TransFaith Caucus - Washington DC - this Sunday

Transgender Caucus on Sunday, May 22, 2011

MCC's People of African Descent Conference (May 19-21, 2011) and HRC's Clergy Call(May 22-24, 2011) have coordinated their programming for 2011, as they both gather in Washington D.C.

• More on MCC PAD 2011: http://padconference.mccchurch.org/

• More on HRC Clergy Call 2011: http://www.hrc.org/clergycall2011/

There will be a TransFaith Caucus on Sunday, May 22, 2011 (Noon to 3pm). Local transgender people and transgender participants from both events are invited to gather for lunch and conversation between these to larger events. We will...

• Meet, greet, network, and get to know one another
• Discuss the needs of transgender clergy and brainstorm about future organizing for mutual support
• Consider strategies to address barriers to transgender service and professional development

HRC is providing the gathering space and funding for a simple lunch. Please plan your travel to arrive in time to participate.

• Where: HRC offices, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW # 1, Washington D.C.
• When: Sunday, May 22, 2011, noon to 3pm
• RSVP: Please contact chris@transfaithonline.org so we can be sure to have enough food on hand! And please advise of any dietary restrictions.
• Transportation: We will work together to transport folks from HRC to Mt. Vernon Place UMC, where the evening activities for Clergy Call 2011 and MCC PAD will be happening. Please let us know if you can assist with these logistics.

Letters & signatures needed for Transgender Equal Rights Bill!

Good morning!

We still need testimony letters and Declaration signatures for the Transgender Equal Rights Bill’s public hearing on Wednesday June 8^{th --} please submit your letters and signatures by this coming Monday, May 23^rd. (We need to produce binders of testimony and other documents to give to each Committee member on hearing day.)

To sign ICTE’s Declaration Of Religious And Faith-Based Support for the bill:

Read the signed Declaration as a PDF (updated yesterday):

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B-u19Qf_xKGEODRmYmQ3MmItZjllYi00NjBiLWJjZWYtMzNlYmJjMDRkMWNj&hl=en&authkey=CKTEj7QG

If you don’t see your or your community / organization’s signatures, emailInterfaithCoalition@gmail.com – include the name(s) as you wish it/them to appear (if you have a title, please use it if you can), and the denomination(s).

To submit written testimony for the bill’s hearing (Wednesday, June 8^th):

Write a letter telling the Joint Committee on the Judiciary why you support the bill and urging them to do so (we need them to vote the bill onwards to be voted on by the full legislature). If you submitted testimony last legislative session, you will be contacted about updating it. Submit your written testimony to the Committee co-chairs and MTPC. All testimony will be presented to the Committee the day of the hearing. Full instructions for writing and submitting:

http://www.masstpc.org/legislation/testifyinwriting.shtml

More details and opportunities for action are in our previous update (Friday May 6^th):

http://interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/05/update-ma-transgender-equal-rights-bill.html

Thank you,

Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE)

http://www.interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com

ICTE FB group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7923372429

Faith campaign FB event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188135257891766

Tell Congress the Safe Schools Improvement Act needs to include weight and height in anti-bullying protections!

Yesterday's press release from National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) --

http://www.prlog.org/11496235-legislative-action-alert-immediate-action-needed-help-stop-the-bullying.html:

