All Blog Posts Tagged 'my' - Rainbow Family Tree2024-03-29T11:53:30Zhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profiles/blog/feed?tag=my&xn_auth=no2016 Stories to Tell - first workshop of the year this Saturdaytag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2016-01-18:3740708:BlogPost:296982016-01-18T03:09:31.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>Hi all... Can you help let others know about this weekend's workshop - via direct e:mail, phone call, f2f or via your social media networks?</p>
<p>I'm thinking we should move along in workshopping the following:</p>
<p>- themes (currently health, employment, education, safety)<span class="text_exposed_show"><br></br>- dramatic form (currently an A4 booklet or book, several short films, possibly some posters)<br></br>- scripts or plans for each 'project'<br></br>- teams who are committed to working…</span></p>
<p>Hi all... Can you help let others know about this weekend's workshop - via direct e:mail, phone call, f2f or via your social media networks?</p>
<p>I'm thinking we should move along in workshopping the following:</p>
<p>- themes (currently health, employment, education, safety)<span class="text_exposed_show"><br/>- dramatic form (currently an A4 booklet or book, several short films, possibly some posters)<br/>- scripts or plans for each 'project'<br/>- teams who are committed to working together<br/>- logistics (eg key roles, schedule, budget)<br/>- SBG group engagement with other groups (eg interstate, regional, northern/southern suburbs)</span></p>
<div class="text_exposed_show"><p>And of course more than happy to add any additional points to the agenda! Suggestions please...</p>
</div>Getting creative?tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-10-27:3740708:BlogPost:287522015-10-27T09:30:00.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>What's news? Who is thinking about who they're going to bring to the Trans World Cafe on the 15th November? Family members or work colleagues that just don't quite get it? Gender-questioning friends with too many questions? We'll be exploring 3 issues/ideas put forth by community members... along the lines of 'when have you felt at home with yourself?'. Please let us know you have any ideas for questions?</p>
<p>And come along to the next workshop on the 7th November when we'll be polishing…</p>
<p>What's news? Who is thinking about who they're going to bring to the Trans World Cafe on the 15th November? Family members or work colleagues that just don't quite get it? Gender-questioning friends with too many questions? We'll be exploring 3 issues/ideas put forth by community members... along the lines of 'when have you felt at home with yourself?'. Please let us know you have any ideas for questions?</p>
<p>And come along to the next workshop on the 7th November when we'll be polishing up and uploading our creative content in preparation for the Trans World Cafe... or go visit <a href="http://www.storiesbeyondgender.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.storiesbeyondgender.com</a> right now ; )</p>Our October workshop and website unveil...tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-10-14:3740708:BlogPost:288362015-10-14T02:00:00.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>We had a lovely Sunday arvo workshop last week, stirred by a challenge to write a couple of sentences on a turning point, a weird/funny experience/memory of gender, a mentor or an antagonist who you ended up learning something from. The homework task was to distill this story into a couple of 'locked off sentences with an accompanying image in order to upload to our new webspace at <a href="http://www.storiesbeyondgender.com">www.storiesbeyondgender.com</a> We set everybody up with…</p>
<p>We had a lovely Sunday arvo workshop last week, stirred by a challenge to write a couple of sentences on a turning point, a weird/funny experience/memory of gender, a mentor or an antagonist who you ended up learning something from. The homework task was to distill this story into a couple of 'locked off sentences with an accompanying image in order to upload to our new webspace at <a href="http://www.storiesbeyondgender.com">www.storiesbeyondgender.com</a> We set everybody up with permission to edit the gallery and their own blog page.</p>
<p>For anyone who hasn't yet posted, you won't be able to see your blog page in the drop down menu until you add some content - then you can make it visible by going to 'pages' and dragging your page from private blog spots up to blog spots. You can also link your gallery content to your blog spot for viewers who want more context around your work.</p>
<p>Remember digital literacy only grows out of muddling around and there is no such thing as a stupid question! If you're stuck post here so someone can help! If all else fails email me ; )</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506810?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506810?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>Q&A poetry - 2tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-09-17:3740708:BlogPost:287322015-09-17T12:08:18.000ZStephanie Charlotte Russellhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/StephanieCharlotteRussell
<p>Transphobic hormonic nycturia<br/>Assailed a boy named Victoria<br/>Her doctor said ‘Look, it says in the book<br/>Your problem’s medical dysphoria</p>
<p>Transphobic hormonic nycturia<br/>Assailed a boy named Victoria<br/>Her doctor said ‘Look, it says in the book<br/>Your problem’s medical dysphoria</p>Q&A poetrytag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-09-16:3740708:BlogPost:286382015-09-16T10:30:00.000ZStephanie Charlotte Russellhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/StephanieCharlotteRussell
<p>I’m queen of sun and flowers</p>
<p>Each in its place glowers</p>
<p>In the union of the two</p>
<p>The sunflower towers</p>
<p>I’m queen of sun and flowers</p>
<p>Each in its place glowers</p>
<p>In the union of the two</p>
<p>The sunflower towers</p>The First Time – Part 1tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-09-16:3740708:BlogPost:285842015-09-16T10:00:00.000ZStephanie Charlotte Russellhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/StephanieCharlotteRussell
<p>‘Hello, I’m Stephanie,’ I said by way of introduction, in my best attempt at a husky feminine voice. This was my first time at the Carrousel Club, and indeed my first venture out of doors dressed as my preferred gender. How did it come to this, when just two weeks before it was furthest from my mind?</p>
<p>Looking back I remember dressing as a girl at the age of eight, if not before. I had been in a school play and my role had been that of a girl. I wore my big sister’s tennis skirt, and…</p>
<p>‘Hello, I’m Stephanie,’ I said by way of introduction, in my best attempt at a husky feminine voice. This was my first time at the Carrousel Club, and indeed my first venture out of doors dressed as my preferred gender. How did it come to this, when just two weeks before it was furthest from my mind?</p>
<p>Looking back I remember dressing as a girl at the age of eight, if not before. I had been in a school play and my role had been that of a girl. I wore my big sister’s tennis skirt, and had on lipstick. After the dress rehearsal I had rushed back to the football changing room to check out what I looked like in the mirror. But before I could make it to the shower area I had to run the gauntlet of sneers and sniggers from a bunch of lads fresh in from the muddy rugger pitch. I never did see myself in the mirror. But I do recall trying on the skirt again as I walked home with my mate, Nick. We giggled a lot in a good natured way, so I thought it was alright. Still curious, I dressed up as a girl at home, much to my delight, and I couldn’t wait to tell Nick about it. When it came to the point, however, I decided that maybe it wouldn’t be such a good idea to tell Nick. So started my lifetime of secrecy.</p>
<p>My next significant memory may have been even earlier, I can’t tell. I overheard that my sister was developing breasts. Great, I thought, breasts are good, I can’t wait to get my own. ‘Mum, when will I grow breasts?’ ‘Only girls develop breasts, silly boy.’ I was heartbroken. It seemed so unfair.</p>
