Matt Jones

Official MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/mattspainting

Matt Jones is a singer/songwriter with a poetic strength in his lingering and powerfully vulnerable music.  “Jugular Bones and Blisters” starts off with a haunting violin and spreads into Matt’s gorgeous acoustic sound.  His music is hauntingly organic, and engaging, even in a moment of silence, I feel his lingering voice and deep music is influencing the pause into the next song.  His songwriting is visual and poetic, gothic Americana that is able to capture moments the way they are and the way they feel.

“Threadlines” is a frantic poetic percussion, reminding me a lot of Shannon Wright’s music and is one of my favorite tracks of Matt Jone’s MySpace. “Hand Out The Drugs” is a interesting and inventive commentary (with hand clapping accompaniment) on burying yourself and operating with hurt with a wounded deck.  Two live recordings of “A Right To Arms” and “Holy Light” remind me of Ferron and Ani DiFranco.  Matt creates beautiful music that reminds you how to feel life even when you don’t want to.

Atlantic City, NJ: The hilarious comedian from E!’s popular Chelsea Lately, Chelsea Handler, will perform at Borgata on July 5th for a special 11p showing. To purchase tickets, go to Borgata’s site.

Please support indy music!

JULY 13, 2008 - WILMINGTON, NC - SPECIAL SUNDAY SHOW!

Soapbox

Featuring:

Shannon Curtis (http://www.myspace.com/shannoncurtismusic)

Matt Jones (http://www.myspace.com/mattspainting )

Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful (http://www.myspace.com/mistylynmusic )

Laura McLean (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61784786)

Tickets: $5, Doors Open at 7p!

Can be purchased at Soapbox!

We are proudly supporting this show!  We will be filming Shannon’s showcase!  Looking forward to seeing everyone out!

Adamo Ruggiero poses at Trevor New York, the eighth annual New York fundraiser benefitting The Trevor Project on June 30, 2008. (credit: The Trevor Project)

The talented and handsome Adamo Ruggiero recently came out this year as a openly gay actor to Canadian press and is a popular star on the highest rated show on The N Network in the United States called Degrassi: The Next Generation. Ruggiero is best known for playing Marco, a long-time openly gay character on the show and Ruggiero spoke with us about his coming out experience, Degrassi and his activism work, as he prepared for PRIDE in Toronto in June 18th:

BW: I am impressed with what I’ve seen on Degrassi: The Next Generation and how they’ve written your gay character, Marco. Why did the writers decide to bring in gay characters and what has your experience been like on the show?

AR: It’s a good story. My producer Linda Schuyler, she had produced the original Degrassi, and everything from Degrassi forward. I know with Degrassi Junior High, she wanted to put in a gay character, and not a guest character, but a character that would be there for a while and she said she never really had the opportunity.

I think something happened between then and now, where a colleague of hers had lost her son, who had committed suicide because of all the pressure he had with coming out. And so, when [Linda] was doing Degrassi: The Next Generation, she said she really had to represent this issue, which is so relevant in today’s world and so important to young people, to watch and learn from, and be able to resonate with. In Season 2, I was casted, and I didn’t know my character was going to head down that direction, but they were pretty sure. I know halfway through the season, Linda brought me into her office, and her idea came into fruition when she told me that Marco was going to be the gay character. So it’s been a long time coming!

BW: When the role was being developed did you believe, and even looking back now, that Marco was realistically written as far as coming out and dealing with his relationship with his boyfriend?

AR: Totally, I don’t know if it’s gone to all places in the States, but here this year, in Toronto I came out myself, and shared my story and how it was being a gay teen, growing up playing a gay teen character, while growing up on a show. You know Degrassi really, their goal from day one, has always been realism, to make the shows as realistic as possible. And also whatever the kids are talking about, no matter if they are at a party, or in a high school class, or whatever it may be, she wanted to put it on the show. And that was so funny, because that’s what I was dealing with in my life, while I was playing with this character. I like to look at myself as living proof of what this show was trying to do. It helped me, as I played it to help other people who were in the same scenario as me.

