Saint Patricks Day 2015

Happy Saint Patricks.

Here is my Feast and my fob from today. A green bagel from Giant Food's bakery (just a ‘plain’ one dyed green) with cream cheese and lox. And a pendant from my McCrossin – steel or something like with a real four-leaf clover in a clear cabochon (and the bail spins, and has a hole in the top too; no maker's marks).
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#‎RabbiPatrick‬ ‪ #‎ErinGoBagel‬ ‪ #‎Slaintefillah‬ ‪ #‎shamlox‬ ‪ #‎Irishmear‬ ‪ #‎leprechaunosh‬ ‪ #‎greeneggsandsalm‬ ‪#‎Icoulddothisallday

Also?  Happy Saint Fat Chicks!  From me and Adipositivity.

DMV Fat-Friendly Community’s Pi Day Celebration & Swap

Today was the DMV Fat-Friendly Community’s Pi Day Celebration & Swap at a member’s parents’ home in MD -- and not only was it at least as good as our previous events, but I think it was my personal favorite so far.

Julia made a pumpkin pie – her best one yet! -- which joined eight other pies (brandy Alexander pie, vegan shepherds pie with sweet potato, apple pie and homemade caramel sauce, Kentucky bourbon pecan pie with a pi symbol in pecans and regular pecan pie, rhubarb pie, cherry crumble pie, and mini mac & cheese pies) and two other dishes (crustless veggie quiche and cheesy potato bake).

And she got a shirt and two bags, and I a bag and three pairs of shoes, at the swap – which also had coats, pants, skirts, tops, accessories and more.

Thank you to our hosts and everyone else! For more details, see my Facebook album (yes, even if you're not on Facebook).

Happy Divine's 70th

Shabbat shalom and happy Divine's 70th, may their memory be a blessing.

I'm happy to say I included this particular incarnation of Divinity in my fat justice sermon to be published this Summer -- yes, a rather shameless plug, but I daresay this Divine One at least might approve.

And for a divine and shameless Bugg (Boston terrier / pug), I recommend Ursula, the Pugston Terrier -- my dogter.

Happy Purim 5775

Happy belated Hamanoshin'. Found these on super sale after Purim at one of our local Giant Foods (Stop&Shop back home). Especially nice as we somehow didn't get around to making or getting any before Purim, and my practice of Judaism does not include paying retail. 

As usual, I’m not finding much queer and/or fat themed/inclusive Purimaterial, especially that I particularly like and haven’t seen before. Nu, if you have thoughts, do let me know. And in the meantime, Queer Fat Femme Bevin Branlandingham’s “Get Me Embodied: Bevin’s Story of Disembodiment” (March 5th 2012) bears repeating, partly because it includes Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ)’s Purim Ball.

Also, yes, it's a good reminder that I need to make some queer fat Purimage myself.

And speaking of JFREJ, they're how I heard about Shivtei Shivtei Jeshurun Society's #‎PurimNotPrejudice; "Wear Costumes, not Cultures. Practice Religion, not Racism". To which I would add / specify that fatphobic "costumes" are also not okay.

I posted elsewhere about Interfaith Worker Justice’s ‪#‎FastFoodFast‬ in solidarity with the struggle of fast food workers and others, a Lent-centered campaign connected with the ‪#‎FightFor15‬ movement and ‪#‎WageAction‬ day -- mostly April 15th (April 14th in my hometown of Boston due to the Marathon bombing anniversary).  Here I want to further raise up the Jewish content, including today's daily prayer and reflection about Purim.

Marilyn Wann's FAT!SO?'s Hank's Gab Café is back

Good news, flabulous gabbers and friends.

Marilyn Wann has re-opened the discussion forum on her FAT!SO? website -- Hank's Gab Café; a different version of it was a very active online community back in the 90s and early 2000s. Visit http://www.fatso.com/, Login / Register (top right corner), give a name / e-mail / password, wait for the confirmation e-mail and answer it.  I completed my registration and introduced myself today.

