Monday 21 November 2016

Everything Left Episode 9 - Building A Fourth Wall



I’m joined by Adi and Hannah, as we talk about new laws being proposed in Texas that will target LGBT+ youth, a mother who is suing her transgender daughter, and we take a brief trip to the theatre.




Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk

Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Thursday 17 November 2016

LGBT+ Bullying At High Rate In Scottish Schools



LGBT Youth Scotland has announced that LGBT+ students are facing increased bullying at schools throughout the country.

The group has reported that students have said that they are not confident in reporting the abuse they have been receiving, and that that strong leadership from school leaders and local authorities is needed to tackle the issue.

This news comes in conjunction with a new anti-bullying strategy released by the Scottish government developed with the help of LGBT+ organisations.

LGBT Youth Scotland has said that its study shows that transgender youth face more difficulty than their LGB peers, facing greater levels of bullying.

Megan McIntyre, a member of LGBT Youth Scotland's national youth council, said homophobic bullying is often not taken seriously when reported.

'I had to move school because they wouldn't deal with the bullying at all.'  She told the BBC.  'Once I had moved my new school wasn't much better.  As a result, my attendance dropped as I didn't want to be there.  I wasn't in a good place.'

A spokesperson for the Scottish government has spoken out against anti-LGBT+ bullying, saying 'Respect for All, the refreshed national anti-bullying strategy for children and young people, which has been developed in collaboration with organisations including LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Scotland, will take a holistic approach to tackling the issue.

'Last week, Deputy First Minister John Swinney wrote to the Scottish Parliaments Equalities and Human Rights Committee to welcome their input into the process and agree to put the publication on hold to allow for meaningful engagement.

'We have also committed to a programme of teacher education on equality for all, proving further funding where necessary and have updated relationship teaching guidance.'


Amy.
xx


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Kong: Skull Island Trailer Released



Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. have released a new trailer for the upcoming 'Kong: Skull Island', the latest reboot of the King Kong franchise set in the same universe as the 2014 Godzilla reboot.

The film is set in the 1970's and follows a team of explorers that are brought together to venture into the uncharted Skull Island deep in the pacific.  The team become stranded on the island when they venture into the territory of the massive ape Kong.

The latest trailer reveals that Kong may not be the 'villain' of the film, as a teams exploration appears to have awoken a host of underground creatures that are definitely more in keeping with the kinds of Kaiju seen in the Godzilla universe.


Kong: Skull Island is set for release March 10 2017.


Amy.
xx


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Seattle Bans Conversion Therapy For Children



In a unanimous vote Seattle City Council has voted to pass an ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors.

The bill was sponsored by Seattle city council-member Lorena Gonzalez and had the support of the city mayor Ed Murray before it came to vote.

The ban prevents mental health providers or religious groups from offering 'gay cure' or 'conversion' therapies on any members of the LGBT+ community, as well as advertisement of the practice.  Anyone found in breach of the ban will face a fine of $1,000.

Lorena Gonzalez spoke out on the practice, saying 'It's absolutely offensive to me, that instead of providing these children, who are going through perhaps a moment of confusion ... instead of providing them the support that they need, there are people out there who believe it appropriate to convince these children that their same-sex orientation is somehow a disease or an illness, or something that can be cured.'

'Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer or transgender is not an illness, nor is it something that needs a cure.'

City council member Debora Juarez, a member of the Blackfleet Nation, compared the practice to the assimilation forced upon native peoples.

'Conversion therapy is 20th century or 21st century version of what happened to my people all in the name of assimilation.  We were forcibly taken from our families, from our children.  I am literally one generation removed from that practice.'

'It breaks my heart that we have to pass a law to recognise your humanity.'  She added, addressing the LGBT+ community.


Amy.
xx


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Wednesday 16 November 2016

Channel 4 To Air Documentary Focusing On Transgender Children



Channel 4 are to air a new documentary show focusing on the struggles of transgender children in the UK as they seek help and treatment on the NHS, and the struggles they experience in their daily lives.

The first episode of the series 'Kids on the Edge', which will air at 10pm on Wednesday 16th November, will follow a group of children who attend Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS).  Tavistock is the only facility for transgender youth in the UK to be funded by the NHS.


