Midsummer growth and gratitude

I have lots of room for growth.

This is a mantra I have been working with recently. It fits so well with being in an ally role, which is what I am as a Rainbow Sparkle, in my service through the mxgender circles CAYA offers (Rainbow Moon Circles and Divine Spiraling Rainbow Tribe sabbats). I am a cis woman, and am navigating my way in serving the non-binary pagan community in a respectful and supportive way.

One key for me is grooving out to the harmony part in the song the Priestxs co-create for each public ritual I help offer (metaphorically speaking). Not needing to be in the spotlight to know that I’m doing essential and valued work. Really relishing being a pillar of support. I think of my harmony part as similar to when I was Second Alto in a college choir: I never had the melody, but always had these rich tones to carry that added to the complexity and beauty of the music. Plus I got to listen to the melody without being engaged in creating it myself, which let me revel in hearing that part (metaphorically: receiving that wisdom). Many people are forced into the position of second (or fifth!) fiddle, so I know choosing it actively is a privilege. And I am SO grateful to have that choice, and to learn about the community I serve, and about myself, by singing harmony.

Because one thing I have learned so far: I have lots of room for growth.

I think of myself as socially liberal, as knowledgeable about and respectful of individuals’ chosen identities, as kind and curious. And I am those things. But that doesn’t mean I already know all the gender identities that exist (partly because there are an infinite number!), or that I didn’t learn a few new things about myself by reading The Gender Book (by Mel Reiff Hill and Jay Mays, and Co.) (and also, it’s gorgeously done, if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet!). And it didn’t mean I already understood the three-axis distinction between sex and gender and sexuality until after I’d completed a BA in Sociology. And it certainly doesn’t mean I know anything about a person’s gender identity until I ask, or have been informed!

So maybe particularly if you’re cis-gendered (or know an ally who is!), and not used to thinking about gender variance in all its rainbow glory, consider whether you know your 3D identity (or maybe it’s 5D?!?) as accurately, at least in the moment, as I’ve come to know my own:

Sex (based on anatomy/physical traits): female

Gender (based on personal perception/experience): woman

Sexuality (based on who I find attractive): pansexual

There are so many intersecting aspects of identity that you might easily be a hyperspatial, multidimensional being! But at least for me, it’s been enough of a learning curve just to get those three accurate. ;)

And still: I have lots [more] room for growth.

Blessed Midsummer!

And blessed be your journey of self-discovery!

- Shell

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Merry Meetups and Mxgender Mixers

Before taking my first formal steps onto this Pagan Priestx path, my non-binary/mxgender/metagender/queer gender identity was very private and personal, and mostly unknown and unrecognized by the people in my life. Because I have the privileges accorded to people who navigate the world perceived as cisgender (along with many other privileges), I have rarely experienced any form of persecution or oppression based on my transgressive gender identity. Because I have struggled with self-esteem issues my whole life (partly due to a sense of not having earned any of my privileges), I never challenged anyones presumptions about my gender. Because I wanted to feel a sense of belonging in a community, I entered "women only" spaces that excluded many of my Trans sisters. I felt entirely entitled, because I had never been challenged.

Being ordained in CAYA Coven's pangender Wildflower Tradition finally confronted me with that challenge.

The name of our coven is Come As You Are, and our clergy serve as public Priest/ess/xes. In other words, we stand up and speak out and serve our community and the world from a place of relentless authenticity. Anyone who cannot bear the discomfort this brings tends to drop out quickly. It takes Perfect Love and Perfect Trust to move through the fears, and to be accountable for the commitments we've made. It takes a daily practice of devotion to the Divine. The rewards of joyful service are rich and abundant, and earned through the simple practice of continuing to show up and do the work. The delight is from the "we get to do this!" revelations when we realize how possible it is to make our dreams and wishes come true.