"Welcome to the café!
Pull up a comfy chair and enjoy a frothy beverage.
This is a fat-positive place for people of all sizes and descriptions.
Weight-loss content is not allowed. Weight doesn't define health here. Health, and so-called healthy behaviors, don't define a person's worth here.
Bad behavior will be dealt with.
Please enjoy a fabulous time and have fun adding to the fabulousness!
Thanks!
- Marilyn Wann (aka Hank)"

May Leonard Nimoy’s memory be a blessing

I had this door poster on the wall above my bed in high school and college; I just learned it was first published in 1976, the year I was born.

Shabbat shalom, and may Leonard Nimoy’s memory be a blessing. Shekhina knows that he has lived long and prospered.

Of course I must remind you – now and forever – that he and I share a hometown in Boston (we don't call it The Hub Of The Universe for nothing). I saw he and William Shatner there when they appeared at the Hynes Convention Center when I was in high school in the early 90s. Much later, I worked for Mensch Housecleaning at The Boston Synagogue, where the handpainted donor plaque that included Nimoy’s parents’ still hung.

Perhaps my favorite thing about him was how he photographed fat women in his Full Body Project. And let's not forget to visit and appreciate a fat woman who photographs fat women and others -- Substantia Jones of Adipositivity (whose latest Facebook posts include some great Nimoy material).

Ash Wednesday Week

My plate at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Episcopal Church of the Ascension -- King cake, veggie and meat sausages, pancakes, applesauce; maple syrup. There were gluten free pancakes and other options, and I had one with my second helping and was impressed. 'Twas much like last year, which was our first, and 'tis a good thing.  We aren't in their Facebook photo album, but it's a good way to see much of what we did.

Ascension’s labyrinth was available in the Chapel from 10 to 6 on Ash Wednesday, and we visited in the last hour – and found we had the place to ourselves. But it was all ready for us, complete with signage, labyrinth info, baskets of athletic socks and pretty handkerchiefs, and a New Agey CD in the stereo. The lights were off and we left them so, since we had enough light from the last of the sunset through the hazy clouds, eventually joined by the outdoor lights. A very different experience than our previous, which was the Lenten retreat last March. And we reentered the outside world to find it in the midst of a snow squall (which left less than an inch).

Home for dinner and whatnot, then back to Ascension for the 7:30 Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes service (bulletin not on website yet), which was partly bilingual (we have a Spanish-speaking congregation) and had all acapella music (our Director is visiting his next position in another state). There was also a noon service, and Ashes To Go at the nearest MARC station from 4 to 6.

“Remember that you are dust*, and to dust* you shall return.” (*“Snow” if you are in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which was my home until a year ago.)

‪#‎AshWednesday‬  ‪#‎ashtag‬  ‪#‎datash

Mark Alves is the "Godfather of the ‪#‎ashtag‬".  "Submit to a bit of Lenten discipline and let's see if we can repeat the #ashtag again this year."

And as to quote Rabbi Simcha Bunem of Przysucha (1765 - 1827; Itturei Torah, volume 1, page 145): “Every person should have in his/her two pockets pieces of paper with these written on them:
In one pocket: ‘For my sake was the world created’ (Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:4).
In the other pocket: ‘I am dust and ashes’ (Genesis 18:27).
At certain times and places, you should pull out the appropriate piece of paper.
But know that most people make this mistake: They take out the wrong piece of paper at the wrong time!”
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#‎Jewscopalian‬  ‪#‎ashabbat‬  ‪#‎ashalom‬ ‪ #‎LenTorah‬ ‪ #‎LenTalmud‬

Youth Sunday at Episcopal Church of the Ascension was canceled / postponed due to the weather, but we did get to observe Girl Scout Cookies Sunday when we went to our local Giant Food (now the same company as Stop & Shop back home); the Scouts were even wearing handmade sandwich boards, awww (maybe their take on Bling Your Booth?). We got Samoas, Tagalongs and Thin Mints -- Julia’s favorites. Still not made from real Girl Scouts, but tasty all the same.

