5/25/14

Drag show "Tranny Shack" rebranding to "T Shack"

Heklina, the owner of the drag show formely known as "tranny shack" has announced that it will be known in the future as "T Shack". She say she has done so becuse society has come to understand that transgender people find the word 'tranny' offensive.

Heklina posted the following message to Facebook:

Hey everyone! I just thought it was time for me to chime in and have my voice be heard. There’s been a lot of discussion, and a lot of it has been great to read, as this, for me and so many others, is a timely issue. Poor Brian Daniel Peters and LA Kendall LaBree have been dealing with the drama and speaking on my behalf, but now it’s time for me to chime in. I generally loathe to be political, but whether I like it or not the very name of my legendary nightclub has become political.
First, a little history about the name Trannyshack, and the club itself. When I started the club (waaaaaay back in 1996) the word “tranny” did not have the charged weight to it that it has today. Simply put, it was not (arguably) considered a slur word, and not even thought of on the same level as the words “dyke” or “faggot” (two words which, maybe ironically, have somehow become less charged and have been “reclaimed” to a certain degree-for instance, leading the Pride Parade in San Francisco every year are the Dykes On Bikes. I can’t imagine in this day, a contingent called Trannies On Bikes). There are people who might argue this, but I’m sorry it just was not a word thought of as a slur on the same level as today. It was just not. I considered the name transgressive, and cutting edge.

The club itself? It became a legendary San Francisco institution. A bastion of alternative drag and diversity. Every walk of life came to, and performed at, Trannyshack. Gay men, lesbians, drag kings, drag kings, M to F’s, F to M’s, Faux Queens, and yes, even straight people. It won every award for Best Drag show in SF every year, and is generally thought to have redefined drag on the West Coast. It didn’t matter (and still does not) what gender you were, or what you had between your legs, if you were a great performer you were welcome on the Trannyshack stage. It grew to mean a great deal to a great many people.



I am, and will always be, immensely proud of what I have accomplished with Trannyshack. It’s given me so many great experiences, it’s afforded me the great luxury of not having to live in the 9 to 5 world (which would kill me), and I have had the even greater luxury of working with and meeting the most incredible people. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s been my life’s work.
However. Increasingly, and in the past year especially, it’s become clear to me the meaning the word tranny has taken on. I’ve tried to avoid the issue because I’ve spent almost 20 years branding and promoting my club. But more and more, I am asked on the street, in interviews, and online about my thoughts on the word, and the name of my club. I’ve given the answer “Oh, my club is different, it means so much to so many people, it’s this it’s that, etc.”, but it’s been nagging at me. I started to talk to people close to me about the need for a rebrand. What really was the clincher for me was a post I saw on Facebook by a performer at my club . I wasn’t tagged in the post, but came across it anyway. He said how excited he was to be performing at my club but, out of embarrassment, he couldn’t type the name of it, and something along the lines of “you all know where it is”. Ouch, OK. Time for a rebrand.

I am in the business of (hopefully) entertaining people. It’s never been my intention to hurt people. I am not another Shirley Q. Liquor, wanting to offend just for sake of it. Also, on a purely business level, I don’t want to be viewed as archaic, out of step with the times, like an ostrich with my head in the sand.
OK, a rebrand. How to go about it? Time to test the waters. But, where to start? When Brian asked me to bring Trannyshack to Seattle for Pride, I thought this was a good place to start. I suggested the name T-Shack. Let’s see how this works, I thought. As expected, many people familiar and loyal to the Trannyshack brand were up in arms, and I received several messages along the lines of “You caved in to pressure” and “You sold out” (? Not sure what that one means). OK. I can deal with this.
But, I was taken aback by the response from many in the trans community. It seems I cannot win with some people. They are not happy when I call it Trannyshack, and they are not happy when I try to rebrand (granted, there were some aspects of the roll-out for the Seattle event that were a bit clunky, but still). This to me does not seem right.

