First of all, let me qualify myself to discuss this topic. I am the founder of REC Networks, a 25 year old entity who, for the past 15 or so years has been advocating for the establishment of the Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service, assisted many LPFM applicants through free on-line tools, advocated for the citizen in access to the airwaves issues at the FCC, has come up to bat in situations where questionable applications were filed as well as the operator of one of the leading broadcast database reference tools for the United States and Candada used by broadcasters and hobbyists around the world. Our Canada broadcast suite is the default reference source on Wikipedia. With all of that, I could say that I am definitely a player in the broadcast community.
I am also transgender. You don't need to look any further than some of my old FCC filings to see that. I legally changed my name to Michelle Andrea Eyre in 2006. As a child, I was physically and psychologically abused by my parents for being transgender.
So with that out of the way, I feel highly qualified to speak on the KRXQ broadcast.
As a human being, as a transgender woman, as a godmother and as a fellow broadcaster, I am very appaled by the radio show on KRXQ which advocated abuse such as the throwing of shoes at male children who come out to say that they may be transgender.
I want to say up front that this is not a bash towards men in general, but unfortunately, we continue to live in a day where for some, the male pride of being a father to a boy is a desire by the father of the son to make sure his son grows up to be a man. This would include trying to get his son involved in typical "male" activities (sports, boy's toys, etc.).
Some men have a level of pride where they be embarrased if their son explores their feminine side and acts on that aspect that exists in all humans regardless of the gender. The father may fear that certain types of feminine traits will lead the son to grow up and be homosexual. Many experts have proven time and time again that there is no connection between homosexuality and gender identity. Some fathers may be afraid that they will be humiliated by their other male friends for having a "sissy for a son".
Right now, there are many young boys across this country who are being abused by their fathers (or sometimes even their mothers) for getting caught trying on their sister's clothes, playing with stereotypical female toys, having hobbies that are normally associated with girls or just outright coming out to their parents that they want to be a girl. The abuse could take place on grounds of embarrassment to the family and/or for religious reasons.
In my case, I was physically abused by my father for trying on female clothes as early as 8 years old and I have been verbally abused and intimidated by my mother my entire life. To this day, my parents do not accept my new identity and they deny the abuse that took place early in my life. I had to delay my transition for a long time as a result of this parental intimidation and I had to come to realize that they no longer controlled me. I finally went full time in 2006, 17 years later than I really wanted to.
When it comes to transgendered people, both adults and children, there is always this feel of disgust when the transition is from male to female (MTF), but there is hardly a problem when the transition is the other way. It is socially acceptable for a girl to be a "tomboy" when they are young and many are intrigued by the FTM, the female to male transsexual. FTMs are seen as revolutionaries while MTFs are seen as freaks. Why is that?
I guess what I am trying to say here is that I experienced the type of abuse that was being advocated by Rob and Arnie on the air. What they did is in my opinion, socially unacceptable in this day and age. I can more understand this type of abuse in the 1980's when I was going through my share but in this modern age of tolerance and diversity, it's a shame there are some who still don't get it and even worse, they are allowed to broadcast on a 50,000 watt FM radio station.
I have noticed that there are some who are encouraging members of the community to write the FCC to protest this action. Filing such complaints will not do much as hate speech such as that is technically protected under the First Amendment. Normally, the FCC will not act unless the speech results in a criminal action actually taking place (and we are talking within the Sacramento market here).
I encourage people to continue to contact KRXQ's advertisers as well as the advertisers of Entercom co-owned stations KSSJ, KSEG, KWOD, KDND and KCTC(AM). KRXQ will continue to benefit by revenues brought in by the sister stations in the Entercom Sacramento cluster. These advertisers should be encouraged to withold any advertising on the Entercom stations until significant disciplinary action are placed against Rob Williams and Arnie States for the statements made.
My headband is off to the gutsy national and statewide advertisers such as Snapple, Sonic, AT&T, CKE, and the others who stepped up to suspend their advertising contracts as a result of this broadcast.
If Rob and Arnie was encouraging violence to any specific racial group, I would think that stronger discipline would have taken place. Entercom I must remind you, in California, sexual orientation and gender identity is just as much as a protected group as any other minority group.
