Holy smokes! How'd I end up involved in all this!

[ThePhoenix]

Today I am drafting content for my org's website, which is very much under construction and largely blank at www.transunity.net.  One thing I've learned about doing community activism is that you can quickly get carried away and discover that you're involved in doing a lot more than you expected, desired, wanted, or ever thought you would be doing.  So writing a draft "about us" page has had that impact for me today.  It doesn't include the things I do outside of my org.  But it does summarize everything I and our volunteer staff is up to.  And it's more than I realized. 

So, without further ado, here is my first draft of that page's text, which has been circulated for revision among our other organizers and may end up very heavily edited before it is done.  The email addresses are all public, so I will leave them in.  Anyone who wants to contact us is always welcome.

========

Maryland Trans*Unity is a all-volunteer community building organization serving trans* people of all identities.  Our mission to provide an interactive, supportive community that welcomes all trans* people, and allies, including children into a safe space.  We launched as a support group on Labor Day Weekend 2012.  Now we are the largest trans* focused organization in Montgomery County, Maryland and among the largest trans* focused organizations in Maryland.  In addition, through our relationship with the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community, <link to http://www.thedccenter.org>, we are present in the District of Columbia as well.  The majority of our participants come from Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia, but it is not unusual to encounter participants in our events from far more distant locales.

Our name derives from the fact that we are located in Maryland, we are inclusive of all parts of the trans* spectrum, and we all are united with one another for our mutual support.  Everyone is welcome to participate in our programs.  This includes people who identify as transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, crossdressers, non-transitioners, detransitioners, retransitioners, agender, bigender, pangender, gender->-bleeped-<-, ->-bleeped-<-, or any other identity under the trans* umbrella.  We encourage and welcome participation from allies of the trans* community.  All of our programs are inclusive of non-transgender people as well.  We only ask that all participants preserve the safe environment for everyone.

Maryland Trans*Unity programs are conducted according to the following four Trans*Unity Guiding Principles:

We accept anyone who comes with sincerity and kindness of heart.  We do this because we are so often rejected.
We respect the identity of everyone.  We do this because our identities are so often disregarded.
We protect the confidentiality of those who come here.  We do this because our confidences are so often violated.
Above all, we do our utmost to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for those who come together with us.  We do this because the world is so often not safe for us.
We offer the following programs:

Trans*Unity Support Group:  Meeting on the first and third Sunday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Bethesda, Maryland.  Nearest metro station:  Medical Center.  Ride On Bus 34 serves this location with its stop at the corner of Cedar Lane and Beach Drive.

Our support group includes a wide mix of identities.  We are inclusive of all ages, identities, race, religions and personal backgrounds.  Unlike many groups in the area, we spend very little time discussing how to go about transitioning and we seldom talk about clothing, politics, or similar concerns.  Our focus is on the emotional trials that are common to virtually all trans* identities and to the friends, family, and supporters of trans* people.

We are supported by the active participation of trained local therapists.  Many therapists in the area refer their trans* clients to us. 

For more information, email marylandtransunity@gmail.com.

Trans*Unity Mentorship:  Our mentorship program coordinators facilitate one-on-one connections between Trans*Unity participants.  We match based on our mentors' stated willingness to mentor in particular areas or to mentor particular identities, and our mentees' stated desire to be mentored in particular areas or by a particular identity.  Once matched with one another, mentors and mentees guide their own relationships.

For more information, see our mentorship page <link> or email mdtransunitymentors@gmail.com. 

Trans*Unity Social Events:  Our annual picnic is the largest annual gathering of trans* people and allies in the region.  We invite trans* people and allies from the entire State of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.  We come together to eat a large potluck meal, to play games, and enjoy conversation in a safe space where no one need fear judgment based on their identity or presentation.  This picnic is held around Labor Day and doubles as the Trans*Unity birthday celebration.  All are welcome. 

In addition, occasional ad hoc social events are held throughout the year.

For more information, email mdtransunityevents@gmail.com.

Trans* Support Network:  A listserv for those in the Maryland, D.C,, or Northern Virginia  who are working to support trans* people.  The purpose of the Trans* Support Network is to improve support services available to the transgender, gender queer, gender nonconforming, and ally ("trans*") community and family members by promoting cooperative relationships and collaboration among people who provide support services to the trans* community in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia.

The members of the Trans* Support Network are past and present support group facilitators, mental health professionals, social workers, ministers, lawyers, community center leaders, and other providers of support to the trans* community.

