Gaithersburg MD event re: Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando FL

The City’s photo of their Concert Pavilion – partly because I was verklempt enough at the event that I had a junior moment about taking photos.  But I think at least one attendee captured it on their phone. 

Tonight we held a community event here in Gaithersburg to recognize and start to process the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando – our official title was LGBTQ Vigil And Recognition of Pulse Massacre (and here is the Facebook event).

This may well be the only Orlando event in this city, which is my partner Julia’s hometown and our current home (I moved here two and a half years ago after a lifetime in Boston).  The lead organizer and MC was Jenny Armour, in partnership with some of her City Hall co-workers and others; Julia became one of the part-time Greeters at our city hall a few months ago.  The event was held at City Hall – the city was not an official sponsor, but they provided us with the Concert Pavilion including the sound system, and through a related connection we had two uniformed police officers attend.

One of the most significant things about the event was that it was led and largely attended by people of color, and primarily Latinx people.  While attendance was quite small -- mainly due to scheduling conflicts and the other usual issues -- it was supportive and diverse (including age), and we were joined by a young family that happened to be passing through and stopped to inquire about what was happening; and we certainly had many people who were there in spirit -- and hope to have many more through our sharing about the event and the rest of the local community work.  Too, Julia and I were blessed to have some friends from our local faith and fat communities join us.  Also, the weather was excellent -- if anything, even better than shown in the photo.  

Julia and I brought the battery-operated tea light 'candles' from the Montgomery County MD Trans(gender) Day of Remembrance (#MCMDTDOR) and lined the front edge of the stage with 49 of them -- one for each victim.  This worked out well even though it was daylight even at the very end of our gathering (it's almost the longest day of the year); again, sorry I didn't get any photos, but I was verklempt etc.

We opened the evening with Jenny giving a welcome.

Michelle sang the National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner).

Gretchen Wyrick read her prose piece about what happened at Pulse in the very early morning of Sunday June 12^th -- and it is fairly detailed, so please use your very best judgement around if, when and how long to read it.  
(And it was only through listening to her that I realized that part of my connection to the Orlando events is that my paternal grandparents died along with almost 500 others in the fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston in 1942 (which was largely the result of the club owner conspiring with the city in ways that that made a fire very likely and very lethal; click here to read my most recent post about it.)

• “On June 12, 2016 at around 2:00 am the United States experienced the deadliest mass shooting in its history as a gunman entered the crowded gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida.”

Leslie read the names of the 49 people who were murdered that night.

Jenny read Jameson Fitzpatrick’s poem “A Poem For Pulse” – he posted in on Facebook just hours after the shooting and as a response to that news; she read a version she edited for this evening.

• “Last night, I went to a gay bar
• with a man I love a little.
• After dinner, we had a drink.” 

Rob and Leslie sang along with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day”.

Keith Pumphrey read Mark Rikerby’s 2008 poem “How We Survive.”

• “If we are fortunate,
• we are given a warning.
• If not…" 

I shared some thoughts about how the events in Orlando and the responses to them can help us think about our local community and commitment to social justice.

• “And primarily, I bring questions.  Why are we here?  Tonight is about Orlando, but it is also about much more – it has to be.”

Rob and Leslie sang Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love”, including Mary Lambert’s “She Keeps Me Warm” chorus.

Julie Lyst, Jenny’s partner, shared some words. 

Jenny gave thanks and some final thoughts.

And then, especially as it was almost the longest day of the year, we were able to spend some informal time with each other before we all parted.  (Though Julia and I couldn’t stay as long as we might have liked, as we needed to get home to our bossy dogter – we could have brought her, especially as we walk her there pretty often, and maybe we should have.) 

Thanks very much, everyone!  It was good to discover some more local LGBTQ+ and allied community members, and I look forward to further connection.  

For more about the aftermath of Pulse, from a Florida-led national perspective, visit WeAreOrlando.org.   

Montgomery County MD event re: mass shooting at Pulse nightclub

Tonight we attended Community Leaders Join LGBTQ Community to Condemn Violence and Bigotry -- pretty much the official Montgomery County MD event about the mass shooting at the Pulse LGBT+ nightclub in Orlando FL, i.e. the event that all the local and state politicians etc. were at, and by far the most visible Pulse event here.  And as we expected, and some of tonight's speakers acknowledged, it was a long strange trip in many ways.

It was especially interesting as the Jewish holiday of Shavuot was ending at sunset, and so was another day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan -- indeed, our Muslim organizational hosts invited us to join them for an iftar dinner after they retired for prayer (and any Muslim present was invited to join them for that as well).  And of course the shooting was just yesterday morning (in the very early hours), and I just returned from the Philly Trans Health Conference with TransFaith today.  This is quite a Pride season!  Among other things.

And perhaps the very best part of tonight was James "Jim" Stowe's speech.  Jim is the Director of the Montgomery County MD Office of Human Rights, and has been a powerful ally in local LGBTQ work.  It's been a privilege and pleasure to work closely with him on trans issues here.

“Senator, why do we not have a Gay Pride parade in Montgomery County? We have members of the LGBTQ community in Montgomery County. Why don’t we stand up and be proud of that as well? And celebrate that!”

DMV Fat-Friendly Community -- Clothing Swap & Tea

The fun image that was used for the Facebook event.

Sadly, we missed the DMV Fat-Friendly Community’s latest clothing swap today, at a Community member's parent's home (thanks!  I was at the Philly Trans Health Conference with TransFaith, and Julia was busy too).  Especially sad as it did what it said on its tin (ha!) in that it included a lot of good tea and related snacks.  But we hear great things from those who were there.

And if more fat-friendly community in the DMV (DC / MD / VA) would make you happier too, dear reader, please be in touch.

We have more plans being planned, and are open to questions, suggestions and more -- but it's also more than okay if you need to just "lurk" and/or be online-only.  My Julia founded the DMV FFC a few years ago, and we have more than 100 members in the Facebook Group now! Including a good amount who actively participate online and off -- and/but, the more the merrier.

Montgomery County MD's first LGBTQ youth prom!

Tonight we chaperoned the MoCo MD LGBTQ Youth Forum’s Pride Prom (A Time Travelers' Ball; steampunk-themed), right here in Gaithersburg (my partner Julia’s hometown and our current home) – the first queer youth prom in this county!

