HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

DESMOND TUTU (1931-2021)

 

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

 DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

Missouri Baptist University

2021-SUMMARY

A few more days and 2021 will be history. While it had its  moments of confusion and angst it was far better than the previous year. 

Covid is still with us with the Omnicron variant but it isn't like the early days of Covid when there was so much uncertainty about what we were up against. The normalcy that was prior to the pandemic will be quite different, I believe.

I was pleased that we had the pride parade and  the queer March. People just needed to be together after being locked down for over a year. I picked up a few new skills along the way

As 2022 approaches, I go with an appreciation of things I may have taken for granted.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I love 'O Holy Night' on Christmas Eve, there's a service at the church where I grew up, and at midnight, we would 'O Holy Night' with candles.

~Rachel Boston 

YOU ARE LOVED

 The holidays can be a joyous time for many. For others, it can be bittersweet. Loss of loved ones, estrangement, isolation. I think of those folks in nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons. When I was in the service I missed being with my family. 

I encourage you to bet in contact with someone who may be alone. Lift someone's spirits. If you can, invite someone over to your place. You are loved and someone loves you! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

DIVISION I

                                           North Carolina State University Wolfpack

DIVISION II

                                                       Adams State College Grizzlies

DIVISION III 

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Johns Hopkins University Bluejays

NAIA

                                                      Milligan University Buffaloes

                                                            CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS (MEN)

 DIVISION I

                                               Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks

DIVISION II

                                                Grand Valley State University Lakers

DIVISION III

                                                  Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens

NAIA

Milligan University Buffaloes

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

JOY

The kind of happiness that doesn't depend on what happens.

SOCCER CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

Division I

Division II

Division III

CONGRATULATIONS!

SOCCER CHAMPIONS

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS

MEN

Division I 

Division II

Division III

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

~C.S. Lewis, Writer (1898-1963)

TRIP TO THE VA

 I went to the Veterans Administration the other day to get some prescriptions refilled and make a doctor's appointment. I took note of the numerous men and women who served the country. Some were in wheelchair, scooters, and walkers. Age has slowed many down.

 I'm part of this group of veterans, having served three years in the army. Being a transgender veteran gives added meaning. Though I was wasn't out during my time, I can say that I performed my job (pharmacy tech) with distinction. Many of my fellow vets did likewise. 

NCAA FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS

 DIVISION I

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS

DIVISION II

SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY RAIDERS

DIVISION III

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE PANTHERS

CONGRATULATIONS!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

Saint Francis de Sales, Cleveland (1567-1622)

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

     Thanksgiving Day is about a week after Transgender Day of Remembrance.  I never saw the significance of this occasion until now. We celebrate the lives of transgender people lost to violence. We also are thankful for the impact they may have made on our lives. 

     I can imagine that it must be bittersweet when we realize that a member of the family will not be there to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner. The sting of our trans sibling being lost to senseless violence is strong. I temper that with the gratitude that they were a part of my journey. 

     Regardless of the feeling you may have about this holiday, reflect on the people who may no longer be here but will forever be in your heart. That is something to be thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman Statesman (106BC-43BC)

BE THANKFUL

 

TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Equality and separation cannot exist in the same space. 

~Jason Mraz

GRATITUDE

 

THOUGHTS FROM A TRANSGNDER VETERAN

I attend the Veterans Day parade religiously every year. Each year I trek downtown to pay homage to my fellow veterans. As I watched the contingent of Korean veterans march by, it reminded me of how they encouraged me to participate and share my story.

I served in the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas in the First Meddac Division (1971-1974). I was a pharmacy tech. I never went overseas but the experience of being a part of something greater than myself was life-changing. I didn't know that I was transgender until 2005 but maybe it was better that I didn't. 

Men and women of all sexualities and identities have served in the armed forces with dignity. The ban on transgender people serving was wrong-headed and stupid. I am proud to have served my country. I am proud to be a transgender veteran.  

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, chaos to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, 

It can turn into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

~Melody Beattie, Writer (b.1948)

TRANGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

We are making preparations for Transgender Day of Remembrance.  We will be having it on Friday, November 19th, at my senior center, both virtual and in person. I saw the list of the women and men murdered this year and it's really sad. 

THANKFUL PEOPLE ARE HAPPY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.

~Nido Qubein 

THANKFUL PEOPLE

 

BEING THANKFUL

This month I will post much about Thanksgiving and thankfulness. It is a 365 day thing. I'm thinking that, maybe, Thanksgiving Day is overlooked. However one feels about that special day we should always be thankful for everything.

