Genevieve's Gems

Faith in God's revelation has nothing to do with an ideology which glorifies the status quo.


~Karl Barth

My Second Birth

I am fond of the time I began hanging out in Greenwich Village in 1968. The Village, as it was called, was an avant-garde neighborhood filled with poets, artists, musicians and other artsy folks. I often went there on Fridays and Saturdays absorbing the vibes that pulsated. Walking along MacDougal Street or St. Mark's Place in the East Village, you didn't walk, you shuffled along so you wouldn't step on the heels of the person in front of you.

There were many different kinds of people. Gays, lesbians, straights, young, old, interracial couples,and trans (though I couldn't figure out who they were at that time). It was a fun time. I lament to a woman friend that I miss those times. She shared her own experiences of those times also. She stated that she enjoys today and is having so much fun. I admitted that I was too.

I was on Long Island when the Stonewall Rebellion occurred in 1969. When I returned a couple of days later I saw the aftermath of the riot. Transgender, drag queens, gays, and lesbians stood up to police harassment. I didn't know until years how much this event would impact me.

When I recently walked by the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, I thought of Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major and Sylvia Rivera, three ladies who started it all. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Rivera are no longer with us. Miss Major is still quite an activist. These women are my heroines. Now nearly five decades after the rebellion, their influence is till felt.     

Genevieve's Gems

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.


~Abraham Lincoln

The Arts As A Teaching Tool.

I recently performed in a theater production called Trans Generations. A group sixteen trans and gender non conforming men and women shared our experiences through theater, music, poetry, drama, and the spoken word. Around 150 people saw the play. It was the largest event that's happened at the SAGE Center here in New York.

I sometimes read of how demagogues and despots always silence the arts, intellectuals, and those who have solutions to the issues. Looking at the current political climate here in America, the same pattern is emerging. I'm am very happy that transgender and non conforming folks are standing up and stepping out in getting and maintaining protections they have. People in North Carolina and Mississippi are pushing back against the anti-lgbtq bills passed in those two states.

Getting back to the performances,Trans Generations made me a richer woman. I see the power that the arts have in changing hearts and minds. It can spur us too greater activism also. I mentioned in the past that I don't see myself as an activist but it seems that I've been drawn into it. Whatever it takes to educate and teach others about transgender/gender non conforming people I will do. 

Genevieve's Gems

There  is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve performance the next time.


~Malcolm X, Activist (1925-1965)

Transgender Day Of Visibility

Present yourself everywhere today. Be proud of who you are.

Spring Is Here- And It's Getting Hot For Trans People

Spring has arrived! Warm weather awaits us and the blooming of the trees and flowers beckons. The heat has been ratcheted up for transgender people as anti-trans forces are trying to take away everything we have worked for. Anti- trans legislation is everywhere. Georgia and South Dakota mercifully have vetoed such legislation. Kentucky has passed an anti-trans bill and so has North Carolina. Tennessee and Washington state are considering such legislation. 

I'm happy to see that trans people are responding to such evil legislation through grassroots movements and active participation of trans people. This year has been even more active than last. With the presidential election coming in November and state houses up for elections it's going to be very lively to say the least. We must not shrink in the face of intimidation and fear. I've decided to take it on full bore. 

The Cooper Do-nuts Uprising - LGBT Heritage Month

The Cooper Do-nuts Uprising - LGBT Heritage Month

Performing, Writing, Educating

I have been doing much writing and reading and performing. I was asked to write my life story of being transgender of which I'm doing. I have a couple of monologues coming up in April. 

I derive much joy sharing my story of becoming transgender because it educates others about people like me. It also encourages other trans folk that there is nothing wrong with them and that they can be themselves. 

Genevieve's Gems

The worst form of abuse is when others try to make you into someone you're not.

~Unknown

Quite A Year For Transgender People

It's been quite a year for transgender issues. Many states are at the least discussing transgender protections. Some have even passed measures that will ensure that trans people will have the same protections as other people. There's so much that is being considered, in particular the bathroom and access to locker rooms for transgender athletes.

One aspect of all this is the fear mongering by anti-TGLB forces. How many of these people and the people who support know about transgender people much less met one? I will remind you that the vast majority of pedophiles are heterosexual males. I'm not breaking new ground either. Transgender people are standing up for themselves and that's great. If some major TGLB organizations won't (are you listening, Empire State Pride Agenda?) then we will do it ourselves.

With New York Joining DC in Defiance Methodist Church Faces Showdown on LGBT Ordination

With New York Joining DC in Defiance Methodist Church Faces Showdown on LGBT Ordination

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Thinking Out Loud

I was informed a few days ago that daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 13th. Wow! It used to be in April! I'm wondering what the reason for this. I remember when three holidays began back in 1972. We used to have holidays like Lincoln's and Washington's birthday, and  Election Day off. The Securities Exchange Commission and Merrill Lynch, a brokerage company and others for this. Seems that more is being taken away from regular folks and everything given to corporations and elites.

I have had mild interest in the presidential debates. I don't know who I'm voting for yet. I do know who I'm not voting for. To me, all of the candidates are an embarrassment to the country and to the constituents they allegedly represent. One constant them about them all is that they are all warmongers. I haven't heard anything about the economy. I'm particularly concerned about all the anti-transgender bills out there. I'm a veteran and have yet to hear any discussion about the over one million homeless veterans out there. There's still time for the candidates to improve their standing among many people. As I mentioned earlier, they are all an embarrassment.

Genevieve's Gems

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.


~Desmond Tutu

More To Discover

I have been reflecting on my early days as a crossdresser. Those were wonderful days of sensuality and self discovery. I have progressed to my current status (transgender) however I find myself wanting to explore even deeper. My interest in burlesque and drag has been rekindled. I considering taking a stab at either one.

My gender has been fluid and it is usually a sign that I am embarking on another journey. I welcome it quite frankly. That's what I love about gender; you never know what to expect next. There's seems to be a lot more to discover.

Genevieve's Gems

True happiness is...to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.


~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Statesman (5BC-65AD)

Traveling

Right now I'm planning a couple of out of town trips. One is in June, the other in September, possibly. A third trip may be possible. I journeyed to Philadelphia last year as Genevieve and it felt wonderful.  I want to spread my wings.

Genevieve's Gems

When choosing which college to attend, choose the place where you feel you will get the best education. The name of the school is not important.

Bryn Kelly Memorial

I attended a memorial service for Bryn Kelly who committed suicide on January 13th. I first met Bryn two days before at our trans women's discussion group where she was to be our facilitator. It was Bryn's first meeting with us. Afterwards, we all liked Bryn and looked forward to the next meeting. Her friend relayed to us that Bryn liked us also. 

When the next meeting came up we were all shocked when told that Bryn ended her life. She was only 35. Bryn was a hairstylist, writer, loved country music, played the auto harp and piano, and make quilts. Here was a young woman so talents and yet so dogged by personal demons. 

About 400 or 500 people attended the memorial service. People around me wept openly. I handed a few people tissues in my section. Bryn had an effect on many people's lives. I met her only once and felt that effect.  Rest in peace, Bryn. You were loved by many.