|
 verything
in life stems from two things: Love and/or fear. Transgender is going
mainstream says the Daily News a month or so ago in a big headline. Maybe
in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco or New Orleans. But I
can't imagine in the heartland they understand what transgender truly is,
nor the differences of the various categories; TV, CD, TS, She-Male etc.
For that matter most people don't, not even some within the community
itself.
When I attended the Transgender Rights forum I was dressed in wedge heels,
jeans and a little black midriff top. That day, more than any other, I was
very comfortable with the fact that I was a guy dressed and identified
within as female. What if I awoke to find that everybody was okay with
that? Instead of wearing my pants I wore a dress. I am not talking about
tolerance or being polite here, I am talking about perception. What if
everyone grew up to believe it's okay? After all it is only clothes and
perhaps the way we carry ourselves. A feminine man is not a problem to
anybody, but let him put a dress on and big trouble. Is it the perception
of his gender that creates the stir, or does he challenge everyone else's?
A girl can shave her head, wear pants and army boots and no one will look
twice ... OK, but they won't look a third time. Society has grown
accustomed to it. But a man acting feminine and wearing feminine clothes;
it still shocks the system. Why should this be?
I think back to the Rights Forum and hear some of the attendees saying
"we have to educate people, they need to know who and what we
are". This I believe is true. I have always believed that all things
stem from Love and Fear. People are afraid because they do not understand,
they don't understand because no one explains. But with so much of the
community crossdressers, TV's and part timers, I don't see those people
jumping into the public eye or onto a picket line any time soon. And that
is understandable, some of us have families, careers and much to consider,
and can't join in. We are a large, diverse, and silent group. But it makes
you wonder how the community is ever going to educate anyone when there is
no collective voice. And without one, how is society as a whole going to
become familiar with us to understand we are sane, safe and contributors
to society? Maybe Disney can do a G-rated movie, Taffy the TG Bunny?
As
always, be happy, be safe, and think pretty.
Brianna Austin
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Where Is The Voice?