Matthew Haldeman-Time

"In This Land" news

2008-05-13T02:50:58Z

"In This Land" is now over 80 parts long. That means that a new subscriber immediately gets 80 parts for free, for $1.99. That's ridiculous.

To even things out a bit between long-time subscribers and the new folks, the price of ITL for new subscribers will (soon) go up. The old-school subscribers get to keep their happy little $1.99.

If you haven't subscribed yet, now would be a good time to do it. Take advantage of that $1.99 a month. I update every Friday, so you get guaranteed new erotica every week. Four updates a month for $1.99! Compare that to the price of, say, gas. Coffee. Everything else in life. It's a good deal.

#19: Pass a non-discrimination ordinance in your community

2008-05-12T05:03:11Z

From the NCTE:

Communities across the country have been passing laws which protect people from discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Anti-discrimination legislation can include housing, employment, public accommodation and more. Both large and small municipalities have passed these laws; in recent months, states like Vermont and Hawaii, cities such as Bloomington, Indiana and smaller towns like the Borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania have all passed measures to ban discrimination.

If your area doesn’t have an anti-discrimination law that includes gender identity and expression, work to pass one. It is important to have language that will work legally, so contact the Transgender Civil Rights Project at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to get more information about legislation and further assistance.

“In the past five years we’ve gone from 5% of the country to over 30% of the country covered by trans-inclusive laws directly through the efforts of grassroots activists,” notes Lisa Mottet of the Transgender Civil Rights Project. “It is easier than people think, even for people with no previous political experience. We can provide you with all of the tools you need, whether you are just starting the effort or are well on your way to finishing the process. We encourage you to contact us and we can provide you with assistance through the whole process.”

You can contact the Transgender Civil Rights Project at lmottet@thetaskforce.org or call 202-639-6308. More information about the project is available on their website at Transgender Civil Rights Project.

Enacting legal protections for transgender people is an important step towards transgender equality. Work in your community to pass to trans-inclusive legislation today.

Candidates

2008-05-09T02:10:42Z

Local primaries are coming up around here. Thought some folks might be interested in checking out which candidates the Victory Fund has endorsed.

About the Victory Fund:
True equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons will come when talented, committed and qualified openly LGBT individuals step up to lead their communities, to add their voices to the American political debate, and to show that what they want for their own families is the same as their straight colleagues; freedom to live their lives honestly, without fear and with hope.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation's largest LGBT political action committee and the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Since 1991, the Victory Fund and its national donor network have helped hundreds of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.

Storm puppy update

2008-05-07T21:42:24Z

Put up signs. Got a call about another missing dog, but nothing about this one.

Put an ad in the paper. No response.

Scanned him for a microchip. No chip.

Now I'm contacting a breed-specific rescue group, to see if they can find him a home.

Why is the world not at my beck and call?

2008-05-05T04:00:14Z

Need to talk to Diamond about something. She's not available.

Unacceptable.

#18: Educate a local homeless shelter about how to be trans inclusive

2008-05-04T14:51:16Z

From the NCTE:

Homeless shelters can be very challenging places for those who need them; this is especially true for transgender people. Most shelters are gender segregated and many do not have policies that deal with issues of gender identity and expression. Yet studies have shown that as many as 1 in 5 transgender people may need the assistance of a shelter, due to our community’s high level of under- or unemployment and the disruption of networks of family and friends.

Helping a shelter develop trans-inclusive and supportive policies could be one of the most important actions we take. It will certainly help preserve the dignity and well-being of a trans person and it may even save a life by ensuring access to a safe shelter environment.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute and the National Coalition for the Homeless issued a resource last year called Transitioning Our Shelters: A Guide to Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People. The report, authored by NCTE Board of Advisor’s steering committee member Lisa Mottet and John Ohle, includes very specific information about how to work with shelters to change policies and make shelters respectful and safe places for all people. It has been used by shelters across the country that provide services for the homeless and for those displaced by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.

The report says, “The bottom line is that transgender people should be treated with respect. Their freedom to define themselves through self-identification and expression should be honored in every way, including in the language that staff use to refer to them as well as with their housing, bathroom, and shower placement . . . The clear consequences of a rule that makes surgery the dividing line between who gets gender-appropriate shelter and who does not means that most transgender people will never get gender-appropriate shelter and treatment. Knowing how important it is for the emotional and physical safety of transgender people to have their gender identities respected, treating people according to the gender they self-identify—the policy of respect—is the only humane option.”

You can download a free copy of this important resource at www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/TransHomeless.pdf

You can also get more information about homelessness and the trans community on our website.

Work with your local shelter to ensure that it is a place where trans people find safety and respect when they need its services.

