T-DOR 2009

Today is the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a day set aside to remember those who were killed by anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

From the Transgender DOR website:

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence."

Here are some links from around the net to help in remembrance:
Names of Anti-Trans Violence Victims from 11/2008 to 11/2009
TDOR Events and Locations
Posts on what T-DOR means to you?

Please spread the word and remember those lost to hate.

UN takes a stance on defining gender, expands trans' travel rights

These past months have lead to some interesting gains and losses for civil rights based on gender-identification, due to the seemingly unrelated debate on travel and border security.

On August 15th, the transgendered community and its allies felt pushed aside when the Transportation Security Administration put out new travelling requirements that required passengers to provide full name, date of birth and gender when booking flights. Transgendered people found themselves in an uncomfortable situation, having categorize themselves in concrete terms without any options directly applicable to them. It's disgusting how this either/ or policy oozes with a lack of sympathy. It does not take into consideration the difficulties and uneasiness a person goes through trying to match past federal documents with current self-identification.

A couple of months later, strides have been made. The UN and Rapporteur Martin Scheinin made their opinion known in the recent "Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism" report. The UN made sure to take a conscious, sensitive and realistic approach by defining the security issues without being biased in religion, race, sexuality and gender. The report contained this purposefully vague definition of gender:

"Gender is not synonymous with women but rather encompasses the social constructions that underlie how women's and men's roles, functions and responsibilities, including in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, are defined and understood. This report will therefore identify the gendered impact of counter-terrorism measures both on women and men, as well as the rights of persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. As a social construct, gender is also informed by, and intersects with, various other means by which roles, functions and responsibilities are perceived and practiced, such as race, ethnicity, culture, religion and class. Consequently, gender is not static; it is changeable over time and across contexts.Understanding gender as a social and shifting construct rather than as a biological and fixed category is important because it helps to identify the complex and inter-related gender-based human rights violations caused by counter terrorism measures; to understand the underlying causes of these violations; and to design strategies for countering terrorism that are truly non-discriminatory and inclusive of all actors."

Thankfully, the UN has exposed the usually hushed gender-travel links and their disproportionately effects to a person's safety. The studies reveal the disgusting scrutiny innocent transgendered people face when crossing boarders. Many transwomen are subject to tougher indentity documentation clearances and face harassment due to a history of men dressing up as women to attempt to escape a heavy bomb/weapon search.

Critics, like that of Fox News, say that the UN over analysed political correctness and minorities' security (those of women, gay, trans, intersex, etc...) by unnecessarily forcing a progressive definition of gender on the public.

However, here at FMF, we know far too well the reality of humiliation and harassment that "minority" populations face due to security policy. Those least protected under the law are (shock!) those who are most vulnerable to civil rights violations at checkpoints.

We are so proud that the UN could look past previous gender-biases and honestly work towards ensuring safe travel for ALL.

photocredit: transguyjay from flickr.com

Lateisha Green trial begins

The trial for the murder of Lateisha Green begins today. If Dwight R. DeLee, the accused, is convicted it will be the second time someone has been convicted of a hate crime in New York for killing a transgender person. According to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, one transgender person is murdered every month in the US.

As a youth, Lateisha faced immense discrimination and harassment, and had trouble finding friends in school. A warm-hearted person with a passion for childcare and dancing, Lateisha was described as outgoing and social by her family. She was shot November 14,2008 by DeLee outside a party she went to with her brother.

There have been numerous reports of violence against transgender individuals. Only 12 states have hate crime laws that cover sexual orientation and gender identification. Check out what your state has in terms of hate crime laws, and if they do not cover gender identity and sexual orientation, do something about it!

Words cannot express how terrible it is that people are murdered because they do not fit with society's gender norms and fear of difference. What did Lateisha ever do to deserve being murdered? Why is gender so important that any transgression is equal to a death sentence, when society created and maintains gender and gender norms?

Photo courtsey of www.flickr/transgenderwarrior

Feminist Friday Funday

Howdy feminists! Hope you had a good week. We were glad the FDA approved Plan B without a prescription for women 17 and older.

This is a good step forward in removing barriers to family planning options. Still, we believe the FDA should remove the age restriction around Plan B. Numerous organizations like the American Medical Association, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, and American Academy of Pediatrics agree that adequate studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of EC for women and teens.

Need more info on EC? arhp.org and not-2-late.com are excellent resources. Want to organize your campus around access to emergency contraception? We've compiled some ideas here and there are additional EC materials on our website.

In other news, a Colorado jury convicted a man of first degree murder of a trans woman, and it was the first case in which trans violence was tried under a state hate-crime statute. Our condolences go out to the family of the victim.

On a more upbeat note, yesterday was the last day for 3 of our spring interns, Stella, Carmen, and Liz. We gathered 'round the conference table for cake and highs-and-lows, and took pictures (forthcoming). Cathy is graduating in May and will leave next week, leaving Lilah as our sole intern until the summer interns arrive in June.

The FMF interns accomplished a lot this semester. They researched women's studies programs for our newest issue of Ms. Magazine. They worked our national conference, assisted our National Center for Women and Policing director, followed congressional legislation, and wrote reports on feminine hygiene products in the developing world. All of them have been terrific, and we're sorry to see them go.

FMF organizer Tania Stewart has worked hard all spring to recruit, interview, and assemble our incoming group of interns. We received over 150 applications from all around the country for about 15 full-time positions. There were so many strong candidates, and deciding was difficult. Emily and I got to assist Tania with a few applications, so now Tania is rounding out the last of her offers.

We're looking forward to a really impressive class of summer interns, and Tania will try to post an update next week once she makes her final decisions. Our Los Angeles office is still seeking summer interns for Ms. Magazine, so check out Wendy's post above on how to apply.

The Ms. internship is a great opportunity to learn more about the nonprofit world and gain publishing experience. Candidates should have a strong research and writing background, with a high GPA.

If you'd like to apply for a Fall '09 internship in the DC or LA offices, e-mail Tania a cover letter and resume to intership @feminist.org by July 15. Enjoy the sunny weather and have a great weekend!