January 1, 2008

This article in The Wall Street Journal by Naomi Schaefer Riley has generated a lot of conversation in our Charlotte Gender Alliance group. This was one of the usual slanted pieces full of misinformation regarding what it means to be transgender. At least it has people thinking and talking.

Ms. Riley generated discussion not only in the United States, but obviously around the world. I found a particularly interesting response in a blog entry by Zoe Brain in Canberra, Australia.

She links to a 70's song by Melanie (the singer, not my friend) that moved me, Lay down, lay down or Candles in the Rain
I remember the song, but never thought of it in the context of support groups.

"So raise the candles high'
Cause if you don't we could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain."

"We were so close,
there was no room.
We bled inside,
each other's wounds"

Lyrics (c) Copyright 1970 by Kama Rippa Music, Inc. and Melanie Music, Inc.1650 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.

The last line got to me. We talk so much about the lack of TG Unity, not only in NC, but everywhere. If we felt that close to our brothers and sisters......... imagine all we could accomplish.