Who knew? But watch for the guys with regular bodies during the Superbowl (where it might be otherwise unclear that we are not engineering masculinity these days).
Paul Scott: Wasting Your Time
There’s a guy named Paul Scott who’s running for Secretary of State in Michigan. You know, that state that gets TB when the rest of the country has a cough.
I haven’t been flabbergasted for some time, but this hatefulness blew me away. In his opening bid to become Secretary of State, he lists four things he aims to do:
There are also policies that I will work to change:
- I will stand strong against illegal immigration by verifying a valid social security number before issuing anyone a driver’s license, an issue Representative Dave Agema has been pushing for 3 years.
- I will actively push to encrypt the traceable RFID chip in the enhanced driver’s license.
- I will make it a priority to ensure transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance.
- I will work tirelessly to repeal the over $100 million dollar tax increase on drivers in the form of driver responsibility fees.
The third one, which I’ve put in bold, completely surprised me. I thought for a minute I was reading a parody & checked the page to make sure it wasn’t The Onion. On the one hand, I’m kind of blown away that the need for gender marker changes on ID is even being recognized as something transgender people need to do. On the other: really? Is blocking a transgender person’s right to change their gender marker a key issue?
Wow. Maybe his tag line should be “Vote for Paul Scott: He’ll Waste Everyone’s Time with Big Brother Bullshit.”
(h/t to Adrien and Paula, via FB)
RIP Kate McGarrigle
Rufus and Martha Wainwight’s mom Kate McGarrigle died on Monday Kate McGarrigle had one of the most angelic voices ever. So go watch and listen to her perform a song she wrote with her two talented kids. We all really hoped she’d beat that thing.
Two Tune Tuesday: Forgotten 80s Love Songs
Maybe not entirely forgotten, but highly neglected: The Polecats song is just charming as hell, and I can’t think of another song that has the word “oscillator” in it. Fine Early Geekage Period. The Hoodoo Gurus actually had a couple of other tracks people might remember – notably “Bittersweet” – but this was always my favorite, mostly for the yes yes yes yes i’m impressed bit.
More MLK (You’ve Never Heard)
Like this bit by illdoctrine.com a lot – the quotes, the delivery, the idea.
(h/t to Adrien)
MLK Jr. Day
“Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.”
– Dr. King
It’s always been a favorite of mine.
“GenderQueer in the Midwest” Mini Documentary
I love JAC Stringer. Okay, there, I said it.
& Now you do too.
Check out the other stuff JAC does at www.midwestgenderqueer.com.
Haitian Author
For those of you who want to read more about Haiti, do check out the author Edwidge Danticat (if you don’t know her work already).
RIP Flo McGarrell
A Vermont artist who was also trans died in Haiti during the earthquake.
Our love & condolences to his parents, friends, & family.
RIP Dr. Maxwell Anderson
You might remember Maxwell Anderson as Robert Eads’ close friend in Southern Comfort, or maybe you’ve never heard of him, but he’s been a trans activist for a couple of decades, and was well-loved.
He died today after being diagnosed with brain cancer not very long ago.
His last words to his friends are here.
His last public talk – given at an Atlanta Rally this past June – is here.
From activist Monica Helms:
Please pass on your prayers for Max to Pastor Paul Turner, at: pastorpaul@gentlespirit.org, Stormie Marshall at: stormie@drmaxwellanderson.com or leave them as a comment on the video.
RIP Maxwell Anderson. You did good in this world, which is the best any of us can do. & Thank Robert for us, when you see him.