Sometimes I think things happen in sequence to send us a little message here and there. One of my favorite simple pleasures is to spend time with coffee and some reading in Starbucks.
The other day I was enjoying my hour of coffee, and reading a womens' daily devotional Melanie gave me. The title is "Woman, Thou Art Loosed", by Bishop T. D. Jakes. It contains a lot of meaningful faith based messages which I find inspirational.
In any case, you don't see books of this genre, or by this author just every day. When I left Starbucks, I stopped by the library to check new releases. The first new book that met my eye was another by Bishop T. D. Jakes. The title, "God's Message for the Single Woman". I suppose it's appropriate, and perhaps a bit of synchronicity. As I think back over time, there are many such small events, and this is probably true for all of us.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Individual Rights
Even with the positive media exposure our community has received lately, and the increased acceptance we like to believe exists, things still happen to let us know there is a long way to go.
A couple weeks ago, two friends went to a fast food restaurant and were refused service by two employees. As they patiently waited at the counter to place their order, the two male cashiers went to the rear of the restaurant, turned their back and intentionally ignored them. Eventually, a female worker came to the front and took their order. Big whoop de do!
It normally takes a lot to get my dander up, but this one did. I mean, come on now, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that "we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
Um, excuse me! Having a sandwich and coffee in our chosen gender role is one of the ways a number of us pursue happiness.
I personally went back to this place a few days ago. Apparantly, these two young men were not working that day. I am normally a very retiring person. I have to say when I walked in there, I felt like Clint Eastwood. I wanted to say "go ahead punk, make my day". I am anything but confrontational, but I had a right to sit in a booth and enjoy my iced tea, which I did.
In this day and age in America, discrimination in any form is simply unacceptable. I don't believe this one is over yet.
Back again to the Oscars this past Sunday, I find it to be a commentary on the state of Hollywood, and the world, when a 'song' about a pimp and his hookers won 'Best Song'. But hey, that's just me.
A couple weeks ago, two friends went to a fast food restaurant and were refused service by two employees. As they patiently waited at the counter to place their order, the two male cashiers went to the rear of the restaurant, turned their back and intentionally ignored them. Eventually, a female worker came to the front and took their order. Big whoop de do!
It normally takes a lot to get my dander up, but this one did. I mean, come on now, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that "we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
Um, excuse me! Having a sandwich and coffee in our chosen gender role is one of the ways a number of us pursue happiness.
I personally went back to this place a few days ago. Apparantly, these two young men were not working that day. I am normally a very retiring person. I have to say when I walked in there, I felt like Clint Eastwood. I wanted to say "go ahead punk, make my day". I am anything but confrontational, but I had a right to sit in a booth and enjoy my iced tea, which I did.
In this day and age in America, discrimination in any form is simply unacceptable. I don't believe this one is over yet.
Back again to the Oscars this past Sunday, I find it to be a commentary on the state of Hollywood, and the world, when a 'song' about a pimp and his hookers won 'Best Song'. But hey, that's just me.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
March 8, 2006
I watched the Oscars Sunday evening for the first time ever. Of course, I had an ulterior motive in hoping Felicity Huffman would win 'best actress' for 'Transamerica'. Although I was hoping she would, I was not surprised she didn't.
That fact does not diminish the impact this motion picture has in portraying a transsexual as simply a person who is seeking happiness. As Dolly Parton sings, "questions I have many, answers but a few". How true that is, and applies to all of us. (although oftentimes we won't admit we have more questions than answers)
The impact of this movie was demonstrated by the Larry King show a couple weeks ago, in which there were a number of transsexual panelists. There have been others. It may not be an overstatement to say we took a quantum leap in outreach.
With my change in employment, there is only one of the old 'gang' with whom I'm keeping in touch. We spoke today and will meet for lunch one day soon.
That fact does not diminish the impact this motion picture has in portraying a transsexual as simply a person who is seeking happiness. As Dolly Parton sings, "questions I have many, answers but a few". How true that is, and applies to all of us. (although oftentimes we won't admit we have more questions than answers)
The impact of this movie was demonstrated by the Larry King show a couple weeks ago, in which there were a number of transsexual panelists. There have been others. It may not be an overstatement to say we took a quantum leap in outreach.
With my change in employment, there is only one of the old 'gang' with whom I'm keeping in touch. We spoke today and will meet for lunch one day soon.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
'Getting on with it'
In my post of January 1st, I spoke of the new year as the end of the beginning. I didn't know the future would come upon me so quickly.
After Christmas, I wrote of Melanie caring for Jean, an elderly lady whom she met at a senior center. Jean became very ill Feb. 1st. Melanie kept her vow to Jean and stayed by her side in the hospital. As I watched Jean's life slip away, I emotionally relived my own mother's death six years ago, as did Melanie. Jean's room was only a few doors from mom's room.