So I assumed the mantel of the Priest/ess/xhood. I began to stand up and speak out and serve the needs of my community of Pagans who do not identify as cisgender men or women. I came out as a Trans person, as non-binary, as someone with pronouns that are very unfamiliar to most people. It is my daily resistance to correcting people about my pronouns—and the feelings of shame and failure that torment me when I fail to stand up and speak out and serve joyfully— that has begun to give me the slightest tiniest clue as to what most of my Trans brothers, sisters and siblings experience so relentlessly. It sometimes looks very alluring to just give up and return to my cozy place of privilege. I could do it in a heartbeat. Who would even notice?


Yes, of course, I would notice. I can never forget what I have learned in this short time of public service. I would spend the rest of my life with the ache of this knowledge. The ache so many countless closeted people have suffered. A few folks in the Pagan community might notice—the friends I've made the past couple of years at PCon and through the Rainbow Moon Circles. The ones who work so hard for gender diversity. My deities would notice, especially those glorious Trans deities of the Tetrad++, who have inspired and sustained me with such All-encompassing Love and Acceptance.

Yet the most poignant realization for me is that my covenmates would notice. And they'd care— without derision or condemnation. I would be so instantly held in a circle of loving, supportive concern. These kind people of various genders—though mainly cisgender and binary-oriented women and men—who have so respectfully acknowledged my truest self with the most exemplary use of correct pronouns, who have attended Rainbow Moon Circles to support our fledgling efforts, who help us amplify the words and actions of the sprouting Divine Spiraling Rainbow Tribe. My dear, sweet, fierce, geeky, profoundly wise and relentlessly(!) loving covenmates. This love infuses me with the courage to perservere, even when I feel exhausted and futile. I found "the sense of belonging in a community" I had craved and sought so long ago, and I can be here, As I Am.


And thus revved and sparkling with this joy, I continue to explore ways to create and nurture spaces that extend the Perfect Love and Perfect Trust that I have found. There are the Rainbow Moon Circles, indeed (I hope to see folks at The Fury Moon on Saturday), and I have just submitted a proposal to PCon to offer a Rainbow Moon Circle next year (!!!), yet my desire to connect with Pagans of deliciously diverse genders is not assuaged,

and so I have established a Meetup group:
Trans, Non-Binary and Mxgender Pagans—Bay Area & Beyond!

I invite you to check out this Meetup and if you are in the SF Bay Area, I hope you will sign on as a Beautiful Creature, and suggest some wonderful encounters for us to enjoy one another's company. I am thinking of such possibilities as meeting for pie and ice cream before heading over to Qulture Collective for their monthly first Friday Reel Queer movie night, field trips to lovely places in nature, spell-crafting parties, meetings to plan fundraisers for TransLifeline, and anything else that catches our fancy.

When I began composing this post, I thought I was simply going to share about the Meetups. With gratitude, I acknowledge all of the support that even brought me to this moment in the Eternal Now.

xoxox Baba Bee

What is Trans*? What is Pagan?

 A memo that started out as a short message to the other members of Beyond the Binary became an unfolding exploration I'd like to share with you all.

This week has given me much food for thought in the realm of our studies and service in Beyond the Binary—from the PACO panel discussions on POC, gender and the intersections of identities, to the Rainbow Moon (a seedling CAYA group) Circle's brainswarm on Monday to spending all of yesterday in the company of P. Sufenas Virius Lupus (birther of the Tetrad++ group of gender-variant deities)! WOW.

What is becoming clear to me is that it is important to acknowledge that many gender identities (if not most, if not all) are inherent, and deserve to be recognized as primary and central to each individual's experience— rather than in their relation to the binary, cisgendered cultural "norm." In that context, using the word Trans* no longer feels correct as the term to use in my events listing, or in my description of whom I serve. Trans* is included, yet still not the central focus, nor the umbrella term that works for me. Many people who identify as Trans* also identify as binary, besides. There are ritual spaces for women or men. This is not where I serve.

I have been questioning the usefulness of my Trans*/Pagan events listing for a few months now, wondering if it is necessary to include every all-gender event that is Pagan, or focus only on events that address variant-gender inclusiveness, though many are binary-oriented. Are Buddhist sanghas, yoga classes, healing clinics and workshops that focus on or include the needs of Trans* people appropriate to list on a Pagan events announcement?

