Can I Get An Amen: CJ Is Going As Bob The Drag Queen

CJ is a 9-year-old gender nonconforming boy and he is ready for Halloween.

This year he wants to dress up as his personal hero, so he told his mother, Lori Duron — who had a blog called Raising My Rainbow — that he was going to need “need her dress and purse and hair and makeup and everything.”

Oh, his hero is RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Bob The Drag Queen, and now his mother and his gay uncle are going to make sure he gets the look down.

“Bob, RuPaul and all the queens are brave, strong heroes for my rainbow son. They’ve taught him to celebrate his uniqueness, cultivate his own style and let criticisms roll off his back. They’ve taught him the importance and power of loving himself. They’ve also taught him a few words and phrases that I’ve told him he can’t use until he’s 18.” — Lori Duron

And since Lori doesn’t sew, is not a whiz with make-up and says she’s never styled a wig, she turned to her brother, CJ’s gay Uncle Michael, for help in that area.

“You can’t order this costume on online, mom! Call my FuGuncle (fun gay uncle)!”

Michael worked with CJ to match Bob The Drag Queen’s style in her music video, “Purse First.” Michael set up a RuPaul styled workroom in the family dining room to style the wigs and create the makeup and, most importantly, to advise CJ on perfecting “the stance;” that would be walking sideways into the room “purse first.”

CJ says a lot of his friends have asked him what he’s going to be this year and he wasn’t telling, though not, as his mother worried, because he was afraid he would get teased.

He just doesn’t want anyone stealing his idea.

CJ? Shantay you stay!

LGBTQ Nation

Random Musings

Sometimes, when a bill passes that paves the way for statewide discrimination — I’m looking at you Mississippi, right now — folks need a Come To Jesus moment.

Enter nonprofit organization Planting Peace who purchased space on a giant electronic billboard:

Yup, Planting Peace just countered a bill that discriminates in the name of religious freedom with one of Christianity's most fundamental principles. 

Aaron Jackson, president of Planting Peace:

"We will keep sharing this message as long as we need to, to counter hateful actions designed to infringe on people's basic human rights and dignity."

This isn’t the first time Planting Peace used a billboard to fight hate; last September, when Kentucky Kounty Klerk Kim Davis was to return to work after objecting to signing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Planting Peace bought billboard space in her hometown with a message about redefining marriage:

Planting Peace; it’s a good thing. 

Well the Supremes really gave a smackdown to the Conservatives and they did so unanimously … by ruling that states can rely on total population, and not just eligible voter population, when redrawing voter districts. 

It all began Texas Bigots Conservatives said that only the number of eligible voters should be relied upon when redistricting, and that the Constitution forbids counting immigrants, children, and prisoners, who are not legally eligible to vote.

Not so much said SCOTUS:

"The plaintiffs alleged the Texas legislative map effectively diluted the representation of citizens in rural, Republican-leaning areas in favor of Democratic-trending cities like Houston, where the population includes immigrants and children who are ineligible to vote. As the Framers of the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment comprehended, representatives serve all residents, not just those eligible to vote" — Notorious RBG, AKA Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

So sorry Texas, but your plan to keep your state red, and conservative, might just fall out of favor now.

In North Carolina News:

PayPal has announced it will cancel its planned expansion in Charlotte over North Carolina’s newly-imposed anti-LGBT bill which bans all local LGBT rights ordinances.

PayPal CEO Dan Schulman said:

“Two weeks ago, PayPal announced plans to open a new global operations center in Charlotte and employ over 400 people in skilled jobs.  In the short time since then, legislation has been abruptly enacted by the State of North Carolina that invalidates protections of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens and denies these members of our community equal rights under the law … . As a result, PayPal will not move forward with our planned expansion into Charlotte.”

It’s on!

I kinda like, er, liked Martin Sheen but this idea of his sounds, well, disgusting.

It appears that Sheen believes that O.J. Simpson is innocent of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman; he doesn’t mean “not guilty,” he means “innocent.” And so he wants to prove it with a true crime TV show and is seeking to produce a six-part docuseries called Hard Evidence: O.J. Is Innocent for Investigation Discovery.

He says the show will reveal new evidence — like that rusty knife? — and cover a new hypothesis as to what happened on the night of the murders.

I know what happened: OJ murdered two people that night.

Most of Sheen’s docuseries — notice it isn’t a documentary but a docuseries, which is what Oprah called Lindsey Lohan’s “reality” show — will be based on a book by a private investigator called O.J. Is Innocent and I Can Prove It. Except, um, he didn’t prove it.

