Category Archives: LGBT Publications

This category of My Writing includes my journal publications through the Dallas Voice and Edge Publications.

Coming Out of the Darkness

A SAFE PLACE AT LAST | Alex Fitzgerald says school officials in Lewisville and Flower Mound did nothing to protect him from bullies. Now he attends iSchool in Lewisville, a private school where faculty and staff mean it when they … Continue reading

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Youth First Texas – Pride Beneficiary

Story by Renee Baker in Dallas Voice Tavern Guild Pullout – Fall 2010 When Brian Jacobs marched in his first Pride Parade, he said he felt “like nothing else mattered but being who I am.”  He felt a “oneness” that … Continue reading

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Erin Moore – Dallas Pride Grand Marshall

Story by Renee Baker – Dallas Voice Tavern Guild Pullout 2010 When Erin Moore got the message she was selected for Grand Marshal in the Pride Parade this fall, she said she was “flabbergasted and honored, but taken aback.”  Moore … Continue reading

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Paul Lewis – Dallas Pride Grand Marshall

Article by Renee Baker in The Dallas Voice – Tavern Guild Pullout, Pride 2010 Paul Lewis likes to say he is old – one of the last of the “old folks” that started with the Pride Parade when Alan Ross … Continue reading

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Lesbians play big role in Women’s Foundation

Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Sept 17, 2010 Dallas organization dedicated to supporting, empowering makes diversity a cornerstone principle Wendy Lopez likes to say, “When you help a woman, you help a community.” Lopez and her partner, Connie Moore, … Continue reading

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Nate Phelps: Escaping the darkness

Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice Son of infamous anti-gay crusader Fred Phelps offers a glimpse of what life was like growing up on the inside of the Westboro Baptist cult Nate Phelps has a unique identity, but an identity … Continue reading

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Beyond Butch

A Dallas Voice BLOG Entry by Renee Baker, June 22, 2010 If there’s one thing I’ve discovered in life, it is that I don’t have to take many steps forward before I stick another foot in my mouth. This time, … Continue reading

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Pride is flying high in the Texas Panhandle

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, June 21, 2010. OUTstanding Amarillo getting set for its annual gay Pride month party; more than 1,000 expected to attend AMARILLO — Twenty-six years ago this month in Amarillo, a “heartsick” parent wrote … Continue reading

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Surviving life on the streets

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Mar. 25, 2010 Trans youth Shawn Tripp wants to find a way to help other LGBT youth who are, as he was, homeless Shawn Tripp is a lucky man. He says so himself. … Continue reading

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Controversy continues over APA and gender variance

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Mar 11, 2010 Latest version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual still includes gender variance as a disorder,recommends ‘reparative’ therapy Mental illness can carry a heavy stigma. It can destroy families, end careers, cause … Continue reading

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Survey: Trans people face much higher rate of job discrimination

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Feb 11, 2010. Problems even worse for trans people of color, study shows The National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have jointly released preliminary results from … Continue reading

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Trans woman seeks uterine transplant

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Jan 7, 2010 Sarah Luiz of The Colony, who’s no stranger to the media spotlight, aims to be world’s 1st trans mom THE COLONY — Each of us has a story or a … Continue reading

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LGBT youth try to cut away emotional pain

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Dec. 10, 2009 When family, society reject them for being gay, youth often turn to cutting, using physical pain to cope with distress of coming out Giancarlo Mossi fell in love with a … Continue reading

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Riding cross-country for not 1 cause, but 2

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Oct. 19, 2009 When Marshall Wayne Lee was at his lowest point and suicide seemed the only way out, Antigone the basset hound gave him something to live for. Now he’s giving back … Continue reading

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Remembering the victims: TDOR services set in Dallas, Fort Worth to honor victims of violence

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Oct. 19, 2010 TDOR services set in Dallas, Fort Worth to honor victims of violence This week across the globe, more than 200 gatherings are taking place to remember those who were murdered … Continue reading

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Activists to hold Transgender Day of Remembrance vigils, marches around the country

