More than a hundred District activists, members of the LGBT community and others rallied at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., Wednesday night, Nov. 20, to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual event honoring transgender victims of violence.
The internationally recognized day, started in 1998, is a rallying call to counter the transphobia that has led to such violence, often fatal. At Wednesday's event, while the Rev. Abena McCray poured water into a bowl, various people stood up and read aloud the names and short descriptions of deceased transgender people from around the world, including how they were killed.
While D.C. has not had any such deaths in 2013, other high-profile U.S. cases include the deaths of Kelly Young in Baltimore, Cemia ''CeCe'' Dove in Cleveland, and Islan Nettles in New York. Activists such as Nico Quintana, speaking for both the D.C. Trans Coalition and TransLAW, also reminded people of the physical violence and harassment facing many transgender people.
Mayor Vincent Gray, who has attended past Transgender Day of Remembrance events, made remarks at the service and presented organizers with an official proclamation. Noting, ''We have a long ways to go,'' Gray vowed to defend the safety and rights of the District's transgender community and celebrated some of the progress that has been made through legislation passed by the D.C. Council, through policy changes made by some of his political appointees, and through programs such as Project Empowerment.
''The Transgender Day of Remembrance really marks another year in the struggle to be able to protect the rights of people who are transgender in the District of Columbia,'' Gray said in his speech. ''Hopefully, we will institutionalize rights so firmly into the District of Columbia that even if we get somebody who wants to change it, we're not going to let that happen. Rights are going to be here for the future of the people in this room and across our entire city.''
Wednesday's event also included a segment for special recognition, recognizing the contributions of longtime area LGBT-rights and sexual-freedom activist Dan Massey, who died in January, and Allison Gardner, his surviving partner. Organizers also celebrated the passage of the JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment, which allows transgender people to obtain new birth certificates that reflect their appropriate gender and names; recognizing the families of Deoni Jones and Nana-Boo Mack, two transgender women who were killed in recent years; as well as the contributions made by the Metropolitan Police Department's Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.
...moreIt's been a hard-knock life for us here in Capital City. From the government shutdown to "Obamacare" and even Miley Cyrus, everything just seems broken. To help right some wrongs this holiday season we have assembled a gift guide that will help to fix some of what's wrong with – I mean in – your friends' and families' lives. So dig in and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
HOME/FOOD
1. Washington Post Delivery Bag Wine Carrier
$20Trohv202-829-2941232 Carroll St. NWtrohvshop.com
Shop local, recycle local. Artisan Peter Banson has created a beautiful and useful solution for delivering one of the holidays most sought-after gifts. The soft durable plastic easily covers your precious cargo and the recycling of Washington Post delivery bags will make the baby Jesus smile. It's a Christmas miracle.
2. Mason Jar Shaker
$29Trohv
The perfect gift for the 007 in your life. The innocuous Mason jar leads a double life as an undercover drink shaker. Unlike metal on metal shakers the glass bottom ensures your top always pops when ready to pour.
3. Nest Protect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Detector
$129amazon.com(Pre-Order Only)
Protect your nest with the next generation of smart smoke detectors. This little powerhouse can push notifications to your phone that let you know if an alarm is going off or if the batteries are low. Amateur cooks will rejoice, as a simple wave of the hand will silence the wailing alarm – assuming it's nothing serious. Sorry, no fix for the burnt toast on this year's model.
4. Obama Birther Certificate Tray
$23Homebody202-544-8445715 8th St. SEhomebodydc.com
Short on cash but longing for some holiday entertainment? We've got your fix right here. Invite over you favorite birther for a delicious serving of humble pie. Fireworks not included, but sure to ignite.
5. Epicurean Capital Cutting Board
$28Hills Kitchen202-543-1997713 D St. SEhillskitchen.com
You many not be able to do much about capital gridlock, but this board makes a great gift for any master chef to julienne vegetables into working order. It's dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant, knife-friendly and comes with a lifetime warranty.
