GIP!

I finally got a decent headshot of Tarma to use as an icon. There are also a bunch more photos up on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moominmuppet/tags/tarma/ (I haven't sorted out the bad ones, or the ones where I look particularly ridiculous in the background -- feel free to point and giggle)

She's continuing to improve on the steps, and whatever caused the intermittent limp for a few hours the other day seems fine since then, which is a relief. She's now coming up the steps on her own almost all the time with little or no added encouragement. She's still freaked by the view from the top of the steps, but if I carry her about 1/3 of the way down, she does fine walking the rest of it. Hopefully we can get her through the last of that fear before Becca finds her summer job -- I don't want anyone but Bec or me trying to carry 60 lbs of nervous dog down a flight of steps.

I've heard some more back from her other shelter in Indiana -- I should get to talk to her foster caretaker this evening, maybe. Apparently she was directly involved in Tarma's initial rescue, and then fostered her for a month, so I should get some good info from her, as well as being able to let her know that Tarma's got a home now (If I were a fosterer, and one of my dogs went to a shelter in another state, I'd want to know that she'd been adopted).

LGBT Living History Timeline

Subject: Living Memory LGBT History Timeline Produced

********* PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY *********

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION: Loree Cook-Daniels, Executive Director Transgender
Aging Network FORGE PO Box 1272 Milwaukee, WI 53201
www.forge-forward.org/conference tan@forge-forward.org

May 22, 2007


The Transgender Aging Network (TAN) of FORGE is pleased to announce the
release of a new teaching tool, "Living Memory LGBT History Timeline,"
available for download at
<http://www.forge-forward.org/handouts/lgbt_elder_timeline.pdf>www.forge-for
ward.org/handouts/LGBT_elder_timeline.pdf
[note: make sure you copy both lines of the url]

Lesbian, gay male, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders may approach
"mainstream" aging, health, and other public and private services
differently than their heterosexual and/or gender-normative peers. Every
person is shaped in part by the major public events that happen during their
lifetime, whether these events are tragedies like 9/11 or struggles and
triumphs like the Civil Rights Movement or passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Although each individual will draw different conclusions
and make different life choices in reaction to such public events, knowing
what was reported in the media and discussed at dinner during a person's
lifetime may help others understand how that individual's worldview was
shaped.

To offer those who work with, live with, or love LGBT elders insight into
their concerns, lifestyles, and belief sets, the Transgender Aging Network
(TAN) has constructed the "Living Memory LGBT History Timeline." Divided by
decade (starting with the 1920s), the timeline cross-references how old
those who are currently ages 50 to 100 would have been when critical LGBT
events or changes took place.

"Not all of us know our history well," said TAN Executive Director Loree
Cook-Daniels, "And even those of us who do can forget just how much change
can take place during a lifetime. We can also forget how often advances are
accompanied by setbacks, and the level of fear and uncertainty this can
cause people who are old enough to remember losing rights that had
previously seemed secure. We believe this new timeline can be an effective
tool to increase the cultural competency of everyone who works with elders
and who therefore may be working with LGBT people."

The timeline may be copied and distributed in its entirety if it is used
solely for educational purposes. All other potential users should contact
<mailto:tan@forge-forward.org>tan@forge-forward.org to discuss reprint
permission.

* * * * * *
FORGE was founded in 1994 to support, educate and advocate for the rights
and lives of female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals and SOFFAs
(Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies). FORGE is dedicated to
helping move our fragmented communities beyond identity politics and forge a
movement that embraces and empowers our diverse complexities.

For more information on FORGE, see our website at
<http://www.forge-forward.org/>www.forge-forward.org.