PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS MADE AMERICA GREAT

President Trump's mantra during the presidential election.was 'Make American Great Again'. While this theme isn't new many question 'Great for whom?' With the recent comments the president has allegedly said, it does make one wonder if he has all people in mind?

Many people built America and made it what it is today. People of all races, faiths, and genders worked to make this country a place where people can come and make a life in freedom. I would ask the president if making American great means denying certain groups of people the opportunity to achieve their dreams? Aren't blacks, Haitians, Africans, indigenous, Latinos,  LGBTQI,  and Asians part of the tapestry of our country? 

I am a black person. I was born, raised, and educated here. I served three years honorably in the military. I've worked all my life. I had some setbacks but I always got up and went back at it. I have fulfilled many dreams and still have more as I approached my 70th birthday. I am also a trans person. To say that I have less value than someone else is demeaning and disrespectful. And Mr. President, you want people to respect you, then respect those would are different from you, don't look you, or think like you. A final thought, it was people would thought outside the box that created many of the conveniences we enjoy today.

RESIST AND RESIST

This year will prove to be a more active one for me. I will attending the women's march later this month. I hope that it will trigger some courses of action in what we need to focus on. I'm working on whether to take a trip to Albany to help pass the Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA).  I cannot sit idly by as our rights are being taken away. 

I attended a community forum this past September in my Washington Heights neighborhood. I saw what a sellout my councilmen is. Couple that with the fact that he backed state senator who is an enemy of the LGBTQI community. As you can see local politics is on my plate, albeit reluctantly. It's been said that all politics is local and I saw it first hand. 

These are just a few things up for me. I will fill you in as events and changes happen.

Million Women March

I will going to the Million Women March here in New York on January 21st. It will be at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the UN. The march is from 11AM to 4PM. It's important that I attend because I'm concerned about ALL women. As a trans woman it's doubly important that I go because of the uncertainty of the incoming administration concerning LGBTQI topics.

There will be marches all over the country. Wherever you are, make your voices and presence be heard and seen.   

Most Active Year Coming Up

It look s like this will be the most active year of my life as a transgender person. The LGBTQI ministry at church is going and planning what we'll do this year. I also signed up for the Social Justice ministry. I'm already involved with a few other activities. 

This year I want to see things DONE! There's too much at stake for trans people and I can't sit idly by and watch all that we've accomplished taken away. Making sure that our trans history is not erased is near and dear to my heart. 

There's a few more activities I'm interested in but I don't want to spread myself too thin. It's funny but since I'm retired I'm busier now than when I was working. 

Beyond Labels.

Yesterday the LGBTQI ministry, Beyond Labels, at church met to discuss the upcoming year. Last year the ministry branched out to the community and it has been very good. Two areas I'm interested in is social justice and education. I mentioned that I am interested sharing about transgender topics and what it is to e transgender. 

There is an LGBTQI population in my neighborhood. I have seen a few transgender folk, thought they are not always visible. We want them to know that there's a church which is open and affirming if they want to find a spiritual home. There's a another meeting coming up in few weeks so I'll keep you posted.

Beyond Labels

This past Thursday the Beyond Labels ministry at church met to discuss ideas for the coming year. Many wonderful ideas were presented. I mentioned that Transgender Day of Remembrance was coming up next month. I informed the group that I will be attending the ceremony at the community center. Some folks may come in support.

The assistant pastor is writing something about transphobia.  I am gathering materials about the origins of Transgender Day of Remembrance.  My wife stated publically that she fully supports me. One of my desires is to reach out to transgender people who may be stealth or struggling. What I'm really pleased about is that people of faith both LGBTQI and straight are involved in spearheading this outreach.