Bill Will Ensure the Success and Well-being of Transgender Students Transgender Law Center commended the California Assembly today for passing the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), introduced by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Equality California, Transgender Law Center, Gender Spectrum, GSA Network and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, addresses the exclusion of transgender students from classes and activities, and clarifies existing anti-discrimination law …read more

By Victoria Michaels In the transgender community it is primarily common as the exploitation of trans-females forced into the sex trade or any other form of sexual exploitation. Transgenders don’t have it easy — largely rejected by their families and society — bounced between group homes, roommates, short-term romantic and often abusive relationships — denied employment — and all too often fall prey to drugs — sex trade — and …read more

Vermont joins three other states and D.C. in having such a mandate. Vermont regulators have issued a mandate that insurers operating within the state cover all medically necessary procedures for transgender people, including gender-reassignment surgery. The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation’s Division of Insurance laid out the policy in a bulletin saying, “DFR is committed to ensuring that Vermonters do not face discrimination in accessing medically necessary health care benefits, …read more

By Victoria Michaels South Florida trans-advocate, Rajindra Narinesingh, aka “Rajee”, captured media headlines during her disastrous encounter with Oneal Morris who performed numerous botched silicone injections which left her grief-stricken and disfigured — not discouraged or crushed — and empowered to author a new memoir. B eyond Face Value takes the reader on an incredible journey through Rajee’s life that is plagued with negativity that goes far beyond her cosmetic catastrophe …read more

Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia At-Large City Councilman James F. Kenney’s LGBT Equality Bill passed by an overwhelming margin of 14 to 3; the bill now goes to Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s desk (who has indicated his support of this bill) for his signature. It should be noted that the bill passed with well more than the 12 votes needed to override a mayoral veto. This Bill will make Philadelphia the largest …read more

“I AM GENDA” is a new feature on the AIDS Issues Update blog which aims to amplify the voices of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers and people across the country to illustrate the need for gender expression non-discrimination protections.  Rachael Therien, 55New York City—GENDA Advocate “I’m originally from Toronto, Canada, born in 1958, but I’ve spent half of my adult life in New York City. I left home in 1977 as a …read more

Editors’ Note: Babs Siperstein is a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee, Deputy Vice Chair of the NJ Democratic State Committee and Political Director of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of NJ. A s a trans activist who is relatively new to the dance, I missed the years of bitter fighting by transgender activists merely to be included in the mission of the Human Rights Campaign. …read more

A D.C. Superior Court judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order requiring a city funded shelter for homeless women located near the U.S. Capitol to stop denying transgender women access to the facility. The Blade had previously reported about a lawsuit brought upon the shelter by a trans women alleging discrimination. Judge Geoffrey Alprin issued the order after the executive director of New Hope Ministries, which operates the John L. …read more

Lillian Lopez was born in Cuba. She was sweet, kind, and gentle. A Beautiful Flower plucked too soon from the garden; to become a bright shinning star Rest in Peace our friend; you are loved ! Lillian Lopez 3-22-1963 to 4-15-2013 Please feel free to leave your kind words and thoughts for Lillian in the comment section below:

In what many see as  ”too little too late,” the Indigo Girls have announced that 2013 will be their last performance at the Michigan Womyn’s Festival unless until they change their policy of excluding trans women. All proceeds from their performance during the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, will be donated to transgender activism. You can read the Indigo Girl’s Full Correspondence here.

Released today, the Trans 100 list celebrates transgender activists, artists,  and legal advocates  in the U.S. NCTE is honored that the inaugural Trans 100 list recognizes the contributions of current staff and board members Mara Keisling, Harper Jean Tobin, Marisa Richmond, and Avory Faucette, as well as former staff and board members Diego Sanchez, Masen Davis and Jaan Williams. The Trans 100 list will be released annually. Trans 100 is an effort to change the media …read more

A Man Who Takes the Place Of gets up close and personal with a Temple grad student on his journey from woman to man. by Josh Middleton One of the most enviable things about being trans is having the chance to rename yourself — just ask any Bertha, Blue Ivy or Elmer. But Temple grad student AJ Young was robbed of his opportunity when destiny decided to swoop in and do the …read more