By Brianna Austin
|
By Brianna Austin
|
|
Over
the past few years it's hard not to notice that there is an increasing
number of TG oriented events available both in and outside of the
community. Formal balls, conventions, parties and shows (i.e. traditional
lip-synching, live music, and plays) seem to be continually available in
all the major cities. But is the community actually growing, or are more
TGs simply coming out of the closet? Forty years ago cross-dressing in many
states was illegal, and I have talked with several people who remember
experiences of being thrown in jail just for walking down the street.
Arrests, beatings and clandestine murders (listed as suicides until fairly
recent), were commonplace, but ignored and labeled unfortunate incidents
of no social consequence. Even since the turn of this new 21st century,
there have still been two murders a day of trans people worldwide. While
that is a tragic number, things are getting better, and we have to remind
ourselves that "a movement" takes time. Change takes time, as we
saw in the fight for civil and gay rights. But, the trans community has
recently seen monumental momentum. National awareness in the social
mindset through TV, film and politics has brought the discussion center
stage. There are now 106 congressmen that have signed nondiscrimination
pledges to protect gender expression within their own offices. Cities and
states across the country are adding new protective laws, and gender
expression is becoming a common and universal theme. It hasn't come cheap. It is only through
the diligent work of dedicated transgender advocates worldwide that lives
have been enriched through the expansion of our rights and freedoms.
Perhaps in another generation or so kids won't feel guilty, ashamed and
frustrated for being a little different. Think of how much better our
youth would have been if we didn't have to go through that. So has the driving force of this new
gender revolution been new legislative policies, or has society evolved,
ever so slightly, to embrace the idea of live and let live? Is one
component more important than the other, or do they mutually propel each
other forward, building momentum as they go. Michelle Moore invited me to
a small gathering in NYC at the home of photographer Mariette Pathy-Allen,
sponsored by MorganChase, for the benefit of GenderPAC, a non-profit
organization that works to end discrimination and violence caused by
gender stereotypes. They do this by changing public attitudes, educating
elected officials and expanding legal rights. I enjoyed the opportunity to
meet GenderPAC's executive and managing directors, and engage in
conversations with people from several different groups representing gay,
lesbian, CD, TS and TG. During several conversations I began to
wonder why the CD community is not more involved in organizations that
protect trans rights, like GenderPAC, NYAGRA or the National Transgender
Advocacy Coalition? It’s true that the agenda's of these groups impact
the lives of TSs and TGs more than that of a CD, but bringing the walls
down benefits everyone. A gay woman that night suggested that for a
trans-person to hide their identity is to behave in a way that suggests
that they are ashamed of who they are. I don't agree with that, and Nancy,
a CD from CDI (a social group) in NYC, explained that her CD life is not
part of her 'guy' life, or visa versa. She doesn't consider herself a
woman, nor is she on a life altering path to become one. She is a
cross-dresser and happy to be just that - there is no other exploration
needed. Nancy confidently stated that maintaining privacy doesn't by
itself indicate embarrassment. Many CDs build entire lives outside the
trans-community, and in some cases those lives involve other people. They
are CDs part-time by choice, and they simply enjoy cross-dressing on
limited occasions. It has been suggested that for CDs in this situation to
come out publicly serves no beneficial purpose to them, and I would have
to agree. It is understandable that their CD activities are merely a hop
down the secret rabbit hole, and that that path should never lead to their
front door. Rather than trying to persuade them otherwise, so that they
can increase the numbers of visibly active members of the movement, we
should be asking "how can we get your support while protecting your
anonymity?" So let me ask you, do you have any ideas? Why do you feel
that so many CDs are indifferent to the cause of gender expression rights?
Is it because they fear the risk of going public, or is their CD
experience just not as significant as the rest of their personal life?
Could something be done to engage them in the larger TG community' agenda?
Your idea may or may not be the right one, but it is through open dialogue
that great ideas are formed, so sound off. We are a large, financially viable, broad
group of people. In my Editorial entitled "By
Our Own Hand" I suggest that we need to form our own base and
continue to work with, but not be dependent on, the gay community agenda. In doing so
we can focus on, and achieve the goals that matter most to our lifestyle
as a group, and each of us individually. So, of course I didn't provide
any answers, I again submitted a question: How do we engage the
cross-dresser in the larger transgender political and social change
agenda? As
always, be happy, be safe, and think pretty.
© 2004 - Brianna Austin - All Rights reserved |
