- Transgender woman Chris Tina Foxx Bruce holds a sign conveying the message of today’s rally outside Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Dallas office.
About 10 people gathered outside Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Dallas office this afternoon to protest her vote on Saturday against the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
The protest was organized by GetEQUAL Texas, the state chapter of the national LGBT direct action group, and similar rallies were scheduled today outside Hutchison’s offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
Wielding signs, bullhorns and a Rainbow-colored American flag, the Dallas protesters chanted “Shame on Kay!” and “Retire, Kay Bailey!” as they stood on a grassy median along the service road outside her 11th floor office in the Hotels.com building at 10440 N. Central Expressway.
Despite Hutchison’s vote against DADT repeal, the bill passed and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama on Wednesday. However, the protesters didn’t appear to be in a celebratory mood.
“This is just the beginning,” said protester Marlin Bynum, a 47-year-old former preacher who came out as gay five years ago. “We still need ENDA. We’ve still got to repeal DOMA. This is just the beginning. In fact, I don’t know if the fight will ever end.”
Another protester, Chris Tina Foxx Bruce, said she attended the rally because she wanted to make sure the transgender community was represented.
“We have to put on a united front,” she said.
Foxx Bruce added that she’s toying with the idea running for Hutchison’s Senate seat in 2012. Foxx Bruce said Hutchison voted against DADT repeal even though everyone knew it had enough votes to pass.
“She was making a statement, and her statement was, she doesn’t believe in equality,” Foxx Bruce said.
Jade Rea, who traveled to the rally from Fort Worth and said she was representing the bisexual community, acknowledged that Hutchison is unlikely to ever support the LGBT community.
“Probably not, but it’s better for her to see something going on in support than nothing at all,” Rea said. “If you’re not vocal, you’re not heard, you’re not seen, it’s like you’re invisible.”
At the end of the rally, a representative from Hutchison’s office, Byron Campbell, came down to meet the protesters, who handed him two signs on which they’d written personal messages.
“Eighty percent of this country supported the bill,” GetEQUAL board member Mark Reed-Walkup told Campbell as he handed him the signs. “We e-mailed, we called her, she asked for a study, the study came back positive, and then she still voted no. We’re extremely disappointed, and we’ll be back.”
“I appreciate this. Thank you very much, and thank you for your time,” Campbell said before quickly going back inside.
Reed said GetEQUAL, which formed this year, is just beginning to organize chapters in all 50 states and likely will become more active in Texas in 2011.
“We’ll continue to hold our elected leaders accountable,” Reed said.
More photos from the rally after the jump.
Thanks for your continued coverage of our fights for rights.
John Wright, DallasVoice and all those who supported us today, THANK YOU.
Chris Tina Foxx Bruce
Thanks to our straight Navy veteran and Stonewall Democrats
of Denton County member for being there to represent
How silly. These misfits think you can embarrass, humiliate or threaten people into submission. It is childish and stupid. DADT was just repealed because HRC came up with an idea that would get enough Republican votes in the US Senate. It incldued the “military study” and they made that deal in February BEFORE GetEQUAL’s childish antics started in May. The deal worked – 8 republicans supported repeal and they admitted it was because of the “study.” Not because of some childish publicity stunts by paid-activists.
GetEqual has managed to waste $1 million this year and that money could have gone to authentic organization instead of self-important circus-activists.
GetEqual just makes LGBT people look stupid. These stunts are done to raise money for GetEQUAL, not because they change any minds or votes.
Petitioning the government for a redress of grievances
using every constitutional means necessary, GetEqual Texas did
exactly what you should have done to let Senator Hutchison know
that you will not abide by her bigotry. Now post this article and
all the videos to https://www.facebook.com/kaybaileyhutchison and
petition her there for our redress of grievances. Oh &
Andrew W used up all his brain cells when he booted his computer
and has a condition I call head-up-his-ass-itis.
I am glad I played a role in ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell.” Our LGBT Vets wore the same uniform that I did for six years
(02-08) in the Navy. I also have people that are close to me that
are LGBT. I am willing to stand up for them and fight for their
rights.
OK Class! Test question A. Read the statement and select
the one item that has nothing in common with the rest. (1) L (2) B
(3) G (4) T The correct answer: T BECAUSE: The acronym [LGB]
represents persons who engage in part or full-time love/sex
RELATIONSHIPS (inter) between at least TWO persons of the SAME
gender. Period. The letter [T] represents persons who PRACTICE
(intra) either part or full time, either medically or not, some or
all of the gender-specific characteristics opposite to their birth
gender as DEFINED BY their native society. Period. So LGB is
anchored in gender. T is not. LGB is about relationships. T is not.
