Ain’t I A Woman?

I was reading Helen Boyd’s Blog (en)Gender (She is currently teaching a Gender Studies class out in Wisconsin) and she had this posting of a speech from 1851 about woman rights and it illustrates that the more things change the more they stay the same.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain’t I A Woman?
Delivered 1851, Women’s Convention, Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? [member of audience whispers, “intellect”] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ’cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.

I did more research into Women’s Suffrage and I found this from a sermon by Rev. Prof. H. M. Goodwin in 1884

This whole movement for female suffrage, is, at least in its motive and beginning, a rebellion against the divinely ordained position and duties of woman, and an ambition for independence and the honors of a more public life; as if any greater and diviner honor could be given to woman than those which God has assigned her; as if the sanctities of home and the sacred duties of wife and mother, with all their sacrifices, were not a higher sphere and a truer glory—a glory she shares with the world’s Redeemer—than the vulgar publicity of the polls and hustings, or even the Senate and the bar.

Their argument always boils down to the Bible, whenever there is change, some of those who are opposing the change refute it by use the Bible. Those who argue that it goes against God’s nature have tried to block the abolition of slavery, women right, marriage equality and gender rights. In all fairness, I must also say that some of the strongest supporters of change also use the Bible to support the changes. Unfortunately, their voices are not as strong.

Should a Lesbian Judge Excuse Herself from Cases that Involve LGBT Issues?

That is the question that is being asked in Dayton Ohio where a political opponent thinks that she should.

Challenger questions gay judge's ethics
By Lynn Hulsey
Dayton Daily News
Staff Writer
Thursday, January 17, 2008

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman, who is openly gay, should excuse herself from cases involving the state constitutional ban on gay marriage and Dayton's new law banning discrimination against gays, her Democratic primary opponent says.
Montgomery County Area Court Judge James D. Piergies cited Wiseman's role in writing an earlier, failed version of the anti-discrimination law when she was a Dayton city commissioner in 1999. He said it would create an ethical problem as well if she were to consider cases involving the Ohio constitutional amendment that passed in 2004.
Wiseman, who was appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland to replace retiring Judge John Kessler, said the fact that she is Ohio's first openly gay judge should be encouraging to other gay people. But she said it will play no role in how she considers cases, including those involving gay rights, because judges must be impartial in applying the law.

My question to Judge Piergies is does he feel that straight judges should also excuse themselves from cases involving LGBT issues? After all, they could be basis against LGBT issues. Or should a women judge excuse themselves if the cases involves a woman?

Wiseman took issue with Piergies' remarks, which were made during an editorial board meeting at the Dayton Daily News.

"If that were the rule, then Thurgood Marshall would never have presided over a civil rights case," Wiseman said.

Piergies said the situation was different for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Marshall, who more than a decade prior to being named to the court, argued the civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education. But after acknowledging Marshall's support of civil rights prior to joining the court, Piergies then said perhaps Marshall should have recused himself from such cases.

I do not see a difference; to me it seems that Judge Piergies is trying to use homophobia to win votes.

Manic Monday

Manic Monday for January 28, 208

If you could have a servant come to your house every day for one hour, what would you have them do?
That is an easy answer, clean the house. One day vacuum, another day dust or the laundry, etc. I could easily find some cleaning task to keep busy doing.

Has your life ever been changed by an apparently random occurrence?
I do not know, if a medical problem is a random occurrence then the answer is yes.

You're having dinner with several friends and acquaintances. They all criticize a close friend of yours (not knowing he/she is a friend). The criticism is unjustified. What would you do?
I think that I would. Especially now, I think I am much more assertive then I use to be a couple of years ago.

I Have Not Had A Good Cry In A Long Time

I was just watching the Hallmark movie on CBS and I must have gone though three or four Kleenexes. The last half hour was the worst when she told her family that she had leukemia and the two mothers were sitting on the porch. It was so sad.