The show will look at the consequences of living with gender dysphoria, as well as the work that GIDS does as a whole.  The show explores transition and medical intervention, as well as the increase in referrals to the clinic in the past year (a 100% increase).

The episode is directed by BAFTA-winner Peter Beard.


Amy.
xx


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CW Reveals First Look At The Dominators For DC Cross-Over Event



Since the CW acquired the Supergirl television show and added it to their ever expanding roster of DC universe programs the prospect of a cross-over that would encompass Arrow, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl has had fans excited for months.

Having previously teased the introduction of the Dominators as the threat that would unite all of these heroes together, and revealing the title of the four part event to be 'Invasion!' after the classic 80's event series, the CW have finally revealed the first look at the Dominators in a fantastic new trailer.


The event will see the Dominators coming to Earth to eliminate Metahumans, forcing the heroes to band together across dimensions and time to fight this new threat.

The trailer also teases the return of fan favourite villain Deathstroke, as well as the costume for Legends of Tomorrow newcomer Steel.


Amy.
xx


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Tuesday 15 November 2016

Everything Left Episode 8 - The Fight Is Not Over



I'm joined by Adi, as we discuss the outcome of the American election, and desperately try to find other stories to discuss.

https://www.acast.com/everythingleft/episode-8-the-fight-is-not-over



Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

BBC Radio 1 Show Accused Of Transphobic Game



The BBC has come under criticism for a new segment on their popular Radio 1 breakfast show, where host Nick Grimshaw is joined by comedian and television personality David Walliams to play a game entitled 'I'm A  Lady', where they encourage the public to call in so that the hosts can guess if people are male or female just from the sound of their voice.


The name of the game comes from a popular series of sketched from Walliam's television show 'Little Britain', where it was a catchphrase of the character Emily Howard.  The sketches were often mocking of the transgender community, something that people have complained about in regards to the new radio game.



'I've been caught out by this a lot of times over the years.  You wake up in the morning and you're in for a surprise.'  Walliams joked before the game began.

Sadly for Walliams and Grimshaw the game was met with some criticism online, with a number of people taking to Twitter to express their anger over the game, with one commenter even pointing out the poor timing of the game in the lead up to the Trans Day of Rememberance on 20 November, in which the community mourns those lost over the last 12 months.


So far neither Walliams, Grimshaw nor the BBC have commented on the incident.


Amy.
xx


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Monday 31 October 2016

The Daily Mail Targets Transgender Children



British right wing tabloid newspaper The Daily Mail has sets it's sights on transgender children as a series of articles attacking charity Mermaids and BBC children's show about trans issues emerge in the same weekend.

On Saturday 29th October the tabloid published an article attacking the transgender support charity Mermaids for supporting a mother and her child who has been experiencing gender dysphoria.  The article reported that the much applauded charity had 'meddled' in a dispute between the parents of the young child.

Whilst many other reports have made it clear that the child is experiencing issues regarding their gender identity and possibly suffering from gender dysphoria The Daily Mail has claimed that the charity has attempted to influence the child and their mother into becoming transgender.

The mother has been allowing her child to express themselves in a way that feels natural and comfortable to them, and has been presenting as female at both home and school.  The father, however, has said that his child is simply 'confused' and blames both his ex-wife and the charity for their child's choices.

The paper has taken an extremely confrontational view in the way that they have reported the story, who refuse to gender the child as anything other than male, despite the child identifying as female, and even go so far as to try and brand Mermaids as 'controversial' simply for being a charity that supports the trans community.

The piece sides completely with the father, and the judge who deemed the mother to be harmful and removed the child from her care, as it goes on to paint a picture of an abused child forced into being transgender by a disturbed mother and a meddling charity.

Whilst the trans community was still reeling from this open and blatant attack on transgender children and an incredibly important charity the paper proceeded to continue its assault on the community, and trans children in particular, as it published anti-trans material on its front page the very next day.

On the 30th October The Mail on Sunday was released with the headline 'Fury At BBC Sex Change Show For 6-Year-Olds'.

The article attacks an educational show produced by the BBC and available on their CBBC website about a transgender 11-year-old Amy, and her struggle to transition to her true gender, 'I'm Just A Girl'.  The article claims that parents are angry about the show, saying that is is 'sowing the seeds of confusion' for children.

