2025 NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

 

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                                  Louisiana State University at Shreveport

WORDS OF WISDOM

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

PRIDE MONTH

There were a few takeaways from this year's pride parades. In spite of all the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, the parades went on with much more purpose. We were making ourselves loud and proud.

One irony is that world pride was held in Washington, D.C. where President Trump and his minions want to push us back in the closet.

A special shoutout to Budapest. The Hungarian hierarchy said that the pride march was illegal. Turned out to be one of the biggest parades I saw.

Yes, we are defying all the obstacles that designed to stop us. Onward and upward!

CANADA DAY

 To all my Canadian friends

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

AIDS MEMORIAL-A VISIT

 

I recently visited the AIDS Memorial here in the West Village. I felt the urge to come here, for reasons unknown. Just like the 9/11 memorial site and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, I did not personally know anyone who died from HIV/AIDS.

As I sat on the seat (foreground), I listened to music sung by the gay men's chorus over a loudspeaker. The feeling of connection swept through me. I felt a peace in my heart just being here. 

Early in the Aids crisis, I was indifferent about it. I reasoned that it was their own fault. It was when I saw how AIDS patients were treated by society that I really changed my tune. These were human beings! They were hurting and afraid. I'm thankful to the people who helped during that time.

Sitting there, I almost felt like crying. As I post this I feel the same way. I needed to be there at that particular time. It was as if the songs were speaking to me. I believe that I was forgiven for my indifference. 

As I left there, I resolve that I will visit here more often. I am thankful for that experience. 

2025 NCAA WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

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NAIA

2025 NCAA MEN'S TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

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                                              University of British Columbia

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

FREEDOM

 

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS BAN

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on healthcare for transgender youth. This decision will also impact doctors nationwide who provide essential medical care.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

DAD'S DAY

 

CELEBRATING OUR CONTRIBUTIONS

I read a few days ago that some folks believe that June should be veterans month instead of pride month. There are plenty of times that veterans are honored. Memorial Day. Military Appreciation Day. Veterans Day. As a veteran, I attend activities in support of veterans. 

Pride is important for many folks. Some want to take pride month away because it offends their sensibilities about sex and gender. Pride is about celebrating who we are. We have no need to be ashamed of ourselves. Just like our veterans, we honor those who sacrificed much so we can enjoy the freedoms we have now.

PARADES! PARADES!

There were a lot of pride parades this past weekend. Despite all the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric being spewed, we are out and proud of who we are. We are aren't going anywhere!

HAPPY PRIDE! 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

NEW WORD

 

BE YOU

 

BEING MYSELF

 

WORLD PRIDE

World Pride is in Washington D. C. this year. It's ironic that it's taking place during Donald Trump's reign. This is the same man along with his minions who want to sweep LGBTQ people to the trash hap. Trans and m onconforminb people, in particular, are being singled out. I hope D C will have the biggest parade they ever had. We are not afraid. We are not going away.

JUNE IS HERE

 

COMMENTARY

The past week has been a roller coaster of emotions. Memorial Day as one of conflcted feelings. Later in the week I read about the House of Representaives in Washington voted to deny trans people any kind of medical care. 

I felt anger and conflict, two emotions I rarely show. The country is so divided. A leader should bring the nation together. From what I'm seeing now, It's anything but.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

MIXED FEELINGS

 

This is the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Plaza in the financial district 8n New York City. I visit here a few times during the year. When I reading the quotes of people carved on the wall, I come away with conflicted feelings. Yesterday, those feelings were stronger than ever. 

I was in the military (army) during the Vietnam conflict. I was state side during the time (1971-1974). The war was unpopular, and some folks took out their wrath against the men and women serving. I sat on the bench nearby struggling g with my own feelings. These soldiers were my contemporaries. Some of them never made it home.

Why do I have these feelings of conflict? I don't know, and I wasn't there. I will continue to visit the memorial. It's my own personal homage to the men and women who served during that time. I suppose I will always have this conflict. However, I will always remember their service and those who lost their lives.

MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

MEMORIAL REMEMBRANCE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

BOOKS

 A few books I'm interested in reading/purchasing.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

TRANSGENDER SOLDIERS BEING DISCHARGED

The military will be discharging all transgender personnel. Trans people will not be allowed to join the service either. As a veteran I am appalled by this order. To say that we are incapable of performing our duties is a lie. 

The military will need to replace these spots. I'm m sure that some were in high security positions. The services have to maintain a particular quota. When gay and lesbian personnel were discharged, they needed to be replaced. Some of the replacements weren't the best or the brightest. 

As a veteran who is transgender, I served with honor and distinction. So have many others. This order sends a chilling message to the trans men and women who want to serve our country.

HONORING MOTHERS

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 Things will only improve when the people-all of us- say to authorities, 'I will hold you responsible.' We shall all be showing up at city council meetings, lighting up every community with activism and mobilization.

