The Friday Random Thirteen

Got The Time by Anthrax
All My Life by Linda Ronstadt
Whip It by Devo
You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
Spanish Bombs by The Clash
N.I.B. by Black Sabbath
Heavy Duty by Judas Priest
She Said by Robert Plant
Change It by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
Skin Trade by Duran Duran
God by Duran Duran
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll by Judas Priest
Shakin’ All Over by The Who

Atheist Quote Of A Random Day

A continuing feature of this blog brought to you by just another atheist

Faith means not wanting to know what is true. – Friedrich Nietzsche

Yet Another Quick One Before I Sleep

Yet another Trans person, a trans-man this time, murdered in D.C., the re-emergence yet again of the radical feminist trans-phobes and the gender panic over Caster Semenya’s physic and superb performance Not a good time to be trans gender or gender queer it would seem. But it’s always a bad time for us, we face hatred even from many in the lesbian and gay communities.

I have, however, a shining new example to help me move forward, Carla. I want to thank her for being there and her courage. I also want to thank Alexander for introducing us.

Now enough of this sloppy sentimentality, time for some rock and roll.

Terms

Kate Borstein and Chris Bartlett just had a wonderful discussion on terms used to describe people and how umbrella terms always seem to exclude groups. They were talking in particular about how MSM as an umbrella term makes invisible black gay culture but how using gay as an umbrella term makes ‘t invisible those people who identify as MSM or WSW. It isn’t just those terms that are problematical, transgender, transsexual and gender queer can all be used as umbrella terms and all are inadequate in one way or another.

I can see a few problems here; one is that umbrella terms always tend to homogenize the group the term is being used for hiding the diversity within the group. As an example take the term ‘White America’. Which White America, the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest, the west coast or the Northwest? Even that list overlooks the profound differences within those regions. Another problem is that our language is inadequate to describe the vast and subtle reality that is sexual orientation and gender identity. Look how recent most of the language used for this is, homosexual wasn’t used until 1869 and most of the rest of the terminology is considerably newer than that.

Our language for dealing with this is still evolving and will continue to evolve as our understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity grow. Language and descriptive terms do matter and we must have the right to define them for oursel

I Am What They Fear

Really I am, I am exactly what the Republicans, theocrats and the like fear. I do want to destroy traditional marriage because it sucks. You want reasons then read Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law (Queer Ideas). I don’t stop there I do want to subvert and eventually destroy the gender binary. Gender, sexual orientation and physical sex none of them are binaries. Read My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely to get some perspective on this. Oh and for the trifecta I am not all that fond of capitalism either. Go to The Industrial Workers og The World website to get some idea of the possible alternatives. So yes I am a radical and a revolutionary who does want to bring down their ‘America’. I figure it’s about time we got OUR America.

Atheist Quote Of A Random Day

A continuing feature of this blog brought to you by just another atheist

Belief in the supernatural reflects a failure of the imagination. – Edward Abbey

Now Is The Time

Now is the time for blood
Now is the time to tear off my skin and drop this human guise
Now is the time to become the monster that they fear
Now is the time to drown their hopes and dreams in blood

A Quick One Before I Sleep

You may have noticed I identify as queer but not gay. Maybe it’s my 60’s upbringing but I identify with those who want to change society not those who want to accommodate and assimilate. Or maybe being the last tag end of LGBT and being told I don’t exist (being bi) or don’t deserve the same legal protections (non inclusive ENDA last year) has just made me bitter and twisted. Whatever the reason I’m a radical queer and damn proud of it.

I don’t presume to define others so define yourself and I’ll do my best to respect that definition. If I fuck up please call me on it, it’s the only way I’ll learn

Another Late Night Ramble

First welcome to my new readers, your kind comments have done much for my ego.

I want to get back to daily posting. As you may have noticed I use this blog for a lot of self-therapy.

Body image is a big issue for many trans-gender and gender queer people. We use hormones and surgeries to bring our bodies into line with our sense of gender self. So we tend to be sensitive to body image issues which is more than can be said for P.E.T.A. Their new billboard show just what a clueless bunch of gits they are. Their add is enough to make me eat more meat. This from a queer who just made hirself a baked tofu salad which ze uses to make lettuce wraps. I am sick and tired of this promotion of anorexia and heroin chick.

On the subject of body image I would like to recommend a new TV show on Lifetime, and online, Drop Dead Diva . The basic premise is a blond model dies and gets a second chance in the body of a full figured lawyer. It really is the best treatment body image I’ve seen, go watch a episode or three.

