(image: justjenniferblog profile page screenshot with Simpsons-style avatar that Usher is claiming ownership of the copyrights. Click for larger view)

If you need to catch up, more info in these previous stories. These threats came shortly after Usher learned I was going to post stories that depict the lies (and the liars) behind claims of a medical condition they call "Harry Benjamin Syndrome".

Now, whether the image in question was created by hand or with the avatar generator isn't the issue - either way, Usher cannot claim copyright to it (or send a DMCA takedown notice about it) because it lacks sufficient originality. That is why I sent FOX, the real copyright holder of the Simpsons characters, this email yesterday:

Another threat

Blogger threatens to "act"  for "copyright violation" if I expose their hate-filled and/or misleading posts.

Update: Usher claims to have filed a DMCA-style takedown notice, claiming that Usher owns the artwork of justjenniferblog.blogspot.com. This is a false claim. Blogspot.com owns the artwork as well as the layout, and I will inform them of Usher's attempt to claim copyright to their work tomorrow.

(This is not the first time Usher has cried "copyright violation" in an attempt to silence me.)

Next week we'll be dealing with what I like to term "the fraud of HBS".  "HBS" is a made-up term that some people want used rather than "transsexual".  "HBS" is short for "Harry Benjamin Syndrome".  It is not recognized by any medical authority, and is an attempt to trade upon the name of Dr. Harry Benjamin, who, being deceased, can no longer defend his work or the misuse of his name.

One name that comes up when you search various forums for "HBS" is Jennifer Usher. As some of you already know, Jennifer Usher is a very vocal supporter of both the "HBS" and "true transsexual" concepts, and has a history of attacking people who don't believe Usher's claims - claims that have changed radically over the years.

Earlier today, Usher made threat to take action if I should publish any information from Usher's blog. (Note: Usher doesn't care whether you've been diagnosed as transsexual, are living full-time in your target gender, or are post-op - you're still a "he" or a "faux woman" unless Usher says otherwise):

"copyright violation is both a tort and a crime (both in the US and Canada). I have to thank the empty headed faux woman for the heads up. While it was already subject to copyright, he gave me the chance to add a notice, so now it will be even easier to act if he proceeds.  Good grief, but he is a moron sometimes."

(Diana Taylor, plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit against the Newark Police Department)

Among the allegations are that Ms. Taylor was arrested without cause and that the police officers involved threatened her with gang violence if she followed through with the complaint process; and further, that the police backdated criminal charges of littering and disturbing the peace (which were later dismissed because the police repeatedly refused to show up in court).

The suit alleges she was discriminated against because she is transgendered, and that the police violated both local and state anti-discrimination laws.

It makes for an interesting and informative read. For example the original arrest was allegedly for failing to show identification, but there is no law requiring her to produce identification (count 49).

Other coverage follows:

It's 2010 and we're still arguing about which toilet to use. It's being reported that a pre-op male-to-female transsexual in England is being banned from using the womens' washrooms in a pub after 3 years of doing so with the full knowledge of the staff.

But over the last 20 years, the former engineer had been hiding the emotional torment of feeling she had been born the wrong gender.

In recent years Katrina, 46, from North Shields, took the brave decision to undergo a sex change op, and is now awaiting the life-changing surgery.

And three years ago she finally plucked up the courage to come out completely and dress as a woman in public.

At first Katrina’s confidence was bolstered by drinkers and bar staff at the Briar Dene, who immediately accepted her lifestyle choice and continued to welcome her at the pub.

But four weeks ago she was stunned when a member of staff approached her and told her she was no longer allowed to go in the bar’s ladies toilets, and would now have to use the disabled facilities, because she is neither a man nor a woman.

She said: “I was just having a drink and a conversation and then I was approached by a member of staff and they told me I had to stop using the ladies’ toilets and use the disabled toilets instead.

“They told me it was against the law, but I have never heard of any such law.
 

Now if there's one place in the world where timely access to a washroom is necessary, it's got to be a pub.  After all, you only rent beer.

The BBC is reporting that Italy will now have a jail designed for the special needs of transgender inmates

From the article:

"The prison, at Pozzale, near the Tuscan city of Florence, is expected to house inmates who mainly have convictions for drug-related offences and prostitution.

It is thought that Italy has a total of some 60 transgender prisoners. 

The centre will house about 30 people, according to reports.

The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says that until now transgender prisoners have been located in women's prisons where they are often segregated for their own safety.
 

Some will argue that this is "coddling to a special-interest group."  However, if the object of prison is to rehabilitate, we have to recognize that rehabilitation isn't possible in a setting where people in custody are segregated, not because they are dangerous, but because they would be raped or beaten for being trans.

Employees have a right not to work in a hostile environment.  This includes transgendered and transsexual employees.   Staten Island Live is one of several sites reporting that a judge ordered the New York State Thruway Authority to pay a trans-woman more than $55,000 in damages after they fired her.

This is important for several reasons - one being that the judge was an "Administrative judge" - this complaint wasn't filed through the regular court system, with its' high costs and long delays.  This complaint was handled by the New York State Division of Human Rights.  This is a no-cost system for victims of discrimination.

Too often, we're our own worst enemies.  We don't speak up because we're afraid of our identity becoming known.  Or we try to justify accepting mistreatment in our own minds - "It's not worth the hassle, it'll cost more than I'll get back, and it'll take forever." The tools are in place, but it's up to us to use them. If we don't speak up for ourselves, who will?

Firstly, insurance companies do not investigate any application when the application is made. They do an investigation after a claim is made (i.e. death) and if they can find a way out of paying, they will use it. One look at the problems of those involved with Hurricane Katrina shows how this can work against any claimant.