A note to readers

2008-05-03T19:04:00Z

I don't kill my characters. Especially not major ones. Bade, as the principal love interest in the flagship couple in a major series, is about as safe as Kudorin, at this point. Especially in a happy, rainbows-and-flowers series like "In This Land." Relax and enjoy the story. Good times ahead.

#17: March as a trans contingent in the Gay Pride Parade

2008-04-28T21:33:44Z

From the NCTE:

June is the month when many communities hold LGBT pride events, marking the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City when trans and gay people stood up to the police in 1968. While certainly not the first queer resistance to police harassment, the Stonewall Riots helped spread the message of liberation and galvanized people around the world to say no to oppression.

Consider organizing a trans contingent to participate in Pride. While trans people come in all sexual orientations, this is another opportunity to show that we are a visible and proud part of all of our communities, including the LGBT community. Think about what message you want to give to the crowd—what do you want people to understand about who we are? Then create a float, a walking contingent or other display to get that message across.

Albuquerque Pride co-coordinator, and ally of our community, Pat Baillie comments, “We have a strong transgender contingent every year in the parade and booths for FTM and MTF information sponsored by local transgender groups who are out and proud. This year we will honor one of our transgender activists as our Honored Dignitary—Political, Virginia Stephenson. Her political activism and work for transgender rights are key reasons why New Mexico has equal anti-discrimination and hate crime protections under the law for both sexual orientation and gender identity. This year we will also dedicate a memorial where our first Pride events were held and we proudly add the "T" in our GLBT community to honor those who have come out and made our world a more diverse and inclusive place.”

Congratulations to Virginia, who is a member of NCTE’s Board of Advisors and a founding NCTE member. More information on her award can be found at Albuquerque Pride.

You can find Pride events in your area, plus additional resources, on the Interpride website.

Storm puppy update

2008-04-27T21:25:26Z

Still don't know who the storm puppy's owners are. Asked neighbors, put up a sign, put an ad in the paper, and no word.

He's a terrific dog, and he's been great, until this morning. Took him to the vet, paid $$$, only to learn that he's fine. Now he acts like nothing ever happened.

Can't get that money back. Can't get those hours back. Can't figure out what was so very wrong this morning that's instantly gone away. Can't get the dog to speak English, either, which would be really helpful.

April 25th

2008-04-24T19:18:15Z

Since tomorrow's the Day of Silence, I'm updating ITL today.

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s event will be held in memory of Lawrence King, a California 8th-grader who was shot and killed Feb. 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. Hundreds of thousands of students will come together on April 25 to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.

http://dayofsilence.org/

http://www.glsen.org

Rini's blog

2008-04-23T04:23:02Z

Rini's updated his blog.

Photographer

2008-04-23T01:07:08Z

Who takes photos for SNL? Those stylized photographs around the commercial breaks. Who is that?

#16: Hold a Trans Pride event in your community

2008-04-20T22:44:10Z

From the NCTE:

Wouldn’t it be great to have an event in your community to celebrate our pride in being transgender? If your community has an event like this, attend and support it. If not, organize one! It can be large or small, complex or simple—plan an event that makes sense for your community. But no matter what the logistics are, plan an event that gives people an opportunity to celebrate who we are as transgender people.

Some things you might want to consider: holding workshops on topics our community needs to hear about—from legal rights to fashion; showcasing trans entertainers and artists; having a speaker who can set a positive and exciting tone; food and fun. Plan to include a diverse group of people in the organizing process so that your event truly represents the local community.

These events can be an important time to encourage and challenge each other to be the best community we can be. San Diego just held their Trans Day of Empowerment and Masen Davis, NCTE Board Member and co-founder of FTM Alliance of Los Angeles, delivered the keynote address. In his remarks, he said,

“I believe that change is not just possible—it is inevitable. I believe that the challenges that face our community today can become extinct. That if we can believe in a world where trans people are fully embraced; where we have access to quality, culturally competent healthcare; where we have quality education and gainful employment; where all trans people, regardless of ethnicity, age or sex, can be whole people with full lives … then we can begin to create that very world.

“You see, we as transgender people are experts at creating something out of a mere belief! We believed we were different, that we could be something beyond what others could see or understand; and we became what we knew to be true and right for us. If we can do that for ourselves, then we can do that for our world.

“I’m not saying that this will be easy. We are still at the beginning of a long trek to equality. But if we can believe in the possibility—and the inevitability—of a better world for transgender people, then we can begin to create a better future for all of us.”

Hold an event in your community to show the world, and each other, that we are proud to be trans and that we can and will change the world.

Day of Silence

2008-04-19T20:04:45Z

GLSEN is proud to release a new public service announcement starring Lance Bass of *NSYNC and several New York and New Jersey students. The PSA is intended to raise awareness about the National Day of Silence on April 25, which this year will be in memory of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old from Oxnard, Calif., who was shot and killed in class on Feb. 12 because of his sexual orientation and gender expression.

www.dayofsilence.org

Ah, Drew

2008-04-19T04:44:11Z

Drew Lachey raring to win car race for charity

Drew Lachey has traded in his dancing shoes for a racing helmet.

