CNN Documentary - 'Her Name Was Steven'

CNN presents the documentary 'Her Name Was Steven' on air nationally this weekend. The film followed Susan Stanton formerly Steve Stanton who was fired from her position as City Manager in Largo Florida when the desire to transition gender surfaced in the media.



Susan Stanton has quickly become not only a face for the struggle for equality in Florida, but she has become an icon nationwide. She even had the honor of being recognized at LOGO TV's Visible Vote '08 where questions were asked of the Democratic presidential contenders.

The documentary premiers on CNN this Saturday and Sunday 8 and 11 pm ET

Dr Oz Show Features Segment on Transgender Kids

Dr. Mehmet Oz a cardiothoracic surgeon and author who hosts the Dr. Oz Show had a segment today on transgender children. The show featured a child who is a trans girl, and a teen who is a trans boy as well as their supportive families, and a knowledgeable and trans-affirming surgeon.





The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and Trans Youth Family Allies attended the taping and have said the show is one of the most supportive and informative mini segments to ever hit national television.

Dr. Oz has asked for feedback about the segment and we encourage you all to applaud his efforts and encourage more shows of this nature in the future.

http://twitter.com/DrOz

http://www.doctoroz.com/contact

Word of the Gay: "Transacademic"

A "transacademic" is a scholar on transgender issues.

Blog Spotlight: Trans Political

Trans Political is a journal that discusses transgender and broader LGBT political issues. The blog also features the author Vanessa's personal reflections and wide array of experience on queer subject matters.

Web Spotlight: Trans Christians

Trans Christians provides a space for transgender Christians and their allies to learn about gender variance in the Bible, affirming Christianity inclusive of gender identity/expression and much more.

Word of the Gay: "Transdar"

"Transdar" is similar to the concept of gaydar in that some people have the supposed ability to detect transfolk. Unlike gaydar where an out person would have no problem being seen as gay, some trans people do not want to be associated with or defined by their past. It would be offensive and wrong to try and out someone who is transgender.

David Letterman Show Promotes Trans Disgust

The David Letterman show on the CBS network has insulted Amanda Simpson, a trans woman who was recently appointed to the U.S. Commerce Department by the Obama administration. In the clip below David Letterman announces the news, followed by a guest on his show who breaks out in shock that "Amanda used to be a dude" the man is disgusted and outraged and runs off stage, the segment insinuates the man had some sort of relationship with Simpson and reinforces the sentiment that being transgender is somehow disgusting, misleading, and abnormal.



This isn't David Letterman's first transphobic problem, he made news on this blog two years ago when he insulted F2M Thomas Beatie the pregnant female to male transsexual. While we approve and acknowledge that Letterman has done some good, ie: standing up for marriage equality, his continual jabs at the transgender community cannot go on without consequence.

Contact David Letterman and tell him to apologize for this offensive jab at Amanda Simpson and the entire transgender community.

Email:cbsmailbag@aol.com

Sign the petition directed to the shows Executive Producers.

Stop Maryland Vehicle Admin's Gender Change Policy

Equality Maryland is asking people to take action to ensure that the proposed new rule at the Maryland Vehicle Administration regarding changing gender does not take place. The new rule would make it more costly, difficult, and lead to potential embarrassment and harassment for transgender Marylander's.

Click here to stop MVA drivers license changes.

Transgender Awareness Week Nov 15-20th

Transgender Awareness Week takes place from November 15th up until November 20th which is the Day of Remembrance, a solemn day to remember lives lost in the transgender community. The week is an opportunity to educate, engage, and get active on behalf of equal rights and fair treatment for transgender and gender variant people and their families.

Educational resources on Trans community:

Diversity Lesson 101: Transgender

Diversity Lesson 101: Genderqueer/Intergender


Activist organizations for Trans community:

National Center for Transgender Equality

The Transgender Law & Policy Institute

FTM International

Gender Education and Advocacy


Get involved locally and find events at your LGBT resource center by checking the LGBT center directory.

Word of the Gay: "Passable"

"Passable" is a term used among the transgender community and admirers to describe a person who is seen and treated as their desired gender identity.

Word of the Gay: "Benny Berdache"

"Benny Berdache" is a term for Native Americans to describe effeminate men who were either homosexual or transgender whom they believed to be spiritually superior and enlightened.

Word of the Gay: "Gender Bender"

A "gender bender" is someone who actively transgresses against the traditional gender norms. Gender benders can include anything from a biological male acting effeminate, or a female with masculine traits, to someone who alternates between the two.