What is Pagan? What is Trans?* That could be (and will be) the title of the blog post this is clearly becoming. (Though I won't be opening the can of worms called "Pagan" at this time. It's about as useful as "Trans*" is to me these days.)

Frankly, I included all of those aforementioned options because I haven't found very many events that could be considered Trans* AND Pagan. If my service as a public Priest/ess is to minister to the needs of nature-based spiritual practitioners who do not identify with the gender binary, then WTF do I call it? C'mon, Hermes, give me the language!

The intersection of personal identities within an individual is difficult— perhaps impossible— to sort out into neat sections. The phrase that seemed to resonate with brilliant intensity this week was "Gender is a holographic experience. Identity is a holographic experience."

While I sort this all out, my events listing will go on hiatus. Is it transitioning to a new identity or simply recognizing what it was all along?

My Gender Sermon of the Moment

 I have recently had several interactions with a friend of mine who is currently offering generally wise and well-informed counseling to the public on matters of sex and relationships. After a few incidents in which I felt that her gender education wasn't up to speed, I sent this email. This seems like a fine introduction to my personal gender story, which is one of the subjects the Priest/esses of Beyond the Binary would like to share with the public. May it be received with the love and compassion with which it was composed.

I hope this missive finds you well and fine.

I have been wanting to touch in with you about something that hasn't settled well with me. I haven't spoken up before because I felt too upset to communicate clearly and compassionately, and, well, you know we discussed the difficulties in working against the conditioning not to speak up for oneself.

Lately, for me, it has been an interesting process of "coming out" as a gender variant individual. It has been a private affair for me, and one that has felt too unclear to share with others, similar to what I have heard shared by my friends of variant sexualities. I never had an issue with identifying my sexuality as "queer", though most people presume I am heterosexual (and my sig others tend to be straight white men). I have found it to be much more challenging to correct others when they presume I am a cisgendered woman.

It has been easy for me to pass as a woman because of my feminine gender expression, however I often feel more like a drag queen. I like being a drag queen. No one questions me when I use the women's room, (Try using the men's room in the city to get an idea of what it's like to be gender variant) I have been welcome in women's spaces (though with increasing discomfort for me. I wrote a blog post about it here: http://paradoxmysteryandawe.blogspot.com/2013/07/womens-rituals.html ), and no one (friends, family, strangers) feels entitled to ask me, "So what ARE you? A boy or a girl?" as they do many other gender outlaws.

This is important for me to share with you; a person who is offering counseling services to the public on matters of sex and relationships. Gender is a highly-charged topic these days, as it comes out of the cisgendered binary cage it has smothered in for so long.

We have spoken on this subject for three weeks in a row now. The first time, I told you I had a book to give you on the subject, and all was well. The second week, I paid for your counseling services, and in a moment of enthusiasm, you spoke very dismissively about "that gender stuff" as you literally waved your hands as if shooing it away, presuming you were talking to a cisgendered woman. I was in a bit of shock and found myself speechless. The next week, I brought you The Gender Book, hoping it would help you understand the vastness and beautiful nuances of this topic. Again, you said something dismissive about gender and again you waved your hand as if it were a fly in your face. It was then I came out to you as a person who does not identify within the gender binary. Though I sensed some mild resistance at first, you quickly began to adapt this new information to your understanding of gender. Right on!

When you complained of men being dismissive to women's issues, such as rape and sexual predation, you were expressing your own gender awareness and experience. Please consider showing other genders the care and support you want men to show women.

I found the topic of gender to be a serious area of insensitivity in your otherwise considerate and informed services. I have great confidence that you will inform yourself further on this subject, as every person you meet has a gender identity, whether they have explored this and defined it for themselves yet, whether it is static or fluid, whether it is cisgender or agender or the many countless and multiplying identities that people are claiming and reclaiming for themselves.

