Trans Lives
Young; she suffered-silent, alone
She came to live her truth
Stalked by a man
now-dead on a slab-alone
Liz e LaVenture, Feb. 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
Alone In A Crowd
Alone In A Crowd
Alone in a city of millions,
on a crowded sidewalk.
Alone in a car at Freeway rush hour,
or dinner for one at a trendy restaurant.
I had a family; everyone does,
but I am alone in a crowd.
Concert, movie, commuter train,
does anyone see the pain?
Does anyone feel the same?
Alone in the Airport, Train Station.
Arrivals, departures, I am neither.
I wait for no one, no one waits for me.
Is it just me; can it be?
Or; are we All alone?
Each with our load to bear;
a job, a mission, a journey-to where?
Is the task so tough, the burden too great
to care, to share,
to see the other person there-alone
to give a smile, to say; Hello.
The world looks better
to me, to you
when we share
when we care.
Liz e LaVenture Feb. 2015
Friday, December 12, 2014
Life Is Poetry In Motion
Some Gymnasts,
Some Swimmers,
or Divers.
I am a Runner.
When trained and fit
the performance, the art
is almost effortless,
a thing of beauty.
An expression of
boundless joy of life
that can't be denied!
Some of the most memorable
and beautiful runs;
were in the pouring rain,
at dawn, or dusk.
In the woods alone
on untrod snow,
or circling a meadow
where grazing deer
lift their heads in wonder
to see me glide past.
While my legs, my age
no longer allow me to create
my art, my poetry;
I see art, I see poetry
all around me in nature,
in how people express themselves;
live their lives -
Dance
Music
Literature.
Whatever your joy;
Find your joy.
Live your joy, express your joy.
Life is joy, life is art, life is poetry.
Life is Poetry in Motion!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Berkeley - Free Speech Movement
Fifty years ago, today; Oct. 1st 1964.
It all started fifty years ago today. Jack Weinberg was arrested for Tabling political literature in front of Spraul Hall at UC Berkeley. Fifty years ago today, that police car was surrounded by 6,000 people for 32 hours and prevented from taking Weinberg to jail. Fifty years ago today, the Free Speech Movement was born. Mario Savio, Joan Baez, and others emerged from the Berkeley Free Speech Movement and devoted their lives to changing the world.
I missed it by three years and a few hundred miles. In 1967, I was in College in So. Cal. and SDS had taken the place of the Free Speech Movement. We moved the dialog forward, but eventually SDS imploded, as did the movement as a whole.
There is work yet to be done, and fifty years later, we are gathering again in Spraul Plaza at Berkeley to hear speeches by those that were here fifty years ago, those that were moved by what those early activists did, and those who today have vision for the future. The movement died and direction was lost, but we didn't lose our voices. We didn't lose Free Speech, and there is still work to be done. Not everyone is equal in this society. Not everyone has the same rights, or opportunities. So; we will raise our voices today on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Free Speech Movement. We will not be silenced - I will not be silenced until all are Free and Equal and have the same Rights and opportunities.
Fifty years ago today we were at war. We are still at war, and still being lied to. The U.S. needs to stop trying to police the world and fix it's own house.
It all started fifty years ago today. Jack Weinberg was arrested for Tabling political literature in front of Spraul Hall at UC Berkeley. Fifty years ago today, that police car was surrounded by 6,000 people for 32 hours and prevented from taking Weinberg to jail. Fifty years ago today, the Free Speech Movement was born. Mario Savio, Joan Baez, and others emerged from the Berkeley Free Speech Movement and devoted their lives to changing the world.
I missed it by three years and a few hundred miles. In 1967, I was in College in So. Cal. and SDS had taken the place of the Free Speech Movement. We moved the dialog forward, but eventually SDS imploded, as did the movement as a whole.
There is work yet to be done, and fifty years later, we are gathering again in Spraul Plaza at Berkeley to hear speeches by those that were here fifty years ago, those that were moved by what those early activists did, and those who today have vision for the future. The movement died and direction was lost, but we didn't lose our voices. We didn't lose Free Speech, and there is still work to be done. Not everyone is equal in this society. Not everyone has the same rights, or opportunities. So; we will raise our voices today on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Free Speech Movement. We will not be silenced - I will not be silenced until all are Free and Equal and have the same Rights and opportunities.
Fifty years ago today we were at war. We are still at war, and still being lied to. The U.S. needs to stop trying to police the world and fix it's own house.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Due To Conditions Beyond My Control
PTSD- As part of my Therapist's efforts to help me deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, she has recommended that I cut back, or eliminate entirely following the News on TV or Online and to reduce Facebook time. Such involvement acts as a trigger to me. I have reluctantly agreed.
I grew up watching and involved in current events. Right out of High School, I was in the streets protesting the Vietnam War. I refused to be Drafted. Up to today there is still so much that calls for action, activism, involvement, at least comment & Share online. LGBT Rights, especially Transgender Rights; our efforts and setbacks - the Horrible attacks on our Community! The fact that no Activist, or Social Justice Organization has offered me a chance to get involved; or make a difference, has left me with little option but watching from the sidelines, or online and everyday being Horrified by the attacks and inhumanity in the world - all I can do is comment and Share my Outrage online.
The resulting anxiety and panic leads to physical symptoms. I Must take care of myself. So; to eliminate stress going forward, I will from now on, only post cute pictures and videos of cats, puppies, and farm animals. Instead of hours on the news feed, I will play Candy Crush and Farmville.
I want to live; but, I don't want to live to regret this decision. I want to live long enough to see a better world with Equality for All, Access to Affordable Health care for All, End to War and Imperialism, Full Employment, and a Sustainable Ecology - Not too much to ask is it?
Thank you, my Friends for all your Love and Support ~ Peace Out!!
La Liz
08/06/2014
I grew up watching and involved in current events. Right out of High School, I was in the streets protesting the Vietnam War. I refused to be Drafted. Up to today there is still so much that calls for action, activism, involvement, at least comment & Share online. LGBT Rights, especially Transgender Rights; our efforts and setbacks - the Horrible attacks on our Community! The fact that no Activist, or Social Justice Organization has offered me a chance to get involved; or make a difference, has left me with little option but watching from the sidelines, or online and everyday being Horrified by the attacks and inhumanity in the world - all I can do is comment and Share my Outrage online.
The resulting anxiety and panic leads to physical symptoms. I Must take care of myself. So; to eliminate stress going forward, I will from now on, only post cute pictures and videos of cats, puppies, and farm animals. Instead of hours on the news feed, I will play Candy Crush and Farmville.
I want to live; but, I don't want to live to regret this decision. I want to live long enough to see a better world with Equality for All, Access to Affordable Health care for All, End to War and Imperialism, Full Employment, and a Sustainable Ecology - Not too much to ask is it?
Thank you, my Friends for all your Love and Support ~ Peace Out!!
La Liz
08/06/2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Transition Thru The Looking Glass
a nod to Lewis CarrollUsed to be I'd look in a mirror
I didn't see me.
Not truly,
Not me.
I saw a young boy;
A teenage boy,
A man,
Not me.
I took a chance,
A leap
Thru the Looking Glass.
Fear was forgotten.
Clearly; now I saw
Who I was meant to be.
Now the image in the mirror
Is that of a woman set free.
Some refer to "Choice".
A "Choice"?
To be me?
Who else then would I be?
"Choice" - I beg to differ.
I call it a chance.
We only get so many.
Some go by unseen.
There is no Bookie
To predict odds of when.
Or if,
Or even success.
Chance comes to some young,
Some old.
Some get a second chance,
Some no chance.
So - When you look in a mirror
Who do you see?
Is that truly you,
Or someone other looking to be free.
Liz e LaVenture
June 3, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
When Identity Becomes A Slur
How do I 'identify'? I must state initially that I find the object in the question as posed problematic. The nature of the problem will be revealed as I continue.
I am a woman. That is my declarative statement, simple as that. I 'identify' as what I am. Of course; there is more to the story, there always is.
You see; when I was born I was not 'identified' as female by those that make these decisions. Doctors, my parents, the Church-'identified' me as a boy. When I was born (commonly, even today) medical science didn't understand that Gender is an innate sense that each individual has within themselves. Gender cannot be determined by looking at a baby's external sex organs/genitalia. The aforementioned medical science and that of psychology refer to someone like me as Transgender, a Transgender Woman.
Transgender is a modifying adjective; it does not define me, it is not what I am. I am a Woman. Now; historically, a segment of the LGBT Community has thrown about the word - "Tranny". For better; and usually worse, society at large is familiar with "Tranny". Jerry Springer and more recently, RuPaul have thrust the word and it's connotation around the world via the media. Looking back historically again; if I may, in the early, emerging LGBT Community "Tranny" was used in a campy context. Drag Queens, early Transgender individuals, and many others either referred to themselves, or said to each other such things as: Oh! You're such a "Tranny". The word; and others we don't have room for here, also took on a darker side with the porn industry and sex work in general.
Meanwhile; LGBT people gained some visibility and acceptance and Transgender women and men gained courage to live authentically and openly. We sought jobs in mainstream society. As a Community we have talents and skills all across the spectrum. Where 'identity' becomes problematic is in that search for employment; and truth be told, many every day interactions in society. Slurs that 'identify' other segments of the LGBT Community have fallen into public disfavor. They aren't uttered in 'polite' company openly. So; while there still exists undeniably discrimination against All the LGBT Community; the name calling on the street, or behind the back that formerly targeted and marginalized the L, G, and B has dramatically lessened. The Transgender Community has not overcome that hurdle as yet. Over 250 Transgender individuals are murdered each year worldwide. A frequently horrific brutal death occasionally with the word "Tranny" carved into their flesh. We are called "Tranny" by drunken thugs on the street and sometimes beaten. Many of us don't have the genetics, or resources to be assumed to be born female. Employers judge applicants on many levels and have a critical eye. In all but 13 (the count is changing) States we have no employment protection. Beyond employment, society at large grabs at a quick label, a box, to put people in. The quickest, the easiest is what they see on TV. A "Tranny" Drag Race, a "Tranny" murder-unsolved.
The word "Tranny" is a diminutive-see wikipedia-a contraction, a lessening (lessening!) word, a modifier, and a Slur.
So; we are back to the beginning, and you see why an 'identity' that consists of a modifier, Transgender can become a slippery slope. Once the modifier; for whatever reason, becomes contracted into a diminutive with a history of marginalization and abuse, i.e. - "Tranny"- it comes with baggage none of us wants.
I am a Woman! I am proud to make that declaration. I am also proud to be Transgender; but, that doesn't define me or, identify me. I am a Woman named Liz e LaVenture. Simple as that. End of story.
Liz e LaVenture 5/29/2014
How do I 'identify'? I must state initially that I find the object in the question as posed problematic. The nature of the problem will be revealed as I continue.
I am a woman. That is my declarative statement, simple as that. I 'identify' as what I am. Of course; there is more to the story, there always is.
You see; when I was born I was not 'identified' as female by those that make these decisions. Doctors, my parents, the Church-'identified' me as a boy. When I was born (commonly, even today) medical science didn't understand that Gender is an innate sense that each individual has within themselves. Gender cannot be determined by looking at a baby's external sex organs/genitalia. The aforementioned medical science and that of psychology refer to someone like me as Transgender, a Transgender Woman.
Transgender is a modifying adjective; it does not define me, it is not what I am. I am a Woman. Now; historically, a segment of the LGBT Community has thrown about the word - "Tranny". For better; and usually worse, society at large is familiar with "Tranny". Jerry Springer and more recently, RuPaul have thrust the word and it's connotation around the world via the media. Looking back historically again; if I may, in the early, emerging LGBT Community "Tranny" was used in a campy context. Drag Queens, early Transgender individuals, and many others either referred to themselves, or said to each other such things as: Oh! You're such a "Tranny". The word; and others we don't have room for here, also took on a darker side with the porn industry and sex work in general.
Meanwhile; LGBT people gained some visibility and acceptance and Transgender women and men gained courage to live authentically and openly. We sought jobs in mainstream society. As a Community we have talents and skills all across the spectrum. Where 'identity' becomes problematic is in that search for employment; and truth be told, many every day interactions in society. Slurs that 'identify' other segments of the LGBT Community have fallen into public disfavor. They aren't uttered in 'polite' company openly. So; while there still exists undeniably discrimination against All the LGBT Community; the name calling on the street, or behind the back that formerly targeted and marginalized the L, G, and B has dramatically lessened. The Transgender Community has not overcome that hurdle as yet. Over 250 Transgender individuals are murdered each year worldwide. A frequently horrific brutal death occasionally with the word "Tranny" carved into their flesh. We are called "Tranny" by drunken thugs on the street and sometimes beaten. Many of us don't have the genetics, or resources to be assumed to be born female. Employers judge applicants on many levels and have a critical eye. In all but 13 (the count is changing) States we have no employment protection. Beyond employment, society at large grabs at a quick label, a box, to put people in. The quickest, the easiest is what they see on TV. A "Tranny" Drag Race, a "Tranny" murder-unsolved.
The word "Tranny" is a diminutive-see wikipedia-a contraction, a lessening (lessening!) word, a modifier, and a Slur.
So; we are back to the beginning, and you see why an 'identity' that consists of a modifier, Transgender can become a slippery slope. Once the modifier; for whatever reason, becomes contracted into a diminutive with a history of marginalization and abuse, i.e. - "Tranny"- it comes with baggage none of us wants.
I am a Woman! I am proud to make that declaration. I am also proud to be Transgender; but, that doesn't define me or, identify me. I am a Woman named Liz e LaVenture. Simple as that. End of story.
Liz e LaVenture 5/29/2014
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