Louisiana Trans Advocates

Facebook - www.facebook.com/latransadvocates twitter - @louisianatrans

[latransadvocates]

A Statement by Louisiana Trans Advocates and Equality Louisiana on Recent News of the Abominable Treatment of a Transgender Woman in Natchitoches Parish

The leaders and members of Louisiana Trans Advocates and Equality Louisiana are full of grief and sadness today as we learn that a transgender woman has been held captive and tortured by three individuals in the Ajax area of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. She was systematically abused, assaulted and dehumanized by her captors for months. Through her remarkable strength and resilient hope, she fought to survive and successfully escaped captivity. Though law enforcement are often not allies to transgender women, she was courageous enough to work with them in order to prevent her captors from doing this to anyone else in the future.

The deprivation of freedom and basic human dignity demonstrated in this case serve as a reminder that things like this happen in the cities and parishes of our state and are far too often ignored by the media and law enforcement. It is not uncommon for transgender women to be subjected to violence that results in their death. LGBT people, people of color, women and many other populations experience unacceptable treatment on a daily basis. This woman survived, while many women do not.

We believe that everyone has a responsibility to fight for the basic humanity and dignity of all people. We have a responsibility to create communities and a society where acts like this don’t happen. We can create healthier, less violent communities by ensuring that everyone has access to employment, housing, and education without fear of discrimination, harassment, and violence. We hope you will join us as we work toward ending all violence and discrimination against transgender women and everyone else based on their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation because when it comes to ensuring human dignity, we can never compromise.

[equalitylouisiana]

Transgender People Are in the Front Lines of the Movement

Ashley Love wrote the following on July 6, 2010, about Stonewall and Sylvia Rivera and how the Stonewall story has been altered, essentially hijacked and edited to disregard the transgender community – especially trans people of color. I was dismayed when I first read it. Unfortunately, I found it to be true.

Today’s Louisiana LGBT advocacy and support groups have pledged to put an end of the all too common disregard for the transgender community. Well, most have. There is still a faction in New Orleans, LA, that will not yield to the lessons of history, and although they publicly state their actions are inclusive of transgender people, there is not a single trans person on any of their three boards – the 501(c)3, 501(c)4, or the Political Action Committee. Also, on the national level we still have to put pressure on the Human Rights Campaign to ensure the inclusion of our community.

I just want to keep the idea alive that prejudice is prejudice no matter what the source. With the National ENDA coming up for a vote any day in the Senate, I can’t say how important it is to remember that trans people are a part of the LGBT community and have always been at the forefront of the fight for equality.

Elizabeth Jenkins President, Louisiana Trans Advocates

Read More

[equalitylouisiana]

“Why would an asexual, atheist, intelligent, young, professional woman get up each Sunday morning to get to a Christian worship service?”

I asked this question to such a person recently, and to say I was ecstatic with her answer would be an understatement: “Because I wanted to be in community;...

[glsen]

LGBTQ youth! Have you taken GLSEN’s 2013 National School Climate Survey? Did you know that it’s the only national survey to examine the educational experiences of LGBTQ youth, and that it’s used to inform education policymakers and the public about the right of all students to be treated with respect? Learn why it’s so important in this video, and please take the survey now! www.glsen.org/2013survey

[ccabatonrouge]

New York Times: After Arrests on Charges of Sodomy, an Apology

A Louisiana sheriff apologized for the arrests of men on charges that they violated an anti-sodomy statute that has been ruled unconstitutional.

Capital City Alliance and Equality Louisiana are mentioned in this New York Times article, and Bruce Parker, Coalition Manager for Equality Louisiana, is quoted!

[equalitylouisiana]

At least a dozen men in the last two years have been arrested by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for committing no crimes. In a recent investigative report, the Baton Rouge Advocate discovered through examination of arrest records that the EBR Sheriff’s office has been arresting men…

[latransadvocates]

Take Action: Call Your Rep. to Reform Our Immigration System

Of the estimated 260,000 undocumented LGBT people living the U.S., over 20,000 are trans. Immigration reform is urgently needed for trans people and all people. Join me and NCTE in taking action now.

