Nancy-josephine Leah Morris
"Energetic!!!"
Journal Entries for Nancy-josephine Leah Morris
A TG Holiday Commentary from Nancy-Jo
December 26th, 2008 12:54 pm MST
Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands?
Hell No! - Street Level where I Live is 6000 Feet!
(A TG Holiday Commentary From Nancy-Jo)
This year, just as I have for the last couple of years, I spent Christmas totally alone. Aside from one homemade decoration that a dear co-worker from my job had given me (which got broken before I could even get it home), there was no sign that this festive season had ever come upon us - especially if you went by how my apartment looked. No lights, no Christmas tree; and definitely no presents.
So no - the gaily-illuminated house behind me in some of the e-card pics I sent out (sigh), is NOT mine at all!
Was I boycotting Christmas? Did I threaten Santa with a union picket at his Toy Factory, if he were to step foot upon my roof last night? Did I go heathen - and strike Jesus’ Birthday from my calendar of events to honor? Judging by the preposterous nature of those questions, those who actually know me well would surely know that none of the above could ever be true! It’s just that some people (like Trans-women who are also blatant Political Activists in a grossly-Conservative town), live in a personal no-man’s-land that few others are willing to walk alongside them in. Now before you dub this as some pathetic Prologue to a St. Nancy-Jo the Martyr Pity Party, please hear my point: During the Holidays, many Trans-folk find themselves completely forgotten. More often than not, their Families of Origin would consider their sudden, unannounced and totally transformed appearance at the huge, reunion-like festive feasts commonly held at this time to be a recipe for certain emotional disaster. So the hosts of these events in many cases just lie low, conveniently do not send THAT person an invitation - and hope they don’t show up anyway, lest the Grand-kids take to asking all kinds of hard questions; and someone who may have been nursing the spiked egg nog for far too long, gets way tempted to launch into a drunken Sermon against all Queerness! Hmmm - that’s definitely NOT the stuff which commonly passes as good ti-dings of com-fort and joy, comfort and joy...! Other Trans-folk who blossomed later in life may likewise lose the fellowship of the very families they built, supported and eventually saw off with the help of a now ex-spouse who, despite all that, would just as soon see them dead and gone. So all the love that once used to flourish in those relationships appears now and forever to be away in a manger! But what of excellent friends and associates? Well, a lot of them DO have families that they can and will spend quality time with during these Tradition-filled days. Many of these are strong Allies to their Transgender friends - and will be secure enough in their psyche or ego to invite that forlorn friend into their family-fest; but a lot of times, quite due to the hectic nature of the Yule Season, even they just innocently forget. Winter sicknesses can also steal away wonderful social opportunities at local houses of worship or even bars and clubs. Actually, that was the Temporary Nemesis that kept me home, later on Christmas Eve. During such a physiological struggle, ofttimes the only visitors sure to come your way are two frumpy old girlfriends whose names are Holly Dae Loneliness followed by Lady Dee Preshun! No matter what the reason, the net result is many times all the same - a large percentage of the Trans Community will be home alone during Christmas and/or New Years. And for some of these folks, this can lead to a potential disaster because suicide rates in all people-groups across the board (and especially within OURS), tend to ironically be highest during the holiday season. Obviously no one can take precision steps to absolutely guarantee that anyone else will pull through a sad and lonely time this Winter. A vast portion of the responsibility lies with the person in question, themselves. But just dropping a line by e-mail, card or phone is far better than doing totally nothing to help. So please remember your TG friends, while you enjoy your holiday season... You just might make their day, week, month or YEAR! Lovingly,
Yahoo http://360.yahoo.com/nancy_jo58
Nancy-Jo Morris
Colorado Springs, USA
In MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=109968289
Equality - I spoke that word as if a Wedding Vow... Anti-Proposition 8 Rally in Colorado Springs!
December 21st, 2008 12:50 pm MST
My Back Pages Revisited - November 16, 2008
Equality - I spoke that word as if a Wedding Vow...
Anti-Proposition 8 Rally in Colorado Springs!
Bob Dylan ranted about Equality (or rather, the lack thereof) over 40 years ago. Yet here we are once again having to reckon with it in a slightly different way within this Cultural War right now!
And the sad thing is that many of the very Racial Minorities whom Dylan openly advocated for in his once highly controversial Political Statement songs of the 60s, somehow deemed it necessary to vote against Equality for yet another set of Minorities over one of the very Issues and Rights that they themselves had been so wrongfully denied of, back in those bad old days!
How pathetically hypocritical !!! ...
Here are the links to some selected video clips from the Protest and Call to Action of The Impact Anti-H8 Rally here in Colorado Springs, Colorado between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm on Saturday, November 15, 2008
Proposition 8 was the Amendment to the California State Constitution that repealed Gay Marriage over there on November 4th - and many across America view that legislation as an illegitimate act of Discrimination, wrong-headed incompassion, rank Bigotry and straight-out elitist hate!
Although our Rally wasn't huge like Woodstock or anything, it was historic, in that such a thing could take place at all, in a city where 58 Far Right religious organizations (including the International Headquarters of Focus on the Family) are located!
The vids were recorded by a local member of the ACLU, I believe - and all are very short segments (shorter than your favorite song, I'm sure of it!)
The second of two speeches that I gave there (yes - I'm not afraid of Ultra-Conservative Colorado Springs) appears in Link 2 of the first 4 listed below.
~ Nancy-Jo Morris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqpBqDtLR7c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_JTCD9oSm8
(the Nancy-Jo Speech)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onVHXy7TDik&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBMZxNVFKKM&feature=related
More from the
Anti-Proposition 8 Rally in Colorado Springs!
Here are some additional video links from the Protest and Call to Action of The Impact Anti-H8 Rally here in Colorado Springs, Colorado between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm on Saturday, November 15, 2008.
The first clip is a very professionally-done piece produced by CSaction which features powerful testimonials by concerned citizens and a Representative of the ACLU; the second is where Peterson Tuscano, an activist and performer from Connecticut spoke; and the third is of Argiope, a local Trans-girl who rose up to tell her story.
Who's that Blonde in purple who is almost in the way of the camera during that last speech??
