Vermont Dem Scores Historic 1st Transgender Gubernatorial Nomination

Christine Hallquist (image via Hallquist campaign)

As the 2018 midterm primary season marches on, more and more LGBTQ candidates are not only running for public office but winning their initial contests.

In last night’s primary for the Democratic nomination for governor in Vermont, transgender businesswoman Christine Hallquist made history as the first transgender candidate to win the nomination of a major political party for governor.

With 99% of precincts reporting, the former energy company CEO garnered 48.3% of the Democratic primary vote, more than twice the 22% of her nearest opponent, James Ehlers.

She will now face incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who is running for his second term. While Vermont tends to lean progressive, Hallquist still faces an uphill climb as no candidate has defeated an incumbent governor in the Green Mountain state since 1962.

Should she win this fall, she would become only the second LGBTQ person to become governor in the United States following openly bisexual Gov. Kate Brown, the incumbent governor of Oregon who’s running for reelection this year as well.

Hallquist, who came out as transgender three years ago, told The Advocate last month that her priorities include addressing poverty, promoting renewable energy and fighting climate change, spotlighting economic development in the state’s rural areas, raising the minimum wage, working toward single-payer health care, and reworking the school funding structure, as well as empowering LGBTQ Vermonters.

Hallquist’s historic win last night means, as noted by Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, that "all 4 letters in [the] LGBT acronym" are represented in Dem gubernatorial nominees this year.”

All 4 letters in LGBT acronym have won Democratic nomination to run for governor this year:

L — Lupe Valdez, lesbian candidate in Texas
G — Jared Polis, gay candidate in Colorado
B — Kate Brown, bisexual incumbent in Oregon
T — Christine Hallquist, trans candidate in Vermont

— Chris Johnson (@chrisjohnson82) August 15, 2018

In addition to Hallquist, the LGBT Democratic candidates who have won their primaries for governor include Oregon’s Brown; Lupe Valdez, a lesbian woman running in Texas; and Jared Polis, a gay man running in Colorado.

According to a study by the LGBTQ organization, The Victory Institute, 2018 has seen over 400 LGBTQ political candidates running for office in America.

Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of The Victory Fund, released a statement about Hallquist’s historic win, which read in part:

“Christine’s victory is a defining moment in the movement for trans equality and is especially remarkable given how few out trans elected officials there are at any level of government. Many thought it unthinkable a viable trans gubernatorial candidate like Christine would emerge so soon. Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open and authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state, and who speaks to the issues most important to voters."

Tom Perez of the Democratic National Committee issued this statement:

“The DNC is proud to congratulate Christine Hallquist, Vermont’s Democratic nominee for governor and the country’s first-ever openly transgender nominee for governor, along with all of tonight’s Democratic nominees in the Green Mountain State.

“Christine’s historic victory tonight is an inspiration to LGBTQ people everywhere, and we are excited to stand behind her and the entire slate of fantastic Democratic nominees in Vermont.

“There’s no doubt that Christine and her fellow nominees will join a strong ticket this November that will fight for our values and serve as dedicated advocates for Vermont’s working families. Vermont voters know that Democrats have their backs and share their values, and they’re ready to organize to turn more seats blue this November.”

Watch Hallquist’s campaign video below. The general election takes place on November 6, 2018.

News Round-Up: May 31, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Well, hello there fitness trainer Anatoly Goncharov (above). Aren't you handsome...? #woof

• An Army veteran is suing the Department of Defense over its policy of excluding people with HIV from enlisting, being deployed overseas, or being commissioned as officers. Sergeant Nick Harrison was denied a position in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps because of a 1980s-era policy that judges HIV+ people to be “non-deployable.”

• Pop star Pink tweeted a pic of her wearing an HRC hat embroidered "Make America Gay Again" just in time for Pride Month. #iLovePink

pic.twitter.com/1gECcugQ2o

— P!nk (@Pink) May 29, 2018

• The Trump administration has announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and Europe. Europe and Mexico have pledged to retaliate quickly. The Dow closed down over 250 points today on the news.

