Check this out

Just a quick link to a great post by Fauzia over on Feministe (see blog list on side) on the the current and historical situation in Gaza.

Also hipped me to this documentary: Slingshot Hip Hop




Trailer

This Week in Blackness

Another drive by posting because life is too crazy for the internet!

This Week in Blackness (we're letting the secrets out):




I love this show! This is Episode 15 (meaning you need to go back and watch the last 14.) Very funny and astute social and racial political commentary. Also, its real fucking funny. Also great a Black comedian with something to say who doesn't have to trade in casual homophobia or sexism. Yay!

Hopefully my next post will be on the "Warren Invitation", the auto bailout, or something actually music/hip-hop related.

R.I.P. Jennifer Gale

Its been a while since my last post. Sorry about that RL was getting kind of hectic. Not going to make a long post today either. Just reposting a message from Equality Texas about the passing of Jennifer Gale:

EQUALITY TEXAS MOURNS THE DEATH OF JENNIFER GALE

Her death can be directly attributed to lack of shelters accepting of transgender homeless

December 18, 2008 - Equality Texas mourns the death of Jennifer Gale, a 47-year-old transgender homeless woman who died yesterday. Jennifer's body was found Wednesday morning. She was lying in an outdoor walkway at the First English Lutheran Church in Central Austin.

A perennial candidate for public office in Austin and Dallas, Jennifer's notoriety came through years of putting herself in the public eye. She took a shot at nearly every city office, from council seats, to the mayor's office. She never won, but in 2004, Gale came closer than ever, winning more than 38 percent of the vote for a seat on the Austin ISD School Board.

Jennifer’s voice rang through Austin Council Chamber doors every week, often times in support of the homeless population of which she was a part. "Let's give the homeless a place to exercise that need jobs and need help," said Gale Tuesday night before the city’s Health Services Board.

Her death points to critical problems faced by the homeless, and especially by homeless women and the transgender homeless. “Jennifer most nights slept outdoors,” said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. “Jennifer, we believe, is the 136th person who has died sleeping on the streets (of Austin) over the last 12 months.”

Marti Bier, policy aide for Austin City Council Member Randi Shade, said, "Something Jennifer would never talk about, but was a reality for her, is that she is a transwoman living in a transphobic society. Homelessness in the trans-community is a really big problem, and one that goes ignored. There are no laws in Texas protecting transgender people, whether from job discrimination, housing discrimination or hate crimes. There was really nowhere for Jennifer Gale to go to protect herself from the cold last night. The Salvation Army (the only shelter in town that takes in women) would not let her in there unless she was grouped with the men (which includes sleeping with, and showering with, other homeless men). They would make her use her male birth name and completely disregard, and disrespect, her identity as a trans-woman. There is so much to be learned from Jennifer Gale, and so much to be worked on in our community."

Equality Texas, the Transgender Education Network of Texas, and City of Austin officials are now working together to address changes in policy, or enforcement of existing policy, that might prevent another tragic loss of life. The City of Austin's non-discrimination ordinance is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to employment and public accommodations. The ordinance includes certain religious and private club exemptions, which will be reviewed for applicability to the delivery of shelter services for the homeless.

It is ridiculously hard to write three articles a week for examiner.com. I'm horribly behind and will have to make it all up tonight more than likely.

Also I'm planning to audition for the Vagina Monologues tomorrow. UH Clear Lake's BSA is putting on a production that is open to the public for auditions. I have to try out.

Now a quick round up of crap from around the internet.

First, the Prop 8 Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

If you haven't seen this yet...where have you been? Anyway, I like it and think its funny but I glaringly disagree with the idea that the reason queers should have their civil rights protected is because it means more money for the economy. We all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Regardless of our financial contributions to society.

Gay is the new Black...




Advocate is on crack. I hope plenty of people have called this shit out. But I'll agree with a comment I saw somewhere that this shows exactly who Advocate is catering to...its not me that's for damn sure. Ask Sean Bell's widow if gay marriage is the "last civil right struggle." We just marked the passing of another Transgender Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day. Please step your game in terms of sophisticated political commentary. Like someone else said...yes its a provocative cover but at what cost. (If you said either comment please let me know and I will credit.)

I will continue to say that people need to stop hating on Kanye. The album is ridiculous. Ten years from now it will be considered a classic.

I like the following song bunches. Have come somewhat addicted to it.



I'm going to need more than one theater in Houston to be showing Milk. That shit is ridiculous.