For the eighth time at least, the New YORK state senate has failed to pass GENDA (Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act) after the state assembly passed the measure. It means that transgender NewYorkers can still be fired from their jobs because they are transgender. This latest defeat is very disappointing.
I'm not giving up! I have to see what I and others can do to change this. GENDA, formerly known as SONYA, has been on the docket for about 15 years now. When marriage equality was passed in 2010 ,GENDA was on the same platform but was overlooked in the hoopla of the passage of marriage equality. I have a couple of my own theories about this but that's for another day. In t he meantime, I will become involved more with this until GENDA is passed.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
NYC Pride Parade
The pride parade here in New York City was great. My wife, a friend and I helped serve water to the marchers. They thanked us like people happy to see an oasis in the desert. This pride parade was extra special because marriage equality for LGBTQ people is now the law of the land.
While serving cups of water I was marveling at the many floats and creative costumes. Some of them took much work, I'm sure. I said to myself people are having fun and celebrating who they are. That's the idea of the parade. There were a number of churches who marched in the parade and that was great to see.
My only lament is that with corporations participating (and more money of course), the political and radical element is not present like it was in earlier days. I believe that this needs to brought back because there are still many, many issues that need to be tackled. All in all the parade was fun and my friend really loved participating in it.
While serving cups of water I was marveling at the many floats and creative costumes. Some of them took much work, I'm sure. I said to myself people are having fun and celebrating who they are. That's the idea of the parade. There were a number of churches who marched in the parade and that was great to see.
My only lament is that with corporations participating (and more money of course), the political and radical element is not present like it was in earlier days. I believe that this needs to brought back because there are still many, many issues that need to be tackled. All in all the parade was fun and my friend really loved participating in it.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
My Lovely Trans Ladies
I meet with a group of trans women twice a month. We meet at the local Sage Center and discuss a particular topic on that night. We all 60 years or older. We discussed topics like health care, loss dating, how we chose our names, etc. I truly LOVE these ladies.
Later we hit a local restaurant where we talk about other things. These are some really creative, talented, and smart ladies! What's is important is that we are free to be ourselves. One woman says it's a breath of fresh air. I have to agree. There's no victim mentality here. Just love and support and encouragement.
Later we hit a local restaurant where we talk about other things. These are some really creative, talented, and smart ladies! What's is important is that we are free to be ourselves. One woman says it's a breath of fresh air. I have to agree. There's no victim mentality here. Just love and support and encouragement.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A Success
Yesterday, during Sunday service,I shared a pride moment. I shared my transgender experience of coming out to the congregation three years earlier. I shared that God created us as we are and that He loves unconditionally.
After service, many folks came to me saying how encouraged and point on I was. I love sharing my experiences to anyone who will listen. I pray that someone's heart was touched.
After service, many folks came to me saying how encouraged and point on I was. I love sharing my experiences to anyone who will listen. I pray that someone's heart was touched.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Living And Loving Life
A question was posed to me on one of my forums a few weeks back; How important is passing? I always try to look presentable as to put transgender people in a positive light. Fashion, dressing, and coordinating colors is second nature to me.
To me being able to live life as who I really am is most important. Once I discovered cross dressing and later being transgender it was a turning point in my life. When I went in public alone for the first time, that was it. I was going to live openly and without fear or shame. As time has passed, it is a normal part of me. I gone to restaurants, parties, movies, and plays. I've read poetry in public, acted, been interviewed, made a few speeches, and now writing plays. This coming Sunday I will speak to my church's congregation about my transgender experience.
I enjoy each day and look forward to new and challenging adventures. I enjoy walking on the streets of Greenwich Village and East Village . My spouse and I will go out coffee or dinner or an event. Living and enjoying life is truly a blessing.
To me being able to live life as who I really am is most important. Once I discovered cross dressing and later being transgender it was a turning point in my life. When I went in public alone for the first time, that was it. I was going to live openly and without fear or shame. As time has passed, it is a normal part of me. I gone to restaurants, parties, movies, and plays. I've read poetry in public, acted, been interviewed, made a few speeches, and now writing plays. This coming Sunday I will speak to my church's congregation about my transgender experience.
I enjoy each day and look forward to new and challenging adventures. I enjoy walking on the streets of Greenwich Village and East Village . My spouse and I will go out coffee or dinner or an event. Living and enjoying life is truly a blessing.
Genevieve's Gems
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.
~William Arthur Ward, Writer (1921-1994)
~William Arthur Ward, Writer (1921-1994)
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Sharing Transgender Experience At Church
This Sunday, June 21st, I will share my testimonial at the morning service about being transgender and Christian. I was approached about this several weeks ago and gladly accepted the invitation. I'm preparing a speech o what I want to say. It's suppose to be 2-3 minutes. I'll see how that works out.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Brooklyn Pride
I attended Brooklyn Pride this past Saturday. It was a picture perfect day and many folks came. Below are some of the pictures I took.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Genevieve's Gems
I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me....All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.
