Why do conservative news outlets always slam the transgender community? The Federalist routinely prints articles that portray trans people as mentally ill. They use “experts” like Paul McHugh to validate their screed against us. They, and other conservative news sites constantly take stories that describe gains for the trans community and spin them around to […]
In 2008 the Democratic Party platform was trans inclusive for the first time. A big part of how that happened can be attributed to the chair of the Democrats’ LGBT Americans Caucus, Rick Stafford. Stafford was a gay man, HIV+ and a real fighter for LGBT inclusion in the political process. He passed away on September 2 and our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein sings his praises. Babs worked with Stafford for many years and today she reveals all of the contributions he made to the advances the community has seen in the past few years.
Cate O’Malley, with a hurricane looming on her doorstep, took the time to send us a blog for today’s New Content. In it she talks about the heroes of the trans community who have put themselves out there and advocated for change in an effort to make all trans people’s lives better. She also talks about the new trans activists who are making their voices heard. She believes that now is the time to fight harder to hold on to the gains we have made in recent years. The political climate has grown colder for trans people and we are under constant attack from right wing religious organizations that want us to disappear from the face of the Earth. See what Cate recommends that you can do to make things a bit better.
In 1968 Cate O’Malley enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. While she was not “out” as a trans woman she volunteered to join the military and serve our country. Now she finds herself decades later being told that she and her trans brothers and sisters are not wanted in the United State armed forces. She has some words for our Commander-in-Chief in her blog post today.
Today our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein looks at the actual cost of the ban on transgender soldiers in our military. President Trump tweeted the ban after consultation with several of his advisors who all argued against banning trans people from the military. He went ahead and issued a Twitter statement in three tweets. Part of the justification of the ban was the supposed high cost of providing medical care to trans soldiers. When Babs looked at the numbers they just don’t add up. Kicking trans soldiers out of the services will cost millions of dollars more than keeping them.
On Saturday, August 5, 2017 Sophie was asked to speak at a rally against hate toward trans people. Today she shares the text of the speech she delivered that day. We at TGForum say, well done Sophie.
On Thursday, July 13, 2017 Democrats stood together and tall for common sense military readiness, transgender equality and health care equality and were joined by 24* Republicans and defeated an unnecessary and hateful amendment by Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a Republican from Missouri, that would have banned the coverage of transition-related health care for transgender troops.
While Governor Chris Christie is in a stand off with the New Jersey Legislature over the state’s budget all of the state parks and recreational facilities are closed. Except the governor has access to a residence which is located in a state park very near the beach. While as a lame duck Christie enjoys a 15% approval rating and can’t run for reelection our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein is hoping that he will feel beneficent after his vacation at the shore and will sign several bills into law that benefit trans people in the state. In a special report Babs tells you what those bills are and how they would be good for trans people.
As we are on track to witness a record number of murders of trans people here in the United States, we are no doubt seeing a record number of qualified transgender people running for public office and that is a terrific way of fighting back. DANICA ROEM Danica Roem has worked in her personal and […]
Sophie is concerned that her generation of trans people has not succeeded in clearing the way for the younger generations of trans people. Progress was being made and recognition and respect was being earned and then a change of administration shifted the federal stance on transgender right from positive to negative. Sophie writes about two encounters she had while at work that demonstrate the success of the work that has been done and the need for continued work.
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and there will be several events around the country that focus on trans people. Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein has good advice when she says it’s time to stand up and show up. Most of the legislators who are busy passing restroom bills have never met a trans person. That makes June the perfect time to get out there, be seen, and if possible meet the legislators. Babs has some info on some events at the national and state level.
Cate O’Malley is a trans lady who is active in her community and who goes out and about quite a bit so you just know that she’s going to have to make a stop in the ladies’ room now and then. While Cate is a law abiding citizen who observes the speed limit, doesn’t shop lift, or deal drugs, she is classified as a lawbreaker in her home state. Why? It’s the ridiculous law that says people can only use the restroom that matches the sex on their birth certificate. Cate has a lot to say about those laws and the conservative men who write those laws.
Opposition to LGBT rights is strongest in the southern states of the U.S. Why is it that these states lead the charge by imposing restroom laws and taking steps to make life harder for their trans citizens? Dana Bevan has the answers to the problem and she shares them with you today in an essay titled Alabamafication. There are many threads to this tapestry of hate and they are seen most clearly in Alabama where corrupt politicians maintain control of the purse strings by making LGBT people the “other” that threatens law and order. Dana has the truth about Sweet Home Alabama and how the rest of the country is at risk of moving in that direction.
If you find the roll backs of trans rights being enacted around the country and by the Federal government then you have two options. You can complain about it on social media or you can get off your behind and get out to events that can help make things better. Not just marches and demonstrations but training sessions, meeting with legislators and learning to be an advocate for yourself. Babs Casbar Siperstein has some suggestions that you can follow to take action.