Julia attended the ’89 Gaithersburg High School prom and I the ’94 Newton North High School (suburban Boston MA) one -- I was half of the first (?) LGBTQ couple to do so, and went on to attend and chaperone the BAGLY Prom (Boston Alliance of LGBTQ youth) the oldest in the country.

In addition to DJ ‘Zo, we had a crew from HOT 99.5 (FM, DC), including DJ Houston, who is gay; and much of the food was donated by &Pizza and Wegmans (Germantown).

Our vest and some of the rest of our outfits are thrifted, and our orchids are from one of our houseplants.

‪#‎MCMDPrideProm‬ ‪#‎LGBTQyouth‬ ‪#‎LGBTQ‬ ‪#‎youth‬ ‪#‎queeryouth‬ ‪#‎prom‬ ‪#‎LGBTQprom‬ ‪#‎MoCoMD‬ ‪#‎MoCo‬ ‪#‎MD‬ ‪#‎Maryland‬ ‪#‎Gaithersburg‬ ‪#‎steampunk‬ ‪#‎MoCoLGBTQyouth‬ ‪#‎MoCoLGBTQyouthforum‬

Science News : Planet Jupiter Now Looks Like Transgender Flag!

So we went to our local post office today – and learned that the planet Jupiter now looks like the trans*(gender et al) flag!  (The most popular one, by far, at least.)

Views of Our Planets and Pluto Explored forever stamps will be issued on the 31st at the World Stamp Show 2016 (in NYC).

And of course we will get and use some.

‪#‎PlanetStamps‬ ‪#‎Jupiter‬ ‪#‎transflag‬ ‪#‎trans‬ ‪#‎transgender‬ ‪#‎transpride‬ ‪#‎stamps‬ ‪#‎USPSstamps‬ ‪#‎USPS‬

Free State Legal & Equality Maryland's Community Listening Sessions

Free State Legal & Equality Maryland have been holding Community Listening Sessions across the state, and Julia and I helped to organize two of them (and we attended those ones).  FSLEM has also been doing a community survey (primarily through Survey Monkey).  This is all part of their merger, to become the primary statewide LGBTQ organization.

On Wednesday May 4th, we were in Rockville, at the public library, and it was very successful.  Special thanks to Maryland Trans*Unity for hosting – especially its primary organizer Ezra Towne.  (Facebook event.) Also, our meeting room at the Rockville Library had the soda fountain from Vinson’s Pharmacy.  

On Sunday May 15th, we were in Boyds, at Open Door Metropolitan Community Church -- which was a host and participant in more ways than one (thank you) -- and it also went very well.  (Facebook event.)  We didn't make it to Open Door's Pentecost service that morning, but as you can see we still saw the sanctuary in its fiery finery.

Many thanks to FSLEM’s Director of Community Engagement & Youth Policy Saida Agostini for schlepping to more than a dozen of these throughout MD (!), not to mention facilitating them so well.


‪#FreeStateLegal #EqualityMD #FreeStateJustice #‎LGBTQMD #LGBTQMaryland #LGBTQ‬ #‎bisexual‬ ‪#‎trans‬ ‪#‎queer‬ #‎MD‬ ‪#‎Maryland‬ ‪#‎RockvilleMD‬ ‪#‎BoydsMD‬ ‪#‎Maythe4th‬ ‪#‎Maythe4thbewithyou‬ ‪#‎andalsowithyou‬‎ #RockvilleLibrary ‪#‎OpenDoorMCC‬ #Pentecost2016

Rainbow Families DC conference 2016

Today I was on the panel for the workshop Re/Claiming Faith:  Discussions of Faith Within LGBTQ Communities at Rainbow Families DC’s 2016 Family Conference, at the Georgetown Day School in DC (the high school campus).  “Held every two years, the Rainbow Families DC Family Conference provides an opportunity for LGBTQ parents, family members and their children, as well as prospective parents, to gather for a day of learning, networking and fellowship.”  I was given this opportunity by TransFaith, where I’m a National Councilmember – the TF office in Philly was asked to help gather local panelists through our national network.  I hadn’t interacted with RF before, but I knew about them, and knew a few families here in the County that were members.

This was the only faith-based programming at the conference, and it is still a new conversation there, and I think we helped them move towards a larger conversation over the next two years.  Our description, which did turn out to be accurate:  “As persons who identify as LGBTQ, we have often had to hide our sexual orientation and/or gender identity in religious settings or face rejection.  Many of us have experienced explicit or implicit exclusion and discrimination from faith communities and come to believe that we cannot both be our true LGBTQ selves and be religious or spiritual.  It is often assumed that persons of faith, particularly faith leaders, are anti-LGBTQ.  This workshop will offer a facilitated space where panelists from several faith traditions will speak from their experiences of reclaiming or claiming faith, drawing from sacred texts that speak to inclusion.  Information will be shared about local religious communities that are truly open and inclusive to LGBTQ persons and our families.”

Our facilitator was Rev. Michele Johns (Silver Spring United Methodist Church staff member, hospital chaplain), and my fellow panelists were Hilary Howes (Roman Catholic transgender faith leader,  Call To Action - Maryland board member, event designer; also part of TransFaith’s network, and the only person I knew beforehand), Amanda Poppei (Washington Ethical Society’s Senior Leader, Unitarian Universalist minister), and Laura Moye (Saint Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church member, charter school teacher).

We were MoCo MD Election Judges again

Julia and I were Election Judges for the Montgomery County MD Board of Elections last month, for the second election in a row, for both early voting week and election day. We were also asked to work at canvassing, the process that the BOE goes through after election day, but we weren’t available.

And they will need thousands of people for October and November, and may well not get enough, and they do offer stipends -- I don’t know if / how available we will be, but if you are interested, visit 777vote.org asap.

And now for some of my favorite faith, trans, and scifi / fantasy moments from this election....

A favorite faith moment:

Me: Hello, excuse me, I’m just restocking the pens.
Woman in next voting booth: Oh, thank you. Wait – are people stealing your pens?
Me: Well, yes. Once in a while.
Catholic priest in booth next to her: Thou shalt not steal.
Woman: That’s right!
Me: *LOL* Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you, Father.

