We HAVE Come a Long Way!

All of this news comes from the "Hollywood Reporter" site!  When I think of the dark days of growing up in my closet feeling so alone, I sometimes can't believe all of this:

Glee continued to put the spotlight on the underdog Friday when the Fox musical featured a 200-member transgender choir.

Recommended

Dot Marie Jones on 'Glee's' New Groundbreaking Storyline

Golden Globes: 'Transparent's' Jeffrey Tambor Becomes First TV Actor to Win for Transgender Role

ABC Family Orders Transgender Docuseries Produced by Ryan Seacrest

Emmys Make History With First Transgender Acting Nominee

What's Behind the Rise of Transgender TV

The singers, which were put together following a nationwide search with the assistance of LGBT-watchdog group GLAAD, were introduced as part of the dramedy's transgender storyline featuring three-time Emmy-nominee Dot Marie Jones.
Read more 'Dot Marie Jones' on 'Glee's' Groundbreaking Transgender Storyline
As was first introduced during the Jan. 16 episode, Jones' Coach Shannon Beiste revealed that she was transitioning from a woman to a man. The football coach made her triumphant return during Friday's appropriately titled "Transitioning" episode as Sheldon Beiste and found immediate support from former New Directions transgender student Wade "Unique" Adams (Alex Newell).
The choir backs Newell's performance of "I Know Where I've Been," from the musical Hairspray.

Tear Down the Walls?

This story was one of the leads last night on Channel 12 TV in Cincinnati:

" SHARONVILLE, Ohio (Angenette Levy) -- The pastor of Leelah Alcorn's church has written a blog discussing the need to "tear down walls" in reference to transgender issues.

Pastor Tim Tripp works at the Northeast Church of Christ. He posted on his blog February 11. The post "Can Tragedy Bring Us Together?" details Tripp's thoughts on Alcorn's suicide and the transgender issue.

Tripp wrote, "I can't help but wonder what would happen if people on both sides of the wall would stop thinking of ways to vent their anger on both sides of the wall would stop thinking of ways to vent their anger toward the other side but instead just reach over the wall and grab a hand on the other side."

Alcorn's suicide sparked outrage and sadness around the world. She wrote a suicide note in which she discussed the need for gender issues to be taught in school. She also said her death needed to mean something.

Lindsey Deaton, who identifies as a transgender woman, was overjoyed by the blog post.

"How amazing. How wonderful. He has reached out. He has written. There is something, I mean this is a really big gesture," Deaton said.  "This is a huge gesture so number one I'm really thankful and grateful and I am a believer. I'm Roman Catholic so my first thought was wow, God is good all the time, God is good all of the time. That's my reaction."

Go here for this promising story.  In addition, Channel 12 I believe is doing a follow up story on Lindsey Deaton.  Go here for more.

A Different Kind of Spirit?

As Connie so profoundly put it- "Yeah, Cyrsti, like you ever limit yourself to just two spirits!  *Hic" (In reference to my Native American 'Two Spirit' Cyrsti's Condo posts) Well, last night, timing was everything and Liz and I went to a gay and lesbian couple happy hour social mixer at a-Bourbon Bar (The Littlefield) in Cincinnati.  The idea is not so far fetched seeing as how Kentucky is across the river and does have some legal and illegal bourbon manufacturing in it's past.

I haven't done much bourbon/whiskey over the years after early abuse of it when I was young (compliments of my Dad's stash.)  But last night Connie, I did not limit myself! It was the first time I have ever been to a bourbon bar, so who would I have been to not partake?

The only other noteworthy part of the evening was I never did out myself to the other attendee's which were fairly evenly mixed between gay men and lesbians. The whole experience was totally liberating and the first of a kind for me.  Seeing both groups as an (almost) innocent observer was very different and all of these individuals were couples and some very long term.

The only problem was I am now invited with Liz to come to the next mixer which involves playing Trivia and Pictionary. I really dislike playing games like that, but organizers said at the least "I could come and drink."  Transgender or not, those first impressions are hell!