I am here for you if you have any questions, wish to discuss this further, want some recommendations on resources. There's a lot out there on this evolving issue, and I am grateful to be of service.

With love and respect, Jaina Bee

Trans*/Pagan Events for April 2014

A periodical events round-up focusing on that which may be of interest to people who identify as Trans* and Pagan, radiating from a central point in the San Francisco Bay Area and extending Worldwide. Maintained by Jaina Bee, a Priest/ess of CAYA Coven, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth.

http://www.cayacoven.org/

http://cayacovenbeyondthebinary.blogspot.com/

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A Petition to Legally Recognize Non-Binary Genders

Signatures due by Sunday, April 20, 2014

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/legally-recognize-non-binary-genders/j5KvDVvh

Free!

Legal documents in the United States only recognize "male" and "female" as genders, leaving anyone who does not identify as one of these two genders with no option. Australia and New Zealand both allow an X in place of an M or an F on passports for this purpose and the UK recognizes 'Mx' (pronounced as Mix or sometimes Mux) as a gender-neutral title.

This petition asks the Obama Administration to legally recognize genders outside of the male-female binary (such as agender, pangender, genderfluid, and others) and provide an option for these genders on all legal documents and records.

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The 36^th Annual St. Stupid’s Day Parade

Tuesday, April First, noon

Meet at Embarcadero Plaza, foot of Market St.

FREE!

The St. Stupid’s Day Parade will strut its stuff yet again to honor Saint Stupid, the patron Saint of Civilizations and Parking meters. This year’s parade will be of the sidewalk variety, thru the financial district, (the weekend version is thru North Beach). This DIY parade will stop at the traditional Stations of Stupid; the Federal Reserve HQ for the dead lottery ticket toss, the old Stock Exchange building for the 'Sock Exchange', the plaza of the bare-butt mechanics for the 'Leap of Faith', the Bankers Heart sculpture for the penny offering and the traditional Free Lunch. This FREE event is open to the public to participate. Odd costumes, absurd signage, noise makers and a willfully irreverent attitude to the business of religion and the religion of business are encouraged.

Sponsored by the First Church of the Last Laugh, the world's largest church, this yearly San Francisco Rite of Spring event updates the ancient European Feast of Fools and provides photographic fodder for those who think they know what a weird city we are. Fun for the whole family.

RAIN or SHINE… and if it snows, wear a snow tire

Contact: Ed Holmes (Bishop Joey) 510 841 1898 bishopj@saintstupid.com

www.saintstupid.com

http://www.saintstupid.com/event.html#newz

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Transmagic at LYRIC
Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 4-5pm (a weekly event)
Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center, 127 Collingwood St, San Francisco, CA
FREE: Contact: Charles Stevens, 415.703.6150 x18 charles@lyric.org

Transmagic is a LYRIC Community Building Group celebrating young trans* and gender-variant youth (24 and under) and their allies.

LYRIC’s programs are open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and allies (24 and younger). If you are a youth and would like to become involved in any of our programs, the first step is to schedule a New Participant Orientation. Call (415.703.6150 x10), or email (lyricinfo@lyric.org) LYRIC to schedule an orientation. Orientations are typically held Monday-Friday, 2:00-3:30pm.

http://lyric.org/

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Transnatural with Kara Sigler

Tuesday, April 8, 6:00-8:00PM

Homestead Apothecary, 486 49th Street, #C, Oakland, 510-495-6549

$35

For myriad reasons, there is not enough information or health resources available for trans people. With this class we begin to bridge the gap of accessibility and inequality, offer suggestions for self-care and navigating the medical system. We will discuss ways to support the trans body and spirit with herbs, explore hormone maintenance with natural remedies, and talk about ways to mitigate the side effects of synthetic hormones. Time permitting, we will also discuss herbal support for surgery. All bodies welcome!

http://www.homesteadapothecary.com/Happenings

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/transnatural-with-kara-sigler-tickets-10728054901

http://www.sfherbalist.com/about

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The Queer Ancestors Project: An Exhibition of Prints by Queer Artists Age 18 to 26
Thursday, April 10, 2014, 6-7 Panel Discussion, 7-9 Artist Reception & Print Sale
The LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, SF

FREE!