• Hunter Schafer has gone from transgender activist to high fashion runaway model walking in nine shows, including for Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and House of Holland.

• Take a couple of minutes to hike with smart guy/psychotherapist Matthew Dempsey as he chats about body image and how we see our selves.

News Round-Up: March 27, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Fitness models Rodiney Santiago and Matt Bishop (above) demonstrate exactly what kind of shirtless winter fun you can have on the slopes. The pic was taken at Big Bear in California where I usually ski, but I never seem to get scenery like this when I'm there :)

• The HIV Incidence and Prevalence Report from the CDC shows that one in seven people in the U.S. living with HIV did not know their status.

• Becoming the first municipality in Wisconsin to do so, the Milwaukee Common Council has voted to ban the abusive practice of so-called "conversion therapy" on LGBT youth by a vote of 12-2.

• Marvia Malik makes history as Pakistan's first transgender news anchor.

• In the case of a gay couple who were attacked last year by a group of anti-gay teenagers in the Netherlands, the prosecutor has only asked for community service as punishment for the attackers who beat the couple with bolt cutters. One victim lost five teeth and has had multiple surgeries since the attack.

• The Advocate has curated a collection of pics from the recent Leather Pride Week in Los Angeles and the crowd was definitely photo-worthy.

• Can you believe 2018 commemorates 25 years in the music business for Toni Braxton? To celebrate the R&B/pop diva has released her new album, Sex & Cigarettes. Check out her latest music video from the album - "Long As I Live." Talk about a voice that just feels good...

NBC's "The Voice" Introduces First Transgender Contestant

NBC's The Voice made history this week by introducing the series' first transgender contestant, Angel Bonilla.

After wowing the judges with her performance of Sam Smith's “Lay Me Down," Bonilla explained that she was from the Philippines where she was born as "Carlos."

“As early as 5 years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,” Bonilla says. “Growing up in a very conservative family, it was very difficult for my father. When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled. He’s not sure if I am his son, but he embraced me. I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me, and I’m doing this to honor him.”

Bonilla was thrilled to accept Adam Levine as her mentor. Looking forward to the next round on The Voice.

Watch Angel's intro package below.

Virginia: Danica Roem Becomes First Out Transgender Elected State Legislator Ever

Danica Roem has become the first out transgender state legislator ever elected.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Today, HRC and Equality Virginia, the statewide organization working for LGBTQ equality, hailed Danica Roem’s historic victory in the Virginia District 13 election. Unseating anti-LGBTQ Delegate Bob Marshall, Roem's electoral victory will make her Virginia's first out transgender public official and the nation's only out transgender state representative.

“Danica Roem’s historic victory is a clear warning to anti-equality lawmakers across the country that the days of attacking LGBTQ people to scare up votes are over,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “HRC was proud to mobilize voters to support Danica Roem’s trailblazing candidacy, and we look forward to working with her to help continue moving equality forward in Virginia.”

Podcast: Antiretroviral Meds Prove Zero Spread Of Infection; President Trump Gets Push Back On Trans Military Ban; Philly Gay-Basher Claims "Self-Defense"

In this week’s podcast:

• A new study shows hiv+ men who take antiretroviral medication on a regular basis have pretty much zero chance of spreading the infection to others

• President Trump gets plenty of pushback on his proposed transgender military service ban

• Out singer/songwriter Wrabel releases powerful anthem of personal empowerment and community, "The Village," in response to Trump's trans military ban

• Convicted Philly gay basher Kathryn Knott now says she was acting in self-defense when she shattered the jaw of a gay man in 2014

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

Open Letter: 45 Senators Ask Secretary Of Defense To Reconsider Trump Trans Military Ban

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of NY

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Armed Services Committee, has penned an open letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis asking him to reconsider Donald Trump's surprise ban on transgender service members in the U.S. military.

The letter, signed by 44 other senators, urges the Pentagon to at least let the Department of Defense finish a review on the issue before bringing in the new policy.

Gillibrand is joined by 42 Democratic senators as well as Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

“We strongly oppose this policy change and urge you to advise the President against it,” Gillibrand and the senators wrote.

