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Community Events
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The Orange County Equality Coalition invites all members and
friends to enjoy a day in the park.
When: Saturday, August 15, 12-4 pm.
Where: Mason Regional Park, Irvine, CA
Everyone is welcome! Food
will be available for purchase, or bring your own picnic. Explore the booths of
Coalition partners and listen to a variety of speakers.
Continue the fun at the
after-party at Steelhead Brewery, 4175 Campus Dr., 4-8pm.
For more info:click here
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Gender Spectrum Family Conference
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I am looking forward to presenting at the Gender
Spectrum Family Conference over Labor Day Weekend, in Seattle, Washington. I'll be
talking with parents of gender variant and transgendered children about
parenting, dealing with fear and discrimination and family transition.
This
gathering allows families from all over the country to come together to share
in their journey, meet new friends and encourage each other in the unique and
rewarding experience of loving a gender gifted child.
For more info: GenderSpectrum.org
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Greetings!
Welcome to the August 2009
edition of Pathways.
This
month's main article is focused on the comfort and discovery that can be found
in a good book. I hope you will find it both informing and inspiring.
Warmly,Lisa Maurel, MFT Lic. 32416
"Books are humanity in print"
-Barbara W. Tuchman |
The Comfort of a Good Book
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There is nothing like a good book. The feel and texture of the
pages, the comfort of words which illuminate and inspire, for me, this is one
of the greatest joys in life. I will probably never own an electronic book device, simply for
my love of the page. I owe a great debt to countless authors who have opened my
heart, my mind and my imagination.
In my own journey, books have made their way into my hands
through friends as well as my therapist. There were some dark places in my
journey in which the right book gave me the light I needed to find my way.
And I have learned the value of sharing a poignant book at
various points in the process of the work of therapy. Books open doors in the
heart and mind that facilitate the process of growth and further the work that
is done within the session. I have found it particularly helpful to share books
that relate the stories of gender questioning people as they have explored and
expressed their gender identity; while dealing with the social, religious and
familial realties of their lives.
These stories, whether fictional or
historical, provide a context for our own lives today. We are part of a larger
community that has forged a path, and we are on the cutting edge of that path.
Our own lives, are forging the path for those who will come after us. We can
take pride in our heritage, because we have inherited a legacy of people who
stand in the world, on their own terms, and speak out for justice, equality and
compassion.
When our lives and struggles are viewed in this context, we join
this circle and receive inspiration, encouragement and vision for our own
lives.
Here are a few inspiring reads from my bookshelf....
Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity
by Julia Serano by Seal Press
Paperback
List Price:
$15.95
Our Price:
$8.85
Buy Now
Transwomen often struggle to find a place among bio-women and
face mysogyny from all sides. Applying feminist thought and social critique, as
well as her professional insights as a biologist, the author makes a strong
case that much of what transwomen face in the way of discrimination from the
non-trans community, as well as the LGBT community, and other trans folks, is
rooted in the negative cultural views of femininity.
The Well of Loneliness by
Radclyffe Hall
While this book is usually characterized as "lesbian", I think
the story beautifully illustrates Stephen's struggle with gender in a time when
language related to gender non-conforming folks was non-existent.
This book was banned in 1928 for "obscenity" as it portrays the
love story of Stephen and Mary. Stephen is female and feels trapped in the
conventions of her gender. She experiences her first happiness in her love for
Mary, but understands the societal impediments to pursuing this relationship.
This book is loosely based on Hall's life and is window into LGBT history.
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us
by Kate Bornstein by Vintage
Paperback ~ Release Date: 1995-04-25
List Price:
$14.95
Our Price:
$6.17
Buy Now
Kate Bornstein writes in a
way that challenges all of our cultural assumptions about gender. While telling
her story, without apology, she gives voice to the importance of personal power
and the freedom to be human, outside of the boxes of gender as we have
understood them.
Stone Butch Blues by
Leslie Feinberg
This is a classic book for the LGBT community as it relays the
story of Jess who is trying to survive as a working class butch lesbian, who then
begins to live as a man in order to survive in the workforce. Set in the 60's
and 70's, this book opens our eyes to the complexities of sexuality, gender and
the challenge of navigating that internal landscape for a butch lesbian who
identifies as male.
Becoming a Visible Man
by Jamison Green by Vanderbilt University Press
Paperback
List Price:
$24.95
Our Price:
$15.72
Buy Now
Green's book is a highly personal account of his transition and
his struggle with gender. This book gives attention to the subtleties of female
socialization and the experience of transition with regards to navigating the
world as a male, and the importance of male socialization. Jamison Green
continues to be an important leader in the fight for Transgender Rights today. |
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______________________
 Peace on your journey,
Lisa
Lisa Maurel, MFT
� 2009 Lisa Maurel, MFT, Lic. 32416 - All rights reserved.
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