GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

~E.L. Doctorow

Summer's Unofficial End

This summer has really flown by. The blistering heat in July has been replaced by mild comfortable weather in August. Come Saturday the month will be history. How was your summer,by the way?

Everyone's getting in the last fling before the end of Labor Day (unofficial end of summer). I wonder who coined the term because I've experienced some pretty hot Septembers. Some good things happened to me this summer. More finances, wathcing my granddaughter grow up, meeting new people, and the reopening of a bookstore in my neighborhood.

As autumn approaches we can reminisce the good times we had. The good times don't have to end though. Summer is just one season. Autumn is a time of reaping the harvest that has been produced.

Old Harbor Light

Looking at this structure, you wouldn't thinking that it's a lighthouse. The design coincided with the structures of that time. Old Harbor Light was built in 1858 as a rear range light to the front range light on nearby Fig Island to guide ships safely into Savannah Harbor.THe light was reburished in 2000 and re-erected and relit on January 11, 2001.

Also known as Beacon Range Light and Savanah Harbor Light.

65!

I turned 65 on the 4th of this month. I guess you can say that I've hit another milestone. I'm not oficially retired because I'm seekig part-time work. Things are looking up financially, so my spouse and I will be able to live comfortably.

I look forward to the future with my spouse. Travel, social activity, exploring new activities and living life is something we both anticipate. At the same time, if one of us gets seriosly ill or disabled, will there be avenues for us to get the help that we need? I'm exploring many options presently. I'm loosely invloved with SAGE, an advocacy organization that has senior TGLB people in mind. Over the past few years I have thought about this because TGLB seniors are sometimes forgotten in te decision making and innovations that may be needed. I know that medical care is a huge concern.

I read an article today which struck a chord with me. The site is posted below.

http://www.elderbranch.com/blog/lgbt-senior-living-nursing-home-settings/ 

www.sageusa.org

Week In Review

The need for more education about the difference between gender and sexuality is still needed. I'm amazed that even in GLB circles this is still a problem. I also see that transgender people need to have a clear understanding of what it is to be transgender. We need not be ashamed of who we are nor do we need to justify our existence.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If you are happy with who you are,
what others say against you doesn't matter.

Holland Harbor Lighthouse

I saw this lighthouse during some research a couple of years back and fell in love with it. The Holland Harbor Lighthouse is affably known as Big Red to the residents of Holland, Michigan. This structure reminds me of  the Little Red Lighthouse here in New York City.

www.lighthousefriends.com

Confusion Between Gender and Sexuality

Gender discrimination is still a problem here in New York State. Passing the Gender Employment Non Discrimination Act (GENDA) has been on the docket for over a decade. It has been passed in the asembly numerous times only to be stalled in the senate numerous times.

Twice, transgender people have been thrown under the bus. Once, in 2007 and in 2011 when marriage equality was passed and the transgender bill ignored or forgotten. I read an article the other day that there is still the perception that gender and sexuality are the same. Even some in the GLB community confuse the two. As I see it, there's still some education that's needed.

What I'm happy to see is transgender people are taking control of their own matters and that's good. It's important that discrimination be dealt with. One of the faults that I see is that shortly after Stonewall Riots, the GL faction pushed trans and queer people to the margins. Subsequent actions led to these two groups causing more harm to transgender people than outsiders. This is just my own feelings. 

Seeing that GENDA is passed is one of the goal I had for 2013. While that's not going to happen, maybe the bill needs to be reworked. It's amazing how many people still confuse gender and sexuality, even the TGLB conundrum. More work needs to be done.

WEEK IN REVIEW

The anti gay law passed in Russia is an all out attack on TGLB people in that country. Here in America, many'religious' people believe that granting transgender people their equality is a danger on religous freedom I pose the question how? 
 
It is time to answer the latter because I am a person of faith who is also transgender. It has made me pause and think why people are so interested in what we do. What are we, monsters? No! We are people who work, pay taxes, love, help others, and productive.

Keeping an eye and ear on happenings around the world has helped to remind me that what affects my TGLB people in Russia affects me here in New York. We must support one another because we are all in this struggle together.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Justice will overtake fabricators of lies and false witnesses.

~Heraclitus

A Question

I have asked the question: how does giving the TGLB community their right hurt religious freedom? I have researched some of the bogus reasons how it does. There's  no excuse for discrimination and bias just because someone doesn't look, act, or think like you. I will be expounding on this subject infuture posts because I'm tired of the opposition saying that transgender are against religious freedom, and THAT is not true at all. 