Just to clear a couple of things up. The event on Friday June 27 is not “Trannyshack presents T-Shack” as some people have said (and I would invite anyone to show me where it says this on any of the materials). It plainly says who is actually presenting it. The word Trannyshack appears on the materials to let those familiar with the brand know what the event is. When the full rebrand happens this kind of wording will be necessary initially (i.e. “AKA Trannyshack”, then “Formerly known as Trannyshack”) until we can phase it out completely. It’s also unrealistic to expect everyone to stop using the name Trannyshack right away when they discuss it online , or even in person. As preciously mentioned , I’ve relentlessly promoted the brand for almost 20 years, so it’s ingrained in people’s consciousness. It will take time. To use a ridiculous comparison, it’s like when Kentucky Fried Chicken decided to only be referred to as KFC. It took awhile. I know, I told you the comparison was ridiculous.
When will the full rebrand happen? Most likely not until the beginning of the new year. In San Francisco, it’s going to require focus groups, a press campaign, all that stuff. It really is that big of a deal here. Also, I have not as of yet decided what the final name will be. I used T-Shack for the Seattle event because that is what the insiders of my circle of friends have always called it, so I’m trying it out. Other names have been thrown around. Drag-Shack does not seem right. Maybe simply The ‘Shack. I don’t know, that’s why it will take a few months.
Ultimately, when it happens I will need the support of EVERYBODY. That means all of those loyal to the Trannyshack brand , as well as the Trans community.
As I see it, there’s two ways we can deal with this. We can see this as progress and a step forward, or we can engage in fighting and divisiveness. Whichever one you choose I am going for progress, and away from hurt and anger. Please also know that I do not engage in Facebook “threads”, as I simply do not have time, and they tend to become masturbatory and a contest of who will have the last word. If you post a comment under this post I will not reply to it.
But! For those interested in having a face to face dialogue, I would LOVE that. I have a “date” with Danielle Niki Askini when I am in Seattle to sit down for coffee and go over ideas, and just talk. If you would like to join us please email me directly at heklina@earthlink.net (I guess I am archaic after all, I’m still on earthlink). We haven’t figured out a time yet. Best time for me would be Monday morning after Pride weekend
Xoxo
Heklina

5/24/14

Two Trans woman attacked and stripped on a MARTA train police looking for Perps

Tuesday two transgender woman were followed by a group of men as they boarded a MARTA train in Atlanta. The men had been harassing them and when the train departed it became worst. One of the woman took a more defensive role and one of the men attacked her.

I have posted the unedited version because the censored one does not show the faces of the attackers. If you have any information on this attack please contact MARTA police.

Click here to watch *Trigger Warning Must be 18

Channel 2 Ryan Young spoke with the women and MARTA officials about the video.

The women told Young they were walking to the Five Points MARTA station when a group of men approached them and started yelling at them. They said the strangers followed them into the station and waited on the platform next to them while taking pictures. They said they believe the strangers targeted them because they are transgender.

“[They] just kept of asking us was we real,” said Janell Crosby. “Like really trying to get us. ‘Are you real?’ 'Are y’all this or that?’ Just trying to embarrass us.”
"They were trying to find out if we are men or women,” said Tyra Woods. “I shouldn’t have to disclose who I am to an innocent person who I’m not even interested in talking to.”
Crosby and Woods say they were harassed, attacked and embarrassed, and no one came to give them any help.
“I really didn’t want to fight, but he just kicked me and tried to make a big scene,” said Crosby.
“It’s all over the internet and like, I’m naked,” said Woods. “I felt like since it was in a public transportation, we should’ve felt like we should’ve been secure.”
Officials said they won’t stand for that type of behavior and have opened an investigation into what happened on the train. They are actively searching for the two men who may have started the fight.

MARTA:
Non-Emergency: (404) 848-4910 Email: martapolice@itsmarta.com

If this requires immediate attention, please contact MARTA Police at (404) 848-4911, pick up the blue and white customer assistance telephones located in the stations, or use the MARTA See and Say App. This email address is checked once a day during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.

