Not A Political Discussion Even Though It Is Posted In "Politics"

[VickySGV]

I have mentioned in other places that I am involved as a stage technician with a choral group of Trans* folk here in Los Angeles. Last night we had a paid gig of two planned numbers, and one encore number at a political fundraising party for a local California Congressman. This congressman is the proud grandfather of a Trans* girl and I think he was legitimately and truly happy to meet and experience the chorus members who he took time to greet and talk with during the mingle and meet part of the program. (I have worked around politicians for over 30 years and have learned to differentiate between their political and private feelings which they do have, and for the most part the meeting of the Chorus members fell into the "private" range.) As the stage tech, I personally try to stay in the background and let the singing members be in the limelight, but even that way I was even able to chat with several people who were "dignitaries" in their own right, including one State elected official who oversees the agency that I retired from 5 years ago. Feigned or legitimate, the ones I spoke to were interested in actually having met a Trans* person and Trans* people who are out and open, especially ones who will use the medium of song to make us heard. Singing to me is more of a universal language of reconciliation than anything else (I wish I could do it) and is so human that even potential H8ers will have trouble making their own croakings more than noise without a message.

My only "Ummmmm" part of the evening was that the featured guest who was supporting the Congressman was retired Congressman Barney Frank who has been a problem for the TG population in the past. He was glossy on the Trans* issues but did mention his husband, and his own gayness as a supportive ground for the local Congressman. I shook his hand and my hand is still attached to me this morning. I guess all is good there.

I am deliberately NOT mentioning the political party involved although most of you can guess correctly, because that is not important really to my main point which is that there are ways we Trans* folk can present ourselves positively and humanly that do not require bonking folks on the head with picket signs. One piece we did was IRIS by the Goo Goo Dolls in which the concluding line is "I just want you to know who I am!! That to me sums up the evening.

[Guest Clair Dufour]

Already in this election we have seen the battle lines between those who support LGBT equality and those who go

as far as to want to kill us. My facebook is filled daily with political stuff. It will be a major issue in

the election and Im sure we will see many more groups come out in support. Polls show us that the majority of

americans support now support LGBT issues so it is no longer the kiss of death to accept our support. Barney

is a progressive centerist politician not an LGBT activist. Economic equality is his thing.

[Guest Alicia Rose]

One piece we did was IRIS by the Goo Goo Dolls in which the concluding line is "I just want you to know who I am!! That to me sums up the evening.

Awesome! That's one of my favorite songs! "And I don't want the world to see me. 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand".

[VickySGV]

One piece we did was IRIS by the Goo Goo Dolls in which the concluding line is "I just want you to know who I am!! That to me sums up the evening.

Awesome! That's one of my favorite songs! "And I don't want the world to see me. 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand".

That is indeed a reason I like it, it really describes us at least in the refrain!!