Speaking On Wednesday At Day of Remembrance

I will be Transgender Day of Remembrance services on Wednesday. I do so every year. I'm thinking about what I will say because so much has happened in the past year. I've dedicated the year to Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman of color who was murdered about a mile from my residence.

It is important that transgender people stay vigilent. Our enemies have ramped up their efforts to deny us equality and we must continue our efforts not to let them keep us from having the same protections and rights they enjoy.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.

~Carl Schurz

Windward Point Light (Faro Punta Barloventa)

This 60 foot tall structure was built in the U.S. in 1904, then shipped to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. It remained here until 1955 when it was decommissioned. It is currently at the Coast Guard museum, where it is in serious disrepair.


www.unc.edu~rowlett/lighthouse  

Veteran's Day

As a veteran, I am reminded of what my service to the country was. It is something that I am proud of. It also bring to mind the one million homeless veterans around the country. This is a national disgrace. The VA isn't doing anything for these men and women and the politicians still keep beating the drums for war.
 
On this day we pay homage to the men and women who served. Regardless of your own beliefs and persuasion, you are to be honored and cheered.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men.

~Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Those Folks Who Are In Denial

I'm feeling much better today after a bout with high blood pressure.

Over the past few days I have thought about men and women who are in denial about who they are. I'm sure there are some who want to live their authentic selves but for one reason or another do not or cannot.  I can understand why some don't come out. There are those folks who need to come clean for their on sake. I was in denial for several weeks before I came out as a cross dresser. It was a very stressful time but when I made the decision to live authentically all that stress and tension dissipated.

Denial can cause friction within the family, among coworkers, friends, and colleagues. The worst is when some politicians and high positioned folks deny TGLB people their rights, then we find out that they are struggling with the same issues. Coming out is a personal decision and I cringe when I hear some people and group who try to out those folks who haven't come out. The common reasoning I hear is that if they came out they could be an example to young people. People are more influenced by those people around them rather than some celebrity.  

In conclusion, if you have come to the decision to reveal your true identity, do it. Denial is like being on a torture rack. I understand that some cannot reveal themselves and I pray that one day you can.

Coney Island Lighthouse

I remember hearing the foghorn and bell on foggy nights from the Coney Island (Norton's Point) Lighthouse when I lived in Coney Island (1965-1979). I lived across the street from the private gated community of Sea Gate, where the light house stood and still stands today.

Coney Island Lighthouse is located on the western tip of Coney Island along Gravesend Bay. The last gatekeeper of the lighthouse was Frank Schubert who maintained the lighthouse for over 40 years. When Schubert died in the 2003, it was the last time the lighthouse was manned.

Under The Weather

Spent the day in bed. Pressure is high so I need to take it easy.

This past Friday I read poems at an open mike in a bookstore. I recited a poem titled Lily*. This is a true story about a homeless woman found dead on the street three or four years ago. Lily's plight reminds me of the many transgender people living in the streets because their families do not want them.

It's getting colder here in the northeast. When the rains and snows come, I have a warm place to retreat to. Lily didn't and neither do a lot of transgender people. With the increased visibility trans people are getting this and other needs will come sharper into focus. I wish that more TGLB organizations would discuss and address this crisis.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Choosing the lesser of two evils is tantamount to making a deal with the devil.

The Needles Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located on the southwestern end of the chalk rocks off the Isle of Wight. Needles was first constructed in 1786. A second construction was made in 1859. A helipad was built on top of the lighthouse in 1987. The Needles Lighthouse was automated in 1994. In 2010, work was done on the underpinnings of the lighthouse so it wouldn't fall into the ocean. 

I was struck by the location of the lighthouse. One would think that The Needles Lighthouse is in a very precarious situation but it has stood tall all these years.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.


~Virginia Woolf

Conference On Aging

Today my wife and I attended a conference on aging. Many topics were dicussed; everything from where you could learn about how to use a computer to accessing Medicare to benches being put on sidewalks so senior citizens can sit down and rest. Nothing about TGLB issues were brought up however I will broach this subject at future meetings. There's so much info out there; the issue was finding it.

There's an opportunity for me to attend a community board meeting in a couple of weeks. This will be my first time so it should be interesting. I will be keeping an eye and ear out for anything TGLB folks.

New Computer In The Future?

I was hoping that I could hold off from purchasing another laptop. There are a few things coming up with this one I'm using. If the right price circumstances come up I may have to break down and purchase one.

Genevieve's Gems

Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Greek Poets and Being Transgender

I spent much of the day at the library. I was researching poetry of ancient Greece, a topic I have a keen interest in. I read some of the works of Sappho, Homer, and Sophocles to mention a few. The freedom they expressed themselves was most revealing.

Reflecting on being transgender I am doing much the same. I overcome some fears (using the lady's restroom, for example) and feel much freer in my spirit. I'm sure that there were transgender people back in ancient Greece. I wonder if they were freer to express who they were?

St. George Reef Lighthouse

Located eight mile north of Crescent City, California, St. George Reef Lighthouse is the northernmost lighthouse in California. It is near the California-Orgeon border. It was first opened in 1891 and lit in 1892. One of the dangers of St. George Reef was the high tides and waves. Some lives were lost as a result. St. George Reef Lighthouse was also an assignment not everyone clamored for.


www.lighthousefriends.com

Gender-Varied and Complex

Today I have thought much about gender and how complex and varied that it is. It can't be pigeon holed because of these variations. I n a way that good because God looks at us as we are. Over the past few weeks I've wondered if there is still more experiences I need to go through? I've always left the door open for changes that need to make. I'm curious as to where my journey will take me next. I'm doing some exploring and research about gender and sexuality. I wonder if the latter is as fluid as gender.

Exploring

As a child I often wandered in the woods near my home enjoying the trees, animals,and the streams flowing. I spent hours exploring the wonders of nature. Children explore many things around them trying to make sense of the world around them.

I have thought much about how as adults we lose the sense of wonder. I question many things, particularly within the past decade or so. It seems that conformity is trumping critical thinking and curiosity. I am still as curious now as I was when I was a child. When I was a scout, I loved the two week camping trips we went to during the summer months. We learned so many things about the outdoors. I tended to wander off during my free time and enjoy my natural settings.

With my gendered life, I am free to explore and experiment. One aspect of my journey is to be open to new experiences.

Computer Issues

Computer issues cropped up again,so I'm using a tablet. Love this thing!

In my humble opinion, EVERY member of Congress (and Senate for that matter) should be fired! They are an embarrasment to the constituencies they allegedly represent and rehensible to all Americans. Besides shutting the governement down, they want to get the US in a war with Syria. They do not talk about the 18 million children who go to bed hungry every night,the seniors (18-20 million) who really struggling, the one million homeless veterans, and the financial crises they and their cronies on Wall Street put us in. I could go on but it may take a lifetime to mention them all. I do have some solutions but telling them is like talking to the wall.

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