The piece goes on to claim that the show is inappropriate and that it will cause damage for the audience, using quotes from former MP's, family campaigners and child psychotherapists to try and paint the series in a negative light and make it appear to be a danger to children who may be experiencing struggles with trans issues.

Tory MP Peter Bone spoke out against the show, stating 'It beggars belief that the BBC is making this programme freely available to children as young as six.  I entirely share the anger of parents who just want to let children be children.  It is completely inappropriate for such material to be on the CBBC website and I shall be writing to BBC bosses to demand that they take it down as soon as possible.'

The show aims to teach children about transgender issues and has been praised the show for its positive message, it's handling of a complex issue and the way that it aims to give children advice that can help them better understand what trans people go through, and that may even help trans children to come to terms with these issues themselves.

The Daily Mail has come under criticism for its handling of these stories over the weekend by many in the trans community and their supporters as a whole, with many taking to social media to condemn the articles and the papers approach to the issues.

Sadly The Daily Mail is no stranger to abuse of transgender people, with the paper having reportedly being responsible for hounding Lilly Wachowski to reveal her trans status, as well as being the chief reason that school teacher Lucy Meadows took her own life.

The paper is a right wing rag, only caring about their sales and their popularity, appealing only  to the most backwards and hate filled right wing populace who want to blame their problems on anyone who isn't cis, white, straight, british people in employment.  If you fall within the areas that they blame for the ails of the country they will make you their enemy, they will print lie about you and they will make it their mission to destroy your life.

The Daily Mail does not care about the transgender community, they already have the blood of the community on their hands, and now they want to hurt our children.


Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Thursday 27 October 2016

Everything Left Episode 6 - American Politics Special



Adi and I are joined by our first ever special guest, Democratic Congress hopeful Danielle Pellett, as we discuss American politics and the upcoming election.

Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk

Visit Danielle Pellett’s page:  https://www.facebook.com/DaniForCongress/

Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

https://www.acast.com/everythingleft/episode-6-american-politics-special


Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Friday 21 October 2016

Everything Left Episode 5 - Marmite Supremacists



I’m joined by Adi, Han and Richard as we discuss Donald Trupm’s latest horrors, Marmite shortages, Russia restricting access to LGBT+ support websites, hate crime and The Daily Mail rears it’s ugly head again.

Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk

Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

https://www.acast.com/everythingleft/episode-5-marmite-supremacists


Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Wednesday 12 October 2016

Everything Left Episode 4 - Functionally Useless Gremlins



I’m joined this week by Adi, Han and Richard as we discuss The Daily Mail, killer clowns, Tory privatisation problems, disability visibility and the tragic death of a young transgender person. Somehow gremlins became involved too, though I’m still a little confused as to why.

Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk

Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music



Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Friday 7 October 2016

Everything Left Episode 3 - Finally Got Our Pound Of Cake



I’m joined by Han for Episode 3, where we discuss gay comics, Nottingham’s hate of beggars, right-wing reporting in The Sun and the sweet, sweet taste of bakery justice.

Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk

Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music




Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Wednesday 5 October 2016

One Million Moms Attack H&M Over Cis Woman They Believe is Trans, Miss Actual Trans Woman



The Christian hate group One Million Moms has launched a boycott of the Swedish multinational clothing retailer H&M following their new advertisement, 'She's a Lady'.


The group have attacked the advert and called for their supporters to boycott the retailer, stating; '1MM is not sure of H&M clothing company's thought process behind their new television ad, but if they're attempting to offend customers and families, they have succeeded,

'H&M's newest 'She's A Lady' commercial features what appears to be a man dressed as a woman in one segment, another woman wearing skimpy lingerie, and ends with two teenage girls kissing while underwater.

'Parents find this type of marketing inappropriate and unnecessary especially since H&M's target market is teens.  H&M Marketing Team may have thought that this type of advertising was politically correct, but not only is it disgusting and confusing for children, it is pushing the LGBT agenda.'

Interestingly, the 'man dressed as a woman' in the add that One Million Moms has taken offense at is actually Muay Thai Boxing female champion Fatima Pinto, who is cisgender and does not place herself on the transgender spectrum.

