Fox News: "Don't Let Your Kid's Watch 'Dancing With The Stars'"

In what can be characterized as the most insensitive and transphobic online article in recent months, Fox News is advising their viewers not to let their children watch the new season of 'Dancing With the Stars'.  Why? Solely due to the presence of Chaz Bono.

In a post titled, "Don't Let Your Kids Watch Chaz Bono On 'Dancing With The Stars'", psychiatrist, and frequent commentator Dr. Keith Ablow warns of the dangers that Bono's transsexual influence will have on your children.

Throughout much of the article, Ablow refers to Bono as a "woman" and uses the pronoun "she".  Saying that 'Dancing With the Stars' is nothing more than part of Bono's transsexual "victory tour", is the last thing impressionable growing young people need to see:

"The last thing vulnerable children and adolescents need, as they wrestle with the normal process of establishing their identities, is to watch a captive crowd in a studio audience applaud on cue for someone whose search for an identity culminated with the removal of her breasts, the injection of steroids and, perhaps one day soon, the fashioning of a make-shift phallus to replace her vagina. 

It is a toxic and unnecessary byproduct of the tragic celebration of transgender surgery that millions of young people who do watch "Dancing with the Stars" will have to ponder this question: Maybe my problems really stem from the fact that I’m a girl inside a boy’s body (or a boy inside a girls body). Maybe I’m not a tomboy; I’m just a boy! Maybe I’m not just being bullied because I’m a sensitive, reflective young man interested in flowers, not football. Maybe I’m not just uncertain about my sexuality. Maybe I’m a girl! Maybe all this angst and suffering I’m feeling as I emerge into puberty and pass through it isn’t just because I’m changing, but because I should change completely—and have my breasts removed or my penis amputated!"

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Ablow should be aware of gender identity disorder, which is the primary reason that someone becomes transgendered later in life.  It is generally a life long condition, presenting itself early on in life.  It's not like a teenage girl would watch someone on television and say, "Hey, I like working on cars.  Maybe I need a penis."  Or perhaps a teenage boy is watching TV and says, "I don't like football.  Guess I should cut off my junk."  When it comes to the "If your friend jumps off of a bridge" analogy, it doesn't work too well when your talking about private parts.

Ablow then goes on to assert that Bono "should not be applauded for asserting she is a man (and goes about trying to look like one) any more than a woman who believes she will be happier without arms, has them removed and then continues to assert that she was right all along—her self-concept was that of a double amputee".  He then asks that if your child came to you and said that they would only feel complete if their legs were cut off, would you make a beeline for the plastic surgeon, or get your child the psychological help they desperately need.


What Ablow isn't telling his readers is the process that transgendered people must go through before undergoing sexual reassignment surgery.  At this point, Chaz Bono has not undergone surgery.  He has not stated whether or not he will do so.  Within the United States, before a plastic surgeon will agree to complete the procedure, they require a written recommendation from the patient's psychiatrist (and, often times, therapist).  To receive a recommendation, the patient is required to be under the care of the psychiatrist for a minimum of two years and to have lived as their new gender for that time, prior to surgery.  This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.  Ablow knows this, so why is he acting like your 16 year old kid can make an appointment to get a sex change next Tuesday?


I don't buy it.  Even Fox's own correspondents don't buy it.  Still, Ablow insists Bono "is not a man!"

NAACP Holds Town Hall On LGBT Issues, Forgets To Invite Anyone B Or T

As part of NAACP's 102nd convention on Monday, the organization held a town hall discussion on LGBT issues within the African American community.  The town hall was hosted by out CNN anchor Don Lemon.  The panel included lesbian comedienne Wanda Sykes, professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, actor Darryl Stephens from 'Noah's Ark' and writer/activist Kenyon Farrow.  The panel also included former director of the NAACP, Julian Bond.

Look at the panel in the above picture.  This was supposedly a discussion on "LGBT issues", yet at the table there is a lesbian, two gay men, another lesbian, a straight guy and a third gay man.  Notice anything missing?  Not one bisexual or transgendered individual was on stage.  Let's just call this what it was then, shall we?  A town hall to discuss gay and lesbian issues.

