Once again politicians have failed us. They promise they will work for equality and then turn their backs. New York residents had been told that the New York Senate may vote on Marriage Equality yesterday (Tuesday, November 10, 2009) and then delayed the vote.

This has become the norm with politicians across the country and especially with the Obama administration. We make a bit of noise; they respond, throw us a bone and then ignore us again or even worse take the bone away from us as they did in California and Maine. I for one am tired of bones; I want the prime rib others are enjoying.

There has been some great progress made such as Marriage Equality in several states with Massachusetts leading the way and the passage of the Hate Crimes bill. These are wonderful but they are not enough, we still need to fight.

The Obama administration and elected officials around the country need to be constantly harassed and informed that we are American citizens and we deserve equality, it is our Constitutional right. They need to know that if they are going to continue to turn their backs on us we are not going to support them.

I know I keep saying that you need to contact your elected official and tell them to pass ENDA, fight for Marriage Equality and repeal DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell but it is so important. Constantly pressuring them is the only way they listen and actually take action. You can find the contact information of your elected officials at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

KristiTV
diamondtgr@comcast.net
http://diamondtgr.home.comcast.net

On Tuesday November 3, Maine voted to repeal the right for same-sex marriages. While this is a major set back for equality it is not the end. We still have a lot of work ahead for us and other bills that need to be passed. We also need to stop other states that recognize same-sex marriages from repealing those rights and get them back in the states that we’ve lost.

We also need push Congress to pass ENDA (the Employee Non Discrimination Act), repeal Don’t Ask Don’t tell and repeal DOMA (the Defense Of Marriage Act). While our losses and set backs are disheartening we cannot let that stop us. We need to fight even harder now.

Please write your Representatives, Senators and the White House. Call them, email them, what ever it takes and don’t stop until we have our rights. Make sure your voices are heard and heard loudly.

Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

You can find your state Senator and State Representative at http://directory.usayfoundation.org/
President Obama contact information can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Kristi
diamondtgr@comcast.net
http://diamondtgr.home.comcast.net

On October 22 Congress approved the Hate Crimes Bill (also known as the Matthew Shepard bill). This was a huge step for LGBT rights and protection because President Barack Obama would now have a bill before him to sign, which he promised he would, protecting the LGBT community on a national level. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the bill into law.

While this is a tremendous occasion and deserves celebration but the work is not finished; we still have a long hard fight ahead of us. We still need to keep the pressure on Congress and the President until have equality.

On October 11, 2009 over 100,000 people marched on Washington for Equality. They peacefully let President Obama and Congress know that we are getting impatient and tired of the broken promises. The President responded by giving a speak and the HRC dinner the night before the march promising that he is working to keep his campaign promises to us (more information on the march can be found here.)

President Obama responses to pressure; we need to keep the pressure on him and on congress. What can you do? Write to your Senators, Representative and the White House and let them know you want EQUALITY. Tell them you want the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) pass. Let them know you want “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” stopped and repealed and scream that you want full marriage rights.

You can found your state Senator and your State Representative at http://directory.usayfoundation.org/
President Obama contact information can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/

There has been a lot of progress made but now is not the time to sit back and look at what has been accomplished, now is the time to not only keep the pressure going but to increase that pressure.

Most of my news about the LGBT community comes from Sirius/XM OutQ radio.

Kristi
diamondtgr@comcast.net
http://diamondtgr.home.comcast.net

After a huge computer crash I've gotten a new system and am once again working hard to bring you  resources from the Transgender community from around the world. I have enjoyed the great feedback I've received regarding DiamondTGR and I'm very happy to continue working on the site.

Check out the latest spring and summer fashions in the On Sale section.  From cute tops to functional skirts to to die for shoes.

As always I look forward to hearing from you and your suggestions.

Kristi

It's been a bit since my last update to this blog and the DiamondTGR web site. Unfortunately I've been having computer issues, but I am back and have made some updates to the site.  Some of the updates are invisible and more for organization and others are quite visible.  I've added four new support groups, all of which had been featured by Keith Price on Sirius OutQ in the Morning.  Vist the What's New page for more information.

Kristi

We have added a new support group. Sylvia's Place is a New York City based LGBT Youth homeless shelter.  Sylvia's has been featured on Sirius XM OutQ and helps young (under 21) people who are homeless because of they are LGBT.  Go to What's New and click on the link to Sylvia's Place.

If you know of any support groups or other Transgender friendly groups or companies that you would like to share with our community, please contact me or post them to this blog.

Also on the What's New page, two skirts on sale.  These skirts are beautiful and would make an excellent Christmas gift for yourself or the special girl in your life.

I want to wish all my sisters a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa and a Very Very Happy and Healthy New Yeark.

Kristi

Welcome to Diamond Transgender Resources.  One of the features of the new site is our blog.  Here we will post information about our site and news about the Transgender community.  We hope that you will take part in the blogs and find them discussions enjoyable and informative.

Thank you for taking the time to stop be and read our first blog.

Kristi