It's me -
Nancy-Jo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwGrg9k9i7c&feature=related
The Wicked Messenger (HRC Remix)
August 13th, 2008 9:17 pm MDT
Trans-Forsaking HRC Utilizes News of Angie's Demise to Snag Good PR, Contributions -
Dear Friends,
Usually I write my own articles - but THIS is an utterly obscene OUTRAGE!
What am I talking about?
Hit the link below to visit Vanessa Edwards Foster's Transpolitical Blog, where she so deftly presents an unvarnished and comprehensive expose on how HRC has apparently utilized the grisly murder of Trans-woman Angie Zapata to bolster contribution-gathering that will most likely (and ironically) prop up more anti-Transgender nonsense like purposely leaving us out of the current version of Federal employment anti-discrimination measures that are still stuck in limbo in Washington D.C. - but will no doubt gain new life in 2009 if the new President hails from the Democratic Party.
Behold the intro text of this sick travesty:
---------------------- Vanessa's Blog Post: ----------------------
Saturday, August 9, 2008
"Good fences make good neighbors." — Robert Frost, The Mending Wall
"Almost all of our relationships begin and most of them continue as forms of mutual exploitation, a mental or physical barter, to be terminated when one or both parties run out of goods." — W. H. Auden, poet
We recently saw an HRC statement on the death of Angie Zapata. Now that they've hired a trans person once again, it appears they're appointing themselves as being de facto voice for the trans community. They actually have a tranny this time, and quote her in their statement. Forget the fact that it's a rather thinly-veiled attempt by Joe Solmonese to a) get himself some free publicity on a trans death, b) attempt to paint his public relations iimage in a good light and on the cheap, and c) capitalize on a trans death in order to somehow capitalize on it. It's all for their own furtherance – whether pushing for their coverage in legislation or raising funds for themselves as being "the transgender community's primary advocate and voice" (not my impression, mind you!) or both.
You've gotta hand it to HRC: they're veritable bloodhounds when it comes to sniffing out opportunities to bolster their PR or their bottom line. What's astonishing is how remarkably shameless they are about it...
(For the full text of this article, see this link: http://transpolitical.blogspot.com/2008/08/victims-die-but-opportunism-lives-...
------------------ End Vanessa's Blog Post: ------------------
Please excuse my sarcasm - but how do you take this HRC-spun Remix of Bob Dylan's old tune "The Wicked Messenger", as exposed by Vanessa?
I was at that Saturday evening Vigil for Angie in Greeley Colorado (on August 9th) and from what I could tell, there weren't any HRC people present! At least they did not mount that low amphitheater stage on the University of Northern Colorado campus to speak.
Reason being is that HRC operatives were all at the "Camp Equality" activist training event held in Denver on the same day - which I avoided like the plague when asked by several Gay friends to attend it. I don't need HRC to teach me how to be an activist! Especially when buried in fine print was an automatic membership to HRC if you paid for their training!
Pardon my "French" right here - but these S.O.B.s are desperate! As General Patton once said of his Nazi opponents, "You'll never know just how bastardly they can be!"
When will the shameless abuse of the Trans Community at the bloody hands of the unrepentant HRC opportunists ever end?
Have they now resorted to building ladders to the piggy bank shelves of others using the very bones of our fallen?
As I said - this is a HEINOUS OBSCENITY!
The Wicked Messenger (HRC Remix)
August 13th, 2008 9:16 pm MDT
Trans-Forsaking HRC Utilizes News of Angie's Demise to Snag Good PR, Contributions -
Dear Friends,
Usually I write my own articles - but THIS is an utterly obscene OUTRAGE!
What am I talking about?
Hit the link below to visit Vanessa Edwards Foster's Transpolitical Blog, where she so deftly presents an unvarnished and comprehensive expose on how HRC has apparently utilized the grisly murder of Trans-woman Angie Zapata to bolster contribution-gathering that will most likely (and ironically) prop up more anti-Transgender nonsense like purposely leaving us out of the current version of Federal employment anti-discrimination measures that are still stuck in limbo in Washington D.C. - but will no doubt gain new life in 2009 if the new President hails from the Democratic Party.
Behold the intro text of this sick travesty:
---------------------- Vanessa's Blog Post: ----------------------
Saturday, August 9, 2008
"Good fences make good neighbors." — Robert Frost, The Mending Wall
"Almost all of our relationships begin and most of them continue as forms of mutual exploitation, a mental or physical barter, to be terminated when one or both parties run out of goods." — W. H. Auden, poet
We recently saw an HRC statement on the death of Angie Zapata. Now that they've hired a trans person once again, it appears they're appointing themselves as being de facto voice for the trans community. They actually have a tranny this time, and quote her in their statement. Forget the fact that it's a rather thinly-veiled attempt by Joe Solmonese to a) get himself some free publicity on a trans death, b) attempt to paint his public relations iimage in a good light and on the cheap, and c) capitalize on a trans death in order to somehow capitalize on it. It's all for their own furtherance – whether pushing for their coverage in legislation or raising funds for themselves as being "the transgender community's primary advocate and voice" (not my impression, mind you!) or both.
You've gotta hand it to HRC: they're veritable bloodhounds when it comes to sniffing out opportunities to bolster their PR or their bottom line. What's astonishing is how remarkably shameless they are about it...
(For the full text of this article, see this link: http://transpolitical.blogspot.com/2008/08/victims-die-but-opportunism-lives-...
------------------ End Vanessa's Blog Post: ------------------
Please excuse my sarcasm - but how do you take this HRC-spun Remix of Bob Dylan's old tune "The Wicked Messenger", as exposed by Vanessa?
I was at that Saturday evening Vigil for Angie in Greeley Colorado (on August 9th) and from what I could tell, there weren't any HRC people present! At least they did not mount that low amphitheater stage on the University of Northern Colorado campus to speak.
Reason being is that HRC operatives were all at the "Camp Equality" activist training event held in Denver on the same day - which I avoided like the plague when asked by several Gay friends to attend it. I don't need HRC to teach me how to be an activist! Especially when buried in fine print was an automatic membership to HRC if you paid for their training!
Pardon my "French" right here - but these S.O.B.s are desperate! As General Patton once said of his Nazi opponents, "You'll never know just how bastardly they can be!"
