Friday, October 31, 2008
GENEVIEVE'S GEMS
By being open and honest about who you are will relieve the stress of denying your true self.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Unconditional Love
This past Tuesday at our bimonthly fellowship, I expressed to my lesbian friend how I began my transition. I related how events lead up to me coming out as a cross dresser and transgender. She shared with me that this is where God wanted me all along.
I reflected about what she said. My spouse and son accept that I love wearing women's clothing. I was in denial for about seven weeks before I embraced who I was. I felt no guilt or shame whatsoever. Two years ago, while strolling through the park, a feeling of contentment and wholeness swept over me. This night I felt it even more.
God has given me a love for a group of people who are scorned and ridiculed by society. I visit churches midday to pray and rest. They are open to the public and on occasion I sit in on a midday service. On one day in late August, I prayed for LGBT men and women. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I lifted them up to the Lord. I felt his embrace like a long lost child. He accepted me as I was. It didn't matter that I am transgender and I wear women's clothing. He loves me unconditionally. My heart's desire is share with transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people that God doesn't hate us.
I relish times when I can be alone with God. I want to present a positive image of being transgender. From time to time I receive complements from total strangers. Maybe the barriers are breaking down. What's important is that I am accepted and loved by the Creator.
I reflected about what she said. My spouse and son accept that I love wearing women's clothing. I was in denial for about seven weeks before I embraced who I was. I felt no guilt or shame whatsoever. Two years ago, while strolling through the park, a feeling of contentment and wholeness swept over me. This night I felt it even more.
God has given me a love for a group of people who are scorned and ridiculed by society. I visit churches midday to pray and rest. They are open to the public and on occasion I sit in on a midday service. On one day in late August, I prayed for LGBT men and women. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I lifted them up to the Lord. I felt his embrace like a long lost child. He accepted me as I was. It didn't matter that I am transgender and I wear women's clothing. He loves me unconditionally. My heart's desire is share with transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people that God doesn't hate us.
I relish times when I can be alone with God. I want to present a positive image of being transgender. From time to time I receive complements from total strangers. Maybe the barriers are breaking down. What's important is that I am accepted and loved by the Creator.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hate Crimes
I read this article among the e-mails I received. Thought I'd pass it on
Police look into possible hate crimes
In a little more than a week, there have been two attacks on transgendered students.
Andy Jones
- email the author
The Daily Evergreen
Published: 10/23/2008
Three cases of alleged hate crimes occurred on, or around, the WSU campus during the past eight days.
On Monday, Jackson Hogan, a transgendered person, was heading to a meeting in the CUE parking lot when another man came out of the third-floor elevator. Hogan, a junior French and Spanish major, said he didn’t recognize the man, but the man recognized him from an event sponsored by the GLBTQ community. The man allegedly made a comment, which Hogan did not want to disclose, and proceeded to knock Hogan to the ground and kick him.
“He had bloody lips and swelling in the cheeks,” WSU Police Lt. Steve Hansen said. Hogan said the suspect, who fled the scene, was wearing a sweatshirt and light-colored jeans. He is blond and between 6- foot and 6-foot-2. Hansen said there are a few leads on the case.
“It’s perfectly clear that his actions were transphobic,” Hogan said.
On Saturday, another WSU student was allegedly beaten up outside Munchy’z in the early morning.
The student said he was attacked by three men wearing masks resembling those from the movie “Scream,” hooded WSU jackets and blue jeans, Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said. The alleged victim was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, though the incident was not life-threatening.
“According to the officers, he was in obvious pain,” Tennant said. The case was reported at 2:36 a.m. Tennant said there are no leads in the case.
On Oct. 15, Kristopher Shultz, a transgendered person, was walking past the Scott-Coman Soccer Fields between midnight and 1 a.m., when someone allegedly shouted hate speech. Shultz, a junior women’s studies major, said when he turned around, he was punched in the face and knocked unconscious. “All I saw was a flash of gray,” Shultz said, referring to a piece of possibly a sweatshirt or shirt.
The next thing Shultz remembered, he said, was being at home at 4:30 a.m., though he doesn’t remember walking home. He has a bruise on his right side but doesn’t remember being kicked.
Shultz said he was targeted because of his sexual orientation. The previous day, Shultz was wearing a skirt, though he said he’d heard no comments about his appearance. As a transfer student, Schultz has been at WSU less than two months. He said he’d experienced discrimination at his previous school as well.
“The whole transphobic thing ... I don’t understand,” Shultz said.
GLBTA President Nikki Hahn said there was also a case of hate speech outside a residence hall Oct. 12.