And because we did next week’s music, I got to reflect on “Wash me, cleanse me, and I shall be brighter than the snow” in the more figurative light of ‪#‎BOSnow‬ and the more literal of the few inches we received last night, which were atop a few previous ones.

My “Good News: A Sermon On Fat Justice” will be published this Summer!

GOOD NEWS!!  My first official sermon about fat justice – conveniently entitled “Good News: A Sermon On Fat Justice” – has been accepted into the Fat Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society’s special issue on Religion and Fat, to be published sometime this Summer!

Also, a reminder that my Julia has a book review in the current issue.  Much of it is paid access only, but she is and I will be allowed to send our pieces to anyone who requests them, and I hope to make a reprint happen as well.

So whether this makes you feel like celebrating or breaking out the torches and pitchforks, start planning your field trips to party and home improvement stores accordingly.

Happy DMVersary To Me

So as of tonight, I have been living here in the DC area for a year, after living in Boston for my first 37 ½.

Many thoughts and feelings, but it is wonderful to finally be living with my Julia – who has always lived here – and our dogter Ursula, as well as my mother-in-sin; we were long-distance for our first 4 ½ years.

Here is the snow globe I got during one of my two trips to the NYAC conference with BAGLY in the 90s; that was the only time I had been to the DMV before I met J. (National Youth Advocacy Coalition, 1993 – 2011; Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth, founded in 1980 and still going strong.)

May Jeannette Bazinet's memory be a blessing

Jeannette and Denise at the Peabody Essex Museum's Hats exhibit in 2012; photo by Han.  As you can see, the fabulous did not skip a generation!

My honorary grandmother / great-aunt “Mrs. Baz” passed on today at 92; the mother / mother-in-law of family friends Denise and Han. I especially appreciated her because of the long-distance and other issues with my parents’ parents et al.

One of my favorite “little” things about her was that when she gave my brother and I money, she would make the bills into fans and tie them with ribbons. When she heard that as part of my 21st birthday celebration I was going to Foxwoods for the first time, she made up the nicest gift box of fanned bills and quarters for me to gamble with. And when she saw that I was in the receiving line at the funeral home when her husband had died, she had Denise bring her purse so that she could make me a dollar bill fan before I got to her! I’ve never cried in public, but I came oh so close that night!

May her memory be a blessing (as we say in Judaism).  Here is the obituary in the South Coast Times.

May Chris Hannon's memory be a blessing

Here we are with Chris in December 2009 in Boston; Julia and I first met that July. (And this was the day after C's first date with his fiance!) As it turned out, this was the only time that C and J met, partly because J and I were long-distance until a year ago, so now I'm even happier that it happened.

I learned today that Chris Hannon, one of the very best friends and family members I’ve ever had, passed away last night, and that he had taken his own life. We met as high schoolers at BAGLY (Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth) in the early 90s; he was already an impressive leader. He was 37, a year younger than I.

Obituary and arrangements are here – visiting hours Thursday and funeral mass Friday, both in his native Dorchester; internment private; in lieu of flowers donations to MSPCA-Angell.

I hadn't interacted with Chris since I moved to DC a year ago, after a lifetime in Boston, though I had intended to every day and could and should have. I loved and missed him, thought about him every day and often saw him in my dreams. I am oh so much sorrier about my avoidance now.

Especially as I knew this had been and maybe was a risk -- he had always struggled with a depression that was particularly hard to treat, and it was complicated by other issues. But I had thought/hoped that he was finally at a treatment and life place where this wouldn’t happen, even if it could. He was engaged, they had dogs…and so on and so forth. And he was very high-functioning, if anything too much so, and was an extraordinary person. An amazing friend, sister, amateur therapist; thinker, reader, writer; compassionate, generous, smart. And so funny and so fast! Indeed, in many ways he reminded me of Robin Williams.

And yet he struggled with feeling not good enough, including for me, with not being a consistent enough friend, with how to witness my happiness, especially since Julia. And I did struggle with his struggle, and his coming and going, and with not wanting to bother him too much, especially when he was happy, not to mention busy. I hope he knew how I still felt. I believe he knows now, but that is somewhat cold comfort.