When will the shameless abuse of the Trans Community at the bloody hands of the unrepentant HRC opportunists ever end?
Have they now resorted to building ladders to the piggy bank shelves of others using the very bones of our fallen?
As I said - this is a HEINOUS OBSCENITY!
The Wicked Messenger (HRC Remix) Trans-Forsaking HRC Utilizes News of Angie's Demise to Snag Good PR
August 13th, 2008 9:14 pm MDT
Trans-Forsaking HRC Utilizes News of Angie's Demise to Snag Good PR, Contributions -
Dear Friends,
Usually I write my own articles - but THIS is an utterly obscene OUTRAGE!
What am I talking about?
Hit the link below to visit Vanessa Edwards Foster's Transpolitical Blog, where she so deftly presents an unvarnished and comprehensive expose on how HRC has apparently utilized the grisly murder of Trans-woman Angie Zapata to bolster contribution-gathering that will most likely (and ironically) prop up more anti-Transgender nonsense like purposely leaving us out of the current version of Federal employment anti-discrimination measures that are still stuck in limbo in Washington D.C. - but will no doubt gain new life in 2009 if the new President hails from the Democratic Party.
Behold the intro text of this sick travesty:
---------------------- Vanessa's Blog Post: ----------------------
Saturday, August 9, 2008
"Good fences make good neighbors." — Robert Frost, The Mending Wall
"Almost all of our relationships begin and most of them continue as forms of mutual exploitation, a mental or physical barter, to be terminated when one or both parties run out of goods." — W. H. Auden, poet
We recently saw an HRC statement on the death of Angie Zapata. Now that they've hired a trans person once again, it appears they're appointing themselves as being de facto voice for the trans community. They actually have a tranny this time, and quote her in their statement. Forget the fact that it's a rather thinly-veiled attempt by Joe Solmonese to a) get himself some free publicity on a trans death, b) attempt to paint his public relations iimage in a good light and on the cheap, and c) capitalize on a trans death in order to somehow capitalize on it. It's all for their own furtherance – whether pushing for their coverage in legislation or raising funds for themselves as being "the transgender community's primary advocate and voice" (not my impression, mind you!) or both.
You've gotta hand it to HRC: they're veritable bloodhounds when it comes to sniffing out opportunities to bolster their PR or their bottom line. What's astonishing is how remarkably shameless they are about it...
(For the full text of this article, see this link: http://transpolitical.blogspot.com/2008/08/victims-die-but-opportunism-lives-...
------------------ End Vanessa's Blog Post: ------------------
Please excuse my sarcasm - but how do you take this HRC-spun Remix of Bob Dylan's old tune "The Wicked Messenger", as exposed by Vanessa?
I was at that Saturday evening Vigil for Angie in Greeley Colorado (on August 9th) and from what I could tell, there weren't any HRC people present! At least they did not mount that low amphitheater stage on the University of Northern Colorado campus to speak.
Reason being is that HRC operatives were all at the "Camp Equality" activist training event held in Denver on the same day - which I avoided like the plague when asked by several Gay friends to attend it. I don't need HRC to teach me how to be an activist! Especially when buried in fine print was an automatic membership to HRC if you paid for their training!
Pardon my "French" right here - but these S.O.B.s are desperate! As General Patton once said of his Nazi opponents, "You'll never know just how bastardly they can be!"
When will the shameless abuse of the Trans Community at the bloody hands of the unrepentant HRC opportunists ever end?
Have they now resorted to building ladders to the piggy bank shelves of others using the very bones of our fallen?
As I said - this is a HEINOUS OBSCENITY!
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata
July 26th, 2008 4:28 pm MDT
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Everyone!
No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman.
Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all.
Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them.
In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm.
Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her...
Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy?
Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008.
It is one small way to both help ease the pain of Angie's grieving family and also stand in solidarity against the kind of hatred and senseless violence that took her life.
Sincerely,
Nancy-Jo Morris
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata
July 26th, 2008 4:21 pm MDT
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 27, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Everyone!
No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman.
Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all.
Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them.
In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm.
Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her...
Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy?
Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008. (See official ad below)
It is one small way to both help ease the pain of Angie's grieving family and also stand in solidarity against the kind of hatred and senseless violence that took her life.
Sincerely,
Nancy-Jo Morris
Greetings!
We hope that you are able to attend the Benefit for Angie Zapata on July 27th hosted by her friends and family.
On Thursday, July 17, Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transgender woman was found murdered in her home in Greeley, CO. It appears that there may be anti-transgender motive in this brutal crime.
It is believed that the suspect has stolen Angie's sister's car, a very dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the Colorado license plate number 441ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side, under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call the Greeley police through the communications center, 970-350-9600 .
"We want to get the whole community involved to find this person who hurt my sister and to let everyone be aware that all she wanted was to be beautiful. We want this violence to end. Transgender people deserve to be treated with respect," said Angie's sister Monica.
The Colorado Anti-Violence Program will be sending out information soon about a community organized vigil to be held in Angie's honor early next month.
When: Sunday, July 27th at 8 pm
Where: Sipres Lounge
1490 County Road 27
Brighton, CO 80603
If you are unable to attend, consider making a contribution to Angie Zapata's memorial fund. Contributions may be made at Academy Bank in Wal-Mart, 60 W. Bromley Lane, Brighton or checks made payable to Monica Murquia may be mailed to CAVP at P.O. Box 181085, Denver, CO 80218.
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata
July 26th, 2008 4:18 pm MDT
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Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 27, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door Everyone! No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman. Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all. Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them. In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm. Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her... Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy? Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008. (See official ad below) Sincerely,
----- Original Message -----
Subject: Benefit for Angie Zapata
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Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
July 26th, 2008 4:12 pm MDT
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Everyone!
No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman. Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all. Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them. In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm. Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her... Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy? Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008. (See official ad below) Sincerely,
It is one small way to both help ease the pain of Angie's grieving family and also stand in solidarity against the kind of hatred and senseless violence that took her life.
Nancy-Jo Morris
We hope that you are able to attend the Benefit for Angie Zapata on July 27th hosted by her friends and family.
On Thursday, July 17, Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transgender woman was found murdered in her home in Greeley, CO. It appears that there may be anti-transgender motive in this brutal crime.
