Tag: openly transgender

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Vermont Dem Scores Historic 1st Transgender Gubernatorial Nomination

In last night’s primary for the Democratic nomination for governor in Vermont, transgender businesswoman Christine Hallquist made history as the first transgender candidate to win the nomination of a major political party for governor.
Christine Hallquist (image via Hallquist campaign)

As the 2018 midterm primary season marches on, more and more LGBTQ candidates are not only running for public office but winning their initial contests.

In last night’s primary for the Democratic nomination for governor in Vermont, transgender businesswoman Christine Hallquist made history as the first transgender candidate to win the nomination of a major political party for governor.

With 99% of precincts reporting, the former energy company CEO garnered 48.3% of the Democratic primary vote, more than twice the 22% of her nearest opponent, James Ehlers.

She will now face incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who is running for his second term. While Vermont tends to lean progressive, Hallquist still faces an uphill climb as no candidate has defeated an incumbent governor in the Green Mountain state since 1962.

Should she win this fall, she would become only the second LGBTQ person to become governor in the United States following openly bisexual Gov. Kate Brown, the incumbent governor of Oregon who’s running for reelection this year as well.

Hallquist, who came out as transgender three years ago, told The Advocate last month that her priorities include addressing poverty, promoting renewable energy and fighting climate change, spotlighting economic development in the state’s rural areas, raising the minimum wage, working toward single-payer health care, and reworking the school funding structure, as well as empowering LGBTQ Vermonters.

Hallquist’s historic win last night means, as noted by Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, that “all 4 letters in [the] LGBT acronym” are represented in Dem gubernatorial nominees this year.”

In addition to Hallquist, the LGBT Democratic candidates who have won their primaries for governor include Oregon’s Brown; Lupe Valdez, a lesbian woman running in Texas; and Jared Polis, a gay man running in Colorado.

According to a study by the LGBTQ organization, The Victory Institute, 2018 has seen over 400 LGBTQ political candidates running for office in America.

Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of The Victory Fund, released a statement about Hallquist’s historic win, which read in part:

“Christine’s victory is a defining moment in the movement for trans equality and is especially remarkable given how few out trans elected officials there are at any level of government. Many thought it unthinkable a viable trans gubernatorial candidate like Christine would emerge so soon. Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open and authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state, and who speaks to the issues most important to voters.”

Tom Perez of the Democratic National Committee issued this statement:

“The DNC is proud to congratulate Christine Hallquist, Vermont’s Democratic nominee for governor and the country’s first-ever openly transgender nominee for governor, along with all of tonight’s Democratic nominees in the Green Mountain State.

“Christine’s historic victory tonight is an inspiration to LGBTQ people everywhere, and we are excited to stand behind her and the entire slate of fantastic Democratic nominees in Vermont.

“There’s no doubt that Christine and her fellow nominees will join a strong ticket this November that will fight for our values and serve as dedicated advocates for Vermont’s working families. Vermont voters know that Democrats have their backs and share their values, and they’re ready to organize to turn more seats blue this November.”

Watch Hallquist’s campaign video below. The general election takes place on November 6, 2018.

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News Round-Up: May 31, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Well, hello there fitness trainer Anatoly Goncharov (above). Aren’t you handsome…? #woof

• An Army veteran is suing the Department of Defense over its policy of excluding people with HIV from enlisting, being deployed overseas, or being commissioned as officers. Sergeant Nick Harrison was denied a position in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps because of a 1980s-era policy that judges HIV+ people to be “non-deployable.”

• Pop star Pink tweeted a pic of her wearing an HRC hat embroidered “Make America Gay Again” just in time for Pride Month. #iLovePink

• The Trump administration has announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and Europe. Europe and Mexico have pledged to retaliate quickly. The Dow closed down over 250 points today on the news.

• Hunter Schafer has gone from transgender activist to high fashion runaway model walking in nine shows, including for Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and House of Holland.

• Take a couple of minutes to hike with smart guy/psychotherapist Matthew Dempsey as he chats about body image and how we see our selves.

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News Round-Up: March 27, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Fitness models Rodiney Santiago and Matt Bishop (above) demonstrate exactly what kind of shirtless winter fun you can have on the slopes. The pic was taken at Big Bear in California where I usually ski, but I never seem to get scenery like this when I’m there 🙂

• The HIV Incidence and Prevalence Report from the CDC shows that one in seven people in the U.S. living with HIV did not know their status.

