Uber & Lyft Driver Who Chauffeurs in Drag

With ride-share and private taxi services like Uber and Lyft rising in popularity it's quickly becoming a competitive market for their drivers, some of whom are going the extra mile to stand out and create an enjoyable and memorable experience for their passengers.

One such person is Erika Simone, the drag personality of an L.A. driver who's making something of a name for herself with her flashy and fun service.

Answering the call for her service Erika arrives on the scene in her Prius, complete with sign declaring 'Driving is a Drag', with Erika decked out in her bright-yellow taxi uniform and fishnet stockings, calling out 'Hey babe, I heard you needed a Lyft!'.

When asked what made her chose to start 'Driving is a Drag' is quite open and honest that it coincided with her starting cross-dressing with the need to stand out as a business.  'I was really into cross dressing summer 2014 when I really needed to take a job as a Lyft driver to pay some bills.'  She explained.  'I was recently out of a 3 month rehab program and needed a low stress job.  After reading on a news site that there were other Lyft drivers that had dress up themes to their cars, like Batman, Big Lebowski and Harry Potter, I thought to myself...what am I going to do?'

'Then I thought, what if my drag alter ego Erika Simone went to pick people up?  I had an epiphany, and it was a big neon pink sign  that said 'Driving is a Drag', and off I went.'

Despite the obvious worries that some people could react negatively Erika went ahead with the idea, and so far has been met with nothing but positive reactions from those she has met.  'I was really worried at first that people would say nasty things, beat me up or kill me, so I went with a friend for the first few rides but quickly found that everyone loved it and told me it was the best Uber and Lyft ride they had ever taken.  I've done 1,600 trips and have only been turned down once, and the man was nice about it.'

Part of the reason why Erika has been so accepted and embraced by her fares also comes down to the fact that she creates a full experience for those that she picks up, with the car being decked out in beads, teddy bears and even comes with fun props for people to play with, such as novelty headbands complete with springy penises.

'I've had people drop their groceries because they're laughing so hard.  So many people are shocked because they've never seen a themed Lyft driver before, but then they're like, 'Fuck yeah, let's get in!'

Using her 15 years experience in the music industry to put together a three episodes of  'The Drag Car Sessions', which features bands performing in the back seat of her car.  'I have met with six different reality TV studios since March but finally found one that completely understood my vision.  This is not a TV show, but a web series for YouTube and is going to be out any minute now.  The goal is to take the web series as a package to major TV networks next year to try and sell it as a new show concept.'

Erika is hoping to use the exposure and attention from press, social media and television to franchise a party bus and limo service fronted by drag queens.  She is also aiming to create a much needed 'safe ride' solution for the transgender, cross dressing and drag community.

'I've seen many stories of Taxi and Uber drivers that still discriminate against us, leave us stranded on the corner because of how we look or actually throw us out of the back of their cab.  It's 2015 and people should feel safe from getting from A to B.  Many trans people are scared to go out and be in public and take public transportation.  This would allow them to be 100% themselves.'

Erika goes on to explain how the ever increasing presence of the transgender community has gone on to change the way she uses 'Driving is a Drag'.  'Ever since Caitlyn Jenner's story became massive global news my ride has gone from 100% entertainment to 50% entertainment and 50% education.  People ask me what's the difference between transgender, cross dressing and drag.  Many people don't know.  I'm happy to give them trans 101, if you know what I mean.'

'I've had so many trans youth contact me on Facebook and tell me that I've inspired them to come out to their families and friends and to be themselves.  Even though I identify as a man, I guess some people see me being fearless out their driving in drag and look up to me.  It's a really cool thing, it's very empowering to me.'

Amy.
xx


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David Welch Claims Trans People Can Be Cured

Pastor David Welch, one of the more outspoken opponents of the now failed Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, HERO, has further disrespected the transgender community by claiming that transgender people can be 'cured' by 'biblical therapy'.

Welch has spoken out against the transgender community, claiming that he 'felt transgender people disrespect the Christian God by wanting a body other than the one he created for them.'

He also went on to say that transgender people 'should seek Biblical therapy to settle their confusion'.

During the campaign against the HERO bill Welch was one of the more outspoken members of the anti-HERO campaign, alongside the US Pastors Council of which he is a member.  The main slogan of the anti-HERO campaign was 'No men in women's bathrooms'.

In the past Welch also said that he prays for God to 'free' Houston Mayor Annise Parker, an open
lesbian woman, from her 'condition'.

Amy.
xx


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Wikishuffle - One of The Best Podcast's Around

I don't listen to many podcasts, if anything I find podcasts to be rather annoying.  I've tried listening to dozens over the years and never stuck around with any of them for very long.  For the most part there seems to be slew of 'geek' podcasts around, shows that cover comic books, movies, TV and video games.

