UNITED METHODIST'S LOST OPPORTUNITY

The leaders of the United Methodist Church have voted to keep restrictions on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriages at the church's General Conference. With declining membership and changing demography you would think the leaders would move into the 21st century. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

He said "To be nobody
but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting".

~E.E. Cummings, Poet (1894-1962)

TRANS IN LEADERSHIP

I am on the advisory council of my senior center. Four of the members are trans women. We want to create more activities for trans people.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I have chosen to be someone who wants to make a difference. There are so many ways to do this. Each day I try and be a better person than I was the day before.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

There is nothing impossible to him who will try.


~Alexander The Great

TESTY POLITICAL CLIMATE?

I'm wondering what the political climate will be here in New York over the next six months?

AWARD SHOWS

Can't remember the last time I watched the Grammy's. I don't watch the Oscars, Emmy's and the others. When was the last time there were real entertainers? The acts are predominantly pop artists and most of them aren't any good.

Another reason I don't watch them is all the self-congratulatory adulation about how great they are. The awards is no place for bashing others, especially the president.

There's a time and a place for politics and the award venues aren't the place.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.

~Simone de Beauvoir, Writer, (1908-1986)

IF YOU LOVE GOD, YOU MUST LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

I am a Christian and have been for nearly a half century. What I find disappointing is that many well meaning Christians hate me and others like me. How can you say that you love God and hate your neighbor? Very hypocritical. 

FINDING LOVE

One desire I have for my single trans sisters and brothers is to find A significant someone who will love and accept them for who they are.

LIVING AUTHENTIC LIVES

Living authentically can be difficult but it's the only way to live. The world screams for authenticity but, at the same time, is frightened by it. There are folks who say 'you are courageous' or 'I wish that I could be like you'. Being vulnerable is part of being who we really are. I believe it comes with the territory.

Many of the great social moments happened because people saw something better and took risks and criticism to improve the lives of others. As a trans person, I live openly and won't disappear because someone is uncomfortable around me or other trans people. It's something there have to deal with. 

No one needs to be ashamed of who they are. You are important! There are people who love you for being you.  Being yourself is freeing and liberating.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I would rather admit being wrong rather than keep traveling on the wrong trail.

~Genevieve

TRANS BAN-A BAD IDEA

I served three years in the military (army) in the early 1970s. I am proud of my service to the country. I did not know that I was trans until 2005. Still I feel feel an affinity to trans service members currently serving. 

What the ban is saying is that trans people do not have the capacity to serve. There's the idea to trans people are mentally unstable. They said that about gays and lesbians. The difference is that trans people are visible. With nearly fifteen thousand trans people currently services they have proven that they are capable of performing their tasks. One can choose not disclose their sexual orientation. Identity is in plain sight. 

I worked in the pharmacy during my tour of duty and performed well. There are many gifted and talented men and women who may be drummed out of the military simply because of who they are. Many are in sensitive positions that are not to fill. The military has a quota to fill every month. Will they fill it with people who are less qualified? I hope not.

In the end everyone loses. The men and women not allowed to serve their country because who they are. The current service members who can see that trans people can and are good soldiers. The military loses because gifted people who can improve the services will not be allowed to display those skills. The ban on trans service members- a bad idea.

TRANS BAN IN MILITARY GOES INTO EFFECT

Transgender men and women who want a military career won't be able to because they will be barred from serving.

Currently there are 15 thousand trans service members on active duty. I wonder if they will be drummed out of the military like gay and lesbian people were before 'don't ask, don't tell".

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.


~Marti Luther King, Jr., Leader (1929-1968)

FINALLY

The Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) at lone last passed both the state assembly (100-40) and state senate (42-19). New York has been waiting and working for this day. GENDA adds gender identity as a protected class in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations. Protections already exist in New York City. Now the rest of the state has it.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble, the small children, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

~Ashley Smith

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BISONS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018-2019 FCS CHAMPIONS

North Dakota State- 38

Eastern Washington- 24

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.

~Rainer Maria Rilke, Poet (1875-1926)

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                                       FCS CHAMPIONSHIP

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