'The Advocate' brought the subject to light on their website Sunday.  While, at first, I was going to praise the magazine for bringing this to people's attention, upon further reading, the article simply added insult to injury.  The article was titled 'Trans Activists Criticize NAACP'.  Immediately, by the title of the piece, it painted the picture that transgendered activists have found something new to whine about, not that the NAACP actually did anything wrong.  The article goes on to quote trans activist and blogger, Monica Roberts, as writing on her blog, TransGriot:

"Not sure how the bi portion of our community feels about it, but I can say with certainty that the trans part of the rainbow community is not happy about the erasure of African descended trans people from this historic panel.  NAACP, if your goal is to have a serious discussion of the issues that face African American LGBT people, then you can't erase the people who are taking the brunt of the casualties and discrimination."

The one problem with the quote, was that it was initially credited to Stephanie Stevens, another trans activist altogether.  After complaints came in to 'The Advocate' from both Roberts and Stevens, the article was eventually changed to reflect the correct blogger.  By then, the damage had already been done.

This is just the most recent incident in a long line of scenarios where the bisexual and transgendered population has been the victims of ignorance, or invisibility and erasure at the hands of the rest of the queer community.  In an environment where 70% of LGBT hate crime victims are minorities, and 44% of victims are transgender women, having someone on the panel that could actually speak of that issue, firsthand, should have been a given.

Speaking as a bisexual man, I see time after time when my sexuality is discredited and discounted by the most vocal members of the gay community.  For example, 'It Gets Better' creator and media darling, Dan Savage, has published numerous blog posts that, at the very least, could be considered bi-phobic.  What he preaches about bisexuals is demeaning, insulting and....well, let Dan explain his position on the topic.  ***LANGUAGE IS VERY NSFW AT AROUND THE 2:00 MARK***



So, just as a recap, bisexuality is a "phase" and a "choice".  I guess, according to Savage, gays and lesbians are "Born This Way", but bisexuals choose their sexual orientation.  As for myself, I'm 36 years old, and my "bi phase" has lasted 25 years now.  I didn't "choose" to be bisexual.  Believe me.  As an American male, it would have been so much easier growing up straight or gay, than growing up bi.  I have faced ridicule from both sides of the aisle.  For most of my ex-girlfriends, I was too gay for them.  For most men, I was too straight.  Yes, I am in an opposite sex relationship now.  I have been with my wife six years in September.  Though I have been faithful to her, men turn me on too.  They always have.  Just because I happen to be in a relationship with a woman, doesn't mean that I'm any less bisexual than what I was six years ago.  If nothing else, I probably find myself more attracted to men now than what I have been my entire life.

Does my attraction to men mean that I am not able to sustain a loving, healthy relationship with a woman?  Does my attraction to women mean that I am not a suitable candidate for a long term relationship with another man?  Does that mean that the bisexual citizens of New York that married their same sex partners this week have made a terrible mistake?  According to Dan Savage it does:

"Sorry, but avoiding bi guys is a good rule of thumb for gay men looking for long-term relationships. Outside of San Francisco's alternate-universe bisexual community, there aren't many bi guys who want or wind up in long-term, same-sex relationships -- monogamous or not. 

Judging from my mail, when a gay guy or a straight girl gets involved with a bi guy, someone always winds up getting hurt. And guess what? It's rarely the bi guy.  

There are definitely some people who should fool around with bisexual men: OTHER BISEXUAL MEN! Jesus Christ, bisexuals -- if straights and gays treat you unfairly, then why not turn to each other for love and comfort? Judging from my mail of late, there's an unlimited supply of easily offended, extremely verbose, highly ethical bisexuals out there looking for love. Fuck each other!"

Lovely, isn't it?

There were plenty of representatives of the bisexual and transgendered community that could have been invited to be part of the NAACP's panel.  Adrienne Williams, founder of Bi Social Network, has been a proven leader in the bi community, building bridges with not only the gay and lesbian community, but straight allies nationwide.  In June, she was honored at the White House's LGBT Pride reception.