A new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released today shows 58% of Americans agree transgender military members should be allowed to serve.

Only 27% said definitively "no."

Here's the full text of the letter and signees:

Dear Secretary Mattis,

We are writing regarding the President’s announcement via Twitter yesterday that transgender Americans can no longer serve in the military. We strongly oppose this policy change, and urge you to advise the President against it. This announcement contradicts existing Defense Department policies, undermines our military readiness, and puts our transgender service members as well as their commanders in an impossible situation. We appreciate General Dunford’s message that no policy changes should be made until implementation guidelines have been issued. We further write to request that, at a minimum, you do not separate any service member due to the person’s gender identity until you have completed the assessment that you announced on June 30, have reported back to Congress about any challenges that you foresee in the accession and retention of transgender troops, and determined the Department is unable to mitigate these challenges.

Transgender Americans who serve in our military put their lives on the line to protect America. They make up a small percentage of the military population, but are reportedly twice as likely to serve in the military as other Americans. Transgender service members have been serving openly since the policy was changed in June 2016 and in that time no service has reported any issues associated with their service.

Forcing these brave Americans out of our military would be cruel and discriminatory. It would harm our readiness by denying the military of these service members’ capabilities and requiring the military to replace them at a time when the recruiting pool for the services continues to shrink. It will harm morale in the military as service members see their brothers and sisters in arms — some of whom are currently forward deployed — thrown out simply because of their identity. And the uncertainty associated with making policy this way is already harming our military readiness and morale, as transgender service members and their superiors struggle to make sense of the policy and what it means for them today and tomorrow.

Any American who wants to serve and meets the standards should be allowed to serve our country. Transgender service members are serving with honor and distinction today and we ask that you, as our Secretary of Defense, assure them that their service will not be ended simply because of who they are.

Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D- Conn.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Susan M. Collins (R-Maine), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D- Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin T. Heinrich (D-N.M.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary C. Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I- Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D- N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Trump: U.S. Military Will Not Allow Transgender Individuals To Serve In Any Capacity

Donald Trump announced this morning via Twitter that transgender Americans will not be able to "serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."

In June 2016, the Pentagon lifted a ban on transgender men and women serving in the military. This is a huge U-turn for trans military personnel who have been serving openly for months.

No word on how Trump and his generals expect to proceed. Will those trans personnel be discharged?

Important to note that the Trump administration has also stepped back from protections for transgender students.

Remember - during the 2016 campaign, Trump declared he would be a better ally for the LGBTQ community than Hillary Clinton.

Stay tuned.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow [...]Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming [...]victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The Rand Corporation estimates the cost of gender transition–related health care coverage for transgender personnel to be between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually, representing a tiny 0.04- to 0.13-percent increase in active-component health care expenditures.

Oh, and just a little reminder...

Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2016

UPDATE:

Axios' Jonathan Swan received this response from the White House on the newly announced policy:

"This forces Democrats in Rust Belt states like Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to take complete ownership of this issue. How will the blue collar voters in these states respond when senators up for re-election in 2018 like Debbie Stabenow are forced to make their opposition to this a key plank of their campaigns?"

So, Team Trump is making this a move for anti-trans votes in the Rust Belt.

How does this "make America great again?"

#Repost from @cnn . . . Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag that says "LGBTs for Trump" at an October 2016 campaign rally. On Wednesday, less than a year later, President Trump announced he would ban transgender people from serving in the US military, reversing a policy approved by President Barack Obama's defense department. 📸Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images #lgbtq #military #trump #news #pentagon #politics #cnn

A post shared by CNN Politics (@cnnpolitics) on Jul 26, 2017 at 8:28am PDT

Trans Candidate Makes History Winning Democratic Nomination For Virginia House Race

Danica Roem

Last night, Danica Roem made history as the first trans person to win a Virginia state legislative primary and could be the nation's first out trans state lawmaker.