It is believed that the suspect has stolen Angie's sister's car, a very dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the Colorado license plate number 441ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side, under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call the Greeley police through the communications center, 970-350-9600 .
"We want to get the whole community involved to find this person who hurt my sister and to let everyone be aware that all she wanted was to be beautiful. We want this violence to end. Transgender people deserve to be treated with respect," said Angie's sister Monica.
The Colorado Anti-Violence Program will be sending out information soon about a community organized vigil to be held in Angie's honor early next month.
When: Sunday, July 27th at 8 pm
Where: Sipres Lounge
1490 County Road 27
Brighton, CO 80603
If you are unable to attend, consider making a contribution to Angie Zapata's memorial fund. Contributions may be made at Academy Bank in Wal-Mart, 60 W. Bromley Lane, Brighton or checks made payable to Monica Murquia may be mailed to CAVP at P.O. Box 181085, Denver, CO 80218.
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
July 26th, 2008 4:06 pm MDT
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Everyone! No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman. Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all. Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them. In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm. Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her... Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy? Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008. (See official ad below) Sincerely,
It is one small way to both help ease the pain of Angie's grieving family and also stand in solidarity against the kind of hatred and senseless violence that took her life.
Nancy-Jo Morris
Greetings!
We hope that you are able to attend the Benefit for Angie Zapata on July 27th hosted by her friends and family.
On Thursday, July 17, Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transgender woman was found murdered in her home in Greeley, CO. It appears that there may be anti-transgender motive in this brutal crime.
It is believed that the suspect has stolen Angie's sister's car, a very dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the Colorado license plate number 441ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side, under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call the Greeley police through the communications center, 970-350-9600 .
"We want to get the whole community involved to find this person who hurt my sister and to let everyone be aware that all she wanted was to be beautiful. We want this violence to end. Transgender people deserve to be treated with respect," said Angie's sister Monica.
The Colorado Anti-Violence Program will be sending out information soon about a community organized vigil to be held in Angie's honor early next month.
When: Sunday, July 27th at 8 pm
Where: Sipres Lounge
1490 County Road 27
Brighton, CO 80603
If you are unable to attend, consider making a contribution to Angie Zapata's memorial fund. Contributions may be made at Academy Bank in Wal-Mart, 60 W. Bromley Lane, Brighton or checks made payable to Monica Murquia may be mailed to CAVP at P.O. Box 181085, Denver, CO 80218.
Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 26, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
July 26th, 2008 4:04 pm MDT
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Benefit Memorial for Angie Zapata - July 27, 2008 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door Everyone! No matter what is determined by the Authorities in Greeley, Colorado, I am thoroughly convinced that Angie Zapata was savagely attacked and killed in the hideous manner that she was, mainly because she was a Trans-woman. Though I did not know her personally, her death caused me to weep off and on a number of days when I heard of it. Because she was in a real sense, one of my sisters. One of many whom I have worked hard for as a Colorado Transgender Activist to help get viable, practical and enforceable laws passed which would in the end make life much better for us all. Trans-inclusive laws are great - but as seen here, no manner of legislation can totally stop hate-driven outlaws from falling upon their hapless victims to take even their very lives from them. In keeping with the theme of my blog, I have entitled this sad entry in part: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", since that's one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs - and I sincerely believe that if we were to go see Angie right now, we would have to knock upon the glorious Portal and Entryway to the sublime regions of Heaven to visit with her. Because that must be where she is today - totally blessed with the incomparable beauty and unspeakable peace which she probably sought time and time again, while in this earthly realm. Her friends and loved ones, nevertheless, miss her... Meanwhile. what can we in the Greater Community do to show our love and sympathy? Please consider this: Either contribute to this most worthy Memorial Fund or attend the associated event, which happens Sunday, July 27, 2008. (See official ad below) Sincerely,
----- Original Message -----
Subject: Benefit for Angie Zapata
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The Wicked Messenger
March 10th, 2008 1:08 am MDT
The Wicked Messenger: First Amendment rights notwithstanding, when it comes to some on-going, really sensitive subjects, the last line in the Bob Dylan tune of like title states, "If you cannot bring good news, then don’t bring any!" Irresponsible ridicule dehumanizes the target of the derision and often leads to bullying or worse... As many in the national LGBT Community are still reeling from the senseless February 12th slaying of 15 year old Lawrence King at the hands of a classmate, simply because he was openly Gay and gender-variant, out plops this stinking load of anti-Transgender crap last week from an hour’s drive north of me in Denver: "Homo-Razzi in the News" by Benjamin Paige - 7 Year Old Transvestites in Public Schools - Gayzette http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/News/US/Benjamin%20Paige/ben-paige-hi-res.jpg ----------- See above link for the vile details: ---------- Pam Bennett, a very influential member of the Colorado Trans Community who recently ran for a city council seat in the City of Aurora, Colorado took the issue on immediately and the following resulted: Gay publication apologizes to community for article about transgender Colorado student by Nick Langewis A monthly magazine out of Denver has issued a retraction and apology to the LGBT community following hyperbole gone wrong in the publication of an Op/Ed column about a transgender Colorado student... ----------- See above link for the entire story: ---------- Certain TG activists and concerned citizens including myself have taken other steps to try mending this slashing cut in the fabric of the Rainbow Flag made by a person who, given the position he holds in Colorado’s LGBT Community, ought to in all seriousness have known better! And even though the Publisher of the Gayzette, Rich DeMarah, has publicly apologized and thankfully retracted that heinous article, as far as I'm concerned, the damage is already done. That columnist spoke his first mind on Transgender issues. He clearly doesn't "get it" but even beyond that, he has thrown his hat in the ring with haters like the 58 Far Right religious organizations here in Colorado Springs, some of which made similar public rants against this child and her family! The original article NEVER should have seen the light of day in any respectable LGBT media outlet - unless The Gayzette has the same sentiments against Transgender people as he does. But whatever the case, that article is already out there in the hands of the LGBT Community - and therefore has already strengthened the attitudes of Gay sectarian elitism, perpetuated hateful, anti-Trans ignorance, and has fueled the fires of the same Equality-stifling, inexcusably divisive bigotry that got us full-time Trans-folk stripped out of the most recent try for a Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act!
