Living Transgender In American Society Today: Things and Stuff

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Things and Stuff

Greetings Friends,

I haven't felt much like saying a lot lately but I am still out here. It has been far too long since I posted a personal update so I'll do that briefly now. My foot surgery a year and a half ago did not heal as well as expected but my recent orchiectomy went very well and I am feeling more like my self image says I should, the extra weight I have gained recently notwithstanding, I feel much happier about myself as my body has become noticeably more feminine since the removal of those little torture devices but I still have a ways to go before I can afford SRS, but even for that I have hope.

(This Picture was taken at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in

February when Ken and I had a nice getaway weekend).

I am looking forward to seeing my 2 sons whom I haven't seen in 10 years this April. This will be their first face to face meeting with me as Eva-Genevieve, I am excited and worried in equal measures because I don't know how they will react to me in person. They have seen pictures and we have talked many times since I transitioned but the real test of acceptance or rejection is at hand and I am hoping it will be a great reunion.

Dealing with back pain from disintegrating disks in my lower back has kept me from being as active as I was a few years ago though I keep plugging away as best as I can - though in an attempt to avoid excessive pain I have not been walking nearly as much as I did a few years ago but today I managed to walk 11 miles. In spite of how feminine I am feeling lately I struggle with depression a bit more these days because of the limits the back pain (and severe headaches from the air pollution in this area) puts on things and this is why I haven't felt like saying too much lately, so rather than me doing the talking here (and on Facebook) I kind of let other people do it when the opportunity comes along. This "It Gets Better" video is another example of something worthwhile that I didn't have to type.

Hugs and Blessings,
Eva-Genevieve!

2 comments:

lyon de clarasvalsMarch 21, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Good to hear from you. I hope things improve with your health.
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Justine ValinottiMarch 21, 2012 at 6:32 PM
Great to hear from you. I hope your health issues clear up and that your meeting with your sons goes well.
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Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body…

…was the theme at this years National Gathering of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns this year in San Diego (July 14 –17). There were about 125 attendees from all across the US and we even had folks from other countries. Several topics were discussed including ways to make Church accessible to all – many physical and mental challenges were included in this discussion as well as LGBT concerns, Mentoring Queer youth – the emphasis being the need for all of us to be mentors as we are able and that we all have something to teach others, Advocacy & Empowerment, OnA Next Steps: Telling Our Stories, and also a panel discussion on including “transgender” and gender expression more specifically in OnA statements, and immigration issues too – far more issues and information than one person could take in or even list here.

Starting Wednesday afternoon we jumped right in with a very lively worship service with wonderful music and through the course of the gathering we heard many inspiring speakers and participated in several “breakout” workshop sessions. We broke into small discussion groups daily, heard many points of view on important topics, and made many friends in the process. On our last evening the General Minister and President of the UCC, the Revered Geoffrey Black was the keynote speaker at the banquet. My favorite speaker at the conference was Felix Carrion who often contributes to the UCC’s “Stillspeaking” on-line daily Devotional. We ended the conference Saturday morning with another lively worship service and dismissed just in time for several of us to rush over and march in San Diego’s Pride parade with the Mission Hills UCC Church and Bloom in the Desert Ministries (also UCC affiliated). I brought back lots of things to discuss in upcoming Mission Board meetings, but more than anything else it is the personal connections that made the conference very worthwhile. I feel a part of something much larger now – there was so much positive, hopeful energy shared there. I felt so very warmly welcomed by everyone and I believe that my input there was greatly valued as well. And, of course, I made an impression with my array of colorful dresses and hats too! (Would you expect anything less)? I was so blessed for being allowed to represent First Congregational Church in Riverside at this Gathering.

Follow this link to pictures from the event -the photos are in no particular order and a few shots of the fire that broke out behind the motel where I was staying.

Hugs and Blessings,

Eva-Genevieve!