In a stunning misrepresentation of the public trust, ultra-conservatives in Michigan pushed an "anti-bullying" initiative through the state Senate Wednesday after attaching an amendment that radically changed the legislation's impact. The surprise change guts the bill by giving bullies a pass if their offense was perpetrated because of "deep moral conviction" or "religious belief." Senate Bill 137, originally intended to protect all students from bullying, was under a cloud of criticism by Democrats and the gay and transgender community for its lack of enumerated protections before being eviscerated further by right-wing conservatives.

"Wrong Dress Size" has been performed on a number of occasions since, including, at the opening of the "Coming Out, Proud" film festival in Kalamazoo and during Transgender Day of Remembrance observances.

Transgender Day of Remembrance was established to pay respect to those in the trans community who have met an untimely end through the hatred of an ignorant society. While controversy surrounds including other victims of violence, such as those who have attempted suicide, in the observance of DoR, many people are recognizing that we must address the issues underlying that violence too if we are to eradicate senseless death from our community.

"Wrong Dress Size" explores one woman's struggle to overcome the effects of a senseless act of violence perpetrated on her by, of all people, her mother.

"I'm the Wrong Dress Size", after the jump.

I don't know about you, but, I have a really hard time listening to the spin, the misrepresentation and, often, the out-right lies I hear being pushed as legitimate fact by "opposition" guests on news analysis programs. Every now and then a viewpoint will strike me as particularly disingenuous. Such was the case yesterday on MSNBC.

Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, squared off against GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia on Chris Jansing's morning segment to discuss fiscal vs. social conservatism in the new congress. The result was a perfect example of how "facts" become common wisdom - particularly on the right.

Video and much more after the jump.

I asked some friends how they choose. Their answers variously shocked and saddened. Some said they just don't vote for those offices, a few said they decide how to vote from the top of the ticket and voted straight party from there. One person admitted she voted for the candidate whose name she liked best.

Given the large impact on our day-to-day lives these offices and seats often have, they deserve much more consideration than we are willing to give.

Some examples of why we need to inform ourselves, after the jump.

I've been posting lately about the elections next Tuesday. In "Why This Year Matters" part two, I painted a picture of a post-Tea Party win. Not voting next Tuesday is a really bad idea. This animation pretty much sums it up.

A large portion of progressives, disaffected and feeling abandoned by their president and legislators, are jumping ship and will vote republican in two weeks - if they vote at all. Significant numbers of gay and transgender voters too, may fail to show up at the polls this November. Feeling justifiably angry by lack of progress on signature issues, not voting at all seems, to many of us, a reasonable course of action.

It's not. Refusing to vote is a really, really, bad idea.

Some reasons why, after the jump.

I dislike the rejection intensely. People, whom you can see sitting in their Barcaloungers, look-up, annoyed that the doorbell has broken their rapt attention to "Biggest Loser." One glimpse of the clipboard in your hand and they go right back to staring at the undulating flesh on the television.

One type of person will open the door and politely ask, "Yes, may I help you?" I watch their eyes glaze over as I explain; "I am with blah, blah, blah, and I am wondering if you are planning to vote this November?" Glazed eye people like these will tell you they "hadn't really thought about it," or they "haven't made up their mind," or they are "too busy to talk right now."

Some are frightened of a person on the doorstep, won't open the door and ask that you slip the literature underneath.

One man surprised me by simply turning away silently and closing the door softly. The movement was so sweepingly graceful and accomplished; he was gone before I began to utter my first question. I couldn't bring myself to be angry, such verve and panache had to have been spontaneous. I'd laugh if it didn't feel so demoralizing.

Did I mention I really hate canvassing?

More rejection on the campaign trail after the jump.

Wait a moment though...are they really? What is the true measure of success? What is winning for the LGBT equality movement?

Before the rocks and bottles start flying, give me a chance to tell you why I ask.

The comments have continued to come in; a trans support group in Brisbane, Australia wrote my editor for permission to re-print the article. I have received phone calls, personal letters and e-mails from advocates, other women experiencing difficulties, and organizations that have a stake in the trans healthcare debate.

