Living Transgender In American Society Today

Let's Get This Straight

2012-01-20T15:58:00.001-08:00

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

Good TDOR video

2011-11-22T12:17:00.001-08:00

It Gets Better video

2011-11-22T10:52:00.001-08:00

2011-11-21T06:28:00.001-08:00

Here is today's article about the TDOR observance we held in Riverside yesterday afternoon. Aside from using the past tense word transgendered which bothers a lot of trans people it is a really good article (even if I do say so myself).

RIVERSIDE: Commemorating victims of anti-transgender violence

RODRIGO PENA/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

(From left front row) Bette (cq) Brown, of Riverside and Betsy Kohler, (cq) of Moreno Valley participate in a candle light memorial vigil during the 13th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance at First Congregational Church in Riversideon Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. The service remembers those who were murdered for being themselves and hopes to promote understanding.

BY DAVID OLSON

STAFF WRITER

dolson@pe.com

Published: 20 November 2011 06:31 PM

Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough struggled most of her life with being transgendered and reconciling her sexual identity with her strong Christian faith.

On Sunday, Scarborough stood at the pulpit of First Congregational Church of Riverside, helping lead what is believed to be the first service in an Inland church honoring victims of anti-transgender violence.

At age 57, after more than two decades of attending churches that condemned her, Scarborough — who is taking surgical steps to transform her body from a biological male into a biological female — now sees her gender identity as a gift from God.

“God is more present in my life than ever before,” said the Riverside resident, who put an exclamation point in her name in praise to God.

“I know God is accepting of me and that he gave me the strength and heart to accept myself.”

Nearly 50 people attended the Transgender Day of Remembrance service at First Congregational, an illustration of how the church reaches out to transgendered people. Day of Remembrance events were scheduled throughout the world.

But First Congregational, part of the United Church of Christ, is in the minority. Most Christian denominations that have stated beliefs on transgenderism view sex-change surgery, hormone treatment and dressing in clothes identified with the opposite sex as sinful.

Transgendered refers to people whose gender identity differs from the biological sex they were born with.

Scarborough is a lay leader at First Congregational. She discovered the church after attending the non-denominational Safe Haven Community Christian Church, which rents a room at First Congregational and is led by a transgendered woman, the Rev. Renée Painter.

Painter, 61, said when she was looking for space for Safe Haven in 2006, she approached 27 churches. Only First Congregational welcomed her.

Painter tried to kill herself three times before finally accepting her identity as a female. A report this year by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that 41 percent of transgendered people have attempted suicide, compared to 1.6 percent of people overall, and that 26 percent had been physically assaulted because of their gender identity.

During Sunday’s service, Painter clutched a thick stack of papers with the names of more than 600 transgendered people who were murdered, committed suicide or died otherwise because of their gender identity. She often prays their names and on Sunday read some of them aloud.

“There is nothing redeeming in the story of their dying,” Painter said before the service. “There is only one thing redeeming here. They lived and they tried. And by reading this, they are remembered.”

Participants at one point read descriptions of murders of transgendered people from plastic-coated sheets of paper as they held lit candles in the cavernous church sanctuary, which was dark except for light from the overcast afternoon streaming through stained-glass windows.

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz read one of the stories. Earlier in the service, Diaz acknowledged that, despite transgender-inclusive sensitivity training, some officers, through lack of familiarity with transgendered people, “unfortunately share the lack of understanding and biases as the rest of society.”

But Diaz said he was committed to ensuring that transgendered residents are treated equally and respectfully.

The Rev. Jane Quandt, pastor of First Congregational, said some Christian churches have oppressed transgendered people. She said before the service that she cannot see how people who embrace the identity God gave them are committing a sin.

“My faith is tied up in justice, and these are people who are persecuted,” she said. “They need to have a safe place to come and have a spiritually enriching life and be with people who accept them as who they are.”

Quandt said her conversations with transgendered members of her congregation gave her a stronger understanding of the emotional pain many endure.

“No one chooses to go through this unless they felt profoundly trapped in the body in which they were born,” she said. “I’ve come to appreciate the depth of their struggle and the amount of courage it takes to acknowledge this in themselves.”

Jeff Johnston is a gender issues analyst for CitizenLink, an affiliate of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family, one of the country’s largest conservative Christian organizations. He said transgendered people should be approached with “forgiveness and healing.”

But, he said, being transgendered “is almost a dismantling, a tearing up, of the Biblical basis of gender, of God’s original vision for mankind to be identified as male and female.

“Our ultimate goal,” he said, “would be for them to accept the physiology and biology they were born with.”

Scarborough said she tried for years to reject her female identity. She attended conservative evangelical churches for more than two decades. She was openly transgendered at one of them and, on the advice of the pastor, married a woman and tried to suppress her female identity.

But she couldn’t change, no matter how hard she tried.

“I realized I was living a lie,” she said. “I realized I couldn’t go on like this.”

But her faith in God was never broken.

“I knew God does not make mistakes,” Scarborough said. “I see myself as a miracle of God.”

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20111120-riverside-commemorating-victims-of-anti-transgender-violence.ece

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2011, Riverside CA

2011-11-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

My interview with Reuters of London

2011-10-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was asked to do an interview for the charity arm of Reuters in London. It turns out that our Transgender Day of Remembrance observance here has importance on a global scale - and so we make history in Riverside...

Here's the obligatory plug for the event: Come out on Nov 20th at 2 PM to First Congregational Church, Riverside 3504 Mission Inn (at Lemon) in historic Downtown Riverside, 92501 and be a part of this!

Dear Eva-Genevieve!

I am a journalist at the Thomson Reuters Foundation in London (the charity arm of Reuters, where gender rights are among our key focuses), and am currently writing some articles about transgender rights ahead of the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.

I am interested in speaking to people in various countries about their experiences of transgender rights and given your involvement in remembrance day – as seen on www.transgenderdor.org – I thought it would be of really great value to interview you about this topic.

In case you would be happy to do this, I have included the questions below so that you can email the answers back.

It’d be great if this is indeed possible, and I very much look forward to hearing from you,

Many thanks and kind regards,

Rebekah

How much of this actually makes the papers is unknown at this point but here is the uncut interview with Rebekah Curtis:

Couldyou tell me a little of what spurred you to get involved in the day ofremembrance, and if possible your full name/occupation/age?

I'mEva-Genevieve! Scarborough, I legally changed my name in March 2010 from EvanKent Scarborough and there is a bit of a story just in the name I chose and ifyou don’t mind I would like to share that too. I loved the name my parents gaveme and wanted to choose a name that would, at least in my own opinion, stillsound a bit distinguished and that would honor the name originally given to me.Eva was simple, just drop the “n” and keep the pronunciation the same, thoughthis made it sound more French than before. So I wanted to find a name thatflowed well from Eva. There was nothing to be done for Kent – I toyed with Kendrabut that just did not fit me at all. After a lot of thought I came across thename Genevieve in a book I was reading. The “Gene” part comes from Genesis –God’s creative work and the ”vieve” part refers to God breathing life into Hiscreation, like the “vive” in revive. Since I am a Christian – more solidlysince transition than before even – this was perfect for me and it fits realwell if said with French sounding pronunciation. I add theexclamation point because it is my way of thanking God for this amazing secondchance at life every time I write my name.

I’m56, presently I am disabled. I came out as trans and started living full timeas a woman in July of 2006. Previously I was a Printed Circuit Board DesignEngineer (30+ years in the industry), and I even had my own business for awhile but that ended in a hard crash as a result of the 9-11-2001 event here inthe States. For independent contract designers like me the resulting changes inthe Aerospace, Military and prototype design industry were so severe that allthe work in the area I lived in dried up completely over the next year or soand as the nation became paranoid and ultra-security-conscious I was unable tobreak back into the workplace. Transitioning a few years later seems to haveput the kibosh on my ever getting back into it even part-time. So now I am anactivist of sorts, as I am able, regarding Transgender, LGB and Human Rights ingeneral and I am a Lay Preacher – occasionally preaching at a small independentChristian Church in Riverside CA called Safe Haven. I believe strongly that theGospel of Christ does have a deep and abiding application to all people whohave been rejected by families, churches and even society as a whole simplybecause they have dared to stand up and be counted as their true selves.

Ideeply resent the vile and hurtful rhetoric that American Fundamentals andEvangelicals and a few others in the world have used for way to long here tocrush the spirits of all who are seen as “different” somehow – to paraphraseJesus, by their traditions they make the laws of God out to have noeffect. Having been saved in a Fundamentalist Church back in May of 1980 andstill believing that I am saved because of my faith in Christ I absolutely knowthat it is wrong, discriminatory doctrine to reject LGBT folks and I do all Ican to heal such wounds in others and share the love and compassion of God forthose He has lovingly created. God doesn’t make mistakes and He/She doesn’treject people created with certain needs, desires or mixes of attributes.

Ihost a blog called “Living Transgender in American Society Today” http://livingtransgender.blogspot.com in which I address someof these issues and you are welcome to take a look at it and even use parts ofit if it suits your article.

Finallyto the question of why I am involved in TDOR. There are severalreasons and the biggest is awareness. Society needs to be made aware thatatrocities such as the murder of trans folks are still happening all around theworld and they need to be so offended by this that they get involved and helpstop it. I think it is important for trans-folks who have been murdered to beremembered as people too and not just as statistics. Why should thesewonderful, colorful and unique folks along with their unnaturally shortenedlives be swept away and forgotten when they only thing they did was to tell theworld “look – this is who I am” or because they made some other peopleuncomfortable.

Everyhuman on the planet deserves this much dignity! To be known and remembered asGod’s children is a right of all humans in my book, even if we appear to be aninconvenience to those people who refuse to accept the diversity of creation asa good thing. To be known and accepted just as one has been created by God (orthe Universe if one prefers not to invoke God) is foundational to a sense ofwell-being and good self-esteem, not to mention foundational to the well-beingof society. Too long have people had to mold themselves into something andsomeone they are not just to fit some arbitrary or traditional behavior orappearance, and it isn’t just trans-folks. I think that if people learn of theplight of trans-folks they can begin to accept the broader spectrum of humanityand make the world a better place for all humans.

Ialso think that TDOR observances are a time for us who are trans-identified,who remain alive and have the chance to be out in our communities and who havefound happiness as their true selves to reflect on and be grateful for thosewho have gone before us. Some people tell me that they don’t observe TDORbecause it is too morbid, but I see it as an opportunity to move forward, tobuild on the foundations left by others who tried to live free and were killedin the process. We do have to be careful but we must not be driven back intohiding because of the risks. I look forward to the day that no one has to hideor be killed, or bullied or teased or rejected simply for being the person theybelieve themselves to be!

PersonallyI never like to be just a spectator at events so I have volunteered at TDORevents in the past – in Los Angeles in 2009 and in San Luis Obispo, CA lastyear (there are photos on my blog). There has not been a publicTDOR Event in Riverside before and so I thought it was about time someoneorganized one here outside of the small, private events at the Local Universityhere in Town (U of California, Riverside). My Church is very supportive of LGBTfolks and I have a lot of community connections from being very involved instuff, so it seems that I am the one to try and pull this together. I’m workingwith people from the local University and lots of other groups on this eventand I am hoping it gets a lot of attention.

Whatmore needs to be done in the field of transgender rights in your country/theworld?

Oneword: lots.

It issad that the United States used to be a world leader in human rights and civilrights but we have lost that edge to many others – places like Argentina arevery progressive when it comes to transgender rights and I think places likeBrazil and Thailand are too – they all still have other problems buttransgender folks seem to be much more accepted, and even Cuba now has healthcare that covers transgender SRS surgery – from what I have read the surgery isfree. Canada has a good health care system that provides for transgender peopletoo. Here we seem to be having a resurgence of very closed-minded views ofhumanity and the ultra-religious fanatics seem to have the biggest voice thesedays in the fight against acceptance of all humans as equals and our Healthcare system is still really closed to and ignorant of trans issues unless onehas lots of money. Our Medicare system certainly is not supportive.

Ican’t really speak about the world situation beyond the impressions I get from thenews media but here in the States I think it comes down to a need for people tobe taught that all humans need to be accepted and allowed to mature withoutbeing pressed into someone else’s mold.

Beyondthat I think it is kind of up to the transgender folks themselves to make adifference. So many stay hidden and I would like to find a way to encouragethem to take a stand and take the chance and just come out anyway.

