Happy 60th Birthday 'Lufer'

Today would have been the 60th birthday of Luther Ronzoni Vandross, who was born on this date in New York City in 1951.  There are more than a few of you younglings who probably owe your existence on Planet Earth to the fact that your parents were listening to his music the night you were conceived.

And what music it was.   While we all remember the romantic ballads and remakes of classic songs that he gave that Luther touch, he could put together some songs that would make you move as well.

And he is a music legend that is sorely missed.   




 

Happy 60th Birthday Sea Monica!

Had to take a moment to give one of my fave people in the trans rights movement a TransGriot shout out on her milestone birthday.

Monica Helms is not only the creator of the trans flag, a 2003 IFGE Trinity Award winner and blogs at Trans Universe, she along with Angela Brightfeather  founded the Transgender American Veterans Association in 2003.   In addition to fighting for trans vets issues, she's also been busy in the ATL fighting for trans and 'errbody' else's civil rights as well.

I met her when I was just beginning to get my feet wet on the national level as an activist.   Because we had close to similar writing styles and similar views on a few issues it became tough for other people to differentiate between us in online discourse in the late 90's.  People started referring to us as Monica of the Air, because I was working for CAL at the time, and Monica of the Sea because she's a Navy vet.  That later got shortened to Air Monica and Sea Monica.

Well, couldn't let today slide without wishing Sea Monica a happy 60th birthday!       

Keep speaking truth to power, fighting for the community, and may you have many more birthdays.