TRANSMUSEPLANET

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Trans World News 2-22-15

By Sabrina Samone, TMP

Death, death, and more death seems to be the recurring theme in trans news this week. Like previous weeks we have had a mix of great news only to be reminded of the horrors trans society faces with yet more murders and suicides.

We were horrified again in a new way when a parent of a transgender child was murdered. Golec, a gender queer was reportedly stabbed to death by their father Kevin Golec on Feburary 13th. The father even lied to the police, attempting to lead them in the direction of the local trans support group young Golec attended, by insisting that a cult had murdered their child.

Golec has joined the infamous list of the dead that has been to hard for most to even keep up with. Several bloggers have literally dedicated their time just to inform everyone of the recent deaths and up to date outcomes. Many are expressing growing depression within our society during a time that no trans person can log on social networks without reading of yet another death in our community.

February 15, 2015 – Kristina Gomez Reinwald, 46, West Miami, FL – Murdered for unknown reason – Suspect(s) still on the loose

February 14, 2015 – Bri Golec, 22, Akron, OH – Murdered by father – suspect caught

February 10, 2015 – Penny Proud, 21, New Orleans, LA – Murdered by stranger – suspect(s) on the loose

February 1, 2015 – Taja Gabrielle DeJesus, 33, San Fransico, CA – Stabbed to death – suspect(s) on the loose

January 31, 2015 – Yazmin Vash Payne, 33, Los Ageless, CA – Murdered by boyfriend, suspect caught

January 26, 2015 – Tyra (Ty) Underwood, 24, Tyler, TX – Murdered by boyfriend, suspect caught

January 17, 2015 – Lamia Beard, 30, Norfolk, VA – Murdered possibly by stranger, suspect(s) on the loose

January 12, 2015 – Ms. Edwards, 23, Louisville, KY – Murdered possibly by stranger, suspect caught

Sadly I am hear to report that even this list is already outdated, as we have even more names to add to the list. Last Sunday, a 15-year-old transgender teen named Zander Mahaffey committed suicide — but not before composing a heart-wrenching note explaining their decision to do so on his Tumblr.

It does get better and this week several high profile trans people demonstrated that very fact. The biggest this past week was point5cc.com very own Aydian Dowling who is appearing in an upcoming April issue of FTM Magazine. Publisher Robert Ballard, wanted to recreate the iconic image of Adam Levine's pose for Cosmopolitan Magazine four years ago. The result; the trans male physique going mainstream.

Former US Navy Seal, Kristin Beck, who became a trans society national role model after coming out and releasing her memoirs,

has announced that she's running in the Maryland primaries to unseat U.S. Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving Maryland representative and House Minority Whip.

According to The Hill, Beck filed the appropriate paperwork Monday, which now shows up on the Board of Elections website for Maryland. Beck was part of SEAL Team 6, the Navy's elite counter-terrorism unit, and retired in 2011 after a 20-year career. Now, Beck says she's ready to serve her country elsewhere by starting out in the Democratic primary for the House.

"For the last two or three years, I have been watching Congress very closely, and the reality is that the whole process has broken down and our representatives have simply dug in their heels," Beck told The Huffington Post. And while Beck is a fan of House Minority Whip Rep. Hoyer, she's stated publicly that it's time for future generations to step up and take the baton.

Last year, Beck was set to run for the House in Florida, but ended up changing her mind. She moved to Maryland instead, where her mother is located. For now, Beck's campaign website is still incomplete, and her campaign is run by volunteers, as she hasn't yet filed the paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, meaning she can't yet raise any funds, reports The Baltimore Sun.

Seem we as a society have our work cut out for us in the coming weeks to raise campaign funds for our future congress woman.

A blast from the past has resurfaced, Author Jenny Boylan Opens Up About Life More Than A Decade After Transitioning (VIDEO).

Unfortunately Lavern Cox has had to reschedule her upcoming UAB speech for later this fall, stay in touch with Lavern Cox for the rescheduled date.