<p>My sister was certainly a good source of clothes. They smelt so good, I could happily wander around in a daze from the scent alone. My mum was very small, so her clothes were another rich resource for dress-ups. Hers didn’t smell so good, but she had these fancy ball gowns that fitted me to tee. I swear I nearly wore them out with all the good use I put them to in my locked bedroom. Dad found me out once. I was sleeping in my sister’s bedroom for some reason. Naturally it was an opportunity not to be missed. I put on her green party dress with sox for boobs, and pranced around. Dad had come up to kiss me goodnight, and he was very quiet. As he came in, I leapt into my bed and hid under the covers. ’I saw a little green fairy,’ he said. ‘Go away!’</p>
<p>In my twenties I met my future wife. She had her own problems, and bemoaned the fact that she was struggling while I had not a problem in the world. ‘Not true,’ I said, ‘I like dressing up as a girl.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Uh huh.’ ‘Oooo…K.’ It didn’t seem to bother her much at the time. But as I went through cycles of more active cross-dressing and denial, she only saw me in femme-mode the odd occasion when my secrecy slipped a little. Years passed, and the whole thing, still barely talked about or acknowledged, started building barriers between us. She felt less adequate in regards to intimacy whenever she discovered I had felt the need to dress-up.</p>
<p>A particular example occurred just a few weeks ago. The pain on her face told me things weren’t right. So I said we should talk. I explained that it wasn’t just some sexual fetish, but something I had struggled with all my life. ‘I don’t know the right words to describe it,’ I said, ‘though I know the literature is full of scary labels. The plain truth is that I feel more comfortable dressing and being a woman than I do being a man. The male gender role wears me down with stress, and dressing as a woman relieves that stress so I feel I can breathe more easily. No I’m not about to cut off my willy. It isn’t that I am so far gone that the choice is between suicide and sex-change. I am somewhere in the middle of the range. According to freely available gender tests on-line, I am a shade more on the feminine side than the masculine. However, authoritative sites suggest that the gender tests are more akin to horoscopes, than to scientific tests. I can live with that. The main thing is that they asked some pretty confronting questions. For instance, there was one about whether I would choose to be female or male if there was a magic potion that could change me into either one with perfect satisfaction. I chose female. Perhaps I was just being emotional – showing my feminine side?’</p>
<p>Our discussion changed the life-scape overnight. She was relieved, I was relieved – oh, was I relieved! I no longer had to make do with water filled balloons for breasts, as I could order breast forms over the Internet without fear. My two wigs were so wrong, one cheap and black, the other not quite so cheap, but blond. Neither suited me. I ordered a brown wig, and for the first time in my life I actually thought I looked vaguely female. We even went shopping for women’s clothing together in Harbour Town, giggling <i>sotto voce</i> in the women’s dressing room as I tried things on. I came back with some clothes that actually fitted me.</p>
<p>The remaining problems were still many, and caused me a great deal of anxiety, panic attacks where I could barely breathe, and sleepless nights (unheard of for me, as normally I can sleep anywhere at any time). The next problem on the list was to tell my youngest daughter, who was still living at home. I sat down next to her as she was eating her late dinner and blurted out,</p>
<p>‘Ever since I was a little boy I have liked to dress like a girl.’ Her eyebrows went up, and the next mouthful didn’t quite get as far as her mouth. Then I was explaining it all as best I could, and all the things I knew about the condition, and all the little stories of how things went in my lifetime of cross-dressing. Her reaction was,</p>
<p>‘Why did you wait so long?’ I apologised to her for not living up to normal standards. She just hugged me and said, ‘Love you Dad.’ After that I had two sisters in crime, both more than glad to help me prepare for my next big test – going outside dressed as a woman. And that was where the Carrousel Club came in.</p>
<p>Even the interview had me in jitters. I met up with Geena in the Director’s Hotel, the gatekeeper of the club. But she assured me that she didn’t bight. She told me a lot about herself, and that made it easier for me to talk about myself and accept that this is what I wanted. The next meeting of the club was the coming Friday, just six days away. With nerves on edge, and still so many days to go, my brain was in overdrive.</p>
<p>Come the day I left work early, as concentration was flagging. My wife however, was herself in a hurry as she was going out too. Things had to happen quickly or not at all. Fortunately, she had been on a makeup course recently, and knew precisely how I should look. We got half the job done before she had to rush off. But then my daughter arrived home, in time to finish the job. The eyes needed doing, so she told me how to do them properly. And my nails – ‘do you have any nail polish I can use?’ I asked. ‘DO I?’ she said, bringing out an economy sized Tupperware box brimming full of little bottles of nail polish. ‘Do you want bright pink, like these four, or startling red?’ I just went for some pale pearly colour that didn’t shout too much to look at my over-large hands. ‘Can I drive in heels?’ I asked. ‘Depends on the heels, and how comfortable you feel about it. You can always take them off.’ So wise for such a young thing.</p>
<p>And that’s how I arrived at the Carrousel Club – heels on and ready to rock and roll…well, ready to be a shy little damsel, anyway.</p>Mount Gambier Adventuretag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-09-16:3740708:BlogPost:287282015-09-16T06:16:56.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>So group members Sam, Evelyn, Hayley and I did a road trip down to Mt. Gambier last weekend to meet the community. A trans/queer/gender-questioning group gather at the excellent Metro Cafe (more of a bar/restaurant/gourmet bakery IMHO) every Monday night. Quite a few were keen to hear more about sharing stories #beyondgender. Give them a shout on their Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MountGambierLGBTIQ" target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<p>On Sunday we spread out our creativity…</p>
<p>So group members Sam, Evelyn, Hayley and I did a road trip down to Mt. Gambier last weekend to meet the community. A trans/queer/gender-questioning group gather at the excellent Metro Cafe (more of a bar/restaurant/gourmet bakery IMHO) every Monday night. Quite a few were keen to hear more about sharing stories #beyondgender. Give them a shout on their Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MountGambierLGBTIQ" target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<p>On Sunday we spread out our creativity mess on a big worktable in the spectacular Community Library - complete with polished floors, lots of sunlight, great coffee - and got to work. We met Toby and Lola, plus Nicky (hope that's spelled right?) and beautiful baby Ruby-Rae. We had time to swap stories and share experiences of high-school, coming out, family and community. Lots that were different, many that were similar...</p>
<p>Sam shot a little video to bring back and share with our group and we showed some examples from our growing gallery. </p>
<p>I've just started setting up a new space for our mini-exhibition pieces <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/photo/albums/sharing-stories-beyond-gender" target="_self">here</a>. We're aiming for another couple of Adelaide sessions and one in Pt. Lincoln before we convene for our first Trans World Cafe during Feast on Sunday November 15th 1-4pm. </p>
<p>Meanwhile here's a photo of us at work... creative experiments to follow on our blogs, on the <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/video" target="_self">video</a> page and in our <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/photo/albums/sharing-stories-beyond-gender" target="_self">Group Album</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506250?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506250?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>Where we're at so far...tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-25:3740708:BlogPost:286292015-08-25T01:46:45.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>So here's an update on the 'Sharing Stories Beyond Gender' workshops...</p>