Babs Casbar Siperstein is very active in New Jersey politics. As the nation faces roll backs of trans rights protections Babs has filed a report on what is being done in New Jersey to protect trans rights. Several bill passed in the legislature recently but Governor Christie is unlikely to sign them. Trans people in the state are organizing and stepping up to demand that their rights be protected. Learn more in Babs’ report.
TGForum contributor Sophie Lynne found herself, unprepared, behind a podium giving testimony to her town’s borough council about an LGBT equality statute the council was preparing to vote on. Moved to speak when the floor was opened for public comment Sophie put up her hand, was acknowledeged, and went to the podium. What she said proved to be quotable and showed up in the local papers, along with her photo taken as she spoke. The statute passed. But Sophie feels many people who have been symbols for the fight for trans rights haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. Today she writes about those Symbols.
Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein reports from the frontlines in the resistance movement. First she talks about the organizations and agencies that will possibly be able to stave off attacks on LGBTQ rights from the Trump administration. Then she reports on what went on at a meeting in Philadelphia with Senators Cory Booker and Bob Casey which brought together a number of other legislators as well as activists and LGBTQ organizations to make plans for the coming months.
During the past eight years trans rights have been boosted by the Obama Administration. Rules were put in place to help trans people to get the equal treatment they are entitled to and President Obama was hailed as the “transgender rights president.” Trans allowed to serve openly in the military. Trans people actually visible in the administration. All those gains can be wiped away in just a few weeks when the new administration takes over. Babs Casbar Siperstein discusses what we may lose and she reports on the results of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey.
The Democratic National Committee’s Association of State Chairs (ASDC) held its Post-Election Meeting last week. Coinciding with that gathering, the DNC Executive Committee and Rules and Bylaws Committee met to conduct party business and establish the rules of procedure that will govern the upcoming election of the new Chair and slate of Party officers. Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein was there and has filed a report on what happened and how the Democratic Party is working to come back strong in the next election.
Emily Ott has been around and she knows that the next four years are going to bring many changes in the treatment of trans people by the federal government. We have been making progress toward ensuring all of our civil and human rights but the nature of the incoming administration has many concerned. Emily among them. What will the next four years bring? At this point no one knows but Emily has some ideas that she takes from history.
Like many in the U.S. Sophie had hopes for the next four years under the leadership of a more liberal administration, possible with more cooperation from congress, that would protect the rights of trans people. After the election when the Electoral College votes gave the presidency to the Republican candidate Sophie was in shock. She pulled back from social media and had to adjust to this radical shift in reality. Today she shares some of her thoughts on how the election will affect her and other trans people for at least the next four years.
Dallas Denny takes us back to the days of Germany’s Weimar Republic, a socially liberal, progressive democratic government that ruled Germany after World War I. During that time trans people became bolder and began to be seen out and about in public places. The good times ended when Adolph Hitler was elected chancellor and his National Socialist party came to power. Dallas feels that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it and she finds chilling similarities between the fall of the Weimar Republic and what is currently happening in the U.S.A.
Like many people in the LGBT community The Artist D is upset by the recent election and the prospect of a Trump presidency. There is good cause to be concerned but The Artist D is a pragmatist. She advocates not whining and moaning about it but getting organized and come up with a plan to push a progressive, inclusive agenda. The next four years is no time to be a wimp.
Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein takes a look at the possible ramifications of the Trump/Pence administration for members of the trans and LGBQ communities. She looks at everything from the progress our community has made through President Obama’s executive orders to the Affordable Care Act, trans in the military, and more. For some enlightenment on the dark days ahead read what Babs has researched.
Our political correspondent, Babs Casbar Siperstein, has been fighting for our rights as trans people for many years. Most often in that struggle she has had elected officials from the Democratic Party as allies. She has worked with and for Mrs. Clinton and she has words of advice for those in the trans, and the LGB communities about who has their best interest at heart. Read her comparison of the Democratic platform that Mrs. Clinton promotes and the Republican agenda that Mr. Trump would defend and promote. It is clear which party and which candidate will stand for you.
Dr. Dana Bevan has been unpacking and refuting the “report” by McHugh/Mayer in The New Atlantis that right wing media sites are now using as proof that being transgender is not real. Dr. Bevan has pointed out the errors in the author’s thinking, whether they are (as they seem to be) intentional, or result from poor research. Whatever the author’s intent we must conclude that their “report” is a political document meant to dismiss the reality of our lives. Even the staff at Paul McHugh’s former employer, Johns Hopkins, have issues a statement saying the “report” is full of errors and is unscientific. Read what Dr. Bevan has to say in her final blog on the McHugh/Mayer report.
