
I'm transgendered, and proud to say so. But...
There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by where there isn't a news item about abuse being thrown at a transgender person, or even worse their physical abuse or murder.
One of the latest events has involved a hired comedian working for Microsoft at an Xbox One gaming event, that decided to dehumanise, misgender and insult one of the participants purely because she is transgendered.
Sadly, any reporting of this case (and similar) will draw out the usual trolls and bigots. What I wouldn't expect is the same abuse from other members of the GLB community. Here's a selection of samples taken from the Gay Star News article:
As misguided and stupid as most of these comments are, most are down to pure maliciousness. If someone doesn't understand, isn't it basic human nature to want to learn rather than just write it off? There were however many rebuttals and amazing comments of support, but far too many to list :)
What this does, however is make me, personally doubt whether I've done the right thing by being "out and proud". With each new article or post, I worry even more whether I'm going to be safe, whether I'm going to get abuse hurled at me when I walk down the street, beaten up because someone thought I was "trying to trick them", all for being true to myself and living my live as I feel, not trying to hide, to pretend to be something I'm not.
Many people I know strive for (and many succeed in) being "stealth" and "passing", which perpetuates the problem and pushes it onto someone else. We're still seen as "freaks" or "men in dresses", or worse, "perverts", and "paedophiles".
This is the reason I am out and proud, to make a difference, to make things better for me, for other people in my situation, for future generations, to not have to deal with this shit. We have to stand up and fight our corner. We can't expect anyone else to do it for us or the bigots and trolls out there to think "Oh, I'm really being quite mean, I should stop". Isn't this what social progress is all about?
Settled at #GilwellReunion with @flagscouts, and some #TransgenderPride :) pic.twitter.com/6mDQLdI2Dm
— Little Miss Dee (@DeeHants) September 6, 2013
I'm transgendered, and proud to say so.
Some people seem to have taken this as deriding transgender people who aren't out which was not my intention at all.
I understand that some people are in a position where they feel unable to transition, and those that want to keep out of the lime light.
It is a personal choice, but not mine. I know I'm unlikely to "pass" 100% of the time, so I'm open, and I answer questions, and increase understanding so we're no longer "freaks in dresses".
Comments
Hold your head up high!
Hold your head up high!
Hey Dee, I'm trans too, and
Hey Dee, I'm trans too, and about reaching the point where I could go "stealth" if I wanted to. (Well, if I moved to another city or something...). Stealth appeals to me, in that I hate not being treated for my true gender. But then again, I just can't stand to let all this ignorance and bigotry go unchecked. I know the best weapon is visibility and helping people understand. So I do talks, I blog, I talk about it... I know I've made an impact already.
Stealth I think will always be somewhat attractive. But this is better. And so long as a few, important people see me as I am, it's enough.
(I'm at http://www.sophiagubb.com if you're curious)
You're single and have no
You're single and have no children, correct?
When you have a family and a partner you will begin to understand why people aren't 'out and proud'. Currently your choice only affects you. When it may affect other people, you may regret all the stuff you have published on the internet that outs you.
You're wrong
I'm in a long term relationship and have been since just after transition. They and my family are also just as supportive.
The whole point of my article was that I am out to try and get rid of the stigma and prejudice.
Why do you think I will be likely to regret standing up for my own equality and right to be treated like any other decent human being?
You missed my point entirely;
You missed my point entirely; which was: when there are other people involved, you're not just making a choice for one. You need to be considerate of their feelings and potential repercussions on them. You never mentioned that in your blog post.
Loaded question and one that has nothing to do with my initial post.
But to answer it anyway; passing appears to have a lot to do with your current attitude. You seem to be in that space of "I don't pass so I might as well be an activist".
You may later regret that choice if/when you start passing - something that a lot of people end up doing. Once stuff is on the internet, it is damn hard to get it off the internet.
Is the point of your transition to be female? Or is it to be trans? Have a think about that as well. Because while you're constantly reminding yourself that you are trans, you're never going to get there.