Legislative Action Alert: Immediate Action Needed. Help Stop The Bullying! Weight and height are missing from the proposed Safe Schools Improvement Act 2010. Multiple studies indicate that fat children are the group being most bullied! Help change this act now before it becomes law. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) – May 17, 2011 – Who: We need YOU to contact your Members of Congress TODAY What: The Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010 (S.3739) Why: The legislation does NOT include weight and height as part of its anti-bullying protections How: Use our legislative action alert • BACKGROUND The Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010 (S.3739) is a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey and Mark Kirk to help prevent bullying in schools. The Safe Schools Improvement Act would require schools and districts receiving designated federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including conduct based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. It was introduced to the Senate on August 3, 2010 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP Committee). There has not been a hearing on the Bill to date, so now is the time to contact these Senators and ask them to amend the legislation to include weight and height to the list of protected classes prior to the Bill’s approval. • CONGRESSIONAL TARGETS: The members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions include: Democrats by Rank Tom Harkin (IA) Barbara A. Mikulski (MD) Jeff Bingaman (NM) Patty Murray (WA) Bernard Sanders (I) (VT) Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) Kay R. Hagan (NC) Jeff Merkley (OR) Al Franken (MN) Michael F. Bennet (CO) Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) Richard Blumenthal (CT) Republicans by Rank Michael B. Enzi (WY) Lamar Alexander (TN) Richard Burr (NC) Johnny Isakson (GA) Rand Paul (KY) Orrin G. Hatch (UT) John McCain (AZ) Pat Roberts (KS) Lisa Murkowski (AK) Mark Kirk (IL) Even if you are not a constituent of the members listed, it is important that they hear your voice. Also, if you have specific stories about how bullying has affected your child or a child you know, that has a huge impact. Here is an example to help in composing your letter to the Committee members: • HOW TO CONTACT THEM: SAMPLE LETTER Dear Senator _____________: As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I want to bring to your attention the need to amend the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010 (S.3739) prohibiting bullying and harassment, including conduct based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. While I support the intent of this legislation, there is an entire segment of children that would not be covered in this legislation as currently written, fat children. As we have seen in recent events where a teen girl from Minnesota committed suicide partly because of being teased and bullied about her weight, fat children are at risk. There are numerous studies that outline the effects of bullying on children because of their size and/or body image. Along with fat children, short children are victims of incessant bullying on a daily basis. While we believe it is the intent of this legislation to ensure a safe environment for children within public schools, we ask that they do not exclude and further stigmatize the largest group of children that are facing bullying on a daily basis. We ask that the Committee request to amend the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010 to include weight and height to the list of protected classes. Thank you! Signature City, State Email Address You can send an email to any or all of the Senate Committee members by going to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm and search the listing to find the names of Committee members. Then click on the link to complete an online form. Or you can write to the Committee at: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 428 Senate Dirksen Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Thank you for helping to make positive changes in the lives of children. On the web: http://www.naafa.org # # # Founded in 1969, NAAFA is a non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to ending size discrimination. Our goal is for people of size to be accepted with dignity and equality and will pursue this goal through advocacy, public education, and support.

MA Transgender Equal Rights Bill in Metro Boston newspaper again!

The MA Transgender Equal Rights Bill is in the Metro Boston newspaper again! Page two of today's print edition (available online as a PDF). Here's the online version:

http://www.metro.us/boston/local/article/862296--transgender-rights-up-for-debate-on-hill

Home

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Transgender rights up for debate on Hill

NICOLAUS CZARNECKI/METRO

Gunnar Scott, executive director of the Mass. Transgender Political Coaltion, will take his fight for equality to Beacon Hill next month.

More about transgender

Council supports transgender bill

Lorelei's struggle as a transgender woman

Transitioning their tactics to raise public awareness

Born this way

Transgender is a difficult issue for most people to wrap their heads round.

» “The best way to describe it,” says Scott, “is as people who are born into a sex that they don’t identify with.”
» For more information on MTPC, go to www.masstpc.org

BOSTON

LINDA LABAN

Published: May 16, 2011 7:57 p.m.

Last modified: May 16, 2011 8:00 p.m.

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Last week’s debut of the Chaz Bono documentary brought the battles of transgender people to the spotlight, but in Massachusetts, a much quieter battle is being waged at the State House — one that many are hoping will be deemed a success in a few short weeks.

The battle for transgender equality already received one victory when the Boston City Council in March unanimously reiterated its support of an ordinance passed in 2002 that legally protects Boston’s transgender population against discrimination and violence. The bigger fight, however, is to gain that protection statewide.