GRATITUDE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.

~Oliver Goldsmith, Poet (1730-1774)

STANDING UP

 A decade ago I said that transgender people needed to share their own stories. Now trans people are not only sharing their stories. We are taking to task those who will try to silence us or making our existence irrelevant. 

When I came out years ago I made up my mind to live openly. I will tell anybody that we transpeople were the ones who began the liberation movement for LGBTQ+ people. No one can deny this or take away that fact.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

All human beings deserve equal treatment, no matter their gender identity or sexuality.  

~Andreja Pejic

JOURNEYS ARE VARIED

 Each trans person's journey s uniquely their own.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Love who you are, embrace who you are. Love yourself. When you love yourself, people can kind of pick up on that: they can see confidence, they can see self-esteem, and naturally, people gravitate towards you. 

~Lilly Singh  

OCTOBER 11TH

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

What people call impartiality may simply mean indifference, and what people call partiality may simply mean mental activity.

~Gilbert K. Chesterton, Writer (1874-1936)

I AM WHAT I SAY I AM

 

TIME FOR PAUSE

 I am curious to see how all the anti-trans bills will proceed. While some have passed, others have not. Others, legislators and administrators are taking pause. I pray they realize that these bills will cause more problems. For the people who are targeted. For the community. For the cost to the taxpayer. Above all, for the needless suffering trans people will endure. 

What concerns me is the people who use God and the Bible to justify their biases. I have been a Christian for over half my life. Nowhere does Jesus condemn or trash others because they are different. NOWHERE! 

I pray that the people will see these bills as evil and wrong. More parents are standing and accepting their trans children. BRAVO! I trust that those in power will see us as loving human beings who want to live happy and productive lives. 

STANDING ON SHOULDERS

This year was a year for transgender people. We are more visible now than ever. There has more folks learning about transgender and non conforming people. When I came out sixteen years ago there was hardly any resources for parents of transgender children. Now there's plenty of resources.

I'm thankful for the people who paved the way for what we have today. Future generations will stand on our shoulders. Much has been accomplished, however there's more that needs to be addressed. 

BE YOURSELF

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.

~Isaac Newton

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I didn't get to experience proper autumn until I was eighteen and heading off to college on the East Coast.

~Alexandra Bracken

QUEER POETS OF COLOR

 

I stumbled upon this book. I'm very interested in it.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

If the far left or far right were to take over the country queer and trans people would still lose out.

NEVER FORGET

 

GENEVIEVE`S GEMS

The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.

~Brian Tracy, Author (b. 1944)

COMFORT ZONE

This symbol is posted on my blog. I view myself as not completely male and not completely male. I never hated being male but prefer to live as a female. Every person has his/her comfort zone. I'm happy where I am and live life openly.

HOW TO RESPOND

Watching some news clips I see people who are angry, confused, depressed, stressed out. There are also people who are looking ahead and are ready to take on what challenges lie ahead. We may not control all the situations but we do choose how we respond to those challenges. 

LABOR DAY HONOR

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.

~Marcus Garvey, Publisher (1887-1940)

WE ARE AMERICAN HISTORY

Like America, transgender history is varied. Different experiences from different folks is woven into the landscape of our country. 

SHOULDERS

We stand on the shoulders of those who started the liberation of LGBTQ+ people. Future generations will stand on the shoulders of what we have accomplished.

ABOUT TIME

The bust of Stonewall icon Marsha P. Johnson in Christopher Park in Greenwich Village.

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It's about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays a crucial role.

  ~Yehuda Berg 

HAPPY TRANSGENDER FLAG DAY

 

WHAT NOW

What will happen to women and the LGBTQ+ community now that the Taliban has taken over in Afghanistan?

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 We have always been around. We are who we are.

~Genevieve

MAGNUS HIRSCHFELD

I wonder how the lives of LGBTQI+ people would be if all his research on sexuality and gender had survived the Nazi purge.

COMMENTARY

I was so happy when pride was held this year. It was wonderful being with my LGBTQI+ and nonbinary sisters and brothers. A month later I celebrated the 16th anniversary of introducing Genevieve to the world. 

Three years later, in 2008, I, for the first time, entered a church (above)dressed in women's clothing. Unbeknownst to me, a church service started a few moments later. Having grown up in church, I decided to stay. I felt no guilt or condemnation by the way I was dressed. There were no disapproving looks or stares. Just people taking in the service. During the passing of the peace, there were smiles, nods, and warm hellos. Another milestone for me. A few years after this I found a church that accepts and affirms trans people. 