Uses of the Trans* Support Network include collaborating for participation in regional Pride events, requests for legal, medical, or other professional assistance needed by any member or trans* person, discussion about situations that come up in support groups, or virtually any other form of collaboration or discussion.

For more information, email marylandtransunity@gmail.com. 

Trans*Unity Speakers and Advocates:  We are frequently asked to provide speakers or to participate in advocacy activities throughout the Baltimore/D.C. area.  Although we do not have a formal speakers bureau or advocacy program, our founders and several of our leaders and members are experienced speakers about trans* and ally issues and have both experience and a desire to advocate for the trans* community and it's allies.  We are generally happy to make ourselves available to support anything that promotes a safer, more accepting community, including education programs, community discussions, or other events.

For information, or to contact a potential speaker, email marylandtransunity@gmail.com.

[suzifrommd]

Would it be better to give your mission statements and have a bunch of links to other pages? Something like:

We are a... Our mission is to provide...

• Our History
• Who we serve
• Our guiding principles
• Where we meet
• Membership program
• Unity events
• Contact us
• ...

[ThePhoenix]

Would it be better to give your mission statements and have a bunch of links to other pages? Something like:

We are a... Our mission is to provide...

• Our History
• Who we serve
• Our guiding principles
• Where we meet
• Membership program
• Unity events
• Contact us
• ...

We will probably have to include some sort of index like that.  I'm not sure if links to another page are the right way to do that.  I think we may have a small limit on the number of pages we are allowed to have.   I need to talk to our webmaster about that.  Our webmaster is in China, so discussions about these things tend to go s l o w l y. 

We do have very limited resources.  In fact, our annual budget is zero.  So I guess the shows that a lot can be done with very thin resources, as long as you have people who care. 

[Hayley]

Would it be better to give your mission statements and have a bunch of links to other pages? Something like:

We are a... Our mission is to provide...

• Our History
• Who we serve
• Our guiding principles
• Where we meet
• Membership program
• Unity events
• Contact us
• ...

I agree with Suzi in terms of layout. My only concern and this may just be my own issues is use of the term "->-bleeped-<-" is that ever not derogatory? In all honesty I don't like the term so if I am incorrect I apologize. Anyway I am still excited to attend the next meeting.

[Ms Grace]

Less is more...especially on websites!

[EllieM]

Coupla things...
I had a look at your index page, looks fine to me. I would agree with Ms Grace, less is more. The subtopics that Suzi suggested would all fit comfortably within the links you provide adjacent to your logo. Good luck with it. I hope you not a full time IT person, it can be daunting if you don't get to take a break from Screen Land.

[ThePhoenix]

I agree with Suzi in terms of layout. My only concern and this may just be my own issues is use of the term "->-bleeped-<-" is that ever not derogatory? In all honesty I don't like the term so if I am incorrect I apologize. Anyway I am still excited to attend the next meeting.

In my opinion, the short answer to that question is "yes."  There are people who identify with that term and use it in a non-derogatory way to describe themselves.  We have at least one such poster on Susan's. 

When we started Trans*Unity, one of the things we wanted to do was create a safe haven for people who are misunderstood and stigmatized even within the trans* community.  So when we say we accept everyone, we really do mean _everyone_.  No exceptions.  If you're there to be nice, then you are welcome.  Period. 

As a consequence, we attract quite a lot of non-binary identified persons who find themselves facing hostile questioning, misunderstanding, and other such issues in other groups that are very binary.  We are a real mix of different identities.  And those that are seen as perjorativeor otherwise bad are welcome with us.

But not all groups can be meet all needs, unfortunately.  Those who are uncomfortable with people who are different from themselves or who have rigid ideas of what it means to be trans*, or who fit within the "more trans* than thou" type of mindset may find that they are less comfortable with us.  They will still be welcome.  But they may prefer other places that are more aligned with their ideas. 

[Jess42]

Me personally, I don't find the word ->-bleeped-<- derogatory or any of the other ones. The only negativity is the context in which its used. You can call someone an angel and in the right context could be an insult. Being called an "It" is really the only word I find extremely insulting. If anyone doesn't like me fine but don't make me into something instead of someone. Plus let's not forget our sisters working in an industry that some may find degrading, they are doing what they do to get by and make a living and ->-bleeped-<- is often used as a description of them. But then again I'm not easily offended, it wastes too much energy.