The Queer Ancestors Project is devoted to forging sturdy relationships between LGBTQI people and our ancestors.  Using history as a linchpin, we build community by providing young Queer adults (age 18 to 26) free interdisciplinary workshops in printmaking and Queer history.  Public exhibitions and readings of their work provide a window on the past through which the large community can glimpse our collective future.

Honoring Shape-Shifters and Shamans, Rioters & Revolutionaries, Sailors and Songbirds, Immigrants & Refugees, Blessings and Blasphemies, Bondage & Freedom

Artists: Corey Brown, Joan Chen, Jared Clifton, Amman Desai, Paula Graciela Kahn, Amirah Mizrahi, Courtney Stock & Terry Xiao, with artistic director Katie Gilmartin

Exhibition April 6th through May 16th

For more information: queerancestorsproject.org

Facebook Event: http://tinyurl.com/queerancestors2014

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LYRIC’s 25th Anniversary Open House

Thursday, April 17th, 2014. 5:30-7:30pm

The Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center; 127 Collingwood St, SF

FREE!

Join us for an evening of food, community, and memories. Come walk through LYRIC’s history with a retrospective organized by our Youth Interns.

LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.

LYRIC’s vision is a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that honors, respects and appreciates LGBTQQ youth and their contributions.

Email openhouse@lyric.org to RSVP.

http://lyric.org/openhouse/

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Just Around the Bend— save the date and register for these exciting events

Sex Magick 169: Transcending the Boundaries of Intimacy

A Faerie Sex Magick Workshop for gay cis- and transmen

May 31-June 7

Dos Rios, CA (more details upon registration)

$550-850 (€500-750) for the entire 7 days.

Price includes meals and accommodation — tent camping. There may be some indoor spaces for those with special needs or for colder weather workshops.

Consider these questions…

How can I extend the limits of my intimacy with my Faerie/Billy brothers?

Does sex constrain or expand my relationships with men?

How can I integrate sexual play into my intimate relationships?

Does recreational sex diminish my capacity for intimacy in a committed relationship?

How does the prevailing society’s prudishness dampen and undermine the intimacy in my relationships?

How does my sexuality and my spirituality inter-relate?

Are my sexual and my spiritual aspects one in the same?

We welcome your questions and discussion of any possible concerns you might have. In order to participate we ask you to contact one of the facilitators.

FAQ: http://faeriesexmagick.org/SM2003Q.html

More info and registration: http://faeriesexmagick.org/index.html

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California Witchcamp 2014

Sunday June 29th-through Sunday July 6th 2014
Northern California, Mendocino Woodlands

Cost: April 1st through May 31st, the price is $620 to $720 sliding scale, your envelope must be postmarked no later than May 31st, and payment in full postmarked no later than June 1st 2014
June 1st until camp begins, the price is $680 to $740 sliding scale. After June 1st any registration payments must be made in full, you can register anytime up until camp starts as long as we still have room. 

This is an extraordinary event for extraordinary people.

Share in a week of Reclaiming style, earth based spirituality and magic. Come and study magic and ritual in a week long Intensive. Witchcamp is offered to all genders at all levels of experience. Newcomers can learn the basic skills of magic and ritual, working with the elements, movement, sound and the mythological and historical framework of the Goddess Tradition.

Advanced classes offer the chance to apply the tools of ritual to personal healing and empowerment, or a focus on taking the Craft out into the world, creating public ritual, ongoing groups, and healing issues surrounding leadership and power. This event is a deeply moving, life changing week and a constant experiment in temporary village life. We will also look at ways of bringing this work and inspiration into our everyday lives, creating powerful, joyful times. 

We welcome people of all genders, gender histories, and orientations, and we encourage you to feel safe to explore the fluidity of your identity, if you so choose. 

