Yesterday, I was in Greenwich Village walking in the gay district. I went looking for some stickers representing transgender people. I found one store but they were all out of them. As I strolled along the street, I recognized how happy I am to be transgendered. I am also a crossdresser who prefers transvestite.

When I was at home later in the evening, I thought about how transgender and gender variant people are unwelcome even in the GLB community. We're laughed at, scorned, an eyesore to so called respectable people. Being in the minority is nothing new with me. I am African-American, part Native American, a born again Christian ( the genuine followers of Christ are severely persecuted in many countries), and transgender.

I maintain that we put into question society's idea of male and female. It makes people question what it is to be masculine and feminine. In the GLB community it is, in my opinion, it throws ice cold water on the super male and super female phenomena so often put forth. I am not against GLB at all. It is a fact in some circles. As a minority, I know what prjudice and discrimination is first hand.

The fact that I am a crossdresser throws another angle into this debate. We're labeled as confused and not being able to decide which way we wished to go. We're ' tweeners so to speak. To some transsexuals, crossdressers are 'fake' women who can't decide whether or not to transition. Each person has their own reasons for doing what they do. I feel a kinship to those who are or have transtioned. My only concern is that the person is very, very sure that this what they want to do.

Another reason I believe that transgender and gender variant people are reviled is that we transgress the gender binary of male and female. One does not have to reveal their sexuality but gender identity is something that is out there in public. As an African-American, I wear my identity. When I go out in public as a woman, I am presenting my feminine side. I am not ashamed of my ethnicity or my gender status.

A second point to remember that it was transgender people who got the modern gay rights movement rolling. Trangsender and crossdressers have been at the forefront of many social movements. Leslie Feinberg's book Transgender Warriors states that historical fact. The Compton Cafeteria riots and the Stonewall Rebellion were begun when transgender, crossdressers and drag queens rebelled against police harassment. They had nothing to lose by do this. Sadly one of my heroes, Sylvia Rivera, is given scant mention of her role in the Stonewall Rebellion. To her dying day she chastised GLB for their unfair treatment of transgender people.

Seeing things now, I and others like myself will continue to work for transgender equality. I will continue to be proud of my ethnic and transgender heritage. In the end, I pray that the GLB communities who dislike us will see that we need each other.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Keep working for the things that you believe in.

I will be adding some new things to the blog. Poetry, articles, essays, news, and places to go are some things I am considering. I will still be posting about my journey and 'Genevieve's Gems'. There's so much happening regarding transgender and gender variant people and I want to keep you informed.

I attended a meeting on Tuesday wearing a black skirt, heels, and purple sweater. One person did not recognize me. He said that I looked wonderful. I felt good and buoyed by the fact that my appearance is gettting better. My make up and and nail polishing have improved. I purchased two necklace sets and threee bottles of nail polish (black, gray sparkle and grape). I have the grape on now.

I will be out again Saturday afternoon. I have been participating in an on going survey. I really love to tell about my experience as a male to female crossdresser and transgender. I just pray that others will be encouraged.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

-Saint Thomas Aquinas, Italian Theologian (1225-1274)

Listed below are a few websites that you may find interesting.

www.averny.tripod.com
www.epistle.us
www.julienemecek.blogspot.com
www.nctequality.org
www.transgriot.blogspot.com

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Just because something is never discussed or talked about
does not mean that it never happened or does not exist.

I have been writing in my journals about life as a transgender and some thoughts about what is happening with transgenders a a whole. I am considering for the future a book of essays about what life as a transgender is and the many changes that happen. I look at many things from a transgender perspective, though I am interested in many things.

To me, transgender is more than wearing the opposite sex's clothing and adopting the mannerisms. This is just me. Everybody has their own reasons and I do respect that. I sensed that my being transgender and a transvestite would take me deeper and deeper into the forest. I always want to learn something new and different and sometimes one has to be willing to take the plunge. Life doesn't stand still because we think it should. I take each day and each experience as it comes. I learn more about fellow sisters and brothers and about myself.

My desire is to contribute to the LGBT community. Transgender and gender variant people need to feel that they are valued and appreciated. As a senior (if you consider 59 to be senior), I want to add more to those of us who are aging. Haven't figure it out yet but I'm looking in a few things. One goal I have is to write a play or short about transgender and gender variant people who are in their sixties and older.

There is a fine movie playing the Quad Cinema called 'The Bible Tells Me So'.

www.forthebibletellsmeso.org

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Unconditional love means that! Unconditonal, no strings attached.