A Great Interview

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hugs,

Eva-Genevieve!

The Seriousness of Transition

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!