Lavern Cox on Twitter

Here @ TMP, I am glad to invite you to the new TMP Forum , where you will be able to post topics, pictures of your transition, answer other topics, and get the conversation going to unite our society. Also every weekend TMP will add a trans themed film, documentary or tv series on TMP's new TMP Movie Pick page. Starting this week with the first guest blog post on TMP's new Guest Blog Page. The new Guest Blog page is where in the next couple of weeks TMP has teamed up with several other Trans entities to kick off a Spring Forward To Unity Campaign, coming in March.

Seeing one of our idols Jenny Boyland, brings to mind how far we as a society have come in ten years, but with the number of murders and suicides we are reminded of the work that is yet to come. Unity is the key for our community and as you will see on TMP in the coming months, I hope TMP will become a symbol of the possibilities Unity can bring.

Stay strong...Stay blessed....Stay Trantasically Fabulous.

RELATED TOPICS ON TRANSMUSEPLANET

Trans World News 2-08-15

Trans World News 2-01-15

Trans World News 1-24-15

JOIN US IN DISCUSSION OF THIS WEEKS EVENTS @

THE TMP FORUM

Friday, February 20, 2015

Defining Who We Are VIII: Is Transgender Society Unity, Under Siege From Within?

By Sabrina Samone, TMP

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson

World wide Transgender society is under siege. If you think we are at war, you may not find many within our society to disagree. The call for visibility is at an all time high. The dangers are even higher, but it's a call that has been made before in the past, and is now true for transgender society. Our pioneers threw the first stone to ignite 'The Stonewall Riots'. The LG movement, then mobilized at a grass roots level, but it may have not been until the leadership of Harvey Milk and his call from the steps of the San Francisco city hall when he said;

“Gay brothers and sisters,… You must come out. Come out… to your parents… I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! To sit on the front steps — whether it’s a veranda in a small town or a concrete stoop in a big city — and to talk to our neighborhoods is infinitely more important than to huddle on the living-room lounger and watch a make-believe world in not-quite living color. I would like to see every gay doctor come out, every gay lawyer, every gay architect come out, stand up, and let that world know. That would do more to end prejudice overnight than anybody would imagine. I was born of heterosexual parents. I was taught by heterosexual teachers in a fiercely heterosexual society. Television ads and newspaper ads — fiercely heterosexual. A society that puts down homosexuality. And why am I a homosexual if I’m affected by role models? I should have been a heterosexual. And no offense meant, but if teachers are going to affect you as role models, there’d be a lot of nuns running around the streets today."

Imagine today the words of the Great Harvey Milk if the words "gay brothers and sisters", were trans brothers and sisters, and that the words heterosexual and homosexual were replaced with cisgender and transgender. Being transgender and being ostracized and cut off from families, loss of jobs, a second puberty, and your life being on the line, are not a choice. As in the late 70's, we now live in an era with little representation in media. We are not fully represented in politics or sports, yet there are countless willing participants in our community. There are far too many misinformed cisgender people about what it means to be transgender. There are too many of us in trans society, sitting on their porches or concrete stoops of privilege. Be that privilege of passing, race, gender, etc., there are far too many people around the world that still say that they have never met a transgender person. Many are having conversations about yet another tragic trans death, all while standing next to one unknowingly.

At times like this in warfare, a tactical maneuver to efficiently deal with numerous opponents is to divide and conquer. Over this past week while yet another trans-woman of color was murdered, her life being ridiculed on black mainstream online media; a white trans woman, a former blogger and S.C. resident, thought she was giving major advice when she posted that trans-women of color should watch out for their surroundings as her only words of wisdom. She dances on the borderline of even blaming her sisters of color for being in a dangerous work environment, prostitution. Ignorant of the fact that, that was not the case for half of the eight victims who've been murdered in the past 30 days. A prominent trans man within the community told me about an ongoing attack (or a potential hot seat as stated by the perpetrator) from a trans woman who criticized him for his presumed lack of support for trans women. She demanded that he represent trans women, ignorant to the fact he does. I've witnessed the ramblings of one mixed raced trans woman of color attack a prominent trans woman of color blogger about her, as she viewed, her militant black American support. Ignorant at the fact that she is urging mainstream black America to think about their trans sisters and brothers of color. Again, at times of war, a tactical maneuver to efficiently deal with numerous opponents is to divide and conquer.

