Cyrsti's Condo Monday Edition

Due to my continued ease of non access to a computer, I have decided to do a  Monday edition today which (obviously) will replace the Sunday Edition from yesterday. It's a bright chilly fall day here in Ohio, perfect for a hot cup o joe or tea! Let's get started.

Page One-The Week that Was or Wasn't: Of course the elections have come and gone and although I don't think anything is as bad or good as it seems, I still carry a fair amount of paranoia. At the least, the far right is mounting an effort already to repeal any rights we have gained as an LGBTQ community. I do wonder how many people protesting Trump in the streets actually voted when 47% of the populace didn't.

Page Two-Yesterday's Coffee: Other the scrambling for computer time, I was able to do a bit of succesful seasonal shopping. I did manage to find a wonderful pair of calf high charcoal grey boots in my size which fit perfectly! I wear an 11Wide, not exactly the most popular size in the world of women's shoes. Of course, such a nice pair of boots would have to have plenty of leggings to go with them, which I already had. What I didn't have though were long sweaters to complete my outfit. I also found one of those yesterday plus one I didn't know I had in an old closet. My goal is to have a couple sharp outfits to chose from for Liz's company party and New Years Eve.

Page Three-TDOR: Don't forget Transgender Day of Remembrance is coming up this Sunday, November 20th. I am helping with the greater Cincinnati event and don't think for a moment we all don't have worries about increased security. To run and hide at this point of my life would be the greatest injustice of all.

Page Four-the Back Page: There you go William! Thanks for asking about the Sunday Edition :).
With a little continued good fortune, I will be back in the internet saddle again on a regular basis soon.
Luv ya all!
Jessie

Milestone

This morning was a milestone of sorts in my transgender Mtf transistion. It was the second time I voted with my bright and shiny (almost) feminine drivers license (I.D.) here in Ohio.

To seemingly finish the moment off with an exclamation point was when I waited for a second to hold a door open for another woman coming in the polling spot. She said "Thank you Ma'am."

Doing my duty as an American citizen couldn't have gone better!

Safe Haven

Once a month I try to attend a group dedicated to providing safe havens for anyone who may need them- from LGBTQ to beyond. People dealing with drug, weight, abuse and cutting problems to name a few.

I have a tendency to show up at the meetings with a chip on my shoulder of sorts. Sure, growing up transgender was no piece of cake, but few lives are. It seems my heart has been broken almost every meeting. Why do I go? It seems (unless there is a transgender speaker), I am the lone transgender regular to make an appearance.

What I would like to see is a Native American Indian representative talk about the faded influence of twin or two spirited individuals in the tribal systems. If you aren't familiar, "Two Spirit" is not interchangeable with "LGBT Native American" or "Gay Indian";^[2] this title differs from most western, mainstream definitions of sexuality and gender identity in that it is not so much about whom one sleeps with, or how one personally identitfies; rather, it is a sacred, spiritual and ceremonial role that is recognized and confirmed by the Elders of the Two Spirit's ceremonial community."

So far, I have not been able to hear such a person and my friends of Native American Indian descent have very little knowledge of the history. 

There is a small TV cable channel called Vice now in it's fourth year. On it's "Gaycation" series, they mentioned several transgender issues, including "two spirit" individuals. Who are crucial to any study of trans history.

All any of us can do is try to influence what we can. Even the "repeat" Halloween appearence can trigger positive responses from co-workers. (Oh!, she (you) could be one of those!) Plus, being one of 'those' to the average cis-woman is not a bad thing-unless you are her 'man.' 

So, safe spaces are tough to come by and the holidays make the situation even worse. If you have the chance to help...please do.