An LGB livestyle requires at least two persons. A T transition does
not. The LGBT union insofar as the T is concerned was a
failed one from the start. The NAACP did not begin as NAACBA group.
(National Assoc. for advancement of COLORED BROWN ASIAN persons).
Too much unity can and will lead to dilution.
The NAACP founders, by focusing only on “colored”, ensured
that all future victories would provide concentrated returns for
African-Americans. They were not against other minorities. Likewise
a divorce from the LGBT union would not possess an anti-LGB spirit.
This failed relationship was a matter of numbers. There simply are
too few of us in the T category by far. Indeed, the DADT fight was
never an LGBT fight. IT stopped where the B ended and the T
began. It is do or die time. It is time to stand up and be
counted. The DADT victory is NOT an LGBT victory. This is beyond
conclusive proof that we who are T were hoodwinked to think we were
family and we were—in name only. I have served in uniform for the
U.S at the federal, state, and county levels in law enforcement. I
believe in the Christmas story and that we are a blessed nation
unique in human history. I am also nearing completion of my
successful GRT (gender reassignment transition) journey. Fellow
transgender brothers and sisters, the DADT fight will proceed
without us but one thing is certain: we have been handed the baton.
Each generation is tasked with making it easier for the next. Our
cause is justice and equality as honorable TG Americans. First, we
must divorce (LGB-T). Second we must remarry (Unite all TG support
groups). Third, we must study and adopt the strategy exercised by
the anti-DADT warriors. Fourthly, we must implement this strategy
and spare no cost or sacrifice as we run toward the finish line.
All transgender children born or unborn are counting on us. Let us
not fail them.
I have referred to the NAACP. It is a (N)National (in
scope)(A)association for the (A)advancement (toward equality) of
all (C)colored (black) (P)persons. We who are TG also seek
(N)national (A)advancement toward equality. We are (T)transgender
“in color” (P)persons. We share a genetic genesis for assignment of
race or gender. We share the same consequences of phobia up to and
including deprivation of life merely for EXISTING. It has become
“self-evident” that we who are TG must acquire strong leadership,
become equipped, get in formation and march forth. It literally is
struggle of life or death. TG Americans do not have equality by
default. We are going to to have to climb out on the limb and reach
for it, even if we fall trying. The march to equality began years
ago through the efforts of other honorable and valiant TG
Americans. Many outstanding TG groups exist and have accomplished
much. The LGBT union proved to be a union in name only. The LGB
fight is to the T fight as the “colored” is to other races. We do
not seek the right to be equal despite who we have sex with, but we
seek equality despite who we ARE. We recognize that being
transgender should not be an impediment any more than being male or
female is. A Transgender journey is not a trans-species journey yet
too often we are treated as if it were. It is past time (since the
90’s) to form our very own NAACP however this is not 1909. One
hundred years later technology has recreated the tower “of Babel”
and the world has become one through the power of the internet. I
welcome all feedback relating to my proposition that we stop, lick
our wounds, and regroup under the IAATP (International Association
for the Advancement of Transgender Persons) as my blog is entitled.
Love, hugs, and kisses Delphi Lomeli(at your service)
But trans men will still be welcomed through the “L” won’t they? The hypocrisy of that makes my head want to explode!
Merry Christmas and I hope everyone has a Happy New Year.
I am so blessed and thankful for all the supportive and encouraging people in my life therefore, I have decided to run for the US Senate in 2012.
Please help in spreading the love on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.
All of life is a transition; where you are today does not have to define who you will be and together we can cultivate change.
Be Bold, Be Proud, Be Yourself.
Chris Tina Foxx Bruce
This is embarrassing for all gay people and a complete waste of time. What’s next bombs?
Good morning Kendall – what do you consider embarrassing for all gay people?
Andrew, Wow, $1 million. Where did you get that figure? Mark Reed and the 3 or 4 others across the country who funded GetEqual will be delighted to know that they had the impact of $1 million in spending. And this February deal of yours. Again, what’s your source? You have some amazing inside information. Has a deal been struck on same-sex marriage already? What about ENDA? Should people contact their senators and representatives or would that be childish too? Please share since you have brilliant incites.
Do you mean “insights” David? (I hope you’re not an editor)
I have to agree with Kendall, GetEqual and their street theater is just embarrassing. But, some people are meant to be drama queens. I just wish they didn’t waste a million dollars. Kay doesn’t care about a few misfits seeking attention, she is only interested in what most of her voters think.
Mark Reed din’t fund GetEqual, their website says John Lewis did.