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complaint sent
Nov. 24th, 2015 03:38 pmI just emailed that abuse complaint to the City Council, with a CC: to ACON. We'll see what happens.
Abuse at Library
Nov. 24th, 2015 07:05 amI was at University House yesterday (in the Newcastle CBD) doing some printing. Afterwards I walked up the hill to the Library. Was feeling hot and my asthma was playing up, and desperately needed to urinate, so I went to the Women's toilet and used the disabled cubicle there. Then I got an asthma attack, and was having trouble breathing (left my breather at home).
Anyway I heard the door open and a woman's voice say "WE'VE HEARD A REPORT THAT THERE'S A MAN IN HERE. WE NORMALLY KEEP THE TOILETS SEPARATED TO PREVENT RAPE AND ATTACKS, AND PROSTITUTION, SO DON'T USE THESE TOILETS THANK YOU!"
I was trying to breath at the time and could feel a panic attack coming on, so I said nothing. When I could breath again, I opened the cubicle and no one was there. I briefly went to the library but was upset and disturbed by what just happened. I borrowed a DVD and started to walk away, with this spinning about in my head, and then I GOT ANGRY. I walked back in and asked one of the staff if any of the library staff had gone into the woman's to check on anything in the last ten minutes, He checked (somehow) and said there hadn't been. I told him I'd been "sworn at" and left it at that. But it's been disturbed me all day.
The issue was: Should I follow up with the library? Make a complaint. I didn't see who said what was said, but the staff member did say they had video surveillance in the toilets so they could tell who it was.
But then I got home, and the dogs were there to welcome me, and the edge of the despair was gone. I think I need to think things through today, and that I will make an OFFICIAL COMPLAINT to the library over yesterday's incident. After the stupidity I faced over toilets when I was public servant, I'm not going to fucking take crap over this any more.
Anyway I heard the door open and a woman's voice say "WE'VE HEARD A REPORT THAT THERE'S A MAN IN HERE. WE NORMALLY KEEP THE TOILETS SEPARATED TO PREVENT RAPE AND ATTACKS, AND PROSTITUTION, SO DON'T USE THESE TOILETS THANK YOU!"
I was trying to breath at the time and could feel a panic attack coming on, so I said nothing. When I could breath again, I opened the cubicle and no one was there. I briefly went to the library but was upset and disturbed by what just happened. I borrowed a DVD and started to walk away, with this spinning about in my head, and then I GOT ANGRY. I walked back in and asked one of the staff if any of the library staff had gone into the woman's to check on anything in the last ten minutes, He checked (somehow) and said there hadn't been. I told him I'd been "sworn at" and left it at that. But it's been disturbed me all day.
The issue was: Should I follow up with the library? Make a complaint. I didn't see who said what was said, but the staff member did say they had video surveillance in the toilets so they could tell who it was.
. . .
I had an "almost suicidal" moment this morning as I went for a brisk walk this morning by myself. The exercise was good but it brought up thoughts and feelings about the abuse at the library yesterday. And then I had all these other feelings come rushing in at me, of exhaustion, of feeling unhealthy and overweight, of feeling isolated physically. All came out in hysterical tears.But then I got home, and the dogs were there to welcome me, and the edge of the despair was gone. I think I need to think things through today, and that I will make an OFFICIAL COMPLAINT to the library over yesterday's incident. After the stupidity I faced over toilets when I was public servant, I'm not going to fucking take crap over this any more.
Pushing one's buttons....
Apr. 23rd, 2011 04:26 pm...is what the story Transgender Woman Severely Beaten at Baltimore McDonalds While Employees Watch does. I watched the video that was included on that page and it is pretty shocking. As someone one who has had epilepsy in the past and also suffered from anxiety attacks, the seizure at the end looks like shock to me. Either way, not good.
There is another angle on this at Brutal Racist Hate Crime Beating At McDonald’s (Victim May Be Transgender Or Beating Probably Okay).What I find interesting here (especially after seeing the video) is the lack of evidence that this was a trans person. We see what might be a wig come off, but I've known bald cis women, and women post-chemotherapy who wore wigs. The point I'm making on that is it doesn't matter whether the victim was or was not trans - what matters is that the assumption, and brutal reaction are just as bad either way. This is what antidiscrimination legislation in NSW at least includes assumed status as well as trans status.
