♪ welcome to "beyond the headlines." we have a very special roundtable for the lgbt community. san francisco's pride

celebration takes place every june. we will meet local lgbt community leaders and learn more about what pride month means to them. we will explore some of the many issues pacing local lgbt communities. we hope that you will remember that these issues truly affect all of us. these are our children and our family members and our neighbors. first let's take a brief look at san francisco's annual pride celebration. it is one of the biggest and most recognized celebrations of its kind in the world. every year about a million people attend the weekend festival and parade. they come from all over the world. it commemorate it is famous rebellion, lgbt, stonewall inn in new york city in response to a routine police raid on june 27, 1969. the parade up market to civic center began more than 40 years ago. and now it is a colorful event that brings families and communities together. joining me in the studio right now are several leaders from

lgbt communities around the bay area. we have matt wood, staff attorney. transgender law center in san francisco. and mary midgett. author, retired school teacher and longtime lgbt activist. thank you for being here today. >> thank you. >> this is an exciting time. let me you, midgett. what does pride month mean to you? >> it means visibility. just knowing that we are there and you can see us. now as an older person, that is very for. because people can realize that just because you age that doesn't mean you still don't have fun as a lesbian person. >> we will talk more about that later. you wrote a book about that. i want to talk to you what it means to you. >> pride month is exciting and i particularly am thrilled this year's tenth anniversary was called the trans-march. it is the provide night before

pride celebration weekend. ten years is a great time to reflect back on the changes for the transgender community. how far we have come in terms of increased visibility and increased legal protections for us. also to look forward to the future challenges. >> i know have you done a lot of good work in this area. for folks at home who don't know what transgender means could you help us out with that? >> sure. transgender people, something about their internal sense. the sense of their maleness or femaleness is different than the sex they were assigned at birth. so whether they were assign ad man or woman by a doctor or midwife at the time they were born, that's different than how they understand their maleness or female to be now. >> that's very clear. >> when i first came here, i came here in 1974. and -- i started -- i think in 1975. >> you have a change over the

years? >> less naked people. >> is that a good thing? >> it is a good thing. yeah. we all are not there -- doing that. yeah. now it is wonderful. >> what about you? >> my first lgbt pride in san francisco was 1990. it has been 23 years now. and i have seen tremendous changes in both -- it has been a great event with a lot of people. i think it is characterization changed from being more defy sxant protest. more of a celebration. >> and that's what i want to talk about because -- of -- in the beginning it was -- a response to people who were being -- people who were abusive perhaps and discriminating against the lgbt community. this is a way to say enough. are you seeing more of that, activism? >> seeing much more activism, yeah. the black cards they show. and the visibility on television. it is wonderful. and -- i have always been proud to be a lesbian.

now i'm proud to be an older lesbian. now riding on the cable, oh, that is so exciting. >> the march. >> now a cable car. i march, you know. the cable car is more fun. then i can see people. it is great. yes. >> i know that you have family and a lot of people. you have a big family, too. >> yes. >> let's talk about that in a moment. but -- i noticed when i see the video and have gone out there, i see families, whole families, stop for this. >> when i saw these 23 years guy i was somewhat envious of the idea i could grow up a member of the lgbt community and have a supportive family and be out in public and have care about it. i thought it was inspiration alto see that and potentially be a part of it or at least to be among people who have such wonderful families supporting them and remember that that's not the case everywhere in the united states. we are very fortunate here. >> all right. we have a lot more to talk about. we will take a break now.

we are going to look at some for issues facing the lgbt community in just a moment.

. welcome back. let's continue with this special episode in our in-depth conversation with fantastic leaders from the area lgbt communities. matt, i want to you tell me about the case you are working on now, transgender law center. >> we have a number interesting things going now. we have legislation that we are co-sponsoring that's really for. one of them th called the safe schools opportunity. school safety opportunities act. and it is designed to help california's schools ensure that

transgender students have access to the facilities and activities in the groups that correspond with their gender identity. we have strong anti-discrimination laws in california. sometimes there is a gap between the promise of the law and reality of the students' lives and this legislation would help bridge that gap. we have another one that helps stream line the process for people getting their identity documents changed. really ts are really helpful for people who trying to get educational in and employment opportunities so they match what they present to the world and who they are. >> i guess there's so much discrimination against people who are different. and -- procedure. even though we are all the same inside. so -- that's not what this case is about. people were being threaten. >> you are right. some ways. unfortunately discripplemation is a fact of life for many lesbian, gay, bi, transgender people. we have a particular interest in

communities that are among the most vulnerable like opportunities and youth and immigrants. and i'm sure you are aware and many of your viewers are as well that there seems to be an increased incidents of bullying. heightened awareness in response to bullying and discrimination against youth. as i mentioned we have great laws in california and federally as well. but -- there's still the need for clarity about the laws and enforcement. >> and day to day. that child has to live every day. you were in the service. military veterans -- thank you for your service, the army. >> you're welcome. >> only imagine what this must have been like for you as a young woman. and your personal safety. >> yeah, yeah. i didn't have any -- immediate problems being a lesbian. >> homosexuality was not allowed in the military. >> it was not allowed. but we had something called witch-hunts that -- very serious.

very bad. because -- the sergeants would have flashlights and looking underneath the cupboards and opening up the doors and check and see what you were doing, so there was a lot of fear inning that respect. and -- i had my fears. i mean, i -- i mean, i was kind of a lucky person. >> you survive. >> i survived it, yes. many women did not. >> how did you manage to do that? how did you manage to survive? >> i think i just have that personality. i mean, my first -- prejudice. they were in the closet. so in that respect it was really. yeah. it was really bad. >> and now as an older woman, which is a phrase you use yourself, have you seen things improve? >> very much so. especially living in san francisco. in fact, i have an example when i used to hold my daughter's hand. i was i would tell my daughter not to hold my hand because people would think we were girlfriends

and i didn't want anyone to hurt her in the black community. so we were very, very lucky. she was only maybe 10 at the time. that was frightening. in new york city it was frightening. yeah. >> do you peel better about things now? >> very much so. yes. >> this is exactly the kind of work you are trying to do. to help. and in the future. future generations like this. so -- so how do you see the impact of this for folks in the future? do you see things getting better right away or is it a process? >> law unfortunately does not work as quickly in most cases as we would like it to. but with -- you know, affirmative legislation that's passed it can have an immediate effect. we are already seeing in response to the affordable care act coming out of washington, d.c., aware must in california the need to get ready and get up to speed for the changes. that's helping transgender people get the medical care they need or at least putting in place the roads they can use to

get to that care. >> what are some of the barriers in addition to health care. >> you know, insurance policies have exclusions for certain procedures. oftentimes they are for things you really need. hess particular exclusions were based solely on gender identity and california has passed laws that say that you can't have these. and most recently we have had clarity from the department of insurance and n the department of managed care that exclusions are impermissible based on gender identity and can't offer one process to one medical procedure to a non-transgender person and then say you can't have it because you are transgender. >> we have a lot more to talk about. we want to invite our folks to stay with us. we will be back with more of our special, "lgbt roundtable beyond

welcome back. let's get back to our roundtable discussion. last year with the help of a transgender law center, a bay area woman won a landmark termination case in favor of transgender rights. she applied for a job at the bureau of tobacco alcohol and firearms. she revealed she was transitioning to the life of a woman during the interview. days later it said it eliminated the position. macy late learned somebody else was hired. equal employment opportunity commission ruled the former police officer had been discriminated against because of her gender identity. >> it is for because every

person from this point forward felt that from federal protection and that was something i had a part with, it is consistent and based on sex. whether it is treat something one different because they are female or treat something one different because they have changed from male to female. >> the atf officer did not want to comment about the case at that time. and macy said she would pursue a job at the bureau. we wish her good luck. i want to ask you why it is so for to pursue cases like this. >> because it is for to have an enforcement mechanism for the law. so many people face discrimination and they don't realize what they have a remedy and seems daunting to them even when they find out they do. it is for for them to know that they can pursue their rights successfully and model that for everybody else as well. >> and as a transgender man, what do you think some of the biggest myths are? >> you know, i think there's mostly misunderstandings. i think one of the misunderstandings is that something -- somehow something is wrong about the transgender.

