Genevieve's Gems

It is easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.

~author unknown 

Challenging And Exciting Times

A day doesn't go by when I hear that another transgender woman has been killed. Just today I read that another trans woman was murdered in Brazil, a country with the highest rate of transgender women murdered. Mexico is second followed by the United States. 

With the increased visibility of transgender people plus many place passing ordinances protecting transgender people, the vitriol has been wratcheted up a few notches. Many anti-TGLB groups are doing all they can to keep us marginalized and invisible. The United States has been the biggest exporters of anti-TGLB hate to such places as Africa, Jamaica, and eastern Europe. Many so-called 'Christians' have been the biggest purveyors of this hate.

This is the time to be vigilant. I have two projects that mean much to me. The first is to refute the lies that passing trans protections adversely affects religious freedom. The other is to demonstrate that transgender people have been at the forefront of movements such Stonewall, contrary to what some in the gay and feminist circles say. 

These are exciting and challenging times for transgender people. I want to be an instrument in finding the solutions. 

Lighthouse in Genoa

Also known as Lanterna, The Lighthouse in Genoa is the second tallest structure of its kind. It overlooks the port providing navigation for ships, particularly at night. The Lanterna is a symbol for the port of Genoa. Built in 1128 (some say 1161) it stands 249 feet high. It is made of unpainted stone. 

Sources

www.liguri.org/lanterna/lighthouse
www.lighthousesofeurope.com

Suicide A National Crisis If You're Transgender

With the suicide of Mindy Fabian in Wisconsin, I am disappointed by the lack of attention to this issue by some TGLB organizations. Along with homelessness, TGLB youth are more likely to attempt suicide. It seems that these young people have to fend for themselves. It's tough enough that school cannot be a place where they can find some stability. The problem is that many school administrators are ignorant or lack knowledge about transgender issues and many are not open to the suggestion of helping them. 

This is one area that I'm concerned about. It's very sad when society won't let transgender express who they are. Couple that with the fact they are looked upon as broken, defective, mentally ill, and not worthy of others time and effort, you have a recipe for depression, hopelessness, and suicide. 

I will be taking a keener interest in this because too many young people are struggling and need help. 

Genevieve's Gems

You know, there's a lot of activism that doesn't deal with empowerment, and you have to empower yourself in order to be relevant to any type of struggle.

~Talib Kweli, Musician (b.1975) 

Position Opening In TGLBQI Ministry

Last night, the TGLBQI group at our church met for our second meeting discussing faith and sexuality. It has been a lively and educational discussion with many concerns and discoveries.
Afterwards, we discussed election of officers in the group. I have volunteered with the education/activist position because I'm interested with educating people about transgender issues. We will meet again next month for further discussions. 

Goals and Gender

I have learned that gender is not stationary. Every now and then I discover something new about myself and about the fluidity of gender in particular. 

Early in my transition I saw myself as a dichotomy of two or more personalities. These feelings are stronger now. What I don't understand is how society ca say that people are either one gender or the other and cannot deviate from their assigned gender. It's as if the individual is betraying the gender they are born in. How can someone be betraying something that they were never really a part of? 

I set goals every year at this time and work hard to achieve them. It seems that the subject of gender comes up though I don't really focus on it. I expect changes to come but there are those times when I wonder if transition is an option for me. More and more I'm viewed as a woman and I am comfortable in my own skin. Still don't plan on doing it but as I've said many times that door is still open.  

New Dorp Lighthouse

I was unaware of this gem until I researched this. I spent my first nine years of life on Staten Island. Surrounded by water, Staten Island is a place still untapped in a few areas. I can only image what it was like 400 hundred years ago.

New Dorp Lighthouse is located on a hill overlooking the town. First built in 1856 it was decommissioned in 1964. Looking at this structure you would mistake it for a regular house. 

Genevieve's Gems

Peaceful, lawful protest - if it is effective - is innately disruptive of 'business as usual.' That is why it is effective.



~Naomi Wolf

More Changes Coming

I haven't had a paradigm shift in about year. Like life, gender is not stationary. I get the feeling that there will be more changes in store. There's the greater desire to expand my horizons. I have a couple of conferences lined up for later this year. 

For some reason I have thought about a permanent name from my male name to female. I'm looking into it but haven't decided whether or not I'll do it. Perhaps in the future it will be an even stronger consideration. I believe before the year is out, I will out myself t one of my siblings. I've thought more and more about this. If something happens to me someone asked how I would want to be buried. Never thought about this but it certainly is a point of interest.

Went to A Real Estate Seminar

I spent the past three days at a real estate seminar. I'm sure some of you have head of Rich Dad books by Robert Kiyosaki. It was an eye opener for me in that real estate can be acquired with little or no money. What impressed me is the importance of mindset. The rich have a a totally different mindset from the average person. Time has come for me to move head and make some money. Told my son about it and he is interested. I am looking into securing funds for future training.

Genevieve's Gems

Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.


~Khalil Gibran, Lebanese poet (1883-1931) 

Another Transgender Woman Murdered In Brazil

Another trans woman was found dead in Brazil. Elizalber Oliveira de Mesquita, 39, was killed, her head presumably smashed with rocks. Blood was found on one of the rocks. It seems that ever since Transgender Day Of Remembrance the violence against transgender women has ramped up. Brazil has the most transgender murders in the world. God only knows how many deaths go unreported.

The Need To Come Together

2014 is a big year for us. The time is here that all people on the transgender conundrum.to put aside differences and egos and work together. Cross dressers, gender variant, transgender, transsexuals, drag queens and all the other expressions will need to find things that they agree on and work on. One reason our enemies are successful is that they are organized and together. We need to be the same.

Genevieve's Gems

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.

                                                     ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman Statesman

Happy New Year

Happy 2014! Now everybody has a clean slate. What will you do that you did not do in 2013? I mentioned in a previous post that working to see the Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) become law here in New York State is very important to me.  

I'm sure some of you are formulating goals for the year. Be sure that your goals are realistic. If they need tweaking, do so. Goals shouldn't be so rigid that you keep you from making changes. When you have achieve a goal, create another one. I find that goals have more teeth to them than simply making resolutions. It's wonderful when those goals are achieved. I wish you all a productive and happy year.