Discrimination . . .

[Gina Taylor]

I don't want to get into any fights with anybody. I'm not that type of woman. I'm a lover not a fighter!

[Jessica Merriman]

Really think anyone here will buy that? *giggles* Love ya baby!

[ttim0324]

Thanks for your concern and strong words. I will push for my rights if I run into any problems. But I don't see why I should be forced to move out of a city that I've lived in for the last 20 years just because I am changing. I'll just have to be extra careful when I go out and go to certain places. 

You shouldnt be forced to move out of the city, it's disgusting that people would make you even entertain the idea. But at the same time you have to sit there and wonder if you want to fight with so many closed minded people. Is it really worth the stress? Negativity breeds more negativity, I'm not telling you to run away, but I doubt anyone would look down at you  if you wanted to get up and start a new life somewhere else where you could be happy without so many toxic people :/

[Megumi]

I was just talking with a friend and he brought up some good points to me. He told me that I should consider that the community that I live in has a lot of cowboys and rednecks and if they don't care too much about me, they sling me over their shoulder like a cow and they'll drag me through the dirt.  Then he brought to my attention the problems I've had at various places, like being kicked out of the Flea Market twice, being kicked out of a local hang out once and being written up in the Police beat section of the local newspaper after having a make over done at a department store.

I'm seriously thinking of going to a city that is a little more TG friendlier, just to get away from these problems.  Or maybe I should do as my therapist had suggested about going out at night as Gina and remaining as my male self during the rest of the time instead of going full time. 

It sounds like you live in the same neck of the woods as I do. Down in the deep bible belt south. I haven't presented as female out in public yet but yesterday when I was leaving work I got a remark. I've been leaving work with my hair down for a while now and every now and then I'll get double takes. As I was walking out into the parking lot a man and a woman were walking in with some food from Sonic. The woman said "hhheeelllllooo" real quietly to the guy while looking right at me and the guy laughed, the way she said it was clearly to make fun of me. I could have gotten mad but here's what I did instead. I instantly said, "my hearing is beyond great still, why hello to you too" with a smile on my face and a nice friendly wave. They were the ones who turned around and got upset as I walked off with a smile on my face. Eff them, they don't want to show another human respect then I won't allow them to have any satisfaction of seeing me get hurt from mere words. No matter how bad it hurts to get made fun of I'm not going to allow them to see it because I know that's what they want. It's kind of funny to say but I think I'm beginning to grow a backbone all of the sudden.

[Tessa James]

Good for you Megan!!

Keep on rocking!!

[Gina Taylor]

Really think anyone here will buy that? *giggles* Love ya baby!

People can believe what they want to believe.

[Gina Taylor]

You shouldnt be forced to move out of the city, it's disgusting that people would make you even entertain the idea. But at the same time you have to sit there and wonder if you want to fight with so many closed minded people. Is it really worth the stress? Negativity breeds more negativity, I'm not telling you to run away, but I doubt anyone would look down at you  if you wanted to get up and start a new life somewhere else where you could be happy without so many toxic people :/

I agree with you 100%. That's why I'm gonna stand tall and fight for my rights! I'm not gonna be terrorized by cowboys or rednecks!

[Gina Taylor]

It sounds like you live in the same neck of the woods as I do. Down in the deep bible belt south. I haven't presented as female out in public yet but yesterday when I was leaving work I got a remark. I've been leaving work with my hair down for a while now and every now and then I'll get double takes. As I was walking out into the parking lot a man and a woman were walking in with some food from Sonic. The woman said "hhheeelllllooo" real quietly to the guy while looking right at me and the guy laughed, the way she said it was clearly to make fun of me. I could have gotten mad but here's what I did instead. I instantly said, "my hearing is beyond great still, why hello to you too" with a smile on my face and a nice friendly wave. They were the ones who turned around and got upset as I walked off with a smile on my face. Eff them, they don't want to show another human respect then I won't allow them to have any satisfaction of seeing me get hurt from mere words. No matter how bad it hurts to get made fun of I'm not going to allow them to see it because I know that's what they want. It's kind of funny to say but I think I'm beginning to grow a backbone all of the sudden.

That's an excellent attitude to take. And that's one that I'm gonna develop as well when ever I come across some people like what you've discribed. Let the yoke fall on their face and see how it feels! 

[Gina Taylor]

Today I went to the Police department and I inquired about anti-discrimination laws. The officer told me that he's never heard of such a thing, so I explained to him briefly about myself and told him about some of the problems. When I told him about getting written up in the Police Beat, he smiled and told me that I'm a celebrity. Then he clearly informed me of FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Anybody can say anything to me or about me, and it's how I respond to it. I also told him about the cowboys and Redneck situation, and he told me that they're just like everybody else, as long as I don't get involved with them or if they don't recognize me, then they'll be no problems. 

It really made me feel better and hearing all of the wonderful comments from my family here made me feel stronger as well. Really looking forward to 2014!