This is the second part of three parts on referring to what California calls my legal change of gender. This is an exercise in cathartic writing for me explaining not only why my change of gender, but also explaining why I haven’t been as prolific in my writing since last summer, nor as active in [...]

The enthusiasm and momentum is palpable. What pop culture phrase fits the mood, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”? Perhaps the poster in Fox Mulder’s office —  ”I want to believe”? Many in the progressive and, sadly, the LGBT community wrote North Carolina off — the last state falling to a marriage discrimination amendment was just a [...]

Expect a fundie eruption in 3…2…1. The U.S. Supreme Court said no to the hand of the fundies, refusing to accept a case challenging a lower court ruling on the anti-discrimination policy at organizations recognized by California state universities. The groups relied on a “religious freedom” argument to justify discriminating against LGBT students — restricting [...]

In celebration of yesterday’s Appeals Court ruling against Proposition 8, I was going to write something uplifting about the perseverance of the lgbtq community. But I decided not to. For one, I am sure that there are so many others who are going to be dwelling on that subject. For another, based upon the reactions [...]

Big news – and a lot to digest, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will issue a ruling on the Perry v. Brown case challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. tomorrow, Feb. 7 by 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. ET. For a great primer on the case — its background and what has legally [...]

The National Organization for Marriage and other organizations who came together in 2008 to defeat marriage equality in California  was just handed a stunning loss by a federal court: Supporters of the 2008 ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California have lost a lawsuit that sought to block their past and future campaign finance [...]

The article was revised after talking to Masen Davis of the Transgender Law Center (TLC) to more accurately reflect what the signing of this bill accomplishes. California’s AB 433 — the Vital Records Modernization Act — is the bill that actually changes things a lot for transsexual people who were born in California, or live [...]

This just in from the Transgender Law Center (TLC) on Governor Brown signing the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 887) and the Vital Statistics Modernization Act (AB 433). From their email blast Breaking: Governor Brown Signs Two Historic Transgender Rights Bills Into Law: WE DID IT! Governor Brown just signed two important transgender rights bills into [...]

Is yet another huge LGBT victory about to be lost at the finish line? Remember when defeat was snatched from the jaws of presumed victory in CA’s Prop 8, ME’s Question 1, and in the MD House of delegates? We may be on the verge of another such heartbreaking 11th hour loss. Recently, the Fair, [...]

NOTE FROM PAM: Bumping up Lurleen’s prep post from yesterday. New Blend content is below. Photo: Keen News Service via Twitpic. At 12:30 PM ET The Blend will feature live discussion and analysis on the front page  courtesy of Americablog, hosted by Joe Sudbay and featuring commentary by contributor and California lawyer/activist Liz Newcomb and [...]