February 2012
39 posts
"Honest" Girl Scouts →
Ryan, this is a site about Girl Scouts in Colorado who are boycotting Girl Scout cookies because GSUSA allows transwomen into Girl Scouts, supports “pro abortion groups” like Planned Parenthood, and has LGBT+ staff. It’s disgusting. I thought I should share it with you because of your post earlier about the Indiana lawmaker. It’s sad the world we live in.
2 tags
Update to Post Yesterday "This Is What Transphobia...
Yesterday I posted an advertisement by Paddy Power that is extremely offensive toward the transgender community. I wanted to let people know today that taking actions like writing letters, contacting networks that air these type of ads as well as the company that was the initial offender causes change.
Today the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is launching a formal investigation against...
5 tags
Baltimore County is now the 4th County in Maryland...
I’ve posted on this story regarding Baltimore County, Maryland last week after an amendment was introduced that would have exempted bathrooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms from a new measure that would add transgender individuals as protected under the county’s nondiscrimination policy.
Yesterday the city council voted to pass the nondiscrimination policy, and fortunately, DID NOT...
“Undaunted by ridicule from the leader of his own party, an Indiana lawmaker is...”
– Really? Reallly? FML, ridiculous. How do these people become lawmakers? And what right do lawmakers have to make ridiculous, unfounded, ignorant and completely irrational statements? *shaking head, hitting wall*
Indiana lawmaker says Girl Scouts promote abortion - Yahoo! News
Anonymous asked: I greatly appreciate your response, as to where I am, I live in Indianapolis, indiana. By providers, do you mean a clinic/pharmacy? I'm looking into going to a clinic called "my bio". But it sounds like gel/cream would be significantly cheaper from them, and Im beginning to think I may want injectable instead.
Anonymous asked: I feel so overwhelmed and hopeless when researching how to start my transition, ie T and top surgery. My insurance only mentions bottom surgery under "sex reassignment". And if they do cover what I need, because of the requirements I may not get coverage for 2/3 bloody years. I don't know what to do or where to start, i just want to start t at least, or even figure out how. Any...
triumphwithoutstruggle asked: did you have a hysterectomy as well?
4 tags
“Kids who are distressed because they feel their physical body doesn’t...”
– If you are having problems with your own family or a provider because of your gender identity, share this article with them to reaffirm who you are and that this isn’t “just a phase.”
-Ryan
Without Treatment, Mental Health Problems Plague Transgender Kids | Gender Identity...
“A small but growing number of teens and even younger children who think they...”
– This is such important work. The more providers who help these families and their gender variant youth, I believe the lower amount of mental/physical health problems we’ll see in these kids as they age. Everything I’ve been researching in order to write healthcare modules for providers...
Anonymous asked: Have you gotten the Gender Reassignment Genital Surgery?
themaxwild asked: Hi there! I apologize if you've gotten this question before... I've been asked to speak to my university's gay/straight alliance group about being transgender. I was wondering you had any tips or anything I should definitely speak about to them. Thanks! Also, you're kinda huge inspiration to me. It's fantastic to have someone like you to look up to on my...
Anonymous asked: I'm preparing to start giving myself injections of T in the next week or so, I've gone from a compounded cream to injections to save some money. Do you have any good resources for self-injecting? I've watched doctors' videos on youtube and such but I'm kind of nervous about injecting myself.
“Gathering in the hall outside the chamber of the Maryland House of Delegates,...”
– While Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has vetoed marriage equality, Maryland moves forward to recognizing human rights. Once signed by their Governor, Maryland will make 8 states in the U.S. plus the District of Columbia that recognize marriage equality. Let’s see if we can get to 10...
“The New Jersey Assembly passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage on...”
– New Jersey Assembly OKs gay marriage; veto awaits - Yahoo! News
3 tags
Students at Bakersfield College Advocating for...
I am excited to follow this story and see what steps toward trans-inclusion Bakersfield’s campus completes. An observation I’ve made through my travels is that a lot of campuses that currently offer some form of trans-inclusion were motivated to change due to students speaking up. If you are on a campus that is lacking inclusion, go to either your LGBTQ Resource Center, professors in...
“After hearing hours of testimony on a bill to ban discrimination against...”