“That’s the push now,” confirms Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “Honestly, the resolution was done within 24 hours of my asking them. Every one of those city councilors didn’t think twice about it. They get it. The mayor of Boston, he gets it. I only wish our Legislature was as open to the experiences of transgender people.”

Those experiences involve job discrimination, being refused service at restaurants, and even violence and murder. The Transgender Equal Rights Bill would protect basic civil rights for transgender people in Massachusetts. The MTPC has worked to gain protection since 2007 and a joint hearing of the bill is scheduled for June 8.

“The committee deliberates on whether they are in favor or not, or whether it’s sent to study. For the last two sessions, we’ve been sent to study,” says Scott grimly, because that’s akin to being put on the back burner.

Besides City Council support, new federal transgender protection — including measures by the departments of Labor and Housing and Urban Development — add more support.

“It’s sad,” Scott said. “At one point [Mass.] stood up for civil rights, but [it’s not] doing that right now.”

More about transgender , civil rights

Study Finds Employment Discrimination against Transgender Residents of Massachusetts Costs the State Millions Annually

http://www.masstpc.org/?p=1358

New Study Finds Employment Discrimination against Transgender Residents of Massachusetts Costs the State Millions Annually

May 11th, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gunner Scott: 617-778-0519
Kara Suffredini: 617-878-2300

May 11, 2011

BOSTON — A new research study released today by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the state millions of dollars each year. These costs are the result of reduced income tax revenue, expenditures on public assistance programs, and other costs related to an increased need for public assistance programs. The added cost to the Commonwealth for public health insurance coverage alone is $3 million annually due to employment discrimination against transgender workers.

“When transgender people experience employment discrimination, not only can that have a substantial negative impact on people’s lives, but it also affects the Commonwealth financially so all Massachusetts residents pay a price,” said study author Jody L. Herman, the Peter J. Cooper Public Policy Fellow at the Williams Institute. “The legislature is making painful choices as it builds next year’s budget,” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality. “This law would not cost the state a dime, but it could bring in millions of revenue and savings each year.”

“Employment discrimination erodes your dignity—and empties your pocketbook. When otherwise qualified people cannot find work solely because of who they are, the state loses money in lost tax revenues and increased expenditures on public programs such as MassHealth,” said Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender
Political Coalition.

In calculating the cost to the Commonwealth, the study estimates that 6,600 Massachusetts residents have lost a job, 12,900 were not hired for a job, and 5,600 were denied a promotion, all due to due to anti-transgender bias. Furthermore, 15 percent of surveyed transgender Massachusetts residents made $10,000 or less in annual household income, whereas only 3 percent of the Massachusetts general population made this amount.

Employment discrimination can lead to lost wages and the need to access public assistance programs to replace lost income and health insurance coverage. This study estimates that the Commonwealth may be losing millions in income tax revenues each year due to employment discrimination. In addition, the Commonwealth is spending nearly $3 million every year in public health insurance coverage for those who have lost jobs due to anti-transgender bias.

View or download the report

See press coverage

###

About the Transgender Equal Rights Coalition
The Transgender Equal Rights Coalition is working to pass “An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights.” (House Bill 502 and Senate Docket Number 536). This law would add gender identity and expression to existing Massachusetts civil rights laws, which currently prohibit
discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, and marital status in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. The bill would also add offenses regarding gender identity or expression to the list of offenses that are subject to treatment as hate crimes. The bill defines gender identity and expression as “a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual,
regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth.” This is consistent with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s past decisions, as well as Boston’s 2002 transgender
anti-discrimination ordinance. Members of the coalition include MassNOW; ACLU of Massachusetts; Jane Doe, Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence; National Association of Social Workers, MA; Mass AFL-CIO; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders; Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; MassEquality; the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association.