From The Advocate:

Danica Roem has won the Democratic primary for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 13th District, making her the first out transgender candidate to win a Virginia state legislative primary and giving her a chance to be the nation’s only out trans legislator, if she can beat one of the most anti-LGBT lawmakers anywhere.

Roem today bested three other Democrats, and in November she will face Republican Bob Marshall, who has represented the district for 25 years and is known as “Bigot Bob” and “Sideshow Bob” for his extreme anti-LGBT stances and other far-right positions. The district is centered on Prince William County in northern Virginia, not far from Washington, D.C.

Roem told The Advocate she will fight for “transportation, not discrimination,” as the district sorely needs improvements to its highways and expansion of mass transit. Her other priorities include jobs and education, but Marshall, she said, has been focused on proposing anti-LGBT legislation. Just this year, he introduced a “bathroom bill” that would not only prevent transgender students from using the restrooms that match their gender identity, but require teachers to out trans kids to their parents. He used the debunked argument that in the absence of such a measure, men would pretend to be transgender prey on women in restrooms.

He also led the movement to block a gay prosecutor from a judgeship in Virginia, saying a gay person would not be “temperamentally suited” to the job; that gay people shouldn’t serve in the military because they might have HIV; and that if a woman has an abortion, “nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,” making them more likely to have disabilities.

The election will be held November 7.

Chelsea Manning Says "Hello World!"

Chelsea Manning

One day after her release from Fort Leavenworth where she spent 7 years in confinement, Chelsea Manning posted her first self-pic for the world with the caption, "Okay, so here I am everyone!! 😜 . . #HelloWorld."

In advance of her release yesterday, she told ABC News, “I appreciate the wonderful support that I have received from so many people across the world over these past years. As I rebuild my life, I remind myself not to relive the past. The past will always affect me and I will keep that in mind while remembering that how it played out is only my starting point, not my final destination.”

Manning had been sentenced to 35 years in prison for releasing approximately 750,000 documents to WikiLeaks.

One of President Obama's final acts before leaving office was to commute her sentence.

Here's to freedom and a new beginning. . . #ChelseaIsFree

A post shared by Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea87) on May 17, 2017 at 5:21pm PDT

News Round-Up: April 24, 2017

• It's sunny skies for my buddy Alex Chavez (above) after he won his body building competition last week. Check out his serious gyming on his Instagram account here.

• San Diego polar bear dies after her same-sex companion of 20 years relocated from Seaworld:

BREAKING: Szenja, a polar bear at #SeaWorld, has died. PETA believes she died of a broken heart after companion of 20 yrs was shipped away 💔 pic.twitter.com/dwr0Vm0vrR

— PETA (@peta) April 19, 2017

• Folks are wondering why Mar-a-Lago is suddenly being promoted on a federal government sites?

• The Navy and Marines have issued new regulations that ban spreading nude images in the wake of last month’s photo scandal involving the Marine Corps.

• Caitlyn Jenner's 20/20 interview in 2015, which delivered the news that the Olympic gold medalist is, in fact, transgender was a ratings bonanza. The interview drew 17 million viewers. Jenner's followup with Diane Sawyer this past Friday was a bit of a bust bringing only 4.2 million sets of eyeballs and losing to a rerun of CBS' Blue Bloods.

• Plans for removing four Confederate monuments by the city of New Orleans including having workers wear armor and stationing police snipers to keep watch for lunatic racists that might try to interfere with the removal.

New Orleans is removing Confederate monuments.

It scary that workers are wearing armor in fear of being shot by racists who want them up. pic.twitter.com/umPJUyr3bo

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) April 24, 2017

Caitlyn Jenner On Sex Reassignment: "This Is The First Time, And The Last Time, I Will Ever Speak Of It"

Caitlyn Jenner

RadarOnline writes today that in January of this year Caitlyn Jenner underwent sex reassignment surgery.

I'm not one to focus on the idea of anatomy when it comes to trans folks personal issues. But, in that Jenner wanted to address the topic and end any conjecture, I think it was totally her business to do so.

In the reality star’s new memoir, The Secrets of My Life, she claims she had the “Final Surgery” in January 2017, nearly two years after she publicly announced her identity as a trans woman in an explosive interview with Diane Sawyer.

