Can you imagine the hubris of thinking this is a topic anyone cares about.   

I may be vain, but oh well.  This afternoon I will be flying to Washington DC.  This will combine a data management conference that I am presenting at.  Seeing some friends that I have made here, and doing a bit of work for the trans community.

Next Friday I'm meeting staff from the EEOC with the expressed purpose of discussing what if anything can be done to provide relief and medical coverage to us beyond mere words.  Fight on Jessica, I'll try to have your back.  That evening I am meeting with a senior civil rights attorney and an academic to participate in research regarding trans acceptance in Federal Service.  Ill let you know how it all goes.  A lot may depend on the elections in November.  For heaven's sake vote, if the Senate flips, nothing good for us will happen.  This is a big deal for justice for the entire LGBT community, but particularly for us.

Saturday I get to spend some time with Suzi.  I am so looking forward to that, looking into the eyes of my brothers and sisters affirms who I am, and makes my heart soar.  I truly do love you people.  You share your souls with power and honesty and It is a rare privilege to be in your company.

Then it is off to Connecticut to spend the weekend with a gifted woman and musician who is an activist and remarkable friend to us.  Anyone near Danbury? Let me know.  Back to DC, and work, but then I get to go to Florida to see my beloved friend Patty before catching the red eye back to Seattle.

So if you're looking for me and I seem awol now you know.  I will actually try not to check in, because once here I might as well kiss a few hours goodbye.  You seem to have become both an avocation and are more than a little addictive.

Fair winds until I see you over the rainbow,

Julie

Julie

Sounds like a great trip and a full agenda!  Enjoy

Safe travels

Aisla

Have a good trip! I hope that a lot of productive things come from it.

Be safe baby and give those folks an earful for me! 

I am going to miss you lots! 

If you get close to a third world country, let me know. Be careful and safe travels.

Hi,
This is telephone typing so we'll see how it goes.  I am beyond tired, but wanted to write before I forgot everything.   I have spent the last two weeks working in DC.  Because of a happy fluke I had two four day weekends and only had to burn one leave day, so I had a chance to meet with my legal idol Melissa and a wonderful professor from John Jay college.  We spent almost five hours talking about what constitutes a transgender experience, the ramifications on public policy,  and how federal employees experience transition in the workplace.  Wow! Smart, effective people,  it humbles me.

So Friday it was off to the NE with a stop to meet and share brunch with Suzi.  Another amazing woman to talk to and to know.  The forums are a wonderful venue, but to hold each other's hands and see the beauty in a smile, is magical.  I wish we could all be so fortunate.   From that affirmation it was on to Connecticut and time with Kenia and Paula.   It is such a gift to talk to people who have lived authentically for most of a decade, and to one finally facing herself with open eyes and an open heart.

There is so much to learn, and for me the most powerful vector by far is contact.  I feel so blessed.  I spent this weekend in Florida with my dear friend Patty and her wonderful wife Kathy.  You know there are some people who actually glow with love and welcome.  I arrived as  both a friend and a stranger.   I left a sister.   There is so much power here it is awe inspiring .

Tonight I am back in DC, and if I am lucky will get to go home tomorrow.   I hope so, I am weary beyond measure,  but I did something impossibly dumb here and have to clear it up. (No I'm not going to jail, but I left a federal lap top on the metro, and hopefully can retrieve it tomorrow afternoon.)  Even so I am blessed, and this too shall pass. 

Today I went on what is for me a pilgrimage to see Mr. Lincoln in his temple on the Mall.  I have been there many times, and always am moved.  Today I felt the power of justice, enhanced by  courage and openly wept.  In nineteen eighty-eight, and again in two thousand - thirteen I was on the Mall for commemerations of the sixty-three March on Washington for justice and jobs.  Today I stood on the step where Dr. King spoke, and I saw the shadows of a multitude of people in rapt attention, proud and free.  Today I was proud. Today I was free.  Talking to you, holding your hands, seeing your eyes did that for me.  I intend and hope to make more pilgrimages.  I hope to meet many more of my sisters and brothers.   I crave the power of community.   I love you all

Peace,
Julie

Julie!!!! So good to hear from you!

With your description of your trip I almost feel like I am there myself. Thank you for the great update.

I will be soooo happy when you are back posting regularly. 

So sorry about your laptop, but how beautiful your description of your visit to the Lincoln Memorial.  D.C. was the city of my emergence (in 1973) and I try to visit whenever I can to honor the magical memories of my time there. 

Happy travels Julie!

I am at National airport, waiting on my flight home.  The people at metro lost and found went out of their way to help me, my.backpack computer and everything else was returned a couple of hours ago, and then the Gods of traffic parted the sea on I 395.  Nothing missing and I made my flight with time to spare.  The car rental people even gave me a break on the price!  I've been talking to the wonderful woman who turned it (my pack) in and have a new friend.  It is a wonderful affirmation of humanity and I am humbled.

There are times when I am glad to be a human.  This is one of them.

Peace,

Julie

Julie

Glad it worked out so well in the end.  Sometimes the good folk do enjoy good fortune

Safe travels

Aisla