A Peaceful Heart

The Lovely Flower

The Lonely Fight: In so many words!

WCRUG Conference in Calgary, Alberta Nov. 17-19

WCRUG Conference in Calgary, Alberta Nov. 17-19

As my journey of transitioning to a female continues, I find myself compelled to describe my new experiences lived.  Recently, I attended the WCRUG (Western Canada Regional User Group) Conference hosted yearly in Calgary, Alberta (Canada).  As a result, these past few days were full of new experiences for me that I thought might be interesting to share with you the reader. For more information on the WCRUG Conference, please consult the link below:

http://www.cvent.com/events/2015-western-canada-rug-conference/event-summary-6a1dbfb71a13433fbe7426332dd2f35d.aspx


Transportation: WestJet Flights from Regina to Calgary and Calgary to Edmonton, to Regina

On my departure flight from Regina to Calgary, it was a rather short flight of a little over one hour.  Got my tickets at the airport kiosk, no checked in baggages and no extra fees.  I was carrying a purse, my laptop and a small carry on bag.  I thought I would make my air travel as uneventful as possible.  Besides my baggages being awkward to carry, the decision proved to be a good one.  No lost or damaged luggage in the process and the flight was on time for both departure from Regina and arrival into Calgary.  Stewart was friendly, she sang a song on the microphone and it was rather amusing.  I used the ladies restroom once at the Regina airport without any incident.  My jewelry triggered the alarm scanner and was given the full security search scanning including all my bags and body search.  Made my way to gate, boarded with my newly issued driver's license and took my seat.  Landed in Calgary and met with a colleague from work and we both took the taxi to the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary, Alberta (Canada).

My return flight was even easier.  It started with a taxi ride to the airport which followed with a visit to the airport kiosk to pick up my boarding passes - was flying to Regina through Edmonton from Calgary.  On the second leg on my trip (leaving Edmonton) for my final destination of Regina, the pilot announced strong winds in Regina which should make the flight bumpy on approach and landing.  So I decided to order a Rhum and Coke in order to relax.  The landing was reasonably executed and we landed safely a full 30 minutes ahead of schedule because of heavy tail wind.  This time, I took my jewelry off before going through the scanner, and therefore, no scanning alerts where triggered, and I was able to board my flight without any fuss or extra body and bag search. Overall the flights were great, thanks Westjet!

Activity: NHL Hockey Game Experience at the Scotia Saddledome - Calgary Flames Versus New Jersey Devils

On the second evening, I purchased a decent seat at center ice,10 rows from the ice surface, behind the players bench for maximum experience.  Also, I decided to rent an inexpensive limo for transport from hotel to Saddledome and back to hotel. Got dropped at the entrance and driver was waiting for me at the end of the game. He was friendly and we talked throughout the services about real estate, investment, finance, politics, weather and the news. At the game, one young couple laughed at me and were looking at me and giggling, clearly they were making fun of me, but most people minded their own business and simply ignored me. Nobody engaged me in any conversation and they left me alone. The ushers at the game were quite friendly, and kidding around with me and welcomed me to the game. Also, the staff at the concession stands were also quite friendly. They seemed quite surprised and kept starring at me and observing my every move but always wished me a good evening and served me well with a smile. I tipped them well, thank them and when back to my seat, and stayed quiet so I would not draw unnecessary attention to myself. Finally, I used the public washrooms (ladies), did my business and walked out without a word. Nobody made any comments to my knowledge.  The Calgary flames registered a win, 3-2 and the game was enjoyable.  Over all, it was a great evening and a positive experience at the Saddledome.

Accommodation: Hotel/Casino at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino Experience

Staff were friendly all around. They greeted me in the proper gender (female), I could sense a bit of discomfort but they kept serving me adequately. First nights was spent with a colleague from work over dinner at the casino and we played the slots machine for a few minutes and ended up netting 43$ each profit. We sat for an hour, had a couple of drinks and retreated to our rooms for the evening. Pretty uneventful experience with a few casual stares of surprises. Second night, after the NHL hockey game, I ventured to the casino alone, and sat in the lounge for a few drinks. I seemed to be the talk of the hour for a few minutes at a table of 3 ladies. They would turn and look at me and then turn around whisper amongst themselves, and then look over again. I smiled and said hi and eventually wondered over to the slot machines again - again, I made some money: net 106$ in a few minutes. It was a good night. I sat in the lounge again and ordered some food and a gentlemen (facilitator of a session) asked to join me indicating that he was not "hitting" on me. I laughed and replied it was ok, and invited him to sit and chat. I realized that he was quite drunk and wanted some company. We chatted for an hour, and I asked to be excused to retreat to my room because I had an early conference call in the morning. Headed to my room, watched some news and fell asleep. Checkout the next morning and left for the airport to return home. Overall, uneventful, pseudo normal experience and good interactions and made some $$$. I was happy to be able to get out and interact with the general population. A positive experience once again.

