Weekly news from the GLBT world http://www.windycitytimes.com/windycitytimes.html 2012-05-22T21:08:09-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://www.windycitytimes.com/images/publications/wct/2012-05-16/current.jpg text/html 2012-05-18T13:37:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Family-law-resource-supports-quality-trans-representation-/37744.html Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is proud to announce the publication of Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy, the first book to comprehensively address legal issues facing transgender people in the family law context and provide practitioners the tools to effectively represent transgender clients. Featuring chapters by attorneys with expertise in both family law and transgender legal advocacy, the book was edited by Jennifer L. Levi, director of GLAD's Transgender Rights Project, and Elizabeth E. Monnin-Browder, a litigation associate in the Boston office of Ropes & Gray and a former GLAD attorney. Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy will be available in bound and electronic versions in May of 2012. text/html 2012-05-16T11:45:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Be-All-transgender-conference-May-29-June-2/37721.html The transgender conference known as Be-All will take place May 29-June 2 at the Downers Grove Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center. text/html 2012-05-09T16:06:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Linda-Lee/37633.html Pronouns: Female text/html 2012-05-09T14:59:32-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jamie Anne Royce http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Paige-Clays-murder-spurs-forum-action/37626.html Community members and chosen family members gathered April 30 at Taskforce Community and Prevention Services to remember murdered transgender woman Paige Clay and to create a community forum on violence against transgender women, particularly those of color. text/html 2012-05-09T14:49:50-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jamie Anne Royce http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lakeview-coalition-discusses-homeless-trans-rights-at-meeting/37624.html Community members gathered at Lakeview Action Coalition LAC meeting May 6 at St. Paul's UCC Church, focusing on homelessness, affordable housing and access to health care. text/html 2012-05-02T15:22:58-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Jesse-Nelson/37540.html Pronouns: Miss text/html 2012-05-02T12:55:18-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/LAC-to-discuss-trans-police-order-at-action-assembly/37501.html Lakeview Action Coalition LAC, the organization that began work on a transgender general order for the Chicago Police Department two years ago, will talk about its progress on making the order a reality at its upcoming Action Assembly, Sunday, May 6. text/html 2012-04-29T14:34:53-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Services-planned-for-slain-trans-woman/37482.html Funeral arrangements for Paige Clay, a transgender woman who was apparently murdered in Chicago's West Side last week, have been announced. text/html 2012-04-26T15:16:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/EEOC-direction-clear-on-gender-identity-workplace-discrimination/37477.html LOS ANGELES - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC provided clear direction to its staff, government officers and private employers yesterday when it found workplace discrimination on the basis of a person's gender identity or expression violates the federal prohibition on sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. text/html 2012-04-25T18:49:31-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Nikk-Selik/37469.html Pronouns text/html 2012-04-25T14:52:59-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Immigration-Services-revises-transgender-policies/37434.html U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS has issued a policy memorandum revising the treatment of gender designations for transgender people on their immigration documents, according to a press release from the National Center for Transgender Equality NCTE. text/html 2012-04-24T13:04:16-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Fed-agency-rules-trans-protected-by-sex-bias-law-/37386.html San Francisco, CA - In a landmark ruling, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC has announced that Title VII, the federal sex discrimination law, protects employees who are discriminated against because they are transgender. In its unprecedented decision, the EEOC concluded that intentional discrimination against a transgender individual because that person is transgender is, by definition, discrimination 'based on ... sex' and such discrimination ... violates Title VII. The EEOC is the federal agency that interprets and enforces federal employment discrimination law, and today's decision marks the first time it has offered clear guidance on this issue. text/html 2012-04-20T19:11:25-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Groups-support-transgender-woman-in-self-defense-murder-case/37372.html The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs NCAVP and allied lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer LGBTQ organizations stand in solidarity with Cece McDonald, a young African American transgender woman violently attacked by a group of people in a racist and transphobic hate violence incident in June 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite being the survivor of this incident of violence, CeCe McDonald was the only person arrested. Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman has charged McDonald with two counts of second-degree murder for acting in self-defense and allegedly fatally stabbing one of her attackers. Hennepin County has dropped murder charges in three similar cases where people have acted in self-defense. NCAVP and our allies add our support to the public outcry to drop the charges against CeCe McDonald. text/html 2012-04-19T15:12:37-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Chicago-House-unveils-new-transgender-housing-/37364.html In an unprecedented move for the organization, Chicago House has unveiled a new nine-bedroom facility to house transgender people on Chicago's North Side. text/html 2012-04-18T16:37:06-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Trans-ordinance-sets-off-EQIL-TCRA-fallout/37331.html A transgender ordinance introduced to the City Council more than a month ago has set off a sparring match between local LGBT organizations, after some groups announced they were pulling support for the ordinance. text/html 2012-04-18T15:05:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life/37329.html Name text/html 2012-04-17T14:40:25-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-woman-found-murdered-in-Chicago/37284.html Paige Clay, a transgender woman who many believed to be a rising luminary in Chicago's ball scene, was found apparently murdered in West Garfield Park. text/html 2012-04-13T19:52:52-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Immigration-Services-revises-transgender-policies/37268.html Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum revising the treatment of gender designations for transgender people on their immigration documents. The new guidance also makes clear that if a couple has married as a different-sex couple under state law, the federal government will continue to recognize the marriage for immigration purposes regardless of a person's subsequent gender transition. text/html 2012-04-11T12:47:34-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Karen-Elizabeth-McReady/37232.html Identifies as: text/html 2012-04-11T12:41:29-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Stevensons-rainbow-includes-three-transgender-students/37228.html Cassidy Nordstrom clearly stands out at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, even among about 4,000 other students. text/html 2012-04-10T14:55:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-women-to-be-included-in-Miss-Universe-competition/37163.html New York, NY, April 10, 2012- GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender LGBT media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, and the Miss Universe Organization are pleased to announce that after more than two weeks of discussions, the Miss Universe Organization is close to finalizing an official policy change that will allow women who are transgender to participate in its beauty competitions. text/html 2012-04-04T16:21:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Lucky-Mosqueda/37120.html Identifies as: Genderqueer text/html 2012-04-03T09:28:06-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-woman-can-now-compete-in-pageant/37055.html Organizers of the Miss Universe beauty pageant are now saying that transgender contestant Jenna Talackova can compete after initially disqualifying her, according to CNN.com. text/html 2012-04-02T00:15:57-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/In-the-life-features-trans-children-and-families/37039.html The award-winning newsmagazine IN THE LIFE on April 1 debuted Becoming Me, featuring eight families with transgender and gender nonconforming children ranging in ages from 5 to 25. text/html 2012-03-28T10:26:44-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Vigil-held-for-slain-transgender-activist/36943.html A community vigil was held in honor of Agnes Torres, a transgender Mexican LGBT-rights activist, at the Broadway Youth Center March 25. text/html 2012-03-27T22:08:56-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-pageant-contestant-disqualified/36926.html Jenna Talackova will not be competing for this year's Miss Universe Canada crown because she was born male, according to US Magazine. text/html 2012-03-27T19:17:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Bloom-n-Boom-to-raise-funds-for-Chicago-Womens-Health-Center-/36915.html CHICAGO March 26, 2012 -- With spring officially here to stay, Subject to Change will host Bloom-n-Boom at The Burlington, 3425 W. Fullerton Ave., in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood on Wednesday, April 4. The event celebrates the early blooming springtime and the ongoing blooming of trans folks with the Chicago Women's Health Center's Trans Greater Access Project TGAP, which promotes trans-affirming healthcare. The program further provides hormone therapy, trans-sensitive gynecological exams and counseling, among other services. text/html 2012-03-26T15:03:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com M. Dru Levasseur, Lambda Legal Transgender Rights Attorney http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Wisconsin-anti-transgender-law-struck-down/36885.html There are particular moments in the movement for transgender equality when we consider it a great victory when a court refuses to hear a case—and today is one of those moments. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal brought by the State of Wisconsin after Lambda Legal, the ACLU and the ACLU of Wisconsin successfully challenged a state law that prohibits medically necessary treatment for transgender people in prison. text/html 2012-03-23T14:27:33-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-GLAAD-MTPC-launch-transgender-videos/36872.html New York, NY, March 22, 2012 - GLAAD and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition MTPC have announced the upcoming national launch of the I AM: Trans People Speak video series and called for the public to submit their own stories. The campaign aims to spotlight the stories of transgender Americans and their allies in an effort to educate the public about transgender issues, as well as speak to transgender youth and adults. text/html 2012-03-22T16:57:01-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Vigil-for-Mexican-trans-activist-March-25/36867.html There will be a vigil for murdered Mexican transgender activist Agnes Torres March 25 at Broadway Youth Center, 3179 N. Broadway, 6-8 p.m. text/html 2012-03-21T13:18:15-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Nicholas-Behr-Holcam/36837.html Identifies as: FtM Transguy text/html 2012-03-21T13:16:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-detainee-ordinance-introduced-to-City-Council-/36836.html Problems with the Chicago Police Department's handling of transgender detainees may be eased by an ordinance introduced to City Council by Ald. Proco Joe Moreno. text/html 