<p>We've had 3 sessions so far with 6 and 15 participants, ranging from around 14 to 50, identifying in many different ways...</p>
<p>We've experimented with pencil, paper, collages, face-paint, song, video, photo and poetry.</p>
<p>We've explored blog spaces here, on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Vimeo.</p>
<p>We're not quite sure who we're 'speaking' to, about what or why yet... but muddling through the…</p>
<p>So here's an update on the 'Sharing Stories Beyond Gender' workshops...</p>
<p>We've had 3 sessions so far with 6 and 15 participants, ranging from around 14 to 50, identifying in many different ways...</p>
<p>We've experimented with pencil, paper, collages, face-paint, song, video, photo and poetry.</p>
<p>We've explored blog spaces here, on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Vimeo.</p>
<p>We're not quite sure who we're 'speaking' to, about what or why yet... but muddling through the self-construction process together has been mutually enlightening. </p>
<p>Here are some links to our spaces. If you'd like to contribute or comment please use #beyondgender hashtag so we can find you!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sharingstoriesbeyondgender" target="_blank">Tumblr - sharing stories beyond gender</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SharingStoriesBeyondGender" target="_blank">Facebook - sharing stories beyond gender page (we also have a 'secret' group for works in progress)</a></p>
<p>The next workshop is on 19th September - book in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/153573674974060/" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to come along!</p>Sharing Stories - Beyond Gender - Session 1tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-13:3740708:BlogPost:285472015-08-13T06:00:00.000ZTasha Evehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/TashaEve
<p></p>
<p>I joined Sonja's Sharing Stories - Beyond Gender session on Saturday (8/8). I'd missed the first one so I was on catch up mode!<br></br> Was a great experience in attempted creativity. I found it very difficult to find a creative outlet and trawled through media suggestions looking for something that appealed to me. But even harder was reaching down inside and pulling something forth that I thought I could recognize as me. (or understanding that was the aim of the exercise :P )…<br></br></p>
<p></p>
<p>I joined Sonja's Sharing Stories - Beyond Gender session on Saturday (8/8). I'd missed the first one so I was on catch up mode!<br/> Was a great experience in attempted creativity. I found it very difficult to find a creative outlet and trawled through media suggestions looking for something that appealed to me. But even harder was reaching down inside and pulling something forth that I thought I could recognize as me. (or understanding that was the aim of the exercise :P )<br/> <br/> I'd planned something similar in my early transition. It was easy to hate what I physically saw, as that was what I'd been doing all along, but I wanted to find something that I could latch hold of and call me. I felt like "I" had been pushed deep inside and crunched like a star turned neutron star... or worse... that what I would call "myself," would turn into a black hole. (Star metaphor overload!!)<br/> <br/> Over my transition I've found that their is much less pressure bearing down on "me," letting it spring back. But this exercise is not just about taking the pressure off... its about allowing "yourself" to grow outwards. <br/> <br/> All this talk of the inner soul got me looking at looking inwards. So I figured I'd start with an eye :D<br/> I photographed my eye and re-drew it. With a plan to Water Colour the lens to show the comparison of soul to reality... through the 'transition' lens (you can use that one :P ). One side of the eye would be what I see, the other would be what I felt. Or something...<br/> <br/> Then I thought, why stop at that. Why don't we view more of myself under "transition" lenses. So I repeated the process with my lips. Redrawing them, doodling a crescent moon and little wings (yeah, they look like mountains... "D*mmit Jim, I'm an Engineer not an Artist" :P). Then I began to colour them with the WaterColours. [ <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507027?profile=original" target="_self">WaterColoured Eye & Mouth</a> ]<br/> <br/> I'm still looking for ways to convert images of "myself" to media, but I'm pleased with the process so far and look forward to the next one. </p>
<p></p>
<p>-Ev</p>More incomplete experiments...tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-13:3740708:BlogPost:284892015-08-13T00:30:00.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>So following Sam's recommendation of some free Adobe apps last session, I found 'Slate'... Here is some info: <a href="https://standout.adobe.com/slate/" target="_blank">Slate</a></p>
<p>I thought it might be good for doing a kind of brief life story or a series of loosely connected reflections... it's quite elegeant! I'm going to come back to it later but here's my brief experiment - <a href="https://slate.adobe.com/a/yvKgj" target="_blank">Slate test</a></p>
<p>Even less attractive is this…</p>
<p>So following Sam's recommendation of some free Adobe apps last session, I found 'Slate'... Here is some info: <a href="https://standout.adobe.com/slate/" target="_blank">Slate</a></p>
<p>I thought it might be good for doing a kind of brief life story or a series of loosely connected reflections... it's quite elegeant! I'm going to come back to it later but here's my brief experiment - <a href="https://slate.adobe.com/a/yvKgj" target="_blank">Slate test</a></p>
<p>Even less attractive is this experiment with an app I found called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facefilm-portrait-blender/id600610075?mt=8" target="_blank">Face Film</a> - it basically blends two portraits together - here is my surprised/sad test...</p>
<div class="tumblr-post"><a href="http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/126548549090/bit-embarrassing-cos-it-was-a-quick-experiment">http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/126548549090/bit-embarrassing-cos-it-was-a-quick-experiment</a></div>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Some Arttag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-11:3740708:BlogPost:287122015-08-11T10:50:55.000ZJoslyn Renfreyhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/JoslynRenfrey
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805509627?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805509627?profile=original" width="720"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805509627?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805509627?profile=original" width="720"/></a></p>
<p></p>Finding Communitytag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-11:3740708:BlogPost:286142015-08-11T00:48:49.000ZG C.http://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/GC
<p>Hello Everyone!</p>
<p></p>
<p> This is my first blog post, and I have to say I'm happy to have stumbled across this community. I am working on my Master of Education, and within that my focus is on Social and Cultural Contexts. It has really been a long, sometimes wonderful, sometimes painful process that has helped me to learn a lot about myself. During my Master of Education was the first time I encountered thinking about queer theory and sexuality as a spectrum. I had always felt…</p>
<p>Hello Everyone!</p>
<p></p>
<p> This is my first blog post, and I have to say I'm happy to have stumbled across this community. I am working on my Master of Education, and within that my focus is on Social and Cultural Contexts. It has really been a long, sometimes wonderful, sometimes painful process that has helped me to learn a lot about myself. During my Master of Education was the first time I encountered thinking about queer theory and sexuality as a spectrum. I had always felt that I fell somewhere on a spectrum, but this wasn't a concept I had ever been introduced to in a very authentic way. Grad school encouraged me to think outside the box of my traditional upbringing, and I am trying to continue to do so. </p>
<p></p>