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

Located on the southernmost part of Africa, Cape Agulhas Lighthouse began operating in March, 1849. The lighthouse was greatly needed because of the numerous shipwrecks in the treacherous waters around Cape Agulhas. Cape Agulhas is also the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

http://www.sahistory.org.za/

Russia's Anti-Gay Law

Russia's new anti-gay law could put a crimp into the upcoming winter Olympics. What it is that Russia is saying that they don't want 'gay propaganda' shared with people under eighteen years of age. Mr. Putin, Russia's leader, signed this draconian law. Any athlete or person, citizen or foreign, risks arrest if caught sharing anything about TGLB.

There have been calls to boycott the Olympics by some, others say a boycott would not have any benefit to anybody. What I see is that Russia is cracking down on the impact of TGLB people and organizations. When your leader is an ex-KGB agent I'm not all that surprised by the move. I wouldn't be surprised if some groups in the US are involved, but I'm not sure about this.     

What I'm concerned about is that my TGLB brothers and sisters are being harassed on a par in places like Africa, parts of eastern Europe, Turkey, and some Asian countries. Personally, I haven't decided if we should go to the Olympics or boycott it.

Struggle

Struggle is a part of everyday life. The struggle to making a living, to work for peace, or just to make sense of what is happening in the world can be taxing and troubling. Struggle doesn't need to overwhelm us.

I have found that struggle can develop perseverance and stick-to itness. It can help to discover talents in us that were either dormant or may never known we possess. When you start a new job, you're not going to know everything about it. You're going to have some setbacks and failures. Eventually you will be able to handle the tasks assigned to you. The idea that one will not struggle to is pollyannish and short sighted.  

When I was an athlete I believed that practice was part of the struggle to become a better athlete. There were weakness pointed out and corrected. There were some changes that may have been needed to be made. Come the competiton, when what you learned turns into victory, it is a most satisfying feeling.  

Look at struggle a part of the process to become the sperson that you desire to be. Ask what can I learn from all this struggling. Act on the areas that need developing.  Above all keep pushing ahead.

WEEK IN REVIEW

My wife and I celebrated our birthdays last Sunday. Last night I attend a open mic venue as Gennee. Another hurdle has been overcome though it really isn't one. It's more like another coming out.

Femininity was on my mind this week. Some discover it early, others late but it is dscovered nevertheless. People see as a woman and I'm pleased about this. How a person carries themselves, gender variant or not, can be picked up by others. Being positive and confident is important.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Every year on your birthday, you get the chance to start new.

~Sammy Hagar

Open Mic

Tomorrow my wife and I will attending an open mic at the local bookstore near our home. I will be going as Genevieve. I have been there as Gennee before. My trans friend has been to the bookstore before and loves it. Maybe some day Genevieve will read some of her poetry.

Coquille River Lighthouse

Located on the Coquille River near Bandon, Oregon. I find this particular structure fascinating  along with its easy accessibility. Coquille was once inhabited by the Coquille Indians. Built in 1896, the lighthouse provided warnings to vessels during storms and fog. It was abandoned in 1939. In 1976 the US Army Corps and Oregon State Parks renovated the structure. 

Located in Bullard's Beach State Park the exterior is accesible to the public. Whenever I visit the west coast I will make a visit here.

For more info:
http://nwcoast.com/lighthouses/oregon/coquilleriver.asp
www.lighthousefriends.com

Seen More As Feminine

Over the past several weeks I notice people view me as a woman. When I'm with my wife, people call us ladies. I've had doors opened for me, called 'ma'a m, and treated with respect. I think that it's that I'm comfortable with myself and it shows in my countenance.

I'm really pleased about this development. I encourage others to go out in public and enjoy life.  

Celebrated Our Birthday Yesterday

Yesterday my wife and I celebrated our birthday. Our birthday is on the same day. We celebrated with cake and coffee at fellowship hour at church. Later, we went on to dinner. Many people ask how we get along? We get along great. I tease my wife telling her that we have no excuse to forget each other's birthday.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Taking advantage of the opportunities we have and pursuing our dreams was the focus this week. It's very nice to have dreams. It takes courage and perseverence to achieve them.

Every day each one of us has the chance to do something different that they didn't do before. The joy we may feel from helping someone else or achieving a goal gives us confidence and courage. This is something we should do every day. Unfulfilled dreams can leave a person frustrated, defeated, and bitter. It's never too late to do the things we have put off for so long. Delay no longer! Get going and pursue your dreams.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.


~Henry David Thoreau

AUGUST IS HERE ALREADY

July went by very fast. Had two heatwaves to boot. Can't remember the last time that happened. August has started off rainy. Oh, well.

I was talking with my wife about composing a book of short stories together. I have written a few short stories with transgender people as the main characters.Writing positive and uplifting stories is what I aim to do.

My wife will be ot of town this Saturday so I'll be out and about. Don't know what I'll do but I will enjoy myself. There are some protests upcoming and I'm looking to see which ones I will be participating in.