Study Finds Employment Discrimination against Transgender Residents of Massachusetts Costs the State Millions Annually

http://www.masstpc.org/?p=1358

New Study Finds Employment Discrimination against Transgender Residents of Massachusetts Costs the State Millions Annually

May 11th, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gunner Scott: 617-778-0519
Kara Suffredini: 617-878-2300

May 11, 2011

BOSTON — A new research study released today by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the state millions of dollars each year. These costs are the result of reduced income tax revenue, expenditures on public assistance programs, and other costs related to an increased need for public assistance programs. The added cost to the Commonwealth for public health insurance coverage alone is $3 million annually due to employment discrimination against transgender workers.

“When transgender people experience employment discrimination, not only can that have a substantial negative impact on people’s lives, but it also affects the Commonwealth financially so all Massachusetts residents pay a price,” said study author Jody L. Herman, the Peter J. Cooper Public Policy Fellow at the Williams Institute. “The legislature is making painful choices as it builds next year’s budget,” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality. “This law would not cost the state a dime, but it could bring in millions of revenue and savings each year.”

“Employment discrimination erodes your dignity—and empties your pocketbook. When otherwise qualified people cannot find work solely because of who they are, the state loses money in lost tax revenues and increased expenditures on public programs such as MassHealth,” said Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender
Political Coalition.

In calculating the cost to the Commonwealth, the study estimates that 6,600 Massachusetts residents have lost a job, 12,900 were not hired for a job, and 5,600 were denied a promotion, all due to due to anti-transgender bias. Furthermore, 15 percent of surveyed transgender Massachusetts residents made $10,000 or less in annual household income, whereas only 3 percent of the Massachusetts general population made this amount.

Employment discrimination can lead to lost wages and the need to access public assistance programs to replace lost income and health insurance coverage. This study estimates that the Commonwealth may be losing millions in income tax revenues each year due to employment discrimination. In addition, the Commonwealth is spending nearly $3 million every year in public health insurance coverage for those who have lost jobs due to anti-transgender bias.

View or download the report

See press coverage

###

About the Transgender Equal Rights Coalition
The Transgender Equal Rights Coalition is working to pass “An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights.” (House Bill 502 and Senate Docket Number 536). This law would add gender identity and expression to existing Massachusetts civil rights laws, which currently prohibit
discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, and marital status in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. The bill would also add offenses regarding gender identity or expression to the list of offenses that are subject to treatment as hate crimes. The bill defines gender identity and expression as “a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual,
regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth.” This is consistent with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s past decisions, as well as Boston’s 2002 transgender
anti-discrimination ordinance. Members of the coalition include MassNOW; ACLU of Massachusetts; Jane Doe, Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence; National Association of Social Workers, MA; Mass AFL-CIO; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders; Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; MassEquality; the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association.

CONNECTICUT - vote expected on transgender equal rights bill TODAY or TOMORROW

Dear Mycroft, HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination - which would add gender identity to Connecticut's anti-discrimination law - could face its most difficult hurdle as soon as today. We expect the House to vote on the bill eithertoday, Wednesday, May 11 or tomorrow, Thursday, May 12. Please take a moment right now to follow these quick and easy steps to contact your legislator. Even if your state rep has already heard from you, we must remind them until they vote that HB 6599 must become law in 2011. Once you've followed the steps, please forward this email to your pro-equality friends and family. Click here to take action and give HB 6599 the push it needs! If you have any questions or concerns, or need assistance, please emailSally Tamarkin or call 860-247-6090. To learn more, visitwww.ctequality.com. Thank you, Gary Buseck Acting Executive Director CONNECT WITH GLAD

Tell a Friend! This email was sent to masadarts@gmail.com by gladlaw@glad.org | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders | 30 Winter Street | Suite 800 | Boston | MA | 02108

Keshet's Massachusetts programming in May

Keshet is a national grassroots organization that works for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Jews in Jewish life. Led and supported by LGBT Jews and straight allies, Keshet offers resources, trainings, and technical assistance to create inclusive Jewish communities nationwide.

