Interesting article and suzi you make a good point. What are the rest of us doing. There really are some National Transactivists like Kate Bornstein. But many once they can, do go stealth. The gorgeous transwomen will tend to get the attention, just like gorgeous ciswomen. Just the facts of life. But all of us need to be involved, just like a little while back one of the girls here was publicizing a petition on We the People web site and we really didn't have a lot of other girls from here sign on. With Medicare and VA now covering SRS (even though you can't find too many doctors to accept assignment) 5 states now mandate that private health insurance cover SRS, what about the other 45 states, why aren't we involved in petitioning to get coverage for this life-saving procedure. I know that many of us can't come out yet but there are groups we can join like the HRC that is working for LGBT rights and doing public education. I know of a lawyer down in one of the Carolinas had her story in the newspaper. Another policewoman in I think Arizona had her story told in a magazine. We need to educate the public and legislators that just like with ciswomen, not everybody is drop dead gorgeous - there are regular transwomen who maybe have the broad shoulders, size thirteen feet, have years of the ravages of testosterone on their faces but are women none the less that were born with a birth defect. Maybe we can't stand up every day to be counted, but we should when we can. Why can't people like Susan get recognition for the great work she has done in providing us a safe space where we can share? Janet Mock gets recognized for setting up the transgender suicide hotline, does anybody remember it getting publicized here? It did. It could be a life-saver. And let's not forget the moderators here, who without pay help keep things running smooth. There is a lot getting done, these folks just don't get the recognition they deserve.
I know its hard when many of us still need to be in the closet due to oppression and rejection, but if each of us would make a squeak when we can, perhaps much more would get accomplished.
Hugs to All,
