Genevieve's Gems

People do not lack strength, they lack will.

~Proverb

True Selves

This is the book I am currently reading. This book I have seen since I came out but I never had the chance to read it. I've read only thirty pages thus far and am impressed. This book was first published in 1996.  

Ageism

There are many isms (too many) which affect us personally or other people. One ism that is sometimes overlooked is ageism. It has affected me (I'm 66) and many others. It affects a number of areas in people's lives; employment, dating, available resources (unlike young people who have many resources) to name a few.

For transgender people this can be a double whammy. I think about this on occasion, especially concerning medical care. What would happen if I collapsed on the street and am taken to a hospital and the medical staff refuse to treat me because I'm trans. I haven't faced this situation (thankfully)but it is a thought.  

Ageism is a problem that needs to be dealt with. As a transgender person we need to not let it affect how we live. I absolutely refuse to live in fear. Do whatever we can to make our feelings felt. When you get senior citizens united for a cause, they are a tough and resilient group who will not back down.

Genevieve's Gems

Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.

~John Wooden

Christopher Street Pier

The Christopher Street Pier is actually a group of piers where people of all stripes hang out during the summer months. It is also an oasis for LGBTQ people, most youth of color. I've been coming here for a decade and I love it. There are families, seniors, joggers, sunbathers, a restaurant, and a bike path. 

Thirty years ago the pier was a dilapidated dump with rotting piers and buildings falling down. Gay people came here to 'cruise' and congregate. It could be dangerous at night with drugs, prostitution and crime a problem.

LGBTQ people flocked here because it was one of the few places where they could be themselves. At night time it was dangerous at night but they still came because of the freedom they had. It was also here at Stonewall veteran Marsha P. Johnson was found floating near the pier a short time after the pride parade in 1992.     

Yes, the piers have been repaired and modernized.It's also part of LGBT history of New York. There are some who wished we would be invisible and go away but we not going anywhere.

Tenth Anniversary This Coming Sunday

This coming Sunday, July 26th, will be the tenth anniversary of my coming out. It was such a liberating experience which has dramatically changed my life. 

There's so many places I could start. For one thing it ended the feeling of difference I had about myself, yet never knowing why I felt that way. It was on a day when home alone I decided to try on my spouse's skirt. I thought the urge would go away. Wow, was I wrong! The wheels were set in motion of which I couldn't stop. After some counseling and a period of denial, I came out to myself as a cross dresser. It was a few weeks later that realized my feelings ran much deeper. When did further research, I saw the word transgender for the first time. Right there it connected with me.

Today, I am a happy and content transgender woman. I've coming out to my immediate family and to my church congregation. That was truly a dream come true coming out to my spiritual family. I have met a group of people that I otherwise would have never come in contact with. 

I'm liberated and complete!

Genevieve's Gems

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

~Soren Kierkegaard 

Trans Rights and Religious Freedom

One question I've had in my mind when the religious freedom debate started was How does transgender rights (TGLBQ rights for that matter) infringe on someone else's religious freedom? 

I am a bible believing child of God who happens to be transgender. Jesus died for my sins just like he did for everyone else. My package is different from the norm just God loves me just the same. I have heard if transgender rights become the law of the land that it's the end of civilization as we know it. Really? Since when?  I don't keep anyone from practicing their faith. I never rip apart someone's character if our views are different. Everyone entitled to their own opinions and beliefs. I love my conservative Christian brothers and sisters in Christ. I just have a different viewpoint abut TGLBQ topics. 

How can anyone expect to uphold some tradition that not a part of my makeup. I never sought out to be transgender. I was created this way. My gay and lesbian and queer brothers and sisters were created the way they are. To say that they are less than deserving of the benefits and privileges of others is not only wrong but very unchristian like.  Are my opponents demonstrating Christian love by the hateful vitriol spewed in our direction?  May it never be.

Some people believe that we want to wreck society but that is NOT the case. We just want to live our lives. People will still get married and the institution is fine. I am happily married and am a parent and grandparent. Just because I'm transgender doesn't mean I'm evil-I'am just different. I embrace the difference. God is a God of diversity and he has a plan for each individual-gay, straight, lesbian, queer, transgender, black, white, male and female.

VF

Hey, why not?

Not Any Easy Answers

After pride month, I ask the the question 'What's next?' An easy question which can have an easy answer. Somehow, the answers may not come so easy. 

For the past several months I have dressed every day. I have mulled over the idea of changing my male name to female on all my documents. There are some personal challenges that need to be dealt with. Yes, there are numerous issues for transgender people that will need to be resolved. With that there will need to be some changes of the heart. 

This next year or so will be pivotal for transgender people as the presidential election will be coming up. Some wish to take away all the gains we've made. Others want to erase us from the TGLBTQ mosaic. This is something I am NOT going to let happen. Seems that I become a historian of sorts. I have learned in life that once you cross a certain line, I have to continue going ahead. Perhaps I'm just discovering things in me I never knew were there. 

Here I am nearly 67 years young and I want to take to the streets;to the battle lines. I want to be a vehicle for change. Reflecting on the past year, this is what I must do.

Genevieve's Gems

Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.

~Ellen DeGeneres

Post Pride

We are in the second half of 2015. The June pride events here in New York are over. Now the work continues. ENDA and GENDA (here in New York state) both need to be passed. I'm taking a more active approach in the latter because GENDA is long overdue.  

I'm happy that marriage equality became the law of the land but in San Francisco it overshadowed the trans pride march. It reminded me of shortly after the Stonewall Riots in 1969, when transgender and gender-variant people (especially people of color) were shut out of the decision making process. Seems that I'm leaning toward being a historian because transgender people are being whitewashed from TGLG history. We helped shape many of the social movements throughout history. I refuse to see our influence pushed aside for assimilation and political correctness.

Plans are pride 2016 are being made now. I pray that ENDA and GENDA will be passed by next pride. I was encouraged by the large number of young people in the parade. I pray that this will lead into more grassroots activism. 

Happy Independence Day

Pink Hat

Whenever I wear my pink hat I get a compliment. Today a woman took a picture my wife and me. Maybe we're the seventh wonder of New York City (lol).  

State Senate Fails To Pass GENDA Again

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.

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.

Genevieve's Gems

Disappointment will happen; it's how we handle that disappointment.

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.

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.

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.