Off Topic Admin Message
I have removed or edited the off topic GLB bashing posts in this thread. We don't strengthen the GLB support for the Transgender community by withdrawing; we strengthen it by becoming more involved, more visible.
The transsexuals problem is that once we finish transition many of us attempt to fade away, we willingly reenter the closet that we escaped from, in a vain attempt to pretend our entire lives up to that point never happened.
On the Topic
Want to make your local pride event more trans friendly? Request the local Pride Committees establish a transgender representative, and for them to conduct transgender outreach. Reach out to local trans support groups, etc. Encourage them and their membership to attend. There is strength in numbers.
Before the local Pride group failed I got an inside look at one. The main costs of holding pride events is the attractions such as the speakers, and permit fees and insurance requirements of the venues, security, etc.
For example the last pride event here had Michael Savage and Calpernia Addams. I don't know what Calpernia Addams got paid if anything; but I do know Michael Savage was a significant expense, probably the biggest expense for the entire event.
This is why there is admission, vendor fees, and plenty of corporate sponsorship. They have to pay the bills.
Did I feel welcome there as a trans person, most certainly. But I had worked to make sure that the trans community would feel welcome. That's what you need to do in your communities. Step up and change things.
Our local pride group failed because the person leading it was not a good leader, and the group did not reach out to secure corporate funding for the event. It was also a few years to early was my guess. Hopefully one day someone will step up and take the mantle to try to organize the event again.