[Hayley]

From our talks prior I admire you ThePhoenix and the fact that you were able to put a support group together and have it survive nearly 2 years is great. I wasn't looking at it from a personal view despite saying I dislike the term. I was looking at it as a person who was reading your site/info. Someone looking for a support group might be turned away reading that. A term that is generally treated as derogatory shouldn't be in a mission statement. You have to think about people who do not understand your view on said term. Not including it doesn't alienate people who identify as such because they are included under the trans* umbrella. But including it alienates people who are offended and possibly triggered by the term. I believe that a website is an advertising tool, just like any logo or flyer, really anything. You advertise the best you can. Turning away perspective clients (members) is never a good thing. I realize that this is a support group and not a business but you are in the market place of helping people by letting them have a safe place to discuss issues and advertising effects how well you are viewed by a community.

Me personally, I don't find the word ->-bleeped-<- derogatory or any of the other ones. The only negativity is the context in which its used. You can call someone an angel and in the right context could be an insult. Being called an "It" is really the only word I find extremely insulting. If anyone doesn't like me fine but don't make me into something instead of someone. Plus let's not forget our sisters working in an industry that some may find degrading, they are doing what they do to get by and make a living and ->-bleeped-<- is often used as a description of them. But then again I'm not easily offended, it wastes too much energy.

I have no issue with how someone makes a living as long as they aren't destroying others' lives in the process. Our sisters who are in the sex trade are no exception. Their jobs are their jobs it doesn't make them who they are. I do not find their work degrading or the industry they work in to be degrading it is a business. That doesn't stop the term from being generally regarded as degrading towards us. People do not speak the term with endearment for the most part. They use it as a term for sexual objectification. Either way hopefully I didn't offend anyone I wasn't trying to derail this thread or anything.

[Jamie D]

Phoenix, congratulations on your ambitious project.

[Jess42]

I have no issue with how someone makes a living as long as they aren't destroying others' lives in the process. Our sisters who are in the sex trade are no exception. Their jobs are their jobs it doesn't make them who they are. I do not find their work degrading or the industry they work in to be degrading it is a business. That doesn't stop the term from being generally regarded as degrading towards us. People do not speak the term with endearment for the most part. They use it as a term for sexual objectification. Either way hopefully I didn't offend anyone I wasn't trying to derail this thread or anything.

No offense, pretty much I think I may be unoffensable but I think I do my fair share of offending sometimes. As for the sexual objectification though, welcome to the happy world of being a woman, that is one of the thing that all women have to deal with and have dealt with throughout time whether trans or cis.

Phoenix, is there any chance that your organization may go on to a national level later on with different chapters in different states? Or is it too early to tell?

[ThePhoenix]

From our talks prior I admire you ThePhoenix and the fact that you were able to put a support group together and have it survive nearly 2 years is great.

Awwwww thanks.  It's actually been a whole lot more successful than we ever expected.  It started as just a support group.  We had about 12 people come to the first meeting out of curiosity.  Then it dwindled down to about 4 people by the second or third meeting.  And then just exploded.  And people started getting fired up wanting to actually do things.  It's kind of had my head spinning. 

For the record though, don't think too highly of me.  I have my flaws.  My ability to be a little too sharp and cutting in my comments, for one.  So thinking too highly of me is a path to disappointment.  I learned that lesson when I heard about how awesome Dana Beyer was and then met her, finding that the famed activist I was meeting was not nearly what she was cracked up to be.  I felt very let down. 

I wasn't looking at it from a personal view despite saying I dislike the term. I was looking at it as a person who was reading your site/info. Someone looking for a support group might be turned away reading that. A term that is generally treated as derogatory shouldn't be in a mission statement. You have to think about people who do not understand your view on said term. Not including it doesn't alienate people who identify as such because they are included under the trans* umbrella. But including it alienates people who are offended and possibly triggered by the term. I believe that a website is an advertising tool, just like any logo or flyer, really anything. You advertise the best you can. Turning away perspective clients (members) is never a good thing. I realize that this is a support group and not a business but you are in the market place of helping people by letting them have a safe place to discuss issues and advertising effects how well you are viewed by a community.

This is a good, very fair point.  When I talk to the community (e.g. my TDOR speech I posted elsewhere), I tend to include those stigmatized identities because it's a powerful way to make the point that EVERYONE is included and to highlight the fact that the trans* community itself can be rather exclusionary.