<p> As I began the "coming out" process early in grad school, I looked to community online. I found it in blogs and vlogs full of young men and women who were also looking for community. I started to become interested in the phenomenon of "digital storytelling" and how telling stories in an online forum could create community for higher education students. Grad school can be an isolating thing - somewhat more isolating if you are queer and struggle through your own identity challenges. It seems that so many students in college and university turned to those who were also expressing themselves online to navigate their own journeys. So here I am, also navigating mine. I'm trying to understand my story, my place on this earth, and the stories of others are extremely comforting and helpful along the way. I'm so glad to be here!</p>
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<p></p>'Being Present' and on to 'Being Preserved'tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-05:3740708:BlogPost:283402015-08-05T03:30:00.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>A link to our Tumblr blog and my reflections on epigrams and epiphanies:</p>
<div class="tumblr-post"><a href="http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/125898125168/my-son-is-collecting-fortunate-cookies-epigrams">http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/125898125168/my-son-is-collecting-fortunate-cookies-epigrams</a></div>
<p></p>
<p>A link to our Tumblr blog and my reflections on epigrams and epiphanies:</p>
<div class="tumblr-post"><a href="http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/125898125168/my-son-is-collecting-fortunate-cookies-epigrams">http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/125898125168/my-son-is-collecting-fortunate-cookies-epigrams</a></div>
<p></p>#phototaichi #beyondgendertag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-08-05:3740708:BlogPost:279502015-08-05T00:37:30.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507668?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507668?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> I took this last weekend on a beach walk with the kids. I like it because it represents a feeling and a process of disassembly and reconstruction. When I adjust my eyes and ears and body to the rhythm of waves and wind and birds... all the parts of me that I normally hold so tightly together become fragmented. Insignificant. The parts become part of something bigger. Less…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507668?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507668?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a>I took this last weekend on a beach walk with the kids. I like it because it represents a feeling and a process of disassembly and reconstruction. When I adjust my eyes and ears and body to the rhythm of waves and wind and birds... all the parts of me that I normally hold so tightly together become fragmented. Insignificant. The parts become part of something bigger. Less controllable. More significant. Beyond appearances. #beyondgender</p>What's a good poem?tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-07-30:3740708:BlogPost:279472015-07-30T11:21:41.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>This is my #nothaiku poem of just now, spontaneous effort to express my gender now... Might try and make it into a visual poem next...</p>
<p></p>
<p>She leaches it out of me</p>
<p>My mum, my daughter, my soul-mate</p>
<p>The constant being there-ness</p>
<p>Call maternity forth</p>
<p>Whatever that is – moral guidance?</p>
<p>Expressed gently…</p>
<p>Hey, Mum? Hey, Sweetheart?’</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Re-membering the past</p>
<p>When my dad called ‘Hey, Son?’</p>
<p>This is my #nothaiku poem of just now, spontaneous effort to express my gender now... Might try and make it into a visual poem next...</p>
<p></p>
<p>She leaches it out of me</p>
<p>My mum, my daughter, my soul-mate</p>
<p>The constant being there-ness</p>
<p>Call maternity forth</p>
<p>Whatever that is – moral guidance?</p>
<p>Expressed gently…</p>
<p>Hey, Mum? Hey, Sweetheart?’</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Re-membering the past</p>
<p>When my dad called ‘Hey, Son?’</p>Creative experiment in sharing...tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-07-30:3740708:BlogPost:283172015-07-30T00:30:00.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<div class="tumblr-post">So I think I figured out how to use drop down options to share experiments from Tumblr to my blog page here - just cut and paste embed code... reason being I want my OWN space to curate experiments and I'm finding Tumblr a little too chaotic and Facebook - too much stuff lost in the stream...</div>
<div class="tumblr-post"></div>
<div class="tumblr-post"><p>Regarding the 'why?' of this experiment - part of it is tech focussed, that is 'what does time lapse do with low…</p>
</div>
<div class="tumblr-post">So I think I figured out how to use drop down options to share experiments from Tumblr to my blog page here - just cut and paste embed code... reason being I want my OWN space to curate experiments and I'm finding Tumblr a little too chaotic and Facebook - too much stuff lost in the stream...</div>
<div class="tumblr-post"></div>
<div class="tumblr-post"><p>Regarding the 'why?' of this experiment - part of it is tech focussed, that is 'what does time lapse do with low light levels and rapid movement?'.</p>
<p>The other arguably more <em>creative</em> part is - thinking through my construction of identity being very much rooted in construction of family...</p>
<p>My first experiences of being a tom-boyish girl and my delight when I passed as a boy, aged around 10 or 11. were a little about how differently my dad treated me on the rare occasions that he regarded me as a protege, perhaps standing in for a 'son'.</p>
<p>Later, I argued with Mum about my right to invent my own family structure for me and my kids... no marriage, no partner even, but an extended circle of 'fairy god-parents' who I could call on for moral, and sometimes physical, support.</p>
<p>Now, as I pull apart the 30 year old bathroom that my parents designed... in particular the massive, fluoro-lit mirror that revealed every flaw in naked glory... it's about finding a descriptive tag that suits me in my 'mature' years - genderqueer, genderfluid, maybe agender? Clearer about sexuality still I guess - I like pansexual and polyamorous...</p>
</div>
<div class="tumblr-post"><a href="http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/124959760703/sonjavi-an-experiment-with-time-lapse-in-my">http://sharingstoriesbeyondgender.tumblr.com/post/124959760703/sonjavi-an-experiment-with-time-lapse-in-my</a></div>
<div class="tumblr-post"></div>
<div class="tumblr-post"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506225?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506225?profile=original" width="531" class="align-left"/></a></div>
<div class="tumblr-post"></div>
<p></p>Some art featuring significant moments in my life...tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-07-27:3740708:BlogPost:281122015-07-27T01:18:15.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506596?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506596?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506596?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506596?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>#beyondgender workshop inspirationtag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-07-15:3740708:BlogPost:282982015-07-15T04:35:20.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Digital Storytelling workshops often start with a kind of <em>warm and fuzzy story circle</em>… despite mutual awkwardness it’s an important step in building trust.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">We often look at some sample stories, like <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/video/blue-for-boys-pink-for-girls">‘Blue for Boys? Pink for Girls?’</a> and…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Digital Storytelling workshops often start with a kind of <em>warm and fuzzy story circle</em>… despite mutual awkwardness it’s an important step in building trust.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">We often look at some sample stories, like <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/video/blue-for-boys-pink-for-girls">‘Blue for Boys? Pink for Girls?’