I attended the local gay pride event in Clarksville, Tennessee on Saturday. If you havn't already I posted a review that I sent in to the local paper (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,3157.0.html). The one thing I did not mention in the letter to the editor was my personal meeting with Calpernia Addams.
I got to the festival early because I was working
as a volunteer. I helped setup the tables for the
vendors, cleaned up the concrete floor of the
pavilion where the birds being birds made a mess.
I helped inflate the rainbow balloons which were
tied onto the front of the pavilion facing the
road. After that I took a break for a bit
visiting with old friends who were attending that
day, and making new ones.
About 11am. I went into the VIP area for a water
and standing in the room was a man and a woman.
It took me a few minutes to figure out that the
woman was Calpernia Addams. She was not due to
speak till 3pm so I hadn't expected her to arrive
that early. I was over awed. She was the epitome
of femininity. If I did not already know that she
was a transsexual, I would have never guessed.
Not from appearance and not from her melodious
voice. If I can make it half as far as she has
gone in her transition I will be quite happy.
She introduced herself to me, and I told her who
I was. I also told her that I ran Susan's Place
Transgender Resources web site and asked her if
she had heard of it. Calpernia told me that in
fact she knew of the site. I explained the
purpose of the site and some of the various
sections it contained. At this point Calpernia
indicated that she wished to go out and mingle
some. Not wanting to be a pest I stood back and
followed her out. Many people recognized her and
asked for photographs and exchanged personal
comments with her.
I left her alone and made a run through the
pavilion to make sure nothing needed looking
after, and then headed out to my car, to see if I
could find one of my work business cards. I don't
have any cards for the web site which is
something I may have to get made. I ended up
finding one in the mess I call my trunk. So, I
wrote the www.susans.org web address on the back
and went back to locate Calpernia again.
Calpernia was still circulating around through
the crowd and graciously talking to everyone who
wished to do so. I caught up with her at the
Borders books stand where she was talking to the
clerks. She was later that day to do a book
signing for her biography which was titled Mark
947 which is a reference to the bible verse Mark
9:47.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is
better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God
with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast
into hell fire -- Mark 9:47
I will be writing a detailed review of her book in the next week or so.
Borders also had copies of the movie Soldier's
girl (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Soldier%27s_Girl) which is about her life and the tragedies
she has endured and overcome. I highly recommend
the movie, however be aware that it is very hard
to watch, especially for a transsexual. She later
signed both her book and DVD for me and I will
talk about the inscriptions she made in them in a
bit.
I waited until she was finished talking to the
clerks and did 2 book signings early then gave
her my business card with the website address. I
asked her to call me sometime, wanting to talk
about the transgender community, and
transgender resources on the net in general. I
then left her alone.
About 3:30pm Calpernia finally took the stage to
give her talk which I will not detail here. In
closing she invited people to come get books and
dvd's signed, chat, or just hug. So I intercepted
her on the way to the Borders stand and gave her
a big long hug for all the good she has done and
will do in the future, all the hurt she has
suffered through, all the bad times in the past,
and for the good ones yet to come. I said a few
things to her which are between her and I and
then left her alone to let others have their
moments with her.
I waited about forty five minutes for the crowd
to die down some and purchased a copy of her book
and a copy of Soldier's girl (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Soldier%27s_Girl). I owned a copy of the
movie in the past but had given mine to a
visiting friend. I took both to Calpernia and
asked her to sign them. I did not request a
specific inscription so what she wrote was
totally her decision. In the book she wrote
Susan,
Thank you for
all the work
you do. You
are helping
so many
people!
Love,
Calpernia
I was of course very honored when I read what she
wrote. I had not expected such a personal
inscription from someone who I had just met that
day. On the DVD she wrote a simpler message due
most likely to the limited space.
Thank you
Susan,
Love
Calpernia
♥
Both her book and the DVD are now among my most
treasured possessions. They are held in trust for
my staff because without them this site would not
be here. It would be too much to do by my self.
My personal thanks go out to Alison, Beth,
Brandi_W, Brenda, Debbee, Dennis, Elleane,
Emerald, Ilsa, KateAlice, Kelli, Kimberly, Leigh,
Rana, Peggiann, Reikirobyn, Sandi, Sarra,
Shelley, Stephanie Craxford, Terri Gene,
VeryGnawty, and to all the past staff members
Clarksville Pride had two raffle drawings one for
a very nice quilt, which I wish I had bought
tickets for. Another was for a Clarksville Pride
t-shirt which was signed by all the performers
and speakers that day. Lucky me, I won the
T-shirt so I took it over to Calpernia at the
Borders stand and sat it down in front of her.
She reached for it probally figuring that I
wished for her to sign it. I told her it was a
gift, a memento of the day and told her to wear
it in good health. She told me she would get it
scanned and post an image of it on her website. I
can't wait to see it :)
Around 5:00PM as the day was almost over I saw
Calpernia heading towards her car so I and
several other volunteers from the Pride festival
intercepted her and gave her hugs said our
goodbyes to her.
My opinion of Calpernia was high before meeting
her but after that day it's higher still. She's
has had a bit of fame and that usually changes
people for the worse. Calpernia however, well the
review I put on the link from my site to hers
when I got home says it all.
By: Susan Larson
I met Calpernia in person today and she was
the kindest, most gracious woman I have met
in a long time. She is a great ambassador
for the transgender community and to
everyone who meets her.
Date added: May 20, 2006
I now consider her a friend, I hope she considers
me one as well!
Wow Susan thats really great you got to meet her. I been to her site a couple of times and her photos do look great! I've also seen the movie Soldiers Girl, and I completly agree with you that its a hard watch.
Anyway congrats on your meeting her and reuniting with old friends.
Amber
That's great Susan. I guess it's been a while that you have been transitioning. You should post an updated picture so that we can see how much closer you look to Calpernia. :)
Melissa
Hi Susan
Written to your usuall high standard. I know you were excited befroe meeting Calpernia and well since you got back from the event you have been full of energy and enthusiasm. I know you wanted to meet her and talk to her and im glad you had the chance to do so. Im also glad it turned out to be such a great experiance for you and it ended up meeting your expectations and maybe exceeding them. The words she enscribed are echoed by all those who come to susans.org as if not for you alot of people would be lost in the world with little or no help for there journey in life as a tg. You have captured the monent and it was a pleasure to read as always.
Debbee
What a wonderful Post Susan. The thanks means a lot. Its easy to help out her because you are all family. The help , love and support everyone here gives makes it a honer to help out when ever I can.
Love,Hugs
Brandi
Well, Susan.
I'm glad you got to meet someone with so much fame. I have met people who are part of the transgender movement and I would love to meet you sometime. I'm not part of your staff or have I ever been. I have been on Susans for about 8 years I think. I know its been a long time. This forum and the people who I have talked to through the years have helped me through my transitioning. I thank you for your ability to keep this a place where we can talk without fear. To help us figure out that it is only fear that keeps us back. I thank you, Susan. Calpernia is a beautiful woman, I have seen her in person never met her, but you have helped a lot more people through the transitioning and getting their lives in order. You are amazing.
Love Sheila