Interesting Conversation

I went to visit my sister on Christmas Day. We enjoyed a chicken and rib dinner and conversed. The topic of Caitlyn Jenner came up. In my sister's opinion, other people have done more to deserve woman of the year. She also mentioned to me that when she worked a person on her job had transitioned years before. Sis also said that she had no problem with it.

I've shared more about myself with her. Her response has given me the confidence that I will come out to her soon. A year ago I had no desire to share my transgender status with. Now a year later I feel that things have opened up. She's has been dealing with health issues and I've been handling some of her personal affairs. We've talked quite a bit about a lot of things. Now I believe the climate has thawed.      

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.

Caitlyn Still Has A Lot To Learn

I have followed Caitlyn Jenner's journey since she came out back in March. Being a latecomer she is learning what it is to be transgender. Being a latecomer myself I can identify with that. I said that when Ms. Jenner first came out that she now has to live in the new gender, something that is not always easy. There would be missteps, mistakes, doubts, and fears. With what happened in Houston recently, I conclude that  Ms. Jenner still has a long way to go.

I do believe that Ms. Jenner is trying. However I believe that she needs to widened her circle. She needs to communicate with black and Latino and Asian transgender people and learn from their experiences. She needs to understand that her reality is much different that of many transgender women and men. Ms. Jenner also needs to connect with people who had been on the battle lines for equality rights for years. I think of Monica Roberts and Miss Major, two African- American trans women who talk the talk and walk the walk. If Ms. Jenner had met with trans activists of color in Houston I'm sure that she would have been really educated on what is really happening in the trans world.

Ms. Jenner also needs to acknowledge that she has a couple of things going against her. The first is people's disdain for her being related to the Kardashian sisters. The second is her conservative politics. Ms. Jenner is begrudged because of her privilege. I don't begrudge her privilege or her politics. the latter is her own.  

The point is that Ms. Jenner needs to know that the trans community is much more diverse than, maybe, she has experienced. I see that she still has a long way to go. Where Ms. Jenner learns and makes inroads as a spokesperson only time will tell. The time may be running out.

Finding Our Way to the Altar of Activism: An Open Letter to Black Clergy

Finding Our Way to the Altar of Activism: An Open Letter to Black Clergy

Knights Reign!

The Marian University (IN) Knights avenged last year's loss in the championship game with a resounding victory over defending champions Southern Oregon Raiders, 34-14.

  

CONGRATULATIONS, KNIGHTS!
2015 NAIA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS!

NCAA Division II Football Champions

Congratulations to the Bearcats!


Northwest Missouri State-34
Shepherd University-7

Mount Union Division III NCAA Football Champs

Congratulations to the Mount Union College Purple Raiders in winning the 2015 NCAA Division III Football championship defeating the University of St. Thomas, 49-35. 

Genevieve's Gems

To have faith is to trust yourself to the waters. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.


~Alan Watts, Philosopher (1915-1973)

Affordable Housing

One of the issues we are dealing with in neighborhood is affordable housing. With gentrification creeping into the neighborhood, rents have gone up. Many mom and pop stores have closed. Now the mayor wants to bring luxury housing to Washington Heights and Inwood. This Saturday I will be attending an emergency meeting to plan a course of action. How this affects the LGBTQI will be something I'll keep in mind.  

NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP-DIVISION III

                                                                               vs.

The last two teams will do battle next Saturday December 18th to decide the NCAA football champions in division III. The top ranked Purple Raiders of the College of Mount Union (Ohio) reached the championship by defeating the defending division III champions and long time nemesis University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 36-6. Their opponent will be the Tommies of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. They soundly defeated Oregon's Linfield College, 38-17 to reach the title game. 

Footnote: All four teams in the semi finals wear purple.

Genevieve's Gems

Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.

~Robert Kennedy

2015-A Year For and About Transgender People

2015 has been quite a year for transgender people, good and bad. Many municipalities, schools, and organization are changing their policies regarding transgender people. To hear them even being discussed is something that couldn't have been fathomed 30 years ago. We have become more visible

The bad is that more transgender people have been killed than in previous years. We are still vilified by politicians, anti-lgbt groups, some churches and the criminal industrial complex. Yet, we still move forward. For a long time transgender were confined to the very margins of society. No more!

We are intelligent, hard working, parents, and grandparents. We pay taxes, vote, contribute to various causes, and voice our opinions. We desire life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Anyone or group who tells us that we don't deserve any of these has a MAJOR problem with me. Never dreamed that I would be this heavily involved in all this but I have no choice.  

Holly Woodlawn

With the passing of transgender icon Holly Woodlawn (1946-2015 this past Sunday, numerous memories were conjured up. I saw Holly star in her first Trash in 1971. It was a quirky film and it introduced me to someone who had an influence on my transition.

Holly 's life wasn't always easy but she was an original. She was authentic in a time when it was very difficult for any gender non-conforming person to be. She disappeared from the public view in the late 1970s having failed to get into mainstream work. Holly had a modest comeback in the 1990s performing in cabarets, acting and theater work.

I knew nothing about transgender back then. Holly was one of those people you seem to never forget. When I did transition in 2005 I knew that I was part of a group maligned by society. Holly lived life on her terms. Her authenticity was what I aspired to be. Thank you, Holly. You were a true original.

R.I.P. 

 

Remembering Leslie Feinberg - San Francisco Bay Times | San Francisco Bay Times

Remembering Leslie Feinberg - San Francisco Bay Times | San Francisco Bay Times

Genevieve's Gems

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.


~Albert Einstein, (1879-1955)

Flu Bug

I went to emergency today and was diagnosed with the flu. I'll be laid up for a few days but I'll post  if there's something interesting.