In those days and hours, there is time for personal reflection. Melanie whispered in Jean's ear that it was okay to 'let go'. The dear woman did let go the morning of Feb. 4th.
It occurred to me that 'letting go' can have many meanings throughout a lifetime. There are times when we must 'let go' friends, family, possessions, careers and eventually, even life itself. In 'letting go' we often gain much more than we have lost. I have no doubt that in 'letting go', Jean is now with our Heavenly Father.
I underwent a job change in the month of February. I had been in an extremely stressful situation the last several years. During the evening of Feb. 2nd, in the darkened hospital room, I realized the old saying about the 'final straw' was gradually taking shape at my workplace. I thought of the lessons of 9/11, of which I speak so often; time is such a precious commodity and it is incumbent upon each of us to live life to it's fullest. I realized in those wee hours that it was time for me to 'let go'.
The next morning, I tendered my resignation. I was able to take a month off work and have arranged new employment.
Today as I was leaving church, I asked myself if life could get any better for me than it is right now. I have no doubt I made the right decision, irrespective of change never being easy for me. I do believe life will get even better. There are goals yet to be achieved.
The evening of January 31st, I and three other members of Kappa Beta, a support group, visited a sociology class at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This continues a tradition begun by another member 15 years ago. In his opening remarks, the professor spoke of a phone call he received almost 16 years ago. The caller asked the professor if he was versed on transgender issues. In the last 15 years, countless students know a great deal more about a subject which remains an enigma to so many.
During those remarks, I found myself wondering how many students have been shown we are not what you see on Jerry Springer. I wondered how many young people were dealing with the very issues of guilt and self doubt that we have, and were given hope.
I probably too often use the analogy that 'we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us'. It happens to be true. That phone call by Bobbi Renee, almost 16 years ago, began an outreach that continues today.
The class visit probably meant more to us than it did to most of the students. There are countless others in our community doing infinitely more in the way of education and outreach than we did. The level of acceptance we enjoy today is sum total of effort by many unsung men and women. It is an awesome feeling to be even a small part of that sum total.
Each of us gave a short presentation on our lives, followed by a question and answer session with the students. We were extremely well received and were able to visit personally with several students after class.
After Christmas, I wrote of Melanie caring for Jean, an elderly lady whom she met at a senior center. Jean became very ill Feb. 1st. Melanie kept her vow to Jean and stayed by her side in the hospital. As I watched Jean's life slip away, I emotionally relived my own mother's death six years ago, as did Melanie. Jean's room was only a few doors from mom's room.
In those days and hours, there is time for personal reflection. Melanie whispered in Jean's ear that it was okay to 'let go'. The dear woman did let go the morning of Feb. 4th.
It occurred to me that 'letting go' can have many meanings throughout a lifetime. There are times when we must 'let go' friends, family, possessions, careers and eventually, even life itself. In 'letting go' we often gain much more than we have lost. I have no doubt that in 'letting go', Jean is now with our Heavenly Father.
I underwent a job change in the month of February. I had been in an extremely stressful situation the last several years. During the evening of Feb. 2nd, in the darkened hospital room, I realized the old saying about the 'final straw' was gradually taking shape at my workplace. I thought of the lessons of 9/11, of which I speak so often; time is such a precious commodity and it is incumbent upon each of us to live life to it's fullest. I realized in those wee hours that it was time for me to 'let go'.
The next morning, I tendered my resignation. I was able to take a month off work and have arranged new employment.
Today as I was leaving church, I asked myself if life could get any better for me than it is right now. I have no doubt I made the right decision, irrespective of change never being easy for me. I do believe life will get even better. There are goals yet to be achieved.
The evening of January 31st, I and three other members of Kappa Beta, a support group, visited a sociology class at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This continues a tradition begun by another member 15 years ago. In his opening remarks, the professor spoke of a phone call he received almost 16 years ago. The caller asked the professor if he was versed on transgender issues. In the last 15 years, countless students know a great deal more about a subject which remains an enigma to so many.
During those remarks, I found myself wondering how many students have been shown we are not what you see on Jerry Springer. I wondered how many young people were dealing with the very issues of guilt and self doubt that we have, and were given hope.
I probably too often use the analogy that 'we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us'. It happens to be true. That phone call by Bobbi Renee, almost 16 years ago, began an outreach that continues today.
The class visit probably meant more to us than it did to most of the students. There are countless others in our community doing infinitely more in the way of education and outreach than we did. The level of acceptance we enjoy today is sum total of effort by many unsung men and women. It is an awesome feeling to be even a small part of that sum total.
Each of us gave a short presentation on our lives, followed by a question and answer session with the students. We were extremely well received and were able to visit personally with several students after class.
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