TRANSGENDER FLAG DAY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.

~Joy Page, Actress (1924-2008)

JOURNEY

 

My journey has been one strange but wonderful adventure. I didn't know what was ahead but I needed to go. The journey is ongoing as I believe more adventures lay ahead. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Fear is the only true enemy, born of ignorance and the parent of anger and hate.

~Edward Albert, Actor (1951-2006)

AN INTERESTING JOURNEY

When I came out seventeen years ago, I had no idea where my journey would take me. Looking at it now, it's been quite an adventure. 

I never did anything in my life that would suggest that I was transgender. I was a typical male who was active in male activities. The only inkling(?) I had was the feeling of difference. There was a sense of detachment though I enjoyed the things I was doing. Sports. Hanging out with the guys. Projects duch as working on cars.

When the new milenium came, my sense of disconnection and difference felt more intense. I didn't know what I was wrestling with or why. Fast forward a few years I came out as a crossdresser. My journey went from there to transgenderist to transgender. 

I am comfortable with who I am and encourage others to live their reality. I have met some wonderful people and made some great friends. The journey is ongoing. I am anticipating what the chapters will be.

SAFE SPACES

Over the years places where LGBTQI+ folks can hang out have disappeared. This ha SC been affected by gentrification, social media, high rents, and changing demography. For trans folks, safe spaces are needed even more. With increase visibility, and increasing hostility by anti-trans forces, we needed places that we can be ourselves. 

I want to see more bookstores and more places where seniors can meet and share. I'm thankful for we have, however, more is needed

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

CHIK-FIL-A IS ANTI-LGBTQ

 

Chik-Fil-A recently opened up in my neighborhood. They are anti-LGBTQ who pour money to conservative politicians who support anti-LGBTQ legislation.

LIFE GOES ON

Pride month is over and life goes on. New chapters to begin. Where will it lead?  Each new year should be better than the previous one. There are powers who wish us gone. Put out to pasture. Go into hiding. I never was in a closet because I didn't know what I was. How can one go back to a place he/she's never been?  

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.

~ Dalai Lama

SEVENTEEN!

On this date seventeen years ago, Genevieve came out to the world.

DEWEY'S PROTEST

 

On April 25, 1965, in Philadelphia, over 150 people protested the discriminatory practices of Dewey's Lunch Counter. Transgender, Gays, and gender nonconforming people were barred from dining here because they were deemed inappropriate. A second protest happened a short time later. Flyers were handled to folks on the street. After pressure and the community awareness, Dewey's discriminatory practices were done away with.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

It is certain, in any case, at ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.

~James Baldwin, Novelist (1924-1987)

MAGNUS HIRSCHFELD (1868-1935)

 

I wonder how the whole conversation about gender and sexuality would be if his work had survived the Nazi purge.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Begin, be bold  and venture to be wise.

~Horace, Roman Poet, (65BC-8BC) 

CURRENT READING

 

NCAA WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONS

Division I

Division II

Division III

NAIA

NCCA LACROSSE CHAMPIONS

 MEN

Division I

Division II

Division III

NAIA

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and the world.

Sharon Salzberg

NCAA SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS

 Division I

Division II

                               

                                                            Rogers State University Hillcats

Division III

                                                        Christopher Newport University

NAIA

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

 Division I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

                                                               WOMEN

Division I

Division II

Division III

NAIA

                                                              University of British Columbia

NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

                                                                            MEN

Division I

Division II

Division III

NAIA

                                                                        Life University (Ga.)

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing.

Caroline Kennedy

STILL SEEKING OUR INDEPENDENCE

I was thinking how pride Sunday and the 4th of July are only a week apart. The country will celebrate its independence from England. The LGBTQI+ community, in many ways, is still seeking independence from those who wish to deny us. We just want to live our lives.   

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

 

COMPTON CAFETERIA RIOT

 

In August, 1966, drag queens and transgender people rioted in response to the constant harassment by the police. Trans women, in particular were targets. Compton Cafeteria was a local hangout in San Francisco for sex workers, drag queens, and transgender people. 

The Compton Cafeteria Riot happened three years before the Stonewall happened. Sadly there is very little or no footage of the riots. The riot was lost to history until it was rediscovered by historian Susan Stryker. In 2005, along with Victor Silverman, released the documentary Screaming Queens, of which I viewed.   

I recommend the book, Transgender History by Susan Stryker 

HAPPY PRIDE!

 

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

When the government violates people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of the rights and the most indispensable of duties.

~Marquis de Lafayette, Revolutionary, (1757-1834)

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).