This year Witchcamp will be held at the Mendocino Woodlands, located just far enough outside the town of Mendocino to avoid coastal fog. The camp is set among a mature Redwood/Douglas Fir forest, creating a beautiful, peaceful setting. The cabins are rustic, but pretty. Camping is also an option. A small river runs through the camp, and is the home of steelhead trout. To request a brochure, please send us an email at:   info@californiawitchcamp.org with your mailing address.

http://www.californiawitchcamp.org/register.html

Check here for Reclaiming Witchcamps worldwide: http://www.witchcamp.org/index.php?id=42&section=witchcamps

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Trans*/Pagan Events March 2014

A periodical events round-up focusing on that which may be of interest to people who identify as Trans* and Pagan, radiating from a central point in the San Francisco Bay Area and extending Worldwide. Maintained by Jaina Bee, a Priest/ess of CAYA Coven, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth.

http://www.cayacoven.org/

http://cayacovenbeyondthebinary.blogspot.com/

I'm dedicating this first events post to Kate Bornstein, who celebrates her 66th birthday today! Blessings to Kate and her family, with sparkling heaps of gratitude for all love and light she has brought into the world.

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Transmagic at Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center
Tuesday, March 18, 4-5pm (recurring weekly)
LYRIC, 127 Collingwood St, San Francisco, CA
FREE
Contact: Charles Stevens, 415.703.6150 x18 charles@lyric.org

Transmagic is a LYRIC Community Building Group celebrating young trans* and gender-variant youth (24 and under) and their allies.

LYRIC’s programs are open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and allies (24 and younger). If you are a youth and would like to become involved in any of our programs, the first step is to schedule a New Participant Orientation. Call (415.703.6150 x10), or email (lyricinfo@lyric.org) LYRIC to schedule an orientation. Orientations are typically held Monday-Friday, 2:00-3:30pm.

LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.

LYRIC’s vision is a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that honors, respects and appreciates LGBTQQ youth and their contributions.

http://lyric.org/

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InsideStoryTime: Physician Heal Thyself

Tuesday, March 18, 7:30-9:30pm

La Movida Wine Bar & Community Kitchen, 3066 24th St., San Francisco

Free!

 

This "monthly reading series with a twist" features a different theme each time. This month's bill will feature practitioner of narrative medicine Louise Aronson (A History of the Present Illness), immortality-seeking volcano boarder Zoltan Istvan (The Transhumanist Wager), shattered poet Jen Siraganian (Fracture), transgendered iron worker and comedienne Morgan (Morgan's Funny), and seeker after truth Dorinda Vassigh (contributor to The Day My Nipple Fell Off anthology). MCd by James Warner (All Her Father's Guns).

 

http://www.insidestorytime.com/

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Ain’t I A Woman? My Journey to Womanhood with Laverne Cox
Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 7:00pm

Nourse Theatre, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA

$25/$35/$50
$75 ticket price includes reception with the artist
Buy Tickets

Laverne Cox explores how the intersections of race, class, and gender uniquely affect the lives of trans women of color. Laverne draws from her own personal story and how issues of race, class, and gender affect how she has been able to navigate the world. From growing up in Mobile, Alabama, raised by a single mother in a Christian family, to attending college in New York City to pursue a career as an actress, to finally finding the courage to step into the womanhood she always knew at heart was her destiny, Cox tells the story of the unique challenges along her journey to womanhood, professional achievement, self-acceptance, and love.

Cox is the first African-American trans woman to produce and star in her own television show, VH1′s critically acclaimed TRANSForm Me. TRANSform Me was nominated for a GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2011 and was the first television show to star three transsexual women. Cox made television history when she became the first African-American trans woman to appear on a reality television program, VH1′s I Wanna Work for Diddy in 2008. She accepted the GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program for I Want to Work for Diddy in 2009.

