Goes right along with what the President's spox has been saying loud and clear:  the courts do not have the right to rule against him, and that it is "unconstitutional" to do so.  I don't know who is advising Ms. Leavitt and Mr. Paxton about Constitutional law, but they, as well as the US AG, need to re-read the document.  They seem to have forgotten some of the important parts; especially the first three Articles of said document.   Carolyn Marie

I've been worried about this myself.

Yes, this action was to be expected.  What does it mean that they will continue with "existing clinical guidance" when the Administration has stopped even mentioning the existence of transgender people, and has directed that trans people be removed from military service?  Can veterans really expect to be treated the same, both in terms of medical treatment as well as personal (courteous) treatment?  Will a female trans veteran's chart remain in her legal name, or will she be called in to her appointment as Mr. Smith in the waiting room?  I'm not optimistic.   Carolyn Marie

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/nx-s1-5328733/va-transgender-veterans-memo   As many members here and trans people nationwide are veterans, this has far-reaching and personal impact. The quote from the executive director of the Minority Veterans of America advocacy group says it all: "Is it worth it for me to get my care at the VA? Am I safe to do so? What discriminatory factors will I have to face in order for me to even go to the bathroom?"   Love, ~Audrey.

One of @KathyLauren country (Trans) women who is a professor of Medico / Legal Ethics at Univ. of Ontario has just put out a paper where they analyzed the effects of the old protocols for Social Transition on the current concerns of those who de-transition, or in a new term "Revert" and have found that it was the old cautions and strict regimen that have created a good many of our problems.  It was these actions that led to Stealth being the word of the day.  The fact that for the first years up until the early 2Ks the designers of the Stealth system were all Cis gender and a high proportion were male, all countries sadly were subject to this phenomena so we cannot place political blame on only one place.  These were also the Gate Keeper standard bearers that have been the fear and loathing of today's Trans people. Both the U.S. and Canada have had a share of those "authorities" making tar puddles for us to step in.     Stealth implies perfection, but the Stealth victims I have met admitted that they were going crazy from the attempted perfection.  The stories I hear from them lead me to tears at times. This Gallery Album is 4 years old but probably shows me presenting as I really am.  I am just so used to being me that I no longer care about the perfection.  The two most glam shots in it were with theater make-up on since I had been in a video that I know I linked in here when it came out on U Tube, but today I am wearing an older T-shirt from my Church LGBT organization instead of my Chorus T-shirt. https://www.transgenderpulse.com/forums/index.php?/gallery/album/2533-2021-events-of-note/    

Thanks, @Carolyn Marie I am moving ahead still. I've found a new one, not nearly experienced, but open to listen and learn. And the previous one agrees to keep in contact by email. And I promise to keep in contact with my own true self.

You'd think so. But half of the country are Faux News addicts, and now the "Legacy Media" is caving as well.  Seems like the only Democrats left are Bernie and AOC.  And of course they are communists./S

I hope the judge who issued the ruling has the fortitude to call him on it and to hold him in contempt.  And I hope that when the sheriff's deputies are told to arrest him on the contempt charge, that they have the guts to do it.  A little jail time, and a fine that increases daily might cause an attitude adjustment.     There has to be someone in the USA who still respects the Constitution.

I am with you on that, Sally.  It is such a relief to finally be out that I cannot go back into hiding.  I am accepted wherever I go.  Sometimes, folks don't "clock" me, sometimes they do.  I don't care, because it really makes no difference to how they treat me, which is politely.  In eight years, no one has been nasty to my face.   While I worry about what is to come, I am heartened by my country's response to events south of the border.  The anger of Canadians at the threats is palpable, and I can see the annexation threat blowing up in the President's face.  That tells me that my neighbours will not tolerate the social agenda that is trying to wipe us out.   By staying "out", and by offering little reminders of who I am, such as by wearing my trans-flag earrings or a rainbow pin, I am telling folks that I appreciate the safety that they give me., and maybe motivate them and others to keep up the good fight.   I have to do that, because there is no way they can get me back in the closet or make me go stealth.  I will do whatever it takes to carry on.

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/texas-ag-paxton-declares-court-orders?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=994764&post_id=159078875&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=k5hac&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email   "Attorney General Ken Paxton unilaterally declared that court orders granting gender marker changes on Texas birth certificates or driver's licenses are null and void."   "Paxton’s directive, issued without a court ruling backing it, effectively positions him as the sole arbiter on the matter, bypassing Texas’ judicial system entirely and usurping its power."   "While the reversion of transgender people's legal documents is alarming in itself, Paxton's opinion raises an even broader concern: his assertion that the power to determine what is constitutional—and what falls within a court’s jurisdiction—rests with him, not with the judiciary. This brazen disregard for court rulings is not an isolated incident; it reflects a growing trend among Republican officials, from state attorneys general to governors and even the presidency. The precedent being set is clear: legal authority is only respected when it serves their agenda. As Republicans continue to consolidate power at the expense of transgender people, the broader erosion of judicial authority should serve as a warning—one that extends far beyond this single policy fight."   Who is going to make them obey a court order?     When I think things are getting bad, I can always console myself -  "Well, at least I'm not in Texas."