Jackie Robinson, Athlete (1919-1972)
Jackie Robinson, Athlete (1919-1972)
Tuesday, June 09, 2015
Loss
Last night at the trans women s group discussion, the topic was loss and what TGLB people face. One of the ladies who regularly attended or meeting passed away in late May. A couple of other women have suffered loss in recent months.
Many trans people have lost families, friends and livelihoods. While loss can be devastating at the time, it's not permanent. It's the closing of one door and the opening of another. When I came out as transgender it was the end of my life as I knew it. It was the birth of a new life. At the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil we not only honor those we've lost but celebrate their lives.
If anyone here has suffered the loss of a loved one, friend, or a pet, bereavement resources are available at numerous locales. I love about my group is that we support each other. Loss does hurt but the hurt is not permanent and can open up new doors.
Many trans people have lost families, friends and livelihoods. While loss can be devastating at the time, it's not permanent. It's the closing of one door and the opening of another. When I came out as transgender it was the end of my life as I knew it. It was the birth of a new life. At the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil we not only honor those we've lost but celebrate their lives.
If anyone here has suffered the loss of a loved one, friend, or a pet, bereavement resources are available at numerous locales. I love about my group is that we support each other. Loss does hurt but the hurt is not permanent and can open up new doors.
Monday, June 01, 2015
June Is Pride Month
June has arrived and so has pride month. I must say that much has happened in the trans community in the past year. There are many victories to celebrate. I believe this year with increase visibility trans people will receive some of the accolades due us.
This is also a time when I become a historian, sharing with others the role trans people played in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 here in New York City. I'm equally proud of what happened in Philadelphia when African-American gender variant and trans people successful made history by standing up to trans-phobia and bigotry fifty years ago.
I am looking forward to celebrating pride with my TGLBQ brothers and sisters. As you see I have posted a new photo. I chose the transgender flag because I want to show my support and how proud I am to be transgender. I will be making more posts as there are numerous events taking place.
HAPPY PRIDE!
This is also a time when I become a historian, sharing with others the role trans people played in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 here in New York City. I'm equally proud of what happened in Philadelphia when African-American gender variant and trans people successful made history by standing up to trans-phobia and bigotry fifty years ago.
I am looking forward to celebrating pride with my TGLBQ brothers and sisters. As you see I have posted a new photo. I chose the transgender flag because I want to show my support and how proud I am to be transgender. I will be making more posts as there are numerous events taking place.
HAPPY PRIDE!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Sickness
Haven't been here in days because I was bedridden for several days with a very bad allergy. Couldn't read or write because my head was hurting and eyes were watering like a river. I'm feeling better now and will be getting up to snuff very soon.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Joyful
Today was a mild and sunny Sunday. Services at church was good. People complimented my wife and me on our attire. Later in the day we strolled home to our residence.
As I lie in bed taking rest, tears of joy swept through me. I thought about all my friends who have helped me through the years. I thought about the acceptance I have received from my church family as a transgender person. I though about the transgender women I see at or bimonthly meetings. I was happy to see a transitioning woman come back to church after many months. I offered condolences to a church member who lost his father. I thought about all the struggles I've had and still live life in a positive way.
Pride month is coming up in two weeks and I pray that many of my TGLBQ brothers and sisters will remember where they come and be proud of who they are. Yes, there are struggles and stresses but I wouldn't change anything that has happened in my life.
As I lie in bed taking rest, tears of joy swept through me. I thought about all my friends who have helped me through the years. I thought about the acceptance I have received from my church family as a transgender person. I though about the transgender women I see at or bimonthly meetings. I was happy to see a transitioning woman come back to church after many months. I offered condolences to a church member who lost his father. I thought about all the struggles I've had and still live life in a positive way.
Pride month is coming up in two weeks and I pray that many of my TGLBQ brothers and sisters will remember where they come and be proud of who they are. Yes, there are struggles and stresses but I wouldn't change anything that has happened in my life.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Genevieve's Gems
If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those things, you still are both Americans. Neither one of you is necessarily more patriotic than the other. Neither loves their country any more than the other one does.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Love My Brother and Sister; Partiality Is Unchristian
I host a weekly internet radio show about the bible from a transgender perspective. The past two programs have dealt with loving God but hating a brother or sister and the warning against partiality. How someone can say that they love God and hate their brother or sister is an oxymoron. Showing partiality is akin to hate. Someone will treat one person one way because they are rich or look or think like them, while they will show disdain and disrespect to another person because they are a different race, socioeconomic status, thinks outside the box. This is one of the reasons, I believe that many TGLBQ people are turned off by religion and church.
With transgender issues coming to the fore, that some people's love is being put to the test. Some will say that I need to pray more because I'm a sinner. Or that I will damage the minds of children. Or that I'm a pervert. Christ died for me also. He created me the way I am. He has affirmed me as His transgender child. I find myself wanting to speak to groups and churches and share my story.
