Aids Walk

I've decided to walk this year in AIDS Walk Detroit with Affirmations Team 203. I'm asking friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor me by making a donation. Every little bit helps and it's quick and easy to do online. Every dollar we raise for Team Affirmations comes right back to the center to support the work we do around HIV/AIDS.

Steppin' Out's AIDS Walk (Detroit) goal is to help agencies like Affirmations help people living with HIV and AIDS by assisting the agencies where state, federal or other funding does not. Without your help, Affirmations' HIV/AIDS programs may cease to exist! Thanks...and remember HIV/AIDS is EVERYBODY's business.

Please visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support AIDS Walk Detroit. Thanks for your support.

Thanks

News

I heard back from the folks at UM CGS. It's been about 5 months and after calling Blue Cross myself a few times and getting frustrated, I thought I would check back in. It took them a while to get back to me....but the message was slightly encouraging...First, their director is following up directly with BCBS....and they mentioned that another person who has the same insurance and submitted the prior approval at the same time as me just heard back and they approved them. I am seriously over analyzing this news. Does this mean mine has been denied? Does this mean my case has a better chance of being covered???? I'm worried and obsessing...again. I keep thinking as soon as I hear...if the answer is yes...and they approve it....I could have surgery around my birthday. Lucky 28.

Call For Zine Submissions..Again.

Sometimes I do silly things, like post everywhere else but here with the call for submissions. duh. Anyone interested, let me know. :-) (Feel free to pass along to anyone else who might be interested)

Call for submissions:
We’ve had lots of requests to put out another issue of our zine (folks can only whack off to the same thing for so long..LOL). So we’re back at it again, and would love it if you wanted to submit anything dirty, kinky, theoretical—or all the above to the project.

The format and content is very much the same. (Still made by and for sexually-charged/sex positive, anti-assimilationist transgender and genderqueer people and those who love them.) Still featuring articles, essays, photography, poetry, and erotica, etc. We're open to most mediums--the dirtier the better.

We’re going for a more accurate name (genderfuct: erotic and scandalous tales of gender non-conformity) for a bit wider appeal. We had so much fun putting together the first collection and know it’s going to be a good time again. Hope you’ll consider being a part of it *wink* Feel free to check out the first edition/project to get an idea of what this one will look like http://www.trannyzine.com/

Close to 1,000 words or less
Deadline June 16th-18th 2007
Submit to Knoll.Larkin@gmail.com
Thanks,
Knoll

Nice, huh?

May...

A couple new developments in the life of Knolly

-Carrie and I are back at it again--working on another issue of the zine. It looks like we'll be making no major style/content changes---but changing something that feels just as major--the name. I think we're both wondering if we're compromising too much...and at the same time we know it may increase readership.... Regardless, I've got a lot of writing to do in the next 3 weeks, if we're going to meet our deadline of getting issue No. 2 out in time for the Allied Media Conference. I'm looking forward to participating in the sessions and having a table as well. Also, Affirmations Trans Youth Group's session on trans youth in indie media got selected--so they'll be presenting as well. Woot!

-Carrie was selected to serve as co-chair for the creating change host committee for Creating Change 08 (Detroit) This is a pretty big undertaking. Lots of meetings..lots of planning. :) I've decided to join the programming subcommittee--focused on recruiting and brining together presentors to submit proposals showcasing unique projects, collaborations, activites happening locally.

-Jay is coming to visit sometime in June. He's coming in for a surgery consult, and to hang out with us, of course!

-This summer I have an intern working with me. She's amazingly thoughtful and productive. It's going to be a good summer people!

-This weekend we're considering going to an art workshop on printmaking...sounds fun and I was thinking it might help with some zine promo....

-Yesterday I met with Jillian who is working on this online zine project. She's featuring a little story about theLGBT communities of size meet up I'm putting together. All right...I'm off to get ready. trying to get into work a bit early....

glitter---fairy---princess

Photo Update

cool blog site

This is a cool site I'm adding to my blog links page. From the independent publication "Critial Moment" a collection of radical blogs from the southeastern Michigan area.

