New York Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote on Gender Identity Protections

The New York Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote tomorrow on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), the bill (S.2406) has previously passed the State Assembly twice but faces obstacles in the more conservative Senate.

The bill if passed would outlaw discrimination on the basis of gender identity/expression in New York state. Currently it is legal in New York to be fired from your job, kicked out of your home or be denied credit or public accommodations (like service in a restaurant) simply for being transgender.

To pass the Judiciary Committee 12 votes are needed, insiders say GENDA already has 11 supporters and needs one more to move on to a full senate vote.

UNCONFIRMED VOTES

DeFrancisco -- Onandaga County (518-455-3511 Email)

Saland -- Columbia, Dutchess Counties (518-455-2411 Email)

LaValle -- Suffolk County (518-455-3121 Email)

Winner -- Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Yates Counties (518-455-2091 Email)

Lanza -- Richmond (518-455-3215 Email)

Leibell -- Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester Counties (518-455-3111 Email)

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Contact your state senator if you are resident of New York state to vote in favor of the legislation.

Word of the Gay: "Identity Sphere"

An "identity sphere" is the concept that gender identity and expression is too fluid to fit in a linear model. The sphere allows for gender formations to flourish without the ranking of one expression as being better than another.

TMZ Draws Physical Comparisons Between Elena Kagan & Men

TMZ a gossip and entertainment news website is coming under criticism for attacking Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan based on her gender expression. First she was compared to "King of Queens" star Kevin James (I am highly certain there is no coincidence they selected that show). Today she was compared to transman Chaz Bono.

There has been speculation over Kagan's sexuality for some time now, some think it's a private matter, while others feel that public leaders should come out.

Regardless of how people feel about outing, and the importance of coming out, we can all agree that insulting someone based on their gender expression is unacceptable. This is as Bilerico puts it is an "open invitation to homophobia and transphobia" and that is exactly what the comments on the TMZ site by viewers express.

TMZ e-contact form for complaint.

Pittsburgh Rally Tonight Over Gender Expression Hate Crime

There will be a rally tonight in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where a well-known drag performer was beaten by 3 drunk men outside of the Pleasure Bar on Liberty Ave. The performer, Veruca has two black eyes, but is otherwise now said to be fine. Participants in the "Stop the Hate Rally" are being asked to come with at least one black eye (make up, face paint, duct tape) to show support.

Stop the Hate Rally!
729 LIBERTY AVE
PLEASURE BAR, 9PM
Friday, April 30, 2010

*Image courtesy of Prashanthns of Wikimedia.

New Yorker's Call Senate for GENDA

Today the New York LGBT advocacy organization Empire State Pride Agenda is urging New Yorkers to demand the senate vote on the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA). The bill if passed will outlaw discrimination based on gender identity and expression. GENDA has already been passed in the Assembly and now needs to be voted on by the Senate.

-Due to difficulty with job discrimination, one-fifth of transgender New Yorkers have incomes below $10,000 a year.

-28% of transgender New Yorkers have experienced a serious physical or sexual assault motivated by hate.

GENDA has widespread support, 78% of New York voters, Unions representing 2.1 million working New Yorkers, 30 Fortune 500 companies based in cities like Rochester, Corning, New York City and White Plains, and 547 clergy and lay leaders representing over 20 different denominations.

Please call your state senator and urge them to bring (S.2406/Duane) The Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act to the floor and to vote in the affirmative.

Tell Life & Style That Focus on the Family Aren't "Experts" in Raising Children

Life & Style a magazine for celebrity news, fashion, beauty trends, and gossip is coming under fire from LGBT activists. The magazine discusses the gender presentation of Shiloh the child of celebrities Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The magazine posts the headline "Why is Angelina Turning Shiloh into a Boy!?" and questions whether it is "harming the three year old?"

"The article cites several so-called "experts," like Glenn Stanton from the virulently anti-gay Focus on the Family who says: "They need help, they need guidance of what that looks like. It's important to teach our children that gender distinction is very healthy" (GLAAD).

Tell Life & Style that Focus on the Family aren't 'experts' in raising children and that targeting children for ridicule about the way they dress is unacceptable, regardless of their parent's celebrity status.