Also, consider this fact: Retractions never get the same front billing as the original article gets in any news publication!
Therefore I, for one, will stand against anything that the author of that hate-speech is part of until he spends EQUAL TIME rebuilding the bridges his hypocritical prejudices have burnt down.
If he balks at making it properly right, I will use all the power I currently have in the TS Activist Community to go against this offender.
He should lose his job over this because it is FAR worse than Mr. Imus' quip about "nappy-headed ho's" which lost him his job!
HOWEVER - I shall first look for the full extent of that retraction before I decide to launch my Nationally-Based "answer" to this anti-Trans nonsense!!!
Nancy-Jo Morris
of Colorado Springs
Recipient of the Thomas G Martin Activist Award of 2007 (along with 3 other awards on that year for my activist role in the LGBT Community at large).
Executive Facilitator of PAGE (Peak Area Gender Expressions) Serving the Transgender Community of Southern Colorado
Co-Chair - El Paso County Stonewall Democrats (Not speaking on behalf of the Caucus here)
With God On Our Side...
February 17th, 2008 3:30 pm MST
With God On Our Side - Power-Plays and Ploys used to Promote Prejudices and Pet Peeves. Most of us in the LGBT Community are all too familiar with the hurtful schemes, plans and scams that Far Right religionists and politicians come up with, to justify their insistence that we do not deserve the same rights and privileges as they do in society. As I have said in past writings, the mildest of these insulting attacks is to claim we are asking for "special" rights when all we are asking for is a level playing field of EQUAL rights. And what fuels the twisted logic behind this ruinous rhetoric and brutish behavior?As Bob Dylan so aptly spells out in his appropriately-titled anti-war tune of the 60s, These people simply claim they have God on their side.They claim that THEIR God says we are heinous sinners - and unrepentant sinners who rebel against the "natural order of things" (they really try to hang this one on us Transgender folks) cannot ever be made equal to saints... Never mind that many of these so-called "saints" had been caught up to their necks in Enron-like misadventures of filthy lucre. Or in clandestine Gay sex scandals. Or in horrific domestic abuse cases. Or had by their countless adulteries, illicit affairs, and frivolous divorces trashed the Institution of Marriage LONG before any Gay couples ever started clamoring for State-sanctioned, Church-ordained nuptials. And whose "natural order" are they talking about, anyway? How can they appeal to "Mother Nature" in this case, when they normally impugn Darwinian Naturalists, tree-hugging Environmentalists and Pagans whose faith follows nature’s Circle of Life? (Come on, now - they can’t have it both ways!) Nevertheless, in accordance with Hitler’s chief strategy, they drone on and on promulgating the Big Lie, in the hopes that society would continue to buy into it - and thus not lose any sleep over heartlessly discriminating against people who in their minds are way too different (and therefore must be sub-human anyway). But before we go after the Far Right’s hypocrisy too vehemently here, some on the Far Left had better look in the mirror first! Some Gay theologians and ministers violently trash the validity of the Bible just to justify their Gayness - then want to claim that the God promoted in that "flawed" book is the same one who vindicates them. I obviously do not have a problem with anyone’s sexual orientation, but sorry - they can’t have it both ways either! In my mind, any god who cannot keep his own words from getting flawed by mere mortal men is himself seriously flawed and woefully impotent. I don’t need that sort of defense attorney to back me up! (Those who preach this way ought to at least admit that they are no longer Christians!) And then there is that stupefying phenomenon of the Unity-stifling, Equality-delaying "Tranny Wars". You know - the one where blushing, beautiful Post-Op girls run to their new gilded closets and disavow ever being a "disgusting Transgender anything". They swear off any association whatsoever with the Trans Community at large and wouldn’t be caught dead helping another sister pull through the Hell of Transition, lest they be "outed" via "guilt by association"! Or where Drag Queens say "I’m not Transgender - I’m Gay..." Or where deeply-sequestered Cross-dressers claim one-upmanship because they "Are at least not Gay, nor so far deluded as to want to get THAT surgery done!" Or where full-time TG gals rake the part-timers over the coals for being "cowardly weekend warriors". And each sub-set claims almost dogmatic religious-like rights to assume the preeminence over the others. It is so hypocritically pathetic!!! In my political forays, I have also found no shortage of so-called "Progressives" who still have a big problem with TRULY treating me and other Transgender people equally and respectfully. One high official in my own political party was quoted as having said of my ascension to power in El Paso County, "How did THAT happen? That Nancy-Jo was supposed to be gone from here a long time ago! We don’t mind those people working for us behind the scenes - but we cannot afford to have some Transsexual be the Face of our Party!" At least he didn’t claim God told him to say that... Um, well - I think it’s time that I jump into that God power-play bit, myself. I’ll claim the Divine Rights of Queens, begin the T version of the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny, incite the Militant Arm and Sword of the Trans-Girl Liberation Revolution - and THEN openly promote my Program for World Domination! Because I have God on my side! But on second thought - maybe I just need another cup of coffee... The Painfully Pragmatic
Nancy-Jo
All I Really Want To Do... - May 6, 2007
May 6th, 2007 3:45 am MDT
Many people in "Mainstream Society" totally misunderstand the LGBT Community - and especially the "T" Part. So much so that like Bob Dylan’s tune with the above title, I have to start in by telling them what we in all truthfulness do NOT intend to do with (or to) them! Then I make it clear that "All I really wanna do - is baby be friends with you!" The Far Right pundits, politicians, preachers and pseudo-psychologists (yes, this means you, James Dobson!) have done such a splendid job of rearing up their self-fabricated, monstrously grim Spectre of the "civilization-threatening, Satan-inspired Gay Agenda" that the general populace unfortunately gets duped into believing their home-spun lies. Case in point: ENDAs (Employment Non-Discrimination Amendments), Gay Adoption Bills, Hate-Crimes legislation and Gay Marriage. On these hot issues, I often end up doing an odd form of "TG Apologetics" and "Outreach Education" even to get my non-Gay or non-Transgender friends to halfway grab a hold of where we all are coming from! Concerning most of these, the Bigots claim we are after "special" rights that no one else has. That’s pure hogwash, jackal excrement and horse dung! After President Lincoln set the slaves free in 1863 all the laws were in place for Blacks to have true liberty. But that freedom didn’t truly happen. Blacks only got to be dirt-poor share-croppers while the Whites no longer had to house, feed or cloth them anymore! The so-called better laws of the victorious Union were not ever equitably enforced. Racial bigots used religion and economics to circumvent justice. Then the heinous Jim Crow system of so-called jurisprudence rose up. It wasn’t until 1963+ when the Civil Rights Movement FORCED the entrenched Hegemony of Hatred to begin crumbling. Because sinful and selfish mankind NEVER willingly surrenders or shares the Seat of Power with anyone merely because it’s the right thing to do. And just for the record - we ain’t waiting no 100 years to walk in True Freedom and Equality!!! Some say being Gay isn’t like the Racial issue - which becomes an issue instantly upon a glance - and is DNA-verifiable. Because (according to these critics) Gayness is a type of activity and not a real state of being. One can simply NOT do any Gay sex - or not tell anyone if you do engage in it. But being Transsexual IS built in - some way, some how. It is a state of being (i.e. you are Trans, no matter what you do or don’t do); - and it likewise is often detected at a glance. Especially when you’re a tall girl like me! But from where I sit, you cannot immediately tell if a person is Straight either. (Ask the fallen Rev. Ted Haggard). Does that mean being Heterosexual isn’t a legitimate state of being either? That infantile, myopic sort of logic just doesn’t fly in an intelligent world, my friends! When you do that, Dylan’s old protest songs suddenly become relevant again! It’s all the same damn poison - served up on a hypocritical Communion platter in the name of an evil IDOL of DEATH that the Far Right deceptively portrays as the True and Living God! Anticipating Divine Self-Vindication...