And so, for me to have looked at it as a accurate representation as I was going through it in those exact moments, it speaks to how authentic it was really in how it has tackled relationships, the coming out process, the family and the friends, and the coming of age as a young gay teen.

BW: How did your parents handle your coming out?

AR: My parents are really great. I am first generation Canadian, and luckily my Mom was also born here. My Dad was born in Italy, so I had a whole different set of perspectives that I had grown up with that have really shaped me, and all which I’m really grateful for. So it was just quite really lovely to see when I put this before them, how much that it didn’t matter what part of the world I’m from, or what generation you grew up in, they were there to support me and love me.

It was a learning process of course, and sharing with them my life and my experiences, it was a little difficult for them too, because I was playing this character, who was really hard for me at the time because I felt exposed but not exposed; it was like a battle of voices in my head. It was a growing up experience for all of us, and once we grew up and I got a little older, and more mature and started looking at the show and the way it’s affected me, and I think the only thing my parents were mad about or scared about, was how I was dealing with it. To make sure I would come out of the storm, and gave me everything I needed to go through it. I was very lucky.

BW: How do you feel since you came out this year? Do you feel more relieved since you’ve come out and don’t have to keep it quiet, especially having played a openly gay character on the show?

AR: Oh for sure, for sure. It’s just such a relief, I can’t say anything wrong now, and I can be completely and utterly myself. I really did it for all the young people that were in the situation I was in, trying to come out. Especially for those who didn’t have such a great support system, and I feel more relief now that I can speak to an issue that I knew I was meant to speak on, as opposed to hide it. I feel like I’m making progress as opposed to going backwards.

BW: Well congratulations! I know how not easy it is to come out; I was kicked out at first when I came out to my parents when I was 19…but they eventually came around, so I know I’m lucky….I know a lot of kids aren’t.

AR: What I always say to young people is everything I’ve been able to speak on is of course within my context, and when I hear situations or stories like you just told me, my heart totally does go out to them. It’s those very reasons why I did the cover of a magazine, and shared my story, and it’s wasn’t just for us, but it’s for our parents’ generation. And for the way we both have to co-exist with one another, and to me, it was mostly, it was the same ambition as Degrassi, was to educate, to enlighten and to share, and a lot of people who weren’t coming around to begin with, especially with the big outing of mine, have come around now.

I feel like we are all a kind of little ambassadors in our cities, and friends, our parents when we come out, sometimes it’s a cultural barrier, a generational barrier, and it’s our job especially in this day in age, to enlighten, to show our parents we are going to do a second draft of what they told us. Same concept, but maybe a second draft. I love to hear when young people come up to me and tell me their experiences so that I feel like I’m a part of the community. Which is ultimately my goal.

BW: How is the gay community like in Canada? What’s the climate like?

AR: It’s so funny you are saying that, we are rounding up for PRIDE week right now. It’s slowly approaching. I can’t really speak to much about Canada as a whole; it’s so massive, and I’ve only visited cities around the country very briefly. Speaking from Toronto, Toronto is so really liberal and wonderful city, what makes Toronto very cool especially as a young person growing up, [is that] we have a gay community and the Village, and a kind of street where people can go and be themselves if they really need it. There are great little pockets of culture all throughout the city, and I think what all those pockets of culture have in common is individuality, so not only do you have the queer culture and community in one spot, but there is a really cool mixture of everybody, that includes gay and lesbian. I did go to the Gay Village growing up, but I also found my other gay buddies in different parts of the city and I like that about the city. We have our Village, but we can be also a part of Toronto based on who we are, but I think it’s because of how liberal the city is.

BW: Has the media been good to you up there since you’ve come out?

AG: Oh my God, so great, I love Toronto media! (laughs) They have been so supportive, sending me congratulations, [asking] how they can help or if I wanted to do another story with them. No one here tried to tear us down, or start gossip, or things like that. It was more just really everyone being supportive.