I wanted to raise up three pieces of their programming this month in Massachusetts (they have offices in Boston, Denver and San Francisco) that are particularly transfaith. Here's their May Massachusetts enewsletter:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Bonfires--Film-Festivals--and-More-for-May-.html?soid=1101299078235&aid=Xqi2CQva30g. And here's the text from their website:

May 11: Interfaith Gathering

Do you attend shul on Friday and church on Sunday? Chant or meditate? Are you and your partner from different faith traditions? Bring your whole self for a relaxed conversation about our spiritual/social journeys and how we weave together our Jewishness with other traditions. Keshet member Laura Evonne Steinman, who was raised Unitarian, with Jewish and Catholic roots, will guide the conversation.

Cosponsor: Arlington Street Church

Time: 7:45pm

Where: Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St., Boston

RSVP: by 5/9 to events@keshetonline.org or call 617-524-9227

*******

May 12: Dr. Joy Ladin: “Judaism, Gender, and Boundaries”

It’s hard to think of an aspect of human identity deeper and broader than gender. At the same time, having an identity–including a gender identity–means having boundaries, since identifying who one is requires identifying who one is not, and boundaries are the lines we draw between the two. What does Judaism say about all this? Don’t miss this chance to learn with award-winning poet Dr. Joy Ladin, English professor at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women and the first out trans professor at a religious university.

Cosponsor: Nehar Shalom

Time: 7:30pm

Where: Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue, 43 Lochstead Ave., Jamaica Plain

Cost: suggested donation: $5

RSVP: by 5/10 to events@keshetonline.org or call 617-524-9227

*******

May 25: Trans & Queer Beit Midrash: Transformative Transgender Ritual

In Judaism, ritual practices are crafted and performed to raise our awareness of special, holy time and help us celebrate our lives. However, many rituals are gendered “male” or “female,” which can marginalize and alienate transgender people. This workshop is designed to help us experience the healing and transformative power of innovative Jewish ritual, and to begin to craft personal, Jewish rituals that reflect our spirituality, transitions, and lives. We will explore rituals such as tallit, tefilllin, mikveh, and Jewish naming, as well as innovative rituals that reflect transgender experience. Facilitated by Hebrew College rabbinical students Margot Meitner and Suzie Schwartz.

Supported in part by a grant by CJP’s Innovation Grants Committee.

Time: 6pm

Where: Mayyim Hayyim, 1838 Washington St., Newton

RSVP: 5/23 to events@keshetonline.org or call 617-524-9227

UPDATE - MA Transgender Equal Rights Bill!

Happy Spring, ICTE Supporters!

We hope this finds you well, and reflecting on meaningful holy weeks in all senses. We come bearing gratitude, good news, and an update about the Transgender Equal Rights Bill (An Act Relative To Transgender Equal Rights, House Bill 502 / Senate Bill 764).

THANK YOU for making Transgender Faith Action Week and the rest of the faith campaign thus far so very successful! We are deeply grateful to you for helping us send this powerful message to the legislature – the Massachusetts faith community wants to see this vital legislation passed this session. More than 100 faith communities have participated – here’s the list:

http://interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/03/transgender-faith-action-week.html

The highlight of the Week was the amazing clergy press conference – the first faith-themed press conference for the bill – here’s the media coverage:

http://interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/04/clergy-press-conference-for-ma.html

If you distributed postcards, please collect them and send them to:

Matthew Brunner

MassEquality

262 Washington Street – 7th Floor

Boston, MA 02108

The faith campaign will continue until the bill passes! The Transgender Faith Action Week Facebook event (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188135257891766) is being converted into a site for the remainder of the faith campaign.

Here’s how you can take action to support the bill – please share this information with everyone you can:

Sign ICTE’s Declaration Of Religious And Faith-Based Support for the bill -- by Monday May 23rd. Here’s the Declaration as a PDF:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B-u19Qf_xKGEODRmYmQ3MmItZjllYi00NjBiLWJjZWYtMzNlYmJjMDRkMWNj&hl=en&authkey=CKTEj7QG

If you don’t see your or your community / organization’s signatures, email InterfaithCoalition@gmail.com – include the name(s) as you wish it/them to appear (if you have a title, please use it if you can), and the denomination(s).

