The Discrimination Continues....

As some of you may have read right here on this world renowned blog, Boy G had the immense pleasure of meeting Nikki Araguz recently at the Human Right Campaign gala here in H-town.  Since then, we have become friends on facebook, and most recently, I had the pleasure of seeing her at the Houston Pride parade, where she remembered my named unprompted.


My heart so bleeds for this girl, but I have to say how honored I am to know her, and how impressed I am with her willingness to share her story and her life to further the cause of human rights.  


Check my previous post if you need a "catch up" on Nikki's case. 


A LOT has transpired since that last post, in addition to the fact that, through facebook and personal contact, Nikki has become someone I adore and admire!  I'm so impressed with the way she handles the media and the public, and I know that she is trying to make lemonade from some of the lemons that have been thrown at her!

The first big story of the week was the release of the findings from the investigation into Thomas' death.  As it turns out, Thomas never should have been sent into that fire in the first place!  There were no lives to save. The building was a tinderbox, and there was no risk to surrounding buildings.  Common protocol would have been to let it burn itself out while controlling the spread from outside the fire.  The captain who made the decision has asked to step down in his own remorse.






Then today, bigotted Republican Judge Vanessa Velasquez "scolded" Nikki for violating the terms of her bail on a petty larceny charge because of pictures posted on facebook of her attendance at the HRC Gala, including, perhaps, the FABULOUS photo of the two of us, above!!  Apparently the terms of her bail were vague, but the Dishonorble Judge Velasquez CONVENIENTLY decided that Nikki should not be allowed anywhere alcohol is served after hearing from staff members that Nikki had posted photos of herself at the Gala on facebook.  How ironic that her rights to attend a human rights event are being suppressed!!  Normally, Queen Ginger just kind of blows through the millions of county judge ballots on election day, but you can be double sure that next time this bitch is up for reelection, Queen G will pore over the ballot to find the chance to vote against her!


And I LOVE when people say this is about the money- it's how they show their own stupidity!  1st of all- the insurance money will be used to support the Thomas' kids, regardless of the way the court rules. This is a case of principles.  And secondly: Nikki could potentially make millions through this with book deals and her reality show, if she chooses to pursue those routes.  However the courts rule, girlfriend's gonna be okay!  She needs our support as she stands for her rights as a transgendered  human being, who is being denied her basic rights by the bigotted state of texas, which no longer gets capital letters on my blog!

Houston Philanthropy At It's Best!

What a day it was today in Houston for philanthropy and recognition of Human Rights!!

A midday "flashmob" in the Houston Galleria (right in front of one of Miss G's stores!) celebrated breast cancer awareness with a coreographed routine to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Surive!"

Best part of all? It was sung LIVE by Ms. Gaynor her ownself, right there up in front of the Macy's! So sorry I missed it! Sponsored by Houston Philanthropists Sue and Lester Smith, it was one of Houston's best "worst kept" secrets, although Miss G didn't find out about it until after it had happened!

Then later tonight,  Miss G, along with the rest of Houston glitterari gays and lesbians, gathered at the Hilton Americas for the 14th annual Houston Human Rights Campaign gala.

The unspoken star of the night was Cuc Vu, who's "Miss Saigon" story of her escape from a war-torn Vietmnam was both riveting and inspiring.

The "spoken" star of the night was Kate Walsh, star of TV's "Grey's Anatomy" and its' spinoff, "Private Practice". She was sweet, cute, charming, and entertaining. And, we agreed, apparently a tad drunk. Not that we all weren't!

 
 
 
 

Miss Ginger's BIG excitement for the night, however, was her opportunity to meet Nikki Araguz, live and in person! There she was, tiny little petite woman that she is, looking 100%, bonafide, real woman. Not that there should be any doubt, nor should it matter, but believe me when I tell you, if Miss Ginger did not know this woman was transgendered, she would lose a bet, because there is no way anyone could tell she was born a man if she didn't tell them. Nikki was sweet, charming, cordial, and genuine! I can't WAIT for her reality show to air, so I can watch and recap it weekly! Miss Ginger is officially "starstruck!"



It's late! Hopefully, there will be more later, to include a photo op of Miss G with Nikki!

Who Needs Reality TV....

...when the news is this riveting??

Singer Patti LaBelle apparently felt a passerby got too close for comfort here at Houston's Intercontinental Airport, where she rolled down the window to her limo and summoned her bodyguards.  A young U.S. Military Academy senior was talking on his cellphone and wondered into the singer's line of fire, enciting the attack. According to the Houston Chronicle, the cadet is now lawyered up and is suing LaBelle, her bodyguards, and IAH.




Now, before all you Patti queens out there jump to her defense, take a look at the security video- lower right hand corner.  It looks pretty unprovoked to Miss Ginger's naked eye:

Here's one for you reality TV fans out there...

Transgendered widow Nikki Araguz is back in court, in charges unrelated to her contested marriage to deceased firefighter Thomas Araguz III.  If you're not up to date on that story, after the tragic death of Thomas Araguz in the line of duty, Nikki, a surgical transexual, was sued by Thomas' ex-wife, stating that Thomas' marriage to Nikki was illegal because Nikki was born a man.  In fact, in the bass-ackwards state of Texas, such a marriage is not legal, the judge found for the plaintiff,  and the $1mil + dollars in death benefits went to Thomas' ex-wife and Nikki was left high and dry. A pretty sad story, and a tough reflection on Texas' regard for civil rights. The question about when and if Thomas Araguz knew about his wife's sexual reassignment may never be known for sure.

This week, Nikki is in court over what appears to be a petty larceny charge.  Once again, the Texas courts consider Nikki to be a laughable being, and the judge himself allows his bigotry to show through as he shakes his head while Nikki tells her side of the story.  That in itself should be cause for a mistrial in the Court of Miss Ginger, but in this case, who knows?  Problem is, Nikki has had a pretty checkered past, so issues like these make her case more challenging.

That, and the fact that she has agreed to allow a film crew and television producer to follow her around to create a new "reality" show called "Being Nikki". I guess it's a way to pay the bills, but it seems to Miss Ginger that she might have wanted to hold off until her case makes it through the appeals court.  In any case, I wish girlfriend a lot of luck, and hope she can maintain her composure and decorum during these difficult times. 

In other news, MLK's Daughter, Rvd. Bernice King, has parted ways with the bulgilicious Bishop Eddie Long of Atlanta megachurch New Birth. According to Rvd. King, she is leaving because homeboy fucked boys she "feels called to an assignment" that she is "not calling .. a church right now". Perhaps after she gives it some undivided attention, and it grows a bit, she can call it a church, but for right now, Miss Ginger is guessing she just thinks of it as a "penis" "congregation".

And finally, in the Great Northwest, a judge has ruled that The Gay Softball World Series can legally limit the number of straight players on their gay softball teams.  Apparently there were too many pitchers and not enough catchers!!

Who needs Connie Chung when you've got Miss G?!