“The N Crew” – Adamo Ruggiero, actor, Degrassi: The Next Generation, which broadcasts on MTV’s network, The N, poses with Sarah Tomassi Lindman, senior vice president and general manager, The N, and Lauren Collins, actress, Degrassi: The Next Generation for the eighth annual New York fundraiser benefitting The Trevor Project on June 30, 2008.   (photo credit: The Trevor Project)

BW: Has the cast been supportive? Have you had any problems with that at all?

AG: Because it was like two high school experiences, I came out to them long before growing up, so it was old news to them. (laughs) They were like, ‘yeah, yeah we know,’ they were actually really proud of me, that I was sharing the story at large, and not just with them. It’s kind of like high school.

BW: It’s exciting to see a teen drama series have such responsibility in their writing. Another aspect I liked of the show was the progression of the relationship between Marco and Spinner. What was your take on that, since Spinner started as really homophobic and then started to come around, and I think that’s a important lesson kids have to see.

AR: I love the Marco and Spinner relationship. It was really honest, and really quite beautiful I think. Yes, Spinner didn’t come around in the beginning, but to me, that’s going to be what is going to happen in the real world. To have every person high-five Marco would be really unrealistic. It all supports that theory, that’s why I love Marco’s relationship with Spinner, they had a totally profound respect for one another, they never lost that. They were always such great friends and then suddenly, there was this barrier. And I think, it represented more of something they didn’t understand or know. It wasn’t really like, ‘I hate Marco’ it’s more like Spinner going, ‘This is something that’s new. I’m coming of age, I don’t quite understand the gay community and the gay culture. And I don’t also understand that you can be yourself and you can still be Marco and be gay.’

So what I thought was interesting was the relationship of both of them really coming of age, having to deal with the new trials and tribulations of what they are going to face in life to come. I think that’s pretty cool, sooner or later, when Spinner starts helping Marco choose his outfit for his gay date, and I love that, because it was Spinner coming around, and realizing it was Marco and that it wasn’t just, he wasn’t losing his best friend, he was actually gaining something, he was learning a little bit more about him, it was a learning process. And that’s what I mean that Marco was a little ambassador for Spinner, and himself, they both came of age, and this is what is happening in the world, I’m going to encounter people different from myself, whether it be culturally or sexual orientation, or anything like that, and this is the way, I think, we deal with difference. And that’s why I love this other storyline because it was dealing with difference.

BW: Can you give our readers a teaser of what’s to come with Marco?

AR: The season that just aired, was Marco not being in a relationship, and saying, ‘hey, who am I as a person?’ And it was his turn to figure out that now I’m not in a relationship, and I am comfortable with who I am, with my sexuality and as a whole, where do I fit in, who I am as a person, what are my likes, what are my dislikes, and that really was what Season Seven was about for Marco. And when the University House split up, they went in different directions…oops, I don’t even know if that’s happened in the States yet (laughs), but you will soon see, there is a little bit of a conclusive chapter to the University House. There was a bunch of young people not in relationships going, ‘hey, I have to go figure out who I am,’ so after Dylan, there was another superficial relationship by Marco, but it was more about the age of him.

BW: Is this the last season coming up? I read that it might be.

AR: I don’t think there being a last season for Degrassi is just so foreign to us, we don’t even know. It’s so wonderful and, it’s gone so strong for so long, and it’s surpassed all our expectations, of what we ever imagined stepping into the studio in the first season, the second season. We wish it the best, and I wish it the best, I know a lot of us are doing different things and coming back when we can. But it’s like our high school, you always want to go back and visit, and say hi to everybody.

BW: Do you have any projects you’re working on outside Degrassi?

AR: Right now I’m doing a television show, and hosting a talent show on a network called YTV in Toronto. And I was attracted to it because there were a bunch of young singers and young people competing to go through a mentorship program; it’s like a reality show. It’s really cool, it’s a mentorship show and all these young people that remind me of myself when I started out in the industry and it’s called The Next Star. There are a few things I’m working on and trying to jump on the wagon soon.