Regina Wells is the founder of This Is H.O.W., a non profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of trans persons here in the Phoenix area.  Founded in 2006, TIH provides counseling, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and shelter for trans individuals that are at risk or in danger.  She was Echo Magazine's Woman of the Year in 2007.

These women know first hand the struggles that minorities in the bisexual and transgendered community face.  Their years of experience make them experts in their field.  Why then, were they not invited?  What excuse can the NAACP give?

You know, last month, Dan Savage presented a challenge to those in the bi community.  In my mind, the words ring true for our trans brothers and sisters.  He said,

"I'm sorry, bisexual activists, but you're doing it all wrong. Instead of berating me for my alleged bi-phobia—and if I'm the enemy, you're in real trouble—berate your closeted compatriots. If they all came out tomorrow, you could put an end to bi-phobia, take over the LGBT movement, and kick my ass out of it."

I say we take him up on his offer.  The LGBT community should be just that:  a community.   We have all been through the same prejudices in life.  We have all been victims of discrimination.  We all want equal rights.    What many in the "community" fail to understand is that gay rights are bisexual rights, just as they are trans rights.  We are all connected, whether we want to admit it or not.  Together, as a community, we are stronger.  You would think that those in the LGBT community would want as many voices as they could get.  Maybe it's time that some of us became more vocal.

Breaking News: Interview With Woman That Tried To Stop McDonald's Beating

For those of you that have seen the now viral video of Chrissy Lee Polis, getting beaten by two women outside a Baltimore area McDonald's ladies room, it's apparent that no one in the restaurant tried to save her.  The manager made a vain attempt to break up the attack.  Other employees can be heard laughing and practically cheering the assailants on.  The employee that took the video even went so far as to tell the attackers to run, before the police showed up.

No one seemed to be on this young woman's side, except for Vicky L. Thoms.  She is the lady in white that steps in at about the 2:00 mark to try to protect Ms. Polis.  If you watch the video closely, you can even see Polis wrap her arm around Thoms' leg, in a desperate attempt to get away.  But Thoms was out numbered and out matched.  She was punched, "the way someone would punch a man", according to Thoms, and shoved to the ground.

"Interviewed in her home Monday by The Baltimore Sun, Thoms said she had stepped in because she feared the assault on Polis might be fatal. "I thought, 'They're going to kill her,' " Thoms recalled, stressing that she is not a heroine and would have helped anyone, despite her concern about aggravating a back injury. I couldn't take it any more," Thoms said, describing her horror as she watched the beating for about two minutes.

She also said she had no idea the victim was transgendered, but added that it would not have mattered. "It didn't matter if it was a pig laying there being beaten," she went on, tearfully.

"I still would have helped. I knew she was clinging on to her life. I just keep seeing it over and over again." 

  

Breaking: Candlelight Vigil Taking Place Tonight At Scene Of McDonald's Beating

At 7PM Est. tonight, a candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place at the McDonald's location in Rosedale, MD, where Chrissy Lee Polis was savagely beaten on April 18th.  The vigil, organized by a number of local equality, trans, and LGBT organizations, is meant to show support for not only Ms. Polis, but the transgendered community in the Baltimore area as a whole.

The vigil is being planned Trans-United, TransMaryland, the Baltimore County for Equality, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and other allies. 

“Our primary concern is for Ms. Polis’ well being. We will support her through this difficult time and we ask that the legal process be unhampered and thorough,” TransMaryland spokeswoman Jenna Fischetti says in a press release issued on April 24. 

“This is precisely the kind of hatred and bigotry that transgender women and men deal with on a daily basis,” adds Caroline Temmerand of the GLCCB, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland. “We as a society have failed if we cannot do more to protect all Marylanders from this kind of brutality.”

Based upon a large number of hateful comments that I have seen on local Baltimore news sites, I wouldn't be surprised to see some counter protesters, at what should otherwise be a peaceful event. When video of the vigil becomes available, I will have it posted on The Daily Twitch.

So far, Baltimore Police has charged one of the assailants, a 14 year old female, as a juvenile.  Police are still trying to determine whether to try her as an adult saying, "We're looking at the proper place for her case to be".  The prosecutor has not ruled out the filing of hate crime charges at this time.