What One Million Moms failed to complain about in their pursuit of anti-LGBT+ hate was the actual transgender model Hari Nef.  Good work 1MM.


Amy.
xx


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Everything Left Episode 2 - Time Travel Murder Babies



In this episode we talk about the rise of racism in the UK following the EU referendum, capital punishment, time travel, brain slugs and John Cena.  Trust me, it all makes sense........kind of.

https://www.acast.com/everythingleft/episode-2-time-travel-murder-babies



Amy.
xx


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Friday 30 September 2016

Centre For Disease Control Leaves Trans Out of LGB Youth Campaign



The Center for Disease Control has released a study on violence against LGB youth campaign, designed to highlight how lesbian, gay and bisexual teens and children face an extraordinary high amount of violence, bullying and harassment, leading to higher rates of suicide and depression.

Whilst some members of the LGBT+ community are praising this study there are some who have found that it lacks in some areas, particularly with it's exclusion of the transgender population.

The info-graphic released for the report makes no mention of transgender youth or the struggles that they face, despite the fact that are very similar to those that the rest of the LGBT+ population experience and can be combated in the same ways.

When challenged as to why the transgender population was not included in this study the CDC released the following statement; 'Thanks for all the great questions and comments related to why transgender youth are not included in the info-graphic.  Transgender youth are included in all Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.  However, we do not have a question to identify them.  The challenge is developing a credible gender identity question that is appropriate for students and consistent with the YRBS question format.

'We are working on developing and testing a question on gender identity.  This is an important next step to determine if YRBS can be a good source of data on the transgender population.  We are committed to preventing violence before it happens among all youth.'

I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert in this field, that I don't have the same level of education or training as the people who work for the CDC, but am I totally missing the point of what they're saying here.  They don't have a question that identifies trans people?

I've filled in enough surveys and applications over the last few years that have asked me my gender and included the options of male, female or transgender.  Is that not enough to identify people as transgender for a study?  Is asking'what's your gender' and leaving a blank space for people to write the answer not a method?  How the hell can the CDC not have a way of identifying trans people?  Every other organisation seems to have been able to.

Whilst the CDC may be struggling to find a way of finding out information on trans people there are many organisations that have released extensive studies on the subject that have managed to find a way of doing so, perhaps in the future the CDC might be able to consult with them to either use their data or simply to ask, 'how did you find out people were trans?'.

Many members of the trans community have taken offense at the results of the study, citing it as yet another example of trans erasure or an attempt to split the transgender population away from the larger LGBT+ group.  Whilst I don't think that any plan to seperate trans and the rest of the community was put into play here, it still has the worrying effect of trying to further 'other' the transgender community.

One thing that is worthy of note, the CDC is claiming that they don't have the data regarding transgender people, that they have no definite information in order to be able to include them or write about their struggles, however, they have created an official page regarding the zombie apocalypse.


Thank you for the message you're sending out CDC, 'we can't possibly get out heads around trans people and how they work in the real world so we're not going to include them, but zombies, yeah, we can totally get on board with zombies'.

Do better CDC.  Do a hell of a lot better.


Amy.
xx


Go to Amy's Blog

Thursday 29 September 2016

UKIP Member Suspended For Standing Up Against Racism



A key figure in Peterborough's branch of UKIP has been suspended after 'speaking out against elements of racism, cronyism, corruption and hypocrisy' in the party,

Jay Beecher, the deputy chairman of UKIP Peterborough, who coordinated the Vote Leave campaign in the Peterborough area during the run up to the EU referendum reported that he was suspended from the party after speaking out against the more negative elements.

A few days before his suspension he tweeted, 'After a lot of though, I've decided to stand up to the cronyism, the hypocrisy and elements of unchallenged racism within our party.'  After the suspension came through Mr Beecher tweeted to say that he 'couldn't be prouder'.

'I've been suspended for standing up to and speaking out against elements of racism, cronyism, corruption and hypocricy which I became privy to during the leadership race.'  He told local news sources.  'All these things are destroying UKIP.  I'm very disappointed with the route I'm having to take, but I'm proud to be making a stand.

