This week's Bay Area Reporter is on newstands!

This week in the Bay Area Reporter I cover the Girlado vs. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation trial: “Former trans prisoner's trial opens”; I cover sexual misconduct of another trans prisoner: “Officer charged for sexual misconduct with TG prisoner”; and I write about San Francisco activist’s murder’s connection to the gay community: “Police seek gays' help in activist's murder.”

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

This week's Bay Area Reporter is on newstands!

This week in the Bay Area Reporter I report on inform consent legislation for HIV/AIDS testing: “Bill would reduce informed consent requirements”; I follow up on the unrelated Castro Halloween shooting case: “Guilty plea in gun case”; and I write about an Iranian candle light vigil: “Vigil to recall executions”.

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

RESEARCH PROJECT OF FTMS WHO TRANSITIONED 20+ YEARS AGO

•Were you born female bodied?
•Do you currently identify as a man, FTM, transman, transgender, or transsexual?
•Did you transition more than 20 years ago?

If you answered YES to all of these questions, you are needed for a research project exploring the transition experiences of FTMs. It involves only one 90-minute interview and participation is voluntary and confidential. A gift certificate of $10.00 to a book store will be given after the interview. For more information call Adam Yerke at (415) 820-1603 or e-mail at t_yerke@hotmail.com.

Biphobia punk rock style

In a completely offensive and ignorant rant, Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto launched a biphobic attack against Angelina Jolie.

Tittle-Tattle™: Dishing Hollywood Dirt Daily reported the biphobic spewing in an article, “Beth Ditto Blasts Angelina Jolie, Not 'Bisexual' Enough,” on July 5. In the article Ditto, 26, a self-described "fat, feminist lesbian from Arkansas," according to CNN, allegedly states that she’s “unconvinced by Angelina's same sex boasts” pointing to the fact that Jolie, 32, started a family with Brad Pitt. No self-respecting bi woman would adopt and give birth to children with Pitt. It’s so shameful! Please sweetie, she could have done worse.

In the same article, Ditto is quoted “fuming,” "If she were a lesbian, or had lesbian tendencies, she'd be with a woman not a man."

Hmmm…if she were a lesbian…I almost feel a punk rock tune of the bi persuasion coming on. That’s the point. Jolie is not a lesbian. She has been very publicly open about being bisexual, but for those skeptics I guess they will have to hear it from the ex-lesbian lover’s lips or pen.

Former Calvin Klein model and Jolie’s Fox Fire co-star Jenny Shimizu, 39, was reported in January in Tittle-Tattle Too that a tell-all-book is in the works. And according to the article, Jolie wasn’t the only bi celeb rolling around under the covers or wherever with Shimizu. The article quoted Shimizu stating that she was Madonna’s on-call “sex slave.” This girl gets around.

Will this be proof enough of Jolie’s Sapphic ways for you Ditto?

Ditto did not respond to a request to speak with her about her biphibic comments.

Gay Rights in Iran

If you are interested in the queer movement in Iran this is a really good documentary: http://www.cbc.ca/sunday/2007/03/030407_1.html.

This week's Bay Area Reporter is on newstands!

This week in the Bay Area Reporter I report on LGBT senior housing updates: “Moves under way for site of proposed senior housing”; I cover the start of transgender prisoner’s trial: “Judge delays trans prisoner's trial”; and I cover queers protesting a new condo development: “Queers protest housing project”.

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

Employment Opportunity

Women of Color Resource Center

Job Title: Executive Director
Location: Oakland
FT Regular

Job Description:
The Women of Color Resource Center (WCRC) is looking for a skilled, energetic and resourceful manager and leader strongly rooted in cutting edge feminist analysis, economic and racial justice politics and social transformation at both the national and international levels. The ED will bring leadership to an important organization providing education, strategy and resources on key issues facing women of color.

Agency Background
Founded in 1990, the Women of Color Resource Center (WCRC) is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its mission is to promote the political, economic, social and cultural well being of women and girls of color in the United States. Informed by a social justice perspective that takes into account the status of women internationally, WCRC is committed to organizing and educating women of color across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, class, sexual orientation, physical ability and age.

WCRC has four main program areas: Economic Justice and Human Rights, Peace and Solidarity, Research and Social Analysis, and Popular Education and Leadership Development. With our strong track record, we envision that WCRC will continue to play a critical role in the social justice movement. In the next year, the Board of Directors, in collaboration with staff, is planning to map out our future strategic direction. Our next Executive Director will be an important partner in this exciting exploration. For more information go to www.coloredgirls.org

Job Profile
The Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership and management that ensures the consistent achievement of the organization's mission, strategic goals and financial objectives. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and works collaboratively with staff and the board to develop and implement programmatic, administrative and resource development objectives as well as manage the annual budget of approximately $600K.

