I’m loving all the photos of friends and colleagues and people I have yet to meet celebrating Trans Pride in Brighton, the photos of everyone celebrating in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, seeing all the positive and affirming stories. Being accepted and included isn’t something that everyone one can take for granted and when you haven’t felt included the empowerment you get from being in a safe space yet visible and with those of similar mindset is incredible.
Where have I been? I’m so late in posting I hear you say. Terribly bad show and all that don’t you know? Well I hope that you accept my apologies and consider being invited to the raising of the Hampshire Flag on our very first Hampshire Day a reasonable excuse.
Wasn’t it great to see trans people 100% included in this years Pride in London event, and to see all the wonderful photos from Black Pride? An incredible day in the capital with people from around the world celebrating, being free to be themselves. I saw a comment below the line somewhere complaining about ‘Pride Month’ – saying that one day they would want a whole year! Now wouldn’t that be amazing? Are we getting closer to being able to be out and proud the whole year round?
What a beautiful weekend. It’s been great to see so many photos of happy faces all over social media, I hope you all had at least some opportunity to enjoy a bit of warmth and relaxation over the last few days, or if not then that you’ve got some coming up.
I’m back! Did you miss me? Hopefully not as part of my work here is to make myself dispensable :0, to put into place the systems, processes and most importantly people who can take Chrysalis into the future. Speaking of which did you see that our trustee Sammy has made it into the international press, NBC News no less?
Today I am sad, I have been sad all weekend and indeed before that. Two homophobic attacks in the press in the last week. Those poor women in London and then after that the cast of Rotterdam. Only the night before Sammy and Jodie from Chrysalis were part of the cast Q&A after the show. The atmosphere was positive and everyone was feeling that we genuinely are making progress towards acceptance and understanding for all.
I’m writing another job description, thanks to the Lottery we’re going to be looking for a project coordinator very soon, and the drive in today got me thinking (always better than listening to the news) about our staff handbook and how Chrysalis should work towards promoting freedom of expression, body positivity and authenticity.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing and here I am stuck in a windowless room! Ah pity me, poor thing who has just had an amazing few days off catching up with friends in the North.
Yesterday I was honoured to attend the memorial service for a friend, a trans friend and someone who had touched the lives of many, many people. A woman with a love for proper curry, although I dispute that Birmingham curry is best, I’ve eaten curry in Leicester! A woman of the most incredible engineering skills. A woman for whom we trekked all the way to the top of the hill for. A woman with a passion for nature, authenticity and connecting with people.
It’s Monday! And the sun is shining and it’s nearly the middle of May and oh my goodness, where has the time gone.