that it is either unlawful to change your gender or it is an example of an illness or disease. in fact, transgender people are really just like everyone else. they just want to be recognized as the gender that they are. >> absolutely. and midgett, we were talking about discrimination here. it seems like it has been so pervasi pervasive. you have survived amazing ordeals in your life. and now how do you see the discrimination in your world? is it better? worse? >> i might sound ignorant but the only time i had to deal with this was when i lived in new york city because when i came to san francisco, i just kind of got into things. and it was good. i haven't had any major problems. i did -- co-found lee black organizations. doesn't mean i stay with my own. but i have always emerged myself into the white community also.

and then i was always welcomed. but i appreciate what he's doing because i know what is going on is still there. i know that. >> what advice do you have for lgbt folks who are -- hesitant about coming out? >> that's difficult because -- yeah. i say it is difficult because when you become a senior and you stay in the closet, that's part of your life. and you need not to do that. because you only have one life. >> one life. and matt, what about you? >> as a lawyer the law protects you in california. as a parent and child, your parents love you and they will be there to support you. if not you can find the family member who is and families are large and they are members in a will is port you no matter what. >> there are a lot of groups, too, you both work with that would provide that to the support. >> i can't say that the law will protect you. i can't say that. >> legally it would but -- every

day it is that day-to-day experience. >> yeah. as i shared with you, i'm going to be on television. but i don't know how the parents will take it if i told the students that i was on tv and maybe they will decide i should fire midgett because maybe they are going to do something to the children in the classroom. cane go along with that program. >> we know the kids love. >> did you the protection part of it, not sure. >> waited and see. we will hope for the best. >> we have to take another break.

welcome back to "beyond the headlines." let's wrap up our discussion with community leaders. joining us now is jason. he is a sophomore at stanford university and executive director of the bay area youth summit. the only completely youth-led lgbt organization in the world. staying connected to the history of the lgbt community is very for to young jason. when he was in high school he participated in the special project called coming out in the 1950s. stories of our lives. he got to interview the famous lesbian activist. >> clearly a very tough

activist. what advice would you give to the youth today trying to make a difference? >> the best thing you can do is tell us you can and still think would be friends. you know. that you are gay. keep trying to spread the word. little by little. >> wow. jason is only 19 years old. we were talking about why it is so for. why is it so for for you as a young person to know about this history? >> i think our community has a story and our story very much is a huge part of our community's heritage and who we are. and i think when -- we learn about history, we can -- weof ud of understand why we are here and why things are the way they are. and -- you know, you really get to connect with the wonderful narrative that is our community's story and our

history. think it is a really -- wonderful and interesting journey to be able to see where we have come from and hopefully a traffic jerkty for where we could go. >> very, very wise. now, you -- came out and you have a lot of support as a parent. how was that? >> it was wonderful. when i first came out it was definitely something different for them. they had to adjust certainly i think as a lot of parents do. you know, but during the first year, definitely a little -- it was a little different. you know. a big change for the families. but i think that the point that really kind turned it around for me, the point where i really realized my parents supported me 100% was actually that year's pride. the year i came out. the summer of my freshman year. it was my first pride ever. i really wanted -- >> 14, 15. >> i was -- let's see. i would be 14. >> okay. >> at that time. yeah. and you know, i really wanted to go because i had seen on tv and i really just wanted to participate in this beautiful

celebration of our community and our -- our identity. and so -- i really wanted to go but my parents were a little bit hesitant about letting me go at first. >> you were pretty young. >> really young. it was a big event. lots of people. actually my -- my dad said, all right, you can go. only if i go with you. >> really. >> yeah. so -- he actually came with me to my very, very first prayed parade. you know, that moment was very, very special and i think it was big turn point for him also. and my whole family because he saw, you know, lgbt community, you know, is a lot of fun and loving and safe space and -- that really, really did a lot for helping both his accepting my lgbt identity and my being able to talk openly about it with them. >> do you have brothers and

sisters? >> i do. two younger stirs. for them it was a non issue. it is exciting to see the younger generation and how they see these things. >> this is the point of the show. if you are just trying on let everybody know we are all a family. it is all about -- >> we are. yes, we are. jason, i love what you said about your family. it is wonderful. >> it is really, really cool. >> i had that support. >> also wonderful. >> yeah. >> you have -- >> made tall difference. >> i want to know about this group found. >> yes. bay area youth summit. we are focused on empowering young lgbt people to really go out and make a difference in their community. the numbers of various programs to support this. you know. we have a big conference every year and had this past one on may 11. and -- we had -- a person running the boy scouts organization that was ending the ban on gay scouts.