Now, these are all things that I like, but these are also things I read about often, so they're not breaking any news to me, and their subjects I talk about with friends, so some of those conversations I end up listening to are very familiar ones.  So to find a podcast that's different, unique and entertaining seems to be more difficult than you'd first think.

Luckily for me, I've found a podcast that I've been listening to for months (my own personal record), and look forward to every week.  Wikishuffle.

Wikishuffle is one of those little gems, where the concept is so amazingly simple that it'll astound you that no one else had done it before, and that you weren't the one to come up with the idea yourself.  Every episode the presenters press the random article button on Wikipedia and talk about whatever subject comes up.

I know what you're thinking, 'couldn't that be really dull?'  Well, they do have to cover moth's a lot, and their are some subjects that you'd never go and read about off your own back, but even these things that would never normally interest you are full of intriguing pieces of info, and a lot of humour.

The three hosts, Jack Stewart, Chris Wallace and Phil Sharman, are able to take some of the most mundane subjects and make them interesting, and more importantly entertaining.  I found myself strangely intrigued listening to them talk about Sesame Street plot lines, Vanta Black and the sexual activity of Popes.  I was even kept entertained for almost an hour listening to the life story of a footballer, but then again that particular man's life story was so crazy and unbelievable it would make an amazing film.

Not every subject that Wikipedia generates for the hosts are entertaining ones, some are over and done with extremely quickly because there's not really much to talk about, and some cover subjects that are extremely uncomfortable.  In one episode that still sticks with me vividly the brave hosts talk about the 2011 San Fernando Massacre, a mass murder of 193 people by the Los Zetas drug cartel.  Whilst it would have been easy for them to cut the segment and pretend that it never came up they plough ahead and talk about a truly shocking account with respect and reverence, something that most comedy podcasts would never do.

Informative, funny, and at times moving, Wikishuffle is one of the best new podcasts around, even received the UK Podcasters Award for Best Comedy this year.

If you want to be entertained for an hour a week, to laugh and to learn (though possibly not learning vital information, but learning nonetheless) then Wikishuffle is definitely the podcast for you.

http://www.wikishuffle.co.uk/

Amy.
xx


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Trans-Scribe

Following comments from a number of fans, and the natural progression of my journey from someone blogging for fun to a more active member of the internet news circuit it's time for a change for the blog.

This site is no longer known as 'Trans Girl Writer', but will hence-forth be called 'Trans-Scribe'.  Thank you to the fan who suggested the new name (you know who you are).  Due to the change in name the site has a new address;

www.trans--scribe.blogspot.com

The site will continue on with providing LGBT+ related news, opinion pieces and the occasional rant, and hopefully will be featuring a number of new reviews of some very interesting media pieces if all works out well with a new partnership.

I want to thank everyone for their continued support and for visiting the site in the great numbers you are.  I couldn't be doing this without you.

Thank you all.

Amy.
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Lingerie Brand Neon Moon Latest To Add Transgender Model

The lingerie brand Neon Moon, who recently gained media attention for fighting online trolls for body shaming women, has become the latest fashion label to add a transgender model to their ranks.

A company that labels itself as 'feminist', and tries to actively promote body positivity, Neon Moon has been making headlines for their combat of online body shamers after photoshopped pictures of their models surfaced.  Priding itself on this message of not altering their images and believing that all women should be proud of their bodies, Neon Moon quickly worked to get the altered images removed from the web and named and shamed those responsible.

Their new campaign 'I Am Neon Moon' aims to 'fight against transphobia, body shaming and negative perceptions of the female body'.  When asked how they would be combating transphobia their founder and CEO, Hayat Rachi, replied 'By being inclusive and representing transgender women in a positive light within the lingerie industry.  Representation is important in today's society and normalising transgender women as women within our campaign in a very proud and unapologetic way to fight back at transphobia in today's climate in the fashion industry.'

I asked Hayat what made her chose to include a transgender model in the Neon Moon campaign, 'One of our main values at Neon Moon as a feminist lingerie brand, is to reflect our community better.  I have never seen a mainstream lingerie brand include a transgender women in their campaign alongside other women.  I always wondered why, and why is there such unnecessary pressure from society for transgender women to look like cis women in order to be models?  Representation is so important, as transgender models cannot be what they cannot see.  So instead of succumbing to the transphobia and body shaming in today's society, Neon Moon is fighting it head on with our latest campaign - #IAmNeonMoon.  It's important to be body positive and inclusive of transgender women, as women deserve equality.'

