My activist manifesto

Crossing the T

Life at the intersection of Church and Trans with Rev. Allyson Robinson

My activist manifesto

July 13, 2008 at 6:10 pm · Filed under Activism, Advocacy, Ethics

My activism is patient. It is kind. It is not jealous; it is not arrogant and never blusters or boasts.

My activism never acts dishonorably or unbecomingly. It is not self-serving. It refuses to allow itself to be provoked. It is not vengeful and does not take into account a wrong suffered.

My activism does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.

My activism bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. This is my activism.

If my activism speaks with power, wit, and sophistication, but lacks any of these aforementioned qualities, it becomes merely noise.

If my activism is full of depth and insight, and if it persists beyond all human endurance, but lacks these qualities, it is barren and destitute.

If my activism prompts me give up everything I own that is of earthly value–even to the point of giving my very life–but lacks these qualities, it merits nothing.

This activism–my activism–never fails.

(Thanks to the Apostle Paul.)

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8 Comments»

Katie Starlets wrote @ July 17, 2008 at 12:49 pm

And you make it look good doing it!

XO, Katie

Chris wrote @ July 17, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Praying for you to be surrounded by activists who share your values!

MauraHennessey wrote @ July 20, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Reverend;
I want to take the opportunity to wish you the very best as you begin yet another role in your activism at HRC.

From a Lesbian Activist to you as a Trans-Activist: “Keep ’em honest, girl!”

Maura

Pamela Jones wrote @ July 20, 2008 at 10:21 pm

If only more of us adhered to your form of activism, imagine what we could accomplish. The chasm between the LGBTcommunity and what they perceive as the church has become increasingly wide. A secular support group can hep a person in this lifetime. Accepting a risen savior will save us for eternity.
Indeed, your form of activism will never fail. Thank you for a wonderful blog.
Pamela Jones

Cyndi Richards wrote @ July 22, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Hi Allyson,

It was a pleasure to meet you here in my fair city this past Saturday.

From our all-too-brief conversation, I get the impression that you are a intelligent and compassionate human being, albeit still a bit unaware of the often grim and perilous twists and turns that we must traverse on this incredible journey of transgenderism.

I look forward to having more in-depth conversation with you privately, but in the meantime, I would like to respectfully offer some commentary (this IS the “comments” section, right?) on your “activist manifesto” (with apologies to the apostle Paul).

“It is not vengeful and does not take into account a wrong suffered.”

My observation is that it is indeed blessed to forgive, but it is undeniably foolhardy to forget those who have done you wrong.

Keep in mind that the clinical definition of insanity is to do repeat the same actions and expect different results.

To remember who one’s opponents are is far from being “vengeful”, and in fact, allows one to avoid known treachery and continue to “fight the good fight”, unencumbered by the forces of darkness that one has already encountered along the way.

“My activism does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.”

I would concur with this statement 100%. To that point, it would serve you (and by default, the collective trans-community) well to have the courage to speak TRUTH to the power that has just hired you.

However, before you speak, do some research into the historically documented actions of those to whom you should address for the sake of context and accuracy, and then wait patiently for the response.

If it rings with predictably patronizing falsehood, then your course should be painfully clear, as it was to Donna Rose.

“If my activism speaks with power, wit, and sophistication, but lacks any of these aforementioned qualities, it becomes merely noise.”

Once again, I concur with a statement so self-evident that it requires NO further commentary.

In closing, I truly do wish you the best of luck, because you are going to need it in your Quixotic endeavor.

Please do feel free to contact me off-list for further discussion.

>>> (all respect, no restraint) Cyndi Richards – chair, Illinois Gender Advocates

Eitan wrote @ August 19, 2008 at 11:53 am

Allyson, I could never express with words what an absolute honor and privilege it is to work within the same walls as you. You remind me of the great Abraham Joshua Heschel quote: “A religious man is a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair.”

Almost too true, when it comes to you. Thank you for your tireless work here at HRC.

Samantha wrote @ October 15, 2008 at 2:50 pm

God bless you child! Now if only MORE activists felt this way. Our community alone has too many people who judge, and measure, and present themselves in ways that only hurt the message and the messenger. It is a great sadness…

While I am not a member of your faith, I have studied it well, and so often people miss the really good stuff. I myself am a Buddhist, though not a perfect one, and have been chased out of places because I’m NOT a pushy, loud, I WANT IT NOW, in your face kind of activist. It has kind of pushed me out of contributing anything all that useful despite having skills and background I think that could help. Foolish me I guess.

Keep up the great work. I’ve only just found your blog, but have heard of you. Blessings sister, blessings all the days of your lives…

Namaste,

Sam

Adrian wrote @ October 18, 2009 at 1:19 am

As a Roman Catholic transman, I wanted to say that words alone can never fully express my undying gratitude for what holy, sacred work you are doing in this blog. It’s literally saving my life to read these entries…..I wish more of the our fellow Christians of all denominations would realize that we, too, are worthy to call Jesus our Lord.

May the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you and within you.

Adrian

P.S: St. Joan of Arc was (and is!) my hero as well as my Patron saint. =D

Crossing the T