• Becoming the first municipality in Wisconsin to do so, the Milwaukee Common Council has voted to ban the abusive practice of so-called “conversion therapy” on LGBT youth by a vote of 12-2.

• Marvia Malik makes history as Pakistan’s first transgender news anchor.

• In the case of a gay couple who were attacked last year by a group of anti-gay teenagers in the Netherlands, the prosecutor has only asked for community service as punishment for the attackers who beat the couple with bolt cutters. One victim lost five teeth and has had multiple surgeries since the attack.

• The Advocate has curated a collection of pics from the recent Leather Pride Week in Los Angeles and the crowd was definitely photo-worthy.

• Can you believe 2018 commemorates 25 years in the music business for Toni Braxton? To celebrate the R&B/pop diva has released her new album, Sex & Cigarettes. Check out her latest music video from the album – “Long As I Live.” Talk about a voice that just feels good…

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NBC’s “The Voice” Introduces First Transgender Contestant

NBC’s The Voice made history this week by introducing the series’ first transgender contestant, Angel Bonilla.

After wowing the judges with her performance of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down,” Bonilla explained that she was from the Philippines where she was born as “Carlos.”

“As early as 5 years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,” Bonilla says. “Growing up in a very conservative family, it was very difficult for my father. When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled. He’s not sure if I am his son, but he embraced me. I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me, and I’m doing this to honor him.”

Bonilla was thrilled to accept Adam Levine as her mentor. Looking forward to the next round on The Voice.

Watch Angel’s intro package below.

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Virginia: Danica Roem Becomes First Out Transgender Elected State Legislator Ever

Danica Roem has become the first out transgender state legislator ever elected.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Today, HRC and Equality Virginia, the statewide organization working for LGBTQ equality, hailed Danica Roem’s historic victory in the Virginia District 13 election. Unseating anti-LGBTQ Delegate Bob Marshall, Roem’s electoral victory will make her Virginia’s first out transgender public official and the nation’s only out transgender state representative.

“Danica Roem’s historic victory is a clear warning to anti-equality lawmakers across the country that the days of attacking LGBTQ people to scare up votes are over,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “HRC was proud to mobilize voters to support Danica Roem’s trailblazing candidacy, and we look forward to working with her to help continue moving equality forward in Virginia.”

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Podcast: Antiretroviral Meds Prove Zero Spread Of Infection; President Trump Gets Push Back On Trans Military Ban; Philly Gay-Basher Claims “Self-Defense”

In this week’s podcast:

• A new study shows hiv+ men who take antiretroviral medication on a regular basis have pretty much zero chance of spreading the infection to others

• President Trump gets plenty of pushback on his proposed transgender military service ban

• Out singer/songwriter Wrabel releases powerful anthem of personal empowerment and community, “The Village,” in response to Trump’s trans military ban

• Convicted Philly gay basher Kathryn Knott now says she was acting in self-defense when she shattered the jaw of a gay man in 2014

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

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Open Letter: 45 Senators Ask Secretary Of Defense To Reconsider Trump Trans Military Ban

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of NY

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Armed Services Committee, has penned an open letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis asking him to reconsider Donald Trump’s surprise ban on transgender service members in the U.S. military.

The letter, signed by 44 other senators, urges the Pentagon to at least let the Department of Defense finish a review on the issue before bringing in the new policy.

Gillibrand is joined by 42 Democratic senators as well as Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

“We strongly oppose this policy change and urge you to advise the President against it,” Gillibrand and the senators wrote.

A new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released today shows 58% of Americans agree transgender military members should be allowed to serve.

Only 27% said definitively “no.”

Here’s the full text of the letter and signees:

Dear Secretary Mattis,

We are writing regarding the President’s announcement via Twitter yesterday that transgender Americans can no longer serve in the military. We strongly oppose this policy change, and urge you to advise the President against it. This announcement contradicts existing Defense Department policies, undermines our military readiness, and puts our transgender service members as well as their commanders in an impossible situation. We appreciate General Dunford’s message that no policy changes should be made until implementation guidelines have been issued. We further write to request that, at a minimum, you do not separate any service member due to the person’s gender identity until you have completed the assessment that you announced on June 30, have reported back to Congress about any challenges that you foresee in the accession and retention of transgender troops, and determined the Department is unable to mitigate these challenges.

Transgender Americans who serve in our military put their lives on the line to protect America. They make up a small percentage of the military population, but are reportedly twice as likely to serve in the military as other Americans. Transgender service members have been serving openly since the policy was changed in June 2016 and in that time no service has reported any issues associated with their service.

