PRIDE FLAG ON LIBRARY WALL

 

FATHER'S DAY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Authenticity means erasing the gap between what you firmly believe inside and what reveal to the outside world.

~Adam Grant

KNOW YOURSELF

 

REMEMBERING THE ANCESTORS

During pride month, I am reminded of the pioneers who came before me. I and others are standing on the shoulders of the men and women who fought for dignity and the to live life openly.

DEW DROP INN. NEW ORLEANS

 

The Dew Drop Inn (1945-1969) was a club that was known for the greatest musicians that performed there. James Brown, Louie Armstrong, and Allen Toussant were some of the musician who entertained there.

It was also a place where drag and cross-dressing were done by the performers, staff and patrons. It was also racially integrated.

Besides entertaining, Dew Drop Inn was also a restaurant, hotel, and a barber and beauty salon.

 

PRDIE MONTH

Pride month is here! There will be much happening here in New York City and around the world. I will be attending several events. The first one will be on Friday to see the pictures of a photoshoot I took part in a couple of moths ago. There will be a trans social also. 

I had at least two pride events that I will be participating in, and quite possibly a third.  This year I believe there will be more participants in the various activities. One thing I learned during the pandemic is NEVER take anything for granted. 

MEMORIAL DAY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.

~Helen Keller, Author (1880-1968)

STANDING MY GROUND

Just because laws are passed to deny trans youth the services they may need does not change the fact that they are trans. Trans people have always been around and that's not going to change. It took me a long time to get where I am currently and no one will get me deny myself. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

LIBERATED AND COMPLETED

When I transitioned almost seventeen years ago, I was liberated from what society says I should. It was also a spiritual journey my being a Christian and trans were compatible. I was completed also in that I could move forward and live life to the fullest.

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH

June will be here in a couple of weeks. New York City will be alive with pride. I am working on some radio programs about pride and what it means. I am contemplating doing a broadcast while at the pride march. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If you don't stand your ground, then all that happens is people push you backwards.

~Jordan Peterson

LIFE'S WINDING ROAD

Life has many twists and turns. I have said that my has been a strange yet interesting trip. I think what life would have been like if all these twists and turn had never occurred. I certainly don't lament what has occurred; I embrace it. 

The main point is that I kept going. Life isn't a linear road that is always straight. I'm glad because I like adventure and new discoveries. The point is to keep going until I reach my destination.

HONORING MOMS

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 Loving others means loving those who are different. It is loving folks with different viewpoints. It is also wanting the best for them.

STAY VIGILANT

There is much going on the country. The abortion debate. Anti-trans legislation. The mess in the Ukraine. Censorship of books deemed 'controversial'. Big Pharma. What concerns me is the woeful lack of leadership among pols in both parties. The average person and the poor are brushed to the side.

Regarding the anti -trans bills being brought forth in many legislators, we trans people are small in numbers compared to the GLB communities. If they are successful (I pray not) gay marriage and the others rights will be the next targets. 

It's important that we stay vigilant. This is about our future. 

PARENTAL SUPPORT

 It's great that parents are supporting their trans child(ren).

CURRENT READ

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

~Booker T. Washington, Educator (1856-1915)

SALUTATIONS

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

In life, you need many more things besides talent. Things like good advice and common sense.

~Hack Wilson, Athlete (1900-1948)

RAINBOW FLAGS TO FLY ON GERMAN GOVERNMENT BULDINGS

Germany's Interior Ministry will allow rainbow flags to fly on government buildings on some occasions. I hope it also means that transgender flags can fly on government buildings.

gaycitynews.com

PALMS AND JOY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

It is easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing, that's the Lord's test. 

Mahalia Jackson, Musician (1911-1972)  

CALLING OUT HATERS

There has been much progress in the transgender community. One of the accomplishments is calling out the haters. Years ago, this would have rarely happen. Now transgender and mon binary folks are challenging the haters who want to deny our existence. 

Just because some don't want us to be visible does not mean that we do not exist. We have always been here and we are not going away. Haters will be called out.

NCAA DIVISION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

 MEN

                                       

WOMEN

MORE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

MEN

DIVISION II

                                            

Northwest Missouri State Bearcats

NAIA

Loyola University (La.) Wolfpack

 

WOMEN 

DIVISION II

                                                         Glenville State College Pioneers

NAIA

                                     

                                                           Thomas More College Saints

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Visibility is more power, but more vulnerability.

~Ezra Furman, Musician (b.1986)

BE VISIBLE

 

LIVING MY LIFE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 We must believe that we are gifted for something.

~Marie Curie, Physicist (1867-1934)

DIVISION II BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

 MEN

WOMEN

RECOVERING

The person I mentioned yesterday is recuperating in the hospital. She alive! Continue to pray for her.

PRAYERS

A trans woman I correspond with on Facebook was shot in the head, but she survived. 