– I really don’t understand why the hell they would try policing bathrooms and keeping transgender people from going into the restroom that represents their social identity. This isn’t a safety issue concern for non-trans people, this IS a safety issue for trans individuals who are just...
3 tags
Bill Would Make Illinois Hate Crimes Law...
Hopefully this bill will go through and make Illinois the 13th state plus the District of Columbia to have trans-inclusive hate crimes laws. It appears from this article that Illinois is also having a bill introduced that if passed would make Illinois the 8th state to recognize marriage equality. Other states that recognize marriage equality are Washington (as of this week!), Iowa, New York,...
Anonymous asked: I know I won't be able to afford top surgery before I go to college unless I take out a loan. This isn't something I want to do at all because my parents and I are facing the huge financial burden of paying for a university in the fall. I just don't know what to do because not having surgery is driving me deeper and deeper into depression and a place where I have zero...
invinciblefreedom asked: Hi, I'm Weston, I'm FTM and I'm doing a term paper for my senior AP Government project on Transgender Laws Affecting America, could you recommend any laws I should look into or any valuable websites for information? Thanks =]
nocturnal-fox asked: Will your book be available as e-book?
Anonymous asked: hi. im about. to start t and come out to my immediate family (including little kids). any advice?
oolongpluslignin asked: Your series of photos with your scars is beautiful. (You're one attractive fellow as well.)
Anonymous asked: So, this may be a strange question, but how tall are you?
5 tags
3 tags
4 tags
ACLU Appears in Court to Challenge Alaska Policy...
“The American Civil Liberties Union and the law firm Perkins Coie appeared in Alaska Superior Court yesterday seeking to allow transgender individuals to correct the sex marker on their driver’s licenses. Refusing to change the sex marker on a driver’s license or requiring surgery prior to a change places an undue burden on transgender individuals and presents a gross violation of an...
4 tags
Ellen Addresses Her JCPenney Critics →
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player
You go, Ellen.
Check out the link to see Ellen’s response to this group that wanted her removed as the new JC Penny spokesperson. I love her quote, “Haters are my motivators.” I also love the fact that recently it seems that LGBT individuals and women’s health has had an upswing of attacks (I partly blame the...
3 tags
Colleges that now offer Online Trans* Resources...
I often conduct trans-inclusion trainings for professional on college campuses and was delighted to see this article today during my regular search for national news affecting the transgender community.
The University of Missouri-Columbia, Trans Action Team has recently taken a step up and created a website for the transgender community, “in order to provide students with resources and...
“Prop 8 has been found unconstitutional!
“Proposition 8 serves no purpose,...”
– Court overturns Prop. 8 in California, says state can’t ban gay marriage | The Lookout - Yahoo! News
5 tags
You Go Salina, Kansas! Proposed City Ordinance...
Salina, Kansas is in the process of moving forward a city ordinance that would add sexual orientation and gender identity/expression onto their non-discrimination clause. I suggest people interested in this, read the brief summary written in the Salina Journal.
I remember back in 2009 when I traveled down to Salina to speak to the Kansas State University-Salina campus. I almost wasn’t...
2 tags
Another Site Created to Increase Visibility for...
Justin Adkins wrote a blog on the Huffington Post in response to the list put out by Oddee titled “10 Handsome Men (Who were Born Female).” Side note: Yes I was put on that list, but had nothing to do with it…I believe it was created via the power of google, not conducting deep research into the trans* community. Perhaps if I feel inspired, I’ll write my own response to the...
6 tags
What seems like forever, the appeals court is... →
5 tags
Challenging Gender Binaries in the Motherland:...
This photo comes from a great article about three African transgender and intersex rights advocacy organizations forming an alliance to enhance the trans and intersex movement on the continent.
I have people from around the world contacting me and asking for help. This article is a resource I’ll use for those in Africa. Seeing organizations out there fighting for transgender and intersex...
catinthecoop asked: Hey Ryan, This is maybe a little personal, I understand if it's not right for your blog, but how did you know that public speaking/education/advocating was the thing you wanted to do? Did you just fall into it, or was it something you sought out. Love seeing stuff from you either way.
