Tegan my transition so far - Picture version

"Gender Identity: Transform vs Conform"

UK: Incitement to Transgender Hatred [PFC call to action]

BACKGROUND On 8th October 2007, during the Second Reading of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced that he wanted to hear views, from parliament and from outside organisations, on whether a new offence of incitement to hatred could or should be created to cover hatred against transgender and disabled people. See http://www.pfc.org.uk/pfclists/news-arc/2007q4/msg00025.htm

Since then Press For Change, GIRES and others have met with the Bill team and/or submitted memorandum to the Public Bill Scrutiny Committee which looked at the Bill. See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmpublic/criminal/memos/ucm39102.htm

So far no Government amendment has been forthcoming. This does not mean that the Government will not bring forward amendments at a later stage but, with Report Stage and Third Reading scheduled for 9th January and Parliament already having risen until 7th January, there is a diminishing likelihood of any movement before the Bill is passed to the Lords for their deliberations. Therefore, Lynne Jones MP has tabled appropriate amendments which you can read at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/015/amend/noa0151218.72-78.html

– they are NC14 –NC16 and NS1-NS2. NC14, NC16 & NS1 are all concerned with creating a new offence of incitement to hatred on transgender grounds, while NC15 and NS2 give powers to the courts to hand down increased sentences for crimes where transgender was an aggravating factor.

The latter was never suggested by Mr. Straw but does seem to go hand in hand with the former. WHAT YOU CAN DO We would like you to contact YOUR MP over the Christmas break. We want you to ask him/her to vote for the three New Clauses and two New Schedules that will finally give trans people some protection from people inciting hatred against them.

When you write, feel free to refer to PFC’s memorandum on the Parliamentary website (link above), but best of all, please do give any personal examples you may have where you have been affected in this area. HOW TO WRITE TO YOUR MP It is unlikely that you will be able to meet with your MP easily at this time of year – they’ll want to celebrate the holiday as well – so you’ll probably find it easier to write to them.

To find out who your MP is and a little about them, you can go to http://www.pfc.org.uk/node/1485 and enter your postcode. You can follow the “Send a message to ...” link to send a message via WriteToThem.com This is sent via a web form so you might want to write your massage in a word processor and then copy it across when you’re happy with the result.

Alternatively, you can send a letter to: [Name of your MP]House of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AA Do bear in mind the Christmas post though. Remember, whatever your preferred method, when writing try to be succinct, clear and always polite.

Regards Tracy DeanVice President, Press For Change

What famous lesbian do you most closely resemble?

Seems I resemble K D Lang, hope my ex doesn't see this as she has a crush on K D. :)

What famous lesbian do you most closely resemble? Your Result: K D Lang   You're earthy, crunchy, a little dykey and people like you. You're artistic and talented and you are a diehard vegetarian. No meat will ever touch those precious lips of yours!
Katherine Moennig
Rosie O'Donnell
Tammy Lynn Michaels
Melissa Ethridge
Portia Di Rossi
Ellen Degeneres
Jackie Warner
What famous lesbian do you most closely resemble? Make a Quiz

Walking Around In Women's Underwear

I was going to post this on the forum as it is seasonal but was beaten to it..........Thanks T :D

Settling in

OK so with the imminent demise of Yahoo 360 I have decided to find an alternative and have settled for here.

So far I have added all my 360 stuff and in future will be adding here.

I hope that my friends from 360 find another space to continue their blogs too and I can visit them there. Wasn't there that long but I made friends with some wonderful girls and I hope many find their way here, they are all special to me.

Now I will get on and familiarise myself with things here.

Transgender Remembrance Day

I Am Transgender

by Robbi Cohn

I am the person who is unemployable merely because of my gender identity.

I am the person who lives within a heartbeat of homelessness.

I am the person who might be reduced to prostitution to survive.

I am the person most likely to commit suicide because I have no way to survive.

I am the person living with the despair of hopelessness.

I am the person my family has abandoned and forgotten.

I am the person my church tells me is damned.

I am the person the military has asked me to “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

I am the person right-wingers think will molest women and children in bathrooms.

I am the person who has the same values as other human beings.

I am the person Barney Frank has asked to wait my turn.

I am the person my political party wishes would just go away.

I am the person who has spent countless hours educating in vain.

I am the person who my political party has claimed still needs to educate.

I am the person my community has asked to not make waves.

I am the person who advocates for equal opportunity.

I am the person who believes in diversity.

I am the person who believes people should be judged by what they do, not how they look.

I am the person who wants to love and be loved.

I am the person my one-time friends and acquaintances often shun.

I am the person who works for equality for all marginalized human beings.

I am the person who abides by the principles of Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am the person who trusts in the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi.

I am the person who finds solace in the love of the Great Spirit.

I am the person who was created to be free.

I am the person who was endowed by my creator to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I am the person whose potential should remain unlimited, yet has been marginalized.

I am the person society has disenfranchised.

I am the person who must work in stealth, lest I be fired.

I am the person who has erected a wall around myself so as to keep my reality secret.

I am the person other minorities have disinherited.I am the person elites within my community tend to disparage.

I am the person who lives in your neighborhood.

I am the person who attends your church.I am the person who works side by side with you wherever I am employed, if I am employed.

I am your brother, sister, father or mother.

I am transgender.