Tag: Transgender

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Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

April 5, 2016

 TLDEF Condemns Sweeping New Discriminatory Law in Mississippi New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed anti-LGBT House Bill 1523 into law today. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote yesterday. The measure allows individuals, religious organizations, and many businesses… More Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

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Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

April 4, 2016

New York, NY – Today as a trial was set to commence, 24-year old James Dixon entered a guilty plea on first and second degree manslaughter and first degree assault charges for the August 17, 2013 killing of Islan Nettles, a 21-year-old African American transgender woman from Harlem. Dixon is charged with punching Islan in… More Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

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TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today stands with advocates throughout the world in celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day set aside to amplify the accomplishments of transgender people globally. Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman: “On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are proud to… More TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

ISLAN NETTLES

Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

March 30, 2016

PLEASE rally to demand  Justice for Transgender murder victim Islan Nettles New York, NY — Everything Transgender in NYC (ETNYC) is calling on advocates and activists for transgender justice and allies in the greater New York City area to rally at the courthouse for Islan Nettles, tomorrow, Thursday March 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. Last year… More Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

assault at Stonewall Inn

TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn

March 29, 2016

Police looking for Information regarding the report of  a Sexual Assault Against Transgender Woman at Stonewall Inn New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news reports that a 25-year-old transgender woman was sexually assaulted last Saturday night in a single-occupancy bathroom at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s West Village. The… More TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn

World Jewish GLBT Congress

World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

March 26, 2016

The World Congress of GLBT Jews, with Bet Mishpachah and GLOE as co-hosts are holding a Shabbaton in Washington DC, at the DC Jewish Community Center, next month from April 8th to April 10th. The Program and contact information is detailed below. The World Congress is a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around the… More World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

ISLAN NETTLES

Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

March 17, 2016

New York- The man accused of fatally beating Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman, turned down a plea deal today in a Manhattan criminal court, and will now face a jury trial scheduled for March 30, 2016. Judge Robert Stolz offered James Dixon only 12 years behind bars in exchange for pleading guilty… More Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

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TLDEF Urges South Dakota Governor to Veto Bill Targeting Transgender Students for Discrimination

February 24, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) urges South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard to veto a bill that would bar transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that match who they are as boys and girls. South Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1008 last week. The bill restricts facility access to… More TLDEF Urges South Dakota Governor to Veto Bill Targeting Transgender Students for Discrimination

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New York Rally to Protest Transgender Attack

February 11, 2016

THE NYC SGL/LGBTQ COALITION HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE & RALLY TO PROTEST ATTACK ON TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY LEADER WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12th – 5:30 PM WHERE: D-Train Station at West 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue WHY: Transgender Community Leader, NYC SGL/LGBTQ Coalition Member, and Founder and Director of Everything Transgender in New York City, Jennifer Louise Lopez, was… More New York Rally to Protest Transgender Attack

Carlos Guillermo Smith

FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 3, 2016

Senate Judiciary Committee has stated support for expanding the bill Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2016. The dangerous and so-called Pastor Protection Act (HB 43/SB 110) is scheduled for its last vote before reaching the House Floor in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning at 9:00a.m. The bill passed through its first Senate committee… More FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

Trans flag

Apology and Settlement in Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

January 20, 2016

“We are extremely grateful to the EEOC for taking on this important case on behalf of our client and working side by side with us to achieve a settlement that marks yet another Title VII victory for transgender employees,” Weiss said. “The Jillian T. Weiss Law Firm… More Apology and Settlement in Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

HUD

HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

January 14, 2016

Transgender activists, Trans Community and all who care please take note of this call to action by the Federal Government and leading organizations! Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a new regulation that it is considering adopting, one that would, for the first… More HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Trans Smith Family Lambda CO Case

Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

January 14, 2016

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016 Lambda Legal today filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Boulder County property owner who violated the federal Fair Housing Act and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to rent a housing unit she owns in Gold Hill, Colorado, to a same-sex couple, one of whom is transgender,… More Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

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Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

January 12, 2016

PROTEST: Tomorrow, Jan 12, 2016 LGBTI activists are holding a rally and will march to the Mafatsana Police Station By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2016. Two recent horrific murder cases elucidate the horror that lesbians and trans people encounter when faced with what is still considered endemic homophobia, lesbian hate and transphobia, in South Africa,… More Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

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TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

December 28, 2015

Bill Would Punish Transgender People with Jail Time for Using Bathroom Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces an Indiana bill singling out transgender students and adults for discrimination. Introduced by Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes, Senate Bill 35 would prohibit transgender students in… More TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

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Transgender Man Wins Health Insurance Coverage for Gender Transition

December 21, 2015

Victory! Union Affirms Ongoing Coverage for Transition-Related Care in Health Plan By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has secured insurance coverage for a transgender man’s medically necessary care after his union-sponsored health insurance plan refused to cover it.  Adrian Sealy works in a… More Transgender Man Wins Health Insurance Coverage for Gender Transition

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Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2015

TLDEF Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 20, 2015. New York, NY- The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commemorates the 17th Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to memorialize all those lost to anti-transgender violence and to honor the spirit and resilience of transgender people worldwide. TDOR began in… More Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

BBC Kakuma Kelvin

BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

November 10, 2015

While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation.  I have posted the BBC transcript report here.  The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report  while providing crucial exposure, leaves… More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS

TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

November 9, 2015

Submits Comments to HHS Supporting Broadest Possible Rule to Ban LGBT Health Care Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressing support for improving the health and wellness of transgender Americans… More TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Reform Gay Jewish Wedding

Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights

November 5, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2015. The Union for Reform Judaism met in Orlando, Florida this week, for its biennial conference, where it endorsed a policy detailing specific steps to be taken by synagogues to thwart discrimination against  transgender people. Included is the crucial adoption of gender-neutral language and the provision of gender-neutral restrooms,… More Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights

New York State Senator Flanngan

Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights

November 2, 2015

TLDEF Condemns New York Senate Majority Leader’s Disingenuous Criticism of Transgender Rights Regulations Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to comments made by New York Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan suggesting that Governor Andrew Cuomo went beyond his authority by proposing new… More Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights

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Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

October 22, 2015

  By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

Trans flag

California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

October 11, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that provides new protections for transgender foster youth in California was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 731 ensures that all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender, are placed in appropriate homes where they… More California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

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UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

October 9, 2015

where the revised rules could be strengthened from a human rights perspective..
The first concerns the prohibition of discrimination,” he said, adding that he is “disappointed that sexual orientation and gender identity were not explicitly recognized as grounds for discrimination, given their recognition by most human rights treaty bodies.
… More UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

Steve Nass vs Transgender Students?

Wisconsin Republican Bill will Hurt Transgender Students

October 7, 2015

TLDEF Denounces Wisconsin Bill Targeting Transgender Students For Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund denounces proposed legislation in Wisconsin that would ban transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that match who they are as boys and girls. The bill, proposed by Republican lawmakers Sen. Steve Nass… More Wisconsin Republican Bill will Hurt Transgender Students

Homeless LGBT youth

New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

October 7, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million… More New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

Michelle Norsworthy, a transgender woman

Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

October 6, 2015

October 06, 2015, Cross Blog from The Recorder. A federal appellate panel on Monday questioned whether California prison officials accelerated the release of a transgender female prisoner to avoid having to provide her with sex-reassignment surgery. In April, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California ordered state officials to provide sex-reassignment… More Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

pope

National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.

September 21, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 21, 2015. WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 21, 2015 — On the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, the National LGBTQ Task Force is making the following statement – through the words of Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director. “As an LGBTQ catholic myself,… More National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.