Hahn said the university has been slow to respond to the alleged incidents.
“There’s a general feeling of a lack of support from the university administration and the university system in general,” she said. “On a personal level, I’m scared. There’s been nothing coming out of the university and that’s not acceptable.” She said the university should have quickly come out with a comment and awareness campaign to educate people on issues regarding the GLBTQ community.
“This is a reality on the WSU campus,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of people who don’t think there’s homophobia, heterosexism and even racism happening on the WSU campus, but we’ve had three incidents in the last week.” Campus Climate Response, a committee of about 10 WSU administrators that meets regularly, met Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the incident, Dean of Students Lucila Loera said.
At the Tuesday meeting, the administrators and the WSU and Pullman Police shared information on the incidents, ASWSU President Brandon Scheller said. He attended the meeting. A few members of the committee also went to the GLBTA meeting that evening. President Elson S. Floyd met with Hahn, Scheller and multiple administrators Wednesday.
Scheller said Floyd and the administration responded promptly to the events.
“The tough part is that the third incident didn’t happen until Monday evening,” he said. Loera said the administration works hard to do preventive action.
“We are disturbed and saddened by the recent events,” she said. “Of course we want all our students to feel safe, secure and respected.” The CUB is planning to work with the GLBTA on creating an awareness campaign, possibly with a guest speaker, Scheller said.
He said the incidents come as a shock.
“I would never have thought this would happen on our campus and I think it shocks the overwhelming majority of campus,” Scheller said. “But the reality is it happened and we need to be aware that it still exists.”
Printable version View this in the paper Email this story
Police look into possible hate crimes
In a little more than a week, there have been two attacks on transgendered students.
Andy Jones
- email the author
The Daily Evergreen
Published: 10/23/2008
Three cases of alleged hate crimes occurred on, or around, the WSU campus during the past eight days.
On Monday, Jackson Hogan, a transgendered person, was heading to a meeting in the CUE parking lot when another man came out of the third-floor elevator. Hogan, a junior French and Spanish major, said he didn’t recognize the man, but the man recognized him from an event sponsored by the GLBTQ community. The man allegedly made a comment, which Hogan did not want to disclose, and proceeded to knock Hogan to the ground and kick him.
“He had bloody lips and swelling in the cheeks,” WSU Police Lt. Steve Hansen said. Hogan said the suspect, who fled the scene, was wearing a sweatshirt and light-colored jeans. He is blond and between 6- foot and 6-foot-2. Hansen said there are a few leads on the case.
“It’s perfectly clear that his actions were transphobic,” Hogan said.
On Saturday, another WSU student was allegedly beaten up outside Munchy’z in the early morning.
The student said he was attacked by three men wearing masks resembling those from the movie “Scream,” hooded WSU jackets and blue jeans, Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said. The alleged victim was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, though the incident was not life-threatening.
“According to the officers, he was in obvious pain,” Tennant said. The case was reported at 2:36 a.m. Tennant said there are no leads in the case.
On Oct. 15, Kristopher Shultz, a transgendered person, was walking past the Scott-Coman Soccer Fields between midnight and 1 a.m., when someone allegedly shouted hate speech. Shultz, a junior women’s studies major, said when he turned around, he was punched in the face and knocked unconscious. “All I saw was a flash of gray,” Shultz said, referring to a piece of possibly a sweatshirt or shirt.
The next thing Shultz remembered, he said, was being at home at 4:30 a.m., though he doesn’t remember walking home. He has a bruise on his right side but doesn’t remember being kicked.
Shultz said he was targeted because of his sexual orientation. The previous day, Shultz was wearing a skirt, though he said he’d heard no comments about his appearance. As a transfer student, Schultz has been at WSU less than two months. He said he’d experienced discrimination at his previous school as well.
“The whole transphobic thing ... I don’t understand,” Shultz said.
GLBTA President Nikki Hahn said there was also a case of hate speech outside a residence hall Oct. 12.
Hahn said the university has been slow to respond to the alleged incidents.
“There’s a general feeling of a lack of support from the university administration and the university system in general,” she said. “On a personal level, I’m scared. There’s been nothing coming out of the university and that’s not acceptable.” She said the university should have quickly come out with a comment and awareness campaign to educate people on issues regarding the GLBTQ community.
“This is a reality on the WSU campus,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of people who don’t think there’s homophobia, heterosexism and even racism happening on the WSU campus, but we’ve had three incidents in the last week.” Campus Climate Response, a committee of about 10 WSU administrators that meets regularly, met Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the incident, Dean of Students Lucila Loera said.