The second-season "Dancing with the Stars" champion and former member of the pop group 98 Degrees qualified Friday for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, a 10-lap charity race that is part of 34th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

"This is very different than 'Dancing with the Stars,'" Lachey told The Associated Press before his run. "The only way it's similar is that you have a very short window to try to perfect an art form."

Lachey will compete against celebrities including William Fichtner from "Prison Break" and Wilmer Valderrama from "That '70s Show" in race-modified Scion tCs on a 1.97-mile, 11-turn circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach, Calif.

"You get to race very fast and legally," Lachey said. "That was one of the big draws for me to do this."

The other was charity. The race benefits the Miller Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County. The celebrity winner will also receive a $20,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Lachey and NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little are the evenly matched 4-to-1 famous favorites to win the Saturday race, according to LasVegasAdvisor.com president Anthony Curtis.

I’d fuck that ass seven times a week and twice on Sunday.

2008-04-19T00:41:30Z

Looks like someone just updated "Sucker."

On to plan B

2008-04-18T23:54:35Z

“Why do you sound so confused by your attraction to him?” Bade asked. “It probably just means the same thing that it always...means.” As his voice faltered, Bade’s eyes widened. Oh, shit.

No, no, “No,” Orinakin said. “No, no. It’s not that.”

“Gods above,” Bade breathed, staring at him.

“No.” Orinakin felt it, all through his body, down to his bones, the impossibility of it. “No.”

“Okay,” Bade said, backing down. “It’s just...regular attraction. Your own physical reaction. It’s just that. You like smart, sexy blonds, anyway, right?”

“Right.” He took a deep breath, calming himself, and tried to return Bade’s nervous smile. “It’s as simple as that.”

Good to have that ruled out. So, if we're not taking Xio Voe back to Orina Anoris to court Kudorin, what are we going to do with him?

Orina Anoris and the Jacacean Empire

2008-04-14T23:35:03Z

Nikki said (emphasis mine):

"I tell ya that Heir Voe is such a harsh character to read so far. The whole land is really. It seems the only time they open up is when they're caring for the sick. It's unnerving to go from a colorful world where everyone is happy and honest to this one where everything is coldness and resentment. Everyone is so restrained and secretive. Even the sex was held back!"

Thoughts on Orina Anoris and Jacacea?

Comparisons?

Reactions?

Two parts in may be too early for a true comparison, since there's still a lot to learn, but I'd like to hear some first impressions.

#15: Adopt a Highway

2008-04-13T23:56:56Z

From the NCTE:

You know those signs along the highway that tell you the group that volunteered to pick up trash along the road? Why not use them to raise our visibility? A group in Georgia did just that. Our column this week is written by Monica Helms, who organized the effort there.

In possibly every state of the country, the Department of Transportation has a program where you can Adopt a Highway to clean up every three months, or so. The picture you see is an actual sign of the mile adopted by the entire Transgender Community of GA. The Georgia DOT did not have any issues giving it to the community, or with having the word "Transgender" on it. The attitudes and procedures can vary from state to state, but it never hurts to try.

This effort not only gives transgender people more positive visibility, but it shows that we are just as proud of the places where we live as every other person there. Adopting a Highway educates people and gives your community credibility in a way that you cannot otherwise buy. The clean up days can also foster stronger ties within the community and can be turned into a special gathering.

If at all possible, do your best to have the word “Transgender” appear on the sign and avoid acronyms that the general pubic will not know or relate to. After all, we are trying to educate the public, as well as keep our community clean. And, please be careful out there.

Thanks to you, Monica, and all of the other activists out there who are creatively making a difference for transgender people.

"In This Land"

2008-04-12T01:58:34Z

Xio Voe just rattled the unflappable Orinakin A Nimi. Dude. What's up with that?

In public, no less. In front of aides and reporters. Nice.

2008-04-11T00:31:52Z

Sure. This sounds presidential.

John McCain's temper is well documented. He's called opponents and colleagues "shitheads," "assholes" and in at least one case "a fucking jerk."

But a new book on the presumptive Republican nominee will air perhaps the most shocking angry exchange to date.

The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter, which will arrive in bookstores next month, reports an angry exchange between McCain and his wife that happened in full view of aides and reporters during a 1992 campaign stop. An advance copy of the book was obtained by RAW STORY.

Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.

The man who was known as "McNasty" in high school has erupted in foul-languaged tirades at political foes and congressional colleagues more-or-less throughout his career, and his quickness to anger has been an issue on the presidential campaign trail as evidence of his fury has surfaced.

As Schecter notes, McCain's rage is not limited to the political spectrum, and even his family cannot be spared the brute force of his anger.