Apparently, there will be a show on Thursday morning on KRXQ to discuss this issue. I will be around and I know that I will be listening.
The memories of my years of physical and psychological abuse over my transsexuality will haunt me for the rest of my life. If we can save just one transgender child from this lifelong trauma of parental intolerance, then we are one step ahead.
My message to radio is simple, the plight of transgender children is a real issue and not a "Jerry Springer" freak-show topic. Please address this topic in a professional manner and not make it the butt-end joke of the Morning Zoo.
ABOUT MICHELLE EYRE:
Michelle is the founder of REC Networks, an entity established in 1984 to "entertain, inform and support". Michelle is also known in amateur flat track roller derby as "Michi-chan" and has been producing video programs and writing articles on the sport as it is played in Arizona. Michelle operates Hardcore J, a 24 hour streaming radio station on Live365.com which airs Japanese popular music.
WEB LINKS:
http://www.recnet.com ~ REC Networks
http://www.michichan.com ~ REAL Derby-The Arizona Derby Report
http://www.hardcorej.com ~ Hardcore J
http://www.twitter.com/michichan
MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle A. Eyre - michelle.eyre@recnet.com
###
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Transit: The Scottsdale Way
Last Thursday, I was the witness to the ultimate dog and pony show in the public sector. It was item #5 on the agenda of the Scottsdale Transportation Commission.
With issues looming across the country with our economy, transit agencies nationwide are being forced to look at ways of cutting expenses. This includes canceling capital projects, raising fares and cutting the number of revenue hours of transit service.
Scottsdale, Arizona is no different and is not immune from these budget shortfalls. As a result of a $1.5 million budget shortfall in the transit budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 (which begins July 1, 2009), the city is forced to take measures that will result in cuts made to fixed route transit service.
Proposed changes included:
In public comments, citizens mentioned the value of the 114 to their neighborhood and that alternate services (106 & 512) that were suggested by Scottsdale (transit) staff were not adequate since the 106/512 does not have granular bus stops and in many cases, trips will involve crossing Shea Blvd., an 8-lane divided arterial roadway.
Transit staff introduced some numbers for the 114 in a Powerpoint presentation. In my public comments, I had stated that the ridership data that they are using fails to show any breakdown of the ridership trends on the different week-parts (Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday). I told Scottsdale, I oppose a complete cut-off of this service and feel that instead, "slow burn" measures should be implemented that continues to keep a "lifeline" service in the area while cutting revenue miles where they are extremely low and can be cut without being overly impactive. I had suggested that at first, weekend service should be cut. Local residents even went one step further suggesting that the 114 be cut to peak hour service only.
In response to questioning by the Commission about why cutting just weekend service was not considered as an option, the transit manager gave the biggest cop-out of an answer. He said that quality should prevail over quantity and "like our roads, transit should always be available" (in other words, Scottsdale does not only run their roads Monday through Friday, why should they only run their buses Monday through Friday?) and then suggesting that service should be seven days a week like our roads. They also suggested that transit routes that have less of a demand that does not warrant 30 minute headway should be eliminated. Could this be the same attitude why Scottsdale still does not have any fixed route bus service north of the Loop 101?
The Commission, unpleased by staff's explanation told staff to go back and look at other options including the ones that were discussed by citizens at the hearing. The Commission took the testimony as information only and did not take action. Staff has until early June to get a budget to the City Council.
Where Scottsdale fails is that they do not acknowledge that for some, transit is a lifeline, not a choice. By maintaining a fixed route, even with just 60 minute headway on weedays, you are still providing a community lifeline that does not tax the demand response paratransit system. Scottsdale staff is doing a practice which some of us call "economic redlining" by only maintaining routes with significant ridership and lower subsidies while ignoring higher subsidy routes where essentiality precludes most of the subsidy.
In other words, it's OK to operate a route with 60 minute headway and even just on weekdays.
=m
With issues looming across the country with our economy, transit agencies nationwide are being forced to look at ways of cutting expenses. This includes canceling capital projects, raising fares and cutting the number of revenue hours of transit service.
