( end of year book meme )

Tags: books, meme

Thanks to Susie Bright, I recently discovered a fascinating show NPR's Studio 360 did on representations of prostitution in art, film, theater and song.

Last night, as directed, I bought myself a sewing machine (!!) at Joann's as my Christmas present from my mom. (My birthday present was an eyebrow piercing. Sometimes my mom is cool.) Because we're having a minor cold snap here, I had buttoned up my a-line car coat over my bulky scarf.

Me: I'm a knitter, so I'm excited to be able to make garments in just a day or two!
Nice old lady selling sewing machines: Well, looks like you're going to have a baby, so you'll be able to make lots of nice baby things.
Me: .... *strangled, noncommittal mmmmrppf*

As it was less embarrassing to not correct her and just let it slide, I did. She packed up the machine, got the manual, rang me up, and I was about to head up to the front counter to buy the rest of my things, when:

Nice old lady: Hm, we'd better get you a cart.
Me: Oh, is it really heavy? I'm pretty strong.
Nice old lady: No, it's just awkward.

At which point I realized that she meant I could not, of course, hug it to my chest like a normal person, given my alleged delicate condition. Dear reader, I followed a nice old lady to the register while she carried a bulky sewing machine for me. I thanked her. Then I paid for my stuff, stacked it all up in my arms on top of the sewing machine, and carried it across the parking lot.

Note to self: in the future, wear scarf outside the swingy jacket with big buttons.

Thursday - White House tour
Saturday - Solstics potluck
Sunday - Friendsgiving

21st - drive to louisville
26th - return from louisville

27th-31st - mother-in-law visiting

31st - New Year's party @ L.'s

The Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) is currently considering a very regressive change to their policy regarding changing the gender marker on a driver’s license effective January 1, 2010.

The MVA current policy states that to change the gender marker, an applicant must provide a physician or psychologist’s report to confirm that the applicant is in active treatment. The MVA requires annual re-evaluations until the applicant "meets requirements for permanent gender change.” If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order and your current License.

The new policy would require an amended birth certificate. This requires going through the court system. Maryland code states that they will issue a birth certificate reflecting the proper gender only upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of from a court indicating that the sex of an individual born has been changed by surgical procedure and whether such individual's name has been changed. You cannot change the sex on a birth certificate simply by providing proof that you are undergoing medical treatment or procedures for gender reassignment. Other states have stricter requirements, and some don't allow such changes at all. Only five states (Kentucky, Montana, North and South Carolina and Texas) currently require an amended birth certificate to update your driver's license.

Equality Maryland has been working hard along with several of our partners including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project to resolve this matter, but at this point the MVA is prepared to move forward with this very backward and potentially dangerous policy change in the New Year.

TAKE ACTION! Contact Governor O’Malley’s office and ask them to halt the implementation of this short sighted and dangerous policy change. Click here to take action. Please pass this alert along to anyone you know who lives in Maryland. Click here for more information from Equality Maryland.