BW: I read that you are a activist as well. What non-profits do you work with?
AR: Mostly just Toronto-based, like the show as a whole has been doing a huge movement with Free The Children, which has been such a important part of Degrassi’s voice, because it’s young people helping young people. It’s something we’ve all been involved in, but I’ve been doing a lot of local things. For example, I’m working on a anti-gay violence campaign that is happening in Toronto, in a association with Toronto police and PRIDE weekend, that I helped shoot a PSA, and I was on a panel and putting it all together.
There are different things coming up, but some of the biggest ones was I helped with The Trevor Project two years ago and I’m headed back there at the end of June, which is such a great campaign thing for me especially. I shot a PSA for them, but it’s a youth suicide prevention help line for gay teens that are dealing with depression, or actually succumbing to the pressure. I was able to go down to LA and present, and to be a part of the PSA and the voice for young people, and to say that there are resources available in the States if you need it. There is a similar one in Toronto that I’m going to start helping out with very soon too, a kind of Canadian equivalent to the Trevor Project.

It’s mostly within the gay voice, that’s mostly where my heart is, especially for the young gay community for sure.

BW: What would you feel is the main difference between you and Marco that most people don’t realize? What is most taken for granted aspect?

AR: How we are different? Everyone is always like ‘how are you the same?’ (laughs) ‘Well I’m gay, he’s gay.’ (laughs) Marco is a really a lot more uptight than I am (laughs), that’s the biggest thing. He is a lot more uptight, everything’s in order. I was never the kid, I did well in school, I was in plays but I was never student council president, I never organized a lot of different things, especially in everyday life, I don’t get mad if people make that much of a mess. I’m just a lot more easygoing. I’m a simple guy, that’s the biggest thing basically. He’s really uptight and a nervous wreck.

BW: (laughs) Simple is good and is taken for granted in general…

AR: You gotta go with the flow….I’m a little more go with the flow. I don’t know if my friends will agree, maybe I’m just being subjective, but they may think we’re exactly the same but we’re not.

BW: We’ll make sure that it’s passed on that you’re not Marco. (laughs)

AR: I’m not Marco…I’m my own human. (laughs)

* * *

Special thanks to Adamo Ruggiero, Scott Boute, and The Trevor Project! For more information and coverage on The Trevor Project, look for further coverage of the Trevor Project 8th Annual New York City Gala on OutImpact.com soon!

The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth. The Trevor Helpline, 866-4-U-TREVOR, is a free and confidential service that offers hope through its trained counselors. In addition to the helpline, the organization’s Web site provides information on identifying and assisting potentially suicidal youth and “Dear Trevor,” a confidential resource where youth can ask questions about sexual orientation and identity issues. The Trevor Project also provides lifesaving guidance and vital resources to educators and parents.

Wanted

Official Site:   http://www.wantedmovie.com/

Official MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/wantedmovie

I’ve been anticipating this movie since I saw the movie trailer around the time of the Super Bowl, the Gods in Hollywood put two of my favorite actors in one movie (Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman) - so there was no question I’d make it a point to be one of the opening weekend goers to take in the latest action movie.  I was not disappointed.

Action doesn’t seem to accurately describe it, think Matrix meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith (minus Brad) meets Fast and the Furious meets Office Space.  The main character is Wesley(James McAvoy), the clock in/clock out, everyday “manager,” who has a cheating girlfriend and a (let’s be honest) sack of sh*t best friend.  He is less than thrilled with his life, filled with off-the-charts anxiety, is overly nice and while at the store, Fox (Jolie) appears.  In what should be counted by most circles as a blessing from the gods, this turns the story upside down as she protects him from being killed, and the action and their relationship begins.  Car chases, car flips, lots of gunfire and incredible special effects and stunts - this feeds any action-filled escape from reality need that the movie experience should bring the patron.

Wesley gets brought into the secret society, The Fraternity, which includes meeting Sloan (Morgan Freeman) and how they are involved in his identity and the mysteries that incorporate who Wesley really is.