The Executive Director supervises a small staff that currently consists of five full-time staff members. The ED must have a deep commitment to staff involvement, participatory decision-making, and leadership development among staff. It is anticipated that the ED will travel moderately to represent the organization.

Our ideal candidate has a history of engagement in social justice movements and will be able to speak to diverse communities. She is passionate about providing mentorship and has a successful track record in fundraising and program development.

Specific responsibilities include:

Program Development and Management
1. Ensures that WCRC's programs are in alignment with the agency's strategic plan and vision and are achieving identifiable goals and outcomes through consistent program evaluation. Supervision and Management
2. Provides oversight, guidance and direction to program staff. Supervises staff to ensure that management, leadership, personnel policies and decision-making models are in alignment with WCRC values and principles. Attracts, hires, and develops talented and diverse staff. Fundraising/External relations
3. Develops and implements fundraising plan with staff and board. Expand and diversify WCRC’s relationships with individual donors, public and family foundations, and community leaders. Provides oversight for donor communication, grant writing, proposal submission and grant management. Publicizes the programs, goals and activities of the organization. Builds and maintain partnerships, and alliances with other organizations. Financial Management
4. Develops annual budget for Board approval and manages organization's resources within guidelines. Ensures implementation of sound fiscal management and accounting procedures including regular financial reports to Board of Directors Board Development and Strategy
5. Works with the Board of Directors to lead the organization in the development and implementation of strategic plan. Supports national board strengthening capacity for organizational oversight and fundraising, including board recruitment. Provides board with timely and accurate reporting on the organization’s financial status, programmatic initiatives, staff and organizational relations.

Communications
1. Writes and edits social and political analysis on a broad range of issues. Works closely with the program directors to represent WCRC to funders, peer agencies, academic organizations, media, and the general public.

WCRC seeks a candidate who possesses a broad range of talents, attributes and experiences, including: Highest priorities:

· Rooted in cutting edge feminist analysis, economic, social and racial justice.
· Proven track record in raising funds from sources similar to those of WCRC.
· Ability to write and speak to local and national audiences and organize across generational lines. Strong interpersonal skills.
· Management experience with similar staff size and budget.
· Deep commitment to staff involvement and developing a participatory organizational culture
· Other priorities:
· Strong progressive community experience in developing leadership and constituencies among low-income women of color.
· Policy advocacy and campaign experience to advance programmatic goals
· Ability to use technology to strategically communicate WCRC’s mission and goals
· Computer skills, Mac and Microsoft Office.
· Visionary, collaborative, charismatic, energetic, and balanced.


How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter summarizing interest, qualifications and experience (2 pages max) with a current resume via email to wcrc.edsearch@compasspoint.org

Organization Web Site: www.coloredgirls.org

Coming Out of the Closet Again:

Queer Women on Loving Men
(SuspectThoughts Press, due out in 2008)

Editor: Cheryl Burke

Email: libi_women@yahoo.com

Deadline: October 15, 2007. But please let me know ASAP if you're interested in submitting andwhat you would like to write about.

Payment: $25, plus two copies of the book

I'm interested in women with personal stories of coming out again andwomen who identify as lesbian/queer-identified bisexuals.

- Did you start dating a man after you were out as a lesbian?
- Are you a lesbian with a boyfriend?
- Are you a woman in a relationship with a man who still identifies asqueer?
- Are you both bi and dyke?
- How do you maintain a queer identity while you are being perceivedas straight?
- How have those around you reacted to your coming out again?

Submit well-written personal essays/nonfiction, 5-12 double spacedpages. Please include a brief bio, and your contact information withyour submission.

If you would like to discuss essay ideas/topics or if you have anyquestions, please contact me at libi_women@yahoo.com.

CALL FOR ART by Latinos
Women’s Cancer Resource Center – Oakland, CA

We’re looking for several local (Alameda country preferred – other SF Bay Area OK too) artists to participate in the following group show at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center Gallery in North Oakland. Please read through all of this information before submitting.

Art must be suitable for our setting - our clients have asked that the work not be "upsetting." Our preference is for colorful and/or meaningful work. We have shown paintings, drawings, quilts, gourds, ceramics, bamboo, collage, masks, etc. 3-D work needs to fit on top of book shelves - we don't have pedestals but if you do we can use them in the show as they fit in the space. 2-D work must be framed/mounted securely and wired across the back.

