[Petrese]

Originally Posted by kara speltz

Petrese: I would agree with you for the most part. But I also think its not unlike the beginnings of the gay rights movement, when only gays were interested in anything to do with other gays. As people came out to their families and people began to know and love lesbians and gays, our allies began to join us.

I know that ten years ago, when I was in Lynchburg for our first Soulforce gathering, I was absolutely transphobic. As I read the stories of folks who were part of that initial gathering, seven of them, if I recall were trans, but I had clearly avoided them because I was uncomfortable. I described it to our local bishop as being similar to when the civil rights movement was beginning and we whites were only comfortable with blacks who had assimilated, but eventually, large numbers of us got it, that it was our work to get over that discomfort.

If it weren't for my mentor Judy, who was a member of our Board for many, many years, I might still be one of those folks who were both disinterested as well as uncomfortable.

I thank all of the transfolks who have been patient with me, as I blundered my way through understanding, first and supporting secondly.

Keep prodding, don't give up.

Kara

Thanks hon, no never give up. As I become more familiar with New York and a lot of the early players it has interested me that Sylvia Rivera was such a large part and a driving force behind Stonewall.