My tribute to NL Music Legend Ron Hynes 1950-2015

I am completely shocked and saddened that we lost Ron Hynes last night. When I moved to NL in 2007, I was told that if I liked the Eagles and Gordon Lightfoot, that I should grab Hynes' Cryer's Paradise CD. This record totally blew me away. Perhaps the most amazing piece of music I have ever heard. Weeks later, after buying Face to the Gale, Get Back Change, and Standing In Line in the Rain, I was hooked. This was now one of my top 5 favourite music artists in the entire world.

I would be fortunate enough to see him play live concerts 7 times between 2007-2013 and met and chat with him on numerous occasions. While I was told he could sometimes be in a foul mood, he was also great to me, and was always totally 100% accepting of me.

One of my favourite comments Ron made on stage one night, was when he was asked at the last-minute to open a show for Steve Miller Band at the Mile One Centre. He said "I missed a chance to fly to Toronto tonight to see the Eagles play, but it is worth it to be here with you all tonight!"

Another classic joke he once told from the stage was "If you have a request, just jot it down on a 50 dollar bill and bring it up to the stage and we'll be happy to play it for you".

When I was going through some very tough times in 2009, including losing my job and my apartment, I often contemplated leaving NL. It even came to me making a list of pros and cons to staying vs leaving, and being able to continue to see and hear Ron play live concerts at the Fat Cat blues club made my list of reasons to stay.. I'm glad I did!

(Photos: me with Ron in 2013, and Ron on the Fat Cat stage in 2009).

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Jennifer McCreath endorses NL Provincial Progressive Conservatives!

It's been an interesting year in provincial politics here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We have watched the NDP and Progressive Conservatives choose new party leaders, and we have also watched the Liberals sit back and coast after winning several by-elections in 2012-13.

Now that the provincial campaign has been underway for a while, I have paid close attention to what these three parties have to say. While it is common knowledge that I have had many battles with former Progressive Conservative Government's lead by Danny Williams and Kathy Dunderdale, I have seen a significant change since Paul Davis was named the new leader a year ago.

As we look at the specifics of the campaign, it appears to me that the Liberals have no plan. They think they can win an election based on simply stating that they represent 'change', however, it seems unclear as to what sort of change they have to offer. Davis also represents change, and anyone that takes a look at his new Blue Print will clearly see that this is a party with a clear a vision and plan.

Most importantly, having engaged and even collaborated with many members from all three parties, I must honestly state that the Progressive Conservative candidates stand out to me as the ones who are most practical and the ones who take me and my issues seriously.

I am excited to endorse the Paul Davis-lead NL provincial Progressive Conservatives, and District of Mount Scio candidate Rhonda Churchill Herder.

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Jennifer McCreath comes out as Non-Binary Gender Identity!

I might as well state the obvious: While my status as a transsexual from male to female was and will always be binary, gender identity is a completely different matter.

I have some feminine traits, I also have some masculine traits. I also have other traits that could be defined as both or neither. Gender is a social construct - a theory that we all should act the same way based on genitals. Well, I am not like that.

The non-binary movement within the trans community is starting to become oppressed from the rest of the trans community, and I am proud to say that I am a part of both movements, and I look forward to raising both the trans flag and non-binary flag (depicted on this post) in the upcoming years ahead!

This is the internationally-recognized Non-Binary flag, (which is not to be confused with the "genderqueer" flag, which is green, white and purple - a label that is not one I am comfortable with).

Overall, I hate labels, but non-binary best fits where I stand on the 'gender' spectrum. Sex wise, I am a binary transsexual male to female. That's a medical procedure I had in 2011 which was necessary, but it isn't a life event that will define me or be my legacy.

What does this mean for pronouns? Well, I hate pronouns.  I'd prefer feminine pronouns over masculine promouns, but also welcome gender neutral pronouns. Ultimately, I just want to be known as Jennifer McCreath the person!

For more information, here's a lengthy and detailed video I filmed last night to explain more

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