gillian1968's blog

Nex Benedict

I was shocked, saddened and disturbed by the death of Nex Benedict in Owasso, Oklahoma in February 2024. As it happened, I was making a trip to Tulsa to visit my sister. If I had known of it, I might have attended one of the vigils at Owasso or down in Tulsa. We drove by the turn-off to Owasso a couple times but didn't try to visit there.

We did drive down to Guthrie Green in the Tulsa Arts District where one vigil was held. And we visited the Woody Guthrie Center right across the street.

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A Private Remembrance

20231120_143336.jpg

Today, November 20, 2023 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

I have long had a concern for the rights and protection of Transgender individuals, including those who are gender-nonconforming and others in the LGBTQ community. But I think it's become more personal and important in the year since I began my own transition. So this year I decided to do something specific.

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A Private Remembrance

20231120_143336.jpg

Today, November 20, 2023 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

I have long had a concern for the rights and protection of Transgender individuals, including those who are gender-nonconforming and others in the LGBTQ community. But I think it's become more personal and important in the year since I began my own transition. So this year I decided to do something specific.

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Tragedy in Cycling

I am a very amateur cyclist. But I have some friends who are serious cyclists. And many of us on this blog have perhaps become fans or at least gained a deeper understanding of the sport from reading the many Gaby novels.

So I think perhaps we can all mourn the death on Saturday of 17 year old U.S. cyclist Magnus White. He was hit by a vehicle and killed while training for the upcoming world championships in Scotland.

R.I.P. Magnus

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Misgendered in the right way

For the last year and especially the last six months I’ve been more out and open with my presentation. I got my ears pierced (it took 3 tries for the left one!), usually have my nails painted, and have been letting what’s left of my hair grow out.

I dress as femme about 80% of the time, while presenting as male when necessary ex officio.

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Writing and Reading

It's funny how trying to get serious about writing changes your perspective.

I used to check on new stories almost daily, but now I feel like I haven't earned that privilege because I haven't done my writing homework.

Actually, there are a lot of factors including work, other projects and Covid-19.

But I was surprised and honored to learn the first part of The Princess of Venda had won third place in the recent contest.

Thanks to all of you who read it and voted for it.

So I've been trying to get a bit more written as many days as I can.

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A Holy Chore

A few days ago, someone commented about how scary Steven King novels and I was reminded of the story “I have no mouth and I must scream” by Harlan Ellison.

I think even King’s stories pale compared to the horror at the end of that story.

And then yesterday I learned that he had died last week.

I don’t think he wrote any TG stories, but his Dangerous Visions collection definitely broke many barriers and helped allow the wealth of TG fantasy and science fiction that we enjoy today.

And I found this quote especially inspiring.

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The Oldest Profession goes High Tech

As a technophile, the annual CES in Las Vegas in January is always fun to follow, although my new job has interfered a bit.

But, I thought this article about some of the side activity this week was very funny!

http://recode.net/2015/01/08/this-is-the-unofficial-brothel-...

And since working girls sometimes feature in our stories, it also provides some interesting background material.

All the best!

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Punctuation of thoughts

Greetings to my friends and, especially all the authors who have shared their stories here at The Big Closet.

One of my G+ friends shared this link which I thought would be of interest since many of our stories feature internal dialogue where the character has thoughts that aren't shared with other characters and may differ substantially from what they actually say in the story.

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/formattin...

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