Sheen will also narrate the series and says he hopes that O.J. Is Innocent will help answer the following three questions:

“What if there were enough evidence that proved O.J. Simpson did not murder his ex-wife Nicole or Ron Goldman?

What if the real killer were still at large?

And finally, what if a grand jury convened to reconsider the case based on new evidence.”

And a fourth question: what if this is a ploy to capitalize on the American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson?

Oh, and this: OJ did it.

Greensboro, North Carolina was one of those cities whose LGBT rights ordinance was overturned by Hate Bill 2 and this week the Greensboro City Council voted 8-1 in favor of a resolution opposing Hate.

The lone dissenting vote came from the council’s only Republican because … of course.

“This is one of the worst discrimination bills that we’ve seen in a long time. It’s not really about bathrooms; that’s to throw us off track.” — city council member, Sharon Hightower

It’s a symbolic move, sure, but these voices of reason need to be heard throughout the state.

And speaking of voices of reason, on the heels of Mississippi’s voraciously hate-filled anti-LGBT law, the Jackson, Mississippi City Council also passed a resolution regarding that state’s Religious Liberty Accommodations Act signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant.

“Regardless of what our Governor, our state agencies our legislature may have passed, the city of Jackson wants you here regardless of what color you are, regardless of your sexual orientation, regardless of what gender you are, we want you here in Jackson.” — Councilman Tyrone Hendrix

The resolution states that Jackson acknowledges the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits governments from respecting an establishment of religion and protects all people equally under the law.

Sound, sane voices in Mississippi; let’s hope they are heard and more join the fight.

Up there in New York Coty, the MCC Theater held its annual Miscast benefit, in which Broadway’s stars perform songs from roles in which they would never be cast. The benefit helps MCC Theater produce Off-Broadway shows and supports its Youth Company and in-school partnerships that serve New York City public high school students. 

This year’s steamiest duet was between Broadway vets Gavin Creel — Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie,  Claude in the revival of in Hair, and Elder Price in The Book of Mormon in London — and Aaron Tveit —  Gabe in Next to Normal, Frank Abagnale Jr. in the stage version of Catch Me If You Can, and Danny Zuko in Grease Live—who stole the show by playing the parts of Maureen and Joanne singing “Take Me of Leave Me” from Rent:

Aaron Tveit also sang “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver which cannot be embedded so go HERE to see and hear it ... beautiful.

Chase Culpepper Wins Lawsuit Over Driver's License Photo

I first wrote about Chase Culpepper last September — see post HERE; Chase is a South Carolina teenager, who was born biologically male, identifies as male, but regularly wears makeup and androgynous clothing. When Chase went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to take a driving test, and passed the test, he was told to remove his makeup or else they would not take his photo and would not issue a driver’s license.

After several attempts to resolve the situation, Chase removed the makeup and a license photo was taken.

Well, Chase — who has since come out as transgender and now identifies as female, hence the change in pronouns going forward — sued the DMV and this week was allowed to have her photo taken wearing makeup; in addition, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will change its policy on how male and female license applicants may dress or wear makeup in their official photos, and DMV employees will get training on how to handle transgender customers and people who don’t identify with either gender.

“My clothing and makeup reflect who I am. From day one, all I wanted was to get a driver’s license that looks like me. Now I will be able to do that.” — Chase Culpepper

DMV officials declined to comment, saying the agency’s policy is not to discuss any litigation, even after a settlement is reached, but it was a great day in South Carolina, a great step for transgender rights.

When all you have in life is who you are, to have someone tell you that you must hide your true self is unacceptable.

LGBTQ Nation

I Should Be Laughing

Chase Culpepper Is Suing South Carolina For Telling Him to 'Look More Like A Man'

Show of hands, please. Who hates your driver’s license photo? Uh huh, me, too. All of the license photos I’ve had over the years either make me look like a lunatic or a moron, or a moronic lunatic. And, when they tell you to smile in the photo? Bitch, I will not be smiling when the cops pull me over for speeding so if you want this picture to look like me, let my scowl shine, m’kay?

Chase Culpepper, like most sixteen-year-olds do, went to his local DMV, here in South Carolina, and took his driver’s test; he passed. But when he went to have his picture taken, Chase, a gender non-conforming teen — he identifies as male, but wears makeup and women’s clothing regularly — was told to “go home” and “take off the makeup.”