I also managed to catch up with Jilly Norman, the transgender model featured in the Neon Moon campaign.

Have you modelled in the past Jilly, or is your work with Neon Moon your first experience?

No, no, I've never modelled before.  Neon Moon is my first foray into the world of modelling at the tender age of 49.  And who knows, now that I'm an international model, it may not be my last.

How did you come to start working with Neon Moon?

So, I have been involved in the world of lingerie for many years, writing, reviewing, blogging and promoting/marketing lingerie companies.  I have my own lingerie site and Twitter feed.  I came across Neon Moon on Twitter and got chatting.  At one point I said something like 'Well if you're ever looking for a transgender model..' to Hayat and she took me on.

What is it about Neon Moon's products and philosophies that appeals to you?

Product wise, if I'm being completely honest, Neon Moon's items are not traditionally what I go far.  I'm a lace and bows and ribbons and straps and silk kind of girl.  But the set I'm wearing in the photo shoot felt really good, comfortable and, I'd hope, flattering too.  The other thing to say about the products is that I was under the impression when I came across Neon Moon, as many are, that they have been established for years, but that's not true.  They are relatively new.  As such their product range/sets are still growing.

Philosophies wise how could any forward thinking person disagree with the universality of the concept of body positivity, of empowering women, through honest representation, of contentment and of a zero tolerance approach to photoshopping images. Hayat and Neon Moon may not speak to everyone but she is allowing everyone to speak, amplifying voices that are spoken over by traditional campaigns.

Do you feel that Neon Moon is a company that works well with the transgender community?

Absolutely 100%.  Because the philosophy is built on a solid foundation of equality, diversity and representation.  Those who identify as transgendered are free to buy their lingerie anywhere, but in Neon Moon they have a powerful, supportive ally.

A number of fashion companies have started using transgender models over the last few years, what makes Neon Moon different to these others? 

So yes, having transgender models appear in advertising is something that is on the rise and good - why not.  In that, Neon Moon are joining the growing movement towards representation.  What sets them apart, at the moment, in the lingerie world is their philosophy.

Neon Moon promotes a campaign of body positivity and encourages women to embrace their bodies and love themselves despite 'flaws' that other people would criticise them for.  Is this a message that you feel is important to the transgender community, who are quite often shamed for their bodies?

The message is vital for every single human being but especially so for women and transgendered people.  I suppose I find it difficult to answer this question as my own body issues as a transgendered person may not be the same as another.

Any body shaming comes from a bad place.  Neon Moon offers a place free of it.  Free to do what you want with your body, free to wear what you want.  Feminism is, in part, engaged in a discussion about the role of transgendered people.  I would regard Germaine Greer's views as little more than body shaming but society will show, in the end, that harmony and equality will win over the bitterness, shaming and division.  People like Hayat are snowploughs, ensuring that those who come behind have a slightly easier path to take.

There will be some people out there who would say that a transgender woman has no place modelling women's clothing, especially taking part in a lingerie shoot, how would you respond to those kinds of comments?

I'd say why do I have no place?  I buy lingerie, I wear lingerie, why can't I model it?  Now I have some sympathy with them if they were to say that I don't represent them and, I've had no reason to believe that me as a 49 year old male presenting as a woman, will  make women rush to buy anything I endorse.

They are free to buy or not to buy, but I'm not doing it for them.  This photo shoot is important for a number of reasons, I had a responsibility toward transgendered people everywhere, a responsibility towards body positivity, a responsibility to Neon Moon, but ultimately a responsibility to myself.

Neon Moon, it's founder and CEO Hayat Rachi, and their transgender model Jilly Norman, are all sending a very loud and clear message, that body positivity is massively important to them, and that any transphobic views will not be tolerated.

When asked about possible backlash to the Neon Moon campaign from within the transgender community, about the possibility that some people could accuse them of being just another company that is trying to 'cash in' on the popularity of appearing to be trans inclusive just to gain media attention and increased sales Hayat Rachi refused to answer, stating that she was 'not comfortable with this question'.

She did go on to state, however, that Neon Moon would like to feature more transgender, gender non-conforming and gender fluid models in the future.  'Neon Moon's aim is to showcase a model that affiliates with one person across the globe.  It's so important to be inclusive and representative of our community so people growing up see themselves in our Neon Moon models.  It's all about empowering people to love their bodies and be confident with themselves.  Neon Moon is here for body positivity in a very feminist way!'

Hopefully Neon Moon's #IAmNeonMoon campaign will gain some positive attention for the transgender community and help to show detractors that trans women do have a place in the fashion world.

Click to go to the Neon Moon blog to read more about their new campaign.

