An update on Karen's condition from her cousin says that she is making good progress but may have to spend some time in rehabilitation. She was really quite sick and is still not well enough to receive and respond to messages. I will pass on any messages via her cousin, and I'm sure we're all keeping our fingers crossed for her to make a full recovery.
Karen Lockhart has asked me to let readers of her stories know that she is not well at present. She's in hospital ICU with respiratory issues but is stable. However there may be a delay in starting her next story - 'Ginny's Story' which is the sequel to 'Gene's Story'.
I'm keeping in regular touch with her cousin and will report any developments.
This is for Australian readers because sadly I don't think the programs are available in other countries. If anyone missed 'Australian Story' on ABC television on Monday evening 15th August, it was about a 16 year old and remarkably mature transgender girl called Georgie and her attempts to make life easier for other transgender teens in their battles with the law and prejudice. She has a twin brother, but from a very early age she was absolutely sure that she was a girl. Lately she has 'come out' at her very supportive Melbourne school.
I'm probably the last one catching up on this, but I read that Brazilian transgender super model, full name Leandra Medeiros Cerezo who goes by the name of Lea T was riding the decorated bike that led in the Brazillian team during the opening ceremony. There are plenty of pictures on-line.
Bronwen
I'm seeking other writers' opinions on this topic. In my current story, and the previous one which both involve a fictional character Harriet who is making a name for herself on the British stage, I have added some characters who just might be based on real people but with names changed. Recently, Harriet obtained a role in one of the most famous companies in England who are based in Stratford, the home of Shakespeare. Maybe I am over-reacting, but after using their real name in a few chapters, I've decided to be cautious and changed it to the Imperial Shakespeare Company.
For Australian readers who missed it, there is a new program 'Hatch, Match and Dispatch' on ABC1 television, on Thursdays at 8pm. It comprises stories from the New South Wales registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and in Episode 2 broadcast on Thursday 18th February, it features a ballet dancer called Julia who is transgender and comes to change her name. It is joyful but painfully sad since her parents won't recognise her any more. Thank goodness she has a dog, and as we know they give unconditional love. If you missed it you can catch it on iview.
Something I never anticipated would happen in my lifetime. Each year on Australia Day, January 26th, an 'Australian of the Year' is chosen from the eight State and Territory nominees. This year, Group Captain Cate McGregor, the highest ranking trans military officer in the world has been named the Queensland State "Australian of the Year".
I've been reading about the new film 'The Danish Girl' which tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender reassignment surgery in the early years of the twentieth century. It seems that Eddie Redmayne who won an Oscar last year for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking does an amazing job as Lili, and the pictures so far released seem to bear this out. I'm sure there are some people who will say why could Hollywood not have engaged a genuine transgender actor for the role, but perhaps that is a step too far for them at present.
Hi, It's been a while, but I've written a new story, this time using Open Office. My problem is that I've got permission to use a picture taken from Flickr with the title, and I'd like the title to be in a suitable nice font. Could someone please help me to get this done? It may sound lazy if I ask to send them everything and they produce the end product for me, but if they explain how its done, I can maybe do it myself next time.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