it was fantastic event. >> the harvey milk movie. >> yes. >> wow. >> and -- he was really inspiring. moving. and we got some fantastic reception. great turnout. you know, hopefully from that, our goal is to really to get people to, you know, go into their own community zpees kwlus they learn and use that inspiration as fuel and as tools to make the changes in their community. >> you have been so fortunate in your life because had you a good support system. >> yes. >> and had to fight for the right of others through the transgender law center because there's so much discrimination. you were saying that this bullying is still a big problem for kids. >> it is unfortunate. we see it at earlier ages. as jason pointed out young people are coming out earlier and earlier. i don't think that i envisionediers ago when i started doing this work that we would get calls from the parents and sometimes the kids themselves, elementary schools. who are very confident in their gender and identity and facing opposition from families or

schoolmates or classmates. it is heartbreaking to the young people facing that environment they are trying to learn. >> and -- you know, jason, this -- brings to point you are trying to get a program going into middle schools. >> yes. actually we have a program called the middle school safety initiative. and right now research much and development. it is focused on -- the -- what it will ultimately do is train high school students to go into middle schools and give presentations. so it is really a peer-to-peer model. our goal is to address the needs of middle school students that are being neglect. >> when you were in in middle school did you know? >> i did. i -- well, i didn't really -- >> did you know -- what did you think? how did you process that? >> it was weird. i was like well, i always thought boys were cute. but for some reason -- right. right. but for some reason i -- i always -- i always managed to convince myself that just because i thought were boys were cute didn't mean i was gay for

some reason. i don't know. that was m.i.a. logic. >> we had middle school. before we run out of time i want to get to the other end of the respect presume. beautiful 76 years young who wrote a book. tell me about your book. >> jason, i can reflect when i was younger and i thought girls were cute. that's what's going on here. i can relate to it. yes. >> we have just a minute left. >> the book i'm writing is called "i'm 76 and still having fun." >> i can tell you are. >> yes. i think that older women, they need to get a grip, enjoy life. because -- as i said before you only come around one time. you need to buy the book. it will be out in october. >> i'm just so happy to be here and have this opportunity to speak with our community activists and remind people if you have a problem, legal problem with, you know, gender identity or gender or

generaltation discrimination, contact us at the transgender law center. >> and ten seconds for you. >> thank you so much for having me. this has been a real honor and so glad that you are doing this piece on our community and, you know, i would like to say for the lgbt youth out there, get involved. the best way to overcome bullying is combat it directly. >> you guys are great. thank you so much. thanks for being so honest. we are out of time. >> thank you. >> great. >> our guests today. for more information about today's program, just go to our website. we are also on facebook. abc 7 community affairs. invite you to follow me on twitter. is i'm cheryl jennings. have a great week. thank you for being here.

>> right now, major in laughs at "monsters university!" >> it's a phenomenal movie. it's very funny. >> brad pitt shuts down times square! >> we're not doing this small, none of the small stuff, we're going big this summer. >> a killer ending for "dexter". >> i'd like to believe that i can't quite imagine what's next. >> plus, cracking cases with the stars of "perception!" >> i did my research, but you still don't want me operating on your brain. >> we're rolling out the red carpet now. >> hi, im eric mccormack and you are watching on the red carpet. >> hello, welcome to on the red carpet from the set of tnt's "perception". i'm rachel smith. we'll get you to the red carpet in a moment, but first the big story in hollywood. this show is about to kick off its second season. we're going to take a look around and talk to the stars. but first let's get you to this week's blue cpe