MY "GOOD NEWS : A SERMON ON FAT JUSTICE" HAS BEEN PUBLISHED!

GOOD NEWS!! 

My “Good News : A Sermon On Fat Justice” has been published in the new issue of Fat Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society – a Special Issue on Religion & Fat! 

‘Twas going to be this Summer, but surprise. Sorry if you didn’t have time to get your party hats and/or pitchforks.

Special thanks to my partner Julia McCrossin and the Popular Culture Association Fat Studies Area for workshopping! And to two friends for editing!  And to Divine, Charles C. Mann via National Geographic Magazine, Bruce Chilton, Rabbi Ruth Adar, Reb Irwin Keller, Anna Mollow, Rev. Miller Hoffman, the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand & Polynesia and others for being referenceable! Any and all remaining mishigas is mine, though. 

9 other articles and 2 book reviews, in this issue, edited by Esther Rothblum (with a board and guest editors for this and other special issues), with authors including Lynne Gerber, Sue Hill, and Lesleigh Owen.  

The journal is paid access only, but today I received the e-mail that says "share online access to your article with up to 50 colleagues by forwarding this e-print link http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/p7nN4fPdbRQIrbsuDKc9/full or by adding it to your social media profile. Research suggests that early readership drives citation levels up."

Peaster / Eastover 2015 / 5775

Sunday the 29th we did the 11:00 Palm Sunday service at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, though the procession was canceled because it was below freezing. Also for the second year in a row, we Googled how to fold our palm fronds; here they are with some of my mother-in-sin’s Irish tchotchkes.

“Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.”

Holy Wednesday the 1st we went to the Tenebrae service at Ascension -- the Liturgy of Shadows; a different version of the service than last year, which was our first Tenebrae here and I think anywhere. This is the bulletin cover art, which I really like, but haven’t found the credit for yet.

“Father in heaven,
we so often stand by,
as others are mocked or belittled,
as cruelty and injustice are allowed free reign,
afraid to speak,
afraid to act,
silent and guilty.
Give us strength to speak out,
and to witness always to the right,
and to the truth.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.”

Attended Ascension’s Maundy Thursday service; this the bulletin cover art. The entire bulletin was also in Spanish, and we did do most of it. And it was the first time we’d heard Rev. Javier preach, and we enjoyed it -- and he gave his entire sermon in both languages; a part in English and then the same part in Spanish!  As last year, we didn’t participate in foot washing, but maybe the third time will be a charm.

“What I have done for you in my love, in my love
What I have done for you, in my love;
What I have done for you, so you are called to do,
To be a servant true in your love, in your love,
To be a servant true in your love.”

I went to Ascension’s “Stations To Go” service; they hadn’t done it outdoors in several years, and I’d never done it at all.

The clergy, seminarian and a dozen plus of us carried our cross and bulletins to the police station, under the Father John Stanislaus Cuddy Bridge (built largely because the Saint Martin’s* priest was killed by a train), the Wells/Robertson House, City Hall, the Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen (at *Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church, which Ascension is part of and at which Julia has begun volunteering; I joined her for the first time the next day), Bohrer Park, Hospice Caring /A Different Kind of Hospice, and Ascension’s columbarium -- where I took this photo of its little guardian.

All places I’ve been a few times in this my first year here. I know, we are in quite a convenient location for Stations, aren’t we? And though it was a pretty rainy day, we didn’t have any until a little bit starting at the 7th station; and it was in the 60s (sorry, MA diocese Friends!).

“Let us always be aware of the dignity of every human being so we may answer our Baptismal call to respect that dignity and to work for justice and peace for all people.”

And we went to Ascension’s Good Friday service.

“As instruments of peace, may we grow, may we grow,
As instruments of peace, may we grow;
As instruments of peace to bring the bound release,
And make oppression cease, help us grow, help us grow,
To make oppression cease, help us grow.”

Also, I am counting our weekly Erev Shabbat Chinese food takeaway as a first-night seder.

Shabbat / Holy Saturday we volunteered at the Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen; Julia for the second time and I for the first -- it’s at Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church, and our church is among several that provide volunteers (and it was one of our “Stations To Go” the day before).

We also went to Ascension’s Great Vigil of Easter service – or as I like to call it, Erev Easter, and this year also the second night of Pesach. Like last year, our first, we started outdoors around a little BBQ grill on the front walk. And here is the sanctuary as we left it.

“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will, with God’s help.” (The Episcopal Church's Baptismal Covenant, which is part of this service – and my fat justice sermon to be published this Summer.)

Sunday we went to the 11:00 version of the Sunday of the Resurrection : Easter Day service at Ascension. Here’s the view from our seats before we began, and the flower arrangements at the front door -- with Julia's resplendent reflection!  

Our first hymn was ‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today’, which always reminds me of Mister Bean singing it -- or trying to.

And J made tuna casserole at her mum’s request (tuna, egg noodles, peas, celery, onions, cream of celery soup, milk, mayo, salt, pepper; with shredded cheese and potato chips on top). “On this mountain, the Lord of heavenly forces with prepare for all peoples a rich feast, a feast of choice wines, of select foods rich in flavor, of choice wines well refined" (Isaiah 25:6-9).

Me in my Eastover outfit, with our Peaster Buggy Ursula. Julia’s outfit was low-key today, and she needed to undress to rest before making dinner – and of course I always support her undressing!  And she took this photo, thanks.

Black velvet frock coat by Express via Goodwill of Greater Washington; purple / black fringed scarf / shawl in a ye olde stylized florals etc. pattern by unknown via Goodwill of GW; v-neck tee in Aubergine by Gildan Online via A.C. Moore or Michael's; black pants by Gap via Goodwill of GW; black mules with pewter buckles by Clarks via EBay; Magen David / Tudor rose pewter pendant by unknown via HideAndTallowSupply of Etsy; Magen David earrings via wangrea of EBay.  #‎sharethegood  (Goodwill of GW's official hashtag.)

Peaster / Eastover also always reminds me of Douglas Adams' prologue to Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

“And then, one Thursday, nearly two thousand years after one man had been nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people for a change, one girl sitting on her own in a small cafe in Rickmansworth suddenly realized what it was that had been going wrong all this time, and she finally knew how the world could be made a good and happy place. This time it was right, it would work, and no one would have to get nailed to anything.

Also, my colleague Rabbi Emily Aviva Kapor-Mater has published the 2nd edition of her Haggadah Shir Ge’ulah – Song of Liberation. I haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

And Jews for Racial and Economic Justice has published a ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬ Haggadah Supplement; another thing I need to read.

And, how cute are these "Bunny Bread"s we got on sale at Giant Food? I know, they're like bunny challahs! Challot / challos. Bunnot challot. Bunnos challos. With raisin eyes.

AND, Jon Stewart on the Daily Show on Passover and Easter.

Aaand, the Star and Shamrock in DC had a Peaster / Eastover weekend -- Julia and I must visit them someday soon.

JQ Baltimore's 2nd Annual Queer Seder

Tonight we schlepped to JQ Baltimore's Second Annual Queer Seder -- their 2nd and our 1st – and are very glad we did. ‘Twas co-sponsored by GLCCB, Interfaith Fairness Coalition of Maryland, and The Faith Communities of Baltimore with PRIDE; and primarily led by Rabbi Gila Ruskin. And we made a sea-themed mosaic frame for a big round mirror as a gift for Hearts And Ears! It reminded me of Congregation Am Tikva et al’s Pride Seders in June, and other things back home – it has been challenging to leave the queer Jewish community of Boston MA for MoCo MD, and we can’t afford to schlep to DC much.

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).
‪
#‎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.