I work for an oversight organisation, one that oversights public agencies to (try and) make sure they do their job. Sort of.
Arising out of my usual job, I got an invite to speak to a group of police recruits
(i.e.: in about 2 weeks they're going to be out on the streets...) about my experience as a trans woman. Another speaker was giving a presentation on LGBTQI background, privilege etc.
Previously I have spoken to the cops about purely work related matters, which is one thing, it is a bit different when you're talking about yourself and your personal feelings. There's a sense you don't want to go too overboard with personal info but also you can't be too bland and non-specific. I also had a feeling that I needed to provide a different perspective to the somewhat narrow view on trans womean that had been on tv the night before. In comparison I probably was a bit dull, but I did feel that I had their attention while I spoke - and not just on a curiosity basis.
I wanted to give the message that as trans people we have the same lives, the same feelings and needs as pretty much everyone else and we deserve to be treated in the same (hopefully) fair and decent manner that anyone else would expect, and that as cops they had the option of being on the side of fear and ignorance or of setting a decent example.
I have no idea what overall effect, if any, these kinds of presentations have - I was one in a line of various community members who have spoken to police recruits generally on areas of gender diversity over the last few years. I guess the hope is that it may lead to a general greater awareness of and fairness in dealing with trans persons and gender diverse people in general.
