Trans activist freezes to death

reposted from houston indymedia

Equality Texas mourns the death of Jennifer Gale
by Equality Texas Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM

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.

2009 is a year of plenty

Hey kittens,

Back from break and feeling so good, feeling so right. Let's start things off with my favorite youtube clip I saw over the holiday as posted by the dreamy David Michael

2009 is the Year of the Ox. So says Wikipedia, so says I - "the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint." In honor of the Ox, the crew has already hit the ground running.

This Saturday, Mr. Pam is hosting the Barter-Mart-Craft-Swap-Thrif-O-Rama, ringing in the tidings of our new Gift Economy. For inspiration, check out the unparalleled Sarah Sandman. We've been developing a collaborative essay, which will be one of our trading chips at the bartering table (but we'll probably just give it out). If you'd like to attend Mr. Pam's Wild Ride, holler at me and I'll send details.

Also, Scot and I have locked in the First Wednesdays of the month for Really?, Bushwick's first queer night at Northeast Kingdom. Keep your eyes peeled for facebook and myspace links.

Lotsa other secret plans in the works. Time for the ox to get back to work.

Pegasus at Medusa

Revolting Queers, my FAVORITE MPLS queer activist group is throwing their monthly party PEGASUS tonight at the art space MEDUSA. Below is a line-up from an email sent earlier today. Clearly, I'm a total mess thinking about the fun I'm missing...

Becky as Roseanne doing the national anthem

Act one of the Nativity: The virgin Mary has sexual relations with the
village. This scene will include my trusty donkey and whoever else
wants to spread their seed

Act two: Your personal Jesus. Birth. This scene will include Jamez
shinning brightly, Scotty as Joseph, Peat as a Goat. Bethany as a
Donkey People as Shepherds, the magical Angel Walter.

Act three: Take it off for Jesus. Jamez leads the three kings to the
stage, they present their gifts, it cuts to Grace Jones and then the
clothes come off. Ryan, Warr and Jarred are the kings.

Act four: Jesus isn't so holy. pudding, spoon beatings, diapers

act five: Jack's Christmas dance. Jack make sure you bring a cd

Act six: Orange glitter, Eric's magical surprise

Radical Queer Conference

Yeah! Midwest Queers are making it happen. Bash Back has just announced a national RadiQueer conference. See below. Any NYC queers wanna gather to make our presence felt?

Announcing: National Radical Queer Convergence May 28th-31st

December 19, 2008, 12:29 am
Filed under: Uncategorized

Anarcha-Queers! Trannies! Fairies! Perverts! Sex-Workers! Sex-Radicals!
Allies!

Bash Back! is ecstatic to announce a national radical queer
convergence to take place in Chicago, May 28th through May 31st of 2009!
We’re pleased to invite all radical queers to join us for a weekend of
debauchery and mischief. The last weekend of May will prove to be four solid days of workshops, discussions, performances, games, dancing and street action!

We’ll handle the food and the housing. Ya’ll bring the orgy, riot,
and decadence!

We’re looking for folks to facilitate discussions, put on workshops, organize caucuses, share games, tell stories, get heavy in some theory, or bottom-line a dance party. More specifically we’re looking for
workshops themed around queer and trans liberation, anti-racism, confronting patriarchy, sex work, ableism, self defense, DIY mental and sexual health, radical history, pornography, or queer theory. We are also looking for copious amounts of glitter, safer sex products, zines, home-made sex toys, balaclavas, pink and black flags, sequins, bondage gear, rad porn, flowers, strap-ons, and assorted dumpstered goodies. You down?

To RSVP, volunteer for a workshop, get more information, or send us dirty pictures:

email -
radicalqueer2009@gmail.com

and check out - BashBackNews.WordPress.Com

Lubing up the social war,
Bash Back!

Tuesday Night - Pull it Together

I know what you're going to say. It's a Tuesday night. You're broke and there's no way you can be out that late. Snooze Cruise people. Seriously. This sort of attitude is exactly why New York City is way more boring than it used to be. Don't succumb to the dick-wads! It's time for Tuesday Rage!

You HAVE to go to at least on of these two events, if not both. They will change your life.

=========================

SKOAL KODIAK -
at Death by Audio
My sweaty memories of Skoal Kodiak are numerous and fuzzy, voted by me to be the best Minneapolis band since the Replacements and/or Husker Du. This kid Marcus is a genius who creates this series of weird touch sensor pads in a empty Clorox bleach bottle that he sings into. It's dancy, noisy, filthy, sludgy, and will absolutely make you lose your mind.

They used to play at The Church in Minneapolis, a huge, beautiful, decaying church where a bunch of bike punks and art kids lived, made noise, and played badminton. Before they finally tore it down, the bestest farewell party in the whole world was had, headlined by Skoal Kodiak. My crew, the Revolting Queers, sent off the Church in classic style - Victorian drag, thongs, and water balloons down the pants of unsuspecting straight kids. The evening ended as you would expect, me in denim booty shorts pulling yards of taffeta out of Jerry's jammed-up bike gears.

Anyway, I digress - GO SEE SKOAL KODIAK.

======================

GRACE JONES evening at the Cock (celebrating 10th anniversary)

Kevin Aviance, Ericka Toure Aviance, (AND YOU!) as Grace Jones

I know, right? So sweet! The Cock is turning 10. What better way to celebrate 10 years of indiscretions and amazing music than with an evening celebrating Ms Jones, presented by the man who gave you "Feeling Cunty."

This will be a late one, but sometimes, we must be weary to know that we are still fighting.

My Faggot Brother RULZ

Here is my little brother Steve's tumblr page. He visited BKLYN a couple weeks ago and it was beyond fab. Somewhere on here are photos of the Obama finger puppet he got on Canal St. He's got dance moves, raditude, and wears funny ties. Can't wait for Hnolidays.

http://thrillicka.tumblr.com/

Queer Economies

So the US unemployment rate hit 6.7%, with major job losses in November.

Learn about how the economy is gonna get even worse from Obama on Meet the Press.

While I'd like to avoid international financial deterioration as much as the next fellow, I can't help but be emboldened by the innovative discussions I've been having regarding the ways in which we can re-envision new collectivist economies. Here's a couple ideas we've been batting about.

Bart(end)er
It's hardly a new idea, but I desperately want to create some new opportunities for a barter economy. I also want more opportunities for delicious, low-cost cocktails. Picture it: a space for you to bring your goods and services to trade with others. And a space for tasty, adult beverages. I serve as both bartender and barter-tender. And while craigslist has set the tone for this sort of exchange, nothing beats in person, slightly inebriated haggling. Who's in?

Kredit Kidz
Basically, we'd gather a collective to throw in a small amount of money to join, and then a monthly pittance to maintain and grow the pot. A designated group would oversee any applications to join the group, and requests for interest-free loans from members of the collective. Loans would be granted based on need, ability to pay back, and size of the request.

I'm sure there would be lots of by-laws that could be written and mindless paperwork to fill out.

Kredit Kidz will be a sort of credit union. So it's not that Krazy of an idea. Except ours will be sexy, have fun parties, offer whopee cushions when you join, and encourage clothing optional Fridays.

Also, I don't think you can just get any old loan for any old thing with Kredit Kidz. You either REALLY need to have it, or it's for something REALLY awesome, and to start, you couldn't take out too much money.

Think less Individual needs ($10000 for a car), and more repayable collective good ($500 to throw a fun party which could be paid back thru beer sales). I think part of Kredit Kidz is responsible lending. You shouldn't have stuff you don't need that takes 10 years to pay back. That's why I have shitty credit. And that's why I need (and love) Kredit Kidz.