I can't afford to go Boston, as I am yet again searching for paid work. But I am making cards to send, and seeing how else I can be supportive. And I have good support myself.

But like many others have expressed here, what I want most of all is for Chris to return, how much more so never to have left. May his memory be a blessing, as we say in Judaism.

Julia's review of April Herndon’s “Fat Blame" in the current issue of the Fat Studies Journal

Julia’s review of April Herndon’s book “Fat Blame: How the War on Obesity Victimizes Women and Children” is in the current issue of Fat Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society (volume 4, issue 1)!

Along with pieces by Lesleigh Owen, Maya Maor, Stefanie Snider, Pattie Thomas and several others.

If you don’t have access to the journal, Julia can send you a special link to her review; and I think the other authors can do the same.

Anna Mollow's "Disability Studies Gets Fat"

Anna Mollow’s “Disability Studies Gets Fat” is in Hypatia: A Journal of Feminist Philosophy’s special issue on disability! Paid access only, but Anna has offered to e-mail the PDF upon request.

Julia and I were among those who gave feedback during the editing process; we’re acknowledged and J is quoted.

“This article invites disability scholars to “get fat,” that is, to support the goals of the fat justice movement.”

(This image isn't their current cover, but it is the one they're using as their primary image.)

NAACP walk & rally supporting Black life - Montgomery County MD

Today was the Montgomery County MD NAACP chapter's walk and rally in support of Black life in Rockville, organized with many partners, especially from the faith community.  We heard about it through our church, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, and the Montgomery County Faith Community Advisory Council.

Due to my head cold, we didn't do the walk, but we did make it to and through the rally, and I'm glad.  Two highlights were Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Senior Minister of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church* and Isaih "Ike" Leggett, our County Executive -- he shared his own experiences of racial profiling, which he did again in a meeting with reporters which made it into this Washington Post story.

We were also very glad to see some of our other local queer / trans / faith people there with us.  And this evening was the debrief dinner for the Montgomery County MD Transgender Day of Remembrance committee, of which we and some of our fellow rally attendees are members, so that worked out well.  *Cedar Lane was the host of this year's MoCo MD TDOR event, and Rev. Abhi spoke at that too.  

#BlackLivesMatter

Distressed lest we should slay

My partner Julia and I went to the first hour of this tonight with a friend -- we would have stayed longer, but it seemed designed for the super-able-bodied, and since I was the only one of our party who is, we were soon left far behind.  But we found a good spot to rest, and another to have dinner and talk, and then we saw our friend off to a meeting about their housing and went home.

See here for more events in Boston, the rest of MA, the DMV and elsewhere today -- http://fergusonresponse.tumblr.com/.

Also -- being anti-racist, being for social justice, being intersectional, is being anti-fatphobic. Michael Brown and Eric Garner's fatness are being used to try to help justify their murders. And this is far from new, small, confined to the margins or the Right, or otherwise excusable. So if you get it, address it. And if you don't, educate yourself today.

Also also -- I hope that many will see how good this week’s Torah portion is for talking about racism, anti-racism and the rest of social justice, and do so.

Jacob is “terrified” and “anxious” as he prepares to meet his twin Esau; twenty years before, Jacob stole their father’s blessing and was sent by his mother to her brother as Esau vowed to kill him. B'reishit Rabbah 76:2 says: “R. Judah bar R. Ilai asked: Are not fear and distress identical? The meaning, however, is that ‘he was afraid’ lest he should be slain and ‘he was distressed’ lest he should slay. For he thought: If Esau proves stronger than I, he might slay me, and if I prove stronger than he, I might slay him.”

We must master our fear, and reconnect with our distress – we must acknowledge and address our privilege and oppression – or we will continue to steal from and slay our siblings, and support the system that does, and call it self-defense.

National Day of Mourning / UnThanksgiving / Thanksgrieving

The plaque on Cole's Hill; cover photo of the UAINE NDOM Facebook event, posted by organizer Mahtowin Munro.

