CUNY Indoor Track & Field Champs

A hearty congratulations to men and women's track and field teams of City College of New York. My wife and I were in attendance and enjoyed some wonderful performances. Below are photos of some of the athletes.

Genevieve's Gems

Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing.

~Oscar Wilde, Dramatist (1854-1900)

The Flu

I've been under the weather the past several days with a touch of the flu. Fell behind in my posts but will catch up soon.

TRANS CINEMA

The film 'Soldier's Girl' will be shown at the Sage Center on February 23rd at 6:30 p m. 

SAGE CENTER MIDTOWN
305 7TH AVE @ 28TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10001
646-576-8669

Eight Transgender Women Murdered Already In 2015

There have been at least eight transgender women murdered in America already and it's just February. There has been attacks of transgender women either physically/verbally. The vast majority of them have been women of color. This is getting crazy. Too many of my trans sisters are dying needlessly and senselessly by people who hate them just because of who they are.  

What's hurtful is the friends and family who are affected by this. There have been some resolution to some of the cases. I am hoping that the other cases will be solved. I have trans friends and am concerned about their safety. Fortunately, I haven't had any problems but one has be vigilant. I'm not fearful and will continue to live life. Meanwhile more needs to be done. There  are numerous problems to be dealt with. People like Sally Kern of Oklahoma and anti-TGLB preachers and politicians do nothing but fan the flames of hate. 

Trans people are standing up and stepping up in the face of hate. I haven't been in the situation yet and it would not surprise if at sometime in the future I will have to. I will be ready.

The Ronettes - Do I Love You. Stereo.

Genevieve's Gems

When considering an institution of higher learning, choose the place where you believe that you will get the best education.

~author unknown

Good Advice

A Seed Planted Regarding Gender Variance?

Last night I was reflecting on the time I hung out on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village beginning in 1968. It was the time of the hippie-rock and roll and psychedelic culture. Folk music was still going but not like in the early 60s. I felt really comfortable here (didn't know why) and loved the vibes that I felt. Friday and Saturday nights would really buzzing. I didn't walk on MacDougal; I shuffled along because the street would be so packed.  

As I reflect I do remember a TGLBQ presence. I've always was drawn to people outside the norm so it was to my liking. On further thought, I wonder if the seed was planted about my gender variance. As I've said many times it was never evident to me until about ten years ago. I was a straight arrow so to speak and I viewed myself in this vein. Something always kept me coming here though.  All this happened a year before the famous Stonewall Riots. 

I still go to MacDougal Street. Many of my favorite places are gone. Gentrification has ground its teeth into the once avant-garde enclave, however there are still vestiges of 1968. Could those days have been the spawning of my transgender status that I enjoy today? 

Transgender Flag

I was well acquainted with the rainbow flag and what each color represents. In the transgender flag, he two light blue stripes represent the traditional color for baby boys. the pink stripes represent the traditional color for baby girls. The white stripe in the middle is for those who are intersex, transitioning, or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender.

Genevieve's Gems

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.


~Oscar Wilde, Dramatist (1854-1900)

Keep Calm

Transition And Journeys

When I was alone with my thoughts the other day, it dawned on me that I have journeyed many, many miles. My transition reminds me of the sojourner out on the road with his backpack and a walking stick. He doesn't know where he is going but is compelled to continue on. 

I'm not lost or restless-I am a seeker. Always have been. I've never been afraid of the unknown-it's what to do when I get there. Looking at my life, I go to a place, stay awhile, then move on. Have a sense of knowing when my time there is over. What's different about transition that one never knows when the journey will end. In a sense, I find it welcoming. 

I know that I cannot go back because I've crossed the Jordan River. I will be doing some traveling later this year. I will be presenting in venues out of the city and state. It's no telling where the journey will take me but I'm looking forward to it.  

Track Meet, Continued

More photos from last Saturday's track meet.

Ramapo College Indoor Select

My wife and I went to a track and field event this past Saturday. I am a huge fan having run during my years in high school and junior college.  This event took place at the New York Armory which is two blocks from my residence. I have many fond memories of this place. Many of the high school stars would later become stars in college. Teams came from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut and Virginia. However on this day Texas A & M-Kingsville would win both the men's and women's divisions. Below are some photos from the meet.

Genevieve's Gems

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.


~Dr. Seuss Writer (1904-1991)

First Time In Church As A Woman

Today, I was reflecting on the first time I wore women's clothing in church. It was a church that I visited from time to time when I wanted to pray and meditate. A week earlier I visited this church dressed as a male. I wanted to dress the way that I believe and know that I am-a transgender woman. 

The following week I wore a light blue flower print maxi skirt, blue pullover and sandals. When I entered the sanctuary it felt right. I felt no guilt or shame. I didn't know at the time but a midday service was going to be held. I stayed for the half hour service.When the time for passing the peace was announced I shook hands with several people. None suspected that I was trans.

This was significant to me because I'm an active church goer and am involved with a couple of activities. A few years later, I came out to the congregation of my church. It has been one of the many defining moments in my life. 

When God saved me forty odd years ago it included everything about me including my being transgender. Those of us who are born again are of all races, sexual orientations, and genders. God is no respecter of persons. We are all welcome at his table.

Super Bowl XLIX Champions

                                                 Congratulations! New England Patriots!

                                     SUPER BOWL XLIX CHAMPIONS!

PATRIOTS- 28

SEAHAWKS- 24


P.S.-This is coming grudgingly from a long suffering Jets fan. 

Genevieve's Gems

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.


~Martin Luther King, Jr., Leader (1929-1968)

Sally's Back At It Again!

