Transgender People Banned From Serving In The Military-My Thoughts

When I heard that President Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military service I was alarmed and angry. I had served my country honorably during the Vietnam War era. There were LGBT people in the military There will always be. Many have laid down their lives so people can be free.

I understand that the military wants the best people they can recruit. When gays and lesbians were let go because of their sexuality, it was the feeling that they were mentally unfit to serve. Many of them were in high security positions and performed very well. It left the military in a lurch because each month they had to maintain a quota for new recruits. The people brought in were felons, sex offenders, and other undesirables. Transgender men and women who want to serve will not be able to because they are considered undesirable.

I understand if a person is mentally unfit then the services shouldn't take them but I don't that to be in many cases. Transgender troops are now serving and serving admirably. I hear the military brass, president, and other talk about the cost of medical services for transgender people which is miniscule to the waste the military commits. There are people overseas making millions in non existent jobs under the guise of national security. 

There are many transgender people who have served admirably. I am pleased that some military brass and veterans have spoken up against this ban. It's another way to have transgender people become invisible. I served and am proud of my service. I am an intelligent, mental able person who is proud to have been in the service. There are other trans people who feel the same.

Genevieve's Gems

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.



~Malcolm X

Book Review

Title: A Low Life in High Heels   The Story Of Holly Woodlawn
Author: Jeff Copeland     
Rating:  8

Holly Woodlawn (1946-2015) had a most interesting and wild life. I first became acquainted with her in 1971 when I saw her in the movie Trash while I was on furlough in the military. Her face was one I would always remember even if I didn't remember her name.  Ms. Woodlawn was a superstar in Andy Warhol's Factory which also featured Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis. Holly caroused, drank, drugged, connived, robbed, and finally succeeded in becoming a star. She acted, was a cabaret performer, author, and a personality that was unrivaled.

To me, Holly was a survivor of some of her stupid acts (impersonating a French socialite was one which landed her in jail). She was driven mostly by her search to find out where she fit in life. She was a sensitive soul seeking respect as a trans and gender non conforming woman in an era where it was extremely difficult to to do. The late 1960s and 1970s were not as kind to folks like Ms. Woodlawn. 

I found  Low Life in High Heels very open and honest about who Ms. Woodlawn really was. I consider here one of my heroines because she opened my eyes to what would happen to me three decades later. Ms. Woodlawn was open of which I was really impressed with. After Andy Warhol's passing in 1987, Ms. Woodlawn was finally at piece with who she was. The wild escapades of her youth ended.

Rest in peace, Holly. I will be eternally grateful for showing me how to be open and honest about myself.

Spoken Word

Last week the Transgenerational Theater Project performed at the Brick Theatre in Brooklyn. Below is the spoken word piece I performed.

We Have Always Resisted

Trans resistance is woven throughout the history of humankind.

We have always fought for the right to be who we are.

In ancient Rome, communal living replaced by a patriarchal system that viewed women and minorities as second class citizens. Those who didn't fit in their narrative were demeaned, exiled, arrested, tortured, and sometimes murdered.

Joan of Arc, who was only a teenager, displayed her military skill with some impressive victories over the powers that be. She was burned at the stake because she didn't wear clothing according to her birth gender. Could it be that Joan was killed because a gender non conforming person displayed intelligence, skills, and daring.

In Philadelphia in 1965, one hundred fifty LGBT people of color resisted discriminatory policies by the Dewey Lunch Counter at a sit-in. Management, having previously taken their money, said that they didn't dress or act straight. These courageous LGBT resisted and were victorious in Dewey's changing their policies.

A year later in San Francisco, Compton's' Cafeteria was the scene of a violent protests against police harassment. Trans people, street queens, and hustlers were tired of being pushed around. They resisted and battled police with purses, heels, anything they could get their hands on.

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women of color, lit the spark that would become known as the Stonewall Rebellion. People of color, drag queens, and trans people resisted being harassed, beaten, demeaned, and disrespected. It was the burgeoning of the LGBT movement on that muggy June evening in 1969.

We resist being objectified! We resist being denied housing, food, employment, and medical services. We resist against those who call us perverts and deviants. We vehemently resist having our accomplishments erased by those who wish to see us disappear. We have always been here. We are not going away.

I resist against people who want to define me. I define myself! I am a woman! I am not here to tickle your fancy or be your puppet. I am a human being! I am a woman! 

We have resisted all our lives. We will continue to resist!

Genevieve's Gems

The world is a better because you are here.

Trans Theater

Tonight I performed with the Transgenerational Theater Project at the Brick Theater in Brooklyn. About twenty of us trans and non conforming people sang, acted, and danced. I did a spoken word piece titled 'We Have Always Resisted.'

There are two more performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information go to transgenerationaltheatre@gmail.com or facebook@transgenerationaltheatreproject

Living Authentically

It's amazing how some want to erase my existence as a trans person. Perhaps they are afraid because I choose to live authentically in a cookie cutter world. The world craves for authenticity and yet tries to suppress those who do.

It isn't easy being authentic then again life isn't easy. By trying to be something I'm not is stressful and unfulfilling. At the end of my life I want to say that I lived the life that I was supposed to.

Genevieve's Gems

If we don't end war, war will end us.


