Post-Thanksgiving Thoughts

I trust that your Thanksgiving holiday was a joyous affair. Mine was a quiet one spent with my wife and son. Didn't overdo it with the turkey but enjoyed it nevertheless. Hard to believe that tomorrow will be December 1st.

This is also a time of reflection for me personally. I'm thankful for many things; family, friends, God, and the history that transgender people are making. There's been some harsh backlash but we keep moving forward and I'm happy to see that.

Genevieve's Gems

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark of another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

~Albert Schweitzer, Theologian (1875-1965)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Be thankful for all the good things that has happened. Be thankful that you are here today.  If you know someone who will be alone invite them over to share in the Thanksgiving festivities.

Thanksgiving Hospitality

Earlier today my wife and I helped serve Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless at church. This is an annual event in our community. It's been tough for some folks who are struggling just to survive.

Recently, I heard some politicians and others blame the homeless and poor for their conditions. These are some of the same people who profit from the war machine, real estate speculation, and the prison industrial complex. These are the same folks who bash and vilify TGLBQI folks. These are the same folks who don't give a damn about anyone except their own financial and political gain.

Next time these people open their mouths, I would challenge them to spend a day with homeless and poor folks at a soup kitchen or a church out of the glare of the cameras and dine with people who are not looking for a handout or are lazy. If they have solutions to the problems then I wish they would express it instead of following the party or religious line.

Real Christian hospitality is having compassion on those less fortunate.

TDOR

The Transgender Day Of Remembrance vigil at SAGE Center was good. There were about 50 or so folks in attendance. I attended TDOR at the Gay Center in past years but I decided to go to Sage this time. I'm happy that I did.

The names of the trans people killed this year were read. I read the name of India Clarke, a 25 year old trans woman murdered in Tampa, Florida. Many people were struck by how young many of them were. A couple of people shared their thought on people they knew who have died. I knew someone who came to our trans women meetings who passed in may from a heart attack.

It's sad at the level of violence against transgender men and women but I'm hopeful that our lives will get better.

 

TDOR-VIctors

Tomorrow is Transgender Day Of Remembrance. We honor those sisters and brothers lost to violence by others or by their own hand. This year has been a tough year with at least 22 transgender reported  murders here in the US. It's much worse in Brazil and Mexico. Some day I hope that we never have to have TDOR. 

In the meantime, we should celebrate the living. Many of us who are older have been through the wars and have come through. I see us as victors. Yes, there's still much more work to be done but we can celebrate that we have come this far. 

Busy Week

This will be a busy week for me, concluding with Transgender Day Of Remembrance. I'm trying to think of what to say at TDOR if the opportunity comes. It's been a tough year for transgender women, especially women of color. With the increased visibility of trans people, I'm not all surprised by the backlash. What happened in Houston with HERO being shot down is a shame. Amazing how gullible some people are.

 

Photos From The 2015 Veteran's Day Parade

Genevieve's Gems

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to to serve others at whatever cost.

~Arthur Ashe, Athlete (1943-1993) 

Veteran's Day

Be sure to remember all of our veterans on Veteran's Day.

TDOR at Sage

This year there will a Transgender Day of  Remembrance at the Sage Center here in New York for the first. I like the idea because it gives those of us who are seniors an opportunity to share our thoughts and remembrances of those we have lost. Final preparations are being made regarding the program. I'm looking forward to this event.

An Opportunity

Seems like my story is getting around. A friend of mine at church shared my story with a gay-straight alliance group. There's the chance that I may have the opportunity to speak to the group. I hope the opportunity will come to fruition. 

Arkansas judge refuses to block Fayetteville LGBT protections from going into effect

Arkansas judge refuses to block Fayetteville LGBT protections from going into effect

Genevieve's Gems

From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.

~Carl Schurz, Public Servant (1829-1906)

Contentment

The feeling of contentment being transgender has been really strong the past couple of weeks. Can't say why I feel this way but I'm enjoying it. I don't believe that it's another gender shift but I feel that something is in store.

In the beginning, gender fluidity was strong perhaps because it was new to me. While not as intense as those early days, it still has an impact on me. What has helped me through the years is embracing what comes my way. I don't believe that I missed any lesson I needed to learn at a particular time. Now is another one of those times that I'm embracing my inner contentment. I' m living in the moment. That's all anyone can do.