The "T"

Last night a Town Hall Meeting was held at Covenant Community Church and several issues were presented by panelists as well as members of the audience. Inclusion of the "T" was a hot topic. "T" is the T in GLBT and means "transgender" and one aspect is whether "T" can be included in Alabama's hate crimes law...which someday may pass*. Of course, the immediate response is "Duh," of course transgender people should receive the same protections as other sexual minorities, but the nuts and bolts (no pun intended) of the issue requires analysis of what version of the bill could actually pass, etc.

* The house version of the bill did pass this year, but senate filibustering did not allow it to be brought up in the senate.

Transgender is always a topic that interests people, for a variety of reason, whether they admit it or not. That is why this post (Thomas Beatie) was my most popular post ever, and still gets hits on a daily basis. Some people are interested because they have a family member or friend who is dealing with such issues. Others are interested only because they see an issue of human rights. Some just think it is hot.

The Lady Chablis, in her book "Hiding My Candy", defines "T" as "[n.] The truth", and certainly, that is a part of a transgender person's conflict. Discovering themselves and determining how and when to let others know. The Doll (The Lady Chablis' stage name) defines "My T (to know my T, to tell my T)" as "[n.],[v.phr] Knowing where my candy's hidden; knowing that I even have candy". OK.

If you saw the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", The Lady Chablis played herself in the movie. I met The Lady Chablis in Savannah and saw her show at Club One.

Watch this clip, and in addition to learning about The Lady, you will hear her say "One thing I believe in with every human being is if your soul and your spirit says its the right thing, then it is the right thing."



The Lady Chablis "pours the tea" or tells the truth, as she defines the phrase in the book.

Jim Berendt, author of "Midnight..." says "In the South, people regard other people's lives as works of art." That may be the "southern way" of looking at others, but it sure has been lost here in Birmingham. One only has to follow the story of Larry "Flip Flop" Langford and the Pride flags. After refusing to allow the flags on city property, he said that the flags could be put up after some pressure from William Bell and other councilors. But late yesterday, he reversed himself again and said the city would not put the flags up.

We have been assured by Central Alabama Pride that the flags will be up, however, in time for the parade (of course they were supposed to be up during all of Pride Week) but that could mean Pride Committee members on ladders which might not be a good thing. Let's hope they find a bucket truck to use.

This parade on Saturday will include a 100 foot rainbow flag from Atlanta, and another large flag from Memphis, so we will not be short on rainbow color that day. Come join us (6:30, line up, 8:30 Parade, Five Points), and show the Mayor that Birmingham does support the gay community. With Pride.