Amy.
xx


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Theatre Company Casts Trans Actor In Cis Role

Boulder based LOCAL Theatre Company is scheduled to present the world premier of James McLindon's dark comedy 'Faith', a story about the religious fanaticism of a thirteen year old boy called Simon.  The company has cast transgender actor Em Grosland in the lead role.

Grosland will play the role of Simon, the son of 'an apostate mother who is desperately seeking a vision in the parking lot of a Walmart'.

Em Grosland commented on their website, 'I identify as transgender, although I am interested in playing roles all across the gender spectrum, I actively seek out transgender, and genderqueer roles as well as cis-gender male roles.'

'I have been pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the open-minded and supportive people of our artistic community.  I want my career and my work as an artist to challenge the rigid gender roles of our society and this art form.'

'Faith' opens on November 20th at the Dairy Centre for the Arts and will run through to December 6th.

Amy.
xx


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Disney Rumoured To End Slave Leia Merchandise

Disney has always been a studio that has tried to create good representations of women over the years, and whilst some might argue that early Disney Princess' were little more than damsels in distress waiting for their handsome prince it's very much changed in recent decades.  Brave saw a capable and fierce princess, Mulan saw a woman who saved her entire country from invasion, and Frozen went on to say that sometimes the princess' can save themselves.

That same philosophy of good feminine role models has extended to the Marvel universe, as Disney are adding more and more female led books, and changing some traditionally skimpy outfits to more conservative ones, such as Captain Marvel and Spider Woman.  Now it would appear the same might be happening to the Star Wars universe.

After speaking to Interview Magazine, Carrie Fisher (known around the world as the gun toting space warrior Princess Leia) advised the 'Star War: The Force Awakens' actress Daisy Ridley to 'fight for your outfit.  Don't be a slave like I was'.  The comments came during a discussion of Fishers status as a 'sex symbol'.

Now Marvel artist J. Scott Campbell has spoken out to say that Disney is 'wiping out' the Slave Leia outfit from their future merchandising.

He went on to say in a Facebook post, 'Daisey Ridley won't have to fight against anything.  Disney is already well on its way to wiping out the 'slave' outfit from any future products period.  You will not see any future merchandising featuring the outfit ever again.  Trust me, I've heard from two sources.  We can't even draw Leia in a sexy pose at Marvel, let alone in that outfit!  We also had a 3-D statue killed at a major manufacturer because there will no longer be any Slave Leia merchandise.'

Disney have not yet commented on the claims and at the time of the writing of his article it is still just a rumour, though a solid one that news websites are reporting on.

Amy.
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France To End Ban On Gay & Bisexual Blood Donations

Marisol Touraine, the French Health Minister, has gone on record to state that France will be lifting its ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men in the spring of 2016, saying that it signals the end 'of taboo and discrimination.'

The ban, which exists in many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland to name but a few, prohibits the donation of blood, and in some cases organ donation, from men who have had sexual relationships with other men, whether they class themselves as gay, bisexual or any other sexuality.

Many countries blood service defend the ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual donations by stating the statistically higher prevalence of HIV and hepatitis in gay relationships.

Despite these claims, many LGBT organisations view the restrictions as being based on homophobia and not based on any valid medical concerns, since blood donations are rigorously tested to rule out infections, wherever the blood may come from.

Despite these claims that gay and bisexual blood carry a higher risk of diseases France will be moving forward to lift the ban, stating that they will do so in stages in order to study if and how the risks of infections change.

The new system that they intend to introduce will not discriminate based on sexual orientation or sexual history, but will be judged on a case by case basis.  Initially donations will be open to men who have not been sexually active with another man for 12 months prior to giving blood.

It is important to note that the ban does not only effect me in sexual relationships with other men, but women too.  The ban also prevents women who are in relationships with me who have at one time been sexually active with men from donating blood.

Reports from people attempting to donate blood also indicate that the ban also extends to transgender women who are routinely turned away, even without their blood being tested for safety.

Amy.
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Gay Cure Therapies Still Not Banned In UK Despite Debate

Health Minister Jane Ellison says government has no plans to ban gay cure
therapies, despite claims from David Cameron and Nicky Morgan that it would

Despite debate in parliament and assurances from the government that so called 'gay cure' therapies would be banned in the UK many treatments are still readily available on the NHS.

Following a day of debates on gay cure therapies, where many ministers spoke out against the subject and condemned the practise as 'torture' Health Minister Jane Ellison ruled out legislation to ban it entirely.

A number of MP's, including Conservative Nick Herbert, Labour's Wes Streeting and Conservative Mike Free, spoke on the issue.  Mike Free said that the psychotherapy industry was thus far not regulated by statue and that the government needed to 'go further' to ensure that 'quack' therapies were rooted out.