[equalitylouisiana]

Check out our new blog post.

[latransadvocates]

We know zero-tolerance policies affect minority children, including trans children, more than others.

[equalitylouisiana]

New Allies and Creative Coalitions

“Working with new allies in creative coalitions to advocate for a better Louisiana works. While we didn’t win every fight this session or accomplish all of our goals, we did demonstrate that a new way of doing politics in Louisiana can make a difference. We now have conclusive evidence of the ability of passionate advocates, community organizations, progressive thinkers, elected officials, and committed citizens to join together and fundamentally alter the way politics is done in Louisiana,” writes Bruce Parker, Equality Louisiana Coalition Manager, in the introduction of a report released by Louisiana Progress and Equality Louisiana.

New Allies and Creative Coalitions: A report on LGBT and women’s issues in the 2013 legislative session details the outcome of various legislative efforts that dealt with women’s and LGBT issues. Equality Louisiana is proud to have worked with Louisiana Progress on this report and proud of the groundwork laid this session by progressive communities for coalition building. As Bruce suggests, we are changing the way Louisiana does politics.

by Tim S. West Equality Louisiana

[latransadvocates]

Nation’s Leading LGBT Advocacy Organizations Respond to Senate Bill, See Opportunities for Immigrants and Demand No More Punitive Measures

from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project, GetEQUAL, Lambda Legal, National Center for Transgender Equality, Equality Federation and National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance

Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill with the potential to transform the lives of 11 million immigrants, including 267,000 LGBT immigrants.

We are one step closer to reforming our immigration policies and keeping more families together. The Senate’s action follows on the heels of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, which provides an estimated 28,500 same-sex, binational couples with an easier road to citizenship.

This legislation includes many provisions that will particularly benefit LGBT immigrants, such as eliminating the one-year bar on applying for asylum, providing protections for DREAMers and improving conditions for people held in detention facilities. The Senate’s bill limits the use of solitary confinement and explicitly prohibits the use of this practice based solely on a detainees’ sexual orientation or gender identity.

For all the good in the legislation, there are several hard pills to swallow. In exchange for its passage, the Senate pledged $40 billion for ‘border security.’ Our border communities will pay a heavy price for this mistaken political calculus. We believe the Senate made the wrong deal. This reckless and injudicious spending will have a harmful impact on border communities, particularly LGBT immigrants living on the border, and undermine the principles of humane enforcement.

The Senate also failed to include several amendments that would have strengthened the legislation for aspiring citizens and addressed the root causes of our patchwork of failed and mismanaged immigration policies. As the legislative process continues, we will advocate for provisions that protect workers, reunite families and allow young children to access the path to citizenship expeditiously. We will also advocate for tax-paying immigrants to receive their fair share of benefits and access to health care.

Now it’s time for the House to act. No more compromises, no more piecemeal provisions, no more extremist amendments. It’s time for the House of Representatives to introduce serious legislation that reflects the will of the country: to give 11 million men, women and children the chance to come out of the shadows and have a clear and direct path to citizenship.

[equalitylouisiana]

Pride Month Is Coming

With only six days left of the legislative session, we are beginning to move into June, Pride month. There will be events to celebrate all over Louisiana – from Shreveport to Alexandria to Lafayette to New Orleans. In the Capital City alone, Pride Fest, Pride 1, and Louisiana’s Annual Statewide Equality March will take place in June.

I’d like to encourage everyone to attend pride events that occur in your part of the state. I also hope that people from all over the state will consider making their way to Baton Rouge for the Equality March. Last year, over 300 people from around Louisiana attended, and this year we are hoping for even more. A large presence at public LGBT events is important for Louisiana. It shows our local policy makers, legislators, and business owners that we are here and that we are not going anywhere.

If you need more convincing to attend the Equality March, just take a look the excerpt below from a blog post by Capital City Alliance.

