Representative Barney Frank is reintroducing ENDA; the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. For quite awhile there have been two versions of ENDA being discussed - one that protects for gender identity and expression along with sexual orientation and one that only protects for sexual orientation. Representative Frank is introducing a transgender-inclusive version of ENDA.

ENDA has been introduced and reintroduced for a number of years and it's exciting to hope that with our new administration that we may get this passed and that all LGBT people may enjoy being able to work without hiding who they are.

Here is the release from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coaliton (MTPC):

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition Commends Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and Federal Lawmakers for Introduction of Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) applauded lawmakers today for introducing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees from workplace discrimination. The bill, which enjoys bi-partisan support in Congress, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal employment non-discrimination laws.

“Transgender people continue to face employment discrimination even in states like Massachusetts and the effect of this type of discrimination not only impacts the transgender individual, but also their family for whom they are trying to provide for” said MTPC’s Executive Director Gunner Scott.

Today New Hampshire became the 6th state with same sex marriage. Congrats, New Hampshire!

Here's an excerpt from the Boston Globe:
Traditionally conservative New Hampshire today became the sixth state in the nation to legalize gay marriage, after a bill was enacted by both the state House and Senate and then signed by Governor John Lynch.

"Today, we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear they will receive the same rights, responsibilities, and respect under New Hampshire law," Lynch said before signing the bill at about 5:20 p.m.

Lynch said it was a New Hampshire tradition "to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections, and that tradition continues today."

Gay marriage is now legal in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts -- all of the new England states, except for Rhode Island. Gay marriage is also legal in Iowa.

The rest of the article can be read by clicking here.

A radio show based n Sacramento, the Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show, recently discussed trans youth and adults on their show. To make a long story short, they were awful. The promoted child abuse if a child acted outside of gender normative behaviors and were just generally awful. You can listen to the half hour segment of the show here.

GLAAD, Pam's House Blend, and Trans Youth Family Allies all have more information up. Please listen to the show and respectfully respond at the links provided by GLAAD and TYFA.

Today the California Supreme Court upheld proposition 8. They also ruled to recognize the 18,000+ marriages that occurred before a bit over half of California lost their collective mind and struck down same-sex marriage in the state last November.

We're not going to take this. There are day of decision protests happening all over the country today.

But I'm pissed off. And I'm upset. This should not be up for debate. Just let us marry who we like.

And, honestly, one of the things that pisses me off the most is how self righteous and self congratulatory the right wing is going to be about this.

ETA:
There are day of decision protests happening ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. Check out if there's one nearby:
http://www.dayofdecision.com/

IF THERE ISN'T, all is not lost. We're organizing one at my school right now. Get creative and go viral.

Barack Obama met with Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, today in Washington DC to discuss federal hate crimes legislation.

Judy Shepard has been a vocal proponent of federal hate crimes legislation since her son Matthew was killed over ten years ago.

There's been a lot of protests and rallies lately.

The protest at the APA Conference demanding a revision of the inclusion of Gender Identity Disorder in the next DSM.

The same sex marriage rally in NYC.

Protests and rallies in Singapore and Moscow

But you know what makes everything better?

Last year Lawrence (Larry) King was shot by a classmate purportedly because King had asked the boy out earlier in the week. Now a judge in Ventura, California has ruled that King's parents, who he did not live with, can sue the foster home that he lived in because they allowed him to wear make-up and high heeled boots and to otherwise express his identity.

To express oneself should NOT post a danger to anybody, including the person doing the expressing. To help a person express their identity is not a crime.

I'm not sure if you all heard about the trolley driver in Boston who was texting his girlfriend and crashed the trolley. Apparently the noteworthy part of this case is not that he crashed the trolley. It's the fact that he was trans.

I know, the world is ending. Trans people are driving public transportation - WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO?

Here's the press release from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition:

The "marriage" tag has been getting a LOT of use lately!

Today Maine became the fifth state to allow same sex marrage - Governor Baldacci signed the bill about an hour ago.

We're getting closer to marriage equality here in Maine. Today the House of Reps passed the bill, without referendum, and now it's heading back to the senate, and then on to Governor John Baldacci.

Cross your fingers!

It looks like this might happen, folks. Any bets on how many states we'll have by the end of 2009?