At the Tuesday meeting, the administrators and the WSU and Pullman Police shared information on the incidents, ASWSU President Brandon Scheller said. He attended the meeting. A few members of the committee also went to the GLBTA meeting that evening. President Elson S. Floyd met with Hahn, Scheller and multiple administrators Wednesday.
Scheller said Floyd and the administration responded promptly to the events.
“The tough part is that the third incident didn’t happen until Monday evening,” he said. Loera said the administration works hard to do preventive action.
“We are disturbed and saddened by the recent events,” she said. “Of course we want all our students to feel safe, secure and respected.” The CUB is planning to work with the GLBTA on creating an awareness campaign, possibly with a guest speaker, Scheller said.
He said the incidents come as a shock.
“I would never have thought this would happen on our campus and I think it shocks the overwhelming majority of campus,” Scheller said. “But the reality is it happened and we need to be aware that it still exists.”
Printable version View this in the paper Email this story
Still Exploring and Growing
I looked up the definition of explore in Webster's dictionary. It means to range over (area) for the purpose of discovery. Another meaning is to look into closely: investigate or examine. I like the second definition better because gender is something that I looked into closely.
Explorers are people who will look into something that is new. They will discover new ideas, lands, or concepts. If it were not their willingness to take risks, this country would be far different than it is at the present time. I think if people were allowed to freely explore gender, many of the misconceptions about it would come into focus. Young people are coming out at early ages about gender/sexuality. It's a great thing because now the greater society has to examine and investigate gender and sexuality closely. It cannot be pushed to the fringes any longer, no matter how hard they try.
When I discovered my own trangenderism, I could have pushed it to the fringes of my mind or investigate more closely. Fortunately I chose the latter, and I'm thankful I did. Too many parents shield their children from any kind of struggle or risk. Struggle is good because it strengthens resolve and stretches the mind. Life is not static and neither is gender expression. I have embraced the feminine side of me with gratitude. As a young boy I was always curious about many things. It was put aside in my mid twenties and resumed again a few years ago in my fifties. Now I feel complete and liberated.
I'm still exploring gender, having discovered many more parts of my being. People should be allowed to explore who they are and where they fit in. Life is too short and I don't wanted to be limited by so-called binary systems or even my own doubts. There's still many roads to cross and tred.
Genevieve
Explorers are people who will look into something that is new. They will discover new ideas, lands, or concepts. If it were not their willingness to take risks, this country would be far different than it is at the present time. I think if people were allowed to freely explore gender, many of the misconceptions about it would come into focus. Young people are coming out at early ages about gender/sexuality. It's a great thing because now the greater society has to examine and investigate gender and sexuality closely. It cannot be pushed to the fringes any longer, no matter how hard they try.
When I discovered my own trangenderism, I could have pushed it to the fringes of my mind or investigate more closely. Fortunately I chose the latter, and I'm thankful I did. Too many parents shield their children from any kind of struggle or risk. Struggle is good because it strengthens resolve and stretches the mind. Life is not static and neither is gender expression. I have embraced the feminine side of me with gratitude. As a young boy I was always curious about many things. It was put aside in my mid twenties and resumed again a few years ago in my fifties. Now I feel complete and liberated.
I'm still exploring gender, having discovered many more parts of my being. People should be allowed to explore who they are and where they fit in. Life is too short and I don't wanted to be limited by so-called binary systems or even my own doubts. There's still many roads to cross and tred.
Genevieve
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Georgina Beyer
Here is a website talking about her.
http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2008/icon.cfm?id=20
http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2008/icon.cfm?id=20
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Education Is Not Static
I'm always seeking ways to improve myself. I need to be challenged, to be stretched, to move out of my comfort zone. I have started a business and am working on my master's degree. I am also seeking ways to improve the lot of my transgender brothers and sisters. Each day I hear of some great news or some tragic loss. There are triumphs, losses, and struggles. Much of what I learn is not in the classroom or the internet. It is just being open to life as it happens.
I reflect on my life and see how blessed I am. I see what others may not see. I long to touch someone's life in a meaningful way. Many of the lessons taught to me in years past have become more genuine to me. I long to be genuine, loving, and an encourager. There's always something to learn. I never want to close my heart and mind. If my suffering pain will benefit someone else, then my life will have counted for something.
Genevieve
I reflect on my life and see how blessed I am. I see what others may not see. I long to touch someone's life in a meaningful way. Many of the lessons taught to me in years past have become more genuine to me. I long to be genuine, loving, and an encourager. There's always something to learn. I never want to close my heart and mind. If my suffering pain will benefit someone else, then my life will have counted for something.