Let us keep it in our minds, our mouths, and our movements that today is also the National Day of Mourning / UnThanksgiving / Thanksgrieving.

I’ve always wanted to go to the observance in Plymouth MA and still intend to – the 45th annual, organized by United American Indians of New England (UAINE), begins now and also has a Facebook event; I’ve been to Plymouth twice, in the 90s, on a school field trip and as part of a team training state employees on trans issues.

And in this last week of both Native American Heritage and Trans Awareness Months, a week after Trans Day of Remembrance, I am especially mindful of all the Native people of this land and others murdered by colonizers because of their sex / gender / sexuality non-conformity; may their memories be a blessing.

Here is the Boston.com story, "National Day of Mourning Reflects on Thanksgiving’s Horrific, Bloody History".

‪#‎NAHM‬  #‎TransMonth‬  #‎NDOM‬  #‎TDOR‬

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2014

Today is the 16th annual international Transgender Day of Remembrance (‪#‎TDOR‬) -- we remember those taken by anti-trans violence and transphobia through murder and suicide, the hundreds this past year and the thousands throughout history. We work to center trans women of color, who continue to be targeted in our communities and country and around the world. May their memories be a blessing, as we say in Judaism.

There are events in my old and new homes tonight, including Lowell MA, DC and Baltimore. TransFaith has resources including the TDOR Unite project. And Keshet has more Jewish resources than you can shake a yad at.

I feel like today's Google Doodle is also appropriate for ‪TDOR‬, especially from a faith-based perspective. Today is also Corita Kent's birthday, and here she says "To understand is to stand under which is to look up to, which is a good way to understand." I first became aware of her because my paternal grandmother / great-aunt was a fan -- my grandmother's sister adopted my father and his brothers when their parents died in the Cocoanut Grove fire, 72 years ago next Friday. And growing up in metro Boston we saw Corita's "Rainbow Swash" on the gas tank in Dorchester many times.

May Leslie Feinberg's memory be a blessing

I learned today that Leslie Feinberg passed on this past Saturday (the day of the Montgomery County MD Transgender Day of Remembrance 2014). Where to begin? I think I first became aware of her/hir as a high school senior -- her book "Stone Butch Blues" was published the year I formally came out as trans. And several years later I met hir, when she/zie came to speak at Arlington Street Church where I was on staff. May hir memory be a blessing (as we say in Judaism, and Leslie's Jewish identity is part of what zie means to me).  Here is her obituary in the Advocate, written by her wife Minnie Bruce Pratt.  This graphic is the Advocate's, from Facebook.

And at MoCo MD TDOR, we shared Leslie's words for the Chalice Lighting: "Why are we different? Why have we refused to walk one of two narrow paths, but instead demanded the right to blaze our own? The question is not why were we unwilling to conform even when being beaten to the ground by ridicule and brutality.The real burning question is: How did we ever find the courage? From what underground spring did we draw our pride? How did each of us make our way in life, without a single familiar star in the night sky to guide us, to this room where we have at last found others like ourselves? And after so much of ourselves has been injured, or left behind as expendable ballast, many of us worry 'What do we have left to give each other? Upon what basis will we build something lasting between us?' We have the whole world to give back to each other."

Bead Society of Greater Washington’s Bead Bazaar

One of the good things about going to the Indian Health Service Powwow yesterday is that we realized that the Bead Society of Greater Washington’s Bead Bazaar was in the adjacent gym yesterday and today; I went the next, and purchased the pictured.

A mustard seed pendant in glass and gold-toned metal from Artistic Investments; fat goddess beads in light purple Czech glass with an iridescent finish from Spirit Inc. – who made and is holding the flabulous sign; and a glass bone bead that is actually much more milk-and-honey from Biz.e.beads; $3 each.  And I actually have no plans for the goddess beads yet -- so get your orders in now.  