Submit written testimony for the bill’s hearing (Wednesday, June 8th) – by Monday May 23rd.

Write a letter telling the Joint Committee on the Judiciary why you support the bill and urging them to do so (we need them to vote the bill onwards to be voted on by the full legislature). If you submitted testimony last legislative session, you will be contacted about updating it. Submit your written testimony to the Committee co-chairs and MTPC. All testimony will be presented to the Committee the day of the hearing. Full instructions for writing and submitting testimony:

http://www.masstpc.org/legislation/testifyinwriting.shtml

Attend the bill’s hearing on Wednesday June 8th , at 1:00 p.m. in the MA Statehouse’s Gardner Auditorium.

This is the public hearing before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, which we need to vote the bill onwards to be voted on by the full legislature.

Attend Transgender Equal Rights Lobby Day on Thursday June 23rd, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the MA Statehouse’s Grand Staircase.

RSVP to Rachel@masstpc.org or 617.778.0519 -- include your name and mailing address and/or legislators’ names so we can check you in faster on Lobby Day. A limited number of transportation stipends (for no/low income) and ride shares are available – include this in your RSVP. Make appointments with your legislators for any time on June 23rd. Gather at the Grand Staircase at 1:00 for a short program of legislative supporters, policy makers, and community members. And check in to receive your Lobby Day packet.

Transgender Equal Rights Lobby Day Facebook event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199424550095489

Everyone is welcome and needed at the hearing and Lobby Day – you do not need to testify or meet with a legislator. We need the Statehouse to see as many supporters as possible. We particularly need visible clergy, lay leaders and other people of faith.

Learn more about the bill and MTPC’s legislative and educational work through a conference call.

MTPC will be holding two phone conference calls:

Staff members of advocacy / partner organizations – next Wednesday May 11th at 4:00 p.m.

(ICTE will be participating)

Community members -- next Thursday May 12th at 6:30 p.m.

To register and receive the call-in number RSVP to Rachel at rachel@masstpc.org / 617.778.0519 -- include your name, email address and which call you will participating in. Capacity is limited, but additional calls will be scheduled if needed.

And again – please share this information with everyone you can!

Yours in gratitude, hope and excitement,

Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE)

http://www.interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7923372429

The Adipositivity Project (fat-positive art photos) has added UppityFatty.com!

The Adipositivity Project is photographer Substantia Jones’ wonderful fat-positive art photography.

WARNING – most photos are NSFW (not safe for work).

http://adipositivity.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adipositivity/46449642181

http://twitter.com/Adipositivity

http://www.cafepress.com/adipositivity ~ shop!

Here's the rest of my previous post about Adipositivity:

http://masadarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/adipositivity-project-fat-positive-art.html

Adipositivity has added UppityFatty.com!

"The self-serve sister of The Adipositivity Project."

WARNING -- UF is also NSFW.

http://uppityfatty.tumblr.com/

http://twitter.com/UppityFatty

Here's the official announcement:

http://adipositivity.my-expressions.com/archives/9478_1745602162/353806

"Now there's an AdipositiviYOU. For all genders! Beginning today, you may go to UppityFatty.com and submit your own Adipositivity-esque photos. So get fat, get naked, and get your camera. And go to www.UppityFatty.com."

And here's the About from UppityFatty.com:

"Folks regularly write to The Adipositivity Project asking whether they might submit a photo of their own sweet, sweet ass. Sadly, the answer’s always been no, as the project is the effort of a sole photographer (that would be me).

Finally, I’ve done something to fix that.

UppityFatty.com is a team-curated, tumblr-humpin’ do-it-yourself Adipositivity Project for your body-focused submissions of artful photographs, positively representing fat women and men and their partners. Think of it as AdipositiviYOU.