I am grateful for the well wishes sent by readers, but what heartens me most is the enhanced dialogue about trans healthcare that has transpired since the piece first posted.

Amid the response were ideas that merit closer attention.

After the jump, some points to ponder.

Johnson and his family hand out Bibles and preach that homosexuality is immoral—a message obviously upsetting to all of us open-minded, correct-thinking, ahem... First Amendment lovers. Can't have any of that messy freedom of speech stuff, now can we?

In actuality, the issue is not so much Johnson's opinion--or his right to espouse it. At issue is, when and where that opinion can be expressed.

A little more about this fight, after the jump.

It has many names and many acronyms, SRS, GRS, GCS-Sex Reassignment Surgery. Whatever you call it, it is an irrevocable commitment and irreversible step should you choose to take it.

Male to female (MtF) transpeople talk about it a lot. You know: Are you, or aren't you? Is she pre-op, or post-op? Who did yours? Whom are you going to have do yours? We talk about it a lot, except...when things go wrong. Then--we don't say much at all. In fact, we won't talk about it publicly, but it happens. We cover it up as if we should be ashamed. We feel damaged.

Something odd ensues, much like forty or fifty years ago. Back then, people spoke in hushed tones, if at all about the family member, colleague, or friend who had certain illnesses-the "C word"-only whispered. Many times this lack of openness about such matters led directly to preventable consequences--even deaths.

We need to talk about healthcare for the transgender individual and I want to talk--openly about my experience--about what can happen when things go wrong with SRS.

After the jump-- a story.

This state's two preeminent LGBT education, rights advocacy, and lobbying organizations, The Triangle Foundation and Michigan Equality combined this past January to form an as yet un-named agency. This Thursday at 11:00 AM (EST) the new organization will officially launch during a live video conference and Q&A session.

Details after the jump.

Being an out transperson, I often get calls from people who know people who know me. Typically, these calls are asking for information or advice relating to someone they know who is transgender. Two nights ago, I received one of those calls. The topic was mundane; the backstory however, was not.

That story after the jump.

Dr. Joia Mukherjee is an impressive person.

She holds an MPH from Harvard, specializes in infectious diseases, and practices internal medicine and pediatrics. Considered one of the foremost experts on public health policy and implementation, she teaches the subject at Harvard. Dr. Mukherjee is Medical Director for Partners in Health (PIH), a NGO that provides clinical services, training and engages grassroots healthcare providers in advocacy work worldwide. Founded in 1987, PIH has grown to more than 11,000 doctors, nurses, aides, educators and, community organizers in Haiti and 11 other countries. Dr. Mukherjee joined the staff of PIH in 1998 and became Medical Director in 2000.

She is justifiably proud of her work without being prideful. Perhaps the only thing more impressive about Joia Mukherjee M.D. than her works, is her humbleness.

KCHS is deserving of the honor. Over 80% of the senior class graduates each year. This may be due in part to the "Kalamazoo Promise." The "Promise" guarantees tuition at any public state college or university to KCHS graduates. Funded anonymously, this program is proving very successful in attracting families to the district and keeping students engaged throughout their K-12 education. KCHS is racially diverse; the student body is 51% African-American, 39% Caucasian, 7% Hispanic, 2% Asian-American, and 1% Native American. Many of these students, in particular, minorities, who would not otherwise have the means to continue on to higher education, will be able to take advantage of "Promise" money to fund college.

K' Central offers a first-rate, well-rounded experience to its students. The Maroon Giants captured the state class "A" boy's basketball championship this past March and the forensics team routinely places well in competition. A new performing arts complex offers students opportunities to produce arts events utilizing technically advanced facilities. The Kalamazoo school system operates a number of magnet schools giving students a variety of educational experiences, tailored to their specific interests. In short, K' Central is a terrific place for students to mature in a diverse, and supportive environment.

This is all standard boilerplate stuff and on its own, is great. There is however, a different take on why KCHS deserves this honor.