Bill O'Reilly fears the new Transgender character on Glee - WATCH

MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry discusses being Trans in America - WATCH

She is joined by Kate Bornstein, Mara Keisling and Mel Wymore a NY Democrat Council candidate

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A Mother learns to accept her Transgender Son - WATCH

I'm From Driftwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit forum for true lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer stories. Earlier this year, founder and Executive Director Nathan Manske and two companions successfully completed a four-month, 50-state Story Tour collecting LGBTQ stories from towns and cities across the country.

RuPaul's views on the word 'Tranny' and the TV show 'Work It'

RuPaul had some things to say about the word 'Tranny' and ABC failed series, 'Work It'.

Of the ABC sitcom, "Work It," in which two straight men dress in drag in order to get jobs and which has been criticized by gay and transgender activists for mocking transgender women, RuPaul implores the activists: "Don't take life so seriously... We live in a culture where everyone is offended by everything."

On Lance Bass's apology for using the word "tranny," Rupaul says: "It's ridiculous! It's ridiculous!... I love the word "tranny"...And I hate the fact that he's apologized. I wish he would have said, 'F-you, you tranny jerk!'"

Well Ru, just because you like the word 'tranny' doesn't make it great to say. It's offensive and we can deny that.

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ABC Dumps 'Work It'

ABC just axed the messy, 'Bosom Buddies' RIP OFF, 'Work It'.

This show drew HUGE criticism from Trans community over their sloppy attempt to tell a story. Plus the writing was broke.

Here's more:

Out of the gate, Work It was dismissed by both critics (who criticized its brand of comedy) and the gay community (for the message it supposedly communicated). The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Human Rights Campaign took to out an ad in a Hollywood trade to show how the sitcom that starred Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break) and Benjamin Koldyke (How I Met Your Mother) have a negative impact on the transgender community. Using photos of transgender Americans, an ad in Variety features statistics from the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force on discrimination to demonstrate how the comedy could be misinterpreted by viewers.

ABC Entertainment Chief Paul Lee told reporters last week that he didn’t understand the response from the advocacy groups. He has said in the past that, as a Brit, he appreciates the cheeky humor that comes with cross-dressing comedies like the Dustin Hoffman movie Tootsie.

GLAAD’s senior director of programs Herndon Graddick released this statement today: “While many of ABC’s positive and groundbreaking portrayals of LGBT people have been critical and popular successes, the public had little interest in this outdated show. As a result of this campaign, an important dialogue has been started in Hollywood and mainstream media about the real discrimination faced by transgender people today.” 

Unlike 'Tootsie', this premise was not cute.

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TN State Rep. Richard Floyd threatens Transgender People: 'I’d just try to stomp a mudhole in him'

God, my homestate! When I google LGBT things in Tennessee, I never know what will pop up. Usually, it ain't cute. Like today, I stumbled on this piece of crap from state Rep. Richard Floyd.

Right now, he's trying to ban Transgender people from using public bathrooms and dressing rooms.

During the bill introduction, this idiot said some dumb and threatening things:

Floyd said earlier Thursday he introduced the bill after reading a news story about a Texas woman who said she was fired from Macy’s after stopping a male teen dressed as a woman from using a dressing room.

“It could happen here,” Floyd said. “I believe if I was standing at a dressing room and my wife or one of my daughters was in the dressing room and a man tried to go in there — I don’t care if he thinks he’s a woman and tries on clothes with them in there — I’d just try to stomp a mudhole in him and then stomp him dry.

“Don’t ask me to adjust to their perverted way of thinking and put my family at risk,” he said. “We cannot continue to let these people dominate how society acts and reacts. Now if somebody thinks he’s a woman and he’s a man and wants to try on women’s clothes, let him take them into the men’s bathroom or dressing room.”

 Sorry, Floyd, but I think a Transgender person would whoop your ass if you tried that.

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The "Girl Scouts" Drama heats up

This girl made a fool of herself after launching this stupid cookie boycott. She is upset about the Girl Scouts' acceptance of a transgendered girl. Since the video was launched, the parents of this ignorant girl made the video private.

However, it has sparked a lot drama and many people are responding, like transgender activist and adult film star Buck Angel

Real talk, the parents of this girl should be ashamed and embarrassed

Transgender Teen Documents Transition on YouTube - WATCH

From HuffPo:

Recently, 18-year-old Owen Middleton began documenting his transition on YouTube. His first video appeared on November 10th, before beginning testosterone.