Contact:

Dan Wakeford, Life & Style: Editor-in-Chief
dwakeford@bauer-usa.com

Lindsey Ferraro, Life & Style: Publicity Manager
lferraro@bauer-usa.com
(201) 569-6699

Sarah Drabick
Life & Style: Associate Publicist
sdrabick@bauer-usa.com

The headquarters for Bauer Publishing (which includes an Entertainment Division that is the home of Life & Style and InTouch) is:

270 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Tel: (201) 569-6699
Fax: (201) 510-3297

Word of the Gay: "Twixter"

A "twixter" is a British term for a bisexual, or someone who is displaying mixed gender expressions.

Vigils Around The Country to Honor Slain Gay Teen Lawrence King

Feb 12th marks two years since the tragic murder of 15 year old Lawrence King due to his sexual orientation and gender expression. Lawrence King was an innocent victim of queerphobia, murdered simply because he asked a fellow classmate to be his valentine. We must never forget Lawrence King and the countless others murdered due to hate, and we must continue to fight for a comprehensive hate crimes legislation in every locale and an end to state-sanctioned homophobia/transphobia.

Minnesota

End the Violence
Blaine, Minnesota
Friday, February 12, 2010
11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m
Location: Blaine High School
Co-Sponsored By: Blaine High School Gay Straight Alliance
Virginia

Virginia

"I Love Larry"
Arlington, Virginia
Friday, February 12, 2010
All Day
Location: Wakefield High School
Co-Sponsored By: The Wakefield High School Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Questions: jclisham@arlington.k12.va.us 703-228-6711

To add a vigil or learn more goto http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/

Demand McDonald's Offer Protections Based on Gender Identity/Expression

The worlds largest fast food chain McDonald's has been under the spotlight after an Orlando manager refused to hire a seventeen year old transgender woman Zikkeria Bellamy because of her gender identity. The manager harassed the teen by leaving a voice-mail saying: "You will not get hired, we do not hire faggots" The manager of that location has since been fired, but the corporate policy still does not include protections on the basis of gender identity/expression.

McDonald's issued this press release regarding the incident:

"McDonald’s has a strict policy prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment in hiring, termination, or any other aspect of employment in the organization. The restaurant requires all employees to comply with local, state and federal employment laws." (GLAAD)

Please urge McDonald's to alter their corporate policy regarding employment practice to include protections on the basis of gender identity/expression.

Also, be sure to sign our act.ly petition to McDonald's on Twitter.

Open Forum: Butch or Femme?

The queer community has been known to showcase a variety of characteristics; among those being butch, femme, or neither. Are there masculine or feminine aspects to your personality, identity, physical appearance, or the dynamics of your relationships?

How do the labels butch and femme define you, or do they? What significance do identity politics play on you as a member of the queer community?

Web Spotlight: GenderQueer Revolution

GenderQueer Revolution is breaking down barriers and gender dichotomies and allowing people to express themselves as they see fit. They realize that for some people gender lies on a continuum while for others gender is irrelevant completely. The website offers ways to connect, information, resources, and events.

Do What's Right Ohio! - Pass the Equal Housing and Employment Act

In the state of Ohio people can be fired simply on the premise that they are or perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. There are no statewide protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Equality Ohio and Progress Ohio are looking to change that next Wednesday, June 17th in what is being billed as Ohio's first ever vote on a specifically pro-LGBT piece of legislation. The Equal Housing and Employment Act (HB 176) amends Ohio's existing Civil Rights Code to include sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Learn more at Do What's Right Ohio and be sure to contact your legislator.

Procter & Gamble Embraces the "T" By Including Gender Identity

The world's largest consumer products maker Procter & Gamble has amended its anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression.

The policy was recently amended to read: "We at P&G recognize the power that comes from people of diverse backgrounds and experiences coming together around a common goal. Our policy forbids any discrimination, harassment or intimidation because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or other non-job-related personal characteristic. Employees are encouraged to bring questions or concerns in this area to their management. Strict disciplinary action for violations of this policy will be taken, including termination of employment" (Wash Blade).

Thank P & G for voting to expand protections for transgender and gender variant individuals.

Word of the Gay: "Passing"

"Passing" refers to the ability to be regarded as the gender you identify with or are trying to convey. It is also used for queer people who can pass as heterosexual.