Schecter, who also blogs at The Agonist, said in an interview the anecdote is "an early example of his uncontrollable temper." In the book he outlines several other examples of McCain losing his cool and raises the question of how that would affect a McCain presidency.

What should voters make of this pattern? In February 2008 Tim Russert succinctly described McCain on MSNBC's Morning Joe. A devilish grin spread from ear to ear as Russert, no McCain hater, leaned forward and spoke in a whisper, "He likes to fight." Russert got it right. But the big question isn't whether McCain likes to fight: it's who, when, and how.

The exchange between McCain and his wife was not reported anywhere when it happened, Schecter said (a LexisNexis database search confirms this). In 1992, McCain's mention in the national media revolved mostly around his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, and only local reporters closely followed his re-election bid.

McCain is well known for his rapport with the national media covering his presidential bid (he's jokingly referred to the press as "my base"), but Schecter said this incident was buried not out of fealty to the Arizona senator. Rather, it was uneasiness about how to get such a coarse exchange into a family newspaper, and he didn't fault the local press for not covering the incident.

"Members of the media are squeamish covering stuff like this so they let it go," Schecter told RAW STORY in an interview Monday. "Back in '92, when people use naughty words, [reporters] don't know as much what to do with it."

Much has changed since then. President Bush's reference to a New York Times reporter as a "major league asshole" was reported in at least 47 newspapers during the 2000 campaign, when the off-color remark was overheard, according to a database search. And more than a dozen newspapers have reported Dick Cheney's recommendation that Sen. Patrick Leahy "fuck yourself."

McCain and his aides have brushed off suggestions that his temper could impede his ability to perform the sometimes-delicate tasks asked of a president. The candidate was asked about his legendary temper last week on "Fox News Sunday," where he cited his ability to work "across the aisle" while in the Senate.

"You can't scare people or intimidate them if you're going to reach agreement with your colleagues and your contemporaries And I've worked hard at that, and that's what the American people want," McCain said. " The second thing is if I lose my capacity for anger, then I shouldn't be president of the United States. ... When I see the waste and corruption in Washington, I get angry."

McCain's campaign did not return a call from RAW STORY seeking comment Monday morning.

Schecter says McCain's anger is much more than a passion for the issues. One can only imagine what would happen if McCain were to try to squeeze that temper into the tight confines of diplomacy.

"The public certainly has to know what this guy might do as president," Schecter says. Examples like the ones in his book "should worry people, quite frankly."

#14: Preach or speak at a local community of faith, such as a synagogue, church or mosque

2008-04-07T19:28:16Z

From the NCTE:

April is a month of many religious festivals—you can commemorate the births of Buddha, Muhammad or Rama and celebrate Passover, Easter, Beltane and Baisakhi. Trans people practice the many religions of our world. Whatever your spiritual practice, if you are involved in a community of faith, consider talking to your community about transgender issues.

You might want to preach a sermon or give a short testimony about your experience as a transgender person, significant other, or ally. Another idea is to suggest a book, article or reading for a discussion group. You might organize a speaker to come do a trans 101 training for your community. Talk to the leader of your temple, mosque or church to get ideas about what might be appropriate. If you are able to speak to a gathering, your religious leader can also help you as you prepare your remarks.

Justin Tanis, NCTE staff member and author of Transgendered Ministry, Theology and Communities of Faith (Pilgrim Press, 2003), comments, “People need to hear our voices as transgender people. We have learned important things spiritually from our journeys of self-discovery. The fact that we dig deeper than the obvious about our bodies in learning about ourselves helps us to go below the surface spiritually as well. It is a powerful thing to hear our stories from pulpits and spiritual spaces.”

Other excellent spiritual resources to check out are:

Made in God’s Image: A Resource for Dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences (Reconciling Ministries Network, 2003), by Ann Thompson Cook

Transgender Journeys (Pilgrim Press, 2003), by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and Vanessa Sheridan

So, bring trans liberation to your community of faith.

MySpace

2008-04-05T21:57:30Z

Cross-posted at the Yahoo! group:

Read Rini's latest blog post here:

http://www.myspace.com/inthisland

We'll learn more about the Jacacean Empire in ITL itself, but if you have any burning questions on the subject, you might want to ask Rini. (He may not have all of the answers, but he has access to people who do.)

The ? Book

2008-04-05T18:02:08Z

Most readers assume that Heir Voe is a major love interest.

So far, he's been paired with Kudorin, with Remin, and with Rini.

There are some good comments and analysis in the comments to my last post.

(Storm Puppy eats wet dog food. I'm going to call the Humane Society to get a vet recommendation, get advice on how to find his original owner, etc.)

"In This Land"

2008-04-05T02:44:25Z

The second book has begun.

http://www.matthewhaldemantime.com/inthisland.html

Comments? Questions?