</a> and <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/video/back-to-happiness">‘Back to Happiness’</a> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and talk about who we’d like to share our stories with…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Of course <em>this workshop is a bit different</em> because we’re not necessarily making digital stories but rather</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">using digital platforms and tools to share our <em>creative activism.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">So we’ll look at some examples of what we think works and doesn’t work.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">We’ll experiment with things like <a href="http://photomediationsmachine.net/2015/05/22/photographic-tai-chi/">photographic taichi</a> and <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sharingstoriesbeyondgender">twitter haikus.</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">We probably won’t <em>change the world on day one</em> but we’ll start building connections among ourselves and then, gradually, with a wider community… including, eventually, some of the people who we think ‘don’t get us’.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Maybe some insight on pronouns directed at a medical service provider?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Or an illustrated storybook for submission to the parliamentary committee that is updating the Sexual Reassignment Act?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">If you’re even vaguely curious about the role of social media and creative storytelling for everyday activism - register on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1446826018953010/">Facebook</a> or email <a href="mailto:sonja@incitestories.com.au">sonja@incitestories.com.au</a>.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4">Nothing to lose and good company – and closer to winning an iPad Air 2!</span></p>Sharing Stories Beyond Gendertag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2015-06-23:3740708:BlogPost:282942015-06-23T03:30:01.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"><b>Sharing Stories Beyond Gender</b></span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"><b> </b></span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">#beyondgender #trans*stories #everydayactivism</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Are you interested in using social media for social change?</span></p>
<p align="center"> …</p>
<p align="center"></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"><b>Sharing Stories Beyond Gender</b></span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"><b> </b></span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">#beyondgender #trans*stories #everydayactivism</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Are you interested in using social media for social change?</span></p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Come along to a series of workshops for trans*, gender-fluid or questioning people… we’ll be using Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook to explore:</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-4">How we see ourselves</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-4">Who we share ourselves with</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-4">What it feels like to be understood</span></li>
</ul>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">We’ll be creating digital self-representations of all shapes and size, including twitter haikus, instagram puzzles, micro-blogs and vlogs.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">All you need to bring are your ideas and, if possible, a digital device</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">smart phone, ipad, tablet or laptop…</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">We’ll supply space, guidance, snacks and wifi.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Our digital content will be shared with trans* and queer community service providers so they can help us to break down stigma and stereotypes.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">We’ll also be exploring ‘speaking across difference’ in a pop-up trans*World Café later this year, and the creative works that we produce will be launched in an exhibition in conjunction with Feast 2017.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Best #everydayactivism, as voted by community,</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">wins an iPad Air 2!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">If you’re interested email <a href="mailto:sonja@incitestories.com.au">sonja@incitestories.com.au</a></span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">or find more info on the</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-4">Sharing Stories Beyond Gender page on Facebook.</span></p>Social Media Lessons from Russiatag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2014-04-17:3740708:BlogPost:271382014-04-17T06:50:47.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>A link to my latest public writing on privacy... over on my <a href="http://incitestories.com.au/?p=653" target="_blank">blog</a></p>
<p>on Incite Stories!</p>
<p></p>
<p>A link to my latest public writing on privacy... over on my <a href="http://incitestories.com.au/?p=653" target="_blank">blog</a></p>
<p>on Incite Stories!</p>
<p></p>Young and Well - 16 to 27?tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2013-01-31:3740708:BlogPost:213022013-01-31T05:29:57.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p><big>The <a href="http://www.yawcrc.org.au/" target="_blank">Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre</a> unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators and policy-makers from over <a href="http://www.yawcrc.org.au/partners">70 partner organisations</a> across the not-for-profit, academic, government and corporate sectors.</big></p>
<p><big>The Young and Well CRC explores the role of technology in young people’s lives, and how technology can be used to improve the mental…</big></p>
<p><big>The <a href="http://www.yawcrc.org.au/" target="_blank">Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre</a> unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators and policy-makers from over <a href="http://www.yawcrc.org.au/partners">70 partner organisations</a> across the not-for-profit, academic, government and corporate sectors.</big></p>
<p><big>The Young and Well CRC explores the role of technology in young people’s lives, and how technology can be used to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 25.</big></p>
<p>Are you between 16 and 27 years of age, living in Australia, and identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning or Intersex (LGBTQI)? If yes, we are interested in hearing about your experiences and any issues impacting your life. These include:<br/><br/>a) Your use of the internet and other support services <br/>b) Your experiences of homophobia, transphobia, and harassment (both in school and out of school)<br/>c) Your experiences of telling others about your sexuality and gender identity, and their level of support <br/>d) Questions about sexuality, gender, health and well being. <br/><br/>This project aims to give young queer people an opportunity to contribute to the development of community and professional education resources that aim to counteract homophobia, transphobia and harassment. The results from this survey will contribute information that will lead to greater awareness of the needs of queer youth in the wider Australian community.<br/><br/>This study is funded by the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Australia. The survey research is being conducted by a group of researchers from the University of Western Sydney.<br/><br/>The survey takes around 15-20 minutes to complete and is anonymous. This means that you will not be identified in any of the publications that arise from this research project. For this reason, we ask that you don't include your name anywhere in the survey.</p>A collection of short stories based on true eventstag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-12-28:3740708:BlogPost:211002012-12-28T20:15:53.000ZAlex Schmidthttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/AlexSchmidt
<p>First off, I love foreign languages! And greater than my love for foreign languages is my love for translation. I find it so exciting to convey the meaning of words and phrases in a different language without letting the reader know that he/she is reading ... oh well, a subjective interpretation in a different language. But the life of a translator isn't really a fancy, creative job. More often I've had to accept projects that deal with technical manuals, CVs etc. So, in other words, some…</p>
