GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Be thankful for the many blessings in your life.

~Genevieve

Thanksgiving Wish

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.


~Margaret Fuller, journalist & critic, (1810-1850)

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Last night I attended Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies at the community center. There was a candlelight vigil as about 150-200 people walked around a square block. Later there were speakers from various organizations. Persons from the audience shared their experiences.

I met a minister who attended for the first time. Mary and I talked about all the oppresion transgender people suffer in part from the religious community. Much of the vitriol against transgender people come from many pulpits. I shared with her that many people just don't know about transgender people because of what they hear from their pastors.

Reflecting on the evening, I am grateful to be transgender person. This is how I was created. I am saddened by many who have been lost to suicide. I related to Mary that I want to relate to people's spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. With each passing year, I see the advances we've had. I also see the struggles and setbacks. That won't stop me from doing what is right. We will be victorious!

There are Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies going on around the world at this moment. In my spirit I feel as if I'm there. As we remember those we've lost, let us love and appreciate those we have with us. Let's look out for each other, encourage one another, and tell them that they mean so much to us. By us demonstrating our love and concern for each other, the walls of injustice will come tumbling down.

~Genevieve

TDOR Ceremonies

Tonight I will be attending TDOR ceremonies at the community center. The purpose is honor transpeople who have been lost to violence and suicide. As my sister Monica Roberts so eloquently states in her blog, it's not the time to party.

I enocourage folks to attend a ceremony near you. It's a sober and and sometimes sad experience but it's also reality. Trans people are murdered every day just for being who they are. I love my trans brothers and sisters and do whatever I can to educate the public about us.

~Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Be thankful for the good things in your life.

Holiday Giving and Sharing

As the holiday season approaches, there are people who will be alone. This is a lonely time for folks who are estranged from their families. Many have lost family and friends through death. This is more evident in the LGBT community.

I am reminded that my mom always invited someone to her home who would otherwise be by themselves. if you know of some one who will be in this situation, invite them over for dinner or go out together. This is the season of giving and sharing and what better way is there to share it with someone who may feel depressed, lonely or unloved. They will be grateful.

~Genevieve

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Perserverance has everything to do with staying the course.

Fulltime Living

I'm looking to live fulltime as Genevieve in the future. It's always been my desire to do so and I can vision myself doing so in the next year or two. I wear skirts and camisoles around the house so it's not an issue with my spouse. My journey has been a progression of small steps. In a sense it has been a good thing because I'm still discovering much about being gender variant. I haven't shied away from what comes my way and living fulltime is one thing that I will embrace.

~Genevieve

Elections Recap-The Battle Has Just Begun

There were some gains for LGBT people in the elections but the House is in the hands of the Republicans now. While I believe we held our own in many instances, there's the national elections in two years. The fight has just begun!

There are two things I see that we as LGBT need to do. First, we need to respond to whoever is in office and share our concerns. This needs to be a consistent effort because our opponents aren't backing down. Neither can we. Second, let's not settle for incremements of equality which is no equality in my opinion. However we choose to address our concerns, let's keep working and keep educating.

I do believe that many people were educated about LGBT issues. Many really didn't know what we are about. I also believe that much of the religious dogma people see about GLBT people is bogus. This is an area that I will be heavily involved with.

Now is the time not to give up. One of the strengths of opponents is their persisitence. We need to match it with informed and intelligent presentations and facts. I certainly do not want them to beat me in the knowledge and information area. I'm going on the offensive! We need to do the same.

~Genevieve