“Seven LGBT Measures to Become State Law”

October 17, 2007

AWESOME!! Namely, the measures my (ex-)coworkers worked very hard on!

“The two youth bills the governor signed include the Student Civil Rights Act and the Safe Place to Learn Act. The Student Civil Rights Act (SB 777), authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, protects students from harassment and bullying in public schools by making sure teachers and school administrators fully understand their responsibilities to protect youth. The Safe Place to Learn Act (AB 394), authored by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, further strengthens youth protections by ensuring that the state’s nondiscrimination policies are rigorously enforced.” — EQCA

CONGRATS, GSA Network, and a job well done! :D

Nevertheless, the Governator vetoed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43). In the words of EQCA’s Executive Director, Geoff Kors:

Gov. Schwarzenegger refused to lift the cloud of discrimination that hangs over millions of Californians and their families. With the people of California increasingly in support of marriage for same-sex couples and the Legislature once again affirming fairness and equality, the governor stands alone in perpetuating discrimination against same-sex couples. With the stroke of his pen, he has denied countless loving couples the joy and validation he and the First Lady experienced when they got married. Equality California will not rest until we have achieved full equality for the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Werd. Still a TON of work to do!

In other queer youth news: “For what appears to be the first time in school history, the Davis Senior High student body has elected a gay couple into homecoming royalty. With each boasting a white sash declaring his title as “Prince,” the two 16-year-olds rode through the city of Davis Friday afternoon in the school’s annual homecoming parade.” In your face, heteronormativity! Read more about the homecoming princes here!

While I’m on the topic, just wanna take this opportunity to say thanks to everyone who’s always supported my cause(s), if not to merely support me following my hopes and dreams! For everyone that’s kept me going and urged me to keep fighting, y’all ROCK. I’m soooo proud of my colleagues and myself for all the hardwork we’ve all put in to make successful things like this happen! In YOUR face if ever thought my gender/sexuality studies were a waste of time!

And here’s a chance for me to recognize and acknowledge my own ability-to-pass-as-heterosexual privilege: Happy (official) one month anniversary, babe! Remember how it was our first date over a year ago and I asked you what you would do if you found out I was transsexual a few months into our relationship and how that totally set you up for our relationship for the rest of your life? (hahahhaha sucker.) I RUVVVV YOOOUUU!!

Here’s some pics from Queer Youth Advocacy Day 2007 at Sac, where we lobbied our legislators to support SB 777 and AB 394 back in March (and the postcard I made for people to urge Schwarzenegger to sign those bills!):

Thoughts on a Rainy Day

October 12, 2007

Yesss! Rain! Four years living in LA has really made me go through some rain withdrawal. Walking home from the bus stop the other day, I took a big whiff and really appreciated the nice CRISPNESS of the Fall air. I miss the days of layer up into a nice big jacket with a nice chill overcast weather. Yeah, talk about getting in touch with my darker self, huh? Nevertheless, I was curled up in my two blankets last night and I slept like a BABY!!

Catching up on my Bay Area news/events, I stumbled on an article about KTVU Channel 2′s Leslie Griffith. I remember a few months ago, I turned to my 10 o’ clock news to not see my ultimate news duo! Some new chick was on and I just brushed it off since I figured Ms. Griffith was off that day or something.

Where’s Leslie?

October 25, 2006 — http://sfist.com/2006/10/25/wheres_leslie.php

For months, the entire Bay Area has been flummoxed by one question, one mystery so confounding that it’s all everyone, or at least several people, have been talking about– where’s Leslie Griffith of KTVU?

Sometime a few weeks ago, Dennis Richmond’s co-anchor stopped being Dennis Richmond’s co-anchor and was nowhere to be found. For weeks, the word from KTVU had been only that she was taking a break and that she’ll be right back. For her own part, Leslie wasn’t talking.

Rumors spread. Did she get fired? Did she quit? Did they Elaine Corral her?

Anyway, reading this article was kinda interesting and even made me think back to the time when Elaine Corral used to work for KTVU too. Which made me think about how awesome Dennis Richmond is! I mean, the way he says “San Francisco” always makes me smile! Saaannnnnnnfrancisco! (Did you know Dennis Richmond is a Vietnam War veteran?) I also read up on some details about an anonymous Oakland Tribune opinion article that undermined Griffith’s qualifications as a news anchor, suspecting that she probably only got the job because she’s blond and attractive looking. And then that REALLY made me think about the sexist stereotypes that are still perpetuated today. I mean, people are never happy, huh? Some women are asked to be more “presentable” and to dress more feminine when they go to work, and when they do like nice, they’re intelligence and experiences are put into question since “they probably got the job because they’re good looking.”

Doesn’t everyone realize that all of this is all related to gender? Don’t people realize how much of our habits, beliefs, and values are built on the idea of maintaining gender norms?

It’s almost the year 2008. And it ‘effin SUCKS that some people have to constantly defend and justify themselves just because of how they look or dress. Recently, a woman was thrown out of a women’s restroom because the restaurant’s bouncer didn’t care if she was really female or not, didn’t bother to look at her ID where it clearly says she’s a female, and continued to discriminate her solely because “her appearance did not comply with society’s norms concerning gender identity.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that all this stuff PISSES. ME. OFF!! How can people sit with this kind of unequal treatment?

In Price Waterhouse vs. Hopkins, the court held that Amy Hopkins, a senior female accountant, could sue under the gender discrimination provisions of the Civil Rights Act after her proposed promotion to partnership in the firm was dropped because she was overly aggressive, did not dress appropriately for her sex and otherwise did not fit into the feminine stereotype.

Although highly praised for her work, Hopkins was advised that if she wished to become partner, she should “walk more femininely, talk more femininely, dress more femininely, wear make-up, have her hair styled, and wear jewelry.”

From an SF Gate article

If there’s anything I could ever pass down to all my girls, it’s the power to be able to stand up for their rights as women, and to have the knowledge and strength to empower themselves to not put up with stuff like this! One of the best reads I’ve ever had, which greatly correlates with the Griffith story: Naomi Wolf’s The Beauty Myth. On the topic of women in the workplace…

Marco: “So how’s your new job? Are you getting paid more?”
me: “Yeah”
Marco: “You’re sleeping with your boss, aren’t you, you little strumpet!”

Oh how I love him so.