Daffodils have been out for a while, violets out now as well.  Red maples have been blooming, and some trees/shrubs are leafing out now. 75º today (25º for the rest of the world?)  Got the windows and doors open with a slight breeze ringing the wind-chimes. I did wake up for a bit during the night to get out to see the blood moon.   It's beginning to look like I might have made it through another winter.

For so many years (good times) we have been able to shed the need to be stealthy.  When I first started exploring my trans nature (back in the late 80's) the thought was that to survive in the world as a trans person, you needed stealth.  That worked okay for some, but for most of us full stealth wasn't achievable.  Fortunately, the landscape changed, being trans was accepted, and being stealthy was no longer necessary.  This is when I began to thrive as a trans woman, and actually become proud of it.  I am a proud trans woman, and I will do everything I can to keep a misguided movement from pushing me back into obscurity.    I honestly believe that our community has the strength of will to fight the current challenge to our existence.  I believe this because even when it looks like a concerted government effort is against us, in reality it is a small group of despicable loud mouths making it seem as though the hate is more widespread.  I'm heartened because we have a lot of people fighting back on our behalf.  It may take a while, but decency and acceptance will ultimately prevail.   

With the snow and ice finally gone, I took a walk around our yard today.  There's not a lot growing - a few blades of grass at best.  But there are buds on a few plants.  The lilac bushes have big healthy buds.  (Well, big for this time of year, anyway.)  Most of the other trees and bushes have little buds, including the raspberry canes.  The strawberry plants are grundgey as they always are this time of year, but they look un-dead, which is the best I could hope for.  No sign of lupins yet, but it's too soon for them.     It is still at least six weeks before actual spring here, so I'm not complaining.  Just happy that the white stuff has gone.  After tonight, temperatures should stay above freezing for a week, and there is rain and/or showers forecast for Monday.

Good afternoon, it’s a chilly day here in planet NH, though like in UK every day is closer to spring and little bit nicer. It’s comical to think of a Cat and Squirrel being so content with each other. It just shows not matter the Species that everyone can get along as long as there’s positive energy and intentions. I wish Trump could understand this. I have another piece of advice for the garden especially if you have vegetables would like a n unharmed way of keeping any for of pest out let it me animals or insects. You can get electronic devices that you can program/ set sound frequencies on that will humanly repel any pest. The only this that’s hard about this is knowing what pests ( animal/ insects ) you have searching up the required frequencies and setting the devices for each pest. These do not harm humans or pets. I attached an example for you to check out Chester looks so beautiful, not going to lie im a little “Jello” with all the natural beauty, beautiful architecture as well as historical sights all around you. Living in New England we have history as this is where America was born though “Man” has destroyed most of the natural beauty as well as just let most of our historical buildings crumble. Have an amazing weekend let me know what you think about the attachment.   Peace, Hugs and Happiness, Silas L.

I regularly visit "Kandi's Land" and one of her regular contributors is Dr. Gwen Patrone.  One of Gwen's recent blogs focused on communicating about gender and politics.  Both topics dominate our discussions lately, so I thought I'd share the link to Gwen's blog.  She offers some helpful recommendations.    https://kandis-land.com/bridging-gaps-perception-and-perspective-in-gender-and-political-communication/    

I know how you feel, @Davie.  You have my sympathy.    Carolyn Marie

She opened me up to myself. Life is now less lonely. Vaya con Dios, Christa.

Ted Lasso returns for a fourth series, Apple TV+ has revealed.

Well, something is changing, for better or worse.

When accused of being a duck, when that person quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck, has a beak like a duck, and feathers like one, are we to disbelieve those claim the accused is a duck because the accuser is a duck’s lunch?   For someone as litigious as our president, are we to also believe he would not go after publications like the Atlantic or Kelly himself? Are we to believe his skin is that thick in this one case? Or may we infer some other reason why the person that sues anyone and everything for any reason might not want to pursue legal justification when such an accusation is substantially damaging to his image.    Because some of us see there is something salvageable in our democracy? That there are people that stand up to the illegal attempt at our removals? Can real political change happen out as a result of this theocratic swing in government? Yes. Does that have to be via revolution? No.