are mothers and there are servicewomen; there are women veterans and bisexual women, and that’s hardly an exhaustive list of the subcategories of women. Women’s experience intersects with multiple labels and multiple identities; each woman’s…
I spent a good chunk of water cooler time at work Monday answering the question, “So, how was Pride?” – which seems to be the July equivalent of, “What did you get for Christmas?” My answer is usually some combination of: “Had a blast,” “The fill-in-the-blank party was awesome,” or “You should come next year.”…
“One can change one’s (Veterans Affairs) record to reflect one’s gender without genital reconstruction surgery.” This was from the National Center For Transgender Equality’s (NCTE’s) talking points regarding a significant change to Veterans Affairs (VA) policies for transgender veterans. This change of policy on gender markers was clearly intended by the senior leadership of the…
For me, the highlight of my Pride weekend was being asked to speak at the first GLBT Pride panel in the 41 year history of the Catfish Club (an African American local institution). Good job to my fellow panelists, Schoolboard Member Kevin Beiser, Carolina Ramos and Stampp Corbin. Pride 2011 Wow! What, a weekend! I…
A big welcome to all our out-of-town visitors. San Diego is the proud home of the largest military complex in the Western Hemisphere, which means thousands of sailors and Marines. Trust me: I’ve been “Miss USO” for decades! Remembering 1974/75 Prides Our country’s first Pride events were really more likes marches than parades. Gay relationships…
Every government institution has its peculiar traditions. Lawyers in English courts still wear wigs. White House press conferences always end with a “Thank you, Mr. President” from the senior correspondent. And on the floor of the state Assembly, if you want to speak, you signal that by raising your microphone on its flexible stalk. On…
If I could give out honorary LGBT cards, U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis would be at the top of my list. As the representative from California’s 53rd District, which includes Hillcrest, she has stood up for the LGBT community at every turn. Many congressmembers check all the right boxes: “No” on 8, “yes” on marriage equality,…
As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride events in San Diego are on many of our minds, I can’t help but think about what I was thinking about last year and what I’m thinking about this year. Last year I was one of the two San Diego Champions of Pride. In April of 2010,…