Jolie and Freeman deliver strong performances, especially Jolie, who is making a reputation at making strong action movies that deliver big.  For Freeman, this isn’t a role we’re used to seeing him in necessarily, but it’s nice to see him out of a good guy character role.   McAvoy was perfectly casted as Wesley, and his growth in his character is evident throughout Wanted.

The movie asks “what the f*ck have done with your life lately?” and challenges the boundaries of normalcy, contentment and rising to meet your greatest potential.

The Brandon Teena Story

10 Year Anniversary Collector’s Edition 

on DVD from Docurama Films

The crime against Brandon Teena occurred on December 30, 1993, in rural Nebraska against Brandon Teena, 21, Lisa Lambert, 24, and Philip Devine, 22.  They were having a quiet night and went to sleep at Lisa’s home, but unfortunately, a few hours later, they were brutally murdered by two intruders kicking through the front door, and executed with gun fire and stabbed, left in a pool of their own blood.  Lisa was also a mother of a young child, Tanner, who was left wailing in his crib, as the killers left.

The brutality against the victims were personal, and later on the same day, Thomas Nissen, 21, and John Lotter, 22, residents of Fall City, were arrested for their murders.  Seeing them speak to the filmmakers, Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir, really personified the men who did this absolutely senseless, hateful and brutal crime against them.  But it didn’t start there, because they didn’t understand Brandon as she was transitioning into a he, as well as being threatened by him in his relationship with Lana, they brutally raped and beat him.

Hearing Brandon’s voice being grilled by the local Sheriff ripped me open emotionally to listen to, as he in my opinion, did nothing to protect Brandon as a victim of being violated and abused by two men.

This documentary was well done, with interviews with the main characters, Brandon’s girlfriend, Lana, as well as other women he dated, and members of their respected families.  The documentary really captures Brandon as a person who was trying to figure out who he was and to be accepted by people he cared about, and it’s easy to understand how Brandon’s story inspired Boys Don’t Cry.

In this collector’s edition of The Brandon Teena Story, the filmmakers give a new interview, as well as show never-before-seen footage, in this must-see documentary about the prejudice, hatred and homophobia in America’s heartland in the early-90s.

Meet our very own! Out Impact’s Director of Publicity, Sean Oakley will be at the Town Tavern in NYC on 134 W 3rd St from 6-midnight on June 29th, as the special bartender for the night for drink specials and continue the PRIDE celebrations!

Celebrate diversity - for more information, visit Town Tavern’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/towntavern

Shelter

Official Home:  http://www.heretv.com/sheltermovie/

Official MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/shelterathere

At first glance, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this movie.  Beautiful cover, attractive men in a movie, isn’t always going to always be enough to get me through the movie to like it.  Not only did I like it, I love this movie.  One of the best casted movies I’ve seen of any genre all year starring Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe and Tina Holmes.  And unlike a lot of entertainment made about gay relationships, this was believable.

The chemistry between Zach (Wright) and Shaun (Rowe) was on point and shockingly convincing, and the story of their characters told with swells and peaks like the beautiful Pacific Ocean waves.  Zach, a promising artist, balances the responsibilities of his family, helping his older, troubled sister Jeanne (Holmes) raise his nephew, while trying to balance his romantic life and where his preferences are.

The pacing of Zach’s growth and frustrations with going through his struggles were well played by Wright, and Shaun happens to be the one that challenges his fears of his own sexuality in a realistic but patient way.

Besides the talented cast and the beautiful California scenery, two other strong aspects of Shelter made this movie one of the musts of the summer: the surfing culture and the refreshing, memorable soundtrack.  Each song accompanied the scenes beautifully, and I haven’t seen anything since Juno and Dawson’s Creek that has mastered letting the music carry the plot as well. If there is a actor with as much promise as Ellen Page gave in Juno, it’s Trevor Wright’s performance in Shelter.

This movie shows us all how to put ourselves first, and the incredibly talented writer/director Jonah Markowitz, gave us all something to think about in respect to our own lives with Shelter.