MARTA Police Headquarters: (404) 848-4900

Detectives:(404) 848-4584


Rupaul already despised by the trans community excommunicates himself with 'tranny'

There is sort of a communion within the transgender community, respected by most, even those who don't believe in the umbrella. We have a unspoken credo, do no harm. Even if we are deeply offended or disagree, speak freely but do so in a way that doesn't inflict injury That can be difficult at times because we are in what I see as an adolescence, the CDDTIQA community, transitioning to adulthood, earning respect from one another and in the process the world as a whole.

Two spirits, transgender, transsexual, Intersex, Questioning, Asexual, Cross Dressers and Drag among others...

Arguably, drag queens have a place under the trans umbrella. Most artists are great people but then there's Rupaul.

Hudson Valley LGBT center.org

Rupaul, who identifies as cisgender gay man, said some highly offensive things last week. Clearly, there's no longer a place under the transgender umbrella for Rupaul.

Marc Maron asked Rupaul on his podcast Wednesday about the most recent flare up over gay people saying tranny. I assume Maron was alluding to the Australian transgender community's request that gay men use remove the defamation 'tranny' from "Tranny Bingo" or could it be his unwillingness to learn from Neil Patrick Harris, Lance Bass, and Kelly Osbourne?. Or perhaps his belief that the difference between a trans person and a  drag queen is $25,000 and a good surgeon?. Or could he have been asking in reference to his employer's reaction to his latest transgender defamation?



Whatever. Rupaul went on the attack telling him it wasn't the trans community who are upset over his defamation. It was a 'fringe element' looking to reinforce their 'victimhood'. Rupaul could not have said a single more offensive thing than that.

A clear majority of trans people object to "tranny" being used by cisgender people as our 2010 survey indicates.

"No, no no its not the transsexual community. These are fringe people who are looking for story lines to strengthen their identity as victims."



Rupaul continues "recently my show got into a..these are four people who have a wifi connection sit behind a computer in god knows where and deliberately misinterpret our verbiage and decide we're ah, you hurt me." Then in his best mealy mouth weaselly voice. "We didn't do anything to hurt you that's how you decided to interpret it."

Last year Rupaul screamed bloody murder when Amanda Bynes called the writers at people magazine FAGGOTS. Of course Huffpost GAY came to his defense,











Rupaul having a grand guy old cisgender male privileged time at the JPL.


Yes it is a hard road dealing with ignorance like his. But you Rupaul are by far the most ignorant men the transgender community has ever encountered mainly due to your previous proximity to us. It was just days ago that the LOGO network, you're employer, told you to stop with the defamation and yet here you go again.

Just weeks after LOGO appoligized and pulled the highly offensive 'shemail' episode Rupaul is back at it with all of that defamation:

According to Buzzfeed
"Logo TV, which airs the widely popular show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, is distancing itself from comments host RuPaul Charles made during a May 19 interview in which he defended the use of a term some find transphobic and offensive."





Does LOGO know its name is being dragged through the dirt by Rupaul? Look at the right corner of the violent video retweeted by Rupaul. LOGO, do you approve of this violence? It would appear that you do.




Rupaul you will not lessen or cheapen our existence. For the record its not four people and no this is not a joke. Granted there are a few within the trans community who claim 'tranny' as something less than detrimental. That is their right. They live authentically 24/7 and pay a personal price for lowering their life expectations, but you Rupaul are not transgender. You are a gay cisgender man who profits from hurting transgender people.

"Derogatory slurs are ALWAYS an outward projection of a person's own poisonous self-loathing" ~ Rupaul Charles.

planetransgender first took this slur to task  in 2009 and was beat on by gay media who interviewed  Rupal who said he "approved of tranny."

Personally I hope LOGO realizes that Rupaul is a liability, incapable of either education or redemption and fires him.


5/23/14

Man gets 23 to life for murder of NY Transgender woman Camila Guzman

Source DNA Info

NEW YORK — A New York City man convicted of killing his girlfriend in a brutal attack with knives, a candlestick and a pillowcase around her neck has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced Equan Southall's sentence Thursday.