A favorite ‪#‎trans‬ moment -- a fellow trans voter gave my fellow judges and I one of these business cards from The Transgender Encounter Project (TEP).  The TEP offers several card designs and texts, and encourages you to design your own; you can also put a pin on their map to show where you’ve used them, donate, read their blog, and more.  ‪#‎transencounter‬

A favorite scifi / fantasy moment:  

Election co-worker: So yes, Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman, came to vote at the precinct I was working at. Oh, and when she left, we found out that she drives a Tesla. Isn’t that interesting?
Me: Yes. But, it would have to be something like that, wouldn’t it? I mean, once you’ve driven an invisible plane -- !
Co-worker: *LOL* You know, I hadn’t thought of that!
Me: I’m just saying.

Call To Action & Healing Circle event re: trans women of color (MoCo MD)

Tonight we observed Pesach | Passover by attending the Call To Action and Healing Circle at the Montgomery County MD Council building in Rockville -- organized by and centering trans women of color, with Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center, the Trans Women of Color Collective, and the Baltimore Transgender Alliance.

This was partly inspired by the murder of Zella Ziona here in Gaithersburg (our home and Julia's hometown) in October and Keyonna Blakeney's in the aforementioned Rockville (the next town) this month.  They were both young trans women of color.

There were speakers, calls and responses, a ritual drawing on African spirituality, and an opportunity for anyone to step into the circle and speak (which I participated in).  In addition to trans community members and allies, attendees included county leaders and police -- and we were also honored by the presence of part of Keyonna's family (her father is holding one side of the sign).

#ZellaZiona #KeyonnaBlakeney #TWOC #WOC #womenofcolor #transwomen #trans #transgender #DMV #MD #DC #Baltimore #MoCoMD #TDOR #TransDOR #MCMDTDOR #CasaRuby #TWOCC #BaltimoreTransAlliance #MoCoMDCouncil #Passover2016 #Pesach5776

TransFaith's Being Brave Together -- our 2nd retreat

Louis (right) and I posing with some of our visual aids; photo by Chris.

TransFaith -- where I'm a founding member of the new National Council -- launched its Being Brave Together model early this year, including our first BBT retreat in Miami, which I co-facilitated.

Today I co-facilitated our second BBT retreat, this time in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, at Germantown Mennonite Church -- the oldest Mennonite church in North America, GMC's history is unusually inclusive of LGBTQ people -- check out this 10-minute video documenting that; rightly they say they have been "Proclaiming Peace & Justice since 1683" (!).

Again TF Community Engagement Consultant Louis Mitchell was my co-facilitator, and again TF Executive Director Chris Paige was the logistical host.  Also again, attendees included both local and long-distance trans and allied leaders as well as some TF board members -- and our new staff member, Operations Coordinator Tahnee Jackson.

We’re planning more BBT retreats in other cities this year -- do you want to be involved in planning and/or attending them?  And/or do you know someone who does? Visit http://www.transfaithonline.org/connect/being_brave_together/ today!

Dulin United Methodist Church youth group meeting

The photo the church apparently submitted to Google Maps in June 2008 – I know, right?

Tonight I visited one of Dulin United Methodist Church’s youth groups – the one for the oldest youth, there is also one for the children – to talk with them about transgender issues and social justice.  I was joined by a young trans member of the church.  Dulin UMC is in Falls Church VA, where I had never been before.    

One of DUMC’s pastors contacted TransFaith -- where I am a member of the National Council -- looking for a trans guest speaker, and we weren’t easily finding anyone in Virginia – and the church isn’t actually far from our home in Gaithersburg MD, and offered an honorarium.  My partner Julia was raised United Methodist, and was with me the whole evening.

We joined both youth groups for a dinner made by their parents (lasagnas, salad, other veggies, dessert, and more), then the children went to their meeting while we regrouped with the youth and two of their fathers.  My fellow speaker and I told our stories and took questions, and then joined the group in an activity that explored the spectrum of gender.  They also reflected on their own gender expressions, and we closed with a Bible passage and prayer.

Dim Sum with the DVM Fat-Friendly Community again

We had a great time with the DMV Fat-Friendly Community today -- two tables’ worth of us went to dim sum at Wong Gee Asian Restaurant.

And we brainstormed several good ideas for future gatherings.

So if you’re looking for fat-friendly community here in the DMV (DC / MD / VA), join the Group and introduce yourself.

Germantown Community Forum on LGBTQ Equity and Safety (#NoH8Gtown)

The event flyer -- this eagle is the symbol of Seneca Valley High.

Today PFLAG Germantown (MD) -- a community group of Metro DC PFLAG – held the Germantown Community Forum on LGBTQ Equity and Safety with and at Seneca Valley High School (the public high school of Germantown; part of the Montgomery County MD public school system) from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and we attended.  This event was partly in response to the October murder of Zella Ziona, a 21-year-old black transgender woman; Germantown was Zella’s hometown, she attended Seneca Valley High, and she was killed in Gaithersburg (my partner Julia’s hometown and our current home).

Here is the webpage, and here is the Facebook event; their text is “In an effort to make Germantown a safe space for all residents, PFLAG Germantown, a community group of Metro DC PFLAG, and Seneca Valley High School invite you to participate in an open forum to explore issues that affect the LGBTQ community. The purpose of the forum is to discuss inclusion, equity, acceptance, and tolerance for LGBTQ residents of Germantown and the surrounding areas. There will be a panel of local leaders to address various viewpoints of these issues, followed by small group discussions where community members can engage in reflection and planning of ways that we can make Germantown a safe and welcoming community.”

And it made a good start at doing what it said on its tin.  The panelists were my colleagues Michelle McLeod of Honorary Nieces and Nephews, Karen Holmes of Metro DC PFLAG, and Rev. Miller Hoffman of Open Door MCC; joined by Gerri Carpenter, parent of a transgender son and lesbian daughter.  The moderator was John Bartkowiak of PFLAG Germantown.