I’ve wanted mustard seed jewelry for many years, and have missed my chance a few times – and this was actually the first time the seller had put her only one out for sale; I especially like the faith-based meanings, and am enjoying Plochman’s page about mustard in seven traditions

Reformation Project -- Regional Conference

I didn’t get to the rest of The Reformation Project’s Regional Conference (which also has a Facebook Community) here in DC this past Thursday through Saturday (November 6th through 8th), as perhaps I should have, but I’m glad I schlepped in to the Trans Caucus on Friday night.

We had more than a dozen people, trans and allied (and more in spirit who were double-booked), and spent four hours together -- at National City Christian Church and the nearby original Thai Tanic restaurant (I know!! Turns out Thai restaurants with punny names are a thing here) -- facilitated by TransFaith's executive director Chris Paige.

‪#‎TRPinDC‬

Indian Health Service Powwow in Gaithersburg MD

November is also ‘American Indian & Alaskan Native Heritage Month’! 

And we were privileged to attend the 3rd annual Indian Health Service Employee Association Powwow right here in our town today, organized by the IHS' EA with Gaithersburg's Multicultural Affairs Committee.  Here is the city's October 21st press release.  

We had ‘Indian Tacos’ with everything, and meant to have wajopi for dessert; and I got these earrings from Native Spirit Jewelry (also on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram).  They're opal / turquoise / bronze, bears are 13 x 10mm; and they're even prettier in person. And the seller included a note: “The Bear is one of the most powerful and frequently appearing characters in Native American stories. The Bear is associated with the POWER to HEAL and STRENGTH in the face of adversity. www.enativespirit.com”. (And I wanted to get a few of their small stud earrings – one or more semi-precious stones in silver or gold settings.)

Election Day 2014

We were Election Judges for the second time today -- as on primary day in June, I was at Asbury Methodist Village (a retirement "campus" so large, at a few thousand residents, that it is its own precinct) and Julia was at Gaithersburg High School (her alma mater -- although like mine, Newton North, the building has been recently replaced).  And this time I also worked two days of the early voting week at the Germantown Rec Center. 

(I never heard anything about working for the BOE back in MA -- it seemed like it was just automagically handled by the police and senior citizens.)

And again one of the highlights was that one my bosses was a gay man with a trans nephew who used to be very active in the Episcopal Church.  Also, I saw some people from our primary church (Episcopal Church of the Ascension) and my temp gig at the Census' 2014 Site Test this summer and early fall. 

My voting while trans went well, here in my new home state of MD (old one is MA) -- largely due to my geographical and other privileges. Though as an Election Judge, I did have a lot of contestants for Guess My Gender and the other game shows I host. Alas, I don't think that the great majority guessed right, but that's probably because they had the wrong version of the rules, where there are only two possible guesses.

Recommended reading?  The MATrans Political Coaltion's (MTPC) voting guide and the National Center forTrans Equality's (NCTE) Voting While Trans.

GLAAD's Spirit Day

It’s GLAAD's Spirit Day – use purple to support LGBT youth, and see Equality Maryland's purple plan at #SpiritDay 2014: Take a Stand Against LGBT Bullying.

There are some faith-based versions of this graphic as well, and they’ve been taking suggestions for more – I suggested “I’m interfaith and against bullying” (and I am). And the Religious Institute is doing a ‪#‎FaithfulPurple‬ campaign. ‪

I'm also for anti-bullying work becoming intersectional with fat justice -- contrary to popular and governmental belief, neither LGBTQ et al youth nor anyone else should have to be, try to be, or want to be thin to deserve not to be bullied.

And I'm for talking more about how “bullying” is abuse and oppression – and how abuse and oppression are each other. And I say this as a survivor myself.  #SpiritDay

Fairness For All Marylanders Act officially effective today!

TODAY the Fairness For All Marylanders Act officially goes into effect! It updates MD’s anti-discrimination laws to include transgender people. And you can celebrate with Equality Maryland at the next Fairness for All Marylanders Act Celebration next Wednesday the 8th. We’ll be out of town, but we went to the celebration in Frederick and enjoyed. And we are proud that we could play a small role in the passage of this legislation -- and look forward to our role in its implementation. ‪

Learn more about what the law means for transgender Marylanders in this "Know Your Rights" guide from Equality Maryland and FreeState Legal Project.