Forcing these brave Americans out of our military would be cruel and discriminatory. It would harm our readiness by denying the military of these service members’ capabilities and requiring the military to replace them at a time when the recruiting pool for the services continues to shrink. It will harm morale in the military as service members see their brothers and sisters in arms — some of whom are currently forward deployed — thrown out simply because of their identity. And the uncertainty associated with making policy this way is already harming our military readiness and morale, as transgender service members and their superiors struggle to make sense of the policy and what it means for them today and tomorrow.

Any American who wants to serve and meets the standards should be allowed to serve our country. Transgender service members are serving with honor and distinction today and we ask that you, as our Secretary of Defense, assure them that their service will not be ended simply because of who they are.

Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D- Conn.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Susan M. Collins (R-Maine), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D- Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin T. Heinrich (D-N.M.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary C. Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I- Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D- N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

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Trump: U.S. Military Will Not Allow Transgender Individuals To Serve In Any Capacity

Donald Trump announced this morning via Twitter that transgender Americans will not be able to “serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.”

In June 2016, the Pentagon lifted a ban on transgender men and women serving in the military. This is a huge U-turn for trans military personnel who have been serving openly for months.

No word on how Trump and his generals expect to proceed. Will those trans personnel be discharged?

Important to note that the Trump administration has also stepped back from protections for transgender students.

Remember – during the 2016 campaign, Trump declared he would be a better ally for the LGBTQ community than Hillary Clinton.

Stay tuned.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow […]Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming […]victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

The Rand Corporation estimates the cost of gender transition–related health care coverage for transgender personnel to be between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually, representing a tiny 0.04- to 0.13-percent increase in active-component health care expenditures.

Oh, and just a little reminder…

UPDATE:

Axios‘ Jonathan Swan received this response from the White House on the newly announced policy:

“This forces Democrats in Rust Belt states like Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to take complete ownership of this issue. How will the blue collar voters in these states respond when senators up for re-election in 2018 like Debbie Stabenow are forced to make their opposition to this a key plank of their campaigns?”

So, Team Trump is making this a move for anti-trans votes in the Rust Belt.

How does this “make America great again?”

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Trans Candidate Makes History Winning Democratic Nomination For Virginia House Race

Danica Roem

Last night, Danica Roem made history as the first trans person to win a Virginia state legislative primary and could be the nation’s first out trans state lawmaker.

From The Advocate:

Danica Roem has won the Democratic primary for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 13th District, making her the first out transgender candidate to win a Virginia state legislative primary and giving her a chance to be the nation’s only out trans legislator, if she can beat one of the most anti-LGBT lawmakers anywhere.

Roem today bested three other Democrats, and in November she will face Republican Bob Marshall, who has represented the district for 25 years and is known as “Bigot Bob” and “Sideshow Bob” for his extreme anti-LGBT stances and other far-right positions. The district is centered on Prince William County in northern Virginia, not far from Washington, D.C.

Roem told The Advocate she will fight for “transportation, not discrimination,” as the district sorely needs improvements to its highways and expansion of mass transit. Her other priorities include jobs and education, but Marshall, she said, has been focused on proposing anti-LGBT legislation. Just this year, he introduced a “bathroom bill” that would not only prevent transgender students from using the restrooms that match their gender identity, but require teachers to out trans kids to their parents. He used the debunked argument that in the absence of such a measure, men would pretend to be transgender prey on women in restrooms.

He also led the movement to block a gay prosecutor from a judgeship in Virginia, saying a gay person would not be “temperamentally suited” to the job; that gay people shouldn’t serve in the military because they might have HIV; and that if a woman has an abortion, “nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,” making them more likely to have disabilities.

The election will be held November 7.

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Chelsea Manning Says “Hello World!”

Chelsea Manning

One day after her release from Fort Leavenworth where she spent 7 years in confinement, Chelsea Manning posted her first self-pic for the world with the caption, “Okay, so here I am everyone!! 😜 . . #HelloWorld.”

In advance of her release yesterday, she told ABC News, “I appreciate the wonderful support that I have received from so many people across the world over these past years. As I rebuild my life, I remind myself not to relive the past. The past will always affect me and I will keep that in mind while remembering that how it played out is only my starting point, not my final destination.”

Manning had been sentenced to 35 years in prison for releasing approximately 750,000 documents to WikiLeaks.

One of President Obama’s final acts before leaving office was to commute her sentence.

A post shared by Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea87) on May 17, 2017 at 5:21pm PDT