 A DMV employee removed Chase from the line and made him wait for a department manager, who also said that he needed to go home and remove “all of it” and then said, “[i]f your name is David Jones and it says you are a male, then you should look like a male."

Trouble is, that’s Chase. He wears make-up, so what?

Now, though, Chase is suing the ate of South Carolina, arguing that by denying him the right to have his driver’s license photo taken as Chase appears every day, constitutes sex discrimination and violates his right to free speech and expression under the United States Constitution. The suit, filed by the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund [TLDEF] also “seeks a ruling under the U.S. and South Carolina Constitutions that the DMV’s photo policy is unconstitutionally vague, too broad, and lets DMV employees arbitrarily decide how a driver's license applicant should look, without regard for the rights of the people they are supposed to serve."

Let me make this queer: that picture is Chase Culpepper. It’s how he presents himself to the world every day; it's how his family sees him, it's how his friends see him; it's him. And if we are going to let the folks at the DMV refuse to take our photos unless we present ourselves in a way they deem appropriate, then let’s play real fair. 

All those men and women who lie about their weight on their licenses, when it’s clear they’re packing on at least another twenty-five pounds or more, should be told to step on a scale first; that woman with the bad blond dye job should be told to change back to her normal color; any man that does not look manly — whatever that means — should be sent packing until they look masculine; and the same goes for the woman who looks a little less feminine; tell her to go home and put some makeup on because if their license says Diana Jones, and says you are a female, then, gosh darn it, she best look like a woman!

"My clothing and makeup reflect who I am. The Department of Motor Vehicles should not have forced me to remove my makeup simply because my appearance does not match what they think a boy should look like. I just want the freedom to be who I am without the DMV telling me that I’m somehow not good enough. I want to take my license photo again, with makeup, so I can be myself and express to the world who I truly am.” — Chase Culpepper

Now, the DMV is arguing that Chase is trying to disguise his appearance by not appearing as a male when, in fact, all he is doing is expressing himself, daily. And Beth Parks, a DMV spokeswoman, dismissed the notion that the DMV's policy on altered appearances did not apply to Chase because he normally wears makeup.

"I understand that he does wear makeup all the time, and for women, regular everyday makeup is acceptable, but it is unusual to see it on a young man."--Beth Parks

I guess that’s true, it is unusual, especially here in South Carolina, but who are we, who is the DMV, to say that a young man who wears makeup shouldn’t? I don’t see anyone rushing to tell women who don’t wear makeup to slather it on. And if, one day, Chase Culpepper decides he no longer wants the makeup, I imagine he will be first in line at the DMV to get a new photo taken, but until then, let Chase be Chase, makeup and all, because what does it hurt?

If we can’t be ourselves, and we have to be whatever the DMV arbitrarily thinks we are, or should be, we are in a heap of trouble. I mean, if we have to live in a world where other people dictate how we present ourselves in public, then I'm headed down to The WalMart to start sending people home to change.

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UPDATE: A Young Man Was Set On Fire For Wearing A Skirt

Last week I posted about Luke "Sasha" Fleischman who was set on fire while asleep on a bus ride home from school—see post HERE. It was alleged that the reason behind the attack was that the attacker, now identified as sixteen-year-old Richard Thomas, didn’t like the fact that Luke was wearing a skirt.

I spent a great deal of time wondering if that was the case; could a person’s clothing be seen as some sort of excuse for a Hate Crime? Turns out it was.

Thomas has confessed to Oakland police that his own homophobia caused him to light Luke’s clothing on fire. As a result, Richard Thomas has been charged as an adult with aggravated mayhem and assault and could go to prison for life if convicted. Felony aggravated assault carries a maximum prison sentence of life with the possibility of parole; the sentence for the assault charge is a maximum of eight years, while each of the two hate crime enhancements carry a one year sentence each.

“[Richard Thomas’] violent and senseless criminal conduct resulted in severe and traumatic injuries to a young and entirely innocent victim. … The intentional and callous nature of the crime is shocking and will not be tolerated in our community. Our thoughts remain with the victim and the victim's family in wishing for a full recovery from the extensive burns suffered as a result of this crime."— Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley

Police say Thomas boarded the bus near Oakland High School late last Monday afternoon and when he saw Luke asleep, and wearing a skirt, he decided to set the other person on fire.

