Tag Archives: Humanity

Humanity, Trans, transgender, why

Echo and Echoing

A question I have on extending understanding of Transgender and LGBTQ+ rights as a whole as well as beyond to include all the minority and discriminated communities is simple words but the easy ends. The community needs to find a way to answer this conundrum.

This question is under the phrases of ‘echo chamber’ ‘preaching to the choir’ or simply put retelling to those already in the know. How to break out of this bubble or feedback loop constructively is a significant challenge.

How can communication be helpful and constructive with an absence of debate and combative tone while not pushing change of belief systems in others?

I think if this can be figured out it can be to way to rediscover humanity and build bridges for the good of people, all people.

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Humanity, Trans, transgender, why

Today will be better because we will make it so!

On November 7 1978 California Proposition 6 also known as the Briggs Initiate we defeated. This initiative would have fired any teacher, teachers aide, administrator or counselor if the employee was found to be gay or a supporter of anyone gay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_California_Proposition_6

Does this sound familiar? Think Florida, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee and a far to long list of US states and it should. The arguments then in the 1970’s is the same as the LGBTQ+ hate bills and laws today almost 50 years later.

There is no evidence in those decades that any of what was claimed has happened, yet they are still beating their drum and stoking the flames of hate. It would seem they have amnesia of all this and have tunnel vision to simply have it their way pushing anyone who opposes down as they attack.

Why is LGBTQ+ history attacked and removed? Why are books banned and education slashed and burned of any mention? As I think through how history has been altered by those who have the authority to do so, it looks like an attempt to hide wrong doing. The notion of the victor writes the history comes to mind. The Nazi’s destroyed art, books, research and the list goes on. I remember being taught during the cold war that history was being manipulated behind the iron curtain. This made me question so much of what I was told as fact.

Why are LGBTQ+ people under attack? This may not be the question to ask first, but instead how can humanity and people defend against these false and baseless accusations that has no proof, no evidence and is solely sourced from religious beliefs that are not even in-line with the teachings there. The issue has been abstracted so much that the view of reality has been distorted.

I am a resilient person and as such I strive for today to be better than yesterday not only for myself but others, even when they may not be part of the same demographic, community or culture. I do all I can to look forward to a time when people and humanity can be above, greater and celebrated more than a single groups ideas, finances, art, education, health for all and above political reach, humanity beyond religious affiliation, bring human respect to all families, sexuality’s and genders. To tear down the cast system we are each placed in as part of the existence we share.

We all have potential and to say some are superior or have a innate or divine gift over others is simply discrimination masking fear and hate. The dice are loaded and the cards are pre-selected before many are even given a chance. I want to see that end and all have opportunity to be everything they want to be.

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Dissent, Humanity, why

I am not immune

I have bias and opinions. It would be wrong for me to say otherwise. If I were to do just that I could easily be saying I am infallible and therefore a god. I am most certainly not. I do make every effort to acknowledge when I am wrong and do what is needed to correct my words or actions.

If I were to say that a group of people make me uncomfortable and pass judgement on them based on belief, opinion or whatever my own thoughts come from and they should not be allowed to – insert exist, be allowed to “X”, etc. I am placing that group in their entirety in a barrier and inside that barrier will very likely be good, bad and every kind of person in between irrespective of the distribution within that definition. I would then be playing god deciding the fate of all who might fit a description.

After 9/11 in America I saw it become socially acceptable to discriminate against any people who might have any connection with the Middle-East. I saw business close and attitudes change. The behavior towards others changed for the worse. This became normal and accepted socially and many resisted I know. The impact still resonates. It has become so easy to rapidly spread a negative attitude towards a group of people that it is almost like a lightning strike.

I make mistakes, I know. I am not immune to passing judgement on others, I am very aware of this. It is what I do with and about that where I see a division in people.

There are some people who have a trait or many traits that make me uncomfortable. The vast majority for me are based in personal safety and imminent perception to physical harm.

People, humans regardless of their demographic, cultural or belief system deserve to exist. Even if some make me uncomfortable or I fundamentally disagree – they should and need to remain part of the world so long as they do not impose direct physical harm or take choice or life from others. They do not have a responsibility to make me like them, nor for them to like me r even make each other comfortable with our different existence. With this we should not feel fear from others. We should not attempt to remove anyone or their choices.

Elimination, erasure, or removal should not happen to anyone from anyone. Respect and tolerance is what is required. Or just call it what it is, playing god.

I am not immune and neither are you.

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Humanity, Trans, transgender

“For your sake. For their sake. ” – Harvey Milk

All my trans* and non-binary brothers and sisters and the LGBTQ+ community, please take care of yourself. To help others people need to be as well as they can be themselves.

In today’s world where attacks are nonstop, reaching out and helping one another before attacking is often the best case in my opinion. Like the safety presentation on an airplane; put your mask on before helping others. The idea of defend before attacking also comes to mind.

It is impossible to see any news or depiction of what passes as news without being subjected to what is found there. There are many ways one can look at this, some good and others bad.

If you are unable to escape the reach of bad news, please keep in mind there can be a positive outcome. Humans are resilient and when up against a no-win, people find what is needed to persevere. There are countless examples throughout history of this.

If we were not in the way of an agenda then we would be largely ignored. This can be a position to take where the community’s existence and the reaction from some points to our strength and obstruction to those desires they use to attempt to beat us down.

I am writing this for anyone who needs it as well as myself. A reminder that I am here and not going anywhere and this act of defiance and dissent alone is a defense against hate. I am and will continue to do more.

What so many trans* and non-binary people are asked to endure on a daily basis is daunting and our perseverance is beyond amazing, it moves me to keep being positive and provides encouragement.

This community has withstood so much and to step back now seems like the wrong direction for how far we have come. In so many ways I see my personal struggle as a source of growth and it shows me just how much I can actually achieve. Convert the stress and anxiety into a drive to keep going and to help others as we can.

Rest if you need to, unplug for a while, recharge and be safe and healthy. I know that the community will be here and continue to be when you are ready again to come out.

Shatter that door down!

I will not attempt to reword Harvey Milk. Here is a link to a speech he made on June 25th 1978 for Gay Freedom Day.

https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/milk-hope-speech

The transcript of Harvey Milk’s The Hope Speech

https://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/amalia-pica/transcript-harvey-milks-the-hope-speech

If you are the video type, here is a YouTube link to a scene from the movie Milk (2008)

If you can, please watch this movie, if you have then watch it again and keep what is happening in mind when you do.

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Art, Creative, Dissent, Humanity, why

Experimental Creations

If as a creative spirit I am an artist, then my genre is experimental in the human and emotional inter and external landscape. General and likely applies quite openly to a great many. No claims on being special or above anyone here.

When I create, be it digital or in real life, like many I am exploring or endeavor to understand some aspect of life. As life is an experience and in one way or another an exploration and or a series of trial and error or experiments. Words, images, color, shape, etc. they all convey thoughts and ideas where understanding is hopefully a component.

I think we misuse understanding and saturate or better yet, dilute what is understanding in the process. I do not understand and therefore I create.

I tend to focus on emotion and humanity. While big, deep and wide topics, I dive in and explore even as I do not know what I may find; kinda the point of an adventure or exploration.

I am not set on making something that is simply pleasing to the eye. In actuality what I or others may see in a visual, auditory or other physical sense we may have is simply a vehicle or transport from what I feel or think to what others do. All the interpretations and adjustments that happen in the process is just that, part of the process.

When I see what other create I also look at what the cost was to bring this into the world. I could look at the time, effort and cost it took, but no, this is not the most significant parts it likely cost to create. It is the emotional labor and in some cases trauma and or struggle to get to where whatever piece is in existence required this to be.

I want to feel something that can inspire me in an emotional or human way. It does not need to be pleasant to look at. It does not even need to be easy. I could continue down this path of words, but why belabor this.

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Dissent, Humanity, why

The hands you feed

Many are familiar with the phrase “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” While this may be cultural in the wording the idea I think should translate properly.

What happens when you are the one feeding? What are the ways this is done? The methods apparent to me are in the form of money, time, effort, skill, etc.

We feed those we work for and the services we pay for. I saw a post on some social platform some time ago that read something like “the phrase ‘cost of living’ is dreadful when you unpack it.” Makes me think a bit.

We, or most of those in the US, pay for healthcare. The idea as I understand is to maintain a healthy life both physically and mentally as well as emotionally. When you add in the costs of insurance premiums, copay’s and everything else it is at least for the non rich to take on stress from the financial burden of just having insurance, even if it is not or little used. A system to keep you healthy is a source of an attack on that very sense of well-being.

Work is much the same. Give your time, effort and skill just to maintain food and housing with the hope you have some extra to have some enjoyment and counter the impact it creates.