Ethan St. Pierre misses his aunt Deborah Forte everyday, but the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance remains a stark reminder of how Forte was brutally murdered in 1995 because of her gender identity and expression. “I was called in to … Continue reading

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Activists urge Dallas club to cancel Buju Banton concert

A Story by Renee Baker, Edge Publications, Oct. 14, 2009. The Resource Center Dallas and Equality March Texas are calling for immediate action to oppose an upcoming performance of reggae artist Buju Banton at the Palm Beach Club in Deep … Continue reading

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Transgender lawyer announces candidacy for Oklahoma House

A Story by Renee Baker, Edge Publications, Sept 30, 2009 Transgender lawyer Brittany Novotny of Oklahoma City officially announced her candidacy on Sunday to represent House District 84. Novotny will face three-term incumbent Republican state Rep. Sally Kern, who achieved … Continue reading

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Transgender woman to challenge anti-gay Okla. lawmaker

A Story by Renee Baker, EDGE Publications, Sept. 14, 2009 American author and political activist Susan Sontag once used cancer as a metaphor for the unknown. She said when politicians want us to fear something, they compare it to a … Continue reading

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Bitch N Brunch grows to more than 500 members

A Story by Renee Baker, Sept 03, 2009 Group focused on family-oriented activities empowers women If you were to suggest to Cheryl Daniel, in days of insouciance only of course, that she is a bitch, she will be happy to … Continue reading

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5 questions with Jeff Snook

Ghost Writer Renee Baker, August 21, 2009, Dallas Voice Jeff Snook is the chair of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates in DFW, and he is chair of Sodexo PRIDE in Irving. Out & Equal holds its third annual wine tasting … Continue reading

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From Courtroom to Online Courting

A Story by Renee Baker, Nov 7, 2008, Edge Publications Teresa Cain was born in Mississippi and grew up in Dallas, but she was raised on paperback books. She’s now a Texas attorney with a heart for romance and a … Continue reading

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Law professor and student reunite after fling in Carsen Taite’s latest book

A Story by Renee Baker, Edge Publications, August 18, 2009 When it comes to writing courtroom briefs, her legal name is Teresa Cain. But when it comes to writing about lesbian courtship, her nom de plume is Carsen Taite. She … Continue reading

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Straight-camp survivor starts support group for ex-ex-gays

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, Aug 13, 2009. Stabile fell victim to ‘Purity Siege’ on Cedar Springs strip 2 years ago They what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. And so it seems for former “homosexual sinner” James … Continue reading

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Crime hits close to home

A Story by Renee Baker, Edge Publications, August 11, 2009 Joey “Angel” Avila is not new to crime. When he was but a young man living in the streets of Old City Park in Dallas, he often awoke in the … Continue reading

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Transitioning to acceptance

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, August 6, 2009. Local transgender couple says remaining visible allows others to see that they’re human When Melanie Blumer transitioned to Oliver Blumer, his counselor recommended he allow his inner child to come … Continue reading

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Compassionate care at the end

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, July 23, 2009 Hospice offers options to let the terminally ill die with dignity, and to lift some of the burden their loved ones often shoulder When a social worker came to John … Continue reading

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RCD Program a ‘Lifeline” for Those in Abusive Relationships

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, July 9, 2009 Coordinator Heidi Pyron says Family VIolence Program helps victims of domestic violence gain autonomy, safety, longterm independence It may have been a gunshot or a stabbing or an auto “hit … Continue reading

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Trans-cending time

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, June 18, 2009. Tracing the modern transgender rights movement from its beginnings in the dress code reform of the 1800s up through Stonewall to today, when Texas A&M has honored trans advocate Phyllis … Continue reading

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New survey shows possible crisis among area LGBT youth

A Story by Renee Baker, Dallas Voice, June 4, 2009. Youth First Texas recently released the results of a first-ever comprehensive survey of LGBT youth in the Dallas metropolitan area, and it suggests there may be a widespread mental health … Continue reading

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