WHAT'S THE T
There is power in support
Mashaun D Simon, P2M Managing Editor
“I am by no means a writer,” is what I heard her say. I was sitting in on a meeting. The when, where and why are not important. What she said, and what she meant when she said it, was what was most important.
“I am just a supporter, from the back, on the sidelines.”
Immediately I responded, “And you may not realize it, but that is just as important, necessary and effective, depending on the situation.”
The she in the situation, you may ask? A transgender woman I know whom I have the utmost respect and admiration for. Now, I know I have time and time again that I have the utmost respect for transgender men and woman. So much so that I think it has gotten to the point to where it is could almost be redundant. But, it is true.
So, what does this have to do with anything, you may ask?
It is simple. We do not realize or recognize the power and affect we have on one another. We do not see how our actions could mean the world to others.
Yes, all she wanted to do was support from the sidelines. But, her support is the same as the need for water when dehydrated. Without the water, we are sick. Without the support, we are nothing.
Now that is power!
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January's "T"
One Transgender Woman’s Take on Priorities
This month we feature a good friend and Preach2me.com ally, Cheryl Courtney-Evans. Cheryl lives by the concept of "mutual love & respect,” and considers herself an activist/advocate bent on cultivating "community love" in the transgender community.
Cheryl, along with another P2M ally, Lisa Newson, created TILTT (Transgender Individuals Living Their Truth) in September of 2007. TILTT is a support group focused on “addressing the ‘meat & potatoes’ needs of the transgender community.”
They have embarked on a mission of connecting transgender people with jobs at organizations that profess diversity in hiring, while also assisting transgender men and women with housing needs and issues. In addition they attempt to provide ‘companion support’ for their members through sporting events, plays, and other outings.
Cheryl took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her priorities and what the word priority means to her.
Q: How do you define the word "priorities?"
A: I best define "priorities" as those things that one feels are most important to address and/or do, as they concern him or her.
Q: What are some of your priorities?
A: The first one is to follow the regimen/routine to maintain my health (I guess it would be connected with another one which is to quit smoking). Another important one is to find a way to organize my activities to make my work in and outside of the office more effective and productive. Overshadowing all of the above is to do that which will maintain my living situation (keeping my rent paid).
Q: How have your priorities changed in the past year?
A: Considering the added work that I have assumed with my support group, I have had to rethink what was more important; that includes making decisions about my evenings and how I spend my free time.
Q: Will your priorities stay the same in 2008? Do you believe they should or should not, why?
A: At this point yes. In a general sense, if I'm able to succeed in keeping to them, I should be able to keep a stable home/work life.
This month, we welcome a loved one to the “What’s the T” page. She is a friend to many of us on the P2M staff, and a great resource to things pertaining to the Transgender community.
During Transgender Day of Remembrance last month, she led a celebration locally in Atlanta. Her words were inspiring and uplifting, and so we wanted to invite her to expound on what had to say that day here on P2M.
So, we welcome, sister, mother, daughter, friend and leader, Rhakel Henry.
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