Trans*Unity, frankly, does not need advertising.  We've done pretty well with word of mouth alone and it has let us keep our support group, in particular, small.  That's important because it gives everyone a chance to speak.  Frankly, the bigger worry in my opinion is the recurring pressure on us to launch as a national org.  That is something I'm not up for, but I keep getting asked for that as well as having people ask for Trans*Unity chapters elsewhere. 

But, at the same time, we want inclusion and don't want to suggest to the world that we are a bunch of people who don't know better than to use particular words. 

On still a third hand, however, we don't want to give those who are usually excluded from trans* spaces that they are excluded from ours.  Sometimes you really need to come right out and name those who are welcome so they will know. 

I guess this is a long way of saying that I will give it more thought and so,I it some input from other organizers.

I have no issue with how someone makes a living as long as they aren't destroying others' lives in the process. Our sisters who are in the sex trade are no exception. Their jobs are their jobs it doesn't make them who they are. I do not find their work degrading or the industry they work in to be degrading it is a business. That doesn't stop the term from being generally regarded as degrading towards us. People do not speak the term with endearment for the most part. They use it as a term for sexual objectification. Either way hopefully I didn't offend anyone I wasn't trying to derail this thread or anything.

No offense taken here.  And I certainly didn't get the idea you were trying to derail anything.  I hope others will not jump on the word and derail it either.  Honestly, I was just kind of wowing at how much we are getting done and felt like sharing how wide-eyed writing this left me.  But I'm glad for the website suggestions too.  I am not an IT person or a we designer, so I'm glad to receive tips!

[ThePhoenix]

Phoenix, is there any chance that your organization may go on to a national level later on with different chapters in different states? Or is it too early to tell?

You wouldn't believe how many people have asked us to do exactly that . . . We run out of Bethesda, but we've been asked for chapters in D.C., Virginia, New York, Baltimore, and probably other places I'm forgetting at the moment. 

The idea has been talked about several times and we did take some tentative steps in that direction at one point last year.  But we ultimately abandoned the project.  There are three problems. 

First is just a basic lack of people to do it.  You need some good, sound leaders who really grasp and internalize the vision.  We have people for whom the four principles have become very meaningful and important.  We have people who wholeheartedly embrace the vision.  But we don't have people who really know how to do something like that. 

The second problem is me.  I've written a bunch of times about how little I like attention.  I would probably flip out for a while if I had all the attention focused on me that would come from leading a national org.  It's really not what I want.  And at some point I do have to be a little bit selfish about trying to lead a life that makes me happy.  What makes me happy is growing hot peppers.  Not leading national movements.  See my Sherman declaration about my leadership of the trans* community in the thread about my TDOR speech.

Third, we've got something special going on.  Honestly, I'm really afraid we'd lose it if we tried to mass produce it.

So the leading idea right now is to put together a Trans*Unity handbook and start a Trans*Unity association that independent groups based on ours could join.  All groups would be independent, there would be no central body, and the reality is that a lot of them might miss the point of what we're doing.  But it's a way to try and share whatever we have that might be useful to others.  One of our other organizers described this as creating an "open source support group."  The Association would just be a way to connect everyone who is doing this and create a space to communicate with one another.  That way if, for example, a person was moving out of town, they could see if there was another group in the Trans*Unity Association and try that group.

This sort of thing has already sort of happened in that the First Friday group at the DC Center is modeled on ours.  But it also misses the point of ours, so the imitation is rather poor because people don't grasp the point.  People from the Maryland group do facilitate the D.C. Group, but it is just some of our attendees.  Not the trained facilitators. 

With that said, the usual problem exists here that exists with any all-volunteer org:  finding people who are willing and able to put in a lot of work to make it happen.   Probably drafting a manual means me doing most of the work.  In addition to facilitating the support group, supervising everything else we do, participating in other activities, building relationships with other orgs throughout the region, and trying to find a paying job.  So I'm spread kinda thin . . . .

[Rachel]

congratulations on the trans* Unity project.

[Jess42]

You wouldn't believe how many people have asked us to do exactly that . . . We run out of Bethesda, but we've been asked for chapters in D.C., Virginia, New York, Baltimore, and probably other places I'm forgetting at the moment. 

The idea has been talked about several times and we did take some tentative steps in that direction at one point last year.  But we ultimately abandoned the project.  There are three problems. 