“The surgery was a success, and I feel not only wonderful but liberated,” she writes in the new memoir, out April 25.

The 67-year-old former Olympic gold medalist claims she came clean so fans will stop asking about her nether regions.

“I am telling you because I believe in candor,” she explains. “So all of you can stop staring. You want to know, so now you know. Which is why this is the first time, and the last time, I will ever speak of it.”

That said, everyone should be aware that you should never ask a trans person about the subject. It's intensely personal, and rude.

Laverne Cox Books New ABC Pilot, "The Trustee"

Openly trans actress and activist Laverne Cox' CBS series Doubt may have been cancelled after only two weeks, but she's already on to her next leading TV gig.

Cox has been cast as co-lead in new ABC pilot, The Trustee, a female buddy police series.

From Variety:

[Cox] will play Amanda Jones, a larger-than-life ex-con finishing out her prison sentence doing menial tasks for the police department. Co-lead Meaghan Rath plays her counterpart, Eliza Radley, a driven but stubborn detective who finds unlikely help from Amanda.

Cox and Rath are joined by Michael Cudlitz of “The Walking Dead,” who will play Captain Timothy Waits, a wry and sardonic police captain who has learned to appreciate Eliza’s unorthodox policing methods.

As regular Randy Report readers know, Cox is the first transgender actress of color to star in a network television series. She has been honored with an Emmy nomination for her work on Netflix' Orange Is the New Black, and a Daytime Emmy as producer of The T Word.

Transgender Actress Alexis Arquette Dies At 47

TMZ is reporting that actress and singer Alexis Arquette died Sunday morning surrounded by family and friends after battling an unspecified illness for some time.

Alexis' brother, Richmond Arquette says Alexis died at 12:32 AM while listening to David Bowie's, "Starman."

Besides being the sibling of David and Patricia Arquette -- Alexis was known for her roles in "Pulp Fiction" and "The Wedding Singer," as well as being a champion for trans rights.

We last ran into Alexis earlier this year -- when she talked to us about Caitlyn Jenner.

David released a statement about Alexis' death, saying, "Never have I had the honor of knowing and loving a funnier more beautiful soul then my brother/sister Alexis."

We're told she'd been battling an illness.

You'll notice an unusual mix of gender pronouns in the statement. You can only imagine that's how Alexis preferred to be referred as.

Cailtyn Jenner Tweets "I Am Cait" Series Cancelled

Caitlyn Jenner shared the news via Twitter that her E! Network reality show will not be continuing on for a third season after a dramatic decline in ratings.

Gay Star News has more:

E! Entertainment in a statement that it is ‘incredibly proud of the two seasons of I Am Cait’ which the cable channel described as ‘a groundbreaking docu-series that sparked an important and unprecedented global conversation about transgender people, their struggles and triumphs.

‘Caitlyn and E! have mutually decided not to move forward with another season at this time. She will always remain a part of the E! family, and we look forward to continue following her journey as she appears on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’

Defense Secretary Ash Carter Announces End To U.S. Military's Ban On Transgender Service Members

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

Fantastic news and a great step forward.

OutServe-SLDN has the details via press release:

Today Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the recommendations from the working group formed last summer on the lifting of the ban on open transgender service. This announcement includes recommendations, plans and timeline to when transgender service members will fully be able to serve openly and authentically.

OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt Thorn issued the following statement: “OutServe-SLDN applauds and welcomes Secretary Carter’s announcement today. Every day, an estimated 15,500 dedicated, proud and courageous transgender service members have been forced to live quietly and serve in righteous indignation, anticipating the end of the discriminatory ban on open trans service to be lifted in the Armed Forces.

“Transgender service members have been awaiting this announcement for months and years: it has long been overdue. Secretary Carter, with his statement, has given a breath of relief and overdue respect to transgender service members who have been and are currently serving our country with undeniable professionalism, the utmost respect and illustrious courage, with the caveat to do so silently.

