Uncharted Waters

Last night, I attend a gathering at a neighborhood gathering place. A video was shown about student activism during the early days of the civil right movement. Those young people were attacked and villified by the racist white power structure of Mississippi in the early 1960's. I was so proud of their courage in the face of almost certain death.

During the question and answer period I shared with gathering about my volunteerism. The question was asked about student activism then and the need for activism. I said that activism and volunteerism is needed now more than ever. Later as I reminisced the evening, I see that my decision last year to speak out against injustice is subtlely nudging me into unchartered waters.

I am pursuing an internship as a peer counselor at the community center. The position will be to counsel transgender people of color. I have been wanting to be more involved in the LGBT community and this seems to be a great opportunity. I remember saying to one of my professors in college that my goal is to teach. I stated that I don't believe that it will be in a traditonal setting. Looks like it's heading that way and I am glad.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I would rather speak for what is right and be hated than to speak false platitudes and be loved.

Be Encouraged!

In these times, people need encouragement. There's so much happening in the world these that life can sometimes can be overwhelming. I have read a number of posts on the forums that are some folks struggling to figure out who they are. Others are transitioning and are going through changes. Some may be down in the dumps.

I want to encourage you to be positive. You're not alone out there. There are people who love you and are rooting for your success. Remember, during the darkest times the sunshine is just around the corner.

Genevieve

Part Two

On my post from Friday, I read the quote by this great leader and decided to do a follow-up. Like African Americans did during the civil rights movement, transgender people are standing up to inequality and discrimination.

When I came out I made a choice that I was not going back into the closet. I have chosen to be out in public and express who I am. I have chosen to respond to those who say we are evil and perverted. Granted, it may not get any publicity but I'm sure many others are doing the same. With many of the transgender deaths being women of color, I could not sit idly by while some transphobe spews his vitriole at my sisters, brothers, children, and friends. I never sought to be an activist but I had to take action.

When I meditated further on Mister Rustin's quote, I surmised because transgender people are standing up the attacks are more violent and vicious. The dignity of every person is worth standing up for. I have chosen to stand up for those who are oppressed. Brother Rustin is right about dignity being conferred on people who stand up. Many more are needed.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being,
his very act of protest confers dignity on him.


~Bayard Rustin, African-American leader (1910-1987)

Perceptions About Crossdressers Changing?

I have been out in public for a few years now and I have noticed changes in the public's perception about crossdressers. My comfort level is to the point of being totall natural. I do normal activities lke anyone else. I have dined in restaurants, shopped, browsed bookstores, and spoken to people in public. People don't seem to notice. I am totally comfortable being out.

I think the public's perception about crossdressers is changing albeit slowly. I have received compliments from both men and women. I have also been asked out on dates and proposed to a couple of times. Perhaps, I am TOO good at passing. I'm enjoying and loving the journey and wouldn't change a thing.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Jesus is the beacon of light to those who are drowning
in the seas of hopelessness and despair.
He will bring us the safe port of His love and care.

http://nyblade.com

Vets Meeting

Yesterday I attended my monthy veterans meeting. I am a member of the America Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). I remember when I attended my first meeting two years ago. I never desired to be a part of a vets group but I felt at home. AVER is the only glbt veterans group in New York. There are a number of transgender veterans in the group. A transgender woman came to the meeting yesterday. Business was discussed, plans were made for future activities and ideas thrashed out.

I am proud of being a trasngender veteran. At the time I was in the service I never knew that I was transgender until a few years ago. Just because I was in the macho world of the military, it didn't do anything to quench the feelings of difference that were in me. I knew of gay and lesbian soldiers in my unit. It didn't matter to me because they were my comrades.

One of horrible pieces of legislation is the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell ' amendment". Many intelligent and skilled lgbt soldiers are discharged from the service if their gender or sexual orientation differed from the norm. Transgender soldiers have served in the military throughout the history of this country. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice and yet they could not be open about who they are .

American Veterans for Equal Rights is working to get 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell repealed. They are working to make sure that lgbt vets get the services they are entitled to. This is what I'm concerned about.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

How you perceive yourself will go a long way in determining
your own contentment with life.

Expectations

It's funny how expectations are foisted upon us. There are those of our parents, teachers, church, community, friends, relatives, and other people and institutions. We have our own expectations, also. What happens if our expectations are vastly different from that of the greater society? Will there be support? Acceptance? Love? Will others understand the way we feel?

Don't get me wrong! Expectations are fine. A question I sometimes pose to a person is what do they want for themselves? Sometimes people get so busy fulfilling others expectations that they neglect their own. Today, I read a number of threads and blogs by glbt people folks who are struggling with accepting their sexuality or gender. It grieves me that they fear rejection, loss of family and livelihood, and loneliness. I wish that I could sit with and share that it's not wrong to have goals and desires different from what others say they should be.

Being a transgender woman wasn't expected of me. It was a shock to my spouse but thankfully she has accepted my transgenderism as a part of me. I implore my glbt sisters and brothers that there's nothing wrong with questioning aspects of your life that are not in tune with other people program. You have dreams and desires. Your sexuality and gender are part of those dreams. I can't live to others expectations and neither can you. I encourage you seek answers to those questions you may have. Remember, many people have been blessed because they were willing to be who they do what was not expected of them. Others have benefitted. More will be be.

Myths

One of the results of being a gender variant person is that many of the myths perpetrated upon us have been greatly erroneous. The medical, legal, and religious establishments have been proven wrong about who we are. This may not be a profound comment but it demonstrates that gender variant people are making marks about the perceptions people have about us.

It's amazing how little people know about how we live. If I were to share to people why I crossdress, I'm sure some would hold on to the idea that we are perverted. I have attended a few events where I was the only transgender person. Each time I was able to share how transgender people have long been at the forefront of the liberation movement. I also shared that while we have differences, we share much in common with each other. This is what bothers me about HRC and other groups where the 'T' is just window dressing.

Myth busting is something that has to be done if the public's perception of gender variant people is going to be changed. Those groups would seek to discriminate against us must be confronted. I'm pleased to see that people of color are taking the lead in this because they are ignored by many mainstream lgbt organizations. Most of the transgender deaths are women of color.

Transgender people have existed throughout history. I have been researching quite a bit about it and am preparing essays on the subject. I'm tired of the perception that we're just interested in sex. We are vibrant, creative, and productive people who have contributed much to the improvement of life through the centuries. It's time that society acknowledges that.