I havehad much success by being bold and just acting like I belong where ever Ihappen to be at any given time. Once I realized and accepted who I am, and thattook me until I was 50, I came out and stayed out and have found greatacceptance. Though I do experience some harassment from time to time I spentfar too long hiding my feelings and stuffing the best parts of myself down andI now simply refuse to do that anymore for anyone. Life is just too short tostay hidden and miserable! I know that there are many who just can’t do what Ihave done but I keep hoping there will be more because only when trans-folksare regularly seen being involved in every-day life just like everyone elsewill there be wide spread acceptance.

What message do you hope for people totake from the day of remembrance?

Hope and a sense of belonging to acommunity that is learning to accept people as they are, a community that needsall of our participation in order to be whole and mature. I hope to show thelocal trans-folks that there is a lot of support and acceptance already athand. I am lining up lots of local Clergy, Care-Givers, other community leaders andbusiness people who will come out to our event just to be seen as supporters ofthe transgender community – so far I am getting a lot of positive responses.

I also hope to get the message across thatwe all need to stand together and work for changes while we support each otherin all of our diversity. The time for dividing down lines of difference is pastand it is time to group together by our similarities. This isn’t, at least as Ienvision it, just about murdered trans-folks but it is about all people whohave been killed, bullied, hurt, harassed, etc. for simply living their ownlives.

Whatpositive changes have you already seen in your country’s/the world’s stance ontransgender rights?

ThisNations youth are amazing – all across the country in High Schools and Collegesthere are groups usually called Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) or Prideassociations and there is a national network of these groups that are workingfor acceptance of all LGBT people and there is a lot of success. Igain a lot of hope from the young trans-folks I meet. I hope I am alive whenthese young people are taking the lead in our society.

Alsothere are a lot of on-line and face-to-face support groups and discussiongroups where people find the courage to accept themselves. Thank God for theInternet and the ability to communicate with others.

Wehave a couple of “mainstream” Church denominations in this Country that arevery progressive and work towards acceptance of all people too, and others seemto be coming around slowly. I believe it is the responsibility of the faithcommunity to reach out to all people and make them feel wanted and welcome.

SeveralStates, Cities, Universities and large companies have recently adoptedanti-discrimination laws that include gender identity and here in Californiaour Governor just signed 3 bills that have a positive impact on trans-folks.There is progress on a lot of fronts but there is also a lot of resistance so wehave a long way to go until we are simply accepted as just plain folks.

Pleasefeel free to add any further comments.

Ijust want to thank you for the opportunity to be heard. May you and your readersbe very blessed.

Hugs,
Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

The Laramie Project

2011-10-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

Last night was opening night for our production of The Laramie Project. We have 5 more performances to go and when it's over I'll hopefully have some pictures to post. for now here's our Poster and a review from the Pastor of my Church.

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

Last night was the opening performance of The Laramie Project at our church. I can't think of any time I was ever more proud to be associated with this community of faith. It is a stunning performance, one that left us all feeling more than a little shell-shocked. I spoke with one of the actors after the show who expressed profound gratitude to our church for allowing this powerful play to be performed here. Allowing?! This was truly a privilege!

The play is directed by our own Jeff Wymer with Angie Wymer leading production. A third of the cast are members of our church and the entire technical support team also comes from our church. Initial funding for the project came from our Mission Board, many of whom are also assisting out front and behind the scenes. We can proudly claim this play as ours.

For those who are interested in serious theater, this show is truly a MUST SEE. I would strongly urge you all to attend and to bring your friends with you. This is not only an important piece of theater, it also goes to the heart of issues that truly matter to many of us who sit in the pews of our church.

BRAVO Jeff and Angie Wymer. BRAVO actors. BRAVO First Congregational Church.

Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings, this weekend and next at 8 pm. There is also a matinee performance next Sunday, the 16th, at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door.

Jane

Wretched Tenants

2011-10-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

A Sermon based on Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 4:6-9 & Matthew 21:33-43
delivered 10-2-2011

Two of today’s readings seem to be making social and political statements that could be read as very strong indictments of ancient Israel’s leadership. In Isaiah we hear the Prophet loud and clear about specific offenses by the rulers of Israel – he does not mince words as he lays his charges at their feet – and in Matthew’s Gospel we hear Jesus poignantly speaking in such a way that his words can be applied to the leaders of Israel 2000 years ago and also apply to the current leaders and wannabe leaders of our Nation today.

While it isn’t always good to include politically charged issues in a sermon there are times when the words of Scripture and specifically those of Jesus Himself do have direct bearing on our society today. I don’t think I am presenting anything profound or new here but I am simply filtering current events through the lens of the Scriptures. Obviously we don’t live in ancient Israel but there are many comparisons that can be made and it seems to me that this is one time when it is quite appropriate to do just that, in fact I think it would be wrong to ignore the implications.

Some of you already know my views and about my involvement locally as an activist regarding LGBT issues, faith issues and human rights and have heard me tell of my experiences as a transgender woman possessed of a strong Christian faith. You know that my motives are always to show the love of Christ and make it relevant in today’s crazy world, especially to folks who have been hurt horribly by people claiming to be godly and then beyond that to try and build up a community to which all of God’s lovingly diverse people can feel that they belong, whether they recognize God or not or whether they view God in the same way I do or not. It is within this context that I speak today and I hope you can find some strength and hope in my words.

Here we have Jesus giving us a parable that obviously has Isaiah’s words at the heart but I believe the application can be made to our own country. I see the USA as the tenant of this amazingly lush and productive land yet in spite of this our national leaders, elected and appointed along with the bulk of banking and large corporate interests seem to be completely blind to the needs of anyone but themselves – certainly there is very little consideration of the poor and the infirm in our once great land, many of whom feel abused and trodden down if not simply left for dead. I am dismayed at the extent of greed and selfishness. I am dismayed that lying seems to be the national and corporate language. When was the last time you heard on the news about a politician being honest? When did you last hear of a big corporation stepping forward on their own to own up to disasters they caused and compensating us fairly for the damage? When was the last time you heard of a large bank or insurance company dealing honestly with someone? When was the last time some government agency told us the plain truth about a situation? We are in one truly sad state of affairs in this nation.

Now take a look at the state of religion in our land – especially those groups that make the most noise and are spending the most money on politically charged issues. These are the people who claim to have our spiritual best interests at heart, who would tell us how to be saved and have sanctified marriages and who should know what the word righteous is since they throw it in our faces so much. These are the very people who tell us that God works miracles yet the minute He does they scream “abomination”! I don’t know if you are sick of hearing their tired old rhetoric about how LGBT people are trying to teach other children to be gay or transgender, or hearing about their efforts to deny us our rights as citizens of this nation and even to deny us the dignity of equality or acceptance, but I am sick of it – and I feel righteously indignant about it. These are the people that would beat the messengers and kill the very Son Himself and would try to co-opt the vineyard all for their own benefit. I am very tired of these types being the tenants and leaders of this land and I believe that God is too. I can really relate to what Mt. 21:41 says, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end”…“and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

I think it is time to decry from the pulpit leaders who act just like children and treat the country like it was a toy. In Ecclesiastes 10:16 (NKJV) we are told,

”Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
And your princes feast in the morning!”

I hope and pray for leaders to arise who will consider and care for the poor and the sick and the cast-offs of society, lawmakers and decision makers who love their neighbors as themselves, and for corporate executives who listen to Jesus when He tells us in Luke 12:48,

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they ask the more.”

I get very depressed when I focus on the condition of this Country, seeing the depths to which we have already sunk. I’m very afraid for the future if things keep degenerating. I also get really worked up over all the abuse of LGBT and other folks by the religious “right” and their ignorant followers but I also have learned that if I act and speak out of the hurt I have experienced or the anger and upset I feel then I am doing just as much of a disservice to all of you as they are.

So what, you might ask, is the way to deal with both the social/political situation and the harmful religious attitudes, without getting all caught up in an emotional firestorm? How does one keep from being overwhelmed? Well, let’s look at our Second Reading again – Philippians 4:6-9 in the New International Version:

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is exactly how I hold on to hope and how I pick myself up out of depression and anxiety: I seek God, I think about things that are wholesome – I read the Scriptures and I remember the kindnesses people have done for me and the times that godly people have encouraged me, I think about the times that God has delivered me out of harm’s way and know I’ll be OK. I experience the peace of God which transcends my own understanding. And then, like Paul I channel my passion and anger into pro-active action.

For any of you who are still in doubt that God loves you or that you can find this peace I speak of I am living proof that this is dependable truth. I know beyond a doubt that the love of God is right at hand, just for the believing and accepting even if there are those who wrongfully say people like you or I have no place in God’s family. Think on this: God did not make you the person you are only to turn around and condemn you for being this way. God welcomes you with open arms just as you are! If you have questions or simply wish to discuss this please seek the Pastor or myself out after the service.

May God richly bless you, Amen.

Table Scraps: My Sermon on Aug 14th

2011-08-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

Someday I'll figure out how to post mp3 files in here but for now you get text only. I didn't include the Scripture text here so look it up if you want to read it. OK, here goes...

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Table Scraps
A sermon based on Matthew 15:21-28

Taken on its own this passage seems clear enough, but yet something doesn’t quite ring true in my mind. Unless there is something more to it I see a contradiction here between the Jesus I believe in, who was all about reconciling sinners to himself, who proclaimed loving one’s neighbor as oneself as second only to loving God with all of one’s heart, mind and soul and the Jesus depicted here, one who seems harsh, insensitive, prejudiced and rude, someone I would tend to shy away from rather than trust with my very soul. Hmm – when it comes to acceptance of those who differ from society’s norms this latter Jesus sounds like some of the Evangelicals, Fundamentalists and cultists in the news lately.

Recalling sermons and teachings I have heard on this passage over the years in several Churches or have seen in several Bible Commentaries I note that it isn’t uncommon to hear things like “Jesus was testing the woman’s faith” or that “Jesus really didn’t want to heal this woman’s daughter but it was her perseverance that won out in the end”. I believe there is an element of truth to these interpretations. To be sure, being sure of one’s faith and persevering in the face of opposition are absolutely necessary attributes for anyone who takes being a Christian seriously. Still, I can’t help thinking there is more to this than that, especially since we Christians have been called to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth, to love our neighbors as ourselves and we are told that all peoples and nations will bow before Him. Let’s take a closer look.

Here we have Jesus and the disciples trying to get away from the crowds for some well-deserved rest. Please note, Christian ministry can be grueling at times and those who participate in it do need a break once in a while. But now, breaking the calm that they sought, here comes this pesky woman messing up their plans. We hear the disciples fussing about her, saying stuff like she’s an inconvenience to us, get rid of her! She’s not one of us, she isn’t of our culture, she doesn’t live by our rules and besides that it’s not our job because we’re sent to the Jews only. Then after being silent and seeming to agree with the disciples Jesus takes up the same theme. Many of the commentators also seem to agree that she wasn’t one to whom Jesus was called to minister and many believe Jesus was justified in saying “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” and “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs” either to try and dissuade her or as a test of her faith. In many cases they say this was to be a lesson to her and to us about perseverance yet here is where I think the real truth lies.

We know from other passages that Jesus knows the hearts of all persons – In Luke 19 we learn that He knew Zaccheus the Tax Collector longed to see him and was up in the tree waiting for Him to pass by. Jesus knew well enough in advance of the encounter to have already made dinner plans at Zac’s house! In another passage Jesus knew that virtue went out of him when the woman with the bloody flux came and touched the hem of His Garment and was healed. In several other passages Jesus always seems to know just what the disciples are whispering or thinking about and often calls them on it – so to say the Jesus had to test this woman’s faith is a very weak argument. Jesus, being the son of God, always knows the minds and hearts of those around him. Jesus knew she was coming and what she needed before she got there and He knew her heart.

