Silverton Oregon’s Transgender Mayor

Silverton, Oregon has elected the first ever transgender mayor in the nation.

Stu Rasmussen didn’t have any problem winning his post. He actually won over a state senator who also ran for the position.

Rasmussen actually says he is straight and has a girlfriend. He is just partially a woman. He has no plans to change his gender, but he does have breasts. Stu says he identifies most with heterosexual men, but adds “I just like to look like a female.”

GA Exclusive: An Interview with Meghan Chavalier

I recently had the distinct honor and pleasure of interviewing Meghan Chavalier, founder of Stopping The Hate, an organization dedicated to putting an end to hate crimes against those in the LGBT community.

Stopping The Hate is also a place where the LGBT Community can stay up to date on the news, events, and other happenings in the United States and around the world pertaining to our community.

The LGBT Community was built on a foundation of love and respect for one another and they celebrate that.

They are a new organization, but are hoping to gain your support so they can grow and be able to provide more outreach programs for the LGBT community.

Below is my interview with Meghan.

Please tell me about stoppingthehate.com. I was always one of those people who asked themselves, I’m only one person what can I do?  Well, I was on my computer one night and was reading various LGBT news stories when I came across the story of Angie Zapata who was murdered in Colorado for being transgender.  At first I was saddened, and then I got angry.  It was at this moment when I decided I had to do something and this is where Stopping The Hate began.

What do you consider to be stoppingthehate’s best attribute? I think right now, it’s the columnists and the weekly columns on the website.  It’s a chance to get different points of view from many different people.  I think it’s important that everyone can see the differences in all of us, but when you put it all together, we become one and that’s what we’re trying to do here.

What are your goals for the future? I hope that Stopping The Hate will bring hate crimes to the forefront and that they won’t just be a passing news story any longer.  I want people to take a step back and realize that if we join together we can change the world one person at a time.

What are your personal aspirations and what are your aspirations for the world? I used to think my only goal in life was keeping Meghan Chavalier the entertainer alive and in people’s minds, I guess on some level when you’re in the entertainment industry you just don’t want to be forgotten.  There’s a level of vanity in the industry and sometimes you buy into your own hype, and it’s not unusual that it can happen, but now my goal is to wake people up from their slumber and start to realize that things aren’t going to change unless we get off our butts and do something about it.  I personally am on a mission to make sure that people know exactly what’s happening to our community and that we won’t allow it to go on any longer.

What do you consider to be the greatest issue facing the LGBT community today? There are so many issues facing our community, but Hate Crimes are rampant and nothing is being done about it. I think it’s really easy for our government to pass a law and say, “There, aren’t we great, look what we did for you,” but honestly have they done anything at all except pat themselves on the back?

What do you consider to be the greatest issue facing the transgender community today? When I first transitioned it was a different time and place. It was the early 90’s and things were really difficult for transgender men and women.  Today, I think people know about transgender individuals but they need to understand that we aren’t what they see on Jerry Springer.  We are intelligent, educated, businessmen and women, trusting, caring, loving people.  We are portrayed as freaks to the public on shows like Jerry Springer and when people see these types of shows, they think it’s okay to laugh at us and heckle us in public.  We need to change the attitudes that are out there because it won’t stop until we do.

What would you consider to be the best way to combat prejudice against LGBT citizens? I think the best thing we can do as a community is to band together and let the world know that we’re not second class citizens, that we are human beings and that we deserve the same rights and civil justices as anyone else.  The only reason people think being gay is wrong, is because our society has conditioned us to believe it is.   A change is needed, and we have to start somewhere.  We have made so many strides a community but we have to learn to grow together to change the world around us.

Please share any encounters with discrimination you have personally endured. I’ve had many in my lifetime.  I worked on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for years and it was a transsexual nightclub so we would always get laughed at and called names on the streets.  I’ve been beaten up a few times, but I always got back up.  Many people don’t get back up, they stay down for good.  I am a person who believes that you can do whatever you want to in your lifetime and if someone tries to put a wall up, you have to take it down brick by brick and get through to the other side.  Because you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender does not mean you shouldn’t be afforded all of life’s possibilities because someone else doesn’t understand you. I also think it’s very important for people to understand this isn’t just a lifestyle, this is our life.

What, if any, would you consider to be the greatest disconnect within the LGBT community? I think it’s the same with every community, you hear about something horrible, and then you thank God it didn’t happen to you and move on with your life, but what if in that one moment you stopped and actually decided to do something about it.  Imagine the possibilities.

Do you have any thought on how race plays a role in the LGBT community? I think this is one area where the LGBT community has the upper hand on the heterosexual community.  We have always welcomed everyone, from every walk of life, no matter what race they are.  There aren’t really color lines in our community. We are a melting pot of everyone.  It’s a wonderful thing really.