Scottsdale, Arizona is no different and is not immune from these budget shortfalls. As a result of a $1.5 million budget shortfall in the transit budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 (which begins July 1, 2009), the city is forced to take measures that will result in cuts made to fixed route transit service.
Proposed changes included:
- Scottsdale Downtown Trolley: Reduce headway (frequency of service) from 10 to 20 minutes, reduce service span (hours of operation) to end in the 6PM hour with the exception of Thursday night for the Art Walk.
- 66 Mill/68th St: Reduce service span on Saturday to match Sunday schedule.
- 76 Miller: Reduce Saturday headway from 30 to 60 minutes and adjust span to match Sunday service.
- 81 Hayden/McClintock: Reduce Saturday service span to match Sunday.
- 84 Granite Reef: Eliminate route.
- 114 Via Linda: Eliminate route.
- Loloma Station: Reduce operating hours of the pass outlet to split shift peak hours.
In public comments, citizens mentioned the value of the 114 to their neighborhood and that alternate services (106 & 512) that were suggested by Scottsdale (transit) staff were not adequate since the 106/512 does not have granular bus stops and in many cases, trips will involve crossing Shea Blvd., an 8-lane divided arterial roadway.
Transit staff introduced some numbers for the 114 in a Powerpoint presentation. In my public comments, I had stated that the ridership data that they are using fails to show any breakdown of the ridership trends on the different week-parts (Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday). I told Scottsdale, I oppose a complete cut-off of this service and feel that instead, "slow burn" measures should be implemented that continues to keep a "lifeline" service in the area while cutting revenue miles where they are extremely low and can be cut without being overly impactive. I had suggested that at first, weekend service should be cut. Local residents even went one step further suggesting that the 114 be cut to peak hour service only.
In response to questioning by the Commission about why cutting just weekend service was not considered as an option, the transit manager gave the biggest cop-out of an answer. He said that quality should prevail over quantity and "like our roads, transit should always be available" (in other words, Scottsdale does not only run their roads Monday through Friday, why should they only run their buses Monday through Friday?) and then suggesting that service should be seven days a week like our roads. They also suggested that transit routes that have less of a demand that does not warrant 30 minute headway should be eliminated. Could this be the same attitude why Scottsdale still does not have any fixed route bus service north of the Loop 101?
The Commission, unpleased by staff's explanation told staff to go back and look at other options including the ones that were discussed by citizens at the hearing. The Commission took the testimony as information only and did not take action. Staff has until early June to get a budget to the City Council.
Where Scottsdale fails is that they do not acknowledge that for some, transit is a lifeline, not a choice. By maintaining a fixed route, even with just 60 minute headway on weedays, you are still providing a community lifeline that does not tax the demand response paratransit system. Scottsdale staff is doing a practice which some of us call "economic redlining" by only maintaining routes with significant ridership and lower subsidies while ignoring higher subsidy routes where essentiality precludes most of the subsidy.
In other words, it's OK to operate a route with 60 minute headway and even just on weekdays.
=m
Sunday, February 01, 2009
My recommendations for some Phoenix service cuts
Here's a brief route by route recommendation for the City of Phoenix for route specific service cuts as a result of the sales tax shortage. Specifically, we need to assure that pre-2000 service levels remain in the core system. I am going mainly after Sunday services, especially those on the half mile streets like Roosevelt, Roeser, 28th Street and even 15th Avenue. Again, these are recommendations only.
0. Shorten peak-hour "shuttle" trips to only operate betwen Central Station and Baseline Rd with a branch and turnaround at Jesse Owens Medical Center. This will reduce equipment requirements and address ongoing neighborhood issues south of Dobbins.
1. No changes recommended.
3. On Sundays, run all eastbound trips on the 48th Street branch. Service west of 48th Street including the zoo discontinued on Sundays. On Sundays, passengers can transfer to Route 1 at 44th Street & Washington to reach the zoo.
3A. Renumber to 4.
7. Discontinue route 7 Limited service. Limited stop services are more needed in other areas of Phoenix.
8. No changes recommended.
10. On Sundays, discontinue service east of Central Station due to 30 minute service duplication a half-mile away on routes 3 & 70. On Sundays, continue to operate hourly service west of Central Station as an interline with Route 27.