Genevieve
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
ARTICLE
I read this article today. I thought I would pass it on and get some feedback.
http://awashingtond ccatholic. blogspot. com/2008/ 10/montgomery- county-voters. html
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Just because someone says something doen't exist doesn't mean that it doesn't.
Genevieve
http://awashingtond ccatholic. blogspot. com/2008/ 10/montgomery- county-voters. html
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Just because someone says something doen't exist doesn't mean that it doesn't.
Genevieve
Friday, October 03, 2008
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, German Revolutionary (1829-1906)
you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous
blow at your own.
-Carl Schurz, German Revolutionary (1829-1906)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Ever Changing Experience
Transgender is an ever changing experience. I have crossed many roads, each one different from the one I crossed the last time. In all the traveling, I have noticed a yearning for spirituality and how it relates to being transgender. I am a born again Christian but I believe that God is moving me in a new direction.
I have been stopping at churches during the day. I stop to rest and to pray for many needs. The LGBT community is near and dear to me, especially the transgender community. I have felt so secure and at peace because God accepts me as I am. I have been dressed during these visits. Perhaps, I am honoring him by doing so.
I go out in public because there are those who for various reasons cannot. During these communes with God, it is impressed that he is looking at my heart and not what I have on. I am reminded that we don't have to doing anything in order to come to Him. I am appalled when I hear about LGBT people having to 'get right' before they can come to church. This is NOT the way Jesus did it. He met people where they were.
I believe that God made me this way I am for a purpose. Maybe the world doesn't understand but then God's ways are not man's ways (Isa.55:8,9). God uses and blesses people regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexuality, culture, etc. This is my heart's prayer for every person. I want Him to change me. I want other transgender people to see the Jesus that lives in me. I want everyone to know that thye are loved by God- and by me.
Genevieve
I have been stopping at churches during the day. I stop to rest and to pray for many needs. The LGBT community is near and dear to me, especially the transgender community. I have felt so secure and at peace because God accepts me as I am. I have been dressed during these visits. Perhaps, I am honoring him by doing so.
I go out in public because there are those who for various reasons cannot. During these communes with God, it is impressed that he is looking at my heart and not what I have on. I am reminded that we don't have to doing anything in order to come to Him. I am appalled when I hear about LGBT people having to 'get right' before they can come to church. This is NOT the way Jesus did it. He met people where they were.
I believe that God made me this way I am for a purpose. Maybe the world doesn't understand but then God's ways are not man's ways (Isa.55:8,9). God uses and blesses people regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexuality, culture, etc. This is my heart's prayer for every person. I want Him to change me. I want other transgender people to see the Jesus that lives in me. I want everyone to know that thye are loved by God- and by me.
Genevieve
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Journey into the woods
When I was a boy I loved to venture out into the woods near my home. My mom would tell me not to go in the woods but I usually did. Like any boy, I was curious as to what was in the thick shrubbbery and tree lined paths? Were there rabbits, frogs, or chipmunks? Were there more trees and bushes? What was more curious to me is where would the path I was on take me?
In my journey as a transgender person, that same curiosity compels me to continue forward. I ask myself if this journey will ever end? A more important question is will what I discover stop me from moving forward or cause to turn back? There are some decisions one makes that the consequences cannot be undone. I'm sure there are many folks who decided to transition has asked themselves this question. The day I decided that I was going to live life openly, I knew that there would be ridicule, comments, and comtempt on some people's part.
When you choose to live differently, it does open a can of worms. It's my life and no one else can live it for me. Creative living will stir up jealousy from some people but isn't being happy with ourselves part of living? In my opinion, transgender folks are often targeted because we choose to express who we are publicly. Is it easy? Not always? Are there risks? Definitely. Is being true to ourselves worth taking those risks? A resounding YES!
As a born again Christian I asked myself if my being transgender would affect my relationship with God? The answer He gave me was that he loved me as I was. He knew that I was transgender long before I was born. I think about the two greatest commandments Jesus gave: to love God with all my heart and to love my neighbor. My neighbor may hate my guts, may want to harm me but I am still to love him and to pray for him. Jesus loved the people who nailed him to the cross. I have no doubt that some became Christians because of His witness.
As my journey continues, I'm still that curious little boy who wonders where the road will lead. I don't know what I may find but I pray that I never turn back. I'll my walking stick and just keep moving forward.
Friday, September 19, 2008
GENEVIEVE'S GEMS
The further I travel along this road, the more I feel the heartaches of others less fortunate.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Transgender children
It's rare that I post websites here but after reading this article, I thought that I may be a good read.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/17/NSQR125MBC.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/17/NSQR125MBC.DTL
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
LIVING OPENLY
Ever since I have declared myself a transgender woman, my life has become an open book. It's not that it wasn't before, its that now I am out in public much more. I don't feel that being out is not necessarily the number of people that you tell. It's that I have chosen to live my life openly and without reservation. I'm not naive to believe that I can do this all the time but I can do it as much as is allowable.
