Charlotte Interfaith Connection

I posted recently that contributions at the Aids Walk last month went a long way towards stocking our toiletry pantry. We are at the point of readiness to begin coordinating with RAIN to distribute the items on a regular basis.

This outreach was the vision of my dear friend, Charley. RAIN has evolved from care for the dying to compassionate care for the living. The Charlotte Interfaith Connection shows again that when we begin an outreach, we never know what other doors will open and how we, and others, will be touched.

I visited with my dear friends in the Women Connecting For Justice group at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ this past Wednesday evening. It was exciting to see good friends for the first time in a while. Their contribution to our RAIN pantry is most appreciated. Holy Covenant UCC is one of the faith communities partnering with us in this outreach.

Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday. This past Friday was my ex wife's birthday. Unfortunately, I will not be able to speak with either of them. It will always be illogical that so many of us lose so much in order to be who we are. I think often of my friends where I worked 20 years. If any of you read this, know I miss you all. You have my continued respect and friendship.

We need to remind ourselves from time to time that so many people sacrifice most of who they are to conform to what others think they should be. We can do this to a degree, perhaps even for a lifetime. However, what we have traded eventually becomes evident. There comes that time when a person decides whether to take off the mask, or continue a day to day existence that doesn't even meet the definition of 'existence'. That is when we decide whether to really live. For me personally, the decision to not live was not an option.

Day of Action

Within the climate of acceptance we enjoy today, I often reflect on the progress we have made as transgender people in the 41 years since the Stonewall Riots.


Tuesday, May 25 was one of those times of comparison. Equality NC organized the Day of Action, an opportunity to sit down with our legislators in Raleigh, NC and share our views on the most pressing issues we face. To meet with the legislators is one of those opportunities we once would have never imagined.


Equally important was a series of workshops during the day on issues ranging from Advocacy 101 to the Aids Drug Assistance Program. For a complete overview of these, and other issues, visit the Equality NC website.


One session that struck a cord personally was 'Speaking With Legislators From a Faith Based Perspective'. The presenter was Jack McKinney, former pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh. He made the point that we have allowed the most intolerant to take control of the playing field.

That statement speaks volumes. It's time for people of faith, and no small amount of courage, to leave the bleachers and get on the playing field. There is no question that most of the ostracism faced by LGBT people is a result of religion based bigotry.


Each of us carries our own set of personal biases, even if on a subconscious level. There comes a time for us, as Christians, to search our own heart and bring that prejudice into the light of day. To do otherwise would mean we ourselves are not living a life of authenticity.

  

Third anniversary of Sean Kennedy's murder

I have learned to be aware that when I attend one event, there is a strong likelihood that God will open another door to something equally, or more, significant.

In 2008, I visited the venue for the HRC gala in Charlotte, neither as a protestor, nor a guest, but for an Educational Initiative with my friend Angela. The occasion was only months after the ENDA debacle in which transgender inclusion had been dropped in hopes of getting a bill through congress. Our reason for being there was honorable and the Educational Initiative was a success.

The memory of that weekend centers on neither the gala nor ENDA, but on a chance meeting that grew into a friendship. We were invited to speak to a group of students from Campus Pride that morning. Also speaking was Elke Kennedy, mother of Sean Kennedy. Upon hearing both her passion and compassion, anything I had to say became insignificant. She spoke of standing strong in the cause of human rights, never wavering and accepting oneself.

Sean had been murdered in Greenville, SC less than a year earlier. As a young gay man, he was accosted leaving a local night spot. The blow to his face knocked him to the curb with enough force to separate his brain from the brain stem. Sean lived a few hours.

Within days, Elke had formed an organization dedicated to'ending the hate', Sean's Last Wish.

Today is the third anniversary of Sean's murder. Elke commemorated the day by attending the first Pride event in Charleston, SC, Sean's hometown. You can view the news coverage here. I spoke with her this evening and she is still excited about being in Charleston for their event. She is naturally sad, but her strength remains.

We have so often seen a tragedy turned into a force for good. Total strangers are moved to tears by the power of Elke's message. As I have often told her, no one can tell the story like a mother. I think God means it to be that way.

Charlotte Aids Walk

The AIDS Walk took place in Charlotte May 1st. I've been to a lot of Prides, but this was my first AIDS Walk. It's pretty amazing when approximately 2500 people come together for a worthy cause.

The Charlotte Interfaith Connection has partnered with RAIN (Regional Aids Interfaith Network) to maintain a pantry with toiletries which patients are not provided through other social services. There were two SUV's collecting toiletries from the participants at the Walk which means the pantry at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is sufficiently stocked to give us a head start. We are seeking other faith communities to maintain the pantry one month each year.

The Carolinas Gender Odyssey was going to be a June event similar to other conferences around the country. Scheduled were breakout sessions, a talent show and a formal ball. I speak in the past tense as the planning committee has announced postponement of the event until next year. There are a number of reasons but the attendance clearly was not going to be as hoped.

Former world heavyweight wrestling champion, Gene Kiniski, passed away last month. I've written a few times that my friends don't know the side of me that has the abiding interest in the history of wrestling, unless they read this blog.

Gene has been discussed at length on the Wrestling Legends newsgroup. The conversation has had me thinking of our LGBT community. Sometimes I think everything leads me back to the LGBT community. In any case, the wrestling newsgroup has one characteristic I appreciate, courtesy and respect. Whether they were in the business, or just old time fans, everyone is held in the same high regard. I try and imagine what we could accomplish in the way of true LGBT unity if we did the same.