Trans Universe

By Monica F. Helms, Angela Brightfeather and Allyson Robinson

Monica Helms: A few months back, the Transgender American Veterans Association’s Organizational Liaison, Paula Dee Wright, received a communication from Dr. Judy Rosenstein, civilian instructor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Rosenstein teaches Social Inequality, a sociology elective, and she asked to have a transgender veteran come and speak to her class.

You can imagine how we felt being presented with the opportunity to speak at the oldest military academy in the United States. Some of our most famous military figures in this country’s history have walked its halls. Never in its 206-year history has an openly transgender person been invited to speak to the cadets, so the invitation to TAVA was a first.

The discussion between board members on how we should proceed focused primarily on finding the perfect person to take on this historical task. We had many in our community who have also spent time in the halls of West Point, but only a few would be able to represent our part of the community in the way that would not only respect West Point and their long traditions, but respect the transgender community. Angela Brightfeather, TAVA’s VP, had the right person in mind.

We asked Allyson Robinson, who graduated from West Point in 1994, to take on this “mission,” and she proudly accepted. However, we made one big request of her. Allyson currently works for HRC as the Associate Director of Diversity and we asked that in this situation, she represent TAVA when she arrived at West Point, even though she was not part of our board. We made the request only because Dr. Rosenstein made the initial contact to us. Because of how important this visit would be, Allyson and HRC had no problem with that.

(more…)

By Monica F. Helms

The power of the internet has come to age and the LGBT Movement is benefiting. This cannot be move evident then what happened on November 15, 2008. All across the country, at the exact same moment in time, LGBT people gather at capital buildings, city halls, town halls and many other places, to protest the passage of Proposition 8, the amendment to the California state constitution banning same-sex marriage. The back of the camel broke when the passage of Prop 8 became the last straw.

I will repeat what the LGBT community has been saying for the last two weeks, but it bears repeating. On November 4, 2008, at 10 PM EST, 7PM PST, the poles closed in California, Oregon and Washington, and a minute later, all the news organizations declared Barack Obama our next President. Here is a man who we know as the most progressive thinker and supporter of LGBT rights this country has ever had. He will make history by becoming America’s first African American President. The celebration in the country from all corners of the progressive communities, including the LGBT community, could not have been any louder.

(more…)

By Monica F. Helms

As I get older, I am starting to understand the viewpoint of my parent’s generation and those who are older then them. I have to take drugs to combat high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and now I’m experiencing leg and joint problems. But, I take comfort in what my elders like to say, “At least you’re still alive.” I’m thankful for that.

In the recent passage of the anti gay marriage amendment in California, Proposition 8, I have seen literally hundreds of gay and lesbian people make statements to the effect of saying they feel a total loss of equality. In a state that has passed every single protection they can for LGBT people, including ones no other state has elsewhere, they see the passage of Prop 8 as a death nail to their total equality. Yet, they don’t seem to appreciate all they do have that makes them far more equal and protected then any other LGBT person in the country. They should be thankful for that.

Maybe it’s time to remind Californians what they do have, “straight” from the Equality California website. Since there were so many pieces of legislation, I only listed the bill number and the title. If you wish to read the details on each bill, please click on the link to the year.

(more…)

By Monica F. Helms

As the country settles into the idea of Barack Obama becoming the 44^th President on January 20, 2009, the election furry in Georgia has been given another month to engross our lives. Georgia law requires that any political candidate has to receive 50% plus 1 vote in order to be elected. In elections where there are more then two candidates, this can easily happen.

This situation occurred in the recent election for the US Senate seat here in Georgia when Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss received 49.9%, Democrat Jim Martin received 46.6% and Libertarian Allen Buckley received 3.5%. These are the number as of November 6, 2008 and they could change once all the absentee ballots in Fulton County have been counted. Since Fulton County is heavily Democrat, then they could change in Martin’s favor. However, the Secretary of State, Karen Handel, hasn’t certified the Senate race results and will not do so until the record number of absentee ballots have been counted.

(more…)

By Monica F. Helms

As I type this, there are just two states that haven’t been called, Missouri and North Carolina.  Obama has won 349 electoral votes to McCain’s 147.  McCain took Georgia and the Senate race is still a toss up.  With Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss at 52%, Democrat Jim Martin at 44% and Libertarian Allen Buckley at 4%, and with many votes still uncounted, we could be looking at a run-off.  I hope that happens.

However, most of the propositions and initiatives aimed at LGBT people passed.  Arizona’s amendment to their constitution to ban same-sex marriage, Prop 102, passed, 56% to 44%.  Arkansas’ Initiative 1, a ban on gay couples from adopting children, passed 57% to 43%.  Florida’s Amendment 2, a constitution amendment banning gay marriage, needed 60% to pass and it got 62%.  California’s Prop 8, a ban on gay marriage, is still undecided, but it leads 52% to 48%.

(more…)

By Monica F. Helms

It seems that the Republican Georgia Secretary of State, Karen Handel, figured out a new way to suppressed Georgia voters. Last Wednesday, October 29, 2008 – just six days before the election - over 4500 Georgia voters received a letter questioning their citizenship. One of them is a lesbian friend of mine, who was born in Florida.

Here is the letter she received:

(more…)