In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (1706) the notes on this passage start out this way: “The dark corners of the country, the most remote, shall share Christ's influences; afterwards the ends of the earth shall see his salvation. The distress and trouble of her family brought a woman to Christ; and though it is need that drives us to Christ, yet we shall not therefore be driven from him. She did not limit Christ to any particular instance of mercy, but mercy, mercy, is what she begged for: she pleads not merit, but depends upon mercy…” and he closes with “…From hence let such as seek help from the Lord, and receive no gracious answer, learn to turn even their unworthiness and discouragements into pleas for mercy. ”

This woman came humbly to Jesus in faith seeking mercy, showing a depth of knowledge about who He really was – she even called him “Lord, Son of David” proving that she wasn’t just seeking any old magician or spiritual healer – she knew her place. What she did by being persistent was turn the prejudice of that day back around on the disciples who wanted to get rid of her. This gave Jesus the opportunity to make an object lesson of the religious prejudice of the day by voicing what the woman knew to be prejudice to anyone who happened to be in earshot – and especially the disciples who had succumbed to that religious rhetoric much like well-meaning religious people today fall on the same old foolishness regarding Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people.

Have you ever been bantering with someone and said something that to a casual observer would seem outrageous, mean-spirited or prejudiced knowing that the one you were bantering with would get the joke? Sometimes when I am bantering with another transgender person I parrot the prejudice shown to them or myself in some situation and we understand that it isn’t prejudice on my part but an acknowledging of what one has had to endure. Words in print alone fail to convey the full truth of a situation like that but I think this is what Jesus was doing with that faithful woman as she was coming to Him seeking mercy for her daughter’s desperate need. Yet to us it is another example of not judging things by mere appearances – even the Scriptures!

I think Jesus was simply acknowledging that this woman was, by faith, enduring prejudice on the part of His disciples, knowing full well that he was going to heal the daughter and by doing so He would be chiding them for their lack of faith and compassion in the process. It was the disciples who had again forgotten who Jesus really was, coming as this event did on the heels of loaves and fishes, and Peter walking on water and then sinking in the previous chapter. I can hear echoes of Jesus words to Peter in the previous chapter “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

This is far more in character with the Jesus I believe in than if it were meant to be a test or a lesson to the woman. I can imagine that when Jesus said those harsh words to her that there was a twinkle in His eye or maybe a wink or a nod to her indicating that He knew what was up. The reality is that God isn’t going to reject anyone who turns to him in faith seeking only mercy and that is the only qualification.

Anyone who comes to God by faith is welcomed into the family of God. By faith this woman was already counted as one of the House of Israel. We know from Scripture that “the house of Israel” includes more than just Jews born that way even though it seems that the ultra-religious ones looked down on anyone who wasn’t just like them. Look at Isaiah 56:3-8

³ Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say,
“The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”

⁴ For this is what the LORD says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
⁵ to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
⁶ And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
⁷ these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
⁸ The Sovereign LORD declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.”

I know I am beginning to repeat myself but this is of life-changing importance for everyone to grasp. The lesson today, especially for those who are faced with the prejudice of religious people is that God already knows our hearts, our crises and our anguish and when we come to Him by faith He accepts us. He sees us when we are far off and He rushes out to meet us and draws us into the fold. He cares not one whit for what the religious people say or what the bigots and ignorant people say. Just as we are regardless of what those others say about us, even if it happens to be more of Jesus’ disciples trying to get us to go away because they see us as inconvenient, we can persist and succeed if what we seek is God’s mercy. For we are all humans who have fallen short of His Glory – this is the lot of every living soul – and His mercy is freely given to all along with the grace necessary to arise renewed.

May The God of Heaven and Earth richly bless you all.

Amen

Will I Ever Forget That I’m Trans?

2011-07-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here is my reply to a post on Tranifesto, “Ask Matt: Will I Ever Forget That I’m Trans?” (July 28, 2011 by Matt Kailey)

I too am one of the “professional” (though I don’t seem to be making any money as such), very out, activist, blog keeping (but very lazy about it lately) trans women. I hope one day I can simply forget my male roots and just be a woman, even if it is just for a day or two, but I can’t and the reality of the matter hits home on several levels. As with you, Matt, there is a long list of things – many of yours I can relate too though we travel in the opposite direction across gender lines.

I have 2 sons and I am their father – that fact isn’t going to change; I have a rather large build so I stand out in a crowd and am often read because of that extra level of scrutiny even though I try to dress very fem and age appropriate; my voice is of a timbre that is somewhere in between masculine and feminine and draws extra scrutiny; I spend most of my time in a town where many people knew the old me (though fortunately most of these people are very supportive and like the new me far better); and being very active in Trans and TLGB activism I can’t help but be aware that I am trans. And if that isn’t enough there are enough jerks in the world that love to make snide comments and act the bully, ever ready to remind me of my flaws (real or imagined on their part) – lately it is every couple of weeks I have some such encounter. (It disturbs me that this behavior seems to be on the rise, but that is for a different discussion sometime).

I simply have to rest secure in the knowledge of who I am, why I am here and that in my former pseudo-man life I proved over and over to myself that, in spite of having a penis, I really was not a man though God knows I gave it my best shot. I have to draw strength from these facts and from my faith that tells me God made me this way intentionally (I am NOT a mistake!!) and my being trans is a loving gift (though I for a long time considered it a curse). It is this faith, by the way, that drives me to be an activist and very out and visible – it is that “let your light so shine…” kind of thing for me so I dare not forget from whence I came to be a woman.

I am generally very happy that I am trans because life is so much better being out and free to be myself than it ever was in all the years I tried to hide it, fight it and deny it. Basically I have a “this-is-the-real-me, deal-with-it!” attitude. Having gone from someone who had to hide her feminine side just to survive her adolescence and early adult years to now trying to hide the damage done by 50 years of testosterone overdose I think I have a greater appreciation for being a woman than I would have had I simply been born female thus taking everything fem about myself for granted.

I know several trans women who have been able to pass perfectly and blend in and for a while I envied them, but I don’t any more. We trans-folks have so much more to give in support of others if we are out and visible. We make a positive difference in our world simply by being seen and known and we make it a safer place for those who will in the years to come discover their true selves and walk out into the light.

Hugs,
Eva-Genevieve!

Link to a Controversial Post on Bilerco

2011-07-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

A very good post. I thought it was a good read and maybe you will too. This echoes many of the experiences I have had with elitist TS-only groups. I call them "Transsexual Fundamentalists" because they act just like fanatic religious groups with the exception that a vagina is their god.

Here's the link

When You Are Not A Real Transsexual

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Pondering Faith and Walking Openly

2011-06-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

Recently I talked to another Trans Christian, one I just met on-line and our conversation has caused me to ponder how we must walk by faith in this world – even Trans and Gender Variant folks that do not have the same belief system as we Christians do – certainly it is an act of faith to step out into the world as our real, authentic selves; we risk everything the moment we hit the street. Even more so those who know they have to remain hidden from co-workers and others simply to survive must walk by some sort of faith even if it is just faith in the fact that one is part of a group that is pressing for acceptance. I speak from a Christian perspective about faith (and hope that this draws others into the family), but faith even without this context is key to what I am speaking about.

I could not live openly as myself now without Jesus by my side - it is all a walk of faith even though the Evangelicals and Fundamentalists can't quite grasp the truth I (and other Gender Variant people) represent. I wonder if that isn't a little like how Jesus felt as he walked among the religious people of His day. He embodied the Truth – all of it – and He loved God with all His being, yet he was ridiculed and eventually brutalized and put to death, so obviously He knows what it is like to be tortured, bullied, teased and ridiculed by family and religious people and likely even amongst His peers simply for being Himself. We have something in common with Him and this becomes important in the times when others turn against us and when we must endure our situations without giving up.

Lately I have faced a lot of harassment from people on the streets and this seems to be on the rise as I spend a lot of time walking and taking Public transit around Riverside and Los Angeles. I suppose this is due to the turbulent current Social, Political & Economic climate that seems to be pushing towards some sort of critical mass. Though I always try to dress tastefully and appropriate for a woman my age people that “read me” seem to have something hurtful to say and if it were not for this commonality I have with Jesus I would surely crumble under the weight of their hatred and ridicule. What I want most to do is share the Love God has for them with them because I really do know what that love is like, but in the heat of the moment I also want to lash out and get back at them so I usually wind up saying nothing and move along trying to keep my bruised feelings from showing. I go home and cry it out and then fight the depression that generally follows behind such challenges to myself and to my self-esteem – and it has been a struggle lately. Again if it were not for Jesus being by my side (faith) I would not be able to pick myself up and move forward again.

So what is it that we Gender Variant folks represent? I think most of all we represent the fact the God is still speaking, still creating, still alive and well and accessible to each one of us by faith, also that He is well able to function outside the tiny, tradition steeped box that most people think of as Christianity. We stand in stark contrast to the limits of religious tradition. We are told, you can’t live that way, “its evil”, “its abominable”, “it teaches our kids to be promiscuous” and even (with a little tongue-in-cheek here) “it makes them wonder who or what they should marry”. Of course nothing is further from the actual truth; such things can’t be taught – one either is or isn’t “that” way by nature, however one identifies. What we represent is the glory of God and Her ability to challenge and shake up the status quo even in these modern (and oh so enlightened) days. We represent living Truth just as Jesus did and that scares the beejeebers out of folks!

We have heard it said often enough that God can do anything but when He actually does do something miraculous it is those shallow, reactionary religious people that scream and say “that’s abomination!”, though it really is simply because who we are makes them uncomfortable and challenges their beliefs. I believe that such challenges to ones beliefs are healthy and it is something that God is still in the business of doing today, in real-time and right in their (and our) faces.

Please take this to heart: each and every one of us is one of those miracles in the flesh, just as Jesus Christ was one in the flesh! Talk about being trans – He had the Spirit of God fully dwelling in his human flesh. We put the lie to the traditions of today’s religious people regarding Gender Variant folk. Jesus said it of the Jews in His day(Mark 7:13 “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”), and our very existence combined with the faith we have makes the exact same statement to all those religious folks who tell us we are wrong, evil, abominable & etc.

I just had lunch with a Pastor friend of mine today and I would like to adapt a quip she quoted to me that happens to speak volumes to our detractors: If God hates Transgender and LGBQ… folks so much why does he make so many of us? So whether you have faith in God or just faith in the fact that there are so darn many of us, as always I encourage you to be out because just by being out you make a difference. I encourage you to be proud of who you are and to stand firm even in the face of opposition (though avoid becoming violent if you can). Get involved in support groups so you have a personal support network, get involved in civic affairs and take your place regularly so you can make a difference – Woody Allen once said “eighty percent of success is showing up”. Remember that you are not alone as you struggle to be free.

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

J. Crew and Pink Toenails

2011-04-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked me what I thought of all the fuss about J. Crew's latest marketing campaign and here's my reply only slightly more embellished:

What I think is J. Crew is doing excellent marketing and their advertising division and/or consultants ought to be praised for their work. Jenna ought to be thanked too for her example of acceptance of her son and her willingness to be in the spotlight. Thank You!!! You are awesome indeed!!

My hope is that as a result of all the flap perhaps a few more people will become enlightened enough to realize gender isn't what one puts on, paints on, or even necessarily dependent on body parts if one thinks it through a bit further. This awareness is a good thing in my estimation. On the other hand, of course the right wing rubes, like Fox News and etc, will try to inflame the mindless populace with still more of the same idiotic rhetoric they have been spewing for years now - and they do make a lot of money doing this because there are a lot of suckers out there. I just wish they would wake up and understand how utterly foolish they appear to the rest of us and understand the harm that they promote.

I'm not a woman because of the way I dress or the nail colors I wear, but rather because that is who I am on the inside. And I dress the way I do simply because I enjoy it - it makes me happy to be stylish and colorful! It isn't something someone taught me; in fact it is the exact opposite. I actually had to emulate other boys to function in my former life as one because it was what they did and how they acted that did not come naturally to me - I had to tone down my own instincts to survive. Give most boys a bottle of pink polish and they will ask what the hell is this for? Maybe they'll paint racing stripes on their toy cars with it or something like that, but it won't make them gay or trans - that is just foolish talk!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

The Movie "Boy I AM"

2011-03-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

I went to see the screening of “Boy I Am” Saturday night in Downtown Riverside at the Blood Orange Infoshop.

"Boy I Am" was well worth seeing. It is a pretty good documentary about transition from the FtM side of things. It points out some of the things we trans-women don't have in common with trans-men. The primary example is the split between trans-men and the butch lesbian crowd (women who clearly identify as women but present as very masculine). The film makes it clear that for trans-men there is a sense of breaking out of a closed community or private social club and this is something I don't think we trans-women have anything comparable to, at least not on a large scale as presented in the flick.