Unity, is a choice we as a society can choose. Will there be a utopian world of complete unity? No, but that does not mean we should not strive for it in order to help change laws, protect the lives of those yet to come, and to one day see even more trans people represented in the media. We as a society must be careful in our attempts to gain understanding from a different segment of our society, that we don't alienate another and aid in the divide and conquer of war. We can not expect all trans people to be the same, yet each and everyone of us owe it to our community to see a society in need of unity, and do each of our parts to attempt to reach beyond our immediate comfortable surroundings to a brother or sister in another segment of our society, remembering our common denominator. If we are to be a unified community worthy of discussion at the table of mainstream society. Ty Underwood, Lamia Beard, Taja DeJeus, L. Edwards, Penny Proud,Yazmin Vash Payne, Bri Golec, Leelah Alcorn, Andi Woodhouse, deserve our unity, their lives say 'fix society' and part of fixing that society starts with ours.

Visibility should be the death of the trans hierarchy, which basically is saying; that though I've received support, encouragement, guidance, and direction through my transition, that now that I have completed my transition, there is no need for me to return the support, encouragement, guidance and direction to others. That mentality has added zero to the equality of who we are, but kept us in the medieval mindset of mainstream society. It is the height of social selfishness when you take from a society that has guided you and give nothing back in return. There was someone who supported you through your completeness. There was a community providing literature to know who you are. There were support groups to share with like minded people. Without the visibility of those of the past that have provided for many of us today, we would still be searching to know who we are or worse, felt there was no one to 'fix society'.
When we are accustomed to something we no longer fear it. When the world knows of trans people they will no longer fear us. When your family and friends know a trans person, they will no longer fear us. When your towns and cities know a successful, happy trans person, they will no longer fear us. When our politicians make laws concerning our lives they will know the lives they are affecting. Visibility is hard, can be dangerous, but it is necessary for the seamless transition to be fully equal and to have our seat firmly planted at the table of the world.

Unfortunately even with visibility, a community that can not support each other will have little respect or hope in gaining support from those that don't understand. There can't be a transgender person alive that does not realize we need more unity even amongst ourselves. Then why are we still urging it within trans society? Why are there still trans people who know no trans person outside of their race? Why are there trans people of "passing privilege" adding to the discrimination of those without? Why are there trans men on the TERF's side against trans women? Why are there trans women against the visibility of trans men, who have only recently been given the media attention and visibility that trans women have had far more years of? We should be glad as women to see the men shine and take a seat at the table of trans society. The visibility of both sexes matter and is necessary.

There is no room at the bottom of the barrel of the world's minority groups for racial hate or ignorance. Hate is something I honestly say I can't understand. Since I was a child I could never imagine hating an entire community of people. Being multi-racial I tackled my ideas of race in pre-school. I realized early the one drop rule; a sociological and legal principle of racial classification that was historically prominent in the United States asserting that any person with even one ancestor of sub-Saharan-African ancestry ("one drop" of African blood) is considered to be black. I also learned what it meant and felt like to be told, "not black enough." Seems representing my duality is something I learned long before dysphoria set in lol.
We as trans society can do so much more to reach across the isle of race and be an example to the rest of society, sadly we are not even halfway there even amongst ourselves, and we dare sit at the table of the world and say give me equality!

Before visibility can achieve full equality for trans society, we as a society must address, and correct the things that divide us. One can not achieve equality if one doesn't know how to give it. It is not up to the trans activist to do this. It is not just up to the trans celebrities to set an example. It is not up to the blogger to bring it up. Support of others within our community can't be limited to a Facebook post. We, trans society, each man, woman, and the gender fluidity in between is responsible for our own actions concerning unity. Here and now, we are the writers for our society. We determine the direction trans people 50 years from now will follow. Will it be a society unified, or a society that still can't achieve their seat in the world because they haven't learned how to even give a seat to their own?

RELATED TOPICS ON TRANSMUSEPLANET

Defining who we are VII: A Cry for Us to Fix Society Now!!!