After the panel, we attendees each chose a small group discussion topic, and went to a classroom – Julia and I chose Faith & The LGBTQ Community, facilitated by Rev. Miller, with Rev. Anne Holmes of Seneca Valley UCC.  There was also Institutionalized Homophobia with Michelle, Parents and Teens : How to Talk About Sexuality with Gerri as well as Jean Bertelmann of PFLAG Germantown, and Trans-Awareness with Karen and John, and Mental and Physical Health Concerns with Bianca Palmisano of Metro DC PFLAG, Policing with Sergeant Jessica Hawkins of the DC Metropolitan Police LGBT Liaison Unit and Officer Rose Borisow of the Montgomery County Police Department. 

After the small group discussions, we all came back together for discussion and questions and answers.

The event was open to the public, and had meal-worthy food donated by Wegmans and &Pizza.

Unfortunately there were very few attendees, especially outside of Seneca Valley High people, but that made some sense under the circumstances.  And the event did display an unusual level of nuance and potential – for one thing, there was far more, and more diverse, trans content that one would expect.   

The cafeteria where most of the event took place was far too hot, but in fairness the weather today was very Springy instead of Wintry (and I have a cold).  A more addressable concern is that the breakout rooms were set up mostly with those combination chair-and-desks that do not accommodate many fat and/or disabled people – this is an issue not only when hosting events, but for the school’s students and other usual users as well. 

More information can be had by contacting J.C. Fellows at Joanna.C.Fellows@mcpsmd.net.  The hashtag is #NoH8Gtown.

Rockville United Church's LGBTQ Outreach Group meeting

Today my partner Julia McCrossin and I spoke at the monthly meeting of Rockville United Church’s Outreach Group, and it was a great experience.  Among other things, the group is preparing to continue guiding the church through updating their Statement of Faith to include “gender identity and expression”.

We first connected with RUC last fall, when they became the excellent host of the 5th annual Montgomery County MD Transgender Day of Remembrance last November.  We went on to spend most of Christmas Day at the lovely home of some RUC leaders, and attended RUC’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. / Justice / LGBTQ Sunday on January 17th -- the guest speaker was Rev. Allyson Dylan Robinson, and the focus was on trans issues.

RUC is truly committed to moving forward with internal and external LGBTQ+ work, and we are looking forward to staying connected with them.

TransFaith's Being Brave Together launches

My copy of the brand-new TransFaith Being Brave Together binder, along with the flamingo pen I got at the airport (I flew in and out of Fort Lauderdale).

February has already been an unusually trans-faithful(l) month -- even for me.

After accepting an invitation to be a founding member of TransFaith’s new National Council, I co-facilitated our first Being Brave Together retreat with TF Community Engagement Consultant Louis Mitchell, this past weekend in Miami.  TF Executive Director Chris Paige was the logistical host (thank you!!), and attendees included both local and long-distance trans and allied leaders as well as some TF board members (thank you all!!!).

We’re planning our next BBT retreat to be in Philadelphia in April. Want to be involved in that or others this year? Let us know at http://www.transfaithonline.org/connect/being_brave_together/!

Another DMV Fat-Friendly Community clothing swap

Had a great time at the DMV Fat-Friendly Community's latest clothing swap, held today at the home of a member.

Julia found a few pieces of clothing -- these swaps sometimes include men's / masculine clothing, and other members with that style -- and I these jewels.

A necklace with a clear glass ring printed with tree branches in white and a piece of ye old architecture in black, on a black leather cord with an antiqued copper bead toggle closure; pendant is 3” -- I can also wear it as a bracelet, cord is 20”.

A triple-strand necklace of copper-finish seed beads and light green faceted bicone beads, with a silver-tone lobster claw clasp and extender chain; 16.5” to 20”.

Both belonged to the host, and the former was via Etsy and made from a bottle (yah, I'm thinking vodka).

And you can see our stylish outfits for today here.

‪#‎thrift‬ ‪#‎thrifting‬ ‪#‎clothingswap‬ ‪#‎style‬ ‪#‎fashion‬ #fatshion ‪#‎OOTD‬ ‪#‎fatcommunity‬ ‪#‎beads‬ ‪#‎beading‬ ‪#‎beadwork‬ ‪#‎jewelry‬ #Etsy

Tu B'Shevat 5776 (2016)

Happy Tu B'Shevat, Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot -- the New Year of the Trees, the Birth Day of the Trees.

Not to be confused with the birthday of the Trews – the trans Jews. We were born on the Sixth Day along with everyone else – which includes people of all body sizes and shapes, dis/abilities, sexes / genders / sexualities, skin shades, and so on.

That is, if you believe in the right Scriptures, as I do.  ; > ))

Chris Hannon's memory has been a blessing for a year -- and yet...

Today is the first yahrtzeit of Chris Hannon, one of the very best friends and family members I’ve ever had, and ever will have – a year ago tonight, at the age of 37, he took his own life.

May his memory be a blessing (as we say in Judaism) -- his Earthly life continuing would be oh so much more of a blessing, but I believe that he lives on in many senses, and I know that his memory can continue to change and save lives. Both due to and despite his depression and other challenges, he lived an inspired and inspiring life -- and although he has left us too soon, he can help us prevent others from leaving before their time. (I am especially mindful of this as a member of the trans community, where the suicide attempt rate is over 40%.)

He has been in my thoughts and elsewhere every day, and in my dreams many nights. (Am I the only person who, during a dream about a dead loved one, realizes that they’re dead but not that I’m dreaming, and isn’t sure what I should do?)

These are the condolence cards I made for his mother and fiancé. And this is the blog post I wrote a year ago.

Happy 2016!!

Actually, New Year's was in September, and it's 5776.  But that's none of my business.

Happy Hanukkah 5776 / 2015

Happy Hanukkah 5776 / 2015 from the Westminster Flabby family!

This is one of our several menorahs, which I got at April Cornell's outlet shop in Boston's Quincy Market several years ago. And my mother-in-sin’s new Xmas tree from QVC; and the sign we got for our dogter Ursula from our Goodwill of Greater Washington that says “Who needs Santa Claus -- I’ve got Grandma” (and believe me, truer words--!).

Ursula also has a handmade menorah in the form of a felt wall hanging that uses dog treats as candles, by and from her Zia J, aka The Abundant Artisan.