'It remains possible for people within the UK  to be referred by an NHS professional to a psychotherapist for so called 'gay cure therapy'' he said during a debate on the subject in Parliaments Westminster Hall.  'Being gay is not a disaster, being gay is not an illness.  To suggest otherwise is not only demeaning, it is medically wrong.'

Health Minister Jane Ellison acknowledged the harms that gay cure therapies cause, and praised a Memorandum of Understanding banning referrals within the NHS.

However, she went on to say that the government would not be pressing ahead with legislation to ban these therapies.  She said, 'I fully understand the concerns about gay conversion therapy as they've been expressed, but the government has no current plans to ban or restrict via legislation.'

'We don't either have a plan to introduce statutory regulations for psychotherapies but I say that in the knowledge that it is a position that is challenged - and one to which I  will go away and reflect after the debate.'

It's worth noting that Ellison's statement that the government has 'no plans to ban or restrict' gay cure therapies is following on from a statement given by Equalities Minister Nicky Morgan last week that 'conversion therapies have no place in the UK and should be stamped out' and a pledge David Cameron made in April to end gay cure therapies.

Is it any surprise the Tory government would make these promises more than once, but when the time came to actually take action against it chose to turn it's back on the cause?

Amy.
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Chicago High School Guilty Of Violating Federal Law Over Transgender Student

Illinois largest high school district has been found guilty of violating federal law by barring a transgender student from using the correct locker rooms following a two year investigation into the incident.

The United States Department of Education's Office For Civil Rights investigated Palatine High School for two years following the accusations, and found 'a preponderance of evidence' that the school officials willingly went against Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

The young female student, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights  in late 2013 after the school refused to allow her access to the female changing room facilities.

After attempts were made to negotiate with the school to allow the young woman access the school agreed to put up a privacy curtain in the locker room.  However, the negotiations were forced to a halt when the school informed the student that she would have to use the private area, instead of offering it as a choice.

Although the student said that she intended to use the private area, John Knight, director of the LGBT and AIDS Project at ACLU of Illinois said that the stipulation of the private area constituted 'blatant discrimination'.

'It's not voluntary, it's mandatory for her' Knight went on to comment.  'It's one thing to say to all the girls, 'You can chose if you want some extra privacy', but it's another thing to say, 'You, and you alone, must use them'.  That sends a pretty strong signal to her that she's not accepted and the district doesn't see her as a girl.'

In the districts five high schools transgender students have in the past been allowed by staff to change their names, genders and pronouns on school records, as well as use the bathroom facilities and play on the sports teams of their gender identity, yet draw the line at locker rooms.

Education officials cited the privacy rights of the other 12,00 plus students in district 211 as the main concern for this barring of transgender students.

The school installed four privacy curtain inside the locker room, and one around a shower to try and sidestep the issue of privacy, however, because they gave the transgender student no choice in whether or not they would use them federal officials deemed this solution to be insufficient and grounds for discrimination.

According to a letter from the Office of Civil Rights '[the student] has not only received an unequal opportunity to benefit from the districts education program, but has also experienced an ongoing sense of isolation and ostracism throughout her high school enrolment.'

The young girl, who plays on one of the schools girls sports teams, told federal authorities in statements that she broke down in tears after her coaches reprimanded her for using the locker room to change, her coach telling her that fellow students and team mates were uncomfortable dressing in front of her.

Despite the ruling that the district was in violation of the students civil rights Superintendent Daniel Cates remained adamant that they were not in violation of the law and warned that the Obama administration were attempting a 'serious overreach with precedent-setting implications'.

'The students in our schools are teenagers, not adults, and ones gender is not the same as ones anatomy.  Boys and girls are in separate locker rooms - where there are open changing areas and open shower facilities - for a reason.'

Cates went on to try and emphasise that the districts position should not be seen as discriminatory by saying, 'we celebrate and honour difference among all student and we condemn any vitriolic messages that disparage transgender identity or transgender students in any way'.

Despite these claims that the district celebrate diversity and that their rules regarding separating their transgender students from the general population are not discriminatory federal officials have disagreed, giving the district 30 days in which to reach an agreement with authorities on how to move forward on the subject, or risk having their educational funding suspended or even terminated.

The student said in a statement that the federal ruling 'makes clear that what my school did was wrong'.  She goes on to say that 'This decision makes me extremely happy - because of what it means for me, personally, and for countless others.  The districts policy stigmatised me, often making me feel like I was not a 'normal person'.'

Department of Education report on District 211 Title IX violations.

Amy.
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