Would you like to do a little something to help the homeless in your city? For very little cash and minimal effort, this short article might help you make some very effective choices for a homeless person this season and after. What To Give: 1) Earning power is primo. One of the best possible presents is something that helps a homeless person earn some cash. Consider buying a harmonica, recorder, or sheet music for the a cappella singer who starts to sound hoarse by the end of rush hour. If y...

<snip> Transfigurations Artist's statement -- Jana Marcus Transfigurations aims to illuminate who transgender people are, a subject which the mainstream culture has often shadowed in mystery and misunderstood. Navigating the waters of gender politics, the work also explores what comprises masculinity and femininity. The knowledge transgender people have acquired speaks to bridging a gap between the sexes. They have experienced the world from both a female and a male perspective. They have...

Once again, this begs the question: Would you be as open-minded to racial (or other) epithets? Please note that I've tried to extend to you nothing but civility and respect - I'm disappointed you couldn't do likewise. :shrug: Thanks for the asinine accusation that my position is equivalent to a close-minded, judgmental racist. That was helpful. Nice strategy, btw. Walk away, hide the thread, unable or unwilling to empathize with gay people (but willing to add insult to injury). What a pit...

I'm proud of what I did during the worst years of the AIDS crises. I'm proud of my 10 year relationship. I'm proud that I volunteer at GLBT non-profits (for 20+ years). I'm proud to be an advocate (and friend) of trans people. I'm proud to be an agent of change. I'm proud that I'm not intimidated by the ignorant or the dangerous. I'm proud that a younger generation is finding more opportunity in the world as GLBT people. I'm proud that I was born okay the first time. I'm proud that I can...

I have decided to take a stand against the shameful anti-trans sentiment in the Ann Coulter threads at DU. Honestly, can't you people deride a jingoistic xenophobe without talking about a penis, hands, adam's apple, fingers, birth certificates, bathrooms, or a vagina? And calling people an "It" is beyond contempt - :banghead:. DU, you need to evolve on this issue - preferably today.

I'm not afraid of the Republicans anymore. As I mentioned up-thread, my loyalty to the Democratic party is no longer going to be some altruistic exercise - one in which everyone gains at my expense. I would caution Democrats not to take GLBT votes for granted. To dismiss us as narcissists would be the final arrogance of a party who wants our money and votes but offers nothing except the feable claim that they're better than the Republicans.

I refuse to accept this argument anymore - it has no credibility. You either have the courage of your convictions or you don't. You either gain integrity by upholding your values or you don't. I won't support my own oppression -- I don't care who's asking me to do it. Democrats should be arguing that freedom for GLBT people and recognition of their civil rights is a victory for everyone. We shouldn't be asking any American to settle for anything less than their birthright. Why should I be ...

I was going to post more about this but I find that I'm just so damn tired of trying to explain to progressive Democrats why holding trans people in contempt is just plain WRONG. And, it's an indefensible strategy to attack Ann in this way; one cannot condemn the intolerance of Ann Coulter with anti-trans "humor". Is it not the ultimate irony to see DUers spew vitriol as effectively as Ann? :banghead:

There must be a way to express disgust with Ann which doesn't ridicule transgender people. C'mon DU -- let's evolve on this issue.

Here's an important read about the SF Bay Area transgender community. It details difficulties in securing full-time employment, economic inequality, discrimination and the limited job opportunities afforded trans people here in the Bay Area. Through the efforts of local advocates, over a dozen local employers have agreed to participate in a job fair at the SF LGBT Community Center - details can be found at the end of the article. <snip> In the transgender community, to have full-time w...

"Surviving and Thriving in the Midst of Anti-Gay Politics" -Glenda M. Russell, Ph.D. Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS); Vol. 7, issue 2, Nov. 2004 "...LGBT Americans, even those who do not view same-sex marriage as an issue of personal importance, are being exposed to demoralizing arguments and dehumanizing rhetoric." ______________________________________________________________________ I stumbled upon this article today and liked it so much, I thought I'd post it h...

I've been ruminating over this speech for a few days and thought it deserved a mention here at DU. Apparently, Kramer has pissed off a lot of people with this speech but keep in mind that it was delivered just 5 days after the general election. The public airing of 'dirty laundry' was a bit hard for me to take and I winced a few times on the first reading. He's a bit harsh with a few of his generalizations - but I think most gay men will recognize the themes Kramer is discussing. (Many peopl...