Much more about our Chrismahanukwansolsticetc. adventures on my Facebook.
‪
#‎HanukkAdvent‬ ‪#‎Adventukkah‬ ‪#‎Jewscopalian‬

Thanksgiving / National Day Of Mourning (#NDOM #NAHM)

Harlan Pruden:  "LGBT history usually only looks to the summer of 1969 as its beginning ... when in reality we, two-spirit people, had important parts of our communities for thousands of years."

I was privileged to attend one of Harlan's workshops at the 2012 Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. One priceless moment was his comment on how in some Native cultures, the male warriors would dance for Two Spirit people like himself before battle. Striking a pose, he pointed out that although the US has been in many wars during his lifetime, he is still waiting for his dance.‪

Thanksgiving is also the National Day of Mourning (‪#‎NDOM), and November is Native American History Month (#NAHM)‬.

As we give thanks today, and every day, may we be mindful of the infinite gifts the First Nations have given and continue to give this nation -- and how much we have taken and continue to take from Native people. Even many of us in the social justice community have been remiss in this, even as we focus on particularly intersectional aspects like racial, climate and sex / gender / sexuality justice.

Today I am especially thankful that, despite my many failings as a partner in social justice, Indigenous communities have given me much. From my namesake Aunt June, a fellow Anglo who lived and worked on the Navajo reservation in Arizona for many years (and still lives in Nevada); to the United American Indians of New England (Massachusetts is my home state); to the Two Spirit community of TransFaith, and beyond.

Todah rabah, many thanks.

This is Transfaith’s main piece about remembering ‪#‎TwoSpirit‬ traditions this season, which links to our Indigenous website section and highlights a few pieces therein.  I'm a Community Engagement Adviser at TF.

I listened to Native America Calling’s February show about Transgender Native Americans in March, after hearing about it from Transfaith (where I’m a Community Engagement Adviser), and learned a lot. ‪

“Before assimilation, two-spirit people, including those who identify as transgender, played very important roles in tribal communities. Transgender people now face discrimination. According to a study by the National Center for Transgender Equality, over half of transgender people have attempted suicide.
In today’s show, we talk about the struggle to regain that historical acceptance and celebrate our Native people who call themselves transgender. We will also look at the roles of transgender people in their communities today. Guests: Ty Defoe (Oneida and Ojibw) – artist, social activist, musician and writer; tradition keeper Sydney Freeland (Navajo) – Director and writer of Drunktown's Finest; Robyn Silverfox (Navajo) – pre-med student. Break Music: Too Much To Feel (song), Klee Benally (artist), Respect Existence Or Expect Resistance (album).”

Kol hakavod and yasher koach to to those in body and spirit at National Day of Mourning 2015 (in Plymouth MA). I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been there in person, though I lived in Boston from birth until January 2014; I hope to remedy that one day. May they have a meaningful fast and feast, in whatever forms that takes for each.

Congregation Beit Tikvah's LGBTQ film festival

The flyer for tonight’s event, which also lives at

Scribd. 

Tonight was part one of a planned three-part LGBTQ  film festival by and at Congregation Beit Tikvah, and I was one the of the panelists.  The fest is free, including  refreshments, and is co-sponsored by Interfaith 

Fairness Coalition of Maryland, JQ Baltimore and The Faith Communities of Baltimore with PRIDE.  The 

other two nights are scheduled for December and 

February.

Nu, why is this night different from all other nights?  It isthe most trans-themed, with the films being the 

documentaries “Becoming Ayden” and “Devout”, and my fellow panelists being Tyler Vile, Beth Feigin 

Bugnaski, and Rabbi Gila Colman Ruskin; we were 

moderated by CBT’s Rabbi Larry Pinsker.

This was my first visit to and connection with CBT.  I  know their member William Palmer through his work asVice President of IFCMD, Rabbi Ruskin since meeting her at JQ Baltimore’s Pesach (Passover) seder last March, and I knew of Tyler; Beth and Gila are parents of queer young adults.  I had heard about both films but hadn’t seen either until after I accepted the invitation to be on the panel -- “Becoming Ayden” is not 

available for free, but I researched it otherwise; “Devout” I watched for free on YouTube today.

“Becoming Ayden” is actually very problematic – primary subject Ayden Scheim and his friends make the 

best of the bad situation (which unfortunately can’t be said of all of the subjects, including some of the other  trans ones), but the film is probably most useful as an example of how not to make films about trans people.  While it wasn’t a good choice for the festival, at least not without a lot of framing, it did trigger a discussion 

that badly needed to be had, especially about where Beit Tivkah is and is going, in terms of trans issues and a number of other things.  Interestingly, this is similar to what happened when the film was originally aired – 

as explained here by Ayden’s friend and fellow film subject Evan Smith, and tonight by Rabbi Pinsker, who moved here from Canada recently.  Too, things have improved greatly for Ayden over the decade since the 

film’s release.

“Devout” is a much better film in many ways, and needs much less introduction, but it does have some of the typical faults of films and other works that are primarily about ‘homosexuality’ but include a trans story; too, 

the film gives little if any sense that bisexuality, queerness, etc. exist.  But for the most part it does what it 

says on its tin:  “Devout is a 37-minute documentary film that follows the lives of seven women in New York and New Jersey who are trying to reconcile their alternative sexuality with their commitment to Orthodox      Judaism. Their faith has always condemned homosexuality in the harshest terms. Find out how Chani, Pam,  Elissa, Hayley, Lina and "Miriam" have dealt with being "unacceptable" while still remaining devoted to their  strict faith and community.”

Tonight was definitely a long, strange schlep in at least a few ways, but I think it turned out to be worthwhile  for all involved in different ways; and I hope that CBT will continue the conversation and move forward.

MoCo MD TDOR 2015 - Address by Marcia Simpson

Montgomery County MD Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2015 (#MCMDTDOR)
Address by Marcia Simpson

I would like to begin with a little history on tonight's event.

Transgender day of remembrance was started by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, an African American transgender woman who was murdered in Allston, MA on November 28th 1998. Gwendolyn Smith was struck by the similarities between Rita Hesters murder, and the murder of another African American transgender woman, Chanelle Pickett, three years earlier, on November 19th 1995, in MA. and how no one she spoke with seemed to even remember Chanelle Pickett. The first vigil commemorated all the transgender people that were lost to violence that year, and began the important tradition that we continue here this evening, the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

I need to also mention at this time, the fact that Chanelle Pickett had a twin sister, Gabrielle Pickett, also a Trans Woman of Color, who was also killed, in 2003.

