FROM A HATER TO A HISTORIAN

I never had any interest in history as a school student. Actually hated it. I remember one time, getting so angry I threw my history book against the wall. 

Over time I saw the importance of history and why it's so important to study it. During this pandemic, I have found an interest in reading the history of LGBTQ people, and trans people in particular. I am currently posting castles twice a day on Facebook. I did more research on the ones that fascinate me. I am also researching obscure poets and studying them. 

I enjoy doing research and I guess being somewhat of a historian is a natural choice for me. When I read about the many LGBTQ people of the past, there are so many variations of expression. The colorful history of some of them is riveting and thrilling. Because I enjoy doing research, it could be why I like writing essays. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

PRIDE MARCH CANCELED

The New York City Pride March and other events in June have been canceled. It may happen later in the summer says, Mayor De Blasio. There are plans to have a virtual pride celebration. The city will lose a lot of money with these cancellations. I will miss being among all the revelers. 

WHAT IS THE END GAME?

I don't believe everything has been told about the coronavirus. I have been researching Anthony Fauci and I don't like what I've been reading. To me, the government overstepped its bounds with this lockdown. Unemployment, businesses closed, and social. Is this a precursor to martial law? I pray not. I don't trust anything the government says. I will post more on this in the coming days.

INTERESTING

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves.


~Viktor E. Frankl, Psychologist (1905-1997)

BE ENCOURAGED

How is everybody doing? Is everybody doing ok? This pandemic will not last. Be encouraged. 

HAPPY EASTER!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

God's mercy and grace gave me hope-for myself, and for our world.

~Billy Graham, Clergyman (1918-2018)

LIBERATION

This is an article I wrote for an online publication a decade ago.

Liberation
by Gennee

When I came out as a crossdresser, I was liberated from what society says I’m supposed to be. I felt that I was completed as a transgender person.

There’s another liberation that I experienced many years earlier. When I confessed my sin to God, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. It was liberated from the control of sin and eternal damnation. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He set people free from disease, blindness, despair, shame, fear of the future and religious dogma.

One of my concerns, when I came out, was how being transgender would affect my standing with Christ. He answered me one November day in an empty church when He embraced me as His child who happens to be transgender. It was part of his plan for my life.

Liberation is more than being set free from physical circumstances that are unpleasant. Jesus came to liberate our spirits too. We may be free, away from the things that bring distress and pain but are bound by shame, anger or bitterness. The inner turmoil from years of abuse may still paralyze us from living the life God has for us. I am reminded that it took nearly a century after independence for America to be free from the threat of attack from Britain.

Liberation means we no longer need to be victims. As transgender and gender-variant people, this can be a tall order. Long suppressed and demeaned by medical and religious institutions, we are rising up and declaring that we are God’s creation, too. We believe that God loves us as we are.

Transgender author Vanessa Sheridan states that ‘liberation is an essential, perhaps the essential element of the gospel of Jesus Christ for human beings and certainly for differently gendered human beings. It’s the whole purpose of the gospel- to free us from sin’s shackles.’ Sheridan states further that ‘Seeking personal spiritual liberation through the good news of Jesus Christ will help us to accept our responsibilities and benefits as gender-variant individuals, allowing us to more fully celebrate our transgender orientation and identity as the true blessings from God that they are.’

We need not be ashamed of who we are. Christ has liberated us from the shackles of sin, shame, and despair. We have been liberated from society demands that we conform to something that we’re not.

MISSING MY FRIENDS

I participated in church services online this morning. My wife and I did the passing of the peace ceremony. I was during service it hit how much I miss being with my friends from church and from my senior center. I keep in contact over the phone or social media but it's not the same as physical interaction. 

I'm sure they feel the same way. I generally don't show my emotions but this really puts a damper on me. I'm okay with the fact that's there's a  pandemic going on. Still, it's too bad I haven't able to see my friends. This won't last, I'm sure.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.

~Desmond Tutu

QUEER THEOLOGY

Queer theology is being discussed at church. We are discussing what it is, our personal viewpoint, and reading scripture through a queer lens. When I came out as a crossdresser, I examined what the scriptures say about it using Hebrew texts. What is said and how it is portrayed in American society is quite different. I applied this to transgender later on. 

As a queer transgender person, I will refute the idea that I am an abomination. I am wonderfully made to be the person God created me to be. The study was conducted on Zoom and nineteen people participated. I'm looking forward to future meetings.