Trans, Asian, immigrant, married, military wife.. a whole bunch of "firsts" in this one.  Cool!

"Possibly Mace or hairspray."  What?  There's a huge difference between the two, and since most (if not all) police officers get exposed to OC/CS/CN agents during training, I can't imagine the authorities being unable to tell the two apart.    The lesson I get from this story is that crowds and large public events are risky places to be.  Its been that way for years, whether for Pride or anything else.  My husband calls it a "target-rich environment."  Anybody wanting to make trouble can't resist big events....like a June-bug to a porch light. 

Father's Day - a set of mixed feelings for me.  Today we honored my husband and his father, both excellent men who do so much for their family.  I enjoy that, and I got a laugh because working is so much a part of my husband's nature, he couldn't even sit down and let us take care of cooking and cleaning...he just can't rest if somebody is working.     Of course, today also carries with it the bitter memories of my own father, who never really wanted me.  I'm glad that my stepkids are getting something better. 

Katie, dysphoria punished me all my life, and trying to 'manage' it made me seriously sick in 2018, and led to a heart attack and 2 cardiac arrests in 2022. So I can say being trans almost killed me!  I have been criticised for saying I wish I was never trans by some who felt I was somehow demeaning them, but it is a very personal feeling, and I appreciate we all feel differently.   Hugs,   Allie

Allie, I concur with you. I would have been happier being one or the other instead of experiencing the hell of being transgender. I am fortunate with having more resources than the average bear, but if I had it to do all over again, I would not have went through any portion of transition. It has been painful and draining. I am physically and mentally exhausted by it all. 

I am shocked. In a good way.   We had a potential realtor for our home sale swing by and in conversation the realtor asked to clarify my name, she thought it was "Mauve" and I gave her my chosen name. Later my wife referred to me with MY CHOSEN NAME! She's been great, but the name thing has been a struggle. Even with the situational prompting it was nice to hear her say it.   Back to grilling dinner. Just needed to smile in words!

LOL  Not even the same day.

Likewise.  For me, the start time is 22:00 ADT, so it's a late night.  But I enjoy the meetings so much that I stay on for an hour.  Finding a time that works for everyone around the world (several of the "regulars" are in Australia) is tricky.

I get a picture here that many of the injuries were from physical violence, and not from the respiratory and eye irritant.   I cannot tell from what I am reading whether this was simple any large crowd or specific to Anti-LGBTQ H8, the problem is that there have been enough threats against LGBTQ people that something can accelerate in all the wrong ways and become a thing of terror.   I was supposed to be at a Trans Pride event yesterday, had tickets and food reservation in, but I could not find parking anywhere close enough to actually get in at the time I was due to be there.  I did not end up attending and simply had to drive home.  The folks I was to have met up with have since told me that the venue was super crowded but they had no problems other than crowd size. 

When I first came to TP I was using the name "Jandi."  It was a combination of my birth name (which I always hated) and the name most people knew me by.  It was kinda given to me accidentally by my ex, but there was a bit of negativity involved.  But it sounded kinda femme, and worked for me at the time. (I still get mail addressed as such) But the negativity was still there.  I decided to go with something else if I wanted a legal change.  I had been using "Ivy" for about a year in a private situation, kinda to try it out.  I actually had a tattoo of an ivy vine running up my leg.  I don't know if I thought of Ivy as the "real" me or what.  But I started to use it more openly, like on here, and it still felt right. When I changed it legally that's what I chose.  Ivy is not related to my deadname at all.  I also chose a new middle name, and even slightly changed the spelling of my last name.   My ID says "Ivy" (F) as does my birth certificate, and passport.  That guy doesn't live here anymore.  

I guess they don't really know if this was intentional, or mere stupidity.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/things-to-do/baltimore-pride-parade-block-party-injuries-7WOMWL344VHS3FQHFYPM77PTSA/     I hope all of the injuries are not serious and everyone will be all right.   Carolyn Marie

What a journey you have with your name! It's pretty wonderful, the whole idea, dark and stormy and then there's light and beauty that breaks through!

I'm actually retired so I'm free most of the time.  I don't usually stay up real late though.  The 21:00 EDT meeting is a bit later than I would prefer.  I'm not usually a night person. I understand how the different time zones can complicate things.

I watched this documentary on Fuse television last week.  It is the extraordinary love story between Asia's Next Top Model host and her transgender spouse.  It is truly "must see TV."   https://www.fuse.tv/v/our-transgender-love-story/001500d7f9ce8a73978c18a3f52d35be    

I'll answer to "Dad" but I prefer "Ivy" in public. I don't know what they say when I'm not around.  Most likely "Dad."   The one that doesn't let me around her kids texted me Happy Father's Day this morning.   (She doesn't want them (middle school) to be "confused."  Seems like not having me around anymore would be confusing on its own.)

@AllieJ In retrospect I can agree that life would have been so much simpler if this hadn't occurred.  But it has and I am very happy, and content. 

Wow, April.  There is such depth to the story behind your name.  Thanks for sharing.

Hi, everyone! I'll start this here because Susan's original offers a wonderful description of the purpose and process of the Zoom meetings. At some point, I'll probably start a new thread if this doesn't capture comments.   I've been asked to train as a host for ZOOM meetings. The intent is to offer an alternative to the current Saturday evening meetings in order to, hopefully, give other members here at TGP and opportunity to participate. I have family coming to visit for a few weeks so I anticipate training around mid-July and then beginning to host a weekly meeting sometime right after that.   I've been participating in the current meetings and have truly enjoyed the opportunity and interaction. They are low key, fun, filled with discussion of a wide range of topics that changes weekly and is based on what people want to discuss that evening. There's no set agenda; it's free-flowing and fun.   You can join or leave at any point so don't feel that you have to commit to the entire time that will be scheduled. The Saturday night meeting typically last for 3 hours or more but there's no set requirement for the meeting I'll be hosting.   My hope in starting a discussion here is to get some idea from our TGP members who might be interested and what time(s) would be most convenient/productive. Feel free to either post here or drop me a PM if you're more comfortable doing that.   I am really looking forward to getting the Zooms going and hopeful that many of you will opt to give it a try. I'd love to get to know you all!!!

Our son calls me his "Parent," and that suits me just fine.  We still celebrate Father's Day, but since my son fled the nest it isn't such a big deal.   As much as I wish I had transitioned early in life, I would not have experienced the joy and blessings of having a child, and the privilege of watching him grow to be a handsome, intelligent and talented young man.  For me, not getting what I wished for turned out to be the true gift.   Carolyn Marie