6. Joseph Rocker Garlic Crusher
$15Home Rule202-797-55441807 14th St. NWhomerule.com
Add a little rock-n-roll to any kitchen with this garlic crusher. Easily and evenly crush garlic by simply rocking back and forth. Rhythm, big hair and zebra-print tights not necessary, but highly recommended.
7. Lékué Perfect Ice Cube Maker
$20Home Rule
Great for the perfectionist in your life. Simply fill, freeze and – Bam! – perfectly formed cubes of ice ready to serve with any drink. The trays are made of a flexible rubber, so not only are they pretty to look at but make extraction of the ice simple and easy.
TECH
8. Simplicity Kit
Eraser $3, Pencil $2, Brass Sharpener $4Redeem202-332-74471810 14th St. NWredeemus.com
Who doesn't make mistakes? Prepare the faux-pas-prone person in your life with a low-tech solution for erasing away errors. This Simplicity Kit includes the original word processor, a sharpener and, of course, an extra-big eraser able to handle years of mistakes.
9. Garmin HUD (Head-Up Display)
$150garmin.com
Thoughts of your awkward family holiday dinner may bring you down, but this season this novel navigation unit will help to keep your eyes up and on the road. Garmin's portable unit displays turn indicators, distance to the next turn, current speed and speed limit, and estimated time of arrival all on your dashboard. Sorry no turn-by-turn help to get through the actual family feast.
10. Tile App
$20 (Pre-Order – Ships Spring 2014)thetileapp.com
Forget me not! The perfect solution for the memory-challenged. Sure, it won't help you remember birthdays, but finding keys or maybe kids (not an approved use) is a good start. Simply attach, stick or drop it on any item you might lose and the mobile app will help you find it if you do. Now if they just had one to help find our dignity.
11. 3M Streaming Projector Powered by Roku (SPR1000)
$190amazon.com
The Tardis of tiny gadgets, this amazing little palm-sized projector makes everything bigger. Stream movies or use the included Roku stick to watch Hulu, Nextflix, Amazon or any of the other 100-plus channels on a 720dpi HD projection, up to 120-feet wide. It's also portable and has 2.5 hours of battery life for media on the go.
MEN
12. Squeaky Clean Green Solid Shampoo and Jungle Solid Conditioner
Shampoo $12, Conditioner $9Lush202-333-69503066 M St. NWlush.com
Keep it clean this holiday season with travel-friendly solid shampoo and conditioner. These pucks of joy deliver all the benefits of their liquid, vegan, environmentally friendly cousins without the hassle of a cavity search when going through TSA checks. Don't worry: The liquid form is still available if that's your thing.
13. Herschel Packable Daypack and Stanley Classic Thermos
Daypack $30, Thermos $40Federal202-518-33752216 14th St. NWfederalstore.com
Help your own Dr. Livingstone conquer the urban jungle with style. The gold standard of drink bearers will keep their morning libations' temps just right as they set out to seize the day. At the end of the long hunt they can unpack their pocket-sized daypacks to store the day's kill. Um… or just groceries and booze.
14. Nickel Morning-After Rescue Gel
$42Universal Gear202-319-01361529B 14th St. NWuniversalgear.com
A shock treatment for those mornings when waking up is too tough. Whether you were working real hard or partying way too late, this product will bring radiance and softness back to your skin. As an added bonus, it also delivers a stretching and firming effect. Caffeine, menthol, wheat extract.
15. John Varvatos Black Suede Vest and Band of Outsiders Tie
Vest $1,295, Tie $155Lost Boys202-333-00931033 31st St. NWlostboysdc.com
Dress up that someone special with something very special. The suede vest is not only a limited-edition runway piece from the legendary John Varvatos, but with a bevy of buttons and cinch in the back it will keep you feeling svelte after any feast. The green-and-red tie adds a dash of color and keeps the focus above the waistline. Holiday camouflage at its best.