This is a hard story to write because I wish to be respectful to Luke/Sasha, who identifies as "nonbinary" gender, meaning the Oakland teen does not identify as male or female; Luke’s friends use the pronouns "they," "them" or sometimes "it" when referring to Fleischman, so I’ll try to be respectful in the same manner.

Richard Thomas’ family was in court as he was arraigned and say the fire was set as a prank, or a joke — though no one seemed able to explain how lighting another human being on fire is funny — and the family pleased with the court to allow Thomas time to hire an attorney; that wish was granted. Family members also say Thomas is sorry for what he’s done, and then denied he’s homophobic, despite his confession to the contrary.

But let’s end this with some good news, shall we?

Supporters of Luke/Sasha Fleischman have raised $20,000 in just two days to help pay the medical bills, which will, at some point, include massive skin grafting and a lengthy recovery period. And while that’s a lovely thing to do, it’s what Luke’s classmates did last week at school that gives me hope that these types of things may not happen again, or at least as often.

Students and staff members at Maybeck High School in Berkeley where Luke attended classes donned their own skirts last Friday in solidarity with their classmate; there were actual skirts, some sarongs, and a few kilts all over the school last week as a way of condemning the attack and supporting Fleischman.

"The students wanted to rally their support for Sasha, so they came up with the idea of wearing skirts because that's what Sasha likes to do and what Sasha was wearing when Sasha was lit on fire."—Trevor Cralle, school director, who wore a floral sarong

The school posed for a group photo that would be delivered to Fleischman.

A skirt; sometimes that all it takes to ignite someone’s homophobia. A skirt; but then, other times, a skirt is a sign of hope and solidarity and pride and support.

Oakland teen charged as adult in hate crime attack

School dons skirts in honor of burn victim

A Young Man Was Set On Fire For Wearing A Skirt

Luke Fleischman

I’m a person who loves seeing, meeting, speaking to people who are different from me; well, except for wingnuts … wingnuts make me nervous. But I love people who don’t look like me, or sound like me or dress like me. I mean, if I wanted to see versions of myself all day I’d sit in my bathroom taking selfies forever.

And having spent so much time in San Francisco — where diversity is everywhere — and Miami — where conformity is the norm — I find myself wishing for someone who looks different. 

Last Spring, in Smallville, I saw a young Black man with long, straight, gorgeous blond hair — think Cher in the ‘Believe’ video — and a couple of folks with me remarked about how odd he looked. I said I liked it; I mean, he didn’t look like anyone else in Smallville and he had the balls to walk through a small Southern town with that gorgeous — albeit not natural — hair.

I celebrate diversity; some folks wanna burn it down.

This past Monday, in Oakland, California, Luke Fleischman was coming home by bus and apparently fell asleep during the commute. Another young man, a 16-year-old boarded the bus near Oakland High School and took a seat. A few moments later the young man walked over to where Fleischman was sitting and lit his skirt on fire.

Startled, Luke tried unsuccessfully to put out the flames, as other passengers rushed to help. The driver stopped the bus a short distance away when he became aware of the attack, and ordered everyone off the bus.

The suspect was taken away by Oakland police, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem and could face other charges. He was identified as the attacker through surveillance video on the bus.

He set a man on fire for wearing a skirt.

Fleischman,, who also goes by the name Sasha — and does not identify as male or female but rather as nonbinary gender, a term covering any gender identity that does not fit within the gender binary — is in stable condition at the St. Francis Memorial Hospital burn unit in San Francisco, but is going to need massive skin grafting and a long recovery period.

"My son considers himself agender. He likes to wear a skirt. It's his statement. That's how he feels comfortable dressing."— Debbie Fleischman

She said Luke had been riding the bus home from school, oftentimes wearing a skirt, for the past year and never had a problem. Luke had told his parents two years ago that he did not want to identify as a man or a woman, and became politically involved in the issue of nonbinary gender; he gathered some 27,000 signatures on the Internet in hopes of catching President Obama's attention to the subject.

While police investigators are still sorting out a motive, Debbie Fleischman wonders whether it was a prank gone seriously wrong, or something darker, a hate crime.

All because he was a man in a skirt.

And what does that hurt? Who does that hurt? How does what one wears, or how they style their hair, or how they speak, or love, or worship, or live, hurt anyone else?

I often make a small joke when I see people arguing, repeating what Rodney King said after the LA riots of the 90s: Can’t we all get along?

Is that so hard? I mean, it was a young man in a skirt. I would have thought him cool and brave and daring and different. I never would have seen him as a target. 

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