Thursday, April 28, 2011

Trans Issues at the White House

White House meeting on transgender issues tomorrow? Freaking yes? Supposed to focus on employment issues? I think it's about time? K thanks?

Check out the news story here. Opening paragraph:

“Transgender activists intend to discuss federal policy issues at an upcoming White House meeting that will be the first ever held by the Office of Public Engagement to focus solely on trans issues.Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said the meeting, which is set to take place Friday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, will include transgender leaders who work on federal policy.”

Attack on a TransWoman at McDonalds


So you’ve probably all heard more than you care to about the transwoman who got beat up at McDonald’s in Baltimore for trying to use the bathroom, yes? Essentially, a 22-year-old transwoman was attacked by customers while employees encouraged the attack and video recorded it. Which was dumb—but evidently only one employee has been “held responsible” and I’m not sure if anyone has been fired. I’m posting a link to the best article I’ve read on the incident so far.

There have been huge reactions, online and in communities. There are also a lot of petitions going around from different groups. The one posted here was started by a Baltimore resident and is associated with change.org, which is where I got the above article from and which seems to be the petition with the most signatures.

There’s a video available, but I don’t suggest you watch it.