Cox was named as one of the most influential trans people in America in the inaugural Trans 100 in 2013. She was named one of the top 50 trans icons by the Huffington Post in 2012. Laverne was named one of Out magazine’s “Out 100″ in 2010. Metro Source magazine named her one of the “55 People We Love” in 2008.

https://lyon-martin.org/event/aint-i-a-woman-my-journey-to-womanhood-with-laverne-cox/ 

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Reclaiming Spring Equinox Ritual—San Francisco

Saturday, March 22, 1pm

Magic Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

Free; donations gratefully accepted

Intention: As we ply the Fool's craft, we work a spell for Justice

Join us as the Wheel of the Year turns toward the sunshine. Rain or shine, it will be a beautiful day in Golden Gate Park. 

This ritual especially involves young people, and includes an egg-hunt for kids afterwards. Please bring food or non-alcohol drinks to share at post-ritual feast. Flowers and musical instruments are also welcome.

Wheelchair access via paved path from parking lot. Field itself can be swampy after heavy rain. 

Transit: BART to Civic Center, transfer to Muni N-Judah train. Take train to Judah and 40th, walk two blocks to park, enter at 41st Ave. Walk two short blocks into park, enter parking lot on right, look for Pagans and/or signs. We're usually straight ahead in the big meadow. (Drivers - enter at 41st and Lincoln, park in lot.)

Contact sfrpc@yahoogroups.com

http://reclaiming.org/ 

find a Reclaiming community near you: http://reclaiming.org/worldwide/index.html#Anchor-Reclaimin-64672

 

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Equinox of Joyful Vows with CAYA Coven

Saturday, March 22, 7pm

The Home of Truth, 1300 Grand St, Alamenda, CA

$10-20 donation requested, no one turned away for lack of funds.

Come As You Are Coven, is an open, eclectic, drop-in coven providing community rituals in the San Francisco Bay area. Perhaps you are a curious seeker, perhaps an experienced practitioner. If you wish to contribute your own unique, authentic, and benevolent beliefs to a community that is accepting, empowering, diplomatic, ethical and fair, then Come As You Are and be welcome. 

 http://cayacoven.org/

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Reclaiming Spring Equinox Ritual—North Bay
Sunday 23 March, doors at 3:30pm, ritual at 4pm
Ragle Ranch Regional Park, Lions Grove Picnic Area, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol, CA
Suggested donation is $30-$10 but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Funds to help support North Bay Reclaiming events. 

Join us for the North Bay Reclaiming Ostara/Spring Equinox Ritual. As the wheel turns, we come as the children of Spring to dance with the Fae.

Intention: The Rabbits say rejoice with the Spring and tend to the Earth.
Celebrate with us welcoming Rabbit and Springtime with songs, spirals and an Egg Hunt. So much fun for children of all ages! Please bring a basket to collect eggs in.

For more information, email NorthBayReclaiming@yahoo.com or call 707-484-7786.

Website: www.northbayreclaiming.org
find a Reclaiming community near you: http://reclaiming.org/worldwide/index.html#Anchor-Reclaimin-64672 
 

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Erotic Reading Circle

Wednesday, March 26, 7:30pm – 9:30pm (recurring every 4th Wednesday)

Center for Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco (map)

$5 suggested donation

Come share new or old work with us! We listen non-judgmentally and share our responses with any writer/reader who feels s/he/ze can benefit from peers' feedback. And it's great practice if you've been thinking about doing any public readings. We welcome writers of any experience level and every orientation. A Best of the Bay award-winning event!

Facilitated by Jen Cross (of Writing Ourselves Whole) and Carol Queen 

http://www.sexandculture.org/ 

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Every Direction LIVE!
Thursday, March 27, doors at 9pm
El Rio, 3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Cover $5-20 sliding scale, to benefit Lyon-Martin Health Services

Every Direction is an Oakland-based queer boi band/drag group covering One Direction. Featured with the Rebel Kings and making their San Francisco debut, these bois will surely steal your heart, bringing something upbeat, silly, somewhat wholesome, and just ridiculously cute to the queer community.
Check out their most recent video!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hsAMgAofAw
>>> DANCING with DJ DasGigler!
>>> One Direction TRIVIA
>>> Raffle PRIZES
>>> FREE CHAIR MESSAGES by dana schnittman! (http://www.danaschnittman.com/)
>>> and more to come!
 
