I don't inhabit the black and white; if you're a fellow citizen of the gray area and can understand, or better yet, like that my sexuality alone takes several paragraphs to describe, read on. :)

I'm woman focused, but I find the lesbian label off the mark. Mutual love and attraction is key. I will admit I have never had the same type of intimacy with a man as I have had with a woman.

I'm queer, and I'm open about who I am. I'm a writer. I like to write a lot about myself and my experiences. You can learn a lot about me from my blogs and journals. I'm not rejecting labels in an attempt to be coy. I just want to be known as the loving, compassionate person I am.

I'm honest, loyal, and trustworthy, and I expect the same from others. I'm not into power trips, lies, games, or any kind of drug abuse--all pretty big turnoffs for me. I am seeking light and truth and connection with others.

I'm a blogger and love to write, and you can see my work at at , Rabid Yellow Dog, Marti Abernathey, and TA. I've also blogged at Shakesville, TGB, and a few other places I'm forgetting right now. I'm working on my autobiography currently, not so much to be published, but for my children and their children. I find writing very cathartic and a great way to sort out my thoughts. It is my greatest form of self expression.

If you want to contact me, my IM names are as follows:

MSN: marti.abernathey@gmail.com YIM:mzmartipants AIM:mzmartipants Gtalk:marti.abernathey@gmail.com

Editors

• GalenAskton
• radicalriley

I spent a lot of my teen years trying to lose myself in drugs and alcohol. My 20's I spent trying to find happiness in marriage (and in another person). My 30's were a time of transition, into this warm comfortable space I call me. All in all, I feel like I'm finally in a place where I'm living my truth, loving my life, and giving back to society in a way that will change lives. If there is any way to really find yourself, I have.

I have a silly cat (Lola) and she was rescued from a shelter. It doesn't seem right to me to buy a pet from a breeder or a store when there are so many adorable and lovable pets in shelters who need a good home.

I spend much of my time doing web design (both front and back end)and writing. My hobbies are digital photography, running, walking, and biking. I enjoy volunteering for political, queer, and progressive organizations.

My future goals are to go back to school (via the web)and finish up my BS in radiology. The it's off to law school. I'd like to practice either family law for the under privileged, or be a public defender. Some day I hope to run for a political office.

Editors

• GalenAskton
• radicalriley

understating.

I've been told I'm witty and compassionate, although I guess I can't really claim to be perceptive. I really don't know what other people notice about me!

Galen Askton says: Marti has a delightfully impetuous sense of humor. And she welcomes sparring on ideology / politics, but won't take intellectual disagreements personally. That's rare and wonderful.

Editors

• GalenAskton
• radicalriley

(a) The People's History of The United States, 1984, Pig Farm, A Clergyman's Daughter, and Everyman.

TPHOTUS had the greatest impact on my political views, the Clergyman's Daughter on my religious views (I relate to it so much, as I had my own fall from religion), and Everyman on coming to terms with my own mortality. I've read other books, but these books had major impact on my life.

(b) Rent, The Fountain, Forrest Gump, Elizabeth, Religulous, Any Michael Moore or Kevin Smith movie, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Student Bodies, Airplane! 1&2, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, and Moulin Rouge!

Anything with death in it will make me cry. I loved Rent and I own both the movie and broadway DVDs. I love documentaries and history pieces the most.

(c) Jazz, Rock: Santana, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Finger Eleven, Fighting For Five, The Outfield, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Soul Asylum, Metallica (Master of Puppets and before), and the Beatles. Pop: Madonna, Cher, Justin Timberlake, Sting, Christina Aguilera, Amanda Palmer, The Dresden Dolls Punk: DNA-12, Dandelion Abortion, Helen Shields, Decendents, Ramones, Zero Boys Country: Garth Brooks, Allison Kraus, Clint Black Really Old School: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, R&B/Soul: Al Green, Kanye West, Indie Arie, Sade, Rap/Hip Hop: Beastie Boys Spoken Word: Alix Olson Folkish: Martin Sexton Misc: Indigo Girls, Melissa Ferrick, Liz Phair, k.d. Lang, Joan Osborne, Bonnie Raitt, Idina Menzel, Ferron, Antony and the Johnsons, Carbon Leaf, Jack Johnson.

My musical tastes are very schizophrenic. Songs from Carbon Leaf make me feel as if I'm flying, Idina Menzel makes me feel like I'm in a old jazz club, Ferron makes me want drive to the backwoods with a girlfriend... each piece of music strikes a cord in me. The best concert I ever attended was an outdoor concert in Indy and the Indigo Girls were playing on a beautiful warm summer night. I felt like every breath of the night air was so full life.

There's only one thing I could never do without... hope. I've lost hope before, and the result really wasn't living, but simply existence. Life and love are an amazing thing and I can't wait to explore it. I've found an amazing family and connection that I've never thought possible. It's been so strong it made me fall in love with WISCONSIN! :)

Why people are so mean and hateful about things that are so unimportant in the big picture. How beautiful life can be. I think about how temporary things are and I try to enjoy each moment as it comes.

Editors

• radicalriley

I'm probably hanging out with friends or exploring Madison.

Editors

• GalenAskton

Private? I don't make a big deal out of the fact that I'm trans, because it's not really the first thing I want people see me as.

Editors

• radicalriley

you feel inclined to do so. I'm a pretty open and chatty person, though if you feel like IMing me, I'm not a big fan of OkC's chat program (hint: that's why I included my Yahoo, Gmail, MSN, and AIM chat SN) :)

Editors

• radicalriley