Well, what can I say? Obviously, I should start by saying "I am transgendered." I am married to a wonderfully supportive wife with whom I have wonderful children. I live in Connecticut and work as a professional. I am in my early forties, could stand to loose a few pounds, have a somewhat dry sense of humor, and have always wanted to be a Vegas show girl (we all can dream, can't we?). I have been involved with the "t" community for about 10 years now. I am an active member in my local transgender support group, Connecticut Outreach Society and was on it board of directors for six years and I am one of the organizers of Fantasia Fair.

Though not technically fulltime, wearing my own hair long (no wigs for this gal!) and countless hours of electrolysis has blurred things for me gender-wise in my everyday life. I really enjoy woman's fashion, shoes, gender theory, shoes, computing (yes, I'm a geek), shoes, performing on stage, shoes, American history, did I mention shoes?

Me and Fantasia Fair
I am a avid supporter of Fantasia Fair is a week-long transgender event held every October in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I love Fantasia Fair. I love it so much that I joined its organizing committee as well the board of directors of it's parent organization, Real Life Experience, Inc.

Fantasia Fair offers workshops and programs during the day and special events each night. Unlike most other conferences, the Fair is not hotel-based. What do I mean by "hotel-based"? Well, some conferences take place in big hotels where all of the workshops, lunches, dinners, vender booths, etc. are held in that one hotel and there is hardly a reason to leave the hotel grounds for the entire conference. Sure, the workshops can be fascinating and the people wonderful, but I get a tad claustrophobic staying inside a hotel day-after-day. So if Fantasia Fair is not hotel-based, then what is it? The best answer is "town-based." The Fair holds activities throughout the south-end of Provincetown. You may find yourself attending a morning workshop in the meeting room of one inn, attend a luncheon down the street, listen to an afternoon lecture a block away at hotel, go get your nails done at the salon next door, grabbing a change of clothes back at your bed & breakfast, and then off to a banquet hall for a formal gala!

It may sound like it is all just a bit public - and it is! That is actually one of the best things about the Fair. Provincetown is considered a GLBT Mecca whose main industry is arts and tourism. There are a great many townsfolk who are gay, lesbian, or transgendered and they are really serious about making sure that no one is harassed. The people of Provincetown love us and make each of us feel welcome.

Awards and Recognitions
Over the years, I have had the honor of receiving certain awards and recognitions. Here are some...

• The October 2007 Beauty of the Month from Femme Fever
• The 2007 Service Award from Connecticut Outreach Society in recognition of my "many years of service to Connecticut Outreach Society and to the greater transgender community..."
• The April 2007
Member of the Month at URNotAlone.com, earning more votes than the top four runners up combined.
• The March 2007 Cover Girl at Rachel's Place.
• In February 2007, I was listed as one of Ms Vicki Rene's "Prettiest of the Pretty."
• The 2006 Fantasia Fair Ms. Fantasia Fair award. This was one of the biggest honors that I have ever received. The Ms. Fantasia Fair award goes to "the individual who has shown by active participation and service over several Fairs that she exemplifies the best qualities of a woman and as a Fair participant." The other recipients of this award are some of the most caring, significant people in the community and I am humbled to have been included as one of their sisters.
  
• The 2004 Fantasia Fair Ms. Congeniality award. This award goes to "the participant who was the most open, outgoing, easy to talk with, and friendly, and who gave a sparkle to the group."
• The 2002 Fantasia Fair Ms. Most Helpful award. This award is given each year to "the participant who really came out to serve her or his sisters and brothers and the Fair as a nurturing and helpful individual."

Me, Governments, and Libertarians
I am a Libertarian. Yep, a Libertarian. Unfortunately, most people don't really know what a Libertarian is nor what the Libertarian party is about. Here is what a dictionary says:

Libertarian

Pronunciation: "li-ber-'tar-E-en
Function: noun
1 : an advocate of the doctrine of free will
2 a : a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action b capitalized : a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles

The extremely short way to describe my political outlook is that I believe in personal responsibilty. I believe that I am responsible for myself and my family rather than the government. Many of our laws would not be needed or would be excerised rarely if only people would act responsibly and accept the responsibility of their actions. Laws themselves are no neccessarily bad, but they tend to limit people's freedoms and impose the government's will on the people.

Sure, the government can be a good thing - but when it is used right. Actually, I am one of those people who has faith in government and believe that the vast majority of people who serve in it are good, honest, hard-working folk. I just don't those good, honest, hard-working folk telling you what you should think or how you should feel.

Don't get me wrong, I like government - especially democratic ones. Governments can be really beneficial. Governments are to help us to do things as a group that we can't easily do as individuals or small groups - like provide national defense and humanitarian relief, help protect the food supply and the environment, and help guarantee basic human rights. Governments need to have limits on them so that they can be controlled by the people to insure that governments do not become tyranical. I just don't think the role of government is to dictate too many aspects of our lives because if it did, then we would be giving up control over our government and therefore give up our own liberties. For example, consider sodomy laws. Who am I to tell you what to do in your bedroom, so who are you to tell me what to do in mine? The same goes for governments. That is why I am a "card carrying member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)" - an organiziation whose sole purpose is to protect our liberties.

My political outlooks are not 100% in line with the Libertarian party, but it is one party that I feel comes the closest. When people hear me say that I am a "fiscal conservative and a social liberal" they will often respond with a "Me too!" To that, I reply "So, you're a Libertarian too?" At that, most people just look at me funny.

Are you a Libertarian? How about a bleeding heart liberal? Maybe you are part of the vast right-wing conspiracy or perhaps you are an open-minded Centrist. Not sure? Find out in by taking the "World's Smallest Political Quiz"!