Nancy-Jo
Major Anti-LGBT Leader Falls
November 3rd, 2006 12:55 am MST
BREAKING NEWS___ Thursday, November 2, 2006___The Rev. Ted Haggard, senior pastor at 14,000-member New Life Church, resigned today as president of the 30-million-member National Association of Evangelicals, following allegations he paid a Denver man for sex over the last three years. (See this link from the Gazette of Colorado Springs): http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1326038______Besides Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson himself, Rev Haggard has over the past few years been a major champion of Far Right Conservative Christianity’s anti-LGBT agenda, both locally and in some cases even nationally. In light of this breaking news, he ironically has hosted rallies aimed at opposing marriage equality for Gays - and has repeatedly preached that Homosexuality is a sin before God, no different than adultery or lying.___Can we now breach the subject of gross hypocrisy?!___Major national news sources are now scrambling around town to get the details on this story - but you all have an inside track on it right here. I will post whatever I find on it, as the whole truth comes forth.___Working hard for Equality___Nancy-Jo of Colorado Springs
Get Ready, Girl - We’re Goin’ Down! (Goodbye to All My Friends...)
September 8th, 2006 11:54 am MDT
The Scene: A lone airplane has been circling the airport for what seems like an eternity. No matter what the pilot says or does to comply with FAA Protocol, the Control Tower has refused to give clearance to land. Now, with her fuel practically spent, the pilot makes her final circuit around. She has only one more shot at lining up with the runway to make a safe landing. She radios the Tower one last time - and... and... ___That’s exactly where my life is today. After 8 months and over 100 job contacts that ended in rejection, my last unemployment check will arrive in less than 2 weeks. If I am not hired somewhere before that happens, I shall plummet in a free-fall to homelessness and utter destitution. Not a good place for a Trans-girl to be. ___But such is the toll a hostile society exacts upon those whom it has deemed as unworthy and less than human. What is my crime? I requested permission to Transition on the job.___I’ve made a few friends here in URNA. But over time, they, for the most part, have forgotten me and moved on. Life is hard for the not-so-pretty, the poor and the soldiers on the front lines fighting for freedom.___even the freedoms of those who don’t care...___Since I cannot continue paying for my Internet connection, it won’t be long before I completely drop out of sight here and elsewhere. But my efforts to stand for the full Liberation of ALL T-girls will go on. No matter how bad off my life gets. It is my all-consuming passion. My Mission in this life.___So goodbye for now, girlfriends. Will I rise again? I don’t know. Will I find my One True Love? I thought I had - but I think she’s gone away from me, too. ___So I brace myself, look over the landscape below, then tell myself, "This is really it. Get Ready, Girl - WE’RE GOIN’ DOWN!"___This is Nancy-Jo of Colorado Springs signing off.___LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!!!___
Only A Pawn In Their Game - Is Affirmative Action Still Necessary?
August 16th, 2006 4:53 am MDT
I read a recent article entitled "A More Diverse County" in The Gazette of Colorado Springs (Tuesday, August 15, 2006 http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1320527 ), where the author explained, based upon the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics, that roughly half the population increase in our county (El Paso) was due to the rapidly rising growth of all its ethnic / racial minority communities. This was good news, because with the influx of that sort of diversity comes the opportunity for the rise of tolerance and positive social change.But oddly-enough, the theme of several comments posted under that article skirted the main topic, bypassed the sticky subject of immigration and somehow landed upon Affirmative Action. The mini-debate questioned whether or not there even should be minority hiring quotas imposed anywhere anymore - and one poor fellow told how due to these, he became a victim of "Reverse Discrimination".! - being the political activist for Equality that I am - could not help but jump into the ring on this matter because I could sense that had the different bloggers met face to face, some sort of verbal or even physical brouhaha might have ensued. I felt sorry for them. Both sides seemed to be incapable of looking beyond the chessboard of the old paradigms and cliches set by politicians and special interest groups when trying to wrestle with this still quite controversial issue. From my perspective they became (as Bob Dylan once put it in a 1964 social justice statement ballad), "Only A Pawn In Their Game".The whole problem that creates the need for such programs as Affirmative Action is certain peoples' insecurities, ignorance and prejudice - plain and simple! If those who did the hiring were truly objective and fair, the jobs would then go to those who were actually best qualified for them, instead of to Mr/Ms Who Knows The Friend Of Whom - or to whomever happens to not "disrupt" the dull sameness of an office with their "unconventional" diversity. (Even if that diversity is something that is part and parcel of their very being; i.e. who or what they truly are!)I see exactly why Affirmative Action was invented - to right a grievous wrong society had perpetrated against minority groups. Since employers callously refused to do the right thing when qualified minorities appeared at their door, the courts had to FORCE them to do it. But when push comes to shove, would you feel better if you got a job because you were darned good at it - or because someone had to fulfill a quota? How would you EVER know if you were truly qualified in your career field under a quota?Being a native West Virginian who happens to hail from a mixed ethnic heritage, I have suffered under discrimination all my life. No one can fool me on this subject. I can smell bigotry a mile off - and have even done my own investigations to verify that the prejudice I endured was indeed genuine. So when I came "out" as Transgender totally full-time in this city, all that did was commence the sequel to that sad and inexcusably oppressive story.It’s no secret that I lost my 22-year career based purely due to anti-Transgender bias - but have I called for quotas that force every employer to hire a certain amount of Gays, Lesbians or Trans-people?Not yet... But after 7 months without work and 90 job opportunity rejections plus the prospect of my unemployment checks ceasing at the end of September, I shall be hard-pressed not to make such a push legally or politically, rather than starve under a bridge while the bigots smugly hiss "Good Riddance!"Affirmative Action is not a perfect solution - but when people continually cannot be counted upon to hire fairly... when mere outward appearance trumps copious skilled experience inside the small minds of ignorant, insecure employers; it just may be the only game in town. I guarantee that you’d play that card too, dear reader, if you could - when you're an outcast in survival mode facing utter destitution.Sincerely,_ Nancy-Jo Morris
Chimes of Freedom? X-Men, Ex-Gays and “The Cure”...