I’ll also occasionally post outtakes and also-rans from The Adipositivity Project here.

So have at it, Fatties! Feeling fatogenic? Get naked and get the camera. I look forward to… seeing you.

Substantia Jones"

"Thy Will Be Done" documentary showing this Monday

Director Alice Bouvrie's documentary "Thy Will Be Done" follows male-to-female transsexual Sara Herwig in her path to ordination in the Presbyterian Church; a transsexual woman's journey through family and faith.

The image is a production still.

Our previous post about it:

http://interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com/2010/11/thy-will-be-done-documentary-about.html

Director Alice Bouvrie's film site:

http://www.mineralkingproductions.com/

The film's Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THY-WILL-BE-DONE/115827228256

The next local showing is this coming Monday, May 9th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Robbins Library in Arlington (700 Mass. Ave.). The filmmaker and cast will be present.

Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference ~ June 2nd - 4th!

The 10th annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference is Thursday June 2nd through Saturday June 4th! And it will have more faith / religion / spirituality content than ever before. Chris Paige of Trans Faith Online has provided this excellent text:

Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference

2011 marks the third year of TransFaith leadership being involved in planning spiritually-themed events in and around the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference (PTHC).

• June 2-4, 2011 (Thursday to Saturday, plus pre- and post-events)
• Philadelphia, PA
• Registration is FREE
• PTHC is the largest transgender-specific conference in the world
• Yes! Family, friends, and allies are encouraged to join us!
• More at http://www.trans-health.org

TransFaith Caucuses (pre-event)

Gathering at Old First UCC on June 1, 2011 from 2pm-5pm, this pre-event will allow for transgender people of faith and our allies to gather and connect as we arrive in Philadelphia -- allowing for those relationships to deepen as the conference unfolds. Learn more!

Public Event Pre-Event

This free, public conference pre-event will begin at 7:30pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Old First UCC and is co-sponsored by the Transgender People of Color Coalition. This panel presentation on gender diversity among indigenous people offers an exciting opportunity to consider how spirituality and identity intersect in some less visible cultural contexts. Learn more!

Spirituality Workshops

Spirituality content at PTHC 2011 (Thursday, June 2 - Saturday, June 4, 2011 will include offerings for transgender people, as well as for allied clergy, mental health professionals, family, and friends.

• Spirituality workshops: http://workshops-2011.trans-health.org/public/list/21/
• Mental health professionals, clergy, and other counselors will also want to consider to review the full slate of mental health offerings
• Friends, family, and allies will also want to consider partner-oriented workshops, ally-oriented workshops, and family-oriented workshops
• Programming is also available for children and teens

Spiritual Opportunities

Workshops are great, but it's also healing and empowering to gather for spiritual or religious observances in an intentionally transgender-affirming space. Numerous opportunities will be available in 2011.

And so much more!

There are well over 200 activities planned. Please visit http://www.trans-health.org for full details, as well as travel details!

Why at PTHC 2011? There are few places in the world where people of faith can gather to learn about transgender communities in all of our diversity -- not simply to hear about diversity from one or a few presenters, but to walk among transgender people from a variety of races and life experiences. PTHC hosts gender non-conforming children with their familes, youth and young adults, as well as older trans men, trans women, and genderqueer community members. Presenters include national transgender leaders and grassroots organizers, as well as medical and mental health providers. By working within and around the largest, transgender-specific conference in the world, we are able to expose participants to leading experts from a variety of disciplines who can help conference participants to contextualize the role of faith and spirituality in the life of the transgender community.

General Summary
http://hub.transfaithonline.org/events/philadelphia_pa_in_june_2011/

2011 TransFaith Caucuses
http://hub.transfaithonline.org/events/philadelphia_pa_in_june_2011/2011_transfaith_caucuses/

Gender Diversity and Indigenous Peoples in Dialogue (public pre-event)
http://hub.transfaithonline.org/events/philadelphia_pa_in_june_2011/june_1_pre_event/