All of us gals are seen as traitors to the manly side of things by some genetic men (including some of the gays) and face ridicule and discrimination as a result, but since genetic men aren't as militantly organized as the butch gals we don't generally have the same kind of community or social-clubish break-away issues. Many, or dare I say most, of us simply knew that we had to break away from the masculine and just did, no lingering guilt feelings or feelings of having betrayed other men - at least this what I have seen to be common. We know we aren't men and that, simply, is that. Even though I think of myself as two-spirit and as still having some male attributes I still had to make a complete break with presenting my gender with any hint of maleness and therefore there was no stigma in my mind of having betrayed, say, a tight-knit society of gay men with clearly fem presentation. That kind of thinking never entered my mind as I struggled with coming out back in those turbulent days.

What I do see as a common problem for trans people as a whole, though this was not mentioned in the movie (and probably didn’t enter into the mind of the filmmaker), is that we trans-folks all still tend to focus on our way as the right way and others that do things different are often labeled as wrong. We then fall into the trap of fragmenting along these lines of difference. We tend to focus on them rather than finding our common strengths and forging a true community based on those. The trans-men isolate from the trans women as we gals do from the trans-men - it is a pretty clear break out here in the Inland Empire (the Riverside/San Bernardino/Redlands area of So. California) anyway and this seemed painfully obvious at this screening. I was the only trans-woman present, but there were many trans-men and lesbians. Go figure, it was all about the bois - so why should the ladies show an interest, right? (And therein lays my point). And then we all sub divide over every other little thing, walking right past opportunities left and right to make strides in equal rights and other important issues we commonly gripe about. Though there are some rare exceptions to this, I see this as the primary thing that undermines our ability to do anything positive as a community or to even begin to see ourselves as members of a community outside of some very exclusive little groups. Even though a lot of trans-folks were at the forefront at Stonewall we still haven't learned to set aside our differences and organize like the G's and L's have done since that fateful day in a New York bar.

As always I urge us all to set aside our differences and work together to make the world a better and safer place for all humans. There are always plenty of things to get involved in right in our own neighborhoods.

If you happen to be in the Riverside Area on Sunday the 13^th of March, come visit First Congregational Church’s second forum on bullying – we will have representatives from several GSAs (Gay Straight Alliance), UCR’s LGBT Center and Riverside Police Dept. to answer questions on the topic of bullying and hate crimes. These forums are held after our morning Worship service at 11:30 AM (though all are welcome in the service too – that starts at 10 AM). This past Sunday we screened the film “Bullied”, an excellent documentary from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

OK, I have said enough for one sitting, especially after being quiet for so long.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

pictures

2010-12-29T23:30:00.001-08:00

Greetings friends,

I finally got my recent pictures uploaded where they can be shared. Here is the link to Christmas Eve in Riverside at FCC:

http://www.4shared.com/dir/52X0htoX/Christmas_in_Riverside_at_FCC.html

And if you want to see other stuff I've been doing over the past couple years you can look through all my shared folders:

http://www.4shared.com/dir/oTS7UzKB/sharing.html

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

“If you haven’t the strength to impose your own terms upon life you must accept the terms it offers you.”

-T.S. Eliot

Christmas Eve at Church

2010-12-26T23:50:00.000-08:00

Greetings friends,

I just wanted to post these photos from Christmas Eve at First Congregational Church (UCC) in Riverside CA. What a wonderful Birthday celebration!

Have a happy and blessed New Year too.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Happy Birthday Jesus

2010-12-24T10:05:00.000-08:00

And a Merry Christmas to all.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

November (Yes, I know it's already December)

2010-12-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

Greetings friends,

I hope the holiday season finds you well. I may be late with posting for November but at least I'm consistent. November was a good month for me. On the 17th my foot Doctor pronounced I am now ready to "transition" back into my normal walking patterns again after 3 months so I am now fighting to get back into my 5+ mile a day walking but the weight gained during those 3 months and the lack of exercise has proven to be quite a challenge - I still have some swelling and pain but it isn't as bad as it was with the bunion and extra long metatarsal bone. My biggest problem is I'm having a bit of a self-esteem issue with my expanding waist-line and my love of good food. Oh well, so much for sniveling - I came across a good quote the other day in the Riverside Press-Enterprise from T.S. Eliot that put me back in my place: “If you haven’t the strength to impose your own terms upon life you must accept the terms it offers you.”

Nov 4 - I attended the LAPD LGBT Community Forum was held at The LA Gay & Lesbian Center.

The panel (left to right): Dr Luann Pannell - Direcrtor of Police Training, Assistant Chief Sandy Jo MacArthur, Commissioner Robert Saltzman, Captain Beatrice Girmala - Commanding Officer,Hollywood area. There was an open microphone for questions.

LA area Trans Activist Troy Eric, a regular attender at these forums is pictured here at the mic. After the forum I was asked to (and did) participate in a video taping to be used for Police training on transgender issues.

On Thursday Nov 18th I took the Amtrak up to San Luis Obispo for a very much needed pre-holiday holiday away from home. My Boyfriend Ken drove up that weekend and between us we took a lot of photos some of which I have posted over in the right hand column, or you can follow this link to my "4Shared" album. Over that weekend I participated in an awesome Transgender Day Of Remembrance event - the first one ever held in SLO. This event was hosted by Tranz-Central Coast and the SLO Universalist Unitarian Fellowship. Rev Sean Dennison gave a very inspiring message, David Robinson read a very poignant poem. (I hope I can get the text of these and add it to this post soon, but for now you'll just have to trust me). Namoli Brennet provided music for this event and gave a concert the next evening at the UU Fellowship.

If you haven't seen the movie "Two Spirits" yet I encourage you to do so. I am putting on a free screening of of it at First Congregational Church in Riverside January 2 at 11:30 AM. 3504 Mission Inn Avenue (at Lemon), Riverside, CA 92501. Our Service starts at 10:00 AM. FCC is a wonderful, welcoming Church. Come if you can!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Models of Pride 18 – October 9, 2010

2010-10-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

This year’s Models of Pride – a youth Pride event with workshops, resource fair, entertainment and a closing dance was attended by over 600 young people ages 12-24. This year’s event was hosted by Friends of Project 10 and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center’s Lifeworks project.

This year there was something new - a workshop for parents of LGBT youth. Kim Pearson of TYFA and many other notables were hosting panels on various topics throughout the day and providing lots good information. I sat in on one session called “How can I Work Within My Faith Community To Accept My Family”.

The panel, hosted Harold Kameya of PFLAG in Pasadena, consisted of (left to right) Rev. Abel Lopez from All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, Rev. Eric Lee of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Fr. Geoff Farrow - a Roman Catholic Priest. These all have taken very notable and public stands in favor of marriage equality and human Rights for all. They had a lot of very encouraging things to say to parents of LGBT youth, many who are struggling to accept their children as gay or transgender.

I have volunteered at MOP every year since coming out and this is my 5th time. Even though I over-taxed my partially healed foot early in the day and had to cut out before the last session and the entertainment I did get to meet a lot of the youth and experience the wonderful spirit there as many of them for the first time in their lives got to be out in public simply as themselves. As always I encourage every one of you to get out and be a role model for our youth and support them in any way you can– they are our future!

Check out the Models of Pride website at modelsofpride.org to see the workshop listing and other details of the event.

Pictures included here are of the Drum Circle. (More photos available at:

http://www.4shared.com/dir/ra71b5Pp/Models_Of_Pride_18.html)

See you next year at MOP 19!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

SUMMARY OF YOUTH SUICIDE RESOURCES

2010-10-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

This list was compiled by Friends of Project 10 in Los Angeles

www.FriendsOfProject10.org

American Association of Suicidology www.suicidology.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org
Signs of Suicide (SOS) www.mentalhealthscreening.org
Teen Screen Program www.teenscreen.org
Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov
National Suicide Hotline: 800.SUICIDE
TEEN LINE www.teenlineonline.org
The Trevor Project www.thetrevorproject.org

Stomp out Bullying:
Phone: (888) 347-KIDS
STOMP Out Bullying (a signature program of Love Our Children USA) focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyber bullying, sexting
and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism and truancy, and deterring violence in schools, playgrounds, online and in communities
across the country.
Website: http://stompoutbullying.org/index.php

Welcoming Schools:
The Welcoming Schools Guide offers tools, lessons and resources on embracing family diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping and ending bullying and name-calling. Start changing Minds early with these ideas for activism (Grades K-5)
Website access only: http://www.welcomingschools.org/
(Submitted by Jennifer Meneray)

*Article
Responding to Teen Suicide: What You Need to Know

*Report
Suicide Prevention and Intervention

Resources for adults:

Bullying Training Guide, the Los Angeles Unified School District

Safe Schools Coalition, addressing LGBT Issues in schools, headquartered in Washington
California Safe Schools Coalition

*Resources for the classroom:
Look, Listen, Link and Help Every Living Person, suicide prevention curricula for middle and high school, respectively, from the Youth Suicide Prevention Project

Let's Get Real .. film and discussion guide from Groundspark about bullying for middle school

Lipstick and Who I Am ... films and discussion guides from Scenarios USA written by youth, performed by pros & discussion guides, about friendship, coming out, and more for middle and high school

*Free Speakers' Bureau in the Los Angeles Area
GLIDE (Gays and Lesbians Initiating Dialogue for Equality)

*GLSEN'S SAFE SCHOOLS KIT
This kit is downloadable on GLSEN's web site at www.glsen.org. Click on "tools and kits" students.

*MODELS OF PRIDE CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OF COURSE, STUDENTS --Saturday, October 9, Occidental College in Los Angeles.
www.modelsofpride.org

*Make It Better Project "It Gets Better" video

The GSA Network will be promoting a nationwide Make It Better Week of Action for October 5-11 in partnership with grassroots activists and other organizations.

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND LISTS.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Talk About Procrastination…

2010-09-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

By now you know I am very good at it! Since May I have been putting off writing much of anything. Back then I was busy and didn’t have the time to write much and lately I just haven’t felt like it. During this time of very much reduced activity I just haven’t wanted to hear myself talk much I guess (and still don’t), but I either have to quit promising to post about stuff or just do it. So I will just do it because if I wait any longer I will never get around to it.

On May 23 I was invited to speak at an Ordination Service at Safe Haven Community Christian Church. This was a very historical moment for Safe Haven. Krystal Louise Kelley-Davis is the Church's first Seminary Graduate and Candidate for Ordination. This Ordination is quite special for other reasons too. Pastor Krystal is not your usual Pastor - she is one who is "differently abled" and has a unique sort of challenge ahead of her. Also she is legally married to a trans-woman and so has many ties to the transgendered and LGBT community as well. The Ceremony was officiated by Rev Renee Painter of Safe Haven with the assistance of Archbishop Mark Shiralau of the Ecumenical Catholic Church and Rev. Jane Quandt of the First Congregational Church of Riverside. I hope to have some video clips to post one of these days, but for now this still will have to suffice. (Behind me in the procession is Pastor Krystal and then her wife Jenny).

June 5th was Trans-Unity Pride at the LA gay and Lesbian Center. (Sorry I don’t have permission to post pictures of several friends that were there – some had either family or employer issues - and so I had to crop this one down). There were lots of booths – transgender artists & business people, local resources and many good workshops too – including a presentation by Satori World Medical – an International Health Network that now provides Transgender services in Thailand and also now in Canada working with several highly acclaimed surgeons. They also help with grants and financing to cover lots of procedures.

Contact k.poling@satoriworldmedical.com or visit their website - www.satoriworldmedical.com

Then on July 12th was LA Pride. I didn’t have a camera with me but needless to say it was a huge event there in West Hollywood. The whole city of WeHo was like an extension of the festival too that weekend. Lots of stuff going on and parties everywhere. I worked as a volunteer for a 4 hour shift along with several folks from Rainbow Pride Youth Authority (a LGBT youth group from San Bernardino) and thus earned admission to the event.

Then on June 15th I attended an LAPD Forum at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. I find it amazing that the LAPD has been on the leading edge in the struggle for acceptance and support for transgender concerns. Here is a possibly useful tidbit of information for residents of LA. If you are trans and feel uncomfortable reporting a crime – either one you have witnessed or one you have been a victim of because you feel intimidated by the system you can contact Officer Patricia Luevanos in the LAPD community Relations Division (213) 486-6000 for help with reporting or you can contact Jake Finney at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center. The LAPD really is interested in serving our community while respecting our needs and so you need not be afraid of contacting them! Things are not at all like they used to be in LA.