In it he notes he has been transitioning for "about 15 months or so" and has so far gone through the "basic stuff" -- "coming out to people that I've known for a long time, introducing and presenting myself as male..." but, as he recently turned 18, he now has a prescription for testosterone therapy.

Since then, Middleton, who lives at home with his parents and his sister, has made several more videos, one explaining the differences between sex, sexuality, and gender, and two discussing his feelings and reactions to the testosterone therapy at the one-week and two-week milestones.

The story of the Mainesis Twins, a boy and a Transgender girl

The story of the twins, Jonas and Wyatt Mainesis all over the web. Wyatt has discovered that he is a girl and wants to become Nicole. Now, the parents rally behind their child and support Wyatt's transition. Here's a piece of the story from ABCNews.com:

Their parents, Wayne and Kelly Maines, said they brought their transgender daughter into the spotlight in the hopes that their story might shed light on the struggle of others. 

"We sat down with our kids at the breakfast table when they were 9 and talked about fear, hate, evil and freedom of speech before sending them to school," their father, Wayne Maines, 52, wrote in an email to ABCNews.com. 

"I was very angry and sad to have to talk to our small children in this manner," he said. "We also told them to keep their heads-up, be proud and take care of each other and their friends. I am very proud of them both because they have not forgotten that lesson and they continue to help others whenever it is safe to do so." 

I am glad to hear that the parents are supportive. As Wyatt continues the transition, their support and love will go a long way.

Please check out the Boston Globe article as well, it's a very inspiring story of family bond.

Oprah's Network host Two Transgender Documentary Specials - VIDEO

Anti-LGBT Violence has Increased part 2: People of Color and Transgender people are Highly Targeted

Remember my posts about the number of Anti-LGBT violence in 2010? Well, a chunk of those incidents were directed towards people of color and 44% of them were transgender women.

Here's more:

The study also found that transgender people and people of color are each twice as likely to experience violence or discrimination as non-transgender white people. Transgender people of color are also almost 2.5 times as likely to experience discrimination as their white peers.

....

The NCAVP report found that half of those who experienced hate violence did not contact the police after their attack. The report further found that 25.4 percent of transgender women did not file a report. So what can be done to reduce these rates of violence against LGBT people and communities of color?

The Audre Lorde Project is among the groups that organize LGBT people in communities of color that are increasingly looking beyond law enforcement and the criminal justice system for a solution. The Safe OUTside the System Collective works with bodegas, businesses and organizations within Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and surrounding areas to create safe spaces for LGBT people of color to curb violence.

“What’s true and important is our communities have been and continue to organize around issues of harassment—whether it’s neighborhood or community harassment or [harassment] by the police,” said Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Audre Lorde Project.

There are so many things we need to do. Please read the report to look at the solutions, maybe even create some of your own.

Our community needs us.

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University of South Florida gives Transgender Students New Living Options

After a transgender student was harassed by other students in a residence hall, the University of South Florida decided to offer transgender students a safer alternative to live on campus.

Here's more:

Beginning Thursday, students can identify themselves as male, female or transitioning on their housing applications. Anyone who checks transitioning can live alone, with a friend or with a randomly assigned roommate. A student's choice of transitioning won't be disclosed to any randomly selected roommate without permission.

Then, in the spring, the Tampa school will begin a pilot program with several "gender-neutral" dorm rooms for any student who wants to live with another student of a different gender. Rooming with romantic partners will be discouraged. 

I hope this helps the transgendered students. Kudos to USF for setting this up.

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In Massachusetts: Rep. Sheila Harrington thinks Trangender people Change Genders a Regular Basis

Rep. Sheila Harrington

Massachusetts’ Judiciary Committee is in talks for a Transgender Rights bill. However, it is clear that some legislators are not fully educated about transgender issues, like Rep. Sheila Harrington.

Here's the scoop from Think Progress:

While some opponents warned that the bills would lead to sexual assaults in bathrooms, undermine morality, harm children, and overburden state residents, others demonstrated their unfamiliarity with transgender issues entirely. In the clip below, Massachusetts Rep. Sheila Harrington (R) asks two transgender witnesses if transgender people are able to change their genders on a “day-to-day basis”:


HARRINGTON: “I’m not sure if this means that on a day-to-day basis you could be appearing as a woman or appearing as a man, but in your own identity and your own feeling of self you would be the other gender….”


GUNNER SCOTT (Dir. of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition): “I think one thing to understand is that transgender people, first many of us struggle with this for many years and at the end of the day we want to blend in and not stand out. As somebody who identifies as a man, presents as a man, according to my birth certificate it still says I’m female. And so what the opponents would say is that someone like me who looks male should be going into the women’s room. And I know that that’s wrong because I would make women uncomfortable.” 

See here:

UPDATE In Nevada: Two More Transgender Protection Bills reach the desk of Gov. Sandoval

Yesterday, 2 more bills protecting Transgender peeps hit the state Nevada. The community is now waiting to see Gov. Sandoval act on them.

The Assembly on Monday passed a bill adding transgender people to the list of groups protected from discrimination in housing or rental agreements.


Lawmakers also passed a measure prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in public places such as restaurants. The bill makes an exception so bars can host gender-based promotions such as Ladies Night.


All Democrats and three Republican Assemblymen voted in favor of the two bills. They now head to Gov. Brian Sandoval.


A third bill barring employment discrimination against transgender people passed both houses and was delivered to the governor last week. 

The Governor has until Wednesday or Thursday to sign or veto the bill. He needs to do the right thing and sign them into law.

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UPDATE Gov. Sandoval signed Bill 211 into law.

Sandoval signed Assembly Bill 211 in a ceremony attended by transgender activists and the bill's primary sponsors, Assemblyman Paul Aizley, D-Las Vegas, and Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas.

Under the bill, which will go into effect Oct. 1, employers cannot discriminate against people based on their gender "identity or expression," which could be opposite of the gender they had at birth. However, employers could require appropriate workplace clothing and grooming standards.
It becomes unlawful "to fail to hire or to fire or otherwise discriminate" against transgender people. 

Only employers with 15 or more employees would be subject to the law. Estimates are there are 25,000 transgender men and women in Nevada.

Nevada's Trans Protection Bill is on the table, Gov. Sandoval! Please sign it!

In Nevada, The Trans Protections bill is rett to go, but the fate of that bill lies in the hands of their Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Gender identity and expression would be protected classes in state employment protections should AB 211 pass. The bill's fate now lies with Brian Sandoval, Nevada's 47-year-old Republican governor. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sandoval aides have remained mum on what the governor will do with the bill. The state's senate has also passed legislation that would protect transgender people from discrimination in housing and public accommodation — the state assembly has not yet taken action on those bills.


“The state legislature is blazing the trail to full equality in Nevada,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese in a press release. “We urge them and Gov. Sandoval to continue to fight for what’s right and pass these important protections in employment, housing and public accommodations.”

The Governor has to see that this is the right thing to do. I hope that other LGBT organizations in the state are putting the pressure on him to sign it into law. Our Trans family needs the support and protection.

The White House will meet with Transgender Activists Today

Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality

The White House makes huge strides by actively reaching out to Transgender leaders today. The meeting will discuss policy matters and basic issues that continue to beset the Trans community.

Washington Blade has the scoop:

Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said the meeting, which is set to take place Friday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, will include transgender leaders who work on federal policy.

“OPE routinely holds meetings with various stakeholders to discuss various policy issues,” Inouye said. “Friday’s meeting, like most OPE meetings, will be closed press and off the record.”

Additionally, Inouye said the meeting will be the first ever for the Office of Public Engagement where transgender issues are the sole focus of discussion.

“While transgender issues have been covered in previous OPE meetings, and transgender leaders have been included in other OPE meetings, this would be the first time OPE has held a meeting solely focused on transgender issues,” Inouye said.

Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said she plans to attend the meeting.

“This is the first president who has allowed trans people — really allowed LGBT people — to bring forward problems and then advocate for them,” Keisling said. “In the Bush administration, we couldn’t even do that. They wouldn’t even listen to us. They didn’t care what our problems were. In fact, they were making most of our problems.”

I am glad this is happening, however I hope that the attendees are representing a diverse group of Transgender leaders. There are many voices that need to be heard.