What do you hold closest to your heart? My family, my friends, my domestic partner of almost 8 years.  I think loving and knowing that you’re loved is very important.  I believe love can conquer the world and I hope it does one day.

How long have your been transgender? I’ve been transgender my whole life, but didn’t transition until I was almost 20.  I guess I’ll be celebrating 20 years next year, around my 40th birthday.  I am so grateful I was able to become who I am today and not regret one moment.

What changes have you seen (positive and/or negative) in the transgender community in the past decade, and what do you consider to be the catalyst for those changes? I think the positive changes are that we’re seeing younger transgender men and women coming out.  When I was young, I can’t even imagine what could have happened to me had I tried to transition in the 1980’s.  It’s a positive step to see that younger people feel that they are able to do it instead of waiting like many of us had to.  I think that quite a few things need to change in our community to overcome some of these obstacles and it’s getting all of the transgender men and women to join together to work as a group.  I think that the silly fights need to stop. It’s not high school anymore it’s real life and when people begin to realize this, it will change.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I can’t imagine that I’ll be 50 years old in 10 years I know that’s one place I didn’t think I’d ever see myself being but now I welcome getting older because I feel so much wiser than I did in my 20’s. I hope that the Stopping The Hate organization has become a global effort  in 10 years and that we’ve really made some real changes.  I hope that laws are passed and our community is given the same marriage rights as heterosexuals and they aren’t appealed every time it happens.  I just hope that 10 years from now I can look back and say I did something that changed the world in some small way for the better and didn’t back down from the fight even when it seemed like the battle was lost.

If you could deliver one message to the entire world, what would it be? Learn to love yourself and love your fellow man or woman.  You’re only given a short time on this Earth, so why spend it hating someone?  Change your life and you can change the world.

Do you have any closing statements? I just want to thank you so much for doing this interview with me.  We have made a point here today that two people can come together, discuss, and work together.  Now, let’s get everyone else to do the same.

I would like to offer GayAgenda’s most sincere thanks to Meghan for taking the time to speak with us.  Remember, take the time to get to know others.  When you learn from others, it’s the best possible education you can receive.

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestion for Stopping The Hate, or if you’re interested in volunteering and doing the ground work in the state you live in to provide necessary updates, news and ideas you can contact the organization by visiting the website by clicking here, or emailing  stoppingthehate.com.

Reporting on Day 9 of GLBT History Month

Today is day 9 of GLBT History Month. In case you live in a closet and don’t yet know: GLBT is a popular acronym for gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender. We’re also now known as LGBT. I have no preference between these two acronyms. We used to be just GLB. Then came T.

Some folks wish to tack on an I for intersex and/or a Q for queer. That’s fine with me too. There’s more.

Such as another Q for questioning.

U for unsure.

A for ally.

Another A for asexual.

P for pansexual or polyamorous.

O for omnisexual.

If you’re S for straight, I guess you’re SOL, LOL. Unless you’re straight but not narrow AKA an ally.

Although so many letters together seem damn ridiculous, they’re A-OK with me as well. I’m pretty sure I don’t know all the acronyms that exist in attempting to be inclusive. I’m sure the acronyms and other labels will increase for those of us who are LGBTIQUAPOSBCDEFHJKMNRVWXYZ123…

GLBT’s have a rich and diverse history. S’s have a rich and diverse history too. H’s for humans also have a rich and diverse history. But let’s take some time to focus on GLBT history. Our history has been much ignored. When not ignored, it’s too often been maligned. We need to reclaim our history and to educate others about it.

Read the rest at julesjoyce.blogspot.com.

Action Alert: Don’t Cry for Me Argentina

After the La Matanza town council in Buenos Aires Province unanimously approved an ordinance requiring staff at county hospitals to call trans, travesti, or transsexual patients by their chosen names, Mr. Juan Pablo Incocciati, the La Matanza County Health Sub-Secretary, rejected it. This prevented the administrative changes needed to implement the ordinance from going ahead. Responding to pressure from activists, Mr. Fernando Espinoza, the La Matanza County Major, has overruled Mr. Incocciati and promised to implement the ordinance.

Among the rights involved in this case are:

The right to be free from discrimination
The right to freedom of expression
The right to an adequate standard of physical and mental health
Action

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) joins Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberación (M.A.L.) in asking that you send emails or faxes thanking La Matanza county authorities for their commitment to adopting the ordinance stipulating that travestis, transsexual and trans people should be called by their chosen names at public health centers.

