tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610953975752192422024-03-14T03:37:33.474-04:00The AgendaEmpire State Pride Agendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09550113758888331089noreply@blogger.comBlogger1058125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-1275623854309376892012-09-20T13:32:00.000-04:002012-09-20T13:36:01.678-04:00Joining the Trans Advocacy Network
Post by Christopher Argyros, Pride Agenda Transgender Rights Organizer
I’m excited to announce that the Pride Agenda has joined the nationwide Trans Advocacy Network (TAN)! This is a recently-formed alliance of organizations that advocate for transgender equality and justice at the state and local level. TAN will create opportunities for member organizations, such as the Pride Agenda, to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-26353701594812347382012-08-08T12:45:00.001-04:002012-08-08T12:52:32.712-04:00New from TRANScribe: Paola
Paola from Albany reflects on combating threats and discrimination in a dangerous living situation, reminding us that everyone deserves a safe place to live.
Here's an excerpt:
This was my worst nightmare turning real. I tried to be honest with my housemates because I was concerned they could have figured out I was transgender, and then how would they have reacted? Maybe in a more aggressive Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-58453003766276472262012-07-25T13:28:00.002-04:002012-07-25T13:30:56.085-04:00New from TRANScribe: Patti
Patti from Buffalo describes the rejection she faced from family and coworkers and stresses the importance of securing equal protections for transgender New Yorkers.
Here's an excerpt:
Without legal protections, it is easier to avoid, dismiss, fire or evict us than make the effort to understand. This is why we need to raise awareness for transgender issues and pass the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-19280811685586988132012-07-12T12:42:00.000-04:002012-07-12T12:45:09.188-04:00New from TRANScribe: Deborah
Deborah from Hudson Valley writes about her daughter, Jessica, and her fears for her future in a state whose laws put her at a disadvantage.
Here's an excerpt:
In New York State she can be denied the job that she is studying so hard for
just because she is transgender. At a time when Jess is just starting out, she
is at a disadvantage for jobs, housing, loans--all the things that the rest Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-5580834511122374322012-07-12T10:41:00.005-04:002012-07-12T10:44:46.873-04:00Why I’m interning at the Pride Agenda
Emily Cozzi, Center
In my final year as a student at Colgate University, I spent a lot of time thinking about (or perhaps agonizing over is the more appropriate expression) what I wanted to do with myself after I graduated. I also spent a lot of time (I’m talking weekends camped out in the library) doing research and writing papers for various classes about issues relating to gender and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-67716823154145069852012-07-05T16:27:00.002-04:002012-07-05T16:29:12.122-04:00Check out this video a volunteer made for us!
See what you missed our relive the memories from Equality & Justice Day 2012...
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-71245297069991294302012-06-22T12:44:00.001-04:002012-06-22T12:44:42.925-04:00New from TRANScribe: Drew
Drew from Albany considers herself "fortunate" for her supportive family and coworkers, but notes that others are not always so lucky.
Here's an excerpt:
I usually shy away from telling those dark tales. I would never deny them, and my and other trans people’s dark stories are undoubtedly important testaments to the need for social change and tolerance. But the thing is, sad Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-49610210784270887552012-05-17T17:30:00.002-04:002012-05-17T17:30:31.503-04:00Building Transgender Awareness in My Community
Guest Post by Kelly from Saranac Lake, NY
Christopher Argyros, Esq., the Transgender Rights Organizer from the Empire State Pride Agenda and his lovely girlfriend Laura, came from Albany to Saranac Lake to speak at the Adirondack Unitarian Universalist service which centered on transgender acceptance. This was the first time I have ever attended a Unitarian Universalist service.
I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-12462513811784308552012-04-23T17:46:00.001-04:002012-04-23T17:46:14.909-04:00We Need You Here for GENDA - A Legislator's PerspectivePost by Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, Assembly GENDA Sponsor, and State Senator Daniel Squadron, Senate GENDA Sponsor.
