GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

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

~Albert Camus, Philosopher (1913-1960)

RECOVERY

My recovery from heart surgery is going well so far. I get  tired easily but my stamina is getting better. Saw my cardiologist a couple of days ago.  Everything is healing nicely. I have another appointment in a few weeks.   

SURGERY

 Have recent surgery. Am doing better.

REMEMBERING 9/11

 

I usually trek down to the World Trade Center site (not this year) as my own personal homage to the people lost. I go at night ( less pomp) to quietly reflect how life has changed in America. 

Now it's surveillance cameras, Homeland security (which I detest), the focus on nationalism, terrorism (real and alleged), and military might. I think about the families who suffered great losses. Moms, dads, uncles, aunts, sons, daughters, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. In one day over 3000 lives lost.

As I remember this day, I need to be a better neighbor, have empathy of those less fortunate, and work for peace. I pray that there will never be another 9/11.

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Benito Mussolini created the word 'fascism.' He defined as the 'merging of the state and the corporation.' He also said a more accurate word would be 'corporatism.' This was the definition in Webster's up until 1987 when a corporation bought Webster's and changed to exclude any mention of corporations. 

~Adam McKay, Writer (b. 1968)

JUST BE HUMAN

Why can't society understand that transgender and gender variant people have always existed. We are creative, intelligent, and productive. We want to be accepted for who we are. 

LABOR KEEPS US GOING

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

~Charles R. Swindoll, Clergyman (b. 1934)

COMPTON CAFETERIA RIOT

 This happened three years before Stonewall.

There is also an hour long video on YouTube titled "Screaming Queens".

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE

 

The 78th birthday of the late Stonewall icon, Marsha P. Johnson was recently celebrated. We today are standing on the shoulders of those early Pioneers.

I have been reading stories of past protests and riots (Cooper's Do-nuts and Dewey's Lunch Counter come to mind). There have been many incidents throughout the decades. Trans and gender variant people have been a huge part of them.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it.

~Jiddu Krishnamurti, Philosopher (1895-1986)

DIVERSITY COLORS OUR WORLD

 

I have been posting photos of life under the sea. It is very colorful and diverse. My life as a trans person has been colorful. My friends are diverse and colorful, at times. 

My life has been enriched by my friends, people I've met, and places I have been. My world has been colored by all this, and it's beautiful. I see the world from more than one viewpoint. It has helped me navigate the sometimes tricky waters regarding gender and gender expression. I have able to clear up misconceptions with those outside the trans umbrella.

LOVING LGBTQ+ PEOPLE

I host an internet radio show called "Genevieve's Gems." I discuss scripture from a trans and queer perspective. While I view this as a ministry, it is challenging at times. What I am hearing from some in the Christian community saying about the LGBTQ+ community is appalling. It's not about Jesus was about at all. He treated all people the same; with love and respect.

I don't blame folks for turning away from something that demeans them. Sadly, the church has a history of it. However, one shouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. I look at the person who is delivering the message. Anyone who demeans, shames, and trash others because they are different should be taken to task. 

What "Genevieve's Gems" aims to do is to demonstrate that trans and nonconforming people are loved by God. LGBT people have existed throughout history. I'm sure there were folks who followed Jesus who were queer. When God confirmed and affirmed me as a trans person it was a liberating event. 

For those interested,  Genevieve's Gems is on Blog Talk Radio, Sundays, at 7PM.

www.blogtalkradio.com 

TRANSGENDER FLAG DAY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.

~Joy Page, Actress (1924-2008)

JOURNEY

 

My journey has been one strange but wonderful adventure. I didn't know what was ahead but I needed to go. The journey is ongoing as I believe more adventures lay ahead. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Fear is the only true enemy, born of ignorance and the parent of anger and hate.

~Edward Albert, Actor (1951-2006)

AN INTERESTING JOURNEY

When I came out seventeen years ago, I had no idea where my journey would take me. Looking at it now, it's been quite an adventure. 

I never did anything in my life that would suggest that I was transgender. I was a typical male who was active in male activities. The only inkling(?) I had was the feeling of difference. There was a sense of detachment though I enjoyed the things I was doing. Sports. Hanging out with the guys. Projects duch as working on cars.

When the new milenium came, my sense of disconnection and difference felt more intense. I didn't know what I was wrestling with or why. Fast forward a few years I came out as a crossdresser. My journey went from there to transgenderist to transgender. 

I am comfortable with who I am and encourage others to live their reality. I have met some wonderful people and made some great friends. The journey is ongoing. I am anticipating what the chapters will be.

SAFE SPACES

Over the years places where LGBTQI+ folks can hang out have disappeared. This ha SC been affected by gentrification, social media, high rents, and changing demography. For trans folks, safe spaces are needed even more. With increase visibility, and increasing hostility by anti-trans forces, we needed places that we can be ourselves. 

I want to see more bookstores and more places where seniors can meet and share. I'm thankful for we have, however, more is needed

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS