Tag Archives: Trans Rights

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.

Standard
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.

Standard
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.

Standard
Creative, Trans, Written

Open Mic at Bazaar Cafe! (video)

This post is a special one for me as the results are very unknown at the moment to what may happen as this goes up. The first post I made on this blog was a written work by myself and this is video of me reading it in front of a live audience.

Link to the post I mentioned

It took a bit of time and effort to get to this point. Many renders of the video is just one. I asked those whose sounds can be heard permission and obtained releases to use them.

I have to give another really appreciative thank you to Elliot Racine – I love your style and energy! The other musicians and people who chose to remain in the video without credit and of course Bazaar Cafe!

After I read and saw the next several performers I stepped in I to the garden out back of the cafe to rest and process what had happened. I was not there long when I received a spectacular compliment. She came and found me to say that way I wrote helped her understand more about what it means to be trans. She said as a supporter and ally my words spoke beyond my demographic to bring a description she could see bridging more than what is commonly found.

This is the reason I am taking the risk to put this out. To build understanding and bring people together.

Those that have read, heard or seen these words have their own way of expressing the similar ideas that this combination and order of words can resonate within and beyond the trans community.

My hope and dream for this is just that and I want to see this happen so much.

And with all of that, I give you:

I am going to try to let the video speak for itself and not further embellish.

Please leave your feedback, I especially want to hear how this helps people.

And the necessary details:

As for the details, Attribution, no-derivatives, Non-commercial rights. This means you cannot alter the video and you must credit me “EmpressEm” and no commercial use and no you cannot use this in any way for profit.

This leaves people to share this as-is without the need for additional permission as long as the above is met. For requests outside of this, please use the contact page on this site. (not that I have any anticipation of such.)

Standard