Unwaivering

(AI re-creation of a recent Facebook post.)      If you know me, really know me, then you already understand this: I’m not here to win a popularity contest. I’ve long been unbothered by whether people like me or agree with what I have to say. I'm not driven by applause, and I won’t be deterred by outrage. That’s what freedom of spirit looks like—and it’s the only way I can be honest.      So let me speak plainly.      I think about our Heavenly Father a lot. I reflect often on Jesus' ministry—not the sanitized version preached from some pulpits, but the raw, radical truth of it. And I remember a moment from my own story: I was three and a half years old, shattered and lifeless in the middle of Clifton Avenue in Logansport, Indiana. And yet, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, life returned to me.      That’s why I believe in the Holy Trinity. Unshakably. Experientially. Not because a book told me to, but because the Spirit move...

We live in a society where identity is often misunderstood, but the topic most misrepresented is transgenderism. To help others to understand, we need to have clarity – grounded in truth, compassion, and lived experience. What it is: Transgenderism refers to the experience of identifying with a gender other than the one commonly associated with ones sex, or both... or absolutely none at all. This isn't a phase, trend, or pathology. It's a deeply rooted aspect of human identity that has existed across many cultures for centuries. At its core, transgenderism is about gender identity – a person's internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere along the gender spectrum. For transgender individuals, this identity doesn't align with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone assigned male at birth may identify as female, and vice-versa. Transgenderism is not limited to binary transitions. Some people identify as non-binary, gender...

      (Written with the assistance of AI)       As transgender individuals in a society where we're misunderstood and unaccepted, living and expressing ourselves authentically can be an act of courage.  But, being out about your gender identity means navigating emotional, social, and potentially physical risks.  So, advocating must be done with both fire and foresight.  Here's how we can lift up our voices while keeping safety front and center. 1. Start Within Safe, Trusted Spaces      Our first sanctuary is community.  Whether it's an affirming local support group, or a trans-led nonprofit, start your advocacy in spaces that value and protect trans voices.  This will allow you room to grow without fear.  It isn't necessary to shout it in the public square.  Telling your story in a room where your voice is valued and you're seen and believed can be just as powerful. 2.  Share Your Story Strategical...

       Several years ago, my oldest daughter got engaged to be married.  One evening, she called me so that her fiance could properly ask the father of the bride-to-be for permission to marry his intended.  That impressed me!  I thought good breeding was a thing of the past.  It didn't matter to me that he's Mexican-American in the truest sense (meaning he was born in Mexico, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of five, and is a legally naturalized American citizen).  What mattered is that he and my daughter were, and are still, in love.  I know that according to the ultra-liberal mindset, I'm supposed to be a racist because I'm White.  But, racism isn't a White problem; it's a human problem.  I think I'll write a post in the future covering nonsensical ideologies such as the Liberal mindset, the Conservative mindset, binary genderism, etc...  For now, however, I digress.     In the months that followed, my da...

      Trans identities have long been seen as enigmatic - a concept that challenges the rigid boundaries of gender that many of us have grown up with.  To those unfamiliar, it can seem complex, contradictory, or even puzzling.  But the truth is gender diversity has existed across cultures and centuries, reflecting the nuanced and deeply personal nature of human identity.  The challenge isn't the existence of transgender people, it's the lack of understanding that prevents mainstream society from fully embracing their presence.     The complexity of transgender experiences often stems from a clash between societal expectations and personal truth.  In a world that historically insists that gender is tied to biology, the idea that gender is internal seems unfamiliar.  This is where education, empathy and exposure come into play.     Gender as a Spectrum, Not a Binary - Many cultures, including the Bugis in Indonesia, the Zapotec i...

    We who don't identify with the Euro-Christian gender normative ideal in the U.S. number near 3 million.  Just under 1%!  That makes us a minority.  Will the Supreme Court rule in our favor later this month?  Or ever?  Excuse me if I don't hold my breath.  The bulk of western society is wrapped up in the belief that transgenderism is "ungodly" or mentally ill.  Neither of which can be shown to be true, however, it's hard to break from societal stigma and try to see things from a different point of view.  But, just because something doesn't seem natural to you doesn't mean it isn't.  It only means that you're incapable of understanding something so complex.     Consider this:  Indigenous peoples from various societies around the world... societies more in tune with nature... have known of genders other than just the two accepted by the west.  Let's take a look at some of these: Hijras (South Asia) - In India, P...

      With the transgender debate raging across the U.S. those who are anti-trans believe that their wishes to subdue and deny transgender people their rights should be law.  What they're suggesting is that mob rule (democracy) should override the constitutional rule of law.  However, these same people will argue against mob rule if policies created as such would negatively affect their rights in any way.  They want their rights left intact, while insisting that the rights of those they find distasteful should be stripped away.  As I've argued before, it's a matter of "freedom for me, but not for thee".  Such a point of view is counter to freedom and personal liberty.     As much as the Right argues that the Left assumes unconstitutional authority over their rights in matters that concern them, it's ironic that they believe the government should hinder the rights and personal liberties of others and hypocritical that they don't even see ...

     Society shapes the way we see ourselves and how we navigate the world. The beliefs ingrained in culture can be empowering, but they can also be deeply harmful—especially when they reinforce stigma, enforce rigid norms, or deny people the freedom to embrace their authentic selves. For trans individuals, societal beliefs can have a profound impact on mental health, creating obstacles that make self-acceptance and well-being more challenging.      Let’s take a closer look at how harmful societal beliefs affect mental health, followed by strategies for overcoming them. 1. Stigma and Shame      Many cultures attach stigma to certain identities, including being transgender. Some view trans people as "unnatural" or "confused," leading to widespread shame and ostracization. This stigma often discourages people from openly embracing their identity, seeking support, or even talking about their experiences. How to Deal with It Educate and Ad...

      I remember very well a lifetime of trying to convince myself that I at least liked me.  I remember the many times I wondered why I could never just be happy.  Happiness was, at best, fleeting.  There for a moment only, then nothing but a memory that I'd hold for a few seconds before letting it go.  I remember thinking at times like that, that happiness just wasn't meant for me.  I was sad!  I was angry!  But worst of all, without even realizing it, I hated myself with the deepest, most burning passion!     I was raised to believe that the Bible was the absolute word of God.  If the Bible said something was evil, then it was evil.  After all, according to the belief, God had said it and that was that!  But logic says that the Divinity did not  write one word found in the Bible, with the possible exception of the Ten Commandments.  People wrote the Bible and, in doing so, did what people do and inte...