SWEET SIXTEENTH

Yesterday was the sixteenth anniversary of my coming out as Genevieve.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how things really are.

~Marianne Williamson

FLORIDA

Florida is a key state where trans people need to make ther presence felt AND heard. Governor DeSantis will do anything to keep trans and queer people in the shadows. Cannot let that happen. All the anti-trans bills must be defeated.

BASEBALL

 

I have been a Mets fan since 1962. Currently, they are in first place in the National League Eastern Conference.  With half of the 2021 season over, there have been surprises and disappointments.  Here is my view of the season thus far.

Biggest Surprise: Boston Red Sox. Saw a rebuild this year but the Bosox has one of the best records. This is not a great team but 

sox fans aren't complaining.  

Underrated: Milwaukee Brewers. Had many questions about their rotation.  Now they have a couple of good ones in Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta. Have a great bullpen and a potent offense.

Biggest Disappointment(s): Minnesota Twins. Thought they would challenge in the American League Central Division but they are a train wreck. They aren't hitting. Outside of Jose Berrios, the rest of the rotation has been awful. Maeda is inconsistent. Matt Shoemaker (in minors now) and JA Happ. have been putrid.

New York Yankees: What happened? Pitching rotation is a mess. Many guys aren't hitting. Now Aroldis Chapman is all messed up.  

Atlanta Braves: I had the Braves winning the National League East. Injuries and inconsistency have hurt them.

Better Get It Going Now!: Washington, Atlanta, Yanks, Toronto (I don't trust the Jays starting pitching).  

On the rise: Seattle Mariners.  Had a decent year in 2020. Now over .500. The future looks bright.

                    San Francisco Giants. I liked them last year though many did not. Were competitive until the last week. Now they lead the National League West Division.  

How Are They Doing It?: Los Angeles Angels. I saw a big project ahead. When Mike Trout went down, I thought that was it. Lo and behold the team pulled together and are now playing .500 ball. Trout is returning  now. Let's see how the Halos perform.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today!

~William Allen White, Editor (1868-1944) 

PRIDE-AFTERTHOUGHTS

 I attended the pride parade and the liberation March. It was the first time in two years. Much has changed and so have I. I know I'm queer however I felt it on a much deeper level. Being around my queer and trans sisters and brothers was refreshing.

There were more gender expressions and identities. Men with beards wearing dresses. Women wearing androgynous hairstyles and clothing. It reminded me of when I was exposed to many gender identities and expressions years ago during my questioning phase. Hat gave the impetuous to move ahead.

I am so happy to have gone to pride. It made me see how fortunate I am to be a member of communities often vilified by society. I love my queer and trans siblings.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 The road less traveled can lead to self-discovery.

~Genevieve

IMPRESSIONABLE WOMEN WHO INFLUENCED MY VIEWS ON GENDER

From the bottom left: Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, and Candy Darling. These three women helped me see gender expression in a different light.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live. 

~David Binder

LESBIAN PRIDE FLAG

I saw a number of these flags at the march. 

PHOTOS FROM PRIDE DAY

 

HAPPY PRIDE!

 

GENEVIVE'S GEMS

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.

~A.C. Benson, Author (1862-1925) 

FATHERS!

 

PRIDE SIGN

 I saw this today in the window of a bank in Union Square today. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 Embrace all the good things that come your way. 

~Genevieve

TRANSGENDER AND RESISTANCE

 

       I have had this symbol for at least two years. It states on my blog 'Not completely male and not completely female. I have a male body and a female brain. There have been occasions when this feeling has been very strong. Having embraced my queerness, I crossed another threshold.  I believed that I was queer however me acknowledging it publicly made a marked difference in how I perceive myself. 

       The resist slogan has a twofold meaning. I will resist anyone who discriminates against the transgender community. You can bank on that. The second meaning is to resist the negative vibes some will hurl in my direction. I'm fortunate that I have never felt guilty or ashamed about being transgender. I was liberated from what society says that I should be. I was also completed as a person. I have never been happier.

       There won't be a pride parade here in New York City this year but I don't need a parade to express my joy and happiness of being a transgender woman. That will never abate or change.

HAPPY PRIDE!

CAME OUT TO CONGREGATION

This past Sunday was the ninth anniversary of my coming out at my place of worship. This is one of the highlights of my journey. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Be who you are!

Let no one else define who you are.

~Genevieve

PRIDE MONTH IS HERE!

It's Pride Month! Unlike 2020, there will be some outside activities albeit limited. Covid has changed how we celebrate and, more importantly, how we do so in the future. 

I have a couple of thoughts about where pride events may be headed in the future but that's for a future post. I'm just happy that there will be a parade. In the meantime, celebrate your pride with all your heart.   

HAPPY PRIDE!