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My trip to Washington DC, from April 27 to May 3, was an incredible experience. I attended Transgender Religious Leaders Summit which was held in conjunction with the lobby day sponsored by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
During the religious leaders summit, I led a workshop on the"Development of Welcoming and Affirming Programs in Christian Denominations". I was able to network with Transgender religious leaders from around the USA and Canada.
Just before the Washinton DC summit, a Greeley jury convicted the person who murdered a young Transgender Woman. I was asked to attend a press conference in Washington DC to make statements about the Colorado court proceeding.
I attended the press conference with Lutheran Pastors Jay Wilson and Megan Rohrer, UCC Pastor Malcom Himshoot and seminary student Woody Camacho. I am happy to say that the San Francisco Bay Examiner printed our press release. We spoke about justice and protection of those who are targeted for violence.
We spent one day on Capital Hill lobbying members of Congress to support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). In Senator Udall's office, I met a Legislative Correspondent who happened to be the daughter of the mayor of Lousiville! (Louisville is my hometown) She is an extraordinary young woman who listened intently and took all my documentation with a smile. I received a warm thank-you note from Senator Udall regarding my visit.
I feel it is very important to attend Transgender religious conferences and meetings which are held in conjunction with a secular event. Attending an event and only speak to religious leaders is safe, but reaching out and bringing in those who are lost, that's our mission. 
I did attend service at Luther Place Memorial Church (I love a chuch that has a lifesize statue of Martin Luther). On Sunday, May 2nd, I participated in a discussion at Luther Place with Justin Tanis, from NCTE. We did a presentation about the inclusion of the Transgender comminity in employment and congregations. We spoke about the need to reach out and ensure that employee handbooks and congregation welcoming statements include Gender Identity. One of the topics discussed, at length, concerned bathrooms. When are we going to get past the bathroom issue?
I was able to spend a few days in Washington DC and be a "tourista". I stayed with Phil Soucy and his partner, Gene, in their beautiful house in Arlington. Phil is the Communications Director of LC/NA. Phil is  retired, so he took me all over the DC area. For those of you who are members of LC/NA or Reconciling Lutherans, you will recognize Phil's name. He sends out regular updates about the activties of LC/NA and the groups who support and opposse what we work towards. Thanks Phil for a wonderful tour of Washinton. It is nice to be a mature tourist. We didn't have to be up at the crack of dawn and go till dusk. We took our time and enjoyed and savored the places we visited. I look forward to going back to Washington next year
Luther Place The White House Lutheran Church
Memorial Church and me of the Reformation
 
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