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

 DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

                                                        INDIANA TECH WARRIORS

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS (MEN)

 DIVISION  I

 

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

St. PATRICK

 

FIGHT THE MADNESS

In spite of the anti-trans bills being rammed through legislatures, I encourage parents of trans children to fight this madness. Life in prison for healthcare for their children? Terrorism if you ask me. I encourage all trans people to be yourselves and stand up for trans youth. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.

~Frederick Douglass, Author (1818-1895)

SUPPORT TRANS YOUTH

With a number of states barring trans women and girls from school sports teams, it's critical that we stand up and stand behind our trans youth. 

It is very important that we make our legislators understand that keep them from receiving the health care that they need will do more harm to an already vulnerable population. It's great that parents are standing up and making their voices heard. March 31 is the day of transgender visibility. Let's dedicate the whole month to being visible.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.

~Billy Graham, Clergyman (1918-2018)

HAPPY MARCH

 

UKRAINE

My prayers go out to the people of Ukraine, especially my LGBTQI+ sisters and brothers. 

FOOD POISONING

I suffered food poisoning for a few days. A bad burger was to blame I'm better now.

HB1099

Another bad anti-trans bill, this time in Mississippi.

SB1138 DEFEATED

My congratulations to the trans youth and advocates whose testimonies before the Arizona Health and Human Services Committee helped defeat the anti-trans bill SB1138. This bill, if passed, would have prohibited gender-affirming care for trans youth.

Once again, my hearty congratulations to the trans youth and their advocates.

COMMENTARY-CROSSROADS

I know a few folks who were at a crossroads in life. It was choice between ending their lives and being the people that they are. I'm happy that they chose the latter. Now they are living wonderful lives. 

Choosing to live life as a transgender woman has been a blessing. I was at a crossroads one time almost 17 years ago. I realized that I was a crossdresser (at that time) and I enjoyed wearing women's clothing. I couldn't go back to my previous life. I couldn't stay where I was-in denial. That was like being on a torture rack. The day came when I came out as Genevieve.

It took a year for me to be comfortable in my own skin. Since then I haven't looked back. The people I mentioned (didn't mention their names) in the first paragraph have blessed my life, and I hope mine has done the same. 

I have reached numerous crossroads. I have been nudged forward, knowing that better things await me. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Be who you are. 

Let no one define who you are. Define yourself.

TRUTH

 

AUTHENTICITY

Choosing to be authentic is not an easy task. One may have decided to end the struggle by doing away with themselves. Then suddenly a flicker of hope tells them to keep going. They do, and the life they want to live becomes reality. They may have lost people and things but now they are free to live the authentic life they truly crave. 

I'm so happy that many of you made the decision I did many years ago; to be my true self. I've never been happier. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. 

~E.M. Forster, Novelist (1879-1970)

ANTI-TRANS BILL PASSES IN SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota House of Representatives passed anti-trans and bathroom bills, barring transgender girls and women and some nonbinary people from participating on girls teams.  They can only use the bathroom according to their birth sex. Governor Kristi Noem, a vocal anti-trans opponent is expected to sign the bills.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

A TRULY QUEER SPACE

 

This is the queer bookstore at my local LGBT center. I stopped by last week for the first time in over a year. During my visit I sensed a queer vibe as I browsed through a number of books. I felt like the place expected me here. I was very happy to be there; so much so that I didn't want to leave. I did purchase a book. 

As I left it showed me how important spaces like this are. Queer spaces are getting g harder to find but they are out there. Cherish them because we need them.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

~Henry Adams, Historian (1838-1918)

WHAT IS HAPPENING

Right before our eyes Western Civilization is cracking at the edges. Ineffective leaders, an indifferent populace, and the thirst for money and power has trumped caring for those less fortunate. 

What is happening now has happened in past civilizations. Rome, Greece, Egypt, ancient Babylon are just a few places that fell by the wayside. I am an optimistic individual . I will do whatever I can to help others If the nation keeps going the way it is, America will be in the ash heap of history.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 The lesser of two evils is still evil.

A FIRST

A hearty congratulations to MJ Rodriguez on winning the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a TV drama. The star of the program 'Pose' is the first transgender woman to win the award.
 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS FOOTBALL TEAM!

FCS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

 

Congratulations to the Bisons!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come to reality, it Take an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.

~Jesse Owens, Athlete (1913-1980)

FOOTBALL CHAMPION SERIES TITLE GAME THIS SATURDAY

 

                                                                                 VS

INFLUENCERS

Last night, I was thinking about the people who influenced me who are no longer here. I miss them and wish that they were here. 

SETTING THE RECORD

Amy Schneider, a contestant on the game show 'Jeopardy,' has won over $900,000 dollars. Ms. Schneider, a trans woman, has set a new record for prize money won by a woman. She is nearing one million dollars. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

 DIVISION II

                                                                   Ferris State Bulldogs

DIVISION III

University of Mary-Hardin-Baylor Crusaders

NAIA

A NEW BEGINNING

A new year has begun. A clean slate. What would you want to write? That the year will be filled with adventure? That you accepted new challenges? Have you come to the point that 2022 has to be better? The old has gone away. Now the door is open to a new you. Are you willing to walk through?