The Salud Health and Art fair drew over 250 people last year. If your art is on exhibit we expect your attendance at the reception and hope that you will invite your, friends, family and fans. We will have music, entertainment and food at the reception. We will produce a color postcard for you to use for publicity. We will hang the show, make labels, and assemble a binder of information about the artists. You may sell your work or not, as you wish. If you do sell work we ask for a (tax deductible) 20% commission and you are welcome to donate a higher percentage (also deductible) if you are able.

The easiest way for us to see your work is to look at websites or jpgs. If you are submitting jpgs - please send work that you have available to show. If you send a link to your website please let us know which work you are submitting if there are several bodies of work included. Other ways of submitting and other information about the gallery and arrangements are located here http://www.wcrc.org/guidelines.htm To view art from past shows see this link http://www.wcrc.org/pgallery/index.htm

You may also submit a paragraph or two about why you’d like to show at WCRC. Statements and bios are very welcome and can be informal in nature.


August/September 2007 – ¡Salud!

This (3rd annual) show will feature the work of local Latino artists. We’d especially like to have submissions that relate to health or healthy living but other themes welcomed too. Looking for art to place in the gallery as well as artists/vendors ($25 charge to have a table in the Mercado) who want to sell their work in the outdoor Mercado that took place during the reception. Last year the outdoor Mercado was comprised of artists and health organizations. Our first ¡Salud! drew over 250 people who came out to buy art, hear live music and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Slots will be filled as work comes in so please submit as soon as possible. Please let us know if you’d like us to send you a vendor application for the Mercado.

Saludos,
Margo Mercedes Rivera-Weiss

Community Outreach Manager
Art Gallery Curator
Women's Cancer Resource Center
5741 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 420-7900 x 111
http://www.wcrc.org
REPLY TO margo@wcrc.org

This week's Bay Area Reporter is on newstands!

This week in the Bay Area Reporter I report on Pride’s biphobic media coverage: “Biphobia claimed in Pride Parade Web, TV coverage”; I follow up on the anti-marriage equality and domesic partnership initiatives: “California looms as marriage equality battleground”; I cover a city employee’s biblical harassment: “DPT employee accused of preaching on the job”; and I report on the city’s new transgender services: “City provides new trans services.”

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

Transgender Woman rape survivor sues california state prison SYSTEM

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) and the Transgender, Gender Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) are encouraging community individuals, groups, and social justice organizations to show their support for Ms. Alexis Giraldo. Ms. Giraldo is a young Latina transgender woman in the California prison system. For three months Ms. Giraldo repeatedly sought protection from prison staff after her cellmate threatened to rape her. After numerous denied requests for assistance, Ms. Giraldo’s cellmate raped her in early 2006. She is suing the state of California for failing to protect her. Ms. Giraldo is asking the court to require the State of California to develop guidelines to better protect transgender people in prison. Unfortunately, the State Attorney General lawyers representing The Department of Corrections continue to refer to Ms. Alexis Giraldo as “he” and “him.”

CUAV and TGIJP are requesting community presence and attendance at Ms. Giraldo’s trial. Community presence in court will demonstrate our belief that the state must be held accountable for continually placing our community in life-threatening danger.

Ms. Giraldo, who will be present to give her own testimony, and her attorney Greg Walston, are requesting that the community attend the court proceedings and wear RED. RED has been chosen as a symbol of the hurt and pain caused by the violence and discrimination against our communities, as well as a way to express power in loving solidarity. On the behalf of Ms. Giraldo CUAV and TGIJP are also requesting that community members sit in silent solidarity in the courtroom. For more information about trial times and dates please go to: www.tgijp.org.


When: The trial is tentatively set to start on Thursday July 5th, 2007 and a press conference is set for Monday July 9th, 2007 from 8:00am-9:30am outside the courthouse
Where: Civic Center Courthouse at 400 McAllister Street @ Polk, Room 206, in San Francisco
Time: The trial will continue every day from 9:30am to 5 pm until approximately July 11th.

Please Wear RED!

Please let CUAV & TGIJP know which dates and times you are able to attend by emailing Tina D’Elia, the Hate Violence Survivor Program Director at CUAV, or by calling Alexander Lee at TGIJP.