Here we are in 2015, and despite increased transgender visibility in the national media, 22 trans women have been murdered this year in the United States.

Of those 22, 19 were trans women of color.

And in 2014 all but one of the trans women murdered, identified as black or Latina.

2015 had the highest homicide rate of transgender and gender non-conforming people in the US ever recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Program.

And just 10 days ago, in Houston Texas, misinformation and transphobia were used to overturn non-discrimination laws there. Leaving LGBT citizens of the nations 4th largest city subject to legalized discrimination.

Our community is in crisis, and under siege.

Right here in Montgomery County, a young woman, Zella Ziona, a 21 year old trans woman of color, much loved by her family, friends, and this community, was taken from us. Killed in broad daylight, (10 miles from where I stand) for simply daring to exist. Her life stolen by hatred and ignorance. We honor Zella’s memory tonight, and the memory of all those lost to violence.  Violence towards trans people, particularly trans women of color, is a problem that must be confronted, now, by the LGBT community and its allies, politicians, religious leaders, and the American people.

We must hold leaders and politicians accountable for inaction on comprehensive national nondiscrimination legislation. we cannot afford to wait until it is comfortable, or politically advantageous to expand non-discrimination legislation to cover all Americans, it is the right thing to do, and we need it today. People are dying out here...

We, the people, have some serious questions that need to be answered. Who are we, and what values DO we hold dear? What kind legacy shall we leave behind for future generations? Do we as a nation intend to uphold the the idea, that all are people created equal, deserving of equal justice and civil rights? Or will we continue to treat some as more deserving of justice than others?

We are in a time of revolutionary change, a time when we must demand that those who stand for justice, refuse to remain silent, and stand with us. To demand change, a revolutionary change in the recognition of basic human rights, for everyone, everywhere, that must be led and understood by the those with the foresight to realize that Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere. As articulated in the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We exist, and we refuse to be treated as second class citizens, by those who refuse to acknowledge the reality of our existence.

Being ourselves is not a lifestyle choice, anymore than the color of our eyes or the color of our skin are a lifestyle choice.

We cannot be silent, as many of us are forced to live in a constant state of fear. Fear of rejection, harassment, discrimination, violence, and the fear of death. Simply for having the audacity to be ourselves.

We must replace that fear with hope, counter ignorance with education, and counter hate with love and respect for one another. And when we see injustice, we must not remain silent, we must stand, united, to defeat it, wherever it may arise.

We need to put and end to a cycle of poverty and marginalization brought on by discrimination.  We need to improve educational environments for transgender students, by promoting equality, and diversity. School should be a sanctuary for students, to nurture their abilities and to foster a lifelong joy of learning.

We need to address unemployment, by calling on the federal government to pass comprehensive non-discrimination protections in employment that include both sexual orientation, and gender identity.

We must educate law enforcement through training, and foster interaction and cooperation with law enforcement, within our communities. We must urge states attorneys to fully and swiftly investigate all open homicide cases against transgender and gender non-conforming people.  We must expand our circle of friends and allies, to all those willing to listen.

Get to know someone different than you, outside of your social circle, talk to talk to them. An amazing thing happens when people take the time to get know each other, we often find that the things that separate us fall away. that we all have the same wants, needs, hopes and dreams, and that our differences are minuscule compared to our common humanity. we all want a safe place to live, a way to make an honest living, someone to love, and someone to love us back. In short: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Tonight, we stand united, to speak in honor of those who's voices were stolen from us. And we must continue to stand united as we go out into the world, we must every one of us, make a commitment to take action, to put and end to this devastating violence.

Thank you.

Montgomery County Maryland Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2015

The 5th annual (2015) Montgomery County MD Trans Day of Remembrance event was tonight, Saturday November 14th, at Rockville United Church, from seven to nine.  The event was free and open to the public, and included a service, an outdoor candlelight vigil with a reading of the names and cairn building, and a dinner reception.  Everything was optional, and there were spaces for attendees to be alone or connect with listener-companions.  If you attended, please fill out the event committee’s feedback survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JXT8LK7.

More than 100 people attended, and we were incredibly privileged to host several of Zella Ziona’s family members, including one of her maternal aunts who spoke during the service -- Zella is a trans woman of color who was murdered in Gaithersburg in October (my partner’s hometown, where we live with our family); may her memory be a blessing (as we say in Judaism).

We also welcomed MD state Senator Jamie Raskin and his wife Sarah Bloom Raskin, Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger as well as officers from Takoma Park and elsewhere, and possibly other community leaders.  There was also at least one member of the media, a reporter from the Montgomery County Sentinel who took photos and did interviews, but we haven't found their work yet.

My partner Julia McCrossin and I were on the event committee for the second year in a row (she’s a native, I’m a Boston native who moved here last January).  Begun because of murders in my native Boston in 1998, #TDOR is an international observance, centered around November 20th, that honors the many trans people lost to violence and suicide, and inspires action towards trans-inclusive social justice.  The focus is on trans women of color, who experience some of the most extreme oppression, nationally and globally.  

Click here for the printed program, here for the photos of the church’s signage and more, here for the flyer, here for the press release, here for our Facebook event and here for our Twitter (#MCMDTDOR).

And here is a summary of the program (including post-printing changes), including a link to the text of the Address; the service was ASL interpreted.