From time to time I stop in Holy Cross Church whenever I'm in the area. It holds a special place in my heart. It confirms that God does not hate transgender and queer folk like some believe.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. 

~Carol Burnett

RENEWED VISION

I visited my senior center and the LGBT center. They have reopened recently. Though my senior center has had food pickups people are slowly trickling back. Some of my friends can't wait until it gets to some kind of normalcy. The LGBT center, or The Center, reopened a couple of weeks ago. it was quiet with staff and a few visitors.   

One thing that was evident is the isolation many feel during the pandemic. It's felt even more in the LGBTQ+ circles. Yes there was a pandemic but did the city have to be shut down? I don't believe that it should have.  It has done more harm than good, in my opinion.

I also see how much I appreciate life. I miss seeing my friends and doing some of the activities I was doing before. I pray as the city reopens more will be focused on the needs of people. The pandemic exposed many things lacking. Homelessness, food challenges, violence, anger, etc. It's time for leaders and corporate officials to put up or shut up.

STUMBLED

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a street fair during a foray downtown. Was surprised that there was one. I walked up  Eighth Avenue browsing through the many booths. There was clothing, jewelry, precious stones, leather goods, and plenty of food. 

This made me think of the people and places I stumbled upon during my life. Never planned anything, it just happened. Many of these occurrences had a impact on my life. Still do. 

Many of the places are gone. Some of the people are still here. I wonder if someone will follow in my footsteps. 

SWEET SIXTEENTH

Yesterday was the sixteenth anniversary of my coming out as Genevieve.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how things really are.

~Marianne Williamson

FLORIDA

Florida is a key state where trans people need to make ther presence felt AND heard. Governor DeSantis will do anything to keep trans and queer people in the shadows. Cannot let that happen. All the anti-trans bills must be defeated.

BASEBALL

 

I have been a Mets fan since 1962. Currently, they are in first place in the National League Eastern Conference.  With half of the 2021 season over, there have been surprises and disappointments.  Here is my view of the season thus far.

Biggest Surprise: Boston Red Sox. Saw a rebuild this year but the Bosox has one of the best records. This is not a great team but 

sox fans aren't complaining.  

Underrated: Milwaukee Brewers. Had many questions about their rotation.  Now they have a couple of good ones in Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta. Have a great bullpen and a potent offense.

Biggest Disappointment(s): Minnesota Twins. Thought they would challenge in the American League Central Division but they are a train wreck. They aren't hitting. Outside of Jose Berrios, the rest of the rotation has been awful. Maeda is inconsistent. Matt Shoemaker (in minors now) and JA Happ. have been putrid.

New York Yankees: What happened? Pitching rotation is a mess. Many guys aren't hitting. Now Aroldis Chapman is all messed up.  

Atlanta Braves: I had the Braves winning the National League East. Injuries and inconsistency have hurt them.

Better Get It Going Now!: Washington, Atlanta, Yanks, Toronto (I don't trust the Jays starting pitching).  

On the rise: Seattle Mariners.  Had a decent year in 2020. Now over .500. The future looks bright.

                    San Francisco Giants. I liked them last year though many did not. Were competitive until the last week. Now they lead the National League West Division.  

How Are They Doing It?: Los Angeles Angels. I saw a big project ahead. When Mike Trout went down, I thought that was it. Lo and behold the team pulled together and are now playing .500 ball. Trout is returning  now. Let's see how the Halos perform.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today!

~William Allen White, Editor (1868-1944) 

PRIDE-AFTERTHOUGHTS

 I attended the pride parade and the liberation March. It was the first time in two years. Much has changed and so have I. I know I'm queer however I felt it on a much deeper level. Being around my queer and trans sisters and brothers was refreshing.

There were more gender expressions and identities. Men with beards wearing dresses. Women wearing androgynous hairstyles and clothing. It reminded me of when I was exposed to many gender identities and expressions years ago during my questioning phase. Hat gave the impetuous to move ahead.

I am so happy to have gone to pride. It made me see how fortunate I am to be a member of communities often vilified by society. I love my queer and trans siblings.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 The road less traveled can lead to self-discovery.

~Genevieve

IMPRESSIONABLE WOMEN WHO INFLUENCED MY VIEWS ON GENDER

From the bottom left: Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, and Candy Darling. These three women helped me see gender expression in a different light.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live. 

~David Binder

LESBIAN PRIDE FLAG

I saw a number of these flags at the march. 

PHOTOS FROM PRIDE DAY