Michelle De LaFreniere has passed.

As an employee of Scottsdale City Hall she worked with the mayor to establish the second Arizona city to embrace non discrimination polices for LGBT citizens.

When as a patron of Anderson's 5^th Estate was told we don't want your “kind” in here. She and many of the trans community stood in protest for six months before Anderson capitulated and changed his policies. She was instrumental in establishing the Arizona Transgender Alliance which became the political arm of the Arizona transgender community.

She had been battling cancer for the last year.

All of us in the LGBT community are better off here in Arizona because of her efforts and her life.

Michelle Pilamyaya Oheniyan (Michelle with my love forever I thank you)

Tunkashiela Pilamyaya Oheniyan ( Grandfather with my love forever I thank you.)

Rose

That hallowed day of the trans community where those yet unsure of their own evolution brave the night as their true selves.
So it was for me, and so it is for many others.
The first time I did halloween in drag.  I recieved the comments that the scarry part was that it was so natural for me.  Little did they know, but now they do know.
After doing the "Amazon n the Tranny from Hell" I began to feel more at ease with myself in the opposite gender role.  Which made my transition a bit easier.
Be safe have fun and be your true self if you have yet to do so.
Luv Ya
Rose

Hey Sweeties

     It's been a very long time since I have been this excited.
     This last weekend was Transform-Arizona an event that was supposed to be targeted to promote the mixing of the LGB and the T.  To create a greater understanding of the trans community within the GLBT communities.
     Seminars and workshops to demonstrate the trans condition and how it relates to the rest of society.  But, mostly how trans people relate to each other as well.
     Entertainers donated their time and talents to the event and speakers from around the country gathered to enlighten us all.
     It provided many new ideas of how we can connect with others within our own communities.
     We were given the opportunity to sit and talk with successful trans Icons of our community, during lunch and dinner.
     At the picnic we were able to get to know and meet many of our peers and know we are not alone.
     I was very lucky to meet someone who's website and story was available to me when I needed it most and I was able to say thank you, personally.
     Whether or not this event reached it's ultimate goal or not, it did reach the goal that trans folk are by far very beautiful people, and I am honored to be among them all.

Oheniyan
Rose
  

Hey Sweeties
I need to appologize to all of you for my absence.  Though I have been busy trying to reorganize my own life I have not been here for you.  And that is what this place is supposed to be about.  Being here for each other.
But on a better note.  I am now living in Prescott.  Have my own little place high on a hill, and I am now an official volunteer at the Prescott Pride Center.
We have sponsored a movie and discussion night.  And we are looking forward to one in October.  Download the pdf calanders for Sept and Oct At the PPC website.  We are still doing the T-Time last Sunday of every month, 1:30pm till the talking is done.
Check out the Transform Arizona link it will be a memerable event.
Luv Ya
Rose Miztri

                                                            The Not So Silent T

 I have been a participant in and around the area for a few years now, and it was brought to my attention that I let a lot slide within the community that I participate in. And I must admit that I do have a relaxed nature to my acceptance of terminology that is contrary to my presentation.

 Many in my community of transfolk feel disrespected when they are addressed by the incorrect pronoun.

 Many in our society were raised to call men “sir” and women “mam” but what do you address a trans person as?

  How about their name? It is a strange concept I admit but some of us were born and labeled at the same time, as I am sure were many of you. Some of us chose a name later on used it and adapted who they believe themselves to be through that name.

 Although, there are times when there is more than one in the room with, you won't believe this, the same name. What do we do then? Well I guess we need to find some descriptive term then. Let's see we have all kinds of adjectives to choose from, tall, short, bald, hairy, plump, skinny, green, purple. Or we could describe what they might be wearing, blue shirt, green jacket, red dress. There are no end to the descriptive terms.

 Would you call a person in a dress, sir?

 A person with a beard, mam?

 What we really need is a pronoun trash can we can dump all of the he's, her's, him's, she's, in the can and get real personal, and call folks by the name they gave you when they looked you in the eyes.

 To me the foulest word in the English language is “sir”! You see I have met many “sir's” in my life and the majority of them were total jerks and no one I wanted to pattern my life after. I spent 8 years in the military and never once was I ever insulted by being called “sir”, so why in anyone's name would I want to hear that word now?

 Yes, by many standards I am very relaxed but, if you wish to entice more participation from other transfolk, you might want to break out that can.

 Rose

So here we are in 2009 a new president a new beginning? Or just new reterick.

This new president talks a good game but what are the realities.

If you know any one who is questioning their gender in any way, the way they dress, act, send them here to check out our site.  The intent of this place is to be a guidepost along the way. 

There have been too many that have not yet found their way and lost their drive, depression, anxiety sets in, and we loose them.  A perminent solution to a temporary problem.

No, this process is not easy but others have made the journey and are willing to guide others.

Be safe.
Rose

IT SEEMS A TRANS PERSON WHO WAS BEATEN BY POLICE AND THE VIDEO WAS RELEASED ON U-TUBE WAS RECENTLY SHOT IN THE FACE.  AWAITING NEWS IF SHE WILL RECOVER.

NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND AGAINST THE VIOLENCE WITH KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO MAKE DECISSIONS.  BUT, WE ARE TALKING POLICE GONE BAD? 

WHERE DO WE GO WHEN THOSE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US ARE THE ONES WHO ABUSE AND KILL US.

SOMEWHERE SOMEHOW WE NEED TO BREAK THIS CYCLE OF FEAR.

ROSE

I would like to wish all of you a happier holidays.  Take the time to be kind to yourself.

If you are trans and trying to find your way spend some time to utilize the links here.  Just e-mail me if you want and we can set up a time for the chat room.

This is the season we look to our past and remember older hapier days (or were they?).  We will find happier times for we are out therelooking for miss/mister right too gay, straight or trans we are usually out there looking for the same thing.  Recognition, acceptance, friendship and love.

What ever you are doing reach out to yourself by reaching out to another.
Love Ya
Rose

This weekend on Sunday there will be a cerimony at the State Capital beginning at 5pm.  For those of you who can make it do so.  For those who cannot, light a candle and or wear a black armband.  When asked tell them it's for the needless deaths of our family.

Between the needless murders and suicides we are lucky to make it as far as we do.  Keep supporting each other we will  "endever to Persevier".*

LUV YA
Rose

* chief Dan George, Outlaw Josey Wqales.