GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.


~Henry David Thoreau

AUGUST IS HERE ALREADY

July went by very fast. Had two heatwaves to boot. Can't remember the last time that happened. August has started off rainy. Oh, well.

I was talking with my wife about composing a book of short stories together. I have written a few short stories with transgender people as the main characters.Writing positive and uplifting stories is what I aim to do.

My wife will be ot of town this Saturday so I'll be out and about. Don't know what I'll do but I will enjoy myself. There are some protests upcoming and I'm looking to see which ones I will be participating in.

Minot's Ledge Light

Located off Scituate, Massachusetts, Minot's Ledge was one of the first lighthouses built in the area. First constructed in 1850, the current structure was built in 1855 and complete in 1860s were lost . Previous to a lighthouse being built here many ships, property and lives were lost along the rocky coasts.  

For more on the history of Minot's Ledge, go to http://www.lighthouse.cc/minots/history.html

OPPORTUNITIES

Over the past couple of days I have thought about the opportunties each of us have. Each day we wake up there's a new chance to do something that we want to do. The main point is to take advantage of those opportunities. 

When my son was young, I encouraged him to do something that he is passionate about. He designs video games and is into web design. Now that I'm near retirement, I have the opportunity to the things that I really love. Writing is one of my passions, however I didn't have the confidence that I could be a success at it when I was younger. Well, later this year I will have a chapbook of some of my poems published. An opportunity deferred is now an opportunity to be realized.

Opportunity can be anything. It can be creating a recipe, traveling to a foreign country, building a piece of furniture, learning how to use a computer, and many other activities. Regardless of age or status people are taking advantage of the opportunity to do something that could change their lives.

WEEK IN REVIEW

I discussed everything from eunuchs to lighthouses to an anniversary. It was a very varied week in that life seems to be that way. I enjoy weeks like this because I'm usually out and about anyway. My sister had a heart operation this week (she's doing better). This kept things in perspective. Never tak anytingfo grante because before you know it something can be lost and never retrieved.

ANNIVERSARY

It was eight years ago today that I came out to myself as a crossdresser and transgender person. My life went in nother direction and it get better. the journey has been interesting and challenging at times. I wouldn't change anything that has happened.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

~Walt Disney

A Young Sixty Five

I will be sixty five years young in ten days. Sometimes I have trouble convincing some that I'm my age. I see it as a compliment. Some might its a time for me to relax but I have no such notions. I will be aactive mre than ever.

I believe that learning is a lifetime endeavor. New experiences and thoughts can help shape our lives and make life worth living. I had a friend who was active and productive until he passed. I know a number of people who are the same way. Now I can do the things that I really enjoy and have a passion for.

My issue is that I have so many interests that sometmes I don't know where to star. It's a nice 'problem' to have, though. One of my goals is to get a master's degree in creative writing.  I will have a chapbook of poems published later this year. I will be going to support group meetings where I can help others with their gender issues. As you see there's much on my plate.

Many will be retiring soon however it's not the end of your life. New skills can be learned. New discoveries can be made. You have the skills and the experience to influence the younger generation. I may have retired from a job but not life.

My Love Of Lighthouses

One of my passions is reading the history of lighthouses. To me there's a mystical allure of an angel bringing light and illumination in dire situations. I can only image how many seafaring vessels were saved from a watery grave. Each week I will feature one lighthouse and a brief overview of its history.

The structure above is a mile from my home. It is simply known as the Little Red Lighthouse. Situated under the George Washington Bridge, it provided a warning to vessels on the Hudon River of treacherous currents and rocky shores. It stands at the crook of Fort Washington Park (formerly known as Jeffrey's Hook). Constructed in 1889, it has been at its current location since 1921. When the bridge was opened in 1931, the little red lighthouse was rendered obsolete.

There was a proposal of dismantling the lighthouse in 1951, but a public outcry stopped any such plans. Today, the light is a historical landmark and the only lighthouse in the New York City proper. 

A book about the lighthouse was written in 1942 by Hildegard H. Swift called The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge.

EUNUCHS

At the present time, I'm working on a project for my radio show in August. I'm doing research on eunuchs in the bible and throughout history. I reminds of the project I did on crosdressing and the bible which was insightful. This should prove equally as challenging.

Change Right Before My Eyes

The heatwave finally broke this weekend. It was the second one we've had this month and there's still August to contend with.

I can't remember the last time so much is happening our world in July. The economy is really bad and people are standing up and protesting. I'm also happy that there are grass roots organizations that are implementing paradigms which empower and give folks life sustaining skills.  I've grown herbs on my fire escape. I wish I had a garden where I can grow fruits and vegetables.