'We shouldn't ever shy away from challenging someone's immoral or racist behavior simply because we might share the same political beliefs or swear allegiance to the same party.

'Our party looks to be turning in a rather questionable direction.  Our grassroots, our elected officials and the people they represent are being sorely let down.  It's time we made a stand.'

A spokesman for the right wing party released a statement on the matter, 'Mr Beecher has been suspended after repeatedly making deliberate and demonstrably false allegations against other members of the party, and doing so in various media outlets.

'He's a talented young man and its a shame that he uses his time to attack people in his party rather than build up support as we move forward to the Cambridgeshire County Council elections next year.'


Amy.
xx


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Monday 26 September 2016

Everything Left Episode 1 - Schrodinger's Rodriquez



My brand new podcast is now available online at Soundcloud, head over there now and check it out!

In Episode One I'm joined by Adi and Han as we discuss Michelle Rodriguez's new film '(Re)Assignment', trans representation in film and television, British Royal family members coming out as gay, hate preachers being banned from entering the UK, and we learn that Han has a surprising lack of knowledge of celebrity deaths.




Amy.
xx


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Transgender Teen Fired From McDonalds Following Media Attention



Kenny Cooley, a transgender teen from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is reporting that he has been fired from his job at McDonalds following a news report focusing on him being an out transgender football player on his school team.  

Kenny has reported to the media that he has faced a backlash from his employer following a news report by ABC News in which he was profiled.  He has said that only two days after the report appeared in the Canadian publication he was called into his managers office and told that his contract was being terminated, in part because of scheduling mishaps, but also due to media attention.

The owner operator of the McDonalds where Kenny works, Bob Smith, has released a statement saying that he is 'shocked by these allegations as they are simply not true'.  He went on to say, 'I have been a local business owner for more than 25 years and pride myself on operating an open and diverse workplace.  At my restaurants, inclusion has always been an important part of my work culture.

'Our philosophy has always been to 'bring your whole self to work'.  By doing so we encourage an open and accepting workplace that allows everyone to contribute to their personal best.'

The local LGBT+ advocacy group has called for an official apology and for Kenny to be given his job back.

'Youth are constantly telling us that they're denied employment opportunities because they're trans - we hear it happen all the time,' Youth Project director Kate Shewan spoke out on the incident.  

Despite Kenny's mother stating that she wishes to take McDonalds to court over the incident he has simply stated that he wants to receive an apology over the incident.


Amy.
xx


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Sunday 25 September 2016

'Love Is Love' Comic To Benefit Victims Of Orlando Massacre



DC and IDW have entered into a partnership to produce a new one-shot comic called 'Love is Love', the proceeds of which will benefit the victims of the Orlando Pulse Massacre that occred earlier this year in whihc 49 LGBT+ people lost their lives.  The project will be donating to the victims of the shooting through Equality Florida.

'Love is Love' will feature work by industry names such as Paul Jenkins, Jason Aaron, Olivier Coipel, Phil Jimenez, Mike Carey, Damon Lindelof, Ming Doyle, Jesus Saiz, Patton Oswald, Jason Latour, Leinil Yu, Brandon Peterson, James Tynion IV, Rafael Albuquerque, Marguerite Bennett, Cecil Castellucci, Steven Orlando and many more to be announced.

'When Tragedy happens, art responds, and after the Pulse massacre, the comics community responded quickly, decisively and with open hearts,' said project organiser Marc Andreyko, 'I could not be more proud of this book, or to be a member of the comics community.  The talent and emotion on every page is staggering.  'Love is Love' mourns the forty nine lost, honours the survivors and celebrates love in all forms.'

The 144 page book, due out in December, will not only have IDW and DC characters and creators, but is also being reported to have additions from other publishers too.

Chris Ryall, Chief Creative Officer at IDW, said, 'When Marc brought this project to me, there was no hesitation about us being involved.  To echo Marc's sentiments, we are proud of the hard work and the talent that has gone into this project and to involved in any way to support the survivors and their families in the face of tragedy.'

Vertigo group editor Jamie Rich added, 'Marc's heartfelt passion for this cause and this project has inspired everyone involved in 'Love is Love'.  As an editor on the book, I continue to be moved every day by the expressions of hope and love the contributors have put forth, and can only imagine the profound impact the book will have on readers.'