We are proud to sponsor the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), and we'll fight alongside you until we finally pass a law explicitly banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers.
That’s why we are pleased to announce that the Empire State Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-12813945888482963252012-04-12T13:27:00.004-04:002012-04-12T13:35:41.471-04:00New from TRANScribe: "A Voice of a Heterosexual"Read this story of self-discovery by a cisgender woman whose spouse came out to her as transgender.Here's an excerpt:I had known a lot of things about my husband so I had to at least understand what he was. I read books about transgenderism, joined the Long Island Trans Experience community, attended transgender meetings and support groups. I went to therapy. By doing all this, I had hoped that Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-46839948309455490982012-03-29T14:02:00.003-04:002012-03-29T14:06:20.038-04:00What does Equality & Justice mean to you?What does equality and justice mean to you?Whether you're able to join us in Albany or not for Equality & Justice Day on Tuesday, May 8, you're probably involved with the Empire State Pride Agenda because equality and justice are values you hold close.Take a moment and share with our movement what equality and justice means to you. Download and print our sign "Equality & Justice because..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-70967150962440153862012-03-27T13:19:00.005-04:002012-04-09T12:53:05.147-04:00Empowering Myself at the Pride AgendaPost by Pride Agenda Intern Jeremy Markman. Find out more about interning at the Empire State Pride Agenda. When I opened up Facebook this past 4th of July and had realized that Joe had killed himself, I was paralyzed. Questions mixed with anger stormed my head. This array of emotions was juxtaposed with a genuine understanding of what initially led him to that dark place. This was another Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-14482738895792771292012-03-27T12:05:00.005-04:002012-04-12T13:29:35.994-04:00New from TRANScribe: "Anonymous in Lockport "Told by a woman in Lockport, the next story in the TRANScribe Project really underscores why we fight for transgender equality and justice. When in custody, this type of situation can be terrifying and unfortunately is all too common. Nearly one in four transgender New Yorkers who have interacted with police reported harassment by an officer. Here's an excerpt:...was the most humiliating Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-59761756206890439172012-03-15T16:48:00.003-04:002012-03-15T17:06:52.991-04:00Greetings from a Pride Agenda InternPost by Ruth Michael LindnerI remember standing among a crowd of happy, smiling faces at my first Pride Parade in 2006. The air buzzed with excitement as the masses of people, free to express themselves and who they loved, moved around. It was a beautiful day, not only because the sun was shining but because I felt so wholly at peace with who I am. I've been lucky, growing up around Albany, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-79356302814722891262012-03-15T16:23:00.004-04:002012-03-15T16:32:04.778-04:00New from TRANScribe: "One of the Lucky Ones"Joanne Borden of North Woodmere discusses being "one of the lucky one":At a very early age, some of us transgender girls were told, "Boys don't do that!" and we believed it. We kept the girl a secret. She was buried in the deepest corner of our soul. I, for one, spent my life hoping for a cure, so I could be rid of what seemed to be a curse. The cure would come: when I started college; when I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-66395291773618535142012-03-07T14:53:00.006-05:002012-03-07T15:02:19.191-05:00New from TRANScribe: "Just a Regular Joe"Bec Collins of Nassau, NY discusses challenges and successes of transitioning on the job:The general consensus of both my department manager and HR is “so what.” It’s not an issue as far as my employability, and I have been reassured that my gender expression would never be held against me. HR decided to educate my fellow employees about transgender issues and harassment policies. It wasn’t Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-49053075497228615192012-02-24T17:12:00.007-05:002012-03-07T15:02:51.745-05:00New Story for the TRANScribe ProjectHere's an excerpt from a moving story by parents Rex and Karen L. Butt of Poughkeepsie, NY, who write about supporting their transgender daughter:Because New York does not have a law that protects our daughter as a gender-variant person, finding employment is a struggle. Since she has not changed sex legally, she has to consider whether an employer has a