The other woman involved, 18 year old Teonna Monae Brown, was arrested on a count of first degree assault and two counts of second degree assault for her role in the April 18th beating.  She has extra charges against her for punching the 55 year old woman that tried to stop the attack.

Interestingly enough, she was arrested on July 27, 2010, for a fight with a man, that took place inside the same McDonald's location.  The victim in that case dropped the charges, but refused to tell prosecutors why he wanted them dropped.

The District Attorney's office has said that no charges will be filed against Vernon Hackett, the asshole that filmed the attack on his cell phone and did nothing to stop the beating.  The state of Maryland does not have any laws that impose punishment on someone that fail to help those that are being attacked.  He did lose his job, though, and has had his name and image blasted across every television across the state labeling him as a douchebag.

In case you were wondering, Polis is planning on suing the McDonald's corporation for what some of their employees did that evening, but more importantly, what they didn't do.  No one stepped in and helped her when she needed it most.

Transgendered Woman Brutally Beaten In Baltimore Area McDonald's

A 22 year old transgendered woman was severely beaten at a McDonald's location in Rosedale, Maryland, a Baltimore suburb on April 18th.  She was using the ladies restroom, when two females, aged 14 and 18, dragged her out by her hair, and proceeded to beat her mercilessly.  The attack went on for three minutes or more, while customers and employees of the restaurant stood back and watched.  The manager feigned an attempt to break up the fight, while an elderly woman literally tried to get between one of the attackers and the victim.

To add insult to injury, an employee of the chain, 22 year old Vernon Hackett, recorded the hate crime on his cell phone, all the while yelling, "That's a fucking dude".  By the end of the attack, the victim is shown in the doorway of the McDonald's entrance, having a seizure.

***The following video is NOT SAFE FOR WORK.  It is very violent and may be disturbing to some viewers. It shows an individual getting beaten, almost to death, simply because of their sexual orientation.***



To make matters even worse, Mr. Hackett posted the following message on his Facebook page regarding the attack the following morning:

This is someone that has been working at this McDonald's location, according to sources, since September of 2009.  Instead of helping someone in need, he taunted the victim and recorded them getting beaten while on duty.  Then, he went home and publicly insulted the victim.  At last check, he's still an employee of the company.  Since posting this status update, he has deleted his Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accounts.  The video and status update were thankfully copied by other people before the pages were taken down.

Please go to an an online petition at Change.org, demanding that the employees that were working on the night of April 18th be held responsible for the beating of this woman.  Most did nothing to help her.  Some even encouraged the two young women that attacked her, and even told them to "Run, before the police get here".  Conduct like this is unacceptable.

The 14 year old involved has been charged as a juvenile, and the 18 year old has charges pending against her.  Equality Maryland is pushing for the women to be charged with hate crimes.

Update:  Within the last hour, the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the woman has died (see update number 5) from her injuries.

Update #2:  Fox News is reporting that the victim was not transgendered, but instead, a "male cross dresser".  Of course, they are!  First of all, I don't think the right wing homophobes at Fox News have ever even used the word "transgendered".  They probably wouldn't know how to spell it if they tried.  Secondly, they are basing that report on the Facebook post of the employee that took the video and incited the attackers.  He should be charged as an accessory.

If you watch the clip again, and I hate to ask you to do so, at around the 1:00 mark, you can hear the victim say, "Where am I supposed to go, then?".  In my mind, at least, that tells me that she's transgendered.  In reality, it doesn't matter.  Even if she was a "cross dresser" (dammit, I hate that term), if she identifies herself as a woman, she's a woman.  End of story.

Update #3:  Earlier this month, HB 235, Maryland's "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Anti-discrimination" bill died in the state Senate.  The bill was to have sweeping protections for transgendered individuals when it came to discrimination regarding employment, housing, and public accommodations.  A key reason that the bill died was due to debate as to whether "public accommodations" would include the use of public restrooms.  Many elected officials thought it would be too controversial to approve such a measure, and decided to indefinitely delay the bill.  I wonder if the bill will likely come up for reconsideration now.