“Today, we mark history, once again, by ending the need to serve in silence. Today, we say (in the words of Attorney General Loretta Lynch) “we see you” and regardless of your gender identity we welcome you to serve this country with honor, dignity, courage and above all openly and honestly.

SPARTA, the largest organization of actively-serving transgender military members today celebrated the Pentagon’s announcement confirming that transgender Americans will be able to serve their country on equal footing with other service members.

“Secretary Carter today fulfills his promise that every American who is qualified to serve will be allowed to serve, said former Army Captain Sue Fulton, President of SPARTA. “The thousands of transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen – and their commanders – have one less burden on their shoulders today. We are grateful to the military and civilian leaders in the Department of Defense who worked so hard to get this right.”

Pentagon To Announce Repeal Of Ban On Transgender Service Members

NBC News reports that the Pentagon is in preparations to announce changes in policy regarding open service by transgender men and women within weeks.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter could make the announcement as early as next week and he will call for full implementation one year from now.

Related: Eric Fanning, First Openly Gay Army Secretary, Confirmed by U.S. Senate

The details of the repeal could shift. One defense official told NBC News that the working group that has been studying this issue since July 2015 will provide broad guidance.

It will be up to the individual services to work out the details. Those details include barracks, rules for new recruits, allowance for sex reassignment surgery, diagnosis of dysmorphic disorder, policies on group showers and more.

Obama Administration To Public Schools: Allow Trans Students To Use Gender Identity-Matching Bathrooms

Big news for transgender students!

The Obama administration is set to release directives that will instruct all public schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

From the New York Times:

A letter to school districts will go out Friday, fueling a highly charged debate over transgender rights in the middle of the administration’s legal fight with North Carolina over the issue. The declaration — signed by Justice and Education Department officials — will describe what schools should do to ensure that none of their students are discriminated against.

It does not have the force of law, but it contains an implicit threat: Schools that do not abide by the Obama administration’s interpretation of the law could face lawsuits or a loss of federal aid.

The move is certain to draw fresh criticism, particularly from Republicans, that the federal government is wading into local matters and imposing its own values on communities across the country that may not agree. It represents the latest example of the Obama administration using a combination of policies, lawsuits and public statements to change the civil rights landscape for gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.

Chaz Bono Talks To Oprah About Body Dysphoria And His Transformational Weight Loss

In an upcoming appearance on Oprah: Where are They Now?, transgender trailblazer Chaz Bono talks about his difficulties in losing weight and having a healthy view of himself before transitioning in 2009.

From People:

"I would have never been able to do it before [transitioning]," Bono, 45, tells Oprah Winfrey. "I was too disconnected from my body, and the dysphoria that I had with my body was too much to be able to have cared enough to anything like that."

Bono adds his body dysphoria made it hard for him to treat his body well.

The Dancing with the Stars alum has been steadily losing weight over the past few years after making a public mission to drop at least 50 lbs. in 2012. In fact, he's done even better, dropping an impressive 75 lbs.

Before sitting down with Winfrey, 62, for the interview, Bono looked at old photos with one of the show's producers. Unlike previous guests, however, this trip down memory lane wasn't all that fun.

"For most transgender people, we don't really like to see pictures of us before transitioning because life was really hard beforehand," he explains. "They're generally not happy memories."

Bono, who transitioned from a woman to a man in 2009, explains to Winfrey that those pictures remind him of a time when he was unhappy because he wasn't really being himself.

"It doesn't, you know, bring back fun nostalgia. You just are reminded of the pain you were," the actor says.

The episode airs this Saturday. Watch the advance clip below:

Trailer: "I Am Cait" Season 2

"I Am Cait" Returns This March

Last year Caitlyn Jenner changed her life, this year she'll live it.

Posted by I Am Cait on Thursday, January 14, 2016

Probably the most interesting thing here is Jenner's statement "To be honest, I don't see dating women in the future. I've been there, done that."

Folks have wondered all over the internet if Jenner's transition would translate into her dating men or women. I'm guessing the new season may explore that aspect of Jenner's new life.

Season 2 of "I Am Cait" begins in March.