Hawaii now have Employment Protections for the Transgendered Community

Tony Wagner from HRC with Kim Coco Iwamoto, Hawaii State Board of Education member and a high ranking transgender official

Sorry to be late on this, but Hawaii passed the bill that provides job protection to the Trans community.

The Hawaii Senate approved a bill, previously passed by the House, to ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the workplace.

"The march towards full equality in the Aloha State continues," said Alan Spector, Equality Hawaii Co-Chair. "Providing employment protections to transgender citizens in Hawaii is a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law for all residents of our great state."

Equality Hawaii and The Human Rights Campaign worked together to build support for HB 546, which passed by a 22 to 2 vote on Tuesday.

Discrimination against transgender individuals is already illegal in Hawaii for housing, public accommodations and employment, but the ban on employment discrimination has only been established by rulings of the Civil Rights Commission and has not been written into the state statute.

Gov. Neil Abercromie said he will sign it into law.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Ban Trans Discrimination in the Workplace

In Hawaii, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that will ban workplace discrimination based on gender identity.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Monday approved the bill, which was previously passed in the House. The vote was 3-2 with Sens. Mike Gabbard and Sam Slom opposed.


Discrimination against transgender individuals and others based on their expression of gender is already illegal in Hawaii for housing, public accommodations and employment, but the ban on employment discrimination has been establish by rulings of the Civil Rights Commission and has not been written into the state statute. The bill approved Monday by the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, HB 546, would write the anti-discrimination language into labor law.


Advocates said the law is necessary because employers are confused because the language is not specifically in the statute. Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed an identical bill six years ago, but Judiciary Chairman Sen. Clayton Hee said Monday he is confident the provision will become law.


It still faces negotiations with the House, but the differences between the two houses are technical and not expected to prevent passage.

So there will be more to come on this issue. I'm hoping for the best.

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Interesting Quote: Elbridge James, Executive Director of Maryland Black Family Alliance

"Transgender Marylanders, especially transpeople of color, face significant discrimination, violence, and harassment in almost every aspect of their lives. The struggle to find ones identity should never be diminished by discrimination, harassment, or violence. Discrimination in Maryland comes at a price and is unjust. It's time for our state to join 12 other states across the country in ending discrimination against transgender Marylanders."

He's talking about House Bill 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, a bill that will protect transgender people in housing, employment and credit in Maryland.


Update the House just passed the bill

Today the Maryland House voted 86-52 to pass HB 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, legislation that would end discrimination in employment, housing and credit for Transgender Marylanders.


A report put out in February 2011 by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality found that 1 in 5 transgender people in Maryland have lost a job due to discrimination and 12% have become homeless.

Advocates emphasize that this law is a matter of life-or-death for some Marylanders and call on supporters to help secure passage this year.

Equality Maryland, along with members of the House of Delegates, and the LGBT Caucus, celebrate this victory and acknowledge the work ahead.

This is great news to start the day!

VIDEO: The Vigil for Tyra Trent

A few weeks ago the body of a young Transgendered woman, Tyra Trent, was found in a basement. On Friday, the LGBT community held a vigil for her.

Baltimore Sun reports:

A crowd of about 50 gathered at the corner of North Avenue and Charles Street, braving chilly winds to remember Tyra Trent. Speaking over the din of rush-hour traffic, Webb said: "Our struggle goes on. Let's keep the good fight going."

The vigil was organized by Sandy Rawls, director of Trans-United, which provides help to members of the transgender community.

"We all have our struggles," Rawls said. But, she added, resources are scarce for transgender individuals.

Rawls said she had been working with Trent to formally change her name and obtain her GED.

"Being transgender takes a strong mind, not just to fight society but your own insecurities — a lot want to give up," said Stacy Williams, 35, who knew Trent since she was 15, before she made the "transition," which he said took Trent two or three years.

He said it was a "major step" for Trent to work toward a high school equivalency degree after struggling with drugs — "but she got her life on track," he said.

Williams was among several of Trent's friends who attended the gathering.

"It feels good to see everyone here supporting the same cause," he said.

Two people led songs, but most people remained quiet, clutching small white candles inside Dixie cups.

Trent's mother spoke briefly to the crowd, thanking everyone and asking them to "keep us all in your prayers."

Please watch the video

A hat tip and wink to Rod 2.0