When We Are Called Out To Speak

[VickySGV]

A week ago I made a post on my FaceBook page about my feelings from having represented my parish church at our Diocesan Convention on Dec. 4 & 5. The communications board member of Integrity, which is the U.S. Episcopal Church's LGBT ministry group is one of my Face Book friends, and another is the Executive Director of Integrity, who is a Trans* woman. I was asked if they could put my post on their national blog site, and it came up today. The link will take you to it. This is a very wonderful honor for me. God is active in our lives when we least expect it. My closing paragraph refers to some things I have read here recently too. Hope you don't mind.

http://walkingwithintegrity.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-rose-by-any-other-name.html

[Carolyn Marie]

Thank was very moving, Vicky. So well written and persuasive. I hope it met with good feelings and an awareness of who we are. Thank you for sharing it. You are truly an ambassador.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[KathrynJulia]

I admit to getting a little emotional Vicky. I've been through a lot transitioning. The most profound moment was looking at my drivers license with my new name on it. It was the beginning of my complete change. I'm that person now and will take it with me to the grave.

thanks for sharing Vicky. Kathy

[VickySGV]

Thank was very moving, Vicky. So well written and persuasive. I hope it met with good feelings and an awareness of who we are. Thank you for sharing it. You are truly an ambassador.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

Carolyn, I actually did FB chat with the Executive Director of Integrity for a few minutes this morning and she felt it was a very wonderful and appropriate piece that is relevant for today. When I checked a bit ago, it had been shared to several other Diocese's web sites which means it is being accepted and liked.

As far as the Episcopal Church same sex marriage push goes, it should be in its "home stretch" with the big issues ironed out shortly, and then it is the intention of Integrity to get the Trans* issues placed on the main table and moving ahead. Vivian who is the Exec Director is a Trans*woman who was brought on board to work on Trans* issues which admittedly have not received top billing for a while due to the nature of the marriage issue. As I call it, sticking my nose in, now, is a good thing and helpful to not only the Church, but to the TG community.

[Bulldog1948]

Excellent well written article. I surely did pack a punch.

You know Vicky, it makes all the difference in the world when we are accepted by the Church and its congregation.

[Guest LizMarie]

Very well written, Vicky! Congratulations on the honor! And thanks for the mention.

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Vicky, that was wonderful, and so, so true. Names are so important to us. I did a personal re-dedication ceremony for myself when I took my true name. I am very glad that you are going to be able to do the same sort of thing in your faith, in public church no less. Groovy! I am certain that I will cry tears of joy when I finally get my name and gender change, and also when I get a new driver's license with a new picture (I cannot actually look at my current one for more than a brief glance), my true name, and that little F to the right of sex. I am so glad that you have that article out there, so that non-trans* folk can get an understanding of our feelings about names. Absolutely wonderful, thanks.

hugs,

Stephanie