<p>First off, I love foreign languages! And greater than my love for foreign languages is my love for translation. I find it so exciting to convey the meaning of words and phrases in a different language without letting the reader know that he/she is reading ... oh well, a subjective interpretation in a different language. But the life of a translator isn't really a fancy, creative job. More often I've had to accept projects that deal with technical manuals, CVs etc. So, in other words, some pretty dry stuff that, on top of everything, can be quite time-consuming, especially if the terms are very technical (which they usually are). So you can imagine my joy when I was asked whether I'd be willing to translate a collection of short stories based on true events. So many nice words there :-) No sooner said than done. And voila, my translation is available on Amazon since November 2012. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Sperm-Donor-ebook/dp/B00AD9WK88/ref=sr_1_">http://www.amazon.com/The-Sperm-Donor-ebook/dp/B00AD9WK88/ref=sr_1_</a>... And what's the title of the book? The Sperm Donor - true stories of a private sperm donor Now that the book is out, I realize that it should have been better to subtitle it: true stories from the life of a private sperm donor. It is a really interesting collection of short stories dealing with both funny and tragic situations, which the described childless couples in the stories have really experienced. You'll certainly learn a few details about fertility clinics and the process of artificial insemination, but that's just marginal. I hope I've made you curious. I'll post one short story in several parts in the next days and I'm giving two free copies of the book (e-book edition). Just send me an e-mail with the subject "book giveaway" at: ebookinfo@gmx.com until 15th January 2013! I'll notify the winners by e-mail :-)</p>
<p>Happy New Year to you all!</p>
<p>Alex</p>Quick PHD related Quiztag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-08-21:3740708:BlogPost:197032012-08-21T07:10:42.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>Hi all</p>
<p></p>
<p>As most of you know I've been muddling my way through a phd on Digital Storytelling (read about it <a href="http://incitestories.com.au/?page_id=209" target="_blank">here</a>) over the last couple of years... and I'm just pulling all the threads together. Some of you provided some very excellent answers to a quiz I sent out a month or so ago... and I have a few more FINAL quick questions. If you've got 10 mins free I'd love your responses (by 27/08/12 - next monday - if…</p>
<p>Hi all</p>
<p></p>
<p>As most of you know I've been muddling my way through a phd on Digital Storytelling (read about it <a href="http://incitestories.com.au/?page_id=209" target="_blank">here</a>) over the last couple of years... and I'm just pulling all the threads together. Some of you provided some very excellent answers to a quiz I sent out a month or so ago... and I have a few more FINAL quick questions. If you've got 10 mins free I'd love your responses (by 27/08/12 - next monday - if poss!)</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm attaching word docs of these questions for your convenience - you can mail them back to me at sonja@incitestories.com.au or private message me <a href="http://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867" target="_self">here.</a></p>
<p>I'm also attaching a QUT info and release form if you haven't already supplied me with your consent!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Cheers, Sonja</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Last ever <i>‘Rainbow Family Tree’</i> phd related quiz…</b></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>Any answers, short or long, are appreciated BUT I need responses ASAP! Honesty and/or humour also appreciated ; )</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. How much personal sharing (use your own definition) do you do using digital technology? Indicate those that are relevant and describe the kind of personal sharing you do, who with and how often?</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Phone calls</li>
<li>SMS</li>
<li>Facebook</li>
<li>Email</li>
<li>E:lists or forums</li>
<li>Twitter</li>
<li>Rainbow Family Tree website</li>
<li>Other social network – what?</li>
<li>Digital Storytelling</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. How much personal sharing do you with… ? Specify face-to-face, online or both… How would YOU define each category? Approximately how many people in each group?</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Partner/Lover</li>
<li>Close friends</li>
<li>Acquaintances</li>
<li>Old/Lost/Newly rediscovered friends</li>
<li>New acquaintances</li>
<li>Strangers</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Over the last 5-15 years how have these patterns of interaction changed for you?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. How do you describe the Rainbow Family Tree web space to people?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. What do you like/not like about the space?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>6. I’m happy to donate hosting fees for the space ($360 p/year) but would like to step back as primary facilitator and become more engaged (and active!) as a community member. With this in mind…</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p>How would you like to see it change over the next year or so? Be honest!</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506082?profile=original" target="_self">Last Questions Document!</a> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805507333?profile=original">Research Participant release form</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>World Hepatitis Day 2012tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-07-28:3740708:BlogPost:199962012-07-28T07:49:00.000ZKatherine Leanehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/KatherineLeane
<p> </p>
<p>Today is National Hepatitis Day and if you live in Adelaide check out the play that is touring called "Body Armour" it is awesome.. Look at the Hepatitis SA website for more information.</p>
<p>As a woman living with both HIV and Hep C uninvited in my life for over 25 years now I am disappointed at the lack of education available about both blood born viruses. The age group we can have the greatest impact on around BBV education and awareness is our young people and across the…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Today is National Hepatitis Day and if you live in Adelaide check out the play that is touring called "Body Armour" it is awesome.. Look at the Hepatitis SA website for more information.</p>
<p>As a woman living with both HIV and Hep C uninvited in my life for over 25 years now I am disappointed at the lack of education available about both blood born viruses. The age group we can have the greatest impact on around BBV education and awareness is our young people and across the school system.The play "Body Armour" uses creative stories and life events to deliver accurate and informative messages in a fun and innovative way.</p>
<p>And as they say in the Hep world, "Love your Liver".</p>
<p>Kath</p>Call to Action!tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-06-20:3740708:BlogPost:191962012-06-20T03:30:00.000ZRainbow Family Treehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne
<p>It seems, whether you're into marriage or not, that people are slowly recognising that law reform might have positive social consequences BEYOND marriage... like increasing acceptance of GLBTQI people and their families.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Today I received e:mails from AME (<a href="http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/take-action/">Australian Marriage Equality</a>) and from one of my favourite bloggers (and RFT member) <a href="http://jacquitomlins.com/">Jacqui Tomlins</a>. AME are…</p>
