TransNews Weekly- 8 July 2007

1. San Francisco to provide better service to the trans community
San Francisco’s Department of Public Health along with University of California will be offering new services to the city’s trans-community.
Read more at the Bay Area Reporter website

2. Bangkok Novotel issues apology to Thai trans-woman
The Bangkok Novotel hotel on Thursday issued apology to the Thai trans-woman who was denied entry into its premises for not being a ‘legitimate woman’. The apology came after the hotel received threats of international boycott.
Read more at the 365gay website

3. Teen convicted only for assault, not hate crime
Palm Beach County Juvenile Court has convicted a 17-year-old teenager in Florida of aggravated battery, but not of a hate crime, for brutally beating up a 36-year-old transsexual.
Read more at the INTRAA’s website
Read more at the Edge Boston website

5. Dems fare well on LGBT rights
A report released last week by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force gave high marks to Democratic candidates for the 2008 Presidential elections on LGBT rights issues after looking at their voting records and campaign statements.
Read more at the Political Affairs website

6. Maryland allows Montgomery county schools have lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity
Maryland’s State Board of Education has approved Montgomery County school system’s decision to offer lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity as a part of the middle and high school sex-ed curriculum.
Read more at the Washington Post website

7. Bills go into effect in three states
Laws involving protection to LGBT citizens in employment, housing and public accommodations in Iowa, a hate crimes bill barring discrimination against trans individuals in Vermont, and a bill banning abstinence-only sex education in schools in Colorado all went into effect on July 1.
Read more at the 365gay website