Conference Experience

The conference staff were accommodating and helpful and greeted me in the proper gender throughout the conference. People kept to themselves, and were not sure how to approach me when I sat with them over breakfast, breaks and lunches. I interacted with them and started conversation by introducing myself and showing interest in who they were and what they did. They became more at ease and carried conversation well. My colleague was also a participant, and a veteran of the conference for many years, and she introduced me to others so that I could network and interact. She was quite helpful. Session were interesting and I was able to get the information that I was looking for and I was quite engaged. I noticed that most facilitators would keep looking at me for the first 10-15 minutes of almost every session. In a form of confusion, like they were intrigued by my presence - I felt a bit bad because I thought I might be a distraction, but nevertheless, they carried on well the job at hand, and they were able to deliver the information and I actively participated by asking questions and thanking them for their insight and valuable knowledge. Networking before each sessions were virtually non existent unless I solicited conversation mostly. It was like people did not want anyone knowing that they were interacting with me. I noticed the difference with other sessions that I went to in the past, where I would always have several people initiating conversations and it was a bit easier to perform networking, and meeting new people. Once again, nevertheless, it was a positive and good experience. Exchanged a few business cards, interacted with vendors, and had numerous engaging conversations with many people. It was a great conference!

Love Has No Boundaries

Love Has No Boundaries

Today I am reminded by a good friend by the name of Deborah Wyss that love has no boundaries.  Throughout our lives we find ourselves facing many challenges that can bring confusing thoughts for what love might mean to us individually when exploring many kinds of relationships including friendship, intimate and perhaps even professional.  As a result, we are constantly presented with opportunities to choose to love or hate and we pick carefully what we find appealing and constantly wonder if love could ever come our way in the form that we define, or consider satisfying, pure and unconditional.  However, we may forget at times that this is the very fuel that keeps us healthy as a society.  It is the very essence that we seek for ourselves.  Yet, we are often the ones that create the barriers that withhold us from discovering the most beautiful display of human kind: Love itself.  

Most often, we simply withhold the possibility for love itself because of the way that we define and choose to love in various forms: not always intimately physical.   However, after watching the beautiful story: "Boy meets Girl", I cannot help but find the picture refreshing in the way that it presents sexual orientation in such a natural and non judgemental way - its truly beautiful to discover the many facets of love.  There is truly nothing as pure an beautiful as love itself.  Humans have been given the most beautiful characteristics of all living things, the ability to choose to love, as we all deserve to be.   Love has no boundaries.  Love is the most beautiful display of human kind and we are blessed to have it all within us, so choose to love, not hate.

Thank you my wonderful friend  Deborah for sharing your love and the great reminder that we choose to love as oppose to hate.  Love has no boundaries.  Now I wish to give back to you the love that was given to me with this beautiful movie recommendation: Boy Meets Girl.  Enjoy!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3007302/

World Medical Association (WMA) Statement on Transgender People

Fresh off the press, the WMA (World Medical Association) made a significant declaration on October 18, 2015 in Moscow in regards to reinforcing the need for transgender individuals and their right to proper health care for all transgender individuals who wish to address the incoherence feeling with oneself's gender identity.  The WMA made up of health care professionals, primarily physicians, world wide has recognized the need for an individual to assume their gender identity free of discrimination within the health care system worldwide, and the need for applying influence at all levels of the heath care system abroad to help every transgender individuals receive proper treatment and address the suppression of many individuals who experience the condition of dysphoria because they fear the general stigma of society.

The WMA has also concluded unanimously that such treatment like hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery along with proper mental health can cure dysphoria and as a result, improve's oneself quality of life.  Also, they have recognized that given proper care, patient can finally address the condition as stated in the DSM-V (dysphoria) which will continue to be considered a mental disorder because of the nature of distress that it brings to an individual's way of life prior to receiving proper care and treatment.

As such, it was concluded that efforts should be made to address the gap that exist with respect to uneducated physicians who turn patient away because they lack the knowledge to proper treat patient with this condition or worst yet, they discriminate against transgender individuals because they lack the understanding of the condition.  The WMA has committed to encourage to improve the health care abroad by inviting physicians to get informed and help all patients suffering from dysphoria get the proper care that is needed.  This progression in the professional health care industry world wide is a great step forward for the transgender community.  The WMA is taking leadership to encourage its  members to be informed, and help others in their professional entourage to be better informed on the new Standards of Care for transgender individuals abroad.

For a complete description of the declaration, consult the WMA statement here:

WMA Statement for Transgender Individuals

Also for more information on WMA, consult the following link:

http://www.wma.net/en/10home/index.html

It's a good day, for transgender people abroad!  :-)

The Heroines of My Life: Interview with Lucia Richardson

The Heroines of My Life: Interview with Lucia Richardson: Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Lucia Richardson, an application architect, a Canadian writer, blogger, the auth...

Transgender Biography Books: Lucia Richardson - Lucia: The Life of a Transgende...

