GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~Albert Camus

SEEING MY CHURCH FAMILY

Yesterday, members of my church gathered at a nearby park. Social distancing and masks were in order. I hadn't seen them since the coronavirus hit in March.  What thrilled me is the children playing. Personal interaction is very, very important for all of us. 

Personal interaction is very important to people who really need the contact. People struggling with depression, substance abuse, the elderly, the LGBTQI+ community, and other vulnerable folks are being affected by the lack of personal contact.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020)

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Always pray and never give up.

~Luke 18:1  😄

BE AN ASSET

COMMENTARY

I am of the mind that if one holds a position on a topic, they should be able to defend their position in a rational and constructive manner.  For example, to say that someone opposes something because of his/her religious convictions does nothing to explain to me their position. What are their convictions and why they believe what they believe? 

The way transgender and gender non conforming people are sometimes treated led me to write this commentary. We are called demonic, perverts, and not worthy of living. What happened to Layleen Polanco in 2019 at Rikers Island as a result of neglect and, in my mind, bias. When someone claims to love God but hates someone because they are different, then they go against the God they claim to love and worship. 

I'm willing to learn something new if I don't know anything about the subject. To take a position on something one knows little or nothing about does nothing for anyone. Comments such as 'it goes against my religious beliefs' or 'I don't believe in science' or 'you are a racist' does nothing to explain why one believes what they believe. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.


~Desmond Tutu

THE FRANCHISE HAS PASSED

                                                                TOM SEAVER
                                        (1944-2020)

2020 BASEBALL

I'm a huge Mets fan as you can see. in this weird baseball season, there have been some surprises and disappointments.

SURPRISES
1. San Diego Padres-playing better than expected. Can mash the ball

2. Chicago White Sox- thought they could compete. Playing well after a slow start.

3. Toronto Blue Jays- were not on my radar. Have some mashers. Decent pitching.


DISAPPOINTMENTS
1. Cincinnati Reds- Thought they could be a factor. Not hitting. Outside of Sonny Gray, inconsistent pitching.

2. Washington Nationals- fell off the map. When Strasburg opted out, that was it.

3. New York Mets- maddeningly inconsistent. Very streaky bats. Lousy bullpen.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

WE ARE AMERICA TOO

I fail to see how people can say that trans people are a threat to women and children. The right talks about treating everyone the same and yet discriminate against us. I know that my chromosomes say that I am male. There's much more to me than my chromosomes. I think, feel, chose to identify how I feel. Society cannot dictate how I or anyone else should express his/herself. 

We are of all races, genders, sexualities, and political persuasions. Maybe it was a trans or non-conforming person who said the only kind word you heard all day. They may have given you directions, made your lunch, or served you coffee. We may have created some of the things you may use. 

I wish I could have been at the Republican convention and shared my story. I may not change any minds but they will know that I'm a flesh and blood person who wants the best for everybody. My trans brothers and sisters should not be the target of wrath and murder and being made invisible. It says in the bible if one member hurts then everybody hurts. This is not conjecture but fact.

YES

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Crises are part of life. Everybody has to face them, and it doesn't make any difference what the crisis is.


~Jack Nicklaus

BE YOU

CHANGE

When the pandemic is finally over the world will be different. I'm seeing it now. Businesses shutting down, people unemployed, and old ways of doing things forever changed. Reminds me of when computers became part of our daily lives.  

There are few constants in life and change is one of them. Social sites like Zoom have made it easier for folks to meet, work, and socialize. The downside is the lack of personal interaction with family and friends. I wonder how children are affected by this, not being able to see their friends and classmates. 

With the presidential election coming in a few moments it could be the moment of truth of where we are headed. I generally don't discuss politics on my blog but we, the people will need to decide what kind of future do we want. 

RESPECT AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER

When I came out I was free to be who I wanted to be. Society couldn't dictate who I suppose to be. I sought to create my own identity and I have. Each of us possesses the chance to do this. 

I don't discuss transgenderism much because I choose to live life. When certain forces say that I have to believe or look a certain way, then I have a problem with this. We come from many different political persuasions and life experiences. This is what makes life interesting. Yes, I'm transgender and queer but it's not the only aspect of my life. Identity politics has created more problems, I believe because everyone has to believe a certain way. This is something I chafed at growing up and I get chafed about it now. 

I respect each person for who they are. People will say whatever they want about me. It doesn't phase me at all.  I do and will always support the LGBTQI+ community. It's important that we respect and support one another.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

The next three months will be very interesting. There are so many factions clamoring to have their positions be heard. Will anybody be listening to what the other person has to say?  

KAMALA HARRIS

 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has selected former prosecutor Kamala Harris as his running mate.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Real reform comes when people's hearts are changed.


~Genevieve