16. Jon Wye Pancake Plates
After a lifelong love affair with breakfast, Wye pinpointed the crux of satisfaction: syrup. Designed with a raised edge, which gently slopes the plate toward the diner, and an ingenious reservoir for pooling syrup, this plate was made for slicing, dipping and delighting in each bite of pancake goodness.
WOMEN
17. Wolverine Socialite Wedge Boot
$280Redeem202-332-74471810 14th St. NWredeemus.com
Drive a wedge between beauty and pain. These black beauties are more Sassy as a 1980s magazine, but with aBazaar-refined edge that can easily be dressed up or down. Tassel, buckle, suede, leather…. We could celebrate them till spring.
18. Legacy East/West Universal Case in Glitter
$68Coach202-333-30053259 M St. NWcoach.com
Forget form over function, it is and always will be fashion above feature. Thankfully for those who disagree there is Coach deftly combining both. This case not only glitters more than a Kesha concert, but acts as a wallet that can store your phone, cards, cash and – of course – extra glitter.
19. Midnight Recovery Concentrate
$46Kiehl's202-333-51013110 M St. NWkiehls.com
The perfect gift for the workaholic in your life. Sure, they think the weekend Metro schedule is great only because they can stay at the office longer, but they still want to wake up looking refreshed. Kiehl's has a fix to ease the tension on her face quicker then a flask of whiskey hidden in her desk. Simply apply, sleep and let the special formula do all the repair work.
20. Eco Gift Set
Decomposition Book $6-$12, Marlowe Lunchbag by Peg and Awl $56, Seltzer Goods Seven Year Pen $9
Proper Topper202-842-30551350 Connecticut Ave. NWpropertopper.com
Give the gift of green this year. Match up this notebook made of 100 percent post-consumer waste with a pen good for writing in it for seven years. Place both in the reusable waxed-canvas bag and you'll have a ready-to-give gift that would make Captain Planet proud. Earth, Wind, Fire, Heart.
21. Native Union Power Link Knot USB Keychain
$50Universal Gear202-319-01361529B 14th St. NWuniversalgear.com
Give the power player in your life the best gift ever: more power. This keychain not only delivers top-notch (or knot) style, but also doubles as a quick-and-easy cable to charge all you mirco USB devices. Clip it on your bag or belt loop for easy access to all your power needs throughout the day… or night.
PETS
22. My Dog Toy Tuffy Dragon
$81The Big Bad Woof202-291-2404117 Carroll St. NWthebigbadwoof.com
Do you know a dog tough enough to take on the dragon? The Bruce Lee of dog toys is ready for anything. It has reinforced seams, multi-sewn interior layers and a tough fabric exterior that can take a punch (or bite) from any four-legged friend.
23. Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spritz
$13Kiehl's202-333-51013110 M St. NWkiehls.com
No time or patience to fetch Fido a shower? Is the washing machine starting to look like a viable option? Step back and check out Kiehl's two-step cleansing spray. Simply spray, rub in, pray for forgiveness for actually considering putting your dog in a washing machine, and then towel off.
24. Gourmet Organic Dog Donuts
$3Howl To The Chief202-544-8710733 8th St. SEhowltothechief.com
Forgot the dog owner on your list? Doh! Head over to Capital Hill for a quick dog-friendly doughnut fix. Made of apple, rye and oats, it may do you good to trade in your Dunkin' and join your best friend in doggy heaven.
25. Found My Animal Collapsible Dog Bowl and Ombre Leash
Dog Bowl $32, Leash $58Salt and SundryUnion Market202-556-18661309 5th St. NEshopsaltandsundry.com
Got a Cujo who thinks he is king? Keep your canine companion in line with this durable, handmade leash and attachable, collapsible canvas dog dish. Profits from Found My Animal products also go back to help support a mission of encouraging animal adoption over purchase.
...moreKevin Walling, the out gay man running for Maryland's 16th District in the House of Delegates, has been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the organization whose goal it is to help elect qualified, out LGBT candidates to public office.