I made some rally good connections at this forum and came away with a referral to meet with the new Chief of police in Riverside who just took office in July 1st. Out in Riverside Chief Diaz is planning to start working closely with many different sectors of the community to begin to resolve many of the long standing problems in that community, much as the LAPD has done very successfully in recent years with the LBGT and other underserved groups. I will be working with UCR’s LGBT center, Rainbow pride youth Authority, “Trans&Gender Force” and other Inland Empire groups to put together a panel to discuss Transgender issues, LGBT youth issues, and Hate Crimes – the recent activities of local Neo-Nazis and one notable hate crime recently on the UCR campus had sparked a lot of interest on campus in working closely with law enforcement out there. I did personally mention to Chief Diaz that the local jail system has no provision for dealing with transgender individuals and was promised that the situation would be looked into with the Sheriff (since they run the jail).

In July I was house sitting in Riverside for the month with a few days away in San Diego for the United Church of Christ’s LGBT Issues Coalition’s national Gathering. I posted about that over in the right-hand column.

Finally, I am caught up. See y'all soon.

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

Frankenstein’s Boot

2010-08-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that my foot surgery went well, but recovery? – this is harder. If I go anywhere I have to wear Frankenstein’s Boot. It is way to heavy and very cumbersome, though I suppose that is a good thing because if it weren’t I would be out walking and doing stuff – the very things I am not supposed to be doing. I hate being cooped-up and dependent on others! I am somewhat crankier and humbled (but not all that much) by this. My surgeon tells me that my bone density is the hardest he has ever had to work on, so maybe this helps explain the hardness of my head.

Though it is hot weather and I have good A/C and my stash of snacks and drinks right at hand I would much rather be out doing… something, anything!! I used to walk off my depression, anxiety and frustrations but now I can’t – I get to lie around and then for a change of pace I rollover on my side and lie around. I stare at my knickknacks – among which are Genevieve, she’s my favorite doll and Thing One and Thing Two

threatening some Seussian prank from the top of the speaker – and I listen to my music and read. This includes re-researching various SRS procedures' benefits and risks, for I am soon, going to be applying for a grant to help with the costs. Sometimes I gimp-it down the stairs to the kitchen and there I overdo it cooking and eating too much. I just now came back from the Doctor where we discovered the first complication - infection and unexpected swelling where the bunion was removed and so I have added strong antibiotics to my daily routine. Hopefully next Sunday I will be up to going back to Church and seeing my wonderful family there again.

I keep promising to update this blog and account for the past couple months – and this is coming too – as I remain a captive here it has to be, but I want to whine and snivel some first. Actually I am doing well, all things considered.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Pennies From Heaven

2010-08-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I generally don't promote fundraisers here but this one is very important - TYFA is a well established and trustworthy trans youth advocacy organization. Please consider helping any way you can. Even prayer and directing good thoughts or energy toward this helps too.

Hug,

Eva-Genevieve!

Pennies From Heaven - PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

Those of you who follow my Facebook may be aware that I made an emergency trip to Kansas this week. A school there was refusing to recognize a 10 year old transgender girls gender identity. They were requiring her to attend school as male and wouldn't budge.

I met with a school across town and they were happy to have her and wanted to learn how to make her school experience safe and productive. We registered her and expected that she would start school later in the week. I flew home to AZ.

Now the district administration has become involved and informed the parents (two moms) that their child will not be accomodated at ANY SCHOOL in their district. The child must present male or gender neutral, must use a male name and male restroom. The reason given is that to do otherwise would "interfere with the learning environment".

We are going to file suit against this school system . TYFA has retained the best attorney in KS with experience in GLBT discrimination. We need to raise an estimated $25,000 (or more) to litigate this case. I am calling this fund raising effort "Pennies From Heaven". Make any donation amount but end it with .01 (example 20.01) so that we know you are donating for the KS Defence Fund. Are you with me here?

It is time to take back our schools for gender variant students everywhere and we are going to start in Kansas.

MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW:http://imatyfa.org/permanent_files/donatetest.html

Kim Pearson

Kim Pearson
Executive Director
TransYouth Family Allies, Inc.
928.486.7824
www.imatyfa.org
kimp@imatyfa.org
http://www.causes.com/tyfa
http://www.twitter.com/havasumoma
http://www.facebook.com/havasumoma

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2009 Revisited

2010-08-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

Just a note to anyone who has recently tried to view the post about the TDOR service I hosted at Safe Haven Community Christian Church last November. The original Video Server has dumped the files so the video has been unavailable for a while. It is now back up using Blip TV - here is the link to the updated post.

http://livingtransgender.blogspot.com/2009/11/tdor-service-video.html

Some of my very first videos are also available on the Blip TV site too. I was so nervous to be on camera I could hardly speak, but the people I interviewed had great things to say.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

A Prayer for Harvey Milk Day, Every May 22nd

2010-05-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Eternal One, You created us b’tzelem Elohim , in Your image, filling us – as You are filled --- with hope, hope that we might yet bring to fruition Your vision of cooperation and harmony, of wholeness and peace. You imagined such a world, Holy One, and then instilled within us the ability to imagine it too. You hope even now for such a world, Holy One, knowing You created us with the desire to give each other hope like Yours, hope that tomorrow will find us finally ready, finally able, to bring Your imagined world into being. Blessed are You, Hopeful One, creator of hope and of those who bring it to the world.

- Created by Rabbi Lisa Edwards, Beth Chayim Chadashim, Los Angeles

In the Windchest

2010-05-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

This was a really cool day at my Church First Congregational (UCC) in Riverside - I got to tour the workings of our Austin pipe organ during our History day a couple weeks ago. I never imagined that I would actually get to go inside what amounts to the bellows while the organ was being played.

Here I am inside the "Austin Universal Air Chest."

John Austin filed an application for the patent of his "new" style of windchest design on April 4, 1893. He developed the idea of this new kind of chest in which all of the parts could be seen and repaired even while the organ was turned on and the mechanism was in operation.

The unit gets pressurized and as the organ keys are pressed the little solenoids open valves that let the air go out into the appropriate pipe. If you are inside it makes your ears pop when the pump starts, but it isn't painful or even loud when played. The pipe simply resonates with the air moving out of the chest through it and all you hear inside is just a soft whistling of air blowing out, but outside where the pipes are hold on to your hat! Because in the space where the pipes are mounted it is very loud and sounds awesome!! There are two of these Air Chests, one on each side of the chancel with different banks of pipes for different kinds of sounds.

Just for kicks, here is a link to the American Theatre Organ Societies internet radio station:

http://www.atos.org/radio/atos_radio-player.html

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

A Letter to the Mother of a Young MtF

2010-05-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

I just wrote this reply to the mother of a young (MtF) girl. She was having trouble using her daughters name and spoke of it in one of the groups I belong to.

"Hi [mom],

I was 51 when I came out to my mom - she was 81 at the time - and she had a lot of trouble with my new name but she tried and she cared and that is what is really important. For 51 years I was her son Evan and life long habits do not break easy of quickly. Sometimes as a child she called me Ev for short and so we agreed that it was still appropriate to call me that instead of Eva. After about a year she started addressing letters to me in my full new name and has started using Eva more often with me on the phone. This has taken about 4 years for her to change and she certainly has the right to go at her own pace. You do too [mom] - so don't beat yourself up if you slip up once in awhile.

To your daughter I urge patience. I know that it is easy for me at 55 to say and it is hard to be patient in your youth, but remember little sister: time is on your side!

Sometimes we trans folks get impatient about our families catching up and using our new names. We want them to instantly understand and fully grasp all of our changes and be happy for us. But we must always remember that though we knew from early on we were different and have always lived with the inner image of our true selves, to others our change seems sudden and drastic and often very disconcerting. We have to give them the space to adjust too. We have to be accepting of them as they are, slow to comprehend as they may be and let them act according to their own perceptions if we expect them to accept us our way too. It is a long process for them to understand us. We must nurture them into understanding just as we need and want their love and acceptance."

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Ticked-off Tra**ies With Knives?

2010-04-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

I am commenting on this article in the Advocate - if you are not aware of the controversy please take a look this link for some backgound:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/04/22/Ticked_Off_Trannies_With_Knives_to_Alter_Marketing/

I haven't seen the movie and I probably won't (because I avoid movies that glorify violence and violent revenge taking), but I don't think a couple of asterisks solve the inherent problem. Any movie that glorifies violent revenge taking is a problem and the title, standing alone, reeks of violence and anger and revenge. We who have been the victims of violence and abuse need to be setting an example of being peaceable if we want to gain acceptance into the mainstream of society. An eye for an eye went out of style a long time ago. Fighting violence with violence resolves nothing and the violence only escalates when it is exploited in the media. Two asterisks just do not, in my opinion, counterbalance or negate the violence implied in the title nor do they disguise the fact the movie shows trans-folk as violent and vengeful. Hopefully we all try to avoid being defined by those terms. Hopefully we all seek to rise above the base, raw, emotion driven spirit of violent revenge. God knows I want to lash out at those that abuse and hurt us just as much as the next T-person but surely we can find a better way to combat the ignorance, bigotry and violence than by exploitative violence in films or even implied in a film title.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

An Awesome Video from the UCC

2010-04-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

The Language of God from United Church of Christ on Vimeo.

A Great Interview

2010-04-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a great interview with Jo Clifford a Transgender Playwright on BBC Scotland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rv6b3

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

1st Annual Bobbie Watts Memorial Award

2010-04-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

I received Saturday night at Club Shine (Oxwood Inn - North Hollywood). The award is the first annual Bobbie Watts Memorial award and was presented to be by Laura Gonzales, the founder of TGCD.net and Club Shine. Bobbie was an awesome lady in the TG/CD community (as you can read below) who passed away very suddenly last year. I generally feel like I'm not doing enough - certainly nothing worthy of being awarded anyway - and said so prior to getting the award and here is the reply that set me back on my heels from one of the co-organizers of the LA CD/TG "Meetup" group (AKA Bobbie's Dreamers). Here is what was said about Bobbie and myself...

"Eva:
Nothing in this world gives me more honor and pleasure than to present to you the First Bobbie Watts Memorial Award to you for your commitment to the comunity, in uniting, encouraging, advocating and bringing new, young and older ppl to the community that is growing each day.Your heart is just as big as the person with who we honor in this award. As she opened not only her heart, her house, her space and at times her money to all those who needed something to drink , or food, a place to sleep, or a safe haven, and or just someone to feel accepted with, perhaps a place to be able to change and hang out with so they may/could feel comfortable in doing so. Someone who even tho at times felt she tried and many did not reach out to her and to the rest; she still insisted in trying to unite what perhaps could be imposible but she managed to do it to the few or many people she managed to unite throughout her last years of life!I present this award to you Eva-Genevieve as our first recipient because you are a corageous woman with a big heart that tries to unite all of our hearts, with you words of wisdom and encouraging each of us to come out and show the world who we are; that we should not be afraid of coming out and letting the world see... that we are humans after all! And that gender is not a thing between one's legs but between our ears! Eva it gives me so much joy & pleasure to present to you the 2010 first ever Bobbie Watts Memorial Award to you for your continuing Community outreach and in hopes that you continue to reach out to all of our community and unite us with other communities as well. Please accept this award on behalf of Bobbie, Laura and all of Bobbie's Dreamers for your hard work!"

(That's me in the zig-zaggy blue dress)

I am blown away that people feel this way about me and I had tears in my eye as as I read the note. I am pleased and very humbled that I was chosen to receive the award given in her honor. What this shows is that being open about who one is - boldly at times - does make a difference in other people's lives. It is a behavior I encourage for everyone who has truly discovered their true self. If one lives openly as the person God created them to be, good will flow from that, so live your life to the full before God and the people around you!

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

Will the Real Eva-Genevieve Please Stand Up?

2010-03-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Greetings my friends,

Well it has been a long time in coming but finally I have in hand my Name Change Decree from the Los Angeles Superior Court! For the sake of expediency we did not include the exclamation point as part of my name because, according to the Court Clerk, it would be a problem for the DMV and other agencies and for getting a Passport. I generally include it because it is my way of thanking God for giving me this wonderful second chance in life and eventually I will get it added legally, most likely once I have had SRS surgery when it will be even more of a thing for me to celebrate and be thankful about. Below is a scan of the Decree (with a couple personal items removed) and I also include a scan of the public notice Published in the Glendale News-Press in February.

