Days of Silence

April 17 is the official National Day of Silence, a time to bring attention to bullying and harassment in our school systems. No child should get up in the morning wondering if they will be subjected to violence.

The University of NC Charlotte is having their observance tomorrow. Elke Kennedy is giving the keynote address at 6 PM. The updated educational panels will be on display all day. An addition to these panels is a CD with audio of the voice mails Sean's killer left as Sean was dying. Those of us on the Sean's Last Wish Board of Directors listened to the tape for the first time last month. Chilling is the only word that comes to mind. Listening for oneself brings home the urgency of the need for hate crime legislation, coupled with a never ending attempt to touch hearts. As I have often said, no one touches a heart like a mother does. I hope lots of people hear Elke tomorrow.

March 23 was The Equality North Carolina Day of Action. It was a day for people all over NC to travel to Raleigh to share their concerns with legislators from their home district. I am appreciative of my Representative Martha Alexander for granting me a few minutes of her time during a very busy day. Even though we had appointments there was pressing business in the chambers. It was an empowering day for everyone who participated. To spend time in the Legislative Building with your representative is something everyone should have the opportunity of doing.

Equality North Carolina continues to dialogue with the transgender community through their Transgender Task Force. We had a meeting in Raleigh April 2nd. It is a privilege to share ideas with people whom I hold in the highest personal regard, both as colleagues and friends.

Driving home that night in the rain I began thinking of how far we have come since I came out all those years ago. We talk a lot about what yet needs to be done. The needs are many and they are vital.... a trans inclusive ENDA, hate crime legislation, non discrimination at both the state and local level etc.

Even so, some of us have been around long enough to remember when it was not safe for a transgender person to walk out the front door, literally. I think often of friends from the seventies who would say all they wanted was freedom to be who they were. Well, things are not perfect but we sure do have that freedom now. Sometimes we need to remember to claim it. Those dear friends are a part of my personal history and who I am. I think of them each day.

Our faith group is now Charlotte Interfaith Connection. At only our third meeting we voted to have a booth at Pride Charlotte this July. We will have a website online soon. I have already set up a listserv realizing we will have the need for enhanced communication as we move forward.

Our Jewish friends invited us to Passover Seder last week. It was an honor to be with them that evening. As important as our outreach to the local faith community is, becoming friends with each other has been a huge blessing.

For so long it has been said we have a divided community. The rift among the LGBT community has been perceived. The chasm between the community and 'the church' has been experienced by far too many of us. We are doing things to bring unity in both areas. Complete success will certainly not happen in my lifetime. But when a heart is disposed to change, the world is more disposed to change. This is the truth we seek to spread.

This short video on Youtube illustrates that point in a most moving way.

My dear friend, Ana is Southern Conference ONA Director for United Church of Christ. She invited me to her home church in Winston Salem this Thursday for a showing of 'Call Me Malcolm', followed by a panel discussion. I'm looking forward to the evening and seeing some friends for the first time in a while.