Mr. Sallans is a "renowned transgender speaker and author specializing in health care, campus inclusion and workplace issues impacting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community."

You can see his biography here and his resume here.

I actually came across this gentleman not too long ago. I was watching a Buck Angel video ("Sexing the Transman") and Mr. Harvie shared some of his personal experiences. I also found him quite amusing so this charged me up to find out more about him.  Here's a few bulletpoints...
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* New England born and raised (Maine, 1968)
* Came out to his parents twice (once to admit liking girls and then next to add on he's a man) - check out his website (here).
* A short time (4 yrs +/-) after beginning his comedy career he moved to LA. By the end of the year, he became the opening act for Margaret Cho (here). Soon to be followed by headlining his own comedy tour.
* Thus began his career as an actor, on shows suck as Young & Hungry, Mistresses and Transparent.
* This past summer he returned to theater in an off Broadway production of "Log Cabin"
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"We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are. We have to show the world we are numerous. There are many of us out there."

After being orphaned by her mother's suicide, she was raised by her grandmother until age 10 when she ran away from her grandmother's disapproval at her femininity and use of makeup. Living on the streets, she found a local community of drag queens who gave her her name.

Being friends with Marsha P. Johnson (see previous blog post), she also aligned with identfying as a drag queen, civil rights activism, the antiwar movement (Vietnam), the second wave feminism movement, gay liberation and transgender activism. She was a founding member of GLF (Gay Liberation Front) and Gay Activists Alliance, while co-founding STAR (Street Transvestite Activism Revolutionaries), and organization dedicated to helping homeless young drag queens and trans women of color.

She also fought for the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Action (NY), which prohibits discrimination on sexual orientation in emplyment, housing, public accommodation, education, credit and the exercise of civil rights. 

The "Syliva Rivera Law Project" is dedicated "to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expresssion, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence."

The story behind this young lost life is heartbreaking while still empowering. 

This life lost gave way to judicial precedence and luxury of life for many more to come. The true sorrow is the young men who not only took this life also took others that same fated night, but sit in a state paid box still breathing and enjoying what little plesures they may create for themselves.

Though one man is on death row the other will rot away learning and continuing on even in an incarcerated state. That luxury is not available to the others because of the selfish and insecure spirits of those criminials. May they live very, very, very long existences.

1 - 10: 10

This one took me by pleasurable surprise! 

Researching for this article, I came across Ms. Jorgensen while looking through a gallery of other trans mentionables. However, after reading through her articles and stories, I am not upset to have spent the time. She was a revolutionary woman. She only wanted to be her, but managed to create one hell of a story just being her. (She was rather cheeky, too.)

Born and raised in the Bronx to an average working class family, she graduated high school then served in the military. After being discharged, she went to community college, then to photography school and, finally, to dental school. 

It was around this time she became aware of sexual reassignment and began taking estrogen. In 1951, she obtained permission to enter Denmark and undergo multiple surgeries to correct her body. In 1953, she returned to the US being instantly inundained with reporters and publicity seekers. She brushed aside their deliberate attacks on her and denounced that if people wanted to know her story they would have to pay her for it. And, oh gurl, did they!

Her story is funny, fascinating and such a wonderful read. 

1-10: Definite 10.

(Just because I can I've attached her favorite performance piece below.)

Mr. Bono an author/advocate/actor/musician/social activist/HRC spokesman was born on March 4, 1969 to Cher (singer/actess/author/etc/etc/etc) and Sonny Bono (singer/songwriter/actor/politician). He has 1 half-brother, Elijah Blue Allman. 

He started his physical and social transition in 2008, in 2009 he publically requested (via his publicist) to be recognized by his chosen name and legally completed his transition in 2010.

The following year he became the first transgender man to star on a major television network show for topics unrelated to being transgender. He partnered with Lacey Schwimmer on Season 13 of Dancing With The Stars!!

Though I know not much about him then what can be read online or seen in videos - on a scale of 1-10 (low-high) on the respect meter...7.