Hugs and Blessings,

the real Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

Why it Matters to Me

2010-03-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

I feel that I am a two-spirit; part man and part woman. I seldom put it out in the open as I am doing now because there will always be someone to take issue with it needlessly. The mix is about 80/20 in favor of the woman and though I identify as female I can't in good conscience pick just simply the F box on important Civil or medical forms. It is not a fully truthful answer (for me) and so I always correct the form and indicate I am a transgender female, for this truly is my gender. I can't change my genetic make up (not, at least, until Revlon comes out with Genetic Makeup - lol) nor can I change the spirit and soul I have been given, and so I strive for truthfulness about myself. I am a female built on a male frame and that is impossible to change; this is the wonderful gift God gave to me and so I celebrate it rather than hide it. In this spirit, the US Census is important enough that I can't take the easy way out and simply mark F.

For the sake of most other questionnaires and surveys (especially on the internet) I simply pick F because it isn't important nor oppressive to the male aspect of my spirit to do so. (Yes - I love deals on womens clothes and cosmetics & etc so marking F is appropriate in those cases). I promised myself when I went full time on July 24th, 2006 that I would never do to the male aspect of my spirit (I.E.: crush it and abuse it) what I had, in ignorance, done all the first years of my life to the female aspect of my spirit.

As usual I was not and am not telling anyone what to do - urging isn't telling - but it is interesting to see once again through the responses how diverse we all are just within the T part of the rainbow. I urge everyone to be true to themselves and follow their own conscience. I also urge anyone that feels like I do about their gender to stand up and be counted in whatever way you can. Be true to yourself; what you are and who you are is a wonderful blessing from your Creator so don't hide it and don't take the easy way out if doing so compromises who you are!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psa 27:13)

Census, Schmensus

2010-03-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Well, here's the "official" answer I got from the Census bureau about how to be counted as a transgender (or LGB) person. It basically says do nothing other than mark the boxes they have without modification and be satisfied with the smoke that they are blowing up our skirts.

They say just mark your preferred sex only and hope for future changes. Follow the link below and then the links on that page. You can see for yourself that there is absolutely nothing of substance there for us in spite of the fact they hired a trans-person to answer our questions.

I, for one, am not satisfied at this multi-billion dollar, over-budget method of being totally ignored and marginalized (again) by our Government and so I am urging everyone to make a third box labeled "Transgender" or "Transsexual" and then write in how you identify if you wish. But don't use the provided boxes - force them to hand tally these forms. It isn't much I know, but it is something we can do to let them know we we exist!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Edward J. SanFilippo
To: Eva-Genevieve Scarborough
Sent: Wed, March 17, 2010 9:19:30 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: A question regarding transgender people

Hi Eva,

Thanks for getting in touch! As the Transgender Specialist for the
whole Census, this question is very important to me, which is why we
created the Transgender Fact Sheet, which can be found at
http://ourfamiliescount.org/census-bureau/ in the second link. The
document may not answer every question for the trans-community, but as
the first official outreach by the federal government, it's a great
start.

In your email to Matt, you expressed a lot of frustration about not
being able to mark 'trans' on the form. Obviously I understand this.
Unfortunately, changing/adding a question on the from takes years of
advocacy work and a mandate from the federal government. In general,
Congress must make the decision. To date, there has not been an
organized,long-term effort by the trans community to make this happen.
In a political climate where a fully-inclusive ENDA is so
controversial, I'm sure you understand how problematic the entire
issue can be.

Your best bet is to simply answer the question as truthfully as
possible (every individual decides what this means for themselves),
and of course, mail it back. The fact that my position exists within
the Census is a tremendous step forward, and one that hopefully
inspires you to stay engaged to make a difference on future forms. If
you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

-Ed

--
Edward J. SanFilippo
LGBT Partnership Specialist / Transgender Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
(619) 864-5287

Progress

2010-02-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

I figure it is about time I say something lest you all think I fell off the planet. Actually January was a very productive month for me personally, though I actually have not felt much like talking about it lately - I think it's a hormonal thing. Here's the rundown anyway.

For New Years I did not actually make a resolution per se, but I did settle upon a motivational word with which to define the year for me and that word is "progress". January was full of it.

I was busy in Los Angeles taking care of some legal/financial matters. I don't think details are appropriate to talk about at present in other than generalities. Suffice it to say that my lawyers at Public Counsel have just filed a serious complaint over illegal practices against the San Bernardino Dept of Child Support Services. I am hoping for some positive results not only for myself financially but also for many others that are being mis-treated by DCSS.

I finally had success finding a Physician that specializes in trans medicine and takes Medi-Cal and Medicare. Dr. Maddie Deutcsh recently came down from the Bay area to Los Angeles. Through her and the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, I am getting some problems - one related to hormone therapy - looked into. My Estrogen levels were that of being pregnant and I have actually been lactating. It is a rather pleasant feeling and I must admit I enjoy being able to answer the question "Got Milk?" in the affirmative with just a little squeeze.

I just sponsored a Child in Guatemala through Children International because we can all do something to help someone else that really needs it - no child deserves to be hungry. His name is Dani he's is 8 years old. (Right now I don't have a scanner so I can't post his photo, but I will post it soon)

This past week I finally filed for my name change in Downtown LA and the public notices are going out for the next 4 weeks and then I am good to go. March 11th will be the day I am finally, simply me if all goes well. What a relief it will be to put an end to having a dual identity.

In general I am enjoying spending time in LA and Hollywood - going to the "Center" and to my Lawyers office gives me the excuse to explore the city on foot and discover good restaurants and all the changes in town since I lived there in the late 80's. Hollywood is way different now (though the people are still crazy) - the Kodak Theater complex is pretty overwhelming (in a good sort of way). The Metro-rail system works pretty good - way better than by bus. I'm glad I don't have a car because parking in town is really expensive and the traffic is really bad too.

OK that's all for now. I hope you all are doing well too.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T15:59:00.000-08:00

I am starting the new year out as a redhead. My Hair Stylist took this shot on her phone for me on 12-31-09.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year.

Party safely!!

Hugs and Blessings!

Thoughts about Christmas

2009-12-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

I love the Christmas carol "O come, O Come Emmanuel" because it sums up Christmas for me. "O Come thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny..." Many of us have felt that tyranny crushing our hopes and dreams and Christ's advent here amongst us is where we get the power to break free and live as we are created!

Maybe it's my Fundamentalist Evangelical roots showing, but I can relate to John the Baptist at this time of year far better than all the rest, especially those that spread commercial tinkling joy and lightness in Christ's name. I was reminded of all this in a very inspiring Sermon last Sunday by Rev. Jane Quandt at The First Congregational Church (UCC) in Riverside. John in his camel's hair, eating locusts and wild honey, standing up and hollering, "you generation of snakes..., make straight the paths of the Lord..., repent for the kingdom of God is at hand..." as he cleared the way for Jesus to come and shatter everyones ideas of what it would mean to have the King of the Kingdom of God here on Earth in the flesh! To me that is what Christmas is about.

If only the Evangelicals and Fundamentalists would listen to what they sing. They too could be free of the tyranny of their prejudice against those that are created different (but still in the image of God). We might discover what Christmas is really is about and become the family of God we are supposed to be.

On a more festive note, if anyone is in Southern California on the Saturday after Christmas - the 26th at 2 PM - Safe Haven Community Christian Church is hosting a traditional Christmas dinner in West Covina. You are invited, but you need to contact me directly (evagenevieve@yahoo.com) to RSVP by the 20th so I can be sure to have enough. I am cooking again and (God willing) it is going to be yummy even if I say so myself.

Hmmm... traditional...

I wonder if locusts and honey go well with stuffing... Actually It'll be apple pecan stuffing. (But just think of the texture - sort of sweet and crunchy - yum)!

I hope you do have a great Christmas - full of blessings and the Peace of God!

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

NYS Senator Diane Savino speaks on the Marriage Equality bill

2009-12-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

The Seriousness of Transition

2009-12-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Recently in my support groups I posted a few links to the tragic story of Sportswriter Mike Penner life and death. Most of you have already heard this news but for those that have not, here are the links I shared:

http://outsports. com/jocktalkblog /2009/11/ 28/transsexual- sportswriter- mike-penner- dies/

http://www.pridesou rce.com/article. html?article= 27059

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12783193&ps=rs

I believe that Mike/Christine is one we must add to the long list of people we remember in our future Days of Remembrance. In a few of my support groups there has been some discussion of the issue but I think it useful to post my response to one such thread where the seriousness of transition was being discussed.

Mike Penner's life proves that Transition isn't something to toy with - that is why I posted the news link originally [to the support groups I belong to]. One has to be dead certain transition is the right path to take in one's life or it might just kill you because of the pressures it puts on one. I regret waiting so long to start, but if I had not waited until I had exhausted every other avenue of trying to cope with the girl inside I would not be certain I made the right choice. It is this certainty that gets me through the ridicule that comes from ignorant people. It gets me through the frustrating delays and lack of funds, not to mention the anxiety, depression and times of self-doubt that naturally will come to anyone who goes public in transition. Going back is not an option for me and I damn well know it. The misery of the first 50 and1/2 years is proof enough for me. Even if I am not as far along as I had planned and hoped I am glad to be here alive and basically happy.

One also has to remember that transition isn't a cure-all for the problems of life. These don't go away just because you change your gender, in fact those things likely will get worse if and when you do! So if dressing and going out is a release for you that is great - do enjoy it to the full, but be very sure the real thing comes with all the life-problems that dressing up and partying only hides temporarily.

Here's something to think about: Why are you a CD/TG/TS identified person? Is it because of the thrill or sexual rush you get by dolling yourself up, going out and kicking up your heels or is it something you must do to live life sanely and face down all of life's challenges in addition to the extra load you will bear in transition. Knowing the answer to that may just save your life one of these days.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

The TDOR Service video

2009-11-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

I now can post the entire sermon from the Transgender Day of Remembrance service Safe Haven hosted at the Pastor's home here in West Covina.

I must apologize in advance because the Video Server (VEOH) inserts commercials during the playing of the video. But free comes with a price-tag these days. Today this stuff is billed as a feature of the program rather than a nuisance, but that just shows you how "old school" I really am.

Sorry - the embedded video is temporarily unavailable. VEOH the video server has dumped it and I am searching for a new and more reliable host.

OK here's the fix - using Blip TV now the following 3 links are for the entire service - the Sermon starts in Part 2 and continues into part 3. Many thanks to Randy Detroit for the camera work, editing and the help getting this back up. I apologize for the commercials on Blip TV but it's the price one pays for "free" these days.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I hope you all had great Thanksgiving

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Blank Spaces and Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:27:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone,

I must apologize for being so silent this month and leaving a big blank space. I have been so busy with everything I'm involved in and then I had a very bad cold for several days and now the rush to get things done for the holidays has it's hooks in me. The turkey is in the oven now with apple-pecan stuffing and all the fixings.

I just wanted to say the TDOR service went very well and I will post the video as soon as it is edited. If anyone is interested in the text of the sermon e-mail me at evagenevieve@yahoo.com and I will gladly send it to you.

This picture is of me laughing while trying to swallow too big a piece of the communion bread. Having never actually prepared a communion service all by myself before I thought it would be nice to use bigger pieces of bread -- you know, making it seem a bit more substantial than just a tidbit. Well, I broke it up into fairly big pieces but the bread turned out to be quite tough and chewy. By the time we were all served we were all chewing and chewing and chewing and chewing and chewing and chewing and... Until we were all busting up. So it is back to tidbits or wafers this Saturday. You live and learn and sometimes you just gotta laugh about it.

I wish everyone the best Thanksgiving possible. One thing I am thankful for is the freedom we are gaining to be ourselves openly, and I am thankful for all of my T-sisters and T-brothers who are out and making their way in the world and I am thankful for all those who have suffered and died in order that we are better able to stand - let us never forget them.

Thank You all very much!!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!