12. Discontinue Sunday service. 30 minute half mile duplication on routes 7 and 16.
13. Operate two way service between 67th Avenue and Buckeye and 67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye via 75th Avenue. At 67th Avenue & Lower Buckeye, interline with Route 13. This is intended to improve the service experience and eliminate a 1/3 mile walk from Buckeye and Grant to transfer between 13 and 67 to continue via 67th Avenue.
15. Operate route between Montebello Station and 19th Avenue and Dunlap as limited stop service that emulates light rail service in this area. All stops will be made between 19th & Dunlap and Metrocenter as well as all points south of Montebello Station. Sunday service discontinued south of Montebello due to half mile duplication. Sunday service to Sky Harbor should be examined. If a bus is still warranted, extend hourly Sunday trips on Route 40 to Central Station. On Saturdays and Sundays, improve headway to every 30 minutes north of Montebello Station.
16. Combine with Route 80 to form a single route. Passengers needing to travel north of Northern (to Sunnyslope) can transfer to routes 0, 8 and 12.
17. No changes recommended.
17A. Renumber to 18.
19. No changes recommended.
23. New route number for an Encanto & Thomas (Avondale) service. Replaces route 29A and portions of MARY.
29. Take several peak hour trips and convert them to limited stop service assuring that 20 minute headway is kept on the trunk for local trips.
29A. Extended to Encanto & 51st Avenue replacing portions of MARY. Renumbered 23.
30. No changes recommended.
32. No changes recommended.
35. No changes recommended.
39. On Saturday and Sunday, discontinue service south of Paradise Valley Mall. Connection replaced by Route 44. Weekend short Route 39 trips interlined with Route 186 at Mayo Hospital.
40. On Sundays, extend hourly trips to Central Station replacing portions of Route 15.
41. No changes recommended.
41A. Extend to Campbell & 51st Avenue replacing portions of MARY. Renumber to 46.
43. No changes recommended.
44. No changes recommended.
45. No changes recommended.
50. Extend to Desert Sky Mall via 75th Avenue replacing portions of MARY.
51. No changes recommended.
52. Discontinue service on Sundays, half mile duplication.
56. No changes recommended.
60. On Sundays, shorten east terminal to 24th St. & Camelback. (Old route 60 layover)
61. No changes recommended.
67. Extend south to Lower Buckeye. Interline with Route 13.
70. No changes recommended.
80. Combine with Route 16 to form a single service. Discontinue service to Sunnyslope (see route 16)
90. No changes recommended.
106. No changes recommended.
122. On Sundays, discontinue service south of Metrocenter due to half mile duplication. Interline Sunday service with 15.
138. No changes recommended.
154. No changes recommended.
170. No changes recommended.
186. Interlined with Route 39 on weekends.
400. (SR-51) No changes recommended.
450. (I-10-E) No changes recommended.
460. (I-10-W) Add reverse commute trips timed approximately every 30 to 60 minutes using deadheading resoruces. Reverse commute trips would originate and terminate at Central Station in Downtown.
480. (I-17) Add reverse commute trips between Central Station and Metrocenter approximately every 30 to 60 minutes using deadheading resources of 400 and 480.
581. No changes recommended.
582. No changes recommended.
590. No changes recommended.
ALEX. Eliminate Sunday service.
DASH. No changes recommended.
DART. Reduce weekday and Saturday service to a single direction loop. Eliminate Sunday service.
DEER RUN. Reduce Saturday and Sunday service to every 60 minutes. Review Sunday ridership for eventual elimination.
MARY. Eliminate service. Replaced by portons of routes 23 (29A), 46 (41A) and 50.
0. Shorten peak-hour "shuttle" trips to only operate betwen Central Station and Baseline Rd with a branch and turnaround at Jesse Owens Medical Center. This will reduce equipment requirements and address ongoing neighborhood issues south of Dobbins.