• Rev. Julia Jarvis began the service with a Tibetan singing bowl and silence
• Nikki Ames sang Paul Simon’s Bridge Over Troubled Water, accompanied here and throughout by Clarice Snyder
• Ezra Towne led a responsive reading of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Dirge Without Music 
• RUC’s Rev. Scott Winnette and I gave a welcome 
• My partner Julia McCrossin read what was listed as a Hopi prayer but is actually Mary Elizabeth Frye’s Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, and lit a candle 
• I spoke about the names and invited attendees to share any names they wished to
• Rev. Julia Jarvis gave more Tibetan bowl song and silence 
• Rev. Art Waidmann read Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer’s At The Rising Of The Sun / We Remember Them  
• Rev. Jill McCrory read these words by Audre Lorde:  “In becoming forcibly and essentially aware of my mortality, and of what I wished and wanted for my life, however short it might be, priorities and omissions became strongly etched in a merciless light, and what I most regretted were my silences. Of what had I ever been afraid? To question or to speak as I believed could have meant pain, or death. But we all hurt in so many different ways, all the time, and pain will either change or end. Death, on the other hand, is the final silence. And that might be coming quickly now, without regard for whether I had ever spoken what needed to be said, or had only betrayed myself into small silences, while I planned someday to speak, or waited for someone else’s words. “
• One of Zella Ziona’s maternal aunts spoke, and did so with astounding grace -- Eli Sauerwalt was also scheduled to speak, but was home sick, refuah shlemah
• Rev. Julia Jarvis invited donations to support Zella Ziona’s family, and as they were collected Nikki sang Jerry Herman’s I Am What I Am 
• Marcia Simpson gave an excellent Address -- click here to read it 
• I invited attendees to further prepare for the vigil
• Karen Holmes read these words by Laverne Cox:  “We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love.  And that's okay....  Each and every one of us has the capacity to be an oppressor.  I want to encourage each and every one of us to interrogate how we might be an oppressor and how we might be able to become liberators for ourselves and for each other.  

We had planned to use Enya’s version of How Can I Keep From Singing to process out of the sanctuary, but ran out of time to decide how.

As the service ended, I joined Rev. Miller Hoffman on an island in the church’s parking lot, where he read the names and I displayed them on a tablet while the attendees, holding battery-powered tealights, built the cairn with their stones on a rainbow-clothed table and then gathered around us in a half-circle.

After the names were read, we had a few moments of silence, then returned to the church to exchange our tealights for Japanese-style origami cranes (by Robin Allen), and begin the dinner reception of soups homemade by the hospitality subcommittee (chaired by Carol Edwards), breads donated by Nourish Now, desserts and drinks.

Thank you, everyone!!!  May you be inspired to work for trans-inclusive social justice here in MoCo and beyond in 2016.  We hope to gather with you next November if not before.

Happy #Challahween!!

2nd annual Fat Activism Conference (2015) #FatActCon

The Con's website and Facebook header image.

The second annual Fat Activism Conference (#FatActCon) was this past weekend (Friday October 9^th through Sunday October 11^th, 2015) -- and I was on the keynote panel Fat And Faith! 

The conference was again virtual – you could listen live or later, on your phone or computer.  And one of the great – and alas, all too rare – things about it was that presenters were paid, through profit-sharing, as well as having the option to earn money through an ‘affiliate’ program, where we received a percentage of the registrations of those who used our personal link. 

My fellow panelists were Rev. Gina Pond and Rabbi Minna Bromberg.  And we pretty much did what it said on our tin:  "This panel will look at the places where body size and various faiths collide, including ways that faith is used as a tool of fat oppression, as well as ways in which faith can provide a platform for size diversity activism for those who are interested.”  Or at least made a good start at it.  We were introduced and facilitated by Con organizer and tech guru Jeanette DePatie and moderated by Gina.  We pre-recorded the panel, and then added a live intro and Q&A (where Jeanette read us a few of the questions that had been submitted by attendees) after it was played during the Con; this was all done by conference call. 

It definitely wasn’t my best work, but I certainly learned a lot, and made some important connections in all senses. 

The collage the Con made for their website out of our panel's submitted photos (top to bottom it's Minna, myself, Gina).

My bio for the Con:  “Mycroft Masada is a faith leader who moved to the Washington DC area from hir lifelong home of Boston MA a year and a half ago.  Zie is a Community Engagement Adviser at TransFaith, a member of TransEpiscopal, and maintains the online presence of the Interfaith Coalition for Trans Equality.  Mycroft is called to fat justice, and is a writer and artist; hir piece “Good News: A Sermon On Fat Justice” appears in the current issue of Fat Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society (the Special Issue on Religion and Fat).  Zie is partnered with JuliaMcCrossin, the Fat Studies scholar, and their dogter Ursula is named after the flabulous Little Mermaid character.  More at http://MasadArts.blogspot.com/.”

Gina’s:  “Rev. Gina was initiated into an Alexandrian-type coven in 1999, and received her Third Degree on Beltane of 2010 as co-founder, along with her wife Sarah Thompson, of the Circle of Cerridwen (http://st4r.org).  In November 2013, she was approved for ordination in the Progressive Christian Alliance, and had her ordination ceremony on March 15, 2014. She graduated from Pacific School of Religion with a Masters of Divinity in May 2014. Rev. Gina also served on the Minister’s Board at City of Refuge, UCC, which is a radically inclusive Christian congregation, until the summer of 2015.  Rev. Gina is the host of the This Week In Heresy podcast (http://www.thisweekinheresy.com). This Week In Heresy is a weekly interview podcast where Rev. Gina interviews those who are exploring the boundaries of progressive thought, religion, and social justice. She is also a writer, yarn spinner, soaper, tech geek, and volunteer for her local Democratic party.”

Minna’s:  “As a singer, songwriter, rabbi, and voice teacher I use the tools of singing and songwriting to help people bring more of their inherent wholeness into the world. My fat activism began in 1989 when, as a 16 year old, I decided to give up dieting. Once I began connecting with the larger world of fat activism and fat feminism I brought what I was learning into my singing and songwriting (as exemplified in The Bathing Suit Song). My approach to voice teaching is deeply body positive and infused with knowing singing as an inherently integrative practice that brings together body, heart, mind, and soul. My fat Torah draws on the understanding that every human being is created in the image of the Divine and that every unique body is thus deserving of kavod (respect and honor) just as it is. I live in Jerusalem with my husband, Alan (who is also a rabbi as well as a supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education — he teaches people to be better spiritual caregivers). I am inspired in my work by this verse from the Song of Songs: “Let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet!” Indeed, the world is listening for your voice, your unique contribution to the weave of creation. You can learn more about my work at minnabromberg.com.”

Happy National Coming Out Day (2015) #NCOD

TODAY -- MA LEGISLATURE HEARING -- HEIGHT/WEIGHT + GENDER IDENTITY/EXPRESSION ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILLS!