Critical Bloggers

I survived organizing my first health fair!

Much of my time the past month has been dedicated to organizing our annual LGBT health fair. Thankfully the even was a success. Although this is the only picture of me taken that day. I thnk the look on my face says it all..."when will this all be over??" LOL

Big Bash 2007

Affirmations Big Bash was a huge success thanks to my amazing Carrie (and the hard work of the committee, board and staff!)

Why I use cash

So, I usually just carry/use cash since I get strange looks when I try to use my credit card(s) because of my old name. This morning I was asked for my ID and scrutinized. The cashier even called over her manager. They both looked at me and my license and my credit card again and again. It was sad and embarrassing and frustrating. I haven't had the money to do a legal name change. The good news is Carrie checked and it looks like my tax return should be to me on Friday or Saturday of this week. I promised myself that I would use a chunk of that money to do a legal name change. Yes! That will feel soooo good.

In other news, we've had three exhausting days with the Affirmations move. Although...I'm sitting in my new cubicle in the new building writing this...so at least there is some progress. More move updates later.....

total randomness...

Today I visualized my first honest to god positive outcome with all this surgery drama. Maybe it's a good change that I'm letting myself be hopeful.

In other news...tomorrow is the 17th...and Carrie and I are going to go have fun with Jenn and her boys...

In other, other news--I almost have sideburns. lol

LGBTI Health and Blogs

Oh how do I love the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network....
Let me count the ways
1. Giving Chico a scholarship to attend the conference
2. Having other scholarship winners blog from the conference. It seems like a great/creative idea and a fun way to get the conference play by play for those of us who can't be there.

Injection Silicone Use (ISU)

It's been brought to my attention that recently a few people have saught medical treatment after injecting silicone at a pumping party in Detroit. The Detroit Free Press has a small article here--without much mention of the trans community. While I know that ISU is fairly common, I haven't seen or heard much about it in the past year.

Other media outlets have contacted Affirmations for a comment or input and I'll be giving an interview later this week.

A couple of people would like to organize a communtiy summitt to raise awarness and brainstorm ways to get this info out--using ways that make sense to people in our diverse communities. I'm hoping that this can lead into a larger and much needed conversation on access to appropriate trans health care.

I love her!

My little vixen......

Affirmations Building Delays

So we heard about more building delays at our staff meeting today. They are telling us 4-6 more weeks before we are even given an occupancy permit--but even that seems hopeful at this point. Many of us are concerned about programs for late April/early May. This will allow Carrie less stress during Big Bash. Also, I am thankful that the move will not coincide with the philly trans health conference. Looks like Laura and my travel budget was approved and we'll be leaving Wednesday night and returning sunday. WOOT.


If you're interested in all the building drama check out these articles. (Since the new building is a big deal for downtown Ferndale there have been some news articles)
A picture of the construction:





First this article in early Febuary.

And then this article from March 9th.

Tampons and Donations...

"You probably never thought of this, but women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of everyday necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked.

Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, has a do-good attitude and will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for clicking the link. Talk about easy, and, yes, it is legitimate!"

http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php

NCTE's Calendar Campaign

NCTE has a cool campaign which launched in 2007. They have a free monthly calendar featuring an aspect of human rights that is vital to full transgender equality. The calendars are available on our website every month. Since March's topic is focused on healthcare I couldn't resist!



Next week is also National LGBT Health Awareness Week (March 11-17). Check it out.

My pups

Twiggy the Italian Grey hound and Crunchy the beagle


Lola. She's about 5 months old now. Most people think she's a Shepherd/Jack Russell mix



Lola in all of her cuteness

Lola when we first got her a few months ago and Crunchy!

About 10.5 Months on T.....dorky as ever :)