Kayla Mulford, Programs and Activities Chair for Capital City Alliance, writes, “On June 23, 2012, history was made in Louisiana! For the first time ever, over 300 members of the LGBTQ community and their allies stood firm and marched to the State Capitol steps in Baton Rouge. That day was a landmark moment for Louisiana – a display of the support, love and unity that has blossomed within the Pelican State.

As I look back on the days leading up to that momentous occasion, I remember the doubt that flooded my mind. Would people feel comfortable marching in the capitol city? Would we be faced with opposition, and if so, to what extent? Would the attendees be safe and protected by the city’s law enforcement?

However, as I recall the events of the day, I can’t help but smile and be humbled by the scenes that I witnessed: the massive church group with their matching t-shirts and rainbow flags waiving in the air; dozens of business representatives and employees proudly displaying their logos in support of a better community; the multiple media outlets ready to report on and capture the historic event; the chants, shouting and laughter of family and friends that filled the streets; the powerful and eloquent speeches of the fearless leaders that spoke at the rally on the Capitol steps. I remember trying to hold back the tears that kept forming in my eyes, and the only thing I can hope for, is for that tear to return over and over again as the years pass.”

by Micah Caswell Communications Coordinator

[thenotoriousamy-deactivated2020]

A Gorgeous Waitress Gets Harassed By Some Jerk. Watch What Happens Next.

[latransadvocates]

This is heartwarming as all hell.

[equalitylouisiana]

LGBT YOUTH – SPEAK OUT ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES!

The 2013 National School Climate Survey is GLSEN’s eighth national survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. It is a crucial tool in GLSEN’s mission for fighting anti-LGBT bias in K-12 schools across the nation. The...

[latransadvocates]

This is for ALL LGBT youth - including transgender students.

[equalitylouisiana]

Reflections on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Yesterday, May 17, 2013, marked the 9th Annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. After seeing the many Facebook posts, tweets, and blog entries that bore the badge of the day – I.D.A.H.O – I have been reflecting on the meaning of the day and have come to the conclusion that it was a perfect time to remind all of us that homophobia and transphobia are alive and well. As Mary Griggs, a fierce advocate for equality in Louisiana, wrote yesterday – it’s about privilege. We all have certain privileges afforded to us, whether we want them or not, because of our race, ethnicity, national origin, language ability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or even geographic location.

Twelve states and the District of Columbia have legalized marriage for same-sex couples, and the Supreme Court has the opportunity to overturn DOMA. But what about states where LGBT people still don’t have employment protections or effective anti-bullying policies in schools?

This year the Louisiana legislature was again presented with an employment nondiscrimination act that would protect employees of the state from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. And again, the representatives on the House and Governmental Affairs Committee voted against employment protections for LGBT people. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has a map showing other states that do not protect their LGBT employees.

Equality Louisiana, with other coalition members of Stop Bullying Louisiana, has been pushing a positive discipline bill that would provide for restorative practices in schools, rather than zero tolerance policies. This matters for LGBT youth in Louisiana schools because we know LGBT children, along with children of color and children with disabilities, are disproportionately affected by those policies.

HB 646: The Safe and Successful Students Act will come before the full Louisiana House of Representatives for a vote next Wednesday. I hope that we can all take the vigor and determination to end homophobia and transphobia that I saw yesterday into this next week. Take action to end the homophobia and transphobia in our schools by providing adequate training for our teachers, the opportunity for children to learn from their mistakes, and positive school climates that improve student performance – all things within the scope of HB 646. Please ask your representative to vote for this bill.

by Micah Caswell Communications Coordinator

[unapologetically-human]

[imashleigh]

Learning to, slowly but surely

[ccabatonrouge]

Self acceptance is a beautiful thing.

[equalitylouisiana]

With HB 646, the Safe and Successful Students Act, on the eve of what we hope will be successful passage out of the Louisiana House of Representatives, it’s worth reminding ourselves why it’s so important for teachers and principals to have at their disposal methods of dealing with discipline...

[latransadvocates]

Nurses explain ObamaCare in 90 seconds.