policy regarding gender identity and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-37127918351076425702012-02-16T12:57:00.004-05:002012-02-16T13:06:15.878-05:00Staten Island Transgender Equality and Justice ServicePost by Lead Organizer Kate McDonough, coordinator of our Pride in the Pulpit program. Sign up for updates on New York State's transgender non-discrimination bill and more.Last Sunday, February 12, I was privileged to attend the Unitarian Universalist Church of Staten Island’s special service, Beyond the Binary Code: Gender in America, exploring the limitations that gender binaries can place on Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-77024706651407079352012-02-16T12:26:00.009-05:002012-02-16T17:12:28.278-05:00GENDA Letter Drop-Off Day! Showing Senators NYS Supports Transgender Non-DiscriminationPost by Pride Agenda volunteer Theo Zegers, student and Capital District resident. Sign up for updates on New York State's transgender non-discrimination bill and more.There can come along with the prospect of “dropping off letters to senators” a certain apprehension. The overall sense is not very unlike rolling out of bed in the morning, like “oh here we go…” But on February 6, I am content to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-48751657723313384342012-02-14T18:51:00.002-05:002012-02-14T18:55:31.555-05:00Pride in the Pulpit UpdatePost by Lead Organizer Kate McDonough, coordinator of our Pride in the Pulpit program.In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here is a story of romance:Last New Year’s Eve I was at a Glitter and Glamour-themed house party. I was standing by the bar holding a drink called a “glitter bomb” and staring at the front door as party guests made their grand entrances. The door swung open and a dandy entourageUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-6283600189417682202012-01-17T17:04:00.005-05:002012-01-17T17:42:42.057-05:00Honest Girl Scouts?Post by Director of Upstate Organizing Sheilah SableCongratulations to the Girl Scouts celebrating 100 years of courage, confidence, and character building of girls in the USA.Back in Fall of last year a Colorado troupe welcomed a transgender girl by following the basic tenet that if a youth identifies as a girl, she should be treated as one. The Girl Scouts of Colorado stated that requests for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-91562868323536460962011-12-07T12:14:00.000-05:002011-12-20T12:28:12.795-05:00Rising to the ChallengePost by Pride Agenda Executive Director Ross D. LeviThroughout the history of the Empire State Pride Agenda, we have been called to do great things. We have achieved more than 70 governmental victories by building support and educating both our community and allies. From our early days fighting for legislation that mentions "lesbian" or "gay" to our recent efforts to ensure that in New York all Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-82331978619882654332011-12-01T11:37:00.006-05:002011-12-20T11:43:14.022-05:00A Message from our Pride in the Pulpit CoordinatorPost by Lead Organizer Kate McDonough, coordinator of Pride in the PulpitI still struggle with Hebrew. Although I’ve been to a number of Shabbat services, I find myself tripping over every other word. Hebrew was something that we just did not cover in my Lutheran Sunday school. Last month, I had the pleasure of participating at the Nehirim Queer Shabbaton, a conference dedicated to LGBT Jewish Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-79663369660736325832011-11-29T12:34:00.013-05:002011-11-29T12:59:17.536-05:00Organized Labor Deepens Support for Transgender Equality and Justice at Annual ConferencePost by Director of Upstate Organizing, Sheilah Sable, who also serves as the statewide coordinator of the Pride Agenda’s Pride in Our Union program. On Saturday, November 19, forty members of the Pride in Our Union New York City Committee gathered at CUNY’s Murphy Institute for the annual Pride and Solidarity in Action Conference.As usual, we accomplished a lot. The afternoon kicked off with my Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761095397575219242.post-58528156781792501352011-11-23T14:00:00.008-05:002011-12-01T14:42:57.349-05:00Transgender Day of Remembrance around New York StateOver the last several days, Pride Agenda staff have participated in Transgender Day of Remembrance gatherings across the state. Captured below are their collective reporting and musings about the events, all of which have helped to strengthen the Pride Agenda’s commitment to transgender equality and justice and the critical work that lies ahead.BuffaloOn Monday evening, November 21, Spectrum Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0