The 28-year-old Southall was convicted last month of murder in the August 2011 death of Camila Guzman, a Chilean immigrant. The two lived together in East Harlem.

Prosecutors say Southall stabbed Guzman the back and torso, used a candlestick to bludgeon her in the head and finally strangled her with a pillowcase.

Vance says the case shows domestic violence "can escalate in a heartbeat."

Southall's lawyer didn't immediately return a call Thursday. - WSJ




5/22/14

Swift Justice. 98.9 The Buzz suspends then fires two for transphobic rant

In what could only be described as swift justice 98.9 The Buzz has announced that Kimberly and Beck were suspended for a 12 minute transphobic screed. Towleroad broke this story Wednesday Morning and by that evening justice was served.. Thank you to our LGBT family's quick respone and an extra special thank you is due the Empire State Agenda.

The rant that got the two miscreant suspended then later (updated) this morning fired.





Via Rachel Barnhart WROC-TV The following can be attributed to Empire State Agands's Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer:

“The ignorant and transphobic segment that recently aired on Rochester’s radio show, “The Breakfast Buzz” with Kimberly & Beck, is highly offensive to New York’s LGBT community. The segment, aired in response to Rochester’s announcement at our Spring Dinner on Saturday that municipal employees will have access to transition-related healthcare, contains sound bite after sound bite of misinformation and hate speech.

Not only did the hosts conflate sexual orientation and gender identity and make the ill-informed leap from medically-necessary care to elective surgery, they also degraded LGBT identities more generally, including the outrageous contention that transgender people are “nut jobs.”

Transgender individuals face disproportionate disparities when it comes to their health and well-being, including this type of harassment as we’ve seen on “The Breakfast Buzz.” The American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and many other organizations agree that transition-related health care is medically necessary and should be covered under public insurance plans. Providing transgender New Yorkers with medically necessary health care is actually a cost-saving measure. Taxpayers will likely see savings related to mental health, suicide attempts, HIV, substance abuse and other costs that occur when transgender people cannot get their transition-related health care needs met.

Rochester’s announcement that city employees will be covered is positive news that should not be misguided by the ignorance of radio hosts looking for ratings. This offensive segment underscores the need for increased education and for the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), so that all New Yorkers know it’s not acceptable to discriminate against someone just because of who they are.

We call on the radio show and its hosts to issue a formal apology immediately and to seek the education we’re extending on issues of importance to its transgender and gender non-conforming residents.”

5/21/14

MDPETITION.COM Claims they have 1/3 of the signatures needed for referendum drive

If this is true (and who knows?) the haters will have to collect 13,500 more signatures by May 31st. That's not a impossible if they focus on people like the elderly tea putzer like the one in this video.

But if they ask informed people like the young man, (ouch whats with the 'T' word?) they don't stand a chance.

Source Your4State.com: Organizers with mdpetitions.com only have about a fourth of the signatures they need by May 31. They have a lot of work ahead of them but say they're confident they'll get the signatures they need to continue to referendum.

Delegate Neil Parrott, the chairman of mdpetitions.com, is hard at work going door-to-door trying to get signatures for a petition drive.

"We have a May deadline to get signatures, I've got the signatures pages right here, for the 'Bathroom Bill,'" said Parrott, (R) - Washington County.

The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill this session the governor signed into law last week making it illegal to discriminate against transgender people in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.

Opponents refer to the law as the "Bathroom Bill" over fears of what they say could happen in women's restrooms.

"It allows men, if there's a guy who's dressed just like me, he could walk into a restaurant and use the women's restroom as long as he sincerely believes in his heart he's a woman. That's what the bill language says. If anyone would challenge him and say, 'You can't go in there,' they could be successfully sued,'" Parrott said.



How much of what Delegate Neil Parrott says is truth? I don't want to get sued for slander so lets just say nothing, not one thing, nada. For folks on the fence you can read "Debunking MDPetition.com Neil Parrott falsehoods for opposing the Fairness for all Marylanders Act" to clear the air.