Bring your friends! Bring your mom!

Lyon-Martin Health Services provides excellent health care to women, lesbians and transgender people in a safe and compassionate environment, with sensitivity to sexual orientation and gender identity; all services are regardless of ability to pay. Find out more at http://lyon-martin.org/!!

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Writers With Drinks

Saturday, March 29, 7-9pm, doors open at 6pm

At the Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA

Cost: $10 to $20, no-one turned away
All proceeds benefit the Transgender Law Center and the Center for Sex and Culture

Writers With Drinks combines erotica with literature, stand-up comedy with science fiction and poetry with essays. Plus mystery, romance, memoir, rants and "other."

Janet Mock (Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More)
Ayelet Waldman (Love and Treasure)
Annalee Newitz (Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How to Survive a Mass Extinction)
Marga Gomez (Love Birds)
Marie Brennan (A Natural History of Dragons)

http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/

http://transgenderlawcenter.org/

http://www.sexandculture.org/

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Lake Merritt Pagans

Sunday, March 30, 5:30pm

The Sacred Well,  536 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA

Free

A group for Pagans of all stripes who live near Lake Merritt to socialize and touch base about life on the lake in all its aspects, practical and spiritual. Activities may include: full moon lake walks, altar building, and other ideas you bring!

http://www.sacredwell.com/classes-events

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Transgender Day of Visibility: A Celebration of Trans* Lives

Monday, March 31, 5-8pm

SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St, Rainbow Room, San Francisco, CA

FREE: RSVP to attend – you won’t want to miss this!

The Bay Area TDoV 2014 is a trans* community event to celebrate our accomplishments and inspire future change.  The evening will include empowering and uplifting presentations from community leaders, LYRIC, Larkin Street Youth, the Center’s Trans Employment Program (TEEI), and the Transgender Law Center.

We deserve to throw ourselves a party!* Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres and Beverages will be offered, and our special guest DJ Alexndr will spin a set to transform the Rainbow Room into our own private dance hall!

* TDoV is a substance-free and family friendly event.

History of TDoV:

The International TDoV is an annual holiday dedicated to celebrating transgender/ gender non-conforming people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. The holiday was founded by Rachel Crandall in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBT holidays celebrating transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered holiday is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourns the loss of trans* people to hate crimes, but does not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community.

Events surrounding the day include protests, actions, sit-ins, poetry events, social events and a variety of other activities that emphasize the importance of trans* visibility is in our communities locally and abroad. TDoV exists to build community, celebrate what we have accomplished, and inspire future change. 

Thank you for supporting your local TDoV celebration! #TDoV

https://lyon-martin.org/event/transgender-day-of-visibility-2014/

http://www.sfcenter.org/

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Pencil it in, register, get ready!!!

Sex Magick 169: Transcending the Boundaries of Intimacy

A Faerie Sex Magick Workshop for gay cis- and transmen

May 31-June 7

Dos Rios, CA (more details upon registration)

$550-850 (€500-750) for the entire 7 days.

Price includes meals and accommodation — tent camping. There may be some indoor spaces for those with special needs or for colder weather workshops.

Consider these questions…

How can I extend the limits of my intimacy with my Faerie/Billy brothers?

Does sex constrain or expand my relationships with men?

How can I integrate sexual play into my intimate relationships?

Does recreational sex diminish my capacity for intimacy in a committed relationship?

How does the prevailing society’s prudishness dampen and undermine the intimacy in my relationships?

How does my sexuality and my spirituality inter-relate?

Are my sexual and my spiritual aspects one in the same?

We welcome your questions and discussion of any possible concerns you might have. In order to participate we ask you to contact one of the facilitators.

FAQ: http://faeriesexmagick.org/SM2003Q.html

More info and registration: http://faeriesexmagick.org/index.html