Day of Remembrance to be Celebrated in Church Service

2009-11-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone,

I have recently been invited to be the guest speaker and host for a Saturday Church Service in West Covina on November 21st. Seeing as how this is the day after the Transgender Day of Remembrance I thought I would put out feelers for a few very short stories about transgender folk that you have personally known to include in the Service. I really would like to touch on the personal connections we have with our trans-sisters and brothers who have gone before us to blaze the trail. (If you send me any stories please put in the subject line "D.O.R. story" so I don't miss it - thanks).

This Service is part of the ministry of Safe Haven Community Christian Church and it will be held in the Pastor's Home at 2 PM - please contact me for the address if you would like to attend (contact info below). You are welcome to come dressed according to your preference and there is (limited) space if you need to come early to change. This is a totally safe "trans-ally" space and all are welcome.

Please feel free to pass this request and invitation on to others in Southern California. If anyone has the ability to video tape this service I would like to be contacted regarding this too.

There is a good web site regarding the Day of Remembrance at:

http://www.transgenderdor.org/

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

Human

Christian

Transgendered

Freelance Advocate for Human / Civil-Rights and Faith without Prejudice

http://livingtransgender.blogspot.com/

evagenevieve@yahoo.com

(619) 495-6229

Homecoming...

2009-10-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Article by By MELINDA WALDROP of the Daily Press

WILLIAMSBURG - History was made without fanfare on Saturday. Jessee Vasold, William and Mary's first transgender homecoming queen, took the field at halftime of the Tribe's game against James Madison wearing a red shirt, black pants and a small silver lip ring to applause and not much other notice.

Vasold, a junior, and the other members of the homecoming court were introduced to the crowd, posed for pictures, and walked off the field.

"I knew I was nominated, but I was just surprised, because there were a lot of other really good candidates on the ballot," Vasold said. "I know all of the other girls, and they're wonderful people, really friendly. So I was surprised."

Jessee Vasold, William and Mary 's first transgender homecoming queen, took the field at halftime of the Tribe's game against James Madison U. today in Williamsburg. (Joe Fudge, Daily Press / October 24, 2009)

Let’s change the way we all interact within the LGBTQI “community”

2009-10-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

For a long time now we have grouped ourselves together by preferred traits and promoted just the issues that benefit us while avoiding personally controversial ones that pertain to other’s needs. As a transgendered Christian woman I have watched this go on for several years and I have come to see this tendency as something that is often counterproductive for us on the whole. We no longer have this luxury – that of being separate, exclusive and picking and choosing which “rights” we work for while there people dying from, or suffering with hunger, AIDS and other illnesses, or that lack basic sanitary necessities or dignity because they are differently abled. And these folks are plentiful right in our own neighborhoods!

I understand the apprehension and discomfort we feel when we must push the envelope of our personal comfort zones and stretch again resources that are already stretched. But in this day of unrest and mis-trust, of corruption at the highest levels of our society and government, of economic collapse, of hate crimes and of budget cuts that are hurting so many of us, this is what we need to do – push our limits... Again. If we won’t take notice and help each other and build each other up, regardless of how each of us perceives others, self-identifies or presents, who will? Now is the time to take the progressive lead and reshape our world together.

Rather than gravitating to our comfortable niches where hopefully we can ride out the storms without having to stretch too much farther, we need to be our own strongest allies and work together – setting aside some of or prejudices and unease with those that are different or foreign to us. It is past time to build up the whole of our community. We need to be lifting up the ones that struggle with the effects of life-long marginalization, rejection and ridicule and those that wrestle with death itself or who have no means of their own to survive.

For example, I don’t see Marriage Equality as the number one issue currently but nonetheless I am very active in that movement, and it isn’t because I seek to marry someone of the same sex. I have set aside some of my own discomfort and prejudice to work with some people whose needs and motives I sometimes can hardly fathom. To an in-process transgender woman the inequity is something that be can worked around just by changing or not changing an obsolete method of identifying gender once certain “plumbing” issues are resolved (though this is not a perfect solution, it is livable), so I view the situation from a completely different angle than most folks do. Supporting M.E. is a means of advancing the common good. My faith, and who I now am, drives me into this effort. This is where my Christian faith “does something” more than lift my spirits up for an hour on Sunday. Even mentioning it LGBT circles risks some discomfort but it does bring my faith down to street level. A little bit of personal challenge is all that it really takes to make a noticeable difference and that is all I am advocating here. Every one of us can make things a little bit better for someone else.

What is important now is working together; getting known, building networks and visibility within our community and finding ways to build bridges between different groups of people, cultures and preferences. Bringing my abilities to the table and sharing the load with people who have different needs and experiences is what I try to do and encourage others to do now that I have found the freedom to be myself.

I was pleased to have a few moments to speak with Harvey Stern of the Golden Rainbow Senior Center (Palm Springs) the other day after the LGBT Mental Health Task Force Meeting in Perris. They are reaching out beyond the traditional limits of what one would define as a “senior” center and they are accommodating many groups at their center now that others centers in the area have been forced to close. (Thanks, Harvey, for your efforts and the wonderful example you are for us all).

We – Harvey and I – agreed that we are down to the bare necessities of survival these days. He deals with this every day at the Center and I feel the pinch daily; I can barely afford the basics every month. I can’t afford a car or a place of my own to live and I struggle to find adequate and appropriate health care, even food sometimes. But I can push the limits of my abilities and means to build up and help to homogenize our community. I encourage you all to do the same.

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough
Human
Christian
Transgendered
Freelance Advocate for Human / Civil-Rights and Faith without Prejudice
evagenevieve@yahoo.com

"Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong." A. Lincoln

Things Happening This Month

2009-10-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

Maybe I will run into you at one of these events in Southern California...

Starting October 3rd (and repeating every Saturday) in West Covina:

Safe Haven Community Christian Church Opens In-Home Neighborhood Ministry Center

This Saturday, October 3^rd 2009 at 2:00 PM

Safe Haven Community Christian Church will dedicate an In-Home Neighborhood Ministry Center at 3931 S. Ellesford Avenue, West Covina, CA. We will serve the San Gabriel Valley and outlying areas.

Safe Haven is an independent and non-denominational Christian Church. The church serves all Christians, and encourages all people of faith, and those who are seeking, to come and worship together in a spirit of, “Faith without Prejudice” towards all humankind. Safe Haven calls us all to set aside bigotries and prejudices. This is the ethos of this church; that all people have equality and full human rights.

We are a Christian Church that has its arms open wide, as would Jesus, to welcome all who wish to come and worship in peace and love. This inclusive invitation includes G.L.B.T.I.Q. brothers and sisters, their families and friends.

Contact: Rev. Renee Painter - RevRJPainter@aol.com - for more information.

October 10th at White Park in Downtown Riverside, CA:

http://riversideIEpride.org

October 15th at the University of Redlands:

The Trans/Giving Film Festival is on Tour!

first stop, University of Redlands

Host:	Trans/Giving
Type:	Music/Arts - Performance
Network:	Global

Date:	Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:	University of Redlands
Street:	Pride Center and ASUR Gender Affairs
City/Town:	Redlands, CA
	View Map

Email:

transgiving@gmail.com

Web: http://www.transgiving.com

October 17th at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, CA:

www.modelsofpride.org

Put a Pin in the Map for the Inland Empire

2009-09-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends,

I hope you are all well.

After the pause I took away from things in August to get a little rest, the moment I stuck my head up and looked around I found myself right back in the thick of the Marriage Equality Movement. I am helping to organize the effort in the Inland Empire (and I have several other irons in the fire too - a couple of them are in earlier posts. At the moment I am sitting in The Lark -- an LGBT club -- in San Bernrdino recruiting people to help with the campaign effort. Tonight we had 26 more people that want to help sign up. While I'm here I'm posting this to my blog since Verizon has the DSL screwed up at home. So here is the post about our first "field work" event in a place everyone has been saying is insignifigant. Well guess what - I refuse to be insignifigant and so do a whole bunch of folk out here - stay tuned...

Wednesday evening the Inland Empire (Region 9) team of the statewide Restore Equality 2010 campaign started recruiting efforts for the coming petition signing work. Five volunteers met last Saturday to coordinate this regional effort and have hit the ground running. We were met by a surprising amount of enthusiasm in downtown Riverside.

Armed with fliers for our upcoming strategy meeting on Oct 3 we talked to many people at three prime locations – Back to the Grind, The Menagerie and Worthington’s Tavern – and we were overwhelmed at the positive response. Once we explained that we were preparing to hit the ground running when the petitions are in hand come November not one person balked at the idea of a 2010 effort. Most said they were glad that we are already organized and working to win this battle now instead of later and got excited that they could help and really make a difference – I hope that sentiment becomes infectious!

The owners and staff of the places we “worked” were awesome and totally supportive too. I would estimate that in the 2 hours we were there three of us spoke with at least 40 individuals and groups of people. We now have 9 more people signed up to help. We passed out the few “Repeal Prop 8 2010” and “:I DO…” signs I had kicking around and almost 100 fliers.

Friday we will be at the Lark in San Bernardino around 9 PM. We will be at The VIP on the 30^th and back to Downtown Riverside on Oct 2^nd. We are now looking to get out into Palm Springs and a few other key areas in October – follow this link to the Region 9 page of the Restore Equality 2010 website.

If we were not on the map last November here in the IE this time we will be. And we will make a big difference!! Please come out and help us if you can.

Where ever you are located in California you can help – go to Restore Equality 2010’s web site and select the link for your region and contact the volunteers shown for your region to find out how you can make a difference locally and nationally too.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

I Think...

2009-09-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

...that it is time to have a good laugh.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Eva-Genevieve!

Taking on New Projects

2009-09-16T18:41:00.001-07:00

Greetings friends and associates,

I am helping, along with Safe Haven Community Christian Church, EQIE’s Transgender Issues Committee, and other nearby transgender and allied community members, to put together a Transgender 101 panel and presentation. Our purpose is to help educate and enlighten those whose jobs or personal ethos calls them to serve society and be in contact with the full diversity of it. We are already in contact with two major Civic entities interested in and seeking out this kind of help so they can better serve the traditionally under-served portions of society. Riverside's Department of Mental Health is one, thanks to Elder Benita Ramsey's and others work on the LGBT Mental Health Task Force, and the other is the LAPD. I expect that there will be many more worthwhile leads to follow very soon. The US Census Bureau as a follow-up to the 2010 Census may be one of these.

I was approached by an Officer in the LAPD Community Relations Office last Sunday at San Gabriel Valley Pride, and she inquired whether I would be willing to be a part of Chief Bratton’s farewell Forum Summit community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 09 from 6 -8 p.m., at the Police Administrative Building (150 N Los Angeles St, in the Auditorium). We had a lengthy conversation about what they hoped to accomplish and we have agreed to discuss future Transgender (and the LGBT… inclusive) community involvement with them, such as an educational panel presentation like what we are already preparing for Riverside.

So, what I am asking for here is twofold…

First, I am extending the LAPD’s invitation to the Forum on the 29^th to the entire LGBT community and urging as many of you as possible to come out for it. I’ll see you there.

Second, I am seeking transgender individuals that are willing to participate in an ongoing speakers panel – and this includes individuals of all areas of transgender and those in any stage of transition, even those that are sex-workers or other highly at risk members of our community. We hope to be very inclusive and very open in this project to tough questions posed by the professionals - social service workers, medical and mental health providers, safety and law enforcement personnel and etc. So you would need to be serious about helping and willing to commit to being open and honest about the needs and feelings of the area of the community you represent as well as with your personal experiences.

For me, going back down to Parker Center in LA will be a bit of a traumatic challenge, because the last time I was there I was incarcerated and I must again face painful ghosts of my sordid past. But I believe both the Forum and our future presentations will very well be worth the effort. Please search your hearts and see if there is room for you to take on another important commitment too.

Please contact myself (evagenevieve@yahoo.com) or Rev. Renee Painter (RevRJPainter@aol.com) if you are interested in helping us with the TG 101 Project.

(We will also be needing some moderate financial support to see this project become a reality – Safe Haven Community Christian Church is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) institution – contact Rev. Painter for more info).