Defining who we are pt. VI: The Complexities of Trans dating

Defining who we are pt. V: Learning to Care for Our Own

Join us with more discussion about this and many more topics @

THE NEW TMP FORUM

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Trans Faces #13 Aurelius Mark Angel/Dj Soul Manifest: ...The Music Man

By Sabrina Samone, TMP

UPDATE ON THIS INTERVIEW:
During the time of this interview, Aurelius and I were engaged, officially as of March 1 2016, they are no longer my partner. Yet, he remains a multi talent trans man, that is worth the readers here get to know. I will always wish him well, and success in our new lives without each other.

This Valentine's weekend would not be complete unless I mention the man that has renewed my heart and spirit. After an amazing week of celebrating our love for one another, as I often do, and sentimentally reflecting on how we met, our first day, the day he proposed, where he then smiles and replies, "awww...here we go" lol. It's one of those girl things he often teases me about, but yet he listens intently as I reflect on every detail of the day he proposed; the chill in the Charleston W.V. air, the waves of the Kanawha River splashing onto the boardwalk, the clear W.V. sky revealing millions of stars, how he nervously kneeled reading his hand written, proposal poem, while shaking with ring in hand.

Over the past, nearing two years, since we first had a chat online (March 15 2013, lol), I'm surprised that each day that I think I could not love him more, the next brings our hearts even closer than either of us ever imagined. I've come to know a man that is proud, a genius intellect, a man of God, a wild sense of humor, and the hardest working man in trans society. The male opposite of me in so many ways, he is a leader, an advocate that craves no applause. His very struggle with West Virginia law has changed the law for the better for every other trans person there to come. I'm amazed at the time and concern he takes with trans-men from so many places that come for the typical advice one seeks as they begin their journey. His passion for music, art, and photography.

Recently, 'Big A', as I call him, has joined with me here on TMP to smooth the rough corners, and our continued drive to be a voice in the community, as editor. He's the music man and currently in the process of creating a CD of songs. A jewelry designer, not too mention his talents at personal training, and renovating homes.

This Valentine's, I got a second year to spend with my soul mate, and there is no better time to share with my readers why this man is my personal favorite among Trans Faces (or any face for that matter)...now it's your time to get to know Aurelius Mark Angel aka Dj (drop the beat) Soul Manifest.

1. TMP: How important is trans visibility to you, and why do you feel it's important to set an example of self acceptance to a younger 'genderation'?

Aurelius Mark Angel: I think trans visibility is very important. We have the "LGBT" community which we are lumped into but receive no support from, so I feel we as trans people have to set a a good example both in and within our communities. It doesn't have to be anything radical. Just being the best you can be is a way to show the world that we do exist, and that we are like everyone else. It's important for the younger generations to see that others came before them and made it, and they can to.

2. TMP: We as trans people struggle with loving who we are, but do you feel there is an difference between loving oneself and accepting oneself?

A.A.: Well, I think you have to really accept yourself in order to be able to love yourself. I think it's definitely a struggle for trans people to come to terms with our situation, however I also feel a great strength from such a journey is inevitable. It is in our strength and courage that we really realize the extent of our power as trans people. We are beautiful people!

3. TMP: How was coming out to family for you, and what is the one thing you appreciate from them?

A.A.: My mom was actually the one that approached me when I was 15. I didn't know anything about the trans world, even though I grew up in NYC. I hung out at gay clubs and bars, but never identified with being gay. Later on, in my late 20's, is when I came out to my dad as trans. My mom had already passed away when I was 16. My family, for the most part, are very supportive. I still have some that refuse to use correct pronouns but I choose to limit my contact with these people. If I don't respect me no one else will. That's the one thing I can say about my family that I appreciate; all the ones that matter have been supportive and respectful of me.

4. TMP: You lived a few years in West Virginia, when some think of W.V. they may not think liberal and accepting. How was the atmosphere for you?

A.A.: I was hesitant to move to WV after living in NY and other major cities my whole life. I knew that, at the age of 33, it was past time to start my transition. I wouldn't live much longer if I didn't make some changes. I dreaded the thought of trying to transition in WV but it actually went a lot smoother than I thought. I went through the local phone book and dialed all the Dr.'s till I found one that had experience with trans hrt. I got my letters from my local Dr.'s and had surgery down in Florida shortly after that. My WV hrt doctor even performed a srs related surgery for me. Shortly after that I had all I needed to petition the court to legally change my gender on my birth certificate. It took a year and 3 different lawyers to get WV law changed so they wouldn't require bottom surgery for trans people to get their documents changed. It was worth it! I thank God everyday I can live my life in freedom.

5. TMP: The one thing that stood out to TMP, is your contribution on a state level for the welfare of all W.V. trans people to come. Could you tell TMP readers, what was that process like and how has it changed documentation for transgender people in W.V.?

A.A.: It was a difficult process because I faced a lot of discrimination from the first 2 lawyers I dealt with. I even had one return my money and tell me I would never win. I wanted to go rub it in her face we the law finally passed. I was very proud to have been part of helping things be easier for those to come. It's about time there were more laws passed in our favor. By getting trans issues in the court system we are educating mainstream people about our situations and that they are valid. With this bill WV passed, WV residents who wish to change their gender on their birth certificates will no longer be required to have genital surgery.

6. TMP: How lengthy was the legal process of setting a new gender documentation template in W.V.?

A.A.: Well, once I started actually working with an LGBT friendly lawyer who came recommended through The Sylvia Rivera Law Project, things went smoothly from there. With this particular lawyer it took 6 months, but I spent a year total with the runaround I got from the other lawyers. Once the papers were filed it was really a matter of getting everyone's signatures. The Office of Vital Statistics didn't really put up a fight. We had provided evidence from other states which had a similar law in place. The only thing that stands out in my mind is the Director of Vital Statistics saying that he "didn't want any pregnant men running around WV", that's why they still require sterilization. Still not the greatest.

7. TMP: You've recently caught the attention of a satellite radio station featuring new dj's. What inspires you to make music and specifically the type of music you do?

A.A.: I love music! I come from a background of musicians and artists. My dad is a classical guitarist and artist, and my brother can really shred on a guitar. There's just something so freeing and satisfying about making music. Knowing that I can make something that some one else will listen to and really enjoy, the way I enjoy music, is really exciting to me. I love a lot of different styles of music. My faves lately are indie and electronica. I like the energy and urgency of EDM. It's also the most fun to me to make because you get to experiment with so many different layers of crazy sounds. It's just a lot of fun and I hope my music continues to spread!

8. TMP: Where would you like to see your music go this year?

A.A.: I am planning on putting out an album soon in the next few months. Also, I am experimenting with new software and with adding my own vocals from my poetry, so I'm eager to see where this direction takes me. I know I want to constantly keep changing and growing. I like to push myself.

9. TMP: I'm honored that you are also an editor here at TMP, but this is not your first round of being an editor. Tell our readers your history as editor and the magazine you launched several years ago.

A.A.: Thank you, I enjoy working as editor for TMP. I like getting to know a lot of people's stories. It's nice to know we have a place like TMP where we can come for support and knowledge of the world around us. I think it's important our community have that so they don't feel so alone. Yes, I edited and produced Soul Manifest magazine from 1991-1994. I was a literary art magazine geared to the gothic underground. It featured short stories, poetry, art, book and film reviews, as well as music reviews. I accepted contributions from all over the world and it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know people and experience new outlooks. I have always enjoyed working in the media. I like that I can be a part of something where my creativity is being appreciated.

10. TMP: I like to ask, if you could tell the world something about Aurelius Mark Angel and you knew everyone would listen, what would you like them to know about you?

Aurelius Angel/Dj Soul Manifest: I would like them to know that I am a decent, goodhearted person. I would like for them to know the hardworking, disciplined side of me. More than anything I would hope that people could see the passion I put into living my life. I try to live my life in a way that I think life should be lived; with purpose and on purpose.

I'm so glad my readers have gotten the chance to know my Valentine and the talented man he is. So I'm hoping the community can support our brother's music and stop by his following links, to follow and purchase these great mixes.