Protests

Since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case, people all over the country have made their voices heard. On Tuesday evening my wife and I were going to a restaurant when we ran to groupof people protesting the verdict in the Martin case. About 100 or so people carried signs and listened to some speakers. Different areas of the city had similar protests. What's needed now is some action against the 'Stand Your Ground' law in Florida and the stop and frisk laws here in NYC.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

NEVER ACT YOUR AGE.

~GARY NULL

JULY

It seems that after the 4th of July, life is less hectic. June is pride month and usually full of activities cultimating with the big pride parade. I don't mind the slower pace because me time to reflect on the successes and analyze the areas that failed.

I like July because I can explore nature in the parks and places outside the city. You can keep the heat, though. Give me 80 degrees yearround I'm happy. There's many film festivals, outdoor performances in the park, picnics, street festivals, etc. This begs the question; does life really slow down as the summer progresses? I guess it depends upon one's perspective.

TGLB and celibacy

Below is an article that I read today.

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/7157/christian_colleges__gay_faculty_and_the_boy_scouts__/

My gripe is why does the gay or lesbian have to remain celibate? Celibacy is not a hard and fast rule in scripture. What is implied is that gay and lesbian couples cannot have the same happiness as hetero coples. To me this reeks of elitism and bias. I'm a married transgender person and I can only imagine some of the flak I and my spouse would get.

I graduated from a Christian college and it counsels gay and lesbian students in the hopes that they will 'repent'. I'm disappointed with the position of the president of Calvin College but he's entitled to his position.   

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Journey with me to a true commitment to our environment. Journey with me
to the serenity of leaving our children a planet in equilibrium.

~Paul Tsongas

Happy July 4th

As Independence Day is celebrated tomorrow, let us celebrate our independence as trans people. The day I decided to live as my true and authentic self was the day I declared my independence. No longer was I held down by the gender binary construct society said that I had to maintain. I never felt shame or guilt about who I was back then and I sure don't now. More of my transpeople have declared their independence, so let's celebrate.

Pride March

My wife and I went to the New York City pride march on Sunday. With the Marble Collegiate Church, we helped serve water to the marchers. It was a very humid warm day and the marchers really appreciated it.

There were more participants this year. More churches were represented in the march, which seems to be growing each year. I was happy to see this. This was my fifth parade, my wife's second. It was a fitting climax to a year of progress and victory.

Stonewall Riots- June 28, 1969

I watched documentaries of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. I was really moved by their stories and of the people they influenced. People who knew them spoke of their love, activism, and their spirit. Marsha is given credit for firing the first salvo that June 28th morning at Stonewall by her gay friends. Like Philadelphia and San Francisco previously, TLGB people in New York City stood for themselves.  

At times I remind some people that trans people, street people, and drag queens were the ignitors of a fire that still burns today. They were on the front lines, having nothing to lose. Transgender people are now beginning to stand up for themselves, having been burned by some people and groups who claim to be helping them (are you listening, HRC?).

Sylvia died in 2002 still fighting for transgender equality on her deathbed. Marsha was found in the river by the pier on Christopher Street in 1992 (the police say it was suicide, I say she was murdered). After her funeral her ashes were poured into the river by the pier. Twenty years later, I would do the same thing for a friend I had recently lost.

My transgender people, as we pause to remember this historic day, take heart that we were right there on the battle lines. Marsha and Sylvia are two of my heroines.Always remember the people who paved the way for what we have today.

The documentaries of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are on youtube.

Thank you Marsha and Sylvia.

A Lot Of Activity

It seems like things are moving fast for transgender people. I wonder if it's because it is pride month in many places that there seems to be much more activity. One aspect of al of this is the bogus criticisms of why we shouldn't have the same rights as everybody else.

DOMA was a dumb bill to begin with. Why don't the proponents of DOMA worked with couples whose marriages are struggling. Maybe they can teach prospective brides and bridegrooms what makes a marriage successful. Having been married 33years, it takes a lot of work and perserverance. When I came out as trans eight years, it seems that our marriage was strengthened. TO say that we can't be happy is nonsense.

Prop 8 shouldn't have come to this. Some people in major LGBT organizations blamed black folks for it passing in California and Illinois when in fact they never canvassed  black and Latino neighborhoods to begin with. 

There's till so much to be done. I will be workig to see that GENDA here in New York State is passed. We will be attaced on all sides but our presence is felt by many. I am hapy that trans activists have steped up and done their own lobbying.