Update #4:  According to the Baltimore Sun, Vernon Hackett, the McDonald's employee that videotaped the beating with his cellphone, and encouraged the attackers, "Police on their way. Y'all better get out of here.", has been fired:

"My first and foremost concern is with the victim," franchise owner Mitchell McPherson said in a statement, adding that action might be taken against other restaurant workers as well. "I'm as shocked and disturbed by this assault as anyone would be. The behavior displayed in the video is unfathomable and reprehensible."

Other employees can be heard in the video laughing and egging on the two assailants.  As of Friday afternoon, Baltimore Police would not release the condition of the victim.

I would love to be a fly on the wall during Vernon's next job interview, when he's asked, "So, what made you leave McDonald's?".

Update #5:  Finally, some good news emerging from this story, if that is even possible.  Contrary to prior reports, Chrissy Lee Polis has not died from her injuries.  In fact, she is out of the hospital.  She completed a video interview for the Baltimore Sun, which can be seen below.  In it, she harshly criticizes the employees of the McDonald's restaurant for standing by and doing nothing while she was getting beaten.  She also says that, at the moment, she is afraid to leave her home.  She would also like to meet the elderly woman that stepped in and tried to save her, so that she can thank her personally.

Two Word Tuesday

Spencer's Journey

Spencer's Blog
Spencer's Youtube page

Preview Of Two Word Tuesday - Spencer's Journey

Typically, a post for 'Two Word Tuesday' consists of two words, followed by a link or a video.  This week's post will be no different.  However, this week, I wanted to tell an important story.  It's the story of a 30 year old guy named Spencer from Melbourne, Australia.  I learned of Spencer a few days ago from a video on Tumblr.  The video led me to his Youtube page.  I was able to look into someone's world from a perspective you don't often see, and I had to share.  It's fascinating.  It's educational.  It's something that mainstream media doesn't show you.

Spencer is an FTM (female to male) transsexual.  The video I saw was of him at his plastic surgeon's office getting his bandages removed after having his breasts removed.   It was the latest step, and for Spencer, perhaps the final, in his journey.

For every person that decides to enter the FTM process, their course may be different.  The common starting point is wearing a binder, clothing that either minimizes or hides your breasts.  Depending on what you choose to wear, it can be very uncomfortable (sweaty, itchy), and sometimes very painful.  Binders come in all shapes and sizes.  A lot of FTMs use the "do it yourself" variety, by using a tight sports bra or Ace bandages to lessen the appearance of breast tissue, then wear loose fitting layers on top.  There are also a number of companies that offer professionally made binders online.

The next step is commonly hormone therapy, often referred to as "T" (for Testosterone).  Depending on what part of the world you're in, before getting a prescription for T, you may have to go through psychiatric counseling and get cleared by a psychiatrist.  That was part of Spencer's process in Australia.  Then, a medical doctor prescribes Testosterone to be injected at home every two weeks.  This increases muscle mass, deepens the voice and aids in hair growth.  For Spencer, he started at a dosage of 100mg every two weeks, and eventually went to 250mg every two weeks as his treatment progressed.

Once Spencer started building muscle mass, he ordered P90X, an extreme upper body workout program from the U.S., designed to quickly lose fat and gain muscle.  He also started preparing for the next chapter in his story.  One that would take him almost 10,000 away from his home to a doctor's office in Sunrise, FL.

Spencer and his girlfriend came to Sunrise to see Dr. Charles Garramone, a board certified plastic surgeon, to have his breasts removed.  Like I said before, the video I saw was after the surgery.  The results.  But wait until you see Spencer and his girlfriend.  They're so excited, so proud.  It's a dream come true for him.  You can't help but smile.  And the results.....amazing.

Everyone's "journey" is different.  It's not known if Spencer is going to stop his where he's at now, or if he's going to have gender reassignment surgery.  It doesn't matter.  In his mind, in his heart, and now, to the rest of the world, he's a man.  In a way, he always was.  Keep that in mind the next time you see someone that, to you, may look like a girl, but wants to be referred to by a boy's name.  It's a matter of respect.  Regardless of where he may or may not be in his "journey", it all comes down to respect, and I think you'll understand after watching these videos later today.

