I watched documentaries of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. I was really moved by their stories and of the people they influenced. People who knew them spoke of their love, activism, and their spirit. Marsha is given credit for firing the first salvo that June 28th morning at Stonewall by her gay friends. Like Philadelphia and San Francisco previously, TLGB people in New York City stood for themselves.
At times I remind some people that trans people, street people, and drag queens were the ignitors of a fire that still burns today. They were on the front lines, having nothing to lose. Transgender people are now beginning to stand up for themselves, having been burned by some people and groups who claim to be helping them (are you listening, HRC?).
Sylvia died in 2002 still fighting for transgender equality on her deathbed. Marsha was found in the river by the pier on Christopher Street in 1992 (the police say it was suicide, I say she was murdered). After her funeral her ashes were poured into the river by the pier. Twenty years later, I would do the same thing for a friend I had recently lost.
My transgender people, as we pause to remember this historic day, take heart that we were right there on the battle lines. Marsha and Sylvia are two of my heroines.Always remember the people who paved the way for what we have today.
The documentaries of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are on youtube.
Thank you Marsha and Sylvia.
It seems like things are moving fast for transgender people. I wonder if it's because it is pride month in many places that there seems to be much more activity. One aspect of al of this is the bogus criticisms of why we shouldn't have the same rights as everybody else.
DOMA was a dumb bill to begin with. Why don't the proponents of DOMA worked with couples whose marriages are struggling. Maybe they can teach prospective brides and bridegrooms what makes a marriage successful. Having been married 33years, it takes a lot of work and perserverance. When I came out as trans eight years, it seems that our marriage was strengthened. TO say that we can't be happy is nonsense.
Prop 8 shouldn't have come to this. Some people in major LGBT organizations blamed black folks for it passing in California and Illinois when in fact they never canvassed black and Latino neighborhoods to begin with.
There's till so much to be done. I will be workig to see that GENDA here in New York State is passed. We will be attaced on all sides but our presence is felt by many. I am hapy that trans activists have steped up and done their own lobbying.
I was very disheartened when the Voting Rights Act was gutted of its protection. What galled me was some of the comments on why VRA was done away with. If someone believes that VRA is an outdated law, I wonder what was in the Kool-Aid they were drinking. States rights is the mantra being bandied about by conservatives and racists in some of these places.
There has been much gerrymandering and redistricting all over the country. This is done to break the black and Latino voting block. I defy anyone to tell me that we are a colorblind society. Look at the prisons were the majority of prisoners are black ad Latino. Whose behind this latest assault on our rights: elitists on both sides who will do anything for a buck. Many people have died so I could vote, and I'll be damned if someone tells me that I can't vote.
With the recent signing of protections for transgender people in Delaware, this marked the seventeenth state to have such protections. Just a couple of days ago, a transgender woman was stabbed 40 times in Washington DC. With the increase of visibility and recognition as people, we are being attacked on many sides.
I'm happy to be living in such a time because change is happening albeit slowly in some aspects. When I first came out many of these accomplishments were a pipe dream. Now all these things are happening before our eyes. People of color are making their voices heard fighting whitewashing, white privilege, and dismissal of their concerns by major TGLB organization. Transgender people are standing for themselves and making a huge impact. The backlash has been been vicious and the attacks brutal but we will not be stopped.
I am totally disgusted with the New York senate not willing to even discuss the Gender Employment Non Discrimination Act. It's been on the docket for over a decade now and there's absolutely no excuse for it not been passed. I wonder if they are taking their cue from the Human Rights Commission, who does not have fond feelings about transgender people. Remember when in 2007 they threw us under the bus?
I generally don't get upset about much of anything but this issue does. Marriage equality and GENDA were on the same agenda the night the former became law. Everyone, including the organisations who are supposed to represent us, got caught up in the hoopla. The same thing happened when Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed. Transgender people were once again shut out.
I'm researching places where I can become active in seeing that GENDA gets passed. Too many people are suffering because New York State senator refuse to do the right thing. It's time for me to get busy and become an active participant.
As children we all have an idea of what we wanted to be. Common answers were policeman. fireman, nurse, teacher, doctor or lawyer. Today it may be a star athlete, rapper, hedge fund manager, or entertainer. I have envisioned myself as a tutor, athlete, poet, world traveler, and a filmmaker.
I related these thought to gender and conclude that there is more to each of us than we may believe. We are a dichotomy of two or more personalities. I find myself open to the challenge of discovering more about myself. I've always been curious about many things. Even now in my mid sixties, have a child like curiosity about life. More and more people are seeking people who are authentic.
My journey in gender expression has brought to another crossroads. At present, I've hit a dry spell but see brighter skies on the horizon. Where I will go to I don't know at the present time.
When one teaches, two learn.
~Robert Half
Right now I'm in one of my dry spells. Happens every now and then. I'm not depressed; just don't have much to say at this point. Don't worry, I'll be back to myself again soon.
My computer is back to normal (knock on wood).
I'm having an issue with my computer. That's why I have't posted in several days. I'm at the library right now. I will be back to speed when the issues ae resolved.