For more information:
Court Watch Coordinator (inquiries about participating in the court watch):
Tina D’Elia, Hate Violence Survivor Program Director at CUAV - tina@cuav.org

Court Case Coordinator (inquiries about the case):
Alexander Lee at TGIJP (510) 677-5500 for updates go to: www.tgijp.org

To learn more about the case also see last week's Bay Area Reporter for the article "TG prisoner sues corrections dept." that I wrote about this case.

OUT magazine is looking for

nominations for this year's "Out 100."

Follow the link to nomination your fave queer or queer ally:
http://www.out.com/takeSurvey.asp?surveyid=7

UCLA Same-Sex Couples Study

We are a team of researchers from UCLA interested in better understanding the life experiences of same-sex couples.

In this research you will be asked to complete a set of online questionnaires regarding your relationship and your social interactions.

To participate, you must be:
- At least 18 years of age
- *_Currently in a same-sex romantic relationship_*
- Currently living in California

A donation will be made to one of several charities in return for participation.

To participate or to learn more about the research and the researchers, please go to the following web address: _www.same-sex-couples-study.com_**

If you have any questions, please email Adam Fingerhut, M.A. at awf@ucla.edu or Natalya Maisel at maisel@ucla.edu.

UCLA IRB #G06-06-097-01

This week's Bay Area Reporter is on newstands!

This week in the Bay Area Reporter I report on after Pride: “A relatively calm Pride, police say”; I covered an important case for transgender inmates: “TG prisoner sues corrections dept.”; I followed up on an HIV-positive man’s housing issues: “HIVer can stay in apartment”; and I reported on the city’s new campaign to educate about gay male rape services: “City launches 'Men Surviving Rape' ads.”

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

I found this interesting article on National Gay News...I hope you enjoy it.

We're All Gay -- The Only Question is How Much?

Posted Jun 28th 2007 2:53PM by Cenk Uygur

Filed under: Pop Culture, Young Turks, Religion, Gay and Lesbian, Christianity, History

As usual Dinesh D'Souza is wrong. He sees the examples of the ancient Greeks and Romans practicing bisexuality as definitive proof that homosexuality is not innate. His theory is that since current Greeks and Romans don't practice rampant bisexuality (let's assume that's true for the moment being) and the ancient Greeks and Romans did, it must be a cultural thing. Not a genetic one.

What if it were both? Which it is. That the human animal is capable (and interested) in bisexuality on a large scale and that this does not manifest itself until society is open to it. This is ironically very similar to the Christian right argument that we must guard against homosexuality because if society is left unguarded, homosexuality, or at least bisexuality, will run rampant. I agree. And I would add -- so what?

What's funny about the Christian right argument is that they admit that they are powerless to stop feelings of homosexuality taking over if society opens up to it. What's going through their minds? Perhaps they're not so different from the ancient Greeks after all.

Of course, as Kinsey showed, the difference between homosexuality and heterosexuality is not a sharp divide (I used to take credit for this idea until I realized Professor Kinsey had written about this before I was even born). It's not a black or white, gay or straight issue. Everyone is somewhere along the gay-straight spectrum.And the further society opens up to homosexuality as permissible, the more people feel comfortable coming out as bisexual, homosexual, omnisexual or whateversexual.

Let me give a quick and absurdly simplistic example. Let's assume 100 is completely gay and 0 is completely straight on our gay-straight continuum. A person who ranks a 95 on the gay scale is probably going to act out on those innate desires no matter what societal rules there are, even at the risk of being put to death in closed societies.

A person who is a 5 on that scale might never act on any trace bisexual desires he or she might have no matter what the societal norms are. But the more open a society is, the more you will start to draw in people who score an 85, 75, 65, 55, 45, 35, etc. on our fun little gay-straight line.

In a very closed society some one who is "80% gay" might never come out and in a very open society someone who is even "20% gay" might try it. These are gross simplifications, but you get the point. In fact, this is in some ways exactly what the culture warriors on the right have been warning about.

The Christian right (and the religious and cultural conservatives of a great many societies) have been worried about this for a long time. They are right. As society opens up, we will likely be more "gay." Or in reality, be closer to our true nature, wherever that might lie on the bisexuality continuum.

Where the cultural right is wrong is when they make a value judgment on that. Of course, there isn't anything wrong with that all. In fact, since it allows us to be closer to our "real" nature without societal judgments on our natural sexual preferences, there is something very right about it.As it stands, our current culture doesn't yet appear to be fully comfortable with a truly and widely bisexual society. So, we inch toward progress or slouch toward Bethlehem depending on your interpretation.