Sigh, I really need to sleep so good night all.

We Fight For Our Rights, But Which Rights?

We queers are fighting for our rights like never before and making good progress on several fronts. The question is which fronts should we prioritize? The major problem is there are 51 answers, one front for every state and one for the Federal level. In my home state of California we have good and inclusive hate crime, employment non-discrimination and anti bullying laws so it makes sense to fight for marriage equality*. On the Federal level the Matthew Sheppard act and a fully inclusive ENDA are the most urgent priorities. In other states other priorities, it is up to the people in each state to prioritize the fights in their state. In this battle one size defiantly does not fit all.

My personal feelings, for what their worth, is that the highest priority should always go to the most basic rights. A fully gender inclusive employment non-discrimination act, anti-bulling laws and a hate crimes law should be the highest priority. Everything else, as important as it may be, is a luxury compared to our basic survival.

* Or maybe not, read Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law (Queer Ideas) and decide for your self

Coming Out and ‘Real’ Names

I need to be more out that I am Gender Queer and Pansexual. Some people now and I don’t exactly hide it but neither am I ‘Out And Proud’. So let’s do a little coming out here shall we?

The name on my California Drivers License is Barry Scott Routh, that is also my legal name such as it is. The name I claim as my own is Natasha Yar-Routh and someday I hope to have THAT on my driver’s license.

I haven’t done a lot of transitioning because of my home situation and my mother. Those are the primary reasons I still use my old name. My situation with Lyne is complex but with my mother I’m worried of the impact on a 91-year-old woman of her son suddenly becoming her daughter. More to the truth I afraid of the consequences with Lyne and my mother.

On the other hand I’m coming out to my congressman, I have signed up to lobby him for the passage of a inclusive ENDA with United ENDA . I plan to be totally open with who and what I am.

It’s a slow process but I refuse to lie if asked about myself, I’m Natasha Yar-Routh, a Gender Queer Trans-woman.

Not Dead Yet

The Republican Party that is, lately many liberals have been gloating that the Republicans have managed to purge themselves down to frightened white racist vote. That is true but it’s also about 47% of the total vote and that is enough to put them back in power.

Remember that Obama only won because the economy tanked and there was the highest voter turnout in years. McCain and Obama were neck and neck until the economic meltdown became obvious in September of 2008. So again it’s the economy stupid. If the economy really has hit bottom than the recovery will kick in in the usual six months or so and the Republicans are toast. The republicans know this thus their obstructionist tactics. If they can block any substantial reforms that might put the economy back on a sound footing they have a chance.

Don’t think just because the Republicans are very probably in permanent minority status that they can’t take back control of the White House and Capitol Hill. The twentieth Century is littered with examples of a party with a loyal but minority following who managed to size power. You don’t need a majority of voters, just a majority of those that vote. Both parties throughout U.S. history have used voter suppression tactics and the Republicans have mastered all of them. Recently the Republicans have upped the ante with flying squads of thugs to intimidate political opponents rallies and meetings. It will be interesting if they continue to use these tactics and what success they find with them.

If the recession continues or the recover is weak enough the Republicans can beat their way back into power.

Atheist Quote Of A Random Day

A continuing feature of this blog brought to you by just another atheist

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours - Stephen Roberts

Despair

When I called my therapist to cancel the next two weeks of therapy she caught the despair in my voice. I hadn’t realized it was that obvious. But even in the blackness I won’t give up. I would have before but not now. Therapy and friends like Alexander have given me the strength to continue. Thank You

A Not So Late Night Ramble

Sorry I’ve been away so long. Burned out and unable to function, feeling self destructive and mean. All self-pity of course, I hate that in myself. All the old insecurities are rising up that no one likes me, that I’m alone and always will be and that my life is a futile failure. Sometimes I feel that the only ones who love me are the Huskies and we all know what lousy judges of character they are. It doesn’t help that the media seems to be saturated with racist madness, the ‘birthers’ being the most prominent and loony examples. Yet one dare not dismiss this stupidity, repeat a lie often enough and a certain percent of the people will believe it. Mean while the cost of the empire and our imperial wars continue to bleed us dry. Yes I know there are good things in the world and I do have a few people who care about me and that I care about. Right now I just want someone I can hold and cuddle with. Tomorrow it will be time to indulge my meanness on the oh so many worthy targets.