I will be traveling tomorrow to Albany, New York for Equality and Justice Day. We will meet with legislators, attend workshops, and a rally on the steps of the state capitol. Daniella Carter, a rising star as a trans activist, will be the featured speaker. I attend my first EJ Day last year and found it to be interesting and eye opening. There were many youth at last year's conference and I expect more this year.
My main reason for going is to see the state of the fight for employment protections for transgender people. the Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) has been on the docket for over a decade now. It should have passed the same time marriage equality was in 2010 but was conveniently forgotten, even my the mainstream LGBT organizations because everyone was caught in the euphoria of the passage of marriage equality.
I will get more information and see what I can do to help move this along. I will give updates as the day moves along.
Last night I went to a friend's home for a prayer meeting with gay and lesbian friends. Most of us have known each other for about ten years. It was great seeing them again as we all have our lives to live.
There was conversation, food laughter, and later prayer and intercession. The spirit of God was in the place as we made our petitions to God. The haters who say that God hates us should have been with us last night. We love God, seek his guidance, and desire to do his will. Yes, our gender and sexuality are different but we are God's children also.
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.
~George Bernard Shaw, Dramatist (1856-1950)
It's a rainy and cool day here in New York City. At least it's a chance to slow down. I have an active mid full of ideas, thoughts, and concerns. Last night I began writing a short story and have a play in mind.
I have been thinking about trans issues more since many of them are coming to the fore. Here in New York, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) is an important issue for transgender people. There's so many issues out there so I have to funnel my focus on a few. I'm very happy that these things are even being discussed. Now to educate people about these subjects.
I shared with a friend recently I'm busier now than when I was working and that I enjoy it. I'm doing the things that I love. Reflection is a good way to gauge where I am and where I need to go. Recharge the batteries and move ahead.
I thought the week after Holy Week would slow down but it hasn't. I don't mind, though. I have a couple of book fairs this weekend. The Anarchist Book Fair and the Rainbow Book Fair are annual events I attend every year. I always come away with a book. The latter book fair is LGBTQ related.
I'm enjoying the mild weather we've been having this week. I put away some of my winter clothing. I'll keep a few winter items out in the event another cold snap hits. I'm looking forward to being out more this summer.
Congratulations to the University of Connecticut women's basketball team! Champions for the third year in a row.
Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.
~Edward de Bono, Psychologist (b.1933)
Holy Week concluded with Easter Sunday services. It was a wonderful week. My wife and I acted in a drama on Maundy Thursday. Hadn't acted in anything since I don't know when. Good Friday service was done in the New Orleans Jazz Funeral style. It was lively and joyful. There were two services on Easter Sunday.
Holy Week reminds me of the sacrifices and changes that have occurred in my own life. There has been joy, struggle, fun, learning, and the conclusion that I'm on the right course.
NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS!
Congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils!
To live happily with other people, one should ask of them only what they can give.
~Tristan Bernard, French Playwright (1866-1947)
A hearty congratulations to the 2015 Division II men's basketball champions Florida Southern College Moccasins.
2015 DIVISION II NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA VULCANS
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But. life is changing all the time.
~Miguel Angel Ruiz, Mexican Author (b. 1952)
Congratulations to the Oklahoma City University Stars and the Morningside (IA) Mustangs on winning the NAIA Divison I & Division II Championships. A job well done!
Oklahoma City University Stars- 80
Campbellsville (Ky) Tigers- 63
Morningside (IA) Mustangs- 59
Concordia University (NEB) Bulldogs- 57
One of the aspects of being transgender is that you're always evolving. I expressed this point with a group of my trans sisters the other night. Just when you think you have something figured out, something comes along and squelches that thought.
Trans is a prefix which means 'across', beyond' or the 'other side'. In my case, the other side is the best fit. I know what it is for women to go through some of the stuff that they do. Getting less pay, the feeling of being second class, and the demands to always look young. Trans gender women are still looked upon as novelties but that's changing , albeit slowly.