Standing Up for Your Beliefs Or Not

Here is a video by Max Blumenthal about College Republican National Convention where he asks some probing question about the Iraq War and marriage equality….



I find it is interesting that so many of the conference attendees are in favor of the war but for some reason or other do not join the military to fight in the war. Or that they say that are against special rights for gays but do not wan them to marry. Can you say, hypocrite?

By the Way Sunday

~Phonescape~

By the way...

How many landlines (telephones) do you have in your house? (In use, that is.)
One, why would anyone need any more than one?

If you have landlines, do you plan on keeping them in the near future?
Yes, I do not see any reason not to keep it.

Do you ever call long distance on your landline?
Always, when I am home.

Do you own a cell phone?
Yes.

Do you consider your cell phone your main line or do you use it strictly for traveling and emergencies?
I got it mainly for an emergency and I use it only for about five or ten minutes a month. I use to turn it off when I was not using it but now that my aunt is in a nursing home I leave it on all the time. I discourage people from calling me on it, to call my landline first.

What brand is your cell phone? What fun features does your cell phone have?
Verizon on a pay pre use basis, I pay 30 cents a minute or part of a minute. I have no other features on my phone, I just use it as a phone (What a novel idea.).

Can you imagine your daily life without a cell phone?
No, it is great for directions or if you are running late for an appointment or if there is any last minute change in plans. Earlier in the month, I was down in the southern part of the state and I was on my way to my next meeting when I got a call telling me it was canceled.

Blast from the past...

Do you ever remember being on a party line?
Yes, but we never had one.

Do you remember when your phone was owned by the telephone company?
Yes and my parents kept on renting for a number of years afterward out of habit.

Do you remember having a telephone number with a prefix that was part letters?
Ex. MU9-0000.
Yes, ours was VAelly.

Last question...Overall, do you think we're better off for having cell phones or not?
Earlier in the month, I was down in the southern part of the state and I was on my way to my next meeting when I got a call telling me it was canceled.
Like any technology it can be missed used or over used.

Here is my question...
Do you remember dial phones?

Saturday Six - Episode 197

Patrick’s Place: Saturday Six - Episode 197

1. You go to a restaurant and order alcohol: based on past experience, how likely are you to be carded? (Are you of legal drinking age?)
At age 58, I was carded. I have no proof but I think that the only reason that I was carded was that the waiter was interested to see my name and gender on my driver license.

2. You’re selecting a new physician and you learn that the doctor you are visiting is in his twenties: would you feel any less confident about his ability?
Been there, done that. My dermatologist is in his late twenties and I was not worried about his ability.

3. One must be 35 years old or older to run for president. Based on arguments about experience, should the age be increased to 45? Why or why not?
No, President Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and if the age limit were 45 he would never have been elected president.

4. Take the quiz: What age do you act?

You Act Like You Are 29 Years Old

You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel like an adult, and you're optimistic about life. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. You're still figuring out your place in the world and how you want your life to shape up. The world is full of possibilities, and you can't wait to explore many of them.

What Age Do You Act?

5. When you were in high school, what age, in your opinion, qualified someone as being “old?”
Thirty; never trust anyone over thirty.

6. Do you find yourself better relating to people older than you or younger than you? (Sorry, your same age group isn’t an option in this one!)
Heck, if they were any older they would be in a nursing home. So I tend to relate better to younger people.

Another Chicken Soup Story

I have another chicken soup story, this time I bought a precooked chicken last Sunday and yesterday I made soup with it. I had it in the crock-pot all day then I put it out on the deck to cool and proceeded to forget all about it. Well this morning when I went into kitchen I saw the empty crock-pot base and remembered that the soup was outside. Last night the temperature went down into the teens! I now have chicken slushies. It didn’t freeze solid (except for around the edges of the pot.), just into a chicken favored slush. ;-)

Fill-ins Friday #56

Janet’s Fill-ins Friday #56

1. Photograph makes me happy.
2. I would like some more tea, please.
3. Lobster tastes SO good!
4. Ever day is my favorite day of the week because I am retired, so eat your heart out.
5. My smile my best feature.
6. We could learn so much from just listening.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to well I wouldn’t say looking forward but I plan on reading some more of the chapter I have to read for homework this week, tomorrow my plans include going to Real Art Ways to listen to this and Sunday, I want to go hiking if the weather permits!

Who Should You Vote For?

Who You Should Vote For

Barack Obama: 75% Dennis Kucinich: 75% John Edwards: 63% Mike Gravel: 63% Hillary Clinton: 56% Ron Paul: 38% John McCain: 31% Rudy Giuliani: 31% Mike Huckabee: 19% Mitt Romney: 13% Who you agree with on the war in Iraq: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Who you agree with on the economy: John Edwards and Barack Obama Who you agree with on health care: Dennis Kucinich Who you agree with on taxes: Dennis Kucinich Who you agree with on abortion: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Rudy Giuliani Who you agree with on gay rights: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, and Barack Obama

Who Should You Vote For?

Class Began Last Night

My STEP class at the UConn School of Social Work began last night; I am only taking one class this semester. I am maxed out on the number of credits I can take in the STEP program, so I am going to apply for admissions to the Master’s program for next fall.
The class I am taking is “Grassroots Neighborhood Organizing” and every week we have to write a 1 – 3 page paper on what we discussed in class or another topic relating to organizing. We also might have to write a term paper but the professor has not decided yet if she is going to require a term paper. Therefore, with all my background in organizing I should do very well in the class.
It is a small class of only seven students and I have worked with one of the other students, she is an intern at Connecticut Women Education and Legal Fund (CWELAF) and works on the Anti-Discrimination Coalition panel.

My Rant on the Economy

401(k)’s, Roth IRA’s and IRA’s. If you listen to all the financial advisors on the radio or TV, they all are saying don’t worry you are in it for the long run, that overtime the market will recover. That is all well and good if you are in your thirties or early forties, but I retired in July and I have watched my retirement fund drop by over 10% since the beginning of the year. I have a good broker and I also take an active part in managing my accounts, can you imagine what it would be like for the average person and all they had was their retirement accounts and no Social Security. How would you fair in today’s economy?
Which brings up another point, our good ol’ Village Idiot and friends want to do away with Social Security and instead have employee directed retirement accounts. At least for me, I know that in couple of years I will be able to collect Social Security and a pension as a safety net if my investment drop. I say fix Social Security instead of scraping it, take the income cap off and tax everyone at the same rate and then have an income needs test when it comes time to collect.
Another one of our beloved Presidents ideas was to deregulation some more the banking and investments institutions, and that brought us the sub-prime fiasco that we are now experiences. There were warning about the outcome of such deregulation back when it was proposed, but they were ignored. You all remember the Enron disaster, what was done to correct the problem of “cooking the books”, all they did was to make minor regulatory changes and that was all.
Then we come to the tax cuts for the rich that the Republican are always pushing and how it would trickle down into the economy to create new high paying jobs. Yeah right, but there done that, with the Regan administration and we saw that it didn’t work back then and it doesn’t work now. A result of the tax cuts we now have the largest debit in history! And, where did the jobs go? To China, Mexico, Indonesia, India and Korea. Who would want to create jobs here when we now have free trade with the rest of the world. All the $40,000-$60,00 were replaced by $20,000-$30,000 McJob’s, there is no longer a middle class and it is the middle class that kept the economy going with their disposable income. As a result of President’s Bush economic polices we now have the widest gap between the working class and the rich, and we have watched the currents generation earn less then their parents’ generation.
Another great Bush idea was to change the way unemployment rate is figured. You are no longer considered unemployed if your unemployment insurance runs out. I don’t know about you but I would still consider myself unemployed even though my unemployment insurance ran out and I still didn’t have a job.
Lastly, Free Trade, the credit doesn’t just belong to President Bush but also to Presidents Clinton and Bush Sr., Free Trade was and is a bad idea from the very beginning. How could we compete with someone making a $5.00 a day? We can’t, I could tell that all the manufacturing jobs would be exported overseas and all we will be left with were service jobs or jobs that cannot be exported, that the playing field was not level. At the very least, require countries that want free trade to have: health insurance, retirement programs, and environmental regulations and to allow collective bargaining.

I Passed!

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

I bombed the grammar questions as usual

Manic Monday

Manic Monday for January 21, 2008

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
Connecticut – No
Massachusetts – Nope
Alaska – No way
Texas – Could be shorten to Tex, but I don’t think so…
Maine – Hmm, maybe
Maryland – Could be, it sounds like Maryann
D. C. – not a state but it has a nice ring to it. So I will cheat and go with D.C.

Where do you go for advice?
My brother.

What is the sickest you've ever been?
Hmm… it is a three-way tie:
When I was in college I had pneumonia and I was hallucinating with a high fever. They said I was seeing and talking to people who were not there.
When I had my heart problem.
When I had a reaction to the medication, I was taking a couple of years ago. I felt like I was hit by a Mac truck, muscle aches, fever and shakes. When I went to the doctor he said the words that you do not want to hear – “You got me stumped, I have no idea what’s wrong.” They then poked with neddles, got samples from every opening they could think of and just added to my misery.

Saturday First Event Conference in Peabody MA.

I was disappointed in this year conference. First of all I planned on going to hear at talk at noon by Jennifer Boylan about her new book and to get my copy autographed, but nowhere on their web-site did it mention that you had to pay $30 for lunch. The only other time that she was doing a workshop was during another workshop that I wanted to attend. Therefore, I never got my book signed. Second, they did not have that many workshops this year and also the attendance and number of vendors seemed to be a lot less than last year.

On the plus side, I did do a lot of networking and I meet a number of old friends. I attended a workshop called, Know Your Rights that was given by a couple of member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and I was asked during the workshop if I wanted to talk about the Connecticut legislation. So I gave a brief summary of the history of the bill in Connecticut and what our plans are for the up-coming legislative session.

By the Way Sunday

~That's Entertainment~

By the way...

What would you choose...

A movie or a live play?
A play, I saw Doubt back in November.
Wrestling or roller derby?
Neither
Comedian or magician?
Comedian
Jazz band or rock band?
Rock band
Karaoke or bingo?
Bingo, there is a bingo game for the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective this coming up on February 9th.
Broadway musical or ballet?
Broadway musical, I went to see Wicked a couple of months ago.
Horse show or stock car races?
Neither, horses are too smelly and stock cars are too loud.
Rock wall or miniature golf?
Miniature golf
Lake cruise or horseback riding?
Lake cruise, in a sailboat preferably
Quiet afternoon in the park or a day at the amusement park?
The afternoon in a park; with a friend, good food and a bottle of wine

Saturday Six - Episode 196

Patrick’s Place Weekender: Saturday Six - Episode 196

1. Take the quiz: Are you a tortured genius?

You Are 40% Tortured Genius

You definitely have a few tortured genius qualities, but you hide them pretty well. You're smart enough to be a genius - but also smart enough not to let it torture you.

Are You a Tortured Genius?

2. Which of the following are (or would) you more likely to remember: your significant other’s birthday, your anniversary, or where you first met?
Since I am not married, I do not have to remember important dates concerning my SO

3. If a single day could be established to celebrate all wedding anniversaries and it gained the acceptance of Mother’s Day, would you celebrate your anniversary on “Anniversary Day,” on your real anniversary, or both?
I really do not see how having an Anniversary makes sense. Somehow I do not think that a couple would want to support a generic Anniversary day.

4. What experience do you think you’ll honestly never forget?
The days that my mother and father died (Dec. 19 and June 25)

5. When you have to remember to do something at a specific time, what method are you most likely to use to remind yourself?
My Yahoo calendar.

6. What was the last important date that you forgot?
I have been very good since I entered all my family’s birthdays and my brother and sister-in-law anniversary on Yahoo calendar.

Fill-in Friday #55

Janet’s Fill-in Friday #55

1. The last compliment I got was from _____; he/she said _____.
2. I'm reading _____.
3. I woke up today and thought _____.
4. Why does _____.
5. The last thing I ate was _____.
6. January... _____.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

1. The last compliment I got was from my broker; he said I looked more relaxed and happier as Diana.
2. I'm reading I’M LOOKING THROUGH YOU: Growing Up Haunted: A Memoir by Jennifer Finney Boylan.
3. I woke up today and thought dentist appointment at 10:30 :-(
4. Why do you get all red lights when you are in a hurry.
5. The last thing I ate was scrambled eggs and bacon at breakfast.
6. January... is half over.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to packing, tomorrow my plans include going to the First Event Conference in Peabody MA. and Sunday, I have a Trans Health and Law Conference planning meeting!

Down to the Gold Coast

I had to go down to Greenwich this afternoon on personal business and it always amazes me when I go there; it is like going to another country or world. When you drive down a street all the houses have six or eight foot walls around them and everyone seems to be driving SUV’s. Not just any SUV’s but Cadillac’s, Lincolns and Hummers. When I parked my little Prius on the street I was surrounded by all theses monsters.

The homes are out of sight, both literally and price. The median house/condo value in 2005 was $1,286,300 and the prices are not going down in today’s housing market but are still climbing. These are not McMansions but mansions, their guest houses are bigger than my house. The median household income in 2005 was $108,800 for Greenwich compared to Beverly Hills CA. measly $81,100.

It was the first time I had to go down there to that office since they had moved out of Hartford and it was also the first time he saw me as Diana. When he saw me, he said that I was looking good, that he could see I was much happier and more relaxed. I think I impressed him.

The Hype

This is the view from my skylight this morning. The news media hyped the snowstorm claiming 12” - 14”, we got 3”. People panicked, rushing to the stores to stock up on food, I was worried about an appointment I have in the afternoon and when I woke up this morning I found that in some places the grass wasn’t even covered.

Manic Monday

Manic Monday for January 14, 2008


Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were the opposite sex?
Well I think that both of the genders have their own pluses and minuses (If we assume a binary model.). Men have to play the part of the macho man and never show emotions, while women have to play the caring and nurturing part. If you do not fit the traditional model, our culture tries to force you. Examples of this is the man who wants to be a ballet dancer (do we even a have masculine word for a ballerina?) what is the first thought you have about him? Look at all the comments about Hillary Clinton; when she cried everyone said she does not have what it takes to run a county in a crisis or when she is affirming, that she is too aggressive.
I think answer to the second part of the question is quite oblivious. I never really was a man and I never really will be a woman. I had to pretend to be tough and stoic; I had to pretend to like cars and sports in order to be one of the guys. I like to think of myself as a woman with a unique history. One thing I have noticed is that men like to take up “space”; in a theater, the men take the armrests and sit with their legs wide apart claiming the space for themselves.

What books from your childhood would you like to share with your children?
Disney’s Fantasia, I just loved that movie with the dancing brooms. I would love to share it with my grand nieces and nephews.

What is one talent or skill you don't possess but always wanted?
I wish I could sing and play an instrument, I am always so jealous of those who can play and sing.

By the Way Sunday

~January Blues~

By the way...

In general is January a difficult month for you or not?
No, it is not any different then any other month.

Do you tend to lose weight or gain weight in January?
AGH! I don’t want to talk about it; I gain four pounds in the last three days. It is all the snacking in-between meals. It all started Friday when I ordered take-out, I ordered a Manicotti dinner – 3 pound gain and last night at the support group meeting I was snacking on nachos and cheese dip.

What do you look forward to in January?
Starting classes again.

What positive thing that you're proud of have you accomplished this month?
I will tell you one thing that I am not proud of this month and that is gaining weight. Its too early to say what I accomplished this month, I was let you know at the end of the month.

What's your favorite January pastime?
It is no different that any other month, photography, although I have not been doing too much of that lately.

Saturday Six - Episode 195

Patrick’s Place: Saturday Six - Episode 195

1. How well do you feel that you know your inner self?
Yes, I spent a lot of money to find out what I already knew about myself.

2. Take one more quiz: How does your intrapersonal intelligence rate?

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Score: 83%

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence is Very High You've spent a lot of time introspecting, and it's really paid off. You are comfortable with who you are, and you have a life philosophy that you are happy to live by. And you're always re-evaluating what you believe. Because you learn something new about yourself each day!

How Does Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Rate?

Surprise! Surprise! Did you expect anything different?

3. How much do you trust your own instincts?
I trust my instincts; I find that I usually have a good intuition, except when it comes to mid-terms and tests.

4. Do you find that you are good or bad at giving people advice?
I try not to give people advice; I try to give them information so that they can make their own decisions. I am a good listener.

5. If you had to go back in time and start over, erasing a certain period of time in favor of a “do-over,” would you want to go back 20 years, 10 years, 5 years or 1 year?
I would good back in time to my college years and “do-over” them. However, this time applying myself instead of just partying and getting lost in Hippie sub-culture.

6. After selecting the answer above, you were suddenly informed that the “do-over” was not mandatory, after all, would you still do it?
NO! If I went back in time and got “A’s” instead of “C’s”, and did not do any drugs; would I still be the person that I am today? Or would I be some person that I wouldn’t recognize?

One of my Favorite Commercials

This commercial has been around for awhile and I just found it again at TransGriot it is a 1997 Super Bowl ad that only aired once before it was pull because of conservative right wing pressure.
You can find more commercials featuring transpersons at Transpassions

Heating Oil Price

The price of heating oil for the fill up I just got was $3.35. I will keep posting the outrageous price of oil each time I get oil. I can always cut back on my driving if the price of gas goes up too much, but I already have my thermostat set for 65 during the day and 55 at night.
Can you imagine the affect this is going to have on retired or low income citizen? And, good ol' President Bush in his "Compassionate Conservatives" has cut the home heating fuel subsistence.

P.S. Right now we are in the middle of a heavy downpour and just after I published this, there a Pst, a flash and a BOOM. I hate when that happens because that means the lighting strike was within hundred feet of me. It is that Pst that gets me nervous because the is the sound of the streamer that is the arc leading up to the clouds that is a precursor to the lighting strike. Its time for a walk around the house to see if anything is smoking :-(

Fill In Fridays # 54

Janet's Fill In Fridays # 54

1. My favorite _____ of 2007 was _____.
2. I'm most tempted by _____.
3. Today I want _____
4. The last thing I took a picture of was _____.
5. You and I have memories _____.
6. The most recent movie I’ve seen that I really enjoyed was _____.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

#####

1. My favorite trip of 2007 was visiting Washington DC.
2. I'm most tempted by good food and wine.
3. Today I want not much
4. The last thing I took a picture of was the ice storm in December.
5. You and I have memories but do elephants?
6. The most recent movie I’ve seen that I really enjoyed was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my brother and sister-in-law stopping by, tomorrow my plans include going to the Twenty Club and COS meetings and Sunday, I want to go hiking!

A Couple of Things…

First, go over and visit Fleur-de-Lisa blog she put together a beautiful video of her photographers to music. It is well worth a trip over to her blog.

Second, in today’s Hartford Courant that is an article entitled, “Outside The Box Those In The Transgender Community Find A Warm Embrace At Real Art Way” and it is about an acquaintance who is on the Board of Real Art Ways; once again it worth a trip to the Courant’s web-site.

Lastly, as the legislative season is starting in the first week of February, I am starting to attend strategy and planning meetings around the state. Not surprisingly, I am on the grassroots organizing committee since that is what I want to have as my concentration if I get accepted to the Master’s program at UConn School of Social Work. So I am excited about taking part in this legislative process.

Another Busy Day

I was away at a conference all day in Hartford, the conference ran from 8:30am until 4:00pm and it was a long day sitting. I made many new connections with other people from other organizations that attended. I also met some people that I knew from before; one was a professor from a class that did an Outreach for down in New Haven and the other I knew from Real Art Ways.

The conference was on lobbying and I attended four workshops they were; the Legislative Process, Issues and Tactics, Lobbying One on One and Networking and Coalition Building; plus they had time for us to talk to other attendees. All four of the workshops were excellent and I got a lot out of them; they had a number of legislators there to explain the functions of the legislature. They had the Deputy President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Minority Leader Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Assistant Majority Leader of the House, Deputy Speaker of the House, the Deputy House Republican Leader of the House and various other Senators and Representatives.

I bought a new pantsuit just for the conference, and here I thought I was through wearing suits, at least I didn’t have to wear a tie. I figured I should dress the part since there was going to be a lot legislators and lawyers there, I was right, and it turned out that I was right, there was many suits there.

Plus when I got home there was a blinking light on my answering machine, the nursing home call and my aunt had to go to the hospital; so I was there until 10:30pm.

Victory in New Jersey!

New Jersey Legislature Passes Gender Identity/Expression
Hate Crime and School Anti-Bulllying Law

Today, the New Jersey General Assembly passed A4591/S2975 by a large majority of 65-10. This follows action last week in the state Senate where the bill passed unanimously 35-0. The law that passed will now go to Governor Corzine's desk for his expected signature.

NCTE congratulates our wonderful allies at Garden State Equality and Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey (GRAANJ) who have continued to represent transgender people in New Jersey with Incredible skill and determination.

Basically, the bill adds gender identity and expression to the state's hate crime law and gives teeth to New Jersey's safe school, anti-bullying laws.

According to Garden State Equality specifically, "the new law does the following:

1. Adds 'gender identity or expression' as a protected class to the state hate crimes law.

2. Updates other parts of the hate crimes law by adding 'national origin' as a protected category, which thus far has been included in the law by interpreting 'ethnicity' to include such; and substitutes the more sensitive term 'disability' for 'handicap.'

3. Specifies that a 'mistake of fact' by a defendant committing a hate crime is not a defense.

4. Requires two hours of hate-crimes sensitivity training for all new police officers.

5. Specifies suggested sentencing options to which judges can sentence defendants, such as anti-hate sensitivity training.

6. Creates a study Commission on Bullying in Schools, which has nine months to investigate the problem and make recommendations to the Governor and legislature for further legislation.

7. Requires schools post their anti-bullying policies on their websites, and to distribute their anti-bullying policies, within 120 days after enactment of the law."

Connecticut added gender to its hate crime statue in 2004 and hopefully Connecticut this year will join the growing lists of states with gender inclusive Anti-Discrimination statues.

Wow! Just Imagine!

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Their grammar is worst than mine and to bad they don't know how to spell totally or that its PhD not PH.

Manic Monday

Manic Monday for January 7, 2008

What was the last thing you regret buying?
Hmm… that is a hard question to answer. Off the top of my head I can’t think of anything, I usually only buy something if I need it. Maybe a top that I bought that was too small and I bought it because I liked the look, it went well with a pair of slacks that I have.

If you had a crystal ball that could tell you the truth about any one thing you wished to know about yourself, life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
Will I have regrets in ten years.

How do you know when you're in love?
To paraphrase Supreme Court judge Potter Stewart: I will know it when I see it. I do not think you can say; this is love. But love is something that you feel in your heart.

By the Way Sunday

~TV Watchers~

By the way...

If you're a TV watcher...