2012-03-20T18:24:05-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/In-The-Life-It-Gets-Better-Video-with-parents-of-trans/36770.html New York, March 19, 2012 — In the Life Media today debuted a web-exclusive "It Gets Better" video featuring parents of transgender youth delivering a message of support for other such parents, the first "It Gets Better" video of its kind. In the video, parents from PFLAG's support group for families of transgender children share their personal struggles to understand their child's needs and find support for both themselves and their families. text/html 2012-03-14T17:53:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-ordinance-introduced-in-City-Council/36680.html Ald. Proco Joe Moreno has introduced an ordinance to City Council aimed at easing problems within the Chicago Police Department CPD in handling transgender detainees. text/html 2012-03-14T02:07:32-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-advocate-Laverne-Cox-in-groundbreaking-film/36618.html Laverne Cox hits the big screen this month for the first time in her career, which, up until this point, has been highlighted by a few reality-TV show appearances and numerous independent films. text/html 2012-03-13T12:31:17-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transgender-woman-suing-Cicero-police-for-harassment-/36594.html A young transgender woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Cicero and two of its police officers, claiming she was discriminated against because of her gender identity. text/html 2012-03-07T04:27:45-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Van-Binfa/36550.html Identifies as: Queer stone femme Latino trans*man. * "I am super careful to include the asterisk because it symbolizes every identity within the term transgender." text/html 2012-03-07T03:57:15-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jorge Mena http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINTS-The-time-to-come-out-is-now/36543.html Coming out as gay showed me just how necessary it was to address my undocumented identity. I dealt with both separately, but every day both of these identities influence each decision I make. Being out has not only been the best decision I made but has allowed me to be more mentally healthy while fighting for my rights as an undocumented queer Latino immigrant. text/html 2012-02-29T14:48:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Alderman-to-introduce-trans-CPD-ordinance-/36422.html After more than two years of pushing by local organizations, Chicago Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno is poised to introduce a transgender police ordinance to the City Council next month. text/html 2012-02-29T14:46:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-First-trans-pride-event-coming-to-Chicago/36421.html Come July, Chicagoans will celebrate the city's first pride celebration for transgender and gender-variant people. text/html 2012-02-29T14:26:52-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Rebecca-Kling-/36419.html Identifies as: Trans woman text/html 2012-02-28T15:07:45-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HRC-gives-employers-resource-for-transgender-workers/36355.html WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has released a white paper titled: Transgender-Inclusive Health Care Coverage and the Corporate Equality Index, a resource for employers to make their workplaces more equitable for transgender employees. The white paper is an educational tool for employers engaged in the Corporate Equality Index CEI, a national benchmarking survey on policies and benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender LGBT employees. text/html 2012-02-22T16:17:07-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Kimmins-Southard/36312.html Identifies as: Genderqueer text/html 2012-02-21T21:53:14-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Moreno-to-introduce-transgender-CPD-ordinance/36257.html After more than two years of pushing by local organizations, Ald. Proco Joe Moreno is poised to introduce a transgender police ordinance to the City Council next month. text/html 2012-02-21T18:35:08-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Greg Nevins http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Transitioning-at-work/36252.html Q: I'm a transgender woman, and it is time for me to transition at work but I am concerned about being able to keep my job. Will the law protect me from the discrimination I might face because I'm transitioning? text/html 2012-02-18T17:58:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sweden-poised-to-end-forced-sterilization-of-transgender-people/36235.html STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Today the conservative Christian Democrats - members of the governing coalition in Sweden and the primary obstacle to ending the policy of forced sterilizations - went public with a decision to reverse their position. It's time to abolish the requirement for sterilization at sex change, leaders of the Christian Democrats wrote in an opinion piece published today in the Swedish press. text/html 2012-02-15T15:20:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Alexis-A-Martinez/36181.html Identifies as text/html 2012-02-14T20:21:44-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Swedish-PM-asked-to-stop-forced-transgender-sterilization-/36134.html STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Swedish transgender activists met with a representative of Prime Minister Reinfeldt today, February 14th, to petition the Prime Minister to take a stand against a law that forces transgender persons in Sweden to undergo sterilization in order to legally change their gender. The surgery renders a person permanently infertile and unable to have children in the future. text/html 2012-02-10T00:21:11-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Gender-identity-amendment-filed-in-Illinois/36101.html State Rep. Kelly Cassidy has introduced a bill in the general assembly that aims to add gender identity to pre-existing hate crimes law. text/html 2012-02-08T15:41:50-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/T-in-the-Life-Lyseth-Rhiannon-Brandt/36046.html Preferred pronoun s : She, Her, Hers when presenting as a woman and He, Him, His when presenting as a man .