Yesterday she had, America’s Next Top Model contestant Isis Tsunami, on her talk show. “The moment when I cast Isis as the first transgender finalist on America’s Next Top Model was a truly powerful milestone.” But the part before that, where fellow finalist Clarke takes a seat on the couch to explain why Isis freaked her out so much on the show (she’s Southern Baptist) was magnificent. Tyra proudly takes Isis’s side and tells publicity-hungry Clarke she’s a hypocrite for kissing Elina in the hot tub during truth or dare. “Clarke, why don’t you just come out and say it’s a really big double standard?”

BY CELESTE KATZ

The non-discrimination bill known as GENDA died in the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning to the chagrin of state Sen. Tom Duane, who is sponsoring the legislation with Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, a fellow Manhattan Democrat.

The legislation, is described as “AN ACT to amend the executive law, the civil rights law and the education law, in relation to prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression; and to amend the penal law and the criminal procedure law, in relation to including offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of offenses subject to treatment as hate crimes.”

All 11 Republicans on the Judiciary Committeevoted down the bill, plus Democratic state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx.

Duane attributed the defeat partly to a difference of opinions on legislative strategy.

“it is now yet again confirmed that the Senate is a cesspool of homophobia and transphobia,” said Duane, who is openly gay. “The advocates wanted to go through a committee… I believe that we should have brought GENDA through Rules and brought it right to the floor so as to deny the right-wing fringe the ability to organize against GENDA with their lies and distortions.”

Our State Capitol Bureau Chief, Ken Lovett, updates us on the current scene in Albany, saying Senate Dems are “livid” over the bill’s demise:

“Senate Dems say two Republicans on the committee, Sens. Andrew Lanza of Staten Island and George Maziarz of Niagara, had previously committed to supporting the measure, only to vote against it in committee.

“Whether it’s ethics reform or upholding basic human rights for all New Yorkers, Senate Republicans proved once again they lack the backbone to stand up for what they claim to believe in,” said Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran.

(Update: Shafran now says Lanza and Maziarz had agreed only to move the bill out of committee without recommendation.)

The bill, which has passed the Assembly a number of times, would add “gender identity and expression” to those protected against employment, housing, education and credit discrimination.

A Senate GOP spokesman had no immediate comment, but will likely respond in kind shortly.”

UPDATE: “My way of doing things is basically vote as you think is the most appropriate way to vote. If I was on that committee, I would have voted no,” said Senate GOP Leader Dean Skelos via our Glenn Blain.

More on the state Conservative Party’s opposition to the bill after the jump.

If this bill is enacted, how safe will our most vulnerable be? Will sexual predators be able to stalk victims by claiming they are allowed to enter the restroom because they are protected by law? Proponents of the bill say they are the ones being discriminated against, but what about the rights of the majority of New Yorkers who expect restrooms to accommodate their sex only? they say.

Many larger public places offer unisex facilities at the present time, if this law is enacted, the cost to business could be prohibitive and if small businesses cannot provide for unisex restrooms, trial lawyers will ultimately put them out of business,” the party’s statement continues. “The majority of people do not want the opposite sex in their restrooms, no matter how they are dressed or feel about their bodies. People using public restrooms have a right to privacy that enactment of this proposal would erode.

Proponents of the bill, such as the Empire State Pride Agenda, say it’s about much more than bathrooms, of course: “Currently it is legal in New York to be fired from your job, kicked out of your home or be denied credit or public accommodations (like service in a restaurant) simply for being transgender.

GENDA Myths Busted

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/06/conservative-party-on-so-calle.html#ixzz0qwpszkgN

“Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance,” it said in a statement.

From June 10, “when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender,” the statement said.

The new policy and procedures are based on standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field, the department said.

“As with all passport applicants, passport issuing officers at embassies and consulates abroad and domestic passport agencies and centers will only ask appropriate questions to obtain information necessary to determine citizenship and identity.”

The State Department said the new rules mean “it is also possible to obtain a limited-validity passport if the physician’s statement shows the applicant is in the process of gender transition. No additional medical records are required.”

The change coincides with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month, the department added.

PICTURE PAGE

Thank you so much for all the good times.

Chris

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.  That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.  We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits.  We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment.  I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles.  Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole.  By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.  I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

See you soon.

It is the result of our own past actions and our own present doings.

I realize I have many past actions to atone for in my life, although it appears my current situation and course has been helpful to others…

I received this touching email from a friend I recently met and could not have asked for a better birthday present.  It truly does feel better to give than receive when it comes from the heart.

Hi Christina

You are so welcome.  It is the least I could do.  I am doing well.  Thanks for asking.  The last two weeks have been a blur because of work and my personal life.

Along with previous conversations from a couple of people and more importantly, after reading your blog on Wednesday, 02-03 about you and your path to being yourself, it gave me the courage to be myself and “come out” to my best friend and to my sister the following Friday and Saturday respectively.

I made my mind up on Thursday, 02-04 around 10 pm and told my friend Friday night and then we went to the Round Up and on Saturday went back home and after my sister did my taxes, told her.  It was a little odd because of her response, or lack there of.  She was rambling and then silent.  I totally did not expect silence from her who is NEVER and I mean NEVER at a loss for words!  lol  Finally after about 15 min, she started to make since again and then looked at my friend and said, “It’s not fair!  You now have a bestest gay friend!” and we all laughed.

Again, I  truly want to thank you and commend you on what you said about Be Bold, Be Proud, and Be Yourself!  It really did give me the courage I needed to first of all, to come to terms with whatever issues I had about being gay and being able to share/tell those that I hold dear to my heart.  Thank you again and I am so glad that we stopped and introduced ourselves otherwise I would have not met you and would delayed myself from being me.

No worries about not getting back sooner.  I knew you were busy from previous emails.  I hope all went well with your family visit in Atlanta.  Lunch or dinner sounds good.  I cannot thank you enough!

I look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you…thank you…thank you!

Then the following week.

Hi Christina,

I hope all is well.  I have an update for you.  I went home this past weekend and spoke to my parents (mom and step-dad).  It Went really well.  We spoke for about an hour and a half and then went to lunch.

So my parents seem to be okay except it is all new and “in front of them” now and it may take some time.  Which is understandable.

I also spoke to both my brothers and that went as well as it could for two heterosexual men.  They have some younger children so I can understand / appreciate / respect the limits to exposure to certain things and they can do the same for me and my decisions for me.  It went as well as I could have hoped.

So that makes everyone in my immediate family who knows and so far it seems to be going okay.  I am glad it is finally out in the open and we can all move forward now.

I do thank you again for your words of encouragement so don’t ever forgive it!

Thank you again soooooooooo much and I look forward to hearing from you.

Karma is not fate for we act with free will.

If we sow goodness, we will reap goodness.  If we sow evil, we will reap evil.

Therefore the totality of our actions and their concomitant reactions determines our future.

Be Bold, Be Proud, Be Yourself.

Christina Foxx

In lew of any cards or presents I would appreciate any amount you could DONATE to a cause close to my heart.

Thank you in advance for supporting me and this cause.

Be Bold, Be Proud, Be Yourself.

Christina Foxx