Walling received the organization's endorsement Oct. 29, but only recently begun touting it in fundraising emails.
When candidates ask to be endorsed by the Victory Fund, the organization's campaign board – which meets monthly – determines whether they meet the specific criteria, including being able to demonstrate political viability, an ability to raise money, and whether the office a candidate is seeking is suitable to that individual's experience, according to Jeff Spitko, the chief marketing officer for the Victory Fund, which is also ''bundling'' for Walling, meaning it will pool contributions from multiple donors via a link on Victory Fund's website for Walling's campaign.
''Kevin would showcase as a role model for LGBT youth, and would be the youngest openly gay delegate at 28,'' Spitko said of the reasons leading to the Victory Fund's endorsement. ''His work on transgender issues, his work on marriage equality at Equality Maryland, is incredibly impressive for someone so young.''
Spitko also noted that Walling went through the Victory Fund's training for prospective candidates a few years ago, and then took a refresher course this year. The organization provides a three-day intensive boot camp for candidates three to four times a year that teaches attendees about dealing with fundraising, press, bolstering their name recognition and other concerns they may have running as an openly LGBT candidate. The next boot camp will be held in Denver from Dec. 5 to 8, in conjunction with the LGBT Leaders Conference, a four-day long professional development and networking event run by the Victory Institute, an arm of the Victory Fund.
''I feel really good. It's one of the earliest endorsements for next cycle, and they are prioritizing our race, because it is important to elect the next generation of LGBT leaders,'' Walling told Metro Weekly about securing Victory Fund's backing. ''This investment in me early means the world. I think that it says that we are going to be really competitive in this race, and they're putting a stake in the ground, saying this is someone they truly believe in for this campaign.''
...moreMayor Annise Parker says this is the constitutional and right thing to do; meanwhile, Houston's county takes steps to protect LGBT prisoners.
An advocacy organization has released the first in a series of videos that draws attention to the plight faced by LGBT Russians.
Mother Monster and the Muppets have combined their star power for an applause-worthy Thanksgiving TV special, Lady Gaga and The Muppets' Holiday Spectacular.
New York City’s Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has a lot of jobs to fill in City Hall before he takes office on next year, and there might just be some star power in the new mayor’s cabinet. According to The Observer: Several interesting names are being floated to head up the Department of Cultural Affairs, […]
The post Will Cynthia Nixon serve under NYC Mayor-elect de Blasio? appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
The rash of f-bombs dropping on live television newscasts continues. Earlier this week, WDIV reporter Lauren Podell appeared lost enroute to a story in Detroit with a guy named Jim. Rather than covering a devastating fire, she reported that she couldn’t “get this f–king in there”. The station quickly apologized for the “technical problem”, explaining […]
The post Incoming… F-Bombs in the News appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
Awards season is in full effect, and now its time to vote in the 4th Annual Get Out Awards! The Get Out Awards are sponsored by Get Out Magazine, a New York City magazine covering gay nightlife. The Get Out Awards recognize “the best places and personalities of LGBT” in New York City. Anyone is […]
The post Vote in the Get Out Awards appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
The post Andy Cohen steps down from position at Bravo but isn’t going anywhere appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
]]>CDATA[Bravo’s Head of Development Andy Cohen is evidently stepping down from his position as an exec with the cable network, but that really doesn’t mean he’s going any where. According to the New York Daily News, Cohen is: “leaving his day job as the cable network’s head of development to focus on his nightly show, […]
The post Andy Cohen steps down from position at Bravo but isn’t going anywhere appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
Despite a 1998 constitutional ban on gay marriage, a judge in Hawaii says the state’s new marriage equality law is legal. According to the Associated Press: Hawaii Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto said the 1998 amendment didn’t force the Legislature to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Sakamoto says it doesn’t factor […]
The post Hawaii judge upholds same-sex marriage law appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
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