Hmm,
I'm new here.
But If I had to say which myths in and arround/about our community that NEED to die a very quick death...
#1: Trans. people are pervs, that just want to sneak into restrooms so they can see girls naked.
-Yeah, that one needs to die.
#2: Taking herbal supplements like phyto-estrogen is dangerous, and/or innefective.
-This one really gets me riled up, as I use herbals just fine.
#3: All trans. people are depressed and/or at risk for suicide, and/or need therapy.
-Well excuse me! I'm sorry, I know our numbers are high compared to other focus groups, and it is a real problem for many in our community; -but not all! Some don't have these sort of issues, and it can be frustrating to hear the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) all the time! It tends to lead people to thinking that those who aren't are lying, and/or just being arrogant or something. It's just not true.
Kill this! Quick!
#4: 20-somethings and younger share the same values and beliefs about being Transgendered as the "old-schoolers", and if we don't, we're just being arrogant, snotty little kids.
-This is not just a transgender issue. This of course applies to everywhere, But my generation in general (Gen Y) does not value the same stuff as any previous generation. We tend to ask "why?" and we don't get an answer, or the answer we get is not satisfying, and/or make sense, we tend to not do it. Period. We tend to be critical thinkers and skeptical, and unintimidated by making change happen. This tends to scare the older Gens, as we just don't "go along with it". We also tend to be pretty pissed and Un-impressed or even down right angry with teh way the previous Gens have run things(global warming, national debt, anyone?). So we speak our mind. And we tend not to care whether anyone else likes what we have to say or not. Some things need to be said (like Pro life, Pro War???). That said, we base our respect for our elders off their actions, and not their seniority (we think respect is earned and natural based on one's actions, not entitled)
-So generally when we disagree, we say so. And often loudly.
-One thing regarding sensitivity for us (gen Y and younger). Previous generations (especially generation x) tended to (and do) regard therapists, therapy, psychology, councilling and psychiatry very highly. We (my gen) tend not to, and in some cases are extremely and very, VERY hostile towards the subject and /or even the suggestion. Especially those of us who are transgendered. Many of us were forcibly hospitalized or put in "behavioral modification programs" to try and "modify", shrink, or medicate our transgender-ness out of us. I remember very clearly when the therapists stole my clothes, and I was marched into a room full of age-peers and parents of such to have my own mother (at the therapists suggestion) pull my training bra out of the paper bag where they had stached it, and procede to drape it over her head in an effort to use humilliation to get me to "change my 'innapropreate' behavior". Even thinking about it fills me with rage. I had not yet come out, or even begun to address within myself what I was. This sort of thing is common place with kids therapy and is beyond innapropreate. It deserves prison in my opinion.
I know a lot of my generation who share similar "therapy" experiences.
Which leads to the final myth:
#5: Suggesting Therapy to someone is OK.
-It's not. Especially not to those of us who had it forced on us as children. And of the transgendered youth that's probably most of us.
Be REALLY careful with this! Approach the subject REALLY carefully when talking to someone 20-ish and younger. We were therapied enough! To us, this is like asking us if we have found Jesus. Keep your religious, and Psychological beliefs to yourself unless you know it's ok to talk about! You are guaranteed to get along with Generation Y much better that way!
-Some thoughts
-Sarah
