Last night Ann and I attended a party of sorts for "transgendered" people. It was an interesting mix of Trans people and crossdressers. There was some pretty good food there, lots of variety.
I don't usually care for "mixed" crowds, but we had a mission last night. Two people who stand out in our local soceity were finallly recongnized.
First: Ricki Liff was presented the award for "Transwoman of the Year". She spoke on the need for people to show up when we are campaigning for our rights. She had a total hip replacement less than two months ago. What a woman! She was funny, and most gracious. She explained why we are never permanently stealth. For example, when one applies for Social Security benefits at age 65, one must show ALL birth certificates, thereby outing oneself all over again. It's an unjust paper trail that haunts us for life.
Second: Dr Kathleen Farrell, renowned gender therapist was awarded special thanks for her work with Trans folk in Pinellas County, FL, over the last 23 years. She stated that her work with Trans people has been the most meaningful of her life. She went on to say that we need to show up when our rights are being sought, not hide in the corner, and let someone else do it.
Janice Carney spoke, and presented an eloquent plea for assistance to Equality Florida for their insistence that no equal rights legislation be drafted that does not include gender identity and expression. One of its members (I missed his name) stood up and pledged EF's allegiance to Trans people in all their efforts.
A young man (I won't use his name here, I don't have his permission) who is Trans told us that he had just gotten a job because of President Obama's Stimulus Package. He had been out of work since last August, having been fired because he is Trans.
