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Melanie Davis took the path less traveled and wound up a basic middle-aged mom to a smart-mouthed teenager, which, as it turns out, is precisely where she didn’t know she wanted to be all along. She’s an intersex transgender woman who is devoted to education and outreach to individuals, families, and groups that may be unfamiliar with intersex and trans people. She’s a member of the ACLU Transgender Education and Advocacy Program and recently joined the Indiana PTA as a board member and chair of their Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She makes a mean chili and 3-day venison stew, and loves all things Autumn including Halloween and Pumpkin Spiced Everything – hence: she’s a basic.
Since coming out at 22, Melanie has tried to advocate for LGBT rights in various ways. Her favorite thing to do is to help dispel myths and help humanize trans and intersex people in the minds of those who still have only the Caitlyn Jenner/Jerry Springer/Bathroom Menace understanding of trans folk. Her divorce case made it necessary to establish the legality of same-sex marriage in Indiana before it could be dissolved, even under Indiana’s DOMA, coincidentally during the brief window when same-sex couples from around the state were getting married before the eventual nationwide recognition after Obergefell. Her’s was the first same-sex marriage legally recognized by the state, and the first same-sex divorce.
Featured music this week comes from Beach House’s newest album 7.
News:
French citizen O Davrius and his partner had traveled together to Russia to cheer on French athletes according to Metro UK, but the first match had yet to be played before the two were attacked after catching a cab and left with serious injuries.
A reported organization of conservative vigilantes is threatening to report gay people to police at the World Cup this year in Russia.
Pence, so anti-LGBTQ that the Human Rights Campaign has a detailed guide to his bigotry, has drawn growing protests across the country.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to this Tuesday fundraiser City of Brotherly Love — with his middle finger. The outspoken legislator lashed out at the vice president on Pence’s visit to Sims’ home district. “To be clear, we’re a city of soaring diversity,” Sims wrote on social media. “We believe in the power of all people to live and to contribute: black, brown, queer, trans, atheist, immigrant – we want you and we’ll respect you.”
Sims didn’t just flip him off and hide. He spent last Tuesday afternoon and evening responding to — and debunking — the predictable replies to his post.
“So keep that in mind while you’re here raising money to attack more families, spread more lies, blaspheme with your bible, and maybe even talk to a woman without your wife in the room. We have plenty of them, and they’re pretty much all more powerful and more real than you have ever been.”
Events:
Picnic & Pulse Remembrance @ Bryan Park, 1001 S Henderson Street, Bloomington
Jun 24 @ 1:00 pm
Sunday, June 24 at 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
Family-friendly, pitch-in picnic. Also a moment of silence and name reading to remember the lives lost at Pulse Orlando on June 12, 2016
Burlesque Basics @ Lodge, 101. E. 6th St., Bloomington
Jun 24 @ 4:00 pm
Burlesque Basics and Entertainer Essentials
Sunday, June 3rd-Sunday, July 8th.
4:00 p.m.
The Lodge, 101. E. 6th St., Bloomington
Arts Fair on the Square @ Courthouse Square, downtown Bloomington
Jun 23 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Presenting:
100 local, regional, and national artists and craftspeople
Performances throughout the day including the Windfall Dancers, Jordan River Crossing barbershop quartet, Dark Side Tribal belly dancers, and Alexi and Josh soul-pop duo.
Interactive art centers featuring painting workshops, free art and craft activities, and face painting by Cookies and Canvas, BPP Youth Education, Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, and Poppy Wheel Face Painting.
This event is FREE and open to the public!
With FREE parking at the Monroe Convention Center (302 S. College Ave.)
Credits:
Producer: Frankie Presslaff
Executive Producer and WFHB News Director: Wes Martin
Hosts: Grant Rollins, Frankie Presslaff and Justin Roberson
Engineers: Lucas Fisher
