A federal judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction on December 31 against efforts by the Obama administration intended to ban transgender discrimination by hospitals, the Texas Tribune reports. U.S District Judge Reed O’Connor sided with Texas, along with the religious hospital network Franciscan Alliance and four other Republican-led states, in a lawsuit that claimed…
Political Art Month on the Chartreuse Couch
Ask your doctor if political art is right for you. May cause hindsight, nausea, projectile vomiting, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, bowel irregularity, dry mouth, high blood pressure, blurred vision, violent laughter, and other uncontrollable irritations. But relax it is only art. With your host, Gene Elder It is impossible to ignore politics, especially now, and it will be…
Challenging Transphobia Within Queer Spaces
Originally published in the San Antonio Current When I was asked to attend a friend’s queer-friendly Studio 54-themed party last year, I hit up my favorite thrift stores as soon as I could to find the perfect Bianca Jagger-inspired ensemble. The night of the party came, my look was red hot, and I spent the…
Commentary: Obama Administration Is Right on Transgender Issues
By Guest Contributor Dani Marrero Hi, Organizer, Aquí Estamos Aquí Estamos commends the directive of President Barack Obama to recognize the right of transgender students in public schools to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. While access to public facilities based on gender identity was already protected by federal law under Title IX,…
Restroom Issue Prompts SA Trans Teen to Speak Out
A San Antonio trans teenager is sharing her story of being bullied by classmates when, because of school policy, she had to use the boy’s restroom. In an interview with KABB-TV, Catizia Izzy Farris said, “People would throw water bottles at me they would push me into the stall. They would cuss at me a…
Great Expectations: A Trans Dilemma
“There is an expectation for trans women in our society to look and to act ‘traditionally feminine’ at all times.” When I wake up, I take a few minutes before I get out of bed — psyching myself up to get ready, whether for work, running errands or just hanging out with friends. I need that moment…
GLAAD Releases Media Guide to Debunk “Bathroom Bill” Myths
GLAAD has announced the release of a new media guide, Debunking the “Bathroom Bill” Myth – Accurate Reporting on LGBT Nondiscrimination: A Guide for Journalists, intended to ensure fair and accurate reporting of transgender-inclusive city ordinances. The guide discusses the importance of using proper language, the negative impact of reducing nondiscrimination ordinances to “Bathroom Bills,”…
The Power of Language: Discussing Trans Identity
As a trans woman, I would rather someone inquire politely than assume anything about me. Like most users of popular dating apps, I’ve had some fairly dodgy experiences while trying to put myself out there in the digital dating world. Unfortunately, these experiences have been shaped by how others receive my trans-ness. Unless I want…