So, it's almost Christmas. Time to buy presents for all the people in the family. Or it's Hanukkah. Time to buy a beautiful brisket for family and friends. Or just a time to relax after the bustle that comes with winter. And it's time to think about your election.
What?
It's too early, you say. And... me? Little ole me? What can I bring to the table?
Plenty. You just haven't thought of those things yet. Do you remember Islan Nettles, the transgender woman who was bludgeoned to death? Or those transgenders who want to work, are desperate to work, but can't find any? Or the transman who is about to be evicted for the sole reason of who he chooses to be. Suddenly, you bring eloquence to the table. One which is sorely lacking without you.
If you think that I'm saying this will be ridiculously easy, sorry, go to Fantasy Island. The next year will be hard work. Unless you run unopposed, you're going to have to take some of the most ridiculous trash possible from your opponent. And take it all with good cheer. You may have to run on a shoestring. A really bad, worn, about-to-fall-apart shoestring. And if you come in second, you feel as if you lost the universe.
You didn't, though. We need voices like yours. Have courage, and be our voice.
ezs note: If you have considered or attempted suicide, please consider seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist to help you through the rough patches in your life. There's no shame in it, and you'll feel a lot better! One caveat though - make sure that the person is fully board certified. If a person claims to "make you straight",walk out and don't pay the quack!
It's getting to the last month of the last month of the year. Already! Here in the United States Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas preparations are on the way. Little kids who believe in Santa Claus (or, kinda believe) are writing letters or e-letters to be sent to Ole Saint Nick.
However, what do we grown-ups write? Isn't there anything that we wish for? Well, let's see. I wish that every transgender person has a home to live in. I wish that she or he would walk from the store to home without being accosted. I wish that she or he would hold hands with a girl/boyfriend without being stared at or kicked out. I wish that she/he be allowed to live, period.
Go ahead, write to Santa Claus. But then write to your Congressperson regarding these essential issues. Whatever your belief or non-belief, you'll be jollier for it.
The listings above are at random, through the Internet. If you live in (not near) one of the towns or cities listed above, simply press the name of the person, and you will be transported to their district office. For other Congresspeople, press www.house.gov, and enter your ZIP code in the upper right corner. For multiple Congresspeople, enter the ZIP+4 code.(example: 12345-6789) This can be found on most of your regular mail. Thanks!
There are times, to be sure, when it is good, even noble, to be silent. When we are in our rooms, late at night, contemplating. When we are in the woods or fields. When we are in a rocker.
However, there are times when it is clearly not good to be silent. When some yahoo spouts his garbage, who is there to speak up?
You are.
I have made this point clearly and abundantly. I believe in inclusive equality. This includes gays. This includes lesbians. This includes bisexuals. This includes queers. This includes questioners. And this includes (near and dear to my heart) transgenders.
I do what I can. But you must do things too! When a bill comes before Congress, e-write her or him. When your Congressperson comes to town, go there and speak up. When your town or city hall has a meeting, go there and speak up. When you can't make it because of work, e-write the council members. If necessary, protest. And if all the people have hearts of stone, dammit, run yourself!
You've shown enough silence. Go out there and do something.
The listings above are randomly selected by the Internet. If you live in (not near) one of the towns or cities listed above, just press the name of the Congressperson, and you will be transported to her/his site. If you are at all unsure of your Congressperson, go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code. If several people are the result, please enter the ZIP+4 code. (example: 12345-6789) Thanks.
Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance in North America.(November 20). Below is a video which lists the 239 known murders of transgender people. Unfortunately the actual number is far higher. Below that is a listing of places where you can find out where services are being held If you cannot reach the sites where services are being held, please play the video at home. In my opinion, it is quite moving.
SERVICES
Teaneck, New Jersey
(November 23)
Wichita, Kansas
(November 23)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kingston, Ontario
Fairfax, Virginia
Fargo, North Dakota/Moorhead, Minnesota
Joliet, Illinois
Albany, New York
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Portland, Maine
London, Ontario, Canada
Kansas City, Missouri
Brighton, England
(November 24)
Denton, Texas
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Boise, Idaho
Croydon, United Kingdom
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Richmond, Virginia
Baltimore, Maryland
Las Vegas, Nevada
(November 22nd)
Toledo,Ohio
Beaufort, South Carolina
Cincinnati, Ohio
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(November 22),
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(November 22)
Tucson, Arizona
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
(November 23rd)
Denver, Colorado
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
London, United Kingdom
(November 22th)
Evansville, Indiana
(November 23th))
Oneonta, New York
St. Louis, Missouri
Providence, Rhode Island
(November 21st)
Lexington, Kentucky
(November 22nd)
Nashville, Tennessee
Chestertown, Maryland
Amarillo, Texas
(November 21st)
Tri-Cities, Tennessee (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol)
(November 21st)
Portland, Oregon
Raleigh, North Carolina
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Durham, New Hampshire
San Antonio, Texas
(November 21st)
Detroit, Michigan
(November 22nd)
Cleveland, Ohio
(November 22nd)
Seattle, Washington
Santa Barbara, California
Fresno, California
San Diego, California
Eugene, Oregon
Westport, Connecticut
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(November 22)
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Seaside, California
Berkeley, California
Tallahassee, Florida
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Prescott, Arizona
London, United Kingdom
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Olympia, Washington
Portland, Oregon
(November 24)
London, United Kingdom
South Bend, Indiana
Hilo, Hawai’i
Binghamton, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Memphis, Tennessee
Rochester, New York
New York, New York
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Chico, California
Hartford, Connecticut
Manchester, United Kingdom
(November 24th)
Columbus, Indiana
(November 23th)
Austin, Texas
Lawrence, Kansas
Rocklin, California
Knoxville, Tennessee
Omaha, Nebraska
Jacksonville, Florida
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(November 21st)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Houston, Texas
Cincinnati, Ohio
St John’s, NL, Canada
Columbus, Ohio
Houston, Texas
(November 23rd)
Fort Worth, Texas
Strasbourg, France
(November 23rd)
Saskatchewan, Canada (Regina)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Plymouth, New Hampshire)
Winona, Minnesota
San Francisco, California
Gloucester, United Kingdom
( November 26th)
St. Peter, Minnesota
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Gainesville, Florida
(November 21st)
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
(November 21st)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois(2)
Asheville, North Carolina
Washington D.C., USA
Chicago, Illinois(3)
New South Wales, Australia(Sydney)
(November 22th, 2013)
DeLand, Florida
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Portland, Oregon
Fort Collins, Colorado
Syracuse, New York
Quezon City, Philippines
November 24th
(check to see if still on due to typhoon)
Palm Desert, California
Highland Park, New Jersey
(November 24th)
Huntington, West Virginia
Internet*
Clearwater, Florida
White Plains, New York
(November 23rd)
Seattle, Washington
Sonara, California
Orlando, Florida
New York City, New York
Bend, Oregon
Rocklin, California
(November 23rd)
Hamilton, New Zealand
November 24rd
Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Long Beach, California
Dahlonega, Georgia
Unless indicated otherwise, all dates are November 20. If you see a site you may be interested in, go to www.transgenderdor.org. Thanks.
ezs note: Thank you, Equality House! I find it especially fitting that " "Reverend" " Phelps gets stuck in his eye rather than the other way around. Yay!
