For the eighth time at least, the New YORK state senate has failed to pass GENDA (Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act) after the state assembly passed the measure. It means that transgender NewYorkers can still be fired from their jobs because they are transgender. This latest defeat is very disappointing.
I'm not giving up! I have to see what I and others can do to change this. GENDA, formerly known as SONYA, has been on the docket for about 15 years now. When marriage equality was passed in 2010 ,GENDA was on the same platform but was overlooked in the hoopla of the passage of marriage equality. I have a couple of my own theories about this but that's for another day. In t he meantime, I will become involved more with this until GENDA is passed.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
NYC Pride Parade
The pride parade here in New York City was great. My wife, a friend and I helped serve water to the marchers. They thanked us like people happy to see an oasis in the desert. This pride parade was extra special because marriage equality for LGBTQ people is now the law of the land.
While serving cups of water I was marveling at the many floats and creative costumes. Some of them took much work, I'm sure. I said to myself people are having fun and celebrating who they are. That's the idea of the parade. There were a number of churches who marched in the parade and that was great to see.
My only lament is that with corporations participating (and more money of course), the political and radical element is not present like it was in earlier days. I believe that this needs to brought back because there are still many, many issues that need to be tackled. All in all the parade was fun and my friend really loved participating in it.
While serving cups of water I was marveling at the many floats and creative costumes. Some of them took much work, I'm sure. I said to myself people are having fun and celebrating who they are. That's the idea of the parade. There were a number of churches who marched in the parade and that was great to see.
My only lament is that with corporations participating (and more money of course), the political and radical element is not present like it was in earlier days. I believe that this needs to brought back because there are still many, many issues that need to be tackled. All in all the parade was fun and my friend really loved participating in it.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
My Lovely Trans Ladies
I meet with a group of trans women twice a month. We meet at the local Sage Center and discuss a particular topic on that night. We all 60 years or older. We discussed topics like health care, loss dating, how we chose our names, etc. I truly LOVE these ladies.
Later we hit a local restaurant where we talk about other things. These are some really creative, talented, and smart ladies! What's is important is that we are free to be ourselves. One woman says it's a breath of fresh air. I have to agree. There's no victim mentality here. Just love and support and encouragement.
Later we hit a local restaurant where we talk about other things. These are some really creative, talented, and smart ladies! What's is important is that we are free to be ourselves. One woman says it's a breath of fresh air. I have to agree. There's no victim mentality here. Just love and support and encouragement.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A Success
Yesterday, during Sunday service,I shared a pride moment. I shared my transgender experience of coming out to the congregation three years earlier. I shared that God created us as we are and that He loves unconditionally.
After service, many folks came to me saying how encouraged and point on I was. I love sharing my experiences to anyone who will listen. I pray that someone's heart was touched.
After service, many folks came to me saying how encouraged and point on I was. I love sharing my experiences to anyone who will listen. I pray that someone's heart was touched.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Living And Loving Life
A question was posed to me on one of my forums a few weeks back; How important is passing? I always try to look presentable as to put transgender people in a positive light. Fashion, dressing, and coordinating colors is second nature to me.
To me being able to live life as who I really am is most important. Once I discovered cross dressing and later being transgender it was a turning point in my life. When I went in public alone for the first time, that was it. I was going to live openly and without fear or shame. As time has passed, it is a normal part of me. I gone to restaurants, parties, movies, and plays. I've read poetry in public, acted, been interviewed, made a few speeches, and now writing plays. This coming Sunday I will speak to my church's congregation about my transgender experience.
I enjoy each day and look forward to new and challenging adventures. I enjoy walking on the streets of Greenwich Village and East Village . My spouse and I will go out coffee or dinner or an event. Living and enjoying life is truly a blessing.
To me being able to live life as who I really am is most important. Once I discovered cross dressing and later being transgender it was a turning point in my life. When I went in public alone for the first time, that was it. I was going to live openly and without fear or shame. As time has passed, it is a normal part of me. I gone to restaurants, parties, movies, and plays. I've read poetry in public, acted, been interviewed, made a few speeches, and now writing plays. This coming Sunday I will speak to my church's congregation about my transgender experience.
I enjoy each day and look forward to new and challenging adventures. I enjoy walking on the streets of Greenwich Village and East Village . My spouse and I will go out coffee or dinner or an event. Living and enjoying life is truly a blessing.
Genevieve's Gems
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.
~William Arthur Ward, Writer (1921-1994)
~William Arthur Ward, Writer (1921-1994)
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Sharing Transgender Experience At Church
This Sunday, June 21st, I will share my testimonial at the morning service about being transgender and Christian. I was approached about this several weeks ago and gladly accepted the invitation. I'm preparing a speech o what I want to say. It's suppose to be 2-3 minutes. I'll see how that works out.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Brooklyn Pride
I attended Brooklyn Pride this past Saturday. It was a picture perfect day and many folks came. Below are some of the pictures I took.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Genevieve's Gems
I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me....All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.
Jackie Robinson, Athlete (1919-1972)
Jackie Robinson, Athlete (1919-1972)
Tuesday, June 09, 2015
Loss
Last night at the trans women s group discussion, the topic was loss and what TGLB people face. One of the ladies who regularly attended or meeting passed away in late May. A couple of other women have suffered loss in recent months.
Many trans people have lost families, friends and livelihoods. While loss can be devastating at the time, it's not permanent. It's the closing of one door and the opening of another. When I came out as transgender it was the end of my life as I knew it. It was the birth of a new life. At the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil we not only honor those we've lost but celebrate their lives.
If anyone here has suffered the loss of a loved one, friend, or a pet, bereavement resources are available at numerous locales. I love about my group is that we support each other. Loss does hurt but the hurt is not permanent and can open up new doors.
Many trans people have lost families, friends and livelihoods. While loss can be devastating at the time, it's not permanent. It's the closing of one door and the opening of another. When I came out as transgender it was the end of my life as I knew it. It was the birth of a new life. At the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil we not only honor those we've lost but celebrate their lives.
If anyone here has suffered the loss of a loved one, friend, or a pet, bereavement resources are available at numerous locales. I love about my group is that we support each other. Loss does hurt but the hurt is not permanent and can open up new doors.
Monday, June 01, 2015
June Is Pride Month
June has arrived and so has pride month. I must say that much has happened in the trans community in the past year. There are many victories to celebrate. I believe this year with increase visibility trans people will receive some of the accolades due us.
This is also a time when I become a historian, sharing with others the role trans people played in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 here in New York City. I'm equally proud of what happened in Philadelphia when African-American gender variant and trans people successful made history by standing up to trans-phobia and bigotry fifty years ago.
I am looking forward to celebrating pride with my TGLBQ brothers and sisters. As you see I have posted a new photo. I chose the transgender flag because I want to show my support and how proud I am to be transgender. I will be making more posts as there are numerous events taking place.
HAPPY PRIDE!
This is also a time when I become a historian, sharing with others the role trans people played in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 here in New York City. I'm equally proud of what happened in Philadelphia when African-American gender variant and trans people successful made history by standing up to trans-phobia and bigotry fifty years ago.
I am looking forward to celebrating pride with my TGLBQ brothers and sisters. As you see I have posted a new photo. I chose the transgender flag because I want to show my support and how proud I am to be transgender. I will be making more posts as there are numerous events taking place.
HAPPY PRIDE!
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