4 tags
I AM: Trans People Speak COMMUNITY
A new campaign is being launched by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition on Feb 18th titled, “I AM: Trans People Speak COMMUNITY”. MTPC states the goal of this campaign is to, “create an empowering space on the web for transgender people and their allies from around the country in which they can share their experiences through their own stories in order to educate...
1 tag
4 tags
Oh Canada! New Regulations Ban Pre-Op Trans People...
I can’t believe what I’ve just read in regard to Canada’s new Conservative Government passing an amendment that can deny “pre-op” trans people from air travel in Canada. Here is the amendment 5.2 (1) An air carrier shall not transport a passenger if … (c) the passenger does not appear to be of the gender indicated on the identification he or she presents;
By the...
January 2012
75 posts
7-year-old kicked off baseball team just because...
I hope more and more parents stand up for their kids like Tami Kimball has for her daughter after being told that her seven-year-old daughter can’t play on her brother’s baseball team because she is a girl. In response, Kimball said, “I can’t believe that’s she 7 and already having to face this,” Tami Kimball told KDFW. “She’s already having to hear...
5 tags
Donation Page For Transgender Girl Scout Bobby...
Have you held out on buying girl scout cookies because you wanted to find a way to support Bobby’s Girl Scout Troop? Will, here is one option…minus receiving the cookies. Which, for me, is a good thing because those thin mints are like eating delicious air…here one second, gone the next.
According to an article by Huffpost Gay Voices TransYouth Family Allies, has created a way...
“TENNESSEE ANTI-TRANSGENDER ‘BATHROOM BILL’ DIES WITHOUT SENATE VERSION | The...”
– More good news!
Tennessee Anti-Transgender ‘Bathroom Bill’ Dies Without Senate Version | ThinkProgress
5 tags
Helping Charlie, Iowa State University Helping Out...
It warmed my heart to read an article about Iowa State University students in Ames, Iowa helping out a transgender student seeking chest surgery by pulling together a fund-raising party. This just goes to show the power of a community (no matter what their identity is) joining together to help out.
“Save Charlie: The Benefit” is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. at Project 20/20,...
4 tags
Put Another One Down in the Books for LGBT...
I am happy to announce that the Obama Administration has come through again for the LGBT community with the announcement of federal housing protection through Housing and Urban Development. A quote from the article says: Secretary Donovan stated “Today, I am proud to announce a new Equal Access to Housing Rule that says clearly and unequivocally that LGBT individuals and couples have the right to...
Anonymous asked: Hi Ryan! I went to see a doctor about HRT. Now all I need is blood work and I'm all set and meet all the requirements for Testosterone. With that said, my mom is asking me if there is any legitimate reason to get the blood work done needed without having to tell insurance its for HRT. We just don't want insurance to know that I'm going to undergo HRT in case anything happens to my...
2 tags
It's the little things in life that matter
A building name in Omaha, NE. Priceless.
-Ryan
4 tags
Are Your Parents or Parent struggling with your...
Social media sites, like tumblr, youtube, facebook, etc, have proven to be a great place for transgender individuals to gain support from others in the community. The question is, are parents finding the same support?
Many people ask me for advice when coming out to parents, one of the first things I typically say is whatever their reaction, understand that they will be going through their own...
2 tags
A Christian group shows up to a Chicago Gay Pride...
I’m not a religious person, but when I see things like this, I always feel like sharing for those out there who are. Someone who responded to this story said it right, the media tends to focus on the extremes, instead of where the majority actually sit. The radical views often influence what we perceive as the majority’s belief which makes it difficult for anyone who is struggling...
2 tags
Best Way to Fight Transphobia is to Educate, Not...
Lately, I’ve been posting examples of transphobia. When I saw this picture I felt my blood beginning to rise, not only because it is offensive, ignorant and hurtful but also because it is grammatically incorrect. I’m happy to report that Hell’s Pizza has taken this fortune out of their “misfortune cookies” and I figured you all may like to read the letter one...
4 tags
Ignoring Critics, Floyd Repeats Threat Against...
So….the thing that concerns me with the below quote is that Gov. Haslam in Tennessee is saying that he feels the legislature has more important things to focus on than anti-gay, anti-trans bills “this year”….”this year?” What does that mean for next year?
Gov. Bill Haslam seems sympathetic to fears that anti-gay rhetoric and bills in the legislature could lead...