'Love is Love' is set for release this December.


Amy.
xx


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Gay Teen Suing School That Refused To Let Him Bring A Date To Prom



A gay teen from Tennessee is suing his former school after they refused to let him bring a date to his homecoming prom.

Lance Sanderson has filed a lawsuit stating that his school, the all male Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, went against anti-discrimination laws when he was told that he could not bring another boy to the dance as his date, despite other students being allowed to bring female partners from outside of the school.

Lance chose to skip the dance rather than attend without being able to bring a partner, but reports that the school still suspended him for a week for having requested permission to bring a same sex partner.

The lawyers in the case, which cites breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent training among it's violations, have said that that despite the school's private status it is in receipt of federal funding, and as such must abide by anti-discrimination laws and legislation.

Speaking out on the incident Lance said, 'I've been out since my freshman year of high school, and I've been a great student as well as a photographer for most of my school's events.  When I first started to float the idea of bringing a same sex date to homecoming I was told that my school doesn't discriminate by a school official.

'But, when that school official left over the summer, I was met with harsh opposition by my school.  One administrator told me that even though some people interpret Pope Francis's teachings on the issue as as meaning that they should support same sex couples, these people are 'not the authority to which Christian Brothers High School is accountable'.

'Now my school is making daily announcements across the whole school saying that students can't bring same sex dates from other schools.

'I just want to bring a date of my choice to homecoming like the rest of my friends and classmates.  I'm not asking for special treatment.  I'm just asking for respect and the chance to make my last homecoming a truly memorable experience.'

Lance's case is still ongoing.


Amy.
xx



Saturday 17 September 2016

Christian Music Festival Bans Gay Singer




Joshua Fest, a Christian festival in Quincy, California, has dropped an openly gay singer from it's line-up and banned him from their event.  Trey Pearson, lead singer of the popular Christian band Everyday Sunday came out to fans as gay in an emotional letter earlier this summer, a shock revelation to many of the bands fans as he has previously been believed to be straight, being married and having two children with his wife.

In his coming out letter Pearson admits that he has been 'choosing' to be straight after being raised in a Christian environment that taught him that homosexuality was a sin, and a choice.  'I tried for a really long time , I don't think I was ever trying to lie to anyone, I was trying to convince myself I could be something I wasn't.'

Despite some of his more open minded fans congratulating him on his bravery at coming out and living his life as his true self, others have been extremely critical of his sexuality, and Joshua Fest has since dropped the band from their event and have reportedly banned Pearson from attending.

The decision to drop the band came after members of the festival crew threatened to walk out of the event if an openly gay man was allowed to appear.  The festival owners cite this as their reason for dropping the act, claiming that the amount of staff who threatened to leave would have made the event unable to be run.


Amy.
xx


Monday 12 September 2016

Judge Tells Trans Man To 'Pick A Name I Can Live With'



A judge from the state of Georgia has refused to allow a transgender man to change his name unless he chooses a gender neutral or unisex name.

Earlier this year Andrew Baumert filed a petition to have his name legally changed from his birth name to Andrew.  Court records show that Andrew provided all of the relevant and correct documents necessary for the change, yet Judge J. David Roper denied the request less than 10 minutes into the hearing.

Roper stated his reason for denying the change as being that Andrew is too masculine a name, and that it may confusing or misleading to other people.  Whilst there are exceptions in which a court can deny a name change, such as a lengthy criminal record or if they believe that someone is trying to defraud creditors, but there is no legal standing to deny a petition based on the ground of gender dysphoria.

Court records have shown that Roper told Andrew that he would be fine allowing the name change if a gender neutral name was chosen.  He said, 'I can live with Morgan, Shannon, Shaun and Jamie'.

Andrew has since approached civil rights organisations for assistance with this case and has gone on to describe the incident as 'humiliating' to the press.

'It was humiliating and insulting to be told by the court that I would not be able to change my name legally when I'm already known as Andrew by my family, my friends and my community.  I work in labs all day, but it doesn't take a scientist to know that the judge's ruling was based on sexist opinions about 'appropriate' names.'