Transgender Biography Books: Lucia Richardson - Lucia: The Life of a Transgende...: "Living an authentic life is a gift for us all. The journey is like being re-borne where one redefines themselves and must lear...

Transport Canada Discrimination towards Transgender People and Westjet does not care

Discrimination from Transport Canada (Aeronautics)

Recently, I have learned that for transgender individuals wishing to travel domestic in Canada or internationally via airways, it requires specific identification as stated by Transport Canada's Aeronautic Act.  Below is an extract of the identification requirements for transgender people:

Updated: ID Screening Regulations

In 2011 the Aeronautics Act was updated with new ID screening regulations that particularly affect trans and gender variant airline passengers. These updated regulations read, in part (emphasis added):
5.2 (1) An air carrier shall not transport a passenger if
(a) the passenger presents a piece of photo identification and does not resemble the photograph;
(b) the passenger does not appear to be the age indicated by the date of birth on the identification he or she presents;
(c) the passenger does not appear to be of the gender indicated on the identification he or she presents; or
(d) the passenger presents more than one form of identification and there is a major discrepancy between those forms of identification.
(2) Despite paragraph (1)(a), an air carrier may transport a passenger who presents a piece of photo identification but does not resemble the photograph if
(a) the passenger’s appearance changed for medical reasons after the photograph was taken and the passenger presents the air carrier with a document signed by a health care professional and attesting to that fact; or
(b) the passenger’s face is bandaged for medical reasons and the passenger presents the air carrier with a document signed by a health care professional and attesting to that fact.
While these new regulations could present a barrier to a passengers whose gender marker on government identification does not match their gender expression, presenting a letter from a healthcare professional (a physician or a therapist) explaining the difference may enable the passenger to travel.

 I can only hope that airline entities can be more explicit and information resourceful with regards to requirements for ALL traveling passengers particularly transgender individuals.  To my surprise, WestJet had no information to share and indicated that it was left at the discretion of CATSA if I was even allowed to board the flight in my new assumed identity without identification matching my gender, photo and full name.   Luckily, I was able to find the Aeronautic Act reference below and self educate myself that indeed it was this act that imposes the identity screening regulations and this is legislation is mandated by Transport Canada and enforced by the airlines.  It is simply stunning to realize that WestJet could not provide any insight and they were not even aware of the entity imposed restriction's source.

Even more surprisingly, WestJet cannot even ensure that I will be compensated or even refunded if my traveling privileges had been denied by CATSA which according to WestJet hold the discretion.   After further conversing with CATSA, they indicated that they did not hold this enforcement rule and cared only about my personal content.   Nevertheless, this was quite disturbing to me and felt discriminating and undue hardship not knowing if I could assumed my identity.  According to WestJet, it is left at the discretion of CATSA to decide if I am allowed to board the aircraft and if I am eligible for a refund.  Further investigation reveals that Transport Canada was the entity that imposes the legislation as part of the Aeronautic Act and they have requested for airlines to apply the legislation as they see fit.  If this isn't discrimination, I don't know what is...  Since when did I become a security threat (I traveled all over the world until now)?  Being transgender is a security threat, really?   How so?  Can someone provide a logical explanation for me?

I must admit, I am having a difficult time containing my emotions on this one... 

For more information on Transport Canada Aeronautic Act consult the following reference:

Identity Screening Regulations

Transport Canada give yourself a shake.  Transgender individual are not a security threat...  people carrying weapons are a threat!

Sigh!

Introducing Lucia Richardson author of the book: "Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person"

Author: Lucia Richardson

Lucia Richardson graduated in 1999 from the University of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada with a BSc. Major Computer Sciences and Minor in Informatics Management. She has been working as an IT professional for 18 years in the Government, Financial and Oil Industry. Passionate Technologist holding a TOGAF certification in the field of Enterprise Architecture, she currently assumes the role of Senior Application Architect as a full time employee for a Canadian Federal Government Agency. Lucia is particularly passionate about IT Innovation, Software Engineering, the discipline of Artificial Intelligence and expresses general interest for studies of human behavior and interactions. Adding the cognitive introspective functions to a machine to help solve complex problems fascinates her. Lucia has a high drive and energy for learning and self improvement.

On September 14, 2015, Lucia Richardson released her book: "Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person" which she would like to share with the general public with the hope that she can gather some perspectives and insight on how well it is received.  Feedback and comments are welcome.   I would be quite interested in hearing back from you.

Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person

This book is for individuals that have an interest to grow their understanding of the realities facing the transgender community today.  I hope that transgender family, friends, colleagues and the general population can appreciate my journey and will understand how essential it is to support individuals who choose a life of authenticity with respect to their gender identity despite the social stigma being imposed upon them. Living an authentic life is a gift for us all. The journey is like being re-borne where one redefines themselves and must learn much all over again. Its foreign territory for both transgender people and the general population which presents many challenges to overcome with little time given to learn. The courageous journey for self improvement can be an inspiration for us all and goes much beyond the physical appearance. Join me in discovering "Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person".