There's a lot to do in the church reading TGLBQ topics. I wonder if the people who sit in the pews spewing their hate ever thought that there could be a transgender person sitting next to them or that your daughter could be lesbian. I wonder if they ever thought that everything their profession of loving God falls hollow simply by their actions.
This topic has been on my mind the past few weeks. Many things are changing right before my eyes. I want to be a part of that change. Above all, I will love my brother and sister as Christ loved me.
With transgender issues coming to the fore, that some people's love is being put to the test. Some will say that I need to pray more because I'm a sinner. Or that I will damage the minds of children. Or that I'm a pervert. Christ died for me also. He created me the way I am. He has affirmed me as His transgender child. I find myself wanting to speak to groups and churches and share my story.
There's a lot to do in the church reading TGLBQ topics. I wonder if the people who sit in the pews spewing their hate ever thought that there could be a transgender person sitting next to them or that your daughter could be lesbian. I wonder if they ever thought that everything their profession of loving God falls hollow simply by their actions.
This topic has been on my mind the past few weeks. Many things are changing right before my eyes. I want to be a part of that change. Above all, I will love my brother and sister as Christ loved me.
Saturday, May 09, 2015
Friday, May 08, 2015
Thoughts About Mothers
As we pay homage to our mothers this Sunday, I think about the many hats that moms undertakes. Doctor. Teacher. Cook. Psychologist. She comforts us when we hurt and rejoices with us when something good happens. She has faith that we can be anything that we want to be. My mom, who left this world in 2001, never ever let me quit on myself. This is her greatest legacy passed on to me.
I sometimes wonder if she knew that I was transgender. I didn't know that I was until a few years later. Perhaps the fact that I liked flowers and color pink may have given her an inkling of my gender variance. I only wish that she would have met Genevieve because I believe that she would have loved her. She probably knew that I could travel this journey. Mom probably saw something in me that I would discover much later. I'm grateful that she had the faith in me that I could traverse this road. Thank you, mom, for challenging me and encouraging me through thick and thin.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS
I sometimes wonder if she knew that I was transgender. I didn't know that I was until a few years later. Perhaps the fact that I liked flowers and color pink may have given her an inkling of my gender variance. I only wish that she would have met Genevieve because I believe that she would have loved her. She probably knew that I could travel this journey. Mom probably saw something in me that I would discover much later. I'm grateful that she had the faith in me that I could traverse this road. Thank you, mom, for challenging me and encouraging me through thick and thin.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS
Thursday, May 07, 2015
We Are Christ's Children Too
Today the need did my weekly internet radio show about the God's command to love our brothers and sisters. I am very perturbed when I hear Christians who say they love God and love Jesus vilify and demean TGLBQ people just because of who they are.
I wonder if these same people ever stop to realize that they could be Christians that love God and Jesus who are transgender,gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or gender variant sitting in the seat next to them. I know of born again Christians who were ask to their places of worship just because of who they were.
With the increased visibility of transgender and gender variant persons, I believe that some people's love is being put to the test. Do they really love God or do they have call I would call 'cultural Christianity?' Dr. Martin Luther King was correct when he said that the most segregated hour is Sunday morning service. For professing Christians it shouldn't be this way.
This is an exciting time in our history as many places and institutions are discussing subjects like transgender rights and non discrimination policies. Transgender people have always existed and for someone to say that we are deviant and evil and mistakes is cruel and erroneous. There have been too many of us who have died because we were open and honest about who we were. The world is looking for authenticity,not the cookie cutter model presented by society.
I pray that hearts and minds will be changed during this exciting time.I thank God for the many places of worship who are open and affirming of TGLBQ people.I pray that more more will be. In the meanwhile, get to know the gay person or the transgender woman in your congregation. Let my lesbian sisters be a part of the ministry, Above all, let us love God and ALL those who enter our doors.
I wonder if these same people ever stop to realize that they could be Christians that love God and Jesus who are transgender,gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or gender variant sitting in the seat next to them. I know of born again Christians who were ask to their places of worship just because of who they were.
With the increased visibility of transgender and gender variant persons, I believe that some people's love is being put to the test. Do they really love God or do they have call I would call 'cultural Christianity?' Dr. Martin Luther King was correct when he said that the most segregated hour is Sunday morning service. For professing Christians it shouldn't be this way.
This is an exciting time in our history as many places and institutions are discussing subjects like transgender rights and non discrimination policies. Transgender people have always existed and for someone to say that we are deviant and evil and mistakes is cruel and erroneous. There have been too many of us who have died because we were open and honest about who we were. The world is looking for authenticity,not the cookie cutter model presented by society.
I pray that hearts and minds will be changed during this exciting time.I thank God for the many places of worship who are open and affirming of TGLBQ people.I pray that more more will be. In the meanwhile, get to know the gay person or the transgender woman in your congregation. Let my lesbian sisters be a part of the ministry, Above all, let us love God and ALL those who enter our doors.
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