This is not the first time that Roper has denied a trans man's petition to change his name legally, however, as in the past he has refused to allow a trans man to change his name to Rowan.  At the time Roper denied this change, which also met all of the legal requirements, on the grounds that he believed it could 'offend the sensibilities and mores of a substantial portion of the citizens of this state.'


Amy.
xx


Wednesday 7 September 2016

Leicester Pride Issue Apology For Using The Word 'Tranny'



Five days after an incident at my local Pride event in Leicester where I received a torrent of abuse online for asking event organisers why a member of their team was wearing a high-vis jacket with the word 'tranny' printed on the back, Leicester Pride has released an official statement regarding the incident.


Apology from Leicester Pride

With reference the recent event in Leicester and it being highlighted to us about the use of the word 'Tranny' being an offensive word to some people in our community, we would like to whole heartedly apologise for any offence taken. It was never meant in its context to be offensive and it was ignorant of us to think that in this day it was ok.

One the day of the festival comments were made on our Facebook page, which by the time we were aware had also got very abusive sub comments added by members of the public. We took what action we felt was right at the time, which was to delete the entire thread from our page.

Leicester Pride welcomes people from all walks of life and to think that this has in anyway ruined people's day when they were attending or upset them in any fashion is totally unacceptable and for that we once again apologise.

Since then we have been contacted by the publication Planet Transgender and agreed to meet to discuss this, although a formal time etc has not yet been agreed we hope that we can have an open discussion and move on from this is a positive way.

Leicester Pride will never encourage any sort of negatively to people in our community and hope this apology is accepted in the spirit it is intended.

Leicester Pride


I would like to thank the organisers of  the event for taking this incident seriously, even though it did take them a while to respond to the incident it's encouraging to see that they have not just dismissed it out of hand the way that some groups might have done.

As they have said in their statement, they have been contacted via Planet Transgender, who I work with, and they have greed to discuss the matter with us further,  As the rest of the Planet Transgender Team are not within the UK I am pleased to be the one to talk to them regarding this matter, and am hoping that they contact us regarding this very soon.


Amy.
xx

Sunday 4 September 2016

Trans Radio Presenter Stephanie Hirst Set To Move To BBC Radio 2



BBC Radio 2 could be about to get their very first out trand DJ as Stephanie Hirst begins negotiations to take over from Paul Gambaccini as he moves slots.

According to the Daily Mirror 'Stephanie has had four meetings with senior bosses, including three full auditions, which saw her record her show as though it is live and going out on air.  She really impressed and is now very much in the frame for the job.'

Stephanie has a great deal of experience as a Radio DJ, having previously worked for both Captial FM and Radio 5 Live.


Amy.
xx

Saturday 3 September 2016

Prometheus Coming to Season 5 of Arrow



After fighting super soldiers, immortal assassins and magicians Arrow is heading back towards to regular human villains going into it's fifth season.

Whilst a large part of the season will involve the Russian Maffia, with 80's movie legend Dolph Lundgren playing a key role, a new villain will also be staling the streets in the form of Prometheus.  The series producers are saying that Prometheus will be the major threat of the season.

Hopefully he won't be as destructive a force as he was for Green Arrow in the comics, where he destroyed a huge section of Star City, resulting in Roy Harper losing an arm, and the death of his daughter Lian.


Arrow will return on October 5th.


Amy.
xx

Supernatural Release First Picture of Mary Winchester in Action



Season 11 of Supernatural wasn't one of the best, it had a great idea for a villain in an 'evil' counterpart to God, and the actual inclusion of God towards the end of the season, but sadly let itself down with a lackluster final episode.

With God dying and Amara looking unbeatable the Winchesters win the day by essentially getting her to agree to have a talk with her brother and the two of them putting their differences behind them, not exactly the best finale the show has ever given us.

The final episode did, at least set up some interesting new ideas going forward into season 12, one being the new human villains, the other being the surprise return of Mary Winchester, Sam and Dean's mother who died when Sam was still a baby.

It's anyone's guess what her return will mean for the show and the relationships between the characters, but from new promo images it would look like she's quickly calling on her history as a hunter and jumping straight into the action.


Supernatural is set to return to screens on October 13th.


Amy.
xx