One of the best parts of my day was that a fellow Marylander came out to me as trans -- and I was able to tell them that they would still have statewide civil rights if they decided to come out further.

#‎FAMA14‬ ‪ #‎StandForFairness

Shana tova 5775!!!

Shana tova 5775!!! 

May this be your sweetest year yet -- and may you make the world sweeter for all living things, including those not yet born.

For the beginning of our first high holiydays living together, we visited the Interfaith Families Project (IFFP) for the first time, attending their Erev Rosh Hashanah service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring (MD), and we intend to return to them tomorrow morning. And while I was at work, my sweetie shopped for sweets for us at Dawson's Market (Rockville MD), and after I got out, we had a New Year’s Eve dinner date at Jewel Of India (also of Silver Spring; don’t be fooled by the exterior – they aren’t kidding about the "jewel", in any sense). 

*******

Happy 5775!! 

Here we are in some of our Rosh Hashtylishness (tallit from Boomerangs, pendant by Artemisia Studio / Emanda Johnson of Etsy, earrings by me with beads from Arya’s Trinkets of Etsy).

We did indeed return to Interfaith Families Project for their RH morning services (at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring) -- where we got to connect with their Rev. Julia Jarvis, who is also part of the Montgomery County Transgender Day of Remembrance planning process -- then returned home to lunch on matzo ball soup and challah from Dawson's Market (and made by them in-house). Then on to Clopper Lake at Seneca Creek State Park for our own Tashlich for two -- we didn’t bring Ursula, the Pugston Terrier because she is still in therapy about our feeding bread to a duck instead of her a year ago (despite my repeated explanations that however valid her anger may be, it is not what is meant by “gluten intolerance”). And then my oh so shiksappealing one made kugel for the first time (I never have either, but my late shiksa mother did) and it was amazingly yummy. And we do have apples and honey and more.

I do miss Congregation Am Tikva -- the people, our machzorim and melodies, our shofar blowers in all the corners of the room and their competition to hold the last note longest, the superb sweet breads made by our prez’s mother, Tashlich at the Charles River… -- but I look forward to hearing about their hi hols.

Open Door Metropolitan Community Church's Cabaret & Open Mic

We very much enjoyed spending our havadalah at Open Door Metropolitan Community Church's Cabaret & Open Mic tonight (Boyds MD).

We've been to Open Door before -- for an Equality Maryland training for the Fairness For All Marylanders Act (#FAMA, the statewide trans equal rights bill, which has since passed into law and goes into effect on October 1st), some services, and the Maryland Trans*Unity picnic.  And we've been otherwise connecting with their Rev. Miller Hoffman, including serving with him on the Montgomery County Transgender Day of Remembrance event planning committee.  That's him in the graphic, actually, taken from a photo.  
 
And we won our table's centerpiece in the raffle.

Dim sum with the DMV Fat-Friendly Community

Had a great time today at Dim Sum Saturday! at the Hollywood East Cafe (Wheaton MD) with the DMV Fat-Friendly Community -- as in DC / MD / VA -- which my Julia founded.  My first time doing something in person with the DMV FFC, as well as my first visit to the Café. There were 9 of us around the table, and more than 60 others in the Facebook Group. There have been and will be other field trips, and some of us are planning on doing some intersectional fat activism together as well. So if you’re fat-friendly and in the DMV, or know someone who is, why not say hello? And special thanks to the member who really made today's yum happen

Flamingo Rampant's Book Club -- LGBTQ+-themed kids' books

Shabbat shalom!!

Through this coming Monday August 11th, Flamingo Rampant is Kickstarting a new project -- a Book Club of 6 new "empowering, celebratory LGBTQ2S-themed kids' picture books for 4-8 year olds, delivered right to your home or school every other month"-- for which they are seeking subscriptions.

FR apologizes that they couldn't get the above video properly subtitled -- click here for a subtitled version.

