GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them- that only creates sorrow. Lets reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

~Lao Tzu

CELEBRATION

 Today Genevieve just turned eighteen!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.

~Charles Evans Hughes, Jude (1862-1948)

LOOKING WITHIN

With all the anti- LGBTQ+ forces lined up, perhaps it's time for us to look inside and plan some strategy. Trans people, trans youth especially, are the targets of the far right. Marriage will the next target, I believe. 

I would like to see more organizations outwardly support and stand with the trans community. There needs to be more voices speaking out for trans youth. This is a  matter of life and death.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

We all just want to be validated...to know that our feelings matter. To know that we are seen and heard.

HANGOUT FOR QUEER FOLKS

It is the old dilapidated pier near Christopher Street in the West Village probably in 1980s. On weekends, gay, queer, and transgender people hung out here because it was one of the few places they could be themselves.  

INFLUENCES

 Many people have been an influence in my gender transition. Some of them are no longer with us. They were only with me for a certain amount of time. Life is that way. We meet, greet, then move on. I miss them. Wished that I had more time with them. However, it was time for us to go our separate ways. 

As I continue my journey, I wonder what my life would be if I had never met them? Life has many twists and turns. As I come to a fork in the road, my friend goes in one direction, me in the other. Time to go on my own journey.

"I have given you what you need." my friend says. "Now it's time to fly."

SHARING

Over the past few weeks, I have shared about my life as a trans woman. Folks are learning about what is happening regarding all the anti-trans legislation around the country. They are seeing the seriousness of what such legislation will do to transgender people.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.

~Marsha P. Johnson, Celebrity (1945-1992)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

BIRTHDAY WISH

 Happy Birthday to activist and Stonewall icon Sylvia Rivera.

COMMENTARY

Pride week was one of the best weeks of my life. It started with me sharing to my church congregation what pride means to me. Later, I went downtown to the pride parade. There were many young people. It was really crowded, more so than last year.

My resolve to be open about being trans was strengthened in the face of much of the country's anti- trans legislation. I believe this year's pride march demonstrated this. Now we have to vote and stand up with trans youth who are in the teeth of much of this diabolical evil.  

Parents are standing for their trans children and saying no to these bills. Some have left their home state, in order to receive the gender affirming they need. I'm happy that the governor of New York has declared the state a safe haven. A few places have done this and I pray that more will do the same.

TO MY CANADIAN FRIENDS