I have enjoyed life much more since coming out ten years ago. Just recently I saw how much I have changed and I didn't really notice it. When I sense a major shift coming into my life, at times it will cause me to ask many questions. Is it worth it? Is it some thing that will affect me and those around me? There are some questions that sooner or later I will have to answer.
NAIA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS!
DALTON STATE (GA.) ROADRUNNERS-64
TALLADEGA UNIVERSITY (ALA.) TORNADOES-54
Congratulations are in order for the Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University (Mich.) as they won the NAIA Division II men's basketball championship defeating the Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) Tigers, 66-45 on March 17th.
Men's Champions!
Women's Champions!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
The Division 3 women's basketball championship takes place this evening. The George Fox University Bruins do battle with the Thomas More College Saints.
VS.
This is my favorite time of year. Basketball, and more basketball. Today the Division 3 men's basketball championship will be decided between the Augustana College (Ill.) Vikings and the Pointers of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
VS.
Eyes and ears are poor witnesses to people if they have uncultured souls.
~Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher, (544 BC-483 BC)
Victory! New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care
March 19, 2015 - Transgender New Yorkers covered by Medicaid can now access the medically necessary health care they have been denied for nearly two decades! Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health have officially adopted a new regulation that ends the 17-year-old exclusion of transgender health care from New York’s Medicaid program
The new regulation, which formally took effect on March 11, eliminates a 1998 regulation which stated that coverage “is not available for care, services, drugs, or supplies rendered for the purpose of gender reassignment….” In 2013, TLDEF submitted a 38-page letter urging the state to rescind the 1998 regulation. The new regulation ensures coverage for many common treatments for gender dysphoria, the diagnostic term used to refer to discomfort or distress caused by a difference between a person’s gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. -transgenderlegal.org
Constructed in 874 AD, Maota Lighthouse was the second oldest lighthouse in China. Located on Mao Island on the Mao River in Shanghai, Maota lasted 1128 years until was closed in 2002.
http://www.aton.gov.cn/
This past Saturday I attended a wedding at the famous Riverside Church here in New York City. The former associate pastor of my church was being betrothed to his partner. It was the second same sex marriage I've attended. It was a rainy day but our spirits were high.
It was a beautiful ceremony, one of the best I've attended in my life. Te cavernous main sanctuary was near filled to capacity. Afterwards, there was a punch and cupcake reception. Reverend Miller is a dynamic and creative individual. He created a dance team for the youth at our church. He was involved with fitness, the LGBTQI ministry, and number of other activities. I met his partner over a year ago and really like him very much.
There are a number of same sex couples at our church. Fort Washington Collegiate Church is an open and affirming church. I pray that there will be more same sex weddings.
Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.
~Edgar Cayce, Celebrity (1877-1945)
Spring reminds me that there is a transition from cold and snow to the blossoming of flowers and trees. The temperatures gradually get warmer. I have written a number of poems about the seasons and what each represents to me.
The seasonal changes is a parallel to the transition we as trans people make. There's the physical changes made. There's also the emotional transition. As I navigate through life I sometimes hits me the changes that have happened, often very subtle. At the trans women's group discussion I attend bimonthly it's wonderful when someone has success in an area of life that they have been struggling with.
Seasons aren't stationary either. They just glide steadily along until the time comes when you notice the change. Seasons come and go and this spring is different from last spring. We can celebrate the changes we've made. We can continue to grow and live life without shame or guilt.
I will be attending Equality and Justice Day in Albany, New York on Tuesday, April 28th. I attended last year for the first time and found it rather interesting. I'm looking to get more involved because there are some issues that need to be addressed (GENDA is at the top of my list).
I met a couple of my trans sisters there last year and I hope to do so again. I would love to see those politicians who say they support us become more visible in voice and and at protests.
It's one thing not to have an opportunity; it's other thing not to take advantage of the opportunities when it is presented.
Here are some more photos from the CUNY Indoor Track and Field Championship.
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.