The Rape Crisis Center - New Hanover team ( 3 staff and 4 volunteers) is quickly being overwhelmed by the requests for on-going services AND trying to cover 24-7 hospital victim response services.

Amy will hold a Rape Crisis Center Volunteer “FAQs & Briefing” Session at Rape Crisis Center on Thursday, July 10th from 6P-7P for anyone who is interested in becoming a Rape Crisis Center volunteer. Amy will provide yummy food for all. She will immediately be scheduling interested folks for their required pre-volunteer drug screening and criminal records checks, so as soon as the results are back (5 business days), she can get you on the schedule to start responding, as a “Secondary Volunteer” with veterans to show you the ropes.

On the 10th, they’ll also schedule, by consensus, a “Rape Crisis Volunteer 101″ Training, that will provide the didactic side to go with the “Secondary Shadowing,” thus shortening the time from getting interested volunteer candidates in the door, to qualified to respond.

They have had a TREMENDOUSLY busy last two months, which is typical in New Hanover in the summer, and they are only 3 staff and 4 community volunteers in New Hanover trying to ensure that victims are not facing their crisis alone.

HELP!!! There are more details of what the volunteer job entails below.

If you want to help Amy out and cannot make the meeting on the 10th, please contact Amy, Alison Bowen or Lauren Slusher at 910-392-6936 to schedule a time to get you started.

If you’d like to volunteer, but cannot assist until a future date, still contact them now, so they can get the process started for later.

Thanks again for considering this SOS.
I really appreciate your assistance with their important efforts.

No one should go rape alone - if you have time on your hands, please do this. It would mean a lot to me.

Thank you-
Bambi Weavil
CEO/Publisher of Out Impact, Inc.
OutImpact.com - Making a positive impact in the gay community.  Make yours.

(still credit: WMC-TV)

An incident in Memphis, TN on February 12, 2008, involving a police officer beating a trans-woman was recently brought to my attention.

Here are the facts:

Duanna Johnson was arrested on a prostitution charge. She was in the booking area waiting to be processed into jail. That is where Officer Bridges McRae struck her several times. The graphic incident was caught on video by the police surveillance cameras.

According to Johnson, courtesy of WMC-TV, what started the incident was McRae calling her “faggot” and “he/she” when he asked her to stand up and be fingerprinted. She told him that that was not what her mother named her, and that she would not respond to him until he called her by her name. That was when McRae initially came over and began to beat Johnson according to her.

Perpetual Transition is a Memphis, TN-based support and social group for transgender people. “Perpetual Transition condemns the savage beating of Duanna Johnson, a 42 year-old African-American transsexual woman, by Memphis police officer Bridges McRae on February 12th. We similarly are dismayed by the sluggish response by the Memphis Police Department to investigate this matter further,” they said. “We extend our sympathies to Ms. Johnson for the brutality that she has suffered, and we would like for her to know that though she is not currently a member of Perpetual Transition, she is always welcome through our doors and in our hearts. Additionally, we thank Ms. Johnson for having the courage to stand up for herself in the face of such extreme violence. She has set an example for all and has helped to open Memphis’ eyes to the greater, systematic problem of police abuse of trans people in this city.”

The video clearly shows that Johnson is NOT a defenseless victim during the incident in my opinion. She did not curl up into a ball and endure a beating. She fought back while in a seated position, even kicking at McRae’s knee. She then stands up and attacks McRae after he backs off.

Also, refusing to stand and be finger printed regardless of how she was addressed is a serious offense. That alone is enough to make a police officer use physical force to make a suspect do as told.

Over the last decade, since I came out as transgendered, I have seen a lot of trannies do a lot of stupid things. I have seen them put themselves in harms way; by getting intimate with men who do not know they are TG. By exposing themselves to people or groups they know to be hostile towards TGs. And by attracting unnecessary attention from law enforcement agencies and risking their very lives by facing prison time by breaking the law.