The following video is an odd mix, commenting on the above:
Earlier this week I had two things happen to me on consecutive days.
The first was coming home from uni. I got off the bus at Glendale and a semi drunk women (whom I've seen and chatted with on the buses before) says to me "Can I ask yooos a question?" I said "OK" to which she said "Are yoose a Lady?" My first reaction to that was to think of Little Britain comedy sketches, but I said "Of course!" Anyway, before I could say anything else she said "Good-oh. Though yoos mighta been a tranny, but love ya either way". That was actually funny. Country use of "Lady" in Australia means woman, whereas "Sir" is always your old school teacher or the customer on the other side of the counter.
The second happened when I was walking down my strett laden with food shoping. My leg was hurting and I was tired. A young femal voice seemed to come from nowhere and said "Hi Tranny". There was a hint of malice in the voice. I casually glanced around while I walked but couldn't find where it came from. That I find disturbing.
Just par for the course I guess for being who I am. But - it shouldn't be this way!
Assaulted at Roundabout
May. 15th, 2009 07:22 pmI was assaulted after I passed the chip shop at the roundabout about an hour ago.
As I was negotiating the cars coming off the roundabout I heard abuse being shouted at me from behind. I had my hands full of shopping, and was wearing pants with bad elastic, so I chose to ignore it. The abuse continued and at least one rock was thrown at me. Rather than race back immediately, I continued on up the street back home.
Then I got changed and went back to the shop. I was going to take a jimmy bar or hoe with me, but Kevin persuaded me to take Hallie instead. When I got there they were gone. I told the shopkeeper about it and he thought he knew who they were and I had a look at the CCTV footage and sure enough, they're shown on it at 6:18pm.
I'm going back with a memory stick tomorrow and getting a copy of the video footage. One of them lives in my street! I'm not going to take this shit!
As I was negotiating the cars coming off the roundabout I heard abuse being shouted at me from behind. I had my hands full of shopping, and was wearing pants with bad elastic, so I chose to ignore it. The abuse continued and at least one rock was thrown at me. Rather than race back immediately, I continued on up the street back home.
Then I got changed and went back to the shop. I was going to take a jimmy bar or hoe with me, but Kevin persuaded me to take Hallie instead. When I got there they were gone. I told the shopkeeper about it and he thought he knew who they were and I had a look at the CCTV footage and sure enough, they're shown on it at 6:18pm.
I'm going back with a memory stick tomorrow and getting a copy of the video footage. One of them lives in my street! I'm not going to take this shit!
Er, what?!
May. 8th, 2008 08:43 pmI taped an episode of Boston Legal and what I thought would be an episode of 30Rock. However, it turned out be The Most Hated Family in America, about a bizarre show about an inbred "Baptist" church that pickets military funerals with "God Hates fags" signs!
Are these folk demented? They seemed serious but it was almost impossible to take them seriously. I guess though, that in some places you can be a total fuckwit and get away with it.
Actually, after idiots on the bus today, I'm almost beginning to believe that's everywhere. I think maybe I've seen enough. Time for a hot bath instead.
Bus Travel can Suck
May. 8th, 2008 07:01 pmI am still angry and upset, even 20-30 minutes later.
I got accosted on the bus coming home with a full load of shopping by three young drunks. First fucking words - "Hey, that's really a guy!" I had my mobile phone radio on and pretended to not hear them, but maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should have just stood up and demanded an apology.
Seriously, I think I have a major anger problem.
I kept having visions of how nice it would be to stab them or bash their brains in with a kosh. When I lived in Carrington there was a group of youths who used to run up and kick my door in as they passed. One day I had a bit of forewarning about this and chased one of them with my kitchen knife. On other occasions I've chased teenage kids down the street with the axle off a wheelie bin. The rage just welled up in me.
