We are a peculiar breed. Our roots grow deeper than the cedars, and yet we don’t know precisely where or who it is that we grew from. We are a mystery as old as these hills themselves, and it…
Source: The Last of the Granny Witches
Health Care for Transgender Military Kids: Where’s the Equal Access?
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month is a time of celebration–and the members of today’s Armed Forces and their families represent the most diverse military population in history. But even with the Department of Defense (DoD) joining the celebration of this month, we are reminded that under the current DoD regulations, transgender service members are unable to serve openly, a damaging reality that hurts the entire family unit. Thankfully, that’s all about to change soon. The DoD is in the process of updating these outdated regulations. But unfortunately, the DoD also has specific healthcare guidelines that prohibit certain medical care for transgender military dependents.
With so much anti-LGBT legislation out there now, much of which targets transgender people, service members are often stuck in the proverbial closet protecting their transgender children. To make matters worse, when they are home, they are continuously fighting the battle to have their…
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On Restrooms, Gender, and Fear
Realities.
My wife and I have a joke. We tell it when we are out in public, at an airport or a restaurant or concert, and I need to use the bathroom. When I stand up to find a restroom I say to her, “Okay, honey, if I’m not out in five minutes, come look for me.”
We always laugh but, actually, it’s not that funny. The “joke” plays on the fact that I’m a gender non-conforming person, and bathrooms are not safe spaces for me. This has always been true, but in the current political climate, when states are passing laws regulating the use of bathrooms by trans and gender non-confirming people, we’ve been telling this joke more.
Sometimes gallows humor is all you have.
Here’s what happens when I go into a public restroom. I am female-bodied, but dress in a way that fits my own understanding of my…
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Oh No! Not the Transexuals!!!
Let me start by saying, I am in no way a political person. I do not have ties to any one group. I am merely a mother, who cares about her children and practices the use of common sense.
So, here are some common sense point I think many people are missing with this whole “Transgenders are in my bathroom!” media blow up.
- The new bill every one is referring to will NOT allow them to use the bathroom they see fit. It will STOP them from using the bathrooms they have deemed fit for themselves and have used all the years they have identified with their sex. This means you, yes you, have BEEN sharing a restroom with transgender people. Did it hurt you? No. Did you know? Not unless you are some form of pervert yourself.
- “Allowing them to use our bathrooms will open the door to predators”…
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Some random thoughts
about tech companies boycotting North Carolina (or anywhere else) over the recently passed Discrimination Act (in this case, North Carolina House Bill #2).
If they wanted their threat to have any immediate effect, every windows computer & phone (don’t laugh, I’m sure there are at least a few in the state!), every Google device, Android OS, Apple product, etc., would have an overnight update to no longer operate within the geographic boundaries of the state.
Every motion picture currently showing in the state would immediately be pulled from every streaming service still accessible and from every theater.
That, friends and neighbors, is how to conduct a boycott in a technological society.
Activism, elderhood, and public shaming
Source: Activism, elderhood, and public shaming
I’m still trying to put my own thoughts into words over this issue, and they are not coming easily. In the meantime, here’s someone else’s point of view on the matter.
Banned from using the name HERMES
Trademarks are limited to the particular field of commerce, and are not a blanket proscription on using the same name.
If you need a history lesson I’ve been making artwork dedicated to the Greek Gods for over 10 years. In 2006 I started a business called Hephaestian Studios selling idol statues on eBay, now I sell basic designs for print apparel, t-shirts and prints etc. This artwork is always related to mythology or associated subjects.
It’s my *thing*.
A particular god whom I’ve be devoted towards is Hermes, naturally I like making art for him, but his name is a big issue when selling online because it is trademarked. Meaning, I am not allowed to use the gods name in both his cultural context and religious context.
This first started with eBay. I owned a professional store on eBay with hundreds of listings paid in advance. One morning in 2007 I woke up to find my store closed and listings removed because I infringed on a trademark.
I was shocked, all my…
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