Transgendered people have an extra responsibility to their personal safety that average people do not have. We know that we face extra danger just because we are indeed transgendered. It is OUR job to protect ourselves. Anything that puts an average person at risk of violence puts transgendered people at five times that risk. That includes things like breaking the law and getting into confrontations with cops. 99.99% of cops will go out of their way and even risk their lives to help transgendered people the same as they would for anyone else. That .01% idiot should not be used to influence your trust in the police. Unless you are a criminal.

The prostitution charges have been dropped since the incident made the news. Johnson’s lawyers claim that there was no just cause for the arrest to begin with and say that is why the charges were dropped.

Johnson also states that since she is African-American and towering at a height of 6′5″ that she was “profiled” not only as a prostitute, but also a potential threat. It seems more likely however that the charges were dropped so that the police department could partially defuse an already ugly incident. This specially seems likely as Johnson’s legal team avoids the subject of Johnson working as a sex worker.

There is no way of knowing conclusively at this point if the incident between McRae and Johnson was or was not hate-inspired since there is no audio evidence to support Johnson’s claim of name calling on McRae’s part. Johnson surely should not have been struck for anything less striking out first. A police officer, specially one who works in booking, should be above being moved to violence by even the most offensive verbal borage from someone they have in custody.

That would not excuse Johnson from some responsibility in the incident. It is way beyond stupid to mouth off to or cop an attitude with the police. An insult or a purposely misused pronoun from an officer is not justification to refuse to obey police commands. Following that up with physically resisting when the officer tries to move you is a very bad thing.

Seeing the full length video, not the edited-for-hype-and-ratings version that was initially aired, it does appear that Johnson did in fact resist McRae when he attempted to physically move her. You can clearly see her pushing his hands away when he tried to take her by the upper arm. This would be comparable to resisting arrest and the officer would then be justified in striking the suspect. Johnson’s behavior was totally unjustified as a response to an insult.

I am sure of one thing after my own look into the ordeal. In my opinion, this was not a hate crime against a trans-person. It was a common conflict between a cop and a suspected criminal. The suspect was being combative and the cop overstepped his bounds. There was bad judgment calls and wrong actions on both of their parts. Yes, Officer McRae went too far in hitting Johnson as many times as he did. But Johnson did provoke the incident by resisting the officer and refusing to obey commands.

As on-lookers, we need to remember that transgendered people do stupid and illegal things just like everyone else. Just because this suspect is African American and/or transgendered, we should not be too quick to use those details as an excuse to claim wrong doing before we have the proof. Most importantly, let us not over react and scream “hatred” and “prejudice” when there is no due. Keep your wits about you. Be real and truthful. And for the sake of the gods do not add to the hype. Blessed Be.

* * *

Commentary expressed by Raven Usher is not necessarily reflective of Out Impact, Inc.

Memphis News Sources: WMC-TV

Memphis Transgender Resources, support the transgender community in Memphis:

TTPC Denounces Brutal Hate Crime Attack by Memphis Police

Perpetual Transition

* * *

About Raven Usher:

Raven Usher came out of the closet as Transgender in ‘99 after ten years of marriage, fathering three children and serving in the United States Marine Corps. She began expressing her views to the rest of the LGBT community as a writer / reporter in the summer of 2000. This led her to be an outspoken voice of the transgender equality fight in Idaho for nearly a decade. She also makes herself available to the transgender community as a contact point for trans issues through the LGBT Community Center in Boise. Her monthly column “Raven’s World” (http://www.ravenusher.blogspot.com/) started in 2002 and has been seen all over the Pacific Northwest. In late 2006, Raven published the “North American Lexicon of Transgendered Terms” (http://www.glbpubs.com/lex.html) with GLB Publishing. It is now a resource for positive communication and education not just in America, but is also available in several countries around the world. Most recently, her new cartoon strip featuring two gay penguins named Adam & Steve, “All Polls Point North” (http://www.allpollspointnorth.blogspot.com/) has been syndicated in print and on line. Raven is now a regular contributing writer for Out Impact, Inc.