Please send your letter to:

Mr. Fernando Espinoza, La Matanza Major
Telephone / Fax: +54 11 44413551
Electronic mail: fernandoespinoza@lamatanza.gov.ar
Mr. Juan Pablo Incocciati, La Matanza Health Sub Secretary.
Telephone / Fax: +54 11 4651-0740 or 4441-6788
Electronic mail: saludpublica@lamatanza.gov.ar
INADI - National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism
Address: Moreno 750, 1º piso, C1091AAP, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Telephone: +54 11 4340 9407
Electronic mail: inadi@inadi.gov.ar
Mrs. Gina Dinardo, Human Rights director La Matanza County
Telephone: +54 11 4441 9130
Electronic mail: gdinardo@lamatanza.gov.ar
Mrs. Silvia Caprino Alejandra Dulce Martines, Ombudsmen of Partido de la Matanza
Telephone / Fax: +54 11 4482 6229
Electronic mail: defensoriadelpueblo_lamatanza@yahoo.com.ar
Dr. Jorge Pueyo, HIV/AIDS Program of Partido de la Matanza
Lic. Gabriela Fernandez
Telephone / Fax: +54 11 4651 1381
Electronic mail: provihlama@yahoo.com.ar
Diana Sacayan, Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberación (M.A.L.)
(Representative for ILGA-LAC South cone)
Electronic mail: amancaylafe@yahoo.com.ar
Please also send a copy of your letter to:

IGLHRC Latin American and the Caribbean Program
Electronic mail: fdelio@iglhrc.org
Background

Until very recently, travesti people and their families have faced extremely discriminatory, and often hostile treatment at public health centers. Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel have habitually taunted them and made offensive comments about their gender identity, even in cases of severe illness.

In an attempt to promote basic dignity and respect for travesti people, activists from the Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberación (M.A.L.) and other organizations raised their concerns to the Buenos Aires Minister of Health, Claudio Mate and obtained his support for Resolution 2359, stating that in concurrence with law 13.175 relating to equitable access to health services, “the agreement of public hospitals regarding travesti and transsexual people identifies the need to adopt measures to respect their feminine and masculine identities.” The Resolution also advised health center personnel to use patients’ chosen names. It was ultimately passed and signed on June 5, 2007.

Mr. Edgardo Lobos, a Councilman and member of the Civic Coalition Party in La Matanza, promoted a similar ordinance that was unanimously approved by the La Matanza town council.

However, Mr. Juan Pablo Incocciati, the Health Sub-Secretary for La Matanza, refused to approve the ordinance requiring workers and professionals at hospitals in the county to respect gender identity by calling trans, travesti, or transsexual patients by their chosen names. His refusal meant that the administrative changes needed to implement the ordinance couldn’t go ahead.

IGLHRC and M.A.L. issued an action alert on September 26, 2008, asking people to write to La Matanza county authorities requesting that they adopt without reservations the ordinance stipulating that travestis, transsexual and trans people should be called by their chosen names at public health centers. That same day, several local organizations, including Miser, M.A.L. and Youth for Diversity, held a demonstration against Health Sub-Secretary Incocciati’s position.

The following day, La Matanza Mayor, Mr. Fernando Espinoza expressed his disagreement with Mr. Incocciati to a local newspaper: ” I was unaware of what had happened. Incocciati is an excellent Health Sub-Secretary, but obviously does not understand anything on this topic. I had not seen his opinion, but it is total madness. I fully agree with Mr. Lobos’ project.” To confirm his support for the ordinance, he added, “I have already contacted the councilors of the ruling block to express my opinion. In the course of the next two meetings the project will be approved as ordinance. If not, I myself will present a project from the Executive. Travestis know that they can count on me, like when I was a councilman. What they claim is logical and I am already studying what was done in Rosario City to use it as model.”

Local activists claim that the September 26 demonstration in front of La Matanza City Hall and the action alert issued by IGLHRC and M.A.L. were fundamental to opening a dialogue with civil servants.

IGLHRC and M.A.L. would like to thank everyone who responded to their September 26 action alert. To view that alert and learn more about the issue, click here:

Please Don’t Leave the T out of LGBT

According to a post on planetransgender.blogspot.com:

The Orginal ENDA 2015 submitted in April of 2007 included laungage which afforded protection to transgender people and GLB people regardless of how gay you are.Unfortunately it is of our opinion that political mistakes were made based on incorrect interpretation of history and a skewed sense of political expediecy..Barney Frank is of the opinion that transgender people are new to the advocacy arena and therefor not to be allowed to enjoy the same status as the rest of the GLB community.Transgender people have been in the forefront at the Compton Cafateria and Stone wall riots.The LBGT community has voiced it’s discontent via UNITED ENDA’s 7 million..

Read the rest here.

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