~Erin Brockovich

RELUCTANT ACTIVIST

 Earlier this evening I shared my life story at a community rally and press conference at Fort Washington Collegiate Church. The church is slated to close on June 30th. However the worshippers and the community are fighting against this.

Fort Washington is the poorest of the four collegiate churches. Despite obstacles we have been able to raise funds and get tenants to share our  space. The will be a protest on May 20th to challenge the Collegiate board to change their mind. 

FWCC has been a pillar in the community. Many folks have been helped. Lives have been saved. There is a community fridge, activities for young people, and a community garden. There have been concerts, a community Thanksgiving dinner annually, weddings and other activities. FWC. is an open AND affirming church. 

I am attending May 20th protest. This is very important to me and the community. This reluctant activist not going to go down without a fight.

COMMUNITY RALLY

 

COMMENTARY

The past week has been one of mixed blessings. Confusion over the need to bash transgender folks. The powers that be blame us for the ills of society. Inam also feeling blessed about who I am and where I'm heading to. In spite of all the naysayers, I'm still marching on.

This journey is taking me to new places. Questions about gender, sexuality, and protest have give new meaning as to what it is to be different. I welcome these questions and know, down the line, they will be answered. Once I make a decision to do something, nothing will stop me from proceeding ahead. This is where I am right now.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 I derive great joy from seeing others succeed.

~Genevieve

ACTION, NOT WORDS

I generally don't talk much about myself. Being out as a transperson is how I choose to speak. There may be someone who is watching me who may be struggling. I pray that they know they aren't alone. 

LIFE IS CONSTANTLY MOVING

We are constantly evolving. We are different now than we were a year ago. Age doesn't diminish the feelings we may have. It could be an attraction to another person much younger than we. It could be moving to another state or country. It could mean starting a new path. 

I am a seeker. Whatever feeling I have at the present moment, I go with it, see where it will lead. Life is constantly moving forward. I cherish those moments that I'm in. New goals and challenges is what makes life worth living.

TRANSGENDER AND WRITING

I write prose and poetry about several subjects: nature, life, spirituality, sexual feelings, love, and living. I have touched on my life as a transgender person. My life experiences have shaped me in becoming the person I am now. 

Writing was the way I could express my feelings about transitioning. Now that I am a septugenarian, I understand how writing and transition are intertwined in my life. In my early years, writing kept me sane. Age has allowed me to reflect on my life as a trans person. I have no regrets about my transition or writing on subjects I never could fathom. I am breaking down new barriers in my own life.

Transgender people are now being targeted by the powerful. That will not stop me from writing and being authentic. Writing allows me to speak truth to power.    

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

EASTER AND TRANSFORMATION

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate Christ' resurrection from the tomb. It symbolizes the death of the flesh and the life of the spirit. 

I was thinking today about my own transformation. There was a battle going inside me. The old me was fighting to stay; the new life seeking the light of day. When I let the new life take over, it was a rebirth. Genevieve was out to the world. There would be a new way of living, of being.

This is what Jesus was telling people during his three years of ministry. There was another way. Many did not understand what he really was about. Many people today do not understand what being transgender is about. 

I certainly am not comparing my gender transformation to that of Jesus' resurrection. What he did changed the course of human history. Perhaps my life can help someone who is struggling. It's a small sacrifice but worth it if a life is changed- or saved.

COMMENTARY

This Lent season has been one of trial, renewal, and recharge. Many folks wonder where our world is headed. The world in Jesus' time faced some of the same issues we do. Homelessness, poverty, corruption, alienation,  a sense that our concerns don't matter to the powers that be.

It is up to us, the citizens to not only voice our concerns but also seek solutions. Jesus demonstrated that there is another way of living, of moving forward. We need to move differently. Christ spoke up to power, and we need to do the same. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide. 

~Brene Brown

A NEW YOU

 

SB164 DEFEATED IN MONTANA

Republicans joined with Democrats in defeating SB164, 58-40, which would have charged adults who knowingly provide gender affirming care to trans people. If the bill had passed, adults faced fines up to $10,000 dollars and imprisonment up to five years. 

Congratulations to the people who helped to defeat this terrible bill.                        

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

2025 NCAA WOMENS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

 DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

                                     NEW YORK UNIVERSITY VIOLETS

NAIA

2025 NCAA MENS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

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DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

COLLEGE OF IDAHO

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

This quote spoke to me regarding the current situation with my transgender sisters and brothers.

BE AUTHENTIC-OTHERS ARE WATCHING

 

BE VISIBLE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

The power of visibility can never be underestimated.

~Margaret Cho, Comedian

I'M BACK!

I had some trouble logging onto my account and retrieving my password. I have a lot of catching up to do. I missed posting to you all. It's a passion of mine to share information and positive vibes.   

IOWA FIRST

Iowa becomes the first state to remove civil rights protections for transgender people.