It looks to me the very things we rely on and pay for to live are the same things that attack our very ability to live.

We feed the hands that bite us back!

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Art, Dissent, Humanity, My Opinion, Trans, transgender, why

A Dragon

Anyone who attacks the lives of others is just a small heart, small mind and no soul worth redemption. A convoluted pile of fear coated in a Napoleon complex bathed in narcissism. The fear is buried and distorted by hate that attacks the very fabric of what those people claim.

Attacks on Transgender people Non-binary, Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Intersex, Queer plus, plus plus. The long standing history of Black suppression. Asian discrimination against the mere presence of of people not nearly enough effort has been given to understand. This is pitiful and holds no valid excuse or reason of good, noble or even human.

We let these attacks hurt us when we the marginalized can see these for what they are and laugh in the face as they show what they really stand for; money, power, control and to wear a costume to look good for others while their attacks reveal the wolf in sheep’s clothing. The devil in disguise. The pointing out of a red herring. These distract others and themselves from the the inadequacies they bear the weight of.

As a trans woman I have to face my daemons every moment I am. I must think anyone part of a community under attack is pushed to do the same.

Our aggressors are too weak to do the same and make us their targets rather than face what is too much for them, their own daemons. The emotional baggage they carry is too much so they feel they need to distract themselves and others from noticing they are the ones with the issues to be resolved. Too weak to work on themselves, they must attack others.

I do not wish evil upon them unlike what we the oppressed receive. I do not ask for a formal or public apology for their atrocities. I hope they find a way to reconcile what deeply troubles them and find peace in a world of diversity and change.

Calm down, relax and take a deep lifelong breath of unity and peace.

I am not here to throw stones but beg for a better tomorrow for everyone, everywhere regardless of demographic, culture or difference. Communicate and strive for understanding over winning or being right and not wrong. Cooperate and not to demand. Pursue understanding and hold back judgement.

The idea of a dragon changes and one way this is in culture. The symbolism of a dragon is a protecting mother much as a bear will defend her young. The dragon mentors, protects and nurtures and when she must draw on her wisdom and strength, defend against the aggressors.

Let us keep the nurture and caring mother dragons doing just that and end the need to defend as aggressors are nowhere.

The noble and just will let the past be and work tirelessly to forge a new beginning on solid ground with a clean slate.

Can we open the door, negotiate, even if informally, to begin again and vow to an eternal ceasefire for the prosperity of humanity.

My blog is titled Empress Em and this can illicit notions I am aware. The thoughts of a ruler or any standing above is not who I am or what I stand for. I am a peasant Empress of a life full of struggle and not one of privilege or power. I rule only my own choices and mind, no one else.

I also dilute the ideas of Queens, kings, Empress and Emperor to President, Chairman, dictator and the entire list possible to make here. These should not be titles on authority but strive to be Buddha or flow as the Taoist.

If we are to kill anyone we should do so not in hate, desire, power, greed or otherwise but in the warmth and comfort of compassion and kindness.

Forgive and move forward without combat. We are not gods and as such we are fallible and have no authority in the judgement of others. This goes both ways and in every direction.

Can we stop hurting others and can we stop denying ourselves?

Time to let the lie of the red herring no longer be a scapegoat.

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Art, Humanity, Photgraphy, San Francisco

Friends and Healing

When a dive about and ending up watching the last light of the sunset from the beach I took a few photos as we chatted about this and that.

We had both been having a day of our own and the conversation with all the twists and turns in topic and tone provided me with a healing. I hope she felt the same in this.

As she drove the car the shutter on my camera made the sound each time I pressed the button, we chatted and kept on. The car turned here and a photo there as we winded and wondered around.

The ability to help someone and be helped at the same time is a reciprocal wonder to have. It makes each better than on their own or individually.

The colors and the dimming light contrasted in a way, mirroring the conversation. The recounting and spoken or not, the revelations and realizations of how to see perspective on what was or what may be.

As the setting sun gave outline to the foreground, separating the people on the beach and holding a togetherness simultaneously.

A chance frame makes for a serendipitous find. A mistake turned to have meaning and purpose. Yes, more of this in life please.

While I will never know what this person was doing or thinking I can take the moment and tell a story about what I saw and see to connect in many ways. Imagination is a wonderful way to see what is so difficult to find.

The last moment of sunlight for the day as I put my camera away. I see the sunset as the end of the day but also an opportunity to begin something new and anticipate what could be tomorrow.

Healing friends – friends and healing. It works both ways.

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