Jenn's Journey, Part 2

[Lori Dee ✅]

@Jenn104

I love that, Halloween Karen! 😆

I suspect Salem is full of witches this time of year. My next-door neighbor wants to develop an app called a Witch Detector. It will just randomly sound an alarm for no reason. That could be hilarious in a shopping center. Not so much while driving. 😁

(FYI = Imgur is now blocking links to the UK, so some of us are moving to other image hosts like Flickr or Photobucket.)

[Jenn104]

First-- Happy New Year to all. May everyone find what they need in the new year.

Me? I continue to be busy AF. I'd stepped down from my local pride board a few months back... and jumped into a few other commitments to local non-profits. Plus work has been steady, if not downright busy. I am back on my bike, working hard. I do ride my road bike inside  on a trainer through the winter. I am mulling a second go at the distance ride I did in 2024. The race runs under UCI rules, which are decidedly anti-trans. I am in a back and forth with the  race organizers about my safety on the course, should I participate. its tbd

After  many many many bumps on the road with the kids, things are feeling normal, good even. I continue to work on listening to them more effectively which has been the key.

Yep. I date. More than I thought I would have the opportunity to, less than I want to.  C'est la vie. I am more or less the single friend with my besties.

I  have  a case in the backlog of the Mass Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD"). I offered mediation a few weeks ago. I expect the offer to be declined. Sadly. I'd like to apply restorative justice principles to my case. Definitely "taking money as a settlement" would be satisfying. After a lot of though, maybe educating a few people would be more valuable.  we'll see how it shakes out

If anyone is going to first event and would like to meet, lmk. First Event isn't my cuppa, for many reasons, although it was  a valuable experience a few years back.

Oh and to the mods and Susan-- you should be proud of yourselves. In an insane world, people who might no have all the outlets they need offline still have this website. It has a lot of value. Well done.

~Jenn

[Lori Dee ✅]

It sounds like things are going well, and the speed bumps are smoothing out. That is wonderful news. In your case, sometimes taking a lot of money does educate people, as long as there is no NDA. Hitting them in the wallet hurts more.

Happy New Year!

[ChrissyRyan]

Happy new year Jenn!


Chrissy

[davina61]

Best wishes for the new year my dear.

[Jenn104]

... sometimes taking a lot of money does educate people, as long as there is no NDA. Hitting them in the wallet hurts more.

The point of restorative justice is not punishment or hurting them. The concept is to open a frank and honest dialogue about what happened, how we each felt, what could have gone differently. To each share our perspectives and come to a better understanding of each other.

"Hurting people" financially, forcing them to sit through a class... or any punitive action will just reinforce prejudices, at least in my opinion. Frankly - and more crassly - I wouldn't get significant money anyway. I  do hope at least  one person can see me differently. By seeing  me differently, that -perhaps, perhaps not - changes perceptions about the larger trans community.

lecture mode off

~Jenn

[Lori Dee ✅]

The point of restorative justice is not punishment or hurting them. The concept is to open a frank and honest dialogue about what happened, how we each felt, what could have gone differently. To each share our perspectives and come to a better understanding of each other.

You are absolutely right on this. This is always the best route. Thanks!

[Jenn104]

thank you to all for the birthday wishes. public and private.


I continue to lead a busy life--- maybe too busy for my own good. I speak publicly; June was a hectic month. I left the queer non-profit over differences in goals and activism. I give time to a different queer oriented group, plus hours at my local food pantry. I am a board member of a different non-profit now, altho decline details for reasons of privacy. No one there cares I am trans, just that I do my work as a board member.

My kids and I are in a good spot. My ex and I have thawed things as well.

I date but get put in the friend zone more often than not. It's cool. Dating after years of estrogen is truly remarkable. I have a few people I've dated I just hang out with, without pressure of "dating". Oh, if not clear, I date girls. I have a very different sex drive now, really focused on the emotional connections. Altho almost 2 years post-op I can verify my -erm- plumbing works kick-butt well. thank you.

I might be in the best shape of my life. Although I am not a waif, as it goes. Cycling, walking, and yoga are all in the mix. "full on" cycling weeks are 80-100 miles, "rest weeks" are 50-60 miles. I did just short of my age in miles on my road bike in 100F heat on my birthday. The got a flat about a mile from my house, so I called it a day. My cycling friends are my chosen family. While I have a strong relationship with my kids and mom, my cycling fam is tight. We are fun, we are supportive, we there for each other

be well and stay cool

~Jenn