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The
World will tell you who you are until you tell the world ! |
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ARCHIVES PG. 3 |
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Recently I watched the
2008 GLAAD
(Gay
& Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Awards program televised on Bravo TV. It was impressive !
One highlight for me was Barbara Walters winning the GLAAD Award for her
ABC 20/20 documentary entitled, "My Secret Life: A Story of Transgender
Children,� which examined the lives of children and their family's coming
to terms with their young child's gender identity. Barbara said during her
acceptance speech, �You can forget all the Emmys. This means more to me.�
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Dear Barbra Walters,
While you never responded to the snail mail letter I sent you, still your
work in the transgender area means so much to me as it does to so many
Transgender individuals across our nation. I thank you from the very
bottom of my heart.
Respectfully,
Courtney Josten ! |
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Thank you
ABC
- 20/20, Barbara Walters, GLAAD,
and
BRAVO TV |
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The second memorable 2008
GLAAD Award highlight for me came when Judy Shepherd was presented the GLAAD
Excellence in Media Award. Judy Shepherd lost her son Mathew in 1998 at the
hands of men who
singled him out because he was gay for the soul purpose of committing this
barbaric hate crime murder. Determined to prevent others from suffering their
son�s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and
established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew�s legacy.
The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew
during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education, and equality
for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Please visit the
Matthew Shepard Foundation and get involved.
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May
God Bless you
and keep you in His loving care. |
The GLAAD Excellence in Media Award is presented to media professionals who,
through their work have increased the visibility and understanding of the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Past recipients include Billy
Crystal, Julianne Moore, Diane Sawyer, Glenn Close, Vanessa Redgrave, and Phil
Donahue.
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Dear Judy
Shepard and family,
I grew up in the GLBT community. At a very young age terror, discrimination and
prejudice soon became no stranger to me. It is the GLBT community which
supported me thru life and my transition as a transgender female to womanhood.
Following my GRS the gay
community
later abandoned me (as did my entire family and friends) but I will forever be grateful for
the GLBT community support, caring and love.
Like so many, I remember the tears I cried when the death of your son was
initially in the news. The more information I learned, I sobbed. Each time I
view the movies and documentary created about the events of your sons murder I
weep and not only think but have been heard to cry out, "They are killing my
people"!...
Judy, I am so so sorry he was taken from you.
Judy Shepard, I applaud you as a role model, your ongoing efforts, unending dedication,
and for your strength and endurance toward ensuring Matthews's tried and true beliefs are heard toward positive change for all GLBT individuals.
Love,
Courtney Josten ! |
Learn about the Matthew Shepard
Foundation and Matthew's Place on my Notices page. |
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Look what love
built between, John, Ace and Christian !
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September 11,
2008
Remembering 09 / 11 / 2001 ..... I recall this day more clearly than any
day in my life span of 50 plus years. Our nation and its people again
recognize all lost souls at ground zero, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania in this its 7 year
remembrance ceremony
in New York City, USA. Blessings and prayers for all who were lost,
family and friends left behind and of course to those who gave of their
time and health in their diligent and heroic attempts of rescue. MAY GOD
BLESS AMERICA. |
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September 28, 2008
Forty years ago I moved in to a boarding house and met a wonderful family.
During my stay (of which there were two different time periods) I made
close friendships with two daughters of the house-mother. Over the years
before I relocated we were in touch periodically. I have been trying to
find them since 1995. Today I spoke by phone with both gals and what
a joy filled moment. While friendships can never be the same, it is
enough to know they are still out there living their lives and we can now
keep in touch. For me, a rush of wonderful memories flooded in when I
heard their voices. You can not buy it. You have to live it and we did.
There are no finer people than these folks. I must thank you both for
never telling me how to live my life, for always accepting me as I am !
To Pamela, Patricia and family, I love you for all you are, have been and
will continue to be. |
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Barak Obama - Joe Biden.....President /
Vice President elect November 04, 2008 |
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History has been
written this day in our country. It is: Inspirational ! Hope ! Belief !
Future !
Change is good. |
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Oprah Presents November 05, 2008:
BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Vince Gill, and Wynonna Judd
"Right Now (We Need One Another)"
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Christmas 2008
Merry Christmas! I am alone but I am Never Ever Lonely. |
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January 20,2009
There were 1,400,000
- 2,000,000 people in attendance of today's historical inauguration which was also
being seen around the world. The nations 44th President of The United
States officially took office. With his wife and now first lady,
Michelle Obama holding Abraham Lincoln's bible, Barak Obama placed his
left hand on the bible and raised his right hand and spoke the oath of
office becoming the first African American President of The United States. Soon after, Vice President elect Joe Biden took his oath of
office to become our nations next Vice President. It was a good day. They have my best wishes
and prayers. |
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President, Barak Hussein Obama |
Vice President, Joseph "Joe" Biden |
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This occasion ushers
in another chapter in American history. Change is good, long and
difficult. I say very optimistically, watch for it. We do indeed need one
another more than ever right now ! The work starts today. |
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Web Site Epilogue - Final Entry |
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The time has come to move off this site so that I might go
forward with life and enjoy my golden years. Now with a new
home and a parcel of land filled with trees and wild life to
occupy my time, I look forward to sunshine days, warm breezes,
and evenings around my fire pit. I actually have time now to
soak up the country-side and spend lazy days in my hammock out
amongst the wooded area and wild flowers; catch up on reading or
just take a good ole siesta. It feels good to at last
inject a little fun in to life and look forward to entertaining in my
new home.
I continue to receive hundreds of emails of support, inquiries, and
praise for what I have accomplished with this web site and my life.
I am very grateful because I was always afraid I would never be able
to reach out and touch peoples lives in such a positive way. But, my
fears were unfounded and while
my site has been a sort of catharsis, sitting down to answer email
everyday has been a great experience. I plan to do some messaging
with folks from time to time but will not continue with
biographical updates from this point on. I will make every effort
possible to keep links up to date. Don't stop writing emails !
You may  and
thank you.
Having faced my demons, I feel cleansed in a way and optimistic for
the future.
I do believe people of the Profoundly Gender Dysphoric / Transsexual community
are emerging strongly and staking their claim in the United States society.
We after-all are a people rightfully deserving
of all the freedoms and rights of every single American citizen.
A book deal is in the works..... where it has been
indicated my story has potential for further exposure in film. I
will always be true to myself.
May God Bless you and I send warm hugs out to all
Love,
Courtney . |
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"From
The Ashes" by Martina McBride -- from her "Emotion' CD
Pictorial Interpretation created and produced by me, ClJDesigns
The End ! |
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Copyright � CLJDesigns 2008
Forward; All Rights Reserved
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