Oklahoma lawmaker files three bills targeting LGBTs

The lawmaker is taking aim at the state's decision to legalize gay marriage, and is seeking to allow parents to obtain reparative therapy for their children and for businesses to refuse service to LGBTs

24 JANUARY 2015 | BY SYLVIA TAN

Image: Newson6 video

Oklahoma State Represenative Sally Kern, who is known for her consistent stance against same-sex marriage, has introduced a series of bills that targets same-sex marriage and LGBTs.

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/oklahoma-lawmaker-files-three-bills-targeting-lgbts240115#sthash.WUmzMkLz.dpuf


This is the same Sally Kern who in 2010 ran against transgender woman Brittany M. Novotny. She referred to Ms. Novotny as 'it'. Is this anyway for a so called Christian to behave? 

Getting to traditional values, I'm for traditional values. What I have a problem with is when someone tries to keep others from living their lives because their lives are different from yours. To those who throw in 'traditional values'  when conferring to TGLB issues,these are the same people whose ancestors ripped apart the slave's family during the height of the slave trade. The same was done to Native Americans. I know both traditional and non traditional families. I wish some one would explain to me how denying TGLB people their right to life, liberty and happiness uphold traditional values? 

Toledo Harbor Lighthouse

This lighthouse was constructed in 1901 designed in the Romanesque architecture. Styles such as this give the lighthouse a homey feel to it. I've been in Ohio in wintertime and it's verrry cold! Toledo Lighthouse has a annual waterfront festival which will take place on July 11th and 12th.


Resources:

www.toledolighthouse.org

www.lighthousefriends.org

Genevieve's Gems

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertion and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.   


~Martin Luther King, Jr. Leader (1929-1968)

#Dream4Justice

I marched in the protest yesterday. There were about 400 or so protesters. Eleven members of my church joined the march. We marched from 110th Street and Lenox Avenue to Lexington Avenue and 77th Street . The march continued  to the UN where it met up with a group which started at Union Square. It was my first protest of the year.

#Dream4Justice March Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will participate in the #Dream4Justice  here in New York City. Some members of my church will also be participating. If you can, please meet at 110th Street and Lenox Ave (now Malcolm X. Blvd) at 12 noon.

SELMA

My wife and I went to the Magic Johnson Theater to see this movie. It didn't disappoint. It conjured up emotions that I felt back at that time. The bombing of a church at the beginning of the movie shook me as it did back in 1963 when it happened. 

The hatred in some white folks is hard to fathom but when you're bound by ignorance and lies, it's not all that surprising. The movie wasn't overdone or filled with sensationalist clutter. I recommend it to middle and high school students. My concern is that many may not know the history and events that took place during those tumultuous times.

To this day, the courage of those people in the face of death, jail, tear gas, and batons is truly amazing. I still wonder if I could have done what they did.

Lighthouses and Nature

As you may see I am a lover of lighthouses and nature. I visited a lighthouse back in 1982 and have read much about them since then. Lighthouses go back to ancient times and are still a viable part of life today. 

My love of nature goes back to my childhood. There were woods in the back of the complex I used to live in. I always wandered into the woods against my mother's wishes. I enjoyed wondering along the trails and exploring the shrubbery. On occasion I would see a rabbit or a chipmunk. When I was a scout I spent two weeks at summer camp. On my free time I would wander in the woods enjoying the scenery. 

When I spend time out in nature, I feel a oneness, a connection with my surroundings. I feel a closer connection possibly because I have Native American ancestry. Land has always been focal in the culture. I will keep posting photos of lighthouses and nature scenes. I hope it will encourage you to spend more time out in nature.

Genevieve's Gems

Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams a reality.


~Jonas Salk, Scientist (1914-1995) 

Duxbury Pier Lighthouse

Duxbury Pier Lighthouse is located in Plymouth Harbor near Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

Buckeyes!

                                     NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

 Congratulations, Buckeyes!

Congratulations

It's a little late but congrats are in order for these champions.


Division 2

Division 3

NAIA
Southern Oregon University

Bisons are Division 1-AA Champs

Congratulations to the Bison of North Dakota State University on winning the NCAA 1-AA football Championship coming from behind to defeat the Redbirds of Illinois State 29-27. 

Genevieve's Gems

Hope is patience with the lamp lit.


~Tertullian, Roman Author (160-225 AD)

Blackwell Island Lighthouse

Blackwell Island Lighthouse is also known as the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse and *Welfare Island Lighthouse. It was constructed and opened in 1872. The architecture is Gothic Revival.

Roosevelt Island is located on the East River between Manhattan and Queens.

*The island once had a hospital which housed drunkards, lunatics, debtors, and other downtrodden people, the hospital is now closed. 

What I Know Now

I ran cross country and track during in high school and junior college. Several years later I participated in road races. I learned much more about training and racing strategy during my road racing years. At times I remarked that if I knew these strategies back in high school my racing career may have been different.

When I reminisced about what I know now about gender and look back into my past and there really isn't much of a reference point. I came out as transgender over nine years ago. I had to start out from scratch. The one consistent aspect is that I'm still changing and growing. I notice that at the end of each year changes have occurred  though I don't feel like anything has progressed. One of the reasons may be that we may not be able to handle a particular piece of information at the particular time we discover it. 

I have learned to be patient and take in whatever good experiences that come my way. Life is a marathon and not a sprint. Past experiences can help, giving some kind of rock to stand on. When new experiences come we can move forward with confidence.  

Genevieve's Gems

Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people's criticisms, carry out your plan.
goals

~Paul J. Meyer