First is just a basic lack of people to do it.  You need some good, sound leaders who really grasp and internalize the vision.  We have people for whom the four principles have become very meaningful and important.  We have people who wholeheartedly embrace the vision.  But we don't have people who really know how to do something like that. 

The second problem is me.  I've written a bunch of times about how little I like attention.  I would probably flip out for a while if I had all the attention focused on me that would come from leading a national org.  It's really not what I want.  And at some point I do have to be a little bit selfish about trying to lead a life that makes me happy.  What makes me happy is growing hot peppers.  Not leading national movements.  See my Sherman declaration about my leadership of the trans* community in the thread about my TDOR speech.

Third, we've got something special going on.  Honestly, I'm really afraid we'd lose it if we tried to mass produce it.

So the leading idea right now is to put together a Trans*Unity handbook and start a Trans*Unity association that independent groups based on ours could join.  All groups would be independent, there would be no central body, and the reality is that a lot of them might miss the point of what we're doing.  But it's a way to try and share whatever we have that might be useful to others.  One of our other organizers described this as creating an "open source support group."  The Association would just be a way to connect everyone who is doing this and create a space to communicate with one another.  That way if, for example, a person was moving out of town, they could see if there was another group in the Trans*Unity Association and try that group.

This sort of thing has already sort of happened in that the First Friday group at the DC Center is modeled on ours.  But it also misses the point of ours, so the imitation is rather poor because people don't grasp the point.  People from the Maryland group do facilitate the D.C. Group, but it is just some of our attendees.  Not the trained facilitators. 

With that said, the usual problem exists here that exists with any all-volunteer org:  finding people who are willing and able to put in a lot of work to make it happen.   Probably drafting a manual means me doing most of the work.  In addition to facilitating the support group, supervising everything else we do, participating in other activities, building relationships with other orgs throughout the region, and trying to find a paying job.  So I'm spread kinda thin . . . .

I hear ya' on the attention thing Phoenix. Well I personally think the idea of other's following your lead while remain independent would be a good idea. But keep up the good work and hopefully more and more will get on board.

[suzifrommd]

Phoenix, is there any chance that your organization may go on to a national level later on with different chapters in different states? Or is it too early to tell?

Well, there's nothing to stop you from starting a similar organization in your area, right?

[ThePhoenix]

Well, there's nothing to stop you from starting a similar organization in your area, right?

There's not and I'd be happy to offer whatever help/support I could!  Our materials and such are free for the asking and I'm happy to give suggestions, advice, serve as a sounding board, or whatever else.  If it's in a location I realistically can get to, I'd even come talk about it, participate in some of the meetings, or whatever else would be useful.

[Jess42]

Well, there's nothing to stop you from starting a similar organization in your area, right?

Kinda' sorta. With a day job being on call 24 hrs and weekends spent 300 miles away from home spent with someone special if I am not working the fun job on the weekends, I just don't think I could swing something like that. I'd have to wait for retirement on that one suzi, then I'd love to do something like that.

[ThePhoenix]

I always hear lots of reasons from trans* people for why they can't do things.  They are too busy.  They are too poor.  They are too scared.  They are too whatever.  But allow me to get real and be a bit personal for a moment.

I lost my job because of who I am in June 2012.  I was not just fired, I was abused to the point I almost had to be psychiatrically hospitalized twice in the month and a half following transitioning at work.  It was the closest I have ever come to being destroyed as a human being.  I have not worked since then.  My unemployment is gone and I am in the process of applying for food stamps and public assistance to pay for electricity.  I don't have a family to lean on because they have rejected me too.  My legal career is almost certainly over and law degrees don't exactly give you many more options.  And when I lose my home and become homeless, the homeless shelters won't take me (I called and asked), so eventually I will probably end up dead.  I am in really deep kimchi.  I am far worse off than the overwhelming majority of people on this website and when we talk about deep, dark, paralyzingly depression and fear, you can believe that I sure do know about it from personal experience.

And I can do this.  So I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who are a lot better off than I am who give me all the reasons why they can't do anything.

It may be that people have other priorities and don't want to do it right now.  That's fine.  And no one is saying that everyone out there has to start a giant organization.  But let's be honest here.  If there's something in Trans*Unity, in the community, or anywhere else, then you (and most people) are in a far better position to pursue it, to get it, or just to do a little something about it than I am. 

People with up steady jobs, secure homes, and lives that are at no risk really need to stop looking at me to save them or make their lives better and start looking to themselves to do that.  I'm too busy trying to survive to do anything more than I already am.