Thanks and Warm Regards,
Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

My Comment on Comments

2009-09-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was looking at the comments posted to the West Covina article and I decided to comment. I figure its about time I get around to the blog again too, so here what I just posted on the SGVTribune site (with a few minor edits)…

Commenting on what some are saying about the truth of the Bible:

I believe it is true in its original form (even though it was penned by people, their hearts and minds were moved by God), but it must be used in context of our society and the diversity of God's creation if it is to be relevant today (I.E. scientific and social facts must be taken into account too). The original texts were given to members of non-technological societies ranging from 3500 years BC to a few after Christ's death (His atonement for all of us) and His resurrection (our way to live in newness of life).

Paul spoke about looking at the example of nature and based many of his teachings on what then was the accepted truth and appropriate for that society. So, therefore, to be true to Scripture we are obligated to look into the physical truths presented by science and academics today. To ignore it perverts the truth of Scripture. Today we know more about nature, psychology, cosmology, humanity, genetics, etc., and if one sets aside ancient prejudices and denominationally imposed limitations Scripture blends very well with the tangible, measurable truths of science, humanity and nature. These things all point to intelligent design of the universe and all that is in it. Also, though science has perhaps not proven beyond a doubt that Jesus Christ did live, the evidence found of his life clearly supports scripture - there is a long track record of it (check out Lee Strobel's book "The Case for a Creator" for a great synopsis - it's in the appendix).

I personally believe Christ existed and that He died and lives again because I have personally experienced His salvation and forgiveness. So far, taken as a whole everything in my experience corroborates what I take on faith. Being transgender and accepting it as a gift from God and embracing it as such has not lessened this closeness for me, but enhanced it.

I also know Christ loves even those that don't believe it - you can experience His love regardless of your circumstances. I thought for many years that I was accursed, unforgivable and an abomination because of what many others taught that the Bible said about my dirty little secret of being a girl inside, but we were all totally wrong on that point.

God promised that more would be revealed to us as the age progresses and in this light we discover that God and his acceptance of people is quite a bit larger still than any human can imagine and so is His love and Grace. His forgiveness extends to cover greater sins than can be imagined or committed, so why don't we all resolve to simply accept this and be part of His family or at least put animosity to rest. That is what the cross was all about, right? Let’s let God figure out the details that we can't resolve in the light of the limited view of truth each one of us has. We know that at our best we all see through dark and smokey glass. This way we don't have to quibble so much over relatively insignificant issues like what is or isn't sin or who is acceptable (especially since everybody is).

The UCC Churches have a slogan that I like "God is still speaking..." So don't put a period where He puts a comma.

(By the Way the "gender inclusive" 2011 revision of the NIV is on the way).

Hugs and Blessings.
Your sister in Christ,
Eva-Genevieve!

Another article

2009-08-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I just found this link the other day - another reporter picked up my story too. This one is a little bit different.

Click here

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

I'm in the Papers!

2009-07-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to an article in my local newspaper this morning:

West Covina resident finds faith at gender crossroads

By Emma Gallegos, Staff Writer, San Gabriel Valley Tribune,

Photo by Watchara Phomicinda of the SGV Tribune

I would only make one comment on the content of the in-print version (on-line this has been corrected) - when referring to the EQIE the author said we were part of EQCA and that is not the case. We collaborate with them and other activist groups at times and we "co-branded" with them specifically on the Leadership Summit last Saturday in San Bernardino, but we are our own, very independent grassroots activist group. We don't want to be bogged down by the agendas and policies of other larger groups or be crippled by the infighiting and posturing that goes on in many of them. We learned a lot on that subject at the Summit on Saturday past.

The author of the article said this to me this morning after she updated the article on-line:

"Since you do a lot of activism and such, I thought I'd let you know that you (or any other locals around SGV or the Pasadena area) don't need a stamp to send a letter to the editor.

Go to http://www.sgvtribune.com/writealetter or http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/writealetter. We tend to get the same people writing in all the time about the weirdest stuff (there was a two-month debate in the letters about whether a jack-in-the-box commercial was morally bankrupt), so it'd be nice to mix it up."

So there you go - let's "mix it up"!

Hugs and blessings,

Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

A Little Bit of Everything

2009-07-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends,

...and welcome to my new followers too.

I’m sitting here looking at my languishing blog page and still not quite sure what to post. So much has happened this month that I am still processing it all while mostly trying to avoid being out in the ongoing triple digit heat in the Inland Empire. It feels like my brains have melted into a lump of goo so I think I’ll just ramble and see what drips out in no particular order - every paragraph is a different topic. The photos are recent ones of myself and some friends at Church.

Presently I am house sitting in a house that is home to 3 dogs 6 or 7 cats and at dusk the yard is taken over by a large family of raccoons all of whom bring quite an appetite. This is quite a handful to say the least and in the heat it gets crazy at times.

In my activist activities the EQIE (Equality Inland Empire) co hosted a “Leadership Summit” on the 25th with Equality California. (I will post some pictures as soon as I get them). This was a long and grueling affair in the IE heat and I think by the end of the afternoon everyone was too hot to think quite straight because we left really with no clear direction on whether to take same-sex marriage back to the polls in 2010 or 2012 and some left rather disillusioned about the whole process. I’m sad to say I am not so sure it was of any real benefit other than to learn what not to do on a very hot mid-Summer day. Of course rumor had it that the evangelicals had prayed for just such a circumstance – and I expect they did because I used to be one – so that just means we that are people of faith in the TLGBQ and allied community need to re-learn the value of uniting our hearts and also placing our cause before our Maker before we participate in such large scale undertakings; there is power in prayer and in the uniting of purposes. This is exactly what our movement needs right now: Unity on the basic issues.

Speaking of issues, as the interim Chair person of the EQIE’s Faith Issues subcommittee I, with the company of Kerry of California Faith for Equality, met with several faith leaders in the Inland Empire a week or so ago and started to get a better feel for the pulse of our local faith community. We spoke with Rev. J. Edwards of Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario – a non Open and Affirming UCC congregation, Rabbi Hillel Cohn, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino and, Julius Nam – Professor of World Religions at Loma Linda University. This was the first effort of its kind that I have participated in and so these first conversations outside of my own circle of faith were very enlightening. I have high hopes that much good is going to come of these and many similar efforts in the future. We are hoping in to develop a directory of faith homes and spiritual congregations and groups that are welcoming to TLGBQ folk – all faiths and groups are being sought to participate. Our hope in this effort is to become better known and accepted in places many of us at one time thought were absolutely closed to us. I have discovered that there is a great stirring and need for just this kind of effort and many already are coming on board to help. I am very excited and hopeful!

The EQIE also has subcommittees looking into transgender issues, LGBT youth issues and many other areas we have identified as important within our community. We are building a wonderful coalition of local allies and LGBT based organizations. If you live in the Inland Empire and would like to help please contact me (evagenevieve@yahoo.com)

Recently I tangled with a group of very extremist TS people that operate some TS only Yahoo groups and I was shocked to see that there is such fundamentalist-like prejudice within the TG/TS part of the TLGBQ… alphabet soup. A statement was made by their representative that we, who use any terminology other than TS to describe ourselves or that associate with LGBT people and issues, are not really true transsexuals because we don’t have a “condition” like they do. My answer to that foolishness is that everyone has a "condition" - it's called the human condition. Every one of us has been given some challenges in our lives - granted, some folks got some very difficult ones, but somewhere down the road one simply has to draw the line, get over themselves and re-join the human race or else become blindly fanatic and bitter at the rest of the world as seems to be the case here. Having been a militant Evangelical Fundamentalist for a substantial part of my pseudo-man life I know firsthand how damaging such extremism can be – regardless of ideology – both to the adherents and to those they openly bash.

There is a new issue of the monthly Inland Empire Transgender Newsletter available – follow this link: http://www.geocities.com/parisean14/

I was recently interviewed for an article in the San Gabriel Valley News and the photographer came out last week. I will post the link to the article when it comes out and hopefully I will have some more pictures for the blog and my Facebook page too.

This month I was blessed to finally have found some legal assistance to get my Medi-cal and another ugly snag with my Disability benefits looked into - I think there is some hope of a good outcome even though the system is in a shambles with the State budget cuts. (Those that pray please hold this area of my life up to God if you would be so kind - thanks)!

So far the results of my little survey on Transgender Marriage Survival have interesting and positive results – I am still keeping it open by the way so I don't have a final tally, but the trend seems to indicate that more than half of marriages where the TG person transitions after being married actually last! And in more than half of those the couple still remains intimate after transition. At least for me that is a very positive bit of information – it is possible to make marriage work and last!! There is hope. The survey can be taken at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1wgbvhk4FOJlMS1AfJciIg_3d_3d

One last note in closing on a very uncomfortable issue within our part of the alphabet soup: AIDS/HIV (and other STD’s too) are still cause for taking great care should you be intimate with anyone. If you have any doubts about your own health or exposure to disease, PLEASE get yourself checked and PLEASE be truthful with your partners.

OK I guess I have beaten this ramble to death - what a month, huh?

Hugs and Blessings to you all,
Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

Transgender Marriage Survival Survey

2009-07-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

I am working on a project proposal for Models of Pride 17 and need your help if you are TG/TS and got Married before you started your transition in earnest.

If you know any one who is TG/TS and is (or was) in such a relationship please pass this on to them too. This will only take a minute or two.

Follow the link to take the Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1wgbvhk4FOJlMS1AfJciIg_3d_3d

Thank you all very much!
Hugs and Blessings
Eva-Genevieve!

Re-defining the GOP...

2009-06-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

This morning as I wandered out to pick up the morning paper, I could not help but notice the prominent photo (by Davis Turner, Getty Images) of the teary-eyed Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina and the LA Times large text headline “Another GOP bombshell”.

My initial reaction was an indignant rush of emotions and thoughts about how it is these type people – not necessarily Gov. Sanford, but I speak in general terms about the GOP and their big money sources that have been touting the sanctity of marriage and trampling on minority rights in the process – are the very ones that do the most to undermine it because they can’t seem to keep their pants zipped up around people they are not married to. What ever happened to fiduciary responsibility in our public and elected officials?

I was not given the choice about being transgender (that is simply how God created me – no mistake!) but I do get to think about consequences and choose whether or not I hop in the sack with someone I am not committed to - my personal ethics do give me clarity on this, don’t yours?

I am so tired of Politicians and Preachers pushing the old lies and trying to legislate their brand of morality without holding themselves accountable to it – before they run off to sin. C’mon guys, what good is the "Sanctity of Marriage" and so on if it does not keep you out of someone else’s bed? What does that teach your children?? Be realistic! After all these years of the Moral Majority and Fundamentalist and conservative Evangelical morality – don’t you see? It does not work! No wonder the Republican Party is having so much trouble being relevant these days.

Perhaps it is simply time to be realistic and re-define the acronym GOP to mean Good Ol’ Promiscuity!

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve! Scarborough

Please Support the Inclusive ENDA Bill

2009-06-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

This week, Representatives Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation AND gender identity. The bill was introduced by a group of bi-partisan Representatives and it is important that you contact your legislator to become a cosponsor as well. Becoming a cosponsor shows that the Representative will stand firm with our community and helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

In DC, make their phone ring! Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:

"I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______ has cosponsored the bill?"

Hate Crime Statistics

2009-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to some stats...

http://www.ncavp.org/common/document_files/Reports/2008%20HV%20Report%20smaller%20file.pdf

Hugs, EG!

Violence and Hatred is Alive and Well in the Land

2009-06-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

I find myself in the awkward position of having to retract my original post because it was indeed a hoax.

Here's the word from the source:
This was just posted on Laura's Playground at 11:16am.

"I have pulled the story about Rachel Roo as the story can't be verified. Things just didn't add up. This morning we traced the IP and there is no story in the local paper in that town. A story of this nature would be in the public domain. Roo has been a staff member here for a year and has never made up stories before. " It appears to be a hoax and one that is in very poor taste and hurting the trans community heavily in a time when we are fighting very hard to be understood."

I extend my sincerest apologies for reporting the story without verification. . I Posted it because I thought I knew the person personally and was grief stricken. I was upset over the loss and verification wasn't first on my mind. We were all fooled. I feel like such an idiot.

Laura"

I appologize too for being quick to post, but even so this event still shows how much we are hated and this hoax in itself was an act of terrorism and hate towards us. But don't let that stop you from being out and proud! Being visible consistantly, successful and happy is the only way to counter the ignorance and the hatred that is out there. It means taking a risk and being more careful where you go alone, but if the perps get you to be scared into hiding they have accomplished their goal.

Eva-Genevieve!