<p>It seems, whether you're into marriage or not, that people are slowly recognising that law reform might have positive social consequences BEYOND marriage... like increasing acceptance of GLBTQI people and their families.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Today I received e:mails from AME (<a href="http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/take-action/">Australian Marriage Equality</a>) and from one of my favourite bloggers (and RFT member) <a href="http://jacquitomlins.com/">Jacqui Tomlins</a>. AME are asking that we visit our MPs (in particular undecided SA Senators <span style="color: maroon;"><a href="mailto:senator.xenophon@aph.gov.au">Nick Xenophon</a></span><span style="color: #ffffff;">,</span><span style="color: maroon;"> <a href="mailto:senator.fisher@aph.gov.au">Mary Jo Fisher</a></span> <span style="color: #ffffff;">and</span><span style="color: maroon;"> <a href="mailto:senator.edwards@aph.gov.au">Sean Edwards</a></span>) and Jacqui has posted an inspiring interview with AME spokesperson, Alex Greenwich.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As they both point out "it ain't over till it's over" and <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black','serif';">we CAN make a difference!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why not send an e:mail to an MP with a link to your <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black','serif';">favourite RFT Digital Story</span> or, better still, go visit them and force them to watch!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you're not up for that, why not e:mail links to <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black','serif';">5 friends</span> with a little bit of time and energy who you think might hop on board?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Support has come from the strangest places and you rarely get it unless you ask ; )</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506581?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2805506581?profile=original" width="610"/></a></p>IDtag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-02-06:3740708:BlogPost:171402012-02-06T04:00:00.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p><em>When I was a bit younger I tried on lots of different selves...</em></p>
<p><em>It was a subject of great angst... I didn't feel like I fitted well in my skin.</em></p>
<p><em>Now I see my kids experimenting with who they are and how they fit... and I'm surprised that I no longer spend a great deal of time questioning my identity.</em></p>
<p><em>Is it because I don't care what anyone thinks anymore?</em></p>
<p><em>Or that I feel secure and loved with the handful of people that count...…</em></p>
<p><em>When I was a bit younger I tried on lots of different selves...</em></p>
<p><em>It was a subject of great angst... I didn't feel like I fitted well in my skin.</em></p>
<p><em>Now I see my kids experimenting with who they are and how they fit... and I'm surprised that I no longer spend a great deal of time questioning my identity.</em></p>
<p><em>Is it because I don't care what anyone thinks anymore?</em></p>
<p><em>Or that I feel secure and loved with the handful of people that count... acceptable in the few worlds that I've chosen to inhabit?</em></p>
<p><em>Or a more philosophical understanding that we all 'perform' ourselves all the time... and most of us are a bit prone to worrying what other people think... and that those other people are too busy worrying about their similar concerns to pay too much attention to me...</em></p>
<p><em>I don't believe I have one 'true self'... I'm a fluid evolving composite of mum, daughter, girlfriend, teacher, student, fool and sage... No magic formula, no 'inner truth'... just a daily struggle to be present and content.<br/></em></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>So this is the premise of my next story I think... But what is the point? Who am I making it for?</p>
<p>I didn't want to do navel gazing but it's certainly not humorous yet... maybe music and image choice can help with that?</p>
<p>Any advice? What are the stories you guys are nutting out? Can I help?</p>Support for Presumption of Parentage for same-sex couplestag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-02-02:3740708:BlogPost:169492012-02-02T12:28:45.000ZKatherine Taylorhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/KatherineTaylor
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="messageBody">Hi All, <br></br> <br></br> I wanted to post an update after the Let’s Get Equal meeting Wednesday night. A number of issues relating to the presumption of parentage for same-sex parents were discussed and we have some direction in terms of what the next steps are. I have created a Facebook group that will hopefully enable us to communicate a little easier however I will continue to post any important updates or call outs on the mailing list or…</span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="messageBody">Hi All, <br/> <br/> I wanted to post an update after the Let’s Get Equal meeting Wednesday night. A number of issues relating to the presumption of parentage for same-sex parents were discussed and we have some direction in terms of what the next steps are. I have created a Facebook group that will hopefully enable us to communicate a little easier however I will continue to post any important updates or call outs on the mailing list or webpage that you are seeing this on now. The Facebook page is located at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/284594144937532/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>http://www.facebook.com/</span>groups/284594144937532/</a> The name of the group is (tentatively) SA Family Rights. The group is currently a closed group to give us a certain degree of safety however there are no restrictions as to who can join at this point. <br/> <br/> With regard to matters discussed at the meeting it was decided that we would start a new group (hence the formation of SA Family Rights) and liaise regularly with those at Let’s Get Equal who have done all this before. There were a few things that Let’s Get Equal members and Tammy Franks have suggested we do. They are as follows:<br/> <br/> 1. Find as many people as possible that would be willing to be test cases in court. This isn’t an easy thing to ask of people I know, but unfortunately it is a necessary step in the process. There are risks (albeit small ones) involved such as the possibility of having costs awarded against you. This unlikely but still a possibility. It would also involve having to be fairly open and honest about your family and how it came to be. It has also been stressed that in situations where there is any conflict with donors they would probably not be the ideal test cases. So we are putting a call out to anyone and everyone in the community. Examples of possible test cases could involve for example couples who may have used reproductive specialist but hadn’t been living together for 3 years or couples who had been living together for 3 years but conceived at home. It was also suggested that the “best” test cases would involve donors who don’t have an active and regular role in the child’s life. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have no contact just that they don’t play an active “parental” role. Couples who have one child they can register as having two mothers and not another would be another interesting test case. If you think you, or someone you know, might fit that criteria please feel free to contact us here, on the Facebook page mentioned above or at equalitysa@gmail.com . <br/> <br/> 2. The second suggestion was for couples who know they do not meet the criteria to fill out the required forms with Births, Deaths and Marriages: (<a href="http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/samesexparentage-sheet.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow"><span>http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/</span><span>assets/files/</span>samesexparentage-sheet.pdf</a>) Once that application is rejected you can then appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (information about their processes and contact details can be found here: <a href="http://www.aat.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">http://www.aat.gov.au/</a>) If you would like or need any support during those processes feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help or link you up with someone who can assist you. <br/> <br/> 3. The third aspect of this campaign is to try and get the legislation changed so that it does not discriminate against couples who choose at home insemination or couples who had not been living together 3 years prior to conception. In order to do this Tammy Franks has said she will assist us in collating a list of politicians that will need to be contacted. This would ideally be in the form of a personal visit. In the coming weeks we will post a list of politicians and their contact details as well as some information that will hopefully assist you if you are able to make an appointment. It might also help to write to politicians and we will try to get more information about this in the coming weeks also.