1. No changes recommended.
3. On Sundays, run all eastbound trips on the 48th Street branch. Service west of 48th Street including the zoo discontinued on Sundays. On Sundays, passengers can transfer to Route 1 at 44th Street & Washington to reach the zoo.
3A. Renumber to 4.
7. Discontinue route 7 Limited service. Limited stop services are more needed in other areas of Phoenix.
8. No changes recommended.
10. On Sundays, discontinue service east of Central Station due to 30 minute service duplication a half-mile away on routes 3 & 70. On Sundays, continue to operate hourly service west of Central Station as an interline with Route 27.
12. Discontinue Sunday service. 30 minute half mile duplication on routes 7 and 16.
13. Operate two way service between 67th Avenue and Buckeye and 67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye via 75th Avenue. At 67th Avenue & Lower Buckeye, interline with Route 13. This is intended to improve the service experience and eliminate a 1/3 mile walk from Buckeye and Grant to transfer between 13 and 67 to continue via 67th Avenue.
15. Operate route between Montebello Station and 19th Avenue and Dunlap as limited stop service that emulates light rail service in this area. All stops will be made between 19th & Dunlap and Metrocenter as well as all points south of Montebello Station. Sunday service discontinued south of Montebello due to half mile duplication. Sunday service to Sky Harbor should be examined. If a bus is still warranted, extend hourly Sunday trips on Route 40 to Central Station. On Saturdays and Sundays, improve headway to every 30 minutes north of Montebello Station.
16. Combine with Route 80 to form a single route. Passengers needing to travel north of Northern (to Sunnyslope) can transfer to routes 0, 8 and 12.
17. No changes recommended.
17A. Renumber to 18.
19. No changes recommended.
23. New route number for an Encanto & Thomas (Avondale) service. Replaces route 29A and portions of MARY.
29. Take several peak hour trips and convert them to limited stop service assuring that 20 minute headway is kept on the trunk for local trips.
29A. Extended to Encanto & 51st Avenue replacing portions of MARY. Renumbered 23.
30. No changes recommended.
32. No changes recommended.
35. No changes recommended.
39. On Saturday and Sunday, discontinue service south of Paradise Valley Mall. Connection replaced by Route 44. Weekend short Route 39 trips interlined with Route 186 at Mayo Hospital.
40. On Sundays, extend hourly trips to Central Station replacing portions of Route 15.
41. No changes recommended.
41A. Extend to Campbell & 51st Avenue replacing portions of MARY. Renumber to 46.
43. No changes recommended.
44. No changes recommended.
45. No changes recommended.
50. Extend to Desert Sky Mall via 75th Avenue replacing portions of MARY.
51. No changes recommended.
52. Discontinue service on Sundays, half mile duplication.
56. No changes recommended.
60. On Sundays, shorten east terminal to 24th St. & Camelback. (Old route 60 layover)
61. No changes recommended.
67. Extend south to Lower Buckeye. Interline with Route 13.
70. No changes recommended.
80. Combine with Route 16 to form a single service. Discontinue service to Sunnyslope (see route 16)
90. No changes recommended.
106. No changes recommended.
122. On Sundays, discontinue service south of Metrocenter due to half mile duplication. Interline Sunday service with 15.
138. No changes recommended.
154. No changes recommended.
170. No changes recommended.
186. Interlined with Route 39 on weekends.
400. (SR-51) No changes recommended.
450. (I-10-E) No changes recommended.
460. (I-10-W) Add reverse commute trips timed approximately every 30 to 60 minutes using deadheading resoruces. Reverse commute trips would originate and terminate at Central Station in Downtown.
480. (I-17) Add reverse commute trips between Central Station and Metrocenter approximately every 30 to 60 minutes using deadheading resources of 400 and 480.
581. No changes recommended.
582. No changes recommended.
590. No changes recommended.
ALEX. Eliminate Sunday service.
DASH. No changes recommended.
DART. Reduce weekday and Saturday service to a single direction loop. Eliminate Sunday service.
DEER RUN. Reduce Saturday and Sunday service to every 60 minutes. Review Sunday ridership for eventual elimination.
MARY. Eliminate service. Replaced by portons of routes 23 (29A), 46 (41A) and 50.
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