It's a beautiful day. A lot less humid. Enjoying writing and reading about crossdressing and transgender issues. I see myself being even more involved in the future. I also see myself making some life style changes though, at this point, I dont know what they will be.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

There comes a time when you have to stand up for what you believe.
Never let anybody put back in the closet you worked so hard to come
out of.

The past few days have been busy. I working on starting a business. Jewelry will be the specialty. I sold much of it when I was a street vender. I gained valuable knowledge about jewelry from other vendors and from Home Shopping Network.

I dressed this past Saturday and Sunday. I will be out again on Saturday perhaps. I will dress again when I attend my bible study group fellowship in August. I have been daring and want to be out more to people.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Three advanages of being a CD:

1. My spouse and I can share clothing.

2. Can be a male in the morning and a female in the evening.

3. I can go about the city without any one knowing who I am.

Who figured that I would be a part of the transgender and and crossdressing communities? If some one had told me that three years ago, I would have told them no way. Now that I am transgender and a transvestite, it has been a journey.

My idea about sexuality and gender has been affected to the point that I am willing to do some suffering for some of the causes involved. I have also come to love people that society would rather do away with. While I have not gone through some of the things that many have suffered, I feel that I am kin to those who have.

If those who know me found out about my transgender/transvestite status, it would draw shock, awe, and maybe some disappointment. That's because it's not becoming of me. I'm as straight arrow as one can be. Inside of me I have always had a quirky side to me. Other may ask 'Why are you hanging around with these people?' It's because I love them and care what happens to them.

Was this in the plan for my life? Why was it so late in my life? I don't know but whatever it is, I want to help make the lives of other better. One cannot put a price tag on seeing another trans brother or sister progress in their lives.

I have been trying to write some stories about transgenders. Have a few ideas but nothing to sink my teeth in yet. I'm writing for an online magazine fromm the perspective of a transgender and transvestite. I don't minimize the problems TGs face but I also believe that being positive goes a long way to living a productive and happy life.

I have bee thinking of adding some new things to the blog. Pictures, articles, etc. Just in the initial stages right now.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I CAN CHANGE MY HAIR COLOR SEVERAL TIMES
IN THE SAME DAY

The Christian LGBT fellowship met last evening. Had four new people come. One was a new in town from Spain. A young woman named Claudia came for the first time. They found out about the group over the internet. If you wish to know more about the fellowship, the website is www.epistle.us. After singing and intros, we prayed for needs and requests.There is much to pray for, especially for the poor, immigrants, the culture of war, and the next Presidential election.


TONIGHT

GENDER DROP-IN: Feminine Spectrum
@LGBT Center
208 West 13 Street 7:30PM
Those would identify as transsexual, cross dresser gender queer, trans-femme, trans-women, trans-female, drag queen, femme queen, exploring, and other gender variant folks are welcome.

I was out and about on Friday evening. I was wearing a pink pullover, blue skirt, and flats. The longer that I was out the more comfortable I got. This was the most comfortable that I have felt being out. I just through caution to the wind and just enjoyed myself. Just another girl out for a stroll on a July evening.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Maybe blue is for boys and pink is for girls,

but I wear both colors .

Independence Day is tomorrow. Everybody enjoy your day. Also take pause to think about our servicemen and women serving overseas and the sacrifices they are making to keep us free.

There have been numerous gains in the transgender community. A number of states have incorporated gender expression in their hate crime laws. The LGBT center here in New York held its first annual Trans Health Fair last month. Yes, there have been gains but more work lies ahead.

I have achieved some of the goals I set at the beginning of the year. I have attended some TG events, gotten more involved with the community, and improved my make up work. I wasn't able to attend the New York City pride march, so that's one I did not accomplish. Maybe next year.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Show real pride by rejoicing with our brothers and sisters in their victories.

I have been transgender and a transvestite for two years. There have been numerous changes, especially on the emotional level. I am much more comfortable being transgender. I have a much better understanding of gay and lesbians issues. I have a different attitude about the AIDS epidemic. I am involved with trans issues.

I love where I am and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The journey has been interesting but I look forward to whatever comes my way.

I was unable to attend the pride festivities. I had a matter that I had to take care of. Maybe next year. I'm considering volunteering for something. At least I have attended a pride event. I have another on scheduled for last August. Some day I would love to take in a pride event in another city or country.

I have been following the presedential candidates, though not closely, and I am disappointed. None of them are speaking to issues that are dear to me. A number of them won't reply to a question with a straight answer. To me it's way too early to be campaigning. Media overkill.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Summer's here, gurls! Now let's get out and show the world who we are!

Pride weekend will be in full swing starting tomorrow. I will be in the city on Saturday for the open house at the Center. I would like to know more about the services available to the community. I hope to meet the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, Dr. Troy Perry also. I want to get his feedback about Church and the LGBT community.

It seems that I spent much time at the center. I wonder if there is something God wants me to do there? Many people go there and for some it is a safe haven there they feel they can be themselves without the threat of violence. It's sad that people can't live in peace.

The thought came to my mind as to what happens after the pride celebrations and events are over. I love the celebrations and the pagentry of the pride events but also reminds me that we haven't achieved total victory as of yet. There's work to be done. More challenges lie ahead. I have a quirky side to me because I tend to look at things after all the pomp and celebration is over. It's what is called reality. Daily living, so to speak.

I think about the confused man, woman, and youth who are struggling to figure it all out. I think about all those who have died through their own hand. It is these people that keep me humble and active. I am proud of being a crossdresser and transgender. I am reminded that I need to be out there working, encoraging, challenging, and educating others.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Pride is feeling good about who you are,
and seeing others feeling godd about themselves.

I attended Brooklyn Pride this past Saturday. It was my second pride event that I attended (the first time was last year) and I felt much more comfortable this time around. There were more vendors, plenty of food, and families.

One thing I noticed was the number of religious institutions present. Last year there were not even a handful. This time there 6 or 8 including three Jewish synagogues. It's amazing what one year can bring. Maybe they're beginning to see the light. Brooklyn has a large LGBT population but it's scattered.

I asked a number of questions to various organizations. I was particularly interested in Lambda Legal, an organization that focuses on workplace discrimination. It also is involved with schools of which I will be part of in the future. I'm querying about how I can serve LGBT students.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

If there's one that I have learned as a transgender person

it is the fact that we are so misunderstood. That's why we

need to share our own stories.