Keep in mind, this is the story of one person.  There are millions of others worldwide like him.  For more information about the FTM transgendered community, visit FTMInternational's website.  They are one of the leading advocates and organizations for the community.  For any FTMs themselves who are reading this that are looking for resources, a nice place to look would be Hudson's FTM Resource Guide.  It has everything from grooming tips, information on Testosterone, surgeries and urinal etiquette.

Just a note:  None of the videos that I will be posting later today contain nudity, nor do they contain any bloody surgery stuff.  At the top of the post, I will add a link to Spencer's Youtube page, and his Tumblr blog.

Chaz Bono - It Gets Better

This video was released a few days ago, but I was out of town, so I didn't have a chance to pass it along.  The Trevor Project has done an amazing job at showing a diversity of voices from the LGBT community in their It Gets Better campaign.  Videos from transgendered adults have been noticeably rare.  It was wonderful to see Chaz Bono step forward to say some encouraging words for the gay, transgendered, questioning and transitioning youth out there.

Transgendered Teen Denied Homecoming Crown

A trans high school student in Michigan was denied his crown as homecoming king, even though he had legitimately won the crown.  Oakleigh Reed (known as Oak), was told by his school principal that all votes for him had to be invalidated since he registered in school as a female.  This is despite the fact that school staff and students all refer to Oak as "he".  The school seemed to be comfortable with his status as a transgendered male.  Sadly, it appears that things are different when it comes to the race for homecoming king and queen.  The runner up was given the crown. 

Conservative PAC Calls Transgendered Democratic Candidate "A Confused It"

Brittany Novotny

An e-mail from the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee, a group backing Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, contained one of the sickest and most vile political attacks seen in recent memory.  In part, the email called Democrat Brittany Novotny, Kern's transgendered opponent, "a confused it".  Here is an excerpt:

Brittany used to be a “he”, had a sex change operation to make him into a “her” but turned out to become a confused “it.” Some have suggested that having a sex change operation is a person’s greatest act of rebellion and hatred toward God for His making them what they were.

It is truly sad to see people reject God’s love for them by being willing to mutilate themselves. If they would submit their life to God, they could find the true the joy in life that will forever elude them while on their path of rebellion. The hatred and rage toward Sally continues unabated in the homosexual community because Sally dared to declare their political agenda for what it truly is, more dangerous to the future of America than the threat of terrorism.

Kern has a history of making bigoted, anti-gay comments.  Here is one from 2008:

“Here in America we’ve had what, maybe three known real big terrorist attacks on our nation,” Kern told Fox 25 in Oklahoma City recently. “But every day our young people especially, all of us, but our young people especially are in a sense bombarded with the message that homosexuality is normal and natural.”

If you would like to speak to Sally Kern directly, and let her know that intolerance is never a campaign platform (in Oklahoma or otherwise), the home phone number for her listed on her website is 405-942-3504.  Thank you.

 

Canadians Vote Transgender Rocker "Sexiest Canadian Man"

JMG pointed me to a blog post at After Ellen a few days back about a recent poll conducted by Chart Attack, Canada's premier music magazine. Lucas Silveira, the openly transgender lead singer of the rock band The Cliks, became the first trangendered man to win their annual "Throw Your Underwear Award Male" (Sexiest Canadian Man)award.

Lucas received 38% of the votes, narrowly beating out Deryck Whibley of Sum 41(Avril Lavigne's ex husband), who received 34% of the vote.



When asked about taking hormones to complete the transition, Lucas says that he was disappointed at first to realize that he wasn't going to be able to take them because of the effect it was going to have on his voice. As a singer, it would have the same effect as puberty for roughly two and a half years. With touring and recording, it wasn't an option.

I started thinking about that because I feel like, not only am I a voice for the trans community going out into mainstream, but there are guys like me. We’re they guys who are truly in the middle. I’ve had top surgery, but I’m not doing T(estosterone). And to tell you the truth, I don’t know if I ever will. I feel very comfortable being where I am right now.

It's encouraging to see our neighbors to the North are so open minded. Would be nicer to see some of that progressive thinking on our side of the border. Here is a clip of Lucas singing one of my favorites: