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#1

Member Blogs / Re: Courtney's life begins her...

Last post by Paulie - Today at 11:24:59 PM

Dear Courtney,

Thanks for sharing your Keystone story, I love happy endings.

Warm Regards,
Paulie.

#2

Member Blogs / Re: Allie's Blog IV: Revenge o...

Last post by imallie - Today at 10:23:49 PM

I said something similar when invited for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I don't want the attention on me asking questions and such. That wasn't the point of getting together. Turns out my parents didn't even want a family celebration. They went alone to dinner, drove through Rocky Mountain National Park (their favorite), and were home by dark.

Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate a long successful marriage, Lori!

One thing that has been on my mind, mostly because next up is telling our friends, is that one of my oldest and dearest friends (we each served as best man at each other's wedding if that tells you anything) has a son who is getting married this summer.

That seems "fraught" to say the least. But I am not going to waste time now worrying about it. Those were the kinds of things, however, that before starting therapy, back when I thought I would shoulder this burden on my own for the rest of my life... that I would list as the "reasons" I could not tell anyone.

Because admitting who I am and taking steps to live that way would make life messy and complicated.

But what I've come to realize?

When I look back at my life up to this point, most of my favorite memories either start, finish or at least involve "messy" and/or "complicated."  And so long as I always make sure to keep the feelings of those around me at top of mind, I shouldn't fear it.

#3

Arts & Entertainment News / Re: Judith Butler Knows What M...

Last post by LoriDee - Today at 09:58:18 PM

I don't know the total number of athletes in schools in South Dakota, but we only had one that was transgender. And yet Queen Kristi Noem issued Executive Orders to ban transgender athletes from girls' sports. The NCAA then informed the Queen that since her policy violates the NCAA policy of inclusion and non-discrimination, they would no longer hold any competitions in this state. The legislature panicked because our state lives off sales tax revenue (no state income tax). The state would lose millions of tourist dollars. Queen Kristi gave in and dropped the EOs.

All over ONE transgender athlete in school sports.

#4

Member Blogs / Re: Courtney's life begins her...

Last post by LoriDee - Today at 09:41:41 PM

That is a wonderful story, Courtney. I know that feeling of putting on a wig and seeing that woman in the mirror. Wow, she is gorgeous! Oh, that's me. I see me in there!

#5

Member Blogs / Re: Allie's Blog IV: Revenge o...

Last post by LoriDee - Today at 09:34:35 PM

I said something similar when invited for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I don't want the attention on me asking questions and such. That wasn't the point of getting together. Turns out my parents didn't even want a family celebration. They went alone to dinner, drove through Rocky Mountain National Park (their favorite), and were home by dark.

#6

Member Blogs / Re: A day in the life of Jessi...

Last post by Jessica_K - Today at 08:51:45 PM

It's 2:30am and I am wide awake again.

I know I am depressed and this is why I cannot sleep. Things here in the UK are getting worse and worse. Every day the press are doing hatchet jobs against trans people, they are now going after the doctors that help, attempting ton force them to stop and storing up the mob to shut them down.

The latest is going after one of the rare GP's that proscribe HRT and blockers to under 25's. The whole practice is pro trans, but The Telegraph picks on the tdoctor that just happens to be trans himself implying he is corrupting the children. Day after day it's relentless.

MP, are calling for a public enquiry into the adult trans care with the obvious fit up that was done by the Cass report to ban trans care for adults. They are going after the gender rights act, the UK human rights act. It's open season on trans people who just want to be left alone.

There is no one on our side, and those that are hounded by the press and the government. It's big business from the US that's funding the hatred. The same that has taken over the right wing GOP states.

I waited so long to start to live my life as I wanted. I thought the tide had turned, gay marriage had pushed the way. Rights for trans people meant I would not lose my job, be discriminated against, forced out of my house, these were the things of the past. But it's all likely to come back.

And guess what? Some of the worse anti trans people are gay and lesbian. You would really think that with what they went through would mean they were sympathetic to us.

I really hope this all goes away, never happens, all blows over in time. But time is not on my side.

I am glad I have here to write my story. One day I will not be here and at least I have it written down.

Jessica

#7

Member Blogs / Re: Allie's Blog IV: Revenge o...

Last post by imallie - Today at 08:21:51 PM

Two nearly immediate responses - both really loving and wonderful. So that's nice.

As much as anything it's nice they were emails to the both of us (which was the goal of the way this version of the email was crafted) and hopefully will not blow up my wife's day tomorrow. Love and support are great, but hopefully she isn't inundated with sibs trying to call.

——-
Oh by the way, speaking of people reaching out to my wife...

My niece (she of two weekend's ago gender reveal) reached out to her today to discuss the baby shower. And she said to tell me that I'm more than welcome to come and she'd love to have me there if I wanted to be there... and all wonderful stuff.

My wife always describes those things as being about as much fun as a root canal. So while I greatly appreciate her thinking of me, of course I would really have no interest in going. Plus, in all honesty, my going would do nothing but draw attention from my niece... and while I know she is inviting me, that's still not very nice.

A year from now? Were the same invitation offered? It might be a different discussion and result. But for now it's a clear "very flattering to be asked, but I don't think it's a good idea."

#8

Member Blogs / Re: Allie's Blog IV: Revenge o...

Last post by imallie - Today at 07:20:56 PM

And ... phase II begins.

We just sent the revised email to my wife's siblings.

I feel like those old coffee commercials from the 70's -

"we've secretly replaced an email about dinner plans on Saturday to seven people with one announcing a gender transition. Let's see what happens next..."

[Elliot Page Laments 'Overwhelming Tactics' of Anti-Trans Attacks: 'Just Pushing People Out of Life']

#9

Arts & Entertainment News / Elliot Page Laments 'Overwhelm...

Last post by Jessica_Rose - Today at 07:06:09 PM

Elliot Page Laments 'Overwhelming Tactics' of Anti-Trans Attacks: 'Just Pushing People Out of Life'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/elliot-page-laments-overwhelming-tactics-of-anti-trans-attacks-just-pushing-people-out-of-life/ar-AA1nFtKX?ocid=windirect&cvid=575d1688c15a4fcf9a07ddc60b33a70a&ei=47

Story by Charlotte Phillipp, Tabitha Parent (25 April 2024)

The Canadian-born actor spoke candidly about his activism, telling Time editor Sam Lansky during the panel that he shared the fears that many other trans activists share about the rolling back of protections for trans people, specifically in Alberta. He also told Lansky that he can see similarities between the anti-trans legislation in the U.S. and Canada.

"It's the same unfortunately right now, overwhelming tactic of these attacks coming from all sides in terms of trans existence, whether it's healthcare, ID, use of bathrooms, the ability to play sports, et cetera," Page said. "Just pushing people out of life."

Responding to a question from Lansky about how the fight for trans rights and bodily autonomy in legislation might be related, Page noted that these these things are "something that empowers."

"...It's about finding connection between these movements because they are all connected, right?" the actor said. "It's bodily autonomy, being able to have control over your body, over your life, over your future. That's, of course, something that empowers, that toxic systems of power and oppression are going to go after. Those fights and resistance movements are absolutely connected, so hopefully we can see more coalition."

#10

Member Blogs / Re: Allie's Blog IV: Revenge o...

Last post by imallie - Today at 02:28:37 PM

Psychotic break? Some anger/fear that's festered and festered and poisoned all of him? Of course, I don't know.

I do know what it's like to have an angry brother. My angry brother died a few years ago, smoking crack laced with fentanyl. The only time I ever saw him was when I made the effort and even then, he'd be mad at me for X, Y, and Z. Forever angry. Decades and decades of anger. So, I do know a bit about your situation.

Atta, Allie.

Breaks my heart to hear about your brother. So sad and so sorry.

At least with mine, as unlikely though it is, there always remains the germ of hope. With each of my parents' death I'm sure some part of him regretted not making amends. And I assume too that he'd very much like to reenter the family, but pride and ego have long since cemented his position.

Speaking from experience ... heck, the kind of experience many if not most of us here share ... I wish he understood that enduring the possibility of an awkward or uncomfortable exchange lasting a few minutes could open up so much joy thereafter.