August 1st, 2006 8:20 am MDT
Being the avid movie-goer that I am, almost a season past its copiously-hyped release I finally got to see "X-Men: The Last Stand" yesterday - and boy did I get caught up into it! Now, I’m not a movie critic or analyzer. I can’t even name all the actors and actresses that appeared in this one, ‘cept for that alluring Halle Berry, (whose portrayal of the character "Storm" left me utterly smitten). But I will declare, as probably a thousand before me have already elucidated, that this movie, faithful to the Marvel saga’s tradition it hails from, was all about acceptance and equality. Equality for an odd, misunderstood, but very powerful minority who could not help what they were. That is, until a certain contingent proclaimed near the front of the flick that they had invented a "cure" for the misfit mutants.So here was the golden opportunity for the "freaks" to be normal; to end the hatred and discrimination by taking a serum that would permanently suspend the traits of unwelcome diversity such that any mutant could then quietly be mainstreamed into the general populace. No more drama, zip, zing or zap! Just mundane sameness. Complete assimilation into the milieu that once despised them.Do the mutants unanimously accept The Cure? No - in fact, it causes a schism within their ranks and pits brother against brother as the "normal" people end up mounting an offensive against the whole lot of them for reasons I will not get into here.As I watched the thrilling and quite jolting special effects unfold continually before me, all the while I could not get out of my mind the day not long after the Turn of the Century (the year 2000), when certain friends of mine from Focus on the Family approached me with what they proclaimed was more or less a cure for my Transgenderism, plus any Homosexual tendencies I might obviously have. (They mistakenly teach that both are due to a gender identity problem and can’t seem to get it right that the two conditions can exist mutually exclusive of one another).As I considered the fact that my once very happy marriage was well into an emotionally explosive retrograde by then simply because I’d confessed that I was really a woman inside, a line from a Bob Dylan tune quickly shot through my mind. It went: "As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sound - seeming to be the Chimes of Freedom flashing." Since I deeply loved my spouse and family, and would do anything in order to not lose them; unlike most of the mutants in the X-Men story I opted to cash in my "troublesome" diversity in a last-ditched effort to just be normal. I went for The Cure - and was offered a personal invitation to the next "Love Won Out" conference that was held at the Focus on the Family campus. All I had to do was show up there (not in girl mode, of course) - so I did.I got to meet all the front-runners of that seminar including its chief at the time, the now fallen John Paulk, whom I met with a couple times later during a year’s time for additional direction. The last time I saw him, he was fresh from wiping off the dust of an alleged Ex-Gay relapse scandal, and had stepped down from the helm of the Dobsonian Cure Machine for regretful LGBT-ers. He told me that this was not a cinch to beat - this Gay Thing - but it could indeed be put down. Even in his own failure, he maintained that we could be changed... if we REALLY wanted to be changed.Unlike the anti-mutant Cure on the movie, that instantly neutralized the unwanted tendencies and characteristics of its own accord, I quickly learned that this Cure put the onus upon me. If it failed, I would be saddled with the blame...Therefore, I enlisted in other more invasive and extensive forms of "Reparative Therapy" offered by other nationally-known ministries here in Colorado Springs and elsewhere. Some of these, especially the anti-Transsexual one, cost me a good bit of money before all was said and done. When that didn’t work, I upped the anty and threw myself into "Aversion Therapy". This is where some form of negative stimulus is purposely affixed as a penalty to the undesirable activity, to diminish whatever pleasures you may derive from that "sin". For instance, if I "cross-dressed" (I put that in quotes because a Transsexual woman in a dress is never cross-dressed); my penalty would be to eat hot sauce, which I really cannot tolerate well. Finally, I went through a 12-step course designed for sex addicts because my anti-LGBT handlers assayed to convince me that Transsexuality was some kind of sexual addiction.By Spring of 2004, I was rapidly heading for what would have been the sequel of the nervous breakdown I’d suffered over my gender identity dysphoria back in 1999. The Cure obviously was not working, no matter how hard I wished it would. Like some benevolent version of the all-powerful, dark Phoenix inside the mutant Jean Grey, the girl within me - who actually was the Real Me - could not be held in check anymore. But right before I totally lost it mentally, this time I said "That’s it - enough is enough!" I stopped fighting against myself, cast off the self-imposed chains, fired or walked away from every doctor, "friend", or relative who opposed the woman I was - and never looked back.That date was March 26, 2004. And oh, yeah - that mental collapse I was hanging upon the very cusps of, suddenly never did befall me. All the internal raging sound and fury subsided. Instead, a deep, deep peace rose up from within. I finally felt like I was headed home, as I accelerated down the road to Transition, which I glibly dubbed "Womanhood Drive".I am still upon that highway, walking in a strength and confidence I never ever had before. And even when this hateful society has "rewarded" my Transition with instant firing from my former place of employment back on February 1 - and impending homelessness even now as I speak; I do NOT regret my "decision" to scrap The Cure in order to walk in the truth of who and what I really am.Do I deny the fact that some may have been able to pull away from Gayness or Transgenderism? It is not for me to judge another’s experience. All I know is that The Cure did not work on this "mutant" girl!So call us LGBT-ers weird, queer, or even "X-Men" (in the case of Trans-women) if you like. But there are countless numbers of us out there who did not choose our original state of being. However, we are opting to come out from hiding to be who we truly are no matter what everyone else thinks. The general populace did not need our permission to be who they are - so why should we need theirs to be our beautiful, diverse and powerful selves? I am not promoting any militant coup d’etat like the one I saw depicted in the movie house. The issue here, plain and simple, is Equality - period!"Let the Puppy Moo!" and LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!