And when I commented “Wow. And mazel tov. Is this fat-positive / body-diverse / fat-justicey...?” on the Club's Facebook event page, S. Bear Bergman's rare and beautiful reply was “@Mycroft, the books will definitely, absolutely be body-diverse in terms of illustrations - fat people, people who use mobility and adaptive technology, and we'll see at least one person using sign language as well. Also, these people will be wearing cute clothes and doing fun things with their partners and families, not just stuck in a corner in a muumuu. There's not currently a specific body justice storyline planned for the first season, however, which I mention to be sure that no one has expectations we can't support.”

Also, Keshet interviewed Bear about the project.

We really need to teach our dogter Ursula to read!

My new business cards have arrived!

I made myself new biz cards, and they arrived today!  And are as they should be, yay.  I stuck with VistaPrint, and took advantage of their semi-annual sale -- though they are pretty much always having a good sale.  Here is the winning design and the other 10 finalists, chosen from VP’s 4700+ designs (!) -- which are all still so tempting that I rather wish I could do an assortment.  Although too, I could and maybe should have used my own design, including a photo.

ATFA / MARTI / Rumi Forum Friendship Dinner in Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarek!

Tonight we joined the Episcopal Church of the Ascension field trip to the local chapters of ATFA (American Turkish Friendship Association, formerly MARTI, Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants) and Rumi Forum for a Friendship Dinner.  Teşekkür ederim!! 

We were early and so ended up at the Christ Episcopal Church of Rockville table with their priest and members – we haven’t visited them yet, but we did visit their thrift shop The Bargain Box for the first time last week and two of our dinner companions volunteer there. The Ascension table had our priest and members we haven’t met yet because they attend service at different times than we do.

Here is the invite:

“Friendship Dinner with Ascension in Ramadan
Wednesday, July 23rd, at 8:15 p.m. by ATFA MD (MARTI) and RUMI Forum MD.
I am delighted to invite you to share the joy of a Friendship Dinner during Ramadan. We will celebrate these dinners every night from June 28th to July 27th. You may attend at our Rockville location: 230 N. Washington St on Wednesday, July 23.

The Friendship Dinner Program starts with introductions at 8:15 p.m., followed by a dinner of excellent Turkish cuisine at sunset, and a short presentation about Turkish Culture, Rumi Forum & Atfa MD. The evening concludes with traditional Turkish tea and dessert to accompany continued conversations, and it ends at approximately 9:45 p.m. Please let Randy know if you are coming.

—Murat Ozbas, President ATFA MD (MARTI)”

Mycroft Masada ~ MasadArts ~ my artwork

It’s Chrismahanukwansolsticetc-In-July here at MasadArts!  At least in the art department.  Yes, I’ve finally updated my artwork portfolio.  Now with 46 photos.  Enjoy, Like / +1, comment, share, shop, etc.  

This is just some of my artwork -- and so far just stationery, but photos of my jewelry and more are coming soon.  It's all mostly handmade, and mostly made of vintage / recycled / found / thrifted / gifted / reclaimed etc. materials. 

I have many supplies and ideas, and access to many more -- and I do personalizations, customizations, commissions etc.

Here is a slideshow -- but be sure to click through to Picasa Web Albums for the best view.

Transgender Lobby Day 2014

Best wishes to everyone gathering here in DC for Transgender Lobby Day -- and everyone who wishes they were!

TLD begins today with an optional reception and continues through Tuesday, and is a project of National Center for Transgender Equality, Trans People of Color Coalition, Translatin@ Coalition, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, PFLAG National, Black Transmen, Inc., and Black Transwomen, Inc.

“Q: I cannot attend this lobby day. How else can I help?

A: We recognize that there are many people who are excited to make an impact but can't take the time away from home or work to attend our Lobby Day. The most important thing is that your members of Congress know that transgender people urgently need strong and clear job protections at the federal level. We urge you to set up a meeting with your members of Congress while they are back home during recess between Monday, August 4th and Friday, September 5th. Use our "Make Your Voice Heard" resource to learn more about how to schedule and prepare for your meeting.”