The Massachusetts legislature’s hearing on the height/weight and gender identity/expression anti-discrimination bills is TODAY!  At 1:00 p.m. EST at the MA Statehouse -- and your testimony is needed, online and off.

Weight-based discrimination is legal in all but one state and three cities; for more, contact David VanderWoude in the office of Majority Whip Byron Rushing -- who is also a sponsor of the trans bill.  MA passed the Trans Equal Rights Law in 2011, but it didn’t include public accommodations – hence this Trans Equal Access Bill; for more, see Freedom Massachusetts.  #MApoli  #fatjustice  #TransMA  #FreedomMA

I actually didn’t get David’s e-mail yet, but those who did quote it as follows:
“I am writing with an update. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will be holding a hearing on the height and weight discrimination bill, H. 1764, next Tuesday, October 6, at 1:00 p.m. in Gardner Auditorium. This will be a very long and busy hearing due to the number of bills on the agenda and the topics being discussed, so I can’t predict when this bill will come up during the hearing. Additionally, Judiciary Committee hearings regularly run late into the night.
As such, I’d highly recommend submitting written testimony to the Committee. Testimony should be address to the House Chair, Representative John Fernandes, and the Senate Chair, Senator William Brownsberger. Written testimony can be submitted to the Committee via email to Gretchen.Bennett@MAhouse.gov.”

Here is my testimony:

October 6, 2015

Representative John Fernandes
Senate Chair, Joint Committee on the Judiciary
State House, Room 136
Boston, MA 02133

Senator William Brownsberger
House Chair, Joint Committee on the Judiciary
State House, Room 504
Boston, MA 02133

Via email:  Gretchen.Bennett@MAhouse.gov

Dear Senator Brownsberger and Representative Fernandes --

My name is Mycroft Masada Holmes, and I lived in greater Boston for more than 37 years, from my birth until last January, when I moved to Maryland to begin living with my partner.  I love and miss Boston and the rest of Massachusetts; our great city and state have always truly been my home and I hope they always will be.

I write to you today primarily as a faith leader – my roles include being a Community Engagement Adviser at TransFaith and a member of TransEpiscopal.  Before my move, I was the Chair of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition’s Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, and a board member of Congregation Am Tikva.  I’ve been one of the leaders of the faith campaign for Massachusetts’ Trans Equal Rights Law, passed in November 2011, and the Trans Equal Access Bill (SB 735 / HB 1577), which is also part of today’s hearing, and which I also support.

Today, I testify in support of House Bill 1764 -- An Act Making Discrimination on the Basis of Height and Weight Unlawful, as I have done in person and/or in writing for the last few legislative sessions.  At one hearing, I also read the written testimony of attorney Sondra Solovay.

Section 4 of Chapter 151B and Sections 92A and 98 of Chapter 272 of the Massachusetts General Laws currently state that persons cannot be discriminated against in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or ancestry.  HB 1764 would amend these statutes to include height and weight to the list of unlawful forms of discrimination, providing a legal remedy to those who have experienced discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their weight or height.  As you know, this bill was approved by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development last session but did not come up for a vote before the House of Representatives and had to be re-filed for the current session.

In my personal and professional life, I have experienced and witnessed and a great deal of discrimination – especially in employment.  Much of it has been based on physical appearance and information, including height and especially weight.  This discrimination is wrong, profoundly damaging, and pervasive -- in our state and the rest of our society.  It must be ended as soon as possible, and HB 1764 will help to end it.  The bill is also an critical educational tool – its implementation process will help dispel the widespread and ever-increasing ignorance, misinformation and phobia about height and weight.  You will be given expert testimony about these issues today and during the rest of this session – ample evidence of the significant and urgent need for this legislation.

My faiths teach that like Adam, the first human being, all people are made b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God -- people of all sizes, shapes, weights and heights.  Our infinite diversity of bodies and their changes over our lifetimes are gifts and blessings -- meant to be lived and shared with happiness and pride.  God creates and loves all of us, equally, in body and spirit.  And all of us should be equally recognized and protected by the law.

And as much as I speak to you as a person of faith, I also speak as a life partner.  My wonderful partner of six years, Julia McCrossin, and I are the same height, and she weighs well over twice what I do; I’ve always been thin, she has always been fat.  Julia is a native and lifelong resident of Maryland and Washington DC, and visited me in Massachusetts several times.  After her father passed away, I moved to Maryland to begin living with her, largely so that we could help care for her disabled mother and the family dog.

We are privileged to live in Maryland and near DC; both have trans-inclusive civil rights, and DC’s Human Rights Laws includes height and weight in “physical appearance”.  We are unusually privileged in other ways as well – as much as we and those like us struggle, daily life is far more challenging for those who have other intersecting oppressions, such as racism, classism and ableism.  At the same time, we worry about moving to and through places where we are legally unprotected, which we often need and want to do.  We and so many others need An Act Making Discrimination On The Basis Of Height And Weight Unlawful to pass into law as soon as possible.

We want to visit Massachusetts, have our wedding there, make our home there someday.  And we have much to offer my great state.  I want my partner to have full civil rights wherever she is.  I want her to be able to continue to live, work and play better than she has done, contributing even more to our communities than she already has.  I want this for all residents of and visitors to Massachusetts.  I don’t want anyone to experience discrimination – and yet I know that some will, and I want them to be able to take appropriate action.

I urge you to do everything you can to further this vital and long overdue legislation so that it can be passed into law this legislative session.

Thank you,

Mycroft Holmes
{my home and e-mail addresses}

Cc:  David VanderWoude
Office of Majority Whip Byron Rushing
State House, Room 235
Boston, MA  02133
Via email: David.VanderWoude@mahouse.gov

Shana tova 5776!!!

Shana tova 5776!!!  May this be your best year yet.

Our Rosh Hashanah became super old school when we met this baby Eastern Kingsnake (?) during our family's Tashlich at Lake Needwood.  Zie was less than a foot long and half an inch wide, and we found them just a few inches from the shore of our private beach! Resting on the bottom and/or floating just above it, with just hir head above water, like a turtle or frog, flicking hir tongue in and out sometimes. As we followed, zie swam back and forth along the shore, not seeming to notice us, the minnows or Canada geese, but eventually sometimes partly hiding under rocks.