The Times, They Are A-Changin’ (Thank God!)
July 25th, 2006 7:05 am MDT
My selected title here is yet another profound observation by Bob Dylan in the early 60s that takes on a new significance when applied to the current struggle for equality and basic civil rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender citizens of our great nation. And let me first state that in my opinion, it's not because the LGBT Community has piggy-backed upon that arduous struggle endured by African Americans when it comes to civil rights, either. (Some in that camp vehemently object, if anyone makes that association or assertion). No - it’s not at all. Civil rights are civil rights - period!No one group can claim exclusive ownership of these inalienable privileges as if they’ve patented them, nor do they come in units or servings of just black, white or "Straight". Sure, that which was experienced by the African American Community in its quest for equality stands unique; but the same can be claimed by Native Americans, as well as every other minority group out there, which has had to fight for what should have been automatically accrued and bequeath unto them simply for being law-abiding citizens of these United States.Try as they might, homophobic and Transphobic hate-mongers - be they religious or secular - will never succeed in their claim that the LGBT Community is not a "legitimate" minority group worthy of all due rights, privileges, and protections afforded to the rest of "mainstream" America.First of all, no matter how it got that way, by birth or via some yet undiscovered mixture of biological micro-chemistry, each subset of the aforementioned Community will unequivocally declare that they did not wake up one morning and rebelliously opt to be the way they are. Not at all, given the persecutions that clearly awaited them along that road. We are clearly dealing with not just some type of behavior. We are reckoning with a bona fide state of being every bit as natural as the Heterosexual one among us.That being said, I now make this pronouncement: Prejudicial purveyors of false righteousness beware - the Day of True Liberation shall indeed dawn upon the now embattled and marginalized LGBT Community - it’s just a matter of time. it is the sheer weight of Truth, Justice and Equality itself that has provided a slow inertia in that direction.The younger generation can see right through the hypocritical bigotry of the fake Christianity that oppresses LGBT people. They want NO part of that dead and dying breed. They somehow know what Jesus REALLY would do in this situation - and they are doing it! Hence the great visitation by many supportive "Straight" youth I witnessed at both the Denver and Colorado Springs Pridefest celebrations this year. Their numbers by my observation have steadily increased over the last 6 years. It is they who will institute and implement True Equality. They want nothing to do with the lunacy of rabid haters like Rev. Fred Phelps - nor the carefully-spun anti-LGBT diatribes and exclusionary public policy antics of Dr. Dobson’s clan which they already know is nothing more than re-packaged, sanitized Fred Phelps Lite.Surely The Times, They Are A-Changin’ alright - and not one minute too soon!
Just Plain Different - Isn’t Even Welcome Here!
July 20th, 2006 3:23 am MDT
Born different? In Colorado Springs, apparently you can just skip the issue of whether or not your difference is by birth. On varying subjects this could be debated back and forth, ad infinitum. What some in this city cannot handle is just that which falls under the heading of "Different". But let me shift my subject a bit. Councilman Herpin’s allegation that the Born Different "Moo" banners (see www.borndifferent.org ) are a politicization of what hangs from the city’s lampposts is so pathetically weak a reason for objection to them that it’s almost not worth the time to explain... but for the denser among us, I feel compelled to.Flags are political symbols, aren’t they? Should we disallow hanging Old Glory from those posts as well? Or the Rainbow standard of the LGBT Community? Or the logo of ANY socio-political entity? You cannot have it both ways, Mr. Councilman... Herpin should clean up his logic before sounding off half-cocked!In most larger cities, the signs seen on that municipality’s buses are what most assume are endorsed by that particular city. Postings like "Stop Domestic Violence" or "Just Say No to Drugs", etc. reiterate a positive message every time a bus rolls into view - and are often there to let the citizens know that City Hall cares about what matters to them.Having said that, I marvel that the Herpin-Rivera Anti-Moo Axis has not yet attacked the rolling Moo billboards. Certainly they cannot allow tourists to get the impression that Colorado Springs has a heart for it’s LGBT Community - now, can they?And when is it right to change the rules of the game, just because you do not think your side is winning? Or to plan the demise of any organization that affords freedom of speech to those whose views differ from your own? That’s exactly what Councilman Herpin has on his agenda. (see related article: www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1319184&table=story_archive&sec )Did he consult any of his constituents or colleagues in all this? Who knows - but It all smacks of some unilateral fascist power grab if you ask me.At least Focus on the Family entered the fray without stealth or dis-ingenuity. They are consistent in their quest to pillory all LGBT people under the dark label of SIN. To them, the only good Gay is an Ex-Gay...As I said at the top of this article, different in this town is not welcome at all.I should know; I’m a Transgender woman who got fired right here in this "Best Place To Live" Award Winning City (according to CNN Money’s 10 Best Big Cities, 2006) http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/bigcities.html just because I declared that I would cease from living a lie incognito and openly be who I truly am on my job. It didn’t matter if I was born this way or somehow acquired it after the fact. Nor did it figure in that I never had a bad review prior to my Confession. To some, Appearance trumps Ability - and Tradition vetoes Equality. And that’s the way it is! It’s a beautiful day in the Neighborhood - unless Mr. Rogers is Gay or becomes Ms. Rogers!!!