~H.G. Wells

Half Year Gone

Well, a half a year is on the books. Much has happened. A lot is hapening as I post. What I am saddened by is the level of animosity there between differing group. It' s more like tribal warfare and this dangerous.

I mentioned shortly after the presidential election that people will need to sit down and listen to each other. Seems that no one is willing to do that. Meanwhile the issues that need to be worked on are being ignored because of partison politics. People are still mad because Trump the the election. There arguing, anger, fear, desparation, and a sense of hopelessness.

If there's one thing we don't need is people folding up the tent and leaving. People will need to work on the items that concern them. It may be the environment, homelessness, prison reform, teaching children to read and a myriad of other things. The point is to take courage and act. The times will be tough but we need to be tougher.

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

Genevieve's Gems

No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men.


~Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistani politician (1876-1948)

Underappreciated

Five underappreciated professions:

1. Parents
2. Teachers
3. Police/Fire/EMS personnel
4. Military personnel
5. Nurses

These jobs are stressful at times, thankless, and underappreciated but where would we be without these men and women. They are also underpaid.

Stonewall Rebellion

On June 28, 1969 the course of history for transgender, gay, lesbian, bi, and queer changed forever. On a warm muggy night, these much maligned people said 'No more!' to harassment, ridicule, beatings, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness. For four days Stonewall was the scene of a rebellion which TGLBQ, queens, and people of color stood up to oppression.

I am very passionate about this because of the way Stonewall has been depicted as a gay white male rebellion. It was started by Marsha P.Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and Storme Delaverie, all women of color.  There were many people of color that night. There were also drag queens and street people. I will not stand let our influence being erased by those who wish to make a white event. A lot of gays slinked into a corner when there was signs of trouble.

Today, there are many resources available today because of that rebellious night forty eight years. It hasn't been easy but when knocked down we keep getting back up. Trans people are standing up and speaking for themselves now, feeling that many LGBT organizations have shunted them to the side because they don't look right (whatever the hell that means).

The battle is still ongoing. I'm an out and proud transgender woman who will not be put into a closet by anyone. I'm particularly grateful to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for paving the way for I enjoy today. The fight continues! We must pave the way for future generations. 

Passing Thoughts

I have been reflecting on the past pride march here in New York. It was the largest parade ever. I was busy pouring water to serve the thirsty marchers. Last Friday I recited a poem titled "Pride". 

Tomorrow will be the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, a turning point in the TGLBQ movement. Drag queens, street people, trans, and people of color stood up to the police and said 'No more!' I was out of town when the initial rebellion began. I came to the site a couple of days later viewing the aftermath. The Stonewall Inn burned out, streets littered with trash cans and refuse, and the air still filled with tension. Deep inside I believed that something big would happen and it did. We could be ourselves and not hide any more. We are human beings!

I give thanks to folks like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, Storme Delaverie and others for paving the way to where we have the resources to care for ourselves. There was a time we had nothing. Now we can live openly and unashamed. I have taken it upon myself to see that the trans presence is never erased. We started the rebellion! I am eternally grateful to my ancestors.

Genevieve's Gems

Be who you are!
Be happy with who you are!
Never let others define who you are!

Happy Pride

New York City's pride parade will commence on Sunday. There' s so much happening around the city this weekend, so there is no lack of activities.

The difference this year is that the TGLB community is under attack by forces who want to erase us from the landscape of our society. We are woven into life's tapestry and no one can take that away from us. I will do everything I can to stand up to these attacks and end them.

To my trans sisters and brothers, let us be proud of who we are. Being visible is paramount to me because I'm not going to be erased or invisible. That never was an option for me. Remember those who paved the way for where we are today. Help each other out and support one another.

HAPPY PRIDE!

Influences

My spouse and I attended a memorial service yesterday honoring woman who affected many lives. I only met her once but I wish I would have gotten to know her better. This morning I reflected on all the people who have influenced me through out my life. When I think about it it's quite amazing how many did.  

I hear stories of folks who mention the people who touched them at a particular time in their lives. It's the same way with places and events. I have had many of them. What it shows is that I'm not alone in needing help in walking life's journey. I love reading biographies especially authors. I'm fascinated by the people and events that influenced them. Some of the events were horrible while others were good. It demonstrates how important influences are. 

Genevieve's Gems

Love yourself. It is important to stay positive because beauty comes from the inside out.

~Jenn Proske

Let's Stop The Childishness

The level of animosity in the political circle is really high, and unfortunate. In a time when understanding and seeking the common good is great needed all there is is bickering and nitpicking. You have adults behaving like children.

I said shortly after the election that people will need to work on the issues that concern them. That advice more imperative NOW. I realize that there will never be agreement on some issues nut all the trashing and character assassinations does no good for anybody.

Mayoral Candidates Forum & Interfaith Iftar

On June 15th, candidates for the upcoming mayoral election in New York City will be questioned on where they stand on issues such as affordable housing, policing, climate change, and religious freedom. We need a huge turnout to demonstrate to the candidates that we care about our city. 

The forum will take place on June 15th at:

First Corinthian Baptist Church
1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. 
New York, NY 10026
At the corner of 116th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd (7th Avenue)

FORUM: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM   IFTAR: 8:30 PM- 9:30PM

The church holds 1800 hundred people, so there will be plenty of room.