I have a history of grand mal epilepsy and it it occurs to me that tendency towards violence might be influenced by that. I really don't know, but I'm sick and fucking tired of no brain wanker fuck wits taking it upon themselves to abuse me. Despite the fact that these feelings of rage scare me, the next one gets an eye gouged out (maybe).
I was feeling a little off after getting caught in the rain last night, and of being up until early morning. And it got tougher as the day went on.
Trans Murders
First up, I did research for this year's Transgender Day of Remembrance Web Comic Project. The theme's a bit different this year, but requires a bit of research into how my trans brothers or sisters have been murdered in the last year. The relevant starting page is Who are we Remembering - there seems to be less reported murders in the last 12 months, though that might just be an artefact due to poor media coverage. For example, Keittirat Longnawa in Phuket was beaten by a gang of nine youths and then had her throat cut; Michelle Carrasco from Chile was found in a pit with her face completely disfigured (further research showed that she'd been a sex worker and that this was done by a client who paid the equivalent of $US 4 for her services beforehand).
These are all real life horror stories that induce great sorrow (and also great anger) within myself. It's difficult to research these for any length of time without seriously getting depressed. Then, later I took Peggy for a walk to the chip shop for lunch and we were attacked by some dogs in the middle of the street!
Dog Attack
A couple of dogs who always bark at Peggy and myself when we go by went spring at the gate of their front yard and it sprung open. A blue healer then came out and attacked Pegasus, and then bit me on the arm before the women next door was able to put them back in the yard and close the gate. I checked Pegasus and he seemed unharmed, and though I'd been bitten, decided to continue on to the chip shop.
When we got back home Kevin had a look at both of us. Pegasus had a gash in his front right arm (leg?) pit and I had a puncture wound. I phoned the council to report the attack, and they said I should see a doctor. Kevin said I should as well, so I ended up going to a "Family Clinic" I'd never been to in Edgeworth.
As I went to catch the bus the family that lived at the dog's house drove back into their drive way. I pointed out that I and my dog had been attacked and described how they'd got out. They suggested that I "tormented" their dogs by having Pegasus wee on their fence, and that I left his poo on their verge! I just try and walk Peggy as quietly as I can, but like any dog he leaves his mark, and I pick his poo up afterwards.
School Kid Badgering
I had a 4pm appointment. Kevin suggested that I ride the scooter to Edgeworth but I wasn't really up to that. I should have remembered that the 3:40pm bus is full of local school kids going home. I sat in the front seat next to the driver and ignored most of the comments I heard shouted from behind. It was stressful all the same. I swear though, that one more kid had made a comment as they got off the bus I would have chased them and demanded an apology (which I've done before) and bugger the appointment!
I'm not going to put up with this crap any more and will probably contact their school about it.
Got to the clinic. The staff were quite nice, and the Indian doctor efficient. I had the wound cleaned and dressed, and a technis shot as well. I also have a course of antibiotics to take for a week. Did a bit of shopping and then came home.
It's been a muggy awkward day, and I look forward to tomorrow.
Pakistan 'same-sex' couple jailed
May. 25th, 2007 03:01 pmCame across a reference to this on a friend's journal. Sigh - not only are they homophobic over there. but trans-phobic as well!
SBS are currently screening Focus.
I've seen this before - it's about how in the waning months of World War II, a man and his wife are mistakenly identified as Jews by their anti-Semitic Brooklyn neighbours, and then persecuted for it.
Thing is, it's not just about anti-Semitism, but about discrimination and how it works. The this is, that it's what what a person is that counts, but the idea that one person can push them around, deny services and all that sort of crap, just because of who they think you are.
A bit blatant perhaps, but it gets the point across.
Just saw a film on SBS called Focus. It starred ## and ## and was all about bigotry and racism in mid 1940s America, apparently based on an Arthur Miller novel. Although I didn't find any of the main characters attractive or terribly sympathetic, I felt compelled to watch.
It made me think about the Cronulla riots and just how easy it is for bullshit like that to happen.
It made me think about the Cronulla riots and just how easy it is for bullshit like that to happen.
