I wanted to take a moment here to recognize and mourn the passing of author, physician, filmmaker and "imagineer" Michael Crichton. His vision and words have inspired my imagination for a lifetime and he will be missed...
Michael Crichton 1942 - 2008
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...
"You're Gonna' Need a Bigger Boat..."
Greetings and Welcome!
I'm honored to embrace everyone as a friend here at myspace.com. However, I'm not comfortable with any nude or highly suggestive profile photos. Remember, if I can see it, so can your employer, your mother, your child, or your pet dog or cat (what do you think they do when you're not at home). So please think about that...
I posted a few images for you to enjoy on my photo section, but the real purpose for my being here is written in the text below. It is written (and spoken) for all those people who face one of the greatest challenges in their lives; that of questioning their own gender.
Our duality is our greatest strength and our challenges are tests by which we measure ourselves. By being true to our nature and overcoming adversity, we have within us the capacity to change the world.
And never think that a small handful of empowered and dedicated people cannot change the world. In fact, as history shows us, it is the only thing that ever has.
I delivered this speech (audio below) at the "Times Of Our Lives Gala" on September 23, 2006 in conjunction with the Southern Comfort Conference. It runs approximately 12 Minutes.
I have been told my words helped change people's lives that evening - and it is a moment I will certainly never forget.
A year after I gave this speech, I was approached by a transgender individual who was in the audience that night. She told me that the message I delivered that evening gave her so much HOPE - that despite her own personal turmoil, she had decided NOT to take her own life. Instead, she had decided to go on living and fighting to be who she truly was.
To say that I was humbled would be an understatement.
I hope you find my words and my message empowering - it was meant for you (and even if you are NOT transgender, the message will still resonate). For more information about the Southern Comfort Conference, please go to http://www.sccatl.org
Please excuse the sound of my voice as I was very hoarse after 4 days of speaking events. Press the PLAY button to begin.
PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON
If you prefer to read my words (or read along with the audio), below is the text of my speech in its entirety. Again, thank you for your interest.
All my best to everyone!
Warmest regards,
Kristin
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- SCC 2006 TIMES OF OUR LIVES GALA ADDRESS -
One of the privileges afforded to a conference chairperson, above and beyond being asked to lead this event and guide its vision and direction, is having an opportunity to speak to a most esteemed group of individuals. I am, of course, referring to the people right here in this room.
As you entered into the ballroom earlier this evening, a very unique motion picture was playing on the two video screens to my right and to my left. The title of that film is KOYAANISQATSI. It was released in 1983 and took almost six years to create both the images and the musical score.
The interpretation of what the film is about and its ultimate message is truly in the eye of the viewer. In essence, it is a film about life, just viewed from a very different perspective. In its most simplistic form, the film is about us. About how we, as people, make our way every day, on this little rock spinning through space.
The title itself has a meaning. And I believe this meaning speaks volumes about those of us in this room and where we find ourselves in this time; the now time, the time that is currently the time of our lives.
KOYAANISQATSI is a word from the Hopi Indian language and it has the following definitions: crazy life, life in turmoil, life out of balance, life disintegrating; and, a state of life that calls for another way of living. I like that last one the best.
I decided to use this film as a metaphor for what I wanted to say to you this evening. Films mean a great deal to me. I love everything about them. I love the process of filmmaking, the technology of filmmaking and most importantly, I value the extraordinary power films have to make an impact on our lives because of the stories they tell us.
As Jenny Boylan said earlier, we all have stories, each and every one of us. Our lives individually and collectively are remarkable tales. Our stories contain events that span the entire spectrum of human emotion. Unfortunately, being transgendered, we are more often exposed to negative stories about loss, fear, turmoil, ridicule and loneliness. I am here to tell you, it does not have to be that way. Right now, at this very moment, each one of us is still writing the script that will culminate in the motion picture, that is your life. You are the writer of your own story and you are only limited by your own desire and imagination as to how it will unfold.
So tonight, as we begin to write the ending of this, the 16th Annual Southern Comfort Conference, what I am going to say to you, and what I am going to ask of you, is something that comes from the heart and resonates deeply within every fiber of my being.
I understand that my words are mine alone and some of what I will say, you may agree with and some things you may not agree with. This is good. We need not be a homogenous group of automatons. We need to be dynamic and unique individuals with the spirit and passion required to change the world. Don’t just live through what will become history, make history. Dare to be remarkable.
When it comes to writing the story of your own lives, please, I implore you, do not be afraid. I too, can see where we are going, because we do stand upon the shoulders of giants – of all those brave men and women who have come before us and written the prelude to our future. You have read some of their stories and seen their images presented throughout the hallways of this conference. Their message is clear: There is no shame in being who you are. Being a transgendered individual is a blessing and not a curse. Do not allow yourself to be classified as an outcast of society. Do not devalue your worth as a human being. And most important of all, do not give in - to the victim mentality. Be prepared to stand up for who you are and to fight for your right to exist. Nothing in this world worth having is easy, that is what makes it worth having.
There is no right or wrong way to be a man or a woman. There are no established rules as to how to transition. Each and every one of you is an ambassador to the world. Each and every one of you represents in your own unique way who and what a transgendered person is. And you need not attempt to be anything other than yourself. Do whatever it is you need to do, but do so with dignity and self-respect. And remember, you must also respect others. It is well within their right not to accept who and what you are. You cannot legislate acceptance, but you can help to educate and enlighten the masses.
We have the privilege and good fortune to live in an age where medical technology exists allowing people to transgress the biological boundaries of their own gender. We can change, alter and redefine our own physical being. This is truly remarkable. However, with all the advantages we have over generations before us, this great power is something that should not be taken for granted or abused. In an age of plastic surgery, it is all too easy to get caught up in the endless pursuit of physical perfection. Don’t forget, it is our imperfections that make us all uniquely beautiful. For you see, the science behind transition is the easy part. You must first transition the soul.
Let’s talk just a moment about that word; transition. It a word so often used within the transgender dialect, and yet it is so misunderstood. Whatever your path in life, please remember, transition is simply where you are, not where you have to be. It is a journey of self-discovery and not a finite destination. No matter what you do, if this is your first Southern Comfort Conference and you are trying to understand more about who you are, you are transitioning. If you are opening up to your loved ones and family, you are transitioning. If you are preparing for surgery or taking hormones to change your physical body, you are transitioning. And dare I say; even long after GRS you will still be transitioning. For you see, transition, just like life, is a journey and not a destination.
As you embrace yourself and who you are, as you embrace these times, the times of your lives, make no mistake, you will encounter hardships. You will encounter adversity. You will encounter ignorance. You will encounter doubt. You will encounter loss. After all, this is life. But you will also find you will encounter kindness. You will encounter compassion. You will encounter a sense of self. You will encounter freedom and truth. You will encounter love.
And as far as myself and my own unique story, as I too continue to write my own script, I want to share something with you that I found along my own journey that gave me great strength and comfort in my deepest moments of darkness. There is a saying by writer Kobi Yamada that I believe was uniquely crafted for people like us. The saying goes: “Sometimes you have to take the leap, and build you wings on the way down…â€
I would like to add something to this statement. Should you decide to take that leap, whatever it is you define that leap to be, remember, you are not alone, just look around you. And as you build those wings on the way down, don’t ever forget, you can indeed fly. Thank you all very, very much for this tremendous honor being your Southern Comfort Conference Chairwoman for 2006.