Transgender Women of Color are rarely seen on reality television, as are LGBT People of Color.  But two African-American transgender women are changing that and making history and breaking barriers on reality television this season. 

When America's Next Top Model starts in September, Isis will be competing along with the other women.  Isis is the first ever transgender contestant on the popular reality show.  And even though the show has yet to begin, Fox News has already started with the inappropriate and ill-informed commentary. 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pulled out as keynote speaker for the Human Rights Campaign San Francisco Dinner Saturday night, joining a broad coalition of organizations and elected officials.  Organizers, which included Pride at Work, protested HRC's decision last fall to support an employment non-discrimination which excluded transgender individuals.

Mayor Villaraigosa joins a long list of elected officials who chose to boycott the San Francisco HRC dinner including State Senator Carole Migden, Assembly Member Mark Leno, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, SF Supervisors Bevan Dufty and Tom Ammiano, Board President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Chris Daly, Supervisor Ross irkarimi,Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval, President of the School Board Mark Sanchez and School Board Members Jane Kim and Eric Mar. 

On Saturday July 19th the DC Trans Coalition held their first protest outside the DC Department of Corrections. (Additional pictures from the protest are available here).

Over the past four months, the DC Trans Coalition has been pressuring the DC Department of Corrections to enforce current DC human rights law within DC prisons. Rather than working to enforce current human rights law in the District however, the Department of Corrections is working with the Office of Human Rights to try and exempt themselves from the law.

Dear Fellow Transgender Advocate,

This year we have an opportunity to elect a President who will be the most transgender-supportive in history.

But electing a candidate isn't enough just by itself.  Unless we're visibly and vocally involved with campaigns and giving our time, energy, money, and ideas we will miss out on an opportunity to create a relationship with a President who has already said he's willing to stand with us. That is why we are asking you to join with us in supporting Barack Obama.