I'm thankful for an understanding spouse and son. I'm thankful that I am walking around in my neighborhood and haven't had an incident. Mostly, I am being myself. My declaration has opened up opportunities for me to speak out whether in print, on the internet, or in person. When first began crossdressing, I enjoyed the thrill of wearing skirts, panties, and bras. However, in the back of my mind was the thought that this will take me on roads that I have never traveled. This has certainly been the case. I never saw myself being an activist but I cannot stand idly by and watch transgender and gender variant people be discriminated against.
Summer saw me be bold and out among the public. I have been following transgender issues all over the country. I am involved in some things and long to get more involved. I want to demonstrate to people that transgender are loving, productive people who care about life. Looking ahead, I see that things will be accelerated and I cannot wait.
Genevieve
I'm thankful for an understanding spouse and son. I'm thankful that I am walking around in my neighborhood and haven't had an incident. Mostly, I am being myself. My declaration has opened up opportunities for me to speak out whether in print, on the internet, or in person. When first began crossdressing, I enjoyed the thrill of wearing skirts, panties, and bras. However, in the back of my mind was the thought that this will take me on roads that I have never traveled. This has certainly been the case. I never saw myself being an activist but I cannot stand idly by and watch transgender and gender variant people be discriminated against.
Summer saw me be bold and out among the public. I have been following transgender issues all over the country. I am involved in some things and long to get more involved. I want to demonstrate to people that transgender are loving, productive people who care about life. Looking ahead, I see that things will be accelerated and I cannot wait.
Genevieve
Friday, September 05, 2008
GENEVIEVE'S GEMS
I would rather help some struggling soul than to receive all the honors the world
bestows upon me.
bestows upon me.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
A Promising Autumn
The summer is nearly over but the autumn looks even more promising. Putting into action the things that I profess will be the main agenda. I have been out in public much more and I plan on staying out. The colors of the foliage will change soon but I desire to be a blossom during the now and during the long cold months of winter.
I will be attending Soulforce's Seven Straight Nights events. I want to be out bringing the needs of GLBT people to the public. It is taking place in various cities across the country. I promised my spouse that I would take her to a reading/poetry session. I have one scheduled for the fourth week of this month. It is something that I will do every month, if possible.
Being out in public was one goal that I set at the beginning of the year. I have more than met it. I'm not out looking for attention. I'm just being myself. I have received compliments from a few folks mostly women. I have been out in my neighborhood quite a bit without incident. I never felt thought that this would be so enriching but it has. I'm enjoying every moment.
I have visited a few places that reminded me of my childhood and young manhood. I visited some old Catholic churches. I'm surprised that I still remember some of the tenets of the Catholic faith. I just stopped there to rest and pray. I have trolled through the East Village where social and radical activities were quite vibrant 40 years ago. I also feel home here because it is a feisty neighborhood withstanding the tenticles of gentrification.
I find it amazing that I wasn't active politically in '60s and '70s but I am now. It is a mater of choice that I am an activist. A quiet unassuming crossdresser is now involved in the battle for equality for GLBT people. I have always considered myself an outsider and I feel very comfortable doing what's not expected.
Genevieve
I will be attending Soulforce's Seven Straight Nights events. I want to be out bringing the needs of GLBT people to the public. It is taking place in various cities across the country. I promised my spouse that I would take her to a reading/poetry session. I have one scheduled for the fourth week of this month. It is something that I will do every month, if possible.
Being out in public was one goal that I set at the beginning of the year. I have more than met it. I'm not out looking for attention. I'm just being myself. I have received compliments from a few folks mostly women. I have been out in my neighborhood quite a bit without incident. I never felt thought that this would be so enriching but it has. I'm enjoying every moment.
I have visited a few places that reminded me of my childhood and young manhood. I visited some old Catholic churches. I'm surprised that I still remember some of the tenets of the Catholic faith. I just stopped there to rest and pray. I have trolled through the East Village where social and radical activities were quite vibrant 40 years ago. I also feel home here because it is a feisty neighborhood withstanding the tenticles of gentrification.
I find it amazing that I wasn't active politically in '60s and '70s but I am now. It is a mater of choice that I am an activist. A quiet unassuming crossdresser is now involved in the battle for equality for GLBT people. I have always considered myself an outsider and I feel very comfortable doing what's not expected.
Genevieve
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