<br/> <br/> If you feel that you are able to help in any of the ways mentioned above please join our Facebook group or contact us via email (equalitysa@gmail.com). If you feel you may have other skills you can offer such as a legal degree or experience in the court system or experience in lobbying politicians, please contact us on the abovementioned ways also. <br/> <br/> Stay tuned for the next update! Oh and if anyone else who was at the meeting on Wednesday can remember things I’ve forgotten then please feel free to add</span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="messageBody"><br/> Cheers,<br/> Katherine</span></h6>A New Year and a new storytag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-02-01:3740708:BlogPost:169452012-02-01T22:41:50.000ZSophie Pointerhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SophiePointer
<p>Well it's a new year and I have noticed that I need to finish last years blog on my daughters IDAHO Day experience. But before I do I thought I would share with you what happened on a 'family' outing to Victor Harbor during the school hols.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Three same-sex families went to lunch at the Victor hotel....three sets of mummies with three kids between us aged 18 months, 5 years and 6 years, Riley being the oldest. There was a playroom and Riley got chatting to some slightly older…</p>
<p>Well it's a new year and I have noticed that I need to finish last years blog on my daughters IDAHO Day experience. But before I do I thought I would share with you what happened on a 'family' outing to Victor Harbor during the school hols.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Three same-sex families went to lunch at the Victor hotel....three sets of mummies with three kids between us aged 18 months, 5 years and 6 years, Riley being the oldest. There was a playroom and Riley got chatting to some slightly older girls (maybe 8 and 9 years) and excitedly told them at the table were all mummies two of which were hers. Blanks stares ensued followed by rationalisation....one must be your step-mum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Several days later (kids process these things over days and sometimes weeks) Riley told us she wished she had a 'normal' family and went on to explain to her Mama (non-birth mum) that she must be the step-mum. We talked at length about what the term 'step' means and how her Mama is not a 'step' but was the one who planted the seed (home DIY) to create Riley.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As she gets older and more independent I can see more conversations like this although I hope with each 'chat' we are slowly building her resilience and understanding that her family IS normal....it's just different...and that, I think anyway, is a good thing!</p>Pondering new digital story... keep me company?tag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-01-31:3740708:BlogPost:169422012-01-31T22:59:14.000ZSon Viviennehttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/SonjaVivienne867
<p>Hi all</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've been involved in Rainbow Family Tree as a 'curator' since the beginning. Sometimes it's a bit tricky wearing multiple 'hats' - as a workshop facilitator, researcher, digital storyteller, not to mention mum, daughter, girlfriend etc.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've been thinking a lot about how we go about inventing who we are and how we perform different roles for different people in different contexts. I guess most of us think about this at least a little when we do a…</p>
<p>Hi all</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've been involved in Rainbow Family Tree as a 'curator' since the beginning. Sometimes it's a bit tricky wearing multiple 'hats' - as a workshop facilitator, researcher, digital storyteller, not to mention mum, daughter, girlfriend etc.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've been thinking a lot about how we go about inventing who we are and how we perform different roles for different people in different contexts. I guess most of us think about this at least a little when we do a facebook update and wonder how those few words will be interpreted by all the different groups of people we've 'friended' over the years. Making a digital story is just as tricky as we consider all of the 'imaginary publics' that might watch it... and what making this statement of identity says about how we 'fit in' to all of those different worlds. Do I really want to be part of some amorphous 'mainstream' or do I quite like 'being different' (except without all the judgmental, discriminatory, homophobic bits).</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm pondering making a digital story on the subject of 'identity'. All I've got so far is a bunch of photos of me at different ages, different incarnations of 'self'... and these somewhat academic ideas. I don't want it to be a preachy, navel gazing story so right now I'm thinking about tone and music... do I want it be a bit upbeat, maybe funny? Am I even capable of 'funny'?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've downloaded a free 30 day trial of <a href="http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/top-features/" target="_blank">Final Cut Pro X</a> and I'm going to see if I can teach myself by making a new story. Anyone care to keep me company, swap notes and start work on a new story yourself?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Cheers, Sonja</p>Gay Relationshipstag:rainbowfamilytree.com,2012-01-06:3740708:BlogPost:161392012-01-06T10:43:06.000ZIshtar MSMhttp://rainbowfamilytree.com/profile/IshtarMSM
<p><span>Gay Relationships: "If I’m So Darned Cute, Why Won’t Anyone Go Out With Me?" - Part Two</span><br></br><br></br><span>( Continued From Yesterday )</span><br></br><br></br><span>"Systemic challenges due pose potential barriers to your dating life, they only have to have power if you allow them to do so. We are not victims; growing up gay requires significant courage, perseverance, and resilience. To survive and prosper through this means we can handle any…</span></p>
<p><span>Gay Relationships: "If I’m So Darned Cute, Why Won’t Anyone Go Out With Me?" - Part Two</span><br/><br/><span>( Continued From Yesterday )</span><br/><br/><span>"Systemic challenges due pose potential barriers to your dating life, they only have to have power if you allow them to do so. We are not victims; growing up gay requires significant courage, perseverance, and resilience. To survive and prosper through this means we can handle any</span><span class="text_exposed_show">thing."<br/><br/>Step one requires taking back personal control and refusing to allow these dating challenges and disappointments to have emotional power over you.<br/><br/>* Start keeping a journal and write about your dating efforts and lessons learned to watch your evolution in progress. Make a list of all the reasons why you’re a “good catch” and why it’s important to keep your head held high when things aren’t going so well. Write about the benefits of being single and what this affords you. Refer to this when you get into “funks” as a way to keep yourself motivated and centered on the positive. When you hear a quote or motivational saying that resonates with you, add this to your journal for additional affirmation and incentive.<br/><br/>* Since we are only in control of ourselves and cannot change other people, avoid blaming “the system” or other gay men for the current state-of-affairs as they are.It’s much more productive to focus more on yourself and dig deep to identify any potential areas where you might be contributing to difficulties. For some ideas on where to get started with this, check out my article on “Am I Mr. Right?” and break out your journal and start writing and tackling those issues that will improve your quality-of-life.<br/><br/>Continue reading "Gay Relationships: "If I’m So Darned Cute, Why Won’t Anyone Go Out With Me?" - Part Two" »</span></p>