(I like Joe.My.God quite a lot, and had read about the victories there, but I think Dana's broader point is both true and thoughtfully stated. I don't think this qualifies as a "rant.")

So Joe My God is no longer a "major gay blog"? Interesting. I think you just ignored his "silent" coverage so you could post this rant.

joemygod.blogspot.com/2012/12/apa-to-change-transgender-term-in.html?m=1

Since the time Dana and I ran for public office, more transgender people have been recognized without fanfare when they run for office. During my second run the media, for the most part, covered and wrote about me as “Pam Bennett, candidate for ” , it was no longer “Pam Bennett, transgender “. That was good and less good for my campaign, I had the benefit of my name in the papers and on TV all the time during my first campaign, but it was associated with the transgender candidate. The second campaign I was treated like all the other candidates so I had only a little more media coverage but not lots of free coverage.

We are less of a freak show and now an interesting second interview after the gay guy. With so much happening in the way of gay and lesbian progress this year I think the media did not understand what is significant for us is common place for other politicians.

Outside of the political world very little has occurred that would bring coverage to our lives. When the DSM V changes were put out on the general media, almost none made mention of our important update, the autism changes affected millions, so that received the mention. Again, I think this is because we are no longer the strange person in the spotlight, we are no longer the story.

Chaz had a lot of coverage, but with him settling down and doing what he likes to do there is no “Hollywood” drama for the media to concentrate on.

In local sports, Kayley was on the receiving end of good news for being allowed to play with Roller Girls, but the attacks were very nasty. Then, we get those two jerks on ESPN going off on us. They should have had a much longer time off the show, preferably the show would be cancelled. I subject myself to reading the media comments section to get a feel for how our lives are improving. Years ago we had very few supporters, now we have great people stepping up to correct and educate.

Our trans organizations do a fine job, and our gay and lesbian friends and organizations do much with us in our fight for equality. I do what I can in my position, which is giving a lot of people their full introduction to a transwoman. Obama has been very good for us in the federal employment.

The major media coverage we do get is about the violence we sustain in our daily lives. The terrible, and what seems weekly, violence in the District brings attention to our plight as a most common victim of the attacks. This will never change. If it bleeds, it leads has been a constant in the media. It is how the victim is covered that counts. For the most part we are given the correct pronoun, but not always.

I think the important way to wrap up transgender life in 2012 is we are more often considered as the man or woman next door, then as something else. We have made progress for recognition of who we are. We have made some progress for equality, but we have a long way to go. We still need more employment equality, which is our most important need.

Hope your well. Discovered Caroline was living within 8 miles of me, stopped to see her and also saw her at PFLAG last nite.