PPM and Equality

PPM... proud parent moments.

Yes, I had some of those.  Friday night at Simchat Torah services.  As I watched Sophie march into the sanctuary with the rest of the Jr Choir up onto the bima and sing each song/prayer with a huge smile on her face.  SO nice. 

Then all the festivities of the service - carrying the Torahs around, seeing people I haven't seen in awhile and catching up and or being able to say Happy New Year.  What a great community we are a part of.  So blessed and thankful.

Sophie is catching my cold, so we made no plans for the weekend, except to rent movies and hang around the house.  Nice for all of us.  Linda has somehow managed to avoid catching this long-lasting cold. (Yes, mine is still thriving nicely, thanks!)

Then, we were lying in bed on Friday night and Sophie sang a few of the songs that were sung during the service and I can't remember being more peaceful falling asleep than after listening to her a capella rendition of "Oseh Shalom".  Yep.  It was a magical moment.

We did run out on Saturday to pick up a Stamp collecting album as Sophie has expressed interest in starting to do this and fortunately Linda has experience in this.  We intend to attend a Stamp show in November.  I guess I'll be learning about this hobby, as well.

On Sunday, Linda & I attended a lecture at the local gay community center on Sunday.  Here's how it was billed:

Joy Ladin, a published author and literature professor at Yeshiva University, made International headlines in 2007 when after 5 years of teaching and tenure, she announced to her employer that she was undergoing gender transition to become a woman.  She was consequently barred from the university , and placed on  "indefinite research leave."  With the help of Lambda Legal, she successfully challenged the administration's decision and was able to return to her teaching position as the first trans-gender faculty member at Yeshiva University.  

It was an emotional story, as you can imagine any story where someone spends the their entire life trying to 'fit in' to what her outward appearance role should be.  The 16 people in attendance were visibly moved by her story and impressed with her dignity and attitude.  I was really glad we attended.  She was an inspiration to be true to yourself.

I am newly aware of the Trans-gender community, as with most things, until it touches your life, one doesn't usually spend much time thinking about things.  The more I learn, the more I realize that the GLBT community needs to really embrace the Trans-gender community and I'm glad to see that our local group does and does it very well.

It was very apropos that this talk happened on such a very historic weekend that also included such events as the HRC National dinner in Washington, DC where President Barack Obama spoke on Saturday night which was televised on C-Span.  What an incredible speaker he is and what an honor to have his support.  He was criticized for not saying 'when' he would be doing the things he said he would do, but the fact remains that he said he would do them.  All things take time and it's more than we EVER got from the last administration.  

It was also National Coming Out Day on Sunday Oct 11th there was also a HUGE march in Washington for Equality.  What a crowd it was and hopefully things will change and equality will happen.   I believe it will, as I've seen so much change over the past 30+ years since I've come out.

Comments

[Jess]

"The more I learn, the more I realize that the GLBT community needs to really embrace the Trans-gender community and I'm glad to see that our local group does and does it very well."

Thanks, Val, for saying this. It means so much to me to have your support and to see that you realize that the Trans community really needs as many supportive allies as possible. I'm proud of our local group for making trans advocacy a priority since so few in the glb community even realize the struggles that trans people deal with.

I was there, in DC, with two other trans men, fighting for equality for all of us. It was experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

[Tina-cious.com]

I'm so glad you went to that event!

Go Sophie! :)

[JR]

I loved stamp collecting as a kid (even now if I go to buy stamps I get a few sheets for my collection!) My parents didn't know what to do with me - I liked Stamps, computers and reading - all things that they had no interest in. But my Mom always took me to stamp stores and the book\computer store in our town. It's great that you all are going to a stamp show.

Hope you and Sophie feel better!!

[val]

Jess...you know that saying that certain people come into your life for a reason? :)

Tina... :)

JR... cool Perhaps you could join us for a stamp show?! We like geeks! :) Thanks for the get well wishes.