Educating My Granddaughter

My heart fills with joy whenever my son brings my granddaughter over. Starlett is a very happy baby who has brought much delight to mine and my wife's heart.

Today my son and I were talking about a number of things. I have thought about Starlett's future. What happens if she realizes that she is different? I have no way of knowing if she will be lesbian, transgender, gender queer, bi, or another gender variant expression. I told my son that if she is that I would be there for Starlett.

What is in my favor is that he and his girlfriend know and accept my being transgender. I am open with them, wearing skirts and camisoles in their presence. This is what I desire to teach Starlett. I hope that when she is older she will be taught to love and accept others as they are unconditionally, regardless of their sexuality/gender expression.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Transitioning is not only about the body, but the mind and the spirit.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Christians should be ready for a change because Jesus was the greatest changer in history.

~Ralph Abernathy

Affirmation

Luke 15:11-32

I was reading a couple of posts about the Prodigal Son. Looking at the father huggng his wayward son is a touching moment. Many words can describe the poignant scene; forgiveness, love, acceptance, and joy are some words that come to mind.

Affirmation comes to mind when I view the picture. Yes the son had spent everything he had on wanton living. The son felt shame and remorse, so much so that he was willing to be a servant. The father would have none of it. The father's affirmation of his son demonstrated his love for him. Contrast this response to that of the older son. He responded in anger upon hearing that his young brother's return.

I'm thankful for the many parents who accept and affirm their gender different children. I wish that all parents of LGBT children would affirm their differently gendered children. Note that the prodigal's father celebrated his son's return (vs. 22-24), a person's coming out should be celebrated. I'll never forget the day God affirmed me as a transgender person. Next to my salvation in Jesus, it was most liberating day I experienced.

Genevieve

Remember and Reclaim your History

I reflected on the quote in Genevieve's Gems. I thank my sister Monica Roberts for mentioning this wonderful quote in her Transgriot blog. For the life of me I cannot see how people can reclaim names that were used to demean and put us down. Too many people have died because of this bigotry.

I'm tired of people who reinforce the stereotype that we are less than human. I cringe when I hear young blacks use the N-word because a half century we were demeaned by the same word. When I hear words such as "fag", I can remember when gays were demeaned by the word. My question is why reclaim something that was used to put me down. What galls me is the cavalier attitude the users of these have in using them.

I have been out only about five years. I am grateful to the many transgender people who came before me. Some were beaten, thrown in jail, and murdered because they dared to challenge the status quo. Every so often I reflect on how far we've come and how far we have to go. I am proud of my history and you should be too.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Rob a people of their sense of history and you take away hope.

~Wyatt T. Walker

Kicked Out

Yesterday, I was reading one of the forums I keep up with. I read where one person had been kicked out of his home by his mother. Did he do something horrible? Did he hurt anybody? No. He was kicked out becasue he was trans.

Whenever I read stories like this, it breaks my heart. It also reminds me that there still a long way to go in people's understanding of gender and sexuality. Too many people listen to the voices of hate and bigotry without even a thought. Parents sometimes blame themselves if their children's sexuality/gender identity is different from the so-called norm. Many times I ask what is the norm?

I encouraged the young man that this was a new beginning for him. As I prayed for him, I believe that his life will improve in time. I am praying that more will be done for LGBT people are helped and encouraged. I am taking a greater interest in refuting the bigoted rheotoric spewed by the mainstream media, churches, law enforcement, and the educational and social institutions. I can't sit still and listen to all this nonsense. It's time to take a stand.

Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations can never effect a reform.

~Susan B. Anthony

Settled In

I mentioned in a previous post that I've hit a dry period in my life. There's a time we must journey on. Then there's a time we need to rest. I look upon dry periods in this fashion.

I was sitting in my room today when a feeling of contentment swept over me. I now identify as a transgenderist. It wasn't that I was uncomfortable in this discovery I made last June. We can believe something in our minds. It's when it penetrates our hearts that we feel contentment.

I'm reminded in the book of Exodus of the journeyings of the Israelites in the wilderness. While they had a destination to reach, they also needed time to access where they were and what lie ahead. I will resume my journey very soon. I'm thankful for the willingness to embrace every experience that's come my way. It may not always be comfortable but it's part of the process.

Genevieve