What is your favorite TV show of all time?
The Mary Tyler Moore Show

What is your current favorite TV show?
I really don’t have a favorite; I watch the CSI’s and Law & Order shows

Do you watch sitcoms? If so, what's your favorite?
I don’t watch sitcoms.

Of the 3 major networks, CBS, NBC, ABC, which do you watch the most?
Probably CBS but NBC is a close second.

What do you think of so-called reality TV?
I have never watched one, so I think that indicator of what I think of them.

If you had your own TV show what would you call it?
“The Trials and Tribulations of Diana”

Saturday Six - Episode 194

Patrick’s Place Saturday Six - Episode 194

1. Do you tend to write in manuscript, cursive, or a combination of the two?
Manuscript and that is hard enough to read. My cursive is even worst, you need a translator to read it :-)

2. When you were learning how to write in school, which letter gave you the most trouble?
That is lost in the fog of time , it was over fifty years ago.

3. If you could redesign any cursive letter, which would you choose and why?
R’s and N’s for me they come out looking the same.

4. Do you consider your handwriting to be more neat or less neat than the average person’s?
Average.

5. When you sign your normal signature, roughly what percentage of the letters in your name (as you sign it) are clearly legible?
My first name is legible and the first and last letter of my last name. My first name is legible because I haven’t been writing it for that long of time.

6. Take one more quiz: What does your handwriting say about you?

What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are highly energetic. You are a passionate, intense, vigorous person. You are reserved and not very outgoing. You are deeply thoughtful and introspective. You have a lot of control over your actions and emotions. You are balanced and grounded. You know how to get along well with others. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are a free thinker. You are unique, open minded, and artistic. You don't care what other people think. You are a poor communicator. No one really knows exactly what you're getting at.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

Friday Fill-Ins #53

Friday Fill-Ins by Fond of Snape

1. This year, I’d like to __________.
2. ___________ is what I daydream about most.
3. My _________ is a __________.
4. I would like to have more ____________ in my life.
5. I love to have lots of ___________ around the house.
6. _____________ makes me smile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to ________, tomorrow my plans include __________________ and Sunday, _______________.

1. This year, I’d like to go to the cottage more.
2. Winning Powerball is what I daydream about most.
3. My problem is a lack of motivation to clean the house.
4. I would like to have more romance in my life.
5. I love to have lots of friends around the house.
6. A baby’s smile makes me smile.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include more reading and Sunday, go hiking with a friend. (Notice I did say anything about cleaning.)

The Joys of Being a Media Spokesperson.

Over the holiday week, someone who I will not name gave an interview to a reporter and she said some rather mean things about the trans-community. She expressed her view that we were “All men in Dresses” and that Barney Frank and the HRC was justified in pushing the non-inclusive ENDA. All this was from a person who just nine months earlier was extolling the virtues of the inclusive ENDA and how she found the open support of the trans-community. What changed in nine months?

I feel that it sounds like depression has set in; she is facing the reality of not having a job, not being able to support her family and not having any of her family or friends for support. Sitting at home day after day waiting for a job offer to come in and never hearing one reply and going from a high six figure salary down to unemployment insurance, you just have to be asking yourself, did I do right thing? I feel that she is lashing out at everyone and everything; that she is wallowing in self-doubt and questioning her judgment.

Depression is a many-headed Hydra beast that this community knows all too well. I think everyone in our community has felt it bite; I know I have many, many times. But I am not in the national news and what I say does not get plastered all over CNN, Fox and the other news organization. When you have the national media thrush at you, what ever you say defines the community for better or worst. I think she should have known better, and keep her mouth shut; even I know that when I speak to a reporter I must guard my words.

I wish she kept her mouth shut, but I am not going to crucify her. She became a national celebrity over night. How many of us could take the spotlight as she has done and still come out of the meat grinder whole?

Happy New Year!

I wish you all happy and prosperous New Year. I hope that all your resolutions come true.
Last year was a good year for me; I had many good times and I had some bad times. I have had several milestones that only time will show if they were for the better.

Peace.