I'm sorry to be frank about this.  But that's the way I see it. 

[Jess42]

I always hear lots of reasons from trans* people for why they can't do things.  They are too busy.  They are too poor.  They are too scared.  They are too whatever.  But allow me to get real and be a bit personal for a moment.

I lost my job because of who I am in June 2012.  I was not just fired, I was abused to the point I almost had to be psychiatrically hospitalized twice in the month and a half following transitioning at work.  It was the closest I have ever come to being destroyed as a human being.  I have not worked since then.  My unemployment is gone and I am in the process of applying for food stamps and public assistance to pay for electricity.  I don't have a family to lean on because they have rejected me too.  My legal career is almost certainly over and law degrees don't exactly give you many more options.  And when I lose my home and become homeless, the homeless shelters won't take me (I called and asked), so eventually I will probably end up dead.  I am in really deep kimchi.  I am far worse off than the overwhelming majority of people on this website and when we talk about deep, dark, paralyzingly depression and fear, you can believe that I sure do know about it from personal experience.

And I can do this.  So I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who are a lot better off than I am who give me all the reasons why they can't do anything.

It may be that people have other priorities and don't want to do it right now.  That's fine.  And no one is saying that everyone out there has to start a giant organization.  But let's be honest here.  If there's something in Trans*Unity, in the community, or anywhere else, then you (and most people) are in a far better position to pursue it, to get it, or just to do a little something about it than I am. 

People with up steady jobs, secure homes, and lives that are at no risk really need to stop looking at me to save them or make their lives better and start looking to themselves to do that.  I'm too busy trying to survive to do anything more than I already am.

I'm sorry to be frank about this.  But that's the way I see it.

I feel for you phoenix and like I said it is something that I would love to do when and if I ever reap the rewards of retirement. When I am on susans I am actually working waiting for a phone call, when that call comes in I got to go and be somewhere at a specific time. I may be away from home 4 to 36 hours. Those times I have no access to a computer and if I did there is no way that I could even use it. Waiting for a call, not knowing how long I will work or where I may even go, Alaska isn't even out of the question and I have been away from home for months at a time. When the weekends come I leave, spend some quality time with someone special which is a 7 hour drive one way so that takes up 14 or more hours depending on traffic of the 48 hour weekend which is my decompression time to relieve the anxiety from waiting and uncertainty of my day job. Plus on weekends I do gigs when they come up, that is even more stress relief but takes away time from that special someone because then it is practice, practice, practice, every scale pattern I use, all the solos I play all the riffs I play, getting together with the band and putting all elements together, Practice some more, checking equipment, changing strings, picking out clothing, figuring out the makeup I will wear and so on. Then loading up and driving to the gig, unloading, setting up and getting ready mentally and physically. I am there to entertain and really don't want to make a fool of myself other than acting crazy while actually doing the gig.

I am not making excuses but rather working for the future to a time that I have freetime enough to engage in something like this. I also am not a leader and can't organize things other than my own way which is very unorganized at the surface but make perfect sense to me. My job isn't steady, my fun job isn't steady and my life is fairly risky. As a matter of fact my day job is dangerous and some day I may not even make it home. As for being trans and careers, I chose mine for the simple fact that I can be trans without repercussions because I work alone. I deal with people on average1 hour per 10 hour trip, the rest of the time I can act as femme as I want to. Not too many people like doing what I do so there is no way that being LGBT will cause me any kind of grief. As for the music, that too I can be as far out there as I want to be without repercussions, as a matter of fact the more out there the more attention and the more curiosity.

We all do things different and prioritize different. Right now I am looking to a time while things are going somewhat good to a time that I will never have to leave the house again. You and everyone else that starts up something that helps the LGBT community, especially the T part of the equation have my utmost respect and thanks, but other's do things for the community to that may not be as big. Me, I play gigs as a female, trans of course. Even though I am not the front man or front person I do get noticed and the reactions are usually pretty positive. So I like to think that I put myself out there and actually putting a positive image on the trans aspect.

Like I said no excuses, just priorities right now and there are far more knowledgeable people, natural leaders and organizers that can do a way better job than me. As for websights, I wouldn't know where to start. Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you but we all have our specific skills and I truly try to use mine to advance a more positive light on being transgender. But starting an organization I have no experience or skill in that area and have the charisma of a rock so that for me is pretty much out of the question.