Though it must be noted that we have already achieved a great deal of openness on the female side of the equation. Ask around and see if you can find a woman under 25 who hasn't made out with one of their girlfriends.

My informal study on our show indicates about 80% of girls under 25 have at least tried a sexual experience with another woman (I concede that I am no Alfred Kinsey and my so-called evidence is wildly anecdotal, but ask for yourself and you'll see my numbers are shockingly accurate).

D'Souza uses history as his guide. It's ironic because his argument is ultimately against the tide of history and the inevitability of our genes. We know what the future holds, it is our past. The American people are right, our sexuality is innate. We just have to have the courage to own up to it.

Bisexual Politics on KPFA
a discussion with authors

Jennifer Baumgardner and Ron Suresha

"Looking Both Way: Bisexual Politics" author Jennifer Baumgardner.

Ron Suresha, co-author (with Pete Chvany) of "Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way" and author of "Bears on Bears: Interviews and Discussion."

To listen to the episode, click on the link http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=20951 then click and drag the blue bar towards the middle of the program to listen to the segment.

Bay Area Reporter’s Pride Issue is on newstands!

This week the Bay Area Reporter celebrates Pride 2007. I wrote an overview of the Pride celebration: “Pride on parade!”; I covered Bay Area gay businesses not showing their Pride: “LGBT magazines tossed from local businesses”; I covered San Francisco’s premier women’s health clinic drops “women” from their name: “Lyon-Martin drops 'women' from name”; I discovered not much has changed for queer youth: “Youths find their way in uncertain world”; I covered life for queer crips: “Living the queer crip life”; I reported on the difference history makes: “Living to tell family histories”; I covered bisexual visibility: “Bisexuals show increased visibility”; and I covered mentoring opportunities for queer youth and adults: “Empowering the next generation.”

For more news and entertainment visit the Bay Area Reporter online or pick up an issue at your local independent or queer bookstore.

Love is stronger than borders

Ravneet and Kiran (California – UK), Tom and Emilio (New Jersey – Venezuela), Tammy and Sally (Philadelphia – UK), Mark and Fred (Harrisburg – France), Aileen and Suzie (Seattle – Peru), Charly and Terry (Idaho – UK)

If you ever doubted the strength of love then you haven’t seen Through Thick and Thin. This extraordinary documentary about nine gay and lesbian bi-national couples struggles to stay together in the face of United States immigration laws premiered this evening (June 20) at Frameline’s International LGBT Film Festival.

This exquisitely directed and filmed documentary is touching and heartfelt. It brings to life how unjustly the scales are tipped against LGBT individuals within and without the borders of the United States. And raises the question, “How free are we really?”

This documentary directed by Argentinean director Sebastian Cordoba, 37, who currently lives in United States courtesy of an artist visa, shouldn’t be missed.

For a sneak peak, visit http://www.throughthickandthin.net/htmlsite/video.htm.

Another screening of Through Thick and Thin at Frameline’s International LGBT Film Festival is tomorrow, Thursday, June 21 at 4:30pm at the Castro Theater. Tickets are $7 for members and $8 for general admission.

To learn more about Through Thick and Thin, visit http://www.throughthickandthin.net/.
To learn more about immigration issues that affect LGBT individuals, visit http://www.out4immigration.org/.

To learn more about LGBT American expatriates, visit Love Exiles Foundation at http://www.loveexiles.org/.

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Deaf LGBTIQ Coming Out Stories Wanted

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Share your coming out story and inspire other Deaf Queers who arestruggling with coming out.We are accepting both written and video submissions. Your written story may be up to three pages in length. Video submissions may beup to five minutes in length and must be submitted in Quicktimeformat. All submissions must include your real full name, age, city,state and occupation.If your story is accepted, it will be published on National ComingOut Day (October 11, 2007) and permanently archived on DQRC's DeafQueer Coming Out Stories website section. You can view some of thepreviously submitted stories at http://www.deafqueer.org/resources/support/coming_out/stories/index.html

Submit your story to: comingoutstories07@deafqueer.org

Gender Public Advocacy Coalition

Gender Equality School Survey

In collaboration with students across the nation, the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition is coordinating a groundbreaking initiative to document affirmative and non-discriminatory campus policies concerning gender equality.

As this national index of policies is compiled, your input is necessary. Take a couple minutes to answer 10 questions about institutional policies and gender rights at